"This..." Wang Xi hesitated for a moment, but gave a general explanation. After all, he also knew that Wang Shouren would not be transferred from Datong in a short time. Now we are sharing weal and woe. It is also time for this young Jinshi to know the conditions in the northwest. harsh.

He said: "Often soldiers go out to patrol the passes and take this opportunity to see if they can get some cattle, sheep, etc..."

Wang Shouren frowned, and he probably understood that this was somewhat similar to the "grasping in the valley" mentioned before.

Wang Shouren said: "Should I get cattle and sheep, or should I get the people's food and grass for the winter?"

This means, should the soldiers rob the Tatars or rob their own people?

Wang Xi sighed: "The soldiers also want to have food for the winter."

Wang Xi's words were almost an admission that if the local soldiers in Datong Town ran out of money and food, they would rob their own people in the name of sending troops.

Wang Shouren said coldly: "No wonder I, on my way here, heard someone mention that 'thieves come like a comb, soldiers come like a grate, and officials come like a shave'. Even my own people are not spared. What's the matter with the farming areas in the northwest?" Was it robbed by the Tatars, or was it robbed by generals at all levels? If this trend happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Wang Zhongcheng, this means that all the governors have always wanted to strictly stop this matter, but in order to implement it, I'm afraid they still have to prevent the army from taking the lead. The soldiers are also having a hard time."

As the commander-in-chief, Wang Xi knew that the soldiers below would plunder his own people but did not care.

In fact, it was to tell Wang Shouren that this was for survival and there was nothing he could do about it.

The soldiers have weapons, but the common people don't have weapons. Those with weapons can't survive. It sounds reasonable to plunder those without weapons... Do you want people with weapons to plunder the Ming Dynasty's treasury? ?

Who among the officials and generals doesn’t want to live and work in peace and contentment? But the problem is that the imperial court cannot provide that much money and food for the northwest.

Wang Shouren said: "So, you should listen to Zhang Zhitai. He said he wants to open a mine, and you must cooperate. With the mine, there will be money, and the grain merchants will transport grain from the south of the Yangtze River. Zhang Zhitai changed it to open a mine. In China and France, there are salt guides and salt merchants, and the soldiers can fill their stomachs."

"Haha, Wang Zhongcheng, I'm afraid... it won't be that fast, right?" Wang Xi smiled bitterly.

Even if Zhang Zhou is really capable, isn't it a fantasy to expect him to solve the financial problems of the towns in the northwest in a short time?

Wang Shouren said: "I have brought more than 10,000 taels of silver here. It is for Zhang Zhitai to raise manpower to start the mine. If you can find people, you can take the more than 10,000 taels of silver."

"ah?"

Wang Xi heard this.

Even if Zhang Zhou gave you the silver, do you plan to use the silver from mining that Zhang Zhou gave you for military use?

Doesn't that mean...you have betrayed Zhang Zhou's trust in you?

Wang Shouren saw Wang Xi's puzzled expression and did not explain. He said: "Now that Huo Si is moving south, it is probably not to attack the pass. It is just because internal disputes have arisen. He has no way to gain a foothold in Weininghai. But if he wants to gain a foothold in Mao

It is not realistic to go to Erzhuang and other places. Giving him land to graze in the Hetao is a gift to him. Detailed battle reports are expected to come in the next few days."

…

…

Just as Wang Shouren expected.

As Huochai led his troops southward, Ye Bushou of the Ming Dynasty also heard the news, saying that there was a battle between Huochai and the Yongxiebu tribe of Yibula in the Weining Sea.

The specific results of the battle cannot be ascertained, but it seems that Huo Si lost. Otherwise, why would Huo Si go south and leave Weining Sea?

Previously, Huoshai asked Ming to grant him the Weining Sea. Now that he is giving up this fertile pasture, it only shows that he also knows that even if Ming has such a reward, Huoshai will not dare to establish a foothold in Weining Sea again. It seems that he has only the west.

Move this way.

On this day, Wang Shouren was summoning the generals of Datong Town to hold a military meeting.

However, a messenger came in and announced: "Major General, Mr. Tang is here."

The so-called "Mr. Tang" is Zhang Zhou's junior brother Tang Yin. These titles were arranged for them by Zhang Zhou's direct descendants. It seems that these Jinshi scholars of the same year are regarded as members of a team.

Wang Shouren dismissed the meeting that day and met Tang Yin in his governor's office.

"Bohu, aren't you exploring for mineral veins in the south with Zhang Zhitai?" Seeing Tang Yin's depressed look, Wang Shouren naturally thought that the exploration of the mineral veins was not going well.

Tang Yin said: "Zhang Zhitai felt that I couldn't help there, and knowing that Huo Si was heading south, he asked me to coordinate with you, Wang Zhongcheng, to prepare to welcome Huo Si into the pass for an audience."

Wang Shouren frowned and said, "It's Zhang Zhitai, so what does it matter?"

Tang Yin shook his head.

In his eyes, Zhang Zhou was too mysterious to reason with common sense. Anyway, he would go wherever Zhang Zhou asked him to go and do whatever he was asked to do.

"How is the progress of the mining?" Wang Shouren asked someone to serve tea.

"It's very smooth. Zhang Zhitai said it was very smooth. He pointed to a place and set up a mark to see if there was any ore... Who knows?" Tang Yin followed Zhang Zhou to explore for mineral veins, which was an eye-opener.

He also understood that he couldn't help Zhang Zhou there, so he could feel more comfortable when he came to help Wang Shouren.

At least Wang Shouren won't put so much pressure on him.

Tang Yin asked: "I heard that His Majesty gave you the title of Count Xinjian?"

As he said this, Tang Yin still looked envious.

Wang Shouren looked solemn and said: "There is news coming from the capital, but it has not been implemented yet, but Ma Yi, the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu, has been promoted to Pinglupp."

"It's really not easy for a civil servant to get a title. It's comparable to Wang Weining." Tang Yin looked ashamed.

After all, before sending troops to Weininghai, Zhang Zhou also mentioned it to Tang Yin, and Tang Yin also clearly said that he did not have the courage. Of course, Zhang Zhou did not count on him at that time.

Now Wang Shouren has established his position in the army through this battle.

Wang Shouren said: "Even the governor of Pianguan, Wang Junmen, has not been promoted to the rank of nobility. I don't dare to take credit, so I petitioned your majesty to take back his order. Now the memorial has just been sent out."

Tang Yin wanted to say, if you don't want it, you can give it to me.

You don’t even want a title for you, it’s really... a well-fed man doesn’t know a hungry man is hungry.

"I'll tell you the specific situation of the war, let's go." Wang Shouren naturally regarded Tang Yin as Zhang Zhou's envoy. Although Tang Yin's official position was not as high as his, he was a powerful teacher, so Wang Shouren regarded Tang Yin as an imperial envoy.

But then Tang Yin waved his hand and said: "No, no, I am only responsible for welcoming the fire sieve. If he comes, I will welcome him. If he doesn't come, I will be safe for a few days. I have been too tired recently. As for the military situation, Zhang Zhitai also said before leaving.

I would like to specifically state that you, Wang Zhongcheng, will be responsible for not allowing me to interfere."

"hehe."

Wang Shouren smiled.

Zhang Zhou was pretty good at this. He didn't say that while arranging errands for him, he would also send someone to supervise him or even give him instructions.

Looking at Tang Yin's appearance... he looks like a mediocre person who can't do big things, but he quite likes Wang Shouren.

Wang Shouren smiled and said: "Bohu are of the same age, so there is no need to commensurate with official positions. Since Zhang Zhitai also saw that Huoshii had no intention of invading, then probably Huoshii's submission to the Ming Dynasty can be implemented, so you can stay here first.

I will let you know the news."

"good."

Tang Yin's face showed that he really didn't want to deal with those troublesome things.

Before coming to the northwest, he was just a man waiting to die. Now you expect him to do something big right away?

…

…

Wang Shouren originally wanted to arrange for Tang Yin to live in a wing of the governor's Yamen, but Tang Yin felt guilty and insisted on living in the post house.

Mainly because he didn't want to be restricted, but also because Xu Jing was already in the city earlier, and Xu Jing had already said that if Tang Yin came, he would definitely come to join him, and he also invited him to drink.

Tang Yin was now in an officialdom, and he still thought about his previous comfortable life as an ordinary scholar.

"Bohu..."

When Xu Jing saw Tang Yin in the post house, it was like meeting a close relative.

Tang Yin showed a lazy and incompetent side in front of Wang Shouren, but in front of Xu Jing, he instantly appeared to be very tall.

How can I say... I also work with senior brother Zhang Zhou to earn a living.

"Go in and talk." Tang Yin said.

"Okay, the wine has been prepared."

Xu Jing hurriedly led the way to Tang Yin. When he entered the guest room of the post house, what he saw was not some "little wine", but a very sumptuous banquet.

Xu Jing said with a flattering look on his face: "Now your reputation, Bohu, is being spread everywhere. Bohu is now Zhang Zhitai's fellow sect, which is really enviable to others. I heard that you have a good friendship with that Wang Zhongcheng? I don't know.

Can you please allow me to hold an official position in the governor's office?"

Although Tang Yin was an official, he did not open a government.

Without opening a government, he was not qualified to recruit staff... In other words, Tang Yin's salary could not even support himself, and there was no need to support someone to provide him with advice.

But Wang Shouren is different. He is now a serious governor, and many people who are frustrated will come to seek refuge.
Chapter completed!