The Sheng family is considered a prominent family in Youyang, and the daughters they raise will naturally not be those unruly and willful women who don't understand anything, especially Sheng Shulan, the eldest daughter of the Sheng family.

Although he met an unkind person and married a Sun Xiucai who only knew how to drink and have fun, his ability as a housekeeper was inherited from his mother, Sheng Li.

Xiao Wei, Shulan, and Wang Li opened a dyeing workshop together. It seemed that Xiao Wei was in charge, but in fact it was Shulan who was the one behind the scenes and was the one who really took charge of the overall situation.

To put it simply, Xiao Wei is the department manager, Shulan is the general manager and CEO, and Wang Li is one of the shareholders.

Moreover, most of the cloth produced by the dyeing workshop is sold to cloth shops that have a cooperative relationship with Jihai Company. After all, the yarn mills and cloth workshops of Jihai Company now have such large shipments that they occupy nearly three-thirds of Quanzhou's area.

One-third of the market caused the prices of local cloth and ready-made clothes in Quanzhou to drop sharply. The merchants could not help complaining, but the people cheered.

The price of salt has been such that the first influx of sea salt from the salt works was from Quanzhou local Shichang, which caused the price of salt to drop. Countless salt merchants hated Wang Zhong to the core, and even sent several assassins to assassinate Wang Zhong. Unfortunately,

Wang Zhong has superb martial arts skills and keen senses. The killer was noticed by Wang Zhong as soon as he took ten steps closer to Wang Zhong.

Several assassinations ended in failure, but several salt merchants were implicated. Wang Zhong and Chen Jun were not indecisive people. They directly sent troops to the door, ransacked their homes and arrested people, which added a lot of money to the state government treasury.

Millions of dollars in profit.

On the fifth day of March, Wang Zhong took Yu Chuer and more than ten guards and rushed to the Xinghua Army in the north of Quanzhou.

"Who is coming?" Outside the camp gate, the sergeant on duty stopped Wang Zhong and his party.

"If you blind your eyes, you won't even recognize me!" Ma Feng is the commander of a battalion of the Xinghua Army and one of the chief officers of the two battalions currently transferred to Quanzhou. He is usually friendly and kind.

one of.

"I've seen Commander Ma!" Ma Feng was stuck in the crowd just now, and the others were all strangers. The sergeants on duty didn't notice him at the first time, and that's how the previous scene happened!

"You..." Ma Feng was about to explode, but was stopped by Wang Zhong's voice.

"I have other important things to do here, so there is no need to get into trouble!"

Wang Zhong opened his mouth, and Ma Feng immediately responded with clasped fists. Then he turned his head and said loudly to the soldiers on duty: "This sir is the general magistrate of Quanzhou and the new deputy commander of the Xinghua Army. I have something to see Commander Yuan."

, why don’t you report it quickly!”

"I have seen the general judge. The general judge will wait a moment. I will report it right now!" The sergeant obviously did not expect that Wang Zhong had such a powerful background. He hurriedly saluted and apologized, and then ran towards the military camp.

The remaining sergeants looked at Wang Zhong curiously. The Xinghua Army is adjacent to Quanzhou and is usually responsible for defending the entire Fujian region. In recent years, there has been a lot of commotion in Quanzhou, including the construction of salt drying fields and the construction of docks.

Of course, I couldn't hide it from my neighbors, and two command battalions of the Xinghua Army were transferred to Quanzhou to garrison. I heard that each of them was making a lot of money, which made the sergeants who stayed behind extremely envious.

After a while, a middle-aged general who looked to be in his forties and somewhat bloated came out with a smile on his face.

The person who came was none other than Wang Wu, the commander-in-chief of the Xinghua Army: "Wang Tongxuan is here. I may not be able to welcome you from afar, but I hope Tongxuan will forgive me!"

Although the imperial court did not value civil service over military affairs as much as the historical Zhao and Song dynasties, the civil servants still had far more say than the generals in the court, let alone the local magistrates of a state.

All military and political affairs in the state!

Although Wang Zhong is not Zhizhou, his power is not inferior to that of Zhizhou at all, and he is a man of real talent and practicality. More importantly, Yuanwu, who has been the commander of the Xinghua Army in recent years, has made a lot of money, and

It's not like before that he had to rely on soldiers' oil and blood. He not only got benefits but also earned reputation. Maybe in a few years, he can climb up his position again.

Wang Zhong was not like some civil servants who think highly of themselves and feel that warriors are inferior and are not worthy of carrying their own shoes. Instead, Wang Zhong said very politely: "Commander Yuan is being polite. I was waiting for him unexpectedly!"

Yuan Wu hurriedly introduced Wang Zhong into the military tent and served him tea and snacks.

"The conditions in the army are simple, and I hope the magistrate will forgive me for being rude!" Yuan Wu was not a simple martial artist. He was also a martial artist in his early years and had read many books.

"Commander Yuan, there is no need to be polite!"

Wang Zhong smiled and cupped his hands, and said straight to the point: "This time, I have been ordered by Chen Zhizhou to come here for Xun Yuan's instructions!"

"Oh?" Yuanwu asked quickly, "I wonder what Chen Zhizhou's orders are?"

Wang Zhongdao: "Now that the Quanzhou Shipping Department has been established, there will only be more and more ships, merchants, and people entering and exiting Quanzhou Bay. Commander Yuan also knows that those who dare to do business at sea are either wealthy or powerful.

No matter how life-threatening it is, there will definitely be a mixture of dragons and snakes in Quanzhou Bay in the future, and when there are too many people, it is easy to cause trouble, and it may even attract pirates.

Moreover, the Quanzhou Shipbuilding Department has just been established, and it is inevitable that there are some shortcomings, which may lead to people with intentions to cause chaos. Therefore, a large number of soldiers and horses must be stationed and patrolled to deter those restless people and avoid causing trouble!"

Yuanwu tentatively asked: "Chen Zhizhou, does he want me to personally lead the troops to station in Quanzhou Bay?"

"No!" Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "The Xinghua Army is the Xinghua Army of Fujian, and it is not an army of Quanzhou. Commander Yuan has a heavy burden on his shoulders, how can he move lightly!"

Yuanwu breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel regretful in his heart. He immediately raised his hands and asked, "Then what are Chen Zhizhou's plans?"

"Zhizhou means to recruit people into an army in Quanzhou, train local braves, and add five command battalions. Two of them are stationed on the docks and are responsible for the safety of the land. The remaining three command battalions are

The naval forces are stationed at the northern and southern mouths of Quanzhou Bay to deter the Rong and Di pirates. When the time is right, they will report to the officials and become the Xiang Army!"

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Yuan Wu was stunned and said hurriedly: "The Xinghua Army only has five commanders in total. Will it be too many to add five commanders this time?"

Wang Zhong knew what Yuanwu was worried about. It was simply that Quanzhou had its own army, so their Xinghua Army would no longer be needed. Then how could their Xinghua Army make money?

He immediately said calmly: "Commander Yuan, don't worry. Chen Zhizhou means that all troops and horses stationed in Quanzhou will be treated as before. All expenses will be borne by Quanzhou, and the Zhizhou has an explanation, but this matter still needs to be done."

Only if Commander Yuan nods!"

Looking at Wang Zhong who suddenly looked mysterious, Yuan Wu asked in confusion: "Please tell me clearly!"

Wang Zhongdao: "I have discussed with Tongpan that the two battalions of the Xinghua Army stationed in Quanzhou will be rotated every six months in the future."

"A rotation period of six months?" Yuan Wu was stunned for a moment, and then he came to his senses: "Is Tong Yan serious about what he said?"

"Does Commander Yuan think that Wang is lying and deceiving him?" Wang Zhong's tone was still calm, but the gaze that penetrated people's hearts made Yuan Wu tremble physically and mentally.

Yuan Wu hurriedly explained: "Tong Ben misunderstood. I was just too surprised when I heard the news and made a mistake. Tong Ben forgives me!"

Only then did Yuan Wu realize that Wang Zhong was not one of the generals under his command, but an important local official who held great power. I heard that he had the trust of Emperor Jiayou and was entrusted with important responsibilities at a young age. The key was

It's not those embroidered pillows that look good but are useless. Moreover, he is the commander of the Xinghua Army, and he is a fifth-grade guerrilla general.

"Commander Yuan, don't be nervous!" Wang Zhong said with a smile: "I wonder what Commander Yuan meant by what Wang just said?"

"I will give my full support to you!" Yuan Wu immediately expressed his stance, and his attitude was very firm.

Wang Zhong raised his hand again and said: "I almost forgot, I have to trouble Commander Yuan to provide the ordnance needed by the new army!"

"Ah?" Yuanwu was really stunned now. Why are there still weapons? But looking at Wang Zhong with a smile on his face, and remembering the great help he just said, Yuanwu suddenly felt as if he had entered Wang Zhong's.

It was a trick, it was clearly calculated.

Yuan Wu suddenly had a toothache, but he didn't dare to refuse, so he could only say with a grimace: "Tong Juan Rong Zhen, it's not because Yuan is unwilling to support it, it's just that for a while, the army can't come up with so many equipment!

"

Wang Zhong waved his hands and said calmly: "It doesn't matter, Zhizhou and I are not unreasonable people. Commander Yuan can provide us with as much as we want. As for the rest, Chen Zhizhou and I will figure it out ourselves!"

Yuanwu breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Tongpan, for your understanding!"

Yuanwu was really afraid of Wang Zhong's unyielding lion just now.

The two discussed some more details, and Yuanwu took Wang Zhong to the armory and brought two hundred iron armors, three hundred paper armors, three hundred divine arm crossbows, three hundred strong bows, and other armors and weapons.

There were countless people, and Yuanwu personally sent a battalion of troops to help escort them.

Before leaving, Wang Zhong couldn't help but remind Yuan Wu Dao again: "Now, I don't know how many pairs of eyes in the imperial court are staring at Quanzhou. If the old and the weak are used as the strong soldiers like before, what will happen if it happens again?"

Commander Yuan knows it well! Don’t say that Wang did not predict what he said!”

After saying this, Wang Zhong got on his horse and left the Xinghua Army station with his men and horses, leaving behind Yuan Wu who was messy in the wind.

Things like what Wang Zhong said about eating empty wages, drinking soldiers' blood, and even reselling ordnance are common among local armies such as Xinghua Army. It is not uncommon. Most of the military attachés make money in this way.

Although Wang Zhong and Chen Jun are the highest officers in Quanzhou, the Xinghua Army does not belong to Quanzhou. The troops transferred to Quanzhou in the past were just secondments. The main reason was that the local rural soldiers in Quanzhou were not useful, so they were transferred from the Xinghua Army.

Seconded to guard the dock and intimidate Xiaoxiao.

As Quanzhou develops day by day, always relying on the Xinghua Army is not a long-term solution. After all, the Xinghua Army is not affiliated with Quanzhou, but a local government at the same level as Quanzhou. The imperial court has long stipulated that, except for Kaifeng Prefecture, the prefectural military supervisors

Although the names are different, they are all third-level local governments under the road, each with jurisdiction over several counties or even dozens of counties.

Some armies and prisons are still separated from the state capital. This is the case for the Xinghua Army. In the early years, it once belonged to Quanzhou. Since the time of the late emperor, it has been independent. It has jurisdiction over the three counties of Xinghua, Xianyou and Putian, and has a branch.

An army of five thousand means ten commanders.

However, this number is only on paper. The actual number of soldiers is far insufficient. The two command battalions transferred to Quanzhou were all cobbled together by Yuanwu. Moreover, the world has been at peace for decades, even if there is war.

Most of them are in the north. The south has been peaceful for a long time, and the armies in various places have long been decayed. There are very few young and strong soldiers in the army, most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled, and some are even old men with white beards and hair and stooped bodies.

These are things that everyone is well aware of, but now Quanzhou has stood on the cusp of the storm. With the establishment of the Shipping Department, it will only attract more and more attention. Xinghua Army and Quanzhou are already deeply involved, so naturally

It will be in the eyes of others. If the court really pursues the investigation, some things cannot be hidden at all. Moreover, although Yuanwu is not from a poor family, he is not from the Wuxun family. Although there are people in the family who are officials, other than him

The highest person is no more than a county magistrate, and does not have a deep foundation in the court.

Seeing the cartloads of ordnance being transported back to Quanzhou, Chen Jun, the governor of the state, couldn't help but smile on his face, stroking his beard and said: "This way, Quanzhou will be safe!"

"I have to pay more attention to military training!" Chen Jun raised his glass and invited Wang Zhong to drink with him.

Wang Zhong also raised his glass and said: "Thanks to the trust of Ming Gong, I will die as soon as I die!"

After hearing Wang Zhong's promise, the smile on Chen Jun's face became brighter and brighter, and he pulled Wang Zhong to drink several drinks before giving up.

It was not Chen Jun's impromptu idea to let Wang Zhong train troops. In the past few years, Wang Zhong had taken the archers and village warriors under the Quanzhou Prefecture to practice. Although it only lasted a few years, he had already made these village warriors

The heroes have changed their appearance, and just looking at their training posture is very different from ordinary country heroes.

Early the next morning, the Yamen's announcement to recruit Xiangyong was posted. At the same time, as the magistrate of the state, Chen Jun also ordered military orders to be sent to the counties under Quanzhou's jurisdiction, ordering each county captain to lead the county within half a month.

Archers and Xiangyong rushed to participate in the training camp.
To be continued...