Water Transport Governor's Mansion, wing room.

Yang Yipeng, the Governor of Water Transport, Zhao Shiqi, the Commander-in-Chief of Water Transport, and Wu Zongrui, the Governor of Huai'an Prefecture, were seated in order of priority. Standing on one side was Long Jianhong, the Governor of the Governor's Office of Water Transport.

Because of the relationship with the Huai'an government office, the first meeting of the Water Transport Governor's Office was postponed to the twentieth of the first lunar month.

It is rare for Yang Yipeng, the powerful second-rank water transport governor, to accommodate Wu Zongrui, the prefect of Huai'an Prefecture under his jurisdiction.

The proceedings were all over and the other officials left.

Yang Yipeng looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke slowly.

"Since Mr. Wu took office, the water transportation order in Southern Zhili and Zhejiang has been greatly improved. In nearly two months last year, 1.5 million tons of grain were transported to the north and the capital. Mr. Wu has made great contributions.

, both the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel expressed their commendation. This year's water transportation will begin soon. I hope Mr. Wu will continue to work hard to maintain the order of water transportation in South Zhili and Zhejiang."

Wu Zongrui blinked, looked at Zhao Shiqi opposite, and did not answer.

Yang Yipeng's words are too strange. Maintaining the order of water transportation and ensuring the safety of water transportation are the duties of Zhao Shiqi, the commander-in-chief of water transportation. The Huai'an government office only assists, including other prefecture and county government offices under the governor's office of water transportation.

Responsibilities: If the task of maintaining water transportation order in southern Zhili and Zhejiang is handed over to the Huai'an government office, it is obviously an overstep.

Zhao Shiqi had no expression on his face, nor did he raise his head to look at Yang Yipeng.

Wu Zongrui felt a little confused in his heart, wondering what Yang Yipeng meant.

"Why, Master Wu doesn't have confidence?"

Yang Yipeng spoke again. Wu Zongrui had no way to avoid it, so he had to stand up, clasped his fists and bowed his head before speaking.

"My lord, I will certainly try my best to fulfill your request. However, the main task of maintaining the order of water transportation is General Zhao. The Huai'an government office assists General Zhao to maintain order along the Cao River. This is our duty.

I also hope General Zhao will take care of me."

Zhao Shiqi forced a smile on his face and clasped his fists at Wu Zongrui.

"Sir Wu, you are very polite. As you said, Mr. Wu has done a good job in maintaining the order of water transportation. This year's water transportation will start soon. If Mr. Wu has any requirements, I will do my best."

Wu Zongrui frowned secretly, the more he said this, the more something was wrong.

For a moment, he thought of the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion. Could it be that there was something wrong with it? The Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion was Wu Zongrui's bottom line and would never be touched.

Without any room for hesitation, Wu Zongrui looked at Yang Yipeng.

"Sir, maintaining order along the Cao River is the responsibility of the canal transport soldiers. As the magistrate of Huai'an Prefecture, I will do my best to assist. I believe that the order along the Cao River has been greatly improved, and I believe it will begin soon.

The water transportation will definitely be carried out smoothly."

Yang Yipeng coughed a few times and spoke again.

"Master Wu is saying that it should be the water transport soldiers who are responsible for maintaining the order of water transport. However, the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal is a full three thousand miles, and the water transport soldiers obviously cannot take care of that much. I have thought about it for a long time and decided to take responsibility for it in sections.

The task of maintaining the order of water transport will be handed over to the Fuzhou and County Yamen. If there is a local need, the water transport soldiers will assist. Mr. Zhao, do you think this arrangement is good."

Zhao Shiqi nodded, stood up, clasped his fists at Yang Yipeng and spoke.

"My lord, what I said is that the last general takes orders."

Yang Yipeng looked at Wu Zongrui again.

"Master Wu, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty has arranged it this way. All I have to do is obey and do my best."

After walking out of the wing, Zhao Shiqi looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke.

"Master Wu, you are also aware of the situation of transporting soldiers by canal. If the government offices in Fuzhou and counties along the canal want me to help deal with the bandits, what should we do?"

"Whatever General Zhao wants to say, just say it."

"Well, Mr. Wu, can Mr. Wu let the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion be mainly responsible for guarding the order of water transport? Of course, I can guarantee the necessary expenses."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zhao Shiqi and spoke coldly.

"General Zhao, please don't forget the agreement between us. The Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion is responsible for the southern Zhili and Zhejiang canals. They have done their best. If they are responsible for the order of the entire water transport, they simply cannot do it.

The Thousand Battalion ensured the order of water transport in Nanzhili and Zhejiang. General Zhao gave five thousand taels of silver. The soldiers were very satisfied. This year, the Three Thousand Battalion of Water Transport was still responsible for the order of water transport in these places. Even if General Zhao did not give any money,

I have no objection either."

Probably anticipating Wu Zongrui's attitude, Zhao Shiqi spoke immediately.

"Master Wu, I'm in a dilemma too. Think about it, the main force for transporting soldiers is the Fifth Army Battalion, the Three Thousand Battalion and the Shenji Battalion. The three thousand miles of canal requires three battalions to be responsible for it..."

"General Zhao, the three canal transport battalions and the fifth military battalion are the absolute main force and should be responsible for more escort tasks. The Shenji battalion is even more suitable for guarding on the canal ships. Ordinary gangs dare not approach at all. The three thousand battalion is just

Assisting in the execution of missions, you and I both know this, and it is already very good to have the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion responsible for the escort missions in South Zhili and Zhejiang."

"I know, I know, Master Wu is right, but I'm really in a dilemma."

Returning to the government office, Wu Zongrui's face turned gloomy.

Letting the Xinyi Gang guards transform into three thousand water transport battalions is just a stop-gap measure. There are many problems and troubles involved. In terms of command authority, Yang Yipeng, as the governor of water transport, can naturally mobilize the water transport soldiers directly. Zhao Shiqi, as the general water transport commander,

Soldiers can also be directly mobilized to transport three thousand battalions.

Although there is an agreement between Wu Zongrui and Zhao Shiqi, such an agreement is not worth mentioning when they really encounter trouble.

Zhao Shiqi's words today were threatening. Whether this was Yang Yipeng's attitude or Zhao Shiqi's attempt to shirk responsibility, Wu Zongrui did not understand the meaning for the time being.

Today's situation is too strange.

When Zeng Yongzhong entered the wing, he found that Wu Zongrui was in a wrong mood.

"Sir, what's going on? Have you encountered any trouble?"

Wu Zongrui sighed and explained in detail what happened that morning.

After Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Zeng Yongzhong nodded slightly and then spoke.

"This is not surprising, sir. The water transport troops are under the direct command of the Governor's Yamen. There is an agreement between your Excellency and General Zhao. However, the water transport soldiers are always part of the imperial court's army. If they are completely under the command of your Excellency, it cannot be justified."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Sir, that's right, but Mr. Yang doesn't let General Zhao be responsible for water transportation security. What's the reason?"

Zeng Yongzhong smiled.

"No one knows about this matter. Over the years, water transport soldiers have existed in name only. How can they protect the order of water transport? How could Master Yang not see it? Since last year, the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion has been responsible for the order of water transport in South Zhili and Zhejiang. Let these people

The order in the area has obviously improved, and Mr. Yang can even see it."

"There is another thing. The Xia Town gang was completely wiped out, which shocked the canal for three thousand miles. The credit goes to General Zhao. Mr. Yang also understands the secret, but he has not exposed it."

Wu Zongrui's expression turned gloomy again.

"Sir, when you say this, I am even more worried. Mr. Yang knows these things, but does not speak out. What does it mean?"

Zeng Yongzhong looked up at Wu Zongrui, still with a smile on his face.

"Your Excellency, you are overly worried. If Mr. Yang feels something is wrong, he will definitely point it out. The imperial court has extremely strict jurisdiction over military matters. The water transportation of soldiers is under the direct jurisdiction of Mr. Yang. He has been unable to maintain the order of water transportation in these years. There are already adults in the capital.

I was not satisfied. From October to November last year, I transported 1.5 million shi of grain. Master Yang was very worried. Fortunately, the mission of water transport was successfully completed. Master Yang rectified the name of the water transport soldier. Next, I must maintain the reputation of the water transport soldier.

Otherwise, Mr. Yang will not be able to deliver. Under such circumstances, even if Mr. Yang does something, Mr. Yang will still have to tolerate it."

Wu Zongrui nodded slightly and then spoke.

"Sir, what you said makes sense. I also find it strange. Mr. Yang has been quite polite to me during this period. I still feel strange. It turns out that we are already grasshoppers on a rope. Mr. Yang does not dare to leak the water transportation of three thousand

Camp matters, otherwise he will be the first to be unlucky..."

"That's exactly what your Excellency said."

Wu Zongrui stood up.

"In this case, the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion cannot be maintained for a long time. Unless I am always in Huai'an Prefecture, otherwise if I am transferred from Huai'an Prefecture and no longer involved in water transport matters, wouldn't it be impossible to continue to control the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion?

.”

"My lord is right..."

Wu Zongrui turned to look at Zeng Yongzhong.

"Sir, what do you mean? Is it possible that I can't last long in Huai'an Mansion?"

Zeng Yongzhong shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Nothing can be hidden from your lord. In fact, this is also my analysis. Since last year, water transport has been praised and affirmed by the emperor, and has been commended by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Household Affairs. All of this happened after your lord became the governor of Huai'an Prefecture. Could it be that

Doesn’t the imperial court understand all this? The abilities displayed by your Excellency should attract the attention of the emperor and the imperial court."

"What's more important is that Mr. Yang and Mr. Zhao may not feel comfortable in their hearts. If it were me, if I encountered such a situation, I would try my best to recommend you to leave South Zhili and go to the north, or even to the capital.

, then your Excellency cannot control the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion, and the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion must directly fall under the control of Lord Yang."

...

Wu Zongrui's expression became calm.

"Sir said this, he must have thought of a way to deal with it."

"There is a way, it just depends on whether you dare to make up your mind."

"Sir, just say so."

"Abandoning the name of the Three Thousand Water Transport Battalion and returning to the Xinyi Gang, they are still the guards of the Xinyi Gang. In this case, neither Mr. Yang nor General Zhao has anything to say and has no authority to govern. The water transport soldiers are weak and will definitely not be able to maintain the water transport.

Order, when the time comes, the two adults will ask for help from the Xinyi Gang..."

Wu Zongrui walked up to Zeng Yongzhong.
Chapter completed!