Huguang, Wuchang.

Hu Quancai, Governor of Huguang, looked at a military report with a serious expression.

According to reports from the prefectures of Jingzhou Prefecture and Yunyang Prefecture, the thieves in Kuidong have been taking frequent actions recently.

Li Laiheng, the Xingshan side of Badong, mobilized a large army to collect grain and grass along the Yangtze River. Hao Yaoqi from Fang County also meant to attack Yunyang.

What's going on? Are you going to take advantage of the autumn harvest to catch the autumn wind?

The thieves in Kuidong have always been Hu Quancai's confidant.

When Hong Chengchou was the governor of Huguang, Hu Quancai was the governor of Yunyang under Hong Chengchou.

He has been fighting with Hao Yaoqi for many years and is very clear about the behavior of these thieves.

Even if they capture a city, they will probably not be able to defend it for a long time, so they will most likely run away if they grab it.

Compared with silver and money, most of the thieves in Kuidong are more concerned about food.

The autumn harvest just now, and these thieves must have been eyeing the food again.

"Governor General, according to what he saw, you don't have to pay too much attention. You just need to strictly order Yunyang and Jingzhou to strengthen the walls and clear the fields to defend well. If the thief cannot get the benefits, he will definitely get out."

The one who spoke was Hu Quancai's aide Zhou Peigong.

He was originally just a minor official in the Huguang Yamen. He was discovered by Hu Quancai because of an accident and has since been taken by him for his own use.

Zhou Peigong was very young, only twenty years old, but his thinking was very clear. Many people who had been in the officialdom for many years were not as good as him.

At first, Hu Quancai only asked Zhou Peigong to handle some chores. After confirming his abilities, Hu Quancai began to let him get in touch with some important things, such as analyzing and writing memorials to the court.

Zhou Peigong had done everything very well, so Hu Quancai delegated power and used Zhou Peigong as his confidant.

"It's just that I always feel that this time is a bit unusual."

As a senior official appointed by the Qing court, Hu Quancai was responsible for the entire Huguang.

Except for the generation of Fangxian occupied by Badong, Xingshan occupied by Hao Yaoqi occupied by Li Laiheng, the entire Huguang was under the control of the Qing army.

Huguang is the world's granary and there is no need to lose anything. It can be said that more than 70% of the Qing army's grain was provided by Huguang.

If Huguang changes hands, the strength between the Ming army and the Qing army will change instantly.

Therefore, even though Hong Chengchou transferred his main force to Guizhou, there were still 100,000 troops in Huguang.

Among them, there are 30,000 elite soldiers in Wuchang Prefecture. There are 10,000 people in Yunyang and Jingzhou Prefectures, and the remaining tens of thousands are scattered in other prefectures.

"Peigong, you should write a handwritten letter to Yunyang Prefecture and Jingzhou Prefecture with the order of this governor, and order them to stay in the city and not be able to fight in a hurry no matter what!"

For Hu Quancai, it is enough to defend the city. Hong Chengchou and Aobai were going to do the task of expanding territory and expanding territory.

As long as the city remains unresolved, he, the governor of Huguang, can continue to do it.

Huguang is a rich place. Hu Quan was able to get more than 100,000 taels of silver in a year, but he didn't want to be transferred easily.

For him, nothing happens is the best thing.

"Abide by the order!"

As an aide, Zhou Peigong could only make his own suggestions, and whether he chose or not depends on Hu Quancai.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being careful. The Governor is also a person who is used to being cautious, and he understands this.

"In a few days, it will be your mother's birthday. I have also prepared a gift. You will be allowed to have three days off and will not be used to pay my place."

When Duke Zhou Pei was overjoyed when he heard this, he thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you for your kindness, Duke Pei is determined to live up to his expectations."

Zhou Peigong was from Jingmen, Huguang. He was originally a minor official. Since he became Hu Quancai's aide, he took my mother from his hometown.

In his opinion, for people like him, playing for Hu Quancai is much more useful than taking the imperial examination.

Once you are appreciated and recommended by Hu Quancai, you may be able to rise to the top in the officialdom.

So no matter what, he had to hold Hu Quancai's thick leg without wavering, and everything was aimed at pleasing Hu Quancai.

Wasn’t Hu Quancai Hong Chengchou’s favorite disciple back then?

If Hu Quancai is promoted in the future, he will naturally not treat his aide unfairly

It was already dusk when Zhu Youlang arrived in Badong.

Li Laihunter led his troops from Xingshan to pick him up.

As the easternmost town controlled by the Ming army along the Yangtze River, Li Laiheng had heavy troops in Badongbu, with 20,000 daily garrisons alone.

You should know that this number is twice that of the Qing army in Jingzhou Prefecture, which is enough to show Li Laiheng's attention.

In addition to meeting the emperor, Li Laiheng was in a good mood when he saw these uncles and had a happy chat.

Like Yuan Zongdi, Liu Tichun and others, they had a life-long friendship with Li Laiheng's father, a tiger and Li, so they naturally treated Li Laiheng as their own nephew.

After meeting the emperor, the few of them asked Li Laiheng to have a drink together.

At the wine table, Liu Tichun recalled the days when he fought side by side and sighed: "Time flies so fast. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. At that time, you are still a big child. Now you are so big. Look at the nose and eyes, it looks like your father!"

Yuan Zongdi also said: "Who said no? Why didn't we think that the little tiger would take on the heavy burden at such a young age? Your father would be relieved in the spirit of heaven."

Li Guo is Li Zicheng's nephew, and Li Laiheng is Li Guo's son.

The generals of Kuidong were all the generals of the Lao Shun Army at that time, and naturally they were headed by Li Laiheng.

This has nothing to do with Li Laiheng's age and seniority.

"A few uncles are joking, I have to learn more from you. Besides, isn't there still King Li Jin there? This time His Majesty must rely on King Li Jin's dynasty this time?"

Seeing Li Laiheng say this, Yuan Zongdi and Liu Tichun looked at each other and coughed, "Since you said this, uncle, I'm going to nag a few words. If you want to say that King Li Jin is indeed a famous general, but we are not cowards. Because of the King of Chuang, we have suffered a lot of grievances over the years, and we have clamped our tails everywhere to be humans. What is the purpose of? Isn't it just that we will not be suspicious of the court in the future?"

Seeing Yuan Zongdi speaking as he led to the court, Liu Tichun glared at him and said, "Old brother, be careful."

Yuan Zongdi waved his hand and said, "There are all people here, there is nothing to hide."

He paused and said, "If we open the window and say something, you are the little tiger, don't you think about it yourself, so don't consider it for your uncles and brothers?"

Li Laiheng sighed, "I understand what Uncle Yuan said. Our thirteen families in Kuidong seem to be loose, but in fact they are a whole, both prospering and losing. Uncle Yuan wants me to take advantage of His Majesty's opportunity to show more, not only to give myself a face, but also to everyone."

Yuan Zongdi nodded with satisfaction.
Chapter completed!