On 25 May, Jia Huan and Hu Chi left Beijing and headed west. On May 27, everyone arrived at Baoding Mansion on horseback.

There are three routes from Kyochung to the west. The first way: out of Datong, take the grassland, along the nine sides to Yulin.

The second road: go south to Zhuozhou, Matouguan enters Jindi, and goes south to Yanmen Pass to Taiyuan Mansion. Head west.

The third way. Go straight down to Baoding Mansion, enter the Central Plains, and go west on a fast horse. Jia Huan and others took this route. Prepare to cross Tongguan from Luoyang into Chang'an. Through Longyou, Hexi Corridor, go to Dunhuang.

The official roads of the dynasty continued the standard configuration of the Ming Dynasty. On the official road, the willows are still around, and the post stations are endless. In the evening of midsummer, the branches and leaves of willow and locust trees are luxuriant. Twenty miles outside the city of Baoding, the post station is lively in the evening.

Wang Yicheng took more than 20 subordinates, diligently, serving tea and pouring water. In the small courtyard in the center, the flow of people shuttles.

After inspecting the inquest, Wang Yicheng knew who the young man in front of him was? The news that Jia Tanhua, who was famous all over the world, was reinstated as the left senator of the Western Regions and was responsible for the grain and grass of the Western Expedition was published in Pravda and had long been spread all over the world.

Jia Huan was in the living room, discussing with Hu Chi about the supply of the Western Expeditionary Army. The setting sun shines on the calligraphy and paintings and the wooden windows. The smell of mugwort leaves wafts away and is used to repel mosquitoes. The white porcelain tea bowl contains clear tea, which is slightly astringent.

Pang Ze, Zhang Sishui and Hu Chi's nephew were all there to participate in the discussion. The household department only allocated a symbolic amount of 50,000 silver dollars. And this is a drop in the bucket for the march of 40,000 troops. Not to mention the military resources after arriving in Dunhuang. The military supplies and supplies in the early stage of the Western Expedition were all paid in advance by Hu Chi with family funds.

The personal assets of Hu Chi, the king of southwest money, are more than 20 million silver dollars. The amount of money that can be mobilized is around 100 million silver dollars. This is the strength of the first echelon of the super rich businessmen of the Zhou Dynasty. Equivalent to the richest men in later generations. You must know that in the seventeenth year of the Yongzhi Dynasty, the national tax was calculated to be about 350 million silver dollars. The strength of its financial resources can be seen.

It should be noted that the tax revenue in the seventeenth year of Yongzhi was 35 million taels of silver, which was less than the 37.52 million taels of silver in the fifteenth year of Yongzhi. This was when the issuance of silver dollars achieved a certain level of inflation. It can be seen that the strength of Da Zhou is gradually declining!

The Western Regions Bond raised a total of 30 million silver dollars. This silver, 5 million will be returned to King Hu Qian first.

Jia Huan and Hu Chi are now facing two problems: first, how to exchange the silver dollars into their hands and be able to purchase food and other military supplies in a timely manner. Second, how to raise the silver for the subsequent supply of the 150,000 troops in the Western Regions?

Hu Chi was dressed in a gray robe, with a flat nose and yellow beard. In his fifties. Sitting in the official hat chair of sour jujube wood, he sighed softly: "Rishengchang has a branch in Chang'an, which can be exchanged for silver dollars and shipped to Dunhuang. Jin Shang agreed to undertake this matter. But can you buy the grain and grass needed by the army in Dunhuang? ”

When it comes to raising money and food, supplying military supplies, and scheduling the overall situation, Hu Chi does not think that his ability is worse than Jia Huan. He did these things in the southwest. Moreover, in the heart of Governor Qi, Hu Chi, who had followed him for a long time, was more trusted. However, Jia Huan is an official, and he does have real knowledge. This determines that in the relationship between Hu Chi and Jia Huan, Jia Huan is the main one. Of course, things are done by discussion.

Jia Huan drank tea, smiled self-deprecatingly, and said, "Brother Xingzhai, everything is difficult!" It's hard to do. ”

When several people were discussing the problem, suddenly, Qian Huai came in, bent down and saluted: "Third Master, Second Master Shen is here." ”

"Why is he here? Invite him in. Jia Huan stood up from his chair in surprise. Second Master Shen is Shen Qianshen, the second son of Duke Qingguo. His future third brother-in-law. Outside Baoding City, he suddenly heard the news of Shen Qian, how could he not be surprised?

Shen Qian is this year's second-class jinshi, who watched the government (internship) in the military department of Beijing, and only became a regular after six months. Moreover, Shen Qian had approached him in Beijing more than ten days ago, wanting to go to the Western Regions to participate in the war, but he refused. Shen Qian's eldest brother died in the Western Regions with Niu Jizong a few years ago. Shen Qian is now the only seedling of the Shen family.

Hu Chi smiled and didn't speak.

Qian Huai led the order to go out, and after a while, he saw Shen Qian coming in in a clean cyan scribe's shirt, with a handsome appearance, a handsome young man, calmly arching his hand, and said, "Ziyu, I have been waiting in Baoding Mansion for a long time!" He said hello to Hu Chi, Pang Ze and others.

The route of Jia Huan and others is not a secret. The two of them were in charge of logistics, and the messengers were constantly in contact. And, inform the Governor of Qi early. Otherwise, when people are on the way, how can the news be delivered in time? Shen Qianren was in the military department, so he could inquire.

Who is Jia Huan? Hearing this, looking at Shen Qian's expression again, he knew what was going on. It must have been waiting in Baoding Mansion in advance. sighed and persuaded: "Brother Shen, war is not child's play. How do I agree to you going to the Western Regions? Don't say where Qingguo Gong is, how can I explain? I don't want my third sister to be a widow! Besides, as an official of the imperial court, how can your official position be easily changed? Do you want a future? ”

Move with affection, know with reason.

Shen Qian smiled bitterly, resolutely refused, and said, "Ziyu, thank you for your kindness." But I've thought about it. Whether you agree or not, I will go to the Western Regions. ”

In fact, that day in Jia's mansion, he and Jia Huan talked more thoroughly. Jia Huan just played the same old tune! And he didn't have to go to Mengjahuan for reasons like wanting to avenge his brother. The real reason is this: he likes military affairs. Being a civil servant was never his idea.

Jia Huan thought for a moment and said to Hu Chi: "Brother Xingzhai, you take someone to go first." I advised him. Will catch up in two days. ”

Hu Chi smiled and nodded. Of course, he has to be accommodating for this kind of thing. The second son of Shen and Jia Huan's sister are engaged.

…

…

After evening, the night darkens. The small post station quickly regained its calm. In the middle of summer, it is natural to go out at night. They didn't stay long.

Jia Huan wanted to flatter his Wang Yicheng with a pot of wine and a few plates of simple side dishes: fried peanuts, cucumbers, tomatoes mixed with sugar, and preserved egg tofu.

Jia Huan and Shen Qian sat in the small courtyard hall and had a drink. The moonlight peeked through the rudimentary windows and cracks in the earthen walls.

Jia Huan raised his glass and touched Shen Qian, although Jia Huan was a few years younger than Shen Qian, although Shen Qian would inevitably be his brother-in-law in three years, but Jia Huan was the leader of the conversation. Said frankly: "Why does Brother Shen have to go to the Western Regions? As a quartermaster, I may not be able to guarantee my own safety. Can you go into battle? ”

This is the first time Jia Huan has revealed his heart: his views on going to the Western Regions are worried. He has too many responsibilities on his shoulders, and he wants to come back alive and come back triumphantly. But, in war, who knows? Perhaps, one shot will take his life!

Two days ago, before he left Beijing, he had a seat with Keqing. Emotionally, it comes naturally, he and Keqing have experienced so many things together! By the eighteenth year of Yongzhi, they had already known that each other had a place in their hearts. But it seems sudden.

However, after thinking about it, apart from the wine he drank, except for the emotion given to him by Sister Kaiyun and Lord Xiao, and the sorrow before parting, there is no indulgence brought by the pressure of life and death! That night, he remembered it.

Shen Qian, who was 20 years old at the time, was a heroic and handsome young man, pursed his lips gently, with a look of reminiscence on his face, and said, "Ziyu, what kind of person do you think I am?" Without waiting for Jia Huan to answer, he continued: "

My family is a noble family! I've been grinding my shin since I was a child. The education he received since childhood is: boys will be famous immediately! When my eldest brother was studying military affairs, I stayed with him. I don't like to dance and ink. What I long for is a long stretch of yellow sand, or a gallop of horses in the grassland!

So, don't stop me. I've got it figured out. I might die. But the eldest husband stands in the world, and he wants to make a name for himself and seal his wife and son. With a three-foot sword, dominate the world! ”

Jia Huan looked at Shen Qian's eyes. I watched it for a long time. Reacquaint yourself with this "brother-in-law". Feel the determination in his heart. I can't help but let out a long sigh!

Jia Huan's character rarely reluctantly forces others. Natural selection, survival of the fittest! Everyone's path is to walk on their own and be responsible for themselves. You yourself are going to die, and I have said everything I should have said, do you want to stop it?

However, the young man in front of him is the husband of the third sister! It's very sad! Sister Yun's sorrow, he can see it! With the temper of the third sister, there is an eighty percent probability that she will choose to observe the festival. Before, Ji Shichun and King Shu made too much noise!

Shen Qian didn't speak, waiting for Jia Huan's decision. In fact, he didn't need Jia Huan's consent. Just respect Jia Huan's opinion!

Jia Huan was silent for a long time, and said slowly: "Okay." You write a letter to Jingzhong: pacify your family, and at the same time ask Ying to go to the Western Regions. With your resume as the head of the military department, as long as the military department approves it, there is no big problem. I will write a letter to Meng Shang. ”

Meng He, the secretary of the military department, became friends with the old Wuxun group. These days, he has been running all over the military department, the official department, and the household department. Meng Shangshu's public room, he went in and sat several times.

General Peng's case, he didn't know if it would come up. However, he definitely had to arrange a good position for Shen Qian. In any case, the probability of casualties among officers is smaller than that of soldiers.

Shen Qian was overjoyed and raised his glass to Jia Huan, "Xie Ziyu!" ”

With Jia Huan's support, his worries (father, family, Jiafu, and the imperial court) are much smaller.

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