Early the next morning, Feng Entai personally came to the other courtyard here to see Niu Youdao. As agreed yesterday, he wanted to show Niu Youdao the new site of Tianyumen as a landlord.
Bai Yao, who was guarding the other courtyard, came up to say hello and knew that the other party was here to see Niu Youdao, so he quickly avoided it, not wanting to see Niu Youdao.
The reason why he didn't want to see him was that he was awkward. He thought that Niu Youdao was nothing in his eyes at first, but now it's better. Niu Youdao has become his uncle's sworn brother. He is one generation above him in terms of seniority, so he has to behave himself when meeting him.
It's really awkward to call Niu Youdao "Master Dao" politely.
The disciples of Tianyu Sect in Qingshan County can not give face to the Shang Dynasty Sect, but they have to give face to Niu Youdao. There is no way. They are brothers with Elder Feng.
Call me Taoist politely.
I don't know how many people have opinions in their hearts, secretly blaming Elder Feng for being confused and blindly worshiping.
After finding Niu Youdao, Feng Entai left the courtyard with him and wandered among the beautiful mountains.
The sect that originally occupied this place was relatively small, and the scale of the building complex was not large. Now this place is occupied by Tianyu Sect. The number of disciples of Tianyu Sect is here, so this place is currently undergoing large-scale expansion.
Compared with the cost of Tianyumen, the cost of expanding this is nothing, and Tianyumen does not need to pay. The gifts from each family to congratulate the housewarming are enough. Niu Youdao personally gave 10,000 gold coins as a gift.
, those county guards naturally gave more. In order to express his feelings, Shang Chaozong took out 100,000 gold coins on behalf of the two counties.
The two of them finally stood on a mountain and looked at the lakes and mountains below. Under the sun, there was faint purple smoke floating in the sky, and occasionally fish and birds flew over, which made it feel like a fairyland.
"What a great place!" Niu Youdao, who stood with his hands behind his hands, praised the place.
Feng Entai shook his head in dissatisfaction, "It seems that the third brother has not been to the original mountain gate of Tianyumen, which is much stronger than here. With these conditions, the entire Tianyumen must obey the overall situation, and we will deal with it first."
Just make do with it."
Niu Youdao chuckled and said: "This is still disgusting, the sect is indeed extraordinary."
"Third brother, I've contacted the second brother." Feng Entai suddenly said this.
Niu Youdao slowly turned back to look at him.
"Second brother told me everything, good!" Feng Entai patted him on the shoulder, looking quite emotional.
Niu Youdao smiled and said nothing.
At this moment, a disciple flew over and reported: "Elder, the banquet is about to begin."
"Okay, got it." Feng Entai nodded, turned around and made an inviting gesture to Niu Youdao, and the two returned.
Yesterday's banquet was for welcoming guests, today's banquet is for seeing off guests, and the people were still the same.
For these people, eating and drinking is not the purpose, but the things discussed during the dinner are the real business.
After a few glasses of wine, the topic turned to the supply of men and horses in the five counties. The total number of men and horses in the five counties, including those miscellaneous, is nearly 600,000. This is a heavy burden on the financial resources of the five counties.
burden.
The point of discussion is whether there should be so many people and horses now. In the past, the counties were separated and each had to deal with the pressure from all directions, so they had to raise more people and horses. Now the five counties are concentrated together, and they have their own people to rely on behind them.
The pressure on the army will be greatly reduced. It is not a problem to reduce the number of 200,000 troops at will, which can greatly reduce the burden on each county.
However, Tianyumen later made it clear that Nanzhou was the target, and asked everyone to hold on under pressure. Once Nanzhou is captured, the 600,000 people we have on hand will not be enough to go out for defense, and the offerings Tianyumen will ask for will also be reduced.
Exercise moderation and try not to increase the burden on the counties.
The relevant personnel know this very well. Tianyumen now has the benefit of wine and money to be so generous. The income of several million gold coins a year is more than the tributes it received from various counties in the past.
many.
Zhao Xingfeng, the governor of Tu'an County, couldn't help but say, "Master, the governance models of Qingshan County and Guangxi County are quite good. If our three counties can also reduce taxes..."
Before he finished speaking, Peng suppressed another sentence, "Qingshan County and Guangxi County can provide other income, what can you three counties provide? Do you think Tianyumen can swallow all the benefits of wine? Xiaoyao Palace
, Zijin Cave, and Lingjian Mountain’s annual offerings cannot be cut off. If you want to capture Nanzhou, the expense of offering offerings will only be higher. Will you pay for it? It’s all Tianyu Sect’s expense. Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore.”
Zhao Xingfeng looked a little embarrassed. He didn't expect that just mentioning it would cause such a big reaction, so he had to shut up.
Peng continued: "The five counties work on their own, and there is usually no problem. If something happens, the people of the five counties need to be coordinated. This matter needs to be prepared in advance. Who do you think is more appropriate to coordinate?"
As soon as these words came out, Niu Youdao and Meng Shanming's eyes met subconsciously. They thought they would not mention this matter until they captured Nanzhou, but they didn't expect it to start now.
Zhao Xingfeng was about to speak again, but Niu Youdao coughed dryly, attracting everyone's attention first, "Of course it would be better for Head Peng to make unified arrangements. In terms of prestige here, is there anyone else who can compare to Head Peng?"
Meng Shanming slowly raised his glass to his lips, knowing that Niu Youdao was causing trouble and did not want the unified command to fall into the hands of others.
Anyone who is not stupid knows that whoever is now determined to command the five counties will most likely be the leader of Nanzhou in the future.
Peng Youzai moved here, and Zhao Xingfeng had to swallow what he said. It would be inappropriate to say that others are better than Peng Youzai.
Peng was laughing again, "Brother, that's really a good idea, but I don't have the energy, and I'm not familiar with military matters."
Niu Youdao pointed to the elders of the Tianyu Sect who were present, "The Tianyu Sect is full of talents, and any disciple sent to him will be enough to do the job."
Peng Youzai shook his head again: "Practitioners have things to deal with during cultivation. Cultivation is the top priority. Not only do we not have the energy, but we also can't devote much thought to taking care of secular things. Otherwise, what will the governors here do?
The selection of personnel for military and political affairs and the selection of personnel for practicing disciples are two different things. Brother Niu, there are specialties in the art, I think this matter should be left to the people who are good at it, and you and I should not join in the fun."
"Master Peng's words make sense." Niu Youdao chuckled, turned to look at Feng Ruonan who was present, and asked: "Princess, you are also a military commander, who do you think is more suitable to coordinate the deployment?"
Feng Ruonan gritted his teeth secretly.
Feng Lingbo looked at Niu Youdao coldly, and Peng Yulan was so angry that she stabbed her daughter out, instead of putting her daughter on the fire to roast?
Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Meng Shanming all looked at Niu Youdao strangely. Feng Ruonan could not make the decision on this matter, and they did not know what he meant by causing trouble for Feng Ruonan.
Peng Youzai waved his hand to the people present, "The monks should not get involved in this matter. Let the four county guards jointly recommend it!"
With just one word, Niu Youdao was suppressed and Feng Ruonan was picked out.
Niu Youdao smiled and toasted to Peng again. He could only say this. The decision-making power is in other people's hands, and the right to speak is also in their hands. How to discuss the topic is completely led by the other party. There is no way.
Changing facts.
Zhao Xingfeng spoke again, pointing at Feng Lingbo who was present here, "First there was Guangyi County and then there was Qingshan County. It was all thanks to Feng Lingbo who opened up the situation in Guangxi County that the two counties are what they are today. Among the people here who have served as county guards, I am the only one who has ever existed.
Serve Feng Lingbo, I recommend Feng Lingbo to be the military commander of the five counties."
Niu Youdao raised his eyebrows slightly and said teasingly: "The name Governor Zhao is well chosen!"
Everyone looked at each other, Zhao Xingfeng choked, what do you mean?
Lan Ruoting immediately answered: "What do you mean by Master Dao's words?"
Niu Youdao said slowly: "It's making waves."
Some of the people present were suppressing laughter, some were expressionless, and Zhao Xingfeng's face was slightly gloomy.
Niu Youdao immediately looked away coldly, "Looking at the look on Governor Zhao's face, does he have a problem with me? It's just a joke. Don't take it seriously. It would be bad if you take it seriously."
Zhao Xingfeng immediately offered his hand to Peng Zai, wanting to ask him to seek justice.
Peng Youzai quickly raised his hand to stop him, preventing him from quarreling with Niu Youdao in public. Niu Youdao was obviously deliberately looking for trouble. If he was really going to be caught using the topic to make trouble, Zhao Xingfeng might not be able to handle it. The key is Niu Youdao.
Youdao holds Tianyumen's financial path in his hands, and Tianyumen must also be wary of it.
Therefore, there is no need to quarrel with matters that can be resolved rationally. We will wait until the time of settling accounts.
He suppressed his voice and said: "Brother Niu, we are talking about business here, don't joke. If you feel uncomfortable sitting here, I can arrange a private room for you." He issued a warning.
Niu Youdao waved his hand, "Master Peng is too polite, everyone is too serious, just to liven up the atmosphere."
Peng looked at the others again.
Mei Linsheng, the governor of Huxi County, also responded, "I also recommend Feng Lingbo!"
Wuyang County Governor Wu Tiandang then said: "Second, recommend Feng Lingbo!"
Feng Lingbo, who was present at the table, had a flash of joy in his eyes. He had already known this outcome in advance and looked at his son-in-law, wanting to see what else Shang Chaozong could do.
Peng Yulan looked at her father with gratitude in her eyes. After going around a circle, she found that her father was still facing her own family. She also realized that her father was wise. She gave up her small life and was broad-minded. After going around in a circle, she realized that Shang Chaozong was just a stepping stone for her family.
My father's skills are truly brilliant.
She couldn't help but think of what her father said to her last night. Tianyumen is not the Tianyumen of the Peng family. Everything should be done in a method and with reason. Things will be easier to handle if everyone supports them.
The senior officials of Tianyu Sect present all had expressionless faces and glanced at Shang Chaozong with a vague look. The result was naturally decided upon by them.
Shang Chaozong played with the wine glass in his hand and remained silent.
Feng Ruonan tightened his lips and remained silent.
Fei Changliu and others looked solemn.
Meng Shanming glanced at Niu Youdao, and Niu Youdao nodded slightly.
Peng smiled again and asked: "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Shang Chaozong said calmly: "Is my opinion still important?"
Peng Youzai said generously: "Speak freely and be reasonable in everything. If you have any high opinions, just say them."
Shang Chaozong looked around, and after meeting Meng Shanming's eyes, he straightened his cheeks and said loudly: "I second the opinions of the three county governors and agree with them!"