On December 23, Wu Feng secretly left Qingyang for the imperial capital. Before leaving, Wu Feng held another meeting and determined that after his departure, Xiao Tang would be mainly responsible for government affairs, while Liang Chongxin and Cui Wenxiu would be responsible for defense. At the meeting, everyone proposed that in addition to completing fundraising tasks, there are also several other very important tasks such as recruiting various talents, publicizing the Qingyang revitalization plan, coordinating relationships with various parties, attracting investment, etc. Wu Feng also asked everyone to We must not slack off in our work, especially the work of intelligence collection, bandit suppression, and immigration absorption. I hope that I can make great progress in various tasks when I return to Qingyang -
Because Wu Feng did not want to speak out and insisted on bringing only ten personal guards back to the imperial capital, everyone's efforts to persuade him failed to change Wu Feng's mind, so he had to select the ten most elite guards to protect Wu Feng's safety and keep it strictly confidential. After all, there are only ten people, and they have brought a lot of treasures to be used in Beijing. If they really encounter a large group of bandits and horse thieves, it will be really troublesome -
After leaving Qingyang Fucheng, Wu Feng and ten guards dressed in casual clothes and light clothes headed for Bonan Prefecture. Although there were not many changes along the way, there have been some welcome changes, especially near Qingyang Fucheng. In this area, many farmers from other places have settled here and houses have begun to be built. Thanks to the coordination between Youzhan and Wei, Datong Bank, the only bank in Qingyang Prefecture, agreed to be guaranteed by the government and lend small amounts of money to farmers and handicraftsmen who came to settle down, so that these people could not only borrow money from the government Loans can also be borrowed from banks with government guarantees. Of course, the prerequisite is that they must pass the necessary qualification review. Watching these changes, Wu Feng's heart was filled with joy, just like the feeling of a parent watching a newborn baby grow up -
But Wufeng also discovered many problems. Many irrigation ditches have been severely damaged and are in urgent need of repair. The condition of road traffic facilities is also worrying. If these problems are not solved quickly, they will greatly hinder the implementation of the revitalization plan. Wu Feng saw it in his eyes and was worried in his heart. He really wished that these problems could not be solved immediately, but he was too impatient to eat hot tofu. He only hoped that Xiao Tang and the others could work more efficiently so that the revitalization plan could be completed as soon as possible -
While Liang Chongxin and Cui Wenxiu strengthened the training of the troops, they also took the troops out of the city from time to time and took turns to practice marching along the main traffic arteries. In this way, they could not only train the overall marching ability of the team, but also have a good impression on the entire army. The social security in the border has played a very good deterrent effect. Although there have been no other obvious results except the Pamela case, the social security has improved to a certain extent. In addition, as the new year is approaching, there are more businessmen going out to do goods. Now, there are many more pedestrians on this road than a few months ago -
When Wu Feng and his party were about to enter Bonan Mansion, they met a family of three father and son. The three people were from Jinzhong Mansion in Heshuo County. They were driving donkeys to return to Jinzhong after delivering the goods in Qingyang Mansion, so Wu Feng and his party went with them. The three of them, father and son, were traveling together. "Uncle, what kind of goods are you delivering to Qingyang?" Wufeng also wanted to know the opinions of foreign businessmen on his revival plan, so he deliberately approached -
The father of the three is over fifty years old, but he is very strong and seems to be a very talkative person. "He is sending us the specialty of that place - old vinegar. You guys are also coming from Qingyang, but are you going to the imperial capital?" The old man seemed to be in a very good mood—
"Yes, we came from Luzon to buy goods in the imperial capital." Wu Feng also smiled and talked -
"I don't believe this, old man. It's obvious that you are not a businessman. Moreover, you come from Luzon without bringing some local specialties. The specialties of Luzon are very affordable in the imperial capital." The old man smiled and shook his head -
"Then what does the old man think we do?" Wu Feng didn't expect that his excuse would be exposed by the old man at a glance -
"Well, old man, I think you guys look like people from the Yamen." The old man pondered for a while before answering -
"Oh? Why did the old man conclude that we are from the government?" Wu Feng really didn't expect that the old man's eyes were so powerful. He could actually identify himself as a member of the government in just one meal -
"You are not a businessman at first glance. These young and strong men look like bodyguards, and they are protecting you front and back. So the old man boldly guesses that you are an official, or maybe you are also a son of an official family. .” The old man didn’t even cover up—
"Oh, that's it, you have really good eyesight." Wu Feng laughed loudly, neither admitting nor denying. "You've been doing business for a long time, haven't you?"—
"Our family has been doing this jealousy business for generations. We travel around all year round and can only support our family." The old man said with emotion when talking about business, "In recent years, there has been war and chaos everywhere, and business is uncertain. It is difficult." -
"Yes, let's just say that in Qingyang Mansion, the Luo Bei people invade every year and there are hordes of bandits. No one can predict when something will happen." Wu Feng also deliberately moved the topic aside -
"That was from the old almanac a few months ago. In the last two months, the current city guard of Qingyang Prefecture, Mr. Li, led an army to beat the Luobei people to a pulp. I heard that the Luobei people paid 20,000 horses to buy the road. , Mr. Li just let them go back, and I don’t know why Mr. Li was kind to those Luo Bei people, why didn’t he destroy them all?” The old man said with excitement, and expressed his incomprehension at Wu Feng’s behavior. "Two days ago, I heard that Mr. Li captured another group of robbers. The public security now is much better than a few months ago. It seems that the people of Qingyang Mansion have a good official." -
"But from what we've seen along the way, Qingyang Mansion is still quite depressed." Wu Feng pretended to be puzzled -
"Even people have to take one step at a time to treat diseases, let alone such a big Qingyang mansion?" The old man was a little unhappy, "Besides, I heard that some time ago, Qingyang was doing something to welcome outsiders to Qingyang. Even we knew about the announcement of settling down in Yangyang to start farming and do business, and many villagers were asking the old man. When we arrived in Qingyang this time, we went to the Yamen to ask for a notice and took it back to the villagers. Take a look." The old man then took out a notice from his arms and waved it in front of Wu Feng -
"So, there are still people over there who are interested in this?" Wu Feng finally got to the point -
"Of course, whoever is doing business or farming doesn't want to live a better life. No matter how hard it is to leave his hometown, he still has to be able to afford food. Even the old man is a little moved. It's a pity that Qingyang Mansion is not productive. Jealousy." The old man also felt a little regretful -
Entering the realm of Bonan Mansion, the situation has obviously changed. Although the empire has re-appointed the local acting city guard, due to the lack of strong government and military support, the situation here is no better than when Wu Feng passed here three months ago. What a change. I heard from the local people that although the Luobi people left, the local horse thieves and bandits became more and more rampant. In order to avoid leaving the border, Wu Feng ordered everyone to hurry up and try to leave Bonan territory as soon as possible—
After several days of trekking, Wu Feng and his party safely left Bonan Mansion, crossed Longdong Mansion, and entered the territory of Heshuo County. While staying in Tianshui Fucheng, Wu Feng made a special trip to the bird market here, and paid a lot of money to ask a local connoisseur to select two valuable cuckoos and a thrush for him. He bought them at a large price to prepare for the future. The Imperial Capital begins work to prepare—
When he walked into the gate of Hejian Mansion, Wu Feng's heart was beating fast. He didn't know if Yingying was back. In terms of time, Imperial University was about to go on spring break. After staying in a good hotel, Wu Feng and a few guards went to the local famous Guan Mansion. Wu Feng originally wanted to go alone, but before Wu Feng left Qingyang, Xiao Tang specifically told the guards that in order to prevent accidents, Wu Feng could not go out alone, and someone must follow him wherever he went. Therefore, in desperation, , Wufeng had no choice but to go with four guards -
Walking on the streets of Hejian Mansion, Wu Feng seemed particularly relaxed. People were coming and going on the streets, and there was a lot of traffic. The people on the road were well-dressed, and the shops were doing a good job. It seemed that Hejian Mansion was better than the ones along the way. The situation in the prefecture is much better. This is certainly related to the fact that it is the capital of Heshuo County, but it also has a lot to do with the officials who manage this place, especially the top chief executive. An ancient poet wrote a poem: "If you want to know the hearts of officials, you can only look at the skin of the people." Wufeng developed a strong curiosity about Fang Chengsong, the official city guard of Hejian Prefecture. It is indeed not easy to manage a place like this under repression. Talents are hard to find. If you have the opportunity, you must get to know this person well -
The Guan Mansion is located on Zhengyi Street in the east of Hejian Fucheng. Since Yiming, the head of the Guanjia family, is also the head of the ** sect, the largest martial arts sect in the Heshuo area, the ** sect and the Guan Mansion occupy nearly half of the area. Street. Walking into this street, you can clearly feel the strong martial arts atmosphere here. Most of the people coming and going are wearing swords and hanging swords, and their spirits are exposed. At first glance, they are martial arts practitioners. Moreover, these people are familiar with each other and their clothes are similar. , obviously a fellow disciple from the same sect—
Wu Feng came to the middle of the street, where the headquarters of the ** Gate is located. When Wu Feng passed by, he just took a look at it. It was a very majestic gate. Several gilt characters "** Gate" were hung in the center. There were people standing on both sides of the gate. Two energetic young disciples looked out from the open door into an extraordinary large playground. Many uniformly dressed disciples were doing horse stances or practicing boxing in the playground. They were probably some new disciples. Practicing basic skills -
Wu Feng did not stop, but slowed down to observe carefully, and the four guards who followed him also slowed down. These four guards were all selected from the Fourth Regiment when Wu Feng was in the City Guard Corps. They all had a good foundation in internal and external skills, and Wu Feng gave them strict teaching and training. Coupled with the tests of life and death in several battles, martial arts attainments have come to the fore. Due to the brutal training on the battlefield, these people's adaptability far exceeds that of ordinary martial arts practitioners -
However, the few disciples who were in charge of reception outside the gate were also quite alert. One of them immediately noticed that Wu Feng and his party were obviously different from the pedestrians passing by. Although Wu Feng, who was in the lead, had an extraordinary bearing, even the four accompanying him clearly were not. With weak hands, he was extremely vigilant in raising his hands and feet, and he cooperated tacitly, guarding Wu Feng in a semi-fan shape. After all, this was not Qingyang, and most of the people coming and going were armed. He immediately came forward and greeted Wu Feng very warmly: "Brother, are you here to do business at our door?" -
Wu Feng's original intention was to go to the Guan Mansion to ask if Guan Yingying was back. Unexpectedly, he slowed down a little and attracted the attention of these disciples. He couldn't help but be very impressed by the level of the disciples of the * gate. Admired, think about it, since Guan Yingying's father is the head of the ** sect, and Guan Yingying is also a disciple of the ** sect, these disciples must also know whether Guan Yingying is back. "Oh, I just want to ask if Miss Guan Yingying has come back?"—
"Oh, you're talking about the Fifth Miss. She is probably coming back from studying in the Imperial Capital, maybe in the next few days. Brother, do you have anything to do with the Fifth Miss?" The disciple was quite polite -
"Oh, she hasn't come back yet. I'm his friend. Since she hasn't come back yet, I won't bother you." Wu Feng was extremely disappointed. He thought that Yingying was back and he could see her earlier, but he didn't expect it. She is still staying in the imperial capital—
"Since brother has arrived at our door, why don't we invite you in for a cup of tea and have a rest before leaving?" -
Although Wu Feng was depressed in his heart, he did not show any emotion and just declined politely. The disciple didn't force anything, and sent the others off very politely. On the way back to the inn, Wu Feng recalled the impression the ** sect gave him and felt that it was worthy of being the largest martial arts sect in Heshuo. Quality.