If they had not already known the identity of the other party, it would be difficult for anyone to match the middle-aged official who smiled kindly in front of him with Zhu Meng, the legendary greedy and cruel man who caused chaos in Jiangnan, because his appearance and temperament were so inconsistent with his identity. .
Zhu Meng, who was coming down the ladder, was short and fat, with fat all over his body and face. Coupled with his naturally enthusiastic smile, he looked exactly like the Maitreya Buddha enshrined in the temple. If he were to put on Dressed in the clothes of a businessman, he is an ordinary shopkeeper who is friendly and makes money. Who would have thought that not long ago, he had killed a court official and charged him with colluding with rebels and conspiring against evil deeds.
While he was laughing, Zhu Meng twisted his plump body and came to Sun Tu. Just as Sun Tu bent down to salute, he quickly stretched out his hands and stopped the movement: "Sun Qianha." You don’t need to be so polite. Your coming to Jiangnan to counter the rebellion is the best support for us. It’s okay not to do these false courtesy. Come on, let’s go in and talk first, and then have a casual meal with us later. It’s just to catch the wind for you. Wash off the dust." As he spoke, he pulled Sun Tu towards the front hall in a very familiar manner.
At this time, Sun Tu also showed a happy smile on his face: "Zhu Shuai is so polite, I am really flattered by this official." This is not bad, the other party is a high-ranking official of one side, and the Jiangnan Road Festival is personally granted by the imperial court. Du Shi, this status is much higher than that of a mere fourth-grade Qianju.
"Hey, what Sun Qianha said is too outsider. The level of official position is only for outsiders. What people in the military like us value most is personal ability and merit. Sun Qianha, you have been in Shandong these years We have all heard about the meritorious deeds that have been made to defeat thieves. To be honest, there are only a few officials in this dynasty that we can admire, but you are one of them." With these joyful words, Zhu Meng He had invited Sun Tu into the hall and asked him to sit next to him. This really gave Sun Tu face.
Sun Tu didn't struggle too much. He sat down according to his arrangement and said with a moved expression: "Zhu Shuai is really polite to the corporal, which makes the subordinates feel ashamed. Those things in Shandong before were nothing at all. If Zhu Shuai had If you control the overall situation there, you will definitely be able to do a better job than me, and you can put down all the local bandit chaos a few years ago."
These words immediately made Zhu Meng burst into laughter: "Sun Qian's words are too polite. It's a pity that I can't escape in Jiangnan. Otherwise, I really could have gone to Shandong to see it." He really smiled. I accept this compliment.
Tong Mu, who followed the two of them into the hall, was really confused when he saw them complimenting each other and talking happily. Didn't Sun Tu say he wanted to get rid of Zhu Men before? Why did he seem to be a completely different person now? ? But soon, he also showed his signature smile and stayed with the last one. Watching the two of them continue to talk nonsense, at the same time, he had to think more highly of Sun Tu. This man has been in the officialdom for many years and is much better than before. He is much more stable, at least he has mastered all the tricks of hypocrisy and coercion in officialdom.
While the two were exchanging polite greetings, the servants had already brought up several bowls of energy-boosting drinks. Zhu Meng took them up and took a sip while introducing him: "Sun Qianha, you are from the north. , probably don’t know yet
The climate here in the south is very humid, which is inconvenient, so I specially obtained a prescription for this dehumidifying and replenishing drink from a famous local doctor. You must drink a few more bowls of it. "
"Oh? I have to try this. If it really has such an effect, please ask Zhu Shuai to tell the officials about the recipe as well, so that I can have someone prepare some for the soldiers below to drink." Sun Turao said. He picked up the tea bowl with interest and took a few sips, then nodded again and again.
"That's easy to say. We'll ask someone to give you a copy later. However, there are quite a few precious medicinal materials in this drink. If you want tens of thousands of soldiers to drink it on a large scale, it will cost a lot of money. ." After Zhu Meng agreed, he got down to the topic: "I wonder how many soldiers and horses you brought to Jiangnan this time, Sun Qianji?"
"It's embarrassing to say that there are only 22,000 troops. After all, the bandits in Shandong have just been eliminated, and I don't dare to empty all the troops. But Zhu Shuai, please don't worry, all the troops under my command are Even if the elites in the army are placed in the south of the Yangtze River, they will have few opponents."
"If it is true as Qian Ju said, then we can rest assured. Don't you know that the anti-thief forces in the south of the Yangtze River are getting stronger and stronger now. Not only is Suzhou unable to defend it, but even several cities near Jinling are constantly being attacked and fallen by the rebel army. It's so dangerous. Especially in the past half month or so, it has made me very worried." Zhu Meng smiled happily: "By the way, I wonder when Sun Qian's troops can really go into battle?" Until now, Only then did he reveal his true purpose. He said so many compliments and flattery, but in the end he still hoped that Sun Tu could lead troops to put down the rebellion as soon as possible.
When Sun Tu heard this, he put the half-drunk drink on the coffee table, then frowned slightly and said: "I led the army from Shandong and it was a long journey. In addition, the soldiers may not be accustomed to the acclimatization and the geography of the south. We are not familiar with it, so if we really go into battle, we will have to live for more than ten days. But the most important thing is not this, but the supply of food and grass."
"How do you say this?" Zhu Meng asked with a smile.
"In order to rush to the south of the Yangtze River as soon as possible, my men and horses did not bring much food and grass with them. In addition, the imperial court promised me early that as long as I lead the army, it will allocate more than half a year's food and grass to the entire army at once. , but I wonder if Zhu Shuai has prepared the relevant food and grass?" Sun Tu said, looking at the other party intently, but found that the smile on Zhu Meng's face suddenly froze.
But soon, he recovered and said with a smile: "Is there such a thing? Why haven't I received the relevant documents from the court? This matter is not trivial. We have to ask clearly."
"Huh? Could it be that Zhu Shuai can't even satisfy the small request of being demoted?" Sun Tu asked with a slight frown as the smile on his face quickly disappeared.
"Sun Qianjia, you don't know something, because Jiangnan La suddenly proclaimed himself emperor a few months ago, which caused the officials to be furious. The court then sent many troops to help defeat the thieves. Now I am stationed in Jinling. There are no less than six or seven officers and soldiers, and the number exceeds 150,000. Almost all of these many troops have to ask for money and food from us. Even though Jiangnan is rich, it is already stretched. Now you ask again. We need more than 20,000 people with food and grass for half a year, and there is really nothing we can do. But don’t worry, as long as we have
If we eat in one bite, we will never starve the soldiers below. How about this, I will transfer half a month of food and grass to you first. After you go out, the logistics supply will be replenished. What do you think? "
Zhu Meng first expressed his family's difficulties with a troubled look. The so-called landlord's family had no surplus food. Then he took the initiative to propose his own countermeasures, which made people really confused for a while. Of course, this is if Sun Tu doesn't know what he did in Jiangnan and the current chaos in Jinling.
Seeing the other party's expression of being extremely benevolent and having tried his best to raise food, Sun Tu's frown deepened: "Is there only half a month of food and grass? It's not easy for me to explain to the brothers below."
"Sun Qianxi, you and I are all on errands for the imperial court, and the same goes for the people below. I hope you can be more considerate. After all, Jinling is not a place where grain is stored and produced. If Suzhou and Hangzhou are not lost, the grain and grass management will naturally be enough. , But now..." As he spoke, he sighed again, and then looked directly at Sun Tu.
Coupled with Zhu Meng's confusing fat face, it really gives people the feeling that a kind man has done everything he can. After some hesitation, Sun Tu could only nod in agreement: "Since Zhu Shuai is also in a dilemma, I shouldn't ask for too much. However, once the court's food and grass are delivered, I hope Zhu Shuai can do this." Several generals will be entrusted to me. Also, this half month of food and grass can only help me stabilize the morale of the army. If I really want them to attack the enemy, I will have to allocate another month of food."
"Of course, don't worry, Sun Qianha." Zhu Meng agreed wholeheartedly. Afterwards, he led Sun Tu to the nearby hall to have a drink and catch the wind.
Although for unknown reasons, Zhu Meng only asked some officials around him to accompany Sun Tu to drink. However, the dishes and wine at this banquet were rare and exquisite. It was only a fish soup that was said to be famous in the local area. It is made by cooking the most tender piece of carp meat. Dozens or hundreds of fish may be needed to make one dish. In fact, just from the extravagant and wasteful food and drinks, we can see how extravagant and lustful Zhu Meng was on weekdays, and his so-called lack of money and food was just empty talk.
However, Sun Tu seemed to be particularly talkative today. He had no intention of revealing his lies. During the banquet, he patted his chest and promised that he would do his best to wipe out Fang La and his gang. He would not leave Jiangnan until he won a complete victory. These words naturally won the unanimous praise of everyone from Zhu Meng down, and the reception banquet was naturally a happy ending for both the host and the guest.
It wasn't until Sun Tu, who was slightly fussy, was sent away that Zhu Meng, who was smiling like a good gentleman, turned gloomy: "This Sun Tu is really not a fuel-efficient lamp."
"Zhu Shuai, I think he's quite easy to talk to. Even if we only give him half a month of food and grass, I don't see him complaining..." A confidant said softly.
"Hmph, what do you know? This is the scariest thing. This person is much more difficult to deal with than other rude and straightforward generals. After the encounter today, I can't even figure out his thoughts. Hey, age Sun Qianli is really difficult to deal with because he can easily rule over anyone and change his name all over the world." Zhu Meng frowned and made a low evaluation, which made several confidants around him look surprised.