On the day Qin Xiao returned to Guangning, there was a summer rain.

The general's mansion has been renovated. Although it is not big, it is spacious and has all the necessary furnishings and furnishings. This is Huo Mianzhi's personal arrangement, and Qin Xiao also feels more and more that Huo Mianzhi has unknowingly

It has become his right-hand assistant.

Although he is not conspicuous on weekdays, he manages the logistics affairs in an orderly manner.

After returning to Guangning, Qin Xiao immediately ordered his troops to return to their camps, especially the more than a thousand newly surrendered people. Qin Xiao directly asked people to inform Yuwen Chengchao who was guarding Guangning, and he would handle the arrangements.

, but Huo Mianzhi led people to put the seized materials into the treasury.

His energy has been tense these days and he really hasn't had a good rest. When he came back this time, Qin Xiao didn't care about anything else and didn't stay in the general's mansion. He went directly back to his own house and had a good sleep under the care of Qiuniang.

After sleeping, replenishing his energy, and having a loving relationship with Qiuniang, he rushed to the General's Mansion feeling completely healthy.

The General's Mansion was not far from his residence, which was also intentional by Huo Mianzhi and others.

Originally, there were many rooms in the General's Mansion, and even if Qiuniang and the others were moved in, it would still be more than enough.

It’s just that Qin Xiao knew that the General’s Mansion would become an important place for Long Ruijun to plan large and small affairs in the future. People came and went every day. Qiuniang didn’t like this environment. She preferred where she lived now to be quiet and away from people.

I didn't want to disturb you, so I didn't ask Qiuniang and others to move over.

Fortunately, it's not far away, so it's convenient to go back and forth.

When they arrived at the General's Mansion, someone was already waiting for them. It was Yuwen Huaiqian and Fei Xin. Seeing the two of them, Qin Xiao was really happy. He led them to the side hall and ordered someone to invite Huo Mianzhi.

, I wanted to call Yu Wen Chengchao over, but I knew that Yu Wen Chengchao was busy with military affairs now, so I was not in a hurry.

After Huangfu Yunzhao entered Shunjin City, Qin Xiao had been worried about the safety of these two people.

Yuwen Huaiqian and Feixin were working in the Armaments Department, which was a government office specially set up by the imperial court to ensure the logistics of Long Rui's army. The government office was located in Shunjincheng.

Qin Xiao knew in his heart that once he broke up with the Liaodong Army, the Armament Department would become ineffective. The Liaodong Army would even take the officials of the Armament Department as hostages and impose harsh conditions on the Long Rui Army. Qin Xiao had already planned for this, and after returning from Kyoto

, and discussed with Yuwen Chengchao to withdraw the people from the General Armament Department to western Liaoning.

However, he knew that Shunjin was definitely keeping an eye on the Armament Department, and it would not be easy to withdraw from there without alarming the enemy.

Fortunately, there is also Xingluotang.

Xingluotang is a power in the world, and its disciples are not only all over western Liaoning, but also have many eyes and ears in Yingping County. Qin Xiao finally decided to let Yuwen Chengchao and Cui Mancheng discuss whether they could use Xingluotang's manpower in Shunjin to arrange for Yuwen Huai

It would be best if Qian and others withdraw.

Seeing the two of them today, Qin Xiao was naturally very happy when he knew that the plan was successful. He thought in his heart that Cui Mancheng was really good at doing things, so he naturally wanted to remember this favor.

The two of them had actually withdrawn to western Liaoning for several days and had been waiting for Qin Xiao to come back. They had known about Qin Xiao's return yesterday, but they also knew that Qin Xiao had just come back and had too many things on hand to disturb. It was early this morning.

But he came and waited.

"I'm very happy to hear that the imperial court has bestowed upon you the title of Champion General." With a smile on his face, Feixin cupped his hands and said with a smile, "I am here to express my congratulations to the General."

Feixin can now be regarded as a direct descendant of Qin Xiao.

When Qin Xiao was on duty at Dali Temple, he got acquainted with Fei Xin and knew that Fei Xin was very capable, so he specifically requested the imperial court to transfer not only Yuwen Huaiqian but also Fei Xin to assist Yuwen Huaiqian in the war.

In charge of the Armament Department, these two people have indeed lived up to Qin Xiao's expectations, and they have also done very well in the Armament Department before.

Qin Xiao laughed and then said: "If you withdraw safely, I will feel more at ease."

"This is also thanks to the people from Xingluotang." Feixin said: "They planned carefully. Some people diverted the eyes and ears of the spy. Some people secretly arranged for us to leave the city and escorted us all the way back to western Liaoning. They contributed a lot."

Yuwen Huaiqian nodded slightly and said: "It's a pity that we still stocked up some supplies in Shunjin, but before we could deliver them to the grassland, Huangfu Yunzhao led his troops into the city, and the supplies from the Armaments Department could no longer be transported.

Out of town."

"Yes." Feixin was a little afraid: "Now that batch of materials has fallen into the hands of Huangfu Yunzhao."

"As long as you guys come back safely, we can still raise some supplies." Qin Xiao said with a smile, and then asked: "What is the situation in Shunjin City now?"

Yuwen Huaiqian said: "When we left, the defense of Shunjincheng was already in the hands of Huangfu Yunzhao. He led eight thousand troops into the city, and then sent his most capable general Song Shixin under the banner of suppressing bandits.

Five thousand soldiers left the city. Shunjin City originally had 2,000 garrison troops, but they were all taken over by Huangfu Yunzhao."

"The officials at Shunjincheng are all members of the Liaodong Army. Both the county guard Liang Zongyi and the county lieutenant Shen Chou are from the Liaodong Army." Fei Xin said: "As soon as Huangfu Yunzhao entered the city, those people followed orders.

From now on, Huangfu Yunzhao says whatever he says, and no one dares to disobey him." After a pause, he thought of something, and said: "But I heard that there is a general named Qian Zhen, who is Wang Xingchao's confidant general and led a group of his troops.

Thousands of soldiers and horses followed Huangfu Yunzhao to the battle. Among the eight thousand soldiers and horses Huangfu Yunzhao brought, there were five thousand of his own troops, who were his direct descendants, and another three thousand were drawn from other ministries, including

Qian Zhen's thousand troops belong directly to Wang Xingchao."

Qin Xiaodao: "I heard that there are many factions within the Liaodong Army, and Huangfu Yunzhao's faction is not weak."

Yuwen Huaiqian said: "That's true. After they entered the city, Xiaguan and Master Fei also did some understanding. The Liaodong Army has been in the Northeast for a hundred years and has formed six major families. These six major families include the Wang family and the Huangfu family.

Among them, their ancestors were all important generals in the Liaodong Army. Wang Xingchao was the sixth General Anton. Before him, there were two people from the Huangfu family, so the Huangfu family was unusually powerful. Although the six major families were all generals from the Liaodong family,

, but each has military power. Because of the ancestors, the Huangfu family has many direct descendants, and they also control the largest number of soldiers and horses."

"General, we inquired and found out that before Wang Xingchao came to power, the Wang family was actually not that strong among the six major families. It was just that Wang Xingchao himself was outstandingly talented." Fei Xin said: "At that time, Huangfu Yunzhao had a good chance of sitting on An's throne.

The position of General Dongda, but other families feel that the Huangfu family is already too strong. If Huangfu Yunzhao takes control of the Liaodong Army, the strength will only become stronger, and other families are likely to be suppressed, so they increase the number of factions.

They all support Wang Xingchao to check and balance the power of the imperial family."

Qin Xiao sighed: "They originally defended the northeast for the country, but they fought with each other for their own interests. It's no wonder they have fallen into this situation."

Yu Wen Huaiqian said: "When other companies unite, the Huangfu family is naturally not an opponent, so the Liaodong Army can also maintain a balance. However, after Wang Xingchao took the position of general, his skills have not been weak in the past twenty years. His attack on the Liaodong Army

The military power is tightly grasped, and the power of the direct line is getting stronger and stronger. Perhaps because they are worried that other families will be dissatisfied and join forces with the Huangfu family again, so for many years they have allowed other families to compete for land and provide them with glory and wealth. This is actually to use

Land and money are exchanged for greater military power." He smiled faintly and said: "Because Wang Xingchao is as secure as General Anton, Huangfu Yunzhao is very afraid of him, so as Wang Xingchao's confidant general, Qian Zhen is not afraid of Huangfu Yun

Zhao."

"Actually, there have been rumors that Qian Zhen is actually the supervisor of the army." Feixin smiled and said: "Qian Zhen and his thousand troops seem to think they are superior to others and do not take other troops in their eyes." He paused.

He paused and said: "But this is all hearsay, and we can't be sure what is going on. But having said that, there is no smoke without fire. The relationship between Huangfu Yunzhao and Qian Zhen should not be harmonious, otherwise such rumors would not have spread.

"

Qin Xiaodao: "I will send people to investigate the situation in detail over there." Looking at the two of them, he smiled and said: "It's just the right time for you to come back. Since Shunjincheng is occupied by the Liaodong Army, the Armament Department Office

Just re-establish it in Guangning, and I will ask Huo Juncheng to help you arrange this. Now the logistics affairs are handled by Huo Juncheng, and I am worried that he cannot handle it alone. It just so happens that your Armament Department can also assist him in handling logistics affairs in the future."

At this moment, a voice was heard from outside: "I'd like to see you!" It was Huo Mianzhi's voice.

Qin Xiao immediately asked Huo Mianzhi to come in. Several people had seen him. When Huo Mianzhi sat down, Qin Xiao said with a smile: "Sir Huo, the Armament Department will also have to pay more attention to you in the future. These two are also outstanding talents. You can

I’ll be a good helper to you.”

Huo Mianzhi smiled and said: "As a subordinate, I should do my best."

"You all happen to be here. There is something I want to hear your opinion on." Qin Xiaodao: "Heishan Trading Center has been trading for some time. General Gu and I also talked about it before. If this situation continues, the trade will get worse.

The better. A few of them also know that although military supplies are still being sent from Jiangnan, they may be cut off at any time. Western Liaoning implements a land equalization policy and cannot increase taxes on the people, but the officers and soldiers have to eat food, so they must

There is a steady stream of military support.”

Huo Mianzhi nodded and said: "General, according to your instructions, I have sent several officials from Hucao to the trading place. We still need to understand the trade situation of each merchant. In fact, I am also trying to communicate with you.

You should discuss this matter and make sure the logistics are sufficient, and you still need to make some preparations for the tax payment at the trading center."

"Not bad." Qin Xiao asked: "How do you think the taxes from the trading center should be collected?"

Huo Mianzhi said: "If the method of Fucheng Trade Market is followed, the Liaodong Army will collect at least 50% of the trade volume from those merchants, and all kinds of ill-intentioned efforts will be placed on Shibafang in the north. Their life will not be easy. Fortunately.

What's more, the profit is huge. Although the Liaodong Army took away most of it, it can still make some profits and be able to sustain it." Looking at Qin Xiao, he said: "But my official thinks that the Heishan Trading Center should not follow the example of Fucheng.

The Shibafang in the north are all local merchants from the Northeast. Even if the profits are meager, they can only continue to operate. But the main sources of merchants in Montenegro are from within the pass. If the profits are too small, the official is worried that they will soon

You will lose interest.”

"Master Huo is right." Yuwen Huaiqian said: "Businessmen pursue profit, and if there is no profit, they will definitely not be able to sustain it forever. General, although we need military supplies, we cannot drain the lake."

Qin Xiao said with a smile: "That's what I mean, don't you think so? In the first year of trading, they will be charged 20% of the trade volume. After all, trading with the north is very profitable. After the 20% tax, they can still keep it."

Most of the profits can be reduced by half in the next year, and only 10% in the third year. All merchants who operate in the trade market for three years will only charge 10% of the business tax, and no tax will be increased.

I don’t know how to do this?”

The three of them looked at each other, and Huo Mianzhi took the lead and said with a smile: "If this is the case, those merchants will really regard the general as a living Bodhisattva. I am only worried that all the merchants in the pass will break their heads and run this way.

"

"Such taxes can promote more developed commerce." Yu Wen Huaiqian also said with a smile: "If taxes are light, trade will be more prosperous. If you accumulate less, you will make more. The commercial taxes obtained from the Black Mountain Trade Center are enough to maintain Long Rui."

It’s the army’s logistics.”

Qin Xiao smiled and said: "If the three of you have no objection, let's do this." He looked at Fei Xin and said: "Master Fei, there is another section in the Armament Department specifically responsible for the affairs of the trading center.

They should be responsible for sending people to record the trade volume of each merchant in detail, collect commercial taxes on time, and at the same time help them solve their problems, and even mediate the conflicts that will inevitably arise between merchants. In a word, you must not only collect money, but also help them

If you think it's okay, I want you to be responsible for the affairs of the trading center. What do you think?"

Of course Feixin knew that Qin Xiao entrusted such an important matter to him, which was a great trust in him. He immediately stood up and said: "General, don't worry, I will do my best and work hard!" After a pause, he thought of something,

He cautiously asked: "General, does the court allow us to collect the commercial taxes from the trading site?"

Qin Xiao thought that the court had been controlled by Tantai Xuanye and his gang of rebels. Could it be that the commercial taxes from the trading center would still have to be handed over to the rebels? But it was difficult to say it clearly at this time, so he could only say: "I have already been there

The trade tax is used to offset Jiangnan’s military supplies. The military supplies that Jiangnan should provide will be paid directly to the treasury, and the trade tax will be replaced by the commercial tax and transferred directly to us. This matter is directly responsible for the Arms Department. You can

Just do it.”

Yuwen Huaiqian and Feixin looked at each other, thinking that the general did not say whether the court would allow it, but they were both determined to follow Qin Xiao. Since Qin Xiao said so, it didn't matter what the court said, anyway, there really was something.
Chapter completed!