Chapter 182: Proposal again

Master Ning nodded quickly. The word "we" made him feel quite enthusiastic. Ning Gangui was always a little confused about the origin of the authentic Qingyan. He never thought that those who produced salt were actually "troubles" who were rampant in the world. Li Meng smiled self-deprecatingly, thinking that he was considered unfaithful.

In the Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Sichuan, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong fought with the officers and soldiers, but they had been doing funding activities. If Emperor Chongzhen knew about it, it would be inevitable that they would be cut into pieces.

However, this is also a show of goodwill. At least Li Zicheng also captured the capital and served as Emperor Dashun for a period of time, which was also bets on both sides.

"Sir, now the news brought back from Houshan in northern Zhili is getting harder to buy horses. Only seventy horses have returned in two months, and more than a dozen horses were detained when passing the level."

Hou Shan is currently the most tiring person in Jiaozhou Camp because he is verbally given and has a relatively flexible mind. He goes out to handle some purchases and transportation matters. Buying horses is naturally a big deal for Jiaozhou Camp and requires a lot of money. Naturally, Hou Shan personally took action.

It was easy to buy horses in Shandong. There was a big mule and horse market at the junction of Hebei and Shandong. However, there were wars and horses, both military and civilians, and naturally everyone took it seriously. Any good horses were sold out, and the remaining bad horses were also extremely expensive. The horse government was abandoned back then, and the horses had to rely on imports outside the pass and the frontier. Now they fought with the Jurchens in the East, the Western and Mongolians, and the horses were extremely sad.

The merchants in Shanxi naturally have a way, but horses can't make much money and don't do this business at all.

Hou Shan has never returned to Shandong for a year, and he has run over to the north of Zhili and Henan, and he has not bought much, and most of them are horses of officers and soldiers and rioters. These people also have to exchange some money for the New Year.

Li Meng was a little bored when he heard this. This time he led the cavalry to raid the Dongchang Prefecture. Liu Zeqing's soldiers were like pigs and sheep facing the cavalry, rushing and killing, and almost never resisted. In other words, there were two or three camps, and there were obviously veterans fighting and gathering soldiers, but the cavalry was also defeated after being struck.

It is conceivable that the power of the cavalry is, not to mention the powerful maneuverability that horses can bring in this era. If they rely on their legs to walk, I am afraid that I will not come back in Dongchang Mansion now?

Thinking of this, Li Meng had a deeper concern. Shandong's terrain was particularly suitable for cavalry, and the low mountains and hills were not obstacles at all. Moreover, Shandong was developed in all dynasties since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The official roads and paths of various prefectures and counties were well connected, which invisibly magnified the role of cavalry.

There is no dangerous place to rely on in the surrounding area of ​​Jiaozhou except for the sea. If the Jurchens in the East are heading south in the future, Shandong will be a must-pass place. The Jurchens and Mongolian cavalry combined are not calculated using the order of magnitude of "hundreds" or "thousands". Li Meng's mind inexplicably showed the scene of overwhelming cavalry rushing towards him. He couldn't help but feel dizzy. He shook his head and stopped this nonsense idea. He smiled and said to Ning Gangui:

"Tell Hou Shan that the war is a mess these days, horses are small matters, talent is a big matter, and his safety is better than anything else."

Ning Gangui nodded quickly and agreed. It was less than noon that he reported the matter. Ning Gangui was about to say goodbye, but Li Meng said:

"Now I write a post to Yan Zhizhou, and I will say that I will visit you in the afternoon!"

Yan Zhizhou was in Jiaozhou City for almost five years, and his second term was about to end. Although he could not take care of everything himself, he lived a relaxed and comfortable life. Under the deterrence of Jiaozhou Camp, Jiaozhou City could not even have thieves without permission. The so-called peaceful image of "no way to pick up the remains and no doors to close at night" was only available in Jiaozhou.

Moreover, Jiaozhou is different from other places. Other places try every means to delay the taxes on the court, but Jiaozhou often completes about 80%. That is because everyone knows that private salt is the source of wealth. Li Meng does not restrict private boiling sea salt because of his salt farm production capacity. However, one thing is a deadly rule, that is, it must be purchased uniformly by Jiaozhouying.

Under the rule, he was peaceful and tax-related, and Yan Zhizhou was quiet and indifferent, which made him "up" in the performance evaluation of the Ministry of Revenue for several consecutive years. The problem was that he was from Zhejiang, and most of the big bosses in the court were from Nanzhili, and Su Songchang was born, so he was not promoted.

However, according to those who understand the rules of the officialdom, promotion is inevitable. It depends on whether to go to the grand mansion to be a co-magistrate, or to go to the small mansion to be a magistrate. Perhaps it is not in Shandong, but it is necessary to be promoted.

But Yan Zhizhou was not very happy about the upcoming promotion. He knew that he was almost the life of studying at home that day. He practiced calligraphy every day and went home to accompany his family. He didn't have to worry about everything. The subordinates below were all polite and did not dare to go against it. Since Dianshi, who was contradicting her face, was blocked at home by the military soldiers of Jiaozhou Camp, beaten up at home.

The reason for all this is of course the reason for Li Meng, who was thinking about his daughter. He thought he was a civil servant. Although the other party was slightly higher than his, his literary talent was inferior to his martial arts, and he could still subdue him. Who would have thought that Li Meng's official position would rise magically. Now he is a general who is in charge of one side. Even the prefect of Laizhou should treat him politely and respect him even more. It was really depressing. What Yan Zhizhou was most annoying was that others said that he could have such good luck by relying on his daughter.

No matter how disgusted you are, you should treat people politely. Although there is no smile on your face, Yan Zhizhou was facing Li Meng with a stiff face on his face.

It's ridiculous. If the other generals get along with the prefect, it's possible that the prefect was killed by someone. The reason why Li Meng is so polite is simply because he wants to marry the other party's daughter. Prefect Yan is now pretending to be a father-in-law who doesn't like his son-in-law.

Li Meng sat there, just as he couldn't see the unpleasantness on the other person's face, and said slowly:

"This is Qingyu Guanyin that someone asked someone to invite in Nanjing. I know that the lady likes it, so I sent it here. I hope Lord Yan will not refuse."

This is extremely awkward, but now the two have different identities, but they can't speak even if they refuse. Yan Zhizhou said with difficulty:

"Then I would like to thank Lord Li for your kindness."

A piece of green jade Guanyin, one foot high and one foot high, was placed on the coffee table, and the carving materials were all top-quality. Qingyu was not a very expensive material, but Guanyin spent more than 3,000 taels of silver on Li Meng. This was because Liu Qian came out to buy it, and the other party must have charged a cost price. The Guanyin was placed on the table, like water condensed, and it was a fine product.

Li Meng had long entrusted the Su woman to bring the news to Yan Ruoran. I guess Miss Yan was looking forward to this green jade Guanyin.

The next two sides were embarrassed and speechless. Yan Zhizhou looked calm, but the tea bowl in his hand was held up many times. However, the servants next to him did not dare to say "sending off the guests". They could only hope that Li Meng would see the hint of sending off the guests and say goodbye to leave. However, it would be too embarrassing to let Li Meng understand the meaning of some small actions of this era.

Li Meng pondered for a long time, drank two cups of tea before he made up his mind to cough a few times, stood up and was about to speak. When he stood up, Yan Zhizhou was surprised and thought that this martial artist was about to say goodbye, but when he saw Li Meng bowing and saying stiffly:

"Uncle, Li Meng admires Miss Yan for a long time. Today I will come to propose marriage. I would like to ask my uncle to help you!"

These words were really powerful. Yan Zhizhou over there almost sipped out a sip of water. The marriage event, the parents' orders, and the matchmaker's words. You kid speak directly. What is it? After all, you are a high position as a general. Why don't you know the rules so much?

However, everyone felt that Li Meng was about forty years old. After all, she was ruthless in her work, had a smooth wrist, and her strength had developed to this point in a few years. It was not something that a young man could do. However, Li Meng was not over thirty years old in her previous life or in this life.

How could Yan Zhizhou agree? The marriage of civil servants with some prestigiousness these days is to be found in the circle of literati and famous scholars. Even nobles may not be attracted by the truth, let alone the nobles like Li Meng. Yan Zhizhou had a plan to marry his daughter to a young scholar who was often born in Su Song, Nanzhili.

At present, the Donglin Party has almost controlled the official path. As long as young literati from these three places, they can almost go smoothly in the officialdom. This is a hopeful and bright path. What's the use of following Li Meng, a martial artist? Maybe Li Meng died on the battlefield that day, and his daughter was from a scholarly family. It would be a pain to marry such a poor military family.

Li Meng kept bowing for a long time, but there was no response there. When he looked up, Yan Zhizhou's face was already blue with anger, his lips were trembling, but he remained silent. Li Meng was a little annoyed, thinking that the worst thing I had here, you are so sincere but you have such an attitude. Since ancient times, it is rare for his father-in-law to get along well with his son-in-law, let alone Li Meng, who is not sure.

He didn't know that his behavior of proposing a marriage was a bit rude, not to mention that he had refused to propose a marriage many times, and it was indeed a bit embarrassing to mention it.

"My civil and military paths are different. Lord Li can't afford to be kind to the little girl, so let's forget it!"

Yan Zhizhou gritted his teeth and said politely, but Li Meng was also a little angry and said loudly:
Chapter completed!