Xu Congyang tasted the tea, put down the tea cup, and said: "Lin Qianhu has been investigating this matter recently. It is currently judged that Zhao Guangqing should be from Tianmendao."

"People from Tianmendao?" Chu Huan said in surprise: "Zhao Guangqing is the governor of a state. How could he be so confused and devoted to Tianmendao?"

Xu Congyang sighed: "I have never thought it clearly before, but after thinking about it carefully, I am afraid that Zhao Guangqing was unwilling to accept it, so he was taken advantage of by Tianmen Dao and bought it over."

"Not tolerate?"

Xu Congyang said with a smile: "You can see that Tongzhou has poor conditions and is not as prosperous and prosperous as the Jiangnan area. With Zhao Guangqing's talent, he worked as a prefect for so many years as the prefect, and even if he cannot be transferred to Beijing and reused, he should have transferred another prefecture. However, the environment of Tongzhou is complex, and seven years have been a year of famine in ten years. Since its establishment, things have happened almost every year. In recent years, it has become more and more intense. It is really not a good job to stay in Tongzhou. If you don't have real talent, let alone for so many years in Tongzhou, you are afraid that you will not be able to stay for a few months."

Chu Huan is still very familiar with the situation in Tongzhou. He has a famine every year and has no business foundation to rely on. He has always been a relatively poor prefecture. Sitting in the position of the governor of Tongzhou, not to mention anything else, the tax collection pressure faced every year is extraordinary. When Zhao Guangqing was in office, he faced tax collection from the Ministry of Revenue every year. Moreover, there will be a complaint in the court to impeach Zhao Guangqing, saying that his work is not good and he has been delayed for many years.

Although Zhao Guangqing was in Tongzhou, he wanted to collect taxes, but Tongzhou was a poor prefecture, and even in a bumper year, he might not be able to pay heavy taxes from the court. What's more, many famines were a little more urgent, and people in Tongzhou immediately caused trouble. Some people with ulterior motives even incite the people to fight against the government. If the magistrate of Tongzhou is too lenient, he cannot explain to the court. If it is too strict, the ground in Tongzhou will be in chaos, causing even greater trouble. Therefore, Zhao Guangqing's position in Tongzhou is as powerful as a magistrate, but in fact he is sitting on the stove and being roasted.

Fortunately, Zhao Guangqing really had some tricks and dealt with each other. Although Tongzhou was in chaos, the chaos had not started. If Zhao Guangqing had not taken charge, Tongzhou's current form would have never been so stable. I am afraid it would have long been one of the birthplaces of civil strife.

But it has to be said that Zhao Guangqing has always been carrying a big stone on his back. The memorials of impeachment for him over the years have accumulated as many as a mountain. If the court had not thought that this person was available, those charges would have been able to make Zhao Guangqing die for ten or eight times. Zhao Guangqing probably knew this very well. Now he could be safe. If he was not careful in his court and the charges in front of him were flooded, even the King of Heaven would probably not be able to save it.

"The court asked him to take charge of Tongzhou. After all, it was not because he could suppress it." Xu Congyang shook his head and sighed: "There are only you and me here. I might as well say something in my heart. Zhao Guangqing betrayed the court and devoted himself to the Tianmen Dao. It is hateful, but to blame him, although he has a serious crime, it is not entirely his fault!"

"What does the Grand Secretary mean?"

"Zhao Guangqing is a man from a poor family. When he was in Beijing, he was very upright and offended many people." Xu Congyang sighed: "He didn't know how to offend Duke An Guo, and was finally transferred to Tongzhou. Later, the Han Wang Party members also wanted to get rid of him. Fortunately, the sage and wise men knew that this person was available, so they kept it. Think about it, the prince and the Han Wang's party members could get a good position even if they didn't have much talent. Zhao Guangqing had outstanding political achievements in Tongzhou, but they were always pressed in this place. Do you think he was willing to do it? Tianmen Dao must have known the reason and mastered Zhao Guangqing's thoughts, so he took advantage of the situation... I thought about it, Tianmen Dao must have given Zhao Guangqing great benefits, and Zhao Guangqing had resentment, so he took the wrong path."

Chu Huan understood and said, "So that's it. The heavenly sects are really omnipresent. Not only do they bewitch the people, but they have always made up their minds even when the imperial officials were appointed!" He thought in his heart that Zhao Guangqing took the risk, but behind this, there was also a faint shadow of party struggles in the court.

Xu Congyang said: "The Tianmen Road is a big problem. Now it is causing trouble in the Jianghuai Road. I don't know when it will be pacified. But sometimes I think about it. If you hadn't revealed Zhao Guangqing last time, the consequences would be unimaginable. Zhao Guangqing used stone mines to accumulate a large number of wealth and stockpiled a lot of weapons and equipment. If he had caused trouble in Tongzhou, Tongzhou would definitely echo the chaos in the Jianghuai Road. The passage to the northwest might even be blocked. I occasionally think about it, but I am still a little scared."

Chu Huan asked: "The Grand Secretary, Duan Xun, the former commander of Tongzhou Camp, should be Zhao Guangqing's best friend. Can this person have a whereabouts?"

"I have been pursuing it, and there is no whereabouts." Xu Congyang shook his head and said, "The demons in the Tianmen Dao are like ghosts, and it is difficult to find traces. Although Lin Qianhu found some clues, the clues are often destroyed before they were found. It seems that there are still experts in Tianmen Dao. However, Zhao Guangqing died immediately, and his followers have been killed by Lin Qianhu. Even if there are disciples in Tianmen Dao, they can only shrink into the cave and dare not act rashly. At present, there is no storm in Tongzhou."

Chu Huan pondered for a moment before saying, "What else do the Grand Secretary need to give advice to him when he is on the mission to Xiliang?"

Xu Congyang looked solemn and said earnestly: "I passed a few letters with General Yu the last time. The current situation in the northwest is not optimistic!"

"oh?"

"Northwest Sandao, Xiguan, Tianshan, and Beishan. Now most of Xiguan Road is in the hands of the people of Xiliang. A large number of refugees have flocked to Beishan and Tianshan Road. After the Xiliang army stopped the war, General Yu laid an arc line of defense. In the north, Zhu Lingyue, the governor of Tianshan Road, led 60,000 remaining troops to station in Tianmeng Mountain on Tianshan Road. General Yu laid defense in the Ningshan area in the south, and combined 160,000 troops to divide into corners and temporarily stabilized the situation." Xu Congyang explained: "Now our army's morale is low. When we retreated, many soldiers even lost their weapons and armor. A large number of refugees from the northwest flocked to Beishan Road, and food was scarce. Although General Yu tried his best to stabilize the situation in the northwest, there was still a lot of chaos there and all kinds of supplies were in short supply."

Chu Huan looked sad.

"Chen Yangcang is exhausted. Now I am instructing the governor of Xishan Road Qiao Mingtang to take people to Anyi. The two Xishan roads will recruit food and food supplies and speed up the transport to the northwest." Xu Congyang shook his head and sighed: "In the rebellion of the Jianghuai Tianmen Road, the court can no longer devote his energy to the northwest. I heard that the war in the Jianghuai is tight, and the court fainted from a large number of supplies to the Jianghuai side. Moreover, the remaining troops of the Qingtian King of Hebei are ready to move after the chaos in Jianghuai... Anyi, Xishan roads can still hold on for a short time, but after a long time, it will be very difficult and cannot continue to provide assistance to the northwest." He stared at Chu Huan and said solemnly: "In fact, our Qin Dynasty must be negotiated in this peace talks no matter what. There must be no difference. Only when the northwest is stable can the northwest resume production, otherwise the northwest will always be in war. My Qin Dynasty's treasury is not sufficient, so it will be difficult to hold on for too long!"

Chu Huan nodded and said, "The Grand Secretary has understood the meaning of the Grand Secretary. When the Xia Guan goes to Xiliang this time, he will definitely welcome the Princess of Xiliang back and let the Xiliang army withdraw from the northwest!"

"This trip is very difficult, Lord Chu should take care of it." Xu Congyang sighed: "Fortunately, the people of Xiliang took the initiative to propose peace talks. Otherwise, I really can't imagine what my Daqin looks like." He shook his head and said: "Don't look at my Daqin's country, which seems extremely powerful, but I am already weak in my bones and cannot withstand a big war!"

Chu Huan frowned and said, "The Grand Secretary, when the Xiaguan was in the Ministry of Revenue, he knew that the empire's finances were already very difficult and he was unable to make ends meet. Although he had peace with the people of Xiliang this time, in fact, I, Daqin, bowed to them and asked to pay 6 million taels of silver, and also paid a huge amount of food and other materials. The emperor thought that with the current situation of the empire, it might be very difficult, and the emperor was afraid...!" At this point, he paused and did not continue.

Xu Congyang said: "Mr. Chu, if you have anything to say, don't worry."

Chu Huan said: "The officials took the liberty, but they just felt that the court might find a way to collect the huge amount of compensation from the people. The officials were stupid, but they also felt that if the taxes were continued to be increased at this time, the people would be overwhelmed and would probably cause greater disasters, so...!"

Xu Congyang nodded and said, "You understand, I am actually thinking about this. You are right. The people are already in trouble. If taxes are collected, the consequences will be unimaginable. I have been preparing to submit a memorial to state the benefits and interests in the past two days. I just hope that the emperor can listen to my words and no longer increase taxes!"

Chu Huan bowed and said, "The Grand Secretary is respected, and the Lord will definitely listen to your words!"

Xu Congyang shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Mr. Chu, you can think of making a living for the people today. That's why the King of Qi has read the wrong person. I feel very comforted. But... Now it is not as good as before. The emperor can hear my advice, but now the emperor can no longer listen to a few people." He sighed, full of sighs.

Chu Huan opened his mouth and wanted to speak but stopped. He was always a little disrespectful about the emperor behind his back.

Xu Congyang is such a smart person. He knew Chu Huan's thoughts and said, "I will try my best to write to this matter. The emperor worships the mysterious Taoism, and he is always a person who will never give up until he achieves his goal. He fought the country and pacified the world, and now he is the same in practicing Taoism. In the past few years, his energy has been focused on practicing Taoism, and no one can easily persuade him. However, this time he was humiliated by a mere Xiliang people. The emperor is a strong man, and he may not be unable to regain his power and strive for governance. As long as the emperor is determined to do so, calm down the heavenly path, recuperate with the people, develop farmer and commerce, and work hard to govern, my great Qin will be able to regain his strength. He will never dare to covet my great Qin again when he is facing Xiliang."

Chu Huan nodded slightly. He didn't know if the emperor would really do this. If he could really tell what Xu Congyang, the emperor was woken up by a stick in Xiliang this time, it would be a blessing for the people of the Qin Dynasty.

"Mr. Chu, this time I am on an envoy, I only hope that you will have a smooth journey and complete the emperor's instructions." Xu Congyang said seriously: "I will gain time to rest for my Great Qin, and to gain time to work hard to govern the emperor. I will have hope!" His last sentence was full of emotion, and he was not sure whether he really thought so.

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