Liu Peng talked about an old incident in the 43rd year of Wanli. At that time, Shandong had a "unexpected" famine, and a large-scale drought occurred in northern Zhili at the same time. Millions of Qi and Lu people were forced to make a living and could only pour into the Xuhuai area.

The Xuhuai area was originally a disaster-prone place. The influx of hungry people in Shandong led to extremely tense conflicts between local tourists, and even "there are all bows and knives in Huai City", and large-scale local fights may occur at any time.

At that time, Yuan Yingtai, who was the Xu Bing of Huai, resolutely managed to support the grain stored in the official warehouse at that time when hungry people gathered, "issued 102,000 gold, more than 64,000 stone of rice, and tens of thousands of stones of rice", and "searched extra taxes and grain to reduce horse prices to tens of thousands of gold". Not only did the hungry people gathered to set up porridge factories to provide relief, but he even set up hundreds of porridge factories in the border areas between Shandong and Nanzhili to wait for disaster victims to go south.

At the same time, Yuan Yingtai also promoted labor-for-relief, built city and beaches, and built public facilities, solving the problem of eating for a large number of hungry people. It was precisely because of Yuan Yingtai's kindness that he saved at least hundreds of thousands of hungry people in Shandong.

However, Yuan Yingtai can only be a "good official". This kind of action to eliminate regional concepts and use local food to save food to help hungry people in other places will inevitably arouse opposition from local people, especially gentry. Moreover, the Xuhuai area is a disaster-prone place, and Yuan Yingtai is equivalent to using all the savings in the Xuhuai area for many years. Next time, Xuhuai locals will be unable to cope with it once they encounter major disasters.

According to the Ming system, famines in the local area of ​​the official warehouse were not allowed to be moved. Yuan Yingtai used such a huge amount of money and food to help hungry people in other provinces, and borrowed but not returned, which would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among local gentry. Soon, Yuan Yingtai was impeached and removed from office for the crime of "unswerving official ranks."

Although neither Liu Peng nor Zhong Yuzheng thought that Yuan Yingtai had done anything wrong at that time, and even believed that Yuan Yingtai's move benefited the country and the people and made great achievements for generations, under the system of the Ming Dynasty, Yuan Yingtai not only had every problem, but also a scholar like him who was kind-hearted was unable to be fully qualified.

Zhong Yuzheng also sighed: "It's a pity for Yuan Yingtai. He is a good prime minister in the prosperous era, but unfortunately he is in a chaotic era now. It's a pity for Xiong Tingbi!"

When Zhong Yu couldn't help but sigh, thinking that the situation in Liaodong might be completely corrupt because of Yuan Yingtai's in office, but Liu Peng laughed: "Old Zhong, you may not be as long as my little lady is. Do you want to listen to what my little lady said?"

In the past, Liu Peng and Zhong Yuzheng both looked at each other and disliked each other. Liu Peng felt that Zhong Yuzheng, who was a Jinshi, was not easy to deal with, while Zhong Yuzheng felt that Liu Peng was simply a traitor who sought fame. However, after the two sides had been together for several years, they could be said to be more and more happy in cooperation, and they did not regard each other as outsiders.

Now Zhong Yuzheng is even the third-rank Taipusi Zhengqing, who is not willing to do it, and would rather go to Haiyouhui to be the chief of general affairs. Liu Peng is of course reciprocating his favor. Not only did he separate the various security squadrons from the patrol team, but he also specially set up a family banquet to entertain Zhong Yuzheng to show his intimidation.

Although Zhong Yuzheng brought his son here today, Wei Yujun was hospitalizing Zhong Yuzheng with Liu Peng. Zhong Yuzheng knew that the rules of Liu Peng's family were different from those of other families. Whether they were the main room, outdoor room or concubine, they were not only qualified to eat at the table, but also had almost the same status as their husband.

Although he could not understand this rule, he asked Wei Yujun according to local customs: "Madam Wei, how about Xiong Tingbi?"

Wei Yujun immediately replied: "It's a pity for Xiong Tingbi, but it's only a matter of accident that he's leaving. Mr. Zhong, look at how much military spending in Liaodong every year and how many rice beans transported in Liaodong, but Xiong Jingluo always just barely maintains the situation."

The Ming Dynasty's expenditure in Liaodong can be described as amazing, even more exaggerated than shocking. Every year, the military pay alone reaches more than three million taels of silver, and the military uses two million stones of rice beans to eat horse feed. This is also the most basic expenditure to maintain the army's basic living. If all the war expenses and equipment are included, the imperial court's investment in Liaodong every year will be at least five or six million taels or even tens of millions of taels.

Xiong Tingbi has been in charge of Liaodong for more than a year. Although he has cleaned up the people's hearts and rebuilt the defense line and done many major things, Xiong Tingbi has not achieved any brilliant victory so far. He has just barely maintained the situation and ensured that a fragile front will not completely collapse.

The battle situation may be getting better, but we only see that the Ming Dynasty suffered a series of defeats in Liaodong in the past few months. Although these defeats are not large in scale, and the Ming army in Liaodong did not gain nothing, but "has made quite a victory", they eventually suffered defeats one after another, and the front line has advanced to the Puhe line in Beixiao, Shenyang.

In other words, no one knows when the Ming Dynasty will achieve the final victory by using Xiong Jingluo's current strategy and tactics. The court can't see any hope at all.

Perhaps before the Ming Dynasty won, it would be dragged down by Xiong Tingbi's continuous additional war expenses, or perhaps the fragile Liaodong defense line would suddenly collapse due to Xiong Tingbi's carelessness, so the court decided to replace Yuan Yingtai, who was even more despised.

Hearing Wei Yujun's narration, Zhong Yu couldn't help but sigh: "Young Master Liu can have the situation today, it's not a lucky chance, but I'm trying to make a mistake. Although Xiong Tingbi is a pity, he is also a way to defeat himself. But once there is a change in Liaodong, will Liu Jue really come to the army in person?"

Liu Peng immediately said firmly: "The military preparations for several years have been carried out for the battle in Liaodong. I am just worried about one thing now. If the soldiers of my patrol team confronted Jiannu head-on, would they be sure to have a fair share of the fate?"

Liu Peng's request seemed very low, but he only asked to be equal to the Jurchen army. However, Zhong Yuzheng knew that this requirement was not actually high. Now the 200,000 army under the Liaodong General Staff faced 100,000 Jiannu, who was always poor and exhausted, while Liu Peng's patrol team had only 1,500 people.

Therefore, he also raised his questions: "Although Mr. Liu has the ambition to end the army, there are only 1,500 patrol troops. Even if all the teams are out, there are only 2,300 people. Instead of going across the sea to fight north, just wait and see the situation first, and you can serve the king in time!"

Zhong Yuzheng was very vague, but Liu Peng could hear the murderous intent in his words, such as "watching the situation" and "respect the king" and are all synonyms for uprising. Liu Peng never dreamed that Zhong Yuzheng, a former Jinshi, would have such an idea for the clerk.

Just remembering that Zhong Yu wasted his position in Qingzhou for 30 years and wasted his thirty years of his life. When he had the opportunity to re-enter the official position, he had already changed things and people. He could understand Zhong Yuzheng's choice: "Old Zhong is indeed a national senator, and he will never let me down and repay him with national senator..."

But then Liu Peng made his thoughts very clear: "Jiannu, China's great enemy! If you don't fight with Jiannu, it will not be enough to gather people's hearts and justify your reputation. If you don't get rid of this great enemy for China, you will look forward to the front and back. Even if you can be proud for a while, you will be just a pioneer of the king! I will definitely take down Jiannu for China and get rid of a great enemy!"

No matter how profound Liu Peng said, Zhong Yuzheng could still hear the true meaning of Liu Peng's words. Liu Peng's experience was indeed not a traitor, and he had a kingly demeanor. With his words, he understood that his choice would not be wrong.

He gave up on the position of Taipu Zhengqing, but instead went to Haiyouhui to be the vice president and general affairs director. Naturally, he had a great idea and wanted to be far from being a little Jiuqing or even a big Jiuqing.

With his historical qualifications and achievements, although his career will definitely be difficult after he arrives in Beijing, even if he cannot join the cabinet, he will have a great chance to gain the position of a great nine minister. However, he would rather go to Haiyouhui to serve as a small general affairs director.

Now he can sue himself that there is nothing wrong with his most important choice in life. On the contrary, this choice is so perfect.

Liu Peng not only trusted half of the Haiyou Association with the entire General Affairs Office's affairs, but also assigned all the security squadrons to the name of the Haiyou Association. Although these security captains were not completely decoupled from the patrol team system, this represents a great trust.

Therefore, Zhong Yuzheng also said excitedly: "Madam Wei, fill it up!"

Zhong Yu was holding up a big bowl and said with a smile: "Your Madam Liu, treat me as a national hero, and I should repay you with a national hero! We must have a good drink!"

With this bowl of sweet wine falling into the stomach, Zhong Yu has officially entered the core power circle of Longkou.

However, this adaptation was not good news for Duncan. Although many newly compiled team-level units were formed, the model team remained the same and remained the original system. Duncan regretted it all at once.

He found that he had missed a great opportunity for the issue of faith. He had to find Demons again and asked: "If I become a believer of Bixia Yuanjun now, will Your Excellency Liu Peng expand the model team?"

Demons glared at him: "My old friend Duncan, you are thinking too much. If you miss this rare opportunity, you may have to wait for a long time!"

Duncan regretted slapping his forehead and said, "I am so foolish. I will give up the most rare opportunity in my life for the worthless faith in God. Lord Demons..."

He had made the decision at the first time, and he simply said: "I will give up my faith in God Jesus from now on and convert to Bixia Yuanjun."

Demons couldn't help but shake his head and said, "I did not ask you to give up your faith in God. This is a country of free faith. Your belief in Bixia Yuanjun does not mean that you must give up your faith in God... This is not a conversion or a conversion."

But Duncan said firmly: "No, this is the conversion to faith! I have realized that my only faith is the great goddess of Mount Tai, Bixia Yuanjun. God and the Trinity have become a thing of the past. I would like to ask you to announce this to the believers of Bixia Yuanjun."
Chapter completed!