Vol 2 Chapter 999: Deng Cunli returns to Beijing

Deng Cunli returned to Beijing after many years, and he couldn't help but be speechless.
This time he was urgently summoned by the Queen Empress, and there were many speculations in her heart.
Regardless of the changes in the capital, he immediately posted a post and went to the palace to ask for peace.
The palace also changed its appearance.
The biggest difference is that there are fewer people in the palace, but more popularity.
After the briefing, Deng Cunli was invited into the study room of Chang'an Palace.
The study is deserted today, without the sound of the abacus.
On the ground, there are a few baskets, all filled with ledgers, but they are still very busy.
Deng Cunli knew that the popularity of the palace obviously came from Chang'an Palace.
Chang'an Palace is the place where the empresses live and work.
Because it is close to the imperial garden, everyone in and out of Chang'an Palace walked through Jingyao Gate, avoiding all courtiers.
"The old slave pays homage to the empress, the empress is blessed."
"Duke Deng is back, hurry up!"
Gu Jiu greeted Deng Cunli to sit down and speak.
After Deng Cunli thanked him, he took a seat on the Xiaoxiao stool.
The two looked at each other.
Gu Jiu's eyes were direct, and Deng Cunli was implicit.
"I haven't seen him for many years. Duke Deng is still the same."
"The old slave is getting old, but the empress hasn't changed at all. She still looks like the old slave when she left Beijing."
Gu Jiu laughed and said, "Unexpectedly, you learned to flatter you too. These years have worked hard for you, the overall situation of the Northwest, thanks to your presiding, otherwise the plan of this palace and your majesty will be difficult to realize."
"The empress is strategizing, the old slave is just following orders. Before the old slave returns to Beijing, the Northwest Army is moving."
"Talk to this palace about the specific situation. How many people did the Northwest Army get? Those soldiers are willing to follow them westward?"
Deng Cunli deliberately said: "Mrs. Luhou came forward and bought people in the northwest, causing the price of the dental market to rise. In less than a year, Mrs. Luhou probably bought no less than three thousand people, two thousand male servants. Thousand Maid."
Gu Jiu nodded, "The weather has been smooth in the past few years, and there are not many disaster-stricken areas. Where does Yashi come from so many people who buy and sell? Could it be a mixture of kidnappers?"
Deng Cunli said: "Returning to Niang Niang, the old slave inquired about it in private. The population bought by Mrs. Luhou is mainly from the mountainous areas. The mountainous areas are poor, and life is difficult. There has always been a tradition of selling children and selling daughters. In addition, the tooth wife has raised her value. In fact, many people can barely survive. When attracted by the price, they will sell their children and women ahead of time. In recent years, the court has severely cracked down on kidnappers, and it is rare for men and women to be abducted. Most of them are sold by relatives to the dentist, and the dentist is resold to Mrs. Luhou."
Gu Jiu nodded, "The Northwest Army alone has tens of thousands of combatants. Can the families of these soldiers follow?"
Deng Cunli said: "In recent years, the Northwest Army has recruited troops locally in the Northwest. The troops outside the Northwest have either been discharged or taken over by the Metropolitan Government."
"You mean, the soldiers and the family members are willing to follow westward?" Gu Jiu was secretly speechless.
Deng Cunli said more implicitly, "Luhou is still very capable in leading troops. According to investigations, Luhou began preparations many years ago. Perhaps while Niangniang was calculating the Northwest Army, Luhou had already guessed what Niangniang meant. After pushing the boat along the river, it began to recruit troops in the northwest. That's how it is today."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "This palace never dared to look down upon Luhou. It is natural not to wait for a big situation in the northwest. He could guess the intention of this palace many years ago, no surprise. It's a pity, this palace I have never had a chance to meet Luhou."
Deng Cunli said: "Before the old slave returns to Beijing, I bid farewell to Luhou. Luhou also said that he regretted not being able to meet the empress."
Gu Jiu laughed, "It is very likely that in this life, this palace and Luhou will not be able to meet. I really want to meet him for a while. I wonder how Pei Meng has the true story of Luhou?"
Deng Cunli thought for a moment and said, "It's not easy to say."
"Oh? Are there things you can't judge?" Gu Jiu was curious.
Deng Cunli deliberately said: "Ping Xibo Pei Meng seems to be a brash man who can only fight. However, anyone who treats him like this will ultimately be defeated by him."
"You mean he is pretending to be a fool?"
"A reckless man may be a real reckless man, and a treacherous man is also a real treacherous man."
Gu Jiu understood, "My palace understands what you mean. There is a kind of person who has a rough appearance and rough words and deeds, which makes people mistaken for a brash man. But I don't know that a brash man has a delicate side."
"She is still insightful."
"Stop flattering. The fact that the Northwest Army moved west to Xiliang is still a secret in the DPRK, and it is only known to a few courtiers."
The courtiers only knew that the Northwest Army would counterattack Xiliang, but did not know that the purpose of the Northwest Army was to attack the city of Xiliang.
"The old slave will take care of his mouth and promise not to miss a word."
"The food, grass, and weapons have been delivered to the Northwest Army. Fortresses have been built along the way. I hope that Luhou can really bear the huge reputation and win Xiliang for Da Zhou. Can there be news from Master Hope?"
"Xiliang civil strife! Only these four words are heard by Master Wuwang. The spies we have planted in Xiliang have all disconnected. The news of Master Wuwang came through a tribe leader in Beirong."
"Oh! Xiliang civil strife, this is a good thing. Bei Rong was also successfully divided?"
"The Royal Court of Bei Rong has lost the right to speak, and other tribes have turned against it. Bei Rong marched westward and was stationing troops at the border of Xiliang. Xiliang is like a great enemy, and the two sides have not yet started war. But the news of the old slaves is already there. Three months ago, the old slave did not know what was going on between Xiliang and Beirong."
"Don't worry. The soldiers of the Northwest Metropolitan Governor's Mansion will always chase after Bei Rong, just to prevent Bei Rong and Xiliang from joining forces to fight back."
Gu Jiu tapped the desktop lightly, and ordered people to look up the maps of the Western Regions.
"The Northwest Army has to speed up the march, and the situation becomes complicated in winter."
"The main force of the Northwest Army had set off a month and a half ago, and Pingxibo Pei Meng personally led the troops."
"Can the supplies keep up?"
"try best."
For the Northwest, all preparations have been made, and the next step is to see how the Northwest Army will perform.
It's beyond reach, and now Gu Jiu can do very little.
She asked Deng Cunli, "My palace suddenly recalled you back to Beijing. Is there time to arrange things in the northwest? Did you disrupt your plan?"
"Everything has been arranged, Huang Zhuo and Zhao Minfa can be alone."
"It's so good. Do you know what happened to my palace calling you back?"
"Please show me your mother."
"The palace intends to arrange for you to enter the Shao Mansion and preside over the overall situation."
Deng Cunli was shocked, "How can old slaves and eunuchs preside over the overall situation of the Young Mansion? It is absolutely indispensable. The Young Mansion has always been presided over by the clan and served for your majesty."
Gu Jiu raised his hand to stop him, "This is an expedient measure. Huang Qubing insisted on resigning and refused to continue to serve as the clan order. You should know better than this palace how bad the interior is. I want to find a virtue. The person who had both talents and had to reassure His Majesty, the palace searched through the clan archives, but couldn't find one.
Either virtuous but not talented, or talented but not virtuous, or the identity is sensitive and should not be used. So this palace thought of an expedient measure, so that a clan veteran named the Shaofu Family Order, and the Shaofu should be handled by you. "
Deng Cunli gaped and hesitated: "Lin Shuping and Qian Fu are both more suitable for this position than the old slaves. They are the confidants of your Majesty."
Gu Jiu shook his head, "They are your Majesty’s confidantes, and they are indeed true. However, they don’t understand business, finances and taxes, and various ways of commerce. They can’t afford the position of Shaofu, and I don’t have time to go. Train them."
What is the most expensive this year?
Talent!
Many years ago, Gu Jiu shouted out, talent is rare.
Until now, talents are still rare.
Training talents takes time and soil.
It is even more difficult to cultivate a person who can succeed the young mansion.
The power of the Shaofu and the wide range of industries involved are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Externally, Shaofu wanted to make money for the emperor and operate various industries. It is also necessary to subsidize the household department from time to time to solve the plight of the household department with no money.
Internally, they must be responsible for coining coins, distributing rice grains to feed the clan, and solving the employment problem of the clan (household officials).
Also responsible for the construction of ordnance, repairing palaces, imperial tombs, etc. (Ministry of War, Ministry of Engineering).
Also responsible for family disputes and litigation (Ministry of Criminal Justice).
Responsible for selecting and training eunuchs and maids, and for managing the palace (Ministry of Rites, Internal Attendant).
……Zing Zong Zong, Shao Fu is actually a small court, possessing all the functions of the six ministries and the internal servants.
The difference is that Shaofu is only responsible to the emperor.
Other yamen, never want to interfere in Shaofu.
The post of Family Order of the Shaofu has been held by the clan since the day it was established, without exception.
Even Liu Zhao didn't think about giving up the post of Shaofu Family Order to civil servants.
Deng Cunli asked cautiously: "What did your majesty say?"
Gu Jiu smiled, "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about it. If you are called back to preside over the overall situation of the Young Mansion, your Majesty agrees to do so. Regardless of your ability, qualifications, and knowledge, you are all qualified to serve as the Commander of the Young Mansion. Only in name, your job is Shaofu Craftsman Cheng, and you are doing the work of Shaofu Jialing."
The post of Shaofu Craftsman was often held by the eunuch's servant. It is not unusual for Deng Cunli to hold this position, and it will not attract criticism.
Deng Cunli said: "The old slave is afraid of betraying his mother."
"My palace will support you, so feel free to do it boldly. Inside the clan, don't worry, your majesty will tidy up the clans in the clan."
Deng Cunli let out a long sigh of relief, "The old slave feels relieved when she says that. What does the mother want the old slave to do in the young mansion?"
Gu Jiu said: "When you go to Shaofu, your first task is to cooperate with the Ministry of War and the Northwest Plan to ensure that the money, food and weapons can be delivered to the Northwest in time, to ensure logistical supplies, and try not to delay Pei Meng's military plan.
Secondly, cooperate with the Audit Department to check the mines in the world, with the goal of shutting down 50% of the mines. For specific details, our palace will send someone to send you the information, or you can go to the Baijiafang Archives to find the information. You also know Chang En. Now he is the chief director of the Audit Department. You will have many opportunities for cooperation in the future. I hope you can get along well with him. "
Chang En?
Deng Cunli laughed, "The old slave will definitely get along well with Grandpa Chang."