Chapter 1182 Internal Dispute!

April 3, Licheng,
As the capital of Qi and Lu, Licheng is also one of the largest cities in the north of the Great Zhou. The population of the city and its surrounding towns is as high as hundreds of thousands. Since the Fengwu Army took over Qi and Lu, under a series of drastic reforms by Ye Mingsheng, Licheng, this traditional famous city in the north of the Great Zhou, has also been rejuvenated...

As the economy has continued to develop, more and more people have gathered in Licheng. According to the latest statistics, there are now 117,000 households in Licheng City, with a population of more than 350,000. Including the population of surrounding towns and villages, the total population even exceeded 700,000 at one point!

In order to meet the living needs of these people, the Qilu Provincial Administration also built several large markets in the city. Among them, Puyang Market is the largest and most prosperous!
But today, Puyang Market was declared closed, and thousands of soldiers and hundreds of police officers entered the market. Just as the people were discussing what had happened, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar came to Puyang Market, accompanied by the new Qilu Censor Zhang Hua and other Qilu officials!

As soon as he saw the man getting off the carriage, Zhang Hua immediately walked over and said with a smile:

"Welcome Director Wang to inspect!"

Wang Xuecheng, who was called Director Wang, smiled faintly and said:
"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. Sir Zhang, you are too kind. I am just here to take a look at the Marshal's order. It's a shame to come here to inspect!"

After Wang Xuecheng finished speaking, he glanced at the people around Zhang Hua. Seeing this, Zhang Hua seemed to realize something and said with a smile:

“Director Wang, it’s like this. Government Envoy Ma was originally coming here with us, but something urgent happened in the foreign trade department, so Government Envoy Ma rushed to deal with the matter over there. You also know that foreign trade is the key thing we have to report to the Marshal, and we really can’t afford to make any mistakes. I hope Director Wang will bear with us…”

"Master Zhang, you don't need to explain like this. Xuecheng knows that we are all working for the Marshal together. Master Ma's affairs are the top priority. The two of us can just check our affairs!"

"Director Wang, you are really a generous person. It's good that you can understand. It's good that you can understand!"

Although he said that it didn't matter, Wang Xuecheng was not that indifferent in his heart!
As the director of the Coordination Office, he needs to take on the responsibility of the Marshal's security during his southern tour. Not only does he have to participate in planning Ye Mingsheng's movement route, but he also has to play the role of a vanguard. For example, if Ye Mingsheng is coming to Licheng for inspection this time, he will come to Licheng first to check and ensure that Ye Mingsheng's safety is foolproof and there will be no mistakes.

He arrived in Licheng two days ago. Qilu Governor Ma Runchuan, Qilu Censor Zhang Hua, Licheng Prefect Wang Shande and other officials all attended his welcoming banquet. Licheng Prefect Wang Shande even followed the old rules and presented him with a portion of Licheng's local "specialties!"

Wang Xuecheng was very pleased with these actions from Qi and Lu, but he soon discovered that Ma Runchuan, the provincial governor, only met with him briefly at the initial welcoming banquet and was absent after drinking two glasses of wine, making various excuses. The people responsible for receiving him were either the provincial judge Zhang Hua or the prefect of Licheng, Wang Shande!

Although Ma Runchuan had all kinds of legitimate excuses, Wang Xuecheng could still feel that Ma Runchuan seemed to be deliberately avoiding seeing him and did not want to have too much contact with him, the spy chief. Thinking of this, Wang Xuecheng couldn't help but silently make a note of Ma Runchuan in his heart...

Wang Xuecheng knew that Ma Runchuan had a strong backing in the court. He was the Marshal's trusted minister Gu Sansi. Ma Runchuan and Gu Sansi were also close brothers. However, Ma Runchuan's behavior, which seemed to be avoiding the plague god, still made Wang Xuecheng very unhappy. If there was a chance in the future, Wang Xuecheng would still teach this Lord Ma a lesson.

After Wang Xuecheng, Zhang Hua and other officials entered the Puyang market, they immediately began to inspect it. As the landlord, Zhang Hua also explained to Wang Xuecheng:
"Director Wang, this Puyang Market was built two years ago and covers an area of ​​about 500 acres. On weekdays, there are about a thousand vendors doing business here. It is the largest market in our Licheng!"

"Because we don't have that kind of large square in Licheng, the idea of ​​me, Ma Buzhengshi, and Wang Zhifu is to use this venue to let the people of Licheng listen to the Marshal's teachings. Director Ma, you are a professional, what do you think of our idea?"

In response to Zhang Hua's question, Wang Xuecheng did not give an answer immediately, but instead began to check carefully in the market.

Wang Xuecheng looked around and checked the incident for half an incense stick of time before nodding to Zhang Hua and saying:

“Sir Zhang, to be honest, this place is not very good, but considering that there is no large square in Licheng, we can only use this place reluctantly…”

"But there are still a few places that need to be adjusted. There must be no blind spots left!"

"This is natural! This is natural! We will make corrections immediately!"

After pointing out several problems, Wang Xuecheng also asked Zhang Hua another key question.

"How many people do you plan to take charge of security this time?"

Zhang Hua had already prepared a plan for this problem, so he spoke without hesitation:
"There are a total of 1,000 guards in Licheng. We have also transferred about 500 people from the neighboring prefectures and counties of Qi and Lu, and another 2,000 people from the local militia. The total number is about 3,500. I believe that the manpower in Licheng is enough to ensure the safety of the Marshal!"

Wang Xuecheng nodded slightly when he heard this and then said:

"After the Marshal arrives in Licheng, all of you will be responsible for security outside the venue. On the day of the speech, all of you will also be responsible for maintaining order outside the venue!"

Hearing Wang Xuecheng say this, Zhang Hua was a little surprised and seemed to want to say something. Seeing this, Wang Xuecheng took the lead and said,

"Master Zhang, this is for your own good!"

"Qilu has just been rectified. Sun Jing'an has been rooted in Qilu for many years and has many followers. To be honest, our Coordination Office has previously investigated a case in which a militia in a certain place in Qilu was punished and dismissed for reflection during the rectification, but still harbored resentment and had ill intentions..."

Zhang Hua's heart sank when he heard this, and he nodded quickly and said:

"Director Wang, I will listen to you. I will do whatever you tell me to do!"

Hearing Zhang Hua say this, Wang Xuecheng smiled and said:

"Master Zhang, you are right to think so! You should not have too much psychological burden, and you should also properly handle the emotions of the brothers below. It is not that the superiors do not trust them, but the safety of the Marshal is the top priority, and there must be no mistakes!" Zhang Hua nodded repeatedly:
"Don't worry, Director Wang. The brothers of our Qilu Censorate will resolutely obey your orders!"

Just as Zhang Hua finished speaking and Wang Xuecheng was about to say something, a special agent from the Coordination Office hurried over and said something quickly in Wang Xuecheng's ear.

Because the voices were so low, Zhang Hua didn't hear clearly what they said, but he noticed that after the agent from the Coordination Office finished speaking, Wang Xuecheng's face immediately changed, which made Zhang Hua, the Qilu Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, immediately nervous. Seeing Wang Xuecheng fall into deep thought, Zhang Hua took the initiative to test him:

"Director Wang, what happened?"

Facing Zhang Hua's question, Wang Xuecheng hesitated for a moment and asked back:

“Sir Zhang, is there a merchant named Chen in your Licheng who is asking about the Marshal’s speech in Licheng…?”

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Dongdao, in a small rural courtyard in Jincheng Township,

Wang He, the senior commissioner of the Great Zhou court in Dongdao, was sitting in the stone pavilion, leisurely reading the Analects in his hand. A breeze blew by, making Wang He look very comfortable.

Since escaping from the Hojo army more than ten days ago, Wang He immediately ordered his soldiers to hide separately, while he himself hid in this small courtyard in the country.

Kinjo was the territory of another Higashima daimyo, the Taniguchi family, because the Taniguchi family strictly adhered to the principle of neutrality in the war between the shogunate and the two daimyo Hojo Watanabe.

Therefore, the territory of the Taniguchi family was not affected by the war, and areas such as Jincheng have become rare peaceful places in Dongdao. So Wang He is very happy to steal a half day of leisure here!
However, some people did not want to see Wang He slacking off here. Just as Wang He was enjoying the breeze and sunshine, Sun Caibao, a centurion under his command, hurried over to report the good news to Wang He:
"Sir! You are truly a god! The peace talks between the shogunate and Hojo Watanabe have really reached a deadlock!"

Wang He was not surprised to hear this expected answer. He put down the Analects in his hand and instructed Sun Caibao:

"Tell me what you have investigated?"

Sun Caibao swallowed his saliva, organized his words and said:

"Sir, I found out that it was this old fellow Sato Yoshiaki who was trying to bring the shogunate and the Hojo Watanabe families together. He even went to meet the Hojo River in person before!"

After hearing this, Wang He couldn't help but narrow his eyes, with a trace of annoyance in his eyes. Although he realized at that time that Hojo Kawa must have met an important person, he really didn't expect that it was Muto Mazaaki himself. If he had known this earlier, he would have taken the initiative to send Muto Mazaaki to the west...

But there is nothing to regret now that things have come to this. Mutou Mazaaki's head will definitely be chopped off, so just let it grow on Mutou Mazaaki's neck for two days!

At this time, Sun Caibao continued:

"It is said that Ishikawa Nobuo was opposed to the peace talks at the beginning, but it was Muto Masaaki who contacted Nakamura Keito, one of the three magistrates, and decided the matter first and then reported it. For this, Nakamura Keito also lifted the siege of Bangtao and led the shogunate army to push to Hideta!"

"When Ishikawa Nobuyuki learned about this, he was furious and personally rushed to Tsuneda to take back the military power from Nakamura Keito. Although Ishikawa Nobuyuki did not want to negotiate, because a large number of shogunate dignitaries and generals including Muto Masaaki and Nakamura Keito also wanted to negotiate, Ishikawa Nobuyuki had to compromise and agree to start peace talks with the Hojo Watanabe family!"

"Although Ishikawa Nobuyuki agreed to the peace talks, he also set a precondition for the peace talks!" Having said this, Sun Caibao paused and looked at Wang He.

Seeing this, Wang He seemed to have expected something, raised his eyebrows and said with a smile:

"Ishikawa Nobuyuki asked Hojo River and Watanabe Taketake to hand us over?"

Sun Caibao nodded and said:
"That's right! Ishikawa Nobuyuki firmly stated that we must be handed over before peace talks can begin, otherwise the war will continue. Many people in the shogunate, including Muto Masaaki, expressed their support for his condition, and notified the Hojo and Watanabe families..."

"Because the shogunate insisted on this as a prerequisite for peace talks, although Watanabe Takemu was firm, Hojo Kawa was a little shaken, and told the shogunate through some private channels that we had escaped, but the shogunate did not buy it, thinking that the Hojo family was protecting us, so they still insisted on this condition!"

"The negotiations have reached a deadlock. The Hojo family has been looking for us, and the shogunate's Ishikawa Nobuyuki seems to be trying to put pressure on the Hojo family. Not only has he dispatched a troop from Heian-kyo to Tseda, but he is also discussing with several daimyo about supporting the shogunate in fighting the rebels!"

Listening to Sun Caibao's story, Wang He fell into deep thought. The current situation in Dongdao was similar to what he expected. Neither the shogunate nor the coalition forces of Hojo Watanabe were united. Both sides lacked a person who had absolute say!

There are people who advocate war and people who advocate peace on both sides, which has created the current situation in Dongdao, and this also gives Wang He room for maneuver!
Thinking of this, Wang He immediately found a pen and paper and began to write furiously. After a while, he wrote an order and handed it to Sun Caibao, saying:

"Give this order to Zhang Mu as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

After receiving Wang He's order, Sun Caibao also left in a hurry. Looking at his departing back, Wang He's expression became expectant. He knew that Ishikawa Nobuyuki definitely did not want to negotiate. This guy had always wanted to use this war to establish his prestige so as to completely kick out Muto Masaaki and others and completely control the current Toyotomi shogunate!

So in this case, I will give him a reason to start a war and let Ishikawa Nobuyuki continue this cruel war. This is in the interests of the Great Zhou Dynasty...
(End of this chapter)