From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 821

July 11, afternoon, still sunny.

A strong man with a curly beard has quietly entered the manor.

When he saw Zhou Yuan, his vicissitudes of life surged with an indescribable expression, and he couldn't help but half-kneel down and clasped his fists and said: "I, Li He, pay my respects to the commander."

Zhou Yuan looked at him and saw that Li He was indeed much thinner and darker than before.

It is said that the southeastern Jiangsu and Zhejiang are indeed lucrative positions. When the imperial decree was issued, he was still happy. Zhejiang is so good, much better than Guizhou where Xiang Yong went.

But now it seems that no place is good. This country is at the end of the civilization change, and it needs to solve various problems and bear various pressures everywhere.

Zhou Yuan said: "Li He, we bombarded the enemy chief in the battle of Shanhaiguan, and you were also awarded a title."

"Calling you General Li is probably not respectful. I should call you Lord Li, right?"

Li He quickly put down his other foot, then knocked his head on the ground, and said loudly: "I failed to do my job well and lost the commander's men. Please punish me, commander!"

Zhou Yuan said: "When you came to Zhejiang, I told you that although the island bandits are small in stature, they come and go like the wind. They can wreak havoc inland and retreat to the sea. If you want to dampen their spirit, you must control the docks and win with one strike without giving them a way to retreat."

"You are the commander-in-chief of Zhejiang, but you still treat this place as the north. What kind of group army charge are you playing? You have used up all your strength. How many island bandits have you killed?"

Li He didn't dare to speak, but gritted his teeth, his eyes red.

He knew that he didn't satisfy the commander. When he received the commander's letter a few months ago, he knew he was wrong.

Zhou Yuan continued, "Times have changed, and combat techniques must also change. If you can't keep up, you will naturally be eliminated."

"In the army, there are no generals who can't keep up with the times, otherwise you will lose the battle and sacrifice more soldiers."

"You didn't lose the battle this time, but the facts have proved that your coming to Zhejiang did not change the situation along the coast, so it's a failure."

"Let's do this, you will continue to be the commander-in-chief, but don't ask for the title."

Li He choked up and said, "I will listen to the commander-in-chief! I have no complaints!"

In fact, he has realized his problem. When he was in the Fifth Army Camp, he was the kind of person who was brave but not wise enough.

It was just that he was fighting in the north at that time, and the techniques of fighting were relatively traditional, so his shortcomings were not fully exposed. When he went to the south and made decisions alone, he was powerless.

Zhou Yuan said: "A few island bandits have played you around. I asked you to train your troops. Have you trained well?"

Li He said quickly: "The formation is mature, the weapons are coordinated well, and you can join the battle immediately."

Zhou Yuan said: "Have you mastered all the prefectures in Zhejiang, the island bandits' branches and transfer routes, and the fighting styles and habits?"

Li He said: "I have learned everything."

Zhou Yuan continued: "I have taught you everything I should teach you. If you cannot completely wipe them out this time, you should stop being the commander and go back to the Beijing camp to be the commander of the regiment camp."

Li He clenched his fists and said loudly: "Please rest assured, General Jie, if we cannot completely wipe out the island bandits this time, I... I am willing to die!"

The hot-blooded man couldn't help shedding tears and left with a red face.

Li Yu'an couldn't help laughing and said, "You are really scary when you put on a stern face."

Zhou Yuan sighed, "Among the generals from the Fifth Army Camp, Xiang Yong and Liu Fang are the most humble, cautious, and good at learning."

"Wang Xiong rose from humble beginnings. Although he is not humble, he still has a sense of the overall situation and knows when to advance and retreat."

"Shi Yi is a bit reckless, but he is young after all, and he will mature slowly in the future."

"Only Li He has a bad temper. After achieving some results, he is a bit arrogant. If he is not beaten, he will become like those old nobles in the future."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan was stunned and said, "Didn't you go to play with the cat? Why are you in the mood to come and watch me scold people?"

Li Yu'an smiled and said, "There is a middle-aged man The son is looking for you, saying that you want him to come."

Zhou Yuan recalled and nodded immediately, saying, "Let him in, I just need to see him."

A moment later, a middle-aged man who was not tall walked in quickly. He did not kneel when he saw Zhou Yuan, but bowed and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you! I have kept you waiting for a long time!"

Zhou Yuan said, "You have been in a small place for so many years. How do you feel about coming to a big place like Ningbo Prefecture!"

Wu Zhong whispered, "Your Highness, small places and big places are the same. There are only two key points, one is personnel and the other is interests."

"The only difference is that big places will have a wide range of representation and must reflect the trend and attitude of the court to a certain extent."

Zhou Yuan laughed and said, "The situation in this place depends onDo you understand?"

Wu Zhong said: "I dare not say that I understand everything, but I roughly understand it. It is mainly divided into four circles, foreign enemies, aristocratic families, speculators and the people."

"Foreign enemies should be killed, aristocratic families should be beaten, speculators should be guided, and the people should be comforted."

Zhou Yuan stood up and said: "From today on, you are the prefect of Ningbo Prefecture. I don't have a team, you have to find one yourself."

"Within two months, the Internal Court and the Jinyiwei will give you a certain degree of assistance, and then it all depends on you."

"If you do well, you have the opportunity to become the governor of Zhejiang, after all, Lord Li is going to join the cabinet."

"If you don't do well, then go back to be your Yongning Xuanfu Envoy."

Wu Zhong knelt down hurriedly and said loudly: "I will not let down the trust of the court and the trust of the people. "

This is a beautiful statement. He knew very well that Zhou Yuan did not want a lackey, so he did not say "live up to the trust of the prince". He knew that Zhou Yuan wanted an official who could do practical things, so he said the court and the people.

Zhou Yuan also felt that Wu Zhong was a talent, and smiled: "Wu Zhong, what will Ningbo Prefecture do in the future!"

Wu Zhong said: "Opening the sea pilot city, exploring and implementing the city of rules, and the model of Dajin."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: "Then what does Ningbo Prefecture need at this moment?"

Wu Zhong thought for a while, and then said: "A catharsis! About national hatred! About the suppressed anger of the people!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Do a good job, you should not be just the position of prefect."

After sending Wu Zhong away, Zhou Yuan met another person.

A young, energetic person.

"Your subordinate Gou Yun, see the prince. "

After saying that, he smiled and said, "If the prince feels that Gou Yun doesn't sound good, you can call me Gou Yunshan. The prince's courtesy name is better."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Don't be complacent. I asked you to come to Ningbo Prefecture because I value your talent. Do you know what to do?"

Gou Yun said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I should be doing business. Do you want me to take over the business?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said, "You see, you are smart enough. You did your homework in advance, knew the situation in Ningbo Prefecture, and judged that I was going to start with Zhejiang merchants."

"But you are not bold enough. You just think I want you to take over some business and lead a trade or business on the right track."

"In fact, I want you to establish the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, establish business rules after the opening of the sea, and establish a new spirit of Zhejiang merchants. This is the so-called... discipline for the masses! "

These words made Gou Yun's blood boil.

But he still felt that it was too big and he was afraid that he could not eat it.

Zhou Yuan patted his shoulder and said slowly: "You know the situation in Ningbo Prefecture, the situation in the coastal areas, and the situation in Dajin."

"So you should understand that whether it is Ningbo Prefecture or the coastal areas, whether it is Dajin or all the people, they are waiting for a catharsis."

"Young people's ambitions should be vented."

"Dare to take responsibility and dare to move forward. This is what young people should do."

Gou Yun took a deep breath and clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I dare to do it! I promise to do it well!"

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Go, go to Ningbo Prefecture to find Li Zhaolu, the governor of Liangjiang. He has arrived. He will tell you how to start, but how to do it and how to implement it depends on your ability."

"He will only provide you with resources and directions. "

After Gou Yun left, Li Yu'an smiled and said, "So, are we also waiting for a catharsis?"

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "All catharsis starts from tomorrow!"