In the backyard of the government office, in the quiet courtyard where Wu Qian lived, there is now a new owner.

Zhao Kui, Duke of Wei, was appointed as the first-rank official with the title of "Shaobao, Liquanguan Envoy and the attendant of the Liquanguan Envoy, Special Advance, and Grand Secretary of the Guanwen Hall, and was appointed as the Coastal Commander.

Zhao Kui is 72 years old this year, with a burly figure and silver-white hair. Although she is a veteran in the battlefield, she likes to wear Confucian uniforms with wide-sleeved and large robes. She is both good at piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and can be called a Confucian general.

It has been nearly two months since he was appointed as Qingyuan Mansion, but Zhao Kui has only a handful of opportunities to leave the mansion. In addition to emergency official duties, he basically stays in the mansion to recite poems, paintings, playing pianos and chess. Except for a few personal soldiers and servants who have followed him for a long time, he has almost no family to accompany him.

In the quiet courtyard, Zhao Kui was lying on a rocking chair outside the study, basking in the autumn sun and listening to a middle-aged beautiful woman playing the piano. While listening to her hands gently slapping on her legs, her face was calm and without any sadness. Suddenly, she heard a noisy sound in the outer courtyard. She couldn't help but frown and ordered the guard not far away, "What happened outside? Why is it so noisy? Go and see!"

"Yes, the Grandmaster!" The guards walked away with fists, and almost half a stick of incense before pinching a flyer with a strange strode on his face.

"Please look at the Grandmaster!" The guard respectfully handed the leaflet to Zhao Kui with both hands.

"One united as one, defending the country by the war of resistance, Xiaolongwan Port called on the people of Qingyuan Prefecture to donate military salaries to Duke Chongguo and the soldiers on the front line of Ezhou, and contribute money and strength..."

Zhao Kui looked at her a little far-sighted, held the flyer up from a distance for a few glances, and sat up in surprise.

"Where did this notice come from? Where did the fundraising proceed?"

"When I go back to the Grand Marshal, there are children emitting this notice along the street. It is said that the fundraising site is at Lingqiao Wharf, but..."

"But what? Why do you want to stutter?" Zhao Kui frowned, and a sense of majesty and domineering spirit were emitted.

"Master, my subordinates have asked carefully just now. The fundraising can no longer be done. I heard from the servants in the front yard that the donation boxes in Xiaolongwan were smashed by Saburo from Qualcomm's Magistrate, and they also snatched hundreds of stale money from the people!"

"What?" Zhao Kui stood up suddenly, his face also became a little ugly.

"Master, although this private donation has happened before, Xiaolongwan claimed to be donating military salaries to Duke Chong and the soldiers stationed in Ezhou. No government officials came forward. I was afraid that this matter would be a fraud. I heard that Gao Sanlang smashed their donation box based on this!" The guard said carefully.

"No, no, I have also learned about Xiaolongwan. I heard that I have had close contact with Wu Qian. During this Mongolian invasion, Wu Qian judged that the Mongols would attack Ezhou. He wrote two letters and took out drawings in the court to analyze the Mongols' offensive situation. However, his Majesty and the civil and military officials of the court did not believe it. As a result, Wu Qian had to issue a military order to ask himself to inform Ezhou. Dan Ding Daquan was not willing to allocate military pay, food, and grass, and he did not send more soldiers and soldiers. The emperor only symbolically allocated 50,000 kan of money. As the saying goes, a good wife cannot cook without rice. Even though Wu Qian had his own judgment and the desire to resist the enemy, he had no money, no food, no soldiers and weapons, and was afraid he could be helpless. Once the Mongols attacked Ezhou, there would be some dangers... "

"The Grand Marshal means that the Mongols will really attack Ezhou?" the personal guard asked in surprise.

"I have analyzed Wu Qian's speculation in detail. It is indeed possible. Unfortunately, Ding Daquan controls the center and knows nothing about the enemy and our army. After the war begins, he will be cured by headaches. He doesn't know that the situation on the battlefield changes by negligently, so how can it remain unchanged..."

"The current policy of the court is to strengthen the defense lines between Jingxiang and the Huaihe River, and at the same time try to assist Sichuan, trying to block the Mongols in Huaixi and Jinghu areas, but it seriously ignores the determination and intention of the Mongols this time. Twenty years ago, Ogedei had the intention to annex our Great Song Dynasty, but unfortunately he died before he captured Sichuan!"

"Now twenty years have passed, after Mengge ascended the throne of Khan, he has repeatedly tested our borders and Sichuan. This time he personally led 100,000 elite troops to attack Sichuan. The purpose is to quickly occupy Sichuan, and then go down the river to break through the Jingxiang defense line, and want to annex our Song Dynasty in one breath. Many people in the court thought that Mongolia attacking the Jingshan line was just an auxiliary soldier to restrain our two Huai troops and have no time to aid Jingxiang. But who can guarantee that if the attack on Sichuan is blocked, Tachar will not become the main attack..."

"You should know that the Mongols not only have only 150,000 troops, but have nearly 300,000 troops. They also have hundreds of thousands of troops after annexing the Jin Dynasty and the Western Xia Dali and the Western Liao Dynasty. Once the Mongols increase their troops in the two Huai Rivers again and the Jingshan defense line collapses, the Mongolian army can drive directly to the Yangtze River defense line. Ezhou will be under great pressure. If the court does not give military pay or sends soldiers to defend in advance, the consequences of relying on Wu Qian alone will be unpredictable. It seems that there are experts in this Xiaolongwan Port. Knowing the pressure at the moment, they will raise money from the people to raise military pay to Ezhou..."

"Well, Wu Qian is not a general who commands the army. How could he be willing to take such a big risk to go to Ezhou this time? It doesn't make sense, this is what I am most confused about. Could it be that someone gave him some tips? Otherwise, why should he cause trouble for himself? You must know that this is a fatal job..."

Zhao Kui walked around the yard with a handful of snow-white beards, and while explaining, she was puzzled.

"Master, how should we deal with this donation? Gao Sanlang destroyed the donation and robbed the donation, and the impact was very bad. Just now, the servants were all indignant and quarrel!" The guard asked carefully.

"Gao Zhinian has been in Qingyuan Mansion for six years. I just came and knew that the people in Qingyuan Mansion said that it was better to surround three miles than Gaotang. It can be seen that Gao Zhinian's power in Qingyuan Mansion was deeply rooted. In addition, he had close contact with Ding Daquan, so I didn't want to mess with him. However, no matter what purpose Wu Qian went to Ezhou, at least this patriotism was unmatched. This folk fundraising was also a righteous act of the people. As the prefect of Qingyuan, how could I sit idly by and ignore it..."

Zhao Kui lifted her robe and sat down on the chair and said, "Go and call Yin County County Magistrate Tong Daxiong to come. I asked for the detailed process of this matter, otherwise the people would think that I, Zhao Kui, was just a decoration!"

"Yes, I'll go now!" The guard bowed and left.

"You go down and let me be quiet alone!" Zhao Kui waved his hand to instruct the middle-aged beautiful woman who played the piano and sang.

"Yes, Master, don't be angry. Take care of yourself and take your leave!" The middle-aged beautiful woman hugged the pipa and gave her a gentle reminder.

After watching the beautiful woman leave, Zhao Kui sat on a chair, holding her beard and muttered: "Gao Zhinian, Gao Zhinian, did you think that with Ding Daquan, I wouldn't want to break up with you? I haven't seen any scenes before. The Song Dynasty is in danger now. You dare to indulge your son in such a ridiculous and damaging matter. If you dare to push back on this matter, I will definitely go to the court to study your book!"

"Report, Grand Marshal, there is a famous scholar Wu Wenying from Yin County outside the mansion to ask for a visit!"

Just as Zhao Kui was thinking about how to deal with this matter, another retainer came to report.

"Wu Wenying?" Zhao Kui was stunned and nodded, "Invite the seat in the guest hall, serve the tea, I will change my clothes!"

"yes!"
Chapter completed!