The postman hurried to get it, and soon brought back several copies of the court bulletin and the "Da Ming Forum" newspaper.
Mao Wenlong casually glanced at the date and shook his head slightly. The official gazette was fine, but the Ming Forum was published half a month ago.
Moreover, he had seen these copies at the previous post station.
The iron stove was burning brightly. Gou Zhenhuai had already taken off his coat and was sitting on the kang, sipping tea. Seeing Mao Wenlong flipping through the newspaper and then throwing it down, he knew what was going on.
"If you want to read the latest newspapers, you might as well go to the inn next door." Gou Zhenhuai smoked a cigarette and said, "The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is doing quite well. There are many merchants coming and going. Even if there are no newspapers, you can still hear a lot of new news."
Although Mao Wenlong thought it made sense, he didn't plan to go. It wasn't that he had to stay in a free post station with inferior conditions, but he didn't want to get into any trouble.
At this moment, there was another commotion outside. A postman came in with food and water. Gou Zhenhuai asked casually and found out that it was an official from the capital who had come to Liaodong to take up his post.
"He's rushing to take up his post right after the Lunar New Year. He should be a good official." Gou Zhenhuai praised him, got off the kang and put on his shoes. He said, "I'll go and see his name. It will be convenient for us to get along with him in the future."
Gou Zhenhuai didn't know what the arrangements would be after his trip to Beijing; perhaps he would be sent back to Liaodong. Since dinner would be a while before he could finish it, he might as well take a look.
Pushing open the door and entering the courtyard, Gou Zhenhuai discovered that there was not just one official but several who were sent to Liaodong.
Chen Zilong also saw a general walking out of the house. Judging from his attire, he was of high rank. Just as he was about to greet him, Gou Zhenhuai had already bowed in greeting.
"Everyone is polite." Gou Zhenhuai had his signature harmless smile on his face.
"Greetings, General." Chen Zilong hurriedly returned the greeting, and other officials also bowed in greeting.
Gou Zhenhuai introduced himself, and his title of deputy general of Dongjiang Town surprised Chen Zilong and others a little.
"It's General Gou. I've heard a lot about you." Chen Zilong bowed and said, "Your humble servant Chen Zilong, the newly appointed Left Councillor of Liaodong."
The rank of Zuo Canzheng was not low. Although the emperor had been continuously elevating the status of military personnel, the mindset that civil officials were superior to military officials was not easy to change.
Gou Zhenhuai quickly bowed and declined, "Oh, it's you, Lord Chen. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been ordered to return to the capital to report, and I want to know more about the capital's news. I heard about it from the postman, so I came here to inquire. I'm very presumptuous, so please forgive me, Lord Chen."
Chen Zilong smiled and waved his hand, saying, "General Gou, you're too polite."
Gou Zhenhuai extended his hand and said, "We have just arrived at the post station, and the food has not yet arrived. It is better to meet by chance than to be invited. If Master Chen and others do not mind, would you please do us the honor of meeting you?"
"This..." Chen Zilong glanced at Wang Jizhong who came with him.
Wang Jizhong was also a carefree person. He nodded and said, "It is my honor to be able to sit and drink with the soldiers who pacified Liao."
"Please, please, everyone." Gou Zhenhuai was even more enthusiastic and let Chen Zilong, Wang Jizhong and others into the house.
Mao Wenlong had just finished washing up when he saw the door open and Gou Zhenhuai invited in several officials. He was a little surprised.
"This is the general of Dongjiang Town, Marshal Mao Wenlong." Gou Zhenhuai stepped forward and introduced him to everyone.
Chen Zilong and the others were surprised again and bowed in greeting, "Your subordinates greet Marshal Mao."
"This is the new Liaodong Left Councillor Chen, and this one..." Gou Zhenhuai introduced Chen Zilong, but he didn't know the names and official titles of the others.
Chen Zilong hurriedly introduced them to Mao Wenlong one by one. Their official positions were not high, but he deliberately added a sentence when introducing them, saying that they were all capable officials carefully selected by Governor Wu to go to Liaodong as advance guard.
Mao Wenlong did not dare to be negligent and after paying his respects to everyone, the postman brought tables and chairs, set out the food, and went to the inn to buy some good wine.
"Mr. Chen is the disciple of Lord Xu?! A good teacher produces good students. Nice to meet you." Mao Wenlong learned about this during the conversation and immediately looked at him with admiration and raised his glass to show his respect.
Chen Zilong praised his good friend again, saying that Wang Jizhong was from the Royal Academy of Sciences.
The emperor attached great importance to the reconstruction of Liaodong, and many officials were appointed by the emperor. Although Mao Wenlong was the commander of the town, he did not dare to look down on these officials of lower ranks.
Gou Zhenhuai was a very outgoing person. He kept joking and making comments. The atmosphere gradually became lively and everyone was no longer as unfamiliar as when they first met.
"Spring plowing is of paramount importance. Whether we can achieve self-sufficiency within a year and whether we can provide sufficient military supplies will be determined in the first one or two months of spring."
Chen Zilong raised his glass to toast Mao Wenlong and Gou Zhenhuai, saying, "The military settlements will all depend on the care and supervision of General Mao and General Gou."
This was polite, but also true. The imperial court had already issued an edict for the army to participate in spring plowing and to provide appropriate rewards to officers and soldiers, so it wasn't unusual.
Mao Wenlong raised his glass in response and said with a smile, "The court has already determined the number of military settlements, and Dongjiang Town is guaranteed to exceed the quota."
The emperor had taken great care to determine the number of military settlements, so that local officials would not have to deal with the army, which could cause unpleasantness.
Chen Zilong felt relieved, but still expressed his gratitude.
After three rounds of drinks, Gou Zhenhuai subtly changed the topic to recent events, of course, in the capital.
In reality, Gou Zhenhuai wasn't really concerned. As the emperor's personal spy, he had done a good job in Liaodong. He had both military merit and kept Mao Wenlong under close surveillance.
Therefore, the reward he would receive upon returning to the capital was certain. However, he inquired about this information in order to let Mao Wenlong know, so that Mao Wenlong would not be suspicious and worried all the way.
It would be great if you could find out, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t. This is what Gou Zhenhuai was thinking.
"The Ming Forum. They published an issue before the New Year, about ten days ago."
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