Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 187 Confidants
When Wu Jisi heard Shi Lang asking about the situation in the army, his face suddenly became alert and he said in a deep voice:

"Why are you asking about this?"

Shi Lang saw that Wu Jisi had regained his consciousness and secretly thought it was a pity, but his expression remained unchanged. He smiled bitterly and said:

"Brother Wu, you may not know that my Shi family is loyal and righteous and wants to serve the court."

"But Brother Wu also knows that the situation is different now. My Shi family is now in Fujian Province, a dangerous place with chaotic armies everywhere. If we are not careful, our lives will be in danger."

"I don't want to find out the imperial court's military secrets. I just want to know if my Shi family has returned to the imperial court. If something unexpected happens, will the imperial court send reinforcements to save us?"

Wu Jisi's expression relaxed when he heard this. He took a sip from his wine glass, thought for a moment, and then spoke.

"I do know part of the military situation in the DPRK."

Wu Jisi glanced at Shi Lang who was staring at him, but suddenly shook his head.

"But the situation in the army is a secret of the court, so I can't tell you. Don't ask me anymore."

"As for what you are worried about, you don't have to worry about it. Although I cannot tell you the specific situation, the armies of Guangxi and Guangdong are now under the control of the court. As long as there is a need, the armies of these two provinces can be dispatched at any time."

Shi Lang looked at Wu Jisi who kept silent, and knew that Wu Jisi would never reveal the situation of the imperial army.
This is normal. Everyone knows the importance of deploying troops. If Wu Jisi could even say this, then he is really stupid.

Even so, Shi Lang did not show much disappointment on his face. Although he did not ask how many troops Gui Jianguo had at that time, he knew the scope of the troops that Gui Jianguo could mobilize now.

As long as he goes back to investigate how many troops the two provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi had during the Longwu Dynasty, he can also estimate the current military strength of the Gui Regent.
This is not impossible. The military strength of Guangxi and Guangdong provinces must have been recorded during the Longwu Dynasty.
Now there are a lot of old officials from Longwu in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. If we ask a few officials from the former Ministry of War, we can immediately know the situation of the troops in Guangxi and Guangdong provinces.

Shi Lang saw that Wu Jisi looked unhappy, so he stopped asking Gui Jianguo about the situation in the court. Instead, he talked about some interesting stories about the local customs of Fujian Province. The atmosphere in the field gradually relaxed.
The two drank a few more rounds. Shi Lang saw that Wu Jisi's expression had eased, but he suddenly slapped his forehead and said:

"My uncle told me something when I came here today. I was having a great time talking to Brother Wu just now, but I almost forgot about the real thing."

"What's the matter, Brother Shi?"

Wu Jisi's face suddenly froze when he heard this, and he looked a little dissatisfied.
Shi Lang seemed to have not noticed Wu Jisi's expression at all. He waved his hand again, and then the servant beside him brought a tray and put it on the table. On the tray were ten golden ingots.
Wu Jisi looked at the gold ingots on the tray, and the displeasure on his face immediately disappeared. He smiled again and said

"Brother Shi's business is Old Wu's business. If Brother Shi has anything to say, just tell him. Why are you being so polite?"

Shi Lang looked at Wu Jisi, who had his palm on the tray, and was speechless, but his face did not change at all. He was still smiling and said:

"Brother Wu, what are you talking about? Let's put things in perspective. Just now, that was a meeting gift from me to you. But now that I need your help, I naturally have other things to offer you."

"I know that Brother Wu is a man of honor, but if Brother Wu refuses to accept it, how can I have the nerve to ask Brother Wu for help?"

"It's not a big deal, but there are many people at today's banquet, so my uncle wants to invite Master Zhang to a private banquet."

"Brother Wu and Lord Zhang are both members of the diplomatic corps, so they must be familiar with each other. I just want to find out what Lord Zhang likes to do, so as not to conflict with the distinguished guest. At the same time, I would like to ask Brother Wu to help me pass on a message to the Shi family and ask Lord Zhang to come out of the house privately."

"Since the death of the late emperor, our Shi family has not received any news from the court for a long time. Now that Lord Zhang has come with the imperial decree, our Shi family would like to know in advance whether the court has any plans for our Shi family."

Shi Lang originally thought that Wu Jisi would agree to it right away. After all, Wu Jisi had sold out Gui Jianguo for a hundred taels of gold.
At this time, just by sending a message to invite someone out, he would get another 100 taels of gold. There was no reason for this person to refuse.
But who would have thought that after Wu Jisi heard what Shi Lang said, he suddenly became furious. He no longer cared about the gold on the table, picked up the wine glass and drank it all, then said:

"I'm not saying anything bad to you, brother, but you, the Shi family, are really ignorant of the situation."

Shi Lang was also somewhat puzzled when he saw Wu Jisi's rage, but at this time he had no choice but to speak.
"I have always been outspoken, but I don't know how I made Brother Wu so angry. If I said something inappropriate, please forgive me," Shi Lang said, and then bowed to Wu Jisi to apologize.

"Zhang Tongchang is the chief civil official in the delegation, but I am also the chief military official. Why did your Shi family invite Zhang Tongchang but not me? Do you Shi family look down on Old Wu?"

Shi Lang was speechless when he heard what Wu Jisi said. The court had always been run by civil officials. Shi Fu invited Zhang Tongchang to a banquet to know in advance how much the court would offer to the Shi family.

Such a core secret must be known only by Zhang Tongchang, the envoy. If they don't invite Zhang Tongchang, who else can they invite?
Shi Lang was thinking about how to answer more tactfully, but Wu Jisi seemed to know what Shi Lang was thinking. He sneered and said:

"Don't you Shi family just want to know the reward from the court?"

"That Zhang Tongchang is so arrogant all day long, always calling me 'this official' and 'this lord'. Why is he so arrogant?"

When Wu Jisi said this, he suddenly stood up from the table, raised his head and drank the wine, his face flushed.

"If Zhang Tongchang had not relied on his background as a civil official and a good teacher, he would not have been able to become the chief envoy. How can he compare with me? I once saved the life of His Royal Highness the Regent!"

Wu Jisi spoke loudly, his words full of resentment, and Shi Lang was also stunned when he heard what Wu Jisi said, and subconsciously said

"Brother Wu has ever saved the life of His Royal Highness the Regent?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jisi immediately spoke

"Of course it's true. Back then, the bandits were rioting and the Gui Palace was forced to flee from Huguang to Guangxi Province, but they encountered the rebel army on the way."

"At that time, all the people in the palace were scattered. It was Old Wu who fought his way in and out of the chaotic army, and only then did he escape from the chaotic army with His Royal Highness the Regent on his back."

"Who do you think Old Wu is? I am the most capable confidant of His Royal Highness the Regent!"

Shi Lang looked at the smug Wu Jisi in front of him and immediately believed it 80% in his heart. If Wu Jisi had not saved the emperor before, how could such a good-for-nothing become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
If Wu Jisi were placed in the army, even if he was made a flag officer, Shi Lang would feel that he was in the way.
"Before coming to Fujian Province, His Royal Highness the Regent had already informed me of the details of this trip. Zhang Tongchang thought he had mastered some secrets."

"Who does he think I am? What Zhang Tongchang knows, I, Old Wu, know. What he doesn't know, I, Old Wu, know too!"

Shi Lang saw Wu Jisi's angry expression, but a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. He immediately stepped forward to pour wine and said:

"It turns out that Brother Wu is the hero who saved the emperor, but I was blind and rude to Brother Wu."

"I'll drink this cup to apologize to Brother Wu."

Shi Lang picked up the wine glass in his hand and drank it all, then he said

"Then may I ask, Brother Wu, what arrangements did the imperial court make for my Shi family?"

Shi Lang saw Wu Jisi looking over and added:

"This matter concerns the future of my clan. Don't worry, Brother Wu. My Shi family will send you a gift later."

When Wu Jisi heard this, a look of satisfaction flashed across his face. He waved his hand and said:

"What do you mean by affection? Are you that kind of person, Angkor? It's just a piece of news. What's the point of it?"

"Since Brother Shi wants to know, Old Wu will tell you directly. Why bother asking Zhang Tongchang?"

Wu Jisi sat back on his chair, glanced at Shi Lang, and said

"How many soldiers does your uncle Wu Yibo have now?"

Shi Lang's expression changed slightly when he heard what Wu Jisi said, but he quickly reacted and a look of embarrassment appeared on his face. He said

"I know something about the situation in uncle's army, but uncle has issued a strict order that I am not allowed to disclose the situation in the army without permission. Look at this..."

Wu Jisi heard Shi Lang's words, but a look of dissatisfaction appeared on his face, and he said

"Brother Shi is not happy"

Shi Lang gave a bitter smile and kept explaining, but he refused to reveal the true situation of the army.
Wu Jisi waited for a while, and seeing that Shi Lang still refused to give in, he said, "I am not interested in how many people there are in your Shi family. It's just that the reward from the court this time is related to the soldiers in the hands of you and other people in Fujian Province."

"Let's put it this way, your uncle has 15,000 men."

Shi Lang listened to what Wu Jisi said, and his eyes were thoughtful. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I still have 15,000 people in my Shi family."

When Wu Jisi heard what Shi Lang said, he clapped his hands and said:

"That's settled. Your Shi family will get a duke this time."

When Shi Lang heard what Wu Jisi said, he was stunned at first, and then a hint of joy flashed across his face.

But then Shi Lang reacted and said with some surprise:
"Brother Wu, please stop joking. Since Duke Dingguo Zheng Hongkui was stripped of his title, only Duke Pingguo is the Duke of Fujian Province."

"My uncle is just a general under the Zheng family. How can he be a principality?"

Wu Jisi heard this, but his face was unhappy, and he said

"Brother Shi, what are you talking about? What's the Zheng family or not? To the court, Zheng Zhilong is a minister, and your uncle Shi Fu is also a minister."

"The imperial court can confer titles on anyone it wants, so if Zheng Zhilong can be made a duke, why can't your uncle be made a duke?"

Shi Lang was stunned at first, but then his eyes suddenly brightened up, and he felt his mind suddenly enlightened.

Yes, his Zheng family was a Ming official, and his Shi family was also a Ming official. Why could Zheng Zhilong be a Duke, but his uncle couldn't? How could this be justified in the world?
"Besides, Zheng Zhilong has surrendered to the Qing Dynasty now, so what is a duke?"

"I think the Fujian Province should have a new Duke at this time."

Wu Jisi looked at Shi Lang, who was very excited, and took another sip from his glass. Then he spoke slowly.

When Shi Lang heard this, he nodded frequently. How could he be considered a Ming minister since Zheng Zhilong had surrendered to the Qing Dynasty? Now the title of Duke should be given to his uncle!

Moreover, the Gui Regent court was also planning to confer the title of King on Zheng Zhilong. If his uncle replaced Zheng Zhilong's position as Duke, would the Shi family have a chance to take the title of King in the future?

When Shi Lang thought of this, he was also excited. The government of Gui Regent was now out of reach of Fujian Province. If his Shi family could defend Fujian Province for the court, then the Shi family would most likely be recognized by the court, replace the Zheng family, and become the new master of Fujian!

Everyone thought that the Qing invaders were brutal and invincible, but Shi Lang was not afraid of them at all. They were all just one head on two shoulders, so how powerful could the Tartars be?

As long as the benefits are great, even if this Tartar is made of iron, he can chop him into pieces!
Shi Lang sat at the table, his mind full of thoughts, his face sometimes fierce, sometimes high-spirited.

When Wu Jisi saw Shi Lang's expression, he knew that this man must have been tempted. He thought for a moment and suddenly said:
"I have been talking for so long, but I still don't know what position you hold now."

Shi Lang was also shocked when he heard what Wu Jisi said, and immediately realized that he had lost his composure. After seeing Wu Jisi, who was drunk and hazy at the table, Shi Lang felt relieved and replied casually:
"I am ashamed to say that I was granted the title of Fourth Rank Commander in the previous dynasty. Now I am honored by my uncle and serve as a lieutenant general in his army, but I am not as good as Brother Wu."

"Brother Shi, you are such a hero, why do you still hold such a low position? It's too low. We are all real men who can stand tall and proud. How can we be depressed and serve under others for so long?"

At this point, Wu Jisi suddenly stood up, raised his arm, and said:

"I won't say anything else, but when you enter the court, I will guarantee you a title of earl."

After hearing what Wu Jisi said, Shi Lang suddenly looked at Wu Jisi, with a fascinating gleam in his eyes.
But then, looking at Wu Jisi, whose face was red with intoxication, he couldn't help shaking his head and laughing, and said

"Brother Wu is drunk. It's not so easy to become an earl."

"Besides, even Brother Wu doesn't have a title yet, how can I dare to hope for a title?"

Wu Jisi seemed to be enraged when he heard this, and suddenly shouted

"Who said I can't get a title? If it weren't for the position of Jinyiwei Commander, I would have been able to get a title of Marquis, not to mention Earl."

"What's the point of getting an empty title? It's better to be the commander of the Jinyiwei."

"After this mission, I will go to His Royal Highness the Regent to ask for the title. Why can't I be a lord?"

Wu Jisi glanced at Shi Lang who seemed to be thinking about something, but suddenly snorted coldly and said:

"Don't say that my brother didn't think of you when he had good things to do. If it was any other time, I wouldn't dare to say that I could get a title, but this time is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"The imperial court has spent a lot of money to win over the generals of your Fujian Province. You can forget about becoming a duke, but you have some hope for becoming an earl."

"Zhang Tongchang has a few blank certificates of nobility in his hand. As long as you can get your uncle to allocate three to five thousand soldiers to your name, you will be eligible to be conferred the title of earl."

"This matter of conferring a title is not decided by Zhang Tongchang alone. Old Wu also has the right to make suggestions."

"As long as you have soldiers under your command, Old Wu will be able to help you get the title of Earl. Zhang Tongchang should not think of eating alone."

Wu Jisi finished speaking and took two big gulps of wine. He waved his arm and was about to make another bold statement. Shi Lang was also staring at Wu Jisi.

But at this moment, Wu Jisi's feet went weak, as if he had finally reached his limit, and he fell drunk on the table.
"There are only three or four certificates of Feng Bo, and we can't let Zhang Tongchang sell them all. I, Old Wu, must have one of them. If he wants to keep it all to himself, I will never agree, never agree..."

Wu Jisi lay on the table, his eyes blurred with drunkenness, but he kept yelling something.

Wu Jisi's voice became lower and lower, and finally disappeared completely. Wu Jisi also fell asleep completely, and only bursts of snoring remained in the room.
"Angkor, Angkor"

Shi Lang tried to call out a few times, but Wu Jisi just lay on the table without any response. At this time, the smile on Shi Lang's face also disappeared completely.
He picked up the wine glass and took a sip of the wine, but his eyes were flickering. If what Wu Jisi said was correct, the newly established Gui Regent Court would certainly be unable to interfere with Fujian Province at this time, so they decided to confer titles of nobility to win over the generals of Fujian Province and let these Fujian generals continue to defend half of Fujian Province for the court.

If he and his uncle could take this opportunity to obtain titles from the imperial court at the same time, in time, his Shi family might be able to become like the Zheng family, with one family becoming dukes of two countries, and replace the Zheng family.

When Shi Lang thought of this, he became even more excited and decided to return to report to Shi Fu immediately. This matter not only concerned Shi Fu's future, but also concerned his own title.

Shi Lang glanced at Wu Jisi, who was drunk at the table, and without hesitation, he called the soldiers outside the room into the room. Shi Lang looked at the two envoys' guards who walked in and said,

"My two brothers, Commander Wu is already drunk. I have prepared a guest room in Juchun Garden. Do you want to let Commander Wu stay there or send him back to his residence?"

The two Jinyiwei soldiers heard this, but they did not hesitate at all and spoke directly
"Thank you for your kindness, General Shi. However, Lord Zhang has already instructed that the envoys are not allowed to stay overnight outside. We will now send Commander Wu back home."

"Okay, then help Lord Wu onto the carriage, and my personal guards will escort you back home later."

Shi Lang didn't say much after hearing this, and he agreed directly. Several guards worked together and quickly carried Wu Jisi down the restaurant and helped him onto the carriage.

When Wu Jisi entered the carriage, two trays were also stuffed into the carriage.
A dozen Shi family guards wearing swords were guarding the carriage. The carriage started slowly and soon disappeared into the night at the end of the street.

Inside the carriage, Wu Jisi lay on the couch, his body rising and falling slightly with his breathing.
There was a sound of horse hooves.

Wu Jisi, who had been sleeping in the car, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
In the dim carriage, Wu Jisi sat on the couch with a frown on his face. He reviewed what he had said tonight and found that there were no mistakes. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Wu Jisi glanced around the carriage, and then his eyes instantly fell on the gold ingots on the trays. Wu Jisi took a gold ingot and immediately felt a thick and heavy feeling in his palm.
Wu Jisi touched the gold ingot on the table, his face was filled with joy, but then he angrily cursed

"Damn it, these Fujianese are really rich. They dare to give two thousand taels just for asking for information."

There was a hint of regret in Wu Jisi's eyes. The Shi family was eager to know the news from the court at this time, and they were so rich. If it were under normal circumstances, with Wu Jisi's means, he could have squeezed out at least three or four times more silver!

It's a pity that Zhang Tongchang urged him to pass the news to Shi Fu and others as soon as possible, which is why he only earned this mere two thousand taels of silver.
Wu Jisi sat in the car for a while, his mind relaxed, and he began to feel sleepy.
Wu Jisi lay down in the car, his palm pressed on the gold ingot, and kept mumbling nonsense like Zhang Tongchang owed him money. At this time, he finally fell into a deep sleep.
Happy Children's Day to everyone
I will take a day off tomorrow. Today is Children's Day, so I am still typing. Let me enjoy myself.

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(End of this chapter)