Non-violent non-cooperation is Gu Qing's strategy.

If the imperial envoy sent by Li Longji cannot afford to offend him, and he can't fight or kill, then he should take the initiative to give in and retreat to the point where Pei Zhounan can no longer afford it. Then he will know the pros and cons.

It is not easy to be the governor of a military town. He has to worry about military and political affairs, but also needs to provide money and food, feed war horses, maintain weapons, pay generals and soldiers, develop commerce in the city, train soldiers outside the city, and maintain the support of military and political officers.

When he comes out, he will fight the bandits and eliminate the hegemons in the bloody battlefield...

Gu Qing had been a leader in his previous life, led a team, and had sufficient management experience. He had been in office for more than a year, and he was still a little hesitant to deal with these matters.

And Pei Zhounan, the supervisory censor, was obviously not made to be a governor, and he couldn't handle it on the first day. Moreover, the problems he encountered were all the most realistic ones, such as food, grass, money, people's hearts, and prestige. These problems were not

It can be solved by relying on official positions.

Pei Zhounan almost collapsed within a day after taking over Anxi Jiedushi.

While Gu Qing was still fishing and camping by the Chihe River, Pei Zhounan had already embarked on a long journey to find Jiedu Envoy.

Under the guidance of his personal guards, Pei Zhounan left the city and walked south for more than a hundred miles, and finally found the camp where Gu Qing and his personal guards had set up by the Red River.

Seeing Gu Qing sitting under the parasol and fishing leisurely with a face on his face, Pei Zhounan felt a breath of negative energy rushing straight to his forehead. Tianling Gai faintly received the 5G signal of the evening bell chanting in Leiyin Temple in the West...

"Master Gu, you are very leisurely!" Pei Zhounan gritted his teeth and tried to keep his tone calm.

Gu Qing was surprised and said happily: "Censor Pei is also on vacation? Come on, I'll ask the guard to get another fishing rod, and we can fish together. The braised fish I cook is the best in the Tang Dynasty..."

"No need!" Pei Zhounan lost control and roared, and then he was shocked to lose his composure, so he softened his tone and said: "No need, Lord Gu, are you the governor of Anxi? Please don't forget your duty, Lord Marquis.

Abandoning all the military and political affairs in Anxi, you went out to fish and camp? Lord Marquis? This is unbecoming of a human minister!"

Gu Qing blinked and said innocently: "The Anxi army is not allowed to leave the camp. The internal affairs of the four towns of Anxi are handled by the officials. The Jiedushi doesn't need to do anything? Why does Pei Yushi look unhappy?"

"How can the military and political commander be derelict in his duties? The Marquis is not in the Jiedushi Mansion. Do you know how chaotic the Jiedushi Mansion is now?" Pei Zhounan said angrily.

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Pei Yushi, don't make trouble. With you in charge of Qiuci City? How can the Jiedushi Mansion be in chaos?"

Pei Zhounan hesitated? Did he know the reason for Gu Qing's abnormal behavior in the past few days? Was he dissatisfied with his interference in Anxi military and political affairs? However, he was the emperor's imperial envoy? Gu Qing did not dare to offend? He simply ignored all matters and hid aside to watch him.

joke.

And he did make a joke, not only a joke, but also trouble.

A thousand cavalry teams brought from Chang'an were sent out? But Pei Zhounan didn't expect anything. It's not that easy to suppress bandits in the vast land of the Western Regions? The bandits are not fools. They won't just stand there and wait stupidly.

They are here to kill. It takes an experienced guide, eyes and ears that have been deployed for many years, and a battle-hardened general to lead the troops. Only then can we calmly find the bandit's lair and wipe it out in one fell swoop.

All of these are not included in the thousand-man cavalry under Pei Zhounan. The thousands of people sent out are like headless flies in the land of the Western Regions. If they are not swallowed up by the sandstorm, they will be lucky.

Bandit? How dare you hope?

Thinking of the trouble he faced, Pei Zhounan felt his head grow bigger, and he did not dare to speak loudly when facing Gu Qing.

"Master Hou, if you and I are fighting, why bother involving innocent people, why bother causing trouble in Anxi." Pei Zhounan sighed helplessly.

Gu Qing sneered.

He said both good and bad things, but in the end it turned out to be Gu Qing who was making trouble unreasonably. What a scholar's mouth...

"Pei Yushi, you were sent by His Majesty to Anxi to contain the military governor. I understand your position, but can you tell me what I should do as the military governor of Anxi?" Gu Qing glanced at him sideways and said:

"I wanted to send troops to suppress the bandits. You said that the Anxi army should not use weapons rashly. I put aside all military and political affairs. You said that I was derelict in my duties. In the end, you blamed me for causing trouble. Neither the left nor the right. Pei Yushi, you did it.

My thoughts are so confused..."

Pei Zhounan was speechless.

Yes, when he first came to Anxi, he was eager to establish his presence. He did do some things too hastily. Not only did he make mistakes, but he also got into trouble. The bandits were not wiped out, and the caravans were frequently killed. He was to blame for this.

.

"Master Marquis, I admit that the military order to withdraw troops was not considered and I made a big mistake. Please consider that I am a minister of the Tang Dynasty and return to Qiuci City to take charge of the overall situation. The dispute between you and me must not bring harm to the foundation of the Tang Dynasty."

Damage." Pei Zhounan said sincerely.

Gu Qing rolled his eyelids and said: "I'm not going back. By the way, I plan to appeal to Chang'an and ask your majesty to transfer me back to Chang'an. This Jiedu makes me not want to do it anymore. Pei Yushi's talent is the best in Chang'an, so why not leave it to Chang'an?"

If you come to be the governor, perhaps Anxi, under your rule, can make the Tang Dynasty dominate the Western Regions, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

Pei Zhounan was anxious: "Master Marquis, please think again. You and I are just arguing, so why should we resign at every turn? From now on, you and I can discuss the matter in Anxi and decide it. It would be wrong to just let it go..."

Gu Qing twitched his lips: "I am a domineering person and I don't like to discuss everything with others. Pei Yushi, if anything is done through consultation, everything will be in vain. Don't you understand this truth?"

Pei Zhounan paused for a moment, his expression becoming even more ugly.

Gu Qing handed the fishing rod to Han Jie behind him, stood up and said: "After Gao Xianzhi leaves, Anxi will be decided by me, Gu Qing, with one word. I am loyal to your majesty and the Tang Dynasty, and I am worthy of heaven and earth. Your majesty will hand over Anxi to you."

I trust you as a person. Your Majesty asked you to come to Anxi to control the official position of Jiedushi, not me. I hope Yushi Pei will think clearly about this."

"If you can't figure it out, only one of you and I can stay on this land in Anxi. Either you go or I go. If you can figure it out, don't meddle in the military and political affairs of Anxi in the future. I protect the food.

Whether it's food, clothing, or power, if anyone stretches out his hand, I can't help but chop off his hand. If Pei Yushi asked about me in Chang'an before he took office, he should know what I said.

It’s not false.”

After saying that, Gu Qing turned around and left.

Pei Zhounan's face turned red and blue, angry and helpless.

It is really embarrassing to be lectured by a young man in his twenties.

However, the situation at this moment is pressing. In fact, Gu Qing can solve the problems that he, Pei Zhounan, cannot solve.

So Pei Zhounan had no choice but to chase Gu Qing's back and said: "Master Gu, regarding the bandits on the trade routes... I would like to ask the Marquis to order troops to be sent out to prevent any more unjust souls from being added to the trade routes in the Western Regions."

Gu Qing turned to look at him and suddenly smiled: "If I order troops to be sent out, what will you write in the memorial?"

Pei Zhounan held back his anger and said: "Of course it was the Marquis who cleared the trade routes and eliminated the bandits, and it was the Tang Dynasty that made the contribution."

Gu Qing laughed, turned around and continued walking, saying loudly as he walked: "Han Jie, send people back to the camp quickly, use my commander's seal to send an order to Shen Tian, ​​and lead the five thousand soldiers and horses under his command to go out of the camp and wipe out the bandits on the trade routes. …”

After a pause, Gu Qing, as if on purpose, emphasized his tone and said: "...According to the old rules, no one will be left alive."

Pei Zhounan's face was ashen, but he couldn't say a word.

Regarding the issue of whether the bandits should be spared alive, he once had a dispute with Gu Qing, but in the end it was settled. Unexpectedly, Gu Qing was so strong and ordered that no one be spared alive in front of him.

One of the guards mounted his horse and hurried towards the camp outside Kucha City.

…………

After two days of fishing, Gu Qing finally returned to Kucha City.

As soon as he led his guards into the city, all the merchants and people who saw Gu Qing cheered, and the cheers shook the sky.

People gathered around Gu Qing, smiling and saluting, thanking Lord Gu for sending troops to suppress the bandits, and thanking Lord Marquis for maintaining peace. Gu Qing smiled and returned the greetings to the people and businessmen one by one, with a gentle and humble attitude.

Pei Zhounan followed Gu Qing's bodyguard. Seeing the people supporting Gu Qing so much, Pei Zhounan couldn't help but have mixed feelings.

Just yesterday, right here, Pei Zhounan was surrounded by common people and merchants. The difference was that the common people and merchants in the whole city were calling him a traitor and a sycophant, scolding him for causing harm to the country and the people. At that time, he also agreed to send troops and promised to return the Western Regions. The trade route was peaceful, but no one believed him. In the end, he was almost stabbed in the back by the common people and fled away.

But at this time today, Gu Qing had also made the decision to send troops to suppress the bandits, but he was welcomed and sincerely grateful by the people. The simple faces were full of respect and love, and every expression was genuine.

There are all kinds of things in the world, and all living things are different, but at this moment they show the same appearance for the sake of one person.

Pei Zhounan walked with his head lowered, his hands shrunk in his sleeves trembling slightly.

After all... what is the difference between me and him? We are both officials of the Tang Dynasty, and we both really want to do something for the people of Anxi. Why are we treated so completely different?

What's the difference?

Among the welcoming crowd, an old man blocked Gu Qing's path. He bowed and saluted first, and then said respectfully: "Master Marquis, I heard that we have a traitor in Anxi, and an official from Chang'an wants to seize your power. Is there any way?" This matter? No matter who takes your power, we the people of Qiuci City will not agree to it!"

Behind the old man, countless people echoed.

"Yes! Who fought against Tibet with blood and sacrificed their lives, saving the lives of our whole city of Kucha? Who reduced the taxes in the city, expanded the city and encouraged business, and made our city of Kucha richer and richer. Who is the official? No? The real ability is to make us ordinary people rich, so we people will obey him!"

"That's right, even though I am a businessman from Tubo, I only obey Mr. Gu. We will obey anyone who can make us businessmen make money!"

Harsh words passed into Pei Zhounan's ears. Pei Zhounan's face became more and more ugly, and his body trembled slightly with anger.

Gu Qing had a smile on his face, but secretly sighed in his heart.

Could these people be shills hired by the female innkeeper? Wouldn't saying such words intensify the conflict between me and Pei Zhounan?

So Gu Qing smiled and said: "Don't listen to the rumors. They are false. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is wise and wise, and I can see thousands of miles. I am also an official sent by the Emperor, and I am also from Chang'an. Anxi will become more and more prosperous in the future, and so will you." We will become richer and richer."

The crowd cheered again, and then, led by the old man, they respectfully stepped aside to make way for Gu Qing.

Gu Qing returned the salute to everyone, then smiled and passed through the path given by the crowd.

At this moment, he finally realized the meaning of what Li Twelve Niang had said.

The word "xia" can be broken down to mean "thousands of people line the road". This word is really appropriate.

Pei Zhounan lowered his head and followed Gu Qing's personal guards, clenching his fists and walking away without saying a word.

The greatest humiliation I have ever experienced in this life is right now, right now.

Personal humiliation is nothing. What is terrible is the support Gu Qing receives in Kucha City. He can clearly feel that the soldiers of the Anxi Army and the people of Kucha City admire Gu Qing from the bottom of their hearts. His every move is right or wrong.

, all trusted by the soldiers and civilians of Anxi without any reason.

Pei Zhounan suddenly realized that the emperor's worries were not unfounded. Gu Qing was indeed quite capable. He had only been in Anxi for just over a year and was already so supported by the army and the people. If he stayed in Anxi for another three to five years, he would definitely be able to reach a higher level.

Jing Cong's appeal is the one who answers the call.
To be continued...