While Yang Fan was looking at the horses, a few people from the Imperial Treasury Temple had already come forward to greet him. Presumably the bodyguards next to them had already given them some instructions. The people from the Imperial Treasury Temple directly came forward to greet Yang Fan. One of them, a tall and thin man with unibrow, cupped his hands and said, "General Yang, Imperial Treasury Temple's Bai Yiding …"
The person next to him immediately stepped forward, "Niu Mou!" The two of them said in unison, "Greetings to General Yang!" Their attitudes were extremely respectful, but Yang Fan was already immune to this kind of superficial respect. Hearing the three words' Bai Yiding ', Yang Fan's heart was moved and he asked, "Bai Yiding? Who is the Bai Officer to you? "
The Imperial Treasury Temple Officer's name was Bai Yishou, which was only one word different from this Bai Yiding, so Yang Fan asked this question.
Bai Yiding respectfully replied, "Yes, my brother!"
Yang Fan said, "May I know your position in the Imperial Treasury Temple?"
Bai Yiding said, "I am a doctor of veterinary medicine in the Imperial Treasury Temple." He then pointed to Niu Mou and said, "This is a doctor of veterinary medicine!" Niu Mou quickly nodded to Yang Fan humbly.
The Tang dynasty had always placed great importance on horse management, so the Imperial Treasury Temple in charge of horse management, in addition to the administrative officials, there were also four doctors of veterinary medicine and six hundred veterinarians. These veterinarians should not be underestimated because horse management was related to the military strength of the Tang dynasty. These veterinarians who were good at raising and treating horses had a very high status in the Imperial Treasury Temple. High-ranking veterinarians had a title in the Imperial Treasury Temple to raise their status and salary.
When Yang Fan heard that these two people were veterinarians, he felt that there was something fishy. Even if the Imperial Treasury Temple wanted to make things difficult for him, they should have sent an administrative official, such as a junior minister, a clerk, a secretary, etc. What was the reason for sending two veterinarians?
Without waiting for Yang Fan to ask, Bai Yiding took the initiative to explain: "General Yang, my brother promised to transfer all the warhorses needed for the thousand cavalry within three days, but the horse farm on the outskirts of the capital doesn't have enough horses, so we need to transfer them from other horse farms nearby. Unexpectedly, the Anfeng Horse Farm, which is closest to Luoyang, suddenly had a horse epidemic. In order to prevent the epidemic from spreading, we didn't dare to move a single horse outside before the epidemic disappeared. "
Yang Fan's heart sank. "If what he said is true, delaying the delivery of the horses is reasonable. It has nothing to do with deliberately making things difficult for Qian Qi. But is what he said true or false? Is it really such a coincidence that I need horses here and he has a horse plague?"
Bai Yiding said, "My brother was afraid that General Yang would misunderstand, so he sent me and Doctor Lu to explain the situation to General Yang."
Yang Fan asked, "The horse farm on the outskirts of the capital doesn't even have a single healthy horse? Even if we can't allocate all of it, we can at least allocate some for emergencies, right? "
Niu Mou said, "I won't hide it from General Yang. A few days ago, General Wu of the Left Guard of Jin Wu transferred all the healthy horses from the Imperial Servant Temple. He said that the capital's garrison troops need horses to train their cavalry. So the horse farm on the outskirts of the capital really doesn't have a single strong horse now. General, please take a look. The horses we brought are old and young. Right now, the horse farm on the outskirts of the capital only has horses like this!"
Bai Yiding took out an official letter and handed it over, saying, "This is an urgent report about the horse epidemic at the Anfeng Horse Farm. Please take a look, General Yang."
Yang Fan did not take it. Wouldn't it be easy for the Imperial Servant Temple to forge a copy of this? It would definitely be flawless.
Bai Yiding smiled bitterly and said, "It really isn't that the Imperial Servant Temple wants to make things difficult for you. It just so happens that these two things happened together. My brother also has no choice. My brother and Master Fengchen have always been good friends. Master Fengchen once told my brother about General Yang and was very fond of you. Master Fengchen also said that the Sage places great importance on the 'Qian Qi'. General, think about it. Even if the Imperial Servant Temple had a hundred guts, we wouldn't dare to deliberately make things difficult for you. "
Bai Yishou was good friends with Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong?
Yang Fan suddenly looked at him. Vaguely, he seemed to have grasped some key point. He opened his mouth to ask, "Your brother and Master Fengchen are friends?"
Bai Yiding replied, "Yes, my brother is also fond of poetry, poetry, singing and dancing. He has always been good friends with Zhang Fengchen. A few days ago, Zhang Fengchen had a banquet with his good friends. My brother was also present. During the banquet, there was a Left Commander General Lu who yearned for the 'Qian Qi'. He wanted to be transferred to the 'Qian Qi' to serve the Emperor and serve the country. He wanted to ask Zhang Fengchen to put in a word for you, General.
Zhang Fengchen sternly refused. He talked about the importance of the 'Qian Qi' and how important it is to His Majesty. During this period, he mentioned you, General. He said that you have always been impartial and impartial. If Lu Commander General wants to join the 'Qian Qi', he can recommend himself to you. If he asks Zhang Fengchen to come forward, he will definitely be firmly refused by you. Therefore, he is not willing to speak on his behalf. "
Listening to this point, Yang Fan finally understood. He was not clear why the Department of Ordnance wanted to make things difficult for him, but the Imperial Servant Temple had gone around in a big circle. Their purpose was finally clear.
It turned out that the Imperial Servant Temple's backer was Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Yizhi wanted to meddle in the 'Qian Qi'. But the establishment of the 'Qian Qi' attracted too much attention from all sides. Even with the Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Yizhi's status, they were unwilling to take the risk. Therefore, they used the Imperial Servant Temple to tactfully put pressure on him.
That Lu Commander General was already a Lang General in the Left Commander's Guard. If he was transferred to the 'Qian Qi', there was absolutely no reason for him to be demoted. Therefore, they could only give him the position of Qian Qi's Lang General. In this way, the 'Qian Qi' would be divided into five parts. At least one part would belong to the Zhang Yizhi.
Yang Fan's thoughts turned like lightning. In a short moment, he understood the cause and effect. A trace of a smile appeared on his face. "Zhang Fengchen serves the Emperor," he said, "Unavoidably he is cautious and careful. Actually, in my opinion, it is the duty of a minister not to avoid his relatives and not to avoid his enemies. Why should he be so restrained? "
Since this Lu Commander General is a Lang General in the Left Commander's Guard, why can't he be a Qian Qi's Lang General? Under my command, there should be a Fifth Lang General. Right now, there is still a vacancy. This is not a long-term plan. I am currently thirsting for talents. If this Lu Commander is willing to join my 'Qian Qi', I will welcome him with open arms!
When Bai Yiding heard this, a smile appeared on his thin face. This time, it was a smile that came from the bottom of his heart. "Aiya, this is really good news. I am also familiar with Lu Commander General. I will tell him later. Haha, if I knew that General is so thirsty for talents, Lu Commander General would not have gone to Zhang Fengchen to meet his rebuff."
Yang Fan smiled. "I wonder what this Lu Commander General is called? I would like to meet him. If he is really willing to join my 'Qian Qi', I will immediately send a letter to the Left Commander's Guard to transfer Lu Commander General here! "
Bai Yiding hurriedly said, "Lu Commander General's name is Mao Feng. I ask General Yang to remember it. On my way back, I will send someone to deliver a letter to him, telling him to immediately pay a visit to General."
Yang Fan nodded. "Very good! It's just that these horses … "
Bai Yiding immediately said, "These old and young horses are not for the army. They are only brought here to prove what I have said. My brother is also very uneasy about delaying General's training time. On one hand, my brother sent me here to give General an explanation. On the other hand, he sent someone to An Yi's horse farm to conscript the best horses there. But he still needs General Yang to extend the deadline for a few days. "
Yang Fan said, "The horse plague is a natural disaster, it is not the fault of the Imperial Palace Temple. Even if Yang is anxious to train the new army, I cannot let the Imperial Palace Temple make something out of nothing and give me a thousand fine horses. Haha, the word 'extend the deadline' is too heavy. Your brother has taken care of my 'Qian Qi', and Yang cannot thank him enough."
The atmosphere quickly became harmonious. Bai Yiding promised Yang Fan that in five days at most, he would conscript a thousand fine horses from the Western Regions for the 'Qian Qi'. Only then did he order his men to drive away the old and young horses that were used as evidence.
In fact, the 'Qian Qi' had horses at the very least. If the Imperial Palace Temple gave another thousand horses, it would be an extra hundred horses. It was said that this was compensation for the delay in handing over the horses. Moreover, there would always be times when the horses in the army were sick, old or weak. It was convenient to have more horses to replace them in time.
In two words, you are good, I am good, and everyone is good. It was perfect and harmonious. Yang Fan sent Bai Yiding and Niu Mou away in a friendly manner. Xu Liang snorted coldly and said, "They are obviously using the horses to threaten General for a position. If General does not agree, I am afraid that the thousand fine horses in An Yi's horse farm will be infected with the horse plague as expected."
Yang Fan smiled and said, "I know, but I suddenly understand a principle."
Xu Liang asked, "What principle?"
Yang Fan said, "Ever since the current Sage ascended the throne, there have been many court struggles. No matter what the reason is, it is all for the throne of the Emperor. Some want it to be surnamed Li, some want it to be surnamed Wu. Therefore, whether it is the Emperor or the nobles and ministers who have their own thoughts, they are fighting endlessly.
Groups of people are imprisoned, groups of people are beheaded, and now? Now it can be said to be the most critical moment to decide the ownership of the country. So many people have died, so much blood has been shed. Everyone is for this day. Will those people really sit back and watch the 'Qian Qi', a force that does not belong to them, grow strong and strong just because the Emperor is afraid? "
Yang Fan turned his head and looked deeply at Xu Liang. He said, "This is just the beginning. Even if they do not make a move now, after a while, when the Emperor no longer has his eyes on the 'Qian Qi', they will definitely do everything possible to intervene. At that time, the difficulties we will encounter will be a hundred times more difficult than a batch of rusty swords and a batch of old and sick warhorses. What should we do then? "
Xu Liang did not say anything. Yang Fan sighed and said slowly, "I did not have to accept Zhang Yizhi's request. Because if the method I thought of can be successfully implemented, then whether it is the armor, weapons, or this batch of warhorses, I can solve them all."
Xu Liang asked, "Then why did you agree to let Zhang Yizhi's people in?"
Yang Fan said, "Because this is our shield! Our original idea was too naive. We thought that without any interference, we would close the door and build a force that belongs to us. Haha, it is easier said than done! Now that Zhang Yizhi intends to intervene, it is a great opportunity for us. The Zhang brothers' intervention is the easiest for the Emperor to accept. At the same time, we accept Zhang Yizhi's people, so we can use Zhang Yizhi as our strongest shield to resist the encroachment of any other party! "
Yang Fan patted Xu Liang's shoulder and said earnestly, "Watching one surnamed Lu is better than all the other forces interfering. A small 'Qian Qi' is like a forest of mountains, right?"
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