Chen Xi did not communicate with the envoy sent by the Duke of Wei for too long. After expressing his meaning, he sent the person away.

Tang Yin listened from beginning to end, and after waiting for him and Chen Xi to be the only one left in the tent, he said: "The Duke of Wei inherited the position of garrison in Nanjing, which is very worthy of winning. Even if he could not express his opinions on the candidates for the Minister of War and the Eunuch of the Guard of Nanjing, it is still a force that cannot be ignored, especially in the south of the Yangtze River... Chen Shangshu could actually accept his surrender, which would be of great help to the subsequent war."

Chen Xi asked, "Brother Bo Hu, why did Duke Wei send someone to see me and show his goodwill?"

Tang Yin was stunned when asked, and then frowned and thoughtfully, and replied seriously: "The garrison minister was under the position of the Minister of War and the Eunuch of the Guard of Nanjing. Although he was a hereditary nobleman, he was always suspicious of the royal family because of his huge influence. He was only responsible for the daily training and military supervision, and his military power was not in hand. If he did not take the initiative to show goodwill to Secretary Chen, he was afraid that his future power would not be guaranteed... Is the Duke of Wei still not young?"

Xu Qiu is nearly 60 years old and is similar to Zhang Mao, so he needs to consider the issue of successor.

The most feared thing about the power held by the hereditary nobles is that there will be changes when the old and new changes. As the hottest powerful minister in the court, even Zhang Mao had to take the initiative to show his favor, let alone Xu Qi, who was far away from the center and guarded Nanjing in the past?

"Um."

Chen Xi nodded and asked again, "Then do you think it is the best time for him to look for me now?"

"this……"

Tang Yin was stunned. After thinking for a while, he looked at Chen Xi with a proof-seeking gaze: "I thought it was not a good time, because Chen Shangshu is not a simple tribe in the court, but also a minister, and his situation is similar to Duke Wei... Secretary Chen wants to win over Duke Wei to control the authority of Jiangnan, which is tantamount to plotting against tigers."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "Brother Bo Hu said, perhaps it is easier to explain with a strong dragon to suppress the local snake... The Xu family relies on me to consolidate its power in Jiangnan today, and will also surrender to others in the future. In his eyes, I am just a pawn that can be used. On the contrary, if I take the initiative to extend an olive branch to the civil officials and the eunuchs in Nanjing, who would reject my kindness? Should I have to tie it to the ship of hereditary ministers?"

Chen Xi's words are simple and direct, all of which are heart-wrenching words.

Tang Yin was very touched when he heard this. He knew that if these words were heard by others, he only thought that Chen Xi was scheming and could not be approached, but he was still honest with him, which was enough to show Chen Xi’s trust in him.

"So Shangshu Chen is preparing to make an announcement to Zhang Yong and Eunuch Zhang?"

Tang Yin frowned, "Or wait for Eunuch Zhang to write?"

Chen Xi smiled and shook his head: "The ownership of power in Jiangnan has nothing to do with me. If I focus on it all, I may not be interested in military affairs. Since this is the case, it is better to have soldiers and generals block the water and soil. Since it is a natural thing, there is no need to make plans before arriving in Nanjing."

Tang Yin thought for a while and nodded, "Then let's take a step by step, and I hope the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge."

“That’s exactly that.”

Chen Xi smiled and said, "The next thing I'll focus on combating Japanese pirates and building sea boats. The information sent back from all over the coast of Jiangnan is nerve-wracking, and I have no time to take care of other things... Let's put the rest back."

...

...

Chen Xi clearly stated that he did not want to be involved in the power struggle in Jiangnan, and Tang Yin had no doubt about this.

However, after Tang Yin saw the letters Chen Xi received for many consecutive days and the people who came to visit, he truly understood how high Chen Xi's status in the court and how great the influence was... Huguang, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang Province announced that officials and generals all sent envoys to visit Chen Xi to express their intention of following.

Chen Xi has a noble status. He was not only the uncle of the Ming Dynasty, but also the Duke of Shen, who had great military achievements. He also served as the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. He was also the emperor's commander and the person he trusted the most. His status in the court was almost unshakable, which determined that he had unlimited power after he arrived in the local area. It was almost a matter of one sentence to be executed first and then report.

Local officials and generals were frightened by this, fearing that they would not express their kindness to Chen Xi in time, and it would be difficult to gain a foothold in the court in the future.

However, Chen Xi's attitude is clear, that is, he will never accept gifts.

Huguang and Jiangxi were both under the jurisdiction of Chen Xi. Local officials and generals knew about this. Even if someone came to give gifts, they realized that bribery alone would not be favored by Chen Xi at all. Chen Xi still does not seem to want to be worthy of the population at this position. In his eyes, fame and fortune are almost like a cloud.

That night, another representative of local officials in the camp came to give gifts. Tang Yin went to the central military tent to talk to Chen Xi about military affairs. As soon as he arrived at the door of the tent, he saw an envoy coming out of it. Tang Yin saw countless people and his eyes were sharp. Although the light was dim, he could still tell at a glance that he was a woman with red lips, white teeth, and beautiful face.

According to Tang Yin's guess, this was probably another form of bribery by local officials to Chen Xi, allowing women to give gifts in men's clothing. If a man loves a woman, she can stay in the camp overnight. If she leaves the next day, no one will think that something will happen. When she goes back, she will soon send it to the private house given to Chen Xi.

"Your Excellency, Lord Shen said, you can't stay in the army overnight, please leave quickly." Ma Jiu's words pulled Tang Yin back.

Tang Yin turned his head and glanced at him. At this time, a guard came out to spread the news and asked Tang Yin to enter the account.

Before entering the door, Tang Yin couldn't help but look back at the messenger, but when he saw someone being directed toward the camp gate, he couldn't help but sigh: "If this happens to me, how should I refuse?"

When entering the central army tent, Chen Xi was looking at the map, which was a map of the Yangtze River garrison and military pass. This seemed unnecessary in Tang Yin. After all, Chen Xi was now responsible for erecting the sea and not sweeping the river.

"Shangshu Chen." Tang Yin performed a ritual.

Chen Xi looked up at him and said, "I've said what I should say, and go back and rest."

Tang Yin made a routine and said in detail about the affairs of the general. After receiving Chen Xi's satisfactory reply, he did not rush to leave. He asked curiously: "The envoy of the local officials came to give gifts before. The man seemed... a woman, right?"

Chen Xi smiled and asked back: "You have discovered this?"

Tang Yin shrugged: "But I don't know who it is, and what kind of gift it is, needs to be given by a woman?"

Chen Xi paused slightly and shook his head and said, "Is it necessary to figure out everything in the officialdom? No matter what gift you are sending, it is always a kind of wine, sex, wealth, maybe the person who gives the gift is a gift himself... Brother Bo Hu should understand this, right?"

Tang Yin sighed: "It is really amazing to be at the level of Shangshu Shen. If it were the best, it would be difficult to control it... The temptation of the officialdom would be too great."

Tang Yin made his heartfelt statement. In the past, he felt that even if there was bribery in the officialdom, it was only a small matter. After he entered the officialdom, he realized that local officials were simply useless measures to bribe him and realized how naive he was.

Chen Xidao: "Brother Bohu, don't be anxious and sighed. Before arriving in Nanjing, there were still people coming to give gifts. I will not come forward to deal with it again. Leave the matters that greet them to Brother Bohu, you can handle it... Brother Bohu should be competent, right?"

Before, Chen Xi also handed over the errands of communicating with local officials and generals to Tang Yin. Tang Yin did a pretty good job, and now there are more people coming to the army to give gifts to Chen Xi. Chen Xi's decision was equivalent to handing over all the miscellaneous matters to Tang Yin. Tang Yin did not think anything was wrong, but instead thought that this was the opportunity for Chen Xi to give him experience.

"Then I will be respectful, it is better to obey my orders." Tang Yin quickly saluted and received the errand.

Chen Xiwuxin said too much to Tang Yin and waved his hand to signal him to retreat.

After leaving the central army tent, Tang Yin was still thinking: "Since Shen Zhihou did not tell me in detail why he did not go to see the gift-giving people, but after thinking about it, he knew that he was very disgusted with these things. In this way, I just need to show my face and drive away the gift-giving people, and all the problems will be solved... This is actually not difficult."

Thinking of this, Tang Yin felt that Chen Xi gave him a not-so-bad job, simple and rough, and he was confident that he could handle it with ease.

...

...

On the second day, the soldiers continued to sail on the boat.

Due to the smooth flow, the fleet quickly crossed the Yangtze River section of Jiangxi and entered the waters of Nanjing.

There was no major event on that day, and Tang Yin stayed in the cabin. For southerners like him, taking a boat was not a difficult task. He had seen all kinds of wind and waves. He was not until he was stationed on the shore at dusk that he got off the board, and Ma Jiu waited on the shore early.

"Is General Ma okay?"

Tang Yin didn't think it was Ma Jiu who came to him specifically, so he asked casually.

Ma Jiu saluted respectfully: "Mr. Tang, before the fleet docked, local officials from Nanzhili and generals from the garrison came to see Lord Shen... Lord Shen had ordered before, saying that all these matters would be left to you, and I asked him to come down and tell you if you want these people to enter the camp?"

Only then did Tang Yin realize that Chen Xi was not a joke yesterday. He really gave him all the welcome and sent him to deal with it. He suddenly felt a sense of pressure on his shoulders.

Tang Yin thought for a while and ordered: "Where are you free to meet outsiders when you are marching outside? Tell them and ask them to go back."

In Tang Yin's opinion, since he refused to accept gifts in the end, he might as well not see him from the beginning. This would save those people from talking about bribery, and everyone was at peace.

However, Ma Jiu seemed a little embarrassed: "Mr. Tang, these are all sent by local officials and nobles. Behind them are the Marquis, Bosses, Governors, commanders and other nobles. If you send someone to retreat, you will be rude. Only after seeing them, ask what's going on and decide whether you should see the guests."

Ma Jiu's words stunned Tang Yin.

After thinking a little, Tang Yin understood what Ma Jiu meant. Now it is not to just avoid seeing him. Perhaps those who came are not giving gifts, but simply to get familiar with their feelings. Even if they come to give gifts, they must be polite. If they come with a smile, they will directly avoid seeing him. Then morally, they will be innately inferior.

Tang Yin thought to himself: "That's right. If you avoid it directly, how can Shen Zhihou gain a foothold in the court in the future? This official seems to be based on his real skills, but he also needs to manage interpersonal relationships and cooperate with local people. If he becomes a lonely man, he will be constrained by his government orders in the future. As the saying goes, a little devil is difficult to deal with, and there is no benefit in offending people."

When he looked at Ma Jiu again, he felt a little annoyed: "Why did I not think about the truth that even a rough man like Ma Jiu understands before? It seems that I need more experience in this officialdom."

Tang Yin said: "General Ma said very well. If they don't deal with this group of people well, what will they do to cause trouble for us? This has reached the ground of Nanzhili, and maybe the six ministries in Nanjing have sent people here!"

While talking, he and Ma Jiu walked towards the camp gate together.

At this time, the army had already camped around the Yangtze River Post Station.

The camp stretched for two or three miles. Tang Yin had to walk there, but after just a few steps, his followers had led his and Ma Jiu's war horses over.

Tang Yin rode his horse and took Ma Jiu all the way to the camp gate. Before he could get off the horse, he saw dozens of carriages parked outside the camp, lined up in a long line. Tang Yin shook his head: "So many carriages, who would believe it, said they were not here to give gifts?"

...

...

When he arrived at the temporary welcome tent, Tang Yin stood at the door, looking extremely polite. The messengers who came to give gifts were welcomed one by one.

There were more than a dozen messengers, representing different factions in Southern Zhili.

Originally, gift-giving and bribery should be a taboo thing, but because Chen Xi's status in the court is too high, and local officials and generals know each other's behavior very well, these gift-giving people did not taboo much, and came in to report their names and origins. Tang Yin couldn't help but frown after hearing this.

"Mr. Tang, you are the most trustworthy military advisor next to Mr. Shen. I have been waiting to admire him for a long time. This time I have specially prepared a gift for you, and I hope you can accept it with a smile."

These people not only prepared gifts for Chen Xi, but Tang Yin also had a share. He secretly wondered: "Did these people know that Shen Zhihou had appointed me to welcome them?"

After thinking about it, he immediately understood: "No, they should have been instructed before they came that they should not give a single gift, and they should be prepared for it so that no matter who comes, they can deal with it... In their eyes, I am the little devil in front of the Throne of Hell, and they think I, a little devil, will be very difficult!"

Tang Yin didn't want to communicate with this group of people. What he was most worried about was the senior retirement officials and nobles in Nanjing. The six important officials of the ministry sent people to give gifts. Now he knew that there was no messenger for these people, but the generals of the nearby prefectures and garrisons came to give gifts. He felt that the pressure was reduced a lot.

Tang Yin said: "Everyone, Mr. Chen has given instructions. He has appreciated the kindness of yours. However, now that the leader is outside, there are always inconveniences. I hope you understand. After you go back, you tell the masters of each family that Mr. Chen has thanked him! It is inconvenient for hospitality in the army... Please come back!"

Tang Yin's words were quite polite, with a smile on his face, but what he said was difficult to accept.

After all, before they could explain their purpose, Tang Yin issued an order to expel guests, which seemed too unkind. It seemed that Tang Yin came forward just to block them from giving gifts.

They are not officials, they all come here to receive orders. To them, going back with gifts means that the errands are not done well, and being punished is almost a foregone conclusion. Tang Yin clearly puts a problem for them and will not repay Tang Yin with kindness.

"Mr. Tang, you are a noble person around Lord Shen. We just want to see Lord Shen and convey our meaning... If you refuse to help, I will not be able to meet Lord Shen and I will not be able to handle the job after I go back." Although they were a little hostile to Tang Yin, they did not dare to have a conflict with Tang Yin directly.

Chen Xi sent Tang Yin to come, which represented Chen Xi. Tang Yin wanted to keep people out, which should be due to Chen Xi's instructing him.

Tang Yin thought to himself: "I drive you away and you can't get a job. Can I leave your gifts and I can't get a job? I can't be despised by Shen Zhihou in order to meet your needs! In order to maintain a good relationship between the center and the local area, Shen Zhihou needs to greet you with a smile, but I don't have this need... I have no interaction with you, I just need to be responsible for Shen Zhihou, without any worries. It's not easy to drive you away?"

Tang Yin suddenly looked stern: "You should understand that Shangshu Chen led his troops outside and came all the way from the Central Plains. He is likely to be attacked by rebels along the way. If the situation of the war changes due to your disturbance, no one can bear this responsibility! Moreover, Shangshu Chen has important business now and has no time to meet."

"This...this..."

Many of the people who came felt embarrassed.

One of them questioned: "I heard that someone had visited Mr. Shen yesterday, why can't we even see Mr. Shen today?"

Another person next to him said, "It doesn't matter if you can't see it. At least you should leave my parents' wishes... Please tell Lord Tang and Lord Shen about my parents' desire to be effective!"

This was recognized by most people present and agreed in unison: "It's so great... Lord Tang, I'm sorry, the gifts prepared for you and Lord Shen, as well as the items of military labor, are all in the carriage outside. I will sort out the gift list later. Please be sure to pass it on to Lord Shen."

Tang Yin felt a little overwhelmed and thought to himself: "I thought this group of people would not give up until they see Shen Zhihou. It turned out that they could not see anyone. They just needed to deliver the gifts to complete the errand... Why are they so difficult to deal with?"

Just when Tang Yin was stunned, Ma Jiu next to him had already spoken: "Everyone, please bring back the things you sent. During the march, you can't carry any extra items."

Tang Yin came to his senses and quickly said, "That's right. How can you bring these flashy things when you march outside?"

The man who spoke just now said, "Why is it not practical? My master sent me a silver. Whether it is Lord Shen, Lord Tang, or all the generals in the army, it is very convenient to carry!"

“Yes, yes!”

A group of people were talking to each other.

The people who gave gifts reached a tacit understanding. In order to complete the errands, there was no saying that they were like enemies. Other people's gifts could be given to Chen Xi, so their own gifts could be given out, and they could complete the errands.
Chapter completed!