In early November of the seventh year of Chongzhen, Li Xiao, who had arranged all the matters of Chifengwei, took Chen Zilong and other followers to Tielong City.

Since returning to Shandong in mid-September, nearly two months have passed. Li Xiao finally had no time to go to Tielong City in Dan County, Shandong to check the progress of the work of this steel city.

Li Xiao and his party set out from Chifengwei and headed west. The route he planned was to go from east to west through Laizhou, Qingzhou, and Jinan, and then turn south to Yanzhou and to Shanxian.

When he was in the south of the economy, Li Xiao went to the governor's office and met with Shandong Governor Li Maofang.

What surprised Li Xiao was that Li Maofang warmly welcomed Li Xiao and others to the arrival of him.

In the living room, Li Maofang held an exquisite tea cup and waved to Li Xiao slightly, and said with a smile: "Commander Li, this is an old friend of Benxian. He specially brought good tea before the rain. Please ask Commander Li to taste it."

Li Xiao looked respectful. He held the teacup and took a sip. He smiled at Li Maofang and said, "Governor, it's really good to have a tea. It's so soft and sweet that it makes people feel aftertaste."

Li Maofang hurriedly said, "Since Commander Li likes this tea before the rain, I have expressed my meaning, so I gave it to Commander Li."

Then Li Maofang called a servant and placed a large bag of extremely exquisitely packaged tea on Li Xiao's table respectfully.

Seeing that Li Maofang was suddenly so polite, Li Xiao was really uncomfortable. He hurriedly said, "I returned from Xuanfu. Because Chifengwei has a lot of things, he has never been able to come to see the governor. He was very ashamed. Today, he accepted such kindness from the governor. Li Xiao felt very ashamed."

Li Maofang waved his hand and said, "Commander Li is polite. How can you talk about merely politely? To be honest, I am very frustrated in this Shandong territory every day. Today I have to see you, and I feel much more comfortable."

As soon as Li Maofang said this, Li Xiao and Chen Zilong were stunned and looked at each other.

"Dongweng, it's not a day since the freezing of three feet. Dongweng came to Shandong. The time was still short and his foundation was not stable. If you have to endure it for a while, the situation in Shandong will gradually change." Chen Zilong comforted him with warm words.

Li Xiao sighed inwardly that although Chen Zilong had bid farewell to Li Maofang, he still called him Dongweng, and he was still a nostalgic person.

A wry smile appeared on Li Maofang's face: "Zilong, you don't have to comfort Benxian anymore. I know what the situation in Shandong is now. It's a pity that Benxian has come to Shandong and wanted to do something practical, which is considered to be worthy of the emperor's grace and the people are worthy of their shame. Who knows that it has been more than half a year and has to live in such a life! It's a pity that the officials and generals in Shandong are not supported by the court and have weak foundations. They all act greedy and miserable behind their backs! Alas, in Shandong, Benxian may not be able to do anything, and it is estimated that he will be replaced soon."

In the room, there was an embarrassing silence.

Li Xiao understood that Li Maofang was telling the truth. Li Maofang, who was originally mediocre, would probably not be easy to stay in Shandong without the support from above and all the officials below were slanderous. According to the history of the Ming Dynasty, in July next year, Li Maofang would be dismissed from his post because of poor disaster relief, and the position of Taichang Shaoqing Yan Jizu took over as the governor of Shandong.

"The governor doesn't have to be too pessimistic. The matter is caused by humans. The situation in Shandong may not be a stagnant pool. You need to try your best to cheer up." Li Xiao said to Li Maofang in a calm tone.

Li Xiao knew that although he said this, although he was sincere, he might not be able to touch Li Maofang who was depressed. However, after saying this, he also expressed his attitude.

Li Maofang looked at Li Xiao with complicated eyes, and he said lightly: "Commander Li, although Ben Xian has not had much contact with you, he can feel that you are a shrewd and capable man who is loyal and loyal to others. It is not Ben Xian who is Hu Kua. In today's war-torn era, an outstanding young hero like you may still have a future ahead of Ben Xian."

"The Governor has praised Li Xiao for being a shameless person, how dare you respect Xian and praise him?"

A wry smile appeared on Li Maofang's face again, and he said in a low voice: "Commander Li, I have something to ask for in today. I wonder if Commander Li agrees?"

"Sir, please tell me clearly. If Li Xiao can do it, he will never dare to give up!"

Li Maofang smiled and called out to an old servant beside him. The old servant then lowered his head and left.

Soon, the old servant brought a young and heroic young man to the living room quickly.

Li Xiao saw that the young man looked about twenty years old, with sword-browed eyebrows and starry eyes, handsome and handsome, wearing a tight lake-green martial arts uniform, a sauce-colored wrist guard, a wide dark silk tie tie around his waist, and thick-sole straight-sewn cowhide boots, a standard martial arts dress.

"Greetings to Daddy!" The young master bowed to Li Maofang and bowed.

Li Xiao was shocked. It turned out that the young man was Li Maofang's son, but he didn't know when Li Maofang brought him from his hometown in Zhejiang to Shandong.

"Well, Haoran, get up."

Li Maofang smiled kindly and put a stance on his right hand, and Li Haoran was calmly straightened.

"Commander Li, this work is Li Haoran, the dog son, whose courtesy name is Nanfu, and is now a student of Hangzhou Wu. Benxian has been thinking for a long time and hopes to let the dog son serve under Commander Li's tent, thinking it is a step forward." Li Maofang introduced to Li Xiao.

After Li Maofang finished speaking, Li Xiao felt a sense of emotion in his heart when he heard this.

This Li Haoran is also a well-documented figure in the history of the Ming Dynasty.

Because he loved martial arts and was disgusted with literature since he was a child, Li Haoran was regarded as an alien in Zhejiang, and his father Li Maofang was very annoyed. However, because he was the only son, the family could not resist him in the end, so Li Haoran fulfilled his wish and went to Hangzhou martial arts. Unexpectedly, Li Haoran had a great talent and excellent martial arts qualifications, and became the leader among the martial arts students in Jizhou. Now as he grows older, because Li Maofang has an old age with Zu Dashou in Jinzhou, Liaodong, he plans to let him go to Zu Dashou's vanguard camp to gain fame.

If Li Xiao had not traveled to this world, according to the historical process, Li Haoran would have been promoted to the Qianzong of Xingshan in the 13th year of Chongzhen. At the beginning of the 17th year of Chongzhen, he was transferred to Baoding, Northern Zhili with the Censor Jin Yudong. Soon after, overwhelming bandits came to attack the city. Li Haoran had many traps in his body, and Judas shouted to kill the enemy. In the end, in order to avoid becoming a prisoner of bandits, he committed suicide at the top of Baoding city and fulfilled his loyalty to the country.

Before Li Xiao could speak, Li Haoran saw Li Xiao on the chair and exclaimed: "Oh, it turns out that you are the Commander Li who killed the Tartars on Xuanfu North Road. I didn't expect that he was so young."

Li Xiao smiled faintly. Li Maofang, who was attending the seat, scolded: "Nanfu, how can you speak so much that you don't understand the rules! In the future, you need to take effect under Lord Li's account, and you should pay a visit to Commander Li quickly."

Li Haoran had a little hesitation on his face, and he whispered: "My father, didn't you say that after the New Year, I would go to Jinzhou to join the Grandma Zu?"

"I changed my mind for my father. This commander Li, who attacked the bandits in the south and the strong Tatars in the north, was personally appointed by the emperor as the commander of the Chifeng Guard, and was given a scattered rank and a military honor. Such outstanding ability, several people in this dynasty can do! If you can follow Commander Li, you will have a bright future. Such a good thing is indeed a blessing for you to cultivate for three lifetimes!" Li Maofang scolded with dissatisfaction.

Li Haoran is a very clever young man. Seeing his father looked at Li Xiao so highly, he thought to himself that this person is indeed capable, otherwise why would he be promoted to commander at such a young age? It would be a good thing if he could follow this person.

"Commander Li is above, please accept the next bow!" Li Haoran knelt on one knee, bowed his hand over, and saluted Li Xiao respectfully.

"Young Master doesn't have to give this great gift, get up quickly." Li Xiao quickly stood up from the chair and helped Li Haoran up.

"Commander Li, please look at this for the sake of my concubine, let the dog son join the army to do business." Li Maofang, who was standing beside him, interrupted with anticipation.

Li Xiao sighed lightly, patted Li Haoran's strong shoulder, and bowed and smiled at Li Maofang, "The noble son is extremely heroic and powerful, but he is a talent that can be made. As the governor's request, Li Xiao dares not accept the order. Li welcomes the noble son to serve in my Chifengwei at any time."

"That's good, that's good." Li Maofang looked happy, and then he ordered Li Haoran to salute and thank Li Xiao for taking in it.

"Mr. Li is above and below, Li Haoran must do his best to help you! "Li Haoran smiled brightly, and his words were bright and sincere.

Afterwards, Li Maofang arranged a banquet to entertain Li Xiao and his group.

During the meal, everyone toasted each other, and there was a harmonious atmosphere.

"Commander Li, I will entrust you to you in the future. Benxian has been mediocre all his life and cannot bear to look back. I hope Commander Li will support the dog so that he can make a fortune and not fall into the family of the Li family in Shangyu." Li Maofang stood up and toasted Li Xiao, but there was a little tears in his eyes.

"Don't worry, sir, Li Xiao will definitely take care of the noble son." Li Xiao's answer was brief and firm. Then he raised his neck and drank a full bowl of Xinghua Village Soup.

For a moment, the seat was filled with laughter and the meal was even more harmonious.

Li Maofang was in a good mood and proposed to Li Xiao that the area of ​​ten miles originally assigned to Li Xiao in the southern part of Shan County would be expanded to thirty miles and handed over to Li Xiao for management.

Seeing Li Maofang's generosity, Li Xiao's joy was so happy that he could say nothing.

Although Li Xiao has now used the method of demarcating military forbidden zones to include land within a radius of dozens of miles outside the Iron City into his jurisdiction, it is not justified. Now that Li Maofang's governor's yamen is invented, even if the officials below dare not say anything more.

Li Maofang then made an agreement with Li Xiao that after Li Haoran would go to Li Xiao's army to serve after the New Year, and Li Xiao naturally agreed.

After the banquet that day, Li Xiao, Chen Zilong and others said goodbye. Li Maofang sent Li Haoran and a group of servants to a very far away outside the southern gate of Jinan, and said goodbye.

Li Xiao and others didn't know that when they had left Jinan and disappeared on the road to the south, they were already waiting to report Li Xiao's whereabouts to Liu Zeqing, the general of Shandong who was also in Jinan Prefecture.

"Reported to the two lords, Li Xiao and his group, they had just left the mansion of the governor Li, and were sent by his son Li Haoran to the south gate of Jinan City."

The expressionless Liu Zeqing waved his hand and secretly waited back.

"Li Xiao must be heading to Tielong City on this trip. I heard that he was in Dan County, building a city to smelify iron. This person's ambition should not be underestimated." Military advisor Li Huajing had a gloomy face and reported to Liu Zeqing, who was sitting on the official hat chair with his body tilted.

Liu Zeqing's face was extremely gloomy, and he snorted coldly: "This Li Xiao is getting stronger and stronger now. I'm afraid it will be more and more difficult for me to suppress him."

"Yes, now this person is promoted to commander of the Chifeng Guard and has been promoted to a guerrilla general. Such holy favors are rare, but others have such a rare gift." Li Huajing also sighed softly.

"Hmph, what makes me angry the most is that this guy dares to dig out the corner of my official!" Liu Zeqing gritted his teeth and said, "Yao Wenchang, who is stationed in Wudingzhou, is one of the four great kings under a family. When he came back from Xuanfu Town, he seemed to be much distant from me. He heard that this person lost his troops, and fortunately Li Xiao gave him the title of the head to keep his official position and military position. Li Xiao was generous in his actions. His behavior was enough to make Yao Wenchang cry."

"Yes, I didn't expect that Li Xiao was young and had many ways to win over the hearts of the people. However, Yao Wenchang was an intimate subordinate of the adults. He concluded that he had a bad plan with Li Xiao based on his temporary attitude, but he was also unable to investigate. Let's put it aside first." Li Huajing comforted him.

"This Li Xiao, I am now unable to see through him." Liu Zeqing sighed with a stroke of his beard.

"General Liu, there is a saying that I don't know whether to say it or not."

"you say."

"Mr. Liu, look, the current governor Li Maofang, Qu Yi, has made friends with this person and even sent his son to see him off in person. He must be valued by this guy's future prospects, so he ignored his identity and won over him." The more Li Huajing said, his face became more and more disappointed. "It can be seen that the power of love has changed now, and Li Xiao is far from being as down-and-out as he came to join me in Shandong at the beginning of this year. He has become a commander of the hero. If we want to suppress such a shrewd and capable person, we really need to deal with it carefully."

Li Huajing's words made Liu Zeqing even more upset. He glanced at Li Huajing and said coldly: "What does the military advisor mean? Could it be that we have to admit defeat and have a good relationship with Li Xiaoquyi like Li Maofang?"

"No, Lord Liu, you are too worried." Li Huajing hurriedly said: "Then Li Xiao, destroying my Zheng Longfang army's army, and forcibly poaching my trusted and beloved generals, is actually a revenge for our army! The students just thought that if we want to suppress Li Xiao in the future, we really need to act carefully to avoid being careless. Then Li Xiao borrowed the upper position and asked us to use tricks, which would become a joke."

Liu Zeqing sneered and lowered his voice: "Military advisor, in my opinion, it is better to take advantage of Li Xiao's opportunity to send troops to kill Li Xiao on the road!"

"Sir General, this matter is absolutely impossible now!" Seeing that Liu Zeqing was about to show off his face completely, Li Huajing was shocked and sweated coldly.

"Why not?" Liu Zeqing's eyes were burning.

"Sir, such a dangerous move is absolutely impossible unless it is absolutely necessary! Now, officials in Shandong know that there is a gap between Lord and Li Xiao. If they send ambushers to kill Li Xiao, anyone will suspect that it was the Lord's murderer. When Li Xiaosheng was in the middle of the year, the emperor would be furious when he heard the news and would order the governor Li Maofang to investigate the matter thoroughly. Li Maofang had just gotten into Li Xiao and would work very hard to investigate the matter. In this way, if he really found out about the Lord's head, how should he tell himself! Let me say something that should not be said. If the court really wants to hold him accountable, then, sir, don't talk about his wealth and official position, it is also worrying." Li Huajing shook his head repeatedly and said in a low voice.

"Hmph, what should I do? Seeing Li Xiao, a humble countryman, I was so angry that I was so angry. How could I say the resentment in my heart be gone!" Liu Zeqing gritted his teeth and shouted angrily, and punched the table with a bang, shaking the teacup on the table so that it bounced up and rolled to the ground.

"General Liu, it's not too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Now I can only say one thing, please be timid and endurance. If there is no good opportunity, you must not take action, so as not to take the previous mistakes." Li Huajing said with a sad face.

In the room, there was a depressing silence.

Only the cold wind like silky wind came out of the window, making the quiet living room even colder.
Chapter completed!