Delong

Chapter 255: He Ge Xing (9)

Mainly in mid-June, the power of the Second Eastern Expedition of the Dragon Army is completely different from the previous ones, and it is far beyond the imagination of the local and surrounding people.

This kind of magnificence is not due to the unstoppable force of tens of thousands of troops marching along the official road, attacking and invincible along the way, like spears advancing and piercing everything, but a kind of force that is not uncommon in the Jishui River Basin. The flood infiltrates everything overwhelming.

Tens of thousands of troops marched eastward, but they were dispersed into thousands, thousands, even 500, or even 200 people. They penetrated into the key points of the three counties in order, from the main official roads and cities to the traffic. Key points, cities and towns, mines, ferries, and villages, followed by various unmistakable government orders and large-scale public security cleaning.

Finally, there is the actual implementation of government orders.

In almost half a month, most of the commercial activities, agricultural activities, handicraft activities, cultural activities, and security activities in the area occupied by the Dragon Army in the three counties were all related to the Dragon Gang and the Dragon Army. There is a real convergence of this military-political entity.

There will inevitably be chaos and disorder, perfunctory and covert resistance, and even bullying by overpowering.But what no one can deny is that in this way, the Dragon Gang used this method to impress the three counties in the upper reaches of Jishui in a short period of time-they really want to take over everything instead of the government. Really want to rebel.

This group of people who wear Liuhe boots and carry long daggers and are marching almost all the time really want to change the dynasty!

However, this kind of powerful, flood-like march and conquest is by no means without disadvantages. The most obvious point is that the troops have invested too much energy and strength in the local area.This led to an embarrassing fact that the Chulong army had to face the next stage of its conquest plan in late June.

That is, at the beginning of the second Eastern Expedition, the troops mobilized by the Dragon Clan included 3 troops from Lihu-Lishan, plus the Niu Da tribe who advanced earlier, and the southern reinforcements led by Wang Zhen who caught up later. The army strength was as high as [-]; and when they were about to attack the west of Lu County, the west of Jibei County, and the most important Qi County, there were only [-] mobile troops left for temporary use.

A full 1 people were dragged on these sites.

"It's not 1 people." In Sucheng at the junction of the three counties, Xu Shiying, who actually served as the acting commander-in-chief of Zhang Xing's military strategy, thought about it for a while, and was in the shade of the front yard of Cangcheng. A correction was made. "We also surrendered about [-] troops of various types, including the Golden Boring Army..."

"Then it shouldn't be... 5000 people were pinned down like this." Wang Shuyong, who came from Jibei, became a little restless.

"That's not how accounts are calculated." Chief Wei Xuanding, who had obviously become angry these days, immediately shook his head beside him. "5000 people sounds like a lot, but in fact, it falls into more than 20 counties, that is, 800 people in one county... And to put it bluntly, do you dare to use it? Yuncheng, Liangshanzhai Do we need to place more soldiers in those key places?"

"Not bad." Bai Yousi, who was gradually getting used to the atmosphere and new identity, also interjected. "According to my observation, in fact, there are only about 500 garrisons in an ordinary county."

"Five hundred is too much, right?" Shan Tonghai who was sitting in the corner also followed. "This is a garrison, not a government servant."

"The key is that there is a shortage of yamen servants. They are actually doing the work of yamen servants and city defense." Wei Xuanding immediately refuted. "As far as I have seen in the past ten days, urging farming, harvesting crops, including on-site harvesting and transfer of land taxes, is to face those big and small landlords... Without soldiers and horses pressing them down, how could those people be so honest?"

As soon as this remark came out, there was a clear stagnation around.

And the reason is self-evident. The so-called landlords are actually the tyrants of these three counties. They have the same background and occupation as the leaders present here. But dare to ask all of you present, who was honest in those days?
These words really brought back fond memories of those years.

"Our march is too powerful!" Niu Da sighed slightly after a long while. "They were so frightened that they didn't dare to move."

"So," Xu Shiying finally expressed his attitude. "Everything is going well now, and it has something to do with the soldiers and horses here. If the troops are transferred, many things may not be in order... But I think the current situation is rare. If we rush to transfer the troops and leave, there will be many people here. If things go to waste, even if you win the battle and come back in the future, it may not be such a good situation."

"But according to Xu Dalang's intentions, we are all pushing forward, but we don't fight forward?" Shan Tonghai asked coldly. "If this is the case, I don't say that the people in the front have changed, and Fan Bao and Jia Wugen have grown stronger again. I only talk about the back. These people see the situation like this, but we remain motionless. Will they also think that we are timid and afraid? Move, and regenerate ambition?"

"Not at all." Niu Da repeatedly shook his head. "There is a battle with Li Shan."

"Then you should be more assured about marching." Wang Shuyong couldn't help interjecting.

"It's hard to say." Wei Xuanding frowned. "These days, I come all the way from west to east. I don't think there is anything wrong with Dongping County, and Jinbei is similar, but there is something wrong with Lu County."

"Chief Wei's feeling is reasonable." Shan Tonghai cheered up slightly. "Jibei County, Dongping County, Dongjun County, and Jiyin County are crossed by Jishui. The news is smooth and there are many personnel exchanges. As for Lu County, I noticed last time that they have some differences with us. What is separated is not only information, but many things are another matter."

"It's the terrain." At this moment, Zhang Xing, who had been looking down at the form, suddenly spoke, but didn't look up. "Ji River runs through the past, not only because of the convenient transportation, but also because of the difference in terrain...Lu County, the south of Qi County, Langya, and the southwest and northeast of Dengzhou are all typical hilly terrain, while Dongjun and Jiyin County , Dongping County, Jibei County, the northern part of Qi County, and the center of Dengzhou are all plains in the Jishui Basin."

The surroundings were silent, and many people faced each other, completely at a loss, but they didn't know why Zhang Dalong suddenly said this... Everyone knows this, okay?
Of course, Zhang Xing quickly got to the point: "As we all know, the thing of tyranny is naturally the foundation of the manor field, but it can't only be the manor, but also some other things. Therefore, it is precisely because of the different geography that in the East Here, the tyrants are generally divided into two categories, one is based on commercial transportation or weaving and pottery factories; , it has both, and has raised a large number of good families from martial arts."

As soon as this remark came out, the people around couldn't help being a little commotion, because the word "haoqiang" touched the soft flesh of many people, and some smart people had already realized what Zhang Dalongtou wanted to say.

"Almost." After a while, Bai Yousi suddenly chuckled, breaking the silence. "In the coastal areas, the salt industry and Dongyi smuggling routes are also added. This is the foundation of the heroes in the East. It's just that in the eyes of the government, these heroes' private control of land, mines, commerce, and transportation is a There are obvious hidden dangers, but the imperial court cannot go deep to the bottom, so it is inseparable from these people... The two are connected in everything, that is, the word tyrannical and powerful is often mentioned in history books, novels, and Nanya documents. Back then in Jing'an Taiwan, Cheng Dalang, Shan Dalang, Xu Dalang, Wang Wulang, and the Fan brothers, Jia Wugen, etc., are actually big men with a name in the eastern border, and once the patrol team arrives in the eastern border, they will come to take care of them."

Xu Dalang was also taken aback, and suddenly smiled dryly, as if he remembered something.

"Do you understand what I mean?" Zhang Xing also smiled, then looked around and asked.

Some people really don't understand it, but some people understand it from the very beginning.

"The Qilu army is actually the foundation of the local tyrants." Wei Xuanding blurted out. "We are also... For the three counties in the middle, it is actually the same. It's just that they were unlucky. They met us and the Qilu army, and were beaten by both sides. They lost the foundation of their own development. Now that the Qilu army has been defeated, the government has run away. Well, if we want to completely conquer these three counties, the key lies in whether we can conquer these tycoons...Whether they are pulled in or suppressed, they are the key! Relatively speaking, if we enter Qi County one day earlier, we will enter Qi County one day later. Marching into Qi County every day is not enough."

"That's probably what it means, but it can't be said that we won't march at this point." Zhang Xing answered seriously. "I don't know if you believe it or not. I considered the need for soldiers and horses to suppress the situation in this place, and I made preparations. I just didn't expect this march to be so smooth that the preparations fell through."

"Is it the left-behind troops from the two counties on the western front?" Xu Shiying was thoughtful. "At that time, everyone said that there were too many left, and it was very hard to raise them locally. It is better to bring them here, but the third brother said that bringing them here would cost more in the army..."

"Yes." Zhang Xing nodded. "At that time, I wanted to use the old to bring the new, and when the surrendered soldiers and newcomers over there learned it, they would be sent directly to take over the place... The surrendered soldiers and the former Eastern Front recruits were originally mostly locals from these three counties... The key is The progress here is too fast, and the previous plan can't catch up at all."

"Then don't send troops for the time being?" Shan Tonghai was a little annoyed, but it was only annoyed, but unexpectedly he didn't have much anger.

Because, like everyone else, he understood what Zhang Xing meant.

In all fairness, when everyone was a tyrant, they naturally had a set of views on things, but now that they are officials, they feel that those views are very important.

Zhang Xing's meaning is very simple, don't subdue and disperse the tyrants in these three counties, don't straighten out those land taxes, don't eat up those ferries, markets, fleets, livestock farms, iron mines, and gold mines , who can be comfortable?The most direct one is how to expand the army and raise troops?How to improve everyone's treatment and salary?How do you make everyone feel like they are in control of the territory?
Therefore, it is time to persevere and try to take advantage of this great opportunity to complete the clean-up and control of the local tyrants.

"We still have to send troops." Turning back to his eyes, Zhang Xing thought for a while and took it seriously. "Military operations cannot be stagnated... What I mean is that we should leave enough troops to ensure that our political strategy can be implemented. Then we can follow the previous theory of priority and send [-] troops out first to open up the Jishui channel. "

Wang Shuyong's spirit suddenly lifted. He was on the left wing, living in Jibei County on the north side, so this job was naturally his.

Sure enough, Zhang Xing turned his head to look at him: "Wang Wulang, we will immediately send you reinforcements, gather 1 troops, and fight along the north bank of Jishui River. First meet with Putai Army and Cheng Zhili, and then discuss other things."

Wang Shuyong was overjoyed immediately, and the others had nothing to say.

In the final analysis, this temporary discussion was due to the fact that the Dragon Army marched too fast, which made the plan deviate. It was a kind of happy trouble. People, the rest are not good to say anything.

At the very least, it is not good to have redundant discussions on the strategy.

However, just after everyone stood up, Xu Shiying added a little proposal: "Since this is the case, should the third brother move a little bit more, how about going to Feicheng or Pingyin? If you go there, I guarantee that everyone in Qijun will not dare to go there." move."

"I can't wait for any of them to move." Zhang Xingyi said. "And I have already decided to go to Lu County to have a look... Firstly, I want to see the strong and powerful characteristics of the local area, and secondly, I have to wait for King Xiongtian. He has not returned from Lu County for a long time, and he did not inform you why he did not make a big move The good quality of those rebels in southeast Lu is also an important reason...Let Chief Shan go to Feicheng! You are still in the middle here!"

Shan Tonghai was surprised for a moment, Xu Shiying didn't react extra, but he still nodded slightly to express his approval and acceptance.

On June [-]th, only two days after arriving in Sucheng, Zhang Xing once again moved his red-bottomed flag with the word "解" and marched towards the territory of Lu County.Nothing happened that day, but the next day, June [-], when the troops crossed Wenshui, he encountered an interesting incident.

"They said they were a couple who were away from relatives." Wang Xiongdan wiped off his sweat and reported to Zhang Dalong who was waiting for the army to cross the river on the embankment. "But something is obviously wrong. The two of them were sitting in the dilapidated house over there, and they panicked when they saw the sentry cavalry. Their words, expressions, and gestures were too obvious... The sentry cavalry didn't dare to neglect, so they all tied them up."

Zhang Xing looked at a middle-aged man and woman standing there with their hands tied behind their backs but visibly trembling standing there with their hands bowed under the embankment. Zhang Xing couldn't help but startled: "Then they are spies? So flustered spies? Who are they spies for?"

"This is the strange thing." Wang Xiongtan was also speechless. "Both of them have no cultivation base, and the panic is too obvious. No matter how you look at it, they don't look like spies... But the sentry cavalry can't ignore this kind of situation."

Zhang Xing thought for a while, got off the yellow puma, and walked forward, but saw that the middle-aged man and woman were still bowing their heads, and the pair of dusty red cloth shoes on the woman's feet looked particularly eye-catching.

After watching for a while, Zhang Xing asked seriously, "Why did you elope? Did your husband beat you?"

The people around were surprised for a moment, and the middle-aged woman whose hands were cut behind her back also raised her head in astonishment, she was a little bit angry, but she wept for a moment, and knelt down on the spot: "My lord, forgive me, it's not elopement, this is what my husband promised... "

"Your husband allowed you to go with other men?" Zhang Xing was slightly puzzled.

"It's true." The man raised his head tremblingly. "She was disabled when her husband was conscripted for the second time, but the family's granted land is still there. I don't have a wife, so I planted it for her family. Her husband allowed us to be together..."

Zhang Xing came to a sudden: "Then why run away now?"

"Because the autumn harvest is coming soon, the new government is pressing us hard, and the old master of the Lin family nearby is urging us again, saying that if it is not possible, I will be sent to the army. The war was ruined a lot, and they couldn't pay the food, and they were afraid of being arrested as a strong man, so the two families discussed it together, and I escaped with her to live, and her husband and my old father were resigned to fate." The man slightly Emboldened. "When I got here, I found that there were no boats, the ferry was burned, and the village was gone, so I didn't dare to go back."

"Where are you from?" Unlike the others who were obviously confused, Zhang Xing instantly realized the rationality of the other party's actions, and then asked the most concerned question a little anxiously.

"Father Liang." The man hurriedly answered.

Zhang Xing heaved a sigh of relief, this is not the area occupied by the Julong army, but he felt funny again soon... What does this have to do with whether it is the area occupied by the Julong army?
The crux of the matter is that after leaving Dongjun and Jiyin counties, the further you go out, the more obvious the adverse effects of the turmoil since the Three Expeditions will be.To be honest, the Dulong Army and the Qilu Official Army are definitely two wonders in the troubled times, and they can be regarded as standard local forces, but as long as they fight, they still can't stop the world from getting worse.

How many things, never anxious.

"Let's go back." Zhang Xing thought about it for a while, and then seriously persuaded him on the embankment. "I'll write a letter to your Mr. Lin, asking him to slow down your family's land tax this year."

Wang Xiongdan was stunned for a moment, and hurried to untie the rope.

PS: Good night everyone.

(End of this chapter)