The famous book tour starting from the Red House

Chapter 416
Perhaps because he didn't want to offend the imperial court and Mu Xu at the same time, Tian Hu's army only entered Jinzhou.The troops stationed in Gaoping took the initiative to withdraw after half a month of stalemate with Mu Xu.

Seeing this situation, Mu Xu still didn't dare to take it lightly, and continued to stay at Yangtou Mountain for five or six days.It wasn't until he received the news that Liangshan's follow-up [-] troops had arrived at Longde Mansion that he completely let go of his heart and led the army on the road of retreating north.

When they returned to the city of Longde Mansion again, a group of leaders headed by Zhu Wu and Le He had already been waiting for Mu Xu's return at the city gate.

While greeting everyone, Mu Xu looked around and found that Zhu Wu had brought twenty leaders this time, namely Lin Chong, Luan Tingyu, Lu Junyi, Hu Yanzhuo, Zhang Qing, Shi Jin, Guan Sheng, Suo Chao, Hao Siwen, Xuanzan, Han Tao, Peng Qi, Zhou Tong, Li Zhong, Sun Li, Sun Xin, Gong Wang, Ding Desun, Chen Da, Yang Chun.

Looking around, and after thinking for a while, Mu Xu understood Zhu Wu's intention of bringing these people.Among the twenty people, Lin Chong, Luan Tingyu, Shi Jin, and Zhou Tong were staunch rebels, not to mention them.

But people like Hu Yanzhuo, Guan Sheng, Suo Chao, Zhang Qing, Sun Li, etc. are not only the backbone of the Zhao'an faction in Liangshan, but also surrounded by their old subordinates.

The intention of Zhu Wu to bring them was probably because he was worried that when Mu Xu was not in Liangshan, the court would bring up the matter of recruiting security again, which would cause these people to have second thoughts.In order to prevent this from happening, they were simply brought to Hedong and placed under Mu Xu's eyes.

After exchanging greetings with all the heroes, surrounded by everyone, Mu Xu walked towards the city and talked to Zhu Wu at the same time.

"We mobilized so many soldiers and horses, did they ever disturb the local state capital?"

Zhu Wu said with a smile, "The village master can rest assured. We traveled by water in the first half of our trip to Hedong, and the army traveled westward along the Yellow River by boat. In addition, the boats were almost always at night. Therefore, even on the way It alarmed the government, so it’s not a big deal if you think about it.”

Mu Xu nodded and said, "This is the best way. Once I have a firm foothold in Hedong, I plan to move all the population of the cottage here."

Zhu Wu frowned and said, "This is what it should be, but is it a pity to just give up Liang Shanbo?"

Mu Xu explained, "The military division has misunderstood. Liangshan is located in Shandong, runs through the Yellow River and the canal, and is only more than [-] miles away from Tokyo. Of course, I will not give up such an important place."

Zhu Wu understood Mu Xu's intention at once, and agreed, "That's right, not only that, Liangshan can also provide support for the Eastern Front when we plot the sixteen prefectures of Youyun in the future."

Hu Yanzhuo followed behind the two of them, and when he heard their conversation, he even mentioned that he wanted to seize the land of Youyun. He immediately lifted his spirits and couldn't help but say,
"Brother, if you take You Yun, Hu Yanzhuo, please be the vanguard!"

When Mu Xu heard Hu Yanzhuo's sudden interjection, he couldn't help turning his head to look, and found that not only Hu Yanzhuo, but also Guan Sheng, Suo Chao, Zhang Qing and other court generals were all excited. He came up with a way to appease these Zhao'an factions.

After thinking about the words in his mind, Mu Xu was about to say something, but he was stopped by Le He, "Brother, after passing this street, you will find the official residence of Fu Yin, we might as well talk before we get there .”

Mu Xu thought it was the same, and immediately nodded in agreement, and quickened his pace with his legs, and entered the gate of the mansion in just a moment.

After entering the main hall of the mansion, Mu Xu ordered his soldiers to bring hot tea to everyone, looked at the furnishings in the room, and asked Le He, "Among the captured officials, are there any who surrendered?"

Le He replied, "Except for a very few tough people, most of the officials are willing to surrender, but in my estimation, these people are beating them in vain."

Mu Xu said disdainfully, "The treacherous officials in the court are in power, and the place is also polluted. These officials no longer have the integrity of the literati in the Renzong Dynasty.

If they want to be hypocritical, then let them treat me in the future..."

Mu Xu originally wanted to say that in the future, when he is in the world, he must cure this stinking problem of the great Song literati and bureaucrats.But suddenly seeing Hu Yanzhuo and the others present, he immediately stopped talking and changed his words,

"Forget it, let's not talk about them. As long as these guys work honestly for us, we don't need to worry about it. But before accepting people, we should screen them in advance. If there are serious crimes, just deal with them directly, and you don't need to report them to me."

"Yes, my younger brother took the order. Then the officials who have surrendered now, can they be dealt with like this?"

Mu Xu murmured, "All of them will be dealt with according to this, but before dealing with these people, it's best to have them go to public trial, confiscate half of their property, and then compensate half of the victims.

Lehe knew that this was an act to win over the hearts of the people, so he hurriedly and solemnly agreed.

After talking about how to deal with the surrendered personnel, Mu Xu then asked about the admission of surrendered troops and conscription. After these two matters were dealt with, he finally brought the topic to the Youyun Sixteen States.

"Just now you also heard my conversation with the military adviser, so I'll just cut to the chase and explain this clearly so that everyone won't have to worry about it in the future."

Having said that, Mu Xu paused, glanced at the faces of Hu Yanzhuo and the others, and said without hesitation,
"I know that there are quite a few of you who turn to the imperial court and are wholeheartedly waiting to recruit, but there are some things I have to say first, so that you won't blame me in the future!"

Some of the people Mu Xu talked about secretly looked at each other, and finally Hu Yanzhuo stood up and said, "Brother, please don't worry, we will never do things like cheating."

Mu Xu waved his hand, and said grandly, "Don't say such words, you are all first-class heroes in the world, I believe that you will not do such a thing!"

After hearing this, everyone was moved in their hearts and did not mention it, so they heard Mu Xu say again,

"Many of you and others have been officials, so you should have a clearer view of what the current court looks like than I do. Then let me ask you, if we are easily recruited by the court, will we end well?"

Everyone couldn't answer, Mu Xu took advantage of the victory and chased after him, "Let me tell you, if it's true that there are no conditions, then let the imperial court call for peace, and all of us will not end well!
Cai Jing, Gao Qiu and others will definitely send us first to conquer the four rebellions. After our strength is exhausted, we will send everyone to various places and eradicate them one by one.This is the end of unconditional recruitment, there will never be any surprises! "

These words poured cold water on the hearts of the Zhao'an faction. They wanted to refute, but after thinking about it for a while, they had to admit that Mu Xu's judgment was not nonsense, but something that was very likely to happen.

Suo Chao was impatient, and then he said in frustration, "Could it be that we will always carry the name of grassroots bandits in the future? If this is the case, how will we face our ancestors when we go underground in the future?"

Seeing that several people looked like defeated roosters, Mu Xu knew that the time was almost up, and immediately threw out the words he had thought up.
"Don't be discouraged, everyone. I haven't finished my words yet. Ever since the court heard about the recruitment, I've been thinking about this issue, and finally I thought of a way to get the best of both worlds."

Guan Sheng hurriedly said, "Brother, please speak clearly!"

Mu Xu Chengzhu said in his chest, "Do you still remember that Emperor Taizong once said something about the Land of Nether Clouds?"

Ever since he entered the room, Lu Junyi, who had been taciturn, blurted out, "Taizong once left an ancestral precept that the one who restores the cloud is the king!"

Mu Xu nodded with a smile, "That's exactly what he said. Since it's not possible to recruit directly, what if we take over the Sixteen Youyun Prefecture? Tell me, with the high-spirited temperament of today's officials, is he willing to accept me?"

Zhang Qing said excitedly, "Brother is right! The achievement that surpassed Taizong Taizong is right in front of you, and the officials will definitely not miss it. At that time, go to discuss with the imperial court to recruit...

No, it should be said that we are discussing the matter of attachment, and we can take the initiative, not only can we gain both fame and fortune, but also we are not afraid that the imperial court will dare to risk the world and settle accounts against us! "

"Brother Zhang Qing's words really win my heart. This is what I came up with. It's a solution to my background. I wonder if you still agree?" Mu Xu asked with a smile when he saw that everyone really believed his nonsense.

At the moment, flattery was raging, even Lin Chong and other rebels showed signs of emotion, and they all spoke in agreement with Mu Xu's statement.

Facing everyone's compliments, Mu Xu said a few words of self-effacing, and after everyone calmed down, he continued,
"Regaining Youyun is not a matter of one day, so before that, even if we are enemies with the imperial court, we must first grasp the east of the river, otherwise, even if we talk about it, it will be nothing more than empty talk. Can you admit this? talk?"

(End of this chapter)