The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 151 Fishing in troubled waters
In Changwu City of Binzhou, an army of more than [-] people appeared under the city without warning.

Taking advantage of the small group of Jingnan Army defenders in the city who could not react in time, more than a hundred cavalry troops rushed into the city gate, followed by the rest of the infantry, and quickly took control of the entire city.

The defenders of the Jingnan Army resisted in panic, wounded more than a dozen people, and after being surrounded by groups, they resolutely chose to abandon their weapons and surrender.

Zhu Xiu did not make things difficult for them. The injured could stay for treatment, while the others all removed their weapons and armor and were sent out of the city.

Changwu City fell under the control of the Zhangyi Army.

There are two flags hanging high on the city gate, one is the Han military flag and the other is the Jingnan military flag.

Zhu Xiu ordered his people to take down the Jingnan military flag and hang the Zhangyi military flag, which was slightly lower than the Han military flag. The two large flags were fluttering in the wind.

Several Jingzhou immigration consultation points were set up at the gate of the city and on several main streets in the city, and a few fellow villagers with Pizhou accents were dispatched to shout propaganda.

Although Changwucheng is just a small earth-built city with a small population, and most of the surrounding areas have fled to Jingzhou, the location of Tucheng is particularly important compared to Jingzhou, and is the key to ensuring the safety of the ancient Yangjinchuan river.

The dock built by Tao Wenju and Yan Ping at the foot of the mountain at the entrance to the valley road was too small and could only be used as a temporary resettlement site.

To ensure the safety of immigration channels, the key is to guard Changwu City.

Zhu Xiu had no interest in occupying the land in Pizhou. After all, this was not the era of warlords' melee. He rashly sent troops to capture neighboring vassal towns, prefectures and counties, and wantonly expanded the territory. This was absolutely intolerable to the Kaifeng court. The stakes he would bear afterwards were too great, and he would undoubtedly be asking for it. trouble.

Zhu Xiu only wanted to temporarily control Changwu City to ensure the smooth progress of the migration to the Valley Road. The military operation in Pizhou ended here.

Wang Shou'en led his army to fight Zhao Siwan in the Yongshou area. Zhu Xiu didn't want to provoke him too much. If he really forced him to rebel and led the Guanzhong rebels to turn around and attack, it would be more harm than good.

In a large house in the city, Zhu Xiu met Tao Wenju, Yan Ping, Bi Zhenhai, Bi Hongyu and others.

"Greetings to the young envoy!"

A group of people stood under the hall and bowed in salute.

Zhu Xiu sat at the top, gently shook his chicken feather fan, and said with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work, everyone, please sit down!"

Everyone sat on both sides, Zhu Xiu cleared his throat and said: "Tao Wenju and Yan Ping have worked conscientiously and achieved remarkable results since they entered Pizhou. So far, more than [-] households have been introduced to Jingzhou from Pizhou. At that time, Remember the first achievement!"

The two of them straightened their backs unconsciously, their faces slightly red, unable to hide their pride and excitement.

"The task of relocating the people in Pizhou was left to Tao Wenju. Yan Ping led two commanding troops to garrison Changwucheng and Wubao to maintain order in the two places and prevent anyone from sabotaging the immigration work. At the same time, he also had to ensure that the people were transferred Safety during the process." Zhu Xiu ordered.

Yan Ping hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "I will obey the orders of the young envoy!"

Tao Wenju smiled flatteringly and said: "Thanks to the foresight of the young envoy, the Guanzhong is now in chaos, the passes are blocked, wars are everywhere, the price of salt and food has soared, and many prefectures and counties are experiencing salt and food shortages, but I, Jingzhou, am the only one in Shaozhou. Under the wise leadership of the emperor, he actively stocked up grain and collected salt. The price of grain was stable, and salt was distributed free of charge to the people with registered residence.

With these two items alone, Jingzhou is enough to stand out among neighboring vassal towns, states and counties, attracting a large number of people to move and settle there.

Nowadays, not only in Pizhou, but also in the vicinity of Ningzhou and Jingzhao, and even in Fangzhou further away, people come from thousands of miles away and want to move to Jingzhou.

The Begging Road is filled with accents from all over the world, and people long for the better life in Jingzhou."

Zhu Xiu did not interrupt. Hearing Tao Wenju's compliments with emotion, he smiled and said, "What does begging for a living mean?"

Just as Yan Ping was about to speak, Tao Wenju said before him: "The Yangjinchuan River Valley Road connects Pizhou and Jingzhou, and is the only way for people to migrate. Some people were displaced and were taken care of by sergeants and officials when passing through the Valley Road. For For them, they have lost their way of survival in other states, and they can only get a chance to survive by fleeing to Jingzhou. The name of the road of begging for life spread from the people's mouths, and over time, it became the name of the river valley road."

"That's it." Zhu Xiu sighed emotionally. Under the powerful propaganda offensive, Jingzhou seemed to have become a pure land for the people in Guanzhong to escape the war.

Yan Ping was robbed of the opportunity to speak and glared at Tao Wenju angrily.

Tao Wenju secretly held up his hands and grinned to express his apology, but in fact he didn't feel the slightest bit ashamed.

Zhu Xiu solemnly warned: "The people have placed high hopes on Jingzhou, and we must not let down this ardent hope! From acceptance to resettlement, we must not relax at every step. If this matter is done well, Jingzhou will surely set a record Unprecedented achievements, everyone here is a meritorious person!" Everyone agreed in unison, feeling inspired and uplifted.

Jingzhou is changing at a speed visible to the naked eye every day. The population has increased, the land has expanded, and markets have spontaneously appeared in many places that were previously sparsely populated.

The flow of people in the market in Anding County has increased significantly. In addition to a large number of Guanzhong accents, you can sometimes hear the accents of Henan, Hedong and other places.

Today's Jingzhou is like a patient recovering from a serious illness, with an unprecedented speed of recovery.

Zhu Xiu said to Bi Zhenhai: "You lead the Zhenhai camp to continue selling private salt incognito. The price outside Pizhou can be increased appropriately, but our people cannot leave Pizhou. Salt traders in other states and counties who want to buy salt must come in person." Escort.”

"Don't worry, sir, nothing will go wrong." Bi Zhenhai assured in a deep voice.

Yan Ping joked: "Commander Bi is now the most famous salt lord across the state. His private salt sales are more upright than official salt."

"Haha~"

Everyone laughed in the hall, and Bi Zhenhai said in a loud voice: "It's only since I followed the young ambassador that I realized that salt sellers can also be confident! The stall we sell salt in Yilu County is at Guanyan Next to the shop, we fought hard with the people who came to seize the goods from the Jingnan Army. They beat them away and we continued to sell them.

Our spies are guarding outside the city. If we see a large number of people from the other side arriving, we will withdraw and wait for them to leave before returning.

Two days ago, Wang Shouen transferred the troops garrisoned in Yilu County and went south to fight with the Yongxing Army. The official salt shops in Yilu County were simply closed. Only our salt shop was still open, and the business was getting better and better.

Whenever anyone comes to buy salt, our clerk will promote Jingzhou's preferential relocation policy. In the past two days, dozens of families have gone to Wubao near Yilu County. "

Everyone laughed heartily again, making money from Pizhou, poaching people from Pizhou, and spit out all the benefits Wang Shouen had taken from Zhang Yijun in the past two years.

Zhu Xiu shook his chicken feather fan and said with a smile: "No matter how this salt is sold, there is one principle: we must not admit that it is related to the Zhangyi Army. You, Bi Zhenhai, are the wanted salt lord in Jingzhou and have nothing to do with my Jiedu Mansion."

"Don't worry, sir, I understand!" Bi Zhenhai laughed loudly.

After a few more instructions, Zhu Xiu left Bi Hongyu behind and asked the others to leave first.

Bi Hongyu is responsible for the transportation of salt cargo. She rarely shows up in Pizhou and no one knows her.

"Last time I assassinated General Yilu, I heard that you were injured, but have you recovered?" Zhu Xiu asked with concern.

Bi Hongyu was as distant and cold as ever: "It's nothing serious."

Zhu Xiu looked at her face carefully and saw that Bi Hongyu was a little unnatural, with a blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Hehe, you look good. It seems that the injury is indeed healed." Zhu Xiu smiled a little.

Bi Hongyu glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.

"I need you to find a way to go to Hezhong Mansion, sneak into Puzhou City, and find out the whereabouts of Mrs. Fu. It would be better if you can get close and protect her personally."

Zhu Xiu restrained her smile and said seriously.

Bi Hongyu frowned and nodded: "Okay."

Zhu Xiu blinked: "Why don't you ask why you are allowed to go?"

Bi Hongyu said lightly: "I just carry out the order and don't ask the reason."

Zhu Xiu said with emotion: "You are really born to be an assassin with your temperament. But when you go to Puzhou, there will be chaos all the way, so be careful. Look for opportunities to get close to Mrs. Fu. If you don't succeed, don't force it. Keep yourself safe first. It can take as little as half a year. , as long as a year and a half, I will find a way to deal with it and save you two from leaving."

Bi Hongyu nodded silently, bowed her hands and left.

(End of this chapter)