Follow Zhu Yuanzhang to conquer the country

Chapter 62 Cultural propaganda, using opera as a weapon

"Now we have to wait until there are enough talents before we can start."

"Especially for the children of wealthy families such as officials and gentry, it is best to join our rebel army and support our rebel army in clearing the land."

"Because most of Chuzhou's land and population are in their hands, their people must participate in the settlement. Otherwise, there will be great resistance."

"Logically, it's not a problem if the resistance is large. For example, we can just crush it with soldiers and kill them all."

"But our goal is not to kill the tenant servants and peasants under their control, but to let them continue to produce and pay us grain taxes."

"So it's best to have their support in this matter."

"This will make it easier for us to clear our land."

Zhang Cheng replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment after hearing this, and then asked Zhang Cheng: "Do you think they will join us and support our Qingzhang?"

"It should be."

Zhang Cheng replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked again: "What if not?"

"If they don't support it, they can only violently divide the land and clear the fathers."

"After all, the poor people and the common people are now on our side and starting to support us. If we instigate them to fight against the wealthy gentry to divide their fields, they will not refuse."

"Even if we guarantee that those who died fighting against the tycoons will be given an extra piece of land, they may even be willing to give us their lives!"

Zhang Cheng replied.

When Zhang Mian heard what Zhang Cheng said, he smiled and said, "With a single act of benevolence and righteousness, the offensive and defensive momentum changes."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly: "In that case, why not directly mobilize the people to divide their fields."

"Because of etiquette!"

At this time, Zhang Mian replied for Zhang Cheng and bowed to Zhang Cheng: "Mr. Zhang always behaves according to etiquette."

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded.

But Zhang Cheng glanced at Zhang Mian at this time and said with a smile: "You can say it that way, or you don't have to say it that way."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously: "How to say?"

"We are talking to them about etiquette now because Hu Yuan is not dead, so we have to talk about etiquette."

"After all, we are now worried that they will completely collude with Hu Yuan because we directly divide the land, provide human and financial resources for Hu Yuan, so that Hu Yuan can get rid of the predicament of insufficient financial resources, and then completely wipe out those of us who have not yet grown up. Rebels.”

“Complete land division can only wait until the future.”

"but!"

"If they are unwilling to support us to clear our father's throne, and are unwilling to join us, and insist on letting us gain the world that Hu Yuan stole by harming the people, then naturally we cannot be polite, but should completely divide the land. However, this will cause us to face difficulties at the same time. There are two groups of enemies: one is Hu Yuan’s nobles, and the other is these Jin gentry who refuse to give way to the common people.”

Zhang Cheng said.

"In this case, more brothers from our rebel army will die."

"More people will die in the world."

"That's why you, Mr. Zhang, have to be polite to them first."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up for Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng solemnly raised his hands to Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "As the superior said, we are talking about etiquette now because there is still Hu Yuan."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked, "Did they come to register for the exam?"

"not yet."

Zhang Cheng replied.

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened and he sneered: "They obviously only want us rebels to beg them to be the officers of the rebel army, and they don't want to be them begging us rebels to be their officers."

Zhang Cheng nodded: "Exactly."

"They still think that we are thieves and bandits, and they refuse to lower themselves to beg me to serve as officials for them."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "I believe they won't give up if they can't hold on for long. After all, this is not an era when paper and books are very valuable, and they, the officials and gentry, are not the kind of aristocratic families who can completely control the country and the common people. Otherwise, they will not let the barbarians dominate the world."

"Paper, books."

"Mr. Zhang's idea is quite innovative and hits the nail on the head."

"Then let's wait and wait for them to relent."

Zhu Yuanzhang started talking and asked Zhang Mian: "What do you think of this?" Zhang Cheng also looked at Zhang Mian.

Zhang Mian said: "As the superior said, Mr. Zhang's words hit the nail on the head."

Zhang Mian smiled slightly after saying this.

But when he got home, Zhang Mian called all his old servants and told them, "I sent someone to deliver a message to the Ren family, telling them to hold on and don't let Mr. Zhang win over Han Shi." And the people, if they win the hearts and minds of the people, they will not be able to stand still, and they will have to surrender their status and take the initiative to apply for office. Now Mr. Zhang firmly believes that they will not be stable."

"But we scholars must have backbone!"

"Otherwise, you will be looked down upon by others, and I'm afraid you will be looked down upon by heroes from common people in the future."

"What's more important is that we must work together. Now their rebels are afraid that we will completely fall to Hu Yuan and sacrifice our lives for Hu Yuan, so as long as we persist until the end, they will give up what they want to do and compromise. They will choose to submit to the untouchables rather than bully the officials and gentry."

"In addition, tell them that General Zhu and Mr. Zhang intend to clear out their father-in-law's land."

After Zhang Mian gave these instructions, he said: "We must send reliable people there, and we cannot let them guess that we are in contact with these people."

The old servant agreed and left Zhang's house.

That night.

Ren Qiande knew what Zhang Mian had told them from one person.

"I actually want to clear my father-in-law."

"I actually think we won't be able to hold on."

"However, they really got them guessing. This Mr. Zhang is a powerful person!"

Ren Qiande laughed after hearing this, his expression gradually became serious, and he ordered: "Tell Mr. Zhilan, I will advise the Chuzhou officials and gentry to hold on, and I will not let Mr. Zhang look down on us. Although we are not as good as before The king is grateful to such a big family, but his integrity is not inferior to them!"

……

General Manager's Office.

this day.

Zhang Cheng, who wanted to invite Zhu Yuanzhang to watch a play, helped Zhu Yuanzhang water water in Zhu Yuanzhang's yard because the actors were still preparing, while Zhu Yuanzhang was weeding aside.

As soon as Zhang Cheng finished pouring a ladle of water, he asked Zhu Yuanzhang: "The superior believed in Zhang Mian so much that he told him about clearing his father's land to his face."

"Some things cannot be hidden sooner or later, and some people cannot be hidden sooner or later."

"Instead of letting him know when we do this in the future, let him know now."

"In this way, even if they make any moves, we can easily respond. Otherwise, if they find out secretly and then respond, we still don't know how to react. We might as well tell them clearly that we are going to Inspect their fields and collect taxes from them, if they are willing, then follow the rules if they don’t want to.”

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

After hearing this, Zhang Cheng glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang: "I understand, this is called preemptive strike. Let them take action first, so that we can easily take advantage of them."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhang Cheng: "Do you think the officials and gentry in Chuzhou will persist, even if they really know our thoughts through Zhang Mian?"

"will not!"

Zhang Cheng replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but smile: "Do you really believe that they will surrender?"

"You should be able to find out after watching the show tonight."

Zhang Cheng said.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's just a scene. Can you make them submissive by playing with things and losing their morale?"

"Come on, this is no ordinary show, this is a weapon we use against them."

Zhang Cheng said with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested after hearing this, and he followed Zhang Cheng to Zhizhou Yamen shortly afterwards, preparing to watch a play at Zhizhou Yamen.

Simultaneously.

Zhang Cheng also invited Zhang Mian and other officials who surrendered, and Ren Qiande and other Chuzhou officials and gentry.

Everyone was polite when they met, with no intention of criticizing or quarreling with each other, even if they despised each other secretly.

And Zhang Cheng also said when everyone came on stage: "This play was written by Shu Qiang from the state department. The story focuses on reflecting Hu Yuan's sins. After watching it, please give your comments. If it is good, the state department will make this play." Promote it to the outside world and use it specifically to open up people’s wisdom.”

"Don't worry, we will hold on."

Ren Qiande was whispering to Zhang Mian when no one was paying attention. Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, he couldn't help but feel a little thump in his heart, and then looked towards the stage.

(End of this chapter)