Chapter 388: Peace
At night, the fleet of Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaowu returned to Shijie Village in a mighty manner.
Zhao Zhen arranged a banquet here early, and that night, everyone celebrated the victory.
It is said that Zhang Yong took a few cavalry and fled back to Jeju City overnight instead of going to Wangtai Township. That night, he quietly met with the prefect Miao Shanggao. He couldn't help but exaggerate the military strength of Liangshan County when he spoke. Zhang Yong said: "Ms. sir, we were deceived by these landowners. These people must have spies from Liangshan County. As soon as we rushed into Shijie Village, we were attacked by the horse army. If it hadn't been for Xiao People are so quick that they may not be able to come back."
After listening to Zhang Yong's words, Miao Shanggao asked: "Zhang Dujian, how many people are there in Liangshan?"
"My rough estimate is that the horse army is no less than two thousand, and the infantry behind it is three to five thousand. The waterway is commanded by He Tao, the arresting envoy of the three capitals. The villain is anxious to come back to report the news, so he doesn't know how to observe what's going on there. But if it is true as these subordinates and rich men say, if there is a navy stationed in Shijie Lake, it will be a disaster.”
“Mr. He refused to give up."
After hearing this, Miao Shanggao asked hurriedly: "Master Cai asked me to come here because he was not against Liangshan County."
" Sir, we are new here, so we will inevitably be deceived by the people below. The villain originally agreed to send troops, but he just wanted to train his troops. After all, Liangshan County is just a Jimi County, and it is normal for the court to have fights occasionally. I won't pursue it. Now, I'm afraid that if Liangshan County comes over, we can only defend the Imperial City. We will be delayed in recruiting money and food, and training soldiers and horses, and the grand master will be held accountable," Zhang Yong replied.
"Yes, the most important thing is the Grand Master. Now the Grand Master deeply hates Qingzhou Songjiang, and the two of us came to Jeju for this reason. The first thing now is to calm down the anger in Liangshan County, and nothing else matters."
After saying that, Miao Shanggao frowned and continued: "What's the best thing to do now?"
"My lord, early tomorrow morning, I will have someone inquire about Zhao Zhen's preferences. We’ll discuss it later. I think there will be news from He Tao tomorrow.”
Although Zhang Yong was very tired, he didn’t dare to go down to rest because of this matter, so the two of them sat here with Miao Shanggao in the middle of the night. .
At the Jie Feng Banquet, he heard that Liangshan County had occupied Shijie Lake and that fishery products were no longer sold in the city. Miao Shanggao heard this and felt that his own wealth had been embezzled. Thinking about how powerful a small Jimi County can be, he can use it to establish his prestige and regain Shijie Lake, which will give him another way to make money. Then he strongly advocated sending troops to take back Shijie Lake. Unexpectedly, the military force in Liangshan County is so strong.
On the second day, Zhang Yong went to the camp to find local soldiers and find out the news. After some inquiring, I found out that Zhao Zhen of Liangshan County had gathered many heroes, so that there were many elite soldiers and generals in the county. I was still wondering, since I heard that there was going to be an expedition against Shijie Lake, the commanders of the army, Dutou and Yuhou, all took leave at home.
It turns out that the previous governor had also sent troops to conquer, and the regiment training made Huang An never come back. After witnessing the Liangshan cavalry charging into battle, Zhang Yong naturally knew that he might also be defeated by Liangshan County and the entire army would be annihilated. Nothing is lost in the mist.
As for Zhao Zhen’s preferences, I didn’t find out anything else. I only knew that this man was a womanizer and that he had several wives and concubines at a young age. Another thing is to practice martial arts every day, and no one knows about the other things.
After finding out more about it, Zhang Yong endured his sleepiness and went to Miao Shanggao's house to report the news.
After listening to Zhang Yong’s words, Miao Shanggao frowned and said, “I found out here that this man is the son-in-law of Cheng Wanli, the prefect of Dongping Prefecture. We are considered to be on the same side. It is better to ask Governor Cheng to speak out, so as to avoid fighting in two places and disturbing the people of Li."
After hearing this, Zhang Yong praised Miao Shanggao for his dedication to the people. While the two were talking, the concierge came over and reported: "Ms. sir, there are seven or eight family members outside. They say they are the head of Wangtai Township and the three elders. They want to see you for something."
Miao Shanggao asked the people to be brought into the hall, only to see the two of them throwing themselves on the ground. They told Liangshan County to occupy the royal platform and expel the squires from the countryside. Miao Shanggao was surprised when he heard this. After asking in detail, I heard that Liangshan County soldiers and horses were stationed in Wangtai Township. Judging from the situation, there was no intention to attack Fucheng, so I was slightly relieved.
After seeing off several people from Wangtai Township who asked him to send troops, Miao Shanggao said to Zhang Yong: "Superintendent Zhang, without further delay, you will take people to Dongping today. Mansion, please ask Governor Cheng to transfer the troops on your behalf."
Zhang Yong said: "I'm afraid that Zhao Zhen of Liangshan County will not withdraw his troops in vain."
Miao Shanggao said: "Since Wangtai Township is allowed to be occupied. Yes, that’s all I admit here.”
Zhang Yong pointed to the direction of the head of Wangtai Township outside the door. Miao Shanggao waved his hand and said: "Don't worry about them, let them get it themselves if they can."
"That's it, I'm afraid we can't let this person go. I'm satisfied. I don't have any magic weapons or horses here, but I can give him some ordinary weapons. In addition, the 3,000 coins presented by these gentry some time ago were also given to Liangshan County. Consider it as an apology. As for Cheng Taishou, the Grand Master once rewarded me with a jade Ruyi that came out of the palace as a favor for Cheng Taishou to speak for me." With that, he went to the back hall and took out the Ruyi jade.
Zhang Yong took this jade Ruyi, regardless of fatigue, took more than ten confidants, and rode towards Dongping Mansion.
But Zhang Yong rushed all the way to Dongping Mansion, not daring to rest, and handed over a name card overnight, asking to see Cheng Wanli.
Cheng Wanli thought that something big had happened when he saw that it was an official document from the Jeju government and that the person who came was the military commander. He quickly summoned Zhang Yong.
After listening to Zhang Yong's words, Cheng Wanli looked at the jade Ruyi on the table and said in embarrassment: "Zhang Dujian is a colleague, so I have no choice but to ask. Where is my son-in-law? I will send someone to Liangshan County to inquire tomorrow. Tell him about Miao Taishou's intention to seek peace, and don't let him get any further. But I'm afraid the 3,000 strings of money won't calm him down. For the sake of all of us, we just don't let him speak loudly, Zhang Dujian said. "How about the next one?"
After hearing this, Zhang Yong thanked him repeatedly and repeated what Miao Shanggao said. After hearing this, Cheng Wanli said: "That's good. Zhang Dujian is also tired, and Go and rest, there will be news in a few days."
After sending Zhang Yong away, Cheng Wanli took the jade Ruyi and returned to the back house.
Mrs. Cheng was waiting in the room. When she saw Cheng Wanli, she said, "Master, what's going on outside?"
Cheng Wanli told about the conflict between Jizhou and Zhao Zhen. Mrs. Cheng was still a little worried at first. Worried, when he heard that Miao Shanggao was suing for peace, he couldn't help laughing and said: "It's useless. Master, I have never suffered a loss, so why worry about it."
Cheng Wanli shook his head and said: "Now that the Grand Master is paying attention to the Qingzhou thieves, how can there be chaos at this time?"
"Besides, my son-in-law will also be happy to get some weapons and armor from Jeju. Just in time, my daughter will let you go. I miss you, so take this opportunity to take this jade Ruyi with you and go live with your daughter for a while tomorrow.”
(End of this chapter)