Chapter 96: The Enemy
Mount Tai, looking at Zhoufeng Dazhai.
At this time, the generals have returned to their respective stations one after another. Now there are twenty-four battalions under Zhang Chong's command. Naturally, they can no longer arrange their troops and horses at Wangqin Peak like in the past.
The first is that they cannot be left alone, and the second is that many of the scenic spots in Mount Tai require people to be stationed there. For example, places such as Wangqin Peak and Diaotiao Mountain require camp heads to be stationed.
This time Zhang Chong selected fifteen camp heads to follow him south to fend off the thieves. The generals are Yang Mao, Ding Sheng, Li Damu, Zhang Dan, Xie Bi, Heifu, Chen Huan, Wang Zhang, Li Wu, Wei Zhou, Zhang Nan, Guo Liang, Yu Jin, Chang Xi, and Zhao Jian.
This Zhao Jian was selected by Zhang Chong from the Leize water bandits and was one of the first in the Hengxing team. He was tall and strong and learned calligraphy very quickly. He was the best in their Hengxing team. , so before the army expansion, he was replaced as the commander of the camp.
In this competition, his team even achieved fourth place, making them Zhang Chong's most optimistic group of up-and-comers.
In addition, there were Zhang Chong's own troops, forty sudden cavalry such as Tian Jun, Xi Shen, Ren Yun, sixty-man cavalry including Cai Que, Guo Zu, and fifty-man flying troops carrying flags, including Meng Ju.
The above is Zhang Chong's entire southward organization.
After sending the generals away from the stronghold, he called the Le'an Taiping disciples who had returned with Cai Que to come over. After giving this person a letter he had written, he told him to deliver the letter to Xu He.
The believer nodded solemnly, hurriedly took two millet balls prepared by the baggage camp, and hurried down the mountain towards Linji, Le'an.
After that, Zhang Chong asked Duman and others to stay in camp and guard the stronghold. Zhang Chong has set up camps at various passes in Rutai Mountain. No matter which direction the enemy comes from, he will have enough time for Du to prepare.
In this way, Zhang Chong said goodbye to his parents and took He Kui and other staff down the mountain.
It is conceivable that a more intense battle is waiting for him.
——
Taishan County, Fenggao.
At this time, Hu Muban was listening to Wang Kuang talking about his strategy:
"The last time I went into the mountain, I met two mountain heroes, the Sun brothers, Sun Kang and Sun Guan. They all had a moment of courage. Under the recommendation of these two people, I got in touch with Kuizang and his son, the Langya thieves."
Hu Muban pinched her goatee and asked:
“Are they Zang Jie and Zang Ba’s father and son?”
Wang Kuang nodded:
"That's right, but now Zang Jie is not in charge, and his son Zang Ba is in charge. I met this person last time I went into the mountain."
"How about this one?"
"Filial piety and righteousness are unparalleled."
When Mrs. Hu heard this, she sneered:
"Nowadays, no one dares to claim to have unparalleled filial piety and righteousness. I only know that the third minister outside the Thorny Gate is unparalleled in filial piety and righteousness. What kind of filial piety and righteousness do those bandits in the mountains have? Wang Kuang, I have always known that you are at the mercy of a knight. But you have to remember. They are just like me, so don’t forget your identity.”
Wang Kuang was choked by Hu Muban's words and reluctantly said yes.
Hu Muban looked at the man's submission with satisfaction and asked Wang Kuang to continue.
Wang Kuang took a breath and continued:
"I talked with Zang Ba and agreed to attack the Taishan bandits together. I had allocated a batch of grain and fodder to him before. I guess he has led his troops north by now. Brother-in-law, when will we enter the mountain?"
It's funny to say that this Hu's mother-in-law is much older than me, and she calls him brother-in-law. shameful!
Na Hu Muban was leisurely blowing her feather fan and returned slowly:
"There's no rush. Why should we be in a hurry? Let's let these two thieves fight for a while. Besides, since you and I are newly defeated, we don't have enough troops. We have to wait for reinforcements to arrive."
When Wang Kuang heard what Hu Muban said, he felt angry inside. How did he lose before? Isn't it that your good clan brother also thinks the same thing? Why are the people in your mother Hu's family so smart, so they just point at others to give you a knife? Wang Kuang became more and more disdainful of Hu Muban.
Hu Muban over there was also thinking about something. He sent a letter to Dongping Zhang Miao a few days ago to ask him to help the army.
He and Zhang Miao are the eighth chef together, so he will help with this. Dongping Shouzhang can go straight down to Fenggao along the Wen River. It is estimated that the troops are already on the way.
As for why Hu Mu's class didn't ask the Taishan prefect to send troops, it was just because he was a party member, and the current Taishan prefect Zhang Ju was a border warrior and had no contact with him, so he wouldn't help.
Just when Hu Muban and Wang Kuang were having their own secrets, the servants in front came in and told Zhang Bing to go to the dock wall of Hu Mu's house outside the city.
Hu Muban and Wang Kuang quickly stood up and ended the conversation.
Wang Kuang came out of Hu's mother's house and saw Xiao Wang still waiting outside. He felt warm inside. He stepped forward to take the reins of the horse from Xiao Wang and was about to take Xiao Wang back. However, at this moment, Xiao Wang groaned. Said something:
"Lord, I just went to see Uncle Jiao and his family and gave them some millet."
Upon hearing this, Wang Kuang frowned and said unhappily:
"Xiao Wang, don't go see those people again. Do you blame me for being cruel?"
When Xiao Wang heard this, he hurriedly said:
"My lord, my servant dare not."
Wang Kuang took a deep look at Xiao Wang and sighed:
"Xiao Wang, just say that that day when the five of us were on the run, you gave me the last millet ball. I am still grateful. But what about those three dog slaves? They were rebellious and had no loyalty at all. That day will Believe it or not, the three of them would have stabbed me in the back just for that mouthful of millet.”
Xiao Wang lowered his head and did not dare to speak. Wang Kuang continued:
"So, Xiao Wang, don't visit Jiao Da's family members anymore. I didn't make them slaves when I came back, just to see if the three of Jiao Da were in trouble with me. So, do you understand, Xiao Wang?"
Xiao Wang nodded and said he would never do it again.
Wang Kuang nodded with satisfaction. He still valued Xiao Wang. Loyalty was the most important thing in a drama.
Xiao Wang looked at Wang Kuang's back in a daze. In fact, since that day when Wang Kuang asked the Sun brothers to stab and kill Jiao Da and the others, he no longer believed in Wang Kuang.
As promised, we share the blessings and share the hardships? In the end, it’s not just a matter of killing.
——
Jinan, Dongpingling, Xiangsu Yamen.
In these days, with the help of the shogunate, Xun Nu finally sorted out the general affairs of Jinan. Now I finally have time to deal with Xianghao Jin's lawsuit.
This matter was also troublesome. The meritorious Cao Cao Gao Zong told him thoroughly that Jinan's treasury was empty because his predecessor, Jinan Prime Minister Feng Chang, had squandered it all.
It was not Xun Nu's first day as an official, so he still didn't know what Gao Zong meant. This treasury must have been divided up by these Jinan chiefs. Taking advantage of the fact that the former Jinan Prime Minister was sent to the capital, there was no one in Jinan to rule, so he took advantage of it. These rats.
But so what if Xun Ni knew it, as he said before, it was not his first day as an official. The so-called hero is made of iron, and two thousand stones are made of flowing water. Will he still rely on these people to govern Jinan? Moreover, no matter how much he opposes, he is actually a vested interest. When he steps down as the prime minister of Jinan, these powerful right-wingers will prepare a generous salary for him.
This is officialdom, which always feeds oneself and leaves the shortfall to successors. Although Xun Nui didn't like money, he had no choice but to accept it.
Therefore, the local tycoon Jin said that Taishan bandits came out of the mountain and occupied his dock wall and wanted to invite county soldiers. Xun Nui wanted to send troops, but he had no money, so there was nothing he could do.
But today, the country man in front of him, who claimed to be from Licheng, said he had a solution, and he wanted to hear it.
At this time, Zhang Hongzheng, the third elder in Dasangli, stood in front of the prince. He bowed and said:
"Master Fu, I heard about the rebellion in Mount Tai, and I am willing to destroy my home and help you suppress the thieves."
Hearing this, Xun Cui disapproved in his heart. How could you, a local tycoon, help your family when it was ruined? But on the surface, he still praised Zhang Hong for his integrity.
Zhang Hongduo was so sophisticated that he noticed Xun Cui's lack of interest in this matter, so he added:
"Master, I know that my ability is small, so I offer advice to the master. In fact, for the powerful people all over Jinan, they all have lingering fears about the Taishan bandits. During the great turmoil twenty years ago, many clothes fell to the ground. Now I see it. How can they not be afraid of the resurgence of Taishan bandits? So according to their original intention, they want to go out to suppress the bandits, but if the master can come forward, it will be done. "
Xun Nui nodded, it made sense, and then he didn’t hide it and directly asked the key:
"But there is no money in the treasury. How can we use troops without money?"
Zhang Honggong said:
"The Lord of the Prefecture does not know something. Only those who are responsible for the administration of the imperial court need to be paid, and all the guests of our local tycoons depend on the land. As long as someone in their family cultivates our land, they can be sent to the battlefield. So the Lord of the Prefecture only needs to produce millet. There will be an endless stream of powerful soldiers.”
Zhang Hong spoke truthfully, and Xun Nui understood.
It’s just that these powerful soldiers are worthless! As long as you have food to eat, you can go to the battlefield. But to be honest, this Xun Nui didn't know how to fight. He didn't want to think about why the powerful troops were so cheap, but the imperial court had to work hard to raise the army?
The reason is that people have seven emotions and six desires, and they will be afraid when they go to the battlefield. And the battlefield is a matter of life and death for the country. If you have the courage to send a group of weak soldiers who are just looking for food to go to the battlefield, these people will dare to collapse in front of you.
After all, working hard for a meal? What kind of fate is that?
It's a pity that Xun Nui is a humble gentleman who has never seen swordsmanship, so he naturally doesn't know about this kind of internal affairs. On the contrary, Zhang Hong made the matter simple in order to avenge himself.
Finally, Xun Cui was still unsure and said:
"Will these powerful soldiers really go out to fight?"
Zhang Hong said categorically:
"Definitely, because just to prevent foreign troops from entering Jinan, these powerful forces will send troops."
This sentence is also said in Xun Nixin's book: thieves pass like a comb, soldiers pass like a grate. The ones who kill you the most are often these soldiers.
After thinking about it, there was no problem. Xun Ni sent Zhang Hong away and asked Gao Zong, the meritorious officer, to think about the matter. After all, it was the first major event of his tenure as prime minister, and it had to be burned.
——
Ten days later, Zang Ba Langya bandits were still marching in Yilu Mountain.
Zang Ba, who was walking in the team, was tired but full of pride. Since he convinced the leaders of Langya ten days ago, people from Shanliao have been joining the army in the past few days.
In a short period of time, his army expanded to six thousand. When he set out, he had two thousand troops. By the time Gong came to the mountain to join the camp, he had already gathered four thousand troops. Only ten days after he entered the mountain, he already had six thousand troops.
Of course, Zang Ba was still awake and knew that it was okay for these new Shanliao people to fight with the wind, but if he really wanted to fight against the Taishan bandits, it would still be his two thousand people.
But Zang Ba was still happy, and he continued to supply the few grains to the new Shanliao. It's not that Zang Ba is overjoyed, but he understands that in these mountains, if you want to be the leader of these unruly gangs, then don't think about getting anything from them, but think about what you can give them.
When all the gangsters in the mountains knew that Zang Ba would have meat to eat if they followed him, then Zang Ba would become a well-deserved leader.
Just when this bandit army was about to walk out of the Yimeng Mountains and enter the vast hilly land in central and southern Shandong, a report came from the front: It was attacked!
Zang Ba was confused: Where could the thieves dare to attack him? Could it be that we encountered a Taishan thief so soon?
The battle in the next ten chapters! Fight against Lu Zhongnan! rush!
(End of chapter)