Chapter 115 Who to rely on
Outside Tugu City, all the soldiers were eagerly looking at Zhang Chong, waiting for him to make up his mind. Fight or leave?
Walk!
Zhang Chong immediately made this judgment at this moment. At this moment, they were completely incapable of fighting this battle. After walking all night, they were all exhausted, and they did not have any siege equipment, not even a ladder.
More importantly, Zhang Chong's original plan had no intention of attacking the county seat now. On one point, he and Taipingdao's senior leaders have the same idea, that is, at this stage, we must hide our capabilities and bide our time.
In the Han Dynasty, although the administrative system had been extended to the countryside, in fact, the scope of control of the Han family was very limited. They even need to rely on the strong power of the county for the governance of the county, let alone the township.
So when Zhang Chong was in the mountains and killing people in the countryside, it really didn't even count to the Han family.
Since ancient times, all official posts have only cared about three things. One is the plan, how many households are under the rule and how much food can be collected. The second is that nothing happens under the rule. As long as the county where he lives is not in chaos, it really doesn't matter what the countryside is like. The third is to make money, in various ways.
So Zhang Chong knew where the bottom line of the Han family was. No matter how hard Zhang Chong fought in Mount Tai, as long as he didn't mess up the counties, he could turn a blind eye to those two thousand stones.
But now if Zhang Chong attacks the Tugu City, the conflict will intensify, which will not be conducive to Zhang Chong's future plans.
Therefore, when Zhang Chong led his troops and got lost to Tugu City, he knew that this battle could not be fought.
But how to withdraw the troops?
Zhang Chong suddenly thought of one person's deeds, and then began to explain that all the generals behind him would act according to orders.
——
There was chaos upstairs in Tugu County.
They were just about to prepare to transport grain to the front line that day. This was an order from the Prime Minister of Jinan. The county magistrate asked the local hometown tycoons to allocate another batch of this year's autumn grain and prepare to send it to the front line.
But the local tycoons did not cooperate because they were injured by soldiers from Dongpingling.
When the Jin family and his son in the west of the county were killed by Dongpingling soldiers, these local tycoons found themselves in an embarrassing situation. The stronghold was broken by Taishan bandits and they lost their land. But if they expect Dongpingling to suppress the Taishan soldiers, they may have the land, but they basically have no brains.
But precisely for the rural wealthy families, the Taishan soldiers only harmed the western part of the county. Although the other rural wealthy families were frightened, they actually suffered no losses. But when Dongpingling soldiers arrived, something went wrong.
For example, the Dongping Ling soldiers had broken through the Jin clan's wall five days ago. Although the Jin family's father and son were dead and they had hurt others, the Dongping Ling soldiers were finally leaving and they could return to their former peace.
But five days later, these foreign soldiers did not move a step. On the contrary, they continued to press the rear to transport more millet to support the front line. These soldiers even detained the first wave of cattle they transported. It is said that the rest were eaten by Dongpingling soldiers.
I really don’t know how to care for animals. How can these cows be used to satisfy the appetite? Their land is cultivated by these animals.
But at this point, they admitted it. But now the county magistrate wants them to co-organize it again, and they are not happy. Whoever you love, it’s not like you’re beating them up.
After several parties in the Houxian Temple guaranteed that the Jin family's land could be sold to them first, they raised another batch.
Just as they were about to be transported to the front line that day, there was a loud alarm on the tower here, saying that a wave of soldiers had come from outside the county, and the flags looked like Taishan bandits.
The county lieutenant who received the warning here hurriedly boarded the city gate tower. He put his hands up and looked at the bandits at the beginning, and saw a man who looked like a bandit's head, standing on the slope, as if he was arranging the troops and horses in the rear.
At this moment, the sound of golden drums was heard in the distance again. The county captain secretly thought that something was not right, so he immediately asked the soldier commander to let the civilians roll rocks and trees, ready to defend the city at any time.
But after the sound of the golden drum over there, the county lieutenant waited for a long time and did not see the bandits coming up, so he became suspicious. He ordered a county official and asked him to go down to the city to inspect the soldiers and report.
The county official looked panicked and hesitated for a long time, either saying that he was the only son in the family or that his mother had no one to support her.
The county captain was doing his best, he immediately blocked him:
"Don't worry, you Cao, your mother is my mother, and I will take care of your wife. Go."
The county official's face turned green and red for a while, and finally he was let down from the city.
The county official lingered under the earthen wall and hesitated to move forward. Later, the county lieutenant looked down and shot an arrow, and he quickly ran over.
After a while, the county official ran over again, sweating profusely, and reported directly below the city:
"County Lieutenant, the thieves have left, and the place is empty."
Someone on the city tower heard it, and he was smart and immediately said to the county captain:
"Congratulations to the county captain, the thief was beaten away by the county captain."
The county captain also came to his senses. He was proud of himself at first, but when he saw the county official below, he suddenly shot him to death with an arrow. Everyone on the city tower was shocked, wondering what the county captain meant?
The county lieutenant pointed at the county officials who were still waiting to die in the city and said solemnly:
"They must be communicating with the thieves, and they want to trick us into sending out ministers to attack the thieves. I predict that the enemy will set up an ambush nearby. We cannot fall into the trap. As long as we hold on to the city, the enemy will be defeated."
This reason is too far-fetched. How can the county officials be coaxed by this? But they actually just want a reason. The reason is actually the grudge between your county lieutenant and the person below, not that the county lieutenant is going crazy.
Therefore, all the county officials handed over their hands one after another, praising the county captain's military plan, and Sun Wu's reincarnation.
Amidst the compliments, the county captain over there looked at the dead county official below and said silently:
"I mean what I say. I have always wanted to raise your wife. Go to Taishan Mansion with peace of mind. Don't blame me. This is fate."
——
Here, Zhang Chong used Sun Jian's old trick and escaped with his troops, but the atmosphere among everyone was very solemn. To be honest, after working hard with Zhang Chong for so long, they already have the temperament of a strong army.
The pride of a strong army did not allow them to leave without fighting, not to mention that under the leadership of Zhang Chong, the chief of the canal, they actually left in despair like a lost dog. Even Zhang Chong's strategy of withdrawing his troops seemed a bit cowardly in the eyes of some honest men. In particular, some of the generals of the army led by Zhang Chong were originally demoted generals, and they had doubts about Zhang Chong. Now that they saw Zhang Chong leaving without fighting, they immediately started to think too much.
Wang Han, who was among the generals who had been demoted, was naturally unruly. At this moment, he directly said to Zhang Chong in the army:
"Qu Kui, what's the point of leaving without fighting?"
Zhang Chong was silent when he heard this, but Wang Han was still making noise over there. He pulled a few of his original troops, pulled Zhang Chong's horse bridle, and said excitedly:
"Qu Kuai, Tugu County must have noticed that we have withdrawn at this moment. If we fight back at this moment, we will definitely be able to defeat the enemy."
After hearing this, Zhang Chong asked lightly:
"What happens next? What happens after Tugu County is destroyed?"
Wang Han was stunned for a moment, but he still answered truthfully:
"The sea is raging all over the world today, and this is the time for heroes to fight. In a ravine like Mount Tai, how can the reputation of Qu Kui Xian spread to the world? If you can use my plan to break the earth drum in the east and go straight to Dongpingling, it will definitely shake the Eastern Qi Dynasty. . Those who have ambitions in the world must follow the scenery. ”
This time Zhang Chong was surprised. He didn't know that Wang Han had such strategic awareness.
What he said is right. Since ancient times, the key to achieving great things in the mountains and valleys has been to compete for the city. But they don't know that in history, there was a man who successfully rose to the east from these ravines, and now he is following the lead.
He did not answer Wang Han directly, but asked Wang Han this question:
"Wang Han, from your words, I know that you are knowledgeable. Then tell me, with my status, can I sit still after entering the city?"
Wang Han thought carefully for a while and replied:
"If you, Qugui, can secure the wealthy surnames and use them as your arms, this city will naturally be able to survive."
"Okay, as you said, if I block the surnames of the wealthy people, who will do it for the vast number of disciples and people in Guizhou? And let me ask again, even if I block the surnames of the wealthy people, will those surnamed Hao people be safe? Do you believe it or not? , when I enter the city, the officers and soldiers will be notified by the surname Hao. Who doesn’t regard us as enemy bandits and the result of our rise?”
Wang Han heard what Zhang Chong meant and became anxious, saying:
"Qu Kui, if you think the world's rich and powerful people have such surnames, then who will govern the place and raise money and food for you in the future?"
Zhang Chong really has a love for talents for this Wang Han. He has countless brave generals under his command, so what he desires now is a general with a political sense. Under his guidance, this kind of general will become an extension of political awareness, so He was not angry after hearing Wang Han's words, but continued to ask:
"Then why do you think wealthy people can govern the place? How can they raise money, food and taxes."
Asking this was actually beyond Wang Han's cognition. He thought for a long time, but he didn't have a proper answer, so he shook his head.
Zhang Chong told Wang Han:
"Back then, a certain Confucian was talking about "Poems" and "Books" in front of Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu also said that the world was conquered on a horse. It was useless to read "Poems" and "Books". That Confucian was a good talker and said that this world could be conquered immediately. Can the world be governed immediately? Sure enough, Emperor Gaozu was so ashamed that he changed his mind.
From then on, knowledgeable people often said: The world can only be settled by strong men, and the purpose is to rule the world with aristocratic families, not with the common people.
But what is the rationale behind this?
In my opinion, it's just that the powerful surnames are powerful in the local area, so people listen to their words, so they can secure the place. So why can they raise money, food and taxes? Because they are literate.
This culture is not the poor Five Classics like "Poems" and "Books" that I mentioned. Those crooked and arrogant people are just chosen by the rich and powerful, what good will they do to govern the world?
What actually comes down to it is the simplest, they are literate and can do math. These two items are the real tasks. Putting this aside, the so-called desire to rule the world with great power is just a lie for one's own future.
In this world, after all, we cannot do without scholars. This is true. But the world can be separated from certain scholars. If they can read, I can naturally let others read. ”
After hearing this, Wang Han was thoughtful and asked Qu Kui again:
"Qu Kui, how can you win the world if you don't rely on your power?"
Zhang Chong drew his sword and said to Wang Han:
"Is this enough?"
Wang Han shook his head and said:
"It's not enough, I also have a knife."
Zhang Chong smiled, then he pointed at the soldiers around him and said:
"Is it enough to rely on my brothers?"
Wang Han shook his head again and said to Zhang Chong:
"Not enough, I have more brothers."
Hearing this, Zhang Chong laughed out loud, a real hearty laugh. He would tell Wang Han today who he relied on to conquer the world and who he relied on to rule the world.
Who can help Zhang Chong conquer the world?