In Chuzhou, the Lianghuai system was established.

In the festival hall, Shi Zhai was very happy when he learned that a Qi army general and five hundred people had come to surrender.

In order to set an example and attract more Qi troops to come and join him, he sent an order that Xia Gui would be sent to Chuzhou in the future and that he would personally receive him to show his respect.

Two days later, Shi Zhaizhi was working in the yamen hall, and an official came to report that the general from the north bank had entered the city and was waiting to be received in the side hall.

Shi Zhaizhi immediately put down what he was doing and moved to a side hall to meet Ma Degong and others.

Ma Degong was originally a water bandit in Chaohu Lake. When Lu Wende defected to Zhao Tai, he and more than 500 people also defected.

Although Zhao Tai kept his word and gave him a deputy, Qian Hu, Zhao Tai's military discipline was strict and the Qi army's training was heavy. He was not allowed to drink alcohol or visit prostitutes, and he was not allowed to molest or insult women. Life was too boring and boring.

At this time, an old friend from the south bank contacted two of Ma Degong's subordinates, saying that the Song army was expanding its army, and many of the brothers in Chaohu had been recruited by the imperial court and were receiving royal food. As long as he went there, he would be promoted and make a fortune. Ma Degong

Then my heart moved.

】

Ma Degong heard that the Song Army would give him money for bringing someone across the river, so he took advantage of the training opportunity and took more than ten boats and 500 subordinates directly to the Song Army's water stronghold.

At this time, Ma Degong and several of his subordinates were sitting with some fear. They were water bandits and were naturally afraid of the high officials of the Song Dynasty.

"Mr. Zhizhi has arrived!" the soldiers outside the hall suddenly shouted.

After hearing this, Ma Degong quickly led several of his subordinates to stand up, salute and greet them, "Mr. Zhizhi!"

Shi Zhaizhi walked in, sat down at the main seat, glanced at several people, and asked: "Who is Ma Degong?"

Ma Degong quickly prostrated and kowtowed: "My lord, this villain is Ma Degong! He once fought against the Mongols in Chaohu, but was forced to commit himself to the Qi Dynasty due to the situation, but his heart was with the Song Dynasty. The day before yesterday, I heard that my husband was in charge of the Huaihe River, so he led his troops

Five hundred people came to seek refuge with the Lord."

Shi Zhaizhi looked at him and nodded with satisfaction: "Very good! I am true to my word. You bring five hundred people to surrender. I will first reward you with five hundred guans, and then expand your troops to a thousand people and appoint you as an army officer."

Du Yuhou!"

After Ma Degong heard this, he quickly led his subordinates to kowtow, "I thank you for your support, I will serve you to death from now on!"

Shi Zhai nodded and immediately approved a note without asking the other people, "You can go down and receive the reward later!"

Ma Degong immediately led his subordinates and retreated outside the hall. They received a reward of 500 guan from the Zhizhi Department. Several of them did not return to the camp, but decided to have fun in Chuzhou.

As soon as a few people left the yamen, someone suggested: "Brother, I heard that the girl from Manchunlou in Chuzhou is one of the best in both Huaihe and Huaihe Rivers, and one of her items can make people die of happiness. Since we are here in Chuzhou, why not go in and see the world?"

.”

This suggestion was immediately echoed by several people, but Ma Degong looked at them with disdain, "With your little salary, you still want to enter Manchun Building. I heard that you need two or three credits for any project there. If you

You can spend the night there for not more than 20 guan, and your year's salary will go into it."

"Isn't this my brother who got the reward?" Several people said with a smile.

Ma Degong looked at the 500 Guanjiao Zi that he had just obtained. It was really not appropriate to keep it all to himself. Moreover, he also wanted to go to Manchun Tower to gain experience, so he smiled and said: "Okay, today brother, I will take you to see the world."

!”

Hearing this, several people immediately started cheering happily and surrounded Ma Degong as they headed to Manchun Tower to have a good time.

~~~~~

Ma Degong and others came to invest, which made Shi Zhaizhi full of confidence in his plan.

He ordered Xia Gui to suppress the Qi navy and destroy the morale of the Qi navy, and then lure him with official titles. I believe it won't take long for Zhao Tai's navy to collapse.

Without his navy, Zhao Tai would not be able to cross the Huaihe River. He could then further infiltrate the Qi army's top brass, lure him with official positions and money, and gradually disintegrate Zhao Tai's power and solve this hidden danger for the court.

At this time, Shi Zhaizhi's letter to Lin'an received a reply. Lin'an official Zhao Yun and Prime Minister Shi Songzhi were quite satisfied with his plan and invested an additional one million yuan, making Shi Zhaizhi fully responsible for the recruitment of the Qi army.

and differentiation.

On this day, when Shi Zhai was looking at the approval sent from Lin'an, officials from the Zhiji Department suddenly came to report that Xia Gui, the commander of the Huaiyuan Army, wanted to see him.

Someone from Shizhai called Xia Gui to the festival hall. After he saluted him, he asked, "What's the purpose of Xia Tongzhi here?"

"I'm here to report something important to you!" Xia Gui clasped his fists and said, "The day before yesterday, I was leading my troops to train on the river, and suddenly encountered several warships approaching from the north bank. I wanted to be on guard, but the ships on the other side stopped at a hundred paces.

From outside, an arrow was fired, and it hit the humble warship!"

Shi Zhaizhi was startled and frowned, "What about the Qi army attacking your troops?"

Xia Gui shook his head and took out a letter, "After the other party finished shooting, he will return to the north bank! I got this letter from my humble position, please take a look at it!"

Shi Zhaizhi took the letter and opened it to read. The letter was written by Lu Wenhuan, commander of the Pingjiang Camp of the Qi Army's Polang Army.

Xia Guidao: "Zhi Xianggong, it is believed that when the King of Linyi arrived in Lianshui, because he was angry that Ma Feigong defected to us, he beat Lu Wenhuan in public. Now Lu Wenhuan also wants to join the Xianggong!"

Shi Zhaizhi looked happy after reading the letter, "This is a good thing!"

But Xia Gui said worriedly: "My lord, the King of Linyi has many plans. I am worried about whether there is fraud in this?"

Shi Zhaizhi stroked his beard and pondered for a while, "Are you worried that he is Zhou Yu's assassin and wants to sneak attack on us?"

Xia Gui nodded, "I am indeed worried about my humble position. As far as I know, Lu Wenhuan also has a brother, Lu Wende, who is now the deputy commander of the Polang Army. They Lu brothers are also considered important by the King of Linyi, how could they betray the King of Linyi so easily!"

Shi Zhaizhi stood up and walked a few steps in the festival hall. He couldn't help but nodded frequently, "It makes sense! If I poach the Qi army generals, King Linyi will be angry. He will definitely not give up. He will probably wait for an opportunity to retaliate!"

Xia Guidao: "That humble official ignored Lu Wenhuan and rejected him!"

Shi Zhaizhi frowned, hesitated for a moment, and shook his head, "No! I have already announced that people from the north bank can be promoted and make a fortune as long as they bring troops to surrender. If they reject Lu Wenhuan, how can I recruit them?

General Qi?"

After saying this, Shi Zhai's eyes suddenly lit up and he laughed, "Haha~ I know it! This must be the way King Linyi came up with to solve my strategy of recruiting Qi generals! If I reject Lu Wenhuan,

You’ve fallen into his trap!”

Xia Gui frowned, "But if you agree to recruit, what if King Linyi takes the opportunity to make a sneak attack?"

Shi Zhai said: "The Qi army only has two naval battalions. If Lu Wenhuan comes to surrender, there will be only one battalion left in Lianshui. Since you are worried about this, you will not take precautions first. Are you still afraid of his sneak attack?"

Xia Gui was stunned when he heard this. Soochow was able to sneak attack Cao's army because its navy was very powerful. However, with Qi's small navy, it was really difficult to sneak attack Song's army.

After all, the Song army did not use iron chains to connect ships.

Xia Gui came to his senses and said with a smile: "My husband's words are reasonable. The Qi army is very powerful in foot battles, but if it's a water battle, how many warships will they come to sink? How many warships will they sink?"

Shi Zhaizhi sneered and said: "Go and contact Lu Wenhuan and ask him to surrender as soon as possible! If this is the plan of the King of Linyi, I will let him lose his wife and lose his troops. If it is not a plan, then Lu Wenhuan will surrender and the Qi army will

Half of the naval force has been destroyed!"
Chapter completed!