Zou Pusheng took Ou Puxiang and found a place to sit down. The old man stared at Ou Puxiang's temples for a long time, then suddenly stretched out his hand. Ou Puxiang's whole body tensed, but he did not avoid it, and allowed his senior brother to touch his white hair.
.
"You are getting old too, Junior Brother Baitou, I didn't expect to see you again!"
Just this sentence made Ou Puxiang's throat surge with emotion. There were really not many people left in the Peng Party. Thinking back to the beginning, Kuang Putian, Yang Puxiong, Chen Puwen, Xiang Pulue, Zhao Pusheng...these core members of the Peng Party
, all died one after another, some were sacrificed in the hands of Yuan Ting, and some were killed by Chen Youliang. There are only a few people who are still alive, and they are not young. In troubled times, their generation is destined to be blown away by the rain and the wind.
, the end is not far away either.
Ou Puxiang was very excited and sighed: "I thought that the thief Chen Youliang wanted to kill you!"
Zou Pusheng chuckled, "He killed Junior Brother Zhao. I have lived to such an old age, and I still have some means of escape... By the way, Junior Brother, you know that Junior Brother Zhao was killed, right? How can you take the risk?"
Ou Puxiang was stunned for a moment. Of course he knew that Zhao Pusheng was killed. He was just a senior brother. He also had tens of thousands of subordinates, so he couldn't act on impulse!
Ou Puxiang didn't dare to talk much, for fear that Zou Pusheng would ask him why he didn't help in revenge, so he could only change the subject and said: "Brother, are you going to follow King Wu?"
Zou Pusheng laughed and said, "Junior brother, I am already at this age. If I want to follow the King of Wu, I am afraid that others will not want me."
Ou Puxiang was taken aback, "Well, what are you going to do, senior brother?"
"I'm going to start a small business. Fortunately, Prime Minister Zhang agreed to lend me some money to help me set up a workshop. I won't have to worry about food and clothing. It's okay."
Ou Puxiang was even more puzzled, "Senior brother, you, are you going to just accept Laoquanlin like this?"
Zou Pusheng hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said: "I really don't have any ambitions anymore, but I don't plan to wait for death. I also want to write a book and write down all the years of our Peng Party. Zhang Xiang promised to erect a monument and biography of our ancestor.
Temple worship. If I write a book, our Peng party will also be mentioned in the annals of history. What do you think, junior brother?"
"This... this is naturally good." Ou Puxiang said it was natural, but his expression was obviously not so natural. His slight emotions could not be hidden from Zou Pusheng.
The old man simply said: "Junior brother, you now have soldiers and are in a dominant position. Naturally, you are stronger than your senior brother. To be honest, King Wu has also thought of a way out for you. It depends on whether your junior brother is willing."
Ou Puxiang immediately widened his eyes and stared at Zou Pusheng, "Brother, what are they... going to do?"
Zou Pusheng smiled and said: "Junior brother, the King of Wu is generous and benevolent, and Prime Minister Zhang has good intentions. They mean that if junior brother is willing, he can lead his subordinates to build a country outside. It doesn't matter if the country is named Yuan Kingdom, or it doesn't matter if it attacks the country.
King Wu also approved the establishment of the Buddha Kingdom of Ultimate Bliss and Light. It just happens that we can create a new world according to the founder's ideas. Isn't it beautiful?"
Almost in an instant, Ou Puxiang suddenly stood up, his eyes were filled with anger, and his fists were clenched. After a while, Ou Puxiang slowly sat down again and chuckled: "Thank you, brother, for thinking about this. It's just this matter."
Even if I agree, there will still be so many people down there! I want to discuss something with them."
Zou Pusheng is a mature man, how could he not understand?
"Junior brother, do you think I'm harming you for my brother's sake?"
Ou Puxiang pondered for a while and then said: "Senior brother, you are an honest person. It is reasonable for you to be careless occasionally. Junior brother does not dare to blame you."
Zou Pusheng was stung by these harsh words, and his old face was very embarrassed.
"Junior brother, King Wu easily defeated Chen Youliang and held hundreds of thousands of troops. The momentum sweeping the world has been formed. It is said to be unstoppable. Could it be that junior brother wants to use the mantis as a chariot?"
Ou Puxiang's face suddenly turned pale and he said displeasedly: "Brother, I'm afraid you don't know the situation in Yuanzhou... I am following the teachings of my ancestors in Yuanzhou, helping the poor and those in need, cherishing the old and pitying the poor, educating children, and caring for the elderly... in Yuanzhou
My place is no different from the world of great light mentioned by our ancestors. My little brother responded to my call, and everyone in Yuanzhou returned to his heart. Chen Youliang can't do anything to me, and he, Zhu Yuanzhang, may not be able to do it either."
Ou Puxiang boasted that he had some talent, and spoke more and more wildly, sneering: "Brother, how do you think I dare to come? Of course I am confident enough. If you dare to do harm to me, the soldiers and civilians of Yuanzhou will not agree to it, and treat him
Chen Youliang was like this, and it would probably be the same if he were the King of Wu! As the same saying goes, the dragon never leaves the water, and the handsome man never leaves the throne. I am willing to submit, and whatever title the King of Wu gives me will be fine... whether it is a hereditary Duke, a general or an envoy.
, even if I am given the position of magistrate, I will accept it, but no matter what, Yuanzhou must listen to me and no one else can get involved!"
Zou Pusheng's brows were furrowed, and his heart was filled with anger. He also knew how powerful Ou Puxiang was. In the past, Ou Puxiang would never have had the guts to talk to him like this.
Now that he has soldiers in his hands but no power himself, the situation is really changing and he has to accept it. It's just that Ou Puxiang has too many veterans of the Peng Party, but they can't die with him.
"Junior brother, the King of Wu has a large army and is willing to give you a way out and allow you to build a country. Why do you need to hit an egg against a stone?"
When Ou Puxiang heard what Zou Pusheng said, he couldn't bear it anymore. He scolded him directly: "Brother, you are still an old Jianghu, don't you understand? He, Zhu Yuanzhang, is really kind and generous, why can't he give me a fief? Even Yuan
If the state is not good, it must be visible and tangible, right? Where did he ask me to find a place to found a country? Also, there are so many of my subordinates, and their wealth and lives are all in Yuanzhou, how can they be abandoned? What's more, there are so many people outside.
I don’t know whether I will live or die, the risk is so great, and I am young... If Zhu Yuanzhang wants to kill someone, he just kills him, he doesn’t need to use sweet words or coax me with the words of a child!"
"you!"
Zou Pusheng was so angry that he rushed to Bullfight. This is his good junior brother!
"You are not a child anymore. My brother is getting older and has become a child. Don't blame me for not overestimating your abilities!" Zou Pusheng stood up and left. He didn't want to talk about anything, so what else could he say.
Ou Puxiang was also stunned for a moment. Frankly speaking, he regretted it a little. It was so easy for the senior brothers to meet each other. It was just the right time to reminisce about old friendships, make a pot of tea, and have a good chat. Who knew that they had a falling out? It really shouldn't have happened.
But in the final analysis, he is different from Zou Pusheng. His senior brother is already finished, and he only wants to leave a good reputation and live in peace, but ends his life.
But I am different. I still have Yuan Zhou and soldiers and civilians. So many people are determined to follow me. No matter what, I can't let myself be manipulated. After leaving my nest, I am just a piece of fish, fried and fried. That's not it.
Do whatever you want!
…
"Prime Minister Zhang, I've got something wrong..." Zou Pusheng sat opposite Zhang Ximeng and told him the exact contents of his conversation with Ou Puxiang.
Zhang Ximeng just listened patiently, but was not disappointed. In fact, he also thought about it.
If problems can be solved by reasoning alone, then why use military force?
And if you think about it carefully, what Ou Puxiang said is not unreasonable. You want me to go outside to build a country, and I will just be at your mercy. Why should I believe you?
A local emperor who has firmly established his position would probably rather give up his life than give up everything he owns.
"Senior, I would like to ask, is Ou Puxiang really that kind to his subordinates? Is he so popular with the people?"
Zou Pusheng was slightly startled and could only sigh, "Prime Minister Zhang, this involves some matters involving our Peng Party. As of now, there is nothing I can't say. People like us naturally treat each other as brothers.
Take care of each other, we are like one. We also advocate mutual aid when dealing with the people below, and we also help the poor and those in danger. Moreover, we can use laws and cure diseases to win people's hearts, so the people can be considered to be at home. After all, we are in troubled times. How can we do this?
It’s pretty good.”
Needless to say, Zhang Ximeng understood in an instant that the so-called Peng Party still couldn't escape the same old tricks. Looking back, there was Manichaeism Fang La, Dongting Lake Zhongxiang, and further back the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, the Yellow Turban Army... they were all roughly the same.
This set.
First, win over some people by treating illnesses and casting spells, and then give some small favors, such as giving away food, providing jobs, helping to fight injustice, avoid being bullied, and gain support from the poor.
If you follow them, you can probably get some benefits, and then they use the name of gods to tighten their control so that people don't dare to resist...
Zhang Ximeng can think clearly with just a little brainstorming.
Their methods are not complicated, but they are always effective. After all, there are always people who cannot live, let alone in such troubled times.
Even if you squeeze it less and have a sip of porridge, you should shout "Master Ou is merciful", "Ou Master has great merits and will live a long life".
"Senior, I am very curious now. Those people in Yuanzhou... I mean the real people at the bottom. Are they really willing to listen to Ou Puxiang? Are they so determined?"
Zou Pusheng laughed and said, "Xiang Zhang, think about it, where is Yuanzhou? The terrain is rugged and the population is not large. There are probably not even 100,000 people in one government. Ou Puxiang has gathered tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and some are brought in from outside.
Most of the people who come here are the poor local people, who often use troops to fight foreign affairs and have no time to plow the fields. Whatever they rob, they must also honor Ou Puxiang and his minions! If you ask me, it is nothing more than starving to death, but in this
Even if you are lucky to be alive at that time, you can't be worse than Chen Youliang, right?"
Zhang Ximeng instantly understood that it is worse to be in love than to be in love!
"Senior, you said that if these soldier brothers were granted land, allowed to go home to farm, and be reunited with their wives and children... would they be willing to surrender?"
Zou Pusheng pondered for a while and suddenly said: "Prime Minister Zhang, you mean to apply Zhu Jiajun's methods to Yuanzhou soldiers?"
"Yes, it's the eight thousand people brought by Ou Puxiang. We don't want to capture thieves and capture the king. But if Yuanzhou's soldiers are willing to abandon the dark side and surrender to the bright side, return to their hometown and live a good and stable life, we can't refuse.
!”
Zou Pusheng took a deep breath. He saw a hint of cunning in Zhang Ximeng's eyes!
After all, Zhang Ximeng is not a good man. The reason why he tries to be reasonable and kind is to reduce trouble and resistance.
As a result, you are shameless and have exhausted all your benevolence and justice. If you are still unwilling to obey, then I'm sorry, I have no choice but to take action.
And you can rest assured that as long as I take action, you can't resist it!
"Xiang Zhang, you said so. I'm willing to help, but I'm afraid I can't do it alone. With these thousands of people, it won't be easy to make them believe in Zhu Jiajun's good intentions. Do you think you can think of something?"
"Yes, Ding Pulang has many veterans of the Peng Party under his command, and Li Pusheng is also here. It would be best if the seniors are willing to help."
Zhang Ximeng immediately sent an order to find Ding Pulang and call the veterans of the Peng Party to come over and speak to these people and reason with them.
Then Zhang Ximeng asked people to call Zheng Yuchun and others over and asked them to preach Zhu Jiajun's policy.
Zou Pusheng simply cheered up. They were all old brothers of the Peng Party. We couldn't just watch them die. It was my duty to explain the truth clearly and let them abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side.
Zou Pusheng suddenly thought of something, "Xiang Zhang, when we were talking that day, you said that you should come from the people, go to the people, and exchange your sincerity for your sincerity. You should not rely on the words of gods and Buddhas to fool the people... Is this it?
reason?"
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Indeed!"
Zou Pusheng nodded vigorously, "Okay, I'll use your method to see if it's invincible!"
After Zou Pu won, all the elite Zhu Jiajun came out. Ding Pulang was covered in gunpowder smoke and bloody. He just hurriedly changed into a battle jacket and went to Ou Puxiang's army. Following him, there were hundreds of veterans of the Peng Party.
.
These veterans all had land deeds in their arms, and some of them had made great contributions during this war. After returning home, the number of land granted increased, and they were exempted from corvee labor. There was no labor at home, so the yamen sent people to
I work for you...and my children go to school and my parents take care of themselves.
There are all kinds of preferential treatment.
"You guys, think carefully! Let's see if Zhu Jiajun is better than you, Mr. Ou?"
Facing the guarantees of several old men from the Peng Party, looking at the land deeds stamped with bright red seals in the hands of hundreds of soldiers, and listening to their enthusiastic introductions, these Yuanzhou soldiers were moved.
Now there is only one question left, will Ou Puxiang agree?
Zheng Yuchun smiled and said: "I know the worries of the brothers, but I can tell you clearly... King Wu is on your side! If you want to live a good life and change your destiny, you must have the courage to stand
Just come out! This step is crucial!"
Among the crowd, someone finally stood up and silently extended his hand. He was missing a little finger on his left hand.
"This, this is what Mr. Ou's godson did. He, he is not a good person!"
One person took the lead, and soon more people came forward. Sure enough, as Zou Pusheng said, under Ou Puxiang, he was only a little better than Chen Youliang, but he was still very confident, thinking that he could rely on the support of the people
, challenging Zhu Yuanzhang is really ridiculous and overconfident.
Zheng Yuchun smiled and said: "Dozens of you, come out and follow me to see Ou Puxiang. Let's listen to what he has to say!"
In an instant, hundreds of soldiers stood up and followed Zheng Yuchun, rushing towards Ou Puxiang's residence...