Outside Tugu City, all the soldiers were eagerly looking at Zhang Chong, waiting for him to make up his mind. Should we 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. One thing he and the senior officials of Taiping Road agreed on was that they should hide their capabilities and bide their time at this stage.
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. Even the governance of counties and counties had to rely on the power of the county, let alone the countryside.
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 other is that there is nothing to do under the rule. As long as the county where he is located is not in chaos, how can the countryside be so real?
It doesn't matter at all. The third thing is making money, making 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 if Zhang Chong attacks Tugu City now, 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 tell the generals behind him how to act according to orders.
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At this time, there was a chaos upstairs in Tugu County.
They were just preparing 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 tycoons to allocate another batch from 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 the Dongpingling soldiers, these village tycoons found themselves in an embarrassing situation. The Taishan bandits broke into the village and they had no land. But if they relied on Dongpingling to suppress the Taishan soldiers, they might
There is land, but basically no brains.
But for the wealthy rural families, the Taishan soldiers only harmed the west of the county. Although the other rural wealthy families were frightened, they actually suffered no losses. But when the Dongpingling soldiers came, 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 harmed 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 force 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 soldiers behind them were eaten by Dongpingling soldiers.
Lost.
They really don’t know how to care for livestock. How can these cattle be used to satisfy their appetite? Their family’s land is cultivated with these animals.
But so far, they have admitted it. But now the county magistrate wants them to co-organize it again, and they are not happy. Whoever they love, it is not to defeat their family.
Several parties in the Houxian Temple guaranteed that the Jin family's land could be sold to them first, so 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 city tower here, saying that a wave of soldiers had arrived 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 hand and looked at the bandit soldiers, and saw a man who looked like the head of the bandit, 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 ask the civilians to roll rocks and fell trees, ready to defend the city at any time.
But after the sound of the golden drum over there, the county captain 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 flustered 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 is doing something right, he immediately blocked him:
"Don't hesitate, your mother is my mother, and I will take care of your wife. Go ahead."
The county official's face turned green and red for a while, but he was finally let down from the city.
The county official lingered under the earthen wall and hesitated to move forward. Finally, the county captain 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 bandits have left, and the place is completely 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 shot away by the county captain."
The county captain also came to his senses. He was still conceited at first, but when he saw the county official below, he suddenly shot him to death with an arrow. Everyone on the top of the city was shocked. They didn't know what the county captain meant.
The county lieutenant pointed at the county officials who were still waiting for death in the city and said solemnly:
"They must be communicating with the thieves, and they want to trick us into going out 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 in fact, they just want a reason. There is a reason. It is actually the grudge between your county captain and the person below, not that the county captain is crazy.
Therefore, all the county officials handed over their hands one after another, praised the county captain's military plan, and Sun Wu was reincarnated.
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. Just go to Taishan Mansion with peace of mind. Don't blame me. This is fate."
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Here, Zhang Chong used Sun Jian's old trick and escaped with his troops, but everyone's atmosphere was very solemn. To be honest, they had worked hard with Zhang Chong for so long, and they already had 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 left as dejectedly as lost dogs.
Even Zhang Chong's strategy of withdrawing his troops seemed a bit cowardly in the eyes of some gentlemen. Especially since some of the generals of the army led by Zhang Chong were originally demoted generals, and they had doubts about Zhang Chong. Seeing Zhang Chong at this moment
Leaving without fighting, I suddenly started to think too much.
Wang Han, who was among the lowered generals, 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's 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:
"Then what? After breaking Tugu County, what happens next?"
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 be spread all over 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 look forward to the scenery."
This time Zhang Chong was surprised. He didn't know that Wang Han had such strategic awareness.
He was right. Since ancient times, great things have been achieved in the mountains and valleys, all of which have been focused on fighting for the city. But they don't know that in history, there have been people who have successfully emerged from these valleys to rise to the East, and now he is following his example.
The way forward.
He did not answer Wang Han directly, but asked Wang Han this question:
"Wang Han, from what you said, 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 be able to survive."
"Well, as you said, if I block the surnames of the wealthy people, who will be the ones in Guizhou to put them in control? And I 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?
, I enter the city here, and Hao will notify the officers and soldiers there. Who among them doesn’t regard us as enemy bandits and the merits 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 a surname, 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 couldn't find a proper answer, so he shook his head.
Zhang Chong told Wang Han:
"Back then, a certain Confucian talked about "Poems" and "Books" in front of Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu also said that the world was conquered by a male horse. It's ridiculous 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. 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 wealthy surnames are powerful in the local area, so people listen to their words, so they can control the local area. Then why can they raise money, food and taxes? Because they are educated.
This culture is not the poor Five Classics like "Poems" and "Books" that I'm talking about. Those crooked and crooked people are just selected by wealthy families. What's the use of governing the world?
What actually comes down to it is the simplest. They are literate and can do math. These two are the real tasks. Putting aside this, the so-called desire to rule the world with power is just a lie for their own future.
After all, this world cannot be separated from scholars. This is true. But this 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, then you shouldn't be powerful, so how can you win the world?"
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:
"It's not enough, I have more brothers."
Hearing this, Zhang Chong burst out laughing, 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.