The messenger who reported the victory said: "Exactly. It is said that General Shi ordered his men to force the people with swords and guns, killing hundreds of people. He also promised to release them all after breaking the city..."
"But you will die if you attack the city!" Uda thought this was a bit shocking.
Han Ji said calmly: "Maybe you can survive if you attack the city, but if you don't attack, you will die immediately."
"For that illusory job, even a person would subconsciously attack the city." Yang Xuan felt that he had underestimated Shi Zhongtang.
"Those Southern Zhou people can't do anything." The messenger obviously didn't agree with such methods.
Han Ji whispered: "Mr. Lang, you are driving the people to attack the city. Such cruel methods are unimaginable to most people. Shi Zhongtang should not be underestimated."
"I know." Yang Xuan tried hard to recall the Shi Zhongtang he met at the time. At that time, Shi Zhongtang was looking for a big friend in Chang'an City and was too polite.
"This guy! He changes so fast."
Han Ji smiled and said: "Who says it's not the case! Think about it, I was so focused on helping that person. At that time, my biggest wish was for that person to obey me...
But who could have imagined that I would arrive in Northern Xinjiang, it’s time and destiny!”
"It's hard to obey what you say..." Yang Xuan felt that Han Ji's wish was too vain.
Except for those who are extremely weak and have no independent opinions, no one will listen to anyone else's advice.
Moreover, obeying one's advice is a bit like being a puppet. As time goes by, either the think tank will take over the magpie's nest, or the boss will become unbearable and chop off the think tank with one knife.
If Han Ji has such thoughts, is he a guy with a strong desire for power?
Yang Xuan thought about it. If this was the case, then he would have to readjust the internal power structure.
A sudden realization dawned on him.
This is what the so-called superior person does not need to do everything personally.
The superiors hold a large number of talents in their hands. Which talents are suitable for what things, and what kind of people are suitable for what things. This is not appropriate, even great talents have to step aside. Those who are mediocre, but extremely loyal, even if they are capable
Even if you are not good at it, you have to be promoted.
This is what a superior person should do.
Han Ji coughed dryly and said, "That person is extremely confident."
"Really?" Generally speaking, people who are extremely confident are those who are proud of themselves.
Of course, there are exceptions: honey confidence.
"He made several plans. Fortunately, I found out later and it was not too late to make amends. Otherwise, I would have followed him into prison."
How does this kind of mentality seem to be disgusting?
I really don't want to serve a lord like you. Either you obey me, or I do whatever I have to do.
"Are you...unwilling?"
Han Ji was startled, then laughed, "That's right. Now that I think about it, I was a little reluctant at the beginning. On one hand, I had to repay the favor, but on the other hand, I had an ambitious but mediocre proprietor. At that time, I wished I could be
He scolded her and drove her out."
Talents and protagonists are basically two-way choices.
"If the way is not good, then you will ride on a raft and float in the sea."
Han Ji's eyes lit up, "Lang Jun's words are as if they were tailor-made for me."
This guy’s face is not thin either!
"Then what do you think of Northern Xinjiang?" the old thief asked.
Han Ji smiled slightly, "The three-pronged army marched south. Lang Jun was a guest army, but it suddenly emerged. However, being too outstanding is sometimes not a good thing. I am afraid those people will use some tricks."
He did not answer directly, but expressed his attitude through these words.
——Lang Jun, insist on getting it!
Wang Laoer was puzzled and asked Tu Shang, "Tu Gong, what does this mean?"
Tu Shang said: "Students turn around and flatter others."
"Oh!" Wang Laoer exclaimed, "Then I also flattered Mr. Lang, but Mr. Lang said it too bluntly."
"It's better to be straightforward." Tu Shang looked down on those literati who tried to show off their opinions.
A subtle atmosphere arises spontaneously.
Even if the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them.
Han Ji's outstanding resourcefulness gave the small group a sense of crisis in their lives.
Yang Xuan felt it, but ignored it.
Many times, things cannot remain stagnant internally and must be impacted by external forces.
Han Ji, like a fierce fish, suddenly broke the tranquility of the pool.
…
In Yezhou City, Zhang Huan looked at the half-burned granary and said coldly: "Whoever does this will be hanged here."
"yes."
No one begged for mercy for those people, saying that killing prisoners was unlucky.
"Actually, he is a cruel person."
Zhang Chumao said: "He burned the grain and grass to deny our army a chance to supply. But our army cannot get supplies, what about the people in the city?"
"In the eyes of the general, if he can die in battle and die for his country, it is not a problem for the people to starve to death and die for their country."
Zhang Huan scolded: "What a dog-like world!"
Zhang Chumao said: "When necessary, our army can buy the grain stored in the hands of the people."
This man is so ruthless!
The so-called buying is nothing more than robbing.
Zhang Huan shook his head, "This move will make the Southern Zhou people share the same hatred."
At noon the next day, Shi Zhongtang came.
In the temporary residence of Jiedushi, civil and military officials gathered together.
"I've met my husband!"
Shi Zhongtang salutes.
Everyone looked at him with complicated expressions.
To be cruel, it is even more cruel to be besieged in troubled times and to use the flesh and blood of the people as military food.
But the world has been at peace for a long time, and the occasional conflicts are only local. Everyone will not kill each other bloody, but fight within the rules.
Shi Zhongtang came and drove the people to attack the city, which immediately reminded many people of those rumors.
Two-legged sheep.
Human rations.
"Tell me about it." Zhang Huan nodded.
Shi Zhongtang said: "The defenders of Xinzhou were tenacious, and the defender even cursed His Majesty. The subordinate officials were so angry that they ordered the people to be driven out to attack the city."
It's that simple.
You want to say that I am cruel, but there is a reason for everything!
How can you bear it when the guard humiliates Your Majesty?
This man is actually watertight.
It's a talent!
Zhang Huan said: "How much grain does Xinzhou have?"
"There are some." Shi Zhongtang took out the booklet, "Except for taking some money to reward his subordinates, the rest are all here."
Someone went over to take the book and handed it to Zhou Zun.
Zhou Zun looked at it, raised his head, and shook his head gently at Zhang Huan, who was paying attention to him, without saying much.
Zhang Huan was a little disappointed in his heart, but as a general, even if there was only one meal of food left in the army, no trace should be exposed.
He smiled and said: "Yunshan Slave's battle with the snake's head and the tiger's tail really makes me feel anxious!"
Everyone couldn't help laughing.
But the look he looked at Shi Zhongtang was different.
Someone whispered: "It's just cruel enough."
The official next to him whispered: "Being ruthless is also a skill. A skill that many people don't have."
The superior officer ordered you to attack the city in three days. The only way you could think of was to drive your troops to attack the city. But Shi Zhongtang thought of driving the people to attack the city.
Many times, the difference between people lies in their thinking.
Once you open your mind, your life will be completely different.
"Yunshan Slave has made great achievements in this battle. I have already made a note of it."
It is the duty of a general to distinguish rewards and punishments.
Shi Zhongtang saluted, "Thank you very much, Sir."
He returned to work with his head held high, and the eyes of those civil servants mostly showed envy and occasionally jealousy.
It turned out that Shi Zhongtang was just a piece of stinky shit, maintaining his status by working for Zhang Huan. But who would have thought that a trip to Chang'an would lead him to meet the siblings of a noble concubine, and this would start his journey to success.
After the Southern Expedition, I thought the imperial concubine brother and sister would help him again.
Tsk tsk!
This southern Xinjiang is getting more and more interesting.
"My lord, Commander Yang of the Left Route Army would like to see you."
"Oh! He's here." Zhang Huan said.
As soon as Yang Xuan entered the lobby, he felt something strange.
Envy and jealousy.
"The Left Army was brave in this battle and took the lead in defeating Huangzhou... More importantly, it defeated Lei Qi, one of the so-called three famous generals of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, which effectively deterred the arrogance of the Zhou army!"
Zhang Huan gave it a very high rating.
"My husband is so complimentary."
Yang Xuan knew that he had to bow his head and behave like a human being at this moment.
"It's not ridiculous."
But Zhang Huan once again praised him, "Lei Qi is a disciple of the generals and an experienced soldier. You can defeat Huangzhou in one fell swoop in this battle, and the monarchs and ministers of Southern Zhou who want to come to Bianjing will be afraid of you."
This is too much praise.
Yang Xuan glanced at everyone and found Shi Zhongtang smiling in response.
Although the method of destroying the city is criticized, Shi Zhongtang can be regarded as having made a great contribution.
He came first, and I think Zhang Huan had already praised him a lot.
So, he praised me so obsessively because he wanted to balance Shi Zhongtang and me.
After understanding this, Yang Xuan's attitude suddenly changed.
"The Southern Zhou Army is tenacious."
The surrounding area became quiet.
At the beginning, everyone swore that Nanzhou was just a broken house, and everyone could knock it down with one kick.
But Yang Xuan said that this shabby house was well decorated and should not be underestimated.
No one listened at first, but now that I think about it, Yang Xuan's words were so clear-headed.
And it reflects how frivolous he is.
Yang Xuan silenced everyone with just one word, then returned to his place and bowed his hands to his father-in-law.
Zhou Zun nodded slightly, thinking that Zhang Huan's several compliments to his son-in-law had impure intentions. The son-in-law's words were actually polite and polite.
Zhang Huan coughed dryly: "Once Yezhou, Huangzhou, and Xinzhou are defeated, Yongzhou will be in front of us. After Yongzhou will be Bianjing. This battle is the decisive battle."
In the battle of punishment, it is naturally impossible to attack Bianjing. Otherwise, if the news reaches Bei Liao, He Lianfeng will go crazy, scolding old man Li Mi for lying, and attack with a large army.
However, this is not a bad thing for Beiliao.
Yang Xuan suddenly thought of this: the internal conflicts in Beiliao were no less than those in the Tang Dynasty. He Lianfeng had great ambitions, but was held back by his domestic opponents.
If the Tang Dynasty attacked Bianjing, or even the news of Bianjing's defeat spread to Northern Liao...
Helianfeng might be ecstatic.
Righteousness is coming!
The Tang Dynasty betrayed its trust and committed a murderous attack on the Southern Zhou Dynasty, an ally of the Liao Dynasty.
I want to raise an army and go south.
Who agrees!
Who objects?
With righteousness in hand, Lin Ya and others could only bow their heads.
In this way, He Lianfeng could use the attack on Datang to reintegrate the power structure within Northern Liao.
Damn it!
Maybe He Lianfeng really hopes that the Tang Dynasty will attack Bianjing.
Yang Xuan's mind twitched, feeling that he had underestimated the world's heroes.
"According to reports from secret spies, Southern Zhou has deployed a large army on the Yongzhou front line, numbering about 200,000."
Everyone couldn't help but be surprised.
"Two hundred thousand!"
Zhang Huan nodded, "It's not much different, but many of them are forbidden troops."
"Watchdog!" someone laughed.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Everyone turned on the group teasing mode.
"It is said that the Imperial Guards of the Southern Zhou Dynasty were almost the same as the guards of the Tang Dynasty. They were all crippled."
"No. The Imperial Army of the Southern Zhou Dynasty has not set foot in Bianjing for many years, let alone fought. Compared with us, they are just sheep."
"Don't underestimate the enemy." Zhang Huan interrupted the crowd's ridicule with a deep voice, "In this battle, we suffered the loss of underestimating the enemy. Are we going to make the same mistake again now?"
Everyone was shocked.
Zhang Huan said: "This battle is commanded by Peng Jing and Fang Chong. What did you expect?"
Someone said: "Mr. Sir, if the literati command, isn't that our opportunity?"
"Peng Jing is decisive, Fang Chong is cunning, who said this last time. This should not be underestimated."
Several civil servants shook their heads slightly.
Zhang Huan's eyes moved.
This is about naming!
A great opportunity to shine.
The key is, looking at Zhang Huan's intention, he clearly wants to select a striker.
This is a good opportunity to make a contribution!
The officials and generals all held their heads high, waiting to be seen by Zhang Huan.
Yang Xuan was thinking about Peng Jing and the others.
The last time he went on a mission to Southern Zhou, he noticed something was wrong.
The contradictions in the Southern Zhou Dynasty were indeed quite prominent. Just like the Tang Dynasty, the powerful and gentry took advantage of each other, and the people suffered so much that war broke out everywhere.
The encounter with rebels in Yecheng was only a small part of the story. God knows what big troubles there will be in the Southern Zhou Dynasty.
Therefore, Nian Xu couldn't wait to promote Sun Shi and others, entrust them with important tasks, and let them launch the new policy.
This is a measure taken under a sense of crisis.
But Peng Jing and others wildly criticized the New Deal, and their stance was very simple. In their view, the foundation of the Southern Zhou Dynasty was not the common people, but the literati and gentry.
That is the so-called elite.
The literati and the gentry are here, and as long as these elites stand on the side of the court, they will not be afraid of any trouble.
In this era, if the imperial power does not go to the countryside, how will the grassroots be managed?
It depends on the squire.
These squires were either landowners or literati. They were close to local officials, and the two parties worked together to control the local people.
This situation seems to be very stable, and the gap in local management has been solved without the need for anyone from the government or the government to contribute money.
But they forgot that people are greedy!
Human greed is instinctive, and greed when out of control can devour everything within their sight.
After these squires seized the power to manage the local area, they quickly transformed into local bullies.
They colluded with local officials, annexed fields, and exploited the people... As time went by, the people couldn't bear the exploitation, but they couldn't find a channel to complain. They either waited for death or had no choice but to rise up.
This is an irresolvable contradiction.
The emperor needed the help of squires to manage the place.
The squire also needs to take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune.
But what about the people?
Forgotten by this most noble group of people.
It wasn't until war broke out that the emperor suddenly realized that the so-called elites were the biggest cancer!
Only then did Nian Xu remember, mother, I must cut some flesh from these cancerous bodies to ease the conflict with the people.
But will those people be willing?
I'll fight with anyone who wants me to spit out all the meat I've put into my mouth!
Even if this person is the emperor!
Peng Jing, Fang Chong and others are just representatives of these people.
Therefore, the dispute in the Southern Zhou Dynasty was actually a dispute over attitudes toward the people.
The emperor felt that although the people were cattle and horses, if they wanted the cattle and horses to work, they should at least have some grass to eat, right?
The group of people represented by Peng Jing and others gave him a bad taste.
Go to hell!
As long as those untouchables don't die, they will continue to work for me!
The emperor believed that although the people were like cattle and horses, they should be appeased.
The elite group represented by Peng Jing and others believe that the common people are just tool people, who make money for us to cultivate the land. As long as the tool people don't starve to death, what else do you think about comforting them? Have you drunk too much?
The biggest understanding difference between the two is: greed!
The emperor underestimated the ugliness of human nature.
So, this is a dead end!
Can't solve it!
Yang Xuan shook his head slightly.
"Yang Xuan!"
"ah!"
Yang Xuan looked up, a little confused.
Then he found a group of people looking at him with envy and hatred.