"The general is very worried." The eldest son Yu Wencheng nodded slightly and said: "I learned about it. This Xingluotang is the most powerful gang in Guangning City. On the surface, there are only three to four hundred gang members, but this group of people
He has a wide network of contacts in western Liaoning. There are branches of Xingluotang in all counties in western Liaoning, and he has close contacts with some Jianghu sects in western Liaoning. Although Cui Mancheng is a figure in the Jianghu, his reputation is not bad, and he cannot be said to be a vicious person. "
After a pause, he lowered his voice and said, "But in the eyes of the wealthy gentry in western Liaoning, Xingluotang is full of evil."
Qin Xiao raised his hand and asked Yuwen Chengchao to sit down, and then asked: "How do you say it?"
"There is a lot of fertile land in the four counties of the Northeast, but almost all of it is occupied by wealthy families from the Northeast." Yuwen Chengchao explained: "The wealthy gentry in the Northeast range from dozens to thousands of lands. Just because they control fertile land,
That's why the power in the Northeast is deeply rooted. The Liaodong Army was stationed in the four counties in the Northeast. It was okay in the early years. They really started to enclose and occupy land more than 40 years ago. After Wang Xingchao took the position of general, the encirclement
The land is even more unscrupulous. When the Liaodong Army's generals encircle and occupy land, they naturally focus on fertile land. Most of the fertile land is in the hands of the Northeastern families. The Liaodong Army's enclosure and occupation of land is tantamount to grabbing land from the Northeastern families."
Qin Xiaowei nodded, and Yuwen Chengchao continued: "The relationship between the Northeastern family and the Liaodong Army is complicated. They use each other, but they are also full of contradictions. Although the Northeastern family is afraid of the Liaodong Army, the Liaodong Army is also somewhat afraid of the Northeastern family. Sometimes
Even if there is a conflict, it is not easy to break up directly. The Liaodong Army made various excuses to occupy the fertile land of the family. Many times, they would not take the initiative to stand in front, but would recruit some local ruffians to run to the front to cause trouble. Gongsun Shang and Liaoxi
Many officials who came from the Liaodong Army encircled the land in western Liaoning and used Xingluotang to attack the aristocratic families in western Liaoning. In the end, the fields of the aristocratic families in western Liaoning fell into the hands of people like Gongsun Shang, and Xingluotang contributed a lot. In the aristocratic clan
In the eyes, ruffian gangs like Xingluotang are the running dogs of the Liaodong Army, so naturally I hate them with all my heart."
Qin Xiao smiled and said: "I see. According to this, Xingluotang is a minion of the Liaodong Army. The relationship between Cui Mancheng and Fang Wei should be extremely close. Why did he take the initiative to hand over Fang Wei this time? Isn't Cui Mancheng afraid of the Liaodong Army?
revenge?"
"I also find it very strange." Yuwen Chengchao said: "After we entered the city, we really didn't pay much attention to such urban gangs. Cui Mancheng reported Fang Wei's plan in detail. I thought about it carefully. If Cui Mancheng really followed the instructions
It's really troublesome to do what Fang Wei said. Cui Mancheng's ability to mobilize hundreds of people in the city is more than enough. If they all pretend to be our people and kill people and set fires in the city, those people who don't know the truth really think they are our Long Ruijun.
There is no military discipline. The Liaodong Army will also use this as an excuse to slander us for acting recklessly in the city. So Cui Mancheng refused Fang Wei's order, even escorted Fang Wei over, and testified that Fang Wei poisoned Gongsun Shang.
We all have advantages and no harm.”
"Did he adapt to the wind and see the Liaodong Army lose power in Guangning City, so he turned to us?" Qin Xiao thoughtfully said softly: "Is Fang Wei considered Xingluotang's defector to us?
Title?"
Yuwen Chengchao nodded and said: "It's possible, but... it would be fine if it was really that simple. Cui Mancheng is not a vicious person. Although Xingluotang is hostile to the Liaoxi aristocratic family, they have done nothing to ordinary people.
If Xingluotang can take the initiative to surrender and obey the general's orders, there will be no harm to us. Now we are only worried about Cui Mancheng's actions. There is another plot behind it. But I have arranged for people to keep an eye on Xingluo.
Don't let them do anything else."
"Cui Mancheng is gone?"
"He originally wanted to see the general. The general was not in the prefecture's mansion. I chatted with him for a few words and asked him to go back first. When the general is free, I will find him again." Yu Wencheng said: "The general went to Guangzhou.
Ning Da Prison?"
Qin Xiao did not hide anything from Yuwen Chengchao. He briefly talked about meeting Bai Yulou in prison, then took out the booklet and said: "He spent several years in prison to write this booklet. According to the
According to Bai Yulou, if Long Ruijun wants to establish a foothold in western Liaoning or even northeastern Liaoning, and implement what is written in the booklet, he can win the hearts of the people. I flipped through a few pages and was quite surprised. Mr. Bai's handwriting was extraordinary.
." As he spoke, he handed the booklet to Yuwen Chengchao.
Yuwen Chengchao flipped through the pages and saw that every page was densely filled with words. He couldn't read them all for a while, so he closed the book first and said: "General, Bai Yulou has a few words that are indeed wise. We have to fight against the Liaodong Army.
To establish a foothold in the Northeast and then develop a brave and capable cavalry, we must figure out who is the enemy and who is a friend. In the case of Liaoxi County alone, there is a deep conflict between the Liaoxi aristocrats and the people at the bottom. If you get the support of the Liaoxi aristocrats,
Naturally, it will help us a lot, but if it cannot win the support of the people in western Liaoning, Long Ruijun will never be regarded as one of their own, and if it does not gain the true support of the people, it will never be able to truly take root in western Liaoning."
"Master, if it were you, how would you make a choice?"
Yuwen Chengchao pondered for a moment, then smiled calmly and said: "I am from the Xiling family, and I know the family's thoughts very well. General, if you choose to safeguard the interests of the family today and let them benefit, of course they will support you.
However, the support of local aristocratic families is never sincere, and there is no sense of gratitude at all. To put it more bluntly, the two parties are just a transaction. The officers and soldiers provide them with protection and they pay some protection fees. If a more powerful one appears
Even if they promise to protect the power of Jiangnan, they will immediately choose to abandon it without any psychological burden." After a pause, he said softly: "This is also an issue that I have been worried about recently, which is about the Jiangnan family. Can the Jiangnan family support the general, or even
The reason for providing military expenses for Long Ruijun was because their biggest backer in the court, Princess Sheyue, had problems. They had to choose a new backer in the court who could protect them. The general was favored by the saint and actually protected him in practice.
After leaving the Jiangnan Family, they will try their best to support the general in the temporary situation. In the final analysis, it is to protect themselves. If one day they climb up to other stronger forces, and they firmly believe that that force can ensure their safety,
When the time comes, the Jiangnan family will no longer rely on you, General, and will inevitably seek shelter from other forces."
Yuwen Chengchao was worthy of being from a noble family, and he knew the relationship very clearly.
"The current situation in the Northeast is that of two tigers fighting. In fact, in terms of strength, we are not even a tiger competing with the Liaodong Army." Yuwen Chengchao sighed: "Not to mention that the family relies on the strong and abandons the weak, even if
The general really provided various conditions to protect their interests. Under the current situation, it is absolutely impossible for them to firmly support Long Ruijun. They must be wavering. For most Liaoxi aristocratic families, on the surface, they may be able to go with us.
We are very close, and even beat our chests and pledged to support Long Rui's army, but as long as the wind direction is wrong, they will immediately abandon us. If the general wants to make them surrender, the only way is to become the true master of the Northeast and become the real master of this land.
The strongest and only tiger, otherwise these people will never be truly loyal to you."
Qin Xiao slapped his thigh and said, "Young Master, after hearing what you said, I was really enlightened."
Yu Wen Chengchao smiled and said: "Actually, the general is a smart man. Even if I don't tell you, you can figure out the key points after thinking twice. Bai Yulou asked the general to make a choice. It was nothing more than testing whether the general had great wisdom.
What he said is right. If the general wants to gain a foothold in western Liaoning, he must find the right friends. Under the current situation, it is impossible for the Liaoxi family to become the general's friends. Therefore, it is feasible to win over the people with all their strength. As long as the people are obtained
Only with their support can Long Ruijun truly gain a foothold in western Liaoning."
"This booklet contains strategies to win over people's hearts." Qin Xiao said with a smile: "It seems that I don't have time to sleep tonight, so I must read this booklet through the whole night."
Qin Xiao did what he said, and he really didn't sleep that night. Bai Yulou's popular policy surprised Qin Xiao. Beyond the surprise, he instantly felt admiration. At dawn, he didn't even take a shower.
I was planning to go directly to Guangning Prison to see Bai Yulou again. Before I left the gate of the County Commander's Mansion, someone reported: "Report, General, Huo Mianzhi, the Prime Minister of Liaoxi County, wants to see you!"
"Ask him to wait in the side hall!" Qin Xiao frowned, hesitated, and then ordered.
He went back to his room to wash himself, and then came to the side hall, where the county magistrate Huo Mianzhi was already waiting.
That day, Qin Xiao led his troops into the city. Huo Menzhi was the only official who still struggled. However, after Qin Xiao pulled Gao Rang out, Huo Menzhi knew that the situation was over, and he did not dare to say anything anymore.
In the past few days, Qin Xiao didn't see Huo Menzhi again. Unexpectedly, Huo Menzhi took the initiative to come here today.
"I've seen General Qin!" Huo Mianzhi immediately stood up and saluted when he saw Qin Xiao entering the room.
Qin Xiao smiled and said: "Master Huo, sit down and talk." After sitting down, he went straight to the point and asked: "Master Huo is looking for me, what do you want to teach me?"
"General Qin, there is actually an official matter that requires the general's help." Huo Mianzhi said with a serious face: "Guangning's defense is in charge of the Gao Supervisor Army and General Qin, so it is naturally foolproof, and those rogue parties will definitely not dare to act rashly. Next
The official is the Chief of Liaoxi County. In his position, he has to run his own errands. As for other things, there is an extremely important matter at the moment, and General Qin must be accommodating."
"Oh?" Qin Xiao couldn't figure out what Huo Menzhi meant for a while and asked, "What's the matter?"
Huo Mianzhi thought for a moment and then said: "The official warehouse in Guangning City was ordered to be taken over by the general. Now I am in urgent need of a batch of food and grass. I also ask the general to order the soldiers guarding the official warehouse to get out of the way. I want to take some people with me."
Go in and transport food."
"Transporting grain?" Qin Xiao asked: "How much grain does Mr. Huo need? Where to transport it?"
"Fifteen hundred stones of food and grass." Huo Mianzhi said simply: "It needs to be transported to Yuguan. The food and grass for the troops and horses of the Yuguan garrison have always been transported from Liaoxi County. Food is delivered once every two months. Today is the day to deliver food.
It’s a day, so we need to allocate grain and grass from the official warehouse and send people to deliver it.”