Chapter 489 Find out, know yourself and the enemy!
Lu Xuan and his party entered Wuyang County and stopped at the ferry in the south of Qianwei County.
The soldiers on the ship did not get off the ship.
Lu Xuan asked Zhao Yun to take a few soldiers off the ship and go into the city to learn the news and investigate the situation in Jianwei County and Wuyang County. Lu Xuan and Jia Xu stayed on the ship to wait. The two took out the map of Jianwei County and studied it carefully.
This map is relatively rough, with only general mountain and river conditions and no detailed distribution maps of rivers, official roads, and inns.
Even so, it's enough.
Jia Xu looked relaxed, pointed to the situation in Wuyang County on the map, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, we have entered Wuyang County. We did not encounter any checkpoints on the river along the way, and the journey was smooth."
"It stands to reason that when entering Yizhou from Yufu County, if Yizhou is on full alert, checkpoints will be set up on the waterways in each county to facilitate random inspections and understand the situation of entering Sichuan."
"But, I didn't meet anyone."
"It can be seen that Yizhou's armaments are lax."
Jia Xu said: "From this point of view, the same is true for Qianwei County. The number of troops should not be large and there are not enough elites. Therefore, it should not be difficult for the king to make some noise in Wuyang County."
Lu Xuan praised: "Wen He's analysis is very reasonable. Now, as long as we have further information about the governor of Jianwei and the magistrate of Wuyang, we can make more accurate arrangements."
Jia Xu also nodded.
The two were chatting, and in the afternoon, there was a rush of footsteps, and Zhao Yun came back in a hurry. After he stood still, he cupped his fists and saluted: "Your Majesty, I have a general understanding of the situation in Jianwei County and Wuyang County."
Lu Xuandao: "Say quickly."
Zhao Yun replied: "The governor of Qianwei County is named He Zong, and he is from Pixian County, Shu County. The He family has been a prominent family in Shu County for generations and has great influence in Pixian County. The He family itself is a big family in Yizhou.
one."
"The magistrate of Wuyang County is named Zhou Shi, and he comes from a wealthy local family in Wuyang County."
"Originally, He Zong was a migrant in Wuyang County, and Zhou Shi was a local. The interests of both parties should have been in conflict. However, He Zong and Zhou Shi had a relationship, and Zhou Shi was He Zong's son-in-law."
Zhao Yun looked a little solemn and said: "He Zong was Liu Yan's confidant when he was in Liu Yan. After Liu Yan surrounded and suppressed Ren Qi, the former Jianwei prefect, He Zong was left behind. When Liu Zhang came to power, He Zong's status became even greater.
It is stable, He Zong has good attainments in classics and is somewhat famous, so he is not a bad person."
Lu Xuan said in a deep voice: "You mean, He Zong is not a bad person, is there something wrong with Zhou Shi?"
A cold look flashed across Zhao Yun's eyes and he said, "There is a big problem."
Lu Xuandao: "Speak clearly."
Zhao Yun quickly said: "Zhou Shi is in Wuyang County. He is known as Zhou Papi. He specializes in skinning the people, collecting exorbitant taxes and various kinds of money, which has caused complaints from the local people."
"Once upon a time, Zhou Shi even arranged for soldiers to set up checkpoints on the Yangtze River in order to collect tolls. However, Zhou Shi's actions angered the bandits running rampant on the river. These bandits came and killed all the people Zhou Shi arranged on the river.
people."
"From then on, Zhou Shi ignored Jiang Shang."
"Zhou Shi set up checkpoints at the gate of the city. No matter where you are from, if you want to enter the city, you have to pay. If you go to the city to do business, you have to pay even more."
Zhao Yun said: "The general brought people into the city and paid money, and then he learned a lot of news."
Lu Xuan asked: "Is it just that?"
Zhao Yun sighed, shook his head and said: "If Zhou Shi only set up checkpoints, it would be just greed. However, Zhou Shi used his status as the county magistrate to constantly persecute the people, and even used the excuse of taxation to usurp the people's fertile land.
, seizing the surrounding land.”
"As a result, the people in Wuyang County have become landless tenants and can only rent land for farming."
"The common people call Zhou Shi. In addition to Zhou Bapi, some people also call Zhou Bancheng."
"Because half of the shops in Wuyang County belong to the Zhou family. Half of the land in Wuyang County also belongs to the Zhou family. When Zhou Shi comes and goes in the city, he is surrounded by hundreds of guards to protect him, ensuring Zhou Shi's safety.
"
Lu Xuan's eyes showed a cold look.
Zhou Shi is too greedy.
If such corrupt officials appear in a place, the people will have no way to survive, countless people will be displaced, and even more people will die.
In the end, these people will gradually become hermits and vassals of the big families, and the court will have no way of knowing how many people there are in the local area.
This was the biggest trouble for the court.
Lu Xuan's eyes were cold and he asked, "Didn't He Zong express anything?"
Zhao Yun said: "According to the people in the city, He Zong dotes on his daughter, especially He Zong, who is henpecked and afraid of his wife. In addition, He Zong likes ancient books, so Zhou Shi searched for ancient books everywhere and gave them to He Zong, but turned a blind eye.
Close one eye and ignore Zhou Shi’s various matters.”
Lu Xuan snorted and said in a deep voice: "Such a person seems harmless to humans and animals, and looks good, but in fact he causes great harm. Once he is an official, he must benefit one party. He served as the governor of Qianwei, but he did not take responsibility.
.”
"This is malfeasance."
"This is killing the people."
"The breaking point this time is Zhou Shi. We took action against Zhou Shi, arranged for people to keep an eye on Zhou Shi, and prepared to kill him. We used a banner to turn the enemy into a bandit and attract He Zong to encircle and suppress him."
"The next step is to capture He Zong, gather troops, and launch a counterattack against Liu Zhang. Once the momentum is shaken, Liu Zhang will definitely be afraid and send troops to Wuyang County to attack us."
Lu Xuan looked at Jia Xu and said, "Wen He, what do you think?"
Jia Xu said: "I agree with the king's strategy. However, I think that one more detail needs to be added."
Lu Xuan asked: "What details?"
Jia Xu replied: "The banner raised by the king is based on the identity of Ren Qi's subordinates. You were Ren Qi's subordinates in the past. Now you stand up to avenge Ren Qi, so you killed Zhou Shi, captured Jianwei County, and counterattacked Liu Zhang.
With this banner, coupled with the killing of Zhou Shi and the destruction of He Zong, it was enough to trigger a shock and mobilize Liu Zhang."
Lu Xuan's eyes were bright and he praised: "Wen He's analysis is very good, let's do it like this. To the west of Wuyang County, there is Qinglong Mountain. You arrange for people to investigate the situation of Qinglong Mountain and see how the situation is like
.”
"In short, it's two things."
"First, keep an eye on Zhou Shi's situation. Once Zhou Shi leaves the city, we will kill him. Second, prepare to station the army at Luocao Qinglong Mountain."
Lu Xuan said in a deep voice: "In general, this is the situation. Does Wen He have anything to add?"
Jia Xu shook his head and said: "Your Majesty's arrangement is very good. Zhou Shi has enough power to protect him in the city, so it is not difficult to kill him. But after killing someone, it is more troublesome to come out and his identity will be exposed easily. Therefore, action outside the city is the best option.
Okay, we can make better arrangements."
Lu Xuan ordered: "Zilong, make arrangements as soon as possible."
"Here!"
Zhao Yun answered with clasped fists.
He agreed, got up and left the cabin to make arrangements for the follow-up surveillance and inquiring about information.
