After Long Qie left Songhai, he went south to the Jianghuai area, gathering the old Chu troops here while recruiting like-minded people who were willing to resist the empire.
As the former hinterland of the Chu Kingdom, there are a large number of remnants of the Chu army hiding in the Jianghuai area. Many of them still care about their homeland and intend to rebuild the world. However, there are only those who did not have enough weight in the past to come forward and wave their arms. They can only stay in the empire.
Survive under the rule.
Fortunately, as the empire gradually shifted its focus further south to the Baiyue Lingnan area, the dominance of the Jianghuai, Jingchu and Jingchu regions plummeted. It was not difficult for these "remnants of the Six Kingdoms" not to say that they were aboveboard, but at least lived quietly.
As soon as Long Qie, the former commander-in-chief of the Tenglong Army, appeared, I didn't know whether to say it was a bastard looking at mung beans, or whether I should say that a long drought was greeted by sweet rain. In short, the two sides hit it off immediately.
Coupled with some local people who were dissatisfied with the imperial rule, Long Qie quickly gathered a group of people.
As he successfully established a line with the local government, Long Qie took thousands of rebels and took root near Zhiwu County, Kuaiji County.
Of course, the few people under Long Qie's command are not too few to say the least, and certainly not too many to say that they are many. At least they are certainly not enough to resist the empire head-on.
Therefore, Long Qie could only continue to lie dormant, continue to accumulate strength... or wait for the opportunity.
Relying on the protection of the local government, he could not only walk openly and openly in Kuaiji and the surrounding counties, but at least he did not have to hide everywhere.
Those who are interested in joining him have already joined, and those who have not yet joined are basically unwilling to take risks.
What the common people pursue is a hot bed for their wives and children, and they rebel against the behavior of putting their heads on their waistbands to help others seek wealth. Even if they are about to die, it is difficult for them to make up their mind to take the initiative.
If Long Qie really stood up and rebelled against Te Niang, he might be able to attract some people, but he couldn't really rise up now.
So it has basically reached its upper limit.
When organizational development encounters a bottleneck, Long Qie naturally has to find other things to do.
On the one hand, in order to promote his name and win the favor of the people, on the other hand, he also wanted to train his troops and try to recruit more strong men, so during this period, Long Qie has been taking his "new soldiers" to sweep the mountains of several surrounding counties.
Water bandits.
The situation is difficult, and the harder it is for the people to survive, the more people have to work harder for them.
Therefore, mountain bandits and road bandits began to appear in various parts of the empire, robbing homes, seeking wealth and killing people. The Jianghuai area had a developed water system and numerous lakes, which gave rise to a large number of water bandits.
Today Long Qie came to exterminate a group of water bandits, and he happened to meet Zhong Limei who was passing by.
The latter knew that Long Qie was here to eliminate crime and eliminate evil, so he simply contributed... although Long Qie didn't need it at all.
Most of the soldiers under Long Qie were newly recruited stragglers. They were more like farmers who put down their farm tools than soldiers who went into battle to kill the enemy. Even after formal training, their combat effectiveness was still very limited.
Fortunately, the mountain bandits and water bandits are a ragtag group of people. They are not even as good as these new recruits. They are still qualified to wave the flag and shout when they are in a tailwind situation. Once they encounter a headwind situation, they will basically be broken at a touch.
Zhong Limei listened to Long Qie's words and looked back at the soldiers under Long Qie.
By clearing out the bandits and water bandits, these new recruits had seen enough blood to kill the enemy, barely breaking away from the category of pure recruits. However, because the enemies were too weak, they were still embarrassed to be used.
No matter how bad things the imperial court does, at least the combat effectiveness of the army is still nothing to say.
With the strength of Long Qie’s men...is it really useful?
Long Qie probably saw what Zhong Limei was thinking, but he didn't care much.
Food is food, there is nothing to say about it. It is simply unrealistic to expect that a group of veterans who were just ordinary people not long ago, or who have lived in poverty for more than ten years, can be compared to the regular army of the Empire in terms of combat effectiveness.
But strength and weakness are never fixed,
As powerful as Wei Wuzu, wouldn't it also gradually decline or even completely disappear?
The imperial army will not remain strong forever.
"Brother Zhongli, did he come from the north or the west?" Long Qie changed the topic and asked Zhongli Mei.
"From the north, I came directly through the Huaibei area." Zhong Limei replied casually.
"Is there any interesting new news from the north?" Long Qie asked.
"Uh..." Zhong Limei pondered for a moment and then replied, "The mirage that returned before has gone to sea again, does it count?"
"Going to sea again?" Long Qie was stunned for a moment.
He really didn't know this news.
To be precise, after he came to Kuaiji, he had very little information and was very slow to learn everything.
Because outside intelligence was of little use to him and he was very busy, he was too lazy to send additional manpower to the intelligence network.
"By the way, is the rumor that Mirage returned because he met a monster at sea true or false?" Long Qie asked again hurriedly.
Zhong Limei shook his head, "Brother Long Qie asked me this question in vain. I am on the road every day and have no channels to obtain information. I just listen to hearsay while eating and staying in hotels."
"There are many rumors about the truth about the return of the mirage, but the real and conclusive truth...how can I know?"
The imperial court announced the truth about this matter, that is, the theory of monsters. However, even if the court openly publicized the story of ghosts and monsters, a large number of people still did not believe it, and various conspiracy theories were derived from it.
Of course Zhong Limei and Long Qie would not believe those messy conspiracy theories, but for them, what the empire announced might not be the truth - the theory of monsters was too nonsense and was really unconvincing.
Hearing Zhong Limei's answer, Long Qie shrugged and smiled, "That's right... mainly because the theory of monsters is too absurd, otherwise a ship wouldn't be worth paying too much attention to."
Zhong Limei nodded, "The theory of seeking immortality and survival has been around since ancient times, but it is all false. The mirage went out to sea with great fanfare and caused an uproar in the world, but in the end it could not escape the feathers. It is really not worth mentioning."
"As for the theory of monsters... maybe it's just nonsense to trick the emperor, and it doesn't mean anything."
While the two were talking, the boat had already docked.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Once ashore, Zhong Limei was about to say goodbye and leave:
"The water bandits have been eliminated, so I won't bother you any more."
Long Qie quickly stopped him and grabbed Zhong Limei, "Goodbye, brother Zhongli, it's not easy to see you again, at least let me fulfill my loyalty as a landlord."
"Let's go back to the county town. We have to stay for a few days anyway!"
Zhong Limei hurriedly refused, "No, no, no, I'd better not bother you. Brother Long Qie, you have many things to do, so there is no need to waste your time for me."
"How can this be considered a waste of time? Besides, no matter what happens, you have to ask me to set the table for wine. Let's get drunk and then rest!"
"No need really!"
…
…
After a good fight between the two, due to Zhong Limei's firm attitude, Long Qie still didn't force it.
"Since Brother Zhongli is in a hurry, I won't force him. I'll wait until I get the chance next time!"
Long Qie was not angry because of Zhong Limei's lack of face, and his attitude remained kind.
Zhong Limei was the same, and replied with a smile, "Okay, wait until next time. I will definitely not be polite to you, Brother Long Qie, next time I have a chance!"
At this time, a soldier from the Tenglong Legion came over carrying a large package.
Long Qie smiled when he saw this, quickly took the package into his hand, and handed it to Zhong Limei:
"Brother Zhongli, since you don't want to be a guest, then just accept these things."
Zhong Limei was not in a hurry to take over, but asked, "What is this?"
"Some supplies for you to use on the road." Long Qie stuffed them directly into Zhong Limei's arms, "Don't worry, it's not anything valuable."
"The environment in Lingnan is miserable. It is not as bad as the Central Plains, or even worse than the Northland. I often hear people say it."
"Here are some clothes that I asked people to prepare that are suitable for the Lingnan environment, as well as some medicines that may be useful, and other small tools that may be needed."
"It should be able to help."
Hearing these things, Zhong Limei immediately held back his refusal, but he was also a little entangled.
Seeing this, Long Qie patted his shoulder and said, "Okay, keep it. Even if you are thick-skinned and don't need it, you still have to consider Miss Meng."
When it came to Meng Jiang, Zhong Limei couldn't refuse.
"In that case, I would be disrespectful."
"You're welcome." Long Qie smiled and then bowed solemnly, "Brother Zhongli, the mountains are high and the roads are far. See you again if we are destined!"
"Take care!" Zhong Limei carried the package and returned the gift solemnly.
Looking at Zhong Limei's retreating figure, a glimmer of light flashed in Long Qie's eyes.
After this contact, Long Qie increasingly felt that Zhong Limei was a worthy candidate.
As a former high-ranking military officer in the empire, Zhong Limei's strength and ability are beyond doubt, and he can definitely be regarded as a general for the Xiang clan who is determined to cause trouble.
They had intended to win over Zhong Limei before, but due to Zhong Limei's rejection and their own concerns, they were unable to do so.
Zhong Limei's refusal seemed normal to them.
This man has always been loyal to the empire. The reason why he sided with them during the Daze Mountain battle was partly because he could not accept the indiscriminate killing of innocent people by the imperial army, and partly because Zhang Han cooperated with them and Zhong Limei followed orders.
, coupled with the fact that Wang Li, the commander-in-chief of the empire, did not give him a way to survive at all.
No matter subjectively or objectively, Zhong Limei had to stand on their side, otherwise he would not only offend his conscience, but also risk his life.
Although he was unable to return to the imperial army after the incident, it was reasonable for him to refuse to join them in resisting the empire.
And Long Qie and the others were also worried that there was something wrong with Zhong Limei, that he was a hidden hook set by the empire... Although they thought it was unlikely, it was still somewhat possible, so they didn't force it.
However, after this contact, Long Qie's suspicion of Zhong Limei was reduced a lot.
Many of Zhong Limei's behaviors really don't seem like he wants to be an undercover agent. His anger, dissatisfaction and anger towards the empire are also very real.
Although all this may have been deliberately staged by the other party, Zhong Limei really didn't seem like someone who could have such acting skills - everyone was a soldier from the army, and Long Qie still had this in mind.
Unless... Zhong Limei started acting from the first time he met Long Qie.
But this is obviously unrealistic.
In fact, among the three Long Qie, Ji Buying and Bu, Ji Bu was the only one whose defense against Zhong Limei was slightly higher, and it was only a little bit higher, overall it was not that high.
Long Qie originally planned to take Zhong Limei back to Wuxian and try to recruit him again, but Zhong Limei was determined to go to Lingnan, so he had no choice but to give up.
However, he still tried to make as many good connections as possible, so that he could try again when Zhong Limei came back from Lingnan.
Long Qie felt that this was not a bad thing. When Zhong Limei fought another battle in Lingnan, he might be further disappointed in the empire, and his chances of success would be greater.
………………
Empire, East County, Daze Mountain, Farm Headquarters, Shennong Hall.
"Alas..."
A long sigh came from his chubby body. Zhu Jia put his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in the room dejectedly.
Liu Ji held an apple and sat aside carelessly, chewing the apple and saying:
"Brother, what's wrong with you, why are you sighing?"
The Zhu family looked up at Liu Ji with a blue 'sorrowful' face, "Brother, the mirage has gone out to sea again."
Liu Ji looked confused, "Ah... so what? The boat will go to sea as long as it goes to sea."
"Looking for immortals overseas is just a matter of fools being tricked by magicians, and one is willing to make a deal while the other is willing to suffer. It has nothing to do with us!"
"But it happens to be at this time that our hero came to see me. Do you think it is a coincidence?" The Zhu family asked in return.
"Oh!" Liu Ji suddenly realized, "It turns out that Miss Tian Yan is looking for you. You should have told me earlier, and you are talking about a mirage."
"Brother, do you think it's just a coincidence?"
"What else?" Liu Ji spread his hands, "Boss, that broken ship has sailed away, can Xiakui still come to you specifically for it?"
Liu Ji's attitude towards the mirage can also be regarded as the attitude of the vast majority of Jianghu people towards the mirage - it is just a spectacle created by the Yin Yang family's magicians to deceive the fool Ying Zheng.
In the past, they paid attention to the mirage because the mirage directly involved Ying Zheng, but now that Ying Zheng has left Songhai, the mirage is not worthless, but it is almost the same.
Not to mention that now that the ship has drifted to the depths of the East China Sea, it has nothing to do with 'ordinary people' like them on land.
"Everything is not that simple." The Zhu family drooped their heads and sighed again.
Liu Ji curled his lips and stopped talking.
If the boss thinks there is a problem, then there is a problem.
"Brother, are you going to see the eldest lady now?"
"Of course, it's okay not to go." The Zhu family murmured back, and then looked at Liu Ji, "Brother, will you come with me?"
Liu Ji chuckled and stood up, "Of course it's no problem."
………………
Daze Mountain, Lieshan Tangtangkou.
Ayan was wearing her "Xia Kui Suit" - that is, plain linen clothes and a plush cloak, standing at the door of Lieshan Hall.
Most of the six hall masters were lost before, but she never appointed a new hall master, and held all the halls except Shennong Hall in her own hands.
The Zhu family wanted to obstruct it, but unfortunately they were powerless.
He doesn't have the advantage in terms of power, nor does he have the advantage in terms of power. In addition, he is half a head shorter in status. He can only watch Tian Yan devour almost the entire farmhouse. He can't even stop him if he wants to grab a piece of meat.
Can't do it.
For being able to save Shennong Hall, he had to thank Patriarch Shennong for his blessing.
Ayan, who sits at the entrance of the Fifth Hall, usually stays in Lieshan Hall - this is not her habit, it is Tian Yan's habit, and she just chooses to respect this habit.
Ayan didn't have to wait too long, and the chubby Zhu family appeared together with the tall and thin Liu Ji - it's a pity that the Zhu family is too short, and their fatness is limited due to their limited height, otherwise they would be more pleasant in comparison.
