"Mr. Zhang, that's it... Li Longtou, Leader Du, and General Sima have united... They have different positions, but they are all afraid of you. They obviously want to do something to prevent you from taking control of the overall situation."
In Zhangqiu City, Qi County, the partition walls were clanging. In a narrow passage next to an iron pot workshop, Miao Hailang bowed his head respectfully and said these words.
Hearing this, Zhang Xing didn't say a word. He just put his hands behind his back and crossed the other party. He saw a dozen buckets piled on the car in the open space outside the narrow passage. The buckets were all open and filled with breathable and moist food.
There were fresh aquatic plants, and then there were pairs of plump autumn crabs with claws tied on the aquatic plants.
Zhang Dalongtou stretched out his hand and smashed it open, and smoothly opened the net rope. The released autumn crab immediately opened its teeth and claws, and even wanted to pinch its benefactor, but the pliers froze in mid-air.
In this way, many times, seven or eight crabs were frozen, and then they turned back to the narrow channel.
At this time, Miao Hailang remained motionless in the narrow passage.
Zhang Xing smiled and pressed the opponent's shoulder from behind: "Miao Gang Leader... I, Zhang San, will remember what you did today in my heart. When we meet in the future, no matter what our status is, we will always have a share of today."
Think about it."
The muscles on Miao Hailang's shoulders relaxed instantly, but he quickly asked again: "Then I dare to ask Mr. Zhang, what should I do next? Please give me your instructions."
"Whatever should be done, just treat it as if you just followed Sima Erlong's order to deliver a piece of autumn crab." Zhang Xing calmly ordered. "You can go wherever you need to go next, you just didn't say this to me.
...Go and have a rest, I will ask someone to give you a gift in return and a gift later."
"I understand, I understand." Miao Hailang nodded repeatedly.
Zhang Xing turned around and shouted to the next door. Immediately, Jia Runshi led his guards over and took down part of the autumn crab. Then he went to call Miao Hailang's attendants who were blocked. In the end, he guided Miao Hailang.
He left with the remaining autumn crabs.
As soon as the people left, Zhang Sanlang just sat in the courtyard next door, stroking a formed iron pot beside him amid the clanging sound, but his expression became obviously painful.
After a while, Yan Qing, the confidant leader, appeared in front of Zhang Xing, then he held his hands in front of Zhang Xing and came up to speak: "Third brother...is this an opportunity?"
"What opportunity?" Zhang Xing asked in surprise as he pressed his hand against the iron pot.
"A chance to win over Li Shu?" Yan Qing answered seriously. "He colluded with Sima Zheng to deal with you, third brother. From the perspective of the rules of the world, does it count as cheating? From the perspective of anti-Wei's great cause, does it count as cheating?
Collaborating with foreign enemies?"
"It's too easy to say that a person whose status is no different from mine is a traitor." Zhang Xing shook his head in reply. "If this thing can work, Li Shu can just find someone and tell him
So what if I collude with the imperial court? Or collude with the British Duke?"
Yan Qing nodded, but still did not back down: "This is the truth, but the current situation is different. At this time, we are in the strongest position."
"People will be dissatisfied." Zhang Xing shook his head. "And we are not big enough to dominate the gang."
"Then... how about starting with Du Po Formation first?" Yan Qing still didn't give up. "The gang must have no say in annexing Du Po Formation. Merge Du Po Formation, combine the power of Jianghuai heroes, and then turn around and take it.
Li Shu."
"There is no problem with this operation." Zhang Xing thought for a moment and said something. "But I'm afraid it is what the imperial court wants, and the imperial court is also happy to see us not moving, so that they can free up their hands after eating Nanyang."
"This is like doing business, it's nothing more than a matter of time and cost." Yan Qing laughed on the spot. "As long as you do it quickly, steadily, and well, what does it have to do with whether the court is willing to do it? Moreover, Nanyang
Where can I find enough to save him?"
"It makes sense." Zhang Xing thought about it again, then nodded immediately and knocked the iron pot next to him with his knuckles, making a clear sound. "But Yan Qing, do you think Du Pozhen and Li Shu would have thought of this?
?”
Yan Qing immediately asked, "Even if you want to get it, how can they stop it?"
Zhang Xing remained silent.
This time it was Yan Qing's turn to think about it, and then smiled: "I understand what Third Brother means. Third Brother wants to say that they are also smart people. They will readily admit defeat or bow their heads and seek peace, or simply jump over the wall. When the time comes,
It is convenient for us to act... But with all due respect, no matter who they are, we have to prepare ourselves and go on solidly, just like what the third brother did to the Zhishi Army in Weishui that day, otherwise how can we force it?
Do they need to move?"
"It makes more sense." Zhang Xing came to his senses and knocked on the iron pot next to him again. "We must be prepared for both the big and small things...especially the preparations for sending troops. We also need to contact the leaders and ask them about the time.
Views on the situation...Don’t ask anything else, just ask how to fight next? Where to send troops?"
Yan Qing thought for a moment and nodded again and again: "Yes, nothing can compare to a large army pressing down on the situation! Nor can it compare to mobilizing an army in an upright manner and wrapping the leaders into it."
Zhang Xing nodded heavily: "Then let's do it. You go and send the letter. When the pot is ready, I will go to Dengzhou to inspect the ordnance repair, and then turn around and go to Jiyin to inspect the winter clothes. Then we will chat in Jiyin.
Let’s talk about where to march.”
Of course, Yan Qing, who had received permission for the tandem, was speechless - that's what happened. Zhang Xing now had the absolute initiative and the greatest military power. As long as he didn't make any mistakes, no one could stop him.
In the second half of autumn, the Jishui Basin has entered the busiest season of the year.
First of all, there are the various intense military and political activities and the troop rest and recuperation operations on the surface... Yes, the troop rest and recuperation is also very tense. Winter clothes need to be made, pickles need to be made, iron pots need to be customized, ordnance needs to be repaired, and summary military articles need to be written.
, it is necessary to collect the boats and prepare the ferry, and to collect the autumn tax on the fields.
Therefore, the Jishui River is full of ships loaded with goods, and the official roads are full of small groups of troops and craftsmen dispatched.
It seems like there are endless things to do.
At the same time, in private, undercurrents were surging everywhere. Messengers were running along the Jishui official road. Some were from the gang, some were personal confidants of powerful leaders and local helmsmen, and there were many others.
A spy with unknown origins.
Everyone seems to be discussing something, everything seems to be busy, and everyone seems to be waiting for something.
Outside Jiyin City, the trees were green and yellow, while inside the Cangcheng city there was a lot of noise. Li Shu stood on the pier of the outer wall of Cangcheng and looked down, and saw a whole Cangcheng courtyard full of young people making noises. Laughing.
Many of them were dressed in old and tattered clothes, but many were cleanly dressed. Teenagers accounted for the majority, but there were also some girls hiding in the courtyard of Cangcheng. Everyone was divided into groups, but they did not seem to be based on simple age groups of rich and poor. Make a distinction.
Li Shu watched for a long time, then suddenly asked the person next to him: "Are they gathered according to villages and towns?"
"Yes." Fang Yanlang frowned. "But the biggest group is the gang members and the orphans who died in the war."
Li Shu suddenly understood, then nodded slightly: "Not bad."
"What's not bad?" Fang Yanlang, who was already the queen of Jiyin, immediately sneered. "It's a waste of time, a waste of money and food, and it makes people angry. In the end, only one in a hundred will be used? Why not take in some orphans, or I will do this foundation building for all the disciples in the gang."
"Is there really a lot of resentment among the people?" Li Shu asked in a low voice.
"More than just a big one?!" Fang Yanlang shook his head in response. "I can finally see the tricks of some people. He gave orders lightly, but the evil people asked us to do it, and we also had to work hard... The people below just thought it was... We want to collect labor, free labor, and female children. What's more, when we want to rob people and make them maids for the leaders, the result is a lot of scolding. It's amazing that three out of ten families can finally surrender. Residents in the city who are related to the Gang. This is Jiyin! The Gang has managed Jiyin stably for a year and a half and has a deep foundation. I don’t know what the trouble is like in other places. Half of the Gang’s reputation is ruined. This matter is over."
"That's the trouble."
Li Shu sighed and just raised his hands on the pier. "The problem is not that there are public grievances. What does it mean to have public grievances in this world? It is not that we are afraid of trouble, and troubles that cost our lives are appropriate. The problem is that, in this matter, Everyone disagreed, but the result was passed; everyone felt that it would be useless and would cause resentment, but the resentment came, but it was not directed at him alone, but at our entire gang..."
Although Fang Yanlang had fallen into trouble, he was by no means a fool. In fact, he was very sensitive and concerned about some things, so he heard it all at once.
"That's right." Ji Yinliu came back with a frown. "The gang has become a general trend. Although everyone has their own ideas and cannot be said to be politically connected and harmonious, no one dares to get rid of these three words. Everyone is involved in this gang, and everyone recognizes it internally and externally... If we want to do something, we have to start from here."
"Zhang Sanlang is a gifted talent."
Li Shu looked at Cangcheng, which was getting quieter, and saw a handsome old man coming from outside. He held his hands towards him from a distance. When he entered the courtyard, he began to teach the foundation building method. Then he turned around, but turned his back. Facing Cangcheng, I looked out at the slightly crowded streets. There were many people crowded there, all of whom were parents of children who were learning foundation building tutorials. "That day outside this city, I saw him conjuring thousands of people out of thin air. When the rebels came to help, they were greatly shocked. I felt that this man was really as talented as Zhang Shizhao, and there was something I couldn't do. Later, in the Battle of Lishan, he was able to conjure countless amounts of food almost out of thin air. The disadvantaged battlefield was suddenly turned into a superior battlefield; this eastward march was well prepared and prioritized, and it was overwhelming... I deeply appreciate Cheng Dalang's praise; as for the establishment of the gang's structure, it is the foundation of these things. Old man Fang, he is a born rebel!"
"No one is born to rebel. I have to say that I think he is a prime minister." Fang Yanlang was silent for a while and gave his answer. "But a prime minister's talent is not that of an emperor..."
Halfway through the words, Fang Liuhou swallowed it himself, while Li Shu stared blankly at the scene in the city without saying a word.
After a moment, Fang Yanlang frowned, only took a step forward, and whispered: "It is indeed inappropriate to say this at this time, and it is my fault. But what about Du Po Zhen? An alliance is an alliance, but I'm afraid it's just an alliance.
It’s useless to be afraid of forming an alliance, everyone agrees to join the gang, but Zhang Sanlang has great achievements and great prestige, and everyone in the gang obeys him..."
Li Shu turned slightly sideways, as if trying to avoid it.
"I can even think of his tricks!" Fang Yanlang didn't care at all. He walked up to follow him and continued to speak sternly. "Ignore you, the right-wing leader, as long as he stands up and says, we will subdue Jianghuai and conquer the Huaiyou Alliance.
! Everyone in the gang, even Shan Tonghai, will agree, and you can't oppose it face to face. Then, as soon as the decision is passed, they will lead the army to press towards Huaixi! At that time, what can Du Po Zhen do? And Du Po Zhen at this time
Although he is an ally, if he wants to preserve his own power at that time, once he is subdued, he will become a stronghold on the left!"
At this point, Ji Yinliu simply grabbed the sleeve of the opponent who was still hiding: "It will be our turn then! Why are you hiding? Where can you hide?"
Li Shu sighed, turned around and said to his confidant: "I understand everything you said! But what can I do? Do you want me to pull the lever? Or do you want me to get angry with you?"
Fang Yanlang was silent immediately, but after a moment, he still shook his head: "Longtou... the thing is like this, if we don't take action, people will get into trouble... Think about it, if we have the power of the other party now
, will you let it go easily?"
Li Shu could only nod casually: "If this is the case, go and talk to the big leaders first, just to express that it is more useless for a family to be alone than to be in a group."
"That's all it can do." Fang Yanlang sighed for a moment. "I'll do it!"
After a while, the man spread his hands again: "You can't go to Wei, right?"
Even though Li Shu was in a heavy heart, he was amused by these words and smiled, and just walked down with his hands behind his hands... Even if Li Shu was dead, how could he surrender to Wei if he jumped from this pier?