Before the twelfth lunar month, the gang’s new conference was held, and the effect was unexpectedly good, much better than expected. This made many people think about this matter like "this is the way it is, so it doesn't matter", or "it's going to be okay anyway" People with the mentality of "hey, you are the leader and you have the final say" are very surprised.
However, even Zhang Xing was actually shocked by the sergeant's enthusiasm, but he just didn't show it on his face.
After thinking about it, he could only guess that the situation in Hebei was too difficult in the past two years, and everyone was a little depressed. One obvious evidence is that the first group of people who were more enthusiastic about participating in this military camp sports meeting were these newly attached people. The Hebei Rebels not only participated, they even contributed many ideas and proposed many projects with Hebei characteristics. These people soon had a catfish effect, arousing the interest and sense of confrontation among several other groups.
And just when Zhang Xing officially added the article "pay attention to the spiritual life of soldiers" to his "Six Tao——Revision Opinions", some people appeared and further verified his guess.
"Who is that?"
Under the winter sunshine, Zhang Xing was originally watching a strange game called "Capture the Dragon" on a simple high platform in an outlying camp that was similar to rugby but the field was covered with plowed ridges. He suddenly turned his head and noticed We arrived at some strange people on the edge of the camp. "Are they the people nearby? Or the families of the rebels here in Hebei?"
"They are people from nearby, but there should also be local family members from Bohai and plains." Dou Lide only glanced at it and hurriedly explained. "It was there a few days ago, but in the past few days, we started to hold meetings and play "Capture the Dragon" before going there. Those who came forward... As for the other families of the newly arrived rebels, the current situation in Hebei is that there is no information and it is too cold. There is no definite explanation, so it is really difficult to go on the road."
Obviously, Dou Lide's focus was to explain why his group had not yet taken over their family members.
Zhang Xing nodded. He heard what Dou Lide meant, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he stood up and walked there. Not only Dou Lide, but also Cheng Zhili, Jia Yue, Zhou Xingfan, Wang Xiongdan, and Jia Runshi were on the side. The others, including Sun Anzong, Cao Chen and others who were following Dou Lide, had no choice but to abandon "Seizing Long" and get up to follow.
However, the arrival of Zhang Xing and his party immediately dispersed these people. They panicked and fled directly from the outskirts of the camp. It was obvious that most of them were children and women... but they did not disperse in a rush, but went to the same place. Go in the direction.
Zhang Dalongtou became more and more curious and continued to follow. Then he just turned a corner outside the camp and saw a row of wooden houses that were similar to wooden sheds, or more narrow and cramped. They were basically sandwiched between the city wall and the camp. In the gap, it just stands with its back against the frozen moat.
Seeing this, Zhang Xing immediately realized what was going on, so he turned around and asked, "When did it start?"
"It's been ten days, right?" Zhou Xingfan thought thoughtfully. "Ten days ago, I went to Lujiao Pass to pick up a batch of grain. When I was delivering it to the city, I happened to see someone building a wooden house... At that time, I was curious as to why this was erected. Is this a shabby house a toilet? But don’t you think it’s actually a military market where civilians gather spontaneously?”
"More than ten days." Cheng Zhili, who has always been careful, immediately corrected him. "I remember that it should have been there about seven or eight days after we returned to Yin County, and then it gradually increased, and maybe more than ten days ago.
too much."
Dou Lide seemed to sense that something was wrong in the atmosphere and seemed a little uneasy: "Don't you have these in the East?"
"Basically not." Cheng Zhili explained seriously to Dou Lide. "In the east, Longtou had the foresight. From the beginning of the uprising, he warned that no looting, no destruction, and the rule of surrender and temporary appointment of officials was implemented from the beginning.
To prevent chaos in the local area. Even in the Qijun and Lujun areas that were later captured, the village markets may have suffered losses, but everything in the city was fine, and after stabilization, the countryside quickly recovered...
In this way, the soldiers can go home during the holidays, or go directly to nearby markets or cities to play tricks."
"There are still some in Dengzhou, but it has become much more stable after the fields were replanted in the autumn, so don't worry about anything else." Zhang Xing interrupted and asked Cheng Zhili again. "How is your hometown? Will it be okay after moving back?"
"
"Reporting back to the leader, every time I come back, basically half of the wealth of those who have it is lost." Cheng Zhili said. "But I can go back, everyone from top to bottom is very grateful for our help."
"
"It's not necessarily gratitude." Zhang Xing said disapprovingly. "The parties they came into contact with, whether it was us at the beginning, the Qi County government, or the Zhishi Army, all turned into gangs in the end... To them, we
It cannot be said that the total disaster caused their family property to be halved and they were forced to leave their hometown... In Dengzhou, Chief Bai said when he came a few days ago that the atmosphere was very bad."
Cheng Zhili quickly explained: "I'm not flattering the leader, it's really not like this. Don't forget that the leader had stayed in Hebei for a while, hiding in the salt-alkali marsh in Douzigang, and then went to the salt-alkali marsh for a while.
There are quite a few people in Hebei who have fled. What is most afraid of is comparison... Compared with this side of Hebei, the east is really peaceful... My fellow countrymen are really grateful."
Zhang Xing was stunned for a moment, and then smiled bitterly... Sure enough, his happiness level increased when he was compared to others?
"Does it need to be expelled? After all, it affects military discipline." After being stunned for a while, Zhou Xingfan asked. "Only let the soldiers go to the city to mend and rest?"
When Dou Lide heard this, he wanted to speak.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xing also shook his head in reply. He originally wanted to go over and take a look in person, but after taking two steps and realizing the problem, he turned around and glanced around, then stared at Jia Runshi and Wang Xiongdan:
"Xiao Jia and Xiao Wang went to ask each other, and asked a few more companies what they could do for them and at what price? Then take a look at who was in the shack. After asking, don't come back in a hurry. Then go to the military camp to ask.
The sergeant who has been there can compare it and make sure it is correct."
Jia Runshi suddenly understood, and then left in a daze.
Wang Xiongdan also gave up and left.
After giving the instructions, Zhang Xing actually turned back to the sports field and continued to sit on the high platform outside the "Capture the Dragon" game. The leaders of the two competition camps below, namely Fan Dajuan and Xiahou Ningyuan, originally followed Zhang Dalong.
As soon as the group of people left, they started to fight off the court. But this time when they saw the people coming back, they honestly returned to their respective sides of the court to yell.
Of course, what they didn't know was that after sitting down this time, Mr. Zhang's mind was obviously no longer present.
To be honest, it was difficult for Zhang Xing himself to explain clearly how he felt after seeing the row of dilapidated wooden houses.
Logically speaking, it should be because the people's livelihood is so difficult, because unless the people are extremely poor and hungry, they are not willing to degenerate to participate in these "civilian military markets"... You must know that its trading objects are soldiers from the feudal era.
This means that the risk of trading is too great, the income is too unstable, and it is inevitable to be mentally prepared to do skin business and to pay for it with a low social status.
But in fact, at that moment, he was somewhat relieved.
Because since arriving in Hebei, the situation he has seen can basically be called Chidiganli. The entire territory is full of lifelessness, which is completely different from the east territory where various productions and cultural activities can obviously be maintained.
.
Of course, there are basically military camps or military activities in the places where he hangs out. Considering the military discipline displayed by the Hejian Camp before, ordinary people do not need to be expelled. It is completely normal for the family to take the initiative to flee. In addition, the winter is getting worse and worse.
It was cold, and everyone was hiding in the settlements to survive because of the limited time.
Before, when the weather was still cold, I encountered passers-by from Pingyuan City on the edge of the battlefield, and I was still a little angry.
But something still isn't right.
The scene where once you go out, the entire plain is deserted, not even wild animals or grass, is really scary and unsettling.
Therefore, when this kind of "civilian military market" began to appear, for a moment, he was actually a little relieved - he could be regarded as seeing the people of Hebei who gathered spontaneously.
Zhang Xing did not deliberately hide his reaction. From the first time he met the person until now, he has been observed clearly by others. The entanglement at this time was even more obvious to others, and several people have been testing him.
"Third brother, what do you think?" Xiao Zhou relied on his personal relationship and asked in a serious manner without any pressure. "This kind of military market will affect morale. Our purpose of organizing the army is to improve combat effectiveness. Soldiers should be allowed to enter
It’s time for the city to do serious expenses.”
"It's not easy." Cheng Zhili suddenly interrupted. "It's also difficult for shops in the city, and there are some things, like mending clothes... It's not like we're in the East. If we can send them home or ask the locals in the group, it won't take a long time."
A little money, half a meal, here, even the locals in Hebei have nowhere to look for a home."
"who
Are you saying no?" Doulide sighed. "It's like the three thousand people I brought before the army was organized. They were standard Hebei people, but more than half of them were met on the road and they didn't know the details. Among the remaining people,
There are only one or two hundred people with children, but they are still in Gaojipo, and they are all old, weak, sick and disabled... The original wife was killed by the government. Last year, Lao Cao betrothed his sister to me in the swamp, and she became our
The hairy Mrs. Yazhai did not enjoy any blessings, but she had to take the lead in mending clothes, cooking, and fetching water and grass for hundreds of people every day."
"Who can blame this?" Cao Chen, his lieutenant general and uncle-in-law, couldn't help but chimed in and laughed. "If I don't marry you, it's as if she doesn't have to mend her clothes or fetch water."
The others also laughed.
After laughing, Zhang Xingfu asked frankly: "So, Xiao Zhou means to expel the troops, and to restrict the troops to only do business in the city? And what do you mean to keep them?"
"Yes." Zhou Xingfan responded simply. "Maintaining combat power comes first... At worst, we can ask the wealthy households in Qijun City across the street to come here and connect with each other to see if we can open some targeted stores, or release some craftsmen from the military camp, and then
We might as well invite some families of Dongjun sergeants to come and live in the city... I think the city is pretty empty."
Zhang Xing nodded, but said nothing. He only looked at the big leader Cheng Zhili standing next to him.
Cheng Zhili blurted out: "Longtou, what I mean is that the people in Hebei are quite pitiful, and the soldiers are inconvenient. We need to be more lenient and adapt measures to local conditions... After a while, the situation improved, and the camps were moved, and they naturally dispersed.
It’s necessary to be too entangled.”
Zhang Xing was still noncommittal, and looked at Dou Lide, the leader of the new Hebei rebel army who was very outstanding both in the previous war and in this army. This person was not very prominent in the Hebei rebel army before, but I don't know what happened.
, came to the gang, but almost stood out naturally like a cone in a bag.
"Longtou, it is really difficult here in Hebei. It is very different from the east. It is not a poverty in one place, nor is it a temporary problem." Dou Lide thought for a while and answered seriously. "So what I mean is
, not only should they not drive away, but they should also erect a fence to block them from the wind, and also set up rules for the soldiers to prevent them from bullying those women casually, and send people to patrol. "
Zhang Xing also nodded, but still didn't speak.
At this time, the competition below seemed to have entered a fierce stage. The two sides struggled into a ball, triggering a brawl that exceeded the limit. Before the person making the decision could say anything, the two camp leaders, Xia Hou Ningyuan and Fan Wang, rushed down first - but not
Fight for fun, but stop it quickly.
After a moment, the fight was stopped and the game continued.
Everyone withdrew their gaze and continued to look at Zhang Xing. It was obvious that Cheng Zhili and Xini had no hope, but Zhou Xingfan and Dou Lide were obviously opposed to each other. Both sides were eager for a clear answer from Zhang Xing, the person who could make the decision.
"Actually, it's very simple." Zhang Xing saw the two people's glaring eyes, but he smiled and answered frankly. "We will see the results of Xiao Wang and Xiao Jia's questioning later, and then make a decision.
"If there is still some order, and the prices are stable, and there are few people selling their bodies, or they are expensive, then drive them away, or move them to the city, because if you drive them away, they will not starve to death for a while.
"And if the prices are disordered and the money, grain, and silk are mixed, then leave them behind, collect them properly, and pay attention to public security, and prevent fire and theft. Just wait for us to move the camp and let it disperse. Because if this is the case, it can only mean that they
Every family has arrived, and the situation is extremely difficult. It is better to help the poor than to help the urgent.
"However, if the price is ridiculously low, and the actual market prices of grain, silk, and money are too high, then it will not only be a matter of setting up a fence, but I think we will also have to set a unified price for them. How much does laundry cost?
How much does it cost to mend clothes, how much does it cost to come into the camp to help cook meals, and if they do enough work, just give them a guaranteed ration... Good families, widows, you can also look for those skilled craftsmen in the camp to stay.
Soldiers in the field, be a sidekick... If possible, give the children who follow you a chance, and let them help with the work while trying to learn foundation building, literacy, and crafts... Because this is the real job.
, it means they can’t survive at all, and since we have come to Hebei and have become the local boss, if we don’t help, how can we pass it on to others?”
Zhou Xingfan and Dou Lide were a little confused, and Jia Yue, who had been silent, also began to think seriously.
"If that's the case." Cheng Zhili smiled. "Just
Set up a special camp, like the craftsman camp, and assign logistics management specifically."
"In terms of efficiency, this is what we should do." Zhang Xing responded sternly. "But you can't open this hole... Otherwise, who knows if someone will set up a prostitute camp in the future? Or maybe it will be like the officers and soldiers, who will do it every time."
Going to a place, openly robbing young men and women, robbing money, food, and women... It is one thing to be forced to take care of the weakest person in the world, but it is another thing to take the initiative to speak."
Only then did everyone become awe-inspiring.
Among them, Cheng Zhili and Dou Lide certainly looked solemn, while Zhou Xingfan sighed as if he was remembering something:
"Sure enough, the third brother is still the same as before. They all said that the territory of the gang has grown, and the authority of the third brother has become more and more important, and his treatment of people and things is different. But in fact, it is because he has encountered too many miscellaneous things.
Actually, inside he is still the chivalrous white-sanded man from back then... The ability to bend and stretch, and the all-around exquisiteness are all fake. The benevolence and righteousness in the bones to protect the weak and the ruthlessness of not being afraid of the enemy are real. Of course, the key is to have the method and the ability.
You can live if you want, and you can succeed if you want."
After some compliments, everyone naturally quickly agreed.
Not long after, Wang Xiongdan and Jia Runshi also rushed back, but they interrupted the flattery here.
"It costs one yuan or two yuan to wash a military uniform, and winter clothes start from five yuan; mending clothes are similar, starting from one yuan, but you have to count the line money; just help cook for those who stutter." Jia Run.
Shi spoke cautiously, and at the end, he felt a little embarrassed. He was still too young. "There are sleeping companions... there are sleeping companions, but they are relatively few, and it depends on their appearance, so the gap is quite big."
"How many people were specifically asked about?" Zhang Xing asked.
"There are two with one liter of old rice, the most expensive one is with three liters of old rice, and the cheapest one is with half a liter of small old rice." Wang Xiongdan added behind Jia Runshi. "I only want grain, not silk."
Zhang Xing nodded and turned around to look at Zhou Xingfan, who had become silent: "Whatever, just do what you said before. Xiao Zhou, you can handle this matter."
Zhou Xingfan didn't say anything, he said yes and left directly.
Wang Xiongdan and Jia Runshi sat down again with the others, and continued to watch the "Capture the Long" game as if nothing had happened.
Indeed, not to mention that Zhang Xing himself had been mentally prepared, but everyone else was also reminded by Mr. Zhang during the whole day meeting, saying something about "falling apart", "the battle will become more and more cruel", and so on.
In addition, after crossing the river this time, I should have been mentally prepared for what I heard and saw, so how could I delay such an expected little thing?
To put it bluntly, in the past few days, during the process of reorganizing the army, nearly ten thousand Hebei heroes left. The Bohai rebels had hundreds of officers killed because of collusion to cause trouble. Their heads were hung under the camp gates. The leaders of the Eastern Territory were sent back and forth by Zhang Xing.
They used the public strategy of moving tigers away from mountains to make personnel adjustments, and finally formed 25 battalions and 50,000 troops. Which one is not a real big event? And these did not delay the holding of the sports meeting in front of us, so what is today's matter?
However, having said that, there are still some things that can interrupt Zhang Xing from watching the game - before the game is over, Yan Qing comes to report, saying that a letter from Li Ding has arrived in Dengzhou, asking Zhang Xing to go back... Zhang Xing
Surprised, he stood up.
As soon as Zhang Xing left, many of the leaders who accompanied him naturally dispersed. Among them, others did not mention it. They only said that Dou Lide returned to the camp with his wife's uncle Cao Chen and Sun Anzong. Halfway through, his face turned pale and even shook a little.
Shake.
Sun Anzong was young and couldn't see this kind of gaffe, but as his most trusted confidant and right-hand man, Cao Chen saw something was wrong early on and wanted to ask a few questions, but was waved off to stop him.
It wasn't until the two of them entered their small camp and saw that many people were setting up the venue to prepare for the afternoon archery competition and sent Sun Anzong out that Dou Lide found a space and spoke in a low voice: "To be honest with you, Lao Cao, I
I just felt a little guilty."
"What are you talking about?" Cao Chen was extremely surprised. "Did you do something inappropriate?"
"No." Dou Lide rarely lost his composure. "It's not that I did anything, but that Zhang Longtou was a little scary today and scared me."
Cao Chen became more and more puzzled: "He was so powerful before. He devoured the Hejian Army's partial division alive, killed Governor Zhang without changing his expression, and then skinned 780,000 to 80,000 rebels alive, and forcibly killed twenty-five thousand soldiers."
You are the elite of the battalion, and there is nothing wrong with you.
You even helped him kill people and appease the troops, so why today...why?"
"There is no need to hide it from you." Dou Lide responded in a low voice. "What you said is indeed amazing, but I have never thought about comparing with him from those places? He is a big dragon head and a land of eight counties.
The master is the eldest son-in-law of the Bai family. Even when fighting in Hebei, he could write letters and chat with four or five county guards in Hebei at the same time. Sitting in Hebei, he controlled countless heroes in the east just like playing chess. I am with this person.
What does this kind of person do better than these? He is so energetic and heroic, let him be. But have you ever thought about it? What do I, Dou Lide, rely on to establish myself in Hebei?"
Cao Chen was confused for a moment.
"It's not about cultivation... In terms of cultivation, you are all better than me, nor is it about vision, knowledge, ability or heroic spirit. Regarding these, we really can't compare with others, and we were not prepared to compete in the first place." Dou Lide
Panting, he said, "I actually only have two abilities. One is benevolence and righteousness! The other is boldness! I treat my brothers and the people around me as much as I can, and then at critical times, I dare to gamble... the result
, this guy came from the east, not to mention his bravery, but today he even thought about benevolence and righteousness more thoroughly than me, and went deeper than me. And according to what Zhou Xingfan said, he didn't come to Hebei and encountered trouble.
People who are benevolent and righteous for the sake of benevolence and righteousness are always like this. Lao Cao, if you meet a person, others are stronger than you, but he can cover all your best points, wouldn't you be flustered? "
Cao Chen was silent for a moment and then asked: "Why do you think I married my girl to you?"
Dou Lide was suddenly startled.
Cao Chen also waved his hand and continued to ask: "Then what do you think we should do? Do you have any other ideas?"
"I had some thoughts before." Dou Lide was inexplicably discouraged, and even a little too sincere. "I think what he did was powerful and powerful, but it was too painful. It hurt people internally and externally, and it hurt people."
, and the situation in Hebei is too complicated, and it is not a matter of a Hejian camp, so I can’t say... Or maybe I just put it bluntly, I vaguely felt that he would make a big mistake in Hebei. Then, I was
I am from Hebei, and I am the most benevolent and righteous person, so I cannot say that I can control the situation."
"You want to replace him?" Cao Chen was startled. "You want to rebel?"
"How is that possible?!" Dou Lide immediately jumped up and stomped his feet. "What are you talking about? I feel that I cannot be like the leader of the Huaiyou League, Du, who still builds a gang in Hebei
My own statement made Bang He, the leader, feel that the situation in Hebei cannot be separated from me. It is worthwhile to give a big leader, or even a leader, without mentioning rebellion? Besides, am I, Dou Lide, a rebel? I am even a senior official.
None of them responded... In fact, if you think about Gao Shitong, you will know that the most I want to do is to do the same thing as Gao Shitong's defeat."
Cao Chen suddenly understood and then breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me."
"Don't worry, even if that's the case, it's just an idea. If there are really no flaws, what can I say?" Dou Lide also added an explanation.
However, Cao Chen thought about it and became serious: "If this is the case, I am your uncle-in-law, but I have to say it seriously... Even if it is an idea, you shouldn't think about it all day long. I just want to say that we are from Hebei.
If you are one level behind, it is not good to give advice directly, just make preparations in your mind, otherwise, benevolence and righteousness will become false."
"Of course it is, of course." Doulide nodded repeatedly.
And a moment later, Dou Lide was still regretting even saying these words to Cao Chen, but another messenger arrived, saying that Zhang Longtou was here to see him.
Naturally, he did not dare to neglect and hurried over again.
When Dou Lide came to the back hall of the Chinese army camp, which was full of forms and documents, he saw two young women in well-dressed clothes standing in the hall. When Dou Lide came in, they turned around together.
One of them was just paying it back. It was Ma Ping'er, the female leader who had accompanied Bai Sanniang to suppress the army a few days ago. She also knew that this person was Wang Xiongdan's engaged daughter-in-law, but the other one had a serious expression on her face.
Peach blossom, voluptuous figure, and outstanding appearance can no longer be described.
Dou Lide did not dare to neglect. After saluting Zhang, he extended his hands to the two of them and said hello. He did not despise the other because he was a woman and young and beautiful.
As a result, when she saw the other party's greetings, the woman ignored her and Ma Ping'er was caught off guard.
However, at this moment, Zhang Xing over there had already spoken: "Chief Dou, it's like this. Wu'an Prefect Li Ding is an old friend of Sisi and I... But I don't know why, but I lost my temper recently, so I wrote to him,
I didn’t even come back, but when I finally did, I was only sent to Dengzhou..."
"Li Lang is not losing his temper. He thinks you are a thief and he is an official. Now that you have arrived in Hebei, you may be going to war at any time. It is inappropriate to send a letter openly." The beautiful woman immediately came and sneered. "Zhang Sanlang, please don't be so dirty."
People are innocent.”
Zhang Xing also laughed, but simply pointed at this person and said: "Anyway, this is Mrs. Li. Don't underestimate her. She has the highest cultivation level in this room... Just in time, I want to give my
I asked Mrs. Li to send the letter and a revised opinion on "Six Tao". Ma Tou Ling and Xiao Wang also took some people with them, because I wanted them to go back and forth from Gaojibo and dress up with formal documents.
Officials sent people here. After all, in the cold winter, we must not treat brothers like brothers and wives like clothes. Especially a wife who is willing to mend clothes and collect water and grass for hundreds of people, let alone treat her badly. Do you have any tokens?
"
When Dou Lide heard this, he quickly raised his hands and saluted. He almost shed tears for a moment, but he quickly touched his body, but he couldn't touch any old things... At this time, his nose was really sore.