Since Xiao Tang chose to develop a few elite troops completely under his control in the green forest, why didn't he concentrate the existing forces in the world and slowly grow like Liang Shanbo in the original work?
Employing influence in the copycat?
Because after Xiao Tang thought about it, he realized that there were three reasons why he had to act according to this plan.
The first is that if the manpower is too concentrated, when the number of troops in the green forest expands to tens of thousands after several years of military preparation, it will inevitably be vigilant and suspicious of the local state military department. At that time, the military strength of Xiao Tang will be greatly reduced.
The increase is directly proportional to the possibility of being conquered by imperial soldiers. Not only is the risk of Xiao Tang being exposed, who is currently the capital of the palace commander's palace, Yuhou, also increasing, he is also very likely to have to fight with the former military commander Pao Ze.
The fight between comrades-in-arms will only intensify the internal strife in the Song Dynasty before the Jurchen cavalry goes south.
However, now there are five green forest heroes in Erlong Mountain, Qingfeng Mountain on Jingdong East Road, Xiong'er Mountain, Funiu Mountain and Shiliang Mountain on Jingdong South Road. No one can guess the co-owner behind the Wulu Mountain Village.
Xiao Tang, who served in the former department of Bianjing Palace.
Each of the five villages has thousands of people. Although the local state capital is on guard, it does not regard them as a serious threat. However, when these five people gather... Lu Zhishen, Hua Rong, Sun An
, Bian Xiang, Yuan Lang, Dian, Teng Shu, Teng Kan, Shi Xiu, Zhu Jing, Xi Sheng, as well as Lin Chong, Yang Zhi and other generals who will eventually be forced to leave the grass, this set combines the original three major talents of Song Jiang, Tian Hu and Wang Qing.
The lineup of the enemy's elite generals was already quite terrifying, and with the troops and horses gathered in one place, Xiao Tang now had the strength to defeat several military states in a row and separate one side.
The second reason is the most critical. How many people and horses can one or two cottages support? Even if Xiao Tang has Yang Xu dispatch money and food support, and then transport it to various places through Yang Lin's escorts, the Green Forest cottage itself also needs to be self-sufficient to a certain extent.
ability.
When Liangshan developed to a certain scale, Dulonggang Zhuli Hu had three towns, Zengtou City, Qingzhou, Huazhou, Gaotangzhou, Damingfu... Although every time there was a reason for sending troops, Song Jiang, Wu Yong and others
They all went out decisively for reasons such as "there are many people in the village and lack of money and food, so they just took advantage of the situation to capture that guy". However, in these several killings, in addition to the destruction of Gaotangzhou and other places, there are clear records that Liangshan Qihao
In addition to no prisoners, other records of the tragic post-war conditions such as "Everyone in the family, young and old, were killed without leaving a single one alive", "When I came into the city to see the old man, I was so wounded that all the people were crying" and other records of the tragic post-war conditions are also common.
The world still belongs to the Zhao family of the Song Dynasty, but it is not a chaotic world where heroes are divided and fighting each other. Even the giants in the green forest cannot collect taxes to equalize the land and recruit troops and food through regular channels. When they
When they need to break through the constraints of the social environment and continue to strengthen their power, they can only rebel, they can only rob, they can only force the people who originally do not want to cause chaos to have no choice but to join in being thieves.
It was the same as the Mingzhou Zhang Di who had gathered more than ten strongmen from villages in Hebei and Hedong during Xiaotang's crusade.
Moreover, Song Jiang wanted to be recruited, so he gathered a hundred men and eight men in Liangshan, engaged in Shijie astronomy, and sneaked into the capital to have a private meeting with Li Shishi to attract the attention of Song Huizong Zhao Ji. In the end, he got what he wanted.
And Xiao Tang also had the official position that Song Jiang dreamed of, so why would he need to show all his trump cards like Song Jiang did to increase his bargaining chips with the court?
The development of several mountain strongholds under the secret control of Xiao Tang was not only conducive to the recruitment of capable people and strangers from various parts of the Song Dynasty. Moreover, when the military strength was dispersed, the demand for supplies would also be reduced, so that Xiao Tang's Green Forest would not be overwhelmed. Forces have no choice but to resort to militarism, using war to support the battlefield, and regard ordinary people as targets for plunder.
Even if Liangshan keeps talking about killing the rich, helping the poor, and doing justice for heaven, under the constraints of objective conditions, he still has to burn, kill, loot, and treat ordinary people as resources. What's more, the Shanzhai that raises the banner of "doing justice for heaven" is just a Liangshan , where is enough?
The third reason is what Xiao Tang emphatically explained to Ou Peng and other Huangmen Mountain Four Heroes. The current leaders of the other five cottages have a close relationship with Xiao Tang, and they can be said to know each other well. Although Ou Peng Peng, Jiang Jing, Ma Lin, and Tao Zongwang admire Xiao Tang's reputation in the world, but after all, it is only the first time for both parties to meet. You want to trick me into joining the gang with just a few words and ask us brothers to obey your orders. Why?
For Xiao Tang, his advantage is that because he is familiar with Water Margin, he is very familiar with the temperament of everyone in the book. In Green Forest, Xiao Tang entrusted heroes such as Lu Zhishen, Sun An, and Lin Chong with chivalrous hearts and deep loyalty to manage the village. Of course, I am very relieved. Xiao Tang can also understand their temperaments through personal contact with Yuan Lang, Zhu Jing, Dian and other green forest heroes who are not described in the original work. Therefore, Xiao Tang does not have to worry about some copycats. Because the emperor is far away, the leader of the emperor will betray him or even betray him, exposing Xiao Tang's secret plan in the green forest. At this point, Xiao Tang is completely able to know people and make good use of them.
But from the perspective of Ou Peng and other Huangmenshan leaders, as well as the Green Forest strongmen who may join Xiao Tang in the future, it will take some time for them to fully trust Xiao Tang. Only when they can really understand Xiao Tang's intentions can they Hui will become a comrade with Xiao Tang without hesitation. No matter if Ou Peng and others are allowed to become Xiao Tang's sixth green forest power base on Jiangnan East Road, or they are persuaded to merge with other cottages, they will not meet Huangmen Mountain. Several leaders were suspicious.
Since he chose to develop on multiple fronts in the green forest, Xiao Tang must have a sincere sense of trust with the leaders of the various cottages, so as not to make one mistake and lose everything.
Xiao Tang told Ou Peng, Jiang Jing, Ma Lin, and Tao Zongwang the reasons, content, and specific implementation ideas of the "Water Margin Plan" he had plotted. At first, Ou Peng and others sounded really excited. It's a bit sensational. You gained the emperor's favor at such a young age, and rose to prominence, becoming the pacifier of South Beijing Road, and also held important positions such as the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the Imperial Palace. A man who is one of the best among men. Now he is taking the risk of treason and execution and supporting strong men in various copycat villages in the green forest. What is the purpose of this?
However, most of the Four Heroes of Huangmen Mountain were people who fell into disgrace due to oppression by the government. As Xiao Tang continued to describe in detail, they gradually understood Xiao Tang's intention of doing so. There are many things that officials cannot do, and there are also many things that officials cannot do. A thief can't do anything. Since Xiao Renxia is an official and wants to "be a thief", he wants to break the constraints imposed on him by his social status. This idea is very clever, and after listening to Xiao Tang's detailed explanation , Ou Peng and others also feel that compared to just being a copycat and hiding and dormant for a lifetime, why not be happy to conspire for big things like this!?
Ma Lin was the first to slap the table and praised: "As expected of Xiao Renxia! I would say that a person like Xiao Renxia, who can produce countless songs with blood-stained brothers, is definitely not someone who is dedicated to power and is obsessed with utilitarianism. What a disciple! Being an official eliminates evil thieves, and being a thieves kills dog officials, haha! Only wonderful people like Xiao Renxia have such thoughts!"
After saying that, Ma Lin turned to look at Ou Peng and said loudly: "Brother! Let's follow Xiao Renxia! Such a conspiracy of big things will make it worthwhile for us brothers, a few upright men, to live in this world!"
After Ou Peng and Jiang Jing exchanged glances, he pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up, picked up the wine bowl and said: "Xiao Renxia is willing to tell us brothers about such a big thing that seems to involve a sea of blood. This shows that they have great trust in us! Just for this reason, I respect you by doing it first!"
After saying that, Ou Peng raised his neck and drank the strong wine in the bowl. He then said: "It's just what Xiao Renxia said... it is of great importance. I hope Xiao Renxia will give the brothers some time." , let us have a long-term discussion."