Chapter 143: The surge of soldiers (two-in-one chapter)
Baibo Valley was finally pacified.
But the problem is that Yang Feng was also beheaded by Xu Chu's move that swept through thousands of troops.
Following the death of Yang Feng, the whereabouts of the pottery merchant's five hundred gold coins became a major mystery during the Chuping period of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The whereabouts are unknown and there is no news.
As the saying goes, it is easy to borrow money but difficult to pay back, and it is even more difficult to pay for dead people.
The death of Yang Feng was a big blow to the pottery merchant. In the days after Baibo Valley was pacified, the pottery merchant would lead the four Pei brothers to Yang Feng's old house in Baipo Valley almost every day and spend a whole day digging through it.
But even though the potter dug three feet into the ground, he still couldn't find what he wanted... The five hundred gold toes seemed to have been taken from the Yang world to the underworld by Yang Feng, and disappeared out of thin air in the valley.
Perhaps this was Yang Feng's last counterattack to the pottery merchant before he died.
Facts have proved that this counterattack is very effective.
After the pottery merchant turned Yang Feng's house in Zibo City upside down, he finally gave up completely. Then he sat in front of his house in a state of trance, staring blankly at the white clouds in the sky above Baibo Valley.
dog.
What does it mean to take one shot back to before liberation? This is it.
Baibo Valley was pacified, and the leaders of the three families began to stabilize everything in the valley.
The aftermath matters are much more complicated than fighting on the battlefield, and they also require much more thought.
The work of gathering the Baibo Army, distributing rations, disposing of corpses, etc., as well as guarding against the rebellion of the First Surrenders, and counting the disarmed objects in the valley... none of this is a worry-free job.
Of course, for the pottery merchants, the most important thing is Bai Bojun's work of gathering together.
Because of Hu Cai's special status, Tao Shang specifically asked him to be mainly responsible for handling this matter, and asked Han Hao, Xu Rong, and Mi Fang to serve as supervisors.
Now four of the five Baibo commanders have died, and only Hu Cai is left. With his presence and the kindness and power of the army, it should be easy to recruit the Baibo bandits.
But the most critical point now is whose command these more than 100,000 Baibo troops will be gathered under.
Bao Xin and Wang Kuang said beforehand that they were not interested in these Baibo troops, but that was just talk after all.
The pottery merchant would definitely not be so naive as to think that the princes spoke with spitting foam and nails! On the contrary, in the pottery merchant's view, the princes' words, promises and oaths were sometimes even less reliable than those of thieves and bandits.
But even so, the pottery merchant would never give up the more than 100,000 Bai Bo army men to Ding Pingbai...
In his opinion, these people were earned by spending all their wealth, and they paid the price with blood. No one can get involved!
Anyone who wants to get involved will be destroyed by the pottery merchants.
…
…
On this day, the pottery merchant came to Yang Feng's former residence as usual, and turned the house upside down again with a faint hope.
Sure enough, once again, nothing was found.
The pottery merchant then smashed Yang Feng's yard to pieces.
After venting, he felt a little happier. He threw his hands and came to the front of the hall. He found a clean place to sit down, looked up at the sky leisurely, and once again watched the white clouds and the dogs.
After a while, the sound of footsteps was suddenly heard, but it was Mi Fang who led Hu Cai over. Behind them were ten strong Tiger Guard soldiers, each holding a large weapon in their hands.
Stacks of slips.
Looking at the mess in Yang Feng's yard, it was as if they had been swept away by bandits... Mi Fang and Hu Cai couldn't help but secretly smacked their lips.
What is this, the bandit's yard was robbed by bandits?
When the pottery merchant saw the two of them, he smiled gently, like a spring breeze.
"You guys are here, how are you? Have everything been settled?"
Mi Fang nodded and said nothing.
Hu Cai, on the other hand, stepped forward and saluted the pottery merchant: "Returning to the eldest son, Baibo Valley used to have a total of six armies, five battalions, and seventeen troops, regardless of men, women, old or young. Although they are not within the military system, they are
It was also planned according to the song so that the battlefield could be adjusted at any time. After this battle, my subordinates counted the surrendered soldiers for several days and found that there were still 114,700 soldiers. According to the prince's instructions, they all disrupted the original arrangement and divided them.
There are ten armies, each with eleven thousand, four hundred and seventy men. These are the rosters of the people in the valley. Please take a look at them."
One hundred and fourteen thousand people!
The potter's heart was filled with joy, but his face was very calm.
He said to Hu Cai with appreciation: "I won't read the roster. I can't remember the names of more than 100,000 people one by one. General Hu has worked hard and made great achievements. These Baibo troops who have just surrendered will be temporarily commanded by you. After all,
Your prestige is still there. Without you, it would be difficult for the potter to control so many people."
Hearing this, Hu Cai shook his head hurriedly and said in a low voice: "There are so many people, how can a villain take care of them? The eldest son must not make fun of the villain, but send another trusted confidant."
Tao Shang was happy when he heard this, and expressed his pleasure at Hu Cai's sudden improvement in consciousness in a short period of time.
He knows his position very well, and he will never take a job if it is not for him. Among the five handsome men in Baibo, he is the smartest.
"These more than 100,000 people are huge in number, and they have been weeded for many years. It is difficult for ordinary people to control them. Only Hu Shuai's prestige can deter them. However, the military laws and regulations of our Xuzhou Army are based on Han law. Compared with Bai Bo's
The loose regulations of the army in the past are much stricter, and it is estimated that Brother Hu will not be able to smooth them all out at once. How about I send you someone to help you supervise the army until we arrive in Xuzhou safely? "
Hu Cai was now completely following the orders of the pottery merchant. How could he refuse to agree? He just kept nodding in agreement.
The pottery merchant waved his hand to Pei Qian and asked him to call Yang Zhan.
Among the captains of Xuzhou Army, Yang Zhan has been appreciated by Tao Shang since the battle of killing Hua Xiong in Yangren City. This man is smart and well-behaved, and he never oversteps his bounds in dealing with things. He knows how to share the worries of the master.
.
Subordinates who can solve problems for their leaders are good subordinates.
After a while, Yang Zhan arrived.
Tao Shang told him: "Yang Zhan, Hu is the great hero of our pacification of Baibo Valley this time. Brother Mi and I have discussed and asked him to temporarily replace the Yamen general and manage the more than 110,000 Baibo Valley troops for us.
But I'm afraid he won't be able to do what he wants on his own, so you can be his deputy and help him manage some people, and I won't pay any attention to him after he returns to Xuzhou."
Yang Zhan had a sharp mind and immediately understood the elegance of the pottery merchant's words. He immediately smiled and said: "The last general will definitely serve the eldest son and assist General Hu. Well, these 110,000 horses can be divided into eleven armies.
I also ask the eldest son to select ten capable subordinates from the Tiger Guards to assist Yang and take charge of the army to assist General Hu."
smart people!
Tao Shang praised Yang Zhan's understanding in his heart and said: "You can go to Xu Chu for this matter soon. If you want to choose someone to help you, just ask him directly."
"promise."
After Yang Zhan saluted, he turned to look at Hu Cai and said flatteringly: "General Hu, my subordinate Yang Zhan has been ordered by the young master to assist the general all the way back to Xuzhou. If there is anything I can't do for you on the way back to Xuzhou, please let me know."
General Hu, please give me some pointers and corrections."
After all, Hu Cai had been a leader for several years, and he still had some experience. Tao Shang arranged for such a captain to assist him, and he naturally understood his intention.
Hu Cai smiled at Yang Zhan and said, "You don't have to be polite, Colonel Yang. I, Old Hu, have been a rebel for half my life. As soon as I got out of the dirt road today, I couldn't figure out many things. Besides, I'm born with fear."
Trouble, on the way back to Xuzhou, Bai Bogu asked Captain Yang to do a lot of work, while Hu was only responsible for enjoying his leisure time on the side. I hope Colonel Yang will not pick on Old Hu."
When Yang Zhan saw this, he secretly thought that it was no wonder that the eldest son helped this man onto the stage to surrender to Bai Bo's army. It turned out that he took a fancy to this man's virtue of "knowing the current affairs"!
I have to say that the eldest son has a very unique vision, and this Hucai is very wise.
"General Hu is too polite. Yang has been ordered to assist the general. If something happens to Bai Bo's soldiers, they have to rely on General Hu's prestige to mediate. How can they enjoy their leisure time? You will have to work a lot harder."
Hu Cai laughed loudly when he heard this, and he understood in his heart why the potter asked Yang Zhan to help him. This boy was impeccable in his words, and he looked like a smart and capable person at first glance. He may not be very capable in leading troops in war, but mediating and mediating must be his job.
Good at it!
The performance of Hu Cai and Yang Zhan both made the pottery merchant very satisfied.
Suddenly, Pei Qian walked in quickly from outside the door and whispered to the pottery merchant: "Master, General Bao came to see you and said he wanted to say goodbye to you."
"Farewell?" Tao Shang was startled when he heard this: "Are you leaving so soon?"
Pei Qian shook his head and said: "I don't know what's going on, but General Bao looks anxious, and it seems that there is something important. He said that before leaving, he must meet with the young master."
"I understand." Tao Shang nodded, turned to Mi Fang and said: "Brother Mi, you will be the host later and arrange for General Hu and Captain Yang to have lunch together. Let's get acquainted with each other. I'll go see Bao Xin."
one side."
Mi Fang agreed, and then suddenly approached the pottery merchant and whispered: "Sir, in the past few days we have used Hu Cai to subdue and reorganize the Baibo army that surrendered in the valley, leaving no room for Bao Xin and others. There are more than 100,000 people.
I guess Bao Xin has already become red-eyed...Young Master should be careful in your dealings."
Mi Fang's words gave the pottery merchant a wake-up call. He patted Mi Fang on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I understand, don't worry."
After leaving Yang Feng's house, he saw Bao Xin leading his brothers Bao Zhong and Bao Tao waiting outside.
Bao Xin's face was not very good, and he was obviously worried about something... Tao Shang didn't know if he was worried about dividing the 100,000 men of the Baibo Army with him.
If Bao Xin really asked for someone, Tao Shang would definitely reply with a smile, "Get out of here" in the name of the alliance.
Seeing the pottery merchant come out, Bao Xin stepped forward to greet him: "I haven't seen you very much these days? I just went to Huangfu Zhongcheng's place. He said that you get up at midnight every day and go to Yang Feng's old house before dawn.
.Why, what kind of savings does Yang Feng have that makes you so jealous? Are you here to dig for treasures?... Or are you hiding from Bao?"
When the pottery merchant heard this, his cheeks twitched slightly, and his eyes became a little red... The potter named Bao didn't open any pot.
"What kind of treasure hunt is this? It's just an opportunity to hide away. I have gathered such a large wave of Baibo soldiers, and I have to take care of everything. I am really too tired, and I can't hide..." The pottery merchant
He frowned, sighed and complained.
Bao Xin snorted and said seriously: "You kid, what do you want Bao to say about you?... You said you are so gentle and gentle, why do you have so many evil intentions? It was agreed upon at the beginning, Bao
If you disdain these Baibo army thieves, you are really disdainful. Am I really going to come and rob these bandits from you? You don’t have to test me anymore!"
The pottery merchant was a little surprised. He looked at Bao Xin intently, as if he didn't dare to believe what he said.
Are there really people in this world who are true to their word and do not envy or envy them?
This is Bao Xin. If it were Cao Cao, I would probably be slapping him with him right now.
Seeing the look of admiration in the pottery merchant's eyes, Bao Xin couldn't help but straighten his chest and said loudly: "Bao is a man who keeps his word, how can he not keep his word!"
Tao Shang bowed and apologized to Bao Xin: "Mr. Bao keeps his promise and is loyal and trustworthy... He really lives up to the word 'faith' in his name. Tao admires him."
Bao Xin laughed loudly after hearing this: "That's natural. Are you at ease now?"
Tao Shang nodded vigorously: "An Xin, of course Xin Xin, people in this world, whoever Tao doesn't trust, they have to trust you, Mr. Bao. After all, your character is not on display here. Just say these two words Bao Xin."
It’s no different from the word ‘integrity’!”
Bao Xin stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.
After a moment of silence, the pottery merchant suddenly hesitated and said, "How about... can you sign another note for me? I'll feel more at ease."
Bao Xin's hands were so strong that he directly pulled out his beard.
Not only did he not give the merchant any written evidence, he even got angry and scolded him.
The pottery merchant felt that he was aggrieved. The so-called empty talk was an illusory thing. Especially in troubled times, when ethics and morals were in a sluggish state, the princes deceived each other and spread out money every month.
Lies were as frequent and regular as coming to the aunt...Under such conditions, where there was no mandatory law to restrict them, Tao Shang felt that it was not too much for him to ask Bao Xin to sign a commitment letter.
After complaining about the pottery merchant for a while, Bao Xin had vented enough, and then he slowly got to the point.
"Master Tao, Mr. Bao is here today to say goodbye to you."
The pottery merchant said strangely: "Prince Fu went out to do business and never came back. Mr. Bao is in such a hurry to leave. Could it be that something important happened?"
Bao Xin's face was sad and his tone was quite worried: "I can't hide it from you, but something happened. Qiao Mao, the prefect of Dongjun, was killed by Liu Shijun of Yanzhou... Yanzhou is in troubled times now, and Bao needs to go back.
, I won’t wait here for the official festival. When the prince comes back, Mr. Tao will apologize to him on Bao’s behalf.”
When the pottery merchant heard this, he suddenly realized.
Qiao Maonai, the governor of Dongjun, was an important town in Yanzhou. He and Bao Xin were both under the supervision and management of Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou.
Now Liu Dai killed Qiao Mao. Not to mention the reason, but just because of this sudden incident, Bao Xin, as an important town in Yanzhou, naturally couldn't sit still. It was reasonable for him to be anxious to go back.
"In this case, Tao will no longer try to retain General Bao. He also asks General Bao to be more careful along the way. We will see you later."
The potter bowed deeply to Bao Xin.
Frankly speaking, Bao Xin is one of the few people among the princes who can be liked by the pottery merchant. He is not too selfish, and he is also relatively particular about his conduct. In the complex circle of princes, he can be regarded as a rare person.
A self-righteous person.
Bao Xin also returned the favor to the pottery merchant and suddenly said: "This time to conquer the Baibo Army, Bao didn't know why you proposed such a thing, but I saw that you worked hard to gather all the 100,000 Baibo soldiers under your command...
...To be honest, Bao sincerely admires your mind and ideas. You deserve these more than 100,000 people. Mr. Tao, go back to Xuzhou and work well for Your Majesty and the world."
Bao Xin's words made the pottery merchant very embarrassed. He waved his hands modestly and said, "Mr. Bao is so complimentary. Tao is really frightened."
Bao Xin laughed and said boldly: "It is a good thing for young people to be modest, but sometimes there is no need to be too modest. Bao believes in his own vision. I will not be wrong... There are young people like you among the young people, and they are considered the best in the world."
Bless you! I have to say goodbye today, and I don’t know when we will see you again.”
The pottery merchant put away his smile and said seriously: "No matter when we meet again, if Mr. Bao has something to say hello to him, the pottery merchant will help him to the best of his ability and will never break his promise."
"Okay!" Bao Xin nodded with satisfaction and said, "I have known you for so long, and I finally heard you say something special today. Hahaha, Bao has remembered your promise. Mr. Tao, we will see you later!"
"General Bao, see you later."
Bao Xin bowed his hands to the pottery merchant, turned around with Bao Zhong and Bao Tao, and was about to leave. Before they could get far, the pottery merchant hesitantly shouted to him: "Mr. Bao...are you really not going to establish the certificate for me?"
Then you can just make a poisonous oath... Promise that you will never ask me for anyone in the future."
Bao Xin suddenly stopped on the spot, took a deep breath, and calmed down the anger that was faintly burning in his chest.
After a long while, I heard him mutter to himself.
"It's better to meet again indefinitely!"
…
…
Bao Xin left, and only the Xuzhou Army and the Taishan Army led by Han Hao were stationed in Baibo Valley.
In accordance with the agreement with the pottery merchant, Han Hao secretly transported the baggage that the pottery merchant had plundered from the four prominent families in Hanoi to support the Bai Bo army, thus temporarily solving the logistical supply problem.
The pottery merchant also began to count the days on his fingers. It had been a year since he came out, and it was time to return to Xuzhou.
There are still many things and many ideals that need to be realized by oneself.
But before leaving, the pottery merchant felt that he still needed to see Han Hao.
The pottery merchant really wanted this person. Although the act of poaching an alliance member was very unethical, the pottery merchant just couldn't restrain the greedy desire deep in his heart.
These days are exactly the opposite of the ones I live in. There are many war-fighting talents and political veterans, but economic and technical talents are hard to come by.
So, on the third day after Bao Xin led his army to leave, the pottery merchant rummaged through Yang Feng's house as usual... This has become an indispensable part of his life in Baibo Valley...
Then he went to find Han Hao and prepared to show his affection and reason to him.
If Han Hao is still unable to get enough food and salt, Tao Shang might consider kidnapping him altogether.
When I arrived at Han Hao's residence, I found that he was not there. The Taishan Army's attendant said that Han Hao was doing a routine inspection of the stables.
The potter couldn't help but feel strange. He ran to the stable to check something in broad daylight. Could it be that he was really avoiding me?
If Han Hao was really avoiding the pottery merchant, then he still lacked understanding of the Xuzhou master's thick skin... What's the big deal about hiding in a stable? Even if he was hiding in the toilet and squatting in a pit, the pottery merchant would dare to go and find him out.
The potter arrived at the stables, and Han Hao was indeed there.
But the situation is that Han Hao did not stay here intentionally to avoid the pottery merchant, and there is indeed something wrong.
"This horse can't be used anymore..." After inspecting a war horse, Han Hao raised his hand and patted the horse's back gently, signaling to the horse guards accompanying him to take notes.
The pottery merchant was quite curious, so he stepped forward, slowly poked his head over, and said, "What are you doing, Han Zhengzheng?"
Han Hao was startled by Tao Shang's abrupt voice. He turned his head in surprise and said in surprise: "Master Tao, why are you here?"
The pottery merchant replied with a smile: "But for your sake... I came especially for Yuan Si."
One sentence made Han Hao feel a little at a loss.
He wanted to hide out, but couldn't find a suitable reason, so he could only stay in place feeling uneasy.
The potter did not continue teasing Han Hao, but turned to look at the war horse that Han Hao had just pointed to.
I saw that the horse's right hind leg was slightly lame. After falling to the ground, it quickly lifted up. It seemed to be in pain, and the horse's breathing was rapid.
The pottery merchant was surprised when he saw this, and his thoughts were spinning rapidly.