Without further delay, the pottery merchant gathered all his men the next day and headed south towards Danyang County.
During this period of time when he was stationed in Xuzhou, Tao Shang asked Xu Chu, Xu Huang, and Xu Rong to cooperate with Hu Cai to recruit more than 114,000 people in Baibo Valley.
Among these 110,000 people, there were old and young, strong and weak. It was impossible for the pottery merchant to let all of them serve as soldiers. He could only select the most elite and use them.
In the end, Xu Chu and others selected the most well-dressed soldiers, a total of 30,000 soldiers.
In addition to the Xu clan's one thousand soldiers, three thousand Taishan troops, four thousand Hanoi county soldiers, and five thousand floating clouds and yellow turbans.
And Tao Qian equipped the pottery merchant with two thousand Danyang elite soldiers, and sent his son and nephew Tao Ji to assist the pottery merchant in commanding... After all, he was still his biological father, not just one hundred and fifty people.
These 45,000 people are completely the pottery merchant's own army!
From now on, these 40,000 people will serve as the most fundamental team of pottery merchants and follow them around the world.
Frankly speaking, an army of 45,000 men is already at the forefront among the current princes in the world.
Even if Tao Qian himself had more soldiers and horses than the pottery merchants.
At this point, the pottery merchants became the largest foreign vassal force in Xuzhou.
Of course, the current power of the princes is still in its infancy. If it takes a year or two, it will be relatively easy to recruit a huge army of more than 100,000 people with Yuan's strength and reputation.
However, most of the 45,000 people were elite members of the Baibo Army and had not received formal training. In Tao Shang's view, their combat power was very insufficient.
Of course, when we return to Danyang County, this training task will be handed over to Xu Rong.
Excluding the 30,000 Baibo soldiers who had joined Tao Shang's army, there were more than 80,000 Baibo soldiers left. Tao Shang found Han Hao and asked him to prepare to register these 80,000 people when they arrived in Danyang County.
, and began to use these people as pilot projects to implement farming.
As for the people of Xuzhuang, the pottery merchants also obtained Tao Qian's permission. After he took over Danyang County, he asked them to move here to work together in the fields.
One is that the people in Xuzhuang are trusted by the pottery merchants and want them to become pilots. They will serve as guidance for the entire county and will gradually promote farming in the future. This requires good experimental manpower.
Secondly, it can be regarded as satisfying the lovesickness of Xu Chu and his mother-in-law.
The plan has been made, the next step is to implement the strategy and get rid of Wu Jing and Zhou Xin.
Wu Jing's troops have not yet arrived, and the current governor of Danyang County is Zhou Xin, a direct descendant of Yuan Shao.
The pottery merchant was not in a hurry to enter Danyang County. He only waited for Wu Jing to arrive and then designed a plan to deal with them both once and for all.
However, the plan did not change quickly. Tao Shang was not in a hurry to go to Danyang County to see Zhou Xin, but Zhou Xin came to see him in person.
What surprised the pottery merchant was that Zhou Xin did not come with an army. He only brought dozens of horses to see the pottery merchant, and he also brought something unexpected to the pottery merchant.
The seal and ribbon of Danyang County Governor.
When Zhou Xin placed the governor's seal and ribbon in front of him, the pottery merchant couldn't help but become confused.
How is this going?
This guy doesn't play his cards according to the routine?...There must be a conspiracy!
Meeting the pottery merchant's doubtful gaze, Zhou Xin smiled sincerely.
"Master Tao, please don't get me wrong. This is not a trick, it is a real handover. As the governor of Danyang County, Zhou will not sit down and will be given to you. Master Tao, don't be surprised. Everything Zhou said is sincere. If there is any falsehood,
, then he will be struck by thunder and die."
The potter dare not say that he is a god-given talent who can see through the true intentions or false intentions of everyone in the world.
But when he faced Zhou Xin's clear eyes, Tao Shang could clearly feel that what the other person said was indeed the truth, and he spoke the truth from the bottom of his heart.
"Mr. Zhou Fu, why is this?" The potter didn't understand. As the head of a county, Zhou Xin could give up his own business so easily?
For a person who has been in a high position for a long time, what is the difference between this and killing him?
Zhou Xin smiled when he heard this and said, "Master Tao, do you want to hear my true words?"
The pottery merchant nodded heavily and said, "I think so."
"It's very simple. I just don't want the people of Danyang County to suffer the scourge of war for no reason because of our fight."
The pottery merchant was speechless when he heard this.
It's a very simple truth, anyone can tell it with just a hint of lip service.
But how many people in high positions can really do it?
Standing before him was a man truly worthy of the potter's respect and admiration.
"The high righteousness of Lord Zhou really makes Shang feel ashamed." Tao Shang bowed deeply to Zhou Xin from the bottom of his heart and asked: "It's just that I don't understand, since Lord Zhou doesn't want to cause war and implicate the people.
, then why should Danyang County be given to me instead of giving it to Wu Jing?"
Zhou Xin laughed when he heard this and told the truth: "First, Zhou doesn't like Yuan Shu's personality. I usually have good relations with Yuan Benchu and Cao Mengde. Mengde came to Yangzhou some time ago, and I helped him recruit 4,000 Danyang elite soldiers to go back."
…”
Upon hearing this, the potter's smile became a little stiff.
It's really just what you say, your good intentions may end up causing Cao Cao to run away naked. When those thousands of Danyang soldiers rebelled that night, Brother Meng De might have even lost his underpants.
Will your brother Cao hate you to death when he looks back?
Zhou Xin didn't seem to notice the change in the Taoist potter's expression, and continued: "And you are a vassal of Benchu, and I heard that you are on good terms with Meng De, so from Zhou's perspective, I hope you can
Taking over Danyang County, secondly, in name, you are the governor of Danyang County granted by the imperial court, so you are more legitimate than me and Wu Jingdu in name, and thirdly..."
Zhou Xin paused and showed an appreciative smile.
"Who in the world knows the name of Prince Taiping? Only by taking over Danyang County can you ensure peace for the people. This makes Zhou really relieved."
After hearing Zhou Xin's three reasons, the pottery merchant was greatly shocked.
Even after hearing the name Taiping Gongzi from his mouth, the pottery merchant no longer felt that it was so harsh.
The plan did not change as quickly as it did. Tao Shang came to Danyang County this time with the intention of capturing Zhou Xin and Wu Jing in one fell swoop. However, judging from the situation in front of him, it seemed that he could no longer touch Zhou Xin, the prefect of Zhou.
No matter how thick-skinned the pottery merchant is, he is still embarrassed to do anything to such a generous and selfless person.
After all, people still have to have some face.
"Master Zhou gave Danyang County to me, but where are you going?" Potter asked Zhou Xin with concern.
Zhou Xin thought for a moment and said with a smile: "Kuiji is my hometown. I heard that when you came to serve as the governor of Danyang County, Wang Lang also went to serve as the governor of Kuaiji. I used to study in Luoyang and served as my teacher, Grand Master Chen Fan.
Since I know Wang Lang well, why not take this opportunity to go back to my hometown in Kuaiji, work as a helper for Wang Lang, and live a leisurely life, wouldn't it be nice?"
The pottery merchant was silent for a long time after hearing this, and for the first time he showed embarrassment.
"Mr. Zhou Fu, I have really wronged you for my sake."
Zhou Xin laughed loudly when he heard this, waved his hand and said: "What are you talking about, Master? What is the trivial matter? The county and city of Hanzhou do not belong to someone from Zhou's family. There is no need to talk about grievances. If Master Tao can live in Danyang
If the county treats the people well and protects peace, Zhou's good intentions today will be in vain."
The pottery merchant solemnly raised his hand to Zhou Xin and said, "Master Zhou, if Tao is not talented, you must remember your father's teachings."
Zhou Xin nodded happily after hearing this and said: "When you get ready, Zhou will hand over all the matters in the county to you. On Yuan Benchu's side, Zhou will write a letter to explain it to you. You don't have to worry about him treating you."
I’m not satisfied, but Wu Jing is about to lead his troops to Danyang County, and when the time comes, the two of you will probably have a good fight, but alas, it will be a disaster for the people of Danyang County.”
After hearing this, the pottery merchant suddenly turned his eyes and slightly revised his previous plan.
"Mr. Zhou Fu, the matters in this county cannot be handed over for the time being. You will have to help Tao to hold the post of county guard for a few more days."
Zhou Xin couldn't help but be surprised when he heard this and said: "Master, what does this mean?"
Hearing this, Tao Shang laughed and said: "Master Zhou is afraid that Wu Jing and I will fight and cause trouble to the people of Danyang County. However, Tao now has a way to defeat Wu Jing without any bloodshed and resolve the dispute in Danyang County."
Intangible, but I need your cooperation. I wonder if you can accompany me in a play for the people of Danyang County?"
Zhou Xin was silent for a while after hearing this, then thought for a moment and said, "Young Master, can you really guarantee that you can capture Wu Jing without a single blow?"
The potter smiled, shook his head and said: "I'm talking about the basics. There will definitely be some bloodshed and sacrifice, but compared to hand-to-hand combat, it is definitely much better, at least it will never be a large-scale war.
And Wu Jing should be the only one who was cheated."
"You want me to help you trick Wu Jing?" Zhou Xin frowned.
Tao Shang suddenly became nervous. Zhou Xin seemed to be a true gentleman. If he didn't help, if he turned around and had a head-on confrontation with Wu Jing, his troops would be damaged, and Yuan Shu would be offended.
It's not worth it! Yuan Shu and himself will have a battle sooner or later, but Tao Shang feels that it is not now.
Zhou Xin closed her eyes and thought quietly for a long time.
"Okay, just let it be a trap." Zhou Xin sighed and said: "Since Mr. Tao dares to promise Zhou that he will not harm the people, then what's the harm in Zhou helping you deal with Wu Jing when he leaves office?
?It can be regarded as Zhou’s last contribution to the people of Danyang County, but remember not to go too far. Sir, tell me, what should Zhou do?”
Tao Shang breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Although Zhou Xin was a gentleman, he was not a stubborn and foolish person, and he could distinguish priorities.
Reaching out and pointing to the Danyang County Sheriff's seal and ribbon that Zhou Xin had given him, Tao Shang said slowly: "I'd like to ask Master Zhou to give this seal to Wu Jing just like you did to Tao today. When Wu Jing arrives, you can give this seal to Wu Jing."
Send it over and hand it over step by step, and you don’t have to worry about the rest.”