Guo Jia's words struck a chord with the pottery merchant, and he began to seriously think about the future situation.
As the head of the Yuan family and the leader of the vassal alliance, Yuan Shao, the behemoth Yuan Group in his hands, has developed rapidly in Hebei, and its power growth can be described as rapid.
The land of Hebei needs people, food, and horses. It is also rich in salt and iron. Compared with the south, the era of the late Eastern Han Dynasty and later generations are suddenly opposite: Hebei's economy and culture are undoubtedly stronger than those in the southeast.
More than one level.
Although the area of Jizhou is not large, the number of registered residences among its prefectures and counties is undoubtedly the highest among all the prefectures in the late Han Dynasty.
What's more, Yuan Shao also has the support of most of the nobles and nobles in the world. These huge interest groups gathered together are like a huge monster that can crush the era. They stand in front of the pottery merchants and other southern princes, crushing them like a mountain.
It makes people breathless.
It can be said that Cao Cao's defeat of Yuan Shao in history was very accidental.
If it weren't for Wu Chao's mistake, if there wasn't the struggle for supremacy between the two sons of the Yuan family, judging from the current situation, it would have been impossible for Cao Cao to defeat Yuan Shao, no matter how strong and resourceful Cao Cao himself was.
Strength is something that can sometimes make up for any shortcomings.
The current time and space has completely changed due to the joining of pottery merchants, and it is unpredictable where the historical torrent will develop... The two powerful powers in North China are fighting for the right to dominate the north, and Wuchao's burning of grains is very important in this era.
, it is very likely that it will not happen again.
In this case, it is best not to let Huainan's troops join Hebei and to increase Yuan Shao's power for no reason.
But even if there are no Huainan soldiers to join, how can we fight against Yuan Shao, whose power has never bottomed out?
To be honest, pottery merchants don’t have a good solution now.
…
Tao Shang stayed in Pengcheng and took over the political affairs of Xuzhou counties. Although he currently has a certain prestige in Xuzhou, the three families of Mi, Chen, and Cao are standing in Pengcheng, and their interests are inextricably linked, and Xuzhou has always been dominated by Tao Qian.
He is directly in charge, and he has always been responsible for balancing many things.
Now that the pottery merchant has suddenly gained a high position, it will take time to stabilize the situation and straighten out the relationships, so he will not use troops for the time being to avoid unrest.
At this time, spies from the school affairs office in the west brought back news that Guan Hai had persuaded some of the Yellow Turban tribes in Runan to come and surrender to the pottery merchants.
Because Runan County was the second most populous county at the end of the Han Dynasty and was the cultural center of the Han Dynasty, it was one of the key birthplaces of the Yellow Turbans in the Central Plains. The Yellow Turbans' influence there was intricate, large and complex, and was far inferior to that of Bingzhou.
White waves and yellow turbans unified command and dispatch.
However, over the years, most of the Runan Yellow Turbans have almost disappeared.
Today's remnants of the Yellow Turbans in Runan County include He Yi, Huang Shao, Liu Pi, Gong Du, Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, Liu Shao and many other branches. After Zhang Jiao died, these people no longer have the command of a great and powerful master.
, just like wild dogs that have escaped from the reins, the scattered sands are causing trouble to one party, each has its own agenda, and is trying its best to cause harm to the other party. Each one is notorious and very snobbish.
When Yuan Shu ordered Sun Jian to be the shepherd of Yuzhou, these people saw that the limelight was not right, so they all followed Sun Jian's path and all turned to Yuan Shu.
However, it turned out that the fate of these remnants of the Yellow Turbans was not good. Not long after they passed Sun Jian and turned to Yuan Shu, Sun Jian was overthrown by Liu Biao and Huang Zu. And the following year, Yuan Shu's own army of 100,000 was defeated by Tao Shang and Huang Zu.
Liu Biao, one behind the other, was like a nuisance to a dog.
The Runan gold thieves, who thought they were holding on to the thigh, really didn't expect that in less than a year, the thigh would actually snap off.
The situation in Runan County was also unpredictable for a time.
After the emperor was kidnapped by Tao Shang and taken to Fan County, Cao Cao moved his political center southward and settled in Xu County. His army marched from Chen State into Runan County and swept across Yuzhou, pulling out the political and political power of Sun Jian and Yuan Shu here.
military power.
As a result, this group of unscrupulous wallflowers all moved closer to Cao Cao and knelt and licked him.
The entire Runan County, led by these remnants of the Yellow Turbans, is like a bus. As long as you have money to buy a ticket, anyone can get on it.
Liu Pi, Gong Du, Huang Shao and other important Yellow Turban leaders are like the old drivers on the bus. They are determined to move forward at their jobs, picking up and dropping off passengers, welcoming and delivering passengers, without being affected at all.
However, this passenger, Cao Cao, was a little different. He didn't really urinate in their pot, and he didn't like their almost perverted kneeling and licking.
Boss Cao's policy remains the same, and he treats them extremely harshly. The Yellow Turban thieves who demand submission must act in accordance with Cao's army's political laws and military orders. Who dares to say anything wrong and kill them!
Cao Cao's harsh military administration made many Yellow Turban thieves dissatisfied, and Guan Haixiang also used this to persuade some Yellow Turban leaders, such as Liu Pi, Gong Du, Zhou Cang and others to abandon Cao Cao and submit to the pottery merchants.
.
Despite this, there are still Huang Shao, He Yi, Pei Yuanshao, Liu Shao and most of the Yellow Turban bandit leaders in Runan County who are unwilling to submit to the pottery merchants. They are still emotionally inclined to Cao Cao, who occupies the homeland of Runan County.
These people may like the feeling of being abused.
Guan Hai received news that three Yellow Turban leaders who were willing to surrender to the pottery merchants were moving their troops to the junction of Runan and Peijun, waiting for the pottery merchants to receive them.
After all, this is a major event related to the future direction of life. These yellow turban thieves will not let themselves go all of a sudden and put all their wealth and lives on this young man of peace.
Even though his reputation is very good, it is only for ordinary people after all.
But these people are not common people, but traitors in the eyes of the world!
Even if you are a gentleman, you cannot expect him to have the same attitude towards traitors and the common people.
The pottery merchant was able to understand their thoughts and concerns. In order to dispel their doubts and completely integrate into them, the pottery merchant gathered these yellow scarf leaders. The pottery merchant personally led a personal guard army and secretly went to the border of Peijun to meet with them.
They meet and talk.
Long before the pottery merchant, Hu Cai had already led a group of troops to contact Liu Pi and the other three.
As the fifth son of the Baibo Army, Hu Cai had a transcendent status among the Yellow Turban Army in the world, even surpassing the three thieves of Runan.
If he and Guan Hai go together, they can at least show the sincerity of the pottery merchant first, and let Liu Pi and others see what kind of glory and glory the Yellow Turban general who took refuge in Prince Taiping's tent is living now!
Words of speech are unfounded, seeing is the truth.
A few days later, Tao Shang and other followers arrived at the border of Pei County and met three Yellow Turban leaders from Runan County who were willing to surrender.
Among these three people, Liu Pi and Gong were not from poor backgrounds. They were both small and medium-sized tycoons from the countryside who joined the Yellow Turban Army in order to achieve great success. They hoped that Zhang Jiaocheng would help them later and promote them to the county level.
valve.
It's a pity that these two idiots bet on the wrong treasure. The great virtuous teacher who was so popular and so popular ended up dead in the end.
The two of them made a mistake this time and lost everything... They couldn't become powerful men, and they couldn't go back to being small tycoons. They could only become thieves that everyone wanted to beat.
Both of their intestines were filled with regret. During these years, when they had nothing to do, the two of them would drink and sing songs about life, and then slap each other's ears. The one who slapped was crisp, and the other was loud and outstanding.
No matter what, the road has to go on.
Liu Pi and Gong Du were both very well-dressed. Although they looked like bandit leaders, they were covered in long-distance running silk and satin, and their heads were elegantly wrapped in square scarves... little brand names all over their bodies.
Compared with these two people, Zhou Cang, who is also the leader of another Yellow Turban Army, is obviously much more down-to-earth.
Zhou Cang only wore a thin linen jacket, and his strong and thick arms were exposed. The exposed skin was as tanned as black charcoal, as solid and tough as a black iron tower.
The pottery merchant politely hosted the three of them at the temporary camp set up on the border of Peijun.
"It is really gratifying to Tao that the three generals are willing to help Tao. Tao, I would like to propose a glass of wine to you three. Let us work together from now on to protect the emperor. When the world is settled, we will work together."
Enjoy the peace... If the three of you come back, Tao has a preliminary plan for official positions, money and food gifts, as well as arrangements for cultivated land and grain crops for the people under your jurisdiction. You three may wish to take a look first."
After Liu Pi and others took over the pottery, they couldn't close their eyes.
I have heard for a long time that Jinling is rich and well-deserved! Mr. Taiping is really too generous!
So open!
Liu Pi and Gong both hurriedly raised their heads to toast together, and shouted loudly: "Thank you so much for your kindness, Taifu! We are willing to do your best."
Zhou Cang also raised the wine prince, but obviously he was not as enthusiastic as the other two.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Liu Pi took advantage of the alcohol and suddenly said to Tao Shang: "Listen to Guan Hai, the orphan of the great virtuous teacher, Huang Tianwu of Taiping Road, was exiled from Sima Ju of Qingzhou.
, was saved by the Taifu, and has grown up safely under the Taifu's protection these years, is this really true?"
The potter knew that Liu Pi was talking about Xiao Yinger.
"Yes, that child is now my wife's personal attendant. To my wife and I, she is like a biological daughter."
Gong Du was on the side and said in praise: "I wonder if Taifu can let me wait to see Huang Tianwu?"
The pottery merchant gently put down the wine jue and said, "Why do you want to see her?"
"After all, he is the orphan of the great virtuous master. As the great virtuous master's former generals, we should pay our respects to him." Liu Pi said with a flattering smile.
Upon hearing this, the pottery merchant looked at the two of them expressionlessly.
After pondering for a while, he stretched out two fingers towards Liu Pi and Gong Du.
"You two, Mr. Tao usually does things in a carefree manner. Since this is the first time I've met you, I have two things that I would like to ask you to listen to. Is that okay?"
"If you have anything to say, Grand Master, please give me your instructions." Liu Pi and Gong both said hurriedly.
The pottery merchant said slowly: "First of all, it didn't matter what the child's surname or name was originally, but now, she is just an ordinary child in my family who has a closer relationship with my wife than mother and daughter. Her name is Xiao Ying'er, and the name Huang Tianwu is,
It's taboo in my place in Xuzhou. I don't allow it to be said, and I don't allow anyone with knowledge to spread it... Secondly, the people of the previous generation will decide the cause and effect. She is a girl and does not need to bear it.
She has to shoulder such a heavy burden and responsibility, and she can't carry a dish as big as the Yellow Turban! If you go to see her, it won't make her feel better. On the contrary, it will only harm her. Do you understand? That child is like my biological daughter.
Likewise, if anyone harms him, I will kill him! ...Of course, if you are just doing your duty as subordinates and want to see if the orphan of the late master is doing well, Tao can arrange for you to fall in love with her from afar.
At first glance, what do you two think?"
After hearing what the potter said, the two of them couldn't help but fell silent, and at the same time they were trembling in their hearts.
What is this called? This is called the combination of kindness and power.
When he was young, he saw Liu Pi hand over his hand and said with a flattering smile: "Tao Taifu is indeed an honest gentleman, just like the rumors say, alas! It was me and I who just stood out! Taifu is so to the orphan of a great virtuous teacher.
Enyi, how dare we two disrespect the Taifu? The three of us rule over a population of 9,000 households and more than 20,000 soldiers and horses. From today on, we are all willing to submit to the Taifu. The three of us are also willing to be Taifu.
Fu's pawns in front of the horse will, from now on, be killed in front of the saddle and behind the horse."
When the pottery merchant heard this, he smiled and nodded with satisfaction.
Now Pei's population and soldiers will be insufficient, and its defense on the western front will be weak.
If these three Yellow Turban armies join, both in terms of troops and the population of Pei State, it will greatly enrich Pei State at the front of the Western Front, greatly consolidating the defense capabilities of the area bordering Xuzhou and the Central Plains.
The potter stood up, smiled at the two of them and said: "Tao has always admired and admired the heroes of the Yellow Turbans. Since the Baibo Valley, all the Yellow Turban brothers who are willing to surrender to me in Xuzhou have been treated with brotherly courtesy by Tao...
… Hu Cai and Guan Hai are the best examples! They were all moved by Tao’s sincerity and willingly worked for me, Tao... You two think so, right?”
As soon as he said this, Guan Hai and Hu Cai's expressions froze.
The two looked at each other, both showing dry and embarrassed smiles.
"yes……"
The potter was a little dissatisfied.
Why do you feel that it is so forced?
At this moment, Zhou Cang, who had been silent, stood up.
"Master, a certain family has something to say!"
The potter then looked at him who had been silent.
Zhou Cang was extremely tall, handsome, and bearded, and he looked quite similar to Xu Chu.
Just by looking like this, you know that he is just like Xu Chu... he is also a fool!
As soon as he saw him standing up to speak, the pottery merchant immediately straightened his expression and said with a smile: "General Zhou, what do you want to say? We are all a family, so you don't have to be polite."
Zhou Cang bowed his hands to the pottery merchant and said, "A certain family has something they want to explain to the master!"
"Oh, what's the matter?"
Zhou Cang straightened his back and said loudly: "In addition to the three of us, among the Runan Yellow Turbans, there are also Huang Shao, He Yi, Pei Yuanshao, Liu Shao and many other forces. They also know that Huang Tianwu is in the hands of the Taifu.
, but they would rather surrender to Cao Cao, but they are not willing to surrender to Taifu. Does Taifu know why?"