When Zhao Chen returned to the county government office, it was already sunset.
Lanterns were hung at the door of the county government office, and there were many cleaning servants busy inside.
There were so many people coming in and out that Zhao Chen didn't bother to go in after just one glance.
Sun Qian happened to run out and saw Zhao Chen coming to salute.
Zhao Chen asked: "Gongyou, it's been a day, why are there so many people in the county government cleaning?"
Sun Qian smiled awkwardly: "The military advisor doesn't know. Although Huaiyin County is a large county in Guangling, the county government has not been used for a long time. The officials who took office only know how to plunder the people's wealth and do not know how to manage it. As a result, the security of Huaiyin is getting worse and worse. The more chaotic it is, the more the county magistrate dares not go to court, and the less he goes to court, the more chaotic it becomes. Over time, the county government office has become a deserted place, with overgrown weeds in the yard. Outside the county, it has also become a paradise for thieves, and the people have been Countless people were robbed.”
Sun Qian pointed to the Yamen sign hanging at the door and said, "I just found this Huaiyin County Yamen sign."
Zhao Chen never expected that the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty would be so chaotic.
A county cannot become a county, and a government office cannot become a government office.
That's why the three Zhang Jiao brothers took advantage of the opportunity to rebel.
There is no way for ordinary people to survive. There are robbers outside and no magistrates inside. There is no law to follow and no justice to look for. The people don’t know who to turn to when they have trouble. It’s strange that there is no chaos!
He clearly remembered the scene in history when Liu Bei left Pingyuan County and tens of thousands of people stayed on their knees. One can imagine how much the people longed for a wise official to rule the country.
Zhao Chen nodded helplessly.
Sun Qian then led Zhao Chen to the small house arranged for him by Liu Bei.
The house is right next to the county government office, only one street away from the county government office.
Although the house is small, it is rare and exquisite. It should be the courtyard of a wealthy family. It is estimated that the house was in decline in the later period, so the house was sold, or because of the war, some master took a fancy to the house and robbed it.
No matter what, this is Zhao Chen's residence in Huaiyin now.
Zhao Chen estimated that it would take several days before setting off to Guangling County, so he readily accepted it. Now that there is a city, the best way for the army is to station half in the city and half at key points outside the city, so that they can form horns with each other. Zhao Chen himself does not have to sleep in the military camp all the time.
It is said that Master Bu and his daughter were frightened after this experience and hurried back to their house in the east of the city.
The house was rented by them. Speaking of which, the Bu family was once a wealthy family in Jiangdong. Unfortunately, Bu Lianshi's father's family dispersed earlier. Later, the family fell into decline and everything that could be sold was sold. Even the family's old house was mortgaged. Bu Lianshi's father passed away relatively early, and now the two of them depend on each other, farming and weaving to make a living.
The mother and daughter ran into the room, quickly locked the door, and then gasped for air. It took a long time to calm down.
"If it hadn't been for that military advisor today, I might have been kidnapped by those thieves."
"That's what mother said."
It was obviously a chance encounter, but for some reason, Trainer Bu couldn't get rid of the scene of Zhao Chen protecting her in his arms. Unknowingly, she would think of Zhao Chen's heavy breathing in her ear.
"Commander Zhao is really powerful. He is the master of an army at such a young age."
Trainer Bu couldn't help but praise, his face turned slightly red.
The mother seemed to have noticed the change in Master Bu, and said deliberately: "We, mother and daughter, live in an unstable place now. If we can follow Commander Zhao, we may have a promising future."
Trainer Bu said shyly: "Mom, please don't talk nonsense!"
At the age of fifteen, such thoughts could not escape her mother's eyes.
The two simply made some food and then fell asleep separately.
Trainer Bu couldn't sleep at all, his mind had already wandered to Zhao Chen.
It was night, Zhao Chen lit a candle, opened the window and looked at the sky, thinking about the future. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Military advisor, Master Jian would like to see you."
What is Jian Yong doing here so late?
Zhao Chen couldn't figure it out and didn't dare to delay. He hurriedly invited Jian Yong to the small living room next door.
As soon as the two met, Jian Yong said directly: "Military advisor, something serious has happened!"
"What's causing Xianhe's panic? Speak slowly."
"Because Huaiyin just experienced a war, many houses were broken down, people were displaced, and there were many refugees from other places. They were all outside the city originally. Now that it gets dark, they all want to come into the city. But... "
At this point, Zhao Chen finally understood.
"Judging from the time, the city gate should have been closed at this time. If the refugees from outside want to come in, they must open the city gate. It is very easy for spies to sneak in. Moreover, if you enter the city at this time, the rent in the city is not enough for the refugees to live. These refugees have no place. If they stay here, there will be conflicts among the local people, which will affect stability. If we don't let them in, the lord's reputation for kindness will be affected. Xianhe, am I right?"
Jian Yong had to give a thumbs up. Zhao Chen could figure out the whole thing in just a few words and pointed out the problem to the point. Such high thinking was really admirable.
Zhao Chen thought for a moment and was about to speak.
Suddenly a person ran in outside the door, it was Sun Qian and Sun Gongyou.
"Military advisor, something bad is going on!"
Zhao Chen frowned, it was really a wave of ups and downs, and it was not letting anyone sleep every day.
Sun Qian was so anxious that he never noticed that Jian Yong was at the scene.
He gasped and said: "Military advisor, Huaiyin's grain depot has been calculated to be less than 5,000 dan. It is initially estimated that the county's population is about 30,000 people, which cannot support the autumn harvest in two weeks. Not to mention that we still need to supply our army. .”
Zhao Chen's brows that had just relaxed tightened again. The situation was indeed more serious than he imagined.
Huaiyin's geographical location is very critical. It connects Xiapi above and Guangling below. To the west is Yuan Shu's offensive front line. To the east is the prosperous area of Xuzhou. The Huaihe River flows through the area and there is Hongze Lake, which is a natural gateway.
But the current situation in Huaiyin is really worrying. Yuan Shu doesn't care about the people's livelihood at all. Just like sweeping the city, he will sweep all the places after passing one place. It is even more difficult to restore the vitality of the place.
But despite this, Zhao Chen already had a plan in mind.
He advised: "You two, be patient and don't be impatient. It is said that it is easy to conquer a country, but it is difficult to defend a country. Where is the difficulty? This is the question you two asked. But it is useless for you two to be anxious at this time. We might as well wait for a while."
Jian Yong asked: "Wait? Military advisor, what will happen if we wait here? Will the refugees die if we wait?"
Sun Qian also said: "Yes, military advisor, this is imminent. Are you still waiting? Tomorrow the armies of General Guan and General Chen will set off to take over several surrounding counties. Now that the army has not yet collected the food supplies, how can the army move forward? "
Zhao Chen smiled mysteriously: "Waiting for someone."
"who?"
As soon as Sun Qian finished speaking, there were footsteps outside the yard.
Then the guard hurriedly came in and reported: "Military advisor, the lord is here."
Jian Yong and Sun Qian looked at Zhao Chen doubtfully. Could it be that Zhao Chen had expected the Lord's arrival?
Zhao Chen made an invitation gesture, and the three of them went to the door to greet Liu Bei.
Liu Bei also looked hasty and worried.
As soon as he saw Zhao Chen, he took his hand and said, "Xianhe and Gongyou are also here, that's just right. Houde, I didn't dare to bother you so late, but now there is an urgent military situation in Huaiyin City, so I have to Sorry for disturbing you late at night.”
Zhao Chen smiled and said: "My lord, it doesn't matter, Hou De has already prepared."
Liu Bei was slightly startled: "Did Houde already expect that I would come?"
Zhao Chen smiled and said nothing, and led the three of them to the main hall to sit down separately.
"Lord, Xianhe asked Houde a difficult question a second ago. Regarding the refugees outside the city who have no place to settle down, Houji Gongyou asked me to test me on the issue of food. Let me guess why the lord is here?"
Everyone focused their attention on Zhao Chen and wanted to see if he could really guess the purpose of Liu Bei's trip.
Zhao Chen glanced at Liu Bei and said, "My lord, it must be a spy who has come to report that there is something strange happening in the counties south of Guangling County, right?"
This time Liu Bei opened his mouth wide and was stunned.
There is no doubt that Zhao Chen guessed it again.
"This military information has just been sent to me. Houde, how did you know this news?"
Zhao Chen smiled. All he needed was a fan to show off his damn confidence.
"Could it be that the military advisor has some troops stationed in several counties in the south?"
Sun Qian made a random guess.
Zhao Chen shook his head: "Of course not. I am just one person, so how can I arrange personnel."
"Does the military advisor have clairvoyance and can predict the future?"
The three of them became more and more evil as they talked, and even their superpowers came out. In fact, it is normal. Ancient people often used myths, strange stories, strange things, etc. to describe unknown things, just because they could not understand them.
Liu Bei waved his hand and said: "Don't show off your virtue. Tell me how you know it."
Zhao Chen changed his expression and became serious.
"My lord, everything in Huaiyin City has been handed over to Xianhe and Gongyou. Naturally, my lord is looking for Houde outside Huaiyin City, one of them. Now that our bureau occupies a key city, although Yuan Shu's army has retreated, but according to our My understanding of Yuan Shu is that he has a small belly and will not give up. He will definitely let several other counties wait for the opportunity. This is the second reason. Our army entered Huaiyin, but the Chen family has not come to help. It can be seen that the Chen family in the south is resisting Yuan Shu. It is still hard work and there is no time for it, and the third reason is that the Lord came late at night, which means that he is very anxious at this time. We can discuss ordinary matters tomorrow. There is only one thing that has to be discussed today, which involves Guan Guan and Chen Liang tomorrow. A general is going on an expedition. Therefore, Houde makes a bold guess that there must be something unusual going on in the south, and we need to make a decision overnight."
Zhao Chen's guess was well-founded and well-analyzed, and everyone was amazed.
Zhao Chen could see through such things at a glance, so what else could Zhao Chen not know about.
Liu Bei laughed heartily, as if he had found a treasure.
"As expected, the military advisor has just received military information. It is said that the four counties of Guangling, Gaoyou, Dongyang, and Tangyi have received Yuan Shu's letter and are strengthening the city defenses and waiting for the opportunity. Our army has lost the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Since the military advisor We have anticipated this and must have a plan to deal with it.”
"Don't worry, everyone, I have three strategies to deal with three things."
