"Mr. Zhang, that's it... Li Longtou, Leader Du, and General Sima have united... They have different positions, but they are all afraid of you. They obviously want to do something to prevent you from taking control of the overall situation."
In Zhangqiu City, Qi County, the partition walls were clanging. In a narrow passage next to an iron pot workshop, Miao Hailang bowed his head respectfully and said these words.
Hearing this, Zhang Xing didn't say a word. He just put his hands behind his back and crossed the other party. He saw dozens of buckets piled on the car in the open space outside the narrow passage. The buckets were all open and filled with breathable and moist food. There were fresh aquatic plants, and then there were pairs of plump autumn crabs with claws tied on the aquatic plants.
Zhang Dalongtou stretched out his hand and pushed open the net rope smoothly. The released autumn crab immediately opened its teeth and claws, and even wanted to pinch its benefactor, but the pliers froze in mid-air.
In this way, many times, seven or eight crabs were frozen, and then they turned back to the narrow channel.
At this time, Miao Hailang remained motionless in the narrow passage.
Zhang Xing smiled and pressed the opponent's shoulder from behind: "Miao Gang Leader... I, Zhang San, will remember what you did today in my heart. When we meet in the future, no matter what our identities are, we will always have a share of today." Think about it.”
The muscles on Miao Hailang's shoulders relaxed instantly, but he quickly asked again: "Then I dare to ask Mr. Zhang, what should I do next? Please give me your instructions."
"Whatever should be done, just pretend that you are just following Sima Erlong's order to deliver a piece of autumn crab." Zhang Xing calmly ordered. "You can go wherever you need to go next, you just didn't say these words to me... Go and have a rest. I'll have someone give you a gift in return later."
"I understand, I understand." Miao Hailang nodded repeatedly.
Zhang Xing turned around and shouted to the next door. Immediately, Jia Runshi led the guards over and took down part of the autumn crab. Then he went to call the attendant Miao Hailang who was blocked. In the end, he was guiding Miao Hailang. He left with the remaining autumn crabs.
As soon as the people left, Zhang Sanlang just sat in the courtyard next door, stroking a shaped iron pot beside him amidst the clanging sounds, but his expression became obviously painful.
After a while, Yan Qing, the confidant leader, appeared in front of Zhang Xing, then he held his hands in front of Zhang Xing and walked up to speak: "Third brother...is this an opportunity?"
"What opportunity?" Zhang Xing asked in surprise as he pressed his hand against the iron pot.
"A chance to capture Li Shu?" Yan Qing answered seriously. "He colluded with Sima Zheng to deal with you, third brother. From the perspective of Jianghu rules, does it count as cheating on others? From the perspective of anti-Wei, does it count as colluding with foreign enemies?"
"It's too easy to say that a person whose status is the same as mine is a traitor." Zhang Xing shook his head. "If this thing works, what if Li Shu just finds someone and accuses me of colluding with the imperial court? Or colluding with the British Duke?"
Yan Qing nodded, but still did not back down: "This is the truth, but the current situation is different. At this time, we are in the strongest position."
"People's hearts will be dissatisfied." Zhang Xing shook his head. "And we're not big enough to dominate the gang."
"Then...how about starting with Du Po Zhen?" Yan Qing still didn't give up. "There must be no objection within the gang to the annexation of Du Po Formation. Merge Du Po Formation, combine the power of Jianghuai heroes, and then turn around and annex Li Shu."
"There is no problem with this operation." Zhang Xing thought for a while and said one thing after another. "But I'm afraid that's what the imperial court wants, and the imperial court is also happy to see us not moving, so that they can have free hands after eating Nanyang."
"It's like doing business, it's just a matter of time and cost." Yan Qing laughed on the spot. "As long as it is done quickly, steadily and well, it has nothing to do with whether the court is willing or not? Besides, where can Nanyang be saved?"
"It makes sense." Zhang Xing thought about it again, then nodded immediately and knocked the iron pot next to him with his knuckles, making a crisp sound. "But Yan Qing, do you think Du Pozhen and Li Shu would have thought of this?"
Yan Qing immediately asked, "Even if you want it, how can they stop it?"
Zhang Xing remained silent.
This time it was Yan Qing's turn to think about it, and then smiled: "I understand what Third Brother means. Third Brother wants to say that they are also smart people. They will readily admit defeat or bow their heads and seek peace, or they will simply jump over the wall. When the time comes, It is convenient for us to act... But with all due respect, no matter who they are, we have to prepare ourselves and go on solidly, just like what the third brother did to the Zhishi Army in Weishui that day, otherwise how can we force it? Do they need to move?"
"It makes more sense." Zhang Xing came to his senses and knocked on the iron pot next to him again. "We need to be prepared for both the big and small things...especially the preparations for sending troops. We also need to contact the leaders and ask them about their views on the current situation...If you don't ask anything else, just ask how to fight next? Where to send troops?"
Yan Qing thought for a moment and nodded again and again: "Yes, nothing can compare to a large army pressing down on the situation! Nor can it compare to mobilizing an army to wrap up the leaders in a dignified manner."
Zhang Xing nodded heavily: "Then let's do it. You go and send the letter. When the pot is ready, I will go to Dengzhou to inspect the ordnance repair, then turn around and go to Jiyin to inspect the winter clothes. Then we will chat in Jiyin. Let’s talk about where to march.”
Of course, Yan Qing, who had received permission to join forces, was speechless - that's what happened. Zhang Xing now had the absolute initiative and the greatest military power. As long as he didn't make mistakes, no one could stop him.
In the second half of autumn, the Jishui Basin has entered the busiest season of the year.
First of all, there are the various intense military and political activities as well as the troops' rest and recuperation operations... Yes, the troops' rest and recuperation are also very tense. They need to make winter clothes, pickles, customize iron pots, repair ordnance, and write summary military articles. , the boats must be collected to prepare the ferry, and the autumn taxes on the fields must be collected.
Therefore, the Jishui River is full of ships loaded with goods, and the official roads are full of small groups of troops and craftsmen dispatched.
It seems like there are endless things to do.
At the same time, in private, undercurrents were surging everywhere. Messengers were running around along the Jishui official road. Some were from the gang, some were personal confidants of powerful leaders and local helmsmen, and there were many others. A spy with unknown origins.
Everyone seems to be discussing something, everything seems to be busy, and everyone seems to be waiting for something.
Outside Jiyin City, the trees were green and yellow, while inside the city, there was a lot of noise in Cangcheng. Li Shu stood on the pier of the outer wall of Cangcheng and looked down, and saw a whole Cangcheng courtyard full of young people making noise. Laughing.
Many of them were dressed in old and tattered clothes, but many were cleanly dressed. Teenagers accounted for the majority, but there were also some girls hiding in the courtyard of Cangcheng. Everyone is divided into groups, but it doesn't seem to be based on simple age differences between rich and poor.
Li Shu looked at it for a long time and suddenly asked the person next to him: "Are they gathered according to villages and towns?"
"Yes." Fang Yanlang frowned. "But the biggest group is the gang members and the orphans who died in the war."
Li Shu suddenly understood, then nodded slightly: "Not bad."
"What's good?" Fang Yanlang, who was already Ji Yinliu's queen, immediately sneered. "It's a waste of time, a waste of money and food, and it makes people angry. In the end, only one in a hundred will be used? Why not take in some orphans, or give them all to the gang members to build this foundation."
"Is there really a lot of resentment among the people?" Li Shu asked in a low voice.
"More than just big?!" Fang Yanlang shook his head in response. "I can see some people's tricks. He gave an order lightly, but the evil people asked us to do it, and we also had to work hard... The people below just thought that we were asking for labor, free labor, and girls. , and even more so when we wanted to rob people to be maids for his leaders, but the result was a lot of scolding. It was already amazing that three out of ten families ended up befriending people, and they were all urban residents who were related to the gang. This is still Jiyin! The gang has managed Jiyin stably for a year and a half and has a deep foundation. I don’t know what the trouble is like in other places, but half of the reputation of the Deposed Dragon Gang is ruined by this incident. "
"That's the trouble."
Li Shu sighed and just raised his hands on the pier. "The problem is not that there are public grievances. What does it mean to have public grievances in this world? It is not that we are afraid of trouble, and troubles that cost our lives are appropriate. The problem is that everyone disagrees with this matter, but the result is still passed; everyone agrees He thought it would be useless and would arouse resentment, but when the resentment came, it was not directed at him alone, but at our entire Deposed Dragon Gang..."
Although Fang Yanlang had fallen into trouble, he was by no means an idiot. In fact, he was very sensitive and concerned about some things, so he heard it all at once.
"That's right." Ji Yinliu frowned. "The trend of deposing the Dragon Gang has been achieved. Although everyone has their own thoughts and cannot be said to be politically connected and harmonious, no one dares to get rid of these three words. Everyone from top to bottom is involved in this gang, both internally and externally. We all agree...if we want to do something, we have to start from here."
"Zhang Sanlang is a gifted talent."
Li Shu looked at Cangcheng, which was getting quieter, and saw a handsome old man coming from outside. He held his hands towards him from a distance. When he entered the courtyard, he began to teach the foundation building method. Then he turned around, but turned his back. Facing Cangcheng, looking out at the slightly crowded streets, there are many people crowded there, all of whom are parents of children who are learning foundation building tutorials. "That day outside the city, I saw him conjuring thousands of rebels out of thin air to come to his aid, and I was shocked. I felt that this man was really as talented as Zhang Shizhao, and there was something I couldn't do; later on, during the Battle of Lishan , he almost conjured up countless supplies of food and civilians out of thin air, turning a disadvantaged battlefield into an advantageous battlefield; this time he marched eastward, he was fully prepared and prioritized, and it was overwhelming... I deeply appreciate Cheng Dalang's praise. As for the establishment of the structure of the Deposed Dragon Gang, it is the basis for these things. Lao Fang, he is a born rebel!"
"No one is born to rebel. If I have to say it, I think he is a prime minister." Fang Yanlang was silent for a while and gave his answer. "But the talent of a prime minister is not that of an emperor..."
Halfway through the words, Fang Liuhou swallowed it himself, while Li Shu stared blankly at the scene in the city without saying a word.
After a moment, Fang Yanlang frowned, only took a step forward, and whispered: "It is indeed inappropriate to say this at this time, and it is my fault. But what about Du Po Zhen? An alliance is an alliance, but I'm afraid it's just an alliance. It’s useless to be afraid of forming an alliance. Everyone recognizes the Deposed Dragon Gang, but Zhang Sanlang has great achievements and great prestige, and everyone in the gang obeys him..."
Li Shu turned slightly sideways, as if trying to avoid it.
"I can even think of his tricks!" Fang Yanlang didn't care at all, he just stepped forward to follow him and continued to speak sternly. "Not to mention you, the right-wing leader, as long as he stands up and says, we must subdue Jianghuai and conquer the Huaiyou Alliance! Everyone in the gang, even Shan Tonghai, will agree, and you can't oppose it face to face. Then, once the decision is passed, Lead the army to press against Huaixi! What can Du Po Zhen do then? Besides, although Du Po Zhen is our ally at this time, he is just trying to preserve his own power. Once he is subdued, he will become a left winger. The important town over there!”
At this point, Ji Yinliu simply grabbed the sleeve of the opponent who was still hiding: "It will be our turn then! Why are you hiding? Where can you hide?"
Li Shu sighed, turned around and said to his confidants: "I understand everything you said! But what can I do? Do you want me to pull the lever? Or do you want me to fight with you?"
Fang Yanlang was silent immediately, but after a moment, he still shook his head: "Longtou... the thing is like this, if we don't take action, people will get angry... Think about it, if we have the power of the other party now , will you let it go easily?"
Li Shu could only nod casually: "If this is the case, go and talk to the big leaders first, just to express that it is more useless for a family to be alone than to be in a group."
"That's all it can do." Fang Yanlang sighed for a moment. "I'll do it!"
After a while, the man spread his hands again: "You can't go to Wei, right?"
Even though Li Shu was in a heavy heart, he was amused by these words and smiled, and just walked down with his hands behind his hands... Even if Li Shu was dead, how could he surrender to Wei if he jumped from this pier?
PS: Good night everyone, that’s all for this chapter.
(End of chapter)
