Before the twelfth lunar month, the new conference of the Deposed Dragon Gang was held, and the effect was unexpectedly good, much better than expected. This made many people think about this matter "This is what the leader is like, so it doesn't matter", or "It's okay anyway" People with the mentality of "crossing the river, you are the leader and you have the final say" are very surprised.
However, even Zhang Xing was actually shocked by the sergeant's enthusiasm, but he just didn't show it on his face.
After thinking about it, he could only guess that the situation in Hebei had been too difficult in the past two years, and everyone was a little depressed. A significant piece of evidence is that the first group that was more enthusiastic about participating in the military camp sports meeting was these newly attached Hebei volunteers. Not only did they participate, they even contributed many ideas and proposed many projects with Hebei characteristics. These people soon had a catfish effect, arousing the interest and sense of confrontation among several other groups.
And just when Zhang Xing officially added the article "pay attention to the spiritual life of soldiers" to his "Six Tao——Revision Opinions", some people appeared and further verified his guess.
"Who is that?"
Under the winter sunshine, Zhang Xing was originally watching a strange game called "Seizing the Long" on a simple high platform in an outlying camp that was similar to rugby, but the field was covered with plowed ridges. He suddenly turned his head and noticed Arriving at some strange people on the edge of the camp. "Are they the people nearby? Or the families of the rebels here in Hebei?"
"They are people from nearby areas, but there should also be local family members from Bohai and Plains." Dou Lide only glanced at them and quickly explained. "It was there a few days ago, but these days we started to hold meetings and play "Capture the Dragon"... As for the other newly arrived family members of the rebels, the current situation in Hebei is characterized by a lack of information and being too cold. To be precise, it’s really difficult to get going.”
Obviously, Dou Lide's focus was to explain why his group had not yet taken over their family members.
Zhang Xing nodded. He heard what Dou Lide meant, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he stood up and walked there. Not only Dou Lide, but also Cheng Zhili, Jia Yue, Zhou Xingfan, Wang Xiongdan, and Jia Runshi. Others, including Sun Anzong, Cao Chen and others who followed Dou Lide, had no choice but to give up "Seizing Long" and got up to follow.
However, the arrival of Zhang Xing and his party immediately dispersed these people. They panicked and fled directly from the outskirts of the camp. It was obvious that most of them were children and women... but they did not disperse in a hurry, but went to the same place. Go in the direction.
Zhang Dalongtou became more and more curious and continued to follow. Then he just turned a corner outside the camp and saw a row of wooden houses that were similar to wooden sheds, or more narrow and cramped. They were basically sandwiched between the city wall and the camp. The thing in the gap is just standing with its back against the frozen moat.
Seeing this, Zhang Xing immediately realized what was going on, so he turned around and asked, "When did it start?"
"It's been ten days, right?" Zhou Xingfan thought thoughtfully. "About ten days ago, I went to Lujiao Pass to pick up a batch of grain. When I was delivering it to the city, I happened to see someone building a wooden house... At that time, I was curious why such a broken house was built. Could it be a toilet? But I didn't expect that it was actually a spontaneous action by the people. A military market gathering?"
"More than ten days." Cheng Zhili, who was always attentive, immediately corrected himself. "I remember that there should have been about seven or eight days since we returned to Yin County, and then it gradually increased. About ten days ago, more people suddenly came."
Dou Lide seemed to sense that something was wrong in the atmosphere and seemed a little uneasy: "Don't you have these in the East?"
"Basically not." Cheng Zhili explained seriously to Dou Lide. "In the east, Longtou had the foresight. From the beginning of the uprising, he warned that no looting or destruction was allowed, and that the officials surrendered and were temporarily appointed. This was regarded as a direct suppression from the beginning to prevent chaos in the place. It was captured later. In Qijun and Lujun, the village markets may have suffered damage, but everything in the city was fine, and after stabilization, the countryside quickly recovered... In this way, the soldiers could go home for the holidays, or they could go directly Play tricks near markets and cities."
"There are still some in Dengzhou, but it has become much more stable after the fields were re-granted in autumn, so that's not it." Zhang Xing interrupted, and came to ask Cheng Zhili again. "How is your hometown? Will it be okay after moving back?"
"Reporting back to the dragon head, every time I come back, basically half of the property will be wiped out." Cheng Zhili said one thing. “But to be able to go back, everyone from top to bottom is very grateful to our Deposed Dragon Gang.
"
"It's not necessarily gratitude." Zhang Xing said disapprovingly. "The parties they came into contact with, whether it was us at the beginning, the Qi County government, or the Zhishi Army, eventually became the Deposed Dragon Gang... For them, we cannot say that they will halve their family property and leave their hometown. It’s always a disaster... Leader Bai said when he came to Dengzhou a few days ago that the atmosphere was very bad.”
Cheng Zhili quickly explained: "I'm not flattering the leader, it's really not like this. Don't forget that the leader had stayed in Hebei for a while, hiding in the salt-alkali marsh in Douzigang, and then went to the salt-alkali marsh for a while. There are also many people in Hebei who have fled, and nothing is more afraid of comparison... Compared with this side of Hebei, the east is really peaceful... My fellow villagers are really grateful."
Zhang Xing was stunned for a moment, and then smiled bitterly... Sure enough, his happiness level increased when he was worse than others?
"Does it need to be expelled? After all, it affects military discipline." After being stunned for a moment, Zhou Xingfan asked. "Only let the soldiers go to the city to mend and rest?"
When Dou Lide heard this, he wanted to speak.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xing also shook his head in reply. He originally wanted to go over and take a look in person, but after taking two steps and realizing the problem, he turned around and glanced around, then stared at Jia Runshi and Wang Xiongdan: "Xiao Jia and Xiao Wang will go and ask each other. Ask a few more companies what they can do for them and at what price? Then take a look at who is in the shack. After asking, don't come back in a hurry. Then go to the military camp and ask. The sergeant who has been there can compare it and make sure it is correct."
Jia Runshi suddenly understood, and then left in a daze.
Wang Xiongdan also passed away.
After giving the instructions, Zhang Xing actually turned back to the sports field and continued to sit on the high platform outside the "Capture the Dragon" game. The leaders of the two competition camps below, namely Fan Dajuan and Xiahou Ningyuan, originally followed Zhang Dalong. As soon as the group of people left, they started to fight off the court. But this time when they saw the people coming back, they honestly returned to their respective sides of the court to yell.
Of course, what they didn't know was that after sitting down this time, Mr. Zhang's mind was obviously not on the scene.
To be honest, it was difficult for Zhang Xing himself to explain clearly how he felt after seeing the row of dilapidated wooden houses.
Logically speaking, it should be because the people's livelihood is so difficult, because unless the people are extremely poor and hungry, they are not willing to degenerate to participate in these "civilian military markets"... You must know that its trading objects are soldiers from the feudal era. This means that the risk of trading is too great, the income is too unstable, and it is inevitable to be mentally prepared to do flesh business and to pay for it by degrading the social status.
But in fact, at that moment, he was somewhat relieved.
Because since arriving in Hebei, the situation he has seen can basically be called Chidiganli. The entire territory is lifeless, which is completely different from the fact that the Eastern Territory can obviously still maintain various production and cultural activities.
Of course, there are basically military camps or military activities in the places where he hangs out. Considering the military discipline displayed by Hejian Camp before, ordinary people do not need to be expelled. It is completely normal for their families to take the initiative to flee. In addition, the winter is getting increasingly cold. It was cold, and time was limited for everyone to hide in the settlements and survive.
Before, when the weather was still cold, I encountered passers-by from Pingyuan City on the edge of the battlefield, and I was still a little angry.
But something still wasn't right.
The scene of going out and seeing no one in the whole plain, not even wild animals or grass, was really scary and unsettling.
Therefore, when this kind of "civilian military market" began to appear, for a moment, he was actually a little relieved - he could be regarded as seeing the people of Hebei gathered spontaneously.
Zhang Xing did not deliberately hide his reaction. From the first time he met the person until now, he has been observed clearly by others. The entanglement at this time was even more obvious to others, and several people have been testing him.
"Third brother, what exactly do you think?" Xiao Zhou relied on his personal relationship and asked in a serious manner without any pressure. "This kind of military market will affect morale. Our purpose of organizing the army is to improve combat effectiveness. Soldiers should be allowed to go to the city to do serious expenses."
"It's hard to handle." Cheng Zhili suddenly interrupted. "Shops in the city are also having a hard time, and there are some things, like mending clothes... It's not like we're in the East. We can send them home and ask the locals in the gang. At most, it only costs a few dollars and half a meal. Here, Even the locals in Hebei have nowhere to look for a family."
"who
Are you saying no?" Dou Lide sighed. "Just like the three thousand people I brought before the army was organized, they were standard Hebei people, but more than half of them were met on the road and did not know the details. Among the remaining people, There are only one or two hundred people with children, but they are still in Gaojipo, and they are all old, weak, sick and disabled... The original wife was killed by the government. Last year, Lao Cao betrothed his sister to me in the swamp, and she became our The hairy Mrs. Yazhai did not enjoy any blessings, but she had to take the lead in mending clothes, cooking, and fetching water and grass for hundreds of people every day. "
"Who can blame this?" Cao Chen, his lieutenant general and uncle-in-law, couldn't help but chimed in and laughed. "If she doesn't marry you, it's as if she doesn't have to mend her clothes or fetch water."
The others also laughed.
After laughing, Zhang Xingfu asked frankly: "So, Xiao Zhou means to expel, and restrict the troops to only do business in the city? And what do you mean to keep it?"
"Yes." Zhou Xingfan responded simply. "Maintaining combat power is the first... At the worst, we can invite the wealthy households in Qijun City across the street to come here and connect with each other to see if we can open some targeted stores, or release some craftsmen from the military camp, and then simply invite some families of East County sergeants to come over. , live in the city...I think the city is quite empty."
Zhang Xing nodded, but said nothing. He only looked at the big leader Cheng Zhili standing next to him.
Cheng Zhili blurted out: "Longtou, what I mean is that the people in Hebei are very pitiful, and the soldiers are inconvenient. We need to be more lenient and adapt measures to local conditions... After a while, the situation improved, and the camps were moved, and they naturally dispersed. It’s necessary to be too entangled.”
Zhang Xing was still noncommittal, and looked at Dou Lide, the leader of Hebei's new rebel army, who was very outstanding both in the previous war and in this army. This person was not very prominent in the Hebei rebel army before, but I don't know why. , came to the Deposed Dragon Gang, but almost stood out as if they were in the bag.
"Longtou, it's really difficult here in Hebei. It's very different from the east. It's not a poverty in one place, nor is it a temporary problem." Dou Lide thought for a while and answered seriously. "So what I mean is not only not to rush them, but also to build a fence to block them from the wind, and to set rules for the soldiers to prevent them from bullying those women casually, and to send people to patrol."
Zhang Xing also nodded, but still didn't speak.
At this time, the competition below seemed to have entered a fierce stage. The two sides struggled into a ball, triggering a brawl that exceeded the limit. Before the person making the decision could say anything, the two camp leaders, Xia Hou Ningyuan and Fan Wang, rushed down first - but not Have fun fighting, but stop them quickly.
After a moment, the fight was stopped and the game continued.
Everyone withdrew their gaze and continued to look at Zhang Xing. It was obvious that Cheng Zhili and Xini had no hope, but Zhou Xingfan and Dou Lide were obviously opposed to each other. Both sides were eager for a clear answer from Zhang Xing, the person who could make the decision.
"Actually, it's very simple." Seeing the burning eyes of the two, Zhang Xing smiled and said frankly. "We will see the outcome of the interview between Xiao Wang and Xiao Jia later before making a decision.
"If there is still some order, and the prices are stable, and there are few people selling their bodies, or those selling their bodies are expensive, then drive them away, or move them to the city, because if you drive them away, they will not starve to death for a while.
"And if the prices are disordered and the money, grain, and silk are mixed, then leave them behind, collect them properly, and pay attention to public security, and prevent fire and theft. Just wait for us to move the camp and let it disperse. Because if this is the case, it can only mean that they Every family has arrived, and the situation is difficult enough. It’s better to help the urgent than to help the poor.
"However, if the price is ridiculously low, and the actual market prices of grain, silk, and money are too high, then it will not only be a matter of building a fence, but I think we will also have to set a unified price for them. How much does it cost to wash clothes? How much does it cost to mend clothes, how much does it cost to go into the camp to help cook meals, and if they do enough work, just give them a small amount of guaranteed rations... Good families, widows, you can also look for those skilled craftsmen in the camp to stay. Soldiers in the field, be a sidekick... If possible, give the children who follow you a chance, and let them help with the work while trying to learn foundation building, literacy, and crafts... Because this is the real job. , which means they can’t survive at all, and since we have come to Hebei and have become the local boss, if we don’t help, how can we pass it on to others?”
Zhou Xingfan and Dou Lide were a little confused, and Jia Yue, who had been silent, also began to think seriously.
"If that's the case." Cheng Zhili smiled. "simply
Set up a special camp, like the craftsman camp, and assign it to logistics management. "
"In terms of efficiency, this is what we should do." Zhang Xing responded sternly. "But you can't open this hole... Otherwise, who knows if someone will set up a prostitute camp in the future? Or maybe it will be like the officers and soldiers, openly plundering young men and women, stealing money, food, and women wherever they go. ...It's one thing to be forced to take care of the weakest person in the world, but it's another thing to take the initiative to speak."
Only then did everyone become awe-inspiring.
Among them, Cheng Zhili and Dou Lide certainly looked solemn, while Zhou Xingfan sighed as if he was remembering something:
"Sure enough, the third brother is still the same as before. They all said that the Deposed Dragon Gang has grown in territory, and the authority of the third brother has become more and more important, and his treatment of people and things is different. But in fact, those are just the miscellaneous things he encountered. Too many. In fact, he is still the chivalrous Baishou of the past... The ability to bend and stretch, and the all-round grace are all fake. The benevolence and righteousness in the bones to protect the weak and the ruthlessness of not being afraid of the enemy are real. Of course, the key is to have a method and a Ability, if you think hard, you can succeed."
After some compliments, everyone naturally quickly agreed.
Not long after, Wang Xiongdan and Jia Runshi also rushed back, but they interrupted the flattery here.
"You can wash a military uniform for one yuan or two yuan, and winter clothes start from five yuan; mending clothes are similar, starting from one yuan, but you have to count the line money; and you can help cook for those who stutter." Jia Run Shishi spoke carefully, and in the end, he felt a little embarrassed. He was still too young. "There are sleeping companions... there are sleeping companions, but they are relatively few, and they depend on their appearance, so the gap is quite large."
"How many specific questions were asked?" Zhang Xing asked.
"There are two with one liter of old rice, the most expensive one is with three liters of old rice, and the cheapest one is with half a liter of small old rice." Wang Xiongdan added behind Jia Runshi. "I just want food, not silk."
Zhang Xing nodded and looked back at Zhou Xingfan, who had already remained silent: "Well, just do what you said before. Xiao Zhou, you can handle this matter."
Zhou Xingfan didn't say much, just said yes and left directly.
Wang Xiongdan and Jia Runshi sat down again with the others, and continued to watch the "Capture the Long" game as if nothing had happened.
Indeed, not to mention that Zhang Xing himself was mentally prepared, and everyone else was also reminded by Mr. Zhang during the whole day meeting, saying something about "falling apart", "the battle will become more and more cruel", and then In addition, after crossing the river this time, I should have been mentally prepared for what I heard and saw, so how could there be any delay for such an expected trivial matter?
To put it bluntly, in the past few days, during the process of reorganizing the army, nearly ten thousand Hebei heroes left. The Bohai rebels had hundreds of officers killed because of collusion to cause trouble. Their heads were hung under the camp gates. The leaders of the Eastern Territory were sent back and forth by Zhang Xing. Using the public policy of moving tigers away from mountains, they went to Dahe to make personnel adjustments, and finally formed 25 battalions and 50,000 troops. Which one is not a real major event? And these did not delay the holding of the sports meeting in front of us, so what does today's matter mean?
However, having said that, there are still some things that can interrupt Zhang Xing from watching the game - before the game is over, Yan Qing comes to report, saying that a letter from Li Ding has arrived in Dengzhou, asking Zhang Xing to go back... Zhang Xing Surprised, he stood up.
As soon as Zhang Xing left, many of the leaders who were watching naturally dispersed. Among them, others did not mention it, but only said that Dou Lide returned to the camp with his wife's uncle Cao Chen and Sun Anzong. Halfway through, his face turned pale and even shook a little. Shaky.
Sun Anzong was young and couldn't see this kind of gaffe, but as his most trusted confidant and right-hand man, Cao Chen saw something was wrong early on and wanted to ask a few questions, but was stopped with a wave of his hand.
It wasn't until the two of them entered their small camp and saw that many people were setting up the venue to prepare for the afternoon archery competition and sent Sun Anzong out that Dou Lide found a space and spoke in a low voice: "To be honest with you, Lao Cao, I I just felt a little guilty."
"What's wrong?" Cao Chen was extremely surprised. "Did you do anything inappropriate?"
"No." Dou Lide rarely lost his composure. "It's not that I did anything, but this Zhang Longtou was a little scary today and scared me."
Cao Chen became more and more puzzled: "He was so powerful before. He devoured the Hejian Army's partial troops alive, killed Governor Zhang without changing his expression, and then skinned 780,000 rebel troops alive, and forcibly killed twenty-five thousand soldiers." The elite of the battalion are here, and there is nothing wrong with you at all.
You even helped him kill people and pacify the troops, but why today...why?"
"There's no need to hide it from you." Dou Lide responded in a low voice. "What you said is indeed powerful, but I have never thought of comparing it with him from those places? He is Da Longtou, the owner of the eight counties, the eldest son-in-law of the Bai family, and he is fighting in Hebei I can still write letters and chat with four or five county governors in Hebei at the same time. I sit in Hebei and regulate countless heroes in the east just like playing chess. Why should I compare with such a person? He is so energetic and heroic. He goes. But have you ever thought about it? How can I, Dou Lide, be able to establish myself in Hebei?"
Cao Chen was confused for a moment.
"It's not about cultivation... In terms of cultivation, you are all better than me, nor is it about vision, knowledge, ability or heroic spirit. In terms of these, we really can't compare with others, and we were not prepared to compete in the first place." Dou Lide He gasped for breath. "I actually only have two abilities, one is benevolence and righteousness! The other is boldness! I treat my brothers and the people around me as much as I can on weekdays, and then at critical times, I dare to gamble... As a result, this person from the Eastern Territory Come on, let’s not talk about bravery. Today, you even think about benevolence and righteousness more thoroughly and deeper than me. And according to what Zhou Xingfan said, people don’t come to Hebei and encounter trouble, and do benevolence and righteousness for the sake of benevolence and righteousness. But that's how it's always been. Lao Cao, if you meet a person, others are stronger than you, but they can cover all your best points, wouldn't you be flustered? "
Cao Chen was silent for a moment and then asked: "Why do you think I married my girl to you?"
Dou Lide was suddenly startled.
Cao Chen also waved his hand and continued to ask: "Then what do you think we should do? Do you have any other ideas?"
"I had some ideas before." Dou Lide was inexplicably discouraged, even a little too sincere. "I think what he did is very powerful, but it is too painful. It hurts people both internally and externally. It hurts people. The situation in Hebei is too complicated and it is not a matter of a Hejian camp, so I can't say... ...Or maybe he just said it bluntly. I vaguely felt that he would make a big mistake in Hebei. Then, I am from Hebei, and I am the most benevolent and righteous, so I can't say that I can control the situation."
"You want to replace him?" Cao Chen was startled. "You want to rebel?"
"How is that possible?!" Dou Lide immediately jumped up and stamped his feet. "What are you talking about? I think that I can't be like the Du leader of the Huaiyou League, or I can build my own statement in Hebei within the system of the Deposed Dragon Gang, so that the Deposed Dragon Gang and this leader feel, The situation in Hebei cannot be separated from me. It is worthwhile to give a big leader or even a leader. Where does it involve rebellion? Besides, am I, Dou Lide, a rebel? I didn’t even rebel against Gao Shitong... In fact, if you want Gao Shitong, I know, the most I can do is do something like what happened in Gao Shitong’s defeat.”
Cao Chen suddenly understood and then breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me."
"Don't worry, even if it's like this, it's just an idea. If there are really no flaws, what can I say?" Dou Lide also added an explanation.
However, Cao Chen thought about it and became serious: "If this is the case, I am your uncle-in-law, but I have to say it seriously... Even thoughts should not be thought about all day long. I just want to say that we are from Hebei. If you are one level behind, it is not good to give advice directly, just make preparations in your mind, otherwise, benevolence and righteousness will become false benevolence and righteousness."
"Of course it is, of course." Doulide nodded repeatedly.
And a moment later, Dou Lide was still regretting even saying these words to Cao Chen, but another messenger arrived, saying that Zhang Longtou was here to see him.
Naturally, he did not dare to neglect and hurried over again.
Arriving at the back hall of the Chinese army camp, which was filled with forms and documents, Dou Lide saw two young and well-dressed women standing in the hall as soon as he entered. They turned around when they saw him coming.
One of them was just paying back. It was Ma Ping'er, the female leader who had followed Bai Sanniang to suppress the army a few days ago. She also knew that this person was Wang Xiongdan's engaged daughter-in-law, but the other one had a serious expression on her face. Peach blossoms and enchanting figure are no longer words that can be described as outstanding appearance.
Dou Lide did not dare to neglect. After saluting Zhang, he extended his hands to the two of them and said hello. He did not despise the other party because he was a woman and young and beautiful.
As a result, the woman ignored the other party's greetings, and Ma Ping'er was caught off guard.
However, at this time, Zhang Xing over there had already spoken: "Chief Dou, it's like this. Wu'an Prefect Li Ding is an old friend of Sisi and I... But I don't know why, I lost my temper recently, so I wrote to him, I didn’t even come back. I finally did, but I was only sent to Dengzhou..."
"Li Lang is not losing his temper. He thinks you are a thief and he is an official. Now that you have arrived in Hebei, you may be going to war at any time. It is inappropriate to send a letter openly." The beautiful woman immediately sneered. "Zhang Sanlang, please don't mess around with others' innocence."
Zhang Xing also laughed, but simply pointed at this person and said: "Anyway, this is Mrs. Li. Don't underestimate her. She has the highest cultivation level in this room... Just in time, I want to give my I asked Mrs. Li to send the letter and a revised opinion on the "Six Tao". Ma Tou Ling and Xiao Wang brought some people with them, because I wanted them to go around Gaojipo when going back and forth, and dress up with formal documents. The official sent the person here. After all, in the cold winter, we must not treat our brothers like brothers and our wives like clothes. Especially a wife who is willing to mend clothes and collect water and grass for hundreds of people, let alone treat her badly. Do you have any tokens? "
When Dou Lide heard this, he quickly raised his hands and saluted. He almost shed tears for a moment, but he quickly touched his body, but he couldn't touch any old things... At this time, his nose was really sore.
