"The Red Shadow Army descended from the sky and carried out precise hunting and killing of the rebels.
According to incomplete statistics, we have lost thousands of people, and now people are panicking. "
After receiving the spies' report, Fang La frowned and said:
“The rebels are originally a group of rabble, gathering together just to have a bite to eat.
After occupying the city of Hangzhou, everyone's desires expanded, and their greed for wealth made them lose their true nature.
After this blow, I am afraid that some timid people will be scared away first.
Then, if Xu Xian continues to hunt the rebels, even those who are determined will find it difficult to live and die with a smile on their faces.
If Xu Xian really wants to fight us to the end, and if we don't handle it properly, his elusive Red Shadow Army can directly end our uprising. "
It can open time and space tunnels anytime and anywhere, hunt and kill the rebels with precision, and immediately escape without a trace after killing the people. Even if the rebels want to concentrate their forces to encircle and suppress the Red Shadow Army, they will not be able to do so.
Divine soldiers descended from the sky to kill the evil rebels and rescued the suffering people. The righteous deeds of the Red Shadow Army became a legend in Hangzhou city.
In Fang La's study, four marshals gathered: Deng Yuanjue, Shi Bao, Li Tianrun, and Si Xingfang. Eight Husbands: Liu Yun, Zhang Wei, Xu Fang, Guo Shiguang, Wu Fu, Gou Zheng, Zhen Cheng, Changsheng and others.
Deng Yuanjue said:
"What we have to do now is to gather the scattered soldiers together. Each hunting team must be no less than a thousand people, and set up a formation, ready to receive the sneak attack of the Red Shadow Army at any time.
According to reports from spies, the number of Red Shadow Army dispatches each time these days is not large, ranging from dozens of people to one or two hundred people. With our team of a thousand people, we can definitely be invincible.
If the two sides really confront each other, the nearby rebels can rush over to support at any time. The Red Shadow Army will either retreat or be killed. We can also establish our authority to stabilize the morale of the army. "
Shi Bao said:
"Marshal Deng's plan is generally fine. To be cautious, before implementing it, we need to know the limits of Xu Xian's ability to mobilize the army.
Therefore, you can consider sending a thousand people out to lure the enemy first, while the others are ready to prepare.
If the Red Shadow Army really appears, we can rush over to support them as soon as possible. "
Li Tianrun said:
"Marshal Shi's plan is feasible, I agree!"
Others also agreed with Shi Bao's plan.
It is inconvenient for generals and officials at all levels to go out to burn, kill and loot. It is already tacitly understood that they send their men out to search for property. Half of the property recovered must be given to generals and officials at all levels.
Xu Xian's operation has cut off everyone's financial path. Everyone has the same hatred against Xu Xian.
I thought everyone had reached a unified opinion, but a discordant voice sounded at this moment:
"We are rebels, not bandits.
We rose up because of the corruption of Da Chu officials, and because of Da Chu's exorbitant taxation, which made the people miserable and changed people's minds. We rose to the occasion.
The purpose of our uprising is to establish an ideal country where everyone is equal.
However, the current rebel army has lost its original intention because of its small victory.
Our generals are more greedy than the Dachu officials. For the sake of immediate interests, they have turned into bandits!
The rebels brought more suffering to the city of Hangzhou than to Chu.
If the people of Hangzhou were asked to choose, they would definitely choose Dachu instead of our rebels.
Why? Because we have lost the support of the people.
Our uprising relied on the support of poor people and the belief in building an ideal country.
However, we are now dazzled by victory and have lost our original intention.
Although the big mistake has been made, it is still too late to look back.
We can use Xu Xian's shock to the rebels to rectify military discipline and make the rebels truly an army fighting for justice. "
Fang Qifu was originally in the court hall. As Xu Xian and the lame Taoist were confronting each other, Fang La made excuses to retreat, and the lieutenant general retreated. Fang Qifu could not persuade the lame Taoist, so he wanted to come over and persuade Fang La.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he walked into the study, he heard everyone discussing how to deal with the Red Shadow Army, and that's why he said this.
Fang La agreed with Fang Qifu's point of view. He actually wanted to use this opportunity to rectify military discipline. Fang La didn't want to see the rebel army become what it is now.
However, Fang La is not Fang Qifu. Before expressing his views, he needs to consider the overall situation.
The rebel army is developing too fast. Fang La alone cannot change everyone's minds and cannot buck the trend.
If Fang La's ideas are different from those of the generals, and he blocks everyone's way of making money, if he insists on going his own way, if someone with a heart stirs up trouble in the army, a mutiny may occur directly. Fang La will not only lose his current status, but also his life. No guarantee.
Therefore, Fang La said:
"Everything in the world is bustling for the sake of profit. Everything in the world is bustling for the sake of profit.
I am deeply gratified that all the generals have worked so hard for the future of the Yongle Dynasty and the rapid growth of the rebel army.
Xiaoqi wants everyone to maintain their original aspirations in order to win the hearts and minds of the people, which makes sense. "
Fang La praised both sides, but if he said it, he didn't say it.
Deng Yuanjue said:
"Your Majesty is right, everyone follows us through life and death just for profit.
Xiao Qi is too idealistic. Talking about ideals with a bunch of hungry people will inevitably cause instability in the military morale. "
Shi Bao said:
"The rebels are all poor people. They are afraid of poverty and hunger. Only gold and silver can give them a sense of security."
Li Tianrun said:
“What we want is not the support of the people, but the support of the military. As long as everyone knows that joining the rebel army can bring tangible benefits, they will naturally come to vote one after another.
As for those stupid people who are greedy for life and afraid of death, unwilling to join the rebel army, and just want to sit back and enjoy the gains, we don't need to pay attention at all. "
Si Xingfang laughed and said:
"We are rebels, and naturally justice comes first.
Brothers have followed us through life and death, throwing their heads and blood. We can't give them too much. If we fight against local tyrants and divide property so that brothers can gain actual benefits, they will naturally be devoted to us.
Xiaoqi, your theory is very good, but it is not suitable for now and is not conducive to stabilizing the morale of the military.
When Your Majesty takes over the world, he will naturally govern the world with benevolence and righteousness. That will be the time to implement your theory. "
Fang Qifu sighed secretly in his heart:
“Those who lose the support of the people will lose the world. Without the support of the people of the world, how can we win the world?
Is it just because of your burning, killing and looting?
I'm afraid I can't wait until that day. "
Zhang Wei said:
"Xiao Qi, you are too young and too idealistic. You should learn more from Marshal Deng and others.
Ten years later, your achievements will definitely exceed ours. "
Xu Fang said:
"The way of using military force requires a combination of kindness and power, so that people can be convinced and brothers will sacrifice their lives for us.
What is the method of showing grace? Of course, let them gain tangible benefits. "
Other generals also held objections to Fang Qifo. Fang Qifo was extremely disappointed and no longer wanted to argue.
Fang La knew that the situation was irreversible and said:
"Xiao Qi is indeed too young and will inevitably act impulsively. I would like to ask the generals to give him more advice in the future to prevent him from going astray in the future."
