Tian Feng was very familiar with Jizhou, and during this period of time when he was using troops, he also collected information about various ethnic groups in Jizhou. He introduced the geography and products of Jizhou in detail, as well as the major families and powerful forces in Jizhou.
Qin Ge began to have a headache after listening to Tian Feng's introduction. The Jizhou gentry had deep roots. Not only did they control 70% of the county's local resources, but they were also vaguely related to immortals and demons.
In addition, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, in order to resist the Yellow Turban bandits, the major noble families gathered private soldiers one after another. Almost every family had a private armed force, and they had secretly formed a solid political alliance.
If Qin Ge takes charge of Jizhou, he will have to rely on the support of these nobles, and he will really become a beggar on his knees.
However, during the national war, we formed a good relationship with these nobles, and Jizhou itself still has some influence and popular support. If I go to Yuzhou, I am afraid that I will not even be qualified to kneel down and beg for food!
After Tian Feng finished speaking, Xu Shu also expressed his opinion: "I also think that Jizhou is better than Yuzhou. Jizhou relies on Youzhou and Qingzhou. Now Qingzhou's Liangshan bandits are unstoppable. After the Youzhou war, it was extremely chaotic. The court just needs someone." He is a strong general who can conquer Jizhou and guard Jizhou. The Jizhou nobles are also afraid that the Qingzhou bandits will spread to Jizhou. In addition, the Black Mountain bandits are causing trouble everywhere. With his prestige and the excuse of preparing an army, the lord can be accepted by the Jizhou nobles circle! He can even gather together. In the name of conquering the Qingzhou bandits and the Black Mountain bandits, recruiting troops from Jizhou can not only integrate Jizhou's political power and resources internally, but also make military exploits externally, continuously expand the influence in the court and the world, and avoid having to fight to the death. The tragic ending!”
After hearing the analysis of the two gentlemen, Qin Ge already knew something in his heart, and what made Qin Ge most excited was that Jizhou was adjacent to Taishan County. Qin Ge could support his own base camp and have the power to check and balance the Jizhou nobles.
In fact, Qin Ge and Kinderman also tended to Jizhou. No matter what, Qin Ge had to fight for the position of governor. Qin Ge wanted to rise, and the benefits that the position of governor brought to Qin Ge far outweighed the risks.
Qin Ge turned his attention to Guan Zhong. Tian Feng had a strong character and was good at starting with details, while Xu Shu focused on military affairs. Both of them were not good at playing politics. In addition, they had been away from the grassroots for a long time and had never been exposed to the treachery of the court. Although they had a close relationship with Qin Ge and Kinderman's plan is consistent with his plan, but Qin Ge still wants to use his achievements in the national war to climb to a higher platform.
Qin Ge didn't want to be led by the nobles and become a beggar on his knees. He wanted to take the initiative. However, the form was stronger than the person. Qin Ge could only hold his nose and admit it.
When Guan Zhong came, Qingniao opened the back door for Qin Ge and gave him wisdom, so he had a clear understanding of the world situation.
After listening to their suggestions, Guan Zhong was silent for a moment and said: "I suggest that your lord give up the post of governor of Ji and Hezhou! Use retreat in order to advance and invite war to conquer the banditry in Qingzhou!"
Everyone was shocked when they heard this. They didn't expect Guan Zhong to actually say this strategy, especially since Tian Feng and Xu Shu had finally gone through a bloody battle and it was the time when they were achieving success and fame.
Unexpectedly, Guan Zhong actually led them to the place of the Four Battles again. At this time, bandits from all walks of life in Qingzhou were gathering. Once the court intervened, it was likely that bandits from all walks of life would attack in groups.
The most important thing is that Qin Ge made great progress during the National War, almost entirely relying on the support of the Han Dynasty. But now the national power of the imperial court has been exhausted by the National War, and it is no longer able to conquer Qingzhou.
The support Qin Ge will receive will be minimal, and using Qin Ge's current power in Taishan County to conquer the Qingzhou banditry is simply a fool's errand. It is likely to set him on fire. Not only will his reputation be ruined, but his foundation will be destroyed.
Qin Ge also changed his expression. He was now leading the troops and civilians of Taishan County to march into Qingzhou. The so-called clever woman cannot make a meal without rice. Qin Ge who has no soldiers and resources is a sick cat. It is simply sending a sheep into the tiger's mouth.
Although Qin Ge is known as a tiger, he is more aware of the dangers of war. He has conducted military campaigns against Qingzhou countless times, but now he does not have the strength to wipe out the bandits in Qingzhou.
However, Qin Ge was shocked because Cao Cao also gave him such advice after the sacrifice. At that time, he was complimented by the Yuan brothers. He thought that Cao Cao was not well-intentioned and was just joking.
Now I heard that Guan Zhong and Cao Cao had the same strategic direction. I couldn't help being surprised and curious, so I stared at Guan Zhong in silence and listened to his strategic plan.
Although Xu Shu and Tian Feng were shocked, they admired Guan Zhong and wanted to hear Guan Zhong's opinion.
Guan Zhong was already confident. He was an ancestor who played politics, so he began to analyze the situation in the court for everyone: "The great Han Dynasty now knows all the forces in the court. It can be said that every force in the court has thousands of connections." The governor of the state capital is known as the feudal official and the emperor, especially Jizhou and Yuzhou. These two positions control unimaginable connections and resources, and involve countless interest entanglements behind them, especially when the world is about to be in chaos. , this position of governor must be a key point in the game between all parties! One move can affect the whole body! Therefore, if the Lord competes for the position of governor, he will definitely put himself in a treacherous political whirlpool, and it is likely to become a struggle for the rights of others. Tool! The Lord wants to enter the political center, but not in this way!"
Guan Zhong's words had already made Qin Ge sweat. He didn't expect that the political undercurrent in the court would be so dangerous. One wrong move could lead to disaster.
Guan Zhong continued: "Of course the lord must have a ladder to climb to heaven in order to enter the court. Now the general He Jin is the best ladder for the lord to climb to heaven. The general is originally promoted by the emperor to check and balance the gentry, the royal family and the eunuchs. , coupled with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Xiliang Border Zhang Han Sui Rebellion and this national war, the general promoted Xiliang Dong Zhuo and Bingzhou Ding Yuan, gathered young talents such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Chunyu Qiong, and the latest promotion You and Sun Jian, the two tiger generals, have brought great glory to the general at this time, and the general's prestige has reached its peak! At the same time, I heard that the emperor is weak, and I am afraid that his life span is only a few years, and the prince Liu Bian is young. According to the current power of the general, it is very likely that this prince will inherit the throne in the future. By then, the power of the general will be less than one person and more than ten thousand people. The emperor has recently strengthened the power of the Han family, clan and nobles, probably out of fear. The general has expanded to an uncontrollable power! He has just returned from a great victory, and he wants to take the opportunity to re-recommend him to the position of governor of Yuzhou and Youzhou. This is simply to cut the flesh of the nobles with open swords and spears. This recommendation is likely to become At the point of conflict between various forces and the forces of foreign relatives, I think this general has little knowledge and hasty actions. At this time, he is complacent and forgets about himself. Little does he know that he has been roasted on the fire. If he is not conscientious and cautious, I am afraid that he will There will be a disaster soon! Therefore, the lord must climb the high branch of the general, but he cannot be tied to death, let alone his vanguard in conquering all forces. He must maintain an aloof relationship with him, so that he can be cut off at any time!"
When everyone heard Guan Zhong peeling off the silk cocoon and driving the whip inside, everyone was in awe, and the treacherous politics of the Chinese court gradually became clear.
Qin Ge was fascinated by what he heard. The so-called "one method can solve all problems". Under Guan Zhong's analysis, the strange fog gradually became clear. Even Kinderman fell into deep thought and listened without saying a word.
Guan Zhong continued: "Let's not talk about court politics, let's talk about my lord's personal development. Everyone has seen that the place where your dragon flies to the sky is in the state capital, not the court. However, this state capital is also a place where dragons and tigers are hidden, although there is no court. It is strange, but it also inherits from the imperial court. Many families are inextricably linked to the important officials of the imperial court! Down to the counties and counties, the nobles and powerful men control most of the officials, land and resources in the state capital. Even if the lord becomes the governor, he is still alone. We have to follow the trend of these forces, and it is difficult to achieve great things! Let alone Yuzhou and Jizhou, the two gathering places of aristocratic families! My lord, you were born into a powerful family, and you do not have the stability brought by the hundreds of years of marriage between nobles. Political interests are bound to be rejected by the gentry circle. Without a political foundation, you are like a duckweed without roots. The implementation of government orders must rely on the gentry. You can only integrate into the political circle through constant interests and compromises. This will be like being shackled and A tiger trapped in a torture device, no matter how many meritorious deeds and military exploits it has, and no matter how sharp its claws and claws are, it will eventually end up drifting with the crowd and ruined its reputation!"
Xu Shu and Tian Feng admired Guan Zhong's strategy. Even Kinderman was dumbfounded and impressed by Guan Zhong's talent. Everyone in the big tent listened quietly.
And Qin Ge's heart was in turmoil. Historically, even the successors of the Fourth Generation and Three Dukes, such as Yuan Shao, were eventually coerced by the Jizhou gentry, and were ultimately defeated in the Battle of Guandu. The main reason was the conflict between the local gentry in Jizhou and the foreign gentry represented by Yuan Shao. And, in the end, it resulted in bad consequences.
Guan Zhong stood up, holding a jade tablet in his hand and continued to talk: "What I said about the policy of rejecting Zhou Mu is actually a policy of retreat in order to advance! Nowadays, there are four major bandit forces in Qingzhou: Liangshan Bandit, Yellow Turban Bandit, Baibo Bandit, and Taishan Bandit. After the war, bandits plundered Qingzhou and tortured the people. Except for Chengyang County, all the officials in other prefectures and counties were basically slaughtered. Moreover, the bandits continued to harass Youzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou and even Yangzhou. Today, Qingzhou has become the most popular place in the Han Dynasty. In the most bloody and chaotic state, banditry has even disturbed the nerves of half a big man! If the lord proposes to lead an army to conquer Qingzhou at this time, with your bravery and skill in the national war, you will definitely be popular, and it can be regarded as solving an urgent need! The court needs it With the help of your fierce tiger to drive away the pack of evil wolves, I must feed you so that you can maximize your achievements in the national war and turn them into rewards and titles. The governor of Yuzhou and Youzhou, but he can become the governor of Qingzhou who is recommended by everyone and famous all over the world!"
Xu Shu was no longer silent at this time, frowning and said: "As far as I know, the Han Dynasty court can no longer send many troops. If it wants to suppress the bandits, even the troops it sends will be a drop in the bucket. My lord has an infantry regiment of 200,000 people, as well as Mount Tai. The county has 200,000 combat-ready reserve troops, plus Karasuma's more than 100,000 rangers. According to the information returned from Qingzhou, the Liangshan bandits number at least five to six million, and the Yellow Turban bandits also number one million. Bai Bo The bandits grew rapidly during this period, with two million in number, and the last Taishan bandits also numbered one million! With such a huge bandit group, and Qingzhou full of banditry, even if the lord and generals are extremely brave, they cannot shake such terror The bandits! They will only be swarmed by the bandits and smashed to pieces!"
Qin Ge and Tian Feng frowned when they heard this and were silent.
Guan Zhong had already walked to the map and chuckled: "There are few opponents in the world when it comes to Yuan Zhi's military strategy. I can say with certainty that not only will the Han Dynasty court not send a single soldier, but they will also not believe that the lord holds only dozens of soldiers." Ten thousand troops were able to pacify Qingzhou. They just wanted to use the lord's bravery to curb the Qingzhou banditry and prevent it from spreading to surrounding states! It was also expected that the Qingzhou banditry could not be quelled in a short time, so lord, your Qingzhou governor was only in name only, so they Only then will I give it up generously!”
When everyone heard Guan Zhong's words, their eyes widened. According to Guan Zhong, didn't this push Qin Ge into a pit of fire?
Qin Ge seemed to hear the implication of Guan Zhong's words, but still didn't understand Guan Zhong's intention. He raised his hand to stop Xu Shu and Tian Feng who were about to speak, and asked Guan Zhong to continue speaking.
Guan Zhong pointed to the map of Qingzhou and said: "Back then, I was assisting the King of Qi to dominate the princes. I know this land very well. It is really a land full of disasters! Qingzhou is rich in products and 60% of the land is fertile. It is located at the end of the Yellow River and has crisscrossed tributaries. It has a well-developed water system and has always been one of the most prosperous state capitals in the world. It is also rich in various mineral resources and has always been a prosperous place for the imperial court to cast coins and utensils. The geographical reasons of being close to the sea and the gentle coastline have made its salt industry and fishery very developed, accounting for almost half of the Han Dynasty. In the future, this place will be a mouthpiece to communicate with all the countries in the world. This is the best place for the Lord to prosper in the future! "
