Qizhou is located northeast of Zhending. It was separated from Dingzhou in the late Tang Dynasty and governed by Wuji. It is a southwest-northeast area with a narrow territory of nearly a hundred miles, but the territory is not large. Because it is located on the border, there are not many households. In addition, after being devastated by wars, the total number of Dingkou in the three counties under its jurisdiction is now less than 3,000. Note, it is Dingkou.
Liu Chengyou appointed Bai Zairong, the former Jin general, as the defense envoy of Qizhou, and led his old troops to garrison Wuji. When the Khitan went south to harass, they went out to attack the city and took the initiative to fight. However, they lost the battle. More than half of their five hundred soldiers returned with the loss. Wuji City was almost broken by a group of Bohai cavalry, which was a shame.
However, there is no way to be undefeated in battle. A defeat can slightly lower the vigilance of the Liao army and make them feel more at ease. However, Bai Zai Rong is just a loser. He is too bastard, greedy and violent. There are only a thousand soldiers and civilians in Wuji City, but he can still scrape a piece of territory.
The oppression and extortion made the people miserable and resentful, and the complaints reached Liu Chengyou's ears. Liu Chengyou was furious about this. After entering Zhending, Liu Chengyou has been trying hard to create an image of being friendly to the people. As a result, Bai Zairong, a violent general, was appointed by Liu Chengyou. To a certain extent, it was also his reputation that failed. How could Liu Chengyou not be angry?
He even had some scruples. He had appointed many generals before. If they were all like Bai Zairong, there would be no need to worry about winning people's hearts and the world would be peaceful.
In Wuji's shabby yamen, Liu Chengyou directly dismissed Bai Zairong from his military post, removed his armor and weapons, and sent him back to Zhending. His expression was calm, but Liu Chengyou was filled with disgust. He lightly patted the table without relieving his anger.
"This Bai Zairong actually dares to complain!" He cursed lightly.
According to Liu Chengyou's original idea, he wanted to kill him, but Wei Renpu dissuaded him. Therefore, for the first time, Liu Chengyou showed dissatisfaction with Wei Renpu.
"Your Highness, there are so many warriors like Bai Zairong in the world. Killing them may bring out temporary anger. But when they fall in the eyes of other former generals, it will easily arouse their fear, which is not conducive to the stability of the country!" Liu Chengyou can feel Liu Chengyou's enthusiasm. Angry, Wei Renpu calmly advised.
Wei Renpu's statement obviously could not convince Liu Chengyou, and he glared at him: "How can anyone complain about a villain who brutally tortures the people like this? If you can win the hearts of the people of Qizhou by killing a thief, why not do it?"
Wei Renpu was silent for a moment, with a wry smile on his face, then he cupped his hands and spoke slowly: "Your Highness, since the Tang Dynasty, martial artists have been in charge of the country. There are countless people like Bai Zairong in the world, just like the sand in the river, but These people control the army and govern the states and counties, but they are the cornerstone of the country. What's the use of killing just one Bai Zai Rong? Can we kill everyone else?"
"Instead of killing Bai Zai Rong, His Highness only needs to publicize his evil deeds and announce his crimes. Even if this person can survive, how will others view it? They will feel the kindness and tolerance of His Highness and the court, and their resistance will be eliminated. . When the country was first established, all the wastes were waiting to be revitalized, and everything should be based on the stability of the country."
Wei Renpu's words sounded very familiar to his ears. Liu Chengyou remembered that when he was still in Luzhou, Gao Fang also said similar words to Liu Chengyou because of Wang Shouen.
"It's an exaggeration! Can Bai Zairong cause chaos in the world?" Liu Chengyou showed a hint of irritation and refuted: "How can kindness and tolerance be useful to these arrogant and violent warriors? I'm afraid it will make them even more arrogant and unscrupulous!"
It can be felt that Liu Chengyou has seemed a little anxious these past two days. Looking at that face as cold as iron, Wei Renpu said in a heart-to-heart tone: "I know that Your Highness has the intention to eradicate chronic diseases and clarify the world, but this matter cannot be rushed or hastened. We must endure the temporary anger. , don’t engage in a battle of wills!”
After taking a few deep breaths to calm down the abnormal emotions in his heart, Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "That's it, let it go. It's useless to talk more."
After closing his eyes for a while, when he opened them again, Liu Chengyou seemed to have abandoned all negative emotions and ordered: "I won't stay in Wuji for much longer. Take a rest for half an hour and go to Puyin."
"Who will deal with the aftermath on Wuji's side?"
"Li Jun!"
Puyin is a small city located at the northeastern end of Qizhou, more than 140 miles away from Zhending. This small town is now a prominent point in Liu Chengyou's control. It could have been given up directly, but there is a temptation here that is difficult to give up.
The city's medicinal resources are too rich. Since it was occupied, the villagers have been organized to search for them and provided a large amount of medicinal materials for the Longqi Army. However, Liu Chengyou's visit to the dangerous place was not just to visit the medicine city.
More than 7,000 Yan troops on foot and cavalry have been mobilized here in batches by Liu Chengyou. These people were all carefully selected. They were basically from Youyan. They longed for their homeland and had no intention of going south to join the New Dynasty's Forbidden Army.
Liu Chengyou came here with Zhao Yanshou and personally led him to inspect him. Sure enough, all the Yan generals still gave him face and willingly became his subjects.
The news of sending troops north has spread throughout the Yan soldiers. In order to boost their morale and reduce their fear, the information about the emptiness of Youzhou was also revealed. Liu Chengyou set a goal and slogan for them: Go home!
Not to go to war, not to deal with the Khitans, but to go home and reunite with relatives. At the same time, Liu Chengyou also made people publicize that in Youzhou, in order to retaliate for the betrayal of the Yan army in Luancheng, the Khitan people persecuted their relatives in Youzhou... In short, how could it benefit the powerful Yan army? Soldier's heart is how to come.
"King Yan, what do you think?" Liu Chengyou asked Zhao Yanshou on top of the village tower, holding on to the railing and looking around the camp.
After putting on the armor again, Zhao Yanshou had a new look, looking full of energy, as if he had regained his original pride of "looking down on the world".
Glancing at Liu Chengyou and looking at his calm side face, Zhao Yanshou felt a little complicated about this young man. A bit of admiration, a bit of displeasure, and a bit of doubt.
His eyes rolled slowly twice, concealing a little cunningness, and asked: "Your Highness, with this army and I, can you really trust me?"
Zhao Yanshou, somewhat deliberately calling himself a loner in front of Liu Chengyou, still made the final test arrogantly.
Liu Chengyou turned to look at him, his eyes as plain as water, which made Zhao Yanshou a little embarrassed.
"I trust King Yan with my heart, how can King Yan betray me?" Liu Chengyou's tone was full of emotion: "Now that the matter has come to this, I treat you with all my heart, and I have no regrets!"
Liu Chengyou was already speaking smoothly with his eyes open, except for his expression being a little stiff. Of course, Zhao Yanshou would not take it too seriously.
"I admire your highness's big heart." Zhao Yanshou replied.
"King Yan, now it's time to think about how to capture Youzhou!" Er Er ignored these useless words and said.
Mentioning this, Zhao Yanshou's expression became serious. He looked to the north, narrowed his eyes, and said with some confidence: "As long as we can attack Youzhou City, Youyan can be taken!"
