At the end of November, the autumn harvest was completely over, and the people had almost enough food for the winter. The territory was relatively peaceful. Cao Cao had always settled in Xuzhou during this period, so the army and the people were stable.
However, before winter, he must rush back to Juancheng to tell the world that the war in Xuzhou is completely over.
A war does not end when the city is destroyed, but whether a satisfactory defense answer can be delivered after the city is destroyed and the enemy is destroyed.
In this answer sheet, public opinion, arms reserves, and talent recruitment are all assessment criteria. Once the score is too low, the surrounding tigers and wolves will not hesitate to send troops to devour it, causing the victory that was already won to be lost again.
Therefore, Yuan Shu has sent cavalry several times to explore, but no news was found, and no military report was received about the refugees fleeing.
In the end, he did not dare to attack Xuzhou easily and could only defend Guangling County. He sacrificed 50,000 shi of food to support Lu Bu. In his opinion, the water in Xuzhou was very deep and he could not see the bottom at a glance.
If you step on it easily, the outcome will be unpredictable.
But soon, the Yellow Turban in Gepi, Runan, was broken, and news came that Cao Cao's troops were coming down from Xuzhou and Yanzhou respectively. Yuan Shu was shocked and immediately retreated to the city, not daring to fight.
However, the fleeing bandits, fearing Cao Cao's troops, all gathered together and rushed to Huaiyang, where they were captured by Yuan Shu.
Before winter, Yuan Shu gathered hundreds of thousands of troops and defeated Lujiang, Danyang, Yuzhang and other places. He became famous and Sun Jian's old troops were able to divide their troops to attack Chaisang and Jianye to regain their hometown.
On the surface, Yuan Shu took advantage of the vacancy when Cao Cao and Liu Biao could not control him, and almost dominated the south of the Yangtze River. He could be called the prince with the largest territory, and Yuan Shao could not compare with him.
The limelight was unprecedented, and such a huge momentum naturally attracted countless families and heroes to join forces. Yuan Shu used the orders and talismans of Ma Mijun, Jin Shang and others to recruit troops and grain on a large scale. He was so rich that it was difficult for him to rival him.
Of course, only on the surface.
The road was wet with continuous light rain.
Cao Cao finally returned to Juancheng at the end of October before the weather completely cooled down. When he arrived, Xun Yu led all the civil and military personnel to greet him outside the city gate to congratulate Cao Cao on his victory over Xu. In the outer city, the streets were also deserted, and people flocked to the city. On both sides of the city, come to welcome this hero of troubled times.
Even Liu Bei was shocked when he saw this warm feeling in people's hearts. How could he have imagined that Cao Mengde, who was good at controlling people's hearts and intimidating troops to attack, could actually gain such popularity under his rule.
If it wasn't that Cao Cao was brilliant, then it was that he was truly a benevolent king by nature. But Liu Bei, who knew Cao Cao's character well, did not think that he was a kind king like Liu Yu. Moreover, a benevolent man was very good in the art of war. It is impossible for his attainments to be so high.
That is, the means are clever.
The county is well governed...
As the soldiers and horses were placed in the military camps outside the city, the generals at all levels entered the city with the civil and military forces and returned to the expanded Juancheng Yamen Office to report on the current situation in Yanzhou and the training situation. Liu Bei always took Guan and Zhang with him. follow.
To be honest, it is jaw-dropping and full of admiration in my heart.
Not only did Cao Cao "pacify the people" and "enrich the warehouses with millet" in terms of internal governance, he also encouraged merchants to move around and reduced taxes on merchants, so that goods related to people's lives could be carried everywhere, so he ordered gold, silver, The effectiveness of the five-baht coin still exists. Of course, rice grains are still a popular payment method, but it is expected that their value will gradually decrease in a few years.
Because the reserves of rice grains are increasing, the fields in Yanzhou are increasing year by year because they have not been damaged by the war. The fertile fields that have been cultivated are becoming more fertile, while the wasteland in the Borderlands continues to grow with the migration of the villagers. Become a place of greenery.
Almost every season, hundreds of people will get enough credit, and then be exempted from the status of villagers, settle down in a certain place, and set up a new "pavilion" or "village market". In this way, there will no longer be a village in Yanzhou. Instead of barren mountains and cracked loess, there are green mountains and green waters, and fertile fields as far as the eye can see.
Cattle eat green grass in the fields, while ordinary people often wear bamboo hats and thick cloths to walk in the fields after autumn. They use the ashes of the finished straw to sprinkle on the fields to nourish the soil. Watering has already started under the soil in preparation for storing water for next year's farming.
This year, Yanzhou still has a surplus of food, which is amazing enough in itself, but after all this, Liu Bei even felt that this was a rare peaceful place. If such a piece of land was destroyed, more than a million people would die. There will be a painful loss of stability.
Divide mansions.
After returning to Juancheng, due to the expansion of the inner and outer city areas and the construction of the city, hundreds of houses were built in the city, some of which were purchased by merchants, and some near the city were used for rewards.
Zhang Han's original small mansion was expanded into a large mansion by opening up the internal cross-shaped wall with four separate courtyards, building arches, courtyards, and diverting river channels into the courtyard.
Liu Bei, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and others all have mansions.
After seeing the new mansion, Zhang Han sighed with emotion, it is so good to have money, and he will give it a house and a horse.
In the evening, Cao Ang came from home and talked with Zhang Han and Dian Wei, mentioning a major event to be done before the end of the year.
"Weng Weng and Xiao Niang have already discussed it. My mother is far away in her hometown and may not be able to come back at the end of this year. Therefore, she will not wait for her. It will be a good day around December 18 for Xian Mei to marry Bo Chang. As my wife, from now on, you and I will be in-laws."
Cao Ang's eyebrows were full of joy, and he was very satisfied with the marriage. Now Zhang Han's achievements are enough, and his second sister has reached the age of sixteen, just right to get married. This is also Weng Weng's long-cherished wish after returning this year.
"Cao Xian," Zhang Han nodded, thinking of that quirky girl who liked to chase him with a blushing face and listen to stories when he was in Cao Mansion. He didn't expect that she was actually willing to marry, "No problem, I will marry you today." I will propose marriage.”
"Okay, you drink! I'll tell Gongyou and Lao Gao!" Dian Wei patted his thigh, immediately got up and left, walking like the wind, striding out of the courtyard gate. After he left, Cao Ang sat down again. He came closer and said, "My dear, I really like you. She asked people to expand this mansion."
To be honest, I also like You Xiaoniang.
Of course, it's not that kind of liking, it's just a spontaneous appreciation as a Cao thief.
Bian Yu'er doesn't have the airs of a lady, she is gentle and considerate, and she always smiles. She is twenty-six or seven years old, which is actually the age of the sister next door. Every time Zhang Han teases little Cao Pi in Cao Cao's mansion, she will lean on him. Beside the door, he looked absentmindedly, with a smile as bright as water.
At this time, Zhang Han could always think of the lady next door who went out to throw away the garbage in the early morning, the wife next door he met in the laundry room, and the childhood sweetheart who returned to the farmhouse in the countryside and got married, spending time with him under the stars in the hot summer. Sitting side by side, chatting about past loves.
"After the expansion, I will give Bo Chang a hundred gold to buy some betrothal gifts. It can't be too shabby..."
"No, no, no! Never!" Zhang Han was immediately interrupted after hearing these words. He blushed. She gave her a house and a daughter to marry, and she actually gave her back the money. This mother-in-law is too real. If this continues I feel like I'm almost a freeloader.
"Fifty gold is enough," Zhang Han said tactfully.
"oh……"
Cao Ang sat a little calmer, he thought Zhang Han was going to refuse.
Zhang Han was a little embarrassed at this time. Suddenly, so many good things came one after another. He got promoted, got rich, got a wife, and had a mansion and war horses. He traveled with two horses, a red rabbit and a thin horse from before. Maybe You can ask Mr. Cao to help and ask the master to bring Jueying over as a dowry.
All alive.
After all, someone found a BMW for Boss Cao that was more suitable for the noble, ceremonial and war purposes of showing off to others. It was called Claw Huang Feidian. It was more majestic in appearance than the other two horses. Boss Cao would definitely not be able to put it down.
This, this is so beautiful.
Zhang Han raised his hand slightly, feeling that it was a bit rude to sit and talk like this, so he quickly called the guard standing outside, "Boxiao, Ji Boxiao!"
"Yes! Sir, please speak!"
"Go, take out the jar of drunken spring we have stored in the cellar, and let the chef cook some delicious food. Whatever you have at home, Zixiu and I will drink and talk tonight. We won't come back until we are drunk," Zhang Han whispered after Ji Boxiao left. : "The nights are long and boring. Eat, drink, chat, watch dances and listen to music to comfort yourself."
"Hahaha..." Cao Ang laughed dumbly and said quickly: "Bo Chang, there is no need to be so excited. It's just a little bit of my Cao family's thoughts. After all, you not only have military exploits, but you are also kind to my Cao family."
"This grace is enough to make us a family."
"No, no, no, you don't understand." Zhang Han knew that this feeling was inexplicable, so there was no need to elaborate. Just be happy. Drinking some wine is suitable for chatting. As soon as the conversation started, the distance between them became closer. He couldn't get drunk anyway with his body.
The betrothal gift from the previous life is now the betrothal gift.
He thought of an older brother whose betrothal gift was 390,000 yuan, and he also had a garage, which cost almost everything the family had...
Fortunately, the eight quilts given to him by his mother-in-law as dowry were all very thick. With his head covered at night, no one could hear his cry.
I'm so lucky.
Talked all night.
On the second day, after Zhang Hanchen got up, he stretched out his muscles in the yard for a while, practiced spear skills and body skills, and then went to the government office to take up his post. This year's New Year was about to pass, and he planned to devote himself to his duties for seven days, otherwise this boss would The bookkeeper is also too incompetent, and I feel uneasy.
As soon as he arrived, he saw a tall, round-waisted man standing in the courtyard, with a physique similar to Dian Wei's.
The difference between the two is that the muscles on Xu Chu's body are not as stiff as Dian Wei's, and there are not many outlines visible, but his size is exaggerated. Those fat muscles feel enough to store a lot of heat and even cushion impacts.
If you say he is fat, you cannot call him fat at all. At first glance, his body is relatively well-proportioned. Zhang Han estimated that when this person exerts force, traces of his tendons can be seen, so he belongs to the "fat" category, and The standard warrior that Zhang Han considers has always been this type.
As for Dian Wei, he must be a special case. His body was trained horizontally, so his skin and flesh are tight and as hard as rock.
As soon as Zhang Han walked in, the fierce man noticed it. After scanning his eyes, he blew his beard, his rough lips suddenly grinned, and laughed like a bell: "Is it Zhang Bochang?"
"Exactly," Zhang Han raised his hand suspiciously.
"Hahaha!" He laughed, opened his hands, and strode over. When he wanted to clasp his fists and salute, Dian Weiheng stopped him in front of him. They looked at each other solemnly, without saying anything, but with a slightly unkind look in his eyes. .
"I am Xu Chu, whose name is Zhongkang! I came to see Duke Cao with my brother, and hereby rush to surrender! As soon as I entered Yanzhou, I heard the name of Zhang Bochang, the chief registrar. He saved all people from fire and water. He is resourceful and resourceful and knows the way of people's livelihood. I admire him."
Dian Wei's face relaxed and he stepped aside.
Zhang Han looked up and down carefully and felt that this man was tall, spoke loudly and powerfully, with a cloth bag tied around his head and his hair tied into a "roller". He looked like a strong peasant man, but he had a majestic appearance. .
"Did Xu Zhen come with you?" Zhang Han liked that boy very much. He was loyal and honest. He was easy to deceive at first glance. No, he was easy to make friends with.
"Here, prepare accommodation for my brother in the post house."
"Go to my mansion. What else are you preparing for? Brother Ji Yu and I hit it off right away. I have already said that I would come to entertain him," Zhang Han said in a normal way. "My mansion is quite big, and I often entertain guests there." Beautiful woman and best friend.”
"Hahaha," Xu Chu felt that Zhang Han spoke very straightforwardly, and immediately felt a lot more comfortable. He clasped his fists and said, "Of course, I will visit you later. Don't worry, sir. Ji Yu has told me, The gentleman only asked me to bring you fine wine from Runan to repay the favor, so I brought it."
"This is a hundred-year-old wine that has been stored at home. I must invite you to drink it."
"Okay, okay," Zhang Han nodded again, and then went in first, leaving Dianwei and Xu Chu talking in the yard. They were both of the same temperament and hated evil, but Xu Chu probably didn't suffer as much as Dian Wei when he was young. , so you have to chat for a while before you can become familiar with it.
As soon as I entered the main hall, I saw another middle-aged man who was quite heroic and somewhat similar to Xu Chu, but had deeper bags under his eyes and rougher skin. He was talking to Cao Cao. Cao Cao winked and signaled Zhang Han to go to the side room, so He went to the side room again.
Behind the screen, Xi Zhicai was writing comments for Cao Cao. He felt his eyes darken. He looked up and saw Zhang Han. He asked in surprise: "Why is Bo Chang here?"
"Me," Zhang Han scratched his head in embarrassment.
I'm coming to work.
This is not my job, why are you doing it yourself?
Before Zhang Han could answer, Xi Zhicai suddenly realized, "Oh, yes, you are the chief clerk..."
After he was speechless, he put a roll of bamboo slips aside and then put the engraving pen aside. "I'll give you the engraving pen and you'll do the engraving. These will be stored this year."
Engraving pen? !
Hearing these two words, Zhang Han was very worried.
Then Yi Mo took a moment, ignored these tedious matters, sat next to Xi Zhicai, and asked another bookkeeper to do the recording.
After sitting for a while, Zhang Han asked with concern: "Jijiu, are you in good health recently?"
"Tsk," Xi Zhicai rolled his eyes at him helplessly, put down his pen and gently twirled his beard, "You are worried that I am too busy with official duties now, right?"
"Don't worry. I wrote several times to invite a close friend. I recently received his reply. Before winter comes, the cavalry sent out to invite him will invite him to Juancheng."
Mentioning this matter, Xi Zhicai had a faint smile on his lips, and his whole person was filled with an atmosphere of "aunt's smile".
Zhang Han immediately understood who he was talking about, but he still asked cooperatively: "The wine sacrifice is about..."
"Humph, that's right," Xi Zhicai's eyes flashed, "It's what I mentioned to you many times, Guo Fengxiao. With him here to help me, I don't have to worry too much about many things."
Great, Wancheng Tiantuan +1.
(End of chapter)
