"Junhou Bochang and Young Master Cao Ang are not looking for urgent achievements. Whether Huainan can be captured immediately is not actually important."
Jia Xu came closer to Zhang Xiu and persuaded him seriously.
"What they want is stability in Lujiang and unity between the military and the people."
"Therefore, I believe that this is the perfect time for the young general to first make contributions to the young master, and then attack Huainan to take credit from the Han Dynasty."
"Today, I went to see the prince for the first time and told him this. After discussing it, I felt that the matter could be done, so I came back to meet the young general."
"Collect the Lujiang nobles..." There are many nobles in the south, not as deep-rooted and luxuriant as the hinterland of Luoshui.
However, many of the gentry in the south had merchants supporting their families, and their families were well off. A large family might be able to grow enough to stock up on grain to meet their needs in troubled times.
It is not strange that Cao Ang and Zhang Han want to win the support of the nobles, and it is even better to do so.
After all, after capturing Huainan, the army encircled Shouchun, Jiujiang from the north and south, leaving Yuan Shu with no way to retreat. At that time, it was a longer and more fierce tug-of-war.
The comparison is based on the background of both parties. No matter how much material supplies the Cao family has, it can't compare with the direct support and transportation of the local nobles. And if these families don't sincerely join, they will definitely not be able to help each other, and they will all hide their money. Even if you are forced to do so due to some kind of pressure, you may not necessarily think what you think in your heart.
No, he will definitely not be willing to surrender to the Cao family. Cao Cao was born as an eunuch! !
Zhang Xiu almost forgot this section because of Cao Cao's current achievements.
When he talked about this status, Jia Xu nodded happily and said sincerely: "Actually, neither Dong Zhuo back then nor Cao Gong now was accepted by the gentry."
"The scholars hoped that the people who saved the world would be the Yuan family and the Yang family from the famous Guandong family, or the Han clan clan members Liu Yu, Liu Biao, and Liu Zhang, but they did not expect that it would be the Cao family who had been given a cunning nickname since childhood. conceal."
"Such a gap, it's like a lump in the throat, but you have to cater to it on the surface."
Jia Xu thought of a time when he was surrounded by a fire, the guests had almost left, and only Jia Xu and others were left. Zhang Han once had such a description.
The current relationship between the gentry and the Cao family is like a "make-do" marriage for the sake of the overall situation. Cao Cao is the husband and the gentry is the wife.
On the surface, the male protagonist conquers the outside world, and the female protagonist governs the internal affairs. Everything is harmonious and harmonious, with no resentment.
However, one day, the kind of hero that a married woman admires most when she is pregnant suddenly appears. He comes from a noble family, has a fortune of hundreds of millions, and is knowledgeable and courteous.
At this time, will the minds of these wives and concubines be shaken? !
definitely will.
Not only were they flirting with each other and flirting with this noble young master, they were even willing to be deceived and work together to seize the family's property.
Although the comparison between kings and princes is a bit vulgar and vulgar, the principles are surprisingly consistent.
Jia Xu sighed deeply: "Therefore, taking Lujiang is just the beginning. Winning the hearts of the scholars in Lujiang is probably the first step to opening up the situation in southern Xinjiang."
"Young General, if we can succeed this time, we won't suffer any losses, but we will be able to share the title of monarch and honor the family name. Perhaps we will be able to prosper our clan in the future and have a bright future."
These are not flattering words, because Jia Xu's expression is very calm and solemn.
Zhang Xiu just thought for a moment, then nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, sir, please tell Xiu how to cooperate with the prince and the young master."
"Today, Major General, it can be seen that local nobles and nobles are coming to welcome them?"
"Never seen it!" Zhang Xiu was quite dissatisfied with this. He even thought that Zhang Han was causing trouble at first, but now it seems that it is not as simple as it seems on the surface.
The nobles had deep thoughts and various methods. Regardless of whether they were clever or not, their decisions in critical situations often had more than simple intentions.
Perhaps, this was the intention of the nobles. Not coming to greet him or trying to please him made me feel dissatisfied with Zhang Han.
Or maybe they already knew about the grudge between me and Zhang Bochang, and just a little disrespectful "move" can widen the grudge.
It's just a light and skillful "provocation" that doesn't take much effort.
Sometimes, when Zhang Xiu carefully examines these words, he always feels that people today and ancient times have wonderful wisdom.
The word "provocation" shows off the "insidious" talent, which is to understate and secretly pull strings.
In short, there must be a monster when things go wrong, and Mr. Wenhe is still the most powerful and discerning.
Zhang Xiu thought of this and asked again: "Sir, to put it bluntly, I already understand the current situation in my heart. If you just say it, it has nothing to do with my breaking up with Zhang Hou."
"That's good," Jia Xu nodded and chuckled: "The prince and the young master will be quite pleased to know the young general's heart."
"One evil act and one good act can push the local clan towards Young Master Cao Ang to show his benevolence."
"In this situation, the major general and the prince are both making wedding clothes for the eldest son. The major general is only responsible for collecting grain and requisitioning baggage from the local gentry and gentry."
"But you can ignore the orders of the princes and use the mercenary's self-respect as an illusion."
"The young general is using his bad reputation to force me to commit my future to the eldest son of the Cao family. It will bring hundreds of benefits but only one harm."
"If the Major General wants to maintain his reputation for benevolence and righteousness, and win public opinion with a military style that treats kindness and virtue, it will be beneficial but bring about hundreds of harms. I say this bluntly, and the Major General may think about it carefully."
"Well," Zhang Xiu didn't think too much at all, and nodded immediately: "It doesn't matter, there is nothing wrong with the bad reputation. Zhang Bo often has a reputation of being greedy for money and lust. He is a mixture of good and evil. He is regarded as a chic and heroic person."
"What's wrong with me?"
"Okay," Jia Xu really felt relieved after hearing this. After a few more instructions, he came out of the tent and rode back on his war horse.
That night, he and Zhang Han had a long talk. On the second day, after Liu Xun had finished handling his duties, he came to the mansion to see Zhang Han.
He said he was meeting Zhang Han, but actually he wanted to introduce Cao Ang to some famous families in Lujiang.
Among them were Qiao Gong from Wancheng and the Lu family who defended Shucheng two years ago.
After Yuan Shu came to power that year, the Lu family had a bad relationship with him. The reason was that Yuan Shu asked Lu Kang, the prefect of Lujiang, for thirty thousand hu of dendrobium, but he couldn't get it.
So Sun Ce was sent to attack, and Sun Ce was promised to be the governor of Lujiang, but in the end he broke his promise and gave the governor to Liu Xun.
After Liu Xun took office, he governed with gentleness, win over all ethnic groups, and even secretly helped the remnants of the Lu family to escape back to Wuzhong.
So the result at that time became that Sun Ce, who was full of blood and eager to make achievements, massacred all parties in Lujiang, and after breaking through, he beheaded Lu Kang.
Carrying all the notoriety on his shoulders, he ended up making Liu Xun's wedding dress, which made his gentle policy after taking office seem particularly humane.
As a result, Lujiang gradually stabilized. Of course, many officials still resigned and were unwilling to obey Yuan Shu's orders, thus becoming hermits.
Therefore, there are a lot of hermits in Lujiang. Many of them have family capital and have migrated to Wu or Jingzhou to settle down.
"The Lu family, there are remnants of the clan still in Lujiang, and this Duke of Qiao is an old acquaintance among the hermits, and he is considered a refined person. However, there is a member of his clan who is a general of Yuan Shu, named Qiao Rui. The princes are no strangers...these two clans will never be less helpful to the princes and the eldest son."
"Mr. Qiao lives outside Wancheng in a bamboo forest deep in the mountains along the main road of Shucheng. He has a manor that is quite spacious, but he is free and at ease. Many scholars and talented people in the territory come from his family."
"He has two daughters and has become famous in Jiangnan in recent years——"
Before he finished speaking, Zhang Han's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but interjected: "But... big bridge and small bridge?!"
"Uh, not bad..." Liu Xun glanced at Zhang Han strangely and said with a smile, "Junhou Bochang seems to be from the north. Have you heard of the legend of beauties in the south?"
"I have never seen the two girls in the boudoir, but their music is indeed excellent," Liu Xun began to recall and think, "I guess it was Qiao Gong who spread his name secretly, hoping to find someone to rely on for the Qiao family in troubled times."
"Among the Qiao clan, Qiao Rui died in Qiyang and was destroyed by Duke Cao."
When Liu Xun said this, he was even a little helpless, and he couldn't praise Qiao Rui enough.
The main reason is that I heard that in recent years, Cao Gong has been conquering the south and the north, and he will definitely recruit capable enemy generals wherever he goes, and he will be more favored.
In fact, it is easy to guess Cao Cao's heart. He was helpless. After all, "the celebrities in the world belong to Yuan Shao", Cao Cao could only collect surrendered generals to compete. If there were warriors in the opposition, I am afraid they would all go to Northern Hebei, where the reputation is extremely high.
However, Qiao Rui was beheaded directly, and it was never heard that Duke Cao had ever tried to recruit him to surrender. After beheading him, he collected his troops.
Shouchun is currently engaged in a fierce battle, with neither side gaining an inch of success. This situation may continue for many months.
Could it be that Zhang Han wants to enjoy himself while the war is still going on? !
Liu Xun couldn't help but frowned.
Zhang Han said with a smile: "I naturally have admiration. I am also a young man with a strong heart, but now is not the time to make friends."
Zhang Han thought for a moment, became serious, and continued: "The Lu family has been operating in Lujiang for many years. In the past, Lu Kang's old subordinates were also loyal and brave people who fought to the death against Sun Ce."
"These celebrities are all worth making friends with. Zixiu, can I meet them?"
"Brother said of course it's okay," Cao Ang smiled elegantly.
After entering Lujiang, he no longer acted as Zhang Han's deputy commander.
Instead, when his identity as the son of the Cao family was publicized, the villagers were almost afraid of him and avoided him at first, and did not dare to spread the word in private.
Later, I don't know when rumors spread that Cao Ang had been deeply involved in the study of filial piety and righteousness since he was a child. He was mostly taught by famous people, and he was deeply loved by the people of Yan and Xu because of his understanding of the people's sentiments.
He was supported by all the officials in Xudu.
These rumors conveyed two very important messages: First, Cao Ang completely followed the path of benevolence, justice, loyalty and filial piety, and did not use domineering weapons, unlike his father.
Cao Cao controls the territory, and maybe he will be asked to rule the territory in the future. This is the difference in their identities.
Second, he gained the support of Xudu officials, which shows that many families have bet their continuation of the family on Cao Ang.
Although Cao Ang has not yet had a high-ranking official show his rank or become famous in the world.
Therefore, it was gradually recognized, and many people wanted to see what the Cao family's eldest son looked like.
Cao Ang has followed Zhang Han for many years. When he first came, he was only knowledgeable and knowledgeable.
Up to now, it has been taught by Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Zhang Han, and even recently, Teacher Jia.
He met and talked with these local wealthy people with ease. No matter how he talked, he could show what he wanted them to see.
Moreover, Zhang Han often asked Cao Ang to learn from Liu Bei. He said more than once in his early years that he should learn from Liu Bei's brotherly pride, learn from his hands-on work, and also learn from his firm will.
I have learned from Cao Ang that he knows everything now. Farming in the fields is no show at all. He can really bend down and work with the people all day long, and then go back to the yard to study and practice martial arts in the evening.
"Since we know where Mr. Qiao lives, we can just go and visit him ourselves."
Zhang Han saw Liu Xun out. When he walked to the door, two guards were unknowingly following him, each holding a small box.
"Uncle Shi, please go slowly. My nephew will ask you a few more questions."
Zhang Han pulled him and walked slowly, while the two guards walked quickly and naturally, lifting the box onto Liu Xun's carriage.
Liu Xun looked at their background the whole time, and quickly pulled Zhang Han's arm, with a look of embarrassment on his face, "Bo Chang, you, what are you doing?!"
"The specialties in that cart last time were enough. I really deserve it!"
"Hey, Uncle Shi misunderstood, this is not a gift for you," Zhang Han explained hurriedly.
"Oh, no."
Liu Xun was stunned.
Zhang Han continued: "Uncle Shi is working for Zixiu. He travels here and there. He also has to take care of the management of the territory, the appointment and recommendation of officials, and reports on local farming matters. Yesterday, he also sent someone to deliver a plan for the harvest. , I can’t help, as I’m not from the local area, I can only watch.”
"In this case, we can only do our best. These two boxes of gold cakes are placed at Uncle Shi's place for decoration."
"Uncle Shi, please don't use it yourself. You must use it to manage your cronies and send people to do things."
Zhang Han patted Liu Xun's calloused hand with concern.
The photo made him tremble a little, and Liu Xun's beard was trembling and fluttering in the wind, although it didn't make him burst into tears or make his nose sore.
But he still felt warm in his heart. He patted Zhang Han tightly with his backhand and said, "Bo Chang is thoughtful. He is really caring."
"Uncle Shi, all this is for the sake of establishing stability. Although money is important, friendship is not as important as it is."
"well said!"
Liu Xun got on the carriage and drove away quickly. Zhang Han and Dian Wei stood there and watched for a long time.
When walking back to the mansion, Zhang Han turned around and asked, "How many did you send away?"
"One thousand six hundred and eighty pounds."
Dian Wei still remembered the quantity in his mind and said, "Would you like to ask your family to send some more? Now there are five roads for the army, and all the baggage can be delivered."
"How much did you charge?"
Dian Wei exclaimed: "The money earned is enough for just one thousand war horses."
"Liu Zitai has never said anything about the thousand war horses since that day."
"Very good," Zhang Han walked a few more steps, thought for a while and said, "Let Zixiu give Zhang Xiu a map of Huainan."
"Hey!" Dian Wei immediately informed Cao Ang when he returned. It had been discussed before that Cao Ang would come forward to send pictures and embroidery at the right time.
Entrust the merits to him again, and after preparations are made, capture the territory of Huainan and cut off Yuan Shu's path.
Whether to send this picture, who will send it, and when to send it are very important. You must be optimistic about the timing.
…
At this time, Zhang Xiu was trampling his privately cultivated farmland with his horse in the lands of various ethnic groups outside Shucheng.
Drive out their slave farmers.
Many elderly officials came out to scold him, but Zhang Xiu was not ashamed and instead shouted for food.
"You and Zhang Bochang are in the same spirit! You are colluding with each other!"
"Shucheng does not pay the army, and I cannot lead the army outside. The generals are hungry, and the local food is collected to fight against the rebellion. If you do not respect your Majesty's army, you should be punished as traitors!"
"This, this..." The elder of the clan was shocked and uneasy, but there was nothing he could do about it. He had a murderous butcher knife in his hand, and he dared not refuse it...
Zhang Xiu was sitting on his horse with an arrogant and indifferent expression, but he was actually filled with emotions.
This scene is too familiar.
On the twenty-fourth of that year, my uncle Zhang Ji took me to Nanyang, and we worked in this business for half a year.
This is much easier than fighting...
(End of chapter)
