One day, Zhang Fan summoned his counselors and generals to discuss the management of Zhuojun. Everyone gathered together and the atmosphere was warm. Zhang Fan spoke first: "Everyone, we have a heavy responsibility and must formulate a long-term development plan for Zhuo County as soon as possible. The purpose of inviting everyone here today is to brainstorm and make plans together."
Counselor Jushu said: "What the prefect said is absolutely true. Zhuojun is located in a strategic location. It is an important agricultural area and borders ethnic minorities on the border. The situation is complicated. I think the top priority is to strengthen border defense and ensure local security."
Liu Bei nodded in agreement: "Border defense matters are important, but we also need to pay attention to people's livelihood. I heard that some places in Zhuo County have been suffering from drought for years and the people are living in poverty. We should find ways to relieve the victims and help them tide over the difficulties."
After hearing this, Zhang Fan secretly praised Liu Bei. It seemed that Liu Bei was not only a brave general, but also had a benevolent heart. So he said: "What General Liu said is absolutely true. People's livelihood issues are an aspect that cannot be ignored in our local governance. We must understand the disaster situation in various places as soon as possible and organize disaster relief work."
Everyone offered suggestions and advice, and the discussion was lively. Zhang Fan knows very well that to govern a place well, it is not enough to rely on oneself alone, but must rely on the wisdom and strength of everyone. Now with the help of Liu Bei, Ju Shou and others, he is full of confidence in the future.
After several days of discussion and preparation, Zhang Fan finally formulated a complete governance plan. He decided to start by strengthening border defense, sending capable generals to station at the border, and at the same time strengthening exchanges and cooperation with ethnic minorities to maintain border stability. Regarding people's livelihood issues, he plans to build water conservancy projects, reduce tax burdens, and promote agricultural technology to promote agricultural production and improve people's lives. In addition, Zhang Fan also decided to rectify the administration of officials and crack down on corruption so that local officials can truly serve the people.
However, although the plan is good, implementation is difficult. Zhang Fan knows that it is not easy to get these wealthy families to contribute money and efforts. So he decided to visit these wealthy families in person and discuss cooperation with them.
Zhang Fan first came to the mansion of the Yuan family, the largest wealthy family in Zhuo County. The Yuan family is a large family in Zhuo County, with a large family business and strong financial resources. Zhang Fan had a close relationship with Yuan Shao, the head of the Yuan family. The two studied together in Luoyang and formed a deep friendship.
Zhang Fan explained his intention to Yuan Shao, hoping that he could contribute money to help build water conservancy projects and reduce tax burdens. After hearing this, Yuan Shao pondered for a moment and said, "What Brother Zhang said will be of great benefit to the people of Zhuojun. I, the Yuan family, should do our best to help. But I am worried that other aristocratic families will not be willing to contribute."
After hearing this, Zhang Fan smiled and said: "Brother Shao, don't worry, I have considered this issue. I plan to launch an initiative of 'building water conservancy and seeking common development' among the wealthy families, and let other families see this through an open and transparent operation method." If things are beneficial, they will naturally join in.”
After hearing this, Yuan Shao clapped his hands and laughed: "Brother Zhang really has a clever plan! If this matter can be successful, it will not only be of great benefit to the people of Zhuojun, but also bring fame and fortune to my Yuan family."
Therefore, under Zhang Fan's planning, the initiative of "building water conservancy and seeking common development" was officially launched. In just a few days, many people responded. Various aristocratic families donated generously and contributed money and efforts. The people were even more delighted when they saw this and actively participated in it.
With the concerted efforts of everyone, the water conservancy construction in Zhuo County is progressing rapidly. When Zhang Fan went to the Yuan family's mansion again, the sight in front of him made him sigh. The Yuan family's fields have all been connected to water canals and are full of life. The farmers were busy and harvested several times more fruits than before.
Zhang Fan bowed deeply and expressed his thanks: "Without the help of the Yuan family, how could we have achieved twice the result with half the effort in this Zhuo County water conservancy matter? Zhang is deeply grateful."
Yuan Shao smiled and said: "The prefect has given me too much praise. This matter is an unshirkable responsibility of my Yuan family. Now that I see the smiles of the people, I feel very happy."
Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of success, a shocking news suddenly came. Due to the shortage of manpower in Zhuo County, public security began to become increasingly chaotic. Bandits were causing chaos everywhere, posing a serious threat to people's lives and property. Zhang Fan was silent after hearing the news, thinking about how to solve this problem.
At this time, Liu Bei said: "Prefect, I have a plan to solve this problem easily. It is better to hire ambitious people from Zhuo County into the government to strengthen local governance. At the same time, we can build our own militia team to let them Participate in the fight against bandits.”
When Zhang Fan heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up and he immediately agreed. Everyone also expressed their support. Therefore, Zhang Fan selected dozens of people with lofty ideals to join the government and assigned them their responsibilities and work scope. At the same time, he ordered the formation of a militia team called the "White Horse Rebels" to participate in the fight against bandits.
...
It is said that Zhang Fan successfully convinced Yuan Shao and other wealthy families, and the water conservancy construction in Zhuojun was in full swing. However, behind the prosperity, there is an undercurrent. Due to lack of manpower, the public security situation in Zhuojun County is deteriorating day by day, bandit activities are frequent, and people's lives are plunged into panic.
Zhang Fan was extremely anxious after hearing the news. He knew that in order to fundamentally solve the security problem, we must take a long-term approach. The most urgent task at hand is to take measures as soon as possible to stabilize public sentiment.
At this moment, Liu Bei stood up and made a suggestion: "Prefect, I think the most convenient way to solve the public security problem is to select people with lofty ideals from the people to join the government and strengthen local governance. At the same time, we can also Form a militia team and let the common people participate in the fight against bandits."
After hearing this, Zhang Fan felt that this was indeed a good idea. He immediately ordered a group of people with lofty ideals to be selected from the private sector and included in the official establishment. These people come from all walks of life, some are farmers, some are traders, and some are craftsmen. Although they come from ordinary backgrounds, they all have a strong sense of justice and responsibility.
Then, Zhang Fan ordered the formation of a militia team called the "White Horse Rebels". This team uses the white horse as its symbol, which symbolizes their purity and bravery. The members of the White Horse Rebels are ordinary people who join voluntarily to defend their homes and maintain public order.
After the establishment of the White Horse Rebels, Zhang Fan personally went to the training ground to boost the morale of the rebels: "Dear fellow villagers, our White Horse Rebels have only one goal, which is to eliminate bandits and protect the people! I believe that with the joint efforts of everyone, we We will definitely be able to achieve this goal!”
With the establishment of the White Horse Rebel Army, the security situation in Zhuo County began to improve significantly. The rebels patrol the countryside, actively combat banditry, and protect people's lives and property. At the same time, they also taught some basic self-defense skills to the people so that everyone can protect themselves and their families.
However, the bandits did not give up. Seeing that the security in Zhuo County was tight, they began to fight elsewhere. After Zhang Fan learned the news, he decided to personally lead the White Horse Rebel Army on the expedition. He believed that only by completely eliminating the bandits could peace and tranquility in Zhuojun be truly realized.
Just as Zhang Fan was preparing to lead the army in person, a young man named Song Yi volunteered and asked to join the White Horse Rebel Army to fight against the bandits.
Song Yi was born into a wealthy family in Zhuo County. He had practiced martial arts since he was a child and was highly skilled in martial arts. He has traveled to many places and seen the evil deeds of various bandits, and he has already buried in his heart the ambition to fight against bandits.
Zhang Fan was very happy to see Song Yi's majestic and heroic spirit. He felt that with the joining of heroes like Song Yi, the White Horse Rebel Army would become stronger and the hope of eradicating the bandits would be brighter.
Therefore, Zhang Fan appointed Song Yi as the deputy commander of the White Horse Rebel Army and asked him to assist him in leading the expedition.
On the day when the army set out, the people of Zhuo County poured into the streets to see off the White Horse Rebels. Among the crowd, a woman named Liu Ruyan came to Zhang Fan with a bottle of wine in her hand and said: "Prefect, be careful when you go here. I hope you will eliminate the bandits as soon as possible and return safely."
Zhang Fan took the wine, drank it in one gulp, and said, "Thank you all for your concern and support. I will do my best to eliminate the bandits and protect the peace of Zhuojun."
After the army set off, it headed south. The deeds of the White Horse Rebels were heard in the villages and towns along the way, and the people expressed their support one after another. Many passionate young people have joined the ranks of the rebels, strengthening the strength of the White Horse Rebels.
After several days of marching, the White Horse Rebels finally arrived at the area where bandits were active. It is located deep in the mountains and old forests, with complex terrain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Zhang Fan observed the terrain and already had a strategy in mind to defeat the enemy.
He ordered the army to ambush on both sides of the valley, and only sent a small group of troops to lure the enemy. When the bandits saw the arrival of officers and soldiers, they immediately moved out and prepared to plunder. However, they were lured into a narrow valley.
At this time, Zhang Fan gave an order, and the officers and soldiers ambush on both sides rushed out like tigers descending from the mountain. For a moment, the sound of killing was loud and fire was everywhere in the valley. Although the bandits resisted desperately, they were no match for the official army. After a fierce battle, most of the bandits were wiped out, and the few who escaped were closely pursued by the army.
Seeing that the overall situation was decided, Zhang Fan ordered to withdraw his troops. He counted the number of people and found that although there were some casualties in this battle, overall the gains were quite fruitful. More importantly, they successfully suppressed the arrogance of the bandits and brought great harm to the people of Zhuojun.
After the army returned to the court, the people of Zhuojun rushed to the streets to welcome him. They set off firecrackers, sang and danced, and celebrated the victory enthusiastically. Liu Ruyan and her family were also waiting for Zhang Fan's return in the crowd.
When Zhang Fan appeared at the city gate on his tall horse, Liu Ruyan stepped forward to greet him and said, "Prefect, thank you for your hard work."
Zhang Fan got off the horse and said with a smile: "As long as I can protect the safety and happiness of the people of Zhuojun, I won't have to work hard for anything."
At this moment, the people of Zhuojun shouted in unison: "Long live the prefect! Long live the White Horse Rebels!" The voice echoed through the sky.
