Chapter 216 Next goal: Xinghua City

"Brother, let's chase!" On the top of the city, he saw the Tartar cavalry leaving corpses all over the ground and retreated, Shi Xin said.

"Chasing? What do we use to chase? Can you chase the Tartar cavalry by horse?" Zhang Yang asked.

Shi Wenbiao nodded. The Tartars were too good at riding horses and could not catch up.

"Don't pursue the enemy. Our goal has been achieved. Now, restoring the order in Taizhou as soon as possible will become a solid foundation for us. This is the top priority." Zhang Yang said: "I wonder if Brother Hua Fu is willing to wish me a hand in hand?" Zhang Yang asked.

Li Huafu didn't know how to answer. He had seen that the people in front of him were indeed able to resist head-on with the Tartars, defeating the arrogant Tartar cavalry and scattering their armor, and blood flowed into a river, but their own casualties were minimal.

Is there really no hope in the court?

"If Brother Hua Fu is willing to help me, then Brother Hua Fu is the Yin of Taizhou." Zhang Yang said.

Li Huafu is also a talent, especially with experience in governing the people in the area. He manages Taizhou for himself, just to make up for his lack of manpower.

Li Huafu was excited: Taizhou Prefecture Yin, if he became a parent official here, he would do his best to seek welfare for the people and allow them to live and work in peace, rather than being as poor and destitute as now. Since the court cannot give the people happiness and good birds choose trees to live in, why can't he choose a wise master?

"If the elder brother really looks down on Hua Fu, Hua Fu is willing to work hard."

"Okay, okay, hurry up, loosen your ties!" Zhang Yang said.

Even Li Huafu defected to him, and this was the first person to become an official in the court to defect to him, and had a deeper influence.

After returning to the yamen in Taizhou, Zhang Yang summoned the leaders of various battalions and began to arrange various tasks in Taizhou.

"First of all, let me introduce you to you that Brother Hua Fu has abandoned the secret and joined our camp. I decided to appoint Brother Hua Fu as the prefect of Taizhou and manage all the government affairs in Taizhou."

After Zhang Yang said this, he looked at the expressions of the other brothers.

Tang He's expression that had just smiled suddenly stopped and opened his mouth wide. Brother, we are all people who commanded the thousand troops. Why did you find someone who just surrendered to be such a big official?

The rest of the people were too. Although they didn't say it in their hearts and were not very happy, only Shixin said: "Congratulations to Brother Hua Fu, we will be brothers in the future."

"Thank you, brother for your love." Li Huafu also felt something was wrong. He was here and was still a guest minister. He said politely: "I am the governor of Taizhou Prefecture. I will definitely perform my duties, do my best to do my best, and manage Taizhou well for my elder brother."

"Brothers, you are naturally good at marching and fighting. However, when it comes to handling political affairs, I'm afraid you are not as good as Brother Hua Fu. Moreover, he is familiar with Taizhou, so he can do this position more effectively." Zhang Yang said earnestly.

"Brother is right." The other brothers were embarrassed to express their objections.

"The most important thing for us at present is to count the population and implement the policy of five acres of land per person. Only in this way can we take root in Taizhou and gain tangible support from the people." Zhang Yang said, "In order to assist Brother Hua Fu in doing this work well, I will send Li Shanchang to assist Brother Hua Fu in the work of dividing the land, and he has more experience."

Li Huafu's heart moved. He was newly demoted. Although he was entrusted with a heavy position, he could not trust him and sent someone to him, called him assistance, but actually to monitor him. However, this is understandable, after all, he was once a court official.

In fact, Li Huafu was a little worried and asked Li Shanchang to come over. Although Zhang Yang had this idea, more ideas were to quickly stabilize Taizhou. Li Shanchang was a good player in this field. With him in charge, the work of dividing the fields could be carried out more quickly.

"Yuanheng, the city gate hole in the north should be repaired as soon as possible. This time the Tartars only suffered a secret loss. We must be wary of the next Tartars attack." Zhang Yang said.

"Yes, brother, I will organize people to repair it immediately. Within two days, Taizhou City will be as solid as a god." Bian Yuanheng said.

"After the repair is completed, the Third Battalion and the Fourth Battalion will be stationed in Taizhou to strictly prevent the counterattack of the Tatars." Zhang Yang began to deploy post-war arrangements.

"Brother, our two battalions have only one thousand people. A city of Taizhou is so big that it is probably insufficient." Lu Zhen and Bian Yuanheng looked at each other and said.

They were not retreating at the last minute, but they just felt that they were afraid that once they could not defend the city, all their previous efforts would be wasted.

Shi Nai'an was behind Zhang Yang, shaking his fan and looking at the generals happily. This surprise attack on Taizhou completely achieved its strategic goal, occupied this strategic location, established his prestige in this team, and gained the trust of other generals. Just now, he discussed his subsequent actions with Zhang Yang.

"Brothers, have you ever thought about what Zhao Lian came to Taizhou for? Why did the defenders from Taizhou go to attack our salt field?" Shi Nai'an asked.

Why? Who knows this? Everyone thought to themselves that we are not the roundworms in the belly of the Tartars.

"Brother Huafu, please explain it to everyone." Zhang Yang said. Only Li Huafu is the most familiar with the inside story here.

"Because the salt farm was taken away, the court shocked, and the court ordered the province to solve the problem. Most of the provincial army was dealing with the rebel army in Haozhou. Even Yangzhou, the capital of the province, had only 20,000 troops, and could not be transferred at all. Therefore, Zhao Lian, the deputy governor, came to Taizhou to transfer troops." Li Huafu said.

Only when he said these words did the other generals listen to his words seriously.

"So, in recent times, the Tartars cannot draw more troops to besiege Taizhou. Even if they call back the troops, it will take half a month. With this half month, there should be no problem with two battalions guarding this small Taizhou, right?" Zhang Yang asked.

"No problem, brother." Lu Zhen and Bian Yuanheng answered in unison. There was no attack from the large army at all, and there was no danger in defending the city. If the two of them refused, they would not be sneered by others.

"In half a month, each battalion will be equipped with at least two 100-man musket teams." Zhang Yang said.

This sentence is obviously more lethal, and everyone wanted to cheer: "Brother, please equip my troops first. After such a big victory this time, the young men are waiting to redeem their military achievements to exchange for the Tianque gun!"

Zhang Yang smiled and said nothing, and captured Taizhou City. The biggest advantage was that he had obtained so many skilled blacksmiths, and they had all been sent back to the base. The Tianque gun was about to be manufactured in large quantities like a spear, and the team was about to replace the bird gun. Half a month later, even if the Tartars attacked again, there was no need to be afraid!

Suddenly, Zhang Yang thought about something else, and he asked Lu Zhen: "Lu Zhen, how did Ximen gain this time?"

"Brother, we have gained a lot this time!" Lu Zhen said with emotion, "It's about ten thousand taels."

He led the team to wait in the west, but did not encounter reinforcements from Yangzhou, and killed the wealthy families who had escaped from the city, so that people could leave and things could be left behind. These wealthy families seemed to have been beaten, and they all had a sad face.

When he completed the task, he led the team to Taizhou City from Ximen, counted the spoils, and converted them into silver, which was nearly 10,000 taels. When he arrived here, he really wanted to report the news to his elder brother immediately, but he was afraid that others would laugh at him. Other battalions were fighting the Tartars, but he was making money.

"This is just the beginning, and we will gain more in the future." Zhang Yang said. He was also very happy. Now, the sales of fine salt has not yet been smooth. Although there is so much fine salt backlog, it cannot be exchanged for silver before it is sold. The funds are indeed a bit tight. The military pay of the team, the wages of the base and salt farm staff are all quite large. The manufacturing of Tianque guns also requires a large amount of silver. With this income, it can alleviate the urgent need.

"Brother, what are we doing?" Shiyi and Tang He asked. The Third Battalion and the Fourth Battalion guarded Taizhou. What are the First Battalion and the Second Battalion doing?

"The First Battalion, the Second Battalion, and the Base Camp will rest in Taizhou City for one night. Tomorrow, we will return to Xinghua and capture Xinghua City!" Zhang Yang said.

How can you allow others to sleep under the bed? Xinghua City is on the west side of Desheng Lake, and its base is on the west side of Desheng Lake. Although there are many reed marshes, the safety of the base must be guaranteed as the origin of Tianque gun. Although Xinghua County is no longer able to attack itself, Zhang Yang is not at ease. He took down Xinghua City and obtained a city on the west side of the base to protect the safety of his base.

When they heard that there was a war, the two were very happy: "Yes, brother, our first and second battalions will definitely fight a beautiful battle and win Xinghua City."

Zhang Yang nodded. In fact, it would not take too much trouble to fight Xinghua City. If the defenders in the city were smart enough, their most correct choice was to give up Xinghua and return to Gaoyou.

It was already dusk outside, and the sky in Taizhou had changed.

Desheng Lake, base.

Since Liu Tongyu and Shide moved away the equipment for coarse salt purification, half of the base was vacant. Liu Ruohan was still silently guarding the base as usual, waiting for Brother Shicheng to return.

She knew that Brother Shicheng was outside and was under too much pressure. She didn't want to give Brother Shicheng too much burden. Brother Shicheng asked herself to stay at the base, so she stayed at the base and kept everything here for him.

Now, only iron smelting and weapons are left. She still patrolled every day to understand the progress and urged the craftsmen to work quickly. She knew that creating an extra Tianque gun means that there would be more chances of winning on the battlefield.

After patrolling, she came to the lookout post in the center of the island and observed the reed marsh in the distance, hoping to see her own ship coming back, hoping to see Brother Shicheng.

Suddenly, a sloop sailboat appeared in the reed marsh. It skillfully turned left and right in the reed marsh, as if it was walking around the back garden of its own home.

Brother Shicheng is back? She suppressed the excitement in her heart, ran away and rushed towards the dock.

My sister-in-law is so excited every time she comes. She is so excited that she doesn't remember leaving a few days ago? Li Bosheng stood at the bow of the boat and looked at Liu Ruohan on the shore. She couldn't help but think that my brother is really good. He is just shopping for war and never thinks for Ruohan's sister that he should get married, so he just lets Ruohan wait.

"Sister-in-law." The boat leaned against the shore and shouted to Liu Ruohan.

Liu Ruohan has also become accustomed to this title: "Here you come back so soon? Is everything Brother Shicheng told you to do?"

"Of course it's quick and not wasted at all." Li Bosheng said. He knew that Liu Ruohan was referring to his elder brother asking him to blow up the city gate. He had already said hello to his elder sister-in-law for this matter.

"What are these?" Liu Ruohan was very surprised to see the middle-aged men gushing out like dumplings in the cabin, some of whom were holding hammers.

"These are all the treasures of my elder brother. My elder brother told me that I must bring them back quickly. Sister-in-law, arrange them to the place where the workers who used to purify salt live. Let them start work early tomorrow morning, and time will not wait for anyone." Li Bosheng said.

"What did you say?" Liu Ruohan was still immersed in the troubles of Brother Shicheng's not coming back, and did not understand what Li Bosheng meant.

"These are all found by the elder brother to build the Tianque gun." Li Bosheng continued.

Wow, so many, the Tianque gun can be produced in large quantities. Liu Ruohan looked at the person who came off the boat with great joy, "I'll arrange it right away."

"Sister-in-law." Li Bosupi lowered his voice and said, "Let's be careful to separate them, especially not let them contact the workers who make gun barrels. In the past few days, strengthen supervision of them."

"They are unreliable?" Liu Ruohan asked vigilantly.

"Not really, just in case." Li Bosheng said. This was also what the elder brother ordered. Without careful identification, he brought all the blacksmiths who were willing to come and made the Tianque gun. He couldn't wait. If one or two unreliable people were delayed for a long time to confirm, it would be a little more than worth the loss.

Liu Ruohan understood that those who had recruited the base in the past were all familiar acquaintances. Now, these blacksmiths were urgently needed by Brother Shicheng, so they were recruited and the screening work was put here to carry out. She nodded solemnly, as if she had a pair of sharp eyes. If there were spies inside, she must find them out!

The blacksmiths got ashore and were full of interest in this paradise. They were ready to take a walk and visit. When they saw smoke coming from the north and smelling the air, they knew that iron was smelting there.

"Please note that this is a military restricted area, and it is implemented in military management. There is no permission and you cannot move around." Li Bosheng said. When you arrive at the base, you have to sing a sing of black face. However, since these people have worked in the Military Weapons Bureau, you should know some rules!

The craftsmen immediately stopped their steps. Curiosity sometimes kills people, and they don’t want to be the first to be a bird.

"Everyone can receive the settlement fee of one or two taels of silver for each person tonight. Now, I will take you to the living area." Liu Ruohan shouted.

When the craftsmen saw this pure woman, they knew that she was not simple. Even Li Bosheng, who came here, was kind to this woman. It turned out that they were in charge of the account!

Liu Ruohan and everyone walked around from the south to the living area to the west and arranged for their accommodation.

Brother Bosheng came back and brought so many blacksmiths, which means that Brother Shicheng had successfully conquered Taizhou. Although she was a woman and did not know any military affairs, she still wanted to know more about Brother Shicheng. She knew that it was very dangerous to attack Taizhou City, but it was a big city! She was very worried about Brother Shicheng.

What she could do for Brother Shicheng was to do her best to help him share the work. She would definitely manage these blacksmiths well, so that they could get on track as soon as possible and make the Tianque gun!

In Baiju Salt Field, a woman with a clear and beautiful face was stopping and staring. The cold wind blew, swaying her long skirt.

Not far behind him, a maid was trembling with her hands, waiting.

"Xiao Ai, why hasn't the salt field been moving these days?" She turned her head and looked at Xiao Ai. It was He Zhaoyi.

"Miss, how do I know? Just ask that Li Shanchang?" Xiao Ai replied.

"I asked yesterday. Li Shanchang refused to say anything, but just said that he had gone out to train. If it were training, why would the remaining people be facing a great enemy?" He Zhaoyi said gritted her teeth. She could walk around here. The day before yesterday, she discovered that so many soldiers had only left these few people. Why did the rest go? Although this had nothing to do with her, she just wanted to know.

"Miss, I always feel that we are a little scared to stay here. Why not, let's go back to Yangzhou!" Xiao Ai said. What is this place? But if the area ruled by the thief is defeated by the court, everyone here might have to be slaughtered.

Out of a moment of anger, He Zhaoyi came to the salt field and looked for Zhang Shicheng. She couldn't believe it. It turned out that what her second brother said was true. Brother Shicheng, whom she trusted so much, was actually a thief! He gathered so many people to overthrow the rule of the court? She had never been so optimistic. This bold thief could succeed.

After knowing the result, she should have silly returned to Yangzhou, but for some reason, she actually stayed. She wanted to see what kind of ability this Zhang Shicheng has to gather people to rebel, and even the famous Shen family in Jiangnan is willing to fund him?

She wanted to leave, but her curiosity made her stay again. This was He Zhaoyi's contradictory mood. Especially now, so many soldiers have left, and the Tsang Siya who only knows how to sell private salt can lead troops to fight?

Suddenly, a rapid sound of horse hooves came from a distance. A man in an uprising army uniform rode his horse straight into the salt field. While running, he shouted: "Great victory, our army's great victory has successfully captured Taizhou and eliminated more than 10,000 Tartars!"

When the left-behind soldiers heard the news, everyone's face was filled with joy.
Chapter completed!