Chapter 218: Persuading to surrender

This time, I finally caught a big fish! The soldiers smiled happily. Most of them were from Xinghua and they hated the evil deeds of the county magistrate Li Zheng. Although their roots were this social system, the most direct roots were Li Zheng, the county magistrate who was corrupt and abused the law and was a bad county.

They glanced at each other, unbuttoned their pants without hesitation, and a stream of hot streams gushed out.

"Wow wow wow wow." The stream of steaming heat poured on Li Zheng's head.

In the endless darkness, Li Zheng felt his brain slowly awake. He slowly opened his eyes, and his brain was still a little painful. In the light, he saw streams of "clear springs" flowing towards his head, a little hot and a little smell.

It’s not water, it’s urine! Li Zheng couldn’t help but get angry, “What are you doing? Aren’t you afraid of losing your head?”

"Haha!" The soldiers around were stroking the birds and turning around, "Mr. Yin, we are afraid, we are so scared!"

Only then did Li Zheng see clearly that the soldiers guarding the city around him had long disappeared, and now the group of chaotic people were surrounded by him! He suddenly shivered all over and had no strength anymore. Can he have a good ending when he fell into the hands of these people? He no longer had the feeling of being high and superior in the past. So many wealthy families in the east of Xinghua were killed by chaotic people, and he probably would not have good results.

Li Zheng was tied up with a strong body, his head was covered with water. When the cold wind blew, he felt the boundless coldness and penetrated his heart. He staggered on the familiar road, but he was not as arrogant as before.

"Bang!" Somewhere, a rotten egg flew out and hit Li Zheng's head.

In a low house on the side of the road, a white-haired old man appeared. He pointed at Li Zheng with a crutch, his eyes full of hatred.

"Kill Li Zheng! Kill Li Zheng!" All the big families in Xinghua City had already run away, and all the people left were ordinary people. They were looking forward to it for a long time, and finally they had hoped for the rebel army, each with five acres of land, which was very attractive. Now, the county magistrate who was fishing and fishing was caught again. They all hated this tyrant, followed the rebel army and walked towards the county government.

Zhang Yang led the base camp and quickly entered the yamen, and heard the call from outside.

"Brother, we have captured the county magistrate Li Zheng." Lü Zhen shouted.

Li Zheng, who was tied up in a large ties, was brought up, and the masses blocked the yamen, waiting to see how to deal with the corrupt official.

"Lord, this matter cannot be delayed. You must win the hearts of the people," said Shi Nai'an.

"That's true." Zhang Yang looked at Li Zheng who was kneeling down. In this case, improper handling would have a negative impact among the masses. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn the boat. Those who win the hearts of the people will win the world.

Zhang Yang sat on the desk, with a clear mirror hanging high, and a slapped in the hammer: "Li Zheng, do you know your crime?"

Li Zheng was shocked. That was his place. Now he became a defendant: "Sir, the young one knows the guilt, and the young one knows the guilt. Please be kind to him!"

"What are your crimes?" Zhang Yang asked.

Li Zheng didn't know how many times he had greeted Zhang Yang's female relatives. What was my crime? The one who was guilty was you. You committed a serious crime of rebellion that killed the nine clans! Instead, he asked me what was my crime?

"The young one should not resist the adult army and disobey the adult Bingfeng. The young one really doesn't know! Please give the young one a chance, but the young one will never dare to do it again." Li Zheng said.

"Li Zheng, you are wrong. As the imperial official, you lead the army to resist, and there is no fault. However, during the years you have been an official, the people of fish and meat were just trying to get promoted and make money. The people of Xinghua County could not survive. They also imposed taxes. The Yellow River flooded, and the imperial court allocated all the silver to control the waterways in Xinghua County. You have been corrupt and forced to collect farmers for labor service. ***. Do you understand this principle?"

"I understand, I understand, I won't dare to do it next time." Li Zheng kowtowed and said tremblingly.

"Is there another time?" Zhang Yang said: "Listen to the voices of the masses!"

"Kill Li Zheng!"

"Kill Li Zheng!" the people outside raised their hands and said in unison.

Li Zheng's face turned pale. He was so arrogant and in Xinghua County, he was the local emperor. He was a mighty emperor. When would he think of this day? Retribution came so quickly!

"Sir, please spare me! Li Zheng's head was broken.

"Li Zheng, you are a smart person. Do you think I will let you go?" Zhang Yang suddenly said sternly: "Come here, drag him out, behead him, and hang his head on the west city gate!"

"Zhang Shicheng, if you lead the crowd to rebellion, the court will not let you go! I will not let you go even if I become a ghost!" Li Zheng was dragged out by two people, and shouted while struggling.

Suddenly, the people outside fell to the ground: "Thank you for eliminating the harm for the people!"

Over the years, I have been poisoned by Li Zheng. Now, I finally saw the evil leader being punished, and they were very pleased. The people did not have much sense of identity with the rule of the Yuan Dynasty. In addition, they were treated unfairly, and no one felt that rebellion was not supposed to be an irresistible. ***, the people had to rebel. Now, with Zhang Shicheng, with the land, there was hope of survival, and the tax exemption for three years was exempted. This was a huge gift, and they all happily accepted this change.

"Everyone is up," said Zhang Yang: "The Tartars are unrighteous and do not regard us Han people as humans. We just want to live, but the Tartars do not give us hope to survive. Now I, Zhang Shicheng, raise an army, not seeking glory and wealth, but only wanting to let the people live a stable life. Each person has five acres of land and exempt three years of taxes. This is my unchanging promise!"

"Thank you sir!" the people shouted gratefully.

I don’t know who was the first to shout: “Long live my sir!”

Everyone shouted, "Long live my sir!"

Zhang Yang looked at the excited crowd and felt excited. This is the heart of the people. Only those who win the hearts can win the world. Why was Chen Youliang defeated? Because he was vicious and cunning and unpopular, even Xu Shouhui was killed by him. Such a person can only be a hero in troubled times.

"Everyone, go back. Each person's five acres of land will be distributed to everyone soon." Zhang Yang said.

When the crowd dispersed, Zhang Yang looked at his generals and fell into deep thought for a moment.

Taking down Xinghua City is just a very simple thing. After all, even a big city like Taizhou is not a problem. Zhang Yang is worried that his step-by-step development, territorial and population will definitely arouse the alert of the court. How will the court counterattack? How fierce will it be? It is unknown. What he needs now is time. With two months to digest and integrate the resources of Taizhou and Xinghua, divide the land, and gain the support of the people. More importantly, with two months to buffer, the Tianque gun can equip the troops in large quantities. At that time, he will have enough ability to divide the territory and split the land, and is not afraid of the arrogant cavalry troops of the Tartars.

"Brother, will we take down Gaoyou Mansion in the next step?" Bian Yuanheng asked. Last time he attacked Taizhou, he mainly attacked the North City Gate and made his first contribution. This time he attacked Xinghua, he took the lead. He was eager to know whether he could still bear the main task of attacking Gaoyou in the next step.

"At this moment, we should not attack Gaoyou." Shi Nai'an said.

"Why?" Bian Yuanheng and Lu Zhen asked together.

We have already hit the salt field, Taizhou, Xinghua, and the next goal is Gaoyou, why don’t we fight?

"Cao Transport." Shi Nai'an shook his fan and said these two words.

This is true for the canal transportation. Gaoyou Prefecture is not as guarded as Taizhou. However, compared with Taizhou, there is an important place. The main road of the canal transportation is passed through Gaoyou Prefecture.

In this era, it was quite laborious to take the land. The south has been a land of fish and rice since ancient times, while the north is short of food. If you want to transport food from the south to the north, if you take the land, it will take a long time and lose more. If you transport one stone of rice to Dadu, the loss will be at least two stones of rice.

Therefore, there is a canal. Although the cost is relatively high when digging the canal, the benefits are huge after the canal is successfully dug. There are water roads everywhere in the south and water networks are everywhere. According to the direction of the river, from south to north, there is a canal that leads directly to Dadu.

And Gaoyou Prefecture happened to be on this canal. If Gaoyou Prefecture was captured, it would be like he would have grabbed the canal. The Yuan Dynasty would definitely not ignore it. There would be a big battle. The current military force would be more than enough to deal with the Tartars in Taizhou and Gaoyou areas. However, if it were to deal with the Tartars that had come from the country, it would probably be in danger.

People don’t pay much attention to this canal transport, because as a Jiangnan person, they are familiar with every river here, and they have never transported goods to Dadu, so they don’t pay much attention to the canal transport. Now, when Shi Nai'an reminds everyone, everyone reacted. When they fought the salt field, the court endured it. Before the court could react, they fought Xinghua and were able to capture it. If they fought Gaoyou, it would completely hurt the Tartars, but they would stab the hornet’s nest. Gaoyou is not a military center, but it is more important than a military center.

"Mr. Shi's words are reasonable," said Zhang Yang. "So far, we are not suitable to continue attacking Gaoyou. The main task now is to improve our combat effectiveness, consolidate these captured places, and conscientiously implement our policies. We will be supported by the people."

"Then we won't fight?" Lu Zhen asked.

"It's just that I won't fight now. Wait for two months, our Tianque gun will be equipped with a large number of troops. Do we still need to be afraid?" Zhang Yang asked back.

"Well, brother is right. Then, I will give us the third battalion first!" Lu Zhen said happily.

"The fourth battalion has the least Tianque gun, so I will equip the fourth battalion first!" Bian Yuanheng also rushed to say.

As he was speaking, Shi Xin hurried in: "Brother, Li Qi, the governor of Gaoyou Prefecture, asked for a meeting."

Li Qi, the governor of Gaoyou Prefecture, Zhang Yang was a little surprised. What did he do?

Li Qi is indeed here, he doesn't want to come, but he can't do anything about it now.

When Li Qi learned that Taizhou had fallen, he felt a little relaxed. He just felt that since the other direction had developed south, he must have been fond of Yangzhou, Pingjiang, and other rich places. In contrast, Gaoyou Mansion could no longer satisfy the other party's appetite. It is impossible to eliminate the thief within three months. Now, the thief has rushed out of Gaoyou Mansion. Then, it is not the matter of Gaoyou Mansion. Yangzhou should also take charge? The province will definitely be able to quickly quell the rebellion.

Li Qi wanted to quell the rebellion and serve the court, but he lost the ability. Nasuladin died. The new Hadanbatel was incompetent and had only one thousand soldiers under his command. How to fight? The rebels could even take down Taizhou, which was guarded by 20,000 people. In comparison, Gaoyou Mansion was simply a pediatric department.

"Sir, the province quickly sent a document to hurry up." The governor walked in and said to Li Qi.

"What official document?" Li Qi took it, looked at it, his face became increasingly ugly.

"Sir, what's the matter?" The governor had not read the content and sent it directly.

Last time it was the court, this time it was the province, and their brains were kicked by donkeys? Why did they issue such an order? Li Qi was helpless.

A few days ago, the imperial court's official documents allowed Gaoyou Mansion to quell the rebellion within three months. Now, the official documents given by the province are to recruit rebels again. Now, if the rebels are not yet firmly established, they will be eliminated. When they become bigger, they will probably have to spend more effort. Li Qi does not want to recruit rebels. Recruiting rebels not only shows the incompetence of the court, but also encourages the rebels' arrogance.

However, he was powerless and had to obey the orders of the province. The province actually made him the chief of recruitment. This was a thankless job. If he couldn't do it well, he would have to lose his life.

The provinces are simply playing the piano randomly, or they are simply nonsense. Even if they are recruiting, it is not Li Qi's turn. At least they have to be a senior official in the province. What conditions can he agree to the thief? The thief needs Gaoyou Mansion, and he will give it to him? He wants to be the prefect of Taizhou, and he will give it to him. The official documents only say that everything is in full power, which is difficult to grasp the standards. If something happens in the future, the court will blame him, and he will definitely be a scapegoat.

But even though Li Qi knew this, he still began to prepare for the reunion without hesitation. It was called stupidity or loyalty. Li Qi was loyal to the court.

As soon as he left Gaoyou Mansion, he was heading straight for Taizhou, but unexpectedly encountered a defender who escaped from Xinghua. He said that the rebels had captured Xinghua, so Li Qi went straight for Xinghua.

"Shi Xin, why did you tie up the Lord of the Prefect? ​​Release it!" Zhang Yang went down from his seat, walked straight to Li Qi in two steps, and personally untied the rope on his body. "Mr. Gong, I will definitely punish these soldiers heavily when I come down. Why are they so ignorant?"

"Hurry, give me a seat!" Zhang Yang greeted.

Li Qi moved his arms and sat on the chair. He was so angry that he suddenly swallowed it back and didn't send it out.

As the prefect of Gaoyou, he came to visit Zhang Shicheng with more than 20 guards. He thought that he would have to receive some treatment anyway. The two countries had not yet been killed. However, as soon as they approached the city, they were captured by a group of strong soldiers. They tied up all without hesitation, as if they were treating prisoners!

He wanted to lose his temper, but when he looked at the head of the man shaking in the wind at the gate of the city, it was Li Zheng, the head of Xinghua County. Li Qi swallowed and smeared. It would be worth it if he died for no reason at the hands of these big-headed soldiers.

He wanted to see the righteous and sternly denounced him, but when he got here, he came up to loosen his ties and sat down, just like treating his relatives, and Li Qi's fire could not be released.

"I don't know that the prefect is here, what's the matter?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

Li Qi thought for a while and said, "Brother Shicheng was originally a Tsubasaya from Baiju Salt Field. He usually took the money from the court and was considered a member of the court. Why did he suddenly raise troops and disputes, causing war in Gaoyou Mansion and the people were displaced?"

The people are displaced? Have you not seen how much the people support me? Those who are displaced are those rich and unkind? Zhang Yang thought so in his mind, but he said, "Even the prefect knows that I am Tsubasaya from Baiju Salt Field. Do you know how much silver I have in a month?"

"It should be three hundred quotas!" Li Qi said. He remembered that positions like this cost ten cents a day, and that month should be about three hundred quotas.

"The prefect has a good memory." Zhang Yang said: "But why does the wages I get every month are less than one hundred cents?"

Memory? Li Qi hasn't heard of this word yet, but Zhang Yang's second half of the sentence surprised Li Qi: "It's just three hundred quotas, why do you only have one hundred quotas?"

"Because, they were all stripped down by their superiors and came to my hands. There was only so much. The prefect is not aware of this. What a pity." Zhang Yang said, "The commander of the salt farm, Si Cheng, made most of our wages. Even a small archer Qiu Yi asked us to pay filial piety. You said, can I have enough food for 100 cents a month? In the salt farm, I still earn a lot."

The sweat on Li Qi's back suddenly oozed. Although he disdained these official methods, it did not mean that others would not. He believed that the man in front of him did not lie.

"And the people everywhere make a living by farming, pay huge rent, and have to serve various corvee labor. Do you think the people can live?"

"Then you shouldn't have raised troops to resist the court, right?" Li Qi said, his words were very powerless. He knew that these were the truth.

"You sent troops to attack me first. I just wanted to sell some private salt, make some money, and make a living. However, the people I was attacked by you in the Killing Port, and the people in Desheng Lake were also attacked by you. I was helpless and only raised the troops." Zhang Yang said. When talking to this prefect, he naturally could not tell the truth. He first put out the prefect's words and pretended that he had no choice but to raise the troops. It depends on what the prefect said.

The ball was kicked back, and Li Qi was a little angry. You sold private salt, which was originally a serious crime of beheading. Secret training of troops is even more a serious crime. I sent troops to wipe out it, of course it was the right thing to do, but he couldn't say that, his purpose was to persuade surrender.

"So that's it. To put it this way, Brother Shicheng doesn't want to rebel against the court?" Li Qi asked.

"If we can survive, who would be willing to do this beheading business?" Zhang Yang did not directly answer Li Qi's question, but said this.

"Then, I have a solution." Li Qi said.

“What method?”

"You might as well surrender to the court! The court has many soldiers and generals. If you continue like this, you will be dead." Li Qi finally said the most important thing.

Surrender? Hearing these two words, Zhang Yang's eyes went straight, Shi Nai'an's eyes went straight, Lu Zhen, Feng Hum, Shi Xin, Shi Wenbing, their eyes went straight.
Chapter completed!