nucmednet Chapter 483 Go south, go south
Chapter 483 Go south, go south
Zhao Sheng, a special forces soldier in his previous life, had been carrying out secret agent missions for a long time. Although those operations in the dark shadows had trained him to have extraordinary skills and keen insight,
But he really had no experience in governing a piece of land.
In his previous life, he had witnessed the people in too many places struggling and suffering under the iron hoof of local warlords.
However, due to task constraints, I am often powerless and can only bury the grief and helplessness deep in my heart.
Now, with only his burning passion, he throws himself into this complicated situation, trying to change something.
At this moment, facing the potential dangers in Guangling County and Lingqiu County, Zhao Sheng had only one thought in his mind: to do his best to protect the people under his rule.
These two counties were originally leased from the Bingzhou aristocratic families through tough means.
If he were to send troops to defend, with his current strength, he would most likely win.
However, what happens after victory?
Was it because he was feared by the emperor in the court, which triggered a series of actions against him?
Or will it lead to a united resistance from the surrounding tribes, plunging the situation into even greater chaos?
Was he going to have to break all the jars and pots and be left to clean up the mess? Clearly, these were not the outcomes he wanted.
Zhao Sheng knows that his ability is limited and he can only use his own strong strength and the high-quality resources in his hands to win the support and support of others.
Then try to inject some possibility of balance into this world and make it develop in a peaceful direction as much as possible.
After all, people are greedy. Once the business is too big, there is no guarantee that someone will not have bad intentions.
Just like Chen Da, he once had dreams and kindness, but after getting what he had always dreamed of, he gradually lost himself.
Mr. Zhao always reminds himself to keep his original intention and never repeat the same mistakes.
Just as Zhao Sheng was lost in thought, Zhao Yongsheng hurried into the room.
The room was simply furnished, with a large desk in the center piled with various maps and documents.
The sunlight shines through the window and falls on the ground, forming bright spots of light.
Zhao Yongsheng's figure blocked some of the light, casting a long shadow on the ground.
"Commander-in-Chief," Zhao Yongsheng's voice broke the silence. "The people of Lingqiu and Guangling counties are starting to evacuate. Some of this year's cotton hasn't been harvested yet, and Sun Jiping has sent someone to ask what to do."
Zhao Sheng came back to his senses from his contemplation, looked at Zhao Yongsheng with a firm gaze, and quickly gave instructions:
"Currently, the people of the two counties are working on the county government's land. Tell Bingzhou that all the land in the two counties is for sale, and we'll harvest all the cotton there when the time comes."
Zhao Yongsheng frowned slightly, a look of worry on his face. "Well, now the people of the two counties have evacuated to Tang County and Quyang. With so many people pouring in all at once, will it cause these two places to be too tense?"
He knew that the sudden population expansion might bring many problems to the local area, such as housing and food supply.
Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and said, "There's some vacant land in Dingzhou. Go and screen it and let the farmers develop it."
Now we have a new type of fertilizer, so we won’t sell it outside this year and will keep it for our own use.”
He remembered that Dingzhou was a major military town and that large tracts of land had once been used as military training grounds. However, after being standardized and adjusted, most of the land was now in a state of abandonment, which could be used to resettle the people.
Zhao Yongsheng was still a little puzzled. He scratched his head and expressed his thoughts:
"Well, Dingzhou can indeed absorb a portion of the population. But I don't understand why these people aren't resettled in Weizhou and Guangchang County?"
Zhao Sheng glanced at Zhao Yongsheng and asked:
"These two counties are Yanzhou's territory after all. Although the emperor currently has no intention of taking them back, if industry shifts too much there, do you think the court will be tempted?"
Zhao Yongsheng was stunned for a moment, then after careful consideration, he nodded: "This... is really possible."
He realized that what Zhao Sheng said was very true. Once a place developed too prosperously and was not under the direct control of the court, it would inevitably attract the court's prying eyes and intervention.
Zhao Sheng sighed softly and continued, "To be honest, although my father-in-law is still the king of Dingzhou, there is no telling whether the imperial court will reduce the power of the vassal states in the future.
When that happens, we won't be able to avoid being exploited. Ultimately, there are no absolute rights that truly belong to us here."
Zhao Sheng was a well-versed historian, and he knew that a court, in order to maintain its rule, would not allow a single dominant power to exist. The current Great Zhou seemed riddled with problems, but in reality, it was the emperor's forbearance under many circumstances.
Once the emperor's power becomes strong, the ones who will be helpless in the end will be the princes in various places, and even the aristocratic families.
As for Dingzhou, it seems that it is surrounded by powerful enemies and is in danger on all sides, but from another perspective, this complex situation provides it with space for survival.
……
On Shizhou, the sun shone on the vast camp, with tents standing in rows and flags fluttering in the breeze.
Yelu Qing finally waited for Jiao Zan sent by Huyan Yan and the 50,000 troops he led.
These soldiers lined up neatly and marched into the camp with powerful steps. Their arrival added a new force to the entire camp.
The 50,000 people led by Jiao Zan were directly incorporated into Gulizar's vanguard army.
However, as a member of the Eastern Route Army, although Jiao Zan was ostensibly under the command of Gulizar, in fact, he still served the Eastern Route Army.
With Jiao Zan's joining, Gulizar's desire to achieve great things began to stir again, and he considered heading south.
That day, Gulizar strode into Yelu Qing's tent with a haughty look on his face and asked loudly, "Great Chief, can we march south tomorrow to attack Pingyang City?"
Yelu Qing was sitting at the table, looking at the map in deep thought. When he heard Gulizar's words, he said casually without even looking up:
"Very good, you are now fully equipped and can attack Pingyang."
His tone was calm, and he seemed unconcerned with Gulzar's urgency.
After receiving the answer, Gulzar did not leave immediately. Before leaving, he asked again: "Okay, I will leave tomorrow. When will the follow-up army arrive to support us?"
Yelu Qing said nonchalantly, "No rush. First, you should understand the situation ahead. I'll prepare here and we can set off at any time."
Although Gulizar was somewhat dissatisfied with Yelu Qing's attitude, as the general of the vanguard, he could only obey orders.
In desperation, he could only walk out of the tent.
As soon as Gulizar left, Yelu Qing immediately sent someone to invite Jiao Zan to his tent.
As soon as Jiao Zan entered the tent, Yelu Qing greeted him with a smile on his face, politely asked him to sit down, and even specially ordered someone to serve him a jar of wine.
Although drinking was a common thing for them in the Xiongnu army, prohibiting alcohol was also a common rule in the army in order to maintain discipline and combat effectiveness.
However, these regulations usually only apply to junior officers, and generals like them naturally have some privileges.
"Come, General Jiao has come to assist our Western Army. We should have given him a feast to reward him, but as you can see, this Shizhou City is truly desolate and devoid of anything of value."
The wine and meat were served on the table. Yelu Qing spoke while motioning Jiao Zan to eat.
The lamb chops on the table are attractive in color, sprinkled with spices, and filled with fragrance.
Jiao Zan looked at the lamb chops on the table and couldn't help swallowing.