Three Kingdoms King of the North

Guo Jia naturally agrees with Han Zhan's arrangement.Although the army is going to capture Dongguan County in Xuzhou next, but with Xuzhou changing hands, losing a county will always lose the whole Xuzhou.

After capturing Dongguan County, the road from Jizhou to Qingzhou was opened.If something happens in Qingzhou in the future, the soldiers and horses rushing to rescue will save two days of walking.It is very helpful for Han Zhan to consolidate the rule of the four northern states.

After Zhao Yun waited for Han Zhan and Guo Jia to finish speaking, he asked cautiously: "My lord, the two soldiers and horses gathered in Dongguan County will definitely pass through Zang Ba's defense zone. Will he think we are..."

Before Zhao Yun could finish speaking, Han Zhan raised his hand and interrupted him: "General Zilong, we are going to be courteous first and then soldiers. We first sent Wang Hun and Zhou Cang to lobby. If he is willing to surrender to us, everyone will be happy. If he is not willing to surrender , when our army passed through Mount Tai, we suppressed him so that he would not become our confidant.”

"The terrain of Mount Tai is dangerous, should we first send a spy to inquire about the terrain?" Zhao Yun said cautiously, "If Zang Ba refuses to surrender, we can send troops to destroy it as soon as possible."

Considering that the army will stay near Licheng for a period of time, Han Zhan specially told Zhao Yun: "General Zilong, the soldiers in the camp outside the city are restrained, and they are not allowed to leave the camp and enter the city at will. First-time offenders will be punished with sticks, and repeated offenders will be beheaded for public display. "The reason why he said this was because he considered that there were a large number of Yellow Turban soldiers who had recently surrendered to the army. If they were not strictly restrained and allowed to freely enter and leave the city, they might disturb the people.

"The last general obeys." Zhao Yun naturally knew the reason why Han Zhan issued this military order. The Jizhou Army managed to win the hearts of the people in the city by killing grain merchants and distributing grain. Going to the city to act mischievously will damage the image of the Jizhou Army in the hearts of the people.Quickly replied: "The final general must be careful to restrain the soldiers outside the city, and prevent them from entering the city at will and harassing the people in the city."

Facts have proved that Han Zhan's move is very wise.When the people in the city saw the army stationed outside the city, they were all frightened out of their wits, fearing that the generals in command would allow their subordinates to plunder the city.When they saw that the army was stationed outside the city, and killed the rich and unkind grain merchants, and distributed part of the property of these grain merchants to everyone, the impression of the people in the city on the Jizhou Army changed.

During the day, the people gathered in front of the county government office to express their gratitude to Han Zhan in order to distribute money and food.After dark, the people dispersed one after another, and the gentry, who had been in fear for a day, came to the county government in groups to visit Han Zhan to show their loyalty, lest they fall into the fate of the three grain merchants.

Everyone waited for a long time in the courtyard of the county government, but they did not see Han Zhan's shadow, but a general with a helmet and armor came.Those with sharp eyes immediately recognized that this military general was the one who led people to steal grain merchants during the day, and escorted several grain merchants to the execution ground to behead them for public display.

Everyone knelt down one after another, saying that it was a capital crime, saying that when Tai Shici led the army into the city, because he didn't know the origin of the opponent, he didn't dare to send someone to send food and money to the soldiers and horses.Now knowing that they are soldiers and horses of the imperial court, he is willing to pay double the food and pay owed, and also asks Lord Anyang Marquis to have a large amount to spare his life.

Chapter 468 Lobbying Zang Ba

The general who represented Han Zhan was Chen Dao.He saw that the yard was full of people kneeling, and the people at the front were all well-known gentry in the city. They pleaded for mercy for the grain merchant yesterday, and they were quite rude to him in their words.The rest of the kneeling people, although they have never seen it before, must have the same identity.Maybe it was because he was terrified when he saw the grain merchant being killed by himself, so he came here to confess his cowardice.Thinking of the army resting here for two days before leaving, he didn't want to deal with these people any more, so he said disdainfully: "Okay, it's getting late, you all go back."

The gentry kneeling on the ground would just bow their hands and salute when they saw the county magistrate.I was really frightened today, so I lowered my posture and came to show my kindness.Originally thought that Han Zhan would always come out to comfort him, so as to get along with him in the future, but he didn't know that the other party didn't show up at all, but only sent a subordinate to receive him.

Although Chen Dao told them to go home separately, no one dared to get up easily. Who knew if he went home first at this time, would the wolf-like Jizhou army break into the house and let him follow those few people? What about the grain merchants?So everyone still knelt on the ground, begging Chen Dao, hoping to see Anyanghou.

Naturally, Han Zhan would not come out to meet them, but in order to reassure these gentry, he still sent Guo Jia out to appease everyone.Seeing Guo Jia's appearance, the gentry felt a lot more at ease, and everyone expressed to him that they were willing to pay double the food and salary to reward the Jizhou army who came from afar.

Treating the gentry in Licheng like this was originally a strategy by Guo Jia to help Han Zhan Liwei. From Chen Dao to sing a bad face, first scare the gentry to death, and then let Guo Jia come out to sing a red face to appease people's hearts.After Han Zhan unified the four northern states in the future, when he came to take Xuzhou again, these gentry would not dare to have any second thoughts.

Guo Jia stepped forward to help several elderly gentry and comforted them. He cupped his hands in all directions and said, "Gentlemen, the Marquis of Anyang is unable to see guests due to the occasional cold, so he ordered Jia to come and entertain you. Ladies and gentlemen, Please go to the hall and have a seat." Everyone followed him into the hall, seeing that the banquet had already been lined up here, they didn't know that the other party had planned it in advance, but they had to pretend to be happy, lest Invite yourself to kill yourself.

Wang Hun and Zhou Cang led a team of cavalry to Mount Tai day and night to meet Zang Ba.

Two days later, they came to a small town outside Kaiyang City.There was a team of soldiers dressed in Xuzhou army uniforms stationed outside the town. Seeing cavalry coming, the leader of the team hurried to the middle of the road, blocked the way of the people, and asked bluntly: "Who are you, why are you here?" very?"

Zhou Cang stepped forward to see this little chieftain, although he couldn't name him, but he had seen him before, and quickly saluted with fists on his horseback: "This brother, this is Zhou Cang, who is going to Mount Tai to visit chieftain Zang!"

When the little leader saw Zhou Cang, he also felt that he was familiar with him, but because Zhou Cang was in military uniform, he could not confirm the identity of the other party.After hearing Zhou Cang's self-report, he quickly waved his hand to the back to let the soldiers behind put down their weapons, and then said with a smile: "It turned out to be Chief Zhou, what kind of wind brought you here today?" gone?"

Seeing that the leader of the little head put away the weapons, Zhou Cang felt a little more at ease, at least there would be no disagreement, and the two sides met each other in battle, so he repeated what he said just now: "I have something important to see the leader Zang, and I want to Heading to Mount Tai, please make it easy for us to go there.”

After hearing what Zhou Cang said clearly, the little leader tilted his head and looked at the cavalry behind him, as well as Wang Hun who was wearing a black official uniform beside him, and asked vigilantly, "Boss Zhou, why are there so many officers and soldiers around you? When did you take refuge in the imperial court?"

Zhou Cang replied carelessly: "To be honest with this brother, a certain Marquis of Anyang, who has taken refuge in Jizhou, is now ordered by him to come to see Chief Zang. Please let us go to see Chief Zang for your convenience. "

Seeing Zhou Cang in military uniform, the little leader thought he had joined the Xuzhou Army, but now he heard that he had joined the Jizhou Army, and he was relieved.Although he is just a small leader, he also heard that the Jizhou army has approached Xuzhou recently, and Zang Ba is calling his men to discuss countermeasures.At this moment, Zhou Cang, who had taken refuge in Jizhou, appeared here, proving that the Jizhou army did not want to be an enemy of Mount Tai, so he said to Zhou Cang with a smile: "Unexpectedly, leader Zhou joined the Jizhou army. This is really gratifying. Chief Zang is not here. Mount Tai is currently in Kaiyang City, how about letting the little one lead the way for Chief Zhou?"

Seeing that the little leader was willing to lead the way for him, Zhou Cang couldn't help being overjoyed, and hurriedly saluted him with fists in his hands, and said gratefully: "So, Brother Lao!"

"Little ones!" The little leader said loudly to his subordinates: "I'm going to take Chief Zhou to see the big leader. You should watch carefully here, and no outsiders are allowed to enter the town casually. Do you understand?" After they answered loudly, the little leader faced Zhou Cang and said, "Boss Zhou, I will show you the way, please follow me."

Seeing that the little leader had no horse, Zhou Cang hurriedly ordered a cavalryman behind him to give the little leader a horse, lest he walk too slowly and couldn't keep up with the speed of his team.

A group of people entered the town under the leadership of the little leader.Looking at the orderly streets and the pedestrians coming and going in the town, Wang Hun couldn't help but said with emotion: "I really didn't expect that although Zang Ba is a bandit, the people in the place he controls live and work in peace and contentment. It's stronger elsewhere."

Zhou Cang turned to look at Wang Hun and said, "Mr. Wang, strictly speaking, Chief Zang should not be regarded as a bandit. He used to be an official of the imperial court. It was only after he turned against Mu Taoqian in Xuzhou that he occupied Kaiyang and Taishan and other places to stand on his own. .”

Because Wang Hun came here in a hurry, he hadn't known about Zang Ba's situation yet. Now he heard Zhou Cang said that he occupied Taishan and Kaiyang and other places to stand on his own because he had turned against Tao Qian, so he couldn't help asking curiously: "Yuanfu?" , do you know why he turned against Tao Cishi?"

"I only know that leader Zang used to be the captain of the cavalry under Tao Qian. After leaving Xiapi, he went to Mount Tai. He stayed for half a year, and then sent troops south to occupy Kaiyang and other places." Zhou Cang shook his head and said, "As for why he It will be unknown if he will turn against Tao Cishi."

Everyone passed through the small town, and walked seven or eight miles forward, and then came to the outside of a city.Seeing soldiers at the gate of the city checking the people entering and leaving the city, the little leader turned his head to Zhou Cang and said, "Leader Zhou, please wait here for a while, and wait for the little one to go over and say hello to the brothers at the gate of the city, so as not to happen. Unnecessary misunderstanding."

Zhou Cang nodded, stretched out his hand and made a gesture of invitation: "Brother, please come!"

After the little leader left, Wang Hun stared at the city not far away in a daze. He thought in his heart: My lord is really far-sighted. If Zang Ba is really willing to surrender and bring Mount Tai and Kaiyang under the control of the Jizhou Army, then Qingzhou, Xuzhou It can be connected into one piece.

After they waited for a short time, the little leader rode back and said to Zhou Cang with a smile: "Boss Zhou, I have already greeted the brothers at the gate of the city, let's enter the city now."

Chapter 469 Adjustment Plan

When he entered the city, Wang Hun saw that the soldiers guarding the gate were all wearing uniforms of the Xuzhou Army. uniform?

With this question in mind, Wang Hun asked Zhou Cang who was walking side by side in a low voice: "Yuan Fu, why are Zang's subordinates wearing Xuzhou army uniforms?" In order not to arouse the disgust of the leader, he Instead of calling Zang Ba by his first name directly, he followed Zhou Cang and called him Chief Zang.

"Mr. Wang doesn't know that these are Xuzhou's soldiers." Zhou Cang explained to Wang Hun in a low voice: "The leader Zang used to occupy Mount Tai as king, and later Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, etc. who were stationed in Kaiyang The people gathered the army, embraced the leader as the master, and dedicated this place to him."

"Oh, so that's the case." After hearing this, Wang Hun couldn't help nodding secretly. He felt in his heart that if Zang Ba had nothing extraordinary, Sun Guan, Wu Dun and others might not take the initiative to offer their city to him. It is absolutely necessary for the government to send himself to lobby him.

Wang Hun thought to himself: If Zang Ba only had one territory on Mount Tai, it would not be very difficult to persuade him to submit to Jizhou.But now that besides Mount Tai, he also has Kaiyang and other places, the bargaining chips offered by the lord to persuade Zang Ba to surrender seem a bit light.I'm afraid no matter how eloquent I am, it may not be easy to persuade Zang Ba.

When the people in the city saw a group of cavalrymen wearing different military uniforms, they stood aside and looked around curiously, pointing their fingers from time to time, guessing where they came from and why they came here.

Unknowingly, a group of people came to the location of the government office under the leadership of the little leader.The little leader turned his head to Zhou Cang and said with a smile: "Boss Zhou, my big leader is inside, I'll go in and let you know." After speaking, he got off his horse.

Sitting on the horseback, Zhou Cang hastily clasped his fists to salute the little leader: "I'm sorry, brother."

Seeing the little leader walk to the gate of the mansion, greeted the team leader who guarded the gate, and walked in swaggeringly, Wang Hun suddenly had a strange idea in his heart, hoping that the little leader would not come out after entering. Because according to the situation in front of him, even if he met Zang Ba, he might not be able to convince him.The first mission Han Zhan gave himself ended in failure. How can he mess around in the Jizhou Army's system in the future?

Just as Wang Hun was thinking about the battle between heaven and man, he suddenly heard a rush of horseshoes in the distance.He turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound, and saw several cavalrymen of the Jizhou Army galloping along the street.Before he could figure out why the Jizhou cavalry appeared here, he heard Zhou Cang's "Hey", and then said to him: "Mr. Is it urgent?"

After a while, several riders arrived in front of Wang Hun and Zhou Cang. After they reined in their mounts, a man who looked like a corporal said loudly to Wang Hun: "Mr. Wang, the lord's urgent letter!"

Wang Hun felt that the letter that Han Zhan sent the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry must be very important, so he quickly reached out to the other party and said, "Fetch it and let me see it!"

The corporal leader took off the bamboo tube on his body, took out a piece of wrapped cloth from it, and handed it to Wang Hun.Wang Hun took the cloth and couldn't wait to unfold and read the contents on it.After he finished reading, the sorrow on his face disappeared immediately, and he slapped the saddle excitedly, and said: "With this letter from the lord, the lobbying of Zang Ba will surely be successful."

…………

Besides, two days ago, after Wang Hun and Zhou Cang led people away from Licheng, Guo Jia, on behalf of Han Zhan, entertained the gentry in the city in the county government office.A gentry in his 40s, when Guo Jia toasted him, couldn't help asking: "Why don't you see that Mr. Wang?"

How could Guo Jia casually reveal Wang Hun's whereabouts to a strange gentry, so he casually said: "My lord asked him to go to work outside the city, and he might not come back within a few days."

Unexpectedly, the gentry approached Guo Jia and said in a low voice, "Mr. Guo, I have something to tell you, can I take a step to speak?"

Guo Jia thought that the other party would not have the guts to lie to him, so he brought this person to a side hall, stepped back and asked, "There are no outsiders here. If you have anything to say, it's okay to say it."

"Mr. Guo," the gentleman said cautiously, "As far as I know, Mr. Wang went to Mount Tai, right?"

Hearing what the other party said, Guo Jia couldn't help being secretly surprised. How did the other party know about such a hidden thing?But on the surface, he pretended to be nonchalant and said: "Your Excellency, you have made a mistake. Mr. Wang is currently in the military camp outside the city. Where did he go?"

The gentry may have guessed Guo Jiahui's answer, and did not defend himself, but said to himself: "The military division may not know something. Today's Zang Ba is not in Mount Tai, but in Kaiyang. He has Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yin Lisan under his command. He is a great general, occupying Jiqiu, Dongguan, Linyi and other places, and has [-] strong soldiers. If the Marquis of Anyang can bring him under his command, his strength will definitely increase greatly."

When Guo Jia and Han Zhan discussed persuading Zang Ba to surrender, they both thought that he only occupied Mount Tai and had at most four to five thousand soldiers under his command. Give him a vacant position as a general and he could be recruited under his command.But now hearing what the gentry said, Guo Jia immediately realized that the original arrangement might be self-defeating, so he didn't dare to neglect, and hurriedly ordered someone to send the gentry back to the banquet, while he hurried to the back house to report the matter to Han Zhan.