Three Kingdoms: Plundering Entries, From Merchants to Emperors

Yingtao County.

After the celebration banquet, Zhang Chen ordered Gao Shun and others to return to the military camp and settle their troops. Dong Zhao also ordered Jiang Qi to bring a lot of wine and meat to reward the soldiers.

At night, Zhang Chen stayed alone in the side room of the back hall of the county government. When he was about to rest, he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Master Zhang, can you rest?"

It was Dong Zhao!

Zhang Chen hurriedly opened the door, but saw two people standing outside.

One was Dong Zhao, and the other was Ju Su.

"Brother Gongren." Zhang Chen bowed to Dong Zhao, and then looked at Ju Su beside him: "Gong Yu, why are you here?"

Ju Su bowed and said: "I heard that the lord defeated the bandit army and lifted the siege of Yingtao, so I rushed to see my old friend overnight. I just chatted for a few words and learned that the lord was also here, so I came to see him."

"Let's go in and talk." Zhang Chen said, and invited the two into the house.

As soon as he entered the door, Zhang Chen couldn't wait to ask: "Gong Yu, how are Cheng'an and Linzhang counties?"

Ju Su replied: "Don't worry, lord, Generals Qian Zhao and Fang Ping have eliminated the bandits and taken the two cities, and are now comforting the people."

"Good!" Zhang Chen was relieved when he heard this.

Although he had already had a plan in mind, he was really relieved when he heard it from Ju Su.

Ju Su glanced at Dong Zhao slightly, and saw that he was also surprised when he heard this.

At that moment, Ju Su rolled his eyes and said, "My lord, this time you made a plan, which not only lifted the siege of Yingtao, but also recovered Cheng'an and Linzhang counties that were occupied by the thieves. It can be said that you are a master of strategy and can win a victory thousands of miles away! Your talent really makes me admire you. I am so lucky to be able to follow you!"

Zhang Chen was slightly stunned by Ju Su's words, thinking that Ju Su usually doesn't talk like this, what happened today?

At the same time, Dong Zhao on the side was surprised and said, "Gong Yu, you mean that it was Lord Zhang who planned to lift the siege of Yingtao, not you?"

"Haha, Brother Gong Ren, my master has his own strategy, and I am just assisting him." Ju Su said, "This time, the people of the two counties are grateful to my master for recovering the two counties in one fell swoop."

"I didn't expect that Lord Zhang, at such a young age, had such a strategy." Dong Zhao sighed, "I originally thought that Lord Zhang was just kind and righteous, and couldn't bear the suffering of the people, so he sent troops to rescue them, but the person who made the plan must be Gong Yu. Unexpectedly, Lord Zhang is a man of both civil and military skills, wisdom and courage! Please accept my greetings. ”

“Brother Gongren, there is no need to do this.” Zhang Chen hurriedly helped Dong Zhao up and said, “I have heard of your great name a long time ago. You have governed Yantao County for several years, and the people are rich and live and work in peace. Today I came to the city and saw the prosperity and splendor of the city, and I know that what you said is true. You are a great talent in governing the world. It is a blessing for the country and the people to have such an official in the court!”

After hearing this, Dong Zhao’s face darkened and he sighed, “It’s a pity that the court is now decadent and corrupt. The emperor favors a group of eunuchs such as Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who sell official positions and block the way of speech... Even if there are really capable ministers who can govern the world, I am afraid they are just pearls covered in dust.”

Zhang Chen could hear that there was a lot of complaints in Dong Zhao’s words.

He was nearly thirty years old and only had the position of a county magistrate. It was indeed difficult for him to display his talents.

It seems that he was also disappointed with the court, so after following Cao Cao, he was determined to help him establish a new dynasty.

In this case, only by showing ambition can he be convinced.

Zhang Chen thought to himself that he had already made a plan, so he said: "When the world is in turmoil, heroes will surely emerge. Why should Brother Gongren worry about the 'pearl covered in dust'?"

Dong Zhao was stunned when he heard this: "Master Zhang, are you saying that the world is about to be in turmoil, and there will be princes from all sides vying to rise up and compete for the world?"

Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said: "Haha, I didn't say that. However, whether it is true or not, Brother Gongren should have already made a plan in his mind."

"Then... I wonder if Master Zhang is also a person who is competing for the world?"

After Dong Zhao finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen looked normal, but Ju Su on the side frowned slightly.

This Dong Zhao, how can he bring such a thing to the surface?

Zhang Chen raised his eyes, looked at Dong Zhao, and said softly: "The sword is in my hand, why don't you chase him?"

Dong Zhao was slightly surprised, and couldn't help asking again: "What should we do after that?"

Zhang Chen stood up, walked gently in front of him, patted his shoulder and said.

"Return the people to peace."

! ! !

Dong Zhao raised his head and looked at Zhang Chen, only to feel that the man in front of him was surrounded by a special aura.

Dong Zhao thought for a moment, stepped back, knelt down and said: "Ming Gong has the ambition to swallow up the world, and I admire it very much. Today I am willing to give up this official position and follow Ming Gong from now on to serve you."

Haha, another talent!

Zhang ChenHe was overjoyed and quickly helped Dong Zhao up, holding his hand and saying, "If you can get help from Brother Gongren, we will achieve great things in the future!"

"Lord!"

"Brother Gongren!"

The two held hands and looked at each other, crying with joy. Seeing this, Ju Su on the side also nodded silently.

Dong Zhao immediately said, "Since I have surrendered to you, I will submit a petition to resign from my post and return to Guangping with you tomorrow."

When Zhang Chen heard this, he thought about it in his heart and immediately dissuaded him, "Brother Gongren, there is no need to rush."

Dong Zhao was puzzled and said, "Why...?"

Zhang Chen said, "Now the world is in chaos, and it is not the time for heroes to use their strength. Now is the time to hide our strength and accumulate money and grain, so that we can be one step ahead of others when the chaos comes. Brother Gongren has cured goiter, and the people are prosperous and the money and grain are increasing. If we abandon it, wouldn't it be a pity?"

Zhang Chen paused and said, "Within three years, I will be promoted to governor and take charge of Jizhou. Then, it will be time for us to show our strength."

When these words came out, Dong Zhao and Ju Su were both shocked.

Although the two knew that Zhang Chen had great ambitions, it was not easy for him to go from a county magistrate to a governor and take charge of a state in just three years.

I'm afraid it's not a fantasy, right?

Zhang Chen smiled and thought secretly in his heart.

In fact, he was not deliberately making shocking remarks, but had already planned in his mind.

Now is the second year of Zhongping. According to the development of history, Emperor Ling died in the sixth year of Zhongping, which is only more than three years ago.

After Emperor Ling died, Emperor Shao succeeded to the throne, and then the He family monopolized power, which led to the dispute between He Jin and the Ten Constant Attendants. He Jin summoned Dong Zhuo to the capital and killed the eunuchs, and the chaotic times officially began.

It is necessary to occupy a state before Emperor Ling's death, otherwise there will be no capital to compete for hegemony when the chaotic times come!

If you want to achieve this, the first thing is to be able to stand out in the capital.

Now I have pacified the bandits and defeated the Black Mountain. Although I have made a lot of merits, it is far from reaching the level that can be heard by the emperor.

Unless I have made real great achievements, it is possible to enter the capital to see the emperor and win the favor of the emperor and the dignitaries in the capital.

Speaking of great achievements, Zhang Chen remembered one.

Soon after, the governor of Jizhou who was about to take office came to offer his merits to him.

Wang Fen, a famous scholar of the time, was well-known throughout the world. He served as the governor of Jizhou during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han.

This person should have had a bright future, but unfortunately he had wild ideas and actually plotted to depose and enthrone the emperor!

In the fifth year of Zhongping (188), Wang Fen, Xu You from Nanyang, Zhou Jing from Pei, and others conspired to depose Emperor Ling and enthrone Marquis of Hefei as emperor, but eventually failed and committed suicide.

Zhang Chen thought, since I have already seen through this person's conspiracy, I just need to capture him alive and tie him up in the capital...

If a governor plots rebellion, it will surely attract the attention of the world. With such great achievements, he will surely be famous in the capital and even the world!

Thinking of this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but smile and said, "If you two don't believe me, I'll put my words here today. Within three years, I will be able to take charge of Jizhou! However, to accomplish this, I need your full support."

After hearing this, the two looked at each other and said, "I will do my best to help you, lord."

"Okay!" Zhang Chen was overjoyed, "In this case, please stay in Yantao, accumulate money and food, recruit soldiers and horses, and wait for the times to change. Yantao has just experienced a war, and it is time to expand the army. It's legitimate."

"I obey your orders." Dong Zhao responded, and then said: "My lord, Jiang Qi, the county lieutenant of this county, has long admired your reputation. Please allow me to persuade him. With my eloquent words, I will definitely convince him to surrender to you!"

"That's great!" Zhang Chen was overjoyed after hearing this and said: "I think he is also a loyal and righteous person. If he can surrender to me, it would be great. Now is the time to use people, and I am eager to find talents!"