Zhang Xiu frowned and pondered for a long time. Then, he pointed at the border of Jing State and said loudly,"If you want to conquer the world, you must first take Jing and Xiang. With Jing and Xiang as the foundation, you can attack the world.”
"Take Jing Xiang?"
Jia Xu was taken aback. He quickly said," My lord, although Liu Biao of Jingzhou has no great ambition, his horse has entered Xiangyang and has been handed down to the nine prefectures. He is a relative of the Han clan and one of the eight steeds. He also has the help of the Cai and Kuai families. He has tens of thousands of soldiers. How can we take him?"”
Jia Xu had thought of Cao Cao's Yuzhou, Yuan Shu's Huaisi, and even thought of giving up Nanyang and heading straight for Yangzhou, but he never dared to think of Jingzhou.
At this moment, Liu Biao's strength was monstrous. He was definitely not someone Cao Cao and Yuan Shu could compare to.
"Wen He only said one thing and didn't understand the other.”
"Although Liu Biao has sent an edict to pacify Jingzhou, the four prefectures of Jingnan are not under his control. The four prefectures of Changsha, including Zhang Xian, are separated from Liu Biao.”Zhang Xiu pointed at Changsha and said firmly.
If he remembered correctly, Zhang Xian should have rebelled two years later, and Liu Biao would not be able to pacify him. Only after Zhang Xian died would Liu Biao be able to completely control the nine counties of Jing State.
If he used it, it would be impossible to annex Jingzhou.
"Zhang Xian of Changsha?" Jia Xu's body trembled as he muttered.”
Then, he looked at Zhang Xiu with admiration.
He thought to himself, His Lord is indeed the chosen one. He actually has such foresight. Even he had never thought of this.
"Of course, the most important thing is to reorganize the army and repair the city walls to defend against the arrival of Cao Cao's army. As for Jingzhou, he could take his time.”Zhang Xiu continued.
He knew very well that Cao Cao would definitely arrive at the beginning of spring next year.
"My lord is right. I will go down and prepare.”Jia Xu cupped his fists in response.
"Don't worry, Wenhe. Liu Biao has agreed to let us guard Nanyang. However, Nanyang had experienced many plagues and had already lost most of its population. Most of the people had crossed the river to the south and traveled to various places in Jingyang. Now, the population of Nanyang was probably only one or two tenths of its heyday.
However, the fertile farmland in Nanyang is idle. I intend to implement the garrison system and encourage the people to return to Nanyang to recuperate.”Zhang Xiu said solemnly.
"What is the garrison system? In addition, it would be even more difficult to make the people return to Nanyang. Unless…there's food!" Jia Xu first raised his eyebrows and asked, then immediately said with difficulty.
In troubled times, milk was the mother and food was the foundation.
"This farming system can be used for civilian farming. The fertile land will be distributed to the people and 40% of the grain produced in previous years will be collected. During this period, we will protect them. Presumably, they were only tenants of Jingyang, and their yield per mu was only 10 - 20%. Why not return home?
As for food, I'll think of a way.”Zhang Xiu pinched his chin and muttered.
"In addition, after Liu Biao replies, prepare to move the people to strengthen the walls and clear the fields. Bowang was used as a fortress, and the troops were stationed in Wancheng. They formed a corner with Bowang to resist the invading enemy at any time.
Meanwhile, all the people in Nanyang moved to Xinye, Anzhong, and Anle to prevent Cao Cao's attack.”Zhang Xiu said in a deep voice.
"It is the people's fortune and the world's fortune that Lord predicted the enemy first.”Jia Xu bowed his head and cupped his fists, his expression full of admiration. This was the only way the current situation could go.
Using Bowang as a fortress, he would station troops in Wancheng, move the people to Xinye, and cover more than three hundred miles from north to south. If Cao Cao dared to go straight through these two places, he would have to consider the logistics of the grain route. Moreover, a pincer attack from both sides had always been a taboo for military strategists, and Cao Cao would definitely not dare to do so.
This was also the best solution at the moment. The only flaw was that Bowang Wan City was defenseless.
"Alright, Wen He, you can go down and make the arrangements. Oh right, get Lei Xu to gather the people in the city together. Also, Hu Che 'er, come and see me.”Zhang Xiu ordered.
"Here, this subordinate will take his leave!"
Jia Xu bowed his head and bowed, slowly leaving the room and closing the door.
He turned around and looked up at the sky. His wrinkled old face was filled with a happy smile. As he walked quickly, he muttered to himself,"The Celestial Helper Class, haha, the chosen one is truly a mighty lord!”
In an empty space in Lushan City.
At this moment, there were more than a thousand people in the open space.
On the high platform, Zhang Xiu stood valiantly, holding his sword.
Looking at the emaciated commoners below the stage, Zhang Xiu could not help but feel depressed. Was this a chaotic world? human life is like grass.
It's really the Han Dynasty.
Most of the people left in the city were the old, the weak, women, and children. Most of the young and strong died in battle or left their homes.
"Villagers, I am the Great Han's Qiang Destroying General Zhang Xiu. I have retreated here because I have no food. However, seeing your plight, I feel sorry for you and have specially taken out the remaining military pay.”Zhang Xiu's voice was sonorous and powerful, causing the hearts of the thousand people below the stage to tremble.
Everyone looked at each other and immediately knelt down in unison, shouting,"How can we commoners share hardships with the general?”
Zhang Xiu did not pay attention to the pitiful voices of these people. Instead, he angrily drew the sharp blade at his waist and cut off a strand of hair. Then, he shouted at the soldiers standing around him,"From today onwards, anyone who causes trouble and harasses the people will be killed without mercy.”
Behind him, Hu Che 'er was stunned for a moment before he drew his sword and shouted.
"Drink, drink, drink!"
The surrounding cavalry were also stunned. They immediately raised their weapons and shouted. Their voices spread to the nine heavens, and their momentum was like a rainbow.
On one hand, Zhang Xiu did this for the reputation of the people. On the other hand, he did not want this group of Western Liang bandits to be like the one in Guanzhong who only knew how to burn, kill, and plunder. So what if he killed them all?
"Start the fire and distribute the porridge." Zhang Xiu raised his arm and shouted.
After he finished speaking, he held his sword and strode away. Hu Che 'er quickly followed.
Behind him, Hu Che 'er had a rich expression on his face. He wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he couldn't help but say,"My lord, we have distributed the military rations to the people, but what do our brothers eat?”
Zhang Xiu stopped in his tracks and looked at Hu Che 'er. He immediately said,""The rations are enough for more than a month, so there's no need to worry. By the way, tomorrow you will lead them to collect the farming tools. We won't be staying here for long. After we reach Xinye, we will immediately arrange for our brothers to open up wasteland and plant grain.”
"Cultivate crops?" Hu Che 'er was stunned and immediately felt troubled,""My Lord, our brothers are used to being wild. If we let them open up wasteland and grow grain, I'm afraid..."
Zhang Xiu's eyes narrowed and he revealed his killing intent."Violators, just behead them."
After saying that, Zhang Xiu strode away.
Food and fodder were the lifeblood of the three armies. Later on, Zhang Xiu's salary was provided by Liu Biao, and the price was that he became Liu Biao's vassal force and was responsible for guarding Nanyang. The benefits were carefree, but the disadvantages were that it was difficult to expand the military.
......
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