Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3491 People, people!

Yan Township.

"God has a benevolent heart... "

Pang Tong said slowly.

Zhang Liao looked away and nodded slightly.

One of Zhu Ling's eyebrows twitched.

Ma Yue grinned.

Pang Tong saw the performance of the three people and then smiled, "Actually, what this sentence means is that killing people alone cannot solve the problem."

Just like the United States in later generations, which only solved the people who caused the problem, it also failed to solve the fundamental problem. Many people understand this truth, but in many cases, there are still many people who only shout kill, kill, kill.

Pang Tong pointed in the direction of Cao's army, "Let them survive for a few more days..."

The cavalry navy was defeated, but that was never the focus of the cavalry's military, so the decadent situation of Cao's army remained unchanged.

Pang Tong said to the three generals: "You have also seen that although Cao's army was defeated, the ranks were not in disorder and they retreated in an orderly manner..."

Zhang Liao still nodded slightly.

Zhu Ling looked at Ma Yue, who said directly, "So you want me to release all those soldiers?"

Pang Tong laughed and said slowly, "Why don't we send them back? If they stay here, we won't have time to deal with them... Guanzhong is not like the north. If the north doesn't work, we can send them to Yinshan. They are guarded by our new soldiers and are far away from the city. Even if there is a storm, it will be put out in a moment... Guanzhong will be a bit troublesome... And if we send them back, they will still be useful..."

Ma Yue muttered in a low voice: "What's the use... Even if they agreed to assassinate the military academy, they definitely don't have the courage to do it..."

Pang Tong glanced at Ma Yue and said, "I know they don't have the guts to kill me, so I said that on purpose..."

Ma Yue was stunned for a moment.

"When Cao's army was defeated and retreating, they were still able to enforce discipline and keep their ranks in order. What did they rely on?"

Pang Tong seemed to suddenly jump to another topic, which made Ma Yue unable to keep up and unable to answer for a while.

"Among Cao's troops, the most important are the Qingzhou soldiers." Pang Tong continued, "The Qingzhou soldiers were the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans back then... What are the Yellow Turbans?"

None of the three generals could answer this question immediately.

Ma Yue seemed to want to say something, but when he saw that Zhang Liao and Zhu Ling didn't say anything, he closed his mouth and began to think.

"My lord once discussed this matter with me..." Pang Tong said slowly, "I hated it deeply, but my lord said it was good... Then, my lord and I came to a conclusion... The Yellow Turban incident was the evil of human nature..."

Seeing the three people were somewhat confused, Pang Tong said, "The leader of the Yellow Turbans used the slogan 'The Blue Heaven Should Die, the Yellow Heaven Should Be Established'. What do you three think of this? Does he want to rebel against the Han Dynasty? No! Don't forget that the leader's title is 'The Great and Good Teacher'! Not 'The Great and Good King', or 'The Great and Good Emperor'... If the leader of the Yellow Turbans really wanted to rebel against the Han Dynasty, why didn't he use the words 'The One Who Replaces the Han Dynasty'?"

The Yellow Turban Rebellion, well, I still use the word "rebellion", but in fact this uprising was not a real uprising. Zhang Jue did not have the subjective desire to revolt and overthrow the Han Dynasty, nor did he want to "replace Liu Han". To some extent, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was more like a "movement" that was later defined by the official.

Zhang Jue's Taiping Daoism, magic spells such as casting spells to save people, etc., are more of a survivor bias. He only relied on the survivor bias of self-healing to attract believers, but in fact he was completely harming people. Some people in later generations were more extreme, saying that no one cared about the patients in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was good for Zhang Jue to let them drink a bowl of hot water when they were dying, and some said that maybe a bowl of water could make people survive.

This is purely to erase and ignore the efforts of the Eastern Han government to fight the disease. Emperor Ling of Han was quite qualified in terms of disaster relief and epidemic prevention. There are many records in history books of the epidemic relief operations organized by the Eastern Han court...

Therefore, it is obviously not accurate to say that the Eastern Han court's inaction gave Zhang Jue the opportunity to revolt, or to put it simply, Zhang Jue was a yellow glove.

Rather than saying that Zhang Jue was rebelling against the Han Dynasty, it would be more accurate to say that Zhang Jue was trying to encroach on local administrative power and resisting the control of local gentry and aristocratic families over the local countryside.

The emperor and the eunuchs knew very well about Zhang Jue's affairs, and even turned a blind eye to them. This was because Zhang Jue was eroding the control of the local aristocratic families over the countryside, which did not have much impact on the emperor. Therefore, Emperor Ling of Han and the eunuchs were even somewhat tolerant of him.

First of all, the Han Dynasty government could legally read the "Taiping Jing", but they were quite dissatisfied with Zhang Jiao's illegal association. After all, a bunch of unproductive vagrants formed a group, and no one knew what they would do...

Zhang Jue's situation would have required suppression in all countries at the time, but the Han government's solution was very humane. They announced that they could pardon Zhang Jue's crime of illegal association and only asked the Yellow Turbans to disband and go home. When Zhang Jue refused, Yang Ci, one of the Three Lords at the time, felt that since they were shameless, they should wipe out this illegal society. However, the emperor not only did not listen, but kicked Yang Ci out of the court and sentenced him to suspension...

Emperor Ling of Han might have heard of the slogan "Heaven is dead" a long time ago. So why did Emperor Ling of Han turn a blind eye to such a "dangerous" slogan, turn a deaf ear to it, and even pardon Zhang Jue?

Because death is not a big deal at all for the Han emperor!

The Heaven of the Han Dynasty had died several times before Zhang Jue. As long as he was "commissioned again", he could be resurrected with full health on the spot. Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty didn't care whether the Heaven was dead or alive. After all, Liu Xiu had died and "commissioned again" once, so the relationship between the emperor, the local government, and the Taiping Dao was very clear.

After Pang Tong finished speaking, Zhang Liao frowned, Zhu Ling hesitated to speak, and Ma Yue just stared with eyes wide open, saying blankly: "This...this Yellow Turban...what does it have to do with the present?"

Pang Tong laughed and said, "Don't forget...under this Cao thief, there are the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou!"

"Then..." Ma Yue blurted out, and then seemed to have just remembered something, and said in a daze, "So..."

"Let's wait and see what happens," Pang Tong smiled and clapped his hands, "We've been fighting for days, so we need to adjust a little bit..."

Afterwards, Pang Tong sent out some more tasks, and the three generals took them one by one and went their separate ways.

Pang Tong watched the three generals leave with his eyes flashing.

Now the forest of the Cavalry is big, and there are all kinds of birds.

Zhang Liao was still as cautious in his words and deeds, respectful and gentle as always. This might have something to do with Lu Bu, but Pang Tong felt that Zhang Liao would definitely go further in the future and reach a higher position.

Zhu Lingmo is a little impetuous and eager for merit, but he also knows his limits and rarely gossips.

Only this Ma Yue...

Not stable enough.

Ma Yue wanted to express his opinions on everything, but he could never get to the point. He also liked to comment on this and discuss that, as if this was the only way to show his seniority in the Cavalry Corps.

This problem will definitely not be dealt with now, but will wait until after the war, when the upper and lower parts will slowly separate. Even though Zhang Liao, Zhu Ling and Ma Yue are talking and laughing together now, their daily words and deeds will determine the upper limit of their respective development in the future.

Pang Tong walked out of the temporary command post, climbed up the ruined Yanxiang city wall, and looked east with his hands behind his back.

Having more people is not necessarily a good thing, and having fewer people is not necessarily a bad thing.

When the Yellow Turbans responded, the movement reached its climax at the beginning, but then declined and collapsed three months later.

After Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao, the Central Plains was shaken from north to south and became extremely powerful. However, within Cao Cao, various factions, especially those in Jizhou and Yuzhou, were fighting for power and profit. They used every possible means, slandering and defaming, instigating trouble, only seeking benefits for their own faction. As for the interests of Cao Cao or Shandong, they were thrown aside.

Now, there are more and more people under the cavalry...

People, people!

The topic has been assigned to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao relied on the fact that Shandong had a large population, but with a large population, there were many thoughts...

……

……

At this moment, the Cao army had different reactions to the prisoners and wounded soldiers released by the Cavalry Army.

Nearly three hundred people were released.

They were divided into two groups, each with more than one hundred people.

About one-third of them were wounded soldiers, which is nothing to say.

The cavalry had provided preliminary bandages, which was considered the utmost they could do. As for whether these wounded soldiers could recover, that would all depend on fate...

It is a good idea to let everyone accept their fate.

It has been used since ancient times. Just like the United States in later generations, it has experienced so many food crises, food fraud, and food additive incidents, but a large number of capitalists are still jumping on the red line, safe and sound. The reason is that the upper class in the United States, especially government officials, eat different food from ordinary people. Special food guarantees the food safety of the upper class in the United States, so whether the food of the lower class is safe or not is up to fate.

But even if we ignore the wounded soldiers now, the impact of releasing nearly two hundred of the two-thirds of Cao's soldiers who were not injured has caused Cao Cao and his management a headache.

Cao Zhang remained silent.

Cao Hong suggested that they should just lock him up or send him to the rear.

Liu Fu said that this would chill the hearts of others, but he had no idea how to do it...

"So what if you are heartbroken?!" Cao Hong shouted, "What else can such people complain about?!"

Cao Hong was already relatively polite, otherwise words like "cowardly" and "incompetent" would have come out.

Liu Fu hesitated for a moment, but still said half a sentence, "These people fought for the lord after all, so they were captured..."

Cao Zhang could choose not to speak, but Liu Fu could not choose not to say this.

After all, most of these defeated soldiers had previously belonged to the Tongguan camp and were soldiers under Cao Zhang and Liu Fu.

Cao Cao frowned.

The soldiers who were released said all kinds of things.

Some said they were asked to publicize the benefits of the Hussars, saying they had good food, good drinks, and good equipment, and that the soldiers' salaries were real and not worth deducting...

Some also said that if they were asked to assassinate a non-commissioned officer, they could receive a bounty and land in Guanzhong...

Others said that they should remember that it was the Hussars who spared their lives, and that they should kneel down and surrender next time they see them, and not be stupid enough to resist with swords and guns...

Some even said that they were asked to poison Cao's army and collect some of the generals' common items, which could be used for voodoo curses, plagues, etc...

There are all kinds of weird theories.

There were many things placed in the center of the central military tent.

There are cavalry coins, some say poisoned daggers, and little figures made of straw...

Cao Cao pointed at the dagger and said, "Most of the things said here are false... For example, this dagger is said to be poisoned, but in fact... it is not poisonous. I have tried it..."

Cao Cao did not say how he tried it, and others did not dare to ask.

"This is a strategy to confuse the mind."

Cao Cao said in a deep voice, "Instruct all troops not to believe or spread rumors! All of you must strictly observe military discipline, do not leave without permission, and do not gather in large numbers! After three to five days, everything will be quiet!"

The memory of fish is short, but the memory of dogs is longer, and can even remember the dog's entire life.

But human memory is only slightly longer than that of fish, and even longer than that of dogs.

Three to five days was already too long for Cao Cao to say.

Cao Cao believed this.

But what Cao Cao did not expect was that while he was still discussing with his generals, a dispute broke out in the camp, followed by unrest and chaos.

Cao Cao had brothers and clansmen, and naturally others did too.

It can't be that only the upper ruling class has family, friendship and love, and the common people at the bottom are not worthy of these human emotions, right?

These released soldiers naturally have some friends, and the key is that these released soldiers belong to the lower class, and there is a vague emotion between the lower class people. Although they are not clear that this is a class-induced antagonism, in most cases, the lower class tends to sympathize with the lower class...

As for those people at the bottom who still speak for the ruling class and empathize with the capitalists, there are only two situations...

So when these soldiers were released, most of the other soldiers were happy for them.

But in the blink of an eye, these released soldiers became "spies" sent by the "enemy" and were detained and imprisoned!

For the upper-level rulers, anyone and anything that will cause instability, precariousness, and disharmony should be attacked, suppressed, or even destroyed. But for these soldiers at the bottom, they don’t understand politics, they just know that these people are their friends and brothers!

At first, the soldiers just asked questions.

If it could be properly explained or appeased, then perhaps there would be no follow-up, but unfortunately, there seems to be no "explanation" or "appeasement" in Shandong.

Maybe there are, but it must be after the matter has become a big deal. In the beginning, there is absolutely no possibility of any "explanation" or "comfort", and most of them are direct scolding and intimidation.

"Who are you!"

"What do you do?"

"Identity card...oh, show me your military badge!"

"What are you arguing about? If you continue to arguing, I'll arrest you!"

"I'm talking to you! What are you doing gathered here? Disperse! Disperse!"

"..."

These non-commissioned officers and clerks in the army are basically unwilling to talk to ordinary soldiers, let alone explain patiently.

Part of the reason was that these non-commissioned officers and clerks had a very high opinion of themselves, thinking that they had escaped from the ordinary lower-class stage and were people of status, so naturally they could not hang out with those big-name soldiers all day long.

Another larger reason is that no matter how the upper echelons arrange things, what measures or policies they adopt, those in the middle and lower echelons can profit from it. If everything is made clear, how can they fish in troubled waters?

For example, if there are any benefits or care systems, will these non-commissioned officers and clerks notify everyone immediately, or will they select a few people they have a good relationship with and talk to them about it, or will they simply keep it in their hands and give it to whoever can give them the most benefits?

In their eyes, detaining the soldiers sent back by the cavalry this time was also an opportunity to gain benefits.

If anyone wants to say something, do they have to pay the call fee?

If anyone wants to pick something up, do they have to pay for the delivery fee?

As for these ordinary soldiers who were released, whether they were wronged or honest or not, what does it have to do with them?

What does the victory or failure of the entire war matter to them?

The key is small money!

If you have money, where can you not spend it?

Even if these ordinary soldiers of Cao's army cannot pay any cash now, they can write IOUs. These non-commissioned officers and clerks are very willing to lend money to these ordinary soldiers, and are even afraid that they will not come to borrow money. The interest will be compounded, which is simply a business with no capital!

Although there are indeed some people who borrowed money and may not be able to pay it back, as long as three out of ten pay it back, they will not lose money, and every additional one is a profit!

Therefore, these non-commissioned officers and clerks in the army habitually began to take advantage of the situation. With their abilities to squeeze oil out of stones and scrape three feet of soil, were they afraid of not being able to make some money?

As a result, something bad happened...

At the beginning, ordinary soldiers just requested or begged, but it was obvious that no matter how much they begged, it was useless and they were only insulted and whipped.

If it was during normal times, it wouldn't be a big problem. Just like what Cao Cao said, after three or five days, many soldiers would forget about it. Also, during normal times, there were too many other things that would distract the soldiers' attention. Then, these soldiers would be busy with their livelihoods, or they would think it was unnecessary to make things awkward, or they would worry about the officials' revenge. If they were scolded, they would be scolded. If they were driven away, they would be driven away. At most, they would hide their feet and feel resentful for a while, and then it would be over.

But it’s different now. Most of these non-commissioned officers and clerks were not from Qingzhou soldiers, but many of those who were released were Qingzhou soldiers!

These released soldiers received good treatment from the Hussars, but after returning, they were even worse off than when they were in the Hussars!

In addition to the continuous fighting, these soldiers were under great psychological pressure. They felt that there would be no tomorrow as long as they fought today. So when all these factors were added together, even if Cao Cao made a relatively correct response strategy, a camp roar still broke out!

Many soldiers gathered together and became chaotic!

After these soldiers gathered together, the usually arrogant non-commissioned officers and clerks were frightened to death and dared not move forward. They only wanted to find their superiors and report to the lieutenant general as soon as possible...

Cao’s army camp was like a powder keg filled with flammable materials, and it exploded under such a spark!