Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 316: The Two Heroes of Jizhou (400 monthly tickets)

On the boat, Ruan Xiaowu asked, "Master, why did you let Xie Shun and the other four choose the candidates first, and then let them choose on their own?"

Zhao Zhen said: "These officials have too many ideas. We will see later. If they have too many ideas, we will kick them out. Although the [Renunciation Camp] trains in martial arts and military formations, they only have a team leader at most. You can't count on them to kill generals and capture flags. They are probably not good at breaking through the enemy lines, but they can be used to attack cities. They don't need pensions, so I won't feel bad if they die."

Ruan Xiaowu said nothing more after hearing this.

In Shijie Village, Pei Xuan and his group were busy calculating their achievements, while Bai Zhang and Bai Zhi were also treating patients in the house. After Ruan Dian announced that they would not charge for treatment due to the contributions of the fishermen in Shijie Village, everyone in the village who had a headache or fever came. For a while, the two of them became busy.

When Zhao Zhen saw it, he didn't care.

Ruan Dian had cleaned up a small courtyard early in the morning, and Zhao Zhen rested there. Although the achievements had not yet been clearly calculated, a celebratory wine was served at night, and the fishermen who had contributed also joined in the feast, and the party lasted for half the night before it dispersed.

On the second day, Bai Zhi accompanied Zhao Zhen to eat the specialties of Shijie Village, fish porridge and salted duck eggs. Zhao Zhen asked, "We are going back to Baishi Manor today. How many patients are there here?"

Bai Zhi said, "Sir, most of these fishermen have suffered from cold food, and since they are old and weak, their joints are swollen and painful. My brother and I have written a prescription, and we have finished examining it today, so it's just right for someone to send the medicine over."

At the time of Sipai, Pei Xuan presented the verified achievements to Zhao Zhen for review, and after stamping his seal, he issued the reward. The fishermen in the village who contributed to the work, looking at the rice, flour, and cloth sent to them, all grinned and laughed, and cheers were heard everywhere in Shijie Village.

Accompanied by cheers, Zhao Zhen and his party returned to Baishi Manor.

As soon as he returned to the manor, before he had time to rest, Wu Yong and Zhu Wu came together. When they met Zhao Zhen, Wu Yong couldn't wait to ask, "Sir, yesterday Brother Ouyang Shoutong sent the captives here, but he didn't explain clearly, only saying that you wanted to set up a [Renunciation Camp]?"

Zhao Zhen said: "Don't worry, scholar. This is just a whim. This group of soldiers is not a mob. Many of them are strong and healthy. It's a bit of a waste to use them as laborers. If we attack the city in the future, we can always use them."

Wu Yong said: "Although this is true, it will damage your reputation. If it spreads, who will be willing to surrender to you in the future? Why not explain to those who want to join the army that the "Revenge Camp" is just a test of whether they have the courage to fight bravely? Send these 257 people to the new recruit camp and let Coach Zhang and General Pang Yi train them and treat them the same as the recruits."

"As for the officers who have served previously, they will be treated equally, and those who are brave and good at fighting will be selected as the leaders of the squads, and the most outstanding ones will be appointed as the captains and flag bearers."

Zhu Wu also said, "That's right. We should also explain to the hard labor team that if they serve for three years without any mistakes, they can be released back to their hometowns after three years, or bring their families here to live. This way, it will not damage the reputation of the great official for being kind and righteous."

Zhao Zhen said ashamedly: "Thanks to you two brothers, I almost did something regrettable. Without further delay, I will announce this matter now."

After the troops were assembled, Zhao Zhen shouted to the captives in public. After hearing the news, everyone cheered. Under the escort of the soldiers, they were divided into three waves. Those who joined the army went to Wanzi City, those who were strong were sent to the coal mine, and those who were weak were sent to the prison camp to pound rice. After dealing with the captives, Zhao Zhen also breathed a sigh of relief and secretly warned himself that he should be careful in the future and not do whatever he thought of. Fortunately, Wu Yong and Zhu Wu checked the loopholes and made up for the shortcomings, so that no mistakes were made this time.

As it was getting late, Zhao Zhen held a banquet to entertain Wu Yong and Zhu Wu.

At the banquet, Zhao Zhen raised his glass to thank the two men. Wu Yong and Zhu Wu said, "Your Excellency is too polite. As military advisors, we two naturally have to offer you advice. Speaking of which, the ten-year hard labor plan set a few days ago was not appropriate. We only realized it after you left. We wanted to wait for you to come back, and then discuss with you to take this opportunity to solve the issue of the [Revenge Camp] at the same time."

···
After the Battle of Shijie Lake, Zhao Zhen also dispelled the fog south of Heihu Temple Town and successively occupied Xiaowu Village, Houguo Village, Baizhuang Village, and Yanzhuang Village. Seeing that the soldiers led by Zhao Zhen were well-organized, the four villages did not dare to resist at all. Now Xiao Rang led people to each village to settle the household registration.

Du Qian and Song Wan led soldiers from the two capitals to inspect the area every three or two days. Zhao Zhen also set up a grocery store and a village school in Heihu Temple Town, and recruited thirty to fifty apprentices, sending them to various workshops. The households in the four villages then accepted Zhao Zhen's rule.

During this period, Xiao Rang came to report that Guo Helin, the rich man in Houguo Village, actually wanted to bribe him and report less acres of land when determining the land. In the past, he was even more ruthless and relied on his many brothers in the clan to coerce farmers and rob women.

According to Xiao Rang's suggestion, Guo Helin's family and several accomplices were beheaded, and the land was returned to the county. Zhao Zhen also agreed.

On this day, Zhao Zhen was practicing martial arts in the village when Wu Yong came to see him with two big men.

The first one has two loose buns on his head, wears a short brown robe from Bashan, has a colorful silk belt tied around his waist, and carries a bronze sword with pine patterns on his back. His white feet are lined with hemp shoes with multiple ears, and he holds a tortoise-shell fan in his brocade hand. He has s-shaped eyebrows, a pair of almond-shaped eyes, a square mouth and a beard.

The latter had eyebrows that went into his temples, phoenix eyes that looked up into the sky, a pale yellow complexion, and a few thin beards. He was also wearing a short outfit, slightly revealing his indigo-colored floral embroidery.

After greeting, Wu Yong said, "Sir, this morning, I was strolling around Xixi Village and ran into these two heroes. I saw them asking the farmers about you, Sir, and bringing them to the farm."

"My surname is Gongsun, and my taboo word is Sheng. My Taoist name is Yiqing Xiansheng. I am also from Jizhou. I have been fond of spears and sticks since I was young. I have learned many martial arts. People call me Gongsun Sheng Dalang. Because I have learned a Taoist skill, I can also call the wind and rain, ride the clouds, and people call me Ruyunlong. I was traveling all the way and met this brother Yang Xiong. I heard that he wanted to seek refuge with the great official. I have heard of your name for a long time, but I have never had the chance to meet you. After hearing what brother Yang Xiong said, I also had the idea and joined him to seek refuge with the great official."

Yang Xiong also said: "I met a brother in Jizhou before, called Shi Xiu, who once said that he wanted to surrender to the great official. I killed people in Jizhou, and I thought that Shi Xiu once said that the great official was covering up extravagance, so I came to surrender."

Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "I have also heard Brother Shi Xiu talk about you. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed a hero." He turned to Gongsun Sheng and said, "I have also heard of your name in the martial arts world. I am fortunate to meet you today. You have always been in Hebei and Yanyun. Why are you here in Shandong?"

Gongsun Sheng said: "My master once said that for some reason, the secrets of heaven are in chaos. He once said that the opportunity for me to attain the Tao is only in Shandong, so I came here to surrender. I have a set of wealth and honor, which I would like to send to you as a gift for your visit. Please leave your attendants aside and let me explain in detail."

(End of this chapter)