Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 422 Going up the mountain
On the second day, Zhao Zhen led a group of soldiers and headed to Yuncheng County in a mighty manner.

By the time Zhao Zhen arrived, it was already past noon. Fortunately, a pigeon had been sent to inform them that hot soup and hot meals had been prepared, and they settled down in a small military camp outside the city.

After settling the soldiers, Zhao Zhen led a group of heroes and went to the county with the Red-haired Ghost Liu Tang, Zou Run, and Zou Yuan. The county magistrate Kong Hou, the chief clerk Ding Chou, and Sun Guang were all waiting at the county government office.

In the back hall of the county government office, everyone sat down and Zhao Zhen introduced the newly arrived siblings Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia, Lei Jiong and Ji Ji.

Speaking of which, although Kong Hou had been here for a long time, Zhao Zhen only met him once before sending him to Yuncheng County. Now that he saw him again, he still felt that he had an extraordinary demeanor.

world log
Name: Kong Hou (Hero, the incarnation of the Heavenly Doctor Zhenjun who regulates spirits, controls qi, and regulates yin and yang)
Nickname: None
Race: Terran

Reputation: 150 (He was once a clerk in Yizhou Prefecture. He is a loyal, generous, upright person who likes to suppress the strong and support the weak.)
Occupation: Confucian scholar (descendant of the great sage)
Secondary occupation: Doctor (proficient in medical skills, saved countless lives.)
Level: Level 3 and Level 1 (Strength 15, Commander 40)

Attributes: Strength 20, Constitution 23, Agility 15, Spirit 43
Skills: Six Arts of a Gentleman Level 4 (Courtesy, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, Mathematics, Strength +2, Constitution +2, Agility +2, Spirit +2), Four Diagnoses Level 4 (Observation, Listening, Questioning, Palpation, Spirit +4), Prescription Level 3 (Prescribe the right medicine for the right condition, Spirit +3)

Commander Skill: Advice Level 2 (loyal and good character, as a minister, he works for the country instead of himself, people's support +2)

Martial Arts: Swordsmanship (Minor Achievement, Martial Power +5 when using sword weapons, Twenty-four Styles of Gentleman Sword.)
Equipment: Shakuhachi Sword (Second-level, imitating the sword of a saint, made of meteorite iron. Features: Cultivate oneself with respect, sharpness +3, firmness +2)

Everyone greeted each other again, and then Kong Hou asked someone to serve the dishes. At the table, Kong Hou asked, "Sir, how come the provincial examination is scheduled in February?"

Zhao Zhen told Kong Hou what Xiao Rang said, and Kong Hou replied, "I see. I thought that the imperial examinations would be held in February from now on. Although it is fine, if we tell others, they will think that we are imitating the spring imperial examinations, which is suspected of violating the rules."

Zhao Zhen said, "Now it is just a helpless move. The Book of Rites says: 'In ancient times, teachers had private schools at home, communities had schools, and the state had schools.' Later, the prefectures and villages will have government orders that each county, township, and village will have public schools to teach scholars and people, and wealthy families can also have private schools. The county magistrates of each county will still have to visit the villages and towns, and recommend talented and virtuous people to be officials. Does Yuncheng County have anyone available?"

Kong Hou hesitated for a while and said, "Sir, there are many scholars in Yuncheng County, but the most talented one is a woman."

"Oh? Whose daughter is this? The state does not look down on women. If you have the ability, you can also become an official." Zhao Zhen said.

Kong Hou said: "This person is a widow, and everyone in the city calls her Lady Wang."

Lei Heng heard this and said, "So it's this person."

Zhao Zhen asked, "Has Commander Lei heard of this, too?"

"This Lady Wang, her husband's family is a successful candidate in the Wu Zi Imperial Examination. The Wang family is considered a big family in the county. Scholar Wang has been an official for many years, and Wang was also granted the title of Lady Wang. Unfortunately, Scholar Wang died of illness, leaving behind his young wife. Lady Wang is well-educated and knowledgeable. Although she is a widow, she manages her home in perfect order. Everyone in the county knows that she handles things according to the person she meets." Lei Heng said.

Kong Hou said, "I have heard a lot about this Lady Wang during these days. You can also ask someone to find out more about her. It would be best if she could replace me as the county magistrate. Then I can take charge of the investigation and prosecution of the prison and specialize in the criminal justice system."

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "She is a widow at home, I'm afraid we can't easily invite her out."

"That's okay. Xu Qingniang, the niece of County Magistrate Xu, is her good friend. She is now visiting the Wang family, so just ask her to speak for her. I have also talked with Xu Qingniang before, and she is also a very talented person." Kong Hou said.

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Since she received this compliment from County Magistrate Kong, Xu Qingniang must be quite knowledgeable. It is said that one should recommend talents regardless of their relatives. I asked all places to recommend talents, but Xu Rongfu has this niece in his family, but he didn't say anything."

"And you, County Magistrate Kong, you have a talented person in your family too, why don't you mention it?"

Kong Hou said: "Changsheng and Weisheng, although they have been studying since childhood, they lack experience and are not familiar with worldly affairs. They need to gain experience for a few years before they can take on great responsibilities."

Zhao Zhen said: "That being said, if you don't let him take up the post, how can he gain experience?"

Kong Hou made a "hmm" sound and didn't know what to say.

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Of course, a county chief would not dare to let these two people take charge, but it is possible to be a chief clerk in Liangshan County. It is just right for Xiao Tongpan to teach him, so that he can take on responsibilities in the future."

Kong Hou thanked him immediately after hearing this. He said, "Well, when you return, I will go with you."

Zhao Zhen nodded and then asked, "County Magistrate Kong, what is the situation with Yuntaigang and Duozishan?"

Kong Hou said, "Sir, these two places, Yuntai Hill and Duozi Hill, are two hills in the county. They are not very high, but are connected. Whenever there are criminals or farmers who have no means of living, they hide in the mountains and forests. The previous magistrate, Shi Wenbin, did clean up the situation. He lured many farmers from the mountains and registered them as civilians. Now, the remaining ones are all stubborn and unruly. They often go down the mountains to disturb the villages and rob the merchants, and are used to living a life of getting something for nothing."

"These days, Generals Zou Run and Zou Yuan have disguised themselves as mountain dwellers and have found out that there are six settlements in the mountains. Therefore, please order all the mountain dwellers to move down the mountain, allocate land to them, and register them."

Zhao Zhen listened and asked, "Do all these six settlements make a living by looting?"

Zou Yuan said, "Sir, although these six groups know each other, they seldom interact with each other. There are four places on Duozi Mountain. The Taoist temple Qiuzi Temple on the top of the mountain is one of them. Most of the people here are farmers who can't make a living. They take shelter in the Taoist temple and cultivate the temple fields. Another place was originally Zhangjiazhuang in Yuhuangmiao Township. Because the river flooded the land and there was no harvest, the county officials forced them to pay taxes, and the village head took all the villagers to the mountain. These two places are under the control of the temple master and the village head. They open up wasteland to plant crops, collect wild fruits, and hunt to make a living."

"The remaining four have now fallen to the point of robbing caravans to survive. The two most brutal gangs on Yuntaigang are led by two people who don't use their real names. One is called Iron Flying Leopard and the other is called Fierce Axe. They occupy the east and west foothills of Yuntaigang and have gathered five to six hundred people each. They enjoy killing people. The other gangs are all secretly led by these two. The others can be spared, but these two should be wiped out."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said with a smile, "It seems that your uncle and nephew have already done the investigation. Let's go and wipe out these two villages tomorrow. The remaining four villages can be conquered by issuing an order."

Kong Hou also said, "Yes, Zhangjiazhuang is located in the valley between two mountains. The terrain is flat and there is a stream running through the mountains. It is a good place. With the heads of Tie Feibao and Meng Dafu intimidating them, they moved here along with the other four places, re-registered the population and land, and it is also a large village."

Zhao Zhen nodded after hearing this.

He said to the crowd, "In that case, let's prepare dinner at 1000 a.m. tomorrow and split the troops into two groups. Brothers Liu Tang, Zou Run, and Zou Yuan will lead men to the eastern foot of Yuntai Hill. I will send brothers Lei Jiong and Ji Ji to bring bows and crossbows to help. I will only use these followers here."

Liu Tang wanted to say more, but Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, brother. Although we don't have many soldiers, we have many brave guards. There are four sharpshooters, including Pang Wanchun, Pang Qiuxia, Li Qing and Hua Baoyan. Everyone in the Shenji Battalion is good at shooting, and these bandits don't have much armor."

"After clearing the unstable factors in the mountains, we will also go hunting in the mountains. Ten pieces of exquisite gold and silver jewelry newly made by Brother Zheng Tianshou will be used as prizes. County soldiers and militiamen who are good at archery can also sign up."

Liu Tang glanced at Lei Heng and said, "In Yuncheng County, apart from the two brothers Song Gongming, Zhu Tong, Lei Heng, Chao Gai and the three brothers Ruan from the village are all under the command of the great official. The only other two who are decent in martial arts are Zhao Neng and Zhao De. These two have fled with their families and I don't know where they have gone to."

Zhao Zhen said: "If these two people were not of bad character, they could be the heads of the cavalry and infantry of a county." After the banquet, Zhao Zhen did not rest in the county government office, but took everyone back to the military camp.

On the second day, the army set out. Liu Tang sent several guides to lead the way. Twenty miles east of the county town, the troops were divided into two groups according to the strategy.

Zhao Zhen headed straight for Tie Feibao's camp on the western foot of Yuntai Hill. When the spies who were lying in ambush at the foot of the mountain reported the situation to the top of the mountain, Tie Feibao ordered all the minions on the mountain to get dressed, and without leaving any men to guard the camp, they all went down the mountain in one go.

The two armies separated their positions, and Lei Heng was the first to shout, "You are a bandit without any reason. The great official Zhao Zhen of Liangshan Prefecture is here. Why don't you dismount and be tied up? What are you waiting for? You should also know the name of Lei Heng, the Winged Tiger."

Iron Flying Leopard was furious when he heard this: "What [winged tiger]? It's nothing but a government minion. It's because of your incompetence that we have fallen to this point. Today I will take your life first, and then kill corrupt officials like you."

As he said this, he brandished the spear in his hand and was ready to rush forward to fight.

Lei Heng also raised his broadsword and was about to step forward. Pang Wanchun, on this side, could no longer bear it and shouted, "Watch out for the arrow." An arrow shot straight at Tie Feibao, causing him to fall off his horse.

When Zhao Zhen saw this, he raised his spear and shouted, "Shoot."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of Shenjidu, led by Liu Shi, Fan Ying and Fan Shi, drew their bows and shot at the bandits.

The bandits screamed in agony. After three rounds of arrows, only thirty or forty of them were left. The female rider stepped forward, and the remaining bandits dropped their weapons and knelt down to beg for surrender.

They took over the camp. As for the surrendered bandits, Zhao Zhen did not intend to execute them. He also tried his best to treat the injured. After that, all of them would be sent to the prison camp in Yuncheng County to do hard labor, and the length of hard labor would be determined according to the amount of evil they had done.

As for those who were killed, their heads were chopped off and circulated around the county, and the rest were burned and buried on the spot.

Xilu did not use any soldiers, and Donglu was fierce and wieldy. He was also a rough man. When he saw the soldiers coming to suppress him, he did not take it seriously at all. He only let his two leaders lead 300 people to meet the enemy. He continued to drink and have fun in the mountain stronghold.

In less than a quarter of an hour, only a hundred of the 300 minions retreated. The two leaders had just formed their battle formation when they were shot and killed by Lei Jiong and Ji Ji.

Meng Dafu was so shocked when he heard this that he sobered up. He quickly asked someone to dress him up and climbed up the wall carrying the 49-jin iron axe.

Seeing the well-equipped and numerous government troops at the foot of the mountain, Meng Dafu asked the defeated minions, "Isn't that Liu Tang, the new commander of the Yuncheng County militia, the Red-haired Ghost?"

The little minions said, "We have never seen the man the leader is talking about. We only saw from a distance that he had a large cinnabar mark on his temples."

Meng Dafu said, "Guard the fortress wall carefully, prepare ash bottles and battering rams, and don't go out to fight. Wait until it snows, and the government troops will naturally withdraw. We can still drink wine, eat meat, and enjoy ourselves."

After hearing this, the minions cheered up and prepared to fight the enemy.

Liu Tang was not in a hurry and just ordered his soldiers to advance slowly.

When the soldiers pushed to within an arrow's reach, Meng Dafu on the wall held the axe handle tightly with both hands, ready to fight.

He was concentrating on watching the movements of the government troops in the distance, when a big man behind him raised the axe in his hand and chopped off Meng Daxie's head with just one axe.

A big man nearby picked up Meng Da Axe's head and shouted, "Meng Da Axe is dead. If you want to live, throw away the sharp blade in your hand and kneel down to surrender."

Seeing this, several fierce axe confidants rushed forward to grab it, but were killed by Zou Run and Zou Yuan's two axes. As these more than ten men died, the others threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender.

It turned out that Zou Run and Zou Yuan had disguised themselves as minions in the stronghold and took advantage of the chaos of defeat to sneak into the stronghold. While Meng Dafu was distracted outside the stronghold, they killed him in one fell swoop.

Zou Run ordered his men to open the village wall and welcome Liu Tang and his men outside the village in.

Before Liu Tang and his men could finish cleaning up the village, Zhao Zhen had already arrived with his troops escorting the prisoners.

After the two sides met, Zhao Zhen asked Liu Tang to send a team of soldiers, carrying the heads of Tie Feibao and Meng Dafu, to the other villages to send a message to surrender.
Send a message to all the villages, asking them to prepare a list for inspection, but anyone who refuses to obey will be killed.

When the people in the surrounding villages saw the heads of Tie Feibao and Meng Dafu, they dared not resist and expressed their obedience to the soldiers who delivered the order.

Zhao Zhen then ordered Zou Run and Zou Yuan to lead the soldiers to escort the captured minions from the two villages and make a circle at the foot of Duozi Mountain to shock the mountain people again.

Then the two of them escorted the prisoners back to Yuncheng County.

The chiefs of the villages from all around brought gifts and asked to see Zhao Zhen in Meng Dafu's village.

The four men came up the road and saw soldiers cremating corpses at the foot of the mountain, with blood spilled everywhere on the mountain road. They entered the camp trembling with fear, prostrated themselves on the ground, and said they were willing to surrender.

Zhao Zhen asked the Taoist priest below him, "Are you Taoist Lu from the Temple of Praying for Children?"

"Sir, it is me, this poor Taoist."

Zhao Zhen said, "I heard that the Temple for Seeking Children recruits farmers to cultivate the temple fields, and there are many obstacles in registering with the Taoist temple?"

After hearing this, Taoist Lu said quickly, "Sir, the temple is not intending to recruit farmhands to develop wasteland. It's just that most of them are poor people, and the temple is just providing a shelter."

Zhao Zhen said: "If we provide a place of shelter, we won't have to abide by the state's policies. Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries just need to practice well and respect the Buddha and the gods. They can't shave their heads randomly and keep farmers."

Taoist Lu said quickly, "Don't worry, sir. I will disband the farmers and register all the Taoists in the temple. I am good at raising deer, so people call me Taoist Lu. Today I specially picked a box of the best deer antlers to present to you, sir."

When the others saw this, they were not willing to be left behind and presented the gifts they had brought.

(End of this chapter)