Two Realms: I use martial arts to ask for longevity

Chapter 399: Sacrifice, Assassination
"Zhang Zhongshu is from the Zhang family in Hengtang. He is aloof and arrogant. I'm afraid he won't care about his fellow disciples. You better make plans early..."

When Xiao Chengfeng said this, he glanced at Zhan Shanhe and Wu Junsong.

When it comes to interpersonal communication, this branch of the royal family is indeed extremely talented. Not long after Zhou Ping'an came to Pinghu City, he had already figured out his life story. He also found out that he had once studied martial arts under the Yunshui Sect.

Of course, he also knew that Zhou Ping'an, Zhan Shanhe, Wu Junsong, and even Zhang Zhongshu were all fellow disciples.

Zhan Shanhe nodded.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, she still felt that Xiao Chengfeng's judgment was basically correct.

They were the two most qualified to speak about the character of Huangze County Magistrate Zhang Zhongshu, after all, they had met him in the mountains.

"That's right, Senior Brother Zhang is indeed very arrogant. In the mountain gate, he certainly doesn't care about inner disciples like us.

Moreover, the world is in turmoil right now, war is raging everywhere, and everyone has their own plans. Senior Brother Zhang may not care about the friendship between fellow disciples. At most, he will issue a summons and ask us to surrender the city."

Zhan Shanhe thought about it and expressed his opinion in a pertinent manner.

At the beginning, when he was sent to Qingyang City, the inner disciples on the mountain were like avoiding snakes and scorpions, and basically no one was willing to come and assist Zhou Ping'an.

the reason is simple.

The three counties of Liyou are adjacent to Huangze County...

The true disciple Zhang Zhongshu controls Huangze County and is preparing his troops and horses, ready to roll up his sleeves and do a big battle. There is no doubt that these three counties are what he must get.

Once the three counties on the right side of Li River are captured, the troops can be directed directly to Guangyun, making it very convenient to send troops.

Don't think he won't raise an army without a cause.

In this situation, everything is uncertain.

While the imperial court was vigorously suppressing the rebellion, the forces in the various states and counties were secretly competing for territory and population.

In addition, bandit troops rose up in various places.

Anyway, it's a mess...

If not for this, those big and powerful sects would not have sent out so many of their disciples to travel around the world and support various forces.

Because they also saw the opportunity.

"Perhaps Zhang Zhongshu has already sent out his generals to lead troops to spy on one side. For the sake of caution, you must send out troops as soon as possible to defend the Yunjin Ferry to prevent the thieves from attacking."

When Xiao Chengfeng talked about this, he gritted his teeth.

At the beginning, when he was leading the people of the city and being chased by the Red Lotus Bandits, he had a hope of crossing the Li River and entering Yunjin Ferry.

However, Huang Ze's fierce general Su Ming ordered their men to shoot arrows, which rained down like rain and blocked their soldiers and civilians at the ferry. The river water turned red and the corpses blocked the water flow.

The pursuing Red Lotus thieves came one after another and killed indiscriminately.

As a result, Xiao Chengfeng was attacked from both sides and had to abandon the people in the city. He took his family and some elite soldiers and fled crying all the way. He finally escaped to Pinghu City and was taken in by the former county magistrate Wang Jin.

This can be seen from the Battle of the Ferry.

Su Ming is a man with a heart as cold as iron, and he doesn't have much humanity.

If he sent troops to stop the Red Lotus bandits, he could definitely do it.

The consequence is that there will be many more refugees in Huangze County, and some Red Lotus thieves may also follow and break into the ferry...

It is meaningless to discuss who is right or wrong at this point.

After all, a kind army cannot be commanded.

Perhaps, Su Ming has his own ideas on commanding operations.

But for the victim Xiao Chengfeng, it was naturally a hatred that burned deep in his bones.

"We must be prepared for this. Changlie, lead our 3,000 soldiers and rush to Pingshan Boundary Ridge, set up camp there, and set out at noon three days later."

"Here..."

Yu Changlie's eyes sparkled and he bowed in response.

If he were asked to lead troops to fight in other places, he might not be so enthusiastic.

However, he would love to guard the Pingshanjieling Pass, defend against the Red Lotus bandits from the Huangze branch, or deal with Su Ming's troops at Yunjindu.

Not long ago, I was chased to Pinghu like a rabbit. I watched my fellow villagers lying in a pool of blood one after another and was powerless to do anything. That feeling was truly unforgettable.

He would feel uncomfortable if he didn't fight back.

Zhou Pingan nodded and turned to look at Xiao Chengfeng: "If we miss this period of time, it will affect the grain harvest.

Next, we mobilized the people to open up wasteland and sow seeds.

I have some grain seeds here, which will be distributed today. Chengfeng will focus on this matter from now on, and must not slack off..."

"Sister, you will lead our troops to distribute money and food and recruit soldiers... Remember to explain our favorable conditions to all the people in detail."

"Okay!"

When Zhan Shanhe first arrived in Qingyang City, it was because he could not disobey his master's orders.

Deep down, she really didn't think that she would have any future by following Zhou Ping'an, the new junior brother.

I just thought that if my junior brother failed and couldn't hold on, I would protect him and my junior sister up the mountain together, and concentrate on training, which would mean I had accomplished the mission.

As long as you keep your life, there is still hope for the future.

As a result, I had just arrived in Qingyang City not long ago.

She saw the benefits.

He could lead 10,000 soldiers in person and only needed to supervise their daily training. There was enough money and food, and there wasn't even any major or fierce battle, let alone any danger.

It is extremely comfortable to be a general leading an army like this.

What was even more surprising was that she found that her training speed, which had been as slow as a snail, suddenly increased tenfold.

Not only did he complete the Great Circulation of True Qi in one step, but in just over ten days, he even cultivated the Internal Qi.

Start from the inside out, and condense the energy and release it outwards.

If I were still in the mountain, my master would see my speed of cultivation and would find a way to help me win the position of a true disciple.

"It's just such a small area, and the population under its rule isn't that large, how come it has such an effect?"

She couldn't figure it out and couldn't understand it.

But they cherish this hard-earned best training environment very much.

While practicing diligently, he was also very attentive when doing things...

The ten thousand spearmen under his command had all been well-trained by this time, and all that was missing was a baptism of blood.

"Get the weapons first. These five thousand spears cannot fully arm your Shanhe Army, but they are enough."

Zhou Ping'an opened the newly built warehouse by the river, which was already filled with piles of neatly arranged spears.

The hollow spear shaft had threads, the tip of the spear gleamed silver, and it was chillingly cold.

Zhan Shanhe opened his mouth slightly and followed Zhou Pingan into the warehouse blankly. He picked up an alloy spear casually, weighed it, and was even more surprised.

"How can a spear that is two feet long be so light?"

She was a little bit unbelieving, so she stretched out her hand to draw the short knife from her waist and chopped it on the spear shaft.

"when……"

A toothpick-thick crack appeared on the black spear shaft. If you want to cut the spear shaft in half without cutting it seven or eight times or ten times at the same place, it will be very difficult to cut it in half.

Zhan Shanhe's eyes were full of disbelief.

Although she usually uses a broadsword, the short sword she carries on her body is not an ordinary item. It can cut hair with a single blow, but it is also made of fine steel and is extremely sharp.

Even with the normal 300-jin strength of a soldier, he chopped it down head-on, but it didn't cause much damage to the spear shaft.

From this we can see that this batch of spears are not just for show. Although they are a little light, they are very strong.

Yes, this new type of special alloy was originally made into an ice-cold device in modern society, and was used to deal with genetic beasts in extreme situations.

It is too heavy and ordinary people can't wield it at all.

Therefore, although this alloy spear looks fierce, in fact, the spear shaft and the blade together only weigh 18 pounds.

"Five thousand?"

No one knew what kind of mood Zhan Shanhe was in, but he ordered his subordinates to carry the spears and distribute them.

Follow Zhou Ping'an to the second warehouse.

"The food issue is of utmost priority. You will liaise with County Magistrate Xiao regarding the transportation and distribution of rice and flour.

Special times call for special treatment. Don’t be afraid of the people eating too much. As long as they work hard, let them eat as much as they want…”

“Remember, we must shout out the slogan [Not a single citizen will starve to death] in the three counties of Liyou.

Regardless of age, even those who are disabled and unable to move, they must be guaranteed food.

If there are those who hoard goods or demand things, just kill them directly, and don’t report to me…”

"Yes!"

Zhan Shanhe has become numb.

First, a large number of refined weapons appeared.

Next is the food piled up like a hillside.

She didn't know where these things came from, nor did she want to ask, but she felt that the future was becoming brighter and brighter.

The soldiers are well-trained, the food is sufficient, and everyone is united.

What does it matter if there is no help from the noble families?

Generally speaking, winning over the children of noble families and scholars and gentry is nothing more than coveting their money and food, as well as the talents to assist in management.

To put it bluntly, it is necessary to deal with the exchange of interests among all parties, and it is also necessary to ask for various resources from the surrounding counties.

Without these children of the aristocracy, let alone important resources, even asking for a grain of rice or a piece of silk would be impossible, as people would ignore those peasants.

The peasants have no respectable status, so they have difficulty getting things done when they go out.

This is the real power of the scholar families.

Class is like a galaxy that separates the lower-class people from their upward mobility and they can never cross it.

But if everything is self-sufficient, without having to ask others for anything, and if we can eat enough and wear warm clothes, then what is the need for the scholar families?
After the three counties on the right side of Li were wiped out by the Red Lotus Army, the wealthy families fled and all the noble families were gone. This is not a defect but an advantage.

It's like a blank piece of paper, perfect for painting on.

"That's all for today. Tomorrow we will offer sacrifices to the heavens. No, we will offer sacrifices to Hou Tu."

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs!

With abundant money and food, the soldiers gradually became elite.

At this time, we need to unify our thoughts.

First, let us boost the confidence of the people and let them know who they are fighting for and why they are fighting.

At this time, it is time to offer sacrifices to heaven.

During the Dayu Dynasty, the official object of worship was Hou Tu.

Zhou Ping'an naturally followed the local customs and did the same.

He thought of many ways and found that in this social environment, general verbal propaganda about savior and the like was actually not very effective.

The common people couldn't understand anything.

On the contrary, when it comes to sacrifice, even the poorest illiterate people will be beaming with joy.

He was well aware of Hou Tu's great benevolence and virtue.

Therefore, Zhou Ping'an decided to call on the military and civilians to hold a sacrifice in Pinghu County.

He felt that the peaceful time might not last long.

We must first gather the people's hearts and minds.

……

The next day.

In Pinghu County, on the bank of the Li River, a high slope is built with earth to serve as an altar.

Zhou Ping'an was dressed in formal attire.

Burn incense and pray.

Below the altar, 30,000 soldiers lined up and shouted "Victory" three times.

Although they had never experienced a bloody battle, these soldiers were still able to stand in a neat square formation.

With the sword and spear raised high and shouting, his momentum is full.

Further away were countless people, like ants, stretching for miles.

Listening to the sounds and looking at the grand sacrificial scene, my heart was filled with excitement.

"…Jiuhua Yuque, the seven-treasure imperial palace, receives the mandate from heaven, controls Yin and Yang, promotes the Way and contains great and broad virtues, and accumulates gentleness, smoothness, and chastity.

The beauty of nurturing Kun Yuan flows through all things, giving birth to the benevolence of the mother Tao. The mountains and rivers follow the example of the sky and the earth..."

It doesn’t matter whether you can understand it or not.

Zhou Ping'an recited the prayer with a solemn expression and a gorgeous voice, but he felt in his heart that it was useless... However, he felt it truly and truly. At that moment, the threads of his wish power gathered into a torrent, roaring into his mind.

In a short while, fifty or sixty thousand incense sticks gathered.

"Let them have enough food and drink and live a carefree life, why not put on a big show..."

Zhou Ping'an couldn't laugh or cry.

There was no expression on his face, and he completed the ceremony meticulously.

The ceremony was coming to an end, and Zhou Ping'an was just about to order the troops to disperse when he heard a roar in his ears.

"Zhou Ping'an died."

The sun is shining brightly above my head and the breeze is blowing gently around me.

Following this thunderous roar, dark clouds suddenly gathered, strong winds blew, and sand and rocks flew everywhere...

……

(End of this chapter)