When Ji Han and his men traveled to the Three Kingdoms crew

Chapter 545 Zuo Ci: No, with such means, you still want me to deal with Yu Ji?
"This time the riot between tenants and farmers happened in the Gu clan."

The official who accompanied Zhang Fei, Xu Gong and Huo Du was the county's Gongcao. Gongcao patiently explained the whole story to the three of them, while wiping the cold sweat oozing from his forehead with a cloth.

The Yu Ji incident had just happened and the turmoil in the city had just ended, but... As a result, there was another wave of turmoil outside the city.

This... Isn't this just trying to please Zhang Fei and Huo Du?
Not to mention that Zhang Fei and Huo Du were both strong warriors, just considering their power, the officials of all ranks in Wu County combined would not be enough to fill the gaps between their teeth.
"Three generals, Sima Huo, and the governor of Xu. They are just ahead."

After Gongcao led Zhang Fei, Xu Gong and Huo Du through a narrow path and into the village, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As soon as they entered the village, Zhang Fei, Xu Gong, Huo Du and others saw several people kneeling in front of a middle-aged man, with the voices of praying one after another, incessantly.

"Master, Master, please, please talk to the county, don't return the land to the county!"

The middle-aged man seemed not to notice the arrival of Zhang Fei, Xu Gong and Huo Du. He pretended to help the kneeling man up with a helpless look on his face. "I think this is a good thing. The county will take the land and then distribute it to you. Isn't it wonderful to cultivate your own land in the future? Why... why don't you want to do it?"

Someone raised his head and his wrinkled face showed a sad and angry expression, "My farmland had a poor harvest before. If it weren't for the help of the owner who bought my land, how could I pay the rent and taxes? How could I be here today?"

Someone else said, "The rent of the land is rising every year, and it is collected every year. Even if you own 60 acres of land, after a year of hard work, there is no surplus food at home. The master is kind and treats us to meat soup at the end of the year. I worked hard last year, and the master also gave me clothes. I always remember the master's kindness, and I hope the master can persuade the county to revoke the order!"

Someone else said, "Master, you know that all county officials are greedy for money. If we don't give them money, and collect the cultivated land and give it to us for rent, what should we do?"

Hearing this, Xu Gong opened his mouth but hesitated to speak. Gong Cao was so scared that his hands were shaking as he wiped the sweat off his face. He cautiously glanced at Zhang Fei's expression with the corner of his eyes. He subconsciously said, "It seems that the tenant farmers... No, the people seem to be happy to be tenant farmers."

Gong Cao regretted his words immediately. He accidentally glanced at Zhang Fei and saw that his eyes were as sharp as a knife. He was so scared that he quickly closed his mouth.

But it was too late. Zhang Fei raised his leg and kicked him. His pupils shrank sharply and he turned sideways to avoid it.

However, it was in vain. Zhang Fei kicked Gongcao in the abdomen. The terrifying force immediately knocked Gongcao to the ground, and the pain made him wail continuously.

Zhang Fei looked at Gongcao coldly and snorted, "Bullshit!"

This commotion naturally attracted the attention of the middle-aged man and the tenant farmers. The middle-aged man raised his hand and clasped his fists and asked Zhang Fei and the others, "Excuse me, who are you three?"

"We are county officials. Regarding the decrees issued by the county, we assure you that they will not be as you worry!"

After saying this, Zhang Fei turned around and dragged away with Gong Cao, Xu Gong and Huo Du, leaving the tenant farmers looking at each other in bewilderment.

On the way back, Xu Gong looked at Zhang Fei frequently. Words were on the tip of his tongue, but he failed to say them every time.

Even Zhang Fei couldn't bear it any longer. He stopped and said, "Xu Jun Shou, what do you want? Just say it!"

Seeing that Zhang Fei had spoken frankly, Xu Gong no longer hesitated. He looked ashamed and said, "Third General, I just visited them in person. The nobles agreed so readily, but I didn't expect that they would secretly make trouble. I made the third general angry. It's my fault. I'm incompetent."

Zhang Fei shook his head, "Xu Jun Shou, I am not angry about this matter."

Now it was Xu Gong's turn to be confused, "Huh?"

Huo Du reminded him, "Xu County Magistrate, the three generals are angry about the words of Gongcao, not the words of the people."

"This..." Xu Gong was slightly startled. He had just fallen into a vicious circle of self-blame, and Gongcao's words almost went in one ear and out the other. After Huo Du's reminder, he immediately remembered Gongcao's words just now, which was 'the people are willing to become tenant farmers'?
Zhang Fei nodded, "That's right. As a county official, how could you not understand the truth? Do the people want to be tenant farmers? After experiencing a disaster, they had no harvest and were forced to sell their land. Later, under the small favors of the nobles, they said what they just said. The people don't understand, so how can the official not understand?!"

"This..." Xu Gong lowered his head in shame, "This is my fault."

"There is no point in talking more. If there is a problem, just solve it." Zhang Fei waved his hand, obviously not wanting to waste any more words on this topic.

Xu Gong was immediately delighted and praised: "As expected of the resourceful generals, they have found a solution in such a short time!"

"Mr. Xu, stop praising me. I'm embarrassed."

"Oh," Xu Gong smiled awkwardly.

They were speechless for the rest of the journey. Looking at Zhang Fei's serious expression, Xu Gong couldn't help but mutter, "How strange! I think the solution is to ask the people in Wucheng County who have been allocated land to share their experiences. Why are the three generals still so unhappy?"

Huo Du seemed to have heard Xu Gong's muttering. He sighed and said, "Xu Jun Shou, it's not that simple. This is just the beginning. The aristocracy is deeply rooted in Wu Jun. If others don't know it, don't you know it too?"

Xu Gong was slightly stunned, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he could only squeeze out two words from his throat, "Indeed."

Zhang Fei's method was indeed as Xu Gong guessed. The next day, the people of Wucheng County, led by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, visited the Gu clan.

The tenant farmers looked at each other in confusion, having no idea what was going on. Some even thought that the county was going to forcibly collect the taxes.

Until a man who looked similar to them walked out. He also had calloused hands and a dark complexion. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance that he was a genuine farmer.

Facing countless eyes, the farmer was obviously a little embarrassed, but he still took a deep breath and spoke out what was in his heart, "Everyone, I was originally a tenant farmer under Yan Baihu. On weekdays, I not only have to farm, but also run around for Yan Baihu's family affairs. The income from a year of hard work is barely enough to survive. Since Huo Jun divided the land among us according to the law, the land tax has been reduced to 15%, and we can also borrow cattle and mules from the county government for free. On weekdays, there are even doctors who diagnose and treat us."

This statement immediately caused an uproar, and all the tenant farmers talked about it at once.

"Is this serious?"

Many people have raised questions.

The farmer said quickly: "If you don't believe me, you can go to Wucheng County to see for yourself! I am not the only one who has done this. My friends from Wucheng County can all testify for me!"

The rest of the people in Wucheng County patted their chests and said, "Yes, that's the truth! If I tell even the slightest lie, I'll die!"

When the tenant farmers saw that the people of Wucheng County even brought out the poisonous oath, they immediately believed it 70% of the time.

They looked at each other, and saw a trace of shame on each other's face, "It turns out that we misunderstood the three generals."

The news of the Gu clan's small branch soon reached the ears of the four patriarchs of the Gu, Lu, Zhu and Zhang families. At the invitation of the Gu family, the four families gathered together again.

"Your method doesn't work."

"Tenant farmers won't amount to anything, so it's better to just give up and avoid embarrassing things later."

However, this proposal was quickly opposed. "Forget it? Don't you know how many hidden households there are in your family? Zhang Yide just wants to take the opportunity to register all the households as common people! If Zhang Yide really does it, we will be in trouble!"

"Then what do you think we should do?"

"Since inciting the tenants doesn't work, it's better to trap the tenants."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"Don't tenant farmers want to be given land? We will spread the word to them. They can go to the county to get land, but they should think about the fact that they will still have to live under our protection in the future. Don't say that we won't help the next natural disaster or man-made disaster. Even the money they owe us must be repaid. Then, send a few strong men to walk around the village from time to time. Don't take action rashly."

Everyone was stunned, and then nodded, "Great, great."

As usual, Huo Du was familiar with the political affairs of Wu County and was also paying close attention to the issue of land collection and distribution. According to common sense, the enthusiasm of the people should be very sufficient.

Why is the progress still so slow?
Huo Du found Zhang Fei with his subordinates' report, but he never expected that Zhang Fei was meeting a familiar yet unfamiliar person. "Third General, I was entrusted by the emperor to deliver the rare items produced by Shangfang Mansion to General Wei. When I arrived in Shouchun a few days ago, I put these rare items aside for less than a moment. General Wei ordered me to take the letter and these items to Wujun. How dare I delay? I am sending them to you as fast as I can."

"Thanks to Lao Xingba."

Even though Huo Du couldn't see Zhang Fei's face, he could hear Zhang Fei's happiness from his voice.

兴霸
Naturally, he was referring to Guan Yu's deputy generals Gan Ning and Gan Xingba. Although Huo Du was not familiar with Gan Ning, he had met him several times.

But what exactly is the strange thing that Gan Xingba mentioned?
Huo Du developed a strong interest in this.

"Huo Sima, now that you are here, why don't you come into the house?"

As Gan Ning's voice sounded, Huo Du came back to his senses. He looked up and saw Gan Ning looking at him with a smile.

"I just heard the conversation between Sima Gan and the three generals. I was in a trance for a moment. I hope Sima Gan and the three generals will forgive me."

"What's the matter with forgiveness? We don't do this. Sima Huo, please come in." Zhang Fei waved at Huo Du.

Huo Du followed him into the room. Zhang Fei naturally saw the report in Huo Du's hand. He asked casually, "What is this?"

"This" Huo Du hesitated. Zhang Fei had been worried about the land collection and distribution in recent days. If he told Zhang Fei about the matter at hand, wouldn't it ruin Zhang Fei's mood? Would it be worthy of the three generals who helped him secretly?
After just a moment's thought, Huo Du had the answer. If he didn't tell Zhang Fei about this, he would be sorry for Zhang Fei!

"General." Huo Du put the report on the table. "This is the latest news about the land collection and distribution. If you have time, you may take a look."

"I guess I've encountered resistance again, but I already have the answer in my mind. I think you are just a noble family, and they are just putting their heads on the line to sell!" Zhang Fei laughed loudly and grabbed the report on the table.

Huo Du couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Third General, I really don't want to hit you. You are too optimistic. Huh?"
Huo Du was slightly stunned. No? What happened? Why didn't the expected thing happen?

Not only did Zhang Fei not stop smiling, but his smile became even wider.

"It is just as Military Advisor Jia said. I guess the nobles are unable to show their kindness and are resorting to threats instead! In this case, I will follow Military Advisor Jia's advice and borrow the fame I gained from the fight with Yu Ji!"

As he was speaking, Zhang Fei looked at Huo Du and said, "Sir Huo, please go and invite the governor of Xu County. I want him to invite all the nobles of Wu County to gather together in the county seat!"

Although he didn't know what Zhang Fei was going to do, Huo Du didn't dare to neglect it. He quickly agreed, turned around and left quickly.

With Xu Gong's efforts, representatives of the major aristocratic families in Wu County arrived at the county seat as scheduled.

The representatives of the gentry were all confused and had no idea why Zhang Fei asked Xu Gong to invite them.

Could it be the Hongmen Banquet?

There was no reason, and they did not rebel. They even openly supported Zhang Fei's policies.

Even if it's a frame-up, there has to be an explanation, right? You can't just take them all away at once, right?
Full of doubts, the representatives of the gentry discovered that Xu Gong did not take them to the county government, but instead climbed up the city wall.

Someone couldn't help asking, "Xu County Magistrate, what's going on? Why is it so mysterious?"

Unexpectedly, Xu Gong did not answer, but said in a mysterious way: "Please wait and see."

Wait and see?

The representatives of the gentry became increasingly confused.

Someone shouted, raised his arm and pointed in a certain direction outside the city, "Gentlemen, look, is there a place of execution outside the city?"

Someone saw the outline of the person being tortured on the execution ground and widened his eyes. "Wait a minute, that person is Zuo Rong from Danyang?!"

As soon as the word "Zao Rong" came out, there was an exclamation of surprise.

The nobles present were all well-known figures, so they naturally knew Zuo Rong. Zuo Rong's fellow countryman was Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou. It must be said that Zuo Rong was really lucky to have taken Tao Qian's express train, but why was Zuo Rong here?

Not only the nobles, but even the common people who came to watch looked at each other in confusion, not knowing the reason.

Seeing that the common people and nobles had all arrived, Zhang Fei walked to the front of the stage holding a wooden trumpet, "Everyone, let me introduce someone to you. Yes, this person is just as you thought, Zuo Rong from Danyang."

"I'm sure you all have doubts, why did Zuo Rong appear here?"

"This man was highly regarded by the governor of Xuzhou and was responsible for supervising the grain transport of Guangling, Xiapi and Pengcheng counties. The grain transport was a matter of great importance and he should have fulfilled his duties conscientiously. Who would have thought that Zuo Rong would not only enrich himself, but also wantonly kill people at will and use the looted money to build pagodas and temples! Yes, this man is not only cruel by nature, but he is also a follower of the Buddhist religion!"

As Zhang Fei's words fell to the ground, there was an immediate exclamation. "What? This person is actually a follower of the Buddhist religion?! You can't judge a person by his appearance!"

The people were filled with righteous indignation and cursed Zuo Rong.

Zhang Fei saw that the time was almost right, and continued, "I have been entrusted by the emperor to ask the heavens and the earth about this man. If this man is indeed who I say he is, then send down thunder from the sky! Let's see if this devout believer can block the power of the thunder!"

Thunder?

Not to mention the common people and nobles, even Zuo Rong, who had no hope of survival on the execution ground, was stunned. Although he was a murderer by nature, looting was as easy as eating and drinking, and massacring a city was not a big deal in his eyes. If he asked himself, he felt that he was very pious. The Buddhist religion was slightly different from the Huangtian Houtu system, but he firmly believed that the mere thunder from the sky would not be able to harm him.

Many people among the people were very excited. "I told you, I told you! The three generals must know some magic!"

The nobles naturally knew Yu Ji's true identity, and they all looked strange. Zhang Yide knew magic? What a joke? Zhang Yide knew magic, why would we try to trip him up?

Amidst gazes of confusion, contempt, or excitement, Zhang Fei quickly withdrew from the execution ground.

A hundred steps away from the execution ground, Zhang Fei stopped, took out his bow and arrow, poured grease on the arrowhead, and set it on fire.

After finishing all this vigorously and efficiently, Zhang Fei drew his bow and aimed at the execution ground, and shouted at Zuo Rong who was standing alone on the execution ground, "Let the thunder from the sky fall where I shoot!"

As Zhang Fei released the bowstring, rockets shot out.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the rocket, and everyone stared with bated breath, fearing that their breathing would disturb the thunder.

next moment.

bang
Bright flames bloomed before everyone's eyes, and huge explosions sounded in their ears. It was as if thousands of thunders were exploding in their ears.

Everyone present widened their eyes, the thunder was truly thunder!

Zuo Ci, who came hurriedly, looked at the scene in a daze.

No, if Zhang Yide has such means, why would he ask me to deal with Yu Ji?

(End of this chapter)