The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 799: Conquer the Central Plains in the north and attack the Former Qin in the west!
Eastern Jin Dynasty, Jiankang,
When they learned that Huan Wen's northern expedition had failed and that 70% to 80% of his army had been killed, the entire court was shaken.

Because no one dared to believe that Huan Wen, who had restored the Han Dynasty, would fail in his first northern expedition.

Even the number of soldiers who escaped back was less than 10,000 or 20,000. This was a complete disastrous defeat!
Moreover, in this Northern Expedition, they not only lost the opportunity to establish their capital in the north, but also lost their ally Duan Qi. The entire Jiaodong and Xuzhou became the territory of the Northern Ming.

You may not be very clear about where Xuzhou is, but you need to know one thing: taking Xuzhou is equivalent to having the qualifications to go south and north.
As the most important city in the Central Plains, Xuzhou has experienced thousands of battles, both large and small, in history.
Among them, the famous Huaihai Campaign was an attack with Xuzhou as the center!
“It’s a loss of sovereignty and humiliation to the country!”

Roaring angrily, Sima Dan sat on the throne and started to roar.

However, looking at Sima Dan, the four major families fell silent at this moment, because they did not take this defeat seriously at all.

After all, the aristocratic family is permanent, but the emperors are transient.

Even if the Northern Ming was more formidable, could it possibly swallow up the entire world in one go and massacre their Jiangnan families?
With this idea in mind, everyone is not worried. After all, whoever becomes emperor needs their support, otherwise you will not be able to take a single step in Jiangnan!

But unfortunately, they underestimated Zhang Cheng's ruthlessness. He even dared to touch the strongest Buddhist temple in the north. What was the aristocratic family to him?
In front of countless common people, how much can the aristocratic families gain?

Huan Wen fled back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty in panic, crossing the Yangtze River and still in fear.
Because of the battle in Taihe City, he witnessed the terror of Beiming and the indomitable spirit of Zhang Cheng and others.
As an emperor, he could lead his troops into battle personally, so what should the Northern Ming soldiers have to fear?

"This beast must be a threat to our Great Jin!"

Thinking of Zhang Cheng, Huan Wen couldn't help but cough up blood.

Because he suddenly thought of a terrible thing, that is, Zhang Cheng is only eighteen or nineteen years old!

Such a young emperor is more terrifying than anything else!
Even if Zhang Cheng is given thirty years, is it possible for him to cross the Yangtze River?
Thinking of this, Huan Wen couldn't help but feel panicked, because this seemed very likely to happen!
After defeating Huan Wen, Zhang Cheng appeared in the prisoner-of-war camp.

Looking at the dejected soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in front of him, he walked to the front and shouted: "All soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, you are free. If you want to go back, please come to the front to collect the travel expenses. Those who have no home can confirm with the clerk and settle down in my Beiming. Each county will be selected and distributed 20 acres of good land and two concubines."

"what?"

The defeated soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty raised their heads in shock and froze in their places upon hearing these words.

Because is this true? Why does it feel like a joke?
However, before the soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty could react, Zhang Cheng continued, "The north has just been settled, and a lot of good farmland is lacking owners. These fields are distributed to you by the court. They are free of rent for three years. After three years, one in twenty will be collected. In addition to the farm tax, my Ming Dynasty will no longer have any taxes on the people. This is what I said. If anyone collects taxes from you, you can chop off his head and I guarantee that you will be safe!"

As Zhang Cheng finished speaking, the dumbfounded soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty immediately shouted, "Your Majesty, this is serious!"

"My words are as good as gold. I will never go back on my word. Even if I collect taxes from you, you can kill me!"

Looking at the people below, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but become serious.

Because in the Ming Dynasty, taxation is very important. People do not have to pay other taxes except agricultural taxes. This is the way to quickly restore the north. As for money and grain, Zhang Cheng will find ways to get money from his neighbors.
The Later Zhao Dynasty once valued Buddhism. The wealth of those monks was so great that Zhang Cheng was jealous. Even the noble families of the Eastern Jin Dynasty would have to swallow their saliva.

Although he has the four provinces in his hands, don't forget that the land of Western Qin is still in Fu Xiong's hands!
"Long live your Majesty, long live your Majesty!"

As Zhang Cheng finished speaking, the soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty could not help but roar loudly.

Even the defeated generals of the Eastern Jin Dynasty suddenly understood why the Chiliang Army was so powerful.
Because military merit means land!
When the soldiers of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who were already isolated and helpless, began to settle down in Beiming, Zhang Cheng generously gave the remaining people travel expenses.
After all, as a compatriot, Zhang Cheng would not resort to butchery just to weaken the vitality of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Only by letting them go back can we promote the "Benevolence" of the Ming Dynasty!
However, this kind of benevolence is only for his compatriots. Once the fight spreads outside, Zhang Cheng will no longer be "polite".

If it is necessary to massacre the city, then massacre it; if it is necessary to kill people in a pit, then kill them all. As long as it can destroy the enemy's beliefs and make the enemy feel fear, Zhang Cheng will even flatten the wheels and leave no one alive, young or old!

Xuzhou, looking at the blood-stained city wall in front of him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but walk forward, stroked it and said: "Establishing the capital in the Central Plains, how many heroes have died on the battlefield here throughout history!"

Seeing Zhang Cheng sigh, Deng Qiang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the world's situation is now in your hands!"

"No, it's almost there, Xi Qin!" Zhang Cheng squinted his eyes with a gleam in his eyes.

The Former Qin was still there, which made him feel very uneasy at the moment.

After all, the alliance between Fu Jian and Wang Meng made him somewhat uneasy, so he had to destroy the Former Qin as soon as possible.
"The army has been fighting for a long time. Does it need to rest?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Li Nong walked up and asked,

"Have someone draw up a vassal army to join, and grant them Ming Dynasty status. Their descendants can go to school, become officials, and even own land in their hometown!"

Looking at Li Nong beside him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but smile.
When Li Nong heard Zhang Cheng's plan, he fell silent instantly, because he wanted his vassal army to fight to the death!

Although the Chiliang Army now has 100,000 soldiers, Zhang Cheng will not withdraw all of them. They need to defend against the Tuoba clan in the north and the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

This time, Zhang Cheng planned to select a powerful force of 30,000 men, with an additional 50,000 vassal troops, to defeat the Former Qin in one fell swoop, thus stabilizing the entire north.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Zhang Cheng entered through the city gate. Looking at the cheerful children on the street and the shops along the street, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but smile and said, "This is the real life!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is our world!"

He laughed loudly and Deng Qiang couldn't help but smile.
"Your Majesty, would you like some bread?"

With a big pancake in his mouth, Zhang Hao couldn't help but ask,

"want!"

Taking the pancake, Zhang Cheng put it in his mouth and said, "It tastes good!"

"indeed so!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Deng Qiang and Li Nong beside him laughed.

Walking forward, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but stop where he was, because a young man in a green shirt was looking at him with a smile on his face.
Holding the cake in his hand, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but smile and said, "Would you like some?"

"Thank you very much!"

Seeing the young man approach and take the cake from Zhang Cheng, Zhang Hao and Deng Qiang were shocked because they didn't know each other.
Li Nongye asked in a strange manner: "Your Majesty, who is this?"

"He is Wang Meng! He rejected my recruitment back then, but why are you looking for me now?"

Looking at Wang Meng, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but ask,

"I want to see the world become one!"

At this point, Wang Meng bowed and said, "I was too young back then. Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Patting Wang Meng on the shoulder, Zhang Cheng walked forward without saying anything.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Wang Meng hadn't reacted yet, only to see Deng Qiang turn around and say, "Let's go, the road to universal peace is still a long way to go!"

"Yes, Meng is coming right away!"

With a smile, Wang Meng immediately followed the crowd.

As the sun sets, Xuzhou is lit up with thousands of lights, and this is also the road the group of five people have to take!
(End of this chapter)