Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 644: Clear the countryside and take it step by step!
When Lu Xun heard what Zhang Sui said, his face changed.

He ran out immediately.

Zhang Sui held the strip of cloth in his hand, his face extremely serious.

Even Xu Lan, who was standing by, came to his senses at this moment and dared not utter a word.

She didn't know why, but at this moment, she felt that the man in front of her was very scary.

Zhang Sui stood up and was about to leave the hall and go to the meeting room.

Just as he was about to cross paths with Xu Lan, Zhang Sui came to his senses when he saw the other party hurriedly making way.

Reaching out his hand, Zhang Sui pinched Xu Lan's pink chin under her fearful gaze and said in a deep voice, "This is Yecheng, not your Jiangdong."

"It's impossible to go back, at least now."

"Be obedient, and at least you will have food and clothing."

"If you want to run away, or cause trouble—"

Zhang Sui sneered and said, "I don't have any thoughts of sympathizing with women."

"If you catch him once, you will be executed."

"Don't challenge my bottom line."

"I am not a bloodthirsty person, but I will never hesitate just because you are a woman."

After Zhang Sui finished speaking, he left quickly and asked the Huben Guards to take Xu Lan to Tian Feng's home in Yecheng.

As the governor of Xuzhou, Tian Feng and his wife have now moved to Xia Pi, Xuzhou.

Now, there is no one else in Tian Feng's mansion except the servants.

Moreover, not far from Tian Feng was where Zhang Sui’s personal soldiers lived.

Once Xu Lan makes any noise, his personal soldiers can be dispatched immediately.

Although Xu Lan is a strong woman in history.

However, Zhang Sui would not be merciful to her.

Of course, it is impossible to let her go back.

Now that she knows of Lu Xun's existence, once she leaves, she may return to Jiangdong and cause trouble for Gu Yong and others.

The Huben Guards responded and escorted Xu Lan away.

Zhang Sui came to the meeting room, stood in the center of the sand table in the middle of the hall, and repeatedly observed the terrain around the Yellow River.

Now, only the Second Corps is stationed in the Yellow River area.

The commander of the Second Army was Wen Chou, the military advisor was Chen Jiao, and the deputy generals were Zang Ba and Sun Guan.

The number is 20,000 elite infantry.

While Zhang Sui was studying the terrain around the Yellow River, members of the General Staff also arrived one after another.

The General Staff was established by Zhang Sui three dynasties ago.

There were twelve members: Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Li Ru, Xin Pi, Xin Ping, Guo Jia, Xun Chen, Chen Deng, Chen Gong, Liu Ye, Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.

Among them, Tian Feng, Zhuge Liang and Xun Chen were all serving in various places and could not return.

Li Ru and Guo Jia both helped Huang Zu in Jingzhou.

When everyone arrived, they saw Zhang Sui staring at the sand table in the Yellow River area, and they all looked over.

Zhang Sui didn't raise his head until everyone was present. He glanced at them and said, "I just received a secret report. Cao Cao in Xudu was deeply shocked after learning that Zhang Liao defeated Sun Quan's 100,000 navy in Guangling. He couldn't hold back any more."

"He will send Ma Chao to lead the Ma family army as the vanguard to prepare to march north."

"Gentlemen, what do you say?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Most of them had not heard the news spread by Sima Yi.

Therefore, they all didn't know that Zhang Liao had won a victory in Guangling.

At this time, hearing what Zhang Sui said, everyone felt mixed emotions.

The good news was that Zhang Liao was actually able to lead 6,000 soldiers to defeat Sun Quan's army of 100,000.

What is worrying is that Cao Cao is about to attack Xu Du.

Everyone was talking about it.

Zhang Sui sat on the edge of the sand table, drinking tea and listening to these people discuss countermeasures.

According to his idea, he wanted to personally lead Gao Shun's Xianchen Camp and Cheng Lian's Flying Tiger Army to Wen Chou's base, take over Wen Chou's position of commander, and have a head-on confrontation with Ma Chao.

Now that Lü Bu is dead, his power is growing day by day. Even if Lü Bu were still alive, he might not be able to defeat him.

However, this is just an estimate.

Zhang Sui really wanted to test his skills on Ma Chao.

After a long discussion, Ju Su finally said, "My Lord, our land is vast and rich in resources."

"After a year of recuperation, our population and food have been greatly enriched."

"Now that we are at war with Cao Cao, to be honest, if we just focus on defense, it will be difficult for Cao Cao to attack again."

Walking to the sand table, Ju Shou pointed to the Yellow River and said, "My lord, immediately give orders to the commander of the Second Army, Wen Chou, to lead the Second Army along the line of Jiguan - Muye - Liyang - Neihuang, along the shore, deploy soldiers and defenses, and hold on to the end."

"At the same time, we mobilized city defense forces from various counties for support."

"This is our territory in Hebei, we will requisition food and fodder locally."

"Holding on for a year won't be a problem at all."

"As for the Puban Port area, the Hedong Army and the Xiongnu are stationed there. They will not allow Ma Chao's army to come."

"In the Taishan area, we can send troops from Qingzhou to assist. Cao Cao does not have an advantage."

Looking at Zhang Sui, Ju Su said, "Everyone's opinion is to stick to the previous strategy."

"We haven't lost much in a year of defense."

"However, we have bought a year of rest and recuperation time for the people and other soldiers."

"Under the current policy, soldiers and civilians are working hard to produce."

"The benefits of an extra year of rest and recuperation far outweigh the benefits of going to war."

"The ultimate goal of war is still for profit."

"If there are more convenient means to gain more benefits, why hesitate?"

Chen Deng on the side said with a smile: "My lord has been in Yecheng for too long and wants to go out and fight."

Zhang Sui: “.”

He really wanted to go out and try his skills.

However, he did not like war.

When everyone heard what Chen Deng said, they all laughed out loud.

Zhang Sui said hurriedly: "I do want to try my skills, but I have never thought about fighting."

Ju Su Fuxu smiled and said, "Since there is none, that's the best."

"Those who love war will perish."

"My lord, you must be a benevolent and righteous ruler."

Zhang Sui heard what Ju Shou said, and then he said, "Okay, I will write a letter to Wen Chou now, asking him to fortify the city and clear the fields, station troops along the Yellow River, and defend it to the death, and not to fight with Ma Chao."

Ju Su asked again: "What is the specific situation in Guangling?"

Zhang Sui asked Sima Yi to pass the cloth strips to everyone.

Everyone read it once and discussed it again.

In view of the fact that most of the soldiers were killed in the battle of Guangling, the Hebei court adopted a recruitment system in Xuzhou and Yangzhou to recruit new soldiers to Guangling for training and to help defend the city.

This time we recruit 10,000 soldiers.

Recruiting soldiers is different from conscription in the past.

All those who were selected to become soldiers and go to Guangling had their food, clothing, housing and transportation funded by the Hebei government.

At the same time, those who were selected to become soldiers received a certain salary every month.

On the day of successful selection, the soldier's family was rewarded with 200 work points and ten acres of good farmland.

No taxes will be levied on good farmland in the first three years.

Starting from the fourth year, the tax rate will increase by 10% each year.

Until finally the tax rate becomes the same as that of ordinary farmland.

Zhang Sui also added one more item: For any promotion in official rank, the local government would provide designated welfare benefits to the soldiers’ families for every promotion.

As for the capture of Xiakou in Jingzhou by Zhou Yu, Ju Shou and others said they would wait and see what would happen for the time being.

After all, Li Ru and Guo Jia are there, and they know the situation in Jingzhou much better than those in Yecheng.

(End of this chapter)