Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 53 Everyone expresses his or her own opinion
"Dang...dang...dang..."

In mid-July, as the morning bells rang, teams of people from Shandan City poured out of the four gates of Shandan, carrying brand-new farm tools and rushing to the fields.

They stood excitedly at the edge of the field, looking forward to the slowly approaching Zhibai team.

Today is the day for land distribution in Shandan. It is also the day when Suo Xun, Zheng Chu and other two groups lead men and soldiers to Qilian Mountain and Longshou Mountain.

"The land has been divided. We feel relieved now that the land has been divided..."

"We're just going to repair the beacon tower, should it be okay?"

"God bless you, everything will be alright..."

At the north gate of Shandan, more than a hundred soldiers wearing breastplates and civilian laborers ranging in age from 250 to 50 years old gathered outside the gate.

When the civilians saw the land division scene, their originally tense mood was relieved, while the soldiers were checking each other's breastplates.

"Director Zheng, I rely on you to lead all my brothers. I'll treat you to a drink when I get back!"

"If there is no other general to lead me up first, I am still just a team leader."

At the city gate, Liu Jilong and Zheng Chu were talking to each other.

Zheng Chu was not young, but he could serve as a brigade commander at the age of 27 or 28, which was not particularly late in the military.

He was a smart person, that's why he survived the Battle of Zhangye.

As a commoner, Zheng Chu did not have the tall and strong physique like Liu Jilong, nor did he have any impressive skills.

Although he could not read or write, he knew very well that those who came from wealthy and powerful families looked down on him. Even if he relied on them, he would not necessarily have a good future. Therefore, he had no choice but to rely on Liu Jilong.

Therefore, in response to Liu Jilong's order, he expressed his position without hesitation.

His words made Liu Jilong look up to him, so he reached out his hand to help him up as he bowed:

"We are all brothers who survived the Battle of Zhangye. From now on, your affairs will be my affairs."

"Don't flatter me!" Director Zheng showed joy on his face. Liu Jilong smiled and nodded, then looked at the military and civilian team not far away.

As he watched, Zhang Chang was giving a speech to the laborers and ordering them to carry some supplies onto the truck.

After more than three months of training, Zhang Chang grew from a young man who was so scared that he peed his pants to a deputy general of an army.

Liu Jilian was very happy about this, because he knew very well that Zhang Chang and his brothers, who were of commoner origin, would be important pillars for his future success.

At the moment, it seems that Jiu Juyan and Chen Jingchong have both demonstrated abilities worthy of the position of brigade commander, while the other four are slightly inferior.

Everyone has different learning and adaptability abilities, so the results are also different.

Fortunately, I still have time to watch them grow. I hope that in a few years they can all become independent generals.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong did not say anything to Zhang Chang who was about to set off. He just continued to instruct Zheng Chu to teach Zhang Chang well, and then ordered the troops to set off northward.

The soldiers and laborers heading north, and the common people standing along the roadside who were worried about the men in their families who were traveling so far away.

They looked at each other in the rising sun, each with mixed emotions.

Looking at this scene, Liu Jilong said nothing, but turned and walked towards the city gate.

Cui Shu, who was standing behind him, hurriedly followed and bowed: "General, Suo Guoyi is leaving from the South Gate. Shall we go and see him off?"

"Well, go ahead." Liu Jilong agreed helplessly.

Then he and Cui Shu got on the slow horses at the city gate and rushed towards the south gate.

After a cup of tea, they arrived at the South Gate, where the team was more than twice as large as that at the North Gate.

The first three regiments of Zhechongfu and the team of 500 civilians were very spectacular. At least in Shandan, this team represented one-third of the population in the city. When Liu Jilong and his men arrived, the first regiment had already set out as the vanguard, followed by 300 men led by able-bodied men, then 200 young men, and then the second and third regiments.

He originally wanted to go to the Third Regiment to give instructions to Jiu Juyan and the others, but he didn't expect that he was a little late, or Suo Xun was too hurried.

When he arrived, the army had already set out, and Suo Xun was still talking with Zhang Huairong on the other side of the moat.

I don’t know what the two talked about, but Zhang Huairong’s face didn’t look good, and Suo Xun’s face was even darker.

Seeing the looks of the two men, Liu Jilong immediately slowed down his horse.

Although he was sent to Shandan to help Zhang Huairong, it doesn't mean that he has to wade into any muddy water.

As if they saw Liu Jilong coming, their expressions eased a little.

When Liu Jilian slowly arrived at the other side of the moat, Suo Xun turned his horse around and followed the army to the Qilian Mountains in the south.

It was so fast that Liu Jilong didn't even have time to bow to him.

Fortunately, it was unlikely that Suo Xun could help him in any way. For him, the only thing that mattered was that his relationship with Suo Xun did not become an enemy.

"Sima, the brothers in the north have already set out and will be back before the tenth day of September."

Liu Jilong bowed to Zhang Huairong, who nodded and his expression eased slightly.

"Now the people in the city are all praising the government for doing its job properly and implementing good policies!"

"You have done a great job in this land distribution. I will report it to the governor."

"I need to go to Zhangye tomorrow and leave with fifty cavalry. You will take over the management of Shandan for the time being."

When Zhang Huairong said this, Liu Jilong felt very ashamed.

Shandan only has five regiments and a thousand soldiers. Now the northern and southern teams have transferred 700 people, and Zhang Huairong is going to take 50 cavalrymen to Zhangye, which means that there are only 250 people left for him.

Not to mention that it sounds bad, just the fact that they have so few people to maintain order in Shandan shows that Zhang Huairong really trusts his abilities.

"I will obey your command." Liu Jilong had no choice but to agree to this path, but he also asked:
"May I ask, Sima, how many days will this trip to Zhangye take?"

"Huai Shen summoned me this time, it will take at least ten days."

After Zhang Huairong responded, he turned his attention to the people in the south of the city.

Although the distribution of land made the people smile, many people still secretly wiped away their tears when facing the departure of 500 men in the city.

"Okay, I'll leave the land distribution to you. I need to go back to the government office to collect the documents."

After giving a brief explanation, Zhang Huairong led his men away on horseback, leaving behind only Liu Jilong who had hurried over.

However, Liu Jilong had no complaints. After all, the more Zhang Huairong was willing to delegate power, the more opportunities he would have.

The complexity of Shandan has been vividly demonstrated in the past half month.

Liu Jilian finally understood why the Li and Cao families did not compete for the official position in Shandan.

If this place is done well, you won't get much credit, but if it is not done well, you will be fired completely.

Thinking about it this way, Liu Jilong actually admired Suo Xun a little. At least as the future head of the Suo family, Suo Xun did not shirk this hot potato.

As for the quarrel with Zhang Huairong, it was just because of their different perspectives. In essence, they were both trying to protect Shandan.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong looked up to the horizon and prayed silently in his heart.

"I hope everything is alright..."

(End of this chapter)