Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 21: Heroes have always emerged from humble beginnings (Part )
But when County Magistrate Li looked up at Wang Xian's red eyes, he immediately understood.

"All of you, get out! Stand guard at the door. No one is allowed in!" County Magistrate Li waved his hand to drive the strangers out. He then stared at Wang Xian and asked word by word, "Is Zhang Meng Anke okay?"

Wang Xian lowered his head and remained silent.

Things are in trouble.

Magistrate Li stroked his beard and thought silently in his mind.

He was also well versed in the military laws of the Jin Dynasty, and instantly understood the predicament of Wang Xian and others, and also instantly understood how embarrassing... or dangerous his own position was.

Even a trapped beast knows how to fight, let alone these soldiers with knives in their hands?
If Wang Xian is really forced into a desperate situation, he will really cause trouble and destroy Lianshui County!
In a split second, Magistrate Li had already made his plan: "General Wang, as I said before, the supplies in the treasury are to supply the army and must not be moved without permission."

Wang Xian was about to speak when Magistrate Li waved his hand and said, "Let me finish. General Wang, I understand your difficulties. Besides the weapons and armor, I will quickly replenish the military supplies you need, and even prepare the ferry. But you have to promise me one thing..."

Wang Xian had just breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart began to tighten again when he heard this.

"No matter what you do during this expedition, it has nothing to do with me. Even if you occupy the entire Chuzhou, you don't have to share the credit with me. If your entire army is wiped out, I won't be held responsible at all."

Magistrate Li sighed and said, "General Wang, you must understand my predicament. Collusion between soldiers and local officials is a sure death, regardless of dynasty."

By the way, when do you want to send troops?"

"The day after tomorrow at the latest!" Wang Xian said, holding his sword. "I can't hold it back for much longer. The army will set out the day after tomorrow morning at the latest!"

County Magistrate Li frowned, "Time is too tight. I can only do my best."

As he spoke, County Magistrate Li picked up his official hat from the desk and strode towards the door.

Wang Xian didn't expect that County Magistrate Li would be so decisive and he breathed a sigh of relief.

However, when Magistrate Li reached the main gate of the yamen, he turned back and asked curiously, "General Wang, I'm just asking you a question. Please listen to me. Please don't be offended if I offend you."

"Lord Li, please speak."

"When you made this plan, didn't you think about the lives of your men?"

Wang Xian's face showed a hint of ruthlessness: "It has come to this. Who can care about so much? Let's save our own lives!"

County Magistrate Li looked Wang Xian up and down for a moment, nodded, pushed the door open and walked out without saying another word.

Not to mention that Wang Xian's mind was in a mess, as confused as hiding hemp.

After leaving the county government office, County Magistrate Li gathered twenty young and strong yamen runners and marched towards the northern county town in a mighty procession.

The south of Lianshui County is a port, a place with a mixed crowd and poor public security, so the south of the city is where the common people gather, while the wealthy and powerful live in the north.

The wealthy man that County Magistrate Li was looking for at this time was none other than the most powerful local tyrant in Lianshui.

This man's full name is Zhang Tong. According to him, his ancestral home is Dongping Prefecture, Shandong Province. After his family moved to Lianshui during the Jing Kang period, he has been engaged in the water transport business.

Zhang Tong and his family and partners were all first-class ship operators. After the peace agreement between Song and Jin in the tenth year of Shaoxing, the trade between Song and Jin continued to rise, and the Zhang family became more and more powerful, eventually becoming a wealthy family with forty large grain ships and nearly a hundred small boats.

This number of ships represents nearly a thousand sailors and nearly ten thousand dock workers, trackers, and merchants who depend on them for their livelihood.

Therefore, no matter who became the magistrate of Lianshui County, he had to establish a good relationship with Zhang Tong. As for whether Zhang Tong had ever been a thief or a gangster, or what his background was, no one could say for sure.

In the final analysis, Lianghuai has always been the front line of the confrontation between Song and Jin. For many years, the administration was too chaotic, and the household registration was only compiled in the past two years. The local wealthy families were considered to have a clean family background if they could have been here for more than ten years.

Fortunately, Zhang Tong has always been respectful to the Jin court and has always responded to the requests of successive county magistrates.

Therefore, when Wang Xian came to County Magistrate Li, the first person he thought of was the wealthy Zhang Tong.

"Mr. Li, since you're visiting so late at night, you should at least send someone to announce it so that I, Old Zhang, can prepare."

The entrance to a large mansion covering a large area in the north of the city was now brightly lit. A dozen men in short clothes and tight clothes stood solemnly at the foot of the steps holding torches. Standing on the steps was a tall old man in a white middle coat and a brocade robe, speaking with a smile.

This person is Zhang Tong.

County Magistrate Li laughed heartily and did not put on airs. He dismounted his horse and walked straight forward to grab the other man's arm.

"Master Zhang, I am worried about official business and can't sleep late at night. I came here to ask for a bowl of fish soup. Please forgive me for disturbing you."

Zhang Tong's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, but he stroked his long, graying beard and said with a smile, "What are you talking about, County Lord? Although I, Old Zhang, have no extra money, I can still provide you with enough fish and meat. County Lord, please!"

After saying this, Zhang Tong walked arm in arm with County Magistrate Li while instructing the steward beside him, "Xiao Qi, take the officials to the side courtyard and serve them good wine and meat!"

The officers who were originally full of complaints were overjoyed. Led by the captain, they all bowed to express their gratitude.

Zhang Tong led Magistrate Li to the main reception hall. As soon as they sat down, he asked directly, "Are you in trouble, Magistrate Li? If you need my help, please let me know. I will never refuse to help you!"

"Master Zhang is straightforward." County Magistrate Li raised his teacup and said, "This matter is indeed difficult, but it also involves a great fortune."

Zhang Tong narrowed his eyes and leaned forward: "I'd like to hear more."

County Magistrate Li couldn't help but smile when he saw Zhang Tong, a burly man with a leopard head and round eyes, making such a greedy and mercenary expression.

"Master Zhang is well-informed. He should have known long ago that the Wuxing Army stationed east of the city suffered a disaster last night, with the Song army attacking their main camp." County Magistrate Li sighed pretentiously. "Although the losses were not severe, the Wuxing Army felt humiliated and wanted to redeem themselves. They have been making a fuss in front of this county all day, and we have no other recourse but to come to you, Master Zhang, for help."

Zhang Tong picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Oh? How are those ruffians going to get back at us? They can't just cross the river and attack Chuzhou..."

Zhang Tong laughed as if he found this statement ridiculous.

County Magistrate Li's face was as gloomy as water.

Zhang Tong laughed dryly twice, then finally showed surprise on his face: "Could they really want to do this?!"

County Magistrate Li remained silent.

"They're crazy! How dare they challenge us at a time like this! And County Lord Li, you actually agreed to such a ridiculous thing?"

Zhang Tong stood up, paced back and forth, and finally couldn't help complaining.

County Magistrate Li Ya sneered, "The knife is in their hands. What can we do if they are determined to do what they want? If we don't let them attack the Song people, they will attack Lianshui!"

(End of this chapter)