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

Chapter 22: Heroes have always emerged from humble beginnings (Part )
Zhang Tong turned around suddenly, losing his previous politeness, and stared directly into Magistrate Li's eyes with his lightning-like eyes: "They dare?!"

"Why wouldn't they dare..." County Magistrate Li sighed sincerely.

"The Great Jin was founded on military power. It has always been the army that owns the state, not the state that owns the army. This was established when the two eastern and western routes, totaling 200,000 households, swallowed up the Liao and destroyed the Song."

County Magistrate Li revealed the essence of the Jin Dynasty in one sentence.

"In addition to the Wanhu Dutong, the army also consists of Meng'an and Mouke. In other words, the Meng'an and Mouke system was the foundation of the Great Jin Dynasty.

Even if His Majesty wants to do something, he needs to satisfy these people's appetites. For example, in the past few years, the hereditary Meng'an Moukes have been allowed to enclose land in the Central Plains in order to gain their support for the Southern Expedition.

"Now, as a county magistrate, I have absolutely no power to control the decisions made by Xingjun Meng'an on the front lines. The only person who can control him right now is in Xuzhou!" County Magistrate Li took a few deep breaths and continued, "But they want an explanation by the morning of the next day at the latest. Either our county will cooperate in attacking Chuzhou, or they will massacre Lianshui to enrich themselves and then attack Chuzhou. Even if our county wants to file a complaint, there's simply no time left."

Zhang Tong sneered and was about to ask in return, "With only a thousand men, they thought they could capture Lianshui County?" But then he remembered that County Magistrate Li had already let the Wuxing Army into the city that morning, and he couldn't help but stamp his feet.

County Magistrate Li knew what Zhang Tong was about to say, and he spread his hands and said, "I know I lost my mind in a moment of panic, but now that things have come to this, I really have no other choice. For now, my only option is to mobilize a fleet of boats to quickly transport them across the river. Once they've vented their anger, we'll quickly return. That's all."

Zhang Tong looked up and thought for a moment before finally letting out a long sigh. "This isn't a matter of just getting in and out quickly. We might have to confront the Song navy. County Master Li, this is too risky. It truly is too risky."

"So, you need to take the Wuxing Army directly to the port of Chuzhou, and you need to be quick. The Song army hasn't set up a water camp yet, but the navy is already at the port. As long as you land the Wuxing Army, everything will be settled!"

"Crossing the river in white clothes?" Although Zhang Tong couldn't read a single word, he had heard storytellers talk about the Three Kingdoms. "This is a business that cuts off our retreat! If I do this, I will completely discredit the Song Dynasty. Don't say it's done secretly. We all make a living from the grain transport business, so who doesn't know who?

"When that happens, hey, I, Old Zhang, will be a bad name in the business world up and down the Dahe River. Mr. Li, tell me, why did I want to get involved in this muddy water?"

Magistrate Li flicked his sleeve and held up a finger. "First, Mr. Zhang, speak honestly. I've been an official in Lianshui for two years. I've punished people, beaten people, and even killed people. But no matter how taboo your business practices may have been, I've never touched a hair on your head. Do you admit this?"

Zhang Tong nodded slowly. "It is indeed the County Lord's kindness. If it weren't for the County Lord covering up for me, I would have been skinned alive if not dead."

County Magistrate Li nodded in satisfaction. "Secondly, this time the Jin's southern expedition is like a mountain pressing down on us. This county won't make any empty promises about the Song Dynasty no longer existing. Taking over Huaibei and Huaibei is absolutely no problem. I believe you know better than I do what the Song army is like. Are you still worried about whether or not to hate the Song? There will be no Song people anymore! This is all Jin territory!"

Zhang Tong continued to nod.

Seeing Zhang Tong's understanding, County Magistrate Li offered him a piece of candy. "Third, the Wuxing Army is a war force, accompanying the main army on the southern expedition. They can't take the looted property and women with them; they must all be exchanged for gold and silver. This business is enough for you to make a fortune. This is what I call a fortune."

Zhang Tong stroked his gray beard, paced back and forth a few steps, and then quickly approached County Magistrate Li, his face full of flattery and greed. "County Magistrate Li, does this mean we only have this one chance to fight for our lives?"

County Magistrate Li narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Tong said cautiously, "The water network in Lianghuai is dense. If the Jin army marches south, they will definitely need to requisition boats. Can we..."

County Magistrate Li sighed and placed the teacup heavily on the table. “Mr. Zhang, since you don’t want to, I will leave immediately!” After saying that, County Magistrate Li made a gesture to stand up.

Zhang Tong hurriedly pushed the other person back into the chair: "I didn't say I didn't want to... I didn't say that!"

County Magistrate Li snorted coldly, "Master Zhang, you are so ignorant. It's easy for this county to deal with you with lies. What's the point of giving you a guarantee today? But don't you think about it? If His Majesty personally leads the army here, what use will this county's guarantee be?"

After taking a few deep breaths, Magistrate Li looked at the flustered Zhang Tong and said sincerely, "How about this, Mr. Zhang? The county can guarantee that your entire family, a hundred sailors, and two large ships will not be conscripted. Even if something happens, you will still have some capital. How about this?"

Zhang Tong lowered his head and thought for a moment before finally agreeing: "Let's do it! Three hundred men and horses, I'll dispatch twenty steamships the next morning, which will be enough to transport them over."

"There are more than 300 soldiers and horses, there are also 500 signed soldiers, plus a lot of food and supplies." County Magistrate Li reminded.

"I have ten large ships that can't return. I'll send all the remaining thirty large steamships, plus fifty small boats, to transport them all at once." Zhang Tong's tone had become somewhat vicious, and he pounded his fist into his palm. "How about this?"

County Magistrate Li also breathed a sigh of relief. "Master Zhang, this is settled. Also, this matter should be kept between you and me. Don't spread it outside. If you leak military secrets, even if this county wants to forgive you, the Wuxing Army won't."

"My Lord, I know the seriousness of this matter."

Zhang Tong was also very decisive and immediately shouted, "Seventh Brother! Seventh Brother! Come here quickly, there's a big deal!"

Seeing Zhang Tong start to discuss serious matters, County Magistrate Li stood up and said goodbye with a smile, politely declining Zhang Tong's invitation to stay. He also ignored the county official who was still eating and drinking in the side room, and left quickly with his attendants.

He still has a lot of preparation to do.

However, what County Magistrate Li didn't know was that as soon as he stepped out of the door, the cunning and flattering look on Zhang Tong's face had disappeared, replaced by a mocking sneer.

"I really didn't expect that someone could fall into such a trap. Could it really be that God is blessing the Song Dynasty?"

The middle-aged man named Xiao Qi was silent for a moment beside Zhang Tong, then asked, "Captain, I still don't understand why the Wuxing Army is sending troops?"

Zhang Tong sneered as usual: "What else can I do? The general Zhang Yu from the Wuxing Army is dead, and those generals are desperate under the military law of beheading. This brat Li Ya still wants to fool me... Hey..."

Xiao Qi nodded suddenly, then asked, "What should we do then?"

"What can we do?" Zhang Tong scratched his gray hair, looking impatient. "Go in person and tell Wei Dadao everything. Tell him that if he doesn't do anything, the Jin thieves will attack us the next morning!"

(End of this chapter)