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

Chapter 560: The powerful forces are merging like fire

Just like in the opera picture book, Cao Cao asked Guan Yu to surrender to Liu Bei, but the checkpoints in various places still refused to let him go.

These days, the speed of command transmission is too slow. After the central government makes some decisions, it often takes several days for them to be sent to the specific executors.

At this time, it depends on the executor's decision.

As the main general guarding Yanzhou, Ye Shichan can be regarded as the first general of the Tianping Army after Xin Qiji and others followed Liu Huai south.

In the battle to attack Shizhan Xieye, Ye Shichan led 5,000 troops out of Tai'an Prefecture to launch a feint attack to divert the enemy's attention.

After the war, Ye Shichan led his troops to garrison in Yanzhou, and Shi Baiju was his deputy.

This is exactly what it means to guard a region in peacetime and lead an army in wartime.

Therefore, when Ye Shichan discovered Yelu Xingge's unusual movements in the chaotic situation in Yanzhou, he immediately knew that things were going to be bad. Therefore, while sending a letter to Geng Jing, he personally led his army to chase the migrating Khitan tribe.

Originally, what Ye Shichan feared most was that the Khitan tribe would display their nomadic spirit. Not to mention robbing as they went, even if they let their livestock gnaw on them all the way, no one could afford such a loss during the autumn harvest season.

However, as he chased along the official road, he found that Yelu Xingge was extremely well-behaved. Not only did he not harm the surrounding crops, he did not even trample on them. He just kept moving along the official road.

Ye Shichan thought for a moment and understood. This was because Liu Huai was the most particular about rules, so if Yelu Xingge wanted to defect to him, he had to follow the rules as well.

However, this conclusion was overturned by Ye Shichan himself a few hours later.

The six powerful families in Sishui County, Yanzhou were all killed, and the food in their farms was swept away. Half of it was distributed to the local people, and the other half was taken away by the Khitan tribe.

Ye Shichan was really angry now. Regardless of the fact that the autumn harvest was still going on, he ordered the mobilization of 500 soldiers and horses. Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, which was the day when the military envoy delivered the letter to Geng Jing, he caught up with the Khitan tribe at the border of Yanzhou and Yizhou, and also saw the Flying Tiger flag.

Ye Shichan immediately reined in his horse, and his expression became uncertain.

"General, I just asked the cavalry on the opposite side, and it is indeed Mr. Feihu who is here in person." A scout came on horseback and reported loudly.

"General," one of the generals said immediately, "I have come with ill intentions. I will go and speak with Mr. Feihu. Please, General, hold back for me."

Although Ye Shichan had summoned this general to show his concern for him, he still shook his head: "You are not qualified, and even I am not qualified enough. If I don't go to see you in person, it will give people something to talk about. Don't worry, Feihu Langjun is a reasonable man."

As someone who had witnessed Liu Huai's methods during the night battle of Mengshan and fought alongside him, Ye Shichan would not be negligent, but he would not be too afraid either. After letting his generals lead most of the troops, he only brought a dozen riders to the Flying Tiger flag.

"Mr. Feihu, I haven't seen you for a long time, but you are still as charming as ever." Ye Shichan dismounted from his horse from a distance and walked over.

The Flying Tiger flag was set up on a mound. There were several tables under the flag. Liu Huai sat in the first seat, and on his right were Khitans such as Yelu Xingge, Xiao Pennu, and Li Yizhenjin.

There are only empty spaces on the left.

As the saying goes, you shouldn't hit someone who smiles. Seeing Ye Shichan arrive, Liu Huai smiled and pointed to the empty space on his left hand: "Old Ye, you've come at the right time. I have some tea brought from the Song Kingdom. I heard it's a tribute."

Ye Shichan was not polite either. He took off his helmet, sat cross-legged, picked up the teacup on the table, drank it all in one gulp, and after savoring it carefully for a long time, he said, "Good tea, really good tea."

Liu Huai smiled and said, "Is this really good tea?"

Ye Shichan stroked his beard and smiled, "I come from a wealthy family, so naturally I've tasted good tea. But in my opinion, the quality of tea is only 20% based on the quality of the tea, 80% based on the quality of the water, and the remaining 90% based on who you drink it with. Drinking tea with Dalangjun, even if it's bamboo leaf tea, is still very delicious."

Liu Huai smiled and pointed at Ye Shichan: "Old Ye, why didn't I know you were so good at talking before?"

Ye Shichan put down his teacup, suppressed his smile, sighed, and said, "Sir, I'm going to say something unpleasant next. If I'm wrong, please don't blame me."

Liu Huai gestured with his hand: "Come on."

"What Dalangjun did this time was really too much." Ye Shichan said with a sullen face: "The matter of Yelu Erlang is fine. After all, I know a thing or two about the Khitan people. But..."

Ye Shichan stared at Yelu Xingge fiercely, holding his knife with one hand and said, "But Yelu Erlang has actually started killing people and robbing people. Isn't this a bit too much for me, the Yanzhou garrison commander?"

Yelu Xingge just drank his tea in silence. Li Yizhenjin had an angry look on his face and seemed to want to say something, but when he saw Yelu Xingge's attitude, he also remained silent.

"Yelu Erlang?" Liu Huai asked curiously, "Besides the few families in Sishui County, did you kill anyone else?"

Yelu Xingge immediately stood up and bowed, using the courtesy of a subordinate, saying, "My Lord, apart from those few families, no one else has been harmed."

Liu Huai nodded in satisfaction, then said to Ye Shichan sternly, "I was the one who ordered the execution of those families in Sishui County."

Ye Shichan suddenly stood up, holding his knife and staring at Liu Huai, saying, "Big Brother, you are acting like this. Aren't you afraid of causing discord between our two families? In Big Brother's eyes, do we, the Tianping Army, are also your subordinates? You come to kill the people under my rule today, will you kill me tomorrow?!"

Facing the other party's questioning, Liu Huai was not angry: "Luo Erlang."

Luo Huaiyan and Bi Zaiyu walked to the center of the venue carrying a small wooden box with dozens of books in it.

"Luo Erlang, pick up any book and read it."

"Here!" Luo Huaiyan pulled a diary from the box, opened it, and read: "June 15th Diary, Sishui County, Peiwei Town, Xiaohu Village, Hu Liuan's words." "Sishui County Magistrate Cui Liang sent people to buy their family's land. His father refused, and Cui Liang's dogs mauled him to death."

"His father-in-law and his two brothers-in-law went to seek justice, but they were intercepted and killed by local soldiers on the way and were labeled bandits."

"Hu Liuan fled to Fei County with 30 people, including himself and his wife's family."

"We have examined his father's body and found that he was indeed mauled to death by hounds."

Luo Huaiyan looked at Ye Shichan, whose face had turned somewhat grim, and turned a page before continuing, "June 16th Diary, Sishui County, Changweizi, what He Chang said."

"He went to the county to buy medicinal herbs and was detained. The chief clerk asked his wife and children to redeem him with the land deed."

"Only after he was released did he learn that his wife and son had disappeared as soon as they entered the city, and they were not found until they fled with their family."

After Luo Huaiyan finished speaking, he looked at Yelu Xingge.

Yelu Xingge said in a deep voice, "We found him. He was buried in the backyard of the chief clerk. There were seven women in his cellar, three of whom were already crazy. I have brought them all here. Would you like to see them, General Ye?"

Ye Shichan had fallen completely silent at this time.

Luo Huaiyan casually picked up the book and read for a moment before saying, "General Ye, we have all the witnesses and evidence, as well as confessions. If you still don't believe me, I can take you to the camp in Fei County and ask them in person."

Seeing Ye Shichan was silent, Liu Huai pointed at Bi Zaiyu and said, "This is Bi Zaiyu, the commander of my personal guards. Bi Dalang, his father, Bi Gong, was from Yanzhou and died in the battle of Chao County. This time, I want to return to my hometown to choose a burial site for Bi Gong, so I asked him to find a way to investigate."

Bi Zaiyou bowed in response.

"I originally thought he would have to go through some trouble and outmaneuver local officials and wealthy individuals to get to the bottom of it."

"But who knew that the wealthy families in Yanzhou were so bold and daring, doing everything openly and honestly. It was effortless at all."

"After further investigation, I found out that all the officials in Yanzhou are from local wealthy families. These people suddenly became famous and powerful. After the upper echelons opened the way, they naturally acted without restraint."

In the feudal era and even in modern times, if local officials were unable to defeat the powerful, or if they joined forces with the powerful, the people would suffer such a terrible fate.

After losing this last bit of restraint, local tyrants will not hide their evil deeds, but will directly do them to the extent of "I don't eat beef".

As for things like "the pond in the mountains belongs to us" and "forcing the people to wear mourning for their dogs", these are indeed normal practices.

Ye Shichan opened his mouth to say something, but fell silent. After a long moment, he said, "So, you, Lord, want to speak up for the people?"

"Isn't it possible?" Liu Huai said with a disdainful look, "Do you still remember why your Tianping Army started the rebellion? Do you know why my Zhongyi Army started the rebellion?"

"It's to kill the gold thieves! And you are now becoming the new gold thieves!"

By the end, Liu Huai had become very angry.

Ye Shichan's face turned ashen.

Liu Huai's tone softened again: "Of course, Old Ye, you also come from a wealthy family, so you can't empathize with me. Maybe when I say I'm doing it for the people, you think I'm playing the big shot."

"Then I'll put it another way."

"Those people in Sishui County don't take me seriously, and I'm very angry."

"I set the rules, but they don't follow them. If this continues, how can I command the heroes under my command? Therefore, I must kill them!"

Ye Shichan was irritated by this forced argument and laughed, "Lord, I know your reputation, but why do you think the Tianping Army needs to obey the orders of you, the commander-in-chief of the Jingnan Army?"

Liu Huai poured himself a cup of tea, looked up and said, "If you don't obey, it means you are not afraid of me. Old Ye, are you afraid of me?"

Ye Shichan fell silent for a moment, not knowing whether he thought Liu Huai was too arrogant or because he was really afraid of him. He immediately bowed and turned away.

Only after he mounted his horse did he speak loudly, "General Liu, you alone cannot decide the affairs of the world!"

Liu Huai also responded loudly: "A person who governs his country in such a mess has no right to discuss world affairs with me!"

Ye Shichan rolled his eyes in frustration, then rode away on his horse.

After Ye Shichan left, Liu Huai said to Yelu Xingge, "Yelu Erlang, why don't you introduce the people around you now?"

Yelu Xingge immediately stood up and said, "These three are from Liaodong. They are all heroes of our Khitan righteous army. They are Yelu Kuli, Yelu Zhaba, and Yelu Old Monk."

The three remnants of the Khitan uprising army stood up and saluted at the same time: "Greetings, Lord Commander."

Liu Huai was slightly stunned.

He originally thought that these three people were the tribal leaders newly promoted by Yelu Xingge. How could there be a Khitan uprising army involved here?
(End of this chapter)