Unbeknownst to Cai Ji, a series of policies she had made were subtly influencing other princes of the same period. However, she herself does have plans to open a department in Jizhou at this time. It is said that since Cao Cao conquered Yecheng and besieged Handan, the situation in the entire Jizhou has also become clear. Cai Ji has occupied most of Jizhou's counties in the past year and began to march into Youzhou. Although Cao Cao only took Zhao County and half of Wei County, he could be regarded as opening the way to Merge Prefecture. As long as there is no serious change, the division of the forces between the two sides in Heshuo is a foregone conclusion. Therefore, the focus of the open and secret struggle between Cai Ji and Cao Cao has shifted from military to political.

However, politics is different from the military, and it is mixed with too much soft power, such as prestige, righteousness, and rights. In terms of government affairs alone, Cai Ji has the help of local strategists such as Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and Wang Xiu, and is backed by two thousand years of historical experience, and can defeat any prince in the same period. Just as it was also tax-free, Cao Cao had to wait for the officials under him to write a letter to the people to say that the people could not afford the taxes, so he reluctantly reduced the local taxes. Cai Ji knew from the beginning that the people of Jizhou, who had just experienced the devastation of war, could not afford to pay heavy taxes. So with a stroke of her pen, she simply exempted the taxes that could not be collected, and sold them to the people of Jizhou.

However, when it comes to soft power such as prestige and righteousness, Cai Ji's disadvantages are very obvious. The old and strong Cao Cao is just a talent for two decades, and Cai Ji, who is a woman in his life, is beyond reach. Not to mention that Cao Cao is still holding the banner of the Han Dynasty. As long as Liu Xie of Xu Du stamped it, he could easily exchange a few empty titles for the support of the wealthy family of Jizhou. Of course. As the so-called county officials are not as good as the current management, in the eyes of the local clan heroes, the "real shortage" in Cai Ji's hands is still more attractive than Xu Du's "empty title". It's just that it's really lacking, and it's impossible to give it to whoever you want like an empty title. After all, if the local officials' character is too poor and the standard is too low, it will directly shake Cai Ji's rule. How to win over local forces in personnel appointments, check and balance local forces, and ensure the quality of officials has become a difficult problem in front of Cai Ji and even in front of the vast majority of princes.

At present, Cai Ji's opening of the department is the most practical way to solve this problem. Although compared to the imperial examination system in later generations. Donglai's opening of the branch was not perfect, and even had the remnants of the probation system. But after all, it integrated the local forces of Qing and Xu for Cai Ji. Now the territory of Jizhou conquered by Cai Ji is larger than the combined Qing and Xu Prefectures she originally occupied, and the population is even larger. The forces are also more complicated. It is naturally imperative to open a branch in Jizhou.

However, while Cai Ji was planning to open a branch to take scholars, he did not forget to make a stumbling block for Cao Cao. During the siege of Hejian City, Cai Ji took the time to write an excerpt for Cao Cao to ask for the title of prime minister. In the first month or so, there was no reaction from Xu Du's side. provoked Cai Ji to think that Liu Xie had secretly dealt with his own twists. Fortunately, the news she had been waiting for for a long time finally came from Xu Du.

It is said that Liu Xie wanted to leave the excerpt that Cai Ji asked for Cao Cao to be sealed, but somehow this matter spread outside the palace. A cadre of imperial historians led by Zhao Yan, a member of the council, directly questioned Liu Xie in the early court later if there was such a matter. Under the vigorous questioning of a minister, Liu Xie finally admitted that it was indeed true under pressure, and also showed Cai Ji's recital in public. At that time, the main hall could really be said to be a stone that stirred up a thousand waves, there were those who shouted that the law of the ancestors was immutable, there were those who scolded Cao Cao's wolf ambition to be Dong Zhuo's second, and there were also those who sang praises for Cao Cao, and those who thought that Cao Cao's merits were enough to worship the prime minister. Of course, there are also people who scold Cai Ji for becoming inflammatory.

No, in the Qi army camp outside Hejian City, Cai Ji fiddled with the letters sent by Kong Rong and others that scolded people without dirty words. smiled helplessly, "Lonely, this time can be regarded as the target of the public." ”

Seeing this, Cui Lin, who was sitting on the side, hurriedly smiled at Cai Ji and said, "If the Lord is the target of the public, then Cao Cao is on top of the fire." ”

Truly. Compared with Cai Ji, who only received a few letters, Cao Cao at this time is really on the cusp. Both opponents and cronies are waiting for him to make a statement. But Cao Cao, who was besieging Yuan Shang in Handan, remained silent, making it difficult for people to figure out his attitude. So in the face of Cui Lin's flattery, Cai Ji put the letter away noncommittally and said, "Oh? What Gu saw was that Cao Cao was very calm in Handan. ”

Cai Ji's words just fell. Jia Xu, who was sitting opposite Cui Lin, took a sip of tea, and suddenly said, "Jiang Taigong is fishing." ”

Cai Ji glanced back at Jia Xu in surprise, but saw that the latter was leisurely drinking tea, and did not mean to explain further. However, Cai Ji immediately understood what he meant. That's right, the monarchs and ministers of Xu Du are certainly waiting for Cao Cao to make a statement, and Cao Cao of Handan is not waiting for the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty to stand in line. It can be seen that Kong Rong and the others who wrote to scold themselves at this time are not stupid, but they are very smart.

However, whether it is Cao Cao's statement or Cao Cao's other ministers standing in line, at least in the near future, it is inconvenient for Cao Cao to privately confer official titles in the name of Emperor Han. And some of the more prestigious families in Jizhou will also take a wait-and-see attitude. As long as these two points are satisfied, Cai Ji's purpose of mixing the water can be regarded as achieved. If she continues to make peace, not only will it be self-defeating, but she will also turn the attention of her ministers from Cao Cao to herself. If that's the case, it's really worth the loss. So Cai Ji immediately pretended to sigh and said, "That's it, Xu Du can't go through the muddy water this time, it's better to be honest and conquer the city in Heshuo." ”

Jia Xu raised his glass to his lips, and when he heard Cai Ji say this, a subtle smile rose at the corner of his mouth. At this moment, there was a sudden sound of horns outside the tent, and Cui Lin thought that there was an enemy attack, so he immediately stood up excitedly. Cai Ji raised his hand to stop Cui Lin and said, "Don't be surprised. Listening to this trumpet, it must be Wen Yuan and the others who have arrived. ”

Sure enough, as soon as Cai Ji's words fell, someone outside the tent reported, "Your Excellency, General Zhang and Pang Junshi ask to see you." ”

It turned out that Cai Ji did not rush to attack the city after the soldiers surrounded Hejian, but on the one hand let Tuduqi dig tunnels to place explosives, and on the other hand, he sent soldiers and horses to sweep Hejian, Anping, and Zhongshan counties. At the same time, Zhang Liao and Pang Tong, who were far away in eastern Liao, led 5,000 soldiers and horses all the way south along the Bohai Bay to capture some county towns in Yuyang, Guangyang, and Zhuo County. Now, around the lonely city and the river, the Qi army has occupied a large area of land in Jizhou and Youzhou.

When Cai Ji walked out of the tent. Zhang Liao, Pang Tong and others have already dismounted. Since Zhang Liaobu was stationed near the river, they only brought forty horse archers with them. The archers are the product of the combination of Donglai stirrups and Liaodong soldiers, and they are also a great weapon for Zhang Liao to sweep Youzhou. However, in addition to this team of archers, there were also two special people who came to the camp with Zhang Liao and others. They are Jin Dunqi's advocacy of inheritance and the little Taoist Wang Yun.

It is said that Zhang Jiji and Wang Yun are both Taiping Dao people, which is a well-known thing. However, when Yu Ji went to Yijing with Cai Ji to "seek wealth", the two of them did not accompany him. Even if Yu Ji was later named the Great Chen Guoshi by Yuan Shao, the two were still unmoved, and led a group of Taiping sect members to stay in Jinxi Tun to reclaim the fields. It's like a posture of getting rid of Yu Ji. But even so. For security reasons, Cai Ji's expedition to Jizhou has not moved the Jin Dunqi so far, nor has he asked about the situation of the Taiping sect members in Jinxi City. Therefore, the appearance of Zhang Jiji and Wang Yun at this time somewhat surprised Cai Ji.

However, Zhang Jiji and Wang Yun did not ask Cai Jixing for his death. On the contrary, the two respectfully saluted in unison with Zhang Liao and Pang, "I've seen the Lord." ”

Cai Ji glanced at the four of them with interest. Raising his hand, he said, "Zhang Qi Master and Wang Dao Chang are also here." ”

Zhang Jiji, who heard Cai Ji's voice, hurriedly bowed his head and said loyally, "The grass people and others are deeply favored by the Lord in Jinxi. I am willing to do my little bit for the Lord. ”

Although Zhang Jiji expressed his stance on behalf of the Taiping sect in Jinxi, Cai Ji still stood in place without making a sound. Seeing this, Cui Lin on the side remembered that there were rumors about Ji, so he unceremoniously scolded Zhang Ji for Cai Ji, "Weak strength? Is it like the demon road Yuji? ”

Cai Ji secretly praised Cui Lin's interest in his heart, while staring at Zhang Jiji and Wang Yun and waiting for them to answer. It is undeniable that after the assassin incident on the day of the engagement, Cai Ji still has some shadows on Taiping Dao. These sectarians are like a double-edged sword, if used well, it is naturally a boost, and if you don't use it well, you will hurt yourself. So Cai Ji had to be cautious at this time.

Facing Cui Lin's questioning, Zhang Jiji's face showed an anxious look. But before he could refute it. The young Wang Yun on the side had already taken the lead in saying to Cai Ji, "Lord Mingjian, the Taiping sect members who stayed in Jinxi have never disobeyed Yu Ji, and they have no second heart for the Lord. ”

Cai Ji was unmoved, and instead said bluntly without hesitation. "Yu Jinai was killed by Lone, and Pseudo-Chen was also destroyed by Lone, and Lone will not serve Taiping Dao as the state religion, and you will still serve Lonely?"

"Yu Ji's Heavenly Kingdom is only for his own selfish desires, and has nothing to do with our Taiping Sect members. We know that the Lord has given us land, sheep and cattle, and grain. so that we can live and work in peace and contentment. When Wang Yun said this, he raised his head and looked at Cai Ji's eyes and said word by word, "It doesn't matter whether Taiping Dao is a state religion or not, only those who can cause peace are our lords." ”

"But what he said is right, the one who can bring peace is our lord." Zhang Jiji echoed. Zhang Jiji, who is also a member of the Taiping Daoists, has always looked down on Yu Ji's style of pretending to be a ghost and clinging to the powerful. But in the troubled times, Kong has a body of force, except for robbery, he really can't support the old and weak. So he had to follow Yu Ji and cooperate with Lin Fei to form the Five Elements Escape Banner to dig graves and dig graves. Therefore, after Cai Ji settled the sect members in Jinxi City, Zhang Jiji soon parted ways with Yu Ji. At this time, Wang Yun's words even spoke Zhang Jiji's heart. The reason why they responded to General Tiangong's call to raise troops against the Han Dynasty was not so that the common people could have food, land to plant, and live a peaceful life. As for whether he is a national teacher or not, whether he is a national religion or not, he Zhang Jicai is too lazy to care. Yu Ji died well early.

Cai Ji was also touched by Wang Yun's sentence "Those who can bring peace to our lords" touched a certain feeling in his heart. Don't look at Wang Yun's age, but he is the nephew of Tiangong General Zhang Jiao, and he has a certain appeal in Taiping Dao. If it weren't for that, Yu Ji wouldn't have kept him with him all the time. Therefore, Wang Yun and Zhang Jiji's statements can indeed be regarded as the attitude of Jinxi Taiping Road. So Cai Ji happily announced, "Since you have the heart to be obedient to the people, I will give you another chance." Don't let Gu down like Yu Ji did. ”

"Whoa." Zhang Jiji and Wang Yun both thanked each other.

After Cai Ji dealt with Jinxi Taiping Road, he turned his attention to Zhang Liao and Pang Tong. I haven't seen each other for two years, and both of them have undergone significant changes in temperament. Zhang Liao swept away the depression at the beginning, and he was full of spirit and demeanor. And Pang Tong has also grown from a shy boy wearing a face towel in his early years to a capable young man with confident eyes and a calm bearing. Thinking of the series of achievements of the two of them in Liaodong, Cai Ji even praised with a smile like a spring breeze, "Wen Yuan, Shi Yuan, you have worked hard all these years. ”

"The Lord has won the prize. It is our duty to defend the territory and protect the territory. Zhang Liao and Pang Tong clasped their fists side by side and excused.

"Don't be too modest. Lone Ke heard that Er and the others showed their might in Liaodong, and beat Gongsun Du to the armor and fled in a hurry. In particular, General Wenyuan led his troops deep into Fuyu, attacking the east and west, and dismantling the alliance between Gongsun Du and Buyeo. It is said that the name of Wenyuan has killed all the children in Liaodong, but is there such a thing? Come, come, come, talk to Gu about what's going on. Cai Ji said as he took Zhang Liao with his left hand and Pang Tong with his right hand, and walked towards the big tent surrounded by a cadre of civil and military personnel.

After entering the account, all the civil and military officials sat down according to the ceremony, Zhang Liao and Pang Tong were meritorious ministers, so they naturally sat next to Cai Ji on the left and right. Seeing that Cai Ji was so interested in the Battle of Jinxi. Zhang Liao and Pang Tong explained the ins and outs of the entire battle in detail, of course, Pang Tong deliberately concealed the application of artillery. In fact, about the general process of the Battle of Jinxi, the people of Qi Yingzhong have also heard about it. It's just that Jinxi is located in the wilderness of eastern Liaodong, and it broke out at the time of Cao Yuan's struggle for hegemony, so it didn't attract much attention. And after some narration by the parties concerned, everyone including Cai Ji realized that the battle that took place in the frozen soil of Liaodong was no less thrilling than the battle of Guandu in the Central Plains.

"Twenty thousand against one hundred thousand! It's amazing! Cui Lin sighed sincerely. At the same time, looking at the expressions of Pang Tong and Zhang Liao, there was also a hint of awe. In particular, Pang Tong is similar to Cui Lin in age, and I heard that he was still from a poor family, but he was able to achieve such a record. This made Cui Lin feel ashamed, but also a little more expected for his future under Cai Ji.

It is undeniable that after the battle of Jinxi, Pang Tong completely found his self-confidence. Now he doesn't care as much about how he looks, or tries to prove himself to others. Therefore, Pang Tong at this time did not get carried away in the face of Cui Lin's exclamation, but waved his hand truthfully, "No, Gongsun Du is fraudulently claiming 100,000 soldiers and horses, and in fact, it is only 50,000 at most." ”

"Even 50,000 is twice as much as the Jinxi defenders. This battle is truly remarkable. When Cai Ji said this, he asked with a look on his face, "But I don't know how Gongsun Du is now?" ”

Small Theatre Hours:

Little Phoenix: Wen Yuan and I are on the scene again~(≧▽≦)/~Lalala~Everyone, let's have a flower~Let's hold a show~

Cui Lin Star Eye: Seniors sign it~~~

Zhang Liao lowered his head and played soy sauce passing by~~~ (to be continued)