Two days later, on October 25, the four-county coalition led by Zhao Yu and Yang Ding finally returned to the starting place, that is, the camp on the south bank of the Shahe River.

When Zhai Shang and Tian Xu retreated before dawn, in order to avoid alarming the pursuing soldiers of Ye County, they did not dare to set fire to this empty village, so that now it has fallen into the hands of the Ye County army.

According to Zhao Yu's conversation with Yang Ding, Yang Ding was ready to treat it as an 'outpost' or something.

After briefly discussing some cooperation in the coming year, Zhao Yu returned to Kunyang with the coalition forces of Kunyang, Xiangcheng, and Runan counties.

At this time, Kunyang had learned that Zhao Yu led the main army back to the county seat, led by Xun Yi, the governor of the western post, Liu Bi, the county commander, and Li Xu, the county governor, and the people of the city welcomed the victorious army.

Seeing this shocking scene, Zou Bu, the county lieutenant of Xiangcheng, said to Huang Ben, the county lieutenant of Runan County, in disbelief: "This Zhou Hu, when did he have such a high prestige in Kunyang?" ”

Huang Ben also shook his head inexplicably, and it could be seen that he also felt incredible.

You must know that more than a year ago, this Zhou Hu and his black tiger thieves were also facing the encirclement and suppression of the 'Five Counties Alliance', who would have thought that in less than two years, this Zhou Hu would become the leader of Kunyang County, and his local prestige and status were above the county commander Liu Bi and the county Cheng Li Xu, which is really incredible.

He said to Zou Bu privately: "What about him? I've fulfilled the prefectural order, but I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore......"

After saying this, Huang Ben said goodbye to Zhao Yu and prepared to return to the county seat with the Runan County Army under his command.

Of course, Zhao Yu could see that Huang Ben still had a little bit of a problem with him and the Black Tigers, but he didn't care, because Liu Yi, the commander of Runan County, had already shown favor to him frequently, and Huang Ben, as the county lieutenant of Runan County, how could he go against the wishes of the county order? - Not to mention, the contradiction between Liu Yi and Huang Ben has not been eliminated so far.

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhao Yu even has a way to change Runan County to a county lieutenant, but there is no need, after all, Huang Ben is still very capable, and his talent is not inferior to Ma Gai.

For future consideration, Zhao Yu decided to win over Huang Ben.

Based on this, he smiled and said to Huang Ben: "County Lieutenant Huang helped me Kunyang to inflict heavy losses on the rebels this time, how can I Kunyang let the county lieutenant and the county guards of your county return to the county seat without saying anything?" It's better to do this, I sent someone to inform Liu County to order, and I will wait in Kunyang to celebrate. ”

Although Huang Ben didn't want to deal with Zhou Hu anymore, it was not good to reject the latter's invitation in person, after all, if he dared to do this, not to mention that the soldiers and civilians in Kunyang would hate him, and even Liu Yi, the commander of Runan County, couldn't spare him - why did he Runan County assist Kunyang in pursuing the rebels in vain? Isn't it Liu Yi who wants to ask for this Zhou Hu?

Therefore, even if Huang Ben is reluctant, he has to accept it.

On the other hand, Zhao Yu also said the same thing to Zou Bu, the county lieutenant of Xiangcheng, compared to Huang Ben, Zou Bu was not very disgusted with Zhou Hu and his black tigers, and even Zou Bu himself hoped to make up for the contradiction with the county commander Wang Yong by getting closer to Zhou Hu and others.

That's right, at the beginning, due to the 'bewitchment' of Yang Ding, the county commander of Ye County, Huang Ben and Zou Bu assisted the Ye County army in attacking Heihu Village when Liu Yi and Wang Yong were still hostages in Heihu Village, which once put Liu Yi and Wang Yong in danger.

Xiangcheng County Commander Wang Yong's attitude is unknown for the time being, but Runan County Lieutenant Huang Ben knows that if it weren't for the rebels entering this time, Liu Yi, the county commander of Runan County, would probably have removed him from his post long ago.

On the same day, Zhao Yu, as the lieutenant of Kunyang County, ordered the three armies to be rewarded, and at the same time set up a shed in the county government and held a banquet to celebrate, but all meritorious officials were invited, including Huang Ben and Zou Bu.

In order to support the 'sacrifice army' of the county government, the merchants in the city offered a batch of wine, Zhao Yu left ten altars, and the rest were given to the Black Tiger People, the Kunyang County Army, the Brotherhood militia, and the county officials of Xiangcheng and Runan counties.

Although because of the large number of people, everyone can't share much, but the atmosphere of celebration in Kunyang City is still very strong.

That night, the snow became heavier and heavier, but this did not affect the post-war celebrations in Kunyang City.

Everywhere in the city, there are bonfires everywhere, and there are Kunyang pawns who are having fun everywhere.

If there is anything that is incompatible with the festivities in the city, it is tens of thousands of captives, holding in their hands the salt rice balls distributed by the Kunyang people, fearing the fate they are about to suffer, but fortunately, Cao Wu, the former Changsha righteous master who has been 'rebelled' in Kunyang, comforts them.

At the banquet in the county government, Zhao Yu took the initiative to show favor to Huang Ben and Zou Bu, and he said cryptically: "...... As far as I know, the two of them may have a disagreement with the two county commanders Liu and Wang, and when Zhou goes to Guixian in the coming day, he will personally explain to the two county magistrates Liu and Wang, and persuade the two county magistrates to let go of their prejudices against the two of you. ”

Under Zhao Yu's assurance, not to mention that Zou Bu, the county lieutenant of Xiangcheng, was very happy, and immediately expressed his closeness to Zhao Yu with interest, even Huang Ben, the county lieutenant of Runan who had prejudices against the black tigers, also had a good impression of Zhao Yu - although he also understood that the leader of the black tiger thieves wanted to win him over.

At dawn the next day, due to the snowfall, Huang Ben and Zou Bu respectively bid farewell to Zhao Yu.

There is no way, after all, if it drags on any longer, the weather will be worse, even the county magistrates of Runan and Xiangcheng counties hope to return to their respective counties as soon as possible.

After learning of this, Zhao Yu, as the lieutenant of Kunyang County, took Ma Gai and Wu Zhi out of the city to see them off in person, and brushed a lot of good feelings in the hearts of Huang Ben and Zou Bu.

The rebels were repulsed, and the county troops of Xiangcheng and Runan, who had fought a day job for Kunyang, also left, and it seemed that there would be nothing to do next? Everybody reads

Wrong!

Zhao Yu has a lot of things to deal with.

On the same day, after seeing off Huang Ben and Zou Bu, Zhao Yu immediately returned to the county government to hold a meeting, in addition to the old faces of the past, Ju Sheng and the newly surrendered Cao Wu were also invited.

Cao Wu, who was a newcomer, had no experience, and when he was distressed, Ju Sheng said to him privately: "You just came, shut up and listen, unless Leader Zhou has any orders, you don't have to squeak, so as not to let others have any ideas...... By the way, you know the soldiers in Kunyang City, divided into 'black scarves', 'green scarves', and 'yellow scarves', of which the green scarves are the county army, which is in charge of the county lieutenant Ma Gai, although the leader of Zhou is now also named the lieutenant of Kunyang County by Yingchuan County, but I guess he will not actually be in charge of the county army, and the remaining 'black scarves' and 'yellow scarves' are all the forces of the Zhou chief, the yellow scarves are the militia in the city, and the black scarves are the black tigers, compared to the former, the latter is more reused. …… If the Zhou leader asks you where you want to go in the future, you know how to answer? ”

Cao Wu is not stupid, where will he not understand after Ju Sheng mentions something?

He nodded, and asked with a somewhat complicated expression, "Why did you take the initiative to reveal this to me?" ”

Ju Sheng didn't hide it, and said truthfully: "Chief Zhou's attitude towards you and me will greatly affect Kunyang's attitude, but this may not apply to everyone, you and I should unite in order to have a way out...... In addition, the second battalion of our brigade is still lacking a deputy position. ”

Regarding Ju Sheng's first half of the sentence, Cao Wu also thought so, thinking that the two of them should indeed unite, but as for Ju Sheng's immediate ...... Please, both of them were originally Qu generals, why do you want me to be your deputy?

So Cao Wu simply didn't pick up the stubble.

A moment later, Cao Wu and Ju Sheng came to the county government together.

Under Ju Sheng's reminder, Cao Wu originally wanted to be a low-key person, but to his surprise, Zhao Yu said in the first paragraph of the meeting: "Everyone, before starting today's meeting, let me wait to welcome the new Cao Wu and Cao Qujiang. ”

Subsequently, Zhao Yu took the lead in applauding, and the people below also applauded when they saw it.

This statement certainly made Cao Wu feel flattered, but at the same time, he also felt that not everyone in the room welcomed him, and the reason why these people applauded was just that they didn't want to offend the leader of Zhou.

Therefore, Cao Wu also behaved in a very low-key manner, clasping his fists and saying to everyone: "Thank you." …… I may have done something offensive to you before, so please forgive me. ”

Seeing that Cao Wu was so low-key, the attitude of a few people in the house was slightly better, such as Wang Qing, who had squinted at Cao Wu from the beginning, and then Shi Yuan, Chen Gui, and so on from the county army.

Zhao Yu could naturally feel that the atmosphere was still a little stiff, but he didn't care, and said with a smile: "Okay, let's put it in the future, there are a few things in Kunyang that must be implemented as soon as possible...... First, the question of captives. ”

『……』

Cao Wu held his breath and subconsciously looked at Zhao Yu.

Of course, he knew that this pursuit battle between Kunyang and Yexian had captured many soldiers of the righteous master, and he was also eager to know how the Zhou leader would deal with those prisoners.

Under Cao Wu's attention, under the attention of everyone, Zhao Yu looked around at the people in the house, and said in a deep voice: "Although we encountered some troubles on the way and sacrificed some soldiers on the way to pursue the rebels, on the whole, the gains were far greater than the sacrifices. This time, I Kunyang captured nearly 9,000 rebel soldiers and more than 3,000 puppet thieves......"

“……”

When everyone in the room was amazed, Cao Wu's face changed slightly.

He knew that what the Zhou leader was talking about was the results of the 'pursuit', and did not include the two or three thousand nominal soldiers who surrendered to Kunyang when he surrendered.

And it means that on the way to pursue the righteous division in Kunyang and Yexian, they at least broke through the two armies of the righteous division......

I have to say that Cao Wu guessed very accurately, this time Zhao Yu and Yang Ding pursued the rebels, and indeed defeated the two armies of Zhai Shang and Tian Xu under Guan Shuo, in addition to the thousands of rebels left by Guan Shuo for the purpose of 'short-tail survival', which can be described as heavy losses.

And the '9,000 rebel prisoners' captured by Kunyang were also from the three armies of Guan Shuo, Zhai Shang, and Tian Xu.

Just when Cao Wu was secretly shocked, Zhao Yu continued: "...... For the more than 10,000 captives, the county government will immediately organize a takeover, and at that time, it will draw elites and select backbones from the Black Tiger People, the county army, and the brotherhood militia to direct those prisoners to take charge of repairing the city and spring plowing in the coming year. They are captives, not livestock, and it is forbidden for anyone to insult them in any form except for the necessary punishment, and the offender will be punished heavily! Second, to give them rations, except for the necessary punishment, it is forbidden to withhold in any form the prisoners' labor rations, and the violators will be severely punished! 3. In accordance with the exchange criteria for prisoners and meritorious deeds, captured prisoners have become the property of the county government, and no damage shall be done to any extent, and violators will be severely punished! ……”

『……』

Hearing this, Cao Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This Zhou leader was more merciful than he thought.