Thinking of those big clans in Jingzhou, Situ Fei, the king of Hanzhong, was furious. These big clans were strong and strong, and when the Han army was strong in the past, they all came to greet them. Now that the Han army is in decline, these powerful clans have put on a sense of respect.

What annoyed him was not only the attitude of these powerful clans, but also because these powerful clans used the King of Luoyang and the Luo army to pressure themselves everywhere, so that the Han army came back from the mansions of these powerful clans, and the Han army lost face up and down.

"Tian Yu, in response to Zhao Jun, as long as Zhao Jun is willing to sell more armor and equipment at a low price, our Han Army is willing to form an alliance with him. In addition, let them send us five thousand sets of equipment and war horses in the shortest possible time. Leading the army to fight, it is not possible to fight without armor and equipment. Situ Fei's face turned cold and said in a deep voice.

"King, we don't have so much money and food to buy Zhao Jun's armor and equipment. Even if Zhao Jun sells it at a low price, we can't afford to buy more, and now our army's money and food are already stretched. Because we want to rebuild the prestige of the king in Jingzhou, the taxes in the areas under the jurisdiction of our Han army have been reduced, and even some taxes have been reduced......" You Chengwei Ping said with a wry smile.

Situ Fei said coldly: "Isn't there still so many big clans in the territory under the jurisdiction of my Han army, and there is a lot of money and food in their families. Between his words, the murderous aura was awe-inspiring.

"What?" Wei Ping was stunned for a moment, and only after a while did he say astringently, "King, many of these powerful clans rely on the Luo Army behind them, if we do it, will we ......?"

"There is Luo Jun behind it? Amusing! Will my Han army be afraid of the Luo army? If the king of Luoyang dares to attack us because of the great clans in the territory of my Han army, it will be too late for the king to be happy. If Luo Jun dared to make a move, then Zhao Jun in the north would not watch it. If he wants to form an alliance, he Zhao Jun should show the responsibility of an ally. Moreover, the Zhao army was helpless against the Shu army, but there was absolutely no problem with the Luo army in Jingzhou. If this king responds from the side, it would be strange if the Luo army could withstand the Zhao army. Situ Fei sneered.

"These big clans are strong, and they send their clansmen to the Luo army, it seems that they want to use the Luo army to fight us, but these big clans that depend on the Luo army are extremely unfavorable to us. They live in the territory of our army, and they are powerful and powerful, and they dominate one side. However, they are not our people, hooking up with the Luo army. Then, the situation within the jurisdiction of our army will appear in front of the Luo army in 1510. ”

"These are still secondary, the main thing is that they live under the rule of our army, but they send a large amount of money, food and materials to the Luo army, which is a weakening of us. These great clans are powerful and powerful, and occupy a large amount of land, a share of commerce, and even control all the power above the place. If we continue to let them continue like this, out of our control, the end result will only make our control over the local area weaker and weaker, and the taxes we receive will become less and less. ”

These important ministers of the Han army are not unaware of such a situation. The reason why they didn't mention it was because there were too many such big clans, and the Han army had no way to take them.

"This king finally understood why the Zhao State had begun to restrict these great clans from the beginning, and the imperial court had jurisdiction directly down to the township and village level. It's really not a thing for these big families to be strong and strong, they only care about their own interests, and if they have milk, they are mothers. Since they don't cooperate with us, we don't need to give them face. The king's dominion, the king himself decides. Get rid of these big clans and heroes, and the soldiers and courtiers under the command of this king will replace them and become the new heroes. These courtiers who are loyal to the king, the king will not let them suffer. Situ Che said this, which also relieved several important ministers of the Han army.

Although the king of Hanzhong was extremely dissatisfied with these powerful clans and intended to attack these powerful clans, he was not the same as Zhao Jun to completely eliminate these powerful clans. First, these important ministers of the Han army are also from a strong family; Second, it is unlikely that the Han army will start to emulate Zhao now. If the Han army cleared the big clans and powerful people within its jurisdiction, I am afraid that in the blink of an eye, the Han army will receive heavy losses and even collapse. Because of the important ministers and civil and military officials in the Han army, which one is not from a local powerful family. They followed the king of Hanzhong, also in order to strengthen the family with the help of the king of Hanzhong.

"By the way, go and tell the envoy of the Zhao army that we are allowed to owe a part of the purchase fee on credit, so that our army has enough ability to go out first. In their strength, they are not afraid of our credit. ”

"Send an order to the secret agents in Hanzhong to always pay attention to the situation of the Shu army and the Zhao army, but if there is any abnormality, report it immediately."

"Give an order to the secret agents of Wuling Mansion, let them find out the situation of the Shu army in Wuling Mansion and the details of the checkpoints in various places, since they want to act, they must take back Wuling Mansion."

"Let the troops and local garrisons south of Xiangyang Province assemble in Gangneung Province and raise the banner of reorganizing the southern army in Gangneung Province. Let them be war-ready and ready to strike at any time. ”

While the Zhao army in Yongzhou and the Han army in Jingzhou were making various preparations, the Zhao army in Hanzhong was also preparing to face the battle. At the local level, various livelihood construction is also being implemented rapidly. In addition, the various systems of the Zhao State also began to unfold in Hanzhong. The fields were measured, the fields were divided equally, taxes were reduced or exempted, and the commercial taxes were unified to provide relief to the people who had suffered greatly from the scourge of war. All of a sudden, the people in Hanzhong rejoiced and enthusiastically supported Zhao Jun as the new master of Hanzhong.

"Two generals, our situation is not very good now, news has come from the south, the Shu army and the reinforcements who were ready to support the Hanzhong battle situation before gathering are ready to counterattack again in an all-out way. So, the two need to be ready for battle. Baishui County and Nanzheng County are the key places to be defended. ”

"The Shu army still wants to fight? Is there something wrong with this Shu King Situ Che? He fought hard with the Han army for three months before, not to mention heavy losses. After that, he fought hard with us for more than half a month, and directly threw away all the troops that marched into Hanzhong. Now he still has what it takes to keep attacking? Doesn't it mean that there is already a problem with the grain and grass materials of the Shu army? Qin You was surprised.

Yang Wangqing smiled bitterly: "It's not that there is a problem with their grain and grass materials, but that they can't be prepared in a short time. However, their food and grass supplies are indeed scarce. However, we are in a worse position than they are. ”

"Although I have the advantage in numbers. But in terms of logistics, we are even farther behind the Shu army. Although our Zhao State does not lack grain and grass materials, transportation from Yongzhou to the south is also a big problem. In particular, we need to appease the people of Hanzhong and restore the livelihood of the people in Hanzhong as soon as possible, so most of our taxes in Hanzhong have been exempted. It can be said that in a short period of time, we can no longer get supplements from the people of Hanzhong. Grain and grass materials have now also become our problem, and the situation is even more serious than that of the Shu army. ”

Zhao Kang said in a deep voice: "Didn't we steal a lot of money, food and materials from the local powerful clans? Can't you support it for a while? It stands to reason that the north is constantly transporting grain and grass materials to the south, plus these confiscated gains, there should be no problem in Hanzhong. ”

Yang Wangqing said in a deep voice: "In the land of Hanzhong, after the great war between the Shu army and the Han army, the people's livelihood withered, and the people suffered deeply. Therefore, most of the confiscated money, food and materials are used by local governments. If the southern Shu army does not go north, of course we have no worries and can barely support it, and we only need to wait until the grain and grass materials transported in the north arrive and settle down, and naturally there will be no problems. However, now that the Southern Shu Army is ready to continue the offensive, the materials consumed by the army in the battle will increase exponentially, resulting in a shortage of our needs. ”

Qin You scratched his head and said in a muffled voice, "Then what should we do now?" ”

Yang Wangqing said with a smile: "The king has already sent news, we don't need to fight with the Shu army for too long, and then the Han army in the east will move south, forcing the Shu army to retreat." In addition, I expected that the Shu army also had the idea of collapsing due to the lack of food and grass materials. Therefore, in this war, we only need to hold on to the southern city, and we do not need to send a large army. Even if we fight, we can defend the local area and let the Shu army return in vain. In addition, the two generals also need to settle a part of their soldiers and soldiers between counties and towns to serve as local county soldiers and government soldiers and patrol inspection divisions. In this way, it will not only reduce the consumption of the army, but also stabilize the place. ”

Hearing what Yang Wangqing said, Zhao Kang and Qin You couldn't help but be stunned. After a while, Qin You said in a deep voice: "Metropolitan Governor, let the soldiers under our command serve as local government soldiers and county soldiers and patrol inspections?" Isn't this ......"

Yang Wangqing said with a smile: "This is only temporary, and it won't be too long." If the soldiers do not serve, they will naturally have to be re-recruited and trained, which is also a heavy pressure for Hanzhong Prefecture. And in the land of Hanzhong, the army of 50,000 at this moment has exceeded the local supply. ”

"In addition, I am worried that after we continue to fight with the Shu army, the remaining squire clans in Hanzhong and those local heroes who surrender to us are afraid that they will be secretly provoked by the Shu army and take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos. After all, the former clan has now become ordinary people, and their wealth, land, and status have all disappeared, and they will not accept it so willingly. There are soldiers serving as local government soldiers, county soldiers, and township patrol soldiers, and we are also much relieved in the rear. ”

Hearing Yang Wangqing say this, Qin You and Zhao Kang breathed a sigh of relief. If they were to arrange the soldiers under their command to be local government soldiers, county soldiers and patrol inspectors, I am afraid that they would not be able to explain to the soldiers under their command.

"In addition, go to the east to see if you can buy some grain from the three counties under the jurisdiction of the Han army in the east. Although we now occupy the land of Hanzhong, we are not enemies with the Han army. The three counties in the eastern part of Hanzhong and our place also have normal trade and trade, and there should be no problem in entering their territory to buy some grain. ”

Zhao Kang said suspiciously: "Dongsan County? Is there food in their territory? I'm afraid that when the Han army retreated in the past, the local treasury had already been emptied. It is said that now the Han army wants to restore its strength, recruit soldiers, and form an army, but I am afraid that the Han army is also short of grain and grass materials at the moment, where do they have any food to sell to us? ”

Yang Wangqing said with a smile: "The Han Military Officers' Mansion in the three eastern counties naturally has no surplus grain, and even if there is, they will not and dare not sell it to us." After all, the Han army in Jingzhou needed him more. However, don't forget, in the territory of the three eastern counties, there are squires. In the homes of these squires, it is normal to hoard food. We pay and they sell things, and that's a normal thing. We can pay more, and in addition, tell them that I, Zhao Guo, will remember their goodness. Come to think of it, many squires are still willing to sell the grain they hoard. ”

"In addition, although we are more strict with the rectification of the big clans, we are not too strict with those squires and some small and medium-sized families. In addition, those who are willing to cooperate with us, we have also given leeway. If these big clans are not stupid, they should know how to choose. This land in Hanzhong is already our Zhao Kingdom, as for the three eastern counties, how long can it last? ”

"Even if they can't see this, but as we stabilize the central and western regions of Hanzhong and prosper in commerce and trade, the big clans of the three eastern counties should understand that they will definitely be able to earn more benefits from trading with our Zhao State in the future."

Zhao Kang nodded and said with a smile: "It turns out that the Metropolitan Governor is talking about these squires, which is true." From the lawless clans that were confiscated outside, they knew that these clans were not ordinary goods, and they were rich in each family. Compared with them, ordinary people are simply the difference between heaven and earth, the difference between cloud and mud. ”

Qin You paused and whispered: "Metropolitan Governor, we privately buy food from the squire clan under the jurisdiction of the Han Army, will this be too ......?"

Although Qin You didn't finish speaking, Yang Wangqing and Zhao Kang both understood what the other party meant. This matter of purchasing grain and grass materials, especially those needed by the army, is not something that a general or a commander in the army can do, and this is beyond their purview. Even if it is the governor of the military and political power of a place, this kind of thing is not something he can do.

Yang Wangqing said with a smile: "Don't worry, this matter has been approved by the king." We can use any means to replenish the food and grass we need, and we will also have the assistance of Jinyi Guard, and the logistics officers in the army will be in charge. ”

When Yang Wangqing said this, Qin You and Zhao Kang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although the starting point of these things is good, it is still a good number not to do things that exceed the scope of authority.

Qin You asked again: "Metropolitan Governor, what about the Shu soldiers I captured this time?" Especially the soldiers of the Shu army who surrendered in Baishui County and the reinforcements of the Shu army who were captured by us, how should we arrange them? ”

Yang Wangqing pondered for a moment and said: "Those who surrendered, except for the soldiers who were born in Hanzhong, the rest were scattered and settled in various places, and temporarily merged with the government soldiers and county soldiers who were then formed by our soldiers, and monitored on the spot. As for the captives, let them settle in various places for the time being, and let them help to build the city and gallop the road. In addition, the reinforcements of the Shu army who were captured in Baishui County should also be settled well this time. They are related to the Jiang clan of the Shu army, and we have to keep them until Jiang Poyun and the others are not discovered by the Shu army. ”

Qin You said in a deep voice: "Metropolitan Governor, if Jiang Poyun and the others continue to fight this time, will they use a handful to burn the grain and grass materials of the Shu army?" In this way, wouldn't the Shu army have to retreat without a fight? The food and grass in their hands should not be able to supply them to continue fighting. ”

Yang Wangqing shook his head and said, "Impossible, Jiang Poyun can't agree to such a thing." Because he did this, the Jiang clan in the entire Yizhou territory would no longer have room for maneuver. Jiang Poyun will not be persecuted by us, and the entire family will be eliminated by the King of Shu. If he pushes it too hard, he will directly explain everything to the King of Shu. ”

After a pause, Yang Wangqing said again: "In addition, it is best not to contact Jiang Poyun and the others this time, unless they take the initiative to contact us." The defeat of the Shu army in Hanzhong this time seems inevitable, but it will definitely be strictly investigated by the king of Shu. There are so many smart people in the Shu army, if one is not good, people will see the problem. ”

"This Jiang Poyun will play a very important role for us in the future, so if we can keep him, we will try to keep him. With internal response, it will be much more convenient for us to act in the future. ”

Under Yang Wangqing's arrangement, Zhao Jun sent people to immediately buy grain from the local gentry in the three eastern counties. Unexpectedly, the result turned out surprisingly smooth. The squires of the three eastern counties sold their hoarded grain to sell to Zhao Jun, so that Zhao Jun could buy thousands of stones of grain in just a few days.

Of course, Yang Wangqing also expressed his friendship accordingly. These squires were told that they were allowed to trade in the territory of the Zhao army, and the tax rate was the same as that of the merchants in the territory of the Zhao army, and they were also allowed to enter the trade of the Zhao state. Of course, they are not merchants registered with the Ministry of Commerce of Zhao State, they have no credit level, and they do not have a business registration issued by the Zhao State government, so if they want to trade and open shops and commercial houses in Zhao State, in addition to paying more than a certain percentage of commercial taxes, they may not receive as many orders as Zhao State merchants. However, this is also what Zhao Guo wants to see. Attract the merchants in the territory of these other princes to turn to Zhao, and also hope that these great clans will be powerful and can change from land to commerce.

The swiftness of the Shu army's actions exceeded the expectations of Yang Wangqing and others, and less than half a month after the defeat, the Han army again dispatched 30,000 troops to the north and began to attack Hanzhong, preparing to take revenge and recapture the land of Hanzhong from the hands of the Zhao army. Moreover, according to the slogan shouted by the Shu army, this is just the forward force of the Shu army.

The war is approaching, and the people in Hanzhong are also rumors and nervous. For the people of Hanzhong, this year is their most unfortunate year. First, the Han army and the Shu army fought in Hanzhong for three months, causing the people of Hanzhong to suffer from the scourge of war. Immediately afterwards, Zhao Jun also intervened and fought with the Shu army. But fortunately, the Zhao army completely defeated the Shu army in half a month, allowing Hanzhong to settle down. In particular, Zhao Jun's various systems made the people feel that they had begun to enter a period of peace and could get a stable life for a while.

It's a pity that before they could be happy, the Shu army in the south marched north again. Tens of thousands of Zhao troops once again came north, preparing to attack Hanzhong.