After Wu Tao received the news, he did not immediately report the matter to Liu Fan, firstly, Wu Tao felt that he didn't want to disturb Liu Fan's mood for the New Year. Second, Liu Fan has handed over this matter to him with full authority, and now is the time to test his ability, whether he can become the first person in Liu Fan's army alone in the future depends on this performance.

After thinking about it for a long time, Wu Tao did not send a large army directly to the countryside to find trouble with these landlords, but scattered most of the soldiers of the Broken Army in small groups, and brought some New Year's goods again, so that the soldiers could have a good New Year with the people. In this way, you can avoid making things bigger and destroying Liu Fan's plan, and you will not lose the hard-won hearts of the people, and by the way, you can also get closer to the feelings between the soldiers and the people, I believe that the people will be full of gratitude to these soldiers who support them! As for why don't you help the people to uphold justice? Under the pretext that Wu Tao had already thought about it, it was nothing more than that the power of the gentry was too great, and the Broken Army did not dare to provoke too much, and the soldiers could not act without orders. Although it is a little reluctant, it is still acceptable to these helpless people!

With the garrison of the soldiers of the Broken Army, the landlords did not dare to continue to oppress the people unscrupulously. As soon as Chinese New Year's Eve passed, Wu Tao took the opportunity of the New Year to report the matter to Liu Fan. Hearing Wu Tao's report, Liu Fan suddenly thought of a solution, but this method was a bit lacking in virtue Liu Fan couldn't make up his mind for a while, so he could only want Wu Tao to continue to let the soldiers temporarily stationed in the villages.

After Wu Tao left, Liu Fan found Zhang Yao and Tian Shuying's worries and told the two girls. Hearing Liu Fan's narration, Tian Shuying thought for a while and said to Liu Fan, "Brother Jimin, there is a way that is a small amount and a non-gentleman, non-toxic and not a husband, although you are a little unauthentic in doing this, but it is not necessarily a bad thing for the people, although the people will suffer some things because of this, but without your help, these people will only be more miserable!" I think it's possible! ”

Although Zhang Yao was a little unbearable in her heart, she still persuaded her, "Sister Shuying's words are reasonable!" Long pain is better than short pain, as long as Brother Liu can sweep away the strong and inferior gentry in Shandong and create a happy and beautiful life for the people, this method is still possible! ”

Hearing the words of the two women, Liu Fan finally made up his mind. As soon as the New Year passed, Liu Fan recalled the squad of soldiers stationed in the villages, lost the protection of the broken army, and these landlords were strong and powerful, and immediately let go of their scruples, bullying the people and plundering property. The people who could not bear the suffering went to Shihe to complain. At the request of the people, Liu Fan sent a team to punish these landlords, but the army could not be stationed in various places for a long time. When they returned, the landlord suddenly counterattacked, and they did not dare to provoke the captive army, so they had to vent the humiliation to the people even more severely, and so on, under Liu Fan's intention, the contradiction between the people and the landlord quickly intensified.

With the passage of time, after nearly two months of brewing, there are more and more contradictions and conflicts between the people and the landlords, and between the landlords and the broken army, and by the end of February, there have been many cases where the people have been injured and killed, and now Jiaozhou is like a powder keg that only needs a little spark to explode.

In Liu Fan's study, Wang Yong came to report, "My lord! According to the news from the secret agents of the humble subordinates, the Yan family has contacted the famous clans in Shandong, including the Kong family, the Liu family, and the Wang family, in the past two months, and decided to launch a counterattack against our captive army. They jointly put pressure on Zhu Dadian, the governor of Shandong, to send troops to destroy us, but Zhu Dadian did not agree. Later, they turned to contact Liu Zeqing, the chief officer of Denglai, and according to the news from the inside, now Liu Zeqing can no longer bear the pressure and agrees to them, I expect that they will attack in a big way soon! ”

Liu Fan was a little surprised: "Liu Zeqing? He was kicked in the head by a donkey? Even with the miscellaneous fish in his hands that is less than 3,000, he dares to beat our idea of breaking the captive army? Didn't he know that the Broken Army now had 5,000 troops? ”

Wang Yong smiled bitterly and said, "Liu Zeqing didn't dare, but the landlords in Jiaozhou and some parts of Shandong contributed 500,000 taels for him to make a move." In order to support Liu Zeqing, the private soldiers from all over the country also rushed into Liu Zeqing's army, and they even united with bandits from all over the country. According to the intelligence, in addition to the reason for our rent and interest reduction policy, there is also the reason for the salt farm, the income of our Shihe salt farm every year is too tempting, and they can't help but not work hard, I estimate that the reason why most people unite is not the idea of fighting the salt field! For this reason, these landlords are strong and strong, and they have taken out almost all their family resources! ”

After a pause, Wang Yong continued: "Now the officers and soldiers of Denglai led by Liu Zeqing, including the private soldiers raised by the lords of various places, have all begun to assemble, and it is estimated that their strength will not be less than 13,000 people. Aren't we going too far, my lord! ”

Liu Fan smiled a little bitterly when he heard this: "It's really people who die for money, birds die for food!" I didn't expect that I would attract the siege of all the big and small forces in Shandong, and even the bandits and the official army who were incompatible with water and fire joined forces! The temptation of money is just too great! ”

Wang Yong also nodded with deep feelings: "Yes!" No matter what the bulls, ghosts, snakes, and gods have come out! I see our Shihe as a piece of fat, and I want to take a bite! What should adults do now? ”

Liu Fan waved his hand and said majestically, "It's just some rabble!" What if there are more than 10,000 people? Native chicken tile dog! If we can't even defeat these wastes, how can we face the Houjin army, which is known as "invincible"? Pass my order to convene a meeting of all the officers! ”

An hour later, Liu Fan held the first meeting of all officers of the Broken Army this year in the garrison mansion, at which Liu Fan gave a brief explanation of the current situation, and finally said, "Everyone has understood the current situation!" We've had enough of the Breakers resting! It's been a long time for these young people to forget our might! Now is the time for us to show our fangs! Now I order the Breaker Army to enter the first level of combat readiness! Recall all troops out there! Armament war! ”

"Yes! My lord! All the officers in the room stood up and replied in unison

After the meeting, Liu Fan left Wu Tao and Li Xiaohu and asked, "How are the preparations of Jiaozhou and Jimo!" These two cities are the barrier of our stone river, and the stability of these two cities must be ensured! ”

Wu Tao replied: "Jiaozhou City is now basically under the control of our army!" The original garrison led by the Liu family is under our supervision! Just give the order of the adult! You can catch it all in one go! ”

Li Xiaohu also replied: "Now the grassroots officers of the Jimo Battalion have all been replaced by our people!" Those who are not honest are also cleared with the help of Master Zhang! The current Jimo camp is completely up to us! ”

Liu Fan was overjoyed when he heard this: "Okay! Now the responsibility for the defense of these two cities is left to the two of you! Ben Shuai will personally lead the army to exterminate Liu Zeqing! Sweep away Shandong completely! ”