After a while, Duan Xuande was brought into the marching tent, he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed in his heart, he had just surrendered to Zhang Xuan, and at this time he saw the old leader again, which made him feel very conflicted, he lowered his head in front of Zuo Xiaoyou and whispered: "Brother-in-law, I have done my best!" ”

Zuo Xiaoyou looked at him and asked, "Your eldest sister and the children are all right!" ”

"They're fine, and the old man is fine, so please rest assured."

Although Duan Xuande didn't say much, Zuo Xiaoyou still understood his intention, and he sneered and said, "Did they let you persuade me to surrender?" ”

Duan Xuande took out Zhang Xuan's letter and silently handed it to Zuo Xiaoyou, "Brother-in-law, read it yourself!" ”

Zuo Xiaoyou took the letter, and his brows couldn't help frowning, "Who is this Zhang Xuan?" ”

"He is Zhang Xutuo's new general, but his army is independent."

"Army independence? I haven't heard of it. ”

Zuo Xiaoyou didn't read the letter, shook his head and handed the letter back to Duan Xuande, "He is not qualified to talk to me yet." ”

Duan Xuande didn't answer the letter, he looked at the letter and said, "But Zhang Xutuo said that this letter can represent him." ”

"Have you seen Zhang Xutuo?" Zuo Xiaoyou asked in amazement.

Duan Xuande nodded slowly, "In addition to this letter, Zhang Xutuo also asked me to bring a message to my brother-in-law. ”

"What message?" Zuo Xiaoyou slowly raised his head and squinted at Duan Xuande.

"Zhang Xutuo said that if his brother-in-law surrenders, he can at least give an explanation to the villagers of Donglai County, and he will not become a sinner in Donglai County, otherwise, his brother-in-law and grandchildren will be uneasy."

"Humph! What good is it for me to surrender? ”

Having said that, Zuo Xiaoyou still opened the letter that Zhang Xuan gave him, and the letter was very simple, the families of all his generals were in the hands of the Sui army, and if he still had to fight, he would only become a loner, and he had no way out except to surrender.

At this moment, there was a shout from outside the tent, "We want to see the king!" ”

Zuo Xiaoyou slowly walked out of the big tent, only to see hundreds of generals gathered outside the tent. Seeing Zuo Xiaoyou come out, someone shouted loudly: "We have something to ask General Duan!" ”

Zuo Xiaoyou shook his head helplessly, turned back to the big tent and said, "Come out!" ”

Duan Xuande also walked out of the big tent, and the generals immediately surrounded him and asked, "General Duan." How is our family? ”

"Rest assured, the family is all safe, not a single one was killed or injured, but ....."

Duan Xuande turned his head and glanced at Zuo Xiaoyou a little uneasily, and Zuo Xiaoyou's face was gloomy. Without saying a word, Duan Xuande hesitated, but in the end he still told the truth, "Your family members are now in the hands of Sui Jun. ”

At this time, all eyes were on Zuo Xiaoyou, so far, no one wanted to fight, Zuo Xiaoyou sighed secretly in his heart, and said loudly to everyone: "Let's go back first!" Before dawn, I will give you an explanation. ”

The crowd talked about it. Zuo Xiaoyou walked back to the big tent and pondered for a long time, he finally made up his mind and said slowly to Duan Xuande: "You go and tell Zhang Xutuo that I can surrender, but he can't hold me accountable for my past affairs, and he can't confiscate my personal property. If he refuses to agree, then the net will be broken! ”

Duan Xuande nodded, "I'll go back to see Zhang Dashuai!" ”

At the beginning of November of the tenth year of the Great Cause, Zuo Xiaoyou, a thief marshal entrenched in Donglai County, was forced by Zhang Xutuo's army. Desperate, they were forced to surrender, and 45,000 troops followed the commander to surrender to the Sui army.

So far, the five major bandits who have been rampant in Qingzhou for nearly two years, except for Sun Xuanya of Langya County, the remaining four bandits have all been exterminated by Zhang Xutuo.

The five counties of Qingzhou, including Donglai County, Gaomi County, Beihai County, Lu County, Jibei County and Qi County, were again under the control of the Sui army. In the nearly one-month war against bandits, the Sui army harvested abundantly, and as much as 100,000 stone was captured for grain alone, which completely alleviated the shortage of military food for the Sui army.

Zhang Xutuo immediately sent people to the capital in an eight-hundred-mile hurry to report the victory, and at the same time he applied to the Ministry of War, requesting to increase the number of troops of the Flying Eagle Army.

As night fell, outside Yidu County, Beihai County, the Sui army temporarily set up a large camp, and the lights in the marshal tent were bright, and Zhang Xutuo was listening to some of Zhang Xuan's ideas.

"There are two suggestions for the humble position, one is to expand the army, and the other is to divide the troops and garrison the county."

These two ideas had been lingering in Jang Hyun's mind for a long time, and he had even thought about them a few months ago, but it was only today that he formally proposed them to Jang Sutuo, and when he had made the first contribution in both battles, he was naturally given the right to speak.

"Regarding the expansion of the army, I believe that the commander has his own ideas, but the 3,000 people who are humble are too weak, if the army can be expanded to 5,000, I believe that the humble function will exert greater strength for the commander to suppress bandits."

Zhang Xuan's words have two meanings, Zhang Xutuo wants to expand the army, he can only suggest that the decision is not him, but he Zhang Xuan's army wants to expand the army, but the decision is in his own hands, out of respect, he asked Zhang Xutuo for instructions.

Zhang Xutuo nodded, the expansion of two thousand troops is not much, he can accept it in principle, and several wars have yielded a lot of gains, and he can afford to feed two thousand people, but the key is how to report to the imperial court.

"Alright! This thing makes me think about it, what is one more suggestion? Zhang Xutuo asked.

"Another suggestion of the humble post is to divide the troops and garrison the county, I believe the marshal knows better than me, if you don't divide the troops and garrison the county, so that the counties are not fortified, once the Bohai Sea will intervene in it, the counties will break out again, and Qingzhou really can't afford to toss."

If the expansion of the army is just an aperitif, then dividing troops and stationing troops in the county is the real feast for Zhang Xuan, which is an idea he has been thinking about for a long time.

However, Zhang Xutuo only considered it militarily, and politically, he basically did not have the slightest idea, and it was indeed necessary to divide troops and station them in the county to prevent the resurgence of banditry, but Zhang Xuan proposed it too suddenly, so that he could not come up with a plan for a while.

But Zhang Xuan prepared a plan, Zhang Xuan took out a document and handed it to Zhang Xutuo, "This is a plan drafted by a humble position, only for the reference of the marshal." ”

Zhang Xutuo's biggest shortcoming is the lack of a real strategic staff, or in other words, he has no selfishness at all, he is loyal to the Great Sui, and after conquering the Shandong Peninsula, he will give the Shandong Peninsula to the imperial court.

But Zhang Xuan didn't think so, even if he didn't have the ability to control the Shandong Peninsula now, but he had to find a way not to let the imperial court interfere, and the best way was to garrison the army, so that Zhang Xutuo's Flying Eagle Army could be stationed in the counties of the Shandong Peninsula to form de facto control over the Shandong Peninsula. so that the imperial court could not intervene.

In fact, Zhang Xuan didn't mean to deliberately deceive Zhang Xutuo, nor did it mean that he didn't respect Zhang Xutuo, but he knew Zhang Xutuo very well. If Zhang Xutuo knew his true thoughts, I am afraid that he would immediately draw his sword and stab him to death, after all, the two have different ways and it is difficult to conspire.

So Zhang Xuan could only find common ground between the two and control the Shandong Peninsula militarily. Preventing the resurgence of banditry, this is what the two of them agree on.

But in terms of politics, he couldn't speak, he didn't dare or could not bear to tell Zhang Xutuo that the big ship of the Great Sui was about to sink, and he needed to build a ship for himself.

Of course, it is impossible for Zhang Xutuo to see Zhang Xuan's foresight, he is only thinking from a military point of view, and it is obvious that Zhang Xuan's plan is completely consistent with his thinking in terms of military aspects.

Although the war is over, Zhang Xutuo also knows that if he doesn't handle the aftermath. The bandits will surely rekindle the embers of the Shandong Peninsula.

Zhang Xutuo pondered for a moment and smiled at Zhang Xuan: "That's it! Your plan will give me another half an hour, and in half an hour I will gather the generals to discuss the next steps, and I will mention it in passing. ”

Zhang Xuan slowly walked outside the big tent, and when he walked out of the big tent, a cold wind blew in his face, which suddenly made Zhang Xuan sober up all of a sudden.

An indescribable shame and an indescribable guilt suddenly surged in his heart, Zhang Xutuo trusted himself so much, but he deceived him. The huge guilt weighed on Jang Hyun like a mountain, making him walk slower and slower, and finally stopped.

"Dashuai!"

Zhang Xuan turned around, looked at Zhang Xutuo and said sincerely: "Maybe the matter of garrisoning troops in the county can be postponed a little longer. It would be safer to ask the court for our plan first. ”

Zhang Xutuo stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, "I understand your concerns, but even if I don't ask the imperial court, I have decided to do this, but I originally wanted to arrange you in Lu County." ”

Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment and said, "If Beihai County is inconvenient. The lowly is also willing to go to Lu County. ”

"Nope! It's not inconvenient, it's just that Lu County is richer, if you are willing to garrison Beihai County, I can fulfill you, and we will implement it according to your plan! ”

"Thank you for your success!" Jang Xuan muttered.

．．．．．．

Half an hour later, in the brightly lit tent, six tooth generals and marching Sima Jia Runfu sat on both sides of the tent, the first battalion general Qin Qiong, the second battalion general Fei Qingnu, and the third battalion general Jia Wuben, Jia Wuben is also Sima Jia Runfu's father, is a veteran.

The fourth battalion tooth general You Junda, the fifth battalion tooth general is Luo Shixin, although he is only a brigade commander in the imperial court, but he has a very high prestige in the army, Zhang Xutuo appointed him as a tooth general, and has also been recognized by the generals, and finally the sixth battalion tooth general Zhang Xuan.

As for the thief marshal Zuo Xiaoyou who surrendered, Zhang Xutuo was worried about the accountability of the imperial court, so he did not accept him as a general for the time being, but let him return to his hometown, let him be a rich man in his hometown Muping County, and secretly sent people to monitor his every move.

Zhang Xutuo slowly said to everyone: "Everyone, the battle of Gaomi County and Donglai County has ended, about the merit and reward, it is still done according to the old rules, take out a part of the captured money to reward the meritorious soldiers, the specific plan and list Jia Sima is improving, it is estimated that there will be results in a few days, as for the imperial court, the reward cannot be expected, only the official can be considered, I will report truthfully, but everyone must be patient." ”

Although Zhang Xutuo is for everyone, he actually told Zhang Xuan that everyone else understands that Zhang Xuan is just a newcomer.

Zhang Xutuo saw that Zhang Xuan had no opinion, and continued: "The second is the plan proposed by General Zhang to distribute and garrison the counties, I have also repeatedly considered it, the current military strength of the counties is empty, and I am also very worried that Dou Jiande or Zhang Jincheng, Sun Xuanya and others will take the opportunity to send troops to invade, so General Zhang's suggestion coincides with me, and I decided to set up five military historians and station them in five counties!" ”

There was a discussion in the big tent, and Qin Qiong said puzzledly: "Marshal, last year, he also proposed to set up a military history in Beihai County, but the marshal did not agree, saying that the imperial court does not allow the appointment of military history without authorization, why is the marshal not worried about it this year?" ”

Zhang Xutuo nodded and said: "Last year's reply from the Ministry of War said that the establishment of a military government in disguise is not allowed, and after the end of the third Liaodong War this year, the imperial court has abolished most of the Yingyang military government, so the establishment of the military government no longer exists, and what I want to set up is military history, which is actually the general who is stationed, and it is not the same thing as the military government, I think there should be no problem." ”

Jia Wuben also smiled: "Marshal, General Qin's worries are justified, I suggest that you don't use the position of military history." So as not to cause unnecessary trouble to the imperial court, just use the garrison general, what does the marshal think? ”

Jia Wuben is a few years older than Zhang Xutuo, and Zhang Xutuo respects him very much. Since he said this, Zhang Xutuo smiled and said, "Okay! Just use the garrison general, so as not to ask for trouble, General Zhang has no opinion! ”

Zhang Xuan smiled: "There is no opinion on the humble position!" ”

Zhang Xutuo said to everyone again: "Then I will assign the generals to station—"

Zhang Xuan suddenly became nervous, this is the core of his proposal to divide troops to garrison. He Jang Hyun is going to be stationed there, and if it is not where he wants, then his plan will be completely ruined.

Zhang Xutuo glanced at everyone and said slowly: "Qi County is directly managed by me, General Jia is stationed in Lu County, General Fei is stationed in Gaomi County, General Qin is stationed in Donglai County, General Zhang is stationed in Beihai County, and General You is stationed in Jibei County, so it is distributed." Everyone has no opinion! ”

Zhang Xuan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, Zhang Xutuo announced it completely according to his own plan.

"Dashuai, I have an opinion!"

Luo Shixin hurriedly raised his hand and said, "Which county am I stationed in?" ”

Everyone laughed, and actually forgot about him, Zhang Xutuo also smiled: "Of course you are stationed in Qi County, with me, otherwise Qi County's troops will be insufficient!" ”

"There is Old Man Pei in Qi County, what am I mixed in, otherwise I will be with Brother Zhang or Brother Qin, will this be okay?"

Then. Qin Qiong said with a smile: "Dashuai, otherwise let Shixin garrison Donglai County!" I'll stay in Qi County. ”

"He doesn't even have any hair, where can he be on his own, no!"

Zhang Xutuo did not give Luo Shixin a chance. Luo Shixin froze, lowered his head and was depressed.

Zhang Xutuo glared at him, and then said to everyone: "There is also Sun Xuanya from Langya County, I decided not to exterminate it for the time being, first, the soldiers are tired and need to rest." Secondly, I heard that the crackdown on bandits in Qinghe County is about to start, so it's best for our side to be stable, let's go back first! Think about your own garrison plan carefully, and discuss with me separately if you have any ideas. ”

Zhang Xutuo gave Qin Qiong a look and asked him to stay.

．．．．．．．

"I know you don't understand in your heart, why take the risk of appointing a military historian?" Zhang Xutuo said to Qin Qiong with a smile.

"The lowly office feels that the risk is very great, the people in the court are not confused, once they see this plan, they will understand that the marshal is still building the military palace, and there is an attempt to invade the Shandong Peninsula, the lowly office is worried that the saint will be angry!" Qin Qiong knew the essence of this plan very well, and he cautiously reminded Zhang Xutuo.

"Yes! I'm so unpopular in the court, no one will say good things for me, bad things are a lot of bad things, but I don't plan to report to the court-"

"Dashuai, I'm worried that someone in the DPRK and China will make a fuss about this matter......"

Without waiting for Qin Qiong to continue, Zhang Xutuo interrupted him, "You listen to me finish speaking!" ”

Qin Qiong was silent, Zhang Xutuo smiled bitterly and continued: "Actually, this is a kind of benefit distribution, Shubao, you should understand. ”

"Humble duty understands!"

"Everyone has followed me for many years and made meritorious contributions, but they are not recognized by the imperial court."

Zhang Xutuo let out a long sigh, "Like you and You Junda are only captains in the military register of the Ministry of War, Lao Jia is so qualified, and he is only mixed with an eagle general, not to mention Luo Shixin, who has made such a great contribution, but he is only a brigade commander, in the final analysis, this is my responsibility, this time to suppress bandits, everyone has made great contributions, will the court give us a promotion?" I don't have any hope, but I have to give everyone a little bit of good, and I can only give a little bit of power to everyone. ”

"The lowly position understands the hardships of the great commander, and the lowly position does not actually refer to the matter itself, the lowly position is just-"

Qin Qiong hesitated, but still said bluntly: "The humble position is just suspicious of Zhang Xuan's motives, he made this suggestion, I don't think things are so simple, do you remember what I said he was ambitious?" ”

Zhang Xutuo's face sank suddenly, "Uncle Bao, although our personal friendship is good, but the public is public, and the private is private, I hope you will not doubt other generals at will in the future, especially the word ambition should be more cautious, this is the last time, I will not tolerate it next time." ”

Qin Qiong sighed in her heart, and had to apologize: "Okay! I won't say it again in the future, but I still want to stay in Qi County, and Dashuai also knows that I have to take care of my mother. ”

Zhang Xutuo understood Qin Qiong's thoughts, he was actually unwilling to accept this kind of benefit distribution, Zhang Xutuo was no longer reluctant, nodded and said: "Since this is the case, I won't force you, I'll adjust the plan again." ”

Qin Qiong said goodbye and left. Zhang Xutuo paced back and forth in the big tent with his hands in his hands, he pondered for a long time, and instructed his soldiers: "Go and invite General Zhang to me, just say that I have something to discuss with him!" ”

Moment. Zhang Xuan's voice came from outside the tent, "Qi Qi is handsome, Zhang Xuan asks to see!" ”

"Please come in!"

As soon as the curtain was lifted, Zhang Xuan walked in quickly, bowed and saluted: "See the big handsome!" ”

Zhang Xutuo smiled and nodded. "Please be seated!"

Zhang Xuan was discussing the plan to garrison Beihai County with Liu Ling, who had joined the army, and Zhang Xutuo had something to find him, which made Zhang Xuan immediately think of his own increase in troops, which was also his expectation.

Zhang Xuan sat down, and a soldier came in and served him tea, Zhang Xutuo smiled and said, "Are you making a plan for Beihai County?" ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, "Humble duties are being considered." ”

Zhang Xutuo said again: "General Qin doesn't want to garrison Donglai County, he wants to take care of his mother, and I won't force him." ”

"Is the marshal planning to let Shixin garrison Donglai County?" Zhang Xuan asked again.

Zhang Xutuo shook his head, "He's too tender." It's hard to be on your own, and I don't think about him. ”

"In fact, the marshal can consider promoting a few more generals, if the number of troops is increased, the increase in generals is inevitable."

"Promotion is to be promoted, but not to promote generals for the sake of garrisoning Donglai County, this is not my rule of doing things."

Speaking of this, Zhang Xutuo looked at Zhang Xuan and said with a smile: "I plan to let you take charge of Donglai County at the same time, can you accept it?" ”

Zhang Xuan was slightly stunned, and he was ecstatic in his heart. But he still held back, and said with a calm face: "Of course, there is no problem with the humble position, but I am a little worried that the other generals will have a complaint, after all, the humble position has not been in the Flying Eagle Army for a long time." ”

"You don't have to worry about that. Everyone knows in their hearts, you are a Xiongwu general, and even Jia Wuben is one level lower than you, and besides, you are the first to attack Gaomi and Donglai this time, and my decision is not biased. ”

"Obedience!"

Zhang Xuan knew in his heart that Zhang Xutuo handed over Donglai County to himself and took charge of it. There will definitely be people who are dissatisfied, but it is not realistic to satisfy everyone with this kind of benefit distribution.

"Then let's talk about your troop increase."

Seeing that he agreed to take charge of Donglai County, Zhang Xutuo changed the topic, "You want to expand the strength to 5,000, I personally have no opinion, but you should also know that your army quota is directly managed by the Ministry of War, there are advantages and disadvantages, I agree that it is useless, you must agree to the Ministry of War, have you considered this issue?" ”

"I have considered the lowly position, and the lowly position has considered using the method of the militia to solve the problem, and the new 2,000 soldiers are not considered to be officially established, but only the local militia group, and there is no need to report to the Ministry of War."

"You think about the problem too simply, the militia is under the jurisdiction of the local government, and your flexibility seems to be passable on the surface, but once you dig deeper, you will have the handle in the hands of the military department, and the risk is very high, even if my army is handed over to you to manage, it is also risky."

Zhang Xutuo looked at him, "I have no opinion if you want to increase the army, I will support it in terms of military rations, but you have to bear the risk on the imperial court's side." ”

"Willing to take risks!"

Zhang Xutuo nodded, "You want to garrison two counties, three thousand people is really not enough, then I will allow you to expand the army to five thousand, and I will arrange the required military food and equipment." ”

"Thank you for your kindness!"

Zhang Xutuo smiled, he slowly walked to the door of the big tent with his hands in his hands, staring at the deep night sky outside the tent, he sighed lowly, "I, Zhang Xutuo, will only lead the troops to the big tent, and I am too far behind in terms of human sophistication, so that I am rejected by the imperial court."

Qin Qiong and You Junda followed me from birth to death, and made countless meritorious contributions, but they were just a small captain, Luo Shixin had outstanding merits, and he was also a brigade commander, they didn't even have the title of scattered official, every time I thought of this, I was both sad and ashamed, I just hope that the court can be fair and give them the treatment they deserve. ”

Zhang Xuan said calmly: "Does the big marshal want me to think of a way?" ”

Zhang Xutuo looked back at Zhang Xuan, his eyes were full of sadness, "I'm not exchanging with you, it's true that there is no way, just ask you to help me this time." ”

"I know!"

Zhang Xuan nodded lightly, "I can understand Dashuai's mood, and I will definitely do my best." ”

"Actually, you don't understand, because you haven't stepped into my position yet, at the beginning of the year, Qin Qiong's son asked me, and he said, when will my father become a general? At that time, I was speechless in the face of the naïve child, and the general that the child said was not the general I gave to his father, but the general of the imperial court. ”

Zhang Xutuo let out a long sigh, his eyes moistened a little, "I'm ashamed of them, the child longs for his father to be a general, Luo Shixin's old father can't tell the neighbors, his son is just a brigade commander, I often blame myself for this, I can't sleep, I don't want to ask for help, especially this kind of thing, but I still hope you can help, General Zhang, this is my first time." ”

Zhang Xuan nodded silently, he got up and saluted, "The lowly will take it to heart, and I will leave first." ”

Walking to the door of the tent, Zhang Xuan stopped again, looked back at Zhang Xutuo and said, "I plan to let Yuanqing garrison Donglai County, does the marshal agree?" ”

Zhang Xutuo nodded, "It's up to you!" (To be continued.) )