At night, Zhang Xutuo hung a map in the tent and told Zhang Xuan, Wei Yunqi and others who came from afar about the current pattern of Shandong.

Zhang Xutuo pointed to the counties around Qi County with a wooden pole: "In recent years, we have fought more than 30 battles, both large and small, and there have been victories and defeats, the biggest victories are the annihilation of Liu Badao of Douzigang, Changbai Mountain Wang Bo and Sun Xuanya, this time Xu Yuanlang was completely annihilated, and more than 100,000 enemies were annihilated before and after, but the problem is that the bandits are constantly suppressed, and the counties we currently control are mainly Qi County and Beihai County, this time Xu Yuanlang was exterminated, Jibei County and Lu County can be recovered, and we have four counties in our hands."

But the surrounding bandit forces are still very strong, there are Zuo Xiaoyou and Meng Rang who control Donglai County and Gaomi County in the east, with an army of more than 100,000 people, Sun Xuanya and Wang Bo of Langya County in the south, with an army of nearly 100,000, and then to the south is Li Zitong in Xuzhou, with more than 100,000 people.

Needless to say, the Wagang Army in Dongjun is very powerful, although the strength is only 50,000, but the soldiers are strong and strong, it is difficult to deal with, and there is no sign of the Wagang Army expanding eastward at present, so we will not consider dealing with them for the time being. ”

Zhang Xutuo's wooden pole pointed to the north, "There are three powerful bandits in the north, Zhang Jincheng, Gao Shida and Dou Jiande, Zhang Jin said that they occupy Qinghe County and Wuyang County, Dou Jiande's forces are in Pingyuan County and Xindu County, Gao Shida occupies Bohai County, the army of the three of them is as much as 200,000, in fact, we are enemies on all sides, and they echo each other, once I lead the army south, they will attack Qi County, if I lead the army to the north, the bandits in the south will kill Qi County, we are currently a little careless." ”

"But you can't go on like this!" Jang Hyun said frankly.

"General Zhang is right, if the stalemate continues, it will only form a pattern of bandits besieging Qi County, and we must break the deadlock and turn the passive into the active."

Zhang Xutuo looked at the map and said, "I also thought about it last night. This defeat of Xu Yuanlang is a good opportunity, we can push the defensive line to Lu County, expand the depth of defense, and then I plan to concentrate my forces to annihilate Zuo Xiaoyou and Meng Rang in Donglai County and Gaomi County, and recover Gaomi and Donglai County before the Yellow River freezes. In this way, the entire peninsula will be almost in our hands, and the problem of military rations will be solved. ”

"Lu County can defend against bandits in the south, but what about the north, will Zhang Jin say that he will take the opportunity to attack Qi County?"

"The north side is also a problem, but Zhang Jin said he is at odds with Dou Jiande. Once his army goes south, I am afraid that the old nest will be destroyed by Dou Jiande. ”

Speaking of this, Dou Jiande seemed to realize something, he glanced at Zhang Xuan, and said with a smile: "Could it be that General Fei wants to settle old accounts with Zhang Jincheng?" ”

Jang Hyun stood up and saluted. "Listen to the arrangement of the marshal!"

After experiencing the Tiansi Pavilion case, Zhang Xutuo also knew that Zhang Xuan was a person of King Yan, although he was assigned to the Flying Eagle Army by the soldiers, but Zhang Xuan was still different from Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin and other generals, first of all, his army was relatively independent, and he could not be split at will.

Secondly, the Ministry of War's appointment of Zhang Xuan is very clear, independent into a government, such an appointment Zhang Xutuo has seen for the first time. Even if it was Bae Renji's appointment, there was no word for independence into a government, which obviously allowed Jang Hyun to remain independent.

Of course. From a personal point of view, Zhang Xutuo does not object, he has always been grateful to Zhang Xuan, and as long as the two sides cooperate happily, it will not affect the independent government.

Zhang Xutuo pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's it!" Go back to Qi County first. Let's take a look at the situation. ”

Zhang Xuan bowed and saluted, "Obey the order!" ”

Two days later. Zhang Xuan followed Zhang Xutuo's army back to Licheng County, Qi County, which was later known as Jinan. At present, it is the county of Qi County, and it is also the base camp of the Flying Eagle Army.

Licheng County is also the largest city in Shandong, with a circumference of 30 miles, a population of hundreds of thousands in the city, and the city wall is tall and strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Because Licheng County has not been captured by bandits, it has become a gathering place for the wealthy families of the major scholars in Shandong, especially after Wang Bo took the lead in rebelling in Changbai Mountain, Qi County, a large number of refugees fled to Licheng County, making the population of Licheng County once as much as one million, overcrowded.

However, since Zhang Xutuo became the general guard of Qi County, he swept away all the bandits in Qi County, and used the three counties of Zhangqiu County, Linyi County, and Tingshan County to divert the population of Licheng, so that the population of Licheng gradually decreased to 500,000.

Despite this, Licheng County is still very crowded, with many families crammed into one room, but although it is a little crowded, the people are content, and they gain a sense of security that no wealth can replace.

On the official road, Luo Shixin, who had just obtained a war horse, was enthusiastic to introduce the surrounding scenery to Zhang Xuan, and he pointed to the endless fields on both sides of the official road and said: "These are our life-saving fields, including grain in four counties, which is enough for tens of thousands of hectares, half of which is private land and half is official land, which feeds the millions of people and 20,000 troops of our Qi County." ”

"Have any thieves come in?"

"I want to attack it! But how can it be so easy, the most dangerous one, at the beginning of the year, Liu Badao led his uncle's army to cross the Yellow River, just to destroy the fertile land, but I led the army to hit them, beating them to the point of dying, hundreds of thousands of troops were wiped out, and the prisoners of war were thrown to the imperial court! Why are you all so weird? ”

Luo Shixin saw that the soldiers around him were all looking at him gloomily, and he scratched his head in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?" ”

Zhang Xuan smiled and said, "These brothers under me are the uncle's army who was beaten by you. ”

Luo Shixin opened his mouth wide and couldn't close it for a long time, "Hehe! What a coincidence! ”

Everyone talked and laughed into Licheng County, and a lively and prosperous atmosphere rushed to the face, the shops were lined up, all kinds of goods were filled in the shop, and most of them were daily necessities, and the cries of selling came and went.

On both sides of the street, wine shops, inns, green buildings, martial arts halls, etc., are next to each other, especially there are dozens of large and small martial arts halls, and then you can see a team of young martial arts hall teenagers wearing samurai uniforms and holding swords.

"These martial arts halls are supported by the marshal, since two years ago, there are government-run free martial arts halls, if you want to learn a little better martial arts, it is just to go to private martial arts halls, in order to strengthen the attractiveness of the government-run martial arts halls, the generals require all generals to go to the martial arts halls at least one day a month. These are the reserve forces of our army. ”

Zhang Xuan didn't speak, he was still carefully observing this lively city, the prosperity of Licheng County was really beyond his expectations, and it was very different from the cold and clear Feicheng County and Qinghe County, but some details still made him feel strange.

"Since it is surrounded by bandits. Where do the goods come from? ”

Luo Shixin said: "Mainly from the west, it turned out that Wagang cut off the trade road, but since this year, Wagang has actually opened the trade road again, and the road is relatively safe, and a caravan has appeared." ”

Jang Hyun nodded. The reason for this is very clear, it should be related to Li Jiancheng's arrival in Wagang, and Li Jiancheng's first change in Shangwagang was to transform the Wagang army from a rebel bandit to a political separatist force.

Luo Shixin accompanied Zhang Xuan from the West Gate into Licheng County, after a visit. Going out from the east gate again, except for 3,000 people stationed in the city to maintain order, the rest of the army is stationed in the north and south barracks outside the city, Zhang Xuan's army is currently stationed in the north military camp, that is, the main camp, and the Flying Eagle Army marching Sima Jia Runfu has placed Zhang Xuan's army properly.

When Jang Xuan walked into this camp, which covers an area of thousands of hectares, he felt a festive atmosphere, and there were constantly cheers faintly. The soldiers ran over, their faces full of excitement, which made Zhang Xuan's heart very strange. What happened in the barracks?

"General Zhang!"

Someone next to him was shouting Zhang Xuan, and when Zhang Xuan turned around, he saw Pei Xingyan running quickly, Zhang Xuan smiled and arched his hand: "Captain Pei, I haven't seen you for a long time." ”

Pei Xingyan ran forward and saluted and said with a smile: "The general can join the Flying Eagle Army, Yuan Qing is overjoyed." Being able to kill the enemy side by side with the general is Yuan Qing's luck. ”

"Captain Pei has won the award. I should feel honored that I was able to join the Flying Eagle Army. ”

Pei Xingyan said in a low voice: "Does the general have time now?" ”

Jang Xuan nodded. "Now, what's the matter?"

"My father wants to see the general, so he asked me to invite the general over."

Zhang Xuan immediately thought of Pei Ju, Pei Renji wanted to see him, does it have anything to do with Pei Ju? Zhang Xuan didn't ask much, and said happily: "Since this is the case, Captain Pei, please lead the way!" ”

Pei Xingyan was overjoyed, "General, please come with me." ”

Zhang Xuan followed Pei Xingyan and walked quickly towards Pei Renji's big tent, at this time, Zhang Xuan faintly heard the cheers again, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "What happy event seems to have happened in the camp?" ”

"It was General Qin who sent someone to send news from Lu County, it is indeed good news, we took Xu Yuanlang's lair, and actually seized 20,000 stone of grain and 100,000 yuan of money, and many other trophies, the key is food, which suddenly solved the urgent need of our army food shortage."

Zhang Xuan also knew that the Flying Eagle Army was short of food and grass, otherwise Zhang Xutuo would not have sent Luo Shixin to Feicheng County for 1,000 stone of grain, and 20,000 stone of grain would be enough to support the army to launch an attack on Donglai County and Gaomi County.

"It's a good thing indeed, and it seems that my arrival will bring you a little luck." Zhang Xuan said with a smile.

"We all say that General Zhang is a lucky general, and as soon as General Zhang comes, we will destroy Xu Yuanlang, hoping that General Zhang's blessing can bring us greater results."

Zhang Xuan touched his nose and smiled: "Try your best!" ”

The Flying Eagle Army uses the wartime army establishment, that is, the commander, deputy general, tooth general, partial general, captain, brigade commander, team leader, fire commander, non-commissioned officer, and so on.

Among them, Zhang Xutuo is the chief commander, and his military position in the imperial court is General Zuo Xiaowei, which belongs to the general level, while Pei Renji is the deputy general, and his military position in the imperial court is General Hu Benlang, which is the highest rank among the generals, one level higher than the Xiongwu Lang general who Zhang Xuan just appointed.

And once Zhang Xuan officially takes office, he will be a tooth general, which is one level higher than his previous partial general, but he is a tooth general who is a little different, and he can become an independent government, which is equivalent to an independent regiment in the army in later generations.

That is to say, Zhang Xuan was restrained by Zhang Xutuo and obeyed Zhang Xutuo's command in military operations, but he could bypass Zhang Xutuo in the appointment of soldiers and directly ask the Ministry of War for the appointment certificate.

Therefore, Zhang Xuan does not belong to the jurisdiction of Pei Renji, but is only controlled by the main general Zhang Xutuo, at this level, Zhang Xuan and Pei Renji are on an equal footing, but the official position is one level lower than that of Pei Renji, and the military qualifications are much worse.

Zhang Xuan walked into Pei Renji's big tent, bowed down and saluted: "See Vice Marshal Pei!" (To be continued)