On August 12, Wen Chou led Chen Ning, Dong Jiang, Wen Ba and four hundred Taolin soldiers, bid farewell to Jiang Xuan, the military commander, and embarked on the journey to Luancheng County.

The cavalry opened the way, and the horses went first, although it was not a problem to go to war, but in this eventful autumn, it was better to be careful.

Luancheng County is located in the northwest of Pingjian County about 100 miles, and Pingjian County across the water, is a large county with a population of 70,000 or 80,000, because of the distance from Montenegro, Changshan area, the influence of the Montenegrin bandits is relatively small, slightly rich, more rich and big, which is also the reason why Wen Chou chose to go to Luancheng County.

Shahe Township is located in the southeast of Pingjian County, so it is one or two hundred miles away from Shahe Township to Luancheng County, and it is natural to pass through Pingjian County during the period.

Today's Pingjian County, compared with the earlier, is a little prosperous, because it has not been affected by the Black Mountain bandits, and the newly established Taolin Captain Military Department is in this county, which makes people have an extra layer of security in their hearts, and the horse merchants and hawkers who heard the news are gradually increasing, and there is almost an endless momentum.

Wen Chou rode slowly on the official road, and Chen Ning, Dong Jiang, and Wen Ba followed closely by his side. Then there are as many as three or four hundred Taolin soldiers, dressed in black, their heads wrapped in scarves, all with solemn faces pressing their hands on their waists and swords, their steps are neat, and they have an indomitable momentum. This formation really shocked the passers-by, and they all gave way to stand on both sides, silent. When the smoke and dust raised by the troops passed by settled, he dared to come to the middle of the road, point at the distant army of Wen Chou, and discuss. The news that Wen Chou led the army out of Shahe Township spread like this.

According to the law, the lord of a township cannot leave the country at will unless there are special circumstances, but now that the world is not quiet, the binding force of the county dynasty on local officials has decreased a lot; Second, Wen Chou also has the position of Captain Taolin, and is in charge of the matter of expelling thieves from the three nearby counties and ten townships, so Wen Chou does not have so many worries.

"Ahem, Mingzhi, what do you think of the current rebellion in the thistle, the Black Mountain thieves and the chaos of the people?" Wen Chou rode on his horse and coughed lightly, breaking the silence of the road. looked at Dong Jiang, and said, "Dong Jun can also talk freely." And the reason why I didn't ask Wenba was because I knew that he couldn't tell why, he just knew how to fight and kill.

When Chen Ning heard this, he pondered for a long time, and said: "The rebellion in Jizhong is the thief Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun's demagoguery of the army, and it is also a great rebellion, but it will not be recognized by the heads of the two prefectures of Youji and Hebei, and Gongsun Zhan, who has been fighting for a long time in the frontier, led the army to encircle and suppress and resist, and it will definitely not become a big climate!" Only Wuhuan Qiu Liju has thousands of cavalry, barbarian people, who do not understand benevolent governance, only know how to kill, they can miss a blow and travel thousands of miles, which will be a great disaster for the two states! ”

"Oh, what about the Black Mountain Bandits?" Wen Chou didn't think that Chen Ning could have any high opinions, after all, he was just a poor countryman, so he asked, just to find a topic and relieve the quiet and depressing atmosphere all the way, but he didn't expect Chen Ning to really speak decently, so he couldn't help but ask with interest.

"Alas, if you want to say that the Black Mountain Bandits, it has been two or three years since the Yellow Turban Thieves were defeated and arose! Most of its members are desperate poor peasants, although there are many people, but the combat power is not strong, like the possession of the body, if it cannot improve the people's livelihood, although it is not fatal, but it is not easy to eliminate! Chen Ning sighed and said.

Wen Chou lowered his head and pondered for a moment and said, "Well, what Mingzhi said is reasonable!" If you want to subdue the Black Mountain bandits, it is still not enough to strengthen the army, and the root cause still lies in enriching the people! ”

"I think that although the rebellion in the thistle is not small, it is not as serious as the harm caused by the Black Mountain bandits! On the one hand, the rebellion in the thistle is only a few people who are delusional, wishful thinking, and the scope of influence is small, and the black mountain thieves will be in trouble for two or three years, and they will definitely make many Qiantou not think about the foundation of cultivation and chase the evil of plunder! It is for the great harm; Second, the rebellion in the thistle is the upper-class rich family, and they will inevitably be violently resisted, because it will not last long, and the Black Mountain thieves, the chaotic countryside, is the foundation, and the harm is even worse! Dong Jiang said at the end of the day.

"Oh, Dong Jun's argument is a comparison between the two." Wen Chou was surprised. After pondering for a moment, he praised: "What Ming Zhi said is the law of controlling chaos, and what Dong Jun said makes it clear the harm of two things!" It's really the same thing. It's taught me a lot! ”

"Don't dare, Wen Jun has already made a judgment in the future, how can my ugly discussion get into your ears?" Dong Jiang hurriedly bowed his hand and complimented. Compared with Dong Jiang's flexibility, Chen Ning was relatively simple and calm, and just smiled. Wen Chou will not have any opinion on this, the two of them have such personalities.

……

In this way, the words and discussions along the way have really explored some things that can be used in the development and governance of Wenchou in the future. Suddenly made Wen Chou feel a little emotional, it is really a collective effort, the wisdom of the people is infinite, even if you are an inconspicuous country person, maybe there is something you can do.

After half a day of non-stop hurrying, Wen Chou and they finally came to the territory of Luancheng County. As long as you cross the water not far away, Luancheng will be visible at hand.

"Report, there is a township pavilion twenty miles ahead, as if it has been robbed by thieves!" Wen Chou's side felt something, and a horse flew in front of him, shouting to report.

"Well, twenty miles away, is it really a robbery by thieves?" Wen Chou pulled the reins and asked in the horse. The entire Peach Forest Army stopped with a brush, stirring up a cloud of smoke and dust.

"The people's team was in a township pavilion twenty miles away, and saw that there were many horse's hoof prints on the official road, and cautiously found the inside of the pavilion, and saw that there were hundreds of horsemen and thieves who were disturbing the people! Seeing that the thief army was strong, he ordered me to hurry to report the military situation. The cavalryman touched his sweat and said.

"Well, are the other members still staring there?" Wen Chou pondered for a moment and spoke.

"Captain, the other members of the clan are all there, and there will be our code left." The cavalry answered.

"Well, that's very good." Wen Chou first affirmed it, and then said to Chen Ning and Dong Jiang: "What do you think you should do? ”

"Could it be a thief? This is the hinterland, there is no nearby mountainous area, and hundreds of cavalry are not something that the thief can take out! Dong Jiang frowned and asked. The Taolin military headquarters gathered the strength of 20,000 people to gather 100 horsemen.

"Well, I don't think it's a thief." Chen Ning spoke.

"It's ......." Wen Chou looked at Dong Jiang and Chen Ning, and the three of them said together: "Qiu Liju! The three of them looked at each other and smiled.

"Hundreds of horsemen, when it is one of its branches, we should choose the opportunity to annihilate it!" Wen Chou's eyes lit up. Hundreds of horses are hundreds of war horses, even if they can't be captured all, dozens of them are good!

"Well, I'm in favor of it." Dong Jiang said at the moment.

"Well, only Wenjun's orders are obeyed, but don't act rashly, if the rebels are strong, they should be slowed down." Chen Ning said cautiously.

"Exactly, give the order to the whole army, follow me!" Wen Chou said proudly. and motioned to the horseman to probe the horse, and lead the way. I thought to myself: "These four hundred peach forest army, but I am the foundation of my ugly life, so naturally I won't joke about them!" ”