About 700 bandits were imprisoned in Zhangqian Village, making them the largest group captured. Because there was no time to screen, there were several big leaders under Tao San in this group of captives. After a series of meetings in the evening, taking advantage of the opportunity to gather for dinner in the morning, they suddenly attacked, and in unison, more than a dozen guards only had time to fire one or two shots before they were knocked down by the group of bandits who pounced. The bandits snatched the guards' guns, roared away, and fled in all directions. At that time, the first battalion was eating, and its vigilance was poor, and it was negligent in taking precautions, which caused a major accident.

When Long Qian arrived in front of Zhang, Ye Yanbing's battalion had all been dispatched to arrest him. At the beginning, Xu Shichang inspected the open space and squatted to catch about 200 bandits. Lu Shan, Zhou Yi, Ning Shijun and others all came over.

Seeing Long Qian, Lushan, who arrived first, reported the situation, a large group of bandits fled to the direction of Qiucun, where troops were stationed, they had no weapons, it is estimated that they could not escape from the base area, some of the bandits fled to the direction of Yanzhou, and the cavalry company and a battalion and a company were pursuing under the leadership of Ye Yanbing. As a result of the accident, seven guards were killed, six were injured, and thirteen guns were snatched.

"Careless! It has to be put in order! Long Qian grimaced, "Those who are caught will be interrogated separately immediately, the leaders will be detained separately, and all the big leaders will be shot!" ”

"I'll go to the east, there is a national pillar over there, the commander can rest assured." Lu Shan beat his horse and ran in the direction of Qiucun with a dozen cavalry of the guard company.

"There are also a small number of people who have escaped to the double chickens, I'll go over and take a look." Zhou Yi also took more than a dozen people to Shuangji.

Shuangji has three battalions led by Feng Lun, but there is no need to worry too much. The point is that the bandits of the "riot" did not have weapons. When Long Qian was walking around the square with a horsewhip, Shi Dashou, who rushed to hear the news, arrived with two companies of the fourth battalion. Because Zhao Jialou had prisoners, Shi Dashou left a company. Long Qian ordered the fourth battalion to search Zhang Qian thoroughly in a squad unit, and find out all the bandits who might be hiding in the villagers' houses.

They were busy until dark, and most of the bandits were captured by the attacking troops, during which there were sporadic exchanges of fire, because the guards had no bullets on them, only five shots from their guns, minus the number of shots, and the bandits who grabbed the guns were of little use. But there is no shortage of sharpshooters among the bandits. It still caused one death and three injuries to the pursuing troops. According to incomplete statistics. During the pursuit, 27 bandits were killed and wounded, of whom 15 were killed.

In the end, 29 people escaped capture.

"Commander, the responsibility lies with me__" Ye Yanbing looked remorseful.

"I didn't expect the boat to capsize in the gutter, did I? Since it is acknowledged that you are responsible. All right. You don't have to do it as a battalion commander. The next company carries a gun and becomes a soldier! The commander of the first battalion, acting by Du Sanli. "Long Qian hated the authentic.

Ye Yanbing paused, but still stood upright. "Yes."

Shen Wuxian, the biggest landlord in Zhangqian Village, looked stunned, so he dismissed Camp Chief Ye?

"One battalion and the whole battalion will be punished with one meal! How many companies were on duty at that time? "Long Qian is not done yet.

"Continuous__"

"Remove Xiong Xun from his position as company commander. Acting by the deputy company commander. Like you, go down to the company and become a soldier. ”

Since the whole army in Mengshan, it was the first time that the officers saw Long Qian so thunderous and angry, and they were all as quiet as a cicada.

"Because Lian Zhan Lianjie feels amazing, right? I didn't expect salted fish to be able to turn over, right? All officers of the 1st Battalion shall be fined for one month, no, all officers of the headquarters shall be fined for one month and shall write a written review and submit it to the Chief of Staff tomorrow morning. The first battalion withdrew to Zhengjiazhuang, and four battalions took over in Zhangqian Village. ”

"Commander__" Lu Shan felt that the punishment was a bit heavy, and wanted to argue a few words for Ye Yanbing and Xiong Xun, but was interrupted by Long Qian as soon as he opened his mouth, "No one is allowed to intercede!" Those seven soldiers who should not be sacrificed, who interceded for them? Mr. Shen, have the villagers lost anything? ”

"No, no, there's only one injured one, it doesn't matter."

"The lost property will be compensated by the Mengshan Army. You condoled this villager for me, and sent ten taels of silver to the condolence money, and I asked Lao Song to make it up for you when I went back. The money is deducted from my military salary! ”

"No need, where can I let the town guard make the lord break the bank__"

Long Qian waved his hand and interrupted Shen Wuxi, "Lu Shan, Zhou Yi, Ning Shijun, the three of you are each responsible for a few Zhuangzi in the base area and checking the discipline of the garrison. All the officers and soldiers who violated military discipline were brought back to Zhengjiazhuang. Fuck, that celebration yesterday shouldn't have been drunk at all! Something is wrong with the drink, right? The morning after tomorrow, all the officers above the company commander will go to the headquarters for a meeting! ”

The news of the "riot" in Zhangqian Village naturally spread to Zhengjiazhuang, and none of the rioting bandits ran to Zhengjiazhuang, probably they also knew that this side was the lair of the Mengshan Army. When Long Qian came back on horseback, it was late at night, and many people had already gathered at the headquarters, including Chen Chao, Cheng Daniu and others.

"Things are settled, please go back, everyone." Long Qian was in a bad mood and bowed his hand to several "village officials".

"Retreat, I heard that you dismissed Camp Commander Ye?" Chen Chao asked.

"What, you intercede with him too?"

"Camp Commander Ye is a good person__" Cheng Daniu interjected.

"Good guys? Good people are punished for doing wrong. Lao Cheng, if it's just because of this, go back quickly. This time the founding of the country did a good job, and he also made meritorious contributions to the capture of Tao San. I've already given him a vacation, see? ”

"See, see__"

"Go back. Don't get involved in the troops, you know? ”

"Then let's go." Chen Chao stood up.

"Mr. Chen, please stay," Long Qian took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, "It's not early, but I still want to talk to you." ”

Cheng Daniu stuck out his tongue at Chen Chao, and his tattered black cloth padded jacket went out.

"Mr. Koshiyuki, please be seated. Xiao Lu, boil some water and make us a pot of tea. Long Qian flicked the charcoal brazier with iron tongs, "Mr. Yuezhi, I heard that in the past six months, the autonomous committee led by you has done a lot of things that are welcomed by the villagers." ”

"Hey, I see you're so busy that your feet don't touch the ground, who did you listen to?"

"I have my own eyes and ears. Can you distill the practice of the Autonomous Council and write a booklet? ”

"What's it for?"

"Do you think there are the conditions for the full implementation of villager autonomy in Yizhou and Yanzhou?"

"Full implementation?"

"I think villager self-government is a good idea. I've read the village convention you wrote, and I'm very inspired. What about those things that Chen Jiaya already has? Or is it new? ”

"I am. Some changes have been made, though. ”

"That's it. I think it's good. Involve the villagers in the management. It is necessary to restrain and change the backward and ignorant side of clan power, prohibit drugs, gambling and prostitution, set up rural primary schools, encourage peasants to read and write, build water conservancy, improve seeds, increase the yield per mu, pay attention to hygiene, establish hospitals, and help the families of military martyrs and orphans and widows. These are all good things for the benefit of the country and the people. On this basis. It is also necessary to establish a reserve system, so that peasants of appropriate age can participate in military training, and organize young and middle-aged people, just like the security forces you have created. Joint defense and joint protection. No thieves__"

"Reserves?"

"Yes. It is the reserve army of the troops. Recruiting in the future. He was recruited from the reserves, and he joined the reserves. Grants. ”

"That'll do."

"The key is to improve the lives of the villagers, increase the yield per mu, and solve the problem of having enough to eat, followed by the development of sideline business, to solve the problem of eating well, and the most important thing is to set up industry and commerce, so that the people's lives are getting better day by day. It is necessary to sum up the methods and practices of the autonomous committee that the troops have implemented in the Zhengjiazhuang area, and not to be arrogant and feel that there is nothing to be known about in the ravine. It's summed up here, I'm promoting it in Yizhou and Yanzhou, let's talk about it in other places, these two states, I'm still sure. The imperial court is already planning a new policy, and when the imperial court returns to Beijing, the new policy will be officially launched. ”

Chen Chao shook his head, "I'm not as evil as you think." The fact that the Autonomous Committee was able to do something was completely stained with the light of the Mengshan Army. In addition, you pay for money, such as running a literacy class, such as buying seeds, a dozen villages is one thing, one or two states is another. And forget it, don't talk about it. ”

"You see, what can't you say to me? Just say it. Long Qian got up and refilled the boiling water in Chen Chao's tea bowl.

"Retreat, you tell me the truth, are you really loyal to the court?"

"Why do you ask that? I am already the envoy of the two states appointed by the imperial court. ”

"Remember, you've forgotten what you said to me. After the Gengzi national disaster, people's hearts are even more scattered, look at the people under your command, how can they talk about the court? It's you, how much sincerity do you have for the court? Is it reluctant to take shelter from the tiger's den? ”

Chen Chao's eyes were blazing on Long Qian.

It's sharp. Long Qian hesitated for a moment, "Let's put aside the question of your life first." I'm so weird, you don't seem that traditional, do you? According to my father, it is often not the lower class or the upper class who maintain the Taoist system, but the middle-level intellectuals. You are a high-school person, you can be regarded as a well-known intellectual, isn't it the king, the minister, the father, the son, the son? Why do you still want to help the Mengshan army resist the official army? ”

"Excuse me, you're too embarrassed to mention this! Do you know the truth? Ever since you came to us, you have shattered your life here! Your Mengshan Army? Have you counted, how many of them are our children? It's the little Chenjiaya, and there are more than 30 people who have joined your Mengshan Army! There are even brothers who have joined the gang. It's not so much the Mengshan army, but also the Zhengjiazhuang soldiers and the Chenjiaya soldiers! You have been defeated by the imperial court, and I don't know how many families will be ruined in this area! Do I have a choice, you say? Chen Chao stood up angrily, pointed at Long Qian's nose and shouted.

Lu Guangda poked his head out of the door, and Long Qian waved his hand to drive him away, "Go to sleep, Mr. Chen taught me, what's so surprising?" ”

Chen Chao was half angry by Long Qian's words, sat down, and stood up again, "Forget it, I should go back." ”

"Now that we've talked about it, why don't we have a good time? Don't worry, let's continue the topic just now, why do you think that there is a way out for resisting the officers and soldiers? ”

"This?" Chen Chao paused, "I believe in you, I believe that you have a way to untie this knot." ”

"In your opinion, the Mengshan Army has become the Weisheng Army, and this settlement has been unraveled, right?" Long Qian smiled.

"Yes. To be honest, I didn't expect such a result. That's why I'm worried that you're not satisfied, and that your gang of people from the ringing horses won't be able to control their hearts. Chen Chao stood up excitedly again, "You went to Beijing to fight, and you left." Do you know how worried the folks are? What to worry about? Fear for the safety of their children! In the past two days, you have been celebrating and feasting, and have you seen how many families in the village wear filial piety? Cheng Daniu is determined to support you, because you killed Zheng Jing. Avenged him. His eldest son left with you, he didn't say anything, he was worried to death, Jiang Yun came back, and immediately ran to inquire. Where did Jiang Yun know about a soldier under the road? Hearing that you were fighting with foreigners in Tianjin, Lao Cheng said to me with tears, 'There are no immortals in war, and there are no immortals!' He regarded his son as a dead man__ is my Chen Jiaya, three died at once, and one was disabled! Even if you give them a pension. They are alive and kicking sons. Never back! ”

Long Qian was silent. After a long time, he said to Chen Chao, "This is also something that makes me very entangled, in fact." Think about the depth of this question. I'm no worse than you. You said. Why are they going with me? I didn't arrest my husband, did I force me into the gang? ”

"Yes, they are voluntary. Because of your righteousness. Caring for the people is different from other ringing horses. ”

"They followed me to fight against the official army, which is a rebellion! Why don't they think about the consequences? ”

"They're all young people, where would they think that far? Your team is good at demagoguery__"

"Oh, it's because I'm young and mindless, and I'm good at demagogy. However, their parents are not young, are they? Mr. Chen, you actually know very well in your heart why the current situation will occur! It's because everyone's life is so hard, so bitter that there is no way to live, no hope! The government is not responsible for anything but collecting taxes from the people! Natural and man-made disasters are always left to the people themselves. When you meet an enlightened farmer like you, the life of the people will be better. When encountering a bully like Zheng Jing, the people have no way to live! The villagers in the base area supported the Mengshan Army because the Mengshan Army did something they hoped to do! Repairing water canals, lowering land rents, running schools, and providing relief to the sick and suffering__These things are actually what the government should do__Back to the question you just asked, Mr. Chen, do you say that it is better to let everyone wait for death in hopelessness, or to pay sacrifices to open up a way of life for future generations? ”

"Did you find that way?" Chen Chao asked coldly.

"To be honest, no. But I know that hard work always pays off. ”

"You've been rewarded! The town guards of the two states, the official is big enough! Resting in the late Tang Dynasty, it is the festival envoy, on the horse to manage the army, and the horse to manage the people, is it not enough for you to show your talents? ”

"Let's not talk about that. Why do you think I'm going to rebel? ”

"It's simple. You have never told your subordinates to be loyal to the court! ”

"But I've talked about being loyal to the country. The state is different from the imperial court, and the imperial court cannot fully represent the state. And, as I have always believed, responsibilities and rights are twins! With rights comes responsibility! The imperial court has a lot of power to manipulate the lives and deaths of all people, but they have never fulfilled their responsibilities! Educating future generations and consolidating national defense is the responsibility of any modern government. Let's look at the reality, what is the percentage of illiterate? It has been a tradition for thousands of years to post Spring Festival couplets during the Spring Festival, but what are the villagers sticking on the door? Ten circles on two pieces of red paper! I dare to conclude that we are not progressing, but regressing in terms of the universality of education! Not to mention national defense, in forty years, the capital of the country has been beaten down twice! At present, tens of thousands of foreign troops are still occupying, burning, killing, and plundering, and doing everything. In order to deal with the aftermath, the imperial court still doesn't know how much interest to sell and pay compensation? One Jiawu, lost 200 million taels, this time, I'm afraid it's only a lot more. Coastal cities, with many concessions, have formed a country within a country__"

"Our national strength is not as good as others, and we can't blame the imperial court__"

"Who's to blame? Is it to blame the people? ”

This is not the first time this kind of conversation has been made. Chen Chao knew that he couldn't convince the other party, but in fact, he couldn't even convince himself. This is also the main basis for Chen Chao to worry about Long Qian's "bad intentions", "But, can you change all this?" The cycle of chaos is like this. Which dynasty is not like this, the more you go to the back, the more chaotic the politics are__Zhang Yanghao wrote well, 'Xing, the people suffer, die, the people suffer.' Why not base ourselves on reality and govern this place well? Let the people live a life of food and clothing, let the dolls go to school, and stop drawing circles at the gate__"

"That's self-deception. Tao Yuanming's thoughts. Long Qian said, "It's you, I'm afraid I don't believe it." The area around Zhengjiazhuang is rich, and it may attract many pretenders, but it is not just a ringing horse! ”

"Don't talk big! To put it mildly, if you become the emperor, you can change this? ”

"Chaos is not necessarily circulating! Western countries have already found a way, and once they are governed, they will no longer be chaotic. I want to state one thing, don't say that I only have a few thousand soldiers in my hands, even if I expand the land for thousands of miles and have millions of soldiers, I Long Qian will not be the emperor! Mr. Yuezhi, you keep my words firmly in mind, if there is a violation, you spit on my face, I will not wipe it! ”

"You won't be the attitude you have now. Yan Ziling also met a Guangwu Emperor, and left a beautiful story for the ages! Not to mention, now you are the envoy of the two states, thinking about moving to Yizhou or Yanzhou? Our little mountain village is just a stepping stone for you. ”

"No, the base will always be my roots. Mr. Yuezhi, I know what you are worried about, when I am busy for the past few days, I will come to the door to ask you to propose. Lady Girl, I'm married. ”

"Okay, there's your word. It doesn't matter if you break your home or destroy your family, or turn your family into a country. I just hope you don't let Shu'er down. After a matter of heart, Chen Chao stood up, "I'll see you go that far!" ”

"Lu Quantda! Go and send one to Mr. Chen. Long Qian shouted.

Chen surpassed Zhengjiazhuang, and Lu Guangda followed from a distance, sending him to Chenjiaya before returning to the headquarters. (To be continued......)