"Uncle, my nephew understands what you mean." Cao Bianjiao responded loudly, and then said further: "However, what my nephew doesn't understand is that if you want to alleviate the anger of the people, you can reduce taxes. ”

"As for military spending and other expenditures, it is completely possible to levy the tea tax, silk tax and salt introduction in Jiangnan and Lianghuai, which is enough to solve the urgent need and relieve these financial expenditures. What's more, whether it is the current emperor or the vassal kings everywhere, there is a small treasury, if they can take out a sum of silver to enrich the treasury, it can greatly reduce the burden of the people. ”

"Change Jiao, don't say it, this is not something you and I can discuss, formulate a national policy, and have your own emperor to preside over it." Cao Wenzhao scolded Cao Bianjiao again, his face was anxious, and when he saw that his nephew still wanted to refute, he said again: "You go out first, I still have something to discuss with Lord Wu." ”

In the end, although Cao Bianjiao was unwilling and wanted to refute, he could only listen to his uncle's words and stubbornly left.

Looking at Cao Bianjiao's departing figure and disappearing in front of the door of the study, Wu Fu's brows furrowed slightly, and he reminded him with kind words: "General Cao, you'd better persuade General Cao Xiao and explain the stakes, everyone knows, whether it is the private treasury of the emperor and the vassal king, or the various taxes in the south of the Yangtze River, it is better not to discuss it in vain." Otherwise, it will not only offend Jiangnan and the powerful squires of Lianghuai, but also arouse the emperor's suspicion. ”

"Thank you Lord Wu for mentioning it, the last general also has this intention, and I will find the reason for the change as soon as possible, and know that the stakes are at stake." Cao Wenzhao nodded slightly, his face was solemn, he was grateful, and then turned to say: "My lord, no matter whether the last general can stay in Shanxi or not, you have to pay more attention, the last general always has a feeling that the chaotic army in the area south of Zezhou and Pingyang Mansion is not simple, and its movements are not only erratic, elusive, and difficult to detect, but also have a certain intention, Pingyang Mansion and Zezhou are getting more and more out of control, but there is no evidence enough to prove it, so that it cannot be reported to the imperial court." ”

"Yes, General Cao, I came here this time to discuss this matter with you. Although there is no evidence to support it, the feeling is very obvious and more and more intense, and the phenomenon of Binh Duong Province and Zezhou getting out of control is still spreading northward. ”

......

In the southwest of Shanxi, in the land of Shangluo in Shaanxi, not far from the border of Henan, there are banners hunting, war horses neighing, countless rebel armies gather here, most of all the rebel armies in Shaanxi are here, there are more than 200,000 people.

In the area slightly ahead of the army, the rebels from all walks of life sat in a group, discussing enthusiastically, and the question of where to go was at loggerheads.

"Everyone, in my opinion, it's better for us to enter Shanxi. As we all know, the Tartars have just retreated from Shanxi, and more than half of the defenses there have already been destroyed, and if we attack again, we will get twice the result with half the effort, and we will easily take some state capitals and counties. ”

"Well, I don't agree with that. Although Shanxi was trampled by the hooves of the Huang Taiji Iron Cavalry, the defenses of some cities were weakened. However, don't ignore one point, not to mention that the Tartars have already looted it, and if they go to capture it, they won't be able to get any oil and water. As far as one point is concerned, although the Houjin has retreated, there are not a few troops who stay there in the imperial court, if we enter, it is tantamount to taking the initiative to fight against the official army, and in the end it is our rebel army that suffers. ”

"Yes, yes, I think so too. Rather than entering Shanxi, I am more inclined to attack the county capital of Henan. There is an empty army, and many officers and troops have been transferred to the north of the Yellow River to resist the Houjin Iron Cavalry, and they have not yet returned. ”

"I think it's not safe to enter Henan and Shanxi, so it's better to go straight to the land of Huguang. Not only was there an empty army, but it was also the main force far from the imperial court. Even if we know that we are attacking many state capitals and counties in Huguang, even if we immediately send troops to support, we will not be able to arrive in ten days and half a month. With this time, there is enough for everyone to do anything. ”

......

Looking at the leaders who were fighting for red faces, Li Zicheng always smiled, smiled and waited, and was silent until the atmosphere of the dispute slowed down slightly, and in that short quiet moment, he shouted loudly: "Leaders, can you listen to Li's words?" ”

In an instant, everyone fell silent, swallowed back the words that came to their mouths, and all eyes were focused in one direction.

Although there were dozens of rebel armies of all kinds, Li Zicheng's prestige could be seen, and with such a voice, he immediately controlled the situation and attracted everyone's attention and attention.

At this time, Li Zicheng's reputation and prestige can be compared to Gao Yingxiang, Luo Rucai, Zhang Miaoshou and others, and he is also one of the best figures in the rebel army. Especially in the past two years, whenever the rebel army is in danger, it will be able to offer decisive strategies to save the rebel army from all walks of life.

At this moment, Li Zicheng felt everyone's puzzled and curious eyes, and when he saw that no one objected, he immediately continued: "Leaders, the reason why everyone is arguing with each other is nothing more than about everyone's whereabouts, and it is impossible to form a unified opinion for the time being. ”

Li Zicheng's speech slowed down slightly, as if he paused, still smiling, but his eyes were shining with scorching light, full of deep meaning, while looking around at everyone, he also said loudly: "Li summed it up, the reason why everyone has never been able to reach a unified opinion, the point of disagreement is nothing more than three places, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the following view, it is not that there is no solution, nor is it impossible to form a unified consensus. ”

"Oh... General Li, what is your solution? Zhang Miaoshou asked at the right time, with kindness on his face and a warm smile.

However, without waiting for Li Zicheng to answer, Zhang Xianzhong jumped out and said first: "Li Zicheng, don't say anything about dividing the troops into three units, and enter Shanxi, Huguang and Henan one after another. ”

"Oh... Chief Zhang, why is it impossible? Li Zicheng ignored the yin and yang in Zhang Xianzhong's words, and asked instead.

"Needless to say?" Zhang Xianzhong pursed his lips, revealing a hint of mockery, and then exuded a domineering aura, and then said: "Although most of the rebel army in Shaanxi has gathered here, there are two or three hundred thousand people. However, once the army was divided into three routes, each route was only about 90,000 men. Moreover, there are many family members of the military. In this case, if the troops are divided, the ability to siege the city will be greatly weakened, and how can it form an effective combat force. ”

Everyone nodded frequently when they heard it, and they may have some doubts about Zhang Xianzhong's previous words, as if they were angry and opposed for the sake of opposition, but as soon as they heard the latter words, many leaders showed deep approval and recognized Zhang Xianzhong's analysis from the bottom of their hearts.

After repeated difficulties, Zhang Xianzhong was disappointed that he did not see Li Zicheng showing the slightest sense of messiness, but showed a calm and unhurried look, and said to the answer: "Leader Zhang, what you said is good and true, but you ignore one point. ”

"What was overlooked?" Zhang Xianzhong instinctively asked rhetorically, his thick eyebrows trembled, and he raised slightly.

"Hehe... Leader Zhang, don't forget, the world is so big, not only Shaanxi has rebel armies, Henan and Shanxi also have large and small rebel armies, they can't bear the heavy endowment of the imperial court, they can't bear the exploitation of corrupt officials and corrupt officials, and they have started trouble, as long as we unite with it, we don't have to worry about the problem of troops, we can attack the county seat. ”

"Moreover, I suggest that you divide the troops into three routes, the most important thing is that once the troops are divided into three routes, they will enter Shanxi, Henan and Huguang respectively, which will inevitably maximize the dispersion and containment of the main force of the official army, so that the imperial court will have to divide the troops into three routes."

"Zicheng is right, our troops are divided into three routes, and correspondingly, the officers and troops will also be divided into three routes." Gao Yingxiang immediately stood up to express his support, and added: "In this way, no matter which rebel army it is, the pressure on the official army will be much smaller, even if the future development is not smooth, and it cannot withstand the encirclement and suppression of the official army, it can calmly withdraw to other places and join up with other rebel armies." ”

At this moment, there is no need for everyone to say anything, and Li Zicheng's proposal has already been acquiesced.

Perhaps, even without Li Zicheng's proposal, everyone tended to divide their troops into three ways and did not want to act together. After all, there are so many people, so many rebel armies, some strong and some weak, and when there are many monks and few porridges, there will always be uneven distribution.

Especially for those who are weak in the rebel army, and the desire to divide their troops into other areas, this desire is particularly strong.

There is no doubt that the next thing is about the division of troops, of course, it is a very cheap thing.

At the same time, thousands of miles away in Xining, Gansu Province, there is a turmoil, smoke is filling, blood is flowing, people are rolling, all kinds of screams and fights are everywhere in the city, all this comes so suddenly and without warning, and there is a trace of clues.