gnovel Chapter 70 Pacifying the Four Counties in Southern Danyang
Chapter 70 Pacifying the Four Counties in Southern Danyang
Liu Bei's reply arrived quickly.
Lu Yong unfolded the silk scroll, read it quickly, and couldn't help but smile slightly.
Seeing this, Zhang Fei leaned over and asked, "What did you say, brother?"
"Our lord has agreed," Lu Yong handed the silk scroll to Zhang Fei, "and said he'd wait until we get back to celebrate our victory."
Zhang Fei grinned: "Then I'll have to ask my elder brother to prepare a few more jars of good wine."
"My lord also said that we'll settle the score for your drinking in the army when we get back."
Zhang Fei's smile froze.
Lu Yong stopped teasing him and turned to walk towards the county government office.
Zulang, Lei Hu, and a robust man in his fifties were waiting in the hall.
This man was eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a powerful build, and his face bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Lei Hu.
He wore a worn-out leather armor, with a short knife at his waist, and exuded a fierce aura honed in the mountains and forests.
Upon seeing Lu Yong enter, Lei Hu quickly introduced him, "Strategist, this is my father."
Lei Zhen stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands above his head:
Lei Zhen, a man from the mountains, met the strategist.
"Thank you so much, strategist, for sparing my son. Lei Zhen is deeply grateful."
"No need for such formalities, Elder Lei." Lu Yong reached out to help Lei Zhen up and said with a smile, "Your son is exceptionally brave; it is our honor that he has joined us."
Lei Zhen stood up and nodded gratefully.
The five people took their seats.
Lu Yong got straight to the point: "I invited Elder Hero Lei here to discuss the matter of marching south to capture the three counties of Lingyang, Yixian, and Shexian."
Lei Zhen pondered for a moment and said:
"The Yue tribes in these three counties have all had dealings with Commander Zu and someone else."
"I still have some influence in the mountains. If Commander Zu could also step in and persuade me, we might not need to resort to force."
Zu Lang then spoke up, saying, "I know Chen Bao, Wang Hai, and Fang Jie."
But they have always been afraid of the government troops and act independently. If Brother Lei and I go together to persuade them, they will most likely surrender directly.
This was exactly the effect Lu Yong wanted.
Zulang and Leizhen both enjoyed high prestige among the Yue people.
If they can step in, there is a high chance they can take the remaining three counties without bloodshed.
"Then I'll trouble you two to make the trip," Lu Yong said, rising to his feet and bowing respectfully.
Zu Lang and Lei Zhen exchanged a glance, then stood up in unison and said, "We will set off today and persuade the three counties to surrender!"
Zhang Fei chimed in, "Should I go with them? If those guys don't know what's good for them, I can help teach them a lesson."
Lu Yong shook his head and said, "Let's not rush. If persuasion fails, then we'll launch a strong attack."
The strategy of first showing courtesy and then resorting to force was a way of giving the Yue people enough face.
Zulang cupped his hands and said, "I will go and gather men now, and we will set off shortly."
After saying that, he left with Lei Zhen.
After the two walked out of the government office hall,
Zhang Fei then leaned close to Lu Yong and whispered, "Huai'an, aren't you afraid Zu Lang will take this opportunity to run away?"
"Why did he run away?" Lu Yong laughed. "If he tried to make a living on his own, at best he'd only be a king in some remote mountain valley south of Danyang."
But by following us, he has the opportunity to participate in the struggle for supremacy and even make a name for himself in history.
Zu Lang was also ambitious; otherwise, why would he have proclaimed himself Grand Marshal of Jing County and even Grand Marshal of Danyang?
Upon hearing this, Lei Hu couldn't help but lean closer and ask, "Can I also have my name recorded in history?"
Lu Yong glanced at him and replied confidently, "Of course."
Lei Hu straightened his chest and his eyes shone.
Zhang Fei patted Lei Hu on the shoulder and said, "Work hard with us, and I'll make sure you go down in history."
Zulang and Leizhen each led several thousand troops south.
Lu Yong and Zhang Fei led their troops out two days later, following far behind them.
The news came quickly.
Chen Bao of Lingyang surrendered, handing over all his 1,200 followers and 3,000 shi of grain.
Lu Yong ordered Chen Bao to temporarily act as the county magistrate of Lingyang and lead his troops to garrison Lingyang.
Two days later, Wang Hai of Yi County sent an envoy with a letter of surrender.
Wang Haiyuan led 1,500 men to surrender, only asking to retain his troops and not be divided up.
Lu Yong replied with his consent, appointing Wang Hai as the military commander of Yi County, under the command of Zu Lang.
However, on the seventh day,
Zu Langcai wrote that Fang Jie of Shexian County refused to see him.
They attacked for two days but failed to capture Yixian County.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei immediately stood up: "This scoundrel is shameless! I'll take the troops and drag him out!"
Lu Yong, his face cold, said to Zhang Fei and Lei Hu, "You two will lead the troops to assist them. You must take Yi County with overwhelming force to deter the villains!"
"Yes, sir!"
After receiving the order, Zhang Fei mustered four thousand infantrymen, took Lei Hu with him, and rushed to Shexian County day and night.
Upon arrival, Zulang was leading his troops to besiege the North Gate, while Lei Zhen was launching a feint attack at the South Gate.
Although the defenses of Shexian County were rudimentary, the Yue people of the mountains were not good at attacking cities and had little coordination.
Zulang and Leizhen's troops suffered heavy casualties, but they were still unable to breach the city.
Zhang Fei's arrival greatly boosted the morale of Zu Lang and Lei Hu.
Zhang Fei and Lei Hu personally led the charge.
The city walls that gave Zu Lang and Lei Zhen such a headache seemed child's play to Zhang Fei and Lu Yong's soldiers.
The city wall was only one zhang high.
They didn't even use ladders; they simply built a ramp with shields.
Zhang Fei and Lei Hu then led the remaining soldiers and charged up the city wall.
This maneuver left both sides, the enemy and the Yue people, dumbfounded.
After Zhang Fei went up, he slaughtered everyone in his path, causing the defending troops to flee in terror.
When Fang Jie saw that the east city wall had fallen, he tried to escape in a panic, but was hacked to death by Zu Lang's soldiers who caught up with him.
With this, all four southern counties of Danyang were pacified.
When news of Lu Yong's successful pacification of the four southern counties of Danyang reached Wanling, it was already the end of March, and spring plowing was just around the corner.
Liu Bei received the news of victory.
He immediately summoned Lu Su, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Zhuge Jin and others to discuss the matter.
"Huai'an wants us to implement new policies in the four counties, treating them the same as Wanling and other places."
After handing Lu Yong's letter to Lu Su, Liu Bei said:
"Gentlemen, please tell me, how exactly should this be done?"
After reading the letter, Lu Su said:
"The strategist's idea is to treat the Yue people and the Han people equally."
Treaties concerning land distribution, tax exemption, and trade must be written into government decrees and made public.
Zhuge Jin then added:
"In my opinion, it is necessary to send capable officials to serve in the four counties."
The south is short of manpower, so it's a good opportunity to settle the newly recruited refugees there, both to increase the population and to facilitate management.
Mi Zhu frowned and said, "The Yue people in the mountains are fierce and do not submit to the king's rule. If we Han people go there, won't we be bullied?"
Lu Su replied, "Huai'an also said in his letter that strict laws should be established. From now on, there will be no distinction between the Yue people and the Han people, and those who violate this rule will be severely punished."
Liu Bei thought for a moment and said:
"Zu Lang is familiar with the terrain and local conditions in the south, and can be appointed as the Western Commandant of Danyang, in charge of the defense of the four counties."
Lei Zhen is calm and experienced, and can serve as the Sima of the Southern Region of Danyang, and Zuo Zhu Zulang.
As for the officials needed for civil administration, Zijing and Gongyou, you shall arrange them.
"Yes, sir!" Lu Su and Sun Qian bowed and accepted the order.
Everything was agreed upon.
Liu Bei ordered his men to make multiple copies of the decree, affix their seal, and send them to Jing County.
Lu Yong was on his way back to his army when he received the reply.
After reading the reply, Lu Yong said to Zu Lang and Lei Zhen:
"Our lord has officially appointed you two as the Western Commandant and Southern Military Commander of Danyang. The defense of the four counties is now entrusted to you two."
After saying this, he handed the appointment letter to the two men.
Zulang was overjoyed to receive the silk scroll, and then immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Zulang will certainly not fail the great trust placed in him by his lord."
Lei Zhen also knelt down and clasped his hands, saying, "Lei Zhen is willing to serve you to the death."