"This Pig King Zheng Zhi is truly as good as his name."
Shen Tang never liked to judge a person based on public opinion, but the Zheng brothers were definitely an exception.
Zheng Qiao and Zheng Zhi are truly blood brothers.
The two are essentially birds of a feather.
Zheng Qiao allowed his soldiers to burn, kill and plunder, and Zheng Zhi also allowed his livestock to run wild, stealing people's food, robbing people's property, killing people, and stealing people's wives and daughters. Soldiers killed and beheaded people with swords, all of whom were ordinary unarmed civilians. They killed them to the edge of the swords, and the ditches outside the city were filled with corpses, and the stench of corpses was overwhelming.
Looking at the piled-up corpses, Shen Tang's face became darker than ever before, with murderous aura lingering around him. He wished he could draw his sword and kill all the murderers!
When the rebels evacuated, they still set fire to civilians' houses.
Flames shot up into the sky, dyeing the sky red!
The ground was covered with black smoke and everyone was silent!
Is that it
No, it’s not over yet!
When Shen Tang went to the meeting, he also heard that the ancestral graves of the rich families that were looted were dug up and the bones were thrown into the wilderness at will. If anyone tried to stop them, they would be killed. Although digging up ancestral graves was one of the ways to make money during a war, it was rare to do it in broad daylight without even a piece of cloth to cover it up.
The allied forces slammed the table and cursed, spitting everywhere.
It was as if they were the ones whose ancestors' graves were being dug up.
Gu Chi secretly curled his lips - if the Zheng brothers had behaved like human beings, it wouldn't be the turn of these people to jump up and down.
He leaned closer and asked, "What are Shen Lang's plans?"
The rebels everywhere were like locusts passing through the border. They just walked away without a word, leaving a mess behind that no one could clean up. The Alliance Army didn't want to take over. Everyone tacitly agreed not to mention this matter.
Shen Tang groaned and said, "Let's do our best."
After saying this, he continued to drink tea with his head down.
They drank tea until the end of today's meeting. Everyone left in twos and threes, but Shen Tang sat in his seat without moving.
Seeing this, Alliance Leader Wu Xian asked, "Brother Shen, is there anything wrong?"
Shen Tang went straight to the point.
Ask Alliance Leader Wu Xian how to resettle the surviving people.
"They have no food, no money, and no place to stay. If we leave, we're afraid we'll be targeted by bandits and won't be able to survive."
Alliance leader Wu Xian's heart was beating fast, but he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Shen. I will send someone to get the charter out as soon as possible."
Shen Tang is a poor bachelor, barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes, but Wu Xian, the leader of the alliance, has a large family and a large business, and his financial, material and human resources are far superior to everyone else. Overall, it is best for him to take over. Even if the alliance army conducts "crowdfunding", Wu Xian, the leader of the alliance, will inevitably be stabbed.
Shen Tang asked: "How long is the fastest?"
Alliance leader Wu Xian: “…”
The smile on his face became more awkward.
He hesitated: "Well, it will take a few days."
He said, "No hurry, no hurry."
Shen Tang, however, was determined to get to the bottom of the matter.
"What day is it?"
Alliance leader Wu Xian: “…”
He wondered whether Shen Tang was really stupid or just pretending to be stupid.
Can't you see that no one wants to take on this hot potato
It’s not that these people have no sympathy.
But we are powerless.
War is the most expensive activity.
Wu Xian, the leader of the alliance, came here because of the profit (the national seal), but now he has no national seal, no food and grass, and only the so-called "military merit". The key is that he has to find Zheng Qiao to redeem this "military merit", and he loses money every day when he opens his eyes.
Not to say that I can’t afford to lose…
But that little family fortune could not withstand lavish spending.
Leader Wu Xian was under so much pressure, let alone the other small faction leaders? They were already feeding so many mouths by recruiting people to fight, and if another group came, wouldn't they be bankrupted
Most of those who survived were the elderly, the weak, women and children who were lucky enough to survive, as the young and strong had already been forcibly conscripted by the rebels - a group of elderly, the weak, women and children were basically equivalent to walking eating machines.
Their productivity is far lower than that of young and strong people, so accepting them would be a burden.
So everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it.
Who would have thought that such a young man like Shen Tang would bring this up.
Alliance leader Wu Xian had a grin on his face.
I'm secretly starting to have a headache.
Shen Tang sighed: "Is the leader in trouble?"
Alliance leader Wu Xian climbed up the pole and began to play the victim - Shen Tang had only more than 200 people under his command, and it was no problem at all for him to support such a small number of people with that little family wealth, but the mouths of people under his command were counted in tens of thousands, and the economic pressure was not of the same order of magnitude.
Summarize-
"It's not that I don't want to, I just can't help you." Alliance Leader Wu Xian was worried that Shen Tang would bring it up in front of everyone next time and offend a lot of people, so he deliberately reminded him, "There are some things that Brother Shen Xian can tell me, but if other people know about it, it's easy to be hated..."
Shen Tang shook his head: "That's not what I meant."
Alliance leader Wu Xian raised an eyebrow, not understanding what was going on, so he cautiously asked Shen Tang, "So, what does Brother Shen Xian mean..."
Shen Tang: "Leave all these people to me."
Alliance leader Wu Xian and Gu Chi looked at her in shock.
The former was worried that Shen Tang didn't know the seriousness of the matter, so he advised: "Brother Shen, do you know how many people there are? Three or four thousand old, weak, women and children! They can't go to the battlefield like the young and strong, and they can't farm as well as the young people. If they go, it will be a sheer waste of food!"
The latter looked at her with worried eyes.
Shen Tang said calmly: "I know."
Alliance leader Wu Xian repeatedly confirmed with Shen Tang: "Do you know?"
Shen Tang: “Yes.”
Alliance leader Wu Xian asked again: "Do you know the importance of this?"
Shen Tang said: "Yes."
Alliance leader Wu Xian was not optimistic, for he knew exactly how much money Shen Tang had - that day, Li Li brought more than a hundred people, pushing large and small carts and driving a group of chubby pigs. That little bit of assets was enough for more than a hundred people to live comfortably, but with three or four thousand elderly, weak, women and children who did not work, after deducting all the money, they could only last for half a month!
What should I do after half a month
He sighed and said, "Let me think about it again."
There was no reason for him to refuse someone who had stepped forward to take over this mess that no one else had taken over, but he couldn't just push one person away, especially when that person was Shen Tang. Shen Tang was still young, and outsiders who didn't know the situation would think that he was black-hearted and deceiving people.
Leaving the tent, Gu Chi said: "Mr. Shen is too reckless. We should discuss this matter with Qi Yuanliang, Chu Wuhui and others..."
Shen Tang said: "Do what you think is right."
Gu Chi said "eh" in confusion.
Shen Tang said with a smile: "I think what I did is right, so I did it. Even if I discuss it with Yuan Liang and the others, I will stick to my own opinion. I told Xiao Linfeng this a few days ago. I should set a good example for her."
Gu Chi: "How do we solve the food problem?"
Shen Tang pointed at himself and said, "Have you forgotten my words?"
Gu Chi naturally did not forget.
only-
We can't let Shen Tang supply everything.
It’s not a big deal.
Furthermore,
Gu Chi couldn't help but pour a basin of cold water on Shen Tang: "Not everyone is willing to go with you. Some people would rather defend their homeland than leave it, not to mention a place as chaotic and dangerous as Heyin. Shen Lang must be mentally prepared."
Shen Tang waved his hand casually: "I know."
She is just a walking pancake, not a walking gold, silver or jewelry, and not everyone likes her.
Shen Tang knows his own limitations.
"Have you figured out how to convince Qi Yuanliang and the others?"
Gu Chi had a hunch.
If Qishan knew about this, he would probably blame him.
Shen Tang was in high spirits: "Isn't this simple?"
She is good at fooling Qi Shan and Chu Yao.
The reason was ready-made - if she wanted to take these people away, she would have a reason to leave the Alliance Army in advance and settle down in He Yin, and the Alliance Army would not be able to stop her. After that, she only needed to wait for Gu Ren to recommend her, and she would be able to take He Yin into her pocket.
otherwise-
What excuse did Shen Tang use to leave early
Even if she wanted to leave, the allied forces might not let her go easily - they were also afraid that Gong Xichou would lead his troops to attack back.
The matter was concluded the next day.
When the meeting was held, Alliance Leader Wu Xian brought up this matter and sought everyone's opinions. Although no one wanted these three or four thousand people, they were nominally rescued by the Alliance Army, and if they were to be "divided", the Alliance Army must agree unanimously.
When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
They all looked at Shen Tang, some with admiration, some with surprise, some looking at him as if he were a fool, and some with confusion.
What's the point
Would you eat or take a shit just for the sake of these three or four thousand burdens
Someone tactfully reminded Shen Tang that it would cost a huge amount of money to accept these people, and if his family was not wealthy enough, he should not take on such a thankless task.
They think Shen Tang is just trying to be rich.
If Shen Tang had a rich family, he wouldn't have only two or three hundred people under his command. Don't look back and find that you can't afford to support these people. If there is trouble, it will ruin your reputation and it will not be worth it.
Shen Tang responded to these voices one by one.
"My family has a little money, so if we grit our teeth, we can hold on for two or three months. I am also prepared to borrow some food and grass from you. As long as we can hold on until the next spring plowing season, we will be able to recover..."
Everyone: “…”
Alliance leader Wu Xian: “…”
They had to suspect that Shen Tang's real purpose in wanting these people was to use this as an excuse to borrow food from them. Everyone suddenly felt that their kindness had gone to waste - they were worried that Shen Tang's family was not wealthy enough, and Shen Tang was eyeing their granary
Is there anyone
The atmosphere suddenly fell into a strange state.
It was not until Gu Ren spoke that it was broken.
He said: "Although Gu's family is not wealthy, I really admire Master Shen's compassion and am willing to lend him two hundred dan of grain and grass."
Others were reminded and spoke up.
Instead of waiting for Shen Tang to come and ask for a high price, it is better to be generous and decide the amount yourself. Shen Tang will not ask for more. You contribute a little, I contribute a little, and it is a token of my appreciation.
Shen Tang asked Qishan to help write it down.
Then I'll send the IOU to your door.
After finishing this matter, Shen Tang took the opportunity to propose to take his men to He Yin in advance. The reason was ready-made - the rebels of King Zhui had completely withdrawn from Sibao County and there was no sign of them coming back. The situation was gradually stabilizing, and there was not much point in him staying.
Alliance leader Wu Xian frowned and asked, "So urgent?"
Shen Tang sighed in worry.
She didn't want to either.
But it is not suitable to accompany the army with so many old, weak, women and children, which will only slow down the army. Moreover, the situation in He Yin is not good either. I have to go there as soon as possible to check the situation and stabilize it, so as not to miss the spring plowing.
If she missed the spring ploughing season and had no harvest for the year, she couldn't continue to be so shameless as to ask everyone to borrow food to survive, right
Alliance leader Wu Xian was speechless upon hearing this.
Shen Tang's reasons are indeed reasonable and well-founded.
If you continue to force it, it will appear that you have ulterior motives.
At this point, the Allied forces had no choice but to release the hostages.
But...
After all, we have fought side by side for a month. Now that Shen Tang is leaving early, we should at least give him a farewell banquet.
As to whether it was a sincere farewell or just using Shen Tang as an excuse to hold a banquet for fun, I guess only they and Gu Chi knew.
Gu Chi heard Shen Tang's inner complaints.
Smiling, he said, "Shen Lang wants to know?"
Shen Tang gritted his teeth and said, "No, I don't want to know."
They are all fake friendships, and you can tell the real from the fake at a glance.
She doesn't want to embarrass herself.
After everyone left, Qin Li seemed to be thinking about something.
Alliance leader Wu Xian turned around and saw his confidant looking worried, so he asked with concern, "Is Qin Qing worried about something?"
Qin Li said: "Something is not right."
"Something's wrong?"
Qin Li had a look of "I really don't understand" on his face: "When did Qi Yuanliang change his taste? He found such a sincere, simple, kind and enthusiastic lover? Isn't it said that 'birds of a feather flock together'? Someone who gets along so well with Qi Yuanliang..."
Taking on these elderly, weak, women and children, which was a thankless task, was not Qi Yuanliang's style at all.
When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong!
Hearing Qin Li muttering about Qishan every day, Wu Xian, the leader of the alliance, laughed out loud: "Qin Qing, you are afraid of ropes after being bitten by a snake once. Brother Shen is young, how could he have any complicated thoughts? Young people are always like this. The younger they are, the less afraid they are. They are chivalrous and brave, and they can't bear to see the old, weak, women and children suffer in front of them..."
He agreed that Qishan was not a good person.
But Shen Tang's words...
This young man is indeed a kind person.
If not for this, he would not have known that Gong Xichou was a strong enemy and would not have risked his life to save people from Gong Xichou again and again.
Because Shen Tang saved Zhao Feng, Wu Xian's favorability towards her remained high, but Qin Li was not so easy to dispel his suspicion. He always felt something was wrong. Wu Xian had no choice but to say, "Don't worry, Qin Qing, Dayi will also go with them to He Yin."
If there is anything wrong, Zhao Feng will reply.
Upon hearing this, Qin Li could only temporarily suppress his discomfort.
Nodding: "Yeah."
When Shen Tang returned, he stamped the IOU with his Wen Xin seal, and asked Chu Yao and his men to deliver the IOU and bring the grain back along the way. It was expected that the work would be completed in two or three days, and then they would set off.
This is a big deal.
Captain Yang, who was recuperating from his injuries, also heard it.
He looked at Shen Tang in surprise, as if he had not recognized her overnight, and his expression was a little awkward.
"Why do you do this?"
Shen Tang was puzzled: "Is it not good to do this?"
Captain Yang: "It's a thankless job."
His feelings towards Shen Tang are very complicated.
Some hate it, some admire it, some appreciate it...
Shen Tang robbed tax silver and killed many of his soldiers, but the remaining soldiers all relied on Shen Tang to survive, and even his own life - although he was alone and it was worse than death, he was indeed alive now.
Captain Yang may have some personal flaws, but he is upright in his principles.
Hatred is hatred, favor is favor.
He can still tell the difference.
He also knew the financial difficulties Shen Tang would face.
He sighed, "That batch of tax silver should be enough to ease the pressure for a while. If it's still not enough, my reputation still has some weight. Although I have offended many people over the years, I still have some old friendships. I can borrow some help from them even if I risk my reputation."
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