mtlumby2d Chapter 141 He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world
Chapter 141 He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world
In Xiliang Pass, the Wei Wuzu were transporting the spoils brought from the grassland to the warehouse. Ying Xuanze stood on the top of the city wall, overlooking the area below, humming a little tune.
Ever since he released the news of clearing out the imperial court, people all over the world have supported his approach.
The people's attitude was more positive than he had expected, which further strengthened his plan to march eastward.
He wanted so badly to see the scene of the Wang family submitting to him that if it weren't for the large amount of points required for the smooth implementation of his plan, he would have led his army straight to the capital right now.
But he had to endure it, because he was the one who took the initiative, and now all the powerful people in Daying were waiting for his next move.
"Is this the feeling of having control over other people's life and death? It's really a different feeling." Ying Xuanze murmured softly as he looked into the distance.
Just as he was in a daze, a rough voice was heard from inside the pass.
"Brother! I'm coming!"
It turned out that it was Zhang Fei who was shouting at the top of his voice, and next to him stood a man in white clothes, who was Zhang Liang.
After Wang Yuan was eliminated with the cooperation of Zhang Liang and Zhang Fei, the bandits in the entire Xiliang territory knew that no matter how hard they struggled, they could not escape the crackdown by Zhenxi Hou.
At the same time, the bandits who joined the crusade against Wang Yuan also got what they wanted. Not only did they get rid of their bandit identities, but they also received land and food.
On one side was the iron-blooded troops of the Marquis of Zhenxi, and on the other side were colleagues who had turned over a new leaf and gained benefits, so the remaining bandits all chose to turn over a new leaf without exception.
Apart from not being able to get any land, Zhang Liang still had the army distribute a lot of food to these bandits.
During the time when Ying Xuanze led his army galloping across the grassland, Xiliang became better and better thanks to Zhang Liang's governance and was no longer the desolate place in the eyes of the world.
After all the Hu soldiers and horses on the grassland were eliminated, Ying Xuanze left 10,000 Wei Wuzu on the grassland, who were responsible for guarding the captured Hu prisoners.
In addition to growing food for them, these Hu captives can also raise cattle, sheep, horses and other poultry, which can meet many food needs and save points for exchanging food.
Afterwards, Ying Xuanze brought his army to Xiliangkou. Firstly, the threat from the north had been resolved, so he didn't need to leave troops in the north.
Second, if he wanted to advance all the way eastward to the capital, Xiliang Pass was an important pass, so he decided to deploy all his troops here.
After settling the army, he sent a letter asking Zhang Liang and Zhang Fei to lead 5,000 Wei Wuzu to Xiliang Pass, while he sent Tiefutu to Xiliang to guard Gaoliu City with the remaining 2,000 Wei Wuzu.
If he had any regret, it was that he was unable to return to Gaoliu Castle to meet his father and other family members.
He decided to wait until he entered the capital and ascended the throne before welcoming his father back. He once said that he wanted to let his father return to the capital in glory.
How to be glorious? Of course, he would eliminate all the forces that disobeyed him. When he became the master of the world, who would dare to object?
Zhang Fei and Zhang Liang climbed onto the high platform together. When the former saw Guan Yu, he felt a sense of brotherhood.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Zhang Fei walked towards Ying Xuanze with a big laugh and said loudly, "Congratulations, big brother, for annihilating all the Hu soldiers!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Fei put his arm around Huo Qubing's shoulders and continued, "Brother Huo, I really envy you, my second brother, and General Yue Fei for being able to follow my eldest brother to fight against the Hu people on the grassland."
"Oh, you don't know! I couldn't go to the grassland with my brother this time, but I was so depressed!"
"The 10,000 soldiers and horses given away by the Hu people for free and Wang Yuan's troops are not enough for me to make a fuss. It's really boring!"
Ying Xuanze smiled helplessly. Ever since Wang Yuan was dealt with, he knew that there was no war in Xiliang. Naturally, this warlike general had nowhere to flex his muscles.
"By the way, big brother, you don't know how much the people in Xiliang admire you! On the way here when the military advisor and I left Gaoliu City, there were always people who wanted to join the army."
"But the military advisor and I both refused, because you said you didn't want the people to be involved in the war and wanted them to live a good life."
"Aren't we fighting so hard to kill the enemies just for the people here? If we fight all the battles, then they won't have to fight and no one will die." Ying Xuanze said as he patted Zhang Fei's shoulder.
Of course, his real idea was that he didn't want to waste a lot of time training these new recruits. The points he earned every day were enough for him to expand his army.
Moreover, no matter how much these people are trained, they can never become soldiers as powerful as Wei Wuzu and Yue Family Army, so let them stay in Xiliang with peace of mind.
"Oh, by the way, where is Yue Fei?" Ying Xuanze took a glance and found that Yue Fei was missing on the city wall.
Huo Qubing said, "Senior Yue Fei said that he led a team of Yue Family Army out of the city for reconnaissance. He also said that the Yue Family Army was very agile and could escape immediately if they encountered an emergency."
Ying Xuanze nodded and smiled, "He is thoughtful."
Afterwards, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, the two sworn brothers, walked down the city wall chatting and laughing, while Huo Qubing went to the stable to check on how his horse Zhaoye Divine Horse had recovered from its injuries.
Only Ying Xuanze and Zhang Liang were left on the city wall. Ying Xuanze always treated Zhang Liang, the wise counselor beside him, with an attitude of learning and respect.
"Military Advisor, now that the bold words of clearing the court of evil officials have been announced, I think the entire Great Ying should respond to it, right? Military Advisor, do you think I can succeed in clearing the court of evil officials this time?"
Zhang Liang was silent for a moment, then he asked in a deep voice: "My lord, do you want to hear the truth?"
"Go ahead, your suggestion is very important to me." Ying Xuanze nodded.
To be honest, his points accumulated over the past few days have reached an astonishing 40 million! It is enough to build more than 100,000 powerful troops such as Wei Wuzu, Zhao Cavalry, Beiwei Army and Qin Cavalry.
Although his existing military force was only a few hundred thousand, the 400,000 Yinglong troops under Huang Chan were no match at all.
If the two armies met on the frontal battlefield, he believed that his army would be able to kill the 400,000 Yinglong troops without leaving a single one alive in just half a day.
This is the reason why he dared to announce his intention to purge the emperor's court! It is also his capital!
Until he saw Zhang Liang, he always thought he had a sure win, but when he actually saw Zhang Liang, he realized that there were still many details he had not taken into consideration.
Assuming that Daying's army was defeated in several battles in a row, and Wang Ziyan killed Huang Chan and his followers in an attempt to seek peace, should he withdraw his troops or continue to send troops?
He cleared out the treacherous officials and villains at the side of the emperor, and it was because of this that he was able to gain the hearts and support of the people.
But if they were eliminated by the emperor, the nature of his military expedition would become a possibility of treason. Would the people still support him?
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. He who wins the hearts of the people will win the world. This has been proven by countless dynasties and rulers through lessons learned with blood and tears, and Ying Xuanze dared not disobey it.
Without the support of the people, even if you conquer the world, it won't last long.
Repeated suppression by force will only backfire, and Ying Xuanze is not the kind of person who advocates hegemony.
So he needed Zhang Liang's advice. A reckless man is scary, but a reckless man with brains is the scariest.
"If you advance triumphantly all the way and seize half of Daying's land, the imperial court will surely abandon the chariot to save the king."
"Offer the heads of Huang Chan and his followers, betting that you will care about the feelings of the people and withdraw the troops, and then their goal will be achieved."
Ying Xuanze nodded: "The military advisor is right. If I don't withdraw my troops by then, they will tell the people of the world that I want to seize power and usurp the throne."
"If I don't have the support of the people, then my sending out troops would be an unjust army and I would be despised by the people of the world."
"But you also know, Military Advisor, that my Ying family has a deep hatred for the imperial court. If I let it go, I would be ashamed of my father and other people in the family, and even more so of those Tiger Guards who died."
Ying Xuanze clenched his fists unwillingly. He realized that his passion would become powerless after encountering layers of obstacles.
Zhang Liang looked at Ying Xuanze meaningfully, and then whispered: "There is another way to help the lord realize his ambition."
"But this method will take a long time, and you need to be able to endure the loneliness. Are you willing?"
Ying Xuanze's expression was dull after hearing this, but after a moment, he said with a firm look in his eyes: "Please tell me clearly, Advisor. As long as the Wang family can be eradicated, I can wait."
Zhang Liang smiled faintly and said, "The decline of a dynasty is caused by many factors. It can be the decline of national strength, uprisings, loss of popular support, invasion by foreign enemies, etc."
"But in the final analysis, none of the factors that Zifang just mentioned is enough to overthrow a dynasty."
"The country's strength is declining. Perhaps by changing the monarch and changing the policies, the country's strength can slowly recover or even return to its peak."
"There are uprisings everywhere. Perhaps the defenders are very capable and can wipe out all the rebel forces."
"..."
"My lord, have you understood anything from what Zifang said?" Zhang Liang looked at Ying Xuanze expectantly.
Ying Xuanze stroked his chin and fell into deep thought. After thinking for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Military Advisor, what you mean is that if I want to completely eliminate the Wang family and even seize the country, I need to create the above factors?"
Zhang Liang nodded and said, "Yes."
"As the saying goes, a single move can affect the entire body. Losing the support of the people means uprisings everywhere. Uprisings everywhere mean the decline of national strength. Once national strength declines, it will be invaded by foreign enemies."
"Under internal and external troubles, no matter how powerful this country was before, as long as these situations occur at the same time, its end is bound to be destruction!"
"Heroes are made in troubled times. In troubled times, whoever can solve the problems of the people and the enemies outside the country will be the savior in the hearts of the people! Who would have any objection if he conquered the world?"
Ying Xuanze's expression suddenly became heavy. Troubled times... This means that many people will lose their lives because of the troubled times, and many people will be displaced.
He remembered a saying: Since ancient times, the road to becoming a king has been paved with blood and corpses. This is what the founding emperors of every dynasty have to face.
Ying Xuanze looked up and sighed. This price was a bit heavy for him. He finally decided to take it one step at a time. Maybe there would be other ways to eliminate the Wang family.
At least, the troops must be sent out, and Huang Chan and his followers must die!
"Thank you for your guidance, Military Advisor. I am grateful for your advice." Ying Xuanze said with a smile.
"Zifang is only doing his best, but he will also look for other ways. After all, he knows that the lord cannot bear to see the people being displaced."
"That method is indeed too cruel... After all, who in this world doesn't desire peace?" Zhang Liang sighed.
"Yes!" Ying Xuanze also let out a sigh.
At this moment, there was a noise from below the city wall. Ying Xuanze was about to look out when he saw a Wei soldier running up to the top of the city wall and cupping his fists at him, saying, "My lord! General Yue Fei discovered a suspicious person during his reconnaissance."
"This person seems to be from the capital, and... he has a head on him!"
Ying Xuanze's expression changed, and he immediately asked, "Whose head is it?"
"I don't know either. General Yue Fei has already brought the people. They are now at the foot of the city wall." Wei Wuzu replied.
Ying Xuanze set off immediately, and after walking a few steps, he met Yue Fei who was just going upstairs. Behind Yue Fei were several soldiers of the Yue Family, who were escorting a man.
He then looked at the man. He saw that he had a handsome face and fair and delicate skin. He looked like a pretty boy no matter how you looked at him.
How could such a person carry a head with him? This puzzled him.
The person being escorted here was Zishang. After cutting off Huang Chan's head, he rode out of the city on horseback. He headed westward and was caught by Yue's army when he was about to reach Xiliang Pass.
Yue's army originally thought of letting him go because they thought he looked like a weak scholar, but when they saw the blood stains on the bag, they felt something was wrong.
When the bundle was untied, they found a head inside. Yue Fei's army thought that this person had an unknown origin and was heading for Xiliang, so they captured him on the spot and handed him over to Yue Fei.
After asking, Yue Fei only knew that the man was from the capital, and the rest of the information would only be revealed after he met Ying Xuan Ze in person. So Yue Fei tied the man up and sent him to Ying Xuan Ze.
"You said you came from the capital, then why do you carry a head on your body?" Ying Xuanze asked with a frown.
Zishang smiled faintly and said casually: "You will know once you open the bundle. The answer you want is there."
"How dare you! You are so disrespectful in front of the Marquis, are you looking for death?" A Wei Wu soldier drew his sword and put it on Zishang's neck. As long as Ying Xuanze gave the order, Zishang's head would fall to the ground on the spot.
Ying Xuanze did not stop him. He hated beating around the bush. If that head could not give the answer he wanted, he would let the Wei Wuzu send that person to death immediately.
A Wei Wu soldier brought the bundle, put it on the ground and opened it. The moment the bundle was untied and fell, Ying Xuanze's pupils suddenly expanded from shrinking at the beginning.
The head in the bundle belonged to Huang Chan. The biggest target he wanted to eliminate in his plan to clear out the evil officials was quietly lying here.
"Huang Chan..." Ying Xuanze suspected that he had seen it wrong or that this person had found someone who looked like Huang Chan to fool him.
But when he saw the black moles on Huang Chan's chin, he was sure that this was Huang Chan himself.
He looked at Zishang and said in a lost voice: "Who killed him?"
Zi Shang still had a smile on his face. He looked at Ying Xuanze and said in a nonchalant tone, "I killed him."