The Grandmaster Strategist

In the tenth year of the prosperity of the country, Bingxu, there were strangers from Wu and Yue who helped the rebels and built tunnels and strongholds in coastal towns to defend Yong's army. Although the Yong's army was strong, they could not get in, and Wu and Yue gradually became peaceful.

——"Zi Zhi Tong Jian Yong Ji IV"

The blue sea is tidal, the clouds are thick, and it is about to rain. However, the young man sitting on the beach rock has a heavy expression and has no intention of going back to take shelter from the rain. He is from Zhenhai, Wu County, and came to Donghai Sea in the 12th year of Tongtai. The army came ashore to plunder. His father and brother were both excellent blacksmiths. The weapons they made were famous in Wu and Yue, so they were robbed and taken away. Only his mother, brother-in-law and two nephews were left behind. He was not at home at the time, so he was spared. Disaster. Later, he joined the rebel army. He only hoped that Yong's army would never come ashore to plunder. His deeper hope was to see his father and brother in person. However, he didn't know whether his father and brother were still alive, and he couldn't help but feel sad when he thought of this.

Just as his eyes were getting hazy, his eyes flashed unintentionally, and he saw several light boats coming on the sea in the wind and waves. They were all Yong Jun wearing soft armor. He was shocked and turned pale. He stood up and shouted: "Yong Jun is coming." , Yong's army is coming." But it was going to rain today, and the rebels patrolling this section of the coast were all slacking off. Although the young man shouted loudly, no one heard him. Not far away, he heard the sound of wind in his ears. The young man threw himself to the side. There was a scream from behind him, and he slashed the air with his sword. The man followed the trend and slashed horizontally. The young man dodged to avoid it, but was kicked by another Yongjun sergeant. After being kicked down, the sergeant who attacked with a knife took the opportunity to point his knife at the young man's throat and asked coldly: "How many rebels are there in the stronghold? Where is Yunzi Mountain?"

The young man kept silent, with a stubborn look in his eyes. The Yongjun sergeant smiled slightly, and without asking any questions, he swung his sword and was about to cut it down. The young man suddenly asked, "Who made your sword?" Cut a bloody streak. At this time, except for the sergeant who was driving the sea boat, the rest of the Yong army had already come ashore one after another. One of them had slightly different clothes and armor, and was obviously the leader. When he heard the young man's question, he stepped forward and said with a smile: "You don't know Well, our army kidnapped many craftsmen from Wu and Yue, and these people were incorporated into the Dinghai Craftsman Camp, and his sword was made by Gongsun Mo, the most famous swordsmith in Zhenhai."

A trace of uncontrollable joy flashed in the young man's eyes, and he asked in a trembling voice: "He is still alive, but where is his son?"

A meaningful look flashed in the eyes of the sword-wielding sergeant, and he said: "Are you talking about Gongsun Bang? The swords he made are also good, but he is better at making crossbows."

The young man couldn't help but shed tears. His father and brother were still alive, and he couldn't contain his joy at finally getting news about his relatives. The sergeant's cold voice came to my ears: "What is your relationship with Gongsun Mo? How many rebels are there in the stronghold? If you confess honestly, I will spare your death."

A bright light flashed in the young man's eyes, and he said: "You have kidnapped my flesh and blood and invaded my hometown. Even if I die, I will not tell you the intelligence of the rebels." After saying that, he stood up and hit the blade with his throat. The sergeant had sharp eyesight and quick hands. , quickly sheathed the knife, but still cut a big wound on the young man's neck, and blood gushed out. The young man's vision began to blur, and he felt strong regret in his heart. If he could tell his mother the good news that his father and brother were still alive, he would die. It doesn't matter, but now my mother has to bear more grief.

Looking at the unconscious young man, a cold light flashed in the eyes of the leading sergeant, and he said: "He is a good man, give him a good time."

The sword-wielding sergeant's eyes flashed, and he whispered a few words into the ear of the leading sergeant. After hearing the words, the leading sergeant pondered for a moment and said: "Let's do it like this. He's not seriously injured. Wrap up his injuries and let him go." He is left to fend for himself.”

The leading sergeant thought for a moment and said: "Good idea, let's do it like this." After saying that, he walked towards the beach. In front of him was the sea wall. Not far beyond the sea wall was the rebel barracks. A landing and sneak attack was already underway. The East China Sea Navy is familiar with the combat methods. Although the rebels are brave and good at fighting, they are still unable to guard against them. Behind the sergeant, the Yong Army sergeant naturally formed a battle formation and walked forward, with solid murderous intent rising into the sky.

When the young man was awakened by the rain,

He felt an excruciating pain in his neck. He struggled to get up and looked around, but there was no one there. He was lying on the seawall, and his neck had been bandaged. He staggered to his feet and ran towards the camp. He fell down many times and was covered in mud. When he reached the camp, he was stunned. He saw corpses scattered inside and outside the camp. , the heavy rain formed a river, and the rain mixed with blood flowed from inside and outside the camp. The young man leaned down, feeling filled with grief and anger. After a long time, he stood up and looked around inside and outside. Although his face was covered with blood and tears, there was a little more sparkle in his eyes, and he whispered: "That's great. Not all dead, not all dead." He counted the corpses of more than thirty people here. There were originally a hundred people stationed here. It seemed that most of them had escaped. Even the worst outcome would be to be killed. The prisoners of Yong's army went to Dinghai. Based on what he knew today, those brothers did not have to die. Thinking of this, he felt relieved a lot. But he suddenly remembered what those Yong soldiers had said when they interrogated him. They were here for Mr. Yun. If those companions fell into the hands of the Yong soldiers and confessed under torture and revealed the whereabouts of Mr. Yun, wouldn't it be extremely bad? . Mr. Yun was in charge of the construction of tunnels in coastal villages, and he worked hard and accomplished a lot. How could he be harmed? Thinking of this, he cheered up and decided to report what happened here to Mr. Yun and let him hide temporarily. At this time, thunder roared in the sky, lightning flashed continuously, and heavy rain poured down. The sky and the earth were covered with mist. There was almost no human figure a few feet away. The young man's staggering back quickly disappeared in the rain and mist. Suddenly, two dark shadows followed behind him.

The waves are rolling, surging under the cliff that stands thousands of feet tall. The rocks are jagged under the cliff, and the waves are crashing on the shore like thousands of piles of snow. There is endless murderous intention hidden in the blue waves. It was clearing up after the rain. Jing Xin stood on the cliff and sighed in his heart. It had been three years since he left Jiaxing. The thought of crossing the vast blue sea was the hometown he missed every day, and he felt more and more sad in his heart.

Hearing the light and steady footsteps, Jing Xin did not turn around, but simply said: "Brother Huo, why are you free to come here today?"

Huo Cong smiled slightly. In the past three years, Jing Xin was still worried about him, and he didn't care. He stood next to Jing Xin and said, "Sir, I have an order to go to Jiangnan to see him."

Although it was just a faint sentence, Jing Xin trembled, and after a long time he said with a hint of ridicule: "Congratulations to Brother Huo. Brother Huo has been trapped at sea for the past few years, and I am afraid he is not much freer than Jing. Now that Jiaolong is out at sea, he no longer needs to be trapped." In the shallows, the young master must be extremely happy, right?"

Hearing this, a smile flashed in Huo Cong's eyes and he said: "Brother Jing's words are serious. I stayed in Dinghai. It's just because the sea route is blocked and the land route is difficult to travel, and the Duke of Jinghai still has someone to rely on. That's why I stayed in Dinghai." Stay in Dinghai. Moreover, Jinghaigong settled more than 500,000 civilians kidnapped from Wuyue on hundreds of large and small islands around Putuo. The territory is vast, there are many islands, and the household registrations are dense. I have been ordered to temporarily replace Putuo County. The commander is busy with government affairs and is nothing more than the head of a county. He manages half a million prisoners who are suspicious and hostile, and also provides food, grass and supplies for the army. Such an important task is handed over to the next young man who has not yet been crowned. It is already a very important task. How can we talk about the dangerous shoal where the dragon is trapped?"

Jing Xin heard this and sneered: "Brother Huo's talents are more than enough to be the governor of a county, not to mention the head of a county. If he is trapped in Putuo and manages the captives like us, isn't he overqualified and underused?"

Huo Cong smiled and said: "Brother Jing underestimates the position of the county magistrate. In the past few years, Brother Jing has helped me do a lot of things, including land reclamation, money, food and punishment. These common tasks look simple, but they are difficult to do." There are so many things to think about, doesn’t Brother Jing still remember how embarrassed I looked?”

Jing Xin couldn't help but chuckle, and the awkward atmosphere disappeared in an instant, thinking that in the past three years, this young man had led the captive Wuyue people here, built houses, farmed, fished and hunted, and turned the desolate Putuo Islands into a paradise where they could live and work in peace and contentment. Although There were still Yong troops fighting outside, and islanders were recruited from time to time to serve in Dinghai, but in the end nothing more terrible happened. But what Huo Cong said was indeed true. Jing Xin originally didn't pay attention to those trivial government affairs, but being pulled by this young man to handle government affairs together made him almost dizzy. Only then did he realize that even a small county magistrate was not good. Do it, especially a county magistrate who is empty-handed and starting from scratch.

Seeing Jing Xin happy, Huo Cong felt a touch of melancholy in his heart. Although he had made great achievements in the past three years in Putuo, this did not mean that what Jing Xin said was not true. In fact, Huo Cong had already noticed it with his intelligence. There were people among the Huben Guards who were secretly monitoring him, and even a little suspicion could be seen in Jiang Haitao's eyes. He had already understood that his husband had indeed imprisoned him in Putuo, but it was the vast blue sea that imprisoned him, not swords and force. Otherwise, even though the Dinghai camp blocks the way back, as private sailing trade becomes more and more popular today, where can I not find an opportunity to return to Dayong? Huo Cong once thought about whether he knew something, and even gave up on himself. If he did something deliberately, or if he gave an order, he could take his own life and save himself from embarrassment. But the incessant letters that followed made him feel guilty.

Probably because of the road blockage, sometimes I didn’t receive a single letter for ten and a half months, and sometimes I received several letters at once. Some letters explained some of the problems I mentioned in my replies, and some letters explained some of the problems I mentioned in my replies. He explained the general military and political strategies to himself, and each letter contained a strong friendship, which made Huo Cong feel uneasy and guilty.

Although the husband's letter did not explain why he stayed in Dinghai, he asked Jiang Haitao to appoint him as the magistrate of Putuo County and asked him to become a local official in a down-to-earth manner. Although the people under his jurisdiction were not ordinary people but captives of Wuyue, the government affairs were even more arduous. He had served as the county magistrate for three years and was well aware of the difficulties of governing. Huo Cong knew that Jiang Zhe had worked hard, but he still could not forget Jiang Zhe no matter what. Zhe abandoned himself in Dinghai and sent people to spy on him. He glanced at Jing Xin and secretly smiled bitterly in his heart. Although the Jing family was still a prisoner, he held many internal affairs positions in Putuo. The old head of the Jing family had already gone to Chang'an to recuperate with the merchant ship of the Nan Min Yue family. As long as Nan Chu Pingding, these Putuo captives will definitely be appointed first when they return to Wuyue. They have a bright future. However, although I now hold the power of life and death for them, I don't know what will happen to them.

After a while, Huo Cong finally calmed down and said to Jing Xin: "I was ordered to see Mr. Jing, so I want to hand over the post of county magistrate to Brother Jing. I wonder what Brother Jing wants?"

Jing Xin was shocked at first, and then calmed down. The government affairs of Putuo have always been managed by the captured people themselves, but the post of county magistrate is held by Huo Cong, who controls the only force on the island to suppress possible resistance. Now After Huo Cong leaves, this position naturally needs someone to take over. Although he is from Chu, he has been very effective in assisting Huo Cong in the past few years. In addition, because of his uncle, even if he still wants to be loyal to Nanchu, I am afraid that No one will believe it. After thinking for a long time, he finally said: "That's all, why should I deceive myself? I will take over the post of county magistrate."

Huo Cong smiled slightly, knowing that after three years, the Wuyue scholars on the island finally began to succumb and soften. Jing Xin was their leader. With him as the county magistrate, he could appease the island's captives. Thinking that I have finally fulfilled my husband's destiny, I feel infinite joy in my heart even though my future is uncertain.

After leaving Putuo and boarding a sea boat, Huo Cong let go of his worries. The commander of this sea ship had always been on good terms with him. When he saw Huo Cong standing at the stern of the ship looking at Putuo, he seemed to be very nostalgic, so he stepped forward and said with a smile: "Counsellor Huo, why do you need to hurt yourself like this?" Huai, the Marquis of Chu has summoned you this time. I think you will be of great use in the future. We are just having a small fight here, but when we get there, we will be a strong and powerful horse, and we will be full of joy."

Huo Cong forced a smile and said: "I have been at sea for three years, but I am just a little reluctant to let go. No wonder Sir always misses the East China Sea."

The commander didn't know what Huo Cong was thinking, so he just looked for some interesting things to talk to him. Although Huo Cong responded casually, his mind had already flown thousands of miles away.

After half an hour, Huo Cong returned to Dinghai. Today's Dinghai is no longer as dilapidated as it was three years ago. The military camp on the island is solemn and solemn, and you can see the crisscrossing streets everywhere. In the Houdao Craftsman Camp, there are jingling bells. The sound of clanging continues all day long, and there are Wuyue craftsmen working with Donghai craftsmen to repair the ships in the dock. If you surrender, you will be treated well, if you resist, you will be executed. Most of the captured Wuyue civilians have already acquiesced to the rule of Yong Jun. Of course, although many Wu and Yue captives surrendered, those who were able to reach Dinghai were carefully selected to prevent them from taking the opportunity to cause chaos. All these prosperous scenes were soaked with his own sweat. Huo Cong felt proud in his heart and stepped towards the Chinese army's tent, followed by four Huben guards behind him.

After Jiang Zhe escaped Wu Yue, almost all of these Huben guards were left behind in Dinghai. Later, when the war came to a close, except for half of these people who had the opportunity to go to the Yongchu front line to protect Jiang Zhe, the rest were forced by Jiang Zhe to stay with Huo Cong. However, Huo Cong believed that he did not have the identity or need to use the Huben Guards to protect him. Finally, under the mediation of Jinghaigong, the two parties reached an agreement. In addition to Huo Cong, four Huben Guards were to be left with him at all times, and the rest of the Huben Guards followed him. The Donghai navy came ashore and robbed Wu Yue, lest their swords become dull. Everyone is happy with this result. With the addition of these Huben guards with high martial arts skills, they have a lot more guarantees against the martial arts masters in the Wuyue rebel army, and Huo Cong will not feel on pins and needles, not to mention that some of these Huben guards have been ordered by Jiang Zhe to monitor He just didn't have a character of his own. How could he, a young man who had not yet formally entered the official service, dare to use the royal iron guard as his bodyguard?

Inside the Chinese army's tent, Jiang Haitao was very happy to learn that Huo Cong was coming. The young man had helped him a lot in the past three years, but Jiang Zhe ordered Huben guards to secretly send a message to him, asking him to pay attention to Huo Cong's whereabouts, which even made him angry. Doubtful, at first I thought it was just a test of his disciples, but later he sent a letter asking him to trap Huo Cong in Putuo. Although it was an important task, it was bound to the island and he could not return north. Although Jiang Haitao was straightforward, he also knew that there must be something wrong with it. , but he couldn't bear to ask more questions. After all, Huo Cong was very much appreciated by him. Thinking that Huo Cong would return to Jiang Zhe today, Jiang Zhe must have changed his mind. He was as happy as he was when he was promoted to duke by emperor's order in the ninth year of Longsheng.

Huo Cong walked into the tent and saluted Jiang Haitao. Jiang Haitao handed a document to Huo Cong and said: "If our military ships go north, it will be difficult to avoid the interception of Ninghai. However, there happens to be a ship from the Southern Fujian Yue clan heading north to Korea. , this is your identity document, there should be no problem in traveling north safely."

Huo Cong naturally knew that although the two armies had been fighting frequently in recent years, many big families in Wu and Yue had colluded with the generals of Ning Haijunshan to conduct private shipping trade, because the two shipping companies involved in the private shipping trade, Haishi and Yue, were both affiliated with the Jiang family. Due to the close relationship, Dinghai turned a blind eye and even benefited a lot from it. Of course, for Jiang Haitao, the most important thing was that through this kind of trade, he could obtain scarce supplies and food, which was very important to Ning Haijun. It is very important for the Donghai Navy to cut off the return route. As for using the two shipping companies to deliver some information and escort the messengers, this is an indescribable benefit. For the families involved in the private aviation trade, the huge profits gained from it are enough for them to ignore the consequences of capitalizing on the enemy. If it were not for the purpose of maintaining an equal cooperative status, these aristocratic families secretly supported the Wu Yue rebels and spared no effort, someone would have attacked them long ago.

After handing over some official duties, Jiang Haitao said seriously: "There is one more thing that is quite embarrassing for me. Please tell me, sir. Over the past six months, many villages and towns along the coast of Wuyue have hired experts to dig tunnels in the villages to avoid our troops. I I have bribed some of them and learned that those tunnels are like spider webs. If no one leads them, they will most likely go astray and be injured by the poisonous smoke of countless hidden agencies. Before our army enters the village, the villagers in the village have already taken refuge. Even food and money were hidden in the tunnels, making our army's efforts in vain."

Huo Cong had not been involved in military affairs for a while. He was very curious and said, "I wonder who came up with this idea. Do you have any clues?"

Jiang Haitao smiled bitterly and said: "There is a little clue. I got news a few days ago that the man was presiding over the construction of the tunnel stronghold near Zhenhai, so he sent out his best soldiers to raid. After they landed, they first annihilated a patrolling rebel army, and then left behind I tried to trick him into being alive and led him unknowingly. I saw the Yunzi Mountain as expected. However, he was surrounded by many expert guards. He actually allowed this man to escape under the encirclement and suppression of hundreds of warriors from our army. I was really surprised. The army has no face left. According to the prisoner's confession, we only know that the man is a good friend of Ding Ming, the best swordsman in Wuyue. His identity is unknown, but he is the best at concealed weapons. After you see Mr., tell him about my trouble. If There is no good way to deal with it. I am afraid that if this continues, the money and grain robbed by our army in Wuyue will become less and less. Now our army is not self-sufficient in food. If we cannot obtain a considerable amount of money and grain from Wuyue, we will be in big trouble. "

After hearing this, Huo Cong fell into deep thought. On the surface, it seemed that Wu Yue was just a troublesome person. Why did he feel that there was something fishy in this?