Chapter 544 Employment

Zhao Hanzhang was extremely regretful that he led his team out of Shangdang, but could not eat Shangdang's steamed buns.

After walking a long way, they stopped to repair and nibble on dry food.

Zhao Hanzhang took a bite of the dry pancake in his hand, chewed it ferociously, and opened the map to look at it, pointing out the location of Shi Le reported by Xun Xiu last time. If she were Wang Zhang and Shi Le, where would they join the party?

Zhao Hanzhang avoided the path they might take, pointed towards the west and said: "Let's return from here and send people to find Xun Xiu and ask him to return to defend Luoyang."

Zeng Yue was a little reluctant and said: "Girl, we have all joined the Shangdang, so Zhang Tao is nothing to be afraid of. Why not take down the Shangdang in one fell swoop?"

"Then what?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Are we trapped in the Shangdang falling into endless wars?"

She said: "War can only have one purpose, and that is profit!"

"Whether it is immediate interests or long-term interests, they are all national interests. The Shangdang is in a special position. Our Yuzhou Army has no territory in the east, west, south, and north, and there is no response. We cannot hold it if we occupy it. Today it can be ours , it could belong to Shi Le tomorrow, and the queen might also fall into Liu Cong's hands, so why should we occupy it?"

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the carts of gold, silver, jewelry and food in the team and said, "If we can get these, our trip will be worthwhile."

She raised her chin slightly and said, "And letting them fight over this to give Luoyang and Yuzhou a chance to breathe is not better than us occupying it and being attacked by all parties?"

Zeng Yue was taught that "he is humble and short-sighted."

Zhao Hanzhang said: "Yuan Li, let people spread the news of Wang Mi's death in Luoyang throughout the world, especially in Bingzhou."

She sneered and said: "There are many Jin Dynasty officials, scholars and people here. I think they don't want to live inferior to others, right?"

Even if Liu Cong and Shi Le can reach an agreement, she will make them miserable and unable to take back all the territory controlled by Wang Mi.

Yuan Li agreed and immediately went to arrange manpower.

After choosing the route, everyone started on their way. When they approached Luoyang, they saw an army of beggars waiting on the roadside.

The Zhao army stopped ten miles away, and Zeng Yue was about to go to Xuan Chenwu and others to come and pay their respects. Zhao Hanzhang stopped him and asked him to count out ten carts of grain and grass, and she personally delivered them to them.

Yuan Li felt that Zhao Hanzhang treated the beggar army too favorably.

Unlike the Zhao family army, which was living a good life and kept its military appearance in good condition, the beggar army was a peasant army with many family members following it.

When Zhao Hanzhang came over, he saw many children of about seven or eight years old on the roadside staring at them with big eyes. Their clothes were in tatters and could only barely cover their bodies. They were barefoot, with big heads and small bodies, staring at them with expressions on their faces. of alertness.

When they saw the bullock cart behind them, their eyes lit up, and they guessed from the curvature of the sack that it contained grain.

Immediately, some people ran towards the camp happily, shouting excitedly: "There's a war, there's a war!"

People in the camp became happy when they heard the child's voice and looked towards the camp gate.

They only glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and then looked at the oxcart behind her. They saw that there were only ten carts of grain. Although they were a little sorry, they were also happy.

"Finally there is a war."

"Who is going to your family this time? Aren't both your sons dead?"

"I'll go. My grandson is ten years old. I'll earn food for another two years, and I'll replace him when he turns twelve."

Zhao Hanzhang had a sharp ear and picked up all the discussions and excitement of the people around her. She glanced at the beggars who were sitting or lying on the ground. She lowered her eyes and pulled the horse to stop.

Chen Wu, who was having a headache preparing gifts to meet Zhao Hanzhang, heard that Zhao Hanzhang had personally brought food and grass, and immediately ran out with his men.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang on horseback outside the camp gate, Chen Wu immediately hurried out to greet him. On the way, he kicked a few soldiers who were blocking the way, and cursed secretly: "Get up, get up, what are you looking like?"

"Didn't you say move less and lie down more to save food?"

Chen Wu secretly glared at the veteran who spoke to refute him. When he raised his head again with a smile on his face, he raised his hands and clasped his fists all the way out. "Why didn't you tell me in advance that General Zhao was coming? You didn't go out to greet the general. It's really rude, rude." ."

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, raised his hand and returned the salute, and said with a smile: "I have heard that the beggar army is brave, so Hanzhang wanted to come and see it in person."

Chen Wu had some embarrassment on his face. Li Tou and Feng Long behind him had already started shouting, causing the soldiers lying half dead and sitting around to stand up and line up.

Zhao Hanzhang raised his hand to stop him and said with a smile: "I believe in General Chen and the begging army. I also know that the soldiers are hungry like this, so there is no need to be too polite."

When Chen Wu heard this, he wanted to hold Zhao Hanzhang's hand and express his feelings. Unfortunately, she was a girl and it was not easy to hold hands, so Chen Wu pulled his narrow sleeves and wiped his tears and said, "Yes, they are all hungry. The military appearance is usually neat and tidy."

Feng Long and Li Tou behind him opened their eyes and told lies, nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, yes, they usually follow orders and prohibitions. As long as they are full, there is no need to talk about fighting."

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the ten carts of military rations behind him and said: "The food and grass we brought this time are not very much. Let's give it to the brothers first."

Chen Wu didn't care what Zhao Hanzhang wanted them to do. Anyway, she was a minister of the Jin Dynasty. She could fight anyone instead of the emperor. So Chen Wu winked at Feng Long and said politely: "I'm sorry, I'll leave these chores to you." Let the people below do it, General Zhao, and we will talk inside."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Seeing that she was young and a kind-faced girl, Chen Wu was very happy and enthusiastic. When he saw Zhao Erlang following her, he greeted her kindly, "Is this Mr. Zhao Erlang?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded with a smile and asked Zhao Erlang to greet Chen Wu.

Chen Wu smiled and said: "Erlangjun is really powerful. I heard that he is now a county guard. There are not many young county guards like Erlangjun in the world."

In fact, there are many, and they are all granted by each family. Nowadays, a governor or a county magistrate can separate one party. They will naturally grant official titles to their own children. There are also many people who officially become officials at the age of five or six, although the official does not recognize it.

Zhao Hanzhang and Chen Wu greeted each other politely, and then began to ask about their military strength.

Chen Wu didn't hide anything in this aspect. He had been working and fighting for people, so he was very familiar with this aspect. He said: "I now have five thousand soldiers."

Zhao Hanzhang: "How many family members are there who are not soldiers?"

"This..." Chen Wu said: "General Zhao, don't worry. They are eating rations earned by the soldiers and will not encroach on the general's rations."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said: "General Chen misunderstood. I just want to know more about it so that I can arrange what you want to do next."

Chen Wu then said: "The family members... there are about six thousand people."

There are indeed quite a few. No wonder they are so hungry. Basically, one person is working to feed the other, and many of them must be their soldiers.

Chen Wu also asked curiously: "I wonder who General Zhao wants us to fight? King Nanyang? Prefect Jia, or General Gou?"

Zhao Hanzhang couldn't help but ask: "Can these people fight?"

Chen Wu nodded confidently, "As long as the general is willing to provide food, grass and money." But he was not sure whether he would win or lose.