Amid the sounds of cicadas, frogs and birds, the funeral at the foot of Mount Li came to an end.

Starting from the second day, the army of the Deposed Dragon Gang gathered here began to disperse to the rear... Of course, the power of just two counties cannot permanently support an army of 40,000 to 50,000, especially now that there are nearly 10,000 prisoners.

Tens of thousands of civilians cannot stay for long. After receiving the reward, they should go back.

This seems to be another difficult process.

This is not to say that the deposed dragon army lacks financial rewards and pensions. There is really no shortage of free money. The key problem is that the process of dispersing the troops is destined to have an impact on the existing army establishment. However, how many troops there are under the leader-led system?

It is directly related to the power balance of these big leaders, which makes it difficult not to suspect that someone will take the opportunity to achieve power integration.

However, this process is so upright and natural that it is almost inevitable, which is why most people are on tenterhooks and worry about gains and losses.

Things unfolded quickly in the hot summer day of early June.

First, the civilian laborers who had done short-term work returned home with their wages and extra rewards, but some people still carried out new tasks, returning to various places with the armored ordnance flags that needed to be repaired.

Then there was a comprehensive screening and selection of the surrendered troops and the troops on the eastern front. Some whose physical fitness was too good to show off, or whose performance was extremely poor in the battle, were given travel money and deported (escorted) out of the country...but not many.

There are only a thousand people.

In the end, about 5,000 surrendered soldiers and 8,000 newly recruited soldiers during the Eastern Front War were evenly distributed to each branch according to proportion, allowing them to be transformed into local troops based on counties.

This will greatly reduce the overall logistical pressure, but because the number seems a bit large, it seems that it will still put pressure on the local area, but that is a story for another day.

Of course, the local troops that had been hastily summoned were also promoted in large numbers based on military merit and dispersed to various parts of the original so-called regular army.

Next, there was the necessary follow-up treatment of disability and sacrifice. In addition to the necessary monetary compensation and guarantee of money and food exemptions, they were mainly given some resettlement at ferries, markets, and towns.

Similar policies must also be implemented, including for the families of those who died in war.

Finally, allocate troops to surrender, and then dispatch some troops to station in batches in key cities such as Baima, Puyang, Jiyin, Jiyang, Waihuang, Chuqiu, Fengqiu, and Chengwu.

Let's say that during the whole process, there were of course inevitable slaps on the table and stares, because after all, the military leaders were involved in the heart and soul, but the interesting part was that as Wei Xuanding, Zhang Xing and Li Shu signed orders one after another,

The whole process still seemed to be too smooth...at least it was different from the fight between dragons and tigers that everyone expected. There should have been fierce conflicts at the top level, and there was no direct conflict in the whole process.

The matter was theoretically completed successfully within a very short period of time.

As for the reason, it couldn't be simpler, that is, Zhang Dalongtou, whose authority has soared this time, has almost achieved perfect fairness in the process!

It's really perfect fairness.

All actions involving troop establishment, whether it was separation or dispersion, or replenishment of surrendered troops or local troops with meritorious service, he basically operated according to the troop establishment ratio achieved during the army reorganization in Jishui before the war.

So when it came to the step of allocating troops to surrender before allocating troops to various key cities, the total number of Lihu troops plus Wang Shuyong's troops in the north was 30,000, which was almost the same as the 30,000 troops after the reorganization of Jishui.

A kind of one-to-one replica.

That is to say, the typical three big hills of Xu, Dan, and Wang each cost 5,000, and the four small hills of Zhang, Li, Xiong, and Zhai each cost 3,000...

The only exception was Shang Huaizhi's department, but there was nothing we could do about it, everyone was dead, and leader Zhang Da took the initiative to leave a thousand people to Shang Huaizhi's younger brother Shang Huaien, and took two thousand for himself, but he separated in name.

They were given to Zhou Xingfan and Zhang Jinshu, which made people speechless.

In other words, Zhang Dalongtou only demolished half of the hilltop, which was built by his own house. He did not even ask Xu Shiying and Niu Da about the number of troops left privately, nor did he investigate the small actions of Wang Shuyong and Niu Da in Dongping County and Jibei County.

, really implemented the leader responsibility system.

In fact, during the whole process, what Zhang Dalongtou seemed to care more about was the gadgets he kept innovating in the system... For example, he divided the local army into three and told all the division leaders about the city defense army.

, the idea of ​​​​clarifying the responsibilities of the public security patrol army and government officials requires them to communicate flexibly internally and have clear external responsibilities without interfering with each other.

For example, he requested that combined with the commercially developed characteristics of Dongjun and Jiyin County, priority should be given to ensuring smooth north-south trade routes along the Puyang-Jiyin-Yucheng line. Taxes would only be collected at entry and exit and in the market, and no stationed in the county or counties would be allowed.

Then set up a card to generate income and so on.

For another example, Xiong Bonan, Zhang Jinshu, Liu Zhouchen and other leaders were required to improve the separation of local patrols and military law forces, and they were told that they should not give regular soldiers treatment when they are demoted, but they should take on auxiliary tasks to save expenses.

He even ordered the cities along the Jishui River to pay attention to dredging the river and strengthening embankments.

In short, this big leader seems to be interested in everything, but he seems to have no interest in the most sensitive military organization.

Faced with this scene, people's reactions were completely different. Some people were overjoyed, some were anxious, some felt powerless, and some people became even more uneasy.

On the tenth day of June, as a large number of troops were still stationed westward in accordance with the principle of proportion, someone finally couldn't hold back any longer.

In the camp north of Lihu City, Zhang Xing did not work indoors. Instead, he chose to organize some strange forms under the wooden shed outside and do paperwork approvals here... It was bright outside and the air was good. The most important thing was that he

Not afraid of the heat... As always, this is the place where the most people gather.

Only, some people really have something to do here; some people are supposed to be subordinates of Zhang Dalongtou, responsible for contacting and handling affairs; but more people seem to just try their best to make time to sit here, treating this place as a

A place close to power or a stage to express oneself.

However, this definitely does not include Xu Shiying and Xu Dalang, the second greatest hero in the Lishan War and another protagonist whose prestige rose sharply after the Lishan War.

Of course, if Xu Dalang can come over, we can't say no.

Since Xu Shiying came alone, he just went to Zhang Xing's shed to say hello first, like other leaders who came to sit around after doing things, then took a bowl of iced sour plum soup, then turned around and entered a side restaurant with the bowl in hand.

In the wooden shed, it seemed that he was ready to observe the situation before talking.

As a result, as soon as he came in, he almost trembled and spilled the sour plum juice in his hand... It turned out that another big leader, Shan Tonghai, was actually sitting in this shed, and there was only one person sitting in the corner, and the people around him stayed away. It looked like no strangers were allowed to enter.

Just at this time, Xu Dalang came. Seeing this, the people around him made more space. Xu Dalang came back to his senses, looked around, and had no choice but to sit down.

"Brother Shan, don't you need anyone to take care of you in the camp?" Xu Shiying asked casually after sitting down amid the chirping of cicadas.

"The troops and horses were allocated and mobilized a few days ago. We must keep an eye on it. Now Liang Zi has led the army to garrison in Chengwu. Everything is settled. Why should I take care of it? Just let Xiahou watch the military camp." Shan Tonghai held the hand. He answered with an empty bowl. "Besides, no matter how busy I am, why are you busy? What are you doing here?"

Besides, the two of them were rivals on the road from Jiyin. They were very familiar with each other and had a tacit understanding. Therefore, as soon as they came in, Xu Shiying realized clearly that the other party was on the same page as her. At this time, When he heard that the words were right, he simply gave half of the sour plum soup in the bowl to the other party, and then slowly said:

"I heard that Wang Wulang sent back a military report at noon today, saying that Cheng Dalang led the Putai Army across the river, went straight to Qi County, and occupied Linji, Gaoyuan, and Zouping in one go... I just wanted to ask. Is this happening?"

"Of course there is." Shan Tonghai picked up the bowl and drank it all in one breath. "I have just asked...and not only this, it is said that Li Longtou's plan of sending people to Yuncheng that day was actually effective. There is a rebel surnamed Zuo who still occupies several counties in the southeast of Qi County."

"Then Fan Bao..."

"Fan Bao and Jia Runshi, that boy's father, retreated all the way to Qi County. They didn't dare to stop at all. They just guarded a few cities to the west of the south bank of Jishui River in the county and did not dare to move."

"So, the Qilu army, which was so powerful in the eastern border last year, is really going to end?"

"It's over, but not really over yet." Shan Tonghai's words were sharp. "There is still one breath left. As the old saying goes, a sick tiger is never a dead tiger. At this time, as long as we rush over and eat Fan Bao and the last four thousand elites Now, the four counties of Qi, Lu, Jibei and Dongping are all ours; but if we delay like this and let people come back in one breath, it's hard to say what will happen again."

Xu Shiying didn't say anything, just took a sip of the soup from the bowl.

Seeing this, Shan Tonghai felt a little anxious for a moment, so he held up the empty bowl and asked, "What do you think of Shiying?"

How can I watch? I’m here, so naturally I’m holding a bowl and watching like you!

Xu Shiying was speechless in her heart, but her face was as calm as the breeze blowing on her face: "What Brother Shan said is certainly reasonable, but I think there will be some concerns about Brother Zhang..."

"Of course there are worries, but I'm afraid it's not here." Shan Tonghai glanced at the shed on the side and blurted out.

As soon as these words came out, everyone around him who had been hiding far away but with their ears perked instinctively moved away.

Xu Shiying raised his head and looked at Zhang Xing's shed. He saw that the place was very lively, and there was a constant sound of cicadas and people in the military camp. He simply sneered and asked in turn: "Then you dare to ask where the fuss is?"

"What do you think?" Shan Tonghai wanted to speak, but after all he couldn't do it in public.

"Are you... worried about the Western Front?" Xu Shiying had something to say. "I didn't say it before for the sake of military morale, but now everyone knows that Qu Tuda has not moved in Jijun, plus the reaction of Dongdu and Jiangdu after this war They haven't come out yet... It makes sense for Brother Zhang to be more conservative."

"That's it." Shan Tonghai said with a slight smile. "Of course it makes sense to say this, so we can't object... But in fact, why not allocate ten thousand soldiers? As long as you have ten thousand soldiers with me, you can fight with the king

Wulang joins forces and can easily sweep through the four eastern counties. When the time comes, gather the troops and ordnance of the four counties, and then turn around, whether it is Dongdu or Xuzhou, who is afraid of them?"

Xu Shiying glanced at the other party and smiled without saying a word.

The meaning is obvious. If the troops are really divided, why should you go? Just because you were defeated by Zhang Xuguo overnight and lost Lu County directly? Or because you didn't catch up with a warm meal at the foot of Mount Li?

"I know..." Shan Tonghai took a long breath when he saw this. "I know what you mean. If we really want to divide our troops, why should I go? My uncle has offended Zhang Longtou for nothing, and I have never been close to Zhang Longtou.

, we are so close and distant, it’s not my turn no matter what.”

As soon as these words came out, the people around with their backs turned and their ears pricked up could no longer listen. And coincidentally, everyone happened to drink up the iced sour plum soup at this time, so they stood up one after another and joined hands with each other to serve the soup.

As soon as the person left, Xu Dalang slightly released some invisible Qi, and isolated the surroundings for a while to facilitate persuasion.

"But it's hard for you too." Unexpectedly, seeing the people around him leaving, Shan Dalang changed the topic and turned the topic to the other party. "Back then, when we were having a reunion outside Jiyang City, Zhang Dalongtou and Wang Wulang were having sex.

We were in a good situation, but you forcefully pushed Mr. Li in, making the Deposed Dragon Gang uneasy all the time. Just because of this, if I were Zhang Longtou, I would hate you for the rest of my life."

Xu Shiying stagnated slightly and withdrew his energy.

"Now that Zhang Longtou has temporarily suppressed Li Longtou, you have emerged again. Regardless of whether you want it or not, everyone is actually pointing you at fighting Zhang Longtou... Let me tell you, you treat him like Zhang Longtou.

Third brother, they regard you as their confidant. So, don’t expect to be able to go by yourself! I estimate that even if the troops are divided, it is still a matter between Wang Wulang and Niu Da, who are their confidants." Shan Tonghai shook his head continuously.

Xu Dalang was so embarrassed that he listened for a while and finally came to persuade him: "Brother Shan, things are not as bad as you think. If Brother Zhang always cares about these things and doesn't have a big picture in mind, we will be the losers in Lishan."

, let alone the deployment of troops this time, who doesn’t say that Brother Zhang is safe? Even Brother Shan, have you ever thought that you can keep the biggest piece of the army?"

When Shan Tonghai heard this, he also felt embarrassed, but in the end he turned to look at the completely covered shed over there, his eyes wandering: "So I'm just complaining to you, it's not easy to talk to you face to face. But I only want to ask you one thing.

Well, what does he want to be so selfless? Even if he wants to really eradicate the violent Wei and stabilize the world, there should be priorities, right? Even if we are really all brothers, don’t we also have leaders, big leaders and leaders?

Do you want to tell me the difference?"

This seems to make sense.

And Xu Dalang thought for a while and said seriously: "I came here today to formally ask... I think that the Deposed Dragon Gang can survive and open up the situation, and Brother Zhang has the greatest contribution.

It's okay to be a big boss and have more power, there's no need to be taboo... As long as it's not overdone, no one will look at it with disdain."
To be continued...