Chapter 328: Approaching Xihe Commandery

Afterwards, the people who came to see them off consciously made a path. After Zhang Liao and the people said goodbye, he left Shangjun City with the army.

Watching the departing army, the people watched until the army disappeared from their sight before slowly leaving.

One day later, Zhang Liao led the army and was about to walk out of Shangjun. Twenty miles further, it would be Xihe Commandery.

At night, in the central army tent of the Bingzhou Army, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai were talking about what happened in Shangjun City during the day.

At this time, Zhang Liao asked Xi Zhicai curiously: "Military Advisor, how do you think His Majesty will arrange for these people? I know that many of them live in thatched huts."

"Moreover, the people don't have much surplus grain at home. It's almost May, and many people don't have their own land. If things go wrong, it will be a big problem!"

Zhang Liao said, with deep worry in his eyes—worry for Liu Bian, and worry for these suffering people.

After Xi Zhicai heard Zhang Liao's words, his eyes also became much more solemn.

He pondered for a moment, but could not think of any good way.

"To tell the General, this matter has been a difficult problem since ancient times. Currently, most of the land of the entire Great Han Empire is in the hands of aristocratic families."

Speaking of this, Xi Zhicai looked at Zhang Liao's expression and continued.

"At the beginning, it was fine. The people had their own land. However, over the years, whenever there was a disaster year and the people had no income, they would sell their land to exchange for food to survive."

"Coupled with the fact that the disaster relief grain issued by the imperial court was embezzled by imperial officials layer by layer, by the time it reached the local level, there was almost nothing left. The people were forced to have no choice but to exchange land for food!"

Speaking of this, Xi Zhicai also spread his hands helplessly and said to Zhang Liao helplessly.

"The Military Advisor is right! These aristocratic families are really the worms of the empire. Whenever there is a disaster year, they don't contribute a bit to the empire, but think of ways to earn their own interests. I really want to pull them all out!"

Zhang Liao also said viciously, his words full of dissatisfaction with the aristocratic families.

"General, don't worry. With His Majesty's means, he will definitely take action against the aristocratic families. However, it is still too early. No matter what, we have to wait until the world is unified. Now, His Majesty is not easy to take action!"

Seeing Zhang Liao's dissatisfaction with the aristocratic families, Xi Zhicai explained to Zhang Liao.

After all, he was also from a commoner background and knew the ugly faces of those aristocratic families well.

After hearing Xi Zhicai's words, the unhappiness in Zhang Liao's heart dissipated a lot.

"The Military Advisor is right. It was I who was a little anxious. Then let these aristocratic families exist for a while. After the world is unified, I must tell His Majesty about this."

Seeing Zhang Liao's attitude, Xi Zhicai did not say anything else and immediately changed the subject to him: "Let's not mention this matter first. These are not things we should care about. Our primary task now is how to quickly take Bingzhou."

"General, don't forget that the three northern commanderies of Bingzhou are still under the control of the Xiongnu!"

Seeing that Xi Zhicai did not want to talk about this matter anymore and turned to talk about Bingzhou, Zhang Liao also shook his head and suppressed the matter.

He said to Xi Zhicai in a deep voice: "The Military Advisor is right. We should still focus on military affairs."

"This place is about one hundred and fifty miles away from Huanyang County. At our marching speed, we will arrive the day after tomorrow. And Huanyang City, as a small city, only has one thousand troops stationed, which is very easy to take!"

"I think it's better to do this. Why don't we take Huanyin City together? Anyway, these two cities are only one hundred miles apart, which is just a matter of convenience."

Xi Zhicai thought that Huanyin City and Huanyang City were both small cities, so he said to Zhang Liao.

After Zhang Liao heard Xi Zhicai's words, he felt that this matter was feasible, so he immediately said to him: "This matter is feasible, and these two cities don't need too many troops to guard them."

After seeing Zhang Liao agree, Xi Zhicai added: "Moreover, with so many of our troops going over, they will likely surrender. As long as we subdue them, we will have ready-made garrison troops, solving the problem of insufficient troops."

"Good, let's do as the Military Advisor says!" Zhang Liao immediately decided to divide the troops into two paths.

"Come!"

Zhang Liao shouted loudly outside the big tent. Afterwards, a guard walked into the big tent quickly, cupped his hands and saluted Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, and said respectfully: "See the General, Military Advisor!"

"Go and find General Guo Huai, and tell him I have something to find him for!"

Zhang Liao waved his hand at the guard and said indifferently.

"Yes!" The guard cupped his hands to the two, bowed, and left.

"Is the General planning to send General Guo Huai to Huanyin City?"

Seeing Zhang Liao wanting to see Guo Huai, Xi Zhicai asked.

"General Guo Huai is an old man of the Bingzhou Army. There is no need to talk about his ability. With him going, I am relieved!"

Zhang Liao explained to Xi Zhicai.

"General Guo Huai is indeed the best candidate."

Regarding Zhang Liao's decision, Xi Zhicai also highly approved. After all, these were all famous generals who originally resisted the Xiongnu in Bingzhou.

Not long after, Guo Huai's figure entered the big tent, cupped his hands and saluted Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai: "This subordinate Guo Huai, see the General, Military Advisor!"

"General Guo Huai is here, sit down and talk."

Zhang Liao smiled slightly at Guo Huai and said. And Xi Zhicai also nodded at him.

"Thank you, General!"

After Guo Huai thanked Zhang Liao loudly, he walked to the seat on the right and sat down, looking at Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai with a face full of confusion.

"General Guo, I called you here this time because the Military Advisor and I have just discussed and intend to send you to take Huanyin City together!"

"You know the situation of Huanyin City. With your strength as a Divine General, taking Huanyin City guarded by one thousand people is an easy task. I wonder if you are willing to go?"

Zhang Liao had a serious expression on his face and said to Guo Huai in a deep voice.

Hearing that Zhang Liao and the others were looking for him for this matter, Guo Huai also let out a long breath, and with a solemn expression, confidently assured Zhang Liao: "Please rest assured, General, the mere Huanyin City, this subordinate can get it easily!"

Seeing Guo Huai full of confidence, Zhang Liao immediately said loudly: "Good, I knew General Guo would not disappoint me. This time you lead five thousand troops to go. It's best if you can recruit them to surrender!"

"This subordinate obeys!" After Guo Huai heard Zhang Liao's instructions, he responded loudly.

"General Guo, after taking Huanyin City this time, you only need to leave one thousand people to guard it. Try to use the surrendered soldiers as the main force, but important generals must be our people. After Huanyin City is arranged, you will come to Jinyang City to join us."

The Military Advisor Xi Zhicai on the side told Guo Huai about the arrangements for Huanyin City.

Afterwards, the three of them discussed some details for a long time before leaving one after another... ===== CHAPTER 329 =====