Licheng County is the administrative seat of Jinan Prefecture and is also a wonder of the North.

This large city rests on mountains and lies in a small basin surrounded by mountains.

Huang Tingjian said it: as chic as Jiangnan.

If you look down from above, you will find a city with mountains and half a lake, with springs in every house and weeping willows in every house.

There is no roughness and heaviness of the North at all, but it shows the delicacy and elegance of the South of the Yangtze River.

Located in the government office in the east of the city, an old man wearing a purple official robe was sitting in the lobby.

The old man was about fifty years old, with a thin face and a sparse goatee on his lower chin.

This person is none other than the prefect of Jinan, Zhang Shuye.

Looking through the official documents, Zhang Shuye looked solemn and his eyes were full of sorrow.

The people in Linyi County also rebelled, gathering more than 8,000 people and holding several villages hostage.

In just a few days, war broke out in the north.

In Jinan Prefecture alone, there were four groups of rebels, numbering as many as 20,000 to 30,000, and as few as several thousand.

He knew very well that the Northern Expedition in the previous two years had drained the blood of the people in the North.

This year we encountered another severe drought, with only two light rains falling throughout midsummer.

With this severe drought, we may lose all the corn harvest in late autumn.

Only when the people have absolutely no way to survive will they rebel.

But he couldn't do anything. Officials were frivolous and only wanted to enjoy themselves. There were Wang Fu, Liang Shicheng, Li Bangyan and other traitors around him who were bewitching him.

Li Gang, who was the last to speak up and write a letter criticizing the Six Thieves, is still the chief clerk of Sha County in Quanzhou.

Zhang Shuye did not cherish his official position, he just thought that while he was in office, he could at least restrain the officials under his rule and make the people in his administration live a slightly better life.

Zhao Ting, the magistrate of Qingzhou, had a lot of misdeeds when he was in Hangzhou. If he hadn't kept an eye on such traitors, the people of Qingzhou would have lost their way of survival long ago.

And officials like Zhao Ting can be found everywhere in the imperial court nowadays.

There are Jin people in the north and Xixia people in the west, watching eagerly.

However, there are treacherous ministers in power in the court, corrupt officials in local states and counties are rampant, and now the people are in dire straits, and wars are everywhere...

"It's so stormy!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Shuye couldn't help but sigh.

Suddenly, a burst of rapid footsteps came from outside the lobby.

Zhang Shuye put down the paperwork and looked up.

The visitor's name was Xing Wanli. He was originally a county captain in the county under his jurisdiction when he was serving in Haizhou.

When Song Jiang was first annihilated, this man showed courage, strategy, and talent.

Therefore, after he was promoted to the prefect of Jinan, Zhang Shu reported to the court at night and recommended him to join the army as a manager and was transferred to his side.

Xing Wanli walked quickly into the lobby, bowed and presented a letter with both hands: "Prefect, a secret letter from Heishan Village!"

"oh?"

Zhang Shuye's eyes narrowed and he ordered: "Hurry and bring it up."

Han Zhen has analyzed before that the famous name of King Li Tian of Montenegro is both a blessing and a curse.

The good thing is that with this name, bandits and ordinary people from Green Forest Road will continue to come to join us after the uprising, and we will be able to grow in power in a short period of time.

The disadvantage is that it is easy to be targeted by the government.

In fact, as early as when he was the governor of Qingzhou, Zhang Shuye had already set his sights on Black Mountain Village.

With his temperament, how could he tolerate all these giant bandits under his rule?

After this stare, clues were quickly discovered.

Every few months, large quantities of grain, pig iron, and even war horses were quietly transported to the stronghold.

You don't need to think about it to know that there must be officials secretly colluding with King Li Tian.

Zhang Shuye is not a reckless person. There are many bandits in the Black Mountain stronghold, and the weapons are as powerful as the officers and soldiers. In addition, the terrain of Black Mountain is dangerous, with high mountains and dense forests, so a force attack is simply not feasible.

Therefore, instead of alerting the enemy, he made arrangements early and sent people to secretly contact the Black Mountain bandits, promising high-ranking officials and generous salaries.

"Prefect, please take a look."

Xing Wanli respectfully presented the secret letter.

After opening the envelope, Zhang Shuye checked the envelope and after confirming that it was correct, he slowly started to read it.

When he finished reading the letter, his eyes were full of horror.

Xing Wanli on the side saw this and asked: "Prefect, what's going on?"

"Just take a look."

Zhang Shuye said and handed over the letter.

When Xing Wanli saw it, he suddenly took a breath of cold air, feeling shocked and frightened: "They actually want to take over Jinan Mansion?"

"I didn't expect that King Li Tian had such capable people. If they really capture Jinan Prefecture, they can intimidate the capital city when they advance, and they can pass through Shandong when retreating. At the same time, they echo the Gaotuo Mountain in Hebei, making it impossible for the Western Army to encircle and suppress it.

By then, the north will really be in chaos."

Zhang Shuye also had lingering fears at this moment. If Jinan was lost, the consequences would be disastrous.

I don’t know where Mr. Na Yin came from. He had such talent, but he didn’t want to serve the imperial court. Instead, he joined the bandits and helped the tyrants.

It’s really hateful!

Putting down the letter, Xing Wanli frowned and said: "Prefect, this Lei Han said conclusively in the letter that they could easily capture Jinan Prefecture, but the specific details were vague. The official felt that he was exaggerating on purpose to claim credit.

.”

"Ah!"

Zhang Shuye sneered and explained: "It's nothing more than an internal response."

Xing Wanli was startled and hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "I'm going to screen you now and strengthen the city gate guard!"

"Not urgent!"

However, Zhang Shuye stopped him, waved his hand and said: "If this happens, it will definitely scare the snake. If the Black Mountain Stronghold keeps dormant, it will always be a worry."

In his opinion, Zhang Wanxian and his ilk are nothing to be afraid of.

As long as the imperial troops from each state are dispatched, the rebellion can be suppressed within a few months.

Black Village is different.

Not only are the troops strong and the horses strong, but there are also capable people to make plans. If we leave him alone, he is afraid that he will be the next Fang La.

"What's the prefect's clever plan?"

Xing Wanli was not stupid and he reacted immediately.

Zhang Shuye said confidently: "This opportunity is rare. I am going to use a trick to lure the snake out of its hole, capture it in one fell swoop, and completely eliminate the disaster."

As he spoke, he waved.

Xing Wanli immediately stepped forward.

After listening to Zhang Shuye's arrangements, Xing Wanli's eyes lit up and he said with admiration: "The magistrate really uses his troops like a god, and I admire him."

"Let's go!"

Zhang Shuye waved his hand.

"I'm going to go now."

Xing Wanli bowed and saluted, and then hurriedly left the government office.

Soon, a piece of news spread among the major tea shops and restaurants in Licheng County.

The prefect, Zhang Shuye, will personally lead his troops out of the city soon to put down the rebellion.

In the evening, a homing pigeon flew out of the county town and flew towards Montenegro.

…

…

Black Mountain Village, inside Juyi Hall.

The nine heads gathered together, with a large wooden table in the center and a map spread out on the table.

Mr. Yin said with a smile on his face: "Zhang Shuye can't hold his anger anymore."

In his opinion, Zhang Shuye would definitely go to quell the rebellion.

Otherwise, several groups of rebel armies will continue to grow stronger, and Jinan Prefecture will be completely destroyed.

At this moment, Lei Han, the fourth master, suddenly said: "Master, the army has been organized now, and all the subordinates are on standby. What are the specific regulations? Can you let everyone know? Otherwise, I will be so dull in my heart. I really have no bottom.”
To be continued...