Haizhou is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea. It has a long history of city construction and has gathered many people.

Although the terrain here is mainly plains, it has not suffered any military disasters because it is relatively remote and not at a major transportation hub.

Therefore, many people fled to the vicinity of Haizhou to cause trouble.

At this time, the land of Shandong was in constant war, but Haizhou still maintained peace.

Because there are mostly mountainous areas in the north of Haizhou, although it is close to the Shandong Peninsula, its connection with the Shandong Peninsula is actually not close.

There is the Grand Canal to the west, and merchants and troops from the north and south pass through the border. They are also far away from Haizhou, so there is not much communication with the outside world.

The terrain of Haizhou is mainly plains. There is enough arable land. People can also go fishing and trade with the outside world. It has an independent economic cycle and does not need to be connected with Shandong counties and counties. The people's lives are not bad.

This special geographical environment makes Haizhou different from other states and counties Zhao Tai has seen.

Outside, nine of the ten rooms were empty because of the war, but here there was smoke, and there were many traders gathered outside the city gate, as well as people waiting to enter the city.

At this time, Zhao Tai and several of his subordinates disguised themselves and came to the vicinity of Haizhou. They observed the situation in Haizhou and found that Qushan County, the capital of the state, was built on the sea. There was a large island to the east of Qushan.

After Zhao Tai observed it for a while, he knew that the big island should be Lianyungang in the future.

Because the Yellow River diverted the Huaihe River, a large amount of sediment was deposited, and it was later connected with the land.

When Zhao Tai saw this terrain, he couldn't help but feel a little excited. This big island is now separated from the mainland like Xiamen, and it is an excellent place to station troops.

If the Mongolian navy is not good enough, Zhao Tai can just like Zheng Chenggong use Xiamen as a base to fight against the Qing Dynasty, and run this big island as a springboard for him to conquer Shandong.

"Mr. Sir, we can pretend to be Mongolian troops and enter the city. There don't seem to be many defenders in the city. By the time they react, it will be too late." The accompanying scout suggested.

Zhao Tai shook his head, pointing to the island on the other side of Qushan County, "Have you seen that Haizhou's fishing boats and merchant ships mainly dock on that big island. Once we attack here, the defenders of Qushan County

If we run to the island, we will be in trouble."

In order to avoid the war, many people in Haizhou moved their homes to the island opposite Qushan County and formed towns. Mongolian troops were also stationed on the island.

"Then what should we do? If we capture Qushan County, the island opposite will definitely be on guard immediately. Unless we can capture both places at the same time, we will definitely alert the enemy!" said the scout beside him.

At this time, a group of common people pushed vehicles and bravely came to the south gate of Qushan County. The soldiers guarding the gate made a brief interrogation and then put them into the city.

Zhao Tai's eyes lit up when he saw this. He could see that the Mongolian army's defense in the city was not tight.

Zhao Tai then asked for a subordinate, "You carry a load of firewood into the city and take a look at the situation in the city."

At that moment, the scout got up from the tea shed, carried firewood and headed for the county town.

Zhao Tai watched from a distance and saw that the guard sergeant extorted a few pennies, so he let him in.

…

After dark, Zhao Tai led the scouts back to the woods. Wu Xian and others immediately surrounded him and asked, "Brother Xian, how are you doing?"

Zhao Tai took the kettle, took a sip of water, then picked up a branch, swept away the fallen leaves and weeds with his feet, and scratched on the ground while saying: "There are not many defenders in Haizhou, only about a thousand

There are many people, and they are all Han soldiers of Li Fen, and there are no Mongols. Because Haizhou is not on the front line and rarely suffers military disasters, their defense is very lax!"

Wu Xiandao: "Since there are only a thousand people and the defense is relatively lax, Haizhou should be easy to fight!"

Zhao Taidao: "It's easy to fight. There is a big island opposite the key city. Fishing boats and merchant ships are mainly on the island! We are lucky to have on-site inspection this time. Otherwise, if we attack rashly, the Mongolian army in the city will definitely sail to the island. By then,

Even if we capture the city, we can only stare in disbelief!"

Wu Xian frowned, "So, in order to capture Haizhou, we must first capture the island. This is a bit troublesome!"

Zhao Tai smiled and said: "It's not too much trouble! I already have a strategy!"

"Oh?" Wu Xian looked at Zhao Tai, "What's the strategy? Please tell me, dear brother!"

Zhao Tai scratched with a tree branch and said, "The guard general of this city is called Li Zhongquan. He is relatively greedy for money, and his soldiers are about the same. I plan to send elites to accompany the clans who want to move into Haizhou to avoid the war, sneak into the city, and control the state.

Take control of the city and the docks on the island opposite! Then we will pretend to be Mongolian troops to take over the city defense and capture Haizhou in one fell swoop."

After hearing what Zhao Tai said, Wuxian and others felt that this method was feasible, so they nodded one after another.

Early the next morning, Haizhou Prefecture governed Qushan County.

Li Zhongquan, the guard general of Qushan, was originally a private salt dealer. During the Shandong Red Coat Army uprising, he was wanted by the Jin government for committing crimes, so he joined Yang An'er's Red Coat Army.

However, after he became a rebel, he embezzled money and food from the rebels, which made Yang An'er unhappy and he was never reused.

After Yang An'er's death, he defected to Li Quan and slowly got to the position of Qianhu, and was ordered to guard Haizhou.

To others, guarding Haizhou was equivalent to being assigned without any chance of meritorious service, but to Li Zhongquan, it was a good job and he made a lot of money.

Shandong has not been peaceful recently, and Haizhou is located in a remote area. Attacks from the south or north generally cannot reach this place, but Li Zhongquan still raised his guard.

In the morning, he came to the city gate for inspection. A member of the Hundred Households led one person over. The Hundred Households stepped forward and whispered: "Qianhu, a group of fat sheep have come!"

Li Zhongquan glanced at the man in silk and satin behind Baihu and couldn't help but perked up, "What's going on?"

Baihu whispered: "There is a war in the south recently. There is a big family who wants to move into our Haizhou to cause trouble. I just saw it. They have brought more than ten carts of food and supplies. They are a fat sheep."

Li Zhongquan knew that Kuoduan sent troops to attack the Southern Song Dynasty. After hearing what Baihu said, he stepped forward with a smile and asked, "What can I do for you?"

Li Zhongquan was a salt merchant. Although he was greedy for money, he would not waste all his money. He always welcomed rich people to seek refuge with him.

Xu Erzhu stepped forward and saluted, "General, Xiao Xingzhou, a native of Guannan County. Recently, the Mongolian army and the Song army fought along the Huaihe River. The elders in the family were worried about suffering military disasters. Because they heard that Qushan was peaceful under the rule of the general, they wanted to raise

The tribe migrated to the general’s rule to avoid the war. I also ask for the general’s permission.”

Li Zhongquan asked: "How many people are there in your family?"

Xu Erzhu said: "Reporting to the general, there are thousands of men, women, old and young."

A bright light flashed in Li Zhongquan's eyes. A big family of a thousand people could bring him a lot of income, but his face was pretentious: "General, Qushan County is not big. You have so many people here.

It’s not easy to handle!”

Xu Erzhu bowed repeatedly and said, "Please forgive me, General. Our Zhou family is willing to provide General with a sum of money and food to express our gratitude."

By the Song Dynasty, the aristocratic families were no longer doing well, but their savings were still beyond what ordinary families could match.
Chapter completed!