Chapter 305 Genius is just a threshold
When stuck in a quagmire, not everyone has the courage and perseverance to get out of the mud and onto the shore.
Zhang Ji was from Wuwei, Xiliang.
In that place, it was impossible to think of home without having sin and blood on your hands.
The extremely harsh environment means that those who can break out of it are destined to be ruthless and cruel.
Good people can't make it in Xiliang, and even living is a luxury.
Zhang Liao, who was born in Bingzhou, was very clear about this.
Since he ascended to a high position and was able to control his own destiny, Zhang Ji no longer allowed his troops to plunder wantonly like other Xiliang army generals. Instead, he began to reorganize his troops and prepare to clean himself up.
Zhang Liao was a meticulous person and good at judging people. After talking with Zhang Ji, he also investigated the people and soldiers under his rule, and finally could not help but sigh with emotion.
Zhang Ji was indeed a good general.
It is truly rare to be able to train the unruly Xiliang army to this level, where not only the military discipline is quite good, but also they do not harm the people.
"Bo Ji, how did you persuade these arrogant and brave generals under your command?" Zhang Liao couldn't help but ask curiously.
He once knew how poor the military discipline of the Xiliang soldiers was.
Although they were brave, they just robbed wherever they went, leaving a vast expanse of white land, just like a swarm of locusts passing through a territory.
There was no way. This group of people was too poor. They had almost nothing except their lives, war horses and weapons.
Zhang Ji heard this and sighed: "If it weren't for the world's pressure, who would be willing to be a thief?"
"General, you know the situation in Xiliang. Everyone just wants to survive and eat. This is why Master Dong responded so well."
"The Han court didn't treat the people of Xiliang as human beings at all. The brothers all lived a miserable life. In order to survive, they did many things that angered the heavens and the people. Over time, this kind of atmosphere was formed."
"Especially after enjoying the prosperity of Luoyang, everyone can no longer tolerate the poverty of the past."
"Most of the brothers under my command have families to support. Although they did a lot of bad things in the past, they did accumulate a lot of wealth. I kept most of it and will slowly distribute it to their families."
"Only if we have money and food in our hands can they obey us. Otherwise, even if I give my heart and lungs to them, it will be useless."
Zhang Ji knew the nature of these Xiliang soldiers too well. It was impossible to persuade them simply because it was like telling a group of cattle and horses that they had to fight.
Only by using both carrots and sticks, giving them clear amounts of money and food, and imposing severe punishments, can we restrain this group of people.
This matter is easier said than done, but extremely difficult. It took Zhang Ji a lot of effort, but it is also his masterpiece.
Now that Zhang Liao has arrived, he is even more pleased that his efforts have not been in vain.
My brothers can finally live a good life with me.
Zhang Ji did not think he was a good man, nor was he that kind and righteous. If these brothers delayed his life, he would sacrifice them without hesitation.
But after all, they are brothers who fought with me to conquer the world, and it would be best to give them a good ending.
"Bo Ji, what you said is quite similar to what my lord said." Zhang Liao nodded slightly.
Not everyone has great eloquence and strong charm, and can win the hearts of heroes with just a glance.
A vulgar person like Tian Ze still believes more in practical benefits and likes to rely on others for support.
No matter how sincere you are, you should give the full amount of money and food.
"It would be great if all the generals in Xiliang had the same character as you." Zhang Liao sighed.
Zhang Ji smiled bitterly.
Living in a place like Xiliang, there are not many "good people" like him, and even fewer who can reach his position. "General, please don't make fun of me."
"I know my own abilities and I'm tired of the battles on the battlefield. Now I want to hand over my military power and live a peaceful life with my wife and children." Zhang Ji sighed.
"It's just that some of my brothers want to go home, but most of them don't know how to do anything and have become accustomed to killing enemies on the battlefield."
"Although their military discipline is much worse than that of the soldiers under the lord's command, they are all brave warriors who dare to fight and charge. I beg the general to explain to the lord that these brothers do not need to participate in the war in the Central Plains. Can they go and fight the barbarians?"
After saying this, Zhang Ji bowed deeply to Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao was quite moved when he heard this and quickly helped him up.
"Don't worry, Boji. I will convey this message to my lord, and I will also do my best to fight for you."
"The world is big, there are plenty of places for people from Xiliang to stay. My lord is kind and will definitely take care of these brothers and their wives and children. In the future, everyone will no longer be short of food and clothing, nor will they live in fear."
Zhang Ji heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, his face full of gratitude: "Thank you, General!"
After saying that, Zhang Ji pulled a young man over from the side.
"General, this is my nephew Zhang Xiu, courtesy name Youwei. Although still young, he is quite brave and has some knowledge of military tactics. He also learned some spearmanship from Mr. Tong Yuan in his early years."
"If the general does not abandon me, I wonder if I can stay under your command and serve as a personal guard."
The young and energetic Zhang Xiu's eyes were full of arrogance, and he looked at Zhang Liao with some dissatisfaction.
"Oh?"
When Zhang Liao heard the name Tong Yuan, his eyes lit up.
"Youwei is actually a disciple of Mr. Tong Yuan? I wonder if he knows Zhao Zilong of Changshan?"
Zhang Xiu heard this and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes: "General, Zilong is my master's last disciple, and also my junior fellow apprentice."
When Zhang Xiu first learned that he had a new junior fellow apprentice and was directly announced by his master as the successor, he was not convinced.
At that time, the strongest martial artist in the sect was neither the eldest brother Zhang Ren nor Zhao Yun, but him.
But later, Zhang Xiu realized how big the gap was between people.
He was born with supernatural powers since he was young, and he was extremely talented in spearmanship. He could master spearmanship in less than half a year, which would take an ordinary person ten years to master. This made him look down on everyone at one time, and he refused to submit to anyone except his master.
After meeting Zhao Yun, Zhang Xiu finally understood that genius was just a threshold for a monster like Zhao Yun.
In just one year, his spear skills were as good as those of him who had practiced for nearly ten years; in just three years, he could fight him on equal terms.
I still remember the despair and powerlessness he felt after the hundredth draw.
At that moment, he realized that he had already lost.
The reason for the draw was simply that Zhao Yun intentionally gave in.
At this point, he was completely convinced by this junior fellow apprentice.
Then he chose to come out and serve under his uncle. He thought he was promoted very quickly.
After all, because of the relationship with Zhang Ji, the Xiliang soldiers don’t really care about qualifications or background, they only look at who can win battles and who has the bigger fist, and these two are his strengths.
Within a few years, he became the General of the Central Army, commanding thousands of cavalry.
However, after receiving news about Zhao Yun, the other party had already become a world-famous general commanding tens of thousands of cavalry!
(End of this chapter)
