After that, for several days in a row, the county remained calm.
Zhang Fu organized the refugees to clear wasteland, and so far, they have cleared over eight hundred mu. It is already past May, and spring plowing is almost over, so it seems this year will be like this.
However, eight hundred mu of land is enough to feed several thousand refugees.
Next, the consideration is how to settle these people.
Currently, they are still living in temporary tent camps. After the spring plowing ends, the next step will be to arrange for them to find suitable locations around the cleared land and rebuild villages.
Zhang Chen looked at the map placed on the desk.
On the map, several areas had already been outlined with a vermilion pen. These were the areas Zhang Chen had personally inspected over the past few days and deemed suitable for building villages.
In addition, there were a few other places Zhang Chen marked with red crosses using the vermilion pen.
Those places were once villages under the jurisdiction of Guangping County, but they were later abandoned and are now occupied by mountain bandits and brigands.
If villages are to be built and the people settled, these bandits will always be a problem. Whether to suppress or appease them, a decision must be made quickly.
There are a total of four bandit strongholds relatively close to Guangping County. Among them, the Black Tiger Fort in the western suburbs is the strongest, with nearly a thousand bandits in the stronghold.
It is said that more than half of the Black Tiger Fort's inhabitants are remnants of the Yellow Turban, and there are also hundreds of Yellow Turban Warriors, each incredibly fierce and brave. The Boss, it is said, was even a Yellow Turban Leader!
Yellow Turban Leader? It is said there were thirty-six in total, but few were famous. With Gao Shun's strength, dealing with them should be no problem.
As for those low-level bandits, how could they possibly withstand the elite of the Trapped Camp?
If the Black Tiger Fort can be wiped out in one battle, the other bandits will surely be intimidated. At that time, it will be much easier to recruit and appease them.
Zhang Chen was deep in thought when suddenly, a runner rushed in to report.
"Lord! Something terrible has happened!"
"What is the matter that makes you so flustered?"
"The refugees clearing land outside the city were robbed by the bandits from the Black Tiger Fort. Zhang, Sir and several commoners were injured by them, and the farmland that was so hard to clear has also been trampled and ruined quite a bit!"
"What!" Zhang Chen exclaimed upon hearing this, slamming the table and standing up. "Hmph! Good! This official didn't go looking for you, but you've delivered yourselves right to my doorstep!"
Since they attacked me first, there's no need to be polite.
Now that the Trapped Camp is newly formed, it is perfect to test their mettle and cultivate their killing intent!
Thinking this, Zhang Chen immediately said in a deep voice, "Summon Gao Shun."
Before long, Gao Shun arrived upon receiving the order, paid his respects to Zhang Chen, and directly asked, "Lord, have you summoned your subordinate because there is a battle?"
Indeed, generals throughout the land are all the same; once their troops are trained, they can't wait to test their skills.
Zhang Chen smiled and said, "That's right. Troops are trained for a thousand days to be used for a single moment. Since the precious sword has been forged, how can it not be tested?"
Gao Shun was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately said, "Just give the order, Lord."
Zhang Chen said, "There is a group of bandits outside the city called the Black Tiger Fort. Today, they dared to rob the people clearing land and even injured Zhang, Sir. This cannot be tolerated. Gao Shun, are you confident you can destroy them!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Shun couldn't help but laugh and say, "Lord, what are mere petty bandits worth mentioning? I have also heard of this Black Tiger Fort. They say they are remnants of the Yellow Turban, incredibly fierce and brave, hmph! In my opinion, they are just a mob. Since they dared to cause trouble, allow your subordinate to go and deal with them!"
"Good! Since that's the case, then..."
"Lord! Absolutely not! Absolutely not!"
Just as Zhang Chen was about to give the order, someone suddenly burst in from outside the door.
This person had scars on his face and limped towards Zhang Chen, bowing and saying, "Lord, you must not act impulsively!"
Zhang Chen saw that it was indeed Zhang Fu and quickly said, "Sir, you are injured, why are you not resting properly? Whatever you have to say can wait until later."
Zhang Fu said urgently, "Lord, in that Black Tiger Fort, there are hundreds of bandits, each one fierce and brave. How can our newly trained soldiers contend with them? Lord, please do not ruin the overall situation because of temporary impulse!"
"What does Sir mean by this?" Gao Shun, who was standing nearby, immediately his face darkened upon hearing this. "Does Sir believe that I and the soldiers are no match for that group of bandits?"
Zhang Fu turned and bowed to Gao Shun, saying, "This old man does not mean that. It's just, County Commandant Gao, you have been training soldiers for less than a month. How can they compare to those fierce bandits who live by the sword every day? If you provoke them, we can still defend ourselves within the city walls, but what about the commoners outside the city?"
"This General will wipe out all the bandits outside the city and restore peace to Guangping County. What difficulty is there in that!"
"You! Young and arrogant, speaking so boastfully!" Zhang Fu shook his head and sighed, "How do you know how formidable those bandits are? Lord has spent a lot of money and provisions and finally raised these troops. Are you going to lose them all in one battle?"
"Whether inside or outside the city, as long as it is under my jurisdiction in Guangping County, I will protect it with all my might." Zhang Chen said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Those who dare to bully the commoners under my rule shall die!"
Seeing this, Zhang Fu couldn't help but sigh, "Lord, I know you love the commoners, but such recklessness is truly not for the commoners' well-being!"
"How dare you! You old fellow!" Gao Shun couldn't help but roar in anger.
"Do not be rude!" Zhang Chen shouted, then said, "Then, in Sir's opinion, what should be done?"
"Bandits are nothing more than people seeking wealth. Offer them money and provisions, and they will retreat. There is no need for military action."
Offer them money and provisions?
Zhang Chen found it amusing. It wasn't easy for him to earn this little money; every bit must be used where it is most needed. How could he use it to support those bandits?
It seems that although Zhang Fu has some administrative ability, his vision and courage are still far lacking.
However, he is not a person who left his name in history. Thinking about it, being able to do this much is already not bad.
This bandit suppression campaign is the first battle for the Trapped Camp, and it must be fought brilliantly!
His Trapped Camp is not just county soldiers; it is a sharp blade for plotting a great undertaking in the future!
Zhang Chen secretly made up his mind and said, "Sir's words, this official absolutely cannot agree with! Offering bandits money and provisions is fueling their arrogance and will only make them more reckless and insatiable! I recruited county soldiers to protect the borders and bring peace to the people. If we fear mere petty bandits, wouldn't we become a laughingstock?"
"But, Lord..."
"Say no more. My decision is made. Gao Shun, heed the order!" Zhang Chen resolutely waved his hand, stopping Zhang Fu.
As a Lord, one must be decisive when it is time to decide!
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Order you to immediately prepare the troops and leave the city to suppress the bandits in three days!"
"Your subordinate accepts the order!"
"Lord... Alas..."
Zhang Fu couldn't help but beat his chest and stamp his feet, sighing inwardly.
It's over, it's over! If the Black Tiger Fort is angered this time, those refugees outside the city will surely have no way to survive!
He originally thought that this Zhang Family's Gongzi could protect the people of Guangping County, but he didn't expect that his youthful impulsiveness would instead harm the people!
"Zhang, Sir." Zhang Chen said to Zhang Fu again, "I know that what you just said was also for the sake of the commoners, but since this matter has been decided, everyone in the county should share a common hatred for the enemy. I do not wish to hear different opinions anymore."
"Yes, Lord..."
"Order you to immediately draft a notice, enumerating the evil deeds of the Black Tiger Fort and this official's intention to suppress them. Tomorrow, post it throughout the streets and alleys to inform the entire county and display our military might!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fu couldn't help but frown and say, "Lord, with such a big fanfare, if the news leaks out, won't the bandits be prepared?"
"I am precisely trying to make them prepare," Zhang Chen said with a profound smile.
The first battle of the Trapped Camp must be fought openly and honorably, making these bandits surrender under the watchful eyes of everyone. Only then will the goal be achieved.
This way, the commoners in neighboring counties or the commandery will know that Guangping County's military might is formidable and not to be trifled with.
If that happens, won't refugees from all directions flock to me? At that time, the development of our forces will surely advance by leaps and bounds!
