Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 140 The place looks familiar
After the two clan leaders were dragged away by the soldiers, only the Guo family was left there, feeling terrified.

The Guo family of Ji County also studied "Xiao Du Lu" and was located between the gentry and the wealthy families. In terms of colluding with people from Liangzhou to harm the people, they were slightly less extreme than the other two families.

It’s not that they have high bottom lines, but rather that all the refugees have become Guo’s servants.

Relying on the clan tribes trained by the fleeing refugees, the Liangzhou bandits who were plotting against them were made to hesitate.

In addition, taxes have been paid all the time, so the people of Liangzhou don't want to take on any tough tasks.

But now, with the Qingzhou army attacking Hanoi, everything has changed.

Liu Bei took out the scroll, read it carefully and said, "I heard that the Guo family has more than 2,000 hectares of dam land, and has forced thousands of poor people to work, tens of thousands of followers, and thousands of slaves and servants. They have built many houses and forts, and have set up a closed-door market to manufacture weapons and crossbows. They are so rich that they are like a lord."

"Master Guo, how should we deal with you?"

At first, Liu Bei was also shocked when he saw them. This was the richest powerful family he had ever seen. Only because the capital was in chaos due to Dong Zhuo, which caused a large number of people to flee, could this powerful family grow so quickly.

Just as the Han Dynasty fell, the powerful families were well fed.

Liu Bei spoke in a low voice, but he could see that the other person's face was obviously panicked.

"Liu Shijun, Guo is willing to provide 76,000 hu of millet, 500 bolts of cloth, 4,000 jin of meat, and 2,200 soldiers as the vanguard to attack Huojia County and Xiuwu County for Lord Xuande."

The Guo clan leader quickly bowed his head and saluted.

However, Liu Bei did not intend to let them go easily. He had even captured Ji County, not to mention just a few forts. It would be a blessing in disguise if the Guo family dared to resist.

"Ji County is close to Dongjun. Do you know that I am measuring the land in Dongjun?" Liu Bei asked.

"Of course I know. Lord Xuande followed the example of Emperor Guangwu in measuring land and punishing lawless tyrants in various places." The head of the Guo clan said bitterly.

Liu Bei said softly: "Before conquering Gong County and Huojia County, the Guo family will re-measure the land, verify the household registration, correct the cultivated land, population and taxes, and return the seized land."

"If you can't do it, I will personally lead the army to check and verify. The Guo family can also fight with bows and crossbows. It depends on whether your fortress can match the 145 counties in the 13 counties of Qingzhou and Yanzhou."

"We dare not, the Guo family dare not!" The Guo clan leader's palms were sweating and he bowed his head repeatedly.

He was just a local nobleman. Even if he had ten times the courage, he would not dare to go against the powerful governor, let alone the governor of two states at the same time.

Being able to hold on for so long before kneeling down, his knees are much tougher than Heshi’s.

Liu Bei waved his hand and said, "Take him away."

"Sir, the Guo family is willing to measure the land!" When the Guo family leader saw Dian Wei coming towards him with a ferocious look on his face, holding the hilt of his knife, he subconsciously tensed up and quickly explained to Liu Bei.

"I mean to take him down to rest, not to kill him." When Liu Bei heard Dian Wei drawing his sword, he hurriedly stopped him.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I am a crude man and it was just a misunderstanding. I hope you can forgive me." Dian Wei widened his eyes, quickly retracted the blade that was on the other's neck, and explained in a hoarse voice.

Liu Bei listened to the nonsense and slammed the table, pretending to be angry and said, "It's fine this time. Since the head of the Guo family has forgiven you, I will not make a fuss about it. I will deduct your salary for three months as a warning to others. If you treat the head of the family like this again next time, I will not forgive you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Dian Wei said with a bow.

"Thank you, General Liu, for saving my life." The Guo clan leader bowed in fear. At that moment he truly felt that the soldier next to him was really ready to chop off his head.

That murderous look couldn't be faked.

Seeing Dian Wei coming to see him off, he quickly waved his hand to refuse: "Don't bother this warrior, I can walk, I can walk."

"Sir, I'll take my leave first." After saying this, he hurried away.

Seeing that the other person had disappeared, Liu Bei stood up, clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Mr. Dian and I are getting along better and better. You even guessed that I asked you to scare him."

"Ah?! Didn't the envoy ask me to drag him outside and kill him?" Dian Wei was also stunned. He saw the envoy's hand quietly pointing outside when he spoke, and thought he was asking him to take action.

Dian Wei was still curious about why Tan Hao suddenly killed someone, but it turned out that he had misunderstood and he couldn't help feeling sorry.

Liu Bei was silent for a moment, then said comfortingly: "It's okay, it was an unintentional mistake, and I'm sure the head of the Guo clan won't blame you."

……

The second year of Xingping, June 22nd.

When the defenders of Gong County and Huojia County heard that Ji County had been captured, they abandoned their cities and fled to Xiuwu. Liu Bei easily occupied the two places, then ordered Chaiying to cut wood and build a bridge to cross the river, and led his army straight to Xiuwu County.

"Xiuwu was built by Qin. Its walls are strong and easy to defend but difficult to attack. To the north, there is a small fortress called Piyuan, which is 400 steps wide and 80 feet high. There is also a small fortress called Lanqiu near the north bank of the Pi River. There is a well within a radius of 200 steps, which can be used to station hundreds of soldiers to attack the grain road. The three fortresses support each other and can be used for attack or defense."

On a hill, Liu Bei led everyone to look over the cities near Xiuwu. Zhang Fan pointed at the three cities in front and informed Lord Xuande of the situations that he knew well.

Behind him, a large army gathered, with flags covering the sky, the galloping cavalry kicked up dust, flags and war drums were connected in front and behind, and the auxiliary infantry pushed the siege equipment and slowly approached.

Almost all the timber near Xiuwu had been cut down, so Chaiying could only get wood from craftsmen twenty miles away to make equipment.

"Lord Xuande can first take down the small enemy in Lanqiu. With the help of battering rams, you can surely take it down in one fell swoop. If any enemy dares to come from Xiuwu, you can order the cavalry to kill them." Zhang Fan advised.

Xun You and Guo Jia couldn't help but nod after hearing this.

If you ignore this kind of small town, it will come and disturb the food supply, which is disgusting. Even if it is difficult to mobilize a large army due to terrain restrictions, it must be conquered.

Liu Bei looked at Lanqiu and said nothing. He just turned his gaze to Piyuan and couldn't help but frowned slightly. This terrain looked very familiar.

The surrounding earthen mounds were eight zhang high and about four hundred steps wide, making it difficult to dig, so they could only surround him and slowly deplete his food supplies.

If he attacked by force, the enemy army would have prepared plenty of rocks and logs and thrown them down from above, and the casualties among the soldiers would definitely exceed that of any other county he attacked.

Instead of spending time on this, it would be better to dig a tunnel and burn down the city wall of Xiuwu first.

Liu Bei had a plan in mind. When the battering ram arrived, he would first attack Lanqiu, then dig trenches to besiege Piyuan, and finally march to the city of Xiuwu.

Returning to the camp, Liu Bei ordered the military officers to summon the generals and captains. When they arrived, Liu Bei said, "As soon as the siege equipment arrives, send Guo's troops to attack Lanqiu first. Yide will be in charge of this matter."

"Yes!" Zhang Fei replied with a bow.

"We will attack in three steps. After the main troops and auxiliary troops have finished charging, we will then let Deng Xianying charge. It would be best if we could attack in one go and not give the enemy a chance to catch their breath. We will take this place down today."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice.

"Han Mu, you lead the Shengshe Battalion to assist Yide in attacking the city."

"promise!"

"Ziyi, lead the Tiger Cavalry to patrol between Lanqiu and Xiuwu County. If you see any enemy troops coming to support you, kill them immediately."

"promise!"

"The rest of the troops will remain stationary for now, waiting for the enemy to change."

"promise!"

All the generals and captains bowed and responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)