My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 113 Kill the Town General, Open the Granary!

end of August.

More than half a month has passed since Yang Jun last borrowed grain from the Gao brothers.

The imperial court still hadn't sent a single grain of rice.

On the contrary, in Huai Shuo East Market, the price of grain is rising every day, and the people are suffering terribly.

Yang Jun was very anxious. He sent several official documents to the imperial court in his capacity as the garrison commander, but they all seemed to disappear without a trace.

He is much smarter than Yu Jing.

Before becoming the garrison commander, he served as the deputy garrison commander in Huai Shuo. He knew very well how fierce the people of the Six Garrisons were, and that if they were driven to the brink of despair, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Perhaps I really should...

Sighed.

Yang Jun sent someone to invite Ge Rong, the current deputy commander of the town, over.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two met.

Ge Rong took the initiative to ask, "I wonder if the garrison commander has summoned me here for some reason?"

Yang Jun sighed, "The problem is the lack of food supplies. The imperial court has not sent a single grain of rice so far, and the people have no surplus grain in their homes. What can be done?"

Ge Rong remained impassive, his words carrying a pointed meaning: "The Gao brothers aren't..."

“I have already tried, but these two brothers are stubborn and won’t budge.”

Yang Jun shook his head; he did want to forcibly take it.

Given the reputation that Gao Yu and Gao Huan have built up in Huai Shuo over the years, how dare he openly steal it?
Besides, he didn't have the power to openly rob someone.

Gao Yu's soldiers were the bravest in Huai Shuo, and Gao Yu himself was the fiercest general in Huai Shuo. Not to mention that the Gao family was backed by the Lou family, a local power, and the Lou family, such a powerful clan, had a complex and intricate network of relationships.

"If that's the case..."

Ge Rong spoke up, “The people of Huai Shuo are not as obedient as the people of the Central Plains. If they cannot survive, they may cause chaos.”

“I understand this principle, which is why I called you here to discuss it, in case things change if we delay.”

"Then we can only open the granaries and distribute grain, limiting the daily amount so that people can barely survive and not starve to death, and the people will not easily cause trouble."

"But... the number of people is so large, even if the quota is controlled, it will be difficult to continue, and winter will come again in a few months."

Ge Rong sneered inwardly.

The granaries of the six towns have a considerable amount of grain stored up, unless they have been looted by the Rouran people, like in Rouxuan Town.

The purpose of establishing granaries was to cope with unexpected changes.

The grain stored in the granary was enough to feed the entire city for at least half a year.

Although Ge Rong didn't know what Yang Jun was thinking, he still tried to persuade him.

"General, let me give you a piece of advice. Soldiers and civilians are one, and their relationships are intertwined. If you only want to appease the soldiers to maintain order, I'm afraid it will be difficult to continue... The best course of action now is to send people to the Central Plains to urge the court to send grain and fodder for supply."

"If we push the people too far, they might secretly organize themselves, and the soldiers might also join in the rebellion!"

"If the situation reaches that point, it will be too late for the general to salvage it."

After struggling several times, Yang Jun waved his hand and said, "I understand. You may leave."

The next day.

Yang Jun ordered that relief be provided within the city, but the amount was controlled, with only one meal provided per day to ensure that no one would starve to death.

It's impossible to let people eat as much as they want.

Upon learning this news, Ge Rong summoned his trusted confidant and gave him a considerable amount of five-zhu coins.

"Go...find a few local bullies and have them spread the word that I persuaded the town general to open the granary to relieve the people. Remember to be quick and efficient when you do this, and don't leave any clues so that no one can find out the source of the information."

"Here!"

When Gao Yu learned of this news, he was unaware of the details and could only sigh.

"The town general isn't so muddle-headed after all."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yue looked up at him, puzzled, "Brother?"

Gao Yu is teaching Gao Yue how to shoot arrows, but the kid's talent is just average. Even with diligent practice every day, he's only at the level of an ordinary person, but fortunately, he's hardworking enough.

After thinking for a moment, he told Gao Yue the reason why Yang Jun had opened the granaries to distribute grain to relieve the people.

"Ah Yue, why do you think the garrison commander agreed to open the granary?"

Gao Yue frowned and pondered for a long time before finally speaking with some uncertainty, "I suppose the garrison commander understands that the soldiers of Huai Shuo and the people in the city are one?"

Gao Yu smiled and nodded, "To be able to understand this principle at such a young age, A-Yue is indeed intelligent."

Gao Yue beamed with joy upon receiving Gao Yu's praise, saying, "Compared to you, I'm still far behind you, brother."

"Come on, let's continue practicing. Next..."

Gao Yu guessed that chaos was about to break out!
There are just too many buffs stacking up.

For two consecutive years, the Six Garrisons suffered heavy snowfall, and the Central Plains experienced a severe drought. The Rouran people then marched south and plundered Pingcheng, greatly damaging the prestige of the imperial court.

Does the imperial court have enough food?

There must be.

Princes like Yuan Yong would compete with others in Luoyang to show off their wealth, spending over 100,000 coins on a single banquet and wasting countless amounts of grain.

but……

The lords of Luoyang would rather feed their own dogs than give alms to these stinking beggars in the Six Garrisons.

What belongs to the public belongs to the public, and what belongs to the individual belongs to the individual.

How can they be lumped together?

Otherwise, how could sacrificing one's family fortune to relieve hardship become a celebrated story?

........................

Woye Town.

Although Woye Town is located in the Hetao Plain, life there is just as difficult. It is only slightly better than Huaishuo, but the people there have also reached their limit.

A ranch outside the city.

Po Liuhan Baling angrily drew his precious sword from his waist and swung it left and right, slashing at the grass to vent his anger.

However, his one-eared appearance looks quite comical.

"Damn it! Every year when grain is collected, our tribes pay the most, but now that we've suffered a natural disaster, they're eating and drinking well, while we have to slaughter our tribe's precious cattle and sheep to fill our stomachs?"

The peacock of Po Liu Han beside him was also extremely angry, "Our ancestors surrendered to the Xianbei. Not to mention enjoying wealth and honor, how are we any different from slaves now?!"

The power structure of the six towns is thus layered.

The town general, nominally the local emperor, held the most power. However, since Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital, although the town general was still a high-ranking official of the third rank appointed by the court, his actual power had greatly diminished. At the very least, he could no longer command the people below him, just as Yang Jun had to give face to the Gao brothers.

Below the garrison commanders were the powerful clans and scions of the Dai people and Han families who led their troops to the Six Garrisons at the beginning of their establishment. These were called the "Good Family Commanders." These Good Family Commanders had been cultivating the land in the Six Garrisons for generations and were already the de facto "local emperors."

Families like the Lou, Heba, and Yuwen are typical examples of virtuous and powerful families.

Below them were tribes like the Xiongnu and Gaoche, such as Poliuhan Baling and Hulijin, who led their tribes to surrender. They were called tribal chiefs, and their status was only slightly higher than that of the herdsmen under their command. They did not receive any political privileges, but instead bore a huge tax burden. They were among the most oppressed people in the Six Garrisons.

On the advice of his chief clerk Jia Daojian, the Woye Town magistrate opened his granaries and distributed grain early on.

Jia Daojian was a close friend of Gao Huan and the biological father of Jia Xianzheng.

but……

In Woye Town, the distribution of grain from the granaries was selective.

Priority was given to those considered "good people" by the Six Towns, while the tribes of tribal chiefs like the Po Liu Han tribe were treated extremely harshly, or even withheld.

Such differential treatment naturally provoked dissatisfaction from Po Liu Han Baling.

"Many of our people are complaining. What should we do?"

Po Liuhan Baling's eyes flashed with a fierce light, like a jackal eyeing its prey. He gritted his teeth and said, "Go, invite the chiefs of the surrounding tribes. Tell them I have important matters to discuss with them!"

Po Liu Han Kongque and his personal guards then quickly contacted the surrounding tribes.

These were all tribes whose ancestors had surrendered to the Great Wei, mostly the Xiongnu, Qihu, and Gaoche tribes.

soon.

Several people then arrived at the felt tent of Po Liu Han Baling.

Po Liuhan Baling immediately stood up and asked, "Has anyone received the relief supplies sent by the garrison commander?"

"Where did you get the grain? Instead, you're asking me for cattle and sheep."

"Me too! I was ordered to send a thousand head of cattle and sheep into the city for relief. Are my people just supposed to starve to death?!"

"........."

The crowd was in high spirits, and everyone was talking at once.

Po Liuhanbaling looked at the person who hadn't spoken yet. This person was called Wei Kegu, who was also a chieftain, and his tribe was extremely powerful.

Wei Kegu noticed Po Liuhan Baling's gaze and spoke directly.

"If you have something to say, just say it directly. Why beat around the bush?"

Po Liuhan Baling no longer concealed anything. He slowly paced around, looked around, and then proposed, "I'm sure everyone has already heard the news. The Rouran have marched south and plundered all the way to Pingcheng. The imperial court is completely helpless!"

"It wasn't about Grand Commander Li Chong..."

Before he could finish speaking, Po Liuhan Baling burst into laughter, interrupting him, "Going three thousand miles beyond the Great Wall to defeat the Rouran? Do you really believe such nonsense?"

"Our ancestors submitted to the Great Wei, yet the Great Wei treats us like this. How unjust!"

"Yet we sent troops to help the Rouran reclaim their royal court and provided them with food and relief, and what was the result? The Rouran still went south to plunder! If the Rouran can plunder, why can't we?!"

"Don't you all know that the central army of the Great Wei still has soldiers who are beyond fighting?"

"If the Worms can go, so can I!"

That's all for now!

The meaning of "Breaking through Han Baling" is already very clear!

Wei Kegu then spoke up, "So, according to you..."

Po Liuhan Baling did not speak directly. How could he be so at ease? "I do have a plan, but... this is a matter that could cost you your lives. I ask that you all swear a blood oath with me before I can reveal the whole plan!"

"Rather than starve to death, it's better to take action now!"

"This world was conquered by the Xianbei children, and it can also be conquered by my Xiongnu sons!"

"........."

"it is good!"

Po Liu Han Baling immediately ordered the slaughter of cattle and sheep as sacrifices.

He pulled everyone together to swear a blood oath!

Only then did he reveal his entire plan!

"Tomorrow, we will submit a petition together, stating our willingness to offer cattle and sheep. However, this is something our tribe has squeezed out from between our teeth, and the public opinion is overwhelming... The town general must come in person to receive it and appease the people, otherwise it cannot be done!"

"By then..."

Po Liuhan Baling's face turned fierce. "I will personally cut off his head. Woye will then be leaderless. We can seize the opportunity to enter and take the city with ease!"

After the agreement.

Po Liuhan Baling immediately sent someone into the city to deliver a letter.

really!

The next day, they tricked the town magistrate of Woye out of his town, and just as the magistrate was overjoyed and ready to receive the cattle and sheep...

Po Liuhan Baling drew his precious sword and struck with all his might, severing his head.

They then swarmed forward and detained all the others who had left the city with Woye Town.

P.S.: Sorry I spent too much time researching today, so the third update won't be released until midnight. You can rest first and read it tomorrow morning, QAQ.

(End of this chapter)