My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 227 Ten Strategies for Securing the Village
Zhai Rang learned the identity of the person in front of him.

This Taoist priest named Wei Zheng was also a fallen nobleman.

His ancestors were mostly officials, but when he was ten years old, his father died, and the family fell into decline.

Listening to him talk about the important affairs of the world, Zhai Rang felt that this man was extremely capable and not an ordinary person. Wei Zheng was also very surprised at this moment, because he found that Zhai Rang in front of him was by no means a chivalrous hero.

This man looks burly and rough, but his manners are quite polite, and he seems to be educated, or even an official. Could he really be a village head?
After exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Zhai Rang asked, "How could Lord Wei, who has traveled far and wide, know about the situation in the mountain stronghold?"

"Throughout my journey, I have been making friends with heroes from all over the country and investigating local affairs. Just as I entered Hanoi County, I saw many dead people traveling together. I asked them about it and learned about the Cong Son."

“I have traveled to many places and seen many thieves, but this is the first time I have encountered someone who wants to actively recruit the dead from all over the world. I was surprised and followed them. As soon as I arrived, I saw those gentlemen lecturing, and I realized that the master of this place was definitely not a thief, but a hero who was destined to achieve great things.”

As Wei Zheng spoke, his eyes were filled with excitement.

Zhai Rang roughly understood that this man had long harbored thoughts of rebellion, and that his so-called wanderings were probably just a search for a place and people to rebel?
Zhai Rang nodded, but Wei Zheng suddenly asked, "Just now, Brother Zhai referred to himself as the village head. What's the story behind that?"

"Didn't Lord Wei just say that after overthrowing the bandits, we still need to govern them properly? My lord is no ordinary bandit. This Gongshan is just an insignificant little territory under his command."

Wei Zheng hurriedly asked, "May I ask who this ambitious hero is?"

"hehe."

Zhai Rang laughed, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and did not answer.

Wei Zheng smiled and took a bite as well.

"Brother Zhai doesn't trust me."

“Since I have stood up to argue with the minor official and revealed my identity, it is natural that I intend to seek refuge with him. Why must you do this, Brother Zhai?”

Zhai Rang said earnestly, "It's not that I don't trust you, but the matter was accomplished in secrecy. Even within this Gongshan Mountain, not many people know our lord's identity. This matter concerns the lives of countless people, so please don't blame me."

Wei Zheng suddenly laughed.

"Zhai Xiangzheng, how do you plan to govern Gongshan?"

"It consists of only three things: education, land reclamation, and hoarding."

Wei Zheng stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked very dashing. He walked slowly into the room and said, “In my opinion, there are ten strategies for managing the mountains. The three you mentioned can only be considered one thing.”

"Oh?"

"Appreciate further details."

Wei Zheng immediately looked at Zhai Rang and said, “The stronghold is mostly inhabited by thieves and refugees. The first strategy is to pacify the people and calm their minds. We should clarify the laws, distinguish right from wrong, punish those who have made mistakes, and reward those who have made merits. We should make the laws clear so that there is order between superiors and subordinates and everyone can perform their duties in order to rectify the social atmosphere. What do you think, Brother Zhai?”

"Of course."

"The second strategy is called the strategy of opening up fields and storing grain. The area around Gongshan is mostly fertile land, where farms can be set up, farm tools can be distributed, and cattle and horses can be allocated so that farmers can reclaim wasteland and restore production. The land allocation system can be abolished, and farmers can develop the land themselves. Large granaries can be set up to store grain. In less than three years, the mountain stronghold can be self-sufficient and even have surplus capacity. What do you think, Brother Zhai?"

"Of course."

"The third strategy is to recruit talented individuals widely."

"The fourth strategy is called education and rectification of names."

"The fifth strategy is called dividing the regions."

The sixth strategy is called "creating momentum and gaining fame."

"The seventh strategy is called 'more friends, fewer enemies'."

"The Eighth Strategy"

Wei Zheng paced back and forth, his voice growing louder and louder. After each statement, he would question Zhai Rang about whether it was right or wrong. Under Wei Zheng's gaze, Zhai Rang could feel a sense of pressure. Wei Zheng recounted his ten strategies for governing the stronghold, explaining from various aspects how to develop the power of Gongshan, how to settle internal affairs, how to deal with external threats, and how to gain fame without alarming the imperial court, etc.

Seeing Zhai Rang's stunned expression, Wei Zheng toned down his sharp edge and sat down in front of him with a smile once more.

"If Brother Zhai also approves, you can send my ten strategies to our lord so that he can review them."

"Let's see how he responds."

Luoyang, Imperial College.

Yang Wang sat in the high seat, loudly lecturing the students on the Spring and Autumn Annals. This Master Yang had a fiery temper, and the students were more obedient than usual, listening intently.

But for some reason, Yang Gong seemed somewhat distracted today.

Several teaching assistants realized this. As a great scholar, he had even mixed up two different questions, which puzzled the teaching assistants. They exchanged glances but dared not tell him.

The students looked completely bewildered, but Li Xuanba seemed thoughtful, having noticed a few mistakes Yang Wang had made earlier.

As if in a hurry, Yang Wang finished saying what he needed to say, stood up, and ordered the students to leave.

The students dared not linger and left one after another.

Li Xuanba first got up, wanting to leave, but hesitated for a moment and still walked towards Yang Wang. Yuwen Rutong and the others who were waiting for him changed their expressions drastically and watched in astonishment as Li Xuanba walked to Yang Wang's side.

Yang Wang frowned instinctively when he saw Li Xuanba approaching. "What do you want?"

"Lord Yang, you first mentioned the third year of Duke Xuan's reign, and then you talked about the attack on Wu in the third year of Duke Xiang's reign. I don't understand the reason behind this."

Yang Wang paused for a moment, pursed his lips, recalled something, and his expression instantly turned very ugly.

"Indeed it is"

He muttered something but ignored Li Xuanba, quickly leaving the place behind, leaving Li Xuanba looking completely bewildered.

After Yang Wang left, the other classmates dared to approach. Liang Qia couldn't help but ask, "What did you say to Yang Jijiu just now? He seemed so angry?"

"I just said he misspoke."

"what??"

Liang Qia grabbed him and lowered his voice, "Don't talk nonsense! What kind of great Confucian scholar is Yang Gong? In the previous debate, apart from Liu Zhuo, no one could match him. How could he be wrong?"

"But he did indeed mix things up."

"Don't say it out loud. Do you know he can draw a heavy bow and wear heavy armor? Chief Minister Yang is not someone to be trifled with."

Huangfu Si stepped forward and said, "I heard from my family that His Majesty originally intended to appoint Yang Jijiu as the Commandant of the Guards. However, the Duke of Tang has taken the position instead. Yang Jijiu may even blame you for this, so you must not provoke him."

Li Xuanba shook his head. "I don't think Chief Minister Yang is that kind of person."

"However, he has indeed been restless these past few days, and I wonder what has happened."

Yang Wang then walked out of the mansion and got into the carriage.

Sitting inside the carriage, Yang Wang's face turned extremely ugly. He had actually misspoke today, a mistake he had never made before.

He took out another letter from his pocket, which contained the names of many people.

Looking at the letter, Yang Wang's expression became somewhat unnatural again.

He ordered them to return to their residence.

The carriage carried him toward his own residence. After traveling for a long time, they finally arrived at their destination. As soon as Yang Wang got off the carriage, he saw several people waiting outside the gate. The one in the lead was Yang Xuangan's younger brother, Yang Xuanzong.

Yang Xuanzong stepped forward with great courtesy and bowed to him, saying, "Lord Yang."

Yang Wang was a former subordinate of Yang Su and had an excellent relationship with him. He also had connections with several of Yang Su's brothers, including Yang Xuangan.

Yang Wang looked at Yang Xuanzong with a complicated expression, remained silent for a while, and then led him into the mansion.

Yang Xuanzong seemed completely unaware and continued talking, “Master Yang, before my brother left, he instructed me that he would visit you every year at this time. But now he has gone to Daxing on important business, so I have to go in his place. I have already given the gifts I brought to your steward.”

Yang Wang suddenly stopped, turned to look at him, and asked, "Are you trying to bribe me?"

Yang Xuanzong was greatly surprised and bowed, saying, "When my grandfather was alive, he mentioned you to us many times, telling us to treat you with the respect due to an uncle. How could I dare to offend you? This is just a junior's token of appreciation, nothing valuable. I hope my uncle will not take offense!"

When Yang Xuanzong mentioned Yang Sulai, Yang Wang helplessly suppressed his anger.

"I don't need any gifts. Take them all back and tell your brother that this is the last time I'll help him. In a few years, I will retire and return to my hometown, never to concern myself with court affairs again!"

"Thank you, Master Yang! Thank you, Master Yang!!"

(End of this chapter)