Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

He had only a little over a thousand soldiers under his command.

The rest are all fishermen and farmers from the surrounding area.

Lin Chong led his troops to form ranks outside the camp.

They began to disband the "militia".

Although his own troops didn't have much food.

However, they still promised to provide severance pay to the "militia".

Huang Zuo was in charge of disciplining the soldiers within the stronghold.

Liu Rui led the militiamen out to collect their food.

One farmer and one fisherman after another,

First, he threw away his weapon.

They left the village dejectedly and lined up.

A minority of people expressed anger.

But most people looked relieved.

If it were last year,

They are mostly willing to fight to the death.

But my mindset is different this year.

The main problem was the food shortage.

Zhong Xiang was surrounded by enemies on all sides.

They raised too many troops.

The lives of the people under his rule became increasingly difficult.

These "militiamen" usually farm and fish.

Even when they have a little free time, they still need to practice.

Once war breaks out, I'll have to serve in the military and risk my life.

They are busy all year round.

Not only was there no surplus grain,

They would go hungry during the lean season.

Even the strongest faith,

Even if you're hungry, you still have to get a discount.

If the Ming Dynasty was cruel and inhumane,

They might fight to the very end.

Ke'an Township is right next door.

They did quite well there under the Meiji Restoration.

The people of Chongxiao Village,

I was so hungry.

They would even secretly go to Anxiang to exchange grain—this happened this spring!

The Chu army in various counties of Dingzhou divided its forces to defend the city.

Instead of gathering together to fight,

The main reason was the lack of military rations.

The Wuxi barbarians rebelled last year.

The military campaign in the Chenzhou area lasted for half a year.

Troops still need to be stationed in the Dingzhou area to confront the Ming Dynasty.

The grain reserves in this large area have been exhausted.

The severance pay was not much.

It's just one person, one fight.

The militiamen who received the food,

They quickly scattered like birds and beasts and became ordinary people.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Zuo led over a thousand soldiers out of the camp.

Symbolically handing over the troop registers and ration books,

Lin Chong accepted the surrender on behalf of the Ming Dynasty.

Monk soldier from Fujian

Under Fan Ruwei's leadership,

They entered Chongxiao Village to take over the defense.

It's not about engaging in any religious conflict.

It was purely under Fan Ruwei's control.

These Fujian soldiers had excellent military discipline.

At least among the newly trained troops this year,

Their military discipline is at the very top level.

The following war,

Chongxiao Village served as a crucial hub for the transfer of military supplies.

It also served as a transit point for soldiers and laborers.

The surrounding villages were full of Manichaeans.

A well-disciplined unit must be selected to be stationed here.

Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble might arise.

Huang Zuo and Liu Rui followed Lin Chong back to the stronghold. Lin Chong asked:

"General Ying told you, didn't he?"

"said."

The two nodded.

Lin Chong repeated, "The altars in the surrounding villages,"

"They must all be banned."

"Those small-time altar owners from the countryside, their whole families will move to Yuezhou first,"

"Wait for the government to disperse them to various places for resettlement."

Dingzhou is Zhong Xiang's hometown.

It was also the stronghold of Manichaeism in Hunan.

The countryside is dotted with altars of all sizes.

Indiscriminate killing will inevitably provoke resistance.

But leaving it unattended can easily lead to trouble.

The migration was disrupted.

That's the best way.

We are not afraid that they will go to other places to preach.

Because the news had already spread to some provinces.

For example, Huainan and Shandong,

After Fang La's defeat

A large number of Manichaeans migrated north.

Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Guangxi,

Manichaeism also exists everywhere.

As long as we can get by...

There would be no large-scale uprising.

Religious issues can be addressed gradually in the future.

Huang Zuo said, "As long as you offer kind advice,"

"Give me some more money,"

“Promising them land after they migrate,”

"The village altar masters won't resist."

Chapter 1908 Dongting Lake

Liu Rui said, "If there is any resistance, we will have no choice but to kill them."

Those who came to fight on the west bank of Dongting Lake

It wasn't just Lin Chong's six thousand elite troops.

There are also garrison troops stationed in Anxiang, Huarong and other places.

In total, more than 18,000 people!

Including the surrendered soldiers,

There are approximately 20,000 people.

After confirming that Zhong Xiang's main force had moved south,

Lin Chong then personally led 20,000 new soldiers and 10,000 laborers.

We'll meet up by boat from Lujiao Town.

The small town of Chongxiao

It was packed with people.

Military camps and granaries were scattered all over the area outside the town.

Lin Chong convened a meeting of his generals.

Huang Zuo stayed in the village to participate.

Liu Rui then went to the countryside to abolish Buddhist altars.

"What is the specific situation in Dingzhou and Chenzhou?" Lin Chong asked.

The Ming Dynasty also had spies here.

But the quantity is extremely small.

Moreover, it is easily exposed.

Huang Zuo explained in detail:

"The commander-in-chief is Zhong... Zhong Xiang's cousin, Zhong Quan,"

"Five thousand troops were stationed in Dingzhou City."

"The Wuxi barbarians rebelled last year,"

"It was also Zhong Quan who led the troops to quell the rebellion,"

"But the fight lasted for a full six months."