Killing to solve problems is the simplest, most direct, most brutal, and most efficient solution.
Especially in war, the concept that killing the enemy equals having no enemy embodies this bloody reality to the fullest.
What makes it despairing is that some transmigrators, or some people, can only think of this bloody solution. When others do not act according to their ideas, they even take it for granted that others are mentally ill.
So, what should be done if some local gentry and scholars use various means to force the militia and local braves they recruit onto the battlefield? What should be done if some local gentry and scholars use various means to force the common people onto the battlefield?
Kill all those militia, local braves, and common people?
In Zhu Jinsong's view, people who can raise a butcher's knife against their own countrymen are no different from the Jiannu who slaughter cities indiscriminately when they encounter resistance, because such people have completely lost their humanity!
Fortunately, the officers of the Menglianggu system are only vocal. Once on the battlefield, they still have to consider the common people forced onto the battlefield by the local gentry and scholars.
However, Zhu Jinsong, the leader of the rebels, does not even give them a chance to vent, precisely to prevent some scoundrels from being driven to desperation and actually attacking ordinary people.
If you cannot understand this, think about why there is the saying that a thousand-mile embankment collapses due to an ant hole.
However, it is not entirely the fault of the Menglianggu officers for venting. The problems encountered now are too ridiculous.
Some local gentry and scholars not only tricked their recruited militia and local braves onto the battlefield, but even coerced common people to the battlefield. Since the Menglianggu army cannot kill ordinary people, the situation has become very passive.
...
Outside Ningling County, in the courtyard of the Zhao family in Zhaocun Township, guests are being entertained amidst festive decorations. Most of the notable local gentry and scholars from the nearby eleven villages, including Xuhieizhai, Taoyuan, Fanlou, Yuanzhuang, Gaofanzhuang, Huazhuang, Caihuzhuang, Fanzhuang, Houzhoulou, Xuzhuang, and Zhaodongzhuang, have arrived.
These local gentry and scholars have come to thank Mr. Zhao.
In the entire Zhaocun Township, along with the nearby eleven villages, Mr. Zhao led them to recruit over two thousand militia, and there are over ten thousand common people willing to follow Mr. Zhao to repel the Menglianggu rebels.
This is all thanks to Mr. Zhao's influence.
After all, the Zhao family has been rooted in Zhaocun Township for several generations, and each generation of Mr. Zhao has enjoyed doing good deeds. Not only do they often repair bridges and roads, but they also distribute grain to the disaster-stricken people during times of famine. Whenever ordinary people encountered difficulties and sought help from Mr. Zhao, he never refused.
Of course, since they could not repay the money, they had to mortgage their land to Mr. Zhao or sell their children to Mr. Zhao's household as servants and maids. This was unavoidable; they could only blame themselves for their lack of ability.
Even if some children from these families never returned after entering the Zhao mansion, it was because their children were disobedient, and thus Mr. Zhao punished them by not allowing them to return home.
Do not believe it?
Even the county magistrate sent by the imperial court said so. What else do you not believe?
Even if you don't believe the county magistrate, do you not believe the numerous people of Zhaocun Township? Are you the only intelligent one, and everyone else is a fool?
For the people of Zhaocun Township, they might not trust the government, but they would never doubt Mr. Zhao.
Mr. Zhao said that although the Menglianggu rebels spoke well, they were only putting on an act on their own territory. In normal times, they harmed the common people more ruthlessly than the Qing government, collecting taxes for two hundred years into the future.
Mr. Zhao said that the Menglianggu rebels were particularly inhumane. Not only did they like to forcibly conscript labor, but they also enjoyed eating the hearts and livers of women and children, because the hearts and livers of women and children were more tender. Those rebels ate many such things at every meal.
Mr. Zhao said that the Menglianggu rebels killed without batting an eye. Any slight resistance resulted in the fall of heads. They also liked to build "Jingguan" out of those who disobeyed them.
Do you know what Jingguan is? It is piling up many corpses together, piling them up as high as a mountain.
Mr. Zhao also said that his maternal uncle's third nephew was serving in the Menglianggu army. Because he could no longer bear the brutality of the Menglianggu rebels, he risked his life to tell Mr. Zhao the truth about the Menglianggu rebels.
This must be true!
The Menglianggu rebels are indeed so inhumane!
The people of Zhaocun Township are willing to follow Mr. Zhao to repel the Menglianggu rebels!
Since Mr. Zhao said that the Menglianggu rebels would not kill common people on the battlefield for the sake of their reputation, then the common people would charge towards the Menglianggu rebel army!
When the common people of Zhaocun Township charged towards the Menglianggu army with a determination to die, the Menglianggu rebels, who treated the militia like slaughtering chickens, actually retreated due to concerns for their reputation!
As the common people advanced one step, the Menglianggu rebels retreated one step, and the common people won another victory!
This repeated victory made the common people of Zhaocun Township feel that the Menglianggu rebels were just so-so. Therefore, these people began to charge even more boldly towards the Menglianggu rebel army, even more actively than the militia. As the common people became more and more enthusiastic in charging the Menglianggu rebel army, the Menglianggu rebels truly retreated.
This made the gentry and scholars, who had thought they could only wait for death, overjoyed. They all agreed to bring gifts to thank Mr. Zhao, which led to Mr. Zhao hosting these local gentry and scholars this evening.
"Thanks to Mr. Zhao's brilliant plan. If not for Mr. Zhao's divine foresight, I fear we would already be bones in the grave!"
"Hmph, outside, the Menglianggu rebel army is rumored to be divine. It is also said that the great leader of Menglianggu is so wise and powerful, and that he kills Tatars like chickens. Now it seems that he is nothing more than that."
"With Zhu Ni's temperament, it is unlikely he will achieve great things!"
"Come, come, let us all toast Mr. Zhao to express our gratitude!"
"..."
Smilingly accepting the flattery and criticism from the local gentry and scholars, Mr. Zhao, who still had some self-awareness, gestured downwards with his hands. After all the local gentry and scholars quieted down, he said, "Everyone, do not be happy too soon."
"The reason we can repel the Menglianggu rebel army now is only because the Menglianggu rebels care about the lives of these common folk."
"And these common folk are always fickle, easily swayed by wind and flow, and most unreliable. Therefore, we should still think about what comes next."
But unfortunately, although Mr. Zhao still had some self-awareness, the gentlemen from the other dozen villages were already intoxicated by the victory before them.
Someone exclaimed, "With Mr. Zhao in charge, these common folk will definitely obey Mr. Zhao's orders. What can those Menglianggu rebels do?"
"That's right, these common folk are easily fooled. As long as they are given a little kindness, they will work for us."
"As long as we obediently follow Mr. Zhao's orders, Zhu Ni cannot do anything to us!"
"Come, come, let us all raise our glasses and toast Mr. Zhao!"
"..."
Seeing that the local gentry and scholars were speaking more and more outrageously, as if they could immediately sit on the dragon throne in Luoyang if they wished, Mr. Zhao's expression could not help but darken.
Mr. Zhao said solemnly, "It is true that Zhu Ni cares about the common people, but what if he is pushed to desperation and no longer cares about the lives of these common folk?"
"Do not forget, his army is not famous for nothing. They have gained their fame by fighting Tatars with real swords and guns. How long can our own militia resist?"
Upon hearing this from Mr. Zhao, the expressions of the other local gentry and scholars also gradually became solemn.
It must be said that whether they inherited it from generation to generation or relied on their own abilities to establish themselves, there were basically few stupid people among those who became local gentry and scholars.
It was understandable that such obvious reasoning was ignored intentionally or unintentionally in a moment of excitement, but now that Mr. Zhao stated it so directly and nakedly, these local gentry and scholars immediately came to their senses.
After a long period of contemplation, Mr. Fan from Fanlou tentatively asked, "Then, according to Mr. Zhao's opinion, what should we do?"
Mr. Zhao first poured himself a cup of wine, drank it down, and then stroked his beard before saying, "We have so few soldiers. Fighting the Menglianggu rebels continuously is certainly not feasible. We cannot afford to fight."
"Therefore, we should still send people to contact Zhu Ni and see what their intentions are."
"If Zhu Ni is determined to exterminate us, then there is nothing more to say. We will take up our swords and spears and fight them. Even if we cannot win, we can simply abandon these common folk and retreat to Luoyang city with peace of mind."
"If Zhu Ni is willing to give us a way to survive, then this matter, I think, can be discussed slowly."
The other local gentry and scholars looked at each other. Mr. Yuan from Yuanzhuang tentatively asked, "But what if Zhu Ni goes back on his word?"
Mr. Zhao snorted, "I have already considered this problem. Of course, we will not believe whatever he says."
"This matter requires him to publicly declare in that 'Menglianggu Newspaper' that he will no longer target us local gentry and scholars. Otherwise, we will definitely fight him to the end."
Mr. Xu from Xuhieizhai nodded and said, "Mr. Zhao is right. Zhu Ni has always cared about his reputation, and the 'Menglianggu Newspaper' is equivalent to Zhu Ni's gazette. Most of what he says in the Menglianggu Newspaper is fulfilled. Therefore, this matter is feasible."
At this point, Mr. Xu snorted again, "What is wrong with that Zhu Ni? He is willing to accept nearly ten million common folk from Zhili but not willing to give us local gentry and scholars a way to survive!"
"Does he not know the principle that while you can rely on common folk to conquer the world, you still need to rely on us local gentry and scholars to govern it?"
Mr. Zhao chuckled and said, "That Zhu Ni is still too young after all. He is bound to be thoughtless in many matters. He will be fine when he gets older."
The other gentlemen nodded in agreement, followed by another round of flattery.
After the flattery subsided, and the local gentry and scholars had toasted Mr. Zhao again, Mr. Xu from Xuhieizhai then asked, "Then, in Mr. Zhao's opinion, when should we send people to contact Zhu Ni?"
Mr. Zhao poured himself another drink and said with a smile, "What's the hurry?"
"Young people need to suffer more setbacks to understand the immensity of heaven and earth."
"Tomorrow, we will all put out some money to give to those common folk, so they can charge Zhu Ni's army again."
"After he suffers a couple more defeats, he should know to send people to contact us."
ps: First update. Continuing to update ten thousand words today!