Chapter 145 Like Eating Cake
On August 13, Huya Chief Secretary Chen Zhen arrived in Lantian.

A battalion of soldiers under his command, which was expanded with veterans from Hebei, also moved into the Lantian camp to participate in training.

After a simple banquet, a military meeting was held.

In addition to Hei Xiong, those attending the meeting included military advisor Liu Ye, Chief Secretary Chen Zhen, and Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Capital Wei Ji.

Compared with the Tiger Tooth Army, the Zhenbei General's Mansion has stronger command power.

Naturally, Liu Ye and Chen Zhen still performed the duties of military advisor and chief secretary, but the prefix changed from "Tiger Fang" to "Zhenbei".

Referring to Liu Biao's General Zhennan, the General Zhenbei could theoretically recruit scholars from Biyong, Liangsi and the four states.

Theory is just theory. When you try to recruit someone, they will most likely refuse and use your recruiting order as a stepping stone.

So the Black Bear team just changed its skin, the core was not adjusted, and there was no time to integrate the new players.

The map of Guanzhong was placed in front of Black Bear. After Chen Zhen sat down, Black Bear said, "In the next few days, when the weather is clear, I will go to Longshouyuan and meet with Ma Teng there. If this is accomplished, Weibei will be terrified."

As he spoke, Black Bear held a black chess piece and placed it on Huaili and Maoling, took out the eight white pieces representing Ma Teng, and took out three black pieces from the rattan chess box.

This move meant that Ma Teng's estimated 8,000 infantry and cavalry disappeared, leaving their side with about 3,000 more disposable troops.

Black Bear turned his head and looked at Chen Zhen: "Ma Teng has nearly 6,000 households in Huaili, and he can only take away 500 households. I hope Mr. Xiaoqi can lead his troops to settle in Huaili, recruit Ma Teng's troops, and incorporate them into our army's civilian households."

Before Chen Zhen could speak, Wei Ji could not help but ask, "General, do you want to recruit Ma Teng's troops? Rather than register them as households in the local county government?"

"Well, if a war breaks out, it will be inconvenient to conscript manpower from all counties. Ma Teng's 5,000 households will be trained and drilled. Even if they are not qualified to be combat soldiers, they can serve as auxiliary soldiers to follow the army in the expedition. In this way, our army can get well-trained auxiliary soldiers, and the registered households in the counties of Guanzhong can also rest assured and not be deceived by the enemy army."

Black Bear's reason was very legitimate: "Not only Ma Teng's troops, but also the troops of the Weibei bandits that we will defeat in the future. I will not arbitrarily conscript corvée and military service from various counties. Fighting should be left to professionals."

The army had few casualties, so he lacked reliance on the civilian manpower of the counties controlled by the Sili Xiaowei Yamen.

His army is guaranteed to be trained and supplied, and will only grow stronger.

The quality of the team will not decline due to the addition of new recruits.

So he didn't want to compromise.

Seeing that Black Bear’s attitude was clear, Wei Ji didn’t know what to say.

There are currently three types of population in Guanzhong. The smallest group is the refugees hiding in the mountains. The number of the generals' troops is roughly equal to the number of registered households in the counties and prefectures. These two types of population are intertwined and clearly distinguished.

Those who can occupy fertile land are often the followers of generals.

Even within the tribe, there were different levels of hierarchy, from top to bottom, there were leaders, confidants, armored soldiers, young and strong soldiers, craftsmen, strong laborers, as well as the most ordinary tenants and settlers, as well as captives and slaves.

The troops under the control of Guanzhong Qushuai were also a small society, and there were naturally differences in status within it.

The same is true for the household registration of each county, which includes officials, scholars, civilians, militiamen, slaves, hired laborers, prisoners, etc.

The registered population of the counties and prefectures controlled by Zhong Yao can still be mobilized since the war has not yet begun, and manpower and material resources can continue to be transported to reliable strongholds.

When the war breaks out, each county will keep its own manpower and material resources for self-protection.

Moreover, the generals' troops were looting everywhere, and it was difficult for the transport team to transport as comfortably as it is now.

Wei Ji naturally wanted to transform the various tribes' populations into registered populations in counties and prefectures through cooperation; the increase in the size of the registered population meant an increase in the power of the Sili Xiaowei Yamen.

There will definitely be losses in manpower and equipment in a war. When Black Bear needs to replenish men, equipment, food and military pay, all of these need to be raised and recruited by the Sili Xiaowei Yamen.

The current cooperative relationship between the two sides will change as the war progresses.

But he really didn't expect that Black Bear would be so stubborn. He would rather not have the follow-up support from the Sili Xiaowei Office and keep the population of his tribe in his hands.

Becoming a lackey basically means that most of one's personal rights have been deprived.

If conditions permit, the tribesmen would definitely want to become registered population protected by the counties.

It was precisely because of the incomplete personal rights that Ma Teng handed over his troops to Black Bear. If any of the troops dared to escape, Black Bear would send people to hunt them down.

Anyone who dares to take in the fugitives is provoking Black Bear and all the powerful men and generals who keep his troops. Therefore, Black Bear can justifiably launch an attack and impose punishment.

As long as the black bear is not a human being, it is normal for the five thousand households to mobilize six thousand soldiers.

When we have such a flexibly usable population, why bother with the registered population?
In times of chaos, laws and regulations are incomplete, but in terms of safeguarding the common interests of the powerful, counties and prefectures at the grassroots level can still play some role in tracking down refugees and fugitives.

Wei Ji said nothing more, and saw Black Bear grab five black chess pieces and put them on Gaoling City on the other side of Xinfeng. "Then the army will be divided into two. The military advisor will lead 5,000 soldiers from Guanzhong to station in Gaoling, and be alert to Liang Xing in Huangbai City. Don't fight him, just hold him back."

Black Bear had no doubt about Liu Ye's ability to command the army. As far as making decisions and commanding on the battlefield were concerned, Liu Ye did not have much experience. But with 5,000 infantrymen guarding a rich city, as long as Liu Ye did not mess around, Liang Xing could only watch.

Although the 5,000 Guanzhong infantrymen have not yet been fully trained, the reorganized generals of a hundred men are already able to skillfully command their officers and soldiers.

We don't ask them to perform any amazing performances in battle. It is enough for them to lead their troops to defend the city walls stably.

This was the first time that Liu Ye obtained military power of 5,000 people, and he was a little dazed for a moment.

Four years ago, out of his youthful enthusiasm, he gave the more than 3,000 pieces of music he had captured to Liu Xun, which made Liu Xun completely trust him.

Even with such trust, when faced with Sun Ce's flattery and deception, Liu Xun still did his own thing and refused to listen to Liu Ye's advice.

As a result, the 30,000 to 40,000 troops and followers who were affiliated with Liu Xun were instantly torn apart.

If Liu Ye had 3,000 households at that time and annexed some fellow townsmen to reach a scale of 5,000 households, Liu Xun would definitely consider his opinion. Even if Liu Xun still did his own thing, Liu Ye would have the confidence to resist Sun Ce and avoid the tragedy of that year.

And now, Black Bear easily gave him the 5,000 Guanzhong soldiers he had obtained through deception. Liu Ye naturally knew what these 5,000 troops meant.

This means that when attacking the Weibei generals, he controlled half of the mobile forces!
All the grievances he had felt while staying behind and leading the migration of civilians and craftsmen during this period were swept away.

Liu Ye took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I will hold my ground."

"Well, with the military advisor in Gaoling, Liang Xing dare not leave Huangbai City easily."

Black Bear couldn't help laughing as he spoke, the Guanzhong generals were so adorable, each of them grew stronger by annexing the Guanzhong people who returned to their hometown in the past two years; they also lost their precious mobility because of these settled Guanzhong people.

For example, Liang Xing, the Huangbai City where he was based was originally Li Jue's retirement place. It was a Feng Shui treasure land, located fifty or sixty miles northwest of Gaoling.

When the weather and visibility are good, the morning smoke from Huangbai City can be clearly seen from Gaoling City.

The distance is so close, if Liang Xing dares to lead his troops to Weinan to launch an attack, the Gaoling defenders will make a gesture of attacking Huangbaicheng, and Liang Xing's army that runs to Weinan will disintegrate in an instant!
Therefore, if we advance to Gaoling, we can nail Liang Xing to death.

"We have to eat the wheat cakes one bite at a time. We are not in a hurry. Before Han Sui arrives, we should eat Liang Xing and Li Kan in the east of Weibei."

Black Bear caught five black pieces and placed them in Linjin, east of Gaoling. Li Kan's strength was similar to Liang Xing's.

Li Kan occupied the area around Linjin and took control of the fertile fields in the lower reaches of Luo River and Longshou Canal that were easy to irrigate.

Liang Xing occupied the eastern basin of the Jingshui River and the upper reaches of the Baiqu and Zhengguoqu.

Ma Teng was even more powerful. He stationed in Huaili, controlled several surrounding cities, and seized the middle reaches of the Wei River, Lingchen Canal, and Chengguo Canal.

If these generals do not seize the fertile farmland that is suitable for irrigation, how can they attract the poor people from Guanzhong to return home?

It was precisely because these generals controlled the fertile farmland and paddy fields with higher productivity that they were able to grow rapidly.

However, after the death of Li Jue and Guo Si, a fragile balance was maintained among the generals in Guanzhong, and they were unable to fight among themselves to form a hegemon.

Otherwise, Zhong Yao's status as Shizhong and Zhijie would not be worthy of mention at all.

If this overlord was strong enough, how could Cao Cao dare to send Zhong Yao to harass him? He would not have been able to do that before he could appoint Zhong Yao as the general or the grand marshal.

Also because of the fertile land and irrigation, Black Bear would never abandon the troops of the Guanzhong group of generals.

Capturing the troops is equivalent to capturing the fertile land they cultivate.

As long as we can hold out until next summer’s harvest, we can get rid of our dependence on Zhong Yao and Jingzhou for food!

If anyone dares to obstruct or sabotage this matter, Black Bear would not mind crushing the other person's head.

Black Bear pointed at Linjin City and said, "Gan Xingba is guarding Tongguan and cannot be moved lightly. I will lead the Zhonglei Camp, Yingji Camp, and Sanqian Camp to attack Li Kan. After we capture Linjin, this city can serve as a barrier, allowing me to advance westward without worry."

Then he looked at Liu Ye and said, "After I defeat Linjin, I will march to Gaoling and attack Huangbaicheng with the military advisor. After defeating Liangxing, the military advisor will garrison Linjin. I will invite Lord Yuan Chang to cross the river and defend Gaoling, while I will turn back to the east, first fight Hou Xuan, and then return to the west to fight Ma Wan."

Like Li Kan, Hou Xuan was from Hedong, and the two were stationed close to each other, so they were considered allies.

If the candidate is eliminated, the eastern part of Weibei will be cleared.

In the Guanzhong area, you can tell Ma Wan’s background just by looking at his name.

Ma Wan was stationed in Chiyang, a good neighbor of Liang Xing to the west, and mainly occupied the Liufu Canal.

Including Ma Teng, these are the five famous generals in Guanzhong, who occupied and invaded various water conservancy fortifications in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.

The competition between them is fierce, and the neighbors are mostly dirty, so don't expect these people to unite quickly.

But human nature is complex and people often harbor a mentality of taking chances.

As long as I can defeat Li Kan quickly, the situation will snowball.

Especially after defeating Liang Xing, Ma Wan was closer in terms of distance; but fearing that Hou Xuan would flee to Hedong, Black Bear decided to turn back and attack Hou Xuan first and completely clear out the east.

Then he would turn back west to ride horses for fun. At this time, Han Sui's dispatched troops would probably enter Guanzhong.

If they want to fight, they fight together.

In order to avoid turning around to attack the candidate, Ma Wan took the opportunity to escape to the west.

Therefore, at that time, he would have to continue to divide the troops. He would take some people to fight Houxuan, and leave a reliable person to control the army and keep an eye on Chiyang, so that Ma Wan would not dare to escape easily.

There is no point in negotiating when dealing with these people.

What you are going to take away is the hard-earned savings of the other party after most of their life's struggle. The other party will not compromise easily; repeated negotiations will only strengthen these people's resistance.

If you’re not careful, a big coalition will happen.

These people are different from Zhong Yao, who has special political ideals and pursuits; these vulgar guys, like himself, value what they actually have in their hands.

So there's really nothing to talk about.

You can only fight.

(End of this chapter)