Chapter 92 Sir, you have great talent
"Uh, it was written by me!" Yang Zhengshan stroked his beard guiltily.

"You wrote it!" Zhou Lan stood up quickly, eyes full of disbelief.

She was a little unconvinced and stared at Yang Zhengshan without blinking.

Who is Yang Zhengshan?

He was just an ordinary soldier twenty years ago, and now Yang Zhengshan has never really led an army into battle.

How could he write such a military book?

"Did you really write this?"

"Absolutely true!" Yang Zhengshan said affirmatively.

Anyway, no one here can expose him, so if he says he wrote it, then it is what he wrote.

And this is true, he wrote this booklet word by word.

Zhou Lan withdrew her gaze, sat down and opened the book in her hand again.

She still couldn't believe it, but she believed that Yang Zhengshan would not lie to her.

Zhou Xu, who was standing by, couldn't help but feel angry and curious when he saw the two of them in this situation.

"show me!"

He didn't hesitate and took the booklet directly from Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan wanted to stop it, but Zhou Xu had already got the book in his hand. In the end, she could only look at the book in Zhou Xu's hand reluctantly.

The hall fell into silence again. Zhou Xu soon immersed himself in the contents of the book, while Zhou Lan's eyes wandered back and forth between the book and Yang Zhengshan.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

Suddenly, Zhou Xu shouted in surprise.

"What a great way to cover up the truth!"

After reading a few pages, Zhou Xu suddenly raised his head and said, "This is really written by you!"

"Yeah!" Yang Zhengshan nodded again helplessly.

"Sir, you have great talent!"

Zhou Xu stood up and took Yang Zhengshan's hand, asking with admiration and expectation, "How did you come up with this idea, sir?"

"Mantianguohai, this strategy has been used before, but no one has ever summarized it in such detail and specificity!"

Yang Zhengshan thought for a moment and said, "I summarized this from the military books of our predecessors."

"This strategy is about avoiding the strong and attacking the weak, and winning by surprise, is that right?" Zhou Xu asked.

Yang Zhengshan said: "That's right and wrong. The premise of avoiding the strong and attacking the weak is to understand the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. The key to winning by surprise is to seize the opportunity."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhou Xu nodded repeatedly.

Then, the prince seemed to have fallen into a state of madness. He pulled Yang Zhengshan and asked him countless questions, which made Yang Zhengshan very confused.

If Yang Zhengshan had not really read the Thirty-Six Strategies in his previous life and understood the profound meaning of each strategy, he might not be able to answer all of Zhou Xu's questions.

Zhou Lan was also listening with great interest, but she was paying close attention.

An hour passed and Zhou Lan had to interrupt Zhou Xu.

"Brother, it's getting late, let's eat first!"

It's past noon now, it's time to eat.

"Have a meal!"

Zhou Xu came back to his senses, "Yes, let's eat, Brother Zhengshan, how about having a drink together?"

He still didn't want to let Yang Zhengshan go.

Through previous conversations, he already knew Yang Zhengshan's true strengths and weaknesses.

Yang Zhengshan is a real talent, and many of his insights into military strategy are things he had never thought of before.

However, he could also see that Yang Zhengshan had never really led a battle. On many things, Yang Zhengshan's insights were very unique, but when it came to specific matters, Yang Zhengshan seemed very ignorant.

For example, how should scouts detect the enemy situation? There is a complete system for this, but Yang Zhengshan is not very clear about it.

This is normal. Although Yang Zhengshan has read some military books in the past year and learned about the combat methods and related systems of various arms in the army, the time is still short after all, and there are some things she has not fully understood.

Simply put, Yang Zhengshan has many unique insights and knowledge that have not been summarized in this world due to the influence of his previous life, but in actual operations, he is actually not as good as the native generals here.

He has been leading the team for more than ten years, or even dozens of years. How could Yang Zhengshan surpass him easily?

Wisdom is important, but experience is also important.

There is nothing wrong with Yang Zhengshan's strategy, but he lacks a lot of experience.

However, this did not prevent Zhou Xu from admiring Yang Zhengshan. After knowing Yang Zhengshan's past, Zhou Xu even felt sorry for Yang Zhengshan.

"If you had not left Chongshan Town twenty years ago, you would be a general in the army and a pillar of the court today!"

Yang Zhengshan really didn't know how to respond to this.

With his original martial arts talent, if he had stayed in Chongshan Town, he might have been able to become a general or a lieutenant general.

But that was only his talent in martial arts. As for his ability to lead troops in battle, Yang Zhengshan could not estimate it. After all, human growth is related to experience and circumstances.

At the dinner table, Zhou Xu talked a lot with Yang Zhengshan, from military tactics to military training, from Jianning Guard to Chongshan Town, from the Hu tribe in the East China Sea to the court.

At first, Yang Zhengshan could still handle it, but when it came to the court, Yang Zhengshan pales in comparison.

Although he is now a fifth-rank captain, he has never been to Kyoto and has never been in contact with the court, so as to the affairs of the court, Yang Zhengshan just listened quietly to Zhou Xu and Zhou Lan's discussion.

After lunch, Yang Zhengshan staggered out of the General’s Mansion.

Zhou Xu made him drink a lot of wine, but fortunately he had a good alcohol tolerance and did not get drunk to death.

After all the New Year gifts were given, Yang Zhengshan said goodbye to Zhao Yuan that afternoon and returned to Yinghe Fort.

The next day, Zhou Lan sent people to Yinghebao to return the gift.

Zhou Lan’s gift was certainly not comparable to Yang Zhengshan’s. It filled four carriages to the brim.

This festival gift is no less than the thank-you gift Zhou Lan gave when she went to Yangjia Village.

What else could Yang Zhengshan say about this? He could only accept it happily.

"Yes, yes, General Zhou is not only a big thigh, but also the God of Wealth!"

"Tsk tsk! There's even a set of gold-lacquered mountain-patterned armor!"

Yang Zhengshan was holding a set of armor weighing more than 30 kilograms, and his beard was standing up with joy.

It’s not that he doesn’t have armor. As a military officer, the imperial court would naturally provide them with armor.

However, the armor provided by the court were all cloth armor, how could they compare to the gold-lacquered mountain-patterned armor given by Zhou Lan.

Armor is a life-saving item on the battlefield, and a good set of armor can be treated as a family heirloom.

Combined with the gilded flying fish spear that Zhou Lan had given him before, Yang Zhengshan's equipment was no worse than those of the noble lords.

As for other fabrics, tea, pens, ink, paper and inkstone, Yang Zhengshan didn't care about them.

In fact, he doesn't have too many requirements for food, clothing, housing and transportation. As long as they are not so bad that they cannot be used, there is no need to pursue too luxurious things.

After receiving Zhou Lan's thank-you gift, the Yang family began to prepare for the New Year.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, everyone in the Yang family was busy in the backyard of the government office.

Yang Mingcheng, who had just returned from Anning County yesterday, was posting couplets with Yang Minghao and Lin Zhan. Meanwhile, Wang was busy in the kitchen with Yang Yunxue and Wang Yunqiao. Li was already nine months pregnant and the due date was less than a month away, so she couldn't help at all and could only stay in the house.

In front of the government office, Yang Mingwu and Yang Mingzhi were leading a group of people to slaughter pigs and sheep.

More than a dozen pigs and sheep were hung on poles, and the smell of blood filled the entire Yinghe Fort, but everyone had a happy smile on their face.

These pigs and sheep were brought from Linguanbao. All the pigs and sheep previously raised in Linguanbao were killed in one pot by Yang Zhengshan.

Not only that, Yang Zhengshan also bought dozens of pigs and sheep from outside.

His purpose was very simple, which was to ensure that all the military households under the jurisdiction of Yinghe Fort could eat meat during the New Year.

"Dad, they're all killed! Can we divide the meat now?" Yang Mingzhi washed the blood off his hands and asked Yang Zhengshan who was standing in front of the government office.

"Divide it, three pounds of pork and one pound of mutton to each family!" Yang Zhengshan said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Thank you for the reward, sir!"

"Your Excellency is so kind!"

The soldiers who were watching nearby shouted when they heard this.

Yang Zhengshan looked around at the people around him and nodded with a smile.

In fact, these pigs and sheep are not worth much. Even though the price of meat in Guancheng has increased a lot this year, a pound of pork is only thirty cents.

To distribute the meat, each household would have to pay more than a hundred coins.

Now there are nearly a thousand military households under the jurisdiction of Yinghe Fort, which means that Yang Zhengshan has spent nearly one hundred taels of silver.

The more than one hundred taels of silver were not paid by the government, but came from his own pocket.

Purpose?
Of course it is to win people’s hearts!
The previous military households were still okay. After a series of reorganizations and operations by Yang Zhengshan, they had already recognized Yang Zhengshan as the defense officer.

But those new refugees, who had just arrived, must have been filled with panic and anxiety.

Now that Yang Zhengshan is sending them meat, it can both calm people's hearts and win their favor.

"Second brother, cut ten kilograms of pork and ten kilograms of mutton and send them to Mr. Liu!"

Everyone began to divide the meat, and Yang Zhengshan gave instructions to Yang Mingzhi.

"Okay!" Yang Mingzhi responded.

Although he had just returned from Jianning Guard not long ago, he also knew the situation of the Liu family in Yinghe Fort.

Since the school opened, several teachers of the Liu family have gained a lot of fame in Yinghe Fort.

Although everyone knew that they were exiled prisoners, knowledge was respected everywhere.

In addition to Yang Zhengshan's appreciation of the Liu family, everyone respects the Liu family very much.

Yang Mingzhi picked out two good pieces of meat, cut them off, and walked happily towards the Liu family.

At this time, the Liu family was also busy preparing for the New Year.

Perhaps because of the three ups and downs they had experienced, the Liu family accepted the fact of exile very well. They were not depressed, but instead felt at ease.

There are many people in the Liu family, but they live a pretty good life.

After all, the Liu family can get seven salaries from the school, and with this income alone, they will not live too badly.

"Mr. Liu, my father asked me to deliver this!"

When he arrived at the Liu family’s door, Yang Mingzhi happened to see Liu Zhe pasting couplets.

"Hey, Master Yang, we have meat at home, so you should take it back!" Liu Zhe politely refused.

Yang Mingzhi ignored his refusal and just carried the two large pieces of meat into the yard and placed them on the stove in the kitchen.

"Every household in Tunbu has one, so Mr. Liu should not refuse!"

After saying that, Yang Mingzhi ran away without waiting for Liu Zhe to speak again.

Liu Zhe shook his head helplessly and could only shout: "Thank Lord Yang for me!"

At this time, Liu Yuanfu walked out of the main house, followed by his old wife Zhang.

Liu Yuanfu glanced at the meat in the kitchen, listened to the cheerful sounds outside, and smacked his pipe.

"This Yang Zhengshan is really scheming!"

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Liu Zhe looked at his father with dissatisfaction.

It’s not that he didn’t hear what Liu Yuanfu said, it’s just that he didn’t agree with it.

"Humph, am I wrong?" Liu Yuanfu snorted coldly, "Look at what he is doing? He has won everyone's hearts with just a few pounds of meat!"

Liu Yuanfu’s temper is indeed bad and stubborn, but he has been in officialdom for forty years. How could he not see what Yang Zhengshan is thinking?
Of course, Liu Zhe is not a fool, "Isn't this good?"

In Liu Zhe's opinion, it was the perfect thing for Yang Zhengshan to win people's hearts.

Yang Zhengshan is the defense officer of Yinghe Fort. Among the military households in Yinghe Fort are soldiers under his command. As a military officer, he naturally has to win the hearts of his soldiers. Otherwise, who would be willing to fight for their superiors on the battlefield?

"It's not that bad, but he also sent meat to our family!" Liu Yuanfu said with his eyes wide open.

Liu Zhe was silent for a moment, then he looked up at the meat in the kitchen.

"We already owe you this favor!"

"Dad, you can't admit it even if you don't want to!"

They have received so much care from Yang Zhengshan in Yinghe Fort that, strictly speaking, it is no longer a favor but a favour.

"That's right, you old man, why are you saying all this? Lord Yang is taking care of us, so we just have to accept it."

"If our family can get back on its feet in the future, we will repay Lord Yang for his care. If we can only die in poverty, then let Zhe'er and the others repay us!"

Mrs. Liu Zhang was very dissatisfied with this smelly and stubborn old man in her family.

"Don't you see how skinny your grandchildren are?"

"I don't want to owe you a favor. If I don't, how are we going to support this family?"

"Lord Yang is willing to take care of us, which means he thinks highly of us. Do you still think you are in the Censorate?"

"You heartless old man, you just smoke all day long, I can't stop smoking you!"

Liu Zhang didn't give Liu Yuanfu any face at all and kept scolding him.

She was really angry. If it weren't for Liu Yuanfu's reckless behavior, their whole family would not have been exiled.

Let him be exiled, but Liu Yuanfu was unwilling to owe anyone a favor and asked someone to help take care of his family.

If other families were exiled, they might experience the fickleness of human nature, but the Liu family has experienced three ups and downs and has experienced the fickleness of human nature many times.

Even though the Liu family is now exiled, there are still people willing to do favors for the Liu family, because some people are betting that the Liu family will rise again.

However, some people are willing to do favors, but Liu Yuanfu is unwilling to owe favors to others, because he knows that favors are the hardest to repay.

Listening to his old wife's scolding, Liu Yuanfu squatted in front of the main room door and fell silent.

"Boss, cook more meat at noon to nourish the children!" said Mrs. Liu Zhang.

When a family of officials was reduced to exiled prisoners, the ones who suffered the most were not the adults, but the children.

Especially those little ones, they were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but now they have to eat coarse food following this old man.

When Liu Zhang thought of this, she couldn't help but criticize Liu Yuanfu again.

(End of this chapter)