Chapter 155
Yao Chunnuan didn't know that Marshal Zhu's surrender was not far away. She was currently busy building a public school in the main city of Yichun.
Now that the autumn harvest is over, the people are gradually becoming more idle. At most, they will plant some winter wheat and then enter the long wintering season. The children will be even more idle. It would be a pity not to make use of this time.
Education is a long-term project, benefiting the present and future generations. Regardless of how far they advance, education and the cultivation of talent are essential. Even if they ultimately fail, their talent, still China's talent, is the driving force that propels the times forward.
There are private schools in the military settlements of Yichun now. In the main city of Yichun, Yao Chunnuan wants to set up a public school that combines elementary education and university studies.
As for the public school, it would be best to have one or several great scholars to take charge. However, she had people search the household registration office and also took time to visit or secretly interview some famous scholars. She invited those who met her standards and had real talent to work at the public school.
The scholars all gladly accepted her invitation. Now that the City Lord was away, she was acting as the City Lord, and her invitation was something the scholars couldn't ignore. Furthermore, establishing a public school was a good thing that benefited both the country and the people.
After searching all over New Yichun, he only found these few people, but not a well-known scholar. Yao Chunnuan was very dissatisfied and became anxious about it. Yichun was still too small and too remote.
She turned her attention to the civilians who had fled to Xinyichun. Many of these people, fleeing their homes, lacked household registration permits. Some had them but lost them along the way. For these people, all their household registrations were newly created upon arrival in Yichun. She was certain there must be some powerful individuals among them, but she didn't know which one they were, but since they hadn't shown up, she had no way of finding out.
Later, Yao Chunnuan thought about it and took the opportunity to return to Yichun military settlement when delivering new medicinal materials to Ba Yuan. She told Ba Yuan about her current difficulties and the shortage of talents and asked him to help find talents.
Yao Chunnuan had no choice. First, Ba Yuan had traveled extensively and knew many people. Second, wouldn't those high-ranking figures, who rarely showed up, give their real names if they or their family members were sick and needed Ba Yuan's help?
When Yao Chunnuan told him about this, Ba Yuan didn't take it seriously until one day, a man came to him - the great scholar Zhu Hongtao.
Seeing him in Yichun, Ba Yuan was visibly stunned. "Why are you here?"
Zhu Hongtao smiled and said, "You're here, why can't I come?"
"Indeed, there is no place in this world that you cannot go." After Ba Yuan said this, he began to prepare the medicinal materials in his hand.
Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Zhu Hongtao jokingly asked, "Why, are you planning to stay in Yichun forever?"
"uh-huh."
"Have you been working for Xing Changfeng?"
Knowing what he was going to say, Ba Yuan waved his hand and said, "I don't care about that." Besides, he was treating patients wherever he went. Now he could still teach apprentices, and occasionally, when he was in the mood, he could make some medicine powders and pills.
Ba Yuan found his current life quite comfortable. After completing these tasks, he occasionally sorted out his medical manuscripts and wrote down his experiences over the years. Yao Chunnuan promised that once he finished, she would print a book for him. Once the book was completed, it would be a famous work that would be passed down through the ages.
It wasn't like someone had said something similar to him, but he felt it was unreliable. They simply didn't have the ability to do this job, and they were just trying to trick an old man like him. He believed in Yao Chunnuan's abilities and that she would definitely make his wish come true. With such a carrot hanging in front of him, he didn't want to go anywhere.
Thinking of Yao Chunnuan, Ba Yuan recalled what she had told him earlier and could not help but stop what he was doing. "I recently heard that girl Yao Chunnuan said that she wants to open a public school in the main city of Yichun and needs a great scholar to take charge. Do you want me to introduce you to someone?"
Zhu Hongtao paused while drinking his tea and said, "No need."
You say one thing and mean another! Ba Yuan curled his lips, "You're just a stingy person. Now that you're here, can't you do something? Don't forget that you're eating and drinking from Xin Yichun, living in a Xin Yichun house, and enjoying the people-friendly policies implemented by Yao Chunnuan and his gang..."
Zhu Hongtao's face darkened. Who did he think he was? He could work wherever he wanted. However, Ba Yuan's words made sense. The City Lord's Mansion had been working to stabilize grain prices. Unlike many places in Daliang, where grain prices were high and chaotic, grain prices in New Yichun were quite reasonable. In today's chaotic world, the people of New Yichun could be described as living and working in peace and contentment. Furthermore, public security was excellent. Even after taking in so many refugees, the city remained well-organized, without any signs of chaos. This demonstrated the competence of the administrators at the New Yichun City Lord's Mansion.
At this moment, Yao Chunnuan received a report from a spy, informing him that the rebellion suppression army led by Gan Huacheng had arrived in Suihua and would reach Yichun if they continued on their way.
After Yao Chunnuan had the news delivered to the general as quickly as possible, a notice was posted throughout the city, informing the people that the rebellion-suppressing army was approaching and that the city gates of Xinyichun would need to be closed. Yao Chunnuan had someone write on the notice that, on behalf of the City Lord's Mansion, she apologized for the inconvenience caused by the closure of the city gates and hoped for everyone's forgiveness. Furthermore, she hoped that all the people of Xinyichun would work together to overcome this difficult time.
The words of this notice were sincere, showing no dissatisfaction with the minor inconvenience caused by the closing of the city gates. Some people with sensitive hearts even cried after hearing it. Many people expressed their support for the call of the City Lord's Mansion and said they would definitely not be traitors.
This was because the City Lord's Mansion, represented by Yao Chunnuan, had won the hearts of the people of Yichun. Since the change of ownership of Yichun City, the people's lives had truly improved, and no one wanted their current lives disrupted. Hearing that the imperial army was on its way and approaching, the people were filled with anxiety.
Some quick-witted commoners couldn't help but complain. What's the point of suppressing a rebellion? They didn't want to go back to the days of being Daliang citizens. Besides, if they had the energy to suppress a rebellion, why didn't they go fight the Northern Di? Go fight the foreigners. Whether they win or lose, the people of Yichun will respect them as men!
Gan Huacheng was unaware of the dislike of the people of Yichun for him and his army, who had already led their army to Suihua and joined forces with the local governor.
While his men were stationed, his soldiers captured a mountain villager who had gone deep into the border between the two places to collect herbs.
Upon learning that the mountain man was from Yichun, Gan Huacheng wanted to ask him about the situation in New Yichun. However, he had just asked a question when he was spat at by the other party, who also cursed the rebel suppression army.
Gan Huacheng was bewildered by the people who supported the rebels so much. "Do the people of Yichun City support traitors like Xing Changfeng as much as you do?"
The mountain man stiffened his neck and said, "We, the people of Xinyichun, are doing very well. There's no need for you to meddle in our affairs!"
This answer made him feel very difficult.
As for the general, as soon as he received the news sent by Yao Chunnuan, he ordered the army to be reorganized and sent someone to invite Marshal Zhu.
This was the first time that Xing Changfeng had invited him since they had been stationed there, and Marshal Zhu was very considerate and the person came very quickly.
When Xing Changfeng saw Marshal Zhu, he didn't waste any words and told him directly that the Ganhuacheng troops who came to Yichun to quell the rebellion were already stationed in Suihua and could attack Xinyichun at any time. He needed to withdraw his troops and asked Marshal Zhu to transfer troops to the upper city gate to relieve the Xing family army.
Marshal Zhu was stunned when he heard this. Ganhua City had arrived so quickly? But he hadn't made up his mind to surrender yet.
Zhu Dashuai completely forgot that he had been so upset about Gan Huacheng's marching speed a few days ago. At this moment, Zhu Dashuai only felt that Gan Huacheng was indeed his nemesis and was a bad guy!
Shi Mei immediately saw why her commander-in-chief was distracted, and immediately agreed to change defense for him.
Xing Changfeng was completely focused on suppressing the rebellion at the moment, so he naturally didn't notice Marshal Zhu's dilemma.
Shi Mei realized that the other party had no time to deal with them, so she took her commander-in-chief and said goodbye.
As he walked out, he marveled at the rationality and composure of Xing Changfeng and his men. While they did want the Yichun camp to accede to their side, they wouldn't expect too much from them until they agreed. They would treat them as they pleased. For example, Xing Changfeng had withdrawn his troops to deal with the rebellion suppression forces, leaving the remaining Beidi tribe to deal with them. His goal was to keep them from distracting the Yichun camp, allowing them to focus on suppressing the rebellion. Currently, their Yichun camp was slightly stronger than the Beidi army. Perhaps this outcome had been their calculation all along. Otherwise, why had the Xing family army stopped pursuing their victory after the bombing that night?
Thinking of this, Shi Mei was excited. Looking at the expression of his commander-in-chief, Shi Mei guessed that the time had come.
After returning, he quickly sent someone to secretly deliver a letter to Xing Changfeng.
After reading the letter, Xing Changfeng raised his eyebrows and sent someone to rush back to Yichun to pick up Yao Chunnuan.
When Yao Chunnuan learned that Marshal Zhu was willing to surrender, he immediately put down his official duties and went to Jiayin County in person.
That night, Xing Changfeng and Yao Chunnuan came together and solemnly invited Marshal Zhu to join them.
Marshal Zhu knew he could no longer turn a blind eye. Moreover, at such a critical moment, the presence of the top two leaders of Xinyichun in person was a sign of great sincerity.
He was given enough face and was willing to submit, so he took a deep breath and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.
After the ceremony, Xing Changfeng personally helped him up.
That night, the news that Marshal Zhu had brought the Yichun camp and one county and three towns to join the new Yichun spread throughout the army. The next day, it spread throughout Yichun and spread outward.
Marshal Zhu's surrender was truly a popular success. Not only did the soldiers in the Yichun camp cheer, but even the people of Yichun were overjoyed. The people of the three towns previously assigned to Marshal Zhu felt especially happy, feeling like they had finally returned home. This was the right thing to do; we were all Yichun people, and we should all be united, regardless of whether we were from the old or new Yichun.
Gan Huacheng was the first to receive the news of Marshal Zhu's surrender. When he received the news, he was completely dumbfounded.
By the time he realized what was happening, he couldn't help but yell, "No, what's wrong with Marshal Zhu?! He's already led his army to Suihua. The two armies could easily attack Xing Changfeng from both sides. This is the time to make great achievements. Why did Marshal Zhu surrender?"
If Marshal Zhu saw this, he'd definitely feel relieved. He'd definitely say, "Ganhuacheng, you've finally gotten to this point! I was eagerly anticipating your arrival in New Yichun! And you're just trudging along behind me. You knew the pressure the Yichun camp would be under with the Northern Di advancing south, yet you still slacked off. Now you're feeling a bit down, right? I'm switching sides now, and see if you're too anxious!"
The military officer from Ganhuacheng asked, "General Gan, what should we do?"
Gan Huacheng said dejectedly, "Let's defend the city according to the prince's instructions." They would have completed their mission if they could prevent the Xing family army from moving south.
The military officer asked again, "What if Xing Changfeng attacks Songhua Prefecture?" This possibility is very high, and we must be on guard.
Gan Huacheng raged, "You ask me, who should I ask?" He knew, of course, that the Xing army had completed its annexation of the Yichun camp and, in order to expand their territory, they were very likely to attack Songhua Prefecture. But a good cook cannot cook without rice. What else could he do? The prince had only given him such a small force, and it was hard enough to just hold back Xing Changfeng and the others from advancing south. How could he possibly prevent them from attacking Songhua Prefecture?
Being able to hold the line and prevent Xing Changfeng from advancing south would be considered the primary merit. He had originally thought this merit would be easy to obtain, but now, if Marshal Zhu and Xing Changfeng's armies were combined, wouldn't they number 120,000 or 130,000 men? If the two armies joined forces and marched south, his limited force would be no match for him, and he would have no choice but to give way.
"Hurry up and pass the news to the prince, and see what to do."
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