Chapter 151: Be Careful
After the conscription task was assigned, the commanders of each camp all dispersed.

Some of these commanders were promoted to Langjiang, but the vast majority were Xiaowei. In order to solve the problem of those Xiaowei being assigned high positions at low positions.

Li Yuanhui's method was still very simple, he just gave all of them to other Sima.

The title of Biebu Sima is really useful. It sounds very high-ranking, but the power depends on how many people are under your command.

This time, Li Yuanhui gave them enough quotas, and each of them led a battalion, which also fully mobilized their autonomy. As for whether to call them lieutenants or generals, the generals didn't really care.

What they care about is whether their boss Li Yuanhui can show ambition and whether he can give them a platform to display their talents. These are what they value.

As for the Chinese bureaucrats in the shogunate, Li Qinglian was the military advisor, giving advice and planning, and Guo Fenghe was the chief secretary, equivalent to the chief steward.

Xie Xun was a military officer in charge of documents, military orders, and military advisory.

Zhang Fu was the chief clerk, responsible for logistics and in charge of grain storage.

Cao Ce was the commander of the armory, responsible for the manufacture, storage, and management of military equipment.

The lieutenant of Huainan County, Xiao Shizhi, had been impressed by him when he helped Li Yuanhui capture Shouchun, and felt that he was definitely a talent. This time, he was promoted and transferred to the position of Yingyang Langjiang, to supervise and control the military commanders and select military officers.

While Hefei was recruiting troops in full swing, people on the other side of the river were also busy.

At the Jiangdu ferry, a young man dressed in gorgeous clothes, but with a dark complexion and some small scars on his face, got off the boat and got on the Jiangdu Zhang family's carriage into the city.

After a while, the carriage arrived at a large garden.

Zhang Gongcheng, the eldest uncle of the Zhang family, who was also the uncle of Zhang Jian and Zhang Zhen'e, bowed to the young man and said with a smile, "Lord Cao, I am sorry for not welcoming you from afar."

The young man surnamed Cao got off the car and bowed and smiled, "Mr. Zhang, you are too polite."

Zhang Gongcheng led the way, and the man surnamed Cao followed behind. Every time they passed a pavilion, they couldn't help but secretly sigh in their hearts at the wealth and elegant style of the Zhang family.

The two sat down in the small pavilion in the garden. After dismissing the attendants, Zhang Gongcheng personally poured wine: "Mr. Cao has come from afar, you must try the fine wine and delicacies of our Jiangdu. Don't be polite."

Cao Langjun smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, it's not far away. Jianye and Jiangdu are separated by a river."

Zhang Gongcheng just said politely that he had come from afar, but Cao Langjun's reminder was a warning.

It was nothing more than a warning to the Zhang family to surrender to the Cao family as soon as possible. After all, they were now on the other side of the river and could cross the river at any time.

But Zhang Gongcheng smiled when he heard this, as if he had not heard the other party's warning at all. Instead, he reminded: "Mr. Cao is right. It is indeed only separated by a river, but this river now belongs to two countries. When you come here, you have actually reached the territory of Yan. You'd better be careful."

The young man surnamed Cao laughed loudly when he heard this, "Hahahaha", and then raised his glass to drink himself.

In fact, from the very beginning he had given up any hope for the purpose of his visit.

"Lord Cao".
Now, everyone in Jiangdong has to call him "His Royal Highness the King of Wu". And his identity is Cao Rong, the son of Cao Yuanjing, the current "Emperor of Wei".

Cao Yuanjing had three sons in total. The eldest son, Cao Yan, was the most brave and good at fighting. He joined him in the rebellion when he was a teenager. He always led the troops in every battle and had a high prestige in the army. He was the only candidate for the crown prince.

Cao Rong was the second son and had also followed his father and brother for a long time, always serving them. Although he was not known for his bravery, he was indeed meticulous and strategic, with the style of a great general.

This time they came north to win over the Zhang family, the richest family in Yangzhou.

With the power of the Zhang family in the Jianghuai area, if they were willing to help, Cao Wei in Jiangdong could easily go north and take over Guangling County.

Therefore, Cao Yuanjing attached great importance to the Zhang family and directly sent his second son to contact them.

Cao Rong was smart and understood Zhang Gongcheng's attitude as soon as he saw it. It was impossible for the Zhang family to immediately turn to Jiangdong. In fact, if you think about it, you will know that the current situation in the world is still uncertain. The Zhang family is a big family with a lot of business. It is impossible for them to board the ship of Cao Wei under such circumstances.

After all, "Great Wei" has not even completely taken control of the four counties of Jiangdong. Many cities in Kuaiji and Yuzhang counties still belong to the forces of Dayan. There is only one Wu County left in Wu County. As for Yuzhang County, it will have to wait until the navy's large ships are built before it can be taken.

Therefore, when threats don't work, and there are no benefits that can be offered, the only thing that can impress people is the future.

The banquet was a great success. Although Zhang Gongcheng did not make any promises or help to the Jiangdong Cao family, he still treated them with courtesy.

Cao Rong lived in Zhangyuan's garden.

After settling the guests, Zhang Gongcheng left the garden, got on the carriage, and returned to the main courtyard.

Zhang Lin, Marquis of Wucheng, had not yet rested and was sitting in the hall with his sons.

Zhang Lin, who was in his sixties, sat on the couch without saying a word, with his sons sitting on both sides.

The third brother Zhang Gongping and the fifth brother Zhang Gonglie were talking in low voices and laughing, seemingly talking about a famous dancer in the city.

The fourth son, Zhang Gongen, sat opposite the two of them, reading a book. He was a concubine's son, and his relationship with the legitimate sons was average, except for his eldest brother, Zhang Gongcheng.

Zhang Gongcheng walked up to the hall and bowed to Zhang Lin: "Aye."

Zhang Lin nodded and motioned for him to sit down and talk.

Zhang Gongcheng walked to the seat next to Zhang Lin and sat down. At this time, the third and fifth brothers were no longer talking, and the fourth brother also put down his book and sat down waiting for the eldest brother to speak.

"The Cao family said that if you help them take Guangling, they are willing to make you a Duke, your fifth brother a general, me a minister, and your third and fourth brothers both prefects."

Zhang Gongcheng told everyone the conditions offered by Cao Rong, and the expressions on their faces varied.

The third brother had a mocking look on his face, the fourth brother seemed to be thinking about something, and the famous Zhang Wuye from Jianghuai just laughed, "Hahaha, the Cao family is willing to invest so much money."

Zhang Lin asked back, "Boss, what do you think?"

Uncle Zhang Gongcheng paused, then said: "The Cao family has already established a foothold. The four counties of Jiangdong will be conquered by them sooner or later. But if they want to go north, it will take time. On the one hand, Yuzhang County still has more than 10,000 navy soldiers of King Han, and Kuaiji and Shanyin are still resisting. Even if they take over Jiangdong, they still need time to stabilize the rear before they have the strength to go north. And my Zhang family is in Jiangdu, and we will bear the brunt of it. How to make a choice depends on how the Yan army acts."

Zhang Lin looked at Master Zhang Wu who was standing beside him again, "Zhen'e and Sanlang are both under General Li's command, what do you say?"

Zhang Gonglie laughed and said, "What do you mean? Just because the Cao family entered Jianye and they are eager to proclaim themselves emperors before they even have time to sit down, they are not people worthy of trust. I don't think the Cao family can have a Guangwu Restoration like the Liu family. I also knew Cao Yuanjing in his early years. He was a salt contraband who had to be humble in front of me before. Now he wants to climb up to me? No way."

"Fifth brother, you do have a point. Our Zhang family is not a prominent family, but we are at least a wealthy family in Jianghuai. This Cao guy just talks a lot and wants us to work hard for him? How can this be a good thing?" The third brother, Zhang Gongping, leaned back in his chair, his tone very frivolous.

The fourth brother on the opposite side also nodded and said, "Third brother and fifth brother are right. Jiangdong has not been pacified yet, so we still have to wait and see. However, if he is short of money and food, we can give them some sweet treats first. We must not bet rashly on this matter when the situation is unclear. Moreover, since ancient times, there has never been anyone who has conquered the world from the south to the north. Dayan is not yet doomed, so we should not act too hastily."

Zhang Lin smiled when he heard this and felt very relieved.

Because without exception, none of these sons were impressed by the empty titles of the Jiangdong people. At least they had determination.

"In that case, tomorrow the boss will tell His Royal Highness the King of Wu that the Zhang family is willing to make friends with them, and give him 100 dan of coarse salt, 5,000 dan of grain, and a pair of jade disks, and say that it is a gift to Emperor Cao."

Zhang Gongcheng nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do it tomorrow."

Zhang Lin continued, "Old Fifth, the Cao family is now gaining momentum. We have to look after the Cao family and see if General Li in Jiang Huai can be helped."

Master Zhang Wu smiled and said, "Today Zhen'e sent a letter home, saying that Li Pingnan has been promoted again. He is now the General Zhennan, the Commander-in-Chief of Yangzhou Military, and the Envoy with Special Envoyship. We don't know if he can be promoted, but if we underestimate him, we will suffer a great loss."

(End of this chapter)