Chapter 58: Cooperation

  Wang Lei understood the old man's identity, but he was very calm and clear. The old man was the old man, and he was himself, they couldn't be generalized. Zhang Yan could ask the old man to take charge of the Black Mountain Army, but it was impossible for him to surrender because of the old man's identity, nor would he let him take charge of the Black Mountain Army. Therefore, Wang Lei never mentioned the word "surrender", and instead brought up the topic of "cooperation" from the start, which could arouse Zhang Yan's interest and also allow Wang Lei to gain the right to speak, otherwise he wouldn't be able to say a word.

  The old man smiled and looked at Wang Lei, nodding slightly.

  This kid is a sensible person.

  Zhang Yan chuckled twice and said indifferently, "County Magistrate Wang says cooperation, but I'm a bit curious. County Magistrate Wang is an official, and I, Zhang Yan, am a notorious bandit. You represent the imperial court, while I represent the overthrow of the imperial court. Our stances are different, it's like fire and water that don't mix, how can we cooperate?"

  "Haha......"

  Wang Lei burst out laughing and shook his head repeatedly.

  Zhang Yan frowned and said: "Is it possible that County Magistrate Wang does not agree with my views."

  Bai Wei hummed and said in a stiff tone, "County Magistrate Wang, just speak directly. If you have something to say, say it. Don't be so mysterious. Your attitude is really annoying."

  Wang Lei didn't get angry, but instead smiled and said: "If I remember correctly, General Zhang was appointed as the Pingnan Zhonglang Jiang by the Emperor himself and had already surrendered to the imperial court. If that's the case, then General Zhang is no longer the leader of the Taiping Army, even if he calls himself the Black Mountain Army, it's still an army under the imperial court. How can we treat him as if he were still in his old position? Both sides are people of the imperial court, so naturally there's room for cooperation."

  His face wore a faint smile, giving people an inexplicable sense of confidence.

  "What a fine young man!"

  Zhang Yan exclaimed and said: "True person, you have an eloquent junior!"

  The old man's face lit up, and he stroked his beard, hastily shaking his head: "General Zhang is overpraising me. This incompetent thing is still far from it. There are only a few hundred soldiers under my command, and there are only one or two strategists. Compared to General Zhang's style, the difference is too great."

  Zhang Yan listened to these words, but felt that there was more to it than met the eye, and not humble at all!

  Several hundred people defeated tens of thousands, is this an ordinary achievement? Zhang Yan's gaze shifted and returned to Wang Xue's body, saying lightly: "Since the county magistrate says cooperation, let's talk about the way of cooperation."

  Wang Lei replied, "It's simple. I help Zhang Shuai deal with the worries behind and solve the most difficult problems. And General Zhang ensures that Wujixian and Xinshizhen will no longer be looted. When I need it, Zhang Shuai will send troops to assist me."

  "Oh... County Magistrate Wang really dares to mention it, a lion's big mouth is opened, and that's exactly what you look like."

  He smiled coldly and didn't give a good look.

  As for matters involving the Black Mountain Troop, Zhang Yan wouldn't possibly open a back door just because Wang Lei was Old Master's junior.

  He is the commander-in-chief of the Montenegrin army and must consider the interests of the Montenegrin army.

  Wang Lei chuckled twice, shook his head and said: "Not a single word I said was exaggerated, on the contrary, I chose conditions that were unfavorable to me, and the conditions I offered were the most favorable to Zhang Shuai and the Black Mountain Army."

  "Sophistry!"

  Zhang Yan's face showed displeasure, with a look of disdain.

  Wang Lei said calmly: "Zhang Shuai doesn't believe it, so I'll analyze it for Zhang Shuai!"

  "Listen carefully!" said Zhang Yan.

  Wang Lei took a deep breath and said slowly: "The so-called worries about the rear, in fact, are the root problems of the Black Mountain Army. The Black Mountain Army gathers crowds in the mountains and forests, with Zhongshan State, Changshan State, Shangdang, Hebei and other places as its base, claiming to have a million people. Although the number may not be that many, I believe there are tens of thousands of people, among whom the elderly, women and children must occupy the majority, and the soldiers who truly belong to the army should be less than one-tenth. The elite among the elite, I'm afraid it's less than 30,000 people, don't know if what I said is correct?"

  Zhang Yan hummed and did not give a direct answer.

  Wang Lei had a smile on his face, Zhang Yan's unclear opposition, then his inference was correct.

  After a brief pause, Wang Lei continued: "For the Black Mountain Army, success or failure is all in the mountains. In the past, when the Taiping Army gathered to rebel against the imperial court and failed, the Taiping Armies in various places were surrounded and annihilated one after another. The Black Mountain Army under Zhang's command also suffered a siege, but it was able to survive because of the numerous mountain valleys in Hebei and Shangdang, which made it difficult for the government to surround them. As a result, they were able to gather hundreds of thousands of people and evade the government's pursuit. However, countless old, weak, women, and children, as well as countless soldiers all need to eat. Can they survive by hunting wild game and eating wild fruits in the mountains? Even if they open up good fields in the mountains, it is impossible to support tens of thousands of people, and it is difficult to solve the fundamental problem. Therefore, gathering in the mountains has become the greatest threat to the Black Mountain Army."

  Zhang Yan slightly nodded her head and looked at Wang Lei's eyes, which were no longer disdainful.

  These words hit the weak point of the Black Mountain Army.

  He is not a good killer, nor does he really want to plunder and cause trouble all the time. The reason why he often leads his troops to plunder is that the Black Mountain Army has millions of people, countless people need to fill their stomachs and survive. And he had no choice but to lead his soldiers to plunder everywhere, ensuring that the Black Mountain Army could sustain itself. Once the Black Mountain Army collapsed internally, he would also lose his foothold.

  Bai Wei's expression was serious and he straightened his body.

  The old man's eyes were filled with delight, his heart was greatly comforted, this young fellow has really grown up.

  Wang Lei became even more composed and said calmly, "As the old saying goes, it's better to let things flow than to block them. The river flows continuously, and blocking it is futile. Even if you manage to block it temporarily, there will always be a day when it bursts forth, and then you'll encounter an unstoppable flood. This is exactly what the Black Mountain Army is facing now. On the surface, they have gathered millions of people, with a mighty momentum that seems invincible, but in reality, they are like a castle without a foundation, destined to collapse sooner or later. Once things spiral out of control, there will be a complete explosion, and Zhang Shuai will face his greatest challenge."

  Zhang Yan took a deep breath and asked: "What solution does Magistrate Wang have?"

  "Let's go!"

  Wang Lei was delighted in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He had been waiting for this moment.

  It was only then that Wang Lei had the opportunity to persuade Zhang Yan. With a serious expression, he said: "Blocking is not as good as opening up, and in order to fundamentally solve the problem of the Black Mountain Army, it is actually necessary to solve the problem of the old, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army. Let them eat their fill, and the problem will be solved immediately. Commander Zhang, how do you think I control Wuji County and Xinshi County?

  "What does it mean?" Zhang Yan asked.

  Wang Lei waved his sleeve and said, "General Zhang can gradually relocate the old, weak, women and children of the Black Mountain Army out of the mountains and forests, let them settle in Wuji County and Xinshi County. As long as they are willing to open up farmland and make a living by farming, it will be enough to guarantee their livelihood. In this way, General Zhang will no longer have the crisis of being restricted, and his combat effectiveness will instead become stronger."

  Zhang Yan sneered and said: "Why didn't I choose to attack Wuji County and Xinshi County?"

  "Hah!"

  "A cold laugh, Wang Lei shouted: 'Foolish!'"

  Zhang Yan's face was stern, extremely unhappy. The great general of the Black Mountain Army was scolded by Wang Lei, a small county magistrate, which was simply a great shame. But thinking that his suggestion was rejected, there must be something wrong with it, and his arrogant momentum dissipated.