Chapter 59: Zhang Yan's Thoughts

  Wang Lei didn't give in at all, his expression calm and composed, with a full voice he said: "Zhang Shuai is the commander of thousands of troops and horses, does he not even have the basic wisdom to decide whether or not to attack Xinshi County and Wuji County?"

  Zhang Yan's face turned even uglier, this little brat...

  Arrogant!

  It's really too arrogant, actually scolding him like this!

  Normally, Zhang Yan would have killed the kid with one slash, but since it involved the life and death of the Black Mountain Army, he had to suppress his killing intent and think carefully. Wang Lei saw Zhang Yan's expression and smiled in his heart, if Zhang Yan remained calm, he wouldn't be able to operate, but since Zhang Yan was angry, it would be more beneficial for him.

  Zhang Yan did not know what Wang Lei was thinking, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said in a low voice: "County Magistrate Wang does not agree with my words, it seems that there is another suggestion. If so, I would like to hear County Magistrate Wang's opinion."

  "Please!"

  Zhang Yan waved her hand and made a gesture of washing her ears and listening respectfully.

  Wang Lei smiled lightly and said, "In fact, this is a very simple matter. Although Zhang Shuai was appointed as Pingnan Zhonglang Jiang by the imperial court, in reality, they did not trust him. If Zhang Shuai continued to gather his forces in the mountains and forests, the imperial court could turn a blind eye, after all, it would be difficult to eradicate them. But if Zhang Shuai wanted to occupy land and become king, controlling several county towns or even several commanderies, creating a state within a state, then whether it was the local powerful families of Jizhou or the governor of Jizhou, or even the imperial court itself, they would all call upon the armies of the realm to eradicate Zhang Shuai's forces."

  "This is a bottom line, it's a bottom line that cannot be touched."

  Wang Lei's voice was stern and serious, "If the Black Mountain Army really occupies Xinshi County and Wuji County, within half a month, all the troops in Jizhou will be gathered here to surround and annihilate the Black Mountain Army. Therefore, it is in line with the situation of the Black Mountain Army to plunder, when not threatening the foundation of Jizhou, Han Fu can turn a blind eye to Zhang Shuai."

  Zhang Yan fell silent again after hearing it.

  As Wang Lei said, he can now maintain a delicate balance. By plundering and looting to sustain the Black Mountain Army, yet not threatening Zhang Yan and the imperial court's foundation, this is the most helpless state of the Black Mountain Army.

  Wang Lei smiled lightly and said faintly: "My cooperation with Zhang Shuai is the best result."

  Zhang Yan hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "I will consider the plan you proposed, and I will reply as soon as I make a decision. The purpose of today's visit has been achieved, since Du Zhenren is unwilling to serve, Zhang Yan bids farewell!"

  "Not sending!"

  Wang Lei waved his hand and saw Zhang Yan and Bai Rao off.

  After the two left the room, Wang Lei stood up and said: "Old man, you should rest early, I'm going back."

  "Wait a minute!"

  The old man waved his hand, indicating for Wang Lei to sit down.

  Wang Lei sat down and said: "Old man, is there anything else?"

  The old man let out a long sigh, and his expression was no longer as calm as before. He looked slightly nervous and said: "This is the matter of the Taiping Army, after all, it can't be covered up. Now that you know, what do you think?"

  Wang Lei raised an eyebrow, sensing a change in the old man's mind.

  It seems he's afraid of being looked down upon by himself!

  In these times, the Taiping Army is just a bandit; once you join the bandits, your body will be branded.

  It's no wonder that the old man has such an idea.

  Wang Lei's expression was sincere and serious as he replied, "What does the old master have to do with me and the Taiping Army? That is all in the past, long gone with the wind. In my eyes, the old master has always been my elder. Without his teachings and kindness, there would be no Wang Lei today, perhaps I would have become a pile of dry bones."

  The old man burst out laughing, his eyes moistening.

  He didn't misjudge the person!

  Wang Lei walked forward, knelt down in front of the old man, grasped the old man's withered hand that was left with only bones, and said softly: "Old master, as long as I'm here, no matter what time it is, I'll never abandon you. In my eyes, you are my grandfather, your kindness is not inferior to my parents who gave birth to me."

  "Good, good, good child."

  The old man's face was filled with a warm smile, but tears couldn't help streaming down.

  Isn't it all about enjoying family happiness when one grows old?

  Wang Lei wiped away the old man's tears and talked to him for a while, then helped him lie down before leaving the yard and returning to his own room to rest.

  Zhang Yan and Bai Rao quietly left the county government office and returned to their hideout in the city to rest.

  It was already nighttime and the city gate had closed, they couldn't have left the city.

  The room is brightly lit.

  Bai's face was filled with thick doubts, and he asked: "General, when we were at the county government office, Wang Lei suggested that you relocate the elderly, women, and children from the mountains. It was clearly a helpful thing for us, so why did you refuse? Don't forget, our current difficult situation is precisely because there are too many elderly, women, and children in the mountains, holding us back. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this state."

  Zhang Yan sneered: "Bai Rao, you really think Wang Lei is kind-hearted?"

  Bai Rao rubbed his head and said, "Wang Lei is after all a person trained by Du Zhenren, he is the junior of Zhenren, and in that sense, he is also a part of the Taiping Army, with close ties to us. It's impossible for him to do anything to us. Putting aside Wang Lei's identity, I fully agree with his proposal. This young man may be young, but his methods are one by one, very good."

  "I didn't refuse at the time, and I was indeed moved, but I thought about it carefully before responding. However, on my way back, after careful consideration, I felt that this matter was unreliable."

  "Why?" asked Bai Rao.

  "This is a trick of draining the water to catch the fish, and it will be unfavorable to us if we drag on for too long."

  Her heart skipped a beat and she turned pale with shock.

  Zhang Yan said in a low voice, "Think carefully, from the current situation, the old, weak, women and children in the mountains are a burden, but from another perspective, they are our foundation! Once the old, weak, women and children become the people of Wuji County and Xinshi County, then the soldiers in the army will gradually turn to Wang Lei. At that time, Wang Lei will affect the Heishan Army, which is not good for us."

  "Ah..."

  Bai Rao let out a cry of surprise, her face turning even paler.

  But the next moment, Bai Rao gradually calmed down again.

  He followed Zhang Yan for many years and was able to become a fierce general under Zhang Yan's command, not just relying on brute force, but also having his own wisdom. Bai Rao thought for a moment and said: "General, I think this seems to be a strategy of draining the water from the cauldron, but Wang Lei dare not do so. I think Wang Lei wants to use us and give us some benefits."

  Here is the translation:

  "Speaking of which, Bai Rao continued: "The elderly and weak in the mountains have become a major problem that hinders us. We must solve it. General, I'm going to say something treasonous, we can't stay in the mountains forever, we need to think about our future. What Wang Lei is showing us now isn't a backup plan? Although we don't necessarily need to rely on Wang Lei, but it's an option!"

  Zhang Yan's expression changed, and her eyes flashed with a cold light. After a long time, Zhang calmed down, waved her hand and said: "You go down, I want to think about it alone."

  Bai Rao left, leaving Zhang Yan alone in the room to think.