Chapter Fifteen: Attacking the County Town

  PS: To those brothers who haven't collected it, move your little hands and add this book to the shelf, isn't it convenient for searching?

  It can be said that these militiamen are not weaker than the regular soldiers in this war, because although they only train during their spare time from farming, they have a scientific management system and tools to aid them in their work, so they actually exercise their strength in peacetime. During training, what is exercised more is organization, combat skills, and bravery. These militiamen had already seen blood before, not human blood, but the blood of various animals.

  In Qinglin Town, over the past two years, there has been a reliance on violent means to maintain control, with extreme wealth and power concentrated in the hands of a few. The militia is responsible for slaughtering chickens and sheep, and even undergoes endurance training, such as walking barefoot through thorny areas, with blood flowing freely. This is also an exercise in courage and willpower. This is what is meant by "hiding soldiers among the people." It is precisely because of this that Zhang Xu was able to quickly assemble a force of 4,000 troops!

  These militiamen arrived at the military camp, and after a little training, they became regular soldiers. Then, through the baptism of war, they could become elite soldiers. It was because of this kind of army that Zhang Xu had the courage to fight alone against the world. If he didn't have this foundation, without his divine tactics, he would have long since retreated and fooled the foolish commoners. How dare he establish a force in Qingzhou, a land of death?

  The current Qingzhou is another battlefield for Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, although it's not as intense as the battlefields in Ji Province and You Province, there are also great generals here, Zhang Xu dared to mobilize his troops, on one hand because he had bribed some people, on the other hand, it was also because of this army!

  Previously, it was just a thousand people who dared to take down Chang County, now naturally there is no need to say more!

  So after a month, 3,000 militiamen entered the six well-built military camps and were immediately divided among the three major generals of Qinglintown: Wu Zhong, Wu Zixu, Guan Hai, Guan Ziwei, Wu Qing, and Wu Ziling. Of these three, Wu Zhong was only a mediocre martial general who could firmly control one camp, but as he was an elder statesman, he nominally commanded three camps. Guan Hai was very powerful and also had the merit of introducing refugees, so he too was a general of three camps, but in reality, he still needed to take charge of Wu Zhong's other two camps.

  Although Wu Qing had no military achievements, due to his actual strength, he also led two battalions. In just one month's time, it was enough for him to learn the military system of Zhang Xu of Qinglin Town.

  Thus, the 4,000-strong army began training. Since the militia had a foundation to begin with, the training progressed rapidly. Although winter was not conducive to military training, Qinglintown was abundant in food and did not fear consumption. The harvested grain, stored grain, and continuously purchased grain, as well as the fish resources caught by fishing boats at sea, and the stored dried fish and salted fish, etc., can be said that although the daily food consumption of the 4,000-strong army was terrifying, it was not a problem for Qinglintown at all!

  And now, Zhang Xu's current strength is only at the intermediate level of refining and purifying Qi, with insufficient magical power. However, his unique incense faith has made a huge breakthrough under his slow research, with the existence of talismans, which can recover frozen soldiers at any time!

  Having a tight organization, sufficient training, and excellent equipment, while also having faith, during the winter time, except for the Chinese New Year holiday, they trained continuously.

  These soldiers are all exceptionally robust, making people feel delighted at first sight. The 4,000-strong army has been formally trained, and each one is no longer inferior to the old soldiers. Their physical quality can reach the level of elite soldiers, and they only need to be tempered by a war to become an elite troop!

  So in February of the following year, the army officially set out to attack Chang County at the foot of the mountain. This winter, Zhang Xu's followers were also not idle. Under the arrangement of Qinglin Town and two other officials, they distributed money and grain, organized the people, and built a mountain road. Therefore, despite being blocked by a layer of mountains, the army was able to move quickly, with roads existing in the mountains, and supplies were continuously transported down the mountain with the help of other followers. Meanwhile, 4,000 troops were left to guard one camp at the main camp, which was also Wu Zhong's camp, and the first camp was also left to guard.

  Zhang Xu led the troops with Guan Hai and Wu Qing, commanding 3,500 soldiers, and went down the mountain. Chang County was a major county in Donglai Prefecture, but due to the invasion of the Yellow Turbans, the greed of corrupt officials, and the encroachment of powerful families, the county had lost its former prosperity.

  On this day, the county magistrate was in the county yamen, enjoying the early spring scenery amidst the cold weather, and was informed by his trusted subordinates about how to extort taxes and fill their own pockets.

  "County magistrate, it's bad! There is... a troop of soldiers coming!"

  His second-in-command was also the commander of the garrison in Chang County, but Chang County was located in a remote area near the coast and had very little military strength, with only 200 soldiers. Therefore, although this deputy was a general, he didn't have much confidence or experience in battle. When Xiang Yang's army of 3,500 arrived, they were already frightened out of their wits.

  "The army has arrived in front, can you see clearly what flag they are carrying and how many soldiers and horses there are?"

  Although this county magistrate is tyrannical and oppressive to his people, he is not a useless person, and his mind is still clear. He immediately asked.

  "No... I don't know!"

  He hastily said.

  "Rubbish! You're the county lieutenant of Chang County, yet you don't even know this much. Follow me to the city gate!"

  This is not the bravery of the county magistrate, but rather that all his official positions in Chang County were bought, so he naturally wants to get a return on investment. Moreover, the current Chang County has no powerful forces to govern, it's a lawless place, and he doesn't have any backing to rely on, so he can only fight desperately by himself.

  "Hurry up, I'll give you fifty... no, thirty men to immediately recruit young and strong soldiers to guard the city, and organize at least two thousand people for me!"

  The county magistrate was on the city wall, and from a distance, he saw a large army. After inquiring some soldiers who understood military affairs, he learned that there were at least three thousand troops. At that time, he was so frightened that his soul flew away, but fortunately, during the previous Yellow Turban Rebellion, the former county magistrate had built high walls for the city, so he thought of defending it for a while.

  At this time, Zhang Xu led the army to arrange for the soldiers to set up camp, but it's not that he didn't think of a better way to capture the city. However, he was determined to establish his authority because his path was extremely difficult and destined to dominate the world alone. Therefore, the foundation had already been decided to be stabilized, so he decided to take this city with strong force, showing off his strength, completely stabilizing Chang County, and also for the purpose of testing the army's strength.

  "Master Xianshi, the camp is already set up, please instruct us!"

  Guan Hai and Wu Qing both came to report for duty.