readsfreenovel Chapter 139 Five Households in Chaos
Chapter 139 Five Households in Chaos
In the next few days, the five major families were each preparing for major moves, and smaller gentry in other places were also making preparations.
After listening to Tao Yunong's report, Fang Jian said solemnly: "Pay attention to their movements at any time and gather them to the garrisons in various places."
Fortunately, these people took advantage of the chaos when they were suppressing bandits, and the troops were distributed everywhere, so it would be easier to suppress them. If we want to transfer troops from Nanshan to various places, it will take several days to march.
"Commander, these families have contacted some bandits who have not yet been eliminated." Tao Yunong said again.
During this period, the troops achieved remarkable results in suppressing bandits, destroying 32 mountain strongholds and killing or capturing more than 8,000 bandits.
The remaining bandits were in danger facing the army's encirclement and suppression, and many mountain strongholds united to protect themselves.
There are currently three strongest bandit gangs: Zuoshan Diao, who is located at the junction of Zhengshan and Changye; Liu Yidao, who is located at the junction of Qingchang and Hongxing; and Nu Qinghu, who is located at Qingshan.
The number of these united bandits ranged from three to five thousand to one to two thousand.
Francis Xan did not care about these bandits, as they only numbered over 10,000 in total. What really worried him was the influence of these gentry.
The common people are naturally afraid of these gentry, and they have a strong appeal among the people. One person's call can attract hundreds of responses, and their appeal is stronger than that of the government.
Fang Jian was worried that these gentry would incite the people to riot on a large scale, so he said: "These bandits are not a big threat. They are not stronger than Ma Jincen's troops."
"What I am most worried about is the gentry causing trouble in the local area. Yunong, have the Intelligence Department pay attention in various places to prevent the gentry from calling on the people."
"We must prevent them from taking actions that call on the people on a large scale, and if they are discovered, they must be dealt with promptly."
"Yes, Commander." Tao Yunong responded and went to convey the order.
At the junction of Hongshan and Changye, at the headquarters of the 4th and 5th Divisions, Cai Tingwu and Zhao Linyu were looking at a map.
Zhao Linyu said: "The Chen family in Hongxing and the Tang family in Changye have both made unusual moves and have sent some people to various places to mobilize some people. The commander ordered that these people must not be allowed to incite the people to cause chaos."
"In Hongshan and Changye, except for their ancestral home, all the personnel sent to mobilize the people in other places have been arrested by the Intelligence Department."
The capture of these mobilized people was possible thanks to the cooperation between the garrison troops, the government and the local people.
Because of the previous tax refunds, many people had great trust in the government. When these people who spoke on behalf of the gentry to mobilize the people appeared, they were quickly reported and arrested.
"Although these people cannot cause much harm, once they gather together, they will not only disrupt production but also cause countless refugees." Cai Tingwu nodded.
“Even if we put down these rebellions, how to resettle them has become a problem. Now that we can avoid their large-scale calls, even if they want to move, they won’t be able to make much waves.”
The two were not worried about the fighting power of the people organized by the gentry. Not to mention that the people in the organization did not have many weapons, even if they did, most of them were cold weapons.
If they really had guns to arm the people on a large scale, the five major families could become small warlords.
Cai Tingwu pointed to the map and said, "I have arranged for the 401st Regiment to be stationed in Yinling County where the Tang family manor is located. The manor has also been secretly surrounded."
"The 402nd Regiment also has their eyes on Zuoshandiao. If they make any unusual movements, they will be wiped out immediately."
Zhao Linyu also said that his 501st Regiment also surrounded the Chen family manor, and the 502nd Regiment kept an eye on Liu Yidao.
The two could only ensure that the people in other places outside the two manors would not be mobilized by the two manors, but they had no way of controlling the areas near the two manors.
In the Tang family's ancestral home, Tang Houyong sat in the yard looking at the patio, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind.
At this time, the butler came to report: "Master, the family's one thousand guards have been gathered, and more than five hundred civilians have been called in."
"What's going on? Why are there only five hundred?" Tang Houyong frowned.
The housekeeper said awkwardly: "The people who were sent to other places have not returned yet. I think it will take some time for these people to gather together. Master, do you want to wait for a while?"
"No need to wait. We will send troops to Yinling County tomorrow and take over Yinling County first." Tang Houyong shook his head slightly.
The Tang Family Manor was 20 miles outside Yinling County. In Tang Houyong's opinion, it should be very easy to capture Yinling County. After capturing the county, relying on the Tang Family's reputation, they would surely gain a lot of support.
By then, they can capture Changye in one fell swoop, and cooperate with the four families of Chen, Wang, Dou, and Song, which will surely form a check and balance with Fang Ji'an.
Tang Houyong then asked, "What did Zuoshandiao say? If we take over Yinling County, they might follow us."
"Master, Zuoshandiao has agreed to send troops, but they are bandits after all, and they are being surrounded by the army..." said the butler with a worried look on his face.
Tang Houyong waved his hand and said, "Don't worry. These bandits were defeated by hundreds of regular troops and they united to protect themselves."
"There's nothing to be afraid of about this mob, except that there are so many of them."
Because the number of troops sent out each time to suppress the bandits was small, the major families thought that Fang Jian did not send many people to suppress the bandits, and did not take it seriously.
Seeing Tang Houyong say this, the butler said nothing more.
At the same time, the Chen family of Hongxing in Nanshan Province, the Dou family of Nanfeng, the Song family of Huai Chong, and the Wang family of Nanling were all making the same plan.
They are all ready to attack the nearest county town tomorrow.
Only Wang Cenyuan of the Nanling Wang family was the most worried. Although they were in Nanling, they did not have the strength to attack Nanling City. Even if they attacked the nearby county town, Fang Jian's troops would react quickly.
Unlike the other ones, it is far away from Nanling and still has some time to develop.
In the meeting hall, a member of the Wang family's side branch saw the dull atmosphere and couldn't help but say, "Master, why don't we send troops to Gu County and unite with the Dou family in Nanfeng and the Tang family in Changye."
"Yes, this is a good idea." Wang Cenyuan's eyes lit up and he thought it was a good suggestion.
"It seems that Lin Wei still has the ability to command troops. When I achieve certain results and the army is expanded, I will let you be the head of the regiment and lead the troops."
The side branch disciple, Wang Linwei, was overjoyed: "Thank you, clan leader."
On the second day, March 27th, the five major families launched a rebellion.
The Tang family attacked Yinling County in Changye, the Wang family attacked Gu County in Nanling, the Dou family attacked Jing County in Nanfeng, the Chen family attacked Yishan County in Hongxing, and the Song family attacked Huichuan County in Huai Chong.
The Tang family who attacked Yinling County encountered the 401st Regiment of the 501th Division, and the Chen family who attacked Hongxing Yishan County encountered the st Regiment of the th Division.
When attacking the Dou family in Jing County, Nanfeng, they encountered the 601st Regiment of the 602th Division. When attacking the Song family in Huichuan County, Huai Chong, they encountered the nd Regiment of the th Division.
The Tang family's sparse team of more than a thousand people arrived at Yinling County. Before the Tang family could react, they were surrounded by two battalions of the 401st Regiment.
Tang Houyong, the head of the Tang family, asked in panic, "What's going on? Why are there so many soldiers here?"
His first thought was that a traitor had leaked the plan. Tang Hou glanced unfriendly at the butler around him, as well as the people in power from the collateral and direct branches of the family.
"Master, the enemy is numerous and powerful. Let's retreat first and avoid their attack for the time being," the butler advised.
Tang Houyong glanced around the battlefield and saw that most of the villagers he had called upon knelt down and surrendered, and the Tang family guards were also retreating under the attack of the 401st Regiment.