Yanzhou. Fanxian County Government.

After a good night's sleep, when Tao Ying opened his eyes, it was already three o'clock in the morning.

"Dad, the combat power of the defenders in Fan County is far inferior to that of the Northern Army and Xiyuan Army in Luoyang. I just rushed up and they surrendered!"

After Tao Ying washed up, he ate his first meal without breakfast or lunch, while listening to the chattering and beaming Cao Ang describing his feelings about participating in the war yesterday.

"Hmph, you are quite a hero, but I was almost strangled to death by your mother-in-law!"

Last night, I dreamed of Tao Ying being overwhelmed by four mountains. He was obviously in a happy mood, and he felt lighthearted even when he complained about Cao Ang.

"Hey, next time..."

Cao Ang scratched his head and looked at Tao Ying, who had a warm face and giggled.

Cao Ang wanted to promise that he would not cause trouble to Tao Ying next time, but he felt that he could not do it because he liked to charge into battle, so he swallowed the words that came to his lips.

"Hmph, remember, although the brave will win when we meet on a narrow road, we can't show off the courage of an ordinary man. We must assess the situation!"

Tao Ying naturally understood Cao Ang's little thoughts, neither criticizing nor condoning them, but letting him learn to think.

"Dad, what kind of situation can be considered as assessing the situation?"

Seeing that Tao Ying didn't object to him going into battle, Cao Ang's cunning eyes sparkled and he hurriedly beat the snake and put it on the stick, humbly asking for advice.

"Of course, don't be a fool if you know you can't beat him; even if you have to take action, you must consider an escape route to save your life!"

Tao Ying did not hesitate to pass on his cowardly beliefs to Cao Ang, but he himself was a scumbag.

"Lord, there is a gentleman outside the door asking to see you."

When Tao Ying and Cao Ang were discussing "Escape", Hao Shuai walked in.

"Oh!"

Tao Ying, who frowned slightly, paused for a moment with the chopsticks in his hand, and then regained his composure.

"I'm afraid they are here to drive me away early!"

Tao Ying thought that the reason why a down-and-out man came to him in Fan County at this time was nothing more than to conquer Fan County City and kill the magistrate of Fan County, so he ignored it for the time being and asked about supplies while eating.

"The next stop is Dongping Country. I guess it will be difficult to get supplies. We won't be able to breathe easy until we reach Jibei!"

The Prime Minister of Dongping is Li Zan, who is related by marriage to the Yuan family, so Tao Ying will not have any hope for him.

The Prime Minister of Jibei is Chen Deng's father Chen Gui. In Tao Ying's heart, he is half one of his own. At least he will not be forced by pressure from all parties to make things difficult for him.

"Don't worry, my lord, there is enough food and grass in Fan County's granary. I have brought three days of food and grass, enough to support us to Taishan County."

The counties he passed along the way were making things difficult for him, and Hao Shuai was also cautious. He no longer dared to expect that he would be greeted with a smile at the next stop, so he simply tried his best to bring enough supplies.

"Well, remember to find Fan County Lieutenant Guo Chen and Mail Supervisor Du You and give them an IOU for borrowing grain and grass as proof of return in the future!"

Yesterday, Tao Ying extended an olive branch to Guo Chen and Du You. Firstly, it was for testing, and secondly, it was to stabilize the hearts of Fan County and allow the Xuanjia Army to get adequate rest.

It was almost noon, but the two men did not come to the door. Tao Ying knew that the two men did not think highly of him, and Tao Ying, who had achieved his goal, did not feel relieved to go.

"Dad, isn't food and grass spoils of war? Why do we need to write an IOU?"

Cao Ang interjected curiously.

"Remember, the money and food in the local treasury belongs to the local people. It is different from private forts. Enemy supplies cannot be taken privately. Even if they are borrowed for emergency relief, they must be borrowed and repaid!"

Tao Ying put down his bowl and chopsticks, looked at Cao Ang with a serious face, and Hao Shuai explained solemnly.

"Ang'er has remembered my father's teachings!"

"My lord's words will always be remembered!"

Seeing Cao Ang, Hao Shuai listened in. Tao Ying nodded with satisfaction and asked Cao Ang to invite people in.

……

"Dongwuyang Chen Palace pays homage to the Marquis of Jinan!"

As soon as Chen Gong, who was over thirty years old, entered the door, his deep eyes never left Tao Ying, as if he wanted to see through Tao Ying completely.

"Boom!"

When Chen Gong reported his name and deliberately referred to his "expired" title, Tao Ying, who was pale and heartless, suddenly realized and let out a light scoff.

"Chen Gongtai, I know you are not here for Fan County matters, nor are you here to see my Tao Ying joke, so just go straight ahead!"

After returning the favor, Tao Ying knew that Chen Gong was not on his plate, so he got straight to the point and left on his way.

"Uh..."

Tao Ying acted out of common sense and even showed an expression like "I've seen through you already", which made Chen Gong startled.

"Is Governor Tao so sure?"

Looking at Chen Gong, who had a stunned look on his face and was disrupted by himself, Tao Ying raised the corners of his mouth, and a flash of confidence flashed in his eyes.

"In this world, only I, Tao Ying, know you best, Chen Gongtai!"

Chen Gong regained his composure and regained his composure. Seeing that Tao Ying had no airs and spoke very freely, he also changed his rhythm.

"In that case, Governor Tao might as well guess why the palace is here?"

Chen Gongrang guessed the purpose of his visit. Cao Ang, Hao Shuai and Yan Liang who came in with Chen Gong also looked at Tao Ying curiously.

"You are here for Qingzhou, and you are also here for Yanzhou, right?"

Chen Gong has been around Yanzhou all his life. He is very persistent in choosing a lord for his territory and welcomes Yanzhou twice. As a "prophet brother", Tao Ying has no interaction with Chen Gong in this life, but Chen Gong ran away to meet him.

He knows what he is thinking at a glance.

"Hey!"

Chen Gong's face instantly became serious, and his eyes looking at Tao Ying also became solemn and awe-inspiring.

"The palace wants to ask Governor Tao to abandon Qingzhou and hand it over to Liu Jingsheng to govern!"

"Choke..."

As soon as Chen Gong finished speaking, Yan Liang, whose expression suddenly changed, suddenly pulled out the sword on his waist, and he was ready to kill Chen Gong with one sword.

"Wen Heng, please be patient!"

Tao Ying waved his hand to stop Yan Liang, who was full of muscles, fearing that he would kill Chen Gong, who "cared for Yanzhou", if he disagreed.

Compared with Yan Liang, Hao Shuai's anger did not show any emotion on Tao Ying's face, who knew Chen Gong's character and thoughts well.

"Gongtai, Qingzhou is not a question of whether I, Tao Ying, will give in, but a question of whether Liu Jingsheng can support him!"

Smart people like Chen Gong had already seen through Tao Ying's ambitions. In addition, Emperor Ling was already interested in dealing with Tao Ying, so Tao Ying stopped being secretive.

"Why did Bai Qi kill 400,000 Zhao soldiers to surrender?"

"Why did the Overlord of Chu want to kill Qin Dynasty's 200,000 surrendered soldiers?"

Tao Ying's two consecutive questions made Chen Gong frown instantly.

"Bai Qi killed the Zhao soldiers because the Qin State was also crippled and could not accommodate the 400,000 people!"

"The overlord can't digest 200,000 Qin soldiers either!"

Chen Gong's answer was the historical truth, and Tao Ying nodded with satisfaction.

"Chen Gongtai, do you know that there are still 300,000 Yellow Turbans and more than one million family members in Qingzhou. Do you think they are not making trouble because they were influenced by me?"

As one of the most intelligent people in this era, Chen Gong was speechless. He never believed that the Yellow Turban bandits could be converted.

These 1.3 million people are willing to listen to Tao Ying because Tao Ying has provided for them, has the means to manage them, and has a place to disperse and resettle them.

"Does Public Radio think Liu Jingsheng has enough money, land and tolerance?"

Seeing that Chen Gong was silent, Tao Ying, who was full of ridicule, asked again.

"No!"

Chen Gong did not remain silent this time, but told the truth.

"Chen Gongtai, if Liu Jingsheng changes the status quo of Qingzhou and annexes the land again, what do Gongtai think these 1.3 million habitual bandits who live on charity will do?"

Seeing that Chen Gong was silent again with complicated eyes, Yan Liang couldn't help but sneer.

"It goes without saying that Qingzhou no longer has a royal family with a big surname and powerful people to plunder. These yellow scarf bandits will definitely enter Yanzhou to plunder!"

Yan Liang was talking and gesticulating, as if he was trying to grab the big ones if he couldn't survive, which made Chen Gong's mouth twitch.

"Wen Heng is right, in less than two years, Yanzhou will become the Qingzhou of the past!"

Tao Ying agreed with Yan Liang's prediction without hesitation, and also tried to scare Chen Gong, who wanted to protect the interests of the Yanzhou gentry.

"Hey, even without me, Tao Ying, can you Chen Gong stop Cao Cao's wolf?"

Chen Gong persuaded Tao Ying to give up Qingzhou, the purpose was to prevent Yanzhou from being affected by the ambitious Tao Ying, and eventually becoming a powerful replica of Qingzhou without the noble surnames. Tao Ying knew it well.

Historically, Chen Gong rebelled against Cao Cao because Cao Cao was well-established in Yanzhou and had his own Qingzhou Yellow Turban troops. He began to get rid of the constraints of the nobles behind him, which angered Chen Gong and a group of Yanzhou nobles.

"Master Tao, will you stay in Qingzhou for a long time?"
To be continued...