The Great Qin Empire---Qin Li

"These families are powerful, with deep roots, many children, vast lands, and the benefits of local mountains and lakes. They are also called tyrants. There are county tyrants in the county and village tyrants in the township..."

Zhongming is from Henei County, which is adjacent to Wei State, so he knows more about the social situation in Wei State, and he introduced it to Heifu and others at this time.

Although there are similar families in Qin State and Nanjun, such as Gong Ao and Li Xian, they are all the offspring of county and township tyrants. However, because the government of Qin State is powerful and strictly suppresses heroes, the local forces are sluggish, and even the children of the clans can only pinch their noses and work with the people.

But in the six countries, these tyrant clans are a force that cannot be ignored in the local area. For example, two hundred years ago, when Ximen Bao ruled Ye, in addition to the witch, the local tyrant was a stubborn force.

"Most of the powerful clans living together in the same clan are descendants of the officials of the Spring and Autumn Period. There is also a Zhang family in Wen County, Henei, so I know that anyone with the surname Zhang has the Jin official Zhang Mengtan as his ancestor..."

Back then, Zhang Mengtan assisted Zhao Wuxiu in winning the battle of Jinyang and laid the foundation for the three families to divide Jin. He then retired bravely and his sons lived in Wei, Han and Qi respectively, so there are descendants of the Zhang family in these countries.

Among them, the best one is the Zhang family of Han. Several generations have served as high officials in Han, known as the "Five Generations of Prime Ministers of Han". However, this family gradually declined after the demise of Han, and disappeared after the rebellion in Xinzheng was suppressed last year.

The average one is the Zhang family in Huyou Township, Yangwu County, and there are not many officials in their ancestors.

"Then why do you say that Zhang family is different from ordinary village tyrants?"

Hearing this, Gong Ao began to rub his hands again. In his opinion, Zhang family is nothing great!

Zhong Ming waved his hands quickly: "Although the Zhang family didn't have any prominent figures in the past, this generation has produced an extraordinary son. Although I don't know his name, I heard that this gentleman Zhang went out to study when he was young and worshipped a world-famous Confucian as his teacher. A few years ago, he went to Xianyang to work as an official. I heard that he became a high-ranking official!"

"A son is an official in Xianyang!?"

Everyone looked at each other, and Hei Fu also understood a little. Why is the Zhang family so unscrupulous and doesn't take him, a newcomer, seriously? It turns out that he has someone above!

With the same title, the Beijing official is one level higher than the local official. This principle is also the same in the Qin State.

Zhong Ming continued, "The Zhang family of Yangwu was divided into two, occupying the two villages in the east and west of Huoyou Township respectively. The villagers called them East Zhang and West Zhang. Among them, East Zhang was more powerful, and its clan leader was named Zhang Bo. The Zhang family member who served as an official in Xianyang was Zhang Bo's nephew. West Zhang was slightly smaller, but not much different. Its clan leader was named Zhang Fu."

"Zhang Bo and Zhang Fu were not only the best in the township, but also quite famous in the whole Yangwu County. The surrender of Yangwu County was due to Zhang Bo's contribution. He went to the county to persuade the Yangwu magistrate of Wei to open the city and surrender, and was appointed as the township steward. Zhang Fu of West Zhang was also appointed as the township elder because he was an honest elder in the township..."

Li Xian pondered, "After Yangwu surrendered, the Qin official system was used. There were three officials in a township, namely, steward, patrol, and elder. Zhang family occupied two of them, so this Huoyou Township, wouldn't it become his Zhang family?"

Zhongming blinked and said, "You can say that."

Gong Ao said angrily, "Then why do we need to stay here?"

Zhongming smiled and said, "It's because the general is worried about letting the Wei people take charge. We are here to monitor. If the Zhang family really rebels, not counting the young men in the village, the two or three hundred servants can surround our camp, so we are patrolling..."

He bowed to Heifu and said, "You should go to this banquet. It's a good opportunity to get to know the elders in the village, and it will be convenient for future exchanges. There is still a long time to go, so there is no need to fight for the moment."

Gong Ao was furious when he heard this: "What are you talking about? How can a real man be willing to be humiliated!"

The two were arguing, but Heifu fell into thought.

He had already understood that the Zhang family was the largest local force in the village. Not only did they have children serving as officials in Xianyang, but they were also meritorious officials who helped the Qin army persuade Yangwu to surrender.

Since they were cooperative, the Qin army did not make it difficult. They kept Zhang's family and property intact, and even granted him an official position, hoping that Zhang would continue to help manage Huyou Township.

It was a very appropriate method to rule Wei land with Wei people. The style of the old Wang family seeking stability was the only way to control the surrendered areas during the war. If the local tyrants were to be wiped out at will, and the light knights were to be searched, and a Qin official who could not understand the local dialect was sent to count the household registration and assign labor service, it would instead cause resistance and be detrimental to the Qin army's war to destroy Wei.

The overall situation was saved, but this made Heifu, who was sent here, suffer. He felt a little restrained.

Although in peacetime, the thief was indeed half a level higher than the patrol, this was wartime.

Heifu thought of the eye-catching line of words on the appointment letter given to him by Wubaizhu.

"If the Wei people's miser and the three elders have different intentions and want to rebel against Qin, the patrol can kill them without reporting!"

At least there is a force behind him to support him.

Therefore, Heifu does not want to be too weak and become a puppet that can be summoned and dismissed by local forces!

"Zhongming, go out and tell the servant so."

He said lightly: "Although my position is not high, I am also a patrol appointed by General Wang himself, representing the majesty of the Qin government. It is inappropriate to talk to a lowly man! If Zhang Jun sincerely invites you, he will send his own son to send an invitation!"

...

"Did the young village chief really say so?"

In the east building of Huyou Township, in the Dongzhang mansion surrounded by dozens of children from side branches, the eight-foot-tall and fat miser Zhang Bo was slightly stunned after hearing the reply of the man.

"That's exactly what he said. I was chased away before I even entered the camp gate..." The Shu people were frightened by the fierce Qin soldiers wearing armor.

"It's outrageous!"

Zhang Bo was fifty years old, and his gray beard trembled when he got angry.

"My brother, calm down, calm down..."

Zhang Fu, the patriarch of Xi Zhang and also the third elder of the village, was much more gentle than Zhang Bo, with the image of a generous elder. He said: "In my opinion, it is too rude to send only a servant to deliver the letter. No wonder the Qin official did not come. Fortunately, he did not refuse it outright, but gave us a way out. My brother, you should do as he said and send your son to deliver the letter in person!"

"Then I will be acting on his orders."

Zhang Bo was unwilling and insisted: "In theory, the thief is half a level higher than the patrol. I did not summon him as an official, which is good enough!"

Zhang Fu advised: "Having said that, Qin and Wei are still at war at this time, which is not the same as usual. Those with soldiers are always better than those without soldiers. Qin officials from Qin are always more trustworthy than the Wei people we appointed on the spot. My brother can't guess with ordinary ideas..."

"So what? I persuaded the meritorious officials of Yangwu County to surrender! I am different from ordinary local tyrants!"

Zhang Bo raised his eyebrows, not wanting to give in at all: "Besides, Zihu (hù) is a senior official in Xianyang. What can a small guerrilla do to me?"

Zhang Fu said: "The invitations to the elders in the village have been sent out. If it becomes an empty banquet, it will not be good for my family."

Zhang Bo thought about it, but still waved his hand impatiently and said: "Send the youngest nephew in the clan to invite him. I have been polite enough. He can come or not!"

Seeing this, Zhang Fu was a little angry, stamped his feet and said: "Zhang Bo! You are so arrogant and arrogant. In order to fight for a moment, you have to tear your face with Qin Li. Just wait, it will go to the five hundred masters in the county, to General Wang Ben, and even to Xianyang. It will not do any good to Zhang and Zihu!"

...

"Youjiao, will Zhang send more people?"

Outside the township, in the Qin army garrison camp, Zhongming paced anxiously.

He felt that Youjiao was still a little arrogant. If Zhang got angry and stopped sending people to invite him, the relationship between the two sides would be completely strained. How should they interact in the next few months? If the superiors asked them to search for food in the township and send laborers to Daliang, it would be impossible to complete without Zhang's cooperation...

Heifu closed his eyes and kept silent.

He couldn't tell Zhongming everything. This was the first round of the game between Qin Li and the local forces in Huoyou Township. Heifu knew that if he bowed his head, he would not be able to surpass Zhang in the future, and he could only act under Zhang's nose.

In the end, who was the Qin official who was ordered to guard this place, or the local village tyrant, this point must be clearly distinguished!

Whoever bows his head first loses!

At this time, Li Xian came to report again.

"Patrol, Zhang sent someone again!"

Zhong Ming showed a happy expression, but Hei Fu just opened his eyes and asked, "Who is coming?"

"It's an old man with a white beard, a high crown and wide sleeves, and he came by car."

Hei Fu stood up and said, "When I am not in the camp, Li Xian will be in charge of the camp affairs. If I don't return before dark, or if there is any unusual movement in the city, close the door and guard it immediately, and let Ji Ying inform Jiyang and Waihuang by fast horse!"

After arranging the affairs in the camp, Hei Fu straightened the crown and belt on his head, put on the clean dark brown armor, held the sword, and walked out of the house.

The camp gate opened, and Zhang Fu saw that several solemn Qin soldiers ran out with spears, standing on both sides. Then, another black-faced Qin official wearing a knee-length robe, leather armor, short trousers, leg wraps, short boots, and a trapezoidal short board crown strode out...

Zhang Fu knew that the real boss had arrived, so he got off the car and bowed to the Qin official, saying, "I am Zhang Fu, the third elder of Huyou Township. I am in poor health, so I came to send a visiting card to invite Youjiao to the East Tower for a banquet, so that the elders of the village can come to pay a visit..."

Hei Fu took a few steps forward, helped Zhang Fu up, smiled, and said in Guanzhong dialect regardless of whether Zhang Fu could understand or not:

"I have just arrived, and I, a young man, should have visited first. How dare I let the elder come in person?"

Hei Fu knew that in the first round of the game with the powerful forces of Huyou Township, he had a slight advantage!

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