The official road that should have been flat and wide was dilapidated, full of potholes, and overgrown with weeds on both sides. White human bones can be seen from time to time in the grass. Occasionally, a few crows startled, and the sound of strange barking made people feel heartbroken. Skinny wild dogs Stretched out from behind the boulders, eyes gleaming with green light, thick mucus flowed from the dirt-stained mouth, fangs were white, and then was startled away by a horseshoe approaching suddenly, barking, tail tucked Disappearing behind the ruins where the appearance of Bensheng could hardly be seen, the whining sound was like crying, the acid that penetrated into the bone marrow.
Zhang Xutuo reined in his horse, his almost white beard and hair obviously added a lot of wrinkles, making him look more haggard and older, his sunken eye sockets and bloodshot eyes showed fatigue, and he looked at the procession marching on the official road When he was a soldier of Qi County, some inexplicable things flashed in Zhang Xutuo's eyes again, there was pity, kindness, distress, and more guilt and confusion.
The soldiers of Qi County who were marching were also exhausted like Zhang Xutuo. Many soldiers were so thin that their cheekbones protruded, many soldiers were unshaven and unkempt, and many soldiers still had new or old scars on their faces. , The swords and guns are as bright as before, but the armor and banners are a little old, and most of the few horses are obviously thin, as tired and tired as their masters. When marching in line, there were almost no extra noises in the line, only the sound of heavy footsteps and the clatter of horseshoes, revealing a disturbing smell.
"Soldiers, I'm sorry, I know you are tired and want to rest, but I can't do anything about it." Zhang Xutuo murmured, and said in a low voice: "The Wagang bandits broke through the Jindi Pass, and the eleven counties of Xingyang have already Six counties have fallen, and the whole county is in a state of emergency, Your Majesty appointed me as General Guard of Xingyang, to retake the fallen land within a time limit, I have no choice but to continue to work hard on you.”
Luo Shixin and Qin Qiong led the army to follow. Seeing Zhang Xutuo standing on the side of the road in a daze, they rushed up to ask Zhang Xutuo if he had any orders? Zhang Xutuo shook his head, and asked back: "Shi Xin, how is your injury?"
"Don't worry, Commander, you'll be fine for a long time." Luo Shixin patted his injured left abdomen before, and said with a smile, "A little skin injury, Commander, you don't have to worry about the last general."
Zhang Xutuo nodded and stopped talking, but Qin Qiong asked again: "Commander, just now Deputy Marshal Jia advised you to use the tactic of encircling Wei and saving Zhao to deal with the Wagang bandits, pretending to besiege Wagangzhai to lure the bandits back to the division for a decisive battle, why did you insist on not?" Accept it?"
"Because Your Majesty wants us to take back the fallen city and ensure the safety of Xingyang Junzhi and Hulao Pass, so I can't take any risks." Zhang Xutuo replied: "The Wagang bandit stronghold is extremely strong, and we can't grasp it if we attack and take down the bandit stronghold. Not much, if the Wagang bandits see through our intentions, insist on refusing to return to the army to save the lair, and take the opportunity to storm Guancheng and Hulao Pass, as long as one of the two falls unfortunately, then we will have no way to explain to His Majesty. "
Qin Qiong was silent, and said after a long while: "It's nothing to go to Xingyang to destroy the bandits. I'm afraid that the Wagang bandits will still refuse to fight us head-on, and take us around in circles. The brothers will be too tired."
Zhang Xutuo didn't speak anymore, he could only clamp the horse with his legs, and said: "Let's go, let's talk when we arrive in Xingyang, I hope His Majesty will bless you, this time we can find the main force of Wagang for a decisive battle, and solve the problem of the twelve The biggest bandit in the county, the twelve counties will definitely win a period of peace."
The Qijun Sui army, with a number of about 13,000 people, sent troops from Pingyin. It took more than six days, and finally entered the territory of Xingyang on the eighth day of October in the twelfth year of the Sui Dynasty, and came to the vicinity of the famous Yanjin Ferry. Suanzao County has long been occupied by the Wagang Army. Although the soldiers brought by Zhang Xutuo from Qi County are elite soldiers who have experienced many battles, they are all exhausted at this moment. Jujube City. As a last resort, Zhang Xutuo had no choice but to let the soldiers cut down trees to make a stronghold, and while resting and recovering their strength, Zhang Xutuo sent scouts to investigate the situation of Suanzao.
In the evening, the scouts brought the Suanzao detection report, and the Wagang Army did not have the guts to fight the mighty Zhang Xutuo, so they chose to close the city and all the residents outside the city moved into the city, so the Qi County scouts could not detect it. The situation in the city and the specific number of troops of the Wagang Army only revealed that the person stationed in Suanzao City was Zhai Hong, the brother of Zhai Rang, but it is still unknown where the main force of Wagang Army led by Zhai Rang went. Hearing this report, his deputy, Jia Wuben, immediately proposed to Zhang Xutuo again, saying: "Commander, it is a rare opportunity to besiege the city and fight for aid! Tomorrow we will first surround Suanzao City and force Zhai Rang to return to the army to rescue him, and wait for work to fight him decisively." .”
"The idea is good, but what about the food and grass?" Zhang Xutuo asked wearily, and then said: "There are only three days of food and grass with the army, and there is no food and grass supply area around. If the main force of the Wagang bandits does not return to the army for a decisive battle within three days, What shall we do then?"
Jia Wuben closed his mouth obediently, but regretted that Emperor Sui Yang's will forced him to do so. Otherwise, the Sui Army in Qi County would have enough food and grass to force the main force of the Wagang Army to return to the nest . Zhang Xutuo then said: "Continue to march westward tomorrow, take the original Wu Nandu Tongji Canal, first go to Guancheng to meet His Royal Highness King Xun, ensure the safety of Guancheng and replenish food and grass, and then look for the main force of the Wagang bandits for a decisive battle. Suanzao City Ignore it for the time being, but you must watch carefully tonight to guard against night attacks by Wagang thieves."
The exhausted Qi County generals sang promises and obeyed Zhang Xutuo's orders unconditionally. However, no one thought that Zhang Xutuo had already decided not to recover the insignificant Suanzao City for the time being. Di Rang's precious brother Zhai Hongben could An Xin lies in the city and fucks a woman. But because Zhang Xutuo seemed to be planning to attack the city in the north, Zhai Hong, who was terrified of Zhang Xutuo, abandoned the city overnight and fled to Xuncheng in the east with the stolen money, food and beautiful women. Without blushing, he sent someone to tell his younger brother Zhai Rang that he was going to protect the Wagang Army's retreat route, lest the Wagang Army's retreat route be cut off.
Di Hongbai, who escaped overnight, gave credit to the soldiers of Qi County. Qin Qiong led the cavalry to chase after the night, killed Di Hong's rear team, and took back some money, grain, cattle and sheep. Suanzao City returned to Zhang Xutuo without a single soldier. Zhang Xutuo was also somewhat happy after hearing the news, and immediately appointed a temporary county magistrate in the reputation of Xingyang Tongshou. Jin, crossed the Tongji Canal on the second day, and arrived in Guancheng smoothly on the afternoon of the third day, scaring off the partial division of the Wagang Army who was wandering around, and also saw the trembling soldiers who had been hiding in the city every day during this period of time. Xun Wang Yang Qing.
The result of the conversation with Yang Qing made Zhang Xutuo very helpless. As the prefect of Xingyang and a relative of the emperor, Yang Qing did not even find out where the main force of the Wagang Army was. He kept saying that there were tiles everywhere in Xingyang Gang thieves are full of refugees who killed officials and rebelled. There are thieves everywhere, and there are thieves and people everywhere. It simply doesn't exist. Zhang Xutuo and Jia Wuben had no choice but to start from the beginning by themselves, arrange scouts to scout around carefully, and at the same time send elites to catch their tongues to ask confessions and interrogate the main force of the Wagang Army.
After arranging the reconnaissance work, Zhang Xutuo took the time to ask about the Sishui Hulao Pass. After learning that the Sishui County where Hulao Pass is located is safe and sound, Zhang Xutuo was relieved and said with a smile: " As long as Si Shui is fine, if the Wagang bandits break through Hulao Pass and enter Henan County, I will have no face to meet that little brat Chen Yingliang."
"Marshal, do you still need to feel sorry for him?" Jia Wuben next to him was not happy when he heard it, and said, "Queen Yanmenqin, he is hiding in Dongdu to eat and drink spicy food, leaving us in Ten Thousand in Henan. The Second Commandery endured hardships and did not bring troops to help us this time, it is he who is sorry for us, not us for him."
"Don't be so small-minded." Zhang Xutuo smiled and said, "It's His Majesty's intention to keep him in Luoyang. He can't decide on his own. Now he is staying in the Eastern Capital and shoulders heavy responsibilities. His every move is related to the safety of the capital, and there is no such thing as His Majesty." Will, how dare he act rashly?"
"Then he can at least send an army to help us." Jia Wuben was a little unconvinced, and then Jia Wuben suggested: "Marshal, why don't we ask him for help, and ask him to send a support team?" Army to help us, he was in the old elite of Qiao Peng, and now most of them are in Dongdu. Although those guys are not interesting in playing with money, they are reliable in fighting. Let him send thousands of elites to help us Takes a lot of pressure off."
Zhang Xutuo was a little tempted for a while, and couldn't help remembering that when he met Chen Yingliang for the last time, Chen Yingliang had said on his own initiative that if he needed help, he could ask him for help at any time, and he would try his best to help to the end. But after thinking about it more carefully, Zhang Xutuo still shook his head and said: "Forget it, the Wagang bandit is our general who is often defeated. We can deal with it, so there is no need to ask him for help." Jia Wuben persuaded again A few words, but Zhang Xutuo still didn't listen, and Jia Wuben had to give up.
In the next few days, besides taking the time to rest and recover their physical strength, the Sui Army of Qi County's most important job is to re-open the contact with the cities of Xingyang, and at the same time scout the main force of the Wagang Army, Jia Wuben, Qin Qiong, and He Yanyu He Mulan and other generals led the attack properly, won four battles and defeated the partial division of the Wagang Army four times. Knowing where their main force is, Zhang Xutuo and Jia Wuben can basically confirm that the main force of the Wagang Army is in the Xingze area near Jindi Pass.
It is also a coincidence that Jia Wuben led Mulan to Xingyang County to drive Mulan to Xingyang County in the fourth battle launched after the Sui Army of Qi County arrived in Guancheng, and this Wagang partial division happened to be led by Shan Xiongxin. Xiongxin also met on the battlefield with his former humiliating enemy, but Shan Xiongxin was eager to lead the army to retreat and failed to fight Mulan again, so Shan Xiongxin could only grit his teeth after getting rid of the pursuit of the Sui army. "Stinky boy, I didn't expect you to come too, just wait and see, let's see how I avenge Yingying this time!"
When Jia Wuben led his troops back to the Guancheng camp, it was already noon on October 16. After meeting Zhang Xutuo, Jia Wuben first reported the battle and Shan Xiongxin's retreat direction truthfully, and then told Zhang Xutuo Xu Tuo said: "Marshal, you can be sure that the main force of the Wagang bandits is in Xingze. It is the only Xingyang county that has not recovered contact with us, and it is also the only area that our secret work cannot sneak into. Zhai Rang's traitor must be hiding there. , it might even be in Xingze City."
Zhang Xutuo nodded, and said: "This old man also made the same judgment. Fighting opportunities are rare. Pass on the order. Get ready for battle today, and march to Xingze tomorrow to find the main force of the Wagang bandits for a decisive battle."
Jia Wuben agreed, and immediately led the generals of Qi County to arrange troops. However, at this moment, a messenger suddenly came from outside the tent to report that there was a person who claimed to be Chen Yingliang's shogunate secretary who stayed behind in the Eastern Capital. Liangzhi ordered to visit Zhang Xutuo. Zhang Xutuo, who missed Chen Sangliang to some extent, was overjoyed when he heard that, and quickly ordered to summon him. When the messenger led Chen Yingliang's envoy into the tent, Zhang Xutuo immediately saw him. Fun, it turned out that the so-called emissary of the book office sent by Chen Yingliang turned out to be a boy who was only sixteen or seventeen years old. Zhang Xutuo couldn't help laughing loudly and said: "It's true that people are divided into groups and things are flocked together. It doesn't matter that Chen Xiaozi is young, but the book office used under the tent is even younger than him. Little guy, are you seventeen years old this year?"
"Commander, the villain is seventeen years old." The envoy replied respectfully, and then bowed to Zhang Xutuo and said, "The villain Wang Xuance, was ordered by Chen Liushou to come to see the commander, the commander Jin'an."
Zhang Xutuo waved his hand with a smile, asked Wang Xuance to sit down first, and then asked, "Why did Boy Chen send you here? Where are Yuan Tiangang, Wei Zheng and Qian Xiangmin?"
"Commander, Mr. Xuan Cheng and the others are both busy with official business, so they really can't come." Wang Xuance replied truthfully: "Master Qian, he heard that there was a serious riot in Xingyang, and the rioters were rampant. They cried and shouted and dared not come, my little one. I have heard of the Marshal's name for a long time, and I admire him so much, so I volunteered to serve as the messenger. This is a letter from Chen Liushou to you, Marshal, please read it."
"It's not bad to have such courage at such a young age." Zhang Xutuo praised Wang Xuance, and while receiving the letter from the soldiers, he asked casually, "Did you meet any thieves on the road?"
"I've met three times, and the two times were far away. The villain avoided it early, and once was almost caught by the thieves. Fortunately, the villain escaped in time." Wang Xuance replied.
Seeing that Wang Xuance looked as usual without any timidity, Zhang Xutuo secretly praised Chen Sangliang's book office again, and then opened the letter to read, and the awkward words Chen Sangliang was familiar with immediately jumped into Zhang Xutuo's eyes. Zhang Xutuo couldn't help feeling a kind of kindness, but after carefully reading the content of Chen Yingliang's letter, Zhang Xutuo laughed again, and scolded with a smile: "Stinky boy, it really hasn't changed, and I came here to teach the old man again. How did you fight?"
It turned out that apart from a lot of nasty nonsense about missing Zhang Xutuo in Chen Yingliang's letter, the main content was to urge Zhang Xutuo to use his troops carefully, and be careful of the Wagang Army's tricks, especially the Wagang Army's use of the Qi County Army. From the pride of being undefeated, he deceived the enemy by deceitful defeat and lured the army of Qi County into a dangerous trap. He also suggested that Zhang Xutuo adopt a strategy of step by step and fight steadily. He would rather miss the opportunity than take risks, and force the Wagang army out of Xingyang step by step , and then try to defeat the enemy.
Having received advice from Chen Yingliang beforehand, and hearing Zhang Xutuo's tone of disdain, Wang Xuance hurriedly said, "Commander, Chen Liushou also asked the younger generation to remind you that Li Mi, the remnant of Yang Xuangan, is currently among the Wagang bandit army, and has been captured by Zhai. Let it be reused. This Li Mi is the only person who has deceived Chen Liushou on the battlefield. He is cunning and cunning, and almost no one in the world can match him. Commander, please be careful when confronting him. If necessary, Commander, you will also You can send envoys to ask Chen Liushou for help at any time, and Chen Liushou will definitely do his best."
"Go back and tell him, thank you for his kindness. Of course, the old man will be careful, and the reinforcements are not needed for the time being." Zhang Xutuo smiled indifferently, and said: "You have worked hard from afar, so don't rush to leave, stay here first In the evening, the old man will give you the reply to Chen Liushou."
"Thank you, Commander. The villain just wants to see the majestic demeanor of the Commander." Wang Xuance, who was very ambitious, was overjoyed when he heard that, and quickly cupped his hands to thank him. , This is what Chen Liushou asked the villain to bring to you to participate in velvet antlers for your body. Please be sure to accept it. Chen Liushou also said that he knows that you are a clean and honest official and never accept bribes, but these He bought the things with his own salary, and they are very clean, without a trace of common people's fat and oil."
Zhang Xutuo was silent for a moment, then smiled and said: "Since Boy Chen has reached this point in his words, the old man made an exception and accepted it, thank you."
Wang Xuance was overjoyed, and hurriedly presented the gift in front of Zhang Xutuo solemnly with his own hands. Zhang Xutuo accepted it with a smile, and then Wang Xuance said: "Marshal, Chen Liushou also asked the villain to bring a gift to General Hua Mulan. Can Shuai ask someone to introduce General Hua to the villain and present him with a gift in person."
"What's the relationship between Boy Chen and Mulan?" Zhang Xutuo was very curious, but he didn't want to ask more questions, so he randomly arranged a soldier to lead Wang Xuance to see Mulan, and then went to work to send troops to Xingze the next day. thing.
It's hard to describe Mulan's mood when she saw Chen Yingliang's gift. Although the iron cock Chen Yingliang gave Mulan a small box of rock candy, which is rare in this era, but chewing the sweet rock candy, Mulan still felt very complicated in her heart, and asked Wang Xuance in a low voice. Said: "I heard that you Chen Liushou are married, is it true?"
Wang Xuance nodded to confirm, but he was very puzzled in his heart, and said to himself: "Why is this sissy asking this? Also, with so many generals under the command of Commander Zhang Xutuo, why did Chen Liushou only bring gifts to this sissy? Could it be that Chen Liushou And any special hobbies in that area?"
The rock candy suddenly became bitter, Mulan chewed it a few more times, and then said: "Go back and tell him, thank you for the grandparents and grandchildren's candy he sent. I was unable to attend his wedding due to military affairs, so please don't worry about it. Farewell, I will definitely make up the congratulatory gift."
Wang Xuance respectfully agreed, and then he took his leave and left, leaving Mulan in a daze, with images shaking in his mind, and the shadow of the same person was flashing back and forth.
…
Mulan was missing someone in the Sui army camp in Qi County, but she never even dreamed that at this moment, in Xingze City controlled by the Wagang Army, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl was missing someone. She, this girl is called Shan Yingying, because her brother Shan Xiongxin told her that Mulan also appeared on the Xingyang battlefield, which reminded Shan Yingying of many sweet and embarrassing past events, as well as the beautiful and gentle Mulan. '.
In a daze, Shan Yingying, who was helping Shan Xiongxin comb his hair, almost pulled out a strand of Shan Xiongxin's hair. Shan Xiongxin screamed in pain, and quickly asked if his sister was being naughty again. Shan Yingying hurriedly apologized, and then asked: " Brother, are you sure you read correctly? That Hua Mulan also came to Xingze?"
"It's so wordy, how many times have you asked?" Shan Xiongxin said impatiently: "That bastard and I have fought alone so many times, and I know him even when he turned into ashes. How could he be wrong? Don't worry, I will never get it wrong this time." I will let him go, and I will definitely avenge you! Hurry up, I have to go see the king and Pu Shangong."
Shan Yingying agreed, quickly moved quickly, and said hesitantly: "Brother, if you meet him on the battlefield again, if you have a chance, can you catch him back, don't... don't kill him."
"Don't kill him? Why?"
Shan Xiongxin was taken aback, and when he looked back at his sister, he saw that her cute little face had already turned red to the base of her neck. Shan Xiongxin suddenly realized, and said with a smile: "Understood, well, if there is a chance on the battlefield , I will try to bring him back to you. That kid looks pretty good, and his martial arts skills are barely there. If he is willing to surrender to our Wagang Volunteer, I can consider it, I can consider it."
Hearing her brother's smirk, Shan Yingying threw down the comb, covered her hot face and ran away, saying: "What about my brother, what nonsense? I just, just want to repay him for not hurting me last time."
One last thing to add, originally Wang Xuance was supposed to return to Dongdu with Zhang Xutuo's reply letter to Chen Yingliang early the next morning, but because of a sudden accident, Zhang Xutuo forgot to reply to Chen Yingliang, and because of this The accident left Zhang Xutuo in a trance, and for the first time he had an ominous premonition...