These are all strong and strong soldiers raised by Gu Yuanbai with enough food and food, with great strength and strong endurance. It is naturally a piece of cake in terms of fishing in the water and hunting in the mountains.
Xue Yuan didn't let them go deep into the forest, but a group of soldiers caught some pheasants and hares at the foot of the mountain, and served them with fish and shrimps fished out of the water. It was delicious. 1
Xue Yuan looked around, "The appetite is not small."
The officer beside him smiled and said, "They have all been fed by the saint. These soldiers in Guangjing City have to eat and drink this amount for a day!"
The officer held out both hands.
"It's good to eat now," Xue Yuan turned around and looked at the fire, the flames ignited and jumped up and down under his eyes, just like the fire jumping in the majestic snow at the border gate, he said lightly, "A few years ago At that time, when I was guarding the group of nomads at the border, the soldiers I brought were hungry and ate the dry grass in their clothes."
In the big winter, the border crossing was so cold that people could freeze to death, and the nomads had no food. There was thick snow all over the place, and there was not a single grass, and half a leg could freeze with one foot.
It would take less than a quarter of an hour to stand in the wind and cold, and anyone's face could be covered with a layer of ice and snow. The mother had to avoid peeing, and if you were not careful, the roots of the descendants would be frozen.
But they are soldiers of Daheng, and naturally, no matter how hard they are, they have to keep food for these poor people for the winter.
Xue Yuan remembered very clearly that at that time, the imperial court's food and winter clothes were late. After the food ran out, they couldn't rob their own people's food like the nomads. So thirsty to eat snow, hungry to eat snow, Xue Yuan would simply eat a belly of snow.
No matter how full the snow is, it will melt into the stomach. It was impossible to hunt in the winter, and the horses obtained from the nomads were reluctant to eat.
On such a cold day, the soldiers were hungry and took off their clothes and went to eat the dry grass in the clothes.
Withered grass doesn't work either. In the end, it is either frozen to death or starved to death. Xue Yuan was thinking at that time, what the hell is this shit Beijing doing
What about the emperor? What about the minister
Are they all fucking dead
Remember to ask them for horses and cattle and sheep, but what about grain
A leader, watching his soldiers starve and freeze like that, is really uncomfortable.
At that time, Xue Yuan hated the ruler in the capital.
People who eat meat with a mouthful of oil never know what it's like to be hungry.
The officer was very interested in Xue Yuan's affairs at the border, "Sir, should you have some military merit?"
Xue Yuan twitched the corners of his mouth, "I am a waste, and I have no military merit at all."
The officer glanced at him strangely, with disbelief clearly written in his eyes, but he did not ask any further questions. He handed the roasted rabbit meat to Xue Yuan, who ate it with a gulp. There was no difference between the soldiers on the same side. .
There was a lot of movement at the foot of the mountain. The little guy who was always watching the movement at the foot of the mountain informed Liu Yun as early as when he was being built up in Jingguan. Liu Yun walked to the edge and looked down the mountain. He saw this group of court officers and soldiers surrounded by fire. He was eating, drinking and laughing, his expression was extremely relaxed, a gesture of celebration!
What are they celebrating? They haven't caught me yet, what are they celebrating
Liu Yun's face sank, he couldn't help thinking, could it be that these people already have a way to deal with him
how can that be!
The more he thought about it, the more flustered he became, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was what he imagined, that this group of people eating and drinking at the foot of his mountain was showing off their might and celebrating the victory of the bandits in advance. They have a way to break the Xiguang Mountain, and they want to go up the mountain to kill him.
Liu Yun's gaze rested on the group of hill-like Jingguan, his whole body trembled, and a chill surged up. He couldn't help thinking, if the food was exhausted within a month, would his head be one of those hills
Xiguangshan can only last for a month at most.
"Keep an eye on them at any time," Liu Yun prepared to discuss the long-term plan with the people in the village. He repeated the instructions to the little minions several times, "If they have any changes, they must come and notify me, anything!"
The little guy who looked after the situation at the foot of the mountain was also very frightened, and stammered: "Yes, yes."
Soon, the people at the foot of the mountain had a full meal. They were summoned by the leading official. I don’t know what to say, these imperial soldiers and horses set off towards the foot of the mountain in a long line, watching the little scoundrel shouting. Aloud: "Zhaizhu! The big thing is bad!"
When Liu Yun heard this, he hurried over and his eyelids jumped when he saw the situation below. He sent someone to investigate what these officers and soldiers were doing, and as a result, he got the news that these court officers and soldiers were stacking firewood at the foot of the mountain.
Liu Yun was sluggish: "They are going to... If this is going to set fire to the mountain?"
On the Xiguang Mountain, there is not only Liu Yun as a steward, but several small leaders heard the words, and their expressions were all shocked. These court officers and soldiers are chopping firewood, and there are already several piles of firewood piled at the bottom of the mountain road.
This is to burn them alive!
After coming back to report to Liu Yun, Liu Yun's face was solemn, and he finally touched his face and said, "It's more exposed in the middle of the night, they can't burn it, and they don't have time to gather so much firewood. Let's pack our bags and take advantage of the enemy's sleeping. When I was the most familiar, I went down the mountain and escaped overnight!"
As soon as these words came out, many big and small leaders agreed. They knew clearly in their hearts that they knew that if they stayed on the mountain, they would die sooner or later.
And Xue Yuan happened to think so too.
At night, the soldiers who set up camp were quiet, and the bandits on the mountain waited until midnight to make sure that the group of officers and soldiers at the bottom of the mountain were all asleep, and then walked down the mountain lightly.
The concealment of darkness covered their figures, as well as the figures of the soldiers who were hiding in the dark. Xue Yuan hid here with his soldiers and horses, and the archers were ambushed by the side. After all the men and horses in the cottage stepped on the level ground, Xue Yuan made a gesture, and the arrows of the archers shot at a rapid rate, causing these people to turn their backs and their horses. Screaming again and again.
Someone screamed: "We've been tricked!"
The arrows rained endlessly. After the neat team was crushed by the archers, Xue Yuan made a decisive decision: "Come on!"
The infantrymen hiding in the forest appeared in time and stabbed one of the bandits who wanted to run back. The corpses fell from the mountain. The bandits wanted to resist, but they were surrounded by the enemy.
A cluster of torches suddenly lit up, and the loud drum sound was violent and oppressive, and the light of torches ignited at the foot of the entire Xiguang Mountain.
The flag fluttered majestically, and the expressions on the soldiers' faces were majestic and terrifying. Xue Yuan approached with five hundred cavalry, and the sound of horse hooves almost struck the hearts of the bandits.
The light on the torch swayed in the wind, Xue Yuan looked down at the bandits who were crying and howling in this place, and said, "Surrender, Rao Er will not die."
The sturdy horse wagged its tail and gave a majestic cry.
Xue Yuan didn't even change his clothes, and his armor was covered with dried blood. He killed a lot of people today, and his suffocating aura was suffocating, and his eyes were terrifying like a ghost under the reflection of the firelight.
"Jianba Zhaizhu!!!" Someone cried out, and then, "Jianba" sounded continuously.
That mountain-like human head mountain is the best deterrent to them. If they don't surrender, they will have to be beheaded and die.
"Zhaizhu," cried and shouted, "We don't want to die! We have to come down!"
Liu Yun slumped to the ground, shivering uncontrollably, his teeth chattering, "Master, let's descend."
*
It took three and a half days in total to exterminate the bandits on the three hilltops, of which three days were spent on the back and forth. Binggui is very fast, this speed, I don't know how many Jingguan's jaws will be shaken.
While the other soldiers were resting, Xue Yuan hurried back to the capital.
By the time he entered the capital, the sky had already darkened. At this time, it is not appropriate to enter the palace to disturb the little emperor, so he returned directly to Xue's house.
General Xue and Mrs. Xue were walking in the courtyard. When they heard that he had come back, they stepped forward and looked at them, their faces darkened, "What do you look like!"
The whole body is covered with blood and fishy smell, and there is something on the black armor that I don't know what it is. Is this villain killing the madman again
Xue Yuan took the towel handed over by the servant and wiped the dust off his face, "Prepare water, I want to take a bath."
He ignored General Xue and was about to go around them and leave when he suddenly stopped, looked back at Madam Xue and said, "Mother, where's the clothes?"
Madam Xue was surprised and asked, "What clothes?"
Xue Yuan raised his jaw, and the tip of his nose was full of blood on his body. He patiently said, "The clothes that the saint wore."
Mrs. Xue suddenly realized: "The clothes were worn by the sage, and naturally they were taken away by the palace attendants. Why are they still in our house?"
Xue Yuan was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled while holding his forehead, unable to hold back. He turned around and walked towards his room, and suddenly said, "No money for clothes."
The little servant who followed behind asked suspiciously, "What is the eldest son talking about?"
The corner of Xue Yuan's mouth was raised, "I have to find a way to get back something worth the money for clothes from that unscrupulous hand."
The servant was confused and didn't ask any more questions. After returning to the room, he and another servant took off his armor for Xue Yuan. This armor weighs more than 20 kilograms. Without a tall body, it cannot support the armor, and without strong endurance, it is impossible to wear such armor to fight.
And Xue Yuan, wearing such armor, killed no less than a hundred people in a row, washed Wang Tushan with blood, shot down Xiguang Mountain, and rushed back overnight. Until now, he is also full of energy, showing that the energy is strong. After the servants gave him the armor, Xue Yuan loosened his muscles and bones, and the muscles behind him bulged, still very powerful.
"Eldest son, the hot water is ready," someone said outside, "Are you taking a bath now?"
Xue Yuan nodded and strode out.
*
In the palace, Gu Yuanbai was also ready to rest.
He had just finished bathing, and the palace maid was wiping the last dew from his head, when he learned the news of Xue Yuan's return.
"Half a day," Gu Yuanbai didn't know whether to sigh or sigh, "Tian Fusheng, did you hear me? It took him only half a day to surround and suppress the bandits on three hilltops."
Tian Fusheng nodded and said, "Your Majesty, Xue's guard is very good."
Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes, nodded, then paused for a while and said, "Let Qin Sheng come to see me tomorrow."
*
The sage forgave Xue Yuan's hard work and praised him for his good work in suppressing bandits, so he rewarded him with many rewards, along with two days of rest and a conferred position.
The sage gave Xue Yuan the official position of Duke Yu in front of the palace.
The Marquis of Yu in front of the palace, a senior officer in the forbidden army, is one of the commander-in-chief officers, and his official position is the fifth grade. If Xue Yuan's previous military exploits were counted, he would now have to give a military attaché with the fourth rank or higher, and also give him a rank. However, General Xue suppressed Xue Yuan's military achievements, and Gu Yuanbai gave Xue Yuan a higher official position among the possible official positions.
The General's Mansion was beaming with joy, including General Xue, who had been pressing down on Xue Yuan, and couldn't help showing a bit of joy. Although he has been suppressing Xue Yuan, now his son has received a reward from the saint, which makes him proud.
But not everyone can smash three hills in half a day!
It is a pity that after the official position, Wu Ju cannot participate.
When the Xue Mansion was bustling, Chang Yuyan came to the door at this moment.
When he saw Xue Yuan, he looked at Xue Yuan up and down, and then said with a smile: "Go out for a walk?"
Xue Yuan walked out of the Xue Mansion with him, and Chang Yuyan couldn't bear it any longer. He found a restaurant with him, booked a private room, and when no one was there, he asked, "Xue Jiuyao, how do you go to suppress the bandits? already?"
Today is a holiday, Xue Yuan touched the wine glass with a casual expression: "Why, I can't suppress it yet?"
"I just didn't expect that you would have a day to do things for the Sage," Chang Yuyan said with a smile, "I heard that the Sage sent you to the Hanlin Academy last time to give Chu Wei and Kong Yilin the inkstone that the Sage awarded, you can't do anything about it. Come and talk to me?"
Xue Yuan was impatient, "It's all men, what can I say?"
Chang Yuyan was amused: "Then you stay in front of the saint all day long, don't you become a saw-mouth gourd?"
Xue Yuan sneered, can it be the same in front of the Holy Master as in front of you
Speaking of the saint, Chang Yuyan silently accepted a glass of wine, and then sighed: "Xue Jiuyao, you can still have great luck with your dog temper. To be honest, even my editor at the Hanlin Academy. I have never been to speak before the Holy Master, and you are really able to speak to the Holy Master every day."
Xue Yuan also smiled and narrowed his eyes, "Chang Yuyan, what do you mean by that?"
"What can I mean?" Chang Yuyan smiled bitterly, "I envy you for being a saint every day."
Xue Yuan took a sip of wine, and it was so refreshing. In his heart, Lao Tzu didn't just face the saint. I even touched the saint's thigh, but what's the use of it? I don't like men.
I envy the fart, he is so weak, Xue Yuan's temperament can't even be mad at him.
Riding a horse can wear out the skin, and even touching his hands can turn red. With such a saint, Xue Yuan didn't dare to toss him.
"Xue Yuan?" Chang Yuyan called out twice, "What are you thinking about?"
Xue Yuan shook the bottle, "How can some people be so tender?"
Chang Yu said, "Tender?"
Xue Yuan touched his chin, and an inexplicable smile formed on the corner of his mouth, "It's like a piece of tofu, it will shatter when you squeeze it."
He looked like a bandit. Chang Yuyan couldn't understand what he said. He shook his head and sighed: "Don't talk about this. Let's talk about your bandit suppression. I heard that you will be destroyed after three and a half days of back and forth. Three hills, what happened?"
In the palace, Qin Sheng was also talking with the sage about the bandit suppression.
Gu Yuanbai listened carefully, and while reviewing the memorial, he sketched the topography of the three bandit mountains in his mind. Qin Sheng's speech is well-organized. Although he has never read books, he has a natural feeling of a Confucian general. At this time, his words are clear. Even the sentence Xue Yuan said to him, "Do you want me to praise you?" did not forget to say came out.
Just like Xue Yuan felt, Gu Yuanbai found that Qin Sheng could easily become an excellent order executor.
He is very good and has a strong learning ability. Let him lead a certain number of soldiers and horses alone. After telling him what to do, he will complete the task perfectly. But Qin Sheng can't be a handsome man.
As a commander, the most important thing is to control the subordinate. Qin Sheng is too honest, or too loyal. Such a person cannot be the person who issues the order, but it is easy to gain the trust of the person who issued the order.
Gu Yuanbai likes such people very much.
He stopped the pen for reviewing the memorial and said, "Xue Yuan only took the head of Wang Tu Shanzhai?"
"Yes," Qin Sheng affirmed, "Master Xue bluntly said that he only needs this person's head."
Gu Yuanbai smiled slightly and taught: "This is the way to control the subordinates."
Qin Sheng looked solemn, and saluted, "I also ask the Holy Master for guidance."
"Your subordinates only pay attention to 'wide' and 'strict'," the sage said slowly, "this 'wide' refers to gold and silver treasures, fame and fortune, and your subordinates follow you to gain benefits. Generals, you can't take credit from the soldiers. As a general, the soldiers must be rewarded and praised for doing well. Majesty and benefits, one is for them to obey, and the other is for them to be used by you."2
The thoughts of the superiors are always the same. Qin Sheng has always been in a dominant position before, so when he stands at a high place to understand these words, he suddenly feels a sense of daze.
Gu Yuanbai looked at his expression, smiled, and asked him to step back and think slowly.
Some of the government affairs have been dealt with, and the memorials sent have already begun to appear in templates, tables, and charts. In terms of tables and charts, Gu Yuanbai is confident that no one can match him. He can see at a glance what is wrong. What is the point of falsification and full of loopholes, finding such absolute criticism, and even demotion and reassignment, after dealing with a few people at the beginning, the remaining officials have turned out to be a lot more honest.
Seeing that there were no outsiders in the hall, Tian Fusheng stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the head of Lu Feng's men, which was found in the family of Prince Qi's mansion, has already been sent to Jingnan and Jiangnan."
"Okay!" Gu Yuanbai laughed and said narrowly, "I really want to see their expressions."
Tian Fusheng followed and laughed twice, "The spies discovered by the Imperial Army in the residences of the clansmen have also boarded the prison car, but there are too many people. It is estimated that it will take a month before they can be sent to Jing and Hunan."
"It's not too slow," Gu Yuanbai touched his chest, feeling the slow beat of his heart under his palms, and sighed, "I hope they can compete."
If the dog bites the dog, the dog bites the dog, if the rebel should rebel, don't show any mercy to him.
Those tyrannical people who have robbed Gu Yuanbai can praise them as individuals.
Gu Yuanbai silently added fuel to his opponent.
Don't betray his trust!
*
Two days later, Xue Yuan, who was full of energy with a smile on the corner of his mouth, stood in front of Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai was discussing matters with the doctor of the censor. After the doctor of the censor left, Xue Yuan respectfully stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this minister has lived up to his mission and returned victorious."
During the few days that Xue Yuan was away, the head of the guard had recovered and appeared in front of the Sage.
That position was where Xue Yuan usually stood.
Xue Yuan glanced at it out of the corner of the eye, with a smile on his face, and the haze in his eyes had already risen.
What do you mean, he gave the little emperor a few days to suppress bandits, and his position was replaced by someone
Gu Yuanbai's lips curled up, and he looked at him with a smile: "Xue Qing has been in the limelight these days."
The little emperor smiled so vividly, his pale lips curled like a flower. The anger in Xue Yuan's heart was instantly eased, and he also grinned: "It's all thanks to the blessing of the saint."
Gu Yuanbai asked Xue Yuan to repeat what happened. Xue Yuan said it briefly, and he finished talking about the bandit suppression in three or two sentences. In his eyes, these things were really lackluster, and the opponent was too weak to say anything.
After talking about the bandit suppression, Xue Yuan laughed, "Sir, I have something to offer you."
Gu Yuanbai lifted his eyelids and motioned for him to bring it up.
Then I saw Xue Yuan walking up with a head.
Xue Yuan was unrestrained, the head was not placed on the tray, but was brought in directly by his hair. The dazed head swayed, Gu Yuanbai was expressionless, and Tian Fusheng, who was beside him, had already screamed.
Xue Yuan didn't pay attention to their expressions, just held up the heads and said with a smile: "Sir, this is the head of the master of the Wangtu cottage."
Gu Yuanbai nodded expressionlessly.
Xue Yuan's smile deepened, and he thought, it's not a loss to exchange a head for a dress worn by the emperor, right
This head is at least worth a lot of gold and silver.
But before he made a request, Gu Yuanbai said, "Get out."
Xue Yuan's smile froze.
Gu Yuanbai's expression remained the same, neither anger nor joy, he did not look at the head in Xue Yuan's hand, but looked directly into Xue Yuan's eyes, and said lightly: "Xue Qing, either you get out, or your head gets out. ."
Xue Yuan let out a "ha", then threw the head back to the guard and asked the guard to take it out.
When he turned his head, he met the glaring gaze of the chief guard. The gaze seemed to be condemning Xue Yuan for how bad this behavior was. Xue Yuan smirked and raised his lips, "The sage doesn't like the things presented by the minister?"
Why so pick.
I don't like a fleshy mouse, and I don't like a head worth a thousand dollars. So what do you like
Xue Yuan thought about what jade pieces and solitary copies the Fuzhong gatekeeper asked him to give him, and thought what was so good about those things
But with a glance from the corner of his eye, he saw that the saint raised his hand and touched the suet jade on the table. The white jade-like hand touched the delicate and soft white jade, and it was not clear which one was more beautiful for a while.
Even under the background of the suet jade, the nails on the saint showed a touch of pink.
Xue Yuan watched for a while and looked away, but after a while, he unconsciously looked at the hand of the saint.
… it’s still pretty.
If the jade is slender, and the five fingers hold the slender jade, it will look even better.