In the end, Bai Duan's mother still couldn't resist the erosion of the disease.
After her life settled down, her son learned a good craft, and was no longer forced by poverty, Mother Bai seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief, and her bones suddenly collapsed. She was lingering and sick for several months, but she did not survive the bitterly cold winter after all.
The winter of this year was extremely long and cold, with endless snowfall, which blocked traffic and even crushed houses, making it even more difficult for poor people who were already suffering from hunger and cold to make ends meet.
But at this moment, the imperial court did not take any disaster relief measures, officials from all over the country did nothing, and even did not reduce or exempt various exorbitant taxes.
As the so-called "officials force the people to rebel", the people who have been living under oppression all the year round finally couldn't bear it, and they rose up one after another, attacked the rich and unkind wealthy households and even the barn of the county government, looting all the food, grass and charcoal in it, and even the guards. They also fished in troubled waters.
There were mobs all over the place, but the government was helpless due to the heavy snow in many remote areas. At this juncture, there was news that made matters worse-a group of slaves also took this opportunity to launch a rebellion, but this rebellious army went against the Ordinary mobs are quite different. They have a leader named Zhou Mo.
Although Zhou Mo was famous, the court didn't take him too seriously. Today's Zhou Mo is just an ordinary lowly citizen with no food and no soldiers. Even if he has three heads and six arms and is familiar with the art of war, but at this time the dragon is trapped in the shallows, even if he revolts, he will not be able to achieve anything.
The imperial court's contempt gave Zhou Mo a precious opportunity to strengthen himself. He quickly captured a large number of towns and villages and took the opportunity to gain a firm foothold.
These people had to resist because of their livelihood. Although the supplies they robbed were enough to support them through this cold winter, but after the next spring and the ice and snow melted, what awaited them was the imperial court's relentless encirclement and suppression.
At such a time of bleak prospects, the appearance of Zhou Mo undoubtedly gave them a hope of survival-now, the only one who has the ability to lead them against the imperial army is the one who once turned the tide and drove the Beihu people out of the country General Pingbei.
In order to survive, this group of ordinary people tried their best and quickly became a real army under Zhou Mo's training—after all, Zhou Mo used to rely on ordinary people who had just been arrested for military service. , Brutely drove away the sturdy Beihu cavalry, he is very good at training this kind of thing.
Opening the barn as military pay, occupying the county government office to snatch weapons, wherever Zhou Mo's army went, the officers and soldiers guarding the city surrendered without much resistance. On the one hand, the people's hearts are against each other. The people are fed up with the corruption and corruption of the imperial court and are unwilling to sacrifice themselves for them; on the other hand, they are indeed afraid of Zhou Mo's reputation and dare not fight against him.
By the beginning of spring, Zhou Mo had accumulated a huge force in his hands, but at this moment, the court heard the news belatedly, and was immediately shocked, and quickly dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion, but it happened again The situation of the Beihu people going south.
The army of the imperial court was defeated in front of Zhou Mo, who had been prepared for a long time. As the saying goes, "know yourself and the enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles." Zhou Mo knew the situation of the imperial army, but the imperial court knew nothing about Zhou Mo's strength. —And this time, they did not find another "Zhou Mo" who used soldiers like a god to resolve the crisis for them.
Zhou Mo led the army all the way, singing like a broken bamboo, and quickly entered the affluent Central Plains from the bitter cold. Unlike the people of Beihu, his army has strict military discipline, and he does not offend the people wherever he goes. Instead, he opens warehouses to provide food and relief to the people, which quickly wins the hearts of the people, and even makes people everywhere rejoice at their arrival.
And the county town where Bai Duan lived also only made superficial resistance, and then opened the gates to welcome Zhou Mo's army.
Among the welcome crowd, Bai Duan once again saw Zhou Mo, but this time, he was wearing armor, riding on a bay red horse, looking heroic.
Years of bitter and cold life in the frontier made him look a lot thinner, but he looked stronger and stronger. No one dared to underestimate the power in his body; he had a few scars on his face, which had been tempered by wind and frost. He is more resolute and serious, his eyes are cold and decisive, and his every move reveals the sassy and stern might of a soldier.
—It seems... a bit better than it was a few years ago.
Bai Duan silently watched the hero who once rescued the people from the iron cavalry of the Beihu people and now went into battle again to fight against the corrupt imperial court. Zhou Mo, who turned his head, made eye contact.
But this time, Bai Duan didn't look away like last time, but met the other party's gaze directly, showing a smile full of joy and longing.
Zhou Mo was taken aback for a moment, then the corners of his mouth rose slightly, instantly softening his hard face, and returning him a faint smile.
Soon, the eyes of the two were blocked by the cheering crowd. Zhou Mo rode past surrounded by soldiers, while Bai Duan also looked away, but couldn't hide his good mood, and walked away happily. Go back to your shop.
This is the first time since the death of Bai Duan, Bai Duan's mood has cleared up. It seems that his life, like this dynasty, has new hope. He even quietly thought about whether to join the army under Zhou Mo's command, but thinking of his indomitable physique and skill that he had never fought since he was a child, he finally gave up this fantasy with great self-knowledge .
What's more, he really didn't like blood and killing. Even if he joined the army, he probably wouldn't be able to adapt to the cruelty on the battlefield.
Bai Duan was going to continue to be a peaceful commoner, but unexpectedly, the next day, his store door was knocked by several soldiers in leather armor.
Bai Duan has always been a law-abiding commoner. Seeing these military masters who were obviously blood-stained, he felt his heart beat. He hurriedly asked them what they wanted to do, but was taken to the county government office by a few soldiers without saying a word. —At present, Zhou Mo has requisitioned this place as his daily military affairs place.
Hearing that it was General Zhou who was going to see him, Bai Duan was excited and anxious all the way, but unfortunately the soldiers were very strict with their mouths, no matter how Bai Duan asked, they would not reveal anything, so they could only tactfully appease him. good thing".
Finally, Bai Duan trotted to the county government office, and the magistrate had been waiting at the door for a long time. His eyes lit up when he saw Bai Duan, and he quickly dragged him into the lobby.
Above the hall, Zhou Mo was sitting at the top, discussing with several lieutenants the direction of the next advance. Seeing Zhixian and Bai Duan coming in, he made a pause gesture: "Master Liu, is this the carpenter with excellent craftsmanship you mentioned?"
"Exactly!" Liu Zhixian nodded again and again, "Although he is young, he looks as white as a scholar, but his craftsmanship is absolutely extraordinary, even if he is placed in the capital, he will definitely not be inferior!"
"That's great." Zhou Mo nodded slightly, "This little brother's name is...?"
"Dog!" Liu Zhixian replied earnestly, "White dog!"
Zhou Mo was stunned for a moment: "Bai... dog?" Then, he suddenly turned his head to one side, and burst out laughing, causing several lieutenants to widen their eyes in astonishment.
"Dog... is Caomin's nickname." Bai Duan was embarrassed by Zhou Mo's laughter, "Caomin also has another name, Bai Duan..."
Only then did Liu Zhixian realize that it was indecent to call a humble name in front of General Zhou, so he blushed, opened his mouth dryly, and sneered: "Oh, yes, yes, it's Bai Duan. We country people, I'm used to being called by nicknames, so please don't blame me, General..."
"It's okay." Zhou Mo finally stopped laughing, and forced the corners of his mouth to be lowered, but his eyes were still full of smiles, "It's not in the country now, it's really not appropriate to call you by nicknames, or 'white satin' It fits well. But..." He raised his hand and covered his lips, "The name of the dog is quite interesting, very cute."
Bai Duan was extremely embarrassed, she buried her head deeply and refused to lift it up, she wished she could find a crack in the ground and burrow down, and never come out to see anyone again.
Seeing that Bai Duan's face was so red that it was about to smoke, Zhou Mo coughed lightly, stopped teasing him, and raised his hand to signal Liu Zhixian to leave.
Soon, the door of the hall was closed, making the atmosphere in the hall a bit mysterious, and Bai Duan quickly came to his senses, and the embarrassment in his mind turned into anxiety.
"Brother Bai, don't be nervous. I invite you this time because I hope to get your help." Zhou Mo slowed down his tone, "I heard that you are the most famous carpenter in ten miles and eight towns, so I want to invite you to help me. Build a device."
Bai Duan was stunned, and hesitated for a moment: "Caomin can only make some farm tools and furniture. The equipment used in the military... Caomin has never touched it before."
"It's a matter of course that I haven't touched it before." Zhou Mo smiled slightly, "But I heard that little brother Bai is highly skilled, meticulous and exquisite, and has made many small utensils with whimsical ideas. There is one in Liuzhi County, which was once given to him. I observed it, and I was deeply impressed—I think that as long as little brother Bai is willing, he will definitely be able to help me."
"Those are just amusing gadgets, nothing to praise..." Bai Duan felt more and more uneasy.
"Brother Bai, you don't need to be humble. If this matter doesn't work out, you can only say that time and fate are the only things that matter, and I will never blame you." Zhou Mo comforted softly, "Although our army is in a good situation, compared with the regular army of the imperial court They are still inexperienced, their equipment is much worse, and they are still facing extremely severe threats. The soldiers trust me and entrust their lives to me. I also cherish every life of them, and I never want to see them die for nothing—so, I want to make a deterrent and lethal offensive device, and I already have a general idea, if it succeeds, it will surely save countless lives!"
Zhou Mo's words were not fierce, but extremely heavy and solid, which aroused Bai Duan's heart. He still remembers his father who died on the battlefield, and he also feels grateful for Zhou Mo who loves soldiers like a son. Although he was not sure whether he was capable of accomplishing such a great event, he finally let go of his hesitation in Zhou Mo's words and was willing to give it a try.
Receiving Bai Duan's promise, Zhou Mo couldn't help but be overjoyed, and quickly beckoned Bai Duan to come forward, and slowly opened a scroll.
There were several semi-finished sketches drawn on the silk cloth of the scroll, Bai Duan looked down carefully, his brows were unconsciously frowned, and he fell into deep thought.
"... How? Do you have a way to perfect this sketch?" Zhou Mo asked softly.
Bai Duan pursed her lips, and nodded slightly: "This... Cao Min did have some ideas..."
—Although he had never seen a similar device before, for some reason, Bai Duan understood the structure at a glance, quickly assembled it in his mind, and even found several mistakes.
—It went unbelievably well.
Hearing Bai Duan's answer, not to mention Zhou Mo, even a few lieutenants who were watching couldn't help but shine, and couldn't hide their excitement.
Zhou Mo was so excited that he grabbed Bai Duanxu's hand holding the scroll, pulled him to his side, and hugged him vigorously: "I knew it! The first time I saw little brother Bai, I knew you would If you understand what I mean, you must be my confidant!"
This hug was short but warm, making Bai Duan at a loss. Facing Zhou Mo's eyes full of heat, he heard the "confidant" from the bottom of his heart, and his heart suddenly moved, and a warm current gushed out.
—Scholar dies for his confidant, probably...is this kind of feeling