Although Wushan County was called a city at that time, it was actually very simple. The only building of some size was probably the city tower in the northeast. However, the location of the city was also well chosen. It was adjacent to the confluence of the Yangtze River and Wuxi Daning River in the east and the mountainous area in the west. The city area by the river was surprisingly flat, which was rare in the mountainous area. The northeast entrance was also relatively flat.
Guo Shao's navy arrived directly at the city's east wharf from the Yangtze River, while the land troops crossed the river from the Daning River ferry and entered the city from the northeast entrance.
When the army entered the city, the front group would not drag a mess of mules and horses like refugees, but would always have some ceremony. Guo Shao and several of his generals rode on horseback and led 500 well-equipped heavy armored soldiers into the city in formation.
Shu was rich, but mainly in the West Sichuan Plain. This small town in the mountains was not as rich as the war-torn areas in the north. The large area of low and old buildings in the city made the Zhou army's brightly armored troops stand out.
Apart from their shiny armor, their military discipline is also extremely rare in remote border areas.
The rhythmic drum beats of "dong dong dong" accompanied the soldiers in front of them. A soldier in front of them had a small drum hanging in front of his belly and was beating it as he walked. The neat rows of infantry marched in formation with the sound of footsteps. The drum beats were fast and the footsteps were slow. The two sounds complemented each other, although they sounded a little boring but very nice. More infantry and cavalry entered the city one after another, and the main road of this small city seemed to be filled with troops in an instant.
For decades, no outside army had ever come here, and the people may not have fully realized the danger of using force, and many people actually stood by the roadside to watch the strange scene. Some people also quickly called their families back and closed their doors.
Guo Shao led his troops, along with the surrendered military officers and officials of the county and some gentry, to the county government, where the heavy infantry led the troops: a dilapidated classical building complex. If you come here in the middle of the night, you will definitely think of a haunted house. The flag of the Tiger Guard Army has been hung above the entrance hall of the county government.
The troops stopped on the street outside, and there were many people watching. Guo Shao was very pleased to see that they did not make the people hide like the Japanese invaders entering the village.
Everyone was looking at him, and Guo Shao was quite excited, so he walked to the gate and faced many people. Seeing this, Lu Chengyong and others rode their horses to the street and said: Stop shouting, Guo Du Dianjian wants to give you a lecture.
Guo Shao looked around and saw the soldiers in armor and the messy officials and civilians all looking at him. He felt that he should express his opinion. The noisy crowd gradually died down. Guo Shao, surrounded by the soldiers, saw a cart next to him and stood on it. After a little thought, he said loudly: I am from Hebei. I was born in Hebei for five generations. Later, my family declined. Now I live in Tokyo.
Everyone thought that the high-ranking official would start with some profound and profound theories, but unexpectedly, the general came up to introduce where he was from. The officials and the people immediately became interested, and the noisy people all looked over to see the young man standing on the cart.
In his previous life, Guo Shao seemed to have read somewhere that Shu language belongs to the northern language family, and most Shu people can understand northern dialects, as long as they don't use dialect words. Guo Shao's words are obviously still easy to understand.
He continued: I live in Hebei and Tokyo and feel at peace because they are both our hometowns. Perhaps many years ago, the folks in Hebei migrated there from the south of the Yellow River. In those places, the same people have lived since ancient times and have been one since ancient times. The same is true for Shu. It is only because of the decades of war that the Shu Kingdom was established. He shouted loudly, we are of the same clan, we have the same blood, we are fellow villagers
The countless respectful gazes of the people seemed to have gradually changed. Perhaps they really understood Guo Shao's heart, or perhaps it was just Guo Shao's illusion.
Guo Shao was moved and said: The soldiers of the Great Zhou came from the east of the Yangtze River, trekked through hardships and fought bloody battles. In this place deep in the mountains and dangerous rapids, they paid with blood and sweat, and many people died. What did the brothers fight for? It was to end the original division, to end the melee, to end the useless fratricide, to reconnect the once common family, to unify the world and bring long-term peace, and to let the descendants of Yan and Huang revive the spirit of the Han and Tang Dynasties.
Now, I have buried my brothers who died in the battle in Wushan. They can never go back. I hope that the elders and villagers of Wushan County will not think that they are bad people. Let their young souls rest here. This is also their land. I hope you remember why they fought and why they died. Only a good family with a warm blood will sacrifice for others.
Guo Shao did not prepare a draft, and did not even think of saying this when he entered the city. He expressed it casually, and he found it very inspiring. The first to be moved were the soldiers of the Zhou army. They knelt on the ground and looked at Guo Shao with full respect. For a moment, he seemed to be deified. Even Zuo You had red eyes and looked up at Guo Shao in admiration.
The Meng family, the rulers of Shu, were not originally from Shu, but they plunged Shu into war for their own power and wealth. The Great Zhou army did not come to conquer the people of Shu, but to recover the lost territory, overthrow the corrupt regime, and let the people return to one family.
Guo Shao looked up at the tiger flag on the side and saw the endless green mountains in the distance. He shouted solemnly: Standing under the flag of the Tiger Army for which I fought and entrusted all my glory, I treat the people of Shu equally with my sincere heart; I treat all the officers and soldiers as brothers, and treat the soldiers and civilians with justice in everything. I look forward to the day when all famines disappear from the country, all crimes can be punished, all talented people can be promoted, all kind people can be praised, the people can live and work in peace, and a prosperous country can be established.
Suddenly someone shouted: "Long live the emperor!" Immediately, the soldiers knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
Guo Shao felt something was wrong, as if he had spoken too excitedly, but he was not ready to do anything yet. What could 20,000 people do in this mountain valley? Amid the chaotic shouts, he quickly got off the cart and hurriedly left the scene.
In a room across from the county street, several people in silk robes listened for a long time. A middle-aged man said: "The inspector Guo is not trying to win people's hearts. He is just joking. The warriors in the Central Plains are like wolves and tigers. They will burn, kill and plunder if they enter the city."
An old man slowly said: "Yes, you haven't seen much. There are also generals in this world who have never committed any crime. Besides, it is better for him to come here to show his friendship to the people of Wushan than to come and massacre the city."
Great grandfather is right. Several people echoed.
The old man said: "Go and gather some money later, buy some wine and meat, and then go to reward the soldiers. Others give us face, so we have to take responsibility, right?"
Yes, yes
Soon after that day, many people suddenly came from the mountains and the other side of Wuxi River. They were mountain people, men, women, young and old, and many of them even wore animal skins like wild people. They said that the Zhou army was going to distribute food relief and they came to carry food. Guo Shao remembered that he had really said that, so he ordered them to stay outside the city and ordered the county government's granary to open to store some grain.
At this time, Dong Zunhui sent someone to report that the Shu army had burned the plank road on the riverside of Qutang Gorge. There were mountains on both sides of the Yangtze River and no roads could be passed, making it difficult for the navy to pass. There was a dangerous section of water that required boats to be pulled by trackers.
Guo Shao wrote a military order, asking Dong Zunhui to organize craftsmen to repair the plank road. The plank road was a bridge built by drilling holes in the stone wall and then inserting wood. It was very scary to walk on, but it was a way at least. The Shu army could burn the wood, but the stone holes were difficult to destroy, so it cost less to repair it than to build a new plank road.
The army had traveled hundreds of miles and was exhausted due to the difficult roads and impassable plank roads. Guo Shao then ordered the entire army to rest in Wushan County. At the same time, he sent people to inquire about the surrounding terrain and other roads from local officials.
There were some wounded soldiers in the army, and quite a few sick people, probably because of acclimatization, occasional colds, and seasickness. At that time, the army would not bring too many doctors. Guo Shao was with a group of wounded soldiers after the Battle of Gaoping, and the doctor accompanying the army was Zuo You. Doctors were usually found locally, and Guo Shao was no exception. He ordered the officials who surrendered in Wushan to find doctors to treat the wounded soldiers.
Li Dong, a surrendered general, led an army of 10,000 to surrender in Wu Gorge, and persuaded the surrender of Wushan County, which was highly praised by Guo Shao. His surrendered soldiers were transported to Jiangling Prefecture by boat, and after becoming alone, they were not treated as prisoners at all, and could come and go in front of Guo Shao from time to time like generals of the Zhou army.
Guo Shao was also willing to talk to him to learn about the situation of the Shu army. Today, Guo Shao did not ask about military affairs. He just went to see the wounded and remembered someone and asked Li Dong: General Li is not from Wushan County
Li Dong said: I came from Chengdu Prefecture, following Wang Zhaoyuan. I am the eastern reinforcement army led by Wang Zhaoyuan.
I see. Guo Shao was a little disappointed and said casually, "Do you know that there is a man called Wushan Shengshou in Wushan County?"
I know, Li Dongdao.
Guo Shao was surprised and said: Even the people in Chengdu know her reputation.
Li Dong shook his head: I heard about it in Kuizhou because it was so miraculous. For example, there was a story about a daughter-in-law of a family in the mountains who died of illness. The family had already dressed in mourning and put the body in a coffin. The White Lady of Wushan passed by there while collecting herbs in the mountains and wanted to ask for some water to drink. When she went in and saw it, she heard that the daughter-in-law could be cured and brought back to life. After the cure, she was really alive. Isn't that miraculous
Guo Shao smiled when he heard this. He looked at the boasting of this warrior, who did not look like a loser at all.
The surrendered general continued: Marshal Guo called the magistrate of Wushan County to ask about this matter. He has been an official here for several years and has never had the opportunity to be promoted. He must be very clear about local affairs. It was the civil servant who was kneeling at the city gate in the morning, shouting about something for the sake of the people of the whole city. That person has nothing to do with him, and he is not the one guarding the city. It doesn't matter whether he surrenders or not.
Very good. Guo Shao nodded and looked back at Zuo You. Zuo You nodded slightly: My Lord, please wait a moment. I will go and ask where the county magistrate is.