"Commander, everything about this military camp is good. It's just that it's a little too far from Dashan Pass. Alas!"
The person who complained was the fat man Zheng Ping. He had a background in Lin'an and was personally appointed by Zhang Jun as the commander of the Second Battalion of the Eight-Character Army. He walked around the camp and started grinning.
His deputy, Zhao Xiaoyi, laughed in a low voice and said to Chen Qing: "This damn fat guy walks around Wazi in Dashanguan every day. If he doesn't go there for one day, he will feel exhausted!"
In order to stabilize the morale of the military, Dashanguan also built a Wazi in March this year, which was the commercial complex of the Song Dynasty. It integrated eating, drinking and entertainment. There were four brothels in it. A large number of military family members were moved to Hanzhong.
Soldiers go home to visit relatives once a month during non-war times.
These measures stabilized the morale of the military, but they also produced some adverse reactions. Many generals indulged in Wazi's eating, drinking and having fun, and Zheng Ping was one of them.
Chen Qing rushed forward and patted Zheng Ping on the shoulder, smiling and saying: "Would you like me to build a tile for you in the military camp?"
Zheng Ping was startled. He turned around and glared at Zhao Xiaoyi in annoyance. He chuckled and said, "I'm just complaining. If I were to follow Fu Xuan again, I'd rather go back to Lin'an to sell medicine!"
"I thought you couldn't survive without Wazi!"
"Hey! It's just a hobby! Since you've been in Lin'an and haven't come back, I've been depressed, so I can only go to Wazi for fun. Now that you're back, I'm full of energy. It doesn't matter whether I go to Wazi or not."
Seeing that he didn't mean what he said, Chen Qing couldn't help but smile slightly, "In a few days we will go to Dashan Pass to compete for the 500 Divine Arm Crossbow Army. When the time comes, you can go together and let you have a good time."
"Commander, I just said this, but you still take it seriously. You just said, when will we go to Dashan Pass?"
Chen Qing laughed loudly, "Just wait! Let the troops settle into the camp first. Let's eat some dry food tonight. All kinds of military supplies will be delivered tomorrow."
...........
Early the next morning, Chen Qing led his generals to explore the water source.
Water is the most important resource for military camps and the basic guarantee for the long-term military garrison. Chen Qing had enough experience when he was stationed at Jianjun Pass. His first step in garrisoning was to explore the water source.
Leading the way for Chen Qing was a captain named Wang Zhong. He previously led 180 logistics soldiers to garrison the military camp for two months, and he still belonged to Chen Qing in the future.
Jiwangpo is like a pot lid laid flat on the Qinling Mountains. It is about six or seven feet higher than the valley, equivalent to the height of a six-story building. Moreover, the overall direction is higher in the south and lower in the north. The closer it is to the Qinling Mountains, the higher the terrain becomes.
high.
Walking to the foot of the Qinling Mountains, the Dutou kings pointed to a crack less than one person wide and said: "Commander, the creek flows out of the crack."
Chen Qing looked at the crack. It was dark and bottomless inside. The rock wall was covered with layers of vines, and a stream gurgled from it.
"How deep is it?"
Wang Zhong smiled bitterly and said: "We have investigated and found that even a three-foot-long bamboo pole cannot reach the bottom, and no one can get in. We asked the local herdsmen and they said that this stream has existed for hundreds of years."
"Are there any herdsmen here?"
"There are some, but not many, who make a living by herding sheep. They moved to Hanzhong last month."
Chen Qing's heart moved and he quickly asked: "How is the winter situation here?"
"It will snow in winter, but there won't be heavy snow blocking the road. The cavalry can completely walk on the snow."
"Then in winter, will the water sources freeze?"
Wang Zhong shook his head, "It's just a layer of ice on the surface, but there is still water flowing underneath. The same is true for the Fang River in front. The water at the bottom of the river does not freeze, and you can still dig ice holes for fishing."
The Fang River is a small river that runs through the West Valley. It is formed by the streams in the Qinling Mountains. It flows to the west and finally flows into the Wei River. This small stream is one of the three sources of the Fang River.
But Chen Qing was worried that the creek would freeze in winter, which would make it difficult for them to drink water. Since the bottom of the creek did not freeze, he was relieved.
Chen Qing looked at the surroundings again. The surrounding area was empty, and the military camp was still two hundred steps away.
Chen Qing shook his head and said: "The construction of this military camp is unreasonable. If the Jurchens climb up the mountain, they will directly cut off our water source."
Yang Yuanqing also said: "There is indeed this problem. I suggest building two stone walls or extending the military camp."
Wang Zhong also blushed and said: "We discovered this problem when we first entered the station and responded to it, but there has been no response."
"Who did you respond to?"
"Those who responded to Qiao Shengjun were in low-level positions and were illiterate. They could only respond verbally, not in writing."
"Don't worry about the arrangements above. Let's do it ourselves and extend the military camp. Lao Yang, I'll leave this matter to you. We'll start working on it tomorrow and see how we do it?"
"Remember your humble position!"
Chen Qing waved his hand and said, "Let's go down the slope for another inspection."
The generals got on their horses and rode down the hillside.
The reason why Jiwangpo is called a strategic location is also related to its terrain. Its overall terrain is high in the north and south. The rocks on the east and west sides are relatively steep. It slowly decreases from the highest height of six feet to the far north.
It is ten feet high, which makes it difficult for the army to attack from the east and west sides.
Of course, you can climb up with a ladder, which is another matter. The main passage of Jiwang Slope is in the north. There is a gap about twenty feet wide. Along this gap, war horses and heavy siege weapons can push through.
Come up.
The military camp construction also mainly expanded in the east-west direction, and was built close to the east-west cliff. Even if the enemy climbed up with a ladder, there would be no place to stand.
However, enemy soldiers can also climb up, gather in the open space to the north, and attack the camp wall from the north, so the main defense focus of the military camp is on the north and south.
Finding an empty space, Chen Qing asked Yang Yuanqing in a low voice, "Who is this Qiao Canjun?"
Yang Yuanqing explained: "This Qiao Junjun is called Qiao Wenshou, and he is in charge of the review and approval of various military camps. He actually doesn't have a big problem. The main reason is that he is a low-key man in the capital, and there is no written report, so the problems he reported are not taken seriously."
"It's not a matter of people talking lightly, right? The facts are here, there are loopholes in the camp, how can he turn a blind eye?"
Zheng Ping said dissatisfiedly from behind: "Old Yang, what time has it happened? You are still afraid of offending others. You have to tell the truth to the commander!"
Yang Yuanqing blushed and said quickly: "It's because of my humble position. I'm used to protecting myself. I forgot that the commander is different from them."
Chen Qing understood his difficulties. Yang Yuanqing was relatively smooth and did not have the background of Zheng Ping. However, his immediate boss was Fu Xuan. This year he had a difficult time.
"Just tell the truth!"
Yang Yuanqing nodded and said: "Actually, it has something to do with the official structure of Dasanguan. The Xuanfu envoy did not allow one general to dominate, so he emptied Wu Dutong's power.
Only in times of war would the Xuanfu envoy appoint Wu Jie as the chief general, but at ordinary times Wu Jie was only the nominal general, and all the governors did not need to buy into his account.
Not only that, all kinds of money, food and materials are under the control of civilian officials, and the civil officials are directly under Zhang Jun. Currently, the Sima of the Western Army is called Qu Hongyuan, and he is appointed as the Marquis of Yu, and is at the same level as Wu Dutong. All money, food and materials are controlled by him.
In his hands, he obeyed the orders of the Xuanfu envoy.
Now the commander understands! Why can’t the pension be paid? The money, food and supplies are all in the hands of Qu Sima, and both Wu Dutong and Wang Dutong are powerless!"
"What if we enter a wartime state?" Chen Qing asked again.
"After entering the wartime state, Wu Dutong will be appointed as the wartime general, Qu Sima will hand over some wartime supplies to him, and Wu Dutong will have certain powers. It has not yet entered the wartime state. Wu Dutong
The commander-in-chief promised to allocate the supplies today, but we all thought it was impossible. Wu Dutong had to write an application, then go through and approve it at all levels, and finally the Xuanfu envoy signed and agreed. It would take at least three days, or even five to ten days, Commander-in-Chief
It would be best to go to the Xuanfu envoy and ask him to approve it as soon as possible."
Only then did Chen Qing understand the twists and turns. He nodded, "I'll go find the pacifier tomorrow!"
............
Wu Jie walked into Sima's tent angrily and threw the application for material allocation on Qu Hongyuan's desk, "Why should the application I wrote be returned?"
Qu Hongyuan is about forty years old. He was born in Jinshi and is of medium height. He is a typical white-faced scholar. He is Zhang Jun's confidant. He originally served as a doctor in the Ministry of Rites and judged the Sima of Huizhou. Zhang Jun was transferred to Sichuan and Shaanxi as the governor. He also ascended to heaven.
, the sentence was changed to Sima Sima, the envoy of Xuanfu in Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Zhang Jun appointed him Marquis of Yu, with the power of money, grain and materials in his hands.
Qu Hongyuan was narrow-minded, but on the surface he was very well-mannered. He was not angry and still smiled and said: "Wu Dutong applied for money and food supplies for the Qinzhou Army for 3,000 people, but after a humble investigation, they currently only have 2,800 people."
One hundred people does not match the number of applicants, so I sent it back to Wu Dutong for revision."
Wu Jie's stomach was about to explode. He gritted his teeth and said: "When has the allocation of supplies been consistent with the actual army? Isn't it normal to give 10% or 20% more supplies?"
Qu Hongyuan narrowed his eyes and said: "That's what you say, but the power to give more supplies lies in the hands of the Xuanfu Envoy. How much the Xuanfu Envoy gives is his business, but Wu Dutong still applies truthfully and does not let me
The official is in trouble!"
Wu Jie also knew that he could not offend this petty Sima. He forced himself to calm down and said: "The Qinzhou Army now only has 2,800 people, but there were originally 180 people in the camp. With them, the number is 3,000."
I’m sorry, my application was actually not wrong.”
"Then Wu Dutong needs to write clearly! Including the original two hundred people in the military camp, I won't care if there are twenty people missing. Please Wu Dutong write a note next to it."
Wu Jie couldn't help but write a note beside him, "That's enough!"
"That's ok, I will deal with it as soon as possible."
"Then I wonder when the money, food and materials will be allocated?"
Qu Hongyuan said with a smile: "Wu Dutong knows that everything must be completed, and it will take three to five days at the earliest."
"What?"
Wu Jie's eyes widened, "They only brought two days of dry food, you want them to wait for three to five days?"
"Then I have no choice. Who told them not to apply earlier?"
"If you apply early and there are no troops, then you won't be able to get through. Do you have to fight back?"
"That's none of my business. I just act according to the rules. If Wu Dutong feels that the rules are unreasonable, he can go to the Xuanfu Envoy!"
Wu Jie shook his head and said slowly: "When the Jurchens come to kill you, you can discuss the rules with them!"
He turned around and left angrily.
Watching Wu Jie walk away, Qu Hongyuan snorted coldly, "Fight with me and see if I don't kill you!"
