There are more and more people on the official path.
Except for a few who led donkeys, most of the old farmers pushed carts to transport grain on foot. They could cover a long distance in a day and arrived at the post station in Ziwu Town in the evening.
This place has become a distribution center for grain and grass. An endless stream of farmers came here, unloaded grain and registered under the guidance of officials. Those who were close to home received their money on the spot and went back happily.
Some people will also go to the market in Ziwu Town to buy some items and go back.
Those like Hao Erfu who plan to apply will stay and continue to follow the team north tomorrow, with people from the government leading the way and arranging food and lodging.
He had never seen such a big scene in his life. He stood on tiptoes and looked around, muttering: "It's more lively than the Chinese New Year."
The post station is just outside the town. There is a dazzling array of things listed at the grain collection point. In addition to rice and grains, there are also various kinds of bacon, dried vegetables, and preserved fruits, which are stacked according to categories.
The officer responsible for guarding the supplies walked back and forth, shouting: "Stop crowding! If anyone dares to reach out, don't blame me for chopping him up."
Hao Erfu stared straight ahead, and then he saw a hand waving in front of him. It was the leader of their group, called Lao He.
"Brother, let's go. Hurry up to the front and seize the time to grab something to eat. Take a rest early so you can start your journey tomorrow." "Okay, okay."
"Folks from Hanzhong! Leave the cart behind. The government will send people to guard it. Everyone, follow me!" Lao He raised his hand to greet everyone.
The first thing Hao Erfu did was to turn around to see if his son was following him. After walking for a while, there were fewer and fewer people, and he saw a row of sheds in front of him.
The shed was the simplest kind, with a long pole inserted at each corner and a piece of shed cloth pulled in the middle. People spread straw under the shed cloth.
A piece of cloth was covered on the straw, and it became a bed for sleeping. There were already many people lying or sitting there, making it very noisy. Someone among the travelers couldn't help but asked: "Old man, why are we all in Guanzhong and there are still two rooms?"
Not even?"
Lao He laughed and said, "The place is a bit different, so I'll just sleep there for the night."
"Why can't you sleep here?" Hao Erfu explained, "I have built a new house at home. I hired a carpenter to build a big bed. With such a thick quilt, I can't sleep much more comfortably. But when I go out, how can I sleep?
I can still sleep anywhere."
Hao Gou'er felt ashamed and panicked when he saw his father starting to show off again.
But he hesitated for a moment, still feeling that he had to say something.
"How can this be bitter? We soldiers of the Tang Dynasty drove captives from Mobei, lying in the ice and snow, lying in the desert, lacking clothes and food, that is really bitter!"
Everyone was stunned and turned to look at the young man.
With so many looks coming at him, Hao Gou'er felt a little frightened, and said to himself: "If the soldiers hadn't kept the foreign invaders out of the country, and if the Mongols had entered the pass, would everyone still have a good life? Even with this little hard work, would we still have a good life?
Do you want to complain?"
Seeing that his son was speaking in a serious tone, Hao Erfu smiled and smoothed things over: "The weather in May is neither cold nor hot, so it's just comfortable to sleep outside. When I fled from Guanzhong to Hanzhong, it was really hard."
"Yes, there is a canopy to cover it, so I am not afraid of rain at night. This Sun Laoliu is just squeamish." Many old farmers began to scratch their heads and blamed the complaining companion just now.
Sun Laoliu was also embarrassed. He rubbed his hands and said, "Young man, how can this be a complaint? Aren't you just joking with Lao He?"
Hao Gouer's voice became much softer and said: "The Northern Expedition is coming, and the court has a short time to prepare. We still have to unite as one." "That's right, unite as one. Look at this young man, he is indeed a scholar. Where did you read these principles?
"Come here?" "I read it in the newspaper."
"Tsk, tsk, it's great to be able to read. I haven't heard anyone recite the retribution for several days."
"That's it, I remember there is an interesting story above, but I haven't heard the whole story yet." Hao Erfu only felt a light on his face and said: "That's good, let this kid read the retribution for everyone."
"Okay, Nian Nian, have you brought a newspaper with you, junior? I heard that many stories about the battle in Helan Mountain were told in newspapers." "Yes, yes."
Hao Gouer then took out a bag from his backpack
When he opened the package, he saw two wooden boards inside. He opened the wooden board gently and saw many newspapers sandwiched inside.
The old farmers sat around, holding hands and munching dry food. They all stared at Hao Gouer and listened to him reading the newspaper.
Hao Erfu took out the water bag and drank a sip of water with his head tilted back, his face full of wrinkles with a smile. He liked to see that his son was successful, and even the hard work of long distances was wiped away.
Not long after I thought, the sky had completely darkened.
As soon as the afterglow of the setting sun faded, Lao He stood up and said, "Let's rest, save some energy, we have to go on the road tomorrow." Everyone was still interested and shouted to let the junior students think about it for a while, so they all worked together.
A bonfire was set up.
Suddenly, I heard a commotion at the inn. It was said that an army of officers and soldiers was passing by and stationed in the distance. Many people in Ziwu Town were shouting to send some food.
Upon hearing this, Hao Gouer lost interest in reading the newspaper.
He carefully clipped the newspaper back to the wooden board, put it into his backpack, and moved into the crowd at the inn.
These are all common people in Ziwu Town. Some are carrying eggs, some are carrying rice wine, and some are just carrying a pair of insoles. In short, they have all kinds of items, and they are shouting to go to comfort the army.
There were officers who wanted to stop him, but when they failed, the crowd set off.
"Dad, I'll go take a look with them." Hao Gou'er said to Hao Erfu, "You've been tired for a day, just rest here. My son will be back soon."
The moon was very bright, and this group of people also had lanterns, torches, and some just holding a candle to light the way. Children supported the old man, and the women walked together wearing headscarves.
Hao Gou'er, the young man, stayed far away from the women and followed the team. After walking for a while, he heard the sound of horse hooves in front. Then he pushed forward and saw a general with ten men under the moonlight.
The remaining cavalrymen came over and dismounted when they reached the crowd.
"Folks! It's already dark, go back quickly."
Hao Gou'er took a few steps forward and stared at the pocket on the general's helmet.
He was most interested in the rank of the Tang Army, and he quickly saw that he was a general, and he couldn't help but admire him very much.
Someone in the crowd said, "General, why don't you camp in the town? It's too hard to camp in the barren mountains."
"On behalf of the soldiers, I appreciate the kindness of the villagers." The general clasped his fists and said, "But military regulations stipulate that you must not disturb your neighbors when you are marching and stationed in camp. It is really impossible to move the camp. Folks, please go back."
"We are not afraid of disturbing you!"
"That is, the kings and divisions of the Tang Dynasty are all our soldiers. We are not afraid of the officers and soldiers."
The Tang army was indeed close to the people. First, because the military discipline was strict, and marching would always be safe. The court repeatedly emphasized that "when the army fights outside, the people inside must have a stable production and life." This is a strict order; second, the court's policies in recent years
The propaganda was done very well. In terms of paying more attention to public sentiment and public opinion, Li Xia paid more attention to it than anyone else in the world.
At this time, the general stepped forward to support several old people with his own hands, and said with a smile: "Folks, we really can't station in the town, we have already set up camp."
"Then keep all the food, right?"
"Keep it, it's what the folks want."
The general shook his head again and said: "I really can't accept it. The military discipline is very strict. If I accept it today, I will be punished."
The two men were pushing and shoving, and Hao Gou'er stood aside, looking directly at the armor, horses, and weapons of these generals. He felt that they were more majestic than before.
"You really can't take anything from the common people, not even an egg. Folks, please go back. It's getting late." "Well, the general must win the battle."
"I will definitely live up to the high expectations of the folks."
The people finally agreed to go back, and everyone turned around and left, but an old woman was still standing there, leaning on her crutches and looking forward.
Hao Gouer saw it and stopped.
Then I heard the old woman shouting to one of the cavalry: "Son! Is that you?"
The cavalry team had already turned around and headed back. Hearing the shout, only the general turned back and said, "Grandma, have you admitted the wrong person? Go back quickly."
"My son is Dong Shuancai of the Yongxing Army."
"Your son is doing a great job in protecting our family and country! You haven't seen your son for a long time, right? Military regulations prohibit private visits to relatives. I guess your son will come back after the Northern Expedition."
"Isn't that my son?"
"Go back, it's too late today, don't fall. Young man, help hold him up." After the general said, he got on his horse and left. More than ten riders rode eastward in the night.
Hao Gouer stepped forward and helped the old woman back. After walking a few steps, he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves coming closer. When he turned around, he saw a cavalryman suddenly turned his horse and ran back.
.
As happy as her heart was, the old woman also stopped and turned around.
The cavalryman didn't wait for his horse to stop, but he already dismounted, fell two steps and ran to the old woman, threw himself on his knees on the ground, and shouted with a tearful voice.
"Mother!"
Hao Gou'er turned around and saw the dozen or so cavalrymen still stationed in the distance, with only faint black shadows in the deep night. Only then did he have a deeper understanding of the three words "subordinate soldiers".
~~
When Hao Gou'er returned to the resting place, he saw Hao Erfu standing there rubbing his hands and waiting for him. "Dad, I just went to take a look. You told me you don't have to wait for me."
"I'm not waiting for you. Aren't you used to sleeping on a big bed at home?"
Having said that, when the father and son returned to their respective straw mats and lay down, it wasn't long before Hao Erfu was already snoring loudly. These old farmers had been working hard for days, and they were all very tired. They were snoring loudly one after another.
.
Hao Gou'er could stand the straw bed, but listening to the snoring and smelling the stinky feet made him feel suffocated and couldn't sleep for a while.
Finally, before he felt like he was going to be suffocated to death, he got up and walked away.
After finally finding a ditch, he washed his feet with water, and then walked aimlessly for a while. When he saw a pagoda in front of him, he climbed up the tower regardless of fatigue and looked east.
Far away, a campfire can be seen faintly.
Hao Gou'er looked at it quietly, with longing in his eyes.
He came to Hanzhong when he was six years old. He was the first generation of young people to grow up under the rule of the New Tang Dynasty. He was neither outstanding nor bad, just the most ordinary kind of person, but he also had his own ambitions.