"I guess so." He Qizhou had already seen clearly that Guo Wen was a man who kept his promises. If he were in his position, most of the time he would make the same choice, so he could only persuade him in the end:
"Gang Leader Guo, be careful. If you encounter robbers, they will only have two targets - you and the goods! So you have to be prepared to run away at any time. If you don't trust your men, you can
A word of caution, if you encounter robbers, whether they are one person or a group of people, put down your goods and run away!"
"Okay! I'll listen to you." Guo Wen finally understood why He Qizhou wanted to ask what was more important between his country, his gang, and his own life.
…
The lights in the imperial study room were rarely on all night. There were only four people in the room, three were sitting and one was standing. The one standing was the eunuch Tang Taicheng. Sitting with the emperor was Prince Cheng Jiang Gui, the Privy Councilor.
Mo Dezheng.
Jiang Cong asked with a tired look on his face: "I always feel that Helian Qingfeng is not the kind of person who puts all his efforts into it. My dears, think about it, what else is wrong?"
Maud's righteous way:
"Your Majesty, I have repeatedly verified the intelligence sent by the Intelligence Department five days ago. The news that the Northern Zhou Dynasty pretended to attack Jiayuguan but actually hoarded heavy troops in Zhongdu and planned to attack the three Shanxi Passes in the near future is indeed false information. It was because the Northern Zhou Dynasty discovered our spies and wanted to use them.
Deceive us.
Now Master Zhang's news from Suzhou also confirms this. The total number of Zhou troops outside Jiayuguan has reached 100,000, including 20,000 elite tornado cavalry, preparing to sweep through the northwest after breaking through the pass.
The battle to defend the city is becoming increasingly fierce. The Ganzhou Army's casualties have exceeded 10,000, and even the reinforcements of Tu Yuhun soldiers have lost nearly one-third. That's why Zhang Shangshu has written a letter, asking you to send the Jinan Army or the Yulin Army for reinforcements."
King Cheng said: "Xiao Jixiong doesn't have much cavalry, and it will take half a month for the infantry to get there at the earliest. If we use the Royal Forest Army, our attack in two months will probably be ruined. Isn't that what they agreed with the Lord of Ganzhou?"
Keep it?
The Youzhou Army and the Yulin Army are the main forces in the attack. They have been preparing for such a long time and cannot travel such a long distance. So I think there is no problem in letting the 30,000 reserve troops in northern Shaanxi go to reinforce them.
If Helian Qingfeng goes crazy and uses all his strength to attack the northwest, then it won’t be a loss if we get out of the pass and secure his Zhongjing Pass and then take over the Zhenyuan Pass."
"Wei Chen means the same thing," Mod said righteously.
"How long will it take for the 30,000 people to rush over? Have the replacement troops gone up? When will they arrive? If we take back Zhenyuan Pass and lose Jiayuguan, it will be even more disadvantageous for us." Jiang Cong asked again.
Mo Dezheng said: "The military order has been issued a long time ago. It is estimated that we have been marching for two days. Mr. Zhang said that with the soldiers he has now, he can still hold on for at least half a month. The 30,000 people can reach Jiayuguan in twelve days.
If the Northern Zhou Dynasty wants to attack by force, the number of people lost will be twice as many as ours! As for the vacancy in Yuzhou, the General Army of Southern Hebei has sent 20,000 people north to defend it. It can be reached in eight days at the fastest."
The emperor asked again: "Is there any new news from Helian Chenwu?"
King Cheng said: "The food and ordnance we shipped last time have helped the Eastern Zhou Dynasty tide over the difficulties. In addition, it is very cold this winter. Baicheng is located in an extremely cold place, making it difficult for people and horses to move. Helian Qingfeng has withdrawn his troops, and some troops are preparing to do so."
It was transferred to Jiayuguan. Although the Zhou army is now concentrated to deal with us, Helian Chenwu has promised to counterattack Bohai as soon as spring begins, and our situation will be much better by then."
"Have you ever thought about what if Helian Qingfeng's real goal is Sanguan in Shanxi or Yuguan in northern Shaanxi?" The emperor's worry has always been here.
Mo Dezheng said: "Although the three passes of Shanxi Province are relatively close to the capital, it will be extremely dangerous if they fall. However, the pass defenses have been maintained for a long time, there are sufficient soldiers, and the city is strong. The guard Ling Kong and Han Chong are both difficult to defeat at once.
It's absolutely no problem to defend for a few months. Although the 30,000 reserve troops have withdrawn, we still have enough time to add more troops.
As for Yuguan, there are hills and valleys hundreds of miles wide in front of it, and with the small town of Zhenbei guarding the key point, the Northern Zhou Dynasty was also unable to attack it in one go. I think the reason why the Northern Zhou Dynasty spared no effort to attack Jiayuguan was to
Disrupt our spring offensive deployment."
"We still need to pay close attention to the movements of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Helian Qingfeng is not that simple. Let's give some news. We are increasing our defensive forces to the three passes of Shanxi Province. And Jiang Gui, you also need to be prepared. Although most of the generals come from your armaments.
But let's go to the north first, I will appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Army soon, I hope you won't disappoint me this time." Jiang Cong said tiredly, his face showing his old look.
Mo Dezheng and King Cheng were ordered to retire.
…
After bidding farewell to Guo Wen, He Qizhou went to find Xia Tong again and told him his judgment, asking him to escort Guo Wen tomorrow. However, no matter what happened, he would leave the Lotus Gang after setting up camp tomorrow night and hand over a letter.
After writing the letter to Guo Wen, he sneaked back to Zhennanguan! He would ask Jiang Shuo to find a way to deal with him.
Then he went to find Zhai Biao. Because the two were familiar with each other, they chatted for a long time before leaving. Finally, He Qizhou took out a note and asked Zhai Biao to secretly hand it to Zhai Biao before dark tomorrow when no one was around.
Fourth brother! He Qizhou has already determined that Jiang Li will not be taken to Zhenbeiguan tomorrow.
Zhai Biao asked: "What note? Can I read it? Fourth brother is quite shady. Don't cause any trouble before you leave. You will suffer if you can't leave then."
He Qizhou said: "It's best not to look at it. You can't hide anything on your face! Just leave it to him. Take care of yourself. We'll see you later."
In the early morning of the next day, the Lotus Gang and Xinglong Ji agreed to complete the handover of goods in the open space between the two passes. He Qizhou followed the Yan Gang's people, carrying Xu Muxue, who was tightly wrapped on his back, and leading the snow dragon horse with the camel luggage.
Zhenbeiguan.
When passing by the handover site, I said goodbye to Guo Wen and the familiar coachmen again, and took the opportunity to chat with Uncle Gen, who was also handing over. Then, at Sikong Lang's urging, I followed the Salt Gang's team.
The Salt Gang is still the same four people as yesterday. The second brother, fifth brother and He Lianjue are just that. Why did they still bring the coachman with them? It seems that they are not simple characters again. He Qizhou hurriedly followed him with doubts.
As he walked, he lifted Xu Muxue up on his back and said, "I haven't carried it for a long time. Why is it as heavy as a pig? But my butt doesn't hurt much anymore."
Xu Muxue's hands hooked on He Qizhou's chest were folded in her sleeves and she couldn't move. Her head was covered with a face towel, only her big eyes were exposed, but she couldn't move. In shame and anger, she kept using her mouth and nose to kiss him through the face towel.
The air conditioner blew on the back of Qi Zhou's neck, which made He Qizhou feel itchy and cold, so he hurriedly said: "It hurts my hands, it hurts my hands, it hurts my hands too."
But the cold air still lingered in my neck, so I had to apologize in a low voice: "Oh, I made a mistake, I look like a pig. Isn't it okay that I'm a pig?"
At the gate of Zhennan Pass, the officer guarding the city turned into Jiang Damin. With a menacing look, he asked He Qizhou who was carrying him and what was he hunching over on his horse.
He Qizhou was angry and funny at the same time. This guy really liked acting, so he could only cooperate and give him a little money and tell him that this was something he had agreed with Xinglongji.
Jiang Damin was overjoyed when he received the money, but he still pretended to personally check Xue Long's luggage. He Qizhou was worried that he could not see Jiang Shuo, but when he saw that Sikong Lang and others had been released, he passed by Jiang Damin.
Shi Shi said quickly: "Helianjue is also here, let the people from Xinglongji go to the Yan Gang to ask for people!"
Jiang Damin hummed as if he had some understanding. In fact, he didn't know who Helianjue was. Anyway, he just told Jiang Shuo.
Entering the only inn in the small town, Si Kong Lang asked for an extra room next to the original room where they were discussing, saying that he wanted to let those who were not participating in the discussion and were going to see the goods rest. Then he transferred He Qizhou, Xu Muxue, the mysterious coachman, and the disguised
Pei Xianjue stayed in the house while he and his fifth brother went to continue negotiations with the people from Bailiju.
Not long after, Uncle Gen from Xinglongji called out in the courtyard: "Is Deren here? The first group of us is about to set off!"
"Here!" He Qizhou responded hurriedly. But the first person to open the door was Sikong Lang from next door. Sikong Lang said to Uncle Gen: "We borrowed Brother Deren from the Lotus Gang. He is more capable and will help us pick it up later."
Goodbye, he will follow the next group of you before leaving."
"That's okay, but our Xinglongji people are leaving tomorrow morning, so if he doesn't leave tomorrow, we won't care about him!" Uncle Gen said.
"He will definitely leave tomorrow!" Sikong Lang said.
He Qizhou secretly complained. Among the two people in the room, Pei Xianjue and Xu Muxue might not be his opponents even if they were intact. What's more, there was a mysterious coachman who looked ordinary. Most of the time, he seemed to
Everyone would ignore the existence of that person, but along the way, that person was uninjured and disease-free. Unfortunately, he might actually be a master of hidden veins. Therefore, even though he was very anxious to discuss with Jiang Shuo, he did not want to take it easy.
Put your own life and Xiaoxue's life on the line.
While He Qizhou was thinking about countermeasures, he chatted wordlessly with Xu Muxue. An hour passed, and the negotiations next door were still continuing. Someone from the restaurant brought hot tea. After the coachman took the tea, he asked the waiter to leave. He Qizhou
Although it was clear that the waiter was sent by Jiang Shuo, the room was so big that he had no chance to talk and could only keep drinking water.
Just when he was thinking about when to use the urine escape method, Sikong Lang opened the door and came in, saying that the price of salt had been negotiated, and now he was going to use the cash he brought to select items one by one from the remaining goods in Bailiju, and negotiate.
Buy one piece at a time, because the fifth brother was a little tired from talking these days, so he asked him to rest in the room for a while, and the other two and He Qizhou accompanied him to the warehouse to help pick the goods.
He Qizhou pretended to be happy and said, "That's great, but I don't know anything about silk or porcelain. Otherwise, I'd better stay in this room."
"Hey, brother Deren, you're so polite. If you hadn't negotiated the business with Bailiju so quickly, we wouldn't have done it so smoothly. We are all Zhou people. You can just say a few words to help and lower the price.