In late July, the autumn air began to show in Hebei, and the fields were full of gradually maturing crops. When the wind blew, the yellow-green waves of millet swayed with the wind... This magnificent scene undoubtedly verified many people's claims that this summer's drought
It's just about reducing production, but some people are overly concerned.
"The millet must be smaller than the harvest." In the morning, on the northernmost official road of Qinghe County, Qinghe County, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with a military sword had just walked up from the opposite field, her brows slightly wrinkled.
Dou Xiaoniang, the only daughter of the gang leader Dou Lide and the newly appointed patrol chief. "The harvest here in Qinghe is obviously worse than that in the plains, and the plains are worse than those in the Bohai Sea..."
"The replanted wheat is even worse." On the Qingzhangshui embankment on the other side of the official road, there were seven or eight knights standing on the river embankment, leading their horses to graze on the river embankment. One of them casually received it. "After all, it is.
Replanting... This year's spring battle, it was said that we waited for the spring plowing before starting, so it didn't delay things. However, Qinghe's own preparations were too busy, and the spring plowing was still delayed. "
The young lady frowned even more when she heard this, but she looked across the Qingzhang River, and couldn't help but ask: "Isn't the Jingcheng on the other side similar? I sent Xie to the manager there the day before yesterday, and in the rush of going there, I forgot to check it out.
.”
"I think it's almost the same." Under the river embankment, there were a few people who were drinking horses, and someone also answered. "It was originally from Qinghe County, but it was taken away by Xiangguo County after spring plowing."
"What about Xiangguo County?" Dou Xiaoniang continued to ask. "Would it be better?"
"I don't know, I've never been there." A companion answered casually. "The day before yesterday I sent my thanks to the group in charge, and they only went to the gate of Jingcheng."
The others all shook their heads in agreement.
Immediately, someone was naturally curious and asked: "Miss Dou, why do you ask this?"
"Don't call me Xiaoniang... I got a new name when I joined the team. Call me Dou Hongxian!" Dou Xiaoniang corrected her seriously before speaking. "The main reason is that sooner or later we will have to fight with places like Xiangguo and Wu'an in the future.
I got up and wanted to see how good they were... It was a drought, but they didn't attack Xuzhou, nor did they attack the plains after spring plowing. Would they be better than us? We haven't been checking everywhere recently.
Any specifics about the drought?”
"You can go and ask." An older friend, who looked like he was leading the team, thought about it on the spot and came up with a feasible idea. "Or just go and see it at home.
, who still can’t understand the harvest in the field?”
"Yes, is it possible?" Others asked in surprise. "Ms. Dou is talking about Xiangguo County, not just Jingcheng."
"I know, but I still think it's feasible." The gang leader nodded in reply. "Don't we often cross the river to Jingcheng to reconnoiter with Zongcheng? The other side has long been used to it, especially after this autumn, Zongcheng still has
If you are tougher, Jingcheng will be more honest, so what if you walk a few more miles to see the fields? As my mother said, take advantage of this drought to see how the harvests are, and you can basically know the conditions in Xiangguo County.
Fineness."
"Then let's take a walk."
"After all, we are on border patrol... can we detect what's going on on the other side, isn't it better than checking the caravan here?"
"Just treat them as a thank you and send them to Xiangguo County..."
"According to the rules, as long as the military situation is not important, you have three days to spare."
Others were also excited. Dou Xiaoniang originally wanted to continue correcting her name, but when she heard that the team leader agreed with her idea and was planning to cross the river to conduct reconnaissance, she found it difficult to open her mouth.
A group of border patrols, who are very aggressive and capable of action, made up their mind and set off without hesitation. Then they did not take the formal pontoon bridge, but instead found a shallow beach upstream. Twenty or thirty riders floated directly.
The horse passed by.
However, the next result surprised everyone, because the harvest in Jingcheng County was obviously not as good as south of Zhangshui River. After thinking about it, everyone can only think that it was between May and June.
Disaster relief is not beneficial.
"They think this is Qinghe County, and if they occupy it, they are just grabbing Qingzhang Water to defend us, so they are not willing to try their best!" Dou Xiaoniang immediately gave her judgment with anger.
Everyone else agrees.
"Don't say any more." The elders were more mature and quickly issued the military order. "Hurry and go west and have a look at Julu County... so as not to delay your return at night."
Naturally, everyone was speechless. However, when they tried to pass through the narrow southern area of Jingcheng County and were about to enter Julu County, Xiangguo County, a group of unexpected people suddenly appeared behind them. There were about a hundred riders on the other side, and they only fought.
Under the banner of the Wei Dynasty, the gang of patrolmen thought they were the soldiers of Xiangguo County, and wanted to leave quickly, but immediately, as one of the other party's riders jumped out of the horse and took the initiative to greet them from a distance, they immediately realized that
Something is wrong.
"Miss Dou, long time no see." Su Jingfang came to say hello from afar with a smile on her face. "Are you gang ready to take action against Xiangguo? They are about to enter Julu!"
Obviously, this is a person from Wu'an County.
Moreover, since Zongcheng was captured by Wu'an County and used as the front line to defend the gang, and the gang launched a special patrol system, the two families have often met... The atmosphere is generally harmonious and restrained, because of the economic and trade exchanges between the two parties.
Non-governmental exchanges are very smooth, and the political interaction between the highest levels of both sides is obviously much friendlier than elsewhere...but there is also an obvious competitive mentality. After all, there is an objective military confrontation.
The people who helped him didn’t talk about it, but they always thought that in one or two years, or two or three years, they would annex Hebei as soon as the opportunity arose. It was impossible for Wu’an County to escape, so they often had a condescending attitude. Correspondingly, Wu’an County also had strong
defensive psychology, and a certain sense of eagerness to try caused by strong confidence in one's own combat effectiveness.
In this situation, when they met on a third party's territory, Dou Xiaoniang was naturally prepared to taunt, and she also had the confidence to taunt. Her cultivation level was slightly higher than that of Su Jingfang... But in the end, she did not taunt the other party because Su Jingfang turned around.
One person quickly caught her eye. It was a young female general who was slightly older than herself but not much older.
This person's body-protecting energy seems to be absent, and she is a very rare female general who is stuck at the level of condensation.
There seems to be only one person in Wu'an County who meets this condition.
"Is it General Fan?" Dou Xiaoniang changed her mind, bypassed Su Jingfang, and raised her hand directly to the female general. "General Fan, your brother, Chief Fan, has told us many times that when we see you, we must send a message to ask you to go home."
It was rare for Fan Lihua to be encouraged by Su Jingfang to go abroad to do work. As soon as she came up, she met the helper, which was embarrassing... Times have changed, and she is no longer the eldest daughter of the Fan family who had a trace of stubbornness and could not accept the death of her eldest brother and the surrender of her second brother.
, especially after coming to Hebei, seeing the devastation, and gaining a little understanding of the war. In addition, the only surviving relative became more and more stable in the gang, and the natural position was weakened... But then again, she followed Zhang Shiniang,
When I brought people to Wu'an County, I found my new position and new value early on, and it was also impossible to give up everything here just for a word.
But back to the present moment, it was impossible for such a young lady to speak softly to her, so she could not act like an aunt, so she handed her away and returned some polite words honestly.
Fan Lihua's contact with Dou Xiaoniang greatly eased the atmosphere at the scene. Su Jingfang seemed to be in trouble and just stood aside and pretended to be innocent.
The two sides chatted for a while, roughly eliminating some of the hostility and extinguishing the possibility of armed conflict, but they still had their own thoughts... Of course, the reconnaissance turned into surveillance, and they just headed towards Julu together.
After arriving at Julu, Dou Xiaoniang and her party easily got the answer they originally wanted - the harvest of the fields in Xiangguo County was actually not as good as that of the Qinghe area in Bang.
It can be seen that Chen Junxian, the governor of Xiangguo County, is a waste who does not do enough to provide disaster relief.
However, now that Dou Xiaoniang and others have obtained the answer, they are not in a hurry to return to the border. Instead, they choose to continue to follow Su Jingfang and his party... If the border patrol withdraws at this time, it will be truly
It was a dereliction of duty, especially since they had just escorted their leader in charge of foreign affairs into Xiangguo County the day before yesterday.
At this time, people from Wu'an County suddenly arrived in Xiangguo, and they seemed to have some opinions.
At the same time, Su Jingfang's group, who had obviously set out from Zongcheng, had no intention of expelling the taunts, and instead allowed them to follow.
However, while both parties were harboring their own secrets, what they did not know at all was that Xie Minghe, in charge of foreign affairs, was a guest in Xiangguo County.
"The meaning of our chief is very simple. Please ask Mr. Chen to write a public announcement... In fact, we have already written the announcement for you. I have brought all the people who will announce the announcement for you... The main thing is to ask you to admit yourself.
Lack of capability in civil affairs resulted in the inability to do anything during the drought and inability to save the people; lack of experience in military affairs, inability to stabilize the local area and eliminate banditry, resulting in deterioration of local security, affecting the entire central and western Hebei; culturally as well
It is difficult to be pragmatic and follow our suggestions so that the people of Xiangguo County can enjoy fair opportunities for foundation building and literacy... And it is precisely because of the above that aroused the anger of our Chief Zhang, and he sent people to scold Lord Chen.
, let Chen Fujun give way to Li Ding. Chen Fujun also realized his mistake, was extremely ashamed, and was willing to give up his throne." In the lobby of Longgang Fort in the south of the city of Xiangguo County, Xie Minghe, who was sitting as a guest, spoke sincerely.
"In this way, wouldn't Chen Fujun be able to escape the catastrophe and return home calmly?"
Chen Junxian sat on the main seat with a troubled look on his face. He simply covered his face and lowered his head when he heard the last part: "This is too... too much! If this announcement continues, I will make the world laugh, and the reputation of the Runan Chen family will also be ruined."
It will be a huge loss.”
"Mr. Chen Fu." Xie Minghe sighed and said helplessly. "I can barely be considered a descendant of a famous family. Today, I will tell you a truth in a private capacity. That is, what is your personal name? Whether it is good or bad, it will affect the family's reputation.
It won’t have much impact.”
Chen Junxian looked up blankly.
Seeing this, Xie Minghe understood clearly, but he continued: "Family reputation ultimately depends on two things... One is whether the family can be continued, and the other is how many people can become officials during the process.
And then for what purpose... To put it bluntly, it depends on the total number of officials in your family. As for whether your personal reputation is good or bad, and how good your official performance is, it actually doesn't matter much. Your Runan family, Chen family, certainly has ancestors
There are many outstanding people, but are there really no people who have been disgraced and lost in the history books? How can you still deny your ancestors? If you have to say something unpleasant, it is useful to leave a bad reputation in the history books. At least it is better than the history books.
It’s even more important if you can’t leave your name on it. So, no one should use family reputation as a cover-up.”
Chen Junxian looked slightly embarrassed, but did not say a word.
"Of course, this is a private admonishment, and the next step is official business." Seeing this, Xie Minghe's tone suddenly became higher. "Do you think there are some things that are up to you?"
"Then it's up to you?" Chen Junxian finally raised his hands angrily. "If that's the case, why don't you guys just send troops to capture Xiangguo County? I came to you to ask you to help me resist Li Ding, but in the end you just let me take over the territory
Get out!"
Listening to his words, it turned out that Li Ding was trying to annex him by going down the river.
"Mr. Chen Fu, what you said is so arrogant." Xie Minghe sneered. "You are incompetent. For several years, you have not even been able to clean up the Black Mountains. This has made Taiyuan dissatisfied and Li Ding coveted you. The magistrate of this county has not been able to clean up."
Those who dare to live in the county government can only go to the military fortress in the mountains south of the city. If you want to surrender, you are afraid of ending up as a stranger in a foreign land, so you come to us to beg us... We have also given you a plan, you just need to follow our instructions
We can do some superficial things according to our plan and allow you to bring your family back home safely from our territory. What else do you want?"
Chen Junxian finally sighed: "I came to you because I thought Taiyuan was unkind and Wu'an was unjust, so I sold Xiangguo County to you..."
"We won't be fooled." Xie Minghe sneered and shook his head in reply. "This poor place in Xiangguo County...is long and narrow from east to west, cutting across the middle of Zhuozhang River. It's easy to take it, but how can it be defended? Li Dingnian was rich and powerful, and his appearance
If the hungry dragon is in the south, how can Xue Changxiong, a tiger withered, tolerate us taking his upper reaches? Even Taiyuan will never allow us to take down the counties near the mountains and directly threaten them. In the north, Zhao Commandery, even more
Don't say it anymore. I'm afraid Governor Zhang of Zhao County will be scared and run away. Will we take it then? Do you believe that the people of Youzhou will also get involved? I don't believe Mr. Chen doesn't understand this. You
Don’t you just want to drag us into it, start a multi-party melee, and try to survive in the chaos? Or is there another trick?”
Chen Jun was silent for a moment, and then spoke after a long while: "Having said that, the land of a county is given to you for free, but your Chief Zhang is not moved?"
"We don't lack territory, nor do we lack prestige, and we don't need to prove our strength to anyone. We have already proved it. What we want now is to recuperate and recuperate our internal strength. At least we can get through this year's drought and wait until something happens in Jiangdu or Dongdu.
." Xie Minghe replied helplessly. "Then if we really want to expand and annex territory, we must start from Hejian and go to Youzhou..."
"This determination is indeed remarkable." Chen Jun was silent for a moment before sighing. "Chief Zhang has achieved great results in three years. He is by no means a wasted name."
It was Xie Minghe's turn to stop talking. As the person in charge of foreign affairs, he was tired of hearing similar words.
The two of them faced each other in silence for a while in Longgang Fort, where they could overlook Xiangguo County and the city from a distance. Then Chen Jun spoke first: "But I still feel so embarrassed."
"It's not Mr. Chen's decision whether to lose it or not. As long as you want to go back to your hometown in Runan, you have to ask us. As long as you enter the country, we can still make a replacement in your name, but in that case you will lose most of it.
It seems to be not honest enough." Xie Minghe advised seriously. "I remind you again, you really shouldn't think that your family is still saved and that you can continue to dance on three eggs... After the First World War in Xuzhou, the local officials understood the situation clearly.
OK? If you rebel, it will be chaos. Who cares about your identity as a county guard?! What will follow is a situation of wanton annexation, where the strong will prevail and the weak will eat the dust. If you can’t hold it back, you can’t hold it. Don’t do it again
You are struggling! Moreover, Li Ding is coming for his territory and is being invaded by the princes. Under the sword, your Excellency, not to mention your face, it is difficult to guarantee the lives of your family and yourself."
"That's why I went to Jiang Ling to ask for help." Chen Junxian said sadly. "I originally thought that the world could still survive, but in the end, during the battle in Xuzhou, you produced a pile of whale bones, which broke this layer of cover... I can
How about it? I'm just an ordinary county guard, and in this position, it's like being in a heap of tigers and wolves."
"You also know that Jiangdu is just covering up? Without us, it will still be exposed, and you will have to leave sooner or later." Xie Minghe said quietly.
"Then I have one more question." Chen Jun thought about it again and again before continuing.
"As long as you cooperate, everything will be easy." Xie Minghe said relaxedly.
"Why are you doing this? To show your goodwill to Li Ding? Or has Li Ding already had understanding and communication with you because of his friendship with your chief?" Chen Junxian continued to ask. "Or, as the rumors say, the British Duke of Taiyuan
Are you in contact with your chief? Bai Sanniang wants to imitate the female phoenix and even the Red Emperor Empress to become an empress?"
"Your Excellency, you think too much." Xie Minghe was speechless. "First of all, since our gang is the leader of the rebel army in the world and regards itself as the overlord of Hebei, there is no reason why we should not show up when the neighboring counties have a annexation war; secondly, we must try to alienate Li Ding and
The British Duke... So, not only did your Excellency have to give up a county with an order from our chief, Governor Li also had a commendation document posted all over Hebei, letting everyone in the world know that Li Ding was able to get Xiangguo County because of it.
He took the initiative to rebel against Wei."
Chen Junxian was stunned for a moment, and finally smiled bitterly: "Looking at the current situation, Li Ding can't refute it, and no one will believe him if he refutes it? People in the world will only think that he is the same as Zhou Xiaoshang."
"What he did was the same as Zhou Xiaoshang's. Now that he's done this, does anyone care whether he makes the final call or not?" Xie Minghe answered seriously. "It's just that he needs to get letters from some specific people.
It's from the periphery of our gang... not anyone else's, so he can't even explain it himself, that's all."
"I promise." Chen Jun thought for a while and then suddenly responded. "I am willing to make Li Ding suffer a loss. I am willing to lose some face."
Xie Minghe was immediately overjoyed.
One day later, Su Jingfang, who used his tricks to control Dou Xiaoniang and his gang, successfully arrived at Nanhe County, the transportation hub designated by his master, without arousing anyone's suspicion... Yes, Dou Xiaoniang and others thought they were
In the performance of his duties, he monitored Su Jingfang and his party, but in fact, it was Su Jingfang who took advantage of the situation and used a simple method to control the gang sentries who were unlikely to have a direct armed conflict in a secret military operation.
The two sides only had one face-to-face meeting before he came up with this strategy.
As for the purpose of Su Jingfang and Fan Lihua's trip, they were to control the Nanhe River by surprise, or at least control the official road bridge on the east side of Nanhe County. By controlling this place, they can effectively prevent the governor of Xiangguo County, Chen Jun, from escaping eastward first, and then continue with the gang behind him.
resistance.
It can be seen that Li Ding also knows Zhang Xing very well. He knows that Zhang Xing, who regretted the war in Xuzhou, will never send troops without authorization again, especially to Xiangguo County, a troublesome state wedged in the western region of Hebei. But he
We also know that once Zhang Xing gets the news, he will definitely try to use his political influence to make some gains out of thin air.
From Li Ding's point of view, the most troublesome thing was that Chen Jun went eastward and became a new buffer force on the east side of Xiang State. This was simply unacceptable to Li Ding, who had been patient for a long time.
"How about entering the city!" Seeing that the soldiers at the bridge did not dare to intercept, Su Jingfang hesitated and took the initiative to suggest to Fan Lihua.
"Are you entering the city?" Fan Lihua was inexplicably flustered, and at the same time looked at the patrolling cavalry behind the team. "Just the hundred of us?"
"That's enough." Su Jingfang also glanced at Dou Xiaoniang and his group. He knew the real reason for the other party's panic. "There's no need to hide it here... For one thing, no matter what they do next, they will be suspicious, and then go back
To report, we directly took the city, saying that we could not make them continue to be vigilant and follow curiously, and delayed it for a while; secondly, they followed us, and we said that we could not use the power of others to undermine the morale of the defenders in the city in the name of gangs; thirdly,
Whether it is to intercept Chen Junxian or prevent the army from coming to help, it is better to control the city than to control the bridge."
"I understand the first two, but what happened to the last one?" Fan Lihua thought for a while and continued to ask. "The army is coming. We have a hundred horses. We can't stop it in the city or on the bridge, right?"
"That's a fight... The problem is that the two families can't fight now." Su Jingfang answered frankly. "Since we can't fight, if we occupy the city, we will take advantage first, making it difficult for them to attack the city."
Fan Lihua suddenly realized: "In that case, let's enter the city... You pretend to be the envoy from the county, and I will directly capture the deputy captain of the garrison from behind! Take control of the city defense!"
After the two of them had discussed it, they continued to the city ahead without hesitation. Dou Xiaoniang and others, who had no idea that they had fallen into a trap, discussed it with each other and decided to follow them boldly - they didn't believe Wu'an County.
This group of people want to sell themselves, and they really want to know what this group of people want to do.
Of course, as the three-day bargain period was approaching, they still separated one person and went back directly. At the same time, they discussed it carefully and reported back as soon as they figured out how to do it.
Let's say that the autumn day was warm, the wind was beautiful, and the gates of Nanhe City, which was located in a strategic location, were wide open and there was no defense at all.
However, what is surprising is that at the intersection in front of the city gate, many passers-by gathered around a big tree with a notice posted on it, blocking the intersection. When they saw the soldiers and horses, they only became slightly alert and did not flee in fright.
the meaning of.
Su Jingfang couldn't figure it out, so he took the initiative to take a look, and Dou Xiaoniang and others naturally came forward.
As a result, dozens of steps away, I heard someone inside shouting loudly under the tree:
"That's what I mean...that's you...our County Sheriff Chen did a bit bad, and now it's Chief Zhang of the gang who makes the decision in Hebei, so Chief Zhang drove County Sheriff Chen home, and gave our Xiangguo County to Wu'an County in the south.
County Sheriff Li is in charge... County Sheriff Li is Chief Zhang's sworn brother and a first-class confidant, so he has to leave it to him... As for posting this notice specifically, County Sheriff Chen felt sorry for everyone, so he took the initiative to give it to the county commander "
He confessed his mistake, and the other asked everyone not to panic. It was normal to see some exchanges of soldiers and horses, because the people from Wu'an County would definitely come to receive it... Everyone took advantage of the autumn harvest and went to the mountains to find some.
Dates can make up for the shortage of drought, which is the right reason."
Su Jingfang and others were stunned.
Dou Xiaoniang saw clearly that the person giving the lecture was one of Xie Minghe's group that she had escorted before. She couldn't help but be confused and surprised, and then she seriously asked the people beside her: "Is that so? Are you here to take over the city? But?
Why are you still hiding it from us? What’s the point?”
Even though Su Jingfang was as cunning as a ghost, as bold as a dragon, and as careful as hair, his mind was just a mess at this moment, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.