On the field ridge in Nantang, Zhou Yueru sneezed and gathered her clothes again.
Although spring has begun, it is still very cold and seems to be colder than in previous years.
There are still farmers busy in the surrounding fields, and it seems that the approach of the bandits has not affected their lives.
"How come there are so many people who haven't left?"
Zhou Yueru suppressed the doubts in his heart and walked towards Sun's house knowing the way.
It was quiet as we walked through the village, not many people were seen, and many houses had their doors closed.
When they got to the middle of the village, several dogs jumped out and barked at Zhou Yueru. Zhou Yueru picked up a long branch on the roadside, held it in his hand to strengthen his courage, and walked carefully against the wall of the house. An old woman came out next to him.
After chasing the dogs for a while, Zhou Yueru passed the Chinese Pastoral Dog blockade. Before the barking of the dogs subsided, Zhou Yueru found Sun Tianxiu's home.
Seeing the gate of Sun's courtyard, Zhou Yueru breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had only been there once, the scene in that small courtyard seemed to have always been in Zhou Yueru's heart.
The door in front of the yard has been replaced. Although it is still a tree branch, it is well-knitted and much better than the tattered one before. There is also a small bunch of wild flowers tied to the door leaf on the right, swaying gently in the breeze.
The courtyard is very quiet. Bundles of straw are neatly tied on the grass trees. From a distance, it looks like a thatched house. There are a few chickens and ducks under the grass trees. There are some droppings on the ground. There is a hen clucking in front of the main house.
, as if an egg had just been laid.
Someone spoke in the room, a woman's voice.
Zhou Yueru shouted towards the room, "Sun Tianxiu."
Someone responded immediately inside, and Sun Tianxiu's small figure appeared in front of the door with a tired look on her face. When she saw Zhou Yueru, she immediately smiled sweetly.
Sun Tianxiu ran over in large strides, stopped in front of Zhou Yueru, pulled the corner of her clothes and shouted, "Sister Zhou."
"Why don't you wear shoes? Come and see, sister."
Zhou Yueru knelt down and looked up and down, touching her hair lovingly. Sun Tianxiu tied a braid with a red rope, which was much prettier than the dirty afro when they first met.
Sun Tianxiu looked at Zhou Yueru with bright eyes, "They said the bandits were coming, why did my sister still go out?"
"Sister doesn't trust you, so I'm here to take you to the city."
Sun Tianxiu lowered his eyes to the ground and shook his head, "I'm not going to the city."
"Then you can go up the mountain, but don't stay at home."
"Stay home."
Zhou Yueru asked anxiously, "Why?"
Sun Tianxiu grabbed the corner of his clothes and remained silent. Zhou Yueru turned her head and looked, and saw big tears flowing out of Sun Tianxiu's eyes.
"What's going on?"
"Dad vomited a lot of blood. The doctor said it might only last a few days."
Sun Tianxiu wiped away tears and sobbed, "He can't get down. He will vomit blood if he moves even a little bit. He can't go anywhere."
"Then you can't stay at home, in case the bandits come..." Zhou Yueru shed tears as she spoke.
"My uncle took his younger brothers into the mountains. My father said that he must die at home so that his soul can return to its proper place.
Daddy cannot be left unattended, I want to accompany him."
Sun Tianxiu wiped away her tears and stopped sobbing. She stretched out her hand to wipe the tears on Zhou Yueru's face and said, "Mom said we should remember our gratitude. My parents are the greatest debt of gratitude, and my uncle and sister Zhou are also the biggest debtors. I will repay you slowly in the future."
Zhou Yueru was speechless for a moment, and when she wanted to persuade him again, the sound of vomiting came from inside. Sun Tianxiu turned around and ran back to the house, closed the door tightly with a creak and locked the bolt.
Zhou Yueru went up and knocked on the door.
"Sister Zhou, please go back to the city quickly."
Sun Tianxiu's voice came from inside the door, "This is all we have in our house. When the bandits come and ask for something, they will take it with them. Many people in the village haven't left yet."
"Sister, can you please find someone to carry your father into the city?"
Zhou Yueru slapped the door, but there was no response from inside.
Zhou Yueru stood blankly in front of the door for a moment, then slowly turned around and walked back the way he came.
... There was an endless stream of people on the official road in the northeast of Tongcheng. Their belongings on oxcarts were piled into hills, and people on foot were carrying a lot of luggage, all fleeing in the direction of Tongcheng.
On a hill beside the road, two figures were sitting in the grass on the top of the slope, with a long-handled iron pipe inserted beside them, facing the direction of Tongcheng.
Both of them were barefoot and wearing short cotton-padded jackets, and their faces had rough skin.
Both of them were villagers from Zhangjia Village near the official road and were relatively familiar with the nearby terrain. The county government gave them two qian of silver per day and asked them to guard the official road and fire cannons if they saw rogues approaching.
"I said, Lao Zhou, if the bandits come, if we fire a little louder and make more noise and smoke, they will definitely know that we are here. Do you have a good way to escape?"
"Look, just follow me and run down the slope towards Tianba."
"The water in the fart field has been drained."
"There are always ridges. I don't believe that the bandits' horses can outrun us on the ridges."
"That's a horse from the north. What if it can run as a field terrier?"
"Pang Bantou said that the bandit's horse is only a little tall, which is similar to ours. If it runs on the ridge of the field, it will fall down."
"But the bandits also have legs, so they might be able to run fast without riding a horse."
"They ride with bowed legs every day and can't run fast. You see, Zhang Mazi rides an ox and can't run fast."
"So what do rogues look like?"
"No matter what, I said I would fire off cannons when I saw a group of people on horseback. Hey, there are people on horseback coming."
There was a sound of hoofbeats on the official road, and people on horseback came from the direction of Lujiang River. The people on the road panicked and fled to the roadside.
"Set the firecrackers! Set the firecrackers! Hurry up and start the fire."
"Wait a minute, there are only six of us. Hey, look, they are officers and soldiers' clothes."
The two of them looked around and saw that among the six riders there were indeed fat red coats of officers and soldiers.
Their home is just on the roadside, and they often see official Ekidens, many of whom are dressed like this.
The six people ignored the people and headed all the way to Tongcheng.
Seeing that there was no danger, the people returned to the road one after another.
"Then let it go?"
"Don't let go, don't let go, no cannons were fired in front, the six of them are not a large group, they must be the soldiers of Eichiden."
The two stopped their movements and watched the six riders leave.
The two started chatting again. No one on horseback passed by on the official road at the foot of the mountain. However, a carriage passed by after a while, between the fleeing people. There were dozens of vehicles in front and behind them, but they did not notice them at all. These carriages passed by both sides.
People are guarding the foot of the mountain, and people are flocking to Tongcheng.
The six riders flew along as if there was no one around. Pedestrians on the roadside panicked and fled. Half a quarter of an hour later, they arrived outside Tongcheng.
The shops outside the city were all closed and looked deserted.
There were many people fleeing in front, and the Zilai Bridge was very crowded. The six people slowed down and stopped outside the crowd. There were some government officials holding swords and guns on the bridge in front. There were roadblocks made of rough wood placed at both ends of the bridge, leaving only the exposed area.
There is an opening for people to enter and exit, and there are several government officials standing in the middle of the bridge. They search the bodies and accents of the people who enter, and only those who pass the inspection can cross the bridge.
The people heard the sound of horse hooves and gave way to them one after another. Six horsemen came to the roadblock, and several government officials in black with the word "Zhuang" embroidered on their arms stood behind the roadblock.
The rider in the middle shouted, "We are scouts from the Ministry of War. We want to enter the city to spread military information. Please get out of the way."
Several government officials were stunned when they heard this. They had only seen the magistrate before. Suddenly they heard the word "Ministry of War" and were all frightened. Those people were facing fiercely again. The government officials did not dare to delay and quickly moved the roadblock to let the six riders
pass.
After the six people crossed the bridge, the leading rider said to the officer again, "Don't block the road. I'll be back in a moment. If you delay, you will die."
Several government officials responded obediently, and the rider turned around and saw the Dongzuo Gate closed, then turned along Zilai Street toward Xiangyang Gate.
Looking at the city wall all the way, I saw continuous hanging curtains on the top of the city, and a lot of wooden frames and high lamps separated by them. There were many shadows of people in the gaps.
Soon they arrived at Xiangyang Gate. Because people continued to flee, the city gate was still open. There were many people waiting for inspection at the door, and there were some government officials nearby. They saw several riders approaching, and someone stretched out a short spear to stop them.
"We are the reconnaissance cavalry of the Ministry of War. We are going to Anqing Mansion to report the military situation. Get out of the way quickly. We have to enter the city to change horses."
Speaking with a northern accent, the yamen officer was also intimidated by the name of the Ministry of War and did not dare to question a few people. He quickly replied, "Young man, I have to report it to you first."
As soon as the rider who spoke leaned over, he swung his whip and hit his head. The people around him screamed, and the officer was caught off guard and waved his hand to block. The whip went around his arm and slapped him in the face, causing a bloody streak.
The yamen servant screamed and covered his face, squatting on the ground in pain.
The surrounding people all avoided and made way for the city gate.
The impression that officers and soldiers have always given people is that they have this kind of virtue. It is considered good to hit people with whips, and no one dares to provoke them.
Unexpectedly, there was a shout from behind, and a group of government servants rushed forward with waist knives and short spears, surrounding the six people. Some of their horses felt the danger, and kept turning anxiously. They had to control the horses to stay in place.
land.
The leading bureaucracy officer came over and cursed, "Where did your grandma come from? Tongcheng is not a place for you to run wild."
The beating rider pointed his whip at him and cursed, "Dog labor has delayed the military situation, you can afford it."
"Dog soldier! I can bear anything, how can I beat you!"
After the strong man scolded him, he picked up a whistle stick and was about to beat him. A nearby government officer quickly stopped him.
"Captain Yao can't fight the people from the Ministry of War!"
As soon as the strong man broke away, another government officer grabbed him next to him, and a commotion broke out in the field. The two riders drew their swords and looked at the government officials around them warily.
One of the riders on the side of the horse drank to accompany him, jumped off his horse and helped up the beaten government servant on the ground.
He politely said to the yamen officer and the strong man, "The two official brothers have offended me. We really want to report the military situation to Anqing Mansion, but we are also impatient. I will ask Haihan for the offence."
When everyone saw that this officer and soldier was so kind, some people took the courage to ask, "Do you know where the rogue went?"
The kind rider still said politely, "Don't worry, everyone. There are soldiers from Nanjing crossing the river to join forces with the governor of Fengyang. The rogue bandits did not dare to stay after they broke through the Lujiang River. They have already gone to Shucheng and Liu'an Prefecture.
"The people suddenly cheered, and some people could no longer hold back and went to discuss with relatives and friends to go home.
The rider added, "We are going to Anqing to report to Wang Bingbei and ask him to send troops to pursue the bandits. We must drag the bandits to Liu'an Prefecture and wait for the army to destroy them."
The people applauded one after another, and some people took out the dry food in their bags and distributed it to the riders. The rider who hit him also put away his knife and thanked the people again and again.
The strong man was still aggrieved and said angrily to them, "You can't beat them, I think the Tongcheng Zhuangban are so easy to beat!"
"This officer is considerate and his military situation is as strong as fire. We dare not delay."
The leading rider looked at the door. There were some government officials on the street inside the door, as well as many common people with short spears, a scene of swords and swords.
He turned around and said to the people at the door, "We are going into the city to change horses. After a short rest, we will go to Anqing to report the news. Who can be the winner?"
The yamen servant replied, "To change horses, I need your permission from your master. You can go into the city and wait until you find your master."
"Then I'd like to send this official to look for you. There's chaos in the city, so we'll wait here."
The rider cupped his hands and said to the people around him, "Everyone, please go home. I have seen with my own eyes that the bandit group has already gone north. In such a cold weather, it is better to stay at home instead of running around."
Several common people with short spears shouted, "Hurry up and find someone to report to the Lord. We don't need to defend the city anymore."
The people around were discussing happily, and some people had already picked up their luggage and walked out of the city, preparing to go home.
The news was passed to the city gate, and cheers rang out from time to time around Xiangyang Gate.
The surrounding government officials put away their swords and guns, and the strong man took a sip at them and went into the city gate.
The riders did not argue with the strong man but got off their horses and ate some dry food on the spot. They kept looking around during the breaks.
Suddenly a voice said from behind the rider, "You said it was a reconnaissance cavalry from the Ministry of War. Do you have a scout from the Ministry of War?"
Several people looked back and saw a polite yamen servant wearing a uniform standing behind him. He was not wearing a hat and was wrapped in layers of white cloth with blood stains on it. Behind him were several yamen servants with waist knives.
The detective who beat the man cursed, "What qualifications do you have to watch me wait for Kanhe?"
"I'm on the fast train in Tongcheng, He Xianya, and I'm patrolling Xiangyangmen and Zilai Street under the orders of the emperor. I haven't heard that the Ministry of War has sent a survey to Tongcheng."
The leading rider reached out to stop him again, and calmly took out a document from his arms and handed it over.
He Xianya reached out to take it and looked through it carefully. The seals on it were complete and the letter on the right side read, "For urgent official matters, the Ministry of War has contacted the yamen all over Henan and ordered the Beijing camp to set up a guerrilla attack. Tang Guanghong, deputy general Liu Neng,
It is important to detect the banditry, and the response will be delivered immediately. For this purpose, please send the ticket to the prefectures and counties along the way..." "Kanhe only wrote about the yamen in Henan Province, and Tongcheng is under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili. How can you use Henan Kanhe to transfer my Tongcheng people?
horse."
The leading rider smiled slightly and took back Kanhe, "This survey was originally used by Henan, but the bandits have entered southern Zhili, so they can only do it cheaply. If Tongcheng does not lend the horses and lets the bandits go, it will be a waste of time for the military. I'm afraid you guys
No one can afford it."
He Xianya was not sure, so he stared at the man for a moment, then returned to the doorway and said to the angry Yao Dongshan, "Look at those people, I'll report it to the squad leader."
Around the two people, the people were talking a lot, and the news that the bandits had evacuated spread in the city.
(Note 1)..."The bandits went north?"
Pang Yu looked at He Xianya from the bell tower and asked in surprise, "Where is the scout from the Ministry of War?"
"Still at Xiangyang Gate, I have a worthy document in my hand."
After He Xianya finished speaking, he glanced at Pang Yu and said, "But I don't know if it's true or not, because I've never seen the military department be compatible."
Pang Yu is on the top floor of the bell tower, surrounded by several flag bearers. He is here today to coordinate flags with all the gates in the city.
After hearing this, he asked several flag bearers to go downstairs, circled twice and asked He Xianya, "Since yesterday, our horses have been unable to cross the Lujiang County boundary. None of the three horses sent out today have returned. What happened in Lujiang?"
How, we have no idea."
He Xianya whispered, "The squad leader said they were fake?"
Pang Yu shook his head and said, "I don't dare to say for sure, but I have a habit of thinking about whether everything is fake.
Since we can't go to Lujiang, how did they come here?"
"Could it be that the bandits have left Lujiang, so the official road has been cleared?"
Pang Yu nodded and said, "It is possible, but there are no troops in Anqing Prefecture. The bandits march at least fifty or sixty miles every day. Lujiang River is two to three hundred miles away from Anqing. If these scouts have been in Henan for a long time, they should know that even if Anqing has troops,
It is impossible to catch up with the rogue bandits. If Governor Fengyang really leads the troops behind, then the reconnaissance cavalry of the Ministry of War should contact Feng Governor. They do not follow the rogue bandits, but instead go to Anqing far away from the nearest. Isn't it surprising?
.”
He Xianya's expression changed slightly. If Pang Yu's analysis was true, then the six of them were the vanguard of the rogue bandits.
He murmured, "Then they are still guarding Xiangyang Gate at this time..." The two looked at each other for a moment, and Pang Yu suddenly said, "Go back immediately, arrest those six people, and close Xiangyang Gate!"
"What to do with the people outside the door?"
"Never mind! Ride my horse immediately!"
He Xianya turned around and walked away, almost jumping down the bell tower stairs.
Pang Yu jumped to the next floor and shouted to the waiting flag bearer, "Go up to the east flag bearer, wave the red flag towards Yangmen, and ring the bell from the bell tower!"
Before the flag-bearer could wave, Pang Yu quickly ran downstairs.
The bell tower happened to be opposite the county government office. Pang Yu rushed in. In the quick squad room and Zaoli room, there was a strong squadron of a squadron. According to the plan, it was used as a reserve team in the city.
Zhou Xiancheng was at the door when he saw Pang Yu running towards him. He raised his sleeves and was about to speak. Unexpectedly, Pang Yu seemed not to see him and flashed past him. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted, "The first squadron is following me."
Come!"
Zhuang Chaozheng was sitting in the room, but after hearing this, he quickly stood up and said, "The first squadron is gathering."
"If you don't gather together, follow me with your sword and gun, to Xiangyang Gate!"
After Pang Yu roared, he turned around and ran towards Xianqian Street. Zhuang Chaozheng and others were stunned for a moment, and then he shouted, and thirty-five strong men swarmed out from the guard rooms on both sides of the corridor, and a group of people rushed towards Xiangyang Gate.
"when!"
The clear bells on the bell tower rang at the right time, and the sound spread throughout the city.
...Note 1: Rogue bandits have a strong ability to use time, and are good at forging documents and using official documents to deceive city gates.
During the capture of Hezhou, people were sent into the city pretending to be military scouts to exchange horses, and told the city guards that the rogue bandits were still in Henan, so that the defenders could relax their vigilance. In fact, the army was within two days' journey.