In fact, it is no wonder that among the Taiping Taoists Zhang Ning comes into contact with on a daily basis, most of them are brave and ruthless people, such as Guan Hai, Cheng Yuanzhi, Deng Mao, Ma Yuanyi, Zhou Cang and others.
Hei, the two closest senior brothers, has an ordinary appearance. Xu Huang is in his youth and has both a heroic spirit and an elegant style. In addition, he has lived in a big city like Luoyang for many years and is well-informed.
Treat people politely and generously.
Because he was her enemy, Zhang Ning couldn't help but look at him a few more times. She inadvertently compared him with several of her senior brothers, and couldn't help but feel a little distracted. Xu Huang's concerned inquiry suddenly woke her up, and she touched him with her hands.
Fang felt a little embarrassed and said, "Well, I'm fine. Let's go in and talk in detail."
In the next few days, Xu Huang took her between counties according to Zhang Ning's request, out of the countryside and into villages, and on the streets. Zhang Ning discovered a very strange phenomenon that could not be seen in other places.
Yes, that is, no matter where Xu Huang comes, the local people are very friendly to Xu Huang and his officers and soldiers, and many people seem to know Xu Huang. You can often hear "Hello, General Xu!" "Good morning, General Xu!"
When greeting people, some people would hand over water, eggs, steamed buns and other food, and Xu Huang could also call some of them by name.
Zhang Ning asked in surprise: "General Xu, I heard that you are not a local, how come you are so familiar with them?"
Xu Huang smiled and said: "Actually, I'm not familiar with them. I've only met them a few times. I can't remember some of their names."
Zhang Ning didn't believe it: "Then why are they so enthusiastic about you?"
Xu Huang said disapprovingly: "What's the point? The military and civilians are one family!"
These are the ideas Liu Xin instilled in them. Ever since Xu Huang and Zhang He reorganized the Hejian army, Liu Xin has emphasized the good handling of military-civilian relations, strict military discipline, and no infringement of the interests of the people. Many soldiers and ruffians have been expelled from the army.
.In this way, the people's feelings towards the army were greatly improved. Not only that, Liu Xin also asked them to often organize soldiers to help the people with farm work and take care of the old, weak, sick and disabled. At the beginning, the soldiers had some resistance, but when they discovered
When the common people gradually accepted them and treated them as family members, all the soldiers naturally developed a sense of pride. Most of these soldiers came from ordinary people, and their parents and family often received help from one of them.
In this way, they will be more motivated and their relationship with the people will naturally become more harmonious. Many people are more willing to send their children to the military camps.
Zhang Ning also discovered that the lives of the people in Hejian seemed to be very happy. This happiness not only overflowed on their faces, but also came from their hearts. Walking on the road, you can see a happy smiling face at any time. Hejian County
It’s almost to the point where they don’t pick up things on the road and don’t close their doors at night.
This is also beneficial to Liu Xin's idea of not competing with the people for profit. The government will never force people to do unpaid labor. Just like the construction of water conservancy projects in various places, which is a great thing that benefits the people, all people who participate in labor will benefit from it.
Although the amount of wages earned was small, it caused a great response among the people. For hundreds of years, these jobs were done for free, and they never thought that the government would give money. With money in hand, the people's lives improved.
It has been improved, and local business has gradually prospered. Many things that cannot be bought elsewhere are sold in the market in Hejian, and many businessmen from other places are willing to do business in Hejian. Commercial
The prosperity also increased the government's tax revenue. Even Liu Xin himself did not expect the changes to be so big and so fast. He just wanted to make the people's lives better, and did not expect it to be so far-reaching. After all, the development and changes in a few months are limited.
, but it brings hope and confidence to the people, which is something that no amount of money can buy.
Zhang Ning finally understood why Taiping Road had not developed in Hejian in the past few months, but had even shrunk. This was all thanks to Liu Xin, the prefect.
On this day, Zhang Ning and Xu Huang came to Gaoyang County. Zhang Ning suddenly remembered that this was the place where his senior brother Zhu Qing was killed, and the enemy who killed his senior brother was right in front of him. He couldn't bear to hate him these days, and he couldn't help but feel deeply.
She blamed herself deeply. When she saw a high hill in front of her, she raised the riding whip in her hand, pointed in that direction and said, "General Xu, let's go there and have a look."
Xu Huang didn't say anything. He made a stand-by gesture to the accompanying soldiers and rode alongside Zhang Ning. The two came to a high hill. Zhang Ning got off his horse and pretended to observe the terrain carefully. Xu Huang
It's a little strange. These days, she has learned about local customs or roads and city defenses. She followed the adults' instructions and showed her whatever she wanted to see. Unexpectedly, she took a serious look at this terrain today.
, is she really capable of praying for rain, and she has taken a fancy to this place and wants to set up an altar?
While Xu Huang was thinking, he jumped off his horse and strolled behind Zhang Ning. Zhang Ning had been observing the movement behind her. When she heard Xu Huang's footsteps getting closer and closer, her heart was already in her throat.
When Xu Huang was still half a step away from Zhang Ning, Zhang Ning suddenly turned around, and a cold light pierced Xu Huang's throat like lightning.
Xu Huang listened to Liu Xin's advice a few days ago and has been very careful. After a few days, he saw that Zhang Ning behaved normally, so he couldn't help but feel a little relaxed. Besides, although Zhang Ning is a Taoist priest, she is also a beautiful girl. Xu Huang is very
It was easy to develop a good impression of her, and Liu Xin's words had long been forgotten.
Xu Huang suddenly saw a flash of cold light. He was caught off guard and it was impossible to completely avoid it. Xu Huang's heart twitched, his body turned slightly, and he took a step forward to face the cold light. He felt a burst of energy coming from his left shoulder.
Severe pain. Zhang Ning succeeded with the sword, but she didn't know whether she was happy or sad. Just as she was about to take back the sword, she felt a numbness in her right wrist, and suddenly she couldn't use half of her body. Zhang Ning's heart tightened, and she found herself being held by Xu Huang.
He lifted his right wrist, and his sword was inserted into Xu Huang's shoulder, trembling slightly.
Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Huang's mind. At this time, he already understood that the adults were right. She was here to seek revenge. However, he still didn't believe that such a beautiful woman would commit such a murderous attack. He shouted in a deep voice: "Why did the Taoist treat Xu?"
Someone suddenly committed a murderous attack?"
Zhang Ning saw Xu Huang's stern expression and his shoulder bleeding profusely. He couldn't help but be stunned. His eyes felt moist and he murmured: "Why is this?"
Xu Huang said angrily: "I'm asking you!" Suer added: "Forget it, you are a woman, I won't make things difficult for you, just go away!"
After saying that, he shook his hand vigorously and threw Zhang Ning away three or five steps. Zhang Ning stumbled but did not fall. It turned out that Xu Huang was clever and left her a three-point leeway.
Xu Huang threw Zhang Ning away, roared, and pulled out the sword. Blood surged from his shoulder. Xu Huang held back the pain and threw the sword towards Zhang Ning. The force was so strong that he suffered
She was seriously injured, lost her aim, and landed on a boulder next to her. There was a "clang" sound, a deep mark was made on the boulder, and several sparks shot out, but the sword broke into two pieces.
Zhang Ning bent down and picked up the two broken swords. He looked at Xu Huang, half of his body dyed bright red, and burst into tears. His heart ached for no reason, and he said in a strange way: "General Xu, I really didn't mean it."
Xu Huang didn't speak. He knew in his heart that Liu Xin was right. This woman came to him for revenge, but he was more willing to believe that what Zhang Ning said at this moment was true and that she didn't mean it.
Zhang Ning didn't wait for Xu Huang to speak, threw away the broken sword in his hand, walked towards him and said: "I often hear people say that the general is very skilled in martial arts. I wanted to try it, but unexpectedly..."
Xu Huang sighed and interrupted her: "Oh, don't say it. You'd better leave. It won't be good when the soldiers come over and see it."
Zhang Ning suddenly dropped a piece of his Taoist robe and rushed over to hold Xu Huang's wound. Xu Huang didn't say anything this time and allowed her to bandage his wound. While Zhang Ning was bandaging, he looked at the silent man.
Xu Huang finally couldn't help but said: "I heard that you once defeated dozens of horse thieves in Gaoyang County by yourself. I didn't expect that I would hurt you with just one sword."
When Xu Huang heard this, he understood everything: "Yes, a few months ago, I just came to Hejian from Luoyang and passed by Gaoyang County. I encountered a group of horse thieves robbing the villagers' food. These horse thieves were very hateful. They not only robbed food, but also
Moreover, all the remaining grain of the villagers must be burned. These villagers have worked hard for a year and only harvested this little grain. How can you expect them to live without food? Now that this is happening to me, how can I ignore it?"
Xu Huang took a breath and continued: "There were more than thirty horse thieves at that time, and they surrounded me. I killed more than a dozen of them one after another, and the rest fled. However, the leader was a man. Originally, I
We had captured him, but he refused to surrender, so he grabbed the tip of the spear and stabbed it into his own throat. He died a heroic death, but it was not worth it!"
Zhang Ning was stunned when he heard this: "Didn't you kill that leader with your own hands?"
"Although I didn't kill them myself, it doesn't make any difference." Xu Huang smiled helplessly, and suddenly said with a serious face: "However, I will not be merciful to these scum who harm the people!"
"The scum that harms the people?" Zhang Ning was a little confused. Her father had always told her that she did all this to save the people of the world, but in Xu Huang's eyes, they were the scum that harmed the people. Who is against whom?
Wrong?
"Forget it, no matter what happens, you should leave first." Although Xu Huang never looked back, he knew his soldiers. They would definitely find that the situation here was abnormal and would rush over soon.
"But, your injury..." Zhang Ning had just seen the group of soldiers coming towards the high hill.
"This little injury is nothing. Let's go! Otherwise it will be too late." Xu Huang pushed Zhang Ning away.
"It's too late." Zhang Ning's voice became quieter and quieter, so quiet that only she could hear it: "I want to accompany you to recover from your injuries before leaving."