Downstairs at Changping Gate in the southern city of Xuanfu, Miao Kui, who had arrived several days earlier, was standing a little ahead of Zhang Jun, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, looking thoughtfully at the group of people getting closer and closer on the horizon. Just look at
Yanchen, he knew that not many people were coming. Calculating the distance, he guessed that Xu Xun would leave most of his entourage behind to guard the self-purification people who were escorted all the way to Shaanxi. He couldn't help but shake his head.
.
"Why can't he change his tendency to be simple and obedient in everything?"
"Young and energetic people like to show off and show off, but Uncle Pingbei's temperament has always been the opposite."
Zhang Jun was able to secure his position as the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu with a defeated general because of Xu Xun's efforts to protect him. Seeing this man rising in favor in the court and approaching Liu Jin, now that his leg injury has healed, he no longer has to worry about those who are watching him.
He was patrolling the censor, and he felt much more relaxed when doing things. Seeing that the knights in front of him were already dozens of steps away, he had to follow Miao Kui and take a few steps to meet them.
"Mr. Miao." Xu Xun did not sit high on his horse. He jumped off the horse and cupped his hands towards Miao Kui. Then he looked at Zhang Jun with a smile and said, "Mr. Zhang, it's been a long time. I heard that your leg injury has recovered now. How about you?"
This precious sword can come in handy again."
"No matter what, the defeated general is not brave enough. If I can use my old body to make up for my previous mistakes, I should do my best."
Zhang Jun chuckled. Seeing that Zhang Yong was naturally half a step behind Xu Xun, he gently tapped his hand with the riding crop. He remembered that because of the previous defeat, the guarding eunuch Liu Qing had defected to Zhang Yong. In the end, he was able to stay in the Xuan Mansion smoothly after committing a crime.
, even though there is a big reshuffle of guard eunuchs everywhere, the guard eunuchs in Datong, Xuanfu have not moved at all, which shows that Zhang Yong and Xu Xun are from the same group. So, he looked at the two or three hundred sergeants following him, and suddenly felt a little confused.
He said in embarrassment: "Eunuch Miao said not to disturb too much before, so I only brought a few followers, and even Eunuch Liu, deputy commander in chief, and several generals were not informed... But after all, Uncle Pingbei this time
He's an imperial envoy, isn't this too simple?"
"If the emperor comes in person, he will definitely say that there is no need for red tape to welcome and send off. I am on inspection this time, so I can keep a low profile. Eunuch Miao understands me." Xu Xun waved his hand to stop Zhang Jun from continuing, and then
He smiled and said, "We are old acquaintances after all, and I won't talk nonsense to you. There is nothing interesting to see in Xuanfu City. Eunuch Zhang and I have already visited Longmenwei and Dushi Fort, and next we will go to Zhangjiakou Fort.
Fortress, Wanquan Right Acropolis, and the small and large acropolis stone castles along the road, I went to Datong immediately. I left my wife and I at home and came out. Naturally, I had to rush to the place without stopping, and I didn't waste time going around for banquets.
"
Although there were two eunuchs present, Xu Xun spoke so straightforwardly that even Miao Kui and Zhang Yong laughed, not to mention Zhang Jun and Chen Xiong who understood it. The five of them had experienced that battle together before.
, Xu Xun and Shenying left the border, Zhang Jun provided backup, Miao Kui and Chen Xiong mobilized Wanquan right guard reinforcements, Zhang Yong and Liu Qing went to Datong to ask for reinforcements. It can be said that they share a huge responsibility, and their friendship with each other is certainly extraordinary.
Now that it was agreed upon, Zhang Jun stopped delaying and gave a few instructions to Wu Dahai, who was now back under his command. He then had his and Miao Kui's mounts brought out, and said bluntly: "That's it.
, I don’t dare to delay your time, Uncle Pingbei, let’s go!”
The hundreds of households and a dozen sergeants guarding the Changping Gate Tower saw such a group of big shots saying something from a distance, and then rushed out of the city. They were all surprised for a moment. They looked at each other for a while. One of them looked at it more cleverly.
As Wu Dahai returned to the city with a few entourages from the General Military Office, he couldn't help but go up and say to his family: "Master Hu, you just heard it. It seems that it was a civilian who was ordered to inspect the border affairs."
Uncle Bei? Why didn’t you just enter the city? You even followed General Zhang and left with you?”….
"You ask me, who should I ask?"
Although Hu Baihu was puzzled, he also knew that this was not the time to delve into the cause, so he quickly ordered a few capable people to report the news. In less than an hour, the news that Pingbei Bo Xu Xun and his party had arrived at Xuan Mansion had spread
They drove off. Among them, the guarding eunuch Liu Qing had already prepared a big gift for Xu Xun and Zhang Yong, but unexpectedly they didn't enter the city, and the commander-in-chief Zhang Jun just let it go and followed suit.
I don’t know where he went. He was like this, not to mention everyone from the deputy commander-in-chief to the guerrilla general and so on. After waiting in the city for ** days, I finally got the commander-in-chief Zhang Jun.
When they came back, Zhang Jun was faced with a lot of questions, but he opened his mouth and gave them an answer that stunned them.
"Uncle Pingbei and Eunuch Miao and Eunuch Zhang have gone to Datong."
Facing the dumbfounded people, Zhang Jun, the commander-in-chief, had no choice but to show his hands and said, "The Xuanfu grain storage is not within the scope of this inspection, so Ping Beibo said that there is no need to go to the city. If you have time on the return trip, maybe
He and Eunuch Miao and Eunuch Zhang will come to the city to have a look around. As for the military equipment and gunpowder..." He paused, and then said with a strange expression, "The Prefectural Army's Advanced Guard Military Intelligence Bureau has already deployed in the city, and detailed reports have been made.
The newspaper has been received, so Uncle Pingbei said there is no need to look at it."
In the past, whenever they were ordered to inspect, local civil and military officials would follow the imperial ministers to look at the drills of the majestic soldiers, the warehouses with sufficient grain stores, and the most neatly repaired border walls, and then go to another place.
Going to banquets with officials everywhere, and if there is time to see the Jin gentry who longs for Tianyan... it has always been like this, and it has never changed. But this time, they finally saw what it means to pass through the door without entering.
Therefore, when Zhuang Jian, the commander-in-chief of Datong, learned that Pingbei Bo Xu Xun and his party had arrived at Yonghe Gate, the south gate of Datong South Town, he was also shocked. Zhang Jun also had Miao Kui, who had arrived a step earlier, to ventilate him
Reporting the news, he heard that there were one or two hundred people who were standing in front of the inspection, wandering around the Acropolis and stone castles. He didn't expect that Xu Xun had already arrived. This time, he was completely unprepared. Originally, he had to order all his troops.
When he was about to greet him, Cao Qian, who unexpectedly came to see him, said no, and in the end he had to follow Cao Qian and hurried out of the General Military Mansion with only a dozen of his followers.
Datong Town has a flat river to the north. Although this city is not as vast as Xuanfu, it has an urn city outside the four gates, and a small city outside the urn city. The layers are stacked on top of each other like the largest fortress, which is indestructible. South
The small town, like the east small town, was built during the Tianshun period. After all, Emperor Yingzong, who once fell into captivity, was very painful to the bandits. The south town has four gates: Yinghui in the east, Yonghe in the south, Yongfeng in the west, and Wenchang in the north.
Except for the Yonghe Gate in the south, the other three gates all have pavilions built on top for wartime command and dispatch. As soon as Zhuang Jian went up to the Yonghe Gate Tower, he saw Zheng and Miao Kui, Zhang Yong and Chen Xiong pointing at the arrow stacks.
Xu Xun, who was pointing and talking, quickly walked up to meet him.
"I thought that Uncle Pingbei would definitely stay in Xuanfu for a while, but I didn't expect that he would come so soon."
"That's because you didn't expect him to care so much about his wife at home." Zhang Yong joked with a smile, and then changed his face to a serious expression. "We came all the way from Wanquan Zuowei, and first went to see Zhenlu Guard, Tiancheng
Guards, Gaoshan Guards, Yangcheng Guards, and the stone forts along the line. To be fair, the border defenses on the Datong side of Xuanfu are pretty good, but there are still gaps on both sides of the border, even the stone forts in front.
Many of them are in dilapidated condition. It would be fine if the battle didn't start. If it did, I'm afraid the outcome is hard to say."
As soon as Zhang Yong finished speaking, Xu Xun also said: "Commander Zhuang, we are old acquaintances, and I won't hide it from you. On this trip, I carried with me the latest map drawn by the Staff Department of the Ministry of War, marking all the borders along the way.
It is a cliché to record the condition of the wall, and record the status of the soldiers in the stone forts along the road. It is a cliché to say that there is no space and no pay. I don’t want to say more, but if the frontier troops at the front are so vigilant and lax on weekdays, then it is not a sentence.
We have always been able to fool around like this. Just in Baiyangkou, there were more than 200 people in our group, pretending to be a group of businessmen from Taiyuan Prefecture in Shanxi Province, and we all got in easily and skillfully. Do you know what this means?
"….
Those who are close to the water first get the moon, and the world will be peaceful for a long time. Shanxi merchants first made a fortune by relying on the salt method in Kaizhong. Then Lu silk became popular. It almost overshadowed the famous Hangzhou silk and Su silk, but these businesses all...
It's not as good as smuggling all kinds of salt and iron products out. Every Shanxi merchant has more or less specialized methods like this. Even he, the commander-in-chief, can't control it. However, it's clear that he only took it once before.
But Xu Xun, a soldier, even knew this, and even caught the real handle, so the matter was no small matter.
"Uncle Pingbei, the border army never adjusts its defenses. It depends on the mountains and the water. Therefore, after many years, it is inevitable that..."
"You need to rely on the mountains and rivers to eat. I know this truth without you having to tell me. Some things have been banned for many times, and I don't expect to expose them to the world in one fell swoop and stop them from now on. But have you ever thought about it, if you are a business traveler?
Can the Tatar spies sneak in so easily and skillfully? Will these stone castles change hands easily and skillfully? Or even, if there is a change, will someone cooperate with the outside and simply destroy the Tatars?
Bring it in?”
No matter how tight the wall is, it will prevent flies from getting in all the time. This is an iron law that exists in any era. Therefore, when Xu Xun said this, he saw that Zhuang Jian's face was already very ugly, so he did not say any more. At this time, however,
It was Miao Kui who said with a smile but not a smile: "Before, we passed through the gate of Xuanfu without entering, and this time there is nothing interesting to see in Datong. Mr. Zhuang, this time we will go southwest from Zhenchuan Fort to
When we cross the river in Baodian, you can lead us all the way across the river."
From Zhenchuan Fort to Baodezhou, there are about 10 or 20 stone forts in the middle, ranging from a dozen to dozens of miles apart. It was still a cold spring weather, although the group of people, except for the strong sergeant, was Xu Xun and Zhang
A person like Yongmiao Kui Zhuangjian, who had worked hard on his muscles and bones, could not help but feel overwhelmed in the end. When they arrived in Baodezhou at the end of February, the group had to rest for two days. During these two days, Xu Xun checked the military personnel
Fang Si had a map and recorded the actual number of soldiers counted in his booklet, not to mention the heavy feeling in his heart.
There should be six to seven hundred soldiers, but the actual number of soldiers stationed was only five hundred or even three or four hundred. This situation was not uncommon in the forts along the road. Moreover, no matter the age of the sergeants, their combat capabilities, or the weapons and equipment, they could not be said to be very sophisticated.
Even in a stone fort, a drunken old soldier yelled that he didn't know when he would die, so he might as well take the opportunity to have more fun, which fully shows the mental state of the people. Nowadays, civil servants are the most unlucky.
They are willing to go to war, for fear that it will cost a lot of military expenses. And the sergeants do not want to go to war, because the compensation for losing the war is pitifully small, and winning the war may not bring much credit, so it becomes a vicious cycle.
While he was staring at the pile of maps drawn by the Ministry of War's Staff Department, Cao Qian, who was copying the numbers for him, was also immersed in writing. At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door outside.
Cao Qian quickly put down his pen and went to open the door. As soon as the two doors opened, he saw Zhuang Jian standing outside, with a tall and powerful young officer standing behind him.
"General Zhuang."
Zhuang Jian knew that Cao Qian was the eldest son of Cao Xiong, the commander-in-chief of Guyuan, and he was also a confidant of Xu Xun. He opened the door and saluted. He smiled and nodded before entering the room. Although he was the commander-in-chief of Datong, he could
After being promoted all the way, he felt tired after looking at the fortresses and acropolis one after another. He used to think that he knew the situation of the border guards very well, but now he no longer dares to do so.
He is confident. After all, if there is another defeat like Yutailing, he will not dare to believe that he has Zhang Jun's luck. You can see such a scene just by looking at it. What if you can see it in more detail?…
"Uncle Pingbei, when you cross the river tomorrow, you will be in Shaanxi, but I have to go back to Datong. Although the road ahead is not difficult, Jiang Bin, the guerrilla general under his command, sent an urgent report from Datong.
There are bandits near the horse-hanging platform, and I have to go back as soon as possible. For the rest of the way, I will take Jiang Bin and twenty sergeants to escort you across the river."
Suddenly hearing another familiar name, Xu Xun immediately raised his eyes and looked at the young officer behind Zhuang Jian who was kneeling on one knee to perform a military salute. Compared with Cao Qian's slightly elegant appearance, Jiang Bin, who was in his early thirties, was
He is surprisingly majestic, with extremely long arms and slightly bowed legs. He is obviously good at shooting and equestrian skills. Even Qian Ning, who is also a strong-backed man. Looking at his majestic appearance alone, is actually inferior to him. I think of this person.
However, the guerrilla general took over the task of delivering an urgent report here, and allowed Zhuang Jian to stay and escort him for a while. It was obvious that the drunkard was not interested in drinking, so he couldn't help but smile.
"That's good. Commander Zhuang has had a hard time on this journey. Then go back as soon as possible."
After Zhuang Jian said goodbye and left, Xu Xun sat down and asked Jiang Bin with great interest: "Just now, General Zhuang said you were a Datong guerrilla general?"
"Yes, he holds a humble position as the hereditary Weizhou Guards Commander Qianshi. He was promoted to the Datong Guerrilla General through his merits."
"Looking at your age, you are only in your early thirties. How can you be so heroic?"
"I don't dare to be called the hero of Ping Bei Bo. His humble position is that he once fought off a small group of bandits. How can he compare with the merits of Ping Bei Bo who led his army to retreat from the enemy and beheaded hundreds of them, and reversed the defeat of Yutailing in one fell swoop? To be called a hero?
, Uncle Pingbei is the hero of the world."
This ability to flatter someone is on par with Qian Ning!
Xu Xun couldn't help but smile, thinking about the current stalemate between the two sides in the capital, it was obvious what such an ambitious guy wanted. However, while he was thinking about it, Jiang Bin said seriously: "Besides, only in Pingbei Bo
His subordinates can make the best use of their resources and talents. Otherwise, Lord Qian, who is now the admiral of the inner factory, was originally just a member of a hundred households. He violated military orders and went out to explore the fortress. How could he seize the general's head in the midst of thousands of troops and give him command with extraordinary achievements?
As an envoy, within a few years, he rose to become his wife and son. In his humble position, he followed General Zhang and General Zhuang successively. They were both veteran generals, but before that, they were guilty of crimes, and they were good at sending troops, but in the end they failed.
He was also praised for his merits. If it weren't for Uncle Pingbei who knew people well and assigned them well, Xuanda University would not be able to enjoy the peaceful situation it has today."
This kind of flattery that knows people and is kind to them is much better than the simple praise of heroes just now. Even Cao Qian couldn't help but look at Jiang Bin, thinking to himself that Xu Xun likes to collect heroes from all over the world.
The person who came to his door like this might easily take it in his pocket. However, to his surprise, Xu Xun still only smiled slightly.
"I am a humble person who eats the emperor's salary and is loyal to the emperor. The emperor is the real one who knows people well and takes care of them. I should do my best to repay you." After such a prevarication, he said slowly.
, "This is my first time to Shaanxi. Since General Zhuang recommended escorting my party across the river to Shaanxi, the next step is up to you!"
If you want him to know people well and do their jobs well again, you can't just talk the talk! Xu Xun has never been afraid of risks and rewards in employing people. Even now, he will never regret hiring Qian Ning. After all, that time
The victory laid the foundation for him in the court! In order to prevent others from changing their minds, he didn't need anyone, so he simply went home and became a rich man!
Jiang Bin was originally quite disappointed with Xu Xun's indifference. However, after hearing the last words and seeing Xu Xun looking at him meaningfully, he felt that this young powerful man who was constantly underestimating himself seemed to have seen through him.
After repeatedly agreeing to leave the room, he felt a little hot on his back. After taking a deep breath, he finally calmed down...
Wealth is sought in danger. Qian Ning is just the adopted son of the eunuch Qian Neng. He is only a member of a hundred royal guards, but he is a hereditary commander. He has experienced many years from the Xuanfu to the Datong army. There is nothing that Qian Ning can do.
Reason can't be done!
Early the next morning, the group began to cross the river. The official post road from Shanxi to Shaanxi was originally supposed to go from Datong to Ningwu, Taiyuan, Fenzhou, then to Suidezhou, and finally to Yansui. This road was extremely smooth.
However, because there were too many detours on this journey, Xu Xun did not lead many men and horses, and the dry food had been fully supplied before, so naturally he only went northwest along the side road of the Shaanxi Great Wall.
It took most of the day to cross the Yellow River by boat one after another, and that was Fugu. Xu Xun only asked Jiang Bin to take Cao Qian and others into the city to pick up some supplies. Then they drove for most of the day, and in the evening
At midnight, with Shenmu County in sight in the distance, Xu Xun heard unusual sounds in the distance. Cao Qian and Jiang Bin, who were both galloping at the front, stopped at the same time, and at the same time made a sound to signal the rear team to stop. This stop.
In just a blink of an eye, beacon smoke was already burning on the city wall over there.
"Everything about Shenmu's Zhenqiang has changed!"
Even though Jiang Bin was determined to make meritorious deeds, he couldn't help but feel nervous when he looked at the more than two hundred people in the rear team. At this time, Chen Xiong, who had been fighting for many years, was calmer. He led fewer people this time.
Either those who have been practicing in the left and right government halls for a long time, or the elite of the Royal Horse Guards' personal army, and the real backbone are all the elites selected from the group of people who had previously attacked outside the Great Wall, not the Chu brothers who have not been in battle. At this time, he
He turned his horse back and shouted loudly. Immediately, a group of general banners and small banners started shouting. Suddenly, more than 200 people had vaguely formed a small wedge formation.
Miao Kuice immediately stepped forward and asked in a deep voice: "Who dares to go sentry?"
As soon as he said this, Jiang Bin knew that he was familiar with the terrain here. If he cowered now, it would be useless even if he flattered him. At that time, he took a deep breath, patted his horse and stepped forward to sink.
He said in a loud voice: "At the end of the day, the five members of the general's headquarters went to investigate!"
"Okay, you go!" Miao Kui has been in charge of the army for many years. He usually doesn't see anything when he is silent. At this time, he has a commanding aura, "Come back to find out the enemy's situation. You will all be promoted to the first level!"
These words were just a big incentive for Xiaobing, but for Jiang Bin, this level was no small matter. He was full of energy for a moment, and when he saw Xu Xun nodded slightly, he immediately called out the five accompanying sergeants and dialed
The horse then galloped away towards Shenmu County. As soon as he left, Zhang Yong immediately said: "There are many forts along the side roads of Qiangsuo Town in Shenmu County. There is a fort every ten miles or so. The theory is coming from this side.
Breaking down the wall and entering is not the best option."
"Moreover, Zhenqiang Suo is located in Shenmu County. It is the largest fortified city nearby and is also a place with thousands of households. The garrison should be at least 1,200 people." Although Xu Xun has never been to Yansui, he served in the Ministry of War.
The pictures and books that Fang Si checked were not in vain. At this moment, he also felt that something was fishy, "So, it should be a test?"
"If this is a test, there should be a big battle on the Yansui front line. I wonder where Governor Yang is now."
Chen Xiong answered, feeling only regretful that he had listened to Xu Xun and left the whole group behind, but now he was walking along the side road without incident, and would have encountered such a thing by chance. If he hadn't determined this by looking at the shape of the beacon smoke.
It was not the Tatar brigade. He had already ordered to go down and wrap up these few people and retreat first. A gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall. Even he, who is not a scholar, knows this truth!
Several people were all hidden in the large army of horses. I don't know how long it took, but Cao Qian, who was sharp-eyed in front of him, saw three or five horsemen galloping towards this side like flying horses. They looked like the probing horses from before.
However, before he could be happy that these people were safe and sound, they were followed by thirty or forty mounted bandits. Although he had not seen this kind of situation when he was in Yansui Town, the people he had to protect at this moment were not trivial.
, he couldn't help but feel a rare sense of nervousness.
"Attack!"
Chen Xiong's hoarse voice suddenly sounded. For a moment, Cao Qian didn't have time to think about it. He drew his bow and arrow, clamped the horse's belly and galloped. Seeing that he was within a hundred steps of shooting range, he opened the bow almost without thinking.
, and immediately tried his best to lower himself down, drew his saber, and charged forward to kill him. At this time, he finally discovered that the three or five leading men were trying to escape, but they had completely circled a large arc. At this time, they were not far away from him.
After passing by, especially Jiang Bin, who was extremely conspicuous in front, he almost took the lead and rushed straight into the group of pursuers. In just one turn, he saw the opponent's sword raised up and killed the man off his horse.
I'm sorry that Jiang Bin attracted so many bandits. He didn't just run away if he couldn't beat them, but he deliberately made a contribution to himself. In addition, he gave credit to them... This guy can really confirm that more than 200 of his people can definitely do it.
We can deal with this little bandit!
ps: By the way, Yuzi reminded me yesterday that I discovered that it jumped from more than 400 chapters to more than 500 chapters for no reason. I was really confused... Now the big mistake has been made, and the title cannot be changed. I can only leave it like this. I bow and apologize.