Since the boundary trench defense line was lost, the imperial military strongholds outside the Great Wall were wiped out by the Mongols. The important towns in the north of Xijing Road, such as Fengzhou Tiande Army, Huanzhou Weiyuan Army, Fuzhou Zhenning Army, even represented the direct jurisdiction of the central government
The military and political Xuande provinces were all smashed to pieces.
Now responsible for the heavy defense of the north and facing the enemy Mongolian army, it is Zhongdu and Shunzhou, Zhuozhou, Yizhou and Dingzhou on both sides of Zhongdu. In this area, the imperial court dispatched troops from the Central Plains, Shandong and the northeastern hinterland.
We have assembled a sizable army, with veteran generals in charge, and there is absolutely no room for failure.
With this move, the situation on the front line seemed to be slightly stable. But everywhere in the rear, especially in the vast area of the east and west roads of Hebei, all the elite soldiers and strong men belonging to the prefectures and counties were drawn out, and there were only ten left, including horses and ordnance.
Wait, it has already been consumed, and it is almost like an undefended peaceful year.
Therefore, there are many stragglers scattered in Anzhou and other places, without any restraint.
Most of these stragglers are veterans who have fought hard for a long time, and they will not let themselves suffer easily.
Small groups like Guo Ning were just fine, but some larger-scale broken troops behaved as ferociously as bandits. County and county officials were completely unable to control them, and the local area suffered terribly.
In this case, many powerful clans built fortresses to train their troops, gathered to drive out their enemies, and kept their slaves to defend themselves.
This is also a matter of time. Whether facing the court, facing stragglers, or facing the Mongols who know who will come again, having a little force at your disposal will give you a little confidence in your heart.
But after all, the strong men in these places cannot compare with the regular armies that have experienced many battles.
Not to mention training and equipment, the young men who had gathered together temporarily lacked combat experience in the army. Just listening to the sound of their footsteps and the clanking of weapons while marching, Guo Ning knew that such a marching column was too close.
It seems strict, but in fact it's more like emboldening each other. At most, there are twenty or thirty people, why are they crowded together in one place?
What if we encounter an enemy suddenly and everyone panics, draws their guns and knives, gets into stance, and then stabs a few of them to death on the spot because they are too close?
However, these problems are not worth worrying about. This team is exactly what Guo Ning needs.
A military man who was lucky enough to survive a bloody battle on the border would not easily become a dog for the nobles of the imperial court. Xiao Haohu was determined to get the position of commander of the Anzhou capital, but after attacking Guo Ning's troops, he would never go to see the governor in a stupid way.
He was just hanging alone, waiting for the appointment of the governor.
He will definitely first call his friends, allies, and even the forces that can be coerced, and the influential clans in Anzhou to gather for discussion.
Through this gathering, he could divide up the positions and authority in advance and confirm his leadership. When everything was arranged, he would use this to force Tu Shanhang, the governor of Anzhou, to recognize him, thus taking the initiative in the future.
Guo Ning traveled more than eighty miles and hurriedly came to Gaoyangguan just to catch up with this gathering.
Among the many teams that also came to participate in the rally, one of them would become Guo Ning's cover, allowing Guo Ning to calmly enter the Gaoyangguan Walled City and then kill people.
What kind of team is used as cover is also a bit particular.
In his early years in Wusha Fort, although Guo Ning was just a regular soldier, he was famous for his bravery. In Badger's Mouth, Huihe Fort and other places, he even fought fiercely with the Mongols several times, and he was able to rescue the soldiers who were in danger.
There are no less than a few hundred people, at least thousands of people who have seen his appearance. Therefore, there are too many acquaintances among the stragglers near Anzhou and they cannot be used.
Those who can be used are private soldiers from local wealthy families in Anzhou.
Just like the one in front of me.
Guo Ning jumped out of the high hill fully dressed. His majestic posture immediately surprised everyone in the team and caused them to falter.
Sure enough, many people hurriedly drew their swords and guns, and almost ran into their companions, causing the team to scatter.
There was chaos for a while, and a middle-aged scholar wearing a Sulu robe and a soft-legged headdress emerged from the crowd.
He raised his hand to Guo Ning and said, "I am from Xinqiao Yingdong, Yujiazhuang, and I am Yu Jingchun."
Guo Ning nodded slightly.
He had little contact with these people before, but after all, he had settled in Ansu Prefecture for a long time and had a basic understanding of the local situation.
Xinqiaoying is a place on the south bank of Bianwudian near Lizhou, about thirty miles away from Gaoyang Pass. This place is called Xinqiaoying. In fact, there are no permanent military and civilian residents, but a grass market, which is a regular market spontaneously formed by rural people.
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The grass market is also a source of wealth. The person who controls this grass market is Yujiazhuang.
The Yujiazhuang is quite large and can be regarded as one of the largest families in Gaoyang County. The people of the Yu family in Zhuangzi have a village commissar who is responsible for supervising taxes and servitude and encouraging farmers and mulberry farmers to teach.
First of all, there is Yu Jingchun in front of me.
This person was also recruited. It seems that Xiao Haohu has really put in a lot of effort to gather local strength.
A thought flashed through his mind, and Guo Ning returned the gift with a calm expression. He did not engage in conversation with Yu Jingchun, but simply said simply: "It turns out to be Mr. Yu. I was ordered to wait for you here, please come with me."
After saying that, Guo Ning turned around and left first.
This posture seemed a little arrogant, but Guo Ning's expression was so natural that Yu Jingchun didn't think much about it and regarded him as Xiao Haohu's subordinate who came out to greet Gaoyang Guanzhong.
He did not dare to neglect, so he quickly walked a few steps and followed Guo Ning. As he walked, he thought to himself: "This man is well-armored and has a heroic figure. Even if he is placed in a county or state city, he can at least be regarded as a patrolman."
Envoy, Xiao Haohu actually sent him to welcome guests? It seems that this guy’s strength cannot be underestimated, no wonder he is destined to win the position of commander of the Anzhou capital!"
The two of them walked slowly along the dirt road in the direction of Gaoyangguan.
A group of strong men had just been frightened by Guo Ning and panicked. At this time, they all felt bored and followed Yu Jingchun, not daring to say anything.
After walking for hundreds or dozens of steps, Yu Jingchun looked at Guo Ning from behind for a while.
He had read books and gone to school, so he had some knowledge. Then he thought again: "Look at this armor, look at this long bow, and the sharp blade! It is absolutely extraordinary! How can such elite warriors in nearby counties and counties be easily
Yes? This person must be Xiao Haohu's newly recruited capable subordinate! Xiao Haohu ordered him to welcome me specially, and it seems that he also attaches great importance to my Xinqiao camp Yujiazhuang!"
After thinking about it from this perspective, Yu Jingchun felt vaguely happy and felt that there might be some benefits to be gained from today's discussion.
At this time, Guo Ning slowed down a little and turned to stand shoulder to shoulder with Yu Jingchun.
Yu Jingchun became even more proud: "Look, look, this person doesn't dare to do anything in front of me!"
Thinking of this, he laughed twice.
Yu Jingchun was sent by the clan to serve as a representative to discuss important matters. Yu Jingchun was good at flirting with others. At this time, since Guo Ning showed a polite attitude, he hit the snake with the stick, got closer and asked: "What do you call this little brother?"
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Guo Ning opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a gust of wind suddenly blew against the ground, kicking up sand and dust on the road.
Guo Ning spat two mouthfuls of sandy spit on the ground, took out a cloth towel from his arms, and carefully wrapped the lower half of his face. He wore a phoenix-winged helmet on his head, with the edge of the helmet pressed to his brow.
Wrapped in a cloth, almost his entire face was invisible, only his sparkling eyes were exposed.
At dusk, once the north wind starts, it seems unstoppable.
Guo Ning wrapped himself in a cloth and stepped forward.
It seems that this young soldier is not going to take off his cloth towel? Does that mean he has no intention of talking?
Yu Jingchun was a little disappointed and thought: "This young man is a bit difficult to get close to."
He quickly caught up and kept walking side by side with Guo Ning.
After walking for more than a mile, the dirt road made a bend, and the sight that had been obscured by the trees on the road suddenly brightened, and Yu Jingchun saw the Gaoyangguan Walled City standing in the center of the depression.
In the middle of the dirt road, two men in gray shorts with long knives hanging on their waists seemed to have been waiting for a while. When they saw the queue, the two men stepped forward with smiles on their faces.
These two men, the older one with a fierce face is called Zhu Zhang, and the younger one with the scarred face is called Zhang Jiao. Both of them once followed Xiao Haohu's order to take a number of people to collect grain around Xinqiao Camp.
.It was Yu Jingchun who came forward to deal with it at that time, so he recognized it.
It was said that it was a raid on food, but in fact it was no different from extortion, except that Yujiazhuang had some force, and Yu Jingchun also dealt with it well and did not get angry.
Seeing the two people coming with smiles at this time, Yu Jingchun quickly squeezed out a smile too.
The two sides were separated by two or three feet and had not yet exchanged greetings. The young soldier beside Yu Jingchun strode forward and shouted: "Mr. Yu from Yujiazhuang, east of Xinqiao Ying, is here. You two, lead the way!"
This sound of drinking immediately made Yu Jingchun feel comfortable all over.
"Look, look! Xiao Haohu, this guy, knows etiquette very well! Not only did he send people to greet me twice, but he also asked Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao to guide me!"
After a second thought, he was horrified and surprised: "No. As the old saying goes, when you treat others with courtesy, you must ask for something. This Xiao Haohu has always been fierce and domineering, but he is so humble now. Is it possible that he has any special intentions? I, Yu
Someone must cheer up and not be deceived by the pretense of these thieves Qiu Ba!"
At that moment, Yu Jingchun took up his posture and nodded slightly: "I'd like you two to lead the way!"
Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao were really specially sent by Xiao Haohu to greet them.
Since Xiao Haohu had his own agenda, he would not offend others easily. When he asked the two of them to go out, he specifically asked them not to neglect the guests. Therefore, the two of them did not behave in the same evil manner as when they were searching for food.
Have a polite chat with Yu Jingchun.
But they didn't expect that when Yu Jingchun came this time, he not only brought ordinary men from Yujiazhuang, but also recruited a soldier from somewhere to accompany him as a guard. Judging from the way he walked side by side with the soldier, he seemed to be familiar with each other?
Three years after Da'an, the elite of the imperial court dispersed. It was not uncommon for former military elites to live in Hebei, and many of them were recruited and made a living.
At dusk, the soldier's figure was backlit, and the two could not see his face clearly for a while. They only knew that the man was tall and straight, with a sandproof cloth covering his face, green velvet iron armor, and a military uniform. Then look at his waist.
On the left and right, there are long knives and iron bones hanging on each side, and on the back of the shoulders, there are also long bows and quivers.
It’s quite a bit majestic!
But Yu Jingchun, a big man in the village, dared to speak loudly in front of us just because he had recruited a soldier? This is too arrogant!
If it hadn't been for Xiao Haohu's instructions, given their temperament, Yu Jingchun would have been embarrassed on the spot.
At that moment, Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao looked at each other, said "Hey" loudly, turned around and left.
Guo Ning followed a few steps and raised his hand to Yu Jingchun: "Mr. Yu, please!"
Yu Jingchun looked at Ding Zhuang behind him who was holding a sword and gun, then squinted his eyes and looked at Gaoyang Pass, which was still dark despite the lights being lit in the dusk.