Delong

Chapter 331 Long Shangxing (10)

In the drizzle of spring, on the east side of Liting City in Qinghe County, under the shelter of simple wooden houses on the city wall, a hundred crossbowmen were waiting for their arrows to be drawn, and their leader, Qinghe Tongshou Cao Shancheng's confidant One of the generals, Vice Captain Han Erlang, who has always been prudent, also turned pale, looking out of the city and pursing his lips.

The atmosphere in the city was extremely tense.

At a distance of more than 100 steps from them, on the official road facing the city gate suspension bridge, in the drizzle that could hardly block any vision, there were two teams of cavalrymen from the Dragon Gang busy there, one team of armored cavalry, one team of cavalry Qingqi, with casual movements and a relaxed posture, only chatting and laughing around the few people who are working.

Among them, many knights and horses had bloody heads tied around their necks and behind their waists, and many idle mules still had stripped armor and pockets hanging on them. Obviously, they came here after achieving certain results. , It is also in a good mood for this.

But in short, just don't pay attention to the stern battle in the city.

This distance is within the theoretical range, but not within the range of high-efficiency killing. Only absolute masters such as practitioners can use specific crossbows and hard bows to achieve some results... and this is also the Qinghe on the city wall. The fear of the county soldiers and guard Han Er and the others.

Because among the two groups of Dragon Army knights on the opposite side, the knights in light armor are obviously just border patrols, but the other group of armored knights are all wearing leather-covered bows immediately, and everyone is double-armored. The quiver, the first one is on top of the armor and cloak, and an iconic white short cloak is additionally draped over the shoulders, and a big "Xu" is written on the flag next to it.

As the main participant in the confrontation on the front line, whether it is Han Er or the soldiers below, they all know who is on the opposite side - a leader of the Chengdan Realm Dethroning Dragon Gang nicknamed Lu County Hero.

It is also called Xu Shiren.

Yes, it is the people in the city who really need to fear.

However, the big leader obviously had no intention of going to war without authorization. They set up four wooden signs on the spot, and then pasted something on each of them. After that, Qingqi led the way and retreated in an orderly manner.

Han Er also breathed a sigh of relief.

But at this moment, in the board room, a young man who had just been conscripted into the county pawn, probably because he suddenly relaxed, lost control and pulled the trigger. A crossbow flew straight out, and the nail fell to the ground. On the official road outside the moat.

This scene made everyone in the city react immediately.

"Don't move around, hold on!" Han Er responded the fastest.

And thanks to his shout, only two or three crossbow bolts followed out of the room again.As for the outside of the city, Xu Shiren smiled and stopped the excited reaction of his subordinates... It was really unnecessary, and then waved his hands to urge the knights to leave.

The knights set off on the road one after another with shouts and curses, Xu Shiren also got on his horse and galloped away easily.

Seeing this, the people in the city finally relaxed completely.

However, just when Xu Shiren was about [-] steps away from the city wall, and the distance was clear, suddenly, he reined in his horse and drew his bow, and shot back with an arrow. Seen from the wall, it looked like a light golden iron spear flying... It was nailed to the stone carving on the city gate after three or four hundred steps.

At this time, Xu Shiren looked up to the sky and laughed, and galloped away with all his subordinates.

And Han Er and the others in the city just came back to their senses and knew what happened.

In a trance, all the county soldiers looked down one after another, and saw an ordinary arrow piercing directly into the engraved stone of the city gate for nearly half a foot. Accurate, it seems to be even more terrifying, and there is a lot of discussion.

Han Erlang intends to prevent these brothers from talking nonsense, so as not to hurt the morale of the army, but he is frustrated when he speaks... After all, as an ordinary person with a little more knowledge, he knows very well that on the battlefield, his brothers include No matter how I stick to my duty, I am doomed to be just a stepping stone in the face of a master of martial arts like Xu Shiren.

In the past few years after the war, he regretted more than anyone else that he didn't grit his teeth to build the foundation when he was young. Even if he just simply built the foundation and left it alone, he still had a thought. Why is this so?In contrast, my family didn't learn how to read and write when I was young, but now I'm slowly making up for it?
There was a loud crash on the city wall, Han Erlang came back to his senses, collected himself, walked down the city wall, waited for a while, and then asked people to let go of the suspension bridge, and looked at the wooden signs left by the other party on the official road.

It turned out that in order to prevent the siege, the surrounding trees had been felled, and the houses near the city were also demolished, so the wooden sign was a notice board that the Dragon Gang was forced to erect... It has been erected several times before... Han Erlang took a closer look at this time, and the four documents before and after were all spoken in the typical vernacular of the Dragon Gang:
The first document is very simple, it is standard, just temporarily add the time, place and troops. It has been through three or four times, and it is said that the official army invaded in a certain direction from the city, how many miles away, and near a village. The vicious incident at the site of the Dragon Gang, in line with the principles of stabilizing the village, ensuring spring farming, and maintaining business travel, Xu Shiren, the leader of the Dragon Gang, and the Patrol Team No. The army went to collect the corpse.

Seeing this, Han Erlang became more depressed and powerless, but felt a little weird.

In addition, the entire February to March should be the busiest season in Hebei, because this is the season of spring plowing, which is laid out in sequence from south to north.

But it is ridiculous to say that this year is likely to be the most stable spring plowing process in Hebei in three years. There is no exchange of rebels to "fight against the violent Wei", no exchange of officials and troops to "suppress rebellion", and no strongholds to build Wubao to "collect victims". .The farmers just poured all their money into the fields with trepidation, as if they were pinning all their hopes on the new crops—just like they had repeated year after year.

And all the people with authority and strength also obediently watched the fields that had been lifeless last year gradually come back to life in their own territory.

On the big river, merchant ships that haven't been seen for a long time even gradually began to appear, and bulk goods traded across regions.

Does anyone know why this weird scene happened?I don't know how long this scene will last?
Han Erlang really didn’t understand the former question, and the latter question was the same as other people’s. Vice Captain Han also understood that everyone was just expressing emotion, not a real question—because the answer can come from “everywhere” "Emissary War", that is, the content described in the announcement just now and Xu Shiren's approach can give clues.

That's right, during the spring plowing period, a situation with Hebei characteristics is that the official roads are full of military patrols with dozens of cavalry, and similarly configured emissary teams belonging to different forces, with chaotic positions, and unknown purposes.

Among them, the former is very concerned about the protection of the border and has a strong sense of territory, while the latter often needs to cross states and counties to reach his real destination... Then in this process, because of the complicated situation between the enemy and ourselves, frequent It is only natural that small-scale fierce military conflicts break out.

Blood and death, armor and crossbows remind the officials and people in the fields all the time that this is a gap between wars.

Of course, it also reminded Han Erlang, who has always been wise.

The deputy captain who was born in Qinghe looked at the place where the battle took place, and immediately realized that the battle was really probably the official army of Qinghe County trying to enter the plain to take the risk of intercepting someone, but was discovered by patrolmen, and then Xu Shiren's support was ushered in, which led to all of them being killed.

It can only be said that Mr. Cao Fu is a loyal minister and filial son.

Han Erlang shook his head, and continued to read the second notice in the rain, but was shocked to find that this notice was the answer to his previous question:

The secretary spoke in the capacity of the chief commander Zhang Sanlong, saying that Hebei can be temporarily stable at the moment because the Dragon Clan has entered Hebei.

Because after the arrival of the Dragon Gang, it first dealt a big blow to the officers and soldiers, squeezed the military forces of Dongdu and Hejian, and made these two places greatly shrink the defense area; and the departure of these two military forces and the arrival of the Dragon Gang It also gave the states and counties the reasons and incentives to develop their own military power, and gave them the opportunity to strengthen their control over their respective states and counties; Fort, incorporated the rebels who had nowhere to settle, and then overcame all difficulties to actively promote and maintain the order of spring plowing.

However, this kind of stability is only temporary. The Violent Wei regards the people as worthless, the government expropriates excessively, and the aristocrats are greedy. They are definitely not happy to see the people in Hebei live a good life, so they will soon try their best to kill Chulong again. Gang, and plundered the fruits of spring plowing by ordinary people in Hebei.

But it doesn't matter, because the Dragon Gang is not afraid of them, and will fight them as soon as possible. At that time, the usury debt will be burned, taxes and labor will be reduced, so that everyone can continue to plow in spring with peace of mind year after year, and everyone will live a good life.

It's like boasting and propaganda, and it's like an announcement to Anmin.

And Han Erlang stared blankly for a long time, at first he felt that there was some truth, but after realizing his own thoughts, his scalp became numb, and he hurriedly read the third document with horror.

The content of the third document is simple. It says that the Dethrone Dragon Gang intends to cut off the violent Wei and stabilize the world, so what kind of policy plan is it working on, so here it is open and honest, and I asked the people in Hebei, if they have any good suggestions?
No matter who they are, what background, what status, what kind of opinions and thoughts they have on anything, they can go directly to Pingyuan County General Mausoleum City to find the leader Xie Liuyun, or go to Pingyuan City to find the leader of the Dethrone Dragon Gang Wei Xuanding.

This document is actually no different from the sage seeking notice that was posted a few days ago, except that the target of the report was the leader Yan Qing, and everyone was encouraged regardless of their background.

As for the fourth document, Han Erlang only glanced at it twice before staying on the spot:

Without him, this is a proclamation to persuade the surrender. The Dragon Gang accused Cao Shancheng, the prefect of Qinghe, of forcibly taking the army and civilians of the whole county as hostages, resisting the Dragon Gang, and only seeking to gain a false name in front of the violent Wei dog emperor who set off the Three Expeditions. It is really heinous , and then directly named him Han Er and asked him to raise the city to surrender.

Han Erlang's first reaction was to tear up the paper, but when he turned around, he realized that several literate soldiers in the army had already followed along, and a few illiterate confidantes were also looking at it with curiosity, as if they were waiting for him. Words for introduction.

Of course, Vice Captain Han himself soon realized that tearing it off would be even worse.

"Zhang Lao Wu, pull out the fourth sign and send the whole thing to Qinghe City Lord Cao...don't even touch the paper on it, and hand it over to Lord Cao!" Han Er said in a solemn tone. "Hurry up! Got it?"

"Are you entrusting me with such an important matter?" Zhang Laowu, who had already become the captain of the team, felt uneasy.

"It's because it's important that I give it to you." Han Erlang was extremely helpless. "Because you are my confidant... After the Three Zhengs, we will be brothers who will live and die together."

Zhang Laowu didn't say any more, but just responded silently.

After a while, someone planed the fourth wooden sign, wrapped it in oilcloth, put it on the mule, and then personally led ten riders to go directly to Qinghe County City.

Seeing the other party leave, Han Erlang was in a complicated mood. He turned around and called other people, and went to the east to collect the corpse. Let Xi Longjun stay outside the city where he is stationed, and simply save the opponent some trouble in advance.

"Throw the sign here, go back and tell Han Er, I know his loyalty, don't worry."

At noon of the next day, in the backyard of Qinghe County's prefecture, which was tens of miles away, the drizzle finally stopped. Cao Shancheng, the general guard of Qinghe, sat on the porch, looking haggard. "Let him guard the city with peace of mind and wait for the military order... The reason why I use him is to see that he is a man of integrity."

Zhang Laowu was just a timid person, so he walked away again.

As soon as the man left, Cao Shancheng sat on the spot with his eyes closed and his forehead supported, without looking at the wooden sign in front of him at all... He knew what was written on it without looking, because such notices were not only for the confrontation front line on the east side of Qinghe County, In Qinghe County, as well as on various traffic arteries in surrounding states and counties, there are posters that he has received many copies.

To be honest, he himself didn't expect that these mere things would bring him such a big trouble.

The decree of seeking talents, the decree of benevolent government, and the order of martial law are just clichés, but it is just that the thief has become self-righteous to a certain extent, but he never expected that the other party would use this way of announcing to the world to punish him. Personal attacks.

What's more, it is a repeated attack, and it is an attack that is getting bigger and bigger.

The origin of the matter is undoubtedly the battle at the beginning of this year, but at that time the thief Zhang San only left some postings in the stronghold when the troops were withdrawing, saying that he wasted half of his life, relying on suppressing the rebels to gain momentum, and his life's glorious achievements are all here , so the only eyes are to suppress the rebels.

Then at the beginning of spring plowing, they began to send people to post leaflets with great fanfare, and at the same time shouted to the soldiers and the people in the fields, saying that Cao Shan had become his own promotion and fortune, and forced the county soldiers to be recruited, and the people were not allowed to plow in the spring, in vain.

Now he is even more straightforward, saying that Cao Junshou would not hesitate to kill the whole county in order to please the sage of Jiangdu.

Among them, what he Cao Shancheng cares most about is actually the first post, because it was too cruel, and the waste of the first half of his life was the most unacceptable experience for him who was always proud of himself, but this deeply hurt his heart. However, not many people care about the post, because not many people know about it.And the later posts became more and more nonsensical... He is the sheriff, the sheriff appointed by the imperial court, and it is natural for the army to prepare for war and guard against rebels?
Officials and thieves, need to discuss?

However, the consequences of the large-scale announcement were far beyond his imagination.

As soon as the post about him delaying spring plowing due to preparations for the war came out, deserters and resistance to serving in the army immediately appeared. But at this time, he couldn't show the courage to suppress the rebels... because the common people would really run away.

But now, such an absurd accusation of being incompatible with officials and thieves is posted on a large scale in the notices that he would laugh at in the past, but he doesn't know what the result will be waiting for him.

Is it a further betrayal of the clan and the powerful?Or is it that the surrounding states and counties are further separated from each other, beggar-thy-neighbor?

Or is it the direct wavering of frontline officers and soldiers?
Shouldn't that be the case?The four cities on the front line, Sun Juncheng, Shi Duwei, Han Fuduwei, and Xue Wanbi are all trustworthy, right?

Governor Cao's anxiety didn't last long, because the person Han Erlang sent to deliver the plaque had just left. Around evening, Sun Juncheng, who was guarding Chiping, appeared in front of him in person.

"How can you come?" Cao Shancheng was surprised. "None of the four cities on the front line can lack guards..."

"Because I'm here to ask the Fujun personally." Sun Juncheng waved the notice in his hand and answered seriously. "Do you really want to burn jade and stone together?"

Cao Shancheng's eyes sharpened: "What does Sun Juncheng mean? I am responsible for guarding the land!"

"Who is responsible?" Sun Juncheng was not afraid at all. "Dongdu or Jiangdu?"

"Dongdu and Jiangdu are integrated!" Cao Shancheng was startled for a moment, he never expected that he would have to debate such an old topic after two years. "Responsible to Dawei!"

"But the people below don't recognize it." Sun Juncheng suddenly lowered his voice. "Your Majesty! This matter is like this. I am also an official of the imperial court, and I am also appointed by the superior. I understand what you mean, but those county soldiers, they are issued from the mainland, and they are issued from the subordinates... This announcement, It seems absurd, and it seems like a bad debt that we have been thinking about for two years, but for the people below, this is a terrible thing. You talk to them about the Great Wei and the imperial court, and they usually don’t care about it. The Dragon Bandit came here and made you worry about it, so the Jiangdu sage can’t mention it, because the Sanzheng incident hurts the hearts and minds of the people, so we have to tell them that we are here to defend our hometown.”

"Destroying the dragon thief is not just a reminder to them." Cao Shancheng immediately eased his tone after realizing that the other party was a kind reminder. "In fact, it also strengthened their courage..."

Sun Juncheng shook his head: "Under the heavy pressure, it's not just them, everything is actually unstable..."

Cao Shan was taken aback for a moment, but laughed out loud: "That's right...it's not that what the thieves said is reasonable, but that their soldiers are overwhelming the situation, and people can't breathe. At this time, they will make trouble no matter whether they are intimidation or temptation. Even if you say the so-called unreasonable truth, there are people who agree with it for no reason... Is there someone in Chiping making noise?"

"Yes." Sun Juncheng was stunned for a moment, then he realized and nodded quickly. "There are a few gang leaders and bosses, all of whom are locals, who are arguing with me about this matter. I can't help it... and it is very likely that several team generals came out."

Cao Shancheng nodded: "I knew it, that's all right, you go back to appease me immediately, and I will go there in person tomorrow or the day after, and deal with all those who have evil intentions!"

Sun Juncheng was silent for a moment, and asked seriously: "Are you really going to kill me?"

"It's not serious at this time. When the thieves come, they will just rush away." Cao Shancheng replied simply.

Sun Juncheng nodded, and wanted to leave, but unexpectedly walked a few steps, and then turned back to look: "I heard that the Cui family has also started to feel unstable?"

This time it was Cao Shancheng's turn to be silent.

When Sun Juncheng saw this, he turned back again: "Your Majesty, don't be confused! In your county, there will be no room for the people below, and no room for the people above, and there will be big troubles!"

Cao Shancheng sighed: "Don't worry, I just asked Captain Shi's patrol troops to blockade the north side more tightly, so that they would not be so unscrupulous... You don't know, they send envoys to the plains non-stop, as if walking Relatives are average, it's too much."

Sun Juncheng breathed a sigh of relief, and then left.

"Second brother...you don't know, Cao Shancheng wants to kill me!" At almost the same moment, in Jiangling City, Cui Erliulang almost burst into tears, all of which were wiped on his brother. "I came to deliver the roster of fields and houses today. The official roads in Zhangnan were tightly blocked, so I walked south from Liting. Just after passing the border, I was suddenly surrounded by sentry cavalry from the county under his command. Qi, Lang 26 and I almost died on the official road!"

Cui Suchen, who had returned to Jiangling City a few days earlier, was stunned on the spot.

"Is he crazy?" Xie Minghe on the side was also surprised, but then he reacted and spoke seriously to Cui Suchen. "Cui Erlang, Cao Shancheng has gone crazy, it has nothing to do with our Dragon Gang!"

"I know." Cui Suchen came back to his senses and responded slowly. "You don't need to... But Cao Shancheng, according to the situation you said before, Qinghe County has almost become an isolated island, tense up and down, he can't do it alone, and with your literary and military means, I'm afraid it's really possible to be in a hurry... ...Of course, it could also be Xue Wanbi."

"Follow me to see Zhang Sanlang." Xie Minghe urged immediately.

Cui Erlang nodded immediately.

For a while, Zhang Xing only had a rare leisure time to read the novel in his residence. After listening to it, he immediately raised his head and made a statement: "Cui Erlang, let me say something first... This matter was not done by our Dragon Gang, we don't need it, and I I really don’t want the spring plowing to be affected in the slightest, it’s not easy for ordinary people to farm...You Cui’s are not worth doing this to me.”

When Cui Erlang heard the last point, he was sure that Cao Shancheng was really driven crazy by this guy.

(End of this chapter)