Chapter 147： messenger

Qi Conglin, who was concealed in a mountain nest not far from the ridge occupied by Shen Jianyan, Shen Yi's deputy, also saw the wolf smoke. He said to more than 700 soldiers behind him: "Let's go up the mountain!" The soldiers hid from hiding. When they came out of places, they carried huge packages, some were nearly one person tall, and some were carrying cauldrons. Because of the heavy burden, they can't run fast and can only climb slowly. Some people use both hands and feet, and some need mutual support.

When they finally reached the top of the mountain, the sun had completely risen. Qi Conglin and Shen Jian Yan clan met the ceremony, and Shen Jian was introduced to meet Chen Lichang and others. He saw people jumping back and forth on the ridge, but their expressions were relaxed and even happy. Below, there were Beirong people everywhere. They had already reached the foot of the mountain and would attack at any time. This was abnormal. So he asked: "Look at Why are you so happy"

Chen Lichang smiled and said: "If the leader comes back from the dead, it is natural to have a good time."

Yesterday evening, when Wang Zhi and others walked far, Yan waved his hand, and the two soldiers followed Wang Zhi and his path down the mountain and followed them.

After a while, seeing no one came back, Yan said to Shen Jian, "They're gone." In the sad atmosphere around, Shen Jian opened his eyes and sat up, and the people around him exclaimed. The soldier behind Shen Jian pulled out the half of the arrow shaft that was inserted in the light armor behind him. Shen Jian spitted out several mouthfuls, and Duan Zeng patted him on the shoulder and said, "Good performance!"

Shen Jian wiped his face: "There is so much gray, you just said that I am out of breath, my nose is itchy, especially want to sneeze."

Duan Zeng stared: "Fortunately you didn't fight! Otherwise, I will become a quack, and I can't even tell about life or death."

Yan Shi passed a bamboo tube containing water, and Shen Jian rinsed his mouth.

Chen Lichang and the other people were stunned. Shen Jian stood up and saluted everyone: "I'm sorry, you just had to let the spies misrepresent the military situation before you can do that. The enemy's situation is urgent, I hope you forgive me!" He and Shen Yi The selected soldiers went down the mountain to investigate the enemy’s situation. In fact, they did not go to the Bei Rong area at all. Instead, they found a place to hide, poured the chicken blood and pig blood in the bamboo tube on their bodies and smeared them on their faces, including Duan Zeng’s. Pill, another arrow shaft was stuck in the gap in the armor. Seeing the time was almost up, they were asked to carry him back to the ridge.

Chen Lichang stammered: "I've never...never...never seen...who is going to fight like this..." He hasn't turned the soldiers yet, so his team leader pretended to be dead!

Shen Jian said solemnly: "Sergeant Cai Yan has already said that from now on, no one is allowed to go down the mountain. We are going to start really preparing to meet the enemy!"

Chen Lichang glanced at Yan Shi and said: "We only brought bronze gongs and suona."

Shen Jian nodded to him and said, "Those are enough."

Chief Chen didn't need to ask more, Shen Jian set up a guard post, and Yan directed the people to light a torch and built a short wall under the fire light. This ridge runs northwest and southeast, and the cold northwest wind blows from behind them. If they want to avoid the wind, they must hide to the side of the remnant wall facing the enemy. If they don’t quickly build the inner wall, they can hold on to their position. Can't survive a few cold winter nights.

Everyone understands this truth, and after a busy night, finally built an inner wall to avoid some cold wind. At twilight, the soldiers who followed Wang Zhi came back, saying that Wang Zhi had indeed gone down the mountain to the direction of Yancheng. , Did not come back overnight. Yan had people lit a wolf smoke and summoned the reserve army to come up. Seeing that there are so many people coming up with big packages, everyone feels that their confidence has doubled, and naturally they are in a good mood.

It turned out that the three hundred sergeants who were already on the mountain and the people who had just come with Qi Conglin had set up here with Yan, and Yan only needed general guidance, and everyone knew what to do. Some of them dug out the originally buried wooden planks to lay a flat surface, some set up fire stands for the fire at night in front of the battlefield, and some collected wood that had been placed in the surrounding area and soaked them with the oil they brought to prevent it from burning at night. . Others set up several cauldrons. The hillside they were on was facing the wind and covered with ice and snow. The soldiers collected snow and ice and threw them into the cauldron to melt water. Yan threw the blocks of ink into the water...

More than a hundred people were responsible for opening the package and taking out various colors. Among them were a few bed crossbows. Several soldiers assembled the bed crossbows and set them up, adjusting the handles and levers with a click. But more of them are shooting with both hands. The installed ones were distributed to various soldiers. Some soldiers looked less than seventeen or eighty. They picked them up and drew the strings proficiently, looking effortlessly.

Chen Lichang watched eagerly, and found Shen Jian and said, "Supervisor Shen, I used to go to the battlefield with Master Hou. Although my left arm was injured, my right hand can still be hard. Can I help pull the crossbow? The pole"

Shen Jian shook his head and said: "What we need most is you guys who are knocking the gong. When that happens, we must not stop for a while. The director must be well organized. This is the key to our success or failure!"

Chen Lichang felt that he was fooling himself, thinking that he was kind, not letting himself go to the battlefield, and was a little disappointed. He only said, "Guarantee Shen can rest assured, he will definitely not stop." Just knocking on the gong, what's the problem?

At night, they are ready, a string of torches on the ridge, soldiers and civilians take turns to rest.

The main force led by Huo Luo also stayed under the hillside, so close that you could vaguely see the sporadic flashes on the ridge.

He knew that he would encounter Shen Jiajun's interception. Fortunately, it was such a ridged place. Although the other side lived in danger, the ridge was not long and could not stand many people. On both sides were steep slopes, and it was impossible to deploy troops. , So he didn't take it too seriously.

The peaks of this mountainous area are rugged and ups and downs. Although there have been a few heavy snowfalls after the winter, large stretches of cliffs are exposed here, and even the snow can't hold it. Now someone is blocking the only way. If you go around, you have to turn back to the north and go east for more than four hundred miles. It will take half a month to pass through this mountainous area. Not to mention the trouble, the current supply will definitely not be able to support it. Such a large team. But after this mountainous area, there are a large number of villagers who can rob all the way to replenish their supplies.

Fire Luo naturally wouldn't go around, he was suffocating his energy to fight. Although it is to attack the mountain, it is not good for oneself, but the **** of the mountain is not so dangerous. The **** is slightly sunny and leeward, and there is no ice or snow. Large forces can charge together to break the opponent's defense with more victory and less. Moreover, he has a vague hunch: he is bound to win a big victory. So, when the morning came the next day, he launched a tentative attack.

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Wang Zhi finally returned to Yancheng. He went outside the Chinese Military Academy and said that he was carrying a military emergency report and was immediately led to the Chinese Military Hall. Ji Wenzhao met him.

Wang Zhi told Ji Wenzhao the number of Bei Rong, and then said: "Guo Shen is martyred!"

Ji Wenzhao looked shocked and started walking back and forth in the room very nervously, frowning and looking solemnly. At this moment, some people said that Zhenbeihou wanted to see this soldier in person.

Early in the morning the day before yesterday, Zhenbei Hou was reported, and the direction Shen Jian was going to lit up smoke. It seemed that Shen Jian and Bei Rong had encountered each other. Although he had made preparations in his heart, Zhenbeihou was still fidgeting uncomfortably. Now I heard that someone from Shen Jian had returned, and he wanted to see him immediately.

When Ji Wenzhao heard this, he hurriedly said to Wang Zhi: "You can't tell Lord Hou about this!"

Wang Zhi was taken aback, and Ji Wenzhao said solemnly: "Now that the soldiers of the Northern Rong are under pressure, if Lord Hou knows that Governor Shen was martyred to the country, he will definitely be upset! The command will make mistakes in the future, and I must not tell him now!"

Wang Zhi was a little embarrassed: "This... concealing military aircraft is a big crime."

Ji Wenzhao thought heavily for a moment, and said, "You only told Master Hou that Governor Shen was injured, and nothing else. After Master Hou knew the number of Bei Rong, they must know that Governor Shen could not stop them. , Will send a letter to the imperial court to warn that Bei Rong may enter from the east. Now there are few stations on the road. If you follow the normal route, this memorial will probably be late to the capital. I will let you take this memorial and set off to the capital in person. , Be sure to deliver it to the palace in person! Now that the two armies of Beirong and the two routes total about five to six hundred thousand people, Shen Jiajun can't resist it. You send the memorial for help to the court as soon as possible, and Shen Jiajun will have more life. Entrusted to you!"

Wang Zhi was so happy that he almost laughed: Let me go back to the capital! I can't die! He gritted his teeth firmly and suppressed his smile, and saluted: "I will definitely not live up to the trust of the military division!"

Ji Wenzhao accompanied Wang Zhi to see Zhenbeihou and entered the meeting hall of Zhenbeihou. Both Zhenbeihou and Shen Yi were there.

After the salute, Wang Zhi said to Zhenbeihou: "Master Hou, Governor Shen has visited hundreds of thousands of people in Beirong, the soldiers will have more than 30,000, and the others are civilians..."

Zhenbeihou was stunned: "Hundreds of thousands! He... only brought a thousand people..."

Wang Zhi continued: "In fact, there are only more than 300 people who have been there."

Zhenbeihou looked at Shen Yi, and Shen Yi said with a straight face: "The soldiers stationed there are not in the station, I will transfer someone else..."

Zhenbeihou clenched his fists: "Quick! Transfer more people to Supervisor Shen..."

Wang Zhi said, "Master Hou, Governor Shen was injured..."

When Zhenbeihou heard this, his face was pale, and Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "It's not a serious injury, it's a minor injury!"

Zhenbeihou asked again: "But it matters."

Wang Zhixin said: The important thing is dead. He glanced at Ji Wenzhao and said, "It doesn't matter, but they all said they would not take a step back and die there."

Zhenbeihou's face twitched, and Ji Wenzhao signaled to Wang Zhi: "You have worked hard. Go and rest. Come to the PLA to find me tomorrow morning."

Wang Zhi bowed before saluting.

Ji Wenzhao said to Zhenbeihou: "Master Hou, there has been a letter in the morning, and all the northern Beirong lines have been launched. Please call the rest of the army to station in Yancheng."

Shen Yi said, "Master Hou, I will take people to supervise outside the city to ensure that the whole army retreats."

Zhenbeihou said with difficulty: "Can, let... Governor Shen and them come back?"

Ji Wenzhao shook his head silently, and Zhenbeihou said to Shen Yi: "Then transfer more people."

Shen Yi said: "The other people should have arrived now. The terrain is so narrow that it is impossible to gather troops."

Zhenbeihou took a deep breath in tears and said: "My Shen family has guarded the border for generations, and the sons are born to defend the country. Now that the Bei Rong is under pressure, it is always only a death, only sooner or later." Although he said to Ji Wenzhao and Shen Yi Yes, it's more self-talking.

Ji Wenzhao repeatedly waved his hands and said, "Master Hou does not have to be so pessimistic. I said that Yancheng will never be lost to the enemy. Now let General Shen go and urge the withdrawal of troops!"

Zhenbeihou looked at Shen Yi. He really loves and hates this son. Shen Yi has been acting on his own since he left the border, not listening to his instructions! But now, when a powerful enemy is overwhelming, he feels that this opinionated son is very reliable.

Zhenbeihou said to Shen Yi: "Don't fight Beirong."

Shen Yi nodded, and replied simply: "Okay." He saluted and left.

Zhenbeihou looked at Shen Yi's back without saying a word for a long time. He felt very heavy. He knew that Shen Jian was fierce, and Shen Yi, who had just left, was also not immune. He is not worried about his death. The generations of Lord Hou in Zhenbeihou have died on the battlefield. He believes that it is his duty and honor, but if his two sons die together, he still feels heartache. He decided that if he couldn't resist Bei Rong's attack in the future, he would desperately die, and let Shen Yi break through, so as to save the life of a son.

Ji Wenzhao seemed to be very relaxed, and said to Zhenbeihou: "Master Hou, I have always supervised the construction of the city defense. I didn't let Master Hou see the whole picture before. Now, Bei Rong is coming, I can Take Master Hou to have a look."

Zhenbeihou had been to the construction site several times before, and it was dusty. He just built a few high walls and set up some arrow stamps. The drawings Ji Wenzhao gave him were also very simple. He felt that it was a barrier to fight the enemy on the streets after the city was broken. There is not much attention to layer protection, Shen Jian has always been dispatching personnel, materials, gold and silver for the city defense. The main focus of Zhenbeihou is to expel those soldiers from the northern army who frequently cross the border to harass and rob each year from the beginning of autumn to the spring of the following year, and also to pay attention to the maintenance of the soldiers.

In recent years, the emperor has not only cut off his quarters and army payments, but has also kept on asking him to reduce the number of troops. Although all the laid-off soldiers stayed in Yancheng, they have not been able to recruit new soldiers aggressively, and the soldiers are aging seriously. As Ji Wenzhao said, although Shen Jiajun’s current roster is 150,000, the real elite soldiers are only 50,000, and the cavalry is less than 10,000. The past few years have been small fights without large-scale actual combat training. Beihou was very worried about the situation of the army.

Now that Shen Jian is not there, the combination and deployment of those soldiers is not known to be handed over to Ji Wenzhao. Thinking of this, Zhenbeihou asked: "Did Governor Shen entrust all of the Chinese army to you?"

Ji Wenzhao nodded and said, "Exactly, I can talk to Lord Hou now."

He took out a piece of paper and said: "General Shen is divided into one for defending the city, one for maneuvering, one for city construction, and one for other duties..."

Zhenbeihou frowned: "What's going on! Why didn't he tell me?"

Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "Master Hou is safe and not impatient. These establishments are not inconsistent with the original establishment. Supervisor Shen and Master Hou had this in mind when they sorted out the army. Therefore, each subordinate has a team number. They were directly placed among the subordinates, and these names were originally given to Hou Ye when he dispatched soldiers."

Zhenbeihou thought carefully about the division of Shen Jian, and asked: "Is the mobile soldier the attacking army?"

Ji Wenzhao nodded and said: "Exactly, this division is to separate the offensive and defensive soldiers, and concentrate the elite soldiers under the mobile soldiers to facilitate the attack on the enemy."

Zhenbeihou asked: "How many mobile soldiers are there?"

Ji Wenzhao said: "There are 20,000 guards and 10,000 soldiers under General Shen."

Zhenbeihou made a fist. He now knew that the two sons were secretly colluding, so he walked around him. Such an important matter of the army establishment has been kept from him! Shen Yi's guards were not thousands, but 20,000! And he knows that Shen Yi has been going deep into the grassroots of the army and understanding the members of the army, without even thinking about it, his 20,000 men must be the best soldiers in the army! No wonder Shen Jian ran to guard the pass, probably not dare to face him! But when he thought that Shen Jian was injured, facing hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Northern Rong, Zhenbeihou immediately felt soft and could only grit his teeth bitterly!

Ji Wenzhao took out a few pieces of paper from his arms. They clearly wrote the names of the leaders and generals of each department, the number of soldiers under it, and each subordinate also subdivided small items. For example, in the mobile army, there are cavalry and infantrymen. Among the defenders, there are also soldiers, bombardiers, and fighters. There are medical and nursing, cooking, etc. in the diligent army... Below the leaders, there are some notes on the personality characteristics of these people, which are in heavy handwriting.

Zhenbeihou read it, his chest felt tight, painful and bitter. He has to admit that such a separation clearly divides the strength of the army into different levels, and he knows how he can match each other when he deploys troops in the future.

Seeing that Zhenbeihou had finished watching, Ji Wenzhao said, "Master Hou, please keep these carefully."

Zhenbeihou carefully folded the pieces of paper, put it in his arms, and said to Ji Wenzhao: "Go, I will go with you to see the city defense."

When they walked out of the Chinese military compound, they found that people were already coming and going around. Someone commanded loudly: "Quickly, set up an account at the places we mentioned, and hang up the flag of medical care..."

Seeing Zhenbeihou looking at the young man, Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "That man is a disciple of Duan Langzhong, Duan Langzhong is a famous genius doctor, he..."

Zhenbeihou said, "Lead the medical soldiers."

Ji Wenzhao nodded and said: "He walked with Governor Shen. With him, Governor Shen will be fine." Although he was doing the show in the capital, he hurt Zhenbeihou's heart very much. Sorry.

Another person hurried over and said to Ji Wenzhao: "The third-ranking division, there are more than a dozen suspicious people reported everywhere, some of them have no identity badges, and they came in as refugees. After talking about the village, the second official Yan heard his name. I asked them if they knew XX. They either made a mistake or did not know them. Now they are all detained. Others went out of the city for no reason, and were stopped by people and found out the city defense map. These people are all locked in one place. "

Ji Wenzhao nodded and said, "Watch well, let one of our own people in, and listen to what they say." That person answered.

Zhenbeihou asked: "Who is this second official?"

Ji Wenzhao blinked, not wanting to blind the father, who is in a bad mood now, and replied a little embarrassingly: "Speaking of which, it is Hou's in-laws. He is the father of Sergeant Yan, chasing Sergeant Yan. After I got here, I said that I came for personal reasons and it was not easy to disturb, so I never came to see you."

Zhenbeihou was surprised: "Why don't I know! How can I not see Governor Shen getting married when my in-laws are here? I am not in the capital and I have never seen him!"

Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "It's busy now, and it's not too late to see you after the war." He doesn't want to see you! His daughter is now disguised as a man and is under your hand. If it is exposed, it would be a shame. Wouldn't you give her to her parents on the spot? He can't hide from you.

Zhenbeihou knew that Shen Jian’s Yue family was from a civil official background. He thought that the second official of Yan had the nobility of a civil official. He would not come if he did not invite him. He said unhappily, "This makes people think that my Shen family is arrogant and rude. Tell me about this, and I will see him."

Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "Probably Governor Shen forgot." This is your family affair, don't blame me.

Zhenbeihou thought of the coming war, and said: "Bring the second official Yan into the Chinese army."

Ji Wenzhao shook his head hurriedly: "The second official Yan is very busy now. He used to help Old Master Yan manage the college, was good at managing personnel, and was not forgetting. Now he is in charge of the household registration in the city. All Yancheng residents have made a register. The identity brand and the roster are kept in four ways, one is according to the strokes of the first name and last name, the other is according to the number brand, the other is according to the city area, and the other is according to the person’s original hometown. Everyone who enters the city is To report the name and surname, Yan Erguan will lead people to search out his hometown of his hometown. If there are people from the same village, they will let them meet. First, there will be a reference, and secondly, let's see if it's meticulous."

Zhenbeihou was never interested in the registration of these residents. Hearing what Ji Wenzhao said, he said with emotion: "The third place division is really meticulous!"

Ji Wenzhao was rarely modest and said, "This is also Governor Shen's idea." Of course not. This is your little daughter's idea, but I can't tell you.

The two men walked all the way to the vicinity of the northern gate, only to find that the northern gate had been closed. The soldiers were carrying a large block of stone, building a high wall, and blocking the road.

Zhenbeihou suddenly found a large iron fence as wide as the city gate. It was suspended by iron cables and hung above the city gate. He couldn't help but ask: "Why didn't this gate become a cast iron gate?"

Ji Wenzhao smiled and said: "Because this goalkeeper is the gate of Bei Rong's onslaught, at that time, the traitor will come to open the city gate and let Bei Rong in."

Zhenbeihou looked at Ji Wenzhao sternly: "Why the military teacher said this!"

Ji Wenzhao confidently said: "I can pinch and count. This place is the place where the second black star flies into the fleeting year. The disaster of blood and light is the main thing, and there is a villain. If you want to suppress this disaster, you must use earth and wood..." Yunshan Mist Cover Speaking, led Zhenbeihou into the lost city from the secret road...

At the same time, Shen Yi led the troops outside the city and sent people to check on the main garrison locations to ensure that all sergeants evacuate quickly. On the road outside Yancheng, teams of sergeants often walked past. According to Shen Yi's instructions, the retreat of the army became a huge transportation: the soldiers carried a wok with fodder, grain, bedding, donkey carts and wagons with wooden furniture and even beamed windows.

There were still some people fleeing on the road. Many people left long ago. Those who stayed at the end were only reluctant to leave their homes when they heard that Bei Rong had really come. Seeing Shen Jiajun retreating like this, he was naturally angry. Some people faced the sergeant. They shouted: "You run away when you see Bei Rong, what a good guy!" "Look at you like this, it's like a mouse moving! What a shame!" "Shen Jiajun has never done such a thing! Are you really Shen Jiajun!"...

When the soldiers on the road heard this, some were blushing, and some whispered angrily: "I want to die! The people above are afraid of death!"...

The soldiers next to Shen Yi watched Shen Yi's face carefully. Shen Yi's face was expressionless, just looking at the road coldly. Over the years, he has done a lot of preparations for this battle. In the end, only the horses did not reach the number, and the others were all in place. The Shen Jiajun had a good soldier with sufficient food and advanced weapons, but what he wanted now was for the opponent to lightly enter the enemy and divide the troops after the siege. He wouldn't make any rhetoric and let the spies report to the opponent.

People looked at this young general so calmly, secretly saying that he was calm and mature, able to bear humiliation.

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The next day, Wang Zhi took over the memorial in a tarpaulin bag from Ji Wenzhao. Ji Wenzhao said to him: "We must travel day and night! Bei Rong's momentum is too big, although there are no millions, but the number is also fifty. More than 10,000, we have proven that there are 350,000 soldiers! Among them are many cavalry! Shen Jiajun is bound to lose, and the court needs to send troops as soon as possible. This memorial arrives in the court one day earlier, and Shen Jiajun will have one more chance to survive. be sure!"

Wang Zhi said: "I must hurry as soon as possible and get to the capital as soon as possible."

After leaving Ji Wenzhao’s room, Wang Zhi hurried to lead the horse. Ji Wenzhao equipped him with two war horses and dry food, as well as a guide to the checkpoints along the way, which marked Shen Jiajun’s emergency military situation, so that he could return unimpeded all the way. Beijing. Wang Zhi is in a very, very good mood!

He had just led the horse to mount, and saw Zhang Ding tearfully running towards him: "Brother Wang! Brother Wang! Are you going back to Beijing? Can you tell the third-ranked division, and bring me you alone, maybe not Safe, I will accompany you back"

Wang Zhi shook his head and said, "The third-ranking division will only let me go." He doesn't want to go back to see Ji Wenzhao. What if Ji Wenzhao changes his mind and asks Zhang Ding to go back alone? He has to stay at the border

Zhang Ding pulled Wang Zhi's sleeve and cried sadly: "I'm so scared! It's about to go to war! I can't fight! I can't run away. I'm a sergeant who is making up. I want to be beheaded. I want to return. Beijing..."

With a move in Wang Zhi's heart, he could see that Zhang Ding was really greedy for life and fear of death, otherwise he would not fail to follow Shen Jian on the battlefield. Since one is afraid of death, it's easy to say! Wang Zhi used his sleeve to lead Zhang Ding to the side, and asked in a low voice: "You want to survive"

Zhang Ding nodded desperately: "Yes! I really want to!"

Wang Zhi now feels that he is a very fortunate person, and he will definitely be successful when he goes back this time. Why not just whisper to Zhang Ding, "I will tell you a way, so that if you escape in the future, you will not be held accountable!"

When Zhang Ding heard this, his eyes widened: "There is such a good thing."

Wang Zhi said: "Exactly. Do you know how to write? Just write down what happened in Yancheng, especially the Chinese army, and tell me the letter. Give the letter to a friend of mine. In the future, you will become a deserter and when you arrive in the capital, you Go to the prince to find me, and I'll keep you okay!"

Zhang Ding's mouth opened wide: "Prince! You are the prince's person!"

Wang Zhi whispered: "Otherwise, how can I pack the ticket for you"

Zhang Ding confirmed again: "It's okay to escape!"

Wang Zhi nodded firmly, "Do you still believe me?"

Zhang Ding said hurriedly, "Of course! Brother Wang, you have been taking care of me all these years!" He looked like thinking and muttered: "This is great, this is great..." Finally, he was like It was the same as when he finally made up his mind and said: "Okay! Brother Wang, I will listen to you! Just take a gamble! You take me to your friend, and I will write to you in the future!"

Wang Zhi was happy. He remembered that when Zhang Ding let Shen Jian stay outside the city, it was because he had bet on his wealth. It was natural for him to be so opportunistic. He took the horse and said, "You follow me to the city gate, and I will show you on the road."

Zhang Ding naturally followed Wang Zhi. Out of the compound, the streets were in chaos, and soldiers and civilians came and went. Wang Zhi felt that in such a noisy environment, no one would notice him, so he led Zhang Ding to the door where he had always contributed books, where the middle-aged people greeted him. Coming out, with small eyes and silkworm eyebrows, his face was pale and thin. When he saw Wang Zhi leading the horse, he looked upset: "Why did you come here like this?"

Wang Zhi said: "I want to go back to the capital to deliver the letter. Before I leave, I will introduce my friend Zhang Ding. He will write to me in the future, and you can help pass it on." He said to Zhang Ding, "This is a member of Liu Guan." , Give him what you write in the future."

The official Liu looked at Zhang Ding, and Zhang Ding immediately saluted: "I have always been Brother Wang's subordinate, and Brother Wang has taken care of me for several years." His words sounded like Wang Zhi had already instigated him, but in fact, he He and Wang Zhi are Shen Jian's entourages. It doesn't matter who goes down who goes up. Wang Zhi heard that Zhang Ding said that he was a subordinate. He seemed to be tall and quite proud, so he didn't correct him.

Liu Guanren nodded and said to Zhang Ding: "Little brother stay, I will chat with you."

Zhang Ding saluted Wang Zhi: "Brother Wang, I can't take you to the gate of the city. You go all the way!" He looked uncomfortable.

Wang Zhi didn't care, he was now back home, and wanted to leave here as soon as possible, so he bid farewell to Zhang Ding and Liu Guanren. He rode through most of the city through the chaotic crowd, and found that the cast-iron south gate was half closed when he arrived at the south gate. The sergeants at the gate made the people who were going out and entering the city line up and asked one by one. There is a big table, and a few scholar-like people are writing down the names in and out of the roster... Such strictness makes Wang Zhi a little guilty. He showed his badge and guide to the gatekeeper and was immediately released. He left the city and looked back at the tall city wall as if he had been released from prison.

On the road to the south, with the people who were dragging their families, Wang Zhi took a deep breath, got on his horse, and ran away.

Liu Guanren asked about Zhang Ding’s life experience. Zhang Ding had passed this test from Wang Zhi a long time ago, and he had indeed been with Wang Zhi for several years. He was very fluent in answering questions, and at the same time he cried about himself. Why did he break his home because of a gambling? Why was he raised several times by Brother Wang? Now that Brother Wang is about to leave, he has given him a hand...

Liu Guanren is also very flustered now, saying that Bei Rong is coming, and the sword has no eyes in the flames of war. Who can avoid him as a meticulous work here, naturally he did not take the family. Seeing Wang Zhi running away, I wish I could go too. Seeing that Wang Zhi had found such a stand-in, he suddenly thought: Maybe he could replace his own thoughts. Liu Guanren seemed to be caught in an evil spirit. The more he looked at Zhang Ding, the more he felt suitable! He left Zhang Ding for lunch, and even took Zhang Ding to see his next home. He told the next family that he would have something to do in the future and let Zhang Ding deliver the letter. He turned around and told Zhang Ding that if he didn’t find himself when he came, he would take Zhang Ding. The letter is sent to the next home.

That night, Liu Guanren packed up his luggage, and early the next morning, while the city gate was still allowing the people to enter and leave, he left the city and went to the south to join him.

It is said that people share this same heart. The wind in the city is getting tighter and tighter. Everyone knows that the Northern Rong Million Army crosses the border. Shen Jiajun retreats. It looks like it's no good. Zhang Ding is introduced to the messenger on the next level. He is a guard. Soldiers of the city. But it turns out that if the city gate is closed, there are still letters that can be shot outside the city by soldiers guarding the city, and people from outside the city will come and take it away.

Zhang Ding can't get out of the city, and the chain effect ends here. But this result was beyond Ji Wenzhao's expectations. At night, he sighed with emotion to Zhang Ding, who came to see him quietly: "You kid is really good! How come you get their trust like this"

Zhang Ding looked on a treacherous minister, "It's not easy. They just send letters. At this time, they all want to run. With me backed up, I don't want to hurry up. Besides, who am I? My son says I am the best. Smart!"

Ji Wenzhao nodded: "Supervisor Shen is right."

Zhang Ding didn't correct him, he was actually talking about his original second son Zhang.

-----------------

In the East Palace, the prince is listening to his confidant's report on the situation outside the palace. An aide holding a stack of books said: "His Royal Highness, the story of strong soldiers has spread throughout the ruling and the opposition recently. There are words everywhere calling for the court to increase military expenditures and expand its strength. Those scholars also clamored everywhere, saying that my heart will not die when the North Rong is killed. Everyone needs to provide people, make a strong contribution, have money to provide money, and have things to pay, to reward the army. There are also merchants who have gathered their own supplies and want to transport them to the north..."

The prince sneered: "It must be the action over there!"

The staff nodded: "Indeed, this passerby's manuscript has always been printed and promoted by Ye's Library. We have received news that more than fifty students from Yan's Academy once joined the Rong, and went to Shen Jiajun..."

The prince hit the table: "They are so courageous! Civil officials colluded with military attache, this is for rebellion!"

Everyone was nervous, and the prince calmed down again: He only needs to wait another month or two... He sneered, and said, "Let them go to toss, they will not be as good in the future. Respect the old man, don’t take it as this. The palace doesn't know who is making trouble behind!"

Another staff member added in a low voice: "Not only Yan Jing, Old Master Liu and Old Master Jian, they have been uneasy recently..."

The prince snorted: "These people are tired of life, no one will stop them if they want to die!"

The staff hesitated and asked: "His Royal Highness, even if it's just to cover up people's tongue, do you agree with me a little..."

The prince categorically said: "No! This palace will not lower your head! Let them yell! Don't worry! The New Year is approaching, let the Ministry of Households issue year-end rewards to the officials, and also give the father a large sum of money for the New Year, and pay the Ministry of household silver. In the future, if you want to spend military expenses, you will ask the officials to refund the money. My palace wants to see that some of the officials who have taken the money will spit out the money for military needs."

The staff nodded in agreement: "Exactly, in this way, there won't be many people who support the increase in military spending..."

The next day, the prince said that the court had frozen salaries for five or six years. In order to reward officials who worked for the royal family for the people, he would give them red envelopes at the end of the year. Although the three princes once again said the old saying that they should give money to Shen Jiajun, the Zhenbei Hou, many courtiers supported the prince, and the emperor was not on the court, and the decree of issuing additional "la gifts" was smoothly issued.

The third prince returned to the mansion and yelled: "He has money and doesn't give the border! His uncle, if Bei Rong calls, they will not be able to keep the lives of these officials, and the money will be useful!"

There were dark circles under Shen Zhuo's eyes. He knew that the border crossing should have started war at this time, but the communication station was reduced to a few by the prince, and no news came. He said solemnly, "His Royal Highness is right. This is obviously because the prince does not support Shen Jiajun. He has to poke the matter out. It is too weak to let the wind out directly. We build a donation box for officials to voluntarily donate the year-end silver rewards. Said to send this silver pair to the border."

Young Master Ye frowned: "In this case, the two sides are really torn apart, and those who donated money have completely broken with the prince."

Shen Zhuo knew that the war was going to be together, so he would definitely want to see it, because he wanted you to die, and he was not afraid of tearing his face. He said, "This is a matter of time, and besides, we made this donation box to let everyone know what the prince did. We can keep the people who donated money confidential, and some people will not leave their names."

The third prince nodded and said, "Just do it! I'll put my belongings in first!"

Young Master Ye said hurriedly, "Let's put half of it first, you still have to live."

The third prince sighed deeply: "His uncle, he is suffocating me to death, I can't think about it!"

Shen Zhuo laughed, but then sighed and said, "Don't worry, maybe there will be a turnaround soon."

Young Master Ye glared Shen Zhuo: "How do you speak so unscrupulously! What do you mean!"

Shen Zhuo probed, lowered his voice and said: "My elder brother asked a soldier who had returned to his hometown to bring a letter from his family, saying that the border is heavily overwhelmed by Beirong, and there may be a war."

Young Master Ye was shocked: "Really!"

The third prince frowned: "Why didn't I see the memorial!"

Shen Zhuo sighed: "The official letter walks slowly. When the fight really starts, there will be letter."

The third prince was angry: "If that's the case, how can the Shen Jiajun fight the enemy without armaments and troops for so many years? Isn't it killing them!" He said to Young Master Ye: "You sold all the things in my mansion! What! I don’t need any furniture, tables and chairs. Replace them with silver and put them in the donation box. The sooner the better! When you have the money, buy food and munitions and send them to the border!"

Da Young Master Ye frowned, and said in a low voice: "This is indeed... a turning point and a crisis!" If Bei Rong does invade, then the three princes' loud calls will be predictable. Recognition goes to the next level, but this is a war. What if Shen Jiajun at the border can't stop it...

Master Ye hurriedly returned to the house and said what Shen Zhuo had said to Ye Zhongshu. Ye Zhongshu was also nervous: "If this matter is not true, Master Shen will never say it. It seems that the war will be about to start soon..." He groaned. After a while, he said: "Just do it. Tomorrow you will open a donation box at the mansion of the third prince, sell all the properties of the third prince, and advertise to everyone."

Grand Master Ye nodded: "His Royal Highness actually doesn't have much money. The money in the treasury is mainly gold given by Ping Yuanhou when he opened the mansion."

Ye Zhongshu said: "Then don't worry about it. Donate it all! If you need it in the future, he will have a lot of money."

On the second day, the gate of the Three Princes' Mansion opened the donation silver box, stating that it was hoped that officials would donate red envelopes at the end of the year to provide military supplies for the border. The three princes set an example and donated all the money in the mansion. Someone came to donate that day, but it was mainly the Qingshui official under the Ye family, and some of them also swiped a pen and left their first and last names.

This made it clear that he was fighting against the prince, but the prince ignored it this time, and Ren Jingcheng spread the matter to a great extent, and did not make any response.

The emperor just smiled when he found out. The three princes plus a few red envelopes from the officials would be able to have a few money to celebrate the new year, so he wouldn't bother to fight between the two children.

Zhang Yunming in the south knew the sequence of events from Shen Wen, and estimated that war was going on in the north. He originally wanted to wait for the battle report to reach the capital, and then lead his troops out of the mountain. But when things came to an end, he suddenly couldn't wait, and led 20,000 volunteers and hundreds of donkey carts and mule carts with weapons out of the mountains. These soldiers are young men, who have undergone arduous physical training and equipped with the top weapons of this era. They have been in the mountains with him for four years and are loyal to him. Although they have never experienced the battlefield, Zhang Yunming believes that they are no less inferior to Bei Rong's elite soldiers. He first took the volunteers to choose a remote route and marched towards the south of the Yangtze River. He prepared for the location of his maternal grandfather Li’s family, supplemented all the supplies, and then went to the capital. It is estimated that when it is near the capital, the capital should be in a hurry. It's time.