Since the boundary trench defense line was lost, the imperial military stronghold outside the Great Wall was 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, and even Xuande Province, which once represented the central government's direct military administration, 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 a considerable number of troops from the Central Plains, Shandong and Northeast China, and placed senior generals in charge, so no mistakes could be made.
With this move, the situation on the front line seems 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 mobilized, and only ten of them were left. The horses, ordnance, etc. had also been used up. It was like an undefended peace. Years.
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 are just fine. Some larger-scale broken troops are almost as brutal as bandits. County and county officials were completely unable to control the situation, and the local government suffered terribly.
In this case, many powerful clans built fortresses to train their troops, and gathered their exhorts and slaves to defend themselves.
This is also a matter of time. Whether facing the imperial court, facing stragglers, or facing the Mongols who God knows will come again, having a little force at your disposal gives 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 wars.
Not to mention training and equipment, the young people who were temporarily gathered together lacked combat experience in the army. Just by hearing the sound of their footsteps and the clanking of weapons as they marched, Guo Ning knew that such a march was too close.
It seems strict, but in fact it's more like embolden each other. At most, there are twenty or thirty people, why are they crowded together in one place?
What if we suddenly encountered an enemy, everyone panicked, drew their guns and knives, got into position, and then stabbed a few of them to death on the spot because they were too close?
However, these issues are not worth worrying about. This team is exactly what Guo Ning needs.
A warrior who survived a bloody battle on the border would not easily become a dog for the nobles of the imperial court. Xiao Haohu was determined to win the position of commander of the Anzhou capital, but after attacking Guo Ning's troops, he would never go to see Shan Hang, the governor's apprentice, and wait for the governor's appointment.
He will definitely first convene a gathering of his friends, allies, even the forces that can be coerced, and the influential clans in Anzhou for discussion.
Through this gathering, he can divide up positions and authority in advance and confirm his leadership. When everything was settled, he would use this to gain the approval of Tu Shanhang, the governor of Anzhou, so as to take 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 a cover is also a bit particular.
In his early years in Wusha Castle, although Guo Ning was just a regular soldier, he was famous for his bravery. In Badgerzui, Huihebao and other places, he even fought fiercely with the Mongols several times. He rescued hundreds of soldiers from danger, and thousands of people saw his appearance. Therefore, the stragglers near Anzhou have too many acquaintances and cannot be used.
The ones available are the private soldiers of the 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 in the east of Xinqiao Ying, Yujiazhuang, and I am Yu Jingchun."
Guo Ning nodded slightly.
He had had little contact with these figures 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 Gaoyangguan. This place is called Xinqiao Camp. In fact, there is no permanent military or civilian presence. It is a grass market, a regular market spontaneously formed by rural people.
The grass market is also a source of wealth. The one who controls this grass market is Yujiazhuang.
Yujiazhuang is quite large and can be regarded as one of the most wealthy families in Gaoyang County. The people of the Yu tribe in Zhuangzi had a village leader who was responsible for supervising taxes and servitude, and admonishing farmers and mulberry farmers. There was also a leader who was responsible for observing prohibitions and non-violations, and that was Yu Jingchun in front of him.
This person was also recruited. It seemed that Xiao Haohu had really put in a lot of effort to gather local strength.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, Guo Ning returned the favor with a calm expression. He did not engage in conversation with Yu Jingchun, and simply said succinctly: "It turns out to be Mr. Yu. I was ordered to wait for you here, please follow me."
After saying that, Guo Ning turned around and left first.
This gesture 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 him from Gaoyang Pass.
He did not dare to neglect, and quickly took a few steps to follow Guo Ning. As he walked, he thought to himself: "This man is fully armored and has a heroic appearance. Even if he is placed in a county or state city, he can at least be a patrol officer. Xiao Haohu actually sent him to welcome guests? It seems that this Your strength cannot be underestimated, no wonder he is bound to win the position of commander of Anzhou City!"
The two of them walked slowly along the dirt road towards Gaoyang Pass.
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 sharp blade! It's absolutely extraordinary! How can such elite warriors in nearby counties and counties be able to do so 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 slightly and turned to stand side by side 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.
Will be sent by the clan to serve as a representative to discuss important matters. Yu Jingchun is good at flirting with others. At this time, since Guo Ning showed a polite gesture, he hit the snake on the stick, got closer and asked, "What do you call this little brother?"
Guo Ning opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a gust of wind suddenly blew close to the ground, kicking up sand and dust on the road.
Guo Ning spat 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 rim of the helmet pressed down to his brows. Now he was wrapped in a cloth, and almost his entire face was invisible, leaving only his sparkling eyes.
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 planning to take off his cloth? Does that mean there is no intention to talk?
Yu Jingchun was a little disappointed and thought to himself: "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 turned a corner. His sight, which had been obscured by the trees on the roadside, suddenly opened up. 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 from their waists seemed to have been waiting for a while. When they saw the queue, the two of them stepped forward with smiles on their faces.
Of these two men, the older one with a fierce face is called Zhu Zhang, and the younger one with a scarred face is called Zhang Jiao. Both of them had followed Xiao Haohu's order to take a number of people to collect grain near Xinqiao Camp. It was Yu Jingchun who came to deal with it at that time, so he recognized it.
It was said to be a grain grab, but in fact it was no different from blackmail, except that Yujiazhuang had some force, and Yu Jingchun also dealt with it well and did not break up.
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 fellow, 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 the two of them went out, he also specifically asked not to neglect the guests. Therefore, the two of them did not show off their evil demeanor when searching for food, and planned to have a polite conversation with Yu Jingchun.
But the two of them 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 him?
Three years after Da'an, the elite of the imperial court dispersed. It is not uncommon for former military elites to live in Hebei and be recruited by others to make 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. Looking at the left and right sides of his waist, there are long knives and iron bones hanging on each side, and behind his shoulders, he also carries a long bow and quiver.
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.
"Please! Please!" Yu Jingchun stepped forward proudly.
Guo Ning still walked side by side with him.
