The one who came back with Guo Ning was naturally Wang Shixian. What followed Wang Shixian was not his two ancient Wang companions, but a skinny donkey.
That night, Guo Ning did not tell Wang Shixian in detail what his family would do in the future. He only said, if Brother Shixian can trust me, just come with me and you will never suffer any loss.
Wang Shixian was doubtful, and he didn't know whether Guo Ning was talking nonsense.
A small regular soldier who fled to Hebei actually regarded Mongolia as his opponent in his words, as if he was some great person and could do great things. Anyone else would have burst into laughter on the spot and thought Guo Ning was crazy.
But Wang Shixian was saved by Guo Ning twice, and there was finally a sense of friendship. He heard Guo Ning's analysis of the positions of various forces in Anzhou with his own ears, and it was like looking at the grain from the palm of his hand. So, how could he know that there was no basis for his subsequent inferences?
Wang Shixian's own family understands better that the origins of the entire Wanggu tribe are complex. They have been distributed along the Dajin border fortress in the past hundred years, and the relationship within the ethnic group is very alienated. The King of Peking, Alawusi, who took refuge in Mongolia, had absolutely nothing to do with the Wanggu tribe of Gongchang Mansion.
It is of course Wang Shixian's good hope to rely on his identity as an ancient Wang to seek refuge in Mongolia and seek glory and wealth. However, in times of fierce fighting and danger, it is normal for someone to be crushed to pieces if he is not careful. No matter what, for a fierce man like Guo Ning, he must try his best to win over him in order to maintain the safety in front of him.
Therefore, Wang Shixian agreed to Guo Ning's request and agreed to unite the two families together.
He then suggested that both families might as well go to the Wanggu camp in the east of Xinqiao Ying to stay.
Guo Ning immediately said that Xinqiao Camp is too close to Wocheng County and Yujiazhuang, so it must be further away so that the two parties can rest assured and we can prepare with peace of mind.
Wocheng County is the administrative seat of Anzhou and the residence of Tu Shanhang, the governor of Anzhou. The Yu family in Yujiazhuang is the leader of the local clan in Anzhou, and it is where the various clans in Yujiazhuang meet and discuss their daily affairs. Why should the distance between these two places be further away so that both parties can feel at ease? What exactly is the preparation that Guo Liulang is talking about?
Wang Shixian became increasingly confused. But he is a warrior who has survived many battles, and he has a very clear judgment. That is, at any time, whoever has the biggest fist has the final say.
So he quickly corrected his attitude and said cheerfully: "It is indeed better on the other side of the Kuijun River! Whatever you say, Guo Liulang!"
At that moment, Wang Shixian asked two subordinates to go to Xinqiao Camp to gather their scattered companions, and he followed Guo Ning to Xiangjun River.
After Wang Shixian fell into Xiao Haohu's hands, he was tortured and suffered a lot. Guo Ning also suffered injuries, especially the arrow wound on his back that was torn again during the fight. The flesh and blood of the injury adhered to and rubbed against his clothes, causing him to feel severe pain every step he took.
At first, they could rely on perseverance to support themselves, but later on, both of them were very tired. They could not walk ten or twenty miles, so they had to stop and rest for a while. Fortunately, there was a village community that Guo Ning was familiar with on the way. The two of them rested in the village and had a good night's rest.
When the people in the village heard that Guo Ning had killed Xiao Haohu, they were in awe and kindly provided a donkey for transportation the next day.
Since the time of King Sejong, the nine pastoral camps established by Dai Kim in the border areas and the northeastern hinterland have existed in name only. There is a shortage of horses in the army and among the people, and many people in various places raise donkeys to make up for the lack of livestock power. But three years after arriving in Da'an, the court tried its best to search for donkeys, and donkeys became a rarity.
Guo Ning thanked Na Zheng, left a long knife with a good steel blade for the donkey's price, and then set off on the road.
Guo Ning and Wang Shixian are both good riders, and they are also good at riding donkeys. The two of them piled their weapons and armor on the donkey's back, and took turns riding the donkey to rest. Finally, after the fourth day, they returned to the Xiangjunhe camp.
The first few children who saw Guo Ning came up and touched Guo Ning's armor and weapons happily.
After his brother passed away, Lu Shu missed him day and night. The more I missed my brother, the more I hated Xiao Hao and Hu's troops and gnashed my teeth. I just lamented that I was young and weak and could not kill the enemy with Guo Ning.
The half-child scolded his companions, came up and looked up and asked: "Brother Liulang, are you back? Have you really avenged my brother?"
"This is my younger brother Lu Shu. His elder brother is my Alixi. He was killed in a sneak attack by Xiao Haohu just a few days ago." Guo Ning explained to Wang Shixian, and he replied seriously to Lu Shu: "That's natural. I've cut off the enemy's head!"
"It's good to chop off heads! It's even better to chop off more heads! It's also good to shoot them to death with arrows!" Lu Shu clenched his fists.
"That's natural. All the damned people have died by the sword!" Guo Ning touched Lu Shu's head: "Ah Shu, go tell your sister that guests are coming and prepare some food."
Lu Shu saluted like an adult and led the way first, asking his companions to report quickly.
"Brother Shixian, I'm living in a bit of embarrassment these days. Don't dislike me."
"Haha, no, no."
Wang Shixian agreed, followed Guo Ning out of the water, and saw the shacks and the people waiting eagerly beside the shacks.
What a shack it was! It’s so broken!
Wang Shixian couldn't help but say "hey".
This place is actually worse than Wang Shixian imagined, and it is even worse than the village where Wang Shixian stayed in Xinqiaoying. With Guo Ning and his friends around him being so strong and good at fighting, if they were willing to put down their posture and use some means, why would they be in such embarrassment?
It can be seen from this that Guo Liulang was indeed as Wang Shixian remembered him. His temperament was somewhat stubborn, but his vision was not necessarily that broad.
However... the Guo Liulang he had seen in the past few days seemed to have changed a lot, so much so that Wang Shixian felt a bit unfathomable.
It's really strange.
The two of them followed Lu Shu all the way to Guo Ning's residence.
After sitting down and exchanging a few words, Lu Han brought the food. At this speed, it seems that he has been preparing for it all the time, just make a fire to heat it temporarily.
The food itself was very poor, consisting of nothing more than gruel mixed with wild vegetable leaves, and pancakes baked with whole grains of beans and wheat.
Guo Ning was really thirsty and hungry, so he took a wooden bowl, drank the gruel in big gulps, and licked the bottom of the bowl clean. The hot soup and hot water sloshed in the stomach, making people feel very comfortable. Looking up, Wang Shixian was eating slowly and elegantly, while the first few children outside the door poked their heads in, looking at the pancakes and drooling.
Guo Ning smiled, picked up two pancakes, walked outside the door, broke them into small pieces of similar size according to the number of children, and gave one piece to each child.
The children left happily, but Lu Han followed them out, looking a little unhappy.
"Ahem, I killed Xiao Haohu and his important men." Guo Ning said.
"It's too dangerous! Don't do this again!" Lu Han lowered his head and said.
"There's no danger, that guy is no match for me." Guo Ning laughed twice.
There was a small dry and chapped wound on his lower jaw. It was itchy probably because he drank hot soup. He raised his hand to scratch it, and the dense stubble made a rustling sound: "The kids are very hungry. Go get some more." Food, let everyone eat. Today and tomorrow, Tudan, the governor of Wocheng County, and the Yu family of Xinqiao Ying will send people to deliver prayers and greetings. By then, there is no need to worry about food and clothing expenses! "
"Giving gifts? How could Tudan Governor and the Yu family of Xinqiaoying come to give gifts?" Wang Shixian has a very good ear. He came out holding a wooden bowl and asked repeatedly.
Guo Ning asked back: "I remember that here in Anzhou, at the end of October last year, we received an order from the imperial court to promote the local military jurisdiction and patrol envoy to the capital commander and establish the capital military department. Brother Shixian, have you ever thought about why Tu Shan was the governor? The Anzhou Dujun Division has not been established yet? Why does he value Xiao Haohu so much? Why did Xiao Haohu immediately summon the Yu family of Xinqiao Camp to see him after he wiped out many defeated armies? "
Don't you mean a gift? Why are you bringing this up again?
Guo Liulang, you have really changed. You don't even speak like a normal person anymore.
A series of questions almost staggered Wang Shixian: "Ahem...Liu Lang, it's better you talk, I'll listen."
"Tu Shanhang is a descendant of a noble family in Zhongdu. He has countless relatives of the emperor and important ministers and generals in his clan. He himself is also a well-known rising star. Although he is a foreign official, he is ambitious. I think that his intention is to seek the military governor of Shuntian Army. Brother Shixian must also know. This kind of person, as the governor of this state, cannot collect soldiers and horses to serve as a military commander. The reason is nothing more than the constraints of the local big family."
"It's those families near Xinqiao Camp headed by the Yu family!"
"That's right!" Guo Ning said eloquently: "The governor wanted to perform meritorious service on the battlefield and serve the imperial court. But in the past two years, Anzhou's household registration has decreased by 40%, and the number of strong men has decreased by 60%. The hardships and disadvantages are extreme, and the people's hearts have long been turbulent. Among the local wealthy families in Anzhou, who is willing to send their sons and sons to die on the battlefield? Naturally, they will do their best and obstruct them in every possible way. That's why Tu Shanhang launched the rout of the army in Anzhou idea."
At this point, Guo Ning sneered: "Xiao Haohu, this guy doesn't have a good reputation. Why does Tu Shanhang still use him? He just wants to use this mad dog to bite the local clan! And Xiao Hao Hu is also working hard. Once he sweeps away the armies, he immediately gathers his troops to intimidate the Yu family and other clans..."
"But Xiao Haohu was killed by Liu Lang?"
"If Xiao Haohu dies, the hundreds of Xi troops at Gaoyang Pass will inevitably be in chaos. Tu Dan, the governor, will definitely seize this opportunity and directly control the Xi army. In this process, I, Guo Liulang, sometimes use Tu Shanhang to Sometimes it is a tool to intimidate Xi Jun, and sometimes it is the target of his promise to revenge Xi Jun. It is also possible that at some point, he will become the chief officer of Tu Shanhang's next military division... The power of officialdom is nothing more than this, but the premise is that I It is best to stay here at Xiangjun River and not to act rashly, lest the situation changes again."
"Hiss..." Wang Shixian gasped: "Then, where is Yujiazhuang?"
"The grain-shooting army and the prison city army in Anzhou have been mobilized for many years and have long ceased to exist in name only. Therefore, Tu Shanhang is just an empty state general, and the Yu family and other clans can defy the odds. If Tu Shanhang has three people under his command, With Xi Jun as a wolf and a tiger, how far do you think he can go? He has a military department and wants to continue recruiting troops. Is it okay to set up another military department? He wants to urge the local government to pay food. Is it okay to check the progress of tax payment? He wants to check the household registration and see the origin and number of immigrants in the name of local wealthy families, is it okay? "
"He has the status of a court official. No matter how powerful he is, he will certainly be able to do it."
"Then, as long as there is a smart person in Yujiazhuang, Tu Shanhang will not be allowed to control Xi Jun safely. We must find an opportunity to let Xi Jun fall apart. So, who is Xi Jun's natural enemy?"
"Well……"
Wang Shixian was about to answer, but the children, who had taken the pancakes and went out to chew happily, came running over again with a huff.
The leader was Lu Shu.
"A group of people came over. They brought many cages and horses. I asked them to wait outside! They said, there is a letter from you, Liu Lang!" Lu Shu finished breathing heavily and handed Guo Ning a letter.
When I opened it, I saw a lot of words written on it. Guo Ning was impatient to read the polite words, so he went directly to the end, where he said: "If you don't want to go to the court to give a speech, I won't be able to talk about my regrets. Since I am busy with the general affairs, I can't do it as I wish. I would like to send my old man to serve as an envoy and deputy, but I don't have any gifts. This is a separate painting, and I would like to respectfully recommend it."
At the end of the article, the signature was exactly that of Tu Shanhang, with a monogram of flying dragons and phoenixes attached.
"This gentleman is really good at calligraphy." Guo Ning said.
"Where are the gifts? What kind of gifts are there?" Wang Shixian asked.
