Yan'an.
The majestic city surrounded by mountains is easy to defend but difficult to attack.
The city has a small population, only about 30,000 people. In the land of northern Shaanxi, almost all counties have small populations.
Its land is too barren to support many city dwellers.
In addition to being the capital of Yan'an Prefecture, it is also the seat of Yan'an Guard.
To the southwest of the city is the Yan'an Guard. Including soldiers and military households, the population living in this area is 8,000.
The largest and most prominent building among them is the Commander's Office.
There is a small school ground inside the Yamen, where Xiao Yu usually practices martial arts.
The wind is freezing. Xiao Yu only wore a black singlet, standing in the school grounds, holding a black war bow, opening the bow and nocking an arrow, looking at the target in front of him.
The archery target was a hundred and fifty steps away from him, and above the bullseye was a brand new copper coin.
"Boom!!!"
"Whoosh!" Xiao Yu loosened the string of the war bow in his hand, and the black arrow shot out like lightning. After a while, the arrow hit the square hole in the center of the copper coin, and sparks burst out.
"General Xiao is really good at archery. I think Wu Nian, who is known as the Tiger of Liaodong, is no match for the general in bows and arrows." Lin Qun, the prefect of Yan'an who was watching from the side, patted his palms gently and showed praise.
"Haha. It's just a small skill. Shooting a target with a bow and arrow is not considered a skill. On the battlefield, there are no false starts. Shooting enemy generals is the most powerful thing. Wu Nian was in the world, and it was easy to kill enemy generals with bows and arrows. That's true ability."
Xiao Yu waved his hand and said very modestly.
"General, you belittle yourself." Lin Qun shook his head and said, "It was before. Now that Wu Nian is nearly fifty years old, he rarely charges into battle."
"Not as young and strong as the general."
"That's true." Xiao Yu nodded slightly and admitted this.
Time is not forgiving. The Liaodong Tigers who fought from the age of 20 to the age of 40 or 50 are no longer young.
Just like the tiger and bear of the Chu State, Wuwo, his hair has turned gray, and he has retreated to the background and become a secondary assistant in the imperial court.
The two talked for a while, and Xiao Yu felt a little cold, so he invited Lin Qun into the warm room, enjoying the warmth brought by the stove and drinking tea. There was great harmony between civil and military forces.
Now in the court, the civil servants and military generals are particularly harmonious. When he got to the local level, the prefect did not dare to bully the commander.
If Lin Qun has anything to do, he will discuss it with Xiao Yu.
If Xiao Yu had anything to do, he would discuss it with Lin Qun.
Over time, the two became friends.
Lin Qun put down the tea cup, raised his head and said to Xiao Yu: "General Xiao. What do you think of the situation in Guanzhong?"
Xiao Yu also put down his teacup, and after thinking for a while, he said: "Wu Nian's troops are still elusive. No one knows the direction in which he is using his troops before he makes a move."
"The imperial court fell into his scheme, and supplies and recruits were concentrated in Bianliang. But they should have reacted now."
"And General Lu is indeed a turtle. After encountering the attack, he had the advantage of troops, but instead of fighting Zhang Zhen head-on, he stood firm and cleared the country without fighting Zhang Zhen. Zhang Zhen retreated in spite of the difficulties."
"Guanzhong is stable and there are no problems."
Lin Qun nodded lightly and breathed a sigh of relief: "General Xiao said this, I feel relieved."
"Honestly. I heard that Zhang Zhen crossed the Yellow River secretly and almost attacked and killed General Lu. I almost kicked my legs and held my breath."
"Master Lin can't hold his breath. If you hold your breath, where can I find someone as good as Master Lin to drink tea with?" Xiao Yu said.
"Hahaha." Lin Qun laughed.
The two communicated happily.
Xiao Yu drank the last sip of tea, raised his head and said, "But, nothing is absolute. The Han army is strong, and Wu Nian is in charge of all things. If something happens, I have to lead my troops south to rescue."
"Yeah." Lin Qun hummed. If Guanzhong is lost, northern Shaanxi cannot be saved.
If it really comes to a critical moment of survival.
That is, men fight, women carry food, and young and old men all help.
The two drank three cups of tea and ate some cakes in the hot house. Lin Qun then stood up to say goodbye and left. Xiao Yu sent Lin Qun to the door, turned around and went back to rest.
Xiao Yu was a capable man, and the Yan'an Guards were trained by him to be extremely elite. But he and his soldiers never thought that the Han army had arrived near Yan'an unknowingly.
Just as Lu Yanxun expected.
The rear defense in Yan'an is not very tight.
.....................
Qingshantun.
Outside Zhang Zhen's military camp. Li Feng successfully established a good relationship in Qingshan Village and brought food and water to the military camp in a cart.
Zhang Zhen got the news and came out of the tent to greet him. He cupped his hands to Li Feng and said, "Li Zhuangshi. I'm really grateful to you on this journey."
"General, your words are serious. This is what I should do." Li Feng said very modestly.
Li Feng didn't bring much water and food, but it was enough for a few days. Zhang Zhen arranged manpower to receive food and water.
Suddenly, Li Feng stretched out his hand and a fat young man came over.
Li Feng patted the young man's shoulder and said to Zhang Zhen: "General. This is the grandson of the village chief of Qingshantun. His name is Chen Ping. He has been dancing with guns and sticks since he was a child, and has some strength. He wants to worship the general as his adoptive father and join the army. Serve the country.”
Chen Ping, a fat young man, immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "My foster father is here. Please accept my child's respect."
This kid is too one-minded.
Li Feng is a little embarrassed, this person hasn't recognized you yet.
Zhang Zhen was also a little embarrassed. According to his age, it was totally fine to accept him as his adopted son.
But there's a problem here.
He is the emperor's nephew, yes, and a confidant. Lu Yanxun, who was born into a gang of young beggars, was regarded as the adopted son of the emperor.
It's okay for an emperor to accept an adopted son, but for a general like him, that's all.
Although he believed that the emperor would not doubt him because of this.
But this thing is still not good. There are many stories written in history books. Since ancient times, generals who adopted adopted sons never ended well.
And this boy from northern Shaanxi may have watched too many dramas.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Zhen made a decision. Choose the lesser of two evils. Despite Li Feng's help, the Han army was stationed here and received supplies.
But if it refutes the village chief's face, he won't accept the child.
If you turn against someone, you will lose everything.
"Good boy. Get up quickly." Zhang Zhen showed a generous smile, stretched out his hand to help Chen Ping up, took off the steel knife from his waist, handed it to Chen Ping, and said: "Ping'er, I am not prepared, this sword will follow I’ve been here for many years, so let’s just do it as a greeting gift.”
"From now on, you will be a soldier by my side. Learn the art of war, strategy, and martial arts from me."
"Come here. Prepare a banquet. To celebrate my adoption of my adopted son."
Chen Ping was stunned for a moment, and Li Feng quickly touched Chen Ping with his elbow and said, "Why don't you thank your adoptive father soon."
"Thank you, foster father." Chen Ping reached out and took the steel knife, knelt down and kowtowed.
"Get up, get up." Zhang Zhen helped Chen Ping up with a smile on his face.
