Chapter 169: Blocking the Road
Just listen to the taller one say: "I am Lei Tianfang, the commander of the Flying Tiger Camp under Vice Marshal Gao, and this is Gao Meng, the captain of the Vice Marshal's personal soldiers."
At that time, etiquette was very important, so Zhang Huniu, Arita and the two had no choice but to make a hasty fist gesture and say a long salute. Just listen to Gao Meng continue: "Can I ask the name of the two generals?"
Someone reported their name, but it was obviously inappropriate for me not to say anything. Although Zhang Hu was full of suspicion, if he randomly made up a false name to deal with his own soldiers, he felt that he had lost his identity, so he said with a sudden heart: "I am Zhang Hu, and this is Deputy General Niu Youtian. Your army must have heard of us, right?" In fact, Zhang Hu is still straight-tempered. If you casually say that Zhang Desheng and Li Desheng are fooled, who will dare to mention this matter when they become prosperous in the future?
Lei Tianfang and Gao Meng looked at each other with solemn expressions. They both solemnly clasped their fists and bowed to greet each other again: "General Lei Tianfang and Gao Meng have met Marshal Zhang and Deputy Marshal Niu!"
Regardless of whether they are true friends or not, as long as Zhang Hu does not attack Huguang to seize territory, then the two parties are not enemies at this time. In a society with strict hierarchies, battalion officers must pay attention to etiquette when meeting the commander-in other words, in the upper class society of that era, even if they belonged to the life-and-death hostile camp, this set of "etiquette" was still required. For example, Wen Tianxiang in his previous life was always polite to Yuan Dynasty officials from the time he was captured by Yuan soldiers until his death. In later generations, Yongli of the Southern Ming Dynasty was "welcome" back to Yunnan from Burma. Everyone knew that he was a prisoner who was about to be executed. , but the identity of the emperor still caused all the military and civilian officials along the way to kneel down to welcome him... The so-called "punishment cannot reach the doctor", the word "punishment" is not only a noun for "punishment", but also a verb for "punishment", and can also be extended to Adjective for "degrading treatment". If someone curses or uses violence, it is the behavior of a lower class person. People with status will be laughed at if they do this.
The other party was not one of their subordinates, so Zhang and Niu had to return a half salute (clasping fists without bowing): "That's easy to say."
Lei Tianfang said again: "This is not a place for speeches. I have been ordered by Deputy Commander Gao to invite Marshal Zhang and Deputy Marshal Niu into the camp for a drink of tea and a chat. Commander, don't worry. I swear to heaven that our army will never be defeated." No malice intended.”
Even though he knew the origin of Guan Shengyun and his gang, Zhang Hu certainly didn't dare to just rashly put himself into their mouths - who could guarantee that they wouldn't tie him up and send him to the Dog Court to receive merit? So he replied: "Thank you, Vice Admiral Gao Yi. Well, but your army has been recruited by the officials. If we go in like this, I'm afraid it will bring some trouble to your army? Zhang thinks it's better to avoid it. , Haha." As he was talking, there was a sudden commotion behind him, and someone ran up the stone steps panting, shouting in a long voice: "Report..."
Zhang Huniu Youtian looked back and recognized the person as Fang Wen, one of Fang Ge's personal guards. Looking at Fang Wen's sweating, he knew something must have happened in the old camp. He felt shuddering and thought to himself: Could it be that the troops surnamed Guan split up and made a sneak attack? The expression on his face was tense, his left hand clenched the scabbard, and his right hand unconsciously placed it on the handle of the knife at his waist.
Lei Tianfang and Gao Meng looked at each other again and said with a smile: "Commander, don't do what he thinks. You should listen first. It's probably a good thing."
Zhang Hu was startled and looked at Fang Wen again. There was indeed a happy expression on his brows, and he felt a little relieved. He looked at Lei Tianfang doubtfully, who smiled and asked Fang Wen: "Did you receive those salts? "
Fang Wen glanced at the two of them, then turned to Zhang Hu and nodded solemnly: "Commander, we have received a total of two hundred thousand kilograms of salt. Deputy Commander Fang was so happy that he specially asked the villain to tell you!"
Zhang Hu and Niu Youtian were stunned. Salt is a treasure in Shaanxi, and it costs three or four cents per kilogram—the problem is that you may not be able to buy it if you have money! Of the hundreds of thousands of mouths I have, most of my meals are as bland as water. I received this big gift from the other party as soon as they met, and I really didn't know what Gaotou Dou had in mind.
Gao Meng took the opportunity and said, "Does Marshal Zhang know that my deputy commander has good intentions now? The deputy commander is waiting for the commander-in-chief."
At this point, it was really unreasonable to refuse any more. Zhang Hu forced himself to laugh: "Well, thank you, Deputy Commander Gao." He turned to Niu Youtian and said, "You go back first. I will go to Deputy Commander Gao now." Thanks handsome." Niu Youtian wanted to stop him, but Zhang Hu stopped him with his eyes. Lei Tianfang smiled and said: "I have heard about Deputy Commander Niu's reputation as a brave champion of the three armies. I have always wanted to get to know such a hero. But I don't know if Deputy Commander Niu is willing to recognize me. General Niu wants to go to your army camp to meet him. Vice Admiral Niu chatted with me, is that okay?"
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Hu immediately felt relieved: He was sent to his door as a hostage by himself! Niu Youtian also immediately understood and clasped his fists and said: "Don't dare. I admire General Lei very much. If you don't mind me being so picky, there will always be some water and wine! General Lei, please." As he spoke, he said to Zhang Hu He winked and extended his hand towards the foot of the mountain in a gesture of invitation.
Zhang Hu led several personal guards and followed Gao Meng into the camp gate. As soon as they entered the door, everyone looked around and couldn't help but open their mouths and were speechless in surprise: a step passage more than four feet wide and half a man high had been set up on the inside of the camp wall, and there was a full-sized tunnel next to each fighting position. Dangdang arrow pot, about ten steps below the passage is a short ladder to the ground. As the so-called expert knows, once the police arrive, the archers can climb up the wall with their crossbows and jump into battle immediately. There are four wooden piles on the wall that are made up of two upper and lower sections. The front is covered with mud and cannot be seen. The back is connected by movable wooden boards that act as hinges. Four huge bed crossbows are placed quietly at the back. As long as they are pulled out, Once the wooden pin is removed and pushed outward, these killer weapons will immediately reveal their ferocious faces to the attacker. There were five squatting tiger cannons placed directly opposite the camp gate. Under the cannons was a gun carriage with wheels. They were stuck by triangular wooden wedges, like sleeping monsters. Gunpowder bags, bristle chamber brushes, wooden horses (rod-shaped tools for compacting gunpowder and projectiles, the diameter of the front end is slightly smaller than the muzzle), and torches are neatly placed next to each gun. There are two kinds of projectiles. On the left side of the gun barrel is a pile of iron balls of different sizes. These are used to destroy large siege equipment such as ramming towers. On the right side are several bulging cloth bags. Zhang Hu can tell at a glance what they are wrapped in. It's a small iron ball or a stone. If this thing shows its power, everything in the fan-shaped area dozens of steps away from the muzzle will be riddled with holes! Further behind are two medium-sized trebuchets - obviously, Guan Shengyun has not just been content with being his rich man at this time, but has really expanded his strength by relying on the authority of Yun Fu Jian Jingneng - Hu Guan Shengyun couldn't make such an important military weapon as the squat cannon. This guy was in Yunyang's arsenal.
The soldiers of the three flying beast battalions all live in one hundred rooms in the Nuwa Temple, and many tents are set up in the open space. This is the residence of the auxiliary soldiers. After hearing the news, Gao Tengdou hurried out to welcome him, clasping his fists to greet him from a distance. Zhang Hu also walked a few steps closer and clasped his fists in return.
After entering the room and taking a seat, both parties were martial artists. After a few polite words, they got to the point.
Zhang Hu knew very well that the other party had set up such a formation on the only way to prevent him from entering Huguang. But they first gave a big gift and at the same time fully demonstrated their strength. Zhang Hu quickly made a judgment: It seems that they really cannot have the same heart as the dog court - if they have the intention to help the court, they can really fight head-on. Fight, my dozen or so battalions are no match for others! These are just a few battalions. I heard that the man named Guan also has more than ten battalions! Well, I can't say "yes". Compared with others, the difference between my own troops and equipment is simply the difference between a native dog and a tiger and leopard.
However, if you don’t go to Huguang, where can you go?
"You can go to Henan!" Gao Tengdou laughed and answered Zhang Hu's question, "We walked there, it was a good walk. But to be honest with Zhang, I'm afraid there won't be anything left in the west of Luoyang. More than 100,000 people have gone through this, and it has only been a year or two, and it is impossible to recover. If you follow my advice, either go to Shanxi, or simply go to Zhili in the south. There is much richer people there than in Huguang. !”
Zhang Hu secretly cursed: Nonsense! Who doesn’t know that Nanzhili is extremely rich? The problem is that South Zhili is the land of Longxing. If we really go there, the Dog Court will mobilize all the military towns of the Ming Dynasty to suppress it? You guys are so fucking comfortable hiding in Huguang, eating and drinking, and asking me to stand in front of you and block your gun? But the situation is stronger than the people. With these evil gods on the road, Huguang will definitely not be able to get through it - listen to this guy's tone, "We are in Huguang", Huguang has become theirs! Alas, Henan was robbed by these guys and I couldn’t stay there for long. How about going to Shanxi? Not only the road was long, but also having to find a way to cross the Yellow River was troublesome.
"Huguang is your territory, Zhang will never think about it. But I am thinking, what if we go to Kuizhou Prefecture? Just go over Daba Mountain. This way our two families can be close to each other and take care of each other. No?" Zhang Hu tentatively expressed his thoughts, secretly hoping that the evil star Sun Jie would be better off in southern Sichuan.
"I'm sorry, Marshal Zhang, we still can't go to the east of Sichuan! We are friends, so I will tell the truth. Daning, Dachang, and Wushan are all protected by our army. If your army drives over, I'm afraid the men below will It is inevitable that there will be something dirty, but it will hurt the harmony between the two armies. Besides, Kuizhou Prefecture is also under the rule of Governor Yunyang. If the dog court orders an attack, it will always fall on our army. You can't go, you can't go, or you can't go. Shanxi is good."
Zhang Hu was so angry and resentful: Not only have you taken over the place where rice is produced, you have also taken over the good place for salt production - no wonder these turtles are like this! How about Shanxi? Shanxi is great, why the hell don’t you go!
Zhang Hu was angry, but he couldn't show it on his face, so he laughed twice and said nothing. Gao Tengdou said again with a sincere expression: "Marshal Zhang, our army came here like this back then. Our military advisor said that when the matter in southern Sichuan is resolved, the Dog Court will definitely send Sun Jie to deal with us. Now. Except for the border troops who cannot move, the Gou court also does not dare to move the capital camp. They have to stay in the capital just in case. Shaanxi is too poor to wait, but Shanxi or South Zhili will definitely be easier to fight than imagined. We are just useless losers in the guardhouse. If we stay apart, we can take care of each other. If we are together, we will have to make trouble ourselves soon. At that time, it will be much easier for the dog court to deal with us. The Ming Dynasty is so big, It should be able to accommodate our two families. If you think about it, Marshal Zhang, you will know that Gao is telling the truth."
In fact, there is no need for Gao Tengdou to say so. Zhang Hu also knows that this is the case. If he really stays next to these guys, he might be swallowed whole by them as time goes by. But looking at the fat on my lips and not being able to eat it, I was always a little unwilling, so I was still a little annoyed. Seeing that Zhang Hu was still brooding, Gao Tengdou said again: "If your army goes north, Gao can pat his chest. From Xunyang (today's Xunyang) to Shangnan, I will cut off Zhang Shuai's rear. Bao Dashuai will have no way out." Worry, your army can also take the Jishui waterway in Huguang, and the food, crops and troops along this route will also be taken care of!"
ah? Such a good thing? How could this guy buy all the food for more than 100,000 people with just one word? You know, except for the time when he seized a large amount of official rations in Jianzhou and Baoning Prefecture, Zhang Hu wished he could sew half of the mouths of most of the guys, watching them eat without enough, Zhang Dashuai's My heart often bleeds.
"Are you serious? Does Vice Admiral Gao know how many people there are in our department?" Zhang Hu wanted to make sure what he said quickly. If this guy regrets it, he can pour out his bitter experience and get something more.
"Hahaha, if you didn't know, how could Gao dare to slap his chest randomly? Since your army arrived in Xixiang, they have been followed by our army's sentinels. After more than ten days along the way, they have almost finished counting them one by one. Your army has almost finished counting them one by one. The army has 14 military camps, about 15,000 auxiliary troops, and 70,000 to 80,000 family members accompanying the army. The total number is 120,000. There are 2,780 horses and 400 to 500 cattle. Marshal Zhang, Is what I said right or wrong?”
Zhang Hu wilted like a deflated rubber ball. When Xixiang arrived in Pingli, he followed Xiao Sibaili without realizing it. If he really wanted to take action, he would die without knowing why! He had no choice but to stand up and clasp his fists: "Deputy Commander Gao is awesome! Zhang admires him!"
Gao Tengdou hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting: "I don't dare to accept it. Gao also has a request. Your troops have been traveling for days, and many of the horses have lost their strength. It's a pity that if you can't walk for a few days, you will have to kill them for meat. Can these be eaten? Let Gao keep it and raise it for a while, it will still be a good horse."
"Zhang agreed to Deputy Commander Gao and will take care of it when he gets back later. Our army would like to thank Deputy Commander-in-Chief!"
