Winter in Shu is often hazy, and the mountains are even more foggy and humid, making days with clear skies extremely precious. When the sun slanted into the open space in front of Wanjiapu, Shi Zhongzhu, the platoon leader responsible for guarding Wanjiapu, finally agreed to let the soldiers take turns to bask in the rare warm winter sun, while he and another A veteran stayed on guard duty in the cold watchtower. Shi Zhongzhu and his cousin Shi Zhongshu were both the first soldiers recruited by Ouyang Xuan in Liuliba. Now Shi Zhongshu is the commander of the second company of the Perak Army Field Battalion, and Shi Zhongzhu has also become the commander of the third company of the Perak Army Garrison Battalion. A platoon leader of the company.
This Wanjia Fort was originally guarded by Shi Zhongshu's Second Company, but yesterday it was said that due to urgent military tasks, it was unknown where it would be transferred. The defense of Wanjia Fort was managed by the Third Company of the Garrison Battalion. However, not all of the third garrison company went there. Instead, Shi Zhongzhu was sent to lead a squad to guard Wanjiabao. This made Shi Zhongzhu, who had always been loyal and dull, suspicious. One is the huge Wanjia Fort. Can only ten people from a class hold it? Second, although the soldiers in the garrison battalion have received firearms training, they have not practiced with live ammunition, and they are not sure whether they can hit the incoming enemy with shelling. In response to Shi Zhongzhu's question, the commander of the third garrison company who issued the order rebuked him and said that it was an order from his superiors and he had no right to change it. He impatiently shouted, "If you can't hold it, just run back and report the news." Finally, he added He said, "This is also a military order from the superior."
Due to the obstruction of the mountain, most buildings in Wanjiabao cannot enjoy the sunlight in winter. Only a small open space in front of the fort can get sunlight. Because it is located at the wind outlet of the river valley, it is not warm even if you stay in the fortress, and the watchtower facing the wind is even colder. Although there was a brazier in the watchtower, the cold wind kept blowing in from the lookout, which made the stone center pillar standing at the window monitoring the mountain path feel chilly, and soon his whole body was freezing. The situation was stronger than the people, and he couldn't stand it anymore, so he accepted the soldiers' persuasion to go to the open space to bask in the sun. The soldiers took turns basking in the sun, feeling very comfortable, and the time soon reached sunset. At this time, the soldiers standing on guard in the watchtower suddenly sounded the alarm gong. The sudden blast of the gong shocked the sleepy Shi Zhongzhu. He quickly stood up and shouted to the soldiers to return to the fortress, and then worked together to lift the heavy The door was closed, and he ran up to the watchtower to check the situation.
A large group of people were walking towards Wanjiabao on the mountain road ahead. The people in the front were dressed as businessmen, and those behind them looked like refugees. Soon the crowd approached the fortress and sent people to shout in front of the gate, claiming to be businessmen from Yongkang Village and people fleeing from the mountains. Standing on the high stone center pillar and looking carefully, there were about ten businessmen among the group of people under the city, and they were accompanied by more than twenty mules and horses. Some of these merchants were familiar to Shi Zhongzhu. He had met them once or twice when he accompanied the trading team as a guard to Yongkang City and Fucheng City. There were nearly a hundred people fleeing behind, including more than 20 old people, women and children, and more than 60 young and strong men. Most of the merchants and strong men had sticks with them, as well as a small number of spears and knives, but this did not mean that there was something wrong with the visitors. Because it is easier for young people to survive in these troubled times, and it is common for pedestrians to carry weapons for self-defense.
The merchants headed by the wall explained to Shi Zhongzhu that they and others were invited by Li San'er, the manager of the trading company, to go into the mountain to do business. The people behind him met on the road and went into the mountain together, and handed over the invitation document written by Li San'er. Throw it against the wall to check. Although Shi Zhongzhu was illiterate after attending night school, he could clearly recognize the three characters Ouyang Xuan on the Yongkang County Wei Da Seal. The merchants opened the pockets on the backs of the mules and horses, revealing the salt, medicinal materials, cloth and other goods, allowing everyone on the wall to see clearly. This stone center pillar has always been cautious, and the documents and goods did not dissuade him, and he was always hesitant in his heart. Seeing that the city gate was still not open, the old men, women and children under the wall began to cry and beg. This made the soldiers of the Perak Army soften their hearts, and they all tried to persuade Shi Zhongzhu. Shi Zhongzhu was a typical mountain man. He had suffered hardships himself, and he really couldn't bear to see the elderly, women and children suffer. At this moment, his loyal and kind nature overcame his caution, and he vaguely remembered his superior's instructions to make it as convenient as possible for businessmen and refugees who came to the mountains, so he gritted his teeth and ordered someone to open the fortress gate.
Wanjiabao has two gates, front and rear. The front gate is for entering the fort, and the back gate is for exiting the fort. After exiting the back gate of the fortress, go straight to Liuliba and other deep mountains, and go up the mountain to the right to go to Wanjiazhai. After opening the front door of the fortress, Shi Zhongzhu took someone to open the back door. Unexpectedly, as soon as he pushed the back door halfway, screams and noisy footsteps came from behind. When he turned around, he saw two soldiers guarding the front door. Struggled with the refugees. Shi Zhongzhu was about to yell loudly when he saw more than a dozen young and strong refugees rushing toward him with swords and spears in a murderous manner. This sudden change made Shi Zhongzhu's heart skip a beat, and he was frightened to the point of being helpless. Just when the sword and spear were about to hit him, the company commander's words, "If you can't hold on, just run back and report the news" suddenly flashed in his mind. He subconsciously shouted "Run away", turned around and ran towards Wanjiazhai. When the soldiers who pushed the back door together saw this, they also ran out of the back door and fled.
These garrison soldiers are all natives of the mountains. They have been accustomed to walking on rugged and steep mountain roads since they were young. Now they have disappeared without a trace when they fled for their lives. When the merchants and refugees saw this, they did not pursue them. Instead, they closed the back door of the fortress and lit the smoke to send a signal. As for the several Perak soldiers who were knocked down at the front door, their hands and feet were tightly tied and placed under strict guard.
Not long after, a large number of men and horses with the banner of the Mongolian army appeared on the mountain road. It turned out that it was Zhao Shicai of the newly attached army who arrived with his men and horses.
Looking at the tall watchtower and solid gate in front of him, Zhao Shicai slightly restrained his contempt for the Perak Army. He was secretly glad that he used a trick to attack Wanjiabao. Although he is confident that he can defeat the Perak Army, if the opponent holds the fort, they will definitely suffer heavy casualties if they try to break this hard nut. And if you lose too many troops, you will have fewer bargaining chips with the Mongols. After all, no one wants to do a loss-making business. Thinking of this, he gained another understanding of Xiong Ben, who proposed a sneak attack. "This bandit leader may seem stupid, but he is also somewhat clever."
Although Zhao Shicai nominally gained command of the Perak Army this time, he could only command his own new auxiliary army in Dayi, and could not command Xiong Ben and the troops who came to Qingcheng County at all. For the purpose of checking and balancing the new vassals, Yelv Maizhu also acquiesced and even condoned the discord between the three. After Xiong Ben found some businessmen, old men, women and children and handed them over to Zhao Shicai, he announced that he would attack Wanjiaping from a small road and returned to Yongkang City regardless. Qingcheng County is close to Yongkang County, and the new auxiliary armies in the two counties have always communicated with each other. Seeing that Yongkang County did not contribute, they also followed the procrastination and delayed the foreign workers. No matter how much they were urged, they were always at the rear. Although Zhao Shicai was filled with hatred, there was nothing he could do. He simply stood up and led his headquarters to attack Wanjiabao without waiting for the new auxiliary troops from Qingcheng County to arrive.
