It turned out that Chen Xiaomu had planned to go back to Tianquan County for a visit, but he couldn't do it now. No matter what happened in Tianquan County, he had to seize the opportunity to take Zhang Jianna, who was still waiting for him in Tianmen Mountain with 15,000 troops, to attack the capital of Zheng State. Xinjing.
He left two scouts behind to go back to Tianquan to inquire about the news. He and Li Gui walked cautiously on the ice towards Tianmen Mountain. By the time he and Li Gui arrived at Tianmen Mountain, it was already morning, and he did not dare to do anything. If there is any delay, Zhang Jian will immediately lead all his troops towards the capital, Xinjing.
The detective horse sent out at You hour in the afternoon came to report that there were still thirty miles ahead to Xinhe County, where the three armies of the Chu Army originally met. However, the gates of Xinhe County were now closed, and the Chu State flag was planted on the city. Should we bypass Xinhe County or directly attack Xinhe County?
Chen Xiaomu thought for a moment on the horse, then turned to ask Li Gui, "Are the more than ten sets of Chu army armors that Company Commander Li wore when we went to Guo Huai Camp still there?"
Li Gui nodded, "Your Highness, they are all still in the car behind. I was afraid that they would be needed when I went out for reconnaissance, so I didn't throw away any of them!"
"Okay, you go and pick a dozen scouts who are more skilled and quick-thinking and have them put on Chu army armor and come over. Also, by the way, ask if there are any locals from Xinhe County."
"Yes, Your Highness." Li Gui raised his hand to Chen Xiaoben and went to the back to make arrangements!
Zhang Jian, who was standing next to Chen Xiaomu, was stunned. This general who had just taken the position of deputy general in his thirties could be said to be rare among Zheng's army. In front of him, His Highness Chen Xiaomu, who was less than twenty years old, It really made him look down on him from the bottom of his heart, thinking that he was just a playboy who relied on the protection of his ancestors. Although he had heard about Chen Xiaomu's defeat of the Chu army and his invention of explosives, he still thought that it was a rumor and that the matter was spread by some people with ulterior motives. He was bragging, because he didn't see this with his own eyes. Even the sound of explosives exploding, Zhang Jian thought it was because the Chu army had done too many evil things. It was God who was punishing them and striking them with thunder and fire. In short, he said I don’t believe there is anyone younger than him who can surpass him in ability, at least not in Zheng Guo!
Just now, Li Gui just gave Chen Xiaomu the hand-raising salute that Chen Xiaomu taught them before. This was a normal thing in Chen Xiaomu's eyes, but in Zhang Jian's eyes, it was simply treason. You, a small reconnaissance company commander, I have dozens of people under my command, who are at the level of a centurion. I am a deputy general, and I am also in charge of partial generals, tooth generals, large commanders, small commanders, etc. They are seven or eight levels older than you. See you. The Highness in front of you has to kneel down on one knee and bow. It would be better for you to raise your hand and finish. It's so perfunctory. You are even more awesome than me. Although you are not my subordinate, I still want to let you know. I'm so awesome, otherwise I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the big and small kings!
In fact, Chen Xiaomu originally wanted to promote this simple salute method among Zhang Jianjun, but unfortunately there were more than 10,000 people this time, and the war continued. He was afraid that painting a tiger would not turn out to be an anti-dog, so he put it down. Besides, he didn't expect that Zhang Jian would use this matter to increase his prestige!
Zhang Jian immediately clasped his fists on his horse and said, "Your Highness, I would like to clean up the military regulations before the war!"
Chen Xiaomu glanced at him in surprise and said with a smile: "General Zhang is facing a huge enemy. If it is not an urgent matter, it is better not to move the army yet. Once there is chaos, it will give the opponent a chance!"
Zhang Jian waved his hand, "It's a trivial matter that won't affect military morale."
"Oh, tell me, what kind of trivial matter is it?" Chen Xiaomu asked.
Zhang Jian thought for a moment and felt that it would be better to say hello first if he wanted to touch His Highness the Sixth Prince. Otherwise, if he reported to Princess Qingfeng in the future, he would not be in trouble again for a little centurion. Princess Feng was also offended.
"Your Highness, this is the soldier who just raised his hand to you and left without saying goodbye, saying that you made him the company commander."
"Then what do you want to punish him for?" Chen Xiaomu's eyes narrowed!
"There are no military regulations. If you don't salute His Highness, you'll leave without saying goodbye!"
"Didn't he raise his hands in salute? And I asked him to do so!"
"What? Your Highness, it turns out you asked him to do this!" Zhang Jian was surprised, "Isn't this in compliance with the military regulations of our Zhengguo army?"
"Isn't this very practical? If we are on the battlefield, if we perform tedious kneeling rituals, will it give the enemy an opportunity? Besides, the rules are made by people. Since these rules threaten the lives of the soldiers, why Why can’t it be abolished?”
''this……! Zhang Jian was speechless for a moment.
"The main task of our army is to fight. On the battlefield, even if you are not careful, your life will be lost. If you really die in battle, your skills are inferior to others. But if you are killed by the enemy because of these complicated etiquette, wouldn't it be too much? Are you wronged?" Chen Xiaomu patiently explained to Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian nodded. Although he felt uncomfortable, he had to admit that what Chen Xiaomu said made sense. "
"Your Highness, Your Highness, the soldiers we sent out for reconnaissance caught a Chu army postman who came out of Tianquan!" While Chen Xiaomu and Zhang Jian were talking, Li Gui hurried back.
"Oh, let's go take a look together?" Chen Xiaomu glanced at Zhang Jian beside him.
"Okay." Zhang Jian did not refuse at all. He was also eager to know the final result of Chen Xiaomu's plan to flood Tianquan County. If the losses caused to the Chu army were not great, then his own Zheng Guo army was currently in a difficult situation. In the danger of the Chu army being attacked from both sides, the entire army may be destroyed at any time.
The captured Chu army postman was guarded by several scouts from the reconnaissance company in a small temporary tent. Two candles were lit in the tent. When Chen Xiaomu and Zhang Jian walked into the tent, the Chu army postman was already there. Jing was tied up like a rice dumpling by the scouts, with a ball of torn linen stuffed in his mouth, and his eyes covered tightly with a black cloth, and was thrown on the grass in the middle of the tent.
Chen Xiaomu walked gently to the Chu Army postman and squatted down. The postman also felt someone squatting in front of him, and his body involuntarily rubbed back on the grass!
Chen Xiaomu stretched out his hands and took off the black cloth covering his eyes. This was a handsome boy about the same age as Chen Xiaomu, but there was a scar on his face that almost ran through half of his cheek. Otherwise, he was absolutely perfect, with big eyes shining. His eyes were like a wounded beast in front of a hunter, terrified.
Chen Xiaomu smiled at him, reached out and pulled out the linen from his mouth, and asked gently, "What's your name?"
The big boy closed his eyes and ignored him, as if he didn't hear his question!
"Bastard, do you want to die? Please tell me, Your Highness!" Li Gui came over and put a bright dagger to the big boy's neck!
The big boy opened his eyes and looked at Chen Xiaomu as if asking for help. He pursed his lips tightly and remained silent!
Chen Xiaomu waved his hand to Li Gui, "You all go out, I will talk to him alone."
"Your Highness, this is too dangerous. He injured two of our soldiers when we arrested him!" Li Gui looked worried.
Chen Xiaomu smiled and said: "Aren't we all asking you to be tied into rice dumplings now? It's okay, you all can go out."
"Your Highness, after we go out, you can't easily untie the rope on his body, otherwise we will stay here with you!"
Chen Xiaomu nodded, "Don't worry, I have my own sense of discretion."
After Li Gui and others exited the tent, only Chen Xiaomu and the big boy were left in the tent. Chen Xiaomu did not immediately answer the big boy, but slowly walked around him in the tent while observing carefully. Watch this big boy!
Chen Xiaomu wandered around the big boy for about half an hour, then stood behind him and said quietly: "Actually, even if you don't tell me, I know your last name. You are a postman in the Chu army!"
The big boy didn't say anything, just hummed softly from his nose in a sound that was almost inaudible to others.
"First of all, your surname is Hou. You used to be a garrison in Xinyangguan of Chu State. You were transferred to Zheng State by your military governor Han Fei!"
The big boy's whole body was shaken and he blurted out, "How did you know?"
"I also know why you don't dare to talk to me?" Chen Xiaomu smiled pretending to be mysterious.
"Why?" The big boy looked at Chen Xiaomu in surprise.
"It's because you have relatives who are being held hostage by others! Right?"
The big boy looked like he had seen a ghost, his eyes widened as he stared at Chen Xiaomu, and asked tremblingly, "How do you know this? Have you known me before?"
Chen Xiaomu smiled and said, "Tomorrow morning I am going to send people to Xinhe County to spread the news that you have defected to our Zheng Guojiang army. What do you think?"
"No, you can't do this!" the big boy suddenly shouted hysterically.
Before the big boy finished his voice, Li Gui, who was outside the small tent, rushed in with a few people holding a short knife!
Chen Xiaomu waved his hand to Li Gui, "You guys exit first and come in again when I greet you!"
Li Gui glanced at the big boy who was tied up and lying on the ground, and then led the others out.
''How about it? Interested in chatting with me? "Chen Xiaomu looked at the big boy with a smile.
The older boy nodded, "I can talk to you, but you have to give me money."
"Haha, are you so arrogant? Your life is in my hands, and you still want me to give you money?" Chen Xiaomu was a little incredible at the big boy's behavior.
"If you don't give me money, I won't talk to you or answer your questions!" The big boy seemed very stubborn!
"Okay, how much do you want?" Chen Xiaomu asked.
"Fifty taels of silver, fixed price!" The big boy seemed to have already thought of the number in his mind and said it casually!
"This fifty taels of silver is not a small amount. You only get five taels of silver for one year as a soldier. Can you tell me why you want these fifty taels of silver?" Chen Xiaomu asked with a smile.
"Just tell me whether you agree or not?" The big boy was very stubborn.
"But what can you tell me? I have to see if my fifty taels of silver are worth it, right?" Chen Xiaomu didn't give in.
"Do you want to buy it or not?" After saying this, the big boy pouted and said nothing.
Chen Xiaomu reached out and took out a piece of silver from his arms, weighed it in his hand, and handed it to the big boy, "I bought it, but you are tied like this, where do I pretend to be on you?"
"Let me go. I promise I won't resist. A gentleman's words are hard to catch." The big boy raised his face and looked at Chen Xiaomu. There seemed to be a layer of mist in his big eyes.
