In late July, autumn air began to show in Hebei, and the fields were full of gradually maturing crops. When the wind blew, the yellow-green waves of millet swayed with the wind... This magnificent scene undoubtedly verified many people's claims that this summer's drought is just Some people are overly concerned about production cuts.
"The grain must be smaller than the harvest." In the morning, on the northernmost official road of Qinghe County, Qinghe County, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with a military sword had just walked up from the opposite field, her brows slightly wrinkled. The only daughter of Dou Lide, the deposed leader of the Dragon Gang, Dou Xiaoniang, the newly appointed patrol chief. "The harvest here in Qinghe is obviously worse than that in the plains, and the plains are worse than those in the Bohai Sea..."
"The replanted wheat is even worse." On the Qingzhangshui embankment on the other side of the official road, there were seven or eight knights standing on the river embankment, leading their horses to graze on the river embankment. One of them casually picked it up. "After all, it is replanting... This year's spring battle, it was said that we waited for spring plowing before starting, so it didn't delay things. However, Qinghe's own preparations were too tense, and the spring plowing was still delayed."
The young lady frowned even more when she heard this, but she looked across the Qingzhang River, and couldn't help but ask: "Is the Jingcheng on the opposite side similar? I sent Xie to the manager there the day before yesterday, and in the rush of going there, I forgot to check it out. .”
"I think it's almost the same." Under the river embankment, there were a few people drinking their horses, and someone came to answer. "It was originally a county in Qinghe, but it was taken away by Xiangguo County after spring plowing."
"Where is Xiangguo County?" Dou Xiaoniang continued to ask. "Would it be better?"
"I don't know, I've never been there." A friend answered casually. "The day before yesterday, I sent my thanks to the group in charge, but they only went to the gate of Jingcheng."
The others all shook their heads in agreement.
Immediately, someone naturally asked out of curiosity: "Miss Dou, why do you ask this?"
"Don't call me Xiaoniang... I took a new name when I joined the team. Call me Dou Hongxian!" Dou Xiaoniang corrected her seriously before speaking. "The main reason is that we will have to fight with places like Xiangguo and Wu'an sooner or later in the future, and we want to see how they are doing... It's all a drought, but they didn't attack Xuzhou, nor did they attack the plains after spring plowing. Will Wouldn’t it be better than us? Aren’t we here recently checking out the specific situation of the drought?”
"You can go and ask." An older companion, who looked like he was leading the team, thought about it on the spot and came up with a feasible idea. "Or just take a trip and see it at home. Who can't understand the harvest in the fields?"
"Is it possible?" Others asked in surprise. "Miss Dou is talking about Xiangguo County, not just Jingcheng."
"I know, but I still think it's feasible." The gang leader nodded in reply. "Don't we often cross the river to Jingcheng and Zongcheng for reconnaissance on weekdays? We've already gotten used to it on the other side, especially after this autumn. Zongcheng is still a bit tougher, but Jingcheng is much more honest. Let's walk a few more miles to have a look. So what? Just like what I said, if you take advantage of this drought to see how the harvest is, you can basically know the quality of Xiangguo County."
"Then let's take a walk."
"After all, we are on border patrol... can we detect what's going on on the other side, isn't it better than checking the caravan here?"
"Just treat them as a thank you and send them to Xiangguo County..."
"According to the rules, as long as the military situation is not important, you have three days to spare."
Others were also excited. Dou Xiaoniang originally wanted to continue correcting her name, but when she heard that the team leader agreed with her idea and was planning to cross the river to conduct reconnaissance, she found it difficult to do so.
A group of border patrols, who are very aggressive and capable of action, made up their mind and set off without hesitation. Then they did not take the formal pontoon bridge, but instead found a shallow beach upstream. Twenty or thirty riders floated directly. The horse passed by.
However, the next result surprised everyone, because the harvest in Jingcheng County was obviously not as good as south of Zhangshui River. After thinking about it, everyone can only think that it is May and June, and the disaster relief here is not good.
"They feel that this is Qinghe County, and they are only occupying Qingzhang Water to defend us, so they are not willing to try their best!" Dou Xiaoniang immediately gave her judgment with anger.
Everyone else agrees.
"Don't say any more." The gang leader was more mature and quickly issued the military order. "Hurry and go west and have a look at Julu County... to avoid delaying your return at night."
Everyone was naturally speechless, but when they tried to pass through the narrow southern area of Jingcheng County and were about to enter Julu County of Xiangguo County, a group of unexpected people suddenly appeared behind them. There were about a hundred riders on the other side, only under the banner of the Wei Dynasty. The patrols of the Dragon Gang thought they were soldiers from Xiangguo County, and wanted to leave quickly, but immediately, one of the other party's riders jumped out. , took the initiative to greet him from a distance, and they immediately realized something was wrong.
"Miss Dou, long time no see." Su Jingfang greeted her loudly from afar with a smile on her face. "Are you, the Deposed Dragon Gang, planning to take action against the Xiang Kingdom? They are about to enter Julu!"
Obviously, this is a person from Wu'an County.
Moreover, since Zongcheng was captured by Wu'an County and used as the front line to defend against the Dragon Gang, and the Dragon Gang launched a special patrol system, the two families have often met... The atmosphere is generally harmonious and restrained, because both parties The economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people exchanges are very smooth, and the political interaction between the highest levels of the two sides is obviously much friendlier than elsewhere... But there is also an obvious competitive mentality. After all, there is an objective existence of military confrontation.
The people of the Deposed Dragon Gang didn't say anything, but they always believed that in one or two years, or two or three years, the opportunity would arise and they would annex Hebei. Wu'an County would not be able to escape, so they often behaved condescendingly. Correspondingly, Wu'an County also has a strong defensive mentality, as well as a certain sense of eagerness caused by strong confidence in its own combat effectiveness.
In this situation, when they met on the third party's territory, Dou Xiaoniang was naturally ready to taunt, and she also had the confidence to taunt. Her cultivation level was slightly higher than that of Su Jingfang... But in the end, she did not taunt the other party because Su Jingfang turned around. One person quickly caught her eye. It was a young female general who was slightly older than herself but not much older.
This person's body-protecting energy seems to be absent, and she is like a very rare female general who is stuck at the level of condensation.
There seems to be only one person in Wu'an County who meets this condition.
"Is it General Fan?" Dou Xiaoniang changed her mind, bypassed Su Jingfang, and directly handed over to the female general. "General Fan, your brother, Chief Fan, has repeatedly warned us to send a message to you when we see you, asking you to go home."
It was rare for Fan Lihua to be encouraged by Su Jingfang to go abroad for work. As soon as she came up, she met the people of the Deposed Dragon Gang, which was embarrassing... Times have changed, and she was no longer the eldest daughter of the Fan family who was stubborn and could not accept the surrender of her eldest brother and second brother. Miss, especially after I came to Hebei, I saw the devastation and gained a little understanding of the war. In addition, the only surviving relative became more and more secure in the Deposed Dragon Gang, and my position naturally faded... But I have to say it again, She followed Zhang Shiniang and led people to Wu'an County. She had found her new position and new value early on, and it was also impossible for her to give up everything here just for a word.
But back to the present moment, it was impossible for such a young lady to speak softly to her, so she could not act like an aunt, so she handed her back and responded with some polite words honestly.
Fan Lihua's contact with Dou Xiaoniang greatly eased the atmosphere at the scene. Su Jingfang seemed to be in trouble and just stood aside pretending to be innocent.
The two sides chatted for a while, and roughly eliminated some of the hostility and extinguished the possibility of armed conflict, but they still had their own thoughts... Reconnaissance naturally turned into surveillance, and they just headed towards Julu together.
After arriving at Julu, Dou Xiaoniang and her party easily got the answer they originally wanted - the harvests from the fields in Xiangguo County were not as good as those in the Qinghe area within the Qianlong Gang.
It was obvious that Chen Junxian, the governor of Xiangguo County, was a waste who failed to provide disaster relief.
However, now that Dou Xiaoniang and others have received the answer, they are not in a hurry to return to the border. Instead, they choose to continue to follow Su Jingfang and his party... The border patrol will be real if it withdraws at this time. It was a dereliction of duty, especially since they had just escorted their leader in charge of foreign affairs into Xiangguo County the day before yesterday.
At this time, people from Wu'an County suddenly came to Xiangguo, and they seemed to have some opinions.
At the same time, Su Jingfang's group, who obviously set out from Zongcheng, had no intention of expelling the taunts, and instead allowed them to follow.
However, while both parties were harboring their own secrets, what they did not know was that Xie Minghe, the foreign affairs manager of the Deposed Dragon Gang, was a guest in Xiangguo County.
"The meaning of our chief is very simple. Please ask Chen Fujun to write a public announcement... Actually, we have already written the announcement for you. I have brought all the people who will announce the announcement for you... The main thing is to ask you to admit yourself. Lack of ability in civil affairs resulted in the inability to do anything during the drought and inability to save the people; lack of experience in military affairs, inability to stabilize the local area and eliminate banditry, resulting in the deterioration of local security, affecting the entire central and western Hebei; culturally as well It is difficult to be pragmatic and follow our suggestions so that the people of Xiangguo County can enjoy fair opportunities for foundation building and literacy... And it is precisely because of the above that aroused the anger of our Chief Zhang, and he sent someone to scold Lord Chen. , let Chen Fujun give way to Li Ding. Chen Fujun also realized his mistake, was extremely ashamed, and was willing to give up his throne." In the lobby of Longgang Fort in the south of the city of Xiangguo County, Xie Minghe, who was sitting as a guest, spoke sincerely. "Wouldn't Mr. Chen be able to escape the disaster and return home calmly?"
Chen Junxian sat on the main seat with a troubled look on his face. He simply covered his face and lowered his head when he heard the last part: "This is too... too much! If this announcement continues, I will make the world laugh, and the reputation of the Runan Chen family will also be ruined." It will be a great loss.”
"Mr. Chen Fu." Xie Minghe sighed and said helplessly. "I can barely be considered a member of a famous family. Today, I will tell you a truth in a private capacity. That is, your personal name, whether it is good or bad, will not have much impact on the family's reputation."
Chen Junxian looked up blankly.
When Xie Minghe saw this, he understood in his heart, but he continued: "Family reputation depends on two things after all... one is whether the family can be continued, and the other is how many people can become officials during the continuation process. And then for what purpose... To put it bluntly, it depends on the total number of officials in your family. As for the quality of your personal reputation and the quality of your official performance, it actually doesn't matter much. Of course, your ancestors, the Chen family in Runan, There are many outstanding people, but are there really no people who have been disgraced and lost in the history books? How can you still deny your ancestors? If you have to say something unpleasant, it is useful to leave a bad reputation in the history books. At least it is better than the history books. It’s even more important if you can’t leave your name on it. So, no one should use family reputation as a cover-up.”
Chen Junxian looked slightly embarrassed, but did not say anything.
"Of course, this is a private admonishment, and the next step is official business." Seeing this, Xie Minghe's tone suddenly became louder again. "Do you think there are some things that are up to you?"
"Is that up to you?" Chen Junxian finally spread his hands angrily. "If that's the case, why don't you, the Deposed Dragon Gang, directly send troops to take over Xiangguo County? I came to you to ask you to help me resist Li Ding, but in the end you just asked me to give up my territory!"
Listening to his words, it turned out that Li Ding was trying to annex him by going down the river.
"Mr. Chen Fu, what you said is unreasonable." Xie Minghe sneered. "You yourself are incompetent. For several years, you have not even been able to clean up the Black Mountain. This has made Taiyuan dissatisfied and attracted the covetousness of Li Ding. The dignified prefect of the county did not dare to live in the county palace in the county city, so he could only go to the army in the mountains south of the city. We are waiting in the fort, and even if we want to surrender, we are afraid of ending up as a stranger in a foreign land, so we come to beg us... We have also given you a plan. As long as you do some superficial things according to our strategy, you will be allowed to take your family and leave from our The land is back home safely, what else do you want?”
Chen Junxian finally sighed: "I came to you because I thought Taiyuan was unkind and Wu'an was unjust, so I sold Xiangguo County to you..."
"We won't be fooled." Xie Minghe sneered and shook his head in reply. "This poor place in Xiangguo County... is long and narrow from east to west, cutting across the middle of Zhuozhang River. It is easy to take it, but how can it be defended? Li Ding was rich and powerful in his youth, and he looked like a hungry dragon in the south. Although the tiger Xue Changxiong was wilted, he still How can we tolerate us taking his upper reaches? Even Taiyuan will never allow us to take the counties near the mountains and threaten them directly. On the north side of Zhao County, let alone the prefect Zhang of Zhao County, he will run away in fear. Will we take it when the time comes? Do you believe that the people of Youzhou will also get involved? I don’t believe Mr. Chen doesn’t understand this. Don’t you just want to drag us in and create a multi-party melee, causing chaos? Are you trying to survive? Or is there another trick?"
Chen Jun was silent for a moment, and then spoke after a long while: "Having said that, I gave you a whole county for free, but your Chief Zhang is not interested?"
"We don't lack territory, we don't lack prestige, and we don't need to prove our strength to anyone. We have already proven it. What we want now is to recuperate and recuperate our internal strength. At least we can get through this year's drought and wait until something happens in Jiangdu or Dongdu. ." Xie Minghe replied helplessly. "Then if we really want to expand and annex territory, we will definitely start from Hejian and go to Youzhou..."
"This concentration is truly remarkable." Chen Jun was silent for a moment before sighing. "Chief Zhang has achieved great results in three years, and his reputation is by no means wasted."
It was Xie Minghe's turn to stop talking. As the person in charge of foreign affairs, he was tired of hearing similar words.
The two of them faced each other in silence for a while in Longgang Fort, where they could overlook Xiangguo County from a distance. Then Chen Jun spoke first: "But I still feel so embarrassed."
"Whether you lose it or not is not up to Master Chen. As long as you want to go back to your hometown in Runan, you have to ask us. As long as you enter the country, we can still make a replacement in your name, but in that case you will lose most of it. It seems to be not honest enough." Xie Minghe advised seriously. "I'd like to remind you again, you really shouldn't think that your family is still saved and that you can continue to dance on three eggs... After the First World War in Xuzhou, the local officials all recognized the situation, okay? The opposite is true, it's chaos, Who cares about your identity as a county guard?! What will follow is a situation where the strong will prevail and the weak will eat the dust. If you can't hold it, you can't hold it. Stop struggling! And Li Ding is here for his territory. , it is the invasion of the princes. Under the sword, your Excellency, not to mention your face, it is difficult to guarantee the life of your family and yourself. "
"That's why I went to Jiang Ling to ask for help." Chen Junxian said sadly. "I originally thought that the world could survive, but in the battle at Xuzhou, you brought out a pile of whale bones, which broke through this layer of cover... What can I do? I am just an ordinary county guard, in this position, It’s like being in a heap of tigers and wolves.”
"You also know that Jiangdu is just covering up? Without us, it will still be exposed, and you will have to leave sooner or later." Xie Minghe said quietly.
"Then I have one more question." Chen Jun thought about it again and again before continuing.
"As long as you cooperate, everything will be easy." Xie Minghe said relaxedly.
"Why are you doing this? To show your kindness to Li Ding? Or has Li Ding already had understanding and communication with you because of his friendship with your chief?" Chen Junxian continued to ask. "Or is it true that, as the rumors say, the British Duke of Taiyuan has contact with your chief? Bai Sanniang wants to imitate the female phoenix or even the Red Emperor Empress to become an empress?"
"Your Excellency, you think too much." Xie Minghe was speechless. "First of all, since our Deposed Dragon Gang is the leader of the world's rebels and regards itself as the overlord of Hebei, there is no reason why we should not show up when there is a annexation war in neighboring counties; secondly, we must try our best to alienate Li Ding and the British Duke... Therefore, not only your Excellency, A county will be ceded here by our chief, and Governor Li will have a commendation document posted all over Hebei, letting everyone in the world know that Li Ding was able to get Xiangguo County because he took the initiative to rebel against Wei."
Chen Junxian was stunned for a moment, and finally smiled bitterly: "Looking at the current situation, Li Ding can't refute, and no one will believe him if he refutes? People in the world will only think that he is the same as Zhou Xiaoshang."
"What he did was the same as Zhou Xiaoshang's. Now that he's done this, does anyone care whether he makes the final call or not?" Xie Minghe answered seriously. "It's just that it's more or less to get letters from some specific people. He's from the periphery of our Deposed Dragon Gang... and not someone else. He can't explain it himself, that's all."
"I agree." Chen Jun thought for a while and then suddenly agreed. "I am willing to lose some face if I can make Li Ding suffer."
Xie Minghe was immediately overjoyed.
One day later, Su Jingfang, who used his trick to control Dou Xiaoniang and his gang, successfully arrived at Nanhe County, the transportation hub designated by his master, without arousing anyone's suspicion... Yes, Dou Xiaoniang and others thought they were In the performance of his duties, he monitored Su Jingfang and his party, but in fact, it was Su Jingfang who took advantage of the situation and used a simple method to control the sentries of the Deposed Dragon Gang who were not prone to direct armed conflicts in a secret military operation.
The two sides only had one face-to-face meeting before he came up with this strategy.
As for the purpose of Su Jingfang and Fan Lihua's trip, they were to control the Nanhe River in a surprise attack, or at least control the official road bridge on the east side of Nanhe County. By controlling this place, they can effectively prevent the governor of Xiangguo County, Chen Jun, from escaping eastward first, and then relying on the deposed dragon. Help continue to resist.
It can be seen that Li Ding also knows Zhang Xing very well. He knows that Zhang Xing, who regretted it after the war in Xuzhou, will never send troops without authorization again, especially to Xiangguo County, a troublesome state wedged in the western region of Hebei. But he We also know that once Zhang Xing gets the news, he will definitely try to use his political influence to make some gains out of thin air.
In Li Ding's view, the most troublesome thing was that Chen Junxian left east and became a new buffer force on the east side of Xiang State with the help of the Deposed Dragon Gang. This was simply unacceptable to Li Ding, who had endured it for a long time.
"How about entering the city!" Seeing that the soldiers at the bridge did not dare to intercept, Su Jingfang hesitated and took the initiative to suggest to Fan Lihua.
"Are you entering the city?" Fan Lihua was inexplicably flustered, and at the same time looked at the deposed dragon gang patrolling behind the team. "Just a hundred or so of us?"
"That's enough." Su Jingfang also glanced at Dou Xiaoniang and his group. He knew the real reason for the other party's panic. "There is no need to cover up here... First, no matter what you do next, they will be suspicious, and then go back to report. Instead, you directly take the city, saying that you can't make them continue to be vigilant, follow curiously, and delay it for a while; secondly, , they came over, we said that we must not use the name of the Deposed Dragon Gang to undermine the morale of the defenders in the city; thirdly, whether it is to intercept Chen Junxian or prevent the Deposed Dragon Army from coming to help, it is better to control the city than to control the bridge. "
"I understand the first two, but what happened to the last one?" Fan Lihua thought for a while and continued to ask. "The deposed dragon army is really coming. We have a hundred horses. We can't stop it in the city or at the bridge, right?"
"That's a fight...the problem is that the two families can't fight now." Su Jingfang answered frankly. "Since we can't fight, if we occupy the city, we will take advantage first, making it difficult for them to attack the city."
Fan Lihua suddenly realized: "In that case, let's enter the city... You pretend to be an envoy from the county, and I will directly capture the deputy captain of the garrison from behind! Take control of the city defense!"
After the two of them had discussed it, they continued to the city ahead without hesitation. However, Dou Xiaoniang and others, who had no idea that they had fallen into a trap, discussed it with each other and decided to follow them boldly - they didn't believe Wu'an County. This group of people want to sell themselves, and they really want to know what this group of people want to do.
Of course, as the three-day bargain period was approaching, they still separated one of them and went back directly. At the same time, they discussed it carefully and reported back as soon as they figured out how to do it.
Let's say that the autumn day was warm, the wind was beautiful, and the gates of Nanhe City, which was located at a strategic location, were wide open and there was no defense at all.
However, what is surprising is that at the intersection in front of the city gate, many passers-by gathered around a big tree with a notice posted on it, blocking the intersection. When they saw the soldiers and horses, they only became slightly alert and did not flee in fright. the meaning of.
Su Jingfang couldn't figure it out, so he took the initiative to take a look. Dou Xiaoniang and others naturally came forward.
As a result, dozens of steps away, I could hear someone inside shouting under the tree:
"That's what I mean...that's you...our County Sheriff Chen did a bit bad, and now the decision in Hebei is to depose Chief Zhang of the Dragon Gang, so Chief Zhang drove County Sheriff Chen home and gave our Xiangguo County to Wu'an in the south. Sheriff Li of the county is in charge... Sheriff Li is Chief Zhang's sworn brother and a first-class confidant, so he has to leave it to him... As for posting this notice specifically, one is that Sheriff Chen felt sorry for everyone, so he took the initiative to give it to the county The other one asked everyone not to panic. It was normal to see some soldiers and horses coming and going, because the people from Wu'an County would definitely come to take over... Everyone took advantage of the lack of autumn harvest and went to the mountains with peace of mind. It is only right to look for some dates to make up for the drought.”
Su Jingfang and others were stunned.
Dou Xiaoniang saw clearly that the person giving the lecture was one of Xie Minghe's group that she had escorted before. She couldn't help but be confused and surprised, and then she seriously asked the people beside her: "Is that so? Are you here to take over the city? But? Why are you still hiding it from us? What’s the point?”
Even though Su Jingfang was as cunning as a ghost, as bold as a dragon, and as careful as hair, his mind was just a mess at this moment, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.
(End of chapter)
