Waiting is often the most painful, especially predictable waiting.
Finally, after a long wait of two hours, Zhang Rui and others, who were suffering physically and mentally, saw a swaying team appearing on the mountain road not far away.
Walking in front were the green battalion pacesetters from the Guangzhou Governor's Palace, followed by a battalion of cavalry, followed by a battalion of soldiers and their Aha minions, and then came various weapons pushed by bullock carts and rickshaws. Armor, food, medicine and other materials.
The military regulations of the Qing Dynasty stipulated that soldiers and armor must be worn when marching. However, the generals of the battalions who really couldn't bear the hot weather went to Sitku to request, so that they could take off their armor and save energy to speed up the march. At the same time, they could get some coolness to reduce heat stroke.
It's a quarter of the afternoon, when the sun is at its strongest.
On the mountain road, huge crowds of people were walking.
The pacesetters at the Governor's Mansion still had a slight military formation, but at this time, the full camp could no longer be seen as a marching army, but was clearly a group of common people walking loosely.
Today was their extraordinary march.
…
"General, there is a valley ahead, which is most vulnerable to ambushes. Should we stop the team and send people to explore before passing through?" A sentry came from the front on horseback and knelt in front of Sitku to report.
"What about the untouchable guide? How can we lead him this way? Doesn't the green battalion in front know?" Sitku asked, looking at the sweating sentry rider.
"He is still leading the way, and the green battalion soldiers following him seem to have no objection to the way." The sentry rider on the ground looked at Sitku on the horse and said.
Although the sentry rider knew that his head was covered with sweat at this moment, he did not even think about reaching out to wipe it.
"That's it, then don't be afraid. Follow us!" Sitku raised his head, looked at the staggering battalion of soldiers behind him, and said to the sentry knight.
"But, General. According to the marching regulations of the Qing Dynasty, when encountering a place prone to ambush, our army should stop and wait for the scouts to inspect and safely pass before passing." The sentry rider reminded him according to his duties.
Upon hearing this, Sitku touched his forehead with his hand. After thinking about it for a few times, he said, "What you warned makes sense. Have you seen Governor Yang's sedan? But it's in front?"
"Yes, it's not far ahead." Sentry Qiu replied
"Well, lead the way. I'll go find Governor Yang to discuss it."
"Yes, General."
…
"Governor Yang, wait a moment." Under the leadership of the sentry cavalry, Sitku quickly caught up with the sedan in which Yang Yingju was sitting.
Hearing the sound, Yang Yingju stopped the sedan chair. He walked out of it and said to Sitku: "General, why are you looking for me? Please tell me something quickly. I am still in a hurry!"
Sitku was helpless at Yang Yingju's rudeness. I am about to step down as General of Guangzhou, and judging from the above, I want to be transferred down.
If this was the case, he might one day become his subordinate to the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, so he just pretended not to notice Yang Yingju's rudeness.
Looking at the rude Yang Yingju, Sitku thought in his heart: "As long as Zhang Rui gets credit for the encirclement and suppression this time, there is no need to adjust it downward. I don't have to look at your face anymore, Yang Yingju. I will see what you Yang Yingju can do when the time comes."
Although Sitku had many thoughts in his mind at this time, he still faced Yang Yingju with a smile on his face.
"Governor Yang, my sentry told me that there is a valley ahead and it is easy to be ambushed. See if you can ask the team to stop and wait for the scouts to explore, and then pass through when it is safe. It will also give your soldiers a rest. "Sitku got off the horse and said to Yang Yingju who was standing outside the sedan door.
Originally, Yang Yingju was a little relieved to hear Sitku's previous words. After all, it is right to be safe and careful when marching and fighting. But when he heard Sitku saying that the soldiers should take a rest, the anger in his heart couldn't help but rise.
Yang Yingju glanced at the green battalion pacesetters in front of him, then looked back at the walking soldiers from the battalion. Said in a strange and sinister tone
"Really? My pacesetters just came over and told me that I know that there is a valley ahead. So what? Am I still afraid that Zhang Rui, with more than a hundred men, will ambush my 800-strong Green Camp? model?"
"This..." Sitku listened to Yang Yingju's words and suddenly felt that he didn't know where to start.
"General Guarjia, let's do this! You have people go back and tell the young men in the camp that if they can't bear the pain, go back! After my Green Camp pacesetters annihilate Zhang Rui, they will share the credit. It's also unnecessary. They are here to suffer this." Yang Yingju continued to speak in a strange tone.
"Think about how dangerous and hard-working our Eight Banners were when they started out with Taizu Taizong, and how high-spirited they were when they first entered the customs. Now..."
Yang Yingju couldn't help but shook his head when he looked at the soldiers in the camp who were dragging their feet. Then he didn't say anything, and ignored Sitku who was "speechless" and walked directly into the sedan.
"Continue to go."
"Yes, Lord Governor."
Seeing the sedan slowly leaving, Sitku felt very angry. He was angry with the children of Man Ying for not living up to expectations, and angry with Yang Yingju's rude contempt for him.
However, the form is stronger than the person, no matter how angry you are. Sitku could only keep up with him on horseback. Did he really wait for the Green Camp to annihilate Zhang Rui on his own and share the credit with himself? At the same time, Sitku also ordered the entire camp to follow immediately, otherwise they would be beaten with military sticks.
When all the disciples in the camp heard Sitku's order, they cursed him in private. But they could only follow them lazily.
…
"Brother Six, they have already entered the position agreed upon in advance."
"Well, I've seen it. Thank you, Mr. Hong Bai. You can go down and rest first, and then I'll leave it to the remaining brothers." Zhang Rui said to Hong Hu who came over to report.
"Yes, Sixth Brother." Hong Hu replied
Every time he made a mistake, Hong Hu, the guide who was supposed to be the green camp pacesetter, said that he was going to shit when he brought the green camp soldiers to the reserved location, and then quietly killed the green camp soldiers guarding him and left.
Zhang Rui's simple words to Mr. Hong made Hong Hu excited at the moment. He felt that no matter how much hardship and risk he had put in before, it was all worth it. This sentence established his future status in the Scouts. Even if the Scouts now only have one overall flag, it is still him.
But who can know what will happen in the future? With Zhang Rui's words, he knew that he didn't have to worry at all.
Hong Hu thought that three months ago he was just a villager in the mountains and could not read a word. Now he is the leader of more than a hundred brothers, and he can learn to read with his husband.
"Everything depends on Sixth Brother's appreciation and promotion. So whoever dares to have trouble with Sixth Brother is having trouble with myself, even the emperor." Hong Hu turned around and thought silently in his heart.
At this time, the green battalion pacesetters from the Governor's Mansion were constantly gathering in the valley. Thanks to Yang Yingju's statement, the Green Camp pacesetters were not afraid of ambush at this time. Hong Hu, who was waiting in the valley to leave the palace, was also resting here waiting for the battalion of soldiers and the logistics convoy behind him.
