Jibei County, Linyi City.
On the school grounds outside the city, although the weather was cold, the school grounds were very lively.
Hundreds of teenagers are divided into two teams, holding shields, wooden sticks and other "weapons" to practice marching, retreating, attacking and defending on the battlefield.
Although they were all half-grown children, they were all carried out in an orderly manner under the command of military orders and drums nearby.
Liu Yu stood on the high platform next to him, looking at the "young soldiers" below, and couldn't help showing an expression of joy.
Liu Yu couldn't help but thought.
"Compared with those adults, the minds of these young people are a blank slate. They accept the education of these battle formations at a significantly higher speed than adults. After only ten days of training, these young soldiers have already reached the level of ordinary people. More than half a month of training for refugees has shown its effects.”
These young soldiers were all brought from the Guangping Begging Army. After preliminary selection, some of them with average physiques were sent to Linzi, where there were already special schools that could teach them some skills. Anticipate what you want them to learn.
Among them, the young men with excellent physiques were taken by Liu Yu personally to form a young Yamen Army, and Liu Yu personally taught knowledge and trained military affairs.
Liu expected that in a few years, when these teenagers grow up and get along with each other day and night for a few years, they will become the most loyal elite guards to him. At that time, they will even be able to influence the decisions and positions of their fathers who are begging for work. .
During a military drill off the field, as a group of young soldiers' formation was scattered and disrupted, the referee next to him immediately gave a golden signal and made a judgment that one side had lost.
Afterwards, one side cheered for victory, and although the other side was defeated, they were not dejected. Instead, they both looked unyielding and shouted to start over immediately.
Seeing these young people with such abundant martial arts at such a young age, Liu Yu was also filled with joy.
If the cost and time of training these young soldiers were not much higher than that of an ordinary military soldier, Liu Yu even wanted to organize and train a large-scale "young soldier".
Just when Liu Yu wanted to go down and encourage him, a guard hurried to Liu Yu's side.
"General, someone came from Luzicheng just now and said that Yuan Fu has been sent there."
"Well, nothing went wrong on the way." Liu Yu was a little worried.
"No, Yuan Fu thought he was rescued all the way to Jibei County."
The guard's answer made Liu Yu very satisfied.
This Yuan Fu is of course the same Yuan Fu, the governor of Yanzhou, who was captured from Juancheng and brought to Qingzhou.
When the governor of Yuan was first captured, he was always depressed, did not think about food and drink, and looked as if his heart was filled with despair.
But after being taken to Linzi, he discovered that the Qingzhou Army had no intention of killing him.
After all, Yuan Fu was so proud that even his cheap old father-in-law, Youzhou Governor Wang Jun, sent someone to visit him and hoped that Liu Yu would not harm him.
Wang Jun of Youzhou was a super powerful man who could control half of the world, so Liu Yu gave Wang Jun this face.
However, he couldn't really send Yuan Fu back as Sima Yue said. That would be too disappointing for him, so he ordered people to put Yuan Fu under house arrest first.
After learning that his life was safe, Yuan Fu immediately seemed to be a different person. Not only was he eating well and drinking better, but he was also stronger. drama.
At the beginning, these dramas of loyal ministers looking for death and survival caused the Qingzhou soldiers who were guarding him to panic and tried to comfort him.
However, this kind of seeking death and survival occurred more often, and the Qingzhou soldiers in custody discovered the clues. The Yuan governor usually threw himself into the lake, hanged himself, etc., in broad daylight with bright wind and sunshine, and never in the windy and cold weather. every time, and each time he had to recite a poem in parallel prose first, and waited until all the dozen or so prisoners had arrived before proceeding to the next step.
It was a bit difficult for Liu Yu to deal with such a person who was eating and drinking and acting shamelessly.
However, Liu Yu had the most suitable arrangement.
Governor Yuan finally had the opportunity to "use waste".
Xuzhou Governor Pei Dun's more than 30,000 soldiers and horses have been stationed in Gaoping, Yanzhou. They refused to retreat or come to sacrifice their lives. This really made Liu Yu very uncomfortable.
After all, these more than 30,000 Xuzhou soldiers are only two hundred miles away from Jibei County where the beggar army is stationed. How can Liu Yu be reassured.
Therefore, Liu Yu and Dong Ping discussed countermeasures and asked Dong Ping to fake the surrender of Jibei and Jinan counties and lure Xuzhou governor Pei Dun to go north to support them. Then a sudden attack would basically be able to defeat these Xuzhou soldiers.
However, after receiving Dong Ping's response, although Xuzhou Governor Pei Dun and Chief Shi Sima Ao were confused by Dong Ping's acting, they did not have any key items that were too rare to get rid of to prove Dong Ping's full sincerity.
Regarding this point, Liu Yu immediately thought of "Yuan Jishi" who acted as a monster every day.
At the same time, Jibei County, Luzicheng.
In a heavily guarded government office in the city, a team of capable soldiers escorted a dusty old man in his fifties into the inner courtyard.
From the cold outdoors to the warmth of the house.
Seeing Yuan Fu come in, Dong Ping, who had been waiting anxiously, immediately rushed to his side and saluted with a pious and respectful look.
"Mr. Yuan, I have suffered along the way," Dong Ping said, blinking his eyes hard twice, but unfortunately, not even a tear came out.
As soon as Yuan Fugu entered the house, a dark-faced man suddenly rushed in front of him, almost making him jump in fright.
However, after listening to the words of this black-faced man, Yuan Fu knew that this should be the "righteous man" Dong Ping who sent people to rescue him.
"You must be Dong Ping. You are indeed a righteous man. It would be a pity if you don't serve the imperial court with your good bones." Yuan Fu immediately reached out and helped Dong Ping up.
Yuan Fu secretly sighed in his heart, he is indeed a tiger general. Look, these two arms are thick and hard, he is an absolutely brave general.
Moreover, he is still a "returning prodigal" who has returned from his lost path and turned from darkness to light. Look, his eyes are already red. He, Yuan Fu, has already seen the remorse in these eyes.
Afterwards, Dong Ping vented his bitterness to Yuan Fu, scolding Liu Yu for everything from his corruption in military management to sleeping with several singers and widows. , and finally Dong Ping said painfully that he was young and ignorant, and was deceived by Liu Yu, a big thief, so he rebelled against the court and offended the reputation of Duke Yuan. Now he finally repented and only asked Duke Yuan for the sake of his rescue. Go ahead and let the court accept him. Anyway, he, Dong Ping, doesn't ask for any high-ranking executives. He just wants to be given the title of a state official when the time comes.
After listening to this, Yuan Fu guessed the real reason from Dong Ping's words. It should be that a large number of refugees from Hebei joined the Qingzhou Army. Old troops like Dong Ping, whose reputation was too high and threatened Liu Yu's status, had already entered Liu Yu's army. The list was pre-cleared or replaced, so Dong Ping dared to take risks and rebel, oh no, he wanted to do it anyway.
Thinking of this, Yuan Fu completely believed it, and then encouraged Dong Ping and promised that when the time comes, he will definitely be able to win a county governor for Dong Ping. If he can make further contributions, even a title may not be impossible.
Dong Ping was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly said that he would send someone to escort Yuan Fu away to Xuzhou Governor Pei Dun's military camp in Gaoping.
Before leaving, Dong Ping expressed over and over again that he hoped that Yuan Fu would persuade Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou, to go north to meet him as soon as possible. After all, he only had a few thousand soldiers under his command. If he occupied the city anyway, then the Qingzhou soldiers stationed around him might not be able to do so. He would not attack himself. If so, the more than ten cities in Jinan and Jibei counties that he planned to dedicate to the imperial court would be in danger of being lost again.
Yuan Fu, who had just climbed onto the horse's back, patted his chest.
"I am Pei Dun's uncle from an aristocratic family. As long as I speak, no matter who he is as governor, he must listen to me. Dong Ping, a talent like you who is worried about the imperial court, cannot be let down."
Under the protection of several Dong Ping's confidants, Yuan Fu was about to set off on horseback.
Suddenly, Yuan Fu, who had already turned his horse's head and was about to set off, slowly rode his horse and asked Dong Ping to come close to him, and said with a serious expression on his face.
"Zi Jun, you know how difficult it is and try your best to do it. I have a granddaughter. When this is successful, I will let you be the son-in-law of my Yuan family in Chen County."
After saying that, the expression on Yuan Fu's face was full of, "How about it, I think so highly of you, boy, just do your best."
"General, I will do my best and defend the city to the death, waiting for Duke Yuan to lead the imperial army."
Dong Ping had a moved expression on his face. After saying this, he cursed secretly in his heart, "I still need your granddaughter. After blowing out the lamp, everything is still the same."
By the time Yuan Fu and his party arrived at Jinshan Mountain in Gaoping, Yanzhou, they galloped wildly on horseback, braving the wind and frost along the way, Yuan Fu felt that his old bones would fall apart due to the continuous running. If he hadn't been imprisoned in Linzi At that time, he ate well, drank well, and climbed up and down frequently to exercise, but he might not be able to sustain it for so long.
When Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou who was stationed at the foot of Jinshan Mountain, received a report from Chief Shi Sima Ao, saying that Dong Ping, the rebel general of Qingzhou, had sent people to deliver Yuan Fu, the governor of Yanzhou, who had been captured before, Pei Dun had a look on his face. surprise.
When he saw Yuan Fu, Pei Dun looked surprised and incredulous.
"Why, aren't you happy that I'm alive?" Yuan Fu saw the change in the expression on Pei Dun's face, and he felt a burst of unhappiness in his heart. He always felt that Pei Dun seemed to be complaining about the embarrassment of losing his opponent.
Pei Dun has always respected Yuan Fu for the two families who have been friends for many generations. When he heard Yuan Fu's dissatisfaction, he quickly expressed his fear.
Later, Yuan Fu told Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou, about Dong Ping's surrender of Jinan and Jibei counties.
He also told Pei Dun that Dong Ping's military strength was limited. If he could not go north to take over the city in time and wait until the Qingzhou Army reacted, his joy might be in vain.
After hearing this, Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou, was still hesitant. He always felt that even if there were no loopholes in this matter, the army would still penetrate deeply. If anything happened, it would be very dangerous, so in Pei Dun's heart In this kind of thing, they would rather have no credit than take risks.
After all, the other troops of Yangzhou Governor Wang Dun have been dispersed. Even if he returns without success, he will still be much stronger than Wang Dun who lost his army. In this way, his brother-in-law Taifu Sima Yue should not blame him. Himself, or will only blame himself lightly.
Seeing Pei Dun like this, Yuan Fu and Sima Ao immediately urged Pei Dun to order troops to go north.
Yuan Fu had a desire to avenge his past shame, and he was almost 100% sure of success in this matter.
In the heart of Xuzhou Governor Shi Simao, he really thought that he had finally persuaded Xuzhou Governor Pei Dun to recruit more than 30,000 soldiers from good families. If he returned without success, how would his colleagues in the state and county view him? Wouldn't that be wrong? It's so embarrassing, and this time the rebel Dong Ping of the Qingzhou Army can bring the two counties back, which is basically a hugely profitable deal. By then, with the credit of regaining the two counties, doesn't Sima Ao have a promising future?
Finally, with the urging of the two men, Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou, who had never had any independent opinions, issued the order to go north to capture Jibei County.
After the order was issued, more than 30,000 Xuzhou soldiers, who had been basking in the sun at Gaopingguo, Yanzhou for more than a month, finally left the Jinshan Camp, which was about to break out.
The Xuzhou Army of more than 30,000 people marched along the road between Jinshan and Daze toward Jibei County in the north.
Jibei County, Linyi.
By the time Liu Yu learned that Xuzhou Governor Pei Dun's more than 30,000 troops had finally begun to march north, his 3,000 Qingzhou troops had already completed sufficient rest and preparations.
Under Dong Ping's successive temptations and deceptions, Pei Dun, the governor of Xuzhou, finally accelerated his march under the urging of Sima Ao and Yuan Fu.
When they entered Jibei County, Dong Ping, who sent people again, told them that Dong Ping was ready to raise the flag anyway. As long as the imperial army entered Guting, at that time, he would lead all the soldiers and horses. After leaving the city, he came to see the two envoys, and then under the leadership of the two envoys, all the cities in Jibei County were handed over to the official army, while Dong Ping himself led the official army to sweep away the Qingzhou Army soldiers scattered around Jibei County.
After the confident Pei Dun and Yuan Fu entered Jibei County, they encountered many soldiers from the Qingzhou Army who were stationed in various places and surrendered. When they were about to arrive at Guting, hundreds of Qingzhou rebels had surrendered to the official army. .
In this way, Pei Dun, Yuan Fu and others were convinced that the Qingzhou army was falling apart, and they had no doubts about Dong Ping's surrender and return to justice.
In this way, more than 30,000 Xuzhou soldiers, after seven or eight days of advancing at a very fast pace, finally accelerated their formation and arrived at Guting as agreed with Dong Ping.
However, I just arrived at Gutingei.
Pei Dun and Yuan Fu, the governor of Xuzhou, were surprised to find that the army that the scouts had said had been waiting for them to come under Dong Ping's banner had disappeared.
There was only one thing that caught his eye, and that was the banner of the Yamen Army of the Qingzhou thief Liu Yu, and it was a military formation filled with murderous intent.
Suddenly, unexpectedly, the entire Xuzhou army was filled with panic.
More than 30,000 good family members in Xuzhou left their homes and slept in the open. They thought that this time it was just a march and they would return victoriously. No one thought that the surrender march mentioned by Shangguan would turn out like this.
If the knives of the battalion generals and officers were not so sharp, these 30,000 people would have fled in all directions immediately.
