In the morning, Nie Chen didn't get up until three o'clock in the morning and wash up. After all, he was very sleepy after working so late last night.
At this time, the army had packed up their gear and baggage and had assembled outside the city. Liang Peng came over to ask Nie Chen if it was time to set off.
After Nie Chen finished washing, he went out with Liang Peng. In the main hall of the government office, generals Ma Niubai, Qi Huan, Yue Dongwen, and Lin Guangdu had already put on their armor and were ready.
Da Zhuang was standing in the yard, dressing Zhou Long and Zhou Hu in armor.
Zhou Ping stood aside and watched.
Da Zhuang said while putting on their armor,
"You have never been a guard. Let me tell you now. Guards are the last line of defense for the coach. They are the people who protect the coach personally. They must wear the hardest armor, hold the best knife, and use their bodies to block the coach. down all attacks.
To put it bluntly, if the coach is not on the front line, there is no need for guards. This is the safest. But once the coach is on the front line, the enemy's firepower will definitely be directed at the coach. At that time, the guards are the most dangerous.
When you are a guard, you cannot drink, you must stay awake at all times, and you must protect your master twelve hours a day. It is a heavy responsibility, do you understand? "
"clear!"
Zhou Long and Zhou Hu shouted.
Da Zhuang pointed to the twenty people behind them and said,
"These twenty people are all elite veterans and the most loyal to the lord. Each of you will lead a team and do your best to protect the lord."
"clear!"
At this time, Nie Chen and Weng Qiuchan came over and said with a smile,
"If you say so much, they won't be able to remember it. Let's hone it slowly."
Da Zhuang frowned and said,
"Why did you choose the two of them as guards? Why didn't you let me do it? I have been a halberd bearer for so many years, and I know best what a guard should do."
"You have been a halberd bearer for a few years, so you will be a halberd bearer for the rest of your life? With your talents, being a guard is wasted. You and I have other important uses. After this battle, I will let you become a general."
Da Zhuang smiled shyly,
"OK."
Nie Chen said to Weng Qiuchan,
"Qiu Chan, please stay and guard the house this time. Send someone to inform the people in the county about the baggage, food, and servants. Forget it, just leave the baggage and food. Wang Hao is there, and they can still be used to defend the city. .
Send a team of people to pick up the servants. It won't work if there is no one who can take advantage of them. "
Weng Qiuchan looked up at the sky, as if she hadn't heard Nie Chen's words.
Seeing her rebellious look, Nie Chen sighed, knowing that he couldn't talk to her today.
Nie Chen turned to look at Da Zhuang.
Da Zhuang nodded and said,
"I know, I'm guarding the house."
Every time the heavy responsibility of guarding the house falls on Da Zhuang.
Nie Chen said to Zhou Ping again,
"Mr. Zhou, I only came to the government office one day earlier than you. We have not touched the documents and documents here. There is no one in the administrative team except you.
I asked Da Zhuang to stay and help you. If you need anything, just tell him and set up an administrative team as soon as possible.
I heard that you have a good reputation in Weihu County, and many scholars have a good relationship with you. Just choose whoever you want to choose, and appoint them at will. There are also government officials, clerks, officials, etc., recruit them as soon as possible, government affairs I give you all the power.
In addition, the county magistrates of the four counties should be selected as soon as possible. We should not recruit corrupt officials in the past. We must choose people who are honest and capable. Ability is the most important, followed by incorruptibility. After all, it is impossible for everyone to be without desires. What I want is that as long as the local government can be managed well and the people's lives can be better, it doesn't matter if there are some shortcomings. You can control this yourself. "
"Thank you for your trust and love, my lord. Then I will act as a county magistrate."
"Yes, you are the county magistrate. I am going to lead the troops on an expedition. I have to capture Guiling Pass quickly. I will leave the county affairs to you."
"Don't worry, my lord, Zhou Ping will do his best."
"Okay, let's go."
Nie Chen led everyone outside.
Zhou Ping shouted,
"Along and Ahu, we must protect our lord!"
After they left, Zhou Ping looked at the empty compound and felt a little embarrassed for a moment.
Da Zhuang said,
"Mr. Zhou, is there anything I need to do?"
Zhou Ping sighed and said,
“This is the first time I have taken over this, and I still don’t have a clue about all the things. I can’t do it alone.
Well, General, let my servants and your people go and bring back the old clerks and government servants first, and then I will write to a few wise men who are idle at home and ask them to come and help me. "
"Okay, just write down a name and address, and I'll send someone to do it right away."
Soon, Zhou Ping finished writing, and then wrote a separate letter and gave it to Da Zhuang, saying,
"General, these are the addresses of the wise men. With my endorsement, they should come. But this letter, if you send someone to Longtai County, must be delivered to Mr. Ouyang Ming personally.
Mr. Ouyang is a man of great talent. He could not escape from the world because of the war. His talents and learning are far above mine. He is extremely smart and good at strategy. All others combined are not as good as Ouyang Ming. You must respect him and invite him. Come. "
"Okay, I will definitely send someone there."
Da Zhuang did not read much, but he admired and admired scholars very much.
Nie Chen and others rode out of the city, arrived at the south side of the city, and then led the army toward the southeast in a mighty manner.
By night, they had entered Jinping County.
After entering Jinping County, you must first walk south along the official road. After arriving at the county seat, turn east and go all the way to the end of Guiling Pass.
After setting up camp at night, the generals were having a meeting in the commander's tent.
Liang Peng pointed at the map and said,
"Lord, please see, this is Guiling Pass. It will be the gateway for them to guard King Andong's army. Outside Guiling Pass is King Andong's territory, and inside is Weihu County, so the building is also high in the east and high in the west. Low, this will help us attack.
This pass has a long history. It used to be the main channel to resist the invasion of the capital by the prairie barbarians.
Later, a county guard painted a land in Weihu County as the king, and built the outward side of Guiling Pass and Hukou Pass to be extremely tall. However, they were later destroyed by the imperial army.
After King Andong occupied Weihu County, Guiling Pass was no longer considered an outer pass but an inland pass. It was no longer repaired and not many troops were stationed there.
If Jiuyuan County in the east had not sent troops to support Guiling Pass, then there would only be 5,000 defenders at Guiling Pass. We could still defeat it with our equipment and large army.
As long as we capture Guiling Pass, Weihu County can basically sit back and relax.
By that time, the 7,000 garrison at Hukou Pass would be sandwiched between us and the Western King Ping. They would become a lone army and could directly surrender. "
Hearing this, Nie Chen touched his chin, looked at the map and said,
"Qi Huan, have you sent someone to Guiling Pass to get information?"
