Xiaowang Village is not far from Songshan Ridge, only ten miles away.
But these ten miles are separated by several mountains.
After walking for several miles along the loess path, under the leadership of Yuan Chuliu, they plunged into the mountains.
The mountains were rugged and difficult to walk, and it was noon before they arrived at Songshan Ridge.
Turning his head, he saw that everyone was panting from exhaustion. Han Zhen encouraged him: "Work harder and wait until you enter the secret passage before resting."
They were pressed for time and had to be in position before the county government attacked the village.
Moreover, there are hidden sentries of bandits at the foot of the mountain. If you stay too long, you risk being exposed.
After hearing this, everyone had no choice but to move forward with heavy steps, one step deeper and one shallower.
I have to say that the location of Shibao’s cottage was chosen extremely well.
The entire mountain peak is not too high, about two to three hundred meters, but it is extremely steep.
Especially the mountain side is a cliff.
After walking around to the back of the mountain, everyone climbed halfway up the mountain. They saw Yuan Chuliu coming to a pile of rocks with ease and familiarity. He opened a bush and nimbly got into the crevices of the rocks.
This stone gap is extremely narrow and only about ten meters long. There is a huge boulder blocking the end. It looks like a dead end no matter how you look at it.
After Yuan Chuliu entered the crevice, he reached the end in a few steps, waved to them, and then disappeared.
Han Zhen held the horse in his arms and squeezed into the crack of the stone sideways.
He was physically strong, and he was wearing bamboo armor at the moment, so he was stuck before he could even take two steps.
In desperation, Han Zhen had no choice but to withdraw, took off his bamboo armor, and then reluctantly squeezed in.
When I reached the end, I turned a corner and my eyes suddenly opened up.
In a daze, Han Zhen couldn't help but think of An Niang, and there were some similarities between the two.
The group of people followed Yuan Chuliu and kept walking through the cracks in the rocks.
Finally, they came to a small valley.
The small valley is really small, less than 50 square meters. A field has been cultivated in the middle, and three ridges of wheat and soybeans are planted.
It seems that it has been neglected. The weeds in the field are thicker than the wheat. It is estimated that even if you want to harvest a bucket of grain, it will be too much.
"Rest where you are."
Han Zhen inspected the area and ordered.
As soon as the words fell, everyone let out a sigh of relief and sat on the ground.
Seeing this, Han Zhen shook his head secretly.
After taking Songshan Ridge, we have to give them some physical training.
Taking out the kettle from his waist and drinking a large amount of water, Han Zhen asked, "How far is it from the village now?"
Yuan Chuliu tried his best to swallow the cooking cake in his mouth and answered truthfully: "It's not far. There is a mountain village ahead."
"Um!"
Han Zhen nodded and stopped talking. Instead, he took out the pancakes in his arms and ate them silently.
…
…
There is a mountain stream to the southwest at the foot of Songshan Ridge.
There are more than ten wooden houses standing in the jungle next to the mountain stream.
In the simple stable, a dozen tall horses were leisurely eating the young leaves of the grass in the trough.
In a wooden house, a group of strong men were sitting around.
These eighteen strong men all have cyan tattoos on their foreheads or cheeks.
Obviously, this is a group of deserters.
One of them said: "Brother, what is the plan of this thief named Shi?"
The person called Big Brother is a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and a kind-hearted temperament, like an old farmer.
This person is none other than Wei Da, who was selling horses in the county town some time ago.
But there was no tattoo on his face.
Not all soldiers in the Northern Song Dynasty had tattoos on their faces. Those from good families who took the initiative to join the army and serve the country would be given a certain amount of respect by the military and would have tattoos engraved on their arms or shoulders.
For example, Han Shizhong and Yue Fei did not have tattoos on their faces.
Wei Da pondered: "I have been rejected time and time again during this period, and now he suddenly calls us to the banquet. I'm afraid he has no good intentions."
"Then shall we go or not?"
asked a man sitting in Wei Da's hands.
"go!"
Wei Da's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning that was inconsistent with his temperament, and he lowered his voice and said: "We brothers have hidden their weapons. Just forget that Shi Bao has no evil intentions. If he wants to attack us, he will kill him."
As the most powerful Western Army in the Northern Song Dynasty, they naturally had arrogance in their hearts.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have refused Shi Bao’s solicitation over and over again.
To put it bluntly, they looked down upon these bandits.
But pride cannot be eaten as food.
As deserters, they could not find a living, and they could not bear the shame of robbing homes and houses, so life for Wei Da and others was not easy.
Some time ago, I couldn't hold on anymore, so I had to reluctantly sell a war horse in exchange for twenty-five thousand dollars.
But although twenty-five guan is a lot of money, it can't stop a dozen strong men from sitting and eating.
In addition, raising war horses is also a big expense. They have to serve them with a large basin of salt water every day, and they have to feed them a good meal every three days. The cost is higher than them.
At this moment, a rough-looking man with a square face said in a fierce tone: "Brother, why don't we just keep doing it and take the opportunity to kill the Shibao and seize the village. Those who have escaped will help farm the land. Even if you don’t rob your house, you can still live.”
Hearing this, Wei Da angrily rebuked: "Although that Shi Bao is a bandit, he is still polite to us. How can he repay us with kindness and revenge?"
"..."
The man with the square face moved his lips, but finally bowed his head in silence, but his eyes were full of unwillingness.
Their eldest brother is good at everything, but he is a little too benevolent.
But it was precisely because of this that they followed him willingly.
"Don't mention this matter again."
Wei Da's expression softened and he ordered: "But you must be on guard against others. Brothers, hide your knives close to your body. Xiao Wu and Lao Jiu, you two, stay behind to take care of the horses. The others will follow me up the mountain."
…
…
Within the county.
More than 400 people gathered in front of the county government office.
One hundred of them were archers, and the rest were country soldiers.
Rural soldiers do not have military status, they are just rural warriors. The difference between them and archers is that they do not need to serve in the government on weekdays.
Every year during the slack period, the government would gather them together and practice for a few days.
At other times, he is no different from a farmer.
But in time of war, they will be called up.
Although Changzhi County is greedy for money, he is not stingy and will not miss a penny of the money he should give.
At this moment, he was instructing Liu Yong to pay these archers and rural soldiers.
Five hundred coins per person, and if unfortunately he died in battle, there would be a pension.
Sure enough, as the reward money continued to be distributed, more than 400 people immediately changed their lazy appearance and became full of energy.
Two years ago, the previous magistrate also summoned them to suppress bandits, but did not give them any rewards.
For a time, this group of archers and rural soldiers had a great impression of Changzhi County.
After the money was distributed, Chang Zhixian said loudly: "The reward has been distributed. You should try your best to defeat the thief."
"yes!"
There were mixed responses from the crowd.
Chang Zhixian stroked his beard and said meaningfully: "Liu Yong, the important task of suppressing bandits is entrusted to you. Don't let this county down."
"I will do my best!"
Liu Yong bowed and clasped his fists. When Changzhi County turned around and entered the county government office, he put his hands on his hips and said sternly: "Follow me to the Jiazhang Treasury to get weapons!"
Jiazhangku is the arsenal, located on the left side of the county government office.
After opening the door, a rotten smell suddenly hit my nostrils.
There are many weapons in the warehouse, but because no one has maintained them, most of them are rusty and damaged.
The wooden shaft of the spear was covered with holes eaten by insects, and the tip was rusty. The chance of death from tetanus was much higher than death from direct stabbing.
Every year, the imperial court makes special allocations to the arsenals of various states and counties for maintenance and weapons construction.
Although Director Xu was greedy, it would be an injustice to say that he was greedy for money allocated to Mo's arsenal.
Because this money was withheld from top to bottom through the household department, transfer envoys, and state governments, by the time it got into the hands of Master Xu, there was not much left.
Even if he wants to be greedy, he doesn't have the chance.
A rural soldier picked up a long spear and waved it vigorously. There was a crisp click and the long pole was broken from it.
"This...Liu Dutou, these weapons are useless!"
Liu Yong scolded: "What are you talking about? Pick the good ones."
Hearing this, the country soldier suddenly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
How can this be any good?
