These days, Dongfang Jing did not stay at Dingdong Pass. Instead, he followed Beiguan out and went to the northwest junction of Dingzhou and Huzhou.
At the junction, there is a tributary river of Jijiang River. Not too big, but not too small either. In normal times, there are occasional boatmen who earn a few copper coins from the ferry to support their families.
But recently, with the tit-for-tat confrontation between Xishu and Beiyu, gradually, even the boatman can no longer watch. Only spies from both sides would use the hidden boats to communicate cautiously.
Of course, there are shoals in the north of the river that soldiers and horses can cross. But similarly, both sides also set up fortresses to guard against the disaster of war.
Dongfang Jing raised his head and glanced around from time to time. This location has always been the focus of defense for both Western Sichuan and Northern Chongqing. The defense line on Shentu Guan's side also extended here.
"Military advisor, people are here."
Dongfang Jing nodded, and not long after, a man wearing old armor, led by several night owls, walked up to him.
"Hu Fu has met the military advisor of Western Shu."
"No need to be polite." Dongfang Jing smiled. He knew that the person in front of him was originally a general of King Huzhou, but as the power of the four kings collapsed, he had been hiding in Hebei, leading a small rebel army to continue to fight against Beiyu.
"Long Gong, get a chair and let General Hu sit down."
"Thank you, Master Dongfang." There was a slight excitement on Hu Fu's face. Just like them, although they have anti-Chongqing intentions, their power is too weak and they cannot compete with the powerful Beiyu.
But now, the Xishu military advisor in front of them said that he was willing to cooperate with them. This is really a very gratifying thing.
After all, the whole world knows that only Western Shu and Northern Chongqing are left fighting for the ownership of the Central Plains. Why not be an ally with Xishu?
"Not an ally." But Dongfang Jing's simple words made Hu Fu completely silent.
"But, I can help you." Dongfang Jing smiled and continued.
At this moment, Hu Fu slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, tell me first, how many people are there in Hebei now?"
Hu Fu thought for a while, "There are fourteen groups of rebels. Those Beiyu aristocratic families were really hateful. As soon as they occupied the state, they immediately divided our wealth."
"No wonder." Dongfang Jing nodded. If not, the people in the four states of Hebei would not have rebelled so fiercely. Thinking about it, this is one of the shortcomings of the aristocratic family, the greed for making money is too strong.
"General Hu, how many people are there in the 14th Route?"
"Less than four thousand people..."
Dongfang Jing rubbed his brow. There are less than 4,000 people. According to the temper of Beiyu King Chang Xiaotang, it is estimated that they will not be able to hold out for long.
"What about the armor coverage rate?"
"Little strategist, look at me, I'm still wearing my old armor."
There are less than 4,000 people, and they are not an elite army. I'm afraid they won't achieve much success.
"General Hu, you fourteen people, what are your plans?"
"It would be great if the Eastern Military Advisor is willing to recruit us."
"That's not what I meant." Dongfang Jing smiled and comforted, "I still need to report back to my lord about the recruitment, not so soon. What I mean is, what are your plans to stay in Hebei?"
"It will turn everything upside down! Unless the aristocratic families in the inner city give us back the confiscated fields first."
"This is unlikely." Dongfang Jing shook his head. Even though this kind of thing was not the intention of the King of Beiyu, the families in the inner city pride themselves on their merits and will definitely take away these benefits. You can't expect that if a tiger eats the meat, it will spit it back to you.
"I'm waiting for these fourteen people to join forces, seize a city gate, and hold on to it."
"This is not appropriate." Dongfang Jing advised, "If you join forces together, you will be picked up by the same pot. If it is my suggestion, you fourteen people should separate immediately. It is best to divide into fourteen groups and let Beiyu suppress them. The rebel army is exhausted."
"By the way." Dongfang Jing smiled lightly, "I have one more thing that I need to ask you of."
Hu Fu was startled and said, "Military advisor, please tell me."
"I don't know when a group of bandits appeared on this river. They stole two thousand pairs of armor from Xishu, as well as various swords and shields. If you have time, why not help me find them back. When the time comes, I will give you food and grass. As for the baggage, I will naturally give you more.”
Hu Fu was stunned, his eyes hiding ecstasy.
"Don't worry, Eastern Military Advisor, we will definitely help."
"Thank you. I'll be in the river beach forest not far to the north. I'll have some work."
Hu Fu said goodbye and hurried back.
Gongou, who was standing nearby, hesitated and said, "Dongfang Military Advisor, if we really find the armor, these people won't return it."
"Longbow, you guessed it right. But I originally had no intention of letting them return it. Besides, these two thousand sets of armor are inferior armor from Xishu, just defective."
"What does the military advisor mean?"
"If they wear these armors and make trouble in Hebei, what will the people in Beiyu think?"
After all, he also learned from the General Hall. Gonggou thought for a while and said in surprise, "They must be thinking that there is a Shu army in Hebei? After all, that is my standard armor of Xi Shu."
"That's right." Dongfang Jing nodded.
"But in fact, I didn't do anything. I didn't break the three-year agreement between Xishu and Beiyu. Chang Sheng used the same trick. If he can use it, I can also use it. Moreover, I need to use it better than he does.”
"Military advisor, if this happens, will Beiyu raise a large army to suppress it?"
Dongfang Jing shook his head, "No. The number of rebels in Hebei is too small. This is just my first plan. Next, I need to create another situation so that Beiyu can continue to be fooled."
Seriously speaking, Dingzhou is indeed a place of the Four Wars. The junction outside Dingbei Pass and the opposite Dawan Pass outside Dingdong Pass. These two heavily defended places are also the lifeblood of Western Shu.
But in addition to Dingzhou, there are large armies stationed in Anbin and Liangzhou, and they can rush over in a short time to support them. Even if the Beiyu people want to attack by force, it will not be easy.
"Without the appearance of enemy troops, it is almost impossible for Beiyu to add another large army. But due to the armistice agreement, I cannot send troops into Chongqing. This matter is a bit tricky after all."
Dongfang Jing sighed. Although it is tricky, Xi Shu's future path has basically been decided. One day, Xishu will rise to the challenge and create miracles one after another.
"Longbow, go back."
The wooden wheel turned, and Dongfang Jing's somewhat thin body slowly leaned back on the chair as the wooden wheel rolled by.
Using the weak to attack the strong is a dangerous way to conquer the world.
