Gongxian County is the hub of the two Beijing Post Roads. Coming from the west of Kaifeng Prefecture, we split into two routes when we got here. All the way north to Mengzhou, across the Yellow River to Hedong. Go all the way west to Henan Prefecture. In the old days of peace, the carriages and horses on the post road were like dragons, and the white sails in the Luo River next to it were like clouds.
It was almost evening, and Wang Xiaolie led his men to the outside of Gong County.
Looking at the broken city wall and the open city gate, not a single person could be seen, and it felt like a ghost land. After a moment of silence, Wang Xiaolian said: "Gong County is a large county, the most prosperous nearby. It is also an important intersection between the two capitals and the city is close to Luohe River. I don't know how many people pass by here every day. Why can't I see anyone today? , has become such a dead place?”
Yang Shen sighed: "Xiaoshe people, there have been many golden soldiers coming and going in the nearby city, killing people like crazy. Where are there people?"
Wang Xiaolie nodded and said nothing. Jin Bing's destruction was much more serious than he had imagined before. Not all the people in this area were killed, but the population loss was very large. Some fled into the mountains, some died miserably, and some were kidnapped by the Jin and headed north. The more states, counties and cities you go to, the less people there are. Within a few decades, it would be difficult to see prosperity here again.
In fact, historically, the Rebel Army, the Song Army, the Jin Army, and the Puppet Qi Army fought in the Central Plains for more than ten years. In addition, the Jin people intended to move the population in this area northward, resulting in a large number of no-man's land. It was not until Yue Fei was recalled by the Twelve Gold Medals and Song and Jin negotiated peace that he slowly recovered.
As soon as he picked up the horse's reins, Wang Xiaolie was about to enter the city. Shao Ling said: "Nothing is known about the situation in the city. Xiaoshe, please wait a moment. I will bring a few soldiers in to see how the situation is first."
Wang Xiaolie nodded. But he was careless. The situation in the city was unknown, so why did he lead a large army into the city?
Shao Ling brought a dozen soldiers with him. Not long after entering the city, he came out of the city again. He crossed his hands in front of Wang Xiaolie and said, "Xiaoshe people, there is nothing strange in the city. It's just that the people have fled and there are only a few dozen families. It seems a little deserted."
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "No matter how deserted it is, it's better than us being outside. The army will enter the city together and rest in the city tonight!"
Everyone promised.
As soon as he entered the city gate, he saw a dozen people coming out. When they arrived in front of Wang Xiao's hunting army, they knelt down together.
Wang Xiaolie was startled and asked Shao Ling beside him: "Who are these people? What are they doing?"
Shao Ling said: "People from Xiaoshe, there are only a few dozen households of ordinary people in the city now. These were elected by them to welcome the army into the city."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Let them get up. By the way, let those among them who have weight to say come to see me in the evening."
When these people came to greet them, they should have prepared wine and meat. Only with wine and meat can they reward the army. It's just that in Gong County now, it's too difficult to find some meat to eat. When it was time to cook, Wang Xiaolian came in too hastily and couldn't wait for the rice to be cooked.
Arriving in front of the county government office, Wang Xiaolie shook his head when he saw that the main gate of the government office had long since disappeared and most of the windows were broken. Last winter there was no order in the city, and even the government offices were almost demolished.
After entering the county government office and changing clothes, Wang Xiaolie returned to the front hall.
Wang Zhong stepped forward and said, "Xiaoshe people, all the elders in the city are waiting outside. Do you want them to come in?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Let them come in. Fortunately for us these days, we have Ding Jin to help us, so we can still eat. If we can't raise more food, we will be hungry. Although this place is dilapidated, we can raise some military rations." .”
Not long after, six people came in. Arrive at the hall and salute.
Wang Xiaolie ordered them to get up, set up a seat nearby for them to sit on, and served tea.
After inviting tea, Wang Xiaolie said: "I am Wang Xiaolie, who is from Ruzhou. When the Jin people surrounded Kaifeng Mansion, my father raised troops to serve the king and summoned these people. A few days ago, there was a military order from Marshal Zong who patrolled Dingdu in the capital. , led troops to attack Luoyang with Han Tongzhi, and I followed him here."
A middle-aged soldier heard this and raised his hands and said: "It is true that soldiers passed through Gong County today, saying they were patrolling the capital Dingdu. I heard that there were Jin soldiers chasing them behind them, so they went straight to the city without entering the city."
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "I guess so. Early this morning, a group of golden soldiers caught up with us, and Ding Du retreated."
The officer said: "The Jin soldiers behind did not chase them into the city, and no one saw the Jin soldiers. I originally thought that Ding Duxun was talking nonsense, but he just didn't dare to fight."
Wang Xiaolie said: "How could there be a lie? Those Jin soldiers went back in the afternoon and met me and others. Fortunately, my brothers used their lives and captured them all! I took their heads and went to Kaifeng Mansion to receive the reward. Woolen cloth."
After hearing this, there was an exclamation of surprise. A few people sitting on both sides looked at me and I looked at you, and they all couldn't believe it. After a while, the previous member raised his hand and said: "General, are you serious about this? In the past two years, the Jin people have been everywhere and unstoppable! If the general has achieved such great achievements, it is really unprecedented."
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said: "How can this be fake? The heads of the Jin people are all carried in the army and they are going to Kaifeng Mansion to see Marshal Zong."
Yuanwai raised his forehead with his hand: "After many days, I finally heard about a victory! To be honest, general, since the Jin soldiers went south, we people have been trying to survive. In Gong County, how prosperous it used to be, but now there are several households People! The young man used to do business at the pier here, with a restaurant and two boutiques, and he lived a good life. However, in a year or two, all the property was gone, and the family was scattered. Today, he is just waiting to die. "
The other members said yes. They stayed here, some hid well, some ran fast, and some were shy and endured the humiliation, so they survived. Those who were unlucky were not killed by the Jin people, but were also kidnapped by the Jin people. Everyone hates Jin people with itch. Suddenly they heard that Wang Xiaolie had won the battle, and everyone was overjoyed.
After sighing for a while, the former member said: "Since we have achieved such great achievements, our place should prepare a celebration banquet. However, Gong County has been hit by war several times, and there is really not much food in the city. General, wait a moment, we will send a few people Let’s go out of the city and buy some.”
Wang Xiao asked curiously: "Is it not available in the city? Can I still buy it outside the city?"
The member of staff spread his hands helplessly: "In this day and age, if there is any way, who lives in the city? Jin people can't go to those remote places, and there are some good and bad things. If we all pool together, we can always raise some money. You can't treat the general badly."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Not to mention wine and meat, the most important thing is food. We came from Kaifeng and fought a battle with the Jin people. The army was short of food. We are still hundreds of miles away from Kaifeng Mansion. The place is already dilapidated and there is no food." Food is hard to come by.”
A few members discussed in low voices and said, "We'll send people around to look around and try our best to get together."
The Jin soldiers came to attack, of course, busy places such as counties, cities and towns. In remote mountainous areas, Jin Bing cannot run that far. After the war, people gathered in remote places, and supplies also gathered. Without the help of local people, it is not easy to find foreign troops like Wang Xiaolie. The people here were really bullied by the Jin people. When they heard that Wang Xiaolie had won the battle, they were all happy and willing to help.
