Not far from Xianyang City, five Song troops marched against the cold wind. When we arrived at the branch store, we sat down at a roadside tea shop, ordered a few bowls of tea, and called the shop owner over. A Song soldier said: "My father-in-law, we are ordered by the superior to go to a nearby business. May I ask what villages are here?"
The shopkeeper said: "After several years of war, there are no people in many villages. In the surrounding large villages, there is a Wangjiazhuang three miles away, and the owner of the village is Wang Yuanwai. There is a lot of good land there, there are many villagers, and the army is coming. I just went to borrow some food and grass, and I didn't suffer any military disaster."
The soldier nodded. He also said: "We drove away the Jin army and seized a lot of food and grass in Jingzhao Mansion, which we want to distribute to the surrounding people. Even the villages that suffered more serious military disasters also told us. In two days, let them go to the city to collect food. .”
"Is there such a good thing?" The shop owner's eyes suddenly lit up. "Those that suffered the most from the war are Liushudian and Lingzhou Villages two miles away in the south, and there are also villages such as Shahe, Douma, and Yuyang in the north. Even now, there are at least nearly a hundred households in any village."
The soldiers wrote them down one by one. He said: "Master, please remember that in two days, food will be released in Xianyang City. You should also go and get some."
"Definitely, definitely! How could I forget to collect food from home?" The shop owner nodded repeatedly and couldn't help but smile.
After drinking tea, several soldiers discussed that they should first go to the nearby Wangjiazhuang to have a look. If there is no military disaster, there must be many people in his village who can help with many things. The Song Army does not intend to stay here permanently. These large families have many uses.
After leaving the side store and walking two or three miles in the cold wind, I saw a village in front of me. This kind of village is different from ordinary villages and belongs to the same family. There is a village gate at the entrance of the village, and the houses in the village are neatly arranged, unlike ordinary villages that look chaotic.
When I walked forward, a banker had already come up. He asked: "Zhuangzi, who is outside the Wang Yuan here, who are you? What are you doing here?"
Shi Liang stepped forward and said: "We are from King Dengzhou's Zhenfu army. We are here to inform the surrounding villages on the orders of the superior officials. I wonder if your members are not in Zhuangzi? If you are in Zhuangzi, please greet us early."
At this moment, the door of the village opened, and a fair-skinned boy of seventeen or eighteen years old came out. He said loudly: "Where did these stragglers dare to attack my village? Is it possible that they have evil intentions? There are hundreds of villagers in my village, how can you be the ones who dare to come and scratch the tiger's beard? These days, I don't know how to run away. How many deserters have come to my village for blackmail! It’s just the right time for you to come today!”
Shi Liang looked up and down at the young man who spoke. He sneered and said, "I'm Shi Liang, a junior colonel in the Dengzhou Army. Today, I am ordered by my superior to go out of the city on official business. You are such a domineering young man, do you want to go against our Dengzhou army?"
The young man couldn't help being shocked when he heard this. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "I'm sorry for my blindness, but I didn't know they were soldiers from the south. These days, the Jin army has been defeated by you, and people often come to our village to swindle money. Since you are the king's master, please come to the village and take a seat!"
After saying that, he hurriedly ordered his men and led Shi Liang and the other five people into Zhuangzi. We went to a large courtyard in the middle of the village and invited five people to sit in the living room. The young man ordered the banker to bring the best tea immediately.
When the banker went out, the young man held up his hands and said: "I am the son of the owner of the village. He is ranked third and is known as Wang Sanlang. His nickname is Zhongfu and his courtesy name is Yunqing. Don't be offended if you offend someone in front of him."
Seeing the young man's respectful attitude, the soldiers did not embarrass him. He said: "We broke into the Jingzhao Mansion a few days ago and seized some grain and grass. Due to the continuous wars in Guanzhong in the past few years, the people have suffered a lot. The governor ordered us to distribute the grain and grass to the people. I came here to inform you. Is the owner here?"
Wang Zhongfu said: "My father is old and is taking a nap in the greenhouse. Wait a moment, I will send someone to call him."
Shi Liang said: "This is the best. There are many villages around here. We have to go and visit them before we leave here."
Wang Zhongfu heard this and said hurriedly: "It's almost evening, how can you walk here today? Why don't you rest in my village for a night, and I will send a guest from the village to lead you tomorrow. They are familiar with the road and can cover it all in one day." "
The cold wind was howling outside, and Shi Liang really didn't want to leave. After hearing this, he asked the other people with his eyes. This village is not small, and it has not suffered any military disasters, so it must be well-off. Stay one night and enjoy some wine and meat in the evening.
Gu Zizi naturally agreed with others that he was too tired from walking all day.
Wang Zhongfu was overjoyed. I ordered him to go down and ask the villagers to kill a sheep and two chickens, take out some good wine, and entertain five people.
Not long after, Wang Yuan went out to meet Shi Liang and others. He gave instructions and said: "We have hundreds of villagers in Zhuangzi. Everyone can have enough food and clothing, and they will not starve. Now in the war, the army is most afraid of lack of food. How can it be distributed to the people?"
Shi Liang said: "The owner of the village doesn't know something. We are soldiers and horses of Dengzhou. Going back from Guanzhong is a mountain road, and it is difficult to take away food and grass. If we don't distribute it to the people, and the Jin army comes back, won't it be an advantage to them?"
Wang Yuanwai frowned after hearing this: "It's been hard to restore Jingzhao Mansion, but you still want to leave?"
Shi Liang sighed: "To be honest with the owner of the village, there is an army of tens of thousands of the second prince of the Jin Kingdom hundreds of miles away to the west. How can thousands of us withstand it? We can only retreat temporarily and wait for the opportunity. In the future, if the army is strong, it will naturally be heavy." Seize the capital omen."
Wang Zhuangzhu shook his head after hearing this: "You come and go, but you are just suffering for us common people."
Wang Zhongfu said: "Dad, the gold thieves are powerful now. What can we do? The officers and soldiers cannot defeat them for the time being, so they can only retreat temporarily. This dynasty is a big country with many people and a vast territory. In just a few years, it will be strong. Overtake the golden thief!”
Shi Liang nodded repeatedly: "This is exactly the reason! Now we are no match for the 100,000 gold army, and we will no longer be the same in a few years!"
Master Wang couldn't help but feel discouraged after hearing this. He said a few words casually, then excused himself from feeling unwell and went back early.
Looking at his father's leaving figure, Wang Zhongfu said: "My father is old and has to stay in the greenhouse every day. Don't be offended. Tonight I will drink a few glasses of wine with you to go away the cold."
Shi Liang nodded. Said: "You are Sanlang. Where are the two brothers? Why are they missing?"
Wang Zhongfu said: "Our family has a shop in the county town, and the eldest brother is there to look after it. The second brother got sick a few years ago and was not treated for a while, so he left. Now, I help my father take care of things in this village. .”
"I see." Shi Liang nodded. "Xianyang County has been attacked several times by the Jin army, so how can it still do business?"
Wang Zhongfu sighed: "Who says it's not the case? My shop used to be in the silk and satin business. How can anyone come to buy it in the past two years? The shop has stopped doing business for a long time. My eldest brother is just watching."
Shi Liang said: "This is how it is when wars lead to disaster. As the saying goes, it is better to be a peace dog than a chaotic person."
It didn't take long for the meat and wine to be served. Wang Zhongfu invited Shi Liang to take the seat and began to serve the wine and meat.
Wang Zhongfu was a young man, and he kept asking about the wars outside these years and what was going on in Shi Liang's army with great interest. Shi Liang didn't hide anything. While drinking and eating meat, he talked to Wang Zhongfu about military affairs. In Wang Xiao's hunting army, many victorious battles have been fought over the years, and there are many stories. Hearing that Wang Zhongfu was yearning for it, he couldn't help but gear up. As he spoke, he wished he could immediately follow Shi Liang and the others. He has been studying since he was a child, and has also learned archery and horse training. He feels that he will definitely make achievements in battle.
