County government hall
All the heads of Fengchuan County gathered together and stood bowing respectfully.
Standing in front of everyone were the few soldiers on horseback that Gu Sinian bumped into at the city gate. They were from Langzhou~
The leader was wearing a light gray plain jacket, a red lacquered hat with the word "Yong" on his head, and black boots, a typical military attire.
The soldier did not show any politeness, he held a document in his hand and read directly:
"The governor of Langzhou and the commander of the Langzhou Guards make an urgent order!
Order the Fengchuan County Government to recruit 300 young civilians, 2,000 dan of military rations, and 500 sets of bedding to be sent to Youtun City on the front line within half a month!
The military situation is urgent and the matter is of great importance. Those who dare to delay and slack off:
kill! "
The last word "kill" made several civil servants in the lobby tremble.
The military man had no expression on his face, almost holding his head high and said:
"Master Chen, take the order~"
This look and attitude is very arrogant.
"Xiaoguan Fengchuan County Magistrate Chen Hongxin, take the order!"
Chen Hongxin hurriedly reached out to take the military report, and at the same time gave Gu Su a very subtle wink.
Gu Su understood the idea, took a step forward, stuffed something into the soldier's hand without leaving any trace, and whispered:
"Master Jun, it's been a long journey all the way here, thank you for your hard work.
The money was used to buy some tea for the brothers to relieve their fatigue. "
Hearing this, the man with a dead face finally showed a smile:
"Haha, the little one has thanked several adults on behalf of his brothers!"
Gu Sinian, who was standing in the crowd, frowned. How dare a few soldiers with no rank even accept money from the county magistrate?
"You're welcome, Master Jun."
Chen Hongxin said softly:
"I dare to ask some brothers, what is the situation on the front line now? Has Beiyan already attacked?"
"Ahem."
The leading man lowered his voice and said:
"The attack has not come yet, but the Yan people are roaming everywhere, and the border is becoming more and more unstable. Naturally, our border troops have to be careful.
You hear these words in your ears and remember them in your heart, but you cannot spread them outside. "
"I understand, thank you for your help~"
"Okay, Master Chen, let's leave first."
The military man cupped his fists and said:
"I would like to remind you, sir, that we are urgently pressing for this errand, so we must not delay it.
If something goes wrong, you will lose your head~"
"Thank you brother for reminding me. I know what I'm talking about."
"Farewell!"
"Go slowly, Mr. Feng, let me see off some of my brothers!"
"Okay! Military lords, please come here!"
After Feng Tao led several soldiers away, Chen Hongxin sat back in his chair glumly, with a sad look on his face.
Gu Sinian said doubtfully:
"Sir, I know the Langzhou Governor's Office, but who is this so-called Langzhou Guard Commander? Why can he give orders at the same time as the Governor's Office?"
"You just arrived at the border not long ago, so you don't know something."
Chen Hongxin patiently explained:
"There are six towns and thirteen roads in our Daliang territory. The six towns refer to the six border states, which are lined up from east to west. They are the forefront of guarding the border and resisting the invasion of Beiyan.
These six towns have both military and political affairs. Each state has a guard, and all the border troops are included in it. The highest commander is called the guard commander, also known as the general soldier.
The government affairs of each state are managed by the Governor's Office, and the military affairs are under the jurisdiction of the Guard Commander's Department. If the war situation is tense, even the Governor's Office must obey the orders of the Guard Commander's Department. "
"I see."
Gu Sinian understood: "Then since both the military and the government issued orders at the same time, it means that this errand is a top priority.
It is estimated that all counties under the jurisdiction of Langzhou will receive similar military orders. "
"You are right, alas~ This kind of transfer order will definitely spread to every county."
Chen Hongxin sighed and said:
“Three hundred strong men, two thousand stones of military rations, and hundreds of sets of bedding.
It’s fatal~”
Gu Su followed with a frown and said:
"Bedding is easy to handle. Last year, the county had some military supplies left for the front line, so it was barely enough.
But the military rations and the young civilian men are a bit tricky, sir. "
Chen Hongxin murmured:
“The land in the border areas is poorer than in the Central Plains, and the annual harvest of grain from one acre of land is only more than 200 kilograms.
One stone of grain weighs one hundred and fifty kilograms. Save some and cook it into porridge, which can feed a common person for two to three months.
Two thousand dan, that’s enough food for two thousand people for several months!
This, where can I get this together? "
Gu Su said cautiously:
"Sir, there is still some old grain in the county government warehouse, please take it all out.
Although it’s not enough for two thousand stones, it’s better than nothing, right? "
"That's all we can do now."
Chen Hongxin waved his hand and said:
"Go and do it now. First, count the bedding and grain stored in the county government warehouse, see how big the difference is, and come up with a clear figure as soon as possible!"
"No! I'm going to go right now!"
Gu Su left in a hurry, and only Gu Sinian was left in the lobby.
Gu Si young said:
"Sir, although the county's grain reserves are less than two thousand dan, the big and wealthy businessmen in the city have rented a lot of wasteland for free this year, taking advantage of it. Now it shouldn't be difficult to get each household to donate some of it, right?
The rest can be purchased from the people or grain merchants at the Yamen's expense.
Adding up seven, seven, eight, eight, it is not impossible to collect two thousand stones, but it is just time-consuming and labor-intensive. "
"This county understands what you said, and it can only do this. Let's do our best."
Chen Hongxin smiled bitterly:
"What I am most worried about is that these three hundred people are young and strong. It is estimated that it will be difficult to gather so many people."
Gu Sinian took the words and said:
"A prison as big as Fengchuan County contains prisoners from various places. These prisoners can be recruited."
Gu Sinian had been a prisoner who had moved thousands of miles away from the army before, and he knew that there were many such people in the prison.
"You can't use all prisoners? Otherwise, they will all run away as soon as they leave the city."
Chen Hongxin said helplessly:
"Three hundred civilians can only use two hundred prisoners, and one hundred of our own people are responsible for guarding them on the road.
One hundred people, where did they come from? "
Gu Sinian was very confused and said:
"Master Chen, in such a large Fengchuan County, can't even a hundred civilians be recruited?"
"You do not understand."
Chen Hongxin looked melancholy:
"When civilians arrive at the front line, if they really encounter a war, they will escape death. No one will care about them even if they are dead or disabled. No one is willing to go."
Gu Sinian was silent. It sounded like he couldn't recruit anyone.
“Also, these prisoners and civilians must have a leader, and this candidate is very important.
In the past, Song Tou was responsible for recruiting and leading the team, but look at it now, this guy has been sick for many days.
So sad~"
Chen Hongxin drooped his head, sighing in sorrow.
This Song Ping never showed up again after Wang Zitong's death. He kept claiming to be ill, and even Chen Hongxin couldn't do anything about him.
Gu Sinian asked curiously:
"Tou Song has led a team to the front line before?"
"yes."
Chen Hongxin nodded:
“At that time, I hadn’t come to Fengchuan County yet, it was several years ago.
I heard that there were 500 people when we led the team out, but less than 100 people came back, and many were disabled.
Even Song Ping almost lost his life~"
"So dangerous?"
Gu Sinian's expression changed. This was much more dangerous than he imagined.
Chen Hongxin shook his head as he spoke:
“How many people dream of earning military honors on the battlefield and returning home in glory.
But the vast majority of people die in a foreign country and are buried in the wilderness~"
"Earn military merit?"
Hearing this sentence, Gu Sinian's eyes suddenly lit up, and he didn't know what he was thinking about in his mind.
Chen Hongxin said helplessly:
"Song Ping is old and sick, so he will definitely not be able to lead the team to the front line.
But now if he can come forward to help recruit civilian husbands and select yamen servants, it can also reduce the pressure on the county government.
He is most familiar with these things. "
"Anthracene~"
Gu Sinian thought for a moment and then said:
“My lord, otherwise.
The lower official went to visit Song Tou to see if he could be invited to take the lead in doing things.
As for the people who lead the army, let's discuss it later. "
"You're going to visit him? Isn't it appropriate?"
Chen Hongxin said in astonishment:
"Wang Zitong's death has something to do with you, will he listen to you?"
Gu Sinian said calmly:
"How will you know if you don't try?"
…
"Are you recruiting young men? Do you still have military rations?"
"It seems that the border situation is really unstable and we are ready to start fighting."
The two brothers Zeng Lingchuan and Wu Xiang were very worried after hearing the news from Gu Sinian. They had served as soldiers and knew that if it was just a simple rumor before, then there is a high possibility of fighting now.
"Three hundred young and strong civilians, even with the prison troops, it is difficult to get them all together. It seems that Lord Chen has a headache this time."
“Who says it’s not, alas.
Even if we recruit 300 people, how many can we get back? "
"Song Ping is not in charge. If you go to visit him tomorrow, you will probably be rejected. He treats Wang Zitong like his own son."
"Song Tou is usually a sensible person, so why did he fall in love with Wang Zitong?"
"Hey, Mr. Gu, what are you thinking about? Say something?"
The two brothers talked to each other and chatted for a long time before they realized that Gu Sinian was holding his chest and was deep in thought.
"Hmm~"
Gu Sinian woke up from his daze, raised his head and asked:
"Last time you said that you can earn military merit on the battlefield, and you can become an official without taking merit exams. So if these young civilians go to the front line, can they also earn military merit?"
"Ahem."
Zeng Lingchuan said awkwardly:
"Sir Gu, when these civilians go to the front line, they only move ordnance and transport supplies. When the fighting situation is bad, they will choose the best to go to the battlefield.
It is extremely difficult for these people to earn military merit. "
"That's it~"
Gu Sinian muttered:
"Then relying on military merit to get promoted is not an easy path."
Wu Xiang was stunned for a moment and hesitated:
"Gu, Mr. Gu, don't you want to lead the team to the front line?"
Gu Sinian asked back:
"Can't you?"
The two of them were silent at the same time. They knew that Gu Sinian's talent and ambition were more than just a classic history of Fengchuan County, but not everyone could go to a place like the battlefield.
Zeng Lingchuan reminded:
"Master Gu, you have to think about it carefully.
When you go to the battlefield and meet the Beiyan barbarians, you will know that in that kind of place, you cannot decide life or death by yourself.
If you are not careful, both jade and stone will be destroyed.
If you want to climb the ranks step by step through military service, you are risking your life. "
Gu Sinian's eyes flashed with determination:
"The road of life is a gamble."
Gu Sinian looked at the two of them and said:
"This is not a question of whether I want to go or not. Song Ping is old, Wang Zitong is dead, and Wu Tou has just taken over the prison and cannot leave. Looking at the entire Fengchuan County, it is only appropriate for me to lead the team.
If I go, you two brothers will stay in Fengchuan County and help Mr. Chen. "
The two looked at each other, and after a long silence, Zeng Lingchuan spoke:
"Master Gu, our lives are given by you. If you must go, we two brothers will definitely accompany you.
After all, we have fought in battles and been on the battlefield, and we have someone to look after us when we are with you. "
"That's right."
Wu Xiang echoed:
"As long as you don't dislike us two deserters, we will follow you wherever you go!"
Gu Sinian was a little moved:
"Your words are enough!"
The two brothers risked their lives to escape from the battlefield, but now they are willing to return to the battlefield.
"But sir, even if you can persuade Song Tou to come out and work again, the number of people is not enough."
Zeng Lingchuan said worriedly:
"There are not even a hundred people in the county government office."
"So I have to ask you to do something for me."
Gu Sinian's lips curled up:
"Can you two brothers go to Langya Mountain to find Qin Xi and tell him that I want to meet him?"
