A behemoth towered up in sight, and the team that had been walking for several days stopped. They finally arrived at Youtun City.
The city is made up of blue-gray boulders, which look very eye-catching on the yellow sand.
It is said that Youtun City has been established for nearly a hundred years, and there is a strong sense of history. The scars and arrow marks left on the bluestone walls bear witness to the bloodshed that this ancient city has experienced.
The city is nearly three feet high, and military flags are placed everywhere. Many soldiers can be vaguely seen patrolling the city. The roar of people comes along the spring breeze, making it slightly noisy.
Gu Sinian stopped and stood, curiously saying:
"Why are there military flags embroidered with the word "Liang" on the city wall, and others with the word "Chang" embroidered on them?"
The word Liang is understandable, but what about Daliang? What does the word Chang mean?
Zeng Lingchuan, who is relatively familiar with border military affairs, explained:
"According to our Daliang law, there are six border towns, each with one guard, and the six guards are collectively called the border army.
Each guard has nine battalions under its jurisdiction, with a strength ranging from one thousand to two thousand. The person with the highest military rank is called a general and is in charge of the military power of the entire battalion.
The names of the nine camps are different, some are named after the place, some are named after the name of the general, and some are even named after their military exploits. Those named after their military exploits are considered elite.
Judging from the flags on the city's head, the people stationed in the city must be Changziying under the jurisdiction of Langzhou Guards. I have heard of it before. "
"So that's it~"
Gu Sinian frowned:
"There are only one thousand to two thousand people in each battalion? Isn't that too few?"
Wu Xiang said casually:
"Your Excellency, you don't know. In peacetime, the standing force of the Nine Battalions is enough to ensure the defense of the border. Some battalions are still short of a few men, not even a thousand men.
But when wartime comes, each county will recruit a large number of civilians, young men, and prisoners from the army to join the army, called Xiangyong, and the strength of each battalion will continue to increase.
Although the Xiangyong are not considered as formal soldiers of each battalion, they are actually under their control. "
"There are so many twists and turns in the book."
Gu Sinian was shocked and said:
"Then aren't we Xiangyong now?"
"Master Gu is right."
Zeng Lingchuan took a step closer and lowered his voice:
"The so-called Xiangyong usually do odd jobs, work as coolies, and do the most tiring work for the least money.
It's okay not to fight. When the war situation is really critical, Xiang Yong has to go to the battlefield, and he is the kind who rushes to the front. "
Gu Sinian's expression suddenly changed.
Letting this group of untrained rabble go to the battlefield, doesn't it mean that Xiang Yong is the scapegoat of the regular army?
Gu Sinian felt a lot heavier. It seemed that the so-called military merit was not so easy to earn.
"Let's enter the city first!"
Gu Sinian adjusted his mood:
"Let's take it one step at a time."
"Crunch, crunch~"
Dozens of wheelbarrows slowly set off towards the city gate.
When they arrived at the foot of the city, they discovered that many civilians dressed like them were climbing on the city wall along ropes, knocking and repairing the damaged wall tiles.
People were coming and going at the city gate, and people carrying stones and shovels were coming and going.
Looking at this posture, Gu Sinian and his team were not the only ones who rushed to Youtun City for reinforcements.
Gu Sinian looked at these people curiously, and the working men were also staring at them, and the chirping sounds soon started:
"Look, there's a newcomer here again."
"Damn, what's there to be curious about? Judging from their disgraced looks, they must have bumped into Yan Bing. What bad luck~"
"I can tell at a glance that this is a bunch of trash. A lot of people must have died."
"What's the big deal about dead people, just die~"
This group of people became more and more enthusiastic as they talked, and their words were meant to hurt others, without caring about the feelings of others.
Qin Xi, who had a hot temper, couldn't bear it anymore and directly pushed away the rude guy next to him:
"Mom, what did you say? Who is a waste?
Are you still dead? Why don't you die? "
Several of Qin Xi's brothers had died at the hands of the barbarians, and he was feeling aggrieved and worried that he had nowhere to vent his anger.
"Dare you push me? It's you I'm scolding!"
That man also had a bad temper and pushed Qin Xi back:
"In this place at the border, you have to speak based on your ability. A loser has no right to say anything!"
"Damn it, who do you think is a waste!"
"Come out and practice if you have the skills!"
"Come on, just practice, practice!"
The blacksmith and the others quickly stepped forward to help Qin Xi. Although they had not known each other for a long time, they had experienced life and death together.
The two sides exchanged insults. Gu Sinian never expected that he would start a conflict as soon as he arrived at the front line.
"Damn it, what are you doing here!"
"You have no place to use your strength? If you keep arguing, you won't be able to eat today!"
Damn it, I’ve been yelling all day long! "
Before Gu Sinian could open his mouth to break up the fight, a loud curse rang out.
A guy with a big belly and the appearance of an officer walked into the crowd escorted by several soldiers.
The other civilians were all wearing common people's clothes, but these soldiers were all regular soldiers with spears in their hands and fierce looks. They didn't dare to say a word when they came face to face with the civilians.
"Master Jun, Master Jun, this is all a misunderstanding."
Gu Sinian quickly stepped forward to smooth things over:
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding."
Gu Sinian's young face made the guy frown and muttered:
"Who are you? I haven't seen you before?"
"In Dian Shi of Xia Fengchuan County, following the official order of Langzhou, he led the civilians to escort grain, grass, and bedding to the front line."
"Dianshi? Why did you become a Dianshi at such a young age?"
The guy muttered something in a low voice, and then said arrogantly:
“But since you are from Fengchuan County, you will be under my control from now on.
The original surname is Zhang, the single name is Lan, and the official name is Chang, Ying Baihu. "
Zhang Lan's nostrils were turned upward and he was showing off his airs. When he heard that he was under his jurisdiction, Gu Sinian called out honestly:
"I've met Mr. Baihu."
"Well~How many people have come from Fengchuan County?"
"Two hundred and sixty-four people, two thousand dan of rations."
"Two hundred and sixty-four? Doesn't the document say three hundred people?"
"Lord Baihu, we met Yan Jun's cavalry on the road, and some brothers died."
Gu Sinian's mood became a little depressed, and at the same time he was worried about whether he would be blamed for this matter.
But this Zhang Baihu didn’t take it seriously at all:
"Oh, if you meet Yan Jun, then just die. The dead will find a place to bury themselves."
This tone was exactly the same as that of the group of people who had just provoked them, as if the people who died were not worth even a copper coin in their eyes.
Qin Xi and others became angry all of a sudden. If Gu Sinian hadn't winked secretly, he would have even scolded this hundred households.
"What's in that car?"
Baihu pointed to an ox cart in the convoy, which was still covered with canvas.
Gu Si young said:
"Well, that's Yan Jun's body."
"Yan Jun's body?"
Zhang Lan's eyes suddenly lit up: "Did you kill him?"
"yes."
When they heard that Gu Sinian and the others actually killed Yan Bing, the faces of the people who had just started the conflict became much stiffer.
Seeing how capable they were of the trash in their mouths, their eyes suddenly became evasive.
"Not bad."
Zhang Lan laughed:
"I'll take the corpse away. You guys can rest for a while. Starting tomorrow, you will be responsible for repairing the eastern section of the city wall.
I'm short of people here, so don't be lazy! "
Zhang Lan slowly walked away amidst the laughter, and the corpses of Yan Jun were also dragged away by him. Gu Sinian and others were confused and didn't know what he was so happy about.
"What do you call this brother?"
A rough voice rang out, and Gu Sinian turned around to see a rather sturdy man standing in front of him, with a stubble on his chin and a hint of anger between his brows.
"Gu Sinian, may I ask who you are?"
"It turns out it's Brother Gu, who lives in Jinxian County, Xiabaiyan. Like you, he's a civilian who is reinforcing the front line."
The man said slightly apologetically:
"The people who just had a conflict with you are my brothers. I apologize on their behalf. I'm sorry.
On the front line, there are many friends and many paths. Brother Gu, don’t hold grudges. We don’t know each other even if we don’t fight. "
"Brother Bai is joking."
Seeing that this man was quite polite, Gu Sinian also cupped his fists and said:
"We are not people who care about everything."
"Haha, Brother Gu is generous."
Bai Yan smiled and said: "We came half a month early. If Brother Gu has anything you don't understand in the future, you can ask me.
If those corpses of the Yan army just now could be exchanged for a lot of silver rewards if taken to the camp, it would be a pity..."
Gu Sinian suddenly realized that no wonder Zhang Lan was so happy and they went to take the body as a reward.
Bai Yan reached the point, cupped his fists and said:
"Then I won't disturb your brothers' rest. If you have anything to do in the future, just ask!"
"Okay, thank you in advance."
"Farewell!"
…
When everyone actually arrived at the so-called camp, they all stared blankly and were stunned.
The low-rise private house was empty, with no tables, chairs or furnishings, let alone beds. The bundles of straw on the ground were probably the so-called beds.
Dust was everywhere, and everyone smelled a strong smell of decay as soon as they entered. No one had lived there for an unknown period of time. The corners of the walls were covered with spider webs, and unknown stains stuck to the walls made of yellow mud.
Lin Yihuai said in astonishment:
"My dear, this place is worse than a prison. Today is an eye-opener."
"Okay, stop complaining, it would be nice to have a place to live."
Gu Sinian smiled bitterly to appease everyone:
"We are not pampered people. Brothers, please clean up and live in peace for now."
"Hey, Brother Zeng."
Gu Sinian asked curiously:
"What kind of official is this Baihu? Is it very big?"
Zeng Lingchuan muttered:
"Hundred households are considered a watershed for military positions in the camp. Theoretically, they can be in charge of a hundred soldiers of the camp, regardless of the local bravery.
Under a hundred households, there is a general banner, which is in charge of fifty people; a small banner, which is in charge of ten people; and a corps leader, who is in charge of five people;
Above a hundred households are deputy lieutenants and captains. Once you reach the level of deputy lieutenant, you will have a formal rank and be a serious military attache.
This Zhang Lan looked like he was making noises, and he didn't look like someone who could fight. If he could sit in the position of a hundred households, he might have a backer. "
"This guy's arrogance makes me very uncomfortable."
Qin Xi said coldly: "I always feel that nothing good will happen under his hands."
"It's okay, let's stay down for now."
Gu Sinian said calmly: "I won't offend others unless they offend me. If he really wants to bully us, we are not fools."
"good!"
"We listen to Master Gu!"
There was a series of cheers from the crowd.
Ever since Gu Sinian hammered that Yan Jun to death, his prestige in the hearts of everyone has increased dramatically.
Gu Sinian looked at the dusty barracks and murmured:
"Whether you die at the border or rise up step by step depends on how you go next~"
