Everyone was discussing the follow-up development. Suddenly, a soldier on duty came in to report. Gao Heng and everyone's eyes were attracted. He felt a little strange that someone was looking for him so late. Moreover, these days, first Li Huang sent people to contact him, and then Zheng Wei came to negotiate. Who was it this time? It's really strange, like a stone thrown into a pond, it stirs up thousands of waves and stirs up the seemingly calm lake in Annan.
Gao Heng stood up and stretched, "Who are they?"
The soldier scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure. He's an Annan man who can speak Chinese. If you ask him, he won't say anything. The city gate has been closed. He was just wandering around the military camp outside the city. He happened to be picked up by our patrol stationed outside the city. Take it, he didn’t resist, he just asked to see the general by name.”
Gao Heng smiled at everyone and said: "It's really strange things that happen every year, especially this year. As soon as we occupied Tuo County, there were so many people looking for us. Who will they be this time?"
"By the way, where did you talk about just now?" Gao Heng asked.
Cheng Zilong said: "The general just mentioned the matter of Emperor Li's treasure. It is just north of Lang Son Palace. There are still some mules and horses in the city. We can let the craftsmen repair the carriages. We should be able to put together ten or twenty carriages, which is almost Enough is enough, now we don’t have enough mules, horses and carriages, and we will definitely have to find ways to expand the number of carriages in the future.”
Gao Heng said: "Yes, we are talking about the treasure of Emperor Li." These days, they have been studying the arrival of refugees. There is not enough manpower, so they can only put the treasure aside for now. Today, the refugees from Lang Son Province have arrived, which is just the time. Ask if anyone is familiar with the terrain in the northern part of Lang Son Province. If you have a guide, you will get twice the result with half the effort.
"Lu Tao, I'll leave this task to you. The Pegasus team has been well trained. They can't fight right away, but they can just pretend. I'll equip you with a company of muskets. You can take your guide and set off directly with the mule cart. When you get to Lang Son, take out the treasure and return quickly. Even at the speed of infantry marching, it will take three days. If you are given three days, you should be able to get things done," Gao Heng said.
Lu Tao stepped out and said: "General, there is nothing wrong with holding a humble position, but there is one thing. If we go like this, we will inevitably be discovered by the Annan people on the way. How should we deal with it then?"
Gao Heng smiled and said: "Haha, you don't have to worry about this problem. The Annan Army's new defeat was at a time when morale was low. It was a fluke that we captured the war horses. How can the general local army have war horses? The four town soldiers of Lang Son Prefecture The number is not large, the Zhennan Pass Ming Army only has a thousand men, and Lang Son Prefecture can only have so many soldiers guarding the city. They have taken the courage of leopards and dare to duel with the cavalry?"
Anyway, we have talked with Zheng Wei and Zheng Zuo is still in our hands. Before he goes back, Lord Zheng will never cause trouble to us. Even if someone asks, just say directly, "The refugees from Lang Son told us , some people have fled to the mountains in the north. We will go there to bring them back. If the Annan people dare to cause trouble, Zheng Zuo's life will be in danger, and everyone will start the war again. Lord Zheng has given food and people, and now the war begins. He made a huge loss, and Zheng Zuo didn’t go back, but he still gave us so many benefits for nothing. It’s the same as gambling. Once it’s on the table, it’s hard to stop thinking about it.”
Cheng Zilong nodded and said: "The general is right. General Lu, just put up the flag of the survival brigade and go there with great fanfare. It will appear open and frank, but it will not be easy for them to suspect. We only have three days, and the Annan Army has suffered heavy losses." , it is impossible for a heavy group of troops to gather around us for a while, take advantage of this gap to go back quickly, even if he finds something abnormal, he will not have time to stop him, and we will make the next calculation when we have money in hand. "
Gao Heng then said: "Yes, Youdao doesn't panic because we have food in our hands. As long as we get the treasure, our funds will be much easier. This is the border between the two countries. We are at war with the Annan people, but we can find ways to fight with them." When contacted by the Ming Dynasty, the local government does not welcome our people to go, but it certainly welcomes our money. As long as we build channels, purchase supplies, and develop and grow, it is just a matter of time."
Lu Tao clasped his fists and said, "I understand my humble position. Please rest assured, general. The general will order his troops and set off early tomorrow morning."
Gao Heng said: "The military advisor, please lead the generals to continue the discussion. I will come back as soon as I go."
Gao Heng is still very interested in people outside. Since people are looking for him by name and he is alone, there must be something important. It is impossible for a person to assassinate him single-handedly. Who might be his envoy? Woolen cloth. Since the arrival of Emperor Li's people, Gao Heng has keenly realized that being nailed here is a powerful foreign aid to the opposition forces in Zheng's country. They will definitely find ways to contact him. There are more treasures out there.
Gao Heng even regained the feeling of playing strategy computer games in later generations. Every time he discovered a gold mine, he was as happy as if he had won the lottery. He now wished that all those who opposed Lord Zheng would come to him and give him money and food. , so that you can develop and grow.
Gao Heng was afraid that something might happen, so he asked his soldiers to go back and notify him, and he would detain the man where he was and imprison him at the city gate garrison while he went to meet him.
When he arrived at the city gate, Gao Heng hurried up the city wall. The platoon leader on night duty pointed at the city tower and said: "General, that man is inside and is being guarded by several brothers."
Gao Heng said: "Let's go and have a look."
Entering the tower, Gao Heng saw a man sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. This man was not tall and had typical Annan characteristics. He was no different from other Annan people. Gao Heng strode up to him and said, "Raise your head."
The man did not respond, but remained motionless as if the old monk was in trance. Seeing his calm and calm look, Gao Heng strengthened his suspicion that this man must have come with some mission. He would not do it without seeing the rightful owner. Said. "Can't you understand Chinese? Why don't you respond?" Gao Heng asked.
"How many times have I told you that I want to see your General Gao Heng, and I won't tell you anything else." The man said impatiently.
Gao Heng almost laughed, this man is really interesting, "Okay, get up, I am Gao Heng."
After hearing the words, the man immediately raised his head and looked at Gao Heng. He saw a tall general standing in front of him like an iron tower. After more than a month of recovery in this life, Gao Heng's body was already in great condition. At eight years old, although he is not as strong as his later generations, his whole body becomes wider when he puts on the armor.
The Annan man suddenly stood up, and everyone realized that the ropes on his hands had been untied at some point. Several soldiers rushed forward and pointed their weapons at him: "Back off! Back off!"
The Annan man waved his hand to Gao Heng and said: "General, I have no ill intentions towards you. I came to see you on the order of my master. Although I did not identify myself, you don't need to be so close to the enemy because I am alone." Bar."
Gao Heng looked at him, waved his hand, and signaled the soldiers to step back, "You are right, you alone can't hurt me. But I am very curious about why you appeared outside the city in the middle of the night."
"General, I don't want to be like this, but otherwise, it would be difficult for me to meet you. You know, I have been among the Annan soldiers escorting the people. After you handed over, I broke away from the team and have been in the dense forest outside the city. I will wait until the night is quiet before I come out to look for you. I don’t have much time. I will go back and return to my life after we finish talking.” The Annan man said in a low voice.
Gao Heng was really interested. He said to his left and right: "You go out first and wait outside the door. I will handle it myself." The platoon leader was still a little worried, so Gao Heng shouted to the door: "Fan Yu , you take over."
"Your order!" Fan Yu's voice came from outside the door. The soldiers immediately retreated, and the platoon leader turned back and closed the door.
Gao Heng pointed at the man and said: "Okay, it's just the two of us now. Let's talk about your purpose."
The man's expression changed, and he became serious. He bowed to Gao Heng and said, "I am the envoy of Lord Ruan. I have been ordered to come here to pay homage to the general."
"Who?" Gao Heng was surprised.
I didn't expect that this person's identity would be so special. He is Lord Ruan's person? "You mean Lord Ruan from the south?" Gao Heng said.
"Exactly," the envoy replied.
Gao Heng felt as if he had become a piece of cake, and no matter who he was, he wanted to take a look and see who he really was. Lord Ruan is thousands of miles away from here, so why did he send people to look for him? Are they so well informed?
"No, Lord Ruan is far away in the south. How did you get here?" Gao Heng asked doubtfully.
"Of course we came by boat. Although our Ruan family is in the south, our population and strength are not as strong as those in the north, but we also have a strong point, and that is shipping. The south has frequent contacts with Westerners and many routes. I landed directly at Xin'an Port , we have a contact person who provided some necessary things. After dressing up as an Annan soldier, he sneaked into the team and came all the way." The envoy replied.
"Your Lord Ruan's ears are too sharp," Gao Heng said.
"Haha, it's normal for two countries to be at war with each other to find out about each other. General, don't be surprised."
Gao Heng nodded. It was obvious that both sides were working closely within the upper echelons of the imperial court. We could get the news. Zheng Zuo was the crown prince and the fact that he was captured could not be hidden at all. It was normal for Lord Ruan to know. It was actually very difficult for them to come to find him. It's reasonable. He stabbed Master Zheng in the back. Master Ruan was hostile to him. He came to him at this time, and he must have wanted to borrow a knife to kill someone. It would be best if he could turn the Zheng family's hinterland upside down.
"Envoy, your Lord Ruan has made a good plan. If you want us to act as a stumbling block behind enemy lines, it would be best if we can hold back Lord Zheng's army, but we don't have the strength." Gao Heng shrugged.
"Ahem, the general is indeed very powerful. He guessed my purpose of coming right away." The envoy was originally planning to follow Gao Heng step by step, but he didn't expect him to be so direct. This is good, as it saves everyone from having to play charades.
Gao Heng said: "Master Ruan's idea is good, and it is the most beneficial to you, but this matter is not very feasible. First of all, you are not bordering us. You know, we now only have a small Tuo County, surrounded by This is all Zheng's territory, how can you contact us? Secondly, Lord Ruan wants us to take action, but we don't have enough strength. You can't just talk nonsense. How much benefit you can bring is the most important thing."
The envoy gave a thumbs up and said: "It's great! It's very easy to deal with people like the general."
"Let me answer the general's question. First, although the general only has a small county now, it is obvious that the territory is not enough if the general exchanges so many people. If I were the general, I should find a way to continuously expand it. With military strength, to capture more cities, the general can attack south, all the way to Haidong Road, and occupy the triangle area from Lang Son Palace to Haidong Road. This place is not eye-catching on the map, but it is extremely advantageous. First of all, With the Ming Dynasty at our back, resources can be obtained on land. Secondly, by occupying the port, the general's vision will be greatly expanded. We can also continuously transport the supplies the general needs ashore from the sea. Our military's firearms are stronger than those of the Zheng family, and there are Buddhas. Lang Jiren’s help, if the two families cooperate, the lord is willing to provide arms.”
Gao Heng's eyelids twitched. This man is really good at calculating. Gao Heng has been tossing and turning for many nights, not knowing where his next step will be. After crossing over, Gao Heng's goal has always been to save the people of China and let They avoided the devastation of the bandits, the enslavement of the Manchus, the Three Massacres in Jiading and the Ten Days in Yangzhou in history, and this cruel experience.
In order to do this, he must have guns, artillery, soldiers and resources. However, he happened to come to Annan. How to start in Annan became the most important issue for him to consider. More importantly, where do we go from here to build a kingdom of our own? Or have you been accumulating strength in Annan? If you want to accumulate strength, how should you do it?
Now, this person gave him a plan. Gao Heng's understanding of Annan was limited. When this person said it, he opened up a new way of thinking. Why can't he establish a base in Annan and then influence China in turn? It seems that no one has done this in history, because the foreign races overseas are not of the same origin as the Chinese, so there will naturally be barriers. But this problem does not exist here in Gaoheng. The Qiuhuo Brigade is composed of expatriates, all descendants of Yan and Huang. Having the same origin and origin, they have natural advantages.
Before Gao Heng could finish thinking, the man said again: "Speaking of support, the Lord said before sending me here that we can't give the general more support now, but once the general obtains the port, please rest assured, general. Supplies will continue to arrive here from the port. The general will exchange Zheng Zuo for tens of thousands of people. So many people need to eat and survive, and huge amounts of money, food and materials are consumed every day. Even for the sake of these people, the general should be bold and enterprising. This If the local general doesn't take it, can he still get an advantage from Mr. Zheng?"
