choke element

Chapter 5 Welcome
Since the boundary trench line of defense fell, the imperial government's prefectural military stronghold outside the Great Wall was wiped out by the Mongols.The important towns in the north of Xijing Road, such as Fengzhou Tiande Army, Huanzhou Weiyuan Army, Fuzhou Zhenning Army, and even Xuande Province, which once represented the military administration directly under the central government, were all smashed to pieces.

Now it is Zhongdu and Shunzhou, Zhuozhou, Yizhou, and Dingzhou on the two wings of Zhongdu who are shouldering the important task of defending the north and facing the enemy Mongolian army.In this area, the imperial court dispatched a considerable number of troops from the Central Plains, Shandong, and the Northeast, with veteran generals in command, and there was absolutely no room for loss.

With this move, the situation on the front line seems to be a little more stable.But everywhere in the rear, especially in the vast area of ​​the east and west roads of Hebei, all the elite soldiers and strong men belonging to the prefectures and counties have been mobilized, and none of the remaining ones survive. Horses, ordnance, etc. have long been exhausted. years.

Therefore, there are many stragglers scattered in Anzhou and other places, with no restrictions.

Most of these stragglers are old soldiers who have experienced fierce battles for a long time, and they will not let themselves suffer easily.

A small group like Guo Ning is fine, some large-scale rout troops are as ferocious as bandits.County and county officials are completely powerless to control, and the localities are miserable.

That being the case, many powerful clans built fortresses to train troops one after another, and assembled exorcists and domestic slaves to defend themselves.

This is also a matter of time.Whether facing the imperial court, the stragglers, or the Mongols who, God knows, will come again, with a little force at hand, they have a little confidence in their hearts.

But these local strong men cannot compare with the regular army that has been fighting for a long time.

Not to mention the training and equipment, the young and strong who are temporarily combined lack the combat experience in the army.Just listening to the sound of their footsteps and the clash of weapons during the march, Guo Ning knew that such a march was too close together.

It seems strict, but in fact it is more like emboldening each other.At most 30 people, what are you doing crowded together?
If they encountered an enemy suddenly, everyone would raise their guns and draw their knives in panic, put out their postures, and then because they were too close, how many people would kill themselves on the spot?
However, these issues are not worth worrying about.This team is exactly what Guo Ning needs.

The warriors who survived the bloody battle on the frontier will not easily become dogs for the nobles of the court.Xiao Haohu is determined to win the post of commander of the Anzhou capital, but after attacking and killing Guo Ning's troops, he will never go to see the governor Tu Shanhang foolishly and wait for the appointment of the governor.

He will definitely first convene his associates, allies, and even coercive forces, and influential clans in Anzhou to discuss.

Through this gathering, he can pre-divide positions and authority and confirm his leadership.After all the arrangements are made, he will use this to force the approval of Tu Shanhang, the governor of Anzhou, so as to seize the initiative in the future.

Guo Ning traveled more than [-] li and hurried to Gaoyang Pass just to catch up with this meeting.

Among the many teams that also came to participate in the rally, one of them would act as a cover for Guo Ning, so that Guo Ning could calmly enter the Gaoyangguan Walled City, and then let go to kill people.

What kind of team to use as a cover is a little more particular.

In the early years in Wusha Castle, although Guo Ning was only a regular soldier, he was famous for his bravery.In Badgerzui, Huihebao and other places, he fought fierce battles with the Mongols several times, and he rescued hundreds of soldiers from danger, and thousands of people who had seen his face at least.Therefore, the stragglers near Anzhou have too many acquaintances to use.

The available ones are the private soldiers of the local big families in Anzhou.

Just like this one.

Guo Ning leaped out of the high post in full attire, and his majestic posture immediately surprised everyone in the young and strong team, and their steps faltered.

Sure enough, many people hurriedly drew their swords and raised their guns, and almost ran into their companions, causing the team to be scattered.

After a while of chaos, a middle-aged scholar in a long robe of Su Luo and a soft-footed headband came out.

He cupped his hands to Guo Ning: "I am Yingdong Xinqiao, Yujiazhuang, so is Yu Jingchun."

Guo Ning nodded slightly.

He had very little contact with these people before, but after all, he has settled in Ansu Prefecture for a long time and has a basic understanding of the local conditions.

Xinqiaoying is a place near Lizhou on the south bank of Bianwudian, about [-] miles away from Gaoyang Pass.This place is called Xinqiaoying. In fact, there are no soldiers and civilians permanently stationed here, but a grass market, that is, a regular market spontaneously formed by rural people.

The grass market is also a source of income, and the one who controls the grass market is Yujiazhuang.

The scale of Yujiazhuang is not small, and it can be regarded as one of the most powerful families in Gaoyang County.The clan members surnamed Yu in Zhuangzi had a village commune who was in charge of supervising taxes and labor and persuading farming and mulberry. There was also a leader who was in charge of prohibiting and inspecting non-violation, and that was Yu Jingchun in front of him.

This person was also invited here, it seems that Xiao Haohu really put in a lot of effort in order to gather local strength.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Guo Ning returned the salute with a flat expression.He didn't talk to Yu Jingchun, he just said succinctly: "So it's Mr. Yu. I'm ordered to wait for you here, please come with me."

After speaking, Guo Ning turned around and left first.

This posture seemed a little arrogant, but Guo Ning's expression was so natural that Yu Jingchun didn't think much about it at all, and regarded him as Xiao Haohu's subordinate who came out of Gaoyang Pass to meet him.

He didn't dare to neglect, he hurriedly walked a few steps and followed behind Guo Ning.As he walked, he thought to himself: "This man is well-armored and has a heroic appearance. Even if he is placed in a county or state town, he can at least be a patrol envoy. Xiao Haohu actually sent him to welcome guests? It seems that this The strength of this servant is indeed not to be underestimated, no wonder the position of Commander of the Anzhou Capital is bound to be won!"

Right now, the two of them, one in front and one behind, walked slowly along the dirt road towards Gaoyang Pass.

A group of strong men were panicked by Guo Ning just now, and they all felt bored at this moment, and followed behind Yu Jingchun, not daring to say anything.

After walking hundreds of steps, Yu Jingchun looked at Guo Ning from the side and back for a while.

He has read books, has been to school, and has some knowledge. Then he thought again: "Look at this armor, look at this longbow, and sharp blade! Absolutely extraordinary! Such elite warriors, where can the nearby states and counties easily Yes? This person must be Xiao Haohu's newly recruited capable subordinate! Xiao Haohu ordered him to welcome me, it seems that he also attaches great importance to my Xinqiaoying Yujiazhuang!"

After thinking about it from this angle, Yu Jingchun felt a little joyful, thinking that today's meeting might bring some benefits.

At this time, Guo Ning slowed down a little and walked side by side with Yu Jingchun.

Yu Jingchun became more and more proud: "Look, look, does this person dare to win in front of me!"

Thinking of this, he laughed twice.

Will be sent by the clan to serve as a representative to discuss important matters, Yu Jingchun is good at hooking up with people.At this time, since Guo Ning showed a polite attitude, he hit the snake with the stick, leaned closer and asked, "This little brother, what's your name?"

Guo Ning opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a gust of wind blew against the ground, stirring up sand and dust on the road.

Guo Ning spat two mouthfuls of sandy saliva on the ground, took out a cloth towel from his arms, and carefully wrapped the lower half of his face.He was wearing a phoenix-winged helmet with the edge of the helmet pressed down to his brows, and now he was wrapped in a cloth scarf, so that almost his entire face was invisible, only his sparkling eyes were exposed.

At dusk, once the north wind blows up, it seems unstoppable for a while.

Guo Ning wrapped himself in a cloth towel and stepped forward.

It seems that this young soldier is not going to take off the cloth scarf?Does that mean there is no conversation?

Yu Jingchun was a little disappointed, thinking: "This young man is a bit difficult to get close to."

He hurried to catch up, maintaining the posture of walking side by side with Guo Ning.

After walking for another mile or so, the dirt road made a bend, and his vision, which was originally covered by the trees beside the road, suddenly opened up, and Yu Jingchun saw the Gaoyangguan Walled City standing in the center of the depression.

In the middle of the dirt road, two men in gray bunts with long knives hanging from their waists seemed to be waiting for a while.Seeing the queue now, the two of them greeted them with smiles on their faces.

Of the two men, the older one with the fierce face was called Zhu Zhang, and the younger one with the scarred face was called Zhang Jiao.Both of them once followed Xiao Haohu's order to take a few people to collect food around Xinqiao Camp.It was Yu Jingchun who came forward to deal with it at that time, so he recognized it.

It is said that it is grain hunting, but it is no different from extortion, except that Yu Jiazhuang has some force, and Yu Jingchun is also skillful, and he did not tear his face.

At this time, seeing the two people coming with smiles, Yu Jingchun quickly forced a smile too.

There was a distance of two or three feet between the two sides, and before they exchanged greetings, the young soldier beside Yu Jingchun strode forward and shouted loudly: "Mr. Yu from Yujiazhuang, Xinqiao Yingdong, is here. You two, lead the way!"

This shout made Yu Jingchun feel refreshed all over.

"Look, look! Xiao Haohu is very polite! He not only sent people to greet me twice, but also asked Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao to guide me!"

After thinking about it, he was horrified and surprised: "No. As the old saying goes, if you are courteous to others, you must ask for something. This Xiao Haohu has always been fierce and domineering, but now he is so humble. Is there any special plan? My Yu Yu Someone needs to cheer up, don't be fooled by these thieves Qiuba's hypocrisy!"

At that moment, Yu Jingchun raised his posture, and only nodded slightly: "Thank you two for leading the way!"

Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao were really sent by Xiao Haohu to greet them.

Since Xiao Haohu had plans, he would not easily offend others, and when he asked the two of them to go out, he specially instructed them not to neglect the guests.Therefore, the two of them did not put on the vicious appearance they had when searching for food and fodder, and planned to have a polite chat with Yu Jingchun.

But they didn't expect that Yu Jingchun not only brought the ordinary young man from Yu's village with him, but also recruited a military guard from somewhere.Seeing him walking side by side with the soldiers, he seems very familiar?
Three years after Da'an, the elite of the imperial court dispersed.It is not uncommon for former elite soldiers in the army to live in Hebei, and most of them were recruited by others to make a living.

At dusk, the soldier's figure was backlit, and the two couldn't see his face clearly for a moment. They only knew that he was tall and straight, with a sand-proof cloth scarf covering his face, and a green velvet iron armor with a military uniform on his outside.Looking around his waist, there are long knives and iron bones hanging on each side, and a longbow and quiver are also carried on the back of his shoulders.

It's a bit majestic!
But Yu Jingchun is a big village, and he dared to speak loudly in front of us just because he recruited a soldier?This is too arrogant!
If it wasn't for Xiao Haohu's orders, Yu Jingchun would have been embarrassed on the spot with their temperaments.

Immediately, Zhu Zhang and Zhang Jiao looked at each other, said "hey" heavily, then turned and left.

Guo Ning followed a few steps and raised his hand to signal Yu Jingchun: "Please, Mr. Yu!"

Yu Jingchun looked at Ding Zhuang who was holding a knife and gun behind him, then squinted his eyes, and looked at Gaoyang Pass, which was still dark even though the lights had been lit in the twilight.

"Please! Please!" Yu Jingchun stepped up boldly.

Guo Ning still walks side by side with him.

(End of this chapter)