Great Sui Storyteller

Xingyang.

A month ago, because of the autumn harvest, Zhang Xutuo, who had switched from offense to defense, went through a month of recuperation. Whether it was him or the look of the soldiers around him, it felt like a different person.

Not so murderous anymore.

During this time, Wagang and Zhang Xutuo were still in a stalemate.

In fact, such is the case with war.

In war, pay attention to the right time, place and people.Departing in spring, Zhang Xutuo is the main attack, and Wagang is the main defense.

His original intention was to take down Wagang in one go before the end of summer, put down the rebellion, so as not to delay the autumn harvest.

After all, the autumn harvest is a big event, and you can fight at any time of the year, but in autumn, if you can use less weapons, you have to do less.

People will not die if they do not fight, but they will definitely die if they delay the grain harvest and have no food.

Therefore, Zhang Xutuo's offensive was very fierce at the beginning.

Zhai Rang was defeated steadily.

Although Wagang is brave, after all, he is not as good as this general who has fought all his life.

Especially Zhai Rang, who was bound to lose in every battle, retreated steadily, and almost all of his souls were broken by Zhang Xutuo.

If it wasn't for Li Mi's reinforcements at the front, I'm afraid this battle would have ended long ago.

The arrival of Li Mi did indeed change the situation of the battle.

From the beginning of the rapid development of the war, it gradually turned into a stalemate.

From the pressure of the army, it has become the second stage of surprise attack, fire attack, flooding and so on.

It was also the result that Zhang Xutuo didn't want to see the most.

But there is no way, the matter has come to this point, since there is a stalemate, then everyone has to fight for supplies.

At first, Zhang Xutuo expected that the opponent's supplies would not be able to keep up.

After all... the granary in Xingyang is here, and he is full of confidence with his back on Xingyang.

However, this group of Wagang people controlled the canal, even though His Majesty had ordered that the boats for transporting grain and grass should not continue to go up and down, but their supplies could always be delivered in time when needed.

And at this time, Zhang Xutuo realized... It turned out that Jiangnan and Wagang had been connected together.

Your Majesty's backyard... is on fire.

But still the same.

He is a good general, but not a capable minister.

What's going on in Jiangnan... He can't control it, and he can't control it. He can only pin his hopes on others.

After confirming that Wagang would not retreat due to supply problems, in order to reduce unnecessary casualties, his offensive also began to slow down, and he received a secret letter from His Majesty a few days ago.

In winter, the [-] soldiers defending Jiangdu will go straight through the hinterland of Wagang under the leadership of the iceman Xianyu Wenhuaji, encircling and annihilating both sides in one fell swoop.

With this news, Zhang Xutuo naturally slowed down his offensive and gathered his defenses.

The main focus is on defense, not on offense.

It just happened to give Qiushou a sigh of relief.

But blindly sticking to it is definitely not enough, Zhai Rang... is a character who lingers.

You can say that he is short-sighted, or that he is short-sighted.

Zhang Xutuo's offensive has slowed down, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that it is accumulating strength. At this time, you should defend cautiously and deal with the enemy.However, Zhai Rang did not. Seeing that the Sui army had begun to defend, he led his soldiers and started wandering around, trying to find cities with weak defenses. He would attack if he could capture them, and would not defend them after they were captured. Instead, he would start looting food and grass. .

Just grab it and leave.

Showing the true qualities of a robber, Zhang Xutuo was very annoying during this time.

However, the nails of the sentry posts they deployed on Wagang's side have almost been pulled out, and only a few people are left who can send some news back from time to time.

But the news is true or false. Sometimes Zhai Rang can be intercepted, but the other party will retreat when he sees him.And sometimes they will be thrown away, or because the news is slow to arrive, they can only watch an empty city.

In order to prevent the front line from being stretched too long and people found loopholes, Zhang Xutuo also gave up Yangwu, Suanzao and other places that he had conquered through untold hardships, and only sent people to chisel down the city wall and leave.

Zhai Rang is not afraid to return this city without its walls to you.

And these days, one after another, the autumn harvest is over.

Zhang Xutuo got a message that Zhai Rang's troops were divided into three, and one of them was quietly marching from Ji County and Wei County, as if planning to surprise the rear when he was not paying attention.

The number of soldiers should be quite a lot, as many as [-], but I don't know who the leading general is.

The news came not from a smile, but from a high-level Wagang executive who had been delivering information to Zhang Xutuo since before the war started.

The source of intelligence is at least eight points true and two points false.

Regardless of whether it is true or not, Zhang Xutuo has to go and see it.

Now that the front line is stable, when the autumn harvest is completed in a few days and the counterattack is over, he will not allow such an unstable factor to stay on the side of his defense zone.

And in order to prevent the spies here in Xingyang from leaking the news, as early as a few days ago, he had already mobilized a group of generals to disperse to different places in the name of changing defenses and repairs, and at the same time held emergency marching drills from time to time.

The purpose is to cover up people's eyes and ears.

But today, according to the latest news sent two days ago, this army seems to have touched Xiuwu.

However, Xiuwu County has high walls and thick walls, echoing Xingyang in the distance, but the location is only more than a hundred miles away.

He predicted that the opponent would not dare to practice martial arts.

Because although Xiuwu has high walls and thick walls, first of all, it doesn't have many defensive soldiers, only two thousand.At the same time, the terrain of the plain is destined to be a hard-to-move Iron Bastard.If the enemy wants to bypass it, it is easy.

It would be good if we really fought. It didn't take half a day for the reinforcements to arrive and wipe out the enemy.

But I was afraid that at the most critical moment, this vicious dagger would stab me in the back...

Therefore, no general would allow himself to make such a mistake at this time.

This hidden danger must be eradicated.

……

"General, the whole army has been rectified!"

Qin Qiong stepped into the hall and bowed to Zhang Xutuo who had already put on his armor.

"Well. Let's go!"

As usual, Zhang Xutuo, who seemed to be just a defense deployment and a military drill, responded and walked out first.

Qin Qiong followed quickly, and whispered at the same time:
"General, are you really not waiting for my friend? The general thinks...the arrival of this surprise soldier is unusual, and Zhai Rang...should not be so courageous! So it's better to be cautious."

"You also know that Zhai Rang is not so courageous."

Zhang Xutuo shook his head slightly:

"This method of using troops is Li Mi's masterpiece."

"Isn't that more cautious?"

"It is necessary to be cautious, but the terrain over there is flat, and we are all cavalry. If we find that something is wrong, we can retreat in time. Let the enemy know that we know that there is such a team. Their backs are useless and they will retreat. "

"...Are you really not waiting anymore? The general always feels a little uneasy..."

"..."

Zhang Xutuo paused.

"Unsafe?"

He looked at the lieutenant whom he relied more and more on...

From the bottom of my heart, bring the other party by my side like a successor, so that when I get old and can't fight anymore, the imperial court won't even have a general who can fight.

Therefore, Qin Qiong's words carry a lot of weight on his side.

Can……

"The military situation is urgent. These people have already touched the vicinity of Xiuwu. I have to go and have a look... So, Shubao, isn't the appointed time tonight? You don't need to leave with the army for a while. Go to the Earth Temple first, go to the Earth Temple and wait." When you arrive at your friend, ask him if he has any news. Ask clearly and carefully, and come to Xingyi to meet me when the time comes."

"The general isn't going to practice martial arts?"

"Don't go."

Regardless of the fact that he exposed his whereabouts, Zhang Xutuo shook his head directly:

"Going to practice martial arts is easy to scare the snake. I will rule out the detection when I get there. Come to Xingyi to look for me after you ask."

"..."

Qin Qiong thought for a while, then nodded:
"I will understand at the end."

"Ok!"

While speaking, the two of them had already walked out of the mansion in a hurry and got on the horse.

The city of Xingyang is still peaceful, and the people have enough food and clothing, and it looks very peaceful.

But after the two left the city together, it was another scene.

I don't know when, a large number of refugees also came to Xingyang.

These people are all people who came to escape from the war zone where Wagang was in close contact with each other to avoid the flames of war...

Although it's not as miserable as what Li Zhen saw when he was in Xiang County...but it's almost the same.

Xingyang is the granary of the world, even if it is a free warehouse, in the concept of the common people, there is always no shortage of food.

The same is true.

Zhang Xutuo, who served as the general guard of Xingyang, was the largest governor in the area. After discovering that the refugees began to gather, he immediately began to make proper arrangements.

On the one hand, preventing fires in the backyard, Xingyang is the top priority, and there is absolutely no room for loss.So appeasing these refugees is the top priority.The second is...he really didn't want to see these tragedies.

Maybe only those who are close to him know...

The legendary ever-victorious general has the softest heart.

I really can't bear to see this desolate world.

But he did a life-threatening act of licking blood with a knife.

It's really ironic.

Therefore, although I dare not say that there are big fish and big meat, there is a sufficient supply of porridge and water that is not too much for rice.

Even if this is a war, all needs should come first to the soldiers, and this is still the case.

no way……

Who let Xingyang have food?

Who made the Sui Dynasty so smooth...

But the scene outside the city is so "lack of food", those families who have been arrested are only old, weak, women and children.

The tents are set up, the adults barely make ends meet, their faces are numb, and the children are naked...

You know, it's almost Double Ninth Festival now.

God, I have seen the coolness.

"……Ugh."

Zhang Xutuo couldn't bear it, turned his head and asked Qin Qiong:
"Is there enough charcoal?"

Qin Qiong nodded:
"That's enough."

"Well...then remember to remind me, when I come back this time, let the sons chop some firewood for them...otherwise it will be bad after the snow falls."

"……Yes."

Qin Qiong also sighed.

Obviously they are all soldiers, and the lives of their men may be eight hundred if not one thousand.

However, seeing these people who were forced by the war and displaced, his heart was also full of sadness.

I couldn't help talking to myself, and said:
"This world... how did it become like this..."

"..."

Zhang Xutuo was speechless.

Because he knew that it was useless to say anything.

As a soldier, the only thing he can do is to hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, immediately, and it's best to end everything right away.

Let the people no longer be displaced.

Let the people of the world live and work in peace and contentment.

But even in war, people will die.

For no reason, a trace of sadness appeared in his resolute eyes again.

He clearly promised that he would win a big victory and bring the sons and daughters back safely...

But now the war has been going on for almost a year.

Own……

Another slip of the tongue.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xutuo suddenly asked, looking at the phalanx that was already standing neatly and showing a murderous aura:
"Uncle Bao."

"The end is here."

Qin Qiong thought Zhang Xutuo had some orders.

But suddenly I heard my general say:
"Do you regret it later?"

"……what?"

Qin Qiong was taken aback for a moment, apparently not realizing what Zhang Xutuo meant.

But this veteran general who has been a soldier for a long time slowed down his horse's pace, looking at the army formation that had been assembled in the distance, and the king's flag was ostentatious, his tone was a little sad:

"I said, follow me, and you won't regret it later."

"Uh……"

Qin Qiong was indeed surprised.

I don't understand why the general suddenly asks such a question.

But after thinking about it, he shook his head:

"No regrets."

"...heh~"

A slight smile appeared in Zhang Xutuo's eyes, and he asked again:

"Then you say...they won't regret it later?"

Pointing to the military formation ahead, he continued to ask questions.

Qin Qiong still shook her head:

"The general feels that everyone has no complaints or regrets."

"Heh~ What about those dead sons? I promised to bring them home safely, but I made a mistake. Do you think they will blame me?"

"Still not."

This time, Qin Qiong shook his head more firmly.

Then, the same look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes, and he whispered:
"Ding Yang veteran Dong Pan."

"...?"

Zhang Xutuo was taken aback.

Just listen to Qin Qiong continue to chant:
"Yangshuo Feng Dayou."

"..."

"Xinzheng Rongxi, Linwan Tang Yutang, Wuzhi Yanpu, Youzhou Anzhengxin, Lei Heguang, Zhang Sanmu, Qin Youfang, Li Wanqian..."

One name after another, read from Qin Qiong's mouth.

At the beginning, there were place names of where the people were from, but gradually, the place names disappeared, and only the name remained.

Slowly...

"A Three Guards Iron Character Battalion, Five Guards Company Battalion, Seventeen Guards Battalion..."

The name has been omitted, leaving only the unit designation.

Just listening to these names, one can already imagine how a young soldier who joined the army met his comrades-in-arms in the army, traveled to many places, and lived and died in battles...

It's all imaginable.

I have also seen all of them.

But gradually... these names with names and household registrations began to be replaced by numb and accustomed emotions.From being famous and having a place, to being famous and having no place, to not even remembering the name, only remembering the troops...

Everything about joining the army.

One after another, vivid faces are rippling in Qin Qiong's eyes and mind at this moment...so clear and yet so blurry.

While talking, he shook his head:

"These people, even before they died, they never regretted it."

"..."

In Zhang Xutuo's silence, Qin Qiong's tone became more firm:
"Because we all firmly believe that the general will definitely calm down this troubled world and lead us to a better future! No one regrets this, and no one has ever doubted it!"

"...hahahahahaha~"

After hearing this, the general, who was already in his twilight years, suddenly laughed wildly.

I don't know why, but the old man started talking like a teenager.

I don't know why, but my ambition is renewed!

Laughing maniacally, he whips up the horses:
"drive!"

If you believe so, then follow along.

boys.

This general will definitely fulfill your long-cherished wish and take you to a better...

newborn!