Delong

233 Chapter 16: The Way of the Armor ([-])

Long before Zhang Xing received the message from the Eastern Front, there had been a fierce debate in Dongping County, Fan County on the south bank of the Dahe River.

The two big leaders were unwilling to withdraw to Dongjun, because they knew very well that once they left the scope of Dongping County and returned to Dongjun, the Eastern Expedition, which lasted more than half a year, would be completely defeated, and all previous gains would be wiped out. .

It's really in vain. At that time, not only the money and materials, but also the talents and soldiers obtained from the three eastern counties will be scattered.

Moreover, when they returned to the Western Front, they were likely to be overwhelmed by Xu Shiying and Niu Da in the gang and lose their right to speak.Their combat experience, their hard work and hard work, will also be meaningless in front of those on the western front... The latter reason is also valid for Xiong Bonan.

Cheng Zhili, who has nothing, also objected, because it was getting farther and farther away from his hometown.

However, Shang Huaizhi and Zhai Qian, the leaders of the second-level tyrants, generally agreed. They didn't get too many bonuses before, and now they want to go home and guard an acre of land.

This kind of dispute had happened once before in Yuncheng, and the last time it was Li Shu, the leader of the left wing, who tried his best to turn the tide, but this time, he couldn't help but have some lack of words.

In theory, it should be because he lost Yuncheng, which led to the lack of right to speak.

But in fact, the entire Eastern Expedition team was not limited to Li Shu, Shan Tonghai, Wang Shuyong, and Cheng Zhili, who hadn't lost their territory and army in front of Lao Ge of Qi County?Yuncheng was able to defend in the first place because Li Dalong insisted on it. Who can laugh at whom?

Even when Zhang Xing came over, no one would say anything, but some people still sneered in their hearts - you are only guarding on the western front, have you ever met Qi County Lao Ge?

Therefore, Li Shu's silence actually has two meanings. First, he is different from last time. This is a hidden statement... In fact, his mind has already gone to the point of giving up all the bases south of Dahe. Not to mention whether to stay or not; the second and most important point is that the morale of the army is so low and the situation is so bad that it is not for these big leaders to stay as long as they want. The situation will force these people to give up.

Sure enough, in the next few days, although the Qilu army in Yuncheng was strangely silent, the morale of the troops was declining due to the continuous rain, and the supply of supplies was becoming more and more difficult because of guarding a small Fan County.

Under such circumstances, the complaints of grassroots soldiers and officers became clearer and clearer, and many scattered rebels in Juyeze and Jibei County even wanted to flee directly.

As a result, the pressure spread from bottom to top and quickly passed to those big leaders, and when Zhang Shanxiang, Ding Shengying, Xiahou Ningyuan, and Liang Jiading all completed their position changes in just two or three days, the few big leaders did not hesitate. changed position.

This wave, this wave is called Conformity.

The army on the Eastern Front, about [-] people, began to retreat hastily.

On this day, it was May [-]th, and it was also the day Zhang Xing received the worst news. It was rare that there was no rain on Juye Ze.

But at this time, strange things happened again. Like the previous few days, Yuncheng still did not send any pursuers. It wasn't that they were powerless, but that when the Long army fell into the quagmire of May, the Qilu army, which had achieved absolute military success, fell into a huge crisis almost at the same time.

Moreover, this crisis is not outside, but inside.

A fierce confrontation and dispute broke out between the local Fan brothers and Jia Wugen and other backbones of the army in Qi County, and Zhang Xuguo, Zhang Changgong, Yu Baimei and other foreign elites of the Wei court.

Or to be more precise, it was the local backbones of Qi County, such as the Fan brothers and Jia Wugen, who were attacking Zhang Xuguo in the opposite direction.

The superficial origin of the matter actually goes back to the day when Zhang Xuguo and Yu Baimei raided Yuncheng.

In that battle, Zhang Xuguo and Yu Baimei won easily, and the next scene was supposed to be a two-sided attack with Fan Hu, just to the east and north of Yuncheng, with Liangshan as the core, to gather and annihilate the Chulong Gang. Those who recruit the main force, even if they cannot be gathered and wiped out, can also easily disable half of the main force of the Eastern Front of the Dragon Army who has not established a proper foothold.

But on that day, Zhonglang General Fan Hu, who led the remaining main force to fight on land, chose to withdraw directly after Shan Tonghai withdrew in person, and went straight to Qi County.

From the perspective of the dethrone dragon army, including from the perspective of the vast majority of officers and soldiers, and from the perspective of pure passers-by, this behavior is no problem.Because Qijun's old nest was taken away, since he succeeded here, he should go back quickly to put down the rebellion.

But in fact, only a few leaders of the Qilu army know that Fan Hu withdrew his army before he knew that Yuncheng had succeeded, and Zhang Xuguo only found out about this when he sent a messenger to ask Fan Hu to come to Yuncheng to join him. information.

Then the whole person was dumbfounded, no better than Li Shu at that moment, and it was for this reason that they had to face the crazy counterattack that deposed the main force of the Dragon Army's eastern front in the next few days.

Fan Hu's behavior depends on how you characterize it.

To put it bluntly, if you say it's a runaway or a betrayal, that's okay, if you really kill it, you'll kill it... But how is it possible?
Killed Fan Hu who turned back to Qi County, what did Fan Bao say?What did the two brothers say about the soldiers from Qijun brought in from the beginning?What about the other soldiers from Qi County who were excited about the return of the army?If these people know that Fan Hu was punished by the military law for taking them home to suppress the rebellion, what will happen to this army that has been established for a year and has made great achievements in battle?
What happened next fully demonstrated the unexpectedness of war and the instability of people's hearts in troubled times.

After Fan Hu braved the rain and mud in May and quickly returned to Qi County along the Jishui Channel, the entire Qi County was caught off guard, and when he led his troops straight to the city of Qi County, the rebel Zuo Xiaoyou in the city unexpectedly surrendered. up.

But at this time, with the news of Yuncheng's success, Fan Hu, who had just settled down and cleaned up most of Qi County, became a little fearful and frightened.In the end, it was Zhang Changgong who took advantage of the opportunity of the retreating dragon army to go to Qi County in person with Zhang Xuguo's letter promising not to pursue the case, half forced and half ordered by the army, and returned immediately with Fan Hu.

At this time, an important remnant of Zuo Xiaoyou's party, that is, the bandit leader surnamed Zuo who sent troops from Langya into Qi County, was not suppressed at all, and even stayed in a county in the southeast of Qi County without moving.

In other words, while the Dragon Gang lost Yuncheng and fell into a comprehensive strategic passivity, the actions of Zhang Xuguo, the armed group in the east of the Wei Dynasty, were a process based on the high-level fear of conflict, mutiny, and rebellion, rather than A process that measures the success and thoroughness of military operations.

However, from an outsider's point of view, it seems that it is just a matter of military affairs.

Things seem to have eased up to this point.And at this time, Uncle Cao, who had hoped that the situation in the east would be safe and secure because of Zhang Xuguo's capture of Yuncheng, also sent someone to tell the whole plan.

In fact, what's the point of asking it out?

Uncle Cao's strategy is self-evident. Zhang Xuguo, Han Yingong, and Qu Tuda are encircling and suppressing from three sides. As long as the three join forces in Dongjun or Jiyin, the Dragon Gang will naturally collapse and fall apart. Some people will do nothing but be blind The way to go.And the Eastern Territory, which was the most lawless before, will completely reverse the situation.

At the same time, Zhang Xuguo's department will also receive [-] warriors from the Eastern Capital as supplements, as well as countless grain and other supplies from Luokou Cang and Liyang Cang.Zhang Xuguo himself will also lead the general guard of Qi County from the general commander of the eastern border to the general guard of Xingyang, and add a general of the guard.

Uncle Cao was so eager to obtain such a loyal Kansai Lao Ge and such a team of native soldiers from the Eastern Region who were good at fighting.He and Zhang Xuguo are really a match made in heaven, which is a comprehensive complementarity in politics and military affairs.

At that time, with the addition of Han Yingong's garrison in Tongguan and Qu Tuda's garrison in Jijun, not to mention the Eastern Capital, the situation in the entire Wei Dynasty will be reversed to a certain extent.

Even people who don't have any strategic vision can basically realize how important the strategic significance of letting Zhang Xuguo go west to join forces.

The situation has returned to a certain level, and the high-level military discussions no longer need to hide the truth from many surrendered generals, so Zhang Xuguo hosted a banquet on this day, and there were about seventeen or eight people sitting under him, all of whom came to listen to General Manager Zhang talking about the situation .

But I don't know why, these people listened to Zhang Xuguo's slightly excited explanation, but they were all silent, which made Zhang Xuguo, who was in desperate need of support, fall into a certain embarrassment.

"Since everyone doesn't say it, let me say it." The one who broke the silence was surprisingly drunk, but it seemed that Fan Bao hadn't drunk too much just now. "Mr. Zhang, we came here because we were worried that you were besieged in Yuncheng. Now that we have come back to drive away the members of the Dragon Gang, shouldn't we go back to Qi County to clean up the situation? Why do we have to go west in this weather?" Woolen cloth?"

"Lieutenant Fan, this is the imperial court's plan." Zhang Xuguo patiently explained. "We must distinguish between serious and serious."

"Is it the same imperial plan as the Three Conquests of Dongyi?" Fan Bao smiled directly in the audience.

Zhang Xuguo was slightly taken aback, speechless on the spot.

"Fan's second child." Yu Baimei finally couldn't stand it anymore, so she responded coldly on the opposite side. "Why are you pretending to be confused? Why did Mr. Zhang feel sorry for your Fan family? Your brothers were originally powerful and powerful in a county, relying on Jishui to do things that don't distinguish between black and white. Now one is a general of Zhonglang and the other is a captain. Shouldn’t we be grateful for the court and Duke Zhang’s kindness? Just because our village was taken down once, there’s no end to it, right?”

Fan Bao looked at the other party with a sneer and was about to explode.

But Fan Hu said before his younger brother: "General Yu is right. In fact, I, Fan Hu, have never forgotten Zhang Gong's kindness."

Yu Baimei was about to wait for the next article, but found that the other party stopped talking after only this one word, and was at a loss for a while.

But at the same time, Zhang Xuguo became serious instead: "Fan Hu, the court's kindness must not be forgotten!"

"Dare to ask Mr. Zhang, which court's kindness can't be forgotten?" Fan Hu, who was sitting first on the right, paused for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to look at his benefactor. "Jiangdu or Dongdu?"

"We don't need to get involved in the matters above." Zhang Xuguo also became more serious. "After all, it's Da Wei's kindness."

Fan Hu sneered and kept silent.

At this time, everyone had already understood what Fan Hu meant. This army was essentially Qilu soldiers recruited and established by Zhang Xuguo as the leader. In addition, Zhang Xuguo was able to win battles and bring officials to his subordinates. And actually expand the territory and number of this army, everyone is naturally willing to obey him.

As for the righteousness of the court, it would be ridiculous to expect people here in the Eastern Territory to be grateful to the Great Wei court.

To put it bluntly, if Zhang Xuguo hadn't happened to be in Qi County, the Fan brothers would either have raised their own flags like the Meng brothers, or they would have become the backbone of the Dragon Gang like their acquaintance Cheng Dalang.

"General Fan." Zhang Changgong, who was wearing a mask, also tried to explain and ease after a little hesitation. For him, this was something that he had to work hard to do. "I don't know anything else, but I'm just talking about the pros and cons. If we go west and help Dongdu open up the situation in Wei, it will only be a matter of time before Qi County becomes stable in the future; but if we go back to the east, even if we Qi County has been stabilized for a while, but if we let the Dismissing Dragon Gang ignore it, they will fight back sooner or later, but Qi County will still be in chaos."

Fan Hu seemed to be afraid of Zhang Changgong, so he just kept his head down and drank without saying a word.

And Fan Bao, who was suppressed by his elder brother before, finally couldn't help getting angry: "In the final analysis, what does the situation in Wei have to do with us Qijun children?! Even if you want to get promoted and get rich, you should go back and clean up your hometown first. go?"

Zhang Changgong was taken aback, for a moment he didn't know how to deal with it.

It was Yu Baimei, who dropped the cup on the spot: "Fan Bao! Your brothers have repeatedly declined here, do you still want to violate the military order again and do things on your own? Do you think your brothers survived last time? Don’t dare to touch you? So you’re unscrupulous, right?!”

When the matter came to this point, everyone sitting here became awed, because the matter was too sensitive, and most of the people were involved in it.

Sure enough, before Fan Hu could speak again, Fan Bao's veins were already showing, and he almost got up and pointed at the other party and yelled: "Yu! The people of Qi County raised our troops to defend our hometown from bandits. Why are you court lackeys working so hard for the Wei court!"

"presumptuous!"

Just when Yu Baimei was about to get angry, and when Fan Hu was about to get up, Zhang Xuguo suddenly roared and slapped the table. "Qi County is the Qi County of the imperial court, and here are all the officers and soldiers of the imperial court! No one is a running dog of the imperial court, they are all pillars of the imperial court! If you refuse to accept this, then you are the enemy! Drag Fan Bao down, Twenty sticks! Resign from the post of captain and be demoted to captain! Zhang Changgong, take him out to be imprisoned!"

Zhang Changgong stood up immediately as if he had won the backbone, and dragged the strong Fan Bao out from the banquet with one hand, but Fan Bao didn't dare to resist at all, and let the other party drag him out.

That way, it's as easy as an adult carrying a baby.

After a while, the sound of execution outside the hall sounded, but Fan Bao just remained silent, and everyone else in the hall, either staring straight away or sitting upright, was also silent.

The atmosphere is terrible.

At this moment, Zhang Xuguo squinted his eyes and looked at the expressionless Fan Hu. That look seemed to be both warning and pleading.

After finishing playing twenty boards, before Fan Bao was dragged in, Fan Hu finally got up, and took advantage of this gap to bow down in the hall: "Boss Zhang."

Zhang Xuguo sighed, and said solemnly, "General Fan."

"My younger brother is stubborn, my subordinates are unruly, and the morale of the army is in turmoil. They are all my responsibility." Fan Hu kowtowed. "Please forgive me, Mr. Zhang."

"They're all from my own family, how could I not understand?" Zhang Xuguo answered quickly.

"We have never forgotten the kindness of Mr. Zhang, but the morale of the army is weak. Everyone wants to return to the east and hates fighting. It is true. Please give me three days, Mr. Zhang, to persuade the subordinates and appease the morale of the army, and then pursue Go west." Fan Hu continued to kowtow.

"It's raining constantly, the roads are muddy, and supplies are difficult. It takes time to prepare, and I'll be with you for five days." Zhang Xuguo felt relieved, and quickly looked around. "That's what it means to you, don't delay."

Yu Baimei and the others got up quickly, but they were divided into two in a hurry. The locals of Qi County and the surrendered generals followed Fan Hu's example and bowed down, while Yu Baimei and other foreign officials just bowed their hands...Of course, consciousness When something was wrong, Zhang Xuguo immediately avoided the table and came to help Fan Hu in person to appease him.

The banquet on that day was a happy return.

Besides, Zhang Xuguo, Li Shu, and even Han Yingong and Qu Tuda earlier had made decisions and actions, and Zhang Xing was not idle. He arrived at noon on the next day, that is, May [-]st Bai Yousi.

Although the sky was overcast, Bai Yousi's arrival in the sky during the day caused the Chulong Gang in Jiyin City to tremble for a while.

The two met inside the backyard gate, and there was no time for extra words, so Zhang Xing summarized the current situation and some of his own judgments and made a report.

Bai Yousi, who was standing on the threshold with his long sword in his arms, immediately understood: "Sanlang, do you already have an idea?"

"Yes." Zhang Xing answered frankly. "I already have an idea, but I have to wait for you to arrive before I can muster up the courage to make a decision. When you come, I don't need to use any compass to ask my heart!"

"You can keep that thing and try it when we are at the end of our rope!" Bai Yousi said sharply. "And since I have an idea, I'm here again, you just make a decision, you just say, what are you going to do, and what do you want me to do?"

"I want to fight a battle, and I won't be reconciled if I don't fight a battle. I want you to fight this battle with me." Zhang Xing responded decisively. "But before that, I want you to go to Mangdang Mountain first and tell Wang Zhen that I will send him a daily letter telling him to make preparations for medium and long-distance support and to be ready to support at any time... When the matter is settled, Come find me on the Eastern Front."

"Okay." Bai Yousi nodded. "Xiao Zhou was brought out of Jiangdu by me, and he is rushing here on horseback, maybe he can still catch up...I will go to Wang Zhen now, and then I will come back to you."

As he said that, he turned around and jumped away again before he even sat down.

After Bai Yousi left, Zhang Xing was completely relieved, and he also walked out of the room to the courtyard, but only set up a chair in the gloomy weather, and then sat there waiting for others.

Sure enough, in a short while, Wei Xuanding, Jia Yue, Yan Qing, Zhang Jinshu and others who were alarmed by Bai Yousi arrived first, but the latter two were asked to call for someone... Jiyin, as the original core garrison point on the western front, was There are many core members of the gang here, plus many so-called backbone members of the gang who stayed here after retreating from the south. There are no fewer than a hundred people in total, and they flock to the backyard of the county mansion.

There are even idlers like Zhang Daxuan who come in, but they just look at it from a distance with their arms in their arms.

"I've made up my mind. No matter what, I must first respond to everyone on the eastern front to prevent them from collapsing during their retreat. Otherwise, everything will be false." Zhang Xing looked around, just stayed still in his seat, but said something unexpected, But it's not too unexpected, because in the previous few days of debate, all plans have been discussed. "And Xu, Niu, and the sub-helms of the counties gave an order to send troops to the east immediately, and at the same time organize logistics transfers to respond."

It may be that the battle a few days ago seemed a bit powerful, or it may be that the prestige was accumulated by various military and civilian organization measures in the previous year. At this time, Zhang Xing said that he had no intention of discussing with the people around him at all. The backbone of the Xilong gang on the western front also had nothing to say, but bowed their heads and obeyed orders.

Of course, there are still some technical issues that need to be clarified.

"Da Longtou, will Jiyin also send troops to the east?" Daoist Wei asked cautiously.

"It's natural." Zhang Xing answered calmly. "I will lead the troops myself, and you will be in charge of the transport logistics. Let's set off together."

Wei Xuanding nodded, and couldn't help but ask again: "How many people do you want to bring here to Jiyin?"

"All." Zhang Xing replied simply.

The chief of the Chulong gang nodded, and then froze on the spot.

And Zhang Xing also continued to order: "Everyone go, this time just in case, no white clothes will rush against the iron armor, all people with cultivation must first get a pair of armor to put on, and they must be ordered not to take off the armor. Going right now."

In the end, the person had already stood up, and at this time, the rain began to rain again.

Zhang Dalong glanced at the top of his head, and added something to Chief Wei who was still in a daze: "Open the inventory, and chop up all the silk that was brought from the queen before, no matter good or bad, with a knife, and make a temporary cloak for everyone. , so as not to damage the armor."

Wei Xuanding could only respond.

ps: Good night everyone.

(End of this chapter)