big song poppi

Chapter 61 0059 [Fleeing Army]

Xiaowang Village is not far from Songshan Ridge, only ten miles away.

But these ten miles are separated by several mountains.

After walking a few miles along the loess path, under the leadership of Yuan Chuliu, they plunged into the mountains.

The mountains are rough and difficult to walk, and they arrived at Songshan Ridge at noon.

Turning his head, seeing that everyone was panting tiredly, Han Zhen encouraged him: "Keep up, wait until you enter the secret passage before resting."

They were pressed for time and had to be seated before the county government attacked the cottage.

And there are bandits' secret whistles all over the foot of the mountain. If they stay too long, there is a risk of exposure.

Hearing this, everyone had no choice but to walk forward with heavy steps, one step deep and one step shallow.

It has to be said that the location of Shibao's cottage is well chosen.

The whole mountain is not high, about 300 meters, but it is extremely steep.

Especially the side of Shanyin can be called a cliff.

After going around to the back of the mountain, everyone climbed halfway up the mountain, only to see Yuan Chuliu approaching a pile of rocks with ease, pushed aside a clump of bushes, and nimbly burrowed into the crevice of the rock.

The stone crevice was extremely narrow, and only about ten meters long, and there was a huge boulder at the end, no matter how you looked at it, it was a dead end.

After Yuan Chuliu entered the stone crevice, he came to the end in three or two steps, waved at them, and then disappeared.

Han Zhen held the horse horizontally and squeezed sideways into the crevice of the stone.

He had a strong body and was wearing bamboo armor at the moment, so he got stuck within two steps.

In desperation, Han Zhen had no choice but to back out. After taking off the bamboo armor on his body, he barely squeezed in.

Walking to the end, turning a corner, the eyes suddenly opened up.

In a daze, Han Zhen couldn't help thinking of An Niang, but there were some similarities between the two.

A group of people followed behind Yuan Chuliu, constantly shuttling through the cracks in the rocks.

Finally, they came to a small valley.

The small valley is really small, less than fifty square meters, and a field has been reclaimed in the middle, with three rows of wheat and soybeans planted.

It seems to be neglected, the weeds in the field are more lush than the wheat, and it is estimated that it is enough to collect a bucket of grain.

"Rest in place."

Han Zhen inspected the circle and ordered.

As soon as the words fell, everyone let out a long sigh of relief and sat down on the ground together.

Seeing this, Han Zhen shook his head secretly.

After taking Songshan Ridge, they have to train their physical fitness well.

Taking out the kettle on his waist and pouring a big mouthful of water, Han Zhen asked, "How far is it from the cottage now?"

Yuan Chuliu tried his best to swallow the pancake in his mouth, and replied truthfully: "It's not far, the cottage is just ahead."

"Ok!"

Han Zhen nodded, stopped talking, but took out the pancakes in his arms and ate them silently.

……

……

To the southwest at the foot of Songshan Ridge, there is a mountain stream.

In the jungle beside the mountain stream, there are more than a dozen wooden houses.

In the simple stables, more than a dozen tall horses are leisurely eating the young grass leaves in the manger.

In a wooden house, a group of strong men were sitting around.

These eighteen strong men had blue tattoos engraved on their foreheads or cheeks.

Obviously, this is a group of deserters.

One of them said, "Brother, what's the plan of this thief surnamed Shi?"

The person called Big Brother is a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and a good-natured temperament, like an old farmer.

This person is Wei Da who was selling horses in the county some time ago.

But there was no tattoo on his face.

Not all soldiers in the Northern Song Dynasty had tattoos on their faces. For those good sons who volunteered to serve the country, the army would respect them and engrave tattoos on their arms or shoulders.

For example, Han Shizhong and Yue Fei have no tattoos on their faces.

Wei Da pondered and said: "I have been rejected time and time again during this period, and now I am suddenly calling us to the banquet, I am afraid it is out of good intentions."

"Then shall we go or not?"

A man sitting next to Wei Da asked.

"go with!"

A cunning flashed in Wei Da's eyes that didn't match his temperament, and he said in a low voice: "Our brothers hide the weapons well, so it's fine if Shi Bao has no malicious intentions. If he wants to attack us, he will kill him."

As the most powerful Western Army in the Northern Song Dynasty, they naturally had arrogance in their hearts.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have rejected Shi Bao's solicitation over and over again.

To put it bluntly, they looked down on these bandits.

But arrogance cannot be eaten.

As deserters, they couldn't find a livelihood, and they couldn't bear to engage in robbing houses, so life for Wei Da and his group was not easy.

Some time ago, I couldn't hold on any longer, so I had to reluctantly sell a war horse for 25 coins.

But although 25 guan is a lot of money, it can't stand a dozen strong men sitting and eating.

In addition, raising war horses is also a big expense. A large basin of salt water is served every day, and a meal of refined grains is required every three days, which costs more than them.

At this moment, a strong-faced man with a rough square face said fiercely, "Brother, why don't we just stop at nothing and take the opportunity to kill that stone treasure and seize the cottage. With the help of those escaped households in farming, we will be able to live without looting from now on."

Hearing this, Wei scolded angrily: "Although Shi Bao is a bandit, he still treats us courteously, how can he repay kindness and revenge."

"..."

The square-faced man moved his lips, and finally bowed his head in silence, but his eyes were full of unwillingness.

Their eldest brother is good at everything, but he is a bit too benevolent.

But it was also because of this that they followed him willingly.

"Don't bring this up again."

Wei Da's expression softened, and he ordered: "However, you must be on guard against others. Brothers, keep your knives close to your body and hide them. You two, Xiao Wu and Lao Jiu, stay and take care of the horses. The others follow me up the mountain."

……

……

within the county.

More than 400 people gathered in front of the county government office.

Among them, 100 were archers, and the rest were rural soldiers.

Village soldiers are not military, but village braves. The difference between them and archers is that they don't need to be government servants on weekdays.

Every year during the slack season, the government will gather them together to practice for a few days.

At other times, it is no different from farmers.

But when it comes to war, they will be called up.

Although Changzhi County is greedy for money, he is not stingy, and he will give no less money.

At this moment, he was instructing Liu Yong to distribute money to these archers and village soldiers.

Five hundred wen per person, and if unfortunately died in battle, there will be a pension.

Sure enough, as the reward money was distributed, more than 400 people immediately changed their lazy appearance and became full of energy.

Two years ago, the previous magistrate also summoned them to suppress the bandits, but they did not give any rewards.

All of a sudden, this group of archers and soldiers had a great impression of Changzhi County.

After the money was distributed, Chang Zhixian said loudly: "The reward has been distributed, everyone should do their best to destroy the thief."

"Yes!"

There were uneven responses from the crowd.

Changzhi County caressed his beard and said meaningfully: "Liu Yong, the heavy responsibility of suppressing the bandits is entrusted to you. Don't let the county down."

"Subordinates must do their best!"

Liu Yong bowed his body and clasped his fists. When Changzhi County turned around and entered the county government office, he put his hands on his hips and said sharply, "Let me head to Jiazhangku to get weapons!"

Jiazhangku is the arsenal, located on the left side of the county government.

After opening the door, a decaying smell came to the nostrils.

There are quite a few weapons in the warehouse, but most of them are rusted and damaged because no one maintains them.

The wooden shaft of the spear is covered with holes eaten by moths, and the tip of the spear is full of rust. The probability of death from tetanus is much higher than that of direct stabbing.

Every year, the imperial court allocates special funds to the arsenals of the states and counties for maintenance and weapon construction.

Although Master Xu is greedy, if he is greedy for the appropriation of the ink arsenal, it would be really unfair to him.

Because the money was withheld from top to bottom by the Ministry of Household Affairs, the transit envoy, and the state government, and when it was in the hands of Master Xu, there was not much left.

He just wanted to be greedy, and he didn't have that chance.

A village soldier picked up a long spear and swung it vigorously, then heard a crackling sound, and the long pole broke from it.

"This... Liu Dutou, these weapons are useless!"

Liu Yong scolded: "What are you talking about, pick the good ones."

Hearing this, the village soldier suddenly couldn't laugh or cry.

How can this be good?

(End of this chapter)