Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 6 Lanti Golden Terrace (4)

Liu Qutong, the commander of Xuande Army, had a strange attitude towards Chengying Camp.Both scruples and arrogance.Usually he never asked Zhao Xingde to go to discuss matters, he only notified the time to pull out the camp, and did not disclose the destination, he only asked Chengying Camp to follow Xuande's army.However, along the way north, some officers of the Xuande Army also hang out with the Chengying Camp, occasionally revealing some details about the Xuande Army.

"Brother Zhao's men are strong and powerful, and they are not ordinary thieves, right?" Wu Yirou, the secretary in charge of the Xuande Army, tentatively asked.Liu Qutong avoided seeing Zhao Xingde, and all the contacts in the army were through this person.On the contrary, he seemed to be a little concerned. Every time he finished his serious business, he had to stay for a while.

Zhao Xingde gently turned the wine glass, smiled without saying a word, he gradually guessed Liu Qutong's intentions, it was nothing more than leaving a way out for the future, but he didn't want to get involved too deeply, if his deeds were exposed, this person might be If you turn your face, you will take your own head to ask for credit from the Liao court.It remains to be seen whether these military officers' private temptations and contacts were ordered by Liu Qutong or for other reasons.

Seeing that Zhao Xingde didn't take over this, Jin Changtai held up the wine bowl and said respectfully: "We are originally a dealer in this branch, and we have no choice but to do this business of 'licking' blood with knives. The wandering people in the rivers and lakes still need General Wu." Take care."

Wu Yirou gave a dry laugh, raised the wine bowl to touch him, and said in a low voice, "Brother Jin, why bother seeing outsiders, if it's a thieves, I'm afraid the brothers who run to the women's camp every night will not be able to break the thread, right?" .Anyone can guess that you also eat military rations?" He looked eagerly at the opposite side, as if he really hoped that Zhao Xingde would admit it straight away.

"The head of the family controls the brothers too strictly." Jin Changtai slapped his thigh, as if he was using the situation to complain, "Brothers fight every day, and they still have to abide by these rules and regulations. Guanjun," he suddenly looked at Wu Yiju with his eyes brightened and said, "Brother Wu, why don't you find us a way and let the brothers be recruited."

Wu Yirou saw that the look on Jin Changtai's face did not seem to be fake, so he couldn't help but doubt himself, and laughed at himself, "So what if it's Xia people, Khitan people don't treat Han'er as inferior people, and Song people treat Han'er as inferior people." As Liao people, I thought it would be different, it seems that I was very wrong." He raised the wine bowl, disrespecting the other person, drank it by himself, stood up and said goodbye, and left the camp, suddenly feeling sad Come on, let out a loud 'chant' and say: "I did nothing at the beginning of my life, and Han Zuo declined after I was born..."

Looking at Wu Yirou's staggering back, Jin Changtai sighed in a low voice: "It's a pity."

"Recruiting surrender and accepting rebellion is the business of the Military Intelligence Department." Zhao Xingde said in a deep voice, "Recruit a few centurions, and everyone will have a briefing on the situation of the Xuande Army." There was a vague feeling in his heart However, it needs confirmation from other centurions.Not long after, all the centurion commanders came to Zhao Xingde's tent, each talking about their contact with Xuande's army.

"As long as you give the guard a few coins, you can enter the women's camp. You can bring two pieces of steamed buns, which is enough to find a good-looking one." Wang Tongdeng said with a grin. But meat and vegetables can't help it.As he spoke, he cut a piece of lamb leg with a knife and put it in his mouth. He tsk-tsk praised, "It's still delicious from the big head's tent." He poured another sip of butter milk tea. It seems that he is getting more and more involved in the show.

"If you're not afraid of getting sick, go ahead," Zhao Xingde said with a smile, "I'll let you talk about the situation of the Xuande Army. What are you doing talking about?" He stared at the map, and the location of the Xuande Army happened to be in Datong Mansion, Xijing, Liao Kingdom. To the north, if Datong is the gateway to the Central Plains, then the Xuande Army is the porch extending to the grassland. This Han army was placed in Xuande, with its back against the Datong Mansion in Xijing, which was heavily guarded by the Liao Kingdom, and it was cut off from the Central Plains. It is also suitable for checking and balancing grassland tribes.Zhao Xingde was in a trance for a while, remembering that there are also iron mines in this area, but the grade of the ore is a bit low, which means that the weapons and armor of these Han troops also depend on the supplies of the Liao Dynasty court.

"I heard that most of the women this time came from decent families," Wang Tongdeng muttered vaguely, biting the mutton in his mouth, "this time they are sold to a big tribe on the grassland that needs women, Liu Qutong It seems that they attach great importance to this tribe, and they personally told the merchants not to bring in prostitutes to make up for it. Instead of taking advantage of the Khitan bastard, it is better to exchange some war horses and get another ally."

Tang Qi said in a deep voice, "The Khitan people have caused anger and resentment in the past two years. Some brothers and sisters in the Han army's family were also forcibly classified as slaves in the Khitan tribe. Yelu Dashi either reduced or laid off the Han army, and the rest They also called out important towns and famous cities, stationed in desolate places and slowly consumed them, and now everyone in the Han army camp is in danger and is trying to fend for itself."

"Yes," the centurion Chashen sighed, "Now the Khitans are only soldiers, and the Han slaves have to pay taxes to the Khitans. Except for the remaining Han soldiers, it is said that Liu Qutong will be given the surname Yelu Now, all the Han soldiers under his command are counted as members of his clan." Hearing this, Wang Tongdeng scolded, "It's his 'grandma', we have been promoted to sergeants and have worked hard for ten years. They Khitan Why is a person born to be a soldier?" Zhao Xingde smiled unconsciously, and then became a little heavy. In the Kanto, there is a saying that a good man should not be a soldier. The world is troubled, but the Central Plains is still intoxicated by the fragrance of clothes in a dream.

Zhao Xingde frowned, it seemed that this Liu Qutong was not only on two boats, but also cunning, he turned his head and asked others: "What else can you find out?"

Jian Cheng said: "A few officers privately tried to see if we belonged to the Xia Kingdom, and if so, they were willing to bring troops to join us here." He paused, and said angrily: "This Xuande Army Jiedu made Liu Qutong a minion , Instead of thinking about fighting back, he went against the grain and sold a woman from a good family to the barbarians, it is really hateful!" He shook his head and said, "Even the officers of the Han army are very contemptuous, and they even complained to me in private."

"Be careful," Zhao Xingde said in a deep voice with condensed eyes, "It may be that there is some deal between the Military Intelligence Department and Liu Qutong. He is worried and deliberately ordered the officers under his command to test us." With an expression of disbelief, Zhao Xingde said again, "Liu Qutong has done so many things like this. He can always lead the army under his command and come in and out freely. Can he be Mr. Daode?"

"Oh?" Jian Cheng suddenly realized, he slapped the table, and cursed, "These bastards, sons of turtles, really pretend!"

Zhao Xingde shook his head and sighed: "Perhaps on the battlefield, these people are far inferior to our battalion, but when it comes to intrigue and deceit, they can be regarded as experts. These days, everyone should be more vigilant, listen more and speak less. Don't fall into their trap." He paused for a moment, then said, "The Khitan people are going against the grain, and there must be some in the Han army who are filled with righteous indignation, but since Liu Qutong can even do human trafficking, Naturally, his confidant officers will not be such people."

Jin Changtai said slowly: "The Liao people seem to be very afraid of that tribe on the grassland. Although they seem to be enthusiastic about supplying food, fodder and weapons, the quantity is strictly limited. That's why the tribe promised a lot of money to get supplies from Liu Qutong. , and Liu Qutong himself is also in short supply, and most of these supplies were smuggled out of Hedong."

"Oh?" Zhao Xingde murmured, and he drew an arc slowly along the Xuande Army, which happened to be a piece of grassland newly harvested by Xia Guo. "This is important news. When we meet the next spy from the Military Intelligence Department, Report this news back." After everyone finished speaking, he stretched his brows and said slowly: "These generals of the Han army came to confess their sincerity in private, and they don't know the truth. Everyone's kind words are comforting, don't take it. Self-confessed identity, don't promise anything casually, everything will be decided by the military intelligence department. Liu Qutong must have his means to lead an army alone. He put on airs, but let the officers under him contact us. Why, but there must be weirdness, we'd better not act rashly."