Datang New Order

Li Chengzhong listened to Wang Dalang's accusation against Xie Li in the cave, but Xie Li didn't show up, and when he came back, he went to his small cave and didn't show up, only Wang Dalang was left here angrily berating Xie Li.

Li Chengzhong didn't pay too much attention to Wang Dalang's accusation. He focused on two aspects.

The first aspect is: "Is the instructor in Xieli teaching with all his heart? Is there any thought of running away?" Wang Dalang thought about this question for a moment, and answered honestly: "The instructor is very attentive and taught a lot. The brothers have learned a lot. Big. I deliberately left some opportunities for the instructor along the way, and I didn’t see him tempted to escape.”

The second aspect is: "How many Khitan guards are there in that winter camp? Are there other Khitan supporters around? How far is it from White Wolf Mountain?" Wang Dalang replied: "I don't see how many Khitan guards are there, but Many Han people were found working outside the camp. No other Khitan camps were found within at least ten miles around. This camp is not too far from the pass of the back mountain of Bailang Mountain. It takes about an hour to ride a horse and half a day to walk.”

After Li Chengzhong finished listening, he paced back and forth in the cave, thinking for a while.Throughout the winter, Li Chengzhong's troops did not take a single step towards White Wolf Mountain, so he judged that this was not a bait for the Khitans.The range of the Khitan's rangers is concentrated on the Bailang Mountain Pass in the south, and they don't know about the small road leading to the north from the back mountain. Coupled with Li Chengzhong's defensive strategy of retreating, the Khitan people are too careless and slack in guarding the winter camp On the contrary, the possibility is very high, and this is also a very good opportunity to attack.As for the cattle and sheep in the camp that Wang Dalang described as "hordes" and "innumerable", Li Chengzhong was also jealous, more so than Wang Dalang!

"Assemble the whole battalion and prepare to attack!" Li Chengzhong was cruel, gritted his teeth and issued an order.

Wang Dalang lifted his spirits, and then asked again: "Then explain..."

Li Chengzhong said: "Take your time, change places, we will do the same, there is nothing wrong with it."

……

Xie Li returned to his cave dwelling, lying on the haystack with his eyes open in a daze.The explanation he gave to Wang Dalang seemed high-sounding, but in fact it was so unscrupulous that even he himself felt that it was unreasonable.Therefore, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Li Chengzhong would not let go of his "betrayal" behavior and would probably fire him.It doesn't matter if you go back to doing those physical tasks by yourself, the big deal is to eat less, but what about women and children?

Moreover, is he really "betrayed"?What exactly is "betrayal"?

Xie Li remembered that Feng Sishi specifically said in his class that one must be "benevolent, righteous, courteous, wise and trustworthy."Since Xie Li learned this word, he has followed the meaning of this word in White Wolf Mountain. He helps others in labor and cares for those weak in life, especially the woman and her two children... Thinking of that Woman, Xie Li's face felt a little hot.

Those who are righteous must act fairly and reasonably, and fulfill their due responsibilities.At this point, Xie Li also felt that he had not missed anything.He never spared any effort in labor, and he got as many work points as he did, and as many work points as he had, he would exchange for as much food.In the training of soldiers, he was never lazy, never sloppy, conscientious and conscientious, fully worthy of the work points he earned.

Leaving aside etiquette and wisdom, the meanings of these two words are too complicated, and Xie Li is still pondering and learning, but how can the word "faith" be considered a letter?According to the agreement between him and Li Chengzhong, since he promised to train these soldiers well, he will definitely fulfill this promise, and he did the same.This time he went to practice outside the mountains, he had many chances to escape, but when he thought of his promise, Xie Li gave up the idea of ​​running away.He wants to be an upright man and a gentleman who strictly abides by his faith. …,

Before today, Xie Li always thought that he was doing a good job, but now everything has changed. Does not letting the scouts attack the tribe's camp violate the principles of life taught by Feng Sishi?

Xie Li knew about the dire situation in White Wolf Mountain, and when he saw the cattle and sheep in the camp, Xie Li was also jealous.If the cattle and sheep could be brought back to the mountains, the people would not have to worry about food and clothing, and the woman and her two children would be able to live a good life.Xie Li felt that as a Khitan with Han blood on his hands, it was not easy to gain the understanding of the Han people and the approval of that woman. Some people call him "Uncle Xie Li", and even when he is moved, he will feel uneasy and guilty from the bottom of his heart.

Xie Li sighed deeply when he thought of the people who treated him kindly, and those soldiers who respected him and obeyed his orders.

But... can he swing a knife at his own people?

Xie Li's mind was in a mess, he didn't know what to do.After thinking for a while, he decided to look for Feng Sishi. Feng Sishi is a man of great learning and knows a lot.Since Xie Li listened to Feng Sishi's class, he felt that his world had opened up, his land had expanded, and he knew a lot more than before.At this moment of depression and loss of direction, he wanted to seek a reasonable answer from Feng Sishi.

Xie Li left his own cave, but heard a rush of wooden whistles, and saw soldiers flashing out of the cave, and soon assembled into a neat formation in the school grounds, everyone holding sharp knives and fully equipped.Xie Li's heart tightened, and he didn't bother to look for Feng Sishi, so he rushed to the side of the school field and found Li Chengzhong.

"My lord, is this going to..." Xie Li bit the bullet and asked, in fact, he had already expected it. The title "Adult" means "father" in the Central Plains, but on the grassland, it is a title for powerful nobles. Since Xie Li served as the archery and riding instructor of the former camp, he has been following the It is the custom of the grassland to address Li Chengzhong.

"Go to Caogu." Li Chengzhong didn't shy away from it, and explained to Xie Li with a smile.

Xie Li was very clear about the meaning of "strike the grass valley". This has always been the way the Khitan ministries used it to plunder externally. Hearing Li Chengzhong use this word to answer himself, Xie Li couldn't help being embarrassed.After the embarrassment, there was another silence.After a moment of silence, Xie Li murmured: "My lord, I didn't order the scouts to attack the product department's camp today..."

Li Chengzhong said: "It's okay. You don't have to worry too much. After all, you are a Khitan. It is already very good to help me train soldiers to resist foreign aggression. It is really difficult for you to swing a knife at your own clan. You don't have to do anything." Fear and restlessness, the Khitans will attack us again in the future, kill our people, rob our property, and plunder our women... I also license you not to participate in the battle. You don't have to worry that I will punish you. I will never withhold the work points that I should get for training soldiers."

The tone of these words was flat, but Xie Li's face was hot when he said it. He was a little ashamed, but he was relieved, and he had no excuses.After a little hesitation, he boldly asked, "Your Excellency leading the troops...can you reduce...the killing?" After asking, he felt ashamed and lowered his head, not daring to look at Li Chengzhong.

Li Chengzhong smiled and said: "I promise you, as long as you put down your weapon, you will not be killed!"

Unexpectedly, this "wolf demon" in his mind was so tolerant to him now, and even agreed to such a rude and harsh request. Xie Li was stunned for a moment, a little unbelievable.

I just heard Li Chengzhong say again: "I'm afraid they won't understand my words and resist desperately... Also, if the camp's security guards and sentries are alarmed before the attack, it will be difficult to say at that time. I don't know the effect of your teaching these days How, can these soldiers under my command fight you Khitan? How many people will come back alive after this attack? Sigh..."...,

Listening to Li Chengzhong's words and looking at the soldiers standing in front of him, Xie Li struggled for a moment, took a deep breath, and said loudly, "My lord, I...take me."

Li Chengzhong turned his head to look at Xie Li for a while, and said with a smile, "Okay!" Before Xie Li could speak, he suddenly straightened his face and ordered, "Instructor Xie Li, the scout team is under your command now. Cavalry and vigilance, second, cover the battlefield before attacking, third, lead the team to chase and flee the enemy when necessary, and fourth, stand behind and block when returning."

Xie Li originally only thought of the time to come up with ideas from the sidelines. Since the dispatch of troops is inevitable, he should help Li Chengzhong take the camp smoothly and minimize some casualties, including the casualties of the former battalion soldiers and the Khitan people. It was a repayment of Li Chengzhong's generosity.He didn't expect to shoulder such a heavy responsibility at all, and this "adult" trusted him so much, he suddenly felt that he couldn't repay him, and even his breathing was a little difficult.

Li Chengzhong waited for the soldiers from the front battalion to assemble, and said loudly: "Brothers, the Chinese New Year is only two days away. I promised everyone before that on the night of the New Year's Eve, a bonfire feast will be held in the school grounds, and the soldiers and civilians will have fun together. Brothers We should all remember..."

Speaking of this, the former battalion soldiers in the audience all smiled knowingly.

Li Chengzhong continued: "The idea is good, but the reality is cruel. There is not much food in the mountains, and there is little meat. I originally wanted to go to Pingzhou again to ask for some New Year's food for the brothers. But now It’s impossible to come, the Khitan people have tightened the blockade outside the mountain, our supply lines have been tightly pinched, and the idea of ​​getting food from inside the pass is no longer feasible. Seeing that the Chinese New Year is coming, the brothers have no meat or food in the pot, I can't get over it! Everyone said, what should I do?"

The soldiers in the front battalion were stunned, staring at each other, you look at me, I look at you...

"I thought of a way. Since the Khitans won't allow us to send food in the pass, we'll ask the Khitans for it! If the Khitans don't give it to us, we'll grab it! Aren't the Khitans been beating our Han people's Grass Valley? Let's go too The Grass Valley of the Khitan people!" Li Chengzhong pointed to the soldiers in the audience and shouted loudly, "I don't know if brothers dare to go!"

There was an uproar in the audience, and then everyone shouted in unison: "Dare!"

Li Chengzhong raised his arms and shouted: "No food, no clothes, robbed cattle and sheep to celebrate the New Year!"

……

On December 28, the second year of Guanghua, the front battalion of the Pingzhou Army stationed in Bailang Mountain took the initiative to attack, and went out from the back mountain path to attack a winter camp of Khitan Pinbu's cattle and sheep in the north of the mountain, beheading 24 and capturing 69 The people obtained 120 cattle, more than [-] sheep, and [-] horses.Accompanied by the rescue of more than [-] Han slaves.