country

The majestic Mount Heng stretches along the northern border of Dai County.The Inner Great Wall winding on the top of the mountain is like a jade belt connecting beads, connecting Yanmen Mountain, Mantou Mountain and Caoduo Mountain into one. Yanmen Mountain Ridge.

Yanmen Mountain was called Gouzhu Mountain in ancient times.The peaks here are tall and straight, and the terrain is dangerous.Since the establishment of Yanmen Pass, there has been a trend of "one man guards the pass, and ten thousand men cannot open it". It "strengthens the vassal guard of Datong on the outside, and strengthens the key of Taiyuan on the inside. The root reaches the three passes, and the throat is all Jin."It is said that every spring, the geese fly from the south to the north, hold the reed leaves in their mouths, and fly to the Yanmen Gate to circle for a long time until the leaves fall before they can pass.Therefore, there is a saying that "the geese fly out of Yanmen Mountain".

Yanmen Pass has a circumference of two miles and a height of two feet. It has a stone seat and a brick body, with crenelated battlements as teeth, and three entrances called the East Gate, West Gate, and Xiaobei Gate.A tower is built on the east gate, called Yan Tower, and a stone plaque is embedded on the forehead of the gate, with "Natural Danger" written horizontally.

There is no top floor in Xiaobeimen, but the masonry structure is extraordinarily solid.The three characters "Yanmen Pass" are engraved horizontally on the stone plaque on the front of the gate.Both sides of the cave gate are inlaid with bricks and engraved with regular script Jianlian, "Three passes are unparalleled, and Wansai respects one pass." On the north side of the east gate, there is a "Jingbian Temple" dedicated to Zhao General Li Shou, a military strategist in the Warring States Period.The Guandi Temple is built on the right side outside the west gate.There is a garrison barracks in the north of Guancheng, and a training ground in the southeast.The entire Guancheng building is majestic and majestic.

The so-called "Eight Hundred Li Company Battalion", the garrison barracks at Yanmenguan is not so vast, but there is a Baili Company Battalion. There are tens of thousands of people in the standing army.

On the northern line of the Great Wall, there are a total of six dragon-character generals, and the chief general of Yanmen Pass, although he is the guardian of the pass in name, but children also know that the actual chief guard of the pass is Ouyang Dexiu, the Dragon Meng general.

General Longmeng's prestige in the army is second only to General Tianwei and General Longyi Liu Zizheng. He is proficient in military law, brave in battle, and has surpassed five martial arts martial arts, which makes him have a lofty majesty in the hearts of soldiers.

The guardian of the pass is only a person who is occasionally used to take the blame. As a civil servant, he only deals with the daily life of the border soldiers on weekdays. It is more appropriate to say that he is the minister of logistics. One soldier.

Or, he can only occasionally write some melodies in the dark night, and send his cronies to Kyoto, so that His Majesty the Emperor will not forget that there is such a No. [-] official at the border.

The convoy moved slowly to the camp in the north, and Xue Poye could see the flags fluttering in the camp from a distance, whistling in the cold wind, most of the flags had the word "Chu" written brightly on them.

"My lord, that's where our Great Chu Yanmen garrison is stationed." A Habayashi guard knew that Xue Poye was not very clear about the border affairs, and explained respectfully: "There should be a large area behind the garrison camp." The land is useless in winter, but in the spring and autumn seasons, the border guards will take part of it to cultivate on the spot to supplement food and grass. This is also a rule established by the old general many years ago, just to save some burden for the court. Share your worries for His Majesty the Emperor."

Xue Poye nodded and said: "Looking at the solemn and orderly formation over there, you can tell that the old general has a good command of the army, and he is indeed a giant stone at the border of our Great Chu Kingdom."

Seeing Hu people passing by from time to time on the official road, they seemed to be some small caravans, all going to the territory of Dachu, he couldn't help sighing: "Although Beihu and Dachu are feuds, this private business is still doing very well. .”

Habayashi Wei shook his head and said: "Your Excellency, I don't know. Speaking of it, it's not easy for these Beihu people. They can pass through the pass, but they encountered many dangers along the way. The Hanshui Ancient Ferry and the Qilin Mountains are both owned by large groups." Once the bandits are encountered by them, catastrophe will be imminent. Even if these Beihu merchants enter the pass, the road behind them will not be easy to walk."

"It's not easy to go?" Xue Poye wondered, "How do you say that?"

"Your Excellency, I don't know. For the sake of the local Northern Hu spies, there is a limit on the number of Hu people who enter the customs. No more than 15 people at a time. More than 15 people are not allowed to enter the customs. And When they enter the customs, they will sign the customs documents and enter the territory of Dachu. Every time they pass through a prefecture, county or county, they have to go to the local yamen to sign the report. Only with a seal can they continue to the next prefecture or county. I didn't stamp the seal before, but when I arrived at the state and county that crossed over, the government will check the documents and if there is no seal, they will be arrested as spies." Habayashi Wei calmly said: "That's why my subordinates said that even if they enter It's not easy to go after passing the customs, and there will be people from the government watching along the way."

Xue Poye seemed to understand something, and nodded slowly.

Only now did he understand why Beihu's leather horses were so expensive in the territory of Dachu. The price of a Huma from Beihu to Dachu was more than dozens of times higher, and the price of Dachu's things arrived in Beihu. Hu, is also extremely expensive and extravagant. After all, it is the steepness and difficulties along the way.

If this business route is resolved, the trade volume between the two sides will definitely soar, and the people of the two countries will understand better, thereby resolving some hatred.

It's just that all of this is so slim.

These Beihu people also seemed to be busy with travel and dust, driving a small convoy, and the goods were fur wild ginseng and the like, plus some horses.

Speaking of which, Da Chu was very open-minded about Beihu's trade of horses to the interior. No matter how many horses could be transported to Yanmen Pass, after Xiangjia's questioning and search, almost all of them could enter the pass. The government strictly monitors the movement.

Xue Poye's convoy gradually approached the garrison camp, and even the roar of soldiers practicing could be heard.

"My lord, look?" You Shaoqing who was following the golden lion's eyes lit up, pointed to the front and said, "Someone is coming to welcome us."

Not allowing You Shaoqing to point out, Xue Poye also saw a team approaching. Although they were soldiers from the Beizhen Army of the border guards in iron armor, they were not holding cold gold and iron guns in their hands, but It was Huagu suona, blowing and beating, just like a procession to welcome relatives. In front of everyone, an official dressed as a civil servant was welcoming him with a smile. Xu Decai is waiting for Master Xue to come to Yanmen Pass, Master Xue has traveled thousands of miles to send food, it has been a hard journey, a hard journey!"

Xue Poye saw Xu Decai, the envoy of the Yanmen Township, who was extremely thin and thin, with long pointed cheeks, and did not look like an autumn soldier on the battlefield. Xue Poye couldn't help but secretly sighed in his heart. It was because the officers and soldiers looked down on him that he became so depressed day and night.

Such a person is really not suitable to stay at the border.

He got off his horse and stepped forward, with a smile on his face: "It turned out to be Xu Zhen's envoy, disrespectful and disrespectful. The border guards guard the border land and protect our people. They are all warriors. I just sent some military rations. Talk about it." It’s not about hard work, it’s not about ah.” While speaking, he waved his hands, looking very humble.

Xu Decai's official position was lower than that of Xue Poye's, so he stood aside very humbly, and said respectfully: "My lord, please, a reception banquet has been set up for you."

Xue Poye waved his hand and said, "No rush." ​​Pointing to the convoy behind him, he said, "Master Xu, I have arrived safely with food, grass and military pay, but before the handover, I can't count as completing the errand, haha.... In this way, if Mr. Xu has no objection, please ask Mr. Xu to send grain officials and silver officials to hand over these things first and register them in the register. After Mr. Xu has signed and signed, how about you and I have a few more drinks?"

Xu Decai said in admiration: "Master Xue puts the big things first, which is really admirable. I will send someone to arrange the receipt of food, grass and military pay, and then arrange the board and lodging for everyone. Everything depends on Master Xue's will." Immediately led Xue Poye and the team went straight to the camp.

Although the imperial court took out a sum of money and transported it to the border, but for the hundreds of thousands of border soldiers, it did not really solve the problem. Many soldiers have not received their military pay until now, and they have long been full of complaints in private.

Seeing hundreds of grain trucks and silver carts coming to the end today, they all rejoiced, the resentment that was suppressed in their hearts was swept away at this moment.

After entering the garrison, Xue Poye saw that the barracks in the garrison were layer upon layer, orderly, heavily guarded everywhere, with bright armor, bright and cold spears and broadswords emitting a gloomy cold light. The morale of the army is not bad. Just looking at the tall and straight backbones of the soldiers of the Beizhen army, one can tell that the guard here is a general who can command the troops well.

The military supply depot at Yanmenguan is in the southwest corner of the garrison. The convoy passed the garrison in an orderly manner. Under the watchful eyes of the Beizhen Army, it slowly drove to the military supply depot. Over there, Xu Decai had arranged for the handover ceremony of the food officials and silver officials.

Xue Poye told his subordinate, Habayashi Wei, to assist in handling the handover procedures, and then followed Xu Decai to the small barracks next to him for tea.

Naturally there is no good tea at the border. Even though Xu Decai is the envoy of Yanmen Township, the treatment may not be very good. It is just ordinary tea, just make do with a few sips.

"Master Xue has been busy all the way, and he came to my Yanmen Pass, and he didn't have any good tea treats. He was ashamed and ashamed." Xu Decai shook his head, with a helpless face, and even a wry smile.

Xue Poye knew that Xu Decai had no soldiers and no power here, and was just a pacifier in name. I am afraid that the real power is not even comparable to those partial generals or even school lieutenants. It is really bitter.

Great Chu has always valued civil affairs over military affairs, but in the fortress here, the top leader, General Ren, does not look down on literati at all, so the civil servants who come to the border can only be the fate of doing miscellaneous work.

Xue Poye smiled slightly, and asked casually: "By the way, I heard that General Longmeng is guarding Yanmen Pass, isn't he there?"

Xu Decai hurriedly said: "It's a coincidence, besides your lord visiting Yanmen Pass today, General Tianwei is also coming to inspect suddenly today, and General Ouyang is going to meet the old general." He paused and looked out , Said: "It's time to come back."

Xue Poye was stunned, frowned and said: "Is the old general coming?" Although he had never met the general, but when he was in the capital, he had heard of the general's reputation scatteredly and knew that it was a discipline. A strict general has the highest prestige among the Beizhen Army and even the Great Chu Army. To put it bluntly, the prestige in the hearts of the soldiers may even surpass that of His Majesty the Emperor, and His Majesty the Emperor himself, He also respects the general very much. When talking on weekdays, he also calls him "the general" instead of his name.

The general started as an ordinary soldier, experienced hundreds of battles, and climbed to the highest peak of military power step by step, which is a great miracle.He loves soldiers like a son, is loyal to the court, and is deeply loved by the Chu people.

It's just that Xue Poye was a little afraid of this general who had never been masked before. It was just something that had never happened before. Before this, no matter how powerful or awesome the opponent was, Xue Poye had never Fear, even in front of the current emperor, Xue Poye does not have much fear, but when he hears the word "General", it is like a magical power, which makes people feel faintly in respect. with fear.

"Yes." Speaking of the old general, the civil servant Xu Decai, who was rejected by the army, was still full of respect: "The old general is over [-] years old, but he still handles military affairs every day. Whenever he has free time, he has to patrol the various border checkpoints. It can be said that I have devoted myself to death, and I will die. If I want to serve the country and defend the family, I only need to learn one-tenth of the old general, and I will be worthy of the world."

Xue Poye smiled faintly, took a cup of tea, and did not speak.

Hundreds of large carts are handed over carefully. In addition to weighing the military rations, the silver also needs to be weighed. Although there are many people, these things are not accessible to everyone, so when the sky is completely dark, the handover task also needs to be weighed. Only halfway through, and the remaining half is still in the car.

In desperation, they couldn't stop the handover, so they had to light the torches and count the statistics overnight. However, Xu Decai arranged meals for the team's coachman, labor, bodyguards, escorts and guards. Although the food was not good, everyone The guy hasn't eaten any good food for a while, and he is hungry, so he eats and drinks without being picky.

Xu Decai invited Xue Poye alone to eat Xiaozao, but it was not a delicacy, it was just a few prey brought by the soldiers, which were nothing more than rabbits and roe deer. full.

Xue Poye went out of the barracks and saw that the handover procedures were still going on, so he had to go back to the camp, found a place to sit down, closed his eyes and rested his mind, but Xu Decai went over to urge him to speed up.

Squinting his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the little stone falling asleep beside the table, and Xue Poye couldn't help but yawn.

The journey was exhausting enough. Although there were no bandits robbing goods, I was always careful every day, keeping an eye out for bandits and robbers. When I came to Yanmen Pass today, my tense heart was only slightly loosened. After coming down, this loosening made the whole person very tired, and unconsciously, he fell asleep in a daze.

Yanmen Gusai, the cold wind is bleak, humming, like countless innocent souls telling something between heaven and earth.

There are strong winds and strong winds here, and it is difficult for newcomers to adapt. After only a short sleep, Xue Poye felt a little cold all over his body. He was worried that the small stone would be frozen. When he opened his eyes, he wanted to find a blanket for the small stone. cover.

It's just that when he just sat up, he felt a little strange. There seemed to be a lightning-like eye looking at him beside him. He was startled, and turned his head, only to see suddenly sitting on a big chair not far from him. An elder with fluttering white beard.

The elder was about 60 years old, with a burly figure, a Chinese character face, thick eyebrows, and a high nose bridge. He had the resolute temperament unique to a soldier, and he was wearing a golden battle armor all over his body at this time, like a god.

Beside the table is a golden armor, and on the top of the armor is the crown of a mighty tiger, which looks very imposing.

Under the thick eyebrows, the elder stared coldly at Xue Poye with a pair of sharp eyes, just like a father looking at his son who made a mistake with a reproachful look, stern and cold.

"Great... Great General?" Xue Poye suddenly thought of someone in his mind, and cried out.

The elder said coldly: "You know I'm coming, how dare you sleep here? Your subordinates are all outside carrying food, grass and military pay. Why do you hide here and sleep alone?" His voice was old and powerful, He is full of arrogance, but extremely stern, and looks very angry. In his eyes, Xue Poye's official position is no longer important. It doesn't matter if you are the Viscount of Da Chu, or you are the deputy general guard of Yubayashiying, or you are the Minister of the Household Department, at the border, my general is the boss, and the others... can only be under my control.

This is the arrogance of soldiers.

The elder stood up, the armor creaked, he looked at Xue Poye coldly, then looked at Xiao Shitou suddenly, frowned, then went to the side to take a blanket, walked to Xiao Shitou, kindly Putting the blanket on Xiaoshi's body, at that moment, it was warm and harmonious, just like a kind grandfather covering his beloved grandson with a quilt.

The two sides of sternness and kindness were revealed in a moment, right under Xue Poye's eyes. Xue Poye stared at this legendary figure, not knowing what to do.

But he quickly woke up, stood up immediately, tidied up some of his scattered clothes, stepped forward quickly, knelt down on the ground, and said respectfully: "Xue Poye, my subordinate, see the general!"

The general said indifferently: "Xue Poye, I have heard your name before, and I also know that this batch of food, grass and military salary was collected from Jiangnan. But you must not think that this is your credit. As the servant of the household department, You should always ensure the supply of food, grass and military pay for our Beizhen Army. This is your duty. If you do it well, you will be worthy of your royal rations. It's not fit to do it."

Although the general sternly reprimanded him, Xue Poye felt that the general was respected by the people of Chu Chu because of his straightforward and righteous personality. I’m not good for the emperor, ashamed of the hat on my head, I will automatically resign, and I will definitely not hold back the imperial court.”

The general frowned slightly, looked at Xue Poye a few times, raised his hand and said, "Get up." After Xue Poye stood up, he said: "Xue Shilang, don't think the border is hard, only hard work can sharpen a true warrior. , Those Yanbaer-like officials in the court, who have not gone through the bitter cold of the border, do not know the hardships of the Beizhen Army, and you can be considered a lucky official if you can experience the customs here."

"The general led the Beizhen army to defy the hardships and hardships. For decades, they have stood firm at the border, like a rock, protecting the people of our country. I admire you very much." Xue Poye said sincerely: "The soldiers at the border are the Great Wall of flesh and blood. Only by consolidating our frontiers can our Great Chu prosper. Speaking of which, the achievements of the Beizhen Army are unmatched by our Great Chu.”

He does not exaggerate the general, but praises the Beizhen army. This is a way to understand people's hearts.

Exaggerating the general is still suspected of flattery, but praising the Beizhen Army is a matter for hundreds of thousands of soldiers. It can only be said to be a sincere admiration, but it has nothing to do with flattery.