Horse on the World

Chapter 310 Qixia Pass

Qixia Pass is 20 meters high and about five miles long. Although it is smaller than Dingzhou City, due to the dangerous terrain, it is the throat of Dingzhou from the west to the hinterland of the Central Plains. It has always been valued by the court of Dachu. The last dangerous pass for the barbarians to advance eastward. In history, Dingzhou fell several times, but they were all blocked by Qixia Pass and could not enter the Central Plains.After crossing the Qixia Pass, there is an endless plain, and there is no danger to defend. Therefore, the dynasties of the Great Chu Dynasty, while operating Dingzhou, did not forget to strengthen the protection of Qixia Pass. , Qixiaguan has been called a fortress of iron and steel.

But since Emperor Tianqi, Xiao Yuanshan managed Dingzhou first, stabilized the strategic situation with the grassland, and formed a strategic balance. Later, Dingzhou fell into the hands of Li Qing. After three years of operation, the grassland was completely helpless. Today, the prairie is declining, not only unable to commit crimes eastward, but even self-protection. The dangerous barrier of Qixia Pass has become a chicken threat. , Qixiaguan has only local soldiers and horses stationed in Bingzhou, maintaining a garrison force of about [-] people, subordinate to the commander of Bingzhou Marshal Wu Zecheng, and Qixiaguan guard Li Shanbin is Wu Zecheng's general.

After Qixiaguan lost its barrier function in the hinterland of the Central Plains, its status was greatly reduced. Now it has been classified as Changfeng County, a territory of Bingzhou, and serves as the county seat of Changfeng County, with about [-] residents.

Although Qixia Pass has gradually declined, the prosperity of the past has not gone far. Changfeng County is a major grain-producing county, and the place is rich. Moreover, Qixia Pass is the gateway to Dingzhou. Dingzhou and the grassland trade, there are a lot of floating population, and the business tax is a huge income.Most of the goods that leave the customs here are luxury goods, which are expensive. After the war between Dingzhou and the grassland, more supplies flowed into Dingzhou from here. These incomes alone are enough to make any other Bingzhou county The government is jealous.Being a county magistrate or a garrison general here is an enviable job.

The Qixiaguan Garrison Mansion, one of the fat missions, is located in the south of the city. It used to be where the generals of the army were stationed. The roads are not only spacious, but also paved with neat stone slabs. The houses on both sides of the street are uniformly planned and styled. Afterwards, most of the remaining vacant houses were bought by new merchants, and one after another began to open here. The original austerity has been gradually replaced by a variety of commodities, and some restaurants, restaurants, brothels have also begun to open here. Settle down here.

In the middle of these shops, there is an eight vermilion gate with two huge stone lions at the gate, which still shows its majesty different from other places. The soldiers standing upright are divided into two rows, standing on both sides of the gate, here It is the Qixiaguan Garrison Mansion.Walking into the gate, bypassing the screen wall, you can see a military-style building, simple, tall, durable, and the courtyard with three entrances and three exits can be transformed into a fortress with a little modification and arrangement. Guards armed with spears looked down across the courtyard.From time to time, soldiers with knives walked by on patrol, and the military discipline was strict. From this point, it can also be seen that Li Shanbin, the general of the garrison, is also a rare good general. Although there is no possibility of fighting, his soldiers still maintain The look a soldier should have.

Li Shanbin has just passed forty this year. As a general who has never fought in a war, he can be regarded as a prosperous official at this age. He has been stationed at Qixia Pass for many years. One step above the position of lieutenant general, Qixiaguan is his blessed land. Here, he not only realizes his ideal, but also marries a wife and has children. He has a son and a daughter who are intelligent and lovely. All this makes him very satisfied and happy. Life is like this, what more can I ask for.

But all his happiness came to an end with the arrival of a person. Once upon a time, he wished that he had become a forgotten character, but as his official position improved step by step, this wish became more difficult. If it came true, he decided to settle for the next best thing, hoping to live in such a peaceful way forever, but now, this wish has become a luxury.Seeing that person appear in front of him, he knew that he would step into an unpredictable place again.

Leading the man into his study room, closing the door, Li Shanbin bowed to the ground, "Shanbin has met Lord Zhong!" That man is the important minister of King Ning, Qinglang Zhong Ziqi.

Zhong Ziqi helped Li Shanbin up with a smile, and said with a smile: "Master Li, please get up quickly, this will really kill Zhong, you are now a dignified deputy general."

Li Shanbin cupped his hands and said: "Don't dare, Shanbin will always be that little soldier in front of Mr. Zhong."

The two turned politely, and finally sat down as guests and hosts. Looking at Zhong Ziqi, Li Shanbin certainly knew that he would go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and he had never come to see him. Now that he came to the door, there must be something big going on. .

"Lord Zhong, do you know if there is any order from King Ning Palace?" Li Shanbin cut to the chase.

Zhong Ziqi said with a smile: "Before I came, His Highness Ning Wang was still worried that General Li would not remember the old master now that he is a nobleman, but now it seems that His Highness Ning Wang is supercilious!"

Li Shanbin didn't dare to say anything, but he smiled wryly in his heart. If he was really like what King Ning said, he was afraid that in a blink of an eye, he would either die suddenly or be ruined. The more you know.

"Since General Li still cares about the old master, then I will cut straight to the point. General Li, you should also know that over the years, you, a small lieutenant with no background, have been able to rise steadily and rise steadily. A lot of hard work, although these things cannot be said, but General Li must not forget."

Li Shanbin said: "Don't dare or forget, Shanbin will always remember it in his heart."

"Well, now King Ning has something to do and needs your help, the general has such a heart!" Zhong Ziqi said seriously.

"Prince Ning has a mission, and he will never refuse." Li Shanbin said loudly.

"Very good!" Zhong Ziqi clapped his hands and said, "General Li is indeed unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness. General Li, do you know what is going on in the world today?"

Li Shanbin nodded, "Know a thing or two!"

"The Xiao family went against the trend, murdered the former king, and coerced the emperor to order the princes. His Royal Highness King Ning has decided to rebel against the Qing emperor, and punish Xiao Xiangfang and other traitors." Discolored words.

Li Shanbin's heart beat like a drum, "Your Highness, do you want Shanbin to raise troops to follow?"

"No, no!" Zhong Ziqi laughed and said, "General Li, it's not because I underestimated you. Given your location, if Qixia Pass still has tens of thousands of troops as before, it can still shake the overall situation. But you have only a few thousand soldiers now, and as far as I know, except for your own battalion, the rest of the soldiers are lackluster in combat strength, you are within the sphere of influence of the Xiao family, once you raise an army, you will be smashed to pieces overnight."

Li Shanbin couldn't help heaving a sigh of relief when he heard that he didn't want to raise troops by himself, "Then His Highness wants me?"

Zhong Ziqi smiled, and pointed to the west, "Your Highness wants to raise troops, but he is a little worried about the tiger in the west!"

"Your Highness refers to Marshal Li Qing!" Li Shanbin suddenly realized.

"That's right. Li Qing is besieging Bayan Hara. King Ning analyzed his strategy. He must have trapped Bayar to death so as to ensure that his own strength will not be lost by him. After the grassland is pacified, the Draw your sword and look east, join the battle in the Central Plains, thus adding variables to the battle in the Central Plains, King Ning means to drag him on the grassland, unable to look east!"

Li Shanbin was at a loss, "Master Zhong, but with my little army, how can I defeat Marshal Li?"

Zhong Ziqi laughed, "General Li, you are in Baoshan and you don't know it. You don't know that although Li Qing is a strong soldier, you hold the key to his life!"

"Master Zhong means?"

"Shuoguan!" Zhong Ziqi said: "Don't let a grain of grain enter Dingzhou. Most of Dingzhou's grain is imported from other places, and [-]% to [-]% of it comes out of your Qixia Pass. , as long as you lock it, you can make Li Qing sleep restlessly and eat tasteless."

Li Shanbin was terrified, "Lord Zhong, if I lead Li Shuai to defeat and allow the barbarians to win, wouldn't I be a sinner of the Great Chu, I am afraid that I will go to Abi Hell after death, and be cast aside by the world even if I am alive."

Zhong Ziqi raised his finger, shook it, and said with a smile: "Master Li is too worried. You underestimate Li Qing. At this time, the barbarians have become toothless tigers. It is very easy for Li Qing to win, but But he wanted to trap Bayar to death without any effort. You can only force Li Qing to fight quickly, so he will suffer losses in the duel with Bayar. There is no doubt that Li Qing will win, but he will definitely win. It was a miserable victory, after the victory, Li Qing will no longer be able to look around the Central Plains, and when he recovers, the overall situation in the Central Plains will be settled."

Li Shanbin gasped, this strategy was too vicious, if he followed it, he would immediately become a thorn in the side of Li Qing and the Dingzhou forces, and even forged an insoluble grudge with them.

"Lord Zhong, I'm just a garrison general at Qixia Pass. Here, there is also the magistrate of Changfeng County, and there is also Marshal Wu Zecheng of Bingzhou. How long can the pass be locked?"

Zhong Ziqi said with a smile: "Wu Zecheng has been summoned by Xiao Haoran to Luoyang to discuss matters. No matter how fast he goes back and forth, it will take at least a month. You only need to be locked up for a month. It is enough without Marshal Wu, the little Changfeng county magistrate, what can we do?" How about you, you have a lot of reasons to convince him to agree to lock you up."

Li Shanbin was silent, Zhong Ziqi had tried everything, but after he was locked up, he not only became Li Qing's enemy, but also Marshal Wu would not be able to tolerate him anymore, no matter what, he was a dead end.If you refuse, then I am afraid that I will become a dead person immediately. He knows Zhong Ziqi too well, and King Ning, who can control Zhong Ziqi, is not a good man and a faithful woman. If he violates his will, not only himself It is hard to guarantee, and it will harm the family.

After a long silence, Li Shanbin said: "In that case, I will lock it up for a month. I just want to ask Mr. Zhong for help."

Hearing Li Shanbin's promise, Zhong Ziqi was overjoyed, "Please speak, General Li."

"My lord is leaving this time, please take Li's family to King Ning's side. If something happens to Li, please ask Mr. Zhong to take care of my wife and children."

Zhong Ziqi smiled and said: "General Li is too worried, I have already arranged your retreat, well, since you said it, this time I will take your old woman and children to King Ning, don't worry , King Ning will never treat them badly."

"Then I would like to thank Mr. Zhong and His Royal Highness King Ning!" Li Shanbin stood up, and now that the matter had come to an end, he could only run to His Highness King Ning after the lock.

　Stable updates resumed, tickets are still required.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)