Chapter Seventy-Three: It is difficult for a good woman to cook without rice

This winter's Xiqu Mountain Country, it seems that there are a lot of rainy days, especially at night, it is even more wind and rain, bringing infinite loneliness. Jun Cheng felt a chill all over his body, two trembling strands, and his back was full of cold sweat. Under the pretext that he was on official business tomorrow, he got up and said goodbye. I only feel that the world is declining, and the officialdom of Xinsu still paid attention to the superficial benevolence and morality, even if he is a corrupt official, his appearance is not as ugly as his.

Su Wen praised him on the way to him: "Lord Juncheng is a scholar, loves the people like a son, and is a good official." Seeing that Jun Cheng thanked him, he asked again: "Sir, your surname?" Ah?...h You, Juncheng, completely convinced this man. "The city lord is really a noble man who forgets things, and he is always proud of the sky. ”

Su Wen was also surprised, I'll go, I don't remember such a fantasy name? I'm afraid I'm here to mess around, right? In the future, this will be my home, and I can't be sloppy anymore. sneered: "Chang Daren Haihan, how is Chang Daren's martial arts?"

Seeing Jun Cheng's strange face, he laughed at himself: Just kidding, just kidding.

Sent to the gate of the city government, someone opened the corner door, and a soft sedan chair was also prepared for the small house outside the door. Jun Cheng didn't want to stay longer for a moment, and was about to give up. Su Wen didn't want to let him go: "Isn't there a blacksmith shop?"

Jun Cheng was no longer able to complain, and he didn't even let go of a blacksmith shop, but he couldn't bear to harm the people, and said perfunctorily: "Since it is a horse breeding land, the blacksmith naturally makes some horseshoe saddle bridles." I know a few old blacksmiths, skilled and cheap, why don't you introduce them to adults?"

Su Wen waved his hand, I don't even have a horse's horse's shoes for wool?" "Is there anything else famous?"

Jun Cheng knew that if he said too much, he would lose it, so it was better to prevaricate the past, and it was best to make him feel that this place was boring, so he said: "Some adults have learned that the Xiqu Mountain Country has a long history, the transportation was convenient three hundred years ago, and it is also a number of Xiongcheng in the old Suzhou, the city is strong and solid, and there are many poems inscribed by literati and scholars since ancient times. There are countless cliff inscriptions, and it is really a holy place for literati and artists. ”

Su Wen's eyes lit up, tourist check-in places, "Can you develop a few tourist areas to collect tickets?"

"Xin Xin students are on a study tour, how can they have extra money to buy tickets?" Jun Cheng is really afraid of him, this is poor and crazy!

The night was low and the wind was cold. Su Wen had a chill for no reason, and the experience of fighting for many days told him that there was hostility! "Bang bang" A few soft sounds pierced the silent night sky, "crossbow arrows!" The position of the arrow was slightly farther away, and several directions were launched at the same time, it was obviously a long-planned assassination, and the salvo of multiple arrows was to seal the space and angle of dodging. The other party must think that he will retreat into the door, what should he do?

Su Wen made a decision between the lightning and flint, and pounced forward, and by the way, he pulled Jun Cheng, and the two hid behind the soft sedan together. The other party didn't have time to load the arrows, and he didn't love to fight, and there was no sound when he whistled...

The porter's sedan chair man stood stupidly, and suddenly a small servant reacted, snatched the gong from the porter, knocked it up, and shouted: "Catch the assassin, catch the assassin"

Su Wen hid behind the sedan chair and scolded: "Qian Wu, you are a fool, right? ”

Qian Wu was scolded by him for stopping the gong, and the others scattered in an instant, ran into the corner gate and hid. Completely ignoring their parents, the official is still hiding behind the sedan chair.

These guys stood still when the bolts hit, and now they're better off hiding than I dodged. Su Wen couldn't cry and laughed, and shouted, "Shield, shield!" Only then did someone throw a few shields from the corner gate.

Jun Cheng was stunned, and shouted in a trembling voice: "Guard, guard!" Qian Wu hid in the tortoise formation formed by several guards with shields, reluctantly moved over, and muttered, "What are you shouting, I'm afraid that the assassin won't see you?" Jun Cheng immediately closed his mouth and curled up behind the soft sedan chair shivering.

The city was awakened by the sound of gongs, many lanterns and torches were lit on the streets, the officials and soldiers were still holding weapons, the citizens took out kitchen knives and door sticks, and some people pushed water hoses out and asked loudly where to go to the water? The streets were crowded with people and were in chaos.

The lights in the hall of the city mansion were brilliant, and the soldiers were on guard, and even the guards guarding the old man were called to the city by Su Wen. It's safe for a while.

Su Wen shrank in the high-backed seat dedicated to the city lord, with two shields erected beside him, and was scolding the killers for not playing cards according to the routine. Taken by the lieutenant's violent temper, the doctor trembled and helped him deal with the wound on his arm. I can't help but complain in my heart, waste saliva, scold and scold without any new ideas, the sisters-in-law and aunts on Ruyi Street scold the street, don't say a set of jokes, the plot and action description are more touching.

No matter who encounters an unwarranted disaster, they can't remain calm, and according to the deduction after the fact, the target of these people is Juncheng. Su Wen made a mistake in his own judgment and dodged the arrow forward. Bai Bai helped Jun Cheng block two arrows, one arrow shot at the stab-proof vest, and the other arrow cut a hole in the arm. Su Wen subconsciously stayed away from his arm while scolding, and secretly prayed that these guys did not smear gold juice (dung water, which was often used in bows and arrows in ancient wars) on the arrows.

His life was threatened, and for the sake of Su Wen helping him block the arrows, Jun Cheng Chang Aotian reluctantly persuaded himself to stay and help him....

The murderer is going to you, according to your statement, Xiqu Mountain Country has no external worries and the people are simple, I want to see how you explain, robbing the people's daughters? Clever and robbing? The official * forced * the people to rebel against the people had to rebel? Killing your head just helped me establish my authority. There are three things for the new official to take office, and I will soon complete one of them, and I may end up with a good reputation as a sunny lord.....

Why don't you catch the thief on the street after scolding this thing? If you hadn't saved me, I would have suspected that it was your bitter ploy. Even if it's bitter, you don't have to be stupid enough to smear gold juice, right? The arrows are rusty and smell inexplicably....

Seeing that the other party was calm, Su Wen couldn't help but feel furious in his heart, he didn't know what to do if he didn't know how to intrigue? Have the ability to clear the fog and reveal the hidden truth? Save it, it's better to take the time to beat him to death, it's better to run away, and kill him or bury it.

Report..... A thief-looking man rushed into the county hall. Chang Aotianhuo stood up, "Speak quickly." "It's a good thing to see the thief's smiling face. The thief was eager to repay his merits, and he didn't salute, and shouted loudly: "Master Chang, fortunately, I didn't disgrace my life, I caught two, and the others are still searching." ”

When everyone in the hall heard this, they immediately looked at the city lord with strange expressions. The thief pondered what he had done wrong? Could it be that the order of the reports was wrong? I was about to report to the city lord again, but I heard the city lord scold, "It's unlucky, it's a deal with today, right?"

Qian Wu almost laughed, "My lord, your old man's armor smells bad enough, I don't think you need to eat it today....."

Su Wenna squinted at him: "You mean to ..... another day when you are free?"

"No, no, my lord, don't get me wrong, the small mouth doesn't choose words, and you slap your own mouth. Originally, you said you wanted to eat it for me, but your old man dared to eat it, and the small ones didn't dare to look at it. "Qian Wu doesn't know if it's panic, the more he talks, the more chaotic it becomes...

Everyone in the hall was holding back laughter, Su Wen decided not to worry about the fool, looked at the thief with a blue face, and asked, "Let's talk about how you caught it?"

The thief was not at the scene, but he actually heard it. Roughly speaking, this group of killers is really unlucky, but they didn't expect that there are no outsiders in a huge city, and the neighbors in the city know each other. Two of the killers had thrown away their crossbow and nightwalking clothes and had blended into the crowd, taking advantage of the chaos to return to their hiding places. was seen by the aunts and uncles who were like torches. Pulling out his weapon and about to resist stubbornly, he was beaten with a stick by an aunt. Su Wen couldn't help but admire while laughing, no matter how charming you are, you can't do the "Chaoyang masses".

It's about his own life, Chang Aotian waved his hand to let the thief catch the past, so arranged, the thief caught and took the order...

Keeping an eye on his actions, Su Wen knew that he couldn't intervene. Instead of spending time on civil affairs and not being able to intervene, it is better to go and see the situation of the army first, and then collect the army and then clean up this person. "Lord Chang, since the assassination happened, I don't think the Xiqu Mountain Country is stable, I'll go to the military tun tomorrow to take a look." Ask me about the affairs of the city government, and the adults will make up their own minds. ”

Sure enough, it is too little oil and water, and the great blessing of the people of Xiqu Mountain. Since he is a martial champion, this is to attack the army? You can't stop them all, let him toss it. Alas...... Thinking of his own powerlessness, Chang Aotian sighed secretly. But I never thought that I could hide from the first year of junior high school, and I may not have escaped from the fifteenth.

After making noise in the middle of the night, the brazier of the city government couldn't stop the oppressive cold, so Su Wen said goodbye and left. When he turned around, he suddenly remembered the emperor's secret decree. He turned around and said, "Master Chang, I'm not here tomorrow, and the palace will send a woman over in the next few days." When you come, you can tell at a glance that she is a very beautiful woman. Let me warn you first, don't talk to her. Send it directly to my yard, and arrange for a few maids, and I will have the soldiers guard her and not let her go out at will.

After Su Wen left, the more Chang Aotian thought about it, the more frightened he became. Headed by all evils and fornications, this person is young, dignified, and outstanding. Even if you are more romantic, what can you do? I can't imagine that even the woman who was sent to the palace in secret custody dares to make up my mind? It seems that I still underestimate this person, no, I have to remind Cao Pengshi, a soldier in Juntun, to be careful, there are many women in Juntun.

Ten miles north of the city, out of the mountainous area is a vast grassland, although it is early winter, but still green grass. The entourage said that this place is called "Flower Language Grassland", the water and grass are abundant, and the cold air from the north in winter is blocked by the mountains in the north, and the cold and hot air collide in the grassland in front of the mountain range, bringing sufficient water vapor. It has been the most famous horse breeding ground since ancient times. "Flower Language Grassland" enters the pass of the Xiqu Mountain Range of the mountain range, and there is a military city 10 miles away in length and width. The walls are high, and most of the city is pasture and warehouse. It was originally a huge barracks.

Soldiers Cao Peng Shi Wu Qingshan had already led a group of soldiers to guard outside the gate against the cold wind. According to the agreed time, a team of cavalry dragged the smoke and dust out of the col, Wu Qingshan saw that the army was neat, except for the leader, who was skilled in riding. Nodding secretly, what a tiger and wolf division, I heard that it was the county lieutenant who was the martial champion who killed demon beasts, and he was a warrior under his fame.

When the horse team came closer, Wu Qingshan secretly pouted, and the military officials around him also secretly discussed. Except for this person who is not good at equestrianism and wears a long fur coat, the others are the thieves under the county government, Cao Tingchang, and they are all familiar colleagues. Even a servant-like servant is neatly armoured. Presumably, this civil official looks like Lord Captain.

The two sides handed over the tiger talisman and saluted in turn. On the way from Yuanmen to the military tent, Wu Qingshan couldn't help but slander, even if this thing has not served in the military, he should have learned military regulations, right? Why does it look like a leopard entering the city, and it is strange to see everything? When we meet Yu Yu's troops, we are also going to go out of the county to fight, and such a general who does not know soldiers has suffered hardships.

Su Wen was not in a hurry to enter the tent, and carefully looked at everything inside and out, horses, water troughs, weapons, and armor tents. The officers who asked along the way were shocked, and originally planned to dress as an examination school to ask some questions. However, he was too unfamiliar with the barracks, and after asking a few questions, he missed the filling. Even the thieves who accompanied him, Pavilion Chief Cao, couldn't hold their faces, and they smiled hard at people.

After entering the military tent, Su Wen took a look at Wu Qingshan, this person was burly, with big shoulders and a round waist. Obviously a good shooter. It's just that he is too old, so I greeted him and asked, "Our army is so big, how many soldiers and horses are there?"

Wu Qingshan followed the rules, "Lord Huiduwei, the total strength of the Xiqushan Kingdom is 30,000 people, and there are 3,500 soldiers, 50,000 military horses, and 10,000 armor stationed in the three military camps and the city. The rest are in the township, and the township arranges its own training. It was only during the test that the drill was concentrated for more than a month. ”

"Alas, then why do we need such a large military canton, can we all stand on the city wall when we are all gathered?" Su Wen felt that this military cantonment was too big, and such a small number of troops could not even hold the nine city gates.

Wu Qingshan opened a map, general, please see, three hundred years ago, from the northern Huayu grassland to Xiqu Mountain, and then to the south to the canal. The canal leads directly to all parts of the interior, and the traffic is not disturbed by monsters. Originally, it was the busiest artery in the East and West Continents. The Xiqu Mountain Country has been holding the main road for thousands of years, and the economy is developed, so in order to facilitate the aid, the garrison is naturally very large. This military camp was left at that time. Even if there are 320,000 people stationed, it is more than enough.

Canal?Su Wen secretly wrote down this key thing. "What is the place in the north of the Flower Language Grassland?" Wu Qingshan sneered: "General Shu Mo is incompetent, from here to the north, you have to take a boat back to Chen State, and then go from Chen Country to the Northern Army garrison." Then to the south is the north of the Flower Grassland, which does not look far on the map, but the road is really far away, and the last general has never been there. ”

Su Wen nodded and pondered for a moment, "The reason for the demon beast?" Wu Qingshan was silent

"Give you three days, pick thirty archers with good riding and archery skills, and prepare four horses for each of them who have no worries at home. Follow me to the Flower Grassland. "Su Wen knows a truth, if you want to get rich, you must first build roads. The grassland does not need to build roads, the key to opening up the grassland is the demon beast, and it just so happens that he is the least afraid of the demon beast. Since there are soldiers and horses, I must give it a try.

Although Wu Qingshan didn't know his plan, he received a message from the county Cheng Chang Aotian, and thought about letting him go to the grassland, in case he could open the road, it would be a great joy for the Xiqu Mountain Kingdom, if he unfortunately died in the grassland. It's not a bad thing for the soldiers. Naturally, it was a great help, and sending troops was not a trivial matter, and he carefully checked the terrain, ordnance and equipment, and supplies, and made a preliminary plan....

Everything has been decided, the time is still early, according to the procedure, it is naturally the link of the Yuanmen soldiers, that is, to see the soldiers' drills, Su Wenxing rushed to see his army, standing on the edge of the huge school field. Hearing the sound of a gong, several groups of infantry rushed from the barracks, running around the school grounds, rehearsing some column charges, formations, and archery. Not only are there few people, but there are also some old men and old ladies who are quite old, tremblingly wielding machetes and battle axes weighing dozens of pounds. Su Wen felt a chill when he saw it, for fear that they would be tired and break his waist. When charging, several uncles ran a few steps, tired of holding knives on the ground, and coughing incessantly. Su Wen couldn't help but ask Wu Qingshan: "Do you want to send a doctor?" I'm afraid he will cough up his lungs!" Wu Qingshan smiled embarrassedly, not in the way, the old man is amazing, I think he knocked down a war horse with an axe, we all call him "Divine Axe King"....

Su Wenjue has been in a long time, and he is afraid that something will happen. The gang shot a few arrows without danger and returned to the barracks. Another gong sounded, and dozens of cavalrymen rushed out with guns and shields. Su Wen turned his face sideways and pinched his teeth and asked, Light cavalry? Wu Qingshan said in a low voice: "The general is wise! "Su Wen scolded secretly, I'll wipe it! Do these soldiers weigh eighty pounds? The helmets cover their necks! They are still riding horses, what are they not light cavalry? "What is the age of conscription?" "Dare to let adults know that the Fu Ji (Selective Service Registration) takes turns to serve in the military. The age of entry into service, initially 17 years old, has now been postponed to 20 years old. The age of suspension is 60 years for those who have a knight and 65 years for those who do not have a title. In order to obey the needs of the local economy, we applied for the age of 17 years old in the past few years. It's all batched. Wu Qingshan became more and more unconfident, and said that the quieter his voice, he wanted to strangle several officers around him.

Although the light rider is young, his riding skills are exquisite. Several light horsemen passed quickly in front of them, and when they raised their hands, there was a rain of arrows. The arrows were not missing, and they aroused the applause of the whole house. Running to the end of the school field, he turned back his horse, and ran like a lightning speed, pulling out his javelin, and with the speed of the horse, he threw the gun accurately and ruthlessly. Even Su Wen applauded. Wu Qingshan finally had some face, "The general has a good eye, these boys have a tight arrow formation and excellent marksmanship. Light riders are scouts, and the most important thing is to run lightly. ”

Without waiting for the light cavalry to leave, another gong sounded, and a team of fully armored cavalry with archers came to the field, this time there were slightly more personnel, and the body shape was finally normal, and the horse team lineup was neat, and the sound in the school field was like thunder. When passing through the arrow target in turn, it was only according to the order that the arrow rain was really splashed. Su Wen couldn't stand it anymore: "General Wu, are your archers so majestic? Wearing armor and holding heavy crossbows and strong bows to fight people with arrows? Wait a minute, I want to see your spears and cavalry!" After speaking, he was not annoyed, but he was extremely disappointed.

It's easy to wait until the guns and equipment are on the field, although the number of people is slightly smaller, and the armor is quite distinct. The horses in their gear were still light. The momentum of the charge is not weak. Su Wen took an opportunity and called out to a few mounted cavalrymen hiding in the back row. When they took off their armor, Su Wen shouted from afar: "I'm sorry to run hard several times, uncle's body is so good!" The uncle took off dozens of pounds of armor and was panting, hearing him say this, he couldn't help but get up. "Hey, I have a vision, I think I was a war horse with an axe, and they all called me "Divine Axe King." ”