Nanzheng Qingshi Pass is the ancient pass of southern Shaanxi, the beginning of the Song Dynasty, the wall of the pass is broken so far, almost invisible, but hundreds of years down, it has attracted a lot of people to settle here, the population is very dense, no less than the Central Plains town. However, at present, many fortified villages within a radius of 100 miles of Qingshi Pass have long been empty, and only some of them are unable to escape from the old, weak, sick and disabled, and they are still hiding in the shadows and are terrified.

When Qin Jinxiao led people to Qingshi Pass, it was already afternoon, the rain was over in the morning, the air was fresh and cold, and Zhao Yingbing, who was still a little tired, couldn't help but regain his spirits.

There is an inspection department in Qingshi Pass, but I don't know how long it has been abandoned, and the cobwebs are hanging on the tips of people's hair when they enter. Qin Jin Xiao cleaned up a few soldiers briefly, and then went in to rest, preparing to use this place as a temporary residence. Because according to the Qiantang report, the situation in Ningqiang Prefecture in the northwest is very complicated, and Qin Jinxiao does not want to fight an uncertain battle.

The whole army was stationed at Qingshi Pass, Qin Jinxiao was a little sleepy along the way, and after a few simple conversations with Qin Qigong and Lian Buxin, he went back to the house to rest. Towards the end of the evening, a Tang soldier suddenly reported, saying that a group of soldiers and horses had been reconnoitred twenty miles to the west, numbering hundreds and belonging to an unknown group.

Qin Jinxiao just got up, and the sound of "bang" sounded outside the door, and the fully armored Lian Buxin had already entered to ask to see, it turned out that his Tangma had also found out the situation, so he came to ask for battle.

Qin Jinxiao's mind is clear, where he falls, he will get up, speaking of war will, none of the generals in Qingshi Pass is stronger than Lian Buxin, who has suffered deflated in Ningqiang Prefecture. It was Qin Jinxiao who did not hesitate and agreed to the request of Lian Buxin.

The 200 horse army galloped out of the camp, because they walked through the road from Qingshi Pass to Ningqiang Prefecture, Lian Buxin was very familiar with the road, and met the soldiers and horses ten miles west of Qingshi Pass. At first glance, Lian didn't believe it, and knew that it was not an official, soldier, and horse, so he sent someone to negotiate for a while, only to realize that the person who came was Yang San's subordinates.

"Second Whistle" Yang San is now the same as Hu Jiusi, Liang Shizheng of the three big bosses in northern Sichuan, this person is very young, Lian Buxin met him at the beginning, looking at only about 20 years old. Despite this, it is rumored that Yang San is quite ruthless, and even once stabbed his uncle, but he is righteous and squandering money, and can speak well, so he is quite able to convince the public.

The leader of the troops was a sentry under Yang San, Lian Buxin talked with him for a while, and learned that at noon, Yang Sanbu encountered the official army in Huaishuyin in the east of Ningqiang Prefecture, and was defeated in a battle.

Lian Buxin quickly explained the situation to Qin Jinxiao, Qin Jinxiao was discussing the next battle plan with Qin Qigong at the time, and after receiving the report, he asked Qin Qigong's opinion, Qin Qigong suddenly got up and said: "Without further ado, you can quickly send Lian Buxin out lightly, and you can save Yang San!" ”

Qin Jinxiao said profoundly, after the envoy returned, Lian Buxin did not delay at all, and ordered 200 horsemen to leave immediately. From Qingshi Pass to Huaishuyin is only a hundred miles, the Lian Buxin Department galloped into the middle of the night, rushed to the vicinity of the destination, and found the Wuzi tug-of-war chaos in the north of Huaishuyin.

The cavalry was actually sleepy and difficult to fight at the first time, but Lian Buxin was very experienced, and he did not recklessly directly order a raid on the belly and back of the official army, but divided the force into several units and moved around all aspects of the official army.

This officer and army fought for half a day, but also physically and mentally exhausted, in the face of Yang San, who was defending to the death, repeatedly attacked the fortifications, and had already retreated, at this time saw that the other party came to reinforcements, not to mention it, morale was immediately depressed, a stick of incense was not in time, and the whole line was withdrawn to the east.

Lian did not believe that the army was in pursuit, according to Yang San, who was guarding the mountain, also sent people down the mountain to help, and the two chased until the second half of the night, killing nearly 100 Fanggui, and later learned from the prisoners that the two officers who originally led this official army, Zhang Sheng and Yuan Hua, had died on the road, and the leader died, and the rest of the officers and soldiers were not enough to worry about.

Yang San's subordinates are known as an army of 10,000 people, but everyone in the bureau knows that it is not bad to have 5,000, and most of them are old and weak, women and children, all of them are family members of the army or hungry people who have come with them, and they can really be regarded as soldiers who can fight with knives, but hundreds, and their combat effectiveness is not flattering. Looking at it this way, it is logical that Yang San beat two or three hundred officers and soldiers with a "crowd of 10,000 people".

Yang San, who thought that he could not escape death, was very grateful for the charcoal in the snow of incorruptibility, and after the fierce battle, he invited him to meet in a secret village in the north of Huaishuyin. Lian Buxin just inquired about the current situation in Ningqiang Prefecture and readily agreed. The two went up the mountain hand in hand, heated two pots of turbid wine, and sat down to talk.

"At present, the big palm is sitting in the rear, the second palm is in charge of several dangers, and the younger brother is taking the rangers to respond everywhere." Yang San's face was childish, but the corners of his mouth often revealed a murderous aura, giving people a very cold feeling.

"How many Sichuan soldiers have come?"

"There have been a few batches this month, but there are few people, and this surnamed Zhang and Yuan are the first time that there are more than 100 people. Now it seems that he is probably their pathfinder. Yang San took a sip of warm wine and slanted his gaze to the door, where at the top of a long rod, two hanging heads swayed gently in the wind.

"How can you be a guerrilla?" An old woman came over tremblingly, refilled the wine bowls of the two, and poured the wine again with the two empty wine jugs. Isn't it, there are hundreds of soldiers, thousands of family members, there is such a big burden, how can you let go of your hands and feet?

Yang San snorted and said: "These are my family members, as well as the family members of my brothers, don't want them, let alone want to fight." ”

Lian Buxin just wanted to say why he didn't put his family in one place to stay, but when he came back to his senses, Yang San only had five or six hundred soldiers in his hands, and then he was divided to protect these people, what to fight? And if they don't send someone to take care of them, not to mention what kind of chaos will arise within these people, once they are caught by hostile forces, they will all be lambs waiting to be killed. So when the words came to my mouth, I swallowed them back.

At this moment, a rather ugly-looking mother-in-law approached with a limp and said in a dumb voice: "Master, Aunt Nine seems to be sick with a cold and sick, and she vomited several times, you see ......"

When Yang San heard this, his eyes were fierce, and he scolded angrily: "Old immortal thief woman, don't you see me discussing important matters with guests? Ge Laozi, she spit out her bile and didn't do Lao Tzu's business, get out, get out! ”

The woman was very in awe of Yang San, and as soon as she heard this, she immediately nodded like pounding garlic, and went in a panic, because her legs and feet were not good, and she almost tripped twice on the road.

Lian Buxin said that he couldn't see that you were not old, but his wife had been married to at least nine rooms, and he laughed secretly, but in order to hide his embarrassment, he deliberately said: "People say that Yang Zhangpan picks people the most picky appearance, and his wife and concubines are all as beautiful as fairies, but how can he allow such an ugly old mother to serve him?" ”

Yang San laughed twice and said: "I'm not afraid of your jokes, although this woman is ugly, I came out of her belly, I have told her many times, the farther you roll, the better, in front of you dangling the tricks that stained Lao Tzu, but she is good, and she can't leave with a dead face." No, I broke her leg, you said she didn't leave like this, I wouldn't kill her, right? I still have this conscience. ”

As soon as these words came out, Lian Buxin looked at the woman urgently, but he didn't know when she had disappeared into the dark corner, and then turned to look at Yang San under the reflection of the fire, and suddenly felt cold, although he was embarrassed, but he still said softly: "That's, that's ......."

Lian Buxin was silent for a while, feeling uncomfortable and having already gotten his mind, but when he thought about the matter, he still said patiently: "The three palms can know the deployment of the Sichuan soldiers now?" ”

Yang San shook the ashes and said, "I don't know the specific number, I only know that Hou Liangzhu is still in Sichuan." The closest to northern Sichuan now are Luo Wenyuan and Shen Yinglong, two turtle grandsons. Luo Wenyuan is in Qipanguan, and the surname Shen is now in Persimmon Ya. The second palm plate hit the persimmon twice, and both suffered losses. The "big palm" and "second palm" in his mouth are Hu Jiusi and Liang Shizheng respectively. These three people are nothing else, but they are the largest of the three in northern Sichuan, and they are used to being called so, so it is inconvenient to change their words.

The situation between Luo Wenyuan and Shen Yinglong has been learned from Zhao Dangshi and others before, Luo Wenyuan and Zhao Ying have fought each other, and they are seven-pan guerrillas. Shen Yinglong's guerrilla attack was hung under Hou Liangzhu's camp and could be regarded as Hou Liangzhu's descendant. So to sum up, Luo Wenyuan is the duty of defending the land, and Shen Yinglong is the first main force that Hou Liangzhu intends to send out of Sichuan.

After chatting for a while, because Yang San's previous investigation was unfavorable, there was no more valuable information to obtain, Lian didn't believe in his bad people, and he didn't want to stay, so he got up and said goodbye, Yang San was surprised: "It's still early before dawn, why doesn't General Lian take his troops into the village to rest?" Although my village is small, it can still accommodate a few hundred people. ”

Lian Buxin waved his hand again and again: "Military affairs, I don't dare to stay for a long time, I still go down the mountain to rest, so I can give Yang Zhangpan wing protection in case the officers and soldiers come to surround the mountain again." ”

Yang San didn't think much about what he said, and nodded, "It's okay." Five miles south of the mountain, there is a place called 'Zhaojiayuan', but there are more than ten households to live, which can be used to stop. With that, he waved his hand and said loudly, "Come on, send it!" ”

Lian Buxin followed his gaze, and saw that behind the curtain, two or three soldiers came up holding a wooden plate, and the jewelry on the wooden plate was piled up. The soldiers were followed by three thin women, who wore red and green, but their heads hung down, and their hands were tied with long ropes, and they were strung together like monkeys.

"Three palms, this is ......," Lian Buxin said in surprise.

"A little heart, not enough to worry about." Yang San "grinned" and smiled, "General Lian saved my life, and I will repay him with this." ”

Lian Buxin was a little annoyed at this time, and thought: "I will save you for official business, and second, for love, and I should do what I do, and I said that I would not repay if I didn't report it." But you took these out, didn't you look down on my surname Lian? Thinking like this, I was bored, and said: "I received the intention of the three palms, but the attendance was unsuccessful, and I didn't dare to accept the gifts privately, and taking them with me was not conducive to the march." Please forgive me. ”

Yang San's face changed after a "brush", and his tone became evil: "Do you think my things are not good enough?" As he spoke, his face was full of anger.

Lian Buxin is not a person who does not know the power change, seeing that the atmosphere is a little wrong, for fear of causing some unnecessary trouble, he thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Okay, the kindness of the three palms, I took it." However, only gold and silver are accepted, not women, please be considerate of this. ”

Yang San changed his face at this time, nodded and said, "That's fine." ”

Hurriedly leaving Yang San's stockade, Lian Buxin took a deep breath and left with the men and horses without looking back. People like Yang San are moody and indulgent, expecting such a roe deer to be able to do things, and they are foolish dreams. He had been wondering why Sichuan had not been able to rise up like Shaanxi and Henan and other places, but now he saw Yang San, and he knew autumn. Not to mention Zhao Dangshi, I am afraid that Zhao Yingzhong will bring out a hundred households at random, and his level and ability are much higher. Thinking like this, Lian Buxin found that he actually had some pride.

But on the other hand, if Hu Jiusi and Liang Shizheng are both figures like Yang San, then the pressure on himself and Qin Jinxiao and others to defend the southern Shaanxi Pass is undoubtedly much greater. The opponent is the long-tested Hou Jiajun in northern Sichuan, and it is by no means something that you can easily bluff by claiming that "tens of thousands of troops".

Worried, the Ministry of Integrity and Unbelief rushed to Zhao's courtyard overnight. Yang San said that there are indeed a few private houses here, but most of them are dilapidated, and they can only barely stay overnight. Calculated that there were still two hours before dawn, in order to maintain the energy of the people and horses, Lian Buxin still chose to stay overnight.

Maybe it was too tiring from morning to night, even under heavy pressure, after arranging the soldiers and horses on duty, Lian Buxin and most of the sergeants quickly fell asleep. The huge and quiet Zhao family courtyard was soon filled with all kinds of snoring.

After a groggy night, I don't know how long, Lian Buxin suddenly felt like he had been hit, and then, a noisy and shrill shout sounded in his ears.

"There's an enemy attack!" Lian Buxin shook his spirit, his eyes opened, and everywhere he looked, a spear was poking straight at his head.