In the past, the best way to travel between the north and south was by water.

Because of the prosperity of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, even in the depths of winter, the canal can be passed. Boats in the south and ice sleds in the north.

Or when there is a big deal, the north directly breaks the ice, and the ship can go all the way.

In the morning, on the Grand Canal, you can often see the carved boats of dignitaries and nobles, carrying their wives and concubines all the way, including some Oiran families.

It is also the best means for ordinary people to get in touch with these upper-class people at close range.

But it's also ridiculous.

Even at this time, countless literati in the national dynasty didn't know whether it was to show their sense of existence or what, and from time to time they pulled Emperor Yang of Sui out to 'whip the corpse', completely forgetting that they were enjoying the many benefits left by this tough emperor.

At this time, the canal is a bit difficult to navigate.

It's not that it's too cold and icy to walk. At this time, the ice-breaking methods of the model army were already very advanced, and the sappers were all slickers of this kind of blasting.

The main thing is that now the ship does not work.

Inland river ships and sea vessels are two different concepts entirely.

Although there are many ships in Jining, most of them are cargo ships, or luxury 'cruise ships' with carved buildings and pictures, which are not suitable for military use at all.

Xu Changqing thought about it again and again, but decided to go by land.

It just took this opportunity to get more mules, horses and carts from Kong Yinzhi and these wealthy businessmen.

In the past few days, everyone and each department have basically made preparations.

Early in the morning of the second day of November, although ice began to float in the sky again, it could no longer stop the sharpness of the army.

With a wave of Xu Changqing's big hand, with the main force of the model army as the core, a huge team of nearly 20,000 people left Qufu in turn and went all the way south.

Of course, even if he doesn't take the Grand Canal, Xu Changqing will still walk close to the canal, and he wants to personally investigate the state of the canal.

Speaking of which, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, for the Ming Dynasty, is definitely comparable to the Suez Canal in later generations, which is the core artery of China.

Even though the shipping route is blocked and the people's livelihood is withering at this time, Xu Changqing will not give up, and even plans to mobilize the enthusiasm of the nobles and gentry, even if the canal cannot be expanded, at least it must be strengthened and a few more wharves with better carrying and transit capacity should be built.

On the one hand, it can solve some employment problems, so that many miserable people on both sides of the strait can have something to eat, and stimulate economic recovery, on the other hand, it can also further strengthen Xu Changqing's influence and control, and pave the way for the model army to enter the Grand Canal.

This thing may not be as good as a train, but the cost is undoubtedly much lower than that of a train, and it is even more effective!

……

The land route is much slower than the water route.

Fortunately, there was no hostility at this time, everyone was very relaxed, and the mood became more and more bright.

In the evening, a large group of men and horses set up camp in a small town.

This town was plundered by the Qing army, but the people here are more clever, and many of them ran to the nearby countryside and mountains before the arrival of the Qing army, although they also suffered a lot of injuries, but they did not break their muscles and bones.

The main reason is the fame in this town, a gentleman surnamed Liu, who implements Xu Changqing's 'guerrilla' thinking very well.

This also made everyone's mood better, Xu Changqing even personally met with this Liu Yuanwai, warmly encouraged, and gave him a lot of model army standard birds, and promised to leave him a few officers of the model army to help him drill the team.

Liu Yuanwai couldn't help but be grateful, and immediately ordered the pig to be slaughtered and the sheep slaughtered, and presented Xu Changqing with a thousand taels of military funds, showing favor to Xu Changqing in his greatest way.

Xu Changqing did not refuse Liu Yuanwai's benefits, accepted it with a smile, but whispered to him again.

When Liu Yuanwai heard that he was really going to explode, he kowtowed to Xu Changqing desperately: "Master Hou, the old man really doesn't know how to repay your kindness." It's a pity that the old man was caught with his strength, and he was robbed again, so he really couldn't come up with anything. In this way, Master Hou, the dog has been smart since childhood, and at the age of eighteen he has achieved fame for showing his talents, and I beg you to take him in, let him be by your side, and serve you for the old man before and after the saddle. ”

As he spoke, he called in a very clever young man in his early twenties.

This young man seems to have inherited his Lao Tzu's insight, and when he came in, he was not reserved, let alone a word, he just knelt down and kowtowed to Xu Changqing: "Student Liu Yan, I am sure that Master Hou will take him in, and I am willing to be a cow and a horse." ”

Xu Changqing glanced at Liu Yuanwai again.

In fact, Xu Changqing has long had this thought, and wantonly recruited the children of the gentry to join the model army, but it is a pity that even at this time, many gentry are still unwilling to let go of this reserve, and it has not been formed.

Even Xu Changqing didn't expect that in this small town where he couldn't even remember the name, there would be someone with such courage.

"Haha."

Xu Changqing personally helped the two of them up, "Old man Liu, I admire your decision a little!" Okay, this kid should have taken it! In the future, your Liujia Town, the tax will be reduced by another three to ten years! ”

Liu Yuanwai couldn't help but be overjoyed, and hurriedly pulled his son to kowtow again.

……

Seeing off the happy grandfather and grandfather Liu, Xu Changqing was about to lighten a bag of cigarettes comfortably, planning to 'buy horse bones' with a thousand gold, Zheng Chagu walked in with an unhappy face and arrogant face: "Brother Xu, didn't you say that you would play together?" But you ignored me today, and I'm angry. ”

Xu Changqing smiled, smiled and pinched her pretty face: "Isn't this busy with official business." Let's go out for a walk, and then call your brother to have dinner together." ”

"That's pretty much it."

Zheng Chagu turned from cloudy to sunny in an instant, and went out with Xu Changqing in her arms.

The damage to the town is not too serious, but there is really nothing to see, there is still some distance from the canal, the transfer station is not counted, although Liu Yuanwai's family is in business, but only to do some local specialties, not rich.

I'm afraid this is also the core reason why he decided to desperately hug Xu Changqing's thighs.

Xu Changqing took Aunt Zheng Cha around for a while, and this girl was bored, and was about to trick Xu Changqing again and ask Xu Changqing to take her around the outside of the town, when a crisp bird chirped not far away, which made Xu Changqing's face change.

Zheng Chagu was a little scared at first, but immediately abandoned her fear, became excited, and a little star flashed in her beautiful eyes, and said excitedly: "Brother Xu, is there a horse thief who is coming to attack us?" I've never seen a horse thief. ”

Xu Changqing suddenly gave her an angry look.

This girl, this is pure provocation.

Not to mention his prestige Xu Changqing, at this time, tens of thousands of troops in the model army are here, and there are more than 2,000 cavalry of Zhang Hu's department, what horse thief dares to come to pick his Xu Changqing's tiger whiskers?

Are you tired of being crooked?

Before Xu Changqing could educate Zheng Chagu, a personal soldier came to report that it was the Japanese soldiers under Zheng Sen who were testing their marksmanship with the accurate shooters under Zhao Zengjin.

Zheng Chagu was still a little afraid of Xu Changqing, who was about to get angry, but she couldn't help but be overjoyed, and said cleverly: "Wow, Brother Xu, there is such a thing, let's go over and take a look." ”

Xu Changqing was also speechless about Zheng Chagu's ability to pretend to be an ostrich, and he didn't bother to bother with him, and strode towards the station of Zhao Zengjin's department in the south of the town.

This matter is actually Xu Changqing's gesture to Zhao Zengjin, he has always wanted to see what level these Japanese soldiers are.

"Bang bang!"

"Bang ......"

When Xu Changqing and Zhao Zengjin arrived here, the sound of birds was already excited, one after another.

The best players among the dozens of Japanese soldiers are racing with the same number of model army precision marksmen, and many onlookers have already gathered around, while Zhao Zengjin and Zheng Sen are in the middle, competing to cheer for their respective commands.

Seeing Xu Changqing and his entourage coming, the two hurriedly came over to salute.

Xu Changqing smiled and waved his hand to get them up, and asked, "What is the result?" ”

Zhao Zengjin's face was slightly dark, but Zheng Sen said excitedly: "Master Hou, let's divide evenly for the time being." Whether the model army is a strong army in a hundred battles, these Japanese people under the command of the students are still very inferior. ”

But although Zheng Sen said so, the faces of him and Zhao Zengjin had already explained the problem, and Xu Changqing also heard some differences from the different bird sounds on the way when he came.

smiled: "Although the competition is good, it can't be in the town, so how can the people rest?" Tomorrow, find an open field tomorrow and have a good competition. ”

"Yes."

The two also reacted at this time, and hurriedly asked people on both sides to stop.

Zhao Zengjin turned around and looked at Xu Changqing with some embarrassment, and stopped talking.

Xu Changqing glanced at him and signaled to wait a while.

……

After eating dinner comfortably, Aunt Zheng Cha drank several glasses of wine, and she was excited, but fortunately, Zheng Sen was here, knew the rules, and kept pulling her to prevent her from running to Xu Changqing's side.

After all, even if the two already have a marriage contract, and may even have a husband and wife, the Zheng family still has to save some face after all, right?

After arranging various affairs, Zhao Zengjin suddenly spit bitter water at Xu Changqing indignantly, "Brother, these little devils of the dog day, I don't know what's going on, the power is even more fierce than the bird guns of our model army." In particular, VIII. At a distance of ninety paces, their power is obviously greater than that of our birds, and their accuracy is a little better. Fuck it, the boys want to use knives......"

This guy has been following Xu Changqing all the time, and he has long been accustomed to Xu Changqing calling the Japanese 'little devil' in private, and he also blurted out at this time.

Fortunately, after several years of polishing, this guy already has some city government and knows how to maintain the dignity of adults.

Xu Changqing glared at him angrily, he immediately wilted, and he didn't dare to fire the cannon again, but his face was full of grievances.

Xu Changqing threw him a cigar, lit one himself, and let out a long puff of smoke and said, "Jinzi, look at your fucking appearance!" What did Lao Tzu tell you, there are people outside the world, there are heavens outside the sky, I really think that I am invincible in the world? Oh, people are stronger than you, and you're going to destroy people's houses? ”

“……”

Zhao Zengjin felt aggrieved, but how could he dare to refute Xu Changqing on his face? is already a famous general who has shocked the world, but at this time he is aggrieved like a child......

scolded him for a long time, knocked out his arrogance, and Xu Changqing's face became solemn: "These little devils still have some skills." Have you noticed that their pipes are significantly longer and thicker than ours? ”

"Huh?"

Zhao Zengjin also came back to his senses: "Brother, you mean ......?"

Xu Changqing said: "If the bird wants to hit far, the pipe should be longer and thicker, which is the basic principle of physics. Our birds are not as long and thick as theirs, and it is reasonable that they are inferior. Moreover, the little devil is a bit of a doorway in terms of smelting. By the way, what do you think of the quality of these Japanese soldiers? If there is really going to be a war, what is the state of the same troops? ”

Zhao Zengjin seemed to have thought about this problem, and said busily: "Brother, what are these little devils talking about? Don't look at the fact that they don't have enough to pinch their heads, but when they really do something, they are quite fierce. Their kind of outlaw is even more fierce than our sons. Moreover, the good pistol skills among them are not weak, not much different from our accurate marksmen. But if I do it, I promise that I will be able to crush them steadily, but there will be some casualties......"

Zhao Zengjin said a lot, and suddenly slapped his head, "By the way, brother, there is another matter, I almost forgot to tell you." After these little devils finished firing, I don't know what's going on, their gunpowder smoke is obviously less than ours. This also makes these dogs fire faster than our sons. This is the key reason why our sons and daughters lost a little bit today......"

"Huh?"

Xu Changqing's originally relaxed face frowned.