Compared with nature, people seem so small and powerless, ordinary people climb a mountain to be out of breath, not to mention that Xu Deshan wants to survey and map along the Yellow River, since leaving the Daimyo's mansion, a few months have passed in a blink of an eye, and it has reached the cold winter season.

In the past few months, Xu Deshan has only roughly mapped the terrain along the Yellow River, not to mention that it is full of loopholes and needs to be corrected one by one, even if it is all right, Xu Deshan has to survey a broader place, find a river channel that is most suitable for the Yellow River, and make every effort to start construction, so that the Yellow River will not worry about disasters in ten years.

Xu Deshan is a workaholic, but Xu Deshan's subordinates are ordinary people, seeing that the New Year is approaching, people's hearts are gradually dispersed, too, I have worked hard for more than half a year, in order to be able to go home for reunion during the New Year, take a look at my wife and son's filial piety, and be happy, even Shen Kuo, who has been tied up by Xu Deshan for so long, can't help but want to go home and report safety.

Xu Deshan, who was originally upset, thought of Shen Kuo, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but show a smile, I have to say that some people are born to do this business, Shen Kuo has the shortest time with himself, but in the field of learning surveying and mapping, Shen Kuo's talent surpasses everyone, all the problems, as long as Xu Deshan knows one or two, Shen Kuo will be able to stay up all night for three or four, and he can also know five or six, in the first few days, it was Xu Deshan who taught Shen Kuo, and after a few days, it became Shen Kuo and Xu Deshan to discuss the problem, and when it came to the end, The question asked by Shen Kuo could even make Xu Deshan's face red, and he didn't know how to answer.

Shen Kuo can have such an achievement, which Xu Deshan is very willing to see, because although Xu Deshan knows a lot of knowledge, but Xu Deshan is just a person, he has great ability, and there are only twelve hours a day, Xu Deshan can't spend all his time on surveying and mapping, and it is impossible to spend all his time on building weapons, he needs to find some disciples, learn his knowledge, and when the disciples learn, he will teach more disciples, and when all the people of the Great Song Dynasty can master this technology beyond the times, Then the Great Song Dynasty is the strongest country in the world.

Half a year's time, in Xu Deshan's opinion, is really a bit short, Shen Kuo has such a talent, he wants to hand over to Shen Kuo a lot, but time just waits for no one, at the end of the year, Xu Deshan really has no reason to keep Shen Kuo, and once Shen Kuo is gone, Xu Deshan really doesn't know if Shen Kuo will come back, Xu Deshan can only drag one day a day, and try his best to give Shen Kuo some new things.

Just when Xu Deshan was still hesitating when to take a holiday, someone made a decision for Xu Deshan, this day Xu Deshan and others were going down the Yellow River, and suddenly a fast boat came on the opposite side, playing the official number, Xu Deshan didn't care, he was going to let him go, but the clipper saw Xu Deshan's boat, but slowed down and approached, Wei Huang hurriedly led people to guard, the person on the boat said his identity, it turned out to be sent by the Daimyo Mansion Jia Changchao, and came here to find Xu Deshan and his party.

Xu Deshan wondered in his heart, in the past six months that he came out, Jia Changchao had not sent someone to find him, why did he send someone now, could it be that he saw that it was nearly a year old, and he thought that he could not do it, Xu Deshan smiled secretly in his heart, called the person over, and asked, "What is Lord Jia looking for me?" ”

The man said, "Lord Jia said that there is an emergency military situation on the northern border, and Lord Xu needs to go back to the Daimyo's Mansion to discuss, and the rest of the villain does not know." ”

When the people on the boat heard this, they couldn't help but feel nervous, the matter of the Maitreya Buddhist rebellion had just passed, could it be that there were remnants of the cult who could not make trouble, this is extraordinary, Xu Deshan hurriedly ordered people to move forward at full speed and went straight to the Daimyo's mansion.

Sailing along the river, a thousand miles in a day, only one night, Xu Deshan returned to the Daimyo's mansion, stood outside the city, and sure enough, he saw the soldiers on the city wall wearing helmets and armor, and they were heavily guarded, knowing that the matter was not trivial, so he hurriedly entered the city and rushed to the palace of the Jia Chang Dynasty.

When Xu Deshan came, Jia Changchao was convening all the officials to discuss the matter, Xu Deshan wanted to push the door and enter as usual, but when he walked to the door, he unconsciously slowed down, coughed at the door, and said, "See you at the lower official Xu Deshan." ”

The officials in the house turned around and saw Xu Deshan, Xu Deshan had been gone for half a year, Yu Wei was still there, and all the officials hurriedly got up to greet each other and let Xu Deshan into the house.

Xu Deshan entered the house, saw Jia Changchao frowning, knowing that this time the matter was important, but Xu Deshan was strange, before the officials, you said a word, gossiping, and it was very lively, but since he entered the house, it was quiet, no one spoke, and some people peeked at him from time to time, Xu Deshan felt very uncomfortable.

After being quiet for a while, Jia Changchao didn't speak to all the officials, glanced at Xu Deshan again, waved his hand and said, "Since this is the case, then that's it, you guys go back first, you have to worry a lot, and be fully prepared." ”

The officials agreed and retreated, and in a moment, only Xu Deshan and Jia Changchao were left in the room.

Xu Deshan asked, "Lord Jia, you said that there was a war in the north, I don't know what the war was, what is the situation, could it be that there is a rebellion of the remnants of Maitreya Buddhism?" ”

Jia Changchao sighed and said, "If it is the king, it would be good for the remnants, but this time, it was the Liao State that suddenly invaded the border and plundered the people on the border of our country, and the situation was urgent. ”

Xu Deshan said: "Liaoguo."

Invasion, let's fight back, what's the hesitation. ”

Jia Changchao glared and said, "The confrontation between the two countries, national affairs, how can you and I talk lightly, not to mention the 400,000 iron horsemen of the Liao State, like mountains and seas, how can my Song army resist?" ”

Xu Deshan said, "Then what are you asking me to come back for, it's not the same thing to wait, if you wait for the court to make a decision, I'm afraid that the whole of Hebei will become Liao's." ”

Jia Changchao shook his head and said, "The matter is not as serious as you think, this time the Liao State invaded just a small army, after sweeping it, it has now returned to the territory of the Liao State, and now what the imperial court has to do is to discuss with the Liao State the aftermath of this offense." ”

Xu Deshan was a little confused and said, "But what does this have to do with me?" ”

Jia Changchao glanced at Xu Deshan meaningfully and said, "In the county seat swept by the Liao army, there is Gaoyang County. ”

Xu Deshan's head buzzed with a muffled sound, swaying and almost fainting, Jia Chang stepped forward to help Xu Deshan, and hugged Xu Deshan to the chair, and it took a long time for Xu Deshan to feel sober.

Xu Deshan's eyes were red, and he asked urgently, "What about my parents and brothers?" ”

Jia Changchao shook his head and said, "I don't know, the Liao army came suddenly, bypassed the border army and released the line, directly attacked the inner border, and plundered ...... everywhere."

Xu Deshan listened, and without waiting for Jia Changchao to finish speaking, he slapped the table, jumped off the chair, and ran out, Jia Changchao hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?" ”

Xu Deshan said, "Go home!" ”

Jia Changchao's lips moved, and he didn't stop it, the moment he decided to get Xu Deshan back, he already knew that it was such a result, if Xu Deshan didn't go back, then it wouldn't be called Xu Deshan.

Due to the invasion of the Liao State, Hebei is now surrounded by displaced people, bandits are rampant, Xu Deshan wants a child to go back to Gaoyang County from the Daimyo's Mansion, it is difficult for a person, Jia Changchao hurriedly called Wei Huang Zhou Di, asked them to order a hundred elite soldiers, made up a reason to check the enemy's situation, and asked them to send Xu Deshan home to each other.

For Jia Changchao's kindness, Xu Deshan did not appreciate it, a hundred elite soldiers, not a hundred cavalry, from the Daimyo Mansion to Gaoyang County I don't know how much time, Xu Deshan only took Wei Huang and Zhou Di two people, the three of them each had a horse, set off overnight, fast horses, only two days of effort, from the Daimyo Mansion to Gaoyang County.

Although it has been a few days since the invasion of the Liao army, but only to see that on both sides of the road, there are still ruins, and from time to time you can see the dead bodies falling to the ground, Xu Deshan became more and more anxious, chose the road, and rushed to Fuping Township.

What a familiar road, what a familiar scene, but when I first left home, the birds were singing and the flowers were fragrant, and it was peaceful, but now, there is only endless sadness and pain here.

Seeing that he was getting closer and closer to home, Xu Deshan's heart was getting colder and colder, and when he could see Xu's mansion from afar, Xu Deshan's heart was already like an ice cave.

There is no need to go any further, you can see from a distance that the Xu Mansion, including the surrounding houses, has been burned and collapsed in the dark, and it is not too much to describe it as razed to the ground, and the huge plaque of the Xu Mansion is being thrown on the ruins, dazzling and eye-catching.

Xu Deshan shouted, his eyes were about to crack, and he urged the horse to run to the front, to see what was going on, but after riding the horse for a long time, the leg had already frozen, his body was crooked, and he fell down directly, Wei Huang Zhou Di hurriedly ran over and helped Xu Deshan up, Xu Deshan took a step forward, and almost fell down, it turned out that Xu Deshan had been riding a horse for two days in a row, and his thighs were worn out of skin, red and swollen, where could he still walk.

Xu Deshan was held by Wei Huang and Zhou Di, limped, and came to the ruins of Xu's mansion, looking left and right, and he couldn't see any living breath, he was suddenly stupid, his brain was empty, he didn't know what he needed to do, and then his nose was sore, and he cried loudly.

Wei Huang and Zhou Di glanced at each other, Wei Huang stayed to take care of Xu Deshan, and Zhou Di walked around to see if he could find someone to ask about the specific situation, if the people of Xu Mansion had already left before the Liao army came, then it would be good for Xu Deshan to rest assured.

Zhou Di walked around, but found that there was no figure here, and when he walked back, he saw that Xu Deshan had already lost his tears, and fell on the ruins, his eyes were empty, and he had no soul.

Zhou Di thought about it, there is no one here, there should always be someone in the county, and the Liao army can't slaughter Gaoyang County in a few days, so he flew on his horse and went straight to the county seat.

The county seat was already able to see people at this time, but the soldiers at the city gate were strictly inspected, Zhou Di showed his identity, naturally no one stopped him, Zhou Di took the lead, went straight to the county office, and went to find the county commander Wang Quan early.

In the past few days, Wang Quanzao has been depressed, you said that the Great Song Dynasty is such a wide place, where to loot is not good, you have to run to your own territory, and the county town is well defended, and the Liao army is all cavalry, so it is not called the Liao army to knock down the county, but there are heavy losses outside the county, and Wang Quanzao is busy dealing with all kinds of things.

Zhou Di came to this small county office, where to use what to report, and directly broke into Wang Quanzao's study, Wang Quanzao naturally knew Zhou Di, hurriedly visited, and heard that Xu Deshan was back, and he was also the official six-grade scrivener Wailang, who was waiting at the ruins of Xu's mansion, so frightened that he hurriedly dressed neatly, and followed Zhou Di out

The city rushed to Fuping Township.

Xu Deshan has only been away for half a year, but now Wang Quanzao sees Xu Deshan again, and he can see the difference between Xu Deshan at a glance, Xu Deshan's prestige is naturally there before, but after all, he is young, although he can bluff people, but after all, the background is not there, but now although Xu Deshan said that he fell on the ruins stupidly, but the trace of official authority on his body was vividly displayed, Wang Quanzao wanted to come forward to say hello, but when he came closer, he still gave a salute and said, "Xiaguan Wang Quanzao will meet you." ”

Xu Deshan cried for a long time, and now his mind is much clearer, and when he saw Wang Quanzao coming, he hurriedly asked, "Wang Quanzao, why has my Xu Mansion become like this?" ”

Wang Quanzao hesitated for a long time, and saw that Xu Deshan's eyes were about to pop out, so he told Xu Deshan the details.

It turned out that this year's drought in Liao, lack of pasture, now in winter, I am afraid that I can not survive the winter, there are Liao people often cross, robbing merchants, but that is a small fight, between the borders, everyone turns a blind eye, but who would have thought that this Liao army actually bypassed the border, directly came to Gaoyang County, all the way to burn and rob, the past where people and animals are not left, but also want to attack Gaoyang County, Gaoyang County with Wang Quanzao personally went to the city tower to suppress the formation, resisted for a day, the Liao army withdrew, but outside the county seat, With a flat horse, he could only let the Liao army gallop, and Wang Quanzao had no choice.

In Fuping Township, because the school is located, a group of guards were gathered in the Xu Mansion, and when the Liao army attacked, Xu Cai hurriedly called the people in the township to gather in the Xu Mansion and rely on the courtyard wall to resist. But how can the courtyard wall of an ordinary family be like the city wall of the county seat, the Liao army saw that the Xu Mansion was lenient and knew that there was naturally some property inside, so at all costs, broke the courtyard wall, attacked it, and finally burned the Xu Mansion with a fire, and all the people in it were burned to death, and the Xu Mansion family, no one could escape this catastrophe.

Wang Quanzao said this, Xu Deshan collapsed to the ground again, and Wang Quanzao continued, "I have already asked someone to find out the bodies of Lord Xu and others and bury them, Xu Gongzi, do you want to go and worship first." ”

Xu Deshan suddenly jumped up and said angrily, "Everyone is dead, and there is still a fart for worship!" I went to Jia Changchao and asked him to give me a piece of soldiers and horses, I will fight into the Liao Kingdom and avenge my parents and brothers! ”

After Xu Deshan finished speaking, he jumped up and left, Wei Huang hurriedly pulled Xu Deshan and said, "Xu Langjun is slow, this matter is not trivial, and it has to be discussed slowly!" ”

Xu Deshan shouted, "It's also a fart, he Khitan people entered our country and killed my people, do we still have to swallow our anger, hurry up and kill the past, death will be dead, the province is such a wretch!" ”

Xu Deshan said and walked forward, Wei Huang hugged Xu Deshan, and said, "Xu Langjun, don't say these angry words, your family was killed by the Liao army, and you are sad and angry, we can understand it, but the two countries are at war, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses at every turn, and the number of dead and wounded is not more, not to mention that my Song Dynasty has always been weaker than the Liao State, how about the time of Taizu Taizong, our army is not still defeated by the hands of the Liao army, rashly start a war, it will definitely be defeated and lost, don't say that Gaoyang is a place, even if it is the whole territory of Hebei, it will be a fierce war, I am afraid that it will be occupied by the Khitans. ”

Xu Deshan said angrily, "Wei Huang, you are still a military general, how can you have the same argument as those civil servants, thinking that your brother was killed by the rebels, where is your ambition?" It turns out that you just have a way for your own people, and in the face of the Liao army, you will be cowardly, you are still not a man! This time they killed my parents and brothers, you don't care, but the next time they kill your parents and brothers, I'll see who else cares about you! ”

Wei Huang was blushed by Xu Deshan's words, and said, "Xu Langjun, but the Liao army has retreated now, even if you want to fight, you can't fight, it is estimated that the imperial court is already sending people to negotiate with the Liao State, you are making trouble at this time, don't you ignore the overall situation." ”

Xu Deshan's face twitched, and he said, "Just say, do you dare to fight!" ”

Wei Huang said, "Xu Langjun, since you rescued me from prison, my life is yours, you told me to commit suicide now, and I have no complaints, but...... You often say, we must be reasonable when we do things, it doesn't matter if we die, but we can't lose money in doing things, we can kill a few people, and when the time comes, give them the truth, and they are still Liao. ”

Xu Deshan clenched his fists to death, and he didn't speak for a long time, until in the end, he finally let go of his hand, closed his eyes, leaned on the rock, and said in a hoarse voice, "Wei Huang Zhou Di, let's go, go back and tell Master Jia, my parents died, and I will not resign from the official position, Ding Wei will be worried for three years, you ...... Let's go. ”

Wei Huang Zhou Di looked at Xu Deshan's state, and then looked at Wang Quanzao next to him, Wang Quanzao hurriedly said, "Don't worry, the two adults, the lower officials will definitely take care of Xu Gongzi." ”

Wei Huang and Zhou Di knew that it was inappropriate for him to say anything, so he looked at each other, and felt that it was not a bad thing to ask Xu Deshan to be quiet and quiet alone, and besides, Wang Quan had already taken care of him, and there was no problem, and he had to go back to report to Jia Changchao, so after giving a salute to Xu Deshan, he returned to his horse and returned to the Daimyo's Mansion.

Xu Deshan saw that Wei Huang and Zhou Di were gone, and asked Wang Quanzao to lead himself to the grave of Xu Caizheng and others, waved his hand, and asked Wang Quanzao to leave as well, Xu Deshan tidied up his clothes, knelt down and kowtowed four heads to Xu Caizheng and others, and then turned over and got on the horse, and went all the way south.