The granary was opened, and Shi Junshi announced in public: All the poor people in the city could get a bucket of grain each, and the rest was used as military food; The treasury was opened, and all the officers and men of the Red Turban Army were given varying amounts of silver. To their dismay, however, there was no place to spend the money, for all the shops in the city were closed and locked, and none of them were open. So some people simply smashed the door and picked the lock, each taking what he needed. But two days later, the walls of the streets and alleys were plastered with notices, announcing the strictest discipline of the Red Turban Army since its establishment: it is strictly forbidden to rob homes, rape and plunder, harass the people, and those who violate the order will be beheaded!

After all these measures, a large number of refugees still fled out of the city, but many more who had nothing signed up and joined the Red Turban Rebels without hesitation.

Due to the unyielding first merit in the capture of Fu'an County, Guan Yu and the surviving brothers were greatly promoted. Cui Dakui was promoted to commander, and Guan Yu was promoted to commander. After the celebration banquet ended, Guan Yu pulled Cui Dakui aside as usual. This time, without waiting for him to ask, Cui Dakui bowed with a smile and said, "Lord Dutong has 1,500 people under his jurisdiction. Guan Yu didn't show excitement, but fell into deep thought. By personally participating in these two battles, he clearly felt the difference between the enemy and the enemy in addition to equipment, that is, the level of training in peacetime. If you want to survive on the brutal battlefield, you have to work hard! Thinking of this, he instructed Cui Dakui: "Brother Cui, summon the non-commissioned officers of the commander level to my tent to drink tonight, I have something to say to them." ”

It was night, and Guan Yu's big tent was brightly lit and lively. In addition to Cui Dakui and a group of other old subordinates, the eyes of the newly joined commanders who looked at Guan Yu were also warm and admiring, and felt that their chances of being able to follow this young and brave Lord Dutong for promotion in the future had greatly increased, not to mention that Lord Dutong was already the sworn brother of the big leader. After gossiping, after three rounds of drinking, Guan Yu explained his thoughts with a serious expression, and finally he said: "Commander --- Cui should feel the same way, right?" If the usual training level is higher and the combat power is more enhanced, a few more brothers who went with us this time will be able to come back alive! ”

Cui Dakui's eyes turned red, sighed softly, and nodded vigorously. The rest of the people expressed their attitudes one after another: "Lord Dutong, what do you want to do?" We are the only ones who look to you! Guan Yu smiled with satisfaction and said, "Taking advantage of the rest of the team, first, I will ask the big leader to replenish all the armor, weapons and other equipment of my department; Second, I want to work hard for everyone, do a good job in mobilizing and pacifying my subordinates, and I want to pull the team out of the city and practice horsemanship and tactics well. If nothing else, to increase the chances of the brethren surviving on the battlefield! ”

The next day, Guan Yu respectfully met with the military advisor and leader, and frankly expressed his thoughts. The leader and the military advisor smiled and bowed their heads again and again, and the stone commander stroked his long beard and sighed: "The son can be taught!" Come on, sixth brother, this is the next step I have discussed with the leader, I don't know what you think? As he spoke, he handed over a piece of paper.

Guan Yu lowered his head and looked at it, only to see a few big characters on it: Juntian, army expansion, and military training. When he raised his head, he saw Liu Qian's face full of red light, and laughed and said to him: "Sixth brother, do you have a feeling that the hero sees something like that?" ”

Guan Yu hurriedly bowed his head and bowed and said, "The junior brother has no ink on his chest, and he is only shallow in learning, how can there be leaders and military advisors who are far-reaching?" I just happened to run into a scaly claw by mistake. ”

Liu Qian nodded with satisfaction, only to feel that he was in a good mood today, and said with a wave of his hand: "You will give you all the horses, armor, weapons, etc. you want!" Tomorrow you can lead the team out of the city, don't come back to see me without training! Guan Yu happily clasped his fists and saluted, and replied in a loud voice: "The last general will be ordered!" ”。

Liu Ganting, dressed as a beggar, rushed to the city of Pingzhou, the seat of the county government, and he felt like a person who had just come back from the ghost gate. The bustling street scene in the city made his mind dizzy, and he felt like he was in a different world. The shouts of the hawkers, the silver-bell-like laughter of the young girls on the green building, and the bustling flow of people in front of him reminded him of the scorched earth of Fu'an County, hundreds of miles away, which seemed to have been lively and prosperous.

After many inquiries, I finally found the location of the county government, and the official at the door saw his outfit, covered his nose and was about to step forward with a stick to drive him away. Liu Ganting skillfully handed over the broken silver and showed his identity, and the messenger passed the letter suspiciously. After half a pillar of incense, an old man who looked like a housekeeper walked out quickly, looked him up and down for a long time, and asked suspiciously: "Are you really the Chenglian of Fu'an County?" ”

Liu Ganting nodded and bowed, and replied: "I don't dare to pretend to be a villain with three guts!" It is very important for the villain to escape from death to report to the county keeper! As he spoke, he saluted the hands of the interveners quite skillfully. The old butler pinched the size of the object in his hand, and finally a smile appeared on his face: "Go in, Lord County Guard just has something to ask you." ”

With a broken step, he bowed his head and carefully followed the old butler through the long verandah, and finally entered a bright hall. Behind the wide long case of the head hanging, a middle-aged man with a slightly chubby face, fair complexion, and bright clothes sat steadily. Liu Ganting took two steps, knelt on the ground, and said with tears in his eyes: "Lord County Shou, Fu'an Chenglian Liu Ganting will kowtow to you." The county seat of Fu'an has been conquered by the Red Turban bandits, and Lord Pingzhang and the soldiers defending the city have been martyred. The little one is nine deaths, risking his life to ride out of the encirclement, just to deliver news to you! ”。

The one behind the table was obviously taken aback, and suddenly fell to his feet, his slightly chubby body shook involuntarily, perhaps sensing his gaffe, and after a moment's pause, he sat down again without saying a word. He waved his hand lightly, and said in a calm voice: "Liu Chenglian, please get up, sit down and speak slowly." ”

Liu Ganting kowtowed again, then slowly got up and raised his head slightly. He saw a boxy face, pale and gloomy, and the long beard under his chin was not messy. The man tapped the index finger of his right hand on the table and asked in a deep voice, "When was Fu'an broken by thieves?" ”

Liu Ganting hurriedly bowed down and saluted, and said: "Five days ago, it was broken by thieves the night ago, and the thieves set fire everywhere in the city, and Fu'an has become a scorched earth. Before the city was broken, Lord Pingzhang led the army and people to repel the thieves no less than dozens of times, and also sent fast horses to ask for help from the adults several times. ”。

"Oh, got it." Pingzhou County Shouli Hongchang leaned back slightly, gently pushed aside a few letters pressed down on the palm of his left hand, and then said: "It's just that the number of soldiers and combat power of the county government are limited, and it is still difficult to maintain law and order in the county government. I have sent a quick horse to report to the Imperial Military Department, but there is no reply yet. I didn't expect the thieves to capture the county so quickly! In fact, it was not easy for the military department to send a vanguard battalion to suppress bandits in the early stage, and the barbarians outside the border disturbed the border, and the 200,000 troops were eyeing each other; The Black Flag Army in the Northeast is also very rampant, and I heard that several state capitals have been conquered, and the Taiping Army in the southwest and the Ma Jiajun in the northwest have also caused a lot of battles. The military department is also demolishing the east wall to make up the west wall, which is overstretched! If the county seat of Fu'an can hold on for another ten days and a half months, and wait for other places to free up their hands, the thieves will flee and collapse without a fight, but it's a pity--- pity! ”。

Lijun Shou shook his head sadly, and then said, "It's come to this, you go down and rest first." Fu'an belongs to me, and now it is in the hands of thieves, and it is difficult to suppress the heartache. I'm going to go up, and I'll report to the court quickly, first, for the crime of dereliction of duty, and second, to play Han Pingzhang's matter truthfully, so that the court can show the world and praise his loyalty! ”。

When Liu Ganting heard this, he had to bow deeply and get up to say goodbye. The old butler led him out of the door, and when he looked up, he saw thousands of cavalrymen hurrying down the street with swords and spears, bright armor, and banners. Liu Ganting turned around a little excitedly and asked, "Is this to exterminate the Red Turban bandits?" The old butler smiled, "In another month it will be Dazai-sama's 60th birthday, and all the state capitals will have congratulatory gifts." He is also the mentor of my master, and my master naturally cannot be left behind. It's just that the world is really not peaceful at the moment, so we have to send more government soldiers to escort it to the capital. Liu Ganting was stunned for a moment, and said goodbye to the housekeeper. Turning a corner, he finally let out a long sigh, looked up at the sky, tears appeared in his eyes, and muttered: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, you are so not worth dying!

On this day, the smoke and dust billowed at the gate of the city, and there were more than 200 strong men in different costumes and sharp blades on their backs. The lieutenant in charge of guarding the city gate vigilantly ordered his subordinates to prepare for defense, and urged him to step forward to stop the comer, and Xiang Jia interrogated.

The big bucktooth who was the leader smiled slightly, and shouted loudly: "It is rumored that the big leader of your family, Zhang Daya of Heifengling, has come to join the brothers!" The captain was shocked, Heifengling is a big mountain near Fu'an County, with high mountains and dense forests. The bandit "Zhang Daya" is even more famous, according to legend, not only kills people without blinking, but also has a penchant for eating alive.

At this time, Liu Qian was gathering the generals to discuss the next offensive direction, and frowned slightly when he heard the report, the name of "Zhang Daya" was like thunder! Just hesitating about how to deal with it, the military advisor Shi Tiangong took the lead in the ranks, and said with his hands clasped into his fists: "Congratulations to the leader, congratulations to the leader!" Heroes from all walks of life have come to vote, which shows that our Red Turban Army is just around the corner! ”

Liu Qian's face changed, and he said with a smile: "It's really a happy event to say this!" ”

Shi Junshi continued: "The leader should lead the generals to greet him in person, so as to show the world that my Red Turban Army is tolerant of all rivers and rivers, and Corporal Lixian loves talents. ”

Liu Qian pondered for a moment, raised his eyebrows, nodded again and again, got up and said, "It's very good according to the will of the military advisor!" Greetings, brethren, to greet you! ”。

The "Zhang Daya" at the gate of the city was really startled by the rumbling salute, and reached out to draw his sword. The unknown brothers even drew their weapons and looked around nervously, ready to kill a bloody path at any time, and then ---- escaped. When he saw Liu Qian leading the crowd out of the city gate with a smile on his face, a heart was put back in his stomach.

When the two sides met for the first time, they politely exchanged a few words of greeting, and Liu Qian politely entered the city with "Zhang Daya" and horses. "Zhang Daya" has never received such courtesy, and suddenly feels uncomfortable in his neck: his head is too high, right? disrespectful to the owner and too uninteresting; Keep your head down? It's too wretched, not enough for men and domineering! It will be looked down upon in the future! Fuck it! So, the minions of the Black Wind Ridge followed behind the "village master" suspiciously, watching him constantly shake his head and twist his slightly fat neck, but they didn't understand what kind of code this was! A sharp-beaked monkey-gills "second master" pretended to be clever and whispered to his brothers: "Everyone has a bright cover, ready to copy the guy at any time!"