The news of the landing of the Guang army in Danzhou soon spread to the neighboring state, and Xu Xin thought about it. Immediately send out the Tabai Army to spy across the border between Shaanxi and Duyan. At the same time, the accumulation of a small force in the same state began. The reason for its small size is that this unit is mainly responsible for evacuation and cover. Once the Jin army occupies Danzhou and moves to the Guanzhong Plain, the military and civilians of Tongzhou must withdraw. Because this place is flat. Last time, the main force of Xu Yuan and Xu Sheng and Weisu fought in Tongzhou, suffering heavy casualties, and the Jin army took turns to attack by taking advantage of the geographical advantage, and almost defeated the Xu brothers.

Therefore, this time, Xu Wei placed the main force of the Shaanxi and China Economic Strategy Pacification Division south of the Wei River. To be more precise, it is Dingrong and Shaanzhou. The purpose is to promote strengths and avoid weaknesses. On April 20, Xu Sheng sent the latest news to Dingrong, saying that Qu Duan had sent troops from Langzhou and was advancing to Danzhou, presumably to reinforce Yao Pingzhong.

Dingrong City, Shaanxi and China Jinglu pacified the division as a hospital.

Xu Wei came to see it as usual. At this moment, he was surrounded by a group of craftsmen, staring at a few things on the ground. Those objects were the iron mirrors he had ordered the craftsmen to cast some time ago. Now, in a few shots, two of them have been blown up, and both of them have been split into several petals. If you hold this thing in your hand, won't it kill and injure everyone?

"Dashuai, these two cracked tubes, one has three cannons, and the other has one cannon, and the one that hasn't cracked has already fired seven or eight cannons, and it's still fine." Today, even the envoy of the capital has come to explain it himself.

Xu Wei hugged his arms and looked at it for a long time, he was puzzled, you said that it was also made of iron. Why are both of them blown up, but that one is fine?

"Have you found the reason? Is the material different? Or is it the difference in casting technology? "After a while. Xu Wei asked.

"No, the material is exactly the same, and it is cast by the same craftsman, there will be no difference." The envoy is an old craftsman in his fifties, and his family has been good at making bows and crossbows for several generations, and after decades of hard work, he finally got a "trick officer".

This is strange, the same raw materials, the same process, why does this one die and not blow up? That's it. Then he asked, "You haven't looked for the reason?" ”

"Back to Dashuai, I humbly summoned all the craftsmen who participated, and I thought about it, and I didn't find out why. No one had ever forged such a thing before," replied the envoy with a bitter face.

Xu Wei didn't speak again, it seems that the difficulty of developing tubular firearms in one step is impossible and cannot be given up because of the difficulty, others don't know, I always know that hot weapons replace cold weapons, that is a historical trend, irreversible. Although the conditions are limited now, we must continue to explore for unification

It's not like who's in history knows howitzers, rocket artillery and the like as soon as they come, right?

However, now that the wolf smoke is rising again, and the war cloud is shrouded in the six roads of Shaanxi, it is necessary to use the new gunpowder that is gradually forming on the battlefield as soon as possible, even if there is no tubular firearm.

In this way, the craftsmen involved in the casting of iron remained the same, and they tried to change to copper. Other. Put down the work in your hand and specialize in firearms that use new gunpowder. Like thunderbolts and tribulus fireballs, a batch of them are made out for emergency use. Xu Wei commanded after making up his mind.

"Yes, the lowly office immediately divided the labor of the court.

Xu Wei nodded, showing a little smile: "I've worked hard for you recently, and I'll fight off the gold thief." Ben Shuai also repays you a credit. When he had finished speaking, he went out.

After the craftsmen saw him leave, one of them asked the envoy, "Why does the marshal always compete with this iron cylinder?" If you have this spare time, you might as well build more other firearms, I can't figure it out. ”

"If you figure it out, should you be the commander? Sharp talk nonsense, work". Back to the front of the Shuaifu; Xu Wei hesitated to go in. Let's go to Dongdaying first. Although he is the governor of Huazhou and the army of Dingrong, he not only has the right to control the army, but also has the responsibility of asking about politics, but he rarely asks about internal affairs. The first is that the imperial court has a general judgment to assist in dealing with it, and the second is that during the war, everything is focused on the war as the commander of the way. Naturally, the military should be put first.

"Just in time, Qu Dadu gave a military order to the marshal, and when he was hesitating, Zhang Qing came out of the yamen. He originally planned to go to the capital courtyard to find Xu Wei as before, but he didn't expect that as soon as he went out, Xu Wei was standing at the door thoughtfully.

Hearing this, Xu Weiran said, "Oh? Say what?.

Zhang Qing did not answer, and handed the order to him. The two of them entered the yamen one after the other. When he arrived in the second hall, Xu Wei sat down, unfolded the curly warrant and looked at it. This is the order of the Tao to send troops. Qu Duan said that Yao Pingzhong had won the battle against the Jin army in the area of Python Mountain in Danzhou. They repelled several strong attacks by the Jurchens one after another, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Now, he has sent Zhang Zhongyan to lead his troops to reinforcements, but he is afraid that he will not be able to do it, so he asked Xu Wei to respond from the troops of Tongzhou.

"Our task is to hold on to the pontoon bridge and Huangguan. Now the Jin people do not go to these two places, but they land from Danzhou. It seems that he doesn't want to have a hard time with Hujie, and Zhang Qing's words are somewhat proud. Mighty as the golden army, it even avoided our army, although it may not be considered to be afraid of us. But if you can make your opponent scruple about you, it means that you have weight.

Xu Wei took the warrant and looked at it for a while. Thinking about whether to send troops. In the past, when his status was not high and his troops were not many, he would fight wherever he was taught. At that time, he had no choice, but now it is different. He has 50,000 troops under his command, and there are nearly 100 commanders at all levels. I don't dare to say that I am majestic in Shaanxi, but at least it is a strong place. Besides, Qu Duan has never been with him

But this time, Qu Duan asked him to send troops from the same state to respond. If it's a side matter, you can still think about it. It's just that to help Yao Pingzhong, or should send troops.

From the beginning of the Purple Tiger Campaign, Xu Wei and Yao Pingzhong formed an "indissoluble bond", the surname Yao did not give him a lot of face, and when he robbed grain in Qixian County, he even delayed his progress, and the grudge could not be said to be deep.

But since he arrived in Shaanxi, there was a disgusting chief Qu Duan, who inadvertently pushed him and Yao Pingzhong on the same front. He sent troops to recruit Hedong, and Yao Xiyan raised troops from all over the state to help in the war. Although it can be interpreted as for military merit. But at that time, he did not have absolute binding force to demand that Yao Pingzhong must do so. However, Yao Pingzhong still came, and made many military exploits in the war in Hedong. From this point of view, Xu Wei owes Yao Pingzhong a favor.

Anyway, you cast a peach, and I will repay Li.

"Send an order to Tongzhou, and let Xu Cheng lead his troops to respond to Yao Beizhong." After a while, Xu Wei said.

When Zhang Qing heard this, he smiled: "Dashuai, do you want to return Yao Pingzhong's favor?" ”

"It can be said that although Yao Xiyan has some festivals with me, he can be regarded as a person who can fight habitually, and he is also iron-hearted to resist gold, and it is also within his duty to help him." Xu Wei also smiled.

Xu Wei's order soon reached Tongzhou, and Xu Cheng received the military order and immediately led the 4,000 men and horses withdrawn from Fang, Lang, and Danzhou to the north and entered the border of Danzhou. At this time, he found out that Zhang Zhongyan had entered Danzhou City, so he led the army to the rendezvous. Although Danzhou is at the state level, it is estimated that the city is not even comparable to Dingrong City. No wonder the last time Yeluma arrived on May Day, the Danzhou defenders opened the door and fled. Zhang Zhongyan's troops had already entered the city, and there were many armor soldiers at the head of the city, Xu Cheng led his troops to the city, but the other party closed the city gate and did not open.

"Kaesong! I am Xu Cheng, the former commander of the Shaanxi Hua Shuai Division! ”

At this shout, the defenders at the head of the city probed their heads to look at it for a while, and one of the officers threw down a sentence: "Wait! I'll report to Mr. Zhang. ”

I waited for a long time. Only then did Zhang Zhongyan appear at the head of the city, and shouted below: "Xu Tongzhi." Last time, you said that if I dare to enter Langzhou City, you will have to follow your uncle's example and kidnap me. Right now. Do you dare to enter my city? ”

When Xu Wei heard it, it was called a depression. I said that you Zhang Zhongyan is also the head of the soldiers and horses of Qingyang Mansion, not big or small, you can be regarded as a one-sided general, right? How do you look like a girl? I am bringing in troops now to coordinate with you to reinforce Yao Pingzhong, and Lao Tzu is not here to rob your territory, you are guilty of such bitterness?

"If you don't open it, don't open it. I led my troops back to Tongzhou, and I bothered you to report to Qu Dutong truthfully, not that Shaanxi Hua didn't listen to his moderation, but that you, Mr. Zhang, didn't let me and others enter the city. Xu Cheng shouted. Howl over. Really turned the horse's head to go.

Zhang Zhongyan saw it at the top of the city, panicked, and hurriedly shouted: "This official is just joking, it's not true, open the city!" ”

Xu Cheng laughed secretly in his heart, you wish I would have more people to share the burden for you, dare not let me enter the city? At that moment, he led 4,000 men and horses into the city, and Zhang Zhongyan also came down from the city. The two of them saluted. Pi smiled and said a few perfunctory words without smiling. The latter is leaving.

"Slow, Manager Zhang, Yao Zhizhou is fighting in Python Mountain, when will I wait for help?" Xu Cheng shouted.

Zhang Zhongyan stopped, turned around and said: "I have just entered the city, and the soldiers have rushed all the way from Langzhou, and the people are sleepy and tired, so they must rest for a while before they can fight." ”

Xu Cheng frowned and asked, "How far is Python Mountain from here?" ”

"Thirty or forty miles of land." Zhang Zhongyan replied.

"Thirty or forty miles? How many steps can you take? It is better to immediately raise troops to meet them. Xu Cheng suggested.

Zhang Zhongyan showed a strange smile, looked each other up and down, and said with a sneer: "Then, it is better to ask Xu to control first." Zhang arrived later, how? ”

"Don't you dare?" Xu Cheng is a cool man, and he can't see this kind of yin and yang weird thing. Asked angrily.

Zhang Zhongyan waved his hand again and again: "How dare you have such an idea?" Xu Tongzhi is the son of Xu Dashuai in Jingyuan, the nephew of Xu Dashuai in Shaanxi, and the son of Jiangmen Hu, who is terrible in his later life. Jin Jun saw you. Custody is to roll up the flag and run away! ”

After all, Xu Cheng was young and vigorous, and he didn't bother to fight with him, so he turned his head and yelled: "Stop advancing!" "An order. The Tiger Jie soldiers, who were entering the city, immediately stopped, maintained their original formation, and remained motionless. Zhang Zhongyan was also secretly frightened, no wonder Zijin Tiger was so arrogant, his army did have something extraordinary.

"Brothers, my fellow friendly soldiers came from Langzhou, and they were tired of running and couldn't move. We are from the same state, the journey is shorter, and we still have strength. Let's let the friendly forces take a breath, and Qiang will go to reinforce Yao Zhizhou! Xu Cheng shouted loudly, finished speaking, stared at Zhang Zhongyan with slanted eyes, ordered the rear team of the army to change to the front team, turned around and went out of the city again.

As soon as he left the city, he didn't walk two miles, Xu Cheng saw that the soldiers were all looking north, and there were many discussions, so he turned his head to look. I saw that on the post road in the north of Danzhou City, a crowd of people was rushing towards the city. When I got closer, I realized that they were all flat-headed people. And if you look closely, it is not difficult to see that there are men and women, old and young, among these people, and they are simply dragging their families with them.

"Rule, could it be that something has changed?" One of his subordinates, a Ma Jun envoy, asked.

Xu Cheng thought for a moment and ordered, "Send someone to ask what's going on." The troops continued to advance, and several horsemen left the ranks and marched forward. After a while, he galloped back and brought a piece of news that shocked Xu Cheng.

"Rule, the people say, there are gold soldiers robbed

Xu Cheng's heart jumped, and he blurted out, "Where is Fanzhou Town?" ”

"It is said that it is in the northeast corner of Danzhou, at the border with Yan'an Mansion, more than 60 miles away." The cavalry replied.

Yao Zhizhou fought against the Jin army on Python Mountain in the southeast corner of Danzhou, why did the Jin soldiers appear again in Fanchuan Town in the northeast? This is strange, no wonder the Jurchens are beating rabbits with grass, attacking Yao on the one hand, and going out to rob property on the other?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, this young general of the Xu family secretly screamed that it was not good! It's a roundabout! It's outflanking! Yao Pingzhong was in danger. The Jurchens couldn't beat them for a while, so they divided their troops and made a detour, wanting to stab them in the back! If Zhang Zhongyan and I are late for a day and a half, Yao Zhizhou will be finished!

After thinking for a moment, he ordered the troops to stand by. He led only a few horsemen and rushed back to the city. After asking around where Zhang Zhongyan went, he learned that he had seen the people go. Then he threw himself into the north city, and saw the crowds at the gate of the city from a distance, and after running over, Xu Cheng got off his horse and squeezed into the crowd.

Zhang Zhongyan is asking the people about relevant matters. I saw a sturdy man with a short beard and dark skin and said: "This morning, a Jin army broke into the town, looted and set fire everywhere. What else do people shout, the prime minister of the country leads the army to take Shaanxi. We were so frightened that we all rushed out of town to escape

When Xu Cheng heard this, he looked at this group of people, not to mention that there were six or seven hundred people, but fortunately, there should not be many under the scimitar of the Jin army. Just thinking like this, he caught a glimpse of Zhang Zhongyan squeezing out of the crowd under the escort of the soldiers, and walked out with a cold expression.

Xu Cheng hurriedly caught up and said quickly: "Manager Zhang." The Jin army wants to outflank Yao Zhizhou on both sides, and we must immediately raise troops! ”

Zhang Zhongyan didn't reply, just waved his hand. The footsteps did not stop at all.

"You say something, the Jin army is sixty miles away from here this morning, and at this moment, I'm afraid that I will go straight to Yao Zhizhou, and I will wait for a reply" Xu Chenghua.com said this, Zhang Zhongyan suddenly turned around, and said impatiently, "You have to go for reinforcements." Just hurry up, don't make noise here! ”

Xu Cheng was stunned, and then he was angry in his heart, and said sharply: "Yao Pingzhong and you are the same as Qu Dutong!" You are considered to be this army, and I belong to the Shaanxi Hua Shuaisi. It's just an ally, why are you less attentive than me? ”

Zhang Zhongyan also said angrily: "You said it lightly. Didn't you hear? Prime Minister! Do you know who the Minister of State Kim is? Sticky and sticky! He has arrived, can the Jin army have fewer troops? Danzhou is such a broken city, can it be stopped? If this official joins forces with you to aid Yao Pingzhong, won't he just fall into the trap of the Jin army and let Sticky Han attack from both sides? "The two, the commander of the army, quarreled on the street, causing many soldiers and ordinary people to watch. When I heard Zhang Zhongyan's words. Many people are terrified!

"What then? Abandon Yao Pingzhong? Xu Cheng asked rhetorically.

Zhang Zhongyan seems to don't want to entangle with him. waved his hand and said: "If you want help, go quickly, I can't care about your Shaanxi Hua Shuaisi." After finishing speaking, he didn't stop and hurried away.

Xu Cheng looked at his background, spat sharply, stepped on the war horse, and rushed out of the city again. The matter was urgent, but Zhang Zhongyan did not move. But how is this good? It is said that I was ordered to cooperate with him to reinforce Yao Pingzhong, and now that he has this attitude, he can also lead the army back to Tongzhou.

But when the troops were dispatched, the fourth uncle said that the ninth uncle sent troops this time, not because of Quduan's military order, but because Yao Pingzhong contributed a lot in the battle of Hedong. I have also seen Yao Bu's bravery in Pingyang, especially that Yang Zaixing. It's just unstoppable. If you sit back and watch them fall into the hands of the golden people, it will not be good.

Back in the army, Xu Cheng consulted with a group of subordinates. Some people say that the Jin army may arrive in the blink of an eye, and if we go to reinforce Yao Pingzhong alone, there is a danger of being outflanked, so it is better to lead the army back to Tongzhou. Anyway, with him one. Zhang Zhongyan of the chief doesn't care, what are we anxious about? But some people also say that Yang Zaixing has fought side by side with Hujie several times, and he is not an outsider, so if it is possible, he should be saved. Even if you don't send troops, you can report to others.

While they were deliberating, the envoy of the Ma army suddenly shouted: "These birds! I actually ran away! ”

Xu Cheng got up and looked in the direction of Danzhou City, sure enough! After the soldiers and horses left the city, they went straight to the west! Zhang Zhongyan really abandoned the city and ran away!

"Straight sissy thief! These things can be done! I'll fuck it! Xu Cheng scolded! The subordinates are also scolding! As early as the incident in Hezhongfu, we can see that this guy is an arm! Damn, I didn't even look at the shadow of Jin Jun. You abandon the city and flee, and you don't even care about Yao Pingzhong of your own army!

"Domination! Let's withdraw too! Don't let people say that we are nosy! "There is a negative airway.

Xu Cheng's face was pale, damn, such a thing! What to do? Really withdraw to the same state? Let Yao Pingzhong ask for more blessings? It doesn't seem appropriate. How to say that he used to appease the people of the Division. But if you go to reinforce him, if you can't keep it, you will let Jin Jun make dumplings!

After weighing it again, Xu Cheng said loudly: "That's it! Immediately send someone to report to Yao Zhizhou. Let him withdraw quickly! Our army first set up in Danzhou. Waiting to answer him, if the Jin army comes, we can also block it for a while, what do you think? The commanders looked at each other, but no one objected. To be honest, although not to reinforce him. But to do so is already the end of benevolence. A handful of birds like Zhang Zhongyan directly smeared oil on the soles of their feet, and he and Yao Pingzhong are still in the army! Yi Xunshu is a fine notch mixed with different body clams