"Report ...... Report to the two adults, there are still people in the barracks! A sentinel who had gone to investigate hurriedly came back and said.

"Someone? How many people? Zhou Zilong and Lin Changxun looked at each other and asked in a loud voice.

"There were about four or five thousand of them, but ...... But ......"

"But what? Say it! Lin Changxun shouted angrily, at this time, he was still spitting.

"Four or five thousand people were naked and bound! It seems to be someone from the Shenwu Army! The sentinel whispered.

"Huh?" Zhou Zilong exclaimed, "Let's go, let's take a look!" ”

The two of them led five or six thousand men into the middle camp along the middle passage, and in the huge school yard in between, about 4,000 soldiers were stripped of their clothes and tied together, and piles of fires were burning around them. There were 4,000 people, all of them with gray faces, and they didn't know what they were thinking.

"Quick! Uncover them! Zhou Zilong hurriedly said.

"My lord, there is a message here!" A soldier shouted.

Zhou Zilong and Lin Changxun went over to take a look, and on the side of the school field, next to the bonfire, a wooden board was written with these lines of big characters. It is nothing more than what is said, this operation was done by the Taihang Mountain Righteous Army, because the Shenwu Army plundered the caravan and left the Taihang Mountain Righteous Army without food, so they came out to retaliate, and there were still more than 2,000 disabled and dead war horses in the camp, together with 2,000 loads of grain, which were sent to the people of Gucheng County.

"Taihang Mountain Rebels?" Lin Changxun said strangely.

"Taihang Mountain Righteous Army!" Zhou Zilong said affirmatively. Then he shook his head and sighed: "Let's prepare to play a report, now, the storm is rising again!" ”

"These things, let these young people share it. It can also be regarded as giving the Taihang Mountain Righteous Army a rising prestige! Zhou Zilong said with a smile.

"Come on, let them bury the bodies. So many corpses, staying here, is a problem! The fire was also extinguished, so as not to cause a fire in the back mountain. And those...... In short, the terrain here should be smoothed out and cleaned up! Lin Changxun also understood what Zhou Zilong meant, and hurriedly ordered these young men to sweep away the traces here.

…………

On April 10, dozens of cavalry galloped in from outside the eastern city, rushing non-stop to the Zuo Prime Minister's Mansion. Soon after, there was a commotion in the Zuo Prime Minister's Mansion.

Zhao Xun naturally learned about the operation a long time ago, and said with a smile: "The news is here, the 40,000 army will be wiped out overnight, and this old guy Situ Lei is definitely going to scold his mother." ”

"Lord, we can't be careless, in case this Situ thunder is angry and wants to turn against us, maybe we will suffer a big loss. It's better to let the Thousand Niu Guards get ready and be prepared! Zhang Yuanjing said slowly.

"Well, Wei Dong, you go and give an order, let the departments be careful and prepare for emergencies!"

"Obey!"

"Murong Cheng has been in an uncertain position since the beginning of February, and although he is not targeting us on the surface, he is also restricting our expansion. Let the Luoyang Order secretly contain us, and even let the officials of Dongzhou Mansion and Henan Prefecture increase the taxation of our caravans, and the same is true of Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Jiangzhou (southern of ancient Yangzhou). Now it seems that Murong Cheng is also secretly suppressing us. Zhang Yuanjing said unhurriedly.

Zhao Xun nodded and said: "This is normal, he wants to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight, but he doesn't want two people to grab the food, and there is a third person, especially this third person has no clear position." However, we may be worried that if we are in a hurry, we will erect the banner of Emperor Xuanwu. ”

"Taihang Mountain Righteous Army, good name! It seems that tomorrow morning, the old man Situ Lei is going to go crazy! Looking at the information in his hand, Zhang Yuanjing couldn't help but smile.

Zhao Xun also smiled: "There is no way, the Taihang Mountain Righteous Army also has to live." The Shenwu army robbed the passing caravans, so that the merchants did not pass from this place, and the bandits in Taihang Mountain did not starve to death! Okay, I just sent out 10,000 war horses. Now 7,000 horses have been given to the bandits. I'll ask Situ Lei tomorrow, are you training soldiers, or are you sending things to the bandits in Taihang Mountain!" ”

"Haha...... Situ Lei must be angry! ”

…………

On the morning of the second day, all the civil and military officials saw that Zuo Xiang Situ Lei's face was gloomy as ink, and Murong Cheng, the king of Qi, was also very puzzled, and both of them paid attention to Zhao Xun. And Zhao Xun was still sitting in the side hall waiting as usual. Now Zhao Xun is the head of the military generals, except for the King of Qi, of course. The civil and military officials were no longer the same as usual, and they stayed away from Zhao Xun.

Zhao Xun is, you communicate with me, I also communicate with you, if you don't talk to me, I will ignore you. Qin Qi, the secretary of the Ministry of War, and some officials of the Imperial History Dao are still close to Zhao Xun. They found that in fact, Zhao Xun was not as reckless as they thought. These people who don't have power actually like to talk to Zhao Xun. If nothing else, just because Zhao Xun does not discriminate against them, and does not despise them because they have no real power.

"General, what do you think is wrong with King Qi and Zuo Xiang? Are you doing it again? Qin Qi asked with a smile. He knew that Zhao Xun and Situ Lei were fighting happily.

"The ghost only knows what happened to him, we have never dealt with him, he is like this, and it is normal! However, it looks like I took the wrong medicine today! Zhao Xun shook his head and said. As for the secret attack, Zhao Xun could never admit it, let alone say it to outsiders.

"Officials enter the palace!" The special voice of the eunuch marked the beginning of the early dynasty.

As soon as he entered the hall, Zuo Xiang Situ Lei, Qi King Murong Cheng, and the champion general stood in the forefront, and like the other two, Zhao Xun was also exempted from kneeling. Otherwise, Zhao Xun would not be too lazy to go to court.

"Qi Song Majesty, the Shenwu Army and Changwu Army outside the two counties of Gucheng and Xincheng were attacked the night before, a total of 40,000 troops, and overnight, they will no longer exist!"

"What?" Emperor Xuanwu was stunned and taken aback. The hundreds of officials above the court also exclaimed, and the 40,000 army was destroyed in Henan Mansion, which was too unexpected.

"Left Phase! Who is the enemy? Emperor Xuanwu asked angrily. But he must be happy in his heart, and all the officials know it.

"I don't know, but the champion general should be able to give the answer!" Situ Lei stared at Zhao Xun gloomily. An army of 40,000, including 10,000 cavalry, basically, half of the Shenwu Army and the Changwu Army were abolished.

Seeing that all the officials were looking at him, Zhao Xun said in surprise: "Me? Oh! I understand! Since February 1, the caravans coming and going from Luoyang and Youzhou have been repeatedly attacked by unknown mountain bandits, not only their belongings have been robbed, but even the caravan pedestrians have been killed. Zuo Xiang must be talking about them, this group of bastards who plundered the caravan were too arrogant and arrogant, and they dared to attack the army. ”

"His Majesty, the city was built yì, and immediately ordered that the government armies of Yongzhou, Jizhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou should encircle and suppress this group of mountain bandits in the eastern part of Yongzhou, so as to calm the hearts of the people and restore the trade route." Zhao Xun said in a deep voice.

Zhao Xun looked at Situ Lei's face that was about to drip ink, and was secretly happy in his heart, but he said: "Zuo Xiang, I don't know how many materials the two guard armies lost?" You know, my caravan in Youzhou has lost a lot of property. If the Shenwu Army and the Changwu Army want to attack this group of mountain bandits, I, Zhao Xun, am willing to provide some help to Zuo Xiang, a little money and food is still okay, do you want to express your heart, how to say, I am also a victim. ”

Zhao Xun's words made him indignant, and he seemed to be very sad and indignant because of the attack on the two guards, and he told the situation of his caravan, which won the approval of the officials, and all of a sudden, so that those officials no longer doubted Zhao Xun. Of course, some shrewd people have already regarded Zhao Xun as the main target of suspicion.

"Zhao Xun! But my people told me that the Shenwu Army and the Changwu Army were attacked, and there were traces of earth-shaking thunder! Situ Lei said gloomily: "The heaven-shaking thunder is a thing, but it is unique to the Xiaoguo Army, can you explain it for me and the officials." ”

Zhao Xun immediately said angrily: "What do you mean by this, Zuo Xiang? Do you doubt me? Are you saying that it was my Xiaoguo Army that attacked the Shenwu Army and the Changwu Army? ”

"Yes or no, you need to explain clearly!"

"Explain? This earth-shattering thunder was obtained by accident, and I dare not guarantee that only my Xiaoguo Army has it. Zuo Xiang, should you be like those fools in Beihu, thinking that I am the reincarnation of Thor! Zhao Xun sneered.

"You ......" Hearing Zhao Xun compare him to a fool, Situ Lei suddenly became angry.

"Two battalions, 40,000 troops, how much does it take for the enemy to annihilate them all? According to Zuo Xiang, it was my Xiaoguo army who did it. But with the transfer of tens of thousands of troops, does Zuo Xiang think that the officials of Jizhou, Yongzhou and the people of the Tiqi Division are all pigs? Will there be no one to see? This is not the action of dozens of people. Moreover, how did they evacuate? Am I going to let my men die here in vain? Do you and the people of the world think that I, Zhao Xun, am the kind of person who is used to stabbing knives at my own people? Zhao Xun shouted angrily.

"Zuo Xiang, if you want to annihilate the 40,000 people guarding the camp in the two places at the same time, even if there is a thunderstorm to help the battle, it is impossible to dig 20,000 people less. By the way, in return, how many enemy troops are there? Emperor Xuanwu asked.

"There are more than 10,000 people in each place, and the actual number is not yet known." Those soldiers who were let go by the Xiaoguo Army naturally didn't know how many people were around, only knew that the drums were beating, and then they listened to the words of the enemy army, and there were more than 10,000 people. The total of the two places will soon be more than 20,000.

"Zuo Xiang, I don't think it should be a champion general, 20,000 people appeared in Yongzhou from Youzhou or northern Hebei, and the local government knows nothing, it's really impossible. Even if the government is blinded, the left minister's Tiqi Division should also report it! Can they say that the Xiaoguo army has been mobilized? Besides, just because the Xiaoguo Army has a Heaven-Shaking Thunder doesn't mean that other people can't have a Sky-Shaking Thunder, do you say? ”

In fact, up to now, Situ Lei is also a little uncertain, although the biggest target he suspects is Zhao Xun, but after saying this, it seems that it is not the work of Xiaoguo Jun. Of course, if it wasn't done by Xiaoguojun, it doesn't mean that it has nothing to do with Zhao Xun.

"General, what are you thinking?" Emperor Xuanwu saw that Zhao Xun was frowning and pondering, and asked.

Zhao inquired: "The minister is wondering, where did the enemy army that attacked the two guards get the earth-shaking thunder. This thing is not very lethal, but it is extremely damaging to battlefield morale. If it is allowed to spread, it will be extremely detrimental to Dayan. What's more, the place where the two guards were attacked was in Henan Mansion, which was too close to Luoyang. ”

Emperor Xuanwu's face also changed, and after Zhao Xun said this, he also began to doubt his guess. Could it be that the one who attacked the two guards was really not Zhao Xun's people? If other forces also obtained the Heaven-Shaking Thunder, then this would be a big trouble.

"The two cities are at the junction of Henan Province and Hanoi Province, is there really a large number of thieves and mountain bandits in the local area?" Zhao Xun asked.

An official of the Ministry of Meritorious Service came out and said: "Hanoi Mansion is backed by the remaining veins of Taihang Mountain, and there are many bandits in the mountains, dozens of gangs, hundreds of villages, and the officers and soldiers are endless. ”

"Who is the governor of Yongzhou? That's a whole number of good officials! Zhao Xun sneered.

The official of the Ministry of Officials continued: "Yongzhou is the land of the two capitals, therefore, there is no governor, and the military forces of all prefectures are under the jurisdiction of the military department and the commander of the army. ”

Okay, the military department is the person of the left minister, and the commander of the army is Murong Cheng, the king of Qi. How can they become one, if they are already hostile? At this time, Zhao Xun was too lazy to say anything, fighting for power and profit, and even ignoring the comfort around him, the two of them were really superb. For this reason, the officials in the court also let go of their suspicions about Zhao Xun.

In fact, Zhao Xun also wronged the two of them, you know, at the beginning, the capital was in Chang'an. Hanoi and Henan are still far away from Chang'an, so the two naturally can't care about some bandits in the distance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what should you do?" Emperor Xuanwu asked, anyway, he didn't have a loss, and he couldn't order the place. Just let you do it, this Situ Lei has suffered a lot of damage, and it is impossible not to react.

"The minister thinks that either let the government army dispatch, or let the Shenwu army and the Changwu army attack. The dignified guards were actually eaten by a group of mountain bandits. It's a great shame, I lost the face of the guards, and I should wash away the shame myself. Zhao Xun said loudly.

"By the way, Zuo Xiang, can you know the identity or name of the enemy?" Cheng Fuzhi said with a smile. For the left prime minister, who has seized all the rights, Cheng Fuzhi, who is the right minister, naturally has no good face for him.

Situ Lei's face was gloomy and he said, "Claiming to be the ...... of the Taihang Mountain Righteous Army"

Before Situ Lei finished speaking, Zhao Xun said strangely: "Taihang Mountain Righteous Army? It turned out that Zuo Xiang knew the identity of the other party, I thought I didn't know, so I had to splash dirty water on me. It seems that this righteous army is still righteous and has left a name, otherwise, wouldn't my dignified champion general be framed by the villain and bear this crime that does not belong to me? ”

"Taihang Mountain Bandit Army! Taihang Mountain, it seems that the difficulty of encirclement and suppression is not small! Murong Cheng frowned and said, he is the governor of the army, and the Yongzhou army naturally has to obey his orders. Now that something so big has happened, he can't stay out of it.

When Zhao Xun heard this, he nodded and said: "It's really not easy, for this kind of bandit who lives on the mountains, it is extremely difficult to encircle and suppress. To mountains like Taihang Mountain, it is even more difficult to encircle and suppress! However, no matter how difficult it is, you have to do it! ”

Looking at Zhao Xun's sincere appearance, Murong Cheng and Situ Lei are really unsure of the masterminds of this matter now. But the following words made Situ Lei's anger rise again.

"If you don't act, the Shenwu Army and the Changwu Army will become a joke, and then the Xuzhou Army and the Northern Zhuhu will look down on the strength of our army. That turned out to be ......," he said, with a sad expression.