On the official road of Gyeongju, I saw more than a dozen horsemen walking slowly to the south. At the beginning was a twenty-six-seventeen-year-old cloth-clothed young man looking around, obviously he was the vanguard of this team.

Behind him, there was a mule cart carrying more than a dozen stones, and on top of the mule cart sat a young man of twenty-one or twelve years old, also wearing a green shirt and cloth, with a dog's tail grass in his mouth, and humming a tune with his eyes closed, and there were still mules and horses in front of him being led by the war horse under the crotch of the young man who hit the head. Regardless of it! Next to the young man in the green shirt, there was a young man with an extremely strong body, who was at least two hundred pounds tall, and he was carrying a "weapon" on his back. The weapon was also quite weird, the ends of the two-meter-long wooden stick were tied with iron rings, and it looked quite heavy, but it was carried on the back of the five big and three thick men, as if nothing had happened at all! But no matter who sees this man, a creepy heart will rise in his heart!

After these three people, they were followed by ten horsemen, who were also dressed in gray cloth, but on them, they exuded a bloody aura, and they did not speak, but silently followed the carriage in front.

This group of people is Zhang Cheng and others who went south. They have been on the road for more than ten days, and now they have entered the border of Gyeongju!

Gyeongju is located on the coast of Zezhou, Jingzhou, Fuzhou and Runzhou, and has four counties and 21 counties under its jurisdiction, which is a relatively small state among the states of the Daqian Empire. But don't underestimate this Gyeongju, in its coastal area, there are several natural salt farms, Gyeongju produces a lot of salt, and the salt in the north is basically supplied by Gyeongju! And most of Gongsun Kai's taxes come from this salt tax, so it is conceivable that Gyeongju is important!

Moreover, Gyeongju is relatively flat and has a lot of land, which is quite rich. With more than 8 million people under the rule of the state, and few victims of war, Gyeongju can be said to be one of the most stable prefectures and counties in the Great Qian Empire!

The wealth here is far from being comparable to Jizhou!

After a while, they dismounted and rested among the trees.

Sitting in the shade of the tree, Zhang Cheng took a sip of water, and smashed his mouth, ahhhhhh He enjoyed it and said, "A sip of Gyeongju water is like drinking fairy spring dew!" Hey, yes. Qi Tian, at our current speed, how long will it take to reach Wuzhou? ”

Qi Tian on the side took a sip of water, and as soon as he waved, a brother next to him took out a map, Qi Tian looked at it carefully, and he said, "Our current location is in Geumsan County, Gyeongju." We still have to go through Runzhou to get to Wuzhou. Counting it, I'm afraid it will take more than ten days! ”

Nodding, Zhang Cheng suddenly remembered and said, "Isn't the general attacking Jinshan County now?" No, we can't take the official road anymore, take the small road instead! ”

"Why?" Walking along the way, seeing the traces of battle along the way, I more or less know where the army is. But Zhang Cheng did not take the official road, but Qi Tian was very puzzled.

"You're stupid! The general led an army of 150,000 and attacked the city all the way, and half of Gyeongju had fallen into his hands. There must be a large army of spies scattered in front of him, if he knows that he is out of Jizhou and passes through Gyeongju. If we want to leave, I'm afraid it's not easy! So, try to avoid the army as much as possible, and take the trail, you know? Zhang Cheng said.

Hearing this, Qi Tian nodded in understanding. Tie Zhu was overjoyed when he heard this, he stood up and said excitedly to Zhang Cheng: "Brother, wouldn't it be good to let the general know that we are here?" Aren't we going to have another war? ”

"You know how to fight all the time! Haven't you had enough days of coming and going in the wind and going in the fire? If you look at the people whose families have been destroyed and displaced by the war, do you want more people to die for them? Zhang Cheng said with some hatred that iron does not become steel.

"Oh! Got it! Tie Zhu replied stupidly, and Yang Yang took a step back and stopped talking.

After a short rest, the group set out again. But just after Jinshan County, I arrived in Longqian County, Liangyue County. Zhang Cheng led everyone to walk on the path, but he frowned a little when he saw the surrounding environment. The topography of Yongqian County is more peculiar, in the north of Gyeongju, the north of Geumsan County is a plain, but after crossing Geumsan County, the terrain of Yangwol County begins to become a little undulating, and when it comes to Yongqian County, the terrain is more complicated, with many hills and mountains. But this is the main road between the north and the south, and it is the place where the army must pass. In this way, the mobility of the northern war cavalry will be limited, and the advantage of the army will be lost!

But then he shook his head and stopped thinking about these things.

But it didn't take long to go, more than a dozen people rushed out of the small path forest, pointed their spears at everyone, and the fire chief led by him drew out his long sword, pointed at Zhang Cheng and said fiercely: "Who is here?" Hurry up and report your identity and origin! Otherwise, you're welcome! ”

"Presumptuous! Do you know who this is? Qi Tian said sharply. As Qi Tian broke off, the ten people behind him also drew their swords and confronted them.

Seeing the tension between the two sides, Zhang Cheng couldn't help frowning, he waved his hand, walked to the front, and said, "I'm Zhang Cheng!" ”

"Which Zhang Cheng? I don't care who you are! You don't take the official road, but go back to the path. Suspicious, definitely not a good bird! Come on, get me! With a wave of his hand, the captain of the fire will arrest them.

Tie Zhu and Qi Tian both shouted: "Young Master! ”

Zhang Cheng shouted: "Don't act rashly! They are all their own brothers, don't mess around! It's a blessing or a curse, it's a curse that can't be avoided! Let's go! I'll go with you! Zhang Cheng finally said to the fire chief. When the fire chief heard this, he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, if it really started, he dared to guarantee that he was definitely not the opponent of the other party's thirteen people!

Soon, the fire chief took Zhang Cheng and others to the Jizhou camp. Yes, this squad is a scout team of the Jizhou Army. At this moment, he is taking them to the camp tent of the third division of the Jizhou Army!

"Brigade commander, the little one is ambushing the trail with his brothers, and he is secretly investigating the traces of the Gyeongju army! I was coming across a group of men coming from the north, all on horseback, armed with swords and guns, and I saw that they were all very skilled. They were no ordinary people, so they were taken down. Come back to your life! "The fire commander to the brigade commander to belong.

"Oh? Who are they? Bring it with you? The brigade commander hurriedly ordered them to bring men up for interrogation.

The fire commander brought Zhang Cheng and the others up, and the brigade commander took the case, and he said sharply: "Who are you?" Quickly report your identity and origin! ”

Zhang Cheng said to him: "I joined the army on behalf of the original First Division, and now I am the first Zhang Cheng in Beidi County!" ”

"What? Are you Zhang Cheng? You! Wait, you say you're Zhang Cheng? But half a year ago, General Zhang Cheng Zhang, who broke the barbarian army? When the brigade commander heard this, he was shocked, suddenly stood up, and hurriedly asked.

"Exactly!"

For the sake of caution, the brigade commander also checked Zhang Cheng's official credentials, and it was indeed written that he was the general of Huaihua Zhonglang, and Zhang Cheng was the guard of Beidi County. The brigade commander asked Zhang Cheng to go to the Chinese army later.

For a moment, Zhang Cheng was sitting on a chair drinking tea, when suddenly the curtain was lifted, and a majestic general wearing silver light armor strode forward. There are a few Governors behind him!

"General! What are you doing here! Zhang Cheng has seen the general! When Zhang Cheng saw the visitor, he quickly got up, knelt down on one knee, and kowtowed to the visitor.

Not bad! This majestic and intimidating general is none other than Zhao Hui, the general of Jizhou! When he saw the brigade commander say that Zhang Cheng was coming, he couldn't believe it, and he heard that the other party had official credentials, so he had doubts, and finally decided to come and take a look in person, but it was really Zhang Cheng!

"Good boy! Sure enough, it's you! How did you get to Gyeongju? Zhao Hui saw that it was Zhang Cheng, he was also very happy in his heart, grabbed Zhang Cheng and patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile.

When Zhang Cheng saw the general, he was also excited in his heart, if the commander had the grace of cultivating him, then Zhao Hui had the grace of reuse for him, and he was quite partial to himself, thinking about everything for his own sake. He was very grateful to Zhao Hui, and when he saw Zhao Hui at this moment, he was naturally very close!

"General! Xiaguan got the way of refined salt and wanted to sell salt in Wuzhou! Zhang Cheng said this, which can be said to be both true and false. He did find refined salt, and with the way of refined salt, he also went to Wuzhou to sell salt. But he is not the traditional kind of person who sells refined salt to him, but he can produce refined salt himself.

"Oh? Haha, you kid isn't idle! I think about pounding silver all day long! That's it! Don't talk about this. In that case, why are you taking the path? Oh! Are you kid afraid that I will find out and arrest you for war? Zhao Hui said a little angrily.

"Hey, hey! The general is wise, and the lower officials admire him! Xia Guan really doesn't want to live that kind of day anymore, and he doesn't know if tomorrow is still life or death! Please forgive me, General! Zhang Cheng was bored for a long time, and finally he said honestly.

"Hey! I know you're not in the army! I'm not reluctant! Go, now that you're here, come to my tent and have two drinks! Zhao Hui is also a person who can afford to put it down, he pulled Zhang Cheng and said.

In the big tent of the Chinese army, Zhao Hui was the first to live, sitting on Huo Han in his right hand, and next to Huo Han sat a veteran in his fifties, tall and big, with a somewhat rickety body, but he was full of energy, and his eyes were even more shining! It is Zezhou General Xu Shipeng! There are more than a dozen overseers behind him!

And sitting on the left are Zhang Cheng, Tie Zhu and Qi Tian!

When he saw Zhang Cheng's Huo Han, he was also happy in his heart. The brave generals under his command are now highly valued, and they have both talent and wisdom, he looked at Zhang Cheng, not to mention how happy he was in his heart. After talking to him for a while, he made it to the table in order.

After three rounds of drinking, a personal guard outside walked in and reported: "General! Commander Li Weide led his troops to attack Ganyang Road day and night. But it was still in vain, with heavy casualties, Governor Qian asked for his life, and the army retreated first, and made corrections first! Fight again tomorrow! ”

"Humph! Qian Chong is afraid that his military town will be wiped out, and he has no military power! He's a stomach enemy! General! Let me go! The last general will definitely take down the Ganyang Road, I don't believe it, the Ganyang Road has really become an impregnable wall! Xu Shipeng, the general of Zezhou, slammed the wine bowl on the table and stood up and said angrily.

"Huh! The old general doesn't have to be like this, what Qian Chong said is not wrong! The seventh town was mostly newly replenished recruits, and its combat effectiveness was weak, and the ninth town attacked for three days and three nights in a row, and the battle was too long. Moreover, the terrain of Ganyang Road is narrow, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and our army is attacking from the back. If you want to easily conquer Ganyang Road, how easy is it? The veteran general is already in his 50s this year, and his combat strength is tired. You are my Zezhou Daxu, don't lose! This matter is not negotiable. Our army has not yet reached the point of being outnumbered! Pressed, Zhao Hui stopped Xu Shipeng's plea.

"Generals, who is willing to take down Ganyang Dao for me Zhao Hui?" Zhao Hui said in a deep voice.

All the soldiers were silent and did not dare to say anything.

Ganyang Road is the only place to enter Fengqi County from Yongqian County, and after crossing Ganyang Road, the south of Gyeongju is a smooth road, and it will no longer be difficult to seize the land of Gyeongju! In such a critical place, the Gyeongju army naturally saw his importance and sent 30,000 troops to garrison here!

Ganyang Road is indeed the key point of Gyeongju, the Gyeongju army fought all the way and retreated, after the loss of 350,000, the army retreated into the Ganyang Road, here to block the Jizhou Zezhou army, and pinned hopes on its sharp spirit, in order to seek a good opportunity to counterattack, waiting for the opportunity to counterattack!

Indeed, after Zhao Hui took the 100,000 Jizhou army that had just been replenished and joined the Zezhou army, the 200,000 army stormed Gyeongju, and the Gyeongju army also fled all the way, Zhao Hui captured half of Gyeongju in a few months, but he didn't expect to stagnate in Ganyang Road. Not only that, the onslaught on Ganyang Road failed, but it was a loss of troops, and now more than 20,000 people have been lost in battle, and the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth towns of the Jizhou Army have all suffered losses to varying degrees.

Zhang Cheng saw that all the generals didn't speak, and saw that Huo Han was about to move there, so he secretly said that it was not good. At the same time, he suddenly realized that the general's move seemed to have been designed a long time ago, and he was forcing himself to stand up! Huo Han, who has always been loyal to the general and quite responsible, will definitely stand up, and as Huo Han's old subordinate, he will definitely not watch his old boss return in vain, and he will definitely help him come up with ideas. The general is really calculating!

Sure enough, seeing that everyone was silent, Huo Han saw that the general's face was sinking like water, and he was embarrassed about this matter. Huo Han scolded in his heart: These people who eat the emperor's food and don't do anything! He was furious, Huo Ran got up, and said in a deep voice: "General! The last general is willing to lead the soldiers of the First Army Town to clear the Ganyang Road for the general and remove obstacles for the general! ”

"Good! Sure enough, he is worthy of being the first brave general of my Jizhou Army! It's up to you! As long as you take the Ganyang Dao, I will do what you wish! Named you the general of Gyeongju! Zhao Hui categorically agreed, and also gave Huo Han a promise. The crowd was in an uproar, some were surprised, and some regretted! There are also unwilling!

Zhao Hui wants this effect, greedy for life and afraid of death, never want to be promoted! He immediately ordered: "In addition, Yang Qiong, Han Jian! ”

"The last general!" The two hurriedly stood up!

"The two of you lead the people of the headquarters to assist Huo Han! Be sure to work together to win the Ganyang Road! Zhao Hui said to them. The two promised!

"Hohan! I will give you the second and third military towns, and you will control them! If you still can't take Ganyang Dao, you don't have to come to see me again! Zhao Hui's face sank again, and he glanced at Zhang Cheng out of the corner of his eye, and said to Huo Han.

At this moment, where did Huo Han think so much, he only knew that soldiers should be brave and responsible. To be ambitious, a soldier is to make a contribution on the battlefield! He said brazenly: "Don't worry, general! The last general will definitely live up to the general's kindness! The last general swears to take Ganyang Dao! ”

Sticks with carrots! What a great general! Let the Governor be dead set on the general! The Governor must not have known that he had already been calculated! Zhang Cheng drank silently on the side, thinking with his head down.

Zhao Hui saw that Zhang Cheng was actually pouring himself a drink there, he picked up the wine glass and said to Zhang Cheng: "Zhang Cheng! Come on, come on! One more drink! All the generals, take up the wine and drink. He raised his glass lightly to the other generals and said lightly.

"Good!" Zhang Cheng picked up the wine and drank the wine in the bowl!

When the banquet dispersed, Xu Shipeng, who had just left the camp, turned back again, and he said a little unwillingly: "Why didn't the general let the last general attack Ganyang Dao!" Could it be that the general really dislikes that the last general is already old and can't wield a broadsword? Or is the general afraid of the last general in order to fight for merit? ”

Zhao Hui had long known that this veteran with a straightforward personality would inevitably be angry because he didn't send him to attack Ganyang Dao, and he would definitely turn back, so he never left, waiting for his return!

Walking down from the first seat, Zhao Hui looked at him and said, "The old general's loyalty to me and to the lord, I know it in my heart!" I also know that as long as the old general personally leads the 100,000 troops in Zezhou, he will definitely be able to capture Ganyang Road. But in that case, there will be a lot of losses! ”