As a place that has been war-torn for a long time, the people living near Lanzhou often lack a sense of identity with the imperial court. Although the majority of the ethnic groups living here are Han Chinese, there are also many nomadic people.

It is this ethnic diversity that causes the people here to choose to believe in themselves rather than to rule their courts.

Fortresses like this built on the border arteries were also built by the Song Dynasty after they took Lanzhou, and they were built at the expense of the rule, which can be regarded as a way to appease the people and dominate the border.

Regarding Zhao Xiaoxi's suggestion that he could give the regimental training army in Shiwa Village the identity of a box military camp, Quartz was not very interested. To put it bluntly, he would rather live a hard life on his own one-third of an acre than rely on others to live a life.

Compared with other people who yearn to live in the big cities, Quartz hopes that the border can be stabilized. As long as the border is stabilized, Shiwa Village, which is located on the main transportation route, only receives those passing peddlers and pawns. It can open up other sources of wealth for the people living in the village.

Seeing that Quartz would rather ask for more materials and money, he would rather ask for a so-called box army name. Zhao Xiaoxi also understands that these people's sense of belonging to the imperial court is actually not as high as he imagined.

To say that these people are snobbish, but not quite. Comparing his heart to his heart, he is a quartz, and in the face of a court that cannot provide them with security protection, I am afraid that he may not take the court seriously in his heart.

In this kind of border area, if they really can't survive in this country, then they will choose to leave their homeland and live in another country. As long as they can live, sometimes they really don't care, living in that country.

Zhao Xiaoxi, who also has a better understanding of these border people, is not saying anything. Tell Quartz about the rewards for the military exploits of the Shiwazhai regiment this time, as well as the materials that the imperial court lacked in the past. He will urge the prefect of Lanzhou to make up for them.

As for other fortresses, Zhao Xiaoxi knows that this situation is not unique. It's just that for the sake of the imperial court, it is also extremely difficult to fulfill all the recognitions.

After all, the borders only feed these massive armies. It is already a financial burden on the government. Not to mention, the government has to pay to appease these border people. The funds and materials needed are just afraid that they will go to the sea.

Iron striking also needs its own hardness, as long as the imperial court can do it, to ensure the stability of the border. Let those abandoned fertile fields be revitalized, and the people can settle down and work here, then naturally the people will respect the court and obey the royal rule of the court.

In the case that their lives are at stake, they still want these border people to respect the court with their hearts. Cho Hyo-seok thought about it from another perspective. In fact, I also know that it is not possible at all.

This kind of thinking exists among the border people, and sometimes there are cases of border people or tribes defecting, which is also easy to explain. Following the strong, regardless of that era, is an instinct of people in order to survive.

With these somewhat profound reflections and insights, Zhao Xiaoxi, who led the troops away, felt more and more that he led the troops into Qinfeng Road this time. It's very timely, indeed, if it goes on like this for a long time.

I'm afraid that in addition to the big cities ruled by the government, these surrounding people. Will it obey the imperial court order? It's all something to think about. If there is no cooperation from the border people, how long can the Great Song Dynasty operate this territory?

Cavalry marching at night was a very dangerous thing. But in the eyes of officers and soldiers like Zhao Xiaoxi, they are also very excited. The tearing before the night came, their slightly immature hearts were already boiling.

Now that they can cross the border to attack the Tanguts, it is undoubtedly a matter of pride for these young cavalry officers and soldiers. You don't see, there have been several Great Song troops over the years. Dare to cross the Yellow River to the territory of the Tangut people to make trouble?

With this honor of crossing the border to annihilate the enemy, this cavalry army of about 500 men galloped across the vast plains under the starlight, and soon appeared on the banks of the Yellow River to listen to the sound of the rushing river.

Just when everyone thought that it was very dangerous to cross the river on horseback this big night. Cho Hyo-seok learned from the captives. Their army of 1,000 cavalry was able to cross the river, but in fact it came from a makeshift pontoon bridge.

This pontoon bridge was also built by craftsmen organized by the Western Xia side after the Western Xia scouts secretly entered the country and scared away the surrounding Great Song Dynasty border army patrol cavalry. Although the pontoon bridge is not very wide, it is much safer and faster than the river flowing.

After the pontoon bridge was built, the Tangut people guarded the pontoon bridge very strictly. On the other side of the pontoon bridge, cavalry was sent to wait twenty-four hours a day. If you directly bring so many cavalry over, it will inevitably alarm the Western Xia cavalry guarding the bridge.

After explaining that Zhi Zhi had just dismounted and rested with Cao Wenhu, Zhao Xiaoxi personally took Zhao Da and a group of guards to slow down and walk towards the river erected by the pontoon bridge. Looking at the torches lit on the opposite bank in the distance, Cho Hyo-seok knew that they had arrived.

Knowing that there is such a thing as touching the whistle at night, I am afraid that no one can beat him, so Zhao Xiaoxi naturally took the initiative to take on the task of the main attack. Zhao Da and the others also knew this, and they didn't argue with him.

Leaving a personal guard to watch everyone's war horses, Zhao Xiaoxi took Zhao Da and others to the vicinity of the pontoon bridge on foot. Looking at the empty bridgehead, Zhao Da and the others were about to move forward, but they were stopped by Zhao Xiaoxi's gestures.

After being puzzled, Zhao Xiaoxi whispered: "You stay here and don't move, there are two people hidden in the recess of the pontoon bridge." If you had just passed, I would have alarmed the Tanguts on the other side. ”

Someone in front of you in an ambush?

I heard that Zhao Da and the others were puzzled for a while, but they knew that Zhao Xiaoxi was a cut above them in terms of martial arts and scheming. No longer silently nested in place, looking at Zhao Xiaoxi like a wild cat in the plains at night.

The movement was light but swift to change positions until Cho Hyo-seok appeared near the depression. Zhao Xiaoxi, who suddenly jumped up, quickly wiped out the two Western Xia scout sentry hiding there.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoxi moving towards himself, Zhao Da and the others also hurriedly lowered their steps and walked over. Soon he smelled a bloody breath, and also saw two Western Xia cavalrymen with stabs in the throat.

Thinking of it, they mistakenly thought that there was no one here, but they were afraid that if they really dared to go on the bridge, their whereabouts would be exposed. At that point, their plan to raid at night would be a complete failure.

Zhao Da, who felt very puzzled, asked: "Childe, how do you know that there are two people hiding in this depression?" ”

Looking at the other subordinates who were also puzzled, Zhao Xiaoxi explained: "Although the location of these two people in ambush is very good. No matter how hidden they were, they couldn't hide their heartbeats and breathing.

In this kind of night, you just have to pay attention, the more conspicuous the place, the more peaceful the place. I believe that there will always be something to gain, and the best way is to empathize.

Put yourself in the other person's position and think about this kind of night and this kind of place, where you hide is the safest and least exposed. Then your chances of being spotted by the enemy will be greatly reduced. ”

Knowing that these are his cronies, Zhao Xiaoxi will also teach them some strategies for night sentry warfare in a timely manner. As long as these people can be trained, he will not have to go into battle every time in the future.

Restraining the bodies of these two lurking sentinels, looking at the pontoon bridge next to this depression that can accommodate two horses in parallel, Zhao Xiaoxi asked Zhao Da and the others: "Seeing this pontoon bridge, how do you think you can get over so that you won't be discovered by the other party?" ”

The distance between this emergence, though not far, is less than a mile away. But Zhao Da and the others, standing at this end of the bridge, can already see it. On the other side of the bridge, there are figures walking around from time to time.

This means that as long as they get on the bridge, they will be able to hide from each other's firelight. Therefore, they were asked by Zhao Xiaoxi's question, and they really didn't know how to answer.

In fact, when questioning Zhao Da and others, Zhao Xiaoxi knew very well that the other party had set up a defensive post at close range of the pontoon bridge. This means that it is almost impossible to sneak up on the bridge. Then there is only one way left, under the bridge or directly across the river for a sneak attack.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoxi come to observe under the bridge piles that built the pontoon bridge, Zhao Da immediately said, "Childe, do you want to cross under the bridge?" ”

Facing the inquiries of Zhao Da and others, Zhao Xiaoxi nodded and said: "Yes, in this case, the more the enemy feels that it is impossible, the better way for us to sneak attack."

Although the distance between these bridge piles is relatively long, under this bridge plate, the craftsmen have nailed the beams to reinforce it. With these beams, I think it's a breeze to go under the bridge!

Alright, it's the same as before, you wait at the end of the bridge, and come over as soon as you see my gesture. Be careful to wait for the next bridge to cross the bridge, and try to move as gently as possible.

Only when we are sure that the defenders of the opponent's bridgehead have been completely annihilated by us, can we take over the other large forces. Only by surprise can we have a 100% chance of winning this battle. Do you understand? ”

felt that as a subordinate, he couldn't help at this time, and Zhao Da and the others were naturally ashamed. It's just that they all understand that it's not something they're good at.

Therefore, we can only make up our minds secretly to strengthen training in this area in the future. I hope that on the battlefield in the future, I will not need Zhao Xiaoxi, the prince of the county, to go to the danger in person.

watched Zhao Xiaoxi dodge under the bridge deck, jumping between the bridge piles from time to time. Occasionally, like a gecko, it climbs the beam under the bridge and moves quickly.

Not long after, Zhao Da and others, who were standing under the bridge and watching, saw Zhao Xiaoxi's figure. Disappeared under the bridge piles on the opposite bank, and then bated his breath to observe the situation on the other side.

Although they believed that the probability of Zhao Hyo-seok being found was very low, if there were shouts of killing from the other side, they would rush straight to the opposite side without thinking and reinforce the county prince who was so kind to them.

For Zhao Da's personal guards, it doesn't matter if they win the war or not. As long as Zhao Xiaoxi doesn't have problems, they are willing to pay for their lives. If something happens to Zhao Xiaoxi, they will really die as guards! (To be continued......)