Xu Liang and Duan Zhigang, deputy of Jinyiwei, were all surprised.

"What's going on? Wang Jiayin is so easy to kill? Xu Liang said in surprise.

Tietou smiled dryly and presented an investigation report from the Tsing Yi Guard Detective Department.

Xu Liang took it and looked at it.

It turned out that after the meeting of Hong Chengchou, the governor of the three sides of Guyuan, Cao Wenzhao did not delay for a moment, and led his three thousand soldiers and horses to Wang Jiayin and killed him. When he arrived at the place, he was not in a hurry to do it, first cut off Wang Jiayin's grain route, and then fought another battle.

After Wang Jiayin's troops were defeated and broke through, Cao Wenzhao and his 3,000 cavalry were like kraft candy that could not be shaken off by sticking to their bodies, chasing Wang Jiayin's troops all the way, and chased them non-stop for five days, and fought five battles with Wang Jiayin's soldiers and horses in five days, completely crippled Wang Jiayin's men and horses, and then in a dark night, Cao Wenzhao once again caught up with Wang Jiayin's team who fled in panic, and finally killed Wang Jiayin.

After Wang Jiayin's death, some of the men surrendered to Cao Wenzhao, and most of them scattered and defected to other people's army ranks.

Xu Liang was silent for a moment and said, "Cao Wenzhao is a madman who doesn't want to die. "Tsing Yiwei's report clearly states that in order to kill Wang Jiayin, Cao Wenzhao stayed awake for five days in a row, chasing Wang Jiayin's soldiers and horses and slashing hard, this ruthlessness is not something ordinary people can do.

Xu Liang instructed Duan Zhigang: "Zhigang, you will carefully check for this official, whether Cao Wenzhao has any unnoticeable feuds with this official!" ”

In the face of a ruthless person like Cao Wenzhao, Xu Liang couldn't help but cherish his talents. Xu Liang now has money and soldiers, but he lacks talents! A strong general like Cao Wenzhao is exactly what Xu Liang urgently needs.

Duan Zhigang, a thousand households of Jinyi Wei, agreed to come down, and when he saw that the commander of the patrol division still had important things to report to Xu Liang, he arched his hand towards Xu Liang and retreated.

"Young Master. Cao Wenzhao is so fierce, I am worried that these people's troops in the northwest will not be able to hold out for a few days. Iron Head said.

Xu Liang smiled slightly, pointed at the iron head, shook his head and smiled: "Ah Tie, you are still too naïve." No matter how brave Cao Wenzhao is, how many people are there under him? You must know that there are no less than 200,000 people's troops in the northwest. 200,000 people. Even if you stand there and let Cao Wenzhao pick up a knife to cut, you have to cut it for ten days and half a month! Wait, as long as we don't move, Cao Wenzhao will be tired to death and can't help the people's army in the northwest. ”

"Hey, hey." Tietou smiled, and then reported to Xu Liangyu: "Young master, Chen Yu from the Arms Department, Wang Dazhuang wants me to report to you: Since Wu Side exchanged enough nitrate and sulfur from Turpan, the Arms Department has rushed to produce another 3,000 shells. ”

Xu Liang listened, stroked his palms and laughed: "Okay." With these shells. The officer's artillery battalion will not worry about ammunition. ”

The iron head followed hehe.

Xu Liang was pleased, so he called Luo Baiguan from the Taxation Department over and arranged for him to take out some of the silver from the treasury and invest it in trade with Turpan. He also personally arranged for the kitchen to prepare a table of wine and food, and at noon he wanted to reward Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang, two artillery experts.

At noon, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang of the Arms Department were flattered and entered the yamen of the governor of Shaanxi.

Xu Liangle personally greeted the door, personally welcomed the two into the hall, and beckoned them to the table.

Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang saw that Deng Shuiqing, the envoy of the press was sitting at the wine table. He Zhun, the political envoy of Daibu, and Qi Chu, the prefect of Xi'an. Luo Baiguan, the tax department, the patrol department, Tietou and others, and almost all the powerful officials of Shaanxi Province were present.

Such a high specification made the two artillery experts so nervous that they didn't know where to put it.

Xu Liang smiled when he saw this, pressed the two of them to their seats, and said, "The two experts don't have to be nervous!" You know, today the two of you are the protagonists! This banquet is just for you. ”

Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang blushed, got up in a panic and waved their hands at Xu Liang and said, "The governor has won the award." This, this is what subordinates should do. ”

"Hey, it's not right for you two to be so modest." Xu Liang pretended to be angry and said: "The two of you have worked under this official and made achievements, so you deserve to be rewarded!" Come on. Stop standing, sit, sit. ”

Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang listened to it, and sat down busily and honestly.

At the banquet, several high-ranking officials in Shaanxi gave the two of them a kind smile.

Xu Liang encouraged Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang to say a few words, and then served wine and started the banquet. According to the inspector Deng Shuiqing and others, knowing that this wine was specially set up by Xu Liang for Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang, several high-ranking officials in Shaanxi put down their official shelves, and frequently raised their glasses to Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang with a smile on their faces, and words of praise sounded from time to time.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, the two experts' faces were flushed, and they were a little drunk, and finally let go of their restraints, took the initiative to serve wine to Xu Liang, and Deng Shuiqing, He Zhun and others called brothers and sisters with big tongues.

According to the inspector Deng Shuiqing, Chen Yu toasted a glass of wine, and then asked with a spitting of wine: "Brother Chen, I have heard very early that the flying eagle cannon of the Liang Army Artillery Battalion is extraordinary, and I have never had a chance to see it, when will you take me to open my eyes?" ”

Chen Yu's face flushed, he looked at Deng Zhicha with a smile, then raised a finger, shook it solemnly in front of him, and said, "No...... Lord Xu has a strict order not to expose any news of the Flying Eagle Cannon in front of outsiders without the consent of the adult, hehe, Lord Deng, if you want to see it, you have to beg our Lord Xu. ”

When the inspector heard this, his face changed, and he suddenly looked at Xu Liang, he really didn't know that Xu Liang had ever given such an order. Just now he said that he wanted to see the power of the Flying Eagle Cannon, but he was only drunk, so he said it casually, but there was absolutely no attempt to probe the secrets of the Liang Army.

Deng looked at Xu Liang's face worriedly, and saw that Xu Liang looked as usual as if he hadn't heard Chen Yu's words, and his heart, which was beating rapidly, let go of his heart, and wiped a cold sweat secretly.

Chen Yu was still talking to himself, his eyes looked around the people, and then fixed on Xu Liang, and said hehe: "My lord, my subordinates just asked you for one thing. ”

Xu Liang looked at him indifferently and encouraged: "Old man Chen has something, and the official will never push it off, you say." ”

Chen Yu smiled and said, "You know, the nitrate and sulfur in our munitions department are all from Tulupan. I would like to follow Woodside's caravan to Turpan and see where nitrate and sulphur are produced. Alas, I have been dealing with gunpowder for so long, but I have never seen saltpeter from the mountains, and I really want to see it. ”

Xu Liang was slightly stunned. Immediately relieved. It is not uncommon for Chen Yu and others to have such thoughts. After pondering for a while, seeing that Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang were both looking at him, he nodded slowly and said, "There is nothing wrong with the two of you wanting to go and see it on the spot." Just be safe and bring more guards. ”

When Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang heard this, they stood up excitedly. Toast to Xu Liang.

……

Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang are both real people, and with Xu Liang's approval, the banquet arranged the internal work of the arms department, and took a team of guards to follow the latest caravan to Turpan for a field trip.

And the situation in Shaanxi, after Cao Wenzhao killed Wang Jiayin, finally made new progress. The last of the three major people's army forces, God Yikui. was also frightened by Cao Wenzhao's relentless pursuit, but he did not hold on, and died of a serious illness.

However, the situation in the northwest did not improve, but became more chaotic, and most of the remnants of the three major people's forces that were originally broken up by the officials and soldiers of the court were concentrated in Shen Yikui's subordinate generals, Red Army friends, and Li Dusi. In the hands of Du San and Yang Laochai, the total strength of the four people. There were as many as 60,000 or 70,000 people.

Cao Wenzhao's was indeed very fierce, chasing and killing the Red Army friends for a few days, and then after the Red Army friends joined forces with Li Dusi, even Cao Wenzhao was in trouble. Because if the Red Army friends and Li Dusi joined forces, there would be more than 20,000 infantry alone, and there would be a cavalry of more than 3,000 people. Although the equipment of the war horse is far from Cao Wenzhao's Guanning Iron Cavalry, at least, there is no problem with harassing and running away.

Yang He, the governor of the three sides, promised Xu Liang to give He Zhun, Lu Chengyuan, Ding Shiyou and other officials to straighten the matter. Xu Liang's men and horses have been standing still, guarding several important towns and cities, and leaving Cao Wenzhao and Hong Chengchou's army to fight with the people's army.

However, this kind of beautiful thing of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight was finally broken, and under the drive of Cao Wenzhao, the main force of the people's army of the Red Army friends, Li Dusi, Du San and Yang Laochai did not know whether they were dizzy or what, and there was a tendency to join forces in one place, and looking at the direction, it was coming to the territory of Pingliang Mansion.

Pingliang is the place where Xu Liang started, where Xu Liang's foundation is, Xu Liang had to pay attention to the abnormal actions of the people's army, immediately ordered the soldiers and horses of the patrol division, thought about it, and brought the artillery battalion thirty flying eagle cannons to accompany him, and hurried to Pingliang City.

Luo Rucai, a guerrilla general in Pingliang City, had already received the news that he was reorganizing the army, and when he heard that Xu Liang had personally led his troops to come, he hurriedly came out to greet him.

Xu Liang and Tietou entered the guerrilla general's mansion, sat down and drank tea, and asked, "What is the situation now, how can the people's army enter Pingliang?" Don't they know that there are 40,000 Liang troops in Pingliang City? ”

Luo Rucai shook his head, "My lord, the intentions of the people's army are unknown, the key is that there are still a lot of troops, it is said that there are nearly 100,000 people. ”

Xu Liang slapped the table and scolded: "What is this Cao Wenzhao for!" Suppress bandits and bandits, the bandits have not decreased, but increased! ”

Luo Rucai said worriedly: "My lord, although Pingliang has 40,000 Liang troops, there is no problem in blocking the people's army, but if you want to kill them, it will be difficult. ”

Xu Liang groaned, waved his hand and said: "Right now, the people's army has just entered the territory of Pingliang Mansion, and there are still three days to go from Pingliang, General Luo, you are ready for battle." In addition, this official will also order the Qingyang guerrilla He Renlong to lead the army to help. ”

"Yes, don't worry, sir." Luo Rucai responded.

Only 5,000 officers and men of the Patrol Division were accompanying them this time, and together with some of the personnel of the artillery battalion, there were about 6,000 people in total. There was Luo Rucai in Pingliang City, and Xu Liang saw that there was no need to intervene, so he took the officers and soldiers of the patrol division and the artillery battalion into Zhenyuan City and settled down in the military camp near Xu's house.

In Xu's house, Xu Liang, Tie Tou, and Tie Siye sat together, drinking and chatting. Two yellow-clothed girls are in charge of pouring wine on the side with wine jugs.

Tie Siye usually takes care of a Xu Mansion alone, but he is also bored, but tonight Xu Liang and Tietou are back, and there are more topics at the wine table.

After chatting for a while, Tie Siye asked, "Liang San'er, how long are you going to live in Zhenyuan this time?" ”

Xu Liang said with a smile: "It depends on the situation, after killing the people's army, Tietou and I will go back to Chang'an." ”

Tie Siye said sadly: "Where are you in a hurry to go back just now?" ”

Xu Liang smiled and remained silent. Tietou explained for Xu Liang: "Grandpa, the young master has a lot of things to take care of now, and he can't live in Zhenyuan for a long time." ”

Tie Siye's eyes were wet, and he waved his hand and said, "I know!" Liang San'er is a person who does big things. He wiped the corners of his eyes, and then smiled at Xu Liang and Tietou: "Don't say anything, come, let's drink!" ”

After a banquet, Tie Siye was already drunk and unconscious. Yahuan, who has her own mansion, helped Tie Siye into the bedroom. Xu Liang and Tietou walked everywhere, Xu Liang suddenly looked at Tietou and said, "Fourth Grandpa still wants us to stay in this city for a little longer." I think you're here this time, Ah Tie, you don't have to rush back to Chang'an with me, stay in Zhenyuan for a few more days, and accompany the fourth grandfather. ”

Tietou was silent for a long time, then nodded and said, "It's okay." ”

Xu Liang suddenly stopped, looked him up and down, and asked, "Ah Tie, you are almost twenty-five this year, right?" ”

Tietou looked at Xu Liang in amazement, "What?" ”

Xu Liang took a few steps forward, and then said, "It's time to marry a wife." ”

“……”

The furnishings of Xu Liang's bedroom in Xu's house are still the same as before, and the house is extremely clean and spotless. The two maids made the bed, and seeing that Xu Liang didn't mean to warm the bed, they bowed down and quit with a little disappointment.

Xu Liang himself drank a lot with Tie Siye, and fell asleep after falling on the bed for a while.

This sleep was extremely sound, and when it was about to dawn, Xu Liang was woken up by the iron head that broke into the house.

"Young Master, wake up, wake up!"

Xu Liang frowned and opened his eyes to look at Tietou, and said angrily: "If you shake the young master again, I will be shaken apart by you!" What's wrong? ”

Tietou said with a worried expression: "Young master, I just got the news that the people's army that was originally besieging Longde City suddenly gave up Longde after Luo Rucai led the Liang army to reinforce it, and accelerated towards Pingliang City. This morning I have arrived at the foot of Pingliang City and fought a battle with the defenders of the city. ”

When Xu Liang heard this, his expression became more sober, and then he glared at the iron head and asked, "So what, has Pingliang City been captured by the people's army?" ”

The iron head sneered, "Not really. Luo Rucai left nearly 20,000 defenders in the city, which was more than enough to defend the city. Besides, General Luo is leading the army to rush back, and the civilian army will not take advantage of it. ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he fell back on the bed, looked at the iron head helplessly, and shouted angrily: "Then you still came to disturb my dream?!" ”

"No, young master, listen to me." Tietou said anxiously: "According to the report of the spies of the Detective Department, when the original civilian army besieged Longde County, there was a cavalry of 5,000 people among the civilian army. However, among the civilian troops who appeared outside Pingliang City in the early hours of this morning, there was no shadow of cavalry! ”

"Huh?" Xu Liang got up suddenly, stared at the iron head, and asked in surprise, "You mean...... The cavalry of the People's Army is gone? ”

"Yes."

Xu Liang suddenly realized that things were not simple, ran to the bookcase on the side, and found a map of Pingliang Mansion, his eyes wandering on the map.

Longde County is in the northwest of Pingliang City, and the People's Army has arrived in Pingliang. Where will the cavalry of the People's Army go? The goal should not deviate too far from the main force of the people's army: to the east of Pingliang City are Chongxin and Jingzhou, which are both a little far away from Pingliang, and to attack these two cities, Pingliang City must be bypassed first. To the north is Guyuan City, which is an important town on the nine sides and the seat of the governor's palace on the three sides, and the people's army will not fight Guyuan unless their brains are broken.

Xu Liang's gaze suddenly fixed on one place: Zhenyuan City in the northeast of Pingliang, which is where he is now.

Iron Head asked in surprise, "Young Master, they won't be here to sneak attack Zhenyuan City, right?" ”

Xu Liang pointed his finger at the map and muttered, "It's hard to say." If it is usual, the town is a small county town, and the city walls are taller and thicker, and the people's army is not interested. But if the people's army knew that tens of thousands of loads of grain had been piled up in Zhenyuan City, it would be difficult to say. ”

As he spoke, Xu Liang smiled and said to Tietou: "Send the order to send all the people from the Patrol Division to the city tower, we have to guard against it." (To be continued.) )