"Report the ......" With a long voice, a herald suddenly galloped from a distance.

This was already the third day of the march, and after discussing the dispatch of troops that day, Wang Xu had been preparing for the expedition in the barracks. On the second day, he ordered the general to send troops and asked Zhang Jing to set off with 2,000 soldiers. And he marched with the army in the afternoon, and asked Yang Feng to lead a thousand people to take care of the grain, grass, baggage, and logistics medical personnel.

"What?" As the people rushed closer, Wang Xu, who was talking and laughing with the generals, couldn't help frowning and asking.

"Report to the general, the vanguard led by General Zhang is about to arrive in the north of Qitianling, near the fork in the official road. To the north is Chenxian County, and to the south is Linwu County, and General Zhang ordered me to come and ask for the next order. The herald bowed.

Hearing this, Wang Xu couldn't help frowning, and after a long pause, he asked, "Is there any news about the Zhou Dynasty and Guo Shi?" ”

"According to the information I have found, they should be huddled in the area of Keling Mountain at present, occupying two or three townships."

Hearing this, Wang Xu couldn't help but smile and shook his head. This week, Zhou Chao and Guo Shi were really scared, and at this time, they chose to shrink back, neither decisively attacking, nor curbing the danger, they were completely sitting back and waiting to be killed. "Summoned Zhang Jing and ordered him to publicize it, saying that anyone who surrenders unconditionally will not be held accountable, and the land will be allocated and settled. Including Zhou Chao and Guo Shi! ”

Saying that, Wang Xu paused, and then continued: "Also, let him slow down the march, slowly march to Keling Mountain, if he can, he will not fight, but he must force back the bandits of the Zhou Dynasty and Guo Shi." ”

"No!" The herald answered, and seeing that Wang Xu had nothing to say, he immediately arched his hand, turned the horse's head, and galloped away.

After seeing the herald leave, Wang Kai, who was riding side by side with Wang Xu, slowly spoke: "Third brother, it seems that Zhou Chao and Guo Shi don't dare to fight us this time, but I don't know where they will retreat?" ”

Wang Xu was about to talk, but Wang Fei on the left suddenly took over: "I think they should defect to Ou Xing." ”

"Oh? So why do you think it is? Seeing that Wang Fei said what he said, Wang Xu couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Because he has nowhere to go!" As he spoke, Wang Fei looked back at Wang Xu before he continued: "The situation of the Zhou Dynasty and Guo Shi is not good this time. Since we wiped out the main force, they came to Guiyang with the remnants, and they couldn't defeat the county seat, so they could only rely on looting the countryside to survive. And now that our army has arrived, he knows very well that he can't be defeated, and he has nowhere to go, so he can only surrender or join other forces, and it is impossible for the barbarians to go, so he should go to Ou Xing. ”

After listening to Wang Fei's words, Wang Xu suddenly exhaled with a sigh and said with a slight smile: "Second brother, when we just came out, you were just blindly doing it, and I didn't expect to have such a profound insight now!" Yes, Zhou Chao and Guo Shi only have these two choices, and Zhou Chao is also a smart person, so he should be very aware of his situation. ”

"Boss, why don't you send someone to convince them to surrender now?" Zhou Zhi, who was behind him, heard this, and finally couldn't help but interject.

"This is because they are poor and are now being cornered, and they can't tell what they think, so it is likely to be dangerous to send an emissary." Before Wang Xu could speak, Gao Shun had already explained.

"Oh! I see, no wonder the boss asked Zhang Jing to spread the order to surrender and exonerate. Zhou Zhi nodded suddenly.

Hearing this, Wang Xu couldn't help but shake his head: "This is just an expedient measure, if they really surrender now, it will not be easy!" Because they are mixed with snakes and dragons, there is a group of people who are really hopeless, and in order not to rebel again, they must be killed! ”

"That's just as well!" Zhou Zhi said with a smile.

Wang Xu smiled slightly, but did not speak again, quietly thinking about the shapes of all parties......

The next morning, when Wang Xu led the army and just arrived at the fork in the north of Qitianling, he received Zhang Jing's good news.

"Report to the General! General Zhang saw through the tricks of the Zhou Dynasty last night, pursued at night, beheaded more than 400 people, captured more than 1,000 prisoners, and is currently stationed in Liuhua Township, on the eastern side of Keling Mountain, to rest. ”

"Oh?" Hearing the herald's report, Wang Xu suddenly laughed happily, Zhang Jing finally did not let himself down. "I don't know what the situation was yesterday, and what tricks did the Zhou Dynasty use?"

The herald seemed to be very happy, and immediately replied with a smile: "Actually, the thief commander Zhou Chao sent troops to meet yesterday afternoon, but General Zhang beheaded two thief generals in a row, and he was defeated, and he couldn't shrink back. And General Zhang did not challenge again, but only ordered his soldiers to preach the order to surrender and not kill. But in the middle of the night, the Zhou Dynasty left behind the baggage and the camp, and secretly left with the soldiers. When General Zhang was patrolling the night, he saw through the opponent's tricks and immediately pursued after him, thus winning a complete victory! ”

After listening carefully, Wang Xu couldn't help but look at the generals on the left and right, and said with a smile: "Zhang Jing, the pioneer, has done a good job. ”

After speaking, he turned around and said: "Okay, you will report back to Zhang Jing now, and let him rush back here with the captives before nightfall today, and I will set up camp here and wait for him!" ”

"No!" The herald immediately surrendered his command.

"Let's set up camp here, tomorrow we will be stationed in this Guiyang County Government, Chenxian County!"

"No!" With the voice of the promise, the generals dispersed one after another and built a camp under the leadership of Gao Shun.

In the evening, Zhang Jing also rushed back with the vanguard troops. Wang Xu not only personally led the generals to greet him, but also made a special trip to hold a simple celebration banquet, and praised Zhang Jing in public, which made Zhou Zhihao envious for a while.

But this was just the beginning, the next morning, Wang Xu led the army north, and arrived at Guiyang County at noon.

However, when the army reached a hundred meters outside the city, the gate was completely closed. Seeing the stone city wall that was not too high, Wang Xu suddenly turned cold, rode his horse to the front, and shouted: "Wait for the city gate to open quickly, I am the general Wang Xu!" ”

After a while, the head of the city showed a head, and replied loudly: "I wonder if the general has a certificate?" ”

"I have just sent soldiers to inform you to wait, why do you need a certificate!" Wang Xu suddenly shouted.

The guard general also did his duty, and immediately replied: "General, although you have informed us before, but now that you are in trouble, I really don't know if it is the general himself who is coming now, and I wonder if you can stamp the general's seal to us and others?" ”

Although he was slightly dissatisfied, it was understandable that the other party was cautious, so Wang Xu stopped being verbose, and immediately turned around and asked Wang Kai to take a piece of Cai Lun paper out. After stamping his own seal, he tied it to an arrow, allowing Gao Shun to run forward and shoot it on the castle tower.

This time, it waited a little longer, and the guard came out again: "The general is angry, I'll open the city gate now!" ”

With the voice, the city gate of Chenxian County finally "squeaked!" With a sound, it slowly opened, and the drawbridge outside the city gate was gradually lowered.

As the drawbridge "slammed" to the ground, the moat was crossed, and a group of well-dressed officials suddenly walked out of the city gate. The first person laughed from afar: "Don't blame the general, we were helpless just now." Because Ou Xing once used a deceptive trick to seize my city. ”

Wang Xu didn't care about such a trivial matter, and when he saw the other party coming out to greet him heavily, he also smiled and stepped forward immediately: "Your Excellency?" ”

"Xia Guan is the five officials of Guiyang County, Liu Du!" Saying that, this Liu Du also gave Wang Xu a slight color, revealing a meaningful smile. "By the way, this person next to me is Zhang Xian, the county magistrate of Guiyang County!"

With Liu Du's introduction, that Zhang Xian also smiled and arched his hand: "Xiaguan to meet the general!" ”

At this moment, Wang Xu couldn't help but look at the two of them carefully. There is not much difference in height and body shape between the two, but Zhang Xian is obviously older than Liu Du, and he looks nearly middle-aged, and Liu Du should be less than thirty years old. But in comparison, Zhang Xian looks more elegant and wise, while Liu Du is more ordinary.

However, when Zhang Xian looked at Wang Xu, there was obviously a little worry in his eyes. Wang Xu also found out, and knew what he was worried about, but on the surface, he smiled quietly: "This Guiyang riot, it is really thanks to the two of you that you can keep the peace of several counties, and you will be the Majesty Xià another day, and list the merits of the two!" ”

Hearing this, Liu Du suddenly smiled and said: "The general's words are serious, this is a matter within my equal reach, dare to seek merit?" Besides, as an official of Guiyang, not only did he fail to ensure the stability of the county, but he let thieves run rampant, which is really a shame! ”

"Huh! Shuxian's words are not right, this rebellion in the district star started from the three counties of Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang, which were too derelict in their duties, what do you have to do with it? You can keep half the county safe, and you have no fault! This Liu Du was extremely enthusiastic from the moment he came, and Wang Xu also went down the slope and evoked his words affectionately.

"When the general said that, I didn't know what to do." Liu Du said politely, then changed the topic and said: "The general is tired from marching, why don't we go back to the mansion and talk about it?" ”

"Hmmm! It's good. Wang Xu nodded suddenly.

Surrounded by officials in Guiyang, Wang Xu turned over and dismounted, threw the reins of the horse to Dian Wei, and then walked into the city under the guidance of Liu Du.

Along the way, Liu Du was obedient enough to introduce Guiyang to Wang Xu, but Zhang Xian on the other side was unusually silent. Unless Wang Xu asked him, he kept silent.

This also made Wang Xu even more convinced that Zhang Xian must have thrown himself on Wang Rui's side, otherwise he would not have been so cold no matter what. Although he snorted coldly in his heart, he was silent on the surface.

In the evening, Liu Du also prepared a sumptuous reception banquet. Wang Xu was not polite, and led the generals to fight with the officials in Guiyang.

Half of the officials were very active, frequently toasting the generals and Wang Xu, and were warm and polite. And some officials are very reluctant and can see that they are very concerned, and some of them are like Zhang Xian, sitting quietly and not talking much, but they don't dare to show their faces!

Although Wang Xu drank with everyone boldly, he didn't really drink it, and most of them were poured out. And he looks drunk, but he is not drunk in his heart, and he always observes the situation.

Those half of the enthusiastic officials are obviously on Liu Du's side, and since Liu Du has surrendered to him, they naturally won't be stupid. And those officials who reluctantly laughed were probably the people from Zhang Xian's side, but when they saw the current situation, they began to waver a little. As for the last part, it is Zhang Xian's die-hard person.

However, Wang Xu did not rush to make a move. It's just that he lived in Chenxian Taishou Mansion strongly, and then he was extremely concerned about Guiyang's government affairs, and he would intervene from time to time. And he was not in a hurry to send troops to reinforce Wang Rui, so that the soldiers lived in the empty barracks in Chenxian.

This move is to force Zhang Xian to take the initiative to provoke an incident. Wang Xu is a big official, and there is an edict from the emperor to supervise the military affairs of the four counties in Jingnan, and in the current period of war, it is natural for the temporary regent. Taking advantage of this convenience, constantly interfering in Guiyang's internal affairs and weakening Zhang Xian's power will of course cause Zhang Xian to rebound.

But that Zhang Xian can bear it, although Wang Xu wants to make a move every day to approach step by step, but he can't help but keep saying nothing, just keep urging Wang Xu to reinforce Wang Rui. Because in just a few days, Wang Rui has lost two battles in a row and retreated to Leiyang County.

Wang Xu wished that Wang Rui would be completely defeated immediately, how could there be reinforcements? As soon as Zhang Xian mentioned this, he shook his head again and again, prevaricating on the grounds that the soldiers were fighting and needed to rest.

It wasn't until the sixth day that Wang Xu decided to deduct the military rations that should have been shipped to Wang Rui on the grounds that his army also needed food and grass, and Zhang Xian, who had been silent in the council hall for six consecutive days, finally couldn't help it......