Azatun is a dangerous place on the southwest border of Shuixi, the cliff stretches for more than ten miles, the majestic and precipitous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. There is plenty of grain and grass on the tun, and the water is abundant, which can accommodate tens of thousands of horses and horses. Although a stone post road under the tun can be used for marching troops, if the defenders of the tun take advantage of the situation and attack it, the marching army will be defeated.

Therefore, Pi Xiong selected this tun as the garrison of the western front, and led the six native soldiers of Desu, Heiza, Neilu, Huasha, Guizong, and Guiji in Shuixi to guard the tun with the six native soldiers of Desu, Heiza, Neilu, Huasha, Guizong, and Gui in Shuixi, and divided into Wubudi, Dippers, Bulu, Yizhi, Yilie, Dechu, Nazi, and eight troops to camp behind the side of Azatun, forming a horn trend.

It has been more than a month since a messenger was sent to Yunnan Province, but no news has been sent back, and more than 4,000 Qing troops led by Wu Zhimao, the general soldier of Sichuan Province, have arrived at Ke to cross the river. Relying on the deep valley and the mountains, the Qing army did not have many troops, and the two sides were temporarily in a state of confrontation.

"Fork is stupid and arrogant, Shuixi will be defeated by this guy." Pi Xiong returned to the camp with an unkind face, and scolded angrily: "I want to cross the river to defeat the Qing army, and I don't know how much ability I have, and what ability the native soldiers in Shuixi are, how can I be the opponent of the Qing army?" ”

Chen Jincai smiled helplessly and said: "The prince of the country should be angry, and if Shui Xikun doesn't believe us, he will destroy his family and destroy his family." You and I can do our duty, so why force it? Moreover, the current situation has long been expected by Guogong. ”

Alas, Pi Xiong let out a long sigh and said, "It always takes a little more time to support it, so as to help His Highness's great cause!" ”

Chen Jincai pondered for a moment and said, "The Qing army in Yunnan Province is pinned, I'm afraid it won't be able to draw too many troops, right?" In this place alone, tens of thousands of horses have gathered in Shuixi, so it should be fine. ”

"Tens of thousands of rabble." Skin Bear snorted lightly and said, "The Qing army doesn't need to be transferred too much. With one or two thousand elite soldiers, Shuixi will be difficult to resist. If you defend it with danger and deal with the Qing army in a deep gully, you can still delay it for some time; If you fight with the Qing army, you will definitely lose. ”

Chen Jincai is not good at military affairs, and he has no objection to Pi Xiong's analysis and judgment. After thinking about it, he was relieved: "His Royal Highness Min must have a clever plan, and when the messenger returns, he will be worry-free." ”

"His Royal Highness Min is heroic, and I also admire it deeply." Pi Xiong smiled reluctantly, but he was not as optimistic as Chen Jincai. The Ming army in Yunnan Province can indeed be launched in response to the uprising in Shuixi, but it is difficult to predict what the effect will be. Pi Xiong was worried that Zhu Yongxing would act rashly. On the contrary, the flaws were exposed, which were taken advantage of by the Qing army.

"Kuang Guogongxian does not understand the situation in Yunnan Province." Chen Jincai took the kettle from the fire, poured tea for the leather bear, and said: "His Royal Highness Min is not unable to recover Yunnan Province, but he is afraid that the foundation will be unstable and in vain will attract the siege of the Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guiqing armies, so he has to slow down. Now there are changes in the west of the water, and the Qing army in Guangxi is pinned. Our army is also advancing into Shu, and the time is ripe for a counterattack. If it is not expected by the lower officials. His Royal Highness Min will take advantage of this to have a big picture. ”

Pi Xiong slowly drank the tea, thought for a long time, and said: "This reminds the old man of an allusion, that is, the dispute between Zhang Yi and Sima Cuo. After a pause, he continued: "At the beginning, the king of Qin asked Yu to plan the important ministers, and he should attack Han first. Or attack Bashu first? Zhang Yi advocated attacking Korea first, believing that the Central Plains was the heart of the world, densely populated, and rich in products, which was a necessary plan for hegemony. And Bashu is a barbaric land, not only to take it. It's more important to govern—"

Chen Jincai nodded in agreement and said with a smile: "However, Sima Cuo thinks that attacking South Korea will inevitably arouse the vigilance of the Shandong States, and he will go all out to make it difficult with the Qin State, which is to give priority to the advantages and then the disadvantages, and the disadvantages outweigh the advantages." His Royal Highness Min used the tired Qing army in Yunnan Province to recuperate and recuperate while planning and arranging, which was to consolidate the foundation first, and then plan a counteroffensive, which had more advantages than disadvantages. ”

"Your Highness has such a deep plan and such a heart, no wonder he can lay a foundation and make the great cause of Zhongxing always burn hope." Pi Xiong was amazed, and then despised An Kun again, "If An Kun has half of His Highness's strategy, he should hold back, secretly arrange preparations, and strive for a while, waiting for Wu Thief to attack." ”

"An Kun's rebellion against the Qing Dynasty is not exactly what we want?" Chen Jincai smiled slyly, and the skin bear also stroked his beard and nodded.

While the two were talking, a guard rushed into the camp to report that the messenger from Yunnan Province had returned, but it was from western Yunnan, and after entering southwest Guizhou, he made a detour to Bide and Hei to sit on the front line, and contacted the Shuixi army at the dangerous horsehair ridge. The envoy sent by An Kun went to the capital city to report, while Chen Fenglin and others were rushing here with supplies.

Pi Xiong and Chen Jincai were overjoyed, hurriedly went out of the camp, and took dozens of Ming soldiers to meet them on horseback. At dusk, the two people met at the Heizazhai Village, 20 miles south of the Mamane Mountains.

With Chen Fenglin and others turning back to Shuixi, there were two second lieutenants of the second phase of the martial arts hall, Chen Xiangpeng and Zhao Fu, as well as dozens of veterans of a hundred battles. These people are all dressed as Qing soldiers, with money rat tails on their heads, but they don't have embarrassed looks, and even Chen Fenglin is no longer ashamed to hide it. The materials escorted by the team were dozens of wooden boxes on horseback, and when the tarpaulin was removed, it was clearly visible that the sealed paper attached to the box was covered with the big seal of Prince Pingxi.

After a brief introduction, everyone camped outside the village, first, it was getting late, and second, Pi Xiong and Chen Jincai were also eager to know Zhu Yongxing's reply and arrangement. Choosing to be outside the village is also to avoid the ears and eyes of the Yi people in Shuixi, so as to discuss secrets.

"You have worked hard all the way, but the military situation is like fire, we are anxious to know the order of His Royal Highness, so we can arrange it as soon as possible." Pi Xiong was very polite to the people from Yunnan Province, and when he entered the tent, he opened his mouth to explain first.

"Returning to the country, if it is sneaky, it is not easy to walk, we just swaggered on the road, only saying that it was ordered by Wu thieves to escort military supplies, from western Yunnan to Sichuan to Guizhou, but the road is smooth, saving a lot of time." Chen Fenglin smiled heartily and said: "His Royal Highness Min is accurate, if there are few people, he sneaks secretly, and when there are many people, he walks openly. ”

Chen Xiangpeng and Zhao Fu commanded, carried into a large box, and carefully removed the self-detonation device at the bottom of the box before tearing off the seal and lifting the lid.

"Muskets?" Pi Xiong looked at the weapon in Chen Xiangpeng's hand, and called out the name with certainty, and he was a little puzzled in his heart.

"Yu Guogong, this is indeed a musket, but it is very different from what it used to use." Chen Xiangpeng explained: "It can't be launched yet, the parts are in other boxes, and after the assembly is completed tomorrow, it will be demonstrated with Guogong." This kind of musket was not equipped in the army even in Yunnan Province, and there were not many of them, and only a hundred were shipped this time, which could be distributed to the personal guards of the national prince. ”

Leather Bear nodded. Patiently waiting for them to show the order, after all, strategy and tactics are what he urgently needs to know, and the role of a hundred muskets in the battle will not be too great, His Royal Highness Min only means to show that he cares about himself.

Sure enough, there were a number of letters at the bottom of the box, including edicts written in ciphers. Chen Jin hurriedly took out the codebook to decode. He transcribed the edict and gave it to the bear.

“…… Shuixi is behind enemy lines, and I am deeply worried about the safety of Kuang Guogong and the loyal soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who are hanging alone. However, Ankun is nepotistic, and the native soldiers in Shuixi are also unbearable, so you can do your best, and you should cherish yourself and keep a useful body, in order to meet the day. Other. Our army will launch a counteroffensive in Yunnan Province, one is to contain the Qing army and echo Shuixi; The second is to take advantage of the rainy season to strike at the enemy and weaken its strength......"

The edict is very long, with explanations, guidance, care and love. Everyone bowed down to listen, and the bear stopped several times. Sigh and be grateful.

After reading the edict, Chen Xiangpeng and Zhang Fu took out a map from the box and put it on the table. Combined with the situation introduced in the edict, the strategic situation of the entire southwest is clear at a glance.

"Yazhou and Lizhou in western Sichuan have been occupied by our army, and they are preparing to meet Li Guoying, the governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi; The thirteen families of Kuidong entered Zhongxian County and plundered eastern Sichuan; His Royal Highness Min wanted to counterattack Chuxiong, and then go north out of Jianchang and enter Shu; If the plan goes well, then wait for the opportunity to enter Guizhou from eastern Yunnan to Anlong ......"

Leather Bear's fingers swipe across the map. Combined with the general trend of the southwest, he repositioned the value and role of Shuixi. After thinking about it for a long time, he realized that according to the nature of An Kun's house dog, it was difficult to take the initiative and actively respond to the strategic ideas of His Royal Highness Min. At best, it can only be containment.

And judging from the entire strategic situation, His Royal Highness Min really wants to follow Sima's wrong plan and take Shu Di as the capital for the future. It's just that Sichuan has experienced repeated wars, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to operate in the short term.

"Guogong." Chen Xiangpeng interrupted Pi Xiong's thoughts and said: "Your Highness wants us to find the foundation first, and suggests that it can be located in the hinterland of Wumeng Mountain, I don't know what the Duke thinks?" ”

Oh, the bear awoke from his contemplation, and after a pause, he nodded in agreement: "The mountains of Wumeng Mountain are undulating, the canyons are deep, and the karst caves are dense, so it is indeed suitable for hiding; And there are river valleys and pingba in the mountains, which can be cultivated for food. ”

"Your Highness still has several edicts, and the prince can secretly show them to Mu Kui and scold those who are loyal and well-behaved in Shuixi." Chen Jincai took a few edicts with empty names and handed them to the bear.

Guanlu was bought. Pi Xiong naturally understands Zhu Yongxing's intentions, An Kun can help if he can, and if he can't afford it, he will find someone else. The forty-eight soil orders in Shuixi are not monolithic. Han Zuoli, Mu Kai, Na Zi ...... Several names flashed through Bear's mind in an instant.

"I don't know what the hair-pulling device mentioned in His Highness's secret order is?" Skin Bear temporarily shook off the other candidates for the Shuixi Tumu to support, and guessed and asked, "But you committed a steel wheel fire?" ”

"Returning to China, this hair pulling device is simpler and easier than self-inflicted steel wheel fire." Chen Xiangpeng gave a brief introduction, and then said: "The last general and others have escorted 2,000 pieces this time, as long as the gunpowder is sufficient, it can be manufactured in large quantities, which can make it difficult for the Qing army." ”

As the manufacturing technology of the arsenal continued to improve, the size of the hose was reduced, and it now resembled half a piece of lead, so it could be carried and transported in large quantities.

Although this weapon cannot control the situation of the war, it is certain that it will hinder the Qing army, which is also in line with the purpose of using Shuixi to contain and consume the Qing army.

Next, he took out several binoculars from the box and gave them to Leather Bear and others, and Leather Bear thanked him and carefully discussed with everyone until midnight, and the lights in the tent were still not extinguished.

………………

An Kun was woken up from his dream, sleepy-eyed and yawning. Accompanied by his wife Lu Tianxiang, he came to the main hall, dozens of large waxes had been lit in the main hall, and an incense case had been prepared, and the bright light dispelled a lot of An Kun's sleepiness.

“…… An Kun Zhong Ming righteousness, is really gratifying, now awarded the post of Shuixi Xuan Comfort Envoy, and the governor of Qianxi, his wife Lu Tianxiang awarded the three products of the lady......"

Shen Chenquan, the messenger who came to issue the edict, wrapped his head in yellow cloth, although his appearance was a little indecent, he stood there with great dignity and a loud voice.

"Xiaguan (people's woman) bows to thank His Highness Longen." An Kun and Lu Tianxiang knelt down and kowtowed, respectfully accepted the edict, and received the seal, crown and robe, and reward.

"Your Excellency, please be seated." An Kun was completely sleepy at this time, and he was also anxious to know how much help the Ming army in Yunnan Province could provide, after all, the Qing army's conquest and suppression were the most urgent threat.

"Your Highness still has a letter, please read it to Lord An, and then talk to your lordship." Shen Chenquan's face softened, he arched his hand, handed over the letter, and sat aside to rest.

An Kun hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea and snacks, and exhibited the reading letter with his wife Lu Tianxiang. Zhu Yongxing said in the letter that the Ming army in Yunnan Province would launch an echo of Shuixi, which could be regarded as stabilizing Ankun's heart, but he expressed his dissatisfaction in the letter and put forward several suggestions.

"Tianxiang, what do you think?" Although An Kun is Shuixi Thomu, he is only twenty-four years old, and he is playful on weekdays, and his indecisiveness and subservience to outsiders are his biggest weaknesses. In terms of dealing with things, it is not as assertive and knowledgeable as Lu Tianxiang, and there is a sharp mouth that is difficult for ordinary people to refute.

Lu Tianxiang thought for a while and said, "What His Highness said is also to the point. Since the husband has raised the banner to resist the Qing Dynasty, he will be hated by the Qing court and Wu Sangui, even if the temporary peace is successful, it is difficult to ensure that the future suppression and recurrence, then the Ming army will not help. Besides, if the Qing army is allowed to sit firmly in Guizhou Province, my Shuixi will become meat on the anvil, and I will want horses today, beautiful women tomorrow, and gold and silver the day after tomorrow. You gave it to him, and he said you had it, and he would ask for more; If you don't give it to him, he will say that you resist and don't submit, and you still want to raise an army to fight. Instead of giving him a piece of meat in the future, Mo Ruo broke his waist with a stick. ”

After a pause, Lu Tianxiang saw An Kun nodding in agreement, and continued: "The forty-eight Tumu drew troops to form an army, which exempted the selfishness of Mu Hao and Mu Kui of each family, and made the husband have an army in his hands that obeyed the order. ”

"What about the officer, do you really want to hand it over to Pi Xiong and the others to command?" An Kun asked suspiciously.

"Husband, don't forget where the roots of those soldiers are, there are families and children, fields and houses, all in the hands of the husband, so why be afraid?" Lu Tianxiang said with a smile: "Many Mu Kui, Mu Hao and their sons and young masters are almost everywhere in the mansion, drinking and singing and dancing, all kinds of joy, how can they be the talents of generals who can command battles?" Well, His Royal Highness wants to fight for some power for Kuang Guogong and others, and we can also install personnel! Ah Wu, Abe, Ahu and others are all husbands who were promoted from slaves to scolding, and they are loyal and can join the army. Not only can he help his husband control the army, but he can also learn some skills in battle. ”

"And-" Lu Tianxiang hesitated for a moment, but still spoke: "Brother Chajia is not a talent for commanding the army, and the husband can summon him back to this city to help deal with affairs-"

An Kun saw his wife's hesitant expression, and also understood her concerns. As a more tho, he is the number two person in Shuixi, usually he is lazy, and he is already half of Shuixi's home. At this time, the wind and rain were turbulent, and his wife was obviously worried that he would have the intention of replacing him, so she summoned him back to the city so that he could take care of it nearby.

"I am my dear brother, and I will have no dissent." An Kun shook his head, hesitated for a long time, and said: "The recall of Geng Tho also makes the soldiers fierce and dangerous, and it is also a sign of care for Brother Geng Tho. ”

…………… (To be continued......)