At half past two in the afternoon, Zhang Weixin, Liang Ziyue, Zheng Zhiwei, Yang Xin, Qian Yuanshan, and Zeng Zhilin led the No. 1 Squadron of the Feilong Pioneer Battalion to leave the "Jingyuan" and, under the guidance of Gu Anjia and two cronies, entered the mountainous area west of the "Jingyuan."

Although the No. 1 Squadron had been on the road for the morning and had only rested for about half an hour before setting off again, the entire squadron of nearly 150 people (including a squad drawn from the logistics team), up to squadron leader Tang Chao, deputy squadron leader Liu Xiaoliu and Wang Baoshan, and down to every soldier, all maintained high morale, and the marching queue was neat and quiet, which looked very majestic.

Not to mention anything else, this momentum alone has already shocked the Gu Anjia and his two cronies who led the way. At this time, the three of them all had the same thought in their hearts - God forbid, our night attack on the "Jingyuan" this time was unsuccessful. Otherwise, I'm afraid that those who participated in the night attack, as well as the thousand people in the mountains, will not be enough for this team to clean up. If you look at the momentum of others, look at the clothes of others, and then look at the weapons of others, I am afraid that even the most elite troops of the Han Kingdom are nothing more than that.

Of course, there are also things that Gu Anjia can't understand about this team, that is, almost every one of them carries an iron pipe on his shoulder, saying that the stick is not a stick, and that the spear is not like a spear, I don't know what it is for, could it be that it was used to set up a tent when camping? Gu Anjia was very curious about the flintlock pistols carried by the soldiers of the first squadron on their shoulders, but it was inconvenient to ask Zhang Weixin because of his identity. If he knew that it was this thing, and something more powerful than this thing, that killed dozens of his brothers last night, I'm afraid he wouldn't be staring at this thing endlessly like he is now.

Because the displaced people from the Northern Han Dynasty were hiding in the western mountains, most of the roads were mountainous, and there was snow on the ground, so the speed of the team was not very fast. However, going slow also has the advantage of walking slowly, taking this opportunity, Zhang Weixin asked Gu Anjia about the details of the homeless people in the mountains, so that he could control the situation as soon as possible after finding them, after all, although Gu Anjia swore that he would be able to convince these homeless people, no one knew if things would be as easy as he said.

Regarding Zhang Weixin's inquiry, Gu Anjia naturally did not dare to hide it in the slightest. He said: "Although the villains and the villain's brothers are the most influential and supportive of the more than 1,000 displaced people, in fact, these displaced people are divided into three parts. In addition to the largest group where the villain is located, there are two relatively independent small stocks of Liliang.

One of them is led by a few people who are usually idle and do good things, and gathers some brave and ruthless young people. It was this Liliang person who had a dispute with my eldest brother at the beginning, and finally burned the grain. Since the people who burned the grain ran away after setting the fire, everyone failed to catch them, so all the resentment was sprinkled on the remaining members of this liliang. In the end, except for a few who usually did less bad things were able to stay, the rest were driven out of the homeless settlements empty-handed. In this kind of weather, these people are afraid that there is only one way to die.

The other group is led by a retired veteran, Chang Shengjun, and is composed of a group of hunters and former soldiers. Although there are not many people in this liliang, there are only a few dozen people, but all the members have some skills. Among them, the hunters can often catch some game meat and distribute it to everyone, so many homeless people respect them very much. In particular, their leader, although he is a cripple, is said to have been a very powerful character when he was a soldier in the past. If it weren't for the fact that he was wounded in the leg during the battle, became a cripple, and had to leave the army, it is estimated that he would have been a battalion commander in charge of hundreds of people by this time.

Although this Chang Shengjun is a little lame in his legs, he is very good at fighting. The villain and others fled here from the Han Kingdom, and along the way, they also encountered small groups of robbers and bandits, all of which were beaten away by him with some young men and hunters. Therefore, this person's popularity among the homeless people is second only to the villain's eldest brother. Moreover, this night attack on "Jingyuan", this Chang Shengjun was the first to come out and oppose it. He had clearly proposed to the villain's eldest brother that according to the news that the spies had returned, our night attack was too risky, and it was likely that there would be no return. It's a pity that everyone was thinking about a full meal at that time, and except for his dozens of cronies, everyone else refused to listen to him. ”

After listening to Gu Anjia's introduction, Zhang Weixin pondered for a while and said, "In this way, this Chang Shengjun really has some vision. If he really has such influence among the displaced people, as you said, will he oppose the exiles going out of the mountains? If he is against it, won't we have to work a little harder? ”,

Gu Anjia saw that Zhang Weixin was a little worried, and hurriedly explained: "Seventh Master don't worry, although this Chang Shengjun has some prestige among the homeless, he is still a step behind the villain and the villain's eldest brother. Besides, this time we are going to give these homeless people a way to live, and no matter how prestigious he is, he can't afford to have a full meal. Otherwise, when he was so resolute in opposing the night attack on the 'Jingyuan', the homeless people didn't listen to him, but followed my eldest brother down the mountain. ”

Zhang Weixin nodded and said, "What you said also has some truth. However, it is necessary to be prepared for everything. In this way, if something happens, we will not be caught off guard. ”

As he spoke, Zhang Weixin called Qian Yuanshan, Zeng Zhilin and Yang Xin to his side, and whispered in the ears of the three of them. Qian, Zeng, and Yang nodded while listening, and Zuihou said in unison: "Seventh brother, don't worry, our brothers will arrange it." ”

After instructing Qian, Zeng, and Yang, Zhang Weixin continued to inquire about other situations of the displaced people from Gu An's family. From the specific number of displaced people, the ratio of men and women, to the age distribution, family situation, etc., the questions are very careful.

Gu Anjia knew everything and said everything, and his answer was also very detailed. The two of them just asked and answered, and chatted for a long time, until it was getting dark.

Because it's winter, it gets dark early. It's only past six o'clock, and I can't see the road under my feet anymore. Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin considered that the soldiers had been walking for almost eight hours since they set out in the morning, and they were already a little tired, and their stomachs were probably already rumbling with hunger. So I found Zhang Weixin and suggested that the team rest for a while. At the same time, make a fire on the spot to cook to fill your stomach. After all, no one can guarantee that after finding those displaced people for a while, they will be able to obediently follow them down the mountain. Therefore, it is also necessary to recover your strength now.

Zhang Weixin naturally will not object to this suggestion. He asked Qian Yuanshan and others to arrange it, and he called two personal guards to let them pick up some dead branches to make a fire, and then warm it up.

With the orders of Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin, the soldiers of the first squadron quickly acted according to their respective division of labor. After a short time, piles of bonfires were lit, and all the soldiers gathered around the spring fire in squads, and chatted quietly while placing the dry food and dried meat they carried with them next to the fire to warm up. The members of the logistics team set up a marching pot and put the snow in it and burned it, ready for everyone to drink some hot water to drive away the cold.

At this time, Zhang Weixin also pulled Gu An's family to sit by the fire lit by his own soldiers, and while sharing the dry food and dried meat he brought with him, he asked, "Brother Gu, how far is this place from the hiding place of the homeless?" ”

Gu Anjia thanked Zhang Weixin for the food he gave him, and replied: "Back to the Seventh Master, this road is the road that the villain took when he went down the mountain yesterday, and there is still a mountain road two or three miles away from the place where the homeless people are hiding. The villain estimated that in about half an hour, we would be there. ”

Hearing that this place was only two or three miles away from the hiding place of the displaced people, Zhang Wei was moved with confidence, and hurriedly called Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin over, and ordered them to immediately arrange sentry posts around the rest place of the team, so as not to be seen by the displaced people who might come out to find food, thus causing unnecessary panic among the displaced people. Qian and Zeng agreed to go. Soon a squad or so of soldiers left the brigade and scattered around to carry out the guard duty.

After about an hour or so, seeing that everyone was full of food and drink, and almost rested, Zhang Weixin ordered the whole team to drive out and continue on the road.

After walking for nearly two hours, Gu Anjia, who was walking at the front of the line, suddenly stopped, then pointed forward and said, "Seventh Master, look, the fires in front of you are the hiding places of the homeless. ”

Zhang Weixin looked in the direction of Gu Anjia's finger, and sure enough, he found that not too far ahead, there were flickering fires, which looked very eye-catching in the dark winter night. Through the firelight and the faint moonlight, Zhang Weixin could vaguely see that the location of the firelight was a valley, and the place where he was standing was facing the entrance of the valley.

Because Gu Anjia said that the homeless people in the valley have set up some mechanisms on the periphery of the settlement to guard against wild beasts. Therefore, Zhang Weixin immediately ordered the team to stop advancing and stand guard in place. Then, he asked Gu Anjia and his two cronies to go into the valley first, go to say hello to the homeless people in the valley, and communicate with the cronies who stayed there to explain the situation to them. After they agreed to follow Gu An's family to the Shun team, Zhang Weixin and others led the team into the valley to continue the persuasion work later. Before they left, Zhang Weixin also specially explained to Gu An's family, and when he came back, if he heard someone ask for a password, he replied, "When is Mingyue?" ,

Gu Anjia nodded yes, and said that he would leave a mark on the way into the valley, if there was really anything wrong, it would be convenient for the team to follow up later. After speaking, he beckoned his two cronies to leave the brigade and walk towards the valley.

Seeing Gu Anjia and his cronies disappear into the night, Zhang Weixin turned around and whispered to Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin to immediately arrange the first squadron in battle formation in case there was a change. Qian and Zeng didn't dare to slack off, and quickly dispatched the team. More than 100 soldiers, centered on Zhang Weixin and others, formed a circular defensive circle, and loaded the flintlock pistols with gunpowder and lead bullets, pointing all the black barrels outward, ready to counterattack the enemy who might appear at any time.

Waiting in the cold wind of a winter night is a very challenging thing. According to the modern hour, Gu An's house only took thirty or forty minutes, but for Zhang Weixin and others, it seemed to take longer than the time it took them to walk here from the "Jingyuan".

When footsteps were heard in the direction of the valley, a soldier in the corresponding position asked in a deep voice while pressing down the hammer of the flintlock pistol and putting his finger on the trigger: "Password?" ”

Hearing this inquiry, the footsteps stopped, and then he heard the other party say carefully: "When is the bright moon?" Seventh Master, the villain is Gu Anjia. ”

As soon as Zhang Weixin heard that it was indeed Gu Anjia's voice, he ordered the soldiers to make a gap and let Gu Anjia enter the center of the ring defense circle.

When Gu Anjia came to his side, Zhang Weixin asked, "How?" ”

Gu Anjia said with a little excitement: "Seventh Master, rest assured, everything is going well." The villain has persuaded the villain's eldest brother to stay in the camp's cronies, and has also made friends with some of the people in charge of the homeless, and they are all willing to go out of the mountain to serve the lords. Although Chang Shengjun was still a little hesitant, he was not as resolute as when he stopped the villain from going down the mountain to rob last time. He just hopes to talk to the seventh master face-to-face, and then make a decision. According to the villain, he mainly has some objections to the way the lords deal with the families of the displaced people who were killed. As long as the Seventh Master tells him clearly the reasons for doing this and the benefits of going out of the mountain, he will not disagree. ”

Zhang Weixin nodded after hearing this, and said approvingly: "Okay, Zhang really didn't mistake Brother Gu's talent." If you can bring these homeless people out this time, Brother Gu will be the first merit, Zhang will definitely speak well for you in front of several brothers, you just wait to receive the reward. ”

After receiving Zhang Weixin's praise and hearing that there would be a reward after going back, Gu Anjia was full of joy at this time, his face was full of sneers, and his waist immediately bent down a lot-unfortunately Zhang Weixin couldn't see clearly in the dark night, and he did all these actions in vain--and said humbly: "The villain is just a blessing to the Seventh Master, and he did it by luck." Without the Seventh Master, how could the villain make such a contribution. The great kindness of the seventh master, the villain will never forget. ”

Zhang Weixin got goosebumps when he said these few compliments, and quickly stopped him and said, "If you are grateful, let's talk about it later." Now it's important to get down to business, you lead the way, and we'll go into the valley. ”

"Yes, yes, yes" Gu Anjia hurriedly nodded yes, stretched out his hand and asked, "Seventh Master, please come with the villain." ”

Saying that, Gu Anjia is currently leading the way, and Zhang Weixin and the others are following behind, walking towards the valley. However, out of prudence, Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin did not let the soldiers relax their vigilance, and the first squadron remained vigilant during the process of entering the valley.

After entering the valley, with the help of the moonlight and firelight, Zhang Weixin found that the area of the valley was not too large, and the piles of spring sparks in it almost filled the entire valley. Among the many reed fires, the one in the center of the valley is the brightest. Gu Anjia pointed to the largest pile of spring fires next to a large house that seemed to be made of wood, and said to Zhang Weixin; "Seventh Master, that wooden house is where the villain and the brothers usually discuss, and the current principals of the homeless people are waiting for the Seventh Master there."

Zhang Weixin nodded, and after making a look at Qian Yuanshan and Zeng Zhilin, he followed Gu Anjia towards the cabin. Liang Ziyue, Zeng Zhilin, Yang Xin, and Zheng Zhiwei followed behind with their personal guards and a squad of soldiers, while Qian Yuanshan commanded Tang Chao, Liu Xiaoliu, Wang Baoshan and others, and brought the rest of the soldiers to the surroundings of the cabin and set up a cordon.

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