When Zhao Huang arrived at Pujia Pass, he found that the construction of fortifications was in full swing everywhere.

Pujia Pass is not a single pass, but a military town including beacons, fortresses and fortresses, guarding the main road between the north and the south.

The Panlong Mountain in Xingluo County in the north is unattainable, while the mountains on the southern border of Huaxu Kingdom are scattered, high and low, far from being blocked by the moats, not to mention that there are three relatively wide mountain passes for the army to pass.

In order to prevent the barbarian invasion of southern Jiuli, Huaxu requisitioned a large number of strong men to build Pujia Pass, which has not fallen for decades.

It's just that Zhao Huang found that the situation at Pujia Pass was not as tight as he imagined, and it was faintly visible that the battlements had collapsed, the roads were uneven, and a pile of rusty and abandoned weapons had been thrown into the street.

Most of the soldiers here are thin and weak, with old clothes and armor, and many soldiers hide in the shade to rest, looking like they are in disuse.

Zhao Xiao and several monks came to the garrison mansion in the city, and General Wei came out to greet him, and he introduced a generous elder beside him:

"This is Gao Pinggong, who used to be responsible for guarding Pujiaguan and neighboring counties."

Zhao Huang has heard that this Gao Ping Gong is a member of the Huaxu State clan, and he can be regarded as the uncle of the current lord.

As the southern gateway of Huaxu Kingdom, Pujia Pass is so critical that it must not fall into the control of the Yongjia Liang clan, and only by arranging the country's lord and clan can it ensure safety.

"This must be the Marquis of Zhenming. With a rising star like you in the country, I can rest assured. Gao Pinggong smiled broadly, had white skin and was fat, wearing a colorful brocade suit, and delicate jade ornaments hanging from his waist, not at all like a general guarding one side, but like a rich man.

Zhao Huang bowed back, and General Wei asked, "How have the people of the pig beaked been handled?" ”

"The few beaked people who plundered in the villages to the west have been largely wiped out, but the number is only four or five hundred." Zhao Xiao came to the edge of the map and pointed a few places with his finger: "On the way to Pujiaguan, we found that there are still traces of small groups of pig-beaked people, they should have escaped into the mountains and forests again." ”

"Gao Pinggong has been fighting with these Southern Barbarians for a long time, I don't know what to think?" General Wei asked.

"The pig-beaked people are the most able to trek, once they escape into the mountains and forests, like a dragon entering the sea, it is difficult to pursue." Gao Pinggong sighed.

Zhao Huang couldn't help asking, "Isn't there a fixed settlement for the people of the pig-beaked people?" Even if it is a barbarian, if it is not engaged in farming, weaving and animal husbandry, relying on this bit of looting is destined not to last long. ”

"There should be settlements in the mountains, but they are not easy to find, and most of the soldiers and horses are difficult to penetrate." Gao Ping said: "I think the two of you know that there are many unclear villages and settlements on the border between the two countries. In addition to the fact that there are demons and evil mixed in it, it is also a realm where chaotic parties often haunt. ”

"Messy party?" Zhao Xiao asked: "Is it the Red Cloud Capital on the Cangwu Ridge?" ”

Hundreds of miles to the west of Pujiaguan is Cangwu Ridge, this distance seems not far, but Wangshan runs dead horses. Moreover, the terrain of Cangwuling is even more steep and rugged, and Chiyundu is a strong army that has experienced the tempering of troubled times. Hua Xu sent troops several times in the past, not to mention exterminating the rebellious party, and the army was even repeatedly beaten by Chiyun to the point of losing its armor.

Gao Pinggong glanced at Zhao Xiao, and then said, "Exactly." In the past 10 years, there have often been leaders of chaotic parties and bandits in the vicinity of Pujia Pass, and there are also many villages and settlements outside the pass that collude with the chaotic party. ”

Zhao Xiao frowned, General Wei stared at the map, and tapped his fingers: "It's a pity, if these village people can be included in my Huaxu Kingdom, then there will be a lot less worries on the way to attack Jiuli Kingdom." And if the Jiuli Kingdom attacks, these villages can also build fort walls as a barrier for the Huaxu Kingdom to contain the offensive of the Southern Barbarians. ”

Zhao Xiao was silent, and the consequences of Chiyundu's departure had greatly dragged down Hua Xu Guo. Compared to the chaos that Yang Liujun stirred up in Xingluo County, the situation outside Pujia Pass was much worse.

Thinking about the art of war deduction at the Yingzhou meeting, Liang Xiao commanded the soldiers and horses of Huaxu State to go south all the way unimpeded, and he could also build barracks and advance step by step. Now it seems unlikely that such a thing will be done.

If this is really done, let alone dealing with the attack of the Jiuli Kingdom and harassing the two wings, just the red clouds are secretly making trouble, it is enough for the officials and soldiers of the imperial court to drink a pot.

"You don't have to worry, those chaotic parties are nothing more than ringworm scabies." Gao Pinggong said calmly: "The high ditch of the Pujia Pass Wall is enough to make those rogue bandits sigh when they look at the city. In addition, Liang Guoshi also set up a spell ban here a few years ago to prevent the rebel demons from flying into the sky. ”

"I know about it, too." General Wei said: "It is said that Liang Guoshi went to Cangwuling in person at that time and severely injured the leader of the rebellious party and bandits. Thinking about it, they could only huddle in the Cangwu Ridge, and they couldn't afford too much wind and waves. ”

Liang Tao's ability Zhao Xiao has seen it, and it is not unusual for him to be able to beat the masters in the Red Cloud Capital so that they dare not come forward.

"Marquis Zhenming, what do you think?" General Wei saw that Zhao Xiao did not speak and asked.

"With all due respect, this time I'm afraid it's not just about holding on to the city." Zhao Xiao pointed to the horned cave on the map: "General Wei should know that the Jiuli Kingdom is attacking this time with the intention of breaking the seal and rescuing the horned demon king inside. ”

General Wei's expression was solemn, and Gao Pinggong asked: "There are monks stationed near the Jiaoyu Cave all the year round, and the imperial court will also send people to strengthen the seal every year. Isn't the Marquis of Zhenming here for this? ”

Zhao Huang explained: "When the concubines of Jiuli Guoyu drove snakes and insects into a large-scale attack, the construction of Pujia Pass had not yet been completed, and the system of the pavilion was also a grass creation. In addition, Master Yu's concubines set up a large array of ten thousand snakes, which came out of nowhere and harmed many people.

In order to be able to end this problem without leaving any trouble, the ancestor of Huaxu invited the hermit master of Fulongyu in the East China Sea to sacrifice the magic weapon of the immortal family Dinghaidou, and in one fell swoop sealed thousands of snakes and insects and the snake witch of the rain concubine department in the town.

However, Dinghai Dou has been completely integrated with the mountains and rivers around the Horned Cave, and after a long time, the fairy spirit qi dissipated, and the seal is like a tree whose rhizome has been eaten by insects and beetles, which seems to be lush and leafy, but in fact it is difficult to continue. ”

These circumstances were told in detail by Zhang Duanjing before Zhao Huang left Dongshengdu. After fighting each other, the thousands of snakes and insects sealed by Dinghai Dou back then are now left with only a giant snake with horns on its head and fleshy wings on its back.

Gao Pinggong was silent when he heard this, and General Wei said: "With an immortal family master like Liang Guoshi, as long as it is properly arranged, it shouldn't be a problem to kill the Horned Demon King." ”

Zhao Xiao reminded: "But Jiuli Country is not without masters, it is said that this time even Feng Fu Ten Witches have been dispatched in a big way." ”

General Wei smiled and asked: "We laymen don't know about the things outside the party, Marquis Zhenming might as well tell me, where is the origin of this Feng Feng Ten Witches?" ”

"I don't know much." Zhao Huang said: "The Ten Witches of Fengfu claim that their lineage can be traced back to the ancient world, and they are the attendants left by the ancient gods in the mortal world, waiting for the moment when the sun and the moon are blind, and welcome the gods to come to the world.

It is rumored that although the body of the ten witches has a lifespan, the soul is immortal, and when one of them dies, the soul will be attached to the fetus and born. When you grow up, you can rejuvenate the memories of the world as long as you go through the rituals. The knowledge and techniques accumulated from generation to generation are where the ten witches are rich. ”

Grains

"Immortal? Is this also a form of immortality? General Wei asked curiously.

"It's just a legend, it's hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood, maybe the Ten Witches are in order to show their extraordinary status." Zhao Xiao said: "And don't look at them boasting about themselves so much, Tianxia has to be a man with his tail between his legs, if he talks about rituals and rituals, summoning gods and welcoming spirits, no one can compare to the celebrant of the Tianxia Dynasty." ”

In a sense, Zhao Xiao and Feng Fu Shiwu can also be regarded as peers. However, as the descendant of the praise official, Zhao Huang has always looked down on the crude and even barbaric sacrifices of the Ten Witches, and they will even engage in human and animal sacrifices. In Zhao Xiao's opinion, this kind of goods can be pulled by the hair and thrown to soak in dung.

"The status of the Ten Witches of Fengfu in the Jiuli Kingdom is high, and they can be roughly compared to the Liang National Teacher, but they are ten people." Zhao Xiao explained: "The witchcraft of the Jiuli Kingdom is prosperous, there are many ghosts, gods and demons, and their magic methods are also related to this, which is unpredictable. ”

"Then I don't know what kind of plan Marquis Zhenming has?" General Wei asked.

Zhao Xiao smiled and said: "I can't talk about good strategies, but since the other party's spells borrow more from the power of ghosts and gods, then you might as well have a set of bottom salaries." ”

General Wei slapped the table: "That's right! Marquis Zhenming is good at rituals and rituals, and can drive away ghosts and gods, if he starts to control ghosts and gods first, isn't it just that the other party has no soldiers to use? ”

"I plan to set up mandalas inside and outside Pujia Pass to summon ghosts and spirits." Zhao said: "Now there are not only villages and settlements in the border between the two countries, but also many ghosts, spirits, and monsters, and they are afraid that they will take advantage of the war to cause chaos." Whether it is out of preparedness or to add troops and horses, this matter is necessary. ”

"Good, good!" General Wei nodded again and again: "I have seen the ability of Marquis Zhenming, and this matter will be handled by Marquis Zhenming, if you need the assistance of soldiers, just ask." ”

Zhao Xiao pondered for a moment: "Before, I heard the news of a demon infestation, so I might as well start here." ”

Gao Pinggong on the side sighed: "With the two of you, it seems that Pujiaguan can be safe and sound." ”

General Wei arched his hand and said, "Where is it!" This is also thanks to Gao Pinggong's good management. ”

Zhao Xiao was secretly suspicious on the side, and the situation he saw when he came to Pujiaguan was far from being a good place to operate. Judging from military preparedness alone, it is even a little sloppy and lax.

"Now that General Wei and Marquis Zhenming are here, my old bones won't be much of an obstacle." Gao Pinggong got up and arched his hand: "Now the military affairs of Pujiaguan will be handed over to the two of you!" ”

Zhao Xiao saluted with General Wei, sent Gao Pinggong away, and watched him board a luxurious incense car with vermilion lacquer and silver.

After Gao Pinggong left, General Wei sighed softly, and Zhao Xiao saw that his expression was solemn, and asked in a low voice: "The situation in Pujiaguan is not optimistic?" ”

General Wei led Zhao Huang back to the inner hall of the garrison mansion and said: "You must have seen it along the way, the defense here is lax, the military discipline is lax, and the recruited soldiers are even short of food for more than half a year. The day before yesterday, I asked each battalion to count the number of people according to the book, and found that thirty percent of the soldiers had not arrived. Guess where these people went? ”

Zhao Xiao shook his head slightly, and General Wei knocked on the table angrily: "Because of the lack of food and wages, those soldiers went to the neighboring counties and counties to work for the local big families. Where is this what the border military brigade looks like?! ”

"What a joke!" The corners of Zhao Xiao's eyes jumped: "The Five Kingdoms have only been fighting for more than ten years, how can the military affairs of the border pass be so relaxed?" How much grain did the imperial court spend on Pujiaguan? Why is there still a shortage of food for the soldiers? ”

General Wei raised his chin and motioned to where Gao Ping was sitting: "Guess what?" ”

Thinking of Gao Pinggong's rich and dignified appearance, as well as the luxurious incense car, in addition to not being pulled by a barge, it is not much worse than Jiang Ru's.

Based on these alone, we can guess how rich Gao Pinggong's daily expenses are, and the place where the lack of food and salary goes.

"He's the head of the country!" Zhao Xiao felt his scalp tingle: "In case Jiuli Nanban enters the pass, he will be the first to die!" ”

General Wei sneered twice: "This may not be. Gao Pinggong has a Wubao manor in the north, raising more than a thousand parts, the weapons and armor are shiny, and the Jiuli Kingdom is really killed, and these parts can also protect him to escape back to Dongshengdu. ”

Zhao Huang was puzzled: "Why would the lord of the country appoint such a person to guard Pujia Pass?" ”

General Wei coughed lightly, raised his eyes to look at the doors and windows, Zhao Xiao was relieved, and a charm flew out of the town with a hand, and the sound came out.

"You should have fun with some things, don't take them seriously." General Wei said: "You must have heard that before the current lord ascended the throne, there was a period of chaos in the country, and the sons of the ancestors fought against each other, and the dead and wounded were all so that the national system withered.

Seeing that Hua Xu was about to follow in the footsteps of Tianxia, the court had to hurriedly elect a new monarch from among the members of the clan. At that time, because of his age, Gao Pinggong was also among the ministers who were elected, and he was the person favored by Liang Guoshi.

However, Gao Pinggong took the initiative to back down and elected the current lord. As for how many unknown calculations there are, I can't discern them. ”

Zhao Huang nodded slightly: "Gao Ping Gong has the merit of pushing the throne and supporting Bao to ascend the throne, and he is a clan relative, so the lord of the country asked him to guard Pujia Pass, and he probably turned a blind eye to his greedy behavior...... Alas! ”

"Marquis Zhenming doesn't have to worry too much." General Wei reminded: "This time, the lord of the country sent Wu Kui's army to Pujia Pass, which is responsible for taking over the military affairs here. Gao Pinggong is old, so he doesn't have to work too hard, just let him spend his old age in peace. ”

"There are more than 1,000 parts, and there are manor dock forts and incense cars, so you can spend your old age in peace." Zhao Xiao felt helpless.

"The top priority at present is to rectify the military affairs of Pujiaguan and train the soldiers." General Wei scratched his head and said: "Although the Wukui Army was newly established by order of the lord of the country, the number of people is less than 10,000, and it is far from enough to deal with future wars. But now there are either lazy soldiers or unusable prisoners. Annoying......"

"Is the general going to cut some of his soldiers?" Zhao Xiao asked.

"Anyway, some of the soldiers are no different from the tenants, and they don't need to come over to make a living." General Wei said.

"I have a solution." Zhao Xiao touched his chin and said: "When I tracked down the people of Pig Beak before, I found that many villages have formed their own village warriors, and they can often share the same hatred in the face of foreign enemies, and they may be useful. ”

"I've thought about it too." General Wei got up and sighed: "It's just a requisition of the township brave soldiers, and it's a lot of money and food. The imperial court has asked the neighboring counties to collect money and grain, but it has not been sent for a long time. ”

"What is General Wei going to do?" Zhao Xiao asked.

"When you go to deal with demons and evil spirits and open altars to practice the Fa, by the way, you go to various places to urge the matter of money and grain requisition." General Wei's expression was serious: "I appoint you as the commander of the Wukui army, and you also have the right to transfer troops, if necessary, you can act cheaply!" ”