The sky was still dark in the east, Zhang Yanshou was woken up by the lieutenant in the village, ate something to fill his stomach, carried a spear in his hand, and followed the lieutenant out of the village to patrol.

Not long ago, the immortal elders drove the pig-headed man away, and Zhang Yanshou was favored by the lieutenant, praising him for his courage and strength, and he did not retreat in the battle, and also killed several pig-headed man. For this reason, the village sent a piglet to Zhang Yanshou's family as a reward.

In fact, Zhang Yanshou didn't know how many pig-headed barbarians he had killed at that time, but he hid behind the shield and stabbed with a spear, and afterwards his two arms were so sore that he couldn't lift them.

Because of this, Zhang Yanshou was promoted to chief by lieutenant, and he was in charge of ten village warriors.

However, in a place like Qiaozhang Village, there are no official decrees, so they live by the rules and conventions, even if they are long, the villagers are nothing more than brothers and friends in the neighborhood.

"I'll take you on a trip today." The lieutenant walked on the ridge and said to Zhang Yanshou: "In the future, you will lead people to patrol this area, and if you see any suspicious footprints, branches or other things, mark them, and remember to tell me when you come back." ”

Zhang Yanshou nodded and couldn't help but yawn. He saw that the lieutenant was full of energy, holding a ring-headed knife in his hand, and he didn't know where he got the official weapon.

"Chief, aren't you sleepy?" Zhang Yanshou asked, "It seems that you were on duty yesterday." ”

"I'm fine." The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders and led Zhang Yanshou to an old tree: "Also, bringing you here this time is also to let you have a little more knowledge." ”

After saying this, Zhang Yanshou watched as the lieutenant smashed the tree root with his scabbard several times, and after a while, a cloud of earthy yellow light stretched along the ground not far away.

Zhang Yanshou was so frightened that he took a few steps back, but was held by the arm of the calm lieutenant, and then a man burst out of the ground.

"You're here early today...... Hey? Brought someone with you? "The man was dressed in ochre and short brown, and wore a pair of brass bracelets on his hands, which looked thick and heavy, more like shackles without chains.

"This is the offspring of our village, called Zhang Yanshou." The lieutenant said: "Before the pig-headed man attacked the stockade, he stabbed three or four pig-headed barbarians to death. I see that he is a good material, so I am going to introduce it to you. ”

Zhang Yanshou was shocked, but he didn't panic too much, and asked, "This, which immortal chief is this?" ”

"My surname is Yu, the second in line, you can call me Second Brother Yu." The man smiled, and looked at Zhang Yanshou by the way: "The roots are not bad, and he is a good material for martial arts." ”

The lieutenant said: "I taught them some introductory battle formation marksmanship, but the practice is not deep. Now that the war is coming, we still have to practice more during the slack time. ”

Second Brother Yu nodded and said, "It should be so." Before, I went to Jiyin Valley to rescue Shiliang Village, but there were also barbarian attacks there, so I didn't have time to rush back. What is the situation in your Qiaozhang Village? ”

The lieutenant replied, "The pig-headed man broke into the stockade at first, but fortunately the crowd tried their best to block it for a while. But it was a few monks who really helped us out of the siege. ”

"I've heard about it, too." Second Brother Yu said: "The Huaxu Imperial Court sent a group of monks to Pujia Pass, but I didn't expect them to rescue such a remote village. ”

"I was going to keep them as guests and try to get more news, but the old people in the village weren't happy." The lieutenant said helplessly.

"What? Is it because of the Void Sun True Monarch's file? Second Brother Yu was a little annoyed: "In the past two years, whenever I have time, I have used the soil to search the surrounding area, but these rat demons are too able to hide, and they have passed by several times, and they can only catch a few old, weak, sick and disabled." ”

"They're all old stubborns! When I fled here, I began to be blackmailed by those rat demons, and after so many years of worship, I raised them into a disaster! The lieutenant said angrily: "It's not enough to tear down the shrine, sooner or later the rat demon's lair will have to be uprooted!" ”

Second Brother Yu shook his head: "Don't be impatient. The rats are cunning, and they can't just rely on courage to cut down temples and punish evil. It's just a pity that we don't have enough manpower in Chiyundu, and now the two countries of Huaxu and Jiuli are about to fight each other, and the situation in the area of Cangwuling and Pujiaguan is chaotic, and everyone is busy separately, and Qiaozhang Village is afraid that it will not be able to take care of it. ”

"I understand." The lieutenant did not complain.

"He, he is Chiyun ......" Zhang Yanshou was terrified when he heard it, and the word chaos almost blurted out.

Second Brother Yu smiled and said nothing, and the lieutenant raised his hand and patted Zhang Yanshou on the shoulder: "Otherwise, why do you think I dared to smash the shrine of the Void Sun True Monarch a few years ago?" If it weren't for the red clouds to take care of it, the chaos caused by those rat demons would be even greater!

Also, our village has been able to barely fill our stomachs in recent years, just because Chiyun has sent us a message, whenever an official comes, we can always know in advance and hide the money, grain, cloth, and silk. ”

Zhang Yanshou thought about it carefully, although there were still occasional rat demons who infested and stole them, but the life in the village had really gotten a lot better in the past few years, and he still remembered the days when he was hungry when he was a child.

"By the way, those monks of the pavilion have rescued your village, have you opened your mouth to ask for a return?" Second Brother Yu suddenly asked.

The lieutenant shook his head: "No." The monk at the head asked a few words about the Void Sun True Monarch, said that he had no time to take care of it at the moment, and then took the people away. ”

Second Brother Yu's expression was subtle: "This is rare, the monk of the pavilion took the initiative to come to the remote village to relieve the siege, and he has not asked for anything in return." Two years ago, a monk from Chongxuanguan left the Horn Cave, and when he passed by a village, he treated the daughter of the village chief who was possessed by a spirit, and then he became interested and directly raped the woman. ”

The expressions of the lieutenant and Zhang Yanshou were not very good-looking, and the second brother Yu said: "So you have to be prepared, if there are any more monks from the pavilion, it is best for the children of the village not to show up." But don't rush into confrontation with them, if you really can't do it, prepare some food and drinks to deal with the scene.

In addition, I will teach you a trick, these pampered monks do not like dirt, it is better to let the men in the village be bare-chested, not to wear shoes, to smear mud on their bodies and faces, and to let children pee at the intersection, they will not be able to stand it, and will naturally leave. ”

"Thank you, Second Brother Yu!" The lieutenant clenched his fists and smiled: "I'll teach everyone in the stockade later." ”

"There's one more thing." Second Brother Yu said: "I received news that the government may be recruiting Ding again. During these days, you should pay more attention, and if an official comes, remember to let the young man flee into the mountains and hide for a while. ”

"Understood!" The lieutenant nodded heavily: "As long as you make it look like the stockade is old, weak, sick and disabled, you can deal with it by the way." ”

Zhang Yanshou didn't quite understand: "But...... Isn't the government also recruiting Ding to resist the barbarians? If we escape, who will go to war? ”

The lieutenant patted Zhang Yanshou on the back of the head: "You are stupid!" For the sake of his own merits, the official wants us to work hard. If you die, you won't even have a straw mat! ”

"In short, you have to be careful, if anyone comes to Qiaozhang Village again, contact them immediately." Second Brother Yu said.

"Got it!" The lieutenant watched Second Brother Yu pinch the trick and recite the mantra, his body sank down, turning into a piece of earthy yellow brilliance and leaving quickly.

Gu Lian

On the way back to the village, the lieutenant gave Zhang Yanshou a few more words, asking him to keep it a secret, and it was not appropriate to publicize the matter between Qiao Zhangcun and Chiyundu.

In any case, in Huaxu, Chiyun was condemned as a chaotic party and thieves early on, and Qiao Zhangcun and Chiyun had dealings, if they were detected by the government, I am afraid that it would not only be Lieutenant and Zhang Yanshou who would suffer.

Back in the village, the lieutenant summoned the old and young in the village to tell the story of what to do, but before he could finish speaking, someone immediately rushed over:

"Oh no! An official is coming! ”

The lieutenant was surprised in his heart, and the second brother usually reported in advance that the official sent to Qiaozhang Village to do business, and at least after three or five days, he had to leave enough time for the village to prepare. Where is it so fast?

"How many people are here?" Lieutenant asked.

"It looks like more than a hundred!"

"It's too late to hide the money and food!" The lieutenant immediately decided: "The strong man and the female dependents go to the Shecang tunnel, hurry up, don't bring anything!" ”

Seeing the others running away in a hurry, Zhang Yanshou couldn't help asking, "What about you?" ”

"Someone has to stay behind to deal with the errands." The lieutenant leaned in and whispered, "If I can't come back, you will contact Second Brother Yu in the future." Walk! ”

After saying this, the lieutenant stuffed his saber into Zhang Yanshou's arms, pushed him into the entrance of the tunnel, and brought debris to cover it.

Just as Qiaozhang Village was busy hiding and dodging, Zhao Xiao, who was slowly approaching the village, saw the situation in the village clearly with the help of the paper crane in the sky, and the expression on his face was a little strange.

"What's wrong?" He Dangguan immediately stepped forward and asked.

"The people in the village are all hiding as if they had seen a thief." Zhao Xiao blinked, and after a moment of silence, he said, "There is actually a tunnel leading to the distance, this village is quite well prepared." ”

Zhao Xiao found the people who fled from the tunnel exit to the distant mountains and forests, and thought to himself that he would not be more ferocious than the pig-headed barbarian, right? Previously, this village was able to pull out hundreds of townships to fight to the death.

With doubts in his heart, Zhao Xiao came to Qiaozhang Village again, this time he did not fly against the wind, but brought six or seven monks and a group of soldiers.

If it weren't for the fact that he wanted to show his identity as an official of the imperial court, Zhao Xiao didn't want to bring so many people. Considering the slack of armament in Pujiaguan and the surrounding counties, as well as silverfish like Gao Pinggong, it is no wonder that the people of the village are afraid to avoid the officers and soldiers.

This is why Zhao Huang deeply resents Gao Pinggong, this kind of person is incompetent or secondary, but when he lets others do things, it adds a lot of difficulties and unnecessary troubles.

Pressing the displeasure in his heart, Zhao Xiao came to Qiaozhang Village and took the initiative to dismount, turned around and told the soldiers again that they were not allowed to disturb the people's daily life, let alone ask for money, food and property from the people without permission.

Now Zhao Huang has been granted the right to make decisions on the spot by General Wei, and soldiers who violate military discipline can be cut first and then played.

After restraining the soldiers and horses under his command, Zhao Huang took He Dangguan into the village, but before it was his turn to call the door, the lieutenant took the initiative to open the door to greet him.

"The immortal chief is here again, and the villain is deeply honored!" When the lieutenant saw that the leader was Zhao Xiao, he was suspicious, but he was greeted with a smile on his face.

"Last time, I was in a hurry, and I didn't have time to identify myself." Zhao Huang arched his hand and said: "In Xia Huaiying Pavilion, Sanqing, Deacon of Jinding Division, and Commander of Wukui, surnamed Zhao Mingxiao." ”

Speaking of this title, Zhao Xiao almost laughed out loud, when did he become a guy who relied on his identity and power to oppress people? The more titles he had, the more hypocritical and ridiculous he felt.

However, the lieutenant was a little stunned, as if he was really frightened by this bunch of titles, and said: "The villain's surname is Zhang, and Qiao Zhang is the village lieutenant." ”

Zhao Xiao had to put down the shelf and said with a smile: "Qiaozhang Village? This village was built by the diaspora? ”

Lieutenant Zhang replied: "Yes, the ancestors of our village were from Middle-earth, and they fled during the Great War of the Five Kingdoms, and finally settled here. ”

"I see." Zhao Xiao nodded again and again: "The last time I came to Qiaozhang Village, didn't you mention the matter of the rat demon?" This time, I plan to use the precious land to open the altar and practice the law, summon ghosts and gods, and hunt down demons. I wonder what Lieutenant Zhang thinks? ”

"This ......" This time it was Lieutenant Zhang's turn to think about it, in his impression, which monk raised by the imperial court pavilion was not arrogant? Only Chiyundu will take care of them sincerely.

"Our village is dirty and poor, and I'm afraid that we will neglect a few immortal elders." Lieutenant Zhang said.

"It doesn't matter." Zhao Xiao said: "I may not have set up an mandala in the village, and it is estimated that I will have to investigate the surroundings for a few days. As for the grain and rice required by the accompanying soldiers, there is no need for Qiaozhang Village to go out in vain. ”

Zhao Xiao motioned to He Dangguan, and the other party took out a package with more than a dozen silver cakes in it: "It's as if we live here temporarily." If Lieutenant Zhang agrees, he will also take the trouble to clean up some vacant houses, and he will definitely restrain the military discipline of the soldiers and soldiers so as not to offend the people of the village. ”

Lieutenant Zhang really opened his eyes, not because of these silver cakes, but because Zhao Huang was completely different from other pavilion monks. Thinking that the other party once rescued Qiaozhang Village, this person's words and deeds should be somewhat credible.

"I wonder if Zhao and Zhao Xianchang can allow me to discuss a thing or two with the old people in the village?" Lieutenant Zhang's words were to test Zhao Xiao.

According to common sense, the monks of the pavilion came with soldiers and horses, where should they be polite to themselves? Don't even think about it, if you have a bad temper, you just kick yourself away, break in and grab it.

"Then there will be labor." Zhao Xiao simply stuffed the bag of silver cakes into Lieutenant Zhang's hand.

After Lieutenant Zhang entered the village with the silver cake, He Dangguan whispered: "Deacon Zhao, this lieutenant's intentions are not pure. It's not a big family here, so we don't need to engage in this set of gold and silver to open the way. ”

"Of course I understand, but there are at least hundreds of villagers in this village who can fight and kill, if a dozen pieces of silver cakes can win their goodwill, and the future conquest of Ding can also save a lot of trouble." Zhao Xiao sighed: "And the previous treatment of the beaked people was also relied on their bloody battles, so my little silver cake can be regarded as a reward for the bereavement given by the government." Better than nothing. ”

Zhao Huang knows very well that if the current situation really wants to recruit strong men as soldiers, it is afraid that forcible behavior will backfire, and he should not be stingy when he shows his benefits.

After a while, Lieutenant Zhang reappeared, and he said respectfully: "Zhao Xian has been waiting for a long time, please come in quickly!" ”