According to Sizhou, a division of troops according to the northern expedition of the king's division, a messenger was sent to ask the people about their suffering, to search for heavy taxes, to relax the prohibition of leaving the palace, to remove useless weapons, to go to extravagant clothes, all those who were not convenient for the people of Zhao's harsh government were removed.

After Zeng Hua finished lecturing from Bacheng, he hurried back to Chang'an because he was very busy.

From Bacheng to Chang'an, it is necessary to cross the Bashui in the west, and the Jingzhao Guanfu has built a pontoon bridge on the Changzhi ferry in the southwest of Bacheng, using a total of 30 large boats and a large number of planks and bamboos, but the most interesting thing is that this pontoon bridge uses iron chains, and the two iron chains with thick arms run through 30 large ships, and then they are tightly tied to the four large "concrete piers" on both sides of the river.

The concrete pier, which is only six feet high, is actually buried three feet deep, and the stout "body" cannot be hugged by two people. The chains were firmly tied to the piers, and apart from the sound of the chains being pulled by the boats, it gave the impression of not moving at all.

Zeng Hua instigated his mount, and under the escort of dozens of cavalry of the Guards, he slowly walked westward on the long straight pontoon bridge, the bridge deck nearly two zhang wide looked very wide, and it was divided into left and right sides, separated by a low wooden fence in the middle. On the pontoon, two post wagons can be opened at the same time, but the speed is very slow, and under the command of the soldiers of the Navy Division who defend the pontoon, they slowly drive on the pontoon.

Zeng Hua rode his horse in the middle of the slow-moving team, looked at the railing next to him, listened to the huge sound of rushing water in his ears, and felt that the pontoon bridge was swaying slightly on the waves of Bashui. However, it is much stronger than crossing the river by boat, and at least the Hot Wheels under your seat can move slowly and easily. Unlike on the ferry, no matter how big the boat is, it can make the Hot Wheels tremble.

It may be that the waves were a little stronger, and the pontoon shook slightly, and in the creak of the chains, the iron rings connecting the chains on each big ship on the pontoon jumped for a moment, and then quietly stabilized again. Smelling the fresh water from the torrential waves, a bird flew into Zeng Hua's sight with a swish, and then suddenly stopped at the bow of the boat far from the bridge deck. The tiny bird's head is swinging from side to side. Alert eyes watched people, horses, and carts coming and going.

"Mr. Sutsune, husband. What do you think of the bridge? ”

Shi Pu, who followed closely behind, nodded and said: "This bridge is really well repaired, it is much more stable than the pontoon bridges I have lived in before, plus this iron chain, it looks safe, but it is too expensive." As the right long history of the Wuchang Mansion, Park naturally knew that the cost of this pontoon bridge was not profound, which made the Che Yin, who was in charge of the money, hurt for several days.

"It's a great bridge. If we build a few more such bridges on this Guanlong territory, we can quickly and unimpededly no matter where there is something. It's just that this pontoon bridge is the main road connecting the traffic, which is convenient for us, and it is also convenient for those who have irregular intentions. As the governor of the guards, Liu naturally thought of its military role when he saw this pontoon bridge, and his command was expanded from the original left and right guard camps to the left and right twelve battalions. A total of more than 25,000 people were selected from nearly 200,000 troops. They are all the elite of the elite, so it is natural that Liu is a little disdainful of the newly established water army.

"Husband, of course you can look down on them when they fight on the ground. But when you get to the water, if you're not careful, they'll fill your stomach with water. Zeng Hua hit Liu first and joked that he was not familiar with water.

When Liu heard this, he thought about it, he has a specialization in this technique, and he is indeed not an opponent on this water, isn't it called a water army? He nodded and smiled, and said no more.

"Suchang, this bridge does cost a lot, and this chain alone takes up how much pig iron I have, and it feels like digging out my heart. Don't look at the surface scenery of our Zhenbei Army, but there is a lack of things. Half of the troops of the sixty-six Xiangbu Army have not yet been replaced with new equipment, you see, except for the Zhenbei Army in Heshuo, Bingzhou, and Longxidi in Qinzhou, the rest of the Xiang Army, whether it is in Sanfu or Liangyi, and even the Zhenbei Army of Hongnong and Shangluo are all weapons left by Beizhao. The cavalry were better, after all, they didn't have that many complex weapons and equipment. Zeng Hua shook his head and said.

"Don't worry too much, my lord. Our army is expanding too fast, and the production of Xianyang Arsenal can't catch up, and although our customized weapons are easy to use, they are relatively complicated to make, so it will take a long time. But after this year, it will be fine, and these two-thirds of the Zhenbei army should be able to replace with new customized weapons and equipment. Park comforted.

"I know, I'm just sighing."

"My lord, can you make the arsenal easier and shorter in time? As long as those rabbit cubs have used the newly customized weapons, they all say that the swords left by Beizhao are kitchen knives, and they only urge them to quickly change to new customized weapons. Ryu suggested.

"It couldn't be simpler. Although the production of our weapons is complicated, because the division of labor has been much faster, and it is precisely because of the complexity of the production of weapons that even if others have to get it, they cannot make it or make it on a large scale like us. Zeng Hua said proudly that it is precisely because of his efforts to adopt the division of labor and assembly line operations, coupled with advanced "technology" and perfect incentive system, that the technology of Xianyang Arsenal can be extremely advanced and complex. Take the stone cannon as an example, even if it is too late to destroy the enemy, but with the accuracy of reaching one-half millimeter and the lack of equipment such as lathes, it is impossible for others to copy it, and with the maintenance and replacement of components that have not been equipped with standard for a while, this stone cannon is no different from being scrapped.

The three of them were surrounded by guards who were waiting for each other, and they were far away from each other, so the three of them would talk about these things in a low voice.

After crossing the Changzhi Bridge, he could have gone straight to Chang'an, but Liu Fei, who was in charge of the vigilance work, wanted to take a rest at Qingquanyi, ten miles away, and wait for the 1,000 guards who followed behind to follow after all the rivers had crossed, and resolutely opposed Zeng Hua's attempt to engage in a "private visit to microservices".

When I came to the teahouse of Qingquan Station, I found that it was already overcrowded, and there were no vacancies left for Zeng Hua and the three of them. In the end, Liu used his identity as an "officer of the guard army" to find Yi Cheng to be accommodating, and then he squeezed out two tables.

Zeng Hua and the three of them gathered around a table. Five or six highly skilled officers sat vigilantly around another table, while the rest had to find an open space outside the teahouse, and drank tea on the floor while watching the horses.

Yi Cheng came to Zeng Hua's table in person with a teapot and a few teacups, and while opening the teacups for Zeng Hua and pouring tea, he said to Liu: "Brother, I am envious when I see your guard tiger roaring talisman. I think I joined the army in Nanzheng back then, and I was a soldier in the Xiongwuxiang Army for more than two years, and I participated in the recovery of Beisi County in Qinzhou. Beat him *** Liangzhou Zhang's family. I thought I could participate in the left and right guard camps. By the way, brother, at that time, the guards were called the left and right guard barracks, right? ”

Seeing Liu Hanxiao nodded, Yi Cheng also poured tea, and sat on the vacant seat by leaning on Liu, "I didn't pass the guard camp twice, and the third time I thought I had already trained on the battlefield and should be able to be admitted to the guard sergeant." Who knew that his mother was stabbed in the left leg when he pacified Luoyang Lu's family, and he almost confessed to Luoyang, but the injury was healed, but his left foot was not good, so he had to retire from the army. I was originally a tun commander, and I had military merits, so I was sent there

The post became a postman. ”

At this time, a businessman-looking person next to him asked puzzledly: "Lord Yicheng, you are already a tun chief." Why do you still want to take the non-commissioned officer exam of the guards? As far as I know, this non-commissioned officer is only a chief, but he is much lower than the commander. ”

Before he could reply. The man at the table with the merchant spoke first, "You're a businessman from outside, aren't you?" You only know one but you don't know the other, you must know that the most noble place in the northern army of this town, except for the Mo swordsman, is this guard. There is such a saying in this army, that is, the decapitation of the tenth level is not as good as the Mo knife; Rather be a guard sergeant than a commander of the Xiang army. You say that this guard is an ordinary person who can be local? In addition to martial arts, it also depends on your military merits, he is the pro-army who guards the general of Zhenbei and guards Chang'an. ”

The merchant who spoke first suddenly realized in the good-natured laughter of everyone, and couldn't help but show a look of shame, and then stood up and bowed to the surroundings: "Below is a merchant from Wuchang County, Jiangzhou, who has not been to Guanlong twice, so he made this joke, and I ask you to forgive me." ”

Everyone said in an uproar: "Even if you are a businessman from other places, it doesn't hurt if you don't know." Since you are from Wuchang County, you are also a native of my family, and you are half of your own people. ”

In a burst of laughter, everyone returned to normal and continued to drink tea and rest.

Yi Cheng smiled, retracted his gaze to Liu's body and continued: "Brother, looking at your momentum, it should be a big position. But don't worry, I won't ask if I shouldn't ask. I just wanted to ask, brother, where did you join the army? Chengdu, Hanzhong or Guanlong? ”

"I joined the army in frustration." After hesitating for a moment, looking at Yicheng's eager and expectant eyes, Liu finally replied truthfully.

"Are you from the Changshui Army?" Yi Cheng exclaimed, which immediately attracted everyone's side attention.

Liu nodded helplessly, a wry smile on his face.

Yi Cheng grabbed Liu Di's arm, his eyes were full of stars, and he said excitedly: "I know that brother, you are not mortal, I have been in Qingquan Post for half a year, and I have met several officers of the guard army, but I have never encountered any of them in the place where the Changshui Army was born." And the people who heard this could not help but become in awe and admiration.

The Wuchang merchant didn't know what was going on, so he hurriedly asked the Guanlong merchant who had just answered him on the other side for advice, and as soon as the Guanlong merchant on the other side said the background of the Changshui Army, the Wuchang merchant suddenly opened his mouth and couldn't speak for a long time.

Yi Cheng and Liu talked a few words, and Zeng Hua suddenly said, "Lord Yi Cheng, how are you doing now?" And what is the situation of this station? ”

Yi Cheng was stunned for a moment, and saw Zeng Hua and Liu's similar armor jackets and robes, thinking that he was an officer of the guard army like Liu, and he didn't dare to slack off, so he hurriedly replied: "It's not bad, I transferred from the Infantry Division to the Transit Division, except for rewarding the chief of the Tun with a lot of money." Qingquan Post Station is located in the Sanfu main road, is a first-class post station, there are nearly 100 also retired post soldiers, there are dozens of good horses. In addition to the daily post delivery, post and post house, we also have allowed to open a teahouse and restaurant, you see this business is good, all the business trips from the east of Chang'an, whether it is out of Tongguan or out of Wuguan, must rest here with me. You see, the innkeepers here are too busy, and this guy and the chef are all invited by the locality. ”

Zeng Hua nodded with satisfaction: "That's the best, the veterans can be like this, and it is not in vain that our generals love their brothers." ”

"Yes, yes, the only thing that Lao Tzu did right in his life was to join the Zhenbei Army and follow the general." Yi Cheng replied with emotion.

Everyone sighed, and the Wuchang merchant sighed emotionally: "I think there are Jiangling soldiers in my township who have returned, and there is nothing else except a few buckets of rice, so how can he live, but as a result, some of them died of poverty, and some became bandits." ”

After a while, I heard a slight movement outside, and then I saw a guard walk in and whisper something in Liu's ear. Liu nodded, then dropped a dozen Guan Long copper coins, and said loudly to Yicheng: "Brother, we still have important things to do, so let's go first." ”

Yi Cheng dropped the work in his hand and ran over, and said, "Brother, this is leaving?" ”

Seeing Zeng Hua together, not only Liu quietly stood aside, but the guard officer at the table next to him also stood up suddenly, faintly surrounding Zeng Hua and Pu.

Zeng Hua arched his hand to Yi Cheng and said, "This brother, let's say goodbye!" ”

Yi Cheng, who had already realized that Zeng Hua was the leader of this group of people, hurriedly replied respectfully: "Congratulations to my lord." ”

As soon as Zeng Hua walked out of the post station, there was silence outside, as if all the people had run out all at once, making the people in the post station think that something was wrong, and hurriedly went out to see what was going on. I saw that there were thousands of cavalry soldiers wearing the red robes and red tassels of the guards standing at the post station, riding horses and standing there in a quiet line, and the people across the courtyard did not know when so many guards were standing.

Just when everyone was surprised, they suddenly heard a strange ringing from a distance. At this moment, the faces of the guards lined up changed greatly, and immediately, like water split by a knife, they suddenly dodged to both sides, making way for an avenue.

And Yi Cheng's face also changed greatly, and he hurriedly shouted: "Three arrows urgent, hurry up and prepare the horse." ”

Just when the post man hurriedly led the three good horses out of the backyard, a sergeant with three basket flags on his back rushed over on a horse, and just rushed to the front, the sergeant with the blue flag turned over and dismounted and said, "Change horses!" ”。

The sergeant took the bell that hung from under the neck of the panting mount, which made strange noises, and hung it on the reins of the neck of the good horse that the postman had brought him, and then turned on his horse and walked away.

After a few breaths, a bell rang that was similar to the sound just now, but the difference could be heard. The Wuchang merchant thought that the legendary Three Arrows Express had gone, and he didn't know what the accident was, so he was ready to take a closer look. As soon as he moved his feet, he was grabbed by the Guanlong businessman who answered him just now, and shouted in a low voice: "You don't want to live anymore? ”

"What's the matter, isn't the Three Arrows Rush gone?" The Wuchang businessman was surprised.

"Confused, it was the front ride just now, you didn't see that he planted the blue flag, specially hit the front station to report to the front, let the people and horses in front give way in advance, and tell the post station in front of it to change people or horses, and the one who inserted three red arrows in the back is the main one. There is an order from the Zhenbei General's Mansion that anyone who dares to block the three arrows and horses will be beheaded regardless of the army and civilians, and you don't see that the guards are all put aside. If you go up so recklessly, if you give you a knife, you will die in vain. ”

At this moment, a sergeant with three red arrows in his back came, followed by a cavalryman with a sword. The two quickly turned over and dismounted, and the postman immediately led the horse up, and the sergeant changed the bell, and without saying a word, immediately turned over and galloped westward, and the cavalry also followed closely behind, and went away together.

Seeing the two horsemen and the fluttering little red flag disappearing on the side of the road, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and when they looked back, they found that the post man and the post boy who had been busy just now were covered in sweat, as if they had been fished out of the water.

Zeng Hua also hurriedly turned over his horse, and surrounded by thousands of guards, he headed west.

Yi Cheng looked at the dust that slowly settled in the distance, and knew in his heart that today might be a memorable day for Qingquan Station.