Xiaowang Village is not far from Songshan Ridge, only ten miles away.

But these ten miles of land are separated by several mountains.

After walking along the loess path for a few miles, under the leadership of Yuan Chuliu, they plunged headlong into the mountains.

The mountains were rugged and difficult to walk, and it was noon before they arrived at Songshan Ridge.

Turning his head, seeing that everyone was tired and panting, Han Zhen encouraged: "Work harder, wait until you enter the dark passage and rest." ”

They were pressed for time and had to settle down before the county government attacked the cottage.

And the foot of the mountain is full of bandits' secret posts, if you stay too long, there is a risk of exposure.

Hearing this, everyone had to take heavy steps, deep and shallow, and continue to move forward.

I have to say that the location of Shibao's cottage is very well chosen.

The whole mountain is not very high, about two or three hundred meters, but it is extremely steep.

In particular, the side of San'in can be called a cliff.

After going around the mountain, everyone climbed all the way to the halfway up the mountain, only to see Yuan Chuliu come to a pile of rocks with a familiar car, pick up a bush, and burrow into the stone crevice with a flexible body.

This stone crack is extremely narrow, and it is only about ten meters, and there is a huge stone at the end, no matter how you look at it, it is a dead end.

After Yuan Chuliu entered the stone crevice, he came to the end in three or two steps, beckoned to them, and then his figure disappeared.

Han Zhen carried the horse lance horizontally and squeezed sideways into the crack in the stone.

He was already in strong shape, and he was wearing bamboo armor at the moment, and he was stuck without taking two steps.

In desperation, Han Zhen had no choice but to withdraw, and after taking off the bamboo armor on his body, he reluctantly squeezed in.

When I walked to the end and turned a corner, my eyes suddenly opened up.

In a trance, Han Zhen couldn't help but think of An Niang, and there were some similarities between the two.

The group followed behind Yuan Chuliu, constantly shuttling through the cracks in the stones.

Eventually, they came to a small valley.

The small valley, really small, less than fifty square meters, was reclaimed in the middle of a field with three rows of wheat and soybeans.

It seems that it is neglected, and the weeds in the fields grow more lush than wheat, and it is estimated that it is enough to choke on a bucket of grain.

"Rest in place."

Han Zhen looked around and ordered.

As soon as the words fell, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the ground together.

Seeing this, Han Zhen shook his head secretly in his heart.

After taking Songshan Ridge, we have to train them physically.

Taking out the kettle on his waist and pouring a large mouthful of water, Han Zhen asked, "How far is it from the cottage now?" ”

Yuan Chuliu tried hard to swallow the cooking cake in his mouth, and replied truthfully: "It's not far, and it's a cottage in front of you." ”

"Hmm!"

Han Zhen nodded, no longer spoke, but took out the cooking cake in his arms and ate it silently.

……

……

To the southwest of the foot of the Matsuyama Ridge, there is a mountain stream.

In the jungle next to the mountain stream, there are more than a dozen wooden houses.

In the humble stable, more than a dozen tall horses are leisurely eating the grass and young leaves in the trough.

In a wooden house, a group of strong men sat around.

These eighteen strong men are either on their foreheads or on their cheeks, all engraved with cyan tattoos.

Apparently, this is a gang of deserters.

One of them spoke: "Big brother, what is the idea of this thief and bird surnamed Shi?" ”

The person called the eldest brother is a middle-aged man with a dark face and a generous temperament, like an old farmer.

This person is Wei Da, who sold horses in the county some time ago.

And there was no tattoo on his face.

The soldiers of the Northern Song Dynasty did not always tattoo words on their faces, and for those who took the initiative to join the army and serve the country, the army would give a certain amount of respect and engrave the tattoos on their arms or shoulders.

For example, Han Shizhong and Yue Fei, there are no tattoos on their faces.

Wei Da groaned: "During this period of time, I have been rejected many times, and now I am suddenly calling us to the banquet, but I am afraid that I am not at ease." ”

"Shall we go or not?"

A man sitting under Wei Da asked.

"Go!"

Wei Da's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning that did not match his temperament, and he lowered his voice and said: "Our brothers hide their weapons, then Shi Bao has no evil intentions, forget it, if you want to do something to us, you will kill you." ”

As the most powerful Western Army in the Northern Song Dynasty, they naturally had arrogance in their hearts.

Otherwise, he would not have repeatedly rejected Shi Bao's solicitation.

To put it bluntly, they don't look down on this group of bandits.

But arrogance can't be eaten.

As deserters, they can't find a livelihood, and they can't pull their faces to do the business of robbing homes and houses, so the life of Wei Da's group is not easy.

Some time ago, I couldn't hold it anymore, so I could only reluctantly sell a war horse in exchange for twenty-five yuan.

But although twenty-five yuan is a lot of money, it can't stand a dozen strong men sitting on the mountain.

In addition, raising war horses is also a large expense, a large basin of salt water is served every day, and two heads have to be fed a good meal in three days, and the cost is greater than theirs.

At this moment, a rough-looking square-faced Zhuang said fiercely: "Big brother, it's better for us to stop doing it, take the opportunity to kill the stone treasure and seize the cottage." With those runaways helping to farm, they will not be able to live without robbing their homes in the future. ”

Hearing this, Wei Da angrily reprimanded: "Although that Shibao is a bandit, he is still polite to us, how can he do things that will take revenge." ”

“……”

The square-faced man's lips moved, and finally he lowered his head in silence, but his eyes were full of unwillingness.

Their eldest brother is good at everything, but he is a little too benevolent.

But it is precisely because of this that they will follow him willingly.

"Don't mention it again."

Wei Da's expression softened, and he ordered: "But the heart of guarding against people is indispensable, and the brothers hide their hand knives close to their bodies." Xiao Wu and Lao Jiu stayed behind to take care of the war horses, and the others followed me up the mountain. ”

……

……

within the county.

More than 400 people gathered in front of the county yamen.

A hundred of them were archers, and the rest were village soldiers.

Township soldiers are not military members, but township warriors, and the difference between them and archers is that they do not need to serve in the government on weekdays.

Every year, during the agricultural slack, the government would gather them together for a few days of practice.

Other times, no different from farmers.

But when it comes to war, they will be called up.

Although Changzhi County is greedy for money, it is not stingy, and the money that should be given will not be less.

At this moment, he was instructing Liu Yong to send money to this group of archers and village soldiers.

500 wen per person, and if you unfortunately die in battle, there will be a pension.

Sure enough, as the reward money was distributed, more than 400 people immediately changed their lazy appearance, and they were full of energy.

Two years ago, the previous magistrate also summoned them to suppress the bandits, but they did not give any reward.

For a time, this group of archers and township soldiers had a great impression of Changzhi County.

After the money was distributed, Chang Zhixian said loudly: "The reward has been issued, you should try your best to break the thief." ”

"Yes!"

The crowd resounded with jagged responses.

Chang Zhixian stroked his beard and said meaningfully: "Liu Yong, the heavy responsibility of suppressing bandits is entrusted to you, don't let the county down." ”

"My subordinates will do their best!"

Liu Yong bowed down and hugged his fists, and after Changzhi County turned around and entered the county office, he crossed his hands on his waist and said sharply: "Go to Jiazhang Warehouse with the head of the capital to get weapons!" ”

The Jiazhang Warehouse is the arsenal, located on the left side of the county government.

After opening the door, a rotten breath suddenly came to his nose.

There were a lot of weapons in the warehouse, but because no one took care of them, most of them were rusty and damaged.

The wooden shaft of the spear was riddled with moth-eaten holes, and the head of the spear was rusty, and the chance of death from tetanus was much higher than that of a direct stab.

Every year, the imperial court will give special funds to the arsenals of various states and counties for maintenance and weapon construction.

Although Master Xu is greedy, if he wants to say that he is greedy for the allocation of the ink arsenal, he is really wronged.

Because this money was deducted from top to bottom by the Ministry of Households, the transfer envoy, and the state government, and by the time it reached the hands of Master Xu, there was not much left.

He just wants to be greedy, and he doesn't have that chance.

A villager picked up a spear and swung it vigorously, and then heard a crunch click, and the long pole was disconnected.

"This ...... Liu Dutou, these weapons can't be used! ”

Liu Yong scolded: "What are you shouting about, pick up the good ones." ”

Hearing this, the villager suddenly cried and laughed.

What's so good about that?