Following.

As usual, Ba Xuan came to the position again and began his routine patrol.

Along the way, all the soldiers they met saw the arrival of Ba Xuan, whether they were working or not, they all stood by with a solemn face, and said "Your Highness" respectfully to Ba Xuan, and only after Ba Xuan gave an order did they dare to continue the previous action.

This is a daily habit of Ba Xuan, showing his presence by patrolling, and thus establishing his majesty.

After all, his elder brother Ali Buge has been repeatedly frustrated in the confrontation with the Red Phoenix Army, and he has long lost his prestige among the clansmen and the army, and if he can take advantage of this time to control the army, he may be able to get into the Khan position.

Thinking secretly, the corners of his mouth naturally curled.

At this moment, there was a commotion in the distance.

Ba Xuan was displeased, and when he looked at it, he saw a group of people gathered in the distance, and these people were divided into two groups, the larger group was mostly Han Chinese, and the smaller group was Mongolian, and the leader of them was also known by Baruch, his attendant.

This Baruch was personally appointed by Baruch and was responsible for the logistics of food distribution.

However, now, I don't know what the reason is, these Han people are actually entangled with Baruch. Their arguments were a bit intense, and they all began to push and shove each other, even if they were hundreds of feet away from the two of them, they could hear what they were arguing about.

"It's been two months, why is my rations gone?"

"Why hasn't the Khan given me the merit he promised me?"

"My gun is already broken, why don't you replace it for me?"

“......”

The arguments of those people are basically like this, and the content is basically related to food, weapons, and clothing, and it is obvious that some soldiers are dissatisfied with the treatment, and they are beginning to get restless.

"These Han people know how to gather crowds and make noise. Don't they know that now is the time to fight the Red Phoenix Army?"

Seeing this scene, the nameless industry rose to the top.

After Ali Buge's departure, Bahui temporarily took over the entire army, and in order to win over the people of the tribe to pave the way for him to go to the Khan's position, he made the decision to satisfy the Mongol soldiers first, then the Semu people, and finally the Han Chinese.

However, the resources in the army are already limited, and because of the heavy snowfall, the supply is almost interrupted, and the weather is getting colder and colder.

Ravaged by hunger, the Han Chinese in Mongolia were forced to gather and began to make demands on the high-ranking Mongolian nobles, hoping to get a little bit of food to feed themselves.

The Han Chinese were even more annoyed when they saw that Baruch had never answered.

"If you don't pay our military salaries, don't even think about leaving here!"

Baruch's heart tightened, his forehead was dripping with sweat, his eyes were a little panicked, and when he saw Baruch standing in the distance, he immediately opened his mouth and shouted: "Your Highness!

"Your Highness?"

Everyone was surprised, and as soon as they turned around, they immediately saw Ba Xuan in the distance.

Ba Xuan's face was angry, he glanced at Baruch reproachfully, and cursed in a low voice: "This guy has a way of causing trouble, and he actually dragged me in." ”

Baruch didn't like Baruch very much, but he had no choice but to accept this person as a guard and regard him as his cronies in order to win over that Qianhu.

"It turns out to be His Royal Highness Bahui! In that case, we might as well find Bahui, and he will definitely help us solve this matter. ”

Among the Han people, a hundred households who had lost their left arm lit up, and then led a group of people towards Ba Xuan.

Ba Xuan was a little nervous, and drank in a deep voice: "What are you doing?"

"Your Highness!"

The hundred households were stunned, and then they knew the identity of the other party, he quickly lowered his head, and begged with sincere fear: "I came here today for the sake of military salary." I wonder when Your Highness will be able to send our military salaries down?"

"Military pay?"

Ba Xuan snorted lightly, skimmed a few people with a slight reproach, and sneered: "Just for this matter, you actually besieged Baruch? Who gave you such courage?"

Nabaruch also walked over, and when he saw Youbaqiu present, he felt full of confidence, and reprimanded everyone: "Zhang Lu, is it just a little late? You actually gathered and tried to snatch the food? Do you know what kind of crime this is?"

"But Your Highness, we haven't paid it for three months! ”

Zhang Lu was scolded by the two of them for a while, and suddenly felt a little scared, and his head couldn't help shrinking, and he explained to the two nervously.

Ba Xuan didn't care, and smiled: "That's it?"

"No, that's right!"

Zhang Lu couldn't hide the apprehension in his eyes, and looked at the two of them with a pleading look.

Baruch snorted softly, "And it's only three months. You don't ask others, don't say it's three months, it's six months, nine months, there are a lot of people who haven't sent it. Why are you so entangled?"

"But Your Highness!"

Zhang Lu pursed his lips and raised his head hard, but said, "Those people themselves have a lot of livestock, so naturally they don't need military salaries. But since the Khan's conquest, the food we have brought with us has long been consumed. If the military pay has not been paid, I am afraid that we will have to eat the soil and gnaw the bark of the tree. ”

Hearing this, Ba Xuan was also a little hesitant, feeling that what he was doing was inappropriate.

But Zhang Lu didn't notice it, he remembered the promise of Ali Buge at the beginning, and said: "And the Khan also promised me that when the next round of military salaries is issued, it will be sent to us first." But we waited for a full week, but we didn't see a single piece of food. In desperation, I had to come here to disturb Your Highness!"

"Khan?"

Seeing Zhang Lu mentioning Brother Ali, the previous apologies immediately dispersed, but there was a wave of resentment.

He raised his head with a rebellious face and looked down at Zhang Lu: "Why don't I know what you said?

Zhang Lu was stunned for a while, and when he was about to argue, Na Baruch also shouted next to him.

"That's right! In the right time, you shouldn't make a fuss! You know? And the Red Phoenix Army is outside, if they see it, I'm afraid they will think that we are empty inside, and when our army is defeated, can you afford it?"

Being scolded by these two people for a while, the soldiers behind Zhang Lu were stunned and felt incredible.

They stepped forward one after another, wanting to defend themselves, but Zhang Lu raised his hand, blocked everyone behind him, bowed his head to Na Baxuan, and said, "Since His Highness has already decided, then I have nothing to refute." ”

"If only you knew!"

He reprimanded him and left from here.

After Baruch left, Baruch also regained his previous arrogant posture, and shouted in a voice as loud as a bronze bell: "Just you people, do you really think you can threaten me? Believe it or not, I will tell Your Highness now and let him punish you for your great crimes?"

Zhang Lu and everyone were silent, and they all dared to be angry but did not dare to speak.

After Nabaruch left, Zhang Lu immediately jumped to his feet and scolded: "Damn, if it weren't for Naba's protection, I would have killed you!"

As soon as he said this, the rest of the people showed fear and hurriedly pulled Zhang Lu away, but fortunately, there were few people next to him, but they were a little relieved.

"Let's go back. ”

The trip was futile, and the crowd had no interest in staying here any longer, dragging their heavy steps back into the tent.

Inside the military tent, there were dozens of people lying down, all of them with thin cheeks, pale faces, and a little swollen stomachs, looking like hungry people.

Seeing Zhang Lu walk in, their eyes lit up, but when they saw that everyone was empty-handed, they suddenly showed despair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get the food on the way!"

Zhang Lu saw that everyone was looking at him, his already humble head lowered even more ruthlessly, and the voices in the military tent were gloomy, and the sadness began to spread among everyone, and an old man who was about fifty years old sitting on the ground broke the silence.

"It doesn't matter. As long as people are alive, we still have a way out. ”

"But where is the way out? If we don't have food, we're going to starve to death here. Another man said that he was a little young, only thirteen or fourteen years old, and he had just come of age, but he still had several scars on his arms.

As if in response to his words, there was a roar in everyone's belly, which made them all show despair.

Zhang Lu was a little restless, and stood up again: "Then I'll go again and see if I can get food from Baruch." ”

"But Brother Zhang, that Baruch is unwilling to pay food, what should we do!" The boy asked again.

"This, me!"

Zhang Lu's face was a little deformed, and the whole person froze, not knowing what he should do to relieve everyone's difficulties.

The old man saw Zhang Lu hesitate and said, "Alas. Even if you find Baruch, he won't give it to you. In that case, why don't you let me go? ”

"But old cow. Are you okay with that?"

Zhang Lu's eyes fell on Niu Lao's legs, which should have been empty with a pair of strong legs.

Niu Lao is a cripple, they all know it!

Niu Lao was stunned, looked at the empty trouser leg in a daze, and then replied: "If we can find Boyan, then he should be able to help us solve it." After all, these legs were lost for him in the first place. ”

"But old cow. Boyan, he's already gone!" Zhang Lu opened his mouth and said.

Niu Lao's eyes showed disbelief, and he immediately lowered his head: "So that's the case?"

"That's right!" Zhang Lu lowered his head a little ashamedly and replied: "Otherwise, how would I have dragged on until now? Isn't it because Na Boyan and the Khan have already left, and as a result, all the power in the army has fallen into the hands of Ba Xuan. Otherwise, how would we be like this?"

The young man couldn't hold back the anger in his heart, and shouted: "That's right! We are starving here, but those guys are gathered together to roast mutton, what do they think of us? In my opinion, even if we are captured by the Red Phoenix Army, it is better than staying here!"

"Mouse, shut up!"

Niu Lao's heart trembled, and he immediately shouted.

But the words of the mouse aroused everyone's hearts, and there was a bit of expectation in his eyes.

As a prisoner of the Red Phoenix Army, it is indeed very hard and tiring, after all, they have to trek through mountains and rivers to build railways every day, but those people are safe, they don't have to risk going to the battlefield every day, and more importantly, they can provide three meals a day.

No matter how bad the three meals a day are, no matter how much you say that you have something to eat!

For them, having food is their biggest dream!

Although the mouse was taken aback, he saw that everyone was moved, and immediately said boldly: "Niu Lao, I know that you are loyal to the Khan, after all, you have followed him for decades. But you don't look at the current situation, since the Khan left and rose to power, not only have you been directly pushed to the end on the grounds of disability, but even our military salary has not been paid. ”

Listening to these words, Zhang Lu was also moved.

"So you want to surrender? Don't forget how I taught you before. But Niu Lao was blushing, shouted and scolded, and saw Zhang Lu standing next to him, and said: "Why are you staying next to this kid, and you don't give me the family law!"

Zhang Lu stood still, but turned around and persuaded Niu Lao: "Niu Lao." I also know your feelings for Khan, but isn't the mouse also for everyone's sake?

"The mouse is still young! he is not sensible, and you are not sensible?"

Niu Lao was even more embarrassed when he saw that Zhang Lu did not follow his orders: "You have forgotten what you were like in the first place, and how you were saved by me? If you still say that I am a father, you will immediately listen to me and drive the mouse out." ”

Seeing that Niu Lao said this, the rest of the people were silent one by one, and they didn't dare to say a word.

If you talk about everyone, if it weren't for Niu Lao, I'm afraid that all the people here would have died. This troubled era lasted too long, including Zhang Lu, Mouse Zi and others, their families all died, and later they were adopted by Niu Lao by fate and raised as their own righteous son.

It was also because of Niu Lao that they also joined Mongolia and became one of the soldiers.

This kind of thing is a fairly common thing for this medieval era when there was no concept of home and country.

Seeing that Niu Lao was so angry, Zhang Lu did not move, but always stood in place, and explained: "Niu Lao." I know what you mean. After all, you were favored by the Khan in the first place, and it is only natural that you should do your best for him. But if we don't make a living, I'm afraid we might all die here. Elder Niu, can you really bear to watch us starve to death?"

"But do you think those Red Phoenix Army can spare you?" Niu Lao sneered.

Zhang Lu was stunned, a little scared in his heart, but seeing that everyone present was hungry and unbearable, he immediately stood up and told everyone.

"Maybe I'll be put to death. After all, there are quite a few who died in my hands, and even if they were killed, they should have been. But I think that even though the Red Phoenix Army is ferocious, since they are under the banner of reviving China, they will definitely open up to others. I can live the lives of others with my own life. ”