Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 146 Frontier Fortress
in the sun.

The skinny old man was pushing the plow.

The sunlight was quite dazzling. Under the sunlight, one could see the old man's ferocious face. He lowered his head, with his legs deeply buried in the mud, and pushed forward with all his strength.

The plow seemed to have taken root and did not move.

The old man gritted his teeth, turned his back, and tried many methods, but he couldn't shake the plow.

Not far away, an equally skinny young woman was standing by the field, staring at the scene. She was holding a baby in her arms, but her shriveled breasts could no longer feed the child.

On the official road opposite, a knight passed slowly.

The old man, the woman, and the baby all seemed to be looking at them at the same time.

There was no fear or terror on their stiff faces; they just stared at the knights passing through the official road.

Yao Xiong retracted his gaze and said, "Once outside Dingzhou, the world is like this."

Liu Taozi walked at the front of the team, followed by more than 500 knights, making an extraordinary momentum.

Tian Zili wanted to say something, but then he looked at the young man following him.

The young man had a sad face and was riding a big horse in a very strange sitting posture.

Tian Zili glanced at Yao Xiong, who nodded. Then he asked coldly, "If Mr. Cui doesn't want to follow, just say so. Why force it? I see you look sad. Why do you put yourself in such a difficult position?"

This young man was none other than Cui Jishu’s son Cui Gang.

He raised his head quickly and said, "It's not that I don't want to follow you, but I've never ridden a horse for such a long time, and it really hurts."

Hearing this, the rest of the people burst into laughter.

Cui Gang didn't understand why they were laughing, so he asked sincerely, "Shouldn't it hurt?"

A few people stopped laughing, but did not answer him.

Liu Taozi glanced at them, and Tian Zili said, "This is Mr. Cui's first time on a long journey on horseback, so it's natural that he will be like this. He will be fine in a few days, so just be patient."

"it is good."

"Mr. Cui, why don't you slow down for now? At least you can keep up with the army."

"No need."

"Just to see if there are any people falling behind."

"it is good."

Cui Gang then slowed down slightly, and Liu Taozi and others quickly distanced themselves from him.

Tian Zili said sternly, "Brother, how can you bring someone like this with you? This guy is from a wealthy family and is best at being a dog for the nobles. He was not born to be with us!"

Liu Taozi didn't say anything.

Yao Xiong also agreed at this moment, "I think this guy was sent by Cui Jishu to monitor us. Didn't Cui Jishu return to his post? He wants to retaliate against us, so he sent his son here. In the future, let his son report it, and he will approve it..."

Chu Jiande laughed, "Not really. The Lord is favored by the Prime Minister. Even if it is the Emperor, it would not be easy to touch the Lord."

Tian Zili glanced at him and said, "Even if that's the case, you shouldn't have brought Cui Gang, a dog-man, with you!"

Chu Jiande chuckled, revealing his ugly molars, "You keep saying that I am a dog for the noble, but do you think that the Lord is not a dog for the Prime Minister?"

Tian Zili was furious, "How dare you! How dare you be rude to your brother?!"

Yao Xiong also put his hand on the knife and glared at him.

Chu Jiande was not afraid of them. He continued, "I have no intention of humiliating you, my lord. It's just that I think Cui Gang, a young man, is from a rich family, but he is honest and simple, without the bad habits of rich families. Moreover, he is well-read and knowledgeable. You are in need of such a person, so there is no harm in bringing him along."

Tian Zili and Yao Xiong still didn't say anything, and both looked very unconvinced.

Liu Taozi suddenly asked, "What's the situation of the place we are going to next?"

The people around were stunned. Yao Xiong scratched his head, looking distressed. "Who knows? I don't know what the Prime Minister was thinking. He sent my brother to a place where there is no one. I have never heard of Wuchuan. I don't even know what the position of Wuchuan Grand Guardian is."

Liu Taozi looked at Tian Zili again. Tian Zili was speechless at this moment. "Brother, I have never been to such a far place."

“Cui Gang!!!”

Liu Taozi shouted.

Immediately, a knight passed the message back, and soon, Cui Gang rode his horse and came to Liu Taozi's side with gnashing teeth. He patted his legs in pain, then reacted and bowed to Liu Taozi, "Mr. Liu, please forgive my rudeness."

"What's the situation of the place we are going to next?"

Cui Gang was stunned, and hurriedly said: "The Prime Minister appointed Mr. Liu as the chief garrison commander of Wuchuan. Wuchuan is an important border town, bordering the Hu people outside the border and even the western bandits. The previous dynasty stationed many military households here. In our dynasty, it was first established as a county and was under the jurisdiction of Hengzhou. But later there were many wars and the county was destroyed many times, so the counties under Hengzhou were abolished, garrisons were established, and garrison commanders of all sizes were appointed to guard the area, build fortresses, and fire beacons to resist foreign invaders."

"Inside and outside the city, there are mostly Xianbei military households, who are extremely fierce. The local Han people are responsible for farming and providing for them, while the Xianbei people are training all day long to prepare for war."

"There are many garrisons in Hengzhou, so the sons of nobles are often appointed as generals of miscellaneous titles and hold concurrent posts."

Cui Gang explained the situation over there to Liu Taozi very seriously. He seemed to feel no pain and spoke very quickly. After a short while, he explained the various systems there as well as the past and present very clearly.

Liu Taozi then waved her hand and said, "Got it, let's keep going."

"only."

Cui Gang walked into the crowd again. Yao Xiong and Tian Zili looked at each other, and Yao Xiong said, "Brother, I understand."

Tian Zili pursed his lips, lowered his head and did not agree.

After advancing for a long time, Kou Liuhu led a few cavalrymen back to Liu Taozi and said, "Brother, there is a village ahead! We can rest there tonight!"

"Go around."

Kou Liu was stunned.

"It's spring planting time, don't alarm the farmers."

"It won't scare my brother. The village is empty."

The fence outside the village lay on the ground, in pieces.

The ground was covered with weeds and many houses were blackened, retaining the appearance they had when they were burned down.

The whole village exuded a smell of decay.

Liu Taozi led the army into the village. Kou Liu and others had already cleaned up a house that looked decent enough for Liu Taozi and others to rest.

A bonfire was lit, and under the light of the bonfire, the mesh-like cracks on the walls of the house were clearly visible.

Everyone grabbed the meat with their hands and started eating it in big mouthfuls, leaving stains all over their faces.

Cui Gang looked around in astonishment, pinching the meat carefully, not knowing how to eat it.

Yao Xiong sighed, "What a pity. We have one thousand cavalrymen, but we can only bring five hundred. What a waste."

Cui Gang said timidly: "In fact, with General Hu Fen's position, he can only lead a few dozen personal soldiers."

Yao Xiong waved his hand and said, "My general is not just an ordinary General Hu Fen. In my opinion, he should bring all the thousand men with him!"

Tian Zili said, "You led more than a thousand cavalrymen across the state and into the county. Are you hoping that the imperial court will send troops to attack us?"

Yao Xiong suddenly looked at Cui Gang, "When we go to Wuchuan this time, does that mean we're going to have a war?"

Cui Gang's eyes widened. "Since Emperor Wenxuan, the border has been peaceful for a long time without any war."

"So what are we going to do there?"

Cui Gang couldn't answer this time, and he looked at Liu Taozi for help.

Liu Taozi finished the meat in her hand and wiped the corners of her mouth.

He looked at the people sitting in front of him.

"Once you get there you will naturally know what to do."

"Stream, set up secret sentries to patrol, don't be careless."

"only!!"

After Liu Taozi finished speaking, she put the package on the ground and fell asleep.

Everyone stopped talking and went to sleep.

Cui Gang was at a loss. He followed everyone else's example and put the package on top, then put his head on top. However, the package was hard and the ground was uneven with many pebbles, which made it impossible for Cui Gang to fall asleep. He had to close his eyes tightly and force himself to fall asleep.

At this moment, his father's image appeared before him again.

"No matter how many books you read, you can't do anything for the country. You think you are noble, but you come to tell me what to do and want to teach me how to do things." "How about this, you follow Liu Taozi for a while, even if it's just to do one thing well. When you've done it, come and debate with me about how to behave."

"Don't underestimate this man. Although he has never read any classics, his future achievements will be limitless. Just go and see for yourself!"

Cui Gang couldn't help but open his eyes and looked at the man who was lying on his side not far away and snoring.

He was just a murderous warrior, how could he be so admired by his father?
April, the first year of Qianming.

Wuchuan.

Liu Taozi and his group stood on the official road, looking at the city in the distance.

The entire city is like a huge ferocious beast. Its gray-white walls are thick and tall. It seems that there are crossbows placed on the walls, and sharp crossbow arrows stick out from between the battlements like fangs.

There were many military camps built around the city, arrow towers were built on high places, and there were low walls and chevaux de frise on both sides of the road.

All the surrounding trees have been cut down, and the city is surrounded by layers of walls of different heights, some made of stone bricks and some made of wood. This city is like the Baibao Cavalry, and it has been armed to the teeth.

Everyone looked at this scene and couldn't help but marvel at it.

Someone had already noticed their approach. A heavy horn sounded from a watchtower, and then warnings were issued everywhere.

Liu Taozi ordered Tian Zilie to raise the flag.

After the two sides exchanged flags, a group of cavalrymen, more than ten in total, rushed out from the side of the low wall in the distance and galloped towards this place.

The group of people rushed to Liu Taozi, looked them up and the leader just dismounted.

"I don't know why you are here, please forgive me! I am Tu Xiyue, the leader of the garrison. I am in charge of the northern sentry tower by the Khan's order!"

"Take me to the office."

"only!"

The officer shouted loudly, and the sound of the horn in the distance stopped. He jumped on his horse, sent someone to pass on the order, and then took Liu Taozi to the city gate.

Everyone looked around curiously and came to the low wall, where they saw the checkpoint. At this moment, the soldiers guarding the checkpoint had already stood on both sides and made way.

Not far away, you can see many civilians.

No one knew how many of them there were, but they were all standing inside the wall, kneeling in the direction of Liu Taozi. They were dressed in tattered clothes, with all kinds of tools placed beside them. It seemed that they were renovating the city wall. Beside them were several Xianbei soldiers holding long whips.

Everyone looked at the situation here and were about to pass the checkpoint.

A Xianbei soldier quickly stepped out of the line and stood in front of everyone.

The owner of the building was very displeased, and he looked up and shouted, "How dare you offend the nobleman from the Han area! Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

The Xianbei soldier stared at Liu Taozi on horseback and asked, "Excuse me, are you the new Grand Guardian?!"

Liu Taozi nodded, "Yes, it's me, what do you want to do?"

Looking at the tall and strong Liu Taozi, there was no fear in this guy's eyes. He said loudly: "I just want to ask the Great Guardian! Did you bring the food we need this time?!"

"They only gave us half of the grain from last year, and told us to raise the rest ourselves! Raise it ourselves! Raise it ourselves! Where can we raise it ourselves here?! Are they asking us to go to Yecheng and raise it ourselves?!"

"I only took two sets of winter clothes. My two younger brothers have no clothes to wear. Their toes are frozen and they can't get on the horse anymore!!"

"Great Lord!! Have you brought food?!"

The owner of the building once again pretended to scold: "The great garrison commander has just arrived! Get out of the way!!"

But after hearing the soldier's question, several soldiers inside and outside the checkpoint stood up one after another. Someone said loudly, "What he said is correct. It has been two years, and the food has not been fully provided. They said they would reissue the food. Where is the reissued food?! Does the nobleman in Yecheng no longer care about us?!"

Looking at the restless soldiers, Yao Xiong slowly placed his hand on the hilt of the sword.

Seeing this scene, the owner of the building took a few steps back, narrowed his eyes, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

Liu Taozi rode his horse forward a little, and the Green Lion stared at the soldier in front of him with an unfriendly look, his breath almost spraying on his face.

Liu Taozi lowered her head and looked into his eyes. "In the past two years, Da Qi's harvest has not been good."

The owner of the building was happy, and the soldier became even angrier after hearing this, "So you want us to starve?! I guess people in Yecheng don't have to worry about food and drink, right?!"

The soldiers were in an uproar and started making a noise.

Liu Taozi raised his head and looked to the west.

"But I heard that the Western bandits had a great harvest."

The soldier immediately shut his mouth and looked at Liu Taozi in surprise.

"If you don't have food, don't stay here. Prepare well. In a few days, I will take you to the west to get some food and supplies."

At this moment, the soldier's face was filled with ecstasy, "Are you serious, Lord?!"

The leader of the tower was anxious, and he came over quickly, "Great Guardian, we are here."

Liu Taozi stared at him fiercely, and the owner of the building immediately shut his mouth.

Liu Taozi looked at the soldiers again and said, "This is true. Tell the soldiers in the garrison to sharpen their swords and feed their horses well."

"only!!!"

The soldier was overjoyed and quickly saluted Liu Taozi, then quickly made way and stood on both sides.

Liu Taozi led the rest of the group and continued forward.

Yao Xiong was very angry at the moment, "A small soldier actually dared to stop me and question me. You shouldn't have stopped me. Only by killing them can they surrender!"

Tian Zili didn't know much about the situation here, so he didn't rush to speak. Cui Gang said timidly, "The soldiers here are not ordinary soldiers. They are soldiers in name, but they have their own slaves. They have their own armor, horses, and bows and crossbows. When they go out to fight, they can bring 20 to 30 slaves to follow them. The situation here is different from that in the Central Plains."

Liu Taozi said nothing and led the rest of the people forward.

They passed three checkpoints in this way before finally arriving at the city gate.

The situation everywhere seemed similar, and when we arrived at the city gate, we saw a man riding a big horse, leading many knights, standing there, waiting quietly.

The two groups of people slowly approached each other.

Liu Taozi and the man looked at each other, both of them had fierce gazes, and they gradually came together.

The man bowed slightly towards Liu Taozi as a gesture of greeting, "I am He Laigan, the deputy commander of the garrison. Nice to meet you, General."

Liu Taozi ignored him and led his troops to rush into the city towards them. For a moment, He Laigan was horrified and the knights behind him were shouting and dodged in a hurry. Liu Taozi forcibly separated them and rushed into the city among them. Many knights behind him followed him, and they looked at the knights on both sides with unfriendly eyes. The two sides were on the verge of a fight.

He Laigan was squeezed to the gate, with half of his body pressed against it. The knights kept passing among them, leaving him no chance to turn around or walk out.

He Laigan's face flushed red. After an unknown amount of time, hundreds of knights entered the city. He Laigan was able to move freely. He turned his horse around and looked at the people entering the city. His eyes were full of anger. He gritted his teeth and looked around, "I was humiliated by a little kid!"

"Come with me!!"

He led everyone to follow quickly.

At this moment, Liu Taozi was looking at the surrounding buildings.

Wuchuan is indeed different from ordinary cities. The buildings in the city are mainly parades and military camps, and the residential houses are attached to the outer walls. The whole city is like a large military camp, with very wide roads, many main roads and few side roads. Everything is built according to the configuration of a military camp.

The owner of the building continued to lead Liu Taozi, but at this moment, he dared not say a word.

They made their way to the government office.

The so-called government office was nothing more than a large mud house that looked gray. When you pushed open the door, you would see that the house was overgrown with weeds and in a dilapidated state, with a foul smell everywhere.

The owner of the tower hurriedly explained: "Great garrison commander, many garrisons have no need for government offices and no military officers have been assigned to them, so they have been empty. If you want to live there, you can live outside the city. There are garrisons outside the city."

He was explaining the situation here when He Laigan rode his horse all the way to Liu Taozi's side.

His face was rather grim. He just looked at the knights who crowded the road. He swallowed his words and said, "Lord, I have prepared food in the fortress."

“I will live here.”

"Get off your horse and take your men to clean up the place."

Liu Taozi pointed at He Laigan in front of him with his whip and spoke.

At this moment, He Laigan finally couldn't help laughing.

"Your Excellency, do you think that you can act tyrannically here by bringing some cavalry here and holding the Khan's edict?"

"There are three thousand knights inside and outside the city. Even with your limited number of soldiers, you may not be able to make a difference."

"This place is too far from Yecheng. The Khan may not know what's going on here. There are many garrison commanders who have fallen off their horses and died over the years."

Liu Taozi looked at him, the corner of her left eye twitched, and a hint of ferocity flashed in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)