The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 159 Sincere Moderation

The desert is solitary and straight, and the long river falls into the sun.

A herdsman set up a tent next to a stone pillar and used cow and sheep dung as fuel. After lighting a fire, a wisp of smoke rose from the tent, which could be seen from a long distance. Since passing Shanyu City, such a scene has rarely been seen.

The closer to the Great Wall, the more stable the order, and vice versa.

The life of herders is hard, and the life of slaves who have no freedom and means of production is even harder. The red marks on the faces of both men and women are clearly visible.

Such a large area can only support this one herdsman, and he never knows when his pasture will be taken away again. When that happens, his tent, cattle, sheep, and even his wife and daughter will become someone else's property.

There is clearly no jungle on this land, but even every breath of air is filled with the flavor of the law of the jungle.

It was the third day after leaving Shanyu City.

"Woooooo~"

Behind a hillside, a horn sounded.

"Bahhhhh."

"Bahhhhh."

The sound of horse hooves filled the mountains.

In the chaos, the scouts of the Hexi Camp were at the forefront. They rushed back desperately to warn the army, but they were being closely pursued by countless cavalrymen, and everyone had a look of fear on their faces.

"Yo ho."

The pursuers behind him made strange noises from time to time.

"Enemy attack!"

Soon, the entire army began to get busy. Under the supervision of their respective captains and sentries, every soldier began to move. Everyone had his own thing to do, and the two thousand-man team was in uniform.

The convoy in front formed a circle, the convoy in the middle formed a circle, and the convoy in the back formed a circle, forming three large circles.

Wang Xin stood under the big flag in the middle and had the flag soldiers give orders with the flags. The whole team moved in an orderly manner, quickly and steadily, as if they had practiced it countless times. The officials and entourage from Datong were terrified.

"Is Dabansheng going to rebel?" Tao Sheng exclaimed as he hurriedly hid under the frame of the car.

Not far away, Zhai Wen's face was grim. He couldn't help but wonder why Dabansheng was rebelling. Was he being forced by Datong? Was it because of this inspection? Dabansheng was hiding a dark secret.

The soldiers had no time to care about them. They didn't understand the situation and only felt that everything was in chaos. They were panicked and helpless, and for a moment they didn't know where General Wang was.

In a moment, the marching team turned into three chariot formations.

The musketeers climbed onto the chariot, picked up their muskets, aimed forward, and waited for orders. The charioteers raced against time to move the supplies down and install the baffles. Some of them also cooperated with the musketeers to consolidate the defense.

Many soldiers showed a hint of panic on their faces because of the unexpected attack, but their hands did not stop moving, as if it was instinct.

Each captain, sentry officer, and team leader was strictly prohibited from leaving their own team during the march. Under the detailed regulations and strict implementation, the hundreds of cavalrymen who were pursuing them were so powerful that they unexpectedly bypassed the chariot camp.

The cavalry split into two groups like geese, surrounding the three chariot camps. Several scouts took refuge in the chariot formation, finally able to catch their breath. The pursuers dared not approach, and from afar they heard strange cries and threats, while some cavalry approached the chariot formation to provoke them.

The cavalrymen had disheveled hair and most of them wore leather clothes, so it was certain that they were Hu people.

Such a large number of cavalry undoubtedly came from the Dabansheng area.

The flag soldier lowered his head from his perch and asked, "General, Tang Ping asked if we should fire the cannon?"

Wang Xin shook his head.

Although it was very hasty, it was pure dream for this group of cavalry to attack his chariot camp. Firing now would only scare them away. He wanted to see what this group of cavalry would do.

The Hu cavalry gradually calmed down a little, because although they were shouting, the other side was unusually quiet, making it seem as if they were howling like ghosts and wolves.

This feeling is very bad and some people feel uneasy.

Many veterans thought that this invading Zhou army was different from the Zhou army they had seen before.

The situation that was originally on the verge of breaking out became calm again. The two sides looked at each other from a distance. The Hu cavalry no longer made strange noises, and no cavalry came forward to provoke.

The situation is becoming increasingly intense, and both sides are gathering strength.

A cavalry leader stepped forward and shouted to the troops of the Great Zhou Chariot Camp.

Wang Xin didn't understand and sent someone to find Tao Sheng. Tao Sheng was hiding under the chariots nearby. Soldiers carried him out and brought him to Wang Xin. Tao Sheng was in a state of panic. Seeing Wang Xin's calm and normal expression, Tao Sheng felt a little embarrassed and said with a red face, "That person wants to see you, General."

"You go and ask for me." The interpreter was stunned when he heard Wang Xin's words.

Finally, he climbed onto the chariot hesitantly, wary of arrows, and shouted loudly. The man opposite, seeing that it was the interpreter, took the initiative to speak in Central Plains dialect, just as unfluently, "You, are not allowed to go, Dabansheng, stop."

Wang Xin pushed the interpreter aside and asked loudly, "Who are you?"

"I am Bi Sheng, a great warrior of Mo Taiji." The man actually told the truth.

When Zhai Wen heard this, his face changed drastically. He didn't even bother to hide it. He was so arrogant that he almost said he wanted to rebel.

Wang Xin nodded secretly and asked again, "Are you going to rebel?"

Waiting for the other party to confirm their attitude.

At the same time, let the flag soldiers be prepared, and when they hear the enemy's response, it is time to order the attack.

Bi Sheng shook his head and said, "The Taiji said that you are not allowed to enter Dabansheng. If you dare to enter Dabansheng, you will be attacked. You should go back now."

"What if I have to go?"

Wang Xin asked again.

The person on the other side didn't understand what he said and asked back. Wang Xin could only explain, feeling helpless.

Bi Sheng said loudly: "Even the eagles in the sky listen to what Taiji says."

Wang Xin shook his head.

Bi Sheng seemed to be here to deliver a message. He looked at the three chariot formations one by one, and after confirming that the general on the opposite side understood what he meant, he led his troops away as if nothing had happened just now.

Gusts of dust come and go like the wind.

Wang Xin was jealous and wished he had a few hundred cavalrymen.

Unfortunately, the cost of raising horses in the Central Plains is too high. The cost of training one cavalryman can support three to five infantrymen. If it is the kind of soldier guarding Yanmen Pass, supporting one cavalryman is equivalent to supporting twenty infantrymen.

This is the environmental advantage of grasslands and deserts, which has both good and bad sides.

"General Wang, it seems we have to go back quickly and tell Datong to be prepared." Zhai Wen regained his composure, maintained his composure, and rushed to find Wang Xin.

Wang Xin shook his head.

"What do you mean, General?" Zhai Wen was shocked.

Wang Xin said, "Send someone back to tell Jiedushi Feng first."

Who knows what Feng Yong's attitude is? I won't give him any handle. I will arrest Zhai Wen, the inspector. With a witness I can prove to the court, I won't be afraid of Feng Yong doing anything weird.

Zhai Wen was helpless and guessed Wang Xin's thoughts. Although he wanted to return immediately, he knew that Wang Xin would not listen to him, so he could only stay where he was.

After setting up camp and coordinating with the chariot formation, Wang Xin was not afraid of anyone storming the camp.

Sending Zhai Wen's entourage, each with two horses, will only take two or three days, so he can wait.

Everything has been peaceful these days.

On the morning of the fourth day, someone finally came from Datong. He was an acquaintance, Zhao Tao, the chief clerk beside Feng Yong.

Simultaneously.

Ma Fan's face was solemn as he told his general some bad news: many unfamiliar horse thieves had come and seemed to be gathering here, definitely targeting them.

Zhao Tao, the chief clerk who had just arrived, guessed, "General, Dabansheng must have lost his patience and is planning to attack us disguised as bandits."

"What did Jiedu Feng say?" Wang Xin asked.

Zhao Tao looked embarrassed and asked, "Can we talk in private?"

Wang Xin nodded, wanting to see what tricks Fatty Feng would come up with.

After Zhao Tao was sure that no one was around, he told the truth: "Feng Jiedu can let the general go back, but the general must accept Feng Jiedu's orders and be subject to Feng Jiedu's control."

Wang Xin stood up, puzzled, and said with a smile, "Isn't that so? Jiedu Feng gave the order, and I followed it. Yanmen Pass was originally under the control of the Jiedushi of Datong."

"This is the imperial court's system, not Feng Jiedu's system."

"What's the difference?" Wang Xin asked indifferently.

"General, you may have heard some of these things, but you don't need to worry about them. Feng Jiedu is kind-hearted and generous, and he's not a stingy person." Zhao Tao said seriously, "When your military officers are transferred to Datong, Feng Jiedu will also send his generals to serve under you. This will increase mutual trust, and we will all prosper and suffer together. He has no intention of suppressing you."

(End of this chapter)