Do you know: I’m Xu Jiazi

On the north bank of the Yellow River,

the sun is setting in the winter,

the sun is golden,

without the sunshine at noon, people feel much colder.

The bare trees with no leaves around add a lot of bleak and cold winter atmosphere.

The official road south of Changyuan County is planted with trees on both sides. Although there are no leaves, they also block the view of the bend.

On the official road,

there are three people and three donkeys walking slowly with white breath.

The donkey has changed its fur at this time, and the thick black fur is tight and warm.

A pack saddle is fixed on the donkey's back, and there is a thick cushion under the pack saddle to protect the donkey's back.

Four large wicker baskets for convenient loading are tied on both sides of the pack saddle.

The porter who was walking in front, with a red face from the cold, looked into the distance, grabbed the donkey in his hand, and turned back and said:

"Dad! Brother! Look!"

The two porters behind looked up and saw two knights riding tall and strong horses, appearing from behind the trees at the bend in the distance, and were walking towards this side.

The sunlight from the west made it possible to vaguely see something flashing on the knight's body.

"Dad, what should we do?" The porter who had just spoken said in a panic.

The older porter looked behind him and then at the roadside. The terrain here was flat and there was no place to hide.

"We should have a drink in the city, so we won't run into them if we leave the city later."

"Shut up!" The older porter scolded with a little panic in his eyes.

After scolding, the old porter looked at his three donkeys and looked up into the distance.

While he was talking, more knights appeared at the bend in the distance.

"Walk to the side, let's make way for the road, and take off the sackcloth on the basket."

"Dad, why do you take off the sackcloth? What if they see what we are carrying and they rob us?"

Hearing his youngest son's words, the old porter slapped him on the shoulder: "Do you want to listen to me or to you? Hurry! I'll go in front!"

The three of them quickly took off the sackcloth covering the basket and led the donkey along the roadside.

Soon,

the three of them were getting closer and closer to the two knights in front.

At this time, the older porter in front could see clearly that the two knights were wearing scarves to keep warm, with only their eyes exposed, looking at him with a look of scrutiny.

The older porter led the donkey and bowed hurriedly.

"Old man, what's in the basket?"

A muffled voice of a knight came from behind the thick scarf.

"Replying to Yu Hou, dates, dried dates."

As he said this, the older porter leaned sideways and stood on tiptoe to grab a handful of red dates from the basket: "I came into the city today, and I haven't sold them all."

The knight nodded, and after looking at the other two porters, he tapped the horse's belly and walked forward.

The older porter no longer moved forward, but stood quietly by the road, watching the line of carriages and horses gradually approaching behind him.

"Ting! Ting!"

Among the group of people and horses, a particularly strong black horse passed by, and the sound of its thick hooves on the ground was unique.

Looking at the white breath exhaled from the horse's nose,

Feeling the knight's eyes looking at him, the older porter smiled hurriedly.

"It's really hard to make a living in winter."

"Alas, it's not hard, it's not hard, Yu Hou, it's not easy to be outside in winter."

The knight on the black horse nodded slightly, looked at the three people, turned around and said: "Give me a gourd of wine!"

"Yes, sir!"

A knight behind responded.

Hearing this, the two people behind the old porter looked at each other in surprise.

The knight who spoke had already walked over, and the knight who responded behind him really handed over a gourd.

"Thank you, thank you for the reward, Yu Hou!"

"You are too polite, drink to warm up your body."

"Hey!"

While speaking, the old porter saw the saddle of a knight behind him, with a bloody thing hanging on it, which scared the old porter and lowered his head.

After the tail of the team passed by for a while, the old porter dared to look back, and then he breathed a sigh of relief and said: "It turned out to be a rabbit!"

"Dad, where did this knight come from? This horse is so handsome and polite."

"Come from the south, and the mount is so handsome, it is probably from Bianjing."

As he said, the old porter unplugged the gourd, put his nose close to it and smelled it, and his eyes lit up.

Just when he was about to take a sip,

"Dad, be careful of drugs in this wine!"

The older porter looked at his son and said disdainfully: "What's the point of putting drugs in such good wine? Are you trying to get our three donkeys and six baskets of dates?"

He took a sip, smacked his lips and said happily: "Good wine!"

Looking at his father's appearance, the porter who had just spoken licked his lips greedily.

Afterwards, the three of them each took a sip of wine and continued to walk south along the official road with the donkey.

After passing the bend just now,

the three of them walked on the official road for a while, turned onto the path leading to a village, and soon, their figures disappeared in the village.

The sun had already set,

the sky was red,

there was no one on the official road, and the sky began to darken.

When it was dark enough to light a lamp and the stars lit up in the sky, a white figure stood up from the snow beside the official road.

Rolling up the wolfskin mat on the ground, the figure walked towards the official road.

After waiting for a while,

the sound of horse hooves came from the direction of the county town.

Outside Changyuan County,

at the post station,

the horses that had been running all day were grunting as they ate the fine grain.

Alan and Zhique were carrying hot water buckets and mixing warm water to feed the horses.

in the house,

Xu Zaijing and other people gathered together. There was a strong flame on the kang stove, and an iron pot was sitting on it. The soup was sizzling in it and rabbit meat was tumbling.

Xu Zaijing, who took off his coat, stood in the middle of the Tukang. After looking around at everyone, he cupped his hands and said, "You guys are accompanying me this time. I'm very grateful!"

"Wulang, let's not say any polite words between us!" He Guan said.

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Brother He is right! But this trip to Beizhou is not about sightseeing. The situation ahead is uncertain, and Zhang Shipan and I have always had a grudge! So I think there are still many things on our way. It’s better to be prepared.”

Captain Gao, who was sitting on the Kang, nodded repeatedly: "Wu Lang is right, but I don't know how to start?"

Xu Zaijing said: "When encountering a situation, we definitely cannot fight alone. It is best to have a commander."

After hearing this and looking at Xu Zaijing's glance, Gu Tingye was eager to give it a try.

"So, on the way, I recommended Brother Gao Puyu to be the commander! After arriving in Beizhou, I will switch to Brother Zhao as the commander. What do you think?"

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, Zhao Meifeng showed a look of approval in his eyes and said, "I agree."

He Guan smiled: "Brother Gao has followed Gu Hou for many years and is familiar with everything along the way north. I have no objection."

Seeing Xu Zaijing looking over again, Gu Tingye nodded quickly and said: "Me too."

Gao Puyu looked at Xu Zaijing with hesitation, and said: "Wu Lang, I heard from my Marquis that you have already led troops in the Western Army and made great achievements. Why do you recommend me to be the commander? Brother Ye decided to come this morning. "What will you do if we don't come?"

"Well, Brother Gao, if you don't come, I will discuss it with Brother Zhao and Brother He."

Gao Puyu smiled, cupped his hands and said, "How about Wu Lang still being the commander on the way and me assisting you on the way?"

Xu Zaijing hesitated a little: "The weather is favorable, the place is favorable, and the people are harmonious! It's cold and freezing, and the weather is freezing, we won't be able to survive! I also want to use Brother Gao to get acquainted with me along the way, so that I can take advantage of the favorable location, the harmonious people."

"Haha, it turns out that Wulang regarded this matter as a war! Very good! But Wulang, you are quite decisive in the northwest. There are some things that I don't think you can do better than Wulang, so I am still here to help! Everyone? "

Looking at Gao Puyu's eyes, He Guan thought for a while and nodded in agreement.

Zhaomeifeng said: "What Captain Gao said makes sense."

Xu Zaijing pursed his lips, nodded and said: "In that case, I will talk about it, and you can also give me some advice."

"We will rest in the city tonight, and we will start our journey tomorrow morning, passing through Chanzhou and reaching Nanle."

"The next day we passed Guantao and went north along Yuhe (Wei Canal) to Beizhou."

Zhaomei Feng frowned and said: "Wu Lang, are we going to Beizhou with such a big fanfare? Don't we need to cover our bodies? And at such a speed, it is really difficult for the Imperial City Division to arrange in advance."

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Brother Zhao, I went to Beizhou on His Majesty's orders, why should I hide it?"

"Here, just in case there is an ambush on the road."

Before he finished speaking, Zhaomeifeng smiled and shook his head: "If nothing happens in Beizhou, then there is no need to ambush."

Gao Puyu on the side said: "Wu Lang, I have heard about the previous encounter between you and Er Lang! Looking at Zhang Shipan's scheme, there is no ambush on this road, but there may be some destructive tricks waiting for us."

“It’s better to pay more attention to what people and horses eat on the road.”

Seeing Xu Zaijing nodding, Gu Tingye interjected: "Brother Jing, the Guangjie Army under the Gan family is stationed near Guantao. Liulang's brother Liang Jing is also in the Guangjie Army. We may be able to borrow one or two at that time."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "That's fine. At the same time, we will set up night sentries along the way to be prepared."

Everyone nodded.

At this time,

Someone came into the house with a cold air.

Looking at the person coming, Zhaomeifeng asked: "How is the situation?"

Gao Yunqing breathed into the palm of his hand and said: "Master, there is no tail behind you. I will go to bed early tonight, and I will go to the front when I am ugly."

Zhaomeifeng waved his hand: "No need, let's go to Nanle County together tomorrow."

Gao Yunqing was stunned: "Ah? That's far enough."

Afterwards, everyone returned to their respective houses.

While Xu Zaijing was writing and drawing in the room, Qingyun came in with a bowl of rabbit meat and said: "Sir, there is a steward of the Chai family outside the inn who wants to see you."

"Well, the Chai family?"

"Yes, the steward of the coal shop in the city."

"Please come in."

After a while,

A middle-aged man wearing ear protection and silk satin was introduced into the room by Qingyun.

"I've seen Wu Lang! The boss sent a message and asked me to prepare two carts of refined grains. I have already brought them."

Xu Zaijing, who got up, was stunned again and said with a smile: "Then, it's time to take care of things!"

"Don't dare, don't you dare, Wulang, do you have any other orders?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Excuse me, please ask the steward to prepare a few more draft horses. It's time to work."

"You're welcome, Goro! I'll get ready immediately! Take your leave."

Xu Zaijing nodded and gave Qingyun a wink.

After a while,

Qingyun returned to the room, shook his head and said: "Sir, the steward refuses to give up our reward!"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Well, go to bed early. You and Alan will be the sentinels at Chou Shi."

"Yes, sir!"

Had dinner,

Gu Tingye and Zhique were getting ready to sleep in the room. When they were taking off their clothes, Zhique grinned and said, "Sir, does your thigh hurt?"

Gu Tingye: "Hey! It doesn't hurt! This little road is nothing."

Zhique raised his eyebrows.

At this time, a voice came from outside the door: "Master, I am Gao Puyu."

"Enter!"

Captain Gao entered the room, turned around, closed the door, put a bottle of ointment on the table, and said, "Sir, this morning the Marquis asked me to bring the medicine to relieve pain and activate blood circulation."

Hearing this, Gu Tingye looked at the porcelain bottle blankly, with a happy look in his eyes.

"Also, the sentry officer Wu Lang told me tonight that you and I are at Haishi." (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

Gao Puyu continued: "Master, when you are ugly, it is Alan and Qingyun, and when you are Yin, it is Wulang and Lord He."

Gu Tingye nodded, looked at Gao Puyu who was hesitant to speak, and said:

"Needless to say, I know in my heart that Wulang is taking care of me. From the ugly time to the Yin time, it is always the most difficult time for people."

"On winter nights, these two hours are also the coldest. If there is a sneak attack, it will probably happen at these two hours! I understand!"

Gao Puyu bowed her hands and said, "Yes, young master!"

With that said, Gao Puyu exited the room.

After applying the ointment and extinguishing the candles in the room, it was only midnight (six o'clock in the evening).

Gu Tingye lay on the bed, sniffing the cold air without incense, and looking at the firelight through the window paper, which came from the brazier in the yard for heating.

"Zhique, do you think Brother Jing will have pain in his thigh?"

"Sir, I didn't realize it."

"Well, it's so cold to sleep in the inn. How uncomfortable it would be to sleep in a tent!"

"Young Master is right, but let's go to bed early."

"Um."

night,

The Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty,

The earth dragon that had been burning for a long time made the hall very warm.

The emperor sat behind the imperial desk, frowning, and quietly looking at the memorial in his hand.

Although the emperor's eyes were on the memorial, the imperial officials knew that the emperor was already absent-minded at this time.

After a while,

"Pfft~"

The emperor threw the memorial on the imperial desk, and the breeze stirred up the candles beside it.

On the memorial written by Ping Tan, there are vague words "Northern Liao Dynasty analyzes Jinfu's frequent troops".

"Where are they now?"

The chief minister bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have to leave the city and cross the river today. The road is difficult to walk due to the snow. I should spend the night in Changyuan County tonight."

"Well, I heard that the Xu family sent letters to several families last night?"

"Your Majesty, yes!"

The emperor had a hesitant look in his eyes and said, "Well, tell me, am I?"

He said half a sentence and did not continue.

There was silence in the hall.

The chief minister who had accompanied the emperor for many years bowed his head and said softly: "Your Majesty, Brother Jing has always been a good son with filial piety."

"Although I have a bad temper, I am also outspoken! I often think that if I am old and unable to serve Your Majesty in the future, I would also like to ask His Majesty for your grace to let that slave give Brother Jing some good things!"

The emperor raised his eyes and looked at the chief minister, and said with a smile: "Can you bear to give the good things you have accumulated over the past few decades to that kid?"

The Grand Chamberlain bowed and said: "Your Majesty has laughed more and more these years. Don't talk about those things, even my slave's life, I am willing to bear it."

The emperor looked at the bowed chief minister and laughed, and after pondering for a long time, he said: "I heard that the Jin Kingdom's elite soldiers still retain their combat power in the winter. In this case, he asked one of the British Duke, Ningyuan Marquis, and Zhongjing Marquis to go. Let’s go to the surrounding area of ​​Beizhou to practice martial arts, it’s eight or six hundred miles away.”

"According to the order."

"By the way, the new cavalry army under the command of the Zhang family has been training for a long time and they are going to do some exercise."