Three Kingdoms

Snow is falling heavily, and this winter seems to be extremely cold. The mountains, rivers and land are covered with a thick layer of white cotton-padded jackets.

Compared with the turmoil that has spread again in Youzhou, Jizhou, Shangdang Taiyuan is more or less quiet, but it is relatively speaking. After all, the war is taking place in a nearby prefecture and county. Although it is blocked by the Taihang Mountains, It also brought a lot of restlessness.

In such icy and snowy weather, even people from Yanmen Wuyuan who are accustomed to the northern climate rarely go out to cross counties. What's more, if it snows, the cold wind will be as sharp as a knife. In the same way, people can be hacked to death halfway.

But in the winter of Yan Ping's early years, things were a little different.

Because of the ongoing war between Jizhou and Youzhou, farmers from Youzhou, and then some small counties in the north of Jizhou, began to flee one after another.

Different from the policy of elite soldiers implemented by Fei Qian, both Yuan Shao of Jizhou and Gongsun Zan of Youzhou continued the original recruitment system of the Han Dynasty, and recruiting soldiers was definitely not like in later games, where large numbers of soldiers could be summoned just by giving an order. The people gathered at the military camp voluntarily and spontaneously, and everyone was able to look like a person with higher education, knowing how to line up, knowing how to report his or her name, hobbies, specialties, etc...

The sources of recruitment are first of all various types of rangers and libertines and farmers who have lost their farmland. However, the number of such people is always limited. When these cannon fodder are gradually worn out on the battlefield, there will be no one to replenish them next. I am willing to abandon my family and join the great cause of Yuan Shao or Gongsun Zan.

So what should we do when the war still continues, and we still need to replenish soldiers and recruit farmers?

Catch the strong man!

Therefore, in such cold weather, there are naturally more refugees fleeing, dragging their families with them from the Taihang Mountain Trail into Taiyuan and Shangdang, where the situation is relatively calm. Even though they may die on the way, at least It is somewhat better than being captured directly by Yuan Shao or Gongsun Zan and walking to the battlefield lifeless.

The war between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan clearly shows no sign of peaceful coexistence. No one has an idea of ​​how long the war will last. It disturbs people everywhere and makes them panic.

In the counties and counties to the north of the border between the two armies, local officials simply used all kinds of weird reasons to resign, to go home, and some even used the excuse of going to Yuan Shao Gongsun Zan in person to report matters. Run straight towards the interior of Jizhou and Youzhou. No matter what, we must leave these dangerous places first. In these places, the nobles and nobles, big and small, do not all have the spirit of seeking wealth and wealth in danger, let alone the so-called duty of guarding the territory. Those who are more timid will set off quickly before the military disaster spreads to their own families. Even those who have hundreds of strong bankers in their hands don't know how long they can stay stable in the local area.

The second reason why these people chose to flee was also the reason why a large number of refugees fled to Taiyuan and Shangdang at the junction of Jizhou and Youzhou. This was an even more desperate move by Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, refugees can be directly conscripted into the army. Therefore, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan naturally captured and sent all the fleeing people to the army without saying a word. Therefore, these people had no more choice but to survive in danger.

There is another very important reason. When the armies of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were fighting, the damage to people's livelihood was too serious. The army lacked food, so they looted everywhere. The so-called fish-and-water relationship between the army and the people in the past has long ceased to exist due to the shortage of supplies. Many nobles and nobles had to open their warehouses under the duress of swords and guns. They were killed by Yuan Shao or Gongsun Zan "borrowed" an unknown amount of food and grass. Not only that, but the destruction of farmland has left these people completely unable to see any hope for the future.

There were basically few gentry heroes in Youzhou originally. Especially after Lu Zhi's death, there were no decent leaders. Moreover, the area around Shanggu County in Dai County had basically been troubled by Wuhuan and Xianbei for a long time, so and Yan Rou, who had some friendship with Wuhuan and Xianbei, gradually gathered some people who were disgusted with Gongsun Zan.

For Jizhou, it has been relatively peaceful for a long time, so the place has not seen such a domineering and unscrupulous army for many years. The prominent clans in Jizhou were even more angry and angry. In addition, the marriage relationship between Jizhou nobles was complicated and involved. Many people found Yuan Shao and severely sued these border soldiers! In addition to being angry, I was even more heartbroken. These grains are all money!

The wealthy nobles in Jizhou, who were originally relatively relaxed, began to become nervous. These years have been really rough. The war against Gongsun Zan, which I thought would end soon, is now involved, and every household in Jizhou is greatly affected.

This day and that day is the end!

If Yan Ping has been playing for a whole year in the first year, how many more years will he have to play next?

Except for those who were deeply affected by the war in northern Hebei, the local nobles and nobles in Jizhou, and others who were somewhat related to each other, also continued to come to Yecheng to visit Yuan Shao for various reasons.

Of course, when these people come to Yuan Shao, they are more or less polite. After all, where is Yuan Shao's identity? Yuan Shao also knew how to deal with these nobles and right-wingers better than Gongsun Zan, and he did not do anything as domineering as Gongsun Zan like killing Liu Yu, so there was some dignity between them, although these nobles and right-wingers did not have a clear understanding of each other. They named him by name, but Yuan Shao also generally knew that it was the generals on the front line who did these things, so he pretended to be angry, ordered reprimands, and dealt with them with some face.

However, as the war lengthened, it was difficult to stop this kind of thing. After repeated occurrences, whether it was Yuan Shao or the Jizhou nobles and nobles, some barriers would inevitably arise in their hearts. Will such barriers evolve into No one can predict the cracks or what form they will take in the future.

Amidst the snowflakes, this place was already under the jurisdiction of Zhengxi. The large group of refugees who came through the mountains and ridges along the valley entered the Shangdang Taiyuan area from this place.

In the open area at the exit of the mountain road, many sheds have been erected and many dens dug. There are already more than a thousand refugees who have arrived early. They receive some dry food and hot soup at the shed every day, and huddle in the den on the ground at night. Although it was still bitter, it was better than stumbling through the snow on the road.

As soon as these refugees entered Zhengxi territory, almost every one of them was resettled. Not to mention anything else, the food supply alone was extremely generous. Even compared to the hard winter at the Jizhou border, the food was much better. The miscellaneous porridge distributed in the shack was also thick. After drinking a bowl, my whole body felt warm and comfortable. , at least it can last for an hour or two!

When we were on the border of Jizhou, although there were dilapidated houses with walls to block the wind, a family of several people might have a bowl of coarse grains to fill their stomachs every day. It was no longer a matter of two meals a day or a bowl for each person. Day and night I was so hungry that my eyes turned green, and I wanted to rub up the frozen soil on the ground and eat it!

Not to mention how many poor families don’t even have shabby houses, so they just have to dig dens in the ground for shelter!

It was only because of the generous food supply that so many refugees were able to survive after entering the Zhengxi territory. Although there are still some who can't hold on and freeze to death on the road, these refugees have long been numb. In every winter season, even if they stay in their original homes, normally at least one or two of ten people will die. Yes, some old and weak people even sneaked into the mountains in the middle of the night while they could still move around, not to drag down the young people at home!

Now I am living a better life...

These refugees also felt a little strange about Zhengxi. At least the relationship with Yuan Shao is, needless to say, strange. But it has nothing to do with them, the common people in the border areas. What they are concerned about is whether their family can live a few more years in this world.

Since entering the territory of Zhengxi, Zhengxi's subordinates have sent many strong soldiers directly into their ranks to act as leaders. With these soldiers in charge of management, there will be less of the usual habit of the weak and the strong in the refugee team.

Although they are driven to do this or that thing every day, and they need to run around in the snow during the day, build shacks or dig burrows, etc., they are still taken care of, and the grains are distributed every day. The porridge was as much as it was said to be, and there were basically no deductions, and no women in the refugee team were kidnapped. Therefore, although the restrictions were tight, and there were so-called "health regulations" that must be followed at all times, these refugees did not have any objections.

It would be great to be able to survive during this kind of time, not to mention that Zhengxi was given food and drink and could do whatever he was told.

Although these refugees may not know how powerful these Zhengxi soldiers are, the fact that they can easily transport carts of grain, grass and various materials is enough to prove how wealthy Zhengxi is.

Anyway, even if these refugees are in Youzhou, Jizhou, most of them rely on the powerful fortresses in various forts to survive. Now they have changed to rely on General Fei Qian, who is obviously more powerful than the previous gentry and powerful right-wingers. They are used to these things. For the hard-working and impoverished refugees, this may not be a bad thing.

Among the refugees who came earlier, some of the stronger ones have been integrated and moved inward, while those who stayed here are basically those who are latecomers and those who are not suitable for continuing the long journey.

Because of this, the refugee reception center currently established near Taiyuan, Shangdang, seems to be fairly orderly and without any disturbance.

Zhang Liao, Zhang Xiu, and more than 20 personal guards stood on a hill not far away, looking at everything in front of them with a satisfied look. Although the weather was indeed a bit cold, none of the surrounding guards showed signs of shrinking back. They stood upright beside Zhang Liao, and even the armor on their bodies did not tremble even if it was stained by wind and snow.

At this moment, a military officer in charge of the refugee camp, Sima Zhenggong, reported back to Zhang Liao: "Qi Captain, these days, a total of 1,326 new refugees have arrived, and they cannot bear the cold at night. Forty-seven people died, all old and weak. Each person was given two meals of thick porridge and some hot soup every day. Soldiers and horses patrolled the camp every hour, and any lawbreakers would be punished on the spot! "

"The restraint is quite good!" Zhang Liao nodded and said, "It's hard to watch, there may be refugees coming next! Although the weather is cold and the epidemic is not easy to occur, we must not relax the rules at all!"

The military commander bowed his hands in agreement and then withdrew without mentioning it.

Zhang Xiu stood beside Zhang Liao and saw that Zhang Liao looked somewhat lonely, so he couldn't help but ask: "Captain, is there anything wrong?"

Zhang Liao shook his head first, then exhaled slightly and said: "Nothing, I just heard that the Yanmen area also suffered from snow disaster... Now nine out of ten households are empty..."

After hearing this, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but be silent for a moment, not knowing what to say.

"It's okay, I just remembered it by chance..." Zhang Liao didn't feel sad for long, and said, "At least our place is pretty good! By the way, the one who came a few days ago... well, Xu You and Xu Ziyuan are still here. Are you in Huguan?"

"Haha..." Speaking of this Xu You, Zhang Xiu couldn't help laughing. After laughing a few times, he said, "Captain, I have never seen such a person! It is said that in the post house, I only saw those Some came with gifts, but none came empty-handed! Also, I really have too many eyes and hands to see anything good. I heard that I saw Jia Shijun’s carriage two days ago, and I actually thought it was good, and then I was shameless I'm going to die alive!"

"Hahahaha..." Zhang Liao also laughed, and then turned his horse's head and said, "If all General Yuan's subordinates were such people, we would be more relieved! But we cannot underestimate Xu You and Xu Ziyuan. , or he is using a strategy to underestimate the enemy! Moreover, this guy lingers in Huguan. According to Jia Shijun, his men wander around Huguan for various reasons every day, most of which are surveying the terrain and our armaments. Condition!"

Zhang Xiu raised his eyebrows and said with some surprise: "I thought this person was just a money-grubbing person! But we are all outside now, and it is useless even if this guy looks around Huguan! It's just that this Due to the weather, Erlang is stationed outside, so it’s somewhat difficult..."

"It'll be there in a few days..." Zhang Liao rode forward and said, "My lord has already sent people to greet him. Xu You and Xu Ziyuan can't delay for much longer. It will be enough in just a few days." ...But during these times, the men and women should pay more attention, and the sentries should be placed farther away. Anyone who spies on the military situation will be killed without mercy!"

Zhang Xiu also followed and responded loudly: "This is natural!"

Although the winter time is difficult, spring is not far away after all. Under Zhengxi's rule, things are getting better and better. What do these temporary hardships count for?

Yanmen, Beidi, Jizhou, and the world, these words were tumbling in Zhang Liao's heart. Somehow, Zhang Liao suddenly felt that the gap between himself and Fei Qian, the general who conquered the west, seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Although the original friendship was It still hasn’t decreased at all, but the current General Fei Qian of Zhengxi is indeed far beyond many people...

Sometimes Zhang Liao couldn't help but compare himself with Fei Qian, the general who conquered the West, but found that if he had done it by himself, he would never have achieved what he did today.

As for Wen Hou...

To be honest, it's probably not possible.

This feeling is like being just a little brother following you around, but in the blink of an eye, you can only look up at the distant figure of someone high above you.

Is it uncomfortable? A little bit.

Zhang Liao let out a long roar and blew out a long line of white smoke, which dissipated in the air. But as long as the Northland can be pacified and Yanmen can be regained, what does it matter if Zhang Liao falls at the feet of his former little brother?

Try your best to keep up! At least for now, this direction is not bad!