Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3197 Han Su is as white and turbid as mud

Yi County is not that big.

Later generations may not have a strong understanding of Yi County, but when it comes to apples in Shanxi, I am afraid some people know which ones are the most delicious.

The reason why apples taste so good is because the temperature difference between day and night in this area is very large.

When it's hot, it's scorching, and when it's cold, it's bone-chilling.

Therefore, the first thing Cao Jun had to face when he arrived at Yi County was not swords and guns, but the severe cold at night.

Before a camp to avoid the cold was built, Cao's soldiers had to fight with their bodies.

When it is still dark, Cao's soldiers who have been shivering all night will find that some people will never stand up.

"He's laughing!" 』

"Oh my God! He...he is smiling! ! ! 』

There was a commotion in the camp.

People in later generations who have some medical knowledge will probably know why people who freeze to death laugh, but these soldiers of Cao's army and ordinary people do not know the reason, so they find this phenomenon very terrifying...

Most of those who froze to death were civilians.

Because the peasants did not have enough clothes to keep warm, and the nest could not be dug in a short time.

"Everyone go away!" roll! 』

Cao Jun's military academy came up and coaxed the surrounding civilians away.

There was an indescribable smell in the air.

Some said it was the smell of the dead, while others said it was the smell of the monster that came to suck souls last night.

The sound of howling sounded, it was the grief for the death of a loved one.

"you! come over! ” Cao Jun Military Academy pointed at Lao Zaotou and said, “Throw these corpses over the mountain! 』

Cao Jun's military academy waved his arms as if he was driving away flies or other insects.

Lao Zaotou had no choice but to step forward with several other auxiliary soldiers, grab the hands and feet of the corpse, and drag it toward the mountain.

Corpses are like worthless firewood.

It's not even worth cutting off to make rat meat.

Because most of them are skin and bones, not much meat.

It's actually not that far apart on the other side of the mountain. Suddenly, his pupils trembled and he pursed his lips.

He saw that at the foot of the hillside, there were layers upon layers of corpses.

Those corpses are laughing...

Smiling at him.

At such a moment, Lao Zaotou felt that the hair all over his body seemed to stand on end, and the sound of wind in his ears turned into the wails of those ghosts. His heart was trembling violently, making it difficult for him to breathe.

It's not that he has never seen dead people, but he has never seen so many dead people who died with a smile.

This scene made Lao Zaotou's heart tremble for a long time.

The climate in Dahan and before Dahan was very warm. This can be seen from the changes in clothing during the Han Dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, it was common to wear wide robes, big sleeves, and ventilated and comfortable clothes. Therefore, the people in the Central Plains of Han Dynasty had a serious lack of understanding of winter wind and snow.

Lao Zaotou endured the discomfort in his heart and threw the body down.

The corpse was like a stiff piece of wood, rolling and falling.

It was like being thrown into the furnace.

The old Zaotou didn't dare to look further. When he turned his head, he saw the man who was beaten yesterday standing beside the pit in a daze.

The old Zaotou pushed him and said, "What are you doing standing there in a daze?" Go quickly and dig a nest in the ground. 』

"That person... that person is still alive..." The farmer pointed to the bottom of the pit tremblingly, "that person... he smiled at me, and his hands were moving..."

"Let's go!" These are dead! Die! ” The old Zaotou felt horrified. He didn’t dare to stay by the pit any longer. He pulled the farmer and said, “Let’s go!” You have to work hard to survive and have food to eat! If you eat it, you won’t die! 』

"There are still people alive over there..."

"No! No! You got it wrong! 』

"I……"

"Let's go!" ” Old Zaotou dragged the farmer away, not daring to look back. “Work hard and you won’t die. You won’t die!” May I have your name? 』

"My... my name is Shitou..." the man replied dumbly, then turned to look at the pit, "Old man... over there..."

"Don't worry about that!" Leave it alone! They are all dead! "The old Zaotou muttered. I don't know why, but his voice was trembling a little. "Go for a walk, work harder, dig a good nest, and you won't die!" Shitou, your name is Shitou. It’s a good name. It’s a good name. You won’t die. You definitely won’t die..."

Lao Zaotou's hope is very simple.

Their wishes are simple.

Stay alive.

I don’t ask for good clothing and food, but I just ask for a safe life for the whole family...

…

…

"It's done!" Done! Well done! 』

Lao Zaotou watched the sun set in the west, with a relaxed expression on his tired face.

He looked around, looked at the surrounding auxiliary soldiers and civilians, and said, "If you have a nest in the ground, don't be afraid!" At night, put a layer on the ground and cover yourself with a layer, and nothing will happen! You won’t die, everyone can survive! 』

After everyone heard this, they also breathed a sigh of relief.

But at the next moment, a group of Cao soldiers with swords came over, drove them away, and gathered them together.

They were a little panicked and had an ominous premonition in their hearts.

The crowd started to move in another direction.

"What to do?" ” Old Zaotou shouted, “What are you doing? 』

After a while, another auxiliary soldier replied, "They want us to build the wall overnight!" 』

"Are you crazy?" "The old Zaotou's head buzzed, "They...didn't they see that so many people died last night? ! 』

Someone grabbed the old stove and said, "Old military master, didn't you say that it would be fine if you dug a nest in the ground?" Doesn’t it mean that if we are honest and obedient, we will have food to eat... and we can survive, you said..."

Anyone who wants to die will already be dead.

The living people have sacrificed a lot in order to live, so much that they don't even dare to die.

If they die like this, then what are they doing and paying for?

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Building a stronghold wall will not necessarily lead to death. If you build a stronghold wall earlier, you can also block some wind and cold... If you build a stronghold wall earlier, you can defeat those thieves earlier... You can go home sooner..."

"But the weather is too cold...it's getting dark before you see it, at night..."

Before he finished speaking, Lao Zaotou heard someone screaming from behind.

"Ahhh!" 』

Lao Zaotou looked back and saw a few soldiers of Cao's army dragging out the peasants who were unwilling to leave the dug hole and then hacking them to death...

A member of the Cao Army Military Academy, Zheng Ran, shouted loudly: "Did you all see it?" ! This is the fate of being maliciously lazy and resisting military orders! Listen up! There is an order from above that the camp wall must be completed tonight! Otherwise, you will be severely punished! 』

Several other people who looked like soldiers and sergeants of Cao Jun also shouted loudly——

"If one person is lazy, the whole team will be punished!" 』

"I would rather work until death than take a break!" 』

"..."

The expelled peasants were cold, tired, and hungry, and many could not help but burst out in mourning.

But Cao Jun's military academy was laughing when he heard these cries.

"Haha, look at these unruly people, it's really funny..."

"The boss still has a way, we can have a good sleep tonight!" 』

"When the captain comes tomorrow, I must praise the boss for his job well done!" By then the boss will definitely be able to accumulate merit and be promoted! Our brothers can also get some credit! 』

"Yes, being able to build such a large camp ahead of schedule shows that our boss is capable, courageous and responsible!" If the boss doesn't get promoted, who can get promoted? Who can? ! 』

"Yeah! 』

"That's right, that's right!" 』

The military officer's surname was Zeng. After hearing the flattery from some of his subordinates, he showed his big teeth and smiled and said, "They are all doing things for the Han Dynasty!" Promotion or not, all I want is peace of mind! When you get your salary and military pay, of course you have to do your best! 』

"Ah, yes, yes!" 』

As for those salaries and military pay, where did they come from? Is it really that the officials of the court came down from the sky?

They don't know, and they don't want to know.

…

…

That night, Military Academy Zeng, who only wanted peace of mind, received a new order.

"I said...what does this mean?" ” Military Academy Zeng asked the ordering soldier, “What is “reduction”? 』

The messenger was stunned for a moment, and then said, "You ask me?" 』

"..." Military Academy Zeng gritted his teeth.

"The captain wants you to reply, can you do it?" ” the messenger asked.

Principal Zeng took a long breath and said, "Yes!" Let the captain rest assured! 』

The messenger nodded and left.

Seeing that the ordering soldier had left, several senior officers from Zeng Military Academy came up and said, "Boss, what's the matter?" 』

"There are too many people..." Military Colonel Zeng said a few words through his teeth.

"ah? What's the meaning? ” I can’t understand it at all.

"That's what it means..." Military Colonel Zeng said, "The captain sent someone to send a message that the army rations are insufficient, and we have too many people eating now!" understand? ! 』

"what do you mean? 』

"What else could it mean?" Military Academy Zeng said, "There is no food and grass... rat meat was distributed two days ago..."

"Why is there no food and grass?" Didn't you say they were called up again? 』

"What happened?" 』

"What are we going to do when we run out of food and grass?" 』

Some of the chiefs were still confused, but some of them understood, and their faces suddenly looked a little ugly.

"Boss, this matter is difficult to handle..."

Military Academy Zeng was silent for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, "If it's not easy to handle, we'll have to handle it!" Otherwise, why did the captain call us here? Go and call all the commanders of the auxiliary army... This matter is not my business alone, it is everyone's business! 』

After a while, several auxiliary commanders including Lao Zaotou arrived.

There is a strict class distinction between regular soldiers and auxiliary soldiers. For example, although in the eyes of the people, these people all eat public food, the hierarchy is strict. Zeng Military Academy can sit on the horse and lecture, but the auxiliary soldiers cannot Regardless of age, everyone must stand and listen.

"There is an order from above. We currently have limited military rations and there is not enough food to eat. We must reduce some of the population!" Military Academy Zeng said in a deep voice, "That's what I'm calling you to do!" There is an order from above, whether you understand it or not, whether it is difficult or not, you must carry it out! This is a military order! It's a national policy! It is a major national policy that affects thousands of living beings in the Han Dynasty! Tomorrow, the population of each team must be reduced to one... to 30%! 』

""reduce"? ” Old Zaotou murmured, “This... what does this mean?” 』

Among the chiefs of the auxiliary soldiers, there was the one with a sinister face who raised his hands and said, "This is a simple matter!" Tomorrow we will drive out those untouchables and attack the city! The closest thing to you is Yi County! It's best to start attacking the city at midnight and still have one meal left! 』

Military Academy Zeng nodded slightly and smiled approvingly at the tall and handsome young man. He was immediately elated, and even the big eyeballs on his face seemed to have a little more brilliance.

"Military academy... This, I'm afraid this is not good..." Lao Zaotou couldn't bear it and said in a low voice, "They are all our fellow villagers... They are all us..."

Before he finished speaking, Lao Zaotou shuddered when he saw Military Academy Zeng's eyes staring straight at him as if he wanted to eat a human alive.

"You dare to disobey military orders?" ! ” Military Academy Zeng said through gritted teeth.

Lao Zaotou lowered his head, not daring to look at Military Colonel Zeng, "I, I just said... they are all human lives... If you really can't support them, it's better to let them go..."

"ah? Ah haha, hahahaha! Military Academy Zeng pointed at the old stove and laughed, "So, this old guy is really... really... hahahaha... he is so brave!" 』

Military Academy Zeng clapped his legs and shook his head. After laughing enough, he pointed at the old stove and said, "Come on, take it down!" 』

"Not only did he refuse to accept military orders, he also wanted to release people to aid the enemy!" ” Military Academy Zeng shouted in a deep voice, “These thieves have ulterior motives! Two sins are reduced to one, pushed out and beheaded! 』

Suddenly some soldiers came up and arrested Lao Zaotou.

Lao Zaotou struggled, "We are all fellow villagers... We all have lives. What's wrong with me... Ahh..."

The old Zaotou was dragged down, and a moment later, the bloody head was brought in and thrown to the ground.

Military Academy Zeng looked around, "Who else wants to go down and accompany him?" stand out! 』

Everyone was silent.

Military Academy Zeng nodded, "Very good, do you all know what you are going to do?" 』

Seeing that no one had any objections anymore, Military Academy Zeng just laughed and said, "It makes me heartbroken to do this!" But this is an order from above! You and I can only obey orders, so what can we do? But in this matter, you always have to think on the bright side... This, this, if the population is reduced, then won't the remaining people be able to eat more? And the rest must be young and strong. Isn't this much more agile than that old guy? Yes or no? Ah, now that you say it, the order from above really makes sense! right? Okay, let's go to work! Remember, this is an order from above! It's a military order! No violation! 』

The auxiliary soldiers dispersed one after another.

Military Academy Zeng stared at them, and then said to his subordinates, "Go and watch them later, these guys... are sneaking around, don't be careful!" Since you are going to do it, you have to do it beautifully! Otherwise, how can we reflect our abilities? If we don't do it well, how can we leave all the responsibilities in the future to you and me? Come out and work hard, to put it bluntly, for the sake of your future! You all know what to do, right? Make it clear to your brothers that if they don't die, then we die! Do you understand? ! 』

The few officers and soldiers looked at each other and responded in unison.

…

…

Before dawn, the civilians among Cao's army were driven to the outskirts of Yi County again.

When they left the camp again, these peasants may have realized something, and some began to cry and howl.

"What do they want us to do?" 』

"Didn't you agree that we won't be allowed to attack the city again?" ! 』

"They promised us! 』

"The official said he no longer wants us to attack the city!" 』

"They agreed..."

Some people were crying and shouting, saying that it was because someone promised them that they would not drive them to attack the city, so they worked hard, diligently and uncomplainingly to the east of the river, dug the ground to build camps, and then fought in the ice and snow. Grit your teeth and suffer, otherwise why would you come? Isn't waiting for death in Tongguan also death? There is no need to suffer more.

But soon, the cries of these people did not attract sympathy and explanations, but instead attracted sticks, knives and guns.

Perhaps in the eyes of those at the top, the promises made to these common people are like slogans on the wall. As long as they can be scraped off, it can be regarded as nothing happening...

Although the officers and soldiers of Cao's army came from the same place as these civilians, and sometimes they could even stand together and talk and laugh, but at such times, the officers and soldiers would change their identities from the friendship between fellow villagers. Detach yourself from it and find sufficient reasons for yourself.

Because this is determined by the traditional feudal structure system of "orders from above".

Regardless of any feudal dynasty, the common people rarely came into contact with officials, and the people they dealt with on a daily basis were officials. These officials are the general grassroots staff of the court. As the saying goes, "The county magistrate is not as good as the current manager" and "The king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with".

The government structure of the feudal dynasty was "officials + officials". There were few officials but many officials. Officials were at the top, and officials were deeply involved among the people. The division of functions between officials and officials was "power + execution".

Corruption in officialdom is not unsolvable, but the authoritarian social structure of the feudal dynasty is unsolvable.

unless……

When Tongguan was attacked, many civilians died, but those civilians were mainly from Heluo. There were relatively few civilians belonging to Jizhou and Yuzhou, so these civilians from Jizhou and Yuzhou remained silent. After all, it was Heluosi who died. The people who were subordinates could not fight with them, so when Cao Jun drove the Heluo civilians to carry equipment and dig ditches and fill traps under Tongguan, the people of Jizhou and Yuzhou just watched and remained silent. , did not say a word for those Heluo people, at most he just sighed.

Now it's their turn...

They found that no one would speak for them either.

When they are useful, they are called fellow villagers; when they are useless, they are called despicable and cunning people.

When the people need to work hard, they can agree to anything. When the time comes to fulfill the promise...

What? Whoever promised you, who do you go to?

Screams suddenly sounded.

The common people who cried louder were taken out of the queue and killed like lambs.

The remaining peasants were like sheep, putting their heads in the buttocks of the peasant in front, pretending not to see or hear anything.

Maybe in their minds, as long as others die first, they might not have to die?

"If I really have to die... I want to die quickly..."

"It would be nice if I could die instantly..."

"If I had known that we were going to attack the city, I would have died earlier, and I wouldn't have had to endure so much hardship..."

"No... no, I don't want to die... I... we can still perform meritorious service, meritorious service, yes, meritorious service... As long as we perform meritorious service, they, they will let us live, and we can become pawns... 』

The people in front are walking numbly, and the people behind are following numbly.

On the edge of the crowd, there were only a few soldiers in twos and threes, much fewer than the civilians, driving away with swords and guns feinting.

Yi County is right around the corner.

"dash forward! 』

The soldiers of Cao Jun who were responsible for supervising the battle shouted.

"You'll be successful if you rush forward!" There will be wine and meat to eat! 』

"Go up!" Don't be afraid! The big man is behind you! 』

"Don't be afraid of death!" You are all heroes of the Han Dynasty! 』