Chapter 12 fourth quarter

The chief of the Xuanfu Department and his subordinates dug many traps and laid many entanglements in vain, but they still couldn't restrict the free gallop of this bridleless wild horse.Ma Kuo did what he wanted, and did what he said. That night, he changed into the clothes Zhao Jie brought him, and after midnight, he crossed the river with this completely reliable guide.He neither made a fuss nor made a fuss, let alone considered what serious consequences it might bring to himself—perhaps the least worthy of his consideration was his own safety.Ma Kuo is such a kind of person. Rather than saying that he has a little more of something that others may lack—courage, it is better to say that he lacks a little of what others will inevitably have—a sense of personal safety and gain.His mind is full of plans, and once they have been conceived and concluded, there is nothing to stop him.

Now he is going from one dangerous zone to another.The danger is that objectively speaking, he does not feel this way subjectively.He entered the area controlled by the Liao army full of armed patrols, just as he usually lived in the area controlled by the Xuanfu Division full of thorns and nets, and his heart didn't beat much. Relying on their vigilance and agility, especially Zhao Jie's familiarity with the terrain and the situation, they crossed the river smoothly and crossed the first twenty miles.In this area, the Liao army is densely populated, but they are like earthworms who are good at burrowing, just under the nose and eyes of the Liao army, they move freely without any trouble.

However, as is often the case in life, they were afraid that something would go wrong in the area where something went wrong, and when they reached the border between the front and the rear, when they thought they had reached a relatively safe area and could breathe a sigh of relief, they were suddenly caught by a crowd. The Liao army cavalry unit on patrol found it.They couldn't dodge in time, so they had to go straight to face each other. "Niu Lanjun!" Zhao Jie lightly touched Ma Kuo's elbow, warning him. Ma Kuo knew in his heart that the Niu Lan Army was an assault force of the Liao Army. It was not placed on the front line to fight on the front, but was used exclusively for outflanking, surprise attacking, and blocking the enemy, and was also responsible for spying in the rear.The officers and soldiers of the Niu Lan Army are usually scouts, can speak the local dialect, and know the situation of Han'er very well, so they need to be especially careful when dealing with them.

They couldn't walk a few steps, and a Niu Lanjun officer in the lead stopped his horse, looked them over, and asked: "Who are you two?" "Farmer." "Where did you come from and where are you going?" "My family lives in Xiaowangzhuang, Dongxiang, and I brought food to the uncle in Baishuitun here." Zhao Jie stammered on purpose, and tilted his shoulders to let the other party notice the empty grain bag he was carrying. "Who is that guy? It's so strange!" "It's my cousin." "Your cousin is dumb and wants you to answer!" He turned to Ma Kuo and said, "Why are you here!"

"I'm also here to visit Adie." Ma Kuo noticed that his pronunciation of the local dialect was not as accurate as that of the Khitan man, but calling Auntie Adie, a unique local name, eased the other party's doubts.He said, "Dad has been paralyzed for three years, unable to move by himself, and depends on relatives for food and clothing." "Your father has no children, and you want to take care of them?" The Khitan man wanted to show off his knowledge of the local area, and deliberately called the name father in a weird way. "My brother sees that he is an ever-victorious army, how can he come back to take care of the elders in his free time?"

Chang Shengjun attracted the unusual attention of the Khitan people. He looked at Ma Kuo again and again, and asked: "What kind of official is your cousin in the Ever Victorious Army?" "My brother has only been in the army for two years. There is no good officer in his turn. He is nothing more than a sentry officer." "Is his commander accurate?" "I don't know who his commander-in-chief is. I only heard that he is stationed in Wuqing County." "How can there be an ever-victorious army in Wuqing County? I know you lied." Ma Kuo still insisted that his cousin was stationed in Wuqing County, and he did not fall into the trap of the Khitan people.

"Since my elder brother married a wife and raised a fat son," Zhao Jie hurriedly intervened to save Ma Kuo, and he almost forgot his stuttering just now, "Where do you remember my mother? Uncle is crazy After being paralyzed for more than half a year, why did he ever go back home to visit? I also knead dry noodles with wet hands, and I can't take it off if my hands are sticky. Who told me that I am his nephew!" One sentence made the Khitan people laugh too. "Go back quickly!" the officer ordered, "The soldiers are in a panic, don't go to the front line. The old man can't move, why don't you ask the old woman to come out to sell food? You two strong men running around? Call me again When I see the two of you, I'm not welcome."

Zhao Jie was still muttering, the officer had already run away like a gust of wind with the cattle guard. "Xuan Zan didn't agree with mentioning the Changsheng Army," Zhao Jie complained to Ma Kuo when the two of them were left here. I'm sweating profusely." "Brother, do you think he is jealous of Chang Shengjun?" "Naturally." "I also intend to try him. The more Khitan people worry about it, the more it can be used by me." "This is still waiting to be tried? Xuan Zan is so bold," Zhao Jie smacked his tongue deliberately, pretending to be panicked, "I'm afraid he questioned me tightly, our cousins ​​are a little bit wrong, so what should I say?" If there are too many, it will inevitably reveal flaws."

"Brother said well," Ma Kuo said happily after hearing this, "From now on, our two surnames and zodiac signs will be changed to Ox and Horse, and they will not be confused when they check." "I have been working as cows and horses for the Khitan people and Han'er people for several lifetimes, so why do I still have the surname Niu Xiaoma?" Zhao Jie sighed deeply, "If this becomes a great cause, we only hope that our next generation will no longer serve others. As a cow and horse, I am willing to die." After passing this level, they really feel like they have entered the land of no one.

Of course there are people, there are men everywhere.The Khitan and Xi's armies could not be seen, nor could Shiwei and Bo Haijun. The Khitan's administrative agencies at all levels were close to a state of paralysis, and the officials and subordinates all hid from showing their faces.The strange thing is that in the defense zone of the Ever Victorious Army, the Ever Victorious Army did not show up.Guo Yaoshi, the commander of the Changsheng Army, ordered all his subordinates to be locked in the barracks, and they were not allowed to go out unless they were on business.His purpose of doing this is firstly to relax the Khitan people's defense against him, secondly to avoid friction or excessive closeness with the righteous men, and more importantly, he must concentrate all his strength and be ready to deal with extraordinary events at any time.In the days of violent turmoil, it is not only a capable soldier, but also a soldier with great political ambitions who can effectively restrain his subordinates to maintain calm and avoid the influence of the environment to make rash and unsure actions.

There is no army, no government, and no one who can hinder their activities. In such a free world, they ran to three counties, dozens of villages, and even ran into a mountain village, contacting thousands of ordinary people. Ma Kuo's own observation confirmed everything that Zhao Jie described to him.He found that it was the opposite of the lifeless Khitan officials.The vast majority of Han children are in a state of steaming spirit.They greeted with great vigor and firmness the impending joyous event which everyone was aware of, and were ready to give their all for it.From their hard work, when they even bit off half of a steamed pancake, they had to hold back their rumbling hunger and leave the rest as tomorrow's rations to save a little bit of limited wealth, their dependent wives and children, all the way to their own Up to the end of life, they are all among the contributions.Some people are going to go into the mountains; some have already sent their two sons, and they are still waiting to send the younger son up the mountain; some people have gone and come back to mobilize more villagers to go together.They mobilized effortlessly, and many people offered to take them with them. If someone still had some residual concerns, they quickly dispelled them with their own experience and relaxed language. "Go to the mountains to dare to love! I'm afraid I don't have martial arts, so I don't want to fight and fight, and they won't accept it." "Who has three heads and six arms? Even Zhang Guanyu only has one head and two arms. If you learn it, you will be able to fight. You can't lift a knife or gun, you can't draw a bow, and you can't lift a big stone from the top of the mountain, and you will kill two people." Khitan soldiers." "Would you like my wife and Taoist family in the mountains?" "Why don't you? People in the mountains don't eat, but eat leaves and drink dew? My aunt is gone, and I happen to cook for everyone." "My fifth aunt is over 60 years old. Yesterday, my uncle sent someone to pick her up. I saw her staggering into the mountain on a wheelbarrow, so uncomfortable!" "It's so lively in the mountains! Two days ago, someone said that there were not enough people in the mountains who could shoot arrowheads, so they brought in Uncle Li who was a blacksmith. They said that nowadays, those who use guns, shoot arrows, raise horses, and sew flag clothes There are even those who build mud walls and split bamboo strips to make baskets. There are all kinds of styles, and the activities are complete. Every day, the people who enter the mountain are like rivers, which is really the so-called "continuous flow." The last sentence he dropped on the book bag aroused people's ridicule. "Thirty-six lines are all useful, but you are the most useless scholar." "What is this?" The former Sanjia village school teacher and the only intellectual in the area suddenly took out a letter from his bosom, held it high and shook it, and proudly boasted, "I fixed this overnight. The letter of war will be carried up the mountain tomorrow, and if it is decided, it will be surrendered to Kochi Prefecture, and a showdown will be fought with him." There are also people who are reluctant to give up bottles and jars.Even this earthenware urn had been passed down from his ancestors to him for fifty or sixty years, and there were seven or eight cracks repaired by him. It would be a little painful for him to throw it up the mountain. "I'm willing to give up anything, even this water jar is left by Grandpa..." "What is there to worry about! After two months in the mountains, the Khitan escaped with their tails between their legs, and we returned to our hometown. Bricks and tiles, everything can't be missing a corner, and still care about a water tank?" "If I go, can I see Zhang Guanyu?" "Zhang Guanyu has 50,000 to 60,000 people under his command," the school teacher interjected, "You just entered the mountain, so it's so easy for you to meet?" "That's not true. Last month, I saw Dong Pang'er leading a group of people through the village. With a pretty face, he even jumped off the horse to answer the villagers." When it comes to the leaders of the rebel army, people talk more and more. "It was also that time, when someone offered a basket of chickens, Dong Pang'er called the old lady affectionately! He also said that the chickens were brought back to eat for the little granddaughter. There is nothing lacking in our army, and the old lady took care of herself .” "That Zhang Guanyu was seven feet long, with leopard eyes and beards, and he was born like Zhang Huanhou in the third quarter of the late Han Dynasty. It is said that in the battle of Laiyang Mountain, he used a Qinglong Yanyue knife to rush back and forth among the 100,000 Liao troops. , With a trick of the sword, Xiao Yisu, who stayed behind in Xijing, was beheaded from his horse." "Why don't you let me go up the mountain to meet the two of them!" "You went today, and you will see the two of them tomorrow. I will guarantee you this." Ma Kuo arrived at the enemy's rear amidst the sound of uprisings, and he heard these discussions directly or indirectly.All the villagers who participated in the rebel army or planned to join the rebel army talked about it openly, lively, and happily, as if talking about their going to a fair or a game.There was absolutely no need for Ma Kuo to conceal his identity.Zhao Jie had such extensive contacts in this area and so many acquaintances. People couldn't help laughing when they heard that this pair of cousins ​​who were not in the right place came.But everyone loves him, protects him, warmly welcomes them into their homes, treats them with slaughtered chickens and geese, or boils two eggs, simmers a catty of taro, and stuffs them into their arms.The folks are proud to be such a host.Everywhere they went, the neighbors came to ask questions, inquire about news, and understand the situation.Some people also told Ma Kuo the overly optimistic hearsay out of subjective wishes.For example, Dong Pang'er's rebel army has entered Yizhou City, and Guo Yaoshi leads the whole army anyway.For example, when King Yan died of illness, the city of Yanjing was in chaos.It is also said that the army by the Baigou River has been defeated by the Southern Army, and the defeated soldiers are retreating to Yanjing one after another, etc.Although these news are unreliable, they are enough to determine the direction of public opinion. Zhao Jie wanted to take Ma Kuo to meet Zhang Guanyu, but unfortunately Zhang Guanyu and Dong Pang'er were not in the nearby mountains, so Zhao Jie had to take Ma Kuo to a small cottage where his brother was the leader. Ma Kuo went up the mountain with such a question: Since the momentum of the rebel army is so great, why don't they take advantage of the momentum to gather together, attack the city and loot the land, and force Yanjing directly, and go up the mountain to build a stronghold for self-defense?This question itself also shows that Ma Kuo's estimate of the situation is too optimistic.Although the total number of rebels is large, they have not yet united into a solid force. For example, this cottage has set up a banner with the word "Dong", but their leader has not met Dong Pang'er yet. Still to be contacted further.Besides, even though the Liao army retreated, they could still make a comeback at any time, and their strength should not be underestimated. This small cottage answered Ma Kuo's question correctly. When the rebel army was still accumulating strength, they chose places close to mountains and rivers to build fortifications and build villages as bases in order to develop. strategic principles.Of course, once the time is right and you have the strength to attack cities and land, you can go out of the stronghold and fight mobile without having to stay in the stronghold.It depends on how the situation develops. Building fortifications is a traditional form of the northern people's struggle against Liao Dynasty.According to Ma Kuo told by Zhao Jie's clan brother, there are such cottages all over Jixi and Nan, some of which have a history of more than 100 years.Their cottage was built on the ruined base of the old base 60 years ago.Ma Kuo saw that although it was small in scale, it was well arranged.Special attention was paid to the external lines of communication and the Jishui channel, which were infiltrated with the experience and lessons of actual combat, which gave Ma Kuo a very deep impression. After Zhao Jie and Ma Kuo went down the mountain, they went to find Zhen Liuchen again. Zhen Liuchen's fifth elder brother, Zhen Wuchen, was imprisoned in the barracks. Even as a general, he had to abide by the general's order, which showed that Guo Yaoshi's order was strict.They tried several times to sneak into the barracks to find him, but without success.Before Ma Kuo could stay for a long time, he wrote a letter in his own hand and asked Zhen Liuchen to pass it on when he had the chance.Zhen Liuchen assured with confidence: "My fifth brother has long wanted to put things right, but he just couldn't find a way. Fortunately, Xuanzan came here, and I found a way to meet him. I promise to tell you good news. Xuanzan just go back and wait in peace. " Contacting the ever-victorious army was not Ma Kuo's main purpose of coming here, nor was this slim guarantee his main gain.Ma Kuo stayed in the enemy's rear for six days this time, contacted the masses, came into contact with a series of new things, and greatly expanded his ideological realm. This is his main achievement. He originally had the intention of sneaking into the enemy's rear. It was because he was inspired by the returnees, which aroused his curiosity and sense of adventure. Also because there was no war on the front line, he didn't want to idle his hands. He would rather go to the enemy's rear to see What can be done.After all, he himself is not quite sure what the point is, and how useful it is to go there?An accidental opportunity provided him with a fascinating description of the situation behind enemy lines and an ideal guide.make this wish come true.When he first considered this action, there was a lot of chance and opportunity. It was impossible for him to realize at that time that a thought resulting from this field observation had decisive significance for his career in life. After this practice, with the continuous expansion of his vision and the frequent activities of his thoughts, a brand-new and active idea was gradually brewed in his mind.Of course, this will not be fully mature until it is connected with the actual life in the future.But even then it was already so persuasive, so full of boldness and life, that it drew him into a realm he had never entered. During these six days, what Ma Kuo saw in this vast area behind enemy lines made him understand that there is a huge force of active resistance among the people. If this force is organized in a more planned and concentrated manner Together, it can form a powerful front behind the enemy and open up a vast battlefield behind the enemy.Cooperating well with the regular troops on the front line can put the enemy's army in a disadvantageous position of being attacked in front and behind, and promote the victory quickly. In the past, he had reasoned rationally.A large number of Han children will join the army and will become a major source of soldiers for our army.This is, after all, a subjective assumption.Now, he went deep into the enemy's rear, and perceptually saw that this new force was not only taking shape, but also continued to grow in full swing.This chain of lively impressions, repeated by his reasoning, gave him a leap of thought which he believed beyond any doubt to exert a power of such magnitude that he had never in any case imagined. Ma Kuo is ambitious to show his talents on this front and on this battlefield, to make the flames that have already been ignited more intense and vigorous, and to burn this precarious and ruined Liaojiang mountain to the ground. A pile of ashes.This is Ma Kuo's meaningful first step at the starting point of his real career.