The spring rain continued to fall, and did not stop even when it was evening. In this kind of cold and gloomy weather, even the horses were tired, let alone the people. The road was extremely muddy, and this section of the official road was in disrepair and dilapidated. The carriages that transported silver would occasionally sink into the mud, and had to be pushed by the soldiers to move forward. Under these circumstances, one could imagine the speed at which they were advancing.
"Damn it." Hu Bugui spat out a mouthful of saliva, throwing his raincoat to one side, revealing a face full of beard. "If we continue like this, we won't be able to reach the capital in another ten days. If we delay the great cause of resisting the Hu, we will be sinners for all eternity. What are these dog officials of Shandong doing, not even repairing the official road. It's so dilapidated that even wild donkeys don't want to use it, and yet they want us to use it? "
The soldiers and horses under his command were temporarily deployed to Shandong. One of the officials cupped his fists and said, "General Hu, you haven't returned to your hometown for many years, so you naturally don't know the situation. Our Shandong's tax revenue is several hundred thousand taels of silver every year, but it's all taken away by the imperial court. Two years ago, the White Lotus Sect caused internal strife and proclaimed themselves as the King. The people had to pay taxes from both sides, and were extremely poor. Even if we want to repair this official road, the officials above us can't gather the money, so it's really difficult. To say something disrespectful, this official road is not easy to travel on, so we can only blame the officials of the imperial court. They have never considered the problem of our Shandong's local construction. "
When it came to the rights and wrongs of the imperial court, Hu Bugui was also at his wit's end. He could only snort and say, "Bad luck, really bad luck. It's better to follow General Lin. With him around, no one will suffer losses, but us brothers will not. If there's a day when he becomes the ruler of the imperial court, with his intelligence and wisdom, it will be easy for him to get some money to build a place. "
"Brother Hu, what are you complaining about?" A clear voice came from behind him. Hu Bugui turned around, but he couldn't help but laugh out loud. He saw that Official Lin had found a small oil-paper umbrella from somewhere, and was holding it over his head, pretending to be refined. In the midst of the tens of thousands of soldiers, he looked ridiculous.
"We're talking about the official road." Hu Bugui smacked his lips and said helplessly, "On a rainy day, there are mud puddles everywhere. The carriages are stuck in the mud and can't get up. Today, the army has only traveled a dozen or so kilometers. If this continues, our men and horses will be exhausted to death before we reach the capital. Eh, Official Lin, where did you find this umbrella? Compared to your might and majesty, it's really different! "
"There's nothing I can do. My wife loves me dearly and had to get me a small umbrella. It's just a f * cking little toy that can't block the rain. It's just a burden in my hands. If it wasn't for my wife's kind intentions, I would have thrown it away a long time ago. "Official Lin folded up the oil-paper umbrella that Ning 'er had repeatedly told him to give as he laughed.
"So it was Miss Lo who gave it to me. No wonder the general loves her so much. To be able to be accompanied by such a beautiful woman, General must be very lucky. "Hu Bugui's face revealed a smile that all men understood, and the two burst into unrestrained laughter.
Lin Wanrong stood still and looked forward. In front of them was a precipitous mountain that towered into the clouds. It was mighty and imposing, and had an extraordinary aura. The official road stretched across the middle of the mountain, as if it was suspended on the mountain ridge. Lin Wanrong frowned. Such a large mountain could hide thousands of people without a problem. This road could not be used at night.
The sky was already dark, and the wind and rain were strong. It was extremely difficult for the silver carriages to advance. Lin Wanrong pondered for a while, then said resolutely, "Brother Hu, tell the brothers to set up camp. We won't be leaving today, we will camp at the foot of the mountain for the night."
"Set up camp so early?" Hu Bugui asked in puzzlement. "Our speed today is too slow. If we don't catch up, we will delay our journey even more."
"That can't be helped." Lin Wanrong said in a low voice, "The wind and rain are strong, it's difficult for the carriages to advance. In front of us is a mountainous region, the terrain is dangerous and muddy. If we advance in the dark, it will be even more dangerous. Safety first. Tell the brothers to stop the horses and set up camp. Let's set up camp here for the night and leave tomorrow morning. "
Hu Bugui glanced ahead, only to see that the official road stretched all the way to the top of the mountain. It was rugged and crooked, making it extremely difficult to travel. The vanguard of the tens of thousands of troops had already reached the foot of the mountain. If they did not set up camp now, they could only rest on the mountain tonight. It was not safe to spend the night escorting three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver on the mountain, so it was safer to stay at the foot of the mountain. He nodded his head, expressing his approval of General Lin's wise decision.
"By the way, brother Hu, have the scouts been sent out?" Seeing that Hu Bugui had passed down the order and the army had stopped, Lin Wanrong asked again.
"I've sent out more than ten small teams, more than two hundred brothers. They are all intelligent people, and are expected to return after midnight," Hu Bugui answered.
Lin Wanrong felt a little more at ease. Just as he was about to turn back, he saw a figure approaching from afar, holding an umbrella and tiptoeing over.
"Miss Xu, why did you come down?" Seeing that Xu Zhiqing's long dress was mostly wet and her hair was covered in raindrops, Lin Wanrong was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly opened his mouth to ask.
Looking at the mountain range in the distance, Xu Zhiqing frowned slightly and said softly, "The mountain ahead is steep and dense, we can't go any further today, we have to quickly set up camp."
This was the same point of view as Lin Wanrong. Hearing that General Lin had given the order to set up camp, Xu Zhiqing nodded, lifted her long dress with one hand, and continued forward in the rain.
Hu Bugui hurriedly stopped in front of her, "Miss Xu, the camp has already been set up, you should go back and rest!"
"I want to go to the mountain in front to take a look." Xu Zhiqing did not stop, saying indifferently, "This is the last hurdle to the capital, if the thieves make any more moves, then they won't have a chance anymore. I don't believe they will give up so easily."
Xu Zhiqing's expression was stubborn, and she had no intention of stopping. Hu Bugui looked awkwardly at General Lin. Lin Wanrong gave a wry smile. This girl had a strong personality, and it was easy to get rid of her. He nodded and said to Hu Bugui, "Brother Hu Bugui, arrange for the brothers to set up camp, pay attention to strengthening the guard, extend the sentry post for two miles, and rotate the patrols. We cannot be careless at any time. I will accompany Miss Xu to the front to take a look. "
Miss Xu shook her head, snorting, "Why do I need you to accompany me, I can go myself!"
Are you addicted to talking back to me? And rebelling against you! Lin Wanrong's expression changed, and he said with a straight face, "If I say go, then go! I am the leader of this expedition, whether you are convinced or not, you have to listen to me. If you dare to disobey military orders, I don't care who you are, I will still beat you on the buttocks! "
At the mention of the buttocks, his heart could not help but flutter, thinking of the wonderful feeling that night, and his eyes could not help sneaking a glance.
Miss Xu seemed to have thought of the same thing, and her face heated up. She angrily lowered her head, lightly snorting, "Shameless!" But seeing that his current demeanor was completely different from his usual joking and joking manner, there was actually some dignity, and she could no longer talk back.
This spring rain was getting heavier and heavier, and there seemed to be no signs of it stopping. As they walked along the slope, there was more and more water, and it became more and more difficult to walk. The soldiers in front had already stopped and were setting up camp.
After a few steps, Lin Wanrong heard that the footsteps behind him seemed to be farther away, and more scattered. He saw that Miss Xu's long gown was soaked, and her long hair was dancing in the wind and rain. The oil paper umbrella was torn in several places, and could not block the wind and rain at all. Xu Zhiqing gritted her teeth and followed behind him without saying a word. She stepped on the water surface one step at a time as she moved forward.
This girl is asking for trouble. Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly, and hurried back a few steps. He was about to hand her the oil paper umbrella, but Miss Xu stubbornly shook her head, "I don't want it! You can keep it for yourself! "
Raindrops fell on her face, making her cheeks even more sparkling and pure, without a speck of dust. Lin Wanrong sighed and said, "You can go back first. I'll go take a look and report to you when I come back!"
"If you can go, why can't I?" Xu Zhiqing's expression was serious, and she was meticulous, "This is a war, and there is no distinction between men and women. We are all equal!"
"Equal? Equal my ass! " Seeing this girl as stubborn as a rock, Official Lin could not help but fly into a rage out of humiliation. He stretched out his hand and said, "Give me your hand."
"What do you want to do?" Seeing that his face was darker than the sky, Miss Xu was shocked. She hurriedly took a step back, but she stepped into the rain, and her embroidered shoes were completely soaked.
"Troublesome girl!" Lin Wanrong secretly snorted, and without any explanation, he took her little hand and led her forward.
"What are you doing! Men and women should not touch each other! " Miss Xu was embarrassed and angry as she anxiously shouted. Seeing that Lin San was ignoring her and was pulling her forward, and the soldiers on both sides were looking at the two of them in surprise, her face turned red, and her voice became much smaller, "Don't let other people see. You, quickly let go of me. "
The two of them hurriedly walked for a while, rushing up the mountain road. Only then did Lin Wanrong let go of her little hand. Miss Xu's chest was panting, and her face was a deep captivating red. She angrily said, "How can you be so rude?"
Rude? There were even more rude people that you hadn't seen before! Official Lin's face darkened, and he angrily said, "Miss Xu, I've already said good and bad things to you, so don't challenge my bottom line. Either you shut up and obediently follow me, or you can go back! "
Miss Xu gave a snort, but did not say anything. Lin Wanrong glanced at her, and saw that her clothes were completely soaked, and her lips were purple from the cold, but she stubbornly did not make a sound. This kind of girl was really rare! He secretly sighed in his heart, and his face made an evil expression as he fiercely said, "Did you hear me clearly?"
Xu Zhiqing gritted her teeth and nodded. Seeing him reach out his hand again, her face turned slightly red, and she let him hold on to it. She did not feel much when they were walking fast, but now that she held his rough hand again, she felt a wave of heat spread to her body, dispersing much of the cold. Her hand trembled slightly, and she involuntarily clenched it a little tighter.
The two of them stood on the steep mountain slope. In front of them, there was no one else other than the faint moving sentries. Lin Wanrong looked around. In the distance, there were green pines and cypresses, layers of clouds, and a long official road winding through the mountains, stretching as far as the eye could see. The two sides of the official road were covered in leaves and pine needles, making it very slippery, making it very difficult to walk.
"What do you think of the situation?" Being held by him and not letting go, Miss Xu had an indescribable strange feeling in her heart. Her face was bursting with heat, and she pretended not to feel anything and asked.
"I was just cursing the heavens, but now it seems that the heavens have done us a big favor. This spring rain really came at the right time — — hey, be careful, Miss Xu, hold my hand tightly, don't slip." Lin Wanrong smiled, and gently stroked Miss Xu's palm. The soft feeling made his heart sway, and his face was serious. He pointed to the dense trees in the distance and said, "This official road is more than ten miles long, and it spirals around the mountainside. Our tens of thousands of people are lined up in a row, and we have lost the advantage of being densely packed, so we are weak everywhere."
"Are you still worried that the thieves will rush down from the mountain to fight with you?" Miss Xu wanted to pull her little hand back, but she felt that his palm was like a tiger's clamp tightly, and she could not move at all. She could only glare at him angrily, and then turned her head away. In her heart, she thought, it was his grip that was too tight, it had nothing to do with me. Using this reason to comfort herself, her heart suddenly became a lot calmer.
"Fight? Other than an idiot, who would come to rob the official road? "Lin Wanrong shook his head, and his expression suddenly became solemn." A good rain knows the season, and it happens in spring! If it wasn't for this timely spring rain, at this time, the entire mountain range would have been a sea of fire. Even if there were a hundred thousand soldiers, they would not be able to withstand this fire. As long as they sprinkle tung oil on both sides, and the fire is fueled by the wind, even if I have three heads and six arms, I will not be able to do anything. Damn it, I must burn incense to the gods when I go back tonight! "
Miss Xu glanced at him, clearly dissatisfied with his vulgar words. She snorted and said, "At least you still have some brains, and did not make such a stupid mistake. When we march and fight, we also have rules. The snow does not cross the bridge, the night does not cross the forest, this is to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the situation. If you are greedy and advance rashly, in the end, you will definitely suffer a great loss. "
Seeing that Lin San was obediently listening to her lecture, for some reason, Miss Xu felt a faint surprise in her heart. Even when she led a hundred thousand soldiers to fight against the Hu people, she had never felt such a sense of accomplishment. It was as if teaching him alone was better than teaching a million soldiers.
I just taught her a lesson, and this girl wants to teach me back. Seeing that Miss Xu's clothes were wet, and her lips were purple from the cold, Lin Wanrong wanted to argue with her, but he could not open his mouth. He pulled her little hand and said with a smile, "Let's go back quickly."
When did he become so gentle? Looking at the tender affection that flashed in his eyes, Miss Xu's heart was thumping. She was about to speak, but saw that Lin San's face suddenly became serious.
In the distant sky, a trace of fire soared into the sky, and in the blink of an eye withered in the wind and rain, leaving behind a long trail of green smoke.
"Not good, something happened!!!" Miss Xu screamed. Lin Wanrong's shout had already spread throughout the army, "Hu Bugui, gather the troops!"
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