Guo Tu knew how the logistics camp came into existence, and he also understood the significance of its existence. It was nothing more than Zhang Zhong, who was transferred from Shuzhou, temporarily helping to collect food in Jiannan Province, relying on his family's financial resources.
It was because of this that he didn't give Zhang Zhong a good face when he first came to Yizhou. How could a mere rich civil official compare to a military general like him?
Later on, while marching on the road, he changed his opinion of Zhang Zhong and found that Zhang Zhong was a good person. He organized things in a short time and made his army unimpeded all the way. It was also at that time that he discovered the benefits of money.
But this was only his opinion of Zhang Zhong in terms of logistics. It wasn't Zhang Zhong's turn to manage a war, and they didn't have the ability to do so.
Now, after hearing the scouts say that the logistics camp of Yizhou had come to deliver supplies, especially with the confident expressions of the two scouts, he had no choice but to go and see if it was true.
Thinking of this, Guo Tu tidied up the extremely uncomfortable armor on his body and ordered the two, "Lead the way."
After the two scouts finished their report, they were still thinking about the situation they had just seen. It was like a dream. They didn't know how much food the logistics camp could deliver this time. Even a mouthful of fried noodles would be better than eating wild vegetables now.
"General, could it be that the logistics camp is really here? On the way here, the logistics camp had a lot of mules. If each person has two mules, it's really possible. "
Liu Jun said to Guo Tu with hope. He was really afraid that this was a dream and that when they came to the front, they would find that it was just two hungry scouts who came to give a false report.
Guo Tu dragged his legs forward. Hearing Liu Jun's words, his expression changed and he cursed, "Damn it, do you believe that the logistics camp can come here? If the logistics camp can come here, then what are we? Let's go and see what's going on. "
Guo Tu walked forward little by little with the general beside him. After walking for a while, he suddenly stopped when he saw a shadow in front of him. He frowned and looked at the forest in front of him.
Liu Jun also stood still vigilantly at this time and took out his binoculars to look carefully.
"General, there seems to be an ambush ahead, but we can't see the exact location of the ambush. Could it be that the scouts were caught by the enemy and disguised as two to lure us over?"
Shen Jun said worriedly. He had a feeling that every bush and tree was an enemy.
Right at this moment, Wang Gang ran over from the front. He was still chewing something in his mouth. He stood in front of Guo Tu and tried his best to swallow the food in his mouth before saying, "Reporting, General, the people from the logistics camp are here. They even brought us a lot of food. Uh!"
"Drink some water." Guo Tu looked at Wang Gang who had choked on something and was finally relieved. He knew Wang Gang. He was a pretty good scout. After giving the order, he strode forward. Since he had already confirmed that the people in front of him were from the logistics camp, he couldn't be as careful as before. He didn't want to be looked down upon by the people from the logistics camp.
After a few breaths of time, Guo Tu and the group of generals finally arrived in front of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. There were only about twenty people here, and they were chatting with the scouts. In fact, it was mainly them who were asking questions. The scouts answered vaguely while eating.
At this moment, Guo Tu's feeling of being surrounded was even stronger. He felt as if someone could take his life at any time. He looked around but couldn't see anyone. This situation was unusual.
At this time, Zhang Xiaobao walked up and opened the decree in his hand for Guo Tu to see. At the same time, he said, "Great General Guo, quickly call people over to get the food. The Tubo soldiers behind us may appear at any time."
Guo Tu didn't look at the decree first. Instead, he carefully looked at Zhang Xiaobao. Whose child was this? He was still so young, but he was so much better than other children of the same age. He should be thirteen years old? Fourteen years old? The tight clothes on his body matched with the leather armor on the outside. He looked quite spirited.
His own family's children were also around this age, right? Compared to this child, he was more powerful but not delicate enough. Not bad, good child. Why did he look a bit like someone? Who was it?
While thinking, Guo Tu's gaze moved to the decree. He read it from the beginning to the end and finally knew who the child in front of him looked like. Zhang Zhong. The Emperor asked the logistics camp to follow and provide support. This was Zhang Zhong's matter. This child should be from Zhang Zhong's family.
He didn't expect that a civil official like Zhang Zhong would give birth to such a good child. Could it be that he was from a rich family?
"You are Governor Zhang's child? Where is your father? " No matter what, Guo Tu was still a great general. He naturally had to find the appropriate person to talk to. After reading the decree, he tried his best to ask Zhang Xiaobao in an amiable manner.
At this time, he no longer doubted whether the logistics camp was real. He suppressed the puzzlement and unwillingness in his heart and wanted to see Zhang Zhong.
"Yes, I am the eldest son of Zhang Zhong, the Governor of Yizhou Province. My name is Zhang Xiaobao. My father is governing Yizhou Province. He sent me and Cuckoo to help."
Zhang Xiaobao said solemnly. However, his biological age was still there. The more he was like this, the cuter he looked. Wang Juan also stood up with her chest out. She was now a general, so she couldn't be weak.
When the two stood together, people's eyes lit up. What a perfect pair. Zhang Zhong was lucky. He had heard of this Cuckoo on the way here when he chatted with the person in charge of supplies. She was the future daughter-in-law of the Zhang family.
What they didn't expect was that Zhang Zhong actually let people bring the two of them here. He probably wanted to see the bloody and cruel battlefield. Unfortunately, they came at the wrong time. They might not even have the chance to go back alive.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan tried their best to appear more mature so that no one would look down on them. However, no matter how they tried to act, it was hard for people to associate them with the leaders of the logistics camp who came over this time.
Guo Tu had been in a bad mood because of running away for several days. At this moment, when he saw the two big boys standing in front of him with serious faces, he finally felt better. He reached out to touch Zhang Xiaobao's head and said, "Good, good.
"Okay, be good. Call the person in charge here. I have something to ask. Tell uncle, how old are you?"
Zhang Xiaobao stood there gloomily and looked up at Guo Tu. He really didn't know what to say. Didn't he see that he was holding the imperial decree? If he wasn't the person in charge, would he dare to hold the imperial decree?
Looking at the similarly gloomy Wang Juan from the corner of his eye, Zhang Xiaobao gave up the idea of being treated as an adult. He smiled and said, "Ten years old."
In fact, he was only nine years old. It was still a fake age. After the new year, he would be ten years old.
"Then where is the person in charge?" Guo Tu nodded. It was not strange that the two boys were older than normal. He had a guard's son at home. At twelve years old, he looked like an eighteen or nineteen year old.
"Only Cuckoo and I are in charge. We were originally in Pengzhou waiting for the victorious return of the army. However, an imperial decree suddenly came. So, Cuckoo and I had to bring people here first. We have already sent people to report to my father. I think my father has already sent people here."
Zhang Xiaobao understood. Since the other party treated him as a child, then he would treat him as his own child. As for sending people here, that was a dream. There would be no more reinforcements in the future. Whether or not they could return alive would depend on Wang Juan's ability.
When Guo Tu heard Zhang Xiaobao's words, he was immediately shocked. Was Zhang Zhong crazy? He actually directly sent his son and daughter-in-law here. Where did he think this was? Did he come here to hunt for fun?
Looking carefully at the dozens of people from the logistics camp, he saw that they all had a look of agreement on their faces. He finally understood that the person in charge here was the two boys in front of him. How was that possible?
Just as Guo Tu was about to ask more questions, the military officer reminded him, "General, shouldn't we let the brothers eat something? Ask while eating? "
His words woke Guo Tu up. Indeed, there was no need to ask questions right now. Since the logistics camp people were here, then they should have brought some food. If they could eat a meal, then it was a meal. If they couldn't eat until they were full, then they could fight with the Tubo people.
With this thought, Guo Tu said to Zhang Xiaobao, "Xiao Bao, this …"
"General Guo, please call me Battalion Commander Zhang for the time being." Zhang Xiaobao wanted to smooth things out in name. He couldn't let people call him Xiao Bao left and Xiao Bao right. It would be easy for them to take away his military power. Without military power, how could Wang Juan command? If Wang Juan didn't command, was she going to wait for Guo Tu, this stupid general, to lead the troops to their deaths?
Guo Tu was stunned. He thought about the current situation and the dozens of people with unkind expressions. Finally, he said very awkwardly, "Battalion Commander Zhang, how many people did your logistics camp send over? How much food did you bring? "
"General, there's only food, no food. I think you also don't have animals to ride on. This time, there are 258 people going up the mountain, so I brought some salt and hardtack."
Zhang Xiaobao didn't have to be serious anymore and just said casually. Anyway, no matter how mature he acted, people wouldn't treat him as a mature person. It was very different from the feeling of commanding the inner courtyard at home.
When Guo Tu heard that there were 250 people, he looked at the dozens of people in front of him and then began to look around. Where did the rest of the people go?
"Everyone listen up, remove the alert." Wang Juan's crisp childish voice sounded. As soon as she finished speaking, more than 200 people suddenly appeared around them. Each of them had a crossbow in their hands, which gave Guo Tu and the others a fright.
They were so close yet they didn't discover them. If they were enemies, what would happen if the arrows flew past?
After taking a closer look at the people who had appeared, everyone finally understood why it was so difficult to discover them. These 200 people were wearing clothes that were dyed green, black, and yellow. There were also circles of grass on their heads. Even their hands and faces that were exposed outside were smeared with traces of stains.
Not to mention that they were dozens of steps away, even if they were squatting on the side of the road, they wouldn't be discovered if they weren't careful.
The adjunct at the side was very curious. He pointed at a person and asked Zhang Xiaobao, "This outfit is …?"
"It's just a disguise. When you're on the mountain, you have to look like something on the mountain. Otherwise, you would have been discovered long ago. Spread out and continue to be on guard at the periphery. Let our brothers have a good rest."
Zhang Xiaobao explained and then gave the following orders.
The people who just appeared once again disappeared into the forest. No one knew how they ran, but no one could find any trace of them more than a hundred steps away.
Guo Tu was very conflicted at this time. To be precise, he was very jealous. He didn't pay attention to the two children in front of him, but he couldn't help but think about these 200 people. His subordinates were not at this level, even his personal guards were not at this level.
These people were actually from the logistics camp. Looking at how they obeyed orders, it was clear that the two children's words were very effective. They would do whatever they were told. Where did they come from? Could it be that they were Zhang Zhong's private soldiers?
If the people from the logistics camp were all so powerful, then wouldn't it be very embarrassing to compare his own people?
With conflicted thoughts, Guo Tu ordered people to go to the front to get food. Eating was the most important thing right now. He could slowly understand the rest.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't bring any jerky or fried noodles this time. Everyone in the team was carrying a big backpack, and there were also a lot of things on the horses.
The backpack was full of compressed biscuits, fat, vegetable oil, dried vegetables, flour, minced meat, bean powder, and egg yolks. They could be eaten directly in the mouth or cooked under conditions. They were very high in calories. If eaten together with water, the soldiers would be able to survive for half a day.
There were more than 200 people on the mountain, and each of them carried 300 pieces. If they ate one piece a day, they could feed more than 70,000 people for a day. Now, with Guo Tu's remaining troops, there was no problem for them to survive for five days.
Guo Tu had never seen compressed biscuits before, and he didn't know the use of these things. Looking at more than 200 people who only brought so little, he sighed and said, "Did you hide all along the way? Did you lose a lot of things? "
"No, we killed and killed along the way. We kept eating the food in the houses of the local people who were killed. This kind of good food is specially reserved for the generals."
Zhang Xiaobao took out a piece of biscuit and held it in his hand. Before anyone asked, he said, "This is called compressed biscuit. The calories, no, the amount is very high. If you eat one piece and don't move, you can survive for a day without any problems. Eat one piece and drink water. Remember not to eat too much.
Otherwise, your heart will beat faster and your body will heat up. If you eat more than five pieces in a meal and drink more water, your stomach will be bloated. Send someone to get it. At the same time, call the injured people here. The logistics camp also prepared some medicine, but not much. "
Hearing Zhang Xiaobao's words, Guo Tu's face changed again. When he came, he let the local people go. He didn't expect the logistics camp to be so ruthless. They killed along the way. No wonder they could safely run to the front and wait. What was this? Who was the logistics? Who was the main force?
But he also knew that he couldn't blame the logistics camp for doing too well. If he had to blame someone, he could only blame himself. But if they really killed along the way, who gave the order? Judging from the respect of those 200 people to the two children, they had to listen to the two children. Could it be that they gave the order?
No matter what, Guo Tu couldn't associate the two children in front of him with the people who gave the order to kill ordinary Tibetan people. If that was the case …? The children in front of him didn't seem to have anything to do with being cute.
While observing Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, trying to find the inhuman ruthlessness in their eyes, Guo Tu took the two pieces of compressed biscuit and put one of them into his mouth.
A special taste suddenly filled his mouth. The first feeling was that it was oily and sweet. It was as if he would be full without waiting to swallow it. The second feeling was that it was fragrant. The taste of chopped green onions increased his appetite. The taste of ginger could stop him from vomiting. The third feeling was that it was chewy. After holding it in his mouth for a while, the originally hard compressed biscuit became soft.
There was also the taste of meat and egg yolk. It was delicious. If he didn't know that it was specially used as military rations for soldiers, he would easily eat it as a snack.
It was good stuff. No wonder he didn't want to eat too much. How did the Zhang family think of this? If every soldier carried a big bag of compressed biscuits, why would there be a need for food? They just needed to prepare some emergency fodder for the horses. When they came here, they could find food for the horses at any time.
Guo Tu ate half of the biscuit and wondered if he should impeach the logistics camp. If they had such good stuff, why didn't they take it out earlier? Otherwise, why would the rations be burned?
But on second thought, if he really wanted to impeach them, not to mention whether he was worthy of the care they had taken along the way and the support they had provided now, the first person the imperial court would punish would be him. Who said that the logistics camp had to take out compressed biscuits that had never been heard of before?
He failed because he was exposed. Who asked him to not kill anyone? Why was the logistics camp fine?
"General, do you think it's feasible?" At this time, Liu Gan couldn't hold it in anymore. He was also hungry. When the troops were fleeing, the generals didn't dare to eat good food alone. Otherwise, the morale of the troops would be ruined. He had eaten wild vegetables for three days in a row. The rest of the food was a small piece of meat from an unknown animal at noon yesterday.
Now that there was food, it didn't matter whether it was biscuits or compressed biscuits, as long as it could fill his stomach first, it was good stuff. Besides, when he asked closely, the smell was really good. The people in the logistics camp were all good people.
At this time, Guo Tu finally reacted. Thinking that there were more than 200 skilled people in the logistics camp helping to guard against them, his people could rest at ease. He hurriedly ordered, "Orders, everyone take five pieces. You are only allowed to eat one piece a day. After eating, drink water."
The people waiting at the side immediately went to distribute the food happily. One piece was fine. Although it looked a little small, it was better than nothing. If they ate some wild vegetables, they might be full.
After making the arrangements, Guo Tu looked at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He stuffed the remaining half of the biscuit in his mouth and washed it down with water. He let out a comfortable breath and said to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan,
"Xiao Bao, Cuckoo, oh, it's Battalion Commander Zhang, is your logistics camp going to be under my command?" Guo Tu had his eyes on the more than 200 people in the logistics camp. This kind of people was really rare. The clothes they wore were different, and the weapons in their hands were all made of stainless steel. There seemed to be some other bits and pieces that Guo Tu couldn't figure out at the moment.
If this group of people were under his command, then they would be very useful.
He knew that these 200 people would be very useful. How could Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan not know that these people were trained by them and equipped by them? How could they not know that these 200 people could fight against a small number of enemies? The equipment on each person's body was at least 300 strings of coins. Did they think that the success rate of making firearms was so high? Did they think that the one-time use 'rocket launchers' were given away for free?
Did they think that the production of sleeve arrows was so easy? Did they think that all kinds of poisons and drugs that could stimulate one's potential could be found so easily? Did they think that the self-igniting grenades were produced by a large-scale military assembly line? Did they make one for the next?
The cost of equipment for more than 200 people was 70,000 strings of coins. In addition to the difficulty of training and the expenditure, as long as they weren't really stupid, they wouldn't give it to others to use.
These were all the golden troops that Zhang Xiaobao had prepared for Wang Juan. They were the best of the best. In terms of military force, these were the only things that they could take out. Other than the gunships, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that these were their last trump cards.
While Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were thinking about how much money they had spent on this group of people, Guo Tu seemed to be a little impatient. He said to the two of them, "With these 200 people, I will take you back to Yizhou safely. Governor Zhang must be very anxious. You will be able to see your family very soon. You will eat the food cooked by your family and have your family tell you stories."
When Zhang Xiaobao heard Guo Tu's words, he had already given Guo Tu a position in his heart. Shameless, despicable. He even said words that were used to deceive children. It was really difficult for him.
The problem was that if he and Cuckoo were at home, it would be the two of them who cooked and told stories to others.
At this time, Wang Juan opened her mouth and said, "Great General Guo, if we don't let them listen to you, will it be easy for me and Xiao Bao to not be able to go home if the battle continues? We won't be able to see our parents? "
"That's right. If you are not careful, you will be captured by the Tubo people and be sent there to work like cattle or horses, just like the servants in your family. You should know how your life is like, right?"
Guo Tu felt that he had a chance and continued to scare them.
"Sir Guo, the servants of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family have a good life. If they want to, they can eat meat for every meal. It seems that the Tubo people can't do that, right?"
Before Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan could speak, a member of the Miao Protector Team could not help but speak up. He could also tell that Guo Tu wanted to persuade them. Unfortunately, he had met someone he should not have met. If he wanted to rely on the young master and young lady's persuasion and deceive them like this, it would be more difficult than conquering Jinchuan.
Guo Tu recalled what he heard on the way here and realized that he had said something wrong. The servants of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had a better life than other rich people. He couldn't use this to scare Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
Therefore, he changed the topic and immediately said, "Indeed, if you are caught by the Tubo people, you will be very sad. You will be whipped every day and not given food. If the two of you really go there, you won't be able to see your family again."
When Guo Tu said this, he felt that his face was red. If he didn't really want 200 people, he wouldn't say such shameless words. If he really got them, he didn't know how to explain to Zhang Zhong when he returned. How could he lie to other people's children?
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