Larde had not been having a good time recently. His camp of more than two thousand people was constantly shifting to the west, and they were almost out of the desert. It was also difficult to collect drinking water. There was no running water, and they could not drink it. He could only watch as his subordinates became listless, unable to think of a better idea.
Besides the problem of water, there was also the problem of food.
"Damn that Zhang Xiaobao! He's doing this on purpose! He's definitely doing this on purpose!" When Larde was preparing to eat early in the morning, his subordinates came looking for him. There was a problem with the food.
The fish that he had spent a great deal of money to trade for from Tubo had a layer of fat floating on it. It would have been fine if it had been butter, but the problem was that it was clearly lard.
The live fish in the barrel seemed to like the smell of oil very much. They gathered where there was oil, occasionally pecking at it, causing the oil to spread over the entire barrel and glow in the sunlight.
"On the way back after the trade, we ran into patrolling Great Tang cavalry. A few of them threw large chunks of lard over, saying that they were careless and slipped."
A Duo-Eater in charge of transporting the food explained to Larde, upon which Larde let out a thunderous roar.
Larde could only give this sort of evaluation: despicable. The grand Great Tang actually dared to mess with his food.
"Go find something else to eat. These, throw them away." Larde helplessly looked at those lively and cheerful fish, waved his hand, and returned to his tent to fret over the matter.
The other Duo-Eater silently went about their business. In recent days, they had already lost the confidence to continue staying here. Sometimes, when they slept at night, they would feel that coming here was a mistake. Not only had they gained nothing, they had also sacrificed many things.
When they had first come, they had wanted to establish a forward station next to the Great Tang to provide assistance to those who would come later. This desert was very good. There were Tubo, Turks, and Great Tang.
The three factions had fought here to create a gap for outsiders, but in the end, Zhang Xiaobao of the Great Tang had tied them down. They could not fight, but they were unwilling to leave.
If it was Zhang Xiaobao who sent people to beat them up once or twice, he could find an excuse to leave. However, Zhang Xiaobao and Zhang Xiaobao had been living in peace, except that they would occasionally throw things from the pigs.
For example, pig hair, pig dung, and pig blood were thrown into the wind every day. Even if they didn't look, they could smell it. The camp had no choice but to move again and again.
"How could you do this? Even if two countries are going to war, you have to be a little more magnanimous. Look at you, you've been scheming since you were young. What will you do when you grow up? "
Zhang Xiaobao was giving Xiao Bei and the others a political lesson in the camp. The matter of the pig's blood and pig's dung was done by Xiao Bei and the others. It was said that when attacking the enemy, they had to save them.
Xiao Bei took the lead. As for who gave her the idea, it wasn't important. At this time, she was listening to her brother attentively, trying to understand the spirit of his words.
"I didn't know what you did until today. Otherwise, I would have come to talk to you long ago. What attack the enemy, they had to save them? Your little plan was not bad, but your methods were very vile. If others knew that you were my younger siblings, they would laugh at me."
Zhang Xiaobao's face was dark as he continued to teach the children. Xiao Bei lowered her head and looked like she was admitting her mistake. When she heard her brother's words, she curled her lips.
She didn't believe that her brother only found out today. It had already been half a month.
"Isn't it because you think that we did well? You didn't do it. Jealousy, pure jealousy."
"Xiao Bei, what are you muttering about?" Xiao Bei, who had just muttered a sentence, was discovered by Zhang Xiaobao.
"No, I'm not muttering. I have a toothache, so I'm grinding my teeth. Brother, please continue." Xiao Bei shook her head, refusing to admit it.
"Mm." Zhang Xiaobao snorted and said, "Don't be unconvinced when I say that you didn't do well. Look at the situation now. Can't you see? That's because we are strong and the enemy is weak. We have to pay the smallest price for the greatest results.
What did you do? Can't the pig's blood be used to make blood tofu? Can't the pig's dung be used as fertilizer? There's even pig skin on the lard. They usually like to eat mixed pig skin, so how can they bear to throw it away? Besides, the wind here doesn't blow in a fixed direction. If it blows away the many cannibals, our camp will have a smell.
Aren't you ashamed? Are these my, Zhang Xiaobao's, younger siblings? You are a joke. Why don't you go upstream to the river where they get water and wash the pig's intestines and hand them to me later? I can fry the intestines for you. You actually wasted it. Why do I, Zhang Xiaobao, have such stupid younger siblings?
Today's matter needs to be summarized. Everyone will write a self-reflection later. You must recognize your mistakes and correct them. Do you understand? "
Xiao Bei lowered his head even more. He suddenly turned around and glared at a guard in the crowd. It seemed that this was the young guard's idea. Xiao Yuan also had an expression of deep realization on his face.
Han Xuanfeng and the others who were not far away looked at each other. At the beginning, they really thought that Zhang Xiaobao was going to talk to Xiao Bei and the others and ask them to be more aboveboard.
At this moment, they finally understood. How was this teaching his younger siblings to learn? He was clearly guiding his younger siblings to lower the cost of their schemes.
Xiao Bei obediently took two steps forward. His eyes were red and tears were welling up in his eyes. "Brother, I know I was wrong. I didn't eat so many fried pig intestines. Now that I think about it, my heart aches. Also, I didn't use much pig skin to cook the jelly. I will definitely learn from this in the future."
"En, it's good that you recognize your mistakes. You are still young. Remember, when you are strong, you have to use the smallest price to achieve the best goal. Disperse. I see that you have prepared a lot of pig trotters. When it's time to shave them, go upstream and roast them. Throw them into the river after they are roasted."
Zhang Xiaobao looked gratified at his younger siblings who were willing to correct their mistakes. After comforting them, he even gave them some guidance. Under the admiring gazes of his younger siblings, he left to find Wang Juan to discuss how to make a breakthrough.
"Today, you are only allowed to eat half of your lunch and dinner. Think about it carefully. How much do you think you missed? You even made my brother personally come over to teach you. Hmph, I am very angry. "
Xiao Bei turned around and complained to the innocent-looking guards.
The people sent by Zu Zan of Tubo, Chi De, were also watching from the side. They originally wanted to see how Zhang Xiaobao would educate his younger siblings. Now that they understood, they didn't care about the uncomfortable feeling of cold sweat sticking to their bodies. They hurriedly went back to write a letter and had someone send it back quickly. They told Zan Pu to be careful, very, very careful.
Wang Juan also heard how Zhang Xiaobao had lectured Xiao Bei and the others. When she saw Zhang Xiaobao swaying back, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She said, "Xiao Bao, you just did that? What kind of education do you want to educate Xiao Bei and the others? "
"Hehe, it's just a joke. They are children, after all. I will play with them. Anyway, the one who loses is not me. They can eat more people and suffer. It's a pity that there are no good chilies. You can't make Mao Xue Wang with chilies."
Zhang Xiaobao didn't seem to care at all.
"You are provoking ethnic conflicts." Wang Juan put the blame on him.
"Which ethnic group provokes ethnic conflicts? There isn't one yet. Who should I pick? Come, let's discuss how to deal with Ke Tuyu. We have less than three days before we set off. "
Zhang Xiaobao no longer put his thoughts on the more than two thousand people. He began to think about how to make Ke Tuyu lead the troops back to the Song Mo Commander-In-Chief's Office. At the very least, it had to be delayed until next year's spring plowing. At that time, even if Ke Tuyu wanted to do something, there wouldn't be any resources available.
"Didn't you say you wanted to arrange an assassination? I think this idea is fine. "Wang Juan mentioned Zhang Xiaobao's idea.
Zhang Xiaobao shook his head and regretted, "So that's what you were thinking. After scolding Xiaobei and the others today, I changed my mind. Not only do we have to let the children know how to save resources, the adults should also set an example. If we arrange an assassination, the chariot will be ours, the manpower will be ours, and the crossbows will also be ours.
Using the smallest price to exchange for the biggest benefit will not be laughed at by Xiaobei and the others. Therefore, I decided to find Ke Tuyu for a meal and treat him to some buns. At that time, we will bring their troops back together. Leaving them here will consume too much money every day. We will spend too much money on transportation.
The slaves we bought here will be enough to support us. Chide Zu Zan agreed to go to the capital, and Mo Ji Lian also agreed. However, they will not go with us. We will set off the day after tomorrow. "
*****
The day of departure arrived. Ke Tuyu waited for General Ke Tuyu to fall ill after eating a few buns. Just when Ke Tuyu suspected that Zhang Xiaobao was up to something bad, Zhang Xiaobao didn't make any moves. He didn't even ask about the matter of military authority.
The 40,000-strong army set off, bringing up layers of sand and dust as they moved towards the place where the ships were.
There was still a group of people who left to return to Yizhou. They were the relatives of Zhang Gang and Zhang Fang. Qiang Hu had been invited to visit his children. He had just arrived the day before yesterday. After hearing his children reciting poems, performing dances, and writing, he was so happy that he slapped his son's head several times in succession.
After playing with them for two more days, he finally reluctantly bid farewell. He left behind a sentence for his children to learn well and left without looking back.
Mo Ji Lian set off in advance. He wasn't willing to move with Zhang Xiaobao's large group. That wouldn't be the Sword Meet on Mount Hua. He would be escorted.
Of course, even if he didn't go with them, he wouldn't use the name of the Sword Meet on Mount Hua. He would use the excuse of going to the capital to pay tribute. He didn't dare to talk about the Sword Meet with Li Longji.
At the same time, Zu Zan Chi De arranged the matters in Tubo and set off with Princess Jincheng. His speed was neither fast nor slow. He followed behind Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's group. There was a day's journey in between.
Scouts were sent out in all directions, reporting every hour. They had to carefully watch the path that Zhang Xiaobao's troops had taken. There was no other way. They had been frightened by the information sent back by their subordinates. Even children like Xiao Bei could recognize the mistakes made in scheming, let alone the adults.
With the departure of the Great Tang's group, the Duoghu people who hadn't eaten or slept well for a few days finally heaved a sigh of relief. Then, they were at a loss. The 40,000-strong army had left the desert, and a few thousand people had come to set up camp. They couldn't go back at all.
What worried them the most was that the people who came later wanted to carry out the scheme to the end. Lalde thought about it and felt that he wouldn't be of much use if he stayed here. He might as well go back early and send more troops next time. Although the road wasn't easy, he had to vent his anger.
Everything passed by calmly like this. The people at Pengzhou Pass felt a little regretful. They thought that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan would have a big fight. They didn't expect that there would be a feeling of powerlessness.
Those who had such thoughts were usually soldiers. They were hot-blooded. The people who were marshals had different thoughts. They were most in favor of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's method.
This was what it meant to subdue the enemy without fighting. With the 40,000-strong army, the trouble in the north of Hebei Province was solved. The Tujue and Tubo problem was solved. The Duoghu people spent a lot of money but didn't get anything in the end.
Paper money started to circulate in Tubo and Tubo. They also exchanged a lot of livestock and slaves.
*****
"Sure enough, a good fighter has no illustrious achievements." In the capital, in Xingqing Palace, after Li Longji received the news of Zhang Xiaobao's return, he read the letter again and again. Finally, he said to Gao Lishi, who was beside him.
Gao Lishi was also happy. This time, Zhang Xiaobao didn't use a lot of money. At least, he didn't use the money from the national treasury. As for the money used by Xiao Bao himself, he would probably ask for the corresponding policies. Good son.
Thinking like this, Gao Lishi said modestly, "Your Majesty is wrong. It's all petty tricks that can't be shown in public."
"Well, it's petty tricks. It's petty tricks that solved the problem in the north of Hebei Province. It's petty tricks that forced Zuzan Chide and Moji Lian to come to the capital to pay tribute. It's petty tricks that planted a deeper hidden danger for Tubo and Tujue. Starting tomorrow, all the smart people in the court should give me some petty tricks, like Xiao Bao and Cuckoo."
Li Longji was glowing. It seemed that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan took people on a trip as if they were playing, but the result was unimaginable. If this was considered petty tricks, then there was no smart person in the world.
Gao Lishi had always heard the Emperor praise Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, so he had long been immune to it. He followed Li Longji's words and said, "I think the only good thing is that they didn't start a real war. Otherwise, it would be a waste of people and money. I wonder what kind of Sword Competition Xiao Bao wants to have by inviting them in the name of Your Majesty? Could it be that they want to compete to see who has better swordsmanship?"
Gao Lishi was very happy when he talked about this. After Zhang Xiaobao went there, the court had passed a resolution. If Wang Juan really sent troops to deal with Tujue and Tubo, the court would send troops to the border of the other side to provide reinforcements.
When fighting Tubo, the Tujue dared to move, so they had to send troops. When fighting Tubo, it was the same. They would not allow Wang Juan to fight on two fronts, even if they knew that she could do it. This was not a problem of ability, but a problem of the Tang Empire's attitude.
Fortunately, they did not fight. The two of them used a few tricks to extinguish the flames of war that were about to rise. Now, other than Xinluo and Japan, the surrounding countries were basically stable. What they had to see was what Xiao Bao would do when he found the Tufan and Turkic people.
Li Longji was also thinking about this matter. His name had been falsely used. In a situation where he should be angry, he couldn't get angry. He could still distinguish between public interest and private interest. Zhang Xiaobao did not use his name to gain benefits for himself.
Although he couldn't see it even if he gained benefits, at least others couldn't criticize him.
"Xiao Bao hasn't written a letter to talk about the specifics?" Li Longji was also curious about the Sword Meet on Mount Hua. It sounded good, but he didn't know how to do it.
Gao Lishi replied, "No, Xiao Bao didn't put his thoughts on Mount Hua. It seems that the Sword Meet has already been considered. When he comes back, we will know. In a recent letter, Xiao Bao mentioned that he wants the imperial court to help share the burden. Before winter comes, we will increase the number of cargo ships on the Jing River. Fortunately, when they pass by the Jing River, they will block the river."
As Gao Lishi spoke, he took out another letter. This was a letter from home. However, he first mentioned that he would wait for some time before writing another letter to Li Longji.
Gao Lishi was actually not willing to let the Emperor read his letters because the Emperor always snatched his things.
As expected, when Li Longji took the letter and read it, he didn't first mention blocking the river so that 40,000 people could pass by the small river, which was the river from Sanshui County. Instead, he pointed at the words on the letter and asked Gao Lishi, "Is the bone marrow of this yak really better than that of a normal yak? It can strengthen the body and bones? "
"I think so." Gao Lishi replied.
"Well, then we will help Lishi take care of a part of it. When we return, we will write a letter to ask Xiao Bao and the others the best way to eat it." Li Longji took care of Gao Lishi.
What else could Gao Lishi say? Just give it to him. Ever since Xiao Bao and Cuckoo started to give him things, the Emperor had developed a habit of giving him something every time. It wasn't like this in the past.
Li Longji had received something, so he brought up other things in the letter. "But suddenly Yu fell ill again? Does he want to stay behind and walk slowly? Xiao Bao wants to let 40,000 people enter the small river from Dingping. I don't know if they can withstand it. If 40,000 soldiers cause trouble, it won't be good. "
"Your Majesty, in addition to the soldiers and horses in Fen Zhou, you can also send the soldiers and horses in Ji Zhou. I believe that Xiao Bao will solve this problem. Xiao Bao can't let them enter the capital. Otherwise, it will be no different from an army at the gate. This subject will write a letter to ask about the details."
Gao Lishi was also very afraid of the 40,000 people. He was afraid that they would suddenly cause trouble, which would be difficult to clean up.
*****
On the Yellow River, Zu Zan Chi's fleet had surpassed Zhang Xiaobao's fleet. It was not that Zu Zan Chi was fast, but that Zhang Xiaobao's fleet was too slow. To be precise, the speed of the ships was slow, but the ships carrying a large number of soldiers were not slow.
There were many sick people on the slow ships. Among them, Ke Tuyu was the most seriously ill. Now, it was not just his stomach that was uncomfortable, but his whole body was not comfortable.
Originally, he had a bad stomach, but when he was on the river, he finally contacted someone from the Song Mo Commander-In-Chief's Office. After he heard the news, he really fell ill. It was said that at that time, blood kept flowing out of his nose, which made his already weak body worse.
"General Ke Tuyu, are you better? I'm here to give you something to eat. Steamed egg lamb. Try it. I added some salt to give you more salt. Otherwise, your body will be even weaker. "
Zhang Xiaobao carried a tray in his hand. On the tray was a large bowl of steamed eggs and lamb. The steamed eggs in the bowl were very tender and pleasing to look at. He walked into Ke Tuyu's cabin and said with concern.
Ke Tuyu looked at Zhang Xiaobao blankly. When Zhang Xiaobao put down the tray, he asked Zhang Xiaobao in a weak voice, "Provincial Governor Zhang, what do you want to do? I haven't done anything to offend you, have I? "
"But General Tu, you don't have to get up. Quickly lie down. General, what are you saying? You have always helped me, so how could you offend me? General, you don't have to think too much. You will recover in a few days. Come, try some of the lamb eggs. Sigh, for the sake of our friendship, General actually came despite the dangers of not being acclimatized to the climate.
Zhang Xiaobao reached out and pressed down on Ke Tuyu's body as he was about to get up. He used a spoon to scoop up some egg lamb and blew on it before bringing it to Ke Tuyu's mouth.
If it were someone else who didn't know the specific situation, they would really think that Zhang Xiaobao was inexplicably moved by Ke Tuyu. However, at this time, one was lying down and one was sitting. They both understood what was going on.
This time, Ke Tuyu was really convinced. This Zhang Xiaobao could be so hypocritical. He could even talk nonsense in front of others. What else couldn't he do?
Weiwei shook her head. Ke Tuyu didn't eat the egg lamb. Instead, he stared at Zhang Xiaobao. After a while, Zhang Xiaobao still had the same sad expression of seeing a sick lord. However, Ke Tuyu gave up the idea of seeing an evasive look in Zhang Xiaobao's eyes.
He said, "Zhang Xiaobao, don't be so hypocritical. What are your plans for my Song Mo Manor? Do you think that I won't be able to do anything if you get rid of everyone? Let me tell you, Zhang Xiaobao, as long as I still have a breath, I can still make a breakthrough. "" Yes, General.
However, General Tuyu, you must not think too much. You will definitely live. When you reach the capital, you can recuperate and be vigorous again. You must not lose your confidence. Everyone hopes that General will recover soon. However, just talking is not enough. You must eat. Come, eat half a bowl. After eating, rest more. Don't think too much about other useless things. "
Zhang Xiaobao really looked like he was trying to coax a patient who was in a bad mood.
However, Ke Tuyu was about to cry. This Zhang Xiaobao was really too shameless. He was lying through his teeth. He turned his head with all his strength, wanting to knock the spoon away. However, Zhang Xiaobao was one step ahead of him and moved the spoon away.
"Zhang Xiaobao, let's make things clear today. Why are you treating me like this? Don't argue with me. "
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