Kunlun one millet

Chapter 122 Frontier Defense of Big Insect Beetle

When Zhao Mi arrived at Jianjiaguan, he found that everyone was in full swing and building more fortifications.

Jianjiaguan is not a single pass, but a military town including beacons, fortresses and fortresses, guarding the main road between the north and the south.

The Panlong Mountain in Xingluo County in the north is unattainable, while the mountains on the southern border of Huaxu Kingdom are scattered and undulating, which is far from a natural barrier, not to mention there are three relatively wide mountain passes for the army to pass through.

In order to guard against the invasion of the southern barbarians in Jiuli, Huaxu State recruited a large number of strong men to build Jianjia Pass, which has not fallen for decades.

It's just that Zhao Mi discovered that the situation at Jianjiaguan was not as prepared as he had imagined. The battlements collapsed, the roads were uneven, and a pile of rusty and discarded military weapons were thrown on the street.

Most of the soldiers here are thin and thin, with worn-out clothes and armor, and many soldiers hide in the shade to rest secretly, looking like they have been disarmed.

Zhao Mi came to the garrison mansion in the city with several Guanxi monks. General Wei came out to greet him. He introduced a honest elder beside him:
"This is Lord Gao Ping, who used to be in charge of guarding Jianjia Pass and several neighboring counties."

Zhao Mi had heard that this Duke Gao Ping was a member of the clan of the Huaxu Kingdom, and he was considered to be the uncle of the current king.

As the southern gateway of the Huaxu Kingdom, Jianjiaguan must not fall into the control of the Yongjia Liang Clan. Only by arranging the clan lord's relatives can security be ensured.

"This must be the Marquis of Zhenming. I can rest assured that the country has a rising star like you." Gao Pinggong has a generous smile, fair skin and fat body. The general guarding one side looks like a rich man.

Zhao Mi saluted and returned the salute, General Wei asked, "How are the hogbeak people doing?"

"The few hogbeak people who plundered the villages in the west were mostly wiped out, but the number was only four to five hundred." Zhao Mi came to the edge of the map and pointed a few places with his fingers: "We are on the way to Jianjiaguan. I found that there are still traces of a small group of hogbeak people, and they should have escaped into the forest again."

"Duke Gao Ping has fought these southern barbarians for a long time, what advice do you have?" General Wei asked.

"The hogbeak people are the best at trekking. Once they escape into the mountains and forests, they are like dragons entering the sea. It is difficult to track them down." Gao Pinggong sighed.

Zhao Mi couldn't help asking: "Don't the hogbeak people have a fixed settlement? Even if they are barbarians, they don't do farming, weaving and animal husbandry, and they are doomed to not last long by just relying on plunder."

"The hogbeak people should have settlements in the mountains, but it's not easy to find, and it's difficult for most soldiers and horses to go deep." Gao Ping said: "I think you two know that there are many villages and settlements with unclear ownership on the border between the two countries. There are demons and evil spirits mixed in, and it is also a place where rebellious parties often haunt."

"Rebellious Party?" Zhao Mi asked, "Is it Chiyun Capital on Cangwu Ridge?"

Hundreds of miles to the west of Jianjiaguan is Cangwu Ridge. This distance seems not far, but Wangshan is a dead horse.Moreover, the terrain of Cangwu Ridge is even more steep and rugged, and Chi Yundu is a powerful army that has experienced troubled times.The Huaxu Kingdom sent troops several times in the past, not to mention the suppression of rebels, the army was even beaten to the ground by Chi Yun many times.

Gao Pinggong glanced at Zhao Mi, and then said: "Exactly. The Chiyun rebel party is unwilling to hide in Cangwu Ridge. In the past ten years, rebel leaders have often appeared near Jianjia Pass. There are also many villages outside the pass colluding with the rebel party. .”

Zhao Mi frowned, and General Wei stared at the map and tapped his finger: "It's a pity, if these village people can be included in our Huaxu Kingdom, then there will be less worries on the way to attack Jiuli Kingdom. And if Jiuli Kingdom attacks, These villages can also build fortress walls, which can serve as the barriers of the Huaxu Kingdom and contain the attacks of the southern barbarians."

Zhao Mi remained silent, and the consequences of Chi Yun's departure had already greatly dragged down Huaxu Country.Compared with the chaos caused by Mr. Yangliu in Xingluo County, the situation outside Jianjia Pass is much worse.

Thinking back to the art of war deduction at the Yingzhou Conference, Liang Xiao commanded the soldiers of the Huaxu Kingdom to go south unimpeded, and was able to build camps and advance step by step.It now appears that such a thing is unlikely to be possible.

If this is really the case, not to mention dealing with the Jiuli Kingdom's attack and harassment of the two wings, just Chi Yun's secret troubles will be enough for the court officers and soldiers to drink a pot.

"You two don't need to worry, those chaotic parties are nothing more than scabies." Gao Pinggong said calmly, "Jianjia Pass has high walls and deep trenches, which are enough to make those rogue bandits look at the city and sigh. Besides, Liang Guoshi was still here a few years ago Set up spell restrictions to prevent rebels and monsters from flying into the sky to assassinate."

"I also understand this matter." General Wei said: "It is said that Liang Guoshi personally went to Cangwu Ridge at that time and severely injured the leaders of the rebellious party and bandits. Presumably they can only hide in Cangwu Ridge, and they can't make too much trouble."

Zhao Mi has seen Liang Tao's skills before, and it is not surprising that he can beat the masters in Chiyundu until they dare not show their heads.

"Marquis Zhenming, what do you think?" General Wei asked seeing that Zhao Mi was silent.

"Forgive me, this time I'm afraid it's not just about defending the city." Zhao Mi pointed to the corner cave on the map: "General Wei should know that the purpose of the Jiuli Kingdom's invasion this time is to break the seal and rescue the inner city. The horned pheasant demon king."

General Wei's expression was solemn, and Gao Pinggong asked: "There are monk monks stationed near the Jiaolu Cave all the year round, and the imperial court will send people to strengthen the seal every year. Isn't the Marquis Zhenming here for this?"

Zhao Mi explained: "When the Yu Shi and Concubines of the Jiuli Kingdom drove the snakes and insects to invade, the Jianjia Pass had not yet been built, and the system of the museum was also a preliminary creation. In addition, the Yu Shi and Concubines deployed a large formation of ten thousand snakes, haunting and killing There are many living people.

In order to be able to end this trouble without leaving any future troubles, the first emperor of the Huaxu Kingdom invited the hermit expert from Fulong Island in the East China Sea to sacrifice the magic weapon of the fairy family, Dinghaidou, and seal thousands of snakes and insects in the town in one fell swoop. middle.

However, Dinghaidou has completely merged with the surrounding mountains and rivers of the Jiaobo Cave. Over time, the celestial spirit dissipates, and the seal is like a tree whose roots have been eaten by moths. It seems to be flourishing, but it is actually unsustainable. "

Zhang Duanjing informed Zhao Mi of these situations in detail before he left Dongshengdu.The thousands of snakes and insects sealed by Ding Haidou fought each other, and now there is only one giant snake with long horns on its head and fleshy wings on its back. Once it escapes the seal, it will immediately become a great monster.

Gao Pinggong was silent when he heard the words, and General Wei said: "With Liang Guoshi and other immortal masters, as long as the arrangement is proper, it shouldn't be a problem to kill the horned pheasant demon king."

Zhao Mi reminded: "But Jiuli Kingdom is not without experts. It is said that even Fengju ten witches have made a big move this time."

General Wei smiled and asked: "We ordinary people don't know anything about Fangwai, so Zhenminghou might as well tell us, what is the origin of the Fengju Ten Witches?"

"I don't know much." Zhao Mi said, "Fengju ten witches claim that their inheritance can be traced back to the ancient world, and they are the servants of the ancient gods left in the mortal world. Invite the gods to come down to earth.

It is rumored that although the physical bodies of the ten witches have a limited lifespan, their spirits are immortal. If one of them dies, the spirit will be born with a fetus attached to it.After growing up, as long as you go through the sacrificial ceremony, you can awaken the memories of your past life.The knowledge and skills accumulated from generation to generation are the foundation of Fengju Ten Witches. "

"Immortality? Is this also a kind of immortality?" General Wei asked curiously.

"It's just a legend, and it's hard to tell whether it's true or not. Maybe the ten witches of Fengju want to show their extraordinary status." Zhao Mi said, "And don't look at them bragging about themselves, the ten witches of Fengju will behave with their tails between their legs in Tianxia Dynasty. , when it comes to sacrificial rituals, summoning gods and welcoming spirits, no one can compare with the praise officials of the Tianxia Dynasty."

In a sense, Zhao Shu and Fengju Ten Witches can be regarded as peers.However, as the official successor of the ceremony, Zhao Shu always looked down on the crude and even barbaric sacrifices of the ten witches of Fengju, and they even practiced human sacrifices.In Zhao Mi's view, this kind of thing can be thrown into dung by the hair.

"The Ten Witches of Fengju have a high status in the Jiuli Kingdom. They can be roughly compared to Liang Guoshi, but they are ten people." Zhao Mi explained: "The witchcraft in the Jiuli Kingdom is at its peak, and there are many ghosts, gods and evil spirits. More than that, it's weird and unpredictable."

"Then I don't know what good strategy Marquis Zhenming has?" General Wei asked.

Zhao Mi smiled and said, "It's not a good strategy, but since the opponent's techniques are mostly borrowed from the power of ghosts and gods, then we might as well use a set of tricks to get rid of the fire."

General Wei clapped the table and said, "That's right! Marquis Zhenming is good at rituals and rituals, and can drive away ghosts and gods. If he first restrains ghosts and gods, wouldn't it mean that the opponent has no soldiers to use?"

"I plan to set up a mandala inside and outside Jianjia Pass to summon ghosts and spirits." Zhao Mi said: "Nowadays, there are not only villages and settlements on the border between the two countries, but also many ghosts, spirits and monsters. I am afraid they will take advantage of the war to make trouble. No matter what Whether it's for the sake of precautions, or adding magic talismans and soldiers, it's all necessary."

"Okay, okay!" General Wei nodded again and again: "I have seen Zhenminghou's ability, and this matter will be handled by Zhenminghou. If you need the assistance of soldiers, just ask."

Zhao Mi pondered for a moment: "I was dealing with the hogbeak people before, but I found out that there was a ghost haunting, so I might as well start here."

Gao Pinggong sighed, "With you two, Jianjiaguan seems to be safe and sound."

General Wei cupped his hands and said: "Where is it! This is also due to Gao Pinggong's management."

Zhao Mi was secretly suspicious, and what he saw when he came to Jianjia Pass, this place was far from being well managed.From the perspective of military defense alone, it is even a little careless and lax.

"Since General Wei and Marquis Zhenming are here, my old bones won't hinder me much." Gao Pinggong stood up and cupped his hands: "Now the military affairs of Jianjia Pass will be entrusted to you two!"

Zhao Shu and General Wei saluted together, sent Gao Ping Gong off, and watched him board a luxurious car with red paint and silver.

After Gao Pinggong left, General Wei sighed lightly. Zhao Mi saw his serious expression and asked in a low voice, "Is the situation at Jianjiaguan not optimistic?"

General Wei led Zhao Mi back to the inner hall of the garrison mansion, and said: "You must have seen it along the way. The defense here is lax, the military discipline is rough, and the recruited soldiers even lack food and pay for more than half a year. I asked the battalions to pay for it the day before yesterday. Counting the number of people in the book, it was found that [-]% of the soldiers had not arrived. Guess where these people went?"

Zhao Mi shook his head slightly, and General Wei knocked on the table angrily: "Because of lack of food and pay, those soldiers ran to the neighboring counties to work for the local big households to plow the fields. How does this look like a frontier army?!"

"Are you kidding me!" Zhao Mi's eyes twitched, "It's only been ten years since the Five Kingdoms eliminated soldiers, how could the border military affairs be so lax? How much money did the imperial court spend on Jianjia Pass? Why is there still a shortage of food and salaries for soldiers?"

General Wei raised his chin, indicating the position where Mr. Gao Ping had just sat down: "Guess what?"

Thinking of Mr. Gao Ping's handsome appearance, and that luxury car, except that it is not pulled by a barge horse, it is not much worse than Jiang Ru's car.

Based on these alone, one can guess how rich Gao Pinggong is in his daily expenses, and the whereabouts of the lack of food and pay can be roughly known.

"He's the clan leader of the country!" Zhao Mi felt his scalp tingling, "If the Jiuli Nanman invades the pass, he will be the first to die!"

General Wei sneered twice: "That's not necessarily the case. Gao Pinggong has a Wubao Manor in the north, where he has raised more than a thousand trilogy, and his military armor is shining. If Jiuli Kingdom really came in, these trilogy can still protect Let him flee back to Dongshengdu."

Zhao Mi was puzzled: "Why would the lord of the country appoint such a person to guard Jianjia Pass?"

General Wei coughed lightly, looked up at the door and window, Zhao Mi understood, and waved a spell to fly out of the sticker, blocking the sound from coming out.

"If you have something to say, just listen to it and don't take it seriously." General Wei said: "You must have heard that before the current king came to the throne, there was a period of chaos in the country. The sons of the previous king fought against each other. There were so many casualties that the national system withered.

Seeing that Huaxu Kingdom was about to follow in Tianxia's footsteps, the court had no choice but to hastily select a new monarch from among the members of the clan.At that time, because of his age, Gao Pinggong was also selected by the ministers, and he was the person Liang Guoshi liked.

However, Duke Gao Ping voluntarily backed down and elected the current king.As for how many unknown calculations there are, it is beyond my insight. "

Zhao Mi nodded slightly: "Mr. Gao Ping has the merits of abdicating the throne and supporting the enthronement, plus he is a clan relative, so the lord let him guard the Jianjia pass, and probably turned a blind eye to his corrupt behavior... Sigh!"

"Marquis Zhenming don't need to worry too much." General Wei reminded: "This time the lord sent Wu Kui army to Jianjiaguan to take over the military affairs here. Duke Gao Ping is old, don't need to work too hard, let him spend his old age peacefully. "

"There are more than a thousand plays, and there are manors, castles, and fragrant cars, so I can spend my old age in peace." Zhao Mi felt helpless.

"The most urgent task now is to rectify the military affairs of Jianjia Pass and train the soldiers." General Wei scratched his head and said, "Although the Wukui Army was newly established by the order of the lord, its number is less than [-], and it is far from enough to deal with future wars. But now there are no lazy soldiers in Jianjia Pass. He is a prisoner who is useless. Annoying..."

"Is the general going to lay off some soldiers?" Zhao Mi asked.

"Anyway, some soldiers are no different from tenants, so we don't need them to hang around," General Wei said.

"I have an idea." Zhao Mi rubbed his chin and said, "When I tracked the Hogbeak people before, I found that many villages formed their own township warriors. When they face foreign enemies, they are often able to fight against the enemy. Maybe they can be used."

"I also thought about this method." General Wei stood up and sighed: "It's just a large amount of money and food to recruit soldiers from the village. The imperial court has asked neighboring counties to collect money and food, but it hasn't been sent yet."

"What is General Wei going to do?" Zhao Mi asked.

"When you are going to deal with the evil spirits and open the altar to practice the law, you can go to various places to urge the collection of money and food." General Wei said with a serious expression: "I appointed you as the commander of Wukui Army, and you also have the right to deploy troops. If necessary, you can do it cheaply! "

(End of this chapter)