A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 652 Bauhinia Pass

Of course, if only this is the case, the Han family may not be able to reach here safely. Now the road is getting more and more uneven. When going out, even if they pass through some villages, they must be careful of those villagers who suddenly turn into bandits.

The small chaos hides in the city, and the big chaos hides in the countryside. The villages and towns that can build villages are basically all local tyrants and gentry clans, with deep background and powerful armed forces. If they are targeted by these people, they will be malicious , Often the pedestrians who pass by leave only a piece of corpse.

"Thanks to Shopkeeper Sun."

Father Han is not yet fifty, with white temples, a tall and straight body, and eyes full of wisdom and vicissitudes. What he looked at was a slightly fat businessman named Sun in a line of vehicles not far away, but A businessman surnamed Sun who supported Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen in Weihui Mansion that day.

When he went north, he met the Han family and his party. During the conversation, he learned that a child of the Han family joined the army on the East Road of Xuanfu Town. In the frontier army, there was an officer named Han Kaihui.

Han Kaihui, a businessman surnamed Sun, knew that after all, he was going to marry the daughter of the Capital Fu Mansion, and the matter was widely spread.

Han Kaihui is already a team officer, and was awarded the rank of Captain. He is not an ordinary person in the Jingbian Army. He is also the younger brother of Zhong Xiancai, the general guarding the East Road. He is also the target of many interested people. exception.

Under his protection, the Han family and his party were able to come here safe and sound, and also protected the hundreds of refugees and victims who were heading to the East Road.

His caravan employs dozens of bodyguards from the East Road. All of these bodyguards are equipped with bird guns from the East Road, and they also have excellent Qidao. The bird bludgeon struck, and in a panic, it disappeared in a moment.

"Mr. Han, after crossing Yishui, he can reach Yizhou in a short time, and then go more than a hundred miles from Zijingguan to reach the place controlled by Xuanfu Town. That's safe."

Looking at Yi Shui in front of him, Merchant Sun came over and said to Father Han.

"Thank you, shopkeeper Sun, for coming all the way, for taking care of me, Han is very grateful."

"Member Han is polite, it's nothing more than a little effort."

When crossing Yishui, there is a pontoon bridge on it, and a lot of refugees have flowed in along the bridge. Most of them are going to reach the city of Yizhou, and then go west to Zijingguan and enter the East Road.

Even at this time, the traffic is blocked, and long-distance travel is also dangerous. However, outside the mountains, near Xuanfu Town, various legends have spread to some nearby counties and counties. More attractive?
More importantly, many of the hundreds of thousands of captives Wang Dou rescued back then were from Baoding Prefecture and Zhending Prefecture. After they settled down on the East Road and outside the Great Wall, they inevitably felt homesick. Of course, they didn’t want to go back. It is similar to a kind of thought of honoring ancestors.

When they went back, they packed big and small bags, and seeing their radiant faces inevitably caused a sensation among the neighbors.

One spread to ten, ten to one hundred, plus the folks who knew the basics, and then successively, Baoding and Zhending two prefectures, there were constant refugees who could not survive and rushed to the East Road, and drove some of the surrounding Hejian prefectures and Shunde prefectures. Ren's.

When crossing the bridge, Father Han met Mr. Li and his party again, and they walked together.

Mr. Li is over 30 years old, looks Qingyuan, with his wife, a son and a daughter, and a group of people. They met when they were in the city. Mr. Li is usually silent in the crowd and rarely talks with others. People also talk a little bit.

I heard that he is a native of Qingdu, has read some books, and usually does some business. He is considered a small businessman, and he went to Xuanfu Town to join his old friend.

His old friend, who worked as a clerk in Baoan Prefecture, persuaded Mr. Li to come to Donglu in his letters on weekdays. After careful consideration, he decided to bring his family to live in Xuanfu Town.

Yizhou City is tall and has thick walls, but it has not been repaired for many years, and it looks a bit dilapidated.

Because the refugees keep coming, rest here, and then go to the east road, so outside the south gate and west gate, it is quite lively, and there are several people's markets, some wealthy households and people who look like housekeepers, choose among them, and ask for more. Good-looking children.

For many refugees and beggars, Xuanfu Town is not far away. Due to the unknown future, if their children are bought away, they will be regarded as slaves and handmaidens. survive.

Look at those prostitutes, all skinny, and the misery of the refugees outside the city, because they have seen a lot, Han's father, Han's mother and others are used to it, only the businessman surnamed Sun shook his head unconsciously.

Although his goal is to go north all the way, go to the capital for a while, and then pass Juyongguan to the west and return to the east, but to send the Buddha to the west, he plans to send Han's father, Han's mother, and the refugees who accompanied him to the Bauhinia. within the pass.

The main reason is that some defenders will make things difficult, especially when entering the Bauhinia Pass, they have to pay tolls. In the past, each adult needed [-] Wen per person, and children also needed [-] Wen per person.

Because there were a lot of refugees in the past, at that time, the defenders and generals were soft on collecting money, and the poor Zijingguan became a rich and vacant place, which caused jealousy and competition among some people. The generals at Zijingguan no longer stationed in Yizhou, Stationed in the customs all the year round.

Later, Donglu negotiated with them, and there were some threats.

Although, along the outskirts of Xuanfu Town, the government soldiers and generals from all over the country have received secret orders similar to blockades from all parties, but they have no courage to fight against the East Road. Wen Qian, two to three Wen per child, after a long time, local officials and generals still earn a lot of money.

Everyone took a rest under the city of Yizhou. Merchant Sun bought some food such as cakes and porridge for these hundreds of people.

Along the way, this kind of care has been taken many times, and many refugees have made up their minds. After they settle down in the future, they must enshrine the longevity tablet of shopkeeper Sun at home.

On the second day, everyone arrived dozens of miles west of Yizhou City, outside Zijing Pass in Zijing Ridge.

This Zijingguan city is surrounded by Wanren Mountain in the east, Rhinoceros Mountain in the west, Juma River in the north, and Huangtu Ridge in the south. ", for the North China Great Plains, one of the main roads entering Xuanfu Town, there is a danger of "one man guarding the gate, ten thousand men can't get ahead".

Zijingguan City is composed of five small cities, with thousands of guards. At present, the generals are stationed in the city, and the soldiers are stationed in Yizhou City. The soldiers guarding the pass are also lazy. Can not be less.

Merchant Sun glanced over sharply. Except for the soldiers in tattered armor, standing or sitting, above the Guancheng, there were some soldiers standing with obviously tough manners. Many of them were from Xuanfu Town. Intelligence staff.

Some people, even Jingbian soldiers in the army, have become servants of these guards through various channels, not only Zijingguan, Juyongguan, but also Daomaguan, and they have been infiltrated by the intelligence department.

The refugees paid money to enter the city one after another, and when it was the turn of Father Han and Mother Han, Merchant Sun stepped forward, popped out a few silver and copper coins, and said indifferently: "Mr. They handed over."

The guard at the gate was Mr. Qian, who knew each other. When he saw that it was a businessman surnamed Sun, he was overjoyed when he saw the silver coins in his hand. He picked up one unconsciously and blew it. Came back from outside?"

The businessman surnamed Sun hummed, pointed at Father Han beside him and said, "This is Yuanwai Han, and his son is an officer in the Jingbian Army. Mr. Qian, please don't neglect him."

Mr. Zhou Qian let out a cry of surprise, and unconsciously stood up straight with a more respectful expression. Although he is a member of Mr. Qian, Mr. Qian, even to the team officers and armor commanders in the Jingbian Army, still feels Shorter by a head, it produces strong pressure.

Father Han, mother Han, several older sisters and brother-in-laws couldn't help feeling proud when they saw the general's expression. The baby has really grown up, and the prestige has spread to the outside world.

Turning around, the businessman surnamed Sun smiled and said: "Mr. Han, Sun has been sent here. After entering the Zijing Pass, and walking for dozens of miles, you will arrive at Zhao Gezhai."

"Over there, there is a refugee shelter built in my Xuan Town. When outsiders enter, they may stay for a day or two to check whether there is any disease or the like. Then go north along the way, passing through Henan Village, Mashuikou, Xiejiabao and other places, The supply of food and clothing is not a problem, and Sun wishes Han Yuanwai a smooth journey."

As early as the 11th year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou established strongholds in Henan Wa and Zhaogezhuang. Mashuikou guarded Chu Qinmeng. His daughter Chu Xiaoniang married Xie Yike as his wife. The relationship with Donglu has long been close. , and Zhao Gezhai also absorbed refugees from Zhuozhou and Laishui.

Father Han thanked again: "Thank you, Shopkeeper Sun."

Farewell to Merchant Sun, and then everyone entered the Guancheng. Although the Guancheng is majestic, everyone didn't bother to watch it, and they didn't have the leisure and leisure of the later generations. They all just wanted to pass quickly.

Passing through Guancheng, walking on the mountain road, winding and undulating, in many places, walking along the river, although the potholes are difficult, the passage of vehicles is not a problem.

The biggest obstacle has been gone. Everyone is full of enthusiasm and hope. Even the loess road along the way and the rolling hills and mountains have become cute in the eyes of everyone. Mr. Li's family also showed excited expressions , and finally to the East Road.

And slowly, teahouses and restaurants gradually increased on both sides of the official road, most of them were in Zijingguan or Mashuikou, opened by family members of local military households. Although most of the refugees were poor, some people were still rich and needed Eating and resting, this adds up to more, and supporting the family is not a problem.

On the morning of the second day, at about midnight, suddenly, a huge city towered in front of everyone.

This walled city straddles the two banks of the Juma River. Standing on the ridge and looking at the road, you can faintly see that behind the wall, along the two banks of the river, and on the side of the mountain, there are continuous rows of houses. I don’t know how many rooms there are. .

It seems that there are two village gates, one facing the Zijing Pass and one facing the Juma River in the east, but there is no wall in the north.

In the sky above the Walled City, a bright red Sun Moon Wave Flag fluttered.

(End of this chapter)