Under Lingbi County, Xuzhou, on a yellow mud road, a young man carrying heavy objects came from the direction of the county town in the distance.

The young man wore a straw hat used by woodcutters in the mountain on his head. The eaves of the hat were pressed very low, only revealing the lower half of his face, but it can still be seen that he had a handsome face. He was tall, with wide shoulders and thick back, thick joints, and his joints were sensitive and flexible. Although he was carrying heavy objects, he still strides forward as if he was not carrying anything. His clothes were very old, but they were washed very clean, and his elbows were neatly patched, and the stitches were fine and neat. It can be seen that there was a woman at home who was good at needlework.

This young man is Bishu. He and Da Qiao have already made a big fuss in the hunting village at the foot of the mountain. With a little guidance from the old man Wang, he soon became a good hunter. The family is not short of meat, but the grain and salt are needed to be exchanged. This morning, he came out of the mountain at the fourth hour and brought the fur he had accumulated some time ago to the market, and replaced the bag of new millet on his shoulders.

If Chen Su is replaced, he can add one more hu. It doesn't matter if he is more stingy than himself. He can eat the bark and leaves without changing his face, and fill his stomach if he is really hungry.

But he changed the new millet. He wanted Daqiao, who had been used to fine stew, to eat as much as possible. There were endless wild animals in the mountains, and he had endless strength to use. To change to a bag of new millet, he was just a matter of making more animal furs.

A few days ago, he was lucky. He hunted a very beautiful fox fur with neat fur and shiny fur. He originally wanted to keep it for Da Qiao to use until winter, but Da Qiao didn't want it, so he would definitely let him take it to the market to sell it. He had to listen to her. After selling the fur in the morning, he had some extra money left, so he pulled Da Qiao a few feet of cloth.

She will definitely say it after she goes back. But Bi Tong is willing to let her teach her a lesson.

There were more than twenty miles away from the village. He looked at the sun that was setting west, afraid that Da Qiao would be worried if he was too late to go back, so he accelerated his pace even more. At this moment, a row of people came to the opposite side. A dozen soldiers wearing ochre clothes, swords on their waists, and spears in their hands drove a group of people connected by ropes, slowly heading towards the county town. The man at the front riding horse should be a soldier. The ones in the team who had their hands tied up by ropes were all men. In addition to the middle age, there were white-haired old men, and a few thin boys who looked only □□ years old.

"Mr. Jun, okay, let me go... I'm about to be fifty years old, how can I still march and fight?"

An old man was forced to move forward with a spear behind him, and kept turning back and begging. The soldier said, "Register your three sons, and none of them are in the army now. It is obvious that they all escaped. If your son doesn't come, it's natural for me to replace him!"

The old man cried: "The Jun Ye doesn't know what. My third son, the eldest son, died in the seventh year of Yanyou, when Xue Envoy conquered Qingzhou, and the second son, died in the three year of Dingkang, and the youngest son died suddenly last year. The pavilion chief can testify on behalf of me. It's okay if I leave, there is an old woman in the family lying in bed..."

The soldier was impatient and whipped the old man: "If you ask you to join the army, you will join the army. You will starve to death at home. You will still be full of food when you join the army! What are you talking about?"

The old man felt pain and didn't dare to exhale anymore. He wiped his tears and staggered forward.

Bishu knew that this was Xue Tai, the governor of Xuzhou, who was forcing troops to recruit soldiers again. In the county market, he heard people nearby discussing this matter.

He looked at the sad and crying old man under the eaves of the hat, then looked at the children strung together behind the old man, with ragged clothes and blank eyes, and finally withdrew their gaze.

Xuzhou Xuetai is one of the most powerful warlords in the Huai River Basin. He uses military force all year round. When people die, they need to replenish their troops. When the soldiers die, they will be replenished. Even the old man and the children are gone.

Bi Tong sympathized with these people who were forced to enlist in the army, but this kind of thing was not something he could do.

Da Qiao was still waiting for him to go back at home.

He pressed the brim of his hat and quickly walked forward. When he passed by the soldier in front of him, the soldier noticed him and his long spear crossed and blocked his chest.

"Who?"

"Hunter."

"Raise your head."

Bi Tong slowly raised his head. The soldier hit his green eyes and was stunned. Then he poked the cloth bag on his shoulder with the tip of his halberd: "What's inside?"

"millet."

But the cloth bag had been pierced, and the yellow new millet leaked out of the broken mouth and spread all over the floor.

The soldier looked at Bishu up and down and said, "Follow me to join the army!"

Bizhu couldn't move: "Mr. Jun is let go. I am not a local household and have no responsibility to be summoned to the army."

The soldier smiled: "Do you know that the envoy will launch an army to attack Yanzhou soon? I cherish the talents and invite you to join the army. Yanzhou is rich in land and wealth. Once it is captured, the wealth and women are at their fingertips. You don't want to?"

Bi Teng's eyes moved slightly, and he pushed away the long halberd that was still standing in front of his chest: "Please let me go. I have something to do, so I'll leave first."

He pinched the hole in the food bag on his shoulder, and walked around the horse on the head of the soldier. When the soldier saw him sweeping his face, he became angry and swung his halberd from behind and stabbed him in the back. Bishou turned around and grabbed the halberd with one arm. When he pulled it, the soldier's head was pulled off the horse, falling down to the sky, and was angry and ordered the soldier to capture him. The ten soldiers immediately ran up, surrounded Bishou and attacked them together.

Knowing that today's things were not good, he put down the food bag on his shoulder, snatched the long halberd of the soldier head, and swept towards the soldiers who besieged him. After a fierce fight, he overturned the dozen soldiers to the ground with one man's strength. The injured people rolled and shouted, and the sounds came one after another. The soldier head did not expect that he was as fierce as a beast, and became frightened. Seeing that he was carrying the long halberd and striding towards him, he looked like he was about to kill himself, he was shocked, and got up and turned over and fled in panic. Seeing that the soldiers head had all escaped, the remaining soldiers were willing to leave behind any more for trouble, and followed him to escape. In a blink of an eye, they ran away, leaving only a few spear knives on the ground that they had not yet picked up.

This fierce fight made the civilians stunned. Seeing that all the soldiers had fled, they came back to their senses and kowtowed to Biluo, calling him a benefactor and asking for help loosening the rope.

Bishe picked up a falling knife on the ground, and went up to cut the rope that tied everyone up. Everyone was able to release them, thanked him repeatedly, and the birds and beasts dispersed.

Bishe took back the corn that fell to the ground, took off his coat, wrapped it with the bag of broken grain, carried it back on his shoulders, and left quickly.

When he returned to the village, it was dark, and hundreds of birds in the mountains returned to their nests, and people returned home. Da Qiao had already cooked dinner and was waiting for her husband in the fence door. He saw him appearing on the mountain road from afar and ran out to meet him. He took her back to the house. The two of them had a simple supper together under the light. Bishe told her a few stories about what she had seen in the county town during the day. She didn't mention the accident on the way back, and finally took out the cloth she had pulled out.

Da Qiao liked it very much, but he really blamed him for spending money randomly. Bizhu just smiled and asked her to teach her a lesson. Da Qiao finally put it away and took out a pair of new shoes. He said that he had big feet and climbed mountains and walked every day. The pair he made was already broken, so he asked him to change into new shoes.

The moon rises to the mountain mist, and the spring insects mutter. The two of them are young and have just been together for a while. They are always in love and feel close, and they will be happy almost every night. After the intimate relationship tonight, Da Qiao closed his eyes and rested on Bishu's chest and asked, "Honey, do you have the intention to hide it from me? When I see your county come home, I talk less than usual."

He has always been taciturn than the pig and didn't talk much, but tonight is less than usual.

Bi Tong hesitated for a moment and said, "On the way back, I heard occasionally that Xue Tai, the governor of Xuzhou, was going to attack Yanzhou."

Da Qiao was shocked and sat up: "I'm at home, I've never heard of my family complaining about Xue Tai. Why did Xue Tai suddenly attack Yanzhou? You heard it right?"

Bi Tong said the accident on the road briefly. Da Qiao suddenly panicked: "What should I do if my father is unprepared if he doesn't know about it?"

Bishu said, "Don't panic. Maybe it's just a nonsense from the soldier. I'll sneak to the county town to inquire about it tomorrow. If this is true, I will go to Yanzhou to send a message as soon as possible so that the envoy can be prepared."

Da Qiao calmed down a little. Bishe comforted her again. She waited until dawn all night. Early the next morning, Bishe entered the city again. After returning from darkness, he told Da Qiao that he had arrested an officer during the day. After interrogation, he learned that the news was undoubtedly confirmed.

Xue Tai was preparing food, grass and soldiers, and sent 100,000 troops to capture Yanzhou. Now the food, grass and grass have already started, and the army is not setting off day.

...

On the 12th of this month, the Dongjun market was still bustling like usual, and it was peaceful. The atmosphere in the deliberation lobby of the governor's mansion was extremely solemn.

Qiao Yue, Qiao Ping and a group of strategists and generals in the yamen were discussing a news that was like a bolt from the blue.

A few days ago, someone in the government office reported without a name that Xue Tai from Xuzhou sent 100,000 troops to Yanzhou, traveling fifty miles a day and arrived within half a month.

Qiao Yue didn't believe it at first. The Qiao family and Xue Tai have never violated the rivers and there was no friction. Although Xue Tai was ambitious and had a bad reputation, his target was still in the Huai River area. I don't know why he suddenly sent a hundred thousand troops to attack Yanzhou? He immediately sent a spy. This morning, Meteor Horse reported the news, saying that the news was true. Xue Tai's army had arrived in Tengdi and would approach Yanzhou in the next ten days.

Qiao Yue was shocked and hurriedly called for a discussion of countermeasures. Everyone was unconfidant, and Qiao Yue became even more unruly.

Zhang Pu said: "Lord, you will be panicked. I have a plan to solve this problem." Qiao Yue asked the truth.

"Xue Tai has always been known as a vicious tiger, with strong soldiers and strong horses, and is coming in a fierce manner. Yanzhou cannot be strong. Now we must send someone to send the news to the place of Yanhou as soon as possible. Wei Qiao's two families have a marriage, and if he does not save him, he will betray his faith and the people in the world will spit on him."

Qiao Yue was reminded immediately, and he said yes. He hurriedly ordered the chief clerk to compile the book, sealed the fire lacquer, and sent it to Wei Shao with a fast horse day and night.

After the letter was sent out, Qiao Yue waited for Wei Shao's reply, anxious.

Qiao Ping was puzzled as why Xue Tai suddenly launched an army to invade Yanzhou. He was not very willing to ask Wei Shao for help again. Last time, because Zhou Qun of Rencheng came to attack, he could only send his beloved daughter out. This time, Xue Tai came to the battle for the campaign, and finally asked Wei Shao for troops. If Wei Shao loved his daughter, he would have nothing to do with his own Qiao family heads. But if Wei Shao had no love for his daughter, this repeated request for help would probably only make him look down on his daughter even more, and his daughter's status in the Wei family was even more despicable. It was just that his brother was cowardly, he had no power, and he could not speak alone. Qiao Ci was underage, and a hundred thousand troops came to the forefront, and Yanzhou was indeed in danger.

Qiao Ping was full of thoughts and could only go back in a depressed manner, pressing him to not show.

...

On that day, Wei Shao finished his border city inspection and finally returned to Yuyang from Mayi.

It has been half a month since he left this trip. With the sound of horse hooves, he passed through the north gate of Yuyang City and returned to the familiar city.

He was in a good mood. After entering the city, he disbanded his subordinates. He did not go to the government office and went straight back to the mansion. When he entered the west room, he did not see Xiao Qiao and Chunniang was not there. When he asked the servant, he found out that the queen had been invited to the Grand Hall of the King of the West in the east of the city and wrote an inscription for a mural of the Queen Mother there.

Nowadays, Buddhism and Taoism are flourishing. In addition to Buddhists, many people also worship Taoism. The Queen Mother is the leader of the female immortals to protect the weather. The local people have lived a stable life for many years and have many wealthy families, so they raised funds to build the temple. Although Mrs. Xu offered to the Buddha, she also generously helped her when she heard the news. The main hall was just completed a few days ago and it was beautiful. A mural wall was erected in front of the main hall, with a statue of the Queen Mother on it. The painter was Gao Heng, the "Bohai crown" who came to celebrate Mrs. Xu's birthday the previous time. Gao Heng was invited to paint at that time.

He also intended to leave his pen and ink in Yuyang and promised happily. Now the mural is about to be completed. When he was inscribed, he suddenly thought of the good handwriting written by the Queen Mother and Fairy. If he came to write the inscription for the mural of the Queen Mother and Daughter Fairy, it would be a perfect match for his paintings and add icing on the cake. He was also a wonderful person, so he did it when he thought of it. He visited the door two days ago. Mrs. Xu learned about his purpose and agreed. Since Mrs. Xu nodded, Xiao Qiao did not refuse. She went out there in the past two days. Today was gone, but she has not come back yet.

Wei Shao was a little disappointed and felt a little unhappy. He didn't show any sign of it on his face.

He went out for half a month, traveling around the city every day. When he came back, he was covered in dust. After washing his face, changing his clothes, he went to the north room to visit his grandmother, Mrs. Xu.

When Mrs. Xu saw that he was back, she was very happy and ordered him to sit beside him and talk. Wei Shao didn't talk much. She just occasionally echoed Mrs. Xu and said one or two times.

Mrs. Xu mentioned Zhu and said that just two days ago, she asked her to come back from the ancestral temple. She said, "Zhonglin, your mother is my mistress of the Wei family. That's all, I shouldn't have done this for your face. But she did this too much. I hope she will remember the lesson and not be confused again in the future."

Although it has been a while since the incident was heard, Mrs. Xu’s tone was still heard, and she was a little annoyed.

Wei Shao agreed again.

Mrs. Xu glanced at him, thought for a while, and showed a faint smile on her face: "You think you know, your wife, my grandmother lent it out two days ago. It's not too late, and if you haven't returned yet, it's okay to pick her up. There's no need to accompany my old woman to grind her teeth here."

Wei Shao looked serious: "The grandson depends on the situation. If nothing happens, I will follow my grandmother's instructions."

Mrs. Xu nodded and urged him to leave. Wei Shao bowed to his grandmother before he got up and came out.

He walked out of the north house and his pace gradually accelerated. He reached the fork leading to the east house, stopped and turned his face to look at it, hesitated for a while, and continued to move forward. Finally, he went straight out of the gate and ordered people to prepare horses to go to the east of the city.
Chapter completed!