Outside Zhengzhou, Ma Da said to Wu Kejiu, who was sullen on the side: "You don't have to be anxious, endure hunger and thirst on the road, and when you reach the northwest, the prince is happy, maybe you will be a little envoy." According to your background, you don't have to go into battle to fight, you have an official body for nothing, what else do you have to worry about? ”

Wu Kejiu shook his head weakly: "The northwest is the time for war, what kind of official can you do if you don't go into battle and fight!" ”

The others laughed together: "It's before the battle that people like you are needed." Money is used everywhere in the army, where does the money come from? To tell you the truth, generals at all levels rely on returning to Yi to have food and clothing. You have a restaurant at home, and when you go to the northwest, you will naturally still open a restaurant. As long as the business is done to make the chief officer happy, the promotion is faster than the fight before the battle! ”

Wu Kejiu listened, and his mood perked up slightly. Along the way, he always felt that something was wrong, no matter how he looked at Ma Da, these people were not like the Northwest Army came. However, with Chen Yuhou and a group of forbidden troops accompanying him, Wu Kejiu felt that it was unclear. On the way, Wu Kejiu wanted to send letters home several times, but was stopped by Martha with various excuses. In the end, there was really no way, so he promised to wait until he arrived in Henan Mansion and send a reliable person to deliver the letter.

While a few people were gossiping, a soldier came galloping on. When he arrived, he crossed his hand to Ma Da: "Tizhi, Marquis Yu went to Zhengzhou to return the military order, I don't want to have another accident!" ”

Marda was taken aback and rolled over: "You tell me about it, what happened?" ”

"The eunuch who sent us to transport goods earlier has recently received another messenger to mention Jingxi Road to exterminate the thieves Zhang Hai and his gang. Seeing that Yu Hou was well-behaved, he didn't care about it, let us send grain and grass to Fuchang County, and it would be shipped immediately! ”

When Martha heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned and stunned.

This small group of party soldiers and horses forged the identity of the Shaanxi Forbidden Army, and they didn't want to be targeted by the lieutenant envoy. The forbidden army from Shaanxi had no roots and no roots in the Central Plains, and no one spoke for them when something happened, and one errand after another was sent down. Along the way, they passed through the state and county, leaving traces, and as long as they did not leave the Song Realm, they could be traced to their whereabouts. If you don't take these errands, you have to take them, otherwise an official letter will expose them as they are.

The forbidden armies in nearby prefectures and counties are basically under the direct jurisdiction of the three yamen, each with its own yamen above, and local transfers are not allowed. On the contrary, this kind of people from other places, because they rely on local supplies, are caught by the localities, and they are used to death. They can't get the official documents of the Privy Council, that is, they don't have any tasks, and all local errands are on them. Unless there is an order from the Privy Council, the local government will let go.

After a while, Ma Dacai muttered, "How is this good? Transporting grain to Fuchang, not to mention how much time it takes, I'm afraid I still won't be able to get out of it when I get there. I heard that Zhang Hai and his gang had arrived at Jingxi Road, which was the same place, and most of them were transferred to suppress thieves again. ”

The others looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Fuchang is in the southwest mountainous area of Luoyang, Xijing, which is the area where Zhang Hai and his gang from Shaanxi are active.

After thinking for a while, Martha said to the visitor: "You go back and inform Marquis Yu, no matter what method you use, it will drag on for two or three days." In my estimation, it is time for Pentihar and the others to arrive these days. When they get to Zhengzhou, we just rob people and go north along Taihang and Wangwu Passes, and fuck them! ”

Wu Kejiu, who was on the side, heard it and said in a panic: "What robbery?!" You are a subordinate of the Prime Minister of Northwest Korea, why do you sound like a thief? ”

Ma Da said viciously: "We came from the northwest, and when we arrived in the Central Plains, all kinds of birdmen bullied us. Don't worry, if something happens, you will have your own handsome mansion to take care of. As long as you return to the northwest safely, there will only be good days! ”

Wu Kejiu was willing to believe it, but looking at the vicious appearance of these people, he didn't dare to say more.

The soldier rode away, and Martha said to the others, "I can't wait for this matter, send two men to the road to see where Pentich and his party have been." As long as you get out of Kaifeng Prefecture, you don't care, and you can do things as soon as possible! ”

Everyone said yes, there were two shrewd and capable people, who turned over and galloped all the way they came.

Peng Tizhi and more than a dozen soldiers, and Zhang Qi and the three of them, left Kaifeng City, Xiaoxing stayed overnight, and arrived in Puyang Town three days later.

Looking at the sky, Peng Tizhi said to his subordinates: "Let's go to the horse shop to rest for the night, leave early tomorrow morning, and rush to Guancheng County at noon." ”

A small leader beside him said: "Tiha, seeing that the sun has not set yet, why don't we take a ride and rest at the post house in front." There is no place to stay, we are fine, just aggrieved to the guests. ”

Peng Tihe frowned: "Now Jingxi Road is not very peaceful now, so don't walk at night." Besides, it was late when we arrived at the inn, and they didn't prepare food, so there was a lot of trouble. Let's rest in the stables tonight. ”

After speaking, he glanced at the three members of the Zhang family and instructed his subordinates to prepare. Zhang Yuan defected to the party, where would Peng Tizhi treat the Zhang family's nephews as guests, but Shangfeng had an order and had to escort them.

According to the normal itinerary, today should go to the Zhengzhou Post House in Guancheng County to rest and sleep, because Peng Tizhi was greedy for alcohol in Zhongmu County, and delayed the journey for half a day, so he had to stay in Pucheng for a night. The post house is well-equipped, food and accommodation are convenient, and Peng Ti has official business, so he does not need to spend money. The horse shop is actually a place to change horses and feed horses, and the living conditions are quite simple. Pentich is still a drinker, and just wants to sleep, but he can't care so much.

A group of soldiers fed the horses, and some went to make fires and cook, and got busy. There are only a few horse-watching troops in the horse shop, and there is no extra manpower, so everything has to be done by yourself. Fortunately, these soldiers are used to doing this kind of thing, and they are busy and not chaotic.

Zhang Qi took his two nephews to sit on a big rock to rest, watching everyone busy with expressionless faces.

Nephew Zhang Bingyi said: "Uncle, I don't know how many days it will take to go to the northwest, it's really hard." When I got there, I didn't know if it would go well. ”

Zhang Qi said lightly: "We have to go, is it possible that we can really bring people back." My brother, who has been wandering around since he was a child, has caused countless troubles, and is bent on becoming a big official and making a lot of money. This time I went to the party, I was determined to join the enemy, how could I come back! ”

"So- what are we going to do in the west? Isn't it embarrassing to not be able to pick up someone? ”

"Can you not go? This matter is up to the ministers of the court, and it is our turn to speak. If we don't go, we will be treated as traitors' families and sent to prison, which will be even more miserable at that time. Do not talk about it, but do as Tihar commands. ”

When the two nephews heard this, they were silent, not knowing what to say.

Zhang Yuanyuan was different from others, he also studied when he was young, and he was released from Huazhou in his prime, and he entered Beijing to enter the Shiluodi. More often than not, in the name of study tours, wandering around, let the chivalrous be angry. There are many heroes in the Northwest, and Zhang Yuan can be regarded as famous, and he is famous in the rivers and lakes. Before defecting to the party, he had traveled in the border state army for several years and was familiar with the customs and geography of the border areas. Originally, he wanted to be under the curtain of a general, but unfortunately he was unsatisfactory, and finally embarked on the road of no return to treason. Because he was familiar with the military situation in the border areas, and he was a rare township tribute jinshi, Yuan Hao's daughter bought horse bones, and he attached great importance to Zhang Yuan, and he was promised to be a high-ranking official when he reached the party.

However, for the people of the Zhang family, there is such a person in the clan, who is extremely unlucky, and the entire family is affected.