Zhou Yisheng refused to spit out a happy word under Zhou Xingrui's repeated questioning. He had already understood what his "grandfather" was going to do, and a sense of fear ensued. Although the officers and men of the new army looked majestic, it was only to frighten ordinary people or small businesses, and when they met those powerful people, there was nothing remarkable about the officers and men of the new army. And as a person that Pu Guanshui can look at, Zhou Yisheng is definitely not this kind of ruffian.

Coming back to pick up the families of the new army this time was a detailed and complicated plan. Pu Guanshui repeatedly explained that everyone must obey the plan and listen to the command. Zhou Yisheng was a very obedient child, and he suddenly remembered what Pu Guanshui had told him before he set off. "If there's something that can't be solved, let those people come to me. You don't make your own claims. ”

With the support of a high-ranking officer like Pu Guanshui, things will definitely be much easier. As a local, Zhou Yisheng knew how powerful Liu Ba was in Liujiapu, and as a small soldier in the New Army, Liu Ba would not look at it at all. And I don't want to participate in anything to break the fence at all. He is also an officer and soldier, and Pu Guanshui, the deputy co-commander of the Anhui New Army, is not far away, and he does not dare to make such a self-assertion if he lends Zhou Yisheng a few courages.

"Grandpa, I didn't come back alone. Our Anhui New Army's co-ordinated master is nearby, and there are hundreds of brothers who have come with us. If you have anything to say, just ask us to talk to Master Pu. Lord Kyotong personally sent us back to see our families. Master Pu said, if there is anything, just talk to him. ”

"You still came back with a few hundred officers and soldiers?" Zhou Xingrui's eyes widened. He was incredulous at the news. "Xiao Wu, what kind of official are you in the new army now?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yisheng hurriedly explained: "Grandpa, I am not an official. It was our co-ordinator who knew about the disaster, so he brought us back to see our families. ”

"What kind of official is this co-ordinator?" Zhou Xingrui asked.

"Anhui New Army ranks second. You don't have to kneel when you see the governor. The officials of the prefectural order are much lower than those of the co-ordinator. Zhou Yisheng hurriedly explained.

Zhou Xingrui thought about it, he had seen the county official's sedan chair, and that was it. Regarding the size of the official position and the level of the official position, Zhou Xingrui has no concept at all. The people of China just know that the big officials must have power. But how exactly this power works, the people are completely unaware. Since Zhou Yisheng said that there was a big official, then it should be a big official. In this disaster year, to be able to come back so healthily and cleanly, it must be by water. And now those who dare to take the waterway are not ordinary people.

Zhou Xingrui asked the question he was most concerned about, "Little Wu, you tell the truth." Who is this great official in charge of? "The people don't care about the official positions of the officials, they care about who the officials are in charge of. Generally speaking, officials are never in charge of the people. This is the experience that the people have accumulated over generations. And this experience is definitely not missed.

"Lord Xietong said that this time he will be the master of the brothers of the new army." Zhou Yisheng was justified when he talked about this. That's exactly what Pu Guanshui said. As long as he doesn't get involved in breaking the encirclement and doesn't make trouble for Lord Xietong, Lord Xietong will definitely support himself, then Liu Ba is nothing at all.

"That's for your new army, not for our people." Zhou Xingrui replied. But hearing it may be possible to use the power of the great officials. He wasn't completely unmotivated.

Zhou Yisheng hurriedly replied: "Grandpa, the fleet just heard that someone had released a gun, and Lord Xietong sent a few of our brothers to take a look, and he is now waiting for me to go back and report at the dock with the fleet." Why don't you come with me to check it out? An important reason for his remark was that there were doctors in the fleet, and he was in a hurry to get the doctors to treat his sister.

Zhou Xingrui thought about it, but sighed, "Little Wu, I won't go." This time we must fight the fence. You don't want to get involved in this, and I won't force you. But if you want the villagers to live, you must not let the officers and soldiers come to suppress us. Otherwise, Xiao Wu, don't say that your grandfather turned his face and didn't recognize people. ”

After letting go of the cruel words, Zhou Xingrui turned his head. After the villagers next to them heard this conversation, many of them already had hopeful expressions on their faces. Zhou Xingrui shouted loudly: "Folks, have you ever seen the official mansion that speaks to the people? Xiao Wu also said just now that the senior officer of the New Army sent Xiao Wu to see his family. Why do people want to help us? Besides, we've already eaten the last thing we can eat. If we don't fight Liu Ba's encirclement, even if the senior officials of the new army don't help each other, we will starve to death if we wait one more day. ”

"But since so many ships are coming, we ask them for something to eat...... "There are still people who have fantasies.

"Haha," Zhou Xingrui sneered, "Asking for food from the official?" Xiao Wu is from the New Army, and he is a senior official of the New Army. Why do they give us food? The flood has been flooding for so long, and no one in the county has given us food, do we still expect the people of the New Army who came from afar to give us food? What do you think? ”

These words instantly extinguished everyone's hopes. It's not that no one ran to the county to try to get life-saving food, but no one could get even a single piece of food. There is not even a soup kitchen in the county. Is your own county still like this, asking for food from soldiers who come from afar? It would be good if the soldiers did not harm the people.

Zhou Xingrui saw that everyone had temporarily gotten rid of the illusion of the new army officers, and he raised the pistol in his hand high, "We have already sworn in front of this gun, if the heart is not sincere, God will kill me, shoot me, the gun is spiritual, holy and eyed!" Let's go! It's a man's, so go ahead. Your mother-in-law and children are still waiting for a life-saving meal. ”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengping knew that the strange gunshot just now turned out to be two shots when everyone swore an oath. There is no intention of targeting the fleet at all.

After Zhou Xingrui finished shouting, he took the lead and walked up, regardless of how many people were following behind. The people walked one after another, some with hoes, forks, or simply rudimentary spears sharpened from dead branches. Some people carry ladders, thinking that they have to climb up the fence by ladders. The people either buried their heads in and followed Zhou Xingrui, even if they turned their heads to look at Zhou Yisheng's people, they didn't stop. They were ragged, emaciated, and emaciated. But no one stopped, no one pleaded anymore. Such a group of people resolutely went to the distant landlord in order to survive.

The people had nothing but rags and rudimentary weapons, and they were about to go into a bloody battle. But these people did not plunder the Zhou brothers who were close at hand and Lu Zhengping, who had never known each other. Lu Zhengping looked at the backs of the people, and suddenly felt a kind of unbearability in his heart. As a soldier of the insurance regiment, Lu Zhengping didn't think that he should let the insurance regiment be involved in such a battle, but he himself suddenly wanted to fight with these people. Because all these people need is to live. There is no reason for anyone to criticize such a request.

The Zhou brothers were already pulling each other in the other direction, and Lu Zhengping stretched out his hand to stop them, "You guys go back to the fleet with me right now." ”

Zhou Yisheng was very surprised, Lu Zhengping's voice had a very unfriendly attitude. This is completely different from the friendly practice of Lu Zhengping marching with the soldiers of another insurance regiment not long ago.

"This brother, I'm going home to see my sister now." Zhou Yisheng explained.

"So many folks are about to die in vain, and now you want to see your sister?" Lu Zhengping asked word by word, "You let the dog eat it with your conscience?" ”

No matter what Zhou Yisheng wanted to say, Lu Zhengping grabbed Zhou Yisheng's shoulder, "Now go back to the fleet with me immediately." Your brother, let's take it with you, and report to the detachment leader right away. ”

"Then my sister ......" Zhou Yisheng still wanted to explain his reasons.

"Don't you just want to see your sister? The doctor is on the other side of the fleet, and you really want to save your sister, so you can find a doctor for me now. Lu Zhengping was already angrily reprimanding Zhou Yisheng. After speaking, no matter what Zhou Yisheng wanted to do, Lu Zhengping dragged the Zhou brothers and walked back.

The squad leader of the reconnaissance team saw that the people had left, and saw that Lu Zhengping was dragging people back, so he hurriedly greeted them with the other two soldiers. Listening to Lu Zhengping's report on the situation, the squad leader looked at the indignant Lu Zhengping, the inexplicable Zhou Yisheng, and the frightened Zhou Yizheng, and simply said, "Go and join the army immediately." ”

When Zhang Yu saw the comrades of the reconnaissance team return safely, a big stone fell to the ground in his heart. However, Lu Zhengping's extremely tendentious speech made Zhang Yu immediately angry. This operation is for everyone to pick up people, not for everyone to fight. In addition to Lu Zhengping, who did not dare to directly say that the insurance regiment should send troops to help the villagers break the siege, other insinuative and inflammatory language has been very clear. A small scout dared to mess around like this, if it weren't for the fact that soldiers were not allowed to be beaten and scolded in the insurance regiment system, and the soldiers' committee also had enough ability to check and balance officers, Zhang Yu would almost have scolded in public. Even so, Zhang Yu still said in a loud voice without anger: "Let you report the situation, you can report the situation well, don't say anything else." ”

When Lu Zhengping heard this, he also felt that he had gone too far. Although the chivalrous heart of the young man in his heart made him want to help those people, but in any case, he still couldn't say the word of letting the insurance group personally participate in the battle. Along the way, Lu Zhengping sped up vigorously, but after thinking carefully about attacking Weizi, Lu Zhengping knew that this was not as simple as he imagined.

When Lu Zhengping reported the situation, Zhou Yisheng didn't dare to say anything, although it was about his family and his fellow villagers. As an old soldier, he did not have the courage to speak out as bravely as a new-style army soldier like the Insurance Corps. The old army was the most hierarchical and the officers did not have the righteous name that could make the soldiers obey at all. Therefore, they should deliberately emphasize the "natural righteousness" of rank. Maintain the operation of the old army through various hierarchical privileges. And such a system makes the soldiers have to obey the will of their superiors when they face things. The soldiers simply did not dare to make their own demands to their commanders. Because they know that it is useless to bring it up.

Pu Guanshui quietly listened to Lu Zhengping's words, and then looked at Zhou Yisheng, who was trembling. He felt very sorry in his heart. As a soldier, Pu Guanshui's ideal relationship between the army is the relationship between Li Guang's famous generals and soldiers in historical records. And reality is a ruthless teacher, Pu Guanshui's military experience made him understand that it was just a legend. In the military education received in Germany, the soldier was only a combat unit to be consumed. In China, even with the existence of the Beiyang New Army, the soldiers are just insignificant pawns in this military group. They only have the obligation to obey, but they have no right to speak. Looking at the heartfelt initiative of the soldiers of the insurance regiment, Pu Guanshui was very envious of Chen Ke for being able to have such autonomous subordinates.

While thinking about it, Pu Guanshui saw Zhang Yu looking at him with a tentative gaze. He didn't say anything to Zhang Yu, but asked Zhou Yisheng, "Yisheng, what are your plans?" ”

Asked by Pu Guanshui, Zhou Yisheng hurriedly said: "Master Pu, I want the military doctor to see my sister." After speaking, he looked at Pu Guanshui with pleading eyes, and his own affairs were the most concerned about him. Zhou Yisheng was already mentally prepared, even if he was beaten and scolded by Pu Guanshui, he would beg until Pu Guanshui agreed. And Pu Xietong is a rare good boss. Zhou Yisheng felt that his request could still be approved by Pu Guanshui. Sure enough, Pu Guanshui nodded, "This is natural, I will send a military doctor over immediately." Apart from treating your sister, does Yisheng have any other ideas? ”

Zhou Yisheng couldn't understand Pu Guanshui's thoughts, he said with some cringe: "As long as I can save my sister and take my brother and sister back to Fengtai County, I have no other ideas." Please make sure the adults are the villains. ”

"Then your fellow villagers go to fight the fence, don't you have any other ideas?" Pu Guanshui asked in a gentle and tentative tone.

Although Pu Guanshui's original intention was to make Zhou Yisheng relaxed, if Zhou Yisheng proposed to help his fellow villagers fight the fence, Pu Guanshui would definitely support Zhou Yisheng's idea. But this tone was already an outright warning to Zhou Yisheng. It was Pu Guanshui who was warning Zhou Yisheng in a gentle way not to put forward any other "excessive ideas".

"My lord, the villain will never dare to trouble you. This time I can come back to save my family, and the villain is already grateful to Dade. Zhou Yisheng hurriedly replied categorically. Honestly, it's not a polite remark. Pu Guanshui didn't let Zhou Yisheng go home, so Zhou Yisheng had to obey orders honestly. Even if it's close to home. Otherwise, the harsh military discipline of the new army would never let Zhou Yisheng go. The Anhui New Army is known as the "New Army", but it is not fundamentally different from other old-fashioned armies.

Hearing this, Puguan's water surface sank like water, his brows furrowed slightly, Lu Zhengping tightened his mouth, and a look of anger appeared on his face. But Zhang Yu felt that this sounded very pleasant. In public and private, Zhang Yu didn't want to save people. Yu Gong, involving the fleet in unnecessary trouble will only affect the plans of the troops. Everyone is in the disaster area, who will save whom? If this Liujiapu is the same as the current Fengtai County, and the situation in Fengtai County is the same as that of Liujiapu, Zhang Yu can be sure first that Liujiapu will never send a boat to Fengtai County to pick up people. As for saving the victims of Fengtai, it would be good if Liujiapu didn't take advantage of the fire to rob.

For private reasons, Zhang Yu believes that although it is natural for a soldier to eat food, the grain, grass and equipment are all raised by the officials, and since the soldiers eat food, it basically belongs to the property of the officials, and it is also natural and righteous to give the officers their lives. If the officers are silent, where is there room for the self-assertion of the soldiers? Zhou Yisheng's attitude of knowing proportions can be used as a model in Zhang Yu's opinion. And Lu Zhengping's mentality is a kind of lawlessness.

"Captain Zhang, I want to talk about something with my brothers in the new army." Pu Guanshui said to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yujue looked at Pu Guanshui's expression, and had already guessed Pu Guanshui's thoughts, and he said with a straight face: "Pu Xietong, my task is to pick up and drop off everyone on time. Don't embarrass me, okay. Seeing that Pu Guanshui didn't speak, Zhang Yu knew that his words did not move Pu Guanshui, and he continued: "Pu Xietong, you were there when you made the plan. If you wanted to help these people at the time, why didn't you just say it at the right time? Moreover, if Brigade Commander Chen wanted to help these victims at that time, with his straightforward nature, he would have brought it up at that time. Now you want to help these victims, but what about the plan? Pu Xietong, you helped the victims of Liujiapu here, do you want to help the victims in the next place? You get it down here and there, do you want to carry out this plan? ”

Pu Guanshui listened to Zhang Yu's words silently, and he only felt an extreme powerlessness in an instant. Zhang Yu was right, if he had saved all the victims everywhere, the original plan would have been too late to be implemented. What's more, Puguanshui himself does not have enough strength to complete these tasks. The government will definitely not be able to pass the exam, and it must rely on the strength of the insurance group. But now the insurance regiment is not under the command of Pu Guanshui at all. The command is in Zhang Yu's hands. If Zhang Yu does not agree, then Pu Guanshui can only rely on the officers and soldiers of the New Army. Are the officers and men of the New Army willing to work hard to break the siege for the people in the disaster area? Pu Guanshui looked at Zhou Yisheng, who was cautious and lowered his head slightly, and basically didn't have any illusions about his psychology.

But even if he could understand the current situation intellectually, there was another voice in Pu Guanshui's chest that was saying something completely different to him. "Why not give it a try? Chen Ke can make such a big deal in Fengtai County, and even defeat natural disasters just by looking at it. Why can't you save the folks of the brothers of the New Army? If you can save the people who committed suicide by throwing themselves into the water along the way, can't you save these people who dare to fight the siege? ”

These words in his heart made Pu Guanshui have a hot thing in his chest, making him restless. Pu Guanshui, who had always been neat and tidy, stood up. His fingers touched the tightly clasped clasp and almost tried to undo it. In order to save China from the hands of foreigners, shouldn't we first save these people from death? But what about people? What about guns? How do you tell your brothers, "You will fight and die for the people?" ”

Zhang Yu stared closely at Pu Guanshui's movements, and saw that Pu Guanshui's face was red and white, but he never spoke. He didn't ask anymore. Zhang Yu was born in a family of small officials, and his family has always taught him how to guess the thoughts of those in high positions. So far, only a few people in high positions in the BJP have not been able to see through it. Zhang Yu can still guess the thoughts of others. As long as the impulse in Pu Guanshui's heart stops, reality will always make Pu Guanshui quiet. At that time, all Pu Guanshui needed was an excuse to convince Pu Guanshui of himself. And this excuse, Zhang Yu has already thought of several things for Pu Guanshui. When the time comes, look at Pu Guanshui's thoughts, take them out one by one and try them, there is always one that can make Pu Guanshui find the steps. Next, Zhang Yu acted exactly according to the plan, just send someone to pick them up.

So Zhang Yu waited quietly and didn't say a word.

"My lord! Please save our folks. A scream suddenly erupted in the venue. It was not Zhou Yisheng who shouted this sentence, but Zhou Yisheng's third brother Zhou Yizheng. After he and his brother were brought here, he never dared to speak. This group of strangers are neatly dressed and have a good complexion, and they have the freedom to see the world. Zhou Yizheng, who had been tortured by hunger for a long time, did not dare to intervene at all. But listening to these people, there are many people who are trying to save the people and trying to help the people lay the fence. Although I don't know what Pu Guanshui's status is in this group of people, it should be very low. Hope immediately sprung up in his heart.

Seeing that Pu Guanshui was about to make a move, he was stopped by another person who was obviously the leader. Zhou Yizheng's heart became cold again. Since the floods, he has struggled with death every day, and he has to see death almost every day. My parents and sister died of hunger, and my sister was dying. Distant relatives, close neighbors, friends, or fellow villagers who can just say hello when they meet each other die one by one. Zhou Yizheng became more and more desperate in his heart, and it seemed that he couldn't hope for self-help. Because of this, Zhou Yizheng is more and more eager for someone to save them.

And Pu Guanshui, who was going to save them, looked more and more ugly, and Zhou Yizheng's intuition was very keenly that Pu Guanshui was ready to give up. If it was before, Zhou Yi would never dare to come to ask for help. He has always been honest, but he never dared to provoke those rich and powerful, let alone the officials of the imperial court. But at this moment, Zhou Yizheng couldn't bear it anymore. He jumped forward and knelt at the feet of Pu Guanshui, hugged Pu Guanshui's legs tightly, and shouted hoarsely, "My lord! Save the folks. My lord! Save the folks. ”

Hearing this cry for help, Pu Guanshui's face turned pale, but he didn't move. Zhou Yizheng shook Pu Guanshui's legs, trying to find words that could convince Pu Guanshui. But he could only repeat over and over again, "My lord! Save the folks. My lord! Save the folks. ”

Zhang Yu stared at Zhou Yizheng, his expression was disgusted. However, the faces of those cadres and soldiers of the reconnaissance brigade were as blue as Pu Guanshui. Everyone gritted their teeth and clenched their fists. Zhou Yisheng saw his eldest brother pleading so desperately, and his face turned pale with fright.

Zhou Yizheng couldn't see everyone's looks at all, he saw Pu Guanshui silent, he only felt that his plea was really unconvincing, but let people help him do things, Zhou Yizheng had nothing to thank at all. Although this man is kind, he has always had a backbone. He suddenly paused and pleaded, raised his head, and said loudly: "My lord, as long as you are willing to save everyone, I will be the first to fight the fence, and I will be the first to die." My lord, let me die first. ”

Pu Guanshui took a deep breath, he grabbed Zhou Yizheng's shoulder, but shouted to Zhou Yisheng: "Zhou Yisheng! ”

Hearing that the deputy commander of the Anhui New Army, the top three senior resident officers in the Anhui New Army, broke off, Zhou Yisheng was so frightened that he knelt on the ground. "Adult......" Zhou Yisheng only felt that his heart almost stopped beating. Looking up at Pu Guanshui's iron-blue face, the eyes that seemed to be burning with flames. His lips trembled, the muscles of his face twitched, and he couldn't speak.

"Zhou Yisheng, you go out and give orders. Let the brothers of the new army assemble. Pu Guanshui commanded loudly.

Zhou Yisheng never knew that an angry person could exude such a violent aura, and that anger made Zhou Yisheng weak and almost collapsed to the ground. The soldiers of this new army have become accustomed to the rules of the Anhui New Army, and the orders of their superiors are heaven, and they must not be disobeyed. Although he also wanted to obey orders, his body could not move at all. An indescribable horror made Zhou Yisheng numb, and the whole person froze there.

Pu Guanshui no longer cared about his subordinates, and he pulled up Zhou Yizheng, who was kneeling on the ground. I don't know if it's because of the unusually large strength under the passionate emotions, or the benefits of Zhou Yizheng's weight loss due to long-term hunger. Pu Guanshui only felt that it was like picking up a chicken, and he dragged Zhou Yizheng up.

"Do you really dare to give me a lead?" Pu Guanshui asked staring at Zhou Yizheng's eyes.

"I dare! I dare! If I don't dare, heaven and earth will be destroyed. Zhou Yizheng replied.

"Very well, follow me." After Pu Guanshui finished speaking, he strode out. Zhou Yizheng looked at the fifth brother who was trembling in place, and wanted to say something, but he didn't say anything, just staggered and followed Pu Guanshui out.

The situation changed dramatically in an instant, which was completely contrary to what Zhang Yu thought, and Zhang Yu was so angry that his face turned pale. He stared closely at Pu Guanshui and Zhou Yizheng's backs. Teeth can't help but gurgle. At this time, I heard someone behind me say: "Captain Zhang, let's also have a party member meeting." ”

The angry Zhang Yu turned his head, but saw that it was Li Zhao, the political commissar of the water detachment, who spoke. I don't know if it's a psychological effect, in Zhang Yu's opinion, the soldiers seem to be moving closer to Li Zhao. Li Zhao, who took two steps forward, seemed to be leading the cadres and soldiers to threaten Zhang Yu at this time.

"Comrades, our task is not to fight the fence." Zhang Yu shouted angrily.

No one answered, and the cadres and soldiers just stared at Zhang Yu and didn't say a word.

Zhang Yu was also very angry, but he was able to be the leader of this detachment and rank at the deputy regiment level. If he did not know the significance and decisive position of the party committee, he would never have been able to sit in this position until now.

With a deep sigh, Zhang Yu finally responded, "Then let's have a meeting!" ”

After speaking, Zhang Yu turned his head and glared at Zhou Yisheng, who was still kneeling on the ground, "Our insurance group has a meeting, you get out of here first." Zhang Yu finally couldn't help but scold.