Chapter 763 Accident!

The army's expedition maintained a relatively fast, steady pace. The auxiliary troops on the periphery were able to scout out most of the situation in advance. Moreover, they were barbarians themselves, so traveling across the snowfield was no problem for them at all.

And those responsible for the safety of Zheng Fan's central army tent were always his own people.

This was actually a way of arranging things that self-emasculated combat effectiveness. It seemed stable, but this stability was internal. When resisting shocks from the outside, it would appear relatively weak.

In short, its ability to fight hard battles was worrisome.

But this time, they weren't setting out to fight a hard battle. At least for now, it wasn't as if a barbarian tribe alliance would suddenly appear on the snowfield overnight and unhesitatingly mobilize the young and strong in the tribe to start a war against Marquis Pingxi.

On the contrary, everything the army needed along the way was requested from the nearby tribes.

No tribe was willing to contribute the precious grain and grass they had stored after winter began, but because of the power of the Pingxi Marquis's mansion here, no one dared to disobey.

Back then, Marquis Zheng followed Old Tian with thirty thousand iron cavalry and almost swept across the western snowfield. After that, the Barbarian King stirred up such a big commotion but was suffocated to death by the Yan people in Jin territory. Subsequently, before the Chu campaign, Marquis Zheng and Li Fusheng even played a trick of trapping the barbarians in the city to practice sieges. As for the destruction of the Naiman tribe, it was just a minor episode.

With so many lessons from the past, the leaders of each tribe knew that daring to disobey meant extermination.

The current strength of the Pingxi Marquis's mansion was insufficient to confront the entire snowfield, even if the soldiers were strong and the horses were sturdy. However, the snowfield was like a plate of loose sand, and the Marquis's mansion could really destroy whichever tribe it wanted.

The most ridiculous thing was that the tribal leaders were even more clear that when the blade of the Pingxi Marquis's mansion was against their necks, if they shouted loudly, they could indeed summon many nearby tribes, but they weren't coming to share the same hatred; instead, they were waiting for them to be destroyed so they could divide up their remaining population and the pastures they owned.

The Barbarian King's failure back then came at the cost of the dissipation of the essence of a generation of barbarian clans with foresight and ambition.

However, the army wasn't collecting grain and grass completely without compensation. Instead, they would give rewards. Those who provided tribal warriors and those who provided grain and grass could get corresponding discounts and priority when going to Xuehai Pass to trade next year.

Religious methods were a long-term plan, while economic control was the main method now. The complete pacification of the snowfield was prioritized after Qian and Chu.

As the army advanced further north, the climate and natural conditions naturally began to deteriorate, the density of surrounding tribes became less and less, and at the same time, the extent to which they were influenced by the Xuehai Pass Pingxi Marquis's mansion became weaker and weaker.

Finally, there appeared a tribe that dared to refuse the army's request for grain and even killed two Hailan tribe warriors who had gone to urge the delivery of the grain.

This made Marquis Pingxi extremely happy, and he immediately ordered the army to temporarily station there. At the same time, Liang Cheng led the auxiliary army to launch a campaign against that ignorant tribe.

…

"Father, that tribe refused us, why are you still so happy?"

There was a fire in the marshal's tent, driving away the cold outside.

Tian Tian sat beside Zheng Fan very seriously, asking his question.

This was allowed by Zheng Fan. Along the way, anything about astronomy and geography was fine, local customs and practices didn't matter; he could ask whatever he wanted.

At the same time, Liu Dahu would also listen along.

The Sword Saint was quite happy about this. His stepson's ambition was in the army, and since Tian Wujing went to the west, probably no one in the entire Great Yan was more capable in battle than the Marquis in front of him.

Traveling along the way and providing popular science education, the Sword Saint felt that this was very meaningful for Liu Dahu.

He himself didn't dare to teach; he had tried before, but the result was very tragic.

"The army has been marching for a long time. What you see in the central army is fine because it's my own force, but in reality, they are already feeling anxious.

"The barbarian soldiers on the periphery are even more so. They haven't been disciplined, so their endurance is actually worse.

"The march is boring and arduous. We're about to enter the far north, so we must take this opportunity to let the army loosen up, let the horses run, and let the knives swing.

"Take this opportunity to boost morale."

Tian Tian nodded, and Liu Dahu on the side also seemed to be thoughtful.

At this moment, Zheng Fan reached out and grabbed Tian Tian's hand, stroking the bandaged area on the back of his hand, and sighed with some helplessness.

"Father, it's okay, it doesn't hurt."

The child's hand was burned. He fell in the snow while trying to bring meat soup to Zheng Fan. Mo Wan took action, so only a little of the back of his hand was burned.

However, Zheng Fan didn't ask the child not to do such things again. Tian Tian watched Liu Dahu running around, serving Zheng Fan's daily life as a personal soldier, and he also regarded himself as a "personal soldier," so he naturally had to help out.

The Sword Saint wasn't jealous of this. It was reasonable to serve the master when learning from him.

At this time, Si Niang came in with food, saying:

"Come on, it's time to eat."

Liu Dahu got up and stood in the corner of the marshal's tent.

In a wolf pack, the wolf king is most vulnerable when eating, and the wolves around him will help him keep a close eye on the surroundings. A qualified guard is the same.

Tian Tian also got up and stood there with Liu Dahu. Obviously, this wasn't the first time.

Liu Dahu wore a knife at his waist. The young man could already use a real knife. Tian Tian was still young, so Zheng Fan gave him a dagger, which he could also wear at his waist.

This dagger was naturally not made by Xue San, because that thing was poisonous, and he wouldn't dare let the child play with it.

The Sword Saint could sit down and eat together. He wasn't a member of the army, just Marquis Zheng's personal bodyguard.

The meal was simple. In the middle of winter, nothing was more comfortable than a pot of hot pot maocai (a type of Sichuan street food).

Marquis Zheng asked as he ate:

"Has there been any news from San'er's side?"

"Not yet."

"What about A'Cheng's side?"

"Not yet, but it should be going smoothly. A'Ming took that Kaxier to the front line as well."

The two vampires were obviously going crazy thinking about human blood.

Here, Zheng Fan and the others finished eating, and Liu Dahu and Tian Tian came over to eat.

Although it was the leftover broth, the adults deliberately left more meat in it.

Marquis Zheng got up and walked out of the marshal's tent. The cold wind outside made him feel much refreshed.

Marquis Zheng found a place to sit down at the entrance of the tent. The closer he got to that place, the less fear and worry he felt in his heart. After all, he wasn't coming alone.

On the contrary, he was a little curious about what was waiting for him ahead.

Marquis Zheng reached out, took out the large iron box, and pulled out a cigarette from it.

At this time, a burning wooden stick was moved in front of him; it was Tian Tian holding it.

As his little guard, Tian Tian was also responsible for lighting his cigarettes every day.

"Finished eating?" Zheng Fan asked.

"The child has finished eating."

"Don't eat so fast next time. Gobbling is bad for your stomach. You're still young and growing. Dad brought you out to see the world, not to ruin your health."

"Yes, the child understands."

"You have to protect your body well. If you become a sickly ghost, you won't be able to lead troops like Dad."

"Mhm."

In fact, what Zheng Fan said was nonsense. This child's body was very strong. Marquis Zheng's face was blue from the cold wind during the march, and he even put on some wax to prevent the cold.

But Tian Tian's little face had always been rosy, not the kind of frozen red, but a healthy red with blood.

Why else would he be called a spiritual child, and why else would the Sword Saint couldn't help but want to take him as a disciple?

After lighting the cigarette, Zheng Fan sat outside and smoked slowly.

At this time, someone returned; it was Liang Cheng.

"Master."

"How's the battle?" Zheng Fan asked casually.

It was just a small, ignorant tribe, and it was Liang Cheng who personally led the army. How could there be any trouble?

"It has been captured. Your subordinate found a person and brought him here."

"Oh, who is it?"

"Bring him up."

"Yes."

Soon, an extremely slovenly person was brought up.

At first, Zheng Fan didn't recognize him, but after looking more closely, he discovered that it was actually the monk Kong Yuan.

The monk Kong Yuan was muddleheaded, standing there with dull eyes.

"How could it be such a coincidence?"

"Reporting to the master, it wasn't because of a coincidence. Since last month, that tribe has accepted a full hundred people like this who are muddleheaded.

"They do whatever they are told. If they are told to work, they work. If they are told to eat mud, they eat mud. If you stab them with a knife or burn them with fire, they don't feel pain, let alone dodge.

"Therefore, the leader of this tribe believes that he has received fearless warriors sent by the stars, and that he is protected by the stars. That's why he dared to defy our orders and even killed our people."

"Master Kong Yuan?"

Zheng Fan called out a few times, but the monk Kong Yuan seemed to not hear him at all.

"Sit down," Liang Cheng said.

The monk Kong Yuan sat down.

At this time, Zheng Fan noticed that there were several terrifying scars on his back, indicating that he had suffered extremely serious injuries.

"Does this look like a walking corpse?" Zheng Fan asked Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng was an expert in this area.

"No, he is still a living person. I also caught some people like him, and your subordinate has checked them all. They are indeed living people.

"Your subordinate believes that he has been heavily hypnotized, or his self-awareness has been erased, leaving only the instinct to obey."

"They came from the north?"

"Yes, master."

Zheng Fan immediately straightened up and said:

"This is a mass exodus of the cult!"

The little monk Liaofan had escaped and returned because of his firm Buddhist heart. The monk Kong Yuan and that group of "similar people" had been completely dismissed.

That was a place like a religious altar. They also needed offerings and the support of believers. Now that they had dismissed these "believers," it must mean that they were going to move.

"A'Cheng, you are responsible for guarding the rear. I will lead a thousand cavalry to go ahead."

"Master, wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to go personally?" Liang Cheng asked worriedly.

He knew that the master obviously felt that the main force was too cumbersome and wanted to travel lightly and quickly.

"That's why I asked you to respond in the rear. If I encounter any danger, at least I have something to look forward to, hoping that reinforcements will arrive at the last moment. Only with you leading the rear army can I have this expectation.

"Besides, since they are preparing to run away, what is there to be afraid of? I think the reason why San'er hasn't sent any news back until now is probably because he has already followed them. I have to go and meet him.

"Maybe San'er is also looking forward to me leading the army there. That's great. We are all looking forward to each other, at least there is hope in our hearts.

"This thing is very evil. Whether it's a prediction or not, we can't let it grow."

"Master, your subordinate still doesn't agree with you doing this. You are the commander of an army and cannot be so impulsive. Moreover, the road ahead is vast, and Liaofan's map is also a large area. You are going with these people. How are you going to find it? By luck?"

Zheng Fan smiled when he heard this, pointed to the monk Kong Yuan, and said:

"Do you know why I sent someone to send a letter to this pair of master and disciple on the snowfield to help me find the location of the prediction?"

Marquis Zheng answered himself:

"Because this pair of master and disciple has a very good life, the kind of good that can be seen. Look, the master is stupid, and the disciple is schizophrenic, but neither of them died, right?"

Marquis Zheng pointed to himself again,

Said:

"My life on the battlefield is sometimes particularly bad. This can also be regarded as my confidence.

"Also, if you tell me a few more times that I will definitely not be able to find that thing, I think the probability of me encountering that thing will suddenly become very high."

"……" Liang Cheng.

Zheng Fan no longer hesitated and ordered Liang Cheng: "Get a thousand cavalry ready for me."

"Yes, master." Liang Cheng could only agree.

Immediately,

Zheng Fan walked into the marshal's tent and said to Si Niang: "The matter is urgent, we must pursue immediately. I will personally lead a team of soldiers to meet San'er. Si Niang, you stay in the central army tent to protect..."

Zheng Fan still couldn't say the words "protect Tian Tian".

Because Tian Tian was standing beside Liu Dahu, wearing a dagger and straightening his small chest.

"Tian Tian."

"The child is here!"

"Dad is going to chase the enemy. You stay in the central army tent and protect your aunt."

"The child obeys!"

Zheng Fan's eyes met Si Niang's, and they both understood.

Then, Zheng Fan looked at the Sword Saint:

"Old Yu."

The Sword Saint nodded and walked out with his sword.

As Zheng Fan was about to leave the tent, he saw Tian Tian trot out, took the sachet containing the red stone from his body, and handed it to Zheng Fan:

"Sister, protect Father."

Zheng Fan hesitated for a moment. Perhaps his previous persuasion to Liang Cheng had left some psychological shadow on him, but looking at Tian Tian, he hesitated.

Just then,

The red stone flew up by itself,

Familiar with the route, it flew into the secret compartment inside Zheng Fan's armor.

Since that was the case, Marquis Zheng didn't act pretentious.

With a flick of his cloak,

He walked outside, the Sword Saint following behind him.

"Fan Li, A'Ming, set off with this Marquis."

"Yes, master."

"Master, I'm coming."

Soon,

A team of more than a thousand cavalry separated from the central army and galloped north.

………

At the same time,

On a snowfield in the north,

A dwarf poked his head out of the snow.

Beside him, a group of heads slowly poked out together.

In the distance of the two people's sight, there was a team marching west.

Among them, some people were riding horses, and some were walking.

The most conspicuous thing in the team was something like a large sleigh, pulled by three snow wolves whose physique was no less than war horses.

The sleigh was carrying a large, square block of ice. Obviously, there was something inside the ice, casting shadows under the sunlight.

"Master San, aren't we going to send someone back to inform the Marquis?" Dai Li, Xue San's confidant, asked.

"Inform my ass. We've already deviated from the established route. We don't know where the master and his army are now. How can we inform them? By lighting a beacon fire?"

The snowfield was vast and boundless, but few places were suitable for human survival, so it was truly sparsely populated. This made the transmission of information too difficult.

Marquis Zheng's army was certainly large and powerful, but here, unless you have a large number of scouts spreading out as eyes to search, otherwise, there is a high probability that two large armies will pass each other by while heading in different directions.

Therefore, if you let one or two people go back, whether they can get the message through really depends on luck. Letting too many people go back would waste the existing manpower at hand.

Xue San licked his lips,

His attention had been on that block of ice.

If there were no accidents, his goal this time was that thing.

A prediction,

A true demon king,

How beautiful,

Still lying in the ice,

Hehe,

Very good,

I'll solve you directly before you wake up. Don't blame Master San for not talking about martial ethics.

"Move ahead of time, prepare to ambush in the other party's inevitable path. Everyone, I chose you for this mission because I know you all have wives and children."

"Yes, Master San."

"Yes, Master San."

Xue San nodded,

Said;

"Okay, most of you will probably not be able to return alive from this mission, and your bodies will not be able to be brought back, but don't worry, the Marquis's mansion will take care of your children until they grow up, up to the betrothal gifts and dowry.

"Also,

"Those who want their wives to remarry, raise your hands now so I can see. For the rest, I have defaulted that you are not allowed to remarry your wives. The Marquis's mansion will provide money and food every month."

Everyone looked at each other, and in the end, only two people raised their hands.

Xue San glanced at them and said;

"Understood, now follow my instructions and divide into two teams. I will lead one team to continue staring here. Dai Li, you lead people to set up traps and ambushes ahead. When they come in, directly..."

Xue San's palm fell down,

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a group of people flew out of the snow on both sides of where the distant team was passing, and went straight for the team.

There were many experts among them, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to make such a big noise.

"……" Xue San.

The two groups immediately began to fight.

At this time,

Dai Li asked, "Master San, do we want to rush over too?"

Xue San scolded angrily:

"Are you in such a hurry to let your wife be a widow for you?"

"Uh..." Dai Li.

Xue San silently took out fried noodles from his pocket, stuffed them into his mouth,

Said:

"Eat, watch the show."

——————

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