Return of the Swallow

In the winter morning, the morning sun was not very hot, and the distant mountains and wastelands were all gray. One hundred thousand soldiers of the Confederate Army had already assembled, with flags flying and solemn looks. The mighty troops seemed to have gathered into a vast ocean, with no end in sight.

What surprised Qin Yining and Pang Xiao the most was that nearly a thousand strong men gathered right next to the city gate. They were armed with hoes, shovels, door bolts and other items, and each of them was carrying simple burdens. As soon as they saw the carriage leaving the city gate, they all looked over with expectant eyes.

Yun Yancai had been in front of the city gate for a long time, and he quickly came to the carriage: "Your Majesty, these 961 men came here specially when they heard three days ago that Your Majesty was going to lead the Pingnan army to the capital. I plan to join the prince’s team and go north together.”

Pang Xiao raised his eyebrows in surprise, lowered the car curtain, patted Qin Yining's hand and got out of the car.

Advisors such as Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi also got off the carriage at this time and followed Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao raised his hands and dispersed in a deep voice: "Fellow fellows, the Tatar war is tense. I am marching to the capital for King Qin. There will be a bloody battle with the Tatars. There are no swords on the battlefield, and the cruelty is far beyond your imagination. , you will most likely die because of this, and when it comes to the battlefield, I cannot guarantee everyone’s safety, so please go back.”

"Your Majesty!" A man who was over 10 years old stood up and said loudly. "We all have to eat the food bought by the prince to survive. Without the prince, our lives would have been long gone. Now that the Tatars are bullying us, there is no reason for the prince to lead his people to fight for their lives, but we can live a peaceful life at home." "

"Exactly." Another young man in his early twenties with a handsome appearance said, "The national crisis is facing us, and it is when we need manpower. Although we are untouchables, we understand what the great Zhou Dynasty will be like if it falls into the hands of foreigners. Such a situation. We are willing to do our best for the Han people. Please also ask the prince to fulfill his wish."

The two men started, and more than 900 people immediately echoed loudly. The roars of the crowd echoed in front of the city gate, and even the Pingnan army assembled in the distance led by Commander Feng was shocked.

It was said that Pang Xiao raised money by himself to buy grain and grass to feed the people, and some people secretly mocked Pang Xiao for being foolish. But today's shocking scene just proves that his efforts have paid off.

The people are simple and honest. They are willing to follow Pang Xiao today. Perhaps they are not willing to join the army and receive military pay. This is understandable and humane. Whether it is because they know how to repay their kindness or because of their patriotism, they are all admirable.

When the national crisis hits, we don’t see the rich and powerful coming forward, but ordinary people are the ones who really stand up. It's really touching.

The pawns saluted and thanked them gratefully. After repeated inquiries, it was confirmed that these people were indeed determined to join King Qin's army, and Pang Xiao discussed it with Commander Feng.

These untrained recruits who had never seen the battlefield were incorporated into the Pingnan Army.

One hundred thousand people set out for the capital. The team was huge and spectacular as you can imagine, but the most important thing was how to raise food and grass after the famine.

After leaving the old capital, Pang Xiao returned to the carriage, feeling a little more melancholy on his brows.

Qin Yining handed him the water bag: "Drink some hot water."

Pang Xiao hurriedly took it and said with a smile: "How do you feel? Do you think it's okay?"

Qin Yining smiled, "Of course I'm fine. I didn't do anything along the way. I just watched the excitement in the carriage. What's wrong with it?"

Moving closer to Pang Xiao, Qin Yining asked with a smile: "Are you worried about having to eat with so many mouths?"

Pang Xiao nodded and said honestly: "The soldiers and horses have not yet moved the food and grass. Although I have ordered people to buy it in advance. But firstly, we don't have enough money, and secondly, a lot of food reserves have been used up in the previous disaster relief." , now we have to feed one hundred thousand people, and the court does not have to pay for it, it is really a huge expense."

The phoenix eyes looked at Qin Yining and turned into a smile in an instant: "Okay, don't think too much about these things. Just focus on having a good life and taking care of yourself. It's enough to give birth to children safely in the future. Don't worry, these matters of the court I will try my best to deal with it.”

Qin Yining took his hand and shook it, thinking for a moment and suddenly burst into laughter.

Seeing her smiling like this, Pang Xiao couldn't help but laugh too. He put his arm around her waist and let her lean against him: "Why are you suddenly so happy? Did you think of something funny?"

"Indeed, I have a way to raise food and grass, but this method is a bit unsound."

Pang Xiao raised his eyebrows curiously, "Have you come up with any good ideas?"

Qin Yining leaned close to Pang Xiao's ear and whispered his method.

The more Pang Xiao listened, the brighter his eyes became. When Qin Yining told him all his plans, he couldn't help laughing.

"Little girl, thank you for coming up with such a way. Now we don't have to worry about food and grass."

Qin Yining was startled: "I was forced to do this, and it was not a solution. Although it is a bit despicable, it can still solve the urgent need."

"Things like conspiracy are not despicable. If we were in another position, that person would not be tolerant to us. Maybe he would be more outrageous than what we did."

"Do you think my method is feasible?"

"Of course." Pang Xiao scratched the tip of her nose with his finger and said with a smile: "Don't worry, this method is easy to do. I will order people to do it now. Let's not follow the team. I will let Commander Feng do it later. We are responsible for holding down the formation, so we will go ahead to prepare food and fodder, and make all preparations to avoid everyone being hungry and disrupting the morale of the army."

Qin Yining also nodded, "That's what I mean. It's a good thing for us to take the first step. When everything is ready, we won't be in a hurry."

Pang Xiao discussed it with Qin Yining in a low voice, and after confirming that it was correct, he got out of the car and went to look for Xie Yue, Xu Weizhi and other counselors.

When the counselors heard this idea, they couldn't help but relax their frowns, and they laughed together.

"Princess Kui has come up with such a method. Well, I think this method is excellent."

"That's right. In fact, we are not spreading rumors. We are telling the truth that the people want to know."

"Very good, then let's arrange for someone to go."

Huzi took out a blue-covered book from his arms, flipped through it, and said with a smile: "I found it. The first place we passed was Jiuhe County. There is a wealthy family here named Xie, and his family is very large. It can be said that everyone in the county is related to the Xie family, and those with other surnames are very envious of the Xie family."

"Actually, the most difficult thing to do is a place like this that is united, but the easiest thing to do is also a place like this." Xu Weizhi said with a smile, "With such unity, it is natural for a hundred people to respond. In addition, such a big family can operate like this. The situation is really not easy. No one wants the family inheritance to be cut off in their own hands, so if the clan leader calls for it, it will be easier for the other families."

Xie Yue and others nodded repeatedly, and then looked at Hu Zi.

Xie Yue praised: "Thank you for your detailed records."

Huzi scratched his head and said with a smile, "I was also afraid that the information about these people would be useful in the future, and to prevent any of them from defaulting on their debts, so during the transaction, in addition to keeping accounts, I also investigated the wealthy households in various places who had sold food to us. After a while, I can’t do anything about those mountains in the north where the mountains are high and the roads are far away.”

Pang Xiao patted Huzi on the shoulder with appreciation, "Thanks to your cleverness. This matter was done very well."

After everyone agreed, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining left the Pingnan Army and went straight to Jiuhe County.

Pang Xiao was here to provide disaster relief. Now that the disaster has eased, the local magistrate and the people have also become closer to each other because of this natural disaster. Everyone is now frugal and just looking forward to getting through this winter. It will be fine during the spring plowing season.

Everyone was always grateful to Pang Xiao, so when Pang Xiao and his party passed by here, even if they didn't enter the city, they were still seen by the people passing by outside the city. Everyone spread the word, and everyone knew that Pang Xiao passed by here with his family. He didn't want to enter the city and disturb the people, so he temporarily stationed outside the city.

The people now have nothing to offer, but their gratitude has not been affected at all.

As soon as Pang Xiao and his party stopped setting up tents, a lot of people came out from the city gate. When they saw Pang Xiao, they all saluted. Some people took out the rice relief they had received and invited Pang Xiao and his party. People ate them, and some even went directly to help the Jinghu Guards build tents.

Pang Xiao watched these people trying their best to do something for themselves, and felt warm in his heart, as if all the pain and anxiety were worth it.

"Your Majesty, is the disaster relief in the south over?" Some people met Pang Xiao and found that he was easy-going, so they had the courage to come and chat with him.

Pang Xiao smiled and said: "The relief work in the south is not over yet, but now the Tatars are marching straight in and are about to hit the capital. The Holy One has issued an order for soldiers and horses from all over the country to come to Beijing to serve the king. It is for this reason that I brought the Pingnan Army back to the capital."

As soon as they heard that the Tatars had arrived in the capital, the people became panicked again.

"What will happen to us if the Tatars win?" a woman asked the people around her worriedly.

The man's face was pale and he just shook his head and said: "That's not good. I'm afraid we have no way to survive. The Tatars' customs are different from ours. Are they going to enslave us like livestock?"

Everyone has heard about what the Tatars have done in recent years, and they were shocked and angry for a while.

Seeing that everyone had finished chatting, Pang Xiao said: "Don't worry too much, everyone. Your Majesty is wise, powerful and decisive in dealing with things. He will definitely be able to resolve this crisis. The Pingnan Army of 100,000 people led by this king is enough to make the situation clear." The Tatars drank a pot."

The people couldn't help laughing after hearing this, and their tense moods became cheerful.

However, some young people looked at Pang Xiao with bright eyes and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, we also want to follow you to fight the Tatars."

A young man of thirteen or fourteen asked bluntly: "My lord, if I follow you to fight the Tartars, can I get food and salary?"

Pang Xiao said with a smile: "Of course we have to eat. The treasury is empty, and the Holy One has taken over a mess. Fortunately, the Holy One cares about the people. Even if the capital is temporarily tight, it will be short-lived. Once the current problem is solved, all problems will be solved. It’s easy to solve.”