Meilong was worried that after Wenpu's troops arrived in Zhengcheng, Xuanyuan Shao would take him and replace him, but Wenpu had no intention of thinking so much at this time.

What he needs to solve the most now is the food and clothing problem of his subordinates.

Tens of thousands of troops fell apart, and there were only more than 3,000 people who followed him, most of them were guards. The rest were originally affiliated with the Hexi Army. When they retreated, almost all the Hexi Army had dispersed, and there were only more than 1,000 people left. Perhaps they did not know where to go, so they retreated to Hujin with Wenpu.

From top to bottom, everyone's heart is extremely heavy.

After entering Hujin, he received Meilong's order and temporarily stationed outside Wuyang County. Wuyang County is a small county in northern Hujin. He barely put up some tents to send it out, and even the food was squeezed out from his teeth.

Wenpu thought that after retreating to Hujin, he would go to Zhengcheng soon, rest and make plans, but when he entered Hujin, he was not as he thought. He could not even walk around in Hujin.

He was quite annoyed. Both food and accommodation were extremely difficult. In order to prevent disturbing the people, three thousand soldiers could not even enter the city to rest. The most dazzling guards army, which was once the empire, now stayed outside the city like beggars, relying on the city to live on alms. Even so, the food rations were still a while, and sometimes they could not even have a full meal at the end of the day.

All the soldiers under his command were very angry. Many people even suggested rushing into the city and asking the city officials to force food, but Wenpu firmly stopped it.

After all, the Guards were elites of the empire and had their own pride. If they rushed into the county, they would undoubtedly be with the bandits, and even suspected of rebellion.

The cold wind was cold, but the army was already confused about the future. The soldiers of Hexi who came with Wenpu wanted to follow Wenpu, even if they had no rewards, they could always have enough food and clothing. However, after a while outside the city, these people knew that this was just a dream. The small county town had limited storage and lacked resources. It was really difficult to support three thousand soldiers and horses. Even those two thousand war horses were consumed a great problem every day.

In the cold winter, even people's meals were a problem, not to mention horses. Most of the war horses were exhausted and could not stand up on the ground. Some soldiers in Hexi were too hungry to bear it. They secretly slaughtered a war horse. Wenpu learned that he immediately ordered the person who was the leader to be killed, and the others all beat dozens of military sticks.

Wenpu is the purest soldier and a cavalryman. His feelings for war horses were extraordinary, and he could not tolerate soldiers slaughtering war horses and eating them.

Although people were sent to the city several times to find the county magistrate to ask for military and food, at the beginning, the magistrate in the city was afraid of the status of the guards and personally raised food in the city. However, later, the magistrate found various excuses to delay, but in the past few days, he had disappeared and could not even find anyone.

Wenpu actually knew very well that the previous mobilization of recruitment in Hujin had already recruited food and grass in Hujin. It can be said that it had reached the point of fishing in the waters. Naturally, this county town has also collected a lot. Now it is impossible to support the food and drink of 3,000 soldiers. But at this time, besides finding a place to ask for food, where can we go?

Wenpu's military rules were strict. Although he reached this point, he still adhered to strict military rules. Of course, his soldiers did not dare to steal and rob, so soldiers began to escape secretly in the army, mainly Hexi soldiers who came with the team. They followed him, just to eat food, but now there is no food to eat, so there is no need to stay.

Wenpu was helpless to those soldiers who fled without permission, so he simply turned a blind eye. If anyone was willing to leave, he would not stop him. In just a few days, hundreds of people had left, leaving only more than two thousand soldiers.

Wenpu also sent someone to Zhengcheng to inquire about the situation, but the reply he received was always preparing, so he was not impatient.

Just when Wenpu's patience was about to be worn out, the people sent by Xuanyuan Shao finally arrived and asked Wenpu to lead his troops to set off for Zhengcheng.

Wen Pu breathed a sigh of relief, but then he thought that it would take at least four or five days along the way from Wuyang to Zhengcheng, and the food on hand was not enough to support four or five days.

In desperation, Wenpu could only go to the county town in person to find the county magistrate to ask for food. The Wuyang County Magistrate was still missing as usual, and there was no grain in the county government warehouse.

Wenpu had no choice but to distribute the food that could barely support one day, hoping to grit his teeth and survive to Zhengcheng.

The entire army was invaded, and the roads in Hujin were rugged and could not walk many roads a day. The most important thing was that there were checkpoints in all major roads in Hujin, and soldiers were sent to guard them. Every time they passed the pass, they could not pass smoothly, and it took a lot of time.

Fortunately, the soldiers guarding the level did not dare to really stop it. They just checked and confirmed the identities of Wenpu and the Guards, and then let them go.

The Guards could not eat well and sleep well, and suffered difficulties along the way, and they all felt a little angry.

At dusk that day, the guards were exhausted and walked on the rugged road in Hujin, but heard the sound of horse hooves coming from the front. Wenpu came forward, but he heard someone shouting, "Where is General Wen?"

Wenpu said in a deep voice: "Wenpu is here, who are you?"

The visitor was wearing official uniforms. When he saw Wen Pu, he rolled down from the horse and bowed from a distance: "General Wen, you have worked hard all the way. The subordinate is Zhang Xian, the head of the Ministry of War of Hujin. An emergency military order is sent over!"

Wenpu frowned, but Zhang Xian came forward on the snow and took the official and handed it over. Wenpu took it and opened it and glanced, frowned and said, "Transfer troops to Pearl Ridge? Where is this Pearl Ridge?"

Zhang Xian raised his hand and pointed to the northwest: "It's only a day away from here, and it's the key to guarding the northwest direction."

"Governor Mei asked me to dispatch troops to Pearl Ridge, why didn't I send someone here earlier?" Wenpu said unhappily: "We have been walking for two or three days. Isn't this going back to the wrong way?"

"The officials have already rushed over as fast as possible." Zhang Xian smiled bitterly: "Originally, Governor Mei and Commander Xuanyuan have already discussed and asked General Wen and his soldiers to go to Zhengcheng for rest. For this reason, they have even prepared the military camp. However, just as Commander Xuanyuan sent people, we received news that Chu Huan's Northwest Army had already shown signs of going south. Once they went south, they would definitely pass through Pearl Hill!"

Wenpu was stunned, then frowned and said, "So quickly?"

"I think Chu Huan is worried that the longer the time will be delayed, the more fully prepared Hujin will be." Zhang Xian sneered: "The main force of Hujin is mostly deployed on the southern line to resist Hebei rebels. So, Mei Du didn't expect Hexi to be realized so soon, so the defenders in Pearl Ridge are very weak, and many of them are newly recruited troops and have no practical experience!"

Wenpu asked, "What does Commander Xuanyuan and Mei Governor mean, but let me go all my troops to Pearl Ridge?"

"There's no need." Zhang Xian smiled and said: "Pearl Ridge is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It's more than enough to deploy a thousand and eight hundred people. Now there are two hundred soldiers there, and there are seven or eight hundred people there, which is a shame."

Wen Pu pondered slightly, picked up the document and looked carefully, and then said, "This is just asking me to send troops to reinforce Pearl Ridge, and there is no mention of division of troops!"

"General Wen, it's really not to be hiding. On the other side of the southern line, the rioters under the Qingtian King were already ready to move. Just a few days ago, they had already tried to fight here!" Zhang Xian shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Now Hujin is in danger. There is Qingtian King in the south and Chu Huan in the north. If you really want to rest, I'm afraid there is no time. Compared to the many dangerous passes in the north that can be stationed, the situation in the south is much more severe. Therefore, although General Wen is asked to go to Zhengcheng to rest, it will take a few days to let General Wen lead his troops to the southern line and prepare to fight against the Qingtian King!"

"So that's it." Wenpu also sighed: "It's my duty to wipe out the traitors. There's nothing to say. I'm ready to go into battle at any time. Lord Zhang, I wonder if the emperor is good now?"

Zhang Xian looked around and approached Wen Pu, lowered his voice and said, "General Xuanyuan originally told him not to speak much outside, but since General Wen asked, the subordinates dared not hide it. The emperor had something to do with great things, but now he is not in Zhengcheng. However, the emperor will arrive soon after the emperor's intention of General Xuanyuan."

Wenpu showed a worried look, nodded slightly, and then said in a deep voice: "Yuan Yinglong!"

A general from behind came immediately and bowed, "General!"

"You lead 800 men to Pearl Hill immediately to reinforce the defenders there." Wen Pu said: "The Northwest Army is ready to go south to attack Hujin. Be sure to defend Pearl Hill and not let the Northwest Army go further." Then he asked Zhang Xian: "Mr. Zhang, after Yuan Yinglong arrives there, who will belong to the military power?"

Zhang Xian immediately said: "Governor Mei has an order. After the Guards arrive, all military affairs will be commanded by the Guards. The hundreds of soldiers from Pearl Ridge will assist in the guards." He also said: "Governor Mei means that General Wen can send a general who is good at defending to guard Pearl Ridge."

"Yuan Yinglong is enough to take on this position."

"That's good, that's good!" Zhang Xian bowed to Yuan Yinglong and said, "It's all for you to do, General Yuan!"

Yuan Yinglong asked: "It is unavoidable to guard the pass, but there are some things to say ahead. Are the food and equipment in Pearl Ridge sufficient? Don't let your brothers stay hungry at that time!"

"Don't worry, General Yuan, in fact, Hujin's money and grain are mainly allocated to important passes. Pearl Hill is the top priority and can be regarded as the northwest gateway to Hujin. The food and grass there can last at least two months. In addition, the other end of Zhengcheng is still trying its best to prepare, so General Yuan will never have any worries!"
Chapter completed!