Due to Song Jin's defeat, the Sichuan, Shaanxi and Xuanfu Guan Ji horses were almost gone. Some of those who escaped the battlefield became deserters, while the rest were mostly incorporated into his own command by Wu Sangui and Zu Dashou.≥,

After the war, the imperial court once again mobilized troops from Henan, Shandong, Jiangbei and other places to go north to strengthen the defense of the capital and Guanning. The Central Plains became increasingly empty, especially in the northwest of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Duke of Chu Liu Jun led the Liaodong army to kill the enemy emperor and defeat the Liaoyang troops and surrounded Chenyang, forcing the Qing army to return to the rescue. This greatly alleviated the situation in Guanning and the capital, but the situation in the northwest became worse and worse.

King of Chuang, Cao Cao and other bandits made a comeback.

During the twelfth lunar month, the river water outside Huangzhou City was flowing quietly. Although the bandits from Sichuan and Shaanxi had not yet entered the two lakes, the air in Hubei seemed to be much more tense, and even the busy wharfs in the past were less popular and noisy.

There are many fewer ships relying on on the river under the pier.

A large sailboat slowly landed. It was a soft sailboat. A year ago, there was no such Western-style sailboat in the Yangtze River, but now, this kind of ship is very common. Just outside Huangzhou City, there is a shipyard with a very large scale that specializes in building such soft sail merchant ships. The shipyard can build ten large merchant ships in a month.

The boat was docked, and Zhangshan came down from the boat. Many people were waiting by the river. The people who greeted were wearing red green official robes, with animal patterns on their chests, and all of them were of high grade.

"Who is this person? Governor Yuan actually welcomes him in person?" The crew members on a cargo ship next to him looked at the man who came down on the ship in surprise. There was nothing special about it, there was no show or official robes on his body.

At this time, the captain came over, looked over there a few times, and then said, "The general who is probably the nine-headed bird is back. Look at this show, it is definitely not the Duke of Chu who has come back. But if the governor is welcomed by himself, he is not the general or the deputy general. Look at that ship, those closed portholes, these cannon windows, so many cannon windows are not ordinary merchant ships, but this is a warship. The followers who looked down again, although they were not wearing military uniforms, their momentum was obviously the soldiers and elites."

"Donald Chu wants to lead the nine-headed bird back?" A crew member said that the situation in the west has become increasingly chaotic for half a year, which has caused people in Hubei to be panic, and even their business of running boats has been much worse. There was news before that the emperor wanted to transfer the tenth town to the north, which was even more uneasy.

Everyone hopes that the Duke of Chu can lead the nine-headed bird's soldiers back, eliminate the bandits, and restore the peace and prosperity of Chu.

"The Duke of Chu is fighting the Tartars in the northeast, and now the Liaohai Sea is frozen. Where can I come back?"

The one who got off the boat was Zhang Shan, the general of Zhenjiang Town, who reported that the court was sick and returned to his hometown for vacation and recuperation. In fact, it was Liu Jun who asked him to come back to control the Tenth Town and secretly pulled the troops in the town.

"Huchen is back. Let's go smoothly." Yuan Jixian, the Governor of Two Lakes and Governor of Hubei, took the lead and greeted Zhang Shan with a smile.

Zhang Shan hurriedly bowed, "I dare not help the supervisor to welcome him, the road was smooth."

Ma Xianglin, the general of the Two Lakes, also came forward. "Brother Zhang has worked hard on the road. I have already booked a banquet in the restaurant in the city. Brother Zhang welcomes you."

Everyone roared and saluted each other. Although Zhang Shan was just a general, he was no longer an official from the Two Lakes, but an official from Liaodong, but an officer from Jiutou, which was extraordinary. Moreover, from Yuan Jixian to Yang Tinglin and other civil and military officials from Liangtou, they were very concerned about the battle situation in Liaodong, and they even wanted to know when Jiutou would return to Hubei.

Zhang Shan got on a carriage and entered the city with a group of officials.

The car was on the road, and Zhang Shan suddenly heard a nursery rhyme coming from outside the car.

"Every family cries the emperor, everyone cries the emperor, and their parents and wives are throwing each other away. You are against you, and I am against you. There are countless people and horses, and you will join Jin and Chu to make trouble in the Central Plains. Revenge, revenge, and revenge, and those who are in the robbery cannot escape their lives. The blood debt is paid with blood. In the end, great officials and nobles are not as good as dogs, and they are disturbed and rush into Youyan."

Zhang Shan's face changed color, and he actually heard such a reactionary nursery rhyme in Huangzhou City.

The other officials also heard the nursery rhyme. When the convoy stopped, the Huangzhou prefect was already frightened and angry, and sent someone up to bring the singing children.

The only one who sang was a group of children, and they were a group of refugees. They all looked yellow and hungry. They were also dressed thinly in the cold lunar month, trembling as cold as they were, and there were two big snots under their noses.

As soon as they asked, the children's panic answer was that someone taught them to sing. The man gave each of them a steamed bun, and let them sing it all over the city after learning it.

"Let these children be let go, they are just innocent children who have been exploited by evil people." Governor Yuan Jixian spoke, and the Huangzhou prefect nodded quickly.

Zhang Shan saw this scene and couldn't help but shake his head secretly.

There are no bandits in Hubei yet, but bandits have already begun to sing these reactionary nursery rhymes to Huangzhou. The situation is indeed getting worse as the governor said.

After the welcoming banquet, Zhang Shan and Ma Xianglin drank tea alone.

Ma Xianglin is not the veteran of Jiutou. He is the son of Qin Liangyu, the general of Sichuan Army. Although he is now the general of the Tenth Town, the Tenth Town was established by Liu Jun. After several reorganizations, the backbone of the Tenth Town is basically the members of the Old Jiutou team. As long as Liu Jun said something, the Tenth Town will definitely listen to Liu Jun more.

"Some more?" Zhang Shan asked him with a smile.

"Okay." Ma Xianglin replied with a smile and pushed the cup forward. He was much older than Zhang Shan. Although he was shot blind in his eyes in his early years, Ma Xianglin seemed more and more brave. However, in front of Zhang Shan, he did not dare to take airs. He had just read the letter written by the Duke of Chu who had been handed over to him by Zhang Shan.

The Duke of Chu said very clearly that Zhang Shan would help him lead the Tenth Town during his return to Chu this time. Although he did not clearly state that Zhang Shan had the final say after the Tenth Town, that was the meaning. Zhang Shan was the sworn brother of the Duke of Chu and the general officer of Zhenjiang Town. This time he was famously said that he was returning to his hometown to recuperate.

But when he saw Zhang Shan's fierce look, he didn't look sick at all. It was obvious that Duke Chu was worried about the Tenth Town and asked him to come back to see him.

Ma Xianglin was not dissatisfied with this.

Not long ago, his mother led Sichuan troops into Liao, and the Duke of Chu sent a large number of artillery support. As a result, the western Liaoning was defeated and the Sichuan army also suffered serious losses.

"Ginseng Oolong Tea, I have never tasted it, it tastes so good. Is this someone participating in Oolong Tea?"

"Well, Liaodong participated in oolong tea, one is a specialty of Changbai Mountain in Liaodong, and the other is a specialty of Wuyi Mountain in Fujian. The high-quality oolong tea is refined with Liaodong old ginseng. It not only retains the mellow aftertaste of oolong, but also adds the nourishing and sweetness of Liaodong old ginseng. It has a refreshing fragrance in the mouth, and produces saliva at the bottom of the tongue, and has endless aftertaste. Now the sales of marine trade exports are excellent."

Zhang Shan picked up the teapot and poured a cup of new tea for Ma Xianglin.

There were only two of them in the living room. "Oolong tea is also produced in Wuyi. The best tea master developed this new tea. Ginseng oolong tea is prepared based on this new tea, which is more popular. Chu State loves to drink this tea."

"It's indeed mellow and sweet, with endless aftertaste." The one-eyed Ma Xianglin picked up the tea cup and took a big sip. He didn't savor the tea as carefully as a literati. Drinking tea was like drinking wine. "Your brother Huchen will have to give me some such good tea in a while."

"No problem. Since Brother Ma likes it too, I'll take a pound later."

"Okay. Thank you, brother." Ma Xianglin took another big sip, and two sips of a cup of new tea were already at the bottom.

"Another cup?" Zhang Shan said.

"It's delicious, then have another drink."

Zhang Shan poured him another cup, pouring it on one side. Zhang Shan said, "Mr. Chu asked me to come back, but in fact he wanted me to help Brother Ma take over the tenth town."

Ma Xianglin looked serious and straightened his body.

"There is no need to say that assistance. Hu Chen, you are the brother of Duke Chu, and the elder of the Nine-Headed Bird. You will be here to take care of the tenth town in the future, and I will help."

"I have other tasks. You are still the general officer of the Tenth Town, but I also have a request." Zhang Shan took a sip himself, "Before he came back, the general told me to tell Brother Ma that the situation in the northwest is changing now, the Central Plains are empty, and there is only the Tenth Town in the two lakes. You should not leave the north and go north easily at this time."

"I listen to Mr. Chu." Ma Xianglin said happily, "In the cold winter, my brothers are unwilling to leave home and go north. Looking back, I will find a few reasons and report to the court."

Zhang Shan nodded, very satisfied. Even if Ma Xianglin refused to cooperate, he was not afraid. There were ways to get back control of the tenth town. But if he was willing to cooperate, it would be better.

"I have another request, which is to hope to temporarily second a group of officers from the Tenth Town."

“How much do you want?”

"If it's convenient, borrow a few bidders, about ten battalions, twenty or thirty company leaders, and then borrow three hundred non-commissioned officers."

Ma Xianglin picked up the teacup and poured it into his mouth, "No problem." Zhang Shan had to borrow so many people at once, and basically he borrowed all the officers of the association. "I think there are many people who need to use, so let's do it. I will directly pick up someone from the association from the tenth town to give you it's more convenient."

Zhang Shan was a little surprised and felt that he had underestimated Ma Xianglin. Although this man was a big and thick man, he was still one-eyed. It made people think he was a reckless man at first sight, but in fact he was obviously a rough and meticulous person with a sharp mind.

He smiled, "If possible, it would be better. Thank you Brother Ma for your support."

"Why are you polite? We are all under Duke Chu. Don't our brothers wear the same military uniform or hold the same flag."

He was telling the truth. Although he was the general officer of the Tenth Town, Liu Jun has been transferred to Liaodong again, in fact, his general officer has limited control over the Tenth Town. First, the general officer of the Chu army was focused on commanding the battle. The training, combat plan, daily management, military logistics, etc. were shared by special officers, and he could not get involved even if he wanted to manage it.

Especially the military and food and pay in the Tenth Town were not responsible for the court, but entirely due to Liu Jun's raising. To put it bluntly, not only were the officers and backbones in the Tenth Town all had nine-headed birds, but the supply of food and pay and pay were also in Liu Jun's hands. Liu Jun supported him, so he was of course the boss of the Tenth Town. If Liu Jun did not support him, he could find someone to replace him at any time.

Zhang Shan borrowed someone and immediately let Ma Xianglin understand Zhang Shan’s plan. This is to recruit soldiers and need backbone elites.

In fact, there are not only the tenth towns in the two lakes. After the other towns in Jiutou Niao went to Liaodong, there were also many soldiers and horses. However, they were all under the banner of village soldiers and militia groups. However, these village soldiers and militia groups were different from other places. They were actually led by officers trained by Liu Jun’s martial arts hall. These village soldiers and militia groups usually guarded the Chu army’s mines, salt fields, military yards, shipyards, banks, shops, etc., and there were not many.

However, if we want to assemble into an army, there will definitely be some officers missing. Ma Xianglin happily lent a cooperative to Zhang Shan, because they are all his own people anyway.

"I won't say much, thank you for your strong support from Brother Ma." Zhang Shan hugged Ma Xianglin, "The day after tomorrow, it's the engagement banquet between me and Mr. Chu, and I'll invite Brother Ma to come and support me!"

"Sure, certain." Ma Xianglin laughed, "Congratulations to Brother Zhang. After Mr. Chu's fourth sister and General Fu got engaged, this sister was left in the family. I heard that the fifth lady is beautiful and generous, and now she has been taken first by Brother Zhang. Congratulations."
Chapter completed!