After talking for a while, Zhao Dong came back, and at the same time he brought back several leading soldiers, each with a tray in his hand, and brought a lot of dishes to Chai Yan and Cheng Jiu's tables.
Xu Fangzhou said politely: "Master Chai and Commander Hang are both rough food in the military camp. Don't dislike them."
"You're welcome, Lieutenant Xu, this is already a rich meal," Chai Yan said.
Zhao Dong sat down again and said seriously: "Master Chai, the general has just sent his troops out. I think I can pull your carriage back soon after I arrive, so it won't delay my journey."
"Then I have to thank Captain Zhao!" Chai Yan picked up the tea bowl and said, "I'll take tea instead of wine. Thank you both!"
Upon seeing this, Hang Baiqiu also picked up his tea bowl and made a gesture of respect to them.
Xu Fangzhou and Zhao Dong hurriedly picked up their tea bowls and responded. As they talked and laughed, the atmosphere in the room immediately became lively...
While chatting while eating, the topic gradually turned to encircling and suppressing the bandits.
Chai Yan asked: "Captain Xu, I heard a while ago that the soldiers of the Fourth Battalion of Yaozhou Guards successfully besieged Lu Dan and a group of bandits into Lintai Mountain. I wonder how the suppression of the bandits has progressed during these days?"
"
Xu Fangzhou glanced at Zhao Dong and asked: "Master Chai, you came from General Jiang, didn't General Jiang tell you?"
Chai Yan smiled and said: "Oh, I was busy asking General Jiang to write customs clearance documents, so I didn't ask in detail. I originally thought that these bandits were weak and there was nothing to worry about, but today's attack made me
Great change, I didn’t expect these besieged bandits to dare to be so arrogant!”
Chai Yan didn't want to mention what happened at the Beiying garrison.
Xu Fangzhou said: "Master Chai, those rogue bandits are at the end of their rope. They can only use hidden arrows to sneak attack our soldiers. As for other methods, they have no other tricks that can catch their eyes, so Master Chai doesn't have to worry at all! Because in the end, the bandits will
They will end up without food or water, and one day they will obediently come down from the mountain and surrender to us!"
Zhao Dong nodded and said: "Yes, Mr. Chai, Lu Dan and his gang of bandits have been trapped in Lintai Mountain for more than a month by our Yaozhou Guard Camp. Under our tight blockade, they have no supplies except hunting. As long as
We have been insisting on holding on, if they don't surrender, they will only starve to death!"
Xu Fangzhou and Zhao Dong also told Chai Yan that although Lintai Mountain occupies a small area, the terrain is quite complicated. Since Lu Dan and his gang of bandits escaped into the mountains, they have set traps in many places.
Not only did the attack fail, but it also caused a lot of casualties. The Yaozhou Guard Battalion was originally dissatisfied with the establishment, and now there were still casualties. Naturally, Jiang Yongshuang didn't want to go.
Therefore, Jiang Yongshuang temporarily gave up the method of attacking the mountain, and chose to adopt the strategy of surrounding the mountain and attrition, taking advantage of the fact that he had supplies and the rogues did not have supplies, and then consumed them bit by bit!
Hang Baiqiu asked doubtfully: "Two generals, in your opinion, how long will it take to besiege Lintai Mountain before Lu Dan and his gang of thieves can come down and surrender?"
Xu Fangzhou thought for a while and said: "It's hard to say exactly, but I guess it will take at least two or three months..."
Hang Baiqiu said in surprise: "It will take so long? Can't we think of other ways and take the initiative to go into the mountains to destroy them?"
Xu Fangzhou shook his head gently and explained: "Sir Hang, we haven't thought about what you said, but Lu Chen and his group of bandits are too cunning. We have sent troops into the mountains many times to seek battle, but they have all avoided seeing us. There is nothing we can do.
Our troops could not withstand the depletion, so we had to retreat back the same way."
"That's really troublesome!" Chai Yan frowned.
Xu Fangzhou nodded and said: "Who says it's not the case... But it's okay for now. Lu Dang and this group of bandits are already dead in the urn and can no longer rob the villagers. Their demise is just a matter of time!"
"
When Hang Baiqiu talked about rogue bandits plundering the village, he thought of the families of Erwa and Sanmei, and immediately asked about Zhang Mengcun.
But Xu Fangzhou and Zhao Dong had never heard of Zhangmeng Village, let alone the whereabouts of the abducted villagers.
Hang Baiqiu was very disappointed after hearing this. He thought that if the family members of the second son and the third sister were kidnapped and taken into the mountains, there would be little hope of finding them.
Chai Yan saw that the atmosphere was a little low, so he picked up the tea bowl and congratulated: "I hope the two generals can wipe out the bandits as soon as possible and restore a stable world to the people of Yaozhou!"
Hearing this, everyone immediately picked up their tea bowls...
Shortly after finishing the meal, soldiers came from outside to report that Chaiyan and his companions' carriage had been brought back, and the new horses had been selected, reined, and fed with enough fodder.
Chai Yan was very happy and immediately suggested to go take a look. If there was no problem, he would set off immediately and continue on his way.
Before leaving, Chai Yan deliberately left a piece of silver in Old Man Zhang's house while no one was paying attention, as a token of his family's gratitude for hosting him.
When the group returned to the camp gate, the carriage had indeed been restored to its original condition, and the new horses seemed to be in good spirits and endurance.
Without Chai Yan saying anything, Cheng Jiu and Zhang Youde ran to the horse excitedly, looking at and touching it, and seemed very satisfied.
When Chai Yan saw that everyone had agreed, he said: "Listen, everyone, bring everything and get ready to go!"
After saying that, Chai Yan turned to Xu Fangzhou and Zhao Dong and politely clasped his fists to express his gratitude.
After everyone had tidied up, Yu Tie waved his horsewhip, and the carriage slowly started and continued driving south.
Xu Fangzhou and Zhao Dong stood outside the camp gate and waved to each other. They did not return to the camp until the carriage disappeared.
Zhao Dongbian walked away and said: "Xu Xiaowei, do you think Mr. Chai from Wude Division really went to Liu Hongxuan for personal matters?"
Xu Fangzhou thought for a moment and then said: "Maybe it's some personal matters, but I don't believe it's all personal matters..."
Immediately afterwards, Xu Fangzhou asked: "Captain Zhao, have you noticed that Commander Hang?"
Zhao Dong was puzzled and asked: "Xu Xiaowei, is there anything special about her?"
Xu Fangzhou stopped, raised her chin and looked at the sky, and said: "If I remember correctly, Wudesi had a female envoy named Hang before. I forgot her full name, but there was indeed such a person.
, I don’t know what happened later, but the Hang Secretary was dismissed from his post... Colonel Zhao, do you think it was her?"
Zhao Dong wondered: "Xu Lieutenant, if it is her, then she is no longer from the Wude Division. Why is she still coming with this Master Chai?"
"That's why I feel like there's something fishy here. They definitely didn't come just for personal reasons!" Xu Fangzhou became more and more sure as he spoke.
Zhao Dong couldn't figure out what the reason was, so he said: "Xu Xiaowei, let me tell you, let's not think too much about this matter. Anyway, we are just big-ass officials. We usually do our own thing well.
Just don’t let others find fault in it! You’re right?”
Xu Fangzhou smiled helplessly, nodded and said: "That's right, let's just stay safe ourselves and don't give others the chance to find trouble!"
After talking about this topic, Xu Fangzhou asked: "Captain Zhao, where is the body of the bandit?"
Zhao Dong said: "You're in the camp, what's wrong?"
Xu Fangzhou said angrily: "Build a pyre and burn this guy in public to relieve the anger of the injured brothers!"
"Okay!" Zhao Dong felt relieved after hearing this, and went to make arrangements after answering.