Chapter 123 Abnormal Behavior
Today's Tongguan is neither steep nor tall.

It is just a fortress at the foot of the mountain, and its overall scale is not as large as that of an ordinary county; but its walls are high, steep, and thick.

Tongguan is just a fortress, not a majestic pass like the Great Wall that connects the mountains and the banks of the Yellow River.

There is more than a mile of flat land to the north of Tongguan, close to the bank of the Yellow River.

Due to the erosion of the Yellow River, these plains will occasionally collapse.

But silt deposition sometimes causes silt to accumulate again, forming fragile riverbank sand embankments.

Precisely because the river bank often changes and the Yellow River floods and erodes during its peak, Tongguan was built close to the foot of the mountain on the south side.

Zhong Yao's convoy was heading west, and halfway there they encountered a group of fleeing Tongguan defenders.

Seeing them from afar, this group of defeated soldiers with shaved heads, no armor or weapons, and only wearing the uniforms of the defenders, took a detour and fled, not daring to come into contact with Zhong Yao.

As we gradually approached Tongguan, we saw groups of people walking on the road from time to time, and all the men had their heads shaved.

Zhong Yao stopped them and asked them, only to find out that these people were from Hongnong. After they produced their identity certificates, Gan Ning, who was stationed in Tongguan, let them pass.

They could not let them go without any reason. After their property, weapons and livestock were confiscated, all the men had their heads shaved.

This harsh condition is a form of screening. Those who shave their heads and leave will sooner or later become a hidden danger if they are forced to stay.

As it was getting dark, Zhong Yao's convoy approached Tongguan with torches.

On the majestic city wall of Tongguan, Gan Ning leaned against a pillar and looked out at the Yellow River, slightly distracted.

After easily capturing Tongguan, Gan Ning fell into a strange state of thought.

For most of his life, he never thought that one day he would be able to lead his troops to Guanzhong.

Just like before he was twenty-four, he had never thought about leaving Yizhou.

"Captain, a convoy has arrived from the east, requesting to enter the city."

Gan Ning came to his senses only after the gatekeeper came to report. He left the pillar and went to the parapet. He looked down and saw more than a dozen torches and about five carriages.

"strangeness."

With a grumble, Gan Ning shouted, "Who is coming?"

Yang Guang rode forward, raised his head and shouted: "The Sili Commander is here, and wants to see General Huya! I am the chief clerk, Yang Guang from Hongnong!"

"Wait."

Gan Ning turned his head and told the officer beside him, "Open the door and go and see for yourself."

The soldiers who were resting near the city wall also took action at this moment, gathering near the parapet, drawing their bows and drawing arrows, and using more than twenty powerful crossbows.

The door slowly opened a crack, and the military officer led a dozen armored soldiers holding torches forward. After checking the seals of Yang Guang and others, they shouted to Gan Ning: "Captain, it's the Captain of the Imperial Guards!"

Other soldiers also checked the vehicle and confirmed that there were no Tibetans.

Gan Ning frowned, not understanding what Zhong Yao wanted to do, and there was no one around him who could recognize Zhong Yao.

After thinking again and again, he said to some military officers who came rushing over after hearing the news: "I don't know who is holding the seal of the Inspector General of the Capital Region under the city, but the commander has ordered me to guard Tongguan, and this place must not be lost."

"Captain, do you mean to not allow entry into the city?"

Now there is a gap in the city gate. If you want the carriage to pass, you have to open it all.

Gan Ning shook his head after hearing this: "No, I don't want to meet this Sili Xiaowei. Send a team of soldiers to escort them to Xinfeng."

"Here."

He wanted to send a fast horse to inform, but it was not safe at night and Gan Ning did not want to take the risk.

Wait until tomorrow to cut down trees, dig trenches on the north side of the city wall, and set up fences. Once all this is done, we can cut off the movement of people at night.

Now there must be someone running to Hongnong at night with packages and family members. Hei Xiong doesn't want to kill anyone, and Gan Ning doesn't want to kill anyone either.

Killing and arresting fleeing people will only increase the atmosphere of terror and cause more people to flee.

What's more, military manpower is precious, and soldiers' physical strength is even more precious.

After Gan Ning made the decision, he selected a mixed infantry of fifty people, assigned three vehicles carrying supplies and five cavalrymen, and then left the city to escort Zhong Yao to Xinfeng.

Zhong Yao didn't even have a bite of water or rice to eat, and just headed west again.

After walking for more than ten miles, the chief clerk Yang Guang sighed and said to Zhong Yao in the carriage: "My lord, please forgive me for not being able to go far."

"Lang Tai has done his best to protect us here. As for you, it is difficult to be both loyal and filial, so you can leave on your own."

Zhong Yao said in a clear voice: "General Huya is brave and fierce. I hope you can cultivate yourself and observe the changes in the situation after you return. Don't fight for temporary benefits and be deceived by the enemy."

"Yes, I will follow your instructions."

Yang Guang dismounted, nailed his lance to the sandy ground, and knelt down in front of Zhong Yao's carriage, saying, "Take care, my lord."

Some officials and guards stepped out, not daring to say a word, but kneeling on the side leaning on their spears and halberds.

Zhong Yao never got out of the carriage. Seeing that no one was moving outside, he said to the driver, "Let's go."

"Yes."

The driver shook the reins, the horses started moving, the wheels rubbed against each other, and the carriage carried Zhong Yao forward.

The fifty men sent by Gan Ning followed behind the caravan, while five knights were in front of the caravan to explore the way, all holding torches.

Signaling early allows people on the road to take shelter early and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Only a small number of Jingzhao's population fled, and these few either hid in the mountains or were from other places. The vast majority of people were still waiting and watching.

In Xinfeng City, shortly after the sun rose, Du Ji was attending a simple funeral.

He had mixed emotions. The small group that had fled eastward on horseback last night was annihilated by Lu Bu, and Zhang Shi, the Jingzhao Yin who was mixed in with them and was protected by layers of defense, was also killed.

Now Zhang Shi's subordinates are organizing the funeral, and it is in line with the current trend for the subordinates and disciples to participate in the mourning.

But Du Ji was very conflicted. In terms of age, friendship and qualifications, he and Zhang Shi were old friends; but in terms of official position, he was Zhang Shi's former official.

Therefore, Du Ji had reason to wear mourning clothes for Zhang Shi.

This is just a small matter. He was really lucky last night. He was ordered to contact Ma Chao, so he went through the north gate and saved his hair and life.

Zhang Shi, who broke through the east gate on a fast horse, lost his head, and Zhang Ji, who was defending the city, lost his hair.

Having saved my hair and head, wearing sackcloth and observing mourning now is really just a small matter.

When Du Ji's stomach growled, several soldiers came to the simple mourning hall and asked, "Where is Jingzhao Yin Gongcao Du Ji?" "Here I am."

Du Ji's steps were weak, and he went out to meet the visitor: "What do you want?"

Ever since he found Zhang Shi’s head yesterday morning, Du Ji had lost his appetite.

Once the mourning period starts, there will be no chance to eat it.

After being hungry for a day and a night, Du Ji was very tired, but the hunger and the funeral procession made it difficult for him to fall asleep.

"You are the Gongcao of Jingzhao and a famous scholar in Guanzhong. You must know Zhong Yao, the lieutenant of Sili."

The visitor explained his purpose: "Now I need you to identify Zhong Yao's identity."

Du Ji swallowed hard after hearing this. The last person who asked him to confirm his identity was Zhang Shi.

Could it be that the Tiger Tooth Army's offensive was so fast that the front line actually broke through Huayin and captured and killed Zhong Yao?
If Zhong Yao were killed in battle, Hedong would change its stance in an instant!

Even if the various parties in Guanzhong can unite their forces to hold the city, the most important thing for Hedong is salt!

Salt that is very cheap to mine and transport!

Guanzhong can get salt from other sources, but the cost is much higher than that produced by Anyi Salt Lake, and the quantity will not be enough!

The salt lake in Hedong is the important link in controlling Guanzhong!
There is no possibility of holding Guanzhong for a long time. If you want to hold it for a long time, you must take Hedong!
Therefore, losing Hedong is equivalent to losing Guanzhong!

Du Ji, who was thinking a lot but looked confused, was led to meet the newcomer Zhong Yao.

When he arrived, Zhong Yao and others were waiting outside the west gate.

Zhong Yao had been without food for almost a day and a night. He looked listless, and his face had lost its luster in the sunlight, as if he had suffered a major setback.

When Du Ji got closer, he found that it was Zhong Yao himself. The two hungry men just looked at each other.

In fact, Zhong Yao did not think much of Du Ji. After Du Ji escaped from Jingzhou, he lacked a livelihood and was appointed Gongcao by his old friend Zhang Shizheng.

It was precisely because of this conscription and the scarcity of scholars in Jingzhao Yin that Du Ji gained a high reputation in the vicinity.

Among the three prefectures in Guanzhong, the one with the smallest population and area is Jingzhao Yin.

However, Du Ji was not comfortable in his position as Gongcao. The longer he spent with his old friend, the more uncomfortable they both felt.

Even so, he was unable to climb up to Zhong Yao's high position.

It’s not that Du Ji lacks talent or fame, but that he is too old.

Especially at my age, I wasn’t well-known in the county when I was young, but now…

There is a strange feeling, as if the rebellion of Li Jue and Guo Si killed all the scholars stronger than Du Ji, which allowed the lucky Du Ji to become the most talented and famous scholar in Jingzhao Yin at present.

At Du Ji's age, it would be difficult for him to make a name for himself in life if he were sent to Yingchuan or Runan.

Zhong Yao looked at the scholars of Guanxi with a certain arrogance. In his eyes, Du Ji was just an ordinary person with good luck.

So much so that at this moment, even when he recognized Du Ji, he still disdainfully said hello.

After all, as a Gongcao, it was very wrong for Du Ji to dare to get upset with his superior, Zhang Shi, his half-lord.

To let people like Du Ji go is equivalent to encouraging other scholars who enter the officialdom to compete with their superiors and half-masters.

In the long run, this will undermine the foundation of the scholar society.

Zhong Yao didn't say anything, and Du Ji wouldn't take the initiative to say hello.

His friend and half-master Zhang Shi had died for his country. Before this, the only one who could restrain Du Ji was Zhang Shi.

Therefore, the Inspector of the Imperial Guard had nothing to do with him, Du Ji, so there was no need for him to extend a personal greeting.

Du Ji could also sense Zhong Yao's contempt. At this moment, he wished he could pry open Zhong Yao's jaw and take a closer look at his teeth, just like a cattle dealer would look at his teeth.

So he pretended to take a look and said to the officials waiting on the side: "It is indeed Zhong Yao from Yingchuan. It is him."

"Well, if this is a false disguise, I will come to take your head later."

The officer in charge of the inspection threatened Zhong Yao and said, "Since there is no mistake, please come into the city for the banquet."

In the car, Zhong Yao's stomach growled, and he covered his mouth with his right hand: "Good."

On the top of the city wall, Black Bear looked at the convoy with lowered eyebrows.

I never expected that Zhong Yao would come to see me.

I couldn't help but worry about the situation in Hongnong and Hedong.

Zhong Yao's abnormal behavior showed that he did not understand the situation deeply enough, so he felt it was abnormal.

This was caused by the disadvantage in intelligence information, but it can also be seen from Zhong Yao's extremely abnormal behavior that Hedong County and Hongnong County were in great danger.

He was also a little distressed and didn't know how to negotiate with Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun and Sun Qian also set out from Nanxiang a few days ago. If there is no rain in Wuguan Road during this period, they will be able to reach Xinfeng in another five or six days.

Should we tell Zhao Yun, who has traveled thousands of miles, that our enemy is Yuan Tan?
Who can be blamed at this time?

Is it because the scholars in Hedong and Hongnong were immoral and surrendered too quickly?

Or should I blame myself for not listening to Ma Chao's advice?

After thinking about it, Black Bear returned to the city wall, waiting for Zhong Yao to come to the banquet, ready to discuss the matter face to face.

One thing is clear, as long as Yuan Tan is still in Hedong, his status will continue to rise.

The two Yuan Tan brothers will try to win over me, and Ma Teng, Zhong Yao and Cao Cao behind them will also try to win over me; Liu Biao and Liu Bei will also try to win over me.

The premise of all this is that you can hold this position, otherwise these people don't mind getting rid of you and replacing you with a reliable person.

Yuan's annexation of Guanlong, like Cao Cao's annexation of Hebei, were both terrifying variables.

With an inexplicable sigh, Black Bear felt that he was becoming more and more like a troublemaker, and more and more like a qualified and stubborn little warlord.

You have to come up with some kind of equilibrium strategy, a bit like the egg dancer.

After a long time, he couldn't help but sigh, regretting that he was not strong enough.

If we can annex Ma Chao's seven or eight thousand men, why would we be afraid of Yuan Tan and the Guanzhong coalition forces?
Even after the annexation, he would be the commander-in-chief of the Guanzhong coalition forces!

(End of this chapter)