At the end of the summer harvest, the fields near Bianjing had already finished harvesting. Therefore, on this endless plain, between the fields, and on the several parallel official roads, there were densely packed troops.

There were many people watching from far and near in the fields. Seeing this grand scene, they immediately went home and locked the doors and windows, not daring to be too eager.

In some villages, food and wine have been prepared for a long time. A few skinny old men guarded two thin black pigs, looking forward to this huge army. Not only were their eyes filled with sorrow, but they were not happy.

In such a place with good sightlines, the marching scene is very conspicuous.

Except for the escort troops who were on duty on the road, most of the people were not so orderly and coercive, because everyone went out to march and camp with a lot of things.

People led mules and horses to carry things, and behind the army there were many civilians pushing wheelbarrows and driving donkey carts. They were all sallow and skinny, wearing straw sandals, working voluntarily. They traveled thousands of miles to Guanzhong. After a trip, they were exhausted.

In addition, diseases and acclimatization can consume nearly 30% of the civilian population.

Except for those senior generals, not many soldiers like this kind of long journey. They are disgraced, the sun is shining brightly in the sky, and it is unbearably hot. After walking for a long time, their lips are chapped, and sweat is flowing all over their bodies. It is really unbearable.

If the team wasn't very orderly and there were flags everywhere, it would have looked more like a large group of people fleeing the desert.

"Bah -" Wang Quanbin was riding on his horse, looking up at the sun in the sky, lowering his head and spitting. His mouth felt dry and his face hurt from the sun.

He casually took out the water bag from the horse's back, took a hearty sip, and then sighed:

"I have been unlucky for eight lifetimes before I encountered such an errand."

"Go, get all the meat and vegetables, pay the money, and stop tormenting the people!"

He casually took out a few pennies from his horse and threw them to his bodyguards. Looking at the sunken old man, Wang Quanbin really couldn't bear it and casually gave instructions.

"Nuo——" The guard immediately caught the money and rode away.

Wang Quanbin could even see the amazement and disbelief in the eyes of the old men, as well as the rickety backs of those old men who bowed down.

Wang Quanbin was from Taiyuan. As early as the Later Tang Dynasty, he was favored by Li Cunxu as a personal guard. When the rebels invaded the palace, all the nearby generals abandoned their armor and fled. Only Wang Quanbin, Fu Yanqing and a dozen other people resisted in the palace.

.

Li Cunxu was hit by a stray arrow, and Wang Quanbin and others helped him to Jiangxiao Hall. When he died, Wang Quanbin cried bitterly and left.

After that, he followed Xiang Gong to pacify Qin and Feng, so he also served as the training envoy of Sizhou regiment.

He also followed Guo Rong to pacify Huainan and recover Waqiao Pass.

In the first year of Jianlong (960), Li Yun, the governor of the Zhaoyi Army, occupied Luzhou and rebelled. Wang Quanbin and Murong Yanzhao joined the army from the east road to attack, and were awarded the title of Jiedu of the Anguo Army for their military exploits.

After that, he invaded the Northern Han Dynasty and took thousands of people captive before returning.

Because he has been engaged in the lucrative profession of being a soldier for generations and comes from a general family, Wang Quanbin is different from other greedy generals. Instead, he values ​​wealth over people, does not seek reputation, is tolerant and tolerant, and all soldiers are willing to serve him.

Very popular with the military.

Because of his rich experience and age (55 years old), he was much older than Zhao Kuangyin's brothers and the generals of the Forbidden Army, and his qualifications were senior, so he was able to subdue the generals.

Therefore, while people were sitting at home, the pot came from the sky. Wang Quanbin, who had been serving the country diligently, got the good job of conquering Shu.

As the military envoy of the Zhongwu Army and deployed to Fengzhou Road in Xichuan, he went south to conquer Hou Shu.

Originally he wanted to enjoy his old age in peace, but in the end he had to do such a job, Wang Quanbin was really tired of it.

At the age of fifty-five, he was marching south to Shu and traveling a long distance. If he was not careful, he might die. It was really not a good job.

If the conquest of Shu is really completed, he will have to enjoy suspicion again and will not be able to secure his old age.

It's difficult, it's difficult.

"After traveling for many days, where did we reach?" Wang Quanbin asked.

"Reporting to the commander-in-chief, the front is Luoyang."

"Luoyang, a great place!" When Wang Quanbin heard this place, he immediately thought of his old superior, Duke Qiao, Henan Yin Xiangxun, also known as Xiang Gong.

Looking at the withering scene along the way, he couldn't help but feel filled with emotion.

In recent years, the population of the Central Plains has been depleted by war. When the government was at its clearest and the Ming Dynasty was the clearest, the number of registered households was less than one million. However, mainly relying on Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Huaibei and other places, the states maintained more than 100,000 forbidden troops and no less than 200,000 towns.

Soldiers, hundreds of thousands of banned soldiers, or even no production at all, all rely on the national treasury to support them.

Luoyang, once the ancient capital, now has a desolate scene, sparsely populated, the city walls have not been repaired for many years, and the soldiers and armor are incomplete, which is really strange.

"I've met Duke Qiao!" Looking at the lazy-looking Xiang Xun, Wang Quanbin couldn't imagine that this was his old friend who was suave, cunning, brave and resolute. Looking at this lonely scene in Luoyang, he

Stayed.

"I haven't seen you for many days, Wang Shijun. I miss you so much!" Xiang Xun laughed, wearing a loose robe, and welcomed Wang Quanbin in.

Entering his mansion, walking along the pavilions, terraces, pavilions and corridors, the maids he saw were all charming, with bright eyes, white teeth, and sideways glances.

"Why did the Duke come to this?" Wang Quanbin looked in disbelief.

Once upon a time, Xiang Xun was the Yin of Henan and stayed in Luoyang. He was very high-spirited and the princes of the region had outstanding achievements. The whole court had never doubted him. He was extremely trustworthy and both the government and the public were convinced.

Nowadays, he indulges in prostitution and travels as he pleases, how can he have the magnificence of a prince?

"Hey, it's hard to explain in words." Xiang Xun drank a glass of wine, sighed, and said: "Since the founding of the new dynasty, political affairs of a certain company have been entrusted to guests. On weekdays, they just plant bamboo trees, escort prostitutes to night tours, and chat.

Just **."

"Nowadays, a certain big man buys a garden and a house, indulges in drinking and sex, and the government affairs are neglected because of this. In Luoyang City, there are even thieves plundering during the day, and the officials are helpless. Therefore, the Luoyang in the eyes of the princes has no trace of the style of the Western Capital.

Not as good as Bianjing."

"When the time is right, someone will definitely impeach me, and I will be able to step down naturally."

Hearing this, Wang Quanbin was shocked, his face changed unpredictably, red and white intertwined, which was extremely wonderful.

Being so self-effacing, the taboo is so big.

"Has the Duke gone too far?" Wang Quanbin said softly.

"Passed? Where?" Xiang Xun smiled and said: "I am just learning from the ancients. In the new dynasty, I wait for the old generals. This is the only way to survive."

"Besides, even the emperor's sworn brothers have gone to the frontier fortress, what can we do? Sitting in this position, I can't sleep or eat well. I can only drink to relieve my sorrow. I look forward to the imperial censor impeaching me all day long, so that I can relax.

Some."
Chapter completed!