Chapter 145 Guo Jia and Xun You Arrive in Shouchun County
After getting the reply, Xun You realized that he was too anxious and lost his composure.

He then apologized and left.

Guo Jia pestered Xun Yu for an explanation.

"This is the Xun family's private matter." Xun Yu kept his mouth shut.

Guo Jia had no choice but to say goodbye.

The next day.

Guo Jia came to Xun Yu and asked to join Xun You's team going to Yangzhou.

Xun Yu decisively refused.

Guo Jia didn't understand at all.

Xun Yu had no choice but to tell the real reason: "Zhicai originally had no intention of joining the army, he just went to take a look on my behalf."

"He was forcibly detained by the governor of Yangzhou."

Guo Jia sneered: "Why is he so sincere in joining us now?"

Xun Yu warned, "Anyway, Gongda has the same mission this time, so please don't mess with Fengxiao."

Guo Jia smiled and said, "How does Wen Ruo know what Gong Da is thinking?"

"Who knows, Gongda might want to join us?"

Xun Yu did not comment and said, "What about you?"

Guo Jia was stunned.

Xun Yu patted Guo Jia on the shoulder and said, "You need to think carefully before you decide whether Fengxiao wants to go with you."

"This trip may be one-way."

After saying this, Xun Yu stopped trying to persuade him and went away.

Xun Yu didn't notice that when he left, a perverted red color appeared on Guo Jia's face.

Two days later.

Xun You set out for Jiujiang County with more than twenty clan soldiers who he had trained himself, and Guo Jia also traveled in the convoy.

Along the way, Guo Jia wanted to get more information from Xun You.

But Xun You couldn't say anything meaningful in three sentences. He just kept saying "hmm" or "oh oh", and the conversation would soon die out.

Guo Jia, such an optimistic person, almost became depressed.

Fortunately, Yingchuan County is not far from Jiujiang County, and the closer to Jiujiang County, the fewer bandits there are. The two men arrived in Shouchun County safely.

"This! This is Shouchun County?!"

Guo Jia looked at the lush rice fields outside Shouchun County in shock. How could this look like something that had just experienced war?

At this time, a group of people came out of the city, leading cows and carrying farm tools, as if they were going to farm.

I saw that the twenty or so people in the front were the tallest and strongest but their clothes were ragged, the twenty or so people in the middle were thinner and their clothes were patched, and the last ten people were the best dressed and strong.

This team was very strange, and Guo Jia became curious, so he jumped off the donkey cart and chased after them.

"who!?"

Unexpectedly, the last ten people saw Guo Jia subconsciously set up a defensive circle and pointed various farm tools at the enemy as if they were spears.

Guo Jia's eyes sparkled with wonder, and he praised repeatedly, "Excellent soldiers! Excellent soldiers!"

These ten people were indeed veterans of the Jinmao Army, who could not resist the temptation of farming and chose to engage in agriculture.

However, Guo Jia's strange behavior still alerted the ten people, and the leader of the team gave a look to the other nine.

In the blink of an eye, ten people surrounded Guo Jia: "If you don't reveal your identity, don't blame us for acting as spies and capturing you!"

If Guo Jia hadn't been wearing a Confucian robe, the ten people wouldn't have cared so much and would have just captured him first.

Guo Jia finally reacted and said calmly: "Everyone, I was invited by the governor of Yangzhou to come to Jiujiang County for a meeting. Please inform him."

"Are you the governor's guest?" The officer asked suspiciously, "Do you have any proof?"

Guo Jia calmly pointed in the direction of Xun You and said, "My companion has it."

The sergeant gave a warning to his confidant, and the latter indeed got the pass to Yuzhou from Xun You.

However, none of these ten people could read.

The sergeant asked his trusted confidant to ask the captain of the city gate to check.

The sergeant accompanied Guo Jia. Since they had evidence, there was no need to be on edge, and everyone relaxed.

From a distance, Xun You thought that these people were soldiers who wanted to check their pass documents, so he didn't pay too much attention to them.

However, Guo Jia did not miss this opportunity and started asking questions. No matter how smart the sergeant was, he was just a trained farmer and was no match for Guo Jia. Soon all his secrets were revealed.

It turned out that this team of nearly sixty people was not all of them. There were still one hundred and twenty people who were building a village and farming thirty miles southwest of Shouchun County.

There are more than ten villages like this near Shouchun County alone, and there are also some near the other twelve counties of Jiujiang County. The largest number is near Hefei County, with more than thirty.

There are probably more than 380 villages in total.

Each village is managed by ten veterans with a population ranging from 150 to 550, depending on the veterans' management capabilities.

Among these people, more than one-third were prisoners of war, more than half were refugees, and only a dozen or twenty civilians remained in each village.

One tenth of each village's harvest was divided equally between soldiers and civilians.

Guo Jia quickly figured out that this was an advanced version of the military farming system, and couldn't help but wonder: "Who invented this system?"

The sergeant said proudly: "Of course it was created by the governor!"

"The governor knows everything and can do everything. Let me tell you..."

Once he started talking, the sergeant couldn't stop and began to sing praises for Jin Mao, saying how he single-handedly killed more than a hundred Shanyue people and how he took the enemy's head in the midst of thousands of troops.

It was as if Jinmao was the reincarnation of Overlord Xiang Yu, Bian Que, and Confucius. In short, Jinmao in Shichang's mouth was a synonym for sacredness.

Guo Jia listened patiently and wanted to ask more questions.

The captain of the city gate interrupted at an inopportune moment and asked, "Who is the distinguished guest from Yingchuan County?"

Xun You bowed to the captain of the city gate, and Guo Jia jumped out of the crowd and said, "It's me!"

The captain of the city gate did not dare to neglect and said: "The military advisor has ordered that all distinguished guests from Yingchuan County should be escorted to the county government for an audience."

"Please!"

Just as Guo Jia was about to leave, the sergeant said unhappily, "Sir, I haven't finished yet."

Finally, there was a cultured person who was willing to listen to his bragging. Shi Chang wished he could drag Guo Jia to chat for three days and three nights.

The captain of the city gate said unhappily, "Old Wutou, go and plant your fields!"

The sergeant was not convinced and said, "How can Xiaoliu talk to the old sergeant? If it weren't for me, would you be in this situation today!?"

The captain of the city gate laughed and scolded: "Yes, yes, you are right! If it weren't for you, would I still be the captain of the city gate? I would have been a member of the imperial guards long ago, why would I be eating dust here!"

Everyone laughed.

Only Guo Jia asked curiously, "Personal guards? Are they the personal guards around the governor?"

The captain of the city gate scratched his head and replied, "Yes and no."

Guo Jia bowed and said, "I'd like to hear the details."

The captain of the city gate explained the four major military camps of Jinmao, and finally sighed: "Sir, you don't know, in fact, I would rather be a soldier in the main camp than a captain of this useless city gate."

"But we must obey the Lord's orders. Once this year is over, I'm afraid we will have to distance ourselves from those bastards again."

Guo Jia was even more curious. Other soldiers were all thinking of escaping, but why did they all want to charge into battle here? Were they really all elite?

Fortunately, Xi Zhicai was in Shouchun County, and Guo Jia was ready to ask him some questions.

…Shouchun County, County Government Office.

Xi Zhicai has lost weight recently, and like Kan Ze, he has panda eyes, and his hair seems to be falling out.

Xi Zhicai hasn't received any letter since Xun Yu last wrote to him.

As a good friend, he knew that Xun Yu would definitely not ignore Jin Mao's crazy pursuit. Anyway, he was very jealous now, and he should have added a few more tests at the beginning.

Sure enough, today someone came to report that someone from Yingchuan County had arrived.

Unfortunately, Xi Zhicai was too busy, as if he had returned to the time when he was under Jin Yun's command, and he was always away from home.

Jin Mao was a hands-off boss. After the implementation of the military farming system, he left everything to Xi Zhicai.

Although they are all governed according to the military system, this county has a population of more than 300,000!

It is equivalent to managing an army of more than 300,000. How can this be an easy task?

In less than two months, Xi Zhicai felt like two years had passed. It was so torturous!

After finally finishing this pile of affairs, there is still that pile, ...

Fortunately, the people from Yingchuan County also arrived, and Xi Zhicai took a break from his busy schedule to rest. However, he lost his composure the moment he saw the new people.

"Gongda!"

"And you, boy!"

Xi Zhicai looked around like he was on guard against thieves, stepped forward and grabbed the two of them, quickly dragged them into the house, and complained in a low voice: "Gongda, didn't I warn you in the letter? Why are you still here?"

It’s not that Xi Zhicai wants to betray Jin Mao, but Xi Zhicai is afraid that his good friend will break up with him or even die of depression because of Jin Mao, which is not what he wants to see.

Xun You felt warm in his heart. He had already seen through Xi Zhicai's intention, but he still came.

Xun You not only wanted to see it with his own eyes, but he also had other ideas.

Guo Jia wanted to break free from Xi Zhicai, but was shocked to find that he could not, and was dragged into the county government office before he was released.

"Xi Zhicai, you have changed a lot!" Guo Jia's first words were very irritating: "Jin Yangzhou wants you to work as a farmer? Your hand strength is so strong!"

"That's about right." Xi Zhicai did not deny it, but advised: "Feng Xiao, I think you should go out for a walk. With your current appearance, I can beat ten of you!"

Guo Jia shook his head repeatedly: "Stop teasing!"

"I'm not like you. You're really embarrassing for a scholar!"

Xi Zhicai smiled and said like an older brother: "When I was young like you, I was also so crazy."

Guo Jia immediately retorted: "When I am as old as you, I will definitely stand higher and see farther than you!"

Xi Zhicai did not object and said, "You are right, but that is the only thing I admire you for."

"Hmph!" Guo Jia turned his head and ignored him.

Xun You, who was watching the fun from the sidelines, smiled like an auntie, as if she had returned to the happy times a few years ago.

Xi Zhicai ignored Guo Jia who was pretending to be angry, and turned to Xun You and said, "If Gongda wants to travel, he needs to leave Shouchun County as soon as possible."

"My lord, we will be coming to Shouchun County for an inspection soon. If you don't leave by then, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave."

Xun You was very touched by Xi Zhicai's concern and said, "Thank you, Zhicai."

Xun You was not good at speaking, so he did not tell everyone what he was thinking and chose to follow the advice.

Guo Jia was not happy: "I just don't believe that the Jin governor dares to risk the world's disapproval and imprison scholars!"

"Even the Party Imprisonment has been lifted, but he still dares to offend the nobles of the world?"

Xi Zhicai had a strange expression on his face. He thought of something and went outside to give a special order: "No one within ten feet is allowed to approach."

After returning, Xi Zhicai invited the two to sit down and discuss in detail.

"Fengxiao, you are still so sharp, but you should know that it is easy to break after a while."

Guo Jia was not convinced and said, "You don't need to teach me a lesson. Wait until you can beat me in chess!"

Xi Zhicai shook his head. In the past, when the two of them quarreled, Guo Jia would always say something that benefited himself.

When it comes to playing chess, Xi Zhicai is indeed not as good as Guo Jia, but in other aspects he is not necessarily worse than Guo Jia. It can only be said that they each have their own strengths.

But Xi Zhicai is ten years older than Guo Jia after all!
Moreover, he has been well tempered by Jinmao in the past few years and has become much calmer and more mature. He no longer cares about trivial matters and starts talking about his own experiences.

"If I had refused to obey, I would have really died."

Xi Zhicai said seriously: "My lord has no good feelings towards the noble families!"

"On the contrary, he wants to eradicate the nobles all the time."

"Take Jiujiang County for example."

Xi Zhicai continued, "In fact, you don't have to wait that long to launch the attack. At the beginning, Zu Lang hasn't even left Danyang County yet, and you have the ability to destroy him."

"But the lord did not take action."

Guo Jia bluntly pointed out the loophole in Xi Zhicai's words: "Jin Yangzhou must have his reasons for doing this, don't you see that?"

"First, the enemy army has won victory after victory and their morale is high. If we move forward at this time, we will only cause more casualties!"

"Second, Danyang has always produced elite soldiers. Does that mean the Shanyue in Danyang are inferior? I don't think so."

"Third, the rebel army has suffered setbacks at the hands of the Danyang and Lujiang governors, and their morale has declined. It is a perfect time for Jin Yangzhou to attack now."

"I thought this was from Xi Zhicai, you." Guo Jia sighed, "I didn't expect Jin Yangzhou to be so accurate in seizing the opportunity for battle!"

"One against ten!" Guo Jia exclaimed: "What a remarkable man from Yangzhou!"

Xi Zhicai did not deny it, but broke out even more shocking news: "Feng Xiao, you underestimated my master."

"In this battle, our army suffered more than 2,000 casualties, but in the end, less than 500 of them died or retired!"

"This is where my Lord is most powerful!"

Xi Zhicai said proudly: "The soldiers are brave and fearless, and the people are well fed! In this area of ​​Yangzhou, no one can defeat my lord!"

Now it was Guo Jia's turn to be unable to refute.

Back to the topic.

Xi Zhicai asked, "Fengxiao, do you still think my master doesn't dare to challenge the nobles?"

Guo Jia affirmed: "Jin Yangzhou does not dare to challenge the gentry of the world. He just bullies the Yangzhou gentry because they are weak and powerless."

"Whatever you say." Xi Zhicai mocked, "At least my lord dares to imprison a great talent like you."

"Do you, Guo Fengxiao, want to be imprisoned for the rest of your life?"

"Humph!" Guo Jia said unconvincedly, "I'm just afraid that Jin Yangzhou can't hold me!"

Xi Zhicai shrugged and said, "And I'll help you, lord."

Guo Jia was so angry that he jumped up and shouted, "Xi Zhicai, I will fight you!"

In the past, the two were evenly matched, but now, Xi Zhicai can make Guo Jia obedient with one hand.

"I've already told you, you need to work out more. You look so weak, even worse than a woman."

"Ah!" Guo Jia, who was pressed to the floor, was helpless and furious.

"Okay, stop messing around, both of you."

Xun You stepped in at the right time to mediate: "Zhicai, why are you arguing with Fengxiao? He is just a child."

This made Guo Jia anxious and embarrassed: "Xun Gongda, you did it on purpose!"

"He's tall and strong, but he has a very dark heart!"

Xun You immediately frowned and said, "Zhicai, Fengxiao is unruly and should be punished."

It was a rare occasion to see Xun You joking, and Xi Zhicai could no longer hold back his laughter.

(End of this chapter)