Chapter Forty-Five Ambushed

  "Tai Gong has arrived." Yang Yan said in a low voice. Xu Wei only then noticed that the old man was standing under the bridge, staring at him.

  "Brother Jiu, we are brothers who share the same hardships." Yang Yan said this sentence for some reason, and after finishing, he bowed to him before leaving. Since arriving in this era, Xu Wei had never called Xu Taigong by his title, and now was no exception. Holding a wine jug, he forced a smile and said: "How did you come here? This is a military camp, you can't enter without permission."

  If it were in the past, Mr. Xu would have definitely scolded him for saying that, but this time he was somewhat taken aback. He slowly stepped onto the bridge and stood shoulder to shoulder with his son, silent for a moment before speaking in a slightly hoarse voice: "Your fourth brother sent me a letter, asking me to keep you here no matter what. I'm afraid you'll act impulsively and put yourself in danger." It was clear that the old man was deeply worried about this matter.

  Xu Wei didn't say a word, picked up the wine jug and took a sip. The concern of his family members was indeed touching, but they had no idea that in this world, many things you can avoid for a while, but cannot escape forever. Even if he himself lived a peaceful life as an official's son, or fled south with his family before the Jin army occupied Hebei, he could still live a safe life. But the problem was, after avoiding the Jurchen people, there were still the Mongols behind them, and even if they escaped to the south, when the south also fell, where else could they escape to? Further south was just the ocean.

  "Lao Jiu ah, you..." Xu Tai Gong's tone was somewhat unusual. As soon as Xu Wei turned his head around, he also leaned to the side almost simultaneously.

  "In the past, your father always thought that you were useless and couldn't let him rest easy for a single day. Later, when you were appointed as an official and sent on a mission, your father was truly relieved and had been hoping that you would achieve great military successes and bring glory to our family. But now, you want to lead these 700 men to rush to Shandong to battle against the tens of thousands of bandits..." After a pause, Xu Taigong turned his head and said.

  Xu Wei knew he was worried about himself, so he took the words to comfort him: "It's nothing serious, Zhang Shu Ye in Jinan is waiting for me to move east and surround the thieves."

  "Father, you can't cheat me for a lifetime. From the mansion of the Grand Master to the mansion of the Marquis, we must pass through the two provinces of Qi and Yun. You may encounter strong enemies at any time, and the court has also ordered us to eliminate the bandits within a limited time. Old Ninth, it's better...” Xu Taigong said up to this point, paused for a moment, seemingly somewhat embarrassed, but looking at his son, continued "it's better to drag it out, after all, you're just a rural soldier, at most, you'll just be dismissed from office."

  Xu Wei saw that the normally stubborn and obstinate old man, who valued his dignity above all else, could say such words, and he was shocked. Subconsciously, he asked: "If you really do this, others will laugh at you for having a useless son, don't you care?"

  Xu Tai Gong was speechless for a moment, and after a while, he sighed: "Dad is old, recently I always feel weak in my limbs, can't catch my breath, and don't know how many years I have left to live. Your fourth brother is serving in the army, and there must be someone by his side to see him off."

  This is not about worrying about no one sending him off in the end, but clearly fearing that his son will leave and never return.

  Xu Wei felt a sour nose, and hastily poured a mouthful, letting the strong wine burn in his chest. After a long time, he spoke resolutely: "Since I've put on armor and hung my steel sword, I'll never regret it! No matter how bitter or difficult, I must grit my teeth and hold on! Only then can I be considered a true man!"

  Xu Taigong saw his attitude so resolute, wanting to persuade him again, but his son was born like himself, and what he had determined, even eight oxen couldn't pull back. A pang of pain in his heart, holding the railing, closing his eyes, "If you have any mishap, call me..." At this point, old tears flowed freely, and he couldn't continue speaking.

  After a long while, seeing his son silent and unresponsive, he straightened up, gazed deeply at his son, let out a long sigh, and with the help of his cane, walked slowly towards the bridge. Xu Wei turned around, looking at his somewhat hunched back, every step seeming to exhaust his last bit of energy, gritted his teeth, forcing back the tears in his eyes, and shouted loudly: "Dad! I'll definitely come back!"

  Xu Taigong's footsteps paused for a moment, without turning back: "Your third sister and sister-in-law are still unaware, don't tell them either." After speaking, he switched to using both hands on his cane and slowly walked towards home.

  The next morning, the soldiers of Jingwei Camp had a hearty meal and packed their bags to rush to Shandong. The elders in their hometown heard that their sons were going on an expedition and hurriedly came to see them off with their children. Xu Wangshi Xu Xiuping heard the news and rushed over, but Xu Wei was nowhere to be seen.

  It took only two days to enter Shandong from Xiajin. On August 14, there was still one day before the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Jingwei army marched along the way, strictly observing military discipline. At first, the people of Shandong thought they were bandits and wanted to flee with their families. Xu Wei sent soldiers to comfort them and explain their intentions. The people were grateful and offered some melons and fruits, but they refused to take anything, not even a bowl of clear water.

  On this day, the Jingwei battalion arrived at a village and Xu Wei ordered the soldiers to go ahead and comfort the villagers, instructing the entire battalion to rest on the spot and cook meals. Not long after, the soldiers returned with news that the village was empty and in disarray, as if it had been raided by bandits.

  Xu Wei immediately dispatched Zhou Xiong to lead a unit to stand guard and arranged for patrols to be stationed at various locations. Xu Taigong had repeatedly reminded him that troops were most vulnerable when resting or camping, and that patrols must be arranged to prevent unexpected attacks.

  The troops marched all the way, and the soldiers were exhausted. The weather was also extremely hot, and some of the weaker ones in the camp suffered from heatstroke and fell ill. Xu Wei personally asked about the medicine, and when the medicine was brewed, he would first taste a mouthful to see if it was suitable for the cold and heat before giving it to the soldiers to take.

  "Isn't it too much?" Zhang Qing suddenly said when Xu Wei returned to rest after finishing his patrol.

  Sheathe your sword and remove your helmet. Xu Wei scanned the surroundings once more before responding, "Once you've come to surrender to me, you're my sworn brothers."

  Zhang Qing heard the words and did not speak, Xu Wei looked at him with a smile and said: "Are you thinking that Xu Wei is hypocritical, but actually buying people's hearts?" Zhang Qing smiled but did not answer, Xu Wei didn't mind either, stretched out his hand to pat his shoulder, just about to lie down for a rest, suddenly heard the soldiers shouting! On that small hillside, Zhou Xiong rushed down, running and shouting: "Vice Envoy Xu! The enemy is attacking!"

  Xu Wei suddenly jumped up, holding a knife in his hand, and shouted loudly: "The whole camp is on guard!" The soldiers who were sitting or lying down hastily got up, holding their weapons, and looked towards the small hillside.

  When Xu Wei ordered to stop advancing, he had observed the terrain. The village was built between two mountain slopes, just like a basin. If they camped under the basin wall, if the enemy came to attack, and if they came from the mountain slope, taking advantage of the momentum, it would be unfavorable for us, so the whole army stopped in the center of the basin.

  "Zhang Hong, Cheng Fang!" Xu Wei was slightly flustered before calming down.

  "Both!" Two men rushed forward, both were former Western Army deserters, appointed by Xu Wei as the head of Du.

  "You two lead the troops to form a battle array on the spot!" Xu Wei's military order was given, and the two of them immediately gathered the troops, with long spears in front, soldiers half squatting, and gun handles propped up on the ground. Some soldiers were still inevitably panicked, slow to move, and even couldn't find their place.