Chapter 58: High-profile entry into the city
Chapter 58: High-profile entry into the city
In the first year of Yongxing (304) - no, after Sima Yi was captured, the emperor issued an edict to change the era name to Yong'an, so it was already the first year of Yong'an - it was the end of the month, and it was time to retreat.
Not all of the two hundred soldiers in the separate formation left. More than one hundred and sixty of them left, and the remaining thirty or so expressed their willingness to follow Shao Chuang.
More than 20 young soldiers insisted on returning to their hometown - in fact, some of them were not so determined, but now there was no chance to regret.
Shao Xun asked the people who stayed in Biyong, mainly some craftsmen and servants of the former Pan Garden, plus a few people from Luoyang who took refuge there. Finally, more than 30 families were willing to accompany these young people to the East China Sea.
Shao Xun told them to go south first and then turn east so as not to be caught.
Before leaving, everyone had a farewell dinner, then took their equipment and rations and went their separate ways.
There was some sadness or reluctance, after all, they had lived together for several months. For example, Yu Wenjun, the young lady of the Yu family, took advantage of her father and brother's carelessness to look at Shao Xun a few more times.
Shao Xun wanted to make a joke, but when he saw the serious face of her mother Guanqiu, he gave up.
It is best not to apply the style of modern people to ancient people. Embarrassment is a small matter, but offending people is not beautiful.
"Food, equipment, bedding, and cooking utensils have all been put away." Wu Qian kept talking like a nagging old farmer.
He was used to being poor and couldn't stand any waste.
Even if it was a clay pot with several corners missing or a black wooden spoon, he was reluctant to throw it away and ordered them to be packed up and taken away.
According to him, it is not easy to save these things, and we must be frugal. Luoyang is in such a mess, and they may not be given much after the reorganization of the army.
"These horses are really voracious eaters. Let's find someone to exchange food for them after we return to the city. Food is too precious."
"Hey, be careful with the owner's collection of battle examples. Lock it in the box and don't tear it. Without it, you will be completely clueless when you go to the battlefield. You bastards will just wait for death."
"The grindstone! Don't forget the grindstone!"
"Keep these pieces of horse crotch leather, they can be used to make a few sets of good armor."
Wu Qian walked back and forth, shouting loudly, and seemed to have completely entered the role of Du Bo.
Shao Xun looked at him and smiled. The old guy had completely integrated into this big collective and was more concerned about it than he was.
If this sense of belonging can be spread to everyone, they will become an invincible force, able to defeat the enemy with fewer troops and move forward courageously.
When everything was finally cleaned up, it was almost afternoon.
Shao Xun took a last look at Biyong, where he had fought for several months.
Here, he lost more than 200 men, including team leaders Liu Tong and Zhong Huaner, who died in battle. Their blood was almost melted into every inch of the land.
Now we embark on a new journey.
The next battle may be more brutal, and more familiar faces will leave, but this is life - life in troubled times.
There's nothing to worry about, let's go!
"Put on each other's armor." Shao Xun stood on a carriage, holding a heavy sword, and shouted loudly.
"Yes." The soldiers responded without stopping.
With the help of Concubine Pei, they won two more battles. Biyong had no shortage of armor and weapons, and could even equip several teams of elite soldiers in iron armor. In terms of the level of equipment, it was no worse than the central army in Luoyang. The only thing it lacked was combat effectiveness, which was still a long way from those veteran troops, and it still needed time to train.
The good news is that their morale may be one level higher than that of most of the troops in the Luoyang central army.
The general is the courage of the soldiers, and with a brave man like Shao Zhuangzhu, the morale of the men is very high. It seems that as long as the Zhuangzhu takes action and leads them forward, there will be no enemy that they cannot defeat.
Seeing the soldiers dressed in uniform, Shao Xun jumped off the carriage, stood in the first row, waved his hand and said, "Just follow me!"
"Just follow me!" Chen Yougen roared, and thirty elite warriors followed closely behind him, taking a few quick steps and surrounding Shao Xun.
"Just follow me!" Huang Biao also shouted and followed with fifty soldiers from his team.
"Just follow me!" said Zhou Ying, the leader of the third team.
"Just follow me!" Team after team came out, armed with swords and spears, in bright armor, walking on Kaiyangmen Street, heading north.
People in twos and threes walked out of their rooms to watch.
The people who were still staying in the Imperial Street outside Kaiyang Gate basically knew about the Biyong garrison. For several months, this army had been maintaining a relatively peaceful order in the surrounding area. And after the continuous propaganda of the meat trumpet Chen Yougen, the people even knew that there was a governor named Shao Xun, who was extremely brave and killed generals and enemies, making the thieves dare not approach.
That's how fame came about.
There are advantages and disadvantages. There is nothing perfect in the world. The key is how you choose and how to seek benefits and avoid harm.
At the time of Shen, a large group of people entered the city through Kaiyang Gate without being stopped by anyone. They finally arrived near Sikong Mansion on Yu Street inside Dongyang Gate in the evening.
The clanging sound of armor leaves and the orderly footsteps had already alarmed everyone.
Sima Yue, Concubine Pei, Crown Prince Sima Pi and several shogunate officials, through the introduction of Mi Huang who entered the city first, got to know this army that had been fighting outside the city for nearly half a year for the first time.
Well, those near Sikong Mansion are all adult soldiers.
Among them, the veterans who had fought in the battle of Biyong stood in the front, and those who surrendered after the war stood in the back.
As for the youngsters, they were driving the baggage carts and stayed far away. It was hard to see them clearly from afar. It didn't matter if they were seen. In the army these days, there were a lot of old people and children. It was a common thing. "Greetings, Sikong." Shao Xun, dressed in military uniform, dismounted and bowed.
"Greetings, Sikong." The soldiers, wearing armor, struck the ground with their spears and shouted in unison, their voices echoing far away.
Sima Yue stared at it for a long time, his face turning red.
This army seems to be even more elite than He Lun's army.
Yes, after He Lun led his troops from the East China Sea to Luoyang, he did not fire a single arrow or fight a single battle. Naturally, he was no match for Mi Huang's soldiers who had fought in battles before.
good very good!
"The soldiers have fought hard for a long time, and they will all be rewarded. Each of them will be given two pieces of cloth." Sima Yue was so happy that he announced the reward on the spot.
The soldiers made no move.
"Thank you, Sikong, for your reward." Shao Xun bowed again.
"Thank you, Sikong, for the reward." The soldiers were delighted and shouted.
Sima Yue hadn't figured out what was going on yet, but Wang Dao frowned slightly.
Private soldier? Not really.
That means enforcing orders.
This military strategist is quite interesting. He has united hundreds of people into one team. His prestige is quite high.
Compared with He Lun's two thousand men, the nine hundred Donghai soldiers were just so-so, but the more than one thousand newly recruited soldiers were not so good. It was no exaggeration to say that they were ordinary people.
Wang Dao even pessimistically speculated that Shao Xun could defeat He Lun's 2,000-man army with these few hundred men.
His face looked a little gloomy and his fat body twisted uneasily. He underestimated Shao Xun.
Concubine Pei stood there in a gorgeous dress, dignified and beautiful with an elegant temperament.
Shao Xun did not wear armor, but instead put on that bright red military uniform.
Concubine Pei glanced at the military uniform several times.
It’s so dirty, why don’t you wash it?
Looking at Shao Xun's respectful bowing of his head, he thought to himself that he could be honest sometimes.
When he had been summoned alone before, his eyes had darted all over, always preferring to focus on her face.
You owe me too much!
Next, after the peace talks are completed and Zhang Fang’s army enters the city, we will return the money slowly.
The nine-year-old Crown Prince Sima Pi opened his mouth wide, looking at the warriors holding spears and swords in front of him, not knowing what to say.
They look pretty awesome.
A few months ago, when Wang Bing fled into the city with only a few dozen remaining people, the prince still remembered the appearance of those soldiers.
If you compare goods, you will throw them away; if you compare people, you will die. Wang Bing is really no good.
He was born a prince, so the education he received since childhood was naturally different from that of others. It might be an exaggeration to say that he is deep-minded, but he is definitely more mature than ordinary people and thinks more.
Sometimes he would be brought by his father to attend various meetings and listen to the advice of his staff. Through what he saw and heard, he had his own views on the current situation.
There is no doubt that Shao Xun is a capable person.
His mother said that he could be entrusted with important tasks in the future, and he thought it was right.
In such a chaotic world, with such a brave general, the whole family can live in peace!
What weird things are Liu Qia and Wang Dao saying? My mother said they are jealous of talented people, and it seems that they are right.
For the first time, the nine-year-old Crown Prince Sima Pi truly hated some people from the bottom of his heart.
"Come here, prepare some wine and meat to reward my soldiers." Sima Yue calmed down and gave the order.
"Yes." Someone responded immediately.
Sima Yue signaled with his eyes, and Mi Huang immediately stepped forward and helped Shao Xun up.
Today’s high-profile entry into the city was worth it!
At this delicate moment, no matter what the lord is like, he will not abandon Shao Xun in the short term.
His importance may have surpassed that of many of the shogunate's staff members who came from samurai families.
"There will be a banquet in the evening. Gou Xi, Wang Hu, Pei Kuo, Cheng Fu and other imperial guards will be here. Sikong doesn't have any outstanding generals. You are the lieutenant Sima promised by him personally, so be prepared to take your seat." Mi Huang said in a low voice.
Shao Xun nodded imperceptibly.
After two years of hard work, am I finally qualified to attend a banquet of this level?
(End of this chapter)