Chapter 78: Explanation
Chapter 78: Explanation (Additional chapter for the leader Black Cloud and White Rain)
The attack on Shi Chao's troops ended that night.
According to the information obtained, Shi Chao himself escaped with only a few dozen followers, and he looked in a very miserable state.
The Ye army, which was divided into twelve locations, suffered heavy losses, with more than half of them captured or killed, and the rest all scattered. As for whether they could return to Hebei, it all depended on their luck.
Sima Yue announced the reward the next day, and each soldier who took part in the operation was given two pieces of silk - this made the already poor treasury even worse.
But the effect is also obvious.
Soldiers these days, even if they are conscripted soldiers who are paid for food, don't have much money.
During the Tang Dynasty, the first large-scale conscription era in history, the annual clothing, food, and money allowances for an ordinary soldier were worth about twenty strings of cash.
This does not include the rewards for regular military competitions and the extra rewards given by superiors when they are happy. It is almost a situation where one person serves in the army and the whole family eats well.
The Western Jin Dynasty recruited soldiers mostly in the central army of Luoyang, and they were lucky if they could receive a fraction of the money and food they received on a daily basis in the Tang Dynasty.
Therefore, the two pieces of silk had a great effect, at least they boosted morale.
Compared with the Luoyang Central Army, the soldiers of the Wang Guo Army were also rewarded with fruits.
Tang Jian, who had successfully upgraded himself to the leader of the guests, took the farmhands to pick thousands of fruits of various colors in the manor and sent them to the army.
The quantity is not much, just one per person, as a token of my appreciation.
The sergeants were very happy about this.
Sima Shao is so brave and unstoppable when charging, making thousands of soldiers tremble in fear. But he is so approachable in private, so it’s right to follow him.
Shao Xun didn't have much energy to pay attention to what the soldiers thought, because he had already arrived at Jinyong City and was looking around this sturdy fortress.
"Why is it so empty?" he asked puzzled.
Following behind him was Yu Liang, the chief priest of the Eastern Pavilion of the shogunate. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Fortunately, I did some research before coming here. When Zhang Fang captured Sima Yi, most of his men were killed. Sima, you didn't think that the Western soldiers only captured Sima Yi and took away others, did you?"
Shao Xun burst out laughing, it was indeed impossible.
After Zhang Fang "emptied" Jinyong City, the deposed Yang Xianrong moved in briefly. Just yesterday, she was canonized as the queen and moved back to the palace, so this place became empty.
Shao Xun was also pleased with Yu Liang's performance. At least he did his homework in advance, which showed that he was a thoughtful person.
No one is great from the beginning.
When Zhou Chu was a street kid in the countryside, he was called one of the "three evils" along with the Nanshan tiger and the dragon under the long bridge. Later, he killed the tiger and never came back. The villagers thought that he and the tiger had died together and celebrated. When Zhou Chu came back, he encountered this embarrassing social death scene and suddenly realized that this was the image of him in the minds of the villagers.
He went to Lu Yun, shocked, and asked if it was too late for him to turn over a new leaf at his old age. Lu Yun persuaded him with the words "the ancients valued learning from the morning and changing the evening", "then be determined to study hard", and the prodigal son returned.
Going a little further, Lu Meng before being "looked at with new eyes" was not the same as Lu Meng afterwards.
This is also the main reason why Shao Xun does not have a celebrity stamp collecting complex.
You thought he was the kind of man who could stabilize the country as described in history books, but he might not be mature yet and had not learned so many things. When you met him and had a few words with him, you were disappointed and thought that the history books were wrong. In fact, you were looking for a sword in the boat, thinking that this man had the ability of people in their forties or fifties when he was twenty years old. Isn't that nonsense?
"This city can be used as a place of long-term defense." Shao Xun carefully observed the city walls, guards, warehouses, wells, and buildings, and finally said.
Yu Liang was still a little worried and hesitated to speak.
Shao Xun glanced at him, smiled gently, and said nothing.
He was actually a little worried that history had been changed, and if he continued to follow the historical context, he might suffer losses.
But the big historical context should not have changed, right? Only the small details have changed.
For example, Sima Yue's northern expedition to Yecheng is difficult to change. His determination is very firm. Even if the time is different from that in history, he will eventually go out to fight. It's just a matter of sooner or later.
So, what’s the ending?
Can we still firmly believe that the "history" that Sima Yue was the victor of the Eight Kings Rebellion is still correct?
Maybe. He probably can't change something so profound.
He analyzed it over and over again, and in the end he just stroked the hilt of the knife.
History will gradually become unreliable, but the knife in your hand will always be reliable.
"Since you are staying in Luoyang, ask Commander Mi for a job and help me recruit soldiers." After looking at Jinyong City, Shao Xun pulled Yu Liang over and said, "Wu Qian will be with you. He knows how to select people. With his help, it won't be difficult."
"Okay." Yu Liang nodded heavily.
He knew that Shao Xun was giving him face. After all, Wu Qian was in charge of recruiting soldiers, and he just followed to learn and gain some knowledge and experience.
"Let's go." Shao Xun took one last look at Jinyong City, then turned around and said, "The battle is imminent. If you win, it will be good. If you lose, it will be difficult to distinguish between the enemy and us. Don't go to Cao Junsi, just follow me as much as possible."
"Okay." Yu Liang, who used to be quite arrogant, nodded almost subconsciously, followed Shao Xun closely, and gradually walked away.
******
July 8th was already the third day after the situation was stabilized.
That afternoon, a group of four from Wang Guojun arrived at Sikong Mansion, waiting to be summoned.
Unlike previous times when they were summoned together, this time they were summoned separately.
Shao Xun observed silently.
Mi Huang showed no emotion when he came out, as if he had expected it.
When He Lun and Wang Bing came out, they looked happy, as if Sima Yue had promised them something.
Shao Xun took a deep breath and stepped inside.
"Greetings to the Minister of Works." After the greetings were completed, Shao Xun was stunned for a moment, and found that the princess and the prince were sitting a little further away, so he saluted again: "Greetings to the princess (prince)."
"Sit down." Sima Yue said with a pleasant face. "Yes." Shao Xun knelt down and looked at Sima Yue.
This was the first time he saw his master being so polite.
This kind of politeness usually requires the subordinates to pay with their lives.
Just as he cared for his soldiers, he actually looked forward to them fighting hard on the battlefield in the future.
This damn warmth from the superior.
"I also know that many troops are not fit for battle." Sima Yue looked at Shao Xun who was sitting upright and said with a smile, "Today I saw soldiers from Luoyang County wearing middle-aged clothes and wooden shoes and holding spears. It was like a child's play. As the lieutenant Sima, you have been training the lower army all year round. I think it is much more powerful than the upper army. As for He Lun, I have already told him that starting tomorrow, you will also be in charge of training the upper army."
"Yes." Shao Xun responded in a deep voice.
Sima Yue meant that the power to train the upper army belonged to Shao Xun, while the power to command the troops of course belonged to He Lun - as for the power to mobilize troops, that was the power of the lieutenant.
Unknowingly, his influence within the kingdom's army was growing.
However, Shao Xun's focus at this time was not this matter.
He lowered his head slightly and secretly noticed Concubine Pei out of the corner of his eye.
Concubine Pei didn't move, she just sat there like a sculpture.
"I also know that with your talent, you are more than qualified to be a general of an army." Sima Yue continued, "In the Battle of Daxia Gate, you led the troops, were wounded twice, and killed countless enemies. You can be said to have made great contributions. I know all this. Don't worry, when the Northern Expedition is successful, I will promote old people. The position of general will be yours sooner or later."
"I am deeply terrified and would rather fight to the death for Your Majesty!" Shao Xun prostrated himself on the ground and said loudly.
There was finally some movement from the princess's side.
The prince was young and couldn't keep his composure. When he heard that he was wounded twice, he let out a low cry of surprise.
"Regarding the Luoyang matter, let Mi Zihui take charge. I have already given him instructions in person." Sima Yue waved his hand, signaling his wife and children to be quiet. He only stared at Shao Xun, and when he said "instructed him in person", he emphasized his tone.
"Yes." Shao Xun instinctively felt that there was something wrong, but at this moment he could only agree and ask again when he returned.
There was silence in the room for a moment.
Just when Shao Xun thought Sima Yue was going to order him to retreat, he suddenly heard his light voice: "Do you think Luoyang can be defended?"
Shao Xun sighed inwardly, if you are not sure you can hold on, why bother fighting this battle? But he said, "As long as all the troops work together, it will not be difficult to hold on."
"Okay." Sima Yue was obviously a little happy, and couldn't help but ask one more question: "If you can't hold it, what will you do?"
"I led the princess and the prince out of the encirclement and headed east to Xuzhou."
Sima Yue felt relieved.
If there is anyone under his command who can break out with his wife and children, it can only be the man in front of him.
Unfortunately, he was too young, had a poor family background, and was promoted too quickly, so he was unable to suppress the opposition from the shogunate.
What would a bunch of people in their 40s, 50s, 50s and 60s, with gray beards, still accumulating experience and waiting for opportunities think when they heard that a 17 or 18-year-old boy with a poor family background could still be promoted year after year? How could the morale within the shogunate be maintained?
Out of love for talent, he couldn't do this, because it would be putting Shao Xun on the spot.
But meritorious service must be rewarded. Perhaps, after the Northern Expedition is successful, we can consider sending him to a remote place, away from the eye-catching Luoyang.
But this knife is really useful, and it seems to be more useful if I keep it by my side. Sima Yue was conflicted for a moment.
Should we take him with us to the north? Should we let him charge into battle, kill generals and seize flags?
But if he makes a contribution, will he really be promoted?
Besides, I am not young anymore and have been feeling unwell lately. I have only had this one son for many years, and he is not yet an adult. If he is lost, what is the point of living? An adopted son is different from a biological one.
After thinking it over, he rejected the idea.
The field was silent again.
The prince seemed unable to sit still and twisted his body several times.
The princess sat there quietly, with her hands clasped together, not knowing what she was thinking.
Shao Xun lowered his head slightly and sat upright.
"You should step back and focus on your work. If you need anything, just tell Mi Zihui directly. If he can't make a decision, go with him to find Wang Yifu, and he will make the arrangements." After Sima Yue came to his senses, he waved his hand.
Shao Xun agreed and withdrew.
Sima Yue stared out the window in a daze.
It is noon and the sun is shining brightly. I hope that his great cause can shine like the noon sun.
On the ninth day of July, Sima Yue left Luoyang.
Sima Zhong, the greatest warrior of the Jin Dynasty, led the army in person, and he was accompanied by the restored Crown Prince Sima Tan, the princes of the royal family, and all the civil and military officials.
Gou Xi, who was highly trusted by Sima Yue, was appointed as the Lieutenant General of the Northern Army, and was considered the supreme commander of the imperial guards.
Tens of thousands of people came out through the Daxia, Guangmo and Jianchun gates in a huge and endless stream.
After they left, Luoyang entered the Mi Huang era.
This disaster-stricken city is destined not to be peaceful.
The world of the Great Jin Dynasty will never be peaceful.
(End of this chapter)