Chapter 147 Who dares to take the blame?
Chapter 147 Who dares to take the blame?
From Zheng County to the west, the journey is smooth.
It is not only a smooth road in the geographical sense, but also in the military sense.
Sima Yong's move basically destroyed the morale of the army, and no one was willing to fight for their lives.
When the Xianbei cavalry, who served as the vanguard, reached the Bashui River, Guo Chuan and Ma Zhan used the river and the earthen plateau to resist for several days. When they were about to ask for instructions on what to do next, Sima Yong and his family fled.
The news could hardly be covered up and the defenders collapsed on the spot. On June 25, Qi Hong and Liu Kun led their troops to attack Chang'an City, which was more than 30 miles away.
The people in Chang'an were in panic.
As the base camp that Sima Yong had operated for many years, some people tried to make a final resistance, some tried to escape, and some were at a loss.
On the evening of June 27, as the first group of people fled the city, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.
At this time, no one was willing to resist. After all, the King of Hejian had run away. Those who wanted to take the lead in organizing resistance gave up the idea immediately when they saw that others were fleeing. They hurried back home, packed up their belongings, and prepared to leave the city at night.
The Xianbei cavalry rushed in like a tide, and a feast of massacre began.
They have waited too long for this moment.
Although Chang'an is not as good as Yecheng, it also has mountains of wealth, countless armors and weapons to arm the tribes, and beautiful women, which are enough for them to enjoy themselves for a long time.
Liu Kun looked reluctant and tried to stop it, but no one listened to him, so he could only leave sadly.
Commander Qi Hong was all smiles and looked nonchalant.
This is what was done in Yecheng before. Is there anything special about Chang'an? They came thousands of miles to help you fight, but you are not willing to massacre a city. Is that reasonable?
The men had been quite restrained along the way. If they hadn't been tempted by the wealth and women in Chang'an, who knows what they would have done along the way.
At this point, neither Liu Kun nor Qi Hong could stop it.
Sima You still wanted to make one last effort.
"General Qi, it's okay with a small city and town. Chang'an is the focus of the whole world, so we can't act recklessly." Sima You advised earnestly.
Indeed, Chang'an may not be as big as Yecheng, but the political significance of this city is different.
It is no exaggeration to say that the whole world is paying attention to you. Whatever you do, it will soon spread all over the world. As for how people in the world will view this matter, it is hard to say, and it will definitely not be good.
"Does Prince Runan want to go back on his word, Sikong?" Qi Hong asked.
There were several tribal nobles behind him, and they also looked at Sima You angrily.
How can you not keep your word?
The previous plunder of Yuzhou was not very pleasant. Xuchang sent people from time to time to ask them to restrain themselves and not make too much trouble.
Yes, you, Sima Yue, are too proud to be afraid of damaging your prestige, but what does it have to do with us?
I traveled thousands of miles to fight for you, suffering casualties and the loss of war horses, and also delayed my work at home. Why don't you keep your promise?
"Master Qi, please don't talk nonsense! What did Sikong promise? When did Sikong promise this?" Sima You was shocked and asked repeatedly.
Would Sikong agree to allow the Xianbei to plunder Chang'an?
If he said this publicly, who would dare to serve in his shogunate?
If you don't say anything about the massacre of Chang'an, we can pretend we don't know and still have room for excuses. But if you are really stupid enough to admit it, then I'm sorry, everyone will have to find their own way.
This blame cannot be put on Sikong's head in any case.
Qi Hong sneered, turned around and said a few words to several tribal nobles.
Everyone laughed and looked at Sima You with mocking eyes.
It's interesting to sell yourself and pretend.
No one paid any attention to him anymore, and the group quickly entered Chang'an City and joined the carnival.
Sima You shook his head, mounted his horse and left.
He was a little annoyed with Dai Yuan. Why didn't he come at the critical moment? Was he so concerned about his reputation?
But we still have to think of a way to deal with this matter.
Sikong could not bear the responsibility for the massacre in Chang'an, so he could only push the responsibility onto the Xianbei people.
They are wild and unruly, so it is normal for them to disobey orders.
After the Xianbei people had robbed enough, he would reprimand them and find a way to capture a few of the unlucky ones and then punish them accordingly.
After clarifying his thoughts, Sima You took a last look at Chang'an City, where cries of grief were heard, and rode away surrounded by his followers.
******
Shao Xun had to thank Ma Zhan and Guo Chuan for their resistance during those days.
It was precisely because of their obstruction that the main force of the imperial army arrived outside the city of Chang'an only one day later than the Xianbei people.
Mi Huang had actually received the message.
Needless to say, the anger in people's hearts was self-evident. How could any normal person tolerate such a great evil as a city massacre?
But he was no longer a hot-blooded teenager. He had too many interests to worry about, so some decisions were not easy to make. The gates of Chang'an were not closed, and occasionally some civilians and scholars took advantage of the chaos to escape.
The whole city was bathed in butcher knives and flames, with bloody flowers blooming in the night.
Even outside the city, one could hear miserable cries.
Having been wreaking havoc for a day and a night, the Xianbei people were still unwilling to stop.
"Commander-in-chief, some soldiers disobeyed orders and massacred and looted the city without authorization. Isn't it right to send troops to quell the rebellion?" Shao Xun asked softly, standing behind Mi Huang.
Mi Huang was hesitant and could not make a decision.
"In the past, the Central Army of Luoyang looted without permission, and the Northern Army's Lieutenant General even sent people to capture and kill a group of unlucky people just to show off. Are the Xianbei people more noble than the Imperial Guards?"
"Sikong must not know that the thieves are so rampant and violent. If he were present, he would certainly order them to stop the riot."
"Chang'an is so important. If the Xianbei slaughter tens of thousands of people, the whole country will be in an uproar, and the reputation of the prime minister will be damaged, which is not a good thing."
Shao Xun's words of advice made the balance in Mi Huang's heart more tilted.
He Lun hesitated to speak, and finally said: "Why not wait until the Right Guard and the Cavalry arrive?"
Shao Xun didn't even look at him. He continued to look at Mi Huang's face and said, "Commander-in-chief, the disaster in Yecheng was Wang Jun's business. The reputation of the Minister of Works will not be greatly damaged. But if the disaster in Chang'an occurs, someone must take responsibility. What if..."
What he said was half true.
If tens of thousands of people were killed by the Xianbei in Chang'an, someone might take responsibility, or it might be nothing at all, and a big thing might be turned into a small one, or a small thing might be forgotten.
But when Shao Xun said it in a firm tone, Mi Huang subconsciously felt a little uneasy.
What if he was really used as a scapegoat?
It's unlikely, but it's possible.
Once he took responsibility, he might not die, but he would most likely be dismissed from his job. Even if Sikong later promoted him back as compensation, several years would have been wasted.
Mi Huang opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.
It is legitimate to send troops to quell rebellion, right?
Not letting Sikong get a bad name is also for his own good, right?
Capturing and killing a few of the most violent offenders, hanging their heads in various places to deter others and restore peace in Chang'an, seems like this could keep things under control to a certain extent?
Thinking of this, he said in a hoarse voice: "Pass the order, the left guard will send troops to quell the rebellion, and Shao Xun will be in charge of the unified command."
"Yes." Shao Xun, He Lun, Miao Yuan and several other Simas and generals responded in unison.
Everyone has long been fed up with those Xianbei people.
The things they did along the way were so ruthless and brutal, not much less than Zhang Fang. It would be fine if no one stepped forward, but now someone is willing to step forward, everyone wants to do them a favor.
"Be careful." Mi Huang grabbed Shao Xun, who was putting on his armor, and whispered, "The Xianbei people have shed blood and made contributions along the way. Capture and kill a hundred people and give them a small punishment. Don't make a big deal out of it."
"Yes." Shao Xun responded perfunctorily.
Then he looked at the generals and said, "I will lead my troops to Pingshuo Gate and Chaomen Gate to kill the bandits and set up barricades. Miao is willing!"
"The end will be here."
"You lead your own troops, split into two, and go to Dumen and Anmen to set up barriers and fortifications."
"As ordered."
"Zhang Heng."
"I am here." Zhang Heng, the Lieutenant General of the Vanguard Battalion, responded immediately.
"You should divide your division into three groups, one each to the Zhicheng Gate, the Zhangcheng Gate, and the Yongmen Gate."
"As ordered."
"From the Base Camp and the Strong Crossbow Camp..."
"The auxiliary soldiers accompanying the army..."
Shao Xun gave all the instructions and finally said, "The military order has been delivered. All the generals should lead their troops and act immediately. Remember, barricades must be set up, and more than one. Strong crossbow battalions should be sent from the base camp to each gate. Bows and crossbows should be strung and arrows should be brought. In short, keep the Xianbei people in the city and don't let them rush out."
The key is to block the Xianbei people in the city and prevent them from leaving.
In street fighting and foot combat, those bow-legged people who barely have any armor are no match at all.
If the cavalry cannot run, they will be slaughtered.
"Yes." Everyone responded in unison and then dispersed.
Seeing Shao Xun already on the horse, Mi Huang hesitated for a moment and then warned, "Be careful."
"Don't worry, Governor." Shao Xun said, "I know what's going on."
(End of this chapter)