Chapter 1013: The Surrendered and the Selling Life
Chapter 1013: The Surrendered and the Selling Life
On the night of May 21st, the sky was dotted with stars and everything was silent.
It was only thirty miles away from Xiaoguan. I don't know if it was an illusion, but Zhang Jun felt that after leaving Liangzhou, the further east he went, the more Hu people there were.
In other words, there was a huge area where Hu people lived between Wuwei and Chang'an.
In this area, the Hu population occupies an absolute advantage, while Han nobles are scattered among them like reefs in the vast ocean.
This view may be a bit biased. After all, there are two roads from Chang'an to Liangzhou, one north and one south, and they took the northern route.
But he knew very well that Qinzhou on the southern front was not much better.
The place where they are now has an interesting name: Gaoping.
In fact, it is located at the end of Longshan Mountain.
The Jing River originates here and flows southeast.
Gaopingchuan (Guyuan Qingshui River, not Hohhot Qingshui River) also originates here and flows to the northwest.
There are some other rivers nearby. The area is located on a high place between Jing, Wei and Hejian, and the terrain is relatively open. It can be said to be high and flat, so it was named "Gaoping" in the Han Dynasty.
Gaoping is now the territory of the Diqiang. Zhang Jun couldn't figure out which tribe they belonged to, and he had no interest in finding out. Anyway, they were relatively obedient. They sent some jerky, cheese and corn before nightfall, which was probably their only consolation.
Thinking of this, Zhang Jun shook his head. Why was he worried about the thief Shao?
The two concubines brought the children into the carriage and began to breastfeed.
His wife, Mrs. Yan, and their six-year-old daughter were picking and washing sunflower leeks, which were obtained from a nearby vegetable garden.
The Chief Secretary Fan Xi came to ask for it. When the gardener of the Huangfu family heard that Zhang Xiping's descendants were there, he personally sent half a cart of food over without saying a word. It was enough for dozens of people to eat for several days.
The left Sima Yin Yuan and the thief Cao's official Wei Jin were sitting by the fire chatting, and their voices could be faintly heard.
"Mr. Zhang died of illness." Yin Yuan said, "When he heard that Wang Que--Mr. Wang was going to take the West Sea, the army was clamoring, so he returned sick and died in Wengcheng on the frontier."
"What a pity." Wei Jin sighed, "How is Gaochang?"
"Yang Xuan resigned and left, taking his servants with him to dig wells and canals in the countryside, and farming to earn his own living." Yin Yuan said: "He is a man of integrity, I am not as good as him."
Zhang Jun heard it from afar, and he didn't know what he felt.
Even though I had already decided not to pay attention to it, I was still touched when I heard it.
He let down his great uncle, and also let down loyal people like Yang Xuan, Song Ji, and Song Xiu.
If he woke up and suddenly found himself back in time to the eve of the war in March, would he be able to turn the tide?
After thinking it over carefully, he lowered his head dejectedly. He couldn't do it. The ending was inevitable.
"Li Bai surrendered." Yin Yuan continued, "Leaving the Central Plains, Loulan cannot survive on its own. Not only does it lack soldiers and equipment, but even ordinary people are in dire need. It is counting on the court to relocate a few hundred households there."
"That's impossible." Wei Jin shook his head.
Everyone knows the benefits of relocating the Hu people and then moving in the Han people, but in reality, people can often only do the first step, that is, relocate the Hu people, but not the second step.
To put it bluntly, there are too few people in the court's hands.
Don't even think about doing this unless you encounter a very serious natural disaster that destroys the order of a place and creates a large number of refugees.
Even with such great prestige, Emperor Liang could only gain population by exiling criminals.
"All the counties have surrendered, Liangzhou can't turn the tables." Yin Yuan said: "But it's good this way, although there are some injuries, but not serious. Before leaving, I suggested to Governor Jin that we recruit brave and strong soldiers without family burdens in the Central Plains, but I don't know what happened."
"Governor Jin will not stay in Liangzhou for long." Wei Jin pondered and said, "He will most likely return to Chang'an to deal with Yang Nandi, and then plot against Hanzhong."
Yin Yuan nodded. As the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Yong, Qin, Liang and Yi, if he didn't plot against Hanzhong or even Shuzhong, would he just sleep all day?
"However, the instability in the rear is also a troublesome matter." Yin Yuan added: "As for the current situation in Yong and Qin states, I don't think it's much better than Liangzhou. The Liang Dynasty will probably have to spend decades to deal with Guanxi. It's not that easy to deal with the problems accumulated over the past two hundred years. If it's not handled well, it will be impossible to quell the Qiang Rebellion during the Later Han Dynasty for a hundred years."
"Sima, why do you think so much?" Wei Jin said with a smile, "Now we don't know where to go. Thinking too much will only make people laugh."
"That's right." Yin Yuan chuckled and said, "I can smell the aroma of rice. It must be corn rice and spring chives."
******
After walking for half a day on the 22nd, the dilapidated city wall of Xiaoguan appeared in sight.
The army stopped.
The soldiers, as ferocious as wolves and tigers, stood behind the chevaux de frise, with their swords drawn and bows strung, looking as if they were ready to take action.
These were the soldiers from Guanzhong Prefecture who came with the emperor. There were nine hundred of them in total. They were deployed at the outermost perimeter to check officials and soldiers coming and going.
Thousands of cavalrymen did not dismount but waited quietly for orders.
Most of them were Xiongnu soldiers brought from Chang'an by Jin Zhun, mainly from the Jin tribe, mixed with a large number of tribal herdsmen such as Tuge, Huyan, Qiao, and Bu - of course, now they were all "new Jin tribes", and tribal annexation was normal.
In other words, they are all private soldiers that Jin Zhun trusts more and has greater control over.
Zhang Jun lifted the car curtain, his face showing a lot of expression, he seemed to be a little scared, but also had a kind of gloating that he couldn't explain.
But he was disappointed.
Jin Zhun dismounted immediately and ordered his officers to take the troops to find a valley for camping.
He only brought a dozen or so followers with him. He negotiated with the officers of the palace troops standing behind the barricades, and then sat in a thatched pavilion beside the road, waiting silently.
Zhang Jun was somewhat disappointed, yet somewhat understanding.
Jin Zhun was not like this in Wuwei.
After the city was captured, it was heard that the property in the Liangzhou treasury and Zhang's mansion had been taken away. Emperor Liang did not offer any reward, so he had to use the Liangzhou property to reward the troops. However, Jin Zhun and Jin Zheng had a fierce argument, so loud that even Zhang Jun, who was detained in the camp, heard it.
But he dared to argue with Jin Zheng, but he didn't dare to say any nonsense at this time. Zhang Jun saw how powerful Shao Taibai was.
Thinking about the fact that there were always people admonishing him no matter what he did, he suddenly became hateful and looked at Fan Yu, Yin Yuan, Han Pu, Wei Jin and others.
Yin Yuan felt the gaze and looked at Zhang Jun strangely.
Han Pu was too lazy to look further and just observed Shao Bing.
Liangzhou was not without brave men. In fact, all the scholars were brave and daring. Yang Dan, an official of the Zhizhong, had met Sima Mo, the King of Nanyang, in the past. In order to win his trust, he cut off his ear on the spot and placed it on a plate. Then he quoted classics and explained the benefits and disadvantages to him, and finally stopped Sima Mo's attempt to send someone to replace Zhang Gui.
These scholars from border areas have a ruthlessness of their own, which is different from the scholars from the Central Plains, but their hearts are not united.
However, Shao Bing also seems to be quite impressive.
Looking at these palace soldiers in front of you, you can't tell their skills, but their spirits are very good. Once they start fighting in formation, their morale will be very high, and their ability to endure casualties will surprise you.
This is Han Pu's experience, he will not make a mistake.
"It's not unfair to lose." He sighed.
If I can return to Liangzhou to be an official in the future, it would be better to keep my little thoughts to myself.
Well, I have to keep an eye on other people and don't let those confused people rebel and get myself into trouble.
After waiting for a long time, they heard the sound of horse hooves.
Soon, a young man came over with two clerks.
"General Shao." Behind the chevaux de frise, the leading soldier immediately stepped forward and saluted.
"Your Majesty has ordered to summon the talents of Liangzhou to the tower of Xiaoguan." The man called "General Shao" dismounted and saluted, saying, "I obey your command." The general ordered the soldiers to remove the barricades and move the deer horns to make way for a passage.
"General Jin will also go with us," General Shao added.
"I obey your order." Jin Zhun bowed and said.
The man in front of him was an orphan adopted by the emperor, his surname was Shao, his name was Zhen, and his nickname was "Chou Nu". He practiced martial arts very hard, and in a few years he would surely be sent out to serve as an official, so there was no need to offend him.
A group of dozens of people continued to move forward.
Wherever they passed, the hillsides on both sides were filled with soldiers in helmets and armor, and flags with prefixes such as "Silver Spear" and "Black Jade" could be seen everywhere.
There was even a large number of cavalry stationed in a wide valley, and the defense was very strict and well-organized.
Now even Yin Yuan felt something unusual.
They walked, looked, whispered and sighed all the way until they climbed a mountain path and arrived at Xiaoguan.
******
Shao Xun had just returned from hunting, still wearing his bright red hunting suit, and was chatting and laughing with a group of officials.
Zhang Jun, led by his personal soldiers, came to the city wall and took a quick look.
This man is said to be over 40 years old, but you can't tell from his appearance. He is probably in his early 30s. He speaks with full energy and in a very loud voice.
Moreover, he often used gestures when speaking, which gave him an air of unquestionable authority. The civil and military officials stood by his side, but they only smiled, their eyes always fixed on Shao Xun, and occasionally they would interject a word or two, also speaking in line with his meaning.
This made Zhang Jun feel a little bit jealous. In the past, when I spoke, there were always people who disagreed, or when he spoke at the top, the people below didn't take it seriously and whispered to each other.
The gap is too obvious in this comparison.
The prestige of those who conquer the world and those who maintain it is indeed different.
Shao Xun soon discovered the arrival of Zhang Jun and others.
Zhang Jun did not hesitate, he prostrated himself on the ground and said, "The sinner Zhang Jun pays homage to the Emperor of Daliang."
Fan Xi, Yin Yuan, Han Pu and others also prostrated themselves, calling them "guilty officials" and "guilty generals."
Shao Xun took a few steps closer, and the bow and sword on his body made soft sounds.
Zhang Jun lowered his head even more.
The Emperor of Daliang was more like a general than an emperor, which made him even more nervous, because military men had bad tempers.
Brown leather boots fell in front of him.
Zhang Jun became nervous and his mind was a little confused.
After a long while, a gentle voice sounded: "I have a history with Zhang Xiping. I relied on him a lot when I went to Liangzhou to recruit soldiers and buy horses. How can I bear to harm his descendants? Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Zhang Jun breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up.
"I have ordered people to build a monastery on the Nuji Mountain in Yiyang, which is where your grandfather lived in seclusion when he was young." Shao Xun added: "Live a good life in the future. I am not a narrow-minded person, and my words count. Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward." Zhang Jun looked grateful.
Shao Xun stopped paying attention to him and focused his gaze on Fan Yu. He smiled and said, "Master Fan, we meet again."
Fan Xi smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty is so majestic that the guilty officials admire him."
"What crime have you committed?" Shao Xun said unhappily, "I will still employ you, so please do not give up on yourselves."
"Your Majesty has a broad mind, and I admire you." Fan Xi bowed.
Shao Xun had not helped Zhang Jun before, but now he personally helped Fan Yu up and said, "I am not happy about getting Liangzhou, but I am happy about getting Lord Fan. I will have a banquet under the city tonight and get drunk with you all."
After saying this, he met with the other officials who surrendered one by one.
At this time in Xiaoguan City, Jin Zhun was allowed to meet his daughter Jin Yuehua.
"How does he treat you?" Jin Zhun asked in a low voice.
Jin Yuehua looked at her father's anxious expression and sighed inwardly, but her face showed a shy look. She blushed and said, "Your Majesty dotes on me very much, and I... like your Majesty very much, too."
Jin Zhun felt mixed emotions upon seeing this.
After a long while, he sighed and said, "It's fine as long as you like it. However, if I had found a good family in the first place—"
"Father." Jin Yuehua interrupted Jin Zhun hastily and said, "My daughter is used to wealth and glory, and can no longer be a commoner. When I was a child, father often told me stories about heroes in past dynasties. Your Majesty is the founder of the country, with great talent and strategy, and he is in his prime. My daughter loves him very much, so father, don't worry."
Jin Zhun nodded silently.
Jin Yuehua also fell silent.
After a moment, she said, "Father needs to think of a way to deal with the matter of the governor of Hezhou. I have repeatedly asked Your Majesty to order the eight generals of the imperial army to check the military records and send a letter to the military office to recruit imperial soldiers who are skilled in archery and horsemanship. Among the 80,000 people, there will always be some people who are interested in border affairs, and you can let your father take them to Xiping."
Jin Zhun was somewhat tempted.
In fact, he didn't need many people. He had his own tribe, so it was easy for him to select one or two thousand backbones.
However, if the emperor allows him to recruit some soldiers from the government who are willing to travel west, it is not impossible.
Just as my daughter said, among the 80,000 households of the government soldiers, there must be many young men of the right age who are skilled in archery and horse riding. Even if most people are unwilling to go, after careful selection, there will always be some people who are "stupid" enough to be willing to go to Xiping.
We don't need many, a thousand people will be enough.
In addition, he also has old friends in Guanzhong, so it is not impossible to recruit some chiefs and followers from them.
In this way, with 3,000 backbone members gathered, their lives were guaranteed.
Then, he could use the imperial court's cover to command five thousand imperial guards with these three thousand men and slowly win over the hearts of the people.
However, I still feel a little unhappy.
"My daughter has also requested that Your Majesty send an envoy to Xiping to announce the decree, ordering the noble families of Xiping, such as the Guo, Wei, Yang, Ma, and Tian families, to gather their peasants and soldiers every quarter and hand them over to my father for training for ten days." Jin Yuehua added, "This may help alleviate the crisis a little."
Jin Zhun felt uncomfortable after hearing this.
His life and property were actually saved by his daughter.
"Is he - His Majesty really good to you?" Jin Zhun looked around and asked again in a low voice.
Jin Yuehua said "hmm", her eyes moved, her face turned redder, and she said in a mosquito-like voice: "Your Majesty, please accompany me when you are free."
Jin Zhun felt relieved a little.
Apparently, Shao Xun is much better than that worthless Liu Can.
Furthermore, the Jin tribe still needed to rely on the Daliang court, and his other children and clansmen either lived in Jiexiu or in Luoyang.
He didn't really have much choice.
(End of this chapter)