The attack on Shi Chao's headquarters ended that night.
According to the information obtained, Shi Chao himself escaped, and his followers were only a few dozen horses, making him very embarrassed.
The Ye soldiers, who were divided into twelve divisions, suffered heavy losses. More than half of them were captured and killed, and the rest were completely routed. As for whether they can return to Hebei, it depends on their luck.
Sima Yue announced the reward the next day, and each soldier who participated in the operation was given two pieces of silk - good guys, which made the already not very abundant treasury even worse.
But the effect is also obvious.
Soldiers these days don't have much money, even if they work as recruiters to eat food.
In the Tang Dynasty, which ushered in the era of large-scale military recruitment for the first time in history, an ordinary soldier's annual clothing, food, and money gifts were converted into money, which amounted to about twenty guan.
This does not include the rewards for regular competitions in the army, and the additional rewards given by superiors on a whim. It is almost like one person serving as a soldier, and the whole family is well fed.
The recruitment of soldiers in the Western Jin Dynasty was mostly concentrated in the Luoyang Central Army. It would be good if the daily money and food received could be a fraction of that of the Tang Dynasty.
Therefore, the effect of two bolts of silk is very strong, at least it boosts morale.
Compared with the Luoyang Central Army, the officers and soldiers of the Royal Army also received fruit rewards.
Tang Jian, who had successfully been promoted to the guest leader, led the villagers to pick thousands of fruits of various colors in the manor and sent them to the army.
The amount is not much, just one per person, just for the sake of it.
The sergeants were happy about it.
Shao Sima is so brave, unstoppable when charging, capable of overcoming obstacles with thousands of troops, and yet so approachable in private, it is 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 looked around at this strong fortress.
"Why is it so empty?" he asked confused.
Following him was Yu Liang, the sacrificial wine in the east pavilion of the shogunate. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "Fortunately, I did some homework before coming here. When Zhang Fang captured Sima Yi, most of his people were dead. Sima, you don't think that the Western soldiers We only captured Sima Yi, and we wouldn’t just kidnap the others, right?”
Shao Xun laughed dumbly, it was indeed impossible.
After Zhang Fang "emptied" Jinyong City, the deposed Yang Xianrong lived in it briefly. Just yesterday, she was canonized as queen again and moved back to the palace, leaving this place empty.
Shao Xun was also pleased with Yu Liang's performance. At least he had done his homework in advance and was considered a thoughtful person.
No one is great from the beginning.
When Zhou Chu was wandering the streets in the countryside, he was known as the "three pests" along with the Nanshan tiger and the dragon under the long bridge. Later he killed the tiger and never came back. The fellow villagers thought that he and the tiger had died together, and they all celebrated. When Zhou Chu came back, he encountered this embarrassing scene of social death, and he suddenly realized, this is what I look like in the hearts of the villagers?
Shocked, he went to Lu Yun and asked him if he was too old to change his ways. Lu Yun tried to persuade him by saying, "The ancients value change in the morning and in the evening."
A little earlier, the Lu Meng before "looking at him with admiration" was not the same as the him after.
This is also the main reason why Shao Xun does not have a celebrity stamp collecting complex.
You think he is the kind of person in the history books who stabilized the country, but he may not have matured yet and has not learned so many things. When you meet him and talk to him for a few words, you will be disappointed. You think the history books are wrong, but in fact it is you who is desperate for a sword. Isn’t it nonsense to think that when this person is twenty years old, he has the same abilities as when he was forty or fifty years old?
"This city can be used as a long-term defense." Shao Xunzai 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 is actually a little worried that history has been changed, and if he continues to follow the historical context, he may suffer a loss.
But the larger historical context should not have changed, right? Only small details have been changed.
Things like Sima Yue's Northern Expedition to Yecheng are difficult to change. His determination is already very firm. Even if the time of departure is different from that in history, he will eventually leave. It's just a matter of time.
So, what about 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 shouldn't be able to change something so profound yet.
He analyzed it over and over again, and in the end just held the hilt of the knife.
History will gradually become unreliable, but the knife in your hand is always reliable.
"Since you stay in Luoyang, ask Governor Mi for a job and help me recruit soldiers." After looking at Jin Yong City, Shao Xun pulled Yu Liang and said, "Wu Qian is with you. He knows how to choose people. He can help me." , not difficult.”
"Okay." Yu Liang nodded heavily.
He knew that Shao Xun took care of his face. After all, Wu Qian was still in charge of recruiting troops. He was just following along to learn and gain more knowledge and experience.
"Let's go." Shao Xun glanced at Jin Yong City for the last time, then turned around and said: "The war is coming. It's okay to win. If you lose, it will be difficult to distinguish between us and the enemy. Don't go to Cao Junsi's place. Try to follow me. .”
"Okay." Yu Liang, who was once quite arrogant, nodded almost subconsciously, followed Shao Xun step by step, and gradually walked away.
****
The eighth day of July was already the third day after the situation was settled.
In the afternoon of this day, the four-person team of the Royal Army came to Sikong Mansion and waited for the summons.
Different from the previous summons together, this time they entered separately.
Shao Xun observed silently.
When Mi Huang came out, he was neither sad nor happy, as if he had expected it.
He Lun and Wang Bing looked happy when they came out, as if Sima Yue had promised them something.
Shao Xun took a deep breath and stepped inside.
"See Sikong." After the ceremony, Shao Xun was stunned for a moment and found that the princess and the crown prince were sitting a little further away, so he saluted again: "See the princess (eldest son)."
"Sit down." Sima Yue said pleasantly.
"No." Shao Xun knelt down and looked at Sima Yue.
It was the first time he saw his lord so polite.
Generally speaking, this kind of courtesy requires the person below to pay for it with their life.
Just as he cares for his soldiers, he also looks forward to them fighting to the death on the battlefield in the future.
This damn warmth of a superior person.
"I know that many battalions are not equipped to fight." Sima Yue looked at Shao Xun who was sitting upright and said with a smile: "Today I saw Luoyang County soldiers wearing middle clothes, wooden shoes and holding spears. It's like child's play. You are Lieutenant Sima. , who trains the lower army all year round, Gu looks much more powerful than the upper army. Over at He Lun, Gu has already said that from tomorrow on, you will also train the upper army."
"No." Shao Xun responded in a deep voice.
What Sima Yue means is that the power to train troops in the superior army belongs to Shao Xun, and the power to command troops of course still belongs to He Lun - as for the power to mobilize troops, that is the power of the lieutenant.
Unknowingly, his influence within the Royal Army was growing.
But Shao Xun's focus at this time was not on this matter.
He lowered his head slightly and secretly noticed Concubine Pei from the corner of his eye.
Concubine Pei did not move, sitting there like a sculpture.
"I also know that with your talents, you are more than enough to be a general of an army." Sima Yue continued: "In the battle of Daxiamen, you took the lead, were wounded twice, and killed the enemy without any calculation. It can be said that you have made the greatest contribution. These Gu We all know. Don’t worry, when the Northern Expedition is successful, Guhui will vigorously promote old people, and the position of general will be yours sooner or later."
"I am so frightened that I dare not fight to the death for your great king!" Shao Xun prostrated himself on the ground and shouted loudly.
There was finally some movement on the princess' side.
The prince was young and could not hold his breath. When he heard that he had been wounded twice, he was even more surprised.
"As for the matter in Luoyang, I heard from Mi Zihui that I have given him instructions face-to-face." Sima Yue waved his hand to signal his wife and children to be quiet. He only stared at Shao Xun. When he said "give instructions face-to-face", he even emphasized his tone. .
"No." Shao Xun instinctively felt that there was something going on here, but at this time he could only accept it and ask again when he got back.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Just when Shao Xun thought Sima Yue was going to ask him to retreat, he suddenly heard his light voice: "Do you think Luoyang can be defended?"
Shao Xun sighed secretly, if you are not sure of holding on, why would you bother to fight this battle? But he said: "As long as all the troops work together, it will not be difficult to defend."
"Okay." Sima Yue was obviously a little happy, and couldn't help but ask another question: "If we can't hold on, what will you do?"
"The servants took the princess and the prince to break out of the encirclement and headed east to Xuzhou."
Sima became more relieved.
If there is anyone else in the tent who can break through with his wife and children, it can only be the man in front of him.
Unfortunately, he was too young, his family background was not good, and he was promoted too quickly, so he could not suppress the opposition from the shogunate.
A bunch of people in their 40s, 50s, or even 50s and 60s, with gray beards, are still waiting for qualifications and opportunities. What will they think when they hear that a 17 or 18-year-old boy with a poor family background can still be promoted every year? ? How can the morale within the shogunate be maintained?
Out of love for his talent, he couldn't even do this, because it would be putting Shao Xun on the fire.
But merit cannot go unrewarded. Perhaps, after the Northern Expedition is successful, we can consider placing him somewhere else to avoid the eye-catching Luoyang.
But this knife was really easy to use, and it seemed more useful if it was kept by his side. Sima Yue was confused for a while.
Should we take him on a northern expedition? Charge into the battle, kill the general and capture the flag, maybe let him do it?
But if he has made meritorious service, will he really be promoted?
Furthermore, I am not young anymore and I often feel unwell recently. I have only had this son for many years, and he is not yet an adult. Once he loses his son, what else can he do in this life? After all, an adopted son is different from his biological son.
After thinking about it, he rejected the idea.
There was silence again.
The prince seemed unable to sit still and twisted several times.
The princess sat there quietly, wringing her hands together, wondering what she was thinking.
Shao Xun lowered his head slightly and sat upright.
"Stay back and let's get things done. If you need anything, just ask Mi Zihui. If he can't make the decision, go to Wang Yifu with him and he will make arrangements." After Sima Yue came to his senses, he waved Wave.
Shao Xun agreed and stepped down.
Sima Yue stared out the window blankly.
It happens to be noon, and the sun is blazing. I hope his great cause can shine in all directions like the scorching sun at noon.
On the ninth day of July, Sima Yue left Luoyang.
Sima Zhong, the first warrior of the Jin Dynasty, went on the expedition himself, accompanied by the restored crown prince Sima Tan, the kings of the clan, and hundreds of civil and military officials.
Gou Xi, who was highly trusted by Sima Yue, took up the post of Lieutenant Commander of the Northern Army and was regarded as the supreme commander of the Forbidden Army.
Tens of thousands of people came out through the Daxia, Guangmo, and Jianchun gates in a vast and endless stream.
After they left, Luoyang ushered in the era of Mihuang.
This troubled city is destined to never be peaceful.
The world of the Jin Dynasty will not be peaceful either.
