In a small-scale encounter last night, Fifteen Tiger Guards were killed and 780 Black Mountain Bandits were killed. Yuan Xi was satisfied with the Tiger Guards' combat effectiveness, after all, he had taken advantage.
In fact, Yuan Xi could have led his troops to evacuate, but he did not want to do so. Regular participation in battles allowed the soldiers to accumulate battlefield experience and boost morale.
A troop will flee when they see bandits. If things continue like this, what will the soldiers have to fight? Not to mention fighting the regular armies of various princes.
Therefore, even though Yuan Xi knew he was going to die, he still encouraged his subordinates to fight against the Black Mountain bandits who were several times his own, in order to hone their combat effectiveness and accumulate battlefield experience.
As the saying goes, "One general can make a thousand bones dry up." If you want to achieve hegemony, is there anyone who is immortal?
More than 400 people dismounted together, used knives and axes as hoes, dug a big pit, buried their dead brothers in it, and piled up a mound, which was considered their final destination.
Although it is a bit miserable, in this troubled world where human life is as cheap as grass and grass, it is good to have a handful of loess to bury the bones. Compared with the Black Mountain bandits who want to become bird delicacies, these soldiers are obviously much luckier!
None of the living soldiers sighed or shed tears, they just looked at the mound silently and bid farewell to their former comrades. After years of wars, droughts, and plagues, which family has not had a relative die unexpectedly? People in this era have become accustomed to death, and are even a little numb.
Yuan Xi bowed down and bowed to the mound, and ordered: "Zhongkang, Zilong, write down the names of the brothers who died in battle, and go back to pay them generous compensation!"
"Promise!" "Promise!" Xu Chu and Zhao Yun agreed, took out bamboo slips and knives and pens from the packages on their horses, and solemnly carved the name of the deceased.
After burying the fallen soldiers, Yuan Xi and others continued to lead their troops southward along the river, looking for the place Zhao Yun mentioned. The group carefully inquired, walking and stopping, fearing that they would encounter the marauding Black Mountain bandits again, but they traveled fifty or sixty miles without incident.
After walking a few miles further, we saw a valley, with peach trees all over the mountains and plains blooming with scorching peach blossoms, which was so beautiful. This is a mountain village with about ten families. The land around the river valley is fertile, and many farmers are plowing the fields in spring. Women are washing clothes in the river, and naked children are playing by the river. It looks like a peaceful village.
“In these troubled times, it’s really rare to find a place like this paradise!”
Unknown to those who are familiar with it, decades later, Changsheng Hou Zhao Yun was buried here and was personally escorted by Yuan Rui, Emperor of Jin and Ming Dynasties.
Yuan Xi sighed in his heart and ordered the tiger guards to find a hidden place to wait. He only brought Xu Chu, Zhao Yun, and a few Qingqi into the village.
When he came to the woman washing clothes by the river, Yuan Xi got off his horse, bent down and saluted the girl at the end: "Excuse me, my dear, you are polite!"
The girl looked back and was surprised to find a handsome young man in bright clothes, leading a horse and two mighty followers, standing behind her and asking questions. He hurriedly returned the courtesy: "Young master, please give me your invitation. What are your instructions?"
"Ah, brother Zilong, it's brother Zilong. My sister misses you so much." After saying that, the girl who called herself Zhao Yun's sister threw herself into Zhao Yun's arms.
"Little sister, haha, it's my brother. I'm Zilong. My sister is getting more and more beautiful. I almost can't recognize my brother." Zhao Yun was stunned at first, but then he recognized that this girl was indeed his little sister, so he was pleasantly surprised. road.
The girl Liu Yemei has big eyes, fair skin, and beautiful features. She is about fifteen or sixteen years old. In this remote and remote place, she can be regarded as a phoenix in the mountain nest. Yuan Xi couldn't help but praise in his heart, "What a beauty!" "
"Haha... Zilong, I don't know where your home is? I hope you can give me some guidance!" Yuan Xi smiled and said politely, after all, his sister is here.
The girl pulled Zhao Yun and said, "Follow me."
He hurriedly packed up his clothes and called to Yuan Xi: "Master, please come with me!"
After leaving the river, the girl turned sideways and led Zhao Yun, holding the wooden basin in front, and led Yuan Xi and others towards her home.
"May I ask how many Ling brothers and sisters there are?" Yuan Xi followed the girl and asked Zhao Yun in a low voice.
Zhao Yun smiled casually: "I used to have an older brother, the eldest brother Zhao Qi, myself, and this younger sister. The three of us depended on each other. The older brother died during the plague a few years ago, and the younger sister and I were attacked by moth thieves a few years ago. We got separated when we were young, and later Zilong joined the army, but my little sister was nowhere to be found at that time. God opened my eyes, and I reunited with my little sister. Only me and my little sister depended on each other, Zilong, thank you so much, lord!"
After hearing Zhao Yun's words, Yuan Xi felt sad. Born in troubled times, even a person like Zhao Yun, who later became an all-powerful figure, could not keep his family safe. His brother died of the plague and his sister was almost lost. It is true that in troubled times, human life is like a piece of grass.
"It doesn't matter, the world will be peaceful in the future. That's when you sisters will truly reunite!" Yuan Xi comforted Zhao Yun, and then asked the girl: "Don't know what to call her?"
After hearing Yuan Xi's words, the girl felt very happy and said with longing: "It would be great if the world could really be peaceful. I really miss my eldest brother and my second brother. The little girl's name only has the character for rain, so I don't dare to trouble the young master. ask."
Yuan Xi nodded and said, "It's Miss Zhao Yu." Then she stopped talking, led the horse, and followed Zhao Yun and Zhao Yu into the village. That night, Zhao Yun and Zhao Yu brother and sister cooked and entertained Yuan Xi, thanking him for his kindness. From then on, Zhao Yun became Yuan Xi's loyal minister second only to Xu Chu. He even risked his life to save Yuan Xi in the Battle of Chibi.
In that battle, Zhao Yun was ordered to resist the pursuit of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong. Huang Zhong, the Five Tiger General, was killed by Zhao Yun.
The next day, Yuan Xi and others hurried back to the camp.
After all preparations were completed, the five thousand elite cavalry broke out of camp and set off. Yuan Xi asked the judge to find some better carriages to carry Mrs. Liu, Bu Lianshi and others.
With the supply of food and grass, the five thousand cavalry marched very fast, and arrived at the Hejian Governance Office successfully three days later. After successfully obtaining a supply and placing Mrs. Liu there, Yuan Xijun rushed to the front line of Gaoyang.
Yuan Xi asked Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao to place their soldiers on the outskirts of Gaoyang City, and he took Yuan Xi, Guo Jia, Gu Yong, Xu Chu and others into Gaoyang City to meet Yuan Shao.
Near the city gate, there was a group of Jizhou soldiers escorting large and small vehicles back to the city. But when Yuan Xi saw it, he felt that those soldiers were very strange.
The arms of the soldiers were wrapped in silk cloth with strange patterns. Some soldiers also had cinnabar-dyed cloth strips tied on their heads, and some even had some cinnabar marks left on their faces. In addition to carrying weapons, those soldiers also had a large number of digging tools such as shovels, hammers, hoes, and plowshares.
Yuan Xi hesitated for a while and asked: "Where are the soldiers? Why are they dressed like this?"
Guo Jia looked at the soldiers, frowned, and said knowingly: "They must be soldiers who dug up Qiulong and raised military wages. It seems that they have gained a lot."
"Dig up Qiulong?" Yuan Xi immediately understood that they were the so-called diggers who robbed and dug up graves. This is very common among warlords. Dong Zhuo's Xiliang Army even dared to openly excavate imperial tombs.
Later, Cao Cao followed suit and also established the gold-touching school captain, but Yuan Shao and others did it in a more subtle way.
Gu Yong looked coldly, suddenly shouted, and said to Yuan Xi: "Major General, did you see one of those soldiers being escorted? That's my senior brother Cui Yan and Cui Jigui!"
Yuan Xi followed what Gu Yong pointed at, and sure enough, one of the digging troops was escorting a man dressed as a scribe. And he knew Cui Yan's name, he was a capable person, but why was he arrested?
Yuan Xi led the crowd to stop the group of digging soldiers, and the soldiers knew that Yuan Xi and his group of well-equipped soldiers were not someone to be trifled with.
A leader of the Dizi Army bravely rode out of the team and asked: "Brothers from which battalion are in front of us? We are here on business, why are we blocking our way?"
At Yuan Xi's signal, Xu Chu also came out of the team and shouted in a rough voice: "This is the Second Young Master's department. The Second Young Master is here. One of your chief officers will come out and answer the question."
The leader trembled and hurriedly dismounted from his horse and saluted. The second young master was a very popular and powerful figure in Hebei today, and he could not afford to offend a small leader.
Yuan Xi signaled the leader to stand up, pointed at Cui Yan behind him and said, "Tell me, what did that person commit?"
"We were ordered to raise military pay in Hejian and Zhongshan. I don't know where Kuangsheng came from, but he actually blocked us. But he said that he was a scholar who was conquered by the general Chariot and Cavalry. I didn't dare to make the decision, so I escorted him back. Leave it to the superiors."
Yuan Xi got the general idea, so he said, "Well, just hand him over to me, and I will handle it."
The little leader didn't dare to say anything. Anyone who dared to offend the second son of the Yuan family was seeking death, so he immediately untied Cui Yan and handed him over to Yuan Xi and others. Fortunately, he escaped.
"Senior Brother Cui, how could you be in such a mess? Come quickly and thank the second young master. It was the second young master who saved you!" Gu Yong stepped forward and took Cui Yan's hand and said.
Cui Yan was originally a handsome and handsome man, but now his long beard looked like dry grass and his clothes were dirty and torn. But Cui Yan still looked dignified and calm in his demeanor.
"Is he the second young master? I have admired my name for a long time. I am Cui Yan in Qinghe." Cui Yan said, his voice was very smooth.
Yuan Xi introduced everyone to Cui Yan with a smile. After a few people were polite, Cui Yan's face became serious. He pointed at the Dizi Army who was leaving and asked, "Does the Second Young Master know what they are doing?"
Yuan Xi had a headache. Historically, Cui Yan was known as a direct minister, and he was upright and upright. He was no worse than Tian Feng. He was also a direct minister in Hebei. Later, the Jin Dynasty became as famous as Tian Feng, and the ministers of Zhijian and Cambodia also accompanied Lingyan Pavilion.
Yuan Xi had no objection in his heart and organized soldiers to rob tombs to raise military pay. However, in order to win over Cui Yan, a talented person, he had to make some gestures to dispel his resistance.
"I just came from Anping and didn't know about this. Please forgive me, sir." Yuan Xi replied slowly.
Cui Yan nodded and said, "Excuse me, sir, please take me to see Yuan Chaqi. I want to report to him the atrocities committed by these bandits. These soldiers are stealing and digging graves, which is really against the laws of nature and human rights. They should not be restrained and dealt with." How?"
Yuan Xi said haha and brought Cui Yan into the city. He should leave this troublesome matter to his father Yuan Shao himself.
Yuan Shao's big account.
Yuan Shao and Feng Ji sat facing each other.
Screening off the reporting guard, Yuan Shao asked: "Now that Xian Yi has returned to Hebei, does Yuan Tu think he has other purposes?"
"What other purpose does the second young master have?" Feng Ji said: "He must know that Mr. Yuan is troubled and specially come back to help!"
"Help?" Yuan Shao snorted: "If he doesn't cause any trouble, he will have a good son!"
"A few months ago, Mr. Yuan often mentioned the second young master." Feng Ji said: "Although his words are blaming now, he is more affectionate..."
"It's a pity that he's not the eldest son! A certain man gave birth to seven sons, three direct descendants and four concubines. Looking at all the sons, no one is as talented as him. If he is the eldest son, in Hebei..."
"The second young master has always helped Mr. Yuan solve his problems, but have he ever asked for half of the credit?" Feng Ji said, "Even if he is not the eldest son, he is the son of Mr. Yuan!"
Look at Fengji. Yuan Shao said slowly: "It's strange to say that I always feel weird lately." Yuan Shao is not stupid, he is a master of tactics, Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi can't hide the little things from him.
"I wonder what makes Mr. Yuan feel weird?"
"You have been talking so much for Xianyi, I can't help but wonder, but what good will it do for him to win Xianyi?"
"We are Yuan Gong's staff, how can we accept the benefits of the second young master?" Feng Ji smiled.
"It doesn't matter if it's someone else. Yuan Tu's character is trustworthy." Yuan Shao said: "You are absolutely unwilling to accept benefits from others. I just don't understand why you are on Xianyi's side."
"The second young master has outstanding military exploits and is a decent man. We can't help but be dissatisfied." Feng Ji said, "I heard that not long ago, he defeated Sun Tao's coalition forces and almost captured Sun Ce and others. It's true that the father of a tiger has no son."
"Haha, someone already knows about this!" Yuan Shao said with a smile.
The main tent of Yuan Shao's army was located in Gaoyang City. Yuan Xi had sent someone to inform Yuan Shao earlier. To everyone's surprise, Yuan Shao would personally wait for Yuan Xi outside the mansion.
Yuan Xi and others quickly dismounted and saluted, while Yuan Shao smiled and took Yuan Xi's hand and led him to the garrison. Jushou, Fengji, Xu You, Chunyu Qiong, Gao Lan, Han Meng, Jiang Qi and others also gathered together.
Yuan Xi saw Cui Yan under the seat and introduced to his father Yuan Shao: "I almost forgot to mention that this is Cui Jigui, Mr. Cui, who came to join me in response to my father's conquest."
Yuan Shao and others were surprised to see Cui Yan's miserable appearance. Yuan Xi briefly talked about the chance encounter outside the city.
Yuan Shao heard this and came to Cui Yan in person, bowed and apologized, and said, "My subordinates' soldiers were unreasonable, which caused Mr. Cui to suffer. I hope you will forgive me, and I will definitely restrain my soldiers."
Cui Yan also returned the courtesy, even saying that he didn't dare, "It's just general, your soldiers are robbing graves, don't you care?"
Yuan Shao looked a little embarrassed. He knew and approved these things. Although some people were dissatisfied, they pretended not to know about it, and Cui Yan rubbed Yuan Shao's bad luck as soon as he arrived.
Chunyu Qiong curled his lips. He disliked these Confucian scholars the most and said indifferently: "Sir, you don't know something. The army is short of goods and money and food are not supplied. The soldiers have no choice but to raise their own food and pay."
Cui Yan was very angry at his answer, so he retorted, "Such a thing that is harmful to nature and people is probably not what a teacher of benevolence and righteousness should do!"
Before Yuan Shao could speak, Chunyu Qiong answered first: "Sir, you have never led an army, so you don't know the poverty in the army. How can we feed so many soldiers without money and food? How can we help the country without soldiers? It's a waste to keep those treasures down there. We took them as a Why not use it for military purposes? Besides, which military commander in the world has never done this kind of thing? It’s true that a well-fed man doesn’t know a hungry man is hungry.”
Cui Yan was angered by Chun Yuqiong's retort, and said angrily: "In the past, Sun Qing said: 'If a scholar is not well-educated, his armor and soldiers will be disadvantageous. Even if Tang and Wu are defeated, they will not be able to defeat him.' Today's roads are rough and the people have no virtue. It is appropriate to order the counties and counties to bury their bodies and bury their bodies to show their naive love and pursue the benevolence of King Wen."
"King Wen's benevolence?" Yuan Shao said softly. He likes to play vocal music and doesn't read many books.
Yuan Xi looked at Yuan Shao's expression and said knowingly: "In the past, King Wen Ji Chang made the people rich and the country was rich, and he cultivated virtues and did good deeds. Once when a ditch was dug, an official reported that an ownerless body was dug up, but King Wen said, 'I am the lord of a country, and he is a How can we say that the people of the country have no owner and bones?’ So she was collected and buried.”
Regarding this allusion, some people know it, and some people don't. Yuan Xi was favored by Yuan Shao and continued: "At that time, everyone in the world praised Xibohou's kindness to the withered bones, let alone others? The world's talents also abandoned Yin and joined Zhou. Mr. Cui's move was to ask his father to imitate King Nawen. Implement benevolent government.”
Yuan Shao was very happy to hear that Cui Yan and Yuan Xi compared King Wen with him. He stopped Chunyu Qiong who wanted to argue and said to Cui Yan: "What you said is true, but the army is short of money. What those soldiers did It is also a helpless move. From now on, I will discipline the soldiers and practice benevolence and righteousness."
Cui Yan believed it to be true, raised his hands and said: "It would be great if the general can do it. My words just now were a bit too extreme. Please be patient and don't take offense."
Yuan Shao laughed loudly and smoothed things over by saying, "From now on, we will all be colleagues working together to achieve great things. Let this little thing go by and no one should mention it again."
