In the twelfth lunar month of winter, snowflakes are flying.
Outside the north gate of Yecheng, there were now many officials and soldiers standing. They walked through the snow and looked at the official road to the north. Although the north wind was howling and the cold was unbearable, everyone's faces were relaxed and joyful, which changed the decline of Yuan Cao's war.
After the meeting, a group of riders braved the wind and snow and appeared in front of everyone. In front of them was a handsome flag with the vigorous and simple Yuan character embroidered in Han Li, which was obviously noble and extraordinary.
"The general is back!" Everyone rushed to greet him.
Yuan Xi, dressed in a mysterious military robe, stepped out of the carriage and looked at the snowy scene and crowds in front of him. His heart was filled with pride and joy. At the same time, he also lamented the difficulty of the battle. It was already winter and starting a business was not easy.
"Excuse me, please brave the snow to welcome me! I would be very grateful to the general!" Yuan Xi said loudly to the ministers.
Everyone responded to the ceremony one after another without even daring to say anything. Shen Pei stepped forward to represent the officials and presented Yuan Xi with a celebratory wine.
Yuan Xi took the silver bowl of celebration wine. He looked at the judge and said calmly, "Thank you, Mr. Lao Zhengnan. I almost won't be able to drink this bowl of celebration wine."
The judge didn't know why, but looking at Yuan Xi's dark eyes and faint tone, he felt uneasy for no reason, but he didn't think deeply about it.
"Second brother, every time you go on an expedition, you win consecutive battles. I have prepared this celebration drink early in the morning, just waiting for the second brother to return home." Yuan Shang, who was beside the judge, was very enthusiastic and praised with a smile.
It’s really a famous scene of brothers and sisters respecting each other.
"There is no ever-victorious general in the world. This expedition to Wuhuan in the three counties for my brother is really risky. If not for better luck, I am afraid that these tens of thousands of soldiers would have been buried in a foreign country." Yuan Xi couldn't help but sigh.
After that, Yuan Xi led everyone back to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion. Yuan Xi went back to the inner hall first. As soon as he walked out of the house, he was stopped by someone from behind.
"Second brother, please stay." The person coming was Yu Youwei.
Yuan Xi hurriedly turned around and saluted, "My brother and sister asked me what your instructions are?"
Yu Youwei smiled delicately and said, "Second brother, I have a prescription for mystery. I don't quite understand it. Can you please explain it to me?"
Yuan Xi said coldly, "You only need to give this prescription to the doctor to prepare the medicine. You don't need your younger siblings to understand it."
Yu Youwei bit her lower lip and smiled sweetly; "But I want to cook the medicine for the general myself, so naturally I have to ask for details."
After saying that, she was full of charm and gave him a dirty look. Jiaorou said, "Second brother, you won't be stingy in teaching me."
Yuan Xi smelled an astounding aroma in his nose, and couldn't help but feel swayed. The mature and plump body wrapped in red clothes looked at him with bold and seductive eyes, exhaling like blue, and Yuan Xi's guarded mind relaxed slightly.
Yuan Xi thought that it would take a long time to explain this prescription to her. If someone saw him whispering to her at the door, there would be a scandal, and he would be passive by then.
Yuan Xi immediately turned around and said coldly: "You can ask Mr. Li at home about Xuanji, and he will explain it to you. Second brother, I have something else to do, so I will leave first."
"Wait, second brother, you can leave later, I have something to say." Yu Youwei hurriedly stopped Yuan Xi, her voice full of resentment. The cold wind slapped her face, and her delicate skin immediately turned red.
"Say it." Yuan Xi turned his head.
"Second brother, I won't harm you. Don't worry, I never will." Then Yu Youwei handed a prescription to Yuan Xi's hand and said, "The doctor said just boil the medicine according to this, two doses a day." Times, remember it... remember it..."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and ran away. A few crystal tears were blown onto Yuan Xi's face by the wind, feeling colder than snow.
When Yuan Xi opened the prescription, he was shocked. This is not a prescription. This is. . . Then Yuan Xi became uncertain.
Tian Feng and others had already prepared a banquet in the lobby. The generals who went on the expedition and the officials who stayed in Yecheng all came to the table one by one. Except for Tian Yu, who was stationed in Youbeiping to guard the three counties, and Jiang Qi, who was stationed in Yuyang, the other generals, including Yan Rou and others, all returned to Yecheng with the army.
The generals were very excited to be victorious after a arduous battle.
Although their achievements are not as good as those of Wei Huo, they are enough to leave a mark in the history books.
Later, many of this group of vassals entered Lingxiao Pavilion, and their names went down in history for future generations to admire.
All the civil and military personnel were very happy, and the gloom of the defeat of Baima was swept away. Through this Northern Expedition, Taizong, Xuanwu, Emperor Yuan Xi, successfully reunited the morale of Hebei's army, reshaped the spirit, and at the same time passed on to Hebei. Social conflicts kill two birds with one stone.
Through this Northern Expedition, Emperor Taizong Xuanwu and Emperor Yuan Xi established his core leadership position in Hebei. For the same reason as Zhou Shizong Chai Rong's Northern Expedition to Khitan, he must make great contributions to pacify the world and cultivate his own direct lineage.
In order to usurp Wei, Sima Zhao established great achievements by conquering Shu, so as to block the mouth of the world.
"Oh. I had known that Stalker would go out with the army, but I never thought that such a good thing would happen." Guo Jia said with regret.
"That Wuhuan girl is very fierce. Military Master Guo, a scholar like you, may not be able to tame her." Wen Chou said with a lustful smile.
"Needless to say a sickly person, only a brave general like General Ziyi can tame the daughter of Uguna." Guo Tu said with a smile. He couldn't help but ridicule this descendant of the Guo family.
Taishi Ci's face was filled with redness. Last time Uguna proposed a marriage, Yuan Xi and others discussed it and asked Taishi Ci, who was not yet married, to marry Uguna's daughter.
Yuan Xi knew about the conflict between Guo Jia and Guo Tu. Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, he immediately changed the subject and said: "During our army's expedition, what major events will happen in the four states of Hebei?"
"The autumn harvest and other matters are going smoothly, and some orders have been issued. I believe that in spring next year, order will be restored in the states." Tian Feng answered truthfully.
"General, the law has been promulgated. But the squires from all over Jizhou are wondering whether this is too harsh." Feng Ji said cautiously.
Tian Feng's so-called law is to restore the normal rent-and-settlement system and prevent powerful tyrants from annexing small farmers. Jizhou has powerful powers and powerful forces, so they naturally resisted this order, which after all harmed some of their interests.
Now, Feng and Shen are the largest clans in Hebei, and they have become their leaders.
"The decree enacted by the general before was just a restoration of the decree that had been neglected by the imperial court for many years. Does anyone dare to oppose the imperial law?" Guo Tu asked rhetorically.
The Guo family and the Xin family have lost power, and many of their properties have been confiscated. Those laws do not affect Guo Tu's interests. He is not afraid of offending the judge, and is willing to comply with Yuan Xi's wishes and become a new favorite.
However, Yuan Xi ignored the previous suspicion and re-appointed Guo Tu and Xin Pi, not only because they still had some talents, but also to check and balance the Feng and Shen families who had increased their power in Jizhou.
"Because of the war, some orders have been abandoned for a long time. Now the general has rewritten the law. This move can make the people who govern the area strictly abide by their duties. It is conducive to the restoration of government orders. I think they should be strictly implemented." Cui Yan said. He is engaged in law. He has always advocated the implementation of etiquette and laws, and is also a representative of Legalist criminal names.
"Since it is a decree to stabilize people's livelihood, it must be resolutely implemented. Public and private affairs must be distinguished. Don't abolish national affairs because of a little selfish gain, right?" Yuan Xi said slowly.
"I'm just conveying their intentions. I fully support these laws." Feng Ji quickly replied.
"The troublesome thing now is the affairs of the Wuhuan tribe. Although they have been moved to Youbeiping, if their livelihood cannot be solved, they will still have to be released back to the grassland for grazing." Yuan Xi changed the subject and said.
"Does the general want them to switch to farming?" Tian Feng asked.
"The imperial court repeatedly conquered the barbarian barbarians outside the Great Wall, but after each conquest, in addition to migrating inward, they still allowed them to maintain their original customs. The barbarian barbarians were tamed for a while, but once they regained their strength, they would rebel again. This is the case with Wuhuan in the three counties, The same goes for the Xianbei and Huns in Bingzhou and Youzhou. If we don't kill them all, we have to make them change their customs and tie them to the land," Yuan Xi said.
"Wuhuan from the three counties moved south, but there is no guarantee that other Hu people will not go to their original pastures to graze." Zhong Yao, who was sitting at the bottom, worried.
"I think there is a way to arrange it." Tianchou, who returned to Yecheng with the army, stood up and said.
"Mr. Tian, tell me quickly!" Yuan Xi said in surprise. Tian Chou had lived in the border area for a long time and was a talented man with great foresight. He must have thought of some good solution.
"What the lord just said is right. The Wuhuan tribes in the three counties have all moved south, and there are still Xianbei people who will occupy their original territory. Youbeiping cannot resettle them all at once. With so many surrendered Wuhuan tribes, we might as well send one or two tribes back first, and then Send troops and horses for strict supervision." Tian Chou took a breath and continued, "This time our army also brought back many Han people who were plundered. Although they are eager to return to their hometowns, their family property is probably gone. General We can use inducements and promises of benefits to build a horse farm in Wuhuan's hometown, and let them accompany a group of soldiers to herd horses for the army on the grassland."
"Good! They must have been accustomed to the climate there, and the idea of establishing a horse farm in the hometown of Wuhuan in the three counties is very good." Yuan Xi said happily.
"It's bitter cold outside the Great Wall, are they willing to go?" Tian Feng couldn't help but worry.
"Mr. Yuan Hao doesn't know something. Some people even went to Liaodong to join Gongsun Du in order to make a living. As long as the general can give them huge profits, there will be no shortage of people in Youzhou who are willing to go herding." Tian Chou replied confidently.
"Although Gongsun Du claimed to be the governor of Liaodong, he refused to obey the orders of Youzhou and stationed an army in Wuhuan's hometown in western Liaoning. It would be better to deter him." Jushou agreed. He considered it from the perspective of distant relations and close attacks.
Yuan Xi's goal is to expand the country's territory, so Liaodong has always been taken back, and this is also one of his father's regrets. Stationing a mixed Hu-Han cavalry in western Liaoning will also prepare for the future attack on Liaodong.
"There have been constant wars in the past few years, and Ping Ping County in Youbei, Yuyang is also in depression. It is very important to resettle the Wuhuan tribe who returned and restore various productions. I plan to recommend Mr. Tian Chou as the Youzhou Shepherd. What do you think?" Yuan Xi asked, raising an important issue.
No one could find any reason to object. Tian Chou was a famous scholar in Youzhou and had a high reputation in Youzhou. He also made great achievements in the conquest of Wuhuan, so he deserved this position.
"General, I'm sorry that I'm not qualified for such an important position." Tian Chou declined.
"Mr. Zitai, you are familiar with border affairs and have foresight. Are you not qualified for the job?" Yuan Xi asked in return.
Tian Chou sighed and said, "I have an indifferent temperament. I wanted to learn from Master Zheng and devote myself to learning and live in seclusion in the countryside. If it were not for the harm caused by barbarians in the border areas, I would no longer care about time and secular affairs. Now the three counties are now Wuhuan has been defeated, and everyone here is far more talented than me. Please, General, please let me return to my hometown."
Yuan Xi knew that he had strong thoughts of seclusion, but he still advised: "Although the three counties of Wuhuan are peaceful, settling the border areas is an important task, and there are still many Xianbei Wuhuan tribes who have not surrendered in the Shanggu of Daijun. It can be said that it is quiet. The problem in the border area has not yet been solved, Mr. Zitai, you are trying to abandon the people of Youzhou and ignore it!"
Tian Chou was speechless and didn't know how to answer for a while.
Guo Jia smiled and said helpfully: "Young Master might as well make a promise to Mr. Zitai. When the border of Youzhou is stable and there are no more hidden worries, Young Master will not stop him from resigning and going into seclusion."
"Okay, that's what I mean!" Yuan Xi said, Guo Jia's so-called border area is completely stable. That may have happened many years later, and Cao Cao also made the same three-chapter agreement when he surrendered Guan Yu.
Tian Chou was very embarrassed. But not agreeing showed that he did not care about the people in the village, so he agreed, "That's it. I will follow what the general said, and I will do my best to handle all matters in Youzhou."
"Mr. Youzhou Zitai is in charge, I feel very relieved." Yuan Xi smiled and looked at Yan Rou on the other side, and continued, "General Yan has made many meritorious deeds during this expedition. In addition to the necessary rewards, I appoint you as the commander of the rebellion. General, take charge of the military affairs of Shanggu, Daijun and Yuyang in Youzhou, and assist Mr. Zitai in pacifying the border areas."
"Here! I'll follow Mr. Zitai and do my best to handle the border affairs." Yan Rou came out of the queue and thanked him.
With the arrangements for Youzhou in place, Yuan Xi could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Tian Chou will govern Youzhou, Yan Rou will lead his troops to frighten the three northern counties, and Tian Yu, the general stationed in Wuhuan, will be stationed in Beiping, Liaoxi and Liaodong on the right. This arrangement is undoubtedly the best lineup to stabilize the northern border. After handling the border affairs of Bingzhou, he can deal with Cao Cao in the south with peace of mind, and then he will settle old and new grudges together.
Yuan Xi asked Jia Xu, Chen Lin and others to verify the rewards for meritorious service as soon as possible, and then canceled the banquet.
At that time, the land north of Guanzhong was filled with numerous princes and divisions. The two most powerful forces at that time were Ma Teng and Han Sui! After Cao Cao came to power, he sent Chen Gong to Chang'an to lead and integrate the princes in Guanzhong. Chen Gong had extraordinary abilities and joined forces with Wei Duan to persuade Han and Ma, which eased the relationship between the two. Ma Teng was appointed as the former general, Huaili Hou, stationed troops in Huaili, and defended the Qiang and Hu in the north of Sanfu, so Ma Teng was named the general governor of Xiliang, and his main energy was in Guanzhong.
Xun You advised Cao Cao to issue an edict to Ma Teng, saying, "It is only necessary to send eloquent counselors and people who have a deep understanding of the situation in Guanzhong to talk about it, in order to promote this matter. In addition, we can also use this opportunity For this reason, we can also persuade all the princes in Guanzhong to surrender and fight against Yuan together, so as to stabilize the three auxiliaries and consolidate Xijing. By the way, we can eliminate the Western invasion for us, which will make the Central Plains less worried."
Cao Cao deeply admired Xun You's words and said, "According to Gongda's opinion, who should be dispatched in this matter?"
Xun You laughed when he heard this and said: "Now that the capital is in sight, Fu Qian, the governor of Fufeng, has a good relationship with Ma Teng. After the edict is issued, he can advise Ma Teng on his behalf and explain the pros and cons. In addition, Chen Palace in Chang'an has written several times, I recommend Yang Fu from Tianshui Jizhou County to Duke Ming. He says that this person has extraordinary knowledge and has a deep understanding of the truth and reality of various princes in Guanzhong. He can be of great use! Chen Gong knows people. There is no mistake! Duke Ming can also recommend Yang Fu as a leader. Lobbyists, go to various ministries and persuade the princes one by one to attack Yuan!"
The end of the year is approaching, and the land in Hebei is covered with snow. The stove mixed with spices in the study room of the Zhou Mufu exudes the warmth of light fragrance. Yuan Xi lies on the couch and reads the documents. Gao Yue, Zhen Mi, Princess Wannian, Tang Ji, Diao Xiuer, Bu Lianshi and several other wives and concubines are Sitting around sewing winter clothes.
"Is this palace too stupid? Why can't I always do it well?" Liu Yan sighed.
"Princess sister has a distinguished status and has never been a female worker. It is already very good to be able to do this." Zhen Mi replied with a smile.
"Such a delicate job requires patience. If you can't calm down, you will definitely not be able to do it well." Yuan Xi shook his head and joked.
Liu Yan pouted and said displeasedly, "It's boring to be stuck in the house in the winter. I wanted to rush to make a winter coat for my husband, but I didn't expect that my husband made such mocking remarks."
Yuan Xi put down the document and said with a smile: "In the past, when I was studying with the Taifu in Beijing, I don't know who could not bear his temper and ran away. It was not me."
Liu Yan sat next to Yuan Xi, blushed and pinched him, and said angrily, "Of course you were the one who led me to escape at that time."
The two of them couldn't help but smile at each other as they thought of the old events in the palace. The two of them knew each other for the first time, and it would be no exaggeration to say that they were childhood sweethearts.
"Mr. Liu Ye asks to see the young master." The maid came into the house to report.
