Today is the emperor's first court meeting when he returns to Xijing to work. Its specifications are equivalent to the Shuo Dynasty meeting on the first day of every month and the Wangchao meeting on the 15th day of each month. All officials with an official rank of ninth grade or above must attend. As for whether they are official officials or not, , virtual officials, and local officials are not important, so there are particularly many officials participating in the court meeting today.
After the dynasty was over, the officials with actual duties returned to their respective official offices and started a new day of work; the noble officers, honorary officers, and casual officials without actual duties took carriages and went home. Of course, some people took advantage of this opportunity. I had the opportunity to meet up with friends who had been separated for recent years, and gathered in small groups to go to restaurants and teahouses to have wine and tea, and talk about their separation. And as these idle officials dispersed to various villages, the news of the Liangzhou Army's great victory in Tuyuhun also spread like ripples to every village in Daxing.
The sun is shining brightly today, and Pingkangfang, which was originally bustling with people, has become even more lively because of the imperial officials and troops moving westward with the imperial court. In the elegant room on the second floor of the "Don't Get Drunk" building, several young people with Qilu accents exchanged cups. .
These people are Qin Qiong, Shan Xiongxin, Shan Xiongtong, Zhai Rang, and Huang Junhan. They have now joined the Xiaoguo Army as they wished. Now that the emperor has moved westward to Guanzhong, the officers and soldiers of the Xiaoguo Army have naturally been brought with him. Although they are all low-level military attachés of the Xiaoguo Army, they are not in the same "organization". They are usually busy with their own affairs, and it is difficult for them to get together.
Before Cheng Yaojin moved his family to the west, he had communicated with these friends and hoped that they would go to Liangzhou to start a career together. However, they did not have Cheng Yaojin's crazy energy and courage. The Xiaoguo Army had high expectations, and even thought that with their abilities, they would become the mainstay of the Xiaoguo Army. However, both of them were slapped in the face by reality.
It is true that Yang Guang intends to build the Xiaoguo Army into a new army that is loyal and capable of fighting, but "veteran generals" such as Yin Shishi, Dugu Sheng, and Yao Junsu are all people who have been on the battlefield and fought bloody battles. They know that as a general, what is important is not the courage of an individual, but whether he has actual combat experience, the ability to lead troops, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Based on this principle, they made a strategy for selecting generals in battle, first starting from the team. At the beginning of the selection, each team leader will lead fifty soldiers to fight. If he wins the battle, he will become the candidate brigade commander, and then he will lead a hundred soldiers to compete for the school captain...
After this plan for selecting generals was handed to Yang Guang, Yang Guang was convinced. So Shan Xiongxin, Qin Qiong and others, who were highly skilled in martial arts but had no actual combat experience, suffered a tragedy.
In the actual campaign, they stipulated that each candidate should lead a hundred soldiers to "fight". Shan Xiongxin and Qin Qiong claimed to be highly skilled in martial arts and familiar with the art of war. They thought they could easily kill their opponents. However, they just The school captain was beaten quite miserably this round, but the little brigade commander with actual combat experience, whom they looked down upon, was able to easily annihilate them with the help of the right time, place, and topography.
Therefore, although they entered the Xiaoguo Army as they wished, one or two of them mingled more and more back. In the past, they were still county captains or something, but now they are brigade commanders with a hundred soldiers. Compared with the places they served before, Military positions are demoted instead of promoted.
However, they were angry and annoyed, but they lost and had nothing to say. They were a little better, but after their good friend Xu Gai was beaten into autism by the little brigade commander, he couldn't stand the huge gap and directly He went back to his hometown to be a powerful man in his place.
"I have submitted my resignation, and my superiors have approved it." Zhai Rang glanced at everyone and said, "I will return home tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."
Shan Xiongxin was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked: "You're so good, why did you suddenly resign? Could it be that you were treated unfairly?"
"That's not true!" Zhai Rang shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The Xiaoguo Army is the emperor's personal army. Not only is the training intensive, but there are also many rules and restrictions. I really can't stand it anymore and I don't want to do it anymore." He sighed. With a sound, Zhai Rang continued: "After walking in the Xiaoguo Army, I have finally seen myself clearly: I am a person with no ambitions and cannot endure hardship, but a comfortable life of being strong is suitable for me."
"I have the same idea as my brother, and I have submitted my resignation letter to my superiors." The speaker was Shan Xiongxin's brother Shan Xiongtong. He said to Zhai Rang: "Brother, please wait for me for a few days. Then we will return home together. .”
"Haha, I just have a companion!" Zhai Rang nodded with a smile.
The Xiaoguo Army is the emperor's own army, very
The soldiers from the capital, the border troops, the state soldiers, and the young men of the people were all fighting for a spot as an ordinary soldier; so the Xiaoguo Army had no shortage of soldiers at all. Moreover, we are currently in a critical period of further integration, so our superiors issued an official document saying that anyone who can't stand it can resign.
They are all top tycoons, extremely wealthy, and local bullies. Everyone is used to a free and aloof life. However, Zhai Rang and Shan Xiongtong are greedy for comfort and have no ambitions. They have long been I couldn't stand the pain of training, the boring life, and the various restrictions. When I heard about such a good thing, I was overjoyed and resigned.
Shan Xiongxin, Qin Qiong, and Huang Junhan were not surprised at all when they heard their decision. In fact, they didn't know how long they could hold on. Shan Xiongxin was silent for a long time and asked Qin Qiong: "Shu Bao, Yao Jin has been in Liangzhou for so long, but there has been no news. I wonder if you have heard from him?"
"He didn't write to me, but his wife reported to my wife that she was safe. She said that Yaojin met King Wei in Zhangye and had successfully entered the victory army and became a member of the Liangzhou army." Qin Qiong thought about it. After thinking about it, he added: "The military report a few days ago said that the King of Wei was victorious and had already reached the eastern battlefield. Yao Jin was among the most elite soldiers of the Victory Army. I guess he must have made contributions."
"I heard that the Western Route Army led by King Wei fought very hard at Dangjin Mountain Pass. In particular, Quan Xu, the deputy general of the Dunhuang Road March, crippled an army of 10,000 in the Ganquanshui area in order to resist the enemy's entry." Shan Xiongxin He said worriedly: "I don't know what happened to Yao Jin, but I hope he is safe and sound."
"I told him that there are many wars in Liangzhou. The battlefields are extremely dangerous and the weapons and weapons have no eyesight. I told him not to go, but he just didn't listen. What can I do? Whether he is safe now or something happens, it is his fate." Zhai Rang sighed. He said in one voice: "I felt that I did not have such a good life, so I declined his invitation."
Huang Junhan couldn't help laughing and joked: "My brother resigned because he felt that he would not have a good life and was afraid that something might happen to him?"
Zhai Rang was not worried and said happily: "Brother Xian is right. I have completely figured it out now: since I have countless family assets, I should enjoy it. Why risk death in battle to become a soldier?" Soldiers?" (Note)
Everyone laughed!
After this incident, Shan Xiongxin and Qin Qiong's worries about Cheng Yaojin also eased a bit. Shan Xiongxin said to Huang Junhan: "Junhan, you are smarter than us. Do you think our army will progress in the next battle?" went well?"
"It must have gone smoothly!" Huang Junhan analyzed: "Murong Fuyun has made the people of Tuyuhun miserable and full of complaints over the years. Most of the soldiers are herdsmen who were forcibly recruited by him. When the news of the annihilation of the Tuyuhun West Route Army reached Fuqi The east route army will definitely panic the people of the city. Once our army approaches the city, these herdsmen who are forced to join the army will disperse in droves."
"It's hard to say!" Qin Qiong said, "After all, Tuyuhun is a country with a history of more than two hundred years, and there is no shortage of loyal people. Although our army will win in the end, the final decisive battle may not be easy to fight."
While several people were discussing, they heard bursts of cheers and discussions coming from outside. Almost drowning out their voices, Shan Xiongxin called the entourage who was secretly accompanying him rather displeased, and ordered: "Also, let me If you don’t want people to have a hard time eating, go and ask the shopkeeper what happened?”
"Here!" The entourage hurriedly left the private room. After a while, he returned and said to everyone with great joy: "I heard that King Wei won a great victory."
"Oh?" Shan Xiongxin asked, "How big is the victory?"
"King Wei led his army to conquer Fuqi City, and Tuyuhun Great Khan Murong Fuyun committed suicide in the palace. Tuyuhun officially declared the country's subjugation." When the entourage said this, he added: "It is said that the saint has just conferred the title of Shangshu Ling on King Wei. Already."
As soon as he said this, Shan Xiongxin laughed loudly and said: "This is really a great happy event. King Wei has really made me great in the Sui Dynasty."
Qin Qiong felt a little hot on her face. Huang Junhan just said that this battle was easy to fight, but he said it was not easy, but now? But he was an open-minded person after all. He laughed at himself and said: "It seems that I am really not a general or a counselor!"
"We are all in the same boat, each other!" Shan Xiongxin said with a smile, and then said to Zhai Rang,
Shan Xiongtong said: "Since King Wei has won the battle, the court will soon reward him for his merits. You can go after reading the list!"
Zhai Rang smiled cheerfully: "That's what I meant. If there is news about the gold medal, I will feel more relieved."
"Brother, Yao Jin is just a soldier. Even if he has made meritorious deeds, he won't be on the list." Huang Junhan smiled bitterly and suggested: "After these few days, you might as well go to Prince Wei's Mansion to inquire. I can't tell you who is in the palace." Know."
"That's all!" Zhai Rang nodded.
Everyone was discussing enthusiastically, but Qin Qiong was a little absent-minded and forced a smile, not because of anything else, but because he regretted it.
Before Cheng Yaojin left his hometown, he was the first friend he looked for. When he declined because it was difficult to leave his hometown, Cheng Yaojin said that a man has ambitions everywhere. If he does nothing in his promising years, he will regret it in the future. When he said that the Xiaoguo Army has more opportunities, Cheng Yaojin said that although the Xiaoguo Army is the emperor's personal army, the name of the emperor's personal army also means that this army will not have many combat opportunities. If there is no chance to fight, it will be difficult for them. For promotion, it is best to gain fame through military service. With their own abilities and "friendship" with Yang Ji, they will definitely not have no chance. However, no matter how Cheng Yaojin tried to persuade him, Qin Qiong refused.
Looking at his situation now, and thinking that Cheng Yaojin is very likely to accomplish great things, Qin Qiong feels a little uncomfortable in his heart. If he had known this, he should have followed him!
. . . . . .
With the discussions among officials and the authoritative official announcement and publicity, the news of Tuyuhun's subjugation quickly spread. At this moment, not only the elegant room and Yangji restaurant owned by Shan Xiongxin and others, but also the entire Daxing city Everyone was excited about the news.
However, the joys and sorrows of human beings are not the same. Just when Shan Xiongxin and others were drinking happily because of this great victory, after Yuanshou hastily handed over military duties, he did not even go to Taifu Temple, and walked out sadly. Daxing Palace, because the court broke the wat board and was embarrassed, it became suspicious at this moment. Whenever you hear someone whispering and laughing behind your back, you will feel that the other person is laughing at you behind your back. When you see someone taking advantage of the situation, you will You will feel that the other person's eyes are strange.
"Brother Yuan!" At this moment, someone from behind called out to Yuan Shou, who was in despair.
Yuan Shou looked back, but it was Zhang Jin who was chasing after him. He reluctantly cupped his hands and called out, "Brother Zhang Xian."
Zhang Jin saw Yuanfu's carriage silently accompanying him, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Yuan, why don't you take the carriage back?"
"I want to walk alone." Yuan Shou felt extremely bitter in his heart. The jade tablet in the hand of the court official was like a sword in the hands of a swordsman, like a marshal's flag, and like an emperor's seal, but he broke it in front of everyone. Okay, how ridiculous and absurd is this?
Zhang Jin also knew Yuan Shou's mood and invited him: "Brother Yuan, please get in the car and talk for a while."
"That's fine!" Yuan Shou saw Zhang Jin's carriage on the side, so he followed it nonchalantly. As the carriage started to move and the curtains were lowered, Yuan Shou felt that all ill will disappeared and his mood became slightly better.
"Brother Yuan, you don't have to worry about what happened before." Zhang Jin comforted and lowered his voice: "The saint is very suspicious of me, the Guanlong noble, and our Wuchuan League has many families and a mixed crowd. The saint may have already known about the Wuchuan League. The existence has long known that the Yuan family is the leader of the alliance, so my brother's lapse in behavior may not be a bad thing."
After hearing this, Yuan Shou's expression changed and he was frightened. He asked anxiously: "Brother Zhang, this matter is too scary. Do you have any concrete information?"
"I just have suspicions, there is no conclusive evidence." Zhang Jin said solemnly: "But brother Yuan, Li Yuan used to be the candidate recommended by the Dugu family and the Dou family to be the leader of the alliance, but now? He has become the saint's confidant. . And the Dugu clan and the Dou clan are not interested in the Wuchuan Alliance now... I am a little worried, worried that they will sell our Yuan sect."
For a moment, Yuan Shou was confused: "What should I do?"
The original intention of the establishment of the Wuchuan League was that the three major factions of Guanlong nobles planned to join forces to compete with the emperor. To a certain extent, the Wuchuan League was an anti-Sui alliance, and the leader was the original Yang Jian. The emperor knew about the existence of this anti-Sui alliance. Others may be fine, but the new version of "Yang Jian" will definitely be finished.
When the Yuan family fought for the position of leader, they gave up their positions to the Dugu family and the Dou family.
After a lot of practical benefits, in order to be the leader of the alliance, he fought against Yang Ji again and again and paid a heavy price. However, once Zhang Jin woke him up, Yuan Shou discovered that they had obtained a fatal poison.
"It's best for your Patriarch to sit down with Patriarch Dugu and Patriarch Dou and have a frank and detailed discussion." Zhang Jin said to Yuan Shou, "We also have a lot of evidence of their crimes in our hands. If they have no intention of breaking up, please restrain them." Good Li Yuan, don't do anything to cause misunderstanding. If they have a bad attitude and don't want to maintain the current tacit understanding, they will both be destroyed."
This is the advantage of each having his own reasons. At the critical moment, this thing is more real than any in-laws or any vows.
"Well, that's all we can do for now!" Yuan Shou felt a little more at ease.
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[Note: Historically, Zhai Rang had this kind of temperament. 】
