"Brother Dang!" Hearing Dang Jin's muttering, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned around and looked at him with extra seriousness: "Although we have known each other for a short time, we have lived together in many battles since the Southern Expedition. To die, to go on hardships and adventures. The love for Pao Ze can be said to be profound! Zhao treats you like a brother and sister. If you have some words, please tell me directly. I hope you will listen to me!"
Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin spoke solemnly, Dang Jin couldn't help but be stunned and responded: "Brother Zhao, please speak."
Greeting Dang Jin and walking together in Luocheng, Yangzhou, Zhao Kuangyin said slowly: "Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world has been in chaos and the princes have separated themselves. In the past few decades, the Central Plains has been replaced by four dynasties. It can be said to be extremely chaotic. But since ancient times, There has been no constant chaos in the past, but in this period of time, a hero will emerge to create peace again.
From my point of view, the current emperor of Han Dynasty is the master of heroic strategy. Reforming bad government, suppressing Fangzhen, centralizing power, rectifying the imperial army, defeating Shu, quelling civil strife, resisting Khitan, and attacking Southern Tang, all showed his wisdom and military skills step by step.
In this season, when the world is returning from chaos to order, and is undergoing great changes, we should seize the opportunity and follow the trend, and we must not stick to the bad habits of three generations..."
"Brother Zhao, please speak frankly!" Dang Jin felt his head swell after hearing this. He couldn't help but scratch his head and gritted his teeth.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin felt that his expression was in vain. He smiled slightly and spoke more straightforwardly: "The root of the chaos in the Tang Dynasty is just the power of the vassal town and the difficulty of military officials to control it. Today, if the emperor wants to change chaos, he must restrain it. Military minister, in recent years, the discipline of the imperial army has become more detailed and stringent, which is evidence of this. And we, too, should restrain our own behavior in order to achieve good results!"
After saying this, Dang Jin was still a little confused. Zhao Kuangyin simply said: "Yangzhou is a big city in Huainan. Since the whole city has been captured, it should be presented to His Majesty and the court intact to stabilize order and appease the people. This will surely achieve great success. But once we are like you As he said, Yangzhou will be destroyed if we let the soldiers go unchecked and plunder the people. Not to mention the heartbreak, a dilapidated Yangzhou city will not only be useless on the emperor’s side, but will also bring about its own sins!"
At this time, Dang Jin finally came to his senses and said: "It turns out that Brother Zhao meant that we should not seize Yangzhou. To put it bluntly, how could we disobey the order..."
Seeing Dangjin's reaction, Zhao Kuangyin himself was happy and shook his head helplessly. Apparently, he was complaining to the wrong person. He raised his finger and said: "This is not my order, this is your Majesty's edict. In the war of invasion, the people of Huainan will be harmed and it is difficult to protect them. There are hundreds of thousands of troops going south. No matter what the other armies are like, I, Zhao Kuangyin, Your Majesty’s edict must be strictly followed! But anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!”
In fact, it was basically impossible for the feudal army of the Northern Han Dynasty to completely do no harm to the people, especially the Han army that went south was complicated in composition. Even if there is a strict order from the emperor, the troops below will inevitably act clandestinely.
After all, fighting in a foreign country, as conquerors, the proud soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty were indispensable for their indulgence. When he was in Haozhou, Zhao Kuangyin personally experienced an incident. A group of Han troops used tricks to disguise themselves as defeated soldiers of the Tang army, robbed villagers, and killed hundreds of people. When Guo Rong heard about it, he killed all the Han soldiers in that group.
Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's fierce expression, Dang Jin could only respond: "Yes!"
"Hey!" While responding to the order, he couldn't help but question: "It's just that looting and indiscriminate killing are not allowed, so what are the soldiers fighting for with their lives for? If things continue like this, the soldiers will become resentful!"
"You have been in the Forbidden Army for so long, yet you didn't listen to the words of the consolation envoys?" Zhao Kuangyin asked back.
Then, without waiting for an answer, he spoke seriously and solemnly: "Soldiers fight for the country, the king, and the people, in order to unify the world!"
Seeing his disapproval, Zhao Kuangyin added: "As for the military merits of the soldiers, your Majesty and the court have their own rewards and pensions. After so many years, has your Majesty ever been short of soldiers in this regard?"
"That's true!" Dang Jin replied, touching his chin.
What Zhao Kuangyin admired most about Liu Chengyou was his control and transformation of the Han Forbidden Army over the past few years. A promising man with a clear mind and sharp vision is worth following.
"Yangzhou, with all the wealth in the city, Brother Zhao is not interested at all?" Dang Jin sighed, and Dang Jin couldn't help but look at Zhao Kuangyin.
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin had a peaceful face, looked at Dang Jin and chuckled: "To tell you the truth, even if we really plundered Yangzhou, filled the city with soldiers, and spread it to the emperor, we would not be too harsh. We, even, will still reward us for our contribution to Yangzhou!
However, after that, you and I, brothers, lost our future! "
"The city is full of wealth, but it's hard to tempt him, so why not me!" Dang Jin said.
While the two were talking, a military academy suddenly came to report: "To inform the envoy, Yizhou soldiers are in chaos and are looting the inner city!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly changed his expression and became furious. He ordered: "Notify Chen Shijun and ask him to lead people to suppress him. Otherwise, don't blame Zhao for being rude!"
After all, Yangzhou City could not completely avoid the disaster of war. This was the city where the Han army came from the south and occupied the largest area, the most population, and the most abundant wealth. The flowers were gradually charming.
The rebels were not only the Yizhou soldiers, but also the Suzhou soldiers who could not bear it any longer. There were also some Tang soldiers who had surrendered, and they were the most active. Even the ruffians, demons and monsters in the city also jumped out.
Regarding this situation, Zhao Kuangyin naturally had no reason to be soft-hearted and personally led people to suppress it, with just one word: kill. Fortunately, they responded promptly and took tough measures to prevent the chaos from spreading.
The inner city is the main area for rebels and rebellions. After all, there are many official officials, wealthy businessmen and property owners here.
The puppet Tang Dynasty stayed in the capital to guard the city. After entering the city, Zhao Kuangyin had strict orders to station troops and not to intrude, but it still could not be avoided. The man who stayed in Dongdu was named Zhou Zong. He was a very old minister and a veteran of the Southern Tang Dynasty. His qualifications and reputation in the Southern Tang Dynasty were not low.
The whole family gathered in the hall, the women, children, and family members were all frightened and wailing incessantly. Zhou Zong had bright hair, but he seemed to be very energetic. As a parent, he stood in front of his head with no fear on his face and looked at the wolf-like Han soldiers with cold eyes. He put down the looted things and looked at him in embarrassment. Exit the hall.
Zhao Kuangyin came up to the hall, glanced at it, took two steps forward, and saluted Zhou Zong: "Duke Zhou was frightened. It is my fault. Is your family okay?"
"Don't dare to take it!" Zhou Zong straightened himself up, straightened his robes, returned a simple salute, pointed at a group of soldiers outside, and said indifferently: "This is the teacher of benevolence and righteousness that Zhao Shijun said ? Strict military discipline? So fierce and domineering, in my opinion, they are no different from the cruel warriors in the world! "
"It's Zhao who has been lax in his duties. Please forgive me, Duke Zhou!" Faced with his ridicule, Zhao Kuangyin looked very calm and said, "Zhao must give an explanation to Duke Zhou and the people of Yangzhou!"
At this time, Chen Sirang also arrived. He and Zhao Kuangyin suppressed each other separately. With a face full of bad luck, when he saw Zhao Kuangyin, he sighed: "Mr. Zhao, I have no way of controlling the troops. I have brought all the officers and soldiers who were robbed for you to deal with!"
Zhao Kuangyin turned around, with a cold look in his eyes, and ordered directly: "Whether it is Suzhou or Yizhou subordinate regiment training, all officers above the rank will be beheaded, and the remaining soldiers will have twenty military staffs. Those who surrendered and participated in the chaos, and Take all those rogues to the edge of the canal and kill them!"
"yes!"
Following Zhao Kuangyin's order, thousands of heads were about to fall to the ground without changing their appearance. Chen Sirang really admired this man.
"Gong Zhou, there will definitely be no chaos in Yangzhou!" Zhao Kuangyin turned around again, gave a slight salute, and said respectfully: "However, if I have to trouble Duke Zhou, I am going to change the place for Duke Zhou's family!"
"You are a swordsman, I am a fish, please do as you please!" Zhou Zong listened to Zhao Kuangyin's order and knew that he was not a good man. His old face turned pale, but he responded stubbornly.
"Pass the order, Duke Zhou is the elder. He goes to and from the military academy. Do not humiliate him lightly. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!" Zhao Kuangyin ordered the people to retreat loudly.
Dang Jin followed Zhao Kuangyin: "Are you too polite to that old man?"
"Send someone to escort Zhou Zong's family and Yao Feng to the camp and present them to the emperor!" Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand and ordered.
After staying in the palace hall and waiting for the Han soldiers to retreat, Zhou Zong and his family relaxed. Zhou Zong was the same. Facing Qiu Ba, a group of warriors, there was really nothing he could do. Fortunately, the Han army general Zhao Kuangyin was quite sensible.
"Daddy!" A light voice called.
Behind Zhou Zong, there is a young girl with beautiful appearance, gentle temperament, wearing pink clothes, standing tall and graceful. At this time, there is still fear left in her beautiful face.
Pressing his hand gently, Zhou Zong comforted him: "It's okay!"
Among Zhou Zong's women, there was another concubine, who was plump and charming, holding a girl in her arms. She was babbling and her clear eyes were turning around, completely unaware of the difficulties of the world.
Zhou Zong is an interesting old man. He has a daughter in middle age and another daughter in old age. He is in really good health.
Seeing the family members in the hall, Zhou Zong thought to himself that he could not fall. Otherwise, this group of women and children will suffer disaster. Especially for my own eldest daughter, it is not easy to raise her. I have always been proud of it. Without my own protection, how can I survive in this country where the family is ruined and the war is in chaos.
"Let the servants put their things in order, and each of you also pack your bags..." After appeasing the family, Zhou Zong, as the head of the family, ordered.
The daughter of Zhou Zong, Emperor Zhou E, was sixteen years old.
