The Yanming of the Five Hus and Sixteen Kingdoms

Chapter 16 Entering Xiangping with mixed joys and sorrows

The flags fluttered, the soldiers were bathed in blood, and the Goguryeo team gradually entered Xiangping to rest.I saw Liu Pei, the prefect of Xuantu County in the two cities of Liaodong, and Murong Ke, the guard of Pingguo, who had received the military report in advance, and went to Xiangping City before the army, and sent people to welcome the army back.

Goguryeo was flattened in this battle, but the army on the North Road suffered heavy losses. Many of their fathers, brothers and peers were lost on the North Road. Between joy and sorrow, the army was going to enter Xiangping City. This welcome ceremony is not scheduled.

However, from outside Xiangping City, although Cheng Da and the captain did not issue an order, ten miles away, the defenders left the city spontaneously and stood on both sides of the road.The rest of the defenders went to the top of the city and waved their flags.I don't know who started it, but the crowd gradually shouted "Long live Yan, long live General Jianwei", "Long live Yan, long live General Jianwei."

Since Goguryeo invaded Liaodong last year, the Liaodong border has been in chaos for several years.After this battle, Goguryeo is no longer a threat. After Murong Ren and Murong Han, the Liaodong soldiers have not had such a big victory for a long time.Although the Beilu Pianshi died, the troubles of Koguryo in Liaodong have been relieved so far, and the soldiers are full of joy. The soldiers who have been guarding the border for many years can go home.Since then, Xiangping, Xuantu, and Pingguo have no more worries.

Although the generals in the army felt that something was wrong, they couldn't stop gradually, so they also shouted on both sides of the road, and the sound shook the world for a while, and spread thousands of miles.

But in the army, Xian Yuliang bowed his hands to Murong Han and congratulated him: "The general's reputation spreads far and wide, all the soldiers here welcome the general spontaneously, such popularity in the army is rare in my country of Yan."

General Murong Han stretched out his hand at the moment, and pressed his hand to signal that everyone should not shout.Beads of sweat gradually appeared on one side of his forehead.

"Xianyu General, don't make fun of me." Murong Han said with a wry smile.

"The general doesn't know something. Among the scholars in the two prefectures of Youping, the only one who is feared by the generals on the border of Zhao is the general. The general's reputation may be incomparable." General Xian Yuliang took the reins of the horse, Walking side by side with Murong Han, it seems that he also enjoys this honor.

"Uncle Wang, yes." Hearing this, Murong Ba also stepped forward and said: "Now, my son has been in the army for many days, and all the veterans and generals will praise the general's reputation. People say: Han Hai Yin Shan Armed with a golden sword, Yan Guoyong general Murong Han. Uncle Wang's reputation is like the vast sea and mountains in the North Sea, majestic and admirable. If you go to war with General Murong Han, you will win half the battle without a fight, and what you see today is really the case."

"It's all children's talk in the army, how can you take it seriously." Murong Han was furious in his heart, he whipped away from the two of them.

But Han Shou came and said to General Murong Han: "The general has guarded this land of Liaodong for many years, and his achievements are outstanding, which is unmatched by others."

Seeing Murong Han walking slowly, Han Shou stepped forward and said: "This is also evidence, and this is also a disaster. I hope the general will see clearly."

Murong Han turned his head to look at him, only to see a faint smile on Han Shou's mouth that was hard to detect by ordinary people, and his eyes were fixed on Murong Han.After saying that, he immediately drove his horse and left Murong Han.

Mu Yuni rode his horse forward, walked side by side with King Yan, and said, "King Yan, it's not appropriate for a general to shout like this." He lowered his head and approached King Yan, and whispered beside him, "I only know that there is Han, but I don't know that there is Yan. .”

King Yan looked stern, and said after a long time: "Mu and Ni, that's the case, that's fine. General Murong Han has made great achievements in passing on the decree. Our army entered Xiangping City to rest for three days and hold a big banquet. The three cities in Liaodong, so The land tax paid will be exempted for three years." Mu Yuni was puzzled, and reported to King Yan: "Our army suffered heavy losses in this battle, is it too much?"

"Although the northern army is gone, what the southern army has done in our country of Yan is an inexhaustible achievement. Today in our country of Yan, Duanbu and Goguryeo have all been wiped out, and there is only Yuwen left outside the pass. According to this situation, it will take a few years. Yuwen can be destroyed, and our country of Yan will have no worries. If there is chaos in the Central Plains, our army of the country of Yan can go straight to the land of Youji and go out of the world."

Seeing that Mu Yuni was still hesitating, the King of Yan said, "The solitary order will be sent again. Those who have not returned home for three years will be sent back. Those who have not returned home for more than five years will be promoted to the rank of generals, and the soldiers will return to their hometowns." Everyone will enjoy ten acres of land. You will follow this solitary order and pass it down."

When the soldiers of the three cities in Liaodong heard the order of King Yan, they all praised King Yan's benevolence and shouted, "Long live King Yan."

The army entered Xiangping City, and the King of Yan held a banquet in the palace of Xiangping City for all the ministers and soldiers.Take the good wine that was obtained, the table of King Yan is towering, and all the soldiers are lined up on both sides.The red carpet was laid on the floor, the actors in the Goguryeo Palace were sent to play music, and the beauties danced in the center. Everyone was overjoyed.

When the banquet was in full swing, I saw an envoy from outside the mansion asking to see him. It was a letter from the envoy who was on an envoy to Jiankang before.King Yan looked at it, threw his letter angrily, and said slightly drunk: "Children from the Jin family, the lonely side wants to fight for the world, let's see when my soldiers from Yan will point their swords at Jiangnan."

But seeing Murong Han's expression change, he asked his nephew Murong Ba, "What does the king of Yan want to do? Since the first king, our country of Yan has always been good friends with the Jin family, and we have been proclaimed ministers, and what we serve is not bad. Why did the king of Yan come out now?" This lie?"

"Wang Bo was not in the country for a long time, so I don't know about it. My father was in Xinping Murong Ren's turmoil a few years ago, and the ministers persuaded him to come in, and Liaodong Duke came in to be the King of Yan. It is not going well for Liu Changshi and Jiankang to ask for the title." Murong Ba approached Murong Han and said .

But King Yan on the stage saw the two whispering, and said: "Brother Han must have known the reason. I remember that when the king was there, you once said: "If you ask the princes, you should be the King of Qin. Since ancient times, the king who has done so well has not been successful. A careerist too.' Now, Gu first destroys the Duanbu, and then destroys Goguryeo, which is more important, the achievements made or the name sought?"

But Murong Hantang bowed down and said: "The king of Yan has outstanding achievements, and there is no one in the world comparable to this. From what I see now, it is like this. For example, the Jin Dynasty did not confer the title of a foreign race as a king. Our country of Yan calls itself the king of Yan. It is known as the Duke of Liaodong to the outside world."

"Dayao, today the world is in turmoil, and Zhongzhou is lost. Liu Yuan, Shi Le and his ilk are all Rongdi, and they are also called emperors in the south. Even Li Shou and Li Te in the Cheng Han Dynasty are also called lonely. Why not, but he is only called the Lord of Liaodong. Let me tell you that it is not impossible to be called the emperor." King Yan was furious, and everyone stopped their cups and threw their chopsticks, and the crows and magpies were silent.The dancers also retreated to the sides.Murong Han pressed his head even lower.

After a while, I saw that King Yan's anger and alcohol gradually disappeared.Han Shou got up and said: "My Wang Shengming, my Yan army ruled Youping, the government of Yan State was peaceful, and the people of the world were attached. Although my Lord Yan is called emperor, it is not an exaggeration. However, one is that the Ministry of Yuwen has not been leveled, and the other is that the court is in the middle. Among the old ministers, there are many Mujin family members. If Yuwen is destroyed, and all the descendants will enter the Yan court, it will not be too late to proclaim the emperor by then."

"What Han Changshi said is very true. Forget it, let's discuss it after I return to the capital alone. Today's banquet is a feast of victory, and everyone should enjoy it to the fullest." King Yan was about to finish speaking, but he saw Murong Han kneeling down, so he Pointing to Murong Ba, he said, "Ba'er, your Uncle Wang has made great achievements. Get up and help Uncle Wang sit down." Murong Ba quickly stood up and helped Murong Han up.

Everyone returned to normal, but Murong Han remained expressionless for a long time during the banquet.The crowd dispersed until late at night.

Murong Han went back to his tent and was about to fall asleep when he saw someone from outside the big tent trying to break in. All the guards on the left and right scolded him: "The general has already rested, and what you have done is not too bad." Seeing the man outside the tent, he said anxiously: "there has been an order in the army that all the guards will return home tomorrow, and they are not allowed to stay. I'm afraid I won't see the general again tomorrow."

"That being the case, you keep what you played, and I will present it to the general tomorrow."

"Two officers, I'm not the one who is stubborn. The relationship is so important that I can't rest assured if I don't hand it over to the general." But the man still stayed out of the tent.

But he saw that the guards were about to take him out. Hearing the commotion outside the tent, Murong Han walked out of the tent.When the three of them saw the general, they all knelt down.

"The starry night is here, what do you want to tell me?" Murong Han saw a man who was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and his body was still small, but his body was covered with battle scars and his tassel was blunt. He was indeed a battle-hardened soldier.Murong Han always cared about his soldiers, so he felt a little more sympathy for them.

"General Shengming, this is an old man's grievance. Although he has gone, if we don't deal with it fairly, our Liaodong soldiers are afraid that it will be difficult to appease. General Wanwang appeals for it." A piece of white cloth was produced, with blood writing all over it.

Murong Han glanced at it quickly, with a stern expression on his face, put away the cloth, but asked, "Does anyone else know about your journey to find me?"

The little ghost said: "No one else knows about this journey. This matter is very important, and I know it well."

"If that's the case, then come into my tent." Murong Han turned back and left the tent soon after, looked around, and said to the two guards: "It's not my order, no one is allowed to enter, if there is something important, just say : The general is overwhelmed by alcohol, and his stomach is unbearable, if there is nothing important, I will report it tomorrow."

Both guards took orders.

Murong Han blocked the little ghost from entering, and asked: "I knew that the defense of Liaodong was quite difficult and dangerous, but I didn't expect it to be so difficult, does King Yan not know?"

But the man said: "The supply of military equipment, war horses, food and grass in Eastern Liaodong is under the control of the former army division general, and no one else can intervene. In addition, Lieutenant Xiangping was originally a relegated General Pingyuan, so it is not easy to appeal for the soldiers, and there are..."

"Let's just say, the matter has come to this point, there is no need to worry." Murong Han saw that he still had doubts in his heart, so he said bluntly.

"I often heard Cui Tou say that among Murong's disciples, Murong Han is the most intelligent and courageous. He caresses and caresses his soldiers, and he treats his soldiers well, and he sees them right now." But the man bowed and said, "Xiang Xiang The Ping garrison is suffering...the food and grass are not enough, the captain has no choice but to send the people in the battalion to farm the fields. Unexpectedly, the weather in Liaodong has been very cold in the past few years, and there are not many people living on the crops, so the work is in vain. The captain has no choice but to reduce the number of people and eat nothing , the pressure on the city defense was very high, and we withdrew from the border counties and entered Xiangping."

"Since that's the case, why don't you play the king of Yan and express Murong's guilt, so as to set the record straight." Murong Han asked.

"The general's intention may be reasonable, but the land of Xiangping was originally occupied by Murong Ren's rebels, and the king of Yan reconquered him. The original intention was to kill the people of Liaodong. It's a good thing that the king of Yan didn't pursue it. How could he dare to seek profit for himself? , and King Yan has always suppressed my Liaodong family." The man knelt on the ground and sobbed unceasingly, Murong Han helped him up, and the man continued.

"Secondly, the generals in the army have always thought that Xiangping is humble, and they competed secretly to inform Murong Ping, intending to return to the capital, and sincerely refused to say anything. Only General Murong Khan worked for the benefit of our border people, and all the salaries he got were rewarded to the sergeants. And with the power of Cui Yi, Yan Although the country and Goguryeo are enemy countries, but in order to make a living, the captain also let the Goguryeo caravans pass through and collect the passing business tax. In addition, our Xiangping is close to the junction of the river and the sea, so our army can attack by sea and plunder the goods transported by Zhao. Only the city of Xiangping can survive without food. Otherwise, it might have mutinied long ago, and Xiangping would no longer exist." The little devil couldn't stop sighing, as if the grievances of the Xiangping defenders could not be exhausted for days and nights.

"Then last year when the sergeant mutinied, Murong beheaded Cui Yi before the battle, did you hear about it?" Murong Han couldn't stop asking.

"That's just Murong beheading the general privately before he judged the formation, imposing a crime."

Murong Han got up slowly, poured a cup of tea, placed it in front of him, and signaled him to continue speaking slowly.

"Thank you, General." The man held the cup and sat by the desk, and said, "Cui Yi didn't want to argue with him, but Murong Ping insulted my Xiangping defenders as scumbags, it is a kindness of Yan Kingdom not to kill you bastards. Cui Yi was furious, and said: "The soldiers of my various ethnic groups are different from the Han people and Xianbei. They are all Chinese. What they guard is only their own homeland. Don't bother the general."" But seeing Murong Ping furious, he scolded: " You are called selfless, but you are actually seeking personal gain, and you call my soldiers of Yan State your own part, you are plotting chaos." So he shouted and took Cui Yi down.

Murong Ping knew that Cui Yi had been in Xiangping for many years and had great prestige among the soldiers.And for many years, he has been collecting evidence that Murong Ping and his officials were greedy for food and grass, colluded with the enemy in private, and secretly resold it.He had the intention to kill for a long time, so he was put in prison.At that time, Goguryeo's attack was urgent, Murong Ping entered Xiangping, and the defenders were dissatisfied with the sudden arrest. We, his sergeants, wanted to break into the prison and rescue Cui Duwei.But it was stopped by Chengda. Later, the enemy army heard that King Yan had led the army into the territory of Goguryeo, and the Goguryeo soldiers retreated.Murong Ping was even more confident and killed him in prison. "After saying this, the little ghost collapsed on the ground. Although he wanted to cry loudly, he was afraid that others would hear him, so he suppressed his grief.

Drip~drip, drop, the midnight knock.The candle flame flickered, and with a "kuang", the new wind blew past, directly rushing towards the tent door, whistling, and extinguished the candle flame.

"I already know what you mean, but this matter involves many people in the court, and there are royal officials, I can't give you an answer immediately." Murong Han put away the cloth, helped the man, and said, "I want to My country of Yan, if I want to grow out of this troubled world, I must gather the hearts of the people of all races. In my country of Yan, everyone is a member of the country, and there is no difference between them. Don't worry, I, Murong Han, have fought hard for this body, and it will be for you and for you. This Xiangping garrison has won justice."

"Thank you, General Han." The man supported Murong Han's arms, cupped his hands suddenly and said, "May General Cui hear it in the spirit of heaven."

"Go back and don't mention it to others. Things are complicated and unpredictable, and people's hearts are unpredictable. I'm afraid you will suffer misfortune."

"Don't worry, general, I will pay attention."

"By the way, so far, I don't know your name yet, can you tell me?"

"Jin Mu."

After saying that, the man went out, went straight out of the camp gate, and disappeared into the night.

In the Xiangping Duwei's mansion, there was still a slight fire in an inner room.Han Shou sat on the futon, behind the case, under the weak candlelight.The figure wearing the crown hat looks extraordinarily long.

"Squeak." The door opened, and a person walked in hastily.

"Master Han, as expected." The man leaned over to approach Han Shou and said, "It was that kid who told Murong Han about last year's Sui Xiangping."

"Well, I see." But Han Shou was still sitting there, his eyes slightly closed.

"Master Han, you said that my Liaodong family has been oppressed by the Murong family for a long time. The land was converted to the people, and the family was registered as a household. All the farms and real estate of my Liaodong family were taken away by Murong Xianbei." The man leaned forward and said, "It's a pity that Murong Ren's rebellion fell short. This time, King Yan will definitely die without a place to bury him."

"On the side of the Qing emperor, flatter traitors and sycophants, this is the way of kings." Han Shou opened his eyes and said, "Who told them to be greedy for ink? The disaster started within Xiao Qiang. If Murong Han is used as the banner, why not worry about major events."

"Master Han, what you think is very good."

(End of this chapter)