At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 115
However, after Zhou Qi rescued Sun Jian, the two joined forces and continued towards Yingchuan County.

Since Sun Jian was still seriously injured, Zhou Qi had the highest official position among the crowd, and he had saved Sun Jian and others, so he temporarily handed over the troops under his command to Zhou Qi as commander.

Sun Jian is now an official of Zuojun Sima. This official position is very fascinating and very interesting.

In fact, in the Han Dynasty, there was no official establishment of Zuojun Sima, but there was an establishment of Junsima. The official rank of Junsima was also very flexible, and it could be large or small. Basically, it belonged to the general's assistant officer.

For example, the army Sima under the general's command is ranked higher than a thousand stones.

However, the military Sima under the command of the other generals obviously couldn't be so high in rank. Sun Jian was the assistant military Sima enlisted by Zhu Jun, the right middle man, and it was even more difficult to compare with those military Sima with real rank.

The most intriguing thing is that Sun Jian is not the real military Sima, but the Zuojun Sima,

Zuo meant to assist and help. Zhu Jun did not give Sun Jian the position of real army commander, but only gave him a temporary official position as assistant army commander.

The real military commander under Zhu Jun was Zhang Chao, who was born in a noble family and was also Zhang Miao's younger brother.

Even if Sun Jian was successful in the final crusade against the Yellow Turban Army, he was only conferred the title of Sima of the Other Ministry. This so-called Sima of the Other Ministry is not a Sima of the Army, and does not belong to the formal establishment.

Rank, it's really hard to say.

So even though Zhou Qi is just a mere county magistrate, he is indeed qualified to restrain Sun Jian in terms of rank, not to mention he is Sun Jian's savior.

Both sides were recruited by Zhu Jun, and there was nothing wrong with joining forces.

The reason why Zhou Qi left Runan in such a hurry was not only that he wanted to go to the Yingchuan battlefield as soon as possible, but also that he was afraid of Xihua's Yellow Turban Army.

He vaguely felt that the commander of the Xihua Yellow Turban Army was not easy to mess with.

Zhou Qi had just left Xihua with [-] soldiers and horses, when he saw many people fleeing in a panic from the direction of Zhaoling County with their families.

Zhou Qi's heart sank slightly, he stopped a few refugees, and asked, "You all came from Zhaoling County, what happened in front of you?"

Although the refugees saw that Zhou Qi was dressed as an officer and soldier, there was still a look of fear on his face, and he said with some fear: "The governor of Runan was besieged in Zhaoling County, and the Yellow Turban Army was raging throughout Zhaoling County. We were forced to flee our homeland. .”

The prefect of Runan refers to Zhao Qian Zhao Yanxin, who is from Chengdu, Shu County. Speaking of this person, few people probably have heard of him.

Even though Zhou Qi claimed to be familiar with history, he didn't have much impression of this person.

However, except for upstarts like Wang Ji, anyone who can serve as the prefect of a county is basically from a wealthy family.

Zhao Qian is no exception.

His father, Zhao Dian, was a Weiwei, and his grandfather, Zhao Jie, was a Taiwei. Almost every generation of his ancestors had someone who served as a senior official in the court.

Speaking of Zhao Qian may not be known to everyone, but his younger brother Zhao Wen is very famous. In the future, he will worship Sikong, move to Situ, and record affairs as a minister. Even Zhao Qian himself will serve as Situ in the future.

It can only be said that people from aristocratic families do have a smooth career.

Zhou Qi didn't have much impression of Zhao Qian's deeds in history, but he couldn't sit idly by when he heard that Zhao Qian was besieged by the Yellow Turban Army.

Zhou Qi let the refugees go and summoned everyone to discuss matters.

"I was enlisted by General You Zhonglang to go to Yingchuan to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, but on the way to Runan, Wentai and the Yellow Turban fought in Xihua, and Zhao Shijun was besieged in Zhaoling."

"Since we have come here to ask for the yellow turban, how can we refuse to save him?"

"I intend to send troops to rescue Zhaoling, but what do you guys think?"

When everyone heard the words, their expressions were different.

Seeing that Sun Jian frowned and said nothing, Zu Mao immediately said, "Since Mr. Zhao is the prefect of Runan, why didn't he lead his troops to defend the county government and Pingyu, but retreated to Zhaoling?"

Zu Mao's question is also the voice of many people.

When they led the troops over, they found that the defenses in the south of Runan were very empty, even the county governor Pingyu.

Zhou Qi just pondered for a while, and immediately asked back: "Since the military forces of the county government and Pingyu are empty, do you know why the Yellow Turban Bandit didn't go to attack, but instead gathered a large number of troops in Xihua, and besieged the envoy of Zhao in Zhaoling?"

Everyone was puzzled when they heard the words, only Sun Jian, who was covered in bandages, moved his eyes slightly, as if he had some thoughts.

Seeing this, Zhou Qi asked with a smile, "Brother Wentai, what do you think?"

Sun Jian pondered for a moment and said: "Both Zhaoling and Xihua are the eastern gateways of Yingchuan. If the Yellow Turbans can occupy these two counties, they can send their troops westward to join forces with the Yellow Turbans of Yingchuan."

"The thieves abandoned the rule of Runan County and instead gathered heavy troops to attack Zhaoling. I'm afraid this is why."

Zhou Qi nodded and said, "Not only that."

"People from Yingchuan are also the southeast gateway of Luoyang. The Yellow Turban bandits rebelled with the intention of overthrowing the imperial court. They are bound to stare at Luoyang."

"If the yellow turban bandits from the southern counties can conquer Yingchuan, they can attack Xuanyuan Pass, and then the troops will point directly at Luoyang, threatening Dahan Jiangshan Sheji."

"Therefore, the Battle of Yingchuan is related to the fate of the Han Dynasty. Both the imperial court and the Yellow Turban thieves are trying to defeat the opponent here."

"That's why the Runan Yellow Turban Bandits would rather give up the defenseless county government, Pingyu, and still gather heavy troops to attack Zhaoling at any cost."

Speaking of this, Zhou Qi had to sigh secretly.

If it hadn't been for Tang and Zhou's whistleblowing, Ma Yuanyi, the generalissimo of the Yellow Turban Army in Jing and Yangzhou, would have been arrested, and thousands of Yellow Turban backbones would have been massacred. Army, and then unite with Luoyang Yellow Turban to think that it should respond internally, and it may not be impossible to break through the capital of God.

It's a pity that the Yellow Turban Army is just a tool in the hands of others after all.

Those people can tolerate the Yellow Turban Army shaking the foundation of the big man, but they will never allow these people to break through Luoyang.

When everyone heard Zhou Qi's narration, they suddenly realized, and then their faces were a little dignified.

Xu Chu said: "Since Zhaoling is so important, should we go to rescue it?"

Rescue Zhao Ling is not a good choice.

Both Zhou Qi and Sun Jian were recruited by You Zhonglang General Zhu Jun, and the two of them led the army here to gain credit.

But now that the Runan Yellow Turbans gathered in Xihua and besieged Zhaoling, even Zhao Qian, the Runan prefect, was powerless to defend the city with all the strength of the county.

Zhou Qi and Sun Jian gathered in one place, and there were no more than a thousand people. It might be difficult to change the situation in Runan.

If they are not careful, they will lose their troops and generals.

On the contrary, if they did not rescue Zhao Ling and directly took a detour to meet Zhu Jun, the two of them would not be in any danger.

Zhou Qi could think of this, and so could Sun Jian and others.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit oppressive, Zhou Qi suddenly got up and looked around the crowd, and said in a deep voice: "I know that if we rush to help Zhaoling, there may be more disasters than good, but the location of Zhaoling is too important, absolutely cannot be lost."

"Since we are Han ministers, even if we die on the battlefield, we will die in the right place. How can we just sit idly by and ignore it?"

"I intend to gather all the troops and horses under my command and go to rescue Zhaoling. I wonder what you think?"

No matter what Zhou Qi's ambitions are, he must at least do a good job on the surface so that outsiders will think that he is loyal to the Han Dynasty, so that he can have a longer-term development.

Compared with fame, the soldiers and horses under his command, numbering in the thousands, are nothing.

Although it is cruel to say so, it is true. At least in the era of the end of Han Dynasty, reputation was indeed more important than soldiers and horses.

Zhou Qi's words immediately moved everyone's faces.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu, as Zhou Qi's confidantes, naturally did not hesitate at all, and immediately agreed: "We are willing to accompany the county magistrate to help Zhaoling, even if we die, we will have no regrets!"

When Sun Jian and others saw this, they could only say: "I am willing to obey County Magistrate Zhou's instructions!"

Outside Zhaoling County, the shouts of killing shook the heaven and the earth.

The densely packed Yellow Turban Army that could not see the end, the siege of the city fearlessly, and the city wall of Zhaoling County, which had been in disrepair for a long time and was not tall, seemed to be trembling in the sea of ​​people.

Seeing that the small group of Yellow Turbans had already attacked the city wall, Zhao Qian, the prefect of Runan, immediately pulled out the sword in his waist, and strode away in the direction of the Yellow Turbans.

"A gentleman does not erect a dangerous wall, so that the monarch's body is in danger of the whole county, how can he easily risk it?"

Unexpectedly, just as Zhao Qian took two steps forward, Jun Cheng hugged him tightly and persuaded him earnestly.

Zhao Qian struggled desperately, but Jun Cheng's grip was too tight and he couldn't break free.

Zhao Qian couldn't help being furious, and shouted: "I am the county guard, if I don't go to the front line in person, how can the soldiers be willing to use their lives?"

"Don't stop me again, or I'll behead you first!"

Jun Cheng was not afraid at all, and still hugged Zhao Qian tightly, and said loudly: "We can all kill thieves to die, but the envoy cannot!"

Zhao Qian was even more angry, and said: "I and the soldiers in the city are all citizens of the big man, how can I be more noble than others?"

The magistrate wept and said: "If we die, we will die, but we will be loyal to the country. However, the envoy is the imperial court's own magistrate. If he dies at the hands of thieves, won't it damage the majesty of the imperial court?"

"Even if you don't think about yourself, you should also think about the face of the court!"

Hearing this, Zhao Qian didn't continue to struggle. Looking at the officers and soldiers who were fighting fiercely, his face was full of sadness.

What Jun Cheng said was not wrong.

If the county guard, as a great official of the two thousand stone seal, died at the hands of the Yellow Turban, it would inevitably cause a great shock in the whole county.

Therefore, the life of Zhao Qian, the county guard, is more important than anything else.

"kill!"

Just when Zhao Qian was worried that the Yellow Turban Army would attack, he saw the county lieutenant personally lead the troops to rush over. After a desperate struggle, he finally killed all the Yellow Turban Army who rushed forward.

Seeing this, Zhao Qian let out a long sigh of relief.

As soon as the Yellow Turban Uprising broke out, Zhao Qian received an edict from the imperial court, ordering him to assemble the troops of the whole county and retreat to Zhaoling to prevent the Runan Yellow Turbans from entering Yingchuan and joining the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans.

It was precisely after receiving the imperial edict that Zhao Qian abandoned Runan County and led all the soldiers and horses to Zhaoling day and night.

Fortunately, Zhao Qian moved quickly.

If it is half a day at night, I am afraid that Zhaoling has already been occupied by the Yellow Turban Army.

Even so, because the Yellow Turban Army came too fast, Zhao Qian didn't have time to repair the city wall, nor did he have time to prepare defense equipment.

Therefore, in the face of the fierce attack of the Yellow Turban Army, Zhaoling County has become crumbling.

The imperial court issued a death order, and Zhao Qian had to guard Zhaoling no matter what, waiting for reinforcements to arrive.

If Runan Yellow Turban Qushuai were allowed to break through Zhaoling and enter Yingchuan to join Bocai, it would definitely affect the battle between Yingchuan officers and soldiers and the Yellow Turban Army.

Once the officers and soldiers are defeated in Yingchuan, the Yellow Turban Army will directly threaten the capital Luoyang.

Zhao Qian couldn't bear such serious consequences.

It was for this reason that he forced himself onto the city wall as a county guard, hoping to boost morale and help defend the city.

I have to say that Zhao Qian is indeed quite courageous.

Although he was held back by the county magistrate and could not rush to the forefront of the fighting, the actions of the two men also attracted the attention of the city defenders.

When the soldiers saw a scribe from the county guard, they dared to climb up the city wall with their swords. As expected, their morale was greatly boosted. Then, under the leadership of the county lieutenant, they killed the Yellow Turban army who rushed up the city wall.

Seeing the retreat of the Yellow Turban Army, Jun Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, and then persuaded: "With the county captain guarding the city, it is absolutely safe. It will not be beneficial for me to wait on the city wall. Why don't I go back to the city first, mobilize the people to help defend the city, and recruit corvees to supplement the guards?" City equipment, so it can also relieve the worries of the county lieutenant."

Zhao Qian felt that the words of the county magistrate were reasonable, and then shouted to the soldiers guarding the city: "I am Zhao Qian, the governor of Runan County, and I swear to live and die with Zhaoling County. You just try to kill the enemy, and after the Yellow Turban bandits retreat, the official I will definitely ask for credit for all the officers and men!"

"Let me go to the city to prepare wine, meat, and money. If I can defend the city today, I will be rewarded tonight!"

When the soldiers guarding the city heard this, their morale was greatly boosted.

No matter whether it is wine or meat, they can rarely enjoy it. Coupled with the reward of money and the presence of county guards in the city, the soldiers are naturally gearing up.

But after Zhao Qian withdrew from the city wall, he said to the county magistrate: "For the current plan, we should wait until night. After the Yellow Turban Army retreats, we can recruit the people to repair the city wall."

"You will procure cauldrons, tung oil, firewood, and stones, and order the craftsmen to make simple shields, and order the ordnance station to speed up the production of arrows."

"No matter what price you pay, you must defend Zhaoling!"

Jun Cheng looked embarrassed and said: "The city has been besieged. Even if all the wood in the city is collected, it is not enough to defend the city. There is even a lack of raw materials for making arrows. How to solve it?"

Zhao Qian waved his sleeves and said: "No matter what method is used, even if all the residential buildings in the city are demolished, we must ensure that we can have enough supplies to defend the city."

Jun Cheng's face changed slightly, and he said: "If this is the case, won't the people in the city be dissatisfied? If he colludes with the yellow scarf bandits and opens the city gate together, what should we do?"

Zhao Qian said: "Promise them that as long as they can defend the city, after the Yellow Turbans are defeated, the government will fund them to build new houses and distribute money as subsidies."

When the county magistrate heard the words, he took the order and left.

Outside the city wall, Peng Tuo, commander of the Yellow Turban Qu in Runan, looked at the city that could not be conquered for a long time, and his face darkened.

He also knew that he couldn't delay for too long, so he immediately shouted sharply: "Command, today we must break through the Zhaoling Tomb. Anyone who dares to die and refuses to retreat will be killed immediately!"

"The first person to climb the city wall will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and be promoted to three ranks."

"Whoever kills Zhao Qian, the governor of Runan County, will also be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and be promoted to three ranks."

"After breaking through the city, march on for three days, and all the gains will belong to the soldiers!"

Under the so-called heavy reward, there must be a brave man.

The Yellow Turbans were all from poor backgrounds, and their obsession with money is unimaginable to ordinary people.

If it is said that the first to climb the city wall and behead the defenders of Runan County, only a very small number of people can benefit.

So fighting for three days is definitely a carnival for everyone. This military order is bound to greatly boost the morale of the Yellow Turban Army.

Peng Tuo was unwilling to issue such an order if he had no other choice, because it would definitely tarnish the reputation of the Yellow Turban Army.

For the Yellow Turban Army who aspires to conquer the world, they don't want to go fishing in the dry lake.

only.

The strategic position of Zhaoling is too important, in order to join forces with Bocai as soon as possible, Peng Tuo can't care too much.

Otherwise, with the accumulation of the Han court, soldiers can be continuously recruited from all over the place.

If the Yellow Turban Army cannot break through Luoyang in the short term, it will not be far from failure.

It was for this reason that Peng Tuo issued such an extreme order.

Sure enough, after receiving Peng Tuo's order, the Yellow Turban Army, which had already shown fatigue in its offensive, all roared and charged forward as if they had been beaten to death.

The county lieutenant led the soldiers to resist hard, but it became more and more difficult. Without the addition of new troops, the city of Zhaoling might not last long.

After receiving the news, the county guard Zhao Qian hurriedly summoned all the powerful and powerful people in the city and said straight to the point: "I know that there are many private soldiers and domestic slaves in your home. If you don't send them to help defend the city, after the Yellow Turban bandits break the city, you and others will How could he be spared?"

Seeing that the major families still wanted to preserve their strength, Zhao Qian immediately drew his sword in his hand and shouted sternly: "If the skin is gone, how can the hair be attached? If you don't send anyone to help now, when will you wait?"

Seeing the sheriff's anger, everyone felt that what the other party said was true, and immediately expressed their willingness to mobilize all the private soldiers and slaves in the family to assist the officers and soldiers in defending the city.

Zhao Qian shouted: "The city is already in dire straits, all the lords should call for reinforcements as soon as possible!"

The big families dare not neglect.

Not long after, they sent all the private soldiers and slaves in the family to the city wall.

With the addition of these fresh troops, the crumbling line of defense was gradually stabilized.

The violent offensive of the Yellow Turban Army was stopped again.

Seeing this, Peng Tuo raised his head to look at the sky, hesitated for a while, and immediately shouted sharply: "Order the yellow scarf warriors to act as the vanguard, and we must break through the city!"

Peng Tuo had tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, but only three thousand yellow scarf warriors.

These yellow turban fighters are different from ordinary yellow turban soldiers, but real elite soldiers. They are not only equipped with excellent weapons, but also all wear cloth armor, and even hundreds of yellow turban leaders are all wearing leather armor.

These people are not only well-equipped and secretly trained, but also have a fanatical belief in the Peaceful Way.

These yellow turban fighters are Peng Tuo's darlings, if they are not in a hurry to break through the city, they are absolutely unwilling to waste them in the siege battle.

Sure enough, with the addition of the Yellow Turban warriors, the front line that the officers and soldiers had just stabilized was on the verge of defeat again.

Seeing that the city could no longer be defended, Jun Cheng hurriedly persuaded Zhao Qian after hearing the news: "The bandit army is so powerful that it is really hard to resist, so you might as well keep your useful body and retreat to Yinqiang first. You can also stop the Yellow Turban Bandits there."

Hearing this, Zhao Qian showed hesitation.

He didn't know that Zhou Qi had already led two thousand soldiers and was about to arrive at Zhaoling City.

Note 1: Three dots of water and one Yin, pronounced yin.Now I don’t have this word, and I can’t type it out, so let’s write Yinqiang later.

(End of this chapter)