Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 143 Xie Ai’s decision

It was the middle of winter, and the road was full of wind and snow.

Huan Xi led 30,000 Jin and Hungarian cavalry across Longshan and finally arrived in Qinzhou.

Zhu Xu had mentioned the Longnan rebellion in an urgent report before, and he said it with great momentum, as if Huan Xi had not sent troops, and Tianshui would have been taken away by the rebels.

But after Huanxi crossed Longshan and received a report from Zhu Xu, it turned out that the rebellion had subsided.

However, since they had come, Huan Xi was not in a hurry to go back. He led his army westward and stationed at Didao. Zhu Xu organized the people to transport food from Tianshui to Didao.

In this regard, the people of Qinzhou were naturally unwilling and full of complaints.

After all, it's freezing cold outside, why not stay at home with your wife and children? Who would want to go out and suffer this pain?

Of course, let alone Zhu Xu, now is the critical time to capture Liangzhou, and even Huan Xi will not delay important events because of the feelings of the people.

For Huan Xi, this march into Didao was a return visit to his old place.

Recalling that it was here that he defeated Zhang Chonghua, and the battle established Longyou's tranquility for the next few years.

Didao County is under the jurisdiction of Longxi County, one of the six counties in Qinzhou. It is one of the four counties in Longxi County. It is located in the north, adjacent to Jincheng County in Liangzhou.

Huan Xi's army pressed the border, and Xie Ai, the prefect of Jincheng, faced a formidable enemy. Since he only had a few thousand soldiers under his command, Xie Ai hurriedly asked Wu Wei for help.

However, as soon as the messenger left, news of Zhang Chonghua's death reached Jincheng County.

Xie Ai was heartbroken when he heard about this. He set up a mourning hall in Yuzhong to pay homage to his benefactor.

The seat of Jincheng County was not in Jincheng County (now Xigucheng, northwest of Lanzhou, Gansu), but in Yuzhong County (now Yuzhong, Lanzhou, Gansu).

Although Xie Ai lives in Jincheng, he also has many friends in Wuwei. Suo Xia, who was once ordered to negotiate peace with Huan Xi, is one of them.

When Zhang Chonghua was critically ill, Suo Xia was summoned to take care of his affairs. Naturally, he knew that the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother Ma had revised the imperial edict, and Zhang Chonghua actually used Xie Ai to take charge of his duties.

However, Zhang Zuo had heavy troops and the support of the Queen Mother, Queen Mother and others, so Suo Xia had no choice but to endure it. He secretly sent someone to inform Xie Ai of the matter.

When Zhang Chonghua was alive, Xie Ai was grateful for his kindness. Now that he learned that he trusted her so much that he even allowed his two sons to serve him, Xie Ai was even more heartbroken.

Outside Yuzhong City, a scribe came to express his condolences claiming to be following the orders of his master.

The person who came was none other than Huan Xi's political wing.

Quan Yi offered three sticks of incense to Zhang Chonghua’s memorial tablet and asked Xie Ai:

"I wonder what Fulubo's plans are for the future?"

Xie Ai put on mourning for Zhang Chonghua. He knew Quan Yi's intention and was grateful for Huan Xi's attention and appreciation for him, but he still said seriously:

"I also ask Mr. Quan to tell Duke Huan that Xie Ai is deeply grateful for Duke Huan's kindness. However, although Xie Ai's master is dead, his son is still alive. I will protect the young master and I dare not have any second thoughts."

Xie Ai bluntly declined Huan Xi's solicitation.

Quan Yi was mentally prepared for this, he said:

"My lord hopes to meet Fulubo at the border of Qinliang. Fulubo does not need to worry about his own safety. My lord loves Fulubo's talents, so how can he harm you.

"As long as Fulubo goes south and allows my lord to express his true feelings face to face, no matter what the outcome, my lord is willing to retreat with his troops and not become an enemy of Fulubo."

Of course Xie Ai believed that Huan Xi would not harm him, but he did not agree to the request to meet because Xie Ai knew that once he went south, he would definitely be persuaded by Huan Xi.

Quan Yi was disappointed when Xie Ai refused, but he still reminded:

"Now that Zhang Zuo is in power, he regards Fulubo as a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh. Sooner or later, he will find a way to get rid of you. Please take care of yourself, Fulubo."

Xie Ai was very moved when he heard this. When sending Quan Yi out of Yuzhong City, he hesitated to speak. After all, he still did not go south with Quan Yi.

Quan Yi returned to Didao County and met Huan Xi, feeling ashamed and saying:

"Incompetent and despicable, it is a disgrace to the mission."

Huan Xi shook his head and said:

"This is not Ziliang's fault."

Deng Xia on the side couldn't help it and said angrily:

"My lord sincerely invites you, but that Xie Ai doesn't know how to praise me. My lord, please allow me five thousand cavalry to capture him when I break through Yuzhong!"

The generals also echoed, venting their dissatisfaction with Xie Ai.

They admitted that Xie Ai was qualified to let their lord spend so much effort to win over him.

After all, Xie Ai defeated Hou Zhao three times.

In the first battle, Shi Hu attacked Qianliang with generals Ma Qiu, Wang Zhuo, Sun Fudu, etc. Xie Ai was activated by Zhang Chonghua. Facing tens of thousands of Zhao troops, Xie Ai asked Zhang Chonghua to give him 7,000 cavalry, which would definitely defeat the thieves. .

Zhang Chonghua was very happy, so he gave Xie Ai five thousand cavalry.

However, Xie Ai still defeated the Zhao army, beheading more than 5,000 people and capturing countless others.

In the second battle, Ma Qiu took 30,000 troops as the vanguard to fight Xie Ai. Xie Ai did not wear a military uniform, but wore a white cap on his head. He was dressed as a scholar. He did not ride a horse on the battlefield. He just sat in the top position and commanded 30,000 cavalry. Battle with Ma Qiu.

In this battle, Xie Ai captured and killed more than 13,000 Zhao troops. Ma Qiu fled back to Qinzhou alone. The tens of thousands of Zhao troops behind saw this and did not dare to move forward.

The third battle was the Battle of Fanhan. Ma Qiu avenged his shame and gathered 120,000 soldiers. Shi Hu was worried that Ma Qiu would be defeated again, so he sent an additional 20,000 cavalry for him.

However, Xie Ai used 20,000 infantry and cavalry to face Zhao's 140,000-strong army after the war. He defeated Wang Zhuo first and then defeated Ma Qiu.

Ma Qiu was defeated and his reputation was ruined. Shi Hu did not dare to move his troops forward again.

Xie Ai's record was clearly displayed in front of everyone, and no one was unconvinced.

After all, Xie Ai can be regarded as a Confucian general like Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Lu Xun.

However, Xie Ai repeatedly rejected Huan Xi's kindness. In the eyes of everyone, just as Deng Xia said, he really didn't appreciate it.

Seeing the anger among the generals under his command, Huan Xi smiled and said: "I have always loved loyal and righteous people. Huan knows that the reason why you are so angry is because you love me and do not deserve it for me."

"But Xie Ai has not forgotten his old master. Like all the gentlemen, he is a loyal man. How can I feel resentment towards him because of this.

"As for the attack on Yuzhong, you don't need to mention it anymore. Just wait for the opportunity with me."

After everyone heard what Huan Xi said, they felt much better and then gave up.

After the generals left, Huan Xi sighed to Quan Yi:

"Thousands of armies are easy to come by, but one general is hard to find. I love a talented person like Xie Ai deeply and would like to take him for my own use.

"But Huan thinks he has sincere intentions, but he always misses his old master.

"Ziliang, tell me, am I really not able to impress him?"

Quan Yi comforted and said:

"Human beings are not grass and trees. How can one be ruthless? As expected from his humble position, Xie Ai was tempted by the Lord's warm invitation. It's just that he couldn't live up to the kindness of his old Lord, so he was embarrassed."

Huan Xi sighed after hearing this:

"I just hate that such a talented person turns his back on him. If Xie Ai can't be used by me in the end, I still have to get rid of him as soon as possible."

Quan Yi has no idea how to recruit Xie Ai, but Quan Yi has many ways to get rid of Xie Ai. However, since Huan Xi decided to wait, Quan Yi did not immediately offer any advice.

However, just when Huan Xi was unable to do anything, Zhang Zuo provided him with an assist.

Because of the spread of the song "Yan of a Chaste Woman of Dai Fulu County Bo Xiang", everyone knows that Huan Xi loves Xie Ai, but cannot get what he asks for.

Now that Huan Xi was stationed at Didao, how could Zhang Zuo not be afraid of Xie Ai and lead Huan Xi as reinforcements to attack Wuwei?

So Zhang Zuo did two things. One was to send an envoy to Didao to express his respect to Huan Xi and offered to pay tribute of 5,000 troops and horses every year. This was regarded as spending money to buy peace.

The second thing was to recruit Xie Ai to return to the court, but Xie Ai was not allowed to lead the troops, and he was only allowed to return to Wuwei with a few servants.

In Yuzhong City, Xie Ai had packed his bags and was about to leave, but his generals blocked the door.

"Uncle Fulu, you can't go! Zhang Zuo is so ambitious that he will definitely harm you!"

"Yes! Fulubo! There is absolutely no possibility of survival here. With Fulubo's wisdom, why do you have to obey the imperial edict!"

Everyone was puzzled. Even they understood the truth, but why Xie Ai couldn't understand it.

The generals begged bitterly, knelt down and wept, begging Xie Ai to stay in Yuzhong.

Xie Ai did not take off his mourning clothes. He helped everyone up one by one and choked with sobs:

"Ai has no choice but to obey the young master's orders. If he disobeys his orders, it would be tantamount to rebellion.

"Without a master behind me, what will we do even if we save our lives? We are just walking corpses with only physical skeletons.

"A real man has things to do and things he doesn't do. Xie Ai would rather die than bear the name of being disloyal and unjust!"

When everyone heard this, they all sighed and shed tears when they knew that he was determined to die.

Accompanied by his generals, Xie Ai came to the outside of Yuzhong City and bid farewell to them. He was about to get on the carriage and head to Wuwei when he saw a horse riding in the distance.

The sentry rider shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! The Jin army is heading north! Coming towards Yuzhong!"

The generals all changed their minds, but some quick-thinking people quickly grabbed Xie Ai's sleeves and said hurriedly:

"Fu Lubo! The Jin army invaded the country. As the governor of Jincheng, how could you just leave! Could it be that you are afraid of the Jin people, so you want to abandon us!"

Everyone reacted and agreed:

"Fu Lubo really wants to abandon the soldiers and people of Yuzhong and go to Wuwei to take refuge!"

Xie Ai knew that they only said this to keep him. Seeing the pleading eyes of everyone, Xie Ai felt a war between heaven and man in his heart.

After a long time, Xie Ai finally made a decision in his heart, and he said loudly:

"Everyone, listen to my order! Recruit soldiers quickly to guard Yuzhong! Defend the enemy with me!"

When the generals heard this, they all raised their arms and cheered.

Although they had few soldiers, they were not afraid of the menacing Jin army because their commander was Xie Ai.

Xie Ai created too many miracles in the war with Hou Zhao.

Lieutenant General Yu believed that as long as they were led by Xie Ai, they could defeat any invading enemy.

In the afternoon of that day, Huan Xi led 5,000 lances and 5,000 bows and arrived outside Yuzhong City first. At this time, the city gates were closed and the walls were heavily guarded.

Huan Xi already knew that Xie Ai stayed in Yuzhong City because of his invasion of Jincheng County.

He breathed a long sigh of relief and smiled with Quan Yi beside him:

"Finally caught up."

Although Zhang Zuo is willing to contribute 5,000 military horses every year, for Huan Xi, Xie Ai is not at this price.

Besides, when he conquers Liangzhou, not all the troops and horses in Liangzhou will be his, so why bother Zhang Zuo to donate them every year.

　The next chapter is before twelve o'clock in the evening.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)