Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 180: Letters from home are rare

In the commander's tent, the generals and subordinates were inspired by Huan Wen, and they all raised their arms and shouted for the Northern Expedition.

The Huan family seems to be a whole, but there have always been two groups, Chang'an and Jiangling, coexisting without being subordinate to each other.

Especially after Huan Wen and Huan Xi founded their respective countries, they undoubtedly made this situation obvious.

Not only did Huan Wen want to prove himself, but the civil servants and generals of the Chu State and the assistants of the Grand Sima Mansion looked at the achievements of the generals who followed Huan Xi, and they didn't want to catch up.

After all, the situation of father and son each ruling a country cannot be maintained for a long time. When the Huan family usurps the throne, the two teams of Chu and Liang will eventually merge into one.

At that time, who will be promoted and who will be promoted will ultimately depend on each other’s merits. No one is qualified to rest on their laurels and rest on their laurels.

What these generals didn't know was that Huan Xi had already discussed with Huan Wen the feasibility of following the Ming Dynasty in the early days of the founding of the country and establishing a two-capital system, that is, setting up a central agency in the north and south.

Huan Wen quite agreed with this.

Of course, the two-capital system has its drawbacks and cannot exist for a long time.

For Huan Wen and Huan Xi, this was just an expedient measure in the early stages of their rule. The possible implementation of the two-capital system was just to appease Yuan Rong who followed them in starting a business.

When the Yuan Dynasty gradually withers away, a set of fictitious central institutions no longer need to be replaced by new people. If they continue to be maintained, they can naturally be abolished.

Huan Wen was very ambitious at this time. There were two routes before him. One was to go north from Lushan County and enter the Luoyang Basin.

The second was to go east from Lushan County, attack Xiangcheng (today's Xiangcheng County, Henan) first, and then take Yingchuan.

Xiangcheng County belongs to Yuzhou, located between Nanyang and Yingchuan, and was occupied by Lehong, the governor of Jingzhou in the later Zhao Dynasty.

Huan Wen had previously captured Nanyang, Yiyang and other places, and Le Hong was forced to retreat to Xiangcheng. Seeing the chaos in the north, Le Hong, Zhou Cheng, Wei Tong and others surrendered to the Jin Dynasty together and existed as separatist warlords in the Central Plains.

Huan Wen hesitated again and again and decided to attack Yingchuan after destroying Lehong and seizing Xiangcheng County.

Although Zhou Cheng occupied Yingchuan and Henan counties, most of his population and tribes were in Yingchuan County. After all, if he really ran Luoyang, wouldn't he be an obvious temptation to Huan Xi and Fu Jian to plunder.

It was now the turn of summer and autumn, and the grains were not yet mature. If Huan Wen could quickly conquer Xiangcheng County and enter Yingchuan County, Zhou Cheng would definitely be in a difficult situation.

Should we strengthen the walls and clear the country, or should we sit back and watch Huan Wen stationed outside the city, waiting for the grain to mature and collect it?

The word "strong walls and clear fields" is easy to say, but if there is no harvest for a year, it will undoubtedly be a disastrous consequence for a small force like Zhou Cheng.

As for Luoyang, there is no cockcrow for thousands of miles, and there is not much food to collect outside the city.

Xiangcheng County, Xiangcheng County.

Ever since Huan Wen went north and settled in Luyang, Le Hong had fallen into a state of anxiety, unable to sleep or eat well.

In order to prevent Huan Wen from controlling Luoyang, the Qian Yanhui rescued Zhou Cheng, but they would not go deep into the Central Plains to rescue Xiangcheng.

It is even more impossible for Zhou Cheng to leave Yingchuan and come to rescue his former colleagues because of the so-called cold lips and teeth.

For Lehong, once Huan Wen went eastward, he had to rely on himself if he wanted to keep Xiangcheng County.

However, after the wars in Nanyang and Yiyang, Le Hong's tribe had already been crippled by Huan Wen, otherwise they would not have huddled in Xiangcheng County and watched Zhou Cheng come from Xuzhou and occupy Yingchuan and Henan counties.

With one county and thousands of soldiers fighting against the Western Fan, Le Hong really did not have the courage.

When he learned that the Chu army that had been stationed in Luyang for a long time finally made some moves and was heading towards Xiangcheng, Lehong was between escaping and surrendering, so he chose to leave his son to lead his troops, while he took his relatives with him. The soldiers marched westward, crossed the Ru River, and headed to Fucheng County (east of today's Baofeng County, Henan Province) to meet the Chu army.

It is said that those who understand current affairs are heroes, and if you can't defeat them, then join them. This is not a shame.

When Huan Wen's troops came to his father's city, the city gates were open on all sides. Le Hong, with his bare flesh on the bushes, came to the front of the army to plead guilty:

"Dong Chu's Northern Expedition, Hongyou missed the opportunity to meet us from afar. Please forgive me, Mr. Chu."

Huan Wen got off his horse, lifted up Le Hong who was kneeling on the ground, and said with a smile:

"You and I are ministers in the same palace. Huan is just borrowing the throne. Why should Le Gong do this?"

With that said, Huan Wen untied the thorn sticks for Le Hong, took off his cloak and put it on Le Hong, and entered the city hand in hand with him.

Lehong has shown his sincerity and submission. It is impossible for Huan Wen to continue to pursue him fiercely. Otherwise, all the warlords in the Central Plains will fight to the death.

Just as Huan Wen, led by Le Hong, went to take over Xiangcheng, Huan Xi was about to arrive at Jincheng County.

Previously, after Wang Meng received the urgent report, he mobilized the state and county soldiers from Anding County to go north to support him and took over the humans and animals Huan Xi had plundered from the Qifu and Poduolan tribes.

Huan Xi was able to take 5,000 spear cavalry and 8,000 bow cavalry out of Longguan westward and headed for Jincheng County.

Although Qifu Sifan had not yet formally surrendered, the 30,000 cavalry he brought with him had already been disarmed and placed in a large camp outside Yuzhong City, under the supervision of Zhu Xu's state and county soldiers.

What is missing now is a surrender ceremony.

On the ninth day of July in the tenth year of Yonghe (AD 354), Huan Xi finally came to Yuzhong County, the county seat of Jincheng County, amidst everyone's expectations.

"I pay my respects to Duke Liang!"

"I will pay my respects to Mr. Liang!"

Those who proclaimed themselves ministers to Huan Xi were naturally the Liang officials headed by Zhu Xu.

Those who claimed to be lower officials were Liangzhou officials headed by Bo Niuyi, the lord of Liangzhou.

There were only three states in Liang: Yong, Qin, and Liang. Liangzhou was not within Huanxi's fiefdom. Therefore, officials serving in Liangzhou, even if they were from Longxi County in Qinzhou like Niu Yi, could not call themselves ministers.

Huan Xi raised his right hand in vain:

"No need to be polite, please get up quickly."

When everyone got up, Si Fan, the beggar, also came to lead the sheep in full view of everyone.

"Sinners do not know the destiny of heaven and engage in war indiscriminately, causing the destruction of their lives. They feel that they are guilty of the world and feel ashamed of the Great Chanyu. Even if they die, they dare not feel resentment, but they still ask the Great Chanyu to punish them."

Qifu Sifanfu cried bitterly.

Of course, Huan Xi could not really kill Qifu Si Fan.

The other party was able to atone for his crimes and hunt down the traitors for himself, and now he led his people to surrender. If Huan Xi still couldn't pardon him, who would dare to surrender to Huan Xi again in the future.

"If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good."

Huan Xi said, helped Qifu Sifan up, and continued:

"Huan believes that the reason for this disaster is that the Qifu family has never bathed in the royal transformation. Your family will settle in Chang'an. You might as well go with them and reunite with them, and you can also experience the Jin Dynasty in Guanzhong. of prosperity.”

Qifu Sifan had already expected this. He kowtowed and thanked him and said:

“A great chan is magnanimous, and sinners are grateful!”

Huan Xi nodded, and sent people to send their uncle and nephew, including Qifu Tulei, to Chang'an to attend the funeral for Qifuxi Dahan.

Qifu Dahan is dead. Even if the Qifu clan returns to the right path and quells the rebellion in Wuwei County for Huanxi, they are the cause of this rebellion after all.

Huan Xi could pardon Si Fan and Qifu Tu Lei, but they were just obeying the orders of Qifu Dahan.

But Qifuxi Dahan, the culprit, must die.

After learning that the 30,000 Qifu troops had been disarmed, Huan Xi had already signaled Qifu Dahan to commit suicide.

After bidding farewell to his family, Qifusi Dahan walked away peacefully and did not suffer much pain.

Compared with the treatment of the Qifu clan, who only punished the culprit, the wealthy families in Liangzhou who participated in the rebellion did not have such good luck. Huan Xi surrendered voluntarily because he begged the Fu family to atone for his sins, so he could not kill them all.

Since the butcher's knife did not fall on Qifu's head, it would naturally have to be borne by those who responded to the rebellion, otherwise how could we warn the world.

Huan Xi looked coldly at the rebels and their families who were kneeling in front of him, begging for mercy. Among them were old people, young people, men and women, but Huan Xi just looked at Song Hun and said:

"Song Hun, take your wives, concubines and children with you. You can leave and move to Guanzhong. Don't go back to Liangzhou again."

When everyone heard this, they thought they saw hope of life.

Before Song Hun had a chance to express his gratitude, everyone started shouting grievances:

"Mr. Liang, we are also innocent!"

"Please also please Liang Gong, please show your noble hand and don't implicate innocent people!"

"Mr. Liang, I have never participated in the rebellion. Please keep an eye on it!"

Huan Xi frowned. Seeing this, Deng Xia shouted angrily:

"shut up!"

The sound was like thunder, and everyone was frightened and dared not speak.

Huan Xi then said:

"As far as I know, only one of you, Song Hun, explicitly opposed it. The rest, although they did not respond to the rebellion, also acquiesced to it."

As he said this, Huanxi pointed to Song Cheng, Liu Su, Yi Chuai, Zhang Ling and other people who had kidnapped Zhao Ju, as well as the cities that responded to beg for Xianbei and asked:

"If they can succeed, you will all benefit. How can you say they are innocent?"

There is no such thing as taking advantage in this world. Today, if all the rebels are exterminated, it will be difficult for them to get the support of their relatives if someone becomes disloyal in the future.

As for arranging for your family to sing the double act, if others see you thinking about retreating, who will be willing to follow you in rebellion?

In a few words, Huan Xi decided the life and death of hundreds of people. Everyone was frightened. Some were still pleading, while others, knowing that they were bound to die, had broken jars and cursed loudly, just to speak quickly.

Before the scolder could finish his words, he was killed on the spot by the cavalry behind him and died under the blade.

The person who begged was not forgiven, but he did not suffer so much pain before his death.

Regardless of whether they were old, weak, women or children, all the corpses were transported to Guzang, and a Jingguan was built outside the city as a warning to others.

Song Hun's family was lucky enough to survive. Although they were still frightened, they kowtowed to Huan Xi repeatedly to thank him, and were immediately sent to Guanzhong for resettlement.

After dealing with the rebels, Huan Xi had no time to rest. For him, there was another more important thing, which was to appease the mood of the 30,000 Xianbei soldiers to avoid rebellion again.

Fortunately, Huan Xi had already prepared a sharp weapon.

Thirty thousand surrendered soldiers were brought to the open space outside the camp with their bare hands, where a high platform had been set up.

The surrendered soldiers gathered under the high platform, with fear and uneasiness in everyone's eyes. They didn't know what Huan Xi would do with them.

After all, throughout the ages, there have been many examples of traps and killings.

Huan Xi stepped onto the high platform amidst the tension and fear of Xianbei's surrender.

Shen Chiqian followed Huan Xi closely, holding a wooden box in his arms.

"Open the box."

Huan Xi ordered.

Shen Chiqian opened the lid of the box with a sound, and saw that what was inside was not gold, silver, or human heads, but many letters.

Huan Xi casually took out an envelope, read the envelope, and then asked loudly in Xianbei dialect:

"Where is Pu'e's husband Yunu!"

Huan Xi studied Xianbei dialect diligently during these days and gained a lot.

Thirty thousand soldiers may have the same name, but there are very few couples who both have the same name.

Under the stage, Liang Jun, who was specially selected and could speak Xianbei dialect, spread Huan Xi's question. There was no movement in the crowd for a while, until all Yunu's acquaintances looked at him, and Yunu trembled. hands up.

Soon someone came to lead him to the front.

Huan Xi looked at the horrified Yu Nu and confirmed:

"Are you Pu'e's husband?"

Yunu suppressed his fear and replied:

"If you tell me, I am Pu'e's husband, Yunu."

Huan Xi nodded and said:

"In my hand is a letter written by your wife to you. Because she cannot read, someone else has to write it for you. Can you read it?"

Yu Nu shook his head and said:

"Replying to the Great Chanyu, I don't know how to read."

This incident did not go beyond Huan Xi's expectation. He gave Yunu's family letter to a literary official who knew Xianbei characters and had him read it aloud on his behalf.

In the letter, Pu'e first reported to Yunu that she was safe and told him that her family was now resettled in Xitao Grassland, and that her parents and children were safe and had not been bullied.

Of course, he did not forget to inform Yu Nu that Shan Yutai of Yinchuan had made the decision and lent six sheep to each household, allowing them to breed the lambs before returning them to the government.

At the end of the letter, Pu'e said that she was waiting to reunite with her husband in Yinchuan.

There is a saying: The war continues for three months, and a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold.

What's more, these descendants don't know whether their family members are alive or dead.

Yunu was already in tears, and the rest of the soldiers were also moved.

Huan Xi took out another letter. Unlike before, everyone was looking forward to hearing his name.

As the clerk read the letters in the box one by one, all the soldiers present shed tears.

Huan Xi didn't want to bring all the family letters of thirty thousand soldiers, but he couldn't make it in time.

It wasn't until all forty letters were read that Shen Chiqian closed the box.

The soldiers in the audience were all disappointed when they did not hear the names of their families, and they became worried about their families.

Huan Xi looked at the faces in the audience and said loudly:

“Time was tight and I couldn’t bring everyone’s letters home.

"But I promise you, no one killed women and children during the Battle of Wugushan in the wheat field! No one insulted your family members! They are all safe and sound!"

As the soldiers of the Liang Army passed the message to Huan Xi, all the surrendered soldiers in the audience raised their hands and cheered.

Huan Xi continued to shout:

"Now! I need you to follow me to Guzang and make an alliance with all the tribes!

“When it’s done, I will take you back to reunite with your family.

"Besides! There is another reward for you!

"Today, I swear in public that I will never lie!"

When everyone heard this, they all bowed down and shouted long live the Great Chanyu.

In fact, the reason why these surrendered soldiers couldn't feel at ease was because they didn't know what was happening to their families. Now that they knew that they were safe and sound and had not been bullied, they naturally had no worries and petitioned to serve Huan Xi.

　There is another chapter of 3,000 words, which will be posted around two o'clock in the morning.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)