I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 306: Celebrate the epic victory together, and reward the great merits for serving the king (4K2 chapters)

An epic win!
As the flag fell and the pillars collapsed, the rebel army, which had lost all fighting spirit, was slaughtered by the Han officials and civilians and was completely defeated.

The emperor, the general, Lu Zhi and other civil and military officials had never imagined that this defensive battle in which Zhang Chun and the Wuhuan coalition forces suddenly attacked the emperor's northern tour team and trapped them in Pingyuan County with a surging army of 200,000 would end so quickly.

In their view, facing such a large army, they would have to endure the battle to defend the plain for more than a month, waiting for the arrival of the coalition forces of the princes to rescue them.

Unexpectedly, it was quickly ended by Su Yao's crazy attack, and the curtain was drawn.

At this point, the siege battle between the Han army of less than 8,000 and the rebel and Wuhuan coalition forces of nearly 200,000 ended with an epic victory for the Han Dynasty.

The summary of the reports showed that in this battle, more than 40,000 people were beheaded and countless civilians were captured and rescued.

From Zhang Chun onwards, not only the Wuhuan Qiao King and Zhang Chun's right-hand men Li Hu and Chu Jian were all killed in the battle, but also countless Simas, military officers, Wuhuan warriors and others under him died in the battle.

Thanks to Su Yao's heroic feat of leading the knights to raid the commander's camp, all of Zhang Chun's senior generals, staff officers, the military supplies they carried, and the spoils they looted along the way were taken away by the knights.

Carts full of gold, silver, copper coins, as well as weapons, armor, bows and arrows, silk cloth, and large amounts of food and fodder were transported into the city like a stream under the escort of the Bingzhou knights led by Cheng Lian and others.

These supplies were urgently registered by Wang Ling, Wei Ming and others at the door, and then stored in the government warehouse one by one.

Such a grand scene made the officials and citizens of the entire city excited.

Emperor Liu Hong, who was still ill, issued an edict to lift the curfew and celebrate for three days!
The suffering of yesterday seemed to have disappeared with this epic victory.

Surrounded by the ruins, people held torches and lanterns and poured into the streets, their faces beaming with spring-like smiles. The streets were filled with laughter and singing.

Vendors also set up stalls to sell various trophies captured on the battlefield to celebrate the victory.

There are also a variety of snacks, the aroma of which attracts passing officers and soldiers and pedestrians to stop.

The city square became a sea of ​​joy as people sang and danced to celebrate this hard-earned victory.

The common people and vendors were doing so, and of course the officials and wealthy families were not to be outdone. They all responded to the call for celebration. Every household hung up red lanterns, put up festive couplets, set up lavish dinners, entertained guests, and of course the protagonist of the day was indispensable in their conversations and laughter.

Su Yao led a thousand cavalrymen to charge forward, beheaded the generals and captured the flags, and defeated the 200,000-strong army besieging the city. His feat was jaw-dropping and everyone praised him.

"This Lord Su is so amazing!"

"These cavalry of a few thousand actually defeated an army of 200,000."

"When he left, no matter whether it was the general or Minister Lu, who would believe this, who would dare to believe this?"

“It’s crazy, it’s outrageous!”

"You didn't see it. At that time, facing the siege of tens of thousands of troops at the city gate, Lord Su was so imposing!"

"It's unstoppable, it's unstoppable!"

"I heard that he just kicked the enemy once and knocked down the rebels' camp gate."

"He is simply the overlord of the world!"

All kinds of bizarre rumors and feats spread throughout the city, becoming topics of conversation for the people to celebrate and passed down through word of mouth to future generations.

By the time Su Yao, covered in blood, returned to the city carrying Zhang Chun's head, the celebration gradually reached its climax.

Upon hearing that Lord Su had returned, countless people took to the streets to warmly welcome this legendary young general.

In the square in front of the palace in Pingyuan City, the soldiers of the Huben Army pulled out a long cordon, and a large crowd of people were separated from them and watched with thunderous cheers.

At dawn, under the stars and the moon, and in the light of the fire, the square was as bright as day.

Emperor Liu Hong, supported by the eunuchs, led all the officials out of the palace to personally greet him.

He stood on the platform and gazed at the street of the North Gate with a complicated expression.

There, Su Yao was wearing a blood-stained armor robe, riding a white horse that was also stained red with blood, holding Zhang Chun's head, and walking slowly to the sound of triumphal military music.

With his appearance, the entire place fell silent, with all eyes focused on this young hero. What was the reward for such a big win?

Before this, Lu Zhi, the commander-in-chief who personally braved the arrows and stones to defend the city wall, had been successfully promoted from General of the North Zhonglang to General of the Front because of this grand victory.

And what kind of reward will Su Yao, a vanguard general who charged into battle, killed enemies and captured flags, be awarded?

Everyone stared at the platform, waiting for the emperor's order.

And the emperor did not disappoint everyone.

After the eunuch took over and confirmed Zhang Chun's head, he cleared his throat and announced loudly:
"Su Yao, you are loyal and brave, charging into battle, beheading generals and seizing flags, saving me from siege, and making great contributions to the Han Dynasty.

Today, I specially confer you the title of Champion Marquis, grant you a fief of two thousand, five hundred gold, a mansion in Luozhong, a hundred servants, and ten beauties, to show my favor."

hiss--

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience gasped, and then the atmosphere completely got out of control.

"Champion Hou?"

"Champion Hou!"

This is the champion.

A true county marquis, the highest symbol of honor for an official.

It is also a title with considerable political implications.

"Long live, long live!"

"Long live your Majesty!"

"Long live the big man!"

"Long live the champion!"

After that brief silence, the whole audience suddenly erupted in waves of cheers, deafening, one after another, as surging as the tide.

The people held up torches, waved flags, and cheered for the young hero.

Su Yao's subordinates were also excited, hugging each other with joy.

However, while some people are happy and excited, naturally there are also people who are sad and depressed.

That was the case with General He Jin.

After seeing Su Yao excitedly accept the order, express gratitude, and take the new seal, He Jin only felt powerless.

Champion?
Is this the first step to becoming a county marquis?

Too fast, really too fast.

This is a county marquis who was granted a title of nobility.

He Jin's heart was filled with helplessness and anger.

He originally thought that as a general, he held a large number of troops and real power, and had a pivotal position in the court, enough to suppress anyone who dared to challenge his authority.

However, the appearance and rise of Su Yao completely shattered his fantasy.

Su Yao was not only brave and good at fighting and had made many military achievements, but more importantly, he was deeply trusted and loved by the emperor.

Now, Su Yao was conferred the title of Marquis of Guanjun, with a fief of 2,000 households, which was the highest honor among officials.

He Jin understood that the gap in status between himself and Su Yao was getting smaller and smaller, and he could no longer suppress and exclude the young general as easily as he had in the past.

Considering His Majesty's visit and the purpose behind it, He Jin was extremely anxious and at a loss. But if He Jin was just anxious, then Yuan Shu was extremely ashamed and angry.

Yuan Shu was so angry that he stamped his feet and gritted his teeth at Su Yao's brilliant achievements, but he could do nothing about it.

That guy, he had never seen such a smelly and hard stone.

The power, status and influence of his Yuan family had no effect on that boy named Su.

All his plans and plots were in vain.

He only regretted that he had acted on impulse that day and was caught, which resulted in the loss of his position as General of the Tiger Guards. Not only had he done something for nothing, but now he had no room to develop his abilities.

"Is there no one in the world who can control him now?"

Just when He Jin and Liu Biao were at a loss, Liu Biao, who was working in the General's Mansion, suddenly interrupted with a wine cup in hand:
"Why should you worry so much, General?"

"But with the title of Champion Marquis and a little wealth, the greatest hero of this battle was sent away."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty is already in a dilemma."

"It remains to be seen who will hold the power in the world in the future."

He Jin was stunned by Liu Biao's words. He paused and asked:
"What does Jingsheng mean by this?"

Liu Biao's meaning was actually very clear. The emperor's reward was more of an honorary nature, but the real power and benefits given were not exaggerated.

As a county marquis, he had a fief of 2,000, which was only a few hundred more than his previous title of duting marquis.

Compared with Lu Zhi who had been promoted to the rank of General, Su Yao's official position was still limited to the rank of General of the Tiger Guards.

This can only mean two things. One is that the emperor did not trust other people to serve as his personal guards, so he would rather give the title of county marquis, which is not easily granted, and put Su Yao in the position of Tiger Guard Lieutenant General.

Secondly, this kid's rapid rise also makes His Majesty nervous.

Everyone knew that the emperor wanted to use this kid to compete with the general and help the prince Liu Zuo.

However, this kid Su Yao appeared out of nowhere and within only half a year, he had already reached the pinnacle of officialdom.

In the future, if the emperor wants to use him again, he will have to think twice: what should he do if there is no title or reward that can be given to him?
You know, the purpose of the emperor's northern tour was to strengthen his authority and to create momentum for deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son.

The health of this supreme being is obviously getting worse and worse. After this serious illness, he must have more considerations.
If this kid named Su is allowed to continue to gain military merits on the battlefield to expand his power, then by then, will he be a helper or a scourge to the young boy?
Listening to Liu Biao's analysis in a low voice, He Jin seemed to have been cleared of the fog, but also seemed to be shrouded in a deep layer again.

He understood a little, but seemed not to understand, so he had to get straight to the point and asked what to do next.

But He Jin was stunned by Liu Biao's reply.

"You, you want us to support him?!"

Liu Biao nodded in agreement.

"A moment of pride is nothing. Let him be happy and make achievements. In the end, every bit of his military achievements will become a poisonous arrow that tears apart his relationship with the emperor and buries his future."

He Jin widened his eyes, obviously very surprised by Liu Biao's suggestion.

You know, in the past, Yuan Shu's advice to him had always been to try to suppress or weaken Su Yao's forces.

He Jin never expected that Liu Biao would propose a completely opposite strategy.

"What do you mean?" He Jin asked puzzledly.

Liu Biao smiled slightly and explained:
"General, you see that Su Yao is now unstoppable, has won the hearts of the people, and the emperor favors him very much.

If we forcefully suppress them now, I'm afraid it will backfire and stir up public resentment. Not only will the emperor become more dissatisfied with us, but we will also be on the opposite side of the officials and the people."

“On the contrary, if we go with the flow, help him get promoted, and let him continue to make contributions, then his prestige and power will expand further.

Since ancient times, a tall tree attracts the wind, and being too successful and shocking the ruler are the biggest ways for a minister to die.

Now the emperor has this concern and has begun to deliberately control it, and we must do the opposite, continue to flatter him, fan the flames, and make him expand faster. "

"As long as the two of them are separated and Su Yao continues to grow, then the emperor deep in the palace will naturally be wary of him."

"When the time comes, we will take action at the right time and take advantage of the emperor's suspicion of Su Yao to easily eliminate him."

"Didn't the great general Dou Xian, the champion marquis who won the Yanran Legion, die here?"

As he spoke, Liu Biao lowered his head and shook his wine cup twice:

"Champion Marquis, Champion Marquis"

"Your Majesty is also very interesting."

"None of the champions in history have ever had a good ending."

"Su Yao, is it possible that you can escape this curse?"

What Liu Biao said was not nonsense.

Marquis of Guanjun, this title has become the highest honor that military generals dream of since it was first conferred by Huo Qubing during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han.

However, compared to the legendary origin of this title that people in later generations would think of when they mention it, the fate of its recipients in history who died and their country was destroyed, leaving no one to inherit, is more impressive to people today.

It is regrettable that the famous first champion marquis Huo Qubing died young after conquering the Wolf's Lair and drinking from the vast sea, but it also planted the seeds of heaviness and misfortune behind the title of champion marquis.

Afterwards, General Dou Xian, who was responsible for the Yanran Leci, was a man with a large army and enormous power, but his great achievements aroused the emperor's suspicion and the dissatisfaction of the court officials.

In the end, Dou Xian failed in the power struggle and was forced to commit suicide. His family also suffered a devastating disaster, becoming another example of the ill-fated fate of the Marquis of Guanjun.

The fate of the most recent Marquis of Guanjun was even more despicable. The person who was given the title, Wang Fu, was a eunuch who was one of the Ten Attendants.

He manipulated the government, and his father, brothers, and sons were all ministers, colonels, governors, and chief ministers, spread all over the country. At one time, he was extremely powerful.

However, he ultimately failed in the political struggle, was arrested and imprisoned, and his body was cut into pieces at the city gate.

It is precisely because of the bad fate of the champion marquis in the Han Dynasty that people are full of awe and fear of the title of champion marquis.

Therefore, in later generations, the title of Guanjun Hou completely disappeared from history and no one inherited it.

Now that Su Yao has been named Marquis of Champion, what will his future be like?

He Jin stroked his beard, looking as if he was thinking deeply.

Although Liu Biao's words smacked of conspiracy, they were not entirely unreasonable.

Su Yao's rise did arouse the emperor's suspicion and the vigilance of court officials.

However, whether Su Yao himself will become the next Dou Xian, or whether he can resolve the crisis with his own wisdom and courage, all this is still unknown.
However, Yuan Shu did not agree with Liu Biao's strategy.

It is said that the defeat of Dou Xian was the work of his ancestor Yuan An, and it was also an important founding event for the Yuan family, which had three officials in four generations.

However, Yuan Shu obviously did not have the magnanimity of his ancestor.

In his opinion, Liu Biao's strategy would be protracted and full of uncertainties.

The most important thing is that Yuan Shu became extremely angry when he thought about having to endure that Su for such a long time.

However, if he was really asked to come up with any good ideas, he couldn't come up with any good ideas.

I can only vent my emotions in frustration and rage.

(End of this chapter)