A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 367 Disposal of Prisoners of War
"Hurry up, Ethief. If you walk too slowly, your grandpa will give you a whip!"

"Snapped!"

Tens of thousands of Yellow Turban prisoners were driven by the Han army into a specially built prison camp. There was a tower sentry every ten steps, with three crossbowmen on top, vigilantly patrolling below.

There were two sergeants in the middle of every two tents, standing with their backs facing each other, patrolling the prisoners coming and going. This is to prevent these people from rioting.

Because of the urgent military situation, Huangfu Song ordered his men to take advantage of the great victory with tens of thousands of Han troops to quickly go north and arrive at Julu overnight. When Zhang Bao's army was in Quzhou, he captured Julu City.

Knowing that he was alone, Zhang Bao had no choice but to lead the army all the way around Julu, northward, and arrived at Xiaquyang. Prepare to rely on the Yellow Turban Army from Changshan County to defend it.

Only thousands of Han troops were left to look after the prisoners.

Huangfusong knew that he could not stay here, but how to deal with these tens of thousands of prisoners has become his biggest problem at present.

"General, it's better to deal with these prisoners according to the old practice in Henan." A general who had been following Huangfu Song to pacify the Yellow Turbans in Henan suggested.

"Old rules, what old rules?" Some Hebei Xiangyong leaders who didn't know why asked in confusion.

Another Henan general chuckled and said: "Of course we are following the example of Wu Anhou, otherwise what would we do with them? Are they consuming our army's food and grass?"
Moreover, these people are deeply seduced by Zhang Jiao's traitor, and they need to arrange thousands or even tens of thousands of extra troops to monitor them. You should be aware of the pros and cons. But you have never won any battles, so naturally you are not as experienced as us. "

"伱."

There was a general from Hebei who wanted to argue with him, but was stopped by his friend.

Don't forget that these generals from Henan were all the old troops who followed Huangfu Song to pacify Yingchuan, Runan, Nanyang, and Dongjun, and were direct descendants of Huangfu Song.

These generals from Hebei were Lu Zhi's old subordinates, so naturally they had no dealings with them. However, Huangfu Song is now the main general, not Lu Zhi, so these Hebei generals are often suppressed and despised.

"Coach, I think these are all people who were bewitched or coerced by Zhang Jiao's traitor. They are all poor people who really can't survive anymore, so they chose to follow Zhang Ni to fight against the imperial army. Therefore, I don't necessarily have much loyalty to Zhang Ni.

Secondly, after all, these are tens of thousands of human lives, and they are all the subjects of the Han Dynasty. It would be inappropriate to decide their lives easily.

Moreover, this move is too hurtful. The people of Hebei are already very few, and the Yellow Turbans are spread over most of Hebei. If they act like this every time they pass by, I am afraid that Hebei will be empty and taken advantage of by foreigners. "

A man dressed as a middle-aged general stood up from the last position and spoke bluntly.

Huangfu Song narrowed his eyes and stared at him: "Who are you?"

Another man next to the middle-aged general stood up and explained for him: "Please forgive me, Commander. This man is Sima Liu Bei in our army, and he is also a strong man who responded to the imperial court's training of local braves. He does not understand the system of the army, so he Nonsense.”

This man is Gongsun Zan, the governor of western Liaoning.

Huangfusong snorted coldly: "You, a low-level soldier without an official position and a title, dare to speak nonsense in the general's military tent. Do I, a commander in chief, still listen to the words of a soldier like you?
If everyone were like you, the army would probably have no rules. Where are the military regulations? Someone get it out for me! "

Liu Bei's face turned pale, but he still did not kneel down to confess his crime. He just kept his arms folded and stood there without moving.

The soldiers who came in wanted to take action, but were knocked to the ground by Guan and Zhang behind Liu Bei.

"How can I let you and other little thieves disturb this important place in the army? Let me take down these three thieves."

Seeing that Liu Bei still dared to resist, Huangfu Song looked ugly and yelled loudly.

"Coach, calm down!" Gongsun Zan didn't know what to do, so he had to kneel down and ask for forgiveness.

Several Henan generals on the other side wanted to step forward, but were stopped by a voice: "Wait a minute!"

A middle-aged man with a handsome face, neat hair and beard, wearing white clothes, wearing white jade on his waist, and a divine seal between his eyebrows walked in.

The generals from Hebei all stood up to greet him and bowed their heads to show respect. The generals from Henan all had solemn faces. When Huangfu Song saw the visitor's attire, his eyes suddenly shrank, and he suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said, "I wonder who is coming?"

Although Huangfusong knew that the visitor must be the son of the Bai family of the Bai Kingdom, he was from Liangzhou and a general of the Han Dynasty. Even if he belonged to the Qing Dynasty, he could not lose the majesty of the Han court. After all, the Bai Kingdom was a prince of the Han Dynasty. king.

"I'm Bai Dan from the Bai Kingdom, and Tian will be the master of the Bai Academy."

After hearing this, Huangfu Song became a little more relaxed and asked, "Mr. Bai is Bai Xue's master. I wonder what important matter Mr. Bai has in our army?"

Bai Dan smiled slightly, feeling like a spring breeze was blowing over him, which eliminated the chilling atmosphere in the military tent: "I came here this time because of the support of the people, for the tens of thousands of big men outside the door."

Huangfu Song did not answer directly, but said with a half-smile: "The Bai family belongs to the royal family of the Bai Kingdom and is one of the princes and kings of the Han Dynasty. Logically speaking, the authority can only be limited to a corner of the Bai Kingdom. At some point, the affairs of Hebei will also be under the jurisdiction of the Bai Kingdom." The Bai Kingdom is in charge?" "The general doesn't know. Among the Bai schools, people from Hebei account for fifty-sixths, and many of them are students from Julu and other places. Many of their fathers and fellow villagers were kidnapped by the Yellow Turban thieves.

I heard them say that although they knew that following Zhang Jiao's rebellion against the imperial court, their lives would be in danger, they had no choice but to obey the yellow scarf thieves who were threatening them with swords and guns. Therefore, they were really forced by the thieves and had no intention of resisting the imperial court.

Furthermore, God has the virtue of good life, and killing prisoners is ultimately unlucky. In particular, the massacre of Han people was the most taboo. Whether it was the Marquis Wu'an of Qin or the Overlord of Chu, how many of them ended up with a good end?
This matter has nothing to do with my country, Bai, but the students of the academy are asking for my help, so I have no choice but to be shameless and come to ask the general to let these poor people live. "

"Haha, sir, you really have a benevolent heart, but no matter what, these people are traitors to the imperial court. Even if they are killed, death is not a pity.

If they were allowed to return home, they might even raise the banner of the Yellow Turban rebels and rebel against the imperial court. For the great cause of the imperial court, this general would have to do it, right? "

Seeing the embarrassment and wry smile on Huangfusong's face, Bai Dan continued: "The general's words are wrong. Since Zhang Jiao's death, the Yellow Turban Thieves no longer have a spiritual leader, and they can't accomplish anything big.

Furthermore, what is the reason why these people followed Zhang Jiao in rebellion? Isn’t it that His Majesty favors the eunuchs and appoints corrupt officials, forcing the people to rebel?
Now, talking about the crime of resisting the imperial court, as for the real culprit, I think the general should know who it is. "

How could Huangfusong dare to accept Bai Dan's words? But if he followed Bai Dan's wishes and released these prisoners, his career would come to an end. What would Liu Hong think?
A general who colludes with local princes and kings may end up in Luoyang's prison.

"Sir, you should go back. In any case, these people have followed Zhang Ni and resisted the imperial court. They were captured by the imperial court on the battlefield. It has become an established fact.

As for how the imperial court acts, it is a matter for the imperial court and has nothing to do with the Bai Kingdom. According to Han law, local princes are not allowed to interfere in foreign affairs, which is tantamount to conspiracy. "

"Haha, General, are you kidding? Are you giving an ultimatum to the Bai Kingdom on behalf of His Majesty? Does the imperial court want to violate Emperor Guangwu's agreement and launch a military attack on the Bai Kingdom?"

Bai Dan smiled and said words that frightened Huangfu Song.

"Sir, you are joking. I definitely have no such intention. The Bai Kingdom and the Han Dynasty are allies appointed by Emperor Guangwu. They are the only princes and kings of different surnames in the Han Dynasty. How dare I instigate the relationship between the Bai Kingdom and the imperial court.

It's just that my husband's current interference in my general's military affairs is really against the agreement between the imperial court and the Bai Kingdom. "

At this time, Huangfu Song's armor and stomach were already wet with sweat. If he was not careful and caused the imperial court and the Bai Kingdom to turn against each other, he would become a sinner through the ages.

Bai Dan sneered and said: "As a native of Liangzhou, the general has been at the border all year round and is used to seeing life and death, so he doesn't take human life seriously. I know it very well.

The general did such a thing in the land of Henan. The Bai family did not have any old history in Henan, so the Bai Kingdom did not stop him and just pretended that he could not see it.

But now the general has come to Hebei. The people of Hebei were preserved by the country and Emperor Guangwu in the reign of Wang Mang. If you want to do such a thing, please ask the general to consider it. "

Huangfusong listened to Bai Dan's warning and felt bitter in his heart. It was wrong to accept it now, and it was wrong not to accept it. He could only plead slightly:

"What you said is true, but after all, I am an official of the imperial court, and you are just a member of the Bai Kingdom. I'm afraid it would be wrong to ask this general to obey what you said.

Secondly, the food problem for these tens of thousands of people is also a big problem. I will continue to go north to pacify Zhang Bao's traitors, so I can't let these unruly people hold me back. "

Bai Dan knew that this was Huangfusong's last line, so he helped him out and said:

"This matter is easy to hear. I will ask the imperial court for pardon and exempt all civilians except the die-hard Yellow Turban loyalists. When the imperial edict is issued, the general will let these people go at the right time without causing embarrassment to the general.

Secondly, the general does not have to worry about the food and grass issue. The White House will be responsible for all the expenses of these people. As for the guards, I will leave it to you.

The general just mobilizes all the soldiers north. If there are any problems in the prison camp, he will take full responsibility for them. I can guarantee that these people will never use the banner of the Yellow Turbans to commit rebellion again in the future. "

Huangfusong pursed his chapped lips and said in deep frustration: "That's fine, just follow what Mr. said."

Bai Dan saluted Huangfu Song and said, "On behalf of the people of Hebei, I would like to thank the general."

At this time, the Hebei generals on the side all came out to salute and said: "General, be kind."

Huangfu Song felt extremely bitter at this time. "Be kind" is the greatest irony for a general.

At this time, Bai Dan glanced at Liu Bei and said to Huangfu Song: "I heard what the general said just now. It's because he has a kind heart. Please forgive him, general."

Huangfusong looked at Liu Bei and said coldly: "Since Mr. Bai is interceding for you, I will forgive your rude behavior this time. If there is another time, please don't worry about my ruthless general."

Liu Bei immediately knelt down on one knee and said, "Thank you, coach." Then he saluted Bai Dan and said, "Thank you, sir."

Bai Dan returned the salute and smiled, but said nothing.

(End of this chapter)