Great Han Empire

Chapter 125
Zhang Niujiao led his troops to leave Jiulihe the next day.

He led the troops, escorted the food and supplies, and swaggered towards Dingxing Ferry.

Li Hong did not chase, nor did he intend to besiege Dingxing Ferry, but ordered his troops to rush to the Jiulihe battlefield to bury the remains of his comrades.Because of hatred, the Yellow Turban Army discarded the remains of soldiers killed in battle everywhere.Li Hong and the soldiers gritted their teeth in hatred.

In the Battle of Jiulihe, the troops brought by Xian Yufu and Yan Rou suffered heavy losses, and Yan Zhao Qu, Xian Yuyin and Tie Yue, were also completely lost, leaving only 800 people in the two troops.According to the old method, Li Hong used infantry to make up for the loss of cavalry, and reorganized [-] cavalry.

Although Yan Ruo and Xian Yu Yin's troops were running low, neither of them wanted to follow Xian Yu Fu back to Zhuocheng, and they wanted to follow Li Hong in the fight.Judging from the current situation, if the Yellow Turban Army is not eliminated, it is unlikely that Fengyun Iron Cavalry will return to northern Xinjiang.

Xian Yufu asked for Li Hong's opinion.Li Hong was overjoyed and couldn't ask for it.Both Yan Ruan and Xian Yu Yin are rare generals, versatile in both civil and military affairs. They can actively ask to join the Fengyun Iron Cavalry, which is of great help to the combat effectiveness of the troops.

Li Hong immediately discussed with Xian Yufu and rearranged the organizational system of the troops.

According to Xian Yufu's statement, Li Hong led an army of 1 troops as a lieutenant of Xing Lifeng, which was not allowed according to the military law of the Han Dynasty. According to the military law of the Han Dynasty, [-] people already have three armies.The person who leads the armed forces is not a general, at least he should be a general or prefect, otherwise it will be inconsistent with the law.In the future, after the Yellow Turban Army is pacified, if someone uses this as an excuse to write to the imperial court to impeach Li Hong, the emperor will definitely punish him.Therefore, we must immediately ask the governor, Lord Yang Huang, to write a letter to the imperial court and ask for the imperial court's permission to prevent future disasters.

Li Hong was very grateful to Xian Yufu and thanked him repeatedly.He didn't know anything about this kind of thing, even if Xian Yufu reminded him, he would be confused, let alone deal with it.Fortunately, he has a friend named Xian Yufu who has taken care of everything for him.

Although Li Hong's qualifications are not enough to lead [-] troops, but now that Youzhou has frequent battles, he is in a hurry, and everything is in the interests of the country, so this army still has to be in command.Fortunately, Li Hong has the triple authorization of the prefect of Youbeiping County, the captain of Hukarasuma, and the governor of Youzhou, so he can barely command the three armies in name.

Considering that Yan Rou and Xianyu Yin are both in charge of military affairs in various counties, Li Hong wants to establish a department-level organizational system.The smallest officer at the first level of the Ministry is the military Sima, and his rank salary is more than six hundred stones, which is twice as high as that of Bing Cao.They lead the post of Sima in the capacity of the county government. In terms of positions, they are basically the same, but this matter must be approved by the governor's government and the two people's county government.If the prefect of the county where the two are located disagrees, they will go back obediently.Of course, it is still possible to borrow the Governor's Mansion of Youzhou for a while.

Li Hongjian's three books are left, middle and right.Xian Yuyin on the left is the army Sima, Yan Rou in the middle is the army Sima, and the right is temporarily led by the army marquis Yushi.

Because Li Hong is a lieutenant of Xing Lifeng, he has no right to appoint an officer of the first rank of Sima in the army.Now Li Hong and Yushi are still affiliated with the Lulong Frontier Army of Youbeiping County. If Yushi is to be promoted to the army commander, he must be personally approved by the prefect Liu Zheng.

Each department has 3000 people and governs Sanqu, each of which has 1000 people and governs Santun.In this way, the entire army has Jiuqu eighteen chief and deputy military officers, plus Tian Zhong, Zheng Xin, and Yan Liang are twenty military-level officers and more than 30 village chiefs.

The left part of Xian Yuyin is composed of three songs by Tie Yue, Xiao Lan and Lei Zi.The middle part of Yan Rou is composed of the trilogy of Beard, Fist, and Yan Wuwei.The right part of the jade is composed of the three songs of Hengji, Sheyingtong and Lu Huanyang.Shooting Tiger leads the Black Panther Yi Cong.Yan Liang commanded the guards.Tian Zhong led the rear guards.Zheng Xin leads the scout station.

Just after Li Hong announced his appointment, the big tent burst into laughter.

"What's going on, is there something wrong with me?" Li Hong asked inexplicably, pointing to his nose.

Everyone laughed so hard that they couldn't straighten up.

Li Hong and Xian Yufu looked at each other, a little strange.

"Tiger head..." Li Hong pointed at Yan Liang and shouted, "What's going on?"

Yan Liang stood up, and said with a smile: "The old man said that you are allotted this. What is it? Mr. Xianyu takes care of all children, and the hair is not even grown. Mr. Yan's department starts from Mr. Yan, and all of them are from the northern Xinjiang. The famous horse bandits are a den of bandits. Lord Yu is full of foreign soldiers, and those who don’t know it think it’s the Hu army’s invasion.”

Loud laughter broke out in the big tent again.

Li Hong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, pointed at the crowd and said, "This is all a mess."

Two days later, about 2000 troops from Zhuocheng and Fangcheng rushed over.Xian Yufu led them to escort the prisoners back to Zhuocheng.

Li Hong gave him a ride.

"There is no news from Jizhou so far, which is really worrying." Xian Yufu frowned and said worriedly.

"Don't worry so much, it will affect your body. It's good news to have news." Li Hong comforted with a smile.

"So what if it's good news? The country is declining day by day, the people are living in dire straits, wars are happening one after another, and those who suffer are innocent people." Xian Yufu shook his head with a sad expression on his face.After a pause, he continued: "Even if we beat back Zhang Niujiao and the Yellow Turban Army, who can guarantee that there won't be another Zhang Niujiao? Who can guarantee that the Yellow Turban Army will disappear from now on?"

Li Hong didn't make a sound.He generally doesn't want to do this kind of thing, he feels that he doesn't have that ability, and he doesn't have that ability to take care of it.He just wants to do his best to fight a good war and keep the people in one side safe.

"Civilian, Ziyu's troops have arrived at Dingxing Ferry, and they are squeezing Zhang Niujiao's crossing troops. Will Zhang Niujiao drop his luggage and quickly flee back to Fanyang?" Xian Yufu asked, changing the subject.

Li Hong shook his head with a smile, "Zhang Niujiao now has 5 people, and he can completely deal with us. He will not leave Dingxing Ferry in a hurry, and he is even more reluctant to lose his food and supplies. Don't worry, I promise to take back the entire city within this month." Zhuojun."

"Are you so sure?"

"I'm confident." Li Hong said with a smile: "I still have 1 people, and I can run wild in northern Xinjiang."

On the third day, Li Hong set off with Xianyu Yinbu and Yushibu, and disappeared on the vast plain.

Zhang Niujiao is in a very bad mood these days.Although Chu Feiyan worshiped him as a adoptive father, the relationship between them was well known to the Yellow Turban Army, and there was nothing to be happy about.He was still brooding over Chu Feiyan.He couldn't figure out that a person who led troops to fight would make such a low-level mistake.

Zuo Yan understood very well.Zuo Xiao was beaten, the camp was attacked, and Zhang Baiqi's entire army was wiped out. These are all bloody examples.Who dares to pat his chest and say, I can beat a leopard.If there is one, it is a bull's horn.Of course Chu Feiyan didn't believe his words.

"Chu Shuai didn't come to rescue you, but it shows that there is something wrong with him. If Li Hong led his troops to rush forward before dark, with their combat power, it shouldn't be a big problem to tear apart the car formation. At that time, we were no longer outnumbered." You have the upper hand. Commander, don’t be angry anymore. Who can explain what didn’t happen.”

"Junyi, what do you mean we won't stay until midnight?" Zhang Niujiao looked at Zuo Yan and said in a stern tone.

Zuo Yan boldly looked directly at Zhang Niujiao, and said sincerely: "Pin Pu, in fact we are not sure. If Li Hong is like you, wanting to destroy the other party at all costs, he still cares about his own loss."

Zhang Niujiao didn't make a sound, he actually understood Chu Feiyan's helplessness.But he really hated Li Hong too much. 10,000+ people, except for the more than 3 people who attacked the city, were all nibbled and swallowed up by his iron cavalry bit by bit.He hates it.

"Pinpu, let's take Feiyan's advice, give up the baggage, and withdraw to Fanyang as soon as possible." Seeing that Zhang Niujiao didn't lose his temper, Zuo Yan took the opportunity to suggest.

"What are you afraid of? Could it be that Li Hong will grow wings and fly to Beixin City to block us?" Zhang Niujiao said disdainfully, "Such a lot of food, grass and luggage can be transported back to solve many problems of the Yellow Turban Army. We must not give up."

Zuo Yan's complexion suddenly became very ugly.

"Marshal, this batch of food, grass and luggage is gone, we can still replenish it, but our more than 3 soldiers are gone, so there is no way to replenish it."

Zhang Niujiao gave him a cold look, and was about to speak when Sun Qin hurried into the big tent.

"Commander, Yan Rou's troops have appeared in Gu'an City."

Zhang Niujiao's face darkened, and he stared at the map blankly, but there was no response for a long time.

"Shuai Sun, how is Fan Yang?" Zuo Yan asked hastily.

"Chu Shuai sent someone to send the news. He asked Zhang Shuai to lead 1000 people to defend the city, and the large army has already followed him to the south."

"Marshal, let's go back to Fan Yang." Zuo Yan said anxiously, "Fan Yang is an empty city now. Once Yan Rou takes it, we will be blocked by him in the giant horse water."

"What are you in a hurry for?" Zhang Niujiao stared fiercely at Zuo Yan, pointed to the map and said, "Yan Rou was still yelling on the other side yesterday, but today she ran to Gu'an, did he fly?"

"The leopards may let Yan Rou attract our attention on the other side. The main force crosses the river to Gu'an through Nai country, and then goes straight to Fan Yang to block us. This is entirely possible." Zuo Yan immediately retorted.

Sun Qin went to the map, pointed to Gu'an City and said: "After Fang Biao withdrew from Nai Country, we gave up Nai Country and had no garrison. It is indeed very possible that the leopard sneaked across the river from Nai Country to Gu'an City. He purposely didn't use his own banner, but Yan Rou's, showing that he wanted to be confused, and hoped that we would be hesitant to win time for him to preempt Fan Yang."

"Where's Gu'an's troops?" Zhang Niujiao asked.

"Before Chu Shuai left, he asked them to withdraw to Fan Yang." Sun Qin said in a low voice.

Zhang Niujiao smiled bitterly: "He is forcing me to go back."

He straightened his body, and said bitterly: "This kid now has a hundred thousand troops in his hands, his wings have grown hard, and he is becoming more and more disobedient. If he doesn't act in advance in Jiuli River, where there are still leopards now, we will stop here." So embarrassing."

"Marshal, you brought him up, no matter what you say, he belongs to you." Zuo Yan comforted.

Zhang Niujiao laughed at himself, and said disappointedly: "He has grown up, and he is no longer that delicious kid. Forget it, let's not talk about him."

Zhang Niujiao waved his hand vigorously, as if throwing away all the troubles in his heart.

"Order Fang Biao to lead his troops back to Fan Yang immediately, and we will stay here. After the last batch of luggage crosses the river tomorrow, we will go directly to Yishui River."

Zuo Yan asked in surprise: "Marshal, shall we go back to Zhongshan?"

"You're right." Zhang Niujiao said calmly, "Swallow was raised by me alone. Although he is not my own son, I have no heirs. What is the difference between him and my own son? Go back After that, I gave him the seat of the leader of the Yellow Turban Army."

Zuo Yan and Sun Qin were dumbfounded.

"Marshal..." Zuo Yan shouted in surprise, "You..."

"Junyi, the Northern Expedition Army has been wiped out. After I go back, can I continue to command the Yellow Turban Army? If I let others push me down, why don't I take the initiative to do so. I don't worry if I give this seat to Yanzi." Zhang Niujiao stepped down After making up his mind, he seemed to feel relaxed, he said casually.

"Marshal, Chu Shuai is too young, I'm afraid he won't be able to convince the public. Moreover, his surname is Chu, not Zhang. Although he is your adopted son, he is not your own son. Can your subordinates be convinced? Even if your subordinates are willing to follow He, where are the other leaders of the Yellow Turban Army? Yang Feng, Bai Rao, Wulu, which one of them gathered under this banner for your prestige." Zuo Yan said excitedly: "Now that the Northern Expedition has failed, the battle situation in Jizhou Tighten up, don't mention this matter again. Once the news spreads, the Yellow Turban Army will be in chaos, the hearts of the people will be scattered, and failure will be a foregone conclusion."

Zhang Niujiao nodded cautiously.

"I know the seriousness of this matter. This matter is related to the lives of hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans. I will handle the future of the Yellow Turbans carefully."

Yan Rou looked at the Yellow Turban Army that was gradually disappearing on the other side, and said with admiration:

"Zhang Niujiao is Zhang Niujiao. He really is a hero of the generation. Even though he knew Xiaoniao appeared in Gu'an, he still took his time and didn't give us any favors."

"Fire ass, I want to warn you, Yan Wuwei doesn't like people calling him Yanshan Xiaoniao. If you have nothing to do, just call him that, and once he finds out, he will find you to settle the score." Beard Beard Glancing at him, he said loudly.

"Huzi, I warn you, if you call me to burn your ass again, I will use your military law." Yan Rou pointed at Huzi with a horsewhip and said seriously, "Only my master can call me that, what right do you have?"

At this moment, the horse came flying with fists and raised his hands and shouted wildly: "Fire buttocks, fire buttocks, Zhuocheng is here to write a book."

Yan Rou's eyes widened immediately, wishing she could eat her fist in one bite.

Beard first sniggered, then laughed loudly, and then laughed so hard that he burst into tears, couldn't straighten up, and fell off the horse with a bang.Beard fell to the ground, still hugging his stomach and laughing wildly.

The two attendants endured so hard, and finally couldn't bear it anymore, turned their faces away one by one, lay down on the horse's back and laughed.

Fist rushed to the horse and looked at the group of people on the embankment very strangely.Hu Zi lay on the ground with his stomach in his arms and laughed wildly, and the two attendants also laughed more indulgently than the other, only Yan Rou had a tense face, as if a little unhappy.

"Hey, what joke did you tell, it's so funny, tell me." Fist hurriedly asked Yan Judao.

Yan Rou rolled his eyes at him, and said angrily, "I didn't say it. Where's the document?"

He quickly took his fist out of his pocket and handed it to him, and asked with a smile: "Who said it, who said it, I will ask him to say it again, and I am happy too."

Yan Rou was so angry that she gave him a vicious look, then pointed at the beard lying on the ground laughing wildly.

Fist flew off the horse, grabbed his beard and asked repeatedly.

Beard found it even more interesting, he was out of breath from laughing, and almost held his breath.

News from Jizhou finally came.

This month, Jizhou assembled about [-] troops. Under the command of Jizhou Mu Guodian, they launched an attack on the Yellow Turban Army stationed in Zhao State and Changshan State.Guo Dian personally led the army to attack Luancheng and Jiumen in Changshan Kingdom, and the army directly threatened Zhending City.Feng Yi, the prefect of Julu, led an army to attack Xiangguo County in Zhao State, and approached Handan.

However, due to the insufficient number of Jizhou troops, the attack effect has been unsatisfactory, and they are currently in a stalemate with the Yellow Turban Army.Therefore, Mu Guodian of Jizhou hoped that after the Yellow Turban Army withdrew from Youzhou, the army of Youzhou would do its best to send troops to Zhongshan to contain part of the Yellow Turban Army's strength to cope with the Jizhou battlefield.

The reason why the news was not delivered to Jicheng, Youzhou, was because the Yellow Turban Army also appeared in the area of ​​Hejian Kingdom, which caused traffic jams and made it difficult for Kuaiqi to arrive quickly.

After confirming that the reason why the Yellow Turban Army retreated from Zhuocheng was indeed because they were attacked by the Jizhou army, Yang Huang, the governor of Youzhou, Wang Ruo, the prefect of Zhuojun, and a group of Youzhou officials all believed that the victory of the Youzhou battlefield had been decided, and they would not fight now. , Zhang Niujiao also withdrew from Youzhou.So the two couldn't wait to write a letter to the court to report the victory, for themselves, and of course for the soldiers of Youzhou to wipe out the 10,000+ army of the Yellow Turban Army, and to drive the leader of the Yellow Turban Army Zhang Niujiao out of Youzhou. There is one more important thing. Ask the court to allocate funds for assistance.

One family is happy and one family is worried.Zhang Chun, Prime Minister of Zhongshan, arrived in Jicheng, frowning and depressed all day long.Although he has never received any documents from the court to deal with him, he has no confidence in his future at all.Colleagues in Youzhou often dismissed him, at most he was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown in Yuyang, and he would not be imprisoned.Since the rebellion of the Yellow Turban Army, many officials have lost their states and counties, and I have not seen a few beheaded.

But Zhang Chun didn't want to be dismissed from office, he still wanted to continue to be an official.When he heard that Li Hong's troops had won consecutive battles and that Zhang Niujiao's Yellow Turban Army had withdrawn from Zhuocheng, his hope of regaining Zhongshan was immediately aroused.He immediately borrowed troops from Yang Huang, the governor of Youzhou, and He Yi, the prefect of Yuyang.

Apart from the garrison troops in the cities and the border troops in the frontier pass, there is no army in Youzhou. The troops that can be pulled out to fight are now on the battlefield in Zhuojun.In Yuyang, [-] troops were stationed in Jicheng under the command of Captain Tian Kai.But this is Youzhou's reserve force, and no one can move except the governor Yang Huang.

Just at this time, Xianyu Fu hurried back to Jicheng.Yang Huang immediately asked him to discuss.

Xian Yufu thinks that Jizhou Mu Guodian is very righteous, he helped Youzhou in time when it was most critical, and solved Youzhou's urgent need, now Youzhou should pay him back.He suggested that [-] troops be dispatched from Yuyang's [-] troops, and rush to Zhuojun as soon as possible, and cooperate with Li Hong's Fengyun Iron Cavalry to drive Zhang Niujiao out of Zhuojun.After that, the entire Youzhou army was under the unified command of Li Hong, and immediately launched an attack on Zhongshan State to cope with Guo Dian's army on the Jizhou battlefield.

As for Zhang Chun, the Prime Minister of Zhongshan, he lost Zhongshan, and sooner or later he would be dismissed and investigated by the court, so ignore him, and of course it is impossible to lend him troops.But he is familiar with Zhongshan country, if he really wants to take the blame and make meritorious service, he can set off with the army and help out with ideas.In the future, if he really defeated the Yellow Turban Army and took back the Zhongshan Kingdom, he would have made military exploits and could reduce his guilt a little.

While they were discussing this matter, Jizhou Mu Guodian's messenger flew to Jicheng.

Yang Huang hurriedly opened the letter, and just after reading a few lines, his expression changed drastically.

(End of this chapter)