Great Han Empire

Chapter 335 The Swordsman
The first month of 188 AD.

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In the past year, although wars raged in the western and northern borders of the Han Kingdom, the Central Plains and the south of the Han Kingdom were quiet. Except for the Xing Rebellion in Changsha County, which broke out in winter and October, other states and counties had a bumper harvest of grain and taxes. Entering the warehouse, the giant Han Kingdom finally breathed a sigh of relief.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the emperor gave amnesty to the world, and Cai Yong, a famous scholar, was also included in the amnesty.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the Son of Heaven ordered Li Hong, General Zhenbei, to recruit the cavalry of the Xiongnu and gather soldiers and horses from all over the country. He must lead the army northward to Youzhou to suppress the rebellion before the end of March.

On the [-]th day of the first lunar month, the imperial decree was sent to Longshan Daying.Also arriving at the same time is Zhu Mu, who has been enlisted to serve as a Zhonglang in the general's residence in Zhenbei.

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Li Hong returned to Longshan camp on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. Before that, he had been stranded in Yangfeng camp in Pingyang, Hedong.

He and Yang Feng sent people to contact Guo Tai, the leader of the Yellow Turban, many times, intending to discuss with him about recruiting, but Guo Tai refused.In Mrs. Guo's eyes, Zhang Yan, Yang Feng, and Zhang Baiqi were all traitors of the Yellow Turban Army. Only when someone tried his best to stop him, Liang Baiwu couldn't come back.

Yang Feng was helpless, and said to Li Hong: "Your Excellency, you should go back to Jinyang first. Mrs. Guo's matter, you have to take your time. His subordinates have different opinions, and the possibility of being appeased is very high."

Li Hong smiled wryly and said: "If Mrs. Guo's matter is not resolved, how can I go north with peace of mind? It is a small matter to suppress the rebellion, but a big one to garrison the fields. If Mrs. Guo frequently attacks the two waterways and hinders the transportation of materials, it is very likely to delay the spring plowing. If the food in the garrison is not self-sufficient, the garrison will not be able to support it.”

A trace of bitterness flashed across Yang Feng's handsome face, "My lord still doesn't believe me?"

Li Hong shook his head, "Brother Qi, you dared to go to Handan City regardless of your own life in order to save your wife and children, which shows that you are a person who values ​​love and righteousness. How could I not believe you? You, I asked you to be stationed in Hedong, how could I not believe you?"

Li Hong patted Yang Feng on the shoulder and sighed: "Brother Xi, the question is, can you deal with Mrs. Guo and his Yellow Turban Army?"

Yang Feng sighed and remained silent.Indeed, he couldn't do it.

"I will keep the hussar battalion of Sheyingtong." Li Hong thought for a long time and said, "The hussars battalion are all Xianbei people. If something is difficult, you and Xiaolan will negotiate with Li Shuo, and he will help you. solve."

She Yingtong and her subordinates heard that their iron cavalry was going to stay in Hedong, so they went to Li Hong and asked to go north.They haven't been home for almost two years, and many of them want to go back to Youzhou for a visit.

After some consolation by Li Hong, he said bluntly: "This time in Youzhou, the opponents are not only Zhang Ju, Zhang Chun and Karasuma people, but also Xianbei people. I may fight the commander, so You don’t want to go back, neither will the Fengyun cavalry, I will only take the Qiang people and the Changshui camp north.”

Sheyingtong and Shehu didn't dare to say anything after hearing this.The soldiers of the hussars battalion were basically Xianbei people who were captured after the Western Xinjiang War. They were not as loyal to Li Hong as the soldiers of the Wuye tribe.Huzi said, Xiaolan and I are not from Xianbei, we can go north with adults.

Li Hong didn't agree either, "How can the hussars battalion do without Han officers? We have to deal with the local government and take care of each other with the Yellow Turban Army in the fields. You need to take care of these things. Without you in the hussars battalion, how can I rest assured?" He looked at his beard and said, "Don't worry, this time I'm going north, I will definitely hit Lulongsai and bring your family members to Bingzhou."

"When Hu Ding and Qi Shen come back, you will rush to Anyi to garrison and step up your training. After three months, you will start attacking Mrs. Guo's Yellow Turban Army. If you can caress them, you will caress them. If you can't, you will resolutely kill them."

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After Li Hong returned to the camp, he immediately ordered Xian Yufu, the protector of the Xiongnu Zhonglang, to deliver an edict to the Hun Shanyu Qiangqu, asking him to recruit [-] cavalry from various Xiongnu ministries to follow the army northward to Youzhou to suppress the rebellion.After the Xiongnu iron cavalry was assembled, under the command of Xian Yufu, they rushed to Yanmen Pass to join the army in early March.

Li Hong wrote a letter to the Son of Heaven, requesting His Majesty to appoint Xian Yufu, the general of the Xiongnu Zhonglang, as the deputy commander of the counter-insurgency army, and Qu Yi, the general of the Zhonglang of the Huns, to succeed as the general of the Zhonglang of the Huns, command the Fengyun Cavalry and Du Liaoying to guard Xihe, and to fight against the captives General Xu Rong of Zhonglang acted as the general of the Zhenbei Army and took the seat in Jinyang.Soon, the emperor returned the decree and agreed to Li Hong's request. He moved Xianyufu to be the general of Pingbei Zhonglang, moved Quyi to be the general of Zhonglang to protect the Huns, and moved Xu Rong to be the general of Zhonglang in Jinyang.

After Li Hong received the order, he immediately ordered Xu Rong to return to Jinyang, and lead the Wuqi battalion in charge of the wind and sand to sit in the general's residence in Zhenbei.

After Li Hong made arrangements to stay behind, he immediately ordered Yan Rou to take Yushi's [-] infantry army, and Zhao Yun's Changshui Battalion rushed to Yanmen Pass to join Nie Xiao's Yueqi Battalion to form the Northern Expedition Battalion. He Bingzhou Prefecture asked the three prefectures to dispatch [-] county soldiers to participate in the suppression of the rebellion, and they must rush to Yanmenguan before the end of February to march to the camp.

Zhao Yun recommended Lu Bu of Hanoi Prefecture to Li Hong, and begged Li Hong to order Lu Bu of Hanoi Prefecture to be recruited to lead the troops to Yanmen.When Li Hong heard that Hanoi Prefecture still had a mighty general who could draw with Zhao Yun, he was very pleasantly surprised, and immediately issued another order to recruit Lu Bu to the Beizheng camp by name.

"Zilong, it's not a tie, it's you who lost." After listening to Zhao Yun's narration, Li Hong said blankly, "If he pierces through with a long halberd, your knife can only seriously injure Lu Bu at most, but cannot kill him." He. You took a life this time, you know?"

Zhao Yun's face turned red, but he didn't take it seriously.Li Hong took a look at him and asked, "Zilong, you have won many battles and never lost in the past few years. Are you a bit arrogant?"

Zhao Yun smiled, bowed and said, "Against the adults, it's better to lose more than win."

Li Hong's smile faded, he pointed at Zhao Yun, and said sharply, "If you are killed by Lu Bu this time, do you know what the consequences will be?"

"Lu Bu didn't kill you because he knew the consequences. What about you? You are arrogant and arrogant, and dare to joke about the lives of soldiers. Do you still have military discipline in your eyes?"

Seeing that Li Hong was suddenly angry, Zhao Yun was startled, and hurriedly knelt down.

"Listen to me. If you act recklessly and recklessly next time, I will kill you."

"Changshuiying is temporarily handed over to Liu Ming to take the leadership. You are here to think behind closed doors. When do you feel that you are not number one in the world? When will you lead the troops again?"

Zhao Yun felt wronged, tears rolled in his eyes, turned around and left.

Li Wei and Yan Liang were dumbfounded. They thought that Li Hong would praise Zhao Yun.

"My lord, Zilong is young and aggressive, and it's not a big deal to violate military discipline occasionally..." Li Wei laughed.

Li Hong glared angrily, and said with a sneer, "Zhong Yuan, are you old?"

Li Wei suddenly remembered that he had also caused trouble, and his expression changed instantly.These few days after Li Hong came back, he was busy going north to suppress the rebellion, and he kept silent. He thought Li Hong would not pursue it.

"I asked you to go to Luoyang to do three things that day, how many things did you do for me?"

Li Wei looked sideways at Yan Liang, telling him to smooth things over quickly so as not to embarrass himself.Yan Liang lowered his head and ran away.Li Wei was so angry that he wished he could follow and kick him to death.

Seeing that Li Hong was getting angry, Zuo Yan hurriedly said, "Your Excellency is going to visit Mr. Cai in Jinyang this afternoon, should you leave early?"

Li Hong saw Zuo Yan's pleading eyes, his heart softened, and he didn't say any more.

"On the day of your wedding, I want you to look good." Li Hong stood up, pointed at Li Wei and said, "After I leave, you and Mr. Zuo will do our best to help Mr. Xu and stop causing trouble."

When Li Wei heard this, he became anxious and asked, "Will your lord take me to Youzhou?"

"There are so many things going on in Bingzhou, what are you doing in Youzhou?" Li Hong said while walking out, shaking his hands, "Stay with Xiaolan."

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In the evening, Li Hong rushed to Jinyang. Accompanied by Zhang Yan, the elder Zhao Qi and Master Xiangkai, he went to visit Cai Yong.Master Xiangkai and Cai Yong are also close friends. When Cai Yong traveled between Wujun and Qingzhou to avoid disasters, the disciples of Dazhitang were responsible for escorting him every time. They have a deep friendship.

"In order to stabilize the people's hearts, the master took his disciples around and preached the scriptures. It was very hard work." Li Hong said with a smile, "How can the master want me to thank you?"

Xiang Kai said with a smile: "When the northern border is stabilized, my lord will build me a Dharma altar."

Li Hong asked, "Do you want a mountain?"

Zhao Qi laughed, "My lord is too generous, just give him a small hut."

Cai Yong was tortured first, and then traveled around with the Black Panther Yicong for days. His health was extremely poor. Although he was treated meticulously by Master Xiangkai, he was still very weak. He could only lie on the sickbed and salute Li Hong, saying a few words Words of gratitude.Li Hong's youth and easy-going made a deep impression on him.

Li Hong sat on the side of the couch and comforted him, and said, "After the emperor pardoned the world, you are free. I wonder if you would like to serve as a sacrificial wine and preside over the education of northern Xinjiang?"

Cai Yong had heard from Zhao Qi about this a long time ago, and he was very willing to do something for the loyalty of the Han Kingdom, of course he couldn't wish more.

"My lord has the money to open the school?" Zhao Qi asked, "According to my lord's idea, the school should recruit children from poor families, Han Hutong Hall, and free fees. That's a huge sum of money."

"After I leave, Mr. Cai can go directly to General Zhenbei's Mansion if he has anything to do. Master Xu will definitely help to solve it." Li Hong said with a smile, "Compared with farming, the money is not much."

"By the way, my lord, when will Mr. Wang Jian arrive in Jinyang?"

"Soon, next month or so." Zhao Qi said, "He brought his family and hundreds of disciples with him. It will take some time. I have already sent someone to pick him up. Don't worry, my lord."

Li Hong nodded with a smile, and asked: "Zhong Yuan will marry Xiao Lan in a few days, sir, do you think the marriage will be held in Daying or in Jinyang?"

Zhao Qi stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Jinyang, of course it is in Jinyang. Unexpectedly, Gongwei's daughter is actually Lord Bo, the head of the Zhenbei General's Mansion. No wonder you didn't do it when I borrowed it from you. It turned out that you were afraid of revealing your secrets." .”

Li Hong laughed, looked at Zhang Yan and said, "Master Zhang, can you give Zhong Yuan a house?"

"The house has been prepared for Mr. Li." Zhang Yan said with a smile, "As for whether to give it away or sell it, that's up to Mr. Li."

"Give it to him." Li Hong said, "Without Zhong Yuan's efforts this time, the discussion on salt and iron may be difficult to pass. In the future, the northern border will be stable and rich, and Zhong Yuan will make the most of the contribution. It's just that the reward is so little, I'm afraid Some people call me stingy."

Zhao Qi said with a smile: "Then my lord will reward him with two more wives."

There was a burst of laughter in the room.

"Is the wife of Lord Fu Xie, Marquis of the Zhuang Festival, settled down?" Li Hong asked Zhang Yan in a low voice.

"Madam Fu only wanted a small courtyard with a single family, and she did not accept the house arranged by the elder." Zhang Yan replied, "Madam Fu is very determined, so..."

"Just settle down." Li Hong said, "I'm grateful to God for finding her. Recently, generals from Xiliang and Jizhou were ordered to take their families to Jinyang. Is the housing in the city very tight?"

"I'm a little nervous for the time being. When the new houses along the river are completed, we can solve hundreds of households."

"My lord, you care so much about your subordinates, when will you care about yourself?" Zhao Qi said with a smile, "My lord is over 20, you should also think about it."

Li Hong shook his hands, but he thought of Fengxue, and then thought of Xiaoyu.After finding Xiaoyu in Beijiang this time, he must take her to his side no matter what, and never let her live alone again.

"My lord..."

Li Hong smiled and said: "After recovering the four counties of Northern Xinjiang, if I am not dead, then think about it. However, many of my subordinates have been fighting outside all year round, and most of them are alone. The boss can take care of it."

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In the middle of the night, Li Hong convened a meeting in the residence of General Dian Nong and Xiaowei Hutian in Zhang Yan's residence.

After listening to the reports from the main officials of the three mansions, Li Hong inquired carefully about April Chungeng, then changed the subject and said a shocking sentence: "My lords, if there is anyone who is corrupt and perverts the law, immediately take the stolen goods Handing over to the Three Houses, for the sake of your hard work, I will let the past go, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless and killing the nine clans."

Everyone was shocked.

When Li Hong was in Hedong this time, he heard the small merchants escorting supplies complain several times that bureaucrats in Bingzhou extorted bribes and accepted bribes to fill their own pockets.An angry businessman even said in front of Li Hong, Your Excellency suppressed corruption in Xiliang and Hedong, why didn't you suppress corruption in Bingzhou?

Zhao Qi, Zhang Yan, and Zhang Baiqi couldn't sit still.Naturally, they have heard a lot about their subordinates doing illegal things, but now this kind of thing is not surprising. As long as the lawbreakers don't go too far, they will just turn a blind eye and close their eyes. No one wants to tear their faces. Ask these people to do it.

Li Hong's words had already given the three of them enough face.He also didn't want to go overboard.Bingzhou is poor, there are few bureaucrats, and the bureaucrats' salaries are also small. Farming is hard, and everyone is very tired. It is normal that this kind of corruption cannot be eliminated. Come on, if this wind intensifies and leads to the failure of farming, all my efforts will be in vain.

All the officials in the hall looked at Li Hong's murderous eyes, all of them were astonished, and they dared not show their breath.

"I only give five days. After five days, if you continue to be stubborn, I will start arresting people. No one should take chances. I will never go north until I kill all the corrupt officials in Bingzhou."

But there are too many people who are lucky. Although Zhao Qi, Zhang Yan, and Zhang Bai rode back, they earnestly persuaded their subordinates to hand over the stolen goods as soon as possible to apologize, and even sent fast horses to inform the subordinates scattered all over the place. There are very few.

On the 28th of the first lunar month, Sima Li Wei of the Zhenbei General's Mansion married his bride, and guests from all walks of life gathered in Jinyang City, which was very lively.

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February 188 AD.

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On the first day of this month, the three thousand black panthers were divided into thirty teams, rushed out of the Longshan camp, and rushed to arrest people.First, a few officials with solid evidence were arrested, and then the Black Panther Yicong beat and forced, and involved dozens more, and even a few were Zhao Qi's disciples.Heibao Yicong led these people back to Jinyang one after another. Along the way, the cheers of the people were deafening.

The Zhenbei General's Mansion carefully interrogated the officials arrested, and found out the corruption of each person. After verification by Li Hong one by one, they were all taken to the Fenshui River and chopped down.

On that day, there were crowds of people watching, and the applause was earth-shattering.

Zhao Qi lost his temper.He approached Li Hong several times to intercede, saying that if you killed so many at once, where should I recruit officials from the history department?Some people who have embezzled a small amount can be allowed to commit crimes and make meritorious deeds.Li Hong firmly refused.Li Hong said, I would rather have one honest official than a hundred corrupt officials. I would rather lose the hearts of corrupt officials all over the world than lose the hearts of all the people in Bingzhou.Zhang Yan and Zhang Baiqi were very ashamed, they did not go to Li Hong to intercede.Many of their subordinates are poor people from yellow scarves. These people rebelled when they were forced to die by corrupt officials, but what about now?It's only been a few days, and they have become corrupt officials themselves, so what else is there to say?What more do you want?It's not enough to cut off the head a hundred times.

At the end of this month, Li Hong summoned the generals of the entire army to discuss matters.

Li Hong's Northern Expedition Army consisted of [-] soldiers, [-] cavalry, and [-] infantry.

The cavalry army was led by Yan Rou as commander, Zhao Yun as deputy, under the jurisdiction of Nie Xiao's Yueqi battalion, Zhao Yun's Changshui battalion, and the Xiongnu iron cavalry led by Hu Loulan, the wise left king of the Xiongnu.

The infantry army was led by Xianyufu as commander, Yushi as deputy, under the jurisdiction of Yushi's Lifeng battalion, Yanliang's Huben battalion, Huaxiong's Zhechong battalion, Zhang He's chariot battalion, and [-] soldiers from Bingzhou, Hanoi, and Hedong counties The national soldiers are now on their way to Yanmen Pass.

Under the jurisdiction of the Zhenbei General Camp, the Scout Camp, the Bing Cao Camp, and the Black Panther Yi Cong Camp, engaged in the Zhonglang Zhu Mu, Song Wen, Bo Yupeng, and Sima Yinsi of the Chariot Battalion went out with the army.

After Li Hong made arrangements for the Northern Expedition, he emphasized the strict observance of military law to the remaining generals.If someone is corrupt and violates the law, or violates military discipline, he will be executed without mercy.

"Xie Ming is the captain of Yantie now, and Tang Yun is now the governor of the general's mansion in Zhenbei. Pay attention to the two of you, and I won't talk nonsense anymore."

"Tomorrow, I will go to the Beizheng camp."

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(End of this chapter)