Great Han Empire

Chapter 371

"The Journey to the West"

Author: Scarlet Coral
Chapter 6 Sanlu Pingxice
The one who knocked Pang Hui down with one punch was a handsome, dark-skinned, middle-aged military general with a long beard. His appearance was very similar to Pang Hui's, but he had added the majesty of a general.

"Uncle Pang!" Liu Tan, Li Xin, and Zhao Guang, who was walking behind the line, were all taken aback. They didn't know what this uncle, who usually liked to laugh and drink, was amiable and unassuming, sang when they first met?
Pang De knocked his son down with one punch, and stepped on a few more feet as if he couldn't understand his hatred. Then he stopped, adjusted his armor, turned around and cupped his hands and said: "Zhongda, a certain family has no way to teach the son, so that he doesn't follow the military order. If you act recklessly, I don’t know how many disasters you will cause in the future. Today, I will hand over this rebellious son to your military law. If you want to kill him or cut him up, you can do whatever you want!"

Sima Yi looked at Pang De's actions with great interest, and his face was full of joy.He was favored by Grand Sima Li Hong when he was young, and he held a high position at a young age. To avoid the taboo of meritorious veterans, he has always acted in a low-key manner on weekdays.Tall and tall, with a beard on his face, a long sword on his waist, and an ordinary Confucian scholar's cloth robe, if he didn't have a pair of sharp eyes like a goshawk, he would have a certain morale.When everyone approached and stood still in the tent, Sima Yi looked at Pang Hui lying motionless on the ground, and said with a smile: "Brother Ling Ming, why bother to scold your son? I don’t accept anything. Now that the food and supplies have arrived safely, and you have made such a great contribution, you should be rewarded properly. What is the crime?"

"Inappropriate!" Pang De shook his head, "The army is most concerned about the order and prohibition. As a general, how can he use the sharp weapon of the country to do things willfully. If he is not punished this time, it will not breed the evil trend of non-compliance in the army. How can we rule in the future?" military?"

Sima Yi knew that Pang De's tenacity at this time was to beat down his son's character. In fact, he was full of protection, so he no longer insisted: "Forget it, just fine the salary for half a year, a small punishment and a big punishment."

"The next official takes orders!" Pang Hui got up from the ground with a carp, and knelt down to receive the punishment. "It's cheap for you! Get out of here" Pang De glared at Pang Hui, who was so frightened that he quickly shrank back and stood with his subordinates.

Sima Yi looked around at the crowd and said solemnly: "This time Captain Pang, Li Sima and all the officers and men killed the enemy with their lives, and captured the king of the chariot's back, Telier, and they did a great job in the western expedition. I am very pleased. We will reward ourselves for meritorious deeds. In the future, the Western Regions will be peaceful, and this achievement will also be reported to the emperor, who will be rewarded separately. I hope that you will continue to work hard, so that my great man can deter the barbarians and pacify the Western Regions as soon as possible." Everyone bowed down and promised, Sima Yi nodded, "Your gentlemen can go to the city to rest now. Tonight, I will host a banquet in person to celebrate the achievements of all the soldiers. Captain Pang and Li Sima will stay behind." Everyone led the order to leave the tent, Zhao Guang turned around and was about to follow , was stopped by Sima Yi from behind: "Are you Ziyuan? I haven't seen you for many years, and now I have grown so tall. I am glad that I have another young warrior." Zhao Guang hurriedly turned around to ask Uncle Sima, Sima Yi smiled He patted him on the shoulder: "Not bad, not bad, you are very respectful of your father. When I was in Chang'an a few years ago, I met your father, but I didn't know that you also joined the Western Expedition Army. The day before yesterday, Botong sent someone to report your meritorious service. At that time, I realized that you are already so good. Work hard, and in the future, the big men will rely on you young people."

Zhao Guang got out of the big tent, and together with the others, followed the officials of the Protectorate's Mansion into Gaochang City, and met with everyone in the luggage team.Zhao Guang quietly asked Luo An about Princess Haiya's whereabouts, and Luo An shook his head and replied that since entering the city, the princess's car driving has been arranged by the Duhu Mansion, and she probably lives in the Du Hu Mansion.After hearing this, Zhao Guang knew that his pleasant journey had come to an end, and a slight melancholy filled his heart.

At the time of lighting the lanterns, a grand celebration banquet was held in the temporary Protectorate's Mansion in Gaochang City.In the courtyard of the Duhu Mansion, several long tables and flowing water banquets were set up. The wine was like a river, and the meat was more than a mountain. Thousands of soldiers drank and carnivaled, and it was very lively.In the lobby, another banquet was also being held at the same time. Generals above the captains of the Western Expedition Army, officials above the level of the Western Regions Protectorate, and the main meritorious soldiers of the logistics team gathered together to promote cups and change lamps, and there were singing, dancing and instrumental music Add to the fun.On the left side of the upper seat, there are a group of civil servants headed by Shi, the governor of the Western Regions, and Zhao Xing, the captain of the garrison; on the right side of the upper seat, there are a group of generals headed by General Anxi Jiang Wu.The two speakers of the Western Expeditionary Army sat in the chair and toasted frequently.

Sima Yi was shallow, and he didn't drink much except to toast at the opening banquet; Pang De made his own idea and took the place of two people-everyone came, and the wine vessels were getting bigger and bigger, and gradually he couldn't sit still. In the wine jar, looking for people to compete for wine, and making a fuss with a group of generals present.Among the seats at the banquet, there are two special people who are quite eye-catching: the noble and glamorous Princess Haiya of Wusun Dakunmi, who is seriously admiring the singing and dancing, and the one who is obsessed with eating and drinking, occasionally peeking at the dancer's breasts Fatty Trier, the king of chariots.

"Great King Trier, I respect you, sir. If you have been negligent along the way, I would like to invite Haihan." Sima Yi picked up the wine prince and said lightly.The fat man was so shocked that he almost spit out the food in his mouth. He quickly put on a flattering smile, raised his wine goblet with both hands and said, "How dare you, Xiao Wang. Although Xiao Wang has lived abroad for a long time, he has admired Wang Hua for a long time. The heroic deeds of Lord Sima , Xiao Wang also heard about it a long time ago, and he was fascinated. He wished to have wings on his back, join his army as soon as possible, and serve the Lord day and night. It is really Xiao Wang's blessing to meet you today, and the blessing of all the people behind the car. Xiao Wang is so grateful that it is too late, how dare you Complain." As he spoke, his throat twitched, as if he was about to cry with joy.

"Oh, King Trier is very knowledgeable and memorized." Sima Yi still didn't see any fluctuations in his expression after hearing this. The fat man felt cold all over his body, he was sweating profusely, his mouth was dry, and finally he couldn't even hold on to his forced smile, so he knelt down on the spot and bowed his head again and again: "Master Sima has orders, and Xiao Wang will do his best. Don't give up!"

Sima Yi put down his wine baron, and supported him with his hands: "Your Majesty, there is no need to do this. Zhongda came to the West this time to broadcast my emperor's grace, to benefit the Western Regions, and to benefit the people of the Western Regions. He has no other intention. , how will Your Majesty and Che Shiguo deal with each other?"

Terry's eyes rolled, and his heart was clear: this Master Sima didn't believe that the strength he now possessed could affect the political situation of Che Shi - to put it bluntly, he might not even have the qualifications to surrender.He hurriedly got up, climbed up to Sima Yi and said, "Although Xiao Wang has received a lesson from the Heavenly Soldiers, there are still thousands of soldiers under the command of competent people and hidden at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. Master Sima only needs to send one The two heavenly generals lead the troops to send Xiao Wang back, and with the power of the great man, they will surely deter the crowd. At that time, Xiao Wang will command the whole country to surrender to the great man and serve His Majesty the Emperor!"

Sima Yi handed his wine cup to the fat man, smiled and said, "Your Majesty has such a heart, so why not worry about the failure of such a great event, Zhongda will definitely tell the Emperor his heart. In the future, we will be ministers in the same hall, and the Majesty will take care of you. Please drink up to the full!"

Trier was overjoyed, and immediately took the cup of wine, drank it down in one gulp, and someone next to him immediately refilled the wine, the fat man understood, and immediately got up to toast to the other civil and military people present, as attentive as a shopkeeper of a tavern.Haiya on the side saw that he lacked the dignity of a king, and couldn't help casting a look of contempt. Sima Yi caught this look, and said to Haiya with a smile, "I heard that the princess is the queen of Princess Jieyou from Emperor Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty?"

"Yes, after Cen married Junxu Mi's death, Princess Jieyou married Fat King Weng Guimi and gave birth to the eldest son Yuan Guimi. After Yuan Guimi was named Wusun Da Kunmi, he was the ancestor of Haiya's branch." Haiya Ya replied.

Sima Yi twisted his beard and smiled: "Oh, that's true. The princess is really very noble. Please forgive Zhongda for being rude. Dare I ask the princess what she wants to do when she visits Che Shi's camp this time?"

"Lord Sima doesn't know something, and Haiya can't help herself." Haiya said here, with a bitter expression on her face, "My Da Kunmi branch is the blood of the Han princess. He was treated coldly. By the time of Haiya’s grandfather, the family had already withered, and they were gradually taken over by little Kunmi and became puppets. Today’s little Kunmi, Le Guangmi, is cunning and has always been disobedient to the big man. This time The purpose of taking me east to Che Division is to use Haiya as a hostage to connect with the back of the Che Division to attack the big man. Haiya does not want to add weapons to the state of her parents, sleepless at night, and often wants to kill herself. Fortunately, she is a soldier of the Great Han Only those who are rescued will survive." After finishing speaking, two lines of clear tears rolled down, humming into a sound.

The beauty was weeping, like Xizi holding her heart, I felt pity for it, the effect was much better than that fat man just now.When the people on both sides heard what happened to the princess, they all sighed, and even some impulsive generals were full of indignation.Even Sima Yi, who was as hard-hearted as a stone, showed sympathy, and quickly persuaded: "Since the princess regards the big man as the country of her parents, we, the Han officials, cannot sit idly by on the princess's affairs. Now I ask the princess to rest in Gaochang with peace of mind. Zhong Da will write a letter to the emperor, and give the princess an explanation as soon as possible.

Zhao Guang's rank is low, barely listed in the hall, but he can only sit in the corner by the gate.At this time, watching the scenes on the seat from a distance, I feel sore and bitter: Haiya, who was sometimes arrogant and cute, sometimes unruly and willful along the way, has gone far away from me, and now the high-ranking, beautiful, chaste and wise Haiya in the distance The Haiya is probably her true face, right?The difference in status made it possible that I would never be able to interact with her again.Thinking of this, I was even more depressed, so I started drinking one cup at a time.

At this time, Pang Hui, Li Xin, and Liu Tan happened to come over to ask Zhao Guang for a drink. Seeing Zhao Guang drinking by himself, like a cow drinking water, the three of them were at a loss.Pang Hui went up and snatched the wine glass, and scolded with a smile: "Although the wine is good, it is not so wasteful! If you want to drink water, go to the water tank outside and drink enough, don't let his grandma waste the good wine."

Zhao Guang felt aggrieved in his heart. Seeing Pang Hui coming, he hugged him and said with some sobs, "Brother Pang Pang, what you said before is right. The most important thing is fame while a man is alive. Fight for his wife and shade, little brother." Incompetent, unable to take the head of a general among thousands of armies like my father, I don’t know when will I wait until the day of worshiping a general and becoming a marquis!"

Pang Hui thought it was funny, and said to Liu and Li, "Look at this kid, he's only been in the army for a few days, but he's so anxious, he's already thinking about being a general and a marquis!"

"It's a good thing that Ziyuan has such ambitions," Li Xin knelt down, patted Zhao Guang's back lightly to help him sober up, and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, what we just talked about, Ziyuan should It’s a must.”

Zhao Guang hiccupped happily, and was half awake. Hearing this, he hurriedly asked, "Brother Li, what's the matter."

"Hey, it's this wolf-like person who came to our place to dig meat and eat it." Pang Hui pointed to Liu Tan, "Don't hide it, let it go if you have farts. Anyway, our transportation team is a small temple. If you can’t pay for the Great Immortal, you are the commander of the Northern Army, Lieutenant Shuiying, who wants someone in person, so what else can we talk about?”

Liu Tan laughed, sat down beside Zhao Guang, supported his shoulders and said, "Ziyuan, I want your team to join me in the Changshui camp, and you will lead my vanguard team, what do you think? Also, don't listen to your brother Pang Da's nonsense, this guy is about to lead his own battalion and be in charge of himself, and he keeps pretending to be pitiful."

Hearing this, Zhao Guang trembled, almost sober from the wine, and hurriedly asked: "Brother Zhao, I'm only a hundred-man general, how can I lead a team by myself in the world's sharpest Changshui Camp?"

Hearing this, Liu Tan and the others burst out laughing, and Pang Hui patted Zhao Guang and said with a smile, "Are you really confused or not? This time you have made such a great contribution, how can you still be a general? I have inquired about it for you in private, Master Sima admires you very much, he ranks your military merits as the first class, and directly promotes you as Army Sima, promoted two ranks in a row, how about it, can you handle this matter?"

Zhao Guang was overjoyed when he heard that. Generally, for a newly promoted general like Zhao Guang, if he wanted to accumulate meritorious service to be promoted to military commander, it would take him at least two years. Now that he has made such a contribution, he can be directly promoted to a great man. Jun Sima, one of the mid-level officers, was really overjoyed.He was afraid that Pang would tease him with a joke, so he quickly looked at Li Xin with an inquiring look, saw Li Xin nodded with a smile, and hurriedly bowed to the three of them: "Zhao Guang thank you three brothers for their promotion."

"Get up, what we can promote you, it's all because Master Sima knows people with his eyes, and he has good eyes for you." Liu Tan pulled Zhao Guang up. "What do you think of what I said?"

Zhao Guang hurriedly said: "As long as he can fight side by side with the three brothers, Zhao Guang will obey the orders of the three brothers in everything."

"This... I'm afraid it won't work." Liu, Pang, and Li three showed embarrassment, exchanged glances with each other, and finally Li Xin said in a deep voice: "This matter is confidential, but you will be in charge of it soon." It’s okay to tell you about important positions. But you must keep in mind that this matter must not be made public!” Seeing Zhao Guang nodded, Li Xin continued, “Master Sima, General Pang Da and other generals weighed the information from all parties, and finally decided on a The third route was Pingxice. The first route, led by Pang Daren, including Changshuiying and other 2000 troops, attacked Yanqi (now Yanqi * Autonomous County, Xinjiang) and Qiuci (now Aksu, Xinjiang) to the west in turn; The second army, led by Master Sima himself, including 1 horses including Yueqiying, attacked Shanshan (now Shanshan County, Turpan, Xinjiang), Khotan (near Hotan County, Xinjiang), Shache (now Shache County, Kashgar, Xinjiang). The above two armies will eventually meet at the foot of Shule City (now Shule County, Kashgar, Xinjiang). The third is the new Pinglu camp led by Lao Pang and me, with about 4000 troops. Attack the chariot division in the north, and press down on the border of Wusun. Master Zhao Xing led 4000 troops to stay in Gaochang City, and ensured several routes of supplies in the middle."

Pang Hui looked at the astonished Zhao Guang, and smiled, "Master Sima's game is extremely grand, with all the tricks in it. I really can't understand it for a while. Ziyuan, you don't have to worry too much about this matter." , just do what you want!"

Zhao Guang nodded after hearing this, filled Liu Tan's wine glass, bowed his head and said, "I'm not an official, but I'm willing to work under Mr. Liu's account!"

A few days later, Sima Yi personally went to the lodging of the luggage team to raise the account, and handed down the rewards for his achievements in breaking the Cheshi camp:

Pang Huiqian was appointed Captain of Pinglu, Li Xinqian was appointed Captain of Xingdu Kou, and Huang Sheng was appointed Sima of another department. . . . . .Zhao Guangqian was promoted to Army Sima, Luo An and Tuoba were promoted to General Yamen, and Zhao Neng was promoted to General of Hundreds. . . . . .And each was rewarded with money and silk, and the transportation team was canceled from now on, and was organized into a new group of Pinglu camp, with Pang Hui as the leader, Li Xin as the deputy, and Zhao Guangyi as the Changshui camp.

(End of this chapter)