Chapter 147 Opportunities for the middle and lower classes
In the mayor's house in Huangyangping, the mayor Zhang Yan personally accompanied him and held a reception banquet. Strong troops and horses are the greatest source of confidence. With a thousand elite border troops stationed, there is no need to fear any evil spirits.
In today's northwest, the strength of the thousand-percent-organized officers and soldiers is already very strong. They can go out to fight independently when they advance, and can protect themselves when they retreat. Even if they encounter extremely bad situations, the distance from Huangyangping to Xiazhou is enough to drag them to
Rescue.
Precisely because he understood this, Zhang Yan smiled brightly and his face became much softer. He warmly received the several military academies who led the army, flattered them in every possible way, and kept complimenting them.
The Han military officer who led the team was named Wang Meng. He was a battalion-level cavalry commander. He was in the Xiazhou border army. He was in his thirties and was a member of the Han cavalry in the Mobei expedition. The Khitan died in his hands.
There are no less than 20 Hu people outside the Great Wall. Although they have no outstanding military exploits, they are still elites selected by the cruel war in Mobei.
In fact, the expedition soldiers who were able to follow Wang Yansheng and Yang Ye back to the Han Dynasty alive had good results, and the court also made proper arrangements. In the reform of the military system, most of them stayed in the army unless their age or physical condition did not meet the requirements. They were assigned internal and external tasks
The armies exist as the backbone of the force.
Wang Meng's luck was good. After his victory in the expedition, he was promoted two levels in a row. He was promoted from a small commander to a hundred generals and entered the ranks of junior officers.
In the subsequent reform of the military system, due to his solid combat experience, outstanding martial arts skills, and being in his prime, his military position was retained and transferred to Xiazhou. Later, he performed well in the military exercises in Xiazhou and was appointed by the battalion deputy
He was promoted to battalion command and led a battalion of cavalry.
For a warrior with an ordinary background, it is already rare to become the chief officer of the first battalion in more than ten years. After all, this is not the beginning of the country. The Han Dynasty has been established for more than 30 years, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for civil servants to be promoted.
, the same goes for military commanders.
Even for this Wang Meng, behind his rise, there is also the appreciation of the Duke of Yan Kingdom, otherwise his future would be equally uncertain. Perhaps it is more likely that he will retire from the army and return to his hometown after overage.
Unlike now, those who have a future, a lot of money, land and property in Xiazhou, and no shortage of lovely wives and concubines. Therefore, people with vested interests like Wang Meng are very loyal to the rule of the Han Dynasty, and they are very loyal to those rebellious elements.
, also held a resolute attitude of repression.
"Commander Wang, everyone, Huangyangping is in a remote place and there is not much good stuff. The only thing we have is these jars of Qin wine and some beef and mutton. If you wait for a while, you can still hope for Haihan!" During the banquet,
Zhang Yan smiled and said to several officers headed by Wang Meng.
"Wine and meat are enough!" Wang Meng smiled and raised his glass in response: "Brother Zhang's hospitality, we are very grateful!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yan immediately beamed with joy and became even more attentive. Of course, both of them were promoted by Wang Qian. With this relationship, they naturally became very familiar with each other.
The wine was getting stronger, his face was red, and he started to talk completely. Wang Meng inserted a piece of meat with a dagger and put it into his mouth. He looked at Zhang Yan and said meaningfully: "Brother Zhang, when I entered the town today, I saw this yellow sheep.
He has an angry face, a fierce look in his eyes, and a hint of hatred. It seems that the party members here are really restless!"
Hearing what Wang Meng said, Zhang Yan showed a sympathetic expression. He also called him brother and brother, and sighed: "I'm not satisfied with Brother Wang. I've been worried about this for the past few months. If the Duke hadn't sent troops to station, I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to do anything."
Defeat these Khitans.
The influence of Li Jiqian's rebellion was so bad that many party members were bewitched by it. Naturally, I, Huang Yangping, became a place of right and wrong.
However, with Brother Wang leading the army, I can let go of my worries!"
Zhang Yan still held Wang Meng in his hands without leaving any trace in his words. Wang Meng was naturally very satisfied and said immediately: "Brother Zhang, don't worry. I have been ordered to come here this time. It is for this matter that the Lord's wishes must be guaranteed."
Huang Yangping’s stability!”
"So good!"
"That traitor Li Jiqian was so audacious that he dared to openly rebel and betray the imperial court. He is so unforgivable!" Wang Meng cursed: "Because he escaped from pursuit twice, even the Duke was reprimanded by the imperial court, saying that we were suppressing
The bandits were ineffective and the Duke was in a bad mood.
How did the imperial court know that although Li Jiqian had a small number of people, he was cunning and fickle. When he saw that the situation was not good, he decisively abandoned it and fled. In this vast sandy moraine, if you want to completely annihilate it, it depends on luck. It's not like we can't suppress the bandits.
Try your best, but the thief is too cunning!
The Duke has made up his mind to send out a large army to encircle and suppress this scourge!" Wang Meng said with emotion.
"Li Jiqian bucked the trend, tried to use his arms as a chariot, and rebelled against the court. He will definitely die without a burial place!" Zhang Yan agreed.
After drinking a glass of wine, Wang Meng said again: "Brother Zhang is one of our own, and I won't hide it from you. In addition to suppressing the local area, the garrison in Huangyangping this time has other orders. Li Jiqian's bandits are now operating in the quicksand in the north. This Huangyangping
Yangping is the gathering place of the party that he can directly come into contact with. The Duke intends to build this place into an outpost for suppressing bandits. Soldiers, horses, ordnance, and food and grass will be transported later. Brother Zhang must be prepared to cooperate with the army!
"
"There is no shirking the responsibility!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan immediately responded, even showing joy: "The state government has ordered a cleanup and interrogation of the party members under its jurisdiction to eliminate those who have rebellious intentions. It is just because of the lack of manpower.
, lack of strength, even if we know that some parties are rebellious or even collude with them, we still cannot carry out effective rectification. Since Brother Wang is here, please help me!"
In response to this, Wang Meng naturally didn't say anything and nodded: "This is what should be done. The Duke will come to Huangyangping in person. The situation here also needs to be changed. It can't be such a mess. I think we should first clean up the inside and outside of the fort."
Please clean up the surrounding party members!"
"Just follow Brother Wang's words!" Zhang Yan agreed very much.
"In addition, I think this town is not big and its accommodation is limited. Our thousand-step cavalry is easy to handle, but to accommodate the army, Brother Zhang needs to think of a way!" Wang Meng reminded.
"Brother Wang, don't worry!" Zhang Yan said with a smile: "I will arrange manpower to build a fort outside the town tomorrow. Those party members can control their use to avoid giving them the opportunity to defect to Li Jiqian!"
"So good!"
Wang Meng was even more satisfied with Zhang Yan's performance and had more smiles on his face. He was enjoying himself by changing glasses. When the wine was full, Wang Meng and Zhang changed from being brothers to being friends.
After having another drink with Wang Meng, Zhang Yan said with a smile: "Brother Wang, please forgive me for telling the truth!"
Wang Meng's drinking capacity is good, but compared with Zhang Yan, a veteran of the wine shop, he is still a lot worse, so he is already a little drunk. Hearing this, he also became interested and casually said: "You tell me!"
Zhang Yan: "Although Li Jiqian's rebellion is hateful and is a bad thing for the court, it may not be so for a military talent like Brother Wang.
It should be noted that it is becoming more and more difficult to get promoted and get an official position. If you don't have such an opportunity in normal times, wouldn't it be a waste of time?
Now that Li Jiqian has rebelled, Brother Wang can use this to reap the rewards of suppressing the rebellion. You are valued by the Duke. As long as you make some achievements in suppressing the rebellion, you will have a bright future. If you can obtain Li Jiqian's head, you will be promoted three times in a row.
level, it may not be impossible.
Such an opportunity cannot be compared with working hard for qualifications or suppressing horse bandits! Therefore, Brother Wang should not be angry, but should be happy!"
After Zhang Yan said this, Wang Meng's eyes lit up and he felt suddenly enlightened. He became much more awake. He looked at Zhang Yan curiously and said, "I never thought that Brother Zhang would be so knowledgeable.
Okay! If this is the case, do I still have to thank Li Jiqian for giving us the opportunity to make contributions?"
"I hope that Li Jiqian will not fall into the hands of others. I will fight for his head!" Wang Meng laughed and patted Zhang Yan's shoulder hard: "The army is advancing to suppress, choose Huang Yangping as our leader.
Outpost, this is also an opportunity for Brother Zhang! A promotion is just around the corner!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Wang!" Zhang Yan smiled and replied, "It is enough for Zhang to serve the court and the Duke and fulfill his duty. How can we not have extravagant hopes?"
"Brother Zhang is such a loyal minister!"
"Brother Wang has the talent of a general!"
...
In April of Xia in the 21st year of Kaibao (983), under pressure from the imperial court, Duke Yan and Wang Qian, the commander of Yulin Daodu, changed their previous passive attitude and took the initiative to march. Chen Bing and Huang Yangping were divided into
Three groups of troops marched north into Liusha, intending to eliminate the traitor Li Jiqian in one fell swoop by plowing the courtyard and clearing holes.