A group of young people drank too much at the celebration banquet and said a few outrageous words. It was a normal thing. The next morning, everyone forgot all about what they said last night and no one mentioned it again.
.
Time flies so fast in the busyness, and it’s late October in the blink of an eye. Seeing that the first snow is about to fall, the boundary between the Dawan Governor’s Palace and the Dashi Eastern Expeditionary Army has once again stabilized with the Wuhu River as the dividing line.
Wang Xun then planned to return eastward with his troops and return to Zhezhe City to recharge his batteries.
Several newly acquired territories, including the Iron Gate Pass, were distributed to the participating princes. A group of captives from the Great Food Kingdom were also divided up and demobilized. Having the experience of "divorcing the spoils after the war" in previous times, Wang Xun
He handled these things with ease. Not only did Xicao, Dongcao and Shazhou, the three princes who got a large territory, be grateful, but other people who had not been able to expand their territory also saw the hope of making a fortune in the future, and they flattered them every day.
The words were on his lips.
Only in how to deal with the surrendered people, Wang Xun had some difficulties. According to the original agreement with Ma Baoyu, after taking down the two cities of Hulun and Damo without any bloodshed, he was going to take Ma Baoyu and the city lord Aliben.
He was released safely. However, after seeing Aliben's political ability and Ma Baoyu's eloquence, Wang Xun became a little hesitant.
Recruiting these two people under his command? That is almost impossible. From the attitude of Ma Baoyu and Aliben in their daily speech and work, Wang Xun knew that the other party had a very deep attachment to their home country thousands of miles away.
Sense. What we did before was just a stop-gap measure. The main purpose was to prevent the cities of Hulun and Talbi from being looted by the coalition forces. If they were allowed to turn their heads and become enemies of Dashi, they would definitely rather die than obey.
ending.
However, Wang Xun was really "reluctant" to let the two of them leave like this. Especially for Ma Baoyu, this person had a very deep understanding of the situation in both Datang and Dashi, in case he could get help from his mother country in the future.
If you have the opportunity to stand alone, you will definitely become a strong enemy of the Anxi Army.
There is also the master that Ma Baoyu has always remembered, Du Hui from the Tang Dynasty. According to him, this soldier who was abandoned by Gao Xianzhi as an abandoned son in the Battle of Talas was definitely a man of great learning. Not only was he proficient in all kinds of knowledge about handling government affairs
, also has extensive experience in papermaking, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other skills. Under the guidance of him and several craftsmen who were also captured in the Battle of Talos, Dashi has now begun to produce Chinese paper with a color comparable to white snow in the country.
, the Chinese soup that immediately eliminated epidemic diseases in the army after taking it, and sowing and harvesting machinery that were far more advanced than those used by the cannibals in the past, and even silk reeling and spinning, technologies that even Wang Xun was not clear about.
Taught the big cannibal without reservation.
As a result, the Tang Dynasty could no longer rely on Dashi's national power advantage for long. However, the understanding of Dashi by the princes in the court was still at the level of "nothing more than transforming foreign barbarians", which was almost ignorant.
.One side is arrogant and arrogant, but the other side can know itself and the enemy. In the future competition between the two countries, the winner or loser will really be like what Ma Baoyu said. It is difficult to determine who will win in the end.
Talents that cannot be used by me must be killed for me. The simplest way is to forget the original promise and directly execute Ma Baoyu and Aliben to prevent them from becoming a disaster to the Tang Dynasty in the future. But this is incompatible with Wang Xun's character.
He is still young, and although he has experienced some hardships, he is far from being vicious. He is also full of confidence in the world outside him and his own future.
"How about you let them go first? Then go say hello to Cao Zhongjie and the others!" Sha Qianli saw Wang Xun's strengths and weaknesses clearly, so he found an opportunity to be alone and suggested in a low voice.
"Anyway, the road to the west has not been peaceful. If someone unfortunately dies at the hands of bandits, you can't be blamed!"
"Yeah..., forget it!" Wang Xun almost agreed, but when the words reached his lips, he hurriedly shook his head. There is no doubt that Sha Qianli's method is feasible. It not only safeguards his reputation as a great governor, but also avoids letting the tiger go back to the mountain.
But how is this different from the way Gao Lishi colluded with Ge Shuhan to secretly deal with him? Isn't it just as dirty and dirty and shady?
Since he looks down on people like Gao Lishi and Ge Shuhan, Wang Xun will never let himself become that kind of person in his life. Although the latter may live a more prosperous life and may have greater power. "Let them go!"
Let’s talk about the future.” As if he suddenly figured it out, the expression on his face instantly relaxed. “He has the potential to soar into the sky in the future, and we don’t want to just wait for death! At worst, we will catch him on the battlefield in the future.
them once."
"That's..., that's true!" Sha Qianli frowned anxiously at first, and then smiled. He still underestimated the Governor. With his ability and potential, why should he be afraid of an unworthy pawn?!
Not to mention whether Ma Baoyu will have the opportunity to take charge of his own affairs in the future, what if he is actually made the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Expeditionary Army? Governor Wang is younger than him, has more experience in battle, and his personal martial arts and prestige are more than just his.
Ten times or a hundred times? The day when the two sides really meet again on the battlefield, Ma Baoyu should be the one to flee. The Governor-General has the advantage in every aspect!
While they were talking, the soldiers came in to report, and Ma Baoyu and Aliben asked to see them outside the door. "These two people must have returned home a long time ago!" Wang Xun joked with a smile, and then ordered the soldiers to invite them.
After entering, Ma Baoyu and Ali Ben arrived angrily. From a distance, they saluted Wang Xun and said, "The people who are about to be sent to surrender heard that the Governor was preparing to prepare a class. I took the liberty of coming to disturb you. Please forgive me!"
"You two, don't be polite. I'm about to send someone to find you!" Wang Xun smiled, waved his hand, and responded pleasantly. "Things in these two cities are complicated, and I don't have the right talents around me to help handle it.
That’s why I keep you two by my side so that I can ask for advice at any time. Now that all the things that can be handled have been dealt with, it’s time to put the agreement between us on the agenda!"
"The Governor is really ready to let us go?!" "Are you really keeping your word and letting us go?!" Ma Baoyu and Ali didn't believe their ears. They stood a few feet away from Wang Xun and asked with wide eyes.
.
"Yes! Don't you want to leave?" Wang Xun responded with a smile, throwing away all his previous hesitations and considerations. "I can't afford too many idle people here!"
"When?!" Ma Baoyu and Aliben still couldn't believe it, and they both handed over to Wang Xun. There is a saying in the Dashi Kingdom that deceiving one's enemies is not cheating. And the Hammer King and himself are exactly on opposite sides.
"It's up to you!" Since he has made up his mind to let the other party go, Wang Xun doesn't mind the good guys going to the end. "You can choose 200 people as guards among the prisoners I left behind. I have equipped you with horses and weapons.
This place is only a hundred miles away from Xunmo City, and after crossing the Wuhu River, it is the boundary of Aikelamu. You two have led soldiers, so I believe there will be no problems on the road!"
Seeing the disbelief on the other's face, Wang Xun thought that the two of them were still doubting his sincerity, so he smiled and continued: "If you really can't bear to leave here, it doesn't matter. You can stay in the city for a few more days to wait for the army led by me.
Let’s leave after setting off. I’ll say hello to the Lord of Dong Cao and ask him not to make things difficult for you!”
"We, we..." Aliben and Ma Baoyu looked at each other, their faces turned red and white, and they looked very good-looking. They were in a different place, and they would never be like Wang Xun, whose behavior was changed by a verbal promise.
Stay restrained. They will make the most trouble-free choice for themselves and their food.
It was precisely because they thought of this section that the two of them were determined to die before they arrived. They would rather curse Wang Xun and be killed by him than continue to live in despair day after day.
.Unexpectedly, the imagined scene of impassioned speeches did not occur at all, but a result that was never dreamed of was achieved.
You can leave at any time, return horses and weapons, and select 200 people as guards among the prisoners. This is not the treatment given to a surrendered general, it is clearly a gift to a distinguished guest! With 200 guards in hand, even if he is halfway to the Hammer King
Regretful, Ma Baoyu and Ali also believed that they could escape safely to the other side of the Wuhu River. However, is it really safe to escape from the Wuhu River? There are probably two scapegoats waiting for them on the other side of Aikelamu!
"Why, you can't bear to leave? I really don't care for idlers here!" Wang Xun suddenly noticed that the expressions of the two people opposite him were very strange, and he joked with a smile.
"Da, the Governor is joking!" "Da, the Governor's kindness today will never be forgotten by either of us for the rest of our lives!" Ma Baoyu and Aliben looked at each other again and spoke one after another.
"We..." "We..." The two of them were originally very calm characters, but now they were a little bit rushed to speak. Realizing that they would conflict with each other if they continued to speak, they quickly shut their mouths. Then they smiled awkwardly.
"If you have something to say, just say it! When we started arguing with Lao Sha, you were not acting like this!" Sha Qianli couldn't stand the way the other party hesitated to speak, so Sha Qianli deliberately provoked him.
Ma Baoyu didn't have the courage to compete with him for verbal prestige today. She shook her head a few times with a wry smile and added sarcastically, "The Governor doesn't know something. The two of us may not be able to return home now!"
"Why?" Wang Xun asked instinctively, and soon he had figured out all the joints. "I'm afraid Aikelam is waiting for you to hit the tip of his knife. This is indeed a trouble. Otherwise, you should be more patient.
In the spring of next year, he will blend in with the caravan heading west and quietly pass through the defense line of Aikelamu. Presumably, he will not have the intention to look for you again at that time!"
"Thank you very much, Commander-in-Chief, for considering us two!" Ma Baoyu, for a rare moment, bowed to Wang Xun sincerely. "Although our two families have some strength, I'm afraid they can't protect us right now.
.So, if the Grand Governor is willing to reward you with a meal, the two of us are willing to serve under the Grand Governor for a few years. After the chaos in the country is over, we will find a way to return westward!"
"You two want to serve the Tang Dynasty?!" Now, it was Wang Xun's turn to be stunned. He didn't believe that he was the protagonist of the gossip in the teahouse, so he casually stepped forward to loosen the prisoner's bonds, and the other party bowed his head and bowed.
From now on, I will be loyal to you and will never betray you.
"We serve the Governor, not the Tang Dynasty!" Aliben's words were not as sharp as Ma Baoyu's, but he was concise and concise. "The two of us are willing to serve the Governor for five years. After five years, please honor the Governor today.
The promise allows us to leave freely!"
"We, we..." Ma Baoyu tugged at her friend and her face turned even redder, "The two of us originally thought that the worst outcome would be to be detained in the army forever by the Governor. Who would have expected, who would have expected
, the Grand Governor didn’t take us two rotten fishes and shrimps seriously at all. Fortunately, we still thought we were right for a few days. Now, right now, the two of us actually have nowhere to go. If the Grand Governor doesn’t dislike it, we,
The two of us are willing to make a living under your command. However, we just have a request. If there is a war with the Anxi Army and Dashi, please, please, please consider the two of us..."
"What's so difficult about this!" Wang Xun quickly waved his hand, interrupting Ma Baoyu's explanation, "I have agreed. You two will not be allowed to participate in any future actions with Dashi Country!"
"Thank you, Governor, for taking care of me!"
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief!"
Aliben and Ma Baoyu bowed again and clasped their fists. This time, they performed Tang Li.
"You two generals, you don't have to be polite!" Wang Xun stepped forward and held their arms with a smile, "General Aliben is quite capable of governing and can temporarily help the governor handle some daily government affairs. As for General Ma Baoyu,
I still have a position to join the army under my command, I hope I won’t wrong you!”
"Don't dare, don't dare!" Ma Baoyu and Aliben thanked Wang Xun again, feeling grateful to Wang Xun in their hearts.
Sha Qianli looked on and wanted to cover his mouth. His family knew about his family's situation. When Wang Xun left Chang'an, he was in such a hurry that he didn't have time to hire an adviser. Moreover, with his qualifications and position at the time, even if he paid a high price
, and couldn't hire anyone with real skills. After leaving Congling in the west, Wang Xun's rise was too fast, and he didn't have time to hire counselors. In addition, in the eyes of the Central Plains people, the Western Region was a barbaric land, and there was no need for it at all.
No scholar is willing to take the risk of leaving the country. Many factors combined have led to a shortage of civil servants in most governors. There are a lot of generals who can lead troops into battle, can count grains, live within their means, and plan logistics support to join the army. However,
It is even rarer than rare.
The joining of Aliben and Ma Baoyu just solved Wang Xun's urgent need. Putting aside the factors of loyalty of the two, at least the daily handling of government affairs and dealing with various princes can give the governor himself a little breath of relief.
He obviously underestimated the abilities of the two of them. After getting Wang Xun's promise "not to arrange for you two to directly participate in any actions against the Food Kingdom," Aliben and Ma Baoyu quickly repaid Wang with practical actions.
Xun's kindness.
Not only does he handle all the tasks assigned to him in an orderly manner, but he can also quickly give appropriate suggestions if Wang Xun asks about certain matters beyond the scope of his responsibilities. This makes Sha Qianli, Yu Wenzhi, Song Wu and others secretly pick on the big ones.
Thumbs up, he kept praising that Wang Mingyun was just lucky. When he was dozing off, someone would offer him a pillow. But when Wang Xun heard these words, he just smiled and refused to argue with everyone.
One afternoon more than a month later, Ma Baoyu hurried into Wang Xun's handsome tent with a stack of official documents and said, "Grand Governor, there may be something fishy about these things?!"
"Really?" Wang Xun hurriedly glanced at the official documents and responded with a smile. They were official documents forwarded from the Anxi Army during his expedition. The content only related to the normal deployment of troops in Hebei and Shanxi.
.Thousands of miles away from Dawan, there is no connection, and it has no confidentiality value. Wang Xun has always read this kind of official stuff and thrown it aside, and does not prohibit anyone under his command from reading it.
"You see, this is not a simple mobilization of troops and horses." Ma Baoyu was very dissatisfied with Wang Xun's attitude and explained hurriedly, "Several troops and horses in Hebei Road moved south at the same time, and the troops and horses in Hedong Road happened to be at this time.
It was transferred to Shuofang. If someone leads the troops to move south from this position..."
"This is something that those in the court need to consider. We can only take a look and have no right to intervene. Besides, nearly two months have passed. Even if we want to say something, we have no time..." Wang Xun
Still not paying much attention, he smiled and explained to Ma Baoyu the various potential rules that local generals in the Tang Dynasty needed to pay attention to. Suddenly, he felt something in his heart, and his eyes were fixed on the official document.
Hebei, Hebei, go south and you will find Luoyang, the capital of the East!
