Chapter 265: Raising troops for the Northern Expedition
In February, the snow in the north had just begun to melt, and many places were still covered with ice. The Huns could no longer bear it any longer, and began to gather on a large scale, annexing each other while beginning to move south.
This winter had a great impact on them. Cattle, sheep, and horses kept freezing to death. Even many elderly people and children could not survive. A large number of slaves also froze to death.
They don't care about the life and death of the slaves, but if the slaves are dead, who will graze them, they can't let their noble self graze them themselves.
"General, there are traces of the Huns ahead." A scout reported on flying horses.
"How many people?" Li Mu asked while wiping his spear.
"It's very, very large. I can't tell the exact number of people. There are also tents pulled by chariots. There are Huns for more than ten miles from east to west." The scout said urgently.
"Let me take a look." Li Mu pinched the horse's belly and walked to a high ground. He immediately saw a black line in the distance slowly approaching in his direction.
"The Huns are indeed here, send the order to withdraw the troops." Li Mu shouted loudly.
He only led a hundred cavalry. If he encountered the Huns who were less than a thousand, he would still be able to fight. A thousand to two thousand could fight with his personal force. But with such a boundless army, there was no need to think about it.
Go ahead.
…
"Our Zhao Kingdom has not yet gone north, but the Huns have gone south first." Zhao Kuo put the battle report sent by Li Mu on the table and said with a smile.
This is what happens in troubled times. Either you hit others, or others hit you. No one can stay out of it.
Fortunately, the State of Zhao had already made preparations. Even if the Huns did not come, they would send troops north to attack the Huns. Now it saves trouble.
"Your Majesty, the last general invites you to fight." Lian Po immediately stood up and said loudly.
"The last general will also attack the Huns." Pang Nuan also stood up and said.
Then, all the generals stood up, especially those who had just joined the Zhao Kingdom and had not made any achievements, were even more impatient.
Zhao Kuo glanced around and nodded with satisfaction, with a smile on his face. Although Zhao Guo cannot be said to have many soldiers now, it can definitely be said to have a large number of generals. There are more named generals than two hands.
.
Among the six countries, except Qin, no country can rival Zhao.
The civil servants on the other side were also eager to try. Wei Wuji and Lin Xiangru were all people who had been on the battlefield, but no one asked to fight. They were all looking at the generals next to them with smiles.
"I wonder how many troops your Majesty is planning to send?" Wei Wuji asked with a smile.
He has never fought such a rich war, and he is many times stronger than when he was in Wei.
Zhao Kuo made an estimate in his mind. Without affecting the development of Zhao State, Zhao State can currently recruit up to 100,000 people. Any more will affect the development of the country.
However, although 100,000 people could defeat the Xiongnu, it was far from Zhao Kuo's goal.
"Leave 10,000 troops to defend Handan, and all the rest of the army will follow my king in the northern expedition. In addition, an order was sent to Daijun, Yanmen, and Yunzhong to recruit 130,000 soldiers. In addition to the 50,000 Great Wall Guards, the total is 250,000 troops.
"Zhao Kuo thought for a moment and said.
During the Warring States Period, all countries implemented a conscription system. However, except for a few major wars, most wars would only recruit soldiers close to the war location to participate in the war. Rest and recuperate in other places. Wait until the next big war occurs in this place, and then recruit soldiers from this place and another place.
You will get a chance to recuperate and recuperate.
If soldiers from a place are frequently recruited, it will cause the people to wither and flee the country.
The war in Zhao ended last year, and order has just been restored. If soldiers are recruited again, it will not only destabilize everyone's newly settled life, but also seriously affect farming, destroying the household registration and agricultural tax systems that have just been implemented.
The three counties in the north mostly focus on herding, supplemented by farming, and during the previous Battle of Changping, only a few soldiers from the three areas were recruited.
Therefore, in addition to the regular legions, Zhao Kuo only recruited soldiers from the three northern armies. Although it would still have some impact, it was minimized.
Wei Wuji nodded. This was indeed the most appropriate approach. He handed over his hands and said, "I will collect the supplies as soon as possible."
"By the way, send people to spread the news throughout the Central Plains, saying that all Xia are one, and it is everyone's responsibility and obligation to conquer the Xiongnu." Zhao Kuo suddenly thought that this was another good opportunity to build up his reputation.
In fact, for the Central Plains, the vast majority of people do not know who the Xiongnu are at all, and there is no concept of the Xiongnu. The unity of the Xia Dynasty is only spread among the upper classes.
Zhao Kuo now wants to make the names of Xiongnu and Hu people sink into the ears of ordinary people. It will create the illusion that Zhao has helped everyone block the invasion of Hu people, prevent everyone from being persecuted in their lives, and increase everyone's respect for Zhao.
national identity.
Although the Zhao State resisted the Huns and attacked the Huns, it had nothing to do with the Central Plains. It was just for its own interests. However, the existence of the Zhao State did allow the countries in the Central Plains to avoid the infringement of the Hu people, and even the monarchs of various countries had to admit it.
Zhao Kuo took advantage of this and shamelessly gained favor in everyone's hearts.
"Leave this matter to me." Zhao Mu stood up and said.
The person who is most well-informed in Zhao and has the strongest ability to convey information is not Liu Ping, but Zhao Mu.
The Zhao Guo Chamber of Commerce is spread all over the world, and any disturbance cannot escape the Zhao Guo Chamber of Commerce. Similarly, as long as the Zhao Guo Chamber of Commerce is willing, it can deliver the news to every corner of the world.
With the calls from the Chamber of Commerce, this news will flow to every village, making it difficult for people to guard against it.
"Pang Nuan, Rong Chen, Qing Qin, listen to the order." Zhao Kuo stood up, glanced around, and said loudly.
"The general is here." Pang Nuan, Rong Ben, and Qing Qin strode to the center of the hall, clasped their fists and said.
"The three of you will immediately lead an army of five thousand and rush to northern Xinjiang to recruit soldiers from Daijun, Yanmen, and Yunzhong, and work with Li Mu to resist the Huns. Before the arrival of the few, we must focus on defense and not attack." Zhao Kuo ordered.
road.
"No." The three of them looked excited.
Pang Nuan had been hidden in the ice for decades and had never had the opportunity to lead troops in battle. Rong Ben and Qing Qin had not long since defected to Zhao, and they had been waiting for the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.
If they were allowed to attack Yan State, they might still have some scruples in their hearts.
But to fight the Huns, isn’t it just me beating my son? It’s natural and right!
The remaining staff looked at Zhao Kuo with burning eyes. Now there were three fewer places, and their opportunities were even less.
"Le Yi, Lian Po, Yan Zhou, Qing She, Le Jian, Yan Ju, Yan Xiong..." Every time Zhao Kuo clicked on a name, someone walked to the center of the hall.
Finally, Zhao Kuo set his sights on Meng Wu, "Meng Wu."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Meng Wu said excitedly, but he didn't expect that he would be included.
"I started leading troops in battle when I was as old as you. You must also work hard and not let down the expectations of your father and Lord Du Ping." Zhao Kuo said.
"Yes." Meng Wu said loudly.
"Cai Ze, Lu Zhonglian, Li Fu, Li Si, Han Fei, and Huang Shigong are accompanying the army and staff." Zhao Kuo continued.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone bowed and bowed.
"Meng Ao led an army of ten thousand to Handan." Zhao Kuo said.
"The last general will obey the order." Meng Ao said with his fists clasped.
"I'll leave all the rest to the ministers." Zhao Kuo faced the ministers and bowed.
"I will do my best." All the ministers returned the greeting.
In mid-February, Zhao Kuo appointed Leyi, Lianpo, Pang Nuan, Yanzhou, Mengwu, Qingshe, Lejian, Rongju, Qingqin, Yanju and Yanxiong as generals. Cai Ze, Lu Zhonglian, Li
Fu, Li Si, Han Fei, and Huang Shigong joined the army.