After Xie Xuan killed Yuan Aizhi, the enemy troops dispersed. Xie Xuan gathered up the remaining thousands of soldiers and headed south to the south city of Shouyang City.
In the square inside the South City Gate, Xie Xuan stood on the long street of the square holding Yuan Aizhi's head. The soldiers behind him raised torches and shouted in unison toward the top of the city.
"Yuan Aizhi is dead, and his head is here. The northern city of Shouyang has been destroyed, and the food and grass have been destroyed. You and I will descend quickly, and you will not die."
"Yuan Zhen is exhausted as a traitor. Don't sacrifice your life for him. Put down your weapons and surrender immediately. Only the chief culprit will be punished, and the rest will be spared."
"Yuan Zhen is a traitor, colludes with barbarians, forgets his ancestors, is unfaithful and unfilial. Anyone who kills Yuan Zhen and offers his head will be given an official title, title, and numerous awards."
The defenders at the top of the city were already in panic. The Jin troops outside the city were attacking fiercely, and the pressure was huge. Fires were burning in the city, and countless Jin troops were shouting inside the city walls. The food and grass were gone, and the enemy had entered the city. They were already forced to join the rebels.
The young men were panicked and didn't know what to do.
The generals yelled at them and asked them to concentrate their efforts to defend the city. The pressure was very urgent. For a time, there was chaos inside and outside the city, on and off the city walls. Everyone was at a loss and didn't know what to do.
At this moment, near the city tower, someone shouted: "Yuan Zhen is dead!"
This voice was like a drop of water falling into a frying pan, and the whole city was boiling.
"Yuan Zhen is dead, we are defeated, the food and grass are gone, and the city is broken. What else should we fight?"
"Run for your life!"
The defenders near the city tower collapsed in an instant, and the soldiers dropped their weapons and fled along the city wall with their heads in their hands. No matter how the generals and officials scolded them, and no matter how the veterans supervising the battle tried to stop them, it was of no avail.
The collapse quickly spread to the entire city wall, and finally even veterans began to join the fleeing team. Some generals knew that the situation was over, so they quickly took off their armor, changed into soldier uniforms and blended into the crowd.
The Jin army outside the city rushed up the city wall like a tide, and they never encountered any resistance. Then the crazy pursuit and massacre began. Tens of thousands of Jin troops entered the city and pursued the fleeing rebels. At this moment
It was time to reap the rewards. Every extra head or prisoner was a credit. The entire Shouyang City fell into madness.
At the third watch, Huan Wen and Xi Chao led everyone to stand by the moat outside the south city gate. At the city gate, Xie Xuan, surrounded by dozens of guards, walked out of the city gate hole, climbed onto the suspension bridge and walked step by step.
The moment Xi Chao saw Xie Xuan, his eyes were a little disappointed, but he also showed admiration. He originally thought that Xie Xuan would die, but Xie Xuan not only lived, but also completed the task. This made him feel regretful and a little lucky at the same time.
Huan Wen led the crowd and strode forward to meet him. He laughed loudly and said, "Xiannephew, you did it. Shouyang City has been destroyed."
Xie Xuan bowed his hands and said, "I am fortunate to have lived up to my command."
Huan Wen smiled and said, "You have made great achievements in this battle. An Shi will be very happy if he knows about it."
Xie Xuan smiled and said: "Don't you dare to claim your merits? It's Da Sima who used his troops well. Yuan Zhen's traitorous spirit has been exhausted. I just tried my best."
Huan Wen laughed and said: "I heard that you killed Yuan Aizhi? I didn't expect that my nephew is actually a fierce general. Yuan Aizhi is a famously brave general."
Xie Xuandao: "I almost died in his hands, but in the end he was beheaded by me."
Huan Wen nodded and said, "I am glad that the Xie family has a successor."
Xie Xuandao: "Have Yuan Zhen and the others been caught? The city is in chaos. I'm afraid they have escaped. I was about to lead people to search and arrest them. But Da Sima asked me to come out of the city."
Huan Wen laughed loudly and said, "My dear nephew, some of the credit should be given to others, don't you think? They can't run away."
Xie Xuan was stunned for a moment and then laughed.
At dawn, Shouyang City gradually returned to calm. Shortly after Huan Wen's army entered the city, Huan Shiqian led his cavalry on the bank of the Huai River to capture Yuan Zhen and his son, Zhu Fu and other rebel officials who had escaped when the city was broken last night.
When they were caught, Yuan Zhen was already furious. Shortly after they were brought to Huan Wen, Yuan Zhen died of anger. Yuan Zhen's second son, Yuan Shuangzhi, Zhu Fu and others were escorted to Jiankang and executed in the street shortly after.
After the celebration banquet after the capture of Shouyang City, Da Sima Huanwen had a private conversation with his chief adviser Xi Chao, who joined the army. This conversation had a profound impact on the Jin Dynasty and could be said to have influenced the Jin Dynasty.
The direction of the Jin Dynasty.
…
A grand celebration banquet was held on the evening of the second day after the capture of Shouyang City. Although Huan Wen's soldiers and horses actually suffered more than 8,000 casualties in this battle, it could only be regarded as a tragic victory. However, at the banquet, Huan Wen boasted,
The generals sang their praises, as if they had accomplished an extraordinary feat.
In fact, this rebellion was triggered by Huan Wen. There was no need for this war that resulted in tens of thousands of soldiers and civilian casualties. But Huan Wen was proud of it.
After the banquet, Huan Wen, who was drunk, took Xi Chao to see the head of Yuan Zhen, who had been beheaded. The head was cut off and placed in a wooden box, ready to be sent to the capital early the next morning to be presented to the court.
Right next to Yuan Zhen's bloody head, Huan Wen sighed with the smell of alcohol.
"Hey, I still remember Yuan Zhen's voice and smile, but now he has ended up like this. Jing Xing, what do you think is wrong with people in this world? Why can't they just obey the situation and stick to their fate? Why do they overestimate their own capabilities? Yuan
Zhen and I have old friends. You should know that a few years ago, in order to please me, he gave me three beauties, all of whom were his favorite concubines. Huan Xuan's mother Ama was one of them. With him and
My friendship, all you have to do is bow to me, how could it end like this?"
Of course Xi Chao knew about this. In order to please Huan Wen, Yuan Zhen sent three concubines to Huan Wen, all of whom were his most favored women. One of them, A Ma, gave birth to a fat boy named Huan Wen.
Huan Xuan. Huan Wen had a young son in his old age, and he loved Huan Xuan very much.
"What Mr. Huan said is true. People in this world always have some strange ideas. They are unwilling to adapt to the situation and insist on going the opposite direction. You must know that the road of destiny is overwhelming and unstoppable. People must learn to adapt to the general trend of the people. In fact,
It's just a matter of obeying God's will. But Yuan Zhen didn't understand this, and he wanted to go against Duke Huan and didn't know how to compromise, so he ended up like this. It's sad and deplorable." Xi Chao nodded.
Huan Wen chuckled and said, "It would be great if all people in this world were as wise as Jing Xing."
Xi Chao smiled and said: "There are not many people like Jingxing. I'm afraid Duke Huan thinks too much. Most people want to do the opposite and want to go against the flow. It's not like Duke Huan doesn't know about people like me in Jin Dynasty.
According to habits, the more unique a person is, the more they attract attention and the more famous they are. Some people even think that only by confronting people like Duke Huan can they show their character and gain praise."
Huan Wen sneered and said: "I have seen a lot of people who are rich and beautiful, but they are corrupt. Sooner or later, I will make them kneel down to apologize and flatter me. Or, I will drive them all to the bamboo forest and kill them. They don't want to
After eating, just eat bamboo shoots and drink water from the stream."
Xi Chao chuckled and said, "Maybe that would be just what they want."
Huan Wen glared at Xi Chao and said: "Jingxing, these people are nothing to worry about. I don't care what they think in their hearts. What I care about is what Wang Xie and the big families in the world think. I know that the failure of the attack on Ye City has a lot to do with it."
My reputation has a great influence. This time, we conquered Shouchun and captured the Yuan Zhen rebels. We wiped out all 50,000 rebels here. This satisfied them, right? But it washed away the shame of the defeat at Fangtou.
?They have nothing to say this time, right?"
Xi Chao said solemnly: "Is Duke Huan talking drunken words, or does he really think so?"
Huan Wen said: "What? Isn't it? Isn't my victory in Shouyang not brilliant enough?"
Xi Chao smiled bitterly and said: "It seems that Duke Huan is really drunk. This battle cannot undo the impact of the defeat at Fangtou. Wang Xie and others don't care about Yuan Zhen. They will only think that Duke Huan is forcing Yuan Zhen to rebel.
It’s just to seize the land of Yuzhou. This battle will not only fail to establish prestige, but will make them even more nervous. Duke Huan wants to use this to gain their understanding and support and make them appreciate Duke Huan’s contribution to safeguarding the Jin Dynasty, but that is completely wrong.”
Huan Wen frowned and said, "You mean, they will be more defensive about me?"
Xi Chao looked at Huan Wen and said: "Gong Huan, in fact, according to what Jingxing thought, Duke Huan actually no longer needs to force their approval. Yuzhou is already in his hands, and the big town of Jiangzuo is already in Duke Huan's hands. Duke Huan has the convenience of Yuzhou."
, Jiangzhou’s money and food, Jingzhou’s Xu Yan’s soldiers, are already in complete control of the situation. Now that this is the case, why bother to seek the approval of those people? Do you have to get their approval and praise? Jingxing believes that it can be completely changed.
Ideas.”
Huan Wen stroked his beard and paced slowly, thinking without comment.
Xi Chao said in a deep voice: "Gong Huan, in today's Jin Dynasty, Wang Xie is aloof, and the Yu family is arrogant. All the nobles in the world follow his habits as an example. Jing Xing said something that Duke Huan didn't like to hear, saying that Duke Huan was defeated in Fangtou.
Even if Duke Huan regained the land in the Central Plains, he would not get their real recognition. In the eyes of these people, Duke Huan could never be compared with Xie Anshi, Wang Maohong and others. In fact, Jingxing was very clear about Duke Huan's thoughts. He just wanted to win over the Wang Xie family.
Support, everything will fall into place. But in Jingxing's view, it is just wishful thinking. Duke Huan will never get what you want, and they will never support Duke Huan."
Huan Wen stared at Xi Chao with lightning eyes and said, "Jing Xing, you're afraid you've lost your mind."
Xi Chao cupped his hands and said: "Gong Huan, Jing Xing is loyal to Duke Huan. In fact, these are what Jing Xing has always wanted to say to Duke Huan. You might as well say it openly and honestly today. If Duke Huan thinks Jing Xing is lying, I won't say anything.
I won’t say a word about it again in the future.”
Huan Wen frowned and pondered, and said slowly for a long time: "Then, according to Jingxing, isn't my effort wasted in vain?"
Xi Chao said in a deep voice: "Gong Huan, when a saint is born, he establishes virtue and establishes power. But it is impossible to inspire the world with virtue alone. If the people in the world are stubborn and unyielding, then we should establish threats to frighten them. Only by paying equal attention to power and virtue can we control the stubborn people."
People change. Jing Xing had two concubines, and Jing Xing loved them. The two of them were arrogant and ignored Jing Xing's words. Until a maid next to Jing Xing was disrespectful to Jing Xing and was beheaded by me after being drunk.
From then on, the second concubine treated me like a distinguished guest, and she no longer dared to make any noise or be arrogant. Although the two things were very different, Jing Xing believed that the principles were the same. There is no contradiction between showing kindness and establishing authority. Duke Huan
If they do not show great strength and majesty, they will not be afraid of Duke Huan, and they will think that Duke Huan will only reason with them. But if you only reason with them, it will not make sense."
Huan Wen stretched out his hand and tapped lightly on the wooden box containing Yuan Zhen's head, and said slowly: "I can't lead my troops to rob it, otherwise the world will be in chaos. I don't want to go to that step, it may lead to uncontrollable consequences.
.I can’t do that unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Xi Chao smiled and said: "Jing Xing knows what Duke Huan is thinking. Jing Xing's intention is not to ask Duke Huan to rob them, but to make them understand that they should take the initiative to deliver what Duke Huan wants."
Huan Wen said: "Don't beat around the bush with me. It's your opinion. What should I do?"
Xi Chao put away his smile and said slowly: "Jing Xing suggested that Duke Huan follow the example of Yi Yin Huoguang's actions to shock the world and establish prestige among the wealthy families. Let them understand that it is not that Duke Huan cannot do something, but that he is unwilling to do it."
Huan Wen looked shocked, the muscles on his face were trembling, and he didn't speak for a long time.