The Sui Dynasty dispatched more than one million troops to attack Liaodong in the summer. After returning to Zhuojun, most of the troops were disbanded on the spot. Only the internal soldiers and a few teams that went to quell the rebellion remained intact.
The establishment was disbanded, and the soldiers could go home and clear the fields while waiting for new summons. The generals, however, had nothing to do and had to waste time following the emperor's carriage. Therefore, the third-rank and above soldiers who are returning to the court with the emperor are now
There are more than twenty military positions, fourth rank, and various types of generals from fourth to fifth rank, and there are even more numerous men and generals. Among them, those with prominent family backgrounds, or those who are over sixty years old, naturally do not care about receiving a salary to travel leisurely.
They were just dawdling around. But those young generals who were in their early thirties and had some thoughts of making achievements had to sharpen their heads to find the real ones.
There are too many monks and too few people, so the vacant positions are naturally ridiculously expensive. Asahi is now a fourth-grade Wu Yalang general, and his position is neither high nor low. If he is asked to go out to lead an army alone, his qualifications will appear to be too weak. He will be a subordinate to other generals.
, then his military achievements are too outstanding. Therefore, he can only wait slowly and cultivate his moral character during the long waiting process.
This year is a leap year, with two Septembers. In late September of the first, the power of the East Pirate pirate Peng Xiaocai expanded rapidly, threatening the security of the prefecture and county. After receiving the report, the court believed that the thieves were not powerful and there was no need to mobilize troops.
So the son of the general who was here to protect the children was sent to lead the army to conquer.
When the second September came, the Yuhang bandit Liu Yuanjin took over Piling, Dongyang, Kuaiji, and Jian'an, and his strength expanded to the entire southeastern coastal area. With the support of his subordinates Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others, Liu Yuanjin established himself as
The emperor's court was furious and felt that it was necessary to send heavy troops to annihilate it, so it sent General Tu Wanxu of Zuotunwei and Dr. Guanglu to lead the army in Yujuluo.
Following His Majesty the Emperor's car, Xuzi walked from Boling County to Hengshan County, and then from Hengshan County to Zhao County. Seeing that the ninth month was almost over, he still had not made up for any real gaps.
Xuzi finally felt the taste of raw meat under his belly. He was depressed and frustrated, but there was nothing he could do. He had already used the money he needed to spend. The recipients always greeted him with a smile and praised his outstanding military exploits with a smile, and then
Send him out with a smile and ask him to wait patiently.
The days of waiting, I don’t know when will it end.
Poor Xuzi finally understood why Yu Wenshu was so anxious to take Xiongwu Camp from his hands. It was the only team that was not big or small and suitable for a young general to be the head coach. With such a team in his hands,
It is equivalent to riding a horse that gallops on the road to promotion and promotion. Not only can you make personal achievements, but you can also establish your own faction in the army. Without it, your loyal and brave uncle's official position will be promoted again.
, is also a tree without roots and a fish without water. And Yuwen Shiji's possession of the Xiongwu Camp is equivalent to giving the Yuwen family a vibrant branch in the military.
As Asahi grew up slowly, he became more and more aware of the mysteries of officialdom, and became more and more helpless. While waiting for his vacancy to be filled, he met many unemployed generals, but rarely made friends. He tried his best to be gregarious and stand out from others.
The generals drank together and got drunk, trying to forget the troubles at hand. After midnight, their minds were unusually clear.
Poor Xuzi only learned the superficial knowledge of officialdom, but did not understand the essence of officialdom. At present, Lord Pei Ji, who is in charge of the Ministry of War, is on a tour of the northwest, and several other adults in the Ministry of War either dare not offend Yu Wenshu, or they don't mean what they say. In this case,
Of course, no matter how many gifts he gave, he would not get any results.
"General Li, why don't you just wait a little longer. Lord Pei Ji is coming back soon. With a strong general like you, your Lordship will naturally make reasonable arrangements. The court already has candidates for the expedition against Lu Mingxing. The coach and deputy general.
, everything is done, the lower official really can't help!" Yu Qingzhi, the administrator of the Ministry of War, explained in a low voice while sending Xuzi out to the yard. The private house temporarily recruited as the Yamen of the Ministry of War was too narrow, so he took three steps and two steps to the door.
"How can I be a grain security officer? You are a military general, and good steel must be used on the blade! You walk slowly, and the subordinate will be sent to you soon!" (Note 4)
The door creaked, once again pushing Xu Zi's hope into the howling cold wind. He shook his head helplessly and walked slowly towards his horse. He had already arrived at Wei County, and more than two hundred miles away was Liyang. Three
Many months ago, he and Hei Feng were galloping across that land in high spirits. But now, as his master is idle, Hei Feng has also lost weight.
He reached out his hand and gently wiped off the frost on the horse's head. Black Wind also felt the helplessness of his master, lowered his head and gently licked the back of his hand. In the long winter, this was the only warmth. Xu
Zi smiled, patted the horse's neck hard, and cheered up his old friend. Black Wind shook his head, his brown hair flying, and then let out a long neigh, lonely and desolate.
"What a pit bull, I'm afraid it's not what he wanted to live in a stable!" A unique greeting came from the cold wind.
Li Xu turned around when he heard the sound and saw a face full of smiles. He had seen this face before when he was in Liaodong, when he had just been appointed as a school captain by His Majesty the Emperor. That day, this man was standing in the middle of the ranks of civil servants, smiling.
It was just like today, laziness and a bit desolate.
"I've seen Master Dugu!" Li Xu stepped forward and saluted with clasped fists. He remembered the name of Dugu Xue, the minister of punishment, very clearly. In the Sui Dynasty, the thief Xu Dayan was wanted in various border counties, and Li Fuli's absurd proclamation came from this.
Written by human beings.
"General Li, you're welcome. It's so cold. It's so troublesome to come and go!" Dugu Xue led his mount, stretched out his hand from inside his fur, and gave him a bow. "General Li, don't you mind the cold? It's freezing and snowy. I'm not here."
You are warming yourself by the fire in the house, and you rush here eagerly to be rejected?"
Li Xu knew that the scene of him being rejected just now had fallen into the eyes of Master Dugu and his entourage. He smiled bitterly and did not answer. Cui Qian had told him that wealthy families would not help those who had nothing to do with their own interests.
Unless you are of use to them. Telling them about your sufferings will not serve any purpose other than to add something for them to talk about at night.
"Why are you so anxious to fill the gap?" Duguxue seemed not to feel the resistance hidden behind Xuzi's smile. He pointed at the closed door with his riding crop and added in a low voice. "These people are all
No matter how the puppets move, others have to fiddle with them. Begging them is of no use at all!"
"This is the only way the general knows!" Li Xu pulled up the reins and flew on the horse. This is not a truth, there are many other ways. Since he was idle, several people have vaguely hinted in front of the banquet that a certain family member is born.
The daughter of a certain person is still waiting to be married; a certain old man is over fifty, but his knees are weak, and he is looking forward to having an adopted son to inherit the family business; a certain person has countless disciples, but no one has become a talented person, and the mantle is waiting to be passed on... and so on, every one of them
The road is more convenient than bribing the officials of the Ministry of War and waiting for arrangements, but the cost of each road is greater than giving away jewelry.
"Building meritorious services, well, fame, wealth, and honor are all sought after, but where does it end?" Duguxue deliberately slowed down and waited for Li Xu's horse to catch up from behind.
"The general just wants to contribute to the country." Li Xu thought for a while and answered very cautiously. He couldn't guess what Dugu Xue's purpose was in chatting with him today, but the other party was indeed kind to him. If he didn't exchange pleasantries, it would be better.
It's really disrespectful to walk away as soon as you finish the sentence.
"You have really grown up, and you actually learned to talk like this!" Duguxue, the Minister of Punishment, shook his head and sighed. He didn't know whether he meant to express it as a compliment or as a sarcasm. He seemed to have a lot of free time today, and deliberately talked to Li Xu, a man who was not in power.
Wu Yalang will be entangled.
Li Xu answered with a smile again. He was not good at words in the first place, and he was more cautious when he spoke. Seeing that he was not interested in talking, Duguxue also smiled and closed his mouth. The two of them and the entourage split into two waves.
, slowly passing through the blue-gray streets exuding light white smoke. The huge team returning with the emperor's personal expedition created many problems for this small town called Anyang. The slightly neater-looking houses on both sides of the main street were forcibly requisitioned.
Therefore, there are almost no pedestrians on the main street of the city, and there is no smoke on both sides of the street. The wind carries the broken snow and makes a whining sound under the eaves, which makes people wonder whether they have entered a ghost.
"If this continues, there will only be more and more bandits everywhere. I'm afraid that all the generals sent out by the imperial court will not be enough. By then, are you afraid that the war will be fought without you?" After walking for a while, Duguxue pointed to the distance with his riding whip.
The towering city wall, Xing Ran said.
This is a treasonous statement, but it states a fact. In the autumn, due to the shortage of young people, the people did not harvest enough food. However, in order to continue the conquest of Goryeo next year, the imperial court refused to reduce or reduce taxes in various places. This winter, surprisingly
Cold, starting from Shanggu County, the wind and snow almost followed the footsteps of the emperor and went south at the same time. The people were cold and hungry. Between freezing to death and becoming a bandit, most of them would definitely choose the latter. In order to suppress it, the court
The bandits and soldiers provided supplies and became increasingly afraid to use the food stored in the warehouse. If this cycle continues, the result will be as Master Dugu said, and Xuzi does not have to worry about running out of battles to fight.
Li Xu smiled and continued to remain silent. He did not dare to challenge him. The other party's surname was Dugu, and he was a clansman of the late Empress Dowager. No matter how nonsense he said, His Majesty the Emperor would not pursue him for the sake of his own mother. But others could not,
Since they don't have the capital to speak loudly, keeping their mouths to themselves is the best way to survive.
"I didn't expect that a small setback could actually make General Li, who traveled thousands of miles across Liaodong, become so decadent!" Senior Dugu sighed and continued to chatter.
"The general is a military general and should not talk about political affairs lightly!" Li Xu replied lightly. He had already accompanied the other party a long way. From a courtesy point of view, he had done enough today. "If Lord Dugu has nothing else to do, I will
I will say goodbye and return to camp!"
"Don't worry, come and see the scenery outside the city with me!" Duguxue shook his head and said in a tone that was close to begging.
"It's better to be respectful than obey your orders!" Li Xu couldn't refuse, so he had to accompany this man to continue wandering aimlessly in the cold wind. Several mounts quickly passed through the city gate and walked onto the dirty official road. Outside the city wall
It is another world, with large and small shacks scattered in the distance with the official road as the main axis. In order to protect the safety of His Majesty the Emperor, refugees, beggars and low-status people were all driven here by the government, and they left without leaving.
Previously, no matter how strong the wind was in the wild, they were not allowed to enter the city to avoid the cold.
Dugu Xue's horse stopped in front of a shack. The owner of the shack heard the sound of horse hooves, opened the small door made of straw and branches, and poked half of his head out. When he saw clearly, there were two men in official attire in front of him.
When he saw the master and several officers who made him homeless, he screamed in fright, rushed out of the door of his "home", and fled into the distance.
This man's actions affected many "neighbors", and soon the shacks near where Li Xu and Dugu Xue were riding were deserted. The ragged people fled far away, as if they were walking slowly.
It was like a disaster was approaching. After reaching what they thought was a safe area, everyone turned around and squatted silently into a wall, shoulder to shoulder, rustling in the cold wind. They didn't know what the purpose of the two eldest men was. But no matter what
They have neither the strength nor the courage to resist whatever the other party does.
Many people's destiny was written from the day they were born. Maybe they struggled. But when they found that all their struggles were in vain, they learned to be patient.
Endure all pain until the day you can't bear it anymore.
"Did you see, this is also the Sui Dynasty!" Dugu Xuebao sighed. He was originally much older than Li Xu, but because of his good maintenance, he looked like he was only in his early thirties. But when he spoke, his interest was low and his tone was low.
There is an unspeakable sense of vicissitudes of life in it.
"I saw it. I was young and my family was very poor!" Li Xu nodded and replied. If you see this kind of scenery too much, people will become numb sooner or later. For Dugu Xue and others, maybe they can express their compassion for others.
Emotion. For him, that was what he had experienced, and it was a past he never wanted to repeat in this life.
"And that's also the Sui Dynasty!" Duguxue pointed to the blue-gray city wall behind him. In the autumn, in order to defend against bandits, the city wall of Anyang City had just been renovated. The bluestone affixed to the surface of the city wall was very new, making the whole city look more beautiful.
It looks like it has just been built.
The blue city wall was built on top of a dilapidated shack, and the contrast was so sharp. Even if the Paradise of Elysium and the Abi Hell were placed in the same place, the difference might not be so obvious.
"The general will know!" Li Xu laughed softly. He understood the concept that Lonely Learning wanted to express. Among the wealthy families he knew, this person was one of the few who still had a sense of responsibility.
There is Sui Dynasty both inside and outside the city wall, with prosperity on one side and poverty on the other. Maybe soon, a war will break out inside and outside the city. As a warrior, you must choose one side to protect.
"Actually, your personality is not suitable for staying in the imperial court!" Lonely Xue also smiled, pulled the reins of the horse, and led everyone back.
"My lord, I have seen it. The general has been thinking of ways to let him out!" Li Xu nodded, and the guard in his heart gradually relaxed. The other party was not recruiting him on behalf of a certain family. This was a far-sighted person, and he had already felt that
Destructive flames from underground.
Once a wildfire breaks out, one cannot tell whose surname is Yuwen and whose surname is Dugu, nor can one care about whose bloodline is noble and whose bloodline is low.
In the big furnace of heaven and earth, everyone is just a pile of charcoal.
"Your biggest supporter is the emperor, there is no need to talk nonsense to others!" Duguxue whipped the horse's butt hard and ran towards the city gate quickly.
"Your Majesty?" Li Xulu was stunned for a moment, then thought of the gold medal in his arms. He instantly understood all the implications of Dugu Xue, and at the same time, he felt confused again.
Does the emperor still remember me? Xuzi thought drowsily while riding on horseback.
The horse of an attendant slowed down and pulled down a pile of horse manure. Then, it accelerated again and followed everyone into Anyang City. Before the sound of horse hooves disappeared, several people rushed out of the shack in the distance.
The young beggar stepped on the horse dung with his bare red and swollen feet.
Fresh horse dung can cure frostbite. The little beggar who rushed to the target first felt the warmth in the dung mass, laughed, and his face was full of happiness. (To be continued)
