Gongsun Zan's things were done casually and deliberately.
First of all, in the eyes of everyone...including Gongsun Xun, this handsome guy with a loud voice will become famous sooner or later, because his personal conditions and interpersonal relationships have been in place for a long time, so he is really not short of such a little drama. But on the other hand, Gongsun Xun also
I hope to use this method to speed up the separation between my clan brother and Xia Yu, so as to prevent some embarrassing scenes in the future.
However, after spending two million dollars to bribe a Wuhuantou man, and then redeeming Gongsun Zan, taking back the money, murdering people and taking away more than two hundred war horses, Gongsun Xun had no time to see his clan with his own eyes.
My brother and Xia Yu drove into Luo together with Xia Yu... because the imperial envoys were not assigned, but dozens of them were released in one breath!
If you think about it, you can understand that such a huge defeat shocked the entire northern Xinjiang. How could the central government still delay?
In fact, not to mention supervising Xia Yu, Zang Min drove into Luo; not to mention condolences to the Shanyu of the Southern Xiongnu who did not know whether he was alive or dead, and the Wuhuan people who were dead and injured; it was to ask for two thousand stones from the border counties and the governors of the two states.
There may be more than a few dozen envoys to strengthen border defense...
As for Gongsun Xun, as a Sima from another department with the imperial title, although he performed extremely well and could even be said to have achieved the only result of the Northern Expedition, this was not the time to discuss merits and demerits... The Central Committee dispatched envoys
, the Taiwei Mansion and the Shang Shutai jointly issued a seal, asking him to immediately lead his troops back to Pingcheng, and then take control of the original Pingcheng camp as a direct subordinate of the imperial court, and assist Yanmen Prefect Guo Jian to maintain the Yanmen County border defense, which is currently the most empty.
Of course, there was nothing to say about this. After Gongsun Xun received the order, he left Lu Fan to look after the wounded soldiers, regardless of the fact that his left arm was still injured. Then he personally led his troops across the state and county, and galloped back to Pingcheng.
In other words, although it hasn't been too long since I left here, for some reason, almost everyone from Gongsun Xun on down felt like they were in another world after they rushed back to Pingcheng.
The sun was shining brightly in summer, with bright colors everywhere as far as the eye could see. However, since the army passed through Bailang Mountain, they saw not a few people along the way.
It's not that there are no villages scattered in the plains north of Pingcheng, but most people go to Likong. I don't know if they left long ago by themselves, or if they hid directly when they saw the army coming, or if they became bandits first,
Refugees, the home of soldiers and gangsters, then hid when they saw the army coming.
When we arrived outside Pingcheng City, there were people there, and they were quite enthusiastic after recognizing the army's flag, but it still made people frown... because there were too few people. There was also the vast military camp in the north of the city.
, this camp, which was built under the personal supervision of Gongsun Xun and will now be officially accepted, is now even more speechless. Calling it dilapidated would be an overstatement!
All in all, everything is in a mess as far as the eye can see.
Since Lu Fan was away, Gongsun Xun had to deal with various chores by himself.
"Are there any family members of the Jiuyuan immigrants who are wandering outside? We will allow sergeants from Jiuyuan immigrants to visit the city, but the officers must come back as soon as possible."
"The governor of Yanmen, Mr. Guo, is waiting for me in Pingcheng. Let me organize my subordinates and go visit him in the evening."
"Don't try to clean up the entire camp at the beginning. Let's clean out one camp first, stay there for the time being, and then send people around to check if there are any more... You mean, there are still weapons, food and grass in the camp?"
"Yes!" The military officer left behind by Zang Min lowered his head and replied. "Please Sima come with me."
Gongsun Xun quickly led a group of officers and rushed over with this man.
"Sima, please take a look." The military officer took out the key and opened the lock hanging on a warehouse, and then pushed open the door of the warehouse.
Sure enough, what he saw before his eyes were bundles of fodder and mounds of corn, with hay on the left and grain on the right, arranged neatly, which shocked everyone.
"There are two more warehouses like this." The military official lowered his head and said. "In addition, there is a warehouse of armor and a warehouse of ordnance... The former was collected from the counties in Hanoi, Hedong, and Hebei.
The latter was sent directly from the Nanyang iron warehouse. Zang Gong asked me to wait here for Sima just for these five warehouses!"
At this point, the military officer paused for a moment before continuing: "To be honest with Sima, when the defeated army returned, the other warehouses had been cleared by the Huns and scattered civilians. Only these five warehouses were
The county officials of Yanmen County lead the county soldiers to take care of it, so it can be preserved..."
All the officers around him were overjoyed, but Gongsun Xun looked as usual and didn't take it seriously: "It's a pity, Mr. Zang. In this case, I will naturally handle it carefully... You are also a local county official in Yanmen and were called into the camp.
of?"
"yes!"
"Then go back to the underworld!" Gongsun Xun waved his hand casually. "I saw Governor Guo in the evening, which will naturally prove your contribution."
"...Here!"
After exiting the warehouse, Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly, not knowing what he was thinking. Moreover, he did not let anyone open the warehouse to use the things here. Instead, he locked it again and continued to urge the sergeants in the camp to clean up as if he had not seen these warehouses.
Camp.
Of course, this kind of thing cannot be hidden. After a while, everyone in the camp knew that there was a large amount of ordnance and food stored in it, and they all worked much more diligently.
"Is your family okay? Are all the folks in Jiuyuan still safe?" In the afternoon, in the middle of the camp, which was already a little angry, Gongsun Xun was sitting on the steps of the high platform in the camp holding a riding whip and talking to Cheng Lian.
The latter had just returned from a visit to Pingcheng with Wei Yue and others.
"There is only one wife in the family, so there is nothing to worry about." Cheng Lian quickly bowed and replied. "As for the folks in Jiuyuan, many people did escape because they were worried about the Huns crossing the border, but most of the others were safe. Thank you very much.
Sima sent them into the city when he left..."
"Not to mention the wounded who stayed in Juyang City," Gongsun Xun glanced at the busy sergeants in the camp before continuing to ask. "For those who died in the battle this time, those who are missing, and in short, there are so many who have not returned, have you ever
Have you heard anyone scolding me as a recruiter?"
Cheng Lian, Wei Yue, and several other officers who were immigrants from Jiuyuan couldn't help but look at each other.
"Sure enough, there is still resentment." Gongsun Xun couldn't help but smile bitterly. "I should have thought of it earlier."
"Sima Rongzhen." Cheng Lian cupped his hands again. "I can't say that I'm completely free of resentment, but..."
"Um?"
"But most of the villagers still think that Sima is more reliable." Cheng Lian couldn't help but feel a little sad when he said this. "There is no need to worry about food and clothing, and there is no shortage of rewards. One person can support an entire family by joining the army. So, this
The first time I went to visit the city, many people asked me, since the army has been damaged, can we send the children over again? As for them being resentful, in fact, they heard that Sima had already used Ningcheng’s elite to replenish them.
, there is no shortage of soldiers, so some ignorant people complained..."
"Is people's livelihood difficult enough?" Gongsun Xun couldn't help but sigh slightly. "I already know the situation, you can go down."
Cheng Lian was obedient, but Wei Yue was a little eager to try and didn't want to leave.
"Do you want to talk?" Gongsun Xun certainly noticed this guy's movements.
"Yes, Sima!" Wei Yue quickly stepped forward and saluted. "With all due respect, although our army is already full, there is no harm in raising more soldiers and horses!"
Gongsun Xun looked at the other party with great interest: "What does this mean? You see that your fellow villagers are in trouble, so you want to intercede on their behalf?"
"It does mean that." Wei Yue became even more proud when he saw this. "But it's not just talking nonsense... raising an army is nothing more than money, silk, ordnance, and food and grass!"
"Then tell me, where did this money, silk, weapons, and food and grass come from?" Gongsun Xun continued to stare at the other party jokingly and asked.
"As for money and silk, I think Sima's family will have plenty of them."
"Oh," Gongsun Xun said with a look of astonishment on his face. "You asked me to use my private money to pay for the army, but what about the weapons and food?"
"The ordnance and grain and grass are right in front of you?" Wei Yue pointed in the direction of the warehouse. "The news spread throughout the city when we were still in the city. There are still several warehouses of grain and grass in the camp, and the ordnance has not been touched at all..."
"After all, it's not a long-term solution, right?" Gongsun Xun endured the pain and handed the riding whip from his left hand to his right hand behind his back. "What should I do if I sit back and get nothing?"
"Then go to Yanmen County and ask for it!" Wei Yue replied without hesitation. "They have promised us to bear the food and grass for Yi Cong and accompanying slaves before. Why don't we add some more? We can also supplement the ordnance from Yan Men."
Ask the iron officials of Men County for military pay... If Sima is not willing to part with so much money, you can also ask them for it!"
Gongsun Xun nodded repeatedly: "I understand what you mean...I will pay for the army, the weapons will be taken from the camp, and the military rations will be collected from the local area, so that we can raise hundreds more soldiers and horses...is this what you mean?"
"Yes!" Wei Yue agreed particularly readily.
Cheng Lian next to him was already turning blue, but he didn't dare to say a word.
Gongsun Xun didn't pay attention to this bully anymore, but took out the riding crop from behind and threw it into Cheng Lian's face: "Take him down and give him twenty lashes in person. You are his superior, you must let him know what he should say."
Yes, it’s not his place to say anything. Then help me ask clearly, whose bribe did he accept this time?"
After hearing the last sentence, Wei Yue's expression suddenly changed, while Cheng Lian was a little dumbfounded when he saw the sudden change in his face... Of course, no matter what, the latter still held the riding whip with several officers.
The former was quickly dragged down.
Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly.
But at this moment, someone suddenly came to report. It turned out that for some reason, the Yanmen prefect Guo Jian seemed to be unable to wait any longer. He only brought a few officials to visit in a light car, and he had already arrived in front of the camp gate in a short time.
Gongsun Xun took a long breath and immediately stood up to greet him.
"Wen Qi." Guo Mian, dressed in casual clothes and with only a few county officials, handed over at the gate of the camp.
"Mr. Guo." Gongsun Xun did not raise his hand to salute...it was not that he didn't want to, but he really couldn't. "I have an injury on my shoulder, so it's hard to be polite. I hope you can forgive me."
"I know, I know." Guo Yan didn't take it seriously at all, but directly stepped forward and took the other person's right hand that seemed to be harmless. "I heard that it's Wenqi who is coming back, and everyone in the county is showing off...
You don’t know, during these days, we in Yanmen were in shock three times a day, and we were worried if there was any disturbance outside the Great Wall. But when it came to the arrival of some reinforcements, we didn’t know whether to be happy or worried, until
When the county government received the official document and saw your name Wenqi, it was a relief."
With such an action and a few words, I have to say that Governor Guo, who had two thousand stones, gave Gongsun Xun, who had two thousand stones, enough face, and even went too far... Although everyone knew that Gongsun
Xun is the only bright spot in this battle. He will be of great use when the situation stabilizes. Everyone knows that Yanmen needs this person to stabilize the situation, but no matter what, it is still a bit too much.
Moreover, Gongsun Xun's reaction was a little too cold.
"Guo Gong praised me." Gongsun Xun heard the words and said with a smile. "However, maybe he is not praising me, but expressing resentment... Are those Huns soldiers really that bad?"
Guo Yao was slightly startled, but finally told the truth: "I can't say what happened to the Huns... After all, they have been in Xihe for more than a hundred years, and most of the people in the clan have spoken Chinese. Our Taiyuan Guo family also has
He had many contacts with the Xiongnu clans, and Zang Gong tried his best to restrain them before this attack. However, let alone the behavior of the defeated troops after the war, we only talked about the more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, and tens of thousands of civilians, but did not talk about military discipline.
, just the entry and exit from our Yanmen has already made our entire county miserable. Does Wen Qi know how many people there are in our Yanmen?"
"I have read the documents in the county government." Gongsun Xun couldn't help but sigh after hearing this. "It's only 120,000 people. A population of 120,000 people supports more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, and there are tens of thousands of civilians. It's really hard work!"
"Then do you know how many people there were in Yanmen County thirty or forty years ago, before Xianbei gained power?" Guo Mianfu asked again.
"..."
"Two hundred and forty thousand!" Guo Yao became more and more helpless, and several county officials behind him also shook their heads. "In more than thirty years, the population has been reduced by half! This is the result of the Xianbei people's constant harassment, but it is also the frequent use of troops by the imperial court.
A result that the people of the county cannot support!"
Gongsun Xun remained silent, but suddenly used force to drag him towards the camp gate...but he didn't go too far, because the stripped Wei Yue was kneeling on the ground in front of the high platform in the center of the camp, being whipped.
When Cheng Lian saw Gongsun Xun coming over, he immediately pumped harder and harder, and Wei Yue also yelled more and more fiercely.
"Wen Qi..." Guo Yan glanced here unnaturally, then took Gongsun Xun's right arm to prevent him from moving forward.
"Guo Gong disregarded his status to petition and was treated with such courtesy. He thought he had something to tell me. In that case, he might as well be direct." Gongsun Xun said helplessly.
"Wen Qi has a clear mind, so I will not hide it." Guo Yan finally said seriously. "In this battle, almost all the troops in Yanmen were wiped out. Zang Gong drove into Luo, and the Xiongnu Chanyu's life and death were unknown. He is still there.
He was recuperating in the underworld, not daring to move lightly, and the tens of thousands of civilians who originally gathered here dispersed all at once, either fleeing back to their hometowns, or falling into the surrounding mountains with the stragglers and becoming refugees, thieves... I'll tell you the truth.
Said that the entire northern half of Yanmen County is now in ruins! Then..."
"Mr. Guo, please speak frankly!" Gongsun Xun urged again. "What on earth do you want from me?"
"There are two big things!" Guo Yan said with a wry smile. "Please help Wen Qi."
"Tell me."
"For one thing, if the border defense eases, would you please send your elite troops to go with the county soldiers to eliminate bandits around here?"
"Of course it's okay." Gongsun Xun frowned slightly. "It's better to let these people become apprentices than to let them become bandits. What else is there?"
Guo Yan was quite embarrassed for a moment. Given his level, he had already vaguely felt that this trip was going to hit a snag, but now he could only bite the bullet and explain: "Wen Qi should also understand that these refugees are
, the civilian husbands of thieves usually have to join the government as prisoners or be sold out... This is legal and is not the same as the previous eunuch who sold immigrants!"
"I know, I know...then, aren't there two big things?"
"Then, after this incident, Yanmen's production collapsed, and the autumn harvest was just around the corner, but the young crops were trampled... If no relief was provided, many people would probably become refugees after the autumn, but the treasury was empty..."
Gongsun Xun immediately looked astonished: "Could it be that Mr. Guo is interested in the remaining food and grass in my camp, but the food in this camp is military ration, and you have no right to use it, so he wants me to open a warehouse for relief.
?”
"You don't need to distribute too much." Guo Mian changed his plan temporarily. "As long as the situation can be stabilized before the autumn harvest, I will send a letter to Taiyuan, Zhongshan and other counties to borrow grain after the autumn harvest."
Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly: "Guo Gong's words are wrong. I have been traveling all the way. I have seen along the way that the people are displaced and the soldiers are miserable. And if I, Gongsun Xun, don't have capital, that's fine. But since I have so much food in my hands, what can I do?
Are you going to sit back and watch the people ignore you? There are three warehouses of grain and grass in the camp. I want to keep one warehouse for my own use. You can send people to move all the food in the remaining two warehouses!"
The whole camp was silent for a moment, and even Wei Yue, who had just been beaten, couldn't help but look back secretly.
"This is really, this is really..." Guo Yan didn't know what to say for a moment, but he suddenly withdrew his hand and bowed openly to Gongsun Xun. "Guo thanked Wen Qi from top to bottom for Yanmen."
Gongsun Xun accepted the other party's bow calmly.
"I'll send people to move the food right now." Guo Mian stood up and turned around immediately.
"Mr. Guo, stay here." At this moment, Gongsun Xun suddenly stopped him with a smile. "Give me an order to move the grain and let others move it... I haven't finished talking to you yet!"
When Guo Mian heard this, he motioned to the county officials to call for people to bring the food, but at the same time he quickly turned around and said, "If Wen Qi has anything to say, just say it!"
"Mr. Guo!" Gongsun Xun asked with a smile. "Actually, I don't agree with what you just said..."
"May I ask what those words are?"
"It's about the population of Yanmen." Gongsun Xun continued to laugh. "You said that Yanmen had a population of 240,000 thirty years ago, but now it has a population of 120,000..."
"Exactly!"
"Is there really only a population of 120,000 in Yanmen now?"
Guo Mian was horrified: "What does Wen Qi mean? It is written clearly in the document? The court also recognized it!"
"Why did Mr. Guo bully me?" Gongsun Xun immediately shook his head and said with a smile. "Although the customs in the southeast and northwest of our Han Dynasty are different, as far as I know, the so-called population loss is the same thing. Half of it is natural disasters and man-made disasters, and the other half
But they were hidden by the local powerful. The surrounding areas of Yanmen are mountainous, so a lot of people should be in Wubao in some mountain nests, right?"
Guo Yan immediately sighed: "Wen Qi, what does this have to do with what we are talking about today?"
"It's irrelevant." Gongsun Xun said with a sigh. "I just heard that these Wubao obviously hide a large number of people, but they don't pay taxes or serve at all. The court's so-called labor force and mobilization of troops will not affect them at all. I think there will be a lot of food storage!
"
Guo Yao's face couldn't help but jump: "What exactly does Wen Qi want to do?"
"Without him, I just don't want to suffer losses." Gongsun Xun sneered. "I believe that the county government's treasury is empty, I believe that the people are displaced, and the crops are lost, so I have to risk my conscience.
At the risk of being questioned by the central government, I handed over military rations for relief, but... as much food as I give, I also ask Governor Guo to let these local powerful people in Yanmen give out as much food! Otherwise, my heart will probably not be at peace! And my heart cannot be at peace.
You must have something to say or something to do! Mr. Guo, do you think this Wubao in Yanmen is as strong as the Xianbei Royal Court?"
Guo Yao was speechless but could not speak.
"Mr. Guo, once a man has made a promise, it is hard to follow him. I have pointed out the two warehouses of grain to you, and I will definitely not take them back! And Mr. Guo, please be sure to act like a famous family in the state, so as to suppress these powerful people! You and I
The two of them join forces, you don't care about fame, I don't care about strength, who in Yanmen can make waves? Besides, before Zang Gong left, he didn't directly give you the food, but left it to me, didn't he just hope that I can be with you?
Are we in the same boat?"
Guo Mian was at a loss, but he did not dare to say anything after all... On the one hand, although it was Gongsun Xun who exposed his and Zang Min's cleverness, on the other hand, the words "Is the Xianbei royal court strong?"
It really shook him up, and he didn't dare to refute... But if he tried to touch those powerful people, wouldn't he be known as a cruel official?
"Is the beating finished?" Gongsun Xun suddenly ignored Governor Guo and turned to question Cheng Lian.
"Reporting to Sima, the twenty lashes have been finished!" Cheng Lian bent down and handed back the riding whip obediently.
"Wei Yue, let me ask you," Gongsun Xun took the riding whip and walked around to the shirtless man. "Whose bribe did you accept to suggest that I expand my army?"
"Report to Sima!" Wei Yue quickly kowtowed and explained. "No one asked me to encourage Sima to expand the army, but people from Jiuyuan Township wanted to join the army, so they asked me for some money. I was good at saving face and took their money.
, so you did such a stupid thing..."
"You have always been greedy for money and have an out-of-touch personality. I have always turned a blind eye. Do you know why I want to beat you today?"
"I shouldn't be clever and think I can manipulate Sima in my hands!" Wei Yue kowtowed again. "Actually, if I tell the truth, maybe Sima will still feel pity and allow me to recruit a few more villagers..."
"It's true that I have made progress!" Gongsun Xun couldn't help but laugh. "Well, you are so sincere and I have a good job with you... As early as in Juyang, my mother wrote a letter saying that she would come to see me in person, and she also wanted to
Bring my engaged wife over here to get married. You go get someone to escort you and serve her well... My mother wants to be generous, and maybe she will reward you with two million yuan if she is happy!"
Wei Yue was about to burst into tears: "Except for what Sima has given me, I absolutely dare not accept any more money. I just ask Sima not to drive me out of the camp!"
"Mr. Guo!" Gongsun Xun suddenly raised his head and smiled at Guo Yao. "Did you hear that? I will get married here soon, which will be a major event in my life... I also ask Gong Gong to come and support me!"
"Definitely, definitely!" Guo Mian, who had already walked a few steps outside, quickly turned back.
"My mother is coming too. If Mr. Guo is interested, he can go to the hall with me to worship my mother first."
"Absolutely." Guo Yan just wanted to leave here quickly, but he couldn't hear clearly what the other party was saying.
"A man's words are hard to follow!" Gongsun Xun suddenly reminded him seriously. "The people of Yanmen are still looking forward to it!"
"Once a word is spoken, it is difficult to follow it!" Guo Mian was forced to have no choice but to turn around slightly bitterly and formally bowed to answer.
——————I am the poor dividing line——————
"In the past, Guo Jian was the prefect of Yanmen. When Zang Min went out to the fortress and lost his troops, the defeated troops committed banditry and chaos, destroyed the young crops and plundered the soldiers and people. Yanmen was in great trouble for a while, especially because there was no hope for the autumn harvest, and there was a fear of famine. I heard that Gongsun Xun
Returning to Tunping City, there was food in the camp that had not been lost, so I wanted to get it. The people on the left and right advised me: "The northern border is ruined, everyone is in danger, and the powerful are all collecting food to protect themselves. Even if there is food in the army, they should not do it!"
After hearing this, he went to the camp in a light carriage and asked for supplies. When he saw them, the two of them could not talk to each other for more than a few words. Xun knew that he wanted to help the people. At that time, there were three warehouses of grain in the camp, each with three thousand stones, and he pointed two at the camp gate.
Cang and it. From then on, Xun knew that Xun was strange. At that time, Xun was thirty, and four of them were worth two thousand stones.
Witness the marriage, settle the overseas Chinese, and divide the letters." - "The Heroes of the Late Han Dynasty". Wang Can
