Chapter 24 Iron Cavalry Across a Hundred Miles (Part 2)
In fact, Gongsun Xun's idea was not very mysterious - he just drew inferences from one example and realized that it was impossible for Bu to only send people to gather the troops in Henan without sending people to gather in the troops in Hebei.
In other words, Gongsun Xun set his sights on the entire Dongjun battlefield, and was unwilling to only target the troops Liang Zhongning had gathered this time, so he had to march quickly, use cavalry to pursue and intercept the opponent, and force them to cross the river to the north to unite with more troops.
Troops, thus completing their achievements in one battle!
Even if more troops of the Yellow Turban Army are intercepted, Bu Ji may be able to be mobilized from Puyang Jian City!
The generals in the tent, Cao Cao and Lou Gui, realized it on their own, while the other generals quickly came to their senses after listening to Lou Zibo's explanation, and were immediately ordered to take action.
The subsequent situation also proved Gongsun Xun's judgment. Thousands of Han troops marched for hundreds of miles overnight and rushed to Dong'a. As expected, Liang Zhongning, who had just gathered several county Yellow Turbans and led more than 10,000 people, fell into a state of panic...
...He had no idea how many soldiers the Han army had arrived, or when he had an insight into his plan.
In the panic, the only deputy commander with some strategic vision among the Dongjun Yellow Turbans tried to go directly to Puyang at first, but was quickly intercepted by the Han army using their cavalry advantage, and headed towards the cities further east.
The same goes for going there. After lingering for two or three days, lacking food and clothing, he had no choice but to follow the Han army's expectations in panic and forcefully collect ships to cross the river directly from Cangting, the famous Yellow River ferry in the north of Dong'a, in an attempt to
Went to join forces with Zhang Bo in the north.
Interestingly, there was no harassment from the Han army during the river crossing.
Back to the morning two days ago, outside Dong'a City.
"Are you Cheng Zhongde?" Gongsun Xun, who was sitting on the floor, drinking soup and eating cakes, immediately stood up and greeted him with something in his hand.
"I am Wen Shengseng, the magistrate of Dong'e County." The leader, who was wearing jade and wearing incense, was seven feet tall and fair-skinned. He quickly saluted respectfully after hearing the words. "There is a lot of dew outside the city. General, he has worked hard all night, so he might as well go into the city to rest temporarily."
"I'm not talking to you." Gongsun Xun raised his hand and stuffed the soup cake into the opponent's arms. However, the Wenren County Magistrate was really caught off guard. He was splashed with hot soup when he was unsteady, and then attracted Cao Cao who was sitting on the ground.
He laughed so hard that his beard stuck into the soup bowl.
"Are you Cheng Zhongde?" Gongsun Xun saluted an extremely tall but thin 'old man' behind the Wenren County Magistrate. "Since Xun came to Dongjun, he has admired the name Zhongde Gong for a long time.
All the cities in Dongjun were destroyed, and only Dong'a County was saved. It all depends on Zhongde Gong's wisdom and courage!"
Although Cheng Li had a bad character, he was just a county official and had no reason to be embarrassed when he was treated so politely by General Zhijie, who had a higher status than anyone else.
I proclaimed myself in front of the general, and the general came to Dongjun to win many battles and recover quickly... How dare I mention my trivial achievements in front of the general?"
"Gong Zhongde is too modest." Gongsun Xun said with a chuckle. "I heard that 'In times of crisis, we will see the integrity of ministers, and in times of chaos, we will recognize loyalty.' People's talents cannot be seen in ordinary times. Only when they are in a critical situation can one see a person's integrity."
A person's ability...like Zhong Degong, who encountered a sudden chaos and almost saved a county with one person's power, this is the real ability. But like me, who commanded tens of thousands of elite soldiers and generals, swept away some counties with only a thousand people.
, no matter how fast you are, it’s just your duty!”
Cheng Ligang was about to reply, but unexpectedly Gongsun Xun took a step forward and took the other person's hand regardless of his own hand full of cake crumbs. Then he laughed in a low voice and said, "This is because I was young and vigorous that day when I killed the king in Luoyang."
Just now, Duan Xi was attacked by Cao Jie, and when he returned in defeat, he taught him a lesson in public in the Chancellor's Platform... I will still remember it."
Cheng Li couldn't help but change color slightly.
"How?" Gongsun Xun held the opponent's hand and continued to speak earnestly. "I want Duke Zhong De to go with the army. You can choose all the civil and military positions. When the matter in Dongjun is over, you will have a bright future!"
Everyone around him looked sideways.
However, when Cheng Li heard the words, he couldn't help but look up and down at the person in front of him, but he still shook his head: "The general loves me so much, but I am already forty-four and decrepit, how can I be driven around?"
"Jiang Taigong is eighty years old, Baili Xi is seventy years old, Gongsun Hong is sixty years old, and Zhu Maichen is fifty years old... Since ancient times, virtuous people came late to great achievements. Isn't Cheng Gong inferior to these people?" Gongsun Xun still refused to let go.
Cheng Li sighed: "How can I not know the meaning of the general's fist? I am just a small official, how can I dare to compete with these ancient sages?"
"I heard someone say," Gongsun Xun still refused to let go. "When Cheng Gong was young, he dreamed of holding the sun in his arms on Mount Tai. My name is Xun, and I have the sun in my name. You said
, could this be God’s will to make things happen for you and me?”
Cheng Li was stunned for a moment... This matter happened when he was a boy, and many people knew about it, but it was suddenly mentioned by Gongsun Xun at this time. I have to say, it really made Cheng Zhongde, who had always been obsessed with it, a little moved.
"Wen Qi knows how to bluff people!" At this moment, Cao Cao couldn't help but put down his soup bowl and sneered. "You have a day in your name, but my last name doesn't have a day in it? Dong Sima doesn't have a day in his name?
If people don’t want to leave their hometown, why are you so persistent in stalking them?”
Gongsun Xun couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and then finally let go of his hand.
When Cheng Li heard Cao Cao's words, he couldn't help but laugh. He raised his hands to Gongsun Xun and said sternly: "General, I have expressed your love for you, but I can't hide it. Nowadays, the world is in chaos, and I want to keep my children at home."
…It’s not just for the sake of fame and reputation that we don’t want to help.”
Gongsun Xun sighed, it was really hard to say anything... For someone as powerful as the Li family, no matter how powerful the other generation was, he would not have any scruples, but a scholar was still a famous scholar in the county, especially this one
At this age, I'm afraid it's really difficult to forcefully conquer the country.
Besides, I heard that Cheng Li had a very bad temper and was really anxious. If he did something wrong, he would regret it.
"That's alright!" Gongsun Xun sighed. "But the war in Dongjun still needs Duke Cheng's full help. Please don't be afraid of being subordinate and make more plans for me."
"It concerns the hometown, and it should be done as it should." Cheng Li took a few steps back and saluted respectfully. "I also ask the general to temporarily station in the small town for settlement."
"Thank you." Gongsun Xun wiped the cake crumbs from his mouth and accepted the other party's invitation unceremoniously.
Immediately, Cheng Li acted as a guide, and Gongsun Xun led the people around him into Dong'a City calmly. Both parties did not look at the Wenren County Magistrate who was holding a soup bowl next to him.
However, there was actually not much military planning in Dong'a City that day. This was mainly because most of Gongsun Xun's troops were still outside. They divided their forces to drive away and intercept Liang Yuan and the more than 10,000 yellow scarf troops under him. The situation
If you don't know, it's hard to discuss it.
In fact, it was rare for Gongsun Xun to have a good rest for half a day in Dong'a that day... He occupied the county official temple of Wenren County Magistrate, took a hot bath as soon as he entered the city, and fell asleep again.
In the afternoon, I became energetic again, and Lu Fan and I set up a chess board on the couch in the room and started playing Go.
But probably because he heard that Gongsun Xun had woken up, someone suddenly came to visit him at this time.
The person who came was naturally Lou Zibo.
"Until the military situation is clear, does Zibo already have a clever plan?" Gongsun Xun couldn't help but stop the chess game and look curiously at his confidant.
"It's not about military affairs." Seeing Lu Fan alone, Lou Gui bowed slightly, sat down casually, and then got straight to the point. "It's about this morning... Sir, in my opinion, what Cheng Zhongde said in the morning was all an excuse.
, this person is just assessing the situation, seeing that the world is about to be in chaos, but there is no day in the sky, and he doesn’t know who is the one he should support, so he is not willing to betray his wealth easily!"
Gongsun Xun burst out laughing: "In that case, what do you think I can do?"
Lou Gui spread his hands and said: "I just gained a little bit, so I came here to remind you. Whether or not you can do anything depends on your own wishes."
This was Lou Zibo's usual style, he was responsible for killing but not burying, and making plans but not doing anything, so the three of them laughed together, flipped up the chessboard, and started playing animal cards together.
However, just after playing two rounds of cards, he suddenly heard a report from the guard in front of the door, saying that it was Sima Dong Zhao who was accompanying the army and asked to see him.
Lu Fan and Lou Gui were each stunned, but Gongsun Xun seemed to have expected it, so he still didn't take it seriously and asked them to calm down.
"Are Gongren here to play cards?" Gongsun Xun asked jokingly as soon as the people came in. "Three or four people can play these animal cards. All they have to do is get on the couch."
Seeing this, Dong Zhao smiled bitterly, and could only bow his hands one by one, and then said bluntly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Zhao has finished bathing and resting. After thinking about it, he feels that there is something that should be said to Junhou. I will not play this card until after I have finished talking."
It’s okay.”
"Then just say it!" Gongsun Xun still disagreed.
Dong Zhao glanced at Lu Fan and Lou Gui, and after gritting his teeth, he simply said: "Junhou, Cheng Zhongde declined Junhou today. I'm afraid it's not just because he's getting older, but for another reason."
"Tell me about it." Gongsun Xun was more than curious, and Lu and Lou also looked at each other seriously.
"Report to Duke Ming." Dong Zhaosurong said to him. "I'm afraid Cheng Zhongde has some doubts because Duke Ming is from Yan."
"Region?" Gongsun Xun rarely let out a long sigh. "Don't you think a wise man like Cheng Zhongde also has this thought?"
"The world is like this, there is not only one Cheng Zhongde." Dong Zhao became more and more helpless. "The countrymen and the party, the county is the country, this is inevitable everywhere, even if you are in Hebei, don't you also benefit from this?
"
"Is this the only thing you can say?" Gongsun Xun thought for a moment and then asked in a deep voice.
"There is one more thing." Dong Zhaojian said. "After all, Cheng Zhongde is limited by his region and does not recognize Ming Gong's style. I am willing to help Ming Gong and talk to him again."
"Can Gongren talk to such a domineering person?" Gongsun Xun couldn't help laughing.
Dong Zhao was speechless.
"Since we can't talk, then don't talk about it, otherwise you will humiliate yourself by imitating me." Gongsun Xun waved his hand. "Come to the bed. The march is hard and it is rare to have a day of leisure. Don't think too much."
Dong Zhao let out a sigh of relief, then bowed his hands to Lu Fan and Lou Gui, and then took a seat on the couch.
The four of them had just sat down when the guard outside the door came to report again, saying that Cheng Li from the county was here to see them.
Several people suddenly looked around, and finally all looked at Gongsun Xun, who was sitting on the east side of the couch. The latter thought for a moment and ordered people to come in, but he still sat still.
At this time, the other three people also had the patience to sit where they were.
Cheng Li walked into the room and was shocked when he saw this scene. But he quickly came to his senses and stood at the door and calmly bowed his hands: "General!"
"Sit down, Mr. Cheng. I wonder if you have anything to teach me?" Gongsun Xun asked with a smile.
After hearing this, Cheng Li calmly sat down on the high stool in front of the couch, and then said seriously: "To be honest, general, I have been thinking about it, and I feel that there is something that should be told frankly to avoid mutual suspicion, so I suddenly came to visit."
.”
"tell me the story."
"Let's ask the general." Cheng Li twisted his beard and asked solemnly. "After the chaos broke out, the general went from Zhuojun to Hanoi, and then from Hanoi to Dongjun. Did he see people displaced and chaos abound along the way?
"
When Gongsun Xun heard this, he finally became serious. He lowered his legs and stood up. As a result of his move, Lu Fan, Lou Gui, and Dong Zhao also fell to the ground, either standing or standing.
Sit upright.
"I won't hide it from Duke Cheng." Gongsun Xun frowned and thought for a long time, but still shook his head. "Maybe it's because since the chaos started, I have been focusing on the military, so I really haven't seen any chaos.
incident... And on the way in Zhao State, although I talked to Dong Sima about some officials and people fleeing, most of them were people who surrendered to thieves, but it didn't seem to be the chaos that Cheng Gong pointed out... I dare to ask Cheng
Sir, why is this?"
"Because the time has not come yet." Cheng Li said with a straight face.
"The time has not come yet?" Lou Zibo was curious for a moment.
"That's right." Cheng Li couldn't help but sneer. "When the chaos just started, most of the Yellow Turban thieves were attacking cities and territories, mainly seizing the treasury, the city, and the rich manor of Haoyou. They rarely intruded on the countryside; while the officers and soldiers rushed out in a hurry, but the troops were defeated.
Armor is in place, treasury is sufficient, and thoughts are focused on the war; even at this time, because the officials in various places have fled, the people can avoid the usual tax calculations, and life is much easier! However... what happens after the autumn harvest? So what if the war is postponed?
Woolen cloth?"
Gongsun Xun put his hands behind his hands and raised his head, thoughtfully... He had not thought in this direction before, but now after a little experience, his mind became clearer - it is not a good thing not to see chaos at this time!
On the contrary, this shows that the chaos is too big, and the world of the Han Dynasty is too big, and it will take time to emerge.
If the war continues, local officials will flee more and more, and a large number of bandits will soon appear; this is not the most terrifying thing, the real terror lies in the autumn harvest... Gongsun Xun saw along the way that the war had severely damaged the young crops.
Moreover, many farmers in the areas not occupied by the Yellow Turban Army have also abandoned their homes and joined thieves, which means that there are many places abandoned... Then in the autumn harvest, there are still so many people, but so much less food, and an agricultural society will produce
How much turmoil is it?
It’s not that there won’t be chaos, it’s just that the time has not yet come.
"Of course it's cold and tiring, and bandits are everywhere." Lou Gui on the side couldn't help but interjected.
"This is why I don't want to leave home easily." Cheng Li didn't even look at Lou Gui, he stood up and proudly raised his hands to Gongsun Xun and said. "How could I not know the might of the general? But, chaos.
Since then, there are heroes like generals sweeping all directions for the imperial court, but the turmoil in the world may have only just begun... Therefore, although I, Cheng Li, have some moral integrity, I must also keep the preservation of my hometown in mind!
I also ask the general not to believe the words of some villains and think that I am just waiting for a price like them and have bad intentions!"
Gongsun Xun was silent for a moment, but he turned around and said with a smile: "Mr. Cheng is overly concerned. No one has spoken in this way."
"That's good!" Cheng Li said with a cup of his hand again. "It's all because of the general's generosity that I have taken the liberty to visit you and made such presumptuous remarks. Please take my leave."
"There will be a military meeting tomorrow," Gongsun Xun said with a smile and waved his hand. "I hope Mr. Cheng will still be generous with his talents."
"Of course." After saying this, Cheng Li went out on his own without even looking at the other three people.
The room was speechless for a moment, especially Lou Gui, who looked pale and pale. He must have seen Cheng Li's "bad character".
"I'm going back first!" Dong Zhaoqian sat for a while, seemed to feel that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, and took the initiative to leave.
Gongsun Xun didn't take it seriously and waved his hand to let him go.
As soon as Dong Gongren left, Lu Fan reached out and flicked away a wooden sign on the couch, laughing at himself: "Actually, I wanted to wait until Dong Gongren left before Yan Wenqi conquered Cheng Zhongde's eldest son Cheng Wu as a containment and coercion... Now
It seems that he is also a villain with bad intentions."
Lou Gui breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and couldn't help but twitching his beard and mocking: "It's hard for a villain to do it. Since I've already done it, why should Zi Heng do it again?!"
"That's all!" Gongsun Xun also raised his head and laughed at himself. "How could he come to surrender to the people served by three villains? You should concentrate on the war! It's up to you and me, like-minded people, to help him level the countryside.
.”
When Lu Fan and Lou Gui heard this, they each stood up and held their hands.
On the other hand, it is said that Dong Zhao left the county temple, grabbed someone and asked about it casually, but actually went to Cheng Li's home. As soon as the latter returned home, he heard that Dong Gongren had come to visit, and he was inevitably shocked on the spot.
"Dong Sima, what do you want me to ask you?" After a little adjustment, Cheng Li finally went out to respond, and he lost his arrogance and straightforwardness in the county temple. This was because the other party was a famous person in the neighboring county, and they had heard about each other for a long time, so they were half friends.
Country people.
"Mr. Cheng," Dong Zhaofu asked sternly as soon as he entered the door. "I heard that good birds choose trees to roost, and good ministers choose their masters to work. Everyone has his own ambitions. Since you have already rejected General Gongsun's invitation earlier, why do you want to do it again?"
How about being aggressive and making sarcastic remarks at your door? Isn’t such an act simply annoying?"
Cheng Li frowned and asked: "I dare to ask Dong Sima, if I don't act upright, what if a villain really advises General Gongsun to appoint my son as an official? Can I still respond with old words?"
Dong Zhao was silent for a moment, but he couldn't help but ask: "Let's not say this, isn't General Gongsun really the 'sun' of Cheng Gong?"
Cheng Li rarely sighed with emotion: "The turmoil is about to break out, and both dragons and snakes are fighting. It is better to protect ourselves in our hometown and sit back and watch the current events. Besides, General Gongsun is a Yan native after all, and his reputation is also in Hebei."
Dong Gongren was speechless.
————I am the dividing line of ————
"When the Yellow Turban arose, Taizu visited Dongjun. Dong Gongren was the commander of the army, and he promoted Dong Acheng to stand. Taizu was delighted and dismissed him, but he was not allowed to stand. When he was about to leave, Zhao asked privately: 'General, what can't you do?' He replied:
'The world is about to be in chaos, dragons and snakes are rising from the land, let's watch.' Zhao silently stood up and left. When he was about to return, Zhao sighed and said to Lu, Lou: 'I have always heard that good birds choose trees to roost in, and virtuous ministers choose their masters to serve.
.It was too late for Cheng Zhongde to see the opportunity, and it was too late to regret it.'" - "Xin Yan Shu". Volume 70. Biography No. 20
ps: A few more words, please don't wait at night... I strongly recommend reading it every morning. As a brick-and-mortar guy, I am also helpless... especially when I open a document every day and I have a habit of getting a headache.
There is also a book club group, 684558115. If you are interested, you can add it.
