Therefore, Gongsun Xun finally returned to Shanggu County safely and stationed himself at the foot of Juyang City.
After taking a short rest and confirming from Prefect Hou that Zang Min's entire army was almost wiped out and Xia Yu returned in defeat, he immediately assigned tasks, asking Lou Gui to go to Ningcheng to meet Xia Yu and Han Dang to lead the cavalry.
Continue to search for and gather the defeated soldiers outside the border wall, and then Lu Fan, Cheng Pu, Gao Shun, Cheng Lian, Wei Yue and others prepare in the military camp... Of course, it is inevitable for Jia Chao and others to each hold a letter.
Letters were quickly sent to Liaoxi, Luoyang, Lujiang, Zhuojun, Taiyuan, Yanmen and other places.
Needless to say, sending letters to western Liaoning was also done to Liu Kuan's office in Luoyang, Lu Zhi's office in Lujiang, Guo Yao's office in Yanmen, Dong Zhuo's office in Taiyuan, and Liu Yu's office in Zhuojun, mainly to report the war situation.
My own merits and hard work.
And next...the next step is to lie down quietly and recuperate, otherwise?
"Wen Qi!" One afternoon a few days later, Lu Fan, who was talking to Cheng Pu and others when he saw his lord walking out of the barracks by himself, was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to say hello. "You came just in time.
, the Lord of the Hou Mansion sent people to bring cattle and wine to express condolences..."
"The cow is boiled and eaten, and the wine is left for the wounded to wash their wounds." Gongsun Xun responded simply and neatly. "Also, so many brothers were buried yesterday, and morale is low. You can arrange a few Cuju competitions to boost morale. And if this is the case,
If it goes well, you can also invite Mr. Hou Fu and the local big business to come and see it... I think after this big defeat, even here in Shanggu County, some people are panicking."
"Here!" Several officers agreed quickly.
"There are also those seriously injured people who escaped alive," Gongsun Xun continued dragging his left shoulder and said. "Tell them not to be discouraged. My family is rich and has no shortage of shops, warehouses and properties. There will always be a place for them to go.
"
"Sima is really..."
"By the way," Gongsun Xun asked suddenly. "Xia Yu hasn't given any explanation yet? It's only one day's journey from Juyang to Ningcheng. Zibo has been there for three days. What are you doing there?"
"Who knows?" Lu Fan sneered when he heard this. "If you ask me, it's better to remain silent and just wait for him to be driven into Luoyang. Then we will be free."
Gongsun Xun seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
However, just as a few people were talking in the military camp, they suddenly noticed a cloud of smoke rising far away from the official road outside the camp gate, and then the neighing of war horses, and surprisingly, a number of horsemen came straight to the camp gate.
Gongsun Xun led everyone outside to investigate, but he couldn't help but laugh: "I said brother-in-law and brother-in-law are here, and the eldest brother is also here..."
"Wen Qi!" Some people are always the most eye-catching when they appear on the stage, and Gongsun Zan is just such a person. His appearance, physique, and voice really leave everyone else speechless. "Also let him
You have done a great thing! And your injuries seem to be fine?"
"I finally survived! Brother, you..." Gongsun Xun wanted to laugh and say that the other party was unlucky and didn't get a chance, but after all, it was difficult to say this outside, so he honestly changed his words. "
Brother, you come here in person, but then Mr. Xia has an explanation?"
"Where did the explanation come from?" Hearing such a casual question, Gongsun Zan couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "The army left the fortress only a few days ago, and returned with a heavy defeat. In such a situation, what else can he do?
Words? To tell you the truth, I didn’t come here specifically to find you with Lou Zibo this time. Instead, I was sent to Juyang to deliver a letter with my father-in-law, and I just happened to be on my way..."
"Let's talk slowly." Gongsun Xun also wanted to hear the specific situation, so he made a lunch and invited the other party to stay here temporarily. "Since the eldest brother has already arrived outside Juyang City, there is no rush. You and I brothers should do it.
Say something."
"That's true." Gongsun Zan nodded slightly. "It's time to say something."
When these two men wanted to talk, the rest of the people naturally knew how to stay away, but after a while, someone quickly sent two matzas, so the two brothers sat down under the shade of a tree in the camp and talked slowly.
At this time, Gongsun Xun finally knew the specific situation there.
In fact, the military situation was nothing more than what Gongsun Xun thought... That night, Tan Shihuai marched in a hurry to seize the tail of the main force of the Han army, causing the Han army to suffer heavy losses. When the Danhanshan fire broke out,
The Xianbei people retreated one after another, giving the Han army a chance to breathe and return to Gaoliusei.
However, the really interesting information is not limited to the military situation... For example, Xia Yu lost integrity in battle!
"Wen Qi doesn't know." After drinking a jar of warm water with salt, Gongsun Zan couldn't help but sneered. "Although everyone said that the military officer who was protecting the festival died in the battle, in fact, I entered the fortress.
I obviously saw that person with my own eyes... Judging from this person's intentions, I'm afraid he was just going to hide away."
"No one reported this matter to Duke Xia?" Gongsun Xun asked curiously.
"Who will care about this at this time?" Gongsun Zan asked proudly. "If the battle is defeated, Xia Yu's fate will most likely be to drive into Luo and then be demoted to a commoner. However, in this defeat, there were many casualties. The army
Everyone at the top and bottom is somewhat resentful. In this case, why bother to sacrifice the life of a person like this for nothing? And besides, can you find the Talisman Festival if you report this person? "
"I originally thought he would only be demoted." Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly and stopped worrying about the matter. "But I didn't expect that something like this would happen. Brother is right. I'm afraid Xia Yu will be demoted directly this time.
For common people."
"It is said that when the wall falls, everyone pushes it down." Gongsun Zan sighed again. "Do you know why Lou Gui, the man you sent, can't see anyone else?"
"Appreciate further details."
"As soon as they entered Gaoliusei, Governor Wang of Daijun took back the soldiers of the county for lack of integrity and used them to strengthen the border defense..."
"It's no wonder that Governor Wang is here."
"And when we returned to Ningcheng, the leaders of the Wuhuan tribe were making trouble all day long..."
"Although the barbarians are hateful, we really can't say that these Wuhuan people are making trouble unreasonably this time... We have been dealing with the Wuhuan people in western Liaoning for many years, don't we still know the background of these leaders? They all treat their subordinates as private property.
Now that I have lost so much property, I naturally want to get it back."
"Who says not?" Gongsun Zan sneered. "In fact, even the Wuhuan people knew that he was going to fall, so none of them were afraid of him. As for Xia Yu, after losing so many troops this time, Governor Wang also led
The county soldiers of Dai County are gone, so he himself is unable to do anything... To tell you the truth, he asked me to come to Juyang today not for anything else, but to send a message to my father-in-law, hoping that my father-in-law would not imitate the king.
The prefect took away the county soldiers so quickly."
"Isn't this just an idiot's dream?" The sun was setting in the west and the shades of the trees were moving. Gongsun Xun held on to his left arm that was a little numb due to the sunlight, with a look of disapproval. "I have been in Juyang for a few days, and I also met our Lord Hou Fu.
Twice, it’s clear that he must be worried about the border security issue, and I’m afraid he’ll be disgraced by both sides when he comes this time!”
"Who says it's not the case?" Gongsun Zan repeated this sentence again when he heard this, and his expression became even more sinister. "But I was also unlucky. I went blind and became a subordinate in his palace... Wenqi, you don't know.
, that evening Zang Min sent his righteous follower Sun Jian to inform you of the military situation. I asked him to send a messenger to inform you, but he instead... Forget it, you can ask Uncle Lou Zibo about this yourself. He is in Ningcheng.
Japan, you should have inquired clearly."
There was too much information in these words, and Gongsun Xun was stunned for a moment before he understood: "Thank you, brother, for your kindness... So, is this the reason why Xia Yu didn't send someone to claim back his army? He already knew that I wouldn't
Did you give it to him?"
"I guess that's the case... I don't believe you can tolerate this!"
"..."
"Let's not talk about this." Gongsun Zan suddenly asked again. "One more thing, is there anything Wen Qi can teach me? In the past two years, I have been looking around for a good background, but in the end I have achieved nothing..."
This is an old topic, so Gongsun Xun immediately brought it up again: "Brother, it is better to go back to Liaoxi. After all, there is a filial piety and integrity there every year. I will write to my father-in-law and you will always have a source..."
"I know what you mean." Gongsun Zan shook his head repeatedly. "If you want to promote Xiaolian, you must go back to your place of origin. However, after this time, I can see clearly that if there is no deeds and reputation, even if Xiaolian is forcibly promoted,
I'm afraid that your career will be difficult in the future... Just like you, if you hadn't done something that was famous all over the world in Liaoxi, how could you have been so valued by Uncle Fang of Bingzhou? And if you hadn't gotten the support of Uncle Fang, how could you have done it?
How could there be such elite soldiers and horses fighting for their lives on the other side of Danhan Mountain?"
This logic is a bit biased at best, but it cannot be said to be problematic. However, if you want to promote filial piety and integrity, but also want to perform deeds to become famous, leaving people speechless... then it seems to be too demanding.
"I wonder what the eldest brother wants?" Gongsun Xun didn't want to pay much attention to the matter of this clan brother with great luck, but seeing that the other party could still think about himself in that situation before, he didn't want to pay any attention to it.
It's so easy to pretend to be deaf and dumb.
"Actually, there is a good opportunity right in front of us." Gongsun Zan said calmly. "Wenqi, you have many ideas, why not give me some details..."
I'm afraid that this is the real reason why he came to see him today. Gongsun Xun knew it in his heart, but his expression remained as usual: "Brother, please tell me."
"With today's culture, if you want to be respected by the people in the world, it is nothing more than loyalty and filial piety. Let's not mention filial piety, but the word loyalty can still make some articles!" After saying this, Gongsun Zan looked at his own clan.
Brother's look.
Sure enough, Gongsun Xun's expression moved slightly when he heard this, but he couldn't help but laugh.
By the way, in the Han Dynasty, especially in the later Han Dynasty, due to the widespread existence of the so-called dualistic view of monarchy, the so-called "loyalty" does not all refer to loyalty to the country and the emperor. In many cases, it actually refers to loyalty to one's own master or county governor!
For example, Gongsun Xun himself was recruited by the bus before. This was not only because of how much military talent he showed in the Battle of Western Liaoning, but more because his behavior at the time was extremely consistent with the values and morals respected these days.
If you think about it, you will understand that Gongsun Xun had the status of an official in Liaoxi County at that time, so when he faced the governor of Liaoxi Province, he felt like a minister facing his lord. Therefore, he risked his life for the lord's mother.
Behavior has the bonus of the word "loyalty" of fighting for one's lord.
This is certainly a behavior that is highly recognized by scholar-bureaucrats.
But back to the present, let's talk about it again, who is Gongsun Zan's allegiance, or who is his master at this time?
The answer is Xia Yu, who had only been the brothers' superior for less than a few months. This military officer who guarded Wuhuan was only his superior to Gongsun Zan, the imperial official and Sima Gongsun of another department, but to Gongsun Zan, a subordinate officer in the army.
In other words, he is an out-and-out master!
As soon as he thought of this, Gongsun Xun held on to his left arm, lowered his body reluctantly and asked: "Brother, what do you mean by this?"
"I'm not hiding anything from Wen Qi." Gongsun Zan also lowered his body and said frankly. "I am now a subordinate of Xia Yu, and now he is about to be convicted, and I think it is better to abandon my post and follow him to Luoyang... You see
how?"
Gongsun Xun was moved in his heart, but he quickly shook his head: "Brother's idea is right, but this idea is extremely ridiculous!"
"Why?" Gongsun Zan said disapprovingly. "This is an idea given to me by a close friend I met here. This person definitely has some strategies, as good as yours, Lu Fan, Lou Gui..."
"Who is he?" Gongsun Xun looked curious.
"My surname is Guan and my given name is Shiqi...I won't hide it from you. This person is the military officer who abandoned the talisman and came to me."
Gongsun Xun was stunned for a moment.
"Tell me, what's so absurd about it?" Gongsun Zan continued to ask urgently. "Are you so eager to take revenge? With all due respect, this is not a good time to take revenge. Firstly, everyone in the world is staring at him. Secondly, anyone who has the intention
Nine out of ten people will be able to imagine that it was you."
Gongsun Xun smiled awkwardly, but quickly shook his head: "Brother, I misunderstood. I just think that this kind of thing is not enough for you to become famous in the world... It's not just following him to Rinan or Luoyang, how can you become famous!"
Gongsun Zan immediately sighed: "That's true...but I really can't wait any longer!"
"Brother, can you trust me?" Gongsun Xun suddenly asked quietly under the sunset.
"If I can't trust you, why are you asking me this?" Gongsun Zan couldn't help but be startled when he heard this. "From what you say, could it be that you have some other good strategy?"
"I do have an idea!" Gongsun Xun sneered. "Brother, you might as well make this plan first, and then follow him into Luo... If so, I'm afraid you will become famous all over the world once you enter Luo."
"Speak quickly." Gongsun Zan immediately felt like a hundred claws were scratching his heart.
"The first step is to go to the city tonight to see our Lord Hou. We must ask Lord Hou to quickly take back the soldiers from Shanggu County. Then Ningcheng will be empty of soldiers and horses. Maybe those Wuhuan people will take the opportunity to attack and detain...
…”
"That's not right!" Gongsun Zan shook his head after only hearing half of it. "The Shanggu Wuhuan is different from the Liaoxi Wuhuan. They have been living in the fortress for several generations, and they still know the importance. They are all as shrewd as ghosts...
...The soldiers and horses have been ruined, how can they detain a man of two thousand dan for something that is gone?! They are just asking for money!"
"Then just spend money to ask them to seize it!" Gongsun Xun said disapprovingly. "You also said, don't they just want money? Find the Wuhuantou man who makes the most troubles and is the boldest, and grant him five
Millions of dollars to see if he won’t be tempted?!”
"A show?!" Gongsun Zan looked stunned.
"Of course!"
"You...aunt pay for it?"
"Look what eldest brother said, I've already paid for your wedding and house, why can't I pay for your filial piety and honesty?"
"Xiao Lian Qian...then I will work hard to drive these people away?"
"No!" Gongsun Xun shook his head seriously again. "Brother, you should kneel down and ask yourself to take his place!"
"Those five million dollars will be used to redeem me?" Gongsun Zan finally realized.
"Brother Mingjian!"
"It's so good...but five million dollars is too much after all." Gongsun Zan suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"Brother, where did you want to go?" Gongsun Xun remained serious. "A group of barbarians are causing rebellion. As a military commander, shouldn't I plan to counter the rebellion? And my army is all elite. Let's find a secluded place to redeem people, and wait.
When the eldest brother comes back safely, I will work hard to get the money back! At that time, I will be able to scare these Wuhuan dogs who don’t know how to live or die!"
"..."
"how?"
"Wen Qi is really good at planning, much better than Guan Shiqi." Gongsun Zan admired his clan brother even more.
"It's just a small plot." Gongsun Xun wanted to smile, but unexpectedly, his left arm hurt and he stopped abruptly.
———————I am the dividing line of sincerity————————
"(Gongsun) Zan was a subordinate of Wuhuan's school captain. When the school captain went out of the fortress and defeated his army, he returned to Ningcheng and recorded them. When he went to the Han army, Wuhuan's troops were all ten to four or five. Wuhuan always regarded his subordinates as private property, and all the leaders were
He forced the captain and asked for a huge sum of money. Ningcheng's army was small and the captain could not control it, so that chaos broke out and the swords were pressed against each other in a hurry. Shi Zan was beside him, so he cried and knelt down and said: "I used to be a son of a man, but now I am a human being."
Minister, how can I bear this responsibility? Zan's family in western Liaoning is rich and rich, and he is willing to use his own body to replace it! Wuhuan was seeking profit, so he agreed to it. Later, the family in western Liaoning redeemed it with a huge sum of tens of millions. A few days later, Xiao Xiao
When the captain was defeated and defeated, he drove a chariot to Luoyang and conquered Luoyang. The officials refused to listen to the officials and asked him to get close to him. Zan changed his appearance and uniform again, falsely calling himself a servant, and serving as a disciple. He drove his chariot to Luoyang to serve. When his master Liu Kuan heard about it, he told his left and right officials: '
