In early March of the seventeenth year of Hongde, Zhao Hongrun led his army to slowly evacuate the Chu Kingdom. After exiting Runan, the last Chu Kingdom city, he followed the route of Shangcai and Xiping to Zhaoling City.
Now the acting county magistrate of Zhaoling City, the original Linying County magistrate Zhao Zhun, had already received the news and ordered more than 2,000 Anling guards under his command to set up many porridge restaurants outside the city. This time, he followed Zhao Hongrun's army. Many civilians of Chu State distributed rice porridge free of charge.
I have to say that when Zhao Zhun saw the huge sea of people, he was dumbfounded.
You must know that the army brought by Zhao Hongrun this time included 25,000 Wei soldiers from the dredging army and 10,000 Yanling troops, as well as 15,000 from the three generals Gu Liangwei, Wu Majiao and Wu Ji. Named Pingyang Army, Qu Cheng had 35,000 Pingyang soldiers under his command, a total of 70,000 troops.
What is shocking is that the number of Chu civilians who followed these 70,000 troops to Zhaoling County far exceeded this number. A rough estimate is that there are probably more than 200,000 people.
This huge number made Zhao Zhun, the magistrate of Zhaoling County, sweat dripping with cold sweat as he carefully tested where His Highness Prince Su was going to place these two hundred thousand Chu people.
You must know that although Zhao Zhun also recovered Xiping County, due to the Chu State's attack on Wei State, Xiping County, as the southern city of Wei State closest to the border between Wei and Chu, that is, the Shangcai area, is no exaggeration. Said that it was already fallen from the beginning.
The Chu army burned, killed, and looted in Xihua County, killing almost 30% of the population. It can be said that apart from Zhaoling County, it was the most seriously affected city and county in this battle.
Therefore, when Zhao Zhun led his army to regain Xiping County, the Wei people in Xiping County moved to Zhaoling one after another, so that Xiping County, which Zhao Hongrun passed by a few days ago, almost turned into an empty city.
It's no wonder that the people of Wei who came to Xiping County were very afraid that Chu might attack Wei again in the future. So they all fled to Zhaoling. After all, Zhaoling City was in danger of the Luohe River. Although it was the second wave of the Chu army's offensive, target. But it was almost the last city to fall. One can imagine the defensive power of Zhaoling City against foreign enemies.
"Don't worry. I have never thought of settling these Chu people in Zhaoling."
After hearing Zhao Zhun's tentative inquiry, Zhao Hongrun smiled and comforted.
Are you kidding me, placing these two hundred thousand Chu people in Zhaoling?
This is simply asking for trouble!
You must know that at this moment, the people in Zhaoling City, except for the locals, are almost all Wei people who moved from Xiping County, and Zhaoling and Xiping were the two places with the most severe military and civilian casualties in this battle. As you can imagine And I know the hatred and hostility of these Wei people towards the Chu people.
At this time, if Zhao Hongrun separated the more than 200,000 Chu civilians and left some of them in Zhaoling, then once his army left the Zhaoling area, the Wei and Chu people in Zhaoling City would inevitably fight each other.
Thinking about it, it's better to avoid it as much as possible.
"I'm relieved now, my superior."
Hearing Zhao Hongrun's relief, Zhao Zhun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and whispered: "Thanks to His Highness King Su, if it were anyone else, he would have ordered me to call Zhaoling to separate the rice grains, cook porridge and distribute them to the people. Those Chu people, I'm afraid the soldiers and civilians in the city have already rioted..."
This is true. After all, Zhaoling and Xiping are the closest to the border between Wei and Chu. Therefore, Zhao Hongrun's great victories in recent days have already spread throughout this area. Therefore, the people of Wei in this area have a deep hatred for the man who saved them from all evil. He was rescued from the hands of the Chu army and used his troops to severely inflict heavy damage on His Highness King Su of the Chu State. Everyone responded with respect and gratitude.
In this way, Zhao Zhun, the acting county magistrate, was tacitly allowed to use the rice grains in Zhaoling City to make porridge and distribute it to the Chu civilians outside the city. Otherwise, haha, I am afraid that the Wei people in the city who extremely hate the Chu people would have been killed long ago.
Zhao Hongrun was stunned when he heard this and asked in surprise: "Is it common for the soldiers and people in the city to hate the Chu people?"
Zhao Zhun smiled bitterly and nodded: "His Royal Highness King Su must understand that not all people in the country can clearly distinguish the difference between the army and the Chu people. In their view, their relatives were all killed by the Chu people, so..."
"Well." Zhao Hongrun nodded slightly and immediately ordered: "I will not stop when I come to Zhaoling this time. I will trouble Mr. Zhao with all the matters in Zhaoling City."
"King Su's words are serious, and it is difficult for a subordinate to take on the responsibility." As he said that, Zhao Zhun raised his head and cautiously suggested: "Can your Highness form an army in Zhaolingtun?... Your Highness has also heard about it, and he has heard about it in the Shangcai area.
There are many thieves and I am worried that the thieves there will take advantage of the situation and rob me."
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun thought for a moment, nodded and said, "Well, my name is Chen Shi, Wang Shu, and Ma Zhang will lead 10,000 Yanling troops to garrison in Zhaoling."
"Very good!" Zhao Zhun was overjoyed when he heard this.
You must know that Wang Shu, the general of the Yanling Army, was originally Zhao Zhun's military lieutenant when he was the magistrate of Linying County, and the other two generals, Chen Shi and Ma Zhang, also fought together in the Yanling area to fight against Pingyu Lord Xiong Hu's army.
Colleagues are all people who know the basics.
After thinking about it, Zhao Zhun asked tentatively: "Your Highness, what about Xiping County..."
"No rush." Zhao Hongrun obviously guessed Zhao Zhun's thoughts, waved his hand and said: "The people in Xiping County are afraid of the Chu soldiers, so they moved to Zhaoling. If they are forced to return to their original place, they may lose the support of the people... Let's do this, you
The Yanling army can be divided, and one of Chen Shi, Wang Shu, and Ma Zhang can lead some troops to garrison Xiping to prevent Xiping from being disturbed by the bandits from Shangcai. The rest can be done slowly."
"Your Majesty, I understand." Zhao Zhun responded, cupping his hands.
"By the way, when I was at the Yanshui Camp, I promised to erect a monument to the soldiers and civilians of Wei Dynasty who died in this battle. Let's start from Zhaoling City... I order you to find out the Zhaoling people who died in this battle.
Ling's army and civilians, led by the former Zhaoling County Magistrate Chen Bing and Wu Lieutenant Zhang Fenger, were stationed in Zhongxian County within the city.
A monument was erected outside the mansion for all the people to admire and worship; in addition, the city wall was used as a monument to engrave all the soldiers and civilians of Zhaoling who died bravely on the city wall with palm-sized rubbings on the inside of the city wall... so that they could transform.
Continue to protect this city for the heroic spirits and protect your loved ones in the city!"
Zhao Zhun's face straightened when he heard this, and he saluted respectfully: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will make careful inquiries and never leave behind any loyal and martyr of our great Wei Dynasty!"
"Very good! ... You can report the required expenses to the court, and the court will deliver the money, together with the pension to Zhao Ling."
"Yes." Zhao Zhun cupped his hands.
After completing the instructions, Zhao Hongrun did not stay in Zhaoling County for long. He summoned Chen Shi, Wang Shu, and Ma Zhang, and ordered them to lead 10,000 Yanling troops to station in Zhaoling. Then he joined Qu Cheng, Yan Mo, and others.
The general led 35,000 soldiers and soldiers, heading straight east towards Shangshui County.
As for the 25,000 dredging troops, Zhao Hongrun asked Bailiba, the general of the dredging camp, to continue escorting the more than 200,000 Chu people as they continued to move north toward Yanling County.
Going to Shangshui County, it can be said that Zhao Hongrun changed his itinerary temporarily. The reason is that Shangshui County is a city with a very special geographical location. It is similar to Zhaoling County and is located on the bank of Yingshui River. It is one of the important hubs of Yingshui water transportation. First, more importantly, going downstream along this section of Yingshui River, you will find Chen County and Xiangcheng more than a hundred miles away.
Chen County and Xiangcheng were exactly the fiefdoms of Pingyu Lord Xiong Hu.
Because of this, Shangshui County suffered a similar fate to Xiping County, becoming a victim of the first wave of the 160,000 Chu army's offensive, and the city fell early.
Now, Xu Youzhi, the former magistrate of Xihua County, had already recovered Shangshui County after recovering Xihua. But unfortunately, the Wei people in Shangshui County, like the people in Xiping County, were very afraid of whether the Chu army would attack again. After attacking this city, many people moved north and fled to Xihua and Huaiyang, which were closer to the hinterland of the Wei Dynasty, making Shangshui County almost become an empty city.
Two days later, Zhao Hongrun, Qu Cheng and others arrived in Shangshui County, and the guard generals Gu Liangwei, Wuma Jiao and Wu Ji were waiting outside the city to greet them.
At this time, in Shangshui County, there were only three generals of the Pingyang Army, Gu Liangwei, Wuma Jiao, and Wu Ji, and 15,000 Pingyang soldiers under their command. In addition, there were hundreds of thousands of subordinates. There were almost no Wei people among the people who migrated from the feudal towns under the rule of Pingyu Lord Xiong Hu.
"Why did Your Highness send people to order us to delay the Chu civilians here from entering Wei?"
When talking about this matter with Zhao Hongrun, the three generals Gu Liangwei, Wu Majiao, and Wu Ji felt a little puzzled. After all, if Zhao Hongrun had not changed his mind temporarily and sent someone to deliver the order, they would have already set off for Yanling. , Anling area.
"It's like this. I plan to have you stationed in Shangshui."
"..." When Qu Cheng, Yan Mo and other Pingyang army generals heard this, they all looked surprised.
You must know that Shangshui County is also an important city on the border between Wei and Chu. It is hard for the generals of the Pingyang Army to imagine that Zhao Hongrun actually intends to station their army, which is from Chu people, here.
"Your Highness, you mean that you don't intend to revoke the designation and organization of our Pingyang Army?" Qu Cheng asked tentatively.
After hearing this, all the generals of Pingyang Army eagerly waited for Zhao Hongrun's reply.
"Of course the numbers of the Pingyang Army must be withdrawn..." Zhao Hongrun deliberately whetted the appetites of the generals. When all the generals were a little disappointed, he smiled and said the plan he had already thought of: "Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo We have made peace with Wei, so it is not appropriate to call it this name again. Therefore, the Pingyang Army will change its designation. In addition, I am ready to hand over this city to you and others."
Hearing this, Qu Cheng, Yan Mo, Gu Liangwei, Wuma Jiao, Wu Ji, Zuo Xunxi, Hua Yu, Gong Ye Sheng, Zuo Qiu Mu and other generals of the Pingyang Army all showed surprise.
But beside Zhao Hongrun, the expressions of Zongwei Shen Yu, Zhang Ao and others changed slightly.
You must know that sending troops to garrison a certain city should be ordered by the imperial military department. It is an act of arrogance to appoint Zhao Hongrun privately, not to mention that he will appoint Shangshui County, a vital city. The important city on the Wei-Chu border was handed over to Qu Cheng, Yan Mo and other generals who were originally from the Chu people. This was simply unreasonable in the eyes of others.
Therefore, Zongwei Shen Yu could not help but whisper to Zhao Hongrun: "Your Highness, this move may... provoke criticism."
"This king has his own sense of proportion."
Zhao Hongrun waved his hand to interrupt Shen Yu. (To be continued.)