Just as Heifu guessed, at this moment, Fusu, who had been kicked out of his nest by Qin Shihuang, was walking anxiously on the road to Yandi.
In this battle of Canghai, Qin Shihuang decided to dispatch 15,000 soldiers, plus 15,000 civilians from Yan. The soldiers were added station by station, so when setting off from Xianyang, Fusu had only 5,000 elite Guanzhong troops.
But even if there are five thousand people, it is not easy to manage them well. Although Fusu has served as a supervisor and read a lot of military books, he also knows how much he has, so after receiving the tiger talisman, he humbly asked
His lieutenant, Yang Duanhe, the commander of the carriage, bowed and said:
"Fu Su grew up in a deep palace and does not know anything about the military. He is not personally attached to the soldiers and has no trust from the head of Guizhou. He has little qualifications and lacks authority. I still hope that Old General Yang will give me more advice."
The gray-bearded Yang Duanhe hurriedly returned the salute: "Young Master, you are humble. When we attacked the Xiongnu, you were the supervisor of the army. He loved the soldiers as sons. He was quite famous among the soldiers and civilians. This is benevolence. On the occasion of the battle, he also acted for Li."
, General Lieutenant General held the battle with no fear on his face, this is bravery. Now, with the dignity of a young master, I go on an expedition to a foreign land on behalf of Your Majesty to punish those who conspired to assassinate and rebel. This is loyalty and trustworthiness."
"The five virtues of a general are wisdom, faith, benevolence, courage, and strictness. The young master has three virtues. Although I am not talented, I have fought for thirty years. Maybe I can assist the young master. This is how to run the army with strictness and use the troops with wisdom.
If you can trust me, you can leave it to me..."
Yang Duanhe knew very well that Qin Shihuang chose him to be Prince Fusu's deputy because of his many years of experience and his rigorous military use.
In short, he, Lao Yang, can completely handle the marching and fighting matters. As for Fusu, he just needs to be a symbolic commander with "faithfulness, benevolence and courage".
But Fusu was not satisfied with being just a puppet commander. After leaving Guanzhong, he would take the time to ask Yang Duanhe for advice on how to set up camp, the most suitable distance for daily marches, and the wisdom of the leaders and five hundred leaders below.
stupid.
Seeing Fusu humbly asking for advice, Yang Duanhe also knew everything. In his opinion, this expedition was His Majesty's way of "paving the way" for the eldest son. If it succeeds, he is expected to leapfrog the rank of marquis, which will also be of great benefit to the descendants of the family.
benefit.
Although there was a risk of misunderstanding, there was nothing Yang Duanhe could do. The emperor tied him and Fusu together with just one mouthful. From now on, I am afraid that both will be prosperous and both will suffer.
But Fusu seemed obedient, but he did not obey Yang Duanhe in everything. For example, when it came to treating ordinary soldiers, the young master was stubborn and insisted on sharing the same clothes and food with the lowest-ranking soldiers, and used simple clothes when sleeping.
Mat. When marching, he would get down from the chariot from time to time and talk to the officers and soldiers while walking.
Every time he went to a certain place, when the army set up camp, Fusu would also patrol the camp to show his care. He would personally check on the soldiers' matters such as digging wells and building stoves, drinking water and eating, and seeing doctors and medicines.
Yang Duanhe couldn't stand it and advised Fusu not to do this, but Fusu said:
"Fusu knows very well that he is not a general and has no ability to use troops, but since he has received the emperor's order, as a general, he must handle this matter well. Although I have the march and battle, Old General Yang is planning for me, but if I want the soldiers to personally accompany me
You have to take care of your life, so you have to do it yourself, so you can only use this stupid method."
Fusu also said that this was the case when he was in the north of the Great Wall, and the same was true when he saw Wei Heifu. When the general was stationed in the fields, he would even go to the fields himself, work with the soldiers, and carry wheat.
"So you learned it from Heifu?"
Yang Duanhe said helplessly: "This Sima Rangju, Wu Qi's military management skills are not stupid, but he is using his dignity as a prince to some extent..."
But it is precisely Fusu's noble status that makes this method surprisingly effective.
To ordinary Guanzhong soldiers, the emperor's eldest son was as high as the sky, but now he was walking among them kindly, sharing the joys and sorrows with the soldiers. The Qin people were so simple and kind that many soldiers were deeply moved.
However, although Fusu was kind, he did not let the large group of troops rest many times out of sympathy for the hard work of the soldiers and civilians when he was the supervisor a few years ago. The thirty or forty miles that needed to be walked every day, even if a hundred people fell,
It must be completed too!
He just sent an order to make those who suffered from heatstroke and severe fatigue to camp and rest on the spot. There were special officials to collect these people and form a rear army. Those who were mildly fainting could be carried in the cart, and the tired ones could help the cart and ride with them. In this way, both
No one will fall dead on the roadside, and the journey will not be delayed.
Needless to say, I also learned this from Heifu.
As a result, within a few days, Fusu's good reputation as a "humane, trustworthy and heroic warrior" spread throughout the army. By the time the army arrived in Handan in mid-March, the five thousand Guanzhong soldiers had already recognized the young master general.
.
But what Fusu did next caused an uproar!
…
"Handan, the city where my father was born."
On March 15th, Prince Fusu stood on the Congtai in the east of Handan City and looked west at this big city, which is "a city between Zhang and the river".
The city of Handan originated from the Yin Shang Dynasty. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it changed hands several times and became the territory of the Zhao family. After the three families were divided into the Jin Dynasty, the Zhao State moved its capital to Handan. This place was the capital of the Zhao State for 158 years.
Known as Guanhai Nei, it is also a famous city in the world. It has developed industry and commerce and a large population. At its peak, it had no less than 40,000 households and a population of 200,000.
Precisely because it is a metropolis, there are stories of people from the Shouling State of Yan coming to Handan to learn how to walk. This is the charm of this city. The food, clothing, housing and transportation here all represent the fashionable forefront of the times.
Fusu could imagine that his father, during those years when he was a proton in Handan, had seen such a scene, the prosperous city, the open academic world, and even the light knights who were proudly running rampant on the streets.
But nowadays, Handan seems a bit shabby and no longer as prosperous as it used to be.
Because Handan experienced several sieges by the Qin army, especially on the eve of its demise, Wang Jian, Yang Duanhe and other large armies surrounded Handan. Although Zhao was destined to perish and the city was out of food, it resisted extremely resolutely. After all, two generations ago, Zhao surrendered
The Zhao soldiers in Changping were all killed by the Qin people. Every household in the Zhao country had a grudge against Qin, so they broke their bones to make cooking, and exchanged their sons for food, which lasted for several months.
That attack and defense caused heavy losses to Handan, with tens of thousands of casualties, injuries, and starvation deaths. There was even a nursery rhyme circulating at the time:
"Zhao is the number, Qin is the smile. If you don't believe it, you will look at the hair on the ground."
Qin Shihuang came to Handan again and killed hundreds of people who had enemies with his mother's family. Under his proud smile, there were Zhao people's wails.
Not long after Handan returned to the Qin Dynasty, an earthquake occurred suddenly. Hundreds of houses collapsed and thousands of people died. Afterwards, as expected, white hair appeared on the people.
It is a natural disaster and a man-made disaster. Unlike Linzi, which was peacefully unified, more than ten years have passed. Handan has still not fully recovered. The people in the market are in ruins. In addition, some people in Julu County responded to the chaos some time ago, and Handan is under martial law. Scholars
Relations between officials remain tense.
The Congtai at the feet of Fusu and the others was originally built by King Wuling of Zhao during his great construction work. It was named Congtai because of its numerous pavilions and pavilions that were “not one”. It is said that there were initially overpasses, snow caves, makeup pavilions, flower gardens, etc. The scenery has a unique structure and beautiful decoration, so it is famous in all countries. However, after wars and earthquakes, now only some ruins and overgrown grass are left.
After Fusu went up to the stage and took a look, he felt helpless. When he was young, he was fascinated by his father's sweeping of Liuhe, and he didn't understand why his uncle Changpingjun rebelled.
But as I got older and traveled more, I realized that unification did not seem to bring any benefits to the people of the six countries.
He somewhat understood why his uncle Chang Ping became more and more desperate and why he would fight to the death after his father repeatedly talked about the wonderful future of unification.
"Perhaps, my uncle really wants more than just the position of King of Chu..."
He stood on the Congtai for a long time, with the wind blowing the young master's hair. Fusu shook his head and returned to the camp with his entourage.
…
Compared with when it first set off from Xianyang, the expeditionary force's camp had doubled in size. In Handan, 5,000 conscripts from Zhao's counties joined in, bringing the number to 10,000.
Fusu was still patrolling the military camp, which had doubled in size. The Qin soldiers in Guanzhong were already very familiar with Fusu, and they all loved this heroic young man with a kind smile.
In front of a campfire, three crossbowmen invited him to share the hare they caught under the bush platform. Although the whole army ate uniformly, if the soldiers had the ability to make some wild game as a tooth sacrifice when they went to collect firewood, the officers turned a blind eye. .
Fusu readily agreed and tasted a piece of roasted rabbit leg that was slightly burnt and only sprinkled with a little salt. He then praised it and said it was more delicious than the delicacies in the palace! This made the three crossbowmen blush and hold their heads high. .
But when he inspected the Zhao soldiers' camps separated by a trench, Fusu was stopped.
The personal guards and military officials advised him not to patrol inside because it was "unsafe."
"The general is not safe in his own camp? This is the biggest joke I have heard since I joined the army."
Fusu was stubborn and led people in regardless of dissuasion.
Different from the orderliness of the Guanzhong soldiers next door, Fusu saw that the shabby felt tents were crooked and the ravines were dug hastily. Zhao people wearing all kinds of clothes were also preparing meals and surrounding the steaming cauldron. Receive food.
When they heard that "the young master is here", they were not as excited as the Guanzhong soldiers. They just looked back coldly, saw Fusu's dazzling armor and elegant steps, and then lowered their heads.
There was no excitement or confidence in the eyes of this group of people, only helplessness and pessimism.
From their eyes, Fusu could see that unlike the Qin soldiers who were eager to make achievements in the border areas, the soldiers recruited by Zhao did not want to fight this war at all, did not want to leave their homes, and went thousands of miles away to Liaodong and North Korea. , fight against enemies whose names you have never heard.
Especially, fighting for the Qin people who had killed their family and friends and destroyed their cities and villages!
Fusu stepped forward amidst these cold and even hostile eyes and saw the meals being received by the soldiers.
It's porridge, and it's very light. If you give it to each person in a wooden bowl, I'm afraid it won't amount to a quarter of a bucket, and there are still a lot of husks that haven't been pounded yet, which is raw rice (brown rice)...
For soldiers who march dozens of miles every day and have to carry weapons, mats, and quilts on their shoulders and hands, which consumes a lot of physical strength, it is impossible to satisfy their hunger!
How can soldiers march and fight with such food?
Fusu looked angrily at the captain who came to see him. This captain was from Guanzhong.
"It is said in the law of food that criminals and concubines eat half a dou (one-third) of rice, civilian husbands eat half a dou of rice, soldiers eat half a dou of polished rice, and soybean paste rises to a quarter (one-third).
A quarter)! Most of these soldiers are soldiers, why do they only eat gruel?"
The soldiers of the Qin people next door ate the standard army food of half a bucket of rice and sauce. Although it smelled stinky and was very salty to the young master, at least it was good enough to eat and not that difficult to swallow. Qin soldiers
Most of them are nobles, so they also supply vegetables such as sunflower and leeks.
But why are the soldiers of Zhao State, separated by a wall, so poorly fed?
The captain of Handan sweated profusely and explained that the land in Handan was thin and the people did not like to engage in agriculture. There was not much food in stock, so they usually relied on transportation from neighboring counties to replenish it.
However, there was a rebellion in Qi last year, Linzi in northern Jilin was in ruins, there was turmoil in Julu County next door, Taiyuan County suffered from poor harvests, and locusts broke out in several counties in the north of Handan. It was all thanks to Hedong and Hanoi's support that they could barely survive. Now the army is
Upon arrival, there were 10,000 more mouths, and Handan County had already provided the best remaining grain.
"In this lean season, we can only hope that the wheat will be ripe in June, and I hope you will take good care of it."
Fusu's anger disappeared, leaving only helplessness.
Not only did he know these things, he also used them to persuade Qin Shihuang. He said that Taiyuan, Chen County and other places were experiencing continuous disasters, and the chaos in Qi was beginning to calm down, and the people's livelihood had not yet been restored. At this time, the people should be allowed to recuperate.
But at this juncture, Qin Shihuang insisted on going his own way, launched two conquests, and even let Fusu be the commander...
Fusu could only look up to the sky and sigh: "My father is so smart and wise, why can't he see it? This world is no longer peaceful! And using frequent wars to seek peace is the opposite!"
He sighed, but since he got the appointment, he still had to bite the bullet and get on with it.
The army ate and drank all the way, and the food they carried from Xianyang and Aocang had been exhausted, so they had to rely on supplies from warehouses along the way. It is not surprising that the situation in that place worsened every time they went.
In this situation of food shortage, the gap between the people in Guanzhong and Handan has emerged. The Qin people in Guanzhong eat rice, and the Zhao people in Handan eat brown rice and porridge. In the eyes of the government and military officials, isn't it natural?
Of?
Those who govern a country should not worry about poverty but worry about insecurity; they should not worry about scarcity but about inequality!
"Zhao is crying, Qin is laughing..."
The harsh nursery rhyme echoed in Fusu's ears again, and Zhao Zu's cold gaze fell on him, which made Fusu feel that he should do something.
Let the soldiers in Guanzhong and the soldiers in Handan be evened out and eat rice in the morning and porridge in the afternoon? A few years ago, Fusu actually did this.
But what he saw and heard in recent years told Fusu that this was unrealistic. During the conversation with the soldiers of Guanzhong along the way, Fusu could feel their pride in being above the remnants of the Six Nations.
The people of Qin are conquerors and superiors, while the six countries are subjugated slaves and a lowly race. The sense of regional superiority cannot be changed in a day or two.
So Fusu asked someone to bring a wooden bowl, held it in his hands, stepped forward, handed it to the leader of the group surrounded by linen, and smiled.
"Give me a bowl too."
The leader of the group was stunned and looked at the captain, but he still did what he said.
Fusu turned around and looked at the soldiers, asking others to repeat his words in Handan dialect.
"The warehouse in Handan is short of food, so the food in the morning and evening is meager, which is a great injustice to the soldiers! As the commander-in-chief, Fusu has done this!"
After saying this, the noble son bowed to the lowly Zhao soldier.
This bow made the people of Zhao look at each other in confusion. What is this young master of the Qin general doing? But still no one returned the courtesy.
Fusu stopped his entourage from getting angry and said loudly: "But please believe Fusu, when the army arrives at Hengshan and Guangyang County, the local government will order the generals to replenish their food supplies so that the soldiers can be well fed and not suffer from cold or hunger."
bitter!"
As he spoke, he took the wooden bowl filled with porridge and drank it all in one gulp under everyone's surprised gazes!
"From today on, until every soldier in the army has enough to eat, Fusu's daily meal will be a bowl of thin porridge, which is the same as the second and third sons!"