Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 294: Discussion in Chang'an, Do Not Bring Armor

Tongguan.

A strong wind mixed with snow and frost swept across the entire official road.

The knights lowered their heads, their armor covered with a thin layer of snow and frost, making it extremely difficult for them to walk.

Some of the laborers were driving the cars, while others were pushing them, all shivering in the strong wind.

The morale of the army has dropped to a certain level.

They looked so small in the vast expanse of white snow. The scouts spewed out thick fog and patrolled back and forth on both sides.

Yuwen Xian, wrapped in thick clothes, walked dejectedly to the center of the army.

He gazed into the distance, with an indescribable loneliness in his eyes.

They finally returned home.

But there are many people who can never go home again.

After Duan Shao arrived, he launched another round of fierce attack on the Zhou people, with Gao Yanzong as the vanguard and cavalry attacking their rear. Yuwen Xian hurriedly sent troops to rescue them. Hulugu led the rest of the enemy's forces and rushed down all over the mountains and plains. This time there was no Wang Xiong to stop them, and Yuwen Xian suffered a great loss.

This young and famous general was still somewhat immature when facing Hulugu Duan Shao and others.

Without the veteran to keep watch over him, he could easily be repeatedly pulled back by Duan Shao.

Gao Yanzong was only concerned with the fierce attack, but Hulugu used all kinds of mature tactics, such as spreading out and making detours. The soldiers from Jinyang were also extremely fierce. The performance of these old Xianbei people on the battlefield was extremely terrifying. There was still a gap between the most elite army of the Great Zhou and these elite troops from Jinyang. Yuwen Xian almost didn't get out alive.

They lost many soldiers and generals and returned in defeat.

This was the first time that Yuwen Xian suffered such a defeat. Thinking of the homeless corpses left outside Mangshan, Yuwen Xian felt indescribable self-blame and guilt.

Gao Ying was wrapped more tightly and wore very thick clothes. At first glance, he looked several sizes bigger than Yuwen Xian.

He is afraid of the cold.

He looked calmly into the distance, "My lord, facing Duan Shao, Hulugu, Gao Yanzong, Dugu Yongye and others, he was able to lead most of the elite troops out alive. This is already a natural talent."

"Even if Duke Sui and Duke Liang were still alive, we wouldn't dare to say we could gain any advantage against them."

"Duke Yong just reminded me not to underestimate the enemy, but I didn't take it to heart. I just thought Duan Shao was safe and didn't dare to chase him. I didn't expect that he wanted to kill us all. His fighting style was so fierce."

Gao Ying paused, feeling somewhat unnatural.

Duan Shao would not launch a large-scale pursuit. This was his judgment, and Yuwen Xian just followed his judgment.

Gao Jiong explained: "Generals like Duan Shao can no longer be judged by common sense. I made a mistake in my judgment."

"I'm not blaming you, I just feel that I still have a lot of shortcomings. From now on, we can no longer look down on anyone. Before we think about winning, we must first consider losing."

Yuwen Xian was a person who was very good at summarizing. This time, as the commander-in-chief, he fought against the enemy commander Duan Shao, which brought him a great shock and allowed him to quickly absorb a lot of things.

Gao Ying thought it was nothing.

That's Duan Shao. Although he is of a lower generation, he started joining the army and fighting at a very young age. Whether it's field battles, offense and defense, or other aspects, he is one of the best today. It's no exaggeration to say that he is the number one general of Da Qi.

In addition, he has a powerful man like Hulugu by his side. He may not be a match for Duan Shao in commanding multiple armies to fight large-scale battles, but as the commander of an army, he has never been defeated.

As for the ugly fat man, before this battle, no one would have thought that this guy who had a bad reputation in his early years would be so brave.

He has great strength and knows no fatigue.

With such a fat body, he could fight in the army for several rounds without feeling tired at all. After several battles, his warhorse was almost dead from exhaustion, but he was still full of energy.
This guy can't be a commander or a general, but as a vanguard, there are really few people on his side who can stop him.

Gao Jiong wanted to persuade him, but looking at the lonely Yuwen Xian, he didn't say anything. He thought for a moment and then said, "There are many talented people in the country, so you don't have to worry."

"You can recruit more people to serve as your accountant and hone them well. Today's success or failure is only temporary. There will be more important things for you to do in the future."

Yuwen Xian's eyes finally lit up and he looked at Gao Jiong.

"Can you recommend me any young talents? They must be able to fight!"

Gao Jiong thought for a moment again, "I do know two people, my lord, you can send someone to recruit them."

"Oh? Who are they?"

"My lord, do you know the general manager of Jinzhou, the military commanders of the seven states, and the governor of Jinzhou, He Ruodun?"

Yuwen Xian looked at him in astonishment, "Of course I know. You don't want me to recruit him, do you? How can I be so worthy?"

"Haha, my lord, you don't know that he has a son named He Ruobi. He is very young, but he is extremely brave and good at riding and shooting. No one can defeat him. He also knows military strategy and has a great reputation in Jinzhou."

Yuwen Xian nodded slowly, "If so, this person can be recruited."

"You should also know Han Xiong, the governor of Zhongzhou, the governor of the four states of Xu, Yu and Luo, and the governor of Zhongzhou?"

"You know, his son is also very powerful?"

"Yes, his son is called Han Qinhu. He originally followed the Duke to attack the State of Qi and made many military achievements. However, he was dismissed because he complained about the rewards and criticized the Duke of Jin. His father was also demoted and sent to Ganzhou."

When Gao Jiong thought about this, he couldn't help but shake his head.

"These two men are still young, but they both have military talents. If the lord can call them to serve him, he will not necessarily be at a disadvantage when facing Liu Taozi and others in the future."

Yuwen Xian was overjoyed, "Okay."

"After returning to Chang'an, I will send people to recruit these two talented people."

Yuwen Xian put away his sadness after the defeat and slightly sped up.

After marching like this for many days, the last Zhou army returned to Chang'an smoothly.

After settling the troops, Yuwen Xian and others entered Chang'an.

In the cold wind, Chang'an was full of people.

There were many people wearing mourning clothes, holding large flags, and shouting along the road: "Come back~~"

"Come back~~"

There were many people on the street, all dressed similarly. Some wore masks, lit a bonfire, and performed rituals.

The crying could be heard in every house.

In addition to the troops from various military offices, the main force in this expedition is mainly the elite troops from all over the capital.

These main forces also suffered the most deaths in this battle. In fact, many people died in Qi State and their bodies were not brought back.

Their families can only hope to bring their loved ones back through a spiritual ceremony.

Someone sprinkled a lot of ashes at the door of his house, and the ashes were scattered all the way towards the city gate. This was to guide the relatives who died in the battle.

Even Yuwen Hu did not dare to prohibit the people in the city from offering sacrifices and summoning spirits.

Yuwen Xian led the crowd and avoided one funeral procession after another. He lowered his head and did not dare to look at these people at all.

He didn't know how many of these people's relatives died because of him.

After Yuwen Xian arrived, everyone could finally review the battle.

Within the palace.

Yuwen Hu sat in the upper seat.

Many generals and important officials who came from afar sat on both sides. Even during the court meeting, Yuwen Hu could see the conspicuous mourning clothes.

Many ministers and generals lost their loved ones.

The court was silent and no one dared to speak easily.

Yuwen Hu asked his confidants to calculate the outcome of the battle, and the result almost made Yuwen Hu faint.

During Yuwen Hu's expedition, two generals of the duke level died, Suiguogong Yang Zhong and Yongguogong Wang Xiong. A junior tutor Yang Yu was captured. A general of the state, Hou Longen, died. A county duke, Yuwen Zhi, was captured. Apart from these top leaders, most of the governors, prefects, county lieutenants, and guards near the capital were either dead or injured. In the north, Lingzhou, Huizhou, and Yanzhou were lost.
The casualties among the middle and lower-level officers in the army, as well as the most elite soldiers, were extremely heavy.

Especially those outstanding middle and lower-level officers, Yuwen Hu lost more than 300 of them in one battle. This was a real blow, and the core of the team was gone.

Yuwen Xian, Yang Yu also suffered heavy losses here.
Yuwen Hu didn't dare to listen any further.

When he learned that Wang Xiong was killed and Yuwen Xian's troops were defeated, he could no longer cry and had no tears left.

Zhou, Jinzhou, the office of the governor.

The soldiers in the courtyard were all dressed in mourning, with their heads lowered and remained silent.

A tall, solemn-looking man stood in the courtyard, holding a glass of wine in his hand, with a sad look in his eyes, and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of Lingzhou.

Next to him stood a young boy, with a look of confusion on his face, who just followed the man in worshipping.

The man bowed several times before he stood up.

"General, if I cannot avenge this, I will not live in vain."

This man was none other than the Jinzhou governor and Grand Commander He Ruodun.

He Ruo Dun closed his eyes, his face turning sad again.

His son He Ruobi, who was standing beside him, could not help but ask loudly, "Grandpa, the Duke of Qi sent someone to summon me. Should I go or not?" He Ruodun looked at his son beside him with a solemn expression, "What are you doing with a young boy like Yuwen Xian?"

"Beside him, you are just a counting officer. There is no place for you to use your abilities."

"I think you should go to Huizhou and make achievements."

"I will write to General Yuchi"

Although He Ruobi was young, he was taller than his father. Standing behind He Ruodun, he looked particularly ostentatious.

He had a look of disdain on his face. In his opinion, there was no difference between following the Duke of Qi or the Duke of Shu.

I don't need them to succeed, but they need me to kill everyone!

Although He Ruobi is young, he has great ambitions and abilities. He is invincible in Jinzhou. He just wants to find a bigger platform to display his talents.

"Father, you don't need to write to me. I want to join the army myself. Even if I start as a soldier, I will definitely be able to surpass you and become a duke in the future!"

He Ruodun's color changed immediately.

Official position has always been a pain point in He Ruodun's heart. He has a long career and great military achievements, but he just can't be promoted. Why can't he be promoted?

This requires me to mention one person again and again, yes, it’s still that damn Dugu Xin.

He Ruodun was a close confidant promoted by Gu Duxin, and because of this, he had a particularly close relationship with Yang Zhong and others.

He Ruodun cursed: "Even if you have made military achievements, so what? In today's world, those who are good at fighting don't have a good end, but those who flatter others are promoted one after another! !"

"After such a great defeat, is there no one in the court who will take responsibility?"

"They even sent people to reward everyone. How ridiculous!!"

Just as He Ruo Dun was cursing, a soldier walked in quickly and saluted to He Ruo Dun, "General, the imperial court has sent someone to ask you to go to Chang'an immediately to discuss important matters. You must go quickly and don't need to bring any soldiers with you."

"Ok?"

Chang'an, Duke of Jin's Mansion.

The soldiers in the mansion were looming. Occasionally, a few soldiers could be seen, and then they suddenly disappeared.

Yuwen Hu sat in the upper seat, with two armored soldiers standing on his left and right.

He Ruodun, who had returned to Chang'an as quickly as possible to discuss important matters, was now kneeling in front of him with an expression of disbelief on his face.

There was a wooden table in front of him.

There was an exquisite wine jug placed alone on top.

A friendly smile appeared on Yuwen Hu's face, "The general is really very powerful in Jinzhou."

"In the past, I have defended the traitors and framed and humiliated me several times."

"After this battle, they privately set up a mourning hall to commemorate Duke Sui, and blamed me for his death. Tell me, was his death in battle due to me?"

"If he hadn't separated the troops from Lingzhou himself, would he have been trapped in the city?"

"It was obviously his fault for not giving the orders properly, how come it's my fault?"

He Ruodun glanced at the wine jug in front of him. At this moment, his expression became extremely complicated.

"Duke, I followed Emperor Wen when I was young, fighting in many battles and never took a step back."

"I know, that's why I reward you with fine wine."

Yuwen Hu gently stroked his beard and said, "Your children are all good. You don't have to worry. They will definitely inherit your title and legacy and do great things in the future."

He Ruodun looked ashen, no longer having the arrogance he had in Jinzhou.

Seeing his expression, Yuwen Hu's kind face also turned angry, "I don't understand why you all want to force me?"

"Each of them is an important official left by Emperor Wen. Could it be that I have failed Emperor Wen?"

"If it weren't for me, would Emperor Wen's descendants still be able to be kings in the country now?!"

"Who is the traitor?"

"If I have any evil thoughts, can you still stop me?!"

"Everyone is so stupid, they can't control their mouths!!"

"You have to force me to do something I don't want to do!!"

"You used to talk nonsense in the mansion, and I didn't punish you, but you dared to slander me so openly. You just lost the battle and you want to point the spearhead at me?"

"How have I wronged you? Is my position too low?!"

"Isn't it a blessing to let you live?!"

Years of gloom erupted in an instant. Yuwen Hu's questioning became louder and louder, his eyes filled with anger.

He really couldn't understand why these people were like this. Back then, the old man Hou Mochen was like this, saying that he would follow the emperor to punish the powerful officials. The old man Yang Zhong was even more like this. He wanted to marry him, but he didn't agree. Instead, he blamed him for not giving him too many troops? ? Do you think I am Gao Yang? ?

Yuwen Hu vented his anger for a while and then gradually calmed down.

He looked at He Ruodun and said, "Let's drink some wine first."

The soldiers on both sides slowly stepped forward.

He Ruodun was not afraid of these two so-called warriors. He Ruodun himself was famous for his bravery and his fighting ability was no weaker than that of his son.

But he had to drink it.

He picked up the flagon and drank it all.

Nothing is wasted.

All were eaten cleanly.

After finishing his drink, he wiped his lips and said with emotion: "I thought I could avenge Duke Sui and go north to fight Liu Taozi, but I never thought that I could only go so far."

Looking at He Ruodun's face full of emotion, Yuwen Hu's mood suddenly became complicated.

If these people hadn't rushed to deliver him, he wouldn't have wanted to kill anyone, especially these truly capable warriors.

He took a deep breath and said, "General, please go back home and say goodbye to your family before leaving."

"Send the general back home."

The soldiers stepped forward and helped He Ruodun up. He Ruodun saluted Yuwen Hu again, turned around and was taken away.

Yuwen Hu was the only one left in the room, and it was so quiet that it was somewhat eerie.

Yuwen Hu just felt uneasy.

The situation after the war was still very bad. The Lingxia defense line was torn apart again, and even Huining was lost. The communication between Lianggan became a big problem, and the deployment of the new defense line also became a problem.

The most important thing is the loss of national strength. I am afraid that in the next few years, the Great Zhou will no longer have the ability to go on expeditions.

It would take many years to recover from an injury, but Liu Taozi was different. He won a great victory, and his power would surely usher in a greater breakthrough. Next, the offense and defense would switch positions, and Liu Taozi would become the attacker.

Do we really have to ask that old man to come out and defend Liu Taozi?
Yuwen Hu slowly raised his head, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

Things have come to this point, and it seems that he is the only one left to defend Liu Taozi alone. Apart from him, who else can stop her?
He Ruodun was sent back to the temporary resting residence by the soldiers.

At this moment, the poison he drank had already taken effect, and He Ruodun felt as if his stomach was being stabbed by a knife, causing him to feel severe pain.

But He Ruodun sat on the bed, gritting his teeth, and didn't even groan.

He Ruobi stood aside, watching the scene, feeling hatred, anger, and anxiety, and not knowing what to do.

He knelt aside, his eyes wide open.

"If anything happens to my grandfather, I will rush to his house and chop off his head!!"

He Ruo Dun glanced at him, then looked at the servant beside him and whispered, "Give me an awl."

The servant went out quickly and soon brought back an awl and handed it to He Ruodun.

He Ruodun suddenly reached out, grabbed his son's head, pulled him in front of him, and stabbed him with a needle. The needle pierced He Ruobi's lips, and blood immediately gushed out.

He Ruobi didn't even blink, but was a little surprised.

He Ruodun looked at him lovingly and whispered, "Don't worry about me. You just need to inherit my legacy and protect the country. You must remember that it was because of my careless words that I caused the current disaster."

"Remember this awl, be careful with your words, be careful with your words."

Blood suddenly gushed out of He Ruodun's mouth. He shuddered and fell on the bed.

He Ruobi's lips were bleeding and he was crying loudly.

ps: His father Dun was well-known for his bravery and served as the governor of Jinzhou in the Zhou Dynasty. Yuwen Hu was jealous of him and wanted to kill him. Before his execution, he called Bi and said to him, "I want to pacify Jiangnan, but this will not work. You should fulfill my wish. I will die with my tongue. You must think about it." He then used an awl to prick Bi's tongue until it bled, and warned him to be careful with his mouth. - "Book of Sui·Biography of He Ruobi"

He Ruobi was generous and ambitious when he was young. He was brave and good at archery and horse riding. He was good at writing and was well versed in history. He was well-known in his time. King Xian of Zhou Qi heard about him and respected him, so he appointed him as a recorder. - "Book of Sui·Biography of He Ruobi"

(End of this chapter)