Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 455: The Son's Honor

Huluxian led the army and looked at Guzang City in the distance.

The city gates are open.

Guo Jin led many officials to stand at the city gate, and the chief clerk was informing him of the news from the Han army.

When they learned that the coming general was Hulu Xian, even those officials who had chosen to surrender had complicated expressions.

Several officials around Guo Jin couldn't help but say, "Huoluxian is a Qihu! I heard that he is the younger brother of Huluguang. Huluguang is a cruel man and a real warrior. How can his brother be a good person? He used to be the general of Lingzhou. I heard that he often went to war with tens of thousands of troops from Lingzhou. Even the army that attacked Chang'an before had soldiers from Lingzhou. If he wants to embarrass us, what can we do?"

They had all decided to surrender, but the name of Huluxian frightened them.

The main concern was that this guy was a pure warrior who would humiliate, beat and scold them. After all, they were now surrendered subjects, and even if they were humiliated, they would have no way to seek justice.

Just when everyone was worried, the chief clerk suddenly said, "Don't worry!"

The chief clerk said confidently, "I have heard of General Hulu before. Although he is from a military family, he is not a crude warrior. When he was in Lingzhou, he was able to treat the locals kindly, which made everyone obey him. He was also respectful to the wise and humble. Many noble men who lived in seclusion in the mountains came down to serve him. Although he looks rough, his morals are flawless. You don't have to be afraid of him."

After hearing these words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Guo Jin glanced at him and said, "Liu Zhubu knows a lot."

Liu Zhubu smiled and said, "You can go and surrender."

Guo Jin then asked his men to follow him and go to the enemy camp together.

The people around Huluxian were also talking about it at this moment.

The officers around him said: "They are all villains. Seeing that the pseudo-Zhou Dynasty is in trouble, they are eager to sell out their country for fame and fortune!"

"People like this shouldn't be under our command! If they can betray the Pseudo-Zhou today, they can betray us tomorrow."

"shut up."

Huluxian interrupted them and said unhappily, "Why, you're not happy to avoid the fight? Do you really need a big battle and more deaths?"

"Shut up now. If anyone dares to ruin my plan, I will kill him first and ask for your permission later!!"

Huluxian had a rough appearance and a tall stature, and was still very intimidating. Everyone lowered their heads and dared not disobey him.

At this moment, Huluxian saw the prefect leading five or six officials towards him in the distance.

Huluxian rode out of the formation on his horse and also rushed towards them.

"The criminal Guo Jin pays homage to General Hulu!"

"I am here with the officials in the city, and I am willing to submit to the Han Dynasty."

Guo Jin knelt on the ground and expressed his surrender respectfully. Huluxian waited until he finished speaking before jumping off his horse, walking quickly to him and helping him up.

"Why did Mr. Guo have to perform such a grand ceremony?"

"Today, Liangzhou is free from war, more than 100,000 people have survived, the city has not been destroyed, the farmland has not been burned, and the spring planting has not been delayed. This is all due to the kindness of Lord Guo!"

"Mr. Guo does not care about his own personal morality and cares about the world. This is really admirable!"

Hulu Xian then returned the greeting to Guo.

Guo Jin was stunned.

Just look at Huluxian's face. There is a long scar from the corner of his eye to his mouth. His skin is dark, his beard is messy, and he looks like a pure warrior. He looks scary.

This appearance really doesn't match his current behavior at all.

He has a face that looks like he's ready to massacre the whole city at any time, but he actually does things that are respectful to the wise and humble.

Guo Jin reacted, "How dare I accept your courtesy! The Heavenly King governs the world with benevolence and justice, we all admire him, and the world is at peace with him."

The two men flattered each other for a while, and then Guo Jin introduced the people around him to Huluxian.

"Ah! It turns out to be Lord Wei. Could he be a relative of General Wei? General Wei is in Tongwan City right now. I just talked to him before I came here. He is indeed a virtuous man."

No matter who Guo Jin introduced, Huluxian would always praise him a little.

This was extremely beneficial to everyone. The previous fears and worries no longer existed, and they all rushed to meet Huluxian.

After the two sides formally met, Huluxian explained: "In theory, the army should not be allowed to enter the city, but the city has just been recaptured, and I am worried that there are still bandits who are unwilling to serve the Han country in the city, so please allow me to let the soldiers enter the city. I will keep an eye on them and prevent them from causing harm to the local area."

Allowing the army to enter the city was something that Huluxian could decide on his own, and he didn't need to ask these people at all. However, his request first made everyone seem very prestigious and respectable.

Huluxian gave them face, and they couldn't refuse it.

For a moment, everyone's attitude towards Hulu Xian became extremely respectful.

Huluxian led his army into the city and took over the defense of many surrounding counties. He then held a banquet to entertain these officials, drank and had fun with them, and even hired dancers to dance for them.

Liu Taozi gave him an imperial edict, ordering him to recapture Liangzhou and Ganzhou as quickly as possible.

However, Huluxian seemed to not care about the imperial edict at all. After arriving in Guzang, he stopped directly and held banquets every day with singing and dancing.

The officials here were extremely happy. They stayed with Huluxian all day long and had a lot of fun.

The officers around Huluxian were very confused and advised him not to indulge in wine and sex, but to obey the imperial edict and quickly send troops to pacify the rest of the places. However, Huluxian did not listen and just asked them to continue to stay in the barracks.

Some officers had to secretly send someone to report the situation to the base camp and impeach Huluxian for his behavior.

Huluxian had fun like this for many days, and the news of his entry into Liangzhou and what he did in Liangzhou gradually spread to other places.

After seven or eight days, officials from all over the country sent envoys to request surrender.

Huluxian accepted their surrender and went to these places one by one. It was still the same routine, with constant banquets, singing and dancing.

Hulu Xian quickly pacified the two northwestern states through singing, dancing, wine and meat without fighting the enemy once.

The former officials were not abused or humiliated, the local people were not harmed, the people continued to do their own things, and nothing changed.

Only at this point did the officers understand the general's intention.

Hulu Xian then sent someone to inform the direction of Lingzhou, hoping that they could send people to take up official positions, and at the same time hoped that they could send people to send these surrendered officials to Ling, Xia and other places.

Guo Jin was among the first group of officials to go to Lingzhou.

But at this moment he was no longer as afraid as before.

Huluxian's actions made him realize that his life was saved and he would not suffer any humiliation.

He prepared his belongings and set off with the officials. Huluxian sent knights to protect them.

The officials who will replace them are on the way and will arrive in a few days.

Guo Jin said goodbye to Huluxian and followed the crowd towards Lingzhou. The chief clerk still followed him.

It was only at this time that Guo Jin spoke out his true feelings.

"I knew that the chief clerk had been in contact with the Han people for a long time, but I really wanted to surrender in my heart, so I didn't pursue it."

The expression of this Chief Clerk Liu became indifferent at this moment, which was totally different from the past.

Liu Zhubu said seriously: "In fact, I have never had any contact with the Han army."

"Hahaha~~"

Guo Jin couldn't help laughing. He shook his head and said, "Why would you lie now?"

"It was you who persuaded me to submit to the Han Kingdom. It was you who knew that the Han army was coming. You also knew who Huluxian was. It was you who killed people at the banquet. How could you not be a part of this?"

Liu Zhubu's expression suddenly became solemn.

"I do intend to submit to the Han Dynasty. From persuading you to killing people, it was all for this purpose. However, I have never had any contact with the Han Kingdom before."

"The Han Dynasty is different from the Zhou Dynasty. I used to be an official in Huizhou. I saw with my own eyes what the situation was like in the Han Kingdom. The land was given to the people, the officials really worked, and the king governed the country with benevolence and justice. People from all over the country fled to the Han Kingdom."

"Perhaps only the Heavenly King can pacify the world and save the people."

Hearing the chief clerk's words, Guo Jin was quite surprised.

This chief clerk was of unremarkable appearance and young age. He recruited him because he had good writing skills. He did not expect that he could say such words.

"Liu Kuang!"

"You may achieve great success in the future!"

"kill!!"

Chun Yuliang gave the order and the catapult began to move. A large number of stones flew towards the city gate.

The ancient general Guan Yu once built a city here. The two cities faced each other. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the government officially connected the two cities together, raised the city walls, built a moat, and had five barriers inside and outside the city, making it extremely easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The tall arrow towers became the biggest problem for Chen's army in attacking the city. If they were not destroyed, the moat could not be filled and they would be shot into sieves as soon as they approached.

These arrow towers are connected to each other and overlook the ground. Crossbow carts are set up in the arrow towers, which are extremely powerful.

After actually seeing Jiangling City, the generals in Chen’s army who had been shouting all day about taking over Jiangling finally shut up.

This was the reason why Liu Taozi did not let them rush to attack Jiangling.

Outside the moat is the outer wall, inside the outer wall is the earth wall, behind the earth wall is the inner wall, and inside the inner wall there are soldier caves and various emergency buildings. Just attack them!
While the catapults were suppressing the arrow tower, a large number of soldiers rushed up and began to fill the moat. If it was a small city, they could conquer the moat by means of rafts or bridges, but they couldn't take such measures for the moat of Jiangling. It was too damn wide. The siege equipment couldn't get close at all! !
Therefore, it can only be filled in the most crude way!
A large number of Chen soldiers rushed forward and filled the river under the cover of bows and crossbows and catapults, and the enemy's counterattack was also quite fierce.

The crossbow carts whizzed and shot, and the crossbow arrows could easily penetrate armor and large shields. Even the wooden walls raised by the Chen people could not protect them and were directly pierced through.

At this moment, Yang Jian was standing on the city wall, accompanied by many generals, looking at the mighty army in the distance.

Following Gao Jiong's suggestion, Yuwen Xian sent Yang Jian to be responsible for the defense of Jiangling.

Yang Jian was relieved to be able to leave Yuwen Xian.

He knew that it was Gao Jiong who was helping him. Yuwen Xian had never liked him. If he continued to stay with Yuwen Xian, the risk would be too great. It would be much safer to leave him and come here.

As for why Gao Jiong wanted to help Yang Jian escape from danger
Well, Gao Jiong's father was called Gao Bin, an official under Grand Marshal Dugu Xin. He was given the surname Dugu, and that's right, it was Dugu Xin again! The one who helped him was Dugu Jiong!

Of course, it is not right to say that Gao Jiong was willing to help Yang Jian deal with Yuwen Xian. Although Gao Jiong's father was an official under Dugu Xin, he had served as Yuwen Xian's chief secretary for a long time. Both father and son had received Yuwen Xian's kindness. He could help Yang Jian to the best of his ability without affecting Yuwen Xian, but it was impossible for him to help Yang Jian deal with Yuwen Xian.

Yang Jian quickly arrived in Jiangling with reinforcements.

His arrival, just as Gao Jiong had said, calmed the people of Liang. When everyone learned that Yuwen Xian had recaptured Chang'an and the situation in various places had been stabilized, they were finally no longer so panicked.

Yang Jian then began to resist this foreign enemy.

Chunyu Liang's attack was extremely fierce, but Yang Jian was able to counterattack relying on the strength of the city.

Yang Jian was not so afraid of this group of Chen people.

Because the Zhou envoys were already on the way, there was a high probability that the Chen people would withdraw their troops.

They had missed the best opportunity to attack the city.

However, Yang Jian was extremely confused about the future situation.

Fortunately, he had moved his family to his own fiefdom before, so he was not captured by the enemy, but the defeat of the Zhou Kingdom was becoming increasingly obvious.

He and Liu Taozi have a grudge against each other for killing their fathers.

Yang Jian stood on the city wall, looking at the Chen people attacking from a distance, but he was thinking about his retreat route.

There is a high probability that the King of Qi will retreat to Hanzhong.

Although the situation is bad, the terrain of Bashu is good. Liu Bei was able to withstand the fierce attack from the Central Plains with the help of Bashu, so there is no reason why we can't do it!
Given the natural barrier of Bashu, it would not be easy for Liu Taozi to defeat the Zhou army in a short period of time.

Should we arrange for our family to go to Bashu early to occupy the land?

Yang Jian thought silently in his heart.

At this moment, in Chunyu Liang's formation on the opposite side, something was wrong.

Many generals were eager to meet Chunyu Liang, but Chunyu Liang ignored them.

Those who had shouted for the capture of Jiangling in the past changed their minds after being sent to fight several siege battles, and felt that they should negotiate peace with the Zhou people.

Xiao Mohe was covered in wounds and was defeated once again.

After returning to Chunyu Liang, Xiao Mohe apologized to him again, but Chunyu Liang did not ask him to do so. He just asked the doctor to bandage his wounds as soon as possible.

Xiao Mohe felt complicated as he looked at Chunyu Liang, who seemed to have suddenly become a different person. He was a little confused about the current situation.

Today's fierce attack ended again. The Chen people advanced the front line a little and were finally able to reach the enemy's city wall, but the price was quite heavy.

Soldiers kept coming to Chunyu Liang and telling him that there were generals who wanted to see him.

Chun Yuliang stood in the center of the army, his face solemn, and he just shook his head. "If they want to discuss strategies to defeat the enemy, let them write to me. If they want to stop the siege, let them go back!!"

"We are here under the order of the Emperor to conquer the city and gain merit. How can we be afraid and want to flee just because the enemy is so powerful?"

"We must take this city for your majesty!"

What Chunyu Liang said was absolutely true. He even sent his own son to attack the city. His son was hit by two arrows. If his personal soldiers had not pulled him back in time, he would have died under the city.

Even his own son is like this, let alone others?
Looking at Chunyu Liang who seemed to be possessed by the yellow magic thread, Xiao Mohe couldn't tell what was wrong with him.

Documents impeaching Chunyu Liang also rained down on Jiankang.

As much as they wanted Chunyu Liang to replace Huang Fachi in the past, they now wanted to bite him off as well.

Tongwan City.

The soldiers were ready and escorted the prisoners to transport them to Yecheng.

General Yan Heita was in charge of this transportation. She was wearing a mask and riding a warhorse, inspecting the captives who were about to leave. There were knights following behind her, inspecting together.

Suddenly, a man rushed out from among the prisoners and blocked the warhorse.

The knights on both sides immediately drew their bows, but Yan Heita stopped them.

Standing in front of the warhorse was a little kid.

This doll looks like it is only six or seven years old.

He looked quite cute, with tears in his eyes. He knelt in front of his warhorse and kowtowed continuously.

"General! Please have mercy on me and save my grandfather! My grandfather is dying, please save him!"

Yan Heita's expression could not be seen under the mask. She looked not far away and saw a woman among the captives. She was so scared that she almost fainted when she saw the baby running away. People were supporting her on both sides.

Yan Heita jumped off his horse and walked a few steps to the front of the baby.

"What happened to your grandfather?"

"My grandfather is sick, I want to find a doctor for him, but they all ignore me, please help me, General."

Yan Heita was silent for a moment, helped him up, and then looked at the knights on both sides, "Send the doctor over."

"only!"

The knights did not dare to delay and moved out quickly.

A moment later, a doctor arrived. The kid brought the doctor to the captives. The doctor checked him and then reported to Yan Heita: "This person is seriously ill. If we continue on our journey, I'm afraid..."

Yan Heita didn't say anything.

The child knelt in front of her again and said, "General, I am willing to go on the journey in place of my grandfather. Take me away. Although I am still young, I will be very strong when I grow up. Then I can help you transport food and carry things."

Listening to the little guy's crying, Yan Heita couldn't bear it after all.

"Let this family stay for now, and continue on their journey after they have recovered from their illness."

"Go look for more. If there are any patients with extremely serious illnesses, let them stay and recuperate first. Don't kill them."

"only."

The knights immediately went to work.

When the little kid heard this, he straightened his clothes hastily and bowed deeply to Yan Heita.

"Thank you, General!!"

"General, I will definitely repay you for your kindness!"

"Well, don't think about repaying me. Grow up quickly, build up your strength, and repay the king later."

After Yan Heita finished speaking, he turned around and left.

As they walked along the road, Yan Heita suddenly asked, "Whose child is that?"

The knight was stunned and quickly went back. After a moment, he came back to report.

"Replying to the general, he is the son of Li Bing, the Duke of the Pseudo-Zhou Tang, and his name is Li Yuan."

(End of this chapter)