Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 499: Really Fierce Generals Like Clouds

Qin County.

On the deserted streets, minor officials from the Han Dynasty galloped on their horses, shouting documents to reassure the people all the way.

Many new officials came, some of whom were old officials. Because of the official system reform within the Chen Kingdom, Huang Fachi employed many minor officials in Jiangbei, all of whom were capable people with good reputations in the local area.

Unless someone is notorious for his evil deeds, the imperial court will not kill him.

If he is willing to continue serving the Han Kingdom, he can even continue to hold his previous official position.

Qinzhou has been doing quite well in recent years, with prosperous people and stable rule, and Huang Fachi has made considerable contributions to this.

It was during this period that many unexpected events occurred and chaos began to set in. Zu Ting wrote to several generals in which he mentioned: Do not cause too much damage to the local area and think carefully when considering tactics and strategies.

The generals also obeyed the imperial edict, persuading the enemy to surrender whenever possible and trying their best to avoid damage to roads, post stations, farmland, etc.

At this time, the Han State was fully capable of avoiding excessive damage.

After the Han Dynasty took over various places, the rear began to send officials to carry out post-war appeasement work. Before the fighting began, the court had already organized preparations for the takeover.

During the turmoil, most people hid in their homes, mainly because they had nowhere to escape and would be caught if they ran.

Fortunately, the Han army has a good reputation in the local area.

At that time, Liu Taozi fought a great battle with Wu Mingche, Huang Fachi and Xu Du in Lianghuai.

Liu Taozi protected many cities, and wherever he went, he did not harm anyone. When he returned, he also took many local young and strong people with him.

In Guangzhou and other places in the Han State, there lived many people from Lianghuai, all of whom had fled with Liu Taozi.

This time, the imperial court tried its best to choose officials whose ancestral home was in Lianghuai to take over the job. Officials could not serve in their hometowns, but officials could.

Because of these two points, the local people did not have much resistance to the Han army. If Huang Fachuo were still alive, he might be able to resist by relying on the hearts of the people he had won through his benevolent rule over the years. However, after Huang Fachuo died, Liu Taozi had the highest reputation and popularity in the local area.

All places calmed down in a short time and the chaos did not last too long.

Some people who had experienced the war between the North and the South could still tell some rumors about the baboon, which surprised everyone.

Yao Xiong rode on his war horse and stood outside the official road gate to the east of the city.

There were hundreds of knights behind him, each of them was majestic and extraordinary.

Ren Zhong and Xiao Mohe stayed on his left and right respectively. Xiao Mohe was a little restrained, but Ren Zhong was very attentive.

They stood here to meet up with Gao Yanzong, and then go together to welcome a general of a very high rank.

Ren Zhong really wanted to leave a good impression on Gao Yanzong.

The royal family of Northern Qi had a very high status in the Han Kingdom. Although Ren Zhong could not quite understand why this was the case, these royal family members could not be provoked.

Especially the brothers of the General of Cavalry, each of them is talented and holds high position and power.

If you can be valued by them, you will definitely have the opportunity to display your talents in the future.

Unlike Ren Zhong, Xiao Mohe was somewhat conflicted. He had fought with the Han Kingdom in the past, killed Han people, and fought with Gao Yanzong. He didn't know if he would be humiliated, nor did he know how he would be treated in the Han Kingdom.
Yao Xiong was also a person who couldn't sit still, and at this moment he was chattering non-stop to the two of them.

"You guys, don't be nervous!"

"Gao Yanzong is a good person to talk to, but he is a little ugly. By the way, General Xiao should have seen him, right?"

"You can rest assured. He has always valued warriors."

"You two are both famous warriors in the South."

As everyone was talking, the army in the distance finally slowly appeared.

Gao Yanzong rode a big horse and rushed to the front of the army. His face was gloomy and his brows were frowned.

This time, in order to reach Qinzhou as quickly as possible and attack Huanglong directly, this guy led the elite knights and started the charge directly. Unlike Yao Xiong who fought one county at a time, he ignored what was behind him and rushed towards the destination.

He was very fast, but unfortunately, Yao Xiong was luckier. He met Ren Zhong, and then, with Ren Zhong's help, he quickly dealt with those Chen officials who were on the sidelines. He first rushed to Qin County, and although he failed to capture Lu Guangda and others, he gained the most gains and had the most enemies surrender to him.

The two sides soon met each other.

When Yao Xiong saw Gao Yanzong's expression, he was not afraid at all. Instead, he laughed and began to mock him.

"I heard that you led a group of people to go on a rampage. Why did you arrive in Qin County only now?"

Gao Yanzong's serious face instantly turned into a smile when he heard this. "If it weren't for your good luck, you would still be wandering in the north now!"

Gao Yanzong jumped off his horse and the two men shook hands cordially.

The two had been on the front line together for many years and had a close relationship, so naturally they would not be angry about the other getting the first credit. Gao Yanzong even thought that it was a good thing that Yao Xiong got the first credit, at least it was not taken by his brother.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Yao Xiong quickly called two of his subordinates over.

Ren Zhong glanced at Xiao Mohe and did not rush to step forward.

Before Yao Xiong had the chance to introduce himself, Gao Yanzong strode forward and grabbed Xiao Mohe's hand.

"Great! Great!"

"I was just wondering if I could make you surrender!"

"Our Han Dynasty has gained a new brave general. When Wansui arrives, the three of us will lead the charge. Who in the world can stop us?!"

Gao Yanzong was much more excited than Yao Xiong. Gao Yanzong had actually fought with Xiao Mohe and knew what this guy was capable of. He also always respected people with such extraordinary personal martial arts skills.

Xiao Mohe probably didn't expect Gao Yanzong to be so enthusiastic, and was a little at a loss.

Gao Yanzong then sighed, "It's a pity for General Huang."

"I told him at the beginning that Chen Xu is not a wise leader."

"It would be great if he could surrender when he was in Jiangling."

Talking about this matter, both of them were silent.

Yao Xiong cleared his throat and said, "This is General Ren."

Gao Yanzong looked at Ren Zhong and grabbed his hand with the same surprise, "When I was fighting in Jiangling, the person riding a black horse to block me was you?"

Ren Zhong was a little embarrassed, "It's me."

"Oh, Titan!"

Gao Yanzong held his hand and looked at Yao Xiong. "Don't underestimate him because he is not well-known. He is a real warrior. When I rode my warhorse out of the city gate and attacked the attacking army, this man actually stood in front of me and fought to the death. He fought with me for thirty rounds. I couldn't defeat him, so I had to flee back to the city with my men. I was almost stopped by him!"

Yao Xiong said "oh", but Ren Zhong was sweating profusely.

He just remembered this incident.

He quickly explained: "General, at the beginning I..."

"Hey! Don't mention the past anymore!"

"This time, General Huang was unjustly killed, and General Ren was the first to take the lead, put order, and submit to the will of heaven, and was able to obtain Lianghuai. Isn't this the general's first merit?"

"General Ren is righteous!"

After Gao Yanzong flattered him for a few words, Yao Xiong asked them to help settle the generals and soldiers brought by Gao Yanzong. The two also knew that Yao Xiong and Gao Yanzong had something to say in private, so they hurriedly left to do the work. Both of them felt much better.

After seeing the two men off, the smile on Gao Yanzong's face faded a little.

He said slowly: "Xiao Mohe is a wise man who can be used in important positions. But isn't Ren Zhong a little too snobbish and scheming?"

Yao Xiong shook his head. "He was born in a low family, and this is all due to habit. He doesn't have any bad habits. He is a decent person and brave in battle. He should not be underestimated."

Gao Yanzong did not refute, he hurriedly asked: "What's the matter with General Chunyu?"

"Why do people everywhere say that he lost, and lost miserably?"

Gao Yanzong frowned. "We have obtained so many warships from Zhou, plus the ones we built and bought over the years. Can't we be comparable to the Chen people?" "Besides, who in Chen can be called a famous general now? Chunyu Liang couldn't defeat him? That guy named Zhou is so powerful? Where is General Wang?"

"cough"

Yao Xiong coughed a few times and signaled him to speak more quietly.

Gao Yanzong looked around, still a little angry, "We have been preparing for so many years, the navy is so disappointing, do we have to wait another ten years?"

"You really haven't made any progress!"

Yao Xiong cursed and asked in a low voice: "What do you think we are fighting for this time? Is it to destroy the State of Chen?"

"We are here to recover Lianghuai this time. Does this require General Wang to bring all the navy with him?"

Gao Yanzong thought about it, and then slapped himself on the forehead.

"I was too anxious to hear the news. It's my fault. It's my fault. I scolded General Wang a lot before I came here."

"Okay, come back to the city with me first. The General of the Cavalry will be here soon, and we have to go together to welcome him."

Yao Xiong gave an order, and then lowered his voice again, "I think that the destruction of Chen may be within one or two years."

Gao Yanzong was overjoyed and hurriedly followed Yao Xiong back to the city.

After two days, they finally received accurate news. The two troops gathered together and went out of the city to meet the General of Cavalry.

They walked more than twenty miles and then saw the army led by Gao Changgong.

This time, Gao Changgong was marching all the way east from Jiangling. Judging from the distance, Gao Changgong was the fastest man. However, his marching speed had always been so exaggerated, and the soldiers under his command were the most elite and could withstand long-term rapid marches. Therefore, neither Yao nor Gao were surprised.

Gao Changgong did not walk so lazily. The generals cleared the way in front and behind him, and he acted like the number one man in the military.

When the army arrived, Gao Yanzong rushed forward impatiently.

"Your subordinate greets the General of the Cavalry!!"

Gao Yanzong respectfully saluted Gao Changgong on his war horse.

Gao Changgong glanced at the guy and said, "Stand up."

"Thank you, General Hussar!"

Gao Changgong's eyes twitched, "Speak nicely, don't act weird."

Gao Yanzong then revealed that familiar silly smile, "Brother."

The many generals around Gao Changgong looked with great interest at Gao Yanzong, who from his appearance to his temperament did not look like Gao Changgong's brother.

These two people don't just look alike, they are simply... How to say it, the two brothers look too opposite, Gao Changgong has light eyebrows, Gao Yanzong has thick eyebrows, Gao Changgong has a long face, Gao Yanzong has a round face, one has big eyes, the other has small eyes, one is white, the other is black, they are the opposite of their brother in every way.

Gao Yanzong also looked at the generals brought by Gao Changgong. In addition to Shi Wansui, there were He Ruobi, Han Qinhu, Gao Jiong and others.

Gao Yanzong looked at these people and was stunned for a moment, "Brother, you have so many talented people under your command."

He almost said 'the bandits in the west are gathering'.

Gao Changgong ignored him and met with Yao Xiong, Ren Zhong, Xiao Mohe and others.

Because Wang Lin did not participate in the battle, the commander of this battle was only Gao Changgong.

The crowd gathered behind him and marched into the city in a mighty procession.

When these people get together, they can really be considered a fierce group.

Led by Gao Changgong, there were many brave generals and the elite troops of the three kingdoms were gathered together.

In the hall, Gao Changgong sat at the top, with Gao Yanzong, Yao Xiong, and Shi Wansui on one side, He Ruobi, Han Qinhu, and Gao Jiong on the other, and Ren Zhong, Xiao Mohe, and others behind him.
Gao Changgong looked at everyone and then issued several important orders.

He assigned garrison areas to everyone.

As the battle line advances, the confrontation between the two sides has undergone subtle changes, and Gao Changgong himself will not stay here.

During the battle to destroy Chen, Gao Changgong must have attacked Jiangdong from Jiangling or even Bashu via Jingxiang. Crossing the river and launching a fierce attack was Wang Lin's job.

However, the deployment of this front line still needs to be arranged by Gao Changgong before Wang Lin officially takes action.

Hearing Gao Changgong's order to deploy them to the front line, train the troops, and wait for the arrival of food and grass, Gao Yanzong seemed particularly excited. He realized that what Yao Xiong said was true. So many generals were deployed to the front line at the same time. This was definitely a move against the State of Chen! !
Gwangju, shipyard.

In a huge shipyard by the river, a brand new warship is gradually taking shape.

The craftsmen were working enthusiastically and were extremely busy.

At this moment, Wang Lin was leading a group of officials, looking at the huge monster in the distance, with a smile on his face.

According to rumors from outside, Wang Lin is seriously ill and unable to go out to fight, and may die this year.

This old general, who might not survive this year, is now looking at the warships in the distance with a rosy face and laughing, looking quite tough.

"Not bad."

"Reward those craftsmen. Remember to inform me as soon as you finish the work. I want to go up and play with it first."

"Cough cough."

The official behind him cleared his throat. This old general always spoke in an impolite manner and needed someone to keep an eye on him.

Wang Lin visited his own shipyard, and then hurried to the navy's training base.

Wang Lin did not take the war in Lianghuai seriously. Since Huang Fachi was killed, even if Yao Xiong went alone, he could still win. There was nothing to worry about.

Probably because the shipyard had made a breakthrough in technology, Wang Lin was in a good mood. Sitting in the car, he was still instructing his subordinates not to withhold the rewards for the craftsmen who had improved the technology, but to reward them generously and not be stingy.

There are a large number of southern shipbuilders in various places in Gwangju. One group was brought by Cao Qing, and another group was captives after the Han-Zhou War.

The number of shipyards is also increasing. There are currently four super-large shipyards in Guangzhou. The warships they manufacture are not much inferior to those of the Chen State. After all, these craftsmen are the same group of people as those of the Chen State.

Apart from the material problems, the technology is not backward.

Wang Lin's chief secretary looked at the jubilant old Wang and couldn't help but say, "General, shouldn't General Chunyu also make some achievements? He has been defeated several times. Even if the court knows about it, it will still affect your reputation and the morale of the soldiers has also been hit."

"And General Chunyu, he just surrendered. I've heard a lot of rumors recently."

Wang Lin shook his head. "Don't worry about these rumors. Write a letter to Chunyu Liang and tell him not to worry. After destroying Chen, there will be merits and fame!"

The chief secretary pursed his lips and whispered, "The thief general Lu Guangda sent people to shoot letters to the navy soldiers. The letters contained some words of persuasion, persuading the generals of the Southern Kingdom to wake up in time and return to surrender."

"what?"

"Hahaha~~~"

Wang Lin was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.

"Is this guy crazy? Go back? Go back and be Huang Fachu?"

The chief secretary said solemnly: "They said in their letters that the Han are actually Hu people, and Xia Zi must not submit to them."

Wang Lin sneered.

"We use elegant language in court meetings, Chinese characters in court documents, and the same is true for military orders and military documents. How can it be considered as barbarian language? On the contrary, if I remember correctly, the military orders of the Chen Kingdom in the southernmost part of the country seem to use the language of barbarians?"

Wang Lin's eyes were full of disdain, but suddenly he rubbed his hands, as if he remembered something.

He asked excitedly: "Tell me, if I contact the nobles of Chen State through letters, saying that we are also Xia people and cannot bear to see the Hu people rampant, and I agree with them to have private exchanges and trade, and to stop the Hu people from going south if necessary, will they sell me a lot of good things?"

The chief secretary shuddered, "General! No!"

"I know the general's ambition to make great achievements and he wants to use a trick to exchange for the warships, but such a thing will definitely cause criticism of Zu Xiang's character."

"Oh, your majesty and Prime Minister Zu would not think there is anything objectionable about this. If I can buy fifty warships with this, even if I write a letter to the people of Chen and curse Prime Minister Zu's ancestors, he will not be angry!"

(End of this chapter)