Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 104: The Protector General is granted the title of Marquis and takes in a new concubine

The first month of the fourth year of Zhongping.

As the news of beheading the barbarians and subduing Kobi spread, Zhang Yu's name became famous throughout Yanbei.

Under Hao Zhao's supervision, Hu Yanhe sent his daughter and the household registration of Zuonanbu to Zhang Yu, and sent the hundreds of Han people hidden in the tribe to Zhang Yu.

There were about five to six hundred Han people from the Baijia families, and more than a hundred Han people captured during the border crossing. Zhang Yu did not return them to Pingcheng, or send them to Chanhewu, but handed them over to Li Song, preparing to send them north to Chanhebi in the future to engage in salt production.

In addition to Hu Yanhe, needless to say, the various Wuhuan tribes in Yanbei, after learning of Zhang Yu's military achievements, all took the initiative to come to pay homage to Zhang Yu, and offered him more or less cattle, sheep, and horses in an effort to make friends with Zhang Yu.

As for Wuchen Di, when he learned that Yang Zan wanted the Hu bandits he had hidden, he came to him without saying a word and sent the looted Han people back to their hometowns.

Yang Zan was ruthless. He beheaded the Hu bandits who robbed Han women and hung their heads at the east gate to deter the surrounding Hu bandits.

Under the military merit and strict laws, the Hu people in Yanbei became quiet and did not dare to offend the Han people lightly. Moreover, the Xianbei near the border did not dare to enter the border, especially when the flag of "Yunzhong Yicong" passed by, the Xianbei cavalry would avoid it.

When Bingzhou Governor Zhang Yi learned about Zhang Yu's military achievements and the pacification of Yanbei, he was delighted and urged Yanmen Prefect Wang Ze to send wine and meat to Zhang Yu's troops as a reward.

Zhang Yu's superior, General Wang Rou, saw that Zhang Yu had made great contributions and shared the credit for his planning with him. He praised Zhang Yu for being very generous and, to express his gratitude, he even transported a large amount of supplies from Zuocheng to Zhang Yu.

Thanks to the supplies sent by various parties, Zhang Yu and his companions spent the New Year in Pingcheng. There was no shortage of wine and meat, which made many soldiers gain weight.

The lightly and seriously injured soldiers gradually recovered under the care of doctors. Only half of the seriously injured survived, and nine out of ten of the lightly injured recovered. Excluding those who were unable to join the army due to injuries, there were only about 30 volunteers in Yunzhong available, and the loss of soldiers was as high as %.

But fortunately, these soldiers who have experienced fierce battles outside the border can be called veterans. If they experience more training, the Yunzhong Cavalry can be called elite cavalry.

Due to the shortage of soldiers, Zhang Yu recruited soldiers in Yanbei and recruited 100 cavalrymen directly from Zuonan Village. In order to thank Zhang Yu for sharing the salt benefits of Hebei with him, Hu Yanhe selected 100 strong cavalrymen as soldiers and sent his second son Hu Yanle, who was quite brave, to Zhang Yu's command.

In Pingcheng, Zhang Yu was wearing military uniform, with a horse bow and a war horse on his left and right.

"Are you Hu Yanle?"

"Exactly."

Hu Yanle put away his shocked expression and answered respectfully.

Since Zhang Yu became famous in Yanbei, there have been many different opinions about his archery skills. Some say he is a master archer, while others compare him to an eagle shooter. Before meeting him, Hu Yanle thought it was just a boast by the Han people. Today, he saw his amazing archery skills with his own eyes, which was really amazing!

"Bo'an, bring the prepared leather armor and see if it fits Hu Yanqi's cavalry?" Zhang Yu ordered.

"promise!"

Zhang Yu and Hu Yanle found an empty seat and sat down, saying, "Although you are my brother-in-law, you must act according to your position in the army!"

"The cavalry you lead are from the Zuonan South. You may have some camaraderie among your fellow soldiers, but military law comes first in the army. If you violate military law, don't blame me for being ruthless before the law!" Zhang Yu reminded.

Zhang Yu has many brothers-in-law. In addition to Wang Chen and Li Song, he now has Hu Yanyu's brothers.

But for Zhang Yu, Li Song grew up with him, and he was his confidant in terms of trust. As for the relationship with the Hu Yan family, it was more about mutual benefit. Now letting Hu Yanle take the position of cavalry commander was more of a response to Hu Yanhe's show of goodwill.

"Yeah!" Hu Yanle nodded and responded.

Soon Meng Ningzhi came over holding the leather armor, and after Hu Yanle put on the armor, he stretched his body.

Zhang Yu saw that it fit him well, and said with a smile: "Now that we have the armor, if you are missing bows, spears, arrows, etc., you can go to the treasury to look for them."

"Thank you, Captain!" Hu Yanle looked quite excited and said with a bow.

After Hu Yanle left, Zhang Yu put away his expression, returned to the backyard of the county government office and sat down, tapping the table with his fingers, thinking about his current situation.

Now, according to the speed of foot, the military retribution had reached Luoyang. And through correspondence, he roughly understood what kind of title he would be awarded according to the military merit system of the Eastern Han Dynasty based on his achievements.

After beheading more than 700 people and subduing the enemy chief Kebineng, he started as a Marquis of Ting, and could even become the more prosperous Marquis of Duting.

Zhang Yu didn't know what official position he could be promoted to, after all, he was too young and had little experience in officialdom. If it weren't for his military merits, he wouldn't be promoted now. But Zhang Yu observed and guessed that because of his achievements in Yanmen, the court should let him continue to stay in Yanbei.

If he continues to stay in Yanbei, his military strength should be able to expand, and after the salt pond in Chanhebei starts production this year, it will be able to provide him with a large amount of money.

After entering the positive feedback, he will be able to take root in Yanbei. When the world changes, he will have great potential!
"Husband, the water is ready!"

Hu Yanyu came over with light steps and whispered something beside Zhang Yu.

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu responded, then put his arm around the girl's soft waist and went into the house.

Inside the house, the maid added hot water to the large wooden barrel. Hu Yanyu tested the water temperature himself. Seeing that it was suitable, he helped Zhang Yu take off his military uniform. Zhang Yu looked down at Hu Yanyu, who was kneeling and serving him, and the corners of his mouth could not help but rise slightly.

Soldiers, horses and power, what good things!

It can make the cunning old captive give up his beautiful daughter and make him serve him obediently. Even if he is unwilling, what can he do? If he wants, he can replace the leader at any time and replace him with other distant relatives or close relatives.

Seeing that Hu Yanyu couldn't help vomiting a few times, Zhang Yuru gently stroked the beauty's black hair like stroking a kitten, and then sat in the wooden barrel first.

Hu Yanyu put on a veil, revealing her hazy body, sat in the tub, and helped Zhang Yu wash his body.

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

Soon, the sound of splashing water was heard in the house.
-
The 23rd day of the first lunar month, Luoyang.

Because it was the New Year, the Luoyang Palace was decorated with lights and colors. Although the palace was luxurious, the decadent atmosphere it exuded suggested the gradual decline of national strength.

"His Majesty!"

The assistant minister walked over holding the military report and said happily, "Good news from Bingzhou, the Lieutenant General who protects the Xiongnu has sent a report!"

Liu Hong put his pen on the shelf and asked, "What's the good news from Bingzhou?"

"Your Majesty, in December, the Xianbei Hunan plundered Pingcheng and colluded with the Wuhuan in the county... Zhang Yu, the deputy commander of the Xiongnu Guard, led 800 cavalrymen from his own army out of the border and fought two fierce battles with the Xianbei bandit chief Ke Bineng, beheading and capturing more than 800 Hu captives. At this point, the bandit chief was in awe of our dynasty and surrendered to Zhang Yu!" the assistant minister reported.

"color!"

Liu Hong stood up from his seat, took the military newspaper and glanced at it. He could not help but cheer and said with a smile: "The General of the Central Army has made great contributions in planning, and Zhang Yu is extremely courageous. He dared to go out of the border to attack the Hu and achieved rare achievements."

Seeing Liu Hong so happy, Zhang Rang, who was accompanying him, was not happy about Zhang Yu's contribution, but he had to smile and said, "New Year's good news, I congratulate Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" the officials serving beside him responded.

Waving his hand, Liu Hong put away his smile and asked, "Is the number of beheadings true or false?"

"Your Majesty, the captured left ear of the barbarian has been sent to Luoyang and has been checked by a special person from Bingzhou, so we cannot guarantee that the barbarian's ear is fake!" said the assistant minister.

"Your Majesty, will you send someone to check it again?" Zhang Rang asked maliciously.

"No need!"

Liu Hong paced with his hands behind his back, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let the three ministers and the ministers of the Secretariat reward Zhang Yu according to his military merits. Don't let the heroes be discouraged."

As he spoke, Liu Hong seemed to remember something and said with a smile: "If I remember correctly, Zhang Yu was originally the magistrate of Zheng County. He was imprisoned because of Wang Yun's incident, and later he petitioned to be stationed in the frontier."

"Your Majesty has a good memory!"

Yang Qi, the imperial attendant, said with a smile, "Zhang Yu was born in Yunzhong, and had the ambition to drive out the Hu people since he was young. Because of your majesty's wisdom in identifying talents, he was able to take charge of Yanbei. Now he has driven out the Hu people and protected the frontier, and has made military achievements, all thanks to your majesty's use of virtuous people."

Liu Hong smiled proudly and said, "Zhang Yu risked his life to go to prison, ignored the wealth of the Central Plains, and took up a post in the bitter cold of the frontier. His simple character is rare!"

"Today, we have come to the frontier to make achievements, which can be said to be the best use of our talents!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" everyone praised.

Although almost a year had passed, Liu Hong still vaguely remembered Zhang Yu. After all, there were not many people in the world who would voluntarily go to jail!
Now that Zhang Yu had made military achievements, memories of the past came flooding back to Liu Hong, who remembered Zhang Yu. Liu Hong was proud that Zhang Yu was someone he appreciated. If he had not approved Zhang Yu's request, how could Zhang Yu have achieved what he has today?

After the Secretariat and the Three Dukes reviewed Zhang Yu's military achievements, they believed that he had killed and captured more than 700 people, nearly 800 people, which was a great achievement. He could be granted the title of Marquis of Duting, enjoy a fief of 300 households, and be promoted to the position of Cavalry Commandant, and retain his old post concurrently.

Zhang Rang did not want to see Zhang Yu promoted, so he advised Liu Hong that Zhang Yu's military achievements did not meet the requirements for being granted a title of nobility, and requested that Zhang Yu be granted the title of Marquis of Guannei instead of Marquis of Duting.

The military merit system of the Han Dynasty did not change much, and the requirements for the title of nobility were quite strict. That is, the number of troops lost by the generals must be within one-fifth of the number of enemies killed or captured, the number of enemies killed or captured must be more than five times the number of troops lost by the generals, and the number of troops lost by the generals must be within three-tenths, in order to be awarded the title of nobility.

Zhang Yu lost more than 200 soldiers and horses, and needed to kill more than 1,000 enemy bandits, but he only killed more than 700. Moreover, because the total number of soldiers and horses was less than 800, the loss was slightly more than 30%. Therefore, based on the above two points, Zhang Yu did not meet the requirements for the title of marquis.

Zhang Rang's words immediately aroused criticism from many court officials. As eunuchs were granted titles of nobility, the threshold for being granted a title of nobility had been lowered a lot, and now Zhang Rang was nitpicking about Zhang Yu's lack of military merit, which was obviously biased.

Yuan Shu submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating that since Zhang Huan took charge of the nine frontiers, there had been no general like Zhang Yu who had made outstanding military achievements in the past decade or so. Whether for reward or to encourage frontier generals, Zhang Yu should be granted the title of Tinghou.

Liu Yu, who was promoted to the position of Zong Zheng, also stood up and said to Liu Hong that eunuchs and relatives of the emperor were granted titles of nobility because of their luck, so why couldn't Zhang Yu be granted a title of nobility now?

After hearing what everyone said, Liu Hong made a middle option. He appointed Zhang Yu as Marquis of Zhishui Pavilion, appointed him as Cavalry Commander, gave him a thousand cavalrymen, and allowed him to hold his old post concurrently.

(End of this chapter)