Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 553: Peace in the Tianping Army

Xin Qiji, who Liu Huai had high hopes for, had also returned to Xucheng, Dongping Prefecture. Just as the 7,000-man army was preparing to set up camp, Geng Jing, who was supposed to be waiting for the three generals at the city gate, had already arrived with the Tianping Army, including its civil and military officers.

Xin Qiji quickly ordered the military to call over the commanders who were commanding the troops, and then took Li Tieqiang and Jia Rui to go forward to meet Geng Jing.

"Jiedu, we are back!"

Xin Qiji and the other three were all overjoyed, happily bowing. Geng Jing, on the other hand, had initially tried to maintain a serious expression, but upon seeing these confidants, he immediately broke down and stepped forward, hugging each of the three.

"I'm glad you're back safely, I'm glad you're back!" Geng Jing praised repeatedly, "I've heard that you three are truly amazing. You demonstrated the power of our Tianping Army in Chao County and even captured the Jin Emperor. You don't know that some people were complaining to me before, but after the news of the great victory came..."

Before he finished speaking, Geng Jing heard someone coughing behind him. Turning around, he saw Zhang Anguo winking at him. Seeing someone else behind him looking embarrassed, he immediately realized what was happening and changed the subject: "Everyone, look at this army. Isn't it magnificent?!"

A man dressed as a scholar stepped out first, twirling his beard and saying, "Geng Jiedu has obtained this powerful army, which is enough to defeat the Jin thieves and conquer the Central Plains. Today we congratulate him."

Led by this scholar, the others bowed and shouted, "Congratulations to the governor."

Geng Jing laughed out loud.

Xin Qiji and the other three generals looked a little strange. Li Tieqiang was about to say something when he was lightly kicked by Xin Qiji.

After these few months, the Taiping army has grown greatly, and many scholars and warriors have come to join. In the first row behind Geng Jing alone, there are three or four people who are unfamiliar to Xin Qiji and others. Even if there are serious matters to discuss, this is not an appropriate occasion.

Geng Jing, with his sharp eyes, had already noticed the small movements of Xin Qiji and Li Tieqiang. He frowned and said to Li Tieqiang, "Big Tieqiang, what were you about to say?"

Li Tieqiang was quick-witted and pointed behind him: "I want to introduce the heroes of Lianghuai to the governor."

More than ten commanders and military staff were coming quickly. Among these people, only six were old men from the Tianping Army, and the rest were from Lianghuai and had never officially appeared in Shandong.

They had just arrived and didn't know anyone. Even though they had all witnessed the grand scenes of fighting on the battlefield, they still felt nervous and turned their eyes to Xin Qiji who was at the front row.

Xin Qiji turned around and said to those people with a smile: "Everyone, this is the Geng Jiedu I often talk about. Why don't you quickly pay your respects?"

"Greetings to Jiedu Geng!" Only then did the people from Lianghuai bow together and speak loudly.

Geng Jing's smile froze.

In his opinion, the scene just now clearly showed that only after Xin Qiji spoke did the others dare to salute him, while Jia Rui and Li Tieqiang just watched happily without any intention of scolding him.

In just a few months, this army only knew about Xin Qiji and didn't know about Geng Jiedu?
Zhang Anguo and others also seemed to have noticed this. After looking at each other for a few seconds, they looked away as if nothing had happened.

Although Geng Jing laughed heartily as he helped everyone up one by one, asked their names one by one, and gave them some words of encouragement, as if nothing had happened, a sharp thorn had already been deeply planted.

Afterwards, there was a grand feast for the entire army. Everyone surrounded Geng Jing and came to the commander's tent. They pushed Geng Jing to the first seat, and then everyone returned to their positions and began to feast.

This was the largest gathering of the Tianping Army since it captured Dongping Prefecture, with the most complete personnel. No official business was discussed, but only drinking and bragging.

In the end, Xin Qiji, one of the protagonists, was drunk and collapsed on his chair.

After the banquet, Xin Jingwei helped Xin Qiji into the carriage and headed towards his residence in the city.

As soon as he got into the carriage, Xin Qiji broke free from Xin Jingwei's support. Although he was drunk, his eyes were unusually clear.

"Ah Wei, who are those people? Why are they so close to Jiedu Geng? What happened after we left?"

Xin Jingwei did not follow Xin Qiji south.

In order to seize power, Geng Jing naturally needed to split up some factions, so the original Xin Army was split into several parts. Even Xin Jingwei, as Xin Qiji's cousin, led other troops and served as the main general.

Therefore, if Xin Qiji wanted to know what happened, it would be convenient for him to just ask him directly.

Xin Jingwei hesitated. Seeing Xin Qiji's gaze gradually sharpen, he said quickly, "Brother, it's not that I can't tell you, but the matter is too complicated and I don't know where to begin." "Let's start with the origins of those people," Xin Qiji said seriously. "I want to know where Ye Shichan, Shi Baiju and the others are. Did they escape or were they killed?"

Hearing this, Xin Jingwei breathed a sigh of relief. "How is that possible? Chief Geng is very magnanimous and tolerant. How could he kill someone over such a small matter, especially an old brother? It's just that the territory is now so large, and those capable of leading troops are often away leading troops, so it's difficult to gather them all at once."

Xin Qiji also secretly relaxed a little. He was an extremely smart man. How could he not know that he had violated some of Geng Jing's taboos today?
But he thought he had a clear conscience, so he kept a low profile and closed the door to visitors. After half a month, the matter was over.

"Those few, with Kong Duanqi as their main figure, all defected after our army captured Dongping Prefecture." Xin Jingwei continued, "Kong Duanqi in particular is a very capable person, well-versed in general affairs, and has already been recruited by Chief Geng as his advisor."

Xin Qiji's mind flashed to the man who had taken the lead in praising Geng Jing's merits. He nodded, then froze in shock. "Surname Kong, generation name Duan. Could he be the Kong family of Qufu?"

Xin Jingwei nodded: "That's right, it's just a branch of the Kong family."

Xin Qiji immediately took a deep breath and didn't know what to say for a moment.

The reason is not only that Kong Duanqi's surname is Kong, but also because his generation name "Duan" is considered a very large generation nowadays.

More than 30 years ago, when the Jianyan Dynasty moved south, the Kong family was divided into two families. One family was led by Yanshenggong Kong Duanyou and fled to the south of the Yangtze River with Zhao Gou, while the other family was led by Kong Duanyou's younger brother Kong Duancao and stayed in Qufu.

Later, this branch that moved south settled in Quzhou.

The branch that remained in the north was conferred the title of Yanshenggong by Jin Xizong Wanyan Tan.

As a result, there were two Yansheng Dukes in the world.

This is the origin of South Kong and North Kong.

Now that Kong Duanyou and Kong Duancao have both passed away, a person with the surname Duan has appeared in the Tianping Army. How can this not be shocking?
You must know that the current Duke Yansheng of Qufu is already the grandson of Kong Duancao.

Don’t worry about whether it’s because the Kong family of Qufu has a glorious tradition of submitting a letter of surrender, or because you have to bow your head under someone’s eaves. After all, they sent such an elder to serve as the vanguard of the Tianping Army. Even if there is suspicion of opportunism, it is ultimately out of good intentions.

But Xin Qiji still couldn't figure out one thing: "Why did this guy become the chief strategist? Is it just because he's a descendant of Confucius? Even if Geng Jiedu had considerations, a rough guy like Zhang Qi wouldn't know anything. Why would he respect him so much?"

Xin Jingwei laughed, his expression a little strange, as if he was a little frustrated, a little angry, and at the same time a little helpless: "Brother, you will know in a while."

After that, the carriage fell into silence.

Soon, the noise of people passing by gradually faded away, and the carriage stopped.

Xin Jingwei got off the carriage first, and only after seeing that everyone around him was his family did he help Xin Qiji down.

Although he was not completely drunk, he had drunk a lot of wine. Coupled with the bumpy ride in the carriage, Xin Qiji felt a little dizzy. He walked out of the carriage, looked up, and was stunned.

He shook his head in disbelief, then looked up again to find it wasn't an illusion. Then, pointing at the magnificent mansion in front of him and the dozens of maids and servants flanking the vermilion gate, Xin Qiji said to Xin Jingwei, "This...did you do all this?"

His voice was trembling, and it was unclear whether it was out of anger or disbelief.

Although Xin Jingwei didn't dare to take the blame, he knew this was not the place to talk, so he could only whisper, "Brother, aren't you wondering why Kong Duanqi is respected? This is it."

"Kong Duanqi previously suggested that the Dongping Army should have rules and regulations, and that meritorious officials should not be treated too harshly. Otherwise, even if they become generals, they won't enjoy their benefits. Wouldn't that mean no one will be willing to fight bravely against the enemy?"

"Thus, every general now has a large house, many maids and servants, much land, and many tenants."

"Fifth brother, this is the mansion that Jiedu Geng gave you as a reward for your many contributions in killing bandits and protecting the emperor in Shandong and Huaibei."

Seeing Xin Qiji still stunned, Xin Jingwei lowered his voice further: "Fifth brother, we have to accept it. Everyone has accepted it. If you don't, how will you live in the Tianping Army?"

Xin Qiji said nothing, but just stared blankly at the huge black plaque above the vermilion gate, and the two large gold-plated characters "Xin Mansion". He didn't know whether he was shocked by the news or because he drank too much, but he felt dizzy and didn't know what to say for a moment.

(End of this chapter)