Tiger Guards

Chapter 104: Reform and Fighting Against the Bandits
At the fourth watch, eight groups of tiger soldiers rode out on horseback in formation.

Zhao Ji did not ride a horse, but stood on a temporarily modified chariot.

Only a tank can bring out his powerful long-range sniping ability.

Behind the chariot was the flag chariot. Its flag officer, Gao Yanglong, wore double armor and stood on the chariot, holding the battle flag fixed on the chariot. On the white battle flag were written four words: Reform and Fight Against the Enemy.

The one at the back was a drum cart. The original drummer was injured and stayed in the Huben camp to recuperate, and the two new drummers were not very skilled.

The two drummers took turns beating the drums, with the beats being slow and deep.

Following the more than three hundred Tiger Guards were more than three hundred Xiongnu volunteers.

Qubei wore the Golden Eagle Crown of the Right Wise King and rode a strong white horse, standing out among the black and red horses.

Behind them were five newly reorganized auxiliary centurions. The centurion commanders and officers of each centurion were all Tiger Guards, and the deputy captains and below were all reorganized members of the old Baibo army and powerful troops.

They have all been disbanded and reorganized. These five hundred people hold black, white, red, yellow and blue flags respectively. In order to distinguish their numbers, these people wear shawls of corresponding colors around their necks.

Behind them were five hundred Hedong knights who were supporting them.

The army was put together in this way, and the only ones who really dared to fight were the Tiger Guards.

Other things cannot be counted on.

The more you depend on someone, the more decisively they will reject you!

In the Xiongnu army, Yang Qi sat upright on the carriage. He had been on a hunger strike since Zhao Ji beat Huan Dian, and his lips were now chapped.

He wanted to see how the Zhao family would end up.

Based on his understanding of Zhao Yan, Zhao Yan would rather die than kill the officials in the court.

With Zhao Yan around, how bad can Zhao Ji get?
The whole team moved out slowly. Fude stood on the Wei family's gate tower, pressing the hilt of the sword with his left hand and staring with narrowed eyes.

Beside him were the Huben Pushe and Cavalry Cao Wangqi, who were wearing armor and carrying bows. He and the remaining Huben were ready to provide support at any time.

Cai Zhaoji was released from house arrest by Zhao Ji, and she also led her maid to the wall to watch.

Looking at the infantry and cavalry troops heading north, their clothing, armor, and flags were incomplete, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they were a mob.

After all, this was the first blow to be struck at the nobles.

If the two thousand county soldiers in Anyi City gathered to fight, the outcome would be unpredictable.

The entire infantry and cavalry team stretched out for more than two miles. In order to take care of the five walking centuries, the knights also walked slowly.

"Report~!"

A Tiger Guard came riding up from the north, raising his arms and cheering at Zhao Ji: "Lord Zhao has raised his army! The county soldiers are defending the city and won't come out!"

He handed Zhao Yan's letter to Zhao Ji, and when he opened it, there were only two words: Towards the North.

If they fail, they can only flee north to the Xiongnu territory.

Zhao Ji folded the silk book and shouted to the riders: "Thank you for your hard work, return to the team!"

"Here!"

Zhao Ji turned his head and looked at the other Hu Ben soldiers who were accompanying him. "Inform the entire army. The county soldiers are avoiding the battle. Lord Zhao has led 5,000 troops south!"

"Here!"

The five Tiger Guards shouted, reined in their horses, turned around, and rode back to the rear of the column. They galloped lightly and shouted loudly to the marching column, "Lord Zhao is leading 5,000 troops south. The county soldiers are avoiding the battle!"

After walking another three miles, we passed the roadside village where the emperor's headquarters was located.

There are a small number of county soldiers stationed here, and some officials are also here, sorting out various scattered official documents and bamboo slips.

The official who could be sent to do such a thing must not be a disciple or former official of an official.

An official climbed over the wall and trotted to the side of the road. He summoned his strength and asked, "Excuse me, Minister Zhao, what are you talking about? Who are you targeting?"

"To eliminate the corrupt atmosphere of the imperial court, appoint talented and capable people, and restore peace and happiness to the people is reform!"

Zhao Ji didn't order the car to stop. Instead, he turned his head and shouted to the man, "The thief is in the temple! Are you willing to follow me?"

The man was still wearing ragged clothes and his face was still pale.

His face flushed, his eyes bulged, and he gritted his teeth and shouted, "I'm willing to go!"

"Give him a horse!"

Zhao Ji raised his hand and pointed, and a Hu Ben who was holding a spare horse behind the carriage broke away from the team, jumped off the horse, and helped the weak Langguan to mount the horse.

No matter how weak a young official was, he was born into a wealthy family and knew how to ride.

The man mounted his horse and waved to the officials watching from inside the low wall. No one dared to climb over the five-foot-high, dilapidated low wall anymore.

The team advanced slowly, and less than three miles later, Zhong Yao led a dozen knights south from the north. Standing still, lined up in a row, watching the approaching chariots, Zhong Yao thought he could stop them.

However, Zhao Ji did not give the order. The driver saw the two horses slowing down, so he whipped them and the horses continued at their normal speed.

The knights accompanying Zhong Yao could only follow their horses' instincts and dodge to the sides. Zhong Yao shouted, "Minister, please stay!"

Zhao Ji reached out and grabbed the painted bow, staring at Zhong Yao: "Are you going to stop me?"

"I dare not. I have been ordered to come here to clear up the misunderstanding!"

Zhong Yao rode his horse closer with the silk book in his hand, and Zhao Ji drew his bow and shot an arrow.

In the blink of an eye, the arrow penetrated five or six inches into Zhong Yao's horse's head. The horse died instantly without even a chance to scream. It fell sideways and pinned Zhong Yao's leg. Zhong Yao cried out in pain: "Ah! My leg! Come and save me!"

The following Tiger Guards knights held wooden pieces in their mouths and marched in order, at most glancing at Zhong Yao.

Soon Qubei passed by on a white horse. He turned his head to look at the roadside. Zhong Yao had been rescued by his knights, but the dead horse was lying there with an arrow stuck in its forehead, which made Qubei stare again.

He pulled out an arrow, gestured slightly, took a deep breath, and then calmly and expressionlessly put the arrow back into the quiver.

Behind the Xiongnu cavalry was the Five-Colored Auxiliary Troops, all of whom had wooden tablets in their mouths. Even if they turned their heads to look, they could not stop. The most they could do was look back at the dead horse.

When Xu Huang passed by, he just glanced at him casually.

If you really think that Zhao Ji only has archery skills, he will die a miserable death.

In the marching team, the team officer Hu Qian secretly gestured the depth of the arrow's penetration into the bone and exchanged glances with several fellow villagers.

He had a piece of wood in his mouth and could hardly speak.

Zhong Yao was limping as he was supported. He could clearly feel that his left leg had lost sensation due to being pressed down, but he couldn't touch it.

The slightest touch causes severe pain.

The knights around him had no choice but to help Zhong Yao lie down under the shade of a tree and sent people to the former emperor's headquarters to borrow a carriage from there.

There is no Beixiang in Anyi, so Wenxi Nanxiang is located between the county and Anyi.

At the wooden bridge over Sushui River, Zhao Yan reined in his horse after crossing the river and watched the troops pass by one after another.

He was extremely disappointed: "If Aji had come, he would have burned down the bridge last night."

Zhao Lian reined in his horse and stood aside, replying, "Father, this bridge is crucial to the livelihood of the people of Hedong. Even if someone orders it, the Hedong County soldiers won't carry it out. Burning a bridge is easy, but rebuilding it is difficult."

"That's not a reason."

Zhao Yan looked back at him. "There's no one in the court who can command the army. Otherwise, not only this bridge, but even Anyi would have been burned down. The fact that this bridge survived shows that Zhou Zhong has difficulty commanding the county troops. The county troops' stance is highly questionable."

Zhao Lian nodded. Whether they realized the importance of the wooden bridge or were unable to send troops to carry out the order, it showed that the other side was not united.

Zhao Lian then asked, "Since Zhongfu knew the importance of this bridge, could you have sent an ambush last night?"

"No."

Zhao Yan said calmly, "I followed General Nanyang Zong in my thirties to fight the Taishan bandits. It has been thirty-five years now. Although I haven't devoted myself to studying military tactics, I have gained some experience. Those skilled in military tactics in the court before have either died of illness or in battle. The rest, though renowned, are nothing more than pedantic scholars in my eyes."

Glancing at his nephew, Zhao Yan had a complicated expression: "I gave them a chance, but they were unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility."

Despite his status as a veteran official who had served three dynasties and had served in office for thirty-five years, he was stuck in the position of Counselor, which was a position that could be promoted or demoted.

The Zhao family was just a family with a history of two thousand stones, and had only produced one Nine Ministers. They also had no family tradition of studying classics, so it was normal that they were not valued by the court officials.

Zhao Lian felt that there was something wrong with the old man as he dared to hold back at this time.

He was also worried about the south and suggested: "Zhongfu, my nephew is worried about Aji."

"Stay by my side and follow my orders."

Zhao Yan's tone was calm, brooking no room for argument: "Aji was born with a knack for military affairs, how could you possibly instruct him?"

He was somewhat relieved that Zhao Ji acted quickly.

Zhao Lian really wanted to be an official. If he delayed for two or three days, Yang Biao's envoy would arrive, and this short-sighted nephew would definitely accept the job happily.

It doesn't matter whether they are hostages or not; the key is whether they damage Zhao Ji's reputation.

If the Zhao family wants to prosper, they must not wait for the ministers to assign them!

He waited for thirty-five years, and what did he get?
If it were not for the support and protection of his fellow villager Fu, he would have died in the chaos of war or starved to death on the roadside.

He really has given the opportunity.

Since he is so stupid, it is really unreasonable to hold back.

But this wooden bridge is not easy to burn. If the nobles dare to burn the wooden bridge, they will just have to wait for the county soldiers to collectively slack off!
Firing a round of arrows on the battlefield would already be enough to repay the imperial court.

(End of this chapter)