Tiger Guards

Chapter 127 Stay Away from Beasts
At night, Beiguo military camp.

Zhao Ji inspected the treasury and account books, and became more and more eager for Jia Kui to come and help him handle logistics as soon as possible.

The army needs to fully distribute military uniforms, which include shoes, socks, water equipment, and various leather goods and bags, which all take time.

There is also the re-production of weapons, and reliable people are needed to be responsible for all aspects.

It will be fine if the court officials don't cause trouble. We can't rely on these people.

Today we have only temporarily stabilized the powerful people around Anyi. These people are the so-called elite figures in Hedong.

The most valuable thing in Hedong is the salt pond. These people have lived on the salt pond for generations, and they are simply incomparable to the powerful people in other counties.

Most of the powerful people in the counties make their living from the soil.

Even if the family is large, most of the population must engage in agricultural production; unlike the surrounding areas of Anyi, the salt pond can support many non-productive populations, which are armed populations and technical populations.

It’s not that my speech was so touching, it’s just that these people had no better choice.

If they don't bow their heads, they will be attacked by themselves; if they block themselves, when Li Jue and Guo Si lead their troops to attack, they will have to resist Li Jue and Guo Si again.

The Three Ancestral Areas were almost reduced to a no-man's land, and the powerful were slaughtered like grass by the chaotic soldiers. Looking across the river, it is not difficult to guess how terrified the powerful people in Hedong were.

So many powerful people refused to pay tribute to the emperor, and they were almost driven away openly.

Isn't it because you're afraid that Li Jue will come after you?

Only by building higher military confidence can the Hedong warlords change their mentality.

But now I am afraid that the big scene in Anyi will scare Jia Kui away. Jia Kui is a man of low reputation and it is normal for him to come over and scold me.

Last night I was worried about having a fight with the old man, but he turned out to be very calm and even helped me clean up the mess.

It is almost impossible to avoid the quarrels involving Jia Kui.

Zhao Ji was in a heavy mood. After bidding farewell to Xu Huang, he led more than a hundred cavalrymen into Anyi.

There was a bonfire outside the north gate of Anyi, and the twenty Tiger Infantry soldiers on duty were sitting around the bonfire chatting.

Seeing the knights approaching, the leader of the group shouted, "Command!"

Han Shu rode forward, holding a torch, and recognized the other party: "Grains and cereals!"

Jie stepped back a few steps from the Tiger Guards and shouted in a low voice. The twenty Tiger Guards barely stood in a straight line to welcome Zhao Ji's arrival.

As Zhao Ji passed by, he waved to the Tiger Guard with his whip. The Tiger Guard looked up at Zhao Ji with bright and enthusiastic eyes.

Only the young Hu Ben was a little naive and was moved by the oath made in the afternoon.

His enthusiasm made Zhao Ji feel heavy-hearted.

This heavy trust can make Zhao Ji more decisive when killing people!
The Nan clan leader ordered the chopping down of enemies and the Nan clan's fortress was captured by the Bei Guo clan's captives and powerful troops before dark.

Zhao Ji did not participate in the attack on the Nan family's fortress, nor did he participate in the division of the spoils. He just took away the women and food.

The city gate was open, and the doctor guarding the gate was his fellow townsman Lu Chun. He quickly walked down the city wall and waited inside the corridor.

Lu Chun held up the torch and said, "Captain."

"Thank you for your hard work. I'll deliver some account books to Lord Zhao, then have a quick meal and leave the city."

"Don't worry, Captain. We've already built two beacons on the city wall. If either one is lit, it will set the tower on fire!"

Lu Chun answered in a low voice, and Zhao Ji nodded. Leaving the military camp and entering the city was a dangerous thing.

After nightfall in the city, teams of ten soldiers began to patrol the city.

After exchanging two passwords along the way, Zhao Ji arrived at Zhao Yan's house.

The food was ready, and while the horses were being fed, the accompanying guards and riding slaves began to eat.

In the living room, Zhao Yan sat at the head of the table. Under the light of an oil lamp, he flipped through the copy of the account book Zhao Ji had sent him. "Don't enter the city after dark. Now the four gates are open, and civilians can enter and exit normally. If someone gathers over a hundred warriors and sets an ambush, even if you defeat them, it will take time to eliminate their accomplices, which is not conducive to the overall situation."

"Yes, my grandson will leave the city after dinner."

Zhao Ji ate quickly while holding his bowl. As he ate, he suggested, "How about finding a house outside the city?"

"No, if I leave the city, he'll think I'm afraid of him, and many neutral people who are watching will turn against me."

Zhao Yan slowly reviewed the data and added, "You're taking too much of a risk today. If I were you, I would have caught Guo Jing the moment he visited to offer bribes and immediately stormed his estate. At this point, you must not be bound by moral principles. Only by living can you investigate right and wrong. Even if you make minor mistakes, there will be people who will defend you and whitewash you. But if you lose, what does it matter whether you're right or wrong?"

"Yes, grandson will learn from you."

"Hurry up and eat. Tomorrow we will transport the gold to the county government warehouse with great fanfare. After all, those who yearn for loyalty and righteousness are the majority. Aji, you are not greedy for money, and your cruel actions are for the greater good of Hedong. There will naturally be righteous people following you."

Zhao Yan put down the bamboo slips and continued, "I've recruited a new batch of palace guards today. After examining them, I'll select a few to help you. Zhang Zan will leave the city tomorrow to look for you. Leave him to work in the army." "Is he in danger?"

"I'm worried you'll be in danger. Tomorrow, the rebels will gather. If you're not careful, they'll take your place. After tomorrow, while the army is training, all travel, speech, and communication between officers and soldiers will be governed by military law."

Zhao Yan felt somewhat helpless. If Zhao Ji's status was higher, he would be able to resolve such hidden dangers.

But now, the young and powerful sons of the rich and powerful envy Zhao Ji and definitely want to kill him.

Zhao Ji nodded, feeling somewhat helpless.

When the Huben gathered, he could defeat the warriors among them by relying on his skill enhancement. After all, the Huben were all free poor people, and the relationships between them were relatively simple.

But now the troops are gathering in larger and larger numbers, and they can no longer be suppressed by large-scale military competitions.

The skill of concentrating the mind and nourishing the energy can only be honed over time and cannot quickly improve personal combat effectiveness.

The only benefit is that it can make him energetic and able to handle various things with high intensity.

After finishing the meal and saying goodbye to his sister and Alan briefly, Zhao Ji led the guards to the military camp in the city.

After discussing the various supplies that were lacking with the military officers, he went out through the west gate.

After leaving the city, he asked Lu Chun, who was staying at the gate, to close the north gate.

In the Hou family manor, Jia Kui packed his bags and sat in front of the fire, lost in thought.

On the silk scroll in front of him was Zhao Ji's "A Memorial to Punish the Great Traitors of the Han Dynasty". After examining himself, Jia Kui thought that Zhao Ji's criticism was justified.

But he didn't want to admit this. It was too embarrassing, and it would also shake the legitimacy of the court.

Especially since the system was so sudden, the three-province and six-department system was definitely the work of a court official who was well versed in state affairs.

This system is very ingeniously designed, but it is not suitable for Zhao Ji to promote it. It should be led and promoted by the emperor to convince all parties.

With Zhao Yan's identity, he could be appointed as one of the Three Dukes and be in charge of the Secretariat, which was also a transition.

Zhao Ji was still too impatient.

Jia Kui understood a little more. After all, they were friends who had been through thick and thin together. It was obvious that Zhao Ji had been betrayed by the ministers.

It's very contradictory. If he helps Zhao Ji, Zhao Ji will definitely help him expel the Huns.

Whether it was the previous defeat of the Huns and the Hou family, the killing of the four generals of Baibo, or the counterattack against the former ministers, all proved Zhao Ji's ability.

The Xiongnu was a threat hanging over his head, and Zhao Ji himself would not be at peace unless he defeated them.

Compared with Zhao Ji, the court officials only wanted to return to Luoyang. It seemed that by returning to Luoyang, they could restore the authority they had during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, and allow Yanzhou and Jingzhou to transport money and grain from thousands of miles away.

The last person who supported the court so much was Tao Qian, who transported money, food and soldiers from Xuzhou to Luoyang to support Zhu Jun.

However, all parties were indifferent, and Zhu Jun was alone and weak, so the alliance led by Zhu Jun collapsed.

Perhaps the ministers thought that Zhu Jun could mobilize Xuzhou to transport money, food, and soldiers; and if so many of them returned to Luoyang with the emperor, they could mobilize more loyal and righteous people.

Jia Kui also hopes that the dreams of the ministers and the emperor will come true, but there is also a severe drought in Guandong. Who will be willing to transport grain to you if he goes there now?

Look at Hedong, how many conflicts has been caused by the Wei family’s treasury?
If Zhao Ji had not raised an army to denounce the ministers, the bandits from all over Hedong would have risen up and united to expel the imperial court!
It can be said that Zhao Ji forcibly reversed the situation and controlled the disaster before the powerful forces united.

When it comes to that, every family in Hedong will be a thief!
It will be difficult to recover.

Just as Jia Kui was thinking about it, Pei Xiu came to the manor at night.

When the two met, Pei Xiu's expression was stiff. "Liang Dao, tomorrow I'm going to Anyi to help Aji. What about you?"

Seeing Pei Xiu's unnatural look, Jia Kui smiled bitterly: "Do I have a choice?"

"No, you have to go."

Pei Xiu then threw aside his whip and said, "Aji has no one around him to use. If you and I go, we can help him and prevent him from rebelling. You know, Aji is very good at perceiving military opportunities. He often only cares about the results, and the process is inevitably rough. Even if it is for the safety of the court, it will bring him into trouble."

"I understand. That's why I hesitated."

Jia Kui poured water for Pei Xiu and recounted his own difficulties: "Fortunately, Aji refused to accept the title. If he had been a noble, he would have been hopeless! But after we go to Anyi, you must also persuade him to lead his troops north as soon as possible and distance himself from the court."

Only by keeping a sufficient distance can we maintain harmony and friendship.

There is one thing Jia Kui can be sure of, that is, the court officials are often like beasts, just as Zhao Ji scolded them.

The typical characteristics of animal behavior are stupidity, lack of foresight and impatience.

They easily succumb to violence and bite back when they get the chance, just like a mad dog.

(End of this chapter)