Tiger Guards

Chapter 16 The True Bottom Line
Zhao Ji was not in a hurry. He also saw that Ximen Jian and the other two were at the end of their strength and had barely won.

He said generously, "Relax, and we will fight again."

Ximen Jian snorted and laughed: "It's just a temporary victory or defeat. Stop talking nonsense and come and fight me."

Seeing this, Zhao Ji turned to look at Wei Xing and said, "Brother Zi'ang, should we each take one, or should I do it alone?"

Wei Xing tilted his head and thought for a moment, then, in front of everyone, he suggested, "I'm not convinced of my defeat yesterday. How about we have another fight?"

"it is good."

After Zhao Ji finished speaking, he turned around and kicked Wei Xing straight back. Even though Wei Xing was prepared, he was kicked and couldn't stop retreating.

Without waiting for him to stand firm, Zhao Ji rushed forward and jumped up from the ground. He twisted his waist in the air and kicked out a beautiful whirlwind kick. The retreating Wei Xing was kicked in the chest. He fell to the ground with his back, his lungs shaking, and his head was dizzy for a moment.

He only saw the first kick, and the whirlwind kick that followed was a fancy kick he had never seen before.

He lay on the ground, still unable to figure out what the second move was, and even more unable to figure out how Zhao Ji had made the move.

Not only him, but the more than 200 onlookers couldn't see it clearly.

At that moment, Zhao Ji, who had launched a whirlwind kick, seemed to have an afterimage, as if he had three legs.

He ignored Wei Xing and let him be dazed and gasp for breath.

Zhao Ji returned to his previous position and looked at Ximen Jian with a smile: "You two come together?"

"That's offensive."

Ximen Jian gave his companions a look, and the two of them attacked Zhao Ji from the left and right.

Zhao Ji did not dare to be careless. He clenched his fists and used the Tongbiquan style. He moved his body and swung his arms to create inertia. His arm span was slightly longer, making it difficult for the two people he fought to get close to him.

In less than a breath, both sides retreated and broke away.

"I underestimated myself."

Zhao Ji looked at the two people who couldn't stand straight. He didn't know Tongbiquan, but it was obvious that others had fought against them.

Unexpectedly, with the damage increased and the force posture corrected, the two opponents were beaten so hard that they grimaced and only managed to hold on for the sake of face.

At this time Wei Xing stood up, and Zhao Ben instinctively turned slightly sideways, as if he was going to fight three people alone.

But Wei Xing covered his chest with his left hand and took a few steps back tactfully.

At this time, Ximen Jian pointed his finger at Zhao Ji. According to the rules, it was Zhao Ji's turn to attack.

It was obvious that he couldn't win, and there were two of them, and he had attacked first.

But Ximen Jian still held on, willing to take a few more punches just to fall down with dignity.

Seeing Zhao Ji still not making a move, Ximen Jian asked, "What kind of kick did you use to knock Wei Ziang down just now?"

"The first move is called 'rabbit kicking eagle', and the second move is called 'Taishan pressing down on the top'."

Zhao Ji observed the two men's positions and said with a smile, "There's another move called the Dragon's Tail, and you can't catch it."

As he said that, he stepped forward and threw a jab. Ximen Jian was sore all over and his movements were slow. When he tried to raise his hand to block, Zhao Ji retracted his fist and easily knocked him to the ground with his right shoulder.

Another man stepped forward and kicked, but Zhao Ji grabbed his ankle with his left hand. Countless killing moves echoed in his head, but he forced himself to hold back and just pushed. The other man lost his balance and fell.

Zhao Ji then stepped forward and pulled the two men up one after another. Then he walked to the center of the field, took off his deerskin coat, clenched his right fist and slapped his chest armor. With a crisp sound, he raised his right arm high and said, "The winner is me, Zhao Ji!"

He looked around and asked, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?"

"Ouch~!"

Someone in the crowd immediately let out a strange howling sound. Zhao Ji turned his head to look over, pulled off the leather bag of dried meat from his waist and threw it over.

The other party stretched out his hand to grab it, but more than a dozen hands appeared around him and the skin bag disappeared immediately.

On the high platform, Pei Xiu saw Zhao Ji's excited expression, and even rolled up his deerskin coat into a ball and threw it towards the crowd of people who were cheering the loudest.

When the cheers died down a bit, Pei Xiucai looked at Wei Gu and said, "Brother, is it okay for Aji to be the garrison commander for a while?"

"This is as it should be. I have no objection."

Wei Gu also smiled brightly: "I almost got tricked by Ximen Jian. Aji should give him a few good punches."

As he spoke, Wei Gu took out a gold cake from his bosom, held it in his palm and quietly gave it to Pei Xiu: "Aji, please call me brother too. This money can be exchanged for wine and meat. It will be considered as Aji's treat."

"Aji will understand my brother's love and care."

"The busy things have just begun. Let's go meet Wang Zhi." "Yes."

Pei Xiu agreed and followed Wei Gu to the low wall nearby. Jia Kui and Guanqiu Xing followed quickly.

Inside the spacious barracks, Wang Zhi, clad in armor, sat at the main seat, gazing at the four people who had entered. His gaze then fell on Jia Kui's face, "Liang Dao, what should I say to you?"

"I was inconsiderate."

Jia Kui took the responsibility calmly, and he was not the only one who gave in.

The camp is more than 400 steps deep, and any slight movement will be known to everyone.

Didn’t Wang Zhi know when the Wenxi people left the camp without permission to connect with each other?

The people of Wenxi and Anyi flocked to the training ground, and when they were making noise and strolling outside Wang Zhi's gate, Jia Kui still didn't bow his head!
Jia Kui was too lazy to bother with these details, and he was even more disdainful to explain anything to Wang Zhi.

Wang Zhi wanted to grab Jia Kui and scold him severely, but Jia Kui did not argue. He answered honestly and stood behind Wei Gu.

Having no choice but to give up on Jia Kui, Wang Zhi looked Wei Gu up and down: "Was all this Zhong Jian's idea?"

"I dare not. I simply feel that Sima and Liang Dao's plan is inappropriate. To avoid making a serious mistake, I am following the wishes of the officials. I will write a letter to the prince to report the details of this matter. I also hope that Sima can report it fairly to clear up any misunderstandings."

Wei Gu looked around and continued, "We share the same aspirations as Wang Sima. We can disregard life and death, but we shouldn't dwell on such trivial matters. Defending the Emperor and upholding the state is not the concern of one family, one surname, or one county. Sima, please forgive us for this momentary offense."

"If I hadn't been concerned about the affairs of the court, I wouldn't be waiting here."

Wang Zhi's expression calmed down a bit, and he gestured for a seat. He then asked, "What does Zhongjian think about the situation in the camp?"

"From the Sima down, five Caos will be appointed to manage the military affairs. Each county's Tiger Guards will be organized into seven garrisons. Once we reach Henei, we will make a detailed plan and reorganize them."

Wei Gu calmly described the organization of the five Caos and seven garrisons, but Wang Zhi, after listening, said, "It's not appropriate for the Gong Cao to be in charge of bows and crossbows. Bows and crossbows are powerful weapons, and their storage, maintenance, and repair can be handled by a single military officer. In the event of a battle, it would be better for the garrison commanders to be in charge of the bows and crossbows."

Wang Zhi thought for a moment and proposed, "The Archery Department will be changed to the Gongcao, responsible for reviewing meritorious service. The Law Department will oversee military discipline, and the Gongcao will oversee the meritorious service of the officers and soldiers. Liang Dao will serve as the Warehouse Department, and Zhong Jian and A Xiu will serve concurrently as the Gongcao and Law Department. Cavalry and Infantry Departments should be selected from those who are well-versed in warfare, so that they can be trained in the tactics of infantry and cavalry."

Jia Kui was not in a hurry when he heard that the two Caos in charge of training were to be removed.

The cavalry division was assigned to the men from the northern part of the county, unless Wang Zhi recommended a military officer from the northern part of the county.

Then Wei Gu said, "Xu Gongming, the former county official of Yang County, has returned to his hometown to visit his relatives. He can be a cavalry officer."

Wang Zhi frowned. Since Yang Feng raised his army to support the king, he had involved many county officials, and Xu Huang was one of them.

The most recent war was in the winter when Yang Feng joined forces with Bai Bo's old generals to expel Dong Cheng. There was no further fighting during that period, so it was not surprising that Xu Huang returned home after spring plowing to recruit troops for Yang Feng.

The emperor and Yang Feng were together day and night, so Yang Feng could ask for and issue a legal edict to recruit troops.

What surprised Wang Zhi even more was Wei Gu’s attitude. Was he trying to incite Xu Huang to rebel?

In winter, Zhang Yang and Dong Cheng proposed to welcome the emperor to Henei or Luoyang.

After all, Hedong was also short of food, and the food was sent upstream from the river. Sanmenxia was not navigable, and there were 36 famous dangerous rapids below Sanmenxia.

Transporting grain to Hanoi was difficult, and a lot of manpower and boats were damaged.

Zhang Yang's proposal was very reasonable, but it was rejected by Yang Feng and others, who defeated and expelled Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng has been sent by Zhang Yang to Luoyang to rebuild the palace. Now he is waiting for Yang Feng and others to escort the emperor through the Chenguan Pass to Henei, and then go to Luoyang together.

That’s right, the emperor is currently in Anyi and is controlled by the former generals of the Baibo Army.

The Hu Ben troops came to Jiangyi in the north to gather because they were afraid that the former generals of the Baibo Army would misunderstand or invade.

There are only 500 vacancies, so it is obvious that the Huben will be overstaffed.

After the plan was completed, it was still undecided whether to go to Hanoi first through the Chenguan Pass as planned, or turn around to attack Yang Feng...

What was the final stance of the Hedong gentry and scholars?
It is one thing to send your sons and daughters to serve the emperor, but if they destroy their hometown, it is obviously not in the interests of the Hedong tyrants.

Therefore, the bottom line of the final position is the fear that Hedong will be completely broken and reduced to ruins like Luoyang and Sanfu!

Wang Zhi was only Wang Yi's nephew, and even if he was his biological nephew, he would not tell him confidential matters.

At this moment, Wang Zhi only felt that the position of Sima was a bit hot and not conducive to the growth of his brain.

But his career was difficult and he had no way out.

It's okay to be wronged, but among his peers, he already has a great advantage.

(End of this chapter)