Tiger Guards

Chapter 247 Parting ways
In order to save horsepower, this elite cavalry arrived in Zhending on the third day after Zhao Yun received the news of the expansion.

One person and three horses, luxurious configuration.

The arrival of this elite cavalry immediately stabilized the originally shaken Black Mountain Army units.

Even if the Black Mountain Army exhausted all their resources, they could still gather some mounted infantry.

But if they were professional knights, three hundred would be the limit.

The five hundred knights sent by Zhao Ji to reinforce Zhao Yun were all carefully trained by veterans from Bingzhou. They were also the sons of these veterans and were descendants of immigrants from the four counties outside the Great Wall.

Previously, they were under the command of Xu Huang. When Xu Huang ended his military operations, he returned the 3,000 Junbei knights to Zhao Ji.

After Zhao Ji replenished his horses, this elite cavalry took the lead and set off as the vanguard.

According to Zhao Yun's understanding and common sense, there would be a separate Sima or military Sima to command these 500 cavalrymen, responsible for the actual command and training of these 500 cavalrymen.

As a result, when the five hundred cavalrymen arrived at Zhao Yun's military camp, there were only five hundred-horse teams and no middle-level military officers.

Zhao Yun was in mixed feelings and did not dare to be rude, so he immediately wrote a letter of thanks and asked Zhao Ji for specific instructions.

At this moment, Zhao Ji and Xu Huang were accompanying the emperor and court officials south.

They stopped at Yangtou Mountain, which is the geographical dividing line between the two basins of Shangdang.

Out of courtesy, Zhao Ji dismounted and bowed deeply to the emperor's carriage as it drove away.

Liu Xie stood in the car and turned to look at Zhao Ji on the road behind him.

Behind the emperor's carriage followed flag carts and drum carts, and the flags were like a forest, blocking Liu Xie's view.

After the road turned a corner, Liu Xie reluctantly looked away.

The ministers all rode in their carriages and followed the drum-drawn chariot team, all looking at Zhao Ji with strange feelings.

There, Zhao Ji had already stood up straight. Behind him were teams of knights standing with their horses, most of them were purple-robed volunteers.

Yang Qi was unwilling to give in. Although they could immediately control the power of the court after separating from Zhao Ji, their deterrent power was greatly reduced.

During the period of mutual dependence with Zhao Ji, although Zhao Ji's strength increased rapidly, the court also recovered quickly.

It is obvious that more power can be drawn from Zhao Ji, and Zhao Ji can also gain more with the help of the righteousness of the court.

But Zhao Ji still held back and decisively cut ties with the court.

But hostages were also left behind. The queen and others are now in Pingyang, including the pregnant Concubine Dong.

If the imperial court turns ruthless in the future, Zhao Ji will have certain countermeasures.

In short, Yang Qi was filled with regret; he felt that in a few months, he would be able to tie Zhao Ji firmly to the chariot of the court.

It is not shameful to obey Zhao Ji's orders temporarily. As the court offices are rebuilt and restored, the better Zhao Ji performs, the more people he offends. In the future, it will be easy to take back the power lost by the emperor from Zhao Ji.

The ministers may appear incompetent, but having experienced ups and downs, they can see through many things. The difficult part is to reform and implement.

Kong Rong also felt very regretful, as he had the opportunity to severely damage the traitor Yuan Shao.

As long as the emperor's flag appears in Hebei, Yuan Shao will be disabled if not killed.

In the end, due to mutual distrust, the troops were divided.

Zhao Ji watched the nobles' convoy disappear around the corner of the road and turned to look at Xu Huang. "Brother Gongming, how long do you think the nobles can hold out after returning to Luoyang?"

Xu Huang thought without hesitation: "I don't know. I only know that after the imperial court returns to power, they will send envoys to Hedong to demand money, silk, and grain. They will also ask for horses, weapons, and other things."

"Gong Ming's words are harsh. All land under heaven belongs to the king. The imperial court is taking things from Hedong because they think highly of the people of Hedong. This is 'requisitioning', how can you call it demanding or asking for something?"

Zhao Ji teased, turning to glance at Xu Huang's profile. "I've waited the emperor for over half a month, thinking he'd be open to a long conversation. Instead, he's been talking about fishing, archery, and horseback riding, and nothing he's discussed is more superficial than scratching an itch. Ultimately, compared to the loyal and righteous Marquis Meng, he still doesn't trust me, the Marquis of Pingyang."

Xu Huang just listened like this. Perhaps every time the emperor summoned Zhao Ji, it was an effort, but the two of them had their own concerns and the conversation was not speculative, so they were unable to open their hearts to discuss the situation in the world.

All this had nothing to do with him, Xu Huang. Even if he went to the court, those officials would not even look at him.

Although he clearly needed something from him, he still pretended to be arrogant and reserved, waiting to ask the ministers for a chance to serve the country.

Xu Huang then said, "Minister, I think the court seems to be planning to send capable officials and famous scholars to take over Shangdang."

"Give it to them if they want it. Xue Hong can't sit still any longer. Next year we need to focus on farming and resuming production. I have no interest in fighting Yuan Shao."

Zhao Ji said indifferently, "Since they are all good at fighting and killing, why should we stop them? Let them kill without restraint while we protect the country and the people and raise children. Guanlong and Heshuo are considered part of the Four Provinces, but the registered population is less than three million. The disaster of genocide is imminent and must be taken seriously."

Xu Huang's expression darkened as he heard this, and he sighed softly, "We must resort to force."

"No matter what method I use, I will blend them into one." When Zhao Ji answered, he saw a column of Hebei soldiers on the road, led by Han Meng.

Han Meng reined in his horse, stepped forward, dismounted, and bowed to Zhao Ji: "I will entrust my family and the elderly to the care of the Minister."

"General, rest assured. After one year, when you lead your army back to Hebei, I will release your family."

Zhao Ji answered with a smile and gestured with his arms, which forced Han Meng, who wanted to talk, to give up. After bowing solemnly again, he mounted his horse and left.

Han Meng's battalion of Hebei soldiers passed by on foot, and soon it was Chunyu Qiong.

Chunyu Qiong had a lot of experience and did not take the upstart, young Zhao Ji seriously at all.

This battle was not considered a defeat for Chunyu Qiong.

As they rode past one by one, they tilted their heads to the right, glanced at Zhao Ji, and snorted coldly, as if trying to provoke Zhao Ji.

Xu Huang was still a little worried, but Zhao Ji just calmly watched Chunyu Qiong and his hundred-plus cavalrymen pass by.

The cavalry kicked up more dust. Zhao Ji gathered his robe to cover his face, and waited until the dust cleared before saying, "Those who don't understand practical matters, I wish Yuan Shao had more veterans like Chunyu Qiong under his command."

After Chunyu Qiong's battalion of 3,000 men passed by, they were followed by Zhang He's battalion of soldiers escorting baggage.

Many of them were Zhang He's clan soldiers and followers. Zhang He had a long history. He joined the army when he was young and participated in the campaign to suppress the Yellow Turbans. Later, he also fought against the rebellion of Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun.

When the heroes were fighting against Dong Zhuo, Zhang He was also a relatively important commander under Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, and was slightly weaker than the guest general Ju Yi.

Later, Han Fu ceded Jizhou to Yuan Shao. The officials recruited by Han Fu died one after another for his protest and were later purged by Yuan Shao.

Zhang He's status was not very high before, so he escaped the disaster; but because he still had some status, he did not benefit much from it.

Maintaining stability in Hebei is more important than promoting talents.

If we train Zhang He well and let him settle down, and get rid of his resentment, he will be much more effective when used next time.

So Yuan Shao was not in a hurry. Compared with the big families and celebrities who needed to be united, Zhang He's matter was insignificant.

When Zhang He led the baggage camp past, he also turned his head to look at Zhao Ji, wanting to step out of the line to say goodbye.

But Zhang He still held back. The reason he was able to survive until now was that he knew how to adapt to the times.

The treatment of his family is important, but his own life is also important.

Not to mention the Hebei troops accompanying the emperor, the Zhang family soldiers alone were enough to stare him to death.

Zhang He's family was sent to Zhao Ji, but the large families of Zhang's soldiers remained in Hebei.

After Zhao Ji watched the baggage train led by Zhang He pass through, Zhang Yang, who was at the rear, was the one who was holding the line.

He led more than 2,000 infantry and cavalry, and at this moment he broke away from the team and rode forward.

Zhao Ji also rode forward. The two men sized each other up, and Zhao Ji said, "We won't be dragging things out here in Zhending for long. Do your best to support Lü Menghou, and don't rush into a decisive battle. In September, I will lead a large group of knights south."

Although Zhang Yang's power had expanded a lot, he did not want to fight a decisive battle with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao is not easy to fool. If he loses the battle, according to Cao Cao's usual style, there is a high probability that the city will be destroyed and his entire family will be killed.

Zhang Yang remained calm, smiled, and agreed, saying, "If the Minister of the Court can deliver the two thousand horses as promised, Marquis Lü Meng's daughter will be his."

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "General Zhang, you're joking. I'm just trying to help the country."

I feel that changing the title of Marquis Lu Wen to Marquis Lu Meng is a bit too much. How can Marquis Meng be as nice as Marquis Wen?
When introducing concubines later, the daughter of Marquis Meng and the daughter of Marquis Wen were obviously of two different styles.

Zhang Yang simply laughed along, then bowed to Zhao Ji and Xu Huang, "Then I'll take my leave. I'll return to Taiyuan in June next year to bother you, Minister!"

"The bed will be ready for you when the time comes!"

Zhao Ji bowed and watched Zhang Yang drive his horse back to the marching group. Then he said with emotion, "Those bastards are finally gone. We can get back to work now."

Xu Huang didn't know how to respond, so he asked, "Do you think the ministers are so unbearable?"

"It's more than just unbearable. Even the emperor they educated is clever but lacks responsibility."

Zhao Ji pointed at his nose with his whip. "If the emperor drags me to worship the heavens and earth, and we become blood brothers, then I will personally lead the troops to escort the emperor to Luoyang. I will also help him clean up those scumbags among the ministers who are in name only."

Xu Huang seriously considered the possibility of such a thing and said, "Minister, you are joking. Only reputation and power cannot be entrusted to others. The ministers will never allow such a thing to happen."

"So extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The country is in danger and turmoil, and he can't even be polite and humble, and he still expects me to devote myself to him until my death?"

Zhao Ji looked up at the blue sky and said, "It's good now. We decide our own destiny."

(End of this chapter)