Tiger Guards

Chapter 309 Confessing and Appeasing
North of Luodu is Mengjin.

When Zhao Ji arrived, it began to snow.

Xu Huang, who was in charge of the vanguard, had already prepared the ferry. Officers, soldiers, prisoners, and the women's battalion that was moving with the central army were waiting on the bank and were crossing the river in an orderly manner.

During the trip to Yingchuan, Zhao Ji's women's battalion expanded by more than 3,000 people, and now has more than 8,000 people.

During the march, they also encountered Sima Fang and his son, who were returning home.

Zhao Ji was also worried that someone might deliberately assassinate Sima Fang and his son to frame him, so he sent a squad to protect them during their march.

Perhaps Lü Bu disdained to do such a thing, and no one else had the power to act under his nose.

Zhao Ji climbed the watchtower on the shore, his exhaustion no longer concealed.

The ranks grew larger and larger, and many people moved with their families to follow the army.

While the expansion of the vanguard was limited, his central army gained approximately seven thousand more families of disaster victims and refugees; and the expansion of the rearguard, under the command of Zhao Yun and Zhang He, was even more severe, reportedly reaching nearly twenty thousand families of disaster victims by the time they passed Sishui Pass.

Even after the rear guard, there were still disaster victims arriving like a trickle.

Bringing civilians back north increased the burden on the entire army and also increased the workload for this winter and next spring.

Fortunately, these refugees from other provinces could only rely on Zhao Ji after entering Bingzhou, thus strengthening Zhao Ji's influence, which was similar to the Xiongnu's loyal followers.

Returning to Hedong and Taiyuan, the issue to be addressed was no longer a simple conflict between the enemy and ourselves, but rather an internal conflict over distribution.

Being in a high position naturally brings the enjoyment of being at the top, but it also means dealing with various high-level conflicts arising from clashes.

Zhao Ji observed the fleets traveling between the two sides of the strait. Xu Huang spoke up: "The Marquis of Jinyang has already sent an envoy to deliver an order, saying that the Marquis of Jinyang will only set off for Luodu with Liu Shizhong and Taizhong Shujian after the Grand Marshal arrives in Jinyang."

“It is really wrong to make my grandfather work so hard.”

Zhao Ji sighed and turned to look at Xu Huang: "The Battle of Bian River, as well as the battles before and after, and many other military affairs, have all been done in a way that Gongming has been wronged."

"I dare not presume. It is my great fortune to be able to follow the Grand Marshal in pacifying this chaotic world."

Xu Huang had a proper attitude, and during the attack on Shangdang, he was allowed to command troops independently in the early stages. His more than 5,000 cavalrymen were very successful, and he even managed to seize territory on his own.

Then, during the Battle of Zhengding, Xu Huang was responsible for guarding the camp; during the decisive battle of Bianshui, he always played the role of the rearguard.

Many of the missions to break through enemy lines were assigned to Zhao Yun. Although breaking through enemy lines was extremely dangerous, it was the most effective way to gain merit and fame.

For example, Zhao Yun's influence in the army has recently surpassed that of Xu Huang, and is now almost equal to that of Xu Huang.

Zhao Ji looked back at the boats on the river: "Once the soldiers and civilians are settled, I will persuade my grandfather to resign from his position as Attendant-in-Ordinary. Next year, when we campaign against the treacherous ministers in the Three Auxiliary Regions, we can only ask my grandfather to stay in Jinyang. Otherwise, we will have to trouble you, Gongming, and I will feel bad about it."

Xu Huang fell silent upon hearing this, then asked in return, "If the Marquis of Jinyang were to withdraw from the Secretariat, wouldn't that cause trouble?"

"Not for now. When my grandfather retires, I will recruit Huang Gai and Taishi Ci from Sun Ce's forces to serve in the court, and also recruit Zhang Hong to the court, and then appoint Zhang Hong as a Chamberlain."

Zhao Ji spoke in a subtle tone, revealing his emotions: "Even Lü Bu dared to appoint Xu Si and Wang Kai as Attendants-in-Ordinary. My grandfather was putting himself down by associating with such people, which was also not conducive to me fulfilling my filial duties. When Attendant-in-Ordinary Zhong Ji is transferred to another post, I will recommend Zhuge Xuan to succeed him."

We need to broaden our perspective. I am currently the Grand Marshal and the Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, so the importance of the Chancellery is no longer as strong.

If there's a chaotic order, I can block it myself and not carry it out.

It's rather undignified to have the old man discussing politics with people like Xu Si and Wang Kai, as if his family couldn't control the situation.

Furthermore, among the five Attendants of the Secretariat, the old man is the oldest and most senior; if anything goes wrong, he will bear the greatest responsibility.

With the old man stepping down, problems arose within his sect, so there were fewer concerns about dealing with the others.

Zhao Ji was explaining the key adjustments to be made next to Xu Huang, and Xu Huang listened patiently.

Then Zhao Ji said, "When we return to Jinyang, I will review your past and present merits and promote you to Protector of the Xiongnu. It will take at least three years, and at most five years. I will arrange for Zhang Xiu to take over. Next year, when we campaign against the treacherous officials in Guanzhong, you will lead the Xiongnu righteous troops as my detachment."

Do not interfere with Xu Huang, and give Xu Huang the command authority to act independently.

If he performs well and gains the respect of the masses, he will become a key figure in the field.

Xu Huang's expression was solemn, and he simply nodded slightly, without rushing to express his gratitude or thanks.

They had a deep cooperative relationship; Zhao Ji and Zhao Yun were from the same clan, and he shared the same surname.

When Xu Huang tested Zhao Ji by interpreting his dream, Wei Ji's interpretation of the dream made him a guarantor between Zhao Ji and Xu Huang.

In the long run, it would not be an exaggeration for the Xu family to refer to themselves as a branch of Zhao Ji's imperial clan.

Xu Huang, still somewhat curious, asked, "How does the Grand Marshal intend to deal with Zhao Zilong?"

“I really want to make him my trusted confidant, but I’m worried that people will be jealous of me after we return to Taiyuan. When we pass through Hedong this time, I will take Zilong to pay respects to my grandfather. When my grandfather takes office in Luodu, he will promote Zilong to the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guard. Next May, we will return to Taiyuan together.”

Zhao Ji added, "Gao Chong has gained experience by staying by my grandfather's side, and I will keep him in my service next year."

Whether Gao Chong can achieve merit on the expedition depends on his luck and performance. Xu Huang nodded, offering no objection.

He didn't have many capable old subordinates around him, only Gao Chong and Gao Qian were somewhat decent.

Previously, he had many fellow villagers and decent subordinates. After the court moved east, among the dozen or so military officers who survived, only Gao Chong and Gao Qian had the talent of a captain.

Whether he can become a general in the future really depends on fate.

As for how Zhao Ji would set up the Grand Marshal's office after returning to Jinyang, this was too confidential a question, and although Xu Huang was curious, he would not ask.

If you want to contend with Lü Bu's Grand General's Office, you need to focus your efforts on the Grand Marshal's Office.

As for the government offices of Bingzhou, they are not that crucial; mediocre talent will suffice.

They don't actually need to be in charge of the overall situation in Bingzhou; they're just mouthpieces.

The Grand Marshal's Office was the one that truly managed the three prefectures and counties of Yong, Liang, and Bing.

Zhao Ji still held the Tiger Guard quota in his hands, and a series of Yellow Gate Gentlemen and Vice Gentlemen in the Secretariat as a pool of resources; the six ministers, vice ministers, and ministers in the Secretariat could also become Zhao Ji's reservoir of resources.

Therefore, the future officials of the three prefectures and counties can be selected and transferred between these pools.

Zhao Ji's own Grand Marshal's staff recruited scholars who were typical of those from public offices, pursuing legitimate official careers on par with those from the filial and incorruptible families.

With patience in selecting talent, Zhao Ji and Zhao Yan's former officials and students could fill the three prefectures.

Lü Bu also controls a similar reservoir; it remains to be seen whether he can manage it diligently.

Zhao Ji did not expect Lü Bu to fall on his own; on the contrary, he hoped that Lü Bu could remain stable and buy him more time.

The longer it goes on, the more disciples and former subordinates one will cultivate.

Moreover, Xuzhou was also his talent pool and reservoir; unfortunately for Lü Bu, Bingzhou had long been abandoned and was captured by Zhao Ji, so Lü Bu was severely lacking in the replenishment of his fellow villagers.

The longer it drags on, the more likely Lü Bu will be to find a large number of his former followers and officials, but the true extent to which these people are associated with Lü Bu is questionable.

Based on this calculation, Zhao Ji controlled the transfer of official positions in four provinces; as for Liu Bei, it was already quite an achievement that he was able to effectively control Donghai and Xiapi.

Liu Bei could not appoint the county magistrates himself.

If Liu Bei didn't want to be trapped, he would have been better off taking the initiative to leave and develop in another place.

As for Lü Bu, he currently only holds county and prefectural official positions in Yan and Yu provinces, and he can barely cede Qing province to Lü Bu.

Jingzhou was also handed over to Lü Bu to manage. Although there were four provinces, Liu Biao and Cao Cao were not so easy to fool.

The people of Nanyang, Ruying, and Liangpei would not obediently accept Lü Bu's arrangements.

Even the scholars of Chenliu would not wholeheartedly support Lü Bu.

Although his foundation was not as solid as that of Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao, it was much more solid than that of Lü Bu.

The longer it drags on, the more solid our position becomes.

After Zhao Ji spoke with Xu Huang here, he arranged for Xu Huang to cross the river, while Zhao Ji himself stayed on the south bank to supervise the crossing of each camp.

At the ferry crossing, Xu Chu, along with over a thousand warriors and their families, saw them off.

Luodu is already empty; Zhao Ji needs to arrange sufficient guards here.

Xu Chu had enough hostages, so he selected 1,200 men to stay in Luodu; when the rear army crossed the river, Zhao Ji would also select 2,000 men to follow Xu Chu and defend Luodu.

These two thousand men will be placed under the command of Zhao Yun, and together with Xu Chu's troops, they will protect Zhao Yan.

As for arranging military settlements and manpower in Luodu, given Lü Bu's current predicament, how could he possibly transport grain to Luodu in the future?
This winter, Xu Chu, Zhao Yun, and the officials of Luodu will still need Zhao Ji to find a solution for their salaries, rations, winter clothing, and firewood.

If you want military settlements, you can just transfer people to Luodu before next spring.

We must now reduce the number of people officially supported by Luodu as much as possible in order to reduce transportation costs.

Anyway, the consumption is manageable. The army is transporting the grain, and no matter what they do, they will consume grain.

It simply means that you need to eat more when you're working, and reduce your food rations when you're not working so you can endure hunger longer.

When the families and refugees were crossing the river by boat, Sima Fang and his son mingled among them and crossed the river together.

Sima Lang had scabbed over the wounds on his forehead and nose, but thanks to his reputation as a filial son, he received preferential treatment from Zhao Ji's officers and soldiers along the way.

Even now, when crossing the river, Sima Fang was arranged to ride in a large boat.

Sima Fang sat on the deck, draped in an old sheepskin blanket, watching the fine snowflakes, lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)