Tiger Guards

Chapter 317 Returning to Jinyang
South of Jinyang City, Jinshui Bridge.

A fresh snowfall covered both sides of the road, while the snow in the middle of the road had been cleared away by early morning.

Jia Xu, Xu Huang, Pei Xiu, and others greeted them at the south side of the bridge, guarding a larger and more magnificent war chariot.

Zhao Ji spurred his horse closer, dismounted ahead of time, and quickly walked towards Jia Xu. He reached out to help Jia Xu, who was about to bow, saying, "Lord Wenhe, you mustn't do this. If it weren't for your leadership of the rear, how could I have made a name for myself in Guandong and rid the country of traitors?"

Jia Xu chuckled, savoring the moment of glory, and asked, "How about the heroes of Guandong?"

"Compared to the end of the Qin Dynasty and the Xin Dynasty, it is inferior in many ways."

Zhao Ji lamented, "In times without heroes, a nobody like me has become famous. I don't know whether this is a misfortune or a blessing for the people."

Seeing Zhao Ji's emotional reaction, the people around him burst into laughter.

The biggest advantage of fighting against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is that it shattered the mental burden that had been weighing on everyone's minds, raising both the lower and upper limits of overall morale.

Jia Xu nodded in agreement: "I share the same view. Grand Marshal, please board the carriage."

"No, Mr. Wenhe is traveling by carriage today, so I will drive."

Zhao Ji helped Jia Xu into the carriage and said to Xu Huang and Pei Xiu, "Gongming, Seventh Brother, you two lead the horses."

Xu Huang and Pei Xiu also smiled broadly and answered loudly, "Yes!"

Zhao Ji also boarded the carriage, stood in the driver's seat, turned his head and looked around. Seeing that most of them were old friends, he also shouted loudly: "Go home!"

Han Shu raised his arms and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Upon seeing this, officials and soldiers from near and far immediately shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

The crowd shouted three times in unison, and Xu Huang and Pei Xiu pulled the horses forward with the reins, and the chariot slowly started moving.

Jia Xu sat motionless. After crossing the wooden bridge, on both sides were more than a thousand elite infantrymen who had been transferred. They were dressed in full regalia and held halberds, arranged in two rows with the halberd blades raised diagonally towards the opposite side, forming a sparse yet long halberd gate.

Other officers and soldiers escorted the chariot, which slowly advanced towards the new city of Jinyang.

According to Zhao Ji's plan, the new city starts from the river canal at the foot of Longshan Mountain in the west and extends eastward to two miles on the west bank of the Fen River.

It was just a simple earthen wall, nearly eight li wide from east to west, and no more than 16 feet high; behind it was another low wall, which made it convenient for the guards to stand.

This is a time-saving emergency measure, even less efficient than some well-constructed field fortifications.

But for Zhao Ji, that was enough.

A good wall is one that can prevent theft in normal times and cavalry in times of war.

Most of the working hours and manpower were used for the construction of the city's neighborhoods.

After watching Zhao Ji pass by, the soldiers carrying halberds and marching in a tiger-like formation would turn around and follow behind the group.

Upon arriving at the south gate of the new city, Jia Xu noticed there was no inscription on the gate and inquired, "We would like to request the Grand Marshal to name this gate."

"This gate faces the Jin River, and it is named after the place, so it is called Linjin Gate."

Zhao Ji didn't hesitate; he had no interest in building a triumphal arch.

After the Battle of Bian River, Zhao Ji set higher standards for himself. How could he have the nerve to use the Arc de Triomphe, Yanshi Gate, and Eagle Gate if he didn't annihilate 100,000 enemy soldiers in one battle?

Upon entering Linjin Gate, one finds a wide street, about fifty paces wide, suitable for military parades. This area was later named Linjin Avenue.

Tiger Step soldiers stood on the street, holding halberds, their positions relatively close together, leaving a passage ten steps wide.

Behind the Tiger Step Army were the old and new residents of the city, along with officials and soldiers.

Zhao Ji's title was only that of a county marquis, but Jinyang was Zhao Yan's fiefdom, and the officials and people in the city all knelt down to pay homage.

Xu Huang and Pei Xiu led their horses along, enjoying this immense honor.

Jia Xu remained calm and observed Zhao Ji, assuming that Zhao Ji would announce something like tax exemption or bestowing a title in his joy.

As a result, Zhao Ji remained calm, looked around, and even waved and nodded to the Tiger Guards on duty.

The northwest corner of the new city was the old city of Jinyang, which was converted into a granary because it was the highest point in the city; therefore, the new prefectural government was built in the northeast corner of Jinyang.

Clearly, the location of the prefectural governor's residence was not suitable for Zhao Ji to use as the Grand Marshal's headquarters, nor was it suitable as the residence of the Marquis of Jinyang.

As for the capital and county government of the Marquis of Jinyang, they were located north of the west gate of the new city, directly opposite the granary.

Zhao Ji, after observing the surrounding area, has determined that Linjin Street will be the central axis of the new city, and the Jinyang Marquis's Mansion and the Grand Marshal's Office will be built along this central axis.

If things can go a step further in the future, the two residences can be merged and upgraded into a palace.

Due to flood prevention considerations and tradition, the military camp in the city was located in the southwest corner; that is to say, the eastern half of the city, east of Linjin Street, was the living area for officials and civilians.

Building a city is not something that can be accomplished simply by constructing houses and erecting walls.

The drainage project needs to be continuously followed up. In addition to building drainage culverts and water diversion channels, it is also necessary to plan secret military tunnels.

After the neighborhoods are properly planned, further expansion will continue. In addition, industries and markets need to be planned. Jinyang City should not only be the capital of Zhao Ji's rule, but also a major metropolis for trade between various Hu tribes, making it the rightful northern capital of the empire, replacing Ye City and Ji City.

As Zhao Ji and his men arrived at the prefectural governor's mansion, the officials and civilians in the city gradually dispersed, and the Tiger Infantry returned to their camp in the west city.

Inside the prefectural governor's mansion, the entire hall was suspended in mid-air, covered with a layer of wooden planks, on which were newly laid straw mats.

The floor of the hall has been hollowed out to reveal a complex heated floor system.

Zhao Ji took off his armor and changed into a brocade robe. By the time he arrived, the banquet had been arranged.

Sitting on the warm straw mat, Zhao Ji couldn't help but recall what had happened in the library. It was so cold there; though the passion was intense, the environment wasn't suitable for careful contemplation.

If it were such a warm environment, I probably wouldn't have easily left the library that day.

During the banquet, Jia Xu repeatedly declined, leaving Zhao Ji to sit alone at the head of the table.

The seating arrangement on the left and right sides was different. On the left, the first was Jia Xu, followed by Xu Huang, who held a noble title, and then Pei Xiu. On the right, the first was Chanyu Huchuquan, followed by Zuo Xianwang Liu Bao, a young man who was even younger than Zhao Ji. The third seat was occupied by the envoy of Qubei. The remaining seats were also occupied by representatives of various Xiongnu tribes.

Even several Qiang towns within the Hedong region sent envoys to attend the event.

Accompanied by singing and dancing, Zhao Ji himself did not drink alcohol, and the others also did not drink excessively.

However, Zhao Ji did not control their drinking; instead, he repeatedly urged them to drink. After they were drunk, they had no more scruples, and the atmosphere of the banquet became increasingly lively.

It got dark early, but everyone was in high spirits. They had two more meals served and partied until midnight before the officers and representatives from various departments finally stopped, completely drunk.

Pei Xiu was no exception; he was completely drunk and limp.

Zhao Ji arranged for guards to help everyone to their guest rooms to rest, and personally escorted Pei Xiu to a side room.

The side room was warm and cozy with the fireplace. Pei Xiu pulled open his clothes and gasped for breath. His voice was filled with regret as he spoke, reeking of alcohol: "I should have gone to Guandong with Aji and seen the people of the Central Plains."

"It's not too late to go next time."

Zhao Ji took off his boots and threw them aside, then pulled the blanket over him.

Pei Xiu, feeling hot and bothered by the alcohol, kicked off the covers with her legs and rubbed her face with her hands: "When will it be next time? Aji, have you seen your second brother yet?"

He asked Pei Qian, while Zhao Ji sat by the couch: "Zhao Yan and others from Yingchuan have returned, saying that Second Brother was with them in Xiangyang before, but has now gone to Changsha. I have already sent people to summon him, and the counties of Jingzhou will also convey the message. If he is willing, he can take the imperial carriage to Luodu."

"Second brother definitely won't come. We've built such a big family business. Even if he wanted to come, with his temper, how could he possibly come?"

Pei Xiu sighed with a sense of helplessness: "As my career grows bigger and bigger, I feel more and more inadequate in terms of talent and ability. If my second brother were willing to come and help me, I could relinquish my political duties and focus on military affairs."

He lost his father at a young age. After Pei Qian lost his mother, his father Pei Mao remarried, which was no different from losing both his father and mother.

Of the Pei family members of this generation, Pei Qian was the one with whom he had the best relationship.

In terms of rebellion, Pei Qian was no less rebellious than Zhao Ji, but both were the kind of sinister rebellion.

Zhao Ji pulled the blanket up for Pei Xiu again, noticing that he was mumbling incoherently.

Before long, Pei Xiu fell into a deep sleep.

Zhao Ji is under great pressure at the front, and Pei Xiu is also under considerable pressure at the rear.

After a major defeat at the front, the various Xiongnu tribes would immediately turn against them and plunder Hedong and Taiyuan.

Even if we defeat them, we will suffer heavy losses.

Unlike Jia Xu, who was used to destruction, Jia Xu's bottom line was the army and food; all other losses would not affect his mood.

After Pei Xiu fell asleep, Zhao Ji went out and said to the two guards at the door, "You two go inside and stand guard. Seventh Brother has been drinking quite a bit, so it will be better if you stay close to him."

"Here."

The two soldiers bowed and watched Zhao Ji leave before entering the house and squatting near the fire wall, not even daring to use the low stools inside.

Zhao Ji was still worried, and then he encountered a half-drunk Han Shu: "Send people to take care of everything, I'm afraid that he'll vomit and choke to death."

"Here."

Han Shu responded, and seeing that Zhao Ji had no further instructions, he went to find the prefectural officials to convey the matter.

After finishing all this, Zhao Ji returned to his dormitory. Exhausted from the march, he lay down on the couch, closed his eyes, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

He didn't even have the mind to get up and sit cross-legged to circulate his skill. Apart from restoring physical strength and incidentally overdrawing a little mental energy to forcibly invigorate himself, this skill had almost no other effects.

After the incident at the library, the skill of "Concentration and Cultivation" was upgraded to level three.

Now that he's sleeping alone, using his skills would only waste food and make him starve sooner, offering no other benefit.

And so, Zhao Ji slept the most peaceful and restful sleep he had had in over half a year.

(End of this chapter)