Tiger Guards

Chapter 369 Unwavering Stance
As the summer heat intensifies, the shaving of heads by the two suicide squads of a thousand men did not cause any further disturbance.

Over the years, the people and soldiers of Guanzhong have become numb to it all.

After a life filled with chaos, separation from loved ones, and all sorts of terrible experiences, the fact that they could have a relatively safe military camp where they could sleep soundly and have enough to eat was already a great satisfaction for them.

It is acceptable for entire clans to flee and live among various non-Han peoples in order to evade taxes or avoid other disasters, and to change their customs and traditions.

Not to mention that what they were doing was just shaving their heads. After the soldiers had gone through all kinds of torture, shaving their heads was actually the easiest punishment for them to accept.

After the hair-shaving was completed, the National Protection Army, consisting of eight thousand men, together with Zhao Ji's three thousand cavalry, began to march towards Luodu along the Hangu Pass.

Heading eastward, they also collected the remains of soldiers who died in battle two years ago and buried them together.

Especially at the Dongjian battlefield, corpses were scattered everywhere, along the roads and in all areas of sight.

The armor, weapons, and even clothing had already been cleaned up by the local people.

It's impossible to tell who's who now; the remains of Zhao Ji's four nominally elder brothers are among them.

They could only be collected together and transported to Taolin, southwest of Tongguan, east of Lishan, for burial.

Tongguan is the ancient Taolin Pass. Last year, when the imperial court moved to Anyi, Zhao Ji staged a military remonstrance and reached an agreement with Duan Wei, who then began to build Tongguan on the loess plateau on the south bank.

Even the name Tongguan didn't need Zhao Ji to give it a special name.

After the Yellow River struggled to enter Guanzhong, its turbulent currents crashed against the mountains on the south bank and turned eastward. It was reasonable to name the new pass, Tongguan, after the geographical features of the mountains and rivers, when it was located here.

At that time, Duan Wei's worst-case scenario was to abandon part of the Huayin military garrison, retreat to Hongnong, and rely on Tongguan to resist the invasion of the allied forces of Li Jue and Guo Si, while waiting for Zhao Ji's reinforcements.

Fortunately, the allied forces of Li Jue and Guo Si first besieged the Su family's fortified village in Pingling, intending to use the Su family as a sacrificial offering for the allied forces' oath, and then go to attack Duan Wei.

As a result, after losing the imperial court, Li Jue and Guo Si's influence over the generals in Guanzhong declined rapidly, and these people had no choice but to respond to Li Jue and Guo Si due to military pressure.

No one was willing to work hard to overcome the difficulties; instead, they were just going through the motions and procrastinating.

The failure to breach the Su family's fortified village led to the shattering of Li Jue and Guo Si's image, and they completely lost their influence in rallying and leading the generals of Guanzhong.

Objectively speaking, the Su family made great contributions... but last year Zhao Ji didn't ask them to stick to their principles, and they weren't allies who had reached an agreement or alliance.

Given the influence of the Su family, and their lack of official positions, they were essentially not qualified to engage in dialogue or negotiation.

"Zongzei" refers to people like the Su family.

Therefore, when Zhao Jishun besieged Su's fortified village this year, there was almost no opposition in the army; in fact, it was considered a matter of course.

As the army set off, the main migrant population from Guanzhong had already entered the Hedong region.

When the army reached Shaanxi and Tianjin and Sanmenxia, ​​they stopped due to rain.

Rainfall falling north of the Qinling Mountains means that rainfall in Nanyang may decrease.

Since Lü Bu inspected the military garrisons and the growth of wheat, there has been little rainfall in Nanyang for seven or eight days.

Apart from the fertile fields near rivers and canals, the vast majority of the land suffered from the oppressive heat.

Meanwhile, Lü Bu's envoy, Qin Yilu, arrived at Shanjin on horseback. He wore a short-pile yellow sheepskin vest and a fur-free leather hat as he left the temporary camp.

The summer heat was suppressed by the drizzling rain, and he felt refreshed.

Lu Bu treated him quite well. After the major families in Nanyang were destroyed, he sent them all to the Qin Yilu family, including all the women. The relationships between these women were so complex that it was hard to explain.

As for Lady Du, whom Dong Zhuo gave to him in order to divide and win over Qin Yilu, he did not have a deep affection for her.

In chaotic times, people who are too attached to emotions or details are easily dragged down.

Qin Yilu considered himself a carefree person and followed Zhao Ji's guards into the official residence in Shanjin.

Under the rain shelter corridor, Qin Yilu took off his leather hat and raincoat, checked his brightly colored black and red Shu brocade robe, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the mud off his wooden clogs.

While Qin Yilu waited, Zhao Ji was reading Yuan Shu's handwritten letter.

Yuan Shu, who came from a noble family, spoke frankly, much like a chivalrous knight.

In terms of contempt for traditional classics and literature, Yuan Shu was arguably the most disdainful of his time.

It cannot be said that Yuan Shu was uneducated and incompetent. He was the kind of person who enjoyed top-notch educational resources but looked down on these 'tools' because they had lost their meaning for him personally.

While looking down on traditional Confucian education, they naturally won't put their hearts into studying it.

Knowing the general outline is enough... Make a bold prediction: even if Yuan Shu could only write his own name, he would still be a pillar of the state, and who could question him?

Therefore, Yuan Shu's handwritten letter was straightforward, as if bandits were dividing up their loot, with no intention of concealment.

Unfortunately, after losing the authority of the court, how could Zhao Ji suppress the ambitious elements under his command?

Ambitious people include not only intelligent people, but also countless fools.

The more intelligent and ambitious a person is, the more they will strive for prudence in their actions.

These people won't take any decisive measures until the mountain collapses.

But fools are hard to predict. It might just be a few words from a fortune teller or physiognomist, or even a joke between wives and concubines in bed, or a strange dream. Such fools would dare to raise an army and rebel.

Zhao Ji put down Yuan Shu's letter, glanced around, and saw that Han Shu and Gao Yanglong had both gone down to command their troops.

Only the newly transferred Guan Shang remained by his side. Guan Shang noticed this and looked at him blankly, cupping his hands in greeting: "Grand Marshal?" "I cannot share the same sky with a rebellious minister who has disrupted the country, so how can we unite?"

Zhao Ji brandished the silk scroll in his hand: "Yuan Shu looks down on me, yet he still wants to make my daughter my principal wife. Does he really think I'm so worthless?"

Guan Shang was taken aback, and for some reason felt that Yuan Shu's judgment made some sense.

Initially, he was engaged to the Empress's sister and promised her the position of principal wife; later, he allied with Lü Bu with two thousand bolts of silk. Lü Bu, unwilling to hand over strategically important resources, agreed to Zhang Yang's arrangement and gave his daughter to Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji did indeed gain an advantage, but the Fu and Lü families suffered a loss.
Not entirely. Only those in lower positions or with unstable status would use marriage to stabilize their external circumstances.

After marriage and raising children, Fu and Lü were able to exert influence on Zhao Ji through their families and children.

Sometimes, even a detail unintentionally leaked by a woman close to Zhao Ji can determine victory or defeat!
Yuan Shu's envoy stood fearlessly in the hall, instead saying, "Many scholars from the Jianghuai region praise the Grand Marshal as a young hero, yet they are so short-sighted. Although Lü Bu is now a Grand General, he is merely a puppet of the officials. In the future, when the court pacifies the prefectures and counties of Guandong, how can it tolerate the Grand Marshal?"

"We'll deal with the future later. Right now, Yuan Gonglu is going to occupy the East. If I sit idly by, do you think he'll tolerate me once he's settled all the states in the East?"

Zhao Ji smiled as he spoke: "If I were to collude with Yuan Gonglu, the loyal and righteous men in the army would lose their morale, I would also lose my reputation, and tens of thousands of elite troops would fall into chaos without a fight. I understand which is more important."

The envoy continued to argue: "If the Grand Marshal marries our lord's beloved daughter, there will still be room for maneuver in the future conflict between the two families; it is better than the court officials who, after gaining power, act ruthlessly and cruelly, leaving no room for maneuver."

"No, I still prefer to stay in the court and assist the Han dynasty. As for the corrupt practices of the officials, I will discipline them in place of their parents."

Zhao Ji turned to look at Guan Shang, who understood and waved to the two armored soldiers in front of the gate.

Two armored soldiers entered, intending to capture the envoy. After a slight struggle, the envoy coldly said, "Why bother capturing me? Am I someone who fears death?"

The two armored soldiers went to see Zhao Ji. People generally have respect for such a warrior who disregards death.

Zhao Ji looked at Guan Shang and said, "Take him out for a good meal, and report back later that you've beheaded him."

"Here."

Guan Shang agreed, glanced at the messenger, and then walked out first.

The messenger broke free from the two armored soldiers and strode out with his head held high. The two armored soldiers also left, and two more armored soldiers stepped forward to fill the positions on both sides of the doorway, holding halberds and swords with their eyes fixed straight ahead.

At this moment, Qin Yilu was led inside.

Upon seeing Qin Yilu, Zhao Ji felt nothing strange and simply pointed to the open space in front of him: "Bring a chair."

The clerk next to him got up and brought Qin Yilu a folding stool.

Qin Yilu curiously observed the round stool before bowing to Zhao Ji and then taking out a silk scroll, holding it with both hands: "I have come to pay my respects to the Grand Marshal on the orders of the General, to discuss the matter of attacking Yuan."

"Sit first."

As soon as Zhao Ji spoke, a clerk stepped forward, took the silk scroll, and handed it to Zhao Ji.

This scroll of silk is relatively small, containing only about forty characters. Lü Bu highly praised Zhao Ji's achievements in defeating Li Jue and Guo Si, and said that Qin Yilu would represent him to discuss the war against Yuan Shikai.

Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow, thinking that Lü Bu would put the battle plan into cold, hard words.

Having Qin Yilu handle the negotiations now clearly leaves ample room for discussion.

After putting down the silk scroll, Zhao Ji asked, "The Yuan family has caused chaos in the country. What measures has the General taken?"

Qin Yilu, seated upright, bowed and replied, "The Grand General has already pacified the elite troops of Jing and Yi provinces. In early August, he will lead the main army to suppress the rebellion out of Wankou, pass through Ru and Ying, and advance to attack the traitors of Chen and Lianghuai who joined the rebellion. Another force will be led by Liu Zhennan down the Yangtze River to join forces with Huang Zu and Hua Xin's armies, and directly attack Danyang to cut off Yuan Shu's connection with Jiangdong."

"That's reasonable enough, but if Liu Biao were to control both Jing and Yang provinces, how could the imperial court possibly restrain him?"

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal, the General intends to appoint Hua Xin, the Prefect of Yuzhang, as the Governor of Yangzhou. If the Grand Marshal agrees, please send a letter to Luodu so that the officials of the Secretariat can make a decision and issue an imperial edict as soon as possible."

"inappropriate."

Zhao Ji directly objected: "Hua Xin has a good reputation and is capable of governing Yuzhang, but that does not mean he can gather the people of Jiangdong to fight against Liu Biao and Yuan Shu. I believe that after Liu Yao's death, a virtuous member of the imperial clan should be sent to Jiangdong to take charge of Yangzhou."

After a pause, Zhao Ji explained, "I don't trust Hua Xin. Liu Ai, the Chamberlain, or Liu Hui, who has recently entered the court, are both good choices."

In fact, Zhao Ji also wanted to send Liu Bei to Jiangdong, but he was afraid that Liu Bei would rise to prominence.

Xuzhou is a good place. Liu Bei would find it hard to give up Xuzhou. Using Xuzhou, a dry bone with no meat, to keep Liu Bei occupied would save him a lot of trouble.

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's suggestion, Qin Yilu said, "If a virtuous official from the imperial clan were to lead Yangzhou, the emperor would surely be pleased, and the general would not object."

Immediately afterwards, Qin Yilu asked, "When will the Grand Marshal lead the army to attack Yuan Shikai out of the pass?"

"We will coordinate with the General, and once the heat subsides, he will lead his troops out of Wankou, while I will lead the officers and soldiers out of Hulao Pass and advance towards Chenliu, descending from the Bian River. If Yuan Shao and Cao Cao cause trouble, I will stand against them for the General!"

Zhao Ji didn't want to argue about these details; in any case, he had no intention of fighting against Lü Bu's allied forces.

Each player played their own game, and they were able to perform quite well.

Qin Yilu felt that the mission had gone very smoothly, and his face showed gratitude. He cupped his hands again and said, "Your subject understands and has no more doubts."

"Okay, you can set off once the rain stops."

Zhao Ji turned to a clerk beside him and said, "Take him to my stable. Except for when it's dark in the moonlight, he can choose any two of my finest horses."

Qin Yilu was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Grand Marshal, for bestowing upon me the horse."

"Our two families are truly one family, why be so formal?"

(End of this chapter)