Tiger Guards

Chapter 486 Admiring Virtue
When Zhao Ji returned to Jinyang City, Pei Xiu, Zhang Hong, and many other officers and generals who had been dismissed earlier had already arrived.

Although I dislike formalistic things, many things must be promoted through formalism.

The road leading north from the Jinshui Bridge to Linjin Gate is about thirty paces wide and is a newly paved road surface built this year.

Zhao Ji rode in a chariot, with armored Tiger Infantry and Jin Yang soldiers on both sides of the road.

The Tiger Infantry remained in Han army attire, while the Jin Yang soldiers wore dark purple uniforms with the same two-piece armor as the Tiger Infantry, but with a front-opening overcoat over the armor.

As the weather turned cold, a short-sleeved felt coat made of fine felt was worn, dyed dark purple overall, with green patterns embroidered on the collar, lapel, and cuffs; brownish-yellow silk ribbons hung from the hem.

With its red-edged embroidered sun pattern on the back, along with other subtle decorations and color schemes, the robes of the Jin Yang soldiers can be described as embodying the five elements and the principles of yin and yang.

The main color is the purple of the Zhao clan. This purple was not created by Zhao Yan or Zhao Ji, but is the symbolic color of the Zhao clan.

The state of Zhao is associated with the color purple. When the state of Jin was divided into three, the states of Han and Wei were of the Ji clan and could use the red flag associated with the fire element of the Ji clan. However, the state of Han deduced that it was associated with the green wood element, in order to better support the fire element of the Ji Zhou clan.

In order to demonstrate their loyalty to Ji Zhou, the Zhao family used the Fire-Wood virtue to show their loyalty to Ji Zhou by using wood to assist fire and support the fire virtue.

Therefore, while the Zhao clan revered the color black (representing water) and the color white (representing metal), their military uniforms and flags used a purple color composed of seven reds and three blues.

The concept of virtue was one set of doctrines at the beginning of the Zhao dynasty, but as circumstances changed, so did the discourse and stance. The Zhao dynasty was characterized by its flexibility and adaptability, not adhering to a fixed set of principles.

However, purple is somewhat associated with the Zhao family.

Just like the Yuan brothers, the flags of their armies were mainly painted in the color scheme of earth yellow.

The color scheme based on the Five Virtues can be categorized in several periods: the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, and after the Qin Dynasty unified China.

Nothing is static, but at this moment, due to the prestige Zhao Ji had gained from his two expeditions to Guandong, as well as his own preference for purple robes, he was firmly associated with the color purple.

Changes in clothing color are by no means trivial matters.

Colors have hierarchical distinctions, and when the Five Virtues theory is applied, they acquire special political significance.

The fact that all soldiers of the Jin Yang Kingdom were equipped with purple robes was itself a form of internal ideological assimilation.

If you agree with purple, then you're one of us; if you don't, then you're bound to suffer the consequences.

If everyone agrees on purple and wears purple, then you must agree to join forces to overthrow the Fire Virtue Yan Liu Crimson World.

It's not just the soldiers of Jinyang who wear purple; last year, Zhao Ji also gave purple to the Xiongnu Righteous Cavalry to distinguish them from the red Tiger Step Army.

Two sets of military uniforms are provided per year to those already enlisted.

The high demand for purple hues led to the widespread popularity of purple fabrics among the general public.

As Zhao Ji rode in his carriage, he noticed that many of the men and women watching on both sides of the road wore purple robes, but most of them were dressed in faded, yellowish-white cloth, or black, which matched the somberness of winter, or brownish-yellow, which was typical of autumn.

Purple is mostly used as a color scheme. Apart from the families of soldiers wearing dark purple military uniforms that have been cut, not many people actually wear full purple.

Zhao Ji's chariot moved forward slowly, while crowds of people lined the roadside, all trying to push forward and get a better look at Zhao Ji.

Young children and teenagers came in groups, and regardless of gender, they waved and shouted at Zhao Ji, trying to attract his attention.

Zhao Ji also responded enthusiastically to the soldiers and civilians of Jinyang, occasionally raising his arms to adjust his direction, which inspired the teenagers and young people to follow suit and raise their arms high in front of him.

Every now and then, people appear flushed, agitated, or faint...

When Zhao Ji led his troops north away from Wenxi last year, the villagers bid him farewell in the same way.

Back then, Zhao Ji dared to throw coins or other things, but now he really doesn't dare to throw small gifts, as this would cause widespread looting and trampling.

Jinyang South Gate, Linjin Gate.

Zhao Yan stood on the chariot, watching Zhao Ji's troops slowly approaching from two miles away. Shouts of "Victory!" and "Long live!" were heard one after another, like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing.

Jia Xu stood beneath the chariot, stroking his beard with a contented expression and a smile playing on his lips.

As for concerns about the succession of the Han dynasty, they would naturally not express them at this time.

Zhao Ji's chariot slowly arrived. When it was about twenty or thirty paces away, Zhao Ji jumped off the chariot, quickly walked to Zhao Yan's chariot, clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "Greetings, Grandfather."

Zhao Yan also got out of the carriage, and Jia Xu helped him up. Zhao Yan stepped forward to help Zhao Ji, and looked up to observe Zhao Ji's slightly tanned face: "Yuan Si is even stronger now."

"Grandfather, you have worked hard; your grandson is unfilial."

As Zhao Ji spoke, shouts from the soldiers and civilians watching from near and far filled the area around the city gate. Zhao Yan couldn't hear what Zhao Ji was saying, but he nodded repeatedly, his words somewhat indistinct. He then pulled Zhao Ji's hand and led him towards his chariot. Zhao Ji first helped Zhao Yan onto the chariot, and then, ignoring Jia Xu's refusals, pushed Jia Xu onto the chariot as well.

He then sat down beside the emperor and nodded emphatically to Xu Huang, who was riding a horse in golden armor. Xu Huang quickly returned the gesture with an even larger nod.

At times like this, you can't hear anything clearly.

The sooner they return to the city, the sooner the gathered soldiers and civilians can disperse.

The people in the city still crowded on both sides of the road. Their clothes were more refined than those of the people outside the city, and many of them wore fur coats with a front opening.

Zhao Ji noticed that many people's fur coats had fur-lined leather collars turned outwards, which told him that his military-style fur coat design had been leaked and was circulating.

There's nothing to be angry about. Even government-run leather workshops produce defective products, which can circulate in the market and improve people's winter warmth. That's better than anything else.

Even the thickest felt smock can't compare to a fur coat.

When on duty in outposts or towns during winter, a fine felt robe is barely enough, but when going out into the field, a fur coat is necessary.

Zhao Ji's eyes scanned the area, observing the changes in various parts of Jinyang New City.

Linjin Street leads directly to the Jinyang Marquis's Mansion in the city. The Marquis's Mansion and the Grand Marshal's Office are two sides of the same coin, with the Marquis's Mansion on the east side and the Grand Marshal's Office on the west side, connected by a sky bridge and covered walkway.

Beneath the overpass, it is still Linjin Street.

Today, the Grand Marshal's headquarters remains a log-built field camp, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his founding principles.

The walls of the Marquis's mansion were made of planks, resembling a small town, with the outer walls painted white with lime.

Further north along Linjin Street, in the northwest corner lies the former Jinyang City, which, due to its highest elevation, is now the Jinyang Granary City, storing grain and military equipment to cope with various changes; in the northeast corner is the Taiyuan Prefecture.

Zhao Ji turned his head to look to the west and saw that simple houses had also been built on the hillside of Longshan.

That's where Longcheng University is located. Since we want to study, let's move to the mountains. The austere living environment will make it easier to stay focused.

After following Zhao Yan into the Marquis of Jinyang's residence, Zhao Ji's world finally became quiet, and he relaxed completely.

Taking off his helmet and holding it in his left hand, Zhao Ji tapped his ear with his right little finger and exclaimed, "Back in Jinyang City, the enthusiasm of the soldiers and civilians is even more terrifying than that of the 100,000 soldiers from Guandong."

Zhao Yan chuckled, while Han Rong, who was following him, feigned ignorance: "Why does the Grand Marshal say such a thing? Is it that the armies of Guandong are not as brave and strong as the people of Jinyang?"

How could I possibly underestimate my opponent?

Zhao Ji said, “I can wipe out 100,000 soldiers from Guandong with a single sword. The people of Jinyang, young and old, are cheering and shouting, and men and women are vying to come forward to see them. If they were ordinary people, they would probably be stared to death.”

Upon hearing this, Han Rong carefully examined Zhao Ji's profile and turned to Zhao Yan, saying, "The Grand Marshal has a heroic and handsome appearance, with bright and shining eyes. Officials and commoners flock to see him, like insects chasing light in the dark."

Zhao Ji smiled in response. This man surnamed Han was known throughout the country for his kindness and benevolence. He was circling around the old man, but his goal was still to obtain the right to teach at the university.

Zhao Yan waved his hand: "Yuan Chang, you flatter me. How can a man be praised for his looks?"

"Yes, what I mean is that the Grand Marshal's character is as noble and pure as the bright moon, and officials and people alike admire his virtue."

Han Rong then began to praise Zhao Ji's virtues and achievements, which pleased Zhao Yan greatly.

Back when the rebels pacified Mount Tai, Zhao Yan and Han Rong were merely acquaintances.

Although Zhao Yan offered a plan, he successfully persuaded Emperor Huan by mentioning the "Wuyang County troops" and obtained their assistance, which led to the annihilation of the rebel army.

Although he was famous for a time, he was still stuck in his official career, moving back and forth between various counties in northern Taiyuan, Yanmen, and Dingxiang, clearly being used as a tool to stabilize the border counties and regions.

Although Han Rong had no merit during that battle, it did not prevent him from being recognized as a kind and virtuous elder throughout the country.

To what extent was Han Rong utterly useless?

He helped Dong Zhuo deliver a message to the Guandong Coalition, and other high-ranking officials and famous scholars such as Hu Wuban, Yin Xiu, Wu Xiu, and Wang Gui were all killed on Yuan Shao's orders.

The reason Han Rong wasn't killed was because his reputation was so good, and whether he was killed or not wouldn't have made any difference, which is why Yuan Shao let him go.

But we can't say Han Rong was useless. How could someone who could maintain such a good reputation lack vision?
Han Rong himself was cheerful and didn't care about saving face or anything like that; he was very approachable.

Being by Zhao Yan's side at this moment, guiding the conversation and enhancing the atmosphere, proved to be quite useful.

As for Longcheng University... Zhao Jining would rather move it than give it to him.

(End of this chapter)