Tiger Guards

Chapter 572 The time has not come yet
When Ma Chao led more than 300 troops from the Helan Mountain camp, they circled around the Yin Mountains and headed east towards Zhao Ji's forces, Zhao Ji was also crossing the Yin Mountains to the north.

Summer has arrived, but the temperature in the Yinshan area remains cool and pleasant.

In this environment, even the five hundred armored knights that Zhao Ji expanded could still don their armor and move about.

Previously, when there were 300 Iron Cavalry, the Iron Cavalry Battalion had a strength of over 1,100 men, which was barely enough to maintain the Iron Cavalry's supplies and operations.

Now that it has expanded to 500, the Iron Cavalry Battalion's organization has naturally increased to 2,000 people, making it the largest battalion under the Grand Marshal's administration, leaning towards the traditional Han army battalion.

The Han army was divided into large camps and small camps. Large camps were commanded by colonels or captains and consisted of two to four thousand men.

Apart from teams of 100 or fewer, teams of more than 100 people never have a fixed organizational structure; they are always adjusted reasonably according to the needs of the mission.

Five hundred iron cavalrymen, clad in gleaming armor, advanced in formation. Their gilded armor reflected the sunlight, making them appear from afar like golden-armored celestial beings.

It was partly for the purpose of showing off, and partly to demonstrate to Han and Hu peoples near and far that they had a large reserve of warhorses.

Therefore, all five hundred iron cavalrymen rode white horses... Although these strong white horses were warhorses, Zhao Ji was reluctant to send them to the battlefield, as replenishment was difficult, and they were mostly used as ceremonial horses.

Five hundred iron cavalry escorted Zhao Ji's chariot westward, displaying their military strength to the nomadic tribes north of the Yin Mountains.

The various Donghu tribes have already retreated; where would they dare to roam north of the Yin Mountains this year?
Those who dared to roam the northern Yinshan area this year were either small Donghu tribes or Donghu tribes with Xiongnu blood... These people were either unaware of the situation or were certain that the Han army would not kill them without cause, and had the intention to surrender and submit.

A light rain began to fall during a break from the march.

Inside the tent, Zhao Ji was looking at a map newly drawn by the scouts when Zhang Hong suggested, "My lord, we are now quite close to Yanran Mountain. Should we send someone to repair the stone inscription commemorating our achievements from back then?"

“Yes, sir. If you are willing, I can send three thousand cavalry to escort you to pay homage to the venerable hero.”

Zhao Ji rolled up the map. He was under immense pressure in what was probably the shortest time, so much so that his originally downy beard appeared thick and bushy.

The sudden growth of a thick, short, black beard made Zhao Ji appear even more imposing.

After putting the map into a wooden box, Zhao Ji got up and went to the tent entrance, looking at the fine rain outside. He gazed at it and said, "We must offer sacrifices at Yanran Mountain and Langjuxu Mountain. After we return to Guanzhong, we will have another tough battle."

Xianyu Fu, who had been forcibly kept in the army by Zhao Ji, stood up with a cup of milk tea and said with a smile, "Grand Marshal, you are overthinking it. With the barbarians terrified, what bitter battle could there be in the Central Plains?"

Zhao Ji glanced back at Xianyu Fu and smiled: "Now the court knows what I'm going to do, and I know the court knows; the court also knows that I know they know. It sounds convoluted, but the situation is clear."

Xianyu Fu stopped smiling, his expression turned solemn, and he slowly nodded.

As a powerful leader in the border region, he colluded with various Hu tribes to smuggle various weapons or people, but this did not prevent him from being wary and hostile towards them.

Making money is about making money; you can't let personal emotions get in the way.

Moreover, smuggling was not just for making money; it could also acquire warhorses and balance the power among the various tribes.

Therefore, before Gongsun Zan attacked and killed Liu Yu, Xianyu Fu supported Gongsun Zan.

After Gongsun Zan kidnapped the imperial envoy and forged an imperial edict to kill Liu Yu, Xianyu Fu, in order to avenge his former lord Liu Yu, raised troops to cooperate with Yuan Shao in attacking Gongsun Zan from both sides.

However, after Liu Yu's son, Liu He, a court attendant, and Ju Yi died, Xianyu Fu began to distance himself from and hate Yuan Shao.

Xianyu Fu's relationship with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan was very complicated, but if Xianyu Fu had to execute either Yuan Shao or Gongsun Zan, he would kill Yuan Shao.

There was no other reason. Gongsun Zan forged an imperial edict to kill Liu Yu, not by beating or assassinating him. Liu Yu was killed after surrendering. Yuan Shao, on the other hand, ensured Liu Yu's line ended. Whether it was killing Liu He or allowing Cao Cao's army to massacre Liu Yu's hometown, Yuan Shao ensured Liu Yu's line was completely extinguished, without even the chance of a close relative to inherit his line. Another reason lay in the attitude towards the various Hu tribes. Gongsun Zan was a notoriously hardliner, while Yuan Shao intermarried with the Hu chieftains, with Tadun practically considering himself Yuan Shao's son-in-law.

No matter how despicable Gongsun Zan is, he will not allow the various Hu tribes to gradually erode and squeeze the living space of the Han powerful families and Han border people in Youzhou!
As for Xianyu Fu's loyalty to the court... his connection with the court was merely to gather manpower to rebel against Yuan Shao.

For the powerful clans of Youzhou, a land of harsh cold, loyalty was a highly valued quality.

If you want their loyalty, you'll have to pay a high price!

Now that Zhao Ji has made his own admission, Xianyu Fu no longer needs to pretend to be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty.

Previously, he had no choice but to surrender to Yuan Shao. After the Grand Marshal's army advanced and Yuan's army withdrew, Xianyu Fu led the Han-Hu allied forces of Youzhou to switch sides and support the Grand Marshal again... This actually required a lot of courage.

He was willing to gamble, and he successfully entered the Grand Marshal's staff.

This is the moment for him to pledge his allegiance on behalf of the powerful clans of Youzhou.

Therefore, Xianyu Fu, who seemed hesitant to speak, finally couldn't help but speak his mind under Zhao Ji's gaze: "When the Grand Marshal staged the military remonstrance years ago, he shouldn't have shown leniency. Those who brought chaos to the world were truly incompetent and immoral officials. Now, the Grand Marshal has achieved unparalleled merit, creating a century of peace for the men and women of our border regions. Yet, the officials are unjustly suspicious and have bewitched the Emperor, causing the court to delay in bestowing rewards. This situation of suspicion from the Emperor is not just the Grand Marshal's fault, but the fault of millions of men and women in the border regions!"

Zhang Hong also stood up and said, "These wicked men are corrupt and misleading the Emperor, ignoring the merits of Your Majesty and the many officials and soldiers, causing slander in the court and among the people, and unrest in the army. I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for the world, raise troops in Luoyang, and assist the Emperor and the nation!"

The greatest principle in the world is to work hard and get paid, to reward those who have made contributions, and not to maliciously delay payment!

Violating this feudal, monarchical, and employer-employee obligation is highly immoral.

It is only right and proper to lead righteous troops to punish them!

After speaking, Zhang Hong clasped his hands and bowed deeply, also looking indignant.

This is not just a matter of owing money to Zhao Ji alone, but also to him, the Chief Military Advisor of the Grand Marshal's Office!
Zhang Hong was determined to collect the debts, but he didn't harbor much hatred. He simply wanted to take this opportunity to purge the disobedient officials in the court.

Now that things have come to this, it's no longer a matter for Zhao Ji to simply relinquish his military power and expect a peaceful and prosperous life.

Others are one thing, but as a fellow townsman, former official, and current key member of the Langya Zhao clan, if Zhao Ji dares to give up easily, Zhang Hong will dare to jump out and slap Zhao Ji in the face!

At this moment, Zhao Ji waved his hand and said, "No rush, I want to wait until the whole army is boiling with anger before we make a decision."

Most of the troops that participated in the battle in the three northern counties have been rotated back to Hedong and Taiyuan, and the troops in Guanzhong and Sanfu have also been withdrawn to participate in spring plowing.

Gan Ning's navy in Hongnong is still in its infancy; it currently only has defensive capabilities and no capacity for external attacks.

Now is not the time to issue a proclamation to purge the court of corrupt officials and quell the rebellion. We must wait until the families of the soldiers are also outraged before we can take action.

But before that, we must smash Han Sui's skull!
Otherwise, the core and leader of this continuous rebellion in Liangzhou might actually become a loyalist to the Han Dynasty and cause trouble behind his back.

After smashing Han Sui's skull and stabilizing Liangzhou, Zhao Ji was finally able to approach the court to demand rewards for all the officers and soldiers of the army.

If the imperial court can't come up with the money, it has to come up with something else.

If you can't even bear to part with this little bit of other stuff, then give me a good beating.

Anyway, with the eldest prince Liu Feng in hand, no matter how the situation changes, I will still have a backup plan.

(End of this chapter)