Tiger Guards

Chapter 656 Reading Disorders
Jicheng, at dusk.

Han Shu led his troops across the river and defeated the more than two thousand cavalrymen who came to fight in Ji City. Han Shu then set up camp in the northwest corner of Ji City, near the Wei River.

Similar to Wang Qi's camp, the entire army was backed by transport ships, and they dug up sand from the riverbank, poured water on it, and froze it into ice walls to serve as a barrier.

Before the camp was even set up, the most labor-intensive part—the fortifications—had already been poured.

At this moment, Han Shu's camp and Wang Qi's camp, located a dozen miles upstream, formed a defensive triangle, completely abandoning the north bank.

Under the cover of night, Han Shu and Wang Qi exchanged intelligence.

Han Shu was very arrogant. After the sand froze and formed a solid fortification, he led more than 300 cavalrymen upstream along the south bank of the Wei River and entered Wang Qi's camp.

Han Shu brought news that Zhao Ji had led the central army into battle. As for Zhao Ji's battle situation today... Zhao Ji did not inform Han Shu, but Han Shu's reconnaissance troops had already learned the general situation of the battle.

However, Zhao Ji did not report it, and Han Shu did not dare to report it to Wang Qi either, so he could only report some outdated information.

Wang Qi was in high spirits, and even his face looked much brighter under the dim fish oil lamp.

Immediately, Wang Qi said, "Today, as Wen Bai led his troops to cross the Wei River, the traitor Ren Jun led his troops to harass our fortifications, intending to join forces with the rebel army in Jicheng to attack Wen Bai from both sides."

"So, it was the prince who drove away this band of rebels?"

Han Shu looked relieved, but still somewhat suspicious: "I was also wondering why we haven't seen any movement from this bandit army."

"This is not my achievement."

Wang Qi picked up a scroll of blood-written letter from a side table and handed it to Han Shu: "Wenbai, the one who drove away the bandit general today was the righteous army led by Jiang Jiong and Jiang Shuming. Their army of over a thousand men were all grateful for the kindness of Lord Zhang, so they fought bravely and drove away Ren Jun."

"Ren Jun?"

Han Shu didn't take Jiang Jiong's achievements seriously at all; he was more interested in the name of the traitor.

Seeing Han Shu's expression, Wang Qi dared not put on airs as a riding instructor any longer, and patiently explained with a gentle tone: "This is the Ren family, one of the four famous families of Tianshui, named Ren Jun, courtesy name Ren Ziqi. The Ren Qi mentioned by Wen Bai should be a native of Henan Yin, the cousin-in-law of Cao Cao, Ren Jun, Ren Boda."

"Well, this Ren Boda has been abducted and enslaved as a government slave. He works at the Pingyang Pasture and is quite capable. There have been many recommendations from below, but I have suppressed them all."

Han Shu spoke casually, completely disregarding Ren Jun and Ren Boda as human beings, as well as the traitor Ren Jun and Ren Ziqi.

Seeing Wang Qi's forced smile, Han Shu felt it was pointless and asked, "Is this Jiang Jiong, the one who buried Zhang Gong? How did he defeat Ren Ziqi?"

"Exactly this person."

Wang Qi replied, "Ren Ziqi and he were old acquaintances. The rebels sent troops to attack Jiang Shuming's fortified village from both sides, intending to force Jiang Shuming to join the rebels. Unexpectedly, Jiang Shuming gathered the able-bodied men in the fortified village and they all rushed out to attack Ren Ziqi's main force, killing more than 300 people. Ren Ziqi was defeated and fled, and his troops followed him."

"Over three hundred levels?"

Han Shu muttered to himself, and after being personally instructed by Zhao Ji, he subconsciously said, "Your Highness, we must guard against a treacherous spy plot. Tomorrow, we can send a military letter to commend this man and order him to defend the fortified village as before."

“Wenbai’s concerns are reasonable.”

Wang Qi clasped his hands in thanks as he spoke.

With his family members still young and inexperienced, Wang Qi was truly reluctant to risk his life. He preferred to earn fewer merits rather than compromise his own safety.

With his qualifications, if he just perseveres and lives for another ten years or so, he can surely raise a captain or lieutenant, or several county magistrates for his family.

As for the matter of future generations, Wang Qi no longer wanted to think about it.

Having nearly been lured and killed by a powerful figure in Tianshui, and having narrowly escaped death, Wang Qi was truly terrified.

After seeing Han Shu off, Wang Qi was even more worried about a joint night attack by the garrison of Renqi and Jicheng. So he relayed the message to the officers and soldiers in the camp: "Grand Tutor Zhao has arrived in Tianshui. The whole army is on high alert tonight."

Wang Qi didn't know where Zhao Ji was, but he didn't want to suffer any losses tonight.

This could only inspire the morale of the entire army, and the whole army would keep watch at night.

If they can survive this night, Han Shu's camp can advance tomorrow and get closer to him, so the risk of being attacked tomorrow night is lower.

Therefore, all officers and soldiers of the army will stay up all night tonight to avoid the final risks, which is very cost-effective.

After returning to his camp, Han Shu was also worried about something unusual happening in the army, so he relayed the message to his subordinates, the Hu tribesmen of Shuofang.

Upon hearing that Grand Tutor Zhao had entered Tianshui territory, the entire army of the Shuofang tribes cheered, their morale soaring. Even the horses in the camp seemed to neigh with even greater ferocity and spirit.

However, Zhao Rong's attempts to persuade Ji City to surrender were unsuccessful.

Zhao Rong wanted to launch a strong attack on the city's military camp, but he was reluctant to sacrifice the Zhao clan's retainers and fellow villagers' retainers.

If a strong attack on the Jin army inside the city results in damage to the core strength of the Zhao clan, then no matter how good the opportunity may be in the future, the Zhao clan will only be able to watch helplessly.

It wasn't that Zhao Rong was narrow-minded and only cared about his own family, but rather that he had joined Cao Cao since the world fell into chaos and had witnessed the rise of the Cao clan.

Surrendered generals and soldiers from other clans can be consumed at will, and must be consumed; if they cannot be consumed, then a way must be found to kill them. Not only surrendered generals, but also business partners must be eliminated one by one, such as Bao Xin.

However, the strength of the clan and close relatives' troops must be protected and expanded. Only in this way can the leadership of the Zhao clan in Tianshui be guaranteed not to be challenged or shaken.

Zhao Rong wanted to emulate the rise of the Cao clan, so he naturally had to do his best to avoid the kind of major defeat that occurred in the early stages of his career.

Zhao Rong didn't want to recall Cao Cao's various disastrous defeats in the early stages of his career... because recalling them might make him laugh.

Just as Zhao Rong was pondering how to reasonably expand and reorganize the Jin army under Heng Fang in the city into his own anti-bandit army, a messenger quickly approached his camp: "General Zhao, Lord Xin requests your presence."

Zhao Rong walked out of the barracks and saw that it was Zhao Pan of the Zhao family of Didao. He asked, "Is it urgent that you summoned me so late at night?"

"I invite the general to discuss military matters; there is information about the military situation in Hanzhong."

As Zhao Pan spoke, he observed the changes in Zhao Rong's expression.

Four-foot-high braziers on either side of the door provided illumination, and Zhao Pan observed all of Zhao Rong's changes in expression.

Zhao Rong asked in surprise, "The military situation in Hanzhong?"

However, Zhao Pan noticed Zhao Rong's exaggerated expression and replied in a deep voice, "It is about the military situation in Hanzhong. The magistrate wishes to consult with the general."

"it is good."

Zhao Rong readily agreed, then turned back to the barracks, picked up his helmet, put it on, and led a dozen guards to the nearby prefectural government office.

Inside the prefectural government office, Xin Pi's eyes were reddish-yellow, perhaps due to the dim candlelight, which made the whites of his eyes appear orange-reddish.

"Lord Xin."

Zhao Rongjun bowed gracefully, sat down, and slowly removed the helmet strap under his chin, then held the helmet in both hands and placed it to one side.

His body was bulky and fat, and things that ordinary people could do easily appeared particularly clumsy when Zhao Rong tried to do them seriously.

Xin Pi knelt on the superior position, glancing sideways at Zhao Rong's behavior: "There seems to be a hint of joy between your youthful brows?"

"Why do you say that, my lord?"

Zhao Rong composed himself and straightened his posture. He then smiled and explained, "I heard about the unusual activity in Hanzhong. I assume it is good news, hence my joy. I hope Your Excellency will not take offense."

"Haha, that's it."

Xin Pi forced a dry laugh, thinking that he would be sleepless tonight, so he simply picked up a silk scroll and casually tossed it in front of Zhao Rong: "Child, this is the military intelligence of Shanggui."

Zhao Rong frowned in displeasure, but still reached out and picked up the military dispatch. After a cursory glance, he saw that it roughly stated that Zhang Wei, the military commander of Hanzhong, led his troops into Shanggui and seized the city in the chaos, presenting it to Zhao Ang.

With his joy evident, Zhao Rong asked with a smile, "Since things have changed in Shanggui, why is Zuo Zhi acting like this?"

Xinpi felt a little suffocated. He looked up at the dark roof beams and forced a smile: "Child, please read carefully."

"it is good."

Zhao Rong responded softly, casually reading, but the smile on her face lost its warmth and luster, remaining a stiff one.

A moment later, Zhao Rong looked dazed.

He slowly turned his head to look at Xinpi, his expression full of inquiry, like a silly water buffalo.

(End of this chapter)