Tiger Guards

Chapter 79: The Son of the Military
The emperor's traveling camp, along with the ministers and officials, also had a hearty meal.

But the food is not greasy or meaty, so only a few people experienced adverse reactions.

So after the two memorials were submitted, Yang Qi talked with Zhao Ji in a small courtyard.

The hut was renovated in the winter. It was not Yang Qi's alone. He lived there with his cousin Yang Biao, Si Tu Zhao Wen, and Si Kong Zhang Xi.

Winter will be more bearable with more people.

Even the vegetable garden in the courtyard was well-maintained by these people. It was obvious that they watered the garden diligently and were not affected by the spring drought.

Zhao Ji looked around. Yang Qi was not surprised. After Zhao Ji sat down on the wooden stool, he said, "Last night, the emperor was disturbed. The Xiongnu and the clan rebels also rebelled. The emperor is already exhausted. He will summon the Zhonglang tomorrow."

Zhao Ji turned his head and glanced outside the low wall when he heard this: "Mingsir, I am worried that I will be suspected."

"This man knows when to advance and when to retreat. He wouldn't dare to do anything rash at this moment. Let him wait outside the wall."

After all, Yang Qi was an old minister who had served Emperor Ling, so he had some confidence. He then said, "Let's not talk about official business for now. I have some personal questions."

"Excuse me."

"The imperial envoy Zhao Rui returns to the court and tells the Zhonglang about his request. He has nothing to worry about regarding the various requests of the Tiger Guards. The court will not let down these meritorious martyrs."

Yang Qi observed Zhao Ji's expression and asked, "It's about the official appointment of Zhonglang's father-in-law. The court is currently in need of a lot of work and needs talent. Your father is also from a well-off family. He was able to cultivate Zhonglang into a capable person. I think he must be an extraordinary person. In my opinion, he should be appointed to a government office and serve in the government, becoming a pillar of the court. However, if Zhonglang is given an official position based on his merits, it will not be conducive to his long-term career. Zhonglang's filial piety is well-behaved, but I also have my own opinions. I wonder if you are willing to follow my instructions?"

His cousin Yang Biao was the Grand Marshal, so the Grand Marshal's office could naturally recruit officials. This was because they came from the office. After observing the government and becoming familiar with it, they would either be sent to serve as county magistrates, or the outstanding ones would be appointed to the cabinet, such as the Lanting, the Censorate, and the Shangshutai.

Being born into a duke's family is similar to being a filial and honest official, and is far superior to being a noble official.

Old Zhao becomes the Shangshu?

It was somewhat strange to think of Old Zhao wearing a black official uniform and a Jinxian crown, and spending every day with a group of learned scholars.

Zhao Ji felt that this was a bit embarrassing for Old Zhao, so he said, "To be honest, my father-in-law has a strong temper. He killed someone in his early years and fled to Hedong. He has been concentrating on managing the family business and rarely cares about governing the country or studying classics. I am afraid he will not be able to bear the heavy responsibility of the court."

"What's the word?"

Yang Qi glared. "The country is in turmoil, and what it lacks is a loyal and resolute minister like your father! When Lord Yuanming returns to the court, I will discuss this matter with him. The promotion of Zhonglang to your mother can be entrusted to her. Your mother has raised a hero like Zhonglang for the country. In my opinion, he deserves to be granted a title of nobility and honor!"

Zhao Ji thought about it and felt that it was right, so he bowed and said: "I am a humble official with limited knowledge, little reading, and insufficient experience. I will listen to your arrangements, my lord."

"Ah."

Yang Qi stroked his beard and asked, "How is Zhonglang's family education?"

"My father-in-law fell into hardship and was able to settle down in Wenxi thanks to the care of the Pei family. As far back as I can remember, my family has been poor. The Pei family has a deep academic background, and their elders offer lectures to all outsiders. When my eldest brother was enrolled in school, I was fortunate enough to occasionally attend. In my free time, I help my parents with my second brother and sister to make ends meet."

Zhao Ji fell into reminiscence. He had not attended many lectures in the past. He had to pay tuition fees to go to school, and his family could only afford to let his eldest brother complete elementary school and attend lectures so that he could be enrolled in the Pei family.

My second brother and I would spend the day cutting grass and picking herbs when we could help out with the work.

In order to support his family, Lao Zhao was confident and brave when he was young, and he often went out in the middle of the night to make extra money.

Fortunately, he ran fast and was not caught, and there were no witnesses.

Perhaps because Old Zhao had a bad reputation and was well-known among the villagers, they could guess what was going on. And because he was old, the villagers mistakenly thought he was a thief in Jishan.

Later, Bai Bo caused chaos in Hedong, and Lao Zhao gradually became wealthy by relying on his crossbow-making skills.

Bows and crossbows are not banned among the people. When resisting thieves, crossbows are the best weapons for self-defense.

Yang Qi listened and felt more satisfied. Only young men who had experienced hardships like this would cherish the court's kindness.

Puzzled again, he asked, "Where did you learn the Zhonglang Military Strategy? Was it a family tradition?"

If it was a family inheritance, then Zhao Ji's father was more capable and should have pursued a more successful official career.

"My father never taught me the profound art of war. It was only after the Baibo rebellion that he taught me swordsmanship. The county also sent veteran soldiers to various villages to train the brave men of the people. I am young and strong, so I also learned archery and spearmanship during the slack season. Two years ago, there was a severe drought, and I lived in Jishan. I hunted wild animals to supplement my income, and this helped me improve my archery skills."

"During this period, the scholars who fled back to Taiyuan did not dare to take the Chidao and went over Jishan. With the help of me, several scholars explained the "Art of War" to me, and I learned some basics." Now, Yang Qi wanted to bypass his cousin and catch Zhao Ji in his hands.

Still with a solemn expression, he nodded, "The men of Taiyuan left early and suffered less. I never expected that Zhonglang's military strategy was so superficial... Talent is gifted by heaven, and those who are born with knowledge are the best."

He can be considered a child prodigy to some extent, having served in the central government for a long time and having a lot of experience.

Naturally, we know that things like military strategy depend a lot on talent, and the basis for applying military strategy is leading and training troops; many of the secrets of military strategy that are not passed on are about basic techniques.

It is very likely that the secrets passed down from father to son by military strategists are often the life habits developed by many people.

Not to mention seizing opportunities, motivating soldiers, and applying tactics, which all require even more talent.

Many mediocre generals have served in the army for thirty years and can barely be considered to have any knowledge of military affairs.

If you let the other party command the battle, there is a high possibility that he will be stunned by the talented person who is just starting out.

Each school of thought can gain qualifications by accumulating experience, but in military science, if you are good at something, you are good at it, and if you are not good at something, you are not good at it. If you try to show off your ability, you will lose your life, hurt others and yourself, and hinder the country.

The soldiers in the army are living people, they have eyes and mouths, and they can weigh the risks in their hearts.

Even though the Hedong Tiger Guards were just assembled and had not received any training, it was this group of new recruits who were led by Zhao Ji, an outstanding military strategist, and defeated the Baibo generals.

This group of new recruits also grew up quickly, and driven by their instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm, they would actively obey Zhao Ji's orders; and Zhao Ji also had command prestige, and after a while, when the news spread, he would be able to boast of his "terrifying the Three Jins."

Thinking of this, Yang Qi felt inexplicably moved.

It was the turmoil that gave Zhao Ji the opportunity. If it weren't for these turmoils, it would have been very difficult for Zhao Ji to let the court know about his background.

The situation was similar with the Hedong Huben. If this powerful force was handed over to Zhao Ji to lead, it would become a wolf-like and tiger-like minion of the country; if someone else was in charge, suspicion would arise among the superiors and subordinates, the morale of the army would collapse, and the army would be useless.

Looking at the somewhat bewildered Zhao Ji, Yang Qi thought of the situation at home and the lack of a suitable woman for marriage. He sighed again, "No wonder the Zhonglang wanted the court to send someone knowledgeable in military affairs. I will carefully select someone for this matter."

"Thank you Ming Gong."

"It is my duty to share the country's worries."

Yang Qi then said, "There are no outsiders here. Lieutenant General, why don't you tell me frankly why you keep mentioning the emperor's personal expedition?"

"The purpose of conquering the Xiongnu is to clear the road to Taiyuan."

Zhao Ji and Zhao Yan had discussed this issue before, and Zhao Yan supported him, so he continued, "We have Taiyuan's human and material resources to supplement the national needs. Meanwhile, the emperor is in the north, and the combined forces of Li and Guo are invading. Behind them are Ma Teng and Han Sui. How dare the two thieves pursue us further?"

"Only by keeping the emperor and the court safe and sound can we summon the righteous army and strike down the two thieves with our fists!"

It was not to allow the emperor and the court to escape, but to kill the two thieves.

Going on a personal expedition is just a reasonable diversion.

Create distance, exchange space for time, and then counterattack.

Rather than moving back to Luoyang, Yang Qi was more tempted to turn around and destroy Li Jue and Guo Si.

If he couldn't vent his anger, he would feel very uncomfortable if he went to Luoyang.

Previously, when the ministers discussed the current situation and deduced the changes in the situation, there was no bold idea of the emperor personally leading an expedition to the north, so this was definitely not Zhao Yan's proposal.

The proposer was obviously Zhao Ji, a young man in his twenties.

For a moment, Yang Qi felt inexplicably sad. If the emperor had had a natural military commander like Zhao Ji by his side before moving east, why would he have suffered so much and so many people died?
What is even more rare is that Zhao Ji has strong martial arts and excellent archery skills, which is very helpful in rallying the morale of the army.

The court also had experienced generals who were knowledgeable in military affairs, but Huangfu Song died of old age one after another, and Zhu Jun was angered to death right after him.

If either of these two veterans were alive, things would not have become so embarrassing.

(End of this chapter)