Han officials

Chapter 160: Beating the Fast with the Slow [3K] [1/2]

On the Yuanwu City Wall, several faded flags with the Chinese character "Han" on them fluttered feebly in the evening breeze.

However, what was even more dejected than the flag was the expression on the face of Yang Yuan, the former military commander.

As the city gate opened wide, he was seen leading more than 30 county officials prostrating themselves beside the official road covered with flying yellow dust.

"Yuanwu County has been waiting for the king's army for a long time, and today we finally get to see the general."

"Everyone in the city is overjoyed to hear that the general has arrived. A banquet has been prepared. I wonder if the general would be so kind as to honor us with his presence?"

Yang Yuan forced a stiff smile and tried his best to express his righteousness.

However, the beads of sweat that kept sliding down his forehead and the messy hair exposed his true identity.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe immediately reined in his agitated warhorse.

"Everyone, please stand up." His gaze swept over the group of officials, who were cowering like quails. Instead of pointing out their situation, he spoke in a gentle, soothing voice, "Your Excellency's willingness to obey the law is sufficient. Forget about entering the city. Our army needs to continue its journey after replenishing its supplies. You all just need to defend this city!"

Upon hearing this, the officials of Yuanwu County secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Providing food and grass is a matter of course, but Wei Zhe's decision not to lead his troops into the city is truly righteous.

Seeing this situation, Ren Jun, the former chief clerk of Wu County, became more determined in his opinion.

He then took the initiative to step forward and said with emotion: "General, there are now more than ten counties around Yuanwu, with no less than ten thousand capable soldiers. If we can unite them and use them, they may be able to provide assistance. I dare to ask for the surrender of the counties in Henan on your behalf."

Before he finished speaking, he heard gasps from behind him. Yang Yuan was so anxious that he kept pulling at his sleeves.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe couldn't help but look at the other party in surprise.

"May I know your name?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Jun immediately bowed and said, "Zhongmu Ren Boda, greetings to General Zuo!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe was delighted and felt a desire to find talent.

However, Ren Jun's words also reminded Wei Zhe.

Indeed, although the two hundred miles of western Henan Yin were completely taken away by Dong Zhuo, it was still under the feet of the emperor.

It should be noted that in addition to Luoyang, the territory of Henan Yin also has twenty cities and a population of more than one million.

Chenliu County is 530 miles east of Luoyang, and there are still many surviving cities between them.

So after learning that Yang Yuan came from a branch of the Hongnong Yang family, he came up with an idea after a little thought.

Wei Zhe first recommended Yang Yuan as the governor of Henan, and later appointed Ren Jun as the chief clerk of the county, in charge of all affairs of the governor of Henan.

In a word: restore order and fight against Dong Zhuo in a just manner.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuan, who had been looking pale, suddenly stopped shaking his hands and sweating. He looked radiant, as if he had taken stimulants.

He bowed to Wei Zhe with excitement and said, "I will definitely live up to General Zuo's trust!"

You have to know that this is a real salary of two thousand stones, and it is an important position in the capital, such as the Yin of Henan. He would not even exchange it for a Nine Ministers.

In the past, let alone him, even the main line of the Hongnong Yang family would have found it difficult to obtain this position.

Even though this Henan Yin was only represented by Wei Zhe, Yang Yuan still couldn't hide his excitement.

After all, if the anti-Dong coalition forces regain control of the court, wouldn’t he be promoted to the position of Henan Yin?

Even if we take a step back, it would be enough if the words "former Yin of Henan" could be engraved on the tombstone in the future.

Thinking of this, Yang Yuan, who had been feeling depressed, suddenly felt a second spring in his life.

Interestingly, after Yang Biao, the head of the Hongnong Yang family, followed the young emperor Liu Xie to move the capital to Chang'an, he was also appointed as the Jingzhao Yin.

Among Jingzhao Yin, Hongnong County and Henan Yin, the presence of Hongnong Yang family is simply too strong!
But Wei Zhe thought about it, then suddenly called out, "Zilong."

"Here!" Zhao Yun, wearing black armor and riding a white horse, immediately responded and stepped out.

Wei Zhe took out his gilded and silver-inlaid command arrow from his waist and tossed it away, saying, "Bring a team of personal soldiers with me and carry my imperial seal. We can act accordingly!"

"I understand!" Zhao Yun did not hesitate at all and immediately bowed to accept the order.

To be honest, this is not a good job.

After all, Wei Zhe did not have the reputation accumulated by the Yuan family of Runan for generations, and his recommendation of Yang Yuan as the governor of Henan might not be recognized by anyone.

In fact, in the chaotic times at the end of the Han Dynasty, this kind of gameplay was simply a competition for political prestige.

If someone is willing to admit it, then a county might be easily obtained.

Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao loved to use this trick the most because they had the backing of the Yuan family of Runan.

But for ordinary princes in the late Han Dynasty, such tactics would not work.

That is to say, Cao Cao could only enjoy such treatment after welcoming the emperor.

If the current situation was not special and if it weren't for the considerable effort he had put in previously, Wei Zhe wouldn't have intended to try it.

But then again, failure is nothing. Success would be a pleasant surprise.

This is also an opportunity for Zhao Yun, as it allows Wei Zhe to see his current level.

Ren Jun, who was standing by, felt relieved upon seeing this.

Although he did not know Zhao Yun, having Wei Zhe's personal soldiers accompanying him would increase his chances of winning.

Let’s not talk about what Ren Jun, Zhao Yun and his group did after they left.

After Wei Zhe replenished a batch of food and grass in Yuanwu County, he led his army to set off again.

Unlike the Cao-Bao coalition's previous direct attack on Ao Cang, Wei Zhe's march this time was quite slow. After capturing Yuanwu County, Wei Zhe immediately took Juan County, attacked Yuanyong City, and then approached Hucheng Pavilion.

Even though he only captured one city, he took the trouble to send messengers to report the victory to Suanzao Lubu.

Wei Zhe even ordered scouts to go out and post reports of victory.

Anyway, in one sentence: small victories continue to inspire people.

After all, the overall situation of fighting against Dong has become so complicated that many things have become clear.

Wei Zhe felt that instead of rushing in with a fluke mentality, it would be better to advance steadily and steadily.

If Dong Jun really couldn't help but take the initiative to attack, then Wei Zhe would have to celebrate instead.

So he accepted surrenders and attacked cities along the way, and actually arrived at the Bian River smoothly.

……

Afternoon, on the banks of the Bian River.

Looking at the bones on the riverbank that had been gnawed clean by wild dogs, Wei Zhe couldn't help but sigh.

When troubled times are approaching, everyone thinks they are heroes, but how many people can survive to the end?

"Poor bones by the Wuding River, still the man in the spring girl's dream...Alas~"

As soon as Wei Zhe uttered a sigh of emotion, Xi Zhicai beside him chuckled and said, "Your Excellency, you must have misunderstood. The Bian River is not a river that changes its flow throughout the four seasons!"

He pointed to a mountain in the distance and recounted a story: "This is Sanhuang Mountain. There are two cities on the mountain. The eastern one is called East Guangwu, and the western one is called West Guangwu. Each is at the end of the mountain, about 200 steps apart. It is said that there is a deep ravine between them. It was here that Emperor Gaozu of Han and Xiang Yu met and reached an agreement to stop the war."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe's eyes suddenly lit up: "Is that the chasm?"

"That's right!" Xi Zhicai pointed to the distance and said, "Down to the southeast is the Honggou River, which connects the Yellow River and the Huai River, linking the north and the south, and irrigating hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile farmland!"

Honggou Water, later known as Guandu Water, is actually two names for one place.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe could not help but sigh, "The land of Heluo is indeed rich in water and soil, worthy of being called the Central Plains."

If he were Dong Zhuo, he would not retreat even a single step even if he had to sweep the floor as a soldier.

After all, with the ancient Heluo land in hand, and by pacifying the rebellious army in Liangzhou, wouldn't the foundation of the pre-Qin dynasty be established?

By then, the people of Liang Province would probably be more dedicated than Dong Zhuo, and the ferocious Qin would no longer be just a legend on paper.

We have soldiers and horses, as well as fertile land with numerous rivers. What else is there to worry about?

Practice in seclusion for ten years, and when the princes in Kanto are defeated, you can come out and sweep the world!

It’s a pity that Wei Zhe didn’t get Dong Zhuo’s script, otherwise he wouldn’t have to work so hard now.

However, despite his feelings, Wei Zhe quickly commanded his army to cross the river.

In fact, whether it is attacking when the enemy is halfway across the river or fighting with one's back to the river, the reason still depends on whether one is prepared or not.

Previously, Cao Cao lost because his troops were not well-trained, which allowed Xu Rong to take advantage of the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

To be honest, this gap in military hard power will be the same no matter who is in charge.

Even if Cao Cao had not been defeated at the Battle of Bianshui, he would still have lost to Xu Rong when he reached the city of Ao Cang.

If not, the various military strategies would not focus on training soldiers first and then discuss military strategies.

However, what surprised Wei Zhe was that he crossed the river very smoothly this time.

Even when he led his army to the city of Ao Cang, Dong's army still did not launch a surprise attack.

On the contrary, the closer he got to Luoyang, the more young and strong people came to seek refuge with him, including some powerful nobles and nobles.

For example, several scholars from the Yanshi Shi clan came to join the army with their family soldiers and were determined to stay no matter what.

One of them, a middle-aged scholar named Shi Han, wept and prostrated upon seeing Wei Zhe. "I beg General Zuo to take me in. Even if I'm just a laborer, I'm willing to serve in the army."

Although the surname Shi seems a bit strange, they are actually of good origin and are descended from the Ji surname.

It’s just that his ancestors were granted the title of Shixiang, so they took it as their surname.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was a prime minister in Qi named Shi Chen, Jin had Shi Hou, and Qin also had Shi Jiao.

By the way, Shi Jiao was Shang Jun’s teacher. He wrote a book called “Shi Zi” and was one of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

At the same time, hearing what Shi Han said, several members of the Shi family beside him burst into tears, their faces full of sorrow.

After Xi Zhicai's explanation, Wei Zhe realized that because Yanshi County was too close to Luoyang, local tyrants like the Shi family had no way to escape when Dong Zhuo moved the capital. If they refused to move, they would be killed, forcing the Shi family and tens of thousands of people to leave their hometown.

Not only had the family assets they had left in Yanshi been seized by Dong Zhuo's army, but even the supplies they had taken on the road were largely looted by Dong Zhuo's troops. Many died of starvation and exhaustion along the way. Even these people had managed to escape by taking advantage of Dong Zhuo's army's carelessness and hiding in the muddy ditches.

"Nearly half of the Shi clan have died. If we don't avenge this, we will have no face to live in this world!"

When Shi Han and others gritted their teeth and swore to the sky, what else could Wei Zhe say?

It just so happened that Ren Jun and Zhao Yun had recently sent over a group of volunteers, and the army was just short of clerks.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe sighed and said, "Well, then, everyone should stay."

After ordering his personal guards to take them down and settle them, Wei Zhe looked at Xi Zhicai and asked, "How many brave and righteous men are there in the army now?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai said without hesitation, "Thirteen thousand six hundred and twenty-four people."

After Wei Zhe pondered for a moment, he quickly came up with a plan...
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【It’s over, it’s back to normal again o(╥﹏╥)o】

(End of this chapter)