Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 70 Qingshou
Yan Baihu had been feeling rather down lately. Yan Yi, leading his army away, was anxiously awaiting his fate. Yan Yong's plot to murder Yan Yi, sparking strife and rift between the two branches of the Yan family, had left him heartbroken and filled with anguish. Furthermore, the news that Wu Jing would launch an attack on Haiyan within days had further troubled him. Even a seasoned veteran of many trials and tribulations, he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion.

When the news of Yan Yi's army's capture of Qian Gonglei and Yuncheng reached Wucheng, Yan Baihu was discussing the recruitment of 3,000 new troops with Xu Ying in his bedroom.

Xu Ying was born into a military family and had a profound family education. The archery skills learned by the Yan family's children came from Xu's "Xu Gong Shooting Method". The Yan family's method of training soldiers also widely borrowed from Xu's "Military Preparations Records". Xu Ying's character was also very decisive, and she could be said to be as capable as a man. Therefore, whenever Yan Baihu encountered a difficult problem, he would consult Xu Ying.

This couple, one whose family fell into poverty and the other who came from a wealthy family and became a bandit, have both experienced a period of hardship and difficulty. They have been together through thick and thin for more than 20 years and have a very deep relationship. Although Yan Baihu is the head of the Yan family, Xu Ying also has a great influence.

What the two of them were discussing at the moment was the issue of sending additional soldiers. They planned to recruit another 3,000 new soldiers to expand Yan's army to 13,000 people to cope with the pressure brought by Wu Jing, Qian Tong and Zou Ta.

When the matter was about to be settled, Pei Ji came to report that Yan Yi had led his troops to capture Qian Gonglei and Yuncheng, and Qian Tong himself was captured alive.

The couple was skeptical until the military report written by Yan Yi himself was delivered to them, and then they completely believed it.

Yan Baihu was overjoyed. He read the general's report over and over again, and slammed the table with excitement, saying, "I have such a tiger, and I have no regrets even if I die. The Yan family has a successor!"

Xu Ying was even more overjoyed. She turned her back and wiped her tears. Looking around the world, she realized that only a mother could regard her child's joys and sorrows as her own and devote all her energy to them.

After some discussion, the couple put the conscription on hold. Yan Baihu's worries vanished, and his fear of Wu Jing's expedition to Haiyan was greatly reduced. He smiled and said, "Yier has just lost his money, so it's not appropriate to go on an expedition in the short term. We should stay in Yuncheng to recuperate. My brother will lead the troops to Haiyan."

Xu Ying nodded slightly, a trace of worry between her brows: "Yier lost a lot of soldiers in the fight against Qian Tong. Yuncheng has just been conquered and needs to be garrisoned. We should immediately recruit soldiers to strengthen Yier's army."

Yan Baihu had no objection. After Qian Tong's defeat, Zou's threat was greatly reduced. He now had at least two or three thousand surplus soldiers in his hands that could be deployed.

He smiled and asked, "Madam, how many troops do you think should be sent to Yuncheng?"

Xu Ying thought for a moment and then said, "Yuncheng and Haiyan are very close, and can be reached in just one or two days. We can mobilize 2,500 troops to Yuncheng to garrison Xincheng and provide support to Haiyan. Furthermore, we should reduce some of the people's taxes, and the whole city should celebrate together to honor Yi'er's reputation."

Yan Baihu agreed and said, "Very good. I will follow your advice, Madam."

He then ordered the entire city to be informed of the battle, pardoned all prisoners, and exempted the people from taxes for April as a celebration. He also promoted Yan Yi to the rank of Yuncheng Magistrate and Huwei Colonel, commanding him to garrison Yuncheng and Qian Gong Lei, and ordered Li Chou, Wei Kuan and other generals to lead 2,500 troops to serve under him.

The good news from Yuncheng, along with the decree to pardon prisoners and exempt taxes, quickly spread throughout Wucheng, and the entire county was filled with jubilation.

Wucheng hadn't been this bustling for a long time. With the Qiantong army's destruction, Zou Ta, terrified, retreated to the city walls, refusing to leave. The remaining bandits, upon hearing the news, fled. Since the Yan family captured Wucheng, the county had never been so peaceful. Combined with last year's bountiful harvest and this year's four-month tax exemption, the people of the county were sure to enjoy a prosperous year.

The wealthy families who had recently responded to the call-up at the Fei family estate were beaming with joy, as if they had been struck by a windfall. They gathered together, pooling 20,000 shi of rice to send to Yuncheng. Besides sending letters of congratulation, they also sent messages to ask Yan Yi if he had any plans to recruit new troops, and if each clan could recruit another group of young men to join. Several wealthy families who had not yet responded to the call-up were disheartened. The Zhao family hosted a banquet for the heads and elders of the Zhao, Fei, Wang, Su, and Zhou clans to discuss remedial measures. After much discussion, no conclusions were reached, but they each privately prepared money, silk, and fodder to send to Yuncheng. Even the Shi family prepared a generous gift, and Shi Liang, along with the clan's young men, traveled to Yuncheng to offer congratulations.

With Wucheng's grand publicity and celebration, various news about the Battle of Yuncheng quickly spread to various counties in Jiangdong.

Although this was only a small-scale battle, it happened at the time when Wu Jing was about to further encroach on Wu County. After losing the restraint of Qian Tong and Zou Ta, the Yan family was able to concentrate their forces to fight against Wu Jing's army. Yan Baihu's heroism was also aroused by this battle, and he planned to confront Wu Jing head-on for the first time in history. This battle can be said to have changed the situation in the entire Wu County, and also brought a little boost to the Yangzhou counties shrouded in the shadow of Yuan's army.

Five days later, Yan Yi summoned all the generals to discuss matters in his Yuncheng residence, both to commend them for their achievements and to discuss the next plan.

The plaque in front of the Qian family's gate has been taken down and replaced with a large plaque of the Yan family.

There was a festive and harmonious atmosphere in the hearing hall. More than a dozen civil and military officials were seated at two tables according to their official positions, titles, and seniority, chatting with each other in a joyful atmosphere.

In addition to generals Fan Yan, Xu Sheng, Chen Gan, Han Yang, and Zhao Cuo, those present also included Cao Qiu, Li Chou, Wei Kuan and others who had just arrived from Wucheng, as well as several generals who were promoted for their outstanding performance in the Battle of Yuncheng.

Da da
Suddenly, a burst of dense footsteps was heard outside the hall. A group of burly soldiers armed with swords and spears ran out from the hall and lined up on the steps in front of the hearing hall.

Everyone knew that Yan Yi had arrived, and they quickly stood up from their seats, straightened their clothes, and went out to greet him.

Yan Yi wore a white straight-hem gown, a Jinxian crown tied in his bun, a sword on the left side of his jade belt, and a ribbon bag on the right side, with a piece of green ribbon sticking out of the bag's opening.

Only officials with a rank of two thousand stones are qualified to use the blue ribbon. In terms of military positions, they are already able to command an army. The next step is the position of General of the Central Army and a general with a title.

Yan Yi did not attach great importance to the position of captain. First, this official position was self-proclaimed by the Yan family and was not recognized by the emperor, so it had no value. Second, after capturing Yuncheng, given his status in Wucheng, he did not need any official position to demonstrate his identity.

However, the rules of etiquette and status still need to be observed. He doesn't care about it, but the civil and military officials under his command do care about it very much.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Fan Yan and the others shouted in unison and bowed. Their eyes involuntarily glanced towards the green ribbon, their faces showing eagerness.

Now that the young master has been promoted, it is naturally their turn next.

(End of this chapter)