On the occasion of rebirth Zhou Sui

Chapter 602 Jiujiang Prefect

On the day he entered Ziling County, Cui Che ordered his ministers to summon General Dou Jiande and asked:

"Purple Mausoleum is related to the navy's retreat. No one can stay behind unless he is a close friend. Who in the Qing family think is worthy of this responsibility?"

Dou Jiande heard the elegant meaning of Xiange and immediately recommended himself:

"If your Majesty does not give up, I will be willing to share your worries and guard Purple Mausoleum."

Cui Che smiled and said:

"I am very pleased that the Qing family has the courage to do their job."

After saying that, Cui Che asked again:

"How many soldiers and horses does the Qing family need?"

Dou Jiande pondered for a moment, and then said firmly:

"Ten thousand people on foot and on horseback are enough."

Cui Che shook his head. Dou Jiande thought he wanted too much, but Cui Che refused, so he had to change his words:

"Eight thousand is fine."

However, Cui Che said seriously:

"The Qing family is staying in Ziling this time. They not only have to defend the city, but also take into account the stone-throwing positions on the north and south sides. The task is not easy. With only 10,000 infantry and cavalry, the deployment of troops is a bit stretched, not to mention the 8,000 defenders. .

"I will give you 10,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. You will keep an eye on Ziling and the stone-throwing positions on both sides of the strait for me. There will be no room for failure."

When Dou Jiande heard that Cui Che had given him 20,000 cavalry, he immediately expressed confidence:

"Your Majesty's instructions will be kept in mind. If there is any mistake, I will bring it up to see you."

Cui Che was overjoyed and immediately ordered Dou Jiande to be the general of Ziling, leading 20,000 infantry and cavalry to guard the mouth of the river and ensure the retreat of the Nanyang Navy.

The next day, the Yan army broke out of camp and headed west, marching by land and water until they reached Dongchi Lake.

Dongchi Lake was filled with water. The Jiangling Navy of the Sui Army built a water fort in the southwest of Dongchi Lake, while the Nanyang Navy of the Yan Army built a water fort in the northeast of Dongchi Lake.

Cui Che also camped on the north bank of Dongchi Lake and was not in a hurry to go to Jiangling City.

At the same time, Zhang Xutuo, who was traveling down the river, also arrived in Jiankang and was called into the palace by Yang Guang.

Zhang Xutuo lowered his head and walked into the palace, knelt down and said:

"The guilty minister comes to see Your Majesty."

"No courtesy, stay on your own."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Xutuo stood up, still lowering his head. Even if it was just a private summons, he would abide by the etiquette and not dare to peek into the sky.

"Keep your head up."

After hearing Yang Guang's instructions, Zhang Xutuo raised his head and looked at Yang Guang in front of him, feeling quite shocked in his heart.

Zhang Xutuo had met Yang Guang. In the Sui Dynasty, it was a custom for local governors and major staff to come to Beijing in turn to report on their duties. During the Renshou period, Zhang Xutuo went to Daxing to report on his duties. By chance, he met Yang Guang, who had become the prince. .

At that time, Yang Guang was in his thirties and high-spirited. Less than ten years ago, most of his hair was already gray.

Yang Guang's life had not been easy these years. He had been able to sleep peacefully before, but when he heard about the fall of Xiangyang, he was frightened again and fell into the arms of women again, needing their comfort before he could fall asleep.

Yang Guang looked at Zhang Xutuo carefully.

Zhang Xutuo had a deep memory of Yang Guang during the Renshou period, but his official position at that time was humble and could not catch Yang Guang's eyes. This was also the first time Yang Guang saw Zhang Xutuo.

Looking at the tall civil servant in front of him, Yang Guang couldn't help but secretly praise:

'This is a strong man.'

Yang Guang withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and said slowly:
"I have heard the whole story of the fall of Xiangyang. You reminded Xiao Jue several times to be careful of Cui Che's treacherous plot.

"However, the loyal words are hard on the ears, and Xiao Jian does not accept the criticism. He lost his life in Xiangyang, and he has no one to blame. Don't worry, the queen has never vented her anger on you."

Yang Guang was not wrong. At first, Zhang Xutuo reminded Xiao Jue again and again that the so-called main force of the Yan army was in Wudang might be false news and a conspiracy of Cui Che.

However, after the scouts sent intelligence evidence, Zhang Xutuo himself believed the matter, but his inner thoughts were not known. People only knew that Zhang Xutuo reminded him several times, but Xiao Jue insisted on going his own way.

Zhang Xutuo was deeply moved by Yang Guang's reasonableness and thanked him repeatedly:

"I thank Your Majesty for your forgiveness."

Yang Guang shook his head and said:

"I'm just telling the truth.

"When Xiangyang fell, you made an immediate decision and killed those who promised to surrender, which shows your loyalty.

"When you were trapped in the Han River, your brave man broke his wrist, abandoned the ship and walked south, which shows your courage.

"Zhang Qing has meritorious service and is not guilty, so don't call yourself a guilty minister anymore."

Yang Guang has a clear distinction between love and hate, and he is extremely tolerant of those he admires.

In the original time and space, Yu Wenji, Yu Wenzhi and their two brothers secretly traded with the Turks. According to the crime, they were to be executed. However, Yang Guang exempted the two of them from the death penalty. In order to stop Youyou's mouth, he punished the two as slaves.

Give rewards to ministers.

The person who received the reward was Yuwen Wenji, Yuwen Zhiji's father, Yuwenshu.

After Yu Wenshu's death, Yang Guang pardoned the two men's slave status and reused them.

But for those whom you hate, no matter how great your achievements are, you still have to kill them unjustly, as if this can vent your anger.

There is no doubt that Yang Guang admires Zhang Xutuo.

Zhang Xutuo was previously guarding Xiangyang and during the confrontation with Cheng Yaojin of Luzhou, he received frequent good news, which had already attracted Yang Guang's attention to this county magistrate who held military positions as a civilian official.

Although Xiangyang has fallen, the responsibility seems to lie with the prefect Xiao Jue.

In addition to Zhang Xutuo's loyalty and courage when he was in a desperate situation, in Yang Guang's view, what was even more valuable was that Zhang Xutuo was able to see through Cui Che's dubious tactics, but it was a pity that Xiao Jue did not listen to dissuasion.

He is loyal and at the same time has outstanding intelligence. If such a minister is not entrusted with important tasks, who else would he use?

After Yang Guang had a long conversation with Zhang Xutuo, he was full of praise for him and immediately issued an edict to appoint Zhang Xutuo as the prefect of Jiujiang County, leaving the gate east of Zhenjiang and west.

Jiujiang County was Jiangzhou, a famous anti-thief incubation base in the Southern Dynasties. Yang Guang abolished the state and established a county, and changed Jiangzhou to Jiangzhou County. Later it was renamed Jiujiang County and governed Huancheng County (now Ruichang City, Jiujiang, Jiangxi).

Huancheng County is Xunyang County during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, located on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Xutuo originally thought that it would be a blessing to be exonerated after entering the court to plead guilty, but he never thought that he would actually be promoted.

This was just a leap from the county magistrate to the prefect. Being placed in Jiujiang County represented Yang Guang's recognition and trust in him. This made Zhang Xutuo burst into tears after walking out of the hall.

He turned around and looked at the magnificent palace, secretly making up his mind:

‘As long as I, Zhang Xutuo, have one breath left, I will never let Yan thieves set foot in this place.

'This life I am determined to repay the king's kindness in knowing me, and I dare not slack off for a moment.'

The edict appointing Zhang Xutuo as the prefect of Jiujiang County was sent to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Neishi Province, Menxia Province, and Shangshu Province.

Everyone knows that there is another rising star in the court.

When Zhang Xutuo went to the Ministry of Personnel to receive his high body the next day, the officials in the Ministry of Personnel showed an enthusiasm that he had never seen before when he went to the court to report on his duties.

Many ministers in the court invited him to banquets, but Zhang Xutuo declined them all on the grounds that Cui Che had invaded Jiangling and he was anxious to go to Jiujiang to take charge.

There won’t be any tonight, so don’t wait.

(End of chapter)