Wang Xi and others stood outside the door, shivering.
The sky gradually became gloomy and gray.
The wind in the frontier fortress became more and more violent as the sky grew darker.
The cold wind kept beating on their bodies, and Wang Xi felt that he was a little unsteady and swaying.
He only felt that his body was a little numb.
The few ministers standing next to him were no better at this moment, huddled into a ball.
They were still standing outside the official office.
Some ministers finally couldn't bear it anymore and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and General Liu have been in the official office for a private talk for two hours!!"
"It's already dark! Look, isn't it?"
Wang Xi frowned and looked around. The soldiers were still surrounding the official office, and no one except these important officials could get close to it.
It has been a long time since the emperor entered.
He pondered for a moment, and then signaled a soldier to come forward. He took out a document from his arms and ordered: "Give it to Your Majesty for me and say that this is the appointment of a general."
The soldier nodded and walked quickly towards the official office.
When the soldier walked into the official office, Gao Yan was still talking to Liu Taozi with a smile. When the soldier brought the things to Gao Yan, Gao Yan took them away without even looking at them. He was unhappy.
Said: "This is urging me to leave early!"
He looked at Liu Taozi and suddenly said, "Wait for me for a moment."
He quickly walked out of the official office.
Seeing Gao Yan come out, Wang Xi and others hurriedly saluted, and Gao Yan waved his hand, "Don't wait here anymore, find a place to rest, I have something to do. Let's set off tomorrow!"
Wang Xi was shocked and said, "Your Majesty, this is not a palace. Besides, we have to leave now."
"We're out on the march, so what's the point of talking about a palace?!"
"Go quickly!"
Gao Yan said very sternly, Wang Xi and others did not dare to dissuade him, so they had to bow and leave again.
Gao Yan turned around and returned to the official office.
"Okay, we can continue talking."
"Do you have anything delicious here?"
"I'm afraid your Majesty has tasted the delicacies here."
"Hahaha, you are right. Then let someone send you some mutton, and we can talk while eating?"
"good."
Gao Yan was sitting in the upper seat, but he was not as solemn as before. He was much more relaxed. His armor had long been taken away by the soldiers. Liu Taozi was sitting beside him. The two seemed to be friends of the same age.
Gao Yan personally performed the surgery and cut Liu Taozi's flesh.
Logically speaking, this was inconsistent with etiquette, but the young emperor was very strong, and Liu Taozi took the knife away just as he was about to cut his flesh.
The mutton was boiling in the big cauldron in front of the two people, emitting a thick mist.
The mutton was pierced by barbs and connected to the handle. Gao Yan held the handle, lifted the meat, cut it off with a knife, and could eat it directly.
"In the current Da Qi, most of the civil and political officials are Han Chinese, and most of the military attachés are nobles. If you want to promote Han people to serve as military attachés, especially Han people from the Central Plains, you will definitely encounter opposition."
"We can only implement it slowly."
"If, as you said, there is an elite battalion of Han warriors stationed in Yecheng, and there are hundreds of thousands of Han troops in various frontier fortresses, and there are Han soldiers in counties and counties in various parts of the Central Plains who only listen to my orders, then maybe it will really make your honorable
If you are a little obedient, you will be my support. In the future, you will be the commander-in-chief of this Han army."
"However, there is one thing that I am very curious about and want to ask you."
"Your Majesty, please ask."
"I see that under your command, not only Chinese and Han people, but also Di people and Huns can be found. How did you do it?"
"How do you get them to live in harmony?"
Liu Taozi said seriously: "Everyone is treated equally."
"Can we treat everyone equally? It's so simple?"
"I let them eat and drink well, and led them to promotions and fortunes. Therefore, although they have some conflicts with each other, they are not willing to fight anymore."
"Whether they are Chinese, Han, or Huns, all they want is to have enough to eat and drink. As long as they can cut the meat fairly and lead them to hunt more cattle and sheep, they will naturally not fight."
"Then you just advised me to let them fight?"
"Your Majesty, the people fighting are the rich and the nobles."
"Those are those who are full and holding on. I only have those who are not full. There are those who are full and want others to be full, but those who are not full and holding on."
"Hahaha~~This is the first time I've heard of this."
"Before I met you, I only thought you were a butcher who could kill people, nothing more."
"Now I feel that you are my future prime minister."
Gao Yan divided another piece of meat and handed it to him, "My first brother re-employed Han officials, and my second brother established the Han army. Both of them failed. Because of them, I don't know how to start."
"Now that I have an idea, I want to continue what they have done."
"Do you have any good ideas about local officials?"
"Your Majesty, you actually know whether officials are good or bad. Don't pile up good officials in temples. They can't accomplish anything but engage in useless struggle. Why don't you release these people?"
Where to go?"
"There should be many people in the world like Lu Qubing, who was promoted by you as the imperial censor, and Shi Yao from Liyang."
"There are quite a few, but they are so good at pretending that I don't know if they are real or just pretending."
Gao Yan chewed the meat in his mouth and said, "I will make good arrangements."
"You should make more contributions during this expedition."
"only."
The next day, the emperor left Wuchuan.
The ministers followed, and the soldiers opened the way, with great force.
The emperor sent troops not to Wuchuan. He took a thousand knights from Wuchuan and allowed Liu Taozi to use a thousand knights from Wuchuan to participate in this war in the name of General Zhaoyong.
Of course, these thousand knights do not count the Cangtou slaves.
The rest should stay here to obey King Dong'an's military orders and be responsible for guarding against the puppet Zhou Dynasty and the Turks.
Liu Taozi led everyone to watch the emperor leave.
The soldiers under his command were excited, gearing up, and eager to try.
"Brother, you spent a whole day with the emperor last night! Did he reward you with a title?!"
Yao Xiong asked quickly.
Kou Liu bumped into him, Yao Xiong pursed his lips and didn't ask any more questions.
Liu Taozi slowly turned around and looked at the minions in front of her.
"Get ready for war."
In the first year of Emperor Jian's reign, at the end of October, the emperor Gao Xiang personally went on a military expedition and arrived in the north.
After the defeat of the Weiwei people, the Kumoxi people took the opportunity to enter the territory of Daqi where the Weiwei people were settled. The Ahui clan led five tribes to graze in Daqi, and even attempted to 'attack' Wuchuan. This was a heinous crime and must be punished!
The front was extremely long, from Shuoheng to Youyan. The frontier troops on this long border, together with the Chinese army brought by the emperor, became the main force of this war.
The Northern Qi's method of conquering outside the Great Wall was completely different from that in ancient times. They did not have a unified command. Except for the central army commanded by the emperor, temporary generals led the border troops to fight. It was like a huge hunt. The emperor drew his bow while the generals
They need to drive away prey for him and become his hunting dogs.
Liu Taozi led his elite Wuchuan soldiers to participate in this war.
After leaving Wuchuan, Liu Taozi followed Lou Rui's instructions and ran all the way towards Shuanghe River.
The emperor went out to fight, and the hounds rushed out one after another and began to drive away hoarsely.
The Kumo Xi people suffered heavy losses immediately. Even the Xi people, who had formed preliminary organizational strength through the alliance of five groups, had no ability to fight back when faced with the attack of Da Qi cavalry.
The hounds have a tacit understanding. They start from the west and east and drive the prey toward the center so that the hunters can kill them easily.
At this time, there was a unique hound, ignoring the prey along the way, and ran non-stop towards the east, scaring many prey along the way, and birds and beasts fled.
Above the vast desert, Liu Taozi was riding a blue lion and was moving forward rapidly.
Yao Xiong followed him, his little eyes full of confusion.
The elder brother led them all the way in, and encountered Xi Ren tribes of various sizes on the way. The elder brother didn't even look at them, and at such a speed, they were about to rush into the Xi Ren's hometown.
But this was war time, and no matter how close the relationship was, he could not question the general.
But Yao Xiong still feels confused, what are we going to do?
After rushing like this for many days, Liu Taozi finally led his troops to stop in front of a flat land where two rivers intersected.
This is the Lianghe River, located on the side of Ru River and Suotou River. It is an important intersection for the Xi tribe to go back and forth between the two places.
Of course, there is a tribe of Xi people sitting here.
But at this moment, the tribes here have withdrawn, leaving only an empty camp.
Liu Taozi immediately ordered to fortify the area, facing west, and set up horse barriers to prepare to meet the enemy.
The soldiers took over the military camp left by the Xi people and began to fortify the area, although they themselves did not know what the purpose was.
In the Xianbei army, once the two sides enter a battle, the other soldiers are not allowed to question the general. Even if no one understands the order of the general, they will still carry it out. This is the bloody headman system pursued by the Xianbei people in the past.
Continuation has now become the guarantee of the combat effectiveness of the armies of the two northern countries.
Liu Taozi ordered Kou Liu to lead the scouts to scout around, and then returned to the main tent that had just been set up.
Only then did Yao Xiong sneak in.
Liu Taozi took only the warriors with him on this expedition. Tian Zili, Cui Gang and others stayed in Wuchuan. In addition, he also left Zhang Heizu to assist Tian Zili and others. Zhang Heizu was captured during Cheng'an.
The old man he brought out had been with Liu Taozi for many years. Both his martial arts and his ability to lead troops were constantly improving, and he stood out from the crowd. What Liu Taozi valued most was his calm character.
When all the generals were asking for battle, Liu Taozi asked him to stay. He didn't feel the slightest bit angry or aggrieved. If it were Yao Xiong, he would probably have jumped the gun.
Just like it is now.
"Brother, what are we doing in this inhospitable place?"
"They didn't ask because they didn't dare and were afraid of being dragged out and chopped down by their brothers. But they always asked me in private that we had been out here for a long time but we had no military merit at all."
Liu Taozi said slowly: "The Xi people are no match for us and will definitely be defeated. When the time comes, their main force will definitely escape from here."
"There are so many roads outside the Great Wall, why do we have to escape from here?"
"The hounds are fierce, but this road is the shortest."
"Then what if you run away when you see us?"
"Chase."
"Then if they are all wiped out and no one comes out, we will stay here and won't get anything. It doesn't matter if we can't get military honors. I'm afraid my brother will be laughed at!"
"A laugh?"
Yao Xiong was worried, "Those generals don't like my brother to begin with. If you lead so many cavalry, you can't even get a single head."
"It's okay, these are not things you should worry about. Prepare your traps and prepare to fight."
"only"
The Wuchuan soldiers were stationed here and stopped moving. They dug trenches, beat back horses, and built high slopes, making them extremely busy.
Because Liu Taozi's prestige was high enough, although these people were a little confused, they didn't dare to neglect him.
At the same time, Gao Yan's campaign went extremely smoothly.
Compared with his elder brother, Gao Yan really chose a good soft persimmon.
Xi people have made some progress in these years, but this is really not comparable to Daqi. The disadvantages of traditional farming versus nomadism do not exist here at all in Daqi. Whether it is war horses or people who can fight on horseback, Daqi has them all.
More than that, maybe they are more in line with the characteristics of nomads than the Xi people.
Gao Yan used such a large army to defeat the Xi people. Qi Jin of the Xi people should feel honored. You are treating me like a Turk, right?
The Xi people collapsed, and the hounds almost ate them before they could even wait for the hunters.
Gao Yan has good news here every day, and there are more scouts delivering good news than there are scouts reporting the enemy's movements.
Gao Yan needs a huge victory to prove his status, and he also needs a fat and weak prey to reward his hounds.
"Is there still no news from the Wuchuan soldiers?"
Gao Yan was riding a horse and walking in the rear, when he suddenly asked Wang Xi who was beside him.
Wang Xi smiled bitterly and replied: "Your Majesty, there has been no news since the report was made to station in Erhechuan eight days ago."
"Um."
At this moment, the several hounds who had returned to life looked at each other with joy in their eyes.
More and more hounds came back, and they all completed their tasks well, and some even killed three times more enemies than themselves.
Naturally, they also received rewards.
"Your Majesty, General Liu seems to be stationed on the main road to ambush the Xi people who want to escape."
The leading general Liu Honghui said calmly: "General Liu is indeed a hero. He anticipated the enemy beforehand. This is to prevent His Majesty from being able to annihilate the Xi people and make the Xi people escape, so he ambushed the main road in advance and prepared for the aftermath."
This man's appearance is very similar to that of the general who was sent to the frontier fortress.
After hearing his words, the guard general Gao Changgong suddenly said: "The Xi people have many tribes and are widely distributed. Your Majesty went out with a large army. The Xi people were afraid and fled in all directions, making it difficult to pursue them. General Liu is stationed here to prevent them from attacking.
"Let them escape so that His Majesty can take the credit for total annihilation. Why do you say it from your mouth, as if he hopes that His Majesty will fail?"
Liu Honghui laughed and said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. How could I have ever said such a thing? I dare not have such thoughts."
"Then don't say such misleading words."
Gao Changgong said coldly.
Liu Honghui's face froze and he looked away, ignoring it.
Gao Yan glanced at the eldest nephew and said, "Chang Gong, how dare you be rude to your uncle? Why don't you apologize?"
Gao Changgong then saluted, "Uncle, forgive me."
"No problem, no problem"
Liu Honghui didn't speak again, but his eyes were quite fierce.
Their family was close to Huiluo because of their father's friendship. If it weren't for Liu Taozi, King Shunyang would be shining brightly outside the Great Wall at this moment, making military exploits, and even becoming an important minister in the temple.
But it was because of this rich man that he ended up like this.
That guy still dares to go on an expedition with you? Who is he?!
Liu Honghui squinted his eyes.
Just wait. Sooner or later we will let you know what will happen if you offend us.
At this moment, a scout suddenly rushed over and paid homage to Gao Yan, interrupting the depressing atmosphere.
"His Majesty!!"
The scout looked quite nervous, "Ah Hui led the three troops of Hui He, Mo Hefu, and Qixi, and rushed out of our encirclement and headed towards Erhe River!!"
"What?!"
Gao Yan was furious and subconsciously wanted to take out his belt. Gao Changgong hurriedly stepped forward, "Speak more clearly! How could you make them run away?"
The scout trembled, raised his head carefully, and organized his words.
"Ah Hui scattered money and food all over the ground. The border soldiers were eager to pick it up and present it to His Majesty, but they ran away."
"Hahaha, give it to me?! It's just a robbery, right?!"
Gao Yanqi was speechless. He knew that six years after Tianbao, border soldiers everywhere had problems with declining combat effectiveness and poor military discipline, but he never thought that it was so serious!
I'm here, how dare I let the enemy's main force escape because of looting property??
Is this how you become a hunting dog?
If on such a scale, even if you beat him up and you can't defeat him, then your face will be lost on the ground. What will you say when you go back? Will you say that you have returned with a big harvest of cattle and sheep?
If the Pseudo-Chou and the Turkic people knew about it, I'm afraid they would all feel contempt!!
Just when Gao Yan was about to break out, Gao Changgong said hurriedly: "General Liu happens to be sitting here! His Wuchuan soldiers are very disciplined and will never let the enemy go!"
"Your Majesty, please let me lead Qingqi there. I am willing to help him leave Xiren Qijin!!"
Liu Honghui hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, no wonder Liu Taozi wants to station in advance. He has indeed seen this. Please let me go!! I am willing to decapitate the head of the ridicule and dedicate it to Your Majesty!!"
Seeing that this guy still wanted to fan the flames at this moment, Gao Changgong couldn't help it anymore.
He said angrily: "If there were less people like King Shunyang on the frontier to seize the army rations, maybe the frontier soldiers would not go up to rob them when they saw the food! When Liu Taozi wanted to reorganize the army, his uncle made several objections. Now,
That’s the bad consequences!!”
"The two sides are currently fighting, but my uncle is still here talking to himself and framing the general. Don't you have His Majesty in your eyes?!"
Liu Honghui's lips trembled in anger.
Gao Yan spoke coldly.
"Chang Gong."
"you go."
Chapter completed!