Chapter 73: Stay and Open Up the Land
Ten days later, Zhao Yulin released the captured soldiers who were about to return to their hometowns. There were more than 6,000 of them. How much food would it take to have two meals of porridge a day?
He ordered them all to be released and escorted out of the country with courtesy.
Four thousand of them stayed behind and joined the Shenwei Army. The rest, seeing that the living conditions here were good, wanted to stay to open up wasteland and farm, and Zhao Yulin accepted them all.
Because he needs people to farm, produce food and brew wine to make money.
After the great victory, Zhao Yulin was in a good mood. He convened all the generals in Xinshi Town to discuss matters and announced the expansion of the Shenwei Army. Each battalion was upgraded to a corps. Each corps had five battalions and a total of 5,000 people. The Ninth Corps was specially approved to have a total of 10,000 people, under which it would be under the jurisdiction of the Mahujiang Garrison Corps. Huanglangzhai, Yongshanzhai, and Shimenzhai would be established to guard the border.
All the generals looked at the Fire Phoenix with envy, and the Phoenix was very proud.
Zhu Congwen asked, "What are you looking at? The Ninth Corps has an arduous task, and the tasks of the other corps are not easy either. He estimated that the court would soon transfer us to the north to fight against the Mongols, who would be a tough nut to crack.
Zhao Yulin called on everyone to go back and draft out the list of promoted generals above the battalion level, and the brothers immediately dispersed.
He asked Zhu Congwen to return to Sanjiangkou to take charge of the overall situation, while Lei Man and he stayed to stabilize the new town.
After the three men finished their discussion, they sent Lao Zhu to the warship and said goodbye.
He and Lei Man went to find Huo Fenghuang to have a drink together.
Zhao Yulin told Fenghuang that the expansion of the army must pay attention to the quality of the soldiers, the expansion of the defense area, the increase of the team, and the grasp of generals at all levels. He left Lei Zongdutou behind to do his best to ensure the stability of Mahujiang.
Phoenix felt the burden on his shoulders become heavier, and his face became serious.
Lei Manzi said that she shouldn't carry too big a burden . The Yulin brothers gave Ma Hu to her because they saw her expertise in managing the tribe.
Zhao Yulin exchanged his views with them and believed that there was no need to retain the court's control system. Those who were obedient and followed arrangements could be kept, and the rest should not care about the court's titles. They should be punished, and those who held our bowl but wanted to smash our pot must be resolutely eliminated.
Lei Manzi's face turned red, he stared at Fenghuang and asked, "Did you remember?"
The Fire Phoenix nodded vigorously.
He said that this great victory at Mahu would definitely attract the attention of the Emperor of Lin'an, which was not a good thing. Just wait and see, there will be results soon.
Zhao Yulin was drunk, and Fenghuang helped him go back to rest.
The next day, Chen Zhongshun and his wife, his fourth mother, and Zhao Sihan returned to Xinshi Town. Zhao Yulin knew that his sister could not let go of the people from the south, so he ordered them to follow the arrangements of Fire Phoenix and not to act rashly. They then boarded the boat and returned to Sanjiangkou.
The Dali Palace was already in chaos. Gao Yuxiang was defeated and did not dare to face the prime minister, so he sneaked back home. When the young emperor heard the news, he immediately sent someone to arrest him and put him in prison.
Prime Minister Gao immediately requested a court discussion and, together with the Chai family, strongly advocated raising an army to march north.
The young emperor took out the manuscript from Lin'an and the reprimand from Jiazhou, and then reported the information that Shuzhong had increased its troops in Xinshi Town, and asked them how many more troops they would need to go to the Northern Expedition?
At present, the northern military region of Dali Kingdom has been crippled by the Shenwei Army, especially the navy which has lost half of its warships. If the war breaks out again and there is no guarantee of victory, Dali will completely lose the Jinsha River coast and it will also cause turmoil in the country, which Dali cannot afford.
Finally, Gao Jia had to compromise, resigned from the post of prime minister, and led the delegation to Lin'an to plead guilty. In order to balance the forces of all parties, the young emperor issued an edict to appoint the second son of the Chai family as prime minister of Dali State, thus successfully realizing the reorganization of power.
Zhao Yulin returned to Sanjiangkou to rest for a while and then went to Jiangbei. The prefect of Jiazhou, Zhen Daren, was still there. After he reported the battle situation in detail, Zhen Dexiu sighed: It was a close call.
Zhao Yulin proposed to move all the Shenwei troops to Mahujiang for guarding, and all the counties in Xuzhou would be guarded by the militia. After receiving Chen Yun's approval, he immediately said goodbye and went home to make comprehensive arrangements.
At this time, Lin'an had already learned about the battle situation in Mahujiang. The eunuch in charge continued to flatter Zhao Yulin. He reported to the emperor how powerful the Shenwei Army was. They actually defeated 30,000 Dali soldiers and penetrated 200 miles deep into Dali and were invincible.
Damn, the more he praised Zhao Yulin, the more he wanted to kill Zhao Yulin. The eunuch was really vicious.
As for the emperor, he just kept humming and humming without saying anything, but the eunuchs knew that the emperor's humming meant that he wanted to kill someone.
Zhao Yulin was at home reviewing the promotion of generals at all levels and completing the upgrade and expansion of the Shenwei Army. He was just sitting in the yard drinking tea and relaxing when someone from Jiangbei came and told him to prepare to go north to Chengdu.
He packed his luggage and brought Chen Xiaomin to the dock. Chen Yun's official ship had already docked. Zhao Yulin helped Xiaomin get on board and saw that Chen Yun and his daughter Chen Chen were both on the boat. Chen Yun said that little Chen Chen also wanted to go to Chengdu to play.
Chen Xiaomin immediately went over and started talking to Chen Chen.
Chen Yun pulled Zhao Yulin to the bow to get some fresh air and told him that the situation in the north was tight and that the Military Administration Office was planning to transfer the Shenwei Army out of Sichuan.
Zhao Yulin looked at the Yangtze River flowing eastward and said that what is coming will eventually come. The Shenwei Army was originally born to fight against the Mongols, so let them go.
Two days later, they arrived at the South Gate of Chengdu. Chen Chen said that it was a rare opportunity for her to come to Chengdu and she wanted to have a good time. Chen Yun said that her brother Yulin had been there before and asked her to take him for a walk first, while he went straight to the government office.
Zhao Yulin accompanied the two beauties to visit the nine major markets in Chengdu, then to Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, and then to Wenjun Restaurant in Qintai. The female proprietress remembered him and praised his dancing skills as being like those of a god when they met. She even brought some zither and harp accompaniment for the couple to dance upstairs.
Chen Xiaomin soon became intoxicated, her face flushed and she felt dizzy from the wine.
Zhao Yulin had just sat down for a while when Chen Chen came over and asked him to dance with her. He was already drunk and fell asleep on Chen Chen.
The little girl actually hugged her brother Yulin and refused to let go, murmuring: I want this to last forever...
The next day, Chen Yun took Zhao Yulin to the Chengdu government office.
As soon as Magistrate Ding saw Zhao Yulin, he started complaining, saying that the young man looked down on him and hadn't visited him for three years?
Zhao Yulin pretended to be very terrified and said that he was of low rank and his words did not matter, so how could he dare to bother you.
Magistrate Ding shook his head and said that he was worrying too much and that he could come to see him at any time.
Then he changed the subject and said that the Shenwei Army defeated Dali on its own, and the government regarded the young man as a fierce general. Now the situation at the border is tense, and the Administration Office wants to transfer the Shenwei Army to fight against the Mongols.
Zhao Yulin didn't say anything, just drank tea and started to show off.
Chen Yun lost her temper and said to him, "The adults are asking you questions, what are your plans, brother?"
Zhao Yulin put down his tea bowl and said that military orders were as heavy as mountains, and the Shenwei Army must obey orders and march north, but they had just had a fierce battle with Dali, so could they give it some time?
He then said that the Shenwei Army could send a reconnaissance team in advance to the Hanzhong front line to gather military intelligence, familiarize themselves with the environment, and prepare for the march into Hanzhong.
However, he only listened to Lord Ding regarding the arrangements for the Shenwei Army's travels , including the transportation of baggage and food.
Magistrate Ding agreed immediately, saying that this was a good idea and that careful planning would avoid confusion.
The important matter was settled, and Zhao Yulin followed Chen Yun and went to Qintai Road with Magistrate Ding to have a drink. The magistrate praised Zhao Yulin and his wife Chen Xiaomin, saying that it was a pity that the beauty had not arrived, otherwise he would have asked the young man to dance for her.
Zhao Yulin gave the glass tea can and two crystal glasses he brought to the prefect. The prefect was very happy and said that someone in Chengdu had bought them and gave them to him, but he refused them and was waiting for the young man's.
Zhao Yulin laughed and said that it was made specially for him.
The prefect was playing with it carefully and immediately asked him to keep his voice down. It was said that the Emperor wanted it but Yibin said it was out of stock.
Chen Yun said that there really wasn’t any at that time, and it couldn’t be made, so this is the second batch.
The three of them left after getting a little tipsy.
After returning to the inn, he said that he wanted to go to Qingcheng to thank Yuyangzi for giving him tea over the past two years. Chen Chen wanted to go with him, and Zhao Yulin looked at Chen Yun in a dilemma.
Chen Yun said that he should bring his sister along, as little Chen Chen had never been to Qingcheng Mountain to pay homage.
My god, this is posted.
Zhao Yulin was speechless and had to take the two women on the road.
When I went out of the west gate, it was still the young officer I had known before, waiting at the gate with three horses. As soon as we met, he said that Lord Ding had asked him to wait there.
Without saying a word, Zhao Yulin jumped on the big white horse and galloped away. The two girls riding the little red horses immediately caught up with him. The four fast horses were chasing each other on the official road, having a great time.
When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, the lieutenant was still guarding the horses, and Zhao Yulin took the two beauties to climb the mountain.
When they arrived at the mountain gate, Yu Yangzi was already waiting. Zhao Yulin stepped forward and saluted cheerfully. Yu Yangzi saw two beauties in red following him, and said with a smile that he had heard about his brother's wedding a long time ago. The two ladies were indeed of extraordinary temperament and as beautiful as fairies.
He then asked his eldest disciple to fetch two daggers to give to the two ladies.
Zhao Yulin quickly explained the situation and cleared up the misunderstanding.
Chen Chen was very happy and generously accepted the gift from Yu Yangzi. He quickly drew out his sword and looked at it. The sword edge shone coldly in the sunlight and he liked it very much.
Yu Yangzi's eldest disciple said weakly that he and his master had worked on it for three months.
Zhao Yulin thanked him repeatedly and handed the Taoist priest a box containing two crystal cups and a glass teapot, saying that he felt a little embarrassed to have consumed two years of tea for nothing and that this was just a small gift to express his gratitude.
Yu Yangzi opened the box in front of him while being polite, and was stunned when he saw the exquisite glass and huge glass.
He even asked the little friend, how big a crystal is needed and how long it will take to make this thing?
He praised the wine and the luminous cup, saying that they were rare tribute items to Lin'an and he felt ashamed to accept them. He immediately asked his eldest disciple to put them away carefully.
After Xiaomin and the others settled down, Yu Yangzi took him to the backyard for tea and told him that the abandoned disciples of Quanzhen Sect were helping Mongolia recruit experts to work in the army in the Central Plains, and the news had spread to Shu.
Zhao Yulin said that it was not ruled out that they would recruit people in Shu to serve as their henchmen. But no matter what Mongolia did, it met me. It was destined to be a blind man lighting a lamp, wasting wax.
Yu Yangzi said that the young man was very generous and very suitable for his temper. He turned around and went into the house to take out a porcelain bottle and a list and handed them to Zhao Yulin, saying that his Qingcheng gold wound medicine still had some special effects and hoped it would be useful to the young man.
Zhao Yulin thanked him with a smile and tightened his arms.
After dinner, he practiced Tai Chi with Yu Yangzi. After two years of not seeing each other, Yu Yangzi's Tai Chi skills had improved by leaps and bounds, which surprised Zhao Yulin.
After all, he is a professional.
