Chapter 3034 Going back on one's word
Those who steal the hook will be punished, and those who steal the country will be martyred.
If you win, you will be a king; if you lose, you will be a bandit.
Our ancestors have long taught us that the meaning of doing something needs to be measured and defined by the final result. There is no distinction between justice and evil in this world.
Chai Zhewei certainly understands this truth.
Although he seems to have a high position and military power at the moment, his influence in the court is actually very low. Even if His Majesty Li Er appointed Zuo Tunwei to him, it was more because of his respect for his mother, Princess Pingyang Zhao. Reward for merit does not mean how much trust he has in Chai Zhewei.
If there is "the power of following the dragon", it will be completely different.
I dare not expect to be as "powerful" as Changsun Wuji was and become "the number one hero of Zhenguan", but at least he can be compared to Li Ji and others, right?
Even though Li Jigui is now the chief minister, he was still a demoted general back then...
Of course, benefits and risks coexist.
"The power of Conglong" is indeed remarkable, but once it fails, what awaits him will be an endless abyss...
Chai Zhewei took a sip of tea and remained silent, feeling really hard to make a decision.
You Wenzhi looked at Chai Zhewei's face and saw that he had already moved. If he continued to press, it might be too much and counterproductive, so he changed the subject and said: "No matter whether Tuyuhun will rebel in the end, the commander should gather his troops during this period and strictly enforce it." Practice more to prepare for unexpected events.”
Chai Zhewei nodded.
After all, the strength of a soldier comes from the soldiers under his command. If you raise a group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals, but the war is about to collapse, what will happen even if your own father is the emperor? Still throw it away unused and not be reused.
Why did King Jing Li Yuanjing win over him several times? Just because he has a capable soldier under his command, he can influence the situation at critical moments.
This is his foundation and cannot be lost.
Moreover, since the Chinese New Year, Youtun Guard has been training intensively all day long, and the combat effectiveness of the soldiers has been visibly improved, especially the morale of the soldiers. It has made Chai Zhewei feel envious, but also has a deep sense of crisis - everyone has equal status. , one on the left and one on the right guarding the Xuanwu Gate. If the gap is too big, how can we talk about anything else?
"Starting tomorrow, beat the drums and gather the generals for a round of drills. During this time, due to spring plowing, the whole army is herding sheep, and it is time to start training. The drills must be rigorous, and the supplies must keep up. The kitchens Eat extra meals every day, and The meals must have meat and enough oil and water, otherwise the soldiers will not be able to bear it. You can apply to the Ministry of War for this money, but there is no hope. If you don’t come, then I will pay for it out of my own pocket.”
Chai Zhewei got angry. He had always been greedy and corrupt in the military's accounts. How had he ever advanced money to the military?
You Wenzhi nodded and said: "I accept my order from my humble position!"
He and Chai Zhewei had the same idea. Only a strong army can be used as capital. If the entire Zuotunwei is a rabble and collapses at the first touch, how can he show his merit?
Wouldn't it be easier to just go and get a bunch of green-skinned gangsters...
*****
It is rainy and cool in Guanzhong, but the sun is scorching and the sand is long in the Western Regions.
A caravan was walking slowly on the road. The hard sandy road was so hot that it burned their feet. Even the most patient camels drooped their heads and looked listless.
There are long stretches of yellow sand on both sides of the road, and in the distance is the desolate Gobi. From time to time, huge rocks eroded by the wind and sand stand in strange shapes in the Gobi. The scorching sun makes the desolation even more desolate.
Changsun Jun had a white scarf wrapped around his head. He raised his head and smacked the scorching sun in the sky. He licked his dry lips, reached out and took out the water bag from the camel's neck, shook it, opened the stopper and took a sip. He didn't want to part with it. Drink more, stuff the cork carefully, and hang it back far away.
It has been five days since he walked out of the last oasis, and there are still two days until the next oasis. There is not much water left in the team, so he must save it. If he drinks it all, he is not sure about the big people who are watching over him. The cannibal can give him his share...
I went to Damascus on the orders of my father, and it has been nearly half a year since I came back and forth.
When I went there, the wind was blowing and the snow was flying, and if I wasn't careful, I would freeze to death on the roadside; when I came back, the sun was scorching, and the long yellow sand seemed to be on fire, and it could dry and bake people alive... …
well!
Changsun Jun let out a long sigh, full of sorrow.
The legitimate son of the dignified Sun family, one of the most famous families in Chang'an City, how could he ever suffer such a crime when he was so old?
Not to mention, they must always be on guard against the possibility of cannibals "robbing votes", and they must lead the caravan to avoid the checkpoints set up by the Tang army along the way to avoid being exposed and arrested by the Tang army. The whole day can be regarded as exhausting thinking and energy...
A camel wandered up from behind. Azmi, who was sitting on the camel's back, also wrapped a white scarf on his head to protect himself from the scorching sun. He walked side by side with Changsun Jun and asked: "Master Changsun, how far is it from Yumen Pass?"< br>
Changsun Jun's eyes fell on the winding and crumbling Great Wall in the distant sky, and he sighed: "It will take at least ten days!"
It was the Great Wall built in the Western Regions during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It used trenches or natural terrain as barriers, and was composed of beacons, castles, pavilions and other fortifications. It was called "Fortress" in the Han Dynasty.
The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty was generally built with local materials such as sand and stones, or stone walls, or rammed earth. In the desert, it was made of layers of reeds and willow branches, and fortresses were built at various hubs of the outer Great Wall. Cavalry patrols equipped with crossbows and halberds were stationed.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty built a city here to farm and raise horses as a base for defense and attack against the Huns.
The world has gone through great changes and dynasties have changed, but this section of the towering Great Wall still stands in the desolate desert.
Azmi was also very frustrated: "It will take that long?"
He volunteered to take on the task of "collecting ransom," hoping that he would be reused in front of Mu'awiya for this merit. But in the past, he had visited the farthest countries in the Western Regions, and those to the west, but he had never reached Yumen Pass. How did he know that this journey was not only long, but also increasingly difficult?
Changsun Jun was swaying on the back of the camel, listless, and said angrily: "You didn't have to walk for so long, why did you have to linger everywhere you went? You walked the two-month journey for four months, and then again If we go on we will all die of exhaustion in this desert!”
Whenever the caravan arrived, Azmi would assign soldiers accompanying the caravan to inquire about the roads, customs, and wealth of the place. Especially if there was a place where the Tang army was stationed, he would try to find out the number and equipment of the Tang army. .
At the beginning, Changsun Jun was very resistant to this kind of random spying on the Tang army's reality. After all, he was also a Tang man!
But then he remembered his mission to Damascus, so he kept silent and allowed the big cannibal to wander around, getting to know everyone's situation along the way...
Azmi exclaimed and said proudly: "As the envoy of the Caliph, I went to Yumen Pass this time. Naturally, I had to complete the tasks assigned by the Caliph. This is a great achievement! The next time Mr. Changsun goes to Damascus, I will definitely not do it again. He is a small city-defending general, and he might become a great general! ”
Not only can this trip receive a "ransom" of three thousand taels of gold, but it can also help the army explore the path and understand the actual situation of the Tang army stationed in various places. By then, the Caliph will personally lead the army to sweep across the Western Regions and attack the Tang Dynasty. He will be the biggest contributor!
Official position, wealth, beauty...
Azmi swallowed. Thinking of this, she could bear it no matter how painful or tiring it was.
Nine days later, the caravan finally arrived at the last oasis outside Yumen Pass. A small lake reflects the blue sky. There are rows of houses built under the poplar trees on the lakeside. They are not only for travelers to rest and replenish fresh water, but also a post station of the Tang Dynasty.
This place is less than a hundred miles away from Yumen Pass, and most of the merchants coming and going are related to middle-class merchants. Changsun Jun is afraid of meeting acquaintances and dare not show his face. He is locked in the house all day, feeling very depressed.
After waiting here for another two days, I finally waited for Zhang Sunyan and his party who came to pay the "ransom"...
At night, among the lakeside houses.
Changsun Yan saw that his brother's skin had become dark from the sun after half a year, and the skin on his face was as rough as the sand in the desert. His spirit was listless. He couldn't help but feel distressed and said: "Third brother..."
When Changsun Jun saw his brothers, he shed tears before saying a word...
Before he could speak, a scimitar was placed on his neck.
Azmi looked at Changsun Yan and said, "Did you bring the ransom?"
Changsun Yan did not dare to say anything. After nodding, he ordered people to carry the gold into the house.
Azmi was very cautious, keeping the scimitar in his hand close to Chang Sun Jun's neck, and ordered his men to step forward to check. Several boxes were opened, and the yellow, orange, and golden lights illuminated them, almost dazzling them.
Three thousand taels of gold!
Everyone's eyes were shining.
Changsun Yan said: "The ransom has been paid and my three brothers are released."
Azmi chuckled: "Don't worry, sir, our cannibals are most concerned about credibility. However, this place is under the rule of the Tang Dynasty. If I let the eldest grandson go, the Tang army will rush in and kill him with random swords. Wouldn't it be an injustice?" ? So, I have to trouble Mr. Changsun to give us a ride." (End of Chapter)