At the beginning of November of the 15th year of Jianxing, Li Yanzhi's troops in the Western Regions ordered the soldiers of Ju County, escorted Zhao Zhen, the captain of Wuji, and more than ten subordinate officials of the Wuji Captain's Office, set off from Gaochang, trekked for more than a month, and arrived at Guzang, the administrative office of Liangzhou. Zhang Jun led a dry assassination of the subordinate officials of the Shi Mansion to greet him outside the Hongfan Gate in the north of the city early. The soldiers patrolling the city had already sounded the gong to announce to the residents of the city that Wang Shi had pacified the Western Regions and returned in triumph.

The people in the city who got the news left their homes one after another and gathered to the north of the city. The inside and outside of the Hongfan Gate, which was not wide, was already full of subordinate officials who greeted him and the guards in the city who maintained order. Chen Zhen, who was responsible for the garrison, was also nervously arranged at the head of the city, and the soldiers at the head of the city were all ready to fight. And the guards who served as the honor guard under the city had already lined up the array at this time.

A column of gray-faced foot soldiers, dressed in iron armor, were the first to appear in the distance. Zhang Jun saw the battle flag fluttering in the team, and took the lead in taking a few steps, his face full of color was bright. Among those ironclad soldiers, Zhao Zhen and a number of Wuji lieutenants who were loaded in the prisoner car showed a look of despair and defeat on their faces.

Leading his troops to the front of Hongfan's gate, Li Yanzhi saw Zhang Jun from a distance, so he immediately flew off his horse, and then trotted over and knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Zhang Envoy Jun, his subordinates ordered Sima Li Yanzhi of Juxian County to go to the Western Regions with Li Changshi, so that Jun Qingyan and Changshi carried him." Fortunately, I didn't lose my life, and I returned it! ”

Zhang Jun took two steps, helped Li Yanzhi up from the ground, and said warmly: "Dingdong doesn't have to be like this. In Li Changshi's report, it has been clearly stated that Dingdong has made great contributions to stop Zhao Zhen's main force this time. The Western Regions are established, and I am very relieved. ”

Zhang Jun took Li Yanzhi's arm and entered the city with him. The subordinate officials followed behind and walked into the Hongfan Gate. The expressions in the team are different, and the people in the front of the high-ranking men such as Yin, Song, Suo, and Zhang who are officials in the state governance either have ordinary expressions or gloomy eyes. And the Wuxing Taishou Xin Yan in the team flashed an imperceptible smile on his face. At the end of the team, Xie Ai, the young head of the Thorn History Mansion, was envious and excited.

It was the first time that Li Yanzhi was treated like this, and he traveled with Zhang Jun all the way, and the people on the street cheered very enthusiastically, but it made this cold-faced and ruthless general on the battlefield feel a little uncomfortable. After calling this era, he had long been accustomed to thinking and rushing in the army for the food, clothing, and living of a battalion of soldiers, and for the end of the expedition. There is indeed some discomfort with this kind of occasion.

Zhang Jun seemed to see Li Yanzhi's unnaturalness, and put Li Yanzhi's arm a little harder: "Dingdong, the Western Regions are established, these should be what you deserve." It's just that after returning to Lingju, the responsibilities are even heavier. Now that you are an isolated subordinate officer, you are here to focus on military affairs and state affairs. If you are in trouble, you can go directly to the book, and you will support you. ”

Li Yanzhi looked at Zhang Jun on the side, and didn't know what to say for a while. The naughty boy who was in the night at the beginning has indeed grown up to be the ruler of a state. Between actions, although it is still not comprehensive, it can be called perfect.

Thinking of his promotion due to merit, Li Yanzhi was also quite emotional: "Although he is deficient in talent and morality, he is grateful to the king, but he will die to repay him!" Now Liu Yin has been frustrated, and the situation in Longxi is unknown. However, if the thief wants to conquer the city to the north, he will fight to the death! ”

The Zhao army invaded the north twice, so that Li Yanzhi already had a deep understanding of Liu Zhao's strength and might. The knock-on effect of clinging to the order has not yet died out. Correspondingly, if the enemy army attacks again in the short term, it will be really as Li Yanzhi said, and it will only be a fight to the death.

However, Zhang Jun then said with a smile: "Dingdong doesn't need to worry too much, since the defeat of Woganling, I don't want to march forward and recover Longxi." Although he was defeated before, he fled to the soldiers, and he was still five or six out of ten. Lone has ordered Chen Pingyu, Xie Zhushu and others to rein in defeat and concentrate on drilling......"

"Do you want to re-attack Longxi?" Under the consternation, Li Yanzhi's tone changed: "After repeated battles, the soldiers and the people are tired, it is really not appropriate to move troops at this time, I hope you will think twice!" ”

Zhang Jun saw Li Yanzhi's admonition with a straight face, and he was a little hesitant in his heart, but after thinking about it silently, he was a little relieved, and said: "Now that the east and west are triumphant, we will not discuss military politics for the time being." In the coming day, Chen Pingyu and Xie Zhushu will finish their training and then make a plan. ”

"It is for the sake of the family and the country, but please make you think twice." Li Yanzhi bowed slightly: "Where the method of war is used, thousands of cars are galloped, thousands of leather cars are taken, 100,000 armor is brought in, and food is fed for thousands of miles." Then the internal and external expenses, the use of guests, the material of glue paint, the dedication of the car armor, the daily cost of thousands of gold, and then 100,000 teachers. ”

He paused, and then said: "This year's successive battles, beacon fires are everywhere, and it is difficult for civilian homes to maintain food and clothing. Nowadays, the Western Regions are in the right time to open up trade routes and accumulate wealth and goods. If you send troops in a hurry and have insufficient baggage, even if you win, it will be difficult to hold on. If the army is defeated, the whole state will be shaken. At that time, there will be no heavy money and food, and there will be no enemy generals. If the enemy is overwhelmed, how can the king deal with himself? I hope that the king and the people will rest and accumulate wealth. When the money and food are sufficient, and the soldiers are strong, the troops will be raised. ”

Zhang Jun smiled and nodded: "Dingdongguo is an old Chengmou country." This time, the Western Regions were determined, and the subordinate officials in the government all said that they could transfer the newly victorious soldiers under Li Changshi, and the elite soldiers of the state governor, Guangwu, and Wuxing counties, and then cross the river to enter Longxi. Gu also knew that this time the Western Regions were initially decided, and Li Changshi's subordinates really couldn't be moved lightly. In the middle of the year, there was smoke everywhere, and the amount of money was spent on huge sums of money, and it was already beyond the ends of the budget. However, the carnivores are despised, the rats are blind, and the lonely people live in this position, so they know the difficulty of national affairs. ”

"Lonely still remembers that when the ancestor was dying, he said that he would revitalize the east and recover Jinzuo. Although it has been several years, I still dare not forget it. However, in the current situation, if you can't bear it for a while, there is no hope. Thieves outside the state have to be endured, and high-ranking people in the state have to be endured...... can put their hearts in their hearts, but Chen Pingyu and Dingdong have a few people's ears......"

Listening to Zhang Jun's words in a low voice and speaking softly, Li Yanzhi felt even more frightened, and hurriedly said: "Make the king trustworthy, and he will not dare to live up to it, I only hope that the country will be rich and the people will be strong, and he will march eastward, but he will make the last wish of the public, and that's all." He didn't dare to say goodbye even if he died. However, there are military and political affairs, but the king and the horse are the first. ”

The reason why Zhang Jun would reuse the minds of the Han Shu and the warriors was that on the one hand, the current environment really needed the martial arts to defend the territory and open up the territory, and on the other hand, it was precisely because compared with those high-ranking scholars in the state, the Han Shu and the Han Ling warriors were more obedient and easier to control.

Therefore, Zhang Jun is still satisfied with Li Yanzhi's loyalty from the bottom of his heart or acting on the spot. He patted Li Yanzhi's arm and said, "Dingdong is a good student." The first prince once said that Dingdong can be used. Lone is still convinced of this. Every bloody battle in Dingdong is remembered by Lonely. For the work of Dingdong, Lone has his own clear judgment in his heart, that is, others question and slander, and Lone will not change it slightly. ”

"Every battle is a soldier's life, so that the king has a good plan. He didn't dare to take credit. I hope to make the king clear and decisive in case of trouble, far away from treachery, and pro-virtuous ministers. The generals and others will die on the battlefield, and they can also smile at Jiuquan......"

The two continued to talk in a low voice, and after a long while, Li Yanzhi looked up and found that he had walked in front of Lingjun Terrace. still remembers the last time he was sad and angry, and the conversation between the two sides on stage and Zhang Jun was full of helplessness and unwillingness, Li Yanzhi's expression suddenly became gloomy.

"The previous time, you collected Ma Ping's remains and buried them at the foot of the mountain west of the city. After Lone learned about it, he had withdrawn a batch of money and goods from the internal treasury and repaired the tomb. It is also in accordance with the rules and regulations, and a batch of burial items are added to the tomb. Dingdong can rest assured, Ma Ping's work, Lone is the same as you, and I dare not forget ......"

Listening to what Zhang Jun said, Li Yanzhi looked a little relieved. However, he was still full of guilt and said, "I hurt him." Remembering that in the Guangwu Army, I was a pawn who fed horses, and Ma Sima was the lieutenant of the battalion. If there is no support from him, how can we be here today? I owe so much that I can't afford to pay it back in this life......"

Zhang Jun stared at Li Yanzhi, and his expression was also sad: "Dingdongquan is relieved." Ma Sima was also full of guilt in his lonely heart. When the country is in trouble, the former is meritorious, and the brave man dies unjustly, how can he not be resentful? Wait for the temple to be calm, and be alone for Ma Sima Jia! ”

"There is still a reluctant request from my subordinates, I hope you will allow it." Li Yanzhi lowered his head and said softly.

"But if you have a request, you don't dare to insist." Zhang Jun said: "You might as well say it clearly." ”

"Subordinate...... I want to take care of his family in the name of the envoy......" Li Yanzhi's voice gradually lowered, and it was inaudible.

Zhang Jun frowned and thought for a moment: "Dingdong and lead Ma Ping's relatives to Lingju for resettlement." For the matter of pension, I can contribute to Dingdong, and then ...... I also hope that Dingdong will never do this in the name of loneliness......"

After receiving Zhang Jun's reply, although Li Yanzhi was a little disappointed in his heart, he could understand Zhang Jun's current situation, so he stopped entangled at the moment, and lowered his head and said: "Blaze...... For Ma Sima's relatives, thank you for your kindness......"

The subordinate officer team approached, and the two stopped the conversation at the right time. Zhang Jun and Li Yanzhi led all the subordinate officials to climb the Lingjun Platform together. The soldiers of the battle team escorting Zhao Zhen and the subordinate officers of the Wuji Captain's Mansion behind him also stopped in front of Lingjun Terrace.

Liu Jiwu went out of the queue to the stage, knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Envoy Jun, this time from the Western Regions, I plan to capture and behead more than 3,800 people under the captain of Wuji. Kegao Changbi, the seized ordnance assets are not counted. Capture a number of captains, chief bookkeepers, long histories, and tribal governors. Now I will return to the state to report the victory and sacrifice the prisoners, please make it clear! ”

Zhang Jun walked to the edge of the high platform, looked at Zhao Zhen and the others in the prisoner car in the military array below, and said loudly: "Since the beginning of the military duke's stationing in Jieliangzhou, it has been twenty-six years. Regardless of the length of their reigns, all the ancestors worked hard and did not dare to be greedy. The sergeants of the state live and work in peace and contentment, even if the thieves occasionally come to commit crimes, they all return with their feathers. Zhao Zhen was trusted first and was able to guard the important places in the Western Regions. However, instead of thinking about sharing worries for the country, stabilizing the people, and navigating the trade routes, he supported the army and stood on his own! ”

Zhang Jun paused for a moment and continued: "His people are obsessed, and they even gather troops to resist the king's division. All the ancestors were awarded by the Jin room to Xiping Gong and Liangzhou Mu. Although I pretend to take this state, the law is still there. For the sake of the country, it is not for one's own selfish purpose to raise troops to recruit Zhao Zhen, but for the sake of the country not to be divided, and the people not to fall into the mouth of the tiger and wolf......"

Hearing Zhang Jun's merciless words, it was like a giant hammer hitting Zhao Zhen's chest one by one. Zhao Zhen, who was already pale, looked even more loveless after hearing these words. No one knows if he regrets that he shouldn't have chosen to surrender so hastily at this time.

"Today, I am the king's teacher, Keding Gaochang, and the Western Regions are peaceful. Zhao Zhen was afraid of the power of the king, and asked to surrender. Thinking that he was still lost and knew that he had returned, he pardoned his death, moved to Xihai County, and gave him land. I hope that he will live his duty in the future and regret his mistakes. Don't be delusional again, and live up to the forgiveness and kindness of Lonely......"

Zhao Zhen was like a prisoner waiting to die, and after listening to Zhang Jun's sentence with a disgraced face, his face relaxed, and then he let out a long sigh. He once raised troops in the Western Regions and dominated the situation, but now he is defeated and captured, although the result is not good, but he finally saved his life, which is not bad.

Zhao Zhen and his subordinate officers were escorted away by the Zhanfeng Battalion. On the Lingjun platform, Zhang Jun turned to look at the stunned subordinate officials behind him, and laughed: "In the past, Emperor Wu of my world destroyed Eastern Wu, and Sun Yuanzong, the late emperor of Wu, surrendered by himself. Emperor Wu not only did not investigate his crimes, but was named the Marquis of Gui. Brocade clothes and jade food are generous and nurtured. The land of Sanwu is therefore returned to the heart. Today, although Zhao Zhen rebelled, he supported his troops to resist the king's division. However, in this situation, is it the story of destroying Wu? ”

Hearing Zhang Jun's words, the subordinate officials on the high platform knelt down one after another, claiming to be benevolent. Zhang Jun laughed and floated down to the high platform.

Zhang Jun walked down the high platform and saw Liu Jiwu and his subordinates together, preparing to escort the prisoner car. Liu Jiwu saw Zhang Jun walking down the high platform, followed by Li Yanjiong, and hurriedly knelt on the ground and bowed. When the soldiers on one side saw this, they all looked at each other. No one had ever encountered this situation before, and it was the first time they had seen the supreme ruler of Liangzhou, and for a while they all looked like hillbillies entering the city, and they didn't know where to put their hands.

Seeing the helpless appearance of these generals, Li Yanzhi couldn't help but feel a little speechless, and suddenly felt a fever on his face. Immediately shouted: "Since you see the envoy, why don't you hurry up and salute?" ”

The generals who were reminded by Li Yanzhi woke up like a dream, and hurriedly knelt down, and the sonorous sound of the impact of the nail leaf made a sound: "I have seen the envoy from below!" ”

Zhang Jun smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay." He walked to the front of the kneeling soldier in the first row, and looked at the iron armor on the soldier's body, and saw that on the shoulder armor and helmet, there were six or seven traces of swords and axes. On the iron armor leaves, which were no longer bright, there were still large patches of purple-black blood stains that had dried up.

"Get up." Zhang Jun looked at these soldiers and said loudly: "All the gentlemen are loyal and righteous people in our state, so there is no need to be polite. But Jun should thank you. Later, Jun Zi should take a sum of money from the inner treasury to reward the soldiers......"

"Thanks to your love!" Li Yanzhi took the lead in kowtowing. Immediately, Liu Jiwu and his generals also kowtowed together, and the voice of thanks rang out in an instant under the Lingjun stage...... [.]