【The Prophet's Vision, Introduction】

At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, Wang Mang usurped the throne and established a new dynasty

Huayin, Huixi

In that barren part of Kansai, something happened that shocked the entire Shincho.

In March, when the glacier thawed, Wang Kuang, the leader of the First Army, issued a declaration of war to the new dynasty and Wang Mang in Guanxi.

……......

"Die and ——!"

Dozens of elite regiments of the cavalry army surrounded Zhang Kan, who was covered in blood, and there were corpses lying all around, surrounded by swords, catering to the breath of slaughter.

The white earth in front of him and the heavy snow in the sky fused together, Zhang Kanshen moved one foot at a time, the spear in his hand kept shaking, and he needed to do all his best to control it with both hands, so as not to let the spear escape from his grasp.

The cold wind blew Zhang Kan almost couldn't open his eyes, and the full snow came to his face, and finally, his eyelids slowly fell, cutting off the scene.

"Hehehe...... The first army is against the thief, and the court will avenge me! ”

When it was only pitch black in front of him, the spear was still stuck in the ground, and the cold wind shook the red tassels on the head of the spear. The chill from his neck seemed to take away the exhaustion on Zhang Kan's body at once.

The man has fallen, but the gun is still there.

Zhang Kan, the Nine Tiger General of the First Army, Wang Mang's last reliance, was completely defeated. The first army occupied the Guanzhong Plain at no cost, and the prosperity, richness, and weakness of the new dynasty were all exposed in front of them, and at that moment, everyone finally saw their desires and the possibility of their fulfillment.

In the Battle of Guanzhong, the first army plundered more than 300,000 people, cattle and horses, and obtained unprecedented wealth.

Wang Kuang, the leader of the First Army, rode on his horse, looked at the blood-stained Guanzhong City, waved his bayonet in his hand, and turned his gaze to look at the large plain to the east, "That will be.... Our world is gone. ”

When the existing wealth and land cannot satisfy a person's desires, the rich Central Plains Empire in front of him will be the only choice. The only thing left to do was to draw the butcher's knife and slash their soldiers with impunity, plunder their people, and rob them of all their wealth.

Now, the new dynasty is just the last straw that crushes the camel.

……......

"Knock——, knock——, knock——, knock......"

In Chang'an City, the dull sound of drums suddenly sounded, startling several white-headed geese that were foraging in front of the government.

"This is a drum, is the court ready for war?"

The person who spoke had high cheekbones and a thin face, but his eyes were shining from time to time, which was not to be underestimated.

Someone next to him answered: "Old man, aren't you going to fight the battle of the first army?" In recent days, I have heard about the arrogance of the rebels every day. ”

"This time the first army is menacing, they ......"

As he spoke, another drum beat came, and some people who knew the inside story looked towards the military department, gestured and said: "The second drum is gone, and the third drum is not the general reported by the military department, and he will be killed!" ”

At this moment, a half-centenarian was standing outside the door of the conference hall of the military department, with a thin face, a dark complexion, and a pair of eyes blazing under his faint eyebrows. It was Wang Gao, the secretary of the Ministry of War, who was smiling towards the generals who came to Yuguan again and again.

"The border army is really becoming more and more incompetent, and it has actually been corrupted to such an extent that a few thousand more soldiers have defeated the tens of thousands of defenders of our new dynasty......

"This is a great opportunity for our military people to make meritorious contributions, make immortal achievements, and pay homage to the marquis...... Hehe. ”

"I only need five thousand fine horses, and I will immediately kill Wang Kuang's lair in Guanxi-"

Several generals and officers had a heated discussion on how to eliminate the first army and ask for rewards for meritorious service.

At this time, it was not the first time that the name of the first army had reached Wang Gao's ears, which made him feel a trace of worry and urgency.

This kind of accident at the border pass is not uncommon, but from this battle report, judging from the situation of the capture of the pass, the first army did not rely on the sinister and cunning tricks of the past, Wang Gao saw more of the nomadic cavalry tactics galloping across the country, and the heroic charge of the fair and honest victory.

"This time, I'm afraid that the person who came is not good." Wang Gao raised his head and looked up at the west, sighed and muttered to himself.

"Lord Wang, aren't you going to fight the barbarians on the side of the First Army? Why are you still so nervous? Those uncivilized savages are still worth dealing with in such a big battle as ours. "Some generals don't care, and they play haha frivolously.

Wang Gao hurriedly shook his hands, "This can't be said, the first army can be unified in such a chaotic situation in Guanxi and suppress all tribes strongly, there must be two brushes." Of course, it's still far behind my new dynasty, but you have to be cautious, isn't it? ”

Wang Gao's personality is a little soft, and in the eyes of many people, he is a good person.

To be able to choose such a person to serve as the secretary of the Ministry of War, I have to say that Wang Mang's vision of employing people is really different.

As everyone walked into the conference hall, someone nodded the number of heads, attached to Wang Gao's ear and said, "Lord Wang, General Wang Han has really not arrived yet." ”

Wang Gao frowned slightly, and then said: "Hmph, this old barbarian is really holding grudges, just his temperament, if he doesn't come, the province will always choke me." ”

At this time, a man who looked like a young general also came to the council hall and stood silently in the corner behind him. Someone noticed the sheep that had mixed in with the wolves, and kept looking at the young man, his eyes were cold and guarded, and from time to time he muttered a few words, guessing his origin.

This young general is very calm, and he looks at whoever he meets, and he makes a gesture of kindness.

"Brother, you should be a school officer, why did you come here, we are talking about some big things about battlefield planning, can you understand?" Someone muttered.

"Oh, in dismount Jinliang, it was sent by General Wang Han and Wang Lao, he can't come today if he has something to do, Xiaosheng will relay the matter of today's meeting to General Wang." The young general replied respectfully, not as if he had bothered with the man's words.

Everyone understood, and without saying anything more, they turned around and went to talk to someone they knew well. The young general was not too lonely, and he looked at the marching and fighting pictures posted on the wall of the council hall with relish.

"Knock knock—"

After the drum sounded at the three-way point, Wang Gao walked into the conference hall and came to the handsome case in the center.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have just received a notice from the imperial court that we will urgently order troops and prepare troops and horses to prepare for the garrison of Chang'an City. This battle is also an opportunity for us to make meritorious contributions, there are not many opportunities to fight like this, everyone must step up the training of the soldiers and horses of the headquarters after they go back, so as to ask for a wife and a shadow on the battlefield! ”

"It's all up to Lord Wang's support......" someone said below.

Dozens of generals nodded tiredly, mostly looking tired and coping.

The hot face was attached to the cold buttocks, Wang Gao coughed embarrassedly twice, and continued: "There is another happy event, the military salary allocated by the imperial court is about to arrive, and when the time comes, you will first take back the military salary of the previous years, and as for the last two years, it will be slowly made up." ”

"This thing is done well, and the brothers at the bottom are almost unable to open the pot."

"That's it, this military salary is delayed for two years a year, and five years for two years, and now there is finally a shadow."

"Hmph, if we weren't able to fight, how could the matter of military pay be so easy to handle......

When it came to military salaries, the atmosphere at the bottom suddenly became much more lively.

"Bang bang bang-"

Wang Gao patted the table, "Everyone will have military salaries, and now we still have something to discuss, the imperial court plans to arrange a forbidden army, not under the banner of each battalion, and the imperial court will directly take over as the main force to defend Chang'an City." Well...... Let's sum it up, how to do this well? ”

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words came out, the scene was cold, generals, you look at me, I look at you, they all lowered their heads and kept silent, leaving Wang Gao there alone.

"Lord Wang, don't you just send a conscription notice, what's the total?"

It took a long time for a burly general to speak up, named Xiong Wenlong, but his tone was quite unkind, and the following few people with fast brains also catered to his statement.

"yes, just put up a notice and you're done."

"That's right, what else are you discussing?"

Wang Gao shook his head, "You don't understand what I mean, the imperial court wants to form a new army, and take over it personally, and will fight against the first army in the next battle, so naturally it is necessary to select the most elite personnel to form it, if you can casually pull someone from the street to enter, what is that like." ”

Xiong Wenlong still pretended to be an idiot and said: "Hey, the soldiers in the barracks haven't practiced for a long time now, even if they pull out to fight with ordinary people, they may not be able to win, where did the elite come from——"

"Hahaha!" There was a burst of laughter at the bottom.

A group of generals also followed suit and ridiculed, gossiping, and it was extremely lively.

"Yes, two days ago, I asked my soldiers to go to the people's homes to 'borrow' a cow, but I didn't dare to do it after standing for a long time, you see how cowardly it is, haha."

"Now we all know that there is no military pay to be a soldier, and if a military salary is paid, it must be a war, who dares to come to join the army, the clever soldiers in the barracks will run away early-"

"Anyway, there are no powerful soldiers in my battalion, it's all guys, hehehe......"

Wang Gao's face turned red and white, white and red, and he was speechless for a while.

These generals all have backgrounds behind them, either their ancestors are martial arts nobles, or they are hereditary generals, and Wang Gao is not willing to blame them casually.

"I'll tell you, after I go back, each battalion recommends the outstanding candidates in the battalion, and after being approved by the military department, one person will have five taels of silver per head, plus two batches of cloth, isn't that bad?" Wang Gao said in a consultative tone.

"Hmph, a talent is five taels of silver, and Lord Wang has eaten a lot of kickbacks, right?"

"Yes, Lord Wang, everyone has to support their families, and they have so many precious soldiers, so why don't you give more!"

The man below questioned.

"Everyone, everyone, this official swears to heaven that he will never selfishly swallow military salaries!" Wang Gao spread his right hand and explained helplessly, "It's just that the imperial court originally owed a lot of military salaries, and there is really no more money, five taels of silver is already the limit!" ”

"Don't talk nonsense, Lao Tzu finally trained a few soldiers, and I want to send you five taels of silver? Fuck the shit! The burly Xiong Wenlong was quite arrogant, and blurted out foul language, which attracted laughter.

Wang Gao trembled with anger, slapped the table and shouted angrily: "Xiong Wenlong! You don't look at what kind of place this is, and the exit is not inferior again and again, is there still an official in your eyes? ”

"Lord Wang, rest your anger, stop your anger - be careful of hurting your own body!" Xiong Wenlong is still full of indifference, yin and yang, and cynical.

"You ——!"

Wang Gao remembered Xiong Wenlong's donkey temperament, and suddenly became angry. This Xiong Wenlong is a person who even the emperor dares to contradict without a brain, what is he angry with him.

Buzzing, there was a lot of laughter and discussion all around, and the scene was a little out of control. Wang Gao's blood surged, and he wanted to clean up Xiong Wenlong first, but after hesitating a few times, he still reluctantly spit out a long breath.

"Forget it, I'll ...... today"

"Lord Qiqi Wang, the last general is willing to ask for conscription, and he must ensure that the new forbidden army is alive and well, and obeys the orders of the imperial court!"

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind the crowd, and Ma Jinliang separated the crowd and walked out of the crowd.

When someone came out to relieve the siege at such an embarrassing time, Wang Gao only felt surprised and happy, and even a little grateful, this young general is really a knowledgeable and loyal person, and he can stand up at a critical moment.

"Okay," Wang Gao finally found someone to take over this errand, and immediately smiled and spoke in an amiable tone, "You were recommended by General Wang, and I believe in your ability." The new army needs to train 10,000 soldiers and horses, and 50,000 taels of military salaries, so you should prepare as soon as possible. ”

"Dare not do your best!" Ma Jinliang led the task.

As soon as Ma Jinliang finished speaking, someone interrupted him, "Wait, you are a young general, is it possible that you also want to lead the troops to fight?" Make no mistake, you can! ”

It was Xiong Wenlong who spoke, his burly body took two steps forward, staring at Ma Jinliang like a provocative cockfight, his huge head kept pressing forward, his breath almost sprayed on the other party's face, his eyes were fierce, and he seemed to be about to burst out at any time.

Ma Jinliang just looked at Xiong Wenlong calmly, eye to eye, face to face, but he didn't retreat a step, and the faces of the two people were almost next to each other.

The surrounding generals were clamoring and coaxing loudly, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Although he is a young general, he is willing to carry out the three-foot Qingfeng to cleanse the world and the small thieves, serve the country loyally, and die!"

Ma Jinliang's tone was slow, but every word was fine.

Xiong Wenlong was stunned for a moment, took two steps back, looked up and down at the person in front of him again, a little dazed and surprised.

"I initiated myself, that is, I accepted the Five Classics and Four Books, and for more than ten years I have lingered between pen, ink, paper and inkstone, but I don't know that the world has been poisoned for eternity! I have the ambition to emulate the Han sage Ban Chao, to write from Rong, defend the country, be generous and righteous, and return the world to a bright and prosperous world! ”

Ma Jinliang said word by word, with a firm expression.

The crowd was cold.

For the first time, Xiong Wenlong felt irrefutable.

"Since you have this great ambition, you just let it go, I fully support you!" Wang Gao opened his mouth in time to relieve the siege.

"Thank you for your support. There is nothing else, the last general will take his leave first. ”

As soon as Ma Jinliang saluted Wang Gao, he turned around and left, never squinting from beginning to end, and never looked at Xiong Wenlong again.

...。。。

……......