nycdaug Chapter 106: Large-scale Reduction of the Xiang Army
Chapter 106: Large-scale Reduction of the Xiang Army
For Yongxingjun Road or for the entire Shaanxi Province, there has been no peace since Han Ming came.
The phrase "chicken and dog are restless" is perfectly reflected here.
The lake, which had been calm for many years, was like a huge rock falling into it, causing huge waves.
One month after the first phase of the bandit suppression came to an end, the Shaanxi Pacification and Transportation Office carried out an "inhumane" large-scale reduction in the Xiang army on the day when the first snow fell.
This time, the local troops involved in various states, prefectures and counties reached 250,000.
Such a large number made Xue Xiang and Wang Shao, who were in charge of this matter, secretly break out in a cold sweat.
However, compared with Han Ming's tyranny, the working duo could only endure the hardship of facing the 250,000-strong army.
However, I don't know whether it was because the anti-bandit campaign some time ago was too swift and decisive, or for other reasons, this large group of soldiers unexpectedly cooperated.
This left Xue Xiang and Wang Shao somewhat puzzled, until Han Ming produced a military deployment of five routes around Yongxingjun Road, which resolved their doubts.
"Zichun, do you think this was Lord Han's idea or the Privy Council's?"
Xue Xiang asked in a low voice, twirling his beard.
"Does Lord Xue think this is important?"
Wang Shao happily drank the tea he 'stole' from Han Ming, looking relaxed.
"Your words remind me that, after all, Lord Han and the court are equal, and there is no need to get entangled in this matter."
Xue Xiang nodded slightly, picked up his tea bowl, and drank the warm tea comfortably.
"Lord Han is deeply favored by the emperor. He is extremely gracious. You and I only need to follow his instructions. There is no need to worry too much about other things."
Wang Shao's words made Xue Xiang more relaxed, and the smile on his face gradually deepened.
This kind of work where you can enjoy the shade under a big tree made Xue Xiang somewhat addicted to it and unable to extricate himself.
"Oh my, when I think of this, I feel extremely fortunate."
Hearing Xue Xiang's sigh, Wang Shao just smiled silently and said nothing, because he felt the same as the other party at this moment.
Ever since Jingzhao Prefecture issued the elimination and layoff order, the entire Yongxingjun Road has become bustling again.
Shanzhou, which was closer, received the order first, and the garrison troops in Shan County, the seat of Shanzhou, fell into a panic.
The team that disguised themselves as bandits and robbed Han Ming was a unit affiliated with Shan County.
When the magistrate of Shan County walked into the yamen of the Xiangjun Army with a document issued by Jingzhao Prefecture, a group of officers and soldiers who looked like second-rate people were drinking and shouting.
The magistrate of Shan County raised his eyebrows, and a trace of barely perceptible disgust flashed across his eyes.
"Where is Zhang Shixian, the commander of the Xiangjun Yamen?"
The middle-aged county magistrate's voice was so loud that it stunned all the soldiers, who could not help but stare at him blankly.
Then a team leader immediately straightened his clothes and trotted forward to salute.
"I am He Liang, the Deputy Commander of the Shan County Military Office. I am honored to meet you, Lord Lin."
The county magistrate, who was called Lord Lin, frowned and snorted coldly at the pale-faced He Liang.
"Captain Zhang is so powerful! I'm here under orders from the Yongxing Military Road Pacification and Transportation Office. Isn't it worthy for him to personally greet me?"
The voice of County Magistrate Lin made the people stationed in charge of logistics turn pale.
"Master Lin, please forgive me. Captain Zhang was injured while leading his brothers out of the city to suppress bandits a while ago. He is now recuperating."
He Liang's words made County Magistrate Lin look a little better.
"Please take a seat, sir. I will go and call Captain Zhang immediately."
He Liang's cautiousness helped calm the other party's anger. After ordering someone to serve tea, he immediately ran to the backyard to call Zhang Shixian.
As the saying goes, if you walk by the river, you will get your feet wet.
Zhang Shixian never expected that after years of secretly plundering, one day he would encounter an extremely tough opponent.
He even got himself "bravely" injured, but he didn't dare let his fellow troops and neighbors know about it.
As time passed, Zhang Shixian had put this matter behind him and thought that he had turned the page.
But what happened next completely frightened this gentleman to death.
"Captain, County Magistrate Lin has been ordered to come to the yamen to read the document and is waiting for you!"
He Liang's words suddenly woke up Zhang Shixian, who was a little drowsy.
"Someone from the Shan County government office is here?"
Zhang Shixian felt guilty and a little flustered.
"It's said to be an order from the Appeasement Transportation Department. Please go and take my word for it."
He Liang explained again.
"Let's go, don't delay County Magistrate Lin's work, or we'll be in trouble."
Zhang Shixian immediately tidied his clothes and rushed to the front hall.
The moment he entered the door, Zhang Shixian noticed a cold gaze staring at him.
Zhang Shixian immediately felt like he was being seen through, and he bent forward cautiously.
"This humble servant greets Master Lin."
We are all from Shan County, so we see each other every day and naturally know who each other is.
County Magistrate Lin didn't even wait for the other party to react and directly handed a document to Zhang Shixian.
"This is a document issued by the Yongxing Military Road Pacification and Transportation Office. It contains a set of procedures regarding the reduction of the number of garrison troops."
"In theory, this matter should be the responsibility of the government, but the new Pacification and Transportation Commissioner has only asked us to assist. The specifics of how to proceed are up to you."
"The Shanxian garrison is not too small. The higher-ups want to complete it in half a month. I wonder what's the problem with Captain Zhang?"
Before Zhang Shixian had finished reading the document carefully, County Magistrate Lin launched into a long speech that made his head buzz.
"Master Lin...why did you suddenly say you want to reduce the garrison troops?"
Zhang Shixian's hands were shaking a little, which was caused by nervousness.
"Humph! That's because your troops are behaving badly and have poor discipline!"
County Magistrate Lin was a scholar by birth and looked down upon these soldiers the most. In addition, Han Ming's injury made the entire Western Army in a state of panic.
Zhang Shixian felt a little uncomfortable and puzzled as he held the document, but County Magistrate Lin did not allow him to think at all and continued speaking.
"You may have heard that the Transport Commissioner was robbed by bandits on his way to his post and was seriously injured."
"This is caused by the local Xiang army impersonating others."
"And we in Shanzhou are the biggest suspects!"
"Captain Zhang, do you understand what I mean?"
As soon as County Magistrate Lin finished speaking, the entire military office fell silent, and the timid ones began to tremble uncontrollably.
Zhang Shixian's pupils shrank, his breathing became rapid, and he asked cautiously, "Sir Lin, may I ask where that gentleman was attacked?"
Hearing this, County Magistrate Lin's eyes turned cold and he stared at Zhang Shixian: "Near Xicheng, Shanzhou."
"boom--!"
The hearts of the people in the entire Xiangjun Yamen sank, and they felt that the air was a bit suffocating.
"It's only two hundred miles from Shan County. Does Captain Zhang know anything?"
Zhang Shixian's frightened expression made County Magistrate Lin suspicious, and he couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.
Zhang Shixian's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately tensed up and saluted.
"Lord Lin, the other party's actions are truly outrageous and have brought shame to our army."
"If Zhang were to learn who is so audacious, I would kill the ringleader and avenge the transport envoy."
Zhang Shixian's expression changed at an astonishing speed, causing County Magistrate Lin to narrow his eyes slightly and look at him with a scrutinizing expression.
"Captain Zhang, please don't show your loyalty yet. Instead, you should get the job done."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shixian immediately expressed his willingness to cooperate with the court and reduce the number of wing troops.
County Magistrate Lin nodded slightly. "That's very good. Captain Zhang is a reasonable man. I still have high hopes for you."
This kind of casual pancake would normally make Zhang Shixian excited for a long time.
But now, Zhang Shixian just wants to become like an ostrich, find a place to bury himself, and doesn't want to be in the spotlight at all.
County Magistrate Lin patted Zhang Shixian on the shoulder and stood up to leave.
As luck would have it, this hand hit Zhang Shixian's injured shoulder, and the other party gasped.
"Huh? Captain Zhang, are you wounded by an arrow?"
County Magistrate Lin's seemingly caring words made Zhang Shixian's liver tremble.
Then, under the concerned gaze of County Magistrate Lin, Zhang Shixian forced an ugly smile.
"It was all due to my carelessness. I was wounded by an arrow while leading a team to suppress bandits."
County Magistrate Lin chuckled with a hint of suspicion in his eyes and said, "Then I will not disturb the captain's rest."
"What are you talking about, sir?" Zhang Shixian was completely frightened.
"Remember, you only have half a month. If you delay, it will be hard for all of us."
County Magistrate Lin whispered in Zhang Shixian's ear.
Zhang Shixian shuddered and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, sir, I will complete the task."
"The entire Yongxingjun Road is in a state of flux now. Captain Zhang, please take care of yourself..."
County Magistrate Lin left the Xiangjun Yamen with his hands behind his back, leaving behind a group of people with their backs soaked with cold sweat.