Chapter 2175 Brother Chapter 2176 White and black
The cold wind is bleak, and the snow and dust are blown outside the desert pass.
In the distant sky, there are blocks of lead gray clouds piling up, it seems that another heavy snow is brewing, ready to fall down at any time.
In the winter of the fourth year of Dahan Taixing, the weather seemed to be colder than usual.
In the past few years, even the dullest people can clearly feel that winter has become longer, coming early and going late. This is even more so in this borderland of the desert. As soon as October enters, basically, there will be heavy snow after heavy snow, covering everyone in this boundless cold, as if everything in the world will be frozen. Same.
A group of people and horses, wearing iron armor, wearing a hood, and wrapped in a big cloak, are standing quietly on a hill.
Under the general flag is General Zhao Yun of Pingbei in Youzhou.
The bitter cold of the desert is not a lie.
Today''s Zhao Yun is naturally thinner compared to when he was in Guanzhong. The lines on his face are more distinct like knives and axes. His bare skin is also bronze in color. His beard is not long. Fluttering slightly. In the old days when he joined Beiyin Mountain, he still had a somewhat youthful appearance, but it has faded to nothing.
Suddenly two or three scouts pointed north under the mound: "General! People are coming! 』
Zhao Yun raised his head and looked, and saw that there was gradually some smoke and dust in the north, and a group of about ten riders were coming. The cold wind blowing in the desert tore their robes and cloaks in disorder.
Not long after, I saw this group of people approaching, and the first person was Zhang He.
When they reached the foot of the hill, Zhang He and others jumped off their horses and went up the mountain on foot.
Zhao Yun also dismounted, and then received Zhang He.
『General Zhao…』Zhang Yun saluted. Zhang Yun''s gaze swept over Zhao Yun''s iron armor, and then lowered his gaze.
Zhang He himself was wearing only leather armor. It''s not that Zhang He respects Zhao Yun, so he deliberately wears a leather armor, but because in this kind of weather, he can only wear leather armor and a leather robe...
It’s like eating popsicles in summer. You must not choose those that are extremely frozen. Don’t ask why you know this.
Unless you want to taste the charm and sweetness of iron sheets, leather armor and leather robes are the only choices for Zhang He and others in winter.
But Zhao Yun and others are different. Under the iron armor, there are not only cotton cloth, but also furs. Whether it is in combat or daily activities, basically there is no iron sheet. This kind of craftsmanship and luxury, for Zhang He and others, Especially for a few Xianbei people, it is unimaginable.
In Europe, it is common to see a pair of armor at home as a family heirloom, and in the big man at present, the price of a pair of armor is already worth more than half a million. For generals like Zhao Yun, the armor starts at a million. It can be said that Zhao Yun This outfit is equivalent to wearing millions of dollars on the body...
Zhao Yun''s expression was indifferent, and he returned the gift without exchanging greetings.
Zhang He pulled the corner of his mouth, but didn''t say much.
The defeated general, so what?
Zhao Yun is already giving face if he is willing to meet, how can he expect to be kind?
In the past, when Zhang He was under Yuan Shao, even though he was not considered an extremely human minister, at least everyone respected him when they saw him. At that time, Zhao Yun was just a villain in the Black Mountain...
The experience of Zhao Yun''s rise is already considered a miracle of the great man. It has been talked about by many people, and it has also brought new hope to many people. After all, a remnant of the yellow turban, the leader of the Black Mountain bandit, can now become General Pingbei, so if his own ability is inferior to that of Hussars, how can he be famous?
So this is one of the reasons why Zhang Yun took the Xianbei people to find Zhao Yun.
Another reason is the weather.
The severe wind and snow made all Zhang He''s arrangements become empty. Without enough food and forage, without supplies and pastures, migrating in an unknown direction in the snowstorm is no different from courting death.
Go, there is no way to go, stay, and there is no place to stay. Therefore, looking for Zhao Yun has become the only way to survive.
The advantage of civilization lies here.
Compared with other nomadic peoples in the desert, Zhang He and the surviving Xianbei people are more willing to choose more civilized Han people. At least even if the Han people kill them, they will not use their skulls to drink...
For Zhang He, it was not his original intention to cooperate with the Xianbei people, but it was just forced by the situation at that time. Although it is said that some Xianbei troops have been recruited, and there are about 3,000 soldiers ready to fight, the Hu people''s combat soldiers Well, basically that''s it, it''s better than the Han militia, at least the militia on horseback.
Therefore, the number is not small, but it has nothing to do with being strong. In addition, it is impossible for Zhang Yun to have complete command over the Xianbei people. The arm makes the finger.
It is enough to follow these Xianbei people. Even if such a mixed army horse goes north, what will it help? Once there is a battle, there is only failure. Because of this, no matter how displeased Zhao Yun was with Zhang Yun, and no matter how cold his attitude was, Zhang Yun would not say a word.
Zhao Yun looked past Zhang He, and landed on the Xianbei people who followed Zhang He.
Several Xianbei people were somewhat cramped.
After all, they were in a state of hostility before, but now they have become losers, seeking the asylum of the Han people, and their morale was invisibly short by three points. Under Zhao Yun''s sharp eyes, they all shrank their heads suddenly, not daring to vent their anger.
Zhao Yun did not speak, and everyone dared not speak.
Zhao Yun commanded the army, and he must be the first to go to battle. There is nothing to say about being brave. No one in the whole army is dissatisfied, and they strictly abide by the military law. In addition, Zhao Yun''s life is simple and hard, he doesn''t pay attention to extravagance, and he doesn''t have any fun in the army. When it comes to character, he is even more thumbs up. Needless to say, naturally the whole army respects and fears Zhao Yun. peace of mind.
In addition, Zhao Yun is highly valued by hussars, and from time to time, armor, sharp weapons, and good horses will be sent. Although Zhao Yun is in the desert of Youzhou, his favor is not reduced by half. Therefore, under Zhao Yun''s leadership, The army here in Youzhou is extremely sharp, and the military discipline is strict, and it has the demeanor of a strong army.
Zhao Yun suddenly asked coldly: "Among you, is there anyone who brings troops into the territory of the Han Dynasty and harass the people?" Rape and robbery? Killing the innocent? 』
Several Xianbei people suddenly trembled.
These Xianbei people can more or less understand some Chinese, even if they listen to seven or eight points, they can feel some problems from the tone...
Immediately, a Xianbei man fell to his knees with a plop, "General, General! We, we haven''t done anything like this since the General got here! I can swear to God, I''m telling the truth! 』
Zhao Yun''s eyes fell on Zhang He.
Zhang Yun smiled wryly, and said: "General Zhao, I am also a Han Chinese, how can I do such an unrighteous thing?" 』
Zhao Yun nodded slowly. Zhao Yun is not a completely unreasonable and unreasonable person, but for some things, Zhao Yun has his own persistence.
What the Xianbei people said is of course the truth. In the past few years, the Xianbei people have been beaten up by Zhao Yun, so naturally they have no intention of going south to plunder every year. Don''t look at the pitiful look now, before Zhao Yun came, the Xianbei people were vicious, doing all kinds of evil, harassing the border and killing the people.
"Whether your words are true or not, you have to check..." Zhao Yun didn''t want to pursue those things before he came. Wait until you know the consequences. 』
Zhao Yun''s voice is not loud, even a faint tone, but the coldness in his tone is like the current severe winter, which cannot be resisted.
Several Xianbei people knelt down on the ground, promised repeatedly, and kowtowed their heads in thanks.
As for the crimes committed by Xianbei people before Zhao Yun came...
At that time, even the inside of the court was ignored, and all the local prefects and captains ran away. If they deserved to die, those who abandoned the border land and ignored their own people deserved to die even more, and they should be killed even more!
It is understandable that one is not strong enough to be bullied by people from other races, but if one says one is already strong, but one''s knees soften when one sees people from other races, and one is half shorter with a groan. The evil foreigners are even more hateful!
After dismissing these Xianbei people to retreat first, Zhao Yun looked at Zhang He, "What is the current situation in Mobei?" Where is the person of Dingling Wuhuan located? 』
Hearing this, Zhang He slowly took out a roll of parchment from his arms. Zhang Xi''s movements were very slow, and he could even be said to be very careful. He didn''t even dare to pass the parchment directly to Zhao Yun, but gave it to the guards beside Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun took the sheepskin roll in his hand, weighed it, and then glanced at Zhang Yun.
Zhang He smiled wryly and said: "In the desert, there is a lack of pen, ink and paper... so I can only make do with it..."
Zhao Yun nodded slightly.
Who said the sheepskin was made of saltpeter, but the craftsmanship is not complete, or because it is in a hurry, and it still has some smells, and it is not as smooth as the leather of later generations, and what is drawn on the leather is not pen and ink...
Zhao Yun stretched out his hand and touched it lightly. It seemed to be charcoal.
Zhang He on the side lowered his head, silent.
A worthless person is even worse than a pig. At least some people still buy pork, but most people don''t want human meat. Before Zhang He came to Zhao Yun, he had already considered it. If he could not bring Zhao Yun any valuable information, then he was worthless to Zhao Yun...
For a person or item of little value, how do you generally deal with it?
Maybe it will turn Zhang He into a social dead who can only rely on himself, to show the magnanimity of Hussar General, open-minded and open-minded?
Zhang He didn''t want to go that way, so Zhang He had to come up with something, even if Zhao Yun didn''t ask, Zhang He would take the initiative to come up with it. On the other hand, when Zhao Yun asked, Zhang Xi couldn''t show anything, or even say anything, then even if he had martial arts, he wouldn''t get any good treatment.
But Zhang He was still a little confused. He had heard in the northern part of Youzhou and the Xianbei tribe that Zhao Yun and others had supernatural powers, that they could be protected by gods, and that they could come and go unhindered in the wind and snow...
Of course, Zhang He thinks these rumors are too illusory, but when he saw Zhao Yun looking at the parchment he drew very carefully today, he suddenly had a feeling...
Maybe these things are true?
Otherwise, how do you feel that Zhao Yun and others seem to be preparing to go north?
This kind of weather!
Zhang He looked at the low dark cloud in the distance, then looked at the leather armor on his body, and lowered his head.
No matter from which point of view, Zhao Yun seems to have no reason to easily raise troops to the north. In the Youbei desert, to be honest, it is actually far away from the big man, even if it is divided by Ding Ling and Wuhuan, what if it is broken?
But Zhang He felt that Zhao Yun was looking at it attentively, as if he was trying to find a line of attack... Because Zhang He was also so focused when he was looking at the map for planning.
Countless thoughts turned in Zhang He''s mind, and then he suddenly heard Zhao Yun say in a deep voice, "What''s the sign here?" 』
Zhang He glanced at it and said, "There is a mountain depression, which can shelter from the wind and snow." 』
Zhao Yun nodded slightly, then handed the parchment scroll to the guard beside him, "Copy a few copies and send scout Yitu to check..."
The guard took the sheepskin and went down.
Zhao Yun turned around and looked at Zhang He. "General Zhang..."
Zhang He cupped his hands and said: "A defeated general, don''t dare to call him that. If the general doesn''t give up, just call him by his name..."
Zhao Yun nodded slightly, "Jun Yi led the troops back, what plans do I have in the future?" 』
Zhang He was a little hesitant, he knew that saying it might make Zhao Yun suspicious, and it might lead to worse results, but Zhang He still said in a deep voice: "I wish to follow the general and fight in Beimo!" 』
Zhang He didn''t want to go back to the Central Plains.
Originally, Zhang He thought that if he wanted to be a good general, he had to understand some politics. And politics is gray, or not so clean. So when Yuan Shao ordered Zhang He to kill Qu Yi, Zhang He did it, although Zhang He himself knew that Qu Yi might be wronged.
Zhang Yun first followed Han Fu when he pacified the Yellow Turban, and at that time Zhang He thought that Han Fu was already a hero, but what he didn''t expect was that after Yuan Shao''s three strikes, Han Fu was captured without any resistance. This made Zhang He doubt his own force for a while.
Is the bravery on the battlefield really inferior to political skills?
In addition, Yuan Shao was in the pre-peak state of rapid ascension at that time, it was really people blocking and killing Buddhas blocking and killing Buddhas, even Gongsun Zan, who was sitting on a white horse, was defeated by Yuan Shao, and the whole Jizhou was obedient to Yuan Shao , Zhang Xi also developed a kind of "consciousness" that if he wants to climb higher, he needs political skills like Yuan Shao...
As a result, Yuan Shao declined rapidly, and the balance of Jizhou was broken. The political strife made the seemingly powerful Jizhou look like a piece of paper. A hole, a flaw over there.
Before, the strength of Yuan Shao in Jizhou was like a wonderful dream. After waking up from the dream, what he saw when he opened his eyes was dilapidated eaves and broken walls, old trees and crows.
Even after Zhang Yun surrendered to Cao Cao, he was still trapped in the political vortex.
Cao Cao boasted of Zhang He more than once in front of Zhang He, and in front of Cao''s Xiahou family, saying that Zhang He is his good general, and he can rest assured to let Zhang He do things. Then when I turned my head, the prefect belonged to the Cao family, the coach belonged to the Xiahou family, and Zhang He would never be a partial general or a vanguard.
What overwhelmed Zhang Yun''s balance was Xia Houyuan''s final blow.
In Yuan Shao''s hands, Zhang Yun and others are warriors, they are nothing more than hawks and dogs. They are used when needed and thrown away when they are not needed. It''s easy to use, as disobedient as Qu Yi, of course he wants to kill him.
But when it comes to Cao Cao, even eagles and dogs are not ranked first, they are just knives and guns. False compliments are like honing a knife and gun, just for the sake of looking good.
Zhang He didn''t know what the situation in Guanzhong was like under Hussars'' rule, but Zhang He guessed that it should be similar. As long as there are gentry, where is there no politics? Zhang Xi doesn''t want to try this kind of life anymore, he would rather die on the battlefield than set foot in those dirty political fields again...
But it''s hard.
Even Zhang Yun himself, if he put himself in Zhao Yun''s place, would he trust an enemy general who was an opponent before? Will you keep it by your side to lead the army in battle?
Zhang He lowered his head, and the light in his eyes gradually shook as the silence lasted, like a candle in the wind, about to go out.
『Why does Junyi want to stay in Youbei? Just when Zhang Yun was about to lose hope, Zhao Yun asked suddenly.
Zhang He raised his head and said: "The people in Xianaihu County have a rich family and are young and unrestrained... They thought that if they learned martial arts, they could protect the environment and the people... Then the world was in chaos, they sold their properties and ignored their parents to keep them... After that, they voted for Hanzhou Mu, I thought it was returning home, but I never thought about it...』
『...After a certain person left home, there was a rebel army crossing the border...』 As Zhang He spoke, a tear fell from the corner of his eye, and then dried up when blown by the cold wind, "..."
Zhao Yun was silent.
Sometimes, disorderly soldiers who have lost their order are more terrifying than ordinary thieves.
"...a young man made an oath to defend his homeland, but he never did it... and later belonged to the envoy of Han, who should protect him thoroughly, but he voted for Yuan Benchu...Yuan Benchu ??ordered him to kill him, but he never said it outright... He led the army to fight Yanzhou, and he never fought to the death..." Zhang He''s face was contorted in pain, he gritted his teeth and roared in a low voice, "A certain year has passed, nothing has been achieved, nothing is left... Loyalty is not loyalty, filial piety is not fulfilled, benevolence and righteousness are even more out of the question... Today, I live in the world, I really have no face to re-enter the Central Plains...Only by dying on the battlefield can the evil of a life be washed away...』
『I hope the general will take it in! 』
After Zhang He finished speaking, he kowtowed to the ground.
The cold wind howled, sweeping the dust and sand.
『…Forget it, Junyi can stay here for a while...』 Zhao Yun said slowly, "It''s just that Junyi still needs to write a letter of his own, and send it to Chang''an, waiting for the hussars to decide..."
Zhang Yun suddenly raised his head, and then bowed deeply to Zhao Yun: "Thank you, General Zhao! 』
If Zhao Yun is unwilling to accept him, even Zhang Yun''s efforts will be useless. Thinking about it, you know, for the hussars, should they value Zhao Yun or listen to Zhang Yun? If Zhao Yun got a word, the possibility of Zhang Xi staying in Youbei would be at least five points higher!
Zhang He let out a long breath.
Perhaps in this life, it will no longer be black and white!
Perhaps in the future, there will no longer be entanglements of night-gaunts...
(end of this chapter)