My Chinese ancestors

Chapter 192: General gathering at the end of the year
Entering December, Ding'an, which has been busy for a year, is gradually becoming more lively than usual.

The army that conquered Wei returned with a full load, and defeated the elite Feng Sheng Army of Wei. The soldiers and horses from the surrounding counties did not dare to advance. The entire Chendu County was evacuated. This achievement spread, and the entire Rongzhou was inspired by the people. At the peak of the year, taking advantage of the atmosphere that the New Year was still in January, Sun Shuwu, the governor of Ding'an City, issued an order to the government to lower taxes throughout the next year.

For a moment, Ding'an City felt like celebrating the New Year.

The cold wind of the winter moon is biting, but the streets are still bustling with people. The soldiers of the two armies who have returned from the war each have an extra expense of ten taels. They leave the military camp in batches, go home to visit relatives, or go to the city to eat, drink, gamble, and have fun. .

Near the south gate of Ding'an City, the recruitment of prisoners in the field was also in full swing. Veterans who had worked for a year and had enough to eat for a year began to enlist in the army.

Since the capture of Xirong war horses last year, the total number of war horses captured in the First World War outside Changchuan County totaled [-]. After a year of intensive breeding, they were finally delivered to Su Chen.

Most of these war horses will be assigned to various armies to expand waiting and cavalry.

The selection of cavalry is strict, so the expansion of the establishment will naturally not be large. In addition to supplementing Xiliang and Youyan, the new recruits and surrendered soldiers will be incorporated into the proposed Qingzhou Army, but it will not exceed the specification of [-].

After all, Yizhou, Bingzhou, Xiliang, Youyan, plus the proposed Qingzhou Army, already number one hundred thousand. If it were not scattered between the two places, the states, counties, and counties would share the food and supplies.

The little food Su Chen gave them was not enough for them to eat.

Moreover, the armor and weapons simply cannot meet the requirements, so we dare not continue to expand blindly.The more than 3000 war horses were thrown into the Xiliang, Youyan, and Qingzhou armies. In the blink of an eye, they were divided up by Xia Houyuan, Li Jue, and Zhao Yun.

As for the cattle and horses obtained from the Wei State this time, as well as the livestock captured from Chendu County, they were all handed over to the Ding'an City Government Office. Only a small part could be bought and sold, and the rest was distributed to the widows of soldiers who died in the battle.

No one is allowed to make things difficult or take anything by force. This is what Su Chen has always emphasized.

For the children of these soldiers who died in battle, Xun Yu suggested to Su Chen in the past few days to open a memorial hall so that these children could enter the hall to learn Chinese characters, or learn the art of war and martial arts.

Being taught by wounded and disabled veterans, Su Chen, as a future generation, naturally agrees with both hands.

After putting down his burden, Shizhong Xun became more committed to his ideals. When Su Chen was away from Ding'an County, he not only measured the population of 36 in one and four counties of Ding'an, but also allocated fertile land.

Workshops and iron mines in the west of the city also increased production.

At present, Xun Yu is in charge here, and Zhuge Liang is in charge of Yanjing in the north. Apart from the lack of force, there is basically nothing that can stop them from implementing their policies. Without worries, Su Chen can focus all his energy on Wei in the south.

In December, the weather became colder and colder. Even the Xirong people who invaded and plundered from the south stayed in the tents of their tribe. In Ding'an City, generals from all walks of life returned to Ding'an City one after another to report on their duties. Even Dong Zhuo and Zhuge Liang also Everyone came.

It snowed heavily the day before the end of the month and the New Year, and the vast white snow covered the entire city. Among the rows of houses and newly built buildings, the voices of pedestrians, people, and vendors gradually became noisy.

From time to time, children can be seen happily running and playing in groups in the streets and alleys, mixing in with the noise of everyone, driving away the cold air of the new year and spring.

On the streets, more officials, big and small, rode horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts to deliver gifts to their bosses' homes. As for the Su Mansion, they would dream of going there, but they didn't have the qualifications.

Even if King Xia is not in the Su Mansion, the specifications of the Marquis Mansion are not something that officials like them can step into.

At this time, in the Su Mansion, Shou Bo and several other stewards were busy instructing the maids and servants in each room to clean the house, setting up banquet tables and chairs in the front hall, and wiping the patent leather on the benches. Brilliant.

In the south chamber, chubby Dong Bai chased Li Jue under the eaves. The study room opposite was full of warmth. Inside the slightly opened window lattice, the occasional cold wind blew in and ruffled the curtains. Fang Xuejun After learning Yang Yuhuan's teachings on sitting posture and the elegance of his movements, he dozed off while leaning on the table.

Yang Yuhuan glanced at her, sighed with a smile, took off the mink fur scarf around his neck, covered Fang Xuejun's exposed neck, and then went over to add a piece of charcoal to the heater.

Over there, behind the desk, Su Chen was wearing a fur coat and long boots stuffed with down. He was looking at a letter from the State of Wei in his hand, with the corners of his mouth curling up from time to time.

"What are Changsheng looking at?" Yang Yuhuan came over and took the tea cup from Su Chen's table, poured out the cold tea, and filled it with hot tea for him again.

"The letter sent ten days ago was from Guo Jia's spy... An Lushan has been promoted again, and now he is commanding an army to defend against Wu in Qi County near Wu. Ask me when will I go south, and will I come back again? , he said that he might not want to be a capital official... As for the words he said later, he said some flattering words."

In fact, there are some things later, which are not convenient to mention, that is, Qianlong Mansion was mentioned in the letter, and Su Chen probably guessed what the other party did from the words.

While he was talking, Thirteen ran over from outside, rubbing his hands and exhaling: "Sir, the generals are here."

"Come here alone."

Su Chen burned the letter, stood up, patted the drowsy Fang Xuejun, and pulled her outside. She was immediately awakened by the cold wind.

At this time, the army generals came from the military camp on horseback in twos and threes. This was their first time celebrating the New Year in this world, so it was quite meaningful. "Second brother, do it slowly!" Zhang Fei hurriedly reined in his horse, threw the reins to the young boy who was coming, and took out two jars of wine from the basket on the horse's butt, one on the left and one on the right. Holding it under his arm, he saw someone grinning happily under his thick beard. When he saw Wu Zixun greeting him, he stuffed two jars of wine into the other person's arms.

"My little brother is dressed so festively for the Chinese New Year. Those who didn't know would have thought you were getting married today, hahaha!"

Zhang Fei patted his shoulder, and then looked at his second brother. Guan Yu was still the same as before, but the white marks on his beard and bun had faded a lot, and his face was not as old as when he first arrived.

Feeling happy during the Chinese New Year, Guan Yu stroked his beard and had a smile on his face.

"Yide, don't embarrass this little brother, follow me in and pay homage to the elder brother first!"

"Who do you think is as dark as you?" Wu Zixun is not that tall. Dressed in a bright red robe, he is an eye-catching presence wherever he goes.He returned to the house and placed the two jars of wine on a table casually, "...be careful, this is General Zhang's own wine, don't mix it up."

Wu Zixun yelled at the maids and servants around him. When he heard the sound of horse hooves outside again, he rushed outside to greet someone.

More and more carriages and war horses came from the door. Those who got off the carriage were Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and Sun Shuwu. Those who got off the horse were Zhang Liao, Lu Bu, Gao Shun, Zhou Cang, Niu Gai and other generals. After a while, Ma Chao led Ma Dai also rushed over and greeted the familiar generals from the army who were sitting in the courtyard one after another.

"Marquis Wen, I fought a few battles in Chendu County a few days ago. I have some constraints on commanding the cavalry. I really want to ask you for advice!"

Lu Bu was wearing a black robe with white stripes today, which did not make him look bloated. After all, such coldness was nothing to warriors like them.Gao Shun stood up and gave up a seat to Ma Chao. He listened to Lu Bu and Ma Chao talking and looked at Lu Bu talking eloquently. Gao Shun had a smile on his face.

Zhou Cang, who came in with him, looked around, asked Wu Zixun where Guan Yu was, and then went to the south chamber to look for him. Zhang Liao came with nothing to do, so he went with him.

Le Jin and Li Dian glanced at Lu Bu and then talked to Zhang He. Xia Houyuan also went to the south chamber. The incense was in full swing in the ancestral hall. Cao Cao looked at Guan Yu beside Liu Bei and bared his teeth slightly. He almost wanted to talk to him, but was interrupted by Xia Houyuan. .

"Humph, there are still people who care about Cao!" Cao Cao took his clan brothers and was about to go into the ancestral hall to reminisce about the past. Then, a tall figure came out with a roar, grabbing Xia Houyuan, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun behind him. Staggered by the collision.

"Who is this guy? He's tall and powerful, but he doesn't have eyes!" Zhang Fei shouted as he looked at the back of the figure who was passing by quickly.

"Li Shimin's brother, Li Xuanba, defeated Dian Wei with his bare hands."

Zhao Yun said softly.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both stunned for a moment, and the former even narrowed his eyes. At this time, Thirteen ran over and said, "Generals, let's start the banquet!"

Then he ran out of here, looked around to see if there were any generals wandering around, and invited them to eat in the front yard.

At this time, Su Chen took Fang Xuejun and Yang Yuhuan to greet Li Jue, who was chasing and playing with the little girl under the eaves. The latter picked up Dong Bai and followed him. Guan Yu, Xia Houyuan and other generals from the other side of the ancestral hall also came to join them. He grabbed a handful of incense and was so anxious that Taoist Li followed behind, muttering like a mantra.

As the sky darkened, the lanterns hanging high in the mansion lit up.

Su Congfang and Xiao Wen saw that the hall was full of military generals. This intuitive feeling shocked them both.

"Meet the king!"

In the huge hall, figures who had been chatting and talking stood up one after another. Some generals who followed Su Chen came to the table and raised their hands towards Su Chen, who was sitting at the head of the table.

"There are no outsiders here, generals, please don't be too polite. Today is the New Year's Eve banquet, let's eat and drink freely, and drink as much as you like!"

His eyes swept over everyone. The tombs of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Zhang Yi, Zhou Cang, Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Liu Bei were on a table with a stick of incense on them; Xia Houyuan, Le Jin, Li Dian, Zhang He, Guo Jia, also placed Cao Cao's memorial tablet; Zhang Liao accompanied Lu Bu and Gao Shun, Xun Yu also sat at this table, and to his right was the memorial tablet of Liu Xie, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty; and at the third table, Li Bai and Pei Min The two of them looked weak. Yang Yuhuan sat at the table of women. An Lushan was undercover in Wei State, and it was impossible to come over...

After Su Chen finished speaking, everyone also sat down.

Li Xuanba just came back from outside at this time. He grabbed a big wine vat in his hand and put it on the ground, "I won't come home until I'm drunk today!"

As he spoke, he sat down opposite Li Bai, took out Li Shimin's spiritual tablet from his arms, and placed it on his left hand side.

"Who can lend me a stick of incense?"

He yelled at Zhang Fei and Xia Houyuan.

(End of this chapter)