Thief Emperor

Chapter 861 The door is wide open!

There was a fishy smell everywhere in Jiameng Pass.

Zhao Cheng, dressed in armor, walked into the pass with heavy steps.

Gongsun Hao and Chen Da followed behind him, and all three of them had solemn expressions.

However, many of the Jiangdong Army in the city were cheering, because... they had conquered the city after all.

Everyone knows that this is a great achievement.

As for the number of casualties, that is the generals' concern. The lower-level soldiers like them may not be able to see it. After all... they themselves survived.

And if you survive this war, you will be rewarded with merit when you return. If you are lucky, you can get the rank of sergeant, and you will have a house and land in the future, and you will have a place to stay for the rest of your life!

Zhao Cheng was naturally a little excited.

Because breaking through this pass means that the gateway to Jiannan Road is wide open, and his troops can basically move forward unimpeded all the way westward, and can even fight all the way to the tyrant emperor!
However, his eyelids still twitched when he saw the tragic situation inside and outside Jiameng Pass.

But after all, he was born into a military family, and in these chaotic times, most people were tough-hearted. Zhao Cheng just took a deep breath and turned to look at the two deputy generals behind him.

Chen Da clasped his fists and said, "Congratulations, General. Breaking through Jiameng Pass and entering Jianzhou is a great achievement. If you report this to the superior, he will be very happy!"

Zhao Cheng shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile: "If it were someone else, they would probably be very happy, but the superior who loves his soldiers like his own sons may not be so happy. This Jiameng Pass..."

He looked up and around, then shook his head and said, "This is really killing me."

Gongsun Hao nodded and couldn't help but say, "It's really a dangerous pass. After entering the pass yesterday, I checked it at night. There are only about a thousand soldiers guarding Jiameng Pass."

He stared fixedly at the city gate.

"It would be very difficult for us to take Jiameng Pass if there were more than 2,000 defenders. Even if we managed to take it, the number of casualties would be more than double."

Zhao Cheng nodded and looked at Gongsun Hao with a smile on his face: "General Gongsun's son was the first to reach Jiameng Pass. This is a great contribution. Today, the three of us will jointly report to the higher authorities. We must write this matter down and ask for credit for your son."

Gongsun Hao was silent for a while after hearing this, then shook his head and said, "His battalion was almost wiped out. This credit should be attributed to the battalion he led."

Zhao Cheng shook his head and said, "I went to see Master Ling. He was also seriously injured. Not only were there two arrows in his shoulder, but there was also a knife wound on his leg. He paid for this achievement with his life."

“No one can erase it.”

Gongsun Hao was silent for a moment, then he spoke: "At that time, there were several other people who climbed the tower with him, so count them as well, General."

Zhao Cheng smiled dumbly: "General Gongsun, why is he so harsh on his own son?"

"It's not that I'm being harsh."

Gongsun Hao shook his head slightly and said, "When a leader governs an army, fairness is the most important thing. It is impossible for Gongsun He to take down Jiameng Pass alone. He needs to climb the tower first and then gain a firm foothold. This would require at least dozens of people to risk their lives to accomplish this."

"Just because he is my son, we cannot attribute all these achievements to him alone."

Gongsun Hao looked serious and said in a deep voice: "If we really report his merit as the first to reach the summit, the higher-ups will probably be unhappy after seeing it. General... We have the Inspection Department and the Nine Departments in our army..."

Zhao Cheng was startled when he heard this, then nodded slowly: "General Gongsun is right."

After saying this, he turned his head to look at the city wall, squinted his eyes, and continued: "All the captains who participated in the attack on Jiameng Pass are resting in Jiameng Pass. We will talk about it after half a month."

"General Chen."

He looked at Chen Da, who immediately bowed his head and clasped his fists: "I will be your last one!"

"Tell the logistics staff to send some pigs, cattle and sheep over here, and slaughter them to reward the soldiers who participated in the attack on Jiameng Pass."

"General Chen, please help count the merits of each of the military commanders and school lieutenants. The victory at Jiameng Pass was a great achievement. It will be recorded in the history books in the future. Don't miss it."

Chen Da clasped his fists and saluted: "I obey your command!"

"General Gongsun."

Gongsun Hao also bowed his head and clasped his fists: "I am here!"

"Take Yu Ye and lead our main force to enter Jianzhou from Jiameng Pass immediately, take Jianmen Pass first, and then capture the entire Jianzhou."

"My central army tent is following you. I will be there as soon as we finish dealing with the matter at Jiameng Pass."

Gongsun Hao bowed his head and clasped his fists in salute, then said, "I will go and prepare right away!"

After saying that, he clasped his fists and left.

Chen Da also clasped his fists towards Zhao Cheng and went downstairs to do his work.

Zhao Cheng stood on the city wall and called his captain He Jun over. He looked at He Jun, sighed and said, "Captain He, I'll leave the cleaning of the battlefield to you. The list of the fallen soldiers must be compiled as soon as possible, and don't miss any." He Jun had a calm personality. He had been in charge of the grain route for a long time on the battlefield in the Central Plains, so he was more suitable for doing this kind of thing. Therefore, after hearing what Zhao Cheng said, he immediately saluted with his fists: "As you command!"

After saying that, he lowered his head and retreated to clean up the battlefield.

Zhao Cheng stood alone on the city wall, took off his helmet, and looked towards Jiameng Pass where the war was still going on. He narrowed his eyes and a smile seemed to appear on his face.

The eyes are hot.

He knew in his heart that once Jiameng Pass was breached, his position in the Xin Dynasty would be completely consolidated and no one could shake it. Even Meng Qing would find it difficult to challenge his position.

At the same time, Jiannan Dao was like a delicious cake, placed in front of him, waiting for him to enjoy.

A strong wind blew over the city wall, blowing the corner of Zhao Cheng's clothes. He looked back in the direction of the wind and murmured to himself.

"Have a good trip, everyone."

"do not blame me."

…………

Luoyang City, inside the imperial city.

Li Yun was walking in this imperial city with Du Qian.

The imperial city and the imperial palace are not the same concept. The imperial palace is where the emperor and his family live and work, while the imperial city is more like an official office. Many government offices of the imperial court are basically in the imperial city. For example, among the six ministries, only the Ministry of War is not in the imperial city.

At this time, the Imperial City had been completely completed. Li Yun was not in a hurry to move into the palace, but he still wanted to take a look at the Imperial City. The two walked out of the Ministry of Personnel, one in front and one behind. Then Du Qian pointed to a government office not far away and said with a smile: "We have discussed it and it is more appropriate to use it as the Ministry of Revenue. Next to the Ministry of Revenue is the Ministry of Rites."

"This specific location is almost the same as the imperial city of the old Zhou Dynasty. However, we don't have the Imperial Observatory, nor have we asked someone who is proficient in astronomy and feng shui to take a look. The specific location still depends on your opinion."

Li Yun waved his hand, somewhat uninterested: "These matters, Brother Shouyi, you guys are the ones who make the decisions. Whether it is suitable or not will be known naturally after using it for a period of time. If there is anything that needs to be adjusted in the future, we can adjust it then."

During this period, reports from Jiameng Pass were delivered to his desk every day. Although there was no particularly specific number of casualties, it was certain that the losses were not small every day.

Therefore, Mr. Li’s mood was naturally not very good.

Du Qian responded and was about to continue speaking when he suddenly looked up and saw a person. He immediately stopped and pointed to the distance: "Head, Brother Meng is here."

The only person around Li Yun whom he could address like that was Meng Hai. Li Yun also noticed Meng Hai. He stopped and looked at Meng Hai. Meng Hai quickly stepped forward and handed a document to Li Yun.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Meng Hai's voice was also somewhat excited. He lowered his head with a smile on his face: "The day before yesterday, Jiameng Pass was broken!"

Li Yun's breathing paused for a moment when he heard this, but he quickly came to his senses and took the information that was urgently sent by Jiusi over a distance of 600 miles.

Du Qian, who was standing by, knelt on the ground without hesitation and bowed his head to Li Yun, with some excitement in his voice.

"Congratulations on your appointment, congratulations on your appointment!"

"After Jiameng Pass is breached, Jiannan Road will be within reach in no time. The destiny is with you!"

"The destiny is with Wu!"

Some people around the three people who were more perceptive also knelt down and congratulated Li Yun.

Li Yun came back to his senses at this time. He reached out and helped Du Qian up, saying with a smile: "I have already said that the name of the country needs to be discussed again. It does not necessarily have to be Wu. Get up quickly, get up quickly."

As he spoke, he looked around and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, stand up."

After everyone stood up, Li Yun opened the document sent by Jiusi. After reading it once, his expression became complicated. After a long while, he let out a long breath, then glanced at Du Qian beside him and handed the document over.

Du Qian took it and read it through with just a glance. He quickly closed the document and said to Li Yun, "You deserve it."

"Even if it doubles, it's worth it."

“I know it’s worth it.”

Li Yun folded the document and stuffed it into his sleeve, shaking his head: "You and I are in Luoyang City, and we can't see the soldiers below. No matter how many people there are, they are just a few words on a piece of paper. Of course, it is worth it."

Having said that, he put his hands behind his back, looked into the distance, and let out a long breath.

But, this is a bit too much.

Li Yun thought about this sentence in his heart but didn't say it out loud. He hesitated and then spoke slowly.

"Pass the order down to reward the three armies."

(End of this chapter)