Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 390 Who taught him all this?

Xuzhou.

Pengcheng!

Yuan Xin stood on the city wall of Pengcheng, gazing at the distant scenery, lost in thought.

Prince Yuan Yue of Runan was defeated, and the Liang army did not continue its northward campaign. Yuzhou was recovered, and Yuan Xin made a great contribution. He only needs to return to Luoyang to advance further.

Yuan Xin's feelings were somewhat complicated.

In the past, Pengcheng was filled with Xianbei soldiers, but now, there are hardly any Xianbei men left.

Although Yuan Xin was the commander-in-chief, his generals, officers, and staff were all dispatched by the Tian Ce Mansion.

It can be said that he, as the commander, did not have much initiative.

However, it was precisely because of this that Yuan Xin also witnessed the fighting prowess of these generals who had fought their way out of Guanzhong.

Pengcheng, as an important town in the Central Plains, has always been a key target of contention between the Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties.

Between the Liang and Song dynasties, it was a strategically important location, suppressing the Qi and Lu regions and controlling the Jiang and Huai rivers!
Whoever controlled this city during the Northern and Southern Dynasties would gain the upper hand.

For the Southern Liang, controlling Pengcheng not only strengthened the Jianghuai defense line, but also allowed them to further control the Qi and Ju regions through Yishui, influencing various towns in Henan.

For the Northern Wei, holding Pengcheng not only provided a forward base for attacking the Jianghuai defense line, but also secured the rear and ensured the safety of the capital, Luoyang.

Ever since Han Xin led 30,000 new soldiers to defeat 200,000 Zhao troops and conquer the Zhao state, becoming a legend, many generals in later generations have wanted to emulate him.

Those who tried to emulate him mostly met tragic ends.

The reason why a military genius is called a military genius is that his methods are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

For over a century, only Liu Yu, with only two thousand infantrymen and the Yellow River at his back, was able to defeat thirty thousand cavalrymen and become a legend once again.

A military genius of unparalleled talent may only appear once every few centuries. Most of the time, the way ordinary people fight still follows the common sense of the world.

Yuan Xin witnessed firsthand how a top-tier military elite fought a war while he was in Pengcheng.

In fact, this elite team doesn't even care about the coach's talent.

As long as the commander-in-chief remains calm and doesn't come up with any bad ideas, the generals and soldiers below him can fight on their own.

Erzhu gathered over 100,000 Xianbei soldiers in Luoyang. After their defeat, many Xianbei prisoners of war went to dig canals.

Yuan Yue's rebellion this time brought together the remaining Xianbei soldiers.

These Xianbei soldiers were undoubtedly elite; they coordinated perfectly and had a strong fighting spirit.

But beneath Pengcheng, they were utterly defeated by the massive army brought by Yuan Xin.

The cavalry charged into the enemy lines, tearing the Xianbei army's formation apart head-on, and then annihilating them one by one. It was utterly unreasonable and extremely powerful.

Thus, the last Xianbei army in Henan was defeated.

The former glory of the Northern Wei Dynasty seems to have faded away like the afterglow of a setting sun.

Yuan Xin felt a pang of sadness, but the soldiers below did not allow him to continue feeling sentimental.

Wei Xiaokuan led a group of generals up the city wall, and when he saw Yuan Xin, he bowed respectfully.

Yuan Xin felt a little strange upon seeing this.

What is this for!
A mutiny?
This is not right either!
In other armies, it's not impossible for subordinates to rebel against their commander, but here, if there's to be a rebellion, it's the commander who rebels against his subordinates!
What are you doing?

Wei Xiaokuan bowed respectfully and asked:

"Is the General returning to Luoyang?"

Yuan Xin's promotion document to General has not yet been issued, but Wei Xiaokuan and the others have already called him that, and Yuan Xin doesn't care.

Anyway, he himself knew that this title of general was just a nominal one.

Unlike Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai, Yuan Xin had loyal and skilled troops and over ten thousand soldiers from the Six Garrisons. With only this small force, his position as Supreme General was merely a figurehead.

After listening, Yuan Xin put her hands behind her back and sighed:
"While traveling on military campaigns, I think of the land and water of Luoyang and long for the countryside. Once the situation stabilizes, I will return to Luoyang."

Wei Xiaokuan, however, said:

"The Supreme General is a member of the imperial family and a high-ranking official. He should be defending the country. How could he have such thoughts?"

Yuan Xin frowned upon hearing this.

Logically speaking, now that he's gone, General Wei Xiaokuan should be able to take control of Pengcheng without any problem. So why is he unhappy about it and is even trying to dissuade him?

As Yuan Xin was pondering, his scouts delivered a report.

Prince Yuan Yue of Runan has been captured!
After Yuan Yue's defeat, he tried to escape to Woyang to join Chen Qingzhi, but he was captured en route.

Yuan Yue was bound hand and foot and brought before Yuan Xin and Wei Xiaokuan. His fate was already sealed; he would be sent to Luoyang and forced to drink a cup of poisoned wine at the Tuoniu Office.

But Yuan Yue was not one to sit idly by and wait for death. At the very least, he wanted to give Yuan Xin a good scolding before he died.

"Yuan Xin, you traitor of the Yuan clan, how dare you serve as a henchman of Da Yeshuang! How will you face the emperors of the Great Wei Dynasty when you are in the afterlife!"

Yuan Xin had prepared herself mentally, but when she actually encountered this situation, a gloomy feeling still arose in her heart.

Yuan Xin kept her head down and didn't say anything.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Yue turned his gaze to Wei Xiaokuan and the group of generals behind him.

Most of the people who followed Wei Xiaokuan were generals from Guanzhong, the vast majority of whom were Han generals. Some came from powerful families such as the Xue, Pei, Wei, and Du clans, while others came from poor backgrounds.

Their defining characteristic is their youth; all around twenty years old, they had risen to their positions through accumulated military achievements and were full of vigor.

Yuan Yue skipped over them, not because he didn't want to curse them, but because he didn't know these people at all. Even though he was full of resentment, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

However, Wei Xiaokuan still had people he knew behind him, such as Yuan Ziyong's younger brother, Yuan Zigong.

The original surname of the Genji clan was Tufa. The grandfather and father of the brothers Genji Yong and Genji Gong were both high-ranking officials in the Northern Wei Dynasty, which can be described as noble.

“Yuan Zigong, your brother died defending the court against the northerners, and his name of loyalty and righteousness has been tarnished by you today.”

Yuan Yue, like an enraged beast, stared at Yuan Zigong in silence, then looked at the group of Xianbei, Tiele and other tribal generals behind him.

"And you, which one of you hasn't been favored by the country for generations, which one of you hasn't enjoyed all the glory and wealth, yet today you've become accomplices of Da Ye Shuang, willingly relegated to the ranks of the Han people, what a ridiculous joke!"

After Yuan Yue finished roaring, he looked at the generals of the Xianbei, Tiele and other tribes and found that they not only did not feel ashamed, but were also very proud and even smiled.

Yuan Yue didn't understand, and in this strange atmosphere, she shouted out in frustration.

"What are you laughing at?"

Yuan Yue's words only made the laughter louder.

As they laughed, a young soldier stepped forward.

Despite his young age, he was not intimidated by Yuan Yue, a powerful prince.

"Your current rank and honors were earned through your own hard work and dedication. What does it have to do with your court? How dare you speak so arrogantly here?"

Yuan Yue was stunned. He suddenly understood that the people standing before him now, even if they were Xianbei, were completely different. They were nominally the Wei army, but in reality, they were an entirely different army.

"You barbarian, you dare to talk so much even after losing the fight."

Yuan Yue sneered, still feeling indignant:
"I am a barbarian, so you are Han Chinese?"

"We are all descendants of the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor, who wandered in the north and mingled with barbarians. Now we are returning to our roots and rejoining the Chinese nation. This is called recognizing our ancestors and returning to our origins. And you, a defeated bastard, dare to shout at us!"

Yuan Yue was dragged away, but the one most shocked by this scene was Prince Yuan Xin of Guangling.

Wei Xiaokuan had absolutely no interest in Yuan Yue, but he was very interested in Yuan Xin.

"Prince of Guangling, do you really want to return to Luoyang?"

Yuan Xin was taken aback and asked in return:
Should I stay here?

Wei Xiaokuan and the generals behind him were very excited and cupped their hands in greeting:
"The people of Xuzhou still need the Prince of Guangling!"

The Central Plains have been ravaged by war for a long time, leaving everything in ruins and in dire need of rebuilding. Now, the generals under the Tian Ce Mansion control the prefectures and counties of Henan, Qi, and Ju, and it is time to vigorously develop them.

Yuan Xin sighed:

"But I fear my abilities and prestige are insufficient!" Wei Xiaokuan said.

"What are you saying, Prince of Guangling? You are not only the Prince of Guangling of the court, but also our Supreme General! We will fight to the death to uphold the Supreme General's dignity!"

Yuan Xin was moved by Wei Xiaokuan's sincere words. Looking at Wei Xiaokuan and the group of generals behind him, his resolve was strengthened.

Yup!

I am not only the Prince of Guangling of the Great Wei, but also the Supreme General of the King of Qin!

A legitimate Tian Ce Mansion organization!

Look at these unruly people! Just now, how did they treat Yuan Yue, and how did they treat me?

Yuan Xin felt a surge of accomplishment.

"So, I shall stay?"

"The General is truly wise!"

Seeing that Yuan Xin agreed to stay, Wei Xiaokuan and the others were about to leave, but Yuan Xin kept Wei Xiaokuan behind.

"Tell me honestly, why do you want me to stay?"

Wei Xiaokuan glanced at Yuan Xin and asked:

"Is the General really not leaving?"

"Don't go!"

After listening, Wei Xiaokuan honestly replied:
"With the General gone, we will be subject to strict discipline. What will become of our military achievements?"

Yuan Xin understood.

If he leaves, Gao Ang will be the highest-ranking official in Henan and will control the prefectures of Yan, Ji, Xu, and Yu.

If he stays, he can at least control Xuzhou and Nanqingzhou by virtue of his title as a general.

Now that Henan and Qiju are vying for territory, with Yuan Xin around, it will be easier for people like Wei Xiaokuan to accumulate military merits.

Thinking of this, a gust of cold wind blew by, and Yuan Xin coughed.

Wei Xiaokuan, who was behind, patted Yuan Xin on the back, looking somewhat worried.

"General, please take care of yourself!"

Yuan Xin was somewhat moved by what he heard, but Wei Xiaokuan's next sentence broke his defenses.

"If the General intends to return to Luoyang to manage the orchard, he should at least wait until his subordinates have accumulated enough military merits for promotion!"

"..."
-
Jeju, Quju Castle.

Quqi City was one of the four towns in Henan established by the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was located in a strategic position and controlled the north and south.

Starting from Pengcheng, one can travel north via the Huan Gong Canal to reach Quqia City, and then enter the Yellow River, from where one can continue by water to Yecheng, Luoyang, and other places.

After Gao Ang took up his post in Quqia City, many heroes on both sides of the Yellow River heard of his name and rushed to join him. The Bohai Gao clan, who had originally followed Gao Qian to Ye City, also began to waver.

"Third brother (elder brother)!"

Gao Qian and Gao Ang had some estrangement, so he did not come in person, but sent his second brother Gao Shen and fourth brother Gao Jishi with him.

Gao Ang remained stationed in Hongnong Town and never saw his brothers.

Now, upon seeing his brothers, Gao Ang was very excited and arranged a banquet to entertain them.

Despite his excitement, Gao Feng politely declined his brother's request.

"The men I brought are all reliable and brave. Third brother, for my sake, can't you spare one or two?"

During the banquet, Gao Shen was puzzled, but Gao Ang said:
"Now that Henan has just been pacified, the King has sent me to guard the city of Quyao. The people I bring with me are all meritorious officials. If my Gao family's retainers and advisors are given important positions, how can we win their respect?"

"What about that?"

Gao Shen still wanted to try and win back some points, but Gao Ang just smiled and remained silent, no longer mentioning the topic.

The banquet was still the same, but the atmosphere wasn't very lively.

After Gao Shen got drunk, Gao Ang left his fourth brother, Gao Jishi, behind.

The Gao family had four outstanding members, all of whom were chivalrous and brave, capable of attracting heroes to their side.

Simply put, they are not easy to deal with.

Gao Ang ranked third and had the highest prestige among the four. Because he was the most skilled fighter, and his fighting ability was several levels above the others, he was known as the "Xiang Yu of our time".

Gao Jishi was not yet twenty years old, but he was very bold. However, he was very obedient in front of Gao Ang and dared not speak loudly.

"Zitong, stay here with me, don't go back."

Faced with such a high-minded statement, Gao Jishi dared not disobey, and simply asked:
Why did my third brother leave me behind?

Gao Feng laughed loudly:

“You are still young, unlike them, and have great potential. After a few years of training in the army, you will surely become a general.”

Gao Feng's words revealed a hint of disdain.

Gao Jishi listened, and although he didn't understand, he still smiled. Since childhood, Gao Jishi had admired his third brother.

“Since Third Brother has said so, then I will stay. However, among the people Second Brother brought, it is fine to drive away the others, but there is one person we must be careful of.”

Gao Ang listened, somewhat curious, and asked:

"who?"

"Chen Yuankang!"

……

Gao Ang met Chen Yuankang through Gao Jishi's introduction.

When Chen Yuankang was young, he followed Li Chong on the Northern Expedition. He also went to join Li Shengui when Li was guarding Henan. However, seeing the growing power of the Erzhu clan, he returned to Jizhou and went into seclusion.

Gao Ang looked at Chen Yuankang without feeling any aversion.

Although this man was a scholar, he did not have the air of being pedantic. On the contrary, because of his military service, his face was full of resoluteness.

"I heard you're very capable?"

"Don't dare!"

"Sir, you are too modest. I have a question, and I hope you can answer it for me."

"Please speak, General!"

"Why hasn't Yuan Xin returned to Luoyang to run the orchard? What is he doing staying in Pengcheng all this time?"

Gao Jishi was stunned. What kind of tricky question was this?

Chen Yuankang responded with a smile and said:
"The Supreme General's reputation resounds throughout the world, far surpassing that of Yuan Xin. Now that the Prince of Guangling is able to stay in Pengcheng, it is the wish of everyone, from top to bottom, that he stays in Pengcheng."

Gao Ang listened and laughed:
"Sir, you are indeed capable. In that case, may I serve as your secretary?"

"I am willing to serve the General!"

Gao Feng nodded and said:

“Yuan Xin is staying in Xuzhou and won’t leave, so I can’t very well send him away. Murong Shaozong is in Qingzhou, and the two prefectures of Ji and Yan that I’m in charge of are a bit too small.”

"What does the General mean?"

"We are all from the Gao clan of Bohai, shouldn't I have a share in Jizhou, Xiangzhou, and Cangzhou?"

Chen Yuankang was deeply shocked upon hearing this.

"General...you're right!"

……

(End of this chapter)