The prince is more stable

Chapter 239 Returning like an arrow
Zhao Xiaoqian never lets anyone who follows him suffer any loss.

In my previous life, I have been promised too many things by my bosses: they would give me something when I finished this project, or I would be promoted when I got that client.

In his previous life, Zhao Xiaoqian graduated from university and obviously did not have a deep understanding of the cruelty and dangers of society. He actually enjoyed the pie painted by his boss and was deceived again and again.

It was not until he grew into a veteran in the workplace that he finally saw the true face of his boss and realized that cakes made of air are actually very unpalatable.

In this life, Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't want to become the kind of person he hated the most in his previous life.

As long as you follow faithfully, you will be rewarded with real money.

Zhang Xiaoyi refused to be an official, so Zhao Xiaoqian had to give him the respectable status of the Imperial City Secretary.

In comparison, Zhong Jianzhong is more developed.

During the attack on the capital Xingqing Prefecture, Zhong Jianzhong was the first to rush into the city gate, and his achievement as the first to reach the city was undisputed.

Since ancient times, being the first to climb the mountain, like beheading a general and seizing a flag, are both top military achievements. After returning to Bianliang, according to Zhao Xiaoqian's prior promise, Zhong Jianzhong will not only be rewarded with money and land, but will also be given a low-level title, which is enough to ennoble his wife and children.

It’s a long journey, and physical fatigue is secondary. The most difficult thing to endure is actually the boredom of the journey.

Fortunately, Zhao Xiaoqian was not alone.

If he wanted, there were 30,000 people he could talk to.

During this expedition, from Zhong Jianzhong to the ordinary soldiers below, they all bowed down to Zhao Xiaoqian and were grateful to him.

It’s simple, just to get rich.

Only interests are the best bond to maintain relationships among people.

The troops moved slowly because they were burdened with heavy loads: large and small bundles of gold, silver, and jewelry. Each soldier was assigned three war horses, and the baggage train behind them was responsible for driving more than 20,000 cattle and sheep.

All of them are no-cost businesses, all of them are ill-gotten gains obtained through looting and seizure.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian had already informed the court in advance that the captured war horses, cattle and sheep would be handed over to the imperial court.

After winning a great victory, you have to give something to the court. Hide the gold, silver and jewelry in the bag, and use the war horses, cattle and sheep as a reward.

"The journey is too slow. It will take about a month to reach Bian Jing. I really can't wait any longer. My wife and children are waiting for my triumphant return at home. I have to buy land, build a new house, and buy servants when I go back... I will never have a rest in my life." Zhong Jianzhong was riding on a horse, seemingly complaining but actually showing off.

I have so much money that I don’t know how to spend it. It’s a happy worry.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him sideways: "Old Zhong, tell me the truth, how much did you earn this time?"

Zhong Jianzhong humbly waved his hand, "No, no, I rarely take action. The ones who eat meat are all the soldiers below me. Occasionally, I meet two people with consciences who have not been eaten by dogs and give me some soup. It's too little, is it too much? Not much."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at the two large packages piled higher than a mountain on the backs of the two empty war horses next to Zhong Jianzhong, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"There aren't many left. The horses are overloaded..."

Zhao Xiaoqian was not jealous at all.

Because... he is richer than Zhong Jianzhong.

It was promised that the looted goods would not have to be handed over. As the commander-in-chief of an army, Zhao Xiaoqian was certainly embarrassed to snatch the spoils from his soldiers.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt embarrassed, but Chen Shou and others around him felt embarrassed.

Every time the army plundered a place, the soldiers swarmed in like locusts, and at the forefront were the imperial guards such as Chen Shou.

As everyone knows, the job of robbing things depends on quick eyes and hands, as well as a sharp and cunning eye. It just so happened that Chen Shoujiu worked in the palace and had seen many rare jewels in the palace. When he saw valuable things, he could tell at a glance how much they were worth and whether they were worth buying.

Over time, although Zhao Xiaoqian did not take any action during his expedition, he inexplicably accumulated treasures worth hundreds of thousands of strings of cash.

The money they robbed from those villages and tribes was just a small fortune. What was more important was that on the night they captured the capital Xingqing Prefecture, Zhong Jianzhong was the first to rush through the city gates, earning the first-mover advantage, while Chen Shou was the first to break into the Xixia treasury...

One cares about fame and rank, the other cares about money and jewelry. Both of them have a bright future...

Therefore, if a person is too shameless, he must have a shameless friend or subordinate around him, otherwise he will suffer a great loss.

Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian, who was both proud and able to reap the benefits without any effort, I believe many people can get life inspiration from him.

"After returning to Bianjing, the first thing I did was visit the brothels. I've been so bored these days on the expedition. Those Xixia women are all so ugly and ugly. I don't want to take off my pants, but I'm afraid they'll force me... to bite them off. When I get back, I'm going to taste the women of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhong Jianzhong narrowed his eyes, filled with longing. Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes also narrowed.

We are all men, and our thoughts are highly unified at this moment.

I have three wives at home waiting for me to conquer Naihuan. I need to eat more lamb kidneys every day during the march, otherwise I’m afraid I won’t be able to bear it...

"The important thing is that I can see my wife and children when I go home. Damn it, I've missed them so much these days!" Zhong Jianzhong smacked his lips.

Zhao Xiaoqian's face tightened when he heard this, and he slapped the iron helmet on his head.

"Don't say such things. Setting flags randomly will bring punishment from heaven." Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Only the last tremor is left. Don't make any beautiful wishes at this moment. This is an old routine in movies and TV dramas in the previous life. Anyone who makes a wish when he is trembling for the last time usually does not have a good ending.

Zhong Jianzhong looked confused and didn't know what "FLAG" meant, but seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's serious expression, he knew it was obviously not a good word, so he had to shut up.

…………

The team moved slowly and after walking for half a month, they finally arrived at Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi.

Driving cattle and sheep along the way, the 30,000 soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp looked like a group of smuggling nomadic tribes, causing the officials of the cities along the way to be nervous for a while, and they kept sending out soldiers and scouts to spy and monitor.

After walking for another half a month, they passed Hezhong Prefecture and entered the territory of the capital. Zhao Xiaoqian and his soldiers were no longer tired, and the light in their eyes became brighter and brighter.

almost home!

The team unknowingly sped up, and the soldiers were eager to return home. Everyone became a little anxious because of the urgency.

The road from Hezhong Prefecture to Bian Jing is mostly plains, with smooth and flat roads.

Only on the bank of the Yellow River, more than 100 miles east of Hezhong Prefecture, there is an alluvial plain. The wonders of nature are awe-inspiring.

There are two towering peaks on both sides of the alluvial plain, which form a narrow canyon. This canyon is the only way to Bianjing, otherwise the army can only cross the mountains to open a way.

When Zhao Xiaoqian, leading 30,000 soldiers, was about to reach the edge of the canyon, he looked up at the two high peaks on his left and right, and the narrow path between the two peaks that was only wide enough for two horses to run side by side, and his brows couldn't help but frown.

For some reason, this canyon made him feel a little uneasy.

His reason kept telling him that this was already the capital area, within the territory of the Song Dynasty. It was impossible that there was an army lying in ambush here waiting to ambush them. That was too ridiculous.

But the terrain of this canyon is too dangerous.

The uneasy feeling in his heart did not go away, and Zhao Xiaoqian subconsciously pulled the reins of the horse.

As soon as he stopped, the soldiers behind him naturally stopped as well.

Zhong Jianzhong rode his horse up from behind.

Just as he was about to ask why they stopped, he looked up at the terrain of the canyon. Zhong Jianzhong, who was well-versed in military books, immediately shut up and frowned.

In an instant, he understood what Zhao Xiaoqian meant.

"Tsk, this canyon... If there are two armies lying in ambush on the high mountain, we'll be completely doomed. However, this place belongs to Hezhong Prefecture, the heart of the capital. It's our own territory, there can't be an ambush there, right?" Zhong Jianzhong murmured.

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent, still looking at the terrain of the canyon ahead, which seemed more and more dangerous the more he looked.

"Lao Zhong, what is the name of this canyon?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Zhong Jianzhong said without hesitation: "This place is called Hejian Valley. It is the main road of the East-West Corridor. The canyon is about four miles long."

"Is there any other road leading to Bian Jing?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked again.

"Yes, but we'll have to take a detour of over 200 miles, cross the Yellow River, and go around from the direction of Jingzhao Prefecture." Zhong Jianzhong said with a wry smile, "The soldiers are eager to return home. If we take a detour now, I'm afraid my brothers will be dissatisfied..."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. Being such a lazy person, he didn't want to take a detour. Thinking carefully, was he panicking? How could there be an ambush from the Song Dynasty?
Not to mention him personally, even if you look at the 30,000 soldiers and horses behind him, no one would dare to take the risk.

What are the consequences of ambushing imperial troops? A grave crime involving the extermination of the entire family.

"Send out scouts to explore these two peaks. If there is no problem, we will pass through." Zhao Xiaoqian ordered.

Zhong Jianzhong nodded and smiled, "The Lord Commander is very cautious in his use of troops."

(End of this chapter)