Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 206 Marquis of Jinxiang's Benevolence

On the walls of Guangzong, the wind whips up tattered flags.

The nauseating mixture of smells in the air.

Fortunately, it was still winter, so these smells were greatly reduced. If it were summer, a major epidemic would probably be inevitable.

Zhang Xian stood atop the city wall, his dark cloak fluttering in the north wind.

His gaze was deep as he swept over the ravaged battlefield below the city.

In the Northern Army camp, the suppressed groans and coughs of the sick soldiers could be heard from time to time. Although Guangzong had surrendered, there were still a lot of problems.

Zhang Xian is still the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army, and he still has to handle these matters.

Beneath the city walls, corpses, broken weapons, and shattered ladders lay scattered together, lightly covered by newly fallen snow.

Some dirty-feathered crows flapped their wings and landed, hopping among the frozen pile of corpses, cawing harshly and adding to the desolation.

"Pass the order."

Zhang Xian's voice rang out, clearly reaching the ears of the five Northern Army captains standing solemnly behind him.

The cavalry captain and others instinctively straightened their backs.

"All the corpses in the city, whether Han soldiers or Yellow Turbans, should be cleared out of the city, and then burned on the spot with firewood and oil in an open, downwind place!"

His orders were decisive and unequivocal.

"The last general takes command!"

The cavalry captain felt a chill run down his spine and clasped his hands in agreement.

The burning and burial were for epidemic prevention, but even though it was winter, these bodies would cause problems sooner or later if left unattended.

'well,'

Looking at the corpses, the cavalry captain couldn't help but sigh, thinking that the vegetation in Guangzong would probably be lush by next year.

"Other."

"Prepare all the necessary medicines and supplies, and summon all the medics in the camp. Save as many brothers as you can in the wounded camp."

"promise!"

The response this time contained not only reverence but also a touch of complexity.

Wounded soldiers.

They are currently a burden to the Northern Army, but Zhang Zhonglang still remembers to save them, which touches the hearts of the five colonels.

As the orders were issued, the various units of the Northern Army sprang into action.

Just then, a dull, rapid sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.

Everyone followed the sound.

A valiant cavalry unit broke through the wind and snow, coming from the west! The general at the forefront, wearing a silver helmet and armor, his white battle robe fluttering wildly in the wind, rode a magnificent white horse with its hooves pounding the ground. It was none other than Zhao Yun, the captain of the Youyi Army!
Behind him were 1,500 elite cavalrymen, all fully armored, their silence exuding the sharp and fierce spirit unique to battle-hardened veterans.

Iron hooves trampled over the wreckage at the edge of the battlefield, splashing up black mud and snow, their speed undiminished, reaching straight to the city walls.

"Uu——!"

Zhao Yun reined in his horse, his eyes flashing like lightning as he instantly locked onto the figure on the city wall. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and called out loudly.

"This humble general, Zhao Yun, has been ordered by the General of the Central Army to lead the mobile troops to provide support! I humbly request your instructions!"

The clear voice echoed among the ruined city walls, and the Northern Army soldiers below the city, who were ordered to clear away the corpses, couldn't help but stop what they were doing and look over.

Zhang Xian's lips curled up almost imperceptibly as he leaned over the parapet and peered down.

"Zilong has arrived at just the right time. You have probably seen that the refugees from Guangzong have already moved west in batches, but there are still more people migrating afterward."

Therefore, the guarding of roads and the protection of grain transport are entirely under the command of the mobile army! Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to plunder refugees or disrupt grain routes, regardless of their status, will be executed without mercy!

"The last general takes command!"

Zhang Xian's gaze swept over the dusty cavalry behind Zhao Yun as he added.

"Brothers, you've had a long and arduous journey. Let's rest for half a day at the Northern Army camp to replenish our rations and provisions. After half a day, we'll take over the passes along the western front!"

"promise!"

With Zhao Yun's order, the Youyi Army's iron cavalry swiftly and systematically entered the Northern Army's camp.

The sound of horses' hooves stopped in front of the camp gate.

Zhao Yun dismounted swiftly and cleanly.

The cavalry behind him dismounted in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, exuding an air of strict discipline and obedience.

There wasn't much formality; You Yijun really needed to rest.

After resting for half a day at the Northern Army camp to replenish his strength and feed his warhorses, Zhao Yun set off without delay.

Zhang Xian also personally led a group of medical professionals to begin treating the wounded soldiers of the Northern Army.

The western pass.

Having already received the news, Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, quickly went out of the camp gate to greet them.

He wore a warm smile and bowed to Zhao Yun, who had led his troops.

"This humble general, Liu Bei, the military commander of Anmin Camp, greets Colonel Zhao! The General has ordered that all subsequent matters concerning the relocation of displaced people shall be overseen by the Colonel, and we are at his command!"

Guan Yu, standing behind him, slightly raised his phoenix eyes, his gaze quickly sweeping over Zhao Yun's fine silver armor and his steady, mountain-like demeanor, a hint of barely perceptible solemnity flashing across his face.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhang Fei looked Zhao Zilong of Changshan, who was famous throughout the Bingzhou grasslands, up and down.

Zhao Yun's gaze remained steady. He lingered briefly on Liu Bei, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and nodded in return.

His gaze immediately fell on the two imposing men behind Liu Bei, but only for a moment before turning back to Liu Bei.

"Commander Liu, you have worked hard. Just hand over the grain reserves and the number of people passing through the post stations along the way. Military affairs are urgent, so there is no need for formalities."

His attitude was neither arrogant nor overly enthusiastic, just like how he treated other ordinary officers in the camp.

This bland response caused Zhang Fei's thick brows to furrow almost imperceptibly.

"Yes, the roster and grain register are ready. Please check them, Captain!"

Liu Bei's smile remained unchanged as he quickly took out several bamboo scrolls tied with hemp rope from his bosom and presented them with both hands.

Zhao Yun took the bamboo slip and casually handed it to a military officer beside him. However, his gaze turned to the camp, and he strode towards the main tent, clearly intending to personally inspect it.

Liu Bei and his two companions stepped aside to make way for them.

As Zhao Yun's figure passed by Zhang Fei, Zhang Fei finally couldn't hold back and muttered in a deep voice, "Such an imposing official..."

The sound was soft, but it was exceptionally clear at the silent camp gate.

Zhao Yun continued walking, seemingly oblivious to the noise.

However, a personal guard behind him glanced coldly at Zhang Fei with his eyes under his helmet, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Guan Yu suddenly took a step to the side, blocking Zhang Fei's path. He clasped his hands slightly to the guard and said in a deep voice, "My younger brother is reckless. Please forgive him, Captain."

Zhao Yun then stopped and his clear, cold voice rang out: "The military situation is critical; the lives of the refugees are hanging by a thread, and we cannot afford to delay even for a moment."

The three of you are also considered part of the Bingzhou military faction. Today, I understand that you may not fully grasp the gravity of Bingzhou military orders, but there will be no next time!

Having said that, he continued as he took another step, "Furthermore, if you feel that I am unworthy of my position, then you are welcome to demonstrate your abilities in the bi-monthly Senior Colonel competition of the Bingzhou military. I am waiting for your challenge, but now!"

"Do your job as the village head well!"

Zhang Fei's dark face turned bright red, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but Guan Yu held his arm down firmly.

Liu Bei quickly tried to smooth things over, saying in a low voice, "Yide! Stop talking nonsense! Quickly go and check your troops' roster and prepare for the handover!"

He turned to Guan Yu: "Yun Chang, what Colonel Zhao said is correct. The important matter is paramount! You come with me to hand over the grain register. Yi De, restrain your men and do not cause any trouble!"

"I know, brother!"

Zhang Fei gritted his teeth, but in his heart he had already made up his mind to teach Zhao Yun a lesson at that high-ranking military academy.
-
Northern Army.

Zhang Xian was stationed at the central command, handling numerous affairs.

Zhao Yun has taken good care of the guard along the way, and information about the passes and roads is being transmitted to the Northern Army's camp from time to time.

Inside the central command tent, Zhang Xiangan had just finished reviewing a batch of documents regarding the receipt of supplies at Weize Pass and rubbed his temples.

Ah Shan brought in a bowl of steaming ginger soup and placed it on the table.

"My lord, have some water to warm yourself up."

Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and a weary messenger rushed in and knelt on one knee.

"Report! Urgent report from southern and eastern Hebei!"

Zhang Xian put down the bowl, took the copper tube, unscrewed it, and pulled out the thin silk inside.

His eyes quickly swept over the tiny print on it.

Ashan, who was standing by, noticed that Zhang Xian's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly before returning to calm.

"Understood. Go and collect your reward, and get some rest." Zhang Xian's voice was expressionless as he casually placed the thin silk on the table.

The messenger bowed and withdrew.

Ashan glanced curiously at the thin silk and asked, "My lord, is there some change in the south and east?"

Zhang Xian picked up the ginger soup and blew on it to cool it down.

"Yes, Zhang Bao's troops in Xiaquyang and the remnants of Zhang Liang's troops in the east, upon hearing the news of Zhang Jiao's death and Guangzong's surrender, their morale collapsed. A few nights ago, they led their confidants to leave the city and flee east. Now their whereabouts are unknown."

He paused, then took a sip of the ginger soup.

Upon hearing this, Ashan's face revealed a hint of understanding and barely perceptible relief: "So, the three main forces of the Yellow Turbans in Jizhou have now... vanished without a trace?"

"Ah."

Zhang Xian put down his bowl and turned his gaze back to the pile of documents on the resettlement of displaced people on his desk.

"Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang are no longer of importance."

He pointed to the documents: "Send an order to Zilong: on the migration route, secretly arrest anyone claiming to be Zhang Bao or Zhang Liang; for the remaining refugees, focus on appeasement."

"Yes, sir!" Ashan clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, turned around, and left the tent to relay it.

Silence returned to the tent.

Beneath Guangzong City, a massive bonfire burning corpses burned day and night, billowing thick smoke.

The acrid smell of burning lime mixed with the pungent odor of quicklime was carried by the biting north wind and permeated every corner.

The wounded soldiers' camp.

The air here was even more murky than outside, a mixture of sweat, blood, and herbs.

Groans and suppressed emotions filled the air as soldiers, missing limbs and wounds, festered and turned black in the cold, emitting a foul stench, crammed onto makeshift straw mats.

Zhang Xian appeared, dressed only in a dark, ordinary military robe. He was accompanied by Ashan, who had been conscripted, and other guards, each carrying several earthenware jars and a medicine chest.

Zhang Xian arrived at a straw mat.

A young soldier lay on the straw mat, his left leg severed from the knee down, the wound hastily wrapped with dirty strips of cloth, oozing yellow fluid and pus.

His face was sallow, his lips were dry and cracked, and he was barely breathing; only the slight rise and fall of his chest proved that he was still alive.

A veteran with a missing right arm was gripping his arm tightly with his remaining left hand.

Zhang Xian squatted down and gently placed his fingers on the young soldier's cold wrist.

The pulse was so weak it was almost imperceptible.

"A knife, a clean cloth, and wound medicine."

Ah Shan and his guards opened the medicine box they had brought.

He handed over a sterilized knife, a roll of relatively clean linen, and medicine.

The physician beside him said in a low voice, "Zhonglang... his... his leg... I'm afraid... I'm afraid it can't be saved. His high fever won't go down..."

Zhang Xian took the knife, his movements steady: "Even if we can't save it, we still need to clean the wound. A persistent high fever means there's something evil at work."

He carefully untied the dirty cloth from the young soldier's legs.

A foul stench instantly filled the air; the skin and flesh around the wound had turned black and necrotic, and the pus was thick and sticky.

Several wounded soldiers around him couldn't help but gag.

He remained expressionless, his eyes scanning the wound.

The knife in his hand fell precisely, scraping away the rotten flesh bit by bit and removing the sticky dirt.

Pus and blood flowed down the straw mat, but his movements remained perfectly steady, each strike accompanied by the young soldier's unconscious twitching.

After cleaning, Zhang Xian repeatedly rinsed the wound with strong liquor until relatively fresh tissue was exposed.

He scooped out a large piece of ointment from the earthenware jar that Ah Shan was holding. The ointment emitted a strong fragrance of herbs and honey, and he applied it thickly to the wound before carefully bandaging it with clean linen.

"Give him some warm salt water, feed him little by little."

Zhang Xian instructed a lightly wounded soldier who was still able to move.

After doing all this, he stood up, his forehead already beaded with sweat.

His gaze swept across the entire wounded soldiers' camp, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of every wounded soldier who pricked up their ears.

"I will not leave any of those who can be saved behind. The medicine brought from Bingzhou will be given to the seriously wounded first, and the provisions will also be given to the wounded soldiers' camp first. As for those who can still move their hands and feet, lend a hand to the medical staff and follow their instructions!"

His gaze finally fell on the amputee veteran: "Hold on, you're going home, life goes on."

The veteran's lips trembled, he suddenly lowered his head, his shoulders began to heave, and he could no longer suppress his sobs.

A low, choked voice echoed from around them: "Thank you, General Xie... Thank you for your kindness, General Xie!"

Zhang Xian said nothing more and walked to the next straw mat, where a soldier lay with an abdominal wound, high fever, and delirium.

He squatted down again and repeated the process of cleaning, probing, debridement, and applying medicine.

Ashan and his guards followed behind him, handing him tools and holding torches like machines.

In the past few days, Zhang Xian's figure has appeared in every corner of the wounded soldiers' camp.

He personally treated the wounds of the most seriously injured and directed the physicians to prepare medicines.

He didn't say anything more, he just silently saved people.

overnight.

As dawn broke and dispelled some of the chill in the camp, Zhang Xiancai emerged from the wounded soldiers' camp, exhausted and reeking of medicine and blood.

At the camp gate, the cavalry captain and several officers stood solemnly waiting. Their previous fear had vanished, replaced by deep respect and a barely perceptible sense of shame.

"Zhonglang!"

The cavalry captain stepped forward and clasped his hands deeply, saying, "This humble general... and all the brothers of the Daibei Army, kowtow to thank you for saving our lives, General!"

His generals behind him also clasped their hands and bowed in unison.

Zhang Xian waved his hand: "Order the Fire-Head Battalion to start cooking immediately! All Northern Army soldiers will have an extra meal today! Millet porridge is all you can eat! Also, slaughter twenty severely wounded horses and make meat soup! Add plenty of ginger!"

"Don't worry, I'll provide the grain."

"Yes, sir!" The cavalry captain paused for a moment, then accepted the order without hesitation!
A snack? Stewed meat soup? A filling bowl of millet porridge?
These words, like drops of boiling oil thrown into a pot, instantly caused an uproar in the lifeless Northern Army camp!

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world.

The soldiers who had been huddled in their cold tents, wrapped in tattered blankets to keep warm, raised their heads once more, and each of them involuntarily swallowed.

Soon, a rich aroma of meat and roasted grains filled the air in the biting cold wind!
The stoves in the fire station were glowing red-hot. In the huge iron pot, large chunks of braised horse meat with tendons and membranes floated in the boiling broth, mixed with large pieces of radish and spicy old ginger. On the other side, the lid of the steamer was lifted, and white steam rose into the sky, revealing thick porridge that was constantly bubbling.

"The General has ordered! Everyone gets a share! All you can eat!"

The soldier in charge of the food shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice revealing a long-lost confidence.

The first batch of food was sent to the wounded soldiers' camp.

Then a long line formed in front of the rice cookers and soup pots.

It was as if morale had instantly filled the hearts of the Northern Army soldiers.

The cavalry captain stood not far away, looking at the soldiers' long-lost smiles. He subconsciously looked towards the central command tent.

"Zhonglang... truly... a true man..."

He murmured quietly.

More than ten days later.

Just as the Northern Army had finished clearing all the remains from Guangzong City and was preparing to march into battle, a procession of angels, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, carrying the bright banners of the imperial court, arrived at the foot of Guangzong City.

The leading angel eunuch, with a fair complexion and no beard, stood demurely in front of the makeshift command platform, holding a bright yellow silk cloth.

The five colonels of the Northern Army, including Zhao Yun and Liu Bei, who had just handed over their defense duties, all stood solemnly below the platform according to their ranks.

Within ten days, almost all the refugees from Guangzong had entered the pass. This group of people also wanted to return to Bingzhou, so they came to Zhang Xian's side to camp, and the defense was handed over to the original guards of the pass.

"Send Zhang Xian, the Xiongnu General of the Central Army, to receive the imperial decree!"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out.

Zhang Xian stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Your subject Zhang Xian respectfully listens to Your Majesty's decree!"

The eunuch unfurled the imperial edict and read it aloud, his voice echoing across the vast, snowy field:
The imperial edict stated: "I, the Emperor, believe that Heaven favors those of virtue..."
I hereby appoint Zhang Xian, the General of the Xiongnu, as your envoy. He is a man of unparalleled loyalty, courage, wisdom, and strategy! In the Battle of Guangzong, he strategized and commanded from behind the curtain, personally braving arrows and stones, leading a hundred cavalrymen into the besieged city.
Tejin'er was appointed General of the Vanguard, granted the authority to command troops, and given supreme command of the military affairs of Bing, You, and Liang prefectures! He was tasked with suppressing the rebellious tribes on the grasslands and was further enfeoffed as Marquis of Jinxiang, with a fief of three thousand households!
"May this dark earth be bestowed upon you to commemorate your extraordinary achievements! May you uphold your loyalty and integrity! Safeguard my northern borders! This is my decree!"

"Your subject Zhang Xian kowtows in gratitude for the Emperor's grace!"

Zhang Xian's voice was steady as he bowed deeply to express his gratitude.

Marquis of Jinxiang! General of the Vanguard! Granted the authority to act on behalf of the emperor! Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of three prefectures!

Every title, every word, represents immense power!
Below the reviewing stand, all was solemn.

The Northern Army captains were all dumbfounded, their gazes towards Zhang Xian's back filled with even greater awe and shock!

Liu Bei was deeply shaken, his hand trembling slightly in his sleeve. Governor of three prefectures... granted the authority to act as an imperial envoy... what immense power this was!

After the angel finished proclaiming the decree, a formulaic smile appeared on his face as he handed the imperial edict, along with the black ribbon symbolizing a marquis and the seal of office, to Zhang Xian.

The accompanying attendants also carried several heavy vermilion lacquered boxes, inside which were the gold seal and purple ribbon of a marquis, jade tablet and court robes, and other items.

"Congratulations, Marquis of Jinxiang! Congratulations, Marquis of Jinxiang! Marquis Zhang has rendered great service to the nation and enjoys the Emperor's favor. He is truly a pillar of our dynasty!"

The angel eunuch offered his congratulations with clasped hands, his tone clearly flattering.

"Angel, you have had a long and arduous journey, enduring wind, snow, and bitter cold. Please come into the tent to rest and we will prepare some light wine to ward off the cold."

"Lord Zhang, you are too kind. I must return to the capital to report back and dare not linger. In addition, His Majesty has issued an edict that Ji Province is engulfed in war and many refugees are flocking to Bing Province. It would be best for the former general to return to Bing Province as soon as possible after completing the handover to settle the refugees."

The angel eunuch smiled and declined, conveying Liu Hong's oral decree. He didn't even dare to use the usual tactics eunuchs used to ask for favors.

Before he left, Zhang Rang and the others repeatedly told him not to be foolish.

Heaven have mercy! How could he dare? The man before him was the one who had raided Guangzong at night with a hundred riders. No matter how bold he was, he wouldn't dare provoke such a fierce person.

Zhang Xian raised an eyebrow slightly, said nothing more, and simply bowed.

The angel procession came quickly and left quickly, leaving behind only a great commotion and the heavy rewards.

A few days later.

This time, the Northern Army is finally setting off back to the capital.

The dilapidated camp was dismantled, and the supplies were loaded onto usable vehicles.

Although the soldiers still looked pale and walked with difficulty, their eyes no longer held the deathly numbness of before, but rather a bit more vitality.

They packed their belongings silently, but their eyes kept glancing in the direction where Zhang Xianjun was stationed.

Just then, squads of guerrilla soldiers came carrying things over.

It is neither a weapon nor armor.

Instead, they were baskets of golden-brown, fragrant, and steaming mixed grain cakes!
"The former general has given an order!" A military officer standing on a high place said in a loud voice.

"Brothers of the Northern Army, your journey home is fraught with hardship and snow! The General has ordered that you be provided with dry rations as a token of our camaraderie! May you have a safe journey and return home soon!"

As soon as the words fell, the roving soldiers had already delivered the cakes to the Northern Army.

The Northern Army soldiers stared at the Bingzhou soldiers who silently handed them food, and at their armor, which was also covered in frost and snow. Many of them were stunned, and their eyes instantly welled up with tears.

An old soldier with a missing finger, holding the still-hot pancake in trembling hands, suddenly knelt down on the cold snow with a thud, his forehead hitting the ground hard, facing the direction of the central army of Bingzhou.
"Thank you... thank you, Lord Zhang! Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhang!"

That hoarse shout was like a stone thrown into a lake, instantly creating a thousand ripples!

"Thank you, Lord Zhang!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhang!"

"The Marquis of Jinxiang is benevolent and righteous!"

……

The cavalry captain, standing at the front of the column, was also filled with surging emotions.

He suddenly turned towards Zhang Xianjun, clasped his hands above his head, and shouted loudly: "This humble general, Wang Meng, the cavalry captain, on behalf of all my comrades in the Northern Army, thanks the Marquis of Jinxiang for his noble righteousness! The Northern Army soldiers will never forget the kindness of Marquis Zhang!"

"Never forget!"

The roars of thousands of Northern Army soldiers blended together.

The curtain of the central army's tent was lifted slightly, and Zhang Xian's figure appeared at the door.

He didn't speak, but instead raised his hand slightly in a gesture of support towards the dark mass of Northern soldiers kneeling in the wind and snow.

A simple action, yet it left a more profound imprint on the hearts of every Northern Army soldier than a thousand words.

Winning hearts and minds is not just about power and military might; it's about the simple things like a meal, a bowl of soup, medicine, and warmth that truly etch themselves into our very being!

His actions, though seemingly costly in terms of money and supplies, actually planted a seed in the hearts of all the Northern Army soldiers!
(End of this chapter)