Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 240 The dust has settled
The study of the former general's mansion in Jinyang.

Zhang Xian entered the study and sat in the main seat.

Below them stood Xun Yu and Chen Ji, with the military documents finally presented by Ding Tai, the governor of Yanmen County, spread out on their desks.

Xun Yu picked up a thick "Inventory of Grain and Forage Storage".

After turning a few pages, his brows furrowed deeply: "My lord, the amount of grain stored in the granaries listed in this book differs considerably from the amount due for last year's autumn tax! Moreover, the locations of the granaries listed in many places do not match the previous investigations by our scouts. The false reporting and concealment are blatantly obvious."

His fingertips traced lines of ink: "What's even more suspicious is that in the past three months, granary officials have frequently used 'losses' and 'rat infestations' as pretexts to write off huge amounts of grain and fodder, yet there is no detailed evidence. Such losses far exceed the norm by several times!"

Chen Ji also looked at the defense map and said, "This map... is full of loopholes. Even if I, your subject, am not concerned with military affairs, I can see that it was done perfunctorily."

Xun Yu picked up the roughly drawn silk scroll and examined it closely, saying, "The location of the beacon towers is off, the troop strength of the garrison is vaguely marked, and especially the several hidden valleys leading to the border are not mentioned at all on the map! If Brother Zhicai had not already investigated the smuggling, looking at this map alone, one would think that Yanmen Pass was impregnable and impregnable."

He casually tossed the scroll onto the table.

"Ding Yuan, this is treating our lord like a three-year-old child."

Zhang Xian's gaze swept over the flawed inventory and the perfunctory defense map, his eyes calm and unwavering.

He picked up the neatly written "roster" filled with names and flipped through it.

A moment later, Xiahou Lan's steady and powerful report came from outside the study: "My lord! Urgent dispatch from Qiangyin! General Zhao Yun has arrived at the northernmost point of Taiyuan and is stationed there. The Anbei army has also mobilized 5,000 soldiers and deployed their defenses inward!"

"That's about right!"

A faint smile appeared on Zhang Xian's lips.

He looked at Xun Yu and asked meaningfully, "Does that scoundrel Ding Yuan think that because he is the governor of the province and is personally led by His Majesty, we cannot touch him?"

"I suppose that's what you're thinking." Xun Yu nodded slightly.

Zhang Xian laughed loudly: "Has he forgotten that I, holding the imperial seal and establishing my own government, can execute officials below the rank of two thousand shi without prior approval?"

As he spoke, his eyes turned icy: "I can't touch Ding Yuan, but I can plow through the Yanmen County governor and his officials several times over!"

"Send the order!"

"Wenruo! Immediately issue a document in the name of the General's Mansion reprimanding Ding Tai! Say that the military documents he submitted were full of errors and omissions, that he was perfunctory and irresponsible, and that he was deceiving his superiors and subordinates. Order him to be suspended from his duties and reflect on his actions! All county affairs will be temporarily taken over by the 'Military and Political Commissioner of Yanmen' specially appointed by the General's Mansion! The wording must be severe to confirm his crime of 'dereliction of duty'! This is the most visible way to handle the situation!"

"Yuanfang! You are hereby appointed as the Military and Political Commissioner of Yanmen. Proceed to the Youyi Military Headquarters immediately!"

"I hereby order Zilong! Lead the cavalry to immediately break camp, raise their banners, and march openly and honorably to the border of Yanmen County to set up camp. There is no need for concealment; make a big show of it! Let the entire Yanmen know that my Bingzhou elite army is right under their noses!"

"The Flying Cavalry has again ordered Gao Shun! His 5,000 Anbei troops are to immediately advance and set up camp near Loufan Pass, west of Yanmen County! This will create a pincer movement from the east and west! The official announcement will be... a routine troop rotation to deter the remaining barbarians beyond the Great Wall!"

He turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Give Ding Yuan and his men three days! If they know what's good for them, hand over the prefect's seal and surrender, then this matter will be dropped. If they resist..."

"Yuanfang, you know what to do!"

"Your subject understands. Anyone implicated in this matter shall be executed!"

Chen Ji bowed and accepted the order.

Zhang Xian waved his hand: "Go ahead and do it boldly! With your imperial insignia, anyone except Ding Yuan can kneel before the guillotine!"

"promise!"
-
The general's office's words were harsh, like a cold guillotine hanging over Prefect Ding Tai's head.

Immediately afterwards, the news that the Youyi cavalry had entered the pass in a grand manner and that the Anbei army had advanced to Loufan Pass struck his heart like two heavy hammers.

What made him even more uneasy was that several powerful families in Taiyuan with whom he had always had dealings suddenly became distant and indifferent, even refusing to see him! A chilling feeling of impending doom shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

“It’s over…it’s all over…” Ding Tai collapsed onto the soft couch in the study, his face ashen. He was not his cousin Ding Yuan. Although the position of prefect was higher than that of governor, Yanmen County was not a place where he could make decisions alone.

"My lord! My lord!" A staff member rushed in, his voice trembling with tears, "It's terrible! Outside... outside they're saying... saying you've colluded with the enemy... colluded with the enemy, my lord!"

"shut up!"

Ding Tai, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly jumped up, grabbed the inkstone on the table, and smashed it hard! The inkstone hit the door frame, and ink splattered everywhere.

"Rumors! They're all rumors! It's Zhang Xian's treacherous scheme!" he roared, seemingly insane, but the fear in his eyes betrayed him.

"Where is Ding Yuan?! Where is he?!"

"When the vanguard of the Youyi Army was deployed, he led a detachment of the Wolf Cavalry to move to Lucheng."

"Lucheng? Is he planning to run to Youzhou if things turn bad?! He's the one who disobeyed orders, and now he's the one leading the escape. What exactly is he trying to do?!"

Ding Tai was furious!

"My lord, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn!" another relatively calm advisor whispered.

"Now the General's Mansion holds the charge of 'dereliction of duty,' and there are also...and those rumors, true or false...to resist is certain death! Perhaps...perhaps we should temporarily retreat? Surrender our seals, feign illness and resign? Leave this perilous place of Yanmen first, and then devise a plan? The Governor also has connections in Luoyang..."

"Leave? Resign?" Ding Tai's eyes flashed with reluctance to relinquish power.

"Would Zhang Xian let me go? Handing over the seal would be like walking into a trap! That's exactly what he's been waiting for!"

He paced anxiously in his study, then suddenly stopped, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes: "No, maybe he's just trying to scare me. As long as I stand firm, Zhang Xian will back down. I am a Han official, not a barbarian! I still have the county troops! And the high walls! If my elder brother escapes, once I hold the line, Yanmen will be under my control!"
"Yes, I am a Han official. Zhang Xian dared to mobilize troops, which is tantamount to murdering a court official! It's treason! Luoyang will not stand idly by! Yes! Defend the city! Hold the line and await reinforcements! Immediately order all camps to close the city gates tightly! No one is allowed to enter or leave without my order! All soldiers, ascend the city walls and stand guard! Nock your bows and crossbows! Prepare rolling logs and stones!"

"Your Excellency, please reconsider!" The advisors were terrified.

"Zhao Yun is a veteran of countless battles! The Anbei army is made up of soldiers selected from piles of corpses in Guangzong, and the Yanmen soldiers have been out of practice for a long time. Furthermore, Your Majesty has taken the wolf cavalry with you. How can we possibly defeat them? Once the war starts, we simply cannot hold our ground!"

"Shut up! Anyone who dares to disrupt our morale again will be executed!" Ding Tai drew his sword from his waist, its cold light flashing, his face contorted in a ferocious expression.

He had been driven to the brink, but his lust for power and fear led him to choose the most foolish form of resistance.

The prefectural governor's orders were relayed in a chaotic and hurried manner.

The four gates of Yinguan City slammed shut amidst the ear-piercing sound of winches.

On the city wall, the defending soldiers were forcibly driven onto the battlements, their faces filled with bewilderment and fear.

The people in the city were filled with fear and panic, closing their doors and windows. The once bustling streets instantly became deathly silent.

An atmosphere of despair enveloped this majestic border town.
-
General's Mansion.

With its bright yellow wings slightly spread, it landed steadily on the windowsill.

Having long been familiar with his general's handsome and intelligent eagle, a servant quickly stepped forward, removed the bamboo tube from his leg, and presented it to Zhang Xian.

He opened it, quickly glanced through it, and a cold smile appeared on Zhang Xian's lips.

"idiot!"

He then picked up a pen, quickly wrote something down, and stuffed an order into the gleaming yellow bamboo tube.

"Go find Zhao Yun, Zhao Yun with the white horse banner."

He fed Shanhuang two strips of fresh meat, stroked its feathers, and sent it flying into the sky again.

Intelligence that would normally take a day or two to deliver, Zhang Xian could deliver in just a few hours or even less.

Unfortunately, there's only one Flashy Yellow, so he can only focus on one side each time.
-
The northernmost part of Taiyuan Prefecture and the southernmost part of Yanmen Prefecture are home to the illustrious camp of the Youyi Army.

The camp was heavily fortified, with watchtowers and watchtowers in full force.

Squads of elite cavalry patrolled back and forth, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest, silently exuding a chilling killing intent.

Inside the central command tent, Zhao Yun, clad in silver armor and a white robe, stood before the sand table, his hand on his sword.

On the sand table, the mountains and passes of Yanmen County, especially the location of Yinguan, were clearly marked with cinnabar.

"Report——!"

A scout burst into the tent like a whirlwind: "General! The four gates of Yinguan are tightly shut! The garrison has already climbed the city walls and is on high alert! Bows and crossbows are cocked, and logs and stones are piled up! Ding Tai... has rebelled!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the tent glared angrily, their killing intent rising.

But Zhao Yun remained calm and composed as he surveyed the map.

He only looked up and strode quickly to lift the curtain when the sound of flapping wings came from outside the tent.

A golden eagle darted in and landed steadily on his right shoulder.

He opened the bamboo tube, and after reading the orders on it, his eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Order! All Youyi Army, don your armor! Prepare your horses! Check your bows and arrows! One hour from now, break camp! Target—twenty miles south of Yinguan, set up camp and besiege the city!"

"Yes, sir!" the generals roared in unison, their voices echoing through the camp.

"Other."

Zhao Yun glanced at a resolute-faced, composed civil official beside him. This was none other than Chen Ji, the "Military and Political Commissioner of Yanmen," who had arrived bearing the imperial insignia.

"Lord Chen, according to the plan, once our army is at the city gates, we will need to trouble you to go forward with the imperial insignia and convey the General's orders! If Ding Tai remains obstinate..."

Zhao Yun pressed his hand heavily on the hilt of his sword.

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless with my silver spear!"

Chen Ji's expression was solemn, showing no fear: "General Zhao, rest assured! I have been entrusted with this important mission and will certainly not fail in my duty! If Ding Tai dares to disobey orders, he will be cutting himself off from the court and from the people of Bingzhou! His crime deserves to be punished!"

An hour later, the earth began to tremble.

Two thousand elite cavalrymen of the Youyi Army, like a flood bursting its banks, led by Zhao Yun, kicked up clouds of dust and surged toward Yinguan, the capital of Yanmen County!

The silver armor reflected a dazzling cold light in the sunlight, the sound of horses' hooves blended into rolling thunder, and the banner embroidered with the head of a divine horse with a bow inserted diagonally, representing the Youyi Banner of Bingzhou's strongest light cavalry, fluttered wildly in the wind!
Meanwhile, west of Yanmen County, at Loufan Pass.

Gao Shun's 5,000 Anbei soldiers had also completed their formation.

A general with the will to charge into battle will naturally inspire his soldiers to believe that they will die rather than live.

Although the Anbei Army had only assumed the responsibility of defending the territory in the previous grassland strategy, it was during this period that the Anbei Army, which had been hastily formed due to time constraints, underwent a complete transformation!
The two armies, one from the east and one from the west, were like two giant iron pincers, their sharp edges aimed directly at Yinguan! The shadow of war instantly enveloped the sky above Yanmen County.

Half a month later.

Sanggan Plain.

This place is located southwest of Yinguan City. It is slightly elevated and has a wide view, overlooking the entire Yinguan.

Zhao Yun's elite cavalry swept over the hilltop like a black tide, quickly forming a formidable battle formation.

The warhorses snorted and pawed at the mud beneath their hooves, while the knights silently adjusted their saddles and checked their bows and quivers, their movements practiced and silent.

The air was thick with the smell of war.

A huge banner bearing the character "Zhao" and a military banner bearing the character "Youyi" fluttered in the wind at the highest point of the hill, glaringly catching the eye of the Yinguan garrison.

A commotion broke out on the city wall.

The defenders looked at the elite cavalrymen on the distant slope, their armor gleaming and their killing intent paling. They saw the cold glint of their swords and spears in the sunlight and felt the palpable, menacing aura emanating from them. Their hands, gripping their weapons, were covered in cold sweat.

Some new recruits even felt their legs go weak and could barely stand.

"What's the panic!" A military officer in charge of the western city's defenses shouted, trying to appear calm, but his voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

"We have high walls! We have rolling logs and boulders! No matter how powerful their cavalry are, they can't fly up here! You all better hold your ground!"

However, before he could finish speaking, a gray-yellow army slowly approached from a greater distance in the west.

Just as their attention was drawn to the newly arrived army formation.

Three "thunderbolt carts" covered with raw cowhide slowly drove out from the Youyi Army formation and continued to advance towards the foot of Yinguan City!

Each side was guarded by a small cavalry squad until they reached a point less than three miles from the city of Yinguan!
The sturdy casting rod, under the craftsman's control, emitted a teeth-grinding winch whirring sound as it slowly rose!

"That's... a catapult?!" The defenders on the city wall were in an uproar, fear spreading like a plague.

"put--!"

With a command from the commander of the Youyi Army, three huge, burning stones wrapped in oil-soaked linen, accompanied by a piercing sound, crashed down like three fiery meteors falling from the sky onto the west wall of Yinguan!
boom! boom! boom!
Three earth-shattering explosions! Debris flew everywhere, and dust billowed! The city wall shook violently! Although it didn't collapse immediately, the immense power and terrifying sound were enough to terrify all the defenders! A huge rock even struck a corner of the city tower, sending splinters flying and flames spreading instantly!
"what--!"

"The city is about to collapse!"

"Run!"

The city walls were instantly filled with howls and wailing, and utter chaos ensued.

The military commander's suppression measures completely failed, and the soldiers ran around like headless flies.

Just as the chaos and shock reached their peak, the gates of the Youyi Army's formation were flung open.

Chen Ji, the military and political commissioner of Yanmen, dressed in a blue official robe and holding a tally symbolizing the authority of the general's mansion, rode out slowly under the escort of a team of elite cavalrymen, heading straight for the edge of the moat!

Chen Ji reined in his horse, took a deep breath, and his voice, amplified by the metal tube, echoed throughout the city walls.

"Listen up, soldiers on the city walls! I am Chen Ji, the special envoy from the General's Office of Bingzhou to oversee military and political affairs at Yanmen! I have come here on the orders of General Zhang Hou!"

"Ding Tai, the Prefect of Yanmen! He has deceived his superiors and subordinates, embezzled military funds, and even colluded with the enemy. The evidence against him is irrefutable! The General's Office has long issued a clear order for him to suspend his duties, reflect on his actions, and await further punishment! However, Ding Tai has not shown any remorse and has stubbornly resisted. He even dared to close the city gates privately, amass troops, and wreak havoc in Bingzhou. This is a heinous crime of treason!"

"The General's Mansion has issued an order! In this battle, only the ringleader Ding Tai will be executed! Those who were coerced will be spared! Anyone who lays down their weapons and surrenders will be considered a good person! All past transgressions will be overlooked! The General's Mansion's army has already surrounded Yinguan, and the city will fall in no time! Do not make a mistake and be buried with Ding Tai!"

"Open the city gates immediately! Welcome the royal army into the city! Purge the treacherous officials and restore order to Yanmen!"

Chen Ji's voice, like a resounding bell, echoed across the smoke-filled city walls.

The chaos on the city wall instantly came to a halt.

Countless eyes, filled with surprise, doubt, fear, unease, and anticipation, gazed with complex emotions at Chen Ji, who held the imperial tally and represented the authority of the General's Mansion, below the city walls, while secretly glancing towards the direction of the Prefect's Mansion within the city.

The air seemed to freeze.

When Chen Ji, holding the imperial tally and guarded by the iron cavalry of the Youyi Army, stepped proudly through the wide-open west gate of Pingcheng, this majestic border city had already changed hands.

On the city wall, the defending soldiers had already abandoned their weapons and knelt on both sides in fear and unease.

The streets were crowded with people who were still in shock but also had a hint of hope. They looked at the tally representing the authority of the state and the cavalry of the Youyi Army, who were in full force and still exuded a murderous aura, with complicated expressions.

The gates of the prefectural governor's mansion were violently kicked open.

When Chen Ji and Zhao Yun entered the mansion under the protection of a team of elite soldiers, it was already in a mess.

The servants and maids had already scattered like birds and beasts, and all the valuables had been swept away.

In the corner of the study, they found Ding Tai, who looked emaciated and dejected.

He huddled on the kneeling couch, his official robes rumpled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes vacant, as if he had aged twenty years overnight.

The sword lay at his feet, its scabbard covered in dust.

When he saw the talisman in Chen Ji's hand and Zhao Yun's cold gaze, he trembled all over, making a hoarse sound in his throat, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"Ding Tai!"

Chen Ji stepped forward, his voice solemn: "You have deceived the court, embezzled military funds, and colluded with the enemy. The evidence against you is irrefutable! Furthermore, you have stubbornly resisted and plotted rebellion. Your crimes are truly heinous! By order of the former general, you are hereby dismissed from your post as governor of Yanmen Commandery! Take him to Jinyang to await further judgment! Guards! Seize him!"

Two fierce soldiers stepped forward and unceremoniously dragged the limp Ding Tai to his feet.

"No...no...I am an official appointed by the imperial court...you cannot..." Ding Tai struggled in vain, his voice hoarse and desperate.

Zhao Yun looked at him coldly, as if he were a pile of garbage: "When you were colluding with the enemy and betraying your country, and holding military power for yourself, did you ever think that you were an official of the imperial court? Take him away!"

"No, no, it wasn't me! It was Ding Yuan! It was Ding Yuan!"

The soldiers dragged Ding Tai, whose face was ashen, away from the prefectural governor's mansion as if he were a dead dog.

Inside the mansion, only empty echoes and a scene of utter devastation remained.

Chen Ji walked to the desk, looking at the scattered documents with a complicated expression.

He solemnly picked up the bronze seal of the prefect, which represented the highest power in Yanmen County, and found it heavy and cold to the touch.

He turned around and presented the seal to Zhao Yun with both hands: "General Zhao, the seal of the Prefect of Yanmen is here. According to the lord's order, before the new prefect takes office, all military and political affairs of Yanmen Prefecture will be temporarily managed by the General's Office! Please keep this seal safe!"

Zhao Yun solemnly accepted the heavy bronze seal with both hands.

This seal signifies that Yanmen County, a crucial strategic town in the northern border region of Bingzhou, has finally fallen completely under the control of the General's Mansion!

"You've worked hard, Lord Chen," Zhao Yun said in a deep voice.

"Please, Your Excellency, take immediate action to appease the people, restore order, inventory the treasury, and investigate the officials! All of Ding Tai's associates shall be imprisoned! Those who are willing to pledge allegiance and atone for their crimes may be pardoned at your discretion! General Gao Shun's Anbei Army will soon enter the city to assist in its defense."

“Ding Yuan is also a hidden danger. He has brought his troops to Lucheng. As the governor, we have no right to pursue him. Even if we did pursue him, he could escape to Youzhou. According to our lord, it is better to keep him under our noses so that we can control him.”

"Ding Tai has been apprehended. Perhaps this man could become an asset in bringing down Ding Yuan. I will soon return to Jinyang, and the entire Yin Pavilion will then be under the patronage of Prefect Chen and General Gao Shun."

"General Zilong, rest assured, Ji will not fail in his mission!"

Zhao Yun nodded, holding the prefect's seal, and strode out of the mansion.

The sunlight shone on his gleaming silver armor, reflecting a dazzling light.

He looked towards Jinyang, where the power struggle at Yanmen had finally come to an end.

(End of this chapter)