Chapter 39: Is Xie Xuan your son?

Leaving the settlement, the Buhuo Army was truly a vagrant group.

By rights, they should have continued moving like locusts, sweeping away everything along the way.

Many felt, however, that garrisoning Xiangguo City and using its strong city defenses to fight the Qianghu army was also a fine choice.

"Lord."

Chewing the chicken claw in his mouth into pieces and casually wiping his hands on his body, Qin Lang spoke first: "On the Ye City side, news should arrive soon."

"The Black Lance Dragon Soaring Army under Shi Hu's command, the Qianghu armored cavalry, the Palace Guard Flying Cavalry, and others are all elite forces under heaven."

"Fast horses galloping, they can arrive in two or three days."

"If our army leaves the city, there are many carriages and horses, and the personnel are complex."

"If struck by thunder, it would surely become a rout."

The greatest gain from capturing Xiangguo City, besides tens of thousands of able-bodied civilian laborers, was a vast amount of various supplies.

By the habit of the vagrant group, they naturally had to take everything away.

Without a doubt, this would greatly delay the marching speed.

A huge transport team, a crowd lacking effective management, a long marching column in the wilderness outside the city.

Encountering a surprise attack from an elite cavalry unit of this era, the outcome would surely be extremely cruel.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

During the Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties period, it was the peak of heavy cavalry.

These heavy cavalry possessed extremely powerful impact force.

Marching in the wild, encountering a heavy cavalry assault, there was almost no possibility of victory at all.

Later Zhao's heavy cavalry were actually not that strong.

Former Liang's heavy cavalry, and even the famous armored cavalry of the Yan Kingdom's Murong Clan, were the peak of this era.

The martially renowned Ran Min was defeated by the Murong Clan's armored cavalry.

"Continue." Lin Dao sat cross-legged. "Not leaving the city means staying inside Xiangguo City?"

"When Shi Hu's great army attacks, can we hold it?"

"We can!"

Qin Lang spoke confidently: "Xiangguo City's defenses are perfect and sturdy; compared to Ye City, it is not inferior at all."

He then flattered: "Our army won in one battle thanks to the Lord's wise command and the Jiang Jun's bravery, not because this city was inadequate."

There was no wise command; it was just relying on superior numbers and equipment, surrounding them from four sides and beating the old master to death with chaotic fists.

Xiangguo City was captured mainly because the defending troops were too few.

And because tens of thousands of civilian laborers forcibly conscripted within the city rebelled and switched sides during battle.

"Lord."

"There are many people in the city; we can use this period to properly organize and train them."

"Supplies are sufficient; even if besieged for a year or two, we need not fear a lack of grain."

"With strong city defenses as a support, the new recruits can undergo the baptism of war and grow quickly."

"The Qianghu's powerful cavalry, when attacking a city, cannot display the advantages of field battles."

Lin Dao shifted his knees. "Speak of the drawbacks."

"If it's a long siege, I fear grain and grass will be insufficient." Qin Lang glanced at Lin Dao.

Actually, the Buhuo Army's greatest reliance and leverage is you, Lord~~~

Lord, you are an Immortal who can conjure supplies.

As long as Lord's arts remain, even if the Qianghu besiege us for ten or eight years, we need not worry.

Lin Dao slightly raised his hand, his gaze turning to Xie Yi.

"Duke of the Commandery, if the Buhuo Army draws the Qianghu main force beneath the city."

"Do you have a good plan to help me?"

Xie Yi naturally understood the meaning behind Lin Dao's words.

The Qianghu main force is being held by me beneath Xiangguo City; it is time for the Imperial Court to exert its strength.

"Grand Commander, please set your mind at ease." Xie Yi said with a smile. "This lowly official will depart tomorrow to make contact with outside aid. I will also earnestly explain the gravity of the situation to the Imperial Court and suggest that the Court seize the opportunity to launch a great northern expedition to recover the land and rivers."

Scholars really know how to speak.

One sentence was spoken with passionate fervor, as if once he returned to Jiangzuo, the Court's heavenly troops could immediately cross the river (Huai He) to launch a northern expedition.

But in reality, "earnestly explaining the gravity" means I will tell the Court about this matter.

"Suggesting seizing the opportunity to launch a northern expedition" means I will definitely push for the proposal; as for whether it can actually pass, that is not up to me.

Bottom line: I will definitely handle the matter, but as for whether it succeeds, don't count on me.

Truly worthy of having served as a General's Manor Assistant Commander; the matter isn't even done yet, and he's already shifting the responsibility away cleanly.

Lin Dao understood his words: "If one only knows how to start a fire but not how to put it out, one will be burned by one's own fire."

"Grand Commander is overthinking."

Xie Yi understood that the Grand Commander had not grasped the deeper meaning in his words.

His original intention was to show his own ability and get difficult things done.

He stopped showing off and hurriedly expressed his stance: "This lowly official will set off for Youzhou to the Murong Clan right away."

"The Murong Clan has fought the Qianghu many times; the hatred between the two sides is as deep as the sea."

"If there is an opportunity, their troops will surely not miss the chance to send troops."

Shi Hu had always regarded the Xianbei as his strongest opponent, fighting the Xianbei various clans year after year.

He defeated and subjugated many Xianbei tribes, but then suffered consecutive crushing defeats at the hands of the Xianbei Murong Clan.

Mainly, the Xianbei Murong Clan's armored cavalry were simply too powerful.

Moreover, Murong Ke, Murong Chui, and others were all warlike generals.

Both sides were of the sort that, given the opportunity, would inevitably send troops to take a bite.

If Shi Hu's main force were pinned down beneath Xiangguo City, the Murong Clan would inevitably send troops to take advantage.

"Afterward, this humble official will take a sea ship southward and return to Jiangzuo."

"At court, push for the matter of sending troops."

In Jiangzuo, the Northern Expedition had always been the correct diagnosis.

Not only could it be proposed, but everyone shouted for it.

The problem was that too few truly dared to launch the Northern Expedition.

Lin Dao did not believe: "You can persuade the Imperial Court to launch the Northern Expedition?"

"Although this humble official is of low status and little influence," Xie Yi spoke earnestly, "my younger brother, however, possesses such ability."

"This humble official also has a good friend who believes the Northern Expedition can succeed."

"Quite a bold tone." Lin Dao stared blankly. "Who is your younger brother, and who is your good friend?"

"My younger brother is Xie An, possessing talent to govern the world." Xie Yi hurriedly bowed his head. "Though living in seclusion, he holds the world in his heart."

"As for this humble official's good friend, he is Grand Governor of Jingzhou Huan Wen."

"He holds the troops and horses of Jingzhou, and is determined to achieve great deeds."

"If there is an opportunity, he will inevitably send troops."

"This humble official is willing to go persuade my younger brother and Grand Commander Huan to send troops on the Northern Expedition to relieve the Grand Commander's predicament."

Xie Yi's original intention was to demonstrate his own strength and that of the Chen Commandery Xie Clan.

He had personally witnessed the immortal methods Lin Dao displayed.

To climb onto him, one also had to demonstrate one's own value.

"You~~~" Lin Dao surveyed Xie Yi with a strange expression. "Your younger brother is Xie An? What is Xie Xuan to you?"

He knew little about the famous figures of the Two Jin period.

Among those surnamed Xie, he only knew two.

One was Xie An, the other was Xie Xuan.

Both were key figures in winning the E Shui Zhi Zhan.

Xie Yi was greatly surprised. "The Grand Commander actually knows my son's name?"

His youngest son was only two years old this year, yet was known by the Grand Commander far away in Jizhou.

This was truly too surprising.

"Xie Xuan is your son?" Lin Dao sighed slightly.

He realized he had failed to do one important thing.

Through the explosive information of the Modern World, he learned in detail about the people and events of the Yonghe Spacetime.

That night, Lin Dao, who had returned to the Modern World, consulted materials about the Two Jin period for a long time.

Most of the information on the Internet was similar but not real, not that detailed.

But it was enough already; at least on the Yonghe Spacetime side, he was a prophet.

"I really didn't expect it."

Before lying down to sleep, Lin Dao was still clicking his tongue in amazement at Xie Yi's matter.

"I thought he was just a minor character."

"I never expected his sons and daughters would be figures famous in history."

Xie Yi's son Xie Xuan organized the Northern Army, commanded and won the E Shui Zhi Zhan, and was enshrined in Wu Miao during the Tang and Song periods.

Compared to Xie Xuan, Xie Yi's Eldest Daughter was even more famous.

Her deeds were in the "Three Character Classic."

"Cai Wen Ji, could discern the zither. Xie Daoyun, could chant."

The most famous talented woman of the Two Jin period, Xie Daoyun.

Next day morning, Lin Dao went to the Yonghe Spacetime to see off Xie Yi's envoy.

"The Grand Commander's generous gift." Looking at the goods on the large carts, Xie Yi saluted solemnly. "Dare not forget."

On several large carts were loaded large quantities of Ling Luo Luo Duan seized within Xiangguo City.

The most numerous were the Canned Food and Alcohol bestowed by Lin Dao.

Canned Food needs no further explanation.

There were two kinds of Alcohol: one was baijiu in large plastic barrels.

This kind of wine, the Murong Clan dwelling in the cold Northern Regions, should like.

In addition, there were several dozen boxes of grape wine.

Grape wine was naturally precious, but among the Aristocratic Clans of Jiangzuo, it was not something rare.

Its truly valuable point lay in that all the grape wine was bottled in Bo Liu Beii.

Lin Dao even gave several sets of Bo Liu Beii wine cups.

This sense of value immediately skyrocketed.

In the Ancient world, Bo Liu Beii had always been high-grade goods.

Even when Nobles were buried, some held Bo Liu Beii pearls in their mouths, which also made many grave robbers shout that it was unlucky.

"This Sword, give it to your son Xie Xuan, and your daughter Xie Daoyun."

Lin Dao handed the two Gong Wu Jian in his hands to Xie Yi.

This was stock he had ordered online before; the design was very flashy and pretty, just not very practical.

The reason he gave Xie Yi so many things also stemmed from Xie Xuan and Xie Daoyun.

Xie Xuan won the Battle of E Shui, preventing the whole Central Plains from falling into the hands of the various Hu.

Xie Xuan prevented the destruction of the nation and the extermination of the clan; he had merit.

As for giving Xie Daoyun weapons.

It was when Lin Dao was reading materials that he learned that the historical Xie Daoyun, when the rebel army breached the city, actually brandished her sword in resistance and beheaded several people.

She was actually a talented woman accomplished in both civil and military arts.

Without a doubt, Xie Yi's heart was full of doubt.

Xie Xuan was only two years old; why did the Grand Commander value him so highly?

As for his daughter Xie Daoyun, she was also at the age to discuss marriage~~~

Seeing off Xie Yi's party, Lin Dao, back inside the city, began his own work.

First he went to the Wounded Soldier Camp to visit the wounded soldiers and check medical provisions.

Then he presided over distributing pensions and burial funds to the families of the Jiang Jun who died in battle.

Those with sons at home could inherit the military quota; this was also the Jun Hu system of the Jin Dynasty.

If there were no sons, then from the Gu Er Ying, someone would be selected to be adopted to continue the incense and fire.

In short, it was to alleviate the rear worries of the Military Households as much as possible.

After finishing these and eating lunch, he watched the Military Households' training.

Before dinner, he inspected the progress of city defense repairs.

Later Zhao's strength was still there.

At its peak, it could mobilize a million-strong army.

Under such circumstances, rashly joining forces with Shi Hu would certainly not be a wise choice.

Learn from Old Zhu to develop in a low-key manner,

wait until Shi Hu encounters the encirclement and attack of Eastern Jin, Former Liang, and the Xianbei Murong Clan, and internal turmoil arises again, then make a move—that would be most suitable.

Standing on the city wall of Xiangguo City, Lin Dao's gaze turned toward the direction of Ye City.

"First, what must be done is to hold this place and withstand Shi Hu's retaliation!"

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