Chapter 55: The Army Arrives at Xihe Commandery

Afterwards, the common folk who came to see them off voluntarily yielded a passage; after Zhang Liao bid farewell to the people, he left Shangjun City together with the army.

Keeping their eyes on the departing army, the people only left slowly after they saw the army vanish from sight.

One day later, Zhang Liao's army was nearly out of Shangjun; another twenty li away lay Xihe Commandery.

That night, inside the Bing Province Army Central Army Tent, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai were recounting the day's events in Shangjun City.

At that moment, Zhang Liao asked Xi Zhicai curiously, "Military Advisor, how do you think His Majesty will arrange these common folk? I know many of them live in thatched huts."

"Moreover, the households have little surplus grain left; May is fast approaching, and many still have no land. If things go badly, it could become a huge problem!"

Zhang Liao spoke, his eyes showing deep worry—concern for Liu Bian and for these suffering common folk.

Xi Zhicai's gaze grew heavy after hearing Zhang Liao's words.

He pondered for a moment but could not think of a good solution.

"General, to be frank, this has been a dilemma since ancient times; currently most of the Han Empire's land is in the hands of the Great Clan."

Having said that, Xi Zhicai glanced at Zhang Liao's expression and continued.

"At first it was fine; households owned their own land. However, over the years, whenever a great disaster struck and the people had no income, they would sell their land to obtain food for survival."

"Furthermore, the disaster relief grain dispatched by the Imperial Court gets siphoned off by layers of corrupt Court Officials, leaving almost nothing by the time it reaches the regions. The people are forced into the only option: exchanging land for grain!"

Upon saying this, Xi Zhicai spread his hands helplessly and said to Zhang Liao, "It is indeed unavoidable."

"Military Advisor is right! These Great Clan families are truly the empire's parasites; during every great disaster they contribute nothing, yet they scheme to profit for themselves. I wish we could root them all out!"

Zhang Liao replied fiercely, his words full of resentment toward the Great Clan.

"General, you need not worry; with His Majesty's methods, he will certainly act against the Great Clan. However, it is still too early; it must wait until Tian Xia is unified. At present, His Majesty cannot act yet!"

Seeing Zhang Liao's displeasure with the Great Clan, Xi Zhicai explained to him.

After all, he too came from humble origins and knows the Great Clan's ugly faces well.

Hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao's irritation eased considerably.

"Military Advisor is correct; I was a bit hasty. Let the Great Clan exist for a while; after Tian Xia is unified, I will definitely bring this matter to His Majesty."

Seeing Zhang Liao's attitude, Xi Zhicai said nothing more and immediately changed the subject, "Let's not discuss that; it's not our concern. Our current priority is how to swiftly capture Bing Province."

"General, do not forget that the three northern commanderies of Bing Province are still under Xiongnu control!"

Seeing Xi Zhicai unwilling to continue the topic, Zhang Liao shook his head and set the matter aside, turning back to Bing Province.

To Xi Zhicai, he said in a low voice, "Military Advisor is right; we should focus on military matters."

"This place is about one hundred fifty li from Huayang County; at our marching speed we can arrive the day after tomorrow, and Hanyang City, being a small town, has only a thousand guards, making it easy to capture!"

"How about this: let's also take Hanyin City together. After all, the two cities are less than a hundred li apart, so it's a convenient move."

Xi Zhicai realized both Hanyin City and Hanyang City are small towns and immediately said to Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao, after hearing Xi Zhicai's suggestion, thought it feasible and replied, "It is doable, and the garrisons of the two cities do not require many troops."

Seeing Zhang Liao agree, Xi Zhicai added, "Moreover, with our large army moving in, they are likely to surrender; once we subdue them, we will have ready-made guard forces, solving the shortage of troops."

"Fine, we will follow the Military Advisor's plan!" Zhang Liao immediately ordered the troops to split into two routes.

"Men!"

Zhang Liao shouted loudly beyond the Great Tent. A guard hurried into the tent, clasped his fists in salute to Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, and respectfully said, "Salutations, General, Military Advisor!"

"Go fetch General Guo Huai and tell him I have business with him!"

Zhang Liao waved his hand to the guard and said lightly.

"Yes!" the guard clasped his fists to the two and bowed before leaving.

"General, are you planning to send General Guo Huai to Hanyin City?"

Seeing Zhang Liao intend to meet Guo Huai, Xi Zhicai asked aloud.

"General Guo Huai is a veteran of the Bing Province Army; his abilities need no introduction. With him there, I am at ease!"

Zhang Liao explained to Xi Zhicai.

"General Guo Huai truly is the best choice."

Xi Zhicai strongly agreed with Zhang Liao's decision. After all, these were the famed generals who originally defended Bing Province against the Xiongnu.

Shortly thereafter, Guo Huai entered the Great Tent, clasped his fists in salute to Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, and said, "I, Guo Huai, the junior general, have seen the General and Military Advisor!"

"General Guo Huai, come sit and speak."

Zhang Liao gave Guo Huai a slight smile and spoke, while Xi Zhicai nodded at him.

"Thank you, General!"

After loudly thanking Zhang Liao, Guo Huai took a seat on the right-hand side, his face full of puzzlement as he looked at Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai.

"General Guo, I summoned you because the Military Advisor and I just discussed sending you to capture Hanyin City as well!"

"You know the situation of Hanyin City; with your Divine General Realm strength, taking a city garrisoned by a thousand men is a piece of cake. Are you willing to go?"

Zhang Liao, his face solemn, said to Guo Huai in a deep voice.

Hearing that Zhang Liao and the other sought him for this, Guo Huai let out a breath, his expression grave, and confidently assured Zhang Liao, "General, rest assured; Hanyin City is easily within my grasp!"

Seeing Guo Huai's confident face, Zhang Liao shouted, "Good, I knew General Guo would not disappoint me. This time, lead Five Thousand troops there and secure as many surrenders as possible!"

"Junior general obeys!" Guo Huai replied loudly upon hearing Zhang Liao's orders.

"General Guo, after taking Hanyin City, you only need to leave a thousand men to garrison it, preferably conscripts, but the key officers must be our own men. Once Hanyin City is settled, hurry back to Jinyang City to rendezvous with us."

The Military Advisor Xi Zhicai beside them also briefed Guo Huai on the arrangements for Hanyin City.

Afterwards, the three discussed various details for a long time before each went their separate ways…