Chapter 1265: Battle Achievements in Liangzhou

After Ji Ling left, only Yuan Kui and Yuan Ji remained in the study.

"Gongdao, what is your take on this matter?"

Yuan Kui raised his head slightly, cast his gaze upon Yuan Ji, and asked slowly: "In your opinion, given Duan Yu's character, what will he do next?"

After a moment of deliberation, Yuan Ji analyzed Duan Yu's character.

"Uncle, nephew believes that based on Duan Yu's past character and conduct, if Gonglu has fallen into Duan Yu's hands, his life is hanging by a thread."

"Duan Yu has many generals under his command. If he does not handle this matter properly, it may shake the hearts of his subordinates."

"Therefore, I believe Duan Yu will surely exhaust every means to avenge that general named Wang Hunu."

After hearing Yuan Ji's analysis, Yuan Kui nodded in silence.

"Indeed, that is what I think as well," Yuan Kui said.

"So... whom does Uncle intend to send to rescue Gonglu?" Yuan Ji looked at Yuan Kui.

"That fool..." Yuan Kui said coldly, "It would be best if he died in Anyi."

Yuan Ji was taken aback.

This...

"We absolutely must not act on our own initiative in this matter."

Yuan Kui shook his head.

Although he said he hoped Yuan Shu would die in Anyi, it was merely talk.

"This matter must naturally be referred to the Empress Dowager."

"If Duan Yu truly leads troops from Liangzhou to Hedong Commandery, that is a suspicion of rebellion. Regardless of what he intends to do, as long as he leads troops into the Sili Colonel's jurisdiction, it is tantamount to rebellion."

"Without an imperial edict or a command from the Son of Heaven, he was acting under He Jin's orders in the first month, but now He Jin is dead, and there is no Grand General to grant him such authority. If he mobilizes troops to enter the Sili Colonel's jurisdiction, it is rebellion."

"At this moment, it is not our turn to target him."

Upon hearing Yuan Kui's words, Yuan Ji instantly understood the intention behind them.

They were investigating the whereabouts of He Lingsi under the Empress Dowager's secret decree.

Although Yuan Shu had committed faults, his crimes did not warrant death.

Moreover, that Wang Hunu committed suicide; it was not Yuan Shu who killed him.

Even if they were to pursue it, Yuan Shu would at most be charged with improper handling, and the court would determine the punishment; it would never be Duan Yu's place to act.

But if Duan Yu wanted revenge and led troops into the Sili Colonel's jurisdiction, even if he only left Liangzhou, that would be a suspicion of rebellion.

Unauthorized departure from one's jurisdiction and leading troops across borders is considered a treasonous crime.

"However..."

Yuan Kui raised a hand, pulled the topic back, and said: "What needs to be prepared must still be prepared."

"With the new Emperor about to ascend the throne, Duan Yu remains a threat. Furthermore, he has always held prejudices against the Yuan Clan. Such a person must absolutely not be allowed to grow stronger."

"Assuming Duan Yu leads troops to intercept and kill Gonglu, we must make arrangements in advance."

Yuan Ji nodded slowly and said: "Then how does Uncle intend to respond?"

Yuan Kui stroked his beard while contemplating.

"Submit this to the Empress Dowager first. Regardless of anything else, that general of Duan Yu's named Tie Shitou openly led troops to surround a court official of two thousand shi; this should be dealt with."

"Let Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun lead troops to go there."

"Also, didn't the Baibo Army of Bingzhou want to surrender two months ago?"

Yuan Ji nodded and replied: "That is indeed the case."

"The leader of the Baibo Army, Guo Tai, has submitted a petition wishing to submit to the court."

"Hmm." Yuan Kui grunted and continued: "The Baibo Army has gathered over a hundred thousand people. With such large numbers, staying in Bingzhou remains a threat. Since the new Emperor is ascending the throne, it is natural to grant a general amnesty and spread grace. It is a perfect time to mention this to the Empress Dowager and have them pacified."

"This person is in the Taiyuan Commandery area, closest to Hedong. Let him lead his troops south to Hedong Commandery."

"I intend for you to go personally for this matter."

"Yuan Shu is foolish and incapable of accomplishing things. If Duan Yu truly dares to lead troops out of Liangzhou, then this Guo Tai can be put to use."

"With an army of over a hundred thousand, if given some weapons and supplies, they can become a force. If assisted by Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song, it is not impossible to surround and annihilate the Liangzhou Army in Hedong Commandery."

"And those people in Hedong Commandery and Hongnong Commandery, don't they all hope that Duan Yu no longer interferes in the affairs of the Sili Colonel's jurisdiction? It is time for them to contribute as well."

"I will request a decree for you to serve as the Pacification Commissioner. You... understand, don't you?"

Yuan Ji turned, bowed, and said: "Nephew understands Uncle's meaning. In name, a Pacification Commissioner, but in reality, to control the Baibo Army."

"Good!" Yuan Kui nodded and said: "I am at ease with how you handle things. Go."

"Prepare well."

"Now that Benchu is in Jizhou, if you can control the Baibo Army, the Yuan Clan will have no further worries."

"With you and Benchu in the Yuan family, I can finally be at ease."

Liangzhou, Hanyang Commandery, Jixian.

After entering summer, Liangzhou remained much cooler than the Central Plains.

Although a portion of the corvée labor was drafted in early spring for the war in the Western Regions.

The war in the Western Regions went surprisingly smoothly, and no further large-scale corvée labor was conscripted afterward, allowing the early spring planting to proceed in an orderly fashion.

Coupled with favorable weather throughout the spring, it is foreseeable that this year will be another bumper harvest for Liangzhou.

Looking out, the entire Liangzhou is surrounded by vibrant, lush greenery.

In the fields, one can see commoners with sun-darkened skin, yet whose faces are filled with longing and expectation for their future lives.

Compared to three years ago, when starving corpses were everywhere and people had sallow, earthy complexions, there are now many more youths chasing and playing inside and outside the city.

In the streets and alleys, when commoners sit in front of their doors during their leisure time holding rice bowls, their mouths are no longer filled with complaints about life or weak groans.

Since the beginning of the year, huge notice boards have been erected in government offices across Liangzhou and in areas where commoners gather.

They are euphemistically called "Liangzhou Achievements."

At first, the commoners thought they were for posting official notices.

But later they discovered these were not traditional notices.

They were used to announce major events in Liangzhou.

For example, new policies on farming and changes in various regions.

Among them, there are several topics that the commoners love to talk about.

One of them is the movement of officials.

The "Liangzhou Achievements" notice board posts the changes of Liangzhou officials and the reasons for those changes.

Some were stripped of their official positions because they were investigated and found to have problems.

Some were promoted because they had done certain good deeds that benefited the country and the people.

Besides the section on official movements, the one that the commoners love to talk about most, and which has become the main topic of conversation after meals, is a section called "Liangzhou Battle Achievements."

It lists the latest battle reports of Liangzhou's foreign wars.

At what time, in what location, which small country in the Western Regions was defeated and subdued.

And it also lists the battle achievements of some meritorious generals.

In addition, some soldiers who performed meritorious service and were promoted are also noted. ===== CHAPTER 1267 =====