Chapter 300: Spring and Autumn
"My lord, I don't think we should continue the pursuit."
In the Rouran military camp, Su Jing (the Calm Armored Cavalryman) argued with reason.
Yujiulü Brahmin had a headache. Although he was nominally the commander of the Rouran army, he was actually only the commander of the coalition forces. The only army he could fully control was the army directly under his command.
If it were in the past, Yujiulu Brahmin would never have listened to Su Jing's muttering.
But Su Jing had just broken the main formation of Po Liu Han Baling, and the elite cavalry of the royal tent intimidated the various Rouran tribes.
The grassland naturally worships the strong, and Yujiulü Brahmin could not ignore Su Jing's opinions, so he could only hold these military meetings.
Su Jing looked at everyone and said:
"As the Han Dynasty's military strategy says, don't pursue an enemy who is desperate. There are still so many rebels in the Six Garrisons along the Yellow River. What's the point of pursuing them?"
After this sentence was said, everyone lowered their heads and began to think.
It is indeed as Su Jing said, there is really no benefit in chasing these poor rebels from the Six Towns.
His weapons and equipment were in tatters, and the usable horses had either been eaten up or shot dead. Even if he defeated them, he would not get any spoils except the population.
But the population?
Last year there was a snow disaster, this year there is a drought. In previous years, population was a wealth, but now it is a burden.
These people from the six towns who were robbed and brought back had to be fed before they would return to the grassland, and now the price of a slave was not even as expensive as the food along the way.
When times of chaos come, the least valuable thing is population.
Su Jing was right, there was nothing worth stealing from this group of rebels.
Su Jing then said, "Does the king want to kill all these people?"
Yujiulü Brahmin hurriedly shook his head and said, "We Rouran people are mercenaries. Why should we risk our lives?"
If he really killed all these people, regardless of whether there would be retribution from the gods or Buddhas, the Brahmin Yujiulu was not willing to bear the infamy.
Su Jing said:
"In my opinion, we only need to leave some troops behind to watch over these six rebels and wait for them to disintegrate on their own."
"It's the towns that are more important."
Yujiulu Brahmin nodded repeatedly. There were craftsmen and remaining food in the town, so at least there were things that could be robbed.
The Brahmin Ukruta said:
"Who's left then?"
Su Jing cupped her hands and said:
"I am willing to stay here."
Hearing that Su Jing volunteered to give up the opportunity to rob other places, Yujiulu Brahmin said with great satisfaction:
"General Su is a loyal minister of the Khan. When I return, I will explain the general's contributions to the Khan!"
September 30th, the first year of Xiaochang.
Yujiulü Brahmin led his troops away, leaving only Su Jing to lead the royal cavalry to guard the defeated army of Po Liu Han Baling on the banks of the Yellow River.
Po Liu Han Baling summoned craftsmen and had them cut down the surrounding trees. He personally carried the trees to build a floating bridge on the bank of the Yellow River.
Su Jing turned a blind eye to Po Liu Han Baling's actions, and even took the initiative to retreat, leaving a forest to Po Liu Han Baling.
Fifteen days later, October 15th.
Due to the dry season of the Yellow River this year, the water level of the Yellow River south of Wuyuan has dropped significantly, making the construction of the floating bridge easier.
It took Po Liu Han Baling half a month to finally build a simple floating bridge.
In fact, it is called a floating bridge, but it is just a combination of floating wood that can be used to hold on to the water.
Fortunately, the Yellow River is dry this year and the water flow is gentle. Now it is autumn and winter and the water level is even shallower. Anyone who can swim can cross the river using this floating bridge.
When they saw the first soldier who successfully crossed the river, there was laughter behind Po Liu Han Baling, followed by crying.
Po Liu Han Baling ordered the soldiers to cross the bridge. The soldiers walked down the river bank and crossed the Yellow River to the south along the pontoon bridge.
This way of moving like ants is destined to make the river crossing extremely slow, but the working people will still show some wisdom in dangerous situations.
A craftsman invented a new method, tying floating objects to a group of people and then having someone who was good at swimming pull them across the bridge.
Some craftsmen also came up with the idea of intercepting the water source upstream and slowing down the flow of water downstream.
Po Liu Han Baling was guarding the bridgehead. Every soldier from the Six Garrisons who crossed the bridge bowed to him before starting to cross the river.
As more and more people crossed the river, some people collected wood from the other side and made some small boats, which further accelerated the speed of crossing the river.
By the end of the month, most of the Six Garrisons volunteers gathered along the Yellow River had finally crossed the river, and the only ones left were those who had no way to cross the river.
These people were either disabled soldiers or elderly people who did not have the strength to cross the river.
The refugees who were unable to cross the river knelt in front of Po Liu Han Baling and said:
"True King, please cross the river!"
In fact, Po Liu Han Baling was also at the end of his life, and building the floating bridge had consumed his last bit of energy.
He had asked his disciples to cross the river first, but there were still a few disciples who stayed by his side to escort him across the river.
Po Liu Han Baling put down his staff, walked to the bank of the Yellow River and said:
"It was the Six Garrisons that destroyed the Yuan clan."
After saying this prophecy, Po Liu Han Baling jumped directly into the Yellow River.
"True King!" When the disciples who stayed behind saw Po Liu Han Baling jumping into the river, they also hurriedly jumped into the river to rescue him, but where could they see Po Liu Han Baling?
When the old people and disabled soldiers on the shore saw Po Liu and Han Baling jumping into the river, they also came to the river.
Looking at the Yellow River, these people jumped into the Yellow River without hesitation, shouting the last prophecy of Po Liu Han Baling -
"It was the Six Garrisons that destroyed the Yuan clan."
By the time Su Jing's military camp received the news and rushed to the Yellow River, there was no living person on the riverbank.
"General, this is the crane staff that Po Liu Han Baling used."
A soldier searched along the river bank and found Po Liu Han Baling's iconic crane staff.
Looking at the other side of the Yellow River, Su Jing looked at the crane staff bestowed by the Northern Wei court on the prestigious old man.
It is unknown how Han Baling, the sixth of the Han people, obtained the Crane Staff. Even most of his disciples and followers who could tell his life story had died in the Six Garrisons.
But this name will definitely be recorded in history.
Su Jing reported to Su Ze through the system that the refugee army from the six towns had completely crossed the river, and soon received Su Ze's instructions.
"Bury this crane staff nearby and build a cenotaph for Po Liu Han Ba Ling."
"Also, spread the prophecy he made before his death."
-
On the other side of the river, opposite Wuyuan is Xiazhou. Originally there were several ferry crossings here, but they were abandoned when the war broke out.
After the Six Garrisons Uprising, many scattered troops entered Xiazhou from here, and the nearby villages were gradually abandoned because of this.
Later, Su Ze built Yongle City and relocated a group of people from Xiazhou on the south bank of the Yellow River.
After crossing the river, the refugee army of the Six Garrisons cried bitterly when they learned the news of Po Liu Han Baling's death, but they soon fell into confusion.
What to do after crossing the river?
Without the guidance of the True King, where should we go?
Those who have a little knowledge know that Xiazhou is Su Ze's territory. Can he really snatch food from this powerful General Pingxi?
Just when everyone was confused, a cavalry appeared in the distance.
A silver light was reflected on the cavalry's bodies, which was the light emitted by the armor of the most elite cavalry.
The refugee army of the Six Garrisons fell into despair again, only to hear the cavalry shouting:
"If you want to live, follow me!"
The cavalry made a detour in front of the refugee army's camp and then headed south.
The numerous refugees looked at each other, and then they made up their minds that since they had no food left, they might as well follow and see what happens!
They followed the cavalry south and soon saw a temporary camp, then smelled the fragrant smoke from cooking.
"General Su has issued an order! Lay down your weapons and you will be allowed to join the ranks of the people!"
Upon hearing the news, the refugee troops from the six towns laid down their weapons and rushed into the camp.
-
November, the first year of Xiaochang.
King Guangyang Yuan Shen looked at the completely destroyed Huaishuo Town, and met his deputy general Pei Yan, as well as the commander of the Rouran army brought by Pei Yan, Yujiulü Brahmin.
Yujiulu Brahmin's face was full of resentment.
The Northern Wei court was so cunning!
The reward Pei Yan promised was to allow the Rouran people to rob the six towns at will.
But after the riot at the hands of Han Baling, the Six Towns had become almost a ruin, and there was nothing left to rob!
Yujiulü Brahmin plundered for a long time, but what he got in the end was not enough for the Rouran people to send troops!
In addition to allowing the Rouran people to rob at will, Yuan Shen also promised silk, silk and horses, which have not been delivered to this day.
Along the way, Pei Yan had tried his best to appease Yujiulü Brahmin, but after seeing Yuan Shen, Yujiulü Brahmin still lost his temper.
Yuan Shen's face was also filled with fatigue.
With the destruction of Po Liu and Han Baling, the Rebellion of the Six Garrisons was put to an end.
But this mess still needs someone to clean up.
The court wanted to reward the soldiers who followed him to defend Baidao City, but it was simply unable to raise so much silk.
But now the Rouran people have an army of 100,000 in the Six Garrisons. If we don’t satisfy them, it will be difficult to end the situation.
Faced with the aggressiveness of the Rouran people, Yuan Shen thought of the court's decree and once again cursed Yuan Rong for coming up with this solution.
Yuan Shen could only grit his teeth and say:
"My lord, if there is nothing worth taking from the Six Towns, can we go to Yanzhou and Youzhou to take it?"
Pei Yan looked at Yuan Shen in horror. This was a signal for the Rouran people to plunder Yanzhou and Youzhou!
Yuan Shen was also helpless, but the imperial court really could not raise the gold, silver, silk and silk promised to the Rouran people. Finally, Yuan Rong suggested that the Rouran people go to "Youyan to get it themselves."
Upon hearing Yuan Shen’s words, Yujiulü Brahmin was overjoyed.
Youzhou and Yanzhou are also northern prefectures bordering the Six Garrisons, and are even richer than Hengzhou.
Although Hengzhou was the birthplace of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the location of the imperial tomb, when Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital, he took away most of Hengzhou's wealth.
In comparison, Youzhou and Yanzhou are much richer.
"In that case, we, the Rouran people, will go to Youzhou and Yanzhou to get it ourselves!"
Yujiulu Brahmin laughed and left. After he left, Yuan Shen covered his face and said:
"I don't know how future history books will evaluate us."
Pei Yan was silent for a long time, and finally said:
"The only people who know me well are those who read the Spring and Autumn Annals."
(End of this chapter)