bookrandom Chapter 1111 Freshman
Chapter 1111 Freshman
Chapter 1111 Freshman
From Bian Jing to Qingzhou, Zhang Gen galloped all the way through the post stations, changing horses but not people, sleeping only three hours a day and spending the rest of the time on the road, regardless of rain or shine. It took him only twelve days to arrive.
Han Zhen was left far behind by him.
When Zhang Gen arrived in Qingzhou, he had only one follower, Zhang Gong.
Zhang Gen went into the post station to rest. Qingzhou was the seat of Huanqing Road, and the post station was quite neat.
When the postman saw Zhang Gen's seal, he immediately arranged meals for him and even brought him hot soup for him to wash his feet.
A moment later, the postmaster also came to greet him and said, "I didn't know you were coming from the West Palace. I'm sorry for not coming to greet you from afar!"
Zhang Gen asked about some military intelligence, and the postmaster told him roughly what he knew, and also said that Zhao Zhan, the transport officer of Yongxing Army Road, had arrived there.
Zhang Gen nodded and said, "It's a good opportunity to meet you!"
Zhang Gen did not even eat, but asked the postmaster for a horse and went straight to the city. The postmaster hurriedly sent someone to follow him.
The original Shaanxi Transfer Road was split into the Yongxingjun Road Transfer Office and the Qinfeng Road Transfer Office in the fifth year of Xining.
The Qinfeng Road Transport Commissioner was in charge of the Xihe Road Management and Pacification Office and the Qinfeng Road Management and Pacification Office. Originally, the Qinfeng Road Transport Commissioner was Zhang Heng. Later, because Zhang Zhi was appointed as the Xihe Road Management Commissioner, Zhang Heng was transferred and Chen Xiang was appointed as the Transport Commissioner instead.
As far as Zhang Gen knew, his father had extensive connections in Xihe Road. Not only were most of the local military and political leaders promoted by Zhang Yue himself, but he also had a very high prestige with the Qingtang and Jianghan tribes.
Therefore, everyone in Xihe Road only recognized the Zhang family. If they replaced it with other generals, they would not be able to do anything.
After Zhang Yue returned to the court, the official faction of Xihe Road was mainly supported by Zhang Yue.
When Zhang Yue came to power, he wanted to build his own faction, but was opposed by Li Xian. It was not until recent years that Li Xian promoted people such as Li Hao and Zhao Ji, which slightly divided Zhang Yue's power.
When Zhang Gen thought of this, he often sighed that his father had two faces. He usually looked serious and claimed to be a lone minister, but in fact he was also involved in factional activities.
Not only the Xihe Road Jinglüe Anfu Road, but even the Qinfeng Road Transportation Bureau wanted to intervene. Although he was in Bian Jing, he held the military training and financial power of Xihe Road in his hands.
In fact, if you want to get things done, there must be factions. Not to mention ordinary officials, even the prime minister must have a group of people under him. The government is also unaware of this matter, and it is a tacit understanding between the monarch and his subjects.
After secretly criticizing Zhang Yue, Zhang Gen visited Zhao Zhan.
According to factional divisions, Zhao Zhan was opposed to the reform and also opposed the use of military force against Qingtang.
As the transfer officer of Yongxingjun Road, he had even less favorable impression on Qinfeng Road.
The Yongxingjun Road Transport Office and the Qinfeng Road Transport Office were both separated from Shaanxi Road, but they are two systems.
In order to compete for the right to speak on the expedition against Xia, the officials of the two transport offices fought openly and secretly and undermined each other. From Guo Kui to Zhong Yan, and then to Lu Huiqing, they all advocated the Hengshan strategy, and Guo Kui impeached Wang Shao and others for this.
Zhao Shan now lives in a wealthy merchant's house in Gyeongju City, and hundreds of people from the Transportation Bureau are also accommodated in the house.
When Zhao Zhan learned that Zhang Gen was here, he felt a pain in his forehead.
Zhao Zhan put aside his official duties and immediately went to the gate to greet him. When he saw Zhang Gen's appearance, he found him to be of extraordinary appearance. He couldn't help but think that Zhang Yue and Zhang Dun both had good looks, but this Zhang Gen was even more outstanding than his father and uncle.
Zhao Zhan smiled and said, "I have heard of your name for a long time. I am glad to see you today. You are indeed very handsome."
Zhang Gen smiled. He had just graduated from high school and he liked people calling him the runner-up instead of relying on his father's reputation.
He heard that the number one scholar Shi Yan had arrived at the local government earlier than him. On the first day of meeting his immediate superior, the prefect Han Wei, he called himself the "number one scholar". As a result, Han Wei scolded him, saying that the number one scholar did not have an official title. Shi Yan was immediately shocked by Han Wei's words and called himself a judge.
Compared to Shi Yan, the top scholar from a poor family who had just entered the officialdom and was ignorant, Zhang Gen was much more experienced in human relations. He said, "Bangyan is just a title before being released from prison. The signing office has met the grain transport envoy."
The other party was a transport envoy, and was ranked within the top 100 among the civil officials.
As the person in charge of the Privy Council, Zhang Gen must show enough respect.
Zhao Zhan smiled and said, "The second place is a gift from the emperor to the country, how can I not respect him? I will welcome you today!"
Zhang Gen humbly made way for him and took his seat. Zhao Zhan said, "You are a young and talented person in the signing court. Even if you don't have a good family background, it's not difficult for you to become an official in the future. I feel honored to meet you today."
Zhang Gen said, "You are too kind, Mr.
"I am good at judging people, and I don't speak lightly."
Although Zhang Gen was a straightforward person, he learned official socializing quickly and was adept at dealing with people.
In just a moment, he had a very pleasant conversation with Zhao Zhan.
"I wonder how Huanzhou is doing now?"
Zhao Zhan's face darkened when he heard this and he said, "Now in Huanzhou and west of Qingzhou, the banner of Xixia general Liang Yongneng has appeared. Huanzhou is guarded by Yu Jinglue, so it's not a problem. Qingzhou has few soldiers and is a place where food is stored. I am worried, so I am stationed here."
Zhang Gen said, "I remember that when my father attacked Hezhou, his support was cut off. It was the governor of Qinfeng Road, Mr. Cai, who went against all odds and sent troops to rescue. I have heard my father mention this many times. Mr. Cai is both civil and military."
"Today, the transport commissioner is here, chatting and laughing with me, without changing his expression. It is clear that he is confident."
Zhao Zhan smiled and asked, "Did the Qianyuan come to Qingzhou on the orders of Han Zhishu to dispatch troops to the north to rescue Mingsha?"
Zhang Gen said: "Han Zhishu's intention is to let Huanqing Road act according to circumstances and save those who can be saved."
Zhao Zhan said: "Huanzhou has 50,000 soldiers, Qingzhou has less than 20,000, and the other states have 20,000 to 30,000. If we send troops to rescue, what will we do if Liang Yongneng attacks?"
"Although I don't manage military affairs, I believe in General Yu's opinion. It is more important to protect the safety of hundreds of thousands of people along the way!"
Zhao Zhan interrupted Zhang Gen with words.
Zhang Gen wanted to say something else, but was stopped by the experienced Zhao Zhan.
Zhang Gen was full of passion, but he was completely helpless against these experienced bureaucrats.
Just then, an aide came in to report to Zhao Zhan. Zhao Zhan was very particular about appearance, and when he saw the aide's panic, he was dissatisfied and scolded: "Didn't you see that there was a distinguished guest here!"
The staff said, "General Cao, General Yu has sent troops from Huanzhou!"
"Send out the troops!"
Zhao Zhan and Zhang Gen sat up at the same time, with expressions of surprise and joy on their faces.
"Where are we sending our troops?"
"Weizhou, you can't reach Qingyuan today, and you will be out of bounds tomorrow!"
Zhao Zhan sighed, "He is marching along the Baimachuan Road! Yu Chong has finally sent out his troops."
The staff said: "He asked the commander to quickly transfer grain to Weizhou!"
"I'll go!" Zhang Gen volunteered.
Zhao Zhan glanced at Zhang Gen and said, "My dear nephew, your body is worth a ton of gold. Why take this risk? There will be many opportunities to make contributions in the future."
Zhang Gen said: "How can it be dangerous to transport grain and grass to Weizhou?"
Zhao Zhan sneered in his heart at the young man's ignorance and said, "You don't know, the Tanguts are the best at intercepting people's food and grass. Previously, Peng Sun was quite smart and capable in Jingyuan Road. He led 3,000 soldiers to guard the food and grass, as well as the letters and writings in the rear, but they were repeatedly intercepted by the Xia people, and most of the soldiers were defeated."
"It was safe if we didn't leave the border before, but it's hard to say for sure if we leave the border and go to Weizhou. Moreover, Tangut scouts have appeared in Huanzhou and Qingzhou, so it may not be safe inside the border."
"Why would the signing agency want to wade into this muddy water?"
Zhang Gen realized his shortsightedness after hearing this, but his blood boiled and he said, "Cao Envoy, my brother is in Mingsha!"
After hearing Zhang Gen's words, Zhao Zhan's opinion of him changed. He looked at him up and down with some seriousness and thought to himself, Prime Minister Zhang really gave birth to a good son!
Although he was still flattering just now, now seeing that Zhang Gen cares so much about his brother, it is not only a good family tradition, but also filial piety between fathers, sons and brothers.
In fact, Yu Chong had just led the troops from Huanqing Road out of the border, and the Dangxiang people did not dare to launch a large-scale attack at this time, so his words were just empty threats.
Zhao Zhan was surprised in his heart, but shook his head and said, "No, my nephew is the signatory of the Privy Council and should be stationed in Qingzhou."
Zhang Gen said, "Please help me, the governor. It has been said since ancient times that brothers fight tigers together and fathers and sons fight together in battle. All the heroes of my Zhang family have led troops in the northwest and served the country. How can I be willing to lag behind others?"
Zhao Zhan had a higher understanding of Zhang Gen, but still refused.
Zhang Gen said firmly: "I am the Secretary of the Privy Council, and I have the duty of accompanying the army for supervision!"
After hearing what Zhang Gen said, Zhao Zhan finally said, "Signatory, you are really a rookie who is not afraid of tigers. Well, I know that I can't persuade you, so I will assign one hundred cavalrymen of my personal soldiers to you. Whether you can protect you well depends on your nephew's fate."
"As for Qingzhou City, I don't have any extra soldiers and horses, so I can only allocate 500 of your soldiers and 3,000 civilians to escort the troops, armor and food to Weizhou!"
"Yes!"
"Go back to the post station and rest first, and we'll set off tomorrow!"
After receiving the order, Zhang Gen went back to the post station to rest. The next day, he went outside the city to meet the grain team that was about to set off.
It turned out that the grain-guarding officer was named Zhao Long. After all, Zhao Zhan would never give the task of supervising grain to a rookie like Zhang Gen. However, as the executive secretary of the Privy Council, he had the duty of supervising the troops, so no one could stop him.
When Zhao Long saw Zhang Gen's appearance, he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Is Qianyuan the son of Grand Minister Zhang Jinglie?"
Zhang Gen was surprised and asked, "How do you know?"
Zhao Long was overjoyed and said, "It is indeed the son of Master Zhang Jinglue. I have met him several times before and saw that you look similar to him, so I dared to guess!"
Zhang Gen smiled and said, "So you know my father! Then how come you are a general in Huanqing Road?"
According to Zhao Long's own account, Zhang Gen only then learned that the other party was from Qinzhou. At that time, Xihe Road was recruiting brave men, and Zhao Long went to apply.
Before that, he had followed Wang Shao to conquer Xihe. However, after Wang Shao was demoted, Zhao Long's career was implicated, and he was transferred to Jingyuan Road as a general, and finally to Huanqing Road.
Zhao Long is the type of person who has great abilities but is frustrated.
Zhang Gen smiled and said, "Great, I'll call you Uncle Zhao then."
Zhao Long quickly said, "I don't deserve it."
At that time, the grain team was heading from Gyeongju to Huanzhou.
The official road from Qingzhou to Huanzhou is the easiest to travel. Zhang Gen has read many military books, but he knows that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, so he asks Zhao Long for advice on everything.
Zhao Long knew that the other party was the son of Prime Minister Zhang, and was willing to serve him. He told him everything he knew along the way and helped Zhang Gen with his studies frantically.
As for Zhang Gen, he knew when the other side would march and when to set up camp. Everything was planned out according to the rules. Even the three thousand civilian servants were trained by him to be as obedient as soldiers.
Zhang Gen lamented how difficult it was to be a general. Let alone thousands of people, it might not be possible for him to manage hundreds of people, or even arrange food, accommodation and transportation for dozens of people.
How powerful are the generals who have over ten thousand soldiers, or even hundreds of thousands or even millions of soldiers in ancient times.
Regardless of the outcome, anyone who can arrange the marching and accommodation of hundreds of thousands of people is already a first-rate talent in the world.
(End of this chapter)