Pengyang.
Outside the city, because the angel was about to arrive, General Duan Jiong, the commander of the Qiang army, personally led all the officers and soldiers of the army to wait outside the city for the arrival of the angel.
Before long, a large group of people appeared in everyone's sight and slowly approached Pengyang. Dong Zhuo was ordered to go and meet them, and he was also guarding one side.
"General, Zhong Ying and the others have arrived."
Tian Yan excitedly told Duan Jiong, who nodded without speaking. He stared intently at the approaching group, his face expressionless, lost in thought.
Soon the group arrived in front of everyone, and Duan Jiong hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.
"This humble general, Duan Jiong, respectfully welcomes the angel."
"General Duan, you may rise. His Majesty, while in the capital, learned of the hardships General Duan and his soldiers endured during the campaign, and thus specially dispatched me to offer my condolences."
The young eunuch smiled slightly and spoke very politely to the general who was guarding the area.
Seeing that everyone looked travel-worn and weary, clearly having traveled a long way, Duan Jiong suggested, "Angel, it's windy outside the city, let's go inside."
"good."
Because Liu Hong and Chen Fan attached great importance to the battle here, they dared not stop for a moment along the way and were quite exhausted at the moment.
On the drill ground, Duan Jiong ordered the army to assemble there, ready to receive the emperor's edict.
The young eunuch, with a solemn expression, took the imperial edict from the Imperial Guard beside him and proclaimed in a loud voice:
"General Duan Jiong, who has defeated the Qiang, receive the imperial edict."
"This humble general, Duan Jiong, obeys the imperial edict."
Duan Jiong immediately knelt on one knee with a respectful expression.
"Duan Qing is loyal and brave, and has made many military achievements over the years, which have intimidated the region and demonstrated the might of our great Han Dynasty. I am very pleased with this. I hereby promote Duan Qing to Protector of the Qiang and General, and give him command of the military affairs of Yong and Liang provinces. I also grant Duan Qing the title of Marquis of Dingbian, with a fief of five thousand households."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace."
Upon hearing the emperor's bestowal of honors, even Duan Jiong, who had been navigating the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, had bloodshot eyes and was trembling with excitement.
In order to protect his family and career, he had no choice but to rely on the eunuch faction, which has been criticized by scholars ever since.
Therefore, after the emperor ascended the throne, he was always worried. In addition to worrying about the war, he also heard that the emperor disliked eunuchs and that if the eunuchs fell from power, he would inevitably be implicated.
Therefore, Duan Jiong expected that the emperor would definitely replace him, the border general who held a large army. However, to his surprise, the emperor not only did not distance himself from him, but also granted him a title. What great reliance and trust this showed!
On the training ground, Dong Zhuo and Tian Yan, among others, also showed joy. Their generals were promoted and ennobled, so their own status would rise accordingly. At this time, Dong Zhuo was not yet the ruthless and cruel man he would become in later generations. He was only in his twenties and was eager to make great achievements and become famous throughout the world.
After Duan Jiong received the imperial edict, the eunuch received another imperial edict from the Imperial Guards.
"All the generals and soldiers received the imperial edict."
"We are acting on imperial orders."
Dong Zhuo and Tian Yan hurriedly led their generals to kneel down.
"The border region is bitterly cold. The soldiers traveled thousands of miles to this place to defend their homes. They fought the enemy without regard for their own lives. They have made great contributions."
However, since the late Emperor, natural disasters have been frequent, and corrupt officials have run rampant, leaving the national treasury empty. For three years now, not a single coin or penny has been distributed to the soldiers. Every time I hear of this, I feel deeply pained. As the Son of Heaven, I feel ashamed before the loyalty of the soldiers. But the nation is in dire straits, and I have tried every means to raise funds and provisions to make up for the past neglect of the soldiers. I hereby promise all soldiers that those who kill the enemy and achieve merit will be generously rewarded with titles and land; those who die in battle will have their families supported by me. I hope that all soldiers will strive together with me, remain true to their original aspirations, and bravely fight the enemy.”
The eunuch, using almost all his strength, loudly proclaimed Liu Hong's edict, its contents clearly reaching the ears of every soldier on the drill ground. Knowing that the emperor cared so much for them, some of the most patriotic men couldn't help but weep softly.
At this moment, Dong Zhuo was also excited and his eyes were red. He knew that the emperor had just ascended the throne and was in a very difficult situation, but he still cared about them. A monarch who cared so much about his soldiers was worth dying for.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Han Dynasty!" Dong Zhuo couldn't help but roar loudly.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Han Dynasty!"
All the soldiers shouted with all their might, their voices like thunder rolling up to the heavens. Even the Imperial Guards on the platform shouted along with everyone else.
Duan Jiong looked at the soldiers below the platform and nodded. The morale of the entire army was high and the troops were ready. In addition, the supply of food and fodder was in place. The rebellion of the Qiang people could be quelled in a short time. He needed a great victory to prove to the emperor that he, Duan Jiong and his soldiers were loyal to the emperor.
Subsequently, under Duan Jiong's arrangement, the soldiers began to receive their full pay and rations. The soldiers who received their pay kowtowed in the direction of Luoyang to express their gratitude to the emperor. Although they deserved it, it did not diminish their gratitude and respect for the emperor.
Among the soldiers, Dong Zhuo was exceptionally brave and fierce, always taking the lead in every battle, so he received the most military pay.
"Zhongying, how about it? Now that you have so much money, how about treating the brothers to a drink tonight?"
Because Dong Zhuo was generous, most of the officers and soldiers in the army were on good terms with him. Now that they had money, they naturally had to drink and celebrate.
Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuo changed his usual magnanimous manner and glared at the crowd, saying, "We are fortunate to have received the Emperor's great favor in order to replenish our provisions. Now that a great battle is imminent, instead of thinking about killing the enemy to repay the Emperor's kindness, we are thinking about drinking and having fun. How are we any different from beasts?"
Dong Zhuo's words filled everyone with shame. Tian Yan, who was standing to the side, hurriedly spoke up: "Gentlemen, Zhongying is right. The Emperor values us so much. He has not only replenished our food and salary but also granted us titles and land. Such a great favor should be repaid by fighting bravely against the enemy."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
