The assault on Shi Chao's forces ended that very night.
According to the news, Shi Chao himself had fled, with only a few dozen riders accompanying him, in a rather pitiful state.
The Ye troops, divided into twelve groups, suffered heavy losses.
More than half were either captured or killed, and the rest scattered.
Whether they could make it back to Hebei was a matter of luck.
The next day, Sima Yue announced rewards for the soldiers who participated in the operation—each was given two bolts of silk.
This, of course, further strained the already depleted treasury.
But the effect was undeniable.
In these times, even soldiers who were recruited and fed by the state didn’t earn much.
During the Tang Dynasty, which marked the first large-scale recruitment of soldiers, an ordinary soldier’s annual stipend—including clothing, grain, and money—amounted to about twenty strings of cash.
This didn’t even include rewards from regular military competitions or extra bonuses from superiors.
Being a soldier back then meant your whole family could live well.
In the Western Jin Dynasty, most of the recruited soldiers were concentrated in the Central Army of Luoyang.
The pay and provisions they received were likely only a fraction of what Tang soldiers got.
So, two bolts of silk were a significant boost, at least lifting the soldiers' morale.
Compared to the Central Army of Luoyang, the soldiers of the Kingdom Army also received fruits as a reward.
Tang Jian, who had recently been promoted to the head of the guests, led the manor servants to pick thousands of fruits from the estate and delivered them to the army.
It wasn’t much—just one fruit per person—but it was a nice gesture.
The soldiers were pleased.
Marshal Shao was not only brave and unstoppable in battle but also approachable in private.
Following him seemed like the right choice.
Shao Xun, however, didn’t have much time to think about what the soldiers felt.
He was now at the Golden Fortress, carefully inspecting the stronghold. “Why is it so empty?” he asked, puzzled.
Behind him was Yu Liang, the Eastern Pavilion Libationer of the Secretariat.
Yu smiled and said, “Luckily, I did some homework before coming here. When Zhang Fang captured Sima Yi, most of the people here were already gone. Marshal, you didn’t think the Western troops would only take Sima Yi and leave everyone else, did you?”
Shao Xun chuckled.
Of course not.
After Zhang Fang “cleared out” the Golden Fortress, the deposed Empress Yang Xianrong briefly lived here.
Just yesterday, she was reinstated as empress and moved back to the palace, leaving the fortress empty again.
Shao Xun was also pleased with Yu Liang’s performance.
At least he had done his homework beforehand, showing that he was a thoughtful person.
No one starts out as a master.
Zhou Chu, when he was a troublemaker in the countryside, was known as one of the “Three Evils” alongside the fierce tiger of South Mountain and the flood dragon under the long bridge.
Later, he killed the tiger and disappeared.
The villagers thought he had perished with the tiger and celebrated.
When Zhou Chu returned, he was met with an awkward and humiliating scene, realizing how the villagers truly saw him.
Shaken, he went to Lu Yun and asked if it was too late for him to change his ways at his age.
Lu Yun encouraged him with the saying, “The ancients valued those who reformed even late in life.” Zhou Chu then devoted himself to learning and turned his life around.
Similarly, Lü Meng before and after the phrase “to see someone in a new light” was not the same person.
This was also why Shao Xun didn’t have a habit of collecting famous people.
You might think someone was a great statesman based on history books, but they might not have matured yet or learned enough.
Meeting them and talking to them might leave you disappointed.
You might think the history books were wrong, but in reality, you were just expecting too much, thinking they had the skills of a forty or fifty-year-old when they were only twenty.
That’s just nonsense.
“This fortress can serve as a long-term stronghold,” Shao Xun said after carefully inspecting the walls, defenses, warehouses, wells, and residences.
Yu Liang still seemed a bit uneasy, hesitating to speak.
Shao Xun glanced at him and smiled gently but said nothing.
He, too, was a bit worried.
History had already changed, and following the historical path might lead to trouble.
But the broader historical trends probably hadn’t shifted yet.
Only the small details had changed.
For example, Sima Yue’s northern expedition to Ye City was inevitable.
His determination was firm, even if the timing differed from history.
He would eventually set out, whether sooner or later.
But what about the outcome? Could he still believe that Sima Yue would emerge victorious in the War of the Eight Princes? Perhaps.
He probably couldn’t change something so far-reaching.
After analyzing it over and over, Shao Xun finally rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
History might become unreliable, but the sword in his hand would always be dependable.
“Since you’re staying in Luoyang, go ask Commander Mi for a task and help me recruit soldiers,” Shao Xun said to Yu Liang after finishing his inspection of the Golden Fortress. “Wu Qian will go with you. He knows how to pick people. With his help, it won’t be difficult.”
“Alright,” Yu Liang nodded firmly.
He knew Shao Xun was being considerate of his pride.
Ultimately, Wu Qian would be in charge of recruitment, and he would just be there to learn and gain experience.
“Let’s go,” Shao Xun said, taking one last look at the Golden Fortress before turning away. “A big battle is coming. If we win, all’s well. If we lose, it’ll be hard to tell friend from foe. Don’t go to Commander Cao then. Try to stay close to me.”
“Alright,” Yu Liang, who once had a bit of an arrogant streak, nodded almost instinctively and followed closely behind Shao Xun as they walked away.
On the eighth day of the seventh month, three days after the situation had stabilized, the four members of the Kingdom Army arrived at the Minister of Works’ residence, waiting to be summoned.
Unlike previous times when they were all called in together, this time they entered one by one.
Shao Xun observed silently.
Mi Huang came out with no particular expression, as if he had expected it all along.
He Lun and Wang Bing emerged with smiles, as if Sima Yue had promised them something.
Shao Xun took a deep breath and stepped inside.
“Greetings, Minister,” Shao Xun saluted, then paused when he noticed the consort and the heir sitting a bit further away.
He saluted again, “Greetings, Consort (Heir).”
“Sit,” Sima Yue said kindly.
“Yes,” Shao Xun knelt and sat, looking at Sima Yue.
It was the first time he had seen his lord being so polite.
This kind of politeness usually required subordinates to repay with their lives.
Just like how he cared for his soldiers, he also expected them to fight to the death on the battlefield.
The cursed warmth of those in power.
“I know many of our troops are not battle-ready,” Sima Yue said, looking at the solemn Shao Xun. “Today, I saw soldiers from Luoyang County wearing undergarments and wooden sandals, holding spears like it was a child’s game. You, as the Marshal of the Central Army, have been training the lower army for years. I see that they are much more impressive than the upper army. I’ve already spoken to He Lun. Starting tomorrow, you will also train the upper army.”
“Yes,” Shao Xun replied firmly.
Sima Yue’s meaning was clear: Shao Xun would have the authority to train the upper army, but the command would still belong to He Lun—as for the authority to deploy troops, that was the responsibility of the Central Army Commander.
Unknowingly, Shao Xun’s influence within the Kingdom Army was growing.
But Shao Xun’s focus wasn’t on this matter at the moment.
He lowered his head slightly, his eyes glancing subtly at Consort Pei.
Consort Pei remained motionless, sitting like a statue.
“I also know that with your talents, you are more than capable of being a general,” Sima Yue continued. “In the battle at the Great Summer Gate, you led from the front, suffered two wounds, and killed countless enemies. Your contributions are immense, and I am well aware of them. Don’t worry. Once the northern expedition succeeds, I will promote the old guard extensively. A general’s position will be yours sooner or later.”
“I am deeply honored and will fight to the death for Your Highness!” Shao Xun prostrated himself and declared loudly.
Consort Pei finally showed a slight reaction.
The young heir, unable to sit still, let out a soft gasp when he heard about the two wounds.
“For matters in Luoyang, listen to Mi Zihui. I have already given him instructions,” Sima Yue waved his hand, signaling his wife and son to remain quiet.
His gaze remained fixed on Shao Xun, emphasizing the words “given him instructions.”
“Yes,” Shao Xun instinctively felt there was more to this but could only agree for now.
He would ask Mi Huang about it later.
The room fell silent.
Just as Shao Xun thought Sima Yue would dismiss him, he suddenly heard a light, almost casual question: “Do you think Luoyang can be held?”
Shao Xun sighed inwardly.
If you’re not confident it can be held, why fight this battle? But he said, “As long as the armies work together, holding it won’t be difficult.”
“Good,” Sima Yue seemed pleased and couldn’t help but ask another question: “If it can’t be held, what will you do?”
“I will escort the Consort and the heir to break through the encirclement and head east to Xuzhou.”
Sima Yue was reassured.
If there was anyone under his command who could lead his wife and son to safety, it was the man before him.
The only problem was that he was too young, his family background wasn’t great, and promoting him too quickly would stir opposition within the Secretariat.
A bunch of men in their forties, fifties, or even sixties, with white beards, were still waiting for their chance to rise.
How would they feel hearing about a seventeen or eighteen-year-old with a poor family background getting promoted year after year? How would morale within the Secretariat be maintained?
Out of love for talent, he couldn’t do this, as it would only put Shao Xun in a difficult position.
But merit had to be rewarded.
Perhaps, after the northern expedition succeeded, he could consider sending Shao Xun to a local post, away from the glaring spotlight of Luoyang.
But this blade was truly useful.
Keeping him close seemed more beneficial.
Sima Yue found himself torn.
Should he take Shao Xun on the northern expedition? Let him charge into battle, slay enemy generals, and capture flags? But if he achieved great feats, would he really promote him?
Moreover, he wasn’t getting any younger.
Recently, he often felt unwell.
He only had one son, who was still underage.
If anything happened to him, what would be the point of his life? An adopted son could never compare to a biological one.
After much deliberation, he dismissed the idea.
The room fell silent again.
The heir seemed restless, fidgeting several times.
Consort Pei sat quietly, her hands clasped together, lost in thought.
Shao Xun kept his head slightly lowered, sitting upright.
“You may leave now. Do your work well. If you need anything, go directly to Mi Zihui. If he can’t make the decision, go with him to see Wang Yifu. He will arrange things,” Sima Yue said, waving his hand after regaining his composure.
Shao Xun acknowledged and withdrew.
Sima Yue stared out the window.
It was noon, and the sun was blazing.
He hoped his grand ambitions would shine as brightly as the midday sun.
On the ninth day of the seventh month, Sima Yue left Luoyang.
The Great Jin’s foremost warrior, Sima Zhong, led the expedition.
The restored Crown Prince Sima Tan, members of the imperial family, and civil and military officials accompanied him.
Gou Xi, who enjoyed Sima Yue’s utmost trust, was appointed as the Northern Army Commander, effectively the highest-ranking officer of the imperial guards.
Tens of thousands of troops marched out through the Great Summer, Broad Desert, and Spring Gate, forming an endless, majestic procession.
After their departure, Luoyang entered the era of Mi Huang.
This city, plagued by disasters, was destined for unrest.
The empire of the Great Jin would not know peace either.
(End of Chapter)