After breakfast, more news arrived.
Zhang Fang had sent a few scouts to roam outside the city, but his main forces remained inactive.
Shao Xun put himself in Zhang Fang's shoes and tried to deduce his next move.
Yesterday's attempt to seize the city gates seemed like a spur-of-the-moment decision.
After failing, the opportunity slipped away.
Since a surprise attack wouldn't work, Zhang Fang would likely wait for his main forces to arrive and launch a full-scale assault.
Historically, Zhang Fang's forces weren't larger than they are now, yet he somehow managed to enter the city.
Did Shangguan Si and Miao Yuan lose a field battle outside the city, leading to the fall of Luoyang?
No matter.
In the current situation, engaging in a field battle was out of the question.
They would have to hold out for a few months until Zhang Fang's troops grew weary, while their own forces trained and improved.
By then, the situation would be different.
The second piece of news concerned deserters.
Some stragglers had returned to the city, while others were captured by Zhang Fang.
A few, seeing the city gates shut, cursed and left in a hurry.
Among them, not all were deserters—some might have been military officers, officials, or nobles.
Seeing the gates closed must have been utterly despairing.
The last piece of somewhat important news was that Sima Teng, the Inspector of Bingzhou, and Wang Jun, the Governor of Youzhou, were gathering their forces to attack Sima Ying.
Both had also sought external allies.
Sima Teng had brought in the Tuoba Xianbei, while Wang Jun had allied with the Duan Xianbei.
Both sides were preparing for a major clash.
It seemed that the battle to the north of Yecheng would be a pivotal moment for the Central Plains.
Before this, foreign troops had been used, but never on such a large scale.
These were now independent forces, not directly controlled by the central authority.
For example, Sima Ying's Xianbei cavalry in Yecheng was a direct force, unrelated to the steppe tribes.
The same was true for the central army in Luoyang.
The Youzhou cavalry commander led a mixed force of Han and Xianbei armored cavalry.
But now? To put it nicely, they were called "volunteers."
To put it bluntly, their status was equal to that of the central forces.
They fought as independent entities, and you could only suggest, not command, their actions.
A new (and bad) era had arrived.
After breakfast, Shao Xun had no time to rest.
After tidying up, he first went to the residence of the Princess Consort.
The Golden Fortress was small and crowded, so he only spoke briefly outside the door, mostly making requests.
The Princess Consort naturally granted them all.
After leaving, Shao Xun checked on the tenants, guests, and servants settled within the city, focusing on the 104 student soldiers from the second batch in Luoyang.
Seeing them diligently studying, he quietly left and gathered his troops in the square outside the Golden Fortress.
Wu Qian, with the help of auxiliary troops, had brought a lot of goods—mostly various fabrics, miscellaneous copper coins, and other items whose value was hard to estimate.
"Yesterday, during the battle for the gates, I ordered people to shout, 'Those who turn back to fight the enemy will be richly rewarded.' I keep my word!" Shao Xun looked at the neatly lined-up soldiers and said, "Those who fought bravely against the enemy cavalry yesterday, step forward and receive your rewards. But let me be clear: if anyone falsely claims credit, they will be executed without mercy. You can point out any imposters."
For a moment, no one stepped forward.
Shao Xun's gaze swept over the ranks, and he spotted a familiar face.
He walked into the formation, pulled the man out, and asked, "During yesterday's battle for the gates, I remember you picked up a spear and fought back. Why didn't you step forward?"
The man, a seasoned soldier in his thirties, lowered his head and said, "I've had two superiors before who didn't keep their promises. Yesterday, I fought to save my own life..."
"Enough!" Shao Xun cut him off.
"I keep my word."
He then had someone bring over two bolts of cloth and said, "This is your reward."
The soldier took them, visibly moved.
"What's your rank?"
"Squad leader."
Shao Xun thought for a moment, grabbed a string of assorted copper coins from a cart, and handed them to the soldier.
"Since you're an officer, you get a bit more. Go back. Who else?"
The soldier, holding the cloth and coins, returned to the ranks in a daze.
Rewarding merit was a matter of course.
But such things were often not carried out resolutely, especially in the declining years of a dynasty, when embezzlement and withholding of rewards were common.
Sometimes, no rewards were even arranged, as the court deemed them unnecessary.
After the first soldier received his reward, others gradually stepped forward.
Clerks recorded their names, and auxiliary troops distributed the rewards accordingly.
The so-called "rich rewards" meant two things: first, rewards were given according to rank; second, the overall reward amount was higher than average.
The money came from spoils of war, specifically what Shangguan Si's troops had looted.
Shao Xun wouldn't return this money to anyone, no matter who asked.
Giving it to the noble families wouldn't earn him any goodwill—they'd think it was their due.
But giving it to the common soldiers was a crucial way to build his authority.
He needed to know who his core supporters were.
Only with a solid base could he maneuver, co-opt, and assimilate other forces.
His background meant he could only follow a modified version of Shi Le's path—there was no other way.
The resources of the noble families were tempting, but they were like poisoned honey, and not necessarily within reach.
Princess Pei couldn't represent the Pei family—she was just a princess consort.
As for the Wang Yan family, he dared not get too entangled with them.
The Yu Liang family, if considered alone, wasn't a big deal.
But the Yingchuan Yu clan wasn't the Xinye Yu clan—they had significant influence.
Though not the highest-ranking family, they were a prominent clan in Yingchuan.
For now, he needed to expand his core base.
Only then could he play other games.
"Good lad, trying to claim a reward fraudulently," came Chen Yougen's thunderous voice, interrupting Shao Xun's thoughts.
Shao Xun looked over and saw two trembling soldiers being held by the training squad, who were cursing them.
"What's going on?"
"Reporting to the General," Chen Yougen said loudly, "these two are deserters from Man Fen's unit who entered through the Guangmo Gate. They tried to claim rewards and were exposed."
Shao Xun nodded.
"Execute them."
"Yes, sir!" Chen Yougen drew his heavy sword and swung it down with force.
In an instant, two heads rolled to the ground.
"General, please inspect," said two training squad soldiers, each holding a head.
Shao Xun casually took a look and tossed them back.
"Hang their heads on the city walls as a warning."
"Yes, sir."
"Rewards for merit—I keep my word. If anyone has been wronged or has family in trouble, they can come to me. I won't let my men suffer. But remember this: those who disobey my orders or violate military discipline will be executed without mercy."
"Yes, sir!" thousands of soldiers responded in unison.
"Training squad, drill the troops in batches!" After giving the order, Shao Xun appointed Chen Yougen as temporary overseer and, accompanied by 600 soldiers from the Yellow Banner unit, headed to the palace.
Outside the grand Taiji Hall, soldiers trained relentlessly, their voices shaking the roof tiles.
After entering the Duan Gate, Shao Xun watched the training for a while in front of Taiji Hall.
This was his unit, nearly 600 strong, partly from the original lower army's third, seventh, and eleventh squads, and partly from Man Fen's new recruits.
In short, they were all newcomers, including the student officers.
Some had fought before—twice at the Great Summer Gate, first against Shi Chao, then repelling Zhang Fang's cavalry.
But most hadn't seen battle yet.
Still, Shao Xun liked this unit because his student soldiers could maintain order.
If he had replaced them with veterans from Chen Zhen's remnants, they wouldn't have obeyed the student officers, and that wouldn't be ideal.
He named this unit the "Silver Spear Army."
They were his personal troops.
In time, even if the emperor himself came, they would only listen to him.
The royal army was just a tool for him to gain fame and merit.
The Silver Spear Army was his lifeline.
"Jin San, entering the palace again, what are your thoughts?" Shao Xun asked Jin San, who had been promoted to squad leader, during a training break.
"In these chaotic times, strength is everything," Jin San said without hesitation.
"The stronger the Silver Spear Army, the more likely Shao Shi's ambitions will be realized."
Jin San was a true musclehead.
During the last "applied problem" test, he had suggested a scorched-earth tactic, which was quite ruthless.
This guy would get along well with the barbarians.
Shao Xun thought he needed to guide him more—strength was important in chaotic times, but one shouldn't go to extremes, thinking that military might could solve everything.
"Train them well," Shao Xun said, patting Jin San's shoulder before leaving.
In front of Taiji Hall, under Huang Biao's rhythmic commands, large groups of soldiers dispersed to guard the hall's entrances.
Moments later, Huang Biao led a patrol inside the hall and nodded in satisfaction.
Shao Xun understood and stepped into the hall.
Today, the Crown Prince had summoned him to inquire about the city's situation, which surprised Shao Xun.
Why not call Mi Huang? Why me? In the end, he concluded that he had grown too prominent.
Even if he wanted to stay in the shadows, he couldn't escape the notice of those who were paying attention.
Well, this is awkward! I just wanted to manipulate things from behind the scenes.
"Greetings, Crown Prince," Shao Xun bowed, then glanced at a graceful figure behind the curtain.
"Greetings, Empress."
"Marshal Shao, please rise and take a seat," the Crown Prince said, straightening up and gesturing.
Shao Xun looked at his golden armor and said, "Your Highness, forgive me, but with my armor on, it's inconvenient to sit."
The Crown Prince was taken aback.
It was rare for anyone, civil or military, to enter the hall in full armor.
He suddenly thought of Shangguan Si.
Was this Shao Xun cut from the same cloth? The thought made him hesitate, and he fell silent.
Perhaps sensing the awkwardness, the Empress's voice, clear as a nightingale's, came from behind the curtain: "In the first month, Marshal Shao bravely fought in the palace, capturing traitors. Yesterday, he swiftly repelled the rebels who entered the city, saving the ancestral temple and the state. Both times, he performed great feats of loyalty. Now, he stations troops outside Taiji Hall, training tirelessly. May I ask why?"
"Your Majesty, Crown Prince," Shao Xun replied, "the palace guards have long since fled. Without soldiers to defend it, the palace would be unsafe. If Your Majesties disapprove, I will withdraw the troops and station them elsewhere."
As he spoke, his expression turned serious.
The Crown Prince quickly said, "No, no, it's fine."
The Empress fell silent for a moment before asking, "Will Marshal Shao protect this place?"
"I come from a military family, living by the eastern sea, farming and fighting in Qing and Xu. From a young age, I was taught loyalty and admired the royal ways. Being recommended as a filial and incorrupt official, I am deeply honored and humbled. Please rest assured, Crown Prince and Empress. With my troops here, no villain can harm the royal family."
The Crown Prince was skeptical, but the Empress thought Shao Xun's refined speech suggested he wasn't as greedy and brutal as Shangguan Si.
Besides, he had saved her before.
Yang Xianrong peeked through the beaded curtain at the respectful Shao Xun and said, "Marshal Shao's loyalty and decisiveness are a great boon to the state. Luoyang has just suffered a great upheaval, and the people are unsettled. Outside the city, the rebel forces of Hejian threaten to invade. If they break in, the royal family's dignity will be hard to maintain. Fortunately, we have Marshal Shao. We hope you will continue to repel the enemy. If you achieve more merits, a general's title is not out of reach."
Yang Xianrong casually dangled a big carrot, but Shao Xun filtered it out as empty talk.
He replied, "I am deeply grateful and would gladly kill all the rebels to repay the royal family's kindness."
"You may leave now. Be diligent in your duties," Yang Xianrong said, lifting the curtain to reveal her delicate, beautiful face.
"I take my leave," Shao Xun said, slowly exiting.
The hall fell silent.
Yang Xianrong lowered the curtain and said, "You've seen him now. You can rest easy. He might be a Cao Cao, but he's not Shangguan Si. From now on, my son, stay in Zhaoyang Hall and study the classics."
The Crown Prince nodded quietly.
"Some things, getting involved too early is not a blessing. Remember that," Yang Xianrong sighed.
Two people who could be deposed at any moment, treading on thin ice, just trying to survive—it wasn't easy.
Yang Xianrong watched Shao Xun's retreating figure.
From "Don't be afraid" to today's audience, she had gradually formed an image of an ambitious yet pretentious military man.
I just want to survive...
She sighed and lowered the curtain.
(End of Chapter)