The Child Emperor

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Building a wall in the General’s Mansion is much easier than transporting earth and stone outside. It takes a long time to build a wall, and the food includes wine and meat. The selected prisoners are overjoyed, thinking that this is a pie that fell from the sky. Not taking a few bites is a huge waste.

Fang Daye is an exception. Since he came to Iron Broken City, he has never laughed or complained. He works, eats, rarely speaks, let alone chats with other people.

Everyone heard that this person used to be a general, and they gave him three points, and they were also a little afraid of his physique. But his waist and back have not yet bent. Whether he is standing or sitting, he is like a stubborn rock that takes root. It takes a hammer to break out a few potholes.

The walls of the General's Mansion were much better protected than the city walls, and they didn't need to be repaired. No matter how lazy the five prisoners were, they were finished on the fourth day.

This kind of trivial matter does not need the general's concern, but Han Ruzi still came to check it out in person, expressing his satisfaction, and then said to the five people, "You can stay in the mansion and do things."

For the prisoners, this was a blessing from heaven. Except Fang Daye, the other four all knelt down to express their gratitude.

Han Ruzi left, Zhang Youcai and Du Chuanyun stayed behind, and assigned tasks to the five prisoners. Zhang Youcai wanted to leave four people, and Du Chuanyun chose one.

"I'm a little older, but I'm quite tall, can I still wear armor?"

Fang Daye took a deep breath and spit out a word: "Yes."

"The general lacks a flag bearer. I heard that you used to be a soldier. Will you hold the flag?"

"meeting."

Du Chuanyun smiled, unable to hide the pride in his heart, and asked, "The general made me the head of the bodyguard, do you think I look like me?"

Fang Daye looked at the boy coldly and did not answer.

There are more than a dozen flags of General Zhenbei, one of which is a long flag, with the words "Dachu Zhenbei General Juan Houying" written on it. Other flags appear on different occasions, and this long flag almost always follows behind Juan Hou. , as soon as he exits the gate, someone has to follow him.

Fang Daye's new identity was one of the flag bearers. He didn't refuse, and he didn't show the slightest joy. He put on his armor and rode for a lap with the flag, even if he passed.

Before the Huns appeared, Han Ruzi was still busy every day, going out every day to check the terrain or supervise the training of the army.

He went to the city of Quicksand to the west. It was also a very small city. It was built at the end of the mountain and was not soaked by the river. , after the winter, the river surface freezes, the two sides are smooth, and the cavalry may easily step on it.

The Huns rarely invaded in winter, and this small town, just in case, was abandoned three years ago.

Chai Yue, who was accompanying him, was very sure that if the Huns wanted to attack the Iron Broken City, it would have to be before winter, so there was no need to guard Quicksand City, and Han Ruzi didn't want to divide his troops, so he circled the city for half a circle, looked at the surrounding terrain, and left. .

Soldier training was in full swing, and the original defenders of Iron Broken City were basically useless, and the two thousand cavalry assigned by General Han Xing became the main force.

Han Ruzi's personal ministries followed the instructor Liu Heixiong to practice boxing, knives and spears almost all well, but when learning arrays with Majun Cao Cai Xinghai, he made frequent mistakes and was always not used to following the well-known orders, and he couldn't run much on horseback. It will be a mess in the distance.

The Xungui Camp was the exact opposite. There were nearly 500 young people, the oldest in their twenties and the youngest in their thirteen or fourteen years. They have been held by their father and brother since childhood and participated in various ceremonies, and they have long understood complicated military orders.

The days go by, the nights are as cold as a day, and there are still 20 to 30 days before winter, and the Huns have not appeared. Scattered, harassing counties in the fertile land in the east, there seems to be no intention to attack westward.

Chai Yue still believed that Zhaheshan, the prince of Xiongnu, would come to find revenge for Marquis Juan.

Han Ruzi often observes his old standard-bearer, but Fang Daye never talks too much. For more than half a month, he has only said a few words, which are nothing more than simple promises such as "yes", "en" and "okay". words.

Once watching the Xungui camp practice charging, Han Ruzi asked casually, "Are these soldiers good?"

Fang Daye waited for a while, and found that General Zhenbei was staring at him, and he replied dullly: "A group of children."

He would not say another word, nor explain.

Han Ruzi himself was very young and smiled lightly when he heard this.

The King of the East Sea usually does not participate in training by virtue of his kingship and staff status. He happened to be traveling with General Zhenbei on this day. During dinner together at night, he reminded: "I know the origin of that old guy, do you want to use him? Hey, it's not my crow. Mouth, when you are fighting, if he doesn't poke a gun behind you, he is a good person. Everyone knows that Fang Daye is loyal to King Qi, and he is even more like a father and son. Everyone knows that Fang Daye will definitely see you as an enemy."

If it wasn't for Yang Feng's recommendation, Han Ruzi would definitely keep a distance from Fang Daye, but now it's an interesting problem, and he has to get close to him and win over him.

"Fang Daye spent most of his life working in the frontier, why is he so loyal to King Qi and his son?"

"He got a lot of benefits. He has fought for so many years, and he has not been named a prince. It shows that his ability is average. Among the many generals in Great Chu, he is at most second-rate. When he arrived in Qi, he was regarded as a first-class general. Treated, he is naturally grateful to Dade."

Han Ruzi smiled. He didn't know much about Fang Daye, but he felt that this was by no means an avenger who would stab a gun in the back.

The day after the East Sea King issued the "prophecy", Fang Daye, who was as stubborn as a rock, finally loosened a little.

Han Ruzi didn't make any effort, and it was Chai Yue who aroused the old general's fighting spirit.

Chai Yue assisted General Zhenbei as a general, and stayed with him every day. He often expressed his views on military training, defending the city, terrain, habits of the Huns, etc. Most of the Han Ruzi recognized it, but rarely refuted it, and other generals were even more admired. He even praised Chai Gongzi as the future famous general of Chu.

This morning, when checking the terrain on the other side of the river, Chai Yue said: "The Huns are good at raiding, they often run for days and nights and appear unexpectedly. If the Chu army is not guarded, they will often be caught off guard. He must be convincing everyone that before the winter, we must launch an attack on Iron Broken City."

The ambush plan was proposed by Chai Yue. He often predicted the tactics of the Huns, but he was very knowledgeable.

Today there are those who express contempt.

I don't know if I was listening too much, or I was in a bad mood. Fang Daye, who was holding banners behind Juan Hou, snorted heavily from his nose. Others didn't pay attention, but Han Ruzi heard it clearly and didn't speak at that time. After completing a day's inspection and returning home, he ordered the flag bearer Fang Daye to be called into the back hall.

Everything in Broken Iron City is very shabby, and the furnishings in the General’s Mansion are the same. The animal skins on the chairs are riddled with holes. Han Ruzi is a little tired. Sitting on it feels very comfortable. The old standard-bearer in front of the desk said, "You don't agree with General Chai's views on the Huns?"

General Zhenbei asked the question in person, Fang Daye couldn't help but answer, a muffled voice came from his bushy beard: "I don't agree."

"I want to hear your opinion."

"My opinion doesn't matter, the general doesn't need to listen."

"I'll decide if it's necessary, you just have to say."

Fang Daye didn't say a word, his expression was neither confused nor arrogant, but as cold and hard as a stubborn stone, fortunately there was no one else in the back hall, otherwise it would be very embarrassing.

Han Ruzi smiled and said, "The old general is also a defender of the city and defeated the Huns. Naturally, you deserve credit. You can even pay off your sins and let you go back to your hometown to reunite with your family..."

"'Never hired' - doesn't the general understand the meaning of these four words?"

"I've used you as the flag bearer, and it doesn't seem to be a problem."

"This is outside the Great Wall, and the emperor is far away. Can you let me be the standard bearer? Can you change my name? I am still a prisoner on the frontier. No matter how much and how much credit, it has nothing to do with me."

It is true that Han Ruzi cannot change Fang Daye's name, that requires the permission of the court.

Han Ruzi leaned forward, "The credit has nothing to do with you, and does it have nothing to do with survival?"

Fang Daye stopped talking again, and the two looked at each other like this. After a while, Fang Daye said, "King Qi and his son were defeated, I should have gone underground to follow."

"You are a soldier of the Great Chu, but you are loyal to the traitor and thief. It is really confusing." Han Ruzi paused, "It is also despised by others."

Fang Daye stood motionless, turned around suddenly, and strode out without even saying goodbye.

The next morning, Han Ruzi summoned the generals and announced that he would personally lead his troops across the river to inquire about the enemy's situation, and ordered them to make plans immediately and set off tomorrow.

The generals were taken aback and did not dare to persuade them, but all looked at Chai Yue.

Chai Yue stepped forward and said, "The beacon tower in the east of the city is high enough to see the situation on the other side. The general does not need to be in danger. If you have to cross the river, it is enough to send scouts."

Han Ruzi shook his head, "You said that the Huns would only come to raid a few days before winter, then there will be no Huns cavalry on the other side at this time, why is there any danger? The Chu army came here to fight the Huns, not just this year. , and next year, defending the city is not a long-term solution, sooner or later, we have to cross the river to raid the Huns, instead of waiting for the Huns to attack."

Chai Yue thought for a while, "The other side was originally Chu, and the map is detailed..."

"No matter how detailed the map is, it is not as good as seeing it with your own eyes. I have made up my mind, and you will do your best."

The generals began to arrange a plan to cross the river, and several people tried to persuade Han Ruzi, but he rejected them all.

Early the next morning, Han Ruzi set out with 200 cavalrymen. The patrol did not go far this time, and each person only brought two days' rations.

After carefully crossing the river through Guanhe City, Han Ruzi restrained his horse and waited for the team behind him to catch up. He asked the flag bearer behind him with a smile, "How is it?"

Fang Daye's lion-like face was expressionless, and he said coldly, "A group of children."