Chapter 199: Reunion at the City Gate, Supported by the People
"General Cui, lead the light cavalry to block the rebels' retreat. Those who refuse to surrender will be killed without mercy!"

An Yuanzhen issued a military order to the deputy envoy of Yumen Army.

Once the enemy flees to Longle Mountain and fights guerrilla warfare in the mountains, it will take some effort to capture them.

Observe the distance between the manor and Longle Mountain, there is also an orchard, thousands of acres of fields, and several hills.

If we charge forward with light cavalry, we will definitely be able to stop the bandits and merchants climbing the mountain.

"As ordered!"

After receiving the order, the deputy general of Yumen Pass selected 500 light cavalrymen, armed with swords and bows and arrows, and charged straight ahead at an angle.

During the charge, the cavalrymen dispersed in teams of fifty, trying to form a tight encirclement and block all roads.

An Yuanzhen also ordered a cavalry general to lead 300 light cavalry to block the rebel knights from the side.

These rebel knights could not be called cavalry at all. At best, they were horse troops, and many of their horses were not even strong enough to be war horses.

There were 1,200 cavalrymen left, 700 of whom surrounded the battlefield, and 500 cavalrymen assisted Li Xuan in killing those who were stubborn and unyielding.

One wrong step and you’ll fall into the abyss!

It may also be that they were unlucky and met Li Xuan.

As the county soldiers and Sogdian bandits and merchants fled and the slaves surrendered, the sons of powerful families could not hold out for even a moment and were caught up, shot, or chopped down.

They are not tough guys and will lay down their weapons and surrender after suffering heavy casualties.

With nowhere else to go, the county soldiers had no will to resist to the death.

The deputy envoy of the Yumen Army also surrounded the Sogdian bandits and merchants, killing some of them and capturing some of them.

Sheng Yuliang did not have the courage to draw his sword and commit suicide, so he was caught by Li Xuan's personal guards and pinned to the ground.

Li Xuan personally led the Shen Ce Guards into the manor and cleared out the remnants in the manor.

Anyone inside the manor, even slaves, would be arrested.

It was precisely because of the protection provided by the slaves in the manors that the Yumen army was able to avoid catching up with the bandit merchants for such a long time.

"Reporting to General Li, we found some Han women and maids in a secret cell."

After searching the manor, the Shen Ce Guards reported to Li Xuan.

"Take me there!"

After hearing this, Li Xuan dismounted and asked his personal guards to take him over.

After robbing and selling the women, this group of thieves and merchants were unable to escape, so they could only hide the women and the maids they bought at high prices in this manor.

This can be considered a blessing in misfortune.

When Li Xuan arrived at the dark prison, some women and maids had already been released.

They were in a mess, some were pale, some were lifeless.

There were also many who were very excited. Having been detained for more than half a year and suffered torture, they had always longed to escape from the clutches of those people.

I am finally out today and can go home to visit my family.

Looking at the blue sky and white clouds, some women couldn't believe it.

Some also complained that the officers and soldiers arrived too late, causing them to suffer.

More than a dozen people have died here in the past six months.

Li Xuan could understand their feelings. It was the collusion between the border troops and local officials that led to this tragedy.

If the border troops and local officials had enforced the law impartially, such a tragedy would never have happened.

Beneath the glamorous and gorgeous appearance of the prosperous times, there are also many sufferings at the bottom.

And suffering gives birth to new life.

"Where is the young lady from?"

After walking in front of these women, Li Xuan asked a delicate and pretty girl.

"I am from... Dunhuang City..."

The girl was also very afraid of Li Xuan and spoke timidly.

Because the women felt that Li Xuan was a little different from these officers and soldiers.

Although they looked friendly, the Shen Ce Guards looked extremely ferocious because of the face guards they wore.

When the Shen Ce Guards first opened the cages, they huddled in the corner. Only after being persuaded by each other did they realize that they were saved.

"Relax! The Hu merchants who kidnapped you will all be executed to avenge you. The government will also compensate you."

Li Xuan comforted the girl.

"Thank you, General!"

The girls thanked them. Killing those white bearded men was their wish day and night.

Li Xuan also comforted other women, including female slaves. Li Xuan promised to remove the slaves from the lowly status, put them back on the good register, and give them mulberry fields so that they would have someone to rely on in the future.

This made the female slaves sincerely grateful to Li Xuan.

Other decent women also looked at the heroic and majestic Li Xuan differently.

I felt that this man was different from previous officers and soldiers. Not only was he polite, his voice was deep and magnetic. When he greeted women, there was no trace of contempt or disgust in his expression, and he was very infectious.

Like a breeze caressing a wounded heart.

They didn't know that the Li Xuan in front of them was the commander-in-chief of Helong.

"Let the servants of the manor boil water, bathe these ladies, put on new clothes, and send them home clean."

Li Xuan ordered the Shen Ce Guard to drive the slaves who assisted the tyrant.

Ordinary generals might rescue these good families and then make arbitrary arrangements for them. They value military achievements more.

Li Xuan was different. Even for slaves, he would consider their way out.

Li Xuan is neither a desirer nor an egoist.

What he hopes for is to stick to his beliefs and live up to his conscience.

Li Xuan saw that the grapes in the vineyard were ripe.

The plums in the orchard are also bright red.

There are also many edible melons.

The green vegetables and leeks in the vegetable garden are tender.

I will not return today. I will kill chickens and sheep to reward the soldiers, and also celebrate the women who have escaped from the tiger's mouth.

Afterwards, Li Xuan ordered An Yuanzhen to bring Sheng Yuliang.

"I just regret that I am one step too late. Those Han daughters have already left for the Tang Dynasty, perhaps to the Western Regions, or perhaps to the Arabs. When will the suffering in this world ever end?"

When Sheng Yuliang was about to arrive, Li Xuan and Yan Zhenqing sat together at the stone table.

He was also instilling ideas into Yan Zhenqing.

"He is as simple as he is mature, as vast as a valley, and as muddy as he is turbid. Li Shuai's fairness and broad-mindedness are beyond the reach of the ancients. But human power has its limits, and Li Shuai has done his best."

Yan Zhenqing knew that a world where everything was fair and there was no oppression was just an ideal world, and it was impossible to achieve even in the era of Yao and Shun.

But if the prime minister of a country can be fair and do what Zhuge Liang did when he ruled Shu, then the atmosphere below will be curbed to a certain extent.

If there is something good on the top, it will be great on the bottom.

If the people in higher positions are vain and want to be promoted by giving away treasures, then this bad habit will spread rapidly.

But often, local officials would give gifts to Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan on the grounds that "the county has abundant and good-quality goods."

The world belongs to the emperor. If you give it to the emperor, is it still considered corruption?

Those people were promoted because of that!
"The Book of History says: Heaven sees as the people see, Heaven hears as the people hear. The will and hearing of the people are supreme. I am a member of the noble family, a royal family. The way I defend my family's honor is to benefit the people and work for the country, not to find ways to expand my family. If one way goes astray, the situation of 'the scholar works for the family, the noble works for the clan' will happen again in the Spring and Autumn Period. Judge Yan is a gentleman, and your evaluation of me is also my evaluation of you. In the future, we will work together to share weal and woe."

Li Xuan grabbed Yan Zhenqing's hand and said emotionally.

"Li Shuai, you have always said that your calligraphy is not even one-tenth as good as mine. But calligraphy is the embodiment of one's heart. Your brushwork is not as skillful as mine, but your charm and aura are unique. You are Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, who can compete with you! You made me understand a higher cause, greater than the family, greater than oneself. I am no longer pursuing wealth and honor. Fame and fortune are just a stroke of the pen. I admire Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. I wanted to surpass him before, but now I don't have to. I have known Li Shuai for just one year, and my calligraphy has changed. I have been here for my whole life. If you don't retreat, I will follow you until death."

Yan Zhenqing held Li Xuan's hand and shed tears again.

Before meeting Li Xuan, he felt that he had lived the past thirty years in vain.

Even if Li Xuan became prime minister and became the enemy of the world, he would help with all his heart and soul to create a peaceful and prosperous era.

In this way, I can die without regrets!
"The interrogation of the sons of powerful people and the Sogdian bandit merchants will be handed over to Judge Yan. The evidence is irrefutable, and it is appropriate to torture them. Let's see if there are any clues."

After Li Xuan expressed his feelings to Yan Zhenqing, he changed the subject and assigned Yan Zhenqing a task.

In the city of Dunhuang, the Yumen Army infantry, led by another deputy envoy and Li Xuan's assistant, blocked the gates of the powerful families.

Wait until Li Xuan confirms the identity of the powerful young man who was captured alive, and then capture him in the city.

"I will do my best to complete Marshal Li's instructions."

Yan Zhenqing bowed.

Although he was a cultured man, he did not mind taking ruthless action against beasts with no humanity like the Sogdian thieves and merchants.

As they were talking, Sheng Yuliang was tied up and escorted to Li Xuan.

"Your Majesty!"

The Shen Ce Guard kicked Sheng Yuliang's calf, and Sheng Yuliang's legs went limp and he knelt on the ground.

"I thought you would commit suicide out of fear of punishment. Are you alive to wait for me to kill you? Or do you want to be insulted again?"

Li Xuan looked at Sheng Yuliang and made some sarcastic remarks.

Sheng Yuliang, who was doomed to die, did not commit suicide immediately, which showed that he was timid and did not want to die.

"I am a loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty. You forced me to rebel. I refuse to obey. I will go to the Saint to sue you!"

Sheng Yuliang yelled at Li Xuan.

He had lost his mind because of fear before. Now he thought that Li Xuan had been pushing him to rebel.

I'm afraid that Li Xuan's target is not only the Sogdian bandits and merchants, but also the powerful people in Dunhuang City.

"Birds live in the woods, and they build their nests on the tops of the trees, fearing that the trees are not high enough; fish hide in the water, and they live in caves under the water, fearing that the water is not deep enough. However, they are still caught by people because they are greedy for bait and cannot resist the temptation. As an official appointed by the court, a parent official of a county, holding a high position and enjoying a high salary, you should be loyal and upright, honest and selfless, and treat the people as your own children. Only in this way can you avoid disasters and maintain wealth and honor! The ancients said: There is no door to disaster and fortune, but people bring it upon themselves. From ancient times to the present, those who have tested the law are all because of greed for money. What is the difference between these people and those fish and birds?"

"Sheng Yuliang, I didn't force you to do this. It was your desire that drove you to rebel! You want to sue me? What do you want to sue me for?"

Li Xuan was dismissive of Sheng Yuliang's words and laughed at his naivety. He was just a small bait, and Sheng Yuliang was fooled and bitten.

This is clearly due to being blinded by desire.

As soon as Li Longji's edict arrived, Li Xuan would certainly kill Sheng Yuliang in the Hexi Corridor.

"Li Xuan, don't be complacent. You have killed so many powerful men. Sooner or later you will die from this."

He knew that what Li Xuan said made sense, but he was unwilling to admit it, so he gritted his teeth and said.

When Sheng Yuliang thought of this, he felt a little comforted.

Even if he couldn't see it, he could imagine that Li Xuan would die behind him. In the underworld, they would fight together as new ghosts, and he would not lose to Li Xuan again.

"Then you don't have to worry about it."

Li Xuan already had a plan in his mind to deal with the powerful.

"If we talk about your crime, you deserve to be killed. Either you confess yourself or we do it for you."

Li Xuan spoke to Sheng Yuliang again, looking at him sharply.

"I want to see the saint, otherwise I won't say anything."

Sheng Yuliang raised his neck.

"You will never see the saint again. The Tang Dynasty's criminal law will be imposed on you. Let's see if you can still be stubborn. Judge Yan, he is also handed over to you!"

Li Xuan pointed at Sheng Yuliang and said to Yan Zhenqing.

Sheng Yuliang was timid and afraid of death, and Li Xuan didn't believe that he would be punished.

Even though he is so hard now, he will definitely become soft when it comes into contact with the torture instrument.

In this remote frontier, he was tortured at will.

"As you command! I will make him confess all his crimes."

Yan Zhenqing accepted the order.

Li Xuan waved his hand and Sheng Yuliang was taken away.

His legs were weak, but he was still dragged away by the Shen Ce Guards.

That night, a banquet was held in the manor of this former powerful noble.

The soldiers can enjoy meat, vegetables, fruits and melons to their heart's content...

Those women finally realized that the person who rescued them was the Marshal of Helong, the most powerful man in the entire Helong.

He is also one of the few founding dukes of the Tang Dynasty.

Many women had heard of Li Xuan's heroic deeds before they were abducted.

They also completely let down their guard and were extremely grateful to Li Xuan.

Many things can be seen from the small details.

When the news of Li Xuan, as a marshal, rescuing the abducted women spreads, he will surely win great praise from the people.

It may even become a story and be widely circulated.

After the banquet, Yan Zhenqing interrogated the identities of the powerful children overnight.

After confirming which families were involved, the news was immediately passed back and the Yumen Army was asked to arrest the people.

The next day, Li Xuan kept the Hexi magistrate and asked him to handle the funeral affairs of the manor.

Those arable lands that could not be left uncultivated were temporarily handed over to the people from the surrounding villages for cultivation, and the orchards were also left to them to manage.

Unlike the seizure of the sword by Fan Changhai, this time the prefect, deputy governor, chief secretary, chief clerk, Dunhuang county magistrate, county lieutenant, and county magistrate of Dunhuang were all arrested.

The framework of Dunhuang County collapsed and needed to be rebuilt.

Fortunately, Li Xuan ordered the army to take over the city of Dunhuang, so there was no unrest in Dunhuang.

Li Xuan led his personal guards, let the women sit on the horses, escorted the prisoners, and returned by the original route.

The return journey was slow and it took us a whole night to get back to Dunhuang City.

It's already noon!
"Enter the city through the east gate!"

Although it was obviously closer to enter the city through the South Gate, Li Xuan ordered to go around to the East Gate.

The guards did not ask the reason, and those who went ahead went around to the east.

Li Xuan thought, if the old man at the east gate was still there, he would let him see if his granddaughter was there.

If you're not here, I can only express my condolences!
A group of cavalrymen escorted hundreds of Sogdian bandits and merchants, five hundred slaves, hundreds of powerful sons, three hundred captured county soldiers, thirty-three women on horseback, and more than fifty maids.

The team is quite large.

Along the way, some people tried to escape at night.

But after being caught, he was beheaded to deter others.

The city of Dunhuang has also been very tense these two days.

Sergeants were everywhere, and the searches were more rigorous.

The people discovered that the officials who usually served as officials had disappeared, and even the powerful families who abused their power were escorted away by officers and soldiers.

A noble family fell into ruin overnight.

Although the people felt happy, they didn't know the reason and dared not speak out.

"Dang Dang Dang..."

Just then, more than twenty cavalrymen entered the city.

"Fellow villagers, the foreign merchants who caused trouble have all been brought to justice. Marshal Li has rescued 33 decent women from Dunhuang County. Fellow villagers who have lost their wives or daughters in the past six months, please go to the east gate of the city to confirm!"

These cavalrymen held gongs and played them in the streets.

The clanging sound of the gongs soon attracted hundreds of people from all over the city.

What did they hear?
Has the thief businessman been brought to justice?
This shocking news brought tears to the eyes of some people who had lost their daughters. They even forgot to lock their doors and ran towards the East City.

Those who had not lost their wives and daughters also went out of the city to watch.

Because of the thieves and merchants, women in the city did not dare to leave the city. Even if they went to the river outside the city to wash clothes, they were worried that they would be kidnapped by the "elusive" thieves and merchants.

When it comes to thieves and merchants, the people of Dunhuang grit their teeth.

Even the Hu merchants in Liancheng couldn't sit still when they heard the news.

Because they knew that the thieves and merchants that the Tang Dynasty wanted to catch were the bullies who often relied on their large numbers to kill and rob in the Lop Nur desert.

Most of the white bones in the desert outside Yumen Pass and Yangguan were caused by these people.

The world of merchants is cruel. A caravan of a dozen people met a caravan of hundreds of people in a deserted desert.

As long as there is a little evil intention, dozens of bones will be buried in the desert, without anyone knowing.

Without the constraints of law, morality is vulnerable.

As a result, a merchant alliance consisting of many caravans emerged.

A caravan with a small number of people often does not go out of Yangguan and Yumenguan alone. Instead, they gather caravans of the same ethnic group or familiar people and make plans to travel through the wilderness and desert together.

As long as there are hundreds of people, the evil caravan will not dare to fight head-on even if it has the same number of people, as the loss will outweigh the gain.

For a time, the streets of Dunhuang were deserted and everyone gathered in front of the east gate.

A quarter of an hour later, Li Xuan led a large army and appeared at the east gate.

The old man who was waiting for his granddaughter saw such a big scene and immediately stood up with his crutches.

He looked left and right, then slowly approached.

The Shen Ce Guards and Yumen Army cavalry also stopped at Li Xuan's signal and deployed in the wide area outside the moat.

Those decent women whose homes were in Dunhuang City dismounted and came forward.

Although it was his home, he felt a little homesick when he thought of the insults he had suffered.

Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty was not like later times.

When these women came forward, old man Dongmen saw his granddaughter whom he missed day and night.

His son died in the army, his daughter-in-law died of illness, and he and his granddaughter depended on each other for survival.

He also hoped that he would be able to rest in peace when he saw his granddaughter get married in the future.

But his granddaughter went out of the East Gate one day and never came back. He was heartbroken, and his body, which was once quite healthy, now needed a cane to lean on, and his fields became barren.

After seeing his granddaughter again, he was sure it was not a dream.

He walked over tremblingly, tears streaming down his face.

"Aweng..."

The pretty girl who was the first to ask Li Xuan a question also shouted and rushed over...

There were also about twenty husbands and fathers who saw their wives and daughters.

Separation of life and death, emotional expression.

Some other women who are not from Dunhuang will be sent back to their hometowns.

It is inevitable that it will make some people sad.

The thieves and merchants were caught, but their wives and daughters had not returned, which meant that they would never be able to return.

"It is said that General Li is a hero who loves his people like his own children. I didn't believe it before, but now I am ignorant. With his noble body, he is the only one who can do such a thing."

"The government catches thieves every year, but it is not as good as General Li coming to Dunhuang for a few days."

“This is a real hero!”

"If my son grows up, I will let him join the army under General Li. Even if he dies in battle, what is there to regret?"

"It seems that the tyrants in the city have also been captured by General Li. From now on, we, the people of Dunhuang, will have a good life."

"General Li's bow and sword were covered in snow. He tore tigers and leopards apart alive, held up the city gate with all his strength, beheaded the generals and captured the flags. He must be the reincarnation of a god. He came here to eliminate harm to the people..."

The people around were talking about it.

They all respected Li Xuan and some even compared him to the reincarnation of a god.

(End of this chapter)