stonecrandall Chapter 157
Chapter 157
The princes' avoidance of Liu Yao actually concealed some unspeakable guilt and remorse. In broad daylight, if they had not been blinded by the momentary insignificant benefits, they could have made a concerted effort to attack Huanglong and knock on the heavy iron gate of Hulao Pass.
However, reality always reveals the short-sightedness of human nature in the coldest way. Although they secretly regretted it in their hearts, no one was willing to openly label themselves as "short-sighted", so keeping a distance from Liu Yao became their unanimous choice.
Liu Yao was indifferent to this. In his opinion, these allies today were just passers-by in the long river of time, and would eventually be ruthlessly crushed by the wheels of time and disappear in the dust of history.
Although the coalition won the battle today, it also captured a large number of Xiliang warriors. These former enemies have now become hot potatoes, making people feel dilemma. How to properly place them without damaging the morale of the coalition forces became a lingering problem in Liu Yao's mind.
Liu Yao planned to first replenish 10,000 people in Bingzhou, and let the coalition forces allocate the remaining 20,000 people. Liu Yao has always taken the route of elite troops. When replenishing troops, he also likes to choose the best ones. It is also good to leave some behind.
At this moment, Sun Jian walked steadily towards the leader of the coalition, Liu Yao, with sincerity and determination in his eyes.
"Master, I heard that the coalition forces won a great victory and captured 30,000 Xiliang cavalrymen, which is really inspiring. I dare to ask if you can allocate some of the prisoners to our army to supplement our combat power?"
There was a subtle heaviness in his words, "You also know that although our army was brave and fearless in the battle, it also suffered heavy losses and has not yet recovered. This request is actually for the purpose of better serving the coalition forces in the future and working together for a great cause."
However, as soon as these words came out, the air around them seemed to freeze instantly. Among the princes, Yuan Shu reacted most intensely. He looked unhappy, and his voice was a bit harsh and dissatisfied:
"General Sun Wentai, how can the losses of your subordinates be compared with the overall situation of the coalition forces? If you had not acted on your own, violated the coalition forces' dispatch, and attacked without authorization, how could you have fallen into the enemy's trap and suffered heavy losses?"
Yuan Shu's words were like nails, pointing directly to people's hearts: "To this day, you still have the face to shamelessly ask the leader of the alliance for reinforcements? Are you expecting that once the troops are replenished, you can lead them on that meaningless journey of death and stage a tragedy of wasting lives again?"
"If I were the leader of the alliance, I would definitely punish you severely to set an example! You, you still have the face to ask for help?" Yuan Shu's words were like a heavy hammer hitting a drum, and every blow made people tremble.
All around, the princes echoed, and their voices rose and fell, all expressing their dissatisfaction and doubts about Sun Jian's actions: "That's right!" "You are right!"
Faced with the overwhelming accusations and doubts, although Sun Jian felt helpless and miserable, he knew that it was useless to argue at this moment. He could only swallow his unwillingness and self-blame, and turned it into a heavy sigh without saying anything more.
The eyes of many princes were focused on the newly captured Xiliang warriors, and they secretly calculated their own plans. Most of the soldiers under their command were farmers who worked hard in the fields. Although they were loyal and brave, they could not hide their simplicity and immaturity without the war.
But these Xiliang cavalry in front of them were completely different. They were a battle-hardened army that had experienced countless life-and-death tests, and every drop of their blood was soaked with the desire for victory and unyielding.
These warriors are excellent riders and archers. They have been fighting with the Qiang people in the vast land of Xiliang for many years. Every battle is an extreme test of survival wisdom.
The princes knew that if they could bring these Xiliang elites under their command and carefully cultivate and hone them, it would be tantamount to injecting a powerful force that should not be underestimated into their own forces. This is not only an expansion of military strength, but also a leap in tactics and strategy.
Liu Yao's eyes slowly swept over the people at the table, and a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, but he was not in a hurry to respond to those anxious voices.
They had avoided him before, either openly or secretly, but now, like bees in spring, they smelled the sweetness of nectar and flocked to him, just for that insignificant benefit. If I had known this earlier, why did I do it in the first place?
As the leader of the Guandong coalition, he knew that he held not only power in his hands, but also the authority to decide the life and death of countless people.
He had his own ideas about this group of people who were just trying to curry favor with the powerful. How could those little tricks of power shake him in the slightest? So, he raised his glass and sipped it leisurely, letting the clear aroma of wine linger between his lips and teeth, as if the noise from the outside world had nothing to do with him.
The banquet was over, the guests dispersed, the night was as dark as ink, Liu Yao slowly stood up and walked steadily towardsThe camp where the Xiliang army was imprisoned.
The guarding Bingzhou soldiers all looked stern when they saw the leader coming in person, and respectfully made way.
Under the moonlight, Liu Yao's figure was stretched out, looking particularly lonely and majestic. He examined the captured Xiliang soldiers one by one. Their eyes were filled with despair, unwillingness, or resentment, but they could not hide their desire to survive.
At this moment, Liu Yao's heart was filled with complex emotions. He knew that these soldiers should have been eagles galloping on the battlefield, but because of a war, they became prisoners.
Gongsun Xu, who was standing by, put all the white porridge he had cooked before into a wooden barrel.
Liu Yao personally carried the fragrant white rice porridge and swill bucket and placed them in front of the prison.
"Everyone, you haven't eaten for a day, right?"
"I'll give you two choices. The first choice is that you can choose one of the five hundred black armor heavy cavalrymen behind you to challenge. The winner can have all-you-can-eat porridge, and you can also join us."
"If you lose or die accidentally, you will continue to be hungry."
"Of course, if you are timid and afraid of death, wait a while, there will be a swill bucket delivered. The weak are only worthy of such cheap things."
Liu Yao looked at the people of Xiliang with a playful look, and the soldiers behind him began to distribute food, but his food was fish-flavored shredded pork rice.
Many people looked at the white rice porridge in front of Liu Yao, which kept emitting rice fragrance, and they all swallowed their saliva.
To be honest, they have never enjoyed rice porridge since they followed the Grand Master. Now they have the opportunity to enjoy white rice porridge, and they can eat as much as they want.
And their soldiers seemed to eat better, with white rice and shredded pork, which was something only the rich and powerful could afford!
Among them, a burly Xiliang soldier could not stand the hunger and came out first.
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