Dongjiang
Chiyan City
This small town with a history of 600 years has changed beyond recognition. This small town, which was once praised by countless poets as the most suitable place to live in seclusion, still has a little of the charm of the past, and some are just devastated. The city gate, which was originally not heavy, was smashed, and the city walls were full of holes. The broken city bricks were piled up on the ground, like a wild grave.
The leather boots of the Grand Duke Hurons stepped on the gravel and walked into the city gate, and the sound came from his feet as if a layer of bones had been crushed. He didn't care about the sound, what he cared about was that the soles of his feet were a little uncomfortable due to the crushed stones. He is an old man who seems to be getting pickier about life.
There were many corpses at the gate of the city, and he chose to avoid them.
"Send someone to collect the corpse and find a place to bury it. Remember to erect a monument according to the customs of the Han people."
He gave an order, and then saw a few soldiers chatting on the corpses of Han Chinese soldiers in the distance, looking very excited. He frowned, pointed to that side and said, "Arrest those people, no one will give thirty lashes and send them back to the country."
One of his generals was stunned for a moment, obviously feeling that such punishment was a bit too severe. In the Opru Empire, the honor of soldiers is inviolable. For a long time, imperial officials have guided the common people to respect a soldier, even an ordinary soldier, has many privileges in the empire. The imperial officials spent nearly ten years to let all the common people understand one thing, that is, there is nothing more honorable than a grown man joining the army.
Because of this, the repatriated soldiers not only face the ridicule and indifference of others, but also the level that they will never pass in their hearts.
"They're... just too smug."
The general persuaded: "No one would have imagined that such a small city has stood firm for so long. We lost no less than 500 soldiers outside this small city. Because of this, the soldiers may be a little annoyed. "
"That's not a reason."
Schulence shook his head: "Since the empire sent troops abroad, how many places have the proud soldiers of the empire conquered? If the victory is only to make people get carried away, then the failure will come unexpectedly. Have you all forgotten the teachings of Emperor Leman? Binger, tell me, what did Emperor Leman say about his attitude towards the dead bodies of his enemies?"
The general named Binger immediately stood up straight and said: "Your Majesty once said that those who step on the dead body of the enemy will not deprive the dead of their dignity, but lose their own identity. The dead body of the war dead is the same as the victor Have the purest honor, inviolable. If someone abuses the body of the war dead, whether it is the enemy's or his own, then such a soldier is not worthy of wearing the uniform of the empire."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Xiulunsi, knowing that he had no words to continue persuading.
"Although I've said it many times, obviously you still don't understand."
Xiulunsi took a look at the broken city wall, the collapsed houses, the corpses on the ground and the Han people gathered together in the distance.
"It was never the land that was conquered..."
…
…
"The Han people are really a strange nation."
Xiulunsi stood respectfully, with his head slightly lowered. As a duke with outstanding military exploits, there seems to be only one person in the Opru Empire who can make him put away his pride and be so humble. The Opru Empire was not built by this man, but definitely this man made it great.
When Hurons was talking to Emperor Leman, he tried his best to make his voice clear. He knew that Emperor Lehman liked to use young generals, especially young generals with determination. Schulence knew that this was because the battlefield needed more directness and bloodiness, more sharpness and courage. Therefore, he always pays so much attention to details.
He didn't want his voice to be hoarse and old when he was talking to Emperor Leman, and he tried his best to make his voice as penetrating as a young man's.
Penetrating power does not mean loud voice, of course, many young people do not understand this.
When it comes to the details, Hurons cares a bit unbelievably.
There is always a large basin of water in his study, and he maintains this habit whether he is in war or at home. Not just the study, but wherever he lives. When Emperor Leman summoned him, no matter how urgent he was, he would immediately take a bath and use the fastest speed.
His wife once didn't understand why he was like this. Xiulunsi told his wife with some helplessness: "Whether you believe it or not, the older a person is, the more he will have a smell, which I call the smell of decay. If you let Your Majesty smells the smell of an old man on me, which is equivalent to reminding him that I am old."
After people reach old age, the demand for meat is actually very small, and they prefer lighter food. But Schulence would not be like this. Although he also began to hate meat, he forced himself to eat some at every meal. Because he firmly believes that meat can keep people strong.
Sometimes he even wonders what he is afraid of.
Afraid of being abandoned
With his achievements, even if Emperor Lehman no longer uses him, he will be rewarded with a glorious home. One day when his youngest son Jieao finally became a general and led his troops to defeat an enemy city, he heard his youngest son raise his arms and cheer: "This is a great era!"
Yes, this is a great time.
The rise of an empire must experience various magnificence.
He finally understood that what he was afraid of was not going home to support the elderly, but that he would be far away from this era, leaving only flowers and plants in his life and small cards that he didn't need to care too much about winning or losing when he curled up on a chair with a group of the same old people. He wanted his name to be associated with this great era. When people mentioned the great Lehman the Great, they would not forget what a man named Hullens had done.
"What's so strange?"
Sitting on a huanghuali chair enjoying breakfast, Emperor Leman asked casually. The seemingly ordinary four-legged square table in front of him was made of the same precious wood as the chairs he made. Unlike some of his subordinates who did not understand the luxury of the details of the life of the wealthy Han people, Emperor Leman regarded this as a culture that must be taken seriously.
He can now use chopsticks proficiently, and his research on antiques in recent months has given him a better understanding of the history of this country.
"There are only less than 2,000 defenders in this small city, and more than half of them are improvised civilians. They don't even have enough bows and armor, and they don't even have reinforcements. When Mu Guangling had to retreat, this small city was doomed In order to be abandoned, the people in the city are also doomed to become orphans... However, none of them chose to surrender."
Hurons said.
Emperor Leman put down his chopsticks, seemingly dissatisfied with the food on the plate.
"Do you know what this dish is called?"
Emperor Leman pointed to the dish closest to him and asked.
"Fish-flavored shredded pork."
Schulence replied.
"Well, it's too sweet... I heard that the most authentic fish-flavored shredded pork has the light sweetness of lychees, not the strong sweetness of sucrose."
Emperor Laiman waved his hand to signal his servants to remove the dishes: "This is the dish made by the chefs brought by my Sui army. It looks like the dishes made by Han chefs, but the taste is still different. They are Han people. Is the dish weird? No... my chef is not good enough."
Emperor Leman said slowly: "When conquering a place, we only see the tenacious resistance of the enemy soldiers. We should be in awe of such enemies. But don't forget that sometimes no one surrenders. How proud and determined the enemy is, but what we have done is not good enough.”
"I understand."
Hurons lowered his head, the corners of his brows trembling involuntarily.
Emperor Leman took a bite of the hot dish he had just delivered, and nodded slightly: "The Han people have a lot to learn from us, but apart from me, for any of you, the speed of learning these things should be slowed down. I said at the beginning that to conquer a place, you must first understand a place, not to let you learn to enjoy the most luxurious living habits in this place."
"I'm a little worried now, Schulence, do you know what I'm worried about?"
Xiulunsi shook his head quickly: "I don't know."
"Look at these things."
Emperor Leman pointed to the table: "It is said that the cost of such a table is almost the same as that of a table of the same size made of sterling silver. When my subordinates knew this, they were very surprised, and then they would think that if they had such a table, A table is great. Because a table made of sterling silver looks so vulgar in comparison. Like this tea, when my subordinates know that a pot of top-notch tea may cost a rich person several years of living expenses, they I was also very surprised, and then felt that I should try this kind of tea."
"For example, jade, a seemingly small piece of value can equip a team of thousands of people or even more. I heard that the most famous jade in this country can even change a city. When my subordinates know that there is such a jade , and think I should hang this thing on my belt.”
"For example, food. I have never seen a nation that pays so much attention to the way of making food. They will strive to make the best dishes to satisfy the pleasure on the tongue. My subordinates are used to eating Monotonous roast meat and potatoes, when they start to taste such delicacies, they will make their tongues more and more greedy, thinking that the winner should enjoy all this... food, fine clothes, furniture, houses, antiques."
Emperor Laiman said slowly: "But Hurons, do you know? These things are our enemies, even far more terrifying than the enemies facing each other on the battlefield. If this goes on, it may not be long before our generals die. The roughness of the body will be taken away by the exquisite enjoyment. Some people say that the character will not change, which is wrong. Life is enough to change a person’s character. Raising a tiger for a few years, although it cannot be turned into a tiger Cats will make it lose its former power."
"I understand."
Xiulunsi didn't understand very well, but he didn't dare to say that he didn't understand.
"I will pay attention to this matter when I look back."
Emperor Laiman said: "Now, let's talk about the reasons why no Han people are willing to surrender."
…
…
Emperor Leman stood up and looked at the distant sky: "I once said that I would expand the halfway of the empire to the edge of the land, and I have already done this. After success, it will bring greed. I am now What I want is not just a piece of land, but everything... And you are the warriors who come to fulfill this wish for me. Hurons, do you know what a real warrior is?"
Before Hurons could answer, Emperor Leman said slowly: "Warriors are not just as simple as daring to work hard, but also have wisdom. We need to reduce the enemy to reduce resistance, but the way to reduce the enemy is by no means the only way to kill. The simple knowledge of killing will make the enemy more and more united. You did a good job before the war, why do you forget now? Because you think there is no need to spend money, because it seems that we have set foot on this continent... "
"I know I was wrong."
Hurons bowed his head and said, "I will send someone to do it after I go back."
"We plundered countless treasures."
Emperor Leman smiled: "Use these treasures to turn enemies into friends, and use their own things. Isn't this a good business? Wait until they are no longer needed and then take the treasure back. What have we lost? ?”
He smiled brightly: "There is nothing to lose, only gains."