In early spring, the wilderness is still covered with ice and snow, but the wind blowing from the distant snow-capped peaks has gradually lost its harsh skin-cutting coldness. The earth, which has been frozen for a severe winter, is quietly waiting to soften in order to welcome the arrival of another hidden thunder and the Waking of Insects.
Outside the walls of Huangsha Fort, in the vast wilderness, there are countless felt tents stationed densely packed together. When the night wind blows, the wolf flags flutter in the wind.
Linghu Gong has been in charge of Hexi for many years. In addition to military affairs, he also manages the important business of frontier army farming. This garrison was originally a military town that was gradually formed due to farming, and there is a grain and grass warehouse inside. At the end of last year, when the army was under pressure from both the north and the south, it was the most difficult time. For the strategic purpose of concentrating military forces, it was decided to abandon some remote areas to deal with the worst possible situation. This place was among them.
According to the plan, all the grain and grass were to be moved out before retreating. However, Ashina's speed of moving southward was much faster than expected. The troops arrived when only half of the grain was moved. Before retreating, the garrison commander set fire to the granary. Unfortunately, hail and snow fell, and the fire was extinguished. In this way, the remaining half of the grain and grass in the granary, along with the garrison city, fell into Ashina's hands.
After he occupied this place, perhaps to rest his troops, he finally paused and stopped using troops, and ordered them to stay there for rest.
Tonight, in a large house in the garrison, the fire was burning and the heat was overwhelming. Chengping was reveling with a group of generals under his command. In the tangy aroma of barbecue and wine, beautiful dancers from the Western Regions, with large white breasts and bellies exposed, danced to the beat of crazy drums to liven up the atmosphere. Amid the endless shouting and laughter, Chengping, who was drunk and disheveled, suddenly turned over and got off the couch, staggering towards an official sitting nearby.
The official was dressed as a member of the Holy Dynasty. Different from the people around him who were all staring at the dancers with great interest, he sat upright, looking straight ahead, and looked out of place.
"Why, is this wine not to your taste? I see you haven't had much to drink tonight."
Chengping raised the jug of mare's milk wine in his hand, tilted his head back, and drank a few gulps from the jug, letting the wine flow down his neck. Then, with a bang, he placed the jug on the table in front of the man, and put his other hand on his shoulder, asking with a smile.
This official was Cui Daosi.
He had been on a diplomatic mission to the north before, and after many hardships, he finally arrived. When he was about to meet up with Linghu Gong, a snowstorm came and he completely lost his way. He had to move forward by feeling. When he found that the direction was wrong, the team had already entered the Wolf Court. At that time, the people around him fled and scattered, and only a dozen or so confidants were left. They were short of food and clothing, and turning back would be a dead end. In desperation, he bit the bullet and went to find the nearest chief. The chief had already surrendered to Chengping. After he arrived, relying on his surname and his knowledge of classics, he quoted classics in the king's tent, promised him benefits, and persuaded him with his eloquence. He decided on the spot to move his people and troops to the tent and serve the Holy Dynasty.
Just as he was happily leading his troops back to Hexi, he was unexpectedly ambushed by the Taiping troops. He had no time to escape and was captured on the spot.
This happened almost a year ago.
After being captured, Chengping forced him to serve as the right prime minister, otherwise he would be killed. Under the sword and axe, Cui Daosi had no choice but to agree, and thus he became the right prime minister, doing all kinds of work such as formulating imperial edicts and drafting memorials.