SWDnovel Chapter 20: With the addition of two formidable generals, the core team is beginning to take shape!
Chapter 20: With the addition of two formidable generals, the core team is beginning to take shape!
"You want Tuoba Zhao?"
Li Qing raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Ding Yuan said firmly.
"Yes, I want to take away the Xianbei Left Wise King Tuoba Zhao."
"I don't need to hide it from you, I wrote up a report on your military achievements and sent it to Luoyang by express courier!"
"Your feat of destroying the Xianbei cavalry, capturing the Xianbei Left Wise King alive, and seizing Yanmen Pass will soon be known throughout the country."
Li Qing calmly picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Ding Yuan was taken aback when he saw that Li Qing remained unmoved.
After a moment's thought, Ding Yuan spoke again, his tone becoming more friendly.
"However, your achievements are truly astounding. You fought against the Xianbei army with the strength of a county town and even annihilated them."
"There's bound to be a lot of discussion in the imperial court!"
"They might accuse you of exaggeration, or even falsely accuse you of fabricating your war achievements, which would be very detrimental to your future promotion!"
"Therefore, I want to take Tuoba Zhao to the capital!"
"He was the Left Wise King of the Xianbei, whose status was roughly equivalent to the Three Dukes in our Han Dynasty!"
"With him, we can definitely silence those people in the court and ensure your illustrious reputation remains untarnished!"
Li Qing smiled.
This time, Ding Yuan held nothing back; everything he said was reasonable and truthful.
His military achievements, once reported, will surely cause a stir in the court and among the people; no one will believe it!
At that time, the world will be filled with voices of doubt and opposition!
Would Li Qing be afraid of the doubts raised by those pedantic scholars? Impossible!
"I appreciate your kindness, Uncle."
"But I have other uses for Tuoba Zhao, so I cannot escort him to the capital!"
Upon hearing this, Ding Yuan's expression immediately changed, and he couldn't help but feel a little angry.
Why?
Li Qing chuckled lightly, then suddenly changed the subject.
"In recent years, the Xianbei have continuously raided and plundered southwards, harassing our borders."
"Uncle, do you know how difficult life is for ordinary people?"
Ding Yuan snorted angrily, "Of course I know! That's precisely why I'm escorting Tuoba Zhao to the capital!"
"In this way, the Emperor will surely be pleased, as it will reduce the tax burden on the people of Bingzhou for several years, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief for a while."
"Has Uncle ever considered that over the years, countless Han Chinese have been captured by the Xianbei and taken to the grasslands, where they have become slaves, struggling daily on the brink of humiliation and death?"
A cold glint flashed in Li Qing's eyes.
These words stunned Ding Yuan, and a look of shame appeared on his face.
After a while, Ding Yuan said in a heavy tone, "I really hadn't thought of that."
"Uncle may not know, but I do."
Li Qing's face was gloomy, and his tone was firm and serious.
"In the past twenty years, the Xianbei bandits have abducted at least 150,000 Han Chinese slaves!"
"These 150,000 Han Chinese lived a life worse than death among the Xianbei nomadic tribes!"
"They dream day and night of returning to the Han Chinese land and living the lives of ordinary people!"
"Uncle, these 150,000 people are clearly subjects of Bingzhou!"
Ding Yuan was stunned by the repeated questioning, his face turned pale, and he was covered in cold sweat.
Only now did he truly understand what Li Qing meant.
After a long silence, Ding Yuan finally asked in a deep voice.
"Nephew, are you planning to exchange the Xianbei Left Wise King Tuoba Zhao for those 150,000 Han prisoners?"
"Exactly!"
Li Qing answered proudly.
"In my opinion, the value of a Xianbei Left Wise King is less than one ten-thousandth of the lives of Han people."
"The Han Chinese people have suffered enough; now this suffering must end!"
"We need someone to lead them home."
"I am not talented, but I am willing to take on this responsibility so that the Han people can return to their homes."
"Let those pedantic scholars in the court criticize as they please!"
"I, Li Qing, have an upright character and a clear conscience, and I am not afraid of rumors or attacks!"
His words were firm and powerful.
Ding Yuan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Li Qing.
"I have been an official for many years, but I am no match for a young man like you."
"Those who are capable can be my teachers; today, I will learn from you!"
"I entrust the handling of the Xianbei Left Wise King Tuoba Zhao entirely to you; I will no longer interfere!"
Lu Bu stood aside, his face full of shock.
He had followed Ding Yuan for many years and knew Ding Yuan's personality all too well.
Stubborn and unyielding, like a stone in a latrine.
Apart from the emperor, his parents, and his mentor, no one could make Ding Yuan bow his head.
Even the powerful Ten Attendants and He Jin could not enjoy the same treatment as Ding Yuan!
Li Qing stepped forward, helped Ding Yuan up, and said gently, "Commander, there's no need for this. I can't accept such a favor."
Ding Yuan laughed heartily: "Lord Li, you deserve my bow!"
"The people of Linrong County are truly blessed to have you as their magistrate!"
"From now on, if you need any help, just tell me."
"I will never delay if it is within my power!"
Li Qing raised an eyebrow after hearing this.
He smiled.
"Since you've put it that way, Uncle, I do have a request!"
"Oh?"
Ding Yuan was slightly surprised.
Then he smiled.
"I thought you were someone who didn't care about anything and had no desires!"
"Just tell me what you want!"
Li Qing's gaze was firm as she said in a low voice, "I want to ask Uncle for two people!"
"They actually need people?"
Ding Yuan smiled again, pointed at Lü Bu, and said softly.
"My most valiant general is Fengxian, and he is now yours!"
"Anyone else you've taken a liking to?"
"I'll give you anything, unless it's a prime location in Bingzhou!"
He finds Li Qing more and more pleasing to the eye now.
If he had more than one son and no daughter, he would have loved to become in-laws with Li Qing.
Compared to Li Qing, that guy at home is simply useless!
Li Qing said softly.
"Don't worry, Uncle, these two are insignificant."
"A man named Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wenyuan, was an official of Wuyuan County."
"A man named Gao Shun, courtesy name Boping, was a sergeant."
Ding Yuan was surprised.
Li Qing is young, promising, and extraordinary.
Since he can think highly of them, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun must also be remarkable figures.
How come he's never heard of these two people before?
After thinking for a while, he turned to Lü Bu.
"Fengxian, do you know Zhang Liao and Gao Shun?"
Lü Bu immediately nodded: "Father, I know them. They are all in the guards you brought."
Ding Yuan nodded: "Alright, Fengxian, make the arrangements. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun will be sent to Linrong and placed under the command of my nephew."
"promise!"
Lü Bu respectfully agreed.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Li Qing smiled and raised his teacup to offer tea.
"I can't drink anymore. I have too much official business in Bingzhou, and I must go back to handle it as soon as possible."
Ding Yuan stood up, bowed to Li Qing, and strode away.
Li Qing escorted him all the way out of the city.
The guards escorted Ding Yuan away at breakneck speed, kicking up clouds of dust.
Only Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun remained.
These three are the top military figures among the generals of Bingzhou!
Li Qing's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at them, his eyes revealing a strong desire.
Zhang Liao was one of the Five Tiger Generals of Cao Wei.
In the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, a mere 800 soldiers defeated Sun Quan's 100,000-strong army, causing the Jiangdong region to tremble.
Zhang Wenyuan's reputation for bravery is enough to stop a child from crying at night!