The scribe laughed when he heard what the general said, but did not answer.
This general who spoke a little recklessly was Gao Lan, Yuan Shao's general and one of the Four Court Pillars.
This scribe's name was Xun Chen, whose courtesy name was Youruo, and he was from Yingchuan.
Three years ago, when he firmly took the position of Yuan Shao's chief counselor, not to mention Gao Lan, even Yan Liang, who was the head of the Four Court Pillars, was respectful to Xun Chen.
At that time, Yuan Shao had many advisers, including not only Xun Chen but also Xun Yu. However, as Xun Yu defected to Cao Cao last year, Yuan Shao's attitude towards Xun Chen also changed subtly.
At that time, among the wealthy families, it was common for the sons of noble families to defect to different lords. However, although Cao Cao was called an ally of Yuan Shao at that time, he was actually a thug.
Yuan Shao felt that he had lost face.
Over the past year or so, Xun Chen's status has been gradually overtaken by Tian Feng Jushu and others behind him, and his situation is quite embarrassing.
As one of the four pillars of the courtyard, Gao Lan is also a rough-and-tumble person. His words just now were definitely not meant to embarrass Xun Chen, but to address the young man riding a horse among the three.
Show attitude.
The eldest son of Yuan, Yuan Tan!
No one expected that Yuan Tan would personally bring Xun Chen and Gao Lan to Beixin City.
The reason is that Yuan Xi killed hundreds of Southern Xiongnu bandits, causing turmoil in Youhe. What is even more incredible to Yecheng is that Yuan Xi also killed hundreds of white-horse Yicon?
Baima Yicong is not a miscellaneous soldier. With the hundreds of recruits that Yuan Xi brought when he left Yecheng, even if they have been trained for three years, it is good that Baima Yicong can defend the city against all strong veterans. How could he possibly annihilate the same troops?
Number of enemies?
The counselors in Yuan Shao's mansion discussed it and felt that it was very likely that Yuan Xi had falsely reported military achievements. Thinking about it this way, there might be an inside story about the killing of the Huns' bandits.
If Yuan Xi colludes with some unknown force, or even worse, colludes with Gongsun Zan, it would be tantamount to betraying the Yuan family!
Therefore, on the advice of his advisers, Yuan Shao immediately sent Yuan Tan to Beixin City to investigate the matter. If he found that something was wrong, he would immediately take control of Beixin City.
Yuan Shao attached great importance to this matter and not only sent Xun Chen, who had a high status, but also Gao Lan, one of the Four Court Pillars, to help Yuan Tan.
One civil and military force, plus thousands of soldiers and horses, is enough to control the situation in Beixin City!
Suddenly Xun Chen's eyes narrowed, he pointed in front and said, "There's something weird over there!"
Everyone rushed forward and saw two large pits more than ten feet wide on both sides of the road. The pits were filled with burnt human bones.
Gao Lan got off his horse and jumped into the pit to check. After a long time, he climbed out of the pit with a solemn expression and said, "These people have been dead for less than a month, and their bodies were all burned."
"Things that were not burned include broken bronze spears, iron arrowheads on bones, and broken armor. It can be seen that these people are soldiers."
"Judging from the fractured bones, the cause of death was mostly slashing and stabbing with sharp weapons. He should have died on the battlefield."
Soon a soldier came to report that there were at least three hundred bones inside.
This location matched the battlefield mentioned in Yuan Xi's letter. Yuan Tan and the other three looked at each other. Could it be that Yuan Xi really killed hundreds of Huns bandits?
Xun Chen thought for a while and said to Gao Lan: "Can we be sure that all of them are Huns?"
Gao Lan listened and said hesitantly: "It's hard to tell just from the bones."
Xun Chen stroked his beard and said, "It's easy. Go into Beixin City, gather all the soldiers of Mr. Yuan and ask, and you'll know."
"I heard that hundreds of women were rescued. It would be easier to ask them."
"It's impossible for everyone to hide things."
Yuan Tan and others got on their horses, but they were still full of doubts. Yuan Xi's letter said that a general named Zhao Yun from Gongsun Zan's tribe turned against him and helped kill the Xiongnu soldiers, but they didn't think it was reliable.
Not to mention Second Young Master Yuan, did you secretly make any concessions to Gongsun Zan?
This is what Yuan Tan and others are most worried about. If Gongsun Zan drags Yuan Xi into troubled waters, Yuan Shaojun's plan to attack Gongsun Zan next year may suffer major setbacks.
The three of them were all preoccupied, so they walked with their troops and horses for a long time before leaving the valley.
The scene in front of us suddenly opened up, turning into a vast plain with a large river running through it.
On this plain, there were only burnt straws left. Xun Chen rode his horse over to take a look and said, "This is a wheat field."
Yuan Tan looked at this large field of wheat and said with a smile: "My second brother is quite capable. He can actually grow such a large field."
Xun Chen stroked his beard and said: "Looking at it like this, I'm afraid there are not thousands of stones of food. If this is the case, it is reasonable for Second Master Yuan to be anxious to kill the Huns."
"After all, when the Huns see the wheat fields, they will destroy them and loot them. Then all their efforts this year will be in vain."
Gao Lan sighed: "Even if this is true, after this battle, I don't know how many soldiers are left in Beixin City. I estimate that at least more than 200 people will die."
"Based on this, there are only about a hundred people in Beixin City. My lord asked us to come here just in time."
Yuan Tan shook his head and said: "Not necessarily. Can the remaining 100 people defeat hundreds of white horse Yi Cong?"
Gao Lan was speechless for a moment, thinking, could he still escape unscathed if he killed hundreds of Huns?
Even if he wins, how much will he have left when facing Baima Yicong?
Gao Lan couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought about it. He firmly felt that there must be something untrue about the military information reported by Yuan Xi!
When Yuan Tan and others were coming from the south to Beixin City, Yuan Xi and Qu Yi were seeing Dong Zhao off at the west gate of Beixin City.
Ten soldiers escorted several large carts, which were filled with goods and goods for Dong Zhao's relationship.
Dong Zhao stood beside the carriage, held Yuan Xi's hand and said: "Young Master is a great kindness, I will remember it in my heart."
Yuan Xi smiled and said: "I hope that when you go, sir, you can make great achievements and become a pillar of the Han Dynasty."
Dong Zhao was moved in his heart, and he knew it was time for him to leave. When Yuan Tan came, someone under his command would definitely recognize him.
Just as he was about to get on the carriage, he hesitated and whispered to Yuan Xi: "Although that Wu Ji's appearance is ruined, she has great talent, far better than hundreds of other women. I hope you will treat her well."
Yuan Xi didn't know why, so he nodded and said, "I have taken note of what you said, sir."
Dong Zhao was relieved, got on the carriage, and the group headed towards Hanoi.
When Yuan Xi saw Dong Zhao and his party disappear, he turned to Qu Yi and said, "Brother did not leave with Gongren this time, but chose to stay. It's really beyond my expectation."
Qu Yi said nonchalantly: "Who can recognize me with this ghost look on my face?"
"What fun is it to follow an old man like Dong Zhao? I want to see how far you can go."
"And if Zhao Yun Xinjiang has other intentions, who around you can help you?"
"And he and I haven't decided the winner yet!"
After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled casually: "That's great. Without Brother Qu around, I feel quite lonely."