The army searched and moved forward, covering six to seventy miles every day. This speed was not difficult for the cavalry, and they could find a leeward place to camp every night to keep out the cold.
Liu Xiang did not want large-scale frostbite in the army. They had to maintain combat effectiveness and respond to emergencies.
It was not until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month that we arrived at Langmeng County, which was still more than eighty miles away from Jinyang.
He ordered the army to camp outside the city and sent people to the city to purchase meat. Today was the Lantern Festival. He wanted to celebrate the festival with his soldiers, so that the Hu people in the army could experience more Han festivals and subtly assimilate them.
The Lantern Festival is Liu Xiang's customary name. There was no such thing as the Lantern Festival in the Han Dynasty, so it was called the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. After the Sui Dynasty, it was called Yuan Xi or Yuan Ye. In the early Tang Dynasty, Li Er, in order to consolidate his rule, called them Lao Li's family.
They are descendants of Laozi and respect the teachings of Taoism. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is called the Shangyuan Festival. It was not until the end of the Tang Dynasty that the name of the Lantern Festival came into being.
According to legend, the ancient people lit fires in the countryside to drive away insects and beasts in the first month, hoping to reduce insect pests and pray for a good harvest. If you think about it carefully, isn't this just spring burning?
This custom gradually spread, and later generations designated the first full moon of the first lunar month as a festival.
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, this day was designated as a day to worship Taiyi God, and it became a national festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Taiyi God is the most noble deity of the Han Dynasty. He is the main god and the Emperor of Heaven. He is not Taiyi, the Eastern Emperor of Chu, but the highest main god enshrined in the Central Plains. He is a symbol of the vitality of the universe.
The royal family of the Han Dynasty had a special place to worship Taiyi God, which was on the Taiyi altar in Ganquan Palace. Because when Emperor Wu worshiped Taiyi for the first time, there was an auspicious sign of "there is light on the temple", so the Taiyi altar in Ganquan Palace was named "Taiyi" (Taiyi).
)ancient sacrifice".
At dusk, Liu Xiang worshiped Taiyi in the southeastern suburbs of Langmeng County. Then the whole army lit bonfires, cooked soup and barbecued meat, and feasted.
When night fell, County Magistrate Langmeng took the county officials to the military camp to ask for an audience, and asked Liu Xiang to enter the city to watch the lanterns.
The custom of viewing lanterns was promoted by Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He advocated Buddhism. He heard that on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in Buddhism, monks viewed the Buddha's relics and lit lanterns to worship the Buddha. He ordered that on this night, lanterns be lit in palaces and temples to worship the Buddha, so that the nobles
The common people hung up their lanterns.
The county magistrate is an old man in his fifties, with an unremarkable appearance, but the servants around him are dignified, nearly eight feet tall, with well-muscled muscles, and are quite majestic.
The man turned his head to observe Hu Qi many times, with a look of surprise on his face. He probably had never seen such a Hu Qi who obeyed military discipline.
Seeing that he was dressed in coarse linen and without any accessories, Liu Xiang felt that it was a pity that such a strong man was buried among his servants, so he inquired casually.
The county magistrate informed: "Last year, Xianbei died. This man was a refugee who suffered from the military disaster. He fled from the north. His surname was Gao Mingshun. Because he had some strength, he was recruited as a bodyguard."
Gao Shun?
Is it the Gao Shun who was trapped in the camp? Or is it someone with the same name? Since we have met him, of course we will kill him without mercy.
"I'm going to Liangzhou and I'm in some danger. I'm sorry for the lack of security guards. Can the county magistrate be willing to help me?" Liu Xiang asked.
"This..." County Magistrate Langmeng hesitated.
"Huh?" Liu Xiang narrowed his eyes and looked at the little old man. We can talk and discuss things easily, and we are still good friends. Don't force me to resort to tricks, it won't look good.
"I am honored to be able to help Liu Shijun." Looking at Liu Xiang's dangerous eyes, the old man relented and turned around and ordered: "Gao Shun, you will stay with Liu Shijun from now on, so that you can have talents under your command."
Jiji, I don’t lack your strength, I just treat him as an errand boy, don’t neglect him, do you understand?”
"Wei." Gao Shun didn't care. Anyway, he was a fool wherever he went.
"The city has been hung with colorful lanterns, and I have also prepared some water and wine. I would also like to ask you to come and have fun with the people and celebrate the festival." Magistrate Langmeng invited again.
"We are busy with military affairs and it is inconvenient to enter the city. The elders can celebrate the festival with peace of mind. Our army will not disturb the people."
All the officials in Langmeng County clasped their hands and saluted: "We admire Commander Liu for his strict management of the army."
After a few more pleasantries, the people in the county took their leave.
After they left, Liu Xiang looked at Gao Shun and said: "I see Gaolang's majesty, and I really can't bear to have such a majestic man buried among his servants. I have no intention of humiliating him. I wonder if he is willing to join our army and fight on the battlefield."
Striving for fame."
Gao Shun sighed, a bitter feeling welling up in his heart: "I have escaped from the disaster and have nothing. I can only make a living first. I don't dare think about it."
Why are you so dejected by these words? Can you still be hungry if you join the army? If your name is not Gao Shun, I really don't care about you.
Liu Xiang frowned and asked: "Now the opportunity is right in front of you, don't you want to fight for it?"
"It all depends on the envoy's orders."
Is this person discouraged? Is he frustrated because of too many setbacks?
There is no way to persuade such a person.
Is he really Gao Shun?
Liu Xiang shouted: "Zhao Jing."
"What are your orders, my lord?"
"Try Gao Lang's skills."
"I have the order." Zhao Jing walked out from behind Liu Xiang, looked at Gao Shun, and said as he walked: "Fight on foot, fight on horseback, bare hands, or use weapons, you choose."
Zhao Jingke was happy that he was ordered to fight. This guy was extremely belligerent. He had been challenged by lieutenants and generals in the army. He lost and lost. He didn't care about the result. He just liked fighting. According to him, those who have fought are the best.
brother.
Seeing his arrogant look, Gao Shun was unmoved. He had also seen more arrogant people.
"Use your bare hands, we don't know how to mobilize troops during the festival."
"Okay." Zhao Jing didn't want to bully anyone, so he immediately took off his iron helmet, removed his armor, yelled, and punched him in the face. Gao Shun raised his arm to block and punched with his back hand.
To Zhao Jing's heart.
The two of them were fighting each other with fists and kicks, but they didn't have any skills at all. They were just tall, strong, and powerful. Liu Xiang didn't want to watch a boxing match, he just wanted to know the power of Gao Shun.
He can fight Zhao Jing back and forth, and his strength is not low. From this point of view, it should be Gao Shun, but he has some mental problems. Let's stay with him first. Now that we have met, we can't let him go to Lu Bu.
.
"Stop it."
After hearing this, the two men stopped fighting, but Zhao Jing's intention was still not over.
"Good skill, let's go back and fight again."
"You win, I am no match for you."
This sentence almost choked Zhao Jing to death. He angrily went to put on his armor and muttered: "If you can't run away, I will block you when I turn around."
Liu Xiang ignored Zhao Jing who was muttering on the side, looked at Gao Shun and said: "Gao Lang is knowledgeable in the art of war."
"Replying to the envoy, I am illiterate and do not understand military strategy."
In this situation, I am afraid that I can only serve as the leader of the team. Liu Xiang thought about it for a while and felt that he should stay with him first.
"In that case, how about becoming a bodyguard by my side first? After you learn writing, read some military books, and master the art of leading troops, you can use him again."
"only."
Ask Zhao Jing to take Gao Shun to collect weapons, meals, and armor. If you don't bring extra, you can only reissue them later.
The army celebrated the festival with a delicious meal, rested overnight, set out early the next morning, accelerated their march, and arrived outside Jinyang City in the evening of the same day.
The governor of Bingzhou did not show up, so he sent soldiers and officers to lead the army to the military camp outside the city.
"Liu Shijun will rest his horse for now. It's getting late today, and supplies of food and grass will be delivered tomorrow."
"I know, thank you for your trouble."
"Business matters."
Bing Cao completed his mission, reported back to Governor Zhang, and then left the office and went straight to Wen Mansion.
"Master, that man is here. He has taken 3,500 cavalry and has stationed himself in the military camp outside the city."