The Jingcha Storm became more and more intense, and more and more Jin officials were dragged off their horses. More and more people were sentenced to death and had their properties confiscated.
Shen Yicheng seemed to have decided to completely break the rules of the previous political game and establish his own new rules.
Under such circumstances, Fang Shoushi was soon asked to leave for Datong to take up his post, and he was accompanied by the first batch of military funds of 630,000 taels of silver, as well as the replenishment of weapons and equipment.
This could also be considered as building momentum for Fang Shoushi, allowing him to quickly establish a foothold and gain recognition.
The court gave Fang Shoushi a deadline of ten days to take up his post in Datong City. Fang Shoushi had no choice but to drag his old body and follow a group of people to Datong, which had just experienced the calamity of the Northern Barbarians.
On the 23rd of April in the 26th year of Wanli, Fang Shoushi arrived in Datong. This day happened to be the day when the Northern Barbarians attacked the Ming Army Camp for the third time, and when Xiao Ruxun led his troops to counterattack.
After Fang Shoushi arrived in Datong, he learned from the soldiers Xiao Ruxun had sent to Datong that Xiao Ruxun was engaged in a fierce battle with the Northern Barbarians, so he took the silver and rushed to Hukou without stopping.
When Fang Shoushi arrived at Hukou, the sun was setting, and the entire Hukou Camp had gradually calmed down.
In the early hours of the morning, the Northern Barbarians launched a surprise attack on Hukou Camp. Xiao Ruxun was prepared and led his troops to counterattack. After a fierce battle, they repelled the 20,000 Northern Barbarians.
It was not that Xiao Ruxun was unwilling to attack, but he had no choice but to defend and could not attack.
The reason was simple — he had used up all his military equipment, especially gunpowder and lead.
When the Northern Invaders went south to sweep through Shanxi and Datong, they focused their attacks on the various arsenals. The arsenals were looted and many of the warehouses were looted and burned to the ground. When Xiao Ruxun led her troops to war, many of the weapons were seized and robbed.
Xiao Ruxun repeatedly urged the court to allocate military equipment, but the court was also at a loss. It had not been easy for them to last until now, but they could not take the initiative to attack for more than ten days. This made the entire army, from Xiao Ruxun to the soldiers, feel a little sullen.
Fortunately, the military equipment allocated by the court arrived with the new Inspector of Datong. Xiao Ruxun could finally rearm his troops and prepare for the northern expedition.
In the battle just now, Xiao Ruxun let the Northern Barbarians into the camp and used a formation to trap a large number of them. He killed more than a thousand of them. After the remaining Northern Barbarians fled, they were chased by Li Rusong's army for a while and killed a group. Less than half of them managed to escape.
The Northern Barbarians were getting more and more impatient. According to Xiao Ruxun's judgment, the Northern Barbarians' food supply was almost depleted. If he had not kept them from leaving, they would have already escaped and the opportunity to wipe them out would have been gone.
Fortunately, Guardian Fang arrived with the equipment and supplies. Xiao Ruxun let out a long sigh of relief.
A large part of the reason soldiers fought was for rewards. Encouragement from famous generals was only a part of the reason. Rewards and encouragement were needed to work together. It had only been half a month, but the troops in Taiyuan and Yulin were already slacking off.
Guardian Fang had arrived just in time. Xiao Ruxun was very happy. He sent people to guide them along the way so that they could reach the Shakou camp as soon as possible.
Speaking of which, Xiao Ruxun did not know much about Guardian Fang. He had never heard of him. However, since he had been selected as the Inspector of Datong at this time, it was clear that he was not an ordinary scholar. No matter what, he was a civil general who had fought in wars.
The documents from the Ministry of War also introduced Guardian Fang's situation. Xiao Ruxun learned that this person was well-versed in border affairs and had served at various borders. He had some understanding of military affairs and was even more skilled in restoring production. He was a practical talent in internal affairs and military affairs.
However, he was a little older. He was sixty years old. Presumably, he was not someone easy to get along with. After all, Xiao Ruxun was only twenty-eight while this person was already sixty. In terms of age, he could be considered Xiao Ruxun's grandfather, but he was Xiao Ruxun's subordinate.
This group of civil officials really wanted to find ways to impede Xiao Ruxun and make things difficult for him.
However, Xiao Ruxun had no choice. He had brought money to Xiao Ruxun. He was the God of Fortune.
At sunset, the soldiers were cleaning up the battlefield. Xiao Ruxun led a group of generals under him to take a bath and change into clean armor. Then, they went to welcome this sixty-year-old elder.
Guardian Fang did not want to put on airs. When he heard that Xiao Ruxun was fighting a war, he became anxious. He put down his burden and arranged for people to follow him to the Shahukou Barracks. At the same time, he quickly arranged for soldiers to deliver the soldiers' pay and provisions to the Shahukou Barracks.
He ran rather fast, with Sun Chengzong and a few servants by his side, as well as a dozen or so knights by his side. He ran all the way to the Sha Hu Kou camp, and saw Xiao Ruxun and the other generals waiting for him at the entrance of the camp.
Xiao Ruxun stood alone in front of the generals. He did not ride a horse or carry a sword. He just stood there and waited. His figure was tall and straight, and he wore a smile on his face. He looked harmless.
Guardian Fang saw Xiao Ruxun and the generals from afar. He was thinking whether he should ride his horse or dismount and walk over. Sun Chengzong, who was beside him, spoke.
"Dong Weng, Xiao Zhennan has come out personally. He has done a good job. It seems that he has won the war. We should dismount and walk. We can't ride our horses over. Otherwise, it will be impolite."
Fang Shoushi thought about it and felt that it made sense. It was obvious that they had won a battle and were lined up to ask for rewards. If he were to put on an act, not only would he not be able to display his authority, he would also easily incur the displeasure of the army. One must know that Xiao Ruxun wasn't the only one here. There was also that arrogant Li Rusong who dared to fight with the Imperial Inspector.
Zhu Yijun liked Li Rusong very much and was always on his side. Everyone in the imperial court knew this. No one wanted to make things difficult for Li Rusong. Not only would they not get any benefits, but they would also get into trouble.
Therefore, Guardian Fang dismounted from his horse at a distance. The attendants and soldiers beside him also dismounted and walked towards Xiao Ruxun.
On the other side, Xiao Ruxun saw Guardian Fang and the others dismount and walk over. He also heaved a sigh of relief.
If this old inspector insisted on not giving him face and rode his horse over, he wouldn't say anything. However, the generals behind him might not think so. They had won many wars and had their own pride. At this time, if a scholar used his status as a scholar to bully them, it would really cause a mutiny.
Fortunately, Guardian Fang was well-versed in frontier affairs. He had his reservations and didn't intend to put on airs.
"Guardian Fang of the Inspector of Datong pays his respects to the Governor!"
Guardian Fang steadily walked towards Xiao Ruxun, and with a little distance between them, he cupped his hands and bowed.
This was the limit of what he could do.
Xiao Ruxun quickly walked forward and supported Guardian Fang. "Lord Fang, please don't be like this. Please get up. Lord Fang, you look like you're thirty years old. If you do this, wouldn't you look like you're Ruxun?"
As soon as he said this, Guardian Fang felt better. Sun Chengzong also heaved a sigh of relief.
Hsiao Jixin, Xiao Zhennan. As expected, he understood etiquette. He wasn't as vulgar as the other generals. It was no wonder that many among the scholars had a good impression of him. When the inspectors of the frontier towns interacted with each other, there were many words of praise for Xiao Ruxun.
Everyone took a step back. You're good, I'm good, and everyone is good.
Guardian Fang also wore a smile on his face.
"The Governor is the Governor after all. Etiquette can't be ignored."
"This is the military camp. Everyone here is from the military. There's no need to care too much about ordinary etiquette. Lord Fang, I have already prepared a welcoming banquet for Lord Fang. Please come with me."
"Alright!"
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