Chapter 25 Entering Luoyang

  Originally, Long Fei and his men were only briefly stopping at Tiger Trap Pass because the New Year was approaching and they had to hurry to Luoyang. But as soon as he heard it was Jia Xuan, Long Fei readily agreed. Amidst everyone's surprise, Wang Qian tactfully reminded Long Fei that time was limited, and Long Fei then said: "However, we only have today, if Zhang Ji can't persuade me, I still have to leave!"

  "Haha...” Jia Xun nodded: “A good bird chooses a tree to perch on, if a strong man doesn't think highly of the Western Liang army, I have nothing to say. However, I must clarify that General Zhang's Western Liang army is very different from other Western Liang armies."

  Under Jia Xu's lead, Long Fei and his men entered the Guardian General's mansion. Zhang Chao was tied to a wooden stake in the courtyard, with two soldiers watching on either side. The courtyard was not large, with only two rows of buildings, one in front and one in back. The rear building housed the family members, while the front building served as Zhang Ji's meeting place. Since Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he had killed many eunuchs, relying on his powerful army to appoint himself as Chancellor and Grand Tutor, dominating court politics. However, officials from various regions of Guandong were dissatisfied with him, secretly harboring intentions of rebellion. Therefore, Dong Zhuo dispatched General Zhang Ji to garrison Tiger Trap Pass, taking precautions against potential threats.

  "Wow! Didn't expect to run into you again?" Long Fei saw Zhang Heng and immediately began teasing: "Just a moment ago, you were still a majestic general, but now you've become a dead dog tied up by others, hahaha..."

  Zhang Xiu flew into a rage: "You dare to trespass on the General's mansion! Come! Take them all away, take them all away!"

  Someone reported that Long Fei and others were brought in by Jia Yu, and Zhang Yi became even more angry. Long Fei looked at him: "You're also a man, why are you so narrow-minded? It's not a big deal! Maybe we'll work together in the future!"

  "Pfft!" Zhang Hua spat and turned his head to one side. Jia Yu quickly came out of the house, inviting Zhang Ji. Long Fei and others followed Jia Yu into the main hall. Zhang Ji sat upright with a serious expression. Jia Yu introduced Long Fei and others, but when he saw that they didn't pay their respects after entering, Zhang Ji felt somewhat displeased. Seeing Long Fei's arrogant and disdainful expression, he felt even more dissatisfied.

  "Will you join our army?" Zhang Fei asked.

  Long Fei shook his head: "I just came with Mr. Jia Yu to take a look, whether or not I'll join you guys still needs to be considered, if it's okay, maybe I'll think about it!"

  "Hmph!" Zhang Ji snorted, casting a glance at Jia Yu: "Then watch this! Let Jia Yu take you away, General has military duties to attend to and can't keep you company!"

  "General! General!" Jia Yu shouted twice, but Zhang Ji didn't turn around and ran to the back yard after turning over the screen. Jia Yu sighed: "Ah! You gentlemen, this General Zhang's military law is very strict, ordinary people are not allowed to enter the military camp at all, today he made an exception and let me accompany you gentlemen, which is already a rare occurrence, please follow me!"

  As Jia Xun walked, he introduced Zhang Ji Jun's situation. Long Fei did not expect that the ancient army would be divided so finely. The imperial court had officials such as Taishi, Sima, and Da Jiangjun, but even within the military camp, there were strict ranks. From a soldier to a general was extremely difficult, requiring promotions through 19 levels: Wuzhang, Shizhang, Dubei, Bairenjiang, Yamenjiang, Qidu, Budu, Junsim, Qiduiwei, Xiaowei, Zhonglangjiang, Pianjiangjun, Zajiangjun, Sicheng Situn Qianguan Jiangjun, Weijiang, Tujue, Chejiangjun, and finally Da Jiangjun. This was three levels more than the modern military's progression from junior lieutenant to general or even marshal. Don't underestimate those three levels - one would have to fight many battles and crawl out of piles of corpses multiple times to climb up.

  Apart from the ranks, there are also complete branches of service. Among them, infantry is divided into halberdiers, swordsmen and shield bearers, archers, cavalry is divided into vanguard cavalry, mounted archers, charioteers, while the navy has a variety of types such as assault troops, guerrilla fighters, naval rangers, bowmen, oarsmen, etc. However, there is an important shortcoming, that is logistics. All these people are organized tightly but lack necessary understanding of logistical supply. The ancient saying goes well: "Grain and fodder go before the army", unfortunately, in terms of grain organization and allocation, no troops were specifically assigned to complete this task, basically relying on civilian laborers or mobilized personnel to collectively transport supplies, which restricted the actions of the main force.

  During the time of Emperor Wu, why were the Xiongnu people so arrogant, while the Han people were powerless? The main reason was food and fodder. The Xiongnu lived on the grasslands, relying on nomadic life, and when they went to war, they could easily move thousands of miles by driving their cattle and sheep. On the other hand, the large Han army needed a huge logistics team as support, which limited the actions of the army, always waiting for the Xiongnu to invade the border before slowly arriving.

  Jia Xuan spoke in great detail, one by one, thoroughly and clearly. Long Fei was also very meticulous, asking questions immediately when he didn't understand, and Jia Xuan answered every question. The two of them discussed military affairs like they were discussing a battle plan, starting from Zhang Ji's large army, and roughly explained the Han Dynasty's military system in detail.

  Jia Xu said, "General Zhang is one of Dong Zhuo's most trusted generals. He has been appointed as the General of Tiger Trap and commands an army of 50,000 infantrymen, 10,000 archers, and 30,000 cavalrymen, all of whom are elite troops from Yu Province. There are no chariots or naval forces in his command, which is why the Yellow River is the most difficult place to defend."

  Long Fei said: "This small Tiger Trap Pass is garrisoned by 800,000 troops, and the daily expenses are not small, right?"

  "Isn't that so!" Jia Yu nodded: "Apart from the imperial court's supplies, a large part of it has to be solved by the generals themselves. Plundering grain is not uncommon either!"

  After visiting the military camp, the group left from the camp gate. Since Zhang Ji had no intention of keeping Long Fei, Jia Xiang could only sigh. Thinking back to when they were in West Liang, Hu Che Er was so arrogant, but Zhang Ji could just laugh it off, why wouldn't he accept someone like Long Fei? After thinking about it, Jia Xiang understood. Zhang Ji wasn't unappreciative of Long Fei, at the wine shop entrance he had already seen that Long Fei wasn't simple, unfortunately Long Fei and Zhang Xiu didn't get along, if he kept Long Fei for a few years he would definitely become his right-hand man, but his foundation was to be passed on to Zhang Xiu, as for what would happen when the two didn't get along later, one could guess.

  "Farewell for now, and if there's a chance again, I hope you'll continue to support me, Long Zuo!" Jia Yu smiled slightly and bowed his head in respect.

  Long Fei also learned to return the courtesy: "Sir, you said that now you are already the chief historian of the Tiger Cage General's Mansion, how can a humble commoner like me carry you? However, I'll borrow your auspicious words, if there's such a day, sir, please come! Just consider it as today's tuition fee for teaching me this trick!"

  Leaving the Tiger's Den Pass, they headed towards Luoyang. Long Fei felt a bit apprehensive in his heart. If things were really as he had guessed, it might be easier to handle. But what if his arrival changed the course of history? That would be troublesome indeed. Along the way, he kept asking Wang Que and Wang Wei about the contact arrangements. Wang Que said, "The master has said that once we arrive in Luoyang, someone will naturally get in touch with us. From now on, just follow the plan!"

  Long Fei shook his head: "This is not a good thing, this way we become other people's pawns, being manipulated by others is not my style. If there's an opportunity, contact your master and tell him I want to see him!"

  Today is the 30th day of the last month, and the city of Luoyang is already bustling with people before dawn. The last day of the year is a day for family reunions, and business owners have closed their doors early to return home and gather together. On the streets, children are jumping around excitedly, each face filled with happy smiles. Although this tradition of celebrating the new year only started from Emperor Wu's time, just over a hundred years ago, it already has some similarities with today's New Year's atmosphere. For example, worshiping heaven and earth, cleaning up the house, gathering together as a family, except that there is still no custom of setting off firecrackers.

  One after another, seven or eight inns were found to be closed. After wandering around Luoyang City, no place to stay was found, and even a place to eat was not available. Just as everyone was at a loss for what to do, a shout from afar attracted their attention.

  "The small shop has just received a high-quality Fen wine, one cent per jug, one cent per jug!"

  The crowd immediately drove the horse over, and it was a guest house. The sign above the door clearly read "Xianlai Residence". They dismounted and rushed in without waiting for the shopkeeper to greet them. Inside, it was quiet and empty, with no one around. But that's good, so they didn't have to fight over anything. The shopkeeper hastily poured hot tea into bowls for each of them, beaming with smiles, and asked: "Several sirs, are you here to eat or stay? If you want to eat, we have all kinds of mountain delicacies and seafood! If you want to stay, our small shop has more than a dozen excellent guest rooms, you can choose freely!"

  Long Fei pulled out a dozen or so coins from his bosom and tossed them onto the table: "Less nonsense, first get us some food, we're all starving to death!"

  The little waiter quickly swept the money on the table into his own arms and shouted as he went to the back. Long Fei raised his head and scanned the inn in a circle, and when he turned back, his eyes met Wang Qian's gaze. Wang Qian nodded slightly towards him, indicating the dragon pattern on the wall at the back of the inn. Long Fei nodded slightly, actually he had seen it as soon as he entered the door, and he guessed that this was the place where the master would meet them.

  When the shopkeeper brought over a few dishes and some snacks, Wang Qian asked: "Where's your boss? Why isn't he around?"

  "Tomorrow is the New Year, and the boss is at home reuniting with his family. Only us poor souls have to keep working!" The young boy said as he quickly placed a few small dishes on the table. Wang Qian didn't ask any more questions, instead pulling out the dragon-patterned jade piece from her pocket and handing it over to the young servant: "Take this to your boss!"

  The shopkeeper's assistant took a glance and then looked at the group of people on the table, nodding repeatedly: "Alright alright, you all take your time, I'll go deliver it to the boss now!"

  Time was not long, a short and stout man came from the backyard, because of walking too quickly, Zhang's big mouth was panting heavily, with both hands returning the jade piece to Wang Qiang, looking at everyone: "The master said only two people, how..."

  "There's no need to ask about this! Just tell us what the next plan is!" Long Fei interrupted the shopkeeper.

  The shopkeeper gave a wink to the second, and the second quickly went to put up the signboard of the inn, and at the same time led several horses to the backyard. Beside the table where they were eating, the shopkeeper said: "We opened our door today just for you all, now that everyone has arrived, this is a letter from Master, let me give it to Miss, which one of you is she?"

  Long Fei took over: "I'm it, okay, you go get some more food, we haven't eaten for several days, and get some wine and meat, it's too cold!"