Qin Official

"Commander Han Xin, were you the one who killed Wu Commander Zhu Zao?"

The military judge went to quickly read the script about what happened, then raised his head and asked the tall young man who was tied up and sent to the military court.

Qu Ji is from Huyang Pavilion, Anlu County, Nan County. More than ten years ago, he was arrested by the pavilion chief Heifu for anonymous submission of letters. However, because of his report, he followed the clues and solved a tomb robbery case that shocked the whole county. From then on, he started his life. peak……

During the second attack on Chu, Qu Ji served as a secretary beside Hei Fu. After the Chu was destroyed, he accumulated merit and became a jailer. Later, he served as a jailer in E County, Hengshan County. At present, Heifu was gathering a large army in Wuchang Camp, so he transferred Yuzhang County Prison Cao Lehe Quji to serve as military judge. Le was named "Jun Zheng", with a rank of 600 shi, and was in charge of the army. Qu Ji was named "Jun Zheng Cheng", with a rank of 400 shi, and was responsible for farming and transporting heavy troops.

The forest is big and there are all kinds of birds. In the past few months, I have had to deal with various cases, including private fights, escapes, malfeasance, and some minor matters were directly handed over to my subordinates. Today's case, if it weren't for the death of someone , and he will not come forward in person.

The interesting person, the commander in front of me named "Han Xin" came to report it himself. When faced with Qu Ji's inquiry, he replied in a neither humble nor overbearing manner:

"I report to the superior officer that Wu Commander Zhu Zao was killed by Han Xin in accordance with military law."

Qu Ji frowned: "According to military law? But his fellow villagers said that you were angry because Zhu Zao humiliated you in public yesterday, so you found an excuse to kill him today."

I had heard a little bit about what happened yesterday. Wu Commander Zhu Zao exposed Shi Chang Han Xin's shortcomings in public. He talked about the scandal that he had got into someone's crotch, which caused the whole camp to laugh. Han Xin didn't say anything at that time and just kept quiet. After finishing the meal, it was as if he had not heard anything.

The people in each camp then discussed and said that Han Xin was indeed a coward and anyone could bully him.

The most despised thing in the army is a coward. Zhu Zao was very proud. He already disliked this unworthy man who came from the air, but this time he revealed his true colors to see if Han Xin dared to attack them. Yelling five and drinking six.

Unexpectedly, the next day, this "coward" stood on a wooden stake in the forest farm, holding an ax and chopped off Zhu Zao's head!

Han Xin did not feel panic at all after the murder: "I killed Zhu Zao because he violated military law, not because he insulted me in public."

"Which military law was violated?" Qu Ji didn't take it seriously. In his impression, these junior officers and corps commanders, who didn't even know how to read, knew the military law?

"The method of killing in battle!"

Han Xin directly recited the original text: "If you are very long, you can kill ten people; if you are a great uncle, you can kill very long people; if you have a general of a thousand people, you can kill a hundred people; if you have a general of ten thousand people, you can kill a general of a thousand people; if you have a general of left or right, you can kill ten thousand people" All generals, great generals, will be punished! On the battlefield, those who walk in disorder will be punished, those who dare to speak loudly and disobey orders will be punished, and those who dare to disobey orders will be punished!"

Word for word, there was no way to learn in the past. During the time he came to the military camp, Han Xin was not idle for a day.

Qu Ji looked at Han Xin again in surprise: "Go on."

Han Xin said: "Zhu Zao underestimated me, Ji Zui was rude, and most importantly, he disobeyed my orders and made rude remarks, saying that if I had the guts, I would kill him, otherwise I would crawl under his crotch."

"I tried to persuade him three times, but he still continued to curse. Han Xin had no choice but to resort to the method of war and kill him. This is not to surrender, but to bring his head back to the army to report his passing to the Prime Minister!"

Qu Ji shook his head: "Although there is this method, you killed Zhu Zao in the forest farm near the camp, not in the battle formation. Even if Zhu Zao did not obey the order, you can arrest him and report him to the Ming military judge... "

"The forestry farm is Han Xin's battle formation. In emergencies, you have to obey the authority!"

Han Xin bowed his head and said: "Gathering the soldiers into an army has an empty name but no reality. It is not enough to defend the enemy from the outside, and it is not enough to defend the country internally. The reason why this army is not given is the reason why the general will seize power. Although the length is small, it is also As a military official, if he loses his prestige, he will not be able to restrain the soldiers. The soldiers will not obey my orders and will be lax and rude, causing the corvees and prisoners to take the opportunity to cause chaos and escape. If something goes wrong, who can bear the responsibility? For such a black sheep, Han Xin We have to kill him immediately! To shock everyone."

Qu Ji seemed to be convinced and nodded: "You have only been in office for two days. How did you convince other people to help you take down Zhu Zao?"

Han Xin said: "Zhu Zao was arrogant and claimed to be a fellow villager of Changnan Marquis. He often bullied the soldiers of Hengshan County and was deeply hated by others. At that time, since he did not dare to risk his life to kill me, he had no choice but to be beheaded by me."

Qu Ji understood, but Han Xin surprised him even more. He was very organized and never hesitated when it was time to kill someone. Was he still the coward who got under people's legs?

He made a few notes on the desk and looked at Han Xin.

"last question."

"There are many senior officers in the army. Even if there is someone who disobeys the order, they can at most report it to the highest level, and the military judge will catch the person and give him a few whips. It would be better for you to kill him directly! How brave. In this case, why In your hometown, you get into someone's crotch because you are timid? Is this an untrue statement?"

Han Xin gritted his teeth: "Han Xin was indeed humiliated by his crotch in his hometown, but at that time, he was humiliating me alone, and it was against the law to have a private fight with him. But now, what Zhu Zao is humiliating is military law and discipline. Kill him." Not guilty!"

"You can retreat if you are private, but you cannot retreat if you are public!"

"Okay, I'm a good person and I can't retreat."

Go Ji solemnly asked Han Xin to retreat first. He called several people to the hall and asked what happened. It was as Han Xin said. After discussing with the left and right, he ordered to be loosened.

"Zhu Zao refused to obey the order. Han Xin killed him in accordance with military regulations to show his military power. He is not guilty. You can go!"

…

Different from civil affairs, the military courts of the Qin army were extremely efficient. After setting the tone for this case, Zuo Zuo asked Qu Ji hesitantly:

"Jun Zhengcheng, let him go like this? Even though the little chief said a lot of nice things, in my opinion, he still killed people because of personal grudges!"

Qin Lu regards whether there is criminal consciousness as the main basis for sentencing and conviction. In the opinion of his subordinates, as long as it is proved that Han Xin is suspected of reporting a personal grudge, he can be arrested again!

Qu Ji glanced at his subordinates and said: "The general will kill everything, even ten people. This is written in the military law, every word is recorded. Zhu Zao disobeys the military order, and Han Xin kills him. It is reasonable and legal. Then there is no guilt.”

"But the person he killed was from Nanjun..." There was a grievance among his subordinates. He and Zhu Zao were from the same county.

"People from Nanjun can't be killed if they break the law? They have to be punished? Who said this?"

Qu Ji was furious and took action. Although he was also one of the old Anlu troops, he deeply hated those who violated the rules and disciplines in the name of "Children of Nanjun".

"Pass on my order to hang Zhu Zao's head on the camp gate for public display. This incident will also serve as a reminder to everyone in the camp."

Quji glanced at the clerks from Nanjun and sneered:

"There is still a difference between the army and the neighbors in the county and township! Then Zhu Zao still claims to be a son of Nanjun, a monarch and a township party, and bullies the soldiers and people of other counties? Bah! It would be better for this kind of rat turd to die! He will not ruin the monarch. reputation!"

Everyone was stunned and didn't dare to say anything.

Qu Ji wrote this incident in his love book and muttered:

"A young commander is actually familiar with military regulations and can talk about the art of war. It's not easy for Lieutenant Sosu to find his subordinates from nowhere..."

…

"Jun Xiao."

Half an hour later, Han Xin knelt in front of Xiao He and begged him.

"Han Xin caused trouble for Mr. Xiao."

Xiao He put down the grain book in his hand, raised his head and said, "You got away on your own before I had time to send someone to intercede for you. What's the matter?"

Xiao He gestured with his hands, motioning Han Xin to get up, and cast his eyes on his slightly trembling hands.

"First time killing someone?"

Han Xin also noticed the trembling in his hands, and simply clenched them into fists so that his fingers could not be seen shaking. He smiled and said, "This is the first time."

I especially remember that before taking action, Zhu Zao, who was pinned on the stake, was still yelling curses. He was really a hopelessly stupid man. A moment ago, he thought Han Xin was a coward and didn't dare to kill him. He said rudely, "You Do you have the guts to come and kill me?" When Han Xin actually raised his axe, he was frightened and threatened, saying: "I am from Nanjun, a member of the Houxiang Party in Changnan, and my father and brother were his old troops. How dare you Try to kill me!"

Han Xin ignored it and swung the ax down, heavy and precise, a fatal blow! Blood spattered the faces of others.

But after that, whether it was because the ax was blunt or his hands were slippery, he chopped four times in a row before separating the head from the body. After he perfected it, his heart was pounding.

Alas, it’s still a hand job.

Hiding the matter, Han Xin told the story of Qu Ji's interrogation.

Xiao He listened quietly and asked: "Han Xin, is the reason why you killed someone really just for business?"

Han Xin is smart, but extremely honest in front of people he trusts. He shook his head and said, "There are also selfish motives. This officer humiliated me in public. If I don't kill him, I will not be able to gain a foothold in the army."

He had already had the experience of being humiliated and having no place to stay, so he had to leave his hometown in a hurry, and he didn't want to do it again.

But the difference from Huaiyin is that this time Han Xin is an official, with power in his hands, and he can command everyone with Xiao He's backing.

It just so happened that Zhu Zao was so stupid that he actually hit the knife edge by himself. Since he didn't obey the order and the soldier gave him an excuse, it's no wonder Han Xin was there.

He misjudged Han Xin. Compassion does not lead to troops. How could a weak man send troops to conquer the east and west? The more troops the better?

If you kill one person and the three armies are shocked, then kill him! It's that simple.

Xiao He praised Han Xin: "You have adapted well. It seems that you have mastered the art of generals."

Han Xin smiled bitterly: "Xiao Jun is so ridiculous. Han Xin has no extraordinary martial arts skills. He only has a good memory. Being in the army, military law is the only weapon I can use. How dare I not polish it day and night?"

Xiao He raised his hand and said, "That's good, but everyone knows about your past. I will send someone to find out who told the truth and will be severely punished."

The person who spread the news could only be Xiao He's entourage, who had seen Han Xin's embarrassment in Huaiyin.

"Jun Xiao, no need."

Han Xin declined Xiao He's kindness and said, "It's just right for people to know about this."

Xiao He was surprised: "Everyone likes to talk about their good deeds but hide their bad deeds. This is not a glorious thing. Aren't you angry?"

"If you cover it up, can you pretend that it never happened?"

Han Xin had his own ideas and whispered: "Han Xin will never forget the crotch humiliation, let alone who he is, because others will not forget it, and the more I cover it up, the more they will talk about it. "

This is Han Xin’s experience over the years.

"Why don't everyone know about it, and let Han Xin remember this? Didn't Mr. Xiao tell me something? Knowing shame is almost courageous!"

Xiao He nodded and said: "As expected, although Han Xin is a commoner, his ambition is different from others."

After he pondered, he said: "Let's put down the woodwork work for now. I'll let you go over there. It's overkill and overuse. From today on, you will be the commander of the village and be my personal guard!"

Han Xin thanked Xiao He, but looked embarrassed.

"But Mr. Xiao, I don't have a title, so I can do well no matter what I do. However, I am promoted to be the commander of a village despite having no merit, so I will inevitably attract criticism."

Xiao He said with a smile: "Don't worry, the imperial court has issued an edict. In this southern expedition, anyone in the army who is not more senior will be rewarded with a first-class knighthood. I have put you in the first batch of lists, and it will be implemented soon. "

"So, I am also a public servant?" Han Xin laughed at himself. This title came too easily.

"Not a public official, but a superior."

Xiao He handed him a document, looked at Han Xin's surprised eyes, and showed a smile of pity:

"I have paid thousands of stones for you, you just need to write your name on it and press your fingerprint!"

…

"The head of the family really values ​​Han Xin."

Han Xin thanked him again and again. After saying goodbye with gratitude, the old domestic servant who had been serving Xiao He all year round came out. He had served the Xiao family for two generations and watched Xiao He step by step from being a small official to six hundred shi.

The old domestic servant also knew that the master of the house had a keen eye for people, but since Liu Ji in Peixian County, he had never seen him pay so much attention to a person.

Xiao He looked at him: "How do you think the news about Han Xin's crotch humiliation spread?"

The old servant smiled and said: "When we were in Huaiyin, everyone on the ship knew about Han Xin's predicament. When everyone saw that the master treated Han Xin favorably, they felt jealous and exploited his shortcomings."

"Who could it be?" Xiao He looked confused.

The domestic servant thought for a while: "It must be a garrulous little follower, maybe, it's me, the old servant!"

Xiao He nodded: "Yes, it is possible for anyone. If there is no investigation, the matter ends here."

"The old servant will keep it secret and take this matter to the coffin!"

After the domestic servant left, Xiao He thought about the whole thing and felt very satisfied.

He just wanted to see whether Han Xin was a stone or a piece of jade.

If it is just a stone, it would not be a pity even if it is useless.

"If he were real jade, how could he be afraid of cutting and carving it with a knife?"

Things developed as expected. Under the ridicule of public opinion, Han Xin was once again in a dilemma, but he relied on his own wisdom and use of military law to completely reverse the situation.

And Han Xin's self-report just now made Xiao He even more impressed. He was right, Han Xin was indeed a talent!

Given time, you might even become a great talent!

If you want to give a favor, you must give it to the end! That thousand shi of millet was Xiao He's second investment in Han Xin.

It's not easy. After polishing this piece of rough jade, a corner is finally exposed.

But if you don’t accumulate small steps, you won’t be able to reach a thousand miles; if you don’t accumulate small streams, you won’t be able to become a river or sea. You have to keep grinding.

After arriving at Wuchang Camp, he was surrounded by a group of Nanjun military officials. Xiao He felt that he was alone and weak. The only person he had friendship with was Cao Shenyuan in Jiaodong. His son Xiao Lu, fellow countryman Zhou Chang and others were all mediocre people and not worthy of a big job. Xiao He needs friends who can be trusted by the Marquis of Changnan to help him stand out and consolidate his position.

Xiao He will look for the most suitable time to recommend Han Xin to the Marquis of Changnan...

but not now.

Looking at the map on the desk, Xiao He thought: "Calculating the time, the Marquis of Changnan should arrive in Guilin via Lingqu..."

Although Lao Xiao was good at reading people, he couldn't predict things like a god. Hei Fu didn't go to Guilin. An unexpected incident made him change direction and go to Yangshanguan, the southernmost point of Changsha County!