SFS Chapter 649: Subjugating the Bai Family
Chapter 649: Subjugating the Bai Family
Seeing that Bai Wuan had already knelt on one knee to salute, General Huan Qi and other generals also knelt on one knee and saluted Guan Shouchang.
"I am willing to serve Dayan!"
Guan Shouchang quickly stood up and did not accept the greeting. Instead, he turned sideways and helped Bai Wuan up.
After all, he was not the Emperor of Yan, nor a prince, and was not qualified to accept Bai Wuan's allegiance.
"There's no need to be polite, Marshal Bai. Please get up quickly. Before coming here, the prince instructed me to invite Marshal Bai out of the mountain.
Bai Shuai, please sit down quickly."
After everyone sat down again, Guan Shouchang said,
"I heard everything that Marshal Bai had said to the prince that day. The prince once said that Marshal Bai was the only one who understood him best.
We all share the same ideal, which is to unify the world so that the people and future generations will no longer have to suffer from war.
The efforts and sacrifices of our generation will be forever remembered by future generations."
Bai Wuan agreed with this and nodded solemnly.
"Yes, to stop war is to use force. Only by using force to stop war can the world be at peace."
"General Bai, in the battle of Xianyang City, our army numbered 300,000 against the Qin army's 300,000. The casualties were already calculated yesterday.
Our army suffered more than 40,000 casualties, and the Qin army suffered more than 80,000 casualties.
In addition, during the battles along the way, our three legions suffered a total of more than 60,000 casualties.
Today, the Qin army still has about 200,000 people.
The prince meant to take out 100,000 of the most elite Qin soldiers and hand them over to General Bai to form a new legion.
As for the name, General Bai can choose it himself. After he chooses it, he can use this name temporarily. Then he can report it together with the list of soldiers to the court. The court will review and register it, and issue tiger talismans and other items.
The prince said that in an emergency, we should take the initiative and establish the legion first, and fight first. We can complete the formalities later. We will definitely not treat Marshal Bai unfairly."
Bai Wuan nodded and said,
"Of course, I have no objection. Your Highness is willing to use a surrendered general like me. I am already grateful."
“Well, there are other surrendered soldiers. Since our legion suffered heavy losses, Guan wants to incorporate them into our legion.
Marshal Bai should know that Shengjing is a long way from Xianyang, and both new recruits and supplies are not replenished in time, not to mention that the main force on the prince's side also needs more troops.
Qin Ruishi's combat effectiveness is the strongest among all the armies Guan has ever fought against. Guan has been coveting them for a long time.
In the next few days, I hope General Bai can help persuade those surrendered soldiers and let them integrate into Dayan. It is all for the greater cause."
"Don't worry, General Guan, I still have some prestige in the army."
"That's good. When the Sichuan Army attacks, our army will defend the city first. Once General Bai's troops are reorganized, we can use them as a surprise attack force to sneak attack the enemy's rear. We will attack from both sides and will surely defeat the enemy."
"So good."
Now that we have talked about military affairs, it’s time to talk about political affairs.
Guan Shouchang said,
"General Bai, the Bai family has served as officials in the Qin State for many years and is very familiar with Qin's political affairs. Guan doesn't understand political affairs. This vast Qin State needs someone to help manage its affairs.
At present, the governor and civil officials of the court have not been sent here yet, so we can only trouble the Bai family to recommend some of them to be officials to help manage the Qin area and recruit surrenders from all over the country.
Why not invite the Patriarch of the Bai family out to meet him?"
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Wuan said bluntly,
"The Bai family has me in charge of the military. If I take charge of government affairs, the Bai family's influence in Qin will be too great. This is not a good thing."
Bai Wuan is well versed in political struggles. If the Bai family becomes the only dominant family in the entire Qin area, they will probably become a thorn in the side of the imperial court.
When the time comes and the world is conquered, it will be time to deal with these local giants and families.
Guan Shouchang smiled and said,
"In an emergency, we must act swiftly. Don't be afraid, General Bai. We still have the Governor above us. Great Yan's consistent policy has always been to conquer a country and then send people from the court to work with local officials loyal to Great Yan to govern internal affairs, and then slowly adjust them later.
Therefore, please ask Marshal Bai to invite Patriarch Bai here so that I can have a chat with him and ask what he thinks.
"Ok."
Bai Wuan asked the waiter outside to quickly invite Bai Xunming over.
Bai Xunming had been waiting in the yard at the back, along with many other members of the Bai family. They all knew that today was the day that would determine the fate of the Bai family, and they were all waiting for the result.
After receiving the notice, Bai Xunming trotted to the front hall, bowed and said,
"Meet General Guan."
"Master Bai, there's no need to be so polite. You are the host and I am the guest. It's not right for the host to greet first.
Sir Bai, please take a seat."
Guan Shouchang came straight to the point and said,
"Master Bai, I am a warrior, I won't beat around the bush, I'll just speak directly.
Now that the State of Qin has just annexed Dayan, many government affairs need to be handled, so a trustworthy and capable person is needed to do this.
I wonder if Lord Bai and the Bai family are willing to serve as officials in Dayan?"
Bai Xunming said hurriedly with great fear,
"Oh, this is unacceptable. The Bai family has no merits or virtues and has not made any contribution to Dayan. How can they become officials of Dayan?
Please, General Guan, please find another wise one."
Guan Shouchang looked at Bai Wuan in surprise and said,
"Oh, he doesn't want to."
Bai Wuan said with a frown on his face,
"He's willing to do so. He's just being modest. Master Guan, don't take it seriously. These scholars always have so many twists and turns."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Guan Shouchang laughed and turned to look at Bai Xunming.
"Master Bai, I'm not good at coaxing people, nor am I good at saying nice things. I'll just ask again, are you from the Bai family willing to be officials?"
"Being respectful to your subordinates is worse than obeying orders."
Bai Xunming also understood Guan Shouchang's temper, so he stopped being humble and immediately agreed.
Guan Shouchang put away his smile, nodded seriously, and said,
“In this case, I hope that Lord Bai will serve the country more, appoint talented people to positions of power, enforce the law impartially, and be honest and upright.
The laws of our Great Yan are lenient to the people but strict to officials, especially when it comes to corruption, bribery, and forming cliques for personal gain, which are absolutely intolerable.
Dayan is committed to building a peaceful and prosperous country with a clean and honest government. Lord Bai must be careful with his words and actions, be strict with himself, and don't make mistakes."
"I will fulfill my duties conscientiously, select talented people for Dayan, and will never commit corruption or abuse the power of law."
"That's good. I intend to follow the prince's example and secretly visit the people in Xianyang to investigate public opinion, allowing the people to elect some good officials. Then, Lord Bai will lead them to govern Qin and wait for the court to send a governor."
"I obey your orders."
After finishing his talk, Guan Shouchang stood up and said to Bai Wuan,
"General Bai, shall we go to the military camp?"
"Please sit down for a moment, General Guan. I will be here soon after I change into my armor."
Soon, Bai Wuan put on his armor, took his sword, and rode out on his warhorse.