Chapter 191: Nanzhao Incident

Yaozhou, Yunnan, is the southwestern border of the Tang Dynasty, which is mixed with Nanzhao. The Yaozhou Governor's Office has 57 resident prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Yaozhou Governor's Office. It is a military center controlled by the Tang Dynasty. It is also a must-pass place on the Silk Road in the South. People of all ethnic groups communicate with each other, and tea and horse caravans are endless, and business is very prosperous.

That morning, a group of horse riders came to Yaozhou City Gate. The leader was about thirty years old. He was big-eared and majestic. He wore white silk on his head and dressed in a cloak. He was dressed very skillfully.

He was the lord of Nanzhao, the king of Yunnan, Luofeng. Since the death of Nanzhao King Piluoge last year, he has succeeded to the new king. Geluofeng worked hard to govern, reformed the official system, reorganized taxes, and expanded his army and territory. After just one year, Nanzhao's atmosphere was a new one.

This time, Geluofeng made a special trip to Yaozhou to meet the governor Zhang Qiantuo. In order to agree on the tax payment, Nanzhao and Yaozhou were connected by mountains and rivers, and it was difficult to distinguish them. Merchants often crossed the border by the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao. This problem has existed for decades, and most of them ended with Nanzhao's concessions.

But when he arrived at Ge Luofeng, Nanzhao was unwilling to give in. Ge Luofeng believed that merchants' exchanges not only benefited the Tang Dynasty, but also benefited Nanzhao. The Tang Dynasty only received taxes, but Nanzhao could not get any money. It was unreasonable to reason. Ge Luofeng decided to share the tax equally with the Tang Dynasty to show fairness.

After entering the city gate, Ge Luofeng narrowed his eyes and looked at the prosperous city. The most urgent thing since he ascended the throne was to expand the territory of Nanzhao, but Yaozhou was like a dagger that held Nanzhao's abdomen, making him dare not move at all. It was like a big stone pressing on Nanzhao's head, making him unable to straighten his waist. If Nanzhao wants to grow stronger, the first step is to take Yaozhou, but he could not find a reason to send troops.

At this time, the wife behind him said worriedly: "Fenglang, I heard that Governor Zhang is lustful. If I go with you, it may cause disaster. I will still wait for you outside."

Geluofeng's wife Bai Furong is known as the most beautiful woman in Nanzhao. She is beautiful and charming. She has always heard that the governor Zhang Qiantuo is a lustful man. She sent people to Nanzhao several times to ask for the beauty. This time she came to Yaozhou with her husband, and she felt a little uneasy.

Ge Luofeng snorted and said disdainfully: "Nanzhao is no longer a small country where the Tang Dynasty can scold at will. I, Nanzhao, also have a thousand miles of land, with more than 100,000 soldiers in armor. I can be on par with the Tang Dynasty. Not to mention a small state governor, even if the Jiannan Jiedushi comes, I will not buy his account. Don't be afraid, go with me to see him. If he dares to bully you, I will kill him with one sword."

The group came outside the Governor's Office and informed the guards. After a moment, the guards came out and said, "Governor ordered you to go in."

Ge Luofeng was very dissatisfied. He was the King of Yunnan after all, and Zhang Qiantuo didn't even have the word "please".

He resisted his dissatisfaction and followed the soldiers to the inner hall. Zhang Qiantuo was drinking by himself alone. Two pretty maids gently beat the back behind him.

Zhang Qiantuo has been an official in Yunnan for many years. In the early years of Tianbao, he served as the prefect of Yunnan and later as the governor of Lizhou. At the beginning of this year, he was transferred to the governor of Yaozhou. Although Zhang Qiantuo looked rough, he was an extremely meticulous person. In addition, he knew Nanzhao thoroughly, so he was deeply trusted by the court.

After Geluofeng ascended the throne last year, Zhang Qiantuo discovered the changes in Nanzhao. First, the changes in the official system were changed, and the establishment of Qingping officials and generals, which was equivalent to the prime minister and generals of the Tang Dynasty, and then the six chiefs, equivalent to the six divisions of the court. Then, it implemented the rural military system, which was a rural farmer in daily life and a soldier in wartime, and obtained more than 100,000 soldiers.

In fact, Nanzhao gradually became popular after occupying eastern Yunnan in the fourth year of Tianbao. During the Piluoge period, because Piluoge was low-key and humble and respectful, he could not see Nanzhao's unconventional intentions. However, after Geluofeng ascended the throne, he completely lost his father's humble style, aggressive, arrogant and domineering, and showed an attitude of being on par with the Tang Dynasty everywhere, which made Zhang Qiantuo feel alert. Not long ago, he wrote to the court to pay attention to the possibility of Nanzhao's rebellion.

Today, as soon as Geluofeng entered the city gate, he received news that he wanted to teach Geluofeng a lesson and let him know the etiquette of the king and his subjects.

Zhang Qiantuo slowly poured himself into drinking, ignoring the arrival of Geluofeng. From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at Geluofeng's wife Bai Furong. She saw that she had white skin and red lips, and was extremely beautiful. She was worthy of being the number one beauty in Nanzhao.

"Luofeng from the Yunnan King's Pavilion meets the governor."

Ge Luofeng bowed and bowed to Zhang Qiantuo, but Zhang Qiantuo picked up the small wine glass, drank it dry in a sip, and then picked up a chopstick of vegetables and put it in his mouth, without raising his eyelids.

Ge Luofeng was furious, but he still restrained his anger and bowed again and said, "Governor Zhang, please see Ge Luofeng."

"Oh! It turns out that you are here. Why did I hear the King of Yunnan? I feel strange. Why did the prince meet me? You said it was Geluofeng, didn't I know?"

After Zhang Qiantuo said that, he glanced at Bai Furong again eagerly, and a fire in his chest became ignited. Bai Furong sensitively noticed that his gaze was not good, and couldn't help but lean against her husband.

Ge Luofeng sneered secretly, as if she had seen nothing, and said, "Governor Zhang, I came here this time to discuss the issue of tax sharing between the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao."

Zhang Qiantuo still held a small wine glass and drank slowly. After a while, he said, "What tax sharing?"

"Businessmen traveled between two places, but they paid taxes in the Tang Dynasty. This is unfair to Nanzhao. I don't want to repeatedly collect taxes, but I hope that the Tang Dynasty will share at least half of the commercial tax to Nanzhao. This is my official requirement, not just a casual statement."

As he said that, Ge Luofeng took out a tax sharing plan and handed it to Zhang Qiantuo.

Zhang Qiantuo took the document, but he didn't even look at it, and tore it into two halves, and said coldly: "Does the border barbarians in Nanzhao dare to compete for taxes with the Celestial Empire?"

Ge Luofeng's face suddenly turned red, and she pressed her hand on the hilt of the sword and said angrily: "You, a small state governor, dare to be rude to the King of Nanzhao!"

Zhang Qiantuo snorted heavily, stood up and walked into the inner house, hanging Geluofeng and his party in the inner hall. At this time, the Qingping official Meng Xun, who was accompanying him, said: "Your Highness, I guess this tax sharing cannot be reached with Yaozhou. Let's go back to Chang'an and let the superiors press down."

As soon as he finished speaking, an official from the Governor's Office walked into the side door and bowed: "Your Highness, my Governor said he needs to consider the tax sharing matter. I will reply tomorrow. Your Highness might as well stay in Yaozhou for one more night."

Ge Luofeng glanced at his wife and said, "Okay! We'll stay in Yaozhou for one night."

The official immediately said, "Your Highness, please follow me, I will arrange accommodation for you."

At night, Geluofeng and several guards came back from outside drinking, but as soon as they entered the room, they saw their wife. He urgently asked the people in the hall, "Where is my wife?"

The man in the hall replied, "I was invited into the inner house by the governor's wife."

Ge Luofeng was very anxious and led the guards to rush to the inner house of the Governor's Office, shouting loudly: "Zhang Qiantuo, let my wife come out!"

After a while, Bai Furong was released. When she saw her husband, she burst into tears: "Fenglang, Zhang Bidden me."

Ge Luofeng was trembling with anger, and her teeth were biting, "Kuh! Kuh!" and he pointed to Zhang Qiantuo Mansion and said word by word: "Zhang Thief, you are forcing me too much."

He pulled his wife and turned around and shouted at everyone, "Let's go!"

Geluofeng and his guards turned over their horses, whipped them up, rushed out of the city gate, and rushed towards Nanzhao.

In mid-July of the eighth year of Tianbao, Geluofeng used the excuse of Yaozhou Governor Zhang Qiantuo insulting his wife and blatantly ordered the Nanzhao army to launch a large-scale attack on Yaozhou.

In Chengdu, Jiannan Jiedushi's office was at dawn, and several fast horses rushed towards the Jiedushi like lightning. The cavalry turned over and dismounted, rushed up the steps and shouted loudly: "Immediately report, Nanzhao rebelled!"

Yang Guozhong, the governor of Jiannan, was awakened. When he heard that Nanzhao had rebelled, he was scared and sweated. He hurriedly opened the emergency report. Zhang Qiantuo, the governor of Yaozhou, forced the wife of Luofeng, who sent 50,000 troops to break through Yaozhou City. Zhang Qiantuo was killed. The Han people in the city were washed away by blood, and Yaozhou had already returned to Nanzhao.

Yang Guozhong was stunned and couldn't say a word. After a while, he shouted: "Please ask Mr. Linghu."

After a moment, his military advisor Linghu Fei rushed over. He had heard about the rebellion of Nanzhao. Yang Guozhong quickly handed him the military report and said with a sad face: "I am so unlucky. This military governor has only been working for more than half a year before he encountered military chaos. I am already in a state of chaos. Please teach me."

Linghu Fei opened the military newspaper and looked carefully, and suddenly bowed and smiled, "Congratulations to the envoy, the minister is right in front of him."

Yang Guozhong was stunned for a long time before he stuttered: "Sir, don't joke anymore. Nanzhao rebelled, and the emperor wanted to blame me, so why do you talk about the prime minister?"

Linghu Fei shook his head and said with a smile: "Nanzhao's rebellion was caused by the imperial court's indulgence for a hundred years. What does it have to do with the envoy? The emperor also knew that Nanzhao might rebel, so he transferred the envoy to Jiannan to give the envoy a chance to establish achievements. I was worried that there was no excuse to attack Nanzhao? Nanzhao came to his door by himself. Isn't it the envoy's opportunity?"

Yang Guozhong suddenly realized, but hesitated and said, "Mr. I mean to be the prime minister by defeating Nanzhao, but I always feel that it seems a little too fast. After all, I have been in Beijing for less than three years."

"Quick!" Linghu Fei sneered, "Will Li Qing'an become a military governor in less than three years? Why don't others say he is fast? It's just that he has made military contributions, and the envoy is a dignified uncle, how can he compare to it? He Jin in the late Han Dynasty, but he was just a pig butcher. He relied on his sister to be favored and held the power of the world overnight. Since ancient times, the emperor favored the imperial concubine alone. How could the Yang family not be promoted to the throne? The emperor's meaning is very obvious, that is, to select great talents from the Yang family to replace Li Linfu. However, the Yang family is all mediocre, except the envoy. Therefore, the emperor worked so hard to cultivate the envoy, the envoy was the county magistrate, the chief minister, and the chief censor. Now he is the governor of Jiannan. His career is complete. If he is promoted to the envoy, he will be the Minister of the Shang Dynasty. Who will have any opinions?"

Yang Guozhong sat down slowly, immersed in a heart-wrenching joy, worshiping the minister, would something he could never dream of falling on his head? He saw himself adding Diao Chan, a purple ribbon, wearing a three-beam crown, a purple shirt and a white robe, raising his head and thrusting his chest, and entering and leaving the school's disciple.

Linghu Fei next to him was both angry and funny. Before he could fight, he began to have a beautiful dream. He quickly coughed lightly and said, "Eunuch!"

"What?" Yang Guozhong looked at him blankly.

"Arranging the Nanzhao affairs first."

Yang Guozhong suddenly woke up, laughed dryly, and hurriedly said, "Okay! OK! I'll send troops now."

He thought about it and immediately ordered: "Transfer my order to be the governor of the Jiedu Prefecture Xian Yu Zhongtong as the governor of Yaozhou, the commander of the three armies, the general Li Hui, and Wang Zhijin as the left and right deputy generals. He dispatched troops from six states including Yi, Rong, Lu, Qu, Jia, and Yu to station troops, with a total of 80,000 troops to attack Nanzhao."

The war machine in Jiannan was launched, and tens of thousands of soldiers rushed to the front line from military prefectures in various places in Jiannan. A ship of military supplies moved south along the Minjiang River. On the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival in August, General Li Hui led 10,000 Tang army vanguards to Huichuan and met with 20,000 troops of Nanzhao General Wang Bing. After a fierce battle day and night, the Nanzhao army was defeated. The Tang army marched straight in. Four days later, the Tang army entered Yaozhou and defeated the 30,000 Nanzhao army stationed in Yaozhou.

The Nanzhao army suffered consecutive defeats, and the whole country fell into extreme panic. In the Nanzhao capital, Taihe City, Geluofengru walked around the room with his hands behind his back. He had not closed his eyes for two days, his eyes were red, and his eye sockets were deeply sunk.

At this moment, Ge Luofeng was filled with regret. He remembered his father's instructions before his death, "I, Nanzhao, have been dependent on the Tang Dynasty for generations, and this is a national policy, and it cannot be changed because of my absence."

Only then did he understand his father's deep meaning. The power of the Tang Dynasty is never comparable to that of Nanzhao. Nanzhao would never be on par with the Tang Dynasty. The sharpness of the Tang army seemed to be a basin of cold water that made the manic mind cold. Now, Nanzhao will face the disaster of destruction of the country.

Ge Luofeng stared at the sky blankly and said to herself: "No! I must hold on. Even if I am a beggar dog, I will keep Nanzhao. As long as Nanzhao is still there, there will be a day to straighten my waist."

He immediately ordered: "Let Mengsheng and Mengchu come to see me immediately!"

After a moment, Qingping official Meng Xun and the internal accountant Meng Chu rushed over. Geluofeng said to Meng Chu first: "You have brought 3,000 taels of gold to Yaozhou, begging Tang general Li Hui to stop the war for half a month, and then said that Nanzhao was suffering from epidemic disease and Nanzhao was unable to fight again, so he decided to surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

Geluofeng turned around and said to Qingping Guan Meng, "I have thirty diamonds and ten best emeralds in my vault, all of which are treasures of price. I heard that Yang Guozhong, the governor of Nanzhao, was lustful, so I decided to present the Baiyu Baijie sisters to him. You quickly brought Diamond and the two sisters to Chengdu to Yang Guozhong, and said that I was confused because my wife was humiliated and now offended the Tang Dynasty. I am willing to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor and the hostage in Chang'an."

Bai Furong, the wife next to him, said anxiously: "Fenglang, a stranger is only eight years old, how can he be sent to Chang'an as a vassal?"

"Women are not allowed to ask about state affairs!"
Chapter completed!