Pingzhou is located on the coast of the sea, more than 500 miles away from Youzhou. It was originally the seat of the Andong Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty. During the Tianbao period, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Fanyang Jiedu and became an important base for the Anshi Rebellion. Since then, it has been in Lulong (Youzhou) for a long time.
Under the rule of Jiedu, Yingzhou, which is adjacent to the north, has always been the center of all ethnic groups outside the Jidu Pass of the Tang Dynasty. In the decades before Li Chengzhong crossed over, due to the increasing decline of the Tang Dynasty, the original Jizu states gradually separated from Lulong Jiedu.
Under the rule, Yingzhou gradually declined.
In the past few years, the area actually controlled by the Lulong Jiedu Prefecture has retreated into the pass. The Lulong Army only set up passes along the border wall and guarded them with local troops. A large area of land to the north of Yuanyingzhou outside the pass has gradually become an ownerless land. It is the Khitan
, a hunting place for various ethnic groups such as Xi, Sumo Mohe, and Bailin in the west. Especially the Khitan people have a huge rise, and their trips to the south are becoming more and more frequent every year. North of Xuanshui, the fertile land on both sides of Bailangshui is
It became their pasture. The local Han people either fled into the pass or were taken captive to the north and became slaves of the Khitan people. More people who were unwilling to leave their homes struggled to survive.
Especially this time, the Khitans took advantage of the Lulong Army's southern expedition to loot on a large scale. The Khitan rangers once appeared under Yuguan. The only dozens of old and weak soldiers at the top of the city could only watch the Khitans showing off their power outside the city.
After a while, he drove the captured Han slaves back home with a full load.
From Youzhou to the east, passing through Luxian, Yutian, and Shicheng, Li Chengzhong ran for three or four days in a row before reaching Pingzhou. This was because he was not familiar with equestrian skills. If he had replaced the military courier, he could have finished the race in two and a half days.
Along the five hundred miles, Li Chengzhong saw people in twos and threes, in ragged clothes, fleeing inland along the official road. When he arrived at Pingzhou City, he suddenly found that the fields outside the city were full of refugees who had fled from outside the customs. These people were
He looked at Li Chengzhong running past with helpless eyes, confused and unwilling.
The Pingzhou Governor's Office is located in Lulong County, which is also within Pingzhou City. When Li Chengzhong entered the city, he found that there were more people fleeing in the city. Fortunately, the Pingzhou Governor's Office had set up more than ten state tents, so the refugees could at least
It was maintained that nothing happened. It was just that every house closed its doors and the atmosphere was a bit tense.
Li Chengzhong passed the security check at the city gate and rode straight to the Governor's Mansion. When he arrived at the Governor's Mansion, he was told by a subordinate at the gate that Zhang Governor was not in the mansion and was inspecting various places. Li Chengzhong had no choice but to wait patiently in the gatehouse.
It wasn't until it was time to light the lamp that Li Chengzhong finally saw this tired-looking fourth-rank official in the study room of the Governor's Mansion.
Zhang inspected various porridge shacks in and outside Jicheng City, and did not return until dark. He was so busy that his feet did not touch the floor and he did not have time to eat. He did not have any water or rice for a whole day. After wiping the dust on his face, he asked his subordinates to serve him
I heard that Li Chengzhong had already eaten the meal, so he was not polite and asked Li Chengzhong to sit down at the bottom while he started to eat.
The governor's dinner was very simple, a bowl of porridge, two noodles, a plate of minced meat and a few pickles. He smeared the minced meat on the noodles, held the noodles in his hands and turned them around to gnaw, like
It was so amazing that Li Chengzhong was eating pizza in his previous life, which made Li Chengzhong feel slightly in a trance.
Zhang Zaiji finished a piece of bread in the blink of an eye, took a long sip of porridge, and after quelling the hunger in his stomach, he picked up another piece of bread, smeared it with minced meat, and opened Zhou Zhiyu's letter while eating, and read it quickly
Get up. After reading the letter and finishing the noodles, he closed his eyes and meditated for a while, then asked Li Chengzhong: "Li Peirong, what are your commanders busy with these days?"
Li Chengzhong bowed and said, "The commander has been running around for the whole army recently."
Zhang Zaiji said "Oh" and said: "I have heard a little bit about the army reorganization, but I don't know how to make a specific conclusion. Do you know?"
Li Chengzhong then explained in detail Jiedu Mansion's plan to organize the army.
Zhang Zaiji was silent for a long time and sighed: "If the Chinese army does not come to the rescue and the state troops are reduced by 70%, then what soldiers will we have in Pingzhou to resist the Khitan invasion?" Pingzhou originally had 1,500 soldiers.
According to the new army reorganization plan, it will be reduced to 500 men, that is, two secondary battalions, with 250 men in each battalion. With this small number of troops, it is indeed insufficient to resist the Khitan harassment of the border wall.
Li Chengzhong said: "Commander Zhou is also very worried about the affairs of Pingzhou. However, the funds of Jiedu Mansion are now tight and cannot afford so many soldiers. Even the Jianzu Camp is being withdrawn and merged, so he may be powerless."
.I once heard the commander-in-chief of Zhou say that the commander-in-chief often lamented about the border affairs, but the military resources were insufficient, so he really couldn't..."
Zhang Zaiji murmured: "Insufficient military resources..."
Li Chengzhong said cautiously: "I saw the crowds of refugees inside and outside Pingzhou. If things go on like this, things may change. Why don't the governor's office recruit volunteers from them and have them climb the city to guard the border?"
Zhang Zaiji stared at Li Chengzhong and said slowly: "A certain person is a civil official, not involved in military affairs, and there is no order from the Jiedu government. A certain person dares to have such a relationship..."
Li Chengzhong saw Zhang Zaiji staring at his eyes, as if he wanted to see through. He gritted his teeth and said: "You are brave because of your humble position. Pingzhou didn't dare to recruit without an order, so he asked for an order from Jiedu Mansion. It was about the safety of the people on the border, and the righteousness was
Sir, why are you so timid?"
After hearing this, Zhang Zaiji was horrified and moved. He nodded and said: "It's a good example of 'righteousness for the public'. Let me give it a try."
Having said that, there is no need to say anything more. Li Chengzhong rushed back to Youzhou overnight, while Zhang Zaiji sat in the hall and closed his eyes and meditated for a long time. After finishing the bread in his hand, he walked to the front hall to sign the pledge room.
The lights in the signing room were still on, and Zhang Zaiji pushed the door open. A young Confucian scholar in a long robe was leaning at his desk, writing, and reviewing a stack of files. Seeing Zhang Zaiji come in, the Confucian scholar stood up and saluted. Zhang Zaiji smiled and said, "It's already late at night.
, Ke Dao is still busy?"
The Confucian scholar's surname was Feng Mingdao, whose courtesy name was Kedao. He was from Yingzhou. When he was traveling in Pingzhou, he was picked up by Zhang Zaiji on the road. He was immediately recruited into the city and hired as a staff member. He was considerate and meticulous in his work, and he was hardworking and uncomplaining. He gradually gained the appreciation of Zhang Zaiji. At this moment, seeing Zhang Zaiji
When asked, he said: "My heart is worried about the common people, and I haven't rested yet. Dao'an dares to rest." After saying that, he handed a file on the desk to Zhang Zaiji and said: "This is the number of refugees reported by each county.
Statistics on grain and rice consumption have been made. The three counties of Lulong, Macheng and Shicheng have received a total of 37,000 refugees from outside the customs. They need to give 330 shi of porridge every day. This is only a rough figure. There should be 3,000 more.
As of now, 7,000 people are gradually entering the customs. Among them, Zhoucheng has the largest number of refugees. Macheng and Shicheng have accepted fewer refugees and can still support them for more than a month. However, Lulong County's treasury is about to bottom out. They say that at most they can still
It can last for ten days."
Zhang Zaiji took the account book and looked at it, and said: "Magistrate Zheng already said this when he accompanied me to inspect various places in the city today. He requested that the state treasury be opened for support. The grain and rice in the state treasury can still last for two months. Tomorrow someone will
He convened the big households in Pingzhou to discuss and strive to get another 10,000 shi of grain. The autumn grain harvest is in sight, so there is no need to worry about this winter, but what will happen next year? The most worrying thing right now is not food. Pingzhou is rich, and some people have saved some money in the past few years.
There should be nothing to worry about until next year. However, the plundering of the barbarians outside the pass is the biggest worry. Now Pingzhou is empty. A certain person has blocked the news and is only allowed to enter the pass but not to leave. Therefore, the barbarians do not know yet. But this
It's just a temporary measure, if a random rider breaks into the bandit, it will be a big disaster."
Feng Dao thought for a while and asked: "The border crisis is so urgent. Isn't it possible that the Jiedu government is unwilling to send troops?"
Zhang Zaiji sighed: "This time the Southern Expedition was defeated, Lulong's armies were left with very few troops, and the Jiedu Mansion was too wasted and had no money to spend. Just now someone from Youzhou came and told the details of the army reorganization in Jiedu Mansion.
I'm afraid we won't be able to rely on it in the near future." He then explained the army reorganization in Lulong Jiedu Mansion one by one.
Feng Dao pondered for a moment and said: "Five hundred people? I'm afraid they won't be of much use. Dao has recently observed the situation of the refugees and has gained a little. I would like to share it with the envoy."
Zhang Zaiji said: "Please speak."
Feng Dao cleared his throat and said: "The refugees come from outside the customs and their homes have been destroyed. Dao recently visited some of the households and all of them have a deep hatred for Hu Qi. Instead of letting the refugees gather and wait for relief, why don't you send a letter to Jiedu Mansion to ask for help yourself?"
Recruiting young and strong people among the refugees to guard the border can provide a defensive force, and secondly, the refugees will not cause trouble. They only need to use relief grains as military rations. Dao believes that there is no need to pay, and the refugees will also gather in response.
"
Zhang Zaiji nodded: "I also have this intention, but I am afraid of intervening in the military and arousing the general's suspicion." Since the mid-Tang Dynasty, the governors of various states have great power and have the power to establish offices. Many governors even recruit troops, which is obviously the case.
A vassal town, but these governors are all under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, and the governors of vassal towns are not included. Zhang Zaiji belongs to the governor of Lulong Jiedu Prefecture, and all military power is in Jiedu Prefecture. The governor's office itself only has the power to govern the people. The vassal town
It is independent of the imperial court based on its military strength, and is most sensitive to states' interference in the military. Therefore, this is the key point that Zhang Zaiji finds most difficult. Although he had previously agreed to Li Chengzhong's letter to Jiedufu, he did not know how to proceed for a while.
Feng Dao smiled: "This is simple. Now after Pingzhou Town's southern expedition, none of them have returned. There are only dozens of old and weak people trapped in Guancheng. Even if the young and strong are recruited, the governor's office is unable to train them. You can write to me.
Just ask Jiedu Mansion to send dozens of troops to Pingzhou to take charge of the recruitment." This idea is very clever. For Zhang Zaiji, he himself has no intention of military power. It doesn't matter who leads the troops, as long as there is
It is enough to use soldiers to guard the border; as far as Jiedu Prefecture is concerned, Pingzhou, in addition to the annual surrender regulations, also raises its own disaster relief and food to support the army for Jiedu Prefecture. How can you refuse such a good thing? It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.
Zhang Zaiji was overjoyed, but then he looked troubled: "It's just that the Chinese army is being reestablished now, who is willing to come to Pingzhou to serve as a soldier? Not only should the military salary be halved, but also they have to face the dangers of war..." He
This sentence points out another key issue. In the Tang Dynasty, not all feudal envoys had the final say. Although the Jiedushi was the nominal master in the feudal town, he did not always keep his word. Especially Lu Long, Wei Bo
In traditional vassal towns like Chengde that have been passed down for more than a hundred years, the military power actually belongs to the generals. If the Jiedushi can satisfy the military leaders below, everyone will naturally support him.
If the generals under his command are dissatisfied, they will naturally be abandoned by the military leaders.
Take Liu Rengong as an example. Six years ago, he was still the general of Border Town. The military governor of the Lulong Army at that time was Li Kuangwei. After Li Kuangwei was expelled by his brother Li Kuangchou, Li Kuangchou appointed him as a post. The new post had little experience.
After the border guarding period, Liu Rengong's request for internal transfer and rotation was ignored. He was preoccupied with his brother who had fled to the German Army for refuge, and was preoccupied with thinking about how to avoid this trouble. So his inexperience finally led to a catastrophe.
, feeling neglected, Liu Rengong's troops simply raised a rebel flag, drove directly to the gates of Youzhou City, and carried out a military remonstrance based on the centuries-old tradition of the three towns in Hebei Province. Unexpectedly, the newly appointed Li Kuangchou did not follow the rules, not only
It was difficult to comfort Liu Rengong's troops and agree to his request for internal transfer, but instead sent troops to defeat Liu Rengong's troops.
This suddenly aroused a collective backlash from all the generals in Lulong town. After Liu Rengong ran to Hedong, he cried to Li Keyong, attracting the Hedong army, and led the Lulong army to attack Youzhou in one fell swoop. In this unique situation
In the era of , Liu Rengong's rebellious behavior was due to his righteousness, so he received the tacit support of most of the Lulong Army's military leaders, so he became the new Lulong Army's military governor.
What Zhang Zaiji said is such a tradition. If the major military generals in Youzhou are unwilling to come to Pingzhou to serve as generals, the Jiedu government cannot force them.
Feng Dao, who was from the North, certainly knew about this tradition, but he immediately smiled and said: "This moment is different from the past. Just now, the commander-in-chief said that Jiedu Mansion was reorganizing the army. Although the commander-in-chief was newly defeated, his position became more and more stable.
Yes, Jiedu Mansion has issued an order, who dares not to obey it now?"
Zhang Zaiji shook his head and said: "There is a huge difference between being forced to come and coming voluntarily!" A general who had to obey orders and come to the edge of the town can naturally have an imaginable effect, but he did not know about it.
What hope do you have.
Feng Dao thought for a while and said: "Shijun just said that someone is coming from Youzhou?"
Zhang Zaiji hesitated for a while, but decided to tell the young man he admired more and more: "Yes, a certain person is familiar with Commander Zhou of the Jianzu Camp, and he sent someone to inform him of a certain matter." After that, he simply started.
He took out Zhou Zhiyu's letter from his sleeve and handed it over.
Feng Dao took it and read it carefully and said with a smile: "You don't have to worry, people will come to Pingzhou."
Zhang Zaiji was stunned: "You mean..."
Feng Dao smiled but said nothing, Zhang Zaiji suddenly realized and said with his hands: "Great kindness! I ask Ke Dao to work hard again and write it down overnight, stamp it with the seal of the governor's office, and send it to Youzhou early tomorrow morning!"
Feng Dao bowed slightly: "How dare you disobey your orders!"