Chapter 425: The good news comes back, the government and the wild are boiling (2)
On the next day, some of the sergeants brought by Xue Rengui were also infected with miasma. Among those who were originally sick, dozens of them died of the disease.
Counting those who died of the disease a few days ago, the total number has exceeded 100, and many people's conditions are getting more and more serious.
Faced with this unknown disease, even a hard-blooded soldier like Xue Rengui began to feel uneasy.
He finally understood why Qinling was unwilling to leave. He expected that the Tang army would not be able to overcome the "miasma" and would retreat on its own sooner or later.
After Xue Rengui discussed with the soldiers, he decided to withdraw immediately and change the city.
Although he also considered holding on in the pass for a few more days and killing the Tubo people.
But the Tubo people could kill horses for food, enough to last ten and a half days.
By then, the situation of the Tang army might be even worse. If more than half of them were sick, it would be dangerous to safely return to the city.
This war has been going on so far. The Tang army has not only won, but also greatly damaged the vitality of the Tibetan people. There is no need to take such risks again.
When leaving, Xue Rengui ordered people to blow up the Kunlun Pass with gunpowder.
The 30,000-strong army left the pass and headed north, finally returning to Bahuan City a few days later.
Zhang Xuanyu and Guo Daifeng sent people to report that they had wiped out all 30,000 civilians pretending to be Tibetan troops near the Hotan River and beheaded more than 20,000.
At this moment, it can be declared that the Tang Army has won this war.
Xue Rengui immediately sent someone to convey the good news to Chang'an City.
Zhang Jiujie said: "General, should we discuss with the Tibetans about exchanging prisoners?"
Xue Rengui said: "Don't worry."
At this time, the anxious party will surely suffer. Zhang Jiujie naturally understands this truth.
But he thought that among the captured generals was Wu Chengsi's confidant Han Cheng, and was worried that His Highness the King of Zhou would be offended.
Eight days later, the good news came back to Chang'an City, and the government and the public were in a state of excitement, especially among the people. Almost everyone's homes were decorated with lanterns and decorations, which was even more festive than a holiday.
Wu Mei immediately convened a court meeting, restored Xue Ren to the title of Duke of Guiping, made Xue Ne the Duke of Dingzhou, and was promoted to the general of the Western Expedition Army.
Most of the generals who fought with Xue Rengui were promoted.
But it’s not just rewards without punishment.
Guo Daifeng made a mistake in judgment, which resulted in the loss of troops and generals. Many ministers sentenced him to death.
Finally, Li Ji and Wu Chengsi came forward to intercede, and he was demoted to a commoner.
Although Wu Chengsi begged for Guo Daifeng's favor, he was extremely disappointed. During the court meeting, his expression was not good.
Wu Mei noticed this and called him to the bedroom after going down to the court, and said softly: "Chengsi, this battle was fought very well. Why don't you look unhappy?"
Wu Chengsi sighed, frowned, and said:
"Before this war started, we had successfully misled Qinling and had an absolute advantage. But in the end we still lost nearly 20,000 soldiers. My nephew is really not happy."
Wu Mei was silent for a while and said slowly: "Chengsi, the battlefield is changing rapidly, and you can't expect everything to go according to your wishes. There are also capable people in Tubo. It's very satisfying that this battle can be fought like this.
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Wu Chengsi was stunned for a moment and thought to himself: "Yes, Qin Ling is by no means an easy person to compare with, and he cannot expect all the generals of the Tang Army to be as outstanding as Xue Rengui, Li Ji, and Su Dingfang."
War is cruel, and it is too idealistic to think of a complete victory without killing anyone.
Seeing that Wu Chengsi's sad expression had faded a little, Wu Mei smiled and said:
"Actually, the Tibetans suffered much greater losses than us in this war. Their population was smaller than ours. They killed 80,000 men this time and surrendered 30,000. They will not be able to recover within ten years."
Wu Chengsi's eyes flashed coldly and he said: "Next, it's our turn to attack them."
Wu Meifeng frowned and said: "The kind of miasma that Xue Rengui mentioned is quite troublesome. If we can't solve this problem, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the expedition to succeed."
When he heard about the miasma, Wu Chengsi immediately smiled: "Aunt, you don't have to worry about this matter, my nephew has his own solution!"
Seeing that he was confident and knowing that he had a wife with excellent medical skills, Wu Mei felt relieved and said:
"Your Western Army needs to be reorganized, and the country needs to recuperate for a few years. It's better to let the attack on Tubo go."
"My nephew understands that time is on our side. We must first deal with the Japanese and then take back the land of Tuyuhun. When the time is right, we can then use troops against Tubo."
Wu Mei nodded with satisfaction: "If you can neither be arrogant nor impatient, I will have nothing to worry about."
Near noon, in a restaurant in the west of the city, all the guests in the building had smiles on their faces and talked happily about the Tang army's victory over Tubo.
Only at one table, an old man about fifty years old was sitting with a hunched waist, a dark face, and was drinking.
He drank quickly and quickly, finishing the entire bottle of wine in a short while.
"Brother, serve the wine!" the old man shouted.
There are two companions beside the old man, one is a fat man and the other is a tall and strong old man.
The fat man advised: "Brother Han, you can drink, but drinking so fast is not good for your health."
The old man said angrily: "I don't even have a son, what else do I need to do with this body!"
This old man is Han Yi, Han Cheng's father, and next to him are his two friends Tang Anshi and Lei Bao.
At this moment, someone at the table next to him said: "Brother Guo, you are so right. Our Tang army relied on the Xue family and his sons to win the battle. Neither the generals named Guo nor Han were good, especially the general named Han."
General, all 10,000 elite troops under his command have been wiped out, what a shame!"
Han Yi stood up suddenly, walked towards the table, gritted his teeth and said, "Can you say what you just said again?"
The man was short and thin, but he was not a timid person. He glared and said, "Did I say something wrong just now? If you have any good ideas, you might as well say it!"
The muscles on Han Yi's cheeks trembled, and he raised his fist, about to swing it down: "You bastard, this is my opinion!"
Tang Anshi and Lei Bao quickly came to his side and each grabbed one of his arms.
"Old Han, what do you want to do?" Lei Bao said in a deep voice.
Like an erupting volcano, Han Yi's face turned red and he cursed angrily: "Don't stop me, I'm going to teach him a lesson!"
Lei Bao said loudly: "I just said a few words, and there is no malice. Do you want to enter the Yamen!"
Han Yi was so crazy that he kicked the opponent's table over with one kick and shouted: "Then let the Yamen arrest me. Anyway, my son is dead and I don't want this old bone anymore!"
When Master Tang An saw everyone around him looking over, he hurriedly explained: "Don't be surprised, everyone, his son died on the battlefield, so he was a little rude."
He turned to the shopkeeper and said, "We will compensate for all losses here."
After hearing this, everyone showed understanding expressions.
The short and thin man said: "Old man, your son sacrificed his life for the country and everyone respects him very much. If you are angry, come over and punch me twice to vent your anger. I will never fight back!"
Han Yi's face turned red. He had the best face in his life. Ever since Han Cheng became a general, he never stayed at home. He went to his old friends every day to brag about his son...
However, when the report of the battle in Anxi came back, he could not believe it.
Not only did Han Cheng lose the battle, but all 10,000 of his soldiers were wiped out.
Han Yi didn't believe it at first, but as more and more such news came out, he couldn't help but not believe it.
It is said that Guo Daifeng, the general who was with Han Cheng, had been demoted to a civilian because he lost his army due to loss of troops.
Han Yi originally wanted to go to Prince Zhou's Mansion to ask about the situation, but he hesitated for a long time and really had no face to see Prince Zhou.
At this moment, a scholar suddenly said: "Old man, your son may not be dead."
Han Yi turned his head fiercely, broke away from Tang Anshi and Lei Bao, stepped to his side, and asked urgently: "How do you say this?"
The scholar was startled by his swift movements. He was stunned for a while and then said: "I heard that defeated soldiers may be captured. The higher the military rank, the greater the chance of being captured. What is your son's military rank?"
Gu Hanyi murmured: "Prisoner?" Then he got angry: "Aren't you being treated as a slave by the Tubo people? It would be better to die!"
The scholar hurriedly said: "No, I heard that General Xue annihilated more than 30,000 Tubo people in Bahuang City, and he must have captured many Tubo people. Maybe the court will use these prisoners to exchange our people back!"
Han Yi was surprised and happy, and said in a trembling voice: "Really, seriously?"
The scholar hesitated and said: "I am just guessing that our Tang army won the previous wars, and exchanges of prisoners rarely happened. But this time the situation is different. The imperial court may exchange with the Tubo people!"
Han Yi suddenly became worried about gains and losses again.
Master Tang An hurriedly said: "Brother Han, I think you should go to the palace and ask His Highness King Zhou about the situation. If nephew Han Shi is captured, he will definitely know!"
When the scholar heard that they mentioned King Zhou, he was secretly surprised and listened carefully to what they said.
Han Yi gritted his teeth and nodded: "That's fine, I will go to the palace. As long as there is a chance to rescue Cheng'er, I will accept it no matter whether His Highness the King of Zhou wants to beat or scold him."
The scholar suddenly felt something in his heart and said: "Old man, could your son be the defeated General Han?"
When Han Yi was about to speak, Master Tang An hurriedly stopped him and said, "Brother Han, saving people is important, don't waste your time here."
Lei Bao followed: "Yes, if Han Shi's nephew is really captured, we must ask His Highness the King of Zhou for mercy as soon as possible and let him exchange Han Shi's nephew back!"
Han Yi nodded and followed the two of them out of the restaurant.
The three of them arrived all the way outside Prince Zhou's Mansion.
Han Yi took a deep breath and was about to walk towards the gate when he suddenly saw a carriage approaching. A woman got out of the carriage and said something to the guard.
Han Yi was surprised and said: "Isn't that Russell's wife?"
Master Tang An asked: "Russell? Who is it?"
Han Yi explained: "Like Cheng'er, he is also a third-rank general of the Western Rebellion Army. He was originally a young Turkic king, but later returned to our dynasty. He is a good friend of Cheng'er and even brought his wife to my house for dinner."
Lei Bao asked: "Did General Luo also participate in the Battle of Anxi?"
Han Yi's face turned gloomy: "He was among the ten thousand soldiers of Cheng'er who were wiped out."
Master Tang An thought for a while and suddenly exclaimed: "Ah! I understand! Brother Han, nephew Han Shi is definitely not dead!"
Han Yi hurriedly asked: "How to say?"
"Mrs. Luo came to ask to see His Highness King Zhou. She must have received the news that General Luo is not dead, so she wanted to come to plead for mercy and let His Highness King Zhou exchange General Luo back!"
Han Yi asked anxiously: "But even if Russell is not dead, doesn't it mean Cheng'er is still alive?"
Master Tang An said with a smile: "Russell is on the same level as Han Shi's nephew. If he is captured by the Tubo people, the Tubo people will definitely not kill Han Shi's nephew!"
Han Yi nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that must be the case. I will go and plead with His Highness King Zhou!"
As he spoke, he walked quickly towards the gate of the palace. When he came to the gate, Mrs. Luo had already entered. Han Yi explained his purpose and was quickly led into a side hall.
In addition to Mrs. Luo, there were two strange women in the side hall. One was in her forties and full of nobility, the other was in her twenties and had a cold face.
The three women looked grave. After seeing him, Mrs. Luo nodded slightly and said softly: "Uncle Han is well."
Han Yi nodded in return.
After a while, Wen Rong came in and served refreshments to the four of them. The noble woman said: "Manager Wen, has His Royal Highness the King of Zhou not come back yet?"
Wen Rong said respectfully: "Go back to Your Highness the Princess. After the meeting, the Prince will most likely have lunch with Her Highness the Queen Mother and will not be back until later."
Han Yi was surprised: "Princess? This woman is so old. She must not be Princess Taiping. Could she be Princess Chengyang? But hasn't she entered Buddhism?"
The princess nodded and said, "Well, I'll just wait a little longer."
Just as Wen Rong was about to leave, Han Yi couldn't help but ask: "Manager Wen, do you know whether my adult son is dead or alive?"
Before Wen Rong could answer, Mrs. Luo said: "Uncle Han, General Han, like my husband, is not dead. He was captured by the Tubo people."
Han Yi was overjoyed and murmured: "It's good that I'm not dead! It's good that I'm not dead!"
Mrs. Luo whispered: "It's not that good. They lost their troops this time. Even if they return to Chang'an, I'm afraid they won't be able to escape death penalty!"
Han Cheng felt chilled and thought: "Yes, that General Guo lost half of his troops and was demoted to civilians. Cheng'er's entire army was wiped out. I'm afraid he will be sentenced to death!"
The other two women's faces were a little pale. They seemed to have the same purpose as Han Yi. They also had relatives captured and came to seek mercy from His Highness King Zhou.
After another half an hour, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. The four of them turned their heads and saw two young women walking hand in hand, talking as they walked.
Among them, the woman in white comforted: "You don't have to worry too much. My eldest brother wrote a letter and said that this incident is all the fault of Guo Daifeng. Your brother was harmed by him. When he comes back, there will be no punishment."
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Another woman was wearing a green skirt and said worriedly: "I wonder if I can change it back."
Han Yi stood up hurriedly and said to the woman in green: "Master Cheng, you are here too."
That woman was Cheng Caiyi. When her brother Cheng Boxian was assigned to Han Cheng by Wu Chengsi, the two sisters went to the Han Mansion to meet him.
Although Cheng Boxian's position was lower than that of Han Cheng, he still held the title of Duke, so Han Yi was very enthusiastic about the two brothers and sisters. Later, he and Han Cheng went to the palace to pay homage.
Cheng Caiyi saluted and said: "Uncle Han." He introduced the woman next to him to Han Yi. It turned out to be Xue Rengui's jewel, Xue Yujin.
The other three girls greeted Cheng Caiyi and Xue Yujin one after another. After introducing each other, Han Yi found out that the princess was Princess Honghua, the adopted daughter of Emperor Taizong.
The young woman was the eldest daughter of the Yu family. Although his father was under Guo Daifeng, he was accidentally captured by the Tubo people, so he came to Wu Chengsi to plead for mercy.
Mrs. Luo asked: "Mr. Xue, you just said that General Cheng was killed by General Guo. What's going on?"
Xue Yujin snorted angrily: "The reason why we lost so many people this time is all because of Guo Daifeng! He didn't listen to my father's orders and went out of the city to ambush the Tubo people without authorization, which is why we lost this battle!"
Han Yi was overjoyed: "So, my son's defeat was also due to Guo Daifeng?"
Xue Yujin nodded and said: "Yes, the responsibility lies with Guo Daifeng. I heard that General Han also advised him not to leave the city, but he just refused to listen!"
Han Yi was overjoyed: "Haha, I knew it was like this. Cheng'er has been following His Royal Highness the King of Zhou for so long, how could he be completely wiped out by the Tubo people? It turns out it was because of Guo Daifeng!"
Mrs. Luo, Miss Yu and Princess Hong'an were also filled with joy and their sorrow disappeared.
Half an hour later, Wu Chengsi finally returned to the palace and invited everyone to meet in the lobby.
As soon as Han Yi saw Wu Chengsi, he immediately showed an expression of sorrow and shame, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Highness, my evil son failed to live up to expectations and lost the battle on the battlefield, which has embarrassed you!"
Wu Chengsi helped him up and said seriously: "Don't say that, Mr. Han, Han Cheng is not responsible for the defeat."
When Han Yi heard what Wu Chengsi said, he felt reassured and said: "That bastard is so unsatisfactory. I heard he was captured by the Tubo people. You don't need to worry about him. Let him fend for himself in Tubo!"
Wu Chengsi said slowly: "Don't worry, Mr. Han. General Xue has captured many Tibetan generals and a Tibetan prince. We will replace Han Cheng back."
Han Yi was overjoyed in his heart, but said: "I can't do it, I can't do it! That brat has lost the battle, how can the imperial court bother to replace him again?"
Wu Chengsi said seriously: "They are fighting for the country, so the imperial court will not ignore them. Don't worry, I will urge General Xue to handle this matter as soon as possible."
Princess Hong'an hesitated before speaking: "His Royal Highness King Zhou, my family Xuan'er..."
Wu Chengsi said: "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will do everything possible to replace all the soldiers of our dynasty!"
Early the next morning, Wu Chengsi sent a post to convey the order of prisoner exchange to Anxi.
A few days later, Xue Rengui received the order and took the initiative to send envoys to Tibet to discuss the exchange of prisoners without waiting for the Tibetans.
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Originally, the beginning of this chapter belonged to the previous chapter. I modified part of it when uploading and moved it to this chapter. I didn't pay attention at the time, which resulted in the title being a bit wrong. Please forgive me!