Turks worship gods and have shrines, but no temples.
Fuyundui Temple is just a pile of stones.
The priests lit a fire, brought horses, cattle, and sheep, and slaughtered them in front of the temple.
Shao Shude and the leaders bowed in the direction of the sunrise, and then faced east. The leaders came forward in batches and muttered: "We are willing to swear an oath to the Holy Fire/God of Heaven/God of Earth and respect King Khan as our Lord."
, Never betray each other. If you violate your oath, you will be such a sacrifice!"
There were more than a hundred chiefs in total, and the going back and forth lasted for a long time, and it didn't end until the sun was rising.
Shao Shude held the Tea Mountain Sword in his hand, looked at the crowd, and said: "You and other tribesmen, pastures, cattle and sheep should be protected by me. If there are thieves who covet it, we can attack them together."
"I obey the order of the Supreme Khan." The chiefs of all tribes bowed down one after another.
"That being the case, let's go down the mountain and gather our troops to hunt." Seeing everyone prostrate themselves to the ground, Shao Shude put away his sword and said with a smile.
Yang Yao waited at the foot of the mountain for a long time. When he saw Shao Shude leading everyone down the mountain, he immediately stepped forward and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the customs of Yinshan are very different from the customs of Dangxiang, right?"
"None of this is important." Shao Shude shook his head and said: "In the past, Emperor Taizong was the common master of the Central Plains and the grasslands of the world. There were so many tribes, which one's rules do you think should be used? The Weishui Alliance with Jieli Khan, and the
What custom?”
Finally, he whispered again: "Anyway, I don't want to come to Dangxiang's custom of drinking blood."
Yang Yao laughed.
It was almost noon, and more and more troops arrived on both sides of the Yellow River under the temple.
The Anbei County magistrate was also very scared when he saw so many Qiang and Hu people gathering. Although he felt that most of them would not dare to cause trouble, there were too many people, tens of thousands of people!
Shao Shude declined the county magistrate's suggestion to invite him to the city, and casually chatted with him about Anbei County's millet and wheat harvest, the number of cattle and sheep, the prosperity and decline of pasture, and other matters.
Not long after, the princess's car drove over, and the chiefs of the tribes were in a hurry again, paying homage to Ke Dun.
After all, she was born in the Zhe family, and the princess handled these matters with ease and ease, so much so that Shao Shude doubted that her statement that the ancestor of the Zhe family was from the Yuwen family was true.
Taizong married Queen Changsun, could it be that I, Lao Shao, married Queen Yuwen?
Yang Yao has already gone to discuss with the chiefs of various tribes where to garrison and the order of march.
Only the leader of the sacrificial alliance and a small number of followers came over, and the army did not gather here. Considering that they also brought a large number of cattle, sheep and horses, the farthest one was even in the Tiande Army City, which is two hundred miles away.
road.
The more than 40,000 troops of Tielin, Heiji, and Jindao brought by Shao Shude were all stationed on the north bank of the river near the shrine.
Zhejiyu led the cavalry army, Tutuan peasants and Hengshan tribe in Henan.
These people did not carry any cattle or sheep, and relied entirely on grain, dried meat and dairy products transported by boats on the river.
A total of 200,000 troops are scattered across 200 miles of grassland. Once they move, just marching through the troops will be a great sight.
Such military power is a great consolation!
Later in the evening, Chen Cheng also arrived from Lingzhou, and Shao Shude personally went out to greet him.
"Commander, all the food and grass have been prepared under supervision." Chen Cheng said: "Ling Feng wins all the warehouses and raises one million dendrobium, grains, beans, milk, and some preserved fruits. Lin and silver also need to support some of them, and transport them to Yun by water.
Zhong County, then change to a small boat and go straight to Jinhe County Pier."
"A new ship can transport 2,500 dendrobium, and can transport 500,000 at a time. Are these ships in front of you the second batch?" Shao Shude asked.
"The troops and horses have not moved, the food and fodder have gone first, of course the second batch." Chen Cheng smiled and said: "Your Majesty, please relax, the fleet will be able to complete the transportation before the freeze and return to Lingzhou safely."
"It's comfortable to fight in Guanbei." Shao Shude praised: "A Yellow River has solved so many troubles for me."
"Your Majesty, after the Zhenwu Army is sent out, there will be no such good thing as water transportation." Chen Cheng reminded.
"At that time, we will eat cattle and sheep, and Master will transport another batch. That's enough." Shao Shude said, "Now we have to decide on the marching route."
"Just four words, the same trick is repeated." Chen Cheng smiled and said: "One from the south and one from the north, can we advance in two directions?"
"Yes." Shao Shude said: "Let Zhe Siyu lead the cavalry army and some Tutuan villagers to Shuozhou. I will lead the main army myself and station it at Woyang Palace and the line of Yanchi. I will meet Li Keyong for a while."
In fact, this move is almost the same as last time. The difference lies in the stronger troops this time and what you want to do with Li Keyong.
"This strategy is good." Chen Cheng said: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing that needs to be made clear."
"What's the matter?" Shao Shude asked.
"If there is a chance to capture Li Keyong, what would you do, Your Majesty?" Chen Cheng asked.
Shao Shude was silent for a moment and said: "Maybe I can take it off. However, I'm afraid Ke Yong won't give me this opportunity."
"Be prepared for a rainy day," Chen Cheng said with a smile.
Shao Shude sighed and said: "In that case, let's take action. Lu Siye, you will draw up the order."
"As ordered." Lu Siye, the usually taciturn Secretary of Jieduzhang, stood up and responded.
…
Li Keyong has been in Yunzhou for quite some time.
There wasn't much to do, the main thing was to shock the miscellaneous tribes living near Yunzhou.
This is the dividing line between the grassland and the Central Plains. In the past ten years, the grassland has changed hands frequently. There are Shatuo, Tuyuhun, Uighur, Dangxiang, and Tatar tribes. The ups and downs, you sing and I come on stage, the public sentiment is very complicated.
Shi Shanyou, the military governor of Datong appointed by Li Keyong, only had a few thousand soldiers and horses under his command, and he had long been tolerant of these tribes.
In fact, his methods are not too bad. At least he has a strong network of connections and good relations with the chiefs of various ministries, so he can always use his old face to obtain benefits and help Li Keyong stabilize the situation here.
"In the past, when Helianduo was in Yunzhou, he colluded deeply with the grassland and repeatedly lured him southward. The overwhelming force was overwhelming, and there were no less than a hundred thousand riders." Li Keyong climbed to the top of the east city of Yunzhou and looked far into the distance.
The mountains, rivers, and woods in the north are vivid in my mind.
Fangshan, Yangshui, Yuhe, Yanchang City...
The last time I met my adopted brother was also in Datong, and a small-scale battle broke out at that time.
Many people said that Shao Shude had absolutely bad intentions in choosing the meeting place in the Yunzhou area. Because only on the grassland could his strength be greatly increased and the gap between him and others be widened.
Countless tribal soldiers can come from the grasslands inside and outside the Yin Mountains to act as his minions. But if the meeting place is chosen in Heyang or Zelu, he will not be able to support the mobilization and maintenance of such troops.
Of course Li Keyong understands this truth, but so what?
Now that the adopted brother has brought it up, can the older brother still be afraid?
Well, this is Li Keyong's character. But how can I put it, after so many years of ups and downs, he is no longer the stupid young man he used to be. People who have been beaten too much by reality will always make progress, right?
?
First of all, Li Keyong brought a lot of troops this time, including 40,000 Jin soldiers, 20,000 Yan soldiers, 50,000 native Tuan soldiers, and 50,000 Tibetan cavalry, with a total strength of no less than 160,000.
Secondly, it is not stationed in one direction.
Some came from the east from Guizhou and were led by Li Cunxiao; some came from Lanzhou to the north and stationed themselves in the Caochengchuan area of Shuozhou; Li Keyong led his own army and deployed it near Yanmen Pass.
Last night, he entered Yunzhou overnight to observe the troops in the north of Saibei and get first-hand information.
"Commander, the scouts have just reported that a band of bandit cavalry has appeared in the Jingbian Army area." Shi Shanyou walked to Li Keyong's side and whispered.
Jingbian Army is called the Hedong side, and Shenhexing and Woyang Palace are called the Shuofang side.
In the early days of the Anshi Rebellion, Gao Xiuyan, the envoy to the Datong Army ordered by An Lushan, invaded the Zhenwu Army, but was defeated by Guo Ziyi. Taking advantage of the victory, he traveled eastward and captured the Jingbian Army.
Later, Xue Zhongyi, the Datong army commander, attacked the Jingbian army again. Guo Ziyi used a strong lineup, including Li Guangbi, the left soldier and horse commander, Gao Jun, the right soldier and horse commander, Pugu Huaien, the left Wufeng commander, and Hun Shizhi, the right Wufeng commander. They were defeated.
The enemy army trapped seven thousand of its cavalry and marched into the surrounding clouds.
This was a battle that saved the fate of the Tang Dynasty. If An Lushan had been allowed to attack the Zhenwu Army and advance into Turingwu at the early stage, God knows what would have happened.
"He must be standing in the front line." Li Keyong perked up and said, "Look again. My sworn brother Xu has been victorious for many years and is arrogant. He has a habit of staying in a palace when he goes out. It is very grand. Woyang Palace
That place should be his residence this time. The troops and horses he brought must also be based on this as the core, and they will be deployed layer by layer."
"Does the king want to send his generals to make a surprise attack?" Shi Shanyou asked.
Li Keyong hesitated for a moment, and then said: "That's not appropriate. This time I came to observe the troops, observe first and then attack."
In fact, we tried it during the last meeting. The effect was not ideal. They defeated the Xia people's Yinqiandu, but they were ambushed by armored cavalry and suffered heavy losses. At the same time, more than 4,000 Wansheng troops who advanced lightly were also present.
Yanchang City was besieged.
In the end, it generally ended peacefully. Both sides were very restrained and tried to avoid a big war. Then everyone went back to their homes and did their own things.
It should be said that at that time, this outcome was beneficial to both parties. Not to mention Shao Shude's expansion, Li Keyong was also able to open up the situation in Hebei, and everything was alive.
But the peace dividend seven years ago seems to have ended. As the situation evolves, the distrust between Xia and Jin is getting stronger and stronger. How will it end this time?
"Give my son Cunxiao an order to lead the army westward and seize Xuanhong Pond." Li Keyong suddenly ordered.
"Send an order to my brother Kening to capture the Zhelu Army City."
Shuozhou is nominally Li Keyong's territory. But his good brother has been occupying the most fertile Sanggan River Valley for many years, namely Shanyang and Mayi counties. The Challu military city belongs to both sides with a tacit agreement.
Therefore, as a buffer zone, Ningwu County took it back after using various means in Hedong.
The Shuozhou issue is also an important reason for the great dissatisfaction of Hedong. Because it threatens the flanks of Yunzhou, you can also go south to Lanzhou and Shierzhou via Caochengchuan. Although it is not the core hinterland of Hedong, even the mountainous area has been plundered by you.
Very unhappy too.
"Madam said ahem, I think this can test Shao Thief's attitude first." Li Keyong said: "I will just watch here to see how Shao Thief responds."