"The envoy is so brave, aren't you afraid of being sacrificed by me?" In a high-ranking mansion in Qixian County, Uncle Cong looked at the envoy of the Xia army in amusement and asked.
The soldiers stood behind him expressionlessly, holding helmets and armor and holding sharp weapons in their hands.
"I came here specifically to relieve my family's worries, how could I be sacrificed to the flag?" the messenger laughed.
The envoy's name is Pei Guan, the son of Pei Yuan. He looks quite young, but is actually only in his twenties.
Pei Yuan is still serving in the shogunate of Tang and Deng Sui, named Zan Hua, and is actually supervising the army. During this expedition, he also followed Zhe Zongben and contributed many strategies.
"What worries do I have? I still need the messenger to teach me." The messenger's reaction was as expected by Shi Shucong, and he asked calmly.
"In the current situation, the whole territory of Liang is on fire, and I think you can see it from your head." Pei Guan cleared his throat and said: "My army has attacked Liang in three ways. It has been winning consecutive battles for several months, and it defeated Xuanmen Pass on the north road.
Si River entered Heyin and harassed Zheng and Bian; the middle road repeatedly defeated Pang Shigu and killed more than 10,000 thieves; the south road advanced rapidly, went down to Caizhou, defeated Yingzhou, and surrendered Zhang Quanyi, Dai Siyuan, and Yang Shihou, who heard the news and fled.
What do you think of the three armies?"
"The envoy is exaggerating." Shishu Cong smiled and said: "Shuai Ge on the north road has tens of thousands of troops and has pushed back the Fan River. How can we talk about consecutive battles and victories? On the middle road, Li Tangbin and Pang Shuai are facing each other across the river. There are many forts on both sides.
There were mutual casualties, so it was just a stalemate, and there was no advantage; there was indeed some progress on the south road, but it still needed time. As far as I know, Wei Sheng's army failed to attack Dinghui's camp and was defeated.
The counterattack resulted in the loss of more than 2,000 troops. Bozhou lost ground, and Yang Shihou was gradually regaining it. Dai Siyuan did not know the soldiers, and Zhang Quanyi was not good at fighting, so he was missed. Back to Suzhou, the Gui army had less than 20,000 troops and attacked the city.
We are at a disadvantage and we are helpless. In my opinion, this battle will take a long time."
"Haha." Pei Guan said with a smile: "Can I still advance westward from the capital? The generals in the army are clamoring and the people are uneasy, and they all want to return. Your army cannot advance westward. After our army returns, we will defeat Yang Shihou and seize it again.
Bozhou, how are you doing?"
"In the past, the Battle of Guandu lasted for a year. Yuan Shao was also very arrogant in the early stage. However, after six months of stalemate, he was finally defeated and the entire army of 100,000 troops was lost." Shi Shucong said: "This battle still needs to be fought."
"Since the Duke mentioned the Battle of Guandu, the King of Liang must have compared himself to Cao Cao. But now it is your army that is being harassed on the grain road. Pang Shigu had more than 100,000 troops stationed in Xuzhou. No matter how rich Chen Xu was, after this
After a few months, we are already exhausted." Pei Guan said: "Many people in Zhengzhou have fled to Bian, and they are also very exhausted. I don't know how much grain and grass the king of Liang can transfer to Chenxu."
"You don't know that Weizhou sent millions of dendrobium grains to Bianzhou last year?" Uncle Cong said in surprise: "In the past, Duke Cao had no external aid."
Pei Guan smiled, avoided the topic, and added: "I heard that Zhu Jin was plundering Yanzhou, and Zhang Tingfan, the governor of the Guanghua Army, repeatedly asked the capital to come back for reinforcements. Thousands of Huai people crossed north to Sizhou, and Xu Su
It’s not that safe.”
Uncle Cong smiled and said, "When my army comes back to support us, we can defeat it with just one drum."
Seeing that Pei Guan still wanted to speak, Uncle Cong waved his hand and said, "You're going around in circles with the envoy. Tell me, what's going on?"
"We are here to bring good luck to our capital," Pei Guan said.
"Keep talking."
"Xu has lived in Shidutou for many years and is deeply loved by the sergeants. He may be an envoy to the Probationary Army."
"Oh? Was this envoy position given by Zhe Zongben or Shao Shude?" Shishu Cong asked.
"Of course it was promised by King Xia." Pei Guan's words were true.
In fact, Shao Shude had explained in advance that the reforming army could be given to Shi Shucong. If the Zhao family of Xuzhou was willing to surrender, he could continue to serve as the military governor of Chen Xu. He even laughed at himself at the time. Ten years ago, he would not allow even one military governor, so he could do all the military affairs himself.
After swallowing it, ten years later, he had compromised too much and became just like Zhu Quanzhong.
Pei Guan didn't understand. The vassal towns under Zhu Quanzhong's name had little independence and relatively tight control. Except for Zhang Quanyi, all the goods from Heyang, Xuanyi and other towns were sent to Bianzhou. Sergeant Jingzhuang also compiled
Enter the Xuanwu Yamen. Even the Yamen in each town are selling sheep's heads as dog meat, with Bian generals as the main ones.
Zhu Quanzhong clearly did not compromise. Why did King Xia say this?
But this is not the point. The point is that King Xia made a promise and wanted to quickly disintegrate Liang Jun. As for how it will end later, you can refer to Shaanxi and Guo.
"The King of Xia is quite generous." Uncle Cong said with a smile: "But I heard that Li Fan of Shaanzhou has resigned. This person serves the King of Xia with fatherly rites, but he can't accommodate him. If I go out of Xuzhou, it will be a lucky one.
After a few years as a military envoy, once the King of Xia frees up his hands, I am afraid he will end up like Li Fan."
He will not mention those vassal towns in Guanxi, such as Xingning, and the nominal military governors of gold merchants. Li Fan, Li Xiaochang, and Dongfang Kui, as vassals of Shao Shude, cannot be said to have tried their best, but in the end they were
What will happen?
Each town selected and sent elite soldiers to join the Xia army.
The Yamen army was sent to guard in wild and remote areas, and if there was any resistance, it was immediately suppressed.
Military men from various towns were constantly sent to the battlefield to be consumed. Shao Shude demanded excessively the property of the vassal towns, leaving the Jiedushi envoys with no money to maintain the original size of the army.
After spending several years like this, I swallowed it in one last bite.
Shao Shude's bad deeds are seen by all the military leaders in the world. What's the use of your eloquent words?
"Everyone is worried too much. King Xia..."
"That's all, no need to say anything." Shishu Cong raised his hand to stop and said, "I'll let you go back. Just tell Qibizhang that if he releases my sergeant, spreads rumors, and disturbs the morale of our army, he is a better player."
.But the flying victorious, majestic, and crane-controlling 20,000 tigers are still there. If he refuses to submit, he will come and fight with me. If he doesn't fight, he will go back where he came from. We will not offend the river."
Strictly speaking, Shi Shucong's words are already very "disloyal". Zhu Quanzhong asked you to reinforce Yingzhou, but as soon as something happened to your lair, you rushed back. Although there was a threat of mutiny by the sergeants, Zhu Quanzhong did not complete the task.
There is no way to wash away the tasks assigned to you.
The so-called "well water does not offend the river", isn't that just a matter of waiting and watching with self-respect? Who can't see it yet?
There seems to be a reason why Shi Shucong was killed by Zhu Quanzhong in later history. Why not find someone else to do the dirty work of regicide? It just happened to be Jiang Xuanhui, Zhu Yougong, and Shi Shucong.
"Come here, send the envoy out of the city." Uncle Cong waved his hand and said.
****
The Xiangcheng camp received news of the military rebellion in Yuncheng on February 28. Li Tangbin locked several important military reports in a wooden box, then handed them to the courier and sent them to Shao Shude.
The state has a system, and urgent military information is usually delivered by express couriers five hundred miles away. Especially important military reports, the courier travels seven hundred miles a day. What is more important than this is probably the lychee that Yang Guifei eats, which is the highest level.
The "military information" that the messenger traveled every day even exceeded 700 miles, which was basically a life-threatening situation.
From Xiangcheng to Liangzhou, according to the normal expedited speed of 500 miles, it can be delivered in five or six days.
After the messenger leaves the inn, he rushes to another inn thirty miles away at the fastest speed and no matter the horsepower. After arriving at the location, he changes horses and people and continues rushing, in a relay cycle from station to station.
The inn system is crucial to a political power.
It was already the fifth day of March when Shao Shude received the news. At this time, he had just crossed the Heli Mountain Gorge and was hunting and training with the Tibetan people who were accompanying the army.
Heli Mountain is the place where Huo Qubing defeated the Huns. Now there is another Han general hunting here, but everyone calls him Khan, which is ridiculous.
In fact, Shao Shude received more than one piece of news.
This morning there was a military report from Rouzhou. Tens of thousands of Yinshan Tatars, black chariots, Shiwei, Xixi, Uighurs, and Tuyuhun invaded the territory. The Qibi tribe lost tens of thousands of cattle and sheep, and they urgently asked for help.
Huaixi Jiedu envoy Zhe Silun urgently reported, Yang Xingmi used more than 40,000 elites as the backbone, and aggressively recruited the countrymen of Anzhou, Huang, and Qi provinces. He gathered more than 80,000 troops and besieged Anzhou, Pingjingguan, and Lishan.
Guan and other places stayed up all night. Xu Wen and other generals were sent to lead hundreds to more than a thousand elite troops each, along the mountain trails, without baggage, and light troops to advance quickly, plundering various counties, and Huaixi was shocked.
Of course, what angered him the most was the military chaos in Yuncheng. But no one could be blamed for this. Perhaps Zhu Xuan and Zhu Quanzhong could only be blamed. If they had not caused trouble, why would this have happened.
"It's understandable that the Qibi Ministry asked me for help." After General Shao Shude handed the letter to Chen Cheng, he said, "But Zhe Silun's request for help is unusual."
There is no doubt that this was an over-the-top report, and may have even been approved by Zhe Zongben.
"Your Majesty, this is my servant's fault." Chen Cheng sighed: "Xing Mi is so heartless and crazy, leaving his money and not doing anything to undermine Si Lun, it's hard to understand."
After the Tang and Deng dynasties, the Huaixi states were broken, and there were only so many troops. In order to cooperate with the war to defeat Liang, Chen Cheng suggested that Tang and Guang towns should send out the main force to cooperate with Li Tangbin and use partial divisions to defend Yang Xingmi. Now it seems that Yang Xingmi continues to increase the number of troops.
Note, the determination is unexpected.
"Chen Changshi has had his faults, and so have I." Shao Shude said: "I was unexpected that Li Keyong would go back on his word so quickly. My sworn brother is a man of good face and values friendship. What he promised will not be compromised.
If you regret it so quickly, something must have happened in the middle."
Chen Cheng nodded in agreement.
In the Battle of Liang, there was already hope for a great victory, but now there are twists and turns, and it is a pity that the stalemate is about to continue again.
"Chen Changshi, can we increase our troops on the southern front?" Shao Shude asked.
"Your Majesty means..."
Shao Shude pointed to the Tibetan people chasing prey at the foot of the mountain and said: "Of course these people can't do it. Even the subordinates of Hongyuan Palace in Liangzhou who visited a while ago are not very good. But they can go to Rouzhou, which is their home field.
Li Keyong is dishonest in his words, which is really annoying. I’m afraid he doesn’t know how many tribes I have, so this time let him see the real fighting style of a grassland khan.”
The grassland Khan's method of fighting is naturally to drive cattle, sheep, and carts wherever they go, hunt them, and graze them wherever they go.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Hu people marched southward to the Central Plains. The tribes fought for the city. After fighting, they dispersed. I went to the east gate to graze, and you grazed at the west gate, and then continued to compete for the city. It can be said that behind the strange and wonderful things was the Central Plains.
It was turned into pasture, invaded by Hu wind, and the people were displaced.
"The commander-in-chief wants to conquer Rouzhou himself?" Chen Cheng asked.
"I'm not going!" Shao Shude said: "Pass my order to set up a Yinshan camp in Rouzhou, with Yang Yue as the envoy. Shaqi, Hexi tribes sent out 30,000 men and told them that all 30,000 men should be sent to me.
Collect enough horses, don't fool me with some infantry. The six major inspections sent the tribe to send 30,000 soldiers, Longyou Town..."
Shao Shude pondered for a moment and said decisively: "Twenty thousand cavalry were sent out from Longyou Town and headed north via Liugu. These 80,000 cavalry were assembled in Rouzhou and were unified under the command of Yang Yue."
"The three armies of Black Silk, Golden Sword, and Flying Bear will go to Rouzhou to obey orders."
"Your Majesty, so many tribes have to drive cattle and sheep to fight. Although the pasture will turn green next month, after this battle, the wealth of the tribes will be almost the same, right?" Chen Cheng asked.
"When the great Khans of the grassland go to war, if they can't grab anything, they will naturally become poorer the more they fight." Shao Shude said: "Tell Yang Yue that I won't set limits for him. He can fight as he wants. If he can't grab anything, he won't be able to maintain the war. I
Ask him about it."
Chen Cheng was speechless. Your Majesty, it's not like you don't know Yang Yue's courage. If you give him more than 100,000 horses, he can break through the sky for you. God knows where he will hit.
"Your Majesty, could it be..." Chen Cheng was a little worried.
"No. I still know Yang Yue. He will not harm Datong, Youzhou and other towns excessively." Shao Shude said.
But in other places, it's hard to say. This guy's fighting style is really radical.
"Where is Tielin's army?" Shao Shude asked again.
"Escort the princess, prince and others back to Lingzhou." Chen Cheng replied.
"Chen Changshi hasn't answered me yet whether we can reinforce our troops on the southern front," Shao Shude said.
"Your Majesty." Chen Cheng bowed and said, "I ask your Majesty not to reinforce the southern front. The countryside is in ruins and the masters are fleeing in large numbers. We really can't support it anymore."
Tang Guang Er Town, to be honest, shouldn't have so many soldiers at all, it can't afford them.
Originally there were only a few people, but they were repeatedly killed and plundered by Ding Hui, and many people fled. Later, the situation gradually stabilized, but wars became more frequent, many people were lost, and the fields were barren. They all relied on gold merchants, Xiangyang and Guanzhong to support them.
.For this reason, the people in Guanzhong were burdened with a heavy burden, and there were many escapees who could not bear the servitude.
The southern line has indeed reached its limit.
"Then the northern route." Shao Shude said firmly: "How much wheat was planted in Heyang last winter?"
"Huai and Mengzhou have more than 28,000 hectares of farmland." Chen Cheng said.
"The growth is so fast." Shao Shude said in surprise: "After the wheat is ripe in June, we can raise more soldiers."
"Pass my order, all the guards and troops led by Hongyuan Palace, Yulin Palace, and Woyang Palace will be dispatched. The horses will be prepared at Yongqing and Yinchuan ranches. They will go all the way south, as fast as possible. They will cross the river at Pujin Pass and gather in Jinjiang.
Wait for my order." Shao Shude said.
At present, the Yellow River has not yet thawed. In the river, grain and grass from Jinjiang must be transported to the front line via Zhiguan or Xiaohan Mountain Road. It is good if three carts of grain can reach one cart, or even one cart cannot reach it. But if the army feeds in Jinjiang, then
The cost is very low.
"The cavalry army will follow me back to Xiedan to choose horses! The Dingnan army will stay where I am, waiting for my arrival."
"Is your Majesty planning to go to Qibei for personal expedition? Aren't you going to Qibei?"
"Do you know what I'm most worried about?" Shao Shude asked.
"The king should be worried about Yang Xingmi." Chen Cheng replied.
"No, w. Yang Xingmi will help Zhu Quanzhong no matter what. What I am worried about is the matter in Yuncheng. Zhu Jin is actually an ambitious person. If he annexes Yuncheng, Wang Normal University will not be safe. If Li Ke
By capturing Cangjing, we will be connected with Zhu Jin who has three towns in hand, and the situation will become more complicated. At this time, we must cut through the mess quickly," Shao Shude said.
"But Ganzhou is quite far away from the Central Plains. Why bother, Your Majesty? If we fight this battle slowly, we will eventually win. But if we miss this opportunity to conquer the Tatar tribes, we will have to spend more time next time." Chen Cheng said.
.
"Is it far?" Shao Shude laughed.
The monarchs and ministers of the Northern Song Dynasty thought that it would take a month for the Liao reinforcements to reach Youzhou, but Brother Yelvxiu gathered a large number of horses and moved more than a thousand miles in six days, which exceeded the imagination of the monarchs and ministers of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Is the distance of more than two thousand miles very far? Everyone calls me a fool, so this time I will use the tricks of a fool to play with you.