Four hundred and fortieth eight chapters hard-edged
If you don't see a visitor from another state, you will always be old when you come back from Chang'an Road.
——Excerpt from "Hengchui Song Ci·Chang'an Road" by Bai Juyi
…
That night, the Tang court held a grand banquet in the Xuanzheng Hall.
Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi and Li Siye, the three army chiefs, led the generals to raise their glasses and congratulate the Holy One: "Thanks to Your Majesty, the heavens are filled with great blessings, and the two capitals have finally been recovered! We wish the Holy One long live, long live, long live!"
Suzong Longyan was delighted and said: "I love you so much that you are so loyal and brave to serve your country. We are willing to continue our efforts to wipe out the remnants of the thieves as soon as possible."
All the generals flashed military salutes and said in unison: "We will live up to your majesty's kindness and are willing to attack the enemy's nest and wipe out the rebels for your majesty!"
For a time, the guests and hosts were enjoying themselves to the fullest.
…
Guo Ziyi walked up to Bai Fu with a wine cup in hand and joked: "It is true that the Huns are not destroyed, so why should we have a family? Now that the two capitals have been restored, the war is about to end. General Bai, it's time for you to get married. Which family do you like?"
My daughter, I will personally act as a matchmaker for you, hahaha."
Li Siye smiled and said: "Old Lord, there is no joke in the army! My brother's life-long affairs will be entrusted to you. With my brother's great military exploits today, if he is not chosen from a good family, I, Li Siye, will be the first to refuse."
Guo Ziyi also laughed: "Brother Bai has unparalleled martial arts skills and unparalleled handsomeness, just like the reincarnation of Changshan Zhao Zilong. Your Majesty has personally named the number one striker of the Tang Dynasty!"
I don’t know how many rich and noble people in Chang’an want to marry their daughters to General Bai! I just don’t know whether we, Mr. Bai, want to find a general’s daughter, or someone from a famous family?
No matter what, I guarantee this matchmaker! Hahaha..."
All the generals laughed and joked, teasing Bai Fu together and drinking as much as they could.
Bai Fu's heart felt warm, the friendship of life and death on the battlefield, the iron-blooded pride.
…
The Xuanzheng Hall is brightly lit, drums and music are playing, and it is very lively.
In the Xingqing Palace, the Supreme Emperor Li Longji went to bed early. Listening to the faint sound of silk and bamboo, Yang Jieyu tossed and turned and could not sleep at night.
During today's military parade, the Supreme Emperor Li Longji did not attend the ceremony, citing physical illness. Yang Jieyu sneaked to the corner of the viewing platform to feel the grand military appearance.
The appearance of the young man in white robe was like a sharp steel cone, piercing deeply into the heart. It was also like the bite of thousands of ants, causing great pain...
…
After the grand military parade, the entire army recuperated for three days. Bai Fu changed out of his military uniform and dressed in civilian clothes, and took the opportunity to leave the camp.
Walking along Zhuque Street, Bai Fu came to Chongrenfang. The gold-lettered signboard of "Bashu Guild Hall" shone brightly in the sun.
Visiting the old place again feels like a lifetime ago.
This was the first stop when the Bashu Martial Arts Examination arrived in Chang'an. From then on, they parted ways with completely different destinies.
The waiter in front of the guild hall didn't know Bai Fu, so he bowed to show his kindness, greeted him with his hand, and said with a smile: "Sir, please come quickly, we have good drinks in our store."
Bai Fu nodded and stepped into the inn.
The shopkeeper was fiddling with his abacus in front of the wine shop. When he looked up and saw Bai Fu, he was so surprised that he lifted the curtain and hurriedly walked out of the counter.
Bai Fu stepped forward, cupped his fists and saluted, and said with a smile: "Brother Zhen, I haven't seen you for many years. You have lost a lot of weight."
The shopkeeper is none other than Huang Zhen, an old friend of Bai Fu's.
Huang Zhen said with emotion: "It's not that I have lost weight, but that I am getting old. I have to pull out a few gray hairs every day when I comb my hair."
Huang Zhen was already the leader of the Chang'an branch of the Sichuan Gang at this time, responsible for intelligence collection of underground organizations in Chang'an, rebel assassinations, and the deployment of personnel and materials.
Although the two had not seen each other for many years, they had been in secret contact through the Sichuan Gang's intelligence channels. When they met again, there was no sense of alienation.
The two exchanged pleasantries and walked into the private room on the third floor.
The hall downstairs was lively and noisy, with many young men and women in rich clothes kneeling and sitting on couches. The men wore swords and the women wore beautiful clothes, talking about the grand military parade. When the talk got heated, they imitated the knights of Yan and Zhao, fencing and singing, impassioned.
Huang Zhen smiled and said: "Brother Fu, you are now the most popular general in Chang'an. All the young men in Chang'an imitate your dress and are eager to join the army and serve their country."
Bai Fu stared at the wine glass with a sad expression and said: "Back then, a group of us Bashu disciples came to Chang'an and passed the martial arts examination to join the Huben Army, hoping that one day we could make meritorious deeds on the battlefield and defend our country.
But after experiencing war personally, I know the cruelty of war. There is no romance in poetry, only bloody killings."
Huang Zhen knew what Bai Fu meant, he sighed deeply, filled up the wine for Bai Fu, and sighed: "If Leader Qingxuan and Gang Leader Jiang hadn't been far-sighted and made plans earlier, today might have been a different situation.
The eldest grandson, Yanxing, was responsible for coordinating the taxes and donations of the famous families in the south of the Yangtze River. Taifu Xu ensured the transportation of grain and grass to Fengxiang in Xiangyang. The Tang clan established ordnance depots in various places to assist the Tang army in manufacturing and repairing weapons and armor. Sichuan Gang and Qing Gang
The city coordinates all the major gangs in the world, and the green forest is powerful, organizes rebels, lurks behind enemy lines, assists the main force of the Tang army, and launches counterattacks..."
Huang Zhen said proudly: "Now the underground intelligence network in enemy areas is in the hands of the Sichuan gang, which is enough to support the Tang army in strategizing and winning a thousand-mile victory."
Bai Fu's eyes lit up and he asked, "What's the latest military situation?"
Huang Zhen said: "An Qingxu fled to Ye County and changed Ye County to Ancheng Prefecture. Cai Xide, Tian Chengsi and other generals returned with their troops, and their troops increased to 60,000."
An Qingxu sent Ashina Chengqing and An Shouzhong to Fanyang County to recruit troops, and took the opportunity to secretly murder Shi Siming.
Shi Siming imprisoned generals such as Ashina Chengqing and An Shouzhong, and sent general Dou Ziang to the capital, offering 13 counties under his jurisdiction and an army of 80,000 people, plus Gao Xiuyanbu, the pseudo-Yanhedong Jiedu envoy, to surrender to the imperial court.
"
Bai Fu said: "Yes, Dou Zi'ang arrived in Beijing yesterday. His Majesty made Shi Siming King of Guiyi and Fan Yang Jiedushi. His seven sons were all appointed as high-ranking officials in the imperial court.
At the same time, he sent his chief servants Li Sijing and Wu Chengen to Fan Yang to offer condolences and comfort, and ordered Shi Siming to lead an army to attack An Qingxu."
Huang Zhen said with a smile: "An Qingxu is weak and incompetent, so there is nothing to fear. Shi Siming's troops are the main force of the Yan army. Once he surrenders, the smoke of Fan Yang will disappear, and peace will be around the corner." After that, he raised his glass to celebrate with Bai Fu.
Bai Fu shook his head and said: "Shi Siming is the most serious problem for the Tang army. The prospect of countering the rebellion is not optimistic?"
Huang Zhen said: "How do you say this?"
Bai Fu said: "Shi Siming is as ambitious as a wolf king and as cunning as a wolf king. At present, the Tang army is at its peak and invincible. If the Yan army stubbornly resists, it will be quickly annihilated. The best strategy is to surrender.
If you want to surrender, it is better to surrender as early as possible so as to maximize the retention of territory and troops. After dormant for a period of time, wait and see what happens. Wait for Anxi, Beiting and other frontier troops to return to their bases, and Huihe and other Western Region regiments to return home before making a decision.
"
Huang Zhen was puzzled and asked: "If the world is stable, the swords and guns are stored in the warehouse, and the horses are released in Nanshan, even if Shi Siming wants to rebel, who will be willing to follow him?"
Bai Fu said: "The blame lies with the senior officials of the imperial court for not adopting Mr. Li Mi's grand strategy of 'closing the door and beating the dog'. The process of counterinsurgency that is eager for quick success and quick gains will inevitably leave many hidden dangers.
First, when An Lushan captured the two capitals, he transported all the goods, horses, grain, grass and baggage from the two capitals to Fanyang. Now Fanyang is the richest county in the world. This is the family background of Shi Siming's rebellion again.
Secondly, in order to put down the rebellion as soon as possible, the imperial court offered favorable conditions. As long as they surrendered, the rebel troops would not be recruited and would continue to be commanded by the rebel generals. In this way, for the surrendered generals, it was just a change of the king's flag on the city wall.
, the territory and strength have not been reduced at all.
Third, after the Anlushan rebellion, the imperial court removed Anxi, Beiting and other frontier troops to put down the rebellion, leaving the border empty and Tubo and other countries ready to move.
I have read the military reports from the court. Tubo and other countries in the Western Regions have repeatedly invaded the border areas and are constantly encroaching on the border lands. Once Tubo invades in large numbers, Shi Siming and other Yan army surrendered generals will inevitably rebel again.
At that time, the imperial court will be in trouble, the Tang Dynasty will be at war again, and the people will be plunged into dire straits again."
Bai Fu's analysis was insightful. Huang Zhen listened and remained silent for a long time. He looked at Bai Fu and said with admiration: "We have been apart for three days, so we should look at each other with new eyes. Brother Fu, you are indeed a descendant of the military strategist!"
…
Bai Fu suddenly remembered something and asked: "After wiping out King Yong's rebellion, I arrived at Yongqiu by water with minimal equipment. Before leaving, I asked my third brother Honghu to help me transport the armor and weapons given to me by Gale and Tangmen.
Yongqiu.
Later, I followed Master Zhang Xun to station in Suiyang, and there was no news about Gale from then on. I wonder what happened during the transportation?"
Huang Zhen said: "You asked about this in your last letter, and I sent someone to investigate. The disciples of the Minjiang Gang who transported the horses did not return to Shu County. There has been no news since they set off. If everything goes as expected, these people may be there
He was killed on the road. It is difficult to find the murderer among the rebels."
Bai Fu took a deep breath, his eyes cold.
Huang Zhen quickly changed his words, led Bai Fu into the secret room, and handed Bai Fu a box, which was full of dazzling jade jewelry.
Bai Fu frowned and looked at Huang Zhen doubtfully.
Huang Zhen smiled and said: "Brother is not that rich. This is what Gang Leader Jiang asked me to bring to you.
The gang leader said that you have made great achievements in recent battles, are showing off your talents, and are extremely favored, which is not a good thing. If you don't keep a low profile and bide your time, you will definitely be framed and hated by others.
The gang leader asks you to keep more money around you and take care of it, especially the concubines and eunuchs around the emperor! Only in this way can you turn danger into safety and achieve success smoothly.
In your name, I have sent two boxes of gold each to Concubine Zhang Shu and the leader of the chamberlain, Li Fuguo. They should not embarrass you for the time being.
But other officials and generals still need you to act according to the situation and deepen their friendship.
The gang leader asked me to tell you that those who achieve great things do not stick to trivial matters. Only by understanding everyone's private interests can they achieve great success in the world!"