Chapter five hundred and fortieth six undercurrents surging
The child's golden basin sheds the ice at dawn, and the colored silk threads are used as silver ceremonials.
The sound of a jade chime made its way through the forest, and suddenly there was the sound of shattering glass.
——"Children Making Ice" Yang Wanli (Song Dynasty)
…
The tragic defeat in Yecheng made Bai Fu wake up from his confusion. Now is not the time to indulge in the emotional whirlpool. Not worrying about separation is a luxury for Bai Fu who is burdened with heavy burdens.
Taifu once said: "The reason why a person becomes the final person is often not his own choice, but forced by the situation."
The light suddenly appeared in Bai Fu's eyes, reappearing the look of perseverance.
Huang Zhen and Tang Kui were overjoyed to see Bai Fu in high spirits after finishing his seclusion. They discussed the recent situation in detail.
After the rebellion, the haze of war in the sky of the Tang Dynasty lingered for a long time.
It has to be said that the Battle of Yecheng made waves rise again. It was like a ball of ashes that had been extinguished, but was blown away by a gust of wind and burned fiercely. What is even more terrifying is that the ashes rekindled and turned into fire, covering the sky and the earth.
This time the Tang army was defeated and took advantage of the chaos to harass the people, turning the Central Plains into scorched earth again. Wherever the rebels went, they burned, killed, and looted, which was even worse than the rebels in Anlu Mountain. The counties and counties they passed, the people
Unspeakable suffering.
After the rebellion, thousands of miles of red land were covered with bones, and the plague was raging. Spring farming was destroyed, accumulated grain was robbed, people's livelihood was withered, and food was scarce. The people could not afford to raise their children, so they had to sell their sons and daughters. In some places, the famine was serious, and the people even changed their sons.
And the food is terrible...
The common people can still understand the ambition of An Lushan's wolf, leading his cavalry to cause chaos in the world. But now, those who plunder the common people are the people of the Tang Dynasty, soldiers who are the children of the villagers. The military supplies and food are provided by the common people through frugality and taxes.
During the Wuzhou Dynasty, although the royal family of Li Tang was brutally massacred and courtiers loyal to Li Tang were imprisoned by cruel officials, the court never brought trouble to the people. The people were stable, people were farming, and the livelihood of merchants was never damaged or severely damaged.
Many local wealthy families who originally supported the Li Tang court also complained.
The noble families in Hedong and powerful people in the Jianghuai area no longer actively donated money to the Li Tang court. Instead, they used the saved money and food to build large-scale forts and forts. They paid heavily to hire heroes from the rivers and lakes, recruited strong local warriors, and built private armies.
In addition to the local wealthy families, even the Jianghu gangs that had been assisting the Tang army stood aside and no longer interfered with the counter-insurgency.
There is a strange atmosphere among the people.
Especially during the Battle of Yecheng, the "magic eye" that appeared in the sky over the battlefield heralded an ominous omen. It spread to ten people and hundreds of people, making the people panic all day long.
The doomsday catastrophe, the savior comes to earth... Prophecies are everywhere. Religions such as Maitreya, Five Pecks of Rice, Manichaeism, etc. take the opportunity to make a comeback. They use spells and sacrifices and other methods to cure people's diseases, eliminate disasters and solve problems, so as to preach scriptures, recruit a wide range of followers, and develop their strength.
,Expansion effect.
For a time, there were tens of thousands of folk believers, and there was a big sign that things were changing.
If there is something wrong, it must be something wrong with Li Tangchaotang: treacherous ministers are in power, generals are disobedient, or the Li family has run out of strength...
In the Li Tang court, the people's support gradually lost.
…
Bai Fu asked: "On New Year's Eve, what about the Maitreya believers we arrested?"
Tang Kui said: "The one who was injured by your roar was a Dharma King of the Maitreya Sect. After he was caught, no matter how tortured he was, he didn't say a word. The forces behind him are still hidden underground. Lord Fang Shuliu is still investigating.
By the way, Mr. Fang said, this person’s martial arts comes from Shaolin.
When the rebellion was suppressed, Shaolin disciples joined the Tang army one after another and fought to the death with the rebels. When An Lushan invaded Luoyang, in order to avenge this, Shaolin was razed to the ground. Many Shaolin disciples died from the enemy. After the liberation of Luoyang, the imperial court intended to rebuild Shaolin.
, but firstly, the funds were insufficient, and secondly, there were very few Shaolin disciples left, and there was no trace.
Therefore, no clues about this person can be found from Shaolin.
Brother Fu, didn’t you spend some time in Shaolin? Master Fang asked if you have any clues?”
After saying that, he handed several scrolls of captured portraits of Maitreya believers to Bai Fu.
Bai Fu read the scrolls one by one, shook his head and said, "I have never seen these faces in Shaolin Temple. In other words, there are many Shaolin disciples, so I may have seen them, but I can't remember them."
After saying this, Bai Fu had a thought in his mind and said: "I remember that on that day, the imperial court issued an imperial edict, ordering the temple supervisor Elder Kongjing to return to secular life and sent him to Fan Yangjun as supervisor.
In addition, Master Zhaohuan, the first disciple of Abbot Kongjian, was appointed as the General of the Qinxunyi Guard Yulin Zhonglang, and the Shaolin Iron-Blooded Young Monks formed by him were transferred out of Shaolin and incorporated into the Forbidden Army, under his command and under the supervision of General Longwu of the Forbidden Army Chen
Xuanli moderation.
You ask Mr. Fang to check and see where these people are now? Maybe we can find some clues." Gu
Tang Kui frowned and said: "Isn't General Longwu Chen Xuanli the general who launched the Maweipo Mutiny? Is it possible that the Shaolin Iron-Blooded Young Monks also participated in the Maweipo Mutiny?"
Bai Fu recalled for a moment and said: "On the day of the Maweipo mutiny, I was also nearby. But it was dark in the middle of the night, and the people and horses were noisy and chaotic. It was hard to see clearly. I didn't see the Forbidden Army soldiers performing Shaolin martial arts. By the way, that General Chen Xuanli is now
where?"
…
Chen Xuanli is currently in Xingqing Palace.
Xuanzong was pacing back and forth in the Ziyun Hall of Xingqing Palace with his hands behind his back. Long Yan was furious.
Xuanzong yelled at Gao Lishi: "The nine military governors have been besieging the city for half a year, but they can't capture a small Yecheng city? Are these the nine military governors? These are the nine great losers! The nine great idiots!"
An army of 600,000, with several years of supplies and supplies, was wiped out overnight!
The counter-insurgency war launched with all the strength of the country was defeated in such a useless way. Is he worthy of sitting on this dragon throne? Is he worthy of the ancestors of the Li family!"
Gao Lishi knelt on the ground, not daring to speak directly.
After his emotions calmed down, Xuanzong ordered Gao Lishi to find Chen Xuanli.
Xuanzong said: "Xuanli, you have followed me for many years, so you naturally know my true intentions. I originally wanted to spend my old age in peace, enjoy having children and grandchildren, stop worrying about state affairs, be a carefree and comfortable Supreme Emperor, and enjoy peace.
However, the current situation is treacherous and the storm is rising again. Heng'er has misled the country. If this continues, the entire Li family will be destroyed in his hands.
What you mentioned to me before can now be implemented step by step. Tell them that as long as they are loyal to me, after the completion of the matter, they will be granted the title of marquis, prime minister, wife and son, and they will be prosperous and wealthy.
And you, I will not treat you badly, I will make you a king with a different surname, and your family will be prosperous."
Chen Xuanli hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude and cried: "I am deeply worried about the incident in Maweipo. I can't sleep at night and I still can't let it go. Your Majesty does not blame me. I am already bursting with gratitude. How can I dare to ask for favors again?"
No matter how dangerous the road ahead is, I will never hesitate to die in order to repay your kindness."
"Ai Qing, get up quickly!" Xuanzong personally helped Chen Xuanli up and comforted him.
Immediately, Xuanzong's tone turned cold and said: "I never blamed you for the Maweipo Rebellion. If you hadn't moved the disaster eastward, it wouldn't have been just the Yang family who died...
I have already found out who is inciting the soldiers to mutiny and who is behind the scenes. I just don't want to pursue it.
Let the past matter go by.
Today, the Tang Dynasty is facing the greatest crisis since its founding. When life and death are at stake, how can I survive alone?
I am an old man who has great ambitions for thousands of miles. I am the emperor of the ages, and I must save the situation from danger!"
…
After the defeat of Yecheng, the world was exhausted, and the Jianghu gangs stood by and watched. Only the Sichuan Gang and the Tang Sect were still preparing for the war.
Tang Kui said: "By the way, your soldier's armor has been made, and the master has sent his special envoy to escort it over secretly. Please try it quickly."
Before he finished speaking, two disciples from the Tang Sect had already escorted the armor over.
Tang Kui said: "The leader said that this set of armor is made of your bow staff, the 'Moon Hook'. The 'Moon Hook' is made of meteorite iron from the sky and is made of extraordinary material. The armor made of it can be called a peerless treasure."
Bai Fu was overjoyed and put on his armor. After putting it on, Bai Fu transformed into an armored soldier, wielding a sword and riding a horse, looking majestic.
On the surface, this set of armor is no different from the Mingguang Armor worn by the Tang Army. But when worn on the body, it is obviously much lighter than the ordinary Mingguang Armor, weighing only 30% of the ordinary Mingguang Armor. The upper body of the armor does not affect the strategy at all.
Horse slashing, riding shooting and assassination. Even fighting on the ground and performing light kung fu will not be affected.
The soldier's armor is neither gold nor wood, and the outer layer is extremely hard. Even if a Mo Dao or a sword cuts it, not even a trace will be left.
What's even more amazing is that when the armor encounters Bai Fu's body-protecting energy, it becomes extremely elastic and flexible, just like a living thing. When heavy weapons such as broad hammers, giant axes, copper maces, and iron whips are hit, the armor will be slightly dented.
, and then rebound, dissolving the attack force through elasticity, which can better protect the person wearing the armor.
This warrior armor is expensive to make, and was made with all the efforts of the Tang Sect. The armor is strong and sturdy, and is equipped with countless mechanisms from head to toe. It can store all the latest hidden weapons developed by the Tang Sect, like a super weapon platform.
.
Bai Xia couldn't put it down. He stroked the soldier's armor and said with a smile: "Old friend, we meet again. But this time you are not accompanying me to win the polo championship, but going into battle to kill the enemy.
With you by your side, I can enter and exit uninhabited territory among thousands of troops!"