Chapter six hundred and eighty first clan children
In the autumn wind today, there is a sick man in my hometown.
With little strength, I need to raise my stick, but my heart is with whom.
——Excerpt from "The Beginning of Disease" by Chen Shidao (Song Dynasty)
…
On this day, Bai Fu came to the Zuo Qianniu Guard camp to be on duty. He said he was on duty, but in fact he had nothing to do. On the daily affairs of Zuo Qianniu Guard, the soldiers only reported to another Zuo Qianniu Guard lieutenant general Li Jin, the Duke of Chu.
.
Bai Fu didn't take it seriously at all. He spread the map of the imperial city and palace city on the table and studied it with relish.
"Those who don't know the terrain are incapable of planning a war." Master Zhongsi's earnest teachings are still ringing in my ears.
Just when Bai Fu was concentrating, he heard a burst of noise outside the house.
A young general burst into the room in a hurry. This man had red lips and white teeth, handsome appearance, wearing a lotus leaf helmet and chainmail. He stood in the hall and looked dignified.
Bai Fu secretly praised: "What a great general."
The young general entered the room, gave a military salute, and introduced himself: "Li Xiang, I am General Qianniu Weilang of the Right. See General Bai."
"General Li, please take a seat." Bai Fu motioned to Li Xiang to sit down and ordered someone to bring herbal tea to relieve the heat.
Li Xiang was not polite, drank the herbal tea in one gulp, stared at Bai Fu with bright eyes and asked: "To be honest, I am very disappointed with General Bai?"
"Oh, how can I say this?" Bai Fu took a sip of tea, his expression unchanged.
"I heard that General Bai was training troops in Shaanzhou, and in just a few months, he trained Guo Wanxiangyong into an elite Tang army.
I thought that General Bai, in charge of the Zuo Qianniu Guard, would train the Qian Niu Guards to become the absolute elite among the Sixteenth Guards of the South Yamen. Even if they were to challenge the Sixth Army of the Northern Yamen alone, they would not fall behind and recreate the glory of the Qianniu Guards."
Li Xiang complained.
"Oh, why did General Li have such inappropriate expectations?" Bai Fu smiled slightly.
Li Xiang said proudly: "Because from the beginning of the founding of the Qianniu Guard, the goal has been to become the elite among the elite, the leader among the northern and southern imperial guards!
Most of the officers and soldiers of Qianniu Guard have been taught by famous teachers since childhood. After entering the Forbidden Army, they are screened at all levels before being selected into Qianniu Guard. It is not an exaggeration to say that one is selected from a hundred, but one is selected from a thousand.
Judging from General Bai’s tone, he seems to look down on our Qianniu Guards?”
Bai Fu put down the tea cup, his gaze unflinching, and said: "General Li, let me ask you, it is also a ferocious tiger. Do you think the domesticated tiger in the troupe jumping through the fire ring is more powerful, or the jungle tiger in the roaring forest?
?”
Li Xiang suddenly felt insulted. He jumped up like a fledgling hedgehog. He shook his fist at Bai Fu and shouted: "Although we are from a good family, it does not mean that we are a group of embroidered pillows? How dare you insult like this?"
We? If I spread your words, do you know the consequences?"
The corners of Bai Fu's mouth turned up slightly, and he asked, "Don't believe me? General Li, would you like to give it a try?"
"Let's compare, how can we compare?" Li Xiang said angrily.
Bai Fu pointed at the teenage soldier beside him who was serving tea and water, and said: "This is the country warrior I recruited in Shaanzhou. Do you dare to compete?"
Li Xiang thought he was going to compete with Bai Fu, but he didn't expect that he was going to fight Bai Fu's personal soldiers. He was furious and said: "Come on, give me two wooden swords. This general saved me from accidentally injuring this young man."
baby!"
"There is no need to change the sword. If General Li can hurt me, it is only because the general is not good at learning!" Bai Fu's personal soldier bowed and cupped his fists.
Bai Fu smiled slightly and did not comment.
"What an arrogant boy!"
Li Xiang was furious. He strode into the courtyard with three long strides, drew his sword and shouted: "Please!"
Bai Fu's personal soldiers were none other than Yue Suigong, the son of Yue Huzhu, a slingshot boy recruited from the mountains of Shaanzhou.
Yue Sui bowed his long sword, showed his hand gesture, and said: "General Li, please!"
Li Xiang rises into the air, his long sword dances with several sword flowers, and the sword moves through the clouds and flowing water, his movements are graceful and graceful.
As his name suggests, Yue Sui Gong's figure is like a bow. He brakes with stillness, and the tip of his sword trembles slightly, looking for Li Xiang's flaw.
"Be careful!"
Li Xiang flew over like a big bird, his sword pierced Yue Sui Gong's face, and the tip of the sword was less than three feet away from the tip of his nose.
Yue Sui Gong swept his right leg across, scooping up a piece of sand with his toes, and threw it directly into Li Xiang's eyes.
Li Xiang was blinded by the sand and dust, and his eyelids closed involuntarily. He opened his mouth and spit out the sand that fell into his mouth.
At this moment, Yue Sui moved his bow like a rabbit, and finally drew his sword. His movements were simple and neat, with just one word: "Quick!"
Before Li Xiang could open his eyes, he felt a flash of sword light, and his opponent's long sword stabbed his chest, breaking through two layers of armor.
Li Xiang was horrified!
The opponent defeated his famous sword move "Sunset Flowing Clouds" with just one move.
You must know that the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique is the secret of the Hidden Sword Villa in Zhongnan Mountain. Just by relying on this trick of "Sunset Flowing Clouds", Li Xiang defeated more than a dozen masters in Zuo Qianniu's army.
Li Xiang was dissatisfied and scolded: "What kind of rogue move is this?"
Bai Fu sneered and said: "On the battlefield, there is no distinction between noble and base moves. A swordsmanship that can kill people is a good swordsmanship."
Li Xiang said angrily: "The general is not convinced and wants to fight again!"
"Okay, follow the bow, and you will accompany General Li in two more moves." Bai Fu said calmly.
"No!" Yue Suigong responded, holding a sword.
The two stood face to face again, ten steps away from each other.
This time Li Xiang did not act rashly. He was ready to go. When his momentum reached its highest point, he "knocked on the crossbow."
Li Xiang took five quick steps, like an arrow that had been leaving the string. He walked with the sword, and the sword was released at will, turning into a long rainbow and slashing Yue Suigong's neck diagonally.
Yue Sui Gong was unmoved, holding swords in both hands, his eyes locked on Li Xiang's vitals. His upper body did not move, and his right foot suddenly stepped forward, like a tiger leaping. It was the same move, but this time with the help of the strength of his waist and abdomen,
Drawing a sword is faster.
Li Xiang felt a flash of cold light and a strong wind hitting his face, and thought to himself: "My life is at stake!"
Before Li Xiang had time to dodge, the tip of a long sword was already pressed against his neck. The sharp edge pierced his skin, leaving a drop of blood.
On the other hand, the sword in Li Xiang's hand was still three inches away from Yue Suigong's neck.
Just this short distance of three inches has already determined life and death.
If this was an actual battle, before Li Xiang's sword could hit Yue Suigong, Yue Suigong's long sword had already pierced Li Xiang's throat, killing him with one blow.
Defeat the enemy with one move!
Li Xiang was still in shock, and he asked with concern: "What kind of swordsmanship are you doing?"
Yue Sui Gong took a step back, sheathed his sword, and said calmly: "Sword Three".
Li Xiang was confused and continued to ask.
Yue Sui Gong said: "This is the sword technique created by General Bai. There are seven moves in total. This is the third move."
"Only seven moves?" Li Xiang asked in surprise.
Bai Fu smiled faintly and said: "The sword technique of killing people is more valuable than more expensive."
Li Xiang was thoughtful. He already understood the difference between a domesticated tiger and a jungle tiger.
However, Li Xiang was still unwilling to give in. After a moment of pause, he retorted: "This only shows that I am not good at learning, and it does not represent the overall level of Qianniu Guard. An excellent army does not entirely depend on the martial arts of its officers."
Bai Fu nodded and said: "I agree. Then what kind of army do you think is an excellent army?"
Li Xiang said proudly: "An excellent army should fight bravely, and everyone from the soldiers to the generals should not be afraid of death;
For an excellent army, the generals should have high tactical literacy and be able to command thousands of troops and horses like an arm and a finger;
An excellent army should have strict military discipline and be able to attract the enthusiastic support of the people wherever it goes..."
After finally waiting for Li Xiang to finish listing, Bai Fu looked at Yue Suigong and said, "Tell me, what makes a good army?"
Yue Suigong calmly replied: "An army that can defeat strong enemies and win battles continuously is considered an excellent army."
Li Xiang choked in his throat at these words, feeling like an idiot just now.
Bai Fu did not comment on which of the two was more reasonable.
He said to Li Xiang: "General Li just mentioned military discipline, can we verify this for Qianniu Guard?"
Li Xiang said: "Would you like to hear the details?"
Bai Fu's expression was as usual, his tone was deep and cold, and he said: "If we are in the Anxi army's tent now, I can drag you down and behead you just because you are filial to the lord!"
But here, as the Zhonglang General of Zuo Qianniu Guard, I have to argue with you orally about which army is the number one elite among the Northern and Southern Yamen Guards.
A team without military rules and discipline is at best a green forest force that dominates the mountains and forests. How can it compete with a blood-stained army that has fought hundreds of battles on the battlefield?"
Li Xiang's body trembled, and he knelt down on one knee, sincerely admitting his mistake, and said: "I am so eager to make meritorious deeds that I have offended the general's power. Please forgive me, general."
"General Li, get up quickly. If you have something to say, speak slowly." Bai Fu's face softened, and he stretched out his arm to gently lift Li Xiang up.
Li Xiang opened his chatterbox and explained the purpose of his coming here.
It turns out that this Li Xiang is also a member of the Li Tang clan and is the seventh son of King Rong Li Wan.
In the fourteenth year of Tianbao (755), Anlushan rebelled. Xuanzong appointed Rong Wang Li Wan as the marshal of the expedition, and the famous general Gao Xianzhi as the deputy marshal to conquer the rebels. Soon after, Li Wan passed away and presented it to Prince Jinggong.
Li Wan was known for his elegant reputation and elegant style. At that time, the civil and military officials had great hopes for Li Wan to put down the rebels. However, Li Wan suddenly passed away, which disappointed both the government and the public.
If Li Wan had not died, Gao Xianzhi would not have died unjustly. With the leadership abilities of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing, it should be easy to block the rebels in Tongguan.
Li Xiangben was good at both civil and military affairs. After his father's death, he decided to join the army.
However, due to his prominent status, the Ministry of War did not dare to send him to the front line to fight, and could only keep him in the Qianniu Guard to protect His Majesty.
After several years, apart from the beautiful appearance of the nail and stomach, no size has been achieved.
There are many young people from famous families like Li Xiang who are eager to make achievements in the Imperial Guard.
Bai Fu's mythical achievements have become a legend in the military world. Many young generals in the Imperial Guard worshiped Bai Fu.
Hearing that Bai Fu was transferred to Zuo Qianniu Guard as a general, Li Xiang and others were overjoyed and were willing to follow Bai Fu, transform from the imperial guard to the border army, imitate their ancestors, and achieve great military exploits.
However, after Bai Fu arrived, he did not take any vigorous and resolute actions to manage the army, which greatly disappointed young generals such as Li Xiang.
Recommended by a group of young generals, Li Xiang, as a representative, petitioned Bai Fu with gongs in front of him and drums opposite him.
…
Li Xiangdao: "General Bai, there are not a few young generals in the Qianniu Guard who think like me. Different from the noble families, we are all descendants of the clan, and we share the prosperity and loss of the Tang Dynasty.
Now that the Tang Dynasty is in dire straits, we have no ambition to serve the country, but no one leads us. If the general does not give up, we are willing to follow him, go through fire and water for the Tang Dynasty, and sacrifice our lives to serve the country!"