Original title: In the Yellow River, a fleet of thirty large ships is sailing eastward at high speed along the north bank of the Yellow River. The sails are raised and the northwest wind is strong, making the ships sail like flying. Gradually, the mountains on the north bank are thrown to the ground.
behind
"Report to the prince, Hebei County is ahead."
On the second large ship, Yang Yuanqing stood on the side of the ship and looked at the rolling mountains. Next to him was the helmsman of the ship, named Qian, an old boatman in his fifties who had been sailing on the Yellow River for forty years.
His skin is dark and his face is as deep as an orange peel, with ridges and grooves all over it, covered with the vicissitudes of time.
Yang Yuanqing looked in the direction of his finger and saw a large pass in the northeast. A city was built in the pass. That was Hebei County. A few months ago, Li Shimin's army withdrew from here to the south bank. At this moment
Hundreds of large and small boats have been moored along the Yellow River close to Hebei County. These are ferries recruited from various places and can transport tens of thousands of soldiers at a time.
Yang Yuanqing came over from Fenglingdu. On the other side of Fenglingdu, Li Jing led an army of 20,000 people who were ready to cross the river. Yang Yuanqing, on the other hand, led more than 20,000 troops to station in the Jundukou area of Hebei Province. They were in no hurry to launch an attack on the other side of the Yellow River.
offensive, but waiting for the opportunity.
In fact, Yang Yuanqing was not very willing to go south to fight the Tang army in a bloody battle. His army needed to rest and reorganize, and attacking Hongnong County was not in line with his strategic plan. He just wanted to force Li Yuan back to Guanzhong, and then support Wang Shichong's force.
He can then look for opportunities to launch an offensive against Hebei.
It was already early October, and the weather began to get very cold. Yang Yuanqing looked at the roaring water of the Yellow River and asked the boatman boss, "When is the normal freezing period of the Yellow River?"
"It's usually in mid-November. It's still early now, but it will be at least a month and a half later. By then, the Yellow River will be solidly frozen, and you can walk directly to the other side without sailing."
Yang Yuanqing nodded. It was still a month and a half away. It was indeed still early. At this time, the fleet began to slow down and slowly sailed towards the Hebei County pier. A small boat was approaching. A soldier on the boat shouted: "Is the general manager on board?"
A soldier pointed at the second ship, and the small boat came up. It approached the side of the ship. A messenger reported anxiously: "Report to the supervisor, the soldiers on patrol have just intercepted two large ships loaded with kerosene in the Yellow River."
Yang Yuanqing was slightly surprised by this news. What happened? A ship full of kerosene was actually seized on the Yellow River. Where did the kerosene come from and who was it being transported to? He immediately asked: "Where is the ship carrying kerosene?
where?"
"Right next to the pier, there are those two big ships!"
Yang Yuanqing looked in the direction of the soldiers' fingers. He saw two large ships parked on the dock, and the ships were filled with fully armed soldiers. Yang Yuanqing immediately ordered the ship's boss Dao Dao: "Get close to those two large ships!"
The boss of the ship adjusted its direction, and the ship Yang Yuanqing was on slowly approached the two intercepted cargo ships. These were two thousand-stone cargo ships, which were very common on the Yellow River. The boatman and ship owner had been arrested, and the cargo of the ship was controlled by the Sui army. Yang Yuanqing
Jumped on the big ship. Immediately, a captain came forward and knelt down on one knee to report, "Report to the supervisor, we found that these two ships were each loaded with 500 barrels of kerosene."
"Have you been interrogated? Where did this kerosene come from and who should it be transported to?" Yang Yuanqing asked with a stern face. Kerosene is an extremely important military strategic resource. The oil wells in Yan'an County are guarded by special soldiers. He couldn't figure out the Yellow River.
There are actually ships transporting kerosene.
"Report to the manager. We have already interrogated the two ships. They both set out from Nuxiang County near Tongguan. They want to enter the Yongji Canal to transport the kerosene to Youzhou. We have interrogated the boatmen. They don't know where the kerosene comes from.
Where did it come from? When we arrested them, several soldiers of the Tang Army resisted and were killed. This means that these kerosene are supplies of the Tang Army."
Without saying a word, Yang Yuanqing walked into the warehouse. The warehouse was lined with dense wooden barrels. Several soldiers were counting the supplies. The warehouse was filled with the smell of kerosene. Kerosene, also known as petroleum, flows out of the well.
After settling in a special grease pool for several days, relatively light oil can be obtained, which is suitable for burning.
In fact, Yang Yuanqing knew in his heart that Gao Dehong, the son of Gao Jun, once served as an official in Shu. He told himself that there were also kerosene wells in Shuzhou, which were as black as pulp and inexhaustible. The local villagers used them for lighting and for treating diseases.
Everyone in the court knew that you had defeated the Turks several times. Could it be that Li Yuan and the others would not have thought of it?
In fact, not only Li Yuan, but all the forces are looking for kerosene wells everywhere. The difference is that they can find it and cannot find it. For example, Dou Jiande confessed after surrendering his troops. Dou Jiande was also looking for kerosene wells everywhere, but he could never find it.
When Li Jiancheng captured Yan'an County a few months ago, they did not send heavy troops to protect Yan'an County's coal oil wells. Pei Xingyan took them back easily. At that time, Yang Yuanqing vaguely guessed that the reason why Li Jiancheng did not value the coal oil wells was because he had
One explanation is that they have already mastered the kerosene resources, which should be in Shu.
Today, the two ships confirmed his suspicion. The Tang army indeed had kerosene. It was obvious that Li Yuan wanted to transport the kerosene to Youzhou Luo Yi to resist his attack on Youzhou.
"Bring the owner up!"
Soon, the soldiers caught a middle-aged man on board the ship. He was the owner of the two ships. He heard that the items transported were military contraband. He was so frightened that his legs became weak. He knelt down and kowtowed, "
General, please forgive me, we are just civilian ships, hired by them, we only transport cargo, we don’t know anything else!"
"Let me ask you, have you ever transported something like this to Youzhou before?" Yang Yuanqing looked at him and asked.
The shipowner hurriedly shook his head, "There are more than fifty ships in Enxiang County, and everyone knows each other. Our ship was the first to be requisitioned by them. We don't know if there will be more ships after that, but there must have been none before."
Yang Yuanqing felt relieved and asked again: "How do you get to Youzhou? I'm asking you where to enter the Yongji Canal?"
"Reporting back to the general, the inspections on the Jijun side of the Yongji Canal via the Qishui River are very strict. Every ship must be checked. We never dare to go that way. We usually enter the Yongji Canal from Wen County in Hanoi County, and then
Just go straight north."
Yang Yuanqing nodded. He didn't need to ask any more questions. The Tang army would definitely not only transport two ships of kerosene to Youzhou. There would definitely be more later, not only kerosene, but also other military supplies. He immediately
He ordered the soldiers around him: "Immediately rush to Hanoi County to find General Xu. Tell him that it is my order and order him to strictly check every ship heading north. No one can be spared."
The soldiers agreed and immediately went ashore to Hanoi County. Yang Yuanqing felt very lucky. Fortunately, he intercepted the two ships today, otherwise he would face the opponent's kerosene attack when he fought with Luo Yi in the future.
Yang Yuanqing approvingly said to the patrol captain: "This time you intercepted successfully, each of you will be rewarded with a hundred coins, and you will be credited with first-class merit!"
The captain was overjoyed that he would be promoted to the next level after two first-class merits. He knelt down on one knee to thank him and said, "Thank you, manager, for the reward!"
The captain's face turned pale with fright. It turned out that this general was the legendary Yang Yuanqing. He kowtowed and begged for mercy, "Mr. Yang, please spare my life! I don't dare to carry goods for them anymore."
Yang Yuanqing immediately ordered the captain: "Unload the kerosene and requisition these two ships on the spot. Let them make atonement for their crimes!"
Although Yang Yuanqing expected that Li Yuan also possessed kerosene, he still felt a little emotional. A kerosene incident made him realize the rapid spread of military technology in war. Like kerosene, once it exerted its power in war
, then all forces will be eager to look for it; and the sand table, he heard that Wang Shichong has also begun to use it, then Li Yuan's army will definitely appear.
Another example is the medical soldier plan established in Hanoi County, which can greatly reduce the deaths of soldiers. In the near future, female medical soldiers will also appear in other forces. These are inevitable. The key lies in the combat effectiveness of the soldiers and the generals.
The ability to command, as well as hard power such as financial and food support, transportation capabilities, and abundant soldiers are the guarantee for winning the war.
Sooner or later, kerosene will be widely used in wars by various forces, which is what Yang Yuanqing expected. Kerosene is only a resource weapon, and it is not a secret. Li Gui used kerosene to fight Xue Ju.
But he also has a real ace unit, his Mo Dao Heavy Armor Army, which is a trump card that is difficult for others to learn. The refining of heavy armor and the creation of new Mo Dao are his top-secret technologies. He must not let them
Anyone can learn.
Yang Yuanqing's Marching Marshal's Mansion is located in the county seat of Hebei County. It was temporarily changed from the county government office. As soon as he walked to the door of the government office, a soldier came forward to report, "To the general manager, the former Governor Yang has returned and is waiting in the military government office."
.”
"Master Yang?" Yang Yuanqing was slightly startled.
"It's him!"
Yang Yuanqing was overjoyed that Yang Shidao was back. This news immediately wiped away the unhappiness caused by the kerosene incident. He got off his horse and walked quickly to the military office. As soon as he entered the door, he was about to meet Yang Shidao.
Yang Shidao also saw Yang Yuanqing. The expression in his eyes was a bit complicated, with a sense of embarrassment about returning, but also uneasiness and expectations for the future.
He hurriedly stepped forward and saluted, "Master, see His Highness the King of Chu!"
Yang Yuanqing quickly supported him, punched him lightly on the shoulder and said with a smile: "If you come back this time, if you want to escape again, there will be no way."
There was a warmth in Yang Shidao's heart. Yang Yuanqing did not become cold because of his departure in the past few years. It was as if he left just yesterday. He couldn't hold back the joy in his heart and smiled: "When I left,
You once said that if one day I want to find another way out, I will come to Wuyuan County. The position of prefect is still reserved for me. I can come and take up the post at any time, so I came back this time and continue to be my Wuyuan County.
County Governor."
Yang Yuanqing patted his shoulder and shook his head, "You don't have to go to Wuyuan County. I have a better seat for you. Come with me."
Yang Yuanqing turned and walked to the official room, and Yang Shidao also followed in. The two sat down, and Yang Yuanqing ordered his soldiers to serve tea again, and then asked him frankly, "When you come this time, are you going to defect to me, Yang Yuanqing, or to Yang You?"
"
This is an extremely important issue, and Yang Yuanqing must make ugly remarks in front of him, because Yang Shidao's identity is different from ordinary people. If he handles it well, he can become his biggest helper in the future, but if he handles it poorly, he will also become his own resistance.
His attitude on key issues cannot be ambiguous.
Yang Shidao smiled slightly and said, "Do you think I should come to you first, or should I go directly to Taiyuan to find Yang You?"
Yang Yuanqing couldn't help but laugh. He just wanted to speak clearly. In fact, he also knew in his heart that with Yang Shidao's wisdom, it was impossible for him to help Yang You. Even though he was a member of the royal family, he would look forward and not
To miss an old dynasty.
"Okay! First tell me about the situation in Luoyang."