As the war in Hebei gradually ended, the battle in the south also came to an end. Two Tang armies, led by Qin Wang Li Shimin, attacked from both sides and defeated the 200,000 troops led by Xiao Mian in Nanjun. Xiao Miancang fled eastward in panic, claiming to have
The Xiliang Kingdom with an army of 400,000 troops collapsed at night.
The Tang army was overwhelming and occupied more than a dozen counties in Jingxiang, including Yiling, Nanjun, Handong, Anlu, Jingling, Siling, and Changsha. Xiao Mian retreated to Yuzhang County. At this time, he had less than 3,000 troops.
However, the 300 warships and nearly 50,000 naval troops led by General Lai Huer did not collapse, becoming Xiao Mian's last hope.
Although he should have worked hard to annihilate Xiao Xian, at this time, Li Shimin got the news that the war in Hebei was over. He resolutely ordered to stop attacking eastward, leaving only Li Xiaogong to lead 30,000 Shu troops and 80,000 elite surrender troops to guard Jingxiang.
The remaining 200,000 troops are gathering in Xiangyang and preparing to return to Guanzhong.
In Anlu County, an army of tens of thousands of people was marching westward along the official road. Among the troops, Li Xiaogong asked Li Shimin worriedly, "Aren't we unwise for not annihilating all Xiao Mian?"
Li Shimin smiled slightly, "Second brother, what do you think was the cause of Xiao Mian's defeat?"
Li Xiaogong thought for a while and said, "Two days ago, I talked about this matter with Gai Yanju, the general manager of Jiangzhou who surrendered. Gai Yanju said that there are two factions in Xiliang, one is the Nanhuahui faction, and the other is the generals faction.
The factions attacked each other and fought for power. The struggle was fierce. Xiao Mian favored the Nanhua Hui faction and continuously weakened the military power of the generals and factions, which led to general dissatisfaction among the generals. Last year, the great Sima Dong Jingzhen was killed in rebellion. Hundreds of people were killed by his colleagues, resulting in
The morale of the army was shattered, and I think this is the root cause of Xiao Mian's failure."
Li Shimin smiled and agreed with Li Xiaogong's judgment, "Xiao Mian was soft on the outside but tough on the inside. He was extremely suspicious, and was narrow-minded and intolerant of others. Even Wang Mo, who followed him in founding the Nanhua Society, was eventually forced to death by him.
What great things can be accomplished by someone who can only share adversity but not wealth? So I don't take him seriously. I only need to use some small tricks to divide him internally. Sooner or later, he will be destroyed by Lin Shihong."
Speaking of this, Li Shimin smiled bitterly again, "Then again, although Xiao Mian is extremely jealous, he is also extraordinary. Otherwise, he would not be able to restore the Xiao Liang Kingdom in a short period of time. Logically speaking,
I should annihilate them all to avoid future troubles, but after the war in Hebei is over, Yang Yuanqing will inevitably lead his army back to Hedong. The troops in Guanzhong are insufficient, so I must return as soon as possible, and the matter of Jingxiang will be left to you."
Li Xiaogong nodded silently. His top priority was not to continue to annihilate Xiao Xian, but to consolidate the Tang army's occupation of Jingxiang.
At this time, a soldier pointed to the distance and said: "Your Highness, Jingshan County has arrived!"
Li Shimin stared at the dark county town in the distance and ordered his personal guards to arrive: "Bring Li Jingping up!"
After a while, several soldiers brought up a captured official of the Western Liang Dynasty. It was Li Jing, the uncle of Yang Yuanqing and the young minister of Honglu Temple in the Western Liang Dynasty. After the Nanjun city was broken, he escaped from the city and prepared to go to Jiangxia County to find his son.
The eldest son was captured by Tang army scouts on the road.
Li Shimin was very interested in Li Jing. He turned out to be Yang Yuanqing's uncle. He wanted to take this person back to Chang'an. Although Li Jing was captured, he was still treated politely, well-dressed, well-fed and well-fed. He stepped forward and saluted.
"See His Highness the King of Qin!"
Li Shimin pointed to Jingshan County with a riding whip and said with a slight smile: "This is Li Shaoqing's hometown!"
Li Jing lowered his head, with a nervous look on his face. If he was going back to Xiangyang, he would definitely take a long detour by taking Jingshan County, but King Qin actually walked here. He obviously had his own purpose. Li Jing had already vaguely guessed what King Qin's purpose was.
What happened? He began to feel uneasy.
Li Shimin and Li Jing refused to answer, and did not force him. He ordered his soldiers: "Get me the Jingshan County Magistrate quickly."
After a moment, the Jingshan County Magistrate and several other county magistrates hurried over and bowed in front of Li Shimin's war horse, "Fan Zhongli, the humble Jingshan County Magistrate, comes to see His Highness the King of Qin!"
"Magistrate Fan is exempt from courtesy!"
Li Shimin asked in a gentle tone: "Do the soldiers of the Tang army have lax military discipline and violate the people?"
The Tang Army had a battalion of 300 soldiers stationed in Jingshan County. Although these soldiers were rude and ostentatious, and sometimes drank without paying, there were no serious cases of rape and crime. Fan Zhongli was still a little worried. Time
If it goes on for a long time, a big case will definitely happen.
He said respectfully: "There are no vicious cases happening yet!"
Li Shimin's face changed, and he whipped Yao Shun, the captain of Anlu County, with his backhand, and scolded: "What did I tell you? Jingshan County is unusual. Military discipline must be strict. If the captain is not strict in running the army, give me a heavy beating - a hundred
Stick, replace me immediately."
Captain Yao Shun was so frightened that he was sweating profusely and ran to mobilize troops and replace them. County magistrate Fan Zhongli was grateful and said quickly: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness!"
Li Shimin smiled lightly and asked him again, "Where is the mausoleum of the Queen Mother of Chu? I want to see it."
Next to him, Li Jing's face suddenly turned pale. King Qin came to Jingshan County for the mausoleum of Yang Yuanqing's mother. County magistrate Fan Zhongli was also a little uneasy. He was afraid that King Qin would destroy the mausoleum and he would not be able to explain to Fu Chao in the future.
But he didn't dare not agree, so he had to take Li Shimin to the Mausoleum of the Queen Mother of Chu a few miles away. From a distance, he saw a magnificent cemetery, covering an area of 100 acres and surrounded by high walls.
There are dense woods in the mausoleum. On both sides of a white jade avenue stand twelve giant statues of civil and military figures, as well as stone statues of war horses and camels. Directly above is a hemispherical white jade dome mausoleum.
The entire mausoleum was built according to the specifications of the Empress Dowager. At this time, the mausoleum had been closed, and the soldiers Xiao Mian originally sent to station here had also fled. The entire mausoleum was deserted, except for an old man who was watching the mausoleum.
Li Shimin stared at the mausoleum for a long time and immediately ordered: "Open the door!"
At this time, Li Jing couldn't bear it anymore and stepped forward and begged: "Your Highness, I heard that those who uphold morality will not disturb their ancestors. Although the Sui and Tang Dynasties were enemy countries, they have nothing to do with our ancestors. Please let the mausoleum go!"
Li Shimin looked at him strangely. After a while, he shook his head and said, "So Li Shaoqing thought I was here to destroy the tomb. Who do you think I, Li Shimin, am?"
He snorted loudly, ignored Li Jing, and strode towards the cemetery. Li Jing was stunned for a moment. Did he misunderstand?
Li Shimin walked up to the mausoleum and came to the dome tomb. In front of it was a tombstone five feet high, with several large characters written on it: 'The tomb of his deceased mother Li...' Below there were small characters, 'My son Yang Yuanqing was established' for the fourth year of Renshou.
The ninth day of October,.
Li Shimin stared at it for a long time, then turned around and ordered to his soldiers: "Place the sacrifices!"
More than a dozen soldiers put out the sacrifices they had prepared. Li Shimin took the three sticks of incense and bowed respectfully and performed three salutes. Li Xiaogong also performed three salutes. Li Shimin then said to Li Jing: "Although Yang Yuanqing is my
He is an enemy, but he was not in the past. I came to worship his deceased mother because of old friendship, but this does not mean anything. In the future, it will be the same life and death on the battlefield."
Li Shimin also ordered Magistrate Fan, "From now on, half of the annual taxes in Jingshan County will be used to maintain the mausoleum. Jingshan County must take good care of the mausoleum."
"In this humble position, please remember His Highness's words!"
Li Shimin glanced at the entourage again, "Is General Yao here?"
Captain Yao Shun quickly came out from behind and said, "The general is here!"
Li Shimin ordered him: "Another group of soldiers can be sent to guard the mausoleum. No one is allowed to enter without Magistrate Fan's consent."
"I will obey my orders!"
Li Shimin made arrangements. Seeing that it was getting late, he smiled at Li Xiaogong and said, "That's it! The second brother will stay to guard Jingxiang and defend Xiao Xian and Lin Shihong, and I will return to Chang'an."
Li Xiaogong patted his shoulder and said, "Take care!"
Li Shimin got on his horse, urged his horses, and led thousands of people to gallop toward the northwest.
...Yuzhang County, this was originally Lin Shihong's territory. In a fierce battle more than a month ago, Xiao Mian's army won a great victory and wiped out tens of thousands of enemies. Lin Shihong led the remaining army to retreat eastward to Poyang County.
But the joy in Xiao Mian's heart has not faded. Two hundred thousand Tang troops divided into two groups and attacked Jingxiang like lightning. They covered hundreds of miles in a day and surrounded Jiangling City a few days later. Xiao Mian led his army to fight in panic, but was defeated.
The Tang army was waiting for work, and defeated his 200,000-strong army in a single battle at the foot of Jiangling City.
Xiao Mian led three thousand remnants of his army and fled to Yuzhang City on the east side of the road, where he finally recovered from his shock.
Nearly half a month has passed since the defeat of Jiangling, and Xiao Mian has gradually recovered from his extreme depression. He began to think about his future.
Although this tragic defeat almost uprooted his foundation, he still had some residual strength. The 50,000 navy troops led by Lai Huer did not participate in the war and thus survived. At this time, more than a thousand large ships were parked in the Ganjiang River.
In addition, he also gathered nearly 20,000 Nanhua Hui soldiers, so he still had 70,000 troops. The fertile land on both sides of the Gan River and Poyang Lake was enough to feed these troops.
What makes Xiao Xian even more fortunate is that the Tang army did not pursue Yuzhang County, giving him a chance to breathe.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Li Shimin had to withdraw because the war in Hebei ended and the Tang army was worried about losses in Guanzhong."
The person who spoke was Cen Wenwen, Xiao Mian's deputy secretary. He was only twenty-four years old this year. He was young and promising. He was in charge of the secrets of the Western Liang Dynasty and was deeply trusted by Xiao Mian. It was his repeated encouragement that allowed Xiao Mian to slowly recover from failure.
Come out of the shadows.
Xiao Mian is only thirty-six years old this year, and her face is still strong and mature, but her hair has turned gray, giving her a childlike look. Xiao Mian stood in front of the window, staring at the Gan River in the distance and the thousands of masts on the Gan River.
Thousands of thoughts.
He sighed, "I was originally resentful that the Sui Dynasty failed to support me, but now it seems that the Tang army seized the opportunity of the Sui army to attack Hebei. I only complained that I was too weak and was defeated by Li Shimin in a battle. If I continue
If we can persist for half a month, maybe the situation will be different."
"His Majesty……"
As soon as Cen Wenwen opened his mouth, Xiao Xian interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "From now on, I have decided to surrender to the Sui Dynasty, remove the imperial title, and consider myself the Duke of Liang. Please don't call me your majesty anymore."
"Yes! The meaning of the humble position is that the lord can develop eastward, destroy Lin Shihong, gather his army, and try to make a comeback. In order to ensure the supply of military food, Yichun County and Luling County can be taken first, and the army can reach Nanping from the Ganjiang River with overwhelming force."
Xiao Mian walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and said to Cen Wenwen: "The most urgent task now is to obtain the political support of the Sui Dynasty. I would like to ask you to go to Taiyuan and have a good talk with Yang Yuanqing.