Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

In Liangyi Palace, when Li Yuan, Li Shimin, Li Shan, and several prime ministers all looked ugly, continuous battle reports came in one after another.

The war situation in Hedong has been at a stalemate for half a month. It has snowed even in Jingzhao. The Turks are almost retreating. However, unexpectedly, although Liu Hongji is still stationed in Huoyi, the situation in Bingzhou has taken a turn for the worse.

Perhaps because they felt that the Turks were about to retreat, on October 13, the Hebei Tang Army, which led troops into Bingzhou from the well path, attacked rashly. As a result, they were defeated by the Turks thirty miles north of Yuci County, the important town of Bingzhou.

Sang Xianhe, the governor of Yizhou, and Wang Xujun, the governor of Jizhou, were killed in battle. Six thousand Tang troops were defeated, and Qi Shanxing, the governor of Zhaozhou, only escaped with his life.

Among the three, Sang Xianhe was a former Sui general who had no obvious factional affiliation. Although Qi Shanxing was an important minister under Dou Jiande in his early years, he served as an official of Tiance Mansion after entering the Tang Dynasty and was a direct descendant of Li Shimin.

In his early years, Wang Xu was the order of Chang'an, Li Qianyou's predecessor. In the fourth year of Wude, Wang Xu led the soldiers of Jingzhao Mansion to accompany Li Shimin on Liu Heita's expedition. After the great victory in Luoshui, he became the general manager of Jizhou.

This is the content of the first battle report. Li Shan cursed a few words in his heart... The commander-in-chief Qi Shanxing is the King of Huaiyang again!

We must send troops when we shouldn’t send troops!

Can't you just watch the Turks return north?

Just after Li Shan took the initiative to ask Ying to lead the troops on the expedition, the second battle report came.

On October 14, the Turks captured Shouyang County, which was short of major generals. Zhang Qianxiong, who had previously been stationed in Shouyang County as a military official in the Bingzhou Governor's Office, was captured and his life and death were unknown.

The Tang army in Hebei could not stand and suffered continuous defeats. Qi Shanxing led his army to retreat eastward, abandoned the defense of Pingding, and retreated all the way to Jingjing Pass.

Li Shan's face darkened. Although Zhang Qianxiong and he were not masked, they exchanged more than one or two letters because he was Zhang Wenguan's father.

Shouyang County was captured, and Zhang Qianxiong's life and death were unknown. What about Zhang Wenguan?

Li Shanqing couldn't help but gnashed her teeth. Two months ago, after the mutiny in Renzhi Palace, she felt that a storm was coming, so she insisted on sending Zhang Wenguan to Bingzhou.

Zhang Wenguan has not yet become an official, so he is most likely to stay with his father Zhang Qianxiong.

The third battle report came immediately, and Qi County, located at the junction of Fenzhou and Bingzhou, was captured. The most important branch of the Taiyuan Wang family was the Qi County Wang family, and the famous Taiyuan Wen family was also in Qi County.

The Bingzhou Army stationed in Jinyang wanted to send troops to rescue, but Huaiyang King Li Daoxuan was blocked by the Turks at Dongwoyi Station and had to retreat after half a day of fierce fighting.

The fourth battle report was finally sent... Li Shan looked at Li Shimin speechlessly. This battle report was actually a memorial. Jiang Guogong, the deputy marshal of the Hedong Road March, Qu Tutong was seriously ill.

Now the only prime ministers and assistants in Liangyi Hall are Xiao Yu, Zheng Shanguo and Dou Gui who returned to Chang'an yesterday. Ling Jing, Chen Shuda and Fang Xuanling are all still in the army.

"Send troops immediately." Xiao Yu looked anxious, "Even if the Turks return north due to the weather, if there is no famous general to lead the troops, I am afraid there will be unforeseen disasters."

Li Yuan glanced at Li Shan and said, "Huairen was appointed as the marshal of the Hebei march, with Su Dingfang as the deputy general, and Wen Yanbo, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as the long history."

"I accept your order." Li Shan saluted with a gloomy face and responded.

Tuli Khan also played such a trick before he was about to retreat. In addition to defeating the Tang army, he also attacked Shouyang and Qixian. Bingzhou was severely damaged this time.

"Li Huairen will allocate troops from Hedong Road and Hebei Road." Li Yuan paused and looked sideways at Li Shimin, "I'm afraid we will have to mobilize troops from Jingzhao."

Li Shimin nodded, this is as it should be, because tens of thousands of Hu cavalry were on the way to Jingzhao. Li Yuan twice transferred a total of nearly 20,000 troops from Hedong. Basically, the most important cavalry were transferred back. Now Qu Tutong is in Jiangzhou. It has less than 20,000 troops.

Even including Liu Hongji of Huoyi, the Tang army did not have more than 30,000 troops. Most of the troops in Bingzhou and other places were stuck in the city, unable to gather into an army, and had no motive power.

The most important thing is that basically all the generals under Li Shimin have been transferred back to Jingzhao, and they must be transferred from Jingzhao.

There was some silence in the palace for a while. The reason was very simple. Troops were mobilized from Jingzhao... and the Tang army in Jingzhao was now besieging Dubu Khan!

Once the troops are mobilized, Nadubu Khan is likely to break out of the siege... Li Jing refused to talk in front of the battle, and the news had already been sent back to Chang'an, with Li Yuan's tacit approval.

It’s not that he’s afraid of Li Jing’s resentment, it’s just that everyone can see what Li Yuan is thinking... But Li Shan, who already had a grudge against Li Jing, doesn’t care, “Your Majesty, the Turks are plundering Bingzhou, and I’m leading troops to the east of Hedong. I’m afraid of chasing him. If you can’t make it, please call in the cavalry.”

Li Yuan nodded, this was a reasonable request... If it was an infantry, by the time they arrived at Bingzhou, Tuli Khan might have returned to Wuyuan County, and he would still have time to try to see if he could break through. Mayi is a land of depleted food.

Of course, Li Yuan also heard the implication of Li Shan's words... If the cavalry is transferred, it is possible for Nadubu Khan to break out of the encirclement. If the infantry cannot catch up, Li Jing will not be able to gain this military exploit.

But if the cavalry is not transferred, Tuli Khan returns to Wuyuan County, and when he hears that Dubu Khan has been captured and killed... he will definitely be so happy that he dances for joy, and maybe even shouts, Wei Si Wang Guo For brothers!

Therefore, Chai Shao and Li Jing could not be openly let go. They could only reduce the possibility of Li Jing destroying the Turks by deploying generals and cavalry and increase the success rate of Dubu Khan's breakout.

Li Shan felt a little uneasy. Dubu Khan had nearly 10,000 troops and also carried food. He would not be defeated and die in the next two days, or would he simply kneel down and beg for surrender?

Brother She'er, don't let me down!

Li Yuan naturally thought of what Li Shan was thinking, and after a while he uttered one word, "Yes."

Li Shimin added: "Huairen doesn't need to be shy. He should use the old department so that he can do what his arm can do."

"Yes, that's what I meant by taking Duke Zhao Su Dingfang as the deputy commander." Li Yuan nodded and said: "Liu Heier, Hou Hongtao, Wang Junhao, Qu Hong, and Fan Jiqing are all your personal guards, so I will take them with me."

"Among the other generals, many are from Huairen's old department." Li Shimin added again: "Huairen immediately ordered the generals, and his father immediately sent a messenger."

Li Shan thought about it in his mind, "Zhang Shigui, the governor of Yuanzhou, Li Mengchang, the general manager of Longzhou, Li Kai, the Duke of Sanyuan County, Ma Sanbao, the guard general of the right prison, Hu Yan, the governor of Yinzhou, Zhang Baoxiang, the Hou of Bishui County, and Qian Niuwei of the right prison. General Li Keshi, Zuowu Guard General Duan Zhixuan, Zuojian Gate Guard Youlang General Er Zhuhuan, Xiurong County Burr Zhu Yichen."

Dou Gui was calculating in his mind while listening. All the names that Li Shan mentioned were from his old troops. He was a little surprised that Li Mengchang, the general manager of Longzhou, except for the Battle of Jingzhao that had not yet officially ended, Li Mengchang did not appear in Li's army. Shan had served under him... but they were both brothers-in-law, sons-in-law of the Cui family in Qinghe.

After a pause, Li Shan added: "Reassign the left prison guard Zhonglang General Chang He."

Li Shimin was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, he was not surprised... Chang He did not open the Xuanwu Gate willingly, and Li Shan did not want to leave him in Chang'an.

Well, what left Li Shimin and Li Shan speechless was... When Li Yuan commented on the Xuanwu Gate Incident and the suppression of the rebellion, the first credit he pointed out was of course Li Shan, followed by Yuchi Gong and Yu Chigong, who beheaded Li Jiancheng and because he refused. Chang He who went against the will and opened the Xuanwu Gate.

Li Shan looked at Li Shimin and said, "His Royal Highness, please call Wu Guogong Wei Chigong and Yi Guogong Qin Qiong to help."

Li Yuan chuckled, "Yu Chigong, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin are Erlang's guards. Huairen, you are bold."

"Your Majesty, this is a national war!" Li Shan raised his voice and said, "I am not afraid of hardships. Is it because of me alone?"

Li Yuan was a little embarrassed. He glanced at Princess Pingyang who had been silent and looked over at this time. He coughed twice before asking: "Erlang?" Li Shimin quickly calculated in his mind and nodded: "Yu Chigong and Qin Qiong went with Huairen on the expedition. We also sent Fan Xing and An Yuanshou to accompany the army, both of whom are good at riding and fighting."

"Chai Shao, Li Jing, Changsun Shunde, Zheng Rentai, and Zhang Cong led their troops to stay in Jingzhao to defend Chang'an."

After a pause, Li Shimin added: "Wen Yanbo is a long history man and is good at managing logistics. Huairen still needs staff."

Li Shan thought about it in his mind, he wanted Fang Xuanling and Ling Jing the most, but these two are now prime ministers and assistants, and Du Ruhui is also the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, so it is unlikely to join the army.

"Han Zhongliang and Wen Yanhong can be counselors for military aircraft." Li Yuan suggested.

"Ask Yu Zhining to help Wen Yanbo take care of food and grass matters." Li Shimin added.

Han Zhongliang, also known as Han Liang, was an old man who led Li Yuan's army in Jinyang. He joined the army as the chief minister of Taiyuan at that time, and later followed Li Shimin in the southern and northern wars. He was an important figure in Tiance Mansion. In addition to serving as the governor of Tiance Mansion, he also served as Dali. He was the minister of the temple, and later moved south to Daxingtai, Shaanxi Province to serve as Zuocheng and Shangshu of the Ministry of Finance after seizing his direct descendants. He was transferred back to Chang'an six months ago and served as the minister of Dali temple again.

Wen Yanhong, also known as Wen Daya, was the elder brother of Wen Yanbo. The famous "Notes on Entrepreneurship and Daily Life of the Tang Dynasty" was written by him. He was also a direct descendant of Li Shimin. He served as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in his early years. Later, he went south to Daxingtai, Shaanxi Province because of his inheritance.

Yu Zhining was similar to Han Liang and Wen Yanhong. They were all direct descendants of Li Shimin. Later, he and Qu Tutong jointly took charge of Daxingtai of Shaanxi Province and were Li Shimin's strongest backing.

However, Yu Zhining had always been in charge of logistics during Li Shimin's previous campaigns in the north and south. For example, when Li Shimin conquered Liu Heita in the fourth year of Wude, it was Yu Zhining who took care of the food and grass as a doctor in Daxingtai Branch of Shaanxi Province.

Now, although Li Shimin has not yet performed the canonization ceremony, he has already moved into the East Palace... Naturally, these people must get some credit.

Cui Xin, a member of Zhongshushe who was summoned to the Liangyi Palace, frowned while drafting an edict. He glanced at Li Shan from the corner of his eye... He didn't mean what he said. Last night he said he would not lead the army again, but today he will. Take the initiative to ask for help!

"Don't worry, Mr. Qinghe County." Li Shimin said with a smile: "Huairen also knows now that the son of a rich man cannot sit down in court and will not take risks again."

Li Yuan coughed twice and wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he still didn't say anything... Just yesterday, he heard Li Shan say that Cui Xin loves his daughter like a treasure. If she goes into labor, if I am not here...

The edicts were stamped one by one... Well, you don't need so many messengers. You only need two batches, one to go to Hedong and the other to Xinping in Binzhou.

After walking out of Chengtian Gate, Li Shan felt quite happy about his misfortune, "Li Yaoshi, Li Yaoshi, it wasn't me who caused the trouble this time!"

You deserve it!

"Alang."

Li Shan turned his head and saw He Lou Xingshu, thought for a while and asked in a low voice: "Is there any news?"

He Lou Xingshu shook his head with a gloomy face, "Alang, please allow me to accompany the army."

"You..." Li Shan hesitated, "Now you are a Zhonglang General...that's all, then just follow the army."

"Thank you very much, Alang." He Lou Xingshu whispered: "There are several others, including Li Sanlang, who are also willing to join the army."

Li Shan knew that He Lou Xingshu was talking about the children of generations of aristocratic families, all of whom were his own personal guards. Among them, Li Sanlang had meritorious service by killing the generals sent by Wang Junkuo during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

"Yes." Li Shan patted He Lou Xingshu on the shoulder, "There is no need to be too anxious. Tuli Khan knows Gu's methods and his character, and he does not dare to act rashly."

Liu Hei'er, who returned to Chang'an with Li Shimin today, nodded slightly. Li Huairen, the heir to the throne of Wei, was famous on the grassland as much as a child crying at night. It was mainly due to the Beijing temples... and the first Beijing temple built by Li Shan was Yan. A great victory.

In that battle, Yugushe drove the people of Yunzhou and Shuozhou to attack the city. Regardless of men, women, old or young, they were immediately killed once they retreated, and blood flowed like a river outside Yanmen Pass.

After Li Shan endured for several days, he used a clever plan and led his army to fight. He defeated the Turks and chased them all the way to Mayi.

Therefore, Tuli Khan could defeat the Tang army several times and plunder property and food, but he would not kill wantonly... There was no need to use such methods to anger Li Shan.

At this time, Su Dingfang also came over. Now Chai Shao is the commander-in-chief of the Jingzhou Road March. After Li Shimin returned to Beijing today, Li Yuan immediately ordered Su Dingfang to take charge of the Beiya Imperial Army.

Li Shan asked Su Dingfang to draw manpower from the Bei Ya Forbidden Army. The two of them controlled the Bei Ya Forbidden Army many times. Although the Bei Ya Forbidden Army underwent a large-scale purge due to the East Palace rebellion, there were still many old members.

Of course, those generals who were not rebellious were the ones who should accompany the army. Among them, Wang Renbiao went directly to Li Shan.

"Okay, okay!" Li Shan was also helpless. He had the last battle. As a result, Li Shimin stuffed a lot of gold plating, and he was unavoidable.

Not only Wang Renbiao, Wen Yanbo's Wen Zhen also came to visit.

Wang Renbiao expressed both joy and worry. Although his aunt and Princess An were harsh on him, his deceased father was kind to him... Now that Qi County has been captured, we don't know what happened to the family.

Wen Zhen also felt the same way. The Taiyuan Wen family was also in Qi County.

Li Shan didn't want to talk about this anymore, and left everything to Su Dingfang... Anyway, he was leading the army, and Su Dingfang was in charge of the specific affairs.

After walking out of the Beiya Forbidden Officer's Office, Li Shan looked at the ground that had been cleaned and there was no trace of blood. Li Shan felt a little emotional.

"Exiled today." Wang Renbiao reminded him.

Seven or eight people came out of Menxia Province not far away. Officials were convicted and imprisoned, usually in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment or the prison of Dali Temple. However, if the official has a special status, such as a descendant of an aristocratic family, a descendant of the royal family, or a foreign envoy, he may also be imprisoned. Imprisoned in Menxia Province.

Li Shan looked at this scene indifferently. Wang Gui, Wei Ting, Xu Shimo, and Zhao Hongzhi were all familiar with it.

After a few glances, Li Shan turned his head indifferently and looked away. Wang Renbiao looked at the pleading look from Li Dewu, who was walking at the back, and opened his mouth, but still didn't say anything.

It’s just a matter of asking for benevolence and getting benevolence.

There are similar people in history who abandoned their wives and children, but since you have made such a choice, you must have the awareness to end up like this after failure.

Wang Renbiao knew very well that his friend valued affection and was very kind to the people around him, but he was always ruthless towards his enemies... Li Dewu should be considered an enemy, right?

At this time, Li Shan's faint voice came, "Where is Pei Hongda?"