Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 387 Blue Sheep

Changan.

The Chinese Valentine's Day has just passed, and the team that presented prisoners from Anlu Mountain may not have returned to Fanyang, but the team that came to deliver Qianqiu gifts has already arrived.

Early that morning, the broad Zhuque Street was once again blocked. Ren Mulan clamored to take Nalanzhen to see rare and exotic animals, but Nalanzhen said she was tired of seeing them.

"Hey, you're tired of watching the saints even before you're tired of it?" Ren Mulan said, "Fan Yang's Qianqiu ceremony is different every year."

"I didn't come to Chang'an to see the strange things. I came to learn power from the master."

"How can your husband be so powerful? He is wallowing in his nepotism all day long."

Nalanzhen didn't believe this at first, thinking that although she had a grudge against Xue Bai, she was still convinced of his abilities. Ren Mulan was clearly favored by Xue Bai, but she said such words.

But two days later, Xue Bai came back. She went to see her as a disciple. She was surprised when she entered the hall. The beauties in the hall were swaying, each with its own characteristics, just like a hundred flowers blooming.

She had never met so many beauties at once in her life. While she was deeply impressed, she actually felt a little inferior. This was an emotion she rarely experienced as a Tibetan princess.

Nalanzhen had to realize in her heart that she did not serve others with sex, so she did not compare with them. But I felt deeply ashamed when I thought that at that time in Yunnan, I wanted to win over Xue Bai through marriage.

Those who held this position were often officials whom the saints trusted. For example, Yang Shenjin once served as the censor Zhongcheng and also served as the envoy to the capital. Miao Jinqing served as the envoy to Hebei in the third year of Tianbao, and in the sixth year he was transferred to the envoy to Hedong Province.

"Just call him 'Li Juro'. Also, where did you learn the wording?"

And he didn't even have anyone to discuss this matter with...

The two analyzed it and believed that Yang Guozhong's move was, firstly, to use them to suppress An Lushan, and secondly, because he felt threatened by Xue Bai and intended to release Xue Bai's father-in-law.

The Tang army's front was pointing at the desert gate city built by Tubo.

When Nalanzhen saw "Wu Wang Fu Chai" speak, she deliberately looked at him with admiration, as if she was listening attentively. But in her heart, she did not agree with his words and believed that the Tang Dynasty was the biggest enemy of Tubo.

Because Supi is a country of girls, there are the most female soldiers.

"I will meet with His Majesty tomorrow and report the progress, so we can just set off."

~~

The banner of Longyou Jiedushi stood in the wind and sounded fiercely. In the distance, the roar of the Yellow River was faintly heard.

After getting on the carriage, she sat down opposite Xue Bai and finally put on the sweet smile she had learned recently. She imagined that by shamelessly pleasing the high-ranking officials of the Tang Dynasty, she would get the chance to take power and return to the country. She felt like the King of Yue, Gou Jian, watching King Wu Fu Chai.

"Let's go." Xue Bai also saw Na Lanzhen and waved: "I will take you to meet my teacher."

Judging from the results of the conversation, this is a good thing, but Xue Bai has another worry in his heart that cannot be expressed - he has indeed changed a lot of historical trajectories, but if Yan Zhenqing does not serve as the governor of Pingyuan, the Anshi Rebellion will still be When an outbreak breaks out, who will initiate justice in the plains?

This worry gradually formed fear in Xue Bai's heart. He was afraid that the more he did, the worse the result would be.

Xue Bai ignored her hypocritical pretense and said to himself: "Tubo will become a part of the Tang Dynasty sooner or later. This is your mission and the meaning of you becoming my teacher."

In Xue Bai's plan, once Yan Zhenqing becomes Prime Minister and the situation changes, his control over the situation will be different from what it is now...

Counting all these, we can see how fierce the war between Tang Dynasty and Tubo was here.

In the tenth year of Zhenguan, the Tang army defeated Tuyuhun and granted Murong the title of Prince of Heyuan County. This place was a vassal of the Tang Dynasty. In the first year of Xianheng, the entire territory was captured by Tubo and the Desert Gate City was built. In the sixteenth year of Kaiyuan, the Tang army defeated Tubo in Kebo Valley. , broke through the desert gate city, captured many people, burned the camel bridge and returned; soon, Hehuang fell into Tubo again...

Yan Zhenqing frowned after hearing this.

Yan Zhenqing was promoted this time. If he made great achievements again, even though he would not be able to take the post when he returned, he would still be able to participate in the central committee's affairs and would be regarded as a prime minister.

"Princess, please come this way."

Hearing that she was going to be released again, Nalanzhen was not excited, but was cautiously wary of Xue Bai's possible conspiracy. The carriage drove into a government office and stopped in the yard. She got out of the carriage and turned around to see a gloomy-looking man in his forties getting out of the carriage behind.

The army is hard and there is no time to arrange a banquet, so Ge ​​Shuhan has invited Yan Zhenqing to the tent to discuss it in detail.

"I heard in Lishan that the governor of Pingyuan was in trouble, and Yang Guozhong intended to move his teacher to Shandong." Xue Bai seemed to be teasing, saying: "Compared to Longyou, this is a more stable official position."

"I will be leaving soon, and I have arranged for someone to take care of you."

"Teacher's teacher, what should I call you?"

The strong women spoke Tubo, but with a strong Qiang sound. Nalanzhen also noticed that around their necks were small yak heads carved from animal bones. Among the Tubo tribes, Bai Lan, Subi, Tang Yan, etc. all use the yak as their totem, but she immediately concluded that they were from the Subi tribe.

Farewell again in the west of Chang'an City, Xue Bai watched the team of carriages and horses galloping into the distance, but unfortunately he couldn't see Longyou as far as he could see.

"Mulan taught me."

"Although I captured you, I don't regard you as an enemy." Xue Bai said, "I don't regard Tubo as an enemy either."

"You can call me 'Yan Gong', you can also call me 'Master Shi'."

At the end of July, Yan Zhenqing and his party from Chang'an hurried to the Jin Tianjun camp.

Nalanzhen felt offended by this sentence, and suddenly became angry. She tried not to refute, but Xue Bai said something that surprised her, saying: "You can go to Longyou with my teacher. If you have a chance, If so, go back to Tubo."

It just so happened that the errand he was doing was very easy to achieve meritorious service.

Yan Zhenqing had an indifferent attitude towards Nalanzhen, the so-called "disciple". He waved his hand, and two dark-skinned strong women came forward to "take care of" her.

"Master, who is that? He looks so bad."

Entering the mansion, Yan Zhenqing was a majestic man. He looked more like a general than a civil servant. When Nalanzhen saw him, she called him "Master", but secretly thought in her heart that if the Tang court sent such a capable minister to Longyou, it would definitely be detrimental to Tibet.

Fortunately, what Yan Zhenqing is doing is handled by the saint himself, and there is no reason to give up halfway. This time, Yang Guozhong will not be able to get his wish.

Putting down the heavy curtain to block out the biting wind outside, Ge Shuhan limped towards the big chair covered with bearskin and sat down with difficulty, humming twice in the process.

This is the latest junction between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. It is located south of Qinghai Lake and west of Riyue Mountain. It is called Jinchenggou. Ge Shuhan's tent is located on the hillside east of Jinchenggou, which is called Jintianjun Hall. camp.

Then, why did an official in Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty have female Su Pi soldiers?

~~

When Na Lanzhen was taken away, Xue Bai asked, "When will my father-in-law set off?"

The next day, after Yan Zhenqing had an audience with the saint, he was transferred to the position of interviewer and handler of Longyou Road. This was the chief inspector assigned by the imperial court to each road. Most of them were people with experience as imperial censors, and they had great power and authority.

Nalanzhen felt that it was always beneficial to be sweeter when calling her master. The first rule of power is to be shameless.

"Jie Shuai looks very haggard."

"Gout." Ge Shuhan did not shy away and said: "After this battle, if I can regain the land of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River, I will ask the saint for instructions, unload the saddle and horse, and return to Chang'an to recuperate. At that time, the army will The people who can replace me are Wang Sili and Li Guangbi, it depends on their respective methods."

Before he finished speaking, he skillfully dug out two wine bags from the box beside the chair, threw one to Yan Zhenqing, and picked up the other and drank.

"How can Jieshuai still drink when he has gout to such an extent?!"

"You can't die." Ge Shuhan said: "So what if you live a long time? As handsome as a king..."

He didn't say any more and drank by himself for a while before saying: "You can trust me, Mr. Yan. If I were in Chang'an, I would sacrifice my high position and salary to intercede for Wang Jieshuai."

"He died of illness, how could he ask for mercy?" Yan Zhenqing shook his head, stepped forward, handed a letter to him, and said, "This was written to you before he died of illness. Also, my husband-in-law was I also sent a letter to explain to the generals of Longyou in Lishan Mountain."

Ge Shuhan took it and read it without much expression change on his face. But Yan Zhenqing paid close attention and could still see that his tightly knit eyebrows had relaxed a little.

After reading the letter, Ge Shuhan folded the letter paper with his huge and rough hands, put it in his arms, and then continued to pick up the wine bag.

He said slowly: "After the death of the right prime minister, the situation in the DPRK and China has changed. Brothers An Sishun and An Lushan and I have never been at odds with each other. Of course Yang Guozhong wants to recruit me for help. But what can he promise me? My official position He has reached the peak of his career as a military minister. He neither has the talent to serve as prime minister nor does he want to serve as military governor of various towns. He is ill and only wishes to serve in an official position."

These words were regarded as a statement, expressing his position and expressing his unwillingness to be involved in court disputes.

Yan Zhenqing nodded immediately to show understanding. He was also someone who did not want to get involved in a power struggle. But unlike Ge Shuhan, who was old and sick, he knew that sooner or later he would not be able to avoid it.

Although Ge Shuhan is old and sick, he has always had a grudge against An Lushan. How can he really avoid it?

After that, the two got down to business and talked about the Tibetan affairs, until a soldier arrived outside the tent to report that the reception banquet for the interviewer had been prepared.

After leaving the tent, Ge Shuhan stood there for a while and saw Li Xiu greeting the generals one by one.

He didn't like this kind of behavior of winning over his generals, but Li Linfu had helped him. Now that Li Linfu was dead, he couldn't treat Li Xiu too harshly, so he had to turn a blind eye.

But before the reception banquet started, he still asked Li Xiu in a dissatisfied and joking tone: "Are you familiar with all the generals?"

Li Xiu said: "But I didn't see General Wang Nan."

Ge Shuhan looked around, called Wang Sili and asked, "Where is Wang Jinren?"

"I heard that Mr. Yan is here and went hunting blue sheep."

"Eating dog intestines! When he comes back, he will be dealt with according to the military law!" Ge Shuhan immediately shouted.

The military years are actually not as exciting as others imagine. Although they often have to fight hard and for a long time, they are actually boring and boring many times.

The Tang army had been confronting the Tibetan soldiers and horses here for several months. The officers and soldiers in the army were extremely bored and often liked to go deep into the enemy's territory to hunt game and come back. Filling one's stomach is secondary, but enjoying the glorious feeling of being worshiped by the whole army.

Ge Shuhan did not like his soldiers to take such meaningless risks. In his opinion, those who lost their lives just for a few bites of meat deserved to be called fools. But the army is full of hard-blooded men, and they never tire of it.

In the eyes of these soldiers, life is far less important than glory.

~~

Longyang Gorge.

"Longyang" is a Tubo language, meaning "precipitous valley". This place lives up to its name. Both sides of the Yellow River are covered with huge sedimentary rocks, as if they were chopped out by the uncanny craftsmanship of the gods.

The Desert Gate City stands in the northwest of Longyang Gorge. Looking from the city gate, the world is extremely open. The water of the Yellow River is very clear here, like a green belt, tying up the majestic canyons.

The wall stands thousands of feet high, but there are blue sheep walking along the wall.

Unless you see it with your own eyes, it's hard to believe that this four-hoofed animal can walk on cliffs with ease. Even the Tibetan hunters have no confidence that they can hunt blue sheep.

However, when the defenders on the desert gate city looked around, they saw a group of black spots chasing a blue sheep under a rock wall.

"Who is that?"

"It's Tang Jun. Tang Jun came to our territory to hunt again."

"Shoot them!"

……

On the other side, Li Sheng was galloping. He was still on the battlefield in Nanzhao last year. After conquering Taihe City, he rushed back to Longyou without stopping and followed Ge Shuhan to regain Hehuang.

But a few days ago, a piece of news reached the army. He didn't believe it and felt very angry. As for why he was able to get the news from Chang'an, it was because his grandfather Li Qin was Wang Zhongsi's general and had returned to Chang'an to settle down. In his family letter, he mentioned Wang Zhongsi's death due to illness. His words were very sad, and he even reminded Ge Shu John pays attention to his position.

Li Sheng was in a gloomy mood and wished he could start a war immediately and fight fiercely. However, the Tubo troops relied on the favorable geographical location and defended the desert gate city. He had no choice but to use all his depression and strength on hunting.

The horse's back jolted, but he let go of the hand holding the reins and clamped the horse's belly tightly with his legs. He picked up the bow and arrow with both hands and drew the bow and arrow while galloping.

The blue sheep ran too fast, giving him no time to stop and take aim.

"Ten thousand enemies!"

Qu Huan, who was running ahead, shouted, reminding Li Sheng that there was no road ahead.

Li Sheng had to slow down his horse, squinted his eyes, and fired the arrow decisively.

"Whoosh!"

The blue sheep was about to jump into the gap in the cliff, but was hit by an arrow and rolled down.

"Okay!" Qu Huan was overjoyed and immediately drove his horse forward to pick it up.

However, someone in the team already shouted: "The Tibetan army is coming!"

Everyone turned to look, and sure enough they saw smoke and dust coming this way. Although it was in a hurry, the Tibetan army that came out of the desert gate city was two or three times as many as them.

However, these Tang soldiers who dared to hunt were all lunatics. Qu Huan actually picked up the blue sheep and carried it to his horse.

"Kill it!"

Amidst the roar, a horse came out first.

He was a general in his thirties. His horse was galloping so fast that people couldn't see him clearly. They could only feel the terrifying spirit of bravery.

Facing the larger number of enemy generals, he actually launched a charge without fear.

The Quhuan carried the blue sheep and fell at the end, shouting: "Put up General Wang's flag!"

There was a "whistle" sound, and a military flag fluttered in the wind, with the message "Tang Heyuan Army Envoy King Rare". Seeing this flag, even the Tubo soldiers who did not understand Chinese characters suddenly became confused.

What kind of people are rare for the king?

The battle that made him famous was in the first year of Tianbao. Tubo launched a large-scale attack on Heyuan. Langzhidu, the eldest son of Chidai Danzhu, was appointed as the commander-in-chief. With strong troops and strong horses, he personally went to the Tang army to call for formation within a stone's throw. At that time, Wang Bao was only in his twenties. He could not see such provocation, so he rushed into the Tibetan formation single-handedly and stabbed Langzhidu to death with one shot. Even before the Tibetan army could react, they led Langzhidu's horses to snatch the body back into the formation and beheaded it.

In that battle, the Tibetan army unexpectedly lost its commander. Huangfu Weiming covered up his troops and killed them, beheading thirty thousand people. After the war, the saint personally gave the king rare royal robes in the royal palace and promoted him to the rank of General Jinwu.

The prince of a country was killed single-handedly in front of the battle. No one would believe the legend, but the rare name of the king has become an extremely terrifying existence in the Tibetan army.

He did not dwell on his past achievements and still bravely rushed to the forefront of the war.

Because this is the Longyou soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.

"kill!"

With a roar, the gun came out like a dragon.

The Tibetan soldier who was stunned by the roar had his throat pierced by a spear, and blood spattered out. But before the body fell to the ground, Wang Nannan had already taken more than ten steps.

The setting sun was like blood, and a group of Tang soldiers returned to Jinchenggou carrying a blue sheep.

~~

Under the night, the bonfire was burning brightly, and the whole roasted lamb on the fire was already golden.

A group of soldiers were sitting there drooling, waiting and chatting, when suddenly they burst into violent cheers.

"They survived the punishment and got out!"

"Well done!"

Wang Nannan, Li Sheng, Qu Huan and others came from the direction of the big tent and were treated like heroes, because only the strong served in the army, and they were the strongest.

But when the mutton was roasted, Li Sheng cut off the best piece of meat and said, "I'll give it to Mr. Yan."

"it is good."

Wang Rao sat like a bonfire, looking a little silent.

When he is not fighting, he is a man of few words and desires. His back is slightly hunched, and he has a lonely posture that does not want to be disturbed.

In fact, his achievements in the military neutrality were not limited to stabbing the Tubo prince to death in front of the battle. He also broke through Jishi City and captured Prince Tuyuhun and his son, Xi Nong Can and X Jia Zang. After that, he recovered the Five Bridges and captured Shudun City.

Like his gun, he is hard, fierce and indestructible. It's so powerful that it's incredible, and gradually it becomes natural.

After making many achievements, he only added Baishui Military Envoy to the army. Of course, it is rare for him to command two armies at his age, but it is slightly out of proportion to his achievements.

Looking at the bonfire at this time, what Wang rarely thought of was the scene when he returned to Chang'an to perform his duties that year.

The saint asked him to perform how he stabbed the Tibetan prince to death in front of the emperor. He rehearsed it several times, but the Minister of Internal Affairs always said it was wrong. First, he said that the movements were too fast and could not be seen clearly, and that he should add a few more movements, such as blocking and spinning the gun. Later, he asked him if he could gallop to the beat of the drums.

Wang Ruo could not spin the spear at first, but after practicing hard for several days, he finally performed it in front of the emperor. The saint Longyan Dayue personally put a brocade robe on him, composed a song for him, and wanted to keep him in front of the Yamen to guard him.

That is the greatest honor for a general. If the king accepts it, his future will be even brighter. But Huangfu Weiming wanted him to stay in the Longyou Army, and he was greatly favored by Huangfu Weiming, so he stayed. As a result, during the fifth year of Tianbao's reign, a sentence came out that almost ruined his future. According to the imperial censor, Huangfu Weiming once said to him, "You have received too much favor from the saint now. How can you deal with it when the prince succeeds to the throne?"

Fortunately, Huangfu Weiming knew that he would die, confessed his crime early, and Wang Zhongsi, who also served as the governor of Longyou, came forward, so Wang Ran was not involved in the matter.

Wang Zhongsi was a commander who loved his soldiers as much as his son. When he was concurrently serving as Longyou, he had reached the stage where he did not fight for fame. Wang Rao learned a lot from him...

Just as he was thinking about this, Wang Rao felt someone pat his shoulder.

"Want to drink?" Li Sheng mysteriously shook the wine bag in his hand.

"Call the Admiral?"

"The wine is small, just enough for you and me."

Wang Nan knew that Li Sheng had something to say, so he got up and followed him up the mountain.

The weather here was bad, the wind was dry and cold, and the two of them walked into a cemetery wrapped in dirty felt blankets.

This is the burial place of their brothers and sisters. Since the attack on Jiuqu of the Yellow River, it is unknown how many Tang soldiers have buried their bodies in other places. However, the saint issued a strict order that Ge Shuhan must regain Hehuang. The imperial court also fully supported it, and recruits from Guanzhong continued to be sent.

In front of a mass burial grave, someone was sitting under the moonlight wiping the inscription.

"Who is this?" Wang Nan asked.

Li Sheng responded: "Li Shilang, the son of Li Linfu."

Li Xiu turned around and said, "I see a few familiar names on this inscription and would like to take a look."

"They are all generals transferred from other places. Maybe you have read the documents."

Wang Ruo was silent, and his sturdy figure seemed a little resistant.

Li Xiu didn't speak either. He didn't want to talk too much to people who didn't trust him. Among the generals of the Longyou Army, only Li Sheng was whom Xue Bai trusted more and thought he could reveal some information to test his reaction.

Li Sheng's response was very positive, and he even took the initiative to invite Wang Rao, saying that Wang Rao was someone who could make plans.

Originally, the atmosphere between the two of them was very good when they were talking in secret, but now it became awkward when there was one more person.

"General, sit down. Juro has brought a token."

After Li Sheng's greeting, Wang Nan finally sat down, took the token, and looked at it under the moonlight. He saw that it was a completely blunt gun head. He was slightly startled and put it away.

Li Xiu waited for a while, but didn't wait for his reaction, so he had to speak first.

"General Wang has also seen it. What I am taking here is not the order of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but the token of Wang Jieshuai. I am not afraid of the general's ridicule. After my grandfather passed away, my family was like a tree. It’s as powerful as it was back then.”

Only then did Wang Lan say: "Back then, I followed Marshal Huangfu to the capital, and thanks to the gift of Your Prime Minister, Marshal Huangfu never returned to Longyou again. I will keep it in my heart."

"I'm not here for my grandpa." Li Xiu said: "And let me tell you something that will make the general laugh or even not believe it. The person I serve now is my grandpa's enemy in the past, and he has always been kind to Wang Jieshuai and the Longyou generals. man of."

"What do you want?"

"I'm assigned to Longyou, what else can I ask for, just to save my life." Li Xiu guided him, picked up the wine bag, and said, "I'll drink first to apologize to the general. Please don't remember the past grudges between you and me."

"No need, just tell me what you want to think about."

Although Wang Ruolan looked calm and motionless as a mountain, his eyes looked unusually alert and always on guard, like a blue sheep guarding against a goshawk.

Li Xiu originally wanted to establish a good relationship first, then test the situation step by step, and gradually bring up the topic, but Wang Ruo's straightforward attitude made him very embarrassed.

He was a cautious person. He would rather say nothing than take risks. He simply drank the wine in the wine bag and said, "I just want to apologize and say goodbye."

Li Sheng held him down.

"General Xin Wang, say."

Li Xiu was so drunk that he looked at Li Sheng's bright eyes and turned his head, only to see Wang Rao's profile as clear as a sculpture.

"Stop being indecisive. How can a person who achieves great things regret his own life?" Li Sheng also took out a piece of rock sheep from nowhere and stuffed it into Li Xiu's mouth. "This is the rock sheep that we hunted with our lives for you to eat. Now take it. Your blue sheep come out.”

"it is good!"

I don't know if it was the strong drink or the atmosphere outside the Great Wall that gave Li Xiu the courage to speak.

The sound was so small that it could not even be carried one step away in the low wind.

Faintly, only the four words "old and comatose" made people grit their teeth and say it louder.

Wang Rao listened carefully and his body gradually stiffened. Even though he was a very adventurous person, he felt that what Li Xiu said was... shocking.

(End of this chapter)