Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 679 Six strikes per second is only the limit of the sword

Huaizhou is surrounded by mountains to the north, and is located at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains. In the gaps between the mountains, there is occasionally a valley, and from time to time there are villages here, but they are not large in scale.

It hasn't always existed.

Refugees came and chose to farm and settle down. Then they left due to wars and other reasons, and the original villages were abandoned, and the cycle repeated itself. Just like the metabolism of nature, nothing is permanent, and the only constant is change.

Li Tingwang arranged for the army to support the defenders of Tianjing Pass, and the camp was located in an abandoned village at the foot of the mountain.

Three paths converged here, and the tributary of the Xuanshui River was right next to the mountain, making it an excellent location. Unfortunately, the excellent location did not save the army from destruction.

Li Huaiguang asked Han Yougui to lead the most elite 500 men to go south and block the mountain road south of the camp. He himself divided his troops into two groups, one of which was to attract the attention of the defenders, while the other was to make a detour and encircle the enemy.

Attacking from both sides and blocking the road, the bloody killing entered a fierce stage from the beginning. Unlike the defenders of Tianjing Pass, the troops under Li Tingwang were elite soldiers. Although they were attacked suddenly, they still fought desperately. No one retreated a step, and there was no way to retreat.

However, this is of no use.

In terms of tactics, the soldiers under An Shouzhong were far inferior to the Konghe Army. Once the two sides engaged in battle, it soon became a one-sided massacre. The soldiers of the Konghe Army were fearless and gave up their long weapons, choosing to charge directly into the battle array with their horizontal swords.

The people in front died, and the ones behind took their place, without any regard for their own safety.

Li Huaiguang rushed to the front, already like a killing god. The leather armor on his body was stained with blood, and the armor on his left shoulder had even fallen off.

But still don't care!
He held the sword in his hand and hacked at the enemy in front of him frantically, deftly dodging the spears that were thrust at him. The sound of the arrows whizzed past his ears, but Li Huaiguang pretended not to hear it.

The soldiers of the Control Crane Army could always find opportunities to fight one against many. One person in front attracted the attention of the enemy soldiers, and the comrades behind him killed the enemy with one sword. It was not that they could not use long weapons, but in a surprise attack, these things had too many flaws and were far less flexible than short weapons.

Speed ​​is the only advantage.

For them, six strikes per second is just the limit of the knife, not the limit of their arm strength.

"Hoo! Hoo!"

It was unknown how much time had passed before Li Huaiguang stopped to catch his breath and looked around. There were no more enemy soldiers standing. The entire camp was filled with corpses, lying on the ground in all directions, with countless broken arms and limbs.

This battle was not a tough one, but it was very satisfying!

"Finish the kill! Send them on their way!"

Li Huaiguang shouted to the troops around him.

In fact, he didn't need to say it, because the soldiers of the Control Crane Army were already searching for the enemy soldiers lying on the ground groaning, and they would attack them with a knife.

There were also some "little clever ghosts" hiding in the tents or even in the woods. They were also pulled out one by one and escorted to the parade ground in the center of the camp for collective execution.

Li Huaiguang had only one requirement for this battle, and that was to be quick. As for the prisoners and the living who delayed the battle, they were killed directly without any mercy.

After a while, Han Yougui came from the mountain road in the south. When he saw that the battle in the camp was over, he found Li Huaiguang and reported: "General, it has been dealt with. A small group of enemy soldiers rode horses to Huaizhou to report the situation, but they were intercepted by me. No one escaped."

"Have the soldiers change into their uniforms and go to Huaizhou City immediately."

Li Huaiguang gave the order with a cold face.

"General, after two consecutive battles, the soldiers are exhausted. Do we really need to rush to attack Huaizhou City? How about tomorrow morning..."

Han Yougui wanted to say something else, but when he saw Li Huaiguang looking at him unkindly, he immediately swallowed back what he was about to say.

However, Han Yougui was Li Huaiguang's confidant after all, so the latter patiently explained: "The war situation is changeable. If Huaizhou doesn't receive the news from Tianjing Pass, they will definitely be prepared. We came lightly, and our only hope is to catch them by surprise. If we delay for a night, who knows what will happen? Pass the order to take Huaizhou and then rest. If we can't take Huaizhou, there are many mass graves outside the city. Wouldn't it be better to lie down in them directly?"

"Order!"

Han Yougui clasped his fists and accepted the order and left, not daring to mention the matter of repairs again.

Soon, the soldiers of the Control Crane Army began to change their uniforms, taking off the uniforms of the dead on the ground and putting them on themselves. They did not take off their current uniforms, but just put on another layer on the outside.

There are no taboos.

The soldiers of the Control Crane Army have a unique temperament of the Tang Dynasty. They are bold, fierce, not afraid of life and death, unreasonable, and have no scruples.

The martial virtues are extremely abundant.

Although they themselves cannot live a good life, they can also make others live a bad life. It is hard to say what such an existence means to the people of the world.

……

"Can't you just not go? Dengzhou is far enough, and we have to go to Bohai. How can I persuade Alang to stay?"

In the bedroom of her own mansion, Wang Yunxiu made tea for Fang Chongyong while complaining that he was going far away to Dengzhou.

After finally living a peaceful life for two years, with her man by her side and available to see at any time, she has to lead her troops to war again.

"You have to go. These are state affairs."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand gently, not wanting to dwell on the question of whether to go to Dengzhou. Many things were not decided by his will, and this was the responsibility of the superior.

Now that we have embarked on this path, there is nothing to complain about.

"Is this young lady Da Zhenhui really worth all your trouble? Can't you see through Da Qinmao's beauty trap?"

Wang Yunxiu couldn't help but say something more.

"Now her name is Rosa."

Fang Chongyong corrected Wang Yunxiu's statement.

"So she's even more coquettish, isn't she? But this little girl makes me feel uneasy..."

Wang Yunxiu's expression changed slightly and she muttered softly.

"How can she, a concubine, make you feel uneasy?"

Fang Chongyong asked doubtfully.

"Alang, you don't know, this young lady is very well-behaved, just like a wooden man, you can't find any fault with her.

Apart from anything else, I heard that every time she had sex, she would bite a piece of cloth in her mouth to prevent herself from screaming.

Isn’t this frightening?”

Wang Yunxiu finally spoke out the private words that had been kept in her heart for a long time.

Fang Zhongyong also knew about this quirk. He asked Rosa about it, and Rosa said that she didn't want him to think of her as a slut.

But Fang Chongyong thought this was even more sexy.

"What does this have to do with anything? I led the troops to Dengzhou not for her, but for national affairs."

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.

Wang Yunxiu was just jealous that he had done so much for Da Zhenhui. In fact, this expedition had nothing to do with that young lady. Escorting Da Qinmao to Bohai to ascend the throne was just to fulfill a political promise. Whether to go out to sea by boat was another matter, but at least he had to go to Dengzhou to perform a trick.

Political credibility is something that needs to be maintained through practical actions.

While the two were chatting, Fang Dafu announced that there was a guest visiting and it was an important matter.

"Go ahead, go ahead, it's important to meet the guests.

Alang, don't worry. As long as you don't bring that bitch of Li Yi home, my belly can hold whatever trouble the others may cause.

A harmonious family brings prosperity, and I will not embarrass Alang."

Wang Yunxiu hurriedly urged Fang Zhongyong to go to the study to meet the guest. In Wang Yunxiu's view, Da Zhenhui and others were just hard to see through, and they posed no threat to her. But Li Yi was different. Not only was she young, but her identity was also very special. She might be "made official" in the future.

Wang Yunxiu was very generous and let Da Zhenhui into the house, and treated her with great courtesy. However, she was very tough towards Li Yi.

In a word, there was no door or window. Unless Fang Zhongyong lifted the roof, there was no way this woman could enter the house.

So although Li Yi and her son now live in Kaifeng, her status is a "concubine". Fang Zhongyong only goes to her place every now and then to "do it" and usually does not stay overnight.

When Fang Zhongyong arrived at the study, he saw a familiar figure. The man hung his bamboo hat on the wall, saluted him and said, "General, I am back!"

"Okay! I'm glad you're back!"

Fang Zhongyong walked over and held the other person's shoulder. This person was none other than Che Guangqian, the governor of Huainan!
"The Marshal notified me to return to Bianzhou, but he didn't tell me what the matter was, and he didn't go through the military order channel. I was worried that something had happened, but after receiving the Marshal's letter, I returned directly."

Che Guangqian sat down and asked about the doubts in her mind.

Things like this, in the past, were the prelude to "capture and kill". However, Che Guangqian recalled whether he had done anything wrong. After thinking it over, he felt that he had done nothing wrong, and Fang Chongyong was not such a petty person.

There should be no problem coming to Bianzhou this time.

So he quietly left Huainan and went to Bianzhou without stopping.

"I am about to lead my troops to Dengzhou, and I need someone to stay in Bianzhou to take charge of the situation. Obviously, only you can take on this important task."

Fang Chongyong said seriously.

Che Guangqian's heart finally settled down. He nodded and said, "Please tell me in detail, Marshal. If you have any request, I will do it."

"No, no, no."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand and continued, "This is a strategy. It's mainly for those people around who are ready to make a move. Give them a chance."

"Chance?"

Che Guangqian still doesn't understand. People like An Shouzhong and Li Guiren around her can just be beaten to death. Do they still need to be given any chances?

Fang Zhongyong also knew what the other party was confused about, so he told him Yuan Zai's plan and repeated his own plan. In short, he hoped that Che Guangqian would temporarily take over as the governor of Xuanwu Army and control the military affairs of Bianzhou.

If someone attacks by surprise, kill them; if no one attacks by surprise, then act according to the situation.

Of course, the water here is very complicated, so not just anyone can take on the role. Being loyal alone is useless, you also need brains.

For example, if there are people that Fang Zhongyong wants to kill but it is not convenient for him to do so, Che Guangqian can do things according to her own understanding. When Fang Zhongyong comes back, he will go to the grave of the murdered person and mourn. Everyone knows what is going on, and it is enough to save face.

No matter who was going to be killed, or whether it was just Che Guangqian's own guess, Fang Zhongyong would not tell her clearly and would not say it no matter what.

"I understand. This matter is of great importance. From today on, I will stay at home and can only stay in the military camp. I cannot show my true face to anyone, right?
The commander wants to place the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army in Songzhou?"

Che Guangqian had already guessed Fang Zhongyong's deployment.

"That's true, but they are dispatched in batches under the name of rest.

Now that you have come to Bianzhou, I will set off for Dengzhou with great fanfare. Even if the river has not completely thawed, we cannot delay any longer."

Fang Chongyong nodded and said, "Let's do the whole show. Since we are already publicizing the death of the King of Bohai, then it is only natural to lead the troops to Dengzhou."

The longer he delayed, the more suspicious he would become. He had no choice but to leave.

"Please rest assured, Marshal. I will definitely get it done."

Che Guangqian clasped her fists and saluted solemnly. This was no longer just ordinary trust, but the trust of entrusting one's family.

"Don't be nervous. The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army has not set out. They are accompanied by Cui Qianyou and his tax police corps. My base is in Bianzhou. I just need someone to take the helm.

You should do what you can. If you really can't handle it, we will send someone to Dengzhou. We won't make it difficult for you."

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

Che Guangqian nodded, but she didn't agree in her heart.

What does it mean to "stand on your own feet"?
That is, if you hand things over to this person, you can rest assured and have no worries. If you can't handle even the smallest things and have to ask for instructions and report everything, you will definitely be looked down upon.

However, not reporting anything is not an option either, as it is easy to be found guilty later.

So how to deal with it and to what degree it should be done depends on each person's own understanding.

"Marshal, there is something..."

Che Guangqian seemed to want to say something but stopped herself.

"how?"

Fang Chongyong looked puzzled.

"Marshal, there are rumors that you want to abdicate. Do you need me to find an excuse this time, and then..."

Che Guangqian made a chopping gesture.

Now it was rumored everywhere that Fang Zhongyong wanted to become emperor and depose Li Lin. It was hard for Che Guangqian not to think that Fang Zhongyong wanted to use him to take advantage of some opportunity to kill Li Lin.

"These are all people who are up to no good. They are deliberately slandering me, intending to disrupt the government so that they can take advantage of the situation. I have absolutely no such intention."

Fang Chongyong said seriously.

"I see. I was overthinking. Please forgive me, Marshal."

Che Guangqian quickly apologized for her crime.

His meaning has been conveyed.

"There is no room for negotiation on this matter. I have no intention of deposing the emperor. For the rest, you can act according to circumstances, but not on this matter."

Fang Chongyong emphasized this sentence again, and Che Guangqian understood what he meant. She put on her hat and said goodbye and left.

After he left, Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh.

There are so many people who want to improve themselves. Everyone wants to move forward.

Only by getting rid of Li Lin can we make further progress. In fact, they are more anxious than Fang Chongyong.

"What would have happened if Zhao Kuangyin had not replaced the Later Zhou Dynasty?"

In the study, Fang Zhongyong muttered to himself while looking at the oil lamp on the table.

There is no doubt about Che Guangqian's loyalty to him, but if he would rather die than become emperor, it is hard to say whether she will still be loyal to him.

Loyalty often changes due to objective conditions, not personal subjective will.

……

In the signing room of Huaizhou government office, Li Tingwang, who was checking the map, felt his right eyelid twitching wildly, as if something bad was about to happen.

Feeling annoyed, he pushed open the door and walked to the lobby of the government office, only to find that the personal soldiers who were on duty there had disappeared.

"Where have everyone gone?"

Li Tingwang muttered to himself, and just as he walked out of the government gate, he was surrounded by a group of soldiers with bloodstained uniforms.

(End of this chapter)