Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 696: Raise an Army for a Thousand Days and Use It for a Single Moment

Dengzhou, Penglai Port, the scenery here is unique.

The seagoing ships were moored in the harbor, one row after another, their sails leaning against each other, blocking out the sun.

Seabirds are flying in the sea breeze, creating a peaceful scene.

On the pier of the harbor, team after team of tax police soldiers boarded the ships.

This time, the military order for them to go to the Bohai Kingdom was to negotiate taxes with some tax-evading maritime merchants!
As for the domestic political situation in Bohai State and their real purpose of going to Bohai State, there is no need to tell these soldiers.

It won’t be too late to announce it after we get to the place.

Daqinmao stood beside Fang Zhongyong, looking at these strong soldiers, his heart was burning with enthusiasm. He had seen the fighting power of these soldiers with his own eyes. These were elite soldiers trained day and night by the Bianzhou court with military pay. They were definitely not mercenaries recruited randomly from somewhere.

This time I return to the country and seize the throne, my chances are great!
This is also the most important and last chance in his life.

As they were about to board the ship, Daqinmao said goodbye to Fang Zhongyong. He crossed his arms, bowed 90 degrees, and said with a deep salute: "Your Majesty, I am now going to Bohai State. Please take care of yourself."

Da Qinmao naturally did not dare to invite Fang Chongyong to go with him. After all, the general in charge of Bianzhou had to go back to preside over the overall situation!
Da Qinmao was also very clear that without the support of the Bianzhou court, the new regime of the Bohai Kingdom would not be able to obtain long-term benefits, and in that case, he would not be able to stabilize his base.

The people below support Daqinmao because he can gain tangible benefits from the Tang Dynasty. He gets to carry people in a fancy sedan chair, and you eat meat while everyone else drinks soup. It's all very satisfying and comfortable.

No one is willing to do something that has no benefits. At least there must be long-term benefits to win over talents.

"In recent years, Bohai State has been governed by culture, with prosperous commerce and few wars.

If you were the ruler of a country, you would also prioritize the development of people's livelihood and not resort to excessive military expansion."

Fang Chongyong admonished Daqinmao, just like a superior admonishing his subordinates.

Daqinmao agreed and respectfully took his leave.

After he boarded the ship, Fang Chongyong called Cui Qianyou over again and warned him: "Bohai has a lot of special products, which are not valuable locally. They can only be sold at a high price if they are transported back to the Central Plains. When you go there, remember to observe military discipline and do not disturb the people. When you return to Dengzhou, you must not neglect the reward."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

Cui Qianyou clasped his fists and saluted, his expression very serious.

In fact, Fang Zhongyong didn't need to emphasize this, because some of Bohai's local specialties were very difficult to carry. Even if they were robbed, there was nowhere to consume them locally.

In short, it is better to record the military exploits and redeem them after returning to Dengzhou. You will definitely get a lot. For example, ceramics, specialty rice, good horses, these things of Bohai Kingdom are not worth robbing at all. They are only valuable when transported back to Dengzhou.

"Bohai's strategy took several years to plan, but its impact lasted for decades, benefiting the people of both countries.

General Cui's trip will surely go down in history, so don't let a bad apple spoil the whole pot of porridge."

Fang Zhongyong sighed and patted Cui Qianyou's arm hard.

Cui Qianyou didn’t know whether it would benefit the people of Bohai Kingdom, but it would definitely benefit the people of Tang Dynasty. There was nothing to say about that.

He nodded, clasped his fists in salute, and turned to leave.

Soon, the ships set sail from the port, one after another, and disappeared at the end of the sea and sky.

In addition to the soldiers of the Tax Police Corps, Cui Qianyou also went with many large ships of merchants who also went there to try their luck.

The news that Bohai State would cede "Tokyo" Longyuan Prefecture had already spread in a small circle, and everyone saw the opportunity.

The Bohai Kingdom also spoke Chinese, and its clothing and living habits were modeled after those of the Tang Dynasty. The originally extremely primitive economic and political model was replaced at a rapid pace, and in just three generations, it had become a "Little Tang" except for the lack of martial ethics.

This place is very attractive to maritime merchants.

Supporting the Bohai Kingdom would suppress the Khitan. Suppressing the Khitan would be equivalent to alleviating a major threat to the northern border of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, the Liao Kingdom grew rapidly by using the corpse of the Bohai Kingdom.

By actually controlling Longyuan Prefecture, indirect control over the Bohai Kingdom was achieved.

By controlling the Bohai Kingdom, the various semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral nomadic peoples north of the Tang Dynasty could be stabilized.

Fang Zhongyong felt that this move of his should be able to buy Youzhou 50 years of peace. As for the future, he had no other options and could only pray for the "wisdom of future generations."

He left the port and returned to Dengzhou government office. As soon as he came in, he saw Da Congming, who seemed to be in a hurry.

Fang Zhongyong quickly stopped him and asked, "Your father boarded the ship today, but you didn't seem to go to the pier to see him off. Why is that?"

Da Congming was so frightened that he trembled, and quickly saluted and replied: "I have to stay in the government office to receive official documents, and I dare not leave without permission."

"You two, father and son, are very loyal!"

Fang Zhongyong made a meaningful complaint, but Da Congming didn't know what he meant, so he just bent down and kept his head down in silence.

"Tell me what's going on."

Fang Zhongyong didn't want to tease him anymore and asked directly.

"Your Majesty, the letter from Marshal Che Ji has just been delivered to the government office and is on the desk in the study. I dare not leave, and I cannot wait for you, so I am anxious."

Da Congming whispered.

Fang Chongyong nodded and went straight to the study in the government office, where there was indeed a thick letter.

He opened the letter and read it quickly, thinking to himself: It is true.

The principal once said: To fight against foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the internal situation.

There was no problem with Li Baochen's victory in the first battle, but the internal instability in Guanzhong would be a big problem.

Although Wei Jian could be considered a "weak-armed" man, since he was considered a political enemy, one would not think that a physically weak person would be unable to control military power, right?
Li Baochen is probably not that stupid.

Fang Chongyong had previously estimated that Li Baochen would withdraw his troops back to Guanzhong to deal with Wei Jian and the Guanzhong Tianlong people who did not obey him. The only thing Li Baochen did not know now was that the Bianzhou court had already planned to seize Luoyang.

That's it.

"Pack your luggage, we are going back to Bianzhou."

Fang Zhongyong waved to Da Congming.

"Understood, I will prepare now!"

Dacongming was so excited! He had long since left Dengzhou and wanted to return to Bianzhou as soon as possible to see how the various forces in the Central Plains would fight.

The golden swords and iron horses, the mighty force that swallows up the vast miles, how magnificent!

It’s better than counting seagulls in Dengzhou!
As Fang Zhongyong's personal secretary, Da Congming also knew that An Shouzhong and Li Huaiguang were out, Li Baochen looked like he was going to lose Luoyang, and it was unclear what would happen to Li Guiren and Tian Qian. Shi Siming dealt with his son Shi Chaoyi, and he might also transfer troops from Pinglu to southern Hebei.

In his opinion, Bianzhou was like "getting up early and arriving late". If he didn't go back, he would miss the trip!

If Fang Chongyong wasn't anxious, he would be anxious to death!

"Why, do you want to fight?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Da Congming and asked with a smile.

"I don't want to fight, I just want to...strike at him."

Dacongming looked embarrassed and made a "small" gesture.

Fang Chongyong understood immediately.

Young people who don’t know how terrible war is always think that after they take control of the military power, they can talk about military strategy on paper and send others to fight, and then they can defeat the enemy with just a little manipulation.

But the real commander knows the cruelty of war. Each person has one life, and the save file cannot be loaded. Once you die, the game ends and you have to be reborn again.

When the lives of hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of people are decided by one person, that person cannot be relaxed and happy when making the decision.

Unless he is a warmonger who doesn't care about life or death at all.

"War has never been a fun thing. You must understand the saying that to stop war is the best way to fight. To stop war with war is the virtue of martial arts." Fang Chongyong patted Dacongming's shoulder, turned around and left.

……

In Huaizhou City, Li Guiren held the military order sent from Bianzhou and Che Guangqian's handwritten letter in his hands. For a moment, he felt quite helpless.

This military order ordered them to attack the three cities of Heyang three days later.

The battle will start in three days, no earlier and no later. As for when the army will set out, the military order did not say, anyway, it all depends on the result.

Che Guangqian's handwritten letter contained more content.

First, he told Li Guiren that the elite troops of Li Baochen's army had withdrawn and headed westward towards Shanzhou, probably heading back to Chang'an.

Second, Li Weiyue was in Bianzhou and had already notified Li Baochen to send someone to pick him up.

Third, if you do not comply with the transfer order, all previous promises will be void. Now that Li Baochen's army has withdrawn, even if you do not attack the three cities of Heyang, the Bianzhou army does not care, and it is almost certain to capture Luoyang.

"It seems that people in Bianzhou didn't fall for it."

Liu Longxian sighed.

Like Li Guiren, he thought Li Weiyue was a strong candidate. He was the eldest son of Li Baochen, the heir to a faction, and so on. He had a very famous reputation.

The Bianzhou side snapped it up, and the two sides started fighting. It’s a beautiful thought.

However, Che Guangqian simply threw this card away and didn't even want to play it!
This made Li Guiren and others very disappointed.

If this tactic of diverting the trouble away doesn't work, then we'll have to resort to force.

Che Guangqian was actually telling Li Baochen: In Luoyang, you don’t have the right time, place, and people, and your son is still in my hands.

If you go back to Guanzhong to handle your affairs, your son will return safely.

If you insist on sticking to Luoyang, don't blame the bandits on the road. Your son may die on his way back!
In this chaotic time, anything is possible.

"General, how should we deal with this military order?"

Liu Longxian scratched his head and sounded guilty.

After all, the benefit promised by Bianzhou was to let him establish a military governorship in the three cities of Heyang. The greatest benefit would go to him, not Li Guiren.

If Li Guiren fell out with Bianzhou, the person who would suffer the greatest loss would actually be Liu Longxian.

In any case, the Bianzhou court had never managed the three cities of Heyang, let alone collected a penny of Heyang Customs customs duties.

Naturally, there is no loss, at most you just don't get anything.

Li Guiren glanced at Liu Longxian, and seeing that he was looking at him eagerly, he couldn't help but sigh.

"We will set out tomorrow to attack the three cities of Heyang. Now that we have made our move, there is no chance of a surprise attack. We might as well prepare for the siege early.

Li Weiyue said that he only had 500 elite cavalrymen, who were ambushed by us, and the rest were old and weak.

The reason why Bianzhou is delaying is that they want Luoyang to reinforce the three cities of Heyang and reduce the pressure on their siege."

Li Guiren snorted coldly.

This Marshal Che is no pushover either. He has all sorts of tricks to avoid falling out with us in private.

"Then prepare this."

Liu Longxian clasped his fists and bowed to Li Guiren.

Liu Longxian turned and left, not noticing that Li Guiren was looking at his back with deep eyes and a meaningful expression on his face.

Even Li Guiren had to admit that the Bianzhou court's strategy of division really hit the soft spot, which was impossible to defend against and impossible to break.

If he slacked off, Liu Longxian would definitely understand that she didn't want him to become successful, and the rift between them would continue to widen.

It's only a matter of time before they fall out.

If he didn't dawdle, Liu Longxian would be satisfied, but Bianzhou wanted Luoyang, and had no idea about the three cities of Heyang for the time being, but it was just a favor. Che Guangqian and others just wanted someone to share the pressure and isolate the reinforcements of the three cities of Heyang.

They have nothing to lose!
In the future, as time goes by, Liu Longxian becomes Liu Jieshuai, and is on equal footing with Li Guiren.

Can the two of them still be united in purpose and keep each other warm as before?

People's minds can change, and they can change very quickly. Li Guiren could no longer predict what the future would be like.

Perhaps there is a third option. Li Guiren's eyes flashed coldly.

An evil thought arose in my heart.

……

Che Guangqian didn’t know what Li Guiren was thinking, he could only do his own thing.

The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army had already stationed in Sishui City, northwest of Xingyang City. Since Hulao Pass no longer existed, this place could almost be regarded as a replacement for Hulao Pass.

The location is only a few hundred meters away, so troops can be stationed there, but there is no ability to defend the pass.

At this moment, Che Guangqian also came here to take charge of military affairs.

The work of fighting a war, the preliminary preparations, including the use of strategies and alienating the enemy, are similar to passing and dribbling the ball in football. No matter how fancy the play is, it ultimately requires a shot.

That means officially sending out troops and finalizing the matter!
"General Li, is Li Baochen sure he has withdrawn?"

Standing on the top of the city wall of Sishui, Che Guangqian looked to the west and asked Li Siye beside her.

"Reporting to the commander, it is true. The scouts have confirmed repeatedly that we have been tracking Li Baochen's team. Now they have left Shanzhou City and are preparing to go to Tongguan."

Li Siye answered honestly. Although he felt a little resentful of Che Guangqian for being too cautious, the information that the scouts had repeatedly confirmed was true.

Li Baochen did lead his troops out of Luoyang, and there was no sign of him turning back.

At this time, it can be basically confirmed that Li Baochen has returned to Guanzhong.

"I understand. When Li Guiren attacks the three cities of Heyang, we will immediately attack Luoyang.

Are you sure Li Baochen has no reinforcements?"

Che Guangqian asked one more question at last.

Li Guangbi thought about it, and finally said: "There is an army of about 5,000 people who have recently replaced the guard at Chenguan. Judging from the distance, this army can reach the three cities of Heyang."

"Haha, this is exactly what Li Guiren is useful for!"

Che Guangqian sneered and had no intention of telling Li Guiren the news.

"Pass the order down. After taking Luoyang, just guard the Hanjia Granary and other government warehouses. Don't guard everywhere.

Li Baochen might come back to attack us."

Che Guangqian emphasized to Li Siye.

"Understood, I will go and prepare now."

Li Siye took the order and left.

After he left, Che Guangqian's expression became serious.

This army is an unexpected variable, so we must not be careless. We must find the bodies of the dead and the living.

(End of this chapter)