Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 763: Mountains and Rivers

The sunrise in summer is very early. The sunlight dispels the morning mist, and the surface of the Bianzhou Canal is dyed with a layer of gold.

The Vermillion Bird Gate in the south of Bianliang City slowly opened, and the imperial guards guarding the palace lined up and slowly walked out of the palace gate. The armor plates reflected a cold light in the sunlight.

First, a team of imperial guards led the way with flags in hand. There were a total of thirty-six crimson flags with coiled dragon patterns surging on the purple satin like living things, which showed at first glance that they were carefully made.

The flag-bearing captain walked in the front with a nine-tassel dragon flag on his shoulder. The flag was hung with jade beads, and the sound of each string of jade beads hitting each other sounded like the lingering sound of the morning bell.

It looks solemn, dignified and grand!
Emperor Li Qi sat in a five-colored heron carriage, following behind the procession. The curtain blocked his face, so it was unclear what his expression was. Zheng Shuqing, the Minister of Rites, rode his horse in front of the procession, holding a golden scepter.

On both sides of Zhuque Street in Bianliang City, Li Guinian, the newly appointed music director, led 300 musicians to play the "Music of the Qin King Breaking the Formation"! They accompanied the imperial procession forward, playing music as they walked.

The dancing dewdrops on the konghou strings and the trembling ripples of the chimes compose another movement in the sound of the imperial bells. That is the immortal memory of the prosperous Tang Dynasty buried in people's hearts!

"The emperor is personally leading the expedition to Tibet, everyone get out of the way!"

Huo Xianming, who was accompanying the emperor, shouted while sitting next to the driver. At this moment, both sides of Zhuque Street were already full of people kneeling.

"I have never seen such a scene since I was born. I never thought I would see it again in my lifetime. I really don't know what to say."

Behind the translucent curtain, Li Qi sighed and said.

The words are full of vicissitudes, helplessness, and honor.

Hearing this, Fang Zhongyong, who was driving the emperor's carriage, replied, "Your Majesty gave up Huainan in the past, which was a great contribution to the country and saved millions of lives. I remember all of this. Your Majesty deserves the honor today."

"The government is very clear about justice..."

Li Qi was somewhat moved and a little ashamed, so he could only throw out this sentence. Although his position was a little delicate, he still admired Fang Zhongyong very much.

This man had an outstanding political reputation and was very clear about his accounts. Every person he dealt with had a political reason for being dealt with, and no one had ever been used to take revenge for personal gain.

For example, no matter what Li Qi himself thought at the time, perhaps he was just worried about Yuan Chao's rebellious army attacking Yangzhou, but it is an indisputable fact that giving up Huainan avoided the attack from Bianzhou.

It was precisely because of Li Qi's cooperation that the Bianzhou court was able to directly take over the prosperous Huainan. Later, Yangzhou, the economic center of the south, played the role of a stabilizing force and integrated the resources of the south of the Yangtze River.

It can be said that it was this crucial step that allowed the Bianzhou court to snowball. If it had used military force against Huainan at that time, it is hard to say what bad things would have happened, and many subsequent policies would have been impossible to implement.

The horrific consequences are unimaginable to the people in the Bianzhou court.

Fang Chongyong later chose Li Qi as the emperor and asked him to "lead the army in person", all of which were meant to give Li Qi "glory" and repay the favor he had received in the past.

People's hearts need to be united! Doing things fairly and impartially, and the principle of clear rewards and punishments are one of the elements to unite people's hearts!

If the Bianzhou army can win this expedition to Hexi, the strategic benefits it will gain will be unimaginable, and may even become a watershed of an era.

Li Qi also had some ideas about this. Even though he knew he was a puppet, he still hoped to leave a good reputation in history.

Defeating Tubo and recovering lost territory! This is an achievement! It will be remembered for generations! Regardless of whether he is a puppet or not, he also has a share of the credit when people praise him.

"Sir, do I really not need to do anything? Just follow the team all the way into Guanzhong?"

After a long silence, Li Qi suddenly asked, feeling a little itchy.

“Your Majesty, as long as you are in the army, the backbone is there, and the soldiers know why they are fighting.

Besides, the people in Guanzhong haven’t seen a real emperor for a long time.

If you go, the people will line the streets to welcome you, and will follow you for food and favors."

Fang Chongyong persuaded (fooled) Li Qidao, holding the reins tightly in his hands, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He hadn't driven for a long time and his skills were not so good. He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

If something goes wrong while driving for the emperor, it would be a huge disgrace! And it would be a public disgrace in front of all the people of Bianzhou!
Fortunately, all this was just a formality, and Fang Zhongyong did not really have to drive Li Qi all the way to Guanzhong.

After the group left Bianliang City in a mighty manner, the imperial team withdrew, and Li Guinian led the musicians back to Bianliang City and performed "charity performances" in the city to raise military funds.

The imperial guards who were guarding the emperor took off their beautiful but impractical paper armors, put on standard armors and returned to the team, riding horses to scout dozens of miles away. Fang Zhongyong also led a group of his trusted men to the central army.

For a moment, Li Qi, who had been so glorious just now, was now surrounded by only Huo Xianming and a few eunuchs who were responsible for his food and daily life, and at most a dozen imperial guards who were responsible for his basic security.

There were only twenty or thirty people, which was nothing compared to the grand scene in Bianliang City!
Li Qi's mood instantly fell to the bottom.

A puppet is still a puppet after all. The pomp and power are proportional to the obligations performed.

Li Qi is not in charge of actual affairs, so his show is just for show, to be performed for the people of Bianzhou!
He is more like an actor than an emperor.

In desperation, Li Qi had to ask the eunuchs to take out the "storybooks" and "legends" in the box. He sat in the carriage and read the books alone, too lazy to even speak.

East of Tongguan was the area actually controlled by the Bianzhou court. The land reform policy was progressing normally, and former bandits laid down their knives and returned to their original homes.

The Bianzhou army marched westwards smoothly. A few days later, the troops passed through Luoyang, Xin'an, and arrived at Mianchi.

This was once the place where King Zhao of Qin and King Huiwen of Zhao held a meeting.

The ancient Mianchi City should be in the northeast of Mianchi. The King of Qin and the King of Zhao held a meeting to the west of Mianchi, on the loess platform north of the Mianshui River. This is indeed a great place for sightseeing and the King of Qin knew how to choose a good place.

Today, the city of Mianchi is no longer in existence, but Mianchi remains the same. Mianchi is the same as the toad larvae, i.e. tadpoles. Mianchi is the head of the Mianshui River, and the Mianshui River is the tail of the tadpole.

While the army was stationed in Mianchi, Fang Chongyong took his trusted staff and climbed up the high platform where the Qin-Zhao alliance was held. Looking around, Mianchi and the Mianshui River were in full view.

"Your Majesty, this place is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is a small scenic spot. When King Zhao of Qin chose this place for the alliance meeting, his intention to blackmail Zhao was not concealed."

Li Quan explained with a smile.

I have only heard of "Xing Sheng", but never heard anyone add the word "Xiao" in front of it. Fang Zhongyong asked curiously: "Where does this word Xiao come from?"

“Your Majesty, King Huiwen of Zhao cannot see the famous mountains and rivers, but he can see this small and beautiful place in front of him, and he can also feel that Qin has an absolute advantage over Zhao in terms of geography.

It's just that small."

Li Quan pointed to Mianchi Lake and smiled without saying anything.

The so-called "small" is just for viewing and feeling the magnificence of mountains and rivers. In fact, it is useless. Mianchi can neither stop the Qin army nor the Zhao army.

It's like a miniature version of a dangerous pass.

If the Mianshui River had the width and flow of the Yellow River, Mianchi would be awe-inspiring! That would be a "real scenic beauty"!

Fang Chongyong instantly thought of the real estate sales sand table in his previous life. It can only be said that those who understand will understand.

There is a huge rock near Mianchi, and several stone walls have been built artificially. Many poets and writers have written poems here.

"The city is connected to Luoyang Road, and we have to make this trip every year. Back then, I was a horseman, and today, the county people welcome me.

The evening rain falls on Guanjun, and the spring breeze leaves the imperial city. The east and the west are not far apart, and I look forward to hearing your good voice day and night.

Fang Chongyong saw a poem with the handwriting still on it, titled "Sending Off Cui Zhubu of Mianchi", which turned out to be a flattering poem written by Wei Yingwu!
Moreover, the poem seems to have been written not long ago, and the handwriting is still very clear. There are also many poems with mottled handwriting next to them, and many of them are already broken and unrecognizable.

This guy Wei Yingwu had actually made it to the court in Bianzhou and was even serving as an official in Luoyang, but this official didn't know about it!

For a moment, Fang Zhongyong felt that the background of the Guanzhong Tianlong people was truly unfathomable.

A person's energy is limited. The larger the territory he manages, the more he relies on his subordinates. No matter what court it is, as long as it needs officials to govern the place, as long as it needs talents, then among these people, there must be people of Guanzhong Tianlong origin.

It just depends on the quantity and position.

Without the support of his family, Wei Yingwu had to write flattering poems for this "Cui Zhubu". It was obvious that his life was not as good as it had been in Chang'an.

In ancient times when the literacy rate was low, aristocratic families had an inherent advantage in the bureaucratic system.

Would you like to write a poem “Tongguan Nostalgia” on it?

Fang Zhongyong thought about it and gave up the idea. He asked the military officer for a pen and wrote a sentence on the stone wall:

The long pass of Xiongguan is really like iron, but now we are crossing it from the beginning!
It was written next to Wei Yingwu's poem, which stunned Li Quan and others. This poem without a beginning or an end is murderous! What exactly does Fang Chongyong want to express?

All the staff were thinking about it.

"Official, this..."

Li Quan was a little confused. He wanted to speak but was stuck. He didn't know how to ask.

"No problem, pass the order down and set out tomorrow morning.

Inform the officers and men of the three armies that, in addition to the previous rules for military merit, there will be additional rewards for beheading people when fighting against Tubo.

The Tibetans have looted the five states of Hexi and have collected countless treasures. It depends on which of the soldiers can get them. "

Fang Chongyong instructed Li Quan.

"Order!"

Li Quan took the order and left without saying a word.

This time he served as the chief military officer, which was the highest standard configuration. This move was enough to show that Fang Zhongyong attached great importance to this battle against Tubo and regarded it as the most important battle since the establishment of the Bianzhou court!

"Sir, should we send someone to test the Tubo army?"

Yuan Zai stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

"Dazalugong is brutal and ruthless. He kills without blinking an eye. He never hesitates to kill people as long as it is necessary to intimidate or anger his opponents. There is no saying that when two armies are fighting, they should not kill the envoys.

I know that you want to make meritorious service, but sending you to contact Dazalugong is like sending you to death.

You are an important official under my command. You will have plenty of opportunities to display your talents in the future. How can you let your life be ruined in the Tibetan army camp?"

Fang Chongyong comforted Yuan Zaidao and politely declined his proposal.

"Your Majesty! I am not afraid of death, I am just afraid of not having the opportunity to make achievements!"

Yuan Zai asked excitedly, obviously unwilling to just follow the army.

How does a person gain status? By talking big? By complaining about oneself?
Neither, it’s accumulated through merit!

Yuan Zai was eager to make a contribution, and as long as it could accomplish something, he would not hesitate to kill his father!

"There has been no news since Li Baozhen returned to Guanzhong last time. Why don't you go to the Hedong Army camp and ask Li Baoyu what's going on?

The Tibetans are not afraid of killing people, but Li Baoyu is very afraid of them. You won’t have to worry about your life if you go there.”

Fang Zhongyong patted Yuan Zai on the shoulder and said.

He looked to the north. The Yellow River, which was not too far away, was blocked by the mountains and could not be seen at all. Geographical restrictions often make people short-sighted and obsessed with superficial security.

I hope Li Baoyu can see the situation clearly. If he really refuses to change, Fang Chongyong will not hesitate to kill him!
Fang Chongyong was somewhat worried. The best strategy is to attack the enemy's strategy. It would be best if he could subdue Li Baoyu without resorting to violence and regain control of the command of the Chishui Army. This would be of great significance for the successful pacification of Hexi.

If they really fell out, it would only make Dazhalu Gong laugh to death, and both he and Li Baoyu would be losers.

But in many cases, political games are not just a matter for one party. When faced with a foolish party, no matter how good your strategy is, it will be useless.

As the old saying goes, man proposes, God disposes, so just do your best.

……

What Fang Chongyong didn't know was that Li Baoyu and others, whom he was worried about, were now as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Li Baochen's ambush of the Tibetans in Weizhou caused a lot of noise and was not a secret at all.

The charred bodies of the Tibetan soldiers could be seen everywhere on the mountain road near Niaoshu Mountain, and no one was there to collect them. The bodies were left exposed in the wilderness to be eaten by wild beasts, and the scene was truly a hell on earth.

Occasionally, travelers passing by Niaoshu Mountain brought these terrible news to Guanzhong, which caused a wave of local wealthy people to flee. Li Baoyu was completely unable to stop it.

Since the Tibetans have already reached Weizhou, how far can they be from Chang'an?
Weizhou is next to Fengxiang Prefecture. In history, Bai Juyi once wrote, "In normal times, we defend the vast border of Anxi, but today, the border defense is in Fengxiang." The current situation is actually highly consistent with the path of the Tubo army's invasion in history.

Li Baoyu has been in Hexi for decades and has been through many battles. How could he not feel the danger of the current situation?

If he could lie down, he would have done so long ago. However, the news Li Baozhen brought back did not make him happy at all.

Now the Hedong army is stationed at Xinfeng Posthouse, not far east of Chang'an. It has built several large camps with the posthouse as the center and deployed defenses here.

Li Baoyu didn't dare to enter Chang'an at all. Once he entered Chang'an, the army's deployment would be dispersed, and it would be difficult to form a joint force when the enemy attacked the city. By then, defeat would be imminent, so what would the future be?
Chang'an is a huge pit that is easy to enter but difficult to exit. If you don't have 100,000 soldiers and horses, don't even think about defending Chang'an. You don't have the ability to do that.

At this moment, in the main hall of Xinfeng Posthouse, Li Baoyu was presiding over a military meeting and informed the generals of the news that Li Baozhen had returned.

The generals of the Chishui Army, led by the five brothers of the Lun family and Xin Yunjing, resolutely demanded to surrender to the emperor Li Qi, join the Bianzhou court, and then fight back to Hexi and recover Liangzhou.

Some other generals who were not from the Chishui Army hoped to return to Hedong to defend themselves.

Anyway, no one mentioned holding on to Guanzhong. Everyone could see that in the current situation, they could either submit to the general trend and become the vanguard in recovering Hexi, and then discuss their status after they had made contributions and fought.

Or you can go back to Hedong and wait. Anyway, Hedong is a strategically located place. It is still unknown when the Bianzhou government will recover Hedong. Nowadays, the death of a person is no more difficult than the death of a dog. It is not too late to think about the future when you are alive!

However, Li Baoyu didn't want to choose either of these two!
If he could just be a local turtle in Hedong, why would he come to Guanzhong? Why did he bother to mess around! But he was a little unwilling to hand over the military power of the Chishui Army and submit to the Bianzhou court.

After years of hard work, returning to the starting point, wouldn’t it be all in vain?
"Marshal Li, are you worried about something?

Isn't it our long-cherished wish to submit to the imperial court, enthronize Li Qi as the emperor, recover Hexi, and return to Liangzhou?
We are originally from Liangzhou, and now the imperial court wants to help us recover Liangzhou and drive out the Tibetans, so why should we hesitate?"

Lun Weizhen, one of the five brothers of the Lun family, clasped his fists and bowed to Li Baoyu. His tone was quite reproachful and he was on the verge of exploding.

Hearing this, Li Baoyu was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond. He also knew in his heart that Fang Qing stood for justice, and he would never bring his own little thoughts to the table.

Did he tell the five brothers of the Lun family and other generals from Hexi: We can just be cuckolds in Hedong and pretend that Hexi does not exist. Let the Bianzhou army do whatever they want?

If that happens, I'm afraid there will be a mutiny tonight.

"Everyone, please listen to me. We need to think about this matter carefully and there is no rush."

Li Baozhen interrupted with an embarrassed look on his face. He seemed calm on the surface, but he was actually panicking inside.

"When you say we should take the long view, do you mean we should surrender to the Tibetans?"

Xin Yunjing, who had caused the most trouble before, said something in a neither-than-positive way, and the hall instantly fell into deathly silence.

(End of this chapter)