The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 245 The two heroes of the party and the young man Yang Wudi
The geographical location of Pinggao County in Yuanzhou basically coincides with Guyuan City in Ningxia in later generations.

In later generations, this ancient area also had a name full of historical flavor - Xihaigu.

Pinggao County has been the only place to pass through the eastern section of the Silk Road since Bowang Hou emptied the Western Regions. It faces the Liupan Mountains across the north and south in the west and guards the throat of Hexi into Guanzhong.

During the Guangde period of the Tang Dynasty (763-764), Yuanzhou was briefly occupied by the Tubo people.

Later, with the support of the imperial court, the famous Tianbao general and Jingyuan Jiedushi Ma Lin sent troops to fight, and finally drove the Tubo people to the west of Liupan Mountain and recovered Yuanzhou.

Later, the Jingyuan Jiedushi envoy was changed to the Changyi Army Jiedushi envoy. Since three generations of Shi Jingsi, Shi Jiantang, and Shi Kuangwei guarded the Jingyuan area, the Tubo people have never been allowed to cross Liupan Mountain.

Now that the Tubo people are locked in internal strife and no longer able to advance eastward, the northwestern part of the Zhangyi Army is finally at peace.

Since last year, Li Guangbo, the nephew of Li Yiyin, the governor of the Dingnan Army, died in Jingzhou, the relationship between the Dingnan Army and the Zhangyi Army has completely broken down.

Li Yiyin wrote a complaint to the court, hoping that the court would severely punish Shi Kuangwei and hand over Zhu Xiu, the murderer of Li Guangbo. At the same time, he sent troops to cross Yanzhou, invade Yuanzhou brazenly, and occupy the racecourse in the northern part of Yuanzhou.

Yuanzhou Racecourse was an important war horse breeding ground for the Longyou Shepherd Supervisor during the Tang Dynasty. It was also the largest racecourse in the entire Jingyuan area, with the capacity to produce more than [-] war horses every year.

The racecourse is the heart and soul of the Chang Yi Army. Before the salt factory, the horse market held every year was the largest financial income of the Chang Yi Army.

Last year, the Dingnan Army occupied the racecourse. The Changyi Army had just experienced internal turmoil and was unable to resist. Shi Kuangwei had to break his teeth and swallow blood. He was so angry that he complained to the court.

The imperial court has always been at odds with the conflicts between local vassals and towns, and it is even more partial when it comes to the trouble-making army.

This incident also made Shi Kuangwei completely disappointed with the Kaifeng court. He gritted his teeth and told Zhu Xiu to accumulate strength secretly. Once he had the opportunity, he would take back the racecourse and teach the party members a lesson.

This time, the Dingnan Army once again went south to harass Pinggao County, plundering thousands of cattle and sheep, and killing dozens of herdsmen, angering both the army and the people.

The Pinggao County and town generals organized officers and soldiers to go out of the city to fight with the Dingnan Army. Instead, they ended up defeated and killed. Their heads were chopped off by party members, hung on spear poles, and sent to the county town every day to show off. .

The soldiers and civilians in the city were panicked. The magistrate of Pinggao sent people to Anding County to report on flying horses, and at the same time ordered to defend the city defenses.

Ten miles north of the county seat, on the bank of the Hulu River, is a hilly area with relatively gentle terrain, where more than [-] Dingnan troops are stationed.

Tents were set up like wild flowers. If you look up from a height, you can see that the camp of the Dingnan Army is arranged in a very organized manner. It is divided into two camps, the north and the south. The two camps are nearly a mile apart, and there are several nearby camps. Sentries are set up on higher hills so that if something happens to any camp, they can immediately respond to each other.

In the North Camp, next to the flagpole of the Chinese army, inside a large tent with a tent roof made of countless pieces of sheepskin and wolf skin, the brazier burned red and was filled with a strong smell of alcohol.

Since late autumn, the temperature in the Wonju area has dropped sharply, with a huge temperature difference between morning and evening. Sporadic snowdrops often fall on the horse farms in the north in the middle of the night.

Beside the brazier, two burly young men were holding a wine jar and drinking heavily. There was also a scribe in a green robe in the tent, kneeling beside the table, helping to pick up food and pour wine. He lowered his eyebrows like a servant.

There are two majestic young men. The one on the left is wearing a Hu costume and a strange round crown on his head. He has a square and slightly convex forehead, a high nose, and two mustaches. His appearance is obviously different from that of the Han people.

This person is none other than Li Guangrui, the son of Li Yiyin, the young commander of the Dingnan Army.

The imperial court awarded him the title of General Wei, the leader of the left army. At the beginning of the year, Liu Chengyou also granted him the authority to know Yinzhou affairs.

Li Guangrui was originally ordered by his father to go to Yanzhou to inspect Yanchi.

After finishing his official duties, he thought that his cousin Li Guangyan was serving as a town general in Wuyuan County, so he came to meet him.

A year ago, it was Li Guangyan who was ordered by Li Yiyin to lead Wuyuan soldiers and horses to raid Yuanzhou racecourse.

Since then, Li Guangyan has been traveling between Wuyuan County and Yuanzhou Racecourse.

Li Guangyan's father Li Yijing and Li Yiyin are brothers, and he is Li Yijing's fifth son.

Li Guangbo, who died in Jingzhou, was Li Guangyan's fourth brother.

Their sister Li is Xue Xiuming's first wife.

For Li Guangyan, the death of his fourth brother and eldest sister at the hands of Zhang Yi's army was a sign of sworn hatred.

Another young man on the right, 24 years old, is dressed in a Han-style military robe, with a scarf on his head. He has a strong body, extremely long arms, and is extraordinary in martial arts.

This man's name was Yang Chonggui, the son of Yang Xin, the governor of Linzhou.

At the beginning of the year, the emperor's uncle Liu Chong was appointed as the governor of Hedong. Yang Xin was a close general under Liu Chong. He was strongly recommended by Liu Chong and promoted to the governor of Linzhou.

Yang Xin is a local wealthy family in Linzhou. He has organized the army and civilians to fight against the Khitans for many years and has a great reputation in Linzhou.

Yang Chonggui was outstanding in martial arts and generous as a knight. He followed his father to resist the Khitan people since he was a child. He was known as the invincible little general among the people of Linzhou.

Linzhou is adjacent to the Dingnan Army. Li Yiyin and Liu Chong have always been on good terms, and Li Yiyin also admires Yang Xin and his son.

Li Guangrui prides himself on his bravery, among his peers, only Li Guangyan's martial arts can compete with him.

Unexpectedly, he accidentally competed with Yang Chonggui and ended up at a rare disadvantage.

Afterwards, Li Guangrui was not convinced and even went to Linzhou to discuss with Yang Chonggui.

After going back and forth, they didn't know each other without fighting. Instead, the two became friends and treated each other as brothers in private.

Li Guangrui introduced his cousin Li Guangyan to him, and the three of them became close friends.

More than a month ago, Li Guangrui and Li Guangyan met in Wuyuan. They had nothing to do, so they discussed going to Yuanzhou Racecourse and wrote a letter inviting Yang Chonggui to come with them.

The three of them arrived at Yuanzhou Racecourse and rode horses all day long. The sky was high and the sky was high, and they were free and happy.

A few days later, the three of them were bored and decided to find something to do.

Li Guangrui suggested sending troops south to harass Pinggao County and plunder some cattle, sheep and horses. It would be better if some women could be captured.

Li Guangyan hated Li Guangbo and Li's death and immediately agreed.

Yang Chonggui also heard the two men talk about the enmity between the Dingnan Army and the Zhangyi Army. Without knowing what was going on, he naturally felt that the Zhangyi Army had killed the Li family's children first, and they shared the same hatred. He immediately agreed to go south to teach the Zhangyi Army a lesson and give the man named Shi a lesson. Long memory.

Li Guangyan transferred the Wuyuan garrison, and the three of them led the army south, harassing the people and plundering the herdsmen along the way, which was much more interesting than staying at the racecourse to race horses.The Wuyuan garrison was only the outer town troops of the Dingnan Army, and could not be regarded as the direct troops of the Dingnan Li family. However, they were under the command of the Dingnan Army after all, and any transfer could not be hidden from Li Yiyin.

After Li Yiyin learned about this, he didn't ask any more questions. He just sent someone to tell them not to attack the county seat and passes, and not to cross Pinggao County and go deep south. He didn't say much else.

In this way, it was regarded as acquiescence to the intrusive behavior of the three people.

Li Guangrui and Li Guangyan became even more unscrupulous and began to hunt herdsmen for fun.

"Yesterday, Fifth Brother shot and killed six herdsmen. Originally, I also shot six people. I thought I was tied with him. Unexpectedly, one of them actually pretended to be dead. He climbed on a horse and fled back to the county town when I was not prepared. The Han people are really cunning and hurt me. Lost another ten golds to Fifth Brother”

Li Guangrui was drunk, his eyes were blurred, he was spitting out the smell of wine and yelling loudly, he put the wine jar on the table with a bang, and shouted at the green-robed scribe kneeling beside him: "Dog slave, bring me another jar of wine!"

There was a trace of resentment in the eyes of the green-robed scribe, but a submissive smile appeared on his face: "Young General, wait a moment."

The green-robed scribe trotted out of the tent. Yang Chonggui glanced at his back, put down his chopsticks and said, "After all, this man is Wulang's brother-in-law. I'm afraid it's not appropriate for my dear brother to treat him as a slave."

Li Guangrui waved his hand and said disapprovingly: "What brother-in-law? His family was destroyed and he came to Xiazhou to seek protection from my Li family. He is just a bereaved dog."

Yang Chonggui frowned and said, "This man speaks well, he seems to be a man of wisdom, Wu Lang usually respects him quite a bit, if you despise him so much, beat and scold him so much, if you let Wu Lang know, I'm afraid you'll offend him Not fast."

Li Guangrui's red eyes widened and he yelled in a rough voice: "Fifth brother and I are brothers. Who does this guy named Xue mean? How could Fifth Brother be angry with me because of him?"

Yang Chonggui smiled bitterly and shook his head: "You don't look at the monk's face to look at the Buddha's face. It's not good for you to be so contemptuous of others."

The green-robed scribe carried the wine jar into the tent, knelt beside the table, opened the mud seal, held it in both hands and handed it to Li Guangrui.

Li Guangrui belched wine and laughed loudly: "Slave dog, just now Brother Yang interceded for you. Today, for the sake of Brother Yang, the Japanese general allows you to go down and have a rest. You don't have to wait here. Get out!"

The green-robed scribe was stunned for a moment, bowed to Yang Chonggui gratefully, then cupped his hands towards Li Guangrui, and said in a low voice: "I'll excuse you."

As soon as he stood up and was about to leave, Li Guangrui suddenly raised his foot and kicked him on the butt. The kick was so powerful and heavy that he screamed and fell forward, falling hard to the ground. His face and palms were scratched. It hurts.

"Hahaha~ This is the image of a turtle slave!" Li Guangrui laughed, picked up the wine jar and drank heavily, the clear wine dripping from his chin.

Yang Chonggui sighed helplessly and looked sympathetically at the green-robed scribe who silently got up and left.

After drinking less than half the jar of wine, Li Guangrui's eyes were red and he kept burping, and the strong smell of alcohol spurted out from his mouth and nose.

"Brother Yang will go hunting with us this afternoon~Brother Yang has outstanding archery skills and will definitely be able to kill many herdsmen."

Yang Chonggui shook his head and said solemnly: "Shooting an unarmed person is not what a man would do! I advise you not to do such a thing that harms the peace of the world again."

Li Guangrui burped and chuckled: "I almost forgot that Brother Yang is also a Han! Haha~ Those Han people are all people in the area under the jurisdiction of the Zhangyi Army. What does it have to do with our Dingnan Army? Besides, there are many Han people, so it doesn't matter how many people die."

Yang Chonggui frowned and felt a little angry. He couldn't help scolding: "What nonsense are you talking about? Even in the territory under the jurisdiction of your Dingnan Army, there are mostly Han people, and there are also a considerable number of Han people in the army. Even Li Shizhong personally made a promise to the Han officials under his command However, once Dangxiang Li took charge of the government and defeated the army, he would give preferential treatment to the Han people, and Dangxiang people and Han people would not distinguish each other!
If your remarks today are spread, how will the Han people in Xiazhou and Yinzhou look at you? "

Li Guangrui was startled and his mind was clear. He smiled and clasped his fists and said, "I just made a mistake while drunk. Please forgive me, Brother Yang."

Yang Chonggui snorted loudly and said solemnly: "You promise me now that you will no longer take pleasure in hunting Han herdsmen! We only plunder the cattle and sheep raised by the government, and there is no need to invade the common people.

The blood debt owed by the Changyi Army to the Li family has nothing to do with the Han people. "

Li Guangrui's face was flushed with wine, he waved his hands and said with a smile: "It's just Brother Yang! If the Han people in Pinggao County know that they escaped because of Brother Yang's plea, I'm afraid every household will have to fight for Brother Yang in the future. Build a temple of longevity and worship Brother Yang as a living Bodhisattva."

"You are talking nonsense!" Yang Chonggui scolded angrily and snatched the wine jar from his hand, "You are already drunk, don't drink anymore!"

"I'm not drunk! After I finish this with Brother Yang, I can have another one~" Li Guangrui stretched out his hand to grab it.

During the quarrel, the tent curtain was opened, and a heroic young general rushed into the military tent with an iron horse and a spear.

"Okay! You two don't wait for me to drink!"

The person who came was none other than Li Guangyan, who was awarded the post of Wuyuan Town General by Li Yiyin. He had just turned 20 this year, but he had been in the army for many years.

Li Guangyan put the horse in the weapon rack, grabbed the wine jar and drank it with one gulp.

"Haha! So happy!" Li Guangrui laughed and shouted outside the tent: "Come here! Bring the wine! Bring some barbecue!"

Li Guangyan wears a wolf-skin coat slung across his upper body, wears a hat on his head, and has thick muscles on his arms. He looks like a mighty warrior. No wonder he is known as the mighty Taibao in Xiazhou.

Ever since King Li Keyong of the Jin Dynasty led his Thirteen Taibao to dominate the world, the word Taibao has become a popular description of brave warriors. There are thirteen Taibao in front of them. Those who can be called Taibao in future generations are all excellent in martial arts. man of.

Li Guangyan picked out a piece of mutton leg bone from the basin, opened his mouth and bit into it, eating it fiercely.

"Fifth Brother, did you gain anything from your inspection today?" Li Guangrui rubbed his hands with anticipation, "Is there anyone in Pinggao County who dares to go out of the city to fight?"

Li Guangyan grinned and said: "Today I saw from a distance that there seemed to be a lot of soldiers and horses coming from outside Pinggao County. There was a general with a big beard who led his men to dig trenches in the north of the city, as if to prevent us from attacking the city."

Li Guangrui laughed excitedly and said: "Great! Someone from the Zhangyi Army finally dares to fight! After waiting for so many days, I can only shoot herdsmen for fun every day. It's really boring. I have long wanted to rush in and kill them!"

Yang Chonggui hurriedly said: "Let's not be busy, how many defenders are there in the city, who is leading the troops, and the enemy's strength is unknown at all, how can we act rashly?"

Li Guangrui said disdainfully: "Brother Yang, don't worry, the Zhangyi Army is just a bunch of rabble. Even if Shi Kuangwei comes in person, he will not be our army's opponent! I heard that there is only one named Wei Hu in the Zhangyi Army, who is somewhat capable. The others But a chicken and a dog."

Li Guangyan wiped the grease on his mouth and shouted fiercely: "I hope Shi Kuangwei and Zhu Xiu are also in the city. As long as they show up, I will kill them to avenge the fourth brother and eldest sister!"

Li Guangrui yawned and said with full sleepiness: "Fifth brother, you go and reorganize the troops first, and set off in two hours to call for formation outside Pinggao County. I'll take a nap first, I'm so sleepy."

With that said, Li Guangrui fell asleep, and in the blink of an eye he heard loud snores.

Li Guangyan finished eating half a bowl of mutton, wiped his hands on his wolf-skin jacket, and said with fists in his hands: "Brother Yang, please take charge of the camp for my brother. When my brother goes to Pinggao County, chop off the heads of a few Zhangyi soldiers. At night Bring it back for a drink!”

Li Guangyan picked up the horse and rushed out of the tent with murderous intent.

Yang Chonggui couldn't stop him, so he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

(End of this chapter)