The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

If military strength and geopolitics prevented the three northern powers from forming an anti-Heavenly Alliance, then the starkly different living conditions of the people under their rule fundamentally undermined their endurance of rule and accumulated strength for the Heavenly Alliance.

In the areas controlled by Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, and even the Tang dynasty, the people generally bore the heavy burden of war, albeit to varying degrees.

To maintain this massive war machine, taxes and corvée labor were extremely heavy. In Guanzhong during the Tang Dynasty, the people supported the eastern expedition to Luoyang, with "men fighting and women transporting supplies," leading to dwindling granaries. Wang Shichong, besieged in the isolated city, levied exorbitant taxes, and within Luoyang, the tragic situation of "cannibalism" even occurred. Although Dou Jiande was known for his benevolent rule and reduced some taxes, the pressure of conscripting laborers to build fortifications and transport supplies during years of war was still considerable. Not to mention the ever-present threat of war, the harassment of defeated soldiers and bandits, and the restrictions on personal freedom imposed by the strict household registration system. Ordinary farmers could be deprived of their food and conscripted into the army at any time, artisans were forcibly conscripted, and merchants faced layers of exploitation and uncertain safety risks. Life was merely a struggle for survival, devoid of any security or hope.

In contrast, the situation under the rule of the Heavenly Dao Alliance was completely different. Since the Heavenly Dao Alliance established its capital in the south, it has implemented a series of new policies: surveying land ownership, suppressing powerful clans, and implementing the relatively fair "Equal Land Distribution Order" and "Rent, Labor, and Tax" system, significantly reducing the burden on ordinary farmers; vigorously developing water conservancy, promoting new agricultural tools and crops, resulting in a steady increase in grain production; rectifying officialdom, establishing the "Imperial Examination Hall" to supervise officials and severely punish corruption; encouraging commerce and industry, simplifying tax checkpoints, and protecting legitimate trade; and widely establishing "Elementary Schools" and "People's Welfare Pharmacies" to promote education and basic medical care. Although it was also accumulating resources in preparation for war, the methods were relatively orderly, focusing on not harming the people's livelihood, and even having "Ever-Normal Granaries" to provide relief during famine years.

For the refugees and civilians who voluntarily came to the newly acquired lands, the Heavenly Alliance had a more systematic resettlement policy. "Reclamation Zones" were established in border areas and resource-rich regions. The government provided initial food rations, seeds, and simple farming tools, and promised "three years of reclamation, forever your own property"—after three years of reclamation, the land could be registered as the property of the reclaimers, who only needed to pay taxes according to regulations.

For skilled artisans, doctors, and scholars, there were specialized institutions that registered and assessed them, hiring them according to their abilities and providing them with appropriate treatment and positions. Although life was still difficult in the early stages, a clear path was laid out before them, one that could improve their survival and even elevate their status through hard work, and hope replaced despair.

This stark contrast, passed down through word of mouth among fugitives, accounts from merchants, and even the intentional or unintentional propaganda of the Heavenly Alliance, continuously eroded the psychological defenses of the northern populace. Thus began an ever-expanding movement of "voting with one's feet," a movement that could not be completely stopped by border controls.

Risking being shot by the garrison, captured by patrols, or freezing and starving to death in the wilderness, large numbers of people from Hebei, Henan, and even the border areas of Guanzhong, dragged their families along and tried every means to escape south, attempting to enter the territory controlled by the Tiandao Alliance, by using mountain trails, smuggling at night, and bribing border officials.

The battle zones between Dou Jiande and Li Tang, and between Li Tang and Wang Shichong, were also hotspots for fleeing people. Taking advantage of the lulls in the fighting, people, young and old, migrated south.

Once these refugees successfully cross the border, they encounter "refugee reception points" established by the Heavenly Alliance. After a simple registration and screening (mainly to check whether they are enemy spies or criminals), they receive several days' worth of rations and are guided to designated "reclamation areas" or workshops and mines with labor shortages. Although leaving their homes and engaging in reclaiming wasteland is extremely arduous, being able to survive, having their own land, and having hope for the future is already paradise for the people in the north who live hand to mouth.

The three northern powers were not unaware of this problem; the strict border control system of the Tang Dynasty was partly aimed at addressing it. However, repressive policies only exacerbated public resentment and could not eradicate the centrifugal force arising from the vast disparity in living conditions. Prevention is worse than cure, but they could not offer the same option as the Heavenly Alliance—that required radical reform, substantial material reserves, and an efficient administrative system, precisely what the three northern powers, riddled with internal conflicts, lacked.

Therefore, this silent population movement is weakening the war potential and ruling foundation of the three northern powers every day, while continuously supplying the Heavenly Alliance with labor, soldiers, and popular support.

………………

Located on the north bank of the Yellow River, Liyang Granary was a massive grain storage and military stronghold that controlled the lifeline of the canal transport between Hebei and the Central Plains. Since the end of the Sui Dynasty, it has been the focus of covetousness and struggle among various forces.

Since the main force of the Xia army suddenly appeared at the city gates a month ago, the offensive has never stopped for a single day. Dou Jiande's Great Xia banners, like a continuous red tide, have completely surrounded Liyang City.

The city was nestled against the mountains to the north and bordered the water to the south. Dou Jiande's main army was stationed on the east and west sides, with camps stretching for dozens of miles. The sounds of watchtowers could be heard, and bonfires lit up the sky, burning day and night.

Every day at dawn, tens of thousands of Xia infantrymen, driven by their supervising officers, carried ladders, trench bridges, and pointed wooden donkeys hastily made overnight, surging towards the walls of Liyang from all directions. Arrows rose like locusts from behind the Xia army lines, tracing deadly parabolas in the air, densely embedding themselves in the battlements, gate towers, and even the hastily raised shields of the defenders, making a sickeningly loud "thud."

On the city wall, Tang general Jiang Shanhe, his beard bristling and spear bristling, desperately commanded his troops to counterattack. Lobs and stones crashed down the slope of the wall, while boiling molten metal and hot oil poured from the crenellations, eliciting a chorus of bloodcurdling screams from below. Tang archers, using the parapets and watchtowers, unleashed a hail of arrows at the approaching Xia army. Xia soldiers fell, struck by arrows, but those behind them immediately trampled over their fallen comrades, howling as they continued their charge.

The Xia army's siege equipment was also constantly increasing. Huge catapults were assembled, and to the shouts of the laborers, they hurled dozens of kilograms of stones or bundles of burning oil-soaked firewood at the city walls, shattering bricks and setting the wooden towers ablaze. Even more alarming to the defenders was that the Xia army was building a mound several meters high outside the southeast corner of the city wall, its height gradually reaching the wall's level. Once completed, Xia archers could directly fire down into the city, and it might even serve as a springboard for scaling the walls. Jiang Shanhe organized several suicide squads to launch counterattacks outside the city, attempting to destroy the mound, but all were repelled by the Xia army's tight defenses, resulting in heavy casualties.

Although Liyang City was well-fortified and had ample granaries, the defending forces were limited in number. Faced with Dou Jiande's relentless attacks day and night, casualties increased daily, and morale continued to decline. On the streets of the city, one could see laborers hurriedly carrying supplies for the defense of the city and soldiers with tired faces and bandages wrapped around their wounds.

The air was thick with the smells of gunpowder, blood, and burning. Each retreat of the Xia army was so brief it felt like a hallucination; the defenders didn't even have time to clear the corpses beneath the city walls or repair the damaged ramparts before the drums of the next offensive would thunder. Urgent requests had already been sent out, but the arrival of reinforcements remained elusive.

Liyang Granary was not only an important supply base for the Tang army on the Hebei front, but its gain or loss was also crucial to the integrity of the Yellow River defense line and the security of the Guanzhong flank. Once Liyang fell, Dou Jiande could advance south unimpeded, threatening Henan, and even make contact with the remnants of Wang Shichong's forces, putting the Li Tang dynasty in an extremely passive position in the east.

...............

Changan.

The atmosphere at the imperial council was heavy. Prince Qin, Li Shimin, strongly advocated personally leading a large army eastward out of Tongguan to relieve Liyang and seize an opportunity to fight Dou Jiande, thus eliminating any worries about the east. Although the Crown Prince Jiancheng's faction had some doubts about Li Shimin's return to command the army, the strategic importance of Liyang was too great, and no one dared to obstruct him at this moment. Ultimately, Li Yuan issued an edict appointing Prince Qin, Li Shimin, as the commander-in-chief and Prince Huai'an, Li Shentong, as the deputy commander, to lead 80,000 elite infantry and cavalry from Guanzhong and Hedong, claiming a force of 200,000, on an early eastern expedition.

The gates of Tongguan were wide open, and the elite Tang army, like a black iron torrent, snaked eastward. The black banners of the Xuanjia cavalry and Li Shimin's royal banner fluttered in the wind, the infantry ranks were impeccably orderly, their spears and halberds like a forest, and their armor reflected a cold, hard gleam in the spring sun.

The people of Guanzhong lined the streets to see them off, but the atmosphere was not enthusiastic. Years of war had left many families with sons who had gone to war and never returned. Behind the glory of this "royal army" lay the blood, tears, and hopes of countless families.

Li Shimin rode on his steed, Saluzi, his face resolute. He knew this battle was of great importance; Dou Jiande was not comparable to Wang Shichong, and he had to be cautious. His deputy, Li Shentong, was a veteran general of the imperial clan, with deep experience, but his temperament was somewhat impetuous. Li Shimin had repeatedly instructed him to be careful and to obey orders.

After the army left the pass, it did not rush straight to Liyang. Instead, it first occupied several key passes west of Luoyang to stabilize its position. At the same time, it sent out scouts to gather intelligence on Dou Jiande's army. Soon, intelligence from various sources came in: Dou Jiande, hearing that the Tang army was coming to his aid, seemed to be dividing his forces. One part of his main force, led by General Cao Dan, continued to besiege Liyang, while the other part, personally led by Dou Jiande, claimed to be planning to detour north to capture another important Tang town in the Henan region—Weihui (near present-day Weihui, Henan). The intention was to cut off Liyang's connection with Hedong and threaten the Tang army's flank and rear.

When the news reached the Tang army camp, the generals discussed it extensively. Some believed that Dou Jiande's division of troops was suicidal and that they should concentrate their forces to destroy one of his routes first; others thought it was a trick by Dou Jiande and should not be trusted.

Li Shimin remained silent, unfolding a military map. His finger moved between Liyang, Weihui, and several crossing points on the Yellow River. The loss of Weihui would indeed pose a threat to the Tang army's flank and further isolate Liyang. Dou Jiande's military tactics were always cautious. This division of troops, if not a trap, indicated that he judged the main Tang army would rush straight for Liyang, and thus risked using a flanking force to capture Weihui, employing a strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao.

"If Dou Jiande really takes Weihui, his army will definitely take the northern route, passing through the mountain road of Gongcheng (now Huixian)."

Li Shimin pointed to a strategic location on the map: "This place is suitable for setting up an ambush. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake. We need to send an army to probe and contain them. Even if we cannot stop them from attacking Weihui, we need to find out where their main force is."

Vice Commander Li Shentong immediately volunteered: "Your Highness, this humble general is willing to lead an army there! If Dou Jiande is really there, this humble general will hold the strategic position and hold him off; if he is just bluffing, this humble general will seize the opportunity to defeat his detachment and then return to join Your Highness in attacking the enemy at Liyang!"

Li Shimin, watching his eager uncle, weighed his options. Li Shentong was a seasoned warrior, brave and decisive, and his troops were mostly veterans from Hedong, making them formidable fighters. Sending him to probe would indeed alleviate the pressure and help him quickly ascertain Dou Jiande's intentions. However… he reiterated, “Uncle, remember, the purpose of this mission is to probe the enemy's strength and weaknesses and to create opportunities for containment, not to seek a decisive battle. Dou Jiande is cunning; caution is essential, and rash actions must be avoided. If you encounter dangerous terrain, scouts must be sent to thoroughly investigate. All actions must be coordinated with the central army.” Li Shentong readily agreed, “Your Highness, rest assured! This humble general understands!”

He then mustered his 20,000 elite infantry and cavalry (including 3,000 cavalry), separated from the main force, and advanced rapidly northward toward Gongcheng. Li Shimin, on the other hand, personally led the main force of 60,000, slowly pressing toward Liyang, adopting a posture of decisive battle, and strictly ordered all troops to be on high alert and ready to respond to any contingencies.

North of Gongcheng, the mountains stretched endlessly, and the roads were rugged. Li Shentong led his army along the valleys, initially with considerable success; scouts reported no trace of large Xia troops ahead, only scattered cavalry. This, however, aroused suspicion in some of his more experienced generals, who suggested slowing their pace and expanding the search area. But the days of success and his eagerness for merit gradually lulled Li Shentong into a false sense of security. He concluded that Dou Jiande might indeed be launching a full-scale attack on Weihui, and this area was merely his scouting grounds.

On this day, the Tang army arrived at a treacherous canyon called "Ghost's Sorrow." The cliffs on both sides were steep and densely forested, and the road in the middle was narrow, allowing only a few riders to pass side by side. A strange chill swept over them, and even the warhorses seemed restless, snorting. The vanguard commander suggested sending a small team up the mountain to search and seize high ground before the main force proceeded.

As Li Shentong rode his horse, gazing at the deep canyon, a moment of hesitation crossed his mind. But remembering Li Shimin's instruction to "probe the enemy's strength and weakness, and not to miss the opportunity," and thinking of the embarrassment he would suffer if Dou Jiande were to actually capture Weihui due to hesitation, his competitive spirit prevailed.

He waved his hand and ordered: "If Dou Jiande had an ambush, he should have set it up in a more dangerous place a few days ago. Why is he here now? Stop being suspicious and delaying our journey! The vanguard should speed up, the central and rear guards should follow closely, the archers should be cocked, and the swordsmen and shieldmen should guard the flanks!"

The Tang army column stretched out like a long snake, winding its way into the canyon. Sunlight was blocked by towering cliffs, making the valley dim and the atmosphere oppressive. Only the sounds of horses' hooves, footsteps, and the clatter of armor echoed through the valley.

Just as the vanguard of the Tang army was about to emerge from the canyon, and the rearguard had completely entered—

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three extremely deep, muffled drumbeats, as if they came from underground, suddenly exploded on both sides of the valley! The drumbeats did not come from one place, but from multiple directions at the same time, instantly breaking the deathly silence of the valley.

"kill--!"

"Capture Li Shentong alive!"

A deafening roar erupted from the forests on both sides! Countless black dots leaped out like ghosts from behind rocks, in the trees, and in the grass! Even more terrifying, the exit of the canyon ahead was already blocked by makeshift fortifications made of boulders and rough timbers, from which swarms of Xia army archers emerged! At the entrance behind, equally loud noises and shouts of battle came, and the retreat route was also cut off!
Li Shentong's face turned deathly pale instantly, realizing he had fallen into a trap! This was no mere flanking force; it was clearly Dou Jiande's main elite force, personally led and waiting in ambush!
"Form ranks! Move towards the center! Shieldbearers forward! Archers, return fire!" Li Shentong roared hoarsely, trying to stabilize the formation.

However, it was already too late.

From both sides of the canyon, Xia army arrows rained down like a torrential downpour! The Tang army's ranks were stretched too thin, unable to coordinate their movements, and were instantly cut into several segments. Even worse, the Xia army had prepared far more than just arrows. Countless bundles of burning firewood and oil-soaked logs were pushed down the hillside, tumbling down the steep slope and crashing into the densely packed Tang ranks, causing chaos and screams. The fire, fanned by the wind, spread rapidly, billowing thick smoke further disrupting the Tang army's vision and command.

The Xia infantry, wielding spears and broadswords, charged down the hillside like tigers pouncing on sheep, plunging into the chaotic Tang army ranks. The Tang army, caught off guard and with their formations in disarray, coupled with the unfavorable terrain, was almost entirely slaughtered.

Li Shentong's personal guards fought desperately to protect him, attempting to break through to one side of the hillside. However, the Xia army was clearly prepared, with layers upon layers of ambushes, seemingly targeting his commander's flag and royal flag, and launching an exceptionally fierce attack.

"Protect the King! Break through to the north!"

The captain of the personal guard, covered in blood, cut down a Xia soldier who charged at him and shouted at Li Shentong.

Li Shentong's eyes were bloodshot as he watched the soldiers falling all around him. He knew defeat was inevitable. The most important thing now was to break through and preserve a sliver of strength to report back to the King of Qin. He ripped off his conspicuous bright armor and scarlet cloak, put on the ordinary leather armor of a fallen guard, and, under the desperate cover of dozens of his most loyal and valiant guards, abandoned his warhorse and charged desperately on foot towards a seemingly less fortified hillside to the north.

Amidst the clash of swords and the flying of blood, guards fell one after another, shielding him from deadly attacks. Li Shentong himself was wounded in several places, his armor stained crimson with blood. Through their extraordinary martial prowess and the selfless sacrifice of their guards, the group finally broke through the outermost encirclement of the Xia army and escaped into the dense forest to the north.

Looking back, the canyon they had come from was now a living hell. Shouts of battle, screams, and the crackling of flames mingled together. Tang army flags lay askew, and countless black dots (Xia soldiers) were clearing the battlefield and hunting down the remaining enemy. Those who had followed him out of the encirclement were nothing but his dozen or so wounded guards. The entire army of twenty thousand had been almost completely wiped out.

...............

News of the great victory in the ambush at Gongcheng Mountain Pass reached Dou Jiande's camp near Liyang at top speed.

When Li Shentong's banner and the captured Tang army seals were presented, Dou Jiande clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the tent: "Li Shimin has lost an arm, let's see how arrogant he can be now! Order the entire army to rest for a day, then gather all the elite troops and return to Liyang! This time, we must take this city in one fell swoop!"

The morale of the Xia army soared. Cao Dan's forces, originally besieging Liyang, received reinforcements, and their offensive suddenly intensified several times over. Dou Jiande personally supervised the battle at the front, and the Xia soldiers fought with unwavering courage. Newly constructed siege towers were pushed against the city walls, and elite armored soldiers hidden inside, under the cover of shields, leaped directly onto the city walls via drawbridges lowered from the top of the towers, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the defenders. The digging of tunnels and the demolition of the city walls were also underway simultaneously in multiple locations.

The pressure on Liyang City had reached its peak. Breach after breach appeared in the city walls, the defenders were exhausted and casualties were surging. Jiang Shanhe, despite being wounded multiple times, continued to fight on the front lines, his eyes bloodshot, revealing deep exhaustion and despair.

Jiang Shanhe selected his most loyal and valiant warriors, who, under cover of night, were lowered down the city walls by ropes, attempting to break through the Xia army's layers of blockade and send a message westward. Often, only one in ten of these warriors survived. Those who managed to break through were wounded, their horses dead, and they ran frantically on foot, carrying pleas for help soaked in sweat and blood, their minds filled with only one thought: Faster! Faster still! To deliver the news of Liyang's imminent peril to the King of Qin!

Some of these documents were intercepted by Xia's cavalry, and some messengers died from their injuries en route. However, a few were eventually delivered, after many hardships, to Li Shimin, who was enraged upon learning of Li Shentong's crushing defeat while camped more than a hundred miles west of Liyang.

The handwriting on the silk scroll was hasty and hurried, even stained with what could be ink or blood: "...The enemy is rampant, attacking day and night. Three sections of the city wall have collapsed, more than half of the soldiers have been killed or wounded, and the arrows and logs are almost exhausted... General Jiang is seriously wounded, yet he still fights on... Liyang will fall soon. I humbly beseech Your Highness to send reinforcements immediately, for any delay will be too late... Jiang Shanhe, the garrison commander of Liyang, bows again with tears of blood..."

A map lay open before Li Shimin, his fingers pressed tightly against the location of Liyang, his knuckles white. Li Shentong had suffered a crushing defeat, Liyang was on the verge of collapse, the eastern expeditionary army had made a disastrous start, and the situation had suddenly become dire.

The real test has only just begun. How to deal with Dou Jiande's fierce attack, riding the wave of his great victory; how to save Liyang; how to turn the tide of the battle—these will be unprecedented challenges in his military career. (End of Chapter)