Late Tang

Liu Xun took Li Keyu to Zhang Hong's side, and reported to Li Jing when he came back: "The Uyghur ordered a thousand sets of ordnance, a complete set. Including spears, horizontal knives, infantry bows, individual crossbows, riding bows, cowhide Shields, square iron shields, iron armor, leather armor, and pockets. I bought a thousand sets of each, especially the armor. I bought a thousand sets of iron armor and leather armor. I also bought a thousand horses. He also took a fancy to it. Our saber, as well as the rook and the cannon. Zhang Lushi did not agree to give him the saber and the cannon. This guy also asked about our Feihuo and Shenhuo, but Zhang Lushi ignored him."

These ordnance produced and sold by the Zhendong Army are basically mass-produced mass goods.The ordnance equipped by the Zhendong Army itself is manufactured by a separate workshop, such as sabers, triangular lances, and spear flags, which are all unique equipment for the Zhendong Army.Not only are the materials used the best, but the craftsmanship is also completely different.These equipment will never be sold outside, completely equipped by yourself.There are also heavy crossbows and throwing cannons, which are also produced according to standard parts, which can be disassembled and assembled at any time, and even the parts of each ballista and throwing cannons can be used with each other.During the battle, if one is damaged, it can be repaired quickly, even if it is damaged, some intact parts can also be disassembled for other use.

Naturally, these heavy crossbows and throwing cannons will not be sold. As for Feihuo and Shenhuo, these are the core secrets of the Zhendong Army, killer mirror strategic weapons, if you want to buy them, don't even mention them.

"How much is Zhang Hong's asking price?" Li Jing asked casually.

"A full set of three hundred guan, including the horse, is worth 30 guan." Liu Xun replied.

This price is indeed very cheap, and can even be regarded as the ex-factory price.A set of iron armor must be at least fifty guan, and a war horse must be at least [-] guan.What's more, in the complete set they bought, there were only two bows, two shields, one crossbow, and one set of armor, one set of iron armor and one set of leather armor.

However, Li Jing doesn't have to worry about losing money. The ordnance sold has been fully assembled and manufactured with uniform standard parts. Because a large number of craftsman apprentices and ordinary workers are used, the production speed has increased a lot and the labor cost has also been reduced a lot.The higher the output, the lower the cost.Anyway, to support the civil strife in Youzhou, Li Jing didn't care too much about making money from this batch of goods.At least, those thousand horses still made some money. Southern Liaoning is not the mainland of the Central Plains, but this is where war horses are produced. Although horses are expensive, they are not as precious as in the Central Plains.

"Do you want us to deliver this batch or do they pick it up?"

"They come to pick it up by themselves, but we want us to help them ship it to Zhangshui River Estuary on the coast of Youzhou. They have someone waiting there, and pay directly when they receive the goods, and then secretly transport them back to Guizhou. 30 yuan, money Silk and half."

"It doesn't matter." Li Jing waved his hand indifferently. "You go and invite Li Sima, Staff Officer Li, Guo Zhang's study room, Judge Pei, Deputy Commander Wang, and Deputy Commander Lin to discuss the matter together."

When everyone arrived, Li Jing asked Zhang Xun to stay and attend the meeting.Originally, Zhang Xun's level was not qualified to stay. Li Jing intended to cultivate Zhang Xun as his confidant, so for the current occasion, he was allowed to stay and talk about the things he had discussed with Li Maoxun earlier.

Zhang Xun stood at the bottom with a calm face, but he was very excited to tell the story.Seeing this, everyone knows that Li Jing attaches great importance to Zhang Xun. After Zhang Xun successfully grasped Li Jing's three-step strategy to manage Liaodong last time, the high-level officials of the Anton Governor's Mansion also attached great importance to Zhang Xun, a young general. .Right now, no one raised any objections.

After everyone quietly listened to Zhang Xun's narration, Li Zhen asked: "This Li Maoxun is very courageous and wild. However, even if they plan to use the name of Chen Gongyan to start an incident, I'm afraid they will not be sure of success. Great, the Lord seems to think they can succeed?"

Li Zhen directly grasped the point of the problem, and he agreed with Li Jing's support for Lulong's civil strife.He also didn't ask Li Jing where he got the information, but directly asked Li Maoxun if he had the ability to make things happen.

Li Zhen is currently serving as Sima of the Zhendong Army, and is firmly seated as the number one counselor under Li Jing's command.He was just over thirty, and although he was a student, he had also served as a military officer in the Imperial Army, and he was as strong as a 20-year-old boy.Even when he was sitting, he still looked tall, with slender legs, broad shoulders, flat stomach, and thin but muscular arms.Dressed in a crimson official robe, with a Luo Sha Fu head, but has the air of a Confucian general.

Li Maoxun has been successful in history, but Li Jing can't answer him like this.He just smiled and said: "Although Li Maoxun is a Uighur who surrendered to Guo Zhongwu, he has made military exploits many times since he surrendered to Guo Zhongwu. Uighur nobles and herdsmen. Arm these people and they will become powerful fighters. Besides, he did not plan to be reckless, but planned to use Chen Gongyan's prestige. Many soldiers in Youzhou have long been dissatisfied with Zhang Gongsu. Chen Gongyan changed his commander. In this way, Li Maoxun sent troops in the name of Chen Gongyan, and the resistance he encountered must not be strong. Although Zhang Gongsu once had a reputation for bravery, he has been cruel since he became a commander. The soldiers have long been dissatisfied It's up to him. This time, I predict that Li Maoxun will definitely win the position of Marshal of Youzhou."

"Since that's the case, isn't the condition offered by the commander-in-chief too low? It's only 100 million yuan after the event is completed!" Guo Chengan asked.

Li Jing smiled, "Actually, it's just a matter of sending a fleet around the coast of Youzhou to collect 100 million guan. It’s just adding a fire to make Youzhou more lively. What’s more, it’s just hugging grass and beating rabbits.”

Li Zhen and the others were originally worried that Li Jing planned to intervene strongly in Youzhou Town, but now they can't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

All subsequent things progressed as expected, the ordnance transaction purchased by Li Maoxun was completed, and the Navy brought back 30 pennies for the purchase.On July 23, Li Maoxun sent another envoy to ask Li Jing to send troops together on July 25.

On the 25th, Li Jing mobilized more than [-] warships in the four naval battalions of Zhenhai, Nutao, Anlan, and Fubo, and loaded ten battalions in southern Liaoning. Many places on the coast of China have landed, and they have come ashore to make surprise attacks.

This time, Li Jing only said one sentence to the Liaonan hatchback soldiers and horses, went to the various ministries in Youzhou, and let them plunder, and Li Jing only needed half of the money, grain and goods plundered, and the remaining half of the plundered proceeds. All ministries are owned by themselves.

As soon as this sentence came out, the soldiers and horses of the Tenth Battalion of Liaonan Hatchback, who were still hesitant, became excited.Such opportunities for looting were rare in the past. It is conceivable that with the support of the four navy divisions of the Zhendong Army, there is absolutely no need to worry about other problems.After looting, you can leave immediately by boat.

Such a good thing, even Zhendong Army was a little moved.However, Li Jing did not agree to the request of the battalions on the grounds of guarding southern Liaoning, but promised to take [-]% of the money and food handed over by the soldiers and horses of the ten battalions in southern Liaoning, and give [-]% as rewards to the remaining battalions Only then did the soldiers' enthusiasm for war be calmed down.

On the evening of the 24th, taking advantage of the darkness and mist, four naval battalions plus ten battalions in southern Liaoning with 4000 troops, a total of more than 100 warships, followed by more than 500 sea-going ships mobilized by Li Jing. Set sail for Youzhou.

Standing behind Li Jing, Liu Xun followed to the pier to send the army off.

"Why, do you also want to go to Youzhou to grab one?" Li Jing turned around, just in time to see Liu Xun staring at the fleet going away.

Liu Xun pursed his lips and smiled: "I just thought that Youzhou is going to be lively. However, I didn't expect that the county magistrate would mobilize so many troops to rob Youzhou. It's a bit unexpected!"

"Anyway, Li Maoxun, Zhang Gongsu, and their dogs bite dogs, and we can't intervene. Why don't we just take the opportunity to grab one, and let the brothers get some extra money by the way." Li Jing chuckled.

"Is it really that simple?" The city lord of Duli Town, who is now serving as the deputy governor of southern Liaoning, the military envoy of Duli Town, and the county magistrate of Duli County, Wang Pu, looked at Bai Fan who was going away, and heard Li Jing's words , turned to his old friend Pei You and shook his head with a smile.

Pei You looked at Wang Pu: "Then what do you think?" Pei You is now Li Jing's father-in-law, just like Wang Pu.If you want to talk about the difference, it is that Pei You is more thorough than Wang Pu in creating Li Jingli. Once Li Jing's opponent, now, in turn, he has become Li Jing's general who supervises Duli Town.Wang Pu is the suppressing envoy of Duli Town, and Pei You is the teaching envoy of Duli Town.Wang Pu is the magistrate of Duli County, and Pei You is the magistrate of the county.Wang Pu is the deputy governor of southern Liaoning, and Pei You is the judge of the governor's mansion of southern Liaoning.In addition to this, Pei You also served as the judge of the Anton Governor's Mansion and the Zhendong Army judge.The former subordinate has actually become his boss.

Wang Pu looked at Pei You, since he surrendered to Li Jing, he seemed to be younger.In the eyes, there is a sparkle of color.

"I think that the guard sent a large army to rob Youzhou this time, not just for the sake of grabbing it and earning some extra money. Although the Zhendong Army sent all four sailors, none of the other soldiers and horses were sent. And The mission of the navy this time is to escort the second-compartment soldiers and horses in southern Liaoning, and they will not go ashore. Therefore, I think that the decision of the guard is actually because after the recent reorganization of the various ministries in southern Liaoning, the soldiers of each battalion are somewhat depressed. Letting them go to rob Youzhou for the first time is naturally the best way to relax. After everyone relaxes and vents, they will naturally release their originally tense and depressed mood. They may have some dissatisfaction with the county government and Zhendong army, so naturally they will Transferred to Youzhou."

Pei You smiled, without comment.

Wang Pu also stopped talking, but in fact, he felt that the matter was more than that.Li Jing sent all the Liaonan hatchback soldiers and horses to Youzhou, and he probably wanted to use Youzhou soldiers to weaken some Liaonan soldiers.In addition, the Liaonan Army has all gone to Youzhou, and Li Jing can also carry out a major integration of the intricate local forces in the five counties of Liaonan.

Regardless of whether it is the same, Li Jing sent troops to rob Youzhou this time is very clever.Not only helped Li Maoxun seize Youzhou, but also restrained some soldiers and horses in Youzhou.On the other hand, some of the psychological dissatisfaction of the Southern Liao soldiers during this period was transferred to Youzhou under the pretext of robbing Youzhou.The Liaonan soldiers only charged half of the property they robbed, which was a big move to bribe the Liaonan soldiers.On the other hand, by transferring all these Liaonan soldiers away, Li Jing can let go, and unscrupulously carry out a major integration of all parties in Liaonan, and stabilize his control in Liaonan.

Killing three birds with one stone, killing three birds with one stone, and doing things so seamlessly, all parties are satisfied, Li Jing's work has become more and more precise and ruthless.

On the 25th, Li Maoxun pretended to invite Chen Gongyan to discuss side affairs, but attacked and killed him halfway.Then he immediately contacted the Uighur tribe in Guizhou and led the Qingyi army to raise troops.Claiming that Chen Gongyan was dissatisfied with Zhang Gongsu, Marshal of Lu Long, he wanted to lead his troops to expel Zhang Gongsu, and called himself Chen Gongyan's vanguard to attack Zhang Gongsu.

Under the banner of Chen Gongyan, Li Maoxun came to Youzhou from Guizhou in the northwest of Youzhou along the Sanggan River. The Qingyi army and the Uighur soldiers recruited had a total of [-] soldiers and horses, claiming [-].

Upon hearing the letter, Zhang Gongsu hastily summoned the dental soldiers in Youzhou City to prepare for the battle.

At this time, Li Jing's four naval battalions sent [-] Liaonan soldiers to the coasts of You, Ji, and Pingyan.The [-] Liaonan soldiers were divided into ten groups according to the battalion, and launched surprise attacks on the counties along the coast of the three prefectures, looting all over the place.

At this time, Youzhou Town was focused on Li Maoxun's raising troops, but the backyard caught fire, and it never occurred to Li Jing to suddenly send troops across the sea from southern Liaoning to attack.For a while, they were caught in a two-front battle.

The fleet of Zhendong Army even went directly up the river along the estuary of Zhangshui and Baoqiu River, and then entered the canal and Lushui.Several battalions of Liaonan soldiers were directly sent to the counties of Yongnu and Huichang in Youzhou.

Qin Zongshou's Langya Battalion was even more vicious, and directly attacked and captured Yongchang County overnight.

The other battalions in southern Liaoning also achieved fruitful results. Before Youzhou Town had time to react, they had already captured Xinchang County, Xincheng County, Anci, and Guzhou in the south of Youzhou with lightning speed. Anliu City.

Zhang Gongsu was shocked, and quickly sent messengers to order the soldiers and horses from all the towns in Lulong to gather in the northwest of Youzhou, preparing for a decisive battle with Chen Gongyan and Li Maoxun.A group of soldiers and horses rushed to the southeast of Youzhou to help them regain the lost counties and beat the Liaonan army.

Soldiers from all walks of life were dispatched one after another, but it was already the next morning when they rushed all the way along the canal to Yongnu County.There was only an empty city waiting for them, the city gate was wide open, and no one was seen inside.The people in the city either fled or were captured.After the Liaonan army finished the robbery, because the navy sailed directly along the canal to the outside of the city, they simply loaded all the money and food on the boat, and by the way, drove the young and strong men and women in the city to the outside of the city to load and transport away. up.This time, the Zhendong Army dispatched more than 200 warships and more than 500 large ships. The strong transportation capacity made the Liaonan Army's idea a reality.

The six cities of Yongnu, Huichang, Xinchang, Xincheng, Anci, Gu'an, and Youzhou have been recovered one after another, but the four cities of Yongnu, Huichang, Anci, and Gu'an have become empty cities. All the shops and houses were also looted.Even the young and strong men and women in the four cities were all taken away.

Three days later, an urgent report was sent to Youzhou, reporting that the six cities of Yongnu, Huichang, Xinchang, Xincheng, Anci, and Gu'an were all recovered, but the six cities were looted. Young and strong men and women were taken away.All the soldiers and horses pursued them, but the Zhendong Army had already set sail into the sea, and there was no hurry to pursue them.

Zhang Gongsu, who had already been killed by Li Maoxun, almost fainted after seeing the letter.However, after hearing that the Zhendong Army had retreated from the sea after a big raid, they finally felt more at ease, and immediately stabilized their minds and led their troops out of the city to fight Li Maoxun.

The two armies fought in Xishan, northwest of Youzhou, and on the north bank of Sangqian River.

Li Maoxun's [-] soldiers and horses, all cavalry, were newly equipped with a large number of armors and ordnance bought from Li Jing, and their morale was high.At this time, there were only more than [-] people around Zhang Gongsu, and many soldiers and horses were unwilling to fight Li Maoxun's banner of Chen Gongyan.

In the afternoon, the two armies began a decisive battle. From afternoon to dusk, Zhang Gongsu not only failed to defeat Li Maoxun, but his soldiers became more and more lazy.That night, the two armies retreated ten miles each to set up camp.In the middle of the night, Li Maoxun selected [-] Uighurs who dared to fight and died, and attacked Zhang Gongsu's camp at night.

The guards assigned to Zhang Gongsu's battalion saw Li Maoxun approaching, not only did not resist, but opened camp to welcome him.Li Maoxun entered the camp, and then Li Keju led most of them to hide and kill. Many of Zhang Gongsu's troops surrendered without a fight.

At dawn, Li Maoxun entered Youzhou, and then claimed to be the Jiedu envoy to stay behind.It wasn't until this time that everyone in Youzhou realized that Chen Gongyan had never rebelled, and Li Maoxun was not Chen Gongyan's vanguard.But when things got to this point, Li Maoxun had captured Youzhou, and he had [-] elite cavalry under him. In the end, the generals had no choice but to recognize Li Maoxun as the new acting Marshal Lu Long.

According to the "Tang Law Shuyi" formulated by the Tang Empire during the reign of Emperor Gaozong Yonghui, there are ten crimes that are considered extremely serious and unforgivable, the so-called "ten crimes are unpardonable".Among them, the first article is "rebellion", which means "conspiring to endanger the country", which means planning and implementing the overthrow of the existing regime; the ninth article is "injustice", "it means that the killing belongs to the government lord, governor, county magistrate, and witness. Teachers, officials, and soldiers kill the officials of the fifth rank and above in the department; and when they hear their husbands' funerals, they hide and do not mourn, but if they are having fun, they will obey the auspicious and reform." In short, it is unrighteous for lower-level officials to kill superior leaders.

In short, according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, Li Maoxun's behavior has committed two "ten heinous" crimes at the same time. It can be said that: the nature is very bad, the consequences are extremely serious, and the society is extremely harmful. No amount of severe punishment can be too much!

However, after Chang'an learned of the "rebellion" and "injustice" incident in Lulong Town, the Tang court did not express anything in particular.

Soon, the imperial court issued a letter to Youzhou, and Li Maoxun officially became the governor of Youzhou.

However, this is already two months later!

(To be continued)