Late Tang

On July 15, 29th year of Xiantong, Tang Dynasty, at the Fighting Cock Terrace in the southern suburbs of Yunzhou City, Hedong Road, Zhimo, the former defense envoy of Yunzhou, resigned, and Duan Wenchu, the new defense envoy of Yunzhou, and other officials came here to bid farewell to each other. , Ling poetry farewell.

At the end of July, the mid-autumn wind was blowing, and Zhimo's scarlet official robe fluttered, making him look a little lonely.Zhimo looked at the former colleagues who came to see him off, most of them were civil servants from Yunzhou, but few of the former military officers came.

Duan Wenchu ​​also discovered this fact. It was already past noon, and none of the generals from Yunzhou who had been notified had come.This made him not only angry with Zhimo, his predecessor, but also very dissatisfied with his new subordinates.

"It's outrageous, arrogant and domineering, to be like this!" Duan Wenchu ​​couldn't help shouting.

Zhimo hurriedly pulled Duan Wenchu ​​aside, and said softly, "Brother Duan, don't do this. As an official in Yunzhou, it's better to keep a low profile. Especially for that Li Ya'er, let him let it go. "

Duan Wenchu ​​is also a proud person, and he was born in a famous family in the Tang Dynasty.His grandfather, Duan Xiushi, was a well-known loyal minister and good general in the mid-Tang Dynasty. In terms of merit, integrity, and fame, he was far above his grandfather Gao Chongwen, who is now known as the No. 1 general of the Tang Dynasty, Gao Pian.

Duan Xiushi fought in the Western Regions in his early years, and served successively as the other general of Anxi Prefecture, Guoyi of Dadui Prefecture of Longzhou, and the captain of Zhechong of Suide Prefecture.After the Anshi Rebellion, he was granted the title of Inspector of Jingzhou and Doctor of Imperial History, Jiedu Envoy Zheng Ying of Jingyuan, who marched in Beiting of the Four Towns, and King of Zhangye County, in charge of the Northwest military administration.Later, he was awarded the title of Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, and was soon transferred back to Chang'an because of Yang Yanjin's slander and demotion of Si Nongqing.During the mutiny in Jingyuan, the court rose up violently, struck Zhu Xi with a wat board, and was killed immediately.The government and the public praised: "There is no one who has died to defend the country since ancient times, such as a sage who is as beautiful as he is."

After being born in such a general family, Duan Wenchu ​​has had a smooth sailing since childhood, especially during Yizong's time, Duan Wenchu ​​also married his cousin to Emperor Yizong, who is Yizong's uncle.However, Duan Wenchu ​​does not have the horsemanship of his grandfather Duan Xiushi, but has some of his grandfather's stubborn temper and loyalty.It's a pity that his luck has not been very good. In his early years, he was in charge of the history of economics and strategy, and he put forward a rationalization suggestion.At that time, in order to guard against the invasion of Nanzhao, the Tang Dynasty dispatched [-] troops from various towns in the Central Plains to station in Lingnan West Road, and the rotation every three years has become a system.After Duan Wenchu ​​took office, after on-the-spot investigation, he believed that most of the soldiers in the Central Plains were unwilling to garrison the southwest, so their morale was low, they often made troubles, and the cost of long-distance army transfers was also high. The military salary was directly allocated to Yongguan, and [-] natives were recruited in Guangxi as soldiers, so that there was no need to transfer troops from the Central Plains, which not only saved money, but also strengthened the defense of the frontier.

Originally this was not a bad idea, and the imperial court agreed, but not long after it was implemented, Duan Wenchu ​​was transferred to the capital to serve as General Jinwu and the Provincial Supervisor of Dianzhong Province. At this time, 500 local soldiers had just been recruited.Li Meng, the newly appointed Yongguan Jinglue Shi, is a relatively standard corrupt official, and immediately stopped recruiting soldiers quietly, but fortunately, he privately swallowed the remaining [-] vacancies every year.

Soon after, the Nanzhao army invaded Guangxi on a large scale.The Nanzhao army went down several cities in a row, forcing Li Meng to death, and then defeated Li Hongyuan, the new envoy who succeeded Li Meng, captured Yongzhou, burned, killed and looted before returning with a full load.Finally, the imperial court transferred him to serve as Yongguan economic envoy, hoping that he would clean up the mess.Unexpectedly, in the end, he was framed as the culprit of the Nanzhao invasion, and finally the imperial court demoted him to the division of General Weiwei.After that, Duan Wenchu ​​was treated coldly for more than a year.After that, he was transferred to the defense envoy of the Tiande Army (the seat of the government is now Tuchengzi, Wuliangsuhai, Inner Mongolia, which is the weakest town in the northwest of the Tang Dynasty), and enjoyed the baptism of the wind and sand outside the Great Wall.

It was not until more than a year after Emperor Xizong succeeded to the throne that he thought of him as an uncle of the country. Seeing that he performed well, he was promoted to the defense envoy of Yunzhou and the envoy of land and water transportation.Not only did he move to a good place, but he also took on the fat job of a delivery envoy.

When Duan Wenchu ​​came to take office, he felt a sense of elation and pride.

Who knew that his predecessor actually reminded him to be patient with his new subordinates, which inevitably made him frown. "Brother Zhi, is there something to be said here?" Duan Wenchu ​​also suffered a disadvantage in Lingnan back then, so he couldn't help but be more careful now.

Zhimo had a good impression of Duan Wenchu, so he kindly reminded him at this time: "This generation of North is actually more difficult to manage than Lingnan. Lingnan is just a bunch of barbarians, but this generation of North is full of arrogant barbarians. The Han, Shatuo, Sogdian, Tuyuhun, Tatar, Xi, Huihe, Dangxiang, Khitan and other tribes live here mixed together. The folk customs are brave and brave.And speaking of these arrogant Hu tribes in Yunzhou, the Shatuo tribe should be the most arrogant, and among the Shatuo people, Li Ya'er should be the first. "

"Li Ya'er?" Duan Wenchu ​​was not familiar with Daibei's situation, so he couldn't help asking.

"Li Ya'er is Li Keyong, the third son of Li Guochang, my former Yunzhou Defense Envoy and current Zhenwu Jiedu Envoy."

Duan Wenchu ​​asked in amazement, "Is Li Guochang the same Shatuo leader Zhu Xie Chixin who led Shatuo soldiers along with Kang Chengxun and Song Wei to break the Pang Xun Rebellion in the early years of Xiantong, and was granted the surname Li by the late emperor and classified them as King Zheng's lineage? "

"That's right, Li Guochang is Zhu Xie Chixin, the leader of the three Shatuo tribes. Li Guochang has nine sons, and this Li Ya'er is the third son of Li Guochang. He was born with a small eye. At that time, he once competed with Tatar warriors in archery, and once killed two birds with one stone. This kind of skill is only heard of by General Gao Pian of this dynasty and Changsun Sheng of the previous dynasty." Zhimo has been in Yunzhou for the past few years. It was very unpleasant.That flying crow, Li Keyong, loved Feng Yunzhong's guard envoy when he was 14 years old. In Yunzhou, as a defensive envoy, it actually depends on the face of Li Keyong, a little guy with no hair yet.

Just some time ago this year, once he was defending the yamen to handle affairs.After Li Ke had finished leading the troops, he suddenly had a sudden whim and led a group of his confidantes in the army to rush into the defense envoy's yamen. Then, these Shatuo soldiers turned the yamen into a big stage , Playing "Shengtang" like no one else around.The young man sat on the throne of the defense envoy contentedly, yelling five and six in a serious manner, and a group of followers below followed suit, the scene was smoky, very funny.

This kind of thing is a serious "violation", but the defense officer Zhimo didn't dare to pursue this domineering subordinate according to the law, and he didn't even dare to ask a question.The territory of Datong has long been the territory of Li Guochang and his son. Although Zhimo has the title of defense envoy, he still depends on the face of this domineering subordinate.

At that time, being very self-aware, he could only mobilize his tired facial features, squeeze out a "happy" smiling face, and greet the group of soldiers: Isn't it fun?If everyone is tired from playing, can you let me work?

Thinking about these things, I felt suffocated, but fortunately I was finally transferred from this ghost place.But before leaving, let's kindly remind Duan Wenchu, seeing his temper, I'm afraid he will suffer a lot.

"Although Li Guochang was promoted to Zhenwu Jiedu envoy, he left Daibei. However, Shatuo's influence in Datong is deeply rooted. That Li Yaer has grown up, and now he has replaced Li Guochang as the head of the Shatuo Department in Datong. Li Keyong's uncle, Li Jinzhong, served as the military envoy of Shatuo. Li Keyong now only serves as the deputy envoy of the military and horses of Shatuo, but in fact, Li Keyong still has the final say in Datong. Notified Li Keyong to come, but not only did he not come, but the rest of the Shatuo generals also did not come. This is not only a contempt for the old man, but also a blow to Brother Duan. If you want to work here, you should be a little more patient with Li Yaer."

After saying these words, Zhimo put down his heavy burden and finally set out on the road with ease.

After sending Zhimo away, Duan Wenchu ​​returned to Yunzhou.However, he did not agree with what Zhimo said.No matter how domineering the Shatuo people are, they are also people under the rule of the Tang Dynasty.No matter how arrogant Li Guochang and his son are, they are still ministers of the court. Could it be that they really dare to rebel.In his opinion, Zhimo was too cowardly, that's why Li Ke used a young man to make progress.To deal with a child like Li Keyong, he just couldn't show weakness and give in.

But before Duan Wenchu ​​figured out how to fight Li Ke with wits and courage, he faced a difficult problem.The famine in Daibei was serious, although the famine was not as severe as in the Central Plains.But this generation of Beibei was not as wealthy as the Central Plains, and the famine was even more unaffected.

The problem of helping the people has not been taken into account, the first thing that is urgently before him is that the salaries, food and salaries of the officials and soldiers in Yunzhou cannot be paid.

Facing the frowning judge, the civil servant Duan Wenchu, the uncle of the country, decided very naively that the officials and soldiers of Yunzhou should work together to tide over the famine together.It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice, and Duan Wenchu ​​has no money or food in his hands.If you can't open source, you can only throttle expenditure in the end.

The problem that Duan Wenchu ​​is currently facing, in Xichuan, the newly appointed Jiedu envoy, the famous general Gao Pian also happened to encounter it.Gao Pian's countermeasure is to rely on the Tianping Festival pro-barracks he brought with him, to win over a group of local officials and soldiers, to fight against a group, and to deal with it by cutting expenses.

Duan Wenchu ​​also planned to cut expenses, but his method was simpler, directly deducting the salaries of all officials and soldiers in Yunzhou.

As soon as this decision was made, those Daibei Hu soldiers who were already domineering would not accept it.Many people jumped up against it at the beginning, and even small groups gathered to make trouble.

The judge Liu Hanzhang was full of worry and said to Duan Wen: "This is Li Keyong's temptation, Uncle Duan Guo, I think Li Keyong is very dissatisfied with our approach, do you want to take a step back?"

After defending the table in the study room of the envoy, Duan Wenchu's brows were tightly wrinkled into a Sichuan character, and a few fingers in his right hand twisted a few long beards under his jaw.

"Duan Fangfang, should you release those rioting soldiers who were detained first?" Liu Hanzhang asked cautiously.

There was firmness in Duan Wenchu's eyes, he gritted his teeth, and said in a deep voice: "I can't let it go, I'm going to let it go now, how can I deal with it in the future?" Slowly he said, "Back then, my grandfather Duan Gong was also in Binzhou Severely punished the lawless soldiers under Guo Xi, the son of Guo Ziyi, the king of Fenyang County. In the end, it was passed down as a good story through the ages. The more critical this moment is, the less we can show weakness. Judge Liu, you are in charge of discipline in the army. How should these troublemakers be punished? Just how to punish, if appropriate, can also be severely punished."

Liu Hanzhang pondered, and finally said after a long time: "I take orders!"

(To be continued)