Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 81: Northwest Loyalty
"Dang...dang...dang..."

At dawn, the city bells sound melodiously and deeply, interweaving with the crowing of cocks to form an ancient and familiar melody.

The city, which has experienced many vicissitudes of life, reveals its magnificent appearance under the shining sun.

Chang'an City, a capital city that has been famous throughout the country since the Han Dynasty, even though it has suffered many disasters, it still stands on the banks of the Wei River, demonstrating the power of the Tang Dynasty to the barbarians.

Zhuque Street, as a broad road that witnessed the founding of the Tang Dynasty, its heyday, and countless historical events such as the An-Shi Rebellion, time has not destroyed it, but has given it more heritage.

As the morning sun shines on the city, the streets begin to come alive.

The sound of pedestrians' footsteps gradually sounded, as if injecting new vitality into the sleeping city.

Merchants walked out from the hustle and bustle of the East and West Markets, their faces filled with fatigue from the journey and hope for what was to come.

In the two markets, vendors of all kinds set up their stalls, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining could be heard one after another, and a lively picture slowly unfolded before our eyes.

Every corner of Chang'an City is gradually waking up, smoke from cooking fires rises, and people begin a new day.

But behind this prosperity, there are countless filth and dirt, as if it could collapse at any time.

The wheels clattered on the street, and inside the carriage, Gao Jinda, who had washed himself, seemed to have regained his former charm.

He sat upright in the car. Even though his figure had disappeared, his body was filled with passion and excitement.

Chang'an, the Chang'an that the survivors of Hexi had been longing for... He finally came here.

He couldn't help but look out of the car window, where he saw soldiers in armor patrolling.

That is the Northern Ya Imperial Guards, also known as the Shen Ce Army, which is the most powerful force under the rule of the Tang Dynasty central government.

However, this strongest force made Gao Jinda speechless, because in his sight, some soldiers were openly demanding money from small vendors going to the East and West Markets.

He was overwhelmed by the scene, but a 40-year-old official sitting in front of him reached out and closed the window.

Gao Jinda looked at him, but the official explained: "These small vendors took the wrong road, so they deserve to be fined."

Faced with his explanation, Gao Jinda did not think that this was the truth, but he was eager to see the saint, so he did not ask any further questions.

"May I ask, when can we see the Supreme?"

Gao Jinda asked cautiously, and the servant smiled and replied: "The Supreme has summoned the court officials in Xuanzheng Hall, and we will be able to see them when we arrive."

Although he was smiling, Sheren actually felt a little contempt for Gao Jinda's accent and behavior.

Even though Gao Jinda was considered a powerful family in Shazhou, Hexi had been lost for nearly a hundred years and many rituals had been lost.

What seemed like a normal action to the powerful families in Hexi was considered "lack of etiquette" by the officials in Chang'an.

If the Supreme Emperor had not urgently summoned him, Gao Jinda would have had to practice etiquette for at least a month before he could enter the palace.

Of course, although Sheren despised Gao Jinda's accent and behavior, he still felt very proud of the spontaneous uprising of the people in Hexi and their success, so he asked Gao Jinda for details along the way.

Time passed little by little, and as the carriage stopped, Gao Jinda got off the carriage under the guidance of his servant.

When he faced north, what appeared before him were the high palace walls built of rammed earth and the towering Jianfu Gate.

Gao Jinda was excited when he saw the elite soldiers wearing bright armor. He couldn't help but imagine how much lost territory Shazhou could recover if it had such equipment.

If Shazhou had such a high wall, how many foreign bandits could it stop?

"Gao Yaya, please..."

The attendant made a gesture of invitation and walked towards the palace gate in front of him, taking Gao Jinda, who was looking up.

There were hundreds of Beiya Imperial Guards guarding the palace gates, but some of them were strong while others were thin, and they did not look as elite as the legend said.

However, Gao Jinda was attracted by the towering palace gate in front of him and did not pay attention to these things.

Sheren walked in front to lead the way, but he could feel Gao Jinda's actions and couldn't help shaking his head.

Even so, he still showed respect to Gao Jinda and introduced the situation of the palace gate to him.

"The sound of the water clock at five o'clock in the morning urges the arrows to dawn, and the spring scenery of the nine layers of heaven intoxicates the fairy peaches; the flags and banners move in the warm sun, and the swallows and sparrows fly high in the palace in the breeze."

"This poem by Shaoling Ye Lao describes the grand scene of the morning court at Jianfu Gate."

Sheren introduced proudly while taking Gao Jinda through the Jianfu Gate corridor and into the square.

The sight of the stone brick-paved square made Gao Jinda's eyes widen. He couldn't imagine how much manpower and resources it had consumed.

The tall and magnificent Hanyuan Hall in the distance made Gao Jinda fascinated. He couldn't help but imagine what it was like to be busy in this outer court every day.

It’s a pity that the scene that welcomed him was not the Hanyuan Hall.

The attendant took him through the Guangfan Gate and Zhaoqing Gate next to the Hanyuan Hall and came to the Xuanzheng Hall, which was much smaller than the Hanyuan Hall.

Even so, His Royal Highness Gao Jinda also felt his own insignificance.

He followed the attendant up the stairs step by step, and finally stood in front of the Xuanzheng Hall. After accepting the "gate registration" from the captain of the gate, he waited quietly to be summoned.

"You cannot look directly at the Supreme. When you enter the palace, you must bow your head and behave like a human being. Do not address the Supreme, address him as Your Majesty."

The attendant reminded in a low voice, and the sound of singing ceremony was heard in the Xuanzheng Hall.

"Announce...Shazhou Yaya Gao Jinda to come to the temple to pay homage!"

"Go in, walk calmly and with great respect."

With the reminder from his servant, Gao Jinda carefully walked into the palace gate which was several meters high.

He took off his shoes and went into the hall, holding a tablet in his hand, and was so nervous that he almost forgot to breathe.

As he walked step by step, he passed by officials in various official uniforms, until a cough sounded to remind him, and he stopped where he was belatedly.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the officials on his left and right, who were sitting upright, their eyes fixed on the tablets in their hands.

Gao Jinda slowly knelt down and bowed his head, singing: "Your Highness Gao Jinda bows his head, and wishes you a long life of tens of millions of years!"

"Pingshen..."

A powerful voice sounded, and Gao Jinda slowly stood up.

"Give me a seat..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty..."

The voice rang out again, and an eunuch brought a crescent-shaped chair and placed it behind Gao Jinda. Gao Jinda had also learned how to sit, so he sat down after expressing his gratitude.

The crescent chair was not big. When placed between the legs, it was just enough for the buttocks to sit on without putting pressure on the legs.

"Your Majesty, this is the handwritten letter from Zhang Yichao, the first of the Shazhou Volunteer Brigade. Please read it!"

As soon as Gao Jinda sat down, he presented the letter in his arms with both hands.

He had kept this letter in Shazhou for nearly two years before he was finally able to bring it to Chang'an.

After he presented the letter, it was quickly taken by the eunuch and sent up to the platform.

On the high platform, Emperor Li Chen of the Tang Dynasty took the letter and slowly opened it.

He was not handsome, but his forty-year-old face was filled with the majesty of a superior.

He read the not-so-long letter very carefully, and the dark red color on the letter made him feel depressed.

After a long while, he sighed as if in another world: "Hexi was prosperous in the past, but now it has become like this."

"Gao Yaya, tell me everything about Hexi so that all officials can know about your heroic deeds!"

"I obey your order!"

After Gao Jinda responded to Li Chen, he told him the whole story of what had happened in Hexi over the years.

Everything was explained, from the northwestern border troops being withdrawn into the pass, to Guo Xin and Yang Xigu defending the Western Regions, the fall of Shazhou, and Tubo's rule over Hexi.

Upon hearing that the people of Hexi were enslaved, stripped of their Hanfu clothes and made to wear Hu hats, not allowed to speak Mandarin, not allowed to learn Chinese characters, and their local accents were all changed to Hu accents, many officials sobbed and cried.

When they heard that Zhang Yichao had spent all his family wealth and united the powerful people of various ethnic groups in Shazhou to revolt and expel the Tibetan generals, and successively recovered the four cities and four passes of Guasha, including Dunhuang, Shouchang, Jinchang and Changle, all the ministers clenched their tablets in great excitement.

Even though Li Chen was sitting high on the golden platform, his eyes became red when he heard these things, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"The general from Guanxi is definitely a waste of time!"

These eight simple words are the greatest recognition of Zhang Yichao's actions.

Gao Jinda kowtowed with tears, and the ministers in the hall burst into tears.

Even though they each have their own interests and calculations, who has not longed for the scene of "the glorious Tang Dynasty, with blessings from heaven to all nations" when they were young?

The uprisings in Gua and Sha states gave them hope of regaining Helong. Even if it was only a momentary touch, it was enough to make them cry.

"Your Majesty, the Guanxi Righteous Brigade deserves a reward!"

"His Majesty……"

All the ministers kowtowed and asked for rewards on behalf of the righteous army led by Zhang Yichao.

"Zhang Yichao has made great contributions and deserves to be rewarded. Please allow me to make a final decision after careful consideration."

Li Chen looked at Gao Jinda with red eyes and said, "Gao Yaya, Li Pi has already reported the matter of the Tanguts kidnapping you. I will seek justice for you."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace!"

Gao Jinda never thought that the Supreme actually cared so much about him and his group. When talking about the Dangxiang people, Gao Jinda couldn't help but think of his brother Quanzhen who died in the wooden prison.

"When I ascended the throne, I was determined to eliminate the Dangxiang border threat, but the various routes have been unsuccessful for years, and the garrison and supply have been endless." "For this matter, the left and right ministers must draw up a plan, and I want to see the memorial before New Year's Day!"

Li Chen's words did not sound like a disguise, or rather, there was no need for him to pretend.

The Dangxiang people were a nationality that the Tang Dynasty recruited and relocated to the interior of China before the An-Shi Rebellion. At that time, the Tang Dynasty was open to the outside world and did not care about these minor details.

However, after the An-Shi Rebellion, the various Dangxiang tribes rose up in rebellion. After suppressing the rebellion, the Tang Dynasty moved the Dangxiang people to the area north of Yinzhou and east of Xiazhou.

Unfortunately, later emperors such as Dezong and Wenzong continued to impose restrictions on the Dangxiang. In addition, some officials in the vassal states allowed local tyrants and merchants to plunder the sheep, horses and property of the Dangxiang residents. The Dangxiang people, who could not bear the humiliation, rebelled again. Up to now, it has become a thorn in the side of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, you can order Fengxiang Jiedushi Li Ye and Hedong Jiedushi Li Shi to recruit and attack the Dangxiang!"

A purple-robed official in his 50s held a hu tablet and bowed. Li Chen nodded and said, "I'll leave this matter to you, Bai Pushe, to handle. I want to see the memorial before the New Year."

"I obey your order..."

Bai Pushe agreed, and Li Chen turned his attention to Gao Jinda again.

"Gao Yaya can stay in Chang'an for a while. When the court decides to reward you, I will escort you back to Guasha."

"I obey your order!"

Being able to meet Li Chen was already a pleasant surprise for Gao Jinda. Now that he was valued so much, he naturally would not have any other thoughts.

Seeing that he agreed, Li Chen also glanced at the ministers.

"The deeds of the Guasha Volunteer Group should be made known to the world so that everyone in the world can know about their deeds."

"Your Highness, I obey your order..."

Amid the singing of the ceremony, Li Chen stood up and left. Upon seeing this, the eunuchs sang to dismiss the court.

All the officials stood up, bowed and sang the salute, and Gao Jinda followed suit.

Amid their singing, Li Chen did not leave the Xuanzheng Hall, but found a side hall to rest, and ordered the eunuchs to summon Bai Pushe and several ministers of the third and fourth ranks.

At this time, his eye sockets had returned to normal, as if everything that had just happened was just an illusion.

Facing the ministers who came into the side hall and bowed, Li Chen spoke in a deep voice:
"What do you think about the Guasha incident?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers looked at each other, and one of them, a senior official in a purple robe, stepped forward and bowed.

"I think the story of the Guasha Yiliu should be spread so that some people will know that the imperial court still has its dignity."

"I second the proposal..."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of State Bai Minzhong seconded the proposal and continued, "Why not let Zhang Yichao serve as the governor of Shazhou to confirm his status."

"I second the motion." Another official echoed and bowed:

"News came from Fengxiang that Shang Kongre (Lun Kongre) defeated Shang Bibi and is now entrenched in Helong. If we support Zhang Yichao, we can curb his pace of unifying Helong and Hexi."

The ministers rewarded Shazhou based on what Gao Jinda had said about its strength, completely unaware that Zhang Yichao had already recovered the five states.

Li Chen nodded upon hearing this and looked at Bai Minzhong: "Let Bai Pushe handle this matter."

"I obey your order..."

Bai Minzhong bowed slowly, and the sixty-year-old official standing beside him also came out and bowed at the right time, saying:

"Your Majesty, news has come from Youzhou that Lulong Jiedushi Zhou Chen died in office. The army petitioned to appoint Zhang Yunshen, the military commander and cavalry commander, as the successor."

"Zhou Chen is dead?" Li Chen frowned, his tone somewhat impatient: "Have you found out the cause of death?"

There was a reason why Li Chen was so impatient. As the northernmost vassal town among the three towns in Heshuo, Lulong Town had a very powerful cavalry.

However, because of this, the military leaders of Lulong Town were as domineering as the guards of Wei Bo and Chengde, and every few years they would threaten to expel the Jiedushi.

In recent years, except for Zhang Zhongwu who served longer in office, other Jiedushi could not escape the fate of being expelled.

The former Jiedushi Zhang Zhifang was the son of Zhang Zhongwu, who served as Jiedushi of Lulong for nine years. However, he was expelled after only a few months in office.

This Zhou Chen was the new Jiedushi nominated by the chief of the Lulong Army after they expelled Zhang Zhifang. However, he died suddenly after only one year in office. It is hard not to doubt the cause of his death.

"Well, let's appoint Zhang Yunshen as the successor..."

Li Chen swallowed his anger and finally waved his hand to agree to the candidate recommended by the Lulong military leader.

When the discussion was over, Li Chen served tea and signaled the ministers to leave.

Upon seeing this, all the ministers sang and retreated, and at the same time Gao Jinda also left the Daming Palace with the ministers in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Before leaving, he looked back at Jianfu Gate, his excitement evident in his heart.

After spending nearly two years, he finally completed his task and reported the news of Guasha's recovery to Chang'an.

Although Chang'an is extremely prosperous to him, he is now eager to return home.

If the court's reward to the Guasha Volunteer Brigade required more time to discuss, he would have wanted to take everyone back to Shazhou right now.

Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty did not make him wait too long. In just over half a month, the imperial edict to reward Shazhou reached him.

Faced with the imperial edict officially appointing Zhang Yichao as the governor and Jiedushi of Shazhou, Gao Jinda did not linger in Chang'an. Instead, after submitting a memorial to the Ministry of Rites, he set out on the journey back home with six brothers from Shazhou.

As he set out on his journey back home, a team finally arrived at Shandan City after some delay.

"Shandan Right Guoyi Commander Li Yizhong greets Liu Guoyi!"

In the cold northwest wind, a military general wearing armor and an embroidered shirt bowed humbly to Liu Jilong in front of him.

In terms of age, Li Yizhong is eight years older than Liu Jilong.

But in terms of military achievements, Liu Jilian completely crushed Li Yizhong.

Although the 25-year-old Li Yizhong had served as a general before, his main contribution was to follow Zhang Yichao to liberate Shazhou and recover Guazhou and Suzhou.

The credit seems to be great, but in fact it is all gained by following the main force.

It is precisely because of this that he was so humble. Otherwise, with his character, he would never be so humble to Liu Jilong.

"Li Guoyi, you are exhausted from the journey. I have already had the yard and barracks cleaned for you and your brothers. The mutton has also been cooked. You will be able to eat it soon after you return to the yard."

Facing Li Yizhong, Liu Jilong behaved cheerfully and generously, as if he had no ulterior motives.

Even if Li Wei had targeted him, he had accepted Li Wei's money after all, and now was not the time for internal fighting.

He will settle the grudge with Li Wei later. What he needs to do now is to appease Li Yizhong so that he does not hinder the development of Shandan.

"Li Ji, bring Li Guoyi and the brothers into the city!"

Liu Jilong gave an order to Li Ji, and Li Ji stepped forward and made a gesture of invitation to Li Yizhong.

Li Yizhong was not familiar with the situation in Shandan, but from the actions of the group of people at the city gate, it was not difficult for him to guess that Liu Jilong had already made Shandan a solid entity.

Fortunately, his father had reminded him before he came to Shandan that it was impossible to fight for power on this trip, but gilding the lily would not be a big problem, so he did not conflict with Liu Jilong.

After bowing in return, he led his troops and followed Li Ji into Shandan City.

Liu Jilong, Zhang Chang and others sat on horseback and watched the team of 400 soldiers with satisfaction on their faces.

Nearly two hundred of the four hundred soldiers were wearing armor, and the rest were wearing leather armor.

With the support of the other three states in Hexi, it is not difficult to equip these more than 200 people, and it is estimated that it can be completed before the beginning of spring.

At that time, this group of people can also be reasonably sent to Qilian City, Longshou Mountain, or garrisoned in Shandan City.

As for Liu Jilian, he had already begun preparations for the eastern conquest of Liangzhou.

Looking at the troops slowly entering the city, Liu Jilong said with a smile: "With them, we can move eastward with confidence."

"Have the Tangqi we sent to Liangzhou returned? Have they brought back any news?"

He asked without turning his head, and Zhang Chang nodded and said, "All thirteen guys are back, and there are no casualties."

"Fanhe is 150 miles away from us. There are two roads to the place. The southern road is 140 miles long. After crossing Yanzhi Mountain, you can see Fanhe City in the distance. There are not many tribes grazing there, and they have set up beacon towers in Yanzhi Mountain."

"The road to the north is 160 miles long. After exiting Yanzhi Mountain, you will reach the Liangzhou grassland. There are many traces of herding left on the grassland."

"According to the report from the Tangqi, there are at least four or five tribes with a population of 1,000 people on the grasslands north of Fanhe City, and the herds of livestock must be at least 8,000 if not 10,000."

After Zhang Chang finished telling them the information, Liu Jilian turned his horse around and signaled them to enter the city.

"You have to get enough livestock the first time you make a move, otherwise by the time they become alert, you won't get much if you make another move."

"When will the snow on Yanzhi Mountain melt?"

Liu Jilong asked, and Zhang Chang quickly responded:
"The herders in the city said that the snow usually doesn't melt until March. Although we can travel in February, there is no grass along the way for the horses and herds to graze on."

"It would take at least five days to drive the herd across this 160-li distance. Without fodder, it would be difficult to ensure that all the livestock could survive and cross Yanzhi Mountain."

"If we don't go to Yanzhi Mountain, we can only go to the Ganzhou grassland in the north, but..."

Zhang Chang did not continue speaking, because the question of who was entrenched on the Ganzhou grassland was self-evident.

"How many days does it take to walk this route, and how far is it?"

Liu Jilong asked without hesitation. Before Zhang Chang could reply, Chen Jingchong answered, "It will take at least six days to drive the herd away, and the distance is 200 miles."

"Guoyi, it's easy to be besieged by the Uighurs if we take this road!" Zhang Chang reminded him hurriedly, but Liu Jilian just smiled.

"I want to see if they can mobilize tens of thousands of people to stop me like they did last time!"

(End of this chapter)