The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 104: Ten Thousand Times Divided into Half
The man broke through the wind and snow and dived through the wooden door. The north wind followed him in with a roar, and the woman hurriedly took a wooden stick to block the door.

"It's so cold." The man's teeth were chattering with cold. He dropped the bamboo basket and started jumping around.

"So much wealth!" The woman was shocked when she dug through the snow and took a look.

"Last night the general issued a military order to recruit soldiers! Here is the money for the expedition. 10 dou of wheat, 3 dou of salt, 600 copper coins, and 30 cakes." The man exhaled hot air, his teeth chattering, "Also, there is a set of wolfskin winter clothes, 10 catties of mutton, and a piece of cloth. I didn't have time to look, but the clerk said this was the amount when I received the reward. You count it, if there's anything missing, I'll ask the saint later."

"And a bundle of lard!" The woman smiled happily, as if she felt that this winter was not so cold anymore.

Ten dou of wheat mixed with wild vegetables, plus the rewards saved before, one meal a day, is enough to last until spring. If my husband wins another battle, I won't have to worry anymore. If all else fails, I can sell mutton, salt, and cloth for food. I can also use copper coins to buy goods in the city, but unfortunately Jingzhao is under martial law, and the merchants should have closed their shops.

"Let's talk inside." After carefully hiding the valuables in the hidden cellar, the man pulled the woman into the house.

Dalang was sitting by the firewood, playing with a wooden sword. Erlang was happily eating steamed cakes. Sanlang was still a one-year-old baby, sleeping soundly on the couch. The woman brought Dalang a vinegar cake, took one for herself, and then squatted by the fire, eating slowly. The wind and snow were howling outside, hitting the wooden door, but inside it was warm and peaceful, making the man grin.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I am happy."

"People will die in war, aren't you afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid of? The imperial guards, the imperial army, the cavalry and the infantry will also be dispatched. Besides, they all have the same head. Are the people of Bian a god? I cut him with my sword, and he won't die? If we really fight to the death, I'm not afraid of anyone." The man held Dalang in his arms, wiped his nose, and said in a humming voice. Of course I'm afraid.

But he was more afraid of the Bian bandits entering the pass than death: "I heard from the saints that if the Bian bandits enter Chang'an, they will divide up the land in the three prefectures and make us tenants. The wives and daughters of the imperial guards will be given to the guards as prostitutes. Zhu Wen will also take over his concubines and make the queen give birth to illegitimate children. Young men and women will be made into jerky."

The woman's face suddenly changed, and she couldn't eat the vinegar cake anymore: "If anyone touches a needle in my house, I will pursue him with a dung fork. We were robbed in Fengxiang, and after we finally escaped to the capital, people from Bian came to rob us again!" The excited voice woke Sanlang up, and he immediately burst into tears, and the woman's voice softened.

"I'm leaving." The man said with difficulty after looking at the three kids.

"Which military capital are you assigned to?" The woman then remembered that she didn't know where her husband was.

"Tian Ce Army, Foreign Army, Eagle Shooting Army, Third Division, First Team." The man's expression gradually became firm, but he was a little worried: "The Eagle Shooting Captain is Xifeng Shuolihe, and the judge is Zhuo Rong. If they are dead, ask them for their bodies. Actually, there is no need, they will have a place to stay in the East Inner Temple after they die."

The woman covered her mouth and cried, muttering and admonishing intermittently.

"Don't be afraid of war. The more afraid you are, the faster you will die. Few people are like you, who have been hunting in the mountains since childhood. If you fight with the people of Bian, think about how to fight a big tiger."

"My mother and I have food to eat and clothes to wear. We should not stand out in the army. It is right to listen to the saint. If his life is better, then our life will be better too."

"Don't learn from those who are always making noises. It's too shameful to be shaved and denounced as a bad person."

"Neighbors from the same village should be helped on the battlefield..."

After talking all the way to the wooden gate, the man grabbed his wife's chest fiercely, turned around and went into the wind and snow: "Let's go!"

……

Liquan County.

The snow-capped Jiuyi Mountain, with its dense cypress trees, is where Emperor Taizong rests. The warriors stood at the Wutou Gate, not daring to step onto the sacred path. They took off their helmets, butcher caps, and headbands, and stared at the Six Horses of the Zhaoling Mausoleum on the wall from afar. The fat mounts stood beside them, not afraid of the cold, and seemed to be watching as well.

"The country is ruined but the mountains and rivers remain, the city is overgrown with grass in spring..." The withered grass and shrubs that cover the sacred road and the wild foxes that sneak into the sacred realm in search of food inspired the warriors to recite poems.

Whoosh! Ruyue shot out an arrow, and the wild fox rolled over, staining the snow with blood.

The warrior sighed softly, put on his headband, butler's head, and helmet again, took a last look at the ruined Zhaoling Mausoleum, and got on his horse. Armor, horse bow, quiver, dagger, horizontal sword, water gourd, sheepskin bag, sleeves and other items were hung on both sides of the saddle; the long spear was in his hand, pointing diagonally at the jungle.

"thorough!"

A strong wind suddenly blew, making the broken soul flag rustle, and the aging mausoleum official watched in silence. He died, but the Tang Dynasty had to struggle to survive, and no matter what, the children of the Li family had to live.

……

The captain of the city gate is actually a minion.

It was very cold, and Dongfangtai teahouse was lazy for half an hour before reluctantly putting on a raincoat and going out to inspect the post. When he saw a brother dozing off in the room, he would go up and kick him.

"You are a thief." The soldier cursed. Aren't you lazy too?

"How could I be derelict in my duty? I just had a rumbling stomach and had to go to the toilet for a while." Dongfang Tai said solemnly.

"Gee!" There was a sudden roar in the wind and snow.

The soldiers of Dongfang Taihe were shocked and didn't bother to argue anymore. They all walked down the gate tower. The thunderous sound of horse hooves drowned out the strong wind, and the densely packed armored cavalrymen trampled through the wind and snow.

"Get off the bridge! Get off the bridge quickly!" Dongfang Tai shouted in a panic. The soldiers hurriedly turned the shaft machine. Dongfang Tai thought it was too slow and was afraid of offending the woodcutters, so he ran up to help.

"You guys should know what's best for you!" The cavalry entered the city and glared at the gatekeepers. The leading officer pointed his whip at Dongfang Tai and said, "Don't raise the bridge. There are people behind us."

"Yes." The soldiers of Dongfang Taihe nodded and bowed, with smiles on their faces, just like they were meeting the Imperial Army of the Queen.

After a while, there was indeed movement in the snow. Camels, horses, donkeys, and caravans, the sound of bells floating on the smooth post road, with tightly bundled supplies on their backs. Tea from Wu Yue. Fine silk from Hangzhou. Armor from Cheng De. Fur from Xia Sui. Grain from the gold merchants... The petty officials waved whips and drove large flocks of chickens, ducks, cattle, sheep, and other livestock.

A group of minor officials in green robes and gray clothes wearing conical hats gathered together, pointing at the cavalry, as if giving orders.

Dongfang Tai was shocked. Could it be that all the hundreds of warehouses and ranches under the jurisdiction of Yanzi, Qionglin, Shayuan, Daying, Weiqiao and Shenhe were reorganized?

Farther away, a tide of men and women were lining up, led by the county lieutenant and the clerk of the household department, and slowly and orderly walked towards the city gate. The officials stood by the post road, pointing and talking.

Dongfang Tai shuddered as he looked at the scene.

As soon as the sage issued the edict, more than 50 counties in the three prefectures of Zuofengling, Zhongjingzhao, Youfufeng, and Qinfeng were all mobilized. The three dukes and nine ministers each performed their duties. More than 10,000 officials from various departments inside and outside the country worked day and night. Millions of people braved the wind and rain. Strong farmers moved the baggage, capable craftsmen repaired the war equipment, skillful women sewed clothes and cooked, fierce butchers slaughtered cattle and sheep, and strong blacksmiths heated their swords.

Orphans of both sexes were taken away from the snowy streets by eunuchs and court ladies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Court, and lawless young people from the streets were arrested by the Jingzhao Yin, the Imperial City Street Envoy, and the Jinwu Guards. The tyrants who had evil intentions were captured by the Wu Fortress. The people who were afraid of the rebels and the Bian thieves were taken to the capital for refuge. The rioters were executed on the spot.

When did the saint gain such power?

"Unconsciously...really unconsciously." This war that destroyed a country revealed the saint's control. Hit! Hit me hard! Dongfang Tai excitedly slapped the battlement.

The saint conquered the enemy and never suffered a loss. The lives of the common people also improved after each victory, and they had not been harmed by the chaos of soldiers for more than a year. As long as there was no war, the saint would not increase taxes, assign corvée, and would not do the damned work of recruiting mud to fill trenches and cook. If the saint wanted to do this, he would definitely be able to take down Dali City; but he gave up. He didn't know about Guandong, Qin, Long, Bashu, it was the only one, right?
The people of Bian want to kill him to rule this turbulent land, so let’s ask everyone first!

Look, the male and female laborers who used to have sad faces when doing military labor are now talking and laughing.

This is what people are thinking.

This is the awakening of people's morale.

This is the sign of victory!
Dongfang Tai fantasized to a climax, grinned and laughed, and decided to take a break.

…The dark and empty Xuanwei Hall was brightly lit with candlelight, and the main officials from the three ministries, one government agency, two courts, as well as the imperial guards, cavalry, and Tiance Imperial Guards gathered there.

"Wow..." A huge map was hung up, occupying the entire high wall on the north side.

"This is the distribution of transportation mountains and rivers, borders of towns, pastures, and military camps recalculated by the Ministry of War in the second year of Changqing based on the "Yuanhe County Map" and "Yuanhe National Accounts" compiled by Li Zhongyi of Zhao State in the Yuanhe year." Wang Zan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, pointed at the map and was drooling as he sorted out his defense ideas: "Since the Zhou and Qin Dynasties, people entered the pass through the Hangu Road, and during the Han and Wei Dynasties..."

"Let's get to the point. Which path will Zhu Wen take?" the saint reminded.

Wang Zan was embarrassed and coughed to ease the embarrassment: "Up to the time of the Ming Dynasty, there were only a few routes to enter the pass, such as Baoxia Road, Fuyan Road, Xiaoguan Road, Tongguan Road, Wuguan Road, and Puguan Road."

The mood of a saint.

Can you please get to the point? Is this the time to show off your knowledge?

Zhao glared at Wang Zan fiercely.

Wang Zan moved his long stick towards Shan and Guo: "The Bian bandits are coming from the east, and they can only go through Tong, Wu and Pu. We should store heavy troops at Tongguan to block the passage for the bandits. At the same time, Wuguan Road must be guarded. This is to prevent the bandits from entering the pass along the Luoshui River from Yangchuan, Luonan, Yushengyan and Lantian. Although Feng Xingxi has surrendered, if Zhu Wen borrows the road, will he dare to stop him? Can he stop him? With the bravery of the Bian soldiers, I am afraid that more than 10,000 people can wipe out the Jin merchants."

"Tell Feng to attack and never engage in a reckless battle with the people of Bian in the wild. Just move the troops to Wuguan and hold it." The sage immediately ordered the Hanlin officials.

Wuguan Pass is so dangerous that it is impossible to cavalry together. If Feng Xingxi is not a fool, he will definitely retreat here, but the sage is afraid that he will be confident and run out to fight in the field. In this day and age, warriors do not want to defend the city until they are at their wits' end. They must be warned. Twenty to thirty thousand Jin soldiers guarding the pass are enough to dispel Zhu Wen's attempt to borrow the road.

The only thing that worried the saint was Feng Xingxi, a fence-sitter who suddenly joined forces with Zhu Wen.

Don't be surprised. Later, Zhu Wen didn't beat him, but just let Li Zhen threaten him, and he surrendered. Although he sent his two sons as hostages in Chang'an, the saint didn't dare to guarantee it.

Li Kuangwei's son Li Renzong was captured, but Li Kuangwei was indifferent, saying that he could kill him as long as Youzhou was not lost. Helian Duo's son was captured, but Helian Duo said: "It's up to you." Later, as soon as Meng Zhixiang arrived in Shu, he immediately abandoned his wife and children and established himself; he was still Li Keyong's son-in-law.

For most people, children are not worth mentioning in the face of life and family property. If they die, they die. Is it difficult to remarry and have children? The feelings of ordinary people become much weaker when they reach the powerful class.

Not everyone is Li Keyong, who could abandon his arrogance and dignity and kneel down to Zhu Wen in order to save his son's life.

It was almost predictable. As long as the imperial court was at a disadvantage, the probability of Feng Xingxi joining forces with Zhu Wen was basically 100%. If the two were evenly matched, he would probably be the loyal minister.

To be on the safe side, you have to keep a trick up your sleeve. Don't let Chang'an be suddenly stolen while you are still fighting in Tongguan.

"We must defend Wuguan Road." Zhao Fu also suggested: "However, Shangzhou is in Feng Xingxi's hands, so our army can only set up defenses at the exit of Wuguan Road - Qingni Pass."

"Qingni Pass..." The saint found this place on the map and squinted at it for a while.

"In the Qin Dynasty, it was named Yaoguan because it was adjacent to Yaoshan Mountain. It was here that Liu Bang defeated Ziying's troops. In the Northern Dynasties, the pass was moved to Qingnixu, and because it belonged to Lantian, it was also named Lantian Pass," Wang Zan explained.

"Brother-in-law, how many soldiers are needed to guard Qingni Pass?" the saint asked with his head tilted.

Zhao Fu looked at the structure of the pass and the distribution of the outlying stockades, made some calculations, and replied: "Five thousand warriors are enough, mainly because there is enough food, kerosene and other tools for defending the city. If we recruit another twenty or thirty thousand civilians to assist, even if there are ten times as many troops attacking, there will be no loss. If I go to defend, even if there are forty or fifty thousand people besieging, as long as Tongguan is not compromised, it will not be difficult to hold it for two months."

This is about the defense of combining points, lines and surfaces. Tong, Wu and Pu form the gateway to the capital from the east, northeast and southeast. If you lose one of them, your house will be robbed. You don't need to defend the other two, just surrender.

When Zhao heard her elder brother say this, she was quite angry and winked at him. How long have you been in Chang'an? Have you gained everyone's trust? Have you defended the city? How dare you say that you defended the city for two months against an enemy ten times your size? If Wuguan Road is lost in your hands, can you bear the infamy of the country's destruction?
Simply arrogant.

But no matter how she hinted, Zhao Fu remained indifferent.

"Do you dare to guard it?" The saint looked at him.

"Why don't you dare."

"I will give you 8,000 warriors, and you will partner with Mo Zang Qiqi." The saint considered the candidates in his mind and decided. Thinking of the lesson that the Qi people conspired to rebel during the critical moment of the war, which frightened Li Maozhen to flee overnight, he added: "You brought more than a thousand troops from the capital. Except for Amona, you can pick out the others and take them away, in case the enemy attacks too quickly and the soldiers kill the general and surrender the pass."

This does not eliminate the possibility of a rebellion by the warriors. It can only be said that if such a thing really happens, it can allow the elder brother-in-law and other generals to escape. In addition, Amonan is an excellent horseman. He plans to take Tongguan to let the Bian thieves see what a real cavalry general is. Don’t the Bian people have two cavalry generals named Xie Yanzhang and Yang Shihou who are very powerful? Then the two sides will compete.

"Yes." Zhao Fu bowed and accepted the order.

Headache! Zhao was so angry that she curled her ten fingers into claws and wanted to strangle her eldest brother to death.

"Now that the Wuguan Road has been decided, what about the Puguan Road?" The sage discussed the next matter.

Now it is a heavy snowy winter, the Yellow River has frozen over, if the enemy attacks Guozhou, they can go directly north into the river and head for Pubanjin. The key to Puguan Road lies in Wang. If Wang maintains the tradition of being neutral, then there is no doubt that they should divide their troops to protect Fenglingdu, Chaoyi, Yeliangyuan and other fortresses as a thorn in the road to prevent the Bian army from entering the pass.

On the contrary, if the Wang family, the imperial court and Li Keyong stood firmly together, Zhu Wen would either give up or force Hezhong to his knees first.

At this time, my father-in-law had already sent troops south. The vanguard Zhou Dewei and Li Siyuan went all the way to Shanzhou, and another group, Li Hanzhi, had already started a battle with Zhang Quanyi in Henei. Li Keyong led 30,000 troops to the rear. In this case, it would be foolish for Hezhong to stand by and watch. They would definitely join forces with the Jin people to exert pressure on Zhu Wen in the north of the Guozhou section of the Yellow River.

It is conceivable that this second battlefield will be fierce.

Of course, all this is premised on the fact that Tongguan is not lost. If the saint is captured or flees, why would everyone fight?

"Let's not worry about Puguan Road for now." The saint sighed. If my father-in-law and the Wang family were at a disadvantage, we could then send troops to guard them or simply send troops to reinforce my father-in-law.

The Taiwei reminded him, "The people of Jin are short of food, and rewards are not enough. We must send another 40 shi of grain to Li Situ to support him."

This is also a big deal.

Fighting across borders in this freezing cold weather of the twelfth lunar month brings neither benefits nor rewards, and we even have to rely on robbing to get food. If the people of Jin start making a fuss one day, will my father-in-law be forced to retreat?
"Do it immediately. If my uncle has any request, please help him if you can." The sage held the general's hand tightly and said in tears: "My family, country, army, and court all rely on the general to manage my wealth and allocate money and food. I will never forget your contribution to the reconstruction."

Some people's achievements are not known to the public, but that doesn't mean they are unimportant. Without Du Rangneng who had to beg for four years with a broken bowl to save up this little fortune, what would the saints use to fight now? In this era, no matter how high your prestige is, how good you are at winning people's hearts, or how charismatic you are, if you can't reward your troops, you will be powerless even if you are the founder of the Tang and Song dynasties. If you imitate Sun Ru, who led a group of beastly soldiers and went crazy all day long, you can also get something for free.

"You should do your job well, why talk about merits?" The general patted the sage's hand and said solemnly, "Since the return of the sage, the royal family has been declining. I, an old minister, feel sad day and night, and I never expected that there would be such a grand occasion today. Without your majesty's endurance of humiliation, planning and braving the enemy, there would be no such moment. Fight well, and when the Bian bandits are driven back, the trend of revival will be irreversible. If you can truly restore the royal cause, it will not be too late to talk about the small contributions of this old minister."

"I will make the Grand Commandant's reputation famous and rich for thousands of generations." The sage made a promise in public without losing any time. The Grand Commandant could choose not to eat it, but let others listen.

After deciding on the military operations on the Wugu Pass and Pugu Pass fronts, everyone added some details, and then the emperor and his ministers returned to their posts.

On the sixth day of the eleventh month of the first year of Jingfu, there was a heavy snow.

The emperor ordered the Central Commander Zhao Fu to intercept Qingni Pass and assist the defense, and the Cavalry Commander Mo Zangqiqi was his deputy. Jingzhao Yin Sun Weisheng was appointed as the envoy to recruit labor service in Lantian, Huyi, Wannian, Wugong and other counties.

The emperor ordered that Wang Congxun, the commander of the Central Army, be appointed as the vanguard commander of the army and concurrently the commander of Tongguan, and Zha Zhu as his deputy. He Chuyu, the imperial envoy, was appointed as the commander of the stockade.

The emperor ordered that the Grand Commandant Du Rang be in charge of the grain supplies for the various armies and pass guard posts.

On the seventh day, the front reported that Li Keyong had arrived in Quwo. It was also on this day that Zhu Wen stationed his troops outside Shanzhou and sent envoys to Li Keyong, Wang Chongying, Wang Gong, Feng Xingxi and others: "Everyone, please be at ease and do not challenge me. I will enter the capital and punish the traitors myself, without interfering with others."

The bloody battle that will decide the saint's life or death is coming.

(End of this chapter)