The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 105 Controlling Crane Army

"Bang!" A large group of soldiers from the Konghedu Yamen broke into the room. They were strong and muscular, wearing gorgeous clothes and armor. Their white clothes were embroidered with exquisite flying cranes. They looked like a group of young masters. They were obviously elite soldiers who were raised by the Jiedushi as his own sons.

"Shatuo dog!"

"Bian thieves!" Dozens of Li Siyuan's soldiers who were rummaging through boxes and cabinets in the courtyard to collect food and valuables suddenly changed color.

"Kill them all." Huangfu Lin gave the order directly. Behind him, more crane-controlling soldiers were climbing over the wall.

"Yanei!" A Jin man shouted in shock and immediately dropped the sack in his hand, but before he could make the next move, a wave of short spears came at him. He was stabbed on the pillar of the corridor, his head hanging down.

"Go and call Li Siyuan quickly--" The screams of the Jin people were heard outside the house.

"Even if Li Keyong comes, we will kill him!" The only answer he got was an even more ferocious attack from the Bian people.

Whoosh whoosh.

The Bian soldiers knelt on one knee and fired a rain of arrows. The Jin people in the courtyard dodged in panic. Some escaped through the dog hole, and some jumped into the lotus pond and swam to the drain. One person couldn't run fast enough, so the Bian soldiers grabbed his hair, took off his helmet, and put a knife to his throat. Dozens of Jin people were soon dead in the courtyard.

"Strip the clothes and armor of these barbarians and expose their bodies." Huangfu Lin wiped the blood residue on the knife and gave the order.

"Here." The Helangs swarmed together to deal with the remains on the ground.

Huangfu Lin walked into the room, only to see a beauty lying stiffly on the bed, seemingly dead. Huangfu Lin called out twice, but heard no response. He shook his head, picked up the quilt and covered the woman. Then he found a torch and threw it in the room.

Thick black smoke quickly rose from the pavilions and terraces in the mansion.

"Report, Li Siyuan has turned to Huangmei Village and seems to be planning to run to Tongguan."

"This thief!" Huangfu Lin cursed. Do you have to sweep Shanzhou before going to the king? When you arrive in Guanzhong, will the saint not give you food or what? You are so poor that you are confused! If you don't have money, don't fight. Every one of the Hedong Army is a bandit. Huangfu Lin hates this kind of land-turning behavior. Sooner or later, they will support the general to enter Jinyang, dig up Li Guochang's grave, and slaughter the entire Shatuo bandit clan! The saint is also ignorant! He can't tell good from evil and marry this kind of person. A tyrant, he deserves to be beheaded.

"Where is Zhou Dewei?" He took out a map to determine the enemy's escape route.

"We have passed Lingbao and we should be almost at Tongguan now," said Yaxiao.

"Hmph, he's a fast runner." Huangfu Lin's finger moved around on the map, and finally stopped at Huangmei Village: "Chase, capture Li Siyuan alive! Let's see whether he can run faster with the treasure or our unloaded cavalry infantry."

"Let's go."

……

West of Hongnong County, Huangmei Village.

Outside the village, the Jin people were crowded with horsemen, filling the fields. The people were shouting and the horses were neighing, and they were quite panicked. On the earth ridge, the young general pointed at the village and kept giving orders. Soon, hundreds of horsemen and infantrymen were divided into four teams, marching quickly and surrounding the village.

Wang Gong, the governor of Shan and Guo, heard that the Bian army was coming west, and he had already led his troops to Hezhong with supplies, so that there was no one to defend the prefectures and counties in the territory. After crossing the river, Li Siyuan swept all the way from Shanzhou and easily collected a lot of wealth, grain and livestock. If Zhu Wen did not send troops to drive them away, Li Siyuan was confident that everyone could eat rice every day for the next three months.

Unfortunately, the Zhu bandits mobilized a large number of cavalry and infantry and scouts to encircle and search, and their range of activities was completely suppressed. Two days ago, Zhou Dewei, considering the possibility of being surrounded and annihilated by the Bian people, led more than 4,000 people to escort the cavalry to Tongguan first. Li Siyuan and Li Chengsi, Shi Yan and other generals "covered the rear", intending to kill more Bian bandits and avenge the siege of Luzhou.

Of course, grain still needs to be collected.

Anyway, after this battle, the two states of Shaanxi and Guo will probably fall into Zhu Wen's hands, so he can snatch them away in advance!
"Where is the food hidden?"

"Yeah, that's all the winter rations left."

"Give it to me, or I'll kill you." Ya'er said angrily. Thanks to Li Siyuan, the outlier, who strictly enforced military discipline - only collecting money and goods, not killing people. Therefore, the Ya'er dared not kill people. But who knows if they are pushed to the limit?
"If you don't give it to us, we will be robbed by the Bian bandits! Give it to me so that I can help you kill the Bian bandits." Yaer threatened.

The old man burst into tears and it was difficult for him to speak.

"We found the cellar!" Several crows cried happily in the house.

"You old bastard." Yaer kicked the old man away, put away the knife and went into the house.

The village was filled with cries and pleas for mercy.

There was a soldier with a cow and a few chickens on his spear. The child grabbed his trouser legs and made him kowtow repeatedly, and then he was slapped in the face and fainted.

There was a Crow Soldier riding a donkey in high spirits, with a sack full of wheat on his back. A few men, women and children with runny noses were chasing after the donkey. The Crow Soldier was impatient, so he picked up his bow and shot an arrow.

"Don't cry, I just want the money." Li Siyuan pulled up a girl and said gently, "The Bian bandits are coming to kill us, run quickly, or you will be caught and used to fill the trenches."

Everyone was stunned. These soldiers who came from nowhere only wanted money, but it was hard to say what happened to others. Two years ago, when the Bian army surrounded Luzhou, the Cai soldiers under Zhu Wen's command went everywhere to capture prisoners, using their entire families as hostages and forcing young men to die.

Zhu Wen was more humane than Qin Zongquan, but he only targeted the people under his rule. God knows how many people he will capture in Shaanxi and Guo during the attack on Tongguan. If all the people in Shaanxi died, how could he take Tongguan?

"Report, the Konghe Army has caught up with us, and is only thirty miles away from us." A soldier came hurriedly and reported.

"Let's go." Li Siyuan threw down the cake in his hand.

The Bian bandits were too fast. How long had it been since we arrived in Hongnong? They were already being chased! Alas, we had wasted too much time collecting grain, and there were too many treasures. The cavalry was carrying too much weight and was moving slowly. Moreover, the troops sent by the enemy to chase us were cavalry and infantry.

At the command, the Crow Soldiers abandoned the civilians whom they had not had time to visit and quickly gathered.

Li Siyuan stood under a locust tree at the entrance of the village and discussed the route with several generals.

"We can't take the Lingbao Mountain Road." Yang Shouzong frowned and said, "The people of Bian are as fast as thunder. Maybe a small army has sneaked into the Lingbao Road to seize the military camp. Besides, the road is not easy to travel. If we encounter a pass, we will have to abandon a lot of wealth."

"Either we go north across the river and enter the pass through Fenglingdu. Or we go south and go around Zhuyang to Tongguan." Shi Yan suggested.

"No. The northern route is all plains. It would be too dangerous if we were chased by cavalry."

You definitely can’t take the north road.

Not to mention the terrain, it is hard to say whether the father and son of the Wang family in Hezhong are enemies or friends. In the Dashun year, Hedong was attacked by the imperial court, and this "ally" remained neutral. In Li Siyuan's eyes, he already had a history of being a fence-sitter. This time, a powerful enemy is approaching. What if they seize the opportunity to destroy his grain-collecting team and join forces with Zhu Wen? You enter Chang'an and I attack Taiyuan. What should I do?
It was even more impossible to retreat to Jiangzhou or even Wangwu Mountain. First of all, Li Siyuan did not dare to agree to Li Keyong's order. Secondly, everyone went out to fight in the snow. How could they just run away without any reward and just robbed the peasants for a few days?
"Then we'll take the southern route. There are mountains everywhere, and the Honglu River can hold back the Bian bandits."

"Has the Honglu water frozen yet?"

“Not yet.”

"The southern route..." Li Siyuan repeatedly observed the topographic map and said, "It is relatively safer, but there are many valleys and it is not fast. It would be best if the royal army came out of the pass to support us. I don't know if the saint has reached Tongguan. Anyway, let's take the southern route. The terrain here is complicated and there is room for maneuver. The cavalry is useless. If the infantry dares to chase us, we can find a strategic location to destroy them." "Let's go." The group of people didn't waste words. They had done many robberies behind enemy lines and were familiar with the route and were not afraid. Li Siyuan had never been to Shanzhou and was afraid of taking the wrong road. After hiring a dozen native guides, the Yaer soldiers shouted to hurry up and set off.

Zhuyang City is about 50 miles away from Hongnong. With sufficient carriages and horses and livestock for everyone, we can probably reach there in the second half of the night. There is also Wuqujun City to the south of Zhuyang City. After Wang Gong ran away, the garrison also dispersed. Zhao Kuangming and his 3000 Cai soldiers who came from Xiangyang to defend the king are resting. If we don't walk faster, we may encounter this group of cannibals on the way.

Li Siyuan didn't want to meet them.

Although this group of people also braved the heavy snow and came from afar to "loyal" to serve the king, who dares to assert Cai Kou's virtue. I only have more than a thousand soldiers and a lot of wealth. If we meet, it is hard to guarantee that we will not arouse his greed. If he becomes evil and brazenly fights the Hedong army, and then runs back to Xiangyang for the New Year, who will you go to for justice?
Li Siyuan was a little annoyed. Why is there so much trouble in a war?

Fortunately, the movement to Zhuyang City went very smoothly. The main force of the Bian army had gathered in the triangle area of Yanxiangyi, Guozhou, and Taolinsai, and had no time to pay attention to small minions like him. The location of the garrison was chosen in this area, apparently considering the possibility that Li Keyong, who was observing the situation in Quwo, would lead his troops south - attack the rear - and wait for an opportunity to attack the Eastern Capital with the assistance of Li Hanzhi in Hanoi.

At midnight on the eighth day of the first lunar month, Li Siyuan arrived at Zhuyang City with his soldiers full of resentment and went straight into this small city without any soldiers to defend it. The scene is self-evident. Even though Li Siyuan repeatedly ordered that killing and prostitution of women were prohibited, the grain collection was inevitable. Chickens, ducks, dogs, rice, wheat, millet, and rags of village girls, the poor Jin people were not picky, and even street beggars were touched.

Facing this gang of bandits outside the pass, the people of Zhuyang City were only angry and helpless - what a bunch of bastards! In fact, Li Siyuan was relatively good. He and Li Cunxiao, Li Cunzhen and others were gentle people. They could keep up with the logistics and basically did not rob. When they robbed, they only wanted money, not killing people.

Alas, in this corrupt world, people can be considered good people just by robbing others.

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, perhaps fearing that the Bian people would suddenly attack, Li Siyuan, who had collected a large amount of money and grain, set out before dawn and walked with his men in the vast snow. The soldiers were a little clamorous. They abandoned their wives and children and traveled thousands of miles in the winter to serve the king, fleeing behind enemy lines like a pack of stray dogs. They were worthy of the saint. If there was no reward, they would curse their mothers.

"We'll have a good time when we get to Tongguan." Li Siyuan brushed off the ice on his face and encouraged her, "Princess, you're marrying the Saint. We were his family members in the past. The Saint and the Concubine will reward us. You all know Zhu'er, right? He's been promoted to the position of the Commander-in-Chief. It shows that the Saint doesn't treat his relatives harshly."

The soldiers were delighted.

In the afternoon, small groups of royal scouts, patrol cavalry, scouts, and messengers began to appear along the way. It seemed that they had entered the actual control area of the court. This made Li Siyuan and his party relax a little, and they were finally safe. In addition, they also learned from the Houqi: "The emperor has led 150,000 soldiers to Tongguan." It is obvious that the young and strong are included. The court needs to have 150,000 troops and guard the pass? However, the saint can mobilize hundreds of thousands of people, which shows that he manages the three auxiliary areas very well.

Humph, if Zhu Wen uses force, won’t his two front teeth be broken?
Zhao Kuangming's Cai army also encountered them. They laughed and cursed, not taking the Bian army seriously, and threatened to kill Quanzhong. Li Siyuan did not dare to be careless and ordered the soldiers to speed up and keep a distance from the Cai army.

……

Qilin Peak and the beautiful Bixiao Temple.

At this moment, the crowd was bustling. Liu Chongwang, Zheng Yanchang, and Li Xi were arranging houses and dividing government offices, arguing with the civil and military officials. Warriors, clerks, and ministers were holding documents and looking for their superiors in the crowd. Boxes of files and documents were carried in one by one, waiting to be claimed. Tables, chairs, paper, pens, and other supplies were transported to the pavilion on the mountainside, waiting to be distributed.

The central government of the Guo Dynasty had been relocated frequently since Emperor Gaozong, and even more frequently after the Chaos Rebellion. The temples in Guocheng, the county government in Huyi, the governor's mansion in Hanzhong, and the official residence of the governor in Chengdu all served as the court's residence.

Considering the possibility of a long-term confrontation, the court moved directly here this time. Due to their rich experience, the process was orderly. Chang'an was guarded by the Taiwei, who also dispatched food, war equipment, and civilians for the army. Flying Dragon Envoy Zhang Chengye temporarily took over the Palace Garden Supervisor and looked after the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Palace Bureau.

The princes and princesses of the royal family were brought here, especially Prince Ji, who almost came to the throne. He Chuyu and others were very worried about him.

In addition, under the persuasion of Du Rangneng, the "expert in escaping from the emperor", He Yuqing, Zhu Xiewusi, Zhao Ruxin, Yuwenrou, Yang Kezheng, Pei Zhenyi, Chen Chen and other concubines and several princes' daughters were brought here by the sage and lived in the Prajna Temple. If the thieves broke through Tongguan, the soldiers and civilians would flee for their lives, and the ministers would escort the sage's family to move away. Chang'an? What Chang'an!
At this time, the Prajna Temple was also very lively. The Hanlin Academy, the Privy Council, the Xuanhui Academy, the Imperial Guards, the Tiance Chinese and Foreign Armies and other departments were also settling down. They were of different natures and had to stay by the emperor's side at all times. In the backyard, Zhu Xiewusi was sitting at the stone table teasing the children. He Yuqing was cleaning up the pots and pans, preparing to return to his old job and be solely responsible for the saint's diet.

In fact, in the previous ten years, she cooked most of the meals for the couple, especially when her husband was the empress. She was afraid of being poisoned.

Mahavira Hall.

"The Great Saint Wu Zetian moved the former Sui Guancheng to Yangzhuang near the river at the foot of the plateau, and it was sandwiched between the Han and Wei Guancheng in the north and south." Wang Zan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, pointed to the defense map and said with emotion: "In this way, Tongguan lies on the north side of the river. On the south side, it is backed by Caolianling, Yuxian, Taohualin, Shidi, Luofu and other sword peaks. In addition to the Guancheng, there are also a large number of stockades between the north and the south. This blocks the road."

Wrong day...

The Yellow River is close to the north, the Qinling Mountains are to the south, and a large area in between has been built with a large number of fortifications over the past century. Stone forts, high forts, and linked fences... the Eastern Maginot Line? Even the intensity of the American bombing of Shangganling would not be enough to flatten this place. Horrible terrain!

"During the Tianbao period, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, Geshu Han and others recruited soldiers to guard the pass and built 88 additional military camps."

"Shi Chaoyi recaptured Luoyang. The imperial court feared that he would come westward, so they refortified Tongguan and built 37 more stone forts."

"During the Chaos, Zhang Chengfan and Qi Kerang guarded the pass and built 21 more stone fortresses."

"Han Jianzhi rebelled and feared being attacked, so he not only conscripted civilians to reinforce the city walls, but also built 14 more wooden fences."

"There are 116 military camps that can be used, including the forts and beacon towers built along the forbidden ditch, which can accommodate people!" Wang Zan looked at the saint excitedly and asked in a mysterious way: "May I ask your majesty, can Zhu Wen enter?"

"Don't underestimate the enemy." The saint pointed to the forbidden ditch and confirmed: "Huang Chao broke through Tongguan because he failed to defend the forbidden ditch. How is it here now?"

The Forbidden Valley is located east of the city wall. It is a narrow and steep valley. Cars and armor cannot pass through it, so the speed of passing through is impressive. In addition, many stockades were built in the valley to block the road. The small roads that could not be blocked were all planted with trees. Now there are dense forests with no sunlight in the forest. There are more than a dozen barracks built on the cliffs on both sides of the valley. If there are rebels passing by, they will shoot arrows, throw stones, and set fires... This is the first line of defense.

If you fail to keep it, don't panic. Behind the Forbidden Ditch is the Tongluo River. The deepest bay is about seven or eight meters deep, just a river of medium size. The west side is a 60-degree slope. The east side is a knife-cut ridge, and the Forbidden Ditch is opposite the ridge. Then, wherever a village can be built in the Tongluo River, villages were built.

Therefore, Beihezhaicheng, Beiheguancheng, Zhongzhaicheng, Zhongguancheng, Han and Wei Nanguancheng, Nanyuxianfeng, Jingou Gorge Zhaicheng, Cliff Liancheng and Tongluochuan together constitute the Tongguan defense system.

Now the saint can pat his chest and guarantee that as long as he doesn't go crazy, Zhu Wen can't get in. If he can't even defend this, what's the use of him? Find a mud truck and smash it to death. What's the point of reviving the country! The saint even suspected that Zhu Wen came here specifically to give him warmth and increase his prestige.

Take a detour, Lao Zhu, don't be so stubborn. I'll let you break through Tongguan and I'll eat it directly.

Moreover, the fortress keeper He Chuyu was also bringing civilians to build more fortresses, trying to set up fortresses in every gap to block the road. If the "tank" of the Bian people wanted to move forward, it had to run over these iron spikes first. He was not in a situation like the one during the Chaos, where people had no desire to fight, and the soldiers and civilians were not afraid. He was not capable of the kind of micromanagement that someone else did. He would rather shrink in his shell and be a turtle than pretend to be a warrior. In terms of logistics, the prime ministers said: "Yesterday's calculation of the expenses for military operations, supplies, and rewards will not be in short supply in one or two years."

After the New Year, the winter wheat widely planted in the Sanfu area can be harvested. Since the war has not affected Guanzhong, there will be sufficient food supply by then.

"Your Majesty, the 4,000 soldiers of Zhou Dewei's army from Hedong have entered Zhongguancheng from Linzhiyuan to rest and recuperate."

"Li Siyuan from another group has also arrived, with more than a thousand of his men, and Zhao Kuangming's troops from Xiangyang with more than 3,000 Cai troops, and they are stationed at Fengyiyuan."

Zhao walked in with a stack of official documents and said breathlessly.

"Also, intercept the deputy envoy of Tongguan, Zhazhu, and send a report."

"The vanguard of the Bian bandits - Zhu Yougui, the commander of the Left and Right Control Cranes, Yuan Xiangxian, the general manager of the internal and external cavalry and infantry troops and the road clearing and beheading envoy, Hu Zhen, the governor of Zhenghua, Zhang Guiba, the governor of the four-sided tour, and Zhao Chang, the governor of the Zhongwu Army, and 50000 people have arrived at the lower camp of Luoyingyuan. It is only three miles away from Linzhiyuan."

"Zhu Wen, since he led the army, has arrived at the Yanxiang Posthouse. He has servants like clouds coming in and out, claiming to be alone and with a pomp and ceremony comparable to that of an emperor."

Zhao's memory and eloquence were truly amazing. Not only could he not hear the sound of breathing when he finished speaking such a long string, but he also spoke every word without missing a single one.

The saint loved her to death.

At this point, the sage is only one step away from becoming the great villain Zhu Wen, and tomorrow may be the day when the monarch and his subject meet.

　Many book friends corrected me: "The title of official was not used until after the establishment of the Song Dynasty, please change it.", "Aren't white banners used in batches when surrendering?", "Why do you feel that all the military officers in the late Tang Dynasty you wrote eat human flesh and make meat jerky? I have only heard of Zhu Wen, is the author exaggerating the facts?", "The court has been like this for several times, where does it get money and food to support the soldiers?" and so on, there are many. I am too lazy to start a new chapter. Readers who know the subject can post in the comment section to popularize science for them. In addition, please vote!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)