A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 526 Sleeping Under the Stars
Backlighting at sunset.

As dusk fell, the Juma River shimmered with dappled gold light, and the rammed earth city of Feihu was gilded by the setting sun, making it appear much taller and more imposing.

Under the willows by the river outside the city, Li Yi raised his fishing rod. A large carp leaped and twisted, its mouth wide open, as if it wanted to swallow the setting sun whole.

Startled, the egrets in the distance took flight, skimming the water's surface with graceful movements.

"The Taihang Mountains are majestic, the Yanshan Mountains are secluded, and the Juma River is also called the Lai River. Look at the banks of the Lai River, it is also a fertile land."

The scenery here is really nice.

Surrounded by mountains, there is a basin that is not small. The Juma River irrigates the plains on both sides, with hundreds of thousands of acres of arable land and millions of acres of mountain forest.

This place has great potential.

But now, in Feihu County, famine has driven almost everyone to flee.

Ma Zhou took the landing net and helped Li Yi scoop up the big carp. "It must weigh six or seven pounds. Sikong's fishing skills are really amazing. He's caught several big fish already."

"When it comes to fishing, you need to choose a good spot, have good bait, and then patiently wait for the fish to bite. You can't lift the rod as soon as the float moves..." Li Yi said with a smile. He used to enjoy fishing, and although he had less time for it later, he would still go fishing a few times a month.

Liu Shiche came from a distance.

"Lord Sikong, good news keeps coming! General Liu Heita has captured Pingxing Pass and is now guarding the vital Taixi Mountain passage between Weijian and Daizhou."

Lieutenant General Li Cunxiao also captured Zhigu Pass, and General Su Dingfang also captured Beiyu Pass.

Li Yi continued to bait the hook and cast the line again.

He passed all three tests smoothly, but he wasn't too excited; it was something he expected.

Gao Kaidao took the main force away, leaving few people to defend Weizhou. Furthermore, due to famine, the garrison had no will to resist.

"Of the three counties in Weizhou, we have now captured Feihu County, and Lingqiu County is also surrounded by us."

Liu Shiche said excitedly, "General Su Dingfang sent someone to ask the Minister of Works whether he should attack Anbian City!"

Anbian, which is the later Yu County, is located outside Feihu Pass. Yu County is also an intermontane basin, much larger than the Laiyuan Basin and Lingqiu Basin. This basin is mainly the basin of the Huliu River, a tributary of the Sanggan River.

Because of the Huliu River, the Yu County Basin is not entirely isolated. In the northeast of the basin, the Huliu River merges with the Sanggan River, connecting with the Datong Basin. Further east, the lower reaches of the Sanggan River lead to the Huairong Basin and the northern Yanzhou.

Between You and Dai, there are many small mountain basins, each small but serving as a transportation springboard.

In particular, nomadic peoples traveling south between Shanxi and Hebei would pass through these basins.

First take Feihu, then Lingqiu, and then attack Weixian. After taking these three small basins, Li Yi will have a foothold in Shanxi, where he can advance or retreat as needed.

The next step, whether it's capturing Beiyan Prefecture, attacking the Datong Basin or the Yanmen Basin, or advancing from Beiyan Prefecture through Zhangjiakou to the border regions,

That's fine.

This would not only eliminate Gao Kaidao, but also threaten Yuan Junzhang and Yang Zhengdao, and even directly threaten the steppe Turks.

This is what we call a shift in the balance of power between offense and defense.

Where is our main force?

"Qin Wutong and his men have already led the central army to Daoma Pass, and the rear army's supplies and provisions have also arrived along the Lingqiu Road."

Li Yi nodded.

Everything proceeded as planned, step by step, and smoothly.

Knights were approaching on horseback in the distance.

Approaching, it was Liu Xian, the military advisor of the Prince's mansion.

"Minister, the Youzhou army has sent a report of victory."

Li Yi was slightly surprised. Could it be that Wang Junkuo had taken over Jundu Pass so quickly?

Upon receiving the letter delivered by fast horse, he discovered it was written by Wang Shen, the Sima of the Youzhou Grand General's Office.

"The army captured Juyong Pass in one day and night, suffering over a thousand casualties."

This record amazed him. This time, Wang Junkuo really showed his true skills. That guy, if you don't put some pressure on him, he really won't exert himself.

If he had personally led the troops to attack Jundu Pass last time, Lu Shijun would not have suffered a defeat and died in battle, losing three thousand elite troops and letting many rebels and Turks escape.

"There's another report of victory, sent by Tu Diji, the governor of Yanzhou." Liu Xian took out another report of victory.

This victory report was actually written by Tudiqi, a Mohe man, who had excellent calligraphy skills. What was even more surprising was that Tudiqi had won a great victory in Beiyan Prefecture.

He was ordered at Jundu Pass to lead his 3,000 Mohe light cavalry as the vanguard to attack Huairong City in Beiyan Prefecture. This guy was not reckless or rash.

Instead, he secretly led three thousand cavalry to ambush halfway between Huairong and Jundu Pass.

The soldiers hid among the reeds along the Gui River.

He sent his men to impersonate civilians and escape to Huai Rong City, saying that the Youzhou army was fiercely attacking Jundu Pass and that the city was in a critical situation.

The one left to guard Huai Rong City in Bei Yan Prefecture was Gao Kaidao's adopted son. There were only one thousand veteran soldiers and two thousand newly recruited young and strong soldiers left in the city.
I heard that Jundu Pass is in danger.
He then mustered three thousand men and sent them out of the city to provide reinforcements.

If Jundu Pass falls, the garrison at Huairong City certainly won't be able to hold out either.

Unexpectedly, this was exactly what Tudiji wanted.

When the Yan army had half crossed the Gui River,
Suddenly, Ji personally led three thousand Mohe light cavalry in a charge.
Although the last time they attacked Jundu Pass, the Tudiqi ran faster than rabbits, and these Mohe people had remained silent during the previous Yan army's rebellion and attack on Youyi.

However, these Mohe light cavalry were just as brave and fierce as the Youzhou Tuqi. The Tudiqi were stationed in western Liaoning during the Sui Dynasty, but they fought many battles with the Goguryeo and Khitan people.

Even at the end of the Daye era, after accompanying the emperor to Jiangdu and being assassinated by Yang Guang, he directly led his sons and tribal soldiers, fighting his way back all the way from Jiangdu to Youzhou, a journey of thousands of miles.
Even Li Mi and Dou Jiande couldn't stop him. Although he was eventually defeated by Wang Xuba in Shanggu, it was because he had too few soldiers.

"This Tudiji is indeed quite capable. This tactic is impressive: using spies, besieging a point to ambush reinforcements, and attacking while the enemy is crossing the river."

They decisively defeated three thousand soldiers in the city of Beiyan, and then drove the routed troops into the city.

Flowing clouds and running water

They won cleanly and decisively, without any hesitation.

If Wang Junkuo feigned an attack on Jundu Pass from the front, while he led eight hundred elite soldiers to cross dangerous peaks under cover of night, circle around to the back of Beiguan City, and then sneak into the city to seize Juyong Pass in one fell swoop, that would be quite valiant.

That battle against the Tudiqi was quite strategic. A barbarian from Liaodong actually knew how to use military tactics, and he did it so skillfully.

"The Youzhou army has displayed tremendous power this time, even more so than us. They not only captured Jundu Pass in just one day and one night, but Tudiji also captured Beiyan Prefecture City in half a day with only three thousand cavalry."

Ma Zhou, Liu Shiche, Liu Xian, and the others were all very surprised.

I thought Li Yi's two-pronged attack, capturing five passes, one city, and one fortress in quick succession, would be fast and fierce enough. But who knew that the Youzhou army was anything but weak this time, they were incredibly powerful.

"Since Beiyan Prefecture has been captured ahead of schedule, that's icing on the cake."

Order Li Cunxiao and Su Dingfang to send troops to besiege Anyuan County.

There aren't many soldiers in Anyuan County. Now that the You and Ding routes are advancing rapidly, Anyuan has become an isolated city. There are only some old and weak people in the city, and they are short of food. If we offer them a way to surrender, they will most likely do so.

Liu Shiche asked Li Yi, "After taking Weizhou and Beiyanzhou, what is our next step?"

"Should we send troops to Daizhou to reinforce Yanmen?"

"Don't rush to make a decision. Let's first completely wipe out Weizhou and Beiyanzhou."

Weizhou, as a base for advancing, must first be used to station troops and store grain.

Another big fish took the bait, and Li Yi returned home with a full catch.

"There is a famine in Feihu, and many fields are lying fallow. We need to arrange for people to cultivate the land."

Although it is already April, it is still possible to plant millet and sorghum.

When Li Yi returned to the city, he instructed Ma Zhou, Liu Shiche, and others to organize disaster victims to settle and cultivate the land, as a preparation for a protracted war.

I sleep under the starry sky and the Milky Way at night.

Watching the sunrise and sea of ​​clouds at dawn.

Climb to the top of Baishi Mountain in Feihu County, stand atop the mountain to witness the spectacular sunrise and sea of ​​clouds, and experience the beauty of this northern Zhangjiajie.

The sun is coming out,
The main force of the Dingzhou army also emerged from the Feihu South Road.

The eight thousand soldiers of Dingzhou stood tall and proud, bathed in the morning light.

Standing atop the mountain, Li Yi watched the army emerge in single file, winding like a dragon, and saw the red flags waving, a smile playing on his lips.

He waved his hand.

Fireworks were then lit on the hilltop.

The smoke rose straight into the sky, and the army emerging from the valley saw it—a signal of victory as agreed upon.

Li Yi descended the mountain.
Arriving in Feihu County, they welcomed the army.

"Lord Sikong, we are late."

The three generals, Qin Wutong, Li Xuantong, and Wang Xingmin, along with Yun Shiduan and other officers, looked at the young Minister of Works with nothing but admiration.

In just three days, they not only captured the formidable passes of Daoma Pass and Baibi Pass, but also Baishi Fortress, Feihu City, and even Pingxing Pass, Zhigu Pass, and Beiyu Pass.

The capture of these five passes, one city, and one fortress resulted in almost no loss of soldiers or generals.

Instead, they recruited and reorganized 3,000 soldiers.

"Soldiers, you've worked hard. Come and try our Flying Fox Pancakes."

Feihu pancakes are as big as a lid, as thin as paper, as golden in color, and as elastic as silk. They are a local specialty. After the pancakes are spread out, they are rolled with chopped meat, seasoned with peppercorns, star anise and other spices, and then fried until the outer skin is crispy. When you take a bite, the aroma of meat, scallions and pancakes intertwine together. It's absolutely delicious.

The newly arrived 8,000 Tang soldiers

Each person was given two hot Flying Fox pancakes, filled with horse and mule meat. In the army, some wounded horses and mules that couldn't be cured were slaughtered, stewed until tender, chopped up, and rolled into the pancakes. They were incredibly delicious.

"We've marched hundreds of miles without fighting a single battle. Sikong and his men cleared the way for us and led the charge. Now they're even making us pancakes."

We really felt bad about eating so much.

Qin Wutong sighed.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Next, Lingqiu County, Anyuan County, Guangling Fort, Ding’an Fort, and so on, will all be your responsibility.” Li Yi handed him two rolled-up pancakes.

Qin Wutong thumped his chest loudly, "Please rest assured, Master Sikong. These are just a few small towns. We'll set off to take them down after we finish this pancake."

Li Xuantong and Wang Xingmin also suggested that they could split up and take the position separately.

Right outside the gate of Feihu County,

While eating chewy Flying Fox Horse Meat Pancakes, the generals discussed dividing their forces into four routes to capture two county towns and two fortified cities.

Eight thousand men, divided into four routes, led by three governors including Qin Wutong and Yun Shiduan, each with two thousand infantrymen, immediately set off to attack.

"A quick victory is fine too."

After you capture these two counties and two fortresses, garrison the fortresses to guard the border, and at the same time, assign soldiers to establish military settlements.

After deciding to take Weizhou, Li Yi decided to hold off for a while.
While strengthening defenses, stockpile food and supplies, and make further plans after assessing the situation in Daibei.

Before the eight thousand soldiers set off,

Li Yi also had some Feihu specialty jujube cloud cakes sent to them as dry rations. These are made by grinding millet into flour, steaming it into yellow cakes, then rolling it with jujubes, slicing it, and frying it into jujube cloud cakes, which are shaped like clouds and are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Each soldier received a small amount.

Although it wasn't much, it still showed Sikong's care and concern.

Li Yi saw off his eight thousand soldiers.

The small city of Flying Fox,

The sky is high and the clouds are light, the river is sparkling, and the grass is green.

It's a truly stunning landscape.

If only those damned Turks weren't there.

(End of this chapter)