Ancestors, please don't crawl out again.

Chapter 113 I, the Great Tang, have returned.

Just one day after Du Guangting appeared in downtown Chengdu in a manner that seemed like a miracle, the Prince of Shu, who had suffered a stroke, suddenly recovered...

It is said that he was so excited upon hearing the good news that the Tang Dynasty had truly been restored that he recovered.

What a loyal subject!
That's what a loyal minister is like!

In short, he immediately announced his intention to enter the court, and then, disregarding his newly recovered health, he quickly set off for Chang'an.

Of course, after arriving in Chang'an, considering that he had already suffered a stroke and was no longer suitable to work for the country, he decided to retire there and spend his retirement years in Chang'an. He could play chess with his in-law, the Prince of Qi, when he had nothing to do. Although his son-in-law was actually the Prince of Qi's nephew, his son-in-law was Li Jichong, the military governor of Qinzhou. Historically, domestic violence caused by drunkenness even triggered the Qi-Shu War.

After he entered the court, the military governorship of Jiannan Xichuan was abolished, and the court appointed Zhang Gongjin as the prefect of Chengdu and the military commander of Jiannan Road, who was in charge of the area south of Jiange. The military governorships of Dongchuan and other areas that had not yet been abolished were also placed under his control.

Wang Jian's former officials, his adopted sons, and the military governors he himself appointed, all temporarily retained their original positions. Meanwhile, Wang Zongyi, the heir apparent who was also in Chang'an, returned to Chengdu as Zhang Gongjin's deputy.

The Jiannan issue was thus resolved.

As for Hanzhong, or rather Xingyuan, it was originally in Wang Jian's hands.

The military governor of Shannan West Circuit was his adopted son, Wang Zonghe.

After Wang Jian's group surrendered, Hu Jingzhang, the military governor of Fuyan, died of illness. Li Jihui wanted to annex Fuyan and sent his subordinate Liu Wanzi to take over Fuzhou, but Liu Wanzi was killed by the Gao brothers, subordinates of Hu Jingzhang. Then the two brothers declared their allegiance to the enemy...

Of course, it's of no use.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Haibin, who had already taken control of Hezhong, sent troops to Fuzhou.

No one resisted in Fuzhou.

Wang Haibin ordered the Gao brothers to commit suicide.

Of course, their families were pardoned, and the two of them had no choice but to commit suicide.

Meanwhile, Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin led their troops north to attack Li Jihui. Binzhou was in turmoil, Li Jihui committed suicide, and his troops surrendered. Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin, following a list, ordered several of Li Jihui's key generals to commit suicide, but their families were pardoned. Thus, the last two territories previously held by Li Maozhen were returned to the court. Immediately afterward, Li Sijian, the military governor of Dingnan, sent envoys to the capital to try and gain a pardon in exchange for defection, but the Imperial Preceptor refused. After all, Li Sijian had previously sent troops to Taiyuan to participate in the attack on the Imperial Preceptor, which was considered a heinous crime punishable by the execution of nine generations of his family.

What's the point of Li Sijian even considering this? This is utterly unreasonable!
All the troops he sent were wiped out.

Besides, Zhu Youqian also went there, so why didn't you execute Zhu Youqian's entire family?

The Dingnan Army, which ultimately failed in its rebellion, attempted to seize Yanzhou, but ran into Qin Qiong and his comrades. In the ensuing battle, the Dingnan Army suffered a crushing defeat, and Qin Qiong seized the opportunity to take over Suizhou as well. Suizhou offered no resistance and surrendered directly.

Immediately afterwards, Han Xun, the military governor of Shuofang, announced that he accepted the imperial decree and offered to commit suicide along with several key generals in exchange for the pardon of his family. Subsequently, Li Siye, who had already prepared for a western expedition, led his army westward as the military commander of Longyou Road and stationed it in Lingzhou. He renamed Lingzhou as Shuofang Prefecture, which governed all the prefectures, and appointed Han Xun's son, Han Zhu, as the prefect...

The Han family was still very popular in Lingwu and had previously defeated the Tibetan invasion. However, it was also true that they had submitted to Zhu Wen, so Han Xun had to die. But his son was appointed as the prefect of Lingwu, which ensured the stability of the area.

After all, we still have to guard against Tibet.

In addition, dealing with Li Sijian would also require sending troops from Shuofang.

The Tang Dynasty's series of actions in the northwest largely bypassed the Imperial Advisor's influence. The only exception was when the Imperial Advisor intervened to prevent Li Sijian from committing suicide in exchange for the surrender of the Dingnan Army. Instead, the Imperial Advisor insisted on the execution of Li Sijian's entire clan. This led Li Sijian to abandon any thought of surrender. His own suicide was acceptable; their situation was similar to that of the Shatuo, where Li Keyong had originally intended to use his own entry into the court to secure his son's continued control of the tribe. Li Sijian's suicide would still allow the Dangxiang tribe to remain under his family's control, as both he and his brother Tuoba Sigong would have descendants. However, the execution of his entire clan was unacceptable.

Of course, since the Imperial Preceptor wanted to exterminate his entire family, the court had no choice but to do the same.

Next one...

Next up are the Ganzhou Uyghurs.

The Uyghurs of Ganzhou sent envoys to Chang'an to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty.

This should be the time when the Ganzhou Uyghurs were at their strongest. They were refugees who fled after the fall of the Uyghur Kingdom and eventually entered the Hexi Corridor. The Khanate was in Shandan. Originally, they were under the jurisdiction of the Guiyi Army arranged by the Tang Dynasty, but their power quickly grew and they no longer listened to the Zhang family. Now the Zhang family was being threatened by them.

However, with Li Siye stationed in Shuofang, they became the first to be affected by the westward advance.

Changan.

"Let Li Siye recruit soldiers from them, and then take their soldiers with him to the Western Regions."

Anyone who dares to disagree will be wiped out.

Yang Feng said.

After the fall of the Uyghur Kingdom, the tribes split into several branches during their escape.

Ganzhou Uyghurs, Shazhou Uyghurs, Xizhou Uyghurs, or Gaochang Uyghurs.

Ganzhou and Shazhou were theoretically under the control of the Guiyi Army.

Let Li Siye take them all, and then join forces with the Zhang family to fight their way back to the Western Regions.

They dared not resist. They were evenly matched with the Zhang family to begin with, and suddenly tens of thousands of elite Tang troops attacked from both sides. Their only options were to surrender and obey, or to seek refuge with the Tibetans. Besides, although they were Ganzhou Uyghurs, the cities in the Hexi Corridor were still predominantly Han Chinese, merely subservient to them. After all, the world was in chaos, and no one cared about the Hexi Corridor. Facing the Tibetans, they needed someone to provide protection.

If it were the Tang army that went there, none of the cities would have offered any resistance; that is the value of the Tang banner.

As for after entering the Western Regions, if the Tang Dynasty had merely restored the old Protectorate system there, the Gaochang Uyghurs probably wouldn't have put up a fierce resistance.

Their enemy is the Karakhanid Khanate.

However, the latter is still in the early stages of its modernization; true modernization will occur during this period. Meanwhile, the Samanid Empire of Persia is attacking the Karakhanid Khanate, and the two sides have been at war for many years. In short, the Western Regions are currently in a state of near-equal strength between the two systems. To the east lies the Gaochang Uyghur Khaganate, to the west is the fully modernized southern Central Asia, and in between is the Karakhanid Khanate, which is still undergoing modernization and controls northern Central Asia and half of the Tarim Basin. Under these circumstances, the entry of the Tang Dynasty, its former master, into the Western Regions is a significant boon to the Buddhist system led by the Gaochang Uyghur Khaganate, as they are very familiar with the Tang Dynasty's history.

Tibet has declined severely and is practically no longer able to provide them with support.

But the Tang Dynasty could.

"It's time for us to get started."

Yang Feng looked at the Tang army lined up in front of him.

Even Li Daoxuan had donned armor and was carrying a horse spear.

However, these Tang soldiers were not numerous.

After all, a large number of Tang troops had been taken to various places by the military commanders during this period, so only 30,000 Tang troops were currently arrayed outside Chang'an. However, they were all equipped with the best equipment. The 30,000 soldiers were divided into three formations: cavalry, infantry, and infantry. There were 10,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry, and the infantry was divided into four small square formations. Li Daoxuan, Xue Wanjun, Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin, Guo Xiaoke, and Wang Zhongsi were all fully armored and stood at the front of the formation. As for the others, they were no longer in Chang'an.

Li Siye and Guo Xin went to the Western Regions as commander and deputy commander, respectively.

Zhang Gongjin was in Jiannan.

Wang Haibin is in the river.

Yin Kaishan and Duan Zhixuan were in Hedong.

Wang Xiaojie was in Youzhou, followed by Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, and Kan Leng.

Even Guo Xiaoke's son, Guo Daizhao, was stationed in Yanzhou, which had been renamed Yan'an Prefecture, to command Yansui and directly confront the Dingnan Army. The surrendered generals were also following their commanders in various places. For example, Zhou Dewei and his companion were still in Hedong, where they still had to face Li Cunxu's group.

"Come on, I'll take you to get that traitor's head!"

"That's what the Imperial Advisor said."

After saying that, he slashed the jade axe in his hand, and a spatial rift appeared in front of him.

The jade axe, which had been slashing to the bottom, vanished directly from the ground. The Grand Preceptor then ascended his elephant-drawn carriage.

"go ahead!"

He pointed his nine-section staff forward.

Two elephants pulling the elephant chariot strode forward and entered the spatial rift. Behind them, Li Daoxuan and his six companions spurred their warhorses to follow, followed by squads of Tang soldiers. Amid the cheers of the surrounding populace, they embarked on their journey, just as they had done nearly three hundred years ago.

Of course, their journey is very short, just one step away.

Just as the soldiers were heading toward the spatial rift, the Imperial Preceptor's elephant chariot had already stopped in front of the Kaifeng city gate.

The military officer in front was originally entering the city.

But the screams that his appearance caused drew the attention of his hundreds of cavalrymen, who turned to look at him.

"The last time I came here, this place was still a ruin."

Yang Feng sighed with emotion.

At this time, Kaifeng was only the inner city of Kaifeng during the Song Dynasty.

It was indeed ruins when he last came here.

The general was completely stunned, staring blankly. However, the sudden appearance of Li Daoxuan and the others from behind Yang Feng brought him back to his senses. Without hesitation, he took off his spear and turned his horse around at top speed...

"Array up!"

he shouted.

At the same time, he charged straight at Yang Feng.

His men turned around as quickly as possible and formed a column to meet the enemy's line, blocking the still-open city gate.

The general had already reached Yang Feng's front, but at the same time, Luo Shixin, who had just rushed out of the spatial rift, rushed straight in front of him. The latter's iron cone came down, and the general immediately raised his spear to block it. The next moment, the resounding sound of metal colliding echoed through the city gate. Both of them were somewhat surprised and quickly separated to look at each other, clearly realizing that they seemed to be evenly matched.

Are you named Wang Yanzhang?

Yang Feng asked.

This big iron spear could withstand Luo Shixin's iron spike; there probably won't be another one like it.

Zhu Wen had quite a few capable fighters under his command at this time.

Wang Yanzhang, Xie Yanzhang, Niu Cunjie, the Zhang Guiba brothers, and even Ge Congzhou are still alive.

Of course, he was seriously ill.

Zhu Wen had a multitude of fierce generals under his command. His success in this chaotic war was truly earned through sheer strength. Although his strength was limited to creating the largest separatist regime and insufficient to unify the country, his hopes of unifying the country ended after his defeat at the Battle of Qingkou.

"Exactly."

The latter said with a solemn expression.

He held his spear across his chest and continued to look at Luo Shixin.

"Don't be afraid. We won't raid the city gates. I can open Bianzhou and enter at any time. But once we start fighting, innocent people will inevitably be hurt. So you can go back and tell Zhu Wen to bring his troops out and set up a battle formation outside the city. You can tell him that if he is willing to come out of the city to fight, I will not intervene. Only the Regent of the Tang Dynasty will lead his troops to fight him. If he refuses to come out of the city, then I will go in personally and bring his head out."

Yang Feng said in a friendly tone.

Wang Yanzhang looked at the Tang army that was continuously emerging from behind him with a bewildered expression.

"Is what you say true?"

He said.

"How could the Imperial Advisor lie to you? Besides, there's no need for the Imperial Advisor to personally take action to wipe out traitors like you."

"As expected of bandits, cowards as mice."

Luo Shixin shouted.

Wang Yanzhang snorted coldly, cupped his hands to Yang Feng, and then retreated. His cavalry advanced, and he immediately retreated into their ranks. He then turned and charged towards the city gate, which was already closing. Upon seeing him, they stopped immediately, and he rushed through the gate. His cavalry then began to retreat in turn, quickly following him into the city. The guards on the city wall appeared swiftly, bows pointed outwards, and even ballistae were deployed.

"Imperial Preceptor, does this traitor dare to leave the city?"

Li Daoxuan asked.

"Don't dare."

Yang Feng said with a smile.

Of course I wouldn’t dare!
Given Zhu Wen's suspicious nature, how could he dare to leave the city under such circumstances?

Once he leaves the city, one of his old comrades might declare a rebellion within the city. He's not so oblivious as to lack that awareness. At a time like this, even his old comrades wouldn't dare to pledge their loyalty. In fact, Yang Shihou had already secretly sent someone to ask the court if he could defect, but the court ignored him.

Zhu Wen probably knew this.

But he didn't dare to speak out at this time. If he didn't speak out, everyone could still maintain the illusion of working together. If he did speak out, people's hearts would immediately fall apart.

but……

People's hearts are now scattered.

Yang Feng glanced at the soldiers on the city wall, all of whom were clearly panicked as they watched the Tang army that was still pouring out of the spatial rifts.

Because the cracks were invisible from this angle, they appeared to them as a vast army pouring forth from the void, descending upon the city like celestial warriors from legend. Equally terrified, watching this scene were the surrounding civilians, even the officials on the city walls, and Zhu Wen's generals. At that moment, morale crumbled. He was a traitor who had only been emperor for less than a year; his followers were merely those seeking wealth and power, but now their dreams of riches had been shattered.

What's left?
loyalty?

Isn't that ridiculous?

Just a few months ago, they all still revered the Tang emperor.

Even if they hold the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords.

But they also acknowledged that he was the emperor, the emperor for three hundred years.

What is Zhu Wen? He was just a bandit who rose to power through rebellion.

To abandon a three-hundred-year-old emperor and follow a thief?
"Pressure breeds change, there's going to be a good show tonight."

Yang Feng stood on the elephant carriage with his hands behind his back, looking at the city of Kaifeng before him and said.

His strategy was to apply maximum pressure. Attacking Kaifeng would be too costly. This city was arguably the most densely populated at the time. Although it was still far from the million-strong population of Kaifeng in the Northern Song Dynasty, its population was probably comparable to the entire Guanzhong Plain at that time. Fighting in this city would cause too much civilian loss. However, it would be much easier to disintegrate the city from within. In the end, only Zhu Wen's family deserved to die, along with a few close relatives. There was no need to make the entire city's inhabitants perish with them.

(End of this chapter)