Entrepreneurship in the Late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 50 Death Place (Thanks to Alliance Leader Qiu Liang Jinyan)

Xian Yuyue took a sip of wine and calmly announced a piece of breaking news:
"The imperial court's reinforcements have already passed Nanzheng and will reach Chengdu by the beginning of the first lunar month at the latest."

Zhao Huaian frowned. Shouldn't this be good news? Why did Xian Yuyue sound so melancholy?
Suddenly, he remembered what Wang Duo had said to him that day, that Jiedushi Niu Cong might fall, and hurriedly asked:
"Is the Jiedushi going to be replaced?"

Xian Yuyue sighed, put his wine glass on the table, and said bleakly:

"After the Battle of Baishushui, Jiedushi Niu Cong had no hope left. It was only a matter of time before he was replaced. But it happened that Gao Pian, the Prime Minister, was the one leading the army. This was a problem."

Zhao Huaian didn't know Gao Pian, he just listened to Xian Yuyue's introduction, and then he summarized three points according to his own understanding.

One is that this gentleman is the descendant of a famous general and the grandson of Nanping Prince Gao Chongwen.

When it comes to Gao Chongwen, Xianyu Yue, a local tyrant, highly respects him, because it was this man who put down Liu Pi's rebellion and did not harm Chengdu at all. It is not an exaggeration to call him a famous general.

The second is that this man was a general of the Shen Ce Army and had close connections with the lieutenant eunuchs. In other words, Gao Pian had connections in the central government and was a big shot with a powerful background.

The third reason is that this gentleman had outstanding military achievements. Ten years ago, Nanzhao invaded Annan, and it was this gentleman who led the troops south to recapture Annan. Later, he was appointed as the prime minister in Xuanma this year because of this achievement, and was granted the title of Tongpingzhangshi, and became an envoy and prime minister.

It can be said that Xianyu Yue was both happy and worried when such a big shot of the imperial court came to Chengdu to provide assistance.

Although Lao Yue didn't say why, Zhao Huaian, who was familiar with human affairs, immediately understood the reason.

A native of aristocratic families like Xianyu Yue was afraid that the Jiedushi would be a waste, but he was also afraid that the Jiedushi would be a smart and capable one.

Once a court envoy like Gao Pian arrived in Chengdu, there was basically no force that could check and balance him, and he had the ability to overturn the table.

It can be said that once Gao Pian came to Chengdu, the era of the Big Three would come to an end.

Zhao Huaian poured wine for Xian Yuyue and said:
"Old Yue, there's no need to worry. How long can a figure like Minister Gao stay in Chengdu? He will eventually have to return to Chang'an."

Xian Yuyue drank the wine in one gulp and sighed:

"Second brother, you don't understand the relationship. Our current Jiedushi is a subordinate of Lieutenant General Tian Lingzi, and General Gao Pian has an old grudge against Tian Lingzi. Once he becomes Jiedushi, he will definitely purge General Niu's old subordinates."

When talking about old friends, Xian Yuyue looked directly at Zhao Huaian.

Zhao Huaian pointed at himself and sneered:
"Old Yue, how can I be considered an old Jiedushi? I'm just a lowly, rough guy. I don't even know what Envoy Niu looks like. Now I can't even enter the county government office. How can I ask Envoy Gao for revenge? Big brother, please don't scare me."

Xian Yuyue's face flushed, not knowing if it was because of the alcohol, he shook his head:

"Second brother, you underestimate yourself. Ever since the battle at Baishushui, who in the army doesn't know about Hu Baoyi? At today's military meeting, General Tian Zhongyin of Yanhai recommended you for merit, and he awarded you three merits: breaking through the enemy lines, beheading the general, and capturing the flag. All your troops won in battle."

When Zhao Huaian heard this, he straightened up and twirled his beard:

"That old Tian is really righteous. It's worth it for me to save his Yanhai Army."

Xian Yuyue smiled, but shook his head again:
"It's a pity that the generals didn't agree. In the end, General Yang had no choice but to give up."

Zhao Huaian's smile froze on his face, and then he started cursing:

"Isn't this persecuting loyal and honest people? Ah? If meritorious service is not rewarded, who will risk their lives for them in the future?"

Xian Yuyue sighed and hesitated to speak.

When Zhao Huaian saw Lao Yue's expression, his heart skipped a beat. If that's what Lao Yue meant, then this isn't the worst news?

He forced a smile and asked:
"Old Yue, what else is going on? Tell me all at once. It's so refreshing."

Xian Yuyue wiped his face with his hands and sighed:

"Second brother, didn't I just say that you are an old subordinate of Envoy Niu and have a good reputation in the army? Once Gao Pian goes south, he will definitely harm you, so you must prepare early."

Zhao Huaian didn't say anything. He was also very perceptive and knew what was behind the words.

Xian Yuyue continued:
"And this preparation requires military merit, and it has to be military merit that even Gao Pian will notice. Gao Pian is a very domineering person, but he loves heroes. Once he catches his eye, the so-called old friends of Niu Cong are not important at all."

Zhao Huaian joined in the conversation, but his tone was stiff:

"Old Yue, how can that be considered a remarkable military achievement? How can one possibly gain the favor of General Gao?"

Xian Yuyue didn't care about Zhao Huaian's temper, but used wine instead of ink to draw the terrain near Shuangliu on the table on the shore.

He drew a long river in the southwest of Shuangliu, pointed at it and said:

"Second brother, this river is the Jinma River, the defense line of Shuangliu to the northwest. An important matter in this military meeting is to send the soldiers in the city to set up camp on the Jinma River."

In order to prevent Zhao Huaian from not understanding, Xian Yu Yue told him an important principle of defending the city, which is to defend the village first, so that passive defense can be transformed into active defense.

But the problem was that the defeated soldiers fled to Shuangliu and had no intention of holding on there. It was General Yang Qingfu who led his troops to stop the other troops and hold on to Shuangliu.

Now, Yang Qingfu wants to set up a camp outside Jinma River, but there is no camp, so he has to build it himself.

But even if the Nanzhao army was slow, they should have reached Shuangliu in the next few days. If they didn't establish a strong camp by then, and the army was forced to rush into the wilderness and encounter a victorious enemy, wouldn't that be a recipe for death? So after a military meeting, all the generals listened, but no one took on the task.

Yang Qingfu had no choice. His direct subordinate was the general of Chengdu, and he would never put him in danger. He was only a general of the western Sichuan vassal state and had no power to command the vassal states outside, so he really had no one to send for the time being.

Xian Yuyue came here this time not only because Zhao Huaian was looking for him, but also because he wanted to talk about this situation.

He looked at Zhao Huaian very seriously:
"Second brother, the generals only see the danger, not the opportunity. Envoy Gao's reinforcements have already arrived in Xinzheng, and they'll be in Chengdu in no time. So while it may seem dangerous, if we can hold the stronghold for more than ten days, reinforcements will surely arrive. And when that happens, the generals will be cowardly, while only you, second brother, will be loyal and brave. Isn't that exactly what Envoy Gao sees?"

Zhao Huaian cursed inwardly, this brother only talked about the advantages and didn't say anything about the disadvantages.

After thinking for a while, he suddenly asked:

"By the way, I haven't seen Envoy Song since entering the city. I wonder how he's doing now? I happen to have some homemade wine here, and I'd like to offer it to Envoy Song to try."

Xian Yuyue looked at Zhao Huaian, pursed his lips for a long time, and finally admitted:

"This is indeed what Envoy Song meant. He wants you to lead the troops out of the city to defend the fort."

Zhao Huaian shook his head like a rattle and laughed angrily:
"Old Yue, I have less than 200 soldiers in total, and Envoy Song wants me to leave the city to defend the fort? Isn't that asking for my death? I, Zhao Huaian, crawled out of the pile of dead bodies, not to die again."

But contrary to Zhao Huaian's expectations, Xian Yuyue did not persuade him anymore after hearing this. Instead, he sighed:

"Second brother, second brother, you don't really think you can shirk this responsibility? General Yang Qingfu is my old superior, and I've always known him. Since he wants to set up camp on the Jinma River, he must do it eventually. And the troops in the city are unwilling to do so. The only ones who can take on this responsibility, besides the unorganized defeated soldiers, are you, the local militia?"

Zhao Huaian's face darkened, and he was unable to refute for a moment.

But he still managed to say:
"Fuck it, are you forcing me, Zhao Da, to die? Forcing us, the Tutuan, to die?"

Xian Yuyue sighed too much today, only because he realized that no matter how much ambition and planning he had, it was meaningless in the face of power.

Of course, he didn't want Zhao Huaian to die. What good would that do to Xian Yuyue? But in this situation, besides Tutuan taking on this responsibility, is there any other choice?
Xian Yuyue’s life motto is that if you can’t choose, then take the initiative to accept it, so that there will be other opportunities.

He was extremely sincere to Zhao Huaian, and seemed to be teaching him:

"Second brother, this is how the world works. You have no followers. No matter how brave you are, will you get the credit you deserve? Only those who are willing to die and have no one to lead them will be chosen."

"Yes, Envoy Song does value you, but he cannot go against the will of the people. Now that all the troops are unwilling to leave the city, who else can we have besides your group? Instead of doing that, why not take the initiative and ask Envoy Yang for more troops?"

"After all, General Yang is not asking you to die, but to play a role in Jinma Village."

It has to be said that Xian Yuyue is a good lobbyist, and of course it is also possible that he is really thinking about Zhao Huaian.

In short, as Zhao Da listened, he really took it in, and he began to think about where the opportunities lay.

As he thought about this, he suddenly realized that he had no choice at all.

Whether he is willing or not, I am the fish on the chopping board. When the military order comes, how dare he disobey it while he is in the city?

In addition, Zhao Da was also thinking about another question, that is, even if he did not leave the city to guard the village, would he be safe in the city?
Based on his current understanding of the situation, he wouldn't.

Ever since the Battle of Baishushui, he no longer had any illusions about the moral integrity of the Tang army. These people would not care about the lives of their men at all. Once the fighting started, his troops and the participating militia would definitely be trapped in the most dangerous places.

If a siege involving tens of thousands of people turns into a meat grinder, his small number of people will be swallowed up before they can even make a foam.

On the contrary, if he listened to Xian Yuyue and took the initiative to take on this task, he could use this opportunity to ask for more soldiers, armor and weapons.

Zhao Huaian was clear about the situation in the city. For example, there were at least thousands of defeated soldiers and refugees in the shacks in the south of the city. If they could capture them, they would be able to expand the strength of their headquarters.

In addition, there is another benefit, which is that you can gain prestige.

All the troops retreated, but Zhao Da went upstream and left the city to guard the stronghold. By then, everyone in the army knew that Zhao Da was a man who could handle things and get things done.

And if he is lucky enough to hold on, he will immediately gain huge reputation.

During the time he came to the Tang Dynasty, Zhao Huaian deeply understood that only if you have high prestige will others value you and heroes will take the initiative to join you.

Just like Gao Renhou and others, wasn’t it because they heard of Wang Duo’s name “Hu Baoyi” that they readily accepted Wang Duo’s invitation?
Otherwise, how could Baoyi, who had less than 200 soldiers, recruit these warriors?

At this moment, opportunities and dangers flashed on both sides of Zhao Huaian, and he suddenly remembered the words:
“The louder the storm, the more expensive the fish!”

Damn it, rather than being sold out by friendly forces on the city wall, I, Zhao Da, would rather lead my troops out of the city to defend the stronghold and fight for survival. That way, at least I can hold my life in my own hands.

Thinking of this, Zhao Huaian drank the wine in the pot, slammed the table and shouted:

"You bastard, big brother, I'm going to take this military order. Isn't it just a matter of risking my life to survive? I, Zhao Da, have crawled out of a pile of corpses, so I'm not afraid of dying again!"

Xian Yuyue shouted excitedly:
"Well, well, well, only when the sea is turbulent can the true character of a hero be revealed."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Huaian raised his palm and snorted:
"But I have a condition."

(End of this chapter)