Five Dynasties River Mountains Fengyue

Chapter 144 All Recruits!Master Shi!
On the banks of the Huaihe River, spring is just in time, weeds are growing wildly everywhere, the vegetation and forests on both sides are dense, and the soil is moist and moist. Shi Congyun unluckily pulled the weeds on the roadside and wiped the mud off his boots.

More than ten steps away from the big official tent, there are densely packed guards in black armor and dark red sand-proof robes. Most of these soldiers are masters of the eastern and western imperial guards.

This kind of burqa is not the long burqa of the later Ming and Qing Dynasties. It only covers the shoulders and the armor on the body, and is tied around the waist to prevent sand and dust from entering the gaps in the armor and preventing the metal armor from heating after being exposed to the sun for a long time.

In the Ming Dynasty, firearms began to rise, and the heavy iron armor became less and less suitable for the battlefield, so the defense power declined, but it was several times lighter, and the cotton armor suitable for firearm warfare gradually became the mainstream.Burqas, cloaks, and the like gradually lengthened and became decorative items.

Seeing so many guards, Shi Congyun suddenly felt guilty.

Walking outside the big tent, the commanders of the Eastern and Western Divisions were waiting outside to bow their hands to Shi Congyun. The two knew each other, so they didn't question him much, and let him in directly.

It was still a sunny day outside, stepping into the emperor's big tent, the surrounding light suddenly dimmed, and a refreshing breath made him feel refreshed.

The big tent is complete with tables, chairs and other furniture, and there is a map on the long table in the middle, which is not that extravagant.

Shi Congyun found that Li Gu and Wang Pu were in the tent.

It's been a long time since I haven't seen Wang Pu, his spirit is a little low, his eye sockets are sunken, seeing him reluctantly smile and cup his hands.

Shi Congyun didn't dare to be negligent, he quickly responded with his hands clasped, and then saluted the official, who nodded and asked him to stand up.

In fact, he had heard a lot of news and understood why Wang Pu was depressed. Last winter, Wang Pu's father passed away. He was a dutiful son, so he applied to go home to keep his father's filial piety.

At the beginning of this year, because of the deterioration of the war in Huainan, the officials forcibly issued an edict to let Wang Pu end his filial piety and return.

Wang Pu didn't know whether it was true filial piety, or he was afraid of doing things around the official family, so he wrote four times in a row saying that he would keep his father's filial piety for three years!Ask the officials to let him go back and continue to observe his filial piety.

Guo Rong was furious, and almost wanted to punish Wang Pu. Fortunately, Fan Zhi and others interceded for him, but Wang Pu was so frightened that he didn't dare to keep his filial piety.

Shi Congyun didn't understand how the always wise Wang Pu would do such a wave of operations. Maybe he had his own reasons. People are such animals, who knows for sure.

Although Wang Pu is the prime minister, he is only in his 30s, but Li Gu, who is in his 50s, looks a lot more energetic.

Shi Congyun vaguely remembered that in history, Li Gu seemed to be demoted because Guo Rong blamed him for retreating in the Battle of Zhengyang, and then he was transferred back to Beijing Road and contracted paralysis.

But now, because he, Shi Yanchao, and Li Chongjin rushed to rescue Zhengyang in time, and under Li Gu's dispatch, they defeated the Southern Tang army in the south of Zhengyang and beheaded the Southern Tang general Liu Yanzhen.

Not only did the officials not punish Li Gu, they still made him prime minister for Huainan's logistics and supply affairs, and even rewarded him. History seems to have changed a bit.

Li Gu was talking to the officials, so he ignored him for the time being, "The Zhaoyi Army's tax tribute this year has been reduced by about half."

Shi Congyun stood aside with self-knowledge, he couldn't get in the way of what the officials and Li Gu said.

Wang Pu explained to him in a low voice next to him: "Originally, the government used to send the tax tribute from Zhaoyi Town to Heyang for the past two years, and directly from Yingshuiyuan to the front line to support the army, but Li Yun's side has been increasing year by year. The annual pay is too small, and all kinds of reasons are fabricated.”

Shi Congyun nodded in response.

I was surprised why Wang Pu was so friendly and close to him, and quickly realized that, yes, he is now the fourth in command of the front office of the palace, a veritable position and weight.

Although Wang Pu said before that he admired his literary talents, he never took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him, and his attitude was very high-spirited. Now he has begun to put down his airs and take the initiative to talk to him.

It was originally a change in identity.

In today's Jiedushi system, the Jiedushi of foreign towns can collect taxes from the prefectures and counties they govern, and then turn over the taxes to the treasury after removing the expenses. This is also a drawback left by the end of the Tang Dynasty.

For those towns close to the capital, it is okay, the supervisors sent by the emperor will supervise them. For example, Cao Bin, the supervisor of Hezhong Prefecture, mainly supervises the taxes and tributes of Hezhong Festival Town.

However, in the border towns farther away, and those Jiezhen towns that the imperial court relied on, the Jiedu envoys were not afraid of the imperial court at all, and basically gave as much as they wanted.

With financial power, political power, and military power in hand, if you become the emperor yourself, it will gradually snowball and grow bigger and bigger, and the emperor doesn't dare to take care of it. If these people are in a hurry, they can just wave their arms and start rebelling. This kind of thing has been too common these decades.

Nowadays, the important borders of the Zhou Dynasty are difficult to be calm, Zhaoyi, Tianxiong, etc., almost all have this nature, and the officials can only try to get along with them and calm their emotions as much as possible.

But some people are very arrogant.

For example, Li Yun, the Jiedu envoy of the Zhaoyi Army, inspected Taifu and Tongping Zhangshi, and governed the five prefectures of Ze, Lu (zhisuo, now Changzhi, Shanxi), Xing, Ming, and Ci in Shanxi.

Able to fight and fight against the Northern Han and Khitan for the Great Zhou Dynasty, chasing and fighting against the Northern Han all the year round, it is the Great Wall on the border of the Zhou Dynasty.

This is not the first time, Li Yun has privately used the taxes handed over to the treasury several times, and even took in fugitives from all over the world, the court can only turn a blind eye.

The most extreme time was last year because of personal grievances, Li Yun imprisoned and tortured the military supervisor Guo Rong sent to Shanxi!
The nature of this incident was very bad. Pan Mei told him in private that the officials were so angry that they dropped the bowls and chopsticks in their hands. There is no penalty.

Shi Congyun also felt that Li Yun was too domineering, and thought that the revenge he promised to help others three years ago seemed to be Li Yun's subordinate, called Li Guan's command.

Quietly looked up and found that the official's face was very ugly, but in the end he didn't say anything, just nodded, "Let him go"

Li Gu didn't speak in embarrassment, the atmosphere in the big tent was not good.

This is not a decent thing, Li Yun's actions are close to shitting on the official's head, but Dazhou needs him to defend against the Northern Han and Khitan, Huainan is still fighting, so there is no way, the official can only endure it.

Standing by the side, Shi Congyun didn't dare to show his anger. For the first time, he felt that Guo Rong, the emperor, was actually very difficult. He was not as beautiful as he thought, and he had to endure many things.In comparison, the Fu family of the Tianxiong Army and the Zhe family of the Jingnan Army are much more peaceful, at least not making trouble.

This was the first time he had heard of such a high-level secret event, and he was inevitably a little overwhelmed.

After a while, the official looked at him and said: "You are also the commander of the deputy capital in front of the palace, you have to know about the important affairs of the court and share them for me, there is nothing to shy away from.

But you are frivolous, so be careful, don't say everything, it is inconvenient for us to spread the words between the monarch and his ministers, and it will hurt our dignity to say it bluntly, do you understand! "

Shi Congyun was horrified, and hurriedly knelt down on one knee, "I understand the importance, please put your heart at ease!" Guo Rong's words have reached this point, and Shi Congyun of course understands what he means.

The official nodded, "Take a break from the exhaustion of your boat and car, I have already sent people to summon the generals of the army, and I will explain something later.

Come, give me a seat. "

The eunuch next to him brought out a yellow rosewood chair and put it behind him.

Li Gu was standing next to him talking to the officials, and Wang Pu was also standing beside him in a state of depression, interjecting a few words from time to time.

Shi Congyun vaguely heard that it seemed that Wang Pu said that Zhang Yongde had written a letter to Li Chongjin to rebel against him!

He also said that Li Chongjin distributed all the property seized in the prosperous Tang Dynasty to his soldiers. His soldiers supported him very much and obviously objected;

Shi Congyun listened carefully, thinking that this Yongde is silly and sweet, right?

He also vaguely heard that this personal conquest by the royal family was also Li Gu's suggestion in a letter.

Li Gu believed that the battle in Huainan had been fought for more than a year and could not be delayed any longer, otherwise it would be useless for a long time and waste a lot of money. He hoped that the officials would go to the front to encourage the soldiers and end the battle with one effort.
Listening to their conversation, Shi Congyun felt that he had never heard of such high-level matters before, and he was not qualified to hear them, so he pricked up his ears and memorized them.

I wanted to sit down, but felt inappropriate.Tiredness is true, it's no wonder that you are not tired after traveling a long distance wearing heavy armor, but the official family and the two husbands are still standing.

So he said a few words to the eunuch next to him, and went to move the chairs that were placed in the corner of the tent next to him one by one.

He smiled and said, "Officials, Li Xiang, Wang Xiang, a certain chair has been moved for you, it is tiring to stand and talk, please take a seat."

His actions stunned the few people who spoke, and then they couldn't help laughing.

Li Gu smiled directly: "You are interesting, you are too embarrassed to drag us into the water even if you sit down."

The official smiled, "I'm tired of standing too, so let's sit and talk."

So several people sat down, and Shi Congyun sat down as he wished.

Afterwards, all the generals came to enter the big tent one after another, and they all just stood, but the few who sat on top seemed to be particularly eye-catching.

Needless to say, the officials and the two prime ministers, but Shi Congyun was also sitting there, and everyone's eyes drifted away, and there were more guesses in their hearts.
There were many people who came. The guards and horse infantry commanded Li Chongjin, the front of the hall commanded Zhang Yongde, the left wing of the crane controlled by Wang Shenqi, the left wing of the cavalry commanded Gao Huaide, and the right wing of Hu Jie commanded Zhao Chao and Yu Lang. Si Chao, the commander of the direct deputy capital, and Pan Mei, the deputy envoy of Xishanggemen, Yu Lang, the direct supervisor of the army.

These are high-ranking officials standing in the first row.

After that, there were dozens of generals standing in the second row and the third row.

Including Yu Hou Shaoji, the capital of the left side of the control crane, Shao Ji, the commander of the left side of the control crane army, Wang Zhong, the commander of the first army, Dong Zunhui, the commander of the second army, Luo Yanhuan, the commander of the third army, and the commander of the first army. Shen Zhiyi, the commander of the five armies, Shi Shouxin, the commander of the first cavalry army, Li Chuyun, the Marquis of Yulangzhi, Wang Huan, the commander of the first army of Yulangzhi, etc.
Immediately, the entire large tent became a bit crowded, full of anxious people, and men in iron armor everywhere.

Faced with such a scene, Shi Congyun couldn't sit still and stood up from the chair.

When everyone was present, the official stood up, looked at Shi Congyun, who was a bit embarrassed, and said to him: "You are a guest, and everyone is standing, it is honorable enough."

"Don't dare, the most honorable people in the world are the officials." Shi Congyun replied quickly, and began to speculate on the meaning of the officials.

The officials looked around at the many generals standing in the big tent, slowly paced left and right in front of them, and spoke slowly, the voice echoed in the big tent.

"The puppet Tang rebels have already arrived at Zijin Mountain. Their Qi Wang Li Jingda led an army of more than [-] troops and stationed in Haozhou. They are approaching Xiacai and Shouzhou from the north and south banks of the Huaihe River. There will be many naval troops in the lower reaches of the Huaihe River.

You must all know these things, and you are unable to solve them, otherwise I will not come to Huainan again. "

"The ministers are incompetent, let the officials have to work hard!" Li Chongjin took the lead in handing over, and everyone echoed. Guo Rong's words were very peaceful, but the meaning of the blame was already obvious.

Guo Rong waved his hand, "I didn't come here to settle accounts with you Qiu Hou, but if the fight is not good, no one can escape the responsibility."

All the generals suddenly became tense.

After saying that, the official looked at Shi Congyun who was standing in the front, there was something else in his eyes, he paused for a while and said:
"Shi Congyun, the high position just now is not for nothing. If you take the high position, all the generals are a head shorter than you. How about you commanding them now?"

Shi Congyun's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, he didn't expect the official to say it so suddenly, he hastily bowed his hands.

The officials seemed very satisfied with his surprised reaction, "Although you are the youngest among the crowd, you have never disappointed me in Gaoping, Guanzhong, and Huainan.

This time, you can't let me down!

I will add you to recruit for the Huainan camp, and the general restraint of the troops near Cai and Shouzhou will fight for life and death with the Southern Tang army. Do you dare! "

The voice of the official is not high, but the words are especially loud in the closed tent.

Shi Congyun really felt that many hot eyes from the left and right were focused on him, and the heat made his heart beat wildly!
The blood all over his body seemed to be boiling in an instant, flowing rapidly, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Even though he had been mentally prepared, when the officials said that Huainan camp would be recruited, he still had a storm in his heart.

He has led troops to fight for more than three years, but he has never had such an opportunity.

The word "du recruit" is similar to the "generalissimo" understood by later generations.

For example, during the conquest of Shu, Wang Jing's camp in the southwest was recruited, which can be understood as the "Generalissimo of the Southwest", and all the troops and generals who conquered Shu were dispatched by Wang Jing.

No matter how wonderful and powerful Shi Congyun played, he was only Wang Jing's general, and the greatest contribution was still the commander Wang Jing's.

But now, the meaning of the official recruiting him is to allow him to dispatch all the troops near Cai and Shouzhou to fight a strategic decisive battle with Southern Tang!

This can almost determine the overall outcome of the Battle of Huainan!

For a moment, a trace of fear and hesitation flashed through Shi Congyun's heart. If he failed in his judgment and made a mistake in command, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and logistics personnel would pay a heavy price, and the national fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty would also be severely damaged.

But it was only for a moment. He took a deep breath and then knelt down on one knee, suppressing the fear and anxiety in his heart, and let the excited and generous part show: "The officials are invited to cross the river and retreat to Huaibei to watch the battle. I am willing to do my best to serve the officials. Break the enemy!"

"Okay!" The official stepped forward to help him up.

This is the first time he is so close to Guo Rong, my value and ability are here!Shi Congyun thought, all officials are willing to bow down for me.

He got up slowly, and looked back at the dozens of generals with different expressions behind him, all of whom would be under his command.

The official said: "Zhang Yongde led the cavalry to participate in the battle, and I have my own guards from the east and west."

Zhang Yongde took the order, and then took a quick step forward: "You have won so many battles, and I must obey your ability. Shi Zhaochao just give the order."

Then Li Chongjin, who had the highest official position and status, stood up and gave him a cold look: "We have a festival, but you have the ability to admit it, don't worry, in this area of ​​Huainan, a certain Hu Jiejun is waiting to be recruited and dispatched!" After finishing speaking He arched his hands.

Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin were the only two warriors present who were higher in rank than Shi Congyun. They expressed their opinions, and the rest of them also stood up one after another.

Gao Huaide laughed loudly and took a step forward: "Shi Zhaochao, since the government ordered it, a certain elite cavalry soldier can dispatch it."

Wang Shenqi was very calm: "The officers and men in the left wing of the crane are waiting for recruitment and dispatch."

Si Chao also stepped forward: "Yu Lang is on the alert, and you can order the recruitment at any time."

Seeing that the generals were so obedient and willing to obey the command, Guo Rong seemed relieved, nodded and said: "I will cross the river tomorrow and wait for your good news on the north bank of the Huaihe River."

Immediately, the topic changed, and the voice cooled down, "If there is no good news, you don't have to cross the river to see me."

"Please rest assured, the officials!" Shi Congyun's heart trembled, and he cupped his hands.

Li Gu and Wang Pu looked at him with different expressions, Wang Pu was surprised, but Li Gu had a deep meaning.

(End of this chapter)