Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 588
Shao Shude returned to Longchi Palace in Anyi on the day of the Double Ninth Festival.

The Iron Forest Army was still on the road and slowly heading back.

The tens of thousands of Hezhong Yamen led by Wang Yao have arrived in Jinyang, and the autumn harvest is over, and Li Keyong will attack at any time.

Luo Hongxin smelled the wind and began to mobilize.Uncle Wei Bo is in trouble this time. He was beaten like a dog by the Bian army before, but this time he faces the Jin army. I don't know how he will behave.

Zhu Quanzhong probably wants to send troops for reinforcements, but it shouldn't be too many. His current military pressure is very high. The eastern and southern fronts are dominant, while the western and northern fronts rely entirely on mountains and rivers for defense.

A major variable in the war situation in Hebei is Chengde Wang Rong. Is he attacking Youzhou?Whether it is to rescue Wei Bo and complete the great cause of the great alliance of the three towns in Hebei, we can wait and see.

Liu Rengong has returned to Youzhou and joined Li Keyong.

Through Gao Siji, the new envoy of the Lulong Army, Keyong appointed Liu Rengong as the envoy of Yingping Erzhou Town to suppress soldiers and horses, allowing him to face the pressure of Dongxi and Khitan people.Liu Rengong didn't have many choices. He only had the capital of more than 2000 steps to ride, so he took office unhappy.

In such a large town of Youzhou, there are now many warlords——

Jiedushi Gao Siji was nominally the lord of the twelve prefectures, but in fact he only controlled the fourteen counties of You, Tan, and Ji prefectures, with a population of more than 40 on the household register. After more than a year of war, the number was less than 40. .

Li Cunxiao leads the four counties of Xin, Yi, and Gui, with a population of less than 20 registered households, but there are many tribes, with [-] people, mainly Xixi, Khitan, and Shiwei, and some miscellaneous tribes.

According to Li Cunxin's five counties in Zhuozhou, the prefecture has experienced three conquests by Li Keyong and Wang Chucun, and the population has suffered a large loss. At present, there are only 4 to [-] people. It is estimated that some fleeing people will return home one after another, but there will not be too many.

Li Siyuan Tun Shunzhou has a county with thousands of people, and military supplies, food and salaries are all supplied by Youzhou.

Lu Wenjin, the governor of Mozhou, has six counties and a population of 30.

The governor of Yingzhou is only available, controlling a population of more than [-] in five counties.

Liu Rengong, the newcomer, has only four counties in Ying and Ping prefectures, with a registered population of only [-] people left. There are a large number of miscellaneous tribes in the local area. There are many people, but they may not be obedient.

In Youzhou Town, there are actually seven army chiefs, who have no clear affiliation with each other, and are only Gao Siji's subordinates in name, but Gao Siji has to listen to Li Ke at least for now, which is a mess.

The subordinates of Prince Xia's Mansion unanimously judged that this fragile balance would not last long, and sooner or later there would be a big battle that would turn Youzhou upside down.

Shao Shude has no time to deal with matters in Youzhou for the time being.The martial arts masters in the towns of Hebei, his consistent view is to let Li Keyong kill a wave first.Kill the most stubborn local separatists, and the rest will be easy to handle.

However, he didn't pay much attention to Youzhou, but people from Youzhou came to his door: Gao Silun, governor of Tanzhou, had been waiting in Anyi for many days.

"How did General Gao get here?" Shao Shude wondered inside Qingliang Hall.

"The one who came from the grassland took a detour." Gao Silun took a look at Shao Shude.He is easy-going, with a well-groomed beard. He is dressed in a bright red military robe, with left bow and right sword, and is lined with armor. It seems that he has just rushed back and has not had time to change into casual clothes.

Who could have imagined that such a seemingly easy-going warrior, but with more than a dozen soldiers, locked Chang'an's monarch and ministers in a cage, sent his troops eastward and southward, and made Zhu Quanzhong extremely passive.

But Gao Silun didn't feel that Shao Shude was too powerful or even invincible.

Since the Later Han Dynasty, Guanzhong has become less and less useful, but Hebei has become more and more the center of gravity of the world. Gao Silun has a pride in his heart.

Shao Shude was keenly aware of the indescribable emotions in his heart, he didn't take it seriously, pointed at the bed, and said, "Sit down."

Although the Later Zhou Dynasty (Northern Zhou Dynasty), the Former Sui Dynasty, and the Guo Dynasty all unified the north, the origin of the Six Towns Uprising still lingers in the north.Perhaps the political level is gone, but at the ideological level, the roots have not completely disappeared. It may be nothing in normal times, but when encountering troubled times, it will subtly show up.

Of course, maybe the root is even earlier.

Qin wiped out the six kingdoms in Shandong one by one, relying on the Kansai region.Liu Bang and Xiang Yu competed for the world, and they also relied on Guanxi so much that when Yang Pu built Hangu Pass, he must build the pass city to the east of his hometown, "ashamed to be an outsider."There is no doubt that Kansai people have a sense of superiority over Kanto people.

However, the superior natural conditions in the Kanto region will always develop there, which is incomparable in Kansai.At the end of the former Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu was sponsored by local tyrants in Hebei, and his strength increased dramatically.

During the Northern Dynasties, Hebei was still the most fertile land in the world, and the prosperity of Yecheng was amazing.

During the Eastern and Western Weis, the Western Wei was no match at all.When the Hou Zhou and the Northern Qi were fighting, the Northern Qi relied on its strong capital to invade and occupy the Yinshan area, suppressing the Hou Zhou to the extreme.

However, the Yuwen family destroyed the Northern Qi with only one-third of the opponent's population and one-fifth of the financial resources, which surprised people and made the Kanto people quite dissatisfied.Of course, the Yuwen clan didn't have the strength to digest the Kanto area, so they could only focus on wooing and appeasing, and the old and young still occupied a high position in the Northern Qi Dynasty.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Dou Jiande and Liu Heikai repeatedly raised troops against the Guanlong military group. They recruited many people, and they also had quite a lot of military experience.

During the reign of Guochao and Tianbao, the prosperity of the world reached its peak, and Hebei was still the top of all the realms, with strong strength, and it was the most affluent place in the world.

It is said that in Huhua, Hebei, the people only know the two saints of An and Shi, but not the saint of Chang'an, but can the upper class not know?Anlushan's confidantes, bureaucrats, and several major generals were mostly Han people in Hebei, and they supported Anlushan's rebellion. It is impossible to say that there is no factor in Hebei's contempt for Kansai.

At this time, Hebei's leading margin has reached the extreme, because it has been generally peaceful for a hundred years, with mountains of wealth, thousands of miles of fertile land, cattle and sheep being wild, and the quality and output of silk are the world's best—even in the middle and late Northern Song Dynasty, Among the dozens of silk producing areas in the country, most of the states and counties with the best quality and quantity are still located in Henan and Hebei, and the south is still relatively backward in technology.

Number one in population, number one in grain production, number one in silk production, number one in weapons production, if not counting the Lingxia states, even the number of horses is number one in the country.

With such a foundation, it is no wonder that the Hebei people are unwilling to be ruled by the Kansai Group.

"It's not easy for General Gao to come here, isn't it just to see me?" Seeing that Gao Silun didn't speak, Shao Shude joked: "Hebei Jianer, I have been famous for a long time, and the hundreds of followers brought by General Gao are so majestic." .”

"King Xia is joking." Gao Silun said, "I don't know what King Xia thinks of Li Keyong?"

"At that time Lu Bu was brave and good at fighting. I am honored to have this brother." Shao Shude laughed.

Gao Silun was taken aback, then smiled again: "Don't be joking, King Xia. Keyong has four towns, and his troops are very sharp, constantly attacking..."

"What does that have to do with me?" Shao Shude said sternly, "I only ask for my allegiance to this thief. My elder brother has repeatedly helped me. How can outsiders guess such respect between brothers and sisters?"

"If King Xia talks like this, then there is nothing to talk about." Gao Silun was a warrior after all, and he was a little annoyed when he heard the words.

"Then please go ahead, General Gao. I'm going to Beijing in a few days. If you want to see me then, you'll have to go to Chang'an." Shao Shude said.

Gao Silun looked at Shao Shude.

The trajectory of this person's fortune is almost the same as that of Yuwen Black Otter. He is the leader of the new generation of Kansai warriors.He moved very quickly when he started, and integrated the towns in the northwest of Beijing early in the morning, otherwise he would have no chance to compete for the world, and the foundation of Kansai is too bad.

But it would be too late to say anything, he has annexed more than ten towns, and his power penetrated deep into Heyang in the southwest corner of Hebei Road, and he just defeated Zhu Quanzhong in the Battle of Heqing, and his momentum is at its peak.At the same time, the towns in Hebei are still fighting each other, Zhu Quanzhong has not yet unified Henan, and Shao Shude has lost a few games. At worst, he retreated to Zhiguan and Shanzhou, and he didn't even need to retreat to Tongguan.Unless there is an internal rebellion, it is already invincible.

such a pity!
Brothers Gao Silun, Gao Siji, and Gao Sixiang once carefully analyzed the situation in the world.In their view, there is absolutely no possibility of fighting for hegemony in the northwest, and it would be nice to unify the towns in the northwest of Beijing.However, these feudal towns were small and weak, and they were destroyed by the Huangchao Rebellion. Even if they were integrated together, it would be difficult to resist the foreign forces breaking into the pass.

How did that happen?It shouldn't be.

"Actually, why does King Xia defend Li Keyong so much?" Gao Silun said suddenly, "After Ke Yong invaded Youzhou, he heard that Wei Bo was about to be attacked. If he were to swallow it, it would be very difficult to control."

"General Gao said so, are you not afraid that I will send you to Jinyang, all my brotherhood?" Shao Shude asked.

All the guards in the hall glanced at Gao Silun with fierce eyes.

"Since I dare to say it, I am not afraid of death." Gao Silun was not affected at all, and said with emotion: "It can be seen that King Xia has a lot of ambitions, and his ambition is in the world. If he blindly indulges Hedong, he will not be afraid of raising tigers?"

"General Gao's intention is also Gao Sikong's intention?"

"The three of my brothers advance and retreat together."

"It's not very respectful to my righteous brother." Shao Shude teased.

Gao Silun's face turned red, and he argued reluctantly: "The military discipline of the Jin army is too poor, and the common people are suffering."

"Forget it, don't hide it, just tell me, what's the matter?" Shao Shude waved his hand and said impatiently.

"If King Xia sends troops to attack Hedong, Youzhou is willing to respond with troops." Gao Silun said.

Good guy!Shao Shude almost laughed.

Brother Yi's eyesight on people - that's all?
He did a good job uniting the insiders, but what the hell are all the foreign generals he likes?Li Hanzhi betrayed him in history, and Liu Rengong made him want to be tricked even more.

However, by the way, Brother Yi also saw that the three brothers of the Gao family were not very reliable, right?Most of my heart is filled with fear.In history, Liu Rengong slandered and said that the brothers of the Gao family wanted to rebel, so he believed it.If it weren't for the long-term suspicion in my heart, how could I be moved by a few words?

Now it seems that the Gao brothers did have objections, and Liu Rengong did not wrong them. Of course, Liu Rengong himself is also a [-]-year-old boy.In other words, before the pride of the Hebei people was destroyed, and their self-esteem was trampled to pieces by Li Keyong and Zhu Quanzhong step by step, everyone was unreliable, they were all young people, and they were all members of the local separatists.

"Is it so easy to fight Hedong?" Shao Shude asked back: "Yan Bing has been tossed so many times, dare to fight?"

"Emissary Lu of Mozhou is quite resourceful. The single governor of Yingzhou has the courage of all men. The people of Youzhou practice martial arts all year round, and everyone dares to fight. Why should they be afraid?" Gao Silun said, blushing.

Shao Shude nodded slightly, and stopped ridiculing why they were defeated when they met Li Keyong.

Youzhou still produces talents.

The brothers of the Gao family were famous for their spear skills. Gao Siji's son Gao Xingzhou and grandson Gao Huaide were fierce men in the Five Dynasties.

Shan Keji did have undue courage, he fought against Li Cunxiao and did not suffer much.

Later, Yuan Xingqin came out as Li Cunxu's personal guard.During the battle between Jin and Liang, Li Cunxu was defeated and was overtaken and surrounded by hundreds of Liang soldiers.Think about it, Li Cunxu's army was defeated, and he himself was surrounded by hundreds of Liang soldiers, all around him were guns pointed at him. If Liang Bing didn't want to catch him alive, Li Cunxu would probably be dead.At the critical moment, Yuan Xingqin came galloping alone, entered the sword empty-handed, took a sword from Liang Bing, cut off two spears, beheaded one level, and rescued Li Cunxu.Li Cunxu cried afterwards, and took Yuan Xingqin's hand and repeatedly promised to "share wealth and honor with you" and "favor all generals."

In terms of civil servants, the tumbler Feng Dao is the main one, and they are all talents.

"What benefits do I have?" Shao Shude asked, pointing to the core.

Why do things that are not beneficial?
"Youzhou is willing to vote for King Xia." Gao Silun replied.

"It's not worth it." Shao Shude said with a cold snort.

The truth is that he doesn't trust these gangsters, besides across the river east, what's the use of you voting here?I have no direct control over it.

Gao Silun was a little anxious.

"I heard that someone lured Khitan people south to meddle in the situation?" Shao Shude asked again.

"Yes, but they have been repulsed. After the situation in Youzhou stabilized, no one will attract Khitan to go south." There is no way to lie about this matter, and Gao Silun can only answer truthfully.

The armies behind the mountain had an inexplicable relationship with the Xi people and the Khitan people, and they were very familiar with each other.There were disputes and cooperation. It can be said that in their view, the Khitan people may not be more vicious than Li Keyong, Zhu Quanzhong, and Shao Shude.If you want to surrender, the Khitans are also an option.

"What is Yelu Abaoji doing?"

Shao Shude is now more and more concerned about Khitan affairs.

It is said that after the development of Kanto, especially Hebei, not only its own population, economy, culture, and technology greatly surpassed that of Kansai, but even the Hu people in the Northeast began to surpass the Hu people in the Northwest.

This is the result of cultural and technical exchanges.

The Hu people in the northeast will usher in their golden age.In contrast, the barbarians in Northwest China will be much less successful, and will no longer be a problem in the Central Plains. The strength of Xixia, a total of 5 to [-] soldiers and horses, is too weak to be honest. Thousands of people fought with them in the field, and the same number of soldiers and horses of the Dingnan Army were no opponents at all. They were defeated repeatedly and retreated to Xiazhou.

In the future, the Hu people in the Northwest will be conquered by the Hu people in the Northeast.The Northeast Hu people have large tracts of arable land, pastures, craftsmen, technology, and a large population. Farming, nomadic, fishing and hunting coexist. The strength of the two is no longer at the same level.

Hu people in the Northeast are enough to become a problem in the Central Plains, but not in the Northwest.

"He married his cousin Yue Liduo, got the support of the Shulu family, and now he is fighting with the people of Bohai."

"You know it very well." Shao Shude smiled and said, "General Gao, I have something to say about Youzhou. If you want to listen, listen to it, and if you don't want to listen, then let it go."

"Prince Xia, please tell me."

"There are some things, why rush for a while?" Shao Shude got up, and said slowly: "It's better to show respect first, and bear it for a while. When I finish cleaning up Zhu Quanzhong, the opportunity will appear."

Gao Silun remained silent.

You have dealt with Zhu Quanzhong, then I will unite with Li Keyong to deal with you.

Seeing his expression, Shao Shude knew he didn't listen.

This is also normal, people are not fools.The strategy of the Hebei people is to deal with Hedong when it is strong, and to unite with Hedong when it is weak, relying on it as a screen to maintain its independent status. It has been doing this for many years.

The feudal town has been separated for more than a hundred years, and the diplomatic truth has made these grandsons understand.Shi Pu knew that his lips were dead and his teeth were cold, and he rescued Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin. After several defeats, he was still determined to rescue them. This strategic vision is indeed possible.

"Go back and think about it first." Shao Shude said, "My promise is always valid. In addition, Li Kuangwei's civil and military generals, you might as well tell me."

"I know everything I can say." Gao Silun said with a sigh.

When Li Kuangwei entered the court, the people in Guanzhong were extremely opposed to it. I am afraid that he will not be able to survive?Who cares, it's not my relative, it would be nice to sell it for some benefits.

(End of this chapter)