The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 982
From west to east, the Yizhou Basin is divided into the Chengdu Plain, the hills in central Sichuan, and the parallel valleys in the east of Sichuan.Therefore, although Ziyang County and Shu County are located in the Chengdu Plain, they are also separated by rugged mountains. The only way is to go northward from Mianzhu and enter Shu County.

Ziyang City is the last pass from Ziyang County to Shu County. The water and land transportation here extends in all directions and is very convenient.Since ancient times, it has been a transfer station for materials from central and southern Shu.To the east you can go to Puci County and Suining County, to the west you can go to Longshan, to the north is Yang'an County in Shu County, while the south is governed by Panshi County, and the southeast is Niudang County occupied by Yang Guang.

Qin Chong followed Du Zhenglun's plan and occupied Ziyang City, which caused turmoil in Li Tang's government. The reason was that this city was too important to Chengdu. Liang took it back within three days, and sent Xiangguo Yin Kaishan to lead troops to help. Although Han Liang followed Yang Guang's plan and used food and Li Yuan's reputation as bait, Han Liang regained Ziyang City without bloodshed, but Yin Kaishan, who ran away for nothing, wanted to avoid the recurrence of the past. Still distributed [-] soldiers to Han Liang, and returned to Yang'an to build fortifications, which also made the current Ziyang City a total of [-] garrisons.

Five thousand soldiers may seem like a lot, but once the troops are spread out on the city wall with a circumference of [-] miles, it still looks very thin. This is really a huge pressure for Han Liang.

In order to increase the defensive strength, he recruited [-] soldiers from the refugees who had surrendered, and took the time to train.But doubling the number of troops also means doubling the daily consumption.

Han Liang stood on the top of the city with his hands behind his back to watch the situation in the city. He could see many refugees walking on the street like walking corpses, and also saw many refugees squatting in front of the county government office, waiting silently.

He knew that these people, who had been reduced to disaster victims, were waiting for relief and for him to fulfill his original promise.But the problem is that he doesn't have much food left.Li Shimin's repeated refusal to distribute food has already aroused resentment in the city. If he can't cash in food, those people who no longer trust the court and themselves will definitely rise up in the city.

Nominally, there are 1 people in the city, but half of them are recruits selected from the refugees. If the people in the city riot, these soldiers must rebel with the refugees instead of pointing the butcher knife at their relatives and friends. Five thousand soldiers were also full of resentment towards him because they couldn't eat a full meal. It's good that they didn't fight against the people together. Maybe they suppressed these people who couldn't survive together with themselves?

The most important thing is that Zhang Shigui, who was guarding Puci County, was kidnapped by traitors to Xue Wanjun. Tens of thousands of Tang soldiers surrendered and surrendered. I heard that no one took the initiative to resist. Now tens of thousands of Sui troops are in Puci County to the east. As expected, they will soon defeat the rebellious people in Niudang City and Chemian Town, and point their troops at Ziyang City.With the [-] soldiers in the city, even if they are full of food and drink, and complete with rolling logs and stones, they are no match for others, let alone now?
The general sense of depression before the storm made Han Liang feel restless, restless, but he knew that food could solve the crisis, but he was helpless because there was no food.

At this time, a group of cavalry came from the north on flying horses. This was the deputy general sent by Han Liang to Yang'an County to ask for funding. I hope that Yin Kaishan will pay attention to his own opinions in terms of the strategic value of Ziyang City, and give some food so that he can appease the extremely angry soldiers and hungry people.

The gate of the city was opened, and the deputy general Wu Ji quickly entered the city, arrived at the city in a short while, and saluted: "See the general for humble rank!"

"What did Yin Xiangguo say?" Han Liang asked anxiously.Although the big and small generals who came over after hearing the news did not speak, everyone's eyes were shining with anticipation.

"Report to the general! Yin Xiangguo said that he did not have any extra food. He said that the court is trying to solve this problem. Let us persist for a few days, and we will have food in ten days at most." Although Wu Ji couldn't bear the disappointment of his colleagues, he still Sadly, he told the cruel truth: "I hope the general understands the difficulty of the court."

"We understand the difficulties of the imperial court, but who will understand our difficulties?" Hearing this, a Zhonglang burst into his forehead with depression, threw the helmet on the ground heavily, and laughed angrily: " We can't last a day, ten days? Do we think we are gods who don't eat people's smoke and fire?"

"That's right." Another Zhonglang general looked at Han Liang, whose face was sinking like water, and said angrily: "General, General Hou Junji and General Zhai Changsun are the prince's confidantes. It is said that they have piled up food like a mountain. Too much to eat, but we are the only ones born by stepmothers?"

"What are you talking about? Shut up!" Han Liang glanced at everyone coldly, and explained: "Their food was there before the war and before the food shortage, and it was originally shipped to King Jing of Nanzhao , Padang Gao Shilian, it was not sent there after there was a food shortage, and it was not aimed at us."

"What did General Zhang say?" Wu Ji begged Yin Kaishan for a long time, but came back with a full stomach. Seeing that his colleagues were losing their temper, he couldn't help but said: "General Li Zhongwen and General Zhang Shigui were not Money and food were withheld? So what?"

Han Liang slapped the battlements with a 'bang', and shouted angrily: "I am in charge of Ziyang City's affairs, and it's not your turn to make noise. If you don't accept it, you don't have to do it."

"If you don't do it, don't do it." Wu Ji said angrily: "Everyone knows that the Tang Dynasty is coming to an end, and I don't want to work my life for a guy who can only fight among himself."

"Yes, I don't want to do it either."

"It's a big deal to disarm and return to the fields, and become a citizen of the Sui Dynasty after the war is over."

"..."

"General, I have a letter from you." Just when the city was in chaos and Han Liang didn't know what to do, a relative hurried up, handed a letter to Han Liang, and said, "Mr. given to you."

"Give me a moment of peace." Han Liang cast a glance at the generals, took the letter and read it, the more he read it, his face became more and more strange.

This is the surrender letter sent to him by Yang Guang. This time, Yang Guang used the name of Yang Ji to directly display the banner of the Great Sui Dynasty, and the letter has Yang Ji's official seal.

Since the Tang Dynasty had a free trade relationship with the imperial court in the past, and the exchanges between the two sides were relatively close, Han Liang, as a general of the Tang Dynasty, was naturally able to distinguish the authenticity of the seal from the fake.But what he never expected was that the so-called "rebellion army" in Niutang County turned out to be the army of the Sui Dynasty. No wonder Duan Lun and Yuan Ren divisions were wiped out one after another.

"General, what did Duke Dugu say?" Wu Ji asked anxiously.

On that day, Yang Guang helped them recover Ziyang City without a single soldier while talking and laughing. Wu Ji and others were astonished. They thought that "Duguying" had come up with some tricks for them, so they all asked stand up.

"What Dugugong?" Han Liang said with a wry smile, "He is Yang Ji, King Wei of the Sui Dynasty, and Duguying is just his pseudonym."

Wu Ji was taken aback, and said, "Mr. Dugu is actually King Wei of the Sui Dynasty? Where did King Wei of the Sui Dynasty come from?"

"The son of Yang Shuang, king of Wei Zhao, isn't he the king of Wei?"

"Then his letter..."

"Persuade to surrender, persuade us to surrender." The expressions of the generals changed from surprise to astonishment to surprise and anticipation, but Han Liang couldn't hide it, and they also knew what the change of expression represented.The point is that the grievances of the soldiers and civilians in Ziyang City have reached the verge of eruption. Even if the Sui army hadn’t come, the city would have collapsed in the riots. Now everyone doesn’t want to fight. This is an unstoppable trend. , insisting on being alone is completely self-destructive?He simply said bluntly, "Since the imperial court ignored us and left us to fend for ourselves, there is no need for us to continue fighting. I am going to take this opportunity to surrender to the Sui Dynasty. What do you think of the fact that there is no need to carry out labor reform?"

"The general has the highest military position, we listen to the general."

"Whoever opposes it will be destroyed by everyone."

"Yes, we will follow the general."

"..."

Everyone expressed their opinions in a hurry, and no one objected.

"Since everyone has no disagreement, then we've decided." Han Liang didn't hold anything back anymore, he handed the letter in his hand to Wu Ji, and said, "Take this letter as a proof, and go to Niudao City in person. Tell the generals of the Sui army there that as long as they are willing to give food to the soldiers and civilians in the city, I will lead the army out of the city and surrender."

"Here, I'll do it right now." Wu Ji agreed, ignoring the fatigue he had just returned from Yang'an City, and hurried to Niudao City again.In less than one night, Wu Ji brought back the news of "Yang Ji".

"Yang Ji" agreed to Han Liang's request without hesitation, but "Yang Ji" also made it clear to Wu Ji that the army that came to take over Ziyang City was not the army from Niu Dang City, but the army that was marching here Xue Wanjun.Although the army of Niujiao City can also fight, but after all, the source is complicated, and the ability to coordinate combat is far inferior to the top ten legions. Once the Tang army hears that Ziyang City has fallen, they will definitely fight with their lives. A heavy loss, so it is better to hand over the city to the Sixth Army of the Great Sui Dynasty.

In fact, this is something that Han Liang likes to hear, because the Sui Dynasty they want to surrender will naturally not reject the regular army who came to take over; I am afraid that "Yang Ji" is the leader of the rioters who came to deceive them. , that is the sad thing.Therefore, the decision of "Yang Ji" also made Han Liang's last doubts and worries disappear.

"General, the rioters have surrounded the government office, clamoring to see you." Before Han Liang could heave a sigh of relief, several guards hurried over to report.

"Let's go, take a look." Han Liang stood up, led a group of generals and ran down the city, heading straight for the government office.

From a distance, I could see the darkness in front of the gate of the mansion, and there were no more than ten thousand people gathered. Although these people were silent, judging from the way they held weapons, they should have reached the point where they could not bear it anymore. , It turned out to be a lot of soldiers.

When Han Liang and the others saw this, they broke out in cold sweat. Fortunately, they found a way out now, otherwise they would definitely be torn to pieces by these angry soldiers and civilians today.

"General Han, we surrendered to you when you promised to give food back then, but you haven't fulfilled your promise for a long time. What do you mean?" Organized gangs formed.

"Fathers and folks, I, Han Liang, will not hide anything from you." Han Liang sighed, and said with a wry smile: "Except for the three counties of Shu County, Ziyang, and Longshan, there are dozens of counties left in the land of Central Shu, or they have already been destroyed. It was occupied by the Sui army, or it has already been occupied by the victims, let alone everyone, even the soldiers in the army have no food to eat."

"We don't care about these things. You promised us at the beginning, and you can't go back on your word." Ragged and skinny people gathered in a crowd, and approached Han Liang aggressively.

"Everyone, be safe and don't be impatient!" Han Liang pressed his hands down, and when everyone calmed down, he said loudly: "We have now contacted the Sui army and decided to surrender to the Sui Dynasty. Food relief for everyone. They will send food from Puci County tomorrow at the latest, and I hope everyone will give me another day."

"We were deceived by you before, so we donated the city. What if you deceive us again?" The word 'again' is enough to show that everyone no longer believes in Han Liang, who has broken his promise to the people.

"I thought the imperial court would bring out the food, so I brought the army food for you to eat before. If I really lied to you, I wouldn't do it again. How did the soldiers and I enter the city? You all witnessed it with your own eyes. , Whether I have food now, you all see it in your eyes and remember it in your heart." Han Liang said: "I and the lieutenant soldiers are also waiting for the Sui army to rescue. If there is no food tomorrow, I, Han Liang, will definitely give it to everyone. An explanation."

After hearing Han Liang's words, everyone was silent. The food in the city had been devoured by Qin Chong for so long, and there was no more food in the city.Han Liang, who was traveling lightly, did not bring much food. After that, except for some brought by Yin Xiangguo, no food trucks entered the city again.

"Okay, let's wait another day, and hope that General Han will break his promise again!" After arguing, they finally decided to wait another day. If Han Liang broke his promise again, he might not be so easy to talk about.

Watching the people disperse, Han Liang breathed a sigh of relief. Until then, he realized the horror of public grievances and the seriousness of dishonesty. Now he only hopes that the Sui army will arrive soon, otherwise, these hungry and crazy people will definitely die. swallowed him.

In the early morning of the next day, when the military flag representing the Sui Dynasty appeared in sight, the whole city of Ziyang was boiling. Just as Han Liang opened the city gate, a group of impatient people rushed towards the mighty grain truck.

Xue Wanjun looked at these people who seemed to be out of control, and shouted sharply: "Stop all of them, and those who charge forward will be killed without mercy!"

But these common people were used to Tang Jun's obedient attitude, they didn't think Sui Jun really dared to take action, and turned a deaf ear to Xue Wanjun's warning.

"Shoot the arrows!" Xue Wanjun issued the military order without hesitation. In addition to taking over Ziyang City and helping the people, they came here with the intention of demonstrating. Only by scaring these people will they not jump out in the next battle Make trouble, if these disaster victims who are no different from mobs are allowed to rob food, where will the imperial court lose face?

In Yang Tong's words, heavy codes should be used in troubled times, if anyone dares to offend the majesty of the court, no one will be spared!

"Om~"

A rain of arrows fell from the sky amidst the terrified roar of a group of people. These rioters who were accustomed to looting never dreamed that the Sui army would actually take action, and they scrambled to avoid each other. Hundreds of people hunted to the ground.

Han Liang was heartbroken, but followed by an unspeakable joy. He was almost driven crazy by these people these days. Seeing Xue Wanjun making a move without hesitation, he just wanted to say: Crazy Xue deserves to be Crazy Xue, and he did a great job.

At this time, Xue Wanjun, under the guard of a cavalry, rode his horse to the front of the formation, looked indifferently at the bewildered Ziyang rioters, and said loudly: "I am Xue Wanjun, the great general of Youwuwei in the Sui Dynasty, and I was ordered by the Holy Majesty to pacify the Puppet Tang Dynasty. The Holy Majesty is well aware of the sufferings of the people, so he ordered me to send food and grass, but you have to follow the court's regulations. If the court doesn't give it, you can't grab it. Anyone who acts recklessly will be regarded as a traitor and will be killed without mercy!"

Xue Wanjun also knows that the people are suffering, but it is useless to reason with this group of people who dare to charge against the army. Otherwise, these mobs who are already wild will only feel that they are weak and easy to bully, and they will intensify their persecution, so This unhealthy trend must be stamped out before they think that the regular army of the Sui and Tang Dynasties is weak and deceptive.

"Later, our army will distribute food in the city. We are willing to exclude those who are waiting, and we will have our own food to eat; but if someone mistakenly thinks that Sui is a bully and takes the opportunity to make trouble, don't blame our soldiers for being cruel and ruthless!" Xue Wanjun snorted coldly and waved his hand. Said: "Go to the city!"

[-] strikers, led by coach Xue Wanjun, slowly entered the city with grain carts.

Han Liang, who had already been waiting at the gate of the city with his entire army, saw Xue Wanjun's arrival, and at the same time sighed in his heart the great Sui general's magnanimity, he quickly stepped forward to salute, and presented the seal letter with both hands: "The guilty general, Han Liang, see the general."

Xue Wanjun got off his horse, stretched out his hand to help Han Liang up, and said with a smile, "The general's rebellion is a beast that killed his brother and father. The people of the Sui Dynasty and the Puppet Tang Dynasty only clapped their hands and applauded. How can we blame it?"

"This..." Han Liang was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly realized: Yes, I am against Li Shimin, a guy who is unfilial and disrespectful, and everyone shouts to beat him. This is a wise move in line with people's hearts.With this concept in mind, the resistance to surrendering to the Sui Dynasty suddenly became much less.

"What the general said is true." Han Liang sighed, looked at the carts of grain brought into the city, and saluted, "The weapons of the soldiers in the city have been sealed up. If the general is sent, he will be obliged to do so."

"That's just right." Xue Wanjun nodded and said, "Once the news that Ziyang City has been recovered by the imperial court is obtained by the Tang army, Yin Kaishan in the north and Hou Junji in the south will definitely move their troops to seize it. Now the main force of the Sixth Army is still in Puci. I happen to be short of manpower, and General Han is well aware of Ziyang City, and he is temporarily serving as the captain of the Ministry of Military Affairs to help me maintain law and order in the city."

"Captain of the Ministry of Military Affairs?" Han Liang asked a little dumbfounded.

"The Ministry of Armed Forces is an institution that came out of the military department. It mainly manages and trains local county soldiers, assists county officials to maintain local law and order, and convenes local young and strong training for the reserve team of the main battle army during the slack in agriculture. It mainly takes over the military department's recruitment, Settle retired soldiers, fight internal lawless bandits and other matters, and the military department is dedicated to fighting." Xue Wanjun explained the responsibilities of the military department to Han Liang in detail, and said with a smile: "Most of the people in Ziyang City have been refugees and mobs. It’s unavoidable that it’s a bit wild, in order to prevent them from causing trouble when they distribute food, General Han can form a hundred brigades of troops under his command to patrol the whole city day and night.”

"So that's it, the last general takes orders!" Han Liang bowed, turned around and led his generals to arrange for the maintenance of law and order, while Xue Wanjun began to count the weapons in the city, familiarize himself with the city defense, arrange for the Sui army to occupy various important places, and at the same time send people to Supervise the food distribution of Han Liangzhi's army.

During these years, the Sui Dynasty fought wars while taking over the territory of the city. The generals are already familiar with these things, as long as they follow the rules sorted out by the court, and Xue Wanjun's killing at the gate of the city caused huge damage to the people of Ziyang City. Even if some people want to make troubles in the future, but the people have food, and more than [-]% of them are satisfied, so naturally they don't want to make troubles with them, and Ziyang City gradually stabilizes down.

They are all preparing for a full-fledged Double Ninth Festival.

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The Mid-Autumn Festival was set before, but it was changed to Chongyang
　It was set for Mid-Autumn Festival before, but it was changed to Chongyang
　　
　
(End of this chapter)