First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 285
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Seeing that Bailizhou was lying in the middle of the river, and it was at the bend of the river, Li Xiaogong couldn't help but exclaimed: "It's a good place, this place is a battleground for military strategists."

Not only is the location of Bailizhou dangerous, but the water level on the bank is deep, suitable for stopping the boat. Jiang Baoyi led the crowd to greet him and salute. Li Xiaogong looked at Yang Junmao, "Who is this?"

"Criminal Yang Junmao, I have met King Zhao Jun." Yang Junmao hurriedly saluted.

"General Yang abandoned the dark and turned to the bright, and saved the people of Zhijiang from the danger of war. This king is very pleased." Li Xiaogong laughed loudly, and bowed his hands in return. As a royal family member, he is also the commander in chief. Treating Yang Junmao as a surrendered general is already a great deal of face.

After all, Bailizhou is small, after a tour, Jiang Baoyi stayed behind in Bailizhou, Li Xiaogong took Yang Junmao into Zhijiang City, and Gao Chong led his people outside the city to greet him.

As soon as they met, Gao Chong was about to bow and salute, but Li Xiaogong quickly stepped forward to support him, and said with a happy smile, "You Zhi broke two cities in a row. I heard the news and I couldn't be happier. You Zhi It's really amazing."

Gao Chong looked up, Li Xiaogong, who had just passed his thirties, had a happy expression on his face, with an undisguised smile, which showed his sincerity. Even though Li Xiaogong was a little dissatisfied with Gao Chong's command, it was only limited to a little bit in his heart. His dissatisfaction is far from the level of jealousy and envy.

Since the Eastern Expedition, in only three to five days, Gao Chong has broken Yidu and Zhijiang with lightning speed. This is not only the meritorious service of Gao Chong, but also the meritorious service of Li Xiaogong. on the coach.

What's more, as Li Tang's royal family, anyone with a clear mind would not be jealous of Gao Chong at this time. After all, Gao Chong is fighting for the old Li family.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry." Gao Chong shook his head and smiled, "I have hardly encountered any large-scale resistance along the way, but the demise of Xiao Liang is determined by God."

When they came to the back hall of the county government office, they took their seats. Gao Chong explained the current situation, "Xiao Xian has appointed General Wen Shihong as the main general to lead Jiangling troops to resist. Even if the Liang army moves slowly, they can arrive here tomorrow at the latest. ".

Li Xiaogong frowned slightly when he heard this, "How about Wen Shihong? How many troops does he have?"

"I heard from General Yang that this man is quite strategic. As for Jiangling's military strength, it is no more than [-] at most," Gao Chong replied truthfully.

"Twenty thousand..." Li Xiaogong pondered and said, "It's not that much. What do you think, Youzhi?"

"Wen Shihong was able to accept the order in the face of danger, which also shows that this person is not a mediocre person, and our army is approaching Jiangling. Xiao Xian sent all Jiangling soldiers and horses, and they can be said to be Xiao Liang's last trump card. It seems to be a last stand. I don't think it's appropriate to fight each other, but we can temporarily avoid the front and let them sit for three to five days, and when their momentum subsides, it's time for our army to attack."

Regarding Wen Shihong, Gao Chong had a plan in his heart, so he said it without hesitation.

However, upon hearing these words, Li Xiaogong frowned, "Temporarily avoid the sharp edge...".

The hussar general Liu Zhi asked suspiciously: "Didn't Gao Changshi say earlier that the speed of soldiers is the most important thing, and he should attack quickly, so that he would be caught off guard?"

"Soldiers are impermanent, and water is impermanent." Gao Chong shook his head and said: "How can marching and fighting remain the same? It is true that soldiers are precious and unexpected. The second city of Zhijiang in Yidu was broken because of this, but now if you continue to march, you will face Jiangling directly. Fortress, and the soldiers and horses of Jiangling City have been assembled, and Wen Shihong is about to fight, so it needs to be changed at this time."

Li Xiaogong still frowned and said nothing, Gao Chong was a little anxious when he saw this, and said directly: "My lord, our army has been marching for days, and the soldiers are also exhausted. It is really inappropriate to go head-to-head with the enemy's high morale."

"The second city of Zhijiang in Yidu was not broken by force. As far as I know, the casualties in the two cities were only five hundred. Why are the soldiers exhausted?" Li Xiaogong was a little annoyed for some reason.

"Fatigue lies not only in fighting, but also in psychology." Gao Chong said immediately: "Although there has been no tragic fighting since the expedition, why not be tired after traveling through mountains and rivers, and think twice."

"Psychology?" Li Xiaogong was startled when he heard the words, and then smiled: "You Zhi, this king has never heard of your psychology theory, have you heard of it?"

Liu Zhi and other generals shook their heads blankly.

Seeing the change in Gao Chong's expression, Li Xiaogong immediately waved his hands and said with a smile: "You don't have to worry, this king knows the seriousness, what you said is reasonable, I'm really tired after traveling all the way, reward the whole army tonight, except for the defense, the rest will enjoy the wine Half a bucket, a catty of meat."

After the banquet was over, Li Xiaogong went to rest by himself. Gao Chong's face was solemn. He didn't know much about this period of history. Although the war to put down Xiao Xian had far-reaching effects, it seemed a bit ordinary in the unification war of the Tang Dynasty, far from it. The battles between Ping Xueju and Ping Dou Wang were wonderful.

As for the evaluation of Li Xiaogong, whether it is from the government or the people, it is mostly positive.

It is often said that there were three virtuous kings in the early Tang Dynasty. Some said that they were Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, Li Daoxuan, the king of Huaiyang, and Li Xiaogong, the king of Hejian. It is one of them, and it is evident from this.

But looking at Li Xiaogong's attitude now, Gao Chong was a little uncertain about the situation for a while, and immediately wrote a letter in hand, ordering his personal guards to send it to Jiang Baoyi quickly, after pondering for a moment, Gao Chong got up and went straight to see Li Xiaogong.

Just after the banquet was over, now Gao Chong came to ask for an audience, Li Xiaogong thought Gao Chong was here to persuade him to avoid the edge, his face darkened, but Gao Chong, as the commander of the army, had the command of the army in his hands, Li Xiaogong couldn't see him.

"What's the matter here?" Li Xiaogong took off his outer robe and asked with a cup of strong tea in his hand.

"My lord, I heard that you have been to Bailizhou when you came?" Gao Chong asked directly.

"I have indeed been there", Li Xiaogong was a little puzzled, already three points drunk, and immediately said a little impatiently: "Youzhi, what exactly do you want to say, but it doesn't matter if you say it."

Upon seeing this, Gao Chong said directly: "I believe Your Majesty has seen the importance of Bailizhou, so I won't say more. Jiang Baoyi's garrison of [-] troops is a bit short. I intend to send [-] more troops. I don't know what your Majesty wants?"

"Bailizhou can't be wronged," Li Xiaogong couldn't help but nodded, and then he reacted with a smile: "You have the right to deploy troops, why are you asking this king?"

"Your Majesty's words are wrong. After all, you are the commander-in-chief of the army. As a senior official, how dare I be good at it?"

Li Xiaogong laughed out loud when he heard this, and was very satisfied with Gao Chong's attitude.

Gao Chong stepped back immediately, looking at the starry sky, he couldn't help but feel worried, Li Xiaogong's thoughts were already very obvious, although he was still friendly to Gao Chong, he obviously already had his own thoughts in his heart.

Do your best, listen to the destiny, Gao Chong heavily guards Bailizhou, I only hope that this is superfluous and don't come in handy.

(End of this chapter)