First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

When Li Guanglue and others gathered in Fengshan City, Jiangzhou, Gao Chong had already bid farewell to Li Xiyu, the governor of Guizhou, and continued to go south, heading straight to South Kunzhou.

Originally, Gao Chong set out from Jinzhou, passing through Jingchu, intending to enter Lingnan from Daozhou, and went straight to Guangzhou to take up his post.

But on the way, he received news: Ning Daoming, governor of Yuezhou, rebelled and occupied Jiangzhou.

Gao Chong immediately decided to turn to the southwest and enter Lingnan via Guizhou along the Xiangshui River.

To the southwest of Guizhou is South Kunzhou. In the fourth year of Wude, Kunzhou was established, and the government was located in Maping County. In the sixth year of Wude, it was renamed South Kunzhou.

The name Nankunzhou is still a bit unfamiliar now, but in the eighth year of Zhenguan, Nankunzhou was changed to Liuzhou.

After Nankunzhou, go south along Xiangshui and pass through Xiangzhou to Nanyinzhou.

After trekking all the way, when Gao Chong arrived in Nanyin Prefecture, the first time he saw Nanyin Prefecture's Weifeng Guard Captain Zhang Tong.

At this time, several days had passed since Li Guanglue rushed to rescue Jiangzhou.

When he heard that Li Guanglue was personally leading the army, Gao Chong's heart skipped a beat. He knew exactly how much Li Guanglue was. Lu De had some tricks with this man, but he had no experience in leading an army.

Although Gao Chong didn't know Ning Daoming very well, the Ning family in Qinzhou has produced a large number of talents. Since Ning Changzhen's grandfather Ning Kui, the Ning family has been good at military strategy.

Afterwards, Ning Mengli, Ning Changzhen, Ning Xuan and others all had great achievements in the military field. Ning Daoming dared to raise an army openly.
Gao Chong didn't dare to delay, so after taking a short rest, he planned to set off and continue to Nanyin Prefecture, but the next morning, Gao Chong was a little dumbfounded.

"Captain Li?" Gao Chong lost his voice in astonishment, "Didn't you rush to help Jiangzhou? Could it be...".

Just as he was about to set off, he saw Li Guanglue standing at the gate of the post house in a dusty manner, Gao Chong felt a chill in his heart, the army was defeated after all.

However, Li Guanglue grinned, "I have seen Gao Jinglue, Jiangzhou has been pacified, Ning Daoming has given the leadership, and Li Guanglue is here to welcome Jinglue."

Gao Chong was completely stunned.

After a while, Gao Chong finally figured out the context of the matter and praised: "So, this Lu Nan is really a talent."

Lu De used to assist Li Guanglue for several years, so that Li Guanglue could become the shopkeeper with peace of mind. Li Guanglue was grateful for Lu Deyong. Now that Lu Nan has made great contributions, Li Guanglue naturally supported him.

"What Gao Jinglue said is true," Li Guanglue nodded straightly and said: "Magistrate Lu is both wise and brave. I have listed it as the first contribution to suppressing the rebellion this time. Please give Jinglue's approval."

Gao Chong nodded slightly and said: "I will be rewarded for my meritorious service. I will handle it myself. Now Jiangzhou is Lu Deyong's master?"

Not to mention that he was the one who promoted Lu Deyong, but Lu Nan's performance in this quelling chaos is enough to make Gao Chong look at him differently.

"Yes," Li Guang said with a slight smile, "I heard that Jinglue is going south, and I'm here to meet him. As for other matters, I'll take care of them myself, and I'll come back first."

Gao Chong nodded thoughtfully, and then said: "Then my schedule remains unchanged and I will go to Jiangzhou later."

Li Guanglue also knew that Jiangzhou had to wait for Gao Chong to preside over the overall situation, especially Yuezhou where Ning Daoming was located, and Qinzhou where Ning Changzhen was.

Along the way, Li Guang smiled happily and was very happy. Although he did not catch up with the war this time, Jiangzhou was under his command, and Lu Nan was the county magistrate under his command. Now that Ning Daoming died and Jiangzhou was restored, he As the highest official, he has his merits.

Regarding Li Guanglue's previous performance, Zhang Tong had already truthfully reported it to Gao Chong. To be honest, if it had been anyone else, Gao Chong would have brought him to justice. However, Li Guanglue was the chief of Li Liao 48 Dong Village and had a timid personality. It is easy to control. If Li Guanglue is dealt with, there will be no good way to appease Li Li for a while.

When Gao Chong left Jiangzhou, the news of Ning Daoming's defeat and death, along with the news of Gao Chong's appointment as the Lingnan Economic Strategy Envoy, spread rapidly under the intentional wishes of Ning Chun and others. All sides shook.

Qinzhou, governed by Qinjiang County.

Qinzhou, formerly known as Anzhou, was governed by Songshou County.

In the 18th year of the former Sui Dynasty, Anzhou was changed to Qinzhou, and Songshou County was changed to Qinjiang County.

In the third year of Daye, Yang Guang abolished the prefecture to establish a county, Qinzhou was changed to Ningyue County, and in the fourth year of Wude, Li Yuan abolished the county and established a prefecture, and changed back to Qinzhou. There is only one reason for this, and that is political needs.

Qinzhou, Qinjiang County, Dudu Mansion.

More precisely, it should be called Ning Mansion.

This is because Ning Changzhen’s grandfather, Ning Kui, lived here since Emperor Liangwu of the Southern Dynasties when he served as the governor of Anzhou (Qinzhou). For more than 100 years, this official residence has become Ning’s private residence.

No matter how the regime in the Central Plains changes, the surname of Qinzhou is always Ning, and the position of governor of Qinzhou can only be surnamed Ning.

The situation in Qinzhou is special, where the barbarians and barbarians live together. Only the Ning family can control the scene. If it is a county in the Central Plains, no matter how powerful the clan is, the imperial court can still find ways to send officials to take office.

For example, the Zheng family in Xingyang is naturally a first-class family, but the governor of Zhengzhou (formerly Xingyang County) does not necessarily have to be a member of the Zheng family. After all, it is impossible for the Zheng family to rebel because of this, but in a place like Lingnan, it is really not possible.

The sun was shining brightly, and in the backyard of Ning Mansion, on a soft couch, Ning Changzhen, who was over [-] years old, was lying in the sun, sleeping soundly, with two maids on the left and right carefully serving him.

Ning Changzhen is very old, his beard and hair are white, his face is full of wrinkles, and he can't see the bravery of that year at all.

Twenty years before the Kaihuang of the Sui Dynasty, Ning Changzhen's father Ning Mengli died of illness, and Ning Changzhen inherited the post of Qinzhou Governor.

A few years later, Ning Changzhen began his military career.

He was ordered to conquer Linyi in the south, and the conquered Linyi and Zhancheng countries were all vassalized. Because of his meritorious service, he was bestowed with Kaifu, and he was named Duke of Qinjiang County.

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty went on an expedition to Goguryeo, and Ning Changzhen was ordered to go northward, traveling thousands of miles from Qinzhou in the south of Lingnan to Goguryeo.

At that time, Ning Changzhen's reputation in Lingnan was at its peak. Even Feng An of the Feng family in Gaozhou was lower than him.

Birth, old age, illness and death are the normal conditions of life. Now, Ning Changzhen, who is in his 70s, is about to reach the end of his life.

I don't know if it's because of Qinzhou's water and soil, or because of genetics, but the direct lineage of the Ning family is very long-lived.

Ning Changzhen's grandfather, Ning Kui, was born in the third year of Zhengshi in the Northern Wei Dynasty and died in the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign of the former Sui Dynasty at an age of 81.

Ning Changzhen is now over 22 years old. His son Ning Huizao lived until 40 years in Zhenguan. He also lived to be over 70 years old. In this era when the average life expectancy of men is only over [-] years old, over [-] years old is already very old up.

Just as Ning Chang was really sleeping soundly, a person rushed in at the door.

The maid frowned, and was about to scold him, when she saw this man, she immediately stood up and saluted, "Da Lang".

The person who came was Ning Huizao, the son of Ning Changzhen. He is now in his fifties. After Ning Changzhen's death, Ning Huizao can take over as the governor of Qinzhou.

"Aye, wake up," Ning Huizao looked anxious, waved his hand casually to disperse the maid, and shook Ning Changzhen's arm to call.

Ning Changzhen opened his eyes, with an impatient look on his face, "Why are you panicking?" "Aye, Qilang is dead," Ning Huizao said bluntly.

Ning Changzhen was startled, then struggled to sit up, "What's going on? Didn't he beat Jiangzhou down?"

Ning Huizao had a bitter look on his face, "It was the fourth uncle. He led the soldiers and horses of Nanhezhou to rescue Jiangzhou, instigated a rebellion against Pang Xiaotai of Baizhou, broke through the mountain seal overnight, and beheaded Qilang."

Ning Changzhen's face turned pale, he held his chest and gasped loudly, his teeth were trembling.

"Ning Chun! He, he is so ruthless, killing each other, why did this happen, why did this happen."

The Qilang mentioned by Ning Youyou is Ning Daoming, who ranks seventh in the family. Ning Daoming's father, Ning Xuan (the one on the top and the one on the bottom), is Ning Changzhen's younger brother. It is the seventh younger brother of Ning Huizao.

Ning Huizao's fourth uncle is Ning Chun, who ranks fourth in the clan. Ning Chun's father, Ning Xuan, is Ning Mengli's younger brother, and Ning Changzhen is Ning Mengli's son.

Therefore, according to seniority, Ning Changzhen is Ning Chun's cousin and Ning Daoming's uncle.

When Ning Chang really regained his strength, he gritted his teeth and said in a hateful voice: "Before Ning Chun announced to leave the Ning family, I just thought he was alone, so I ignored it, and I also planned to make more preparations.

But now that his clan is killing each other, I can’t keep him. You go, open the ancestral hall, drive Ning Chun out of the genealogy, and send troops to Jiangzhou tomorrow to avenge Qilang.”

Ning Huizao became anxious when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "Aye, wait a minute, there is another news, Gao Chong is here, he will go to serve as the Lingnan economic envoy, and also the governor of Guangzhou, in charge of the eight Lingnan governments.

If we send troops to attack Si and Ningchun now, it will be tantamount to a rebellion, which is inconsistent with our previous strategy."

Ning Chang was really surprised when he heard it, "Gao Chong is here, is the envoy?"

Then he was dazed in a daze, his face gradually turned pale, and he murmured: "Li Shimin is so courageous in ruling the eight governments, this is putting a rope around our necks."

Although Ning Changzhen was old, he was not dizzy.

Li Shimin seized the throne, Hebei and Hedong were riddled with holes, the Tang Dynasty was in ruins, and the Turks were staring at them. Li Shimin's accession to the throne will not be peaceful.

It is precisely because of these considerations that Ning Daoming came to persuade him to raise troops, but Ning Changzhen did not express any objection.

However, political sensitivity over the years has made Ning Chang really understand that all eggs should not be put in the same basket. He secretly supported his nephew Ning Daoming to rebel against Tang, but he himself did not blatantly rebel. Ning Daoming went to attack the city.

As for Ning Chun's statement to the outside world that he would be loyal to the imperial court and would never join the Ning family in seeking rebellion. His strength.

But Ning Changzhen didn't expect that Ning Chun would actually send troops to attack Ning Daoming and kill Ning Daoming, which made Ning Changzhen really angry.

In Ning Changzhen's view, no matter what, Ning Daoming is fighting for the Ning family in Qinzhou. Once the Central Plains changes, the Ning family can continue to separate Lingnan without being controlled by others. Ning Chun's move has completely abandoned the Ning family, so Ning Chang was really so angry.

Subconsciously, he wanted to send troops to punish the scum of Ning Chun's family, but when he heard the news that Gao Chong was going to be the envoy of the Lingnan Economic Strategy, the treacherous and cunning Ning Chang really quickly woke up.

It seems that the situation in the Central Plains is not as chaotic as guessed, and Li Shimin has finally secured his throne.

Ning Changzhen closed his eyes and meditated, and Ning Huizao didn't dare to disturb him, so he just waited quietly.

After a long time, Ning Changzhen opened his eyes with a stern look, "Gao Chong is in Jiangzhou?"

Ning Huizao didn't know why, so he just nodded.

"Expell Ning Daoming from the clan and immediately lead the troops to Yuezhou to conquer the rebellion," Ning Changzhen ordered in a deep voice.

"What?" Ning Huizao was shocked, "Aren't you going to Jiangzhou to attack Ning Chun?"

"Idiot", Ning Changzhen frowned and scolded: "Qilang is already dead, so what's the point of going to Jiangzhou again.

When Gao Chong came, Gaozhou Feng Tan’s two families couldn’t fight anymore, stop the loss in time, you go to Yuezhou quickly, grab Yu Ni and kill him casually, and grab Yuezhou first before Gao Chong can react inside".

Ning Huizao suddenly realized it and immediately agreed.

After Ning Huizao left, Ning Changzhen lay on the soft couch, squinting his eyes, facing the sunlight, lost in thought.

It seems that the goal of suppressing the Feng family and separatist Lingnan is difficult to achieve.

Ning Daoming was such a loser that he took two months to capture the two counties of Jiangzhou. There was also Feng Xuan, who did not contribute much to the work and had been unwilling to send troops to Gaozhou. Tandian also had nothing to do with Feng Ang of Gaozhou. Come on, let me They often attack each other, but they can never tell the winner.

For Gao Chong, Ning Chang really had a deep understanding. As Li Shimin's confidant, since he came to Lingnan, it meant that everything went well for Li Shimin's accession to the throne, and it was already impossible to fish in troubled waters.

As for Feng An, he has never had great ambitions. He only wants to surrender to the Central Plains and live a peaceful life. I heard that Feng An also respects Gao Chong. Now that Ning Daoming is dead and Feng Xuan is captured, with Gao Chong's help, Tan Dian will definitely find Less than cheap.

Lingnan, there is no more chaos.

Thinking of this, Ning Changzhen felt hatred towards Ning Chun.

If Ning Chun hadn't sent troops, Ning Daoming would have caused some waves no matter what, and would have restrained Gao Chong's energy, and would not have led to the current situation.

It seems that if we want to find a way to deal with Ning Chun, he and the family are not of the same mind, so there is no need to stay for a long time.

There is also the Pang family of Baizhou, who is looking for a dead end. For more than a hundred years, the Pang family of Baizhou has been attached to the Ning family of Qinzhou, relying on the breath of the Ning family to survive. Pang Xiaotai's father also served under the command of Ning Changzhen.

I really didn't expect that Pang Xiaotai would dare to turn against the water and open the city gate. Ning Changzhen heard it very clearly. If Pang Xiaotai hadn't won the gate, Fengshan City would never have broken down easily.

Ning Chang really kept these people in mind secretly, and continued to plan.

at the same time.

Gaozhou, Gaoliang City.

Feng An, the governor of Gaozhou, also received the news, and he was surprised but overjoyed.

Unexpectedly, Ning Daoming rebelled with great fanfare, but was defeated and died so hastily. Feng Ang was even more delighted that Gao Chong was in charge of the eight Lingnan governments. He had no ambitions and would not feel controlled by others. Instead, he felt that Gao Chong I admire him very much. If Gao Chong were in power, I believe Lingnan would not be so chaotic.

At this point, Gaozhou Feng An and Baizhou Pang Xiaotai are very similar. Both of them have no ambitions. They only want to stay in their hometown and live a stable life. They just hope that their people will stay away from the war.

In fact, according to the popularity of the Feng and Xian clans in Gaozhou, if Feng An raised troops at the end of the Sui Dynasty, he would definitely be able to do something. However, Feng An has always been the general manager of Lingnan, occupying twenty states, and would rather rely on Lin Shihong, the emperor of Chu. , and do not want to claim the title of king on their own.

In the 12th year of Daye, Lin Shihong proclaimed himself emperor, founded the country of Dachu, established his capital in Yuzhang, and was named Taiping. He claimed to have a base of five thousand miles and 30 soldiers. His territory stretched from Jiangzhou (Jiujiang) in the north to Guangzhou (Panyu) in the south. ).

However, in fact, Lin Shihong really controlled only Jiangzhou (Jiujiang), Hongzhou (Nanchang), Qianzhou (Ganzhou) and other Ganjiang River basins. The Lingnan area was all controlled by Feng An, who was only attached to Lin Shihong in name.