Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 145 Haircuts for the purpose

Zhang Guangsheng went to the Tibetan army camp again. Not only did he bring back the news that the other party had promised to return the people outside the city, but he himself also received a small golden Buddha presented by the Tibetan general Ximulang. It was only half the size of a hand and was so well made. It is so lifelike that it is worth a lot of money at a glance.

After returning to Shazhou Prefecture, Zhang Guangsheng handed over the golden Buddha and the letters from the Tibetan general to Fang Chongyong. He sincerely thanked him and said, "I am very knowledgeable about things. Ximo Lang really gave me a generous gift. This is it.”

Zhang Guangsheng's golden Buddha was delivered to Fang Chongyong.

"This kind of routines are all leftovers from the seniors."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and continued: "Keep it, I wish you promotion and wealth."

Of course, the Tibetan general would not hesitate to sell the items that could be recovered immediately, so as to paralyze the defenders of the small town of Shazhou.It seems that they are very confident about breaking the city.

Zhang Guangsheng put the golden Buddha away with a smile, came over and lowered his voice: "When I said that the city gate was sealed, Ximo Lang held back, but his tone of voice was still a little lighter. His subordinates suspected that the Tubo people There may be plans to withdraw the troops and besiege Luocheng."

His family lived in Luocheng before, so he knew the difference between the two cities very well.If the small city is not large in area and has high walls, it is difficult to deal with it; then Luocheng is leaking from all sides. Not only is it large in area, but the walls are low, making it difficult to defend.

After all, it was originally a converted trading stronghold, which was far inferior to a small town that had been in business for hundreds of years.

Zhang Guangsheng felt that if he were the commander-in-chief of the Tibetan army, he would concentrate his forces to break the balance of the battlefield from the weak end when the situation could not be opened.It seems to be a good strategy to move troops across the river and besiege Luocheng under the cover of night.

"You have such vision, you will become a great person in the future."

Fang Chongyong laughed and encouraged him, and then sent Zhang Guangsheng away.

After Zhang Guangsheng left, Fang Chongyong took out a piece of paper from under the paperweight on the desk. There was a lot of information densely written on it, most of which ended with questions.

The top sentence reads: Why didn’t the Tubo people attack the city?

Others include questions such as "Why did the Tubo people persuade them to surrender?" "Why did the Tubo people not throw animal carcasses into the city to spread the plague?" "Why did the Tubo people return the captives?"

Generals are not about bravery, but about strategy.Attacking the city is the next step, attacking the heart is the top step.

During this period of time, Fang Chongyong was playing a psychological war with the Tibetan general Xi Molang without ever meeting each other, and both sides were concealing their true intentions.This time Zhang Guangsheng went to the Tubo camp for the second time, and Fang Chongyong finally understood the question he was most concerned about: What is the Tibetan people's battle plan?
Every night, Fang Chongyong would simulate the Tibetan plan to attack Shazhou in his study.He would put himself in the perspective of the Tibetan people and see which tricks he had not yet used.For example, letting prisoners stand in front to attack a city is a tactic used by many armies.

The Tubo army was not a benevolent and righteous army. Why didn't they let the captured people outside the city rush to the front?

And why didn’t the Tubo army use trebuchets to smash the city walls?

Can't we break a big hole and storm in?Even if the trebuchet cannot penetrate the city wall and destroys some parapets and towers, it is not a big problem. Wouldn't this help to lower the morale of the defenders?
So what are the Tubo people worried about?

Now, Fang Chongyong already has the answers to these questions.The moment of breaking the situation has arrived.

But before that, he still had to do a general mobilization. He had to explain things rationally and convincing the local big players in Shazhou to support him.

How can a teenage boy have any power? His ability is just to organize and coordinate external forces.

……

There were still three days left before the prisoners were returned, and everything was as usual in the small town of Shazhou.However, just after nightfall, Fang Chongyong called the representatives of the local big households, as well as Wang Sili, the envoy of the Doulu Army, and the senior military officials to the government office.

It is said that they are discussing "big things".

The lobby of the government office was filled with torches, illuminating the place like daylight.Fang Chongyong was sitting on the chief seat of the governor. On his left were representatives of local large households headed by Zhang Tong, and on his right were some of the senior officials of the Doulu Army headed by Wang Sili.

The whole thing looks a bit like a "small imperial court".

It's a pity that no one here is Fang Chongyong's direct subordinate.

"Today I am here to tell you something."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice and winked at Fang Dafu beside him.Soon, Fang Dafu brought a large wooden board and covered it with a black cloth without opening it.Then he retreated to Fang Chongyong without saying a word.

"In the past few days, I have some superficial opinions and would like to discuss it with you. It's not considered a discussion, it's just a favor for you."

Fang Chongyong said and clapped his hands.

Zhang Guangsheng strode in from the entrance of the government office lobby, followed by a young monk wearing soap-colored uniforms.

"Everyone, please recognize me. This is Master Xiangbande Yeside, a Tibetan monk. Under the orders of Chide Zuzan, he studied Buddhist scriptures at Kaiyuan Temple in Dunhuang."

Fang Chongyong pointed at the kind-hearted monk in front of him and introduced him to everyone.

Ok?
Everyone present looked at Xiangbande Yeside.The Tibetan monk also smiled and nodded to them.No one expected that there would be such a big fish in Kaiyuan Temple!
"Disturbing Master."

Fang Chongyong put his hands together and saluted Xiangbande Yeside.

"Goodness is goodness."

Xiangbande Yeside just smiled and didn't say much.

"Send Master back."

Fang Chongyong told Zhang Guangsheng.

Xiangbande Yeside then turned around and left, as if he was just here for a stroll.

Well, it seems that he just walked around here and spent no more than one stick of incense in the lobby of the government office.

After the Tubo monk left, everyone looked at each other and Fang Chongyong, wondering which song the Shazhou governor was singing.

"In Tubo, Buddhism has been established as the state religion. However, Bon, the original state religion, was not willing to fail and repeatedly carried out sabotage in the country in an attempt to re-establish its status.

Therefore, in order to establish the dominance of Buddhism, Chide Zuzan sent eminent monks, including Xiangbande Yeside, to Buddhist temples in various parts of the Tang Dynasty to translate scriptures and then bring them back to the Jokhang Temple for storage. "

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and continued to explain with great interest:

“Before, the spies of the Tibetan army were hiding in Kaiyuan Temple and were protected by Master Xiangbande Yixide.

Before the Tubo siege, the spies left Kaiyuan Temple and informed the Tibetan army commander of the location of Master Xiangbande Yixide.So you see. "

Fang Chongyong pulled off the black cloth. On the topographic map of the city painted on the wooden board, the landing points of the thrown stones were densely marked with ink pens. Except for the area near Kaiyuan Temple in the northwest corner, there was not a single stone.

Everyone present took a breath!No one would have thought that there were so many mysteries hidden in just one piece of stone thrown by the Tubo people!

"However, the reason why the Tibetans did not attack the small town was not entirely because of Master Xiangbande Yeside, but because the top Tibetan officials wanted to build Shazhou into a Buddhist kingdom on earth.

Therefore, it is not appropriate to go on a killing spree here, and the Tibetan generals are also restricted. "

Fang Zhongyong said eloquently.

This reason sounds a bit absurd at first, but it is very logical when it comes to a serfdom country like Tubo that combines politics and religion.

"These are letters of surrender written by the Tibetan general. The words are quite sincere. I have been curious before why they want us to leave Shazhou so much. Now it seems that they have no intention of vacating the cage and changing the bird."

Fang Chongyong lifted the letter on the desk in front of Yang Yang and handed it to Fang Dafu.The latter handed these letters to everyone present for circulation.If the Tibetan people's goal is to strengthen their control over Shazhou and create a "Buddhist model project", then driving away the original big players here seems to be a very feasible option.

There are many people in Tubo, so it is not difficult at all to move tens of thousands of people to Shazhou.Of course, if you can capture Shazhou in one fell swoop and enslave the people here, it will be a huge gain and the best choice.

I didn't get the top sign, but it would be good to get one. Unfortunately, this "top sign" was rejected by Fang Chongyong.

"Afterwards, the Tibetan army commander Ximulang always wanted to test how much food was stored in the city, so they proposed to release the captive people outside the city.

If the official refuses, then Ximo Lang can conclude that we have insufficient food reserves.

If I agree, it will prove that the town can last for a long time and there is no need to worry about extra people taking over.

It is estimated that Ximo Lang will mix some Tibetan spies into these people and wait for the opportunity. "

"So, what do the Tubo people want to do after spending so much time on it?"

Wang Sili asked with some confusion.

Everyone present nodded frequently. In fact, they also had such questions.

"If we have less food, they will surround the city. If we have more food, they will give us prisoners, pack lightly, go to Luocheng, and concentrate all their forces to attack Luocheng.

Once we conquer Luocheng and obtain the resources within the city, we can then show off our power outside the small city and force us to surrender or leave Shazhou!

The last time I sent someone to see Ximulang, I already said that the people in Shazhou are united and can hold on for ten to eight years without any problems.Everyone, you understand what this means. "

Fang Chongyong asked meaningfully.

Saying that we are united and determined to defend the city is actually to confuse Ximo Lang's words and make him think that the local border troops in Shazhou have no plan to risk a counterattack.

All of this is Fang Chongyong's guess.But if his guess is correct, it will explain many previously puzzling issues.

Not only are the Tibetan people's goals very clear, but many of their weird behaviors can be explained reasonably.For example, letting the prisoners water the fields was just to confuse the local Tang army in Shazhou, making them think that the Tibetans were fully prepared and planned to besieged here for a long time.

In fact, the Tubo people probably did not have much food and grass.

"Did Fang Shijun say that we attacked the Tibetan camp at night the night after we received the people outside the city?"

Wang Sili's mind turned quickly, and he immediately thought of Fang Chongyong's plan.

"Not that night, but when we were receiving the villagers, we unexpectedly rushed out of the city!"

Fang Zhongyong pounded the table hard and said decisively!
Isn't this... too risky?
Everyone present took a breath, this Fang Shijun was not very courageous.

"We can all think of raiding the Tibetan camp after taking in the people outside the city. How could the Tibetans not think of it?

Only when they sent the prisoners to the city, the army's defenses were the most relaxed, and there was an opportunity to take advantage of them.

The Tubo people don't have much food and grass, and they are very likely to attack Luocheng in the near future.

Although Luocheng is large, its defense is not strong. If it is besieged by two Tibetan armies, it is really worrying whether it can be defended, or how long it can be defended.

Therefore, the fighter opportunity is fleeting, and we cannot place our hopes on the Luocheng defenders. "

Fang Chongyong did not continue. He believed that everyone present had already understood what he wanted to express.

On the battlefield, before the war begins, there is no absolute winner or loser, nor is there any certainty of victory.As long as you participate in a war, there will be unknown risks.

What seems sure to win may lose, and what seems sure to lose may also turn around.

Once when the Tibetan army was strong, it was defeated by a small force of the Tang army in one attack.

When the two armies fought, there were situations where a small number defeated a large number, and there were also situations like the one in Dafichuan where the entire Tang army was annihilated.

Fang Chongyong's analysis is indeed very reasonable, but it is not a sure win. Could the Tibetan army general see through his plan?
It’s hard to say, no one can guarantee it.The current situation is a gamble.

If you win, the siege of Shazhou will be lifted. After the war, you will be rewarded based on your merits. Of course, the local big players will also get a share of the pie.

If they lose, the small town of Shazhou will naturally not be able to defend it.

But it doesn't matter if you don't go.

If we don't go, we may end up like what Fang Chongyong said: being cannibalized step by step by the Tibetans, losing Luo City first, and being trapped behind us.

There is also a court factor: when will the court’s reinforcements arrive?How is the war going elsewhere?Can the siege of Shazhou be lifted?Or whether everyone present is still alive and well after the rescue is unknown.

Where to go?Want to take a gamble?
These questions are really a torture.

"What do you think, Fang Shijun?"

Wang Sili asked in a deep voice.

His attitude represents the attitude of the Doulu Army, and the attitude of the Doulu Army directly affects the attitudes of the local big players.

This question is critical.

"When we went out, I rode my pony and followed the troops."

Fang Chongyong said seriously, without any hint of joking on his face.

Hearing this, Wang Sili smiled casually, turned around and looked around at everyone and said, "Have you heard that? You are not old enough to live like a dog, right?"

"We are willing to listen to Fang Shijun's instructions and fight the enemy bravely!"

In the lobby of the government office, people were kneeling on the floor.

If in the Song Dynasty, it would be good to have one or two of these people who dared to fight.But now the blood of warriors is not yet cold, and the era of warriors making great achievements is still going on and has not gone far.

Fang Chongyong pulled out a short knife from his waist, untied his bun, cut off a section, and held it in his hand.

His decisive move frightened many Qiu Ba people present or who had licked blood with their swords.These people wanted to come forward to dissuade them, but they didn't know what to say.

"If you don't succeed in this battle, you will be benevolent. I am still young and cannot carry a sword or wear armor. Therefore, I will cut off my hair first to make my ambition clear, and follow the team. When the time comes, I will fight with all of you to kill the enemy.

When doing great things, don't cherish your own life. I will encourage you all. "

Fang Chongyong looked around at the crowd and said proudly.

In the past, what the local big businessmen and bureaucrats in Shazhou saw from Fang Chongyong could be summed up in one word: "wisdom"!
Only today did they see "brave" and "righteousness" in each other.

　The second update is here today
　　
　
(End of this chapter)