Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 262 Lanzhou Secret Discussion

Lanzhou has been in the border area since ancient times. It is also an important town on the Silk Road and a paradise for ethnic integration.

For a long time, nomadic peoples such as the Huns, Turks, Xianbei, Uighurs, Mongols, Tubos, and Xixia from the north have grazed here and thrived here. The Yellow River, Yuanchuan River, Leitan River, Zhuanglang River and other rivers converge here, making it not only an important border town, but also a key waterway and land route.

Take the Northern Post Road to Wuwei City in Liangzhou, go west to Shanzhou, and go northeast along the Yellow River to Lingzhou.

This is a typical terrain of "two mountains sandwiched by a river", which is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and its strategic position is very important.

Although modern Lanzhou's farming economy has a lot of history, it is different from the fantasy of some people in later generations. During the Tang Dynasty, Lanzhou was still based on a herding economy, supplemented by a farming economy. It was not until the Yuan and Ming dynasties that a large number of Han people settled here, making it an area dominated by farming.

A few days later, Fang Chongyong set out from Shanzhou City with his personal entourage and the Tianwei Army, which was not yet formed and numbered only a few thousand people, and rushed to Lanzhou in a mighty manner. After arriving in Lanzhou, he asked Ge Shuhan to take over the defense of Lanzhou City, and then while selecting warriors with silver spears and filial piety among the Tianwei Army, he waited for the arrival of Wang Zhongsi.

When Wang Zhongsi comes from Hedong, he must go to Lanzhou, so the two of them will always meet. It has to be said that Fang Chongyong's arrangement is very thoughtful.

As expected, his buttocks were not yet warm when he arrived in Lanzhou. Two days later, Wang Zhongsi arrived at Jincheng, Lanzhou with a thousand personal troops and dozens of trusted generals headed by Li Guangbi.

Probably because he was worried about the inconvenience of supplies, there were not many soldiers and horses around Wang Zhongsi. But there are so many generals around him. If these people go to Shanzhou, they can almost completely change the senior leadership of Longyou Army! It just depends on how Wang Zhongsi arranges it.

Outside Jincheng, on the bank of the Yellow River.

Fang Chongyong, who came to welcome Wang Zhongsi into the city, looked at the few people around him, such as He Changqi and Wang Nannan, and then at the huge group of dozens of military commanders beside his father-in-law.

He also had to admit that he had a little misunderstanding of the hidden rules of the Tang Dynasty's border army and the development of the times.

Before the Anshi Rebellion, although everyone knew that An Lushan was going to rebel, what An Lushan did was done by almost all the big guys in the border towns.

For example, after the Anshi Rebellion, Li Guangbi and Guo Ziyi were at odds. The reason was that Guo Ziyi was a close confidant of An Sishun, while Li Guangbi was similar to Wang Zhongsi's adopted son.

Wang Zhongsi was unjustly demoted, and his replacement was An Sishun. This made Li Guangbi suspect that An Sishun's people were causing trouble.

Let’s not talk about the rights and wrongs in this process, but the posture of the generals holding together from top to bottom can be clearly seen.

The only difference between these people and An Lushan is that An Lushan rebelled in the last years of Tianbao. They have not yet, but they cannot rule out the possibility of rebellion.

Putting aside political intentions, there should be no problem in treating these groups of generals who gathered in border towns as "potential rebel groups with capabilities and strength." The Pugu Huaien rebellion in the Daizong period and the Jingyuan mutiny in the Dezong period have fully proved this point.

They are not a feudal town yet, but they already have the prototype of a feudal town, but they just lack an opportunity. All the internal factors needed for the feudal town are continuing to ferment.

"I haven't seen you for so long, why am I so stunned when I see you?"

Wang Zhongsi strode forward, patted Fang Chongyong on the shoulder and laughed.

"Father-in-law invites you inside. My son-in-law has already prepared a small banquet to welcome his father-in-law."

Fang Chongyong saluted respectfully.

"Well, very good, let's go together!"

Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly and said.

The two of them were walking side by side, and Wang Zhongsi suddenly sighed with emotion:

"So many years have passed, and I am most glad that I didn't see the wrong person.

My daughter has high eyesight and a bad temper. She didn't give you any trouble after marriage, right? "

Wang Zhongsi asked calmly.

"It's really not good. I lose strength after a few times."

Fang Chongyong was thinking about the important events of his family, country, and world, and he casually agreed, only to realize that he had made a mistake.

"Ok?"

Wang Zhongsi was stunned, stopped, and looked at Fang Chongyong with some confusion.

"My son-in-law said that she is very good. I plan to take Xiuniang to live in Wuwei City after she settles down in Liangzhou.

I am afraid that my time in Liangzhou this time will not be short. "

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh and changed the topic.

Wang Zhongsi also took the smuggling money from the Western Regions trade route. Although he used it to support his private army and cronies, this was a secret that could not be told. In fact, the fact that Fang Chongyong can serve as the Hexi Jiedushi this time is because many big shots in the DPRK and China are working together, hoping that he can save this smuggling trade route.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. In Chang'an, a huge city where walking costs money, it is impossible to live without money.

Even if you don't want to spend money, you still have to spend money to socialize with colleagues, make friends through literature, or curry favor with your boss.

This money doesn’t mean you don’t have to spend it if you don’t want to!

When I arrived at the lobby of the government office in Jincheng, I saw several long tables made up of many tables, surrounding the entire lobby into a "hui" shape. The table is filled with a variety of seasonal fruits and cold dishes, as well as cold dishes that do not need to be eaten hot, and dried biscuits.

Others include not only mutton and lamb intestines, which are common in the northwest, but also beef that is steamed and eaten cold with sauce.

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said to Wang Zhongsi:

"Yesterday, a cow happened to get angry and hit the wall in the city, killing itself.

The climate is getting warmer day by day, and it won't work if you leave it alone. I didn't expect that my father-in-law and his party would arrive in Lanzhou today. It was just a coincidence.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! "

Upon hearing this, all the generals behind Wang Zhongsi showed "understood" smiles and took their seats one by one. Behind Fang Chongyong, He Changqi and the generals of the Tianwei Army also followed suit and sat on both sides.

In the main seat facing the Yamen lobby, Fang Chongyong and Wang Zhongsi sat opposite each other. This banquet arrangement was in line with the court rules. Now Wang Zhongsi is the military governor of Longyou, and Fang Chongyong is the military governor of Hexi. Regardless of their seniority and connections, the two are now equals.

After everyone was seated, Fang Chongyong ordered the food to be served. Hot dishes were brought to the table one after another, and there was an endless stream of servants coming in and out. It was busier than the vegetable market. Flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water, they are all available.

"My dear son-in-law has spent a lot of money today. I haven't seen such a sumptuous banquet for many years."

Wang Zhongsi looked at the room full of delicacies and sighed with emotion. It goes without saying that this meal cannot be cheap.

"This reception banquet is a government banquet, and it was recorded in the account of the envoy of Longyou branch."

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi laughed dumbly, and he was about to take over as the military governor of Longyou. Therefore, he actually invited Fang Chongyong to eat this meal, because the accounting was done by the Longyou Zhidu Envoy, and after all, the Longyou Jiedu Mansion was the last to pay.

The jurisdictions of the Yingtian envoys, branch envoys, and Jiedu envoys prescribed by the imperial court were often slightly staggered. The original intention was that they would not interfere with each other, but also restrict each other. However, as the situation on the border changed, the imperial court gave the Jiedushi the power to intervene in branches and camps, so the three began to gradually merge. In the process of executing government affairs, the Jiedushi became the superior of the Yingtian envoy and the Zhidu envoy.

There is no explicit regulation, but in fact it is a "superior" that operates without hindrance.

They share the same office and work together on weekdays. This is also the reason why Niu Xianke was able to accumulate so many connections when he was a field envoy in Hexi.

At that time, the people around him were all big bosses, and they worked together every day. Even if they didn't have any friendship, they developed some friendship!

Therefore, in Wang Zhongsi's view, it was actually Fang Chongyong who spent Wang's money to entertain guests today, which was quite unkind.

Of course, if you really want to talk about it, these are Brother Ji's money. No matter Fang Chongyong or Wang Zhongsi, they are both wage earners and not bosses.

This is considered "eating and drinking with public funds" allowed within the system.

"Let me introduce you, this is Li Guangbi, a Khitan, born in the Li family of Liucheng." Wang Zhongsi pointed to the middle-aged man closest to his seat and said. This man was pointed out by Wang Zhongsi, and he quickly stood up and saluted him bravely, then sat down without saying anything, like a dull gourd.

Fang Chongyong also returned the gift very reservedly and did not show any surprise.

"This is Mr. and Mrs. Fang Chongyong's virtuous son-in-law. He will soon go to Hexi to serve as the governor of Hexi. You must follow his example and serve the saint well."

Wang Zhongsi pointed at Fang Chongyong and said.

Many of the generals on Wang Zhongsi's side knew that Fang Chongyong was his son-in-law, but they didn't know much about this man who was about to go to Hexi to serve as the military governor. Now that I hear this "breaking" news, everyone feels the importance of reincarnation.

One destiny, two luck and three feng shui, life actually begins from the moment of reincarnation.

In the Tang Dynasty, some people were already crowned kings and marquises just after they were born. Some people can never reach the threshold of officialdom until they are old.

Is this fair?

Certainly not fair.

But this is life!

In nature, the weak eat the strong and the fittest survive. When has there ever been absolute fairness?

All the generals felt sad, and all of them were busy eating their food.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little stiff, Fang Chongyong quickly picked up his wine glass and toasted Wang Zhongsi's generals one by one, without any airs of a military commander. At this time, the atmosphere in the lobby began to warm up, and it was easy to chat with each other.

After drinking and eating, Wang Zhongsi ordered Li Guangbi to take over the defense of Jincheng. At the same time, he obtained the fish talisman of the Tianwei Army. He ordered his brother Shu Han to lead troops to camp on the bank of the Yellow River outside Lanzhou City. Then he and Fang Chongyong arrived. Secret conversation in a guest room in Lanzhou Station.

……

Fang Chongyong took out a small paper bag from his arms and poured the tea leaves inside into the teapot. He added boiling water to the teapot, shook it slightly, and waited for a while before pouring the tea into the bowl and handing it to Wang Zhongsi.

"I've never seen this kind of tea before."

Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly, took the tea bowl and took a sip.

"This kind of tea does not need to be cooked, it only needs to be brewed. It is easy to carry whether it is used by the military or civilians, and this kind of loose tea can also be introduced into ordinary people's homes.

No need to add unnecessary clutter.

Stir-fried tea in iron pots instead of steamed tea, loose tea instead of tea cakes, and brewed tea instead of boiled tea have great potential in the future. "

Fang Chongyong said very seriously.

"You have a heart."

Wang Zhongsi was preoccupied and responded casually, as if he had no time to pay attention to such trivial matters.

"Last time you won the battle against Tubo, could you tell me in detail what happened?"

Wang Zhongsi drank the tea in the tea bowl and asked softly.

"Father-in-law, it's like this.

The main reason why this battle was won was that the Tubo people were too fierce in internal fighting, and the big talk of being responsible for military affairs in the theater could not restrain the troops in Dongdai.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to win so simply. "

On the way to Longyou, Fang Chongyong thought of establishing the "Sheepskin Army" as a killing move. Later, King Subi wanted to annex the Tang Dynasty, the Tubo people were preparing to attack Longyou in a large scale, etc., no matter how big or small, everything was done. I told Wang Zhongsi again.

The core idea in strategy is: end war with war!

With a small-scale complete victory, the Tubo people did not dare to take action rashly and fought for a longer period of peace in the Longyou area. This was the purpose of fighting.

Now, the predetermined goal has been fully achieved.

In the coming time, the Tubo people will be preparing for war seriously, and the Tang army is also preparing for war. It depends on who will be more skillful when the war starts this fall!

After listening to Fang Chongyong's introduction, even though Wang Zhongsi was well-informed, he was shocked by the "sheepskin army" and the horse-rejecting stakes blocking the way back.

The Tubo people had long used this trick of blocking the return route with horse stakes and fences, and it had miraculous effects in key areas.

But the operation of the "Sheepskin Army" is really unheard of, and Fang Chongyong is considered original!

"The Tang army's battle against Tubo has always been full of dangers. If you are not careful, the whole army will be annihilated. You are the first person to win so happily.

This Hexi Jiedu envoy is truly worthy of his reputation.

I also believe that with your connections, you will definitely be qualified for the post of Jiedushi when you arrive in Hexi.

Your strategy of ending war with war is indeed Longyou's best response strategy. The Longyou Army has a huge problem. If a fight breaks out now, the legacy of the Anren Army's mutiny will definitely affect the morale of the army. "

Wang Zhongsi said with a look of relief, deliberately not mentioning the matter of the smuggling trade route. In fact, he didn't think Fang Chongyong could do anything about the smuggling mess in Hexi after he left. Such a big hole is, after all, just a human resource.

"Father-in-law, the goal of the Tubo people is Shibao City. No matter how they pretend to attack, it is all a deception. Shibao City is a nail stuck in the old road of Tuyuhun. To send troops from Fuqi City, the old capital of Tuyuhun, they must pass through Shibao City. .

Therefore, the Tubo people will pull it out first and then quickly, and they must not take it lightly. If we really need support at that time, I will send troops from Hexi to fight in the valley and attack the Tubo flank, so that I can coordinate with my father-in-law. "

Fang Chongyong reminded.

"If you defend for a long time, you will lose. The saint will definitely not be satisfied with the current battle line and cannot defend the city.

How do you think the Hexi Longyou Army can break the situation? "

Wang Zhongsi asked with a slight frown.

"Send troops to conquer the Nine Bends of the Yellow River and set up a military garrison here. Then you can pay homage to the saint."

Fang Chongyong thought for a while and said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi was thoughtful and said nothing, still thinking about the pros and cons.

When Princess Jincheng married Tibet, Yang Ju, then General Zuowei (later Governor of Shanzhou), accepted bribes from Tubo and informed the court that the land of Jiuqu would be given to Tubo as Princess Jincheng's Tang Muyi. After Tubo obtained the land of Jiuqu, they stationed troops and herded sheep here, built cities and bridges, and further penetrated into the Tang Dynasty.

In fact, Yang Ju did not make this decision entirely because he accepted bribes from the Tubo people. It was also because Longyou's military strength and supply lines wanted to control Jiuqu (Qinghai, Guinan, Tongde, Gonghe, Xinghai and other counties). It was very reluctant. To put it simply, the Tibetans rushed down from the plateau and it was impossible to defend this place.

Occupying the land of Jiuqu means conquering half of Tubo, and even a battle to destroy the country has to be put on the agenda. Otherwise, it will be a situation where if you defend it for a long time, you will lose, and you will continue to be bloodletted. At that time, Princess Jincheng was married to Tubo. It is understandable that Yang Ju raised this point. He was just lazy in politics and threw away all the burdens.

What Wang Zhongsi is worried about is how to manage the Jiuqu Land and how to defend it after conquering it.

Advancing will greatly affect national policy; retreating will be the next Yang Ju.

Is it going forward or retreating?

Wang Zhongsi fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)