Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 307 The gradually collapsing establishment

"Commander Fang Jie, Liu Gong, the envoy of the last general of the Great Dou Army, please come into the camp for a detailed discussion."

Outside the Dadou Army camp near Dadou Bagou, a somewhat unfamiliar middle-aged general who looked more than fifty years old, wearing the black military uniform of the Hexi Frontier Army, no armor, and a military general's official hat, came out. The camp welcomes Fang Chongyong.

The words are very humble.

Who is this horse?

Fang Chongyong was stunned. He returned to Chang'an, and his brother Shu Han, who was originally the military envoy of the Great Dou Army, was transferred away and replaced by Liu Gong!

Never met at all!

"Where's Ge Shuhan?"

Fang Chongyong asked Guo Ziyi next to him with a puzzled look on his face. He didn't know where the bad old man in front of him, who was at least in his fifties, came from.

"Ge Shuhan was transferred to your father-in-law's command by the Ministry of War. He was previously in the Great Dou Army. Now this Liu Gong is a related household."

Guo Ziyi said calmly and in a very low voice.

"His father Liu Jian once served as the military envoy of the Lintao Army. His wife, Zhu, was the aunt of Zhu Tao, the military envoy of the Jingsai Army under Fan Yang Jiedushi of Youzhou.

This person has a wide network of contacts within the Central Military Department. "

Seeing that Fang Chongyong was silent, Guo Ziyi continued to introduce in a low voice.

Riding on horseback, taking advantage of the window period when I went to Chang'an, the Ministry of War actually dared to stab me in the back! You haven’t said hello to me yet!

Fang Chongyong's anger suddenly rose, and he glanced at Liu Gong with an evil look!

Actually, Fang Chongyong was just incompetent and furious at the moment, which was useless.

Because according to the rules of the imperial court, the Jiedushi had no right to interfere with the appointment of military envoys under his command. Everything was decided by the Ministry of War. This was also one of the imperial court's tricks to check and balance the Jiedushi in border towns.

However, in the actual implementation process, the military envoy usually first appoints his own people as military envoys, and then reports the recommendation list to the Ministry of War, and has the Ministry of War stamp it, and then turn around and issue the appointment letter in the form of an official document.

Therefore, the position of military envoys in the border army changes very frequently! Basically, Jiedu envoys who want to do something will place their cronies into various armies as military envoys!

Otherwise, we won’t be able to command the border troops!

So why is such an "excellent" system like the imperial court so blind when it is implemented?

Don't ask, just ask that the front-line generals know the specific local situation, and those civil servants who don't even leave the yamen for work on weekdays know nothing! If you have the guts, go to the border town first to pick up three moves from the Tibetan warriors and then beep!

Therefore, what the Ministry of War did this time was in line with the imperial court's explicit rules, but not in line with the "hidden rules" of the border town.

The reassignment of the military envoy of the Dadou Army seriously violated the personnel appointment and removal power of Fang Chongyong, the Hexi Jiedushi envoy! If he cannot appoint military envoys at will, who of Fang Chongyong's cronies will be of the same mind as him in the future?

"What about the two dragons of Yuanmen?"

Fang Chongyong suppressed his anger and continued to ask.

The two dragons of the Yuanmen he mentioned were brothers Wu Chengen and Wu Chengxun, Wu Zhiyi's distant relatives.

When Fang Chongyong was the governor of Shazhou, he heard that the two Wushi brothers were very good at fighting and served as the vanguard of the rebels. They guarded the gate of the camp so that no one could rush in, so the army gave them the nickname "Two Dragons of the Gate".

"There are no two dragons. They were implicated in Wu Zhiyi's rebellion. Now they are just ordinary soldiers, still in the great fighting army they were in back then.

Jieshuai didn't ask, no one dared to mention this name on weekdays. "

Guo Ziyi smiled bitterly.

In the Tang Dynasty, Brother Ji was the biggest in the world. What Wu Zhiyi did back then made Brother Ji depressed for a long time. Wu Zhiyi's relatives were not implicated in the genocide. Ji Ge had already shown mercy outside the law. He still wanted to continue to be a general in the Hexi frontier army?

I want to be so beautiful!

"Fang Jieshuai, but...what's wrong?"

Seeing Fang Chongyong and Guo Ziyi whispering private words at the side, Liu Gong asked cautiously.

A young general in his twenties beside him seemed dissatisfied, and seemed ready to step forward to argue with Fang Chongyong.

Fang Chongyong took a closer look and found that this man looked very similar to Liu Gong. He must be Liu Gong's legitimate son. It is very common for fathers and sons to serve as generals in the same army. For example, in Gongren's family, father, son and brothers were together, but they were forcibly separated later to avoid suspicion.

"This commander is now talking to the military envoy of the Great Dou Army. What is your identity? What do you want the dog to be called?"

Fang Zhongyong pulled out the Swift Wind Phantom Sword and pointed at the young general and asked.

Hearing this, Liu Gong quickly turned around, slapped the young general hard, and angrily said: "I'm talking to the Commander-in-Chief, why don't you go back to the camp if you are talking to Commander-in-Chief! It's embarrassing!" thing!"

The young general who received the slap reluctantly retreated ten feet away and refused to leave.

The scene suddenly became awkward!

Liu Gong quickly stepped forward, took Fang Chongyong's big hand and said enthusiastically: "I have prepared a banquet to welcome Fang Jieshuai and his party. This way, please."

His face was full of smiles, which made Fang Chongyong feel vigilant.

This Liu Gong is so deep in the city. He just deliberately made trouble and embarrassed his son, but he could bear it.

The expedition is about to begin, and there must be no hidden dangers. This person must not be allowed to stay!

After being tricked by the court, Fang Chongyong didn't dare to hand over his back to this old coin whom he met for the first time today and who was extremely wealthy.

"Liu Jun is too polite. The military situation is like a fire. Just eat whatever you want.

Go together and go together. "

Fang Chongyong laughed and said.

The two of them were facing each other for a moment, and then Liu Gong lowered his voice and said: "A certain person comes from Pinglu Town. He was a close confidant of Commander Fang Laojieshuai back then. He was squeezed out by An Lushan. Don't be suspicious of Commander Fang Laojie."

Eh?

Fang Zhongyong was stunned, never expecting that this was actually the plan of his cheap dad!

Liu Gong's words are easy to verify and are unlikely to be lies.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Ge Shuhan was transferred to Wang Zhongsi. If Wang Zhongsi refused the appointment, it would be difficult to achieve this transfer order.

Then the logical relationship is obvious.

Fang Chongyong instantly realized that this man was a general from Youzhou, and even his wife came from the family of a general in the border army of Youzhou. He was considered a "local faction" of Youzhou. Because An Lushan constantly placed his own people, that is, he kept arranging for Zahu who came from the tribe next to his city to serve as generals in the border army.

That's why Liu Gong, the "local faction" in Youzhou, was squeezed out by An Lushan and moved to Hexi.

Of course, it is also very possible that this person worked under Zha Daddy Fang Youde back then. The reason why he came to Hexi instead of Shuofang and Hedong was also very profound. If a border army general has no local connections, it will be difficult for him to get along.

But if you can't survive as a general, the only outcome is death. Liu Gong was squeezed out and had to find someone to unite with him.

This is the complexity and mystery of interpersonal networks.

Fang Chongyong somewhat understood why An Lushan was killed by Huangfu Weiming.

This guy has no foundation and no restraint in excluding dissidents. It is strange that he is not killed by others as a thorn in the side!

Huangfu Weiming is not the only one who wants to kill An Lushan?

Liu Gong calmly nodded to Fang Zhongyong, his eyes full of kindness.

"Old Liu, why did you go to Hexi to take up a post and didn't come to Liangzhou to say hello? It's too foreign."

Fang Chongyong suddenly put his arms around Liu Gong's shoulders, like a good friend he had known for many years. …

In the commander's tent of the Da Dou Army envoy, pickled pickles and fat meat were being cooked in a large iron pot as the bottom of the pot. Fang Chongyong skillfully cut the tofu with a knife and then threw it into the pot piece by piece. I saw these tofu rolling in the boiling water, rising and falling, sometimes under the water, and sometimes rising to the surface.

Soon, the military tent was filled with an appetizing aroma.

"After eating pickles and rolled tofu, the emperor...is not as good as me."

Fang Chongyong picked up a piece of tofu, took a bite while it was hot, and said with admiration.

He looked around, his eyes were like lightning. His eyes stayed on the generals for a moment and then moved to the next person. They were extremely sharp!

The faces of the people surrounding the iron pot changed slightly, and then they all showed meaningful smiles. Although Fang Chongyong's words were outrageous, the words "Emperor Old Man" were not outrageous at all.

The west side of Hexibian Town is adjacent to the vast Western Region, and the Tubo people are watching in the south. It is very appropriate to describe it as being surrounded by dangers.

As a general of the Hexi frontier army, who is more reliable, the strong-armed Jiedushi, or the "emperor old man" who stays in the deep palace of Chang'an and does not go out? I believe that anyone who is not confused can understand without thinking.

If you want to save your life, or even be promoted to an official position, you can only hold on to the Jiedushi's thigh! The emperor in the deep palace can only issue imperial edicts! On weekdays, five people and six people seem to be quite capable, but they are useless at critical moments!

What's wrong with Jiedushi being a little arrogant? How can you reward your generals without being arrogant?

"Does Fang Jieshuai want to launch a surprise attack on Tubo from Dadou?"

Liu Gong picked up a piece of tofu and put it on the plate in his hand, and asked calmly.

"Indeed, this section commander predicts that the imperial court will send troops from Hexi to Shanzhou to support Longyou Town.

When the troops from Hexi arrived in Shanzhou, there were strong enemies outside and no food and grass inside. The Longyou treasury relies on the support of Guanzhong, so it is very clear what the situation is.

Instead of letting the imperial court issue an order to mobilize troops, it is better for us to send troops from Dadou Valley and cut off the Tibetan people first!

If we follow the Dadou Valley and attack Qiyuan southward, drive away the Tibetan troops here, and burn their food and baggage, we can ensure that the northern line of Longyou Jiedushi's defense area is worry-free, allowing them to free up their hands to attack the Shibao City. The Western Front confronts the Tibetans.

In this way, it can be regarded as a great help to Longyou Town. "

Fang Chongyong sighed with emotion.

The future of Hexi soldiers and horses lies in the Western Region, how can they be wasted on the Longyou front line! If Wang Zhongsi hadn't been his father-in-law, Fang Chongyong would have definitely provided Longyou Town with all services except help.

"However, it is too risky to go over mountains and ridges to pull out valleys. The Tibetan people are waiting for work, and our army has few soldiers, so the chance of victory is not high."

Guo Ziyi sighed and said.

"Perhaps you still have many doubts, but let's put it this way. The Commander-in-Chief of this section would like to ask, how many times has the Hexi Army launched a large-scale battle to pull out valleys to attack Tubo since the establishment of the Hexi Jiedu Envoy?"

Fang Chongyong asked as he looked around at the crowd.

Guo Ziyi fell silent for a moment. In fact, it was only the time when Wang Zhongsi served as the envoy of the Chishui Army! In the early years of Kaiyuan, the Tubo people sent troops from Dadou Bugu and burned Guazhou City. Later, they calmly retreated from Dadou Bago without any pursuit by the Tang army.

In other words, the Tang army's initiative to attack the valley should not have been expected by the Tibetan army, at least it would not be the main direction of their defense. Moreover, Fang Chongyong also knew that a few months ago, when he was in Longyou, he severely slashed the Tubo army in this direction and wiped out 10,000 Tibetan elite cavalry.

And this force is likely to be the reserve force of the Tibetan army, used to break the situation at critical moments. It can be seen from the captured armor and horses of the Tubo army that they are by no means ordinary Tubo Dongdai tribesmen.

In other words, if the Tubo army in this direction does not receive subsequent reinforcements and reinforcements, it will definitely be the weakest point in the entire front. Judging from the political factions in Tubo, the people in this faction are not from the side of Kilixu in Tubo's great talk today.

Fang Chongyong was 50% sure of winning, but he did not make his thoughts public.

"In this case, everything will be carried out according to the commander's orders."

Guo Ziyi nodded and said, his attitude softened a lot.

This time, the Chishui Army, as the main force of the Hexi frontier army, was not involved in guarding the Hexi Corridor to prevent the Tibetans from saping, and did not participate in surprise attacks on Tibet.

This elite Tang army will participate in the expedition to the Western Regions in the future. The Chishui soldiers themselves do not want to fight against Tibet, but only want to go to the Western Regions to pick on the weak. Therefore, their enthusiasm for fighting against the Tubo people was not high.

Fang Chongyong obeyed his advice and did not force these people, so he won the support of the Chishui Army.

Guo Ziyi didn't have to come this time, but in order to perform meritorious service, Guo Ziyi had to send troops with Fang Chongyong, and had to take hundreds of his own soldiers on a big battle to pull out grains.

Guo Ziyi's roots are in Taiyuan, Hedong, and he is not a native of Hexi. It is of little use to have a good relationship with the people in the Chishui Army. After gaining seniority, it is more important to make meritorious service and rise to the top.

This means that people cannot help themselves in the world.

Under the same Jiedushi, different armies and different generals may have very different personal choices because of their different origins and geographical location.

These people are like a variety of ingredients, and Jiedushi is like a clever cook. What ingredients are used to cook, how to mix them and how to cook them is a profound knowledge. You can't just throw them together and stew them.

That's a waste of resources.

"Hey, where are the two dragons of Yuanmen?"

Fang Chongyong asked knowingly.

"Well, I will come to Hexi soon, and I have a dark eye on this. Why don't you ask the dog Liu Bang to ask in the army, and then return to the Commander-in-Chief?"

Liu Gong said with a smile, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"So good."

Fang Chongyong also smiled slightly, took a piece of tofu for Liu Gong and put it on his plate. He suddenly remembered that the Liu Bang mentioned in Liu Gong's mouth should be the young man who was scolded by him just now, "What is a dog called?"

Alas, being young is really good!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but secretly sigh, young people are full of blood and want to speak up when they see something that makes them unhappy. This is what young people should be like!

Unlike me, my heart gets old before I get old. Talking and laughing with these old foxes in front of me, I lose the precious experience of childhood and youth.

It feels like a greasy moneymaker dad who has stacks of banknotes tied to his body, stuffs the banknotes into the ravine on the breasts of beautiful women, uses the money to throw the beauties onto the bed, and seduce them to take the initiative to strip off and sell themselves. Same.

The youth that should have been full of passion has become boring.

Riding fast horses, playing with pretty girls, hitting whoever you want, being happy and not worrying about grudges, and not worrying about whether there will be food to eat tomorrow, this is the life that a young and powerful man should have!

Fang Chongyong was meditating on trivial matters, secretly feeling sad about spring and autumn, but his expression remained as calm as water.

Seeing Fang Jieshuai not speaking, the military tent was completely silent. All the generals were oppressed by his momentum and had to sit down and eat pickles and rolled tofu.

Only He Changqi was eating with his mouth smashing, like a pig wagging its tail happily while eating chaff.

After a while, the young general named Liu Bang walked in with his head lowered, not daring to look at Fang Chongyong. He crossed his hands and saluted everyone, and then left. Behind him appeared two middle-aged men wearing black military uniforms of the Hexi Frontier Army. They looked like ordinary soldiers. Their skin was tanned by frequent sun exposure and their bodies were extremely burly, not inferior to that of He Changqi.

The two men couldn't help but kneel down on one knee, lowering their heads and saying nothing, as if they were waiting for military orders.

As soon as the two entered the camp, they gave people a sense of oppression like a beast. These were definitely the two dragons of Yuanmen in the famous town of Hexi!

Fang Zhongyong slowly stood up, walked to them, and helped the two of them up.

"Do you still know this handsome guy?"

(End of this chapter)