Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 340 You’ve fallen so far
hot! It’s so exciting!

Fang Chongyong led the cavalry of the Xiaojie Army with three hundred silver spears and rushed non-stop from Yizhou to Xizhou. After resting for a while in Gaochang City, the state capital, he went to Yanqi Town along the "Yinshan Road".

Fang Chongyong found that he seemed to have overestimated his tolerance for bad weather. The constant inhalation of hot air made him feel like his body was being cooked. He wanted to drink water all the time, but he couldn't drink water frequently.

Not only that, he also had to wrap himself tightly to prevent too much sweat from evaporating and causing dehydration.

If you weren’t in a hurry, you wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble!

If you don’t go to Xizhou, you won’t know how terrifying the extreme desert climate is! Compared with the extremely hot weather in Xizhou, the desert in Dunhuang is a bit lovely.

After all, the prototype of the Flame Mountain in "Journey to the West" is Xizhou, the kind where eggs can be fried on the ground! It’s weird if it’s not hot!
Sure enough, it was still sloppy!

Fang Chongyong scolded Gao Xianzhi for frequently causing trouble in his heart! If Bi was not fond of causing trouble, would he have to travel in the desert day and night?
However, before Fang Chongyong and his party reached the Yinshan Road of Tianshan Mountain, they were already exhausted and unable to move forward. They had to rest in a place called Qiu Town and replenish their water supply.

Qiu Town is located on a hill where several small rivers converge. There is a Tang Army garrison here. The surrounding terrain is very complex, with numerous hills and a small amount of plains and terraces.

Fang Chongyong had learned in advance that according to the establishment of the Anxi Army, the garrison should have 48 soldiers. The town's general is responsible for managing nine surrounding beacon towers, five fixed posts, and a wheat field.

He Changqi cursed at the top of the city.

Ok?
Feng Changqing, who was thin and tanned, looked quite inconspicuous. He looked at the famous young military governor in Hexi with some confusion, not knowing what he wanted to do.

Fang Chongyong scolded He Changqi in a low voice and shouted to the top of the city: "This is Fang Chongyong, the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador appointed by the imperial court. He is passing by the garrison of Guzhen and wants to ask you for some water."

He has never seen each other before, right?
The atmosphere was inexplicably awkward for a while.

The Qiu Ba people who are strong and brave and fighting on the battlefield are just in a very dangerous state of existence, and the war is precarious.

"Ambassador Hui, that's me.

The three hundred silver spear Xiaojie Army led their horses up the hill. Looking at this Tang Army garrison standing beside the key road, they were all surprised and speechless! This hill is at least seven or eight hundred meters high. Although it is next to a water source and the terrain is not steep, carrying water up and down the mountain is a troublesome task.

But they can always drink a lot of wine and eat a lot of meat, or they can be high-ranking officials with generous salaries, or they can return their bodies wrapped in horse leather.

The scene before us is the real bitter cold place and the normal state of the frontier troops in the Western Region.

When Datang didn't treat people as human beings, it really didn't treat people as human beings. Women are used as men, and men are used as livestock.

Fang Chongyong took out the gold fish charm of silver spear and filial piety from his waist and waved it in front of Feng Changqing, with a confident and high-spirited look on his face.

There are only a dozen families in the town, and there are no walls built. They all live around the fort. This fort, which is located on a hill and far away from the water source under the hill, is about the same length and width, about thirty meters by visual inspection, and is two stories high.

Soon, the courtyard door on the earthen wall opened, and a thin middle-aged officer of the Anxi Army came forward. He knelt down on one knee very humbly. The other party Zhongyong cupped his fists and saluted:
"Feng Changqing, the general of the town of Yuzhen, pays homage to Ambassador Fang! Eat food and drink water, and prepare now. Ambassador Fang and his colleagues from Yinqianxiaojie are invited to rest in the fort."

Feng Changqing was quite hesitant.

Fang Chongyong patted Feng Changqing's shoulder and said eagerly.

"Let the deputy town general take over your position. From now on, you will be by my ambassador's side and serve as a military advisor."

Farmland has also been opened up on the hills to grow highland barley. There are no water sources around, so it is necessary to rely on manpower to carry water from the bottom of the mountain to the top for irrigation.

As a result, he was sent here because he offended Gao Xianzhi's confidant Zheng Dequan. Now that Fang Chongyong asked him to leave the Anxi military establishment, although it was just a matter of words to Gao Xianzhi, how would others view him?
"The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army is the personal army of the saints. They can choose suitable candidates from the frontier army in the Western Region at will. There will be no need to think too much about sealing the town. Whatever official position you have with Gao Xianzhi, it will still be the same when you are with this ambassador."

After doing this, the town general shouted to the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army outside the earthen wall below the garrison: "Which Tang Army are you from? Do you have fish charms and military orders? Why are you here at Qiu Town?" "

"I am the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army under the direct control of the Saint. This person next to me is the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador. Why don't you bring out the good wine and food to work for the army!"

After saying that, Fang Chongyong was about to take off the black military uniform he was wearing. Yan Chao hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and persuaded him in a low voice: "Fang Jieshuai, there is no need for you to change your clothes. General Feng will take off his uniform and let General Feng wear it." , no hindrance, no hindrance.”

Feng Changqing?
Why is he so miserable!
Fang Chungyong suppressed the doubts in his heart, quickly helped him up, and said with emotion: "You have fallen to this!"

Some time ago... I offended the son of the high deputy governor's wet nurse, Zheng Dequan, the tenth general of the Anxi Army, and was sent here to serve as the town general. "

There is also a beacon tower and four arrow towers on the fort. It can be called a super small castle. Although it is small, it has all the internal organs.

Feng Changqing knew that the matter could not be changed, so he quickly stood up and saluted with clasped fists. I was in a state of confusion, not knowing whether this was a blessing or a curse.

There is an earthen wall more than one meter high outside the fort. In addition to the fort, there are six or seven stone houses enclosed, which seem to be used to store grain and raise horses.

Feng Changqing said with a sad expression. Zheng Dequan was very famous in the Anxi army, and he didn't like him, so he found an excuse to report to Gao Xianzhi and kicked Feng Changqing out of Kucha City.

"Put this ambassador's military uniform on you first, and take off the shabby Anxi Army uniform you are wearing."

Drinking water can actually be solved down the mountain, and there is no need to go up the mountain to find trouble. Fang Chongyong came here just to see what kind of life the Tang Army on the border of the Western Regions lived on.

In addition, they also have to find ways to maintain the daily supplies of the fort and repair and maintain the buildings.

How do the people on this hill live on weekdays?
The Qiu Ba of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army looked at each other, unable to understand.

He joined the army very late, only joining the Anxi army at the age of thirty, and Gao Xianzhi didn't want him at all. It was he who cried and begged to be accepted by the other party before he could serve as a soldier by Gao Xianzhi's side.

The Tang Army under the Beiting Protectorate was very concentrated and their living conditions were very good, not much worse than the Tang Army in the Hexi Corridor. But starting from this garrison, there are the soldiers and horses of the Anxi Protectorate, and it is the outpost of Yanqi Town.

The establishment originally had only forty-eight people, and many of them were out patrolling. When the town general on duty saw a large group of people riding up the mountain, he immediately ordered the courtyard gate to be closed and sent people to the beacon tower to prepare for lighting the fire at any time.

The large scope of its management, the number of complicated affairs, and the few soldiers made Fang Chongyong dumbfounded and unbelievable.

"This……"

"The general will obey your orders!"

If you take a casual look, you will know that the living conditions in Anxi are much worse than those in Beiting.

Fang Chongyong came back to his senses, coughed lightly to cover up his gaffe, helped Feng Changqing up, patted the dust on his body and asked: "I heard that Gao Xianzhi, the deputy governor, has an assistant officer next to him, who is proficient in strategy and planning, named Feng Changqing. Chang Qing, do you just have the same name as him?"

Eh?
Wang Nannan, He Changqi, Guan Chongsi and others behind Fang Chongyong were all shocked. Even Yan Chao, who was used to Fang Chongyong's eclectic behavior, couldn't understand what this "Hexi Qilin" had in mind.

"No rudeness!"

After saying that, he winked at He Changqi.

"Yes, yes, Fang Jieshuai, if you change your clothes for General Feng to wear, none of us would dare to talk to General Feng. This is not good for General Feng."

If General Yan’s uniform doesn’t fit, you can just take off General Yan’s uniform! "

He Changqi also spoke to persuade.

"What you said makes sense, General Yan. Let's change it to yours." Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"By the way, who is the general Zhang Sancheng is guarding?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly remembered this incident and asked with squinted eyes. He guessed that since Feng Changqing was in the Anxi Army, he should know some inside information.

Hearing this, Feng Changqing's expression changed several times, and then he lowered his voice and said, "The envoy guarding Zhang Sancheng is none other than Zheng Dequan."

A guard can hold between 700 and 2,000 people, depending on the deployment of troops. Gao Xianzhi arranged for his family to stay at this spot on the outskirts of Qiuci Town. It was indeed very clever, and it was not considered "nepotism".

The ten generals themselves manage thousands of people in the army. With his arrangement, others have nothing to say.

"What about Yanqi Town?"

Fang Chongyong asked again.

"The commander of Yanqi Town is Li Siye. Also stationed here are his three thousand Mo Sword Army."

Feng Changqing answered honestly.

"After so many years, Lao Li has not been promoted."

Fang Chongyong muttered to himself thoughtfully.

In fact, in recent years, the senior officials of the Tang Dynasty's frontier army have been a carrot and a trap in the Western Regions.

Because the area under their control has basically remained unchanged, it would be difficult for the senior frontier army leaders to rise to the top without external transfer. When he was in Shazhou, Fang Chongyong knew that Li Siye was the military envoy of Modao Army, and he still holds this position now.

Of course, Li Siye is now transferred from outside Qiuci City to Yanqi Town. His nominal position has not changed, but his actual authority has been improved. Yanqi Town has rich water and grass, farming, and a large lake next to it where you can eat aquatic products. It is really much more comfortable than staying in Kucha City.

Fang Chongyong remembered that in his previous life, Bosten Lake in Yanqi Town was one of the largest organic fish production bases in China and had abundant fish resources. It’s really rewarding to be a town general in this place!
The distribution of interests among the four towns in Anxi is indeed very interesting!
Fang Chongyong nodded calmly and asked Feng Changqing to hand over the military affairs. He asked the following generals to replenish drinking water and rested for the night in Qiu Town. Early the next morning, the entire army set off, with Feng Changqing serving as the front army guide, leading the 300-silver-gun Xiaojie Army through the first moraine of the "Yinshan Road": Yushi moraine.

Three hundred people walked for a day. As the terrain gradually rose, there were strange rocks with holes on both sides. They were either yellow sand or stones. The stones on both sides of the road seemed to be cut with knives, straight and straight, just like the ones they had walked through before. Mohe Yanqi is almost carved out of the same mold.

Along the way, in addition to drought, Fang Chongyong felt insurmountable geographical difficulties.

The so-called "moraine" is a kind of terrain with continuous mountains and irregular roads. Many stones in the "mountain" have been blown out of holes by the wind, and there is no grass growing around them.

This is a kind of terrain between the Gobi and the desert. It is not easy to climb, but it can be traversed. In the Western Region, "moraine" is often a geographical isolation zone that separates two regions but does not completely block them.

Expanding territory means finding ways to overcome these obstacles.

"How far is it from Yinshan Pavilion?"

Fang Chongyong pointed to the mountain road heading towards lower altitudes and asked Feng Changqing. Yinshan Pavilion is very famous and is the most important supply oasis in the surrounding area.

Yinshan Pavilion was a post station established during the Zhenguan period, and it was also one of the few in the Western Regions. The farmland covered an area of ​​70 to 80 acres, and there was also a very small fort nearby.

"We are about to enter Yinshan Qi, and there is still one day to go to Yinshan Pavilion. Keep walking along this road, pass Yinshan Pavilion and continue to the west. Not far away is Luguang Pavilion. Further west, We arrived at Zhang Sancheng's garrison. The city was built on a hill.

Over the hills is the large oasis plain of Yanqi Town and Yanqi Lake. "

Feng Changqing pointed at the undulating mountain road ahead with his riding whip and said. You can't rest at night along this way, and you need to drive non-stop.

"Understood!"

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and ordered to He Changqi: "Continue on the road and no one is allowed to stop. You go to the back of the team to supervise and help those who are falling behind."

"Order!"

After He Changqi left, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but touch the sweat on his forehead. He had paid great attention to cooling and ventilation, but most people really couldn't bear the scorching heat.

"Jie Shuai, do you want to set up camp?"

Duan Xiushi immediately stepped forward and asked.

In fact, it was not just Fang Chongyong who was suffering, the entire team was being tested by the high temperature. Only Feng Changqing, who was accustomed to this kind of climate, remained calm and looked indifferent.

"Morale must be boosted but not depleted. Send the order, speed up the march, and never stop to rest!"

Fang Chongyong gritted his teeth and emphasized.

This team of them withstood the baking under the scorching sun, and finally arrived at Yinshan Pavilion without stopping. After replenishing the water supply, we continued on the road. After a day and night of trekking, we finally arrived at Zhang Sancheng's guarding station.

This place is stuck very cleverly, blocking the road from Yanqi Town to Xizhou.

To the west of Zhang Sancheng's guard, under the hills, is a large area of ​​cultivated farmland irrigated by snow water from the mountains and rivers to the north. To the south of the farmland is Yanqi Lake (Bosten Lake).

Everyone who wants to go to Yanqi Town from Xizhou must pass through the gate of Zhangsan City. Otherwise, they will have to risk crossing the mountain. Not only is the risk extremely high, but they are also unable to haul luggage.

Outside Zhang San City, a small market has formed. When Fang Chongyong and the others arrived, the sun was about to set. The small vendors were closing their stalls, making it a busy scene. Many of these people were wearing clothes that were very different from the people of the Tang Dynasty.

The clothes with bright fabrics are all in styles with lapels, double plackets, and narrow sleeves. Many people wear wide brocade belts, and there are also those looming strange goods, which look like an exotic scene.

This place is far more "open" than Shazhou, or to put it simply, this place was originally the territory of a small country in the Western Regions, but it was destroyed by Taizong's troops. Although the country was destroyed, the culture and customs will last forever, which is naturally inferior to that of the Central Plains.

Of course, the Yanqi Kingdom at that time and the current Yanqi Town were in the same place, and the customs were probably not entirely the customs of the past.

"The king is rare!"

Fang Chongyong shouted loudly.

"The general is here!"

Wang Nanran rode his horse forward, and the other party Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted.

"Go to Zhang Sancheng to guard the capture, and bring the general who blocked you from letting you pass over to see the Commander-in-Chief.

If anyone dares to disobey the military order, show off the fish charm of the Silver Spear of Filial Piety Army!
If you don't obey orders, kill him directly! Shuai is here to support you in this section! "

Fang Chongyong handed the fish charm on his waist to Wang Nan and said.

"Order!"

Wang Lan took the fish talisman and grinned, revealing a trace of undetectable ferocity.

(End of this chapter)