Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 359 Gongyue Ancient Road
In the early autumn of the ninth year of Tianbao, Fang Chongyong, the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador, sent an envoy to the Stone Kingdom of the Western Regions to hold him accountable on the grounds of "disrespect to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Not long after the envoy set off from Beiting Jinmancheng, Fang Chongyong led the front army with 2,000 elite cavalrymen from the Han navy who were familiar with the people in the Suiye area, and he personally led the 3,000 Silver Spear Xiaojie Army with the middle army following closely behind.

Passing the "Gongyue Ancient Road", starting from Tingzhou, we headed to Suiye Town, which was controlled by Tuqishi's pro-Tang forces.

The remaining troops of the Anxi Expeditionary Force were divided into two, with 5,000 men each, and were managed by Guan Chongsi and Wang Nannan respectively. One of them was in the rear, with one person and two horses, and they set off five days after the front army set off.

In another part, all the mounts were replaced by camels, with three camels per person to carry grain, grass and baggage.

Why didn't the army go out at once?

Because there is only one large supply point in Gongyue City between Suiye Town and Tingzhou. With a team of more than 10,000 people, carrying horses and livestock on the road, the logistical pressure was too great, and finding water sources for the army was extremely troublesome.

The correct way to open is to separate and attack together.

It has to be said that the climate in northern Xinjiang is much wetter than that in southern Xinjiang. The area where Tingzhou is located is one of the few places in the Western Region that can sustain farming by relying on rainfall. The Tang Dynasty located the strategic support point of the Western Regions in Tingzhou, which was actually a choice based on local conditions.

Along the way, Fang Chongyong saw a series of forts built by the Tang army on the "corridor" of Tingzhou. The largest one and the one closest to Jinmancheng was the Tang Luntai mentioned in Cen Shen's poem.

"Going south from Gongyue City is the Ili River. The river runs east-west in this section. We chose a good place on the east bank of the Ili River to build the city. The generals have thought about it and called it Ili City. I heard that the water and grass here are rich. There are many trees, which makes it a geomantic treasure land.

This stronghold is not far from Jinman City. The two are horns and watch each other. Its role in defending against the invasion of northern nomads is irreplaceable. It is considered the second largest town in Tingzhou.

Because the transfer of grain and fodder itself involves strategic thinking and military planning. If you can't guess what Fang Chongyong is thinking, then you won't be able to choose the location he likes.

Fang Chongyong ordered Feng Changqing, who was serving as a soldier next to him.

After marching for many days, Fang Chongyong led the three thousand silver spear Xiaojie Army to the edge of a terrifyingly large lake. The water and grass here are abundant, and birds are everywhere inhabiting the tidal flats.

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and continued to ask: "For this expedition, food and grass are indispensable. However, there are not many places where we can supply supplies along the way. It is very important to maintain the food route. The ambassador wants to travel between Jinmancheng and Suiye Town in Tingzhou Looking for a place to transfer grain and fodder, where do you think it is best to choose?”

I saw you off at the east gate of Luntai. When you left, the road to Tianshan Mountain was covered with snow. I’m talking about this Luntai City.

It is said to be a "small city", but it is actually as big as the inner city of Jinman City. It is a rectangular city, about one thousand meters long and six hundred meters wide. Although there are only two nested structures inside and outside, the city wall is extremely tall and easy to defend but difficult to attack.

When there is no war, the troops are divided and garrisoned. When fighting, they were gathered together to form a field army. This was more like the standard organization and equipment of the border guard army in the Han Dynasty.

"Don't be busy with that yet, this ambassador wants to test you."

The more Feng Changqing talked, the more excited he became, wishing that Fang Chongyong would immediately order the construction of Ili City.

However, the general found out that not only Gongyue City had been abandoned in that area, but now only ruins remained. It is said that the nearby rivers are also in a state of seasonal water shortage.

The signature is the Vanguard Army of the Vast Sea.

This series of small cities were built on the riverside to prevent the northern nomads from penetrating into Tingzhou along the river. Points formed into lines form the defense lines in the northwest two directions of Tingzhou's defense.

This is a small city on the side of the lake, located on a relatively high hill.

Fang Chongyong heard from Fumeng Lingcha that the situation in Beiting was a bit special, or that the garrison in the Western Region was special. The garrison of the fort did not fix the garrison in one place. Generally speaking, it is a fixed establishment of only a few dozen people per garrison, stationed in the garrison day and night, and maintaining the daily operation of the garrison and beacon tower.

A large number of regular troops act as "mobile sentries" to ensure the safety of surrounding areas through daily inspections and "check-ins." Therefore, the relationship between these Shouchu and Han Haijun is not that they are equal units like the Hexi side, but that their soldiers are all from Han Haijun.

This question seems easy to answer, but in fact it is not.

If the grain transfer place is located here, something unexpected may happen after autumn. "

This is the vanguard unit of the Anxi Expeditionary Force. After they arrived here, they were worried that Fang Chongyong and the others were foreign troops who did not know the local situation, so they deliberately left a sign here.

Only in emergencies would surrounding herdsmen be allowed to enter the fort and join in the defense.

He believed that Feng Changqing would understand this truth.

Raising cattle, sheep and horses here will not only prevent them from becoming thin, but will also keep them fat! Using this place as the logistics fulcrum, this time's westward expedition to Shi Kingdom is a piece of cake. "

"Ambassador Fang, there are twenty-three rivers around this lake, which can be used by horses to drink. There is no need to worry about the lack of water sources. The general can now direct the army to the nearest river bank to camp.

Feng Changqing thought for a while, then replied calmly:
"Commander Jie, if we follow the ordinary method, we would naturally choose the supply point that has been there since the Han Dynasty, which is where Gongyue City is located.

"It turns out to be the Ili River Valley, so no wonder."

Who from a thousand years later would not know where the Ili Valley is!

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and murmured to himself.

He turned over and dismounted, then frowned slightly, looking at the huge wooden sign stuck on the shore of the lake, he couldn't help but sigh.

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong nodded slightly without comment, waiting for Feng Changqing's next words. When raising a problem, you must also have a solution to the problem, otherwise it will be useless.

The terrain of Xinjiang is a situation of "encircled by arms". Mountains such as the Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains, and Kunlun Mountains enclose a very large basin.

In addition to Tang Luntai, there are a series of other garrison forts, which can only house hundreds of people at most. They are all small towns named "Shouchu". From Zhangbao Shouchou, which is closest to Jinmancheng, to Donglin Shouchou, which is the farthest west.

Some of them came from local military households and were not included in the accounts of the Tang Dynasty War Department.

Well, that river is called Shuanghe, not far to the west. "

I saw the wooden sign saying: The salt lake here is not drinkable by humans and animals.

Eh?
Fang Chongyong glanced at Feng Changqing in surprise. He suddenly realized that this man seemed to be very qualified to be a consultant!

Although the westernmost part of Beijiang in the north is also blocked by mountains, it is not completely blocked!

The short Feng Changqing pointed to the west and said while holding a pamphlet in his hand.

Without the reminder from insiders, who would have thought that this place with abundant water and grass is actually a saltwater lake!
"Feng Changqing, go look around and see if there are any rivers or streams flowing to this place. The lake in front of us must be living water."

This is the essence of Xinjiang and even the entire Western Region, but it is currently caught between Tuqishi and the Tang Dynasty, so this geomantic treasure has been missed!

In the southern Xinjiang, the westernmost mountains are towering, blocking the monsoon from the Mediterranean side, preventing rainfall from forming.

Not only are these mountains absolutely low in altitude, they are also leaky from all sides like an old lady’s teeth.

As a result, in some places, the monsoon from the Mediterranean Sea in the west leaked in, forming rainfall areas in local areas. Among them, the Yili River Valley is the leader among these areas, with superior natural conditions.

I have to say that Feng Changqing still has some strategic vision. What is more important is to focus on on-site inspections and collect intelligence.

From a topographic point of view, the Ili River Valley is not stuck at the node before crossing the mountain like Gongyue City, and the role of military defense is not so obvious. But considering the Tang Dynasty's control over the Western Regions at this time, this shortcoming can be ignored.

"Building a city in Ili..."

Fang Chongyong weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

When it comes to building a city, even if more than 10,000 people work together, it will take at least a month to complete the construction, right? And I don’t know if suitable materials for city building can be found locally.

But if the city building is completed, it will be equivalent to advancing the front line hundreds of kilometers forward! The logistical benefits of this are self-evident!

"Well, you don't have to follow the team. Now go back to Jinmancheng, take the military order from this ambassador, mobilize all the craftsmen around Jinmancheng, and come to the Ili Valley to join the army.

It's okay for the Qiu Ba people to use their own strength, but building a city doesn't just rely on brute force, it also requires craftsmen.

Go, set off now and take a few soldiers with you! "Fang Chongyong wrote a military order on the spot, and asked Feng Changqing to take his gold fish charm and break away from the team and rush to Jinmancheng.

After Feng Changqing left, Fang Chongyong breathed a sigh of relief.

Datang's strategic collapse in Suiye Town has never fully recovered, and even places like the Ili River Valley are not under actual control. Of course, from the perspective of future generations, Suiye Town is too far from the center of Xinjiang, and it is outside the terrain surrounded by arms, so it is geographically disadvantaged.

But the Yili River Valley is within the range of power radiation. Because the crumbling Qing government was ineffective, even if Zuo Zongtang tried his best, he could only save half of Ili.

Can building a city in Ili now affect our fortunes a thousand years from now?
Fang Chongyong didn't know what would happen in the end. He only knew that although many things were troublesome, they still needed someone to do them.

Anyway, we are already here, why not just build a city.

Secrecy is a top priority in the military, and Fang Chongyong has not told anyone his true thoughts so far.

Don't look at the fact that he was so angry that he issued a "diplomatic edict" to the Shi Kingdom, and that he led his troops to attack the Shi Kingdom in a hurry. Everything seemed so urgent.

But in fact, he had no intention of attacking Shiguo.

Although Fang Chongyong didn't say anything about the dirty work, Gao Xianzhi would do it all. If he couldn't even see this, Gao Xianzhi wouldn't need to hang out in the Western Regions.

Fang Chongyong's goal has always been to eat in black clothes.

Therefore, when marching along the way, you cannot go too fast. Of course, he certainly couldn't say this openly, otherwise the morale of the army would be loose.

Building a city in Yili is indeed a good excuse to delay. Che Guangqian has already led people to continue investigating westward, and intelligence from there will continue to come.

When Gao Xianzhi appeared in the south of Shiguo, Fang Chongyong felt that it was not too late to take action at that time.

"Alang, there are many herbs here. I went to collect them."

Anaye suddenly came over and whispered.

"This is a salt lake. Don't bathe in the lake."

Fang Chongyong said casually.

"Who does Alang think I am! I just want to collect more medicinal materials. If something happens later, I can provide some medicinal materials to the army."

Anaye made a face at Fang Chongyong and left with He Changqi and others.

"Well, a beautiful woman, a miracle doctor, and a princess, it's very stable. A goddess descended from the sky to save the world, that's great."

Fang Chongyong stared at Anaye's back, thoughtfully.

The Stone Kingdom was in chaos and the people were living in misery. Anaye, who was skilled in medicine and of royal blood, appeared in the capital of the Stone Kingdom, like a goddess descending to earth to save the people.

The story is pretty good.

Without Gao Xianzhi's cooperation, Anaye is just a puppet in the eyes of the people of Shiguo; with Gao Xianzhi smashing and looting all the way, Anaye is a living Bodhisattva.

Who is good and who is bad depends on peers. Without comparison, there is no identification.

"Send the order and the whole army will set off, march westward, and camp on the banks of the Shuanghe River."

Fang Chongyong ordered Duan Xiushi.

……

"Are you telling the truth?"

Prince Li Han looked calm and looked directly at Cheng Yuanzhen and asked, showing no anger or authority.

“Back to the prince, it’s true.

Two handsome men who were in love with Mrs. Guo Guo, one of them was poisoned to death recently after eating puffer fish, and the other was hit by a carriage while making trouble, only one day apart.

Rumor has it that Mrs. Guo was reluctant to part with their beauty and dragged them to the underworld together. "

Cheng Yuanzhen said softly.

"Is there anything big happening recently?"

Li Chen continued to ask.

"Back to the prince, there are many civil affairs and chaos. But as for the major events in the court, only Zheng Shuqing was conferred the third rank of Tongzhongshu by the saint. However, he did not interfere in the affairs of the prime minister and still served as the chief minister of Dali Temple.

Zheng Shuqing has recently sent many minor officials to prison for accepting bribes. I wonder what he is up to. "

Cheng Yuanzhen said with a puzzled look on his face.

What does Tongzhongshumenxia3pin mean?

In fact, it can be translated literally, which means that it is the same as the two third-rank prime ministers under Zhongshu's sect, but the official position is not this, but only qualified to participate in political affairs.

To put it simply, the emperor told the prime minister: This is my dog! My eyes and ears, please show your talents!

"Well, what else did you hear?"

Li Chen nodded slightly and continued to ask.

"I also heard that Mrs. Guo Guo did not die of drinking too much, but died of some strange disease because of her improper lifestyle.

There are rumors that this is to cover up his ugliness. Of course, this is just a rumor, a rumor. "

Cheng Yuanzhen was stared at so hard by Li Chan that his heart went crazy and his voice was trembling.

In fact, if these things are taken separately, there seems to be no problem at all.

Zheng Shuqing was originally the chief minister of Dali Temple, so it was normal for him to be a member of the third rank of Tongzhongshu.

Mrs. Guo Guo lived a disorderly life, and it was not uncommon to die from strange diseases in that area.

As for the accident that happened to her face, it wasn't something shocking, it was just a coincidence.

But if these things are connected in series, the flavor of conspiracy is too strong.

Where are there so many coincidences in the world? If there are too many coincidences, it means there is an invisible hand causing trouble!
"Go and check to see if there are any unpleasant rumors between the officials who were recently imprisoned by Zheng Shuqing and Mrs. Guo Guo.

I heard that many people do not hesitate to give generous gifts in order to have a night with Mrs. Guo. Check it out and see how these people are doing now! "

Li Chen squeezed Cheng Yuanzhen's wrist tightly and spoke in a rapid and heavy tone!
"I understand, I understand! Prince, please rest assured, rest assured!"

Cheng Yuanzhen's wrist was so painful from being pinched that he quickly assured him. When Li Xuan let go, he left the Prince's East Palace as if he had received an amnesty and went to inquire about the news.

After he left, Li Chan showed a mysterious smile and said to himself: "Old beast, let me catch your fox tail!"

(End of this chapter)