Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 371 Does a dog know he is a dog?

Suiye Town is located in the northwest of Atami. The few cities and pastures are basically distributed near the Suiye River and its tributaries.

Suiye Town had been occupied by the Tang Dynasty for many years, but could not hold it at all. Even in the Kaiyuan period, when the Tang army crippled Tu Qi Shi and briefly gained control of Suiye Town, they had no choice but to detain it and hand it over to Tu Qi Shi's remnants.

Hidden in this is a key factor that seems inconspicuous but plays a decisive role.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong looked at the endless sea of ​​heat in front of him and was dumbfounded.

He knew that this was the famous Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan in his previous life, but the lake in front of him was too big! For those who don’t know, they really think they are at the beach!

Atami is a closed lake with no outlet, and its area is indeed quite large. In Fang Chongyong's previous life, even if soil erosion was severe here, it still exceeded 6332 square kilometers!

The reason why it is called "Atami" is because the lake here does not freeze in winter! This is really extraordinary in the Western Region where the temperature difference between day and night often exceeds 50 degrees.

"Feng Canjun, how do we take this route?"

Fang Chongyong pointed to the roads on the left and right sides of the lake shore with his riding whip and asked.

The inland lake is good, the wind and waves are calm, and it is suitable for water transportation. This lake, according to previous life data, has a maximum water depth of several hundred meters and an average water depth of more than two hundred meters. It is enough to operate an aircraft carrier here! Taking a walk on the grain transport ship was like water.

He Changqi suddenly realized it, patted his head and said: "Look at the brain of the general, it is really incomparable with that of the commander. It turns out that it is a salt water lake. No wonder the court did not make Suiye Town a household for all the people."

Atami is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the lake is distributed in an irregular oval shape, long from east to west and short from north to south. The eastern end of the oval is the grassland of the Tekes River Basin, and the western end, a little further north, is the core area of ​​Broken Leaf Town.

Duan Xiushi said with clasped fists and a salute, then neatly turned the horse's head and walked back.

This is the inevitable choice of the times, rather than the lack of strategic vision of the ancients.

In the south, there are many rivers formed by melted snow-capped mountains, and the climate is relatively warm. Therefore, even in winter, water from the snowy mountains will melt and flow into the Atami, so there is no need to worry about marching water sources.

The road along the lake in the north leads directly to Yezhi City, the important town of Suiye, where Tuqishi deployed heavy troops. Although this road is short, there is no water supply along the way in autumn and winter. In this season, there is a risk of water shortage as the army marches from here.

“In the future, after the grain from the Ili Valley is transported here by land, it will be transferred directly to Yezhi City through Rehai and water.

As soon as this statement came out, the generals were shocked, and everyone looked at Fang Chongyong with doubts.

Fang Chongyong pointed his riding crop at the endless sea of ​​heat in front of him and said.

"Duan Sima, you go back to Bagua City now, recruit thousands of new households, and build a ferry here."

Some people are as confused as He Changqi, but don't want to expose their lack of knowledge in this area;

"How can such a big lake still be short of water?"

If Atami is a freshwater lake, we can rely on building canals to divert lake water to irrigate surrounding farmland, cultivate hillside terraces, and develop fishery resources. Atami also has the characteristic of not freezing in winter.

Fang Chongyong explained with a smile.

However, the problem with this road is that not only is the distance relatively long, but also there are two early warning cities on this route called Dongcheng and Helie City. After passing these two small towns, Yezhi City is ahead.

Fang Chongyong looked at Duan Xiushi and said, pointing at the lake in Atami with his riding crop.

He Changqi asked in confusion. Many people present glanced at him and unanimously chose to remain silent without saying anything more.

"Back to Jieshuai, there are only two ways to cross Atami.

But who told Atami to be a saltwater lake?
Just one word, and it screwed up the surrounding area.

The huge sea of ​​​​Atami blocked logistical supplies and the cost of transporting grain to Zhiye was too high, making it unworthy of establishing households to allocate the people.

It has to be said that this introduction was very high-level. All the generals around Fang Chongyong looked at it. They felt that Feng Changqing was not a simple person. He was quite knowledgeable. He also had the courage to go alone as an envoy to where the tenth Khan of Tuqi Shi was. It can be said that he is brave and resourceful.

Not only can the lake water here not irrigate farmland, but local residents have to prevent the lake water from flowing back to prevent the land from becoming salinized!

Others noticed it, but didn't want to take the initiative to show off.

In fact, as long as you take a sip of lake water now, you will know why there is an unusual lack of water here. No one needs to explain it. "

Moreover, Atami does not freeze in winter, so there is no risk of water stranding. There is really no better way to transport grain than water transport.

"I have the order! I will do it quickly, I think it won't be a big problem. There is a lot of wood in the Ili Valley."

Among the four towns in Anxi, the main reason why Datang could not truly control Suiye Town was actually in this sea of ​​heat.

Feng Changqing suggested, cupping his fists and saluting.

In the Tang Dynasty, without the blessing of modern industry, the geographical environment here was not salvageable at all. It was not suitable for housing too many people, and the productivity level could not increase.

What he said was right to the point.

This area has no problem feeding a million people! With the population, Datang could naturally organize this area into all households and directly control it.

To sum it up in four words: dire straits.

Otherwise, if we had to transport grain by land along such a long and narrow road along the lake, it would take until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse.

"Wang rarely led five thousand troops and marched to the southern front with great fanfare. When attacking Frozen City, remember not to attack too hastily. You can slow down and attract the main force of Tuqishi to the southern front.

The last general suggested that we divide our forces right where we are now, and that the two armies should attack together and then meet at Yezhi City. "

However, the advantage of taking this route is that because it is a seasonal river, there are no cities to garrison in this area, and it is impossible for the enemy to continuously ambush in this area.

"A general who doesn't know geography, mountains and rivers is a mediocre person. He Laohu, haven't you seen that there is no dense forest on the shore of this big lake?
In such a land with abundant water resources, trees should have appeared in large tracts, and they could not be cut down all. There are only some salt-tolerant shrubs and weeds here, but no big trees, which speaks volumes.

These will not be based on personal will, and cannot be done by boasting.

Without food and grass, our military front will not last long. How can we compete with the enemy then? "

Only after next spring, when the snowy mountains melt, will rivers flow into the Atami, and then there will be no shortage of water.

The ambassador personally led the troops to take the northern route and attack Yezhi City! "

Fang Chongyong assigned military affairs in a few clicks, showing his strong decision-making ability, decisiveness in situations, and decisive command.

However, after hearing this, Wang Ruoyong clasped his fists and saluted Fang Zhongyong and said: "Commander, let the last general take the north road. How can the commander of the three armies take risks? If something happens, and the group of dragons is leaderless, will the army return without success? "?"

"Commander Jie, what General Wang said is true. If there is trouble when he attacks Yezhi City, it will only cause chaos for one army. Commander Jie is in charge of the overall situation on the southern front, and we still have a chance.

If the general is in danger during an attack and the soldiers of the three armies lose their command, wouldn't they run around like headless flies?
When the time comes, the situation will be out of control! "

He Changqi also stood up and persuaded.

"That's fine. General Wang, are five thousand soldiers and horses enough?"

Fang Chongyong obeyed the advice and agreed with Wang's rare suggestion.

"Come back to the Commander-in-Chief, five thousand elite soldiers are enough. Today's Tu Qi Shi is no longer as brave as he used to be. The final general will cut each one with one sword!"
If we can't take Yezhi City, we will finally come to see you! "

Wang Rao said with excitement. The merits of war are right in front of you. If you don't strive for them, what's the point of Qiu Ba?
Hearing the other party's expression of loyalty, Fang Chongyong smiled slyly and told Feng Changqing beside him: "Where are you going to join the army? Write a military order to General Wang. There is no joke in the army. If you can't take Yezhi City, it won't make sense!"

ha?
After hearing this, many people looked at Wang Ran with gloating eyes, with malicious smiles on their faces.

Wang Nanwan wished he could slap himself in the face several times!
They say misfortune comes from the mouth, but in the military, why do you start to show off when your head gets hot?
At this moment, he regretted it endlessly and couldn't take back what he said, so he had to pretend to be indifferent. Seeing Feng Changqing hand over the written military order, Wang Rao immediately wrote his name boldly on it and pressed his fingerprint.

This is called losing the enemy but not losing the formation, breaking the teeth and swallowing it in the belly.

After signing the military order, Wang Nan did not forget to continue to express his loyalty in front of Fang Chongyong: "Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, I will do what I say!"

“What does this ambassador want with your head? I just want Yezhicheng.

Go ahead and bring plenty of water, but use it sparingly.

Livestock can drink the water from Atami, and there is no problem in drinking it for horses. In fact, this trip is not as dangerous as you think. "

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said.

Soon, the army of more than 10,000 people was divided into two groups, heading towards the north and south roads along the Atami coast.

Duan Xiushi, on the other hand, built a moderate-sized ferry somewhere in the easternmost section of Rehai according to Fang Chongyong's instructions. Then he ordered the people to carry grain and fodder from the Ili Valley and store it here, and at the same time use the wood from Ili to build canals.

No one expected that Fang Chongyong would suddenly have the idea to let the Anxi Expeditionary Force use water transportation.

What they did not expect was that in the future, the vast Atami would be used for water transportation, which would perfectly solve the problem of transporting grain to broken leaves. This move extended the distance that the Tang army could extend on the front line, which profoundly affected the course of the war. …

The autumn wind is bleak, and there is already a slight chill in Guanzhong. However, those who feel the chill and are worried about the coming winter are just ordinary people.

As for the officials and nobles in Chang'an City, their lives were no different from other times.

There is no shortage of brocade silk and satin on them, as well as cotton cloth that is increasingly available on the market and transferred from Hexi and other places. The floor is heated in the house, the heater is in the hand, poetry is recited on the lips, fine wine is brewed on the table, and the beauty is held in the arms.

The days of these people are always poetic and full of beauty and enjoyment.

The sufferings of the world have always been far away from them.

Among them, Brother Ji is the most important.

At this moment, he was soaking in the hot springs in the Jiulong Hot Spring in Huaqing Palace. The temperature around him was as pleasant as the spring in the south of the Yangtze River.

The musicians in the Liyuan played music in the distance, which was like the sound of mountains and flowing water, which was very pleasant.

Since the last time he came to Huaqing Palace in the north of Lishan from Xingqing Palace in Chang'an, Brother Ji has lived here permanently and never returned to Chang'an.

The sealing items he needed for his daily work were also brought along with him. Every time Li Linfu wanted to report work, he had to set off from Chang'an to Lishan, which took two days and was very troublesome.

But Brother Ji doesn't care about the courtiers running back and forth. It's not him who is in trouble anyway, so what does it matter?

"Sage, Yu Chaoen is back."

Gao Lishi bent over and came to the hot spring pool and reported in a low voice, for fear of disturbing Brother Ji's enjoyment.

"Quick, pass quickly!"

Brother Ji stood up from the hot spring pool with a splash. He couldn't help the excitement and eagerness he showed!
Totally from the heart.

After a while, Yu Chaoen came, with a flattering smile on his face, as if he was eager to take credit.

Seeing this scene, Gao Lishi frowned slightly, but did not say a word and still led him to the hot spring pool where Brother Ji was.

"Tell me, how about the Western Region?"

Brother Ji's face was now as calm as water, and he sat back in the soup pool. It was as if the excitement just now was all fake.

"Returning to the saint, Ambassador Fang built a city in the Ili Valley, named it Bagua City, and petitioned the court to organize households and people.

In addition, he also applied to the imperial court to name the Ili Valley Lizhou and bring it under the jurisdiction of the Beiting Protectorate. "

Yu Chaoen said cautiously.

"Okay, okay, these are just trivial matters! Just do as he says!"

Brother Ji scolded impatiently.

Could it be that what he wanted to hear was that Fang Chongyong was building cities in the Western Regions and organizing households to unite the people?
Yes, this kind of thing is indeed a good thing for Datang, but so what?

It's nothing more than getting more wealth for the court, more strongholds for the border troops, and recruiting more soldiers, but so what?

No matter how large the territory of the Tang Dynasty was, could it extend the life of his emperor?

Seeing Brother Ji's face turn from sunny to gloomy, and a heavy rain was approaching, Yu Chaoen swallowed his saliva, and then whispered: "Over there in the Western Region, I asked for medicine to no avail..."

"Then you still have the nerve to come back! What are you doing when you come back? I ask you what you are doing when you come back?"

The naked Brother Ji suddenly became furious, stepped out of the hot spring pool, kicked Yu Chaoen to the ground, and stared at him with a ferocious expression.

He scolded Yu Chaoen fiercely: "You old dog, is it because I'm so good to you that you don't want to work hard? I don't want to hear this, think about it again, what else is worth saying! If I can’t tell you why, but I have plenty of ways to deal with you!”

"Sage, please calm down and listen to Yu Chaoen speak slowly. He didn't speak well, and it won't be too late to punish him."

Gao Lishi consoled him slowly. It seems that he is speaking for Yu Chaoen, but in fact he has forced him into a corner.

"Saint, calm down!
In fact, the slave did not get nothing.

Nu inquired and heard a rumor that when Prime Minister Zhuge of the Shu Han Dynasty was on his southern expedition, he used a local tortoise and Smilax cocos as the main medicine to make a soup to treat sores.

I thought this recipe might be worth a try. "

Yu Chaoen knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately. While kowtowing, he quickly told the "legends of the world" that Anaye casually mentioned.

"Go find it, or you should go find it yourself! I don't want to hear any stories, I want to see actual results!

You leave now for Shu, Lingnan, and, by the way, Nanzhao. Then send me some of all kinds of turtles to Chang'an!
No, no, no, not just these places, but the turtles of the entire Tang Dynasty!
Hercules, go and pass a message to all parts of the Tang Dynasty and all states and counties to donate turtles, and all the governors who are perfunctory in their work will be replaced!
There were also Smilax cocos and other things, and they were all donated to Chang'an, so that the doctors at the Imperial Hospital could study the prescriptions! The sooner the better!
If anyone doesn't work hard, I will dismiss him from his post and never employ him again!"

Brother Ji gasped excitedly and roared.

Now he is like a drowning man grabbing a life-saving straw, which he must hold on to no matter what.

In order to achieve his goal, he will do whatever it takes!
Yu Chaoen got up from the ground, his forehead was covered with blood, and he didn't bother to wipe it off. After giving a respectful salute to Brother Ji, he rushed out of Huaqing Palace in a hurry.

Eunuchs are the emperor's domestic slaves. Such people often regard their master's orders as more important than their lives in order to gain trust.

In addition, they often do not have the mainstream concept of right and wrong in society, and the emperor's will is their only calculation.

Of course, if the emperor cannot suppress them, there will be a phenomenon of slaves bullying their masters!

From this perspective, in the eyes of the emperor, obedient eunuchs are always more lovable than those civil servants and military generals.

Who doesn’t like a bitch who does what he says?

These are just human nature.

After Yu Chaoen left, Brother Ji got dressed and then returned to a certain palace in Huaqing Palace to rest. It’s called rest, but it’s actually about meditation.

The donation of the turtle will definitely arouse the suspicion of many people, and he needs to spread some smoke bombs to the outside world.

"Lishi, go back to Chang'an and tell Ge Nu that I want to raise tortoises in Xingqing Palace and collect all kinds of tortoises from all over Chang'an, preferably exotic ones.

If you offer a reward, as long as I am satisfied, I will reward you generously. "

Brother Ji looked calm and spoke word by word.

His words confused Gao Lishi.

Raise a turtle?
There were turtles in the pond of Daming Palace! How could such a poor excuse scare outsiders?
"Sage, this matter is not difficult to handle. But why did the saint suddenly want to raise a tortoise? I'm afraid this matter will also arouse suspicion."

Gao Lishi didn't know how to persuade Brother Ji. He found that the emperor he had served for decades was in a daze!

Now there is a rumor that turtles can cure diseases, so there is a nationwide search for all kinds of turtles. Although it is said to be a big deal, it is really not a big deal. With the efforts of the whole country, what does it mean to get some turtles?

But if there are rumors in the future that "giant fish" (that is, whales) can cure diseases, will we really go to the sea to catch giant fish that are bigger than boats?

If things continue like this, I can’t believe what will happen in the future!

“What’s so difficult about this.

Just tell Ge Nu, I want to live as long as a tortoise, so I want to raise more tortoises of different types. Isn’t it okay to love the house and the tortoise? When is it your turn to teach me how to do things? "

Brother Ji was so angry that he picked up the paperweight on the table and threw it at Gao Lishi!

But it didn't hit him because the force was a little lacking. The paperweight fell to Gao Lishi's feet and rolled around a few times without even touching the hair.

"Please calm down the saint, I will do it now!"

Gao Lishi knelt on the ground and kowtowed. He had served Brother Ji for decades, and he had never seen him so angry.

After carefully exiting the room, Gao Lishi sighed helplessly.

The saint's temperament has changed a lot in the past few years. The political situation in Chang'an City has gradually become chaotic, and the fights between various scholars have become more and more fierce.

The Tang Dynasty has a long road ahead. How will it continue on this road?

(End of this chapter)