Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 376 Like God’s Favorite
"Tell me, I'm very busy."

Li Linfu said perfunctorily with an unhappy look on his face, and spoke politely to Liu Yan who was sitting opposite him.

For real talents, the right prime minister is still good at winning over.

As long as they were able to get things done, and as long as they didn't deliberately go against him, he would be willing to take them under his banner.

But the right prime minister also has the temper of the right prime minister, and the ideas of his subordinates must not conflict with his own.

"Right Prime Minister, regarding the connection between Jiaozi and the salt tax..."

Liu Yan asked cautiously.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Linfu finally couldn't bear it anymore and slapped the table hard.

Liu Yan suddenly fell silent.

"You, you, let me tell you what to say?"

After he left, Li Linfu sat alone in front of the table. He became more and more angry as he thought about it, and finally couldn't help but flip the table over!
Qiu Ba from the Hexi side is really not polite at all!
Come up with a "falling into the water" trick to deceive others.

Although he doesn't do it himself, he still has to ask from time to time.

However, if Liu Yan's plan is followed, this must be to sort out the country from top to bottom. The action cannot be small, and it cannot not require the emperor to personally come forward to remove obstacles.

The existing rent adjustment system is not suitable and must be abolished.

Li Linfu scolded Liu Yan loudly.

"Do you think I haven't considered the method of interrogating salt you mentioned?

The servant replied honestly.

Li Linfu said helplessly, he was really frightened by Liu Yan.

But things are far from that. The imperial court originally piloted Jiaozi in Hexi. Now it is running well there. The imperial court is jealous and wants to take it back.

"Thank you, Prime Minister. I will do my best to handle my errands despite my humble position."

Li Linfu felt dizzy after hearing this.

Li Linfu sighed, stood up, and walked around the study.

Gao Lishi indeed said these three words, and then hurried to Huaqing Palace in the north of Lishan Mountain.

There is no shortage of salt in the Tang Dynasty! There is no shortage in the northwest, and there is no shortage in the seaside!

Drastically change the salt tax to Jiaozi. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we can also suppress prices in Guanzhong and straighten out the canal trade.

The point is, this is a convenient way, but it's not the only way. If things really get serious, Brother Ji will not be able to protect himself. It is very likely that he, the right prime minister, will be used to settle the dispute.

If it weren't for Liu Yan's unique understanding of people's livelihood, economics and business operations, and his indispensable help in managing government affairs, Li Linfu would have kicked him out to be the governor.

By the way..."

Whether Liu Yan's policy has any effect, Li Linfu estimates that it is somewhat useful, or even very useful.

"Okay, okay, no need to say any more."

Go ahead, go ahead, I still have other things to be busy with, it is a major matter for the saint, don't make any more trouble! "

On the Hexi side, the truth was temporarily ignored, and Yan Zhuang, Cen Shen and other officials were reinstated.

Liu Yan bowed respectfully to Li Linfu and then exited the study.

At this moment, the servant who had gone to Xingqing Palace to see off the turtle during the day came back to report.

Look at the saints today, are they the same material?

Li Linfu asked with expectation, "What did Gao Jingshi say?"

This time he suffered a dumb loss.

Of course it is easy to find turtles, but after you find them, you find that many of them are duplicate species. It is quite a laborious task to collect more than ten different varieties.

Li Linfu was in a bad mood. It was not easy to collect these dozen kinds of turtles!

“There is a lot of salt in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, and there is a Changlu Salt Field to provide a place for Youyan.

"General Gao said: Got it."

After a long silence, Liu Yan crossed his hands and saluted Li Linfu:
“Right Chancellor, what you said has been considered even in my humble position.

Abolition of the mediocrity of rent is a big event, and Liu Yan may not even have a clue in his mind about all the aspects involved!

It doesn't make sense in itself.

Doesn't he, the Right Prime Minister, have no respect for face?
However, after thinking about it, Li Linfu discovered in despair that he really seemed to have no way to deal with those people in Hexi.

If you really want to get something done, try a salt tax at Changlu Saltworks. We will issue Hebei Jiaozi with the salt and salt tax from Changlu Salt Field as guarantee, and we will wait for a few years before deciding.

Salt comes much faster than silk! If you want to make a fuss in salt, someone must help you! "

Unless the army is used to solve it!

"No hint at all?"

As for the prime minister, even if ten thousand people die, there are still many people in the Tang Dynasty who can serve as prime ministers.

If Hexi is in chaos, it will be really chaos! Li Linfu actually knew how the emperor would choose.

"Back to the right minister, I really didn't see what General Gao was thinking at the time, but he didn't seem to care much."

The slave said a little aggrievedly.

Li Linfu couldn't help but sigh, and waved his hand, signaling the other party to get out!

After the servant left, Li Linfu's expression turned gloomy.

The saint has a strange disease! Among the prescriptions for treating diseases, one of the medicines is turtle! I just don’t know which part of the turtle’s body it is, and whether the prescription is correct.

Li Linfu thought that maybe the saint cast a net over a large area to get all kinds of turtles just to test the medicine!

The cold wind at night blew, and Li Linfu, who was pacing in the yard, suddenly felt cold all over.

The saint is suffering from a strange disease, and he is already at this age. Even if he is given the right medicine, how many years can he live?
When the emperor dies, who rules the world?
This answer is particularly crucial for Li Linfu.

Because it is almost certain that no matter who the next emperor is, he will not need his "ge slave" who controls the affairs of the court.

"Here, prepare a car. I'm going to Huaqing Palace."

Li Linfu shouted in the direction of the concierge.

……

Marching in the middle of the night in the Western Region is the norm, even standard equipment for most armies. The stars in the sky serve as guides, and combined with the directions of certain landmarks (such as mountains), it is actually not easy to get lost.

This cavalry of several thousand people is marching along the road from Zhezhi City in the State of Shi to the State of Kang. Although it is said to be a road, it is actually sandy land and deserted beach.

The target of their sneak attack was an important stronghold on the border between Kang State and Shi State: Juzhan Ticheng.

This city is located on the south bank of Yaosha River, less than 200 miles south of Zhezhi City. It is at the mouth of the Fergana Valley and falls under the jurisdiction of Kang State.

This city is a key node and bridgehead for guarding the capital of Kang State, Samadha City (Samarkand).

The strategic position is very important.

The core of Juzhanti City is a small castle about one hundred meters long and wide, built on a mound. Outside the castle, there are many reclaimed farmlands along Yaoshashui, as well as market towns and houses with little defense capabilities.

The whole together constitutes a well-layered city system. Many cities in the Western Regions are like this. The core castle has a very limited area. Ordinary civilians and slaves do not live in the castle.

To the north of Juzhanti City is Yaoxishui as a natural defense zone, and not far to the west is Samadang City, the capital of Kang State. It has to be said that Juzhanti's strategic position is formed by its location and is irreplaceable. It has little to do with how well the castle is built. Under the cover of darkness, this cavalry force of several thousand people arrived on the other side of Juzhanti City. On the other side, they saw that in addition to the dots on the castle and the outline of many torches, there was also a large-scale camp to the east.

There are lights all over the place, and there are a lot of troops stationed there!
"High Deputy Protector, do you want the army to cross the river?"

Xi Yuanqing, holding a horse in his hand, rode forward and asked Gao Xianzhi, who was at the front of the team.

This army turned out to be the Qingqi of the Anxi Army led by Gao Xianzhi!

Wrapped in a white robe, there is Tang Army standard leather armor that is common in the Western Regions.

Gao Xianzhi used a blind trick to put the slaves of the Shi Kingdom into the uniforms of the Anxi Army. During the day, the team left the Tang Army camp outside Zhezhi City, pretended to go to Talas City, and quietly returned to a large part of it at night.

Using such a cover-up method, Gao Xianzhi has gathered the main force of the Anxi Army's cavalry and is waiting for tonight.

Gao Xianzhi had long known that Da Shiren had an army in Juzhanti, and the scale was quite large.

He also knew why the other party hadn't taken action until now.

It’s not because the cannibals are stupid, but because the Abu Muslims are waiting for the freezing period of medicine and water!
As soon as late autumn arrives, the medicine will be frozen forever, especially at night.

But Abu Muslim must not have known that before it froze, the water was deep enough for horses to wade across the river.

This river formed by melting water from snow-capped mountains often changes its course in the middle and lower reaches, and the water depth in the dry season and the wet season is so different that it is like one in the sky and one on the ground.

It seems that there is a natural moat called Yaoxishui in the north of Juzhan Ti City, but it is not functioning at all at this time.

“The soldiers are large and weak, but I heard that the Muslims of Abu gathered more than 100,000 people.

Only by cutting off one of his arms can we escape intact on our return trip. "

Gao Xianzhi said to Xi Yuanqing expressionlessly.

"We will take the lead later."

Xi Yuanqing cupped his fists and saluted.

"Well, let's fight it quickly, don't delay.

If you see that the situation is about the same later, ask the flag officer next to you to tie the torch to the top of the flagpole as a trumpet, or listen to me blow the horn, and you will lead the troops and horses directly back to Zhezhi City from the north. "

Gao Xianzhi warned in a very serious tone.

"understood."

"Just kill through the camp and don't worry about Ju Zhan Ticheng next to it."

Gao Xianzhi gave another instruction.

"understood."

Xi Yuanqing felt Gao Xianzhi's nervousness. Perhaps the Anxi Army general was not as confident as he showed.

"Ah."

Gao Xianzhi didn't waste any more words and rode his horse forward. The stream of medicinal water just reached the horse's knees.

As we continued walking forward, the water depth increased, but it was only deeper than the stirrups.

The cavalry team of the Tang Army followed slowly like dropping dumplings, slowly waded across the river, and slowly gathered on the south bank of Yaoxashui.

Everyone tried to avoid making any noise.

During the whole process, neither the soldiers who patrolled the city nor the patrols in the cannibal camp found any clues.

The big cannibals have already preconceived the idea that Gao Xianzhi’s mind is now full of money and women. The Anxi Army is now full of joy and thinking about returning to Qiuci. It is impossible to go south to attack them in the opposite direction!

In fact, even Abu Muslim did not think that the Tang army would fight back.

I have more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in my hands. Will I still be afraid of your tired army who has less than 10,000 soldiers and is eager to return home?
I have medicine to kill water as a natural moat, what do you have?
Abu Muslim's self-confidence is based on considerations of strength comparison. Even Fang Chongyong felt that it would be impossible for Gao Xianzhi to defeat the Big Eater if he was to die.

call out!
A sharp arrow shot out of the darkness, knocking a giant man-eater wearing chain mail to the ground and hitting him in the neck, killing him with one blow. Chain mail has excellent defensive capabilities against bows and arrows, but there is no protection around the neck.

"Woo..."

Almost at the same time, all the sentinels posted in a certain area outside the camp were shot at the same time without even making a sound. A hook with a thick rope was thrown from the darkness in the distance and tied up the fence of the camp. More than a dozen horses began to drag the rope frantically.

Boom!

The fragile fence fell to the ground, revealing a shockingly wide gap.

Then Xi Yuanqing took the lead, rushed into the unsuspecting cannibal camp inside, shot arrows coated with kerosene, and set fire to one military tent after another. The thundering sound of horses resounded throughout the camp, accompanied by shouts one after another in the language of Da Shi: "Run! We can't hold it anymore!"

The cannibal's military camp exploded like ice water poured into a hot oil pan!
Among the ten soldiers, not even one of the big food soldiers got weapons. After they ran out of the burning tent, what they saw was Tang Army cavalry on horseback killing people everywhere, with corpses everywhere they passed.

Since the Dashi officer was shot dead as soon as he stepped forward and shouted a few times, the Dashi army did not organize any effective resistance at all.

Moreover, because many of these big food people are not from the same area, they have different cultures, different social organizations, and different leaders. Therefore, these tribal soldiers who bear the name of big food soldiers have no idea of ​​"rescuing Paoze" at all. .

Seeing other tribesmen being slaughtered by the Tang army, they ran faster than rabbits, hoping that Gao Xianzhi would not notice him.

Under the moonlight, the brutal fighting continued, all fighting against the Kangguo army in the city. Under the strict orders of the Kangguo prince, they were not allowed to leave the city. Just like this, on the top of the castle, watching the fire rising into the sky in the big cannibal camp not far away, and the wails coming from the night sky.

……

At dawn the next day, Juzhan went outside the city. On the bank of the Yaoxing River, corpses were floating everywhere, and many people had an arrow stuck in their backs.

The camp not far away has been destroyed, and there is not a single living person inside. The 30,000 vanguard troops were completely dissipated in this way, and only a handful of them fled back to Samadan City in an organized manner.

Abu Muslim, who is in his thirties this year, wears a black robe, a white cloth on both sides of his head covering his ears, a West Asian-style helmet, and a slightly curved machete hanging from his waist.

He looked around the unbearable camp and couldn't help but sigh.

It's so miserable. If you don't pay attention, you will suffer a big loss!
The strength of the Tang army in Anxi is unimaginable!
With this army, Abu Muslim originally planned to wait for the freeze period to set off to Zhezhi City in Shiguo, and then pursue the Tang army from the rear.

When the time comes there is no river to block it, and there will be no danger to defend.

Abu Muslim believed that he could win, because the Anxi Tang Army, which was full of baggage, would never move fast.

The spies have found out clearly that the Tang army has not yet left with any baggage, so it is obvious that the time to send troops is not yet mature.

Unexpectedly, Gao Xianzhi dared to fight back!
How could he have such courage!

Abu Muslim looked back at the Prince of Shiguo who had made an impassioned speech in front of him, and then found that the other man's cheeks were pale with fright and his body was trembling slightly.

“Gao Xianzhi’s sneak attack on us shows that he has no confidence in defeating us.

Elite troops from Khorasan are gathered here. If we fail to win, I will have no face to return to Baghdad.

you do not need to worry. "

Abu Muslim comforted the prince of Shiguo and said.

He is a Persian Khorasan, born as a slave. He is humble, has insight into human nature, and has a very charming personality. He can dispel the concerns of the prince of Shiguo in a few words.

Abu Muslim has been in prison and has been hanging out at the bottom for a long time. He does not have the aristocratic disease of being aloof. He was the soul of the Shiite uprising. Without the Abu Muslims, it would have been impossible for the Black Clothes to establish a political power.

Even now, the war in Dashi has not completely subsided.

Abu Muslim attaches great importance to this battle and there is no way out.

If this battle is defeated, or if the effort is in vain, it is difficult to say how the domestic political situation will change.

"Appease the troops and go back to Samadang City! Don't be held responsible for the defeat!"

Abu Muslim gave instructions to the lieutenant.

(End of this chapter)