Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 443: A certain handsome man is very strong, but too cautious

The Uighurs came quickly and left in a hurry. After being defeated by Fang Chongyong with one arrow, they disappeared without a trace.

As for where the Huihe cavalry retreated to and where the Huihe tents were, there was only a general range. The Huihe people were a nomadic people, living wherever there was water and grass, and they did not have a fixed location.

The vast grasslands are full of lush grass and water, so they can escape at any time. It is unrealistic to go to a specific mountain or river.

But generally speaking, the Huihe tents were located near the former Turkic tents. The reason was that there were water sources for livestock, mountains for solid defense, and a relatively warm climate, making it a unique Feng Shui treasure land for the grassland people.

The specific location is near Kharkholin in Fang Zhongyong's previous life in Mongolia, probably in the upper reaches of the Orkhon River. It is quite far from the Hetao region.

It can be seen that the Huihe people's action this time was well planned and well planned. The death of Huihe Yehu was just an accident and did not prevent them from making trouble. Judging from the geographical distance, the Huihe people's preparations for this time were definitely before the Shuofang Army came to them to buy horses.

At least half a year.

This is completely different from the impression of ordinary people. Many ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty have little idea of ​​the geography of the grassland. Many people think that the nomadic people in the north are near the border towns. But in fact, it is completely different. They ignore the range of activities of the grassland people.

From this perspective, the situation faced by the Tang Dynasty in the Hetao region was quite passive. This does not mean that the Tang Dynasty’s military strength was not strong, but that it lacked strategic initiative. Its daily mission was no longer to expand its territory, but to defend the Hetao region that it already controlled.

The people of the grassland are like wild grass in spring. After you cut them once, they will grow again in no time.

Most of the time, those who sounded the clarion call of war were the grassland peoples who often broke up and reorganized.

These people may not be able to create any outstanding achievements, but it is easy for them to cause trouble for the Tang Dynasty.

Since the Kaiyuan period, the three Jiedushi's defense zones, Hexi, Shuofang, and Hedong, from west to east, have jointly shouldered the defense of the grassland. If any section is breached, it will cause the overall passiveness of the border defense situation.

The so-called "Golden Tang Dynasty" means that the territory has reached the controllable limit and it is difficult to expand any further.

As an official who had been in the frontier for many years, Fang Chongyong naturally understood these things that were unknown to outsiders. He ordered the Shuofang army to prepare for war as soon as possible, while seeking help from Hexi, being very cautious.

At this moment, Che Guangqian had already brought Fang Chongyong's handwritten letter to the governor's office where Hexi governor Li Guangbi was located, and was having a secret conversation with the governor who had just taken office.

"Does the Prince of Pingxi want the Hexi Border Army to help defend the west side of the Hetao?"

After reading Fang Zhongyong's handwritten letter, Hexi Jiedushi Li Guangbi asked with a puzzled look:
"Assist in defense? How do we assist in defense?"

Li Guangbi placed the letter on the table and looked at Che Guangqian in some confusion.

The latter clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Marshal Li Jie, the word 'assistance' means exactly what it says. If the Huihe people raid Feng'an City, the Chishui Army can rescue them in the shortest possible time. This is 'assistance'."

His serious look almost made Li Guangbi laugh out loud!
Li Guangbi originally wanted to teach Che Guangqian how to use troops, but then he thought, since he was neither his subordinate nor his confidant, why bother doing this?

It is a taboo to talk about deep things with someone you just met, and there seems to be no need to be a know-it-all.

Of course, Fang Chongyong had done him a favor, so there was no need to mock his cronies.

So Li Guangbi gently waved his hand and said: "Prince Pingxi, you are too polite. Helping in the defense is our duty. This commander will personally write a letter. You can take it back and tell Prince Pingxi that helping in the defense of Feng'an Army is not worth mentioning. It is our duty. But..."

He seemed to be hesitant to speak.

"Marshal Li, if you have anything to say, please speak up. I am just a messenger."

Che Guangqian said with a fist clasped in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.

"That's okay."

Li Guangbi sighed and continued:

“I do have an idea.

The Prince of Pingxi took over the Shuofang Army for a short time, and he was only concerned with stability. I can relate to this.

However, there are only a thousand days of thieves, but I have never heard of anyone guarding against thieves for a thousand days.

Since the conflict between the Tang Dynasty and the Uighurs continues and it is difficult to make peace, it would be better to send an elite force to directly infiltrate the Uighur camp and resolve the issue once and for all.

Otherwise, starting from Feng'an Army in the west, to Lingzhou, to Shoujiang City in Yulin, and even as far as Yunzhou (Datong, Shanxi), this defense line of thousands of miles, which looks solid, is actually full of leaks. We have to control the whole area by point, and block the problem wherever it occurs.

We really cannot fill every outpost in the border town with people, so the Uighurs will definitely be able to find a breakthrough if they are willing.

Even if the Prince of Pingxi has managed to defend it now, will his successor be able to do so after he leaves office?

The Hexi Jiedushi is now the official, so he will naturally cooperate with the Shuofang Army in defense. But if the court replaces the Jiedushi in two years, will the successor refuse to cooperate in defense?
These things are really hard to describe, there are too many variables. For the sake of the country, blindly defending is not a long-term strategy.

You should go back and inform Prince Pingxi and convey my opinion to him. Let's see what decision he will make.

I think the Huihe people are well prepared this time, so the situation won’t end so quickly.”

Li Guangbi's tone was very sincere, which was considered to be a complete confession to Che Guangqian.

Although he said it very tactfully, his implication was clear.

Li Guangbi believed that Fang Zhongyong's method was equivalent to doing nothing and passively accepting the beating. If this continued, something bad would happen sooner or later.

The real solution to the problem is to destroy the Uighurs!

If we follow Huo Qubing's example and directly attack the Uighurs' tent, they will naturally stop making trouble.

Of course, the army with the most "idleness" is naturally the Chishui Army. Because the Shuofang Army is currently controlling the border, it is too busy to withdraw troops for an expedition.

While the Western Regions had been pacified, the internal power struggle in Tubo intensified, and a Tibetan version of "Emperor Xian of Han" emerged. The two factions fought fiercely. They had no time to come to Hexi to pick a fight.

Therefore, the Chishui Army has no military achievements to be established!
As a newly appointed governor, Li Guangbi needed a big victory to establish his authority and credibility. Obviously, for him, dealing with the Huihe people was a rare opportunity.

This is another version, but it is no different from other border troops in that they are "looking for trouble".

The current Tang Dynasty, from Hebei to Jiannan, is in this situation. Even if there is no war, we must create one!

Since this was an opportunity that came to him, Li Guangbi couldn't miss it. Although they were familiar with each other, it didn't mean that Li Guangbi would do whatever Fang Zhongyong asked him to do!
"Marshal Li Jie, without the imperial court's military orders, the Hexi frontier troops are advancing like Fenglangjuxu, isn't it a bit..."

Che Guangqian suppressed her inner shock and asked helplessly.

The Hexi Jiedushi had great power, and his Chishui Army was not only an elite force, but also had a large number of horses. The number of horses registered by the Ministry of War alone exceeded 13,000.

If Li Guangbi wanted to go to Hetao alone, Fang Chongyong really couldn't stop him!
Surrounded by the soldiers of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army, Fang Zhongyong dared to stage a mutiny in Xiangji Temple. Li Guangbi only led troops to Fenglangjuxu, so it was not difficult to mobilize them!
"Just go back and tell the Prince of Pingxi. He will make his own judgment on whether it will succeed or not.

If you take action, the Hexi Border Army is willing to support you fully."

Seeing that Che Guangqian still had some doubts, Li Guangbi said with a smile.

These words left Che Guangqian speechless.

You say that Hexi won't help, but not only are they willing to assist you in defense, they even want to send the main force of the field army to help you clear the field!

However, if you say that Hexi is helping, that is not entirely true, because they may be doing more harm than good.

Such a big move in the border town is not what Fang Chongyong wants to see!

Che Guangqian felt that Li Guangbi only considered military issues and did not consider the political impact at all. Would peace come to the grasslands if the Huihe people were dealt with?

Che Guangqian doesn't think so.

Even if the Huihe tribes were destroyed, their tribes would naturally join the other nine Tiele clans after a change of appearance. In a few years, a guy who dominated one side would surely appear again.

The strength of the Tang Dynasty will make all the people on the grasslands unite to gain the right to speak when dealing with the Tang Dynasty.

Li Guangbi's idea seems to be to help Fang Chongyong, but in fact, he is very interested in gaining military merit and consolidating his position!
"Then...thank you, Marshal Li Jie."

Che Guangqian clasped his fists and bowed again, giving up the idea of ​​persuasion.

Logically speaking, Li Guangbi was Wang Zhongsi's adopted son, and Fang Chongyong was Wang Zhongsi's son-in-law. He had also caught the assassin who was trying to assassinate Li Guangbi, thus saving his life.

In order to return the favor, Li Guangbi should listen to and follow Fang Zhongyong's advice.

But in reality, everyone has their own needs, and no matter what they do, they always "put themselves first and take others into consideration."

Li Guangbi focused on his own demands and those of the Hexi soldiers and adhered to his principles. What was wrong with that?
There is only a stance, no right or wrong, and everyone is just expressing their own opinions.

From this perspective, Che Guangqian even thought that the Huihe people's disturbance was reasonable. The Tang Dynasty had previously lowered the price of horses, and the Huihe people suffered losses. Now they want to show their muscles, and making trouble is nothing unusual.

What's wrong with them?
"Please wait a moment. I will start writing the letter now."

Li Guangbi waved his hand nonchalantly and ordered the clerks in the government office to prepare writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone.

Soon, he wrote a formal letter, asked someone to copy it for filing, and then gave it to Che Guangqian.

Do things in a methodical manner and leave no room for excuses.

Che Guangqian understood what Li Guangbi meant and secretly groaned in her heart.

The new governor of Hexi is very clear about the distinction between public and private affairs and is not willing to give in at all.

He was clearly planning to play Fenglangjuxu! He was not afraid of being found out!

The Huihe people rebelled and attempted to seize Hetao. So before that, the Hexi border troops took the initiative and wiped out the Huihe camp.

This is understandable, right?
These soldiers didn't care whether the country could afford the war at the moment. Anyway, as long as it didn't delay their military achievements, their advancement, and their rewards, it was fine.

As for the rest, that was something the emperor and the prime minister should consider. What did the fact that wars cost money have to do with these soldiers who killed generals and captured flags?

Li Guangbi noticed that Che Guangqian looked unhappy, or perhaps he also felt that he was too unkind.

So he sighed helplessly and said, "Give the letter to the Prince of Pingxi, he will understand. The nearly 100,000 elite troops in Hexi are not ruled by Li alone. The Prince of Pingxi has his own difficulties, and so does this general."

"Don't worry, General Li. I will return to report now."

Che Guangqian didn't say any more nonsense. After putting away the letter, she bowed, said goodbye, and left.

……

"What did An Sishun say?"

At the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army camp on the southern outskirts of Lingzhou City, Fang Chongyong was in the commander's tent asking Feng Changqing who had rushed back from Taiyuan.

"Replying to the commander, An Sishun said he already knew about this matter and he even refused to write a reply!"

When Feng Changqing thought about what happened that day, he became furious.

Not only was Hedong Jiedushi An Sishun unwilling to promise to cooperate with Fang Chongyong to defend the eastern defense line of Hetao, but he also adopted a nonchalant attitude and beat around the bush in official language.

A lot of words were said, but not a single word was solid.

Anyway, the meaning is: I will guard my own door frame. As for the Huihe people wanting to attack the Hetao, that is something for you Shuofang Army to worry about. What does it have to do with me? I only take care of my own defense area!

If it's hard to understand, then let me ask the opposite question: If a certain grassland nation put all its efforts into attacking Yunzhou, an important town in Hedong, would Fang Chongyong, the governor of the Shuofang Army, be so honest as to send troops to support Yunzhou?

Probably not, right?

This is actually the reason why during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao periods, there was often a Jiedushi serving in two towns. The two defense zones were not so harmonious on weekdays, and everyone was busy with their own business.

If we fight in coordination, it will be difficult to provide joint defense and it will be inconvenient to send troops together.

If a fight really breaks out, who will be the leader and who will be the follower, and who will be responsible for taking credit?
Many similar things require a person who can make the final decision and coordinate everything.

The Shuofang Jiedushi and the Hedong Jiedushi were equal in terms of official positions. You asked me to help defend Yulin, so do I have to? Don't I, the Hedong Jiedushi, have any dignity?
Simply put, Fang Zhongyong couldn't command An Sishun.

This is also related to the fact that Che Guangqian's rumor in Chang'an that An Sishun wanted to kill someone with a borrowed knife did not ferment.

"Didn't you tell An Sishun that the Huihe people might take a detour to attack the Jingbian Army and enter Shuozhou from Zihe?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a puzzled look on his face.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Liu Wuzhou started his army here and received continuous support from the Turks, causing great trouble for Li Erfeng.

With such a ready-made example right in front of him, why didn't An Sishun take it seriously?

"General, why didn't I say anything? I quoted from the classics and said a lot.

But An Sishun said that he was not Pei Ji, and the Uighurs were not Turks or Liu Wuzhou, so the commander-in-chief did not need to worry about it.

Feng Changqing got angry when he heard this.

"This is trouble."

Fang Chongyong sighed.

Che Guangqian has sent someone to deliver a letter saying that Li Guangbi is going to launch a "surprise attack" on the Huihe's lair and tear out the tiger's heart.

However, An Sishun made it clear that he was invincible and did not take the matter seriously at all. He believed that it was impossible for the Uighurs to travel thousands of miles to Hedong.

One of them was too radical, expanding the scale of the war to an infinite extent, turning it into a war of annihilation, while the other was like an ostrich, thinking that everything would be fine if he buried his head in the sand.

No one understands my hard work at all!

"General, what is the plan now?"

Feng Changqing asked doubtfully.

"Let the arrows fly for a while, there's no rush."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand and said, his face as gloomy as water.

(End of this chapter)