Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 470 Different Moods

In the spring of the twelfth year of Tianbao, fierce fighting was in full swing along the Yellow River.

Huangfu Weiming personally led 100,000 elite troops and stationed them in Xiuwu, Wuzhi, Wenxian and other places on the opposite bank of Heyin County. Then he ordered General Li Guiren to lead 20,000 troops to force a crossing of the Yellow River and capture Biankou in one fell swoop!
Li Guiren originally wanted to follow Huangfu Weiming's military order and burn all the grain ships anchored at Biankou to cut off the supply to Guanzhong.

But when the army arrived, they found that the grain boat that was anchored at the ferry last night had disappeared, as if it had been moved somewhere else.

He had no choice but to report the truth to Huangfu Weiming.

After Li Huaixian's detachment captured Yuanwu County east of Heyin County, they found that there was not a grain of rice left in the government treasury. Most of the local people had left, leaving only the elderly, the weak, women and children who could not move.

These bad news gave Huangfu Weiming a bad feeling.

Sure enough, three days later, Hou Xiyi, who was stationed in Beizhou and in charge of grain and fodder, sent someone to report to Huangfu Weiming: an official army crossed the Yellow River from Lu County, Jizhou, and after conquering Liaocheng, the capital of Bozhou with little defense, they marched straight into Beizhou, attempting to burn the "Tianxia Beiku" in Qinghe County, Beizhou.

Hou Xiyi is Huangfu Weiming's confidant and a well-known die-hard "royalist" among the Hebei forces. Otherwise, he would not have been entrusted with the important task of looking after the general granary by Huangfu Weiming.

The sudden attack by the government troops made Hou Xiyi break out in a cold sweat. He quickly organized his officers to block the attack separately, but several warehouses scattered in the suburbs were still burned, resulting in a lot of food and fodder loss.

Hou Xiyi was so anxious that he didn't care about his face and quickly wrote a letter to Huangfu Weiming to explain the pros and cons.

In his letter he advised:
Now Henan seems to be guarded by a famous general who knows our intentions very well. Although we are coming with great momentum, the enemy has already seen that we are going to attack Luoyang and then enter Guanzhong from Tongguan or Hedong. The first-mover advantage we had before has been lost by half.

Therefore, in terms of troop deployment, if the troops are not concentrated, although the entire front line can be taken into account, it will be difficult to form an absolute advantage in the local battlefield in Henan, and it will be easy to be defeated one by one.

If we concentrate our forces, we can attack anyone we want near Luoyang, but our food supply routes will be stretched and full of loopholes.

The government troops can be dispatched at ease, marching into Hebei from Jizhou, Qizhou, Zibo, Qingzhou and other places! By then, our rear will be empty, and we will definitely not be able to stop them.

Hou Xiyi suggested that the attack on Luoyang should be postponed, and Prince Rong Li Wan should be crowned emperor in Yecheng first to stabilize people's hearts and reward meritorious soldiers. Then, troops should be sent along the Yellow River to sweep the counties on the south bank of the Yellow River one by one, creating a strategic buffer zone, controlling the people and government in these places, and accumulating strength.

Finally, if we concentrate our forces and fight a decisive battle with the government troops in Luoyang, we can achieve great success. Otherwise, similar incidents like the surprise attack on the granary by the government troops will continue to happen.

When the fast horse that could travel 500 miles a day delivered the letter to the rebel camp on the north bank of the Yellow River, Huangfu Weiming was pacing back and forth in the general's tent in anger. Li Guiren, Li Huaixian, Wang Xuanzhi and others around him did not dare to breathe, and stood quietly beside them like a wronged wife.

"Fang Youde burned down all the ferry crossings and granaries in Heyin County? Then he evacuated overnight, leaving me with an empty city?"

Huangfu Weiming asked back in disbelief.

"Marshal, that's true."

Li Guiren replied somewhat embarrassedly. Not only Huangfu Weiming couldn't believe it, he also found it hard to believe that the government troops had just abandoned the most important node of the Yellow River defense line. They left so easily!
"Marshal, a letter from General Hou!"

At this moment, a messenger hurried into the general's tent and handed a letter to Huangfu Weiming.

"Too deceiving!"

After reading the letter, Huangfu Weiming was so angry that he stamped his feet and sat down on the stool. He was so upset that it took him a long time to recover.

"Marshal, what's in the letter?"

Li Guiren asked doubtfully.

Huangfu Weiming simply raised the letter in his hand and let Li Guiren take it himself.

Soon, this urgent letter from Beizhou was circulated among the generals in the military tent.

"Tell me, what do you think?"

Huangfu Weiming rubbed his sore temples, closed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"General, what General Hou said is absolutely right. As the saying goes, if the name is not right, then the words will not flow. Youzhou is too far away from the Central Plains. Building the capital in Yecheng and letting Prince Rong ascend the throne to become emperor is indeed a move to stabilize people's hearts."

Li Guiren carefully organized his words and commented on Hou Xiyi's suggestions.

With him taking the lead, many people in the general's tent agreed. If they built the capital in Yecheng and ascended the throne to become emperor, they would no longer be "rebels" and could each be promoted.

Why not do it?
As for what Huangfu Weiming said before, that he must capture Luoyang, who can guarantee that he can definitely capture it?
After all, a bird in the hand is worth a thousand in the bush!
"This is a matter of great importance. Please allow me to consider it."

Huangfu Weiming sighed and became somewhat shaken.

He waved his hand, and the generals filed out, leaving Huangfu Weiming alone in the military tent, deep in thought.

In fact, he had to admit that his strategic intentions had been completely seen through by Fang Youde, just like a person standing naked in the sun.

If the strategic intention is discovered, it means that the opponent can deploy defenses in a targeted manner and will not be afraid to send troops to Hebei to stir up trouble.

Because Fang Youde was convinced that although Huangfu Weiming had a large number of troops under his command, he did not dare to disperse his forces. These people were preparing to capture Luoyang.

Huangfu Weiming's original plan was to capture Luoyang first and let Li Wan, the Prince of Rong, proclaim himself emperor there. Then he was not in a hurry to enter Guanzhong, but to divide his troops and plunder the land. By then, the "righteousness" of the rebels would be much higher than it is now, and they would basically just take over the city!

Unfortunately, to achieve all this, there is a prerequisite, which is to capture Luoyang and hold it!

If we can't do this, everything is just empty talk.

The problem Huangfu Weiming was facing at the moment was that if he led his troops to attack Luoyang, his supply lines and granaries would be attacked crazily. It was very likely that when he was besieging Luoyang, he would not be able to take it, and he would not be able to return to Yecheng safely.

So should we make a big move now, or consolidate the existing achievements and "build a nation" first?

Huangfu Weiming fell into deep thought. He also felt that Hou Xiyi's suggestion was indeed from the heart.

There are many factions among the Hebei rebels, and birds of a feather flock together. Different kinds of people have completely different ideas.

Hou Xiyi was completely on the same page with him, both of them wanted to support the prince to ascend the throne and change the dynasty. Therefore, Hou Xiyi's letter was completely based on the perspective of common interests, not entirely selfish.

However, some of the Hebei rebels only wanted to establish their own regime in Hebei and become kings. They had no interest in reaching Chang'an.

And the number of these people is not small.

Huangfu Weiming was caught in a dilemma. If he built the capital in Yecheng, although it would stabilize Hebei's base, it would also give the government troops enough time to mobilize troops. Once the northwestern towns arrived in Luoyang, there would be no need to fight this war!
"Should we fight or stop?"

Huangfu Weiming tapped the table with his fingers, unable to make a decision for a moment.

……

Jingxing Pass, also known as "Tumen Pass", is the mouth of "Jingxing" in Taihang Mountain west of Jingxing County, hence the name.

The ancients said that the land was high and flat on all sides, and low in the middle like a well, so it was called Jingxing. Simply put, Jingxing is one of the "Eight Xings of Taihang Mountains". These "Xings" are actually narrow fault zones generated by the geological movement of Taihang Mountains.

Through these fault zones, people at both ends of the Taihang Mountains can pass through the steep, tall, and winding Taihang Mountains, thus forming a dangerous terrain pattern of "one man guarding the pass and ten thousand men unable to open it".

To the east of Jingxing is the important town of Zhending in Hebei. This is the hinterland of Hebei. If Zhending is occupied, it can attack Youyan in the north and Zhao and Ji in the south. It is the softest underbelly of Hebei.

The terrain of Zhending is not dangerous, and it is all thanks to Jingxing Pass that blocks the exit of Taihang Mountain. Without this pass, there would be an extremely narrow and long "wound" in the east of Hebei, and the government troops could advance all the way eastward from here and finally drive the rebels directly into the sea!
In a word, a place that must be fought for!
Early that morning, Cai Xide, who was stationed at Jingxing Pass, did not receive reinforcements from Shi Siming, nor did he receive a transfer order from Huangfu Weiming. Instead, he received an uninvited guest.

Looking at the unprepossessing and not-so-tall clerk Feng Changqing in front of him, Cai Xide said coldly, "Your Marshal Fang Jie is indeed a good fighter, but I have nothing to discuss with him. Come on, show him away."

Cai Xide didn't want to hear what Feng Changqing had to say. Of course, in his current situation, he would not kill the messenger to cut off his retreat.

"General Cai is about to be in trouble, and you don't care about what good advice my commander-in-chief has?
I know what General Cai is thinking, but please read this first."

Feng Changqing clasped his fists and said to Cai Xide, then handed several letters in his hand to Cai Xide's personal soldiers.

Then wait quietly by the side.

As expected, Cai Xide's character was not as stubborn as his words. He finally took the letter and read it quickly in front of Feng Changqing, one copy after another.

By the time he finished reading all the letters, his forehead was already covered with fine beads of sweat, and his hands holding the letters could not help but tremble.

“This is a serious matter. General Cai can take his time to think about it. My Marshal Ji is not in a hurry.

But we can wait, but the current situation will not. The promises in the letter are only valid at this time. When the situation changes, the conditions will also be different. This is the truth of the times. I hope General Cai will think about it carefully. "

Feng Changqing spoke slowly, not looking anxious at all.

Cai Xide was silent, as if he wanted to move, but didn't say anything.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Feng Changqing lowered his voice and said, "Now the court needs an example to inspire the army. If General Cai can release Jingxing Pass and let the Hedong Army attack Zhending, my general will recommend General Cai as the governor. In order to quell the rebellion, the court is setting up governors in various places. There are many positions, and General Cai can even pick one!"

"really?"

Cai Xide asked with a surprised look on his face.

He realized his mistake after he said this, and coughed to cover up his embarrassment and asked, "Why don't you write this in the letter?"

"General Cai, my commander intends to defend you to the court, saying that you are a righteous man who has been lurking among the rebels, just to give them a heavy blow at the critical moment. How can you write these things in a letter and give people a chance to criticize you?"

Feng Changqing retorted with confidence.

Cai Xide thought about it and found that it was indeed the case. How could such a private matter be written down in black and white?
They are not related to each other. What if Cai Xide gives the letter to Huangfu Weiming, and the latter spreads the news that Fang Chongyong has ulterior motives?
After thinking it over again, Cai Xide said to Feng Changqing, "How about this, a few dozen miles north of Shouyang County, there is a mountain called Fangshan, and at the foot of the mountain is the Beichuan River. If Marshal Fang Jie is sincere, then we will meet at the foot of Fangshan and the bank of the Beichuan River in five days. If he is not sincere, forget it, I will just pretend that you have not been here today."

Cai Xide's face was solemn and he didn't seem to be joking.

Feng Changqing cursed the rebel commander in his heart for being too hypocritical, but he remained calm and said, "I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to go back and ask General Fang Jie for instructions."

"No need, just go back and tell them, there is no need to come to Jingxing Pass again."

Cai Xide turned around and raised his hand to signal the guest to leave.

Feng Changqing had no choice but to walk out of the city gate alone. Looking back, the mountain road behind the city tower was rugged and winding, with ups and downs, and it was difficult to deal with at first glance.

"It's obvious that the commander is ambitious."

Feng Changqing sighed softly and talked to himself.

The dragon is only one breath away from going out to sea! Once the Jingxing Pass is broken, the army will go straight into the heart of Hebei. This rebellion can be quelled within a year!

We can even not rule out the possibility of going all the way to Youzhou, using the Black Tiger's heart to rip out the enemy's heart and end the war directly!
The more critical the moment, the more Feng Changqing wanted to make a decision for Cai Xide, hoping that the other party would not fail to see the general situation.

He was so anxious that he wanted to jump up and down.

After Feng Changqing left, Cai Xide was not idle either. He sent his personal soldiers to Tumen Pass, which was nearby, and asked his general Zhang Xiaozhong to come to Jingxing Guguan to discuss important matters with him.

Zhang Xiaozhong did not suspect anything and came to the ancient pass of Jingxing alone. Cai Xide took him for a walk in the mountains around Jingxing. During the conversation, he gave Zhang Xiaozhong several letters sent by Feng Changqing.

"General, if Sun Xiaozhe goes back to complain, I'm afraid the situation will be extremely unfavorable to you."

Zhang Xiaozhong said with certainty without even thinking about it.

"I know what you said. Shi Siming will definitely complain to Marshal Huangfu, saying that I deliberately lost the battle and colluded with the government troops.

Even if I can prove my innocence, I cannot cleanse myself of the previous defeat. An incompetent commander is not fit to guard Jingxing Pass. If Shi Siming is behind this, I will inevitably be left idle.”

Cai Xide sighed.

What does it mean to be short of breath? This is what it means to be short of breath!

"You are my confidant. If I am transferred, it will be difficult for you to end up well. Three days later, I plan to go to Fangshan to discuss the terms with Fang Guozhong.

If we fall into a trap and cannot return to Jingxing, you will take charge of the situation."

Cai Xide patted Zhang Xiaozhong on the shoulder and said, looking at the Taihang Mountains in the distance, I feel that the mountains and rivers are picturesque and magnificent!

"This general...Alas!"

Zhang Xiaozhong didn't know what to say.

The local faction in Hebei, like them, actually had no great interest in attacking Chang'an or supporting the prince to ascend the throne. Their biggest wish was to establish a separate regime in Hebei.

"General Cai, Fang Guozhong's suggestion may be worth a try."

Zhang Xiaozhong said in a low voice.

"Oh? How do you say this?"

Cai Xide immediately became interested.

"If the rebellion in Hebei is to be quelled in the future, we must appoint someone who is familiar with the local customs. The general was the first to surrender, and the court will definitely choose someone like you first when suppressing Hebei in the future.

Isn't this more promising than following Huangfu Weiming?"

Zhang Xiaozhong was an honest man, and he pointed out Cai Xide’s fantasy in just one sentence.

(End of this chapter)