Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 478: Tomorrow is a mountain away, and the world is in a state of confusion

"I, with my humble virtue, have been granted the mandate of Heaven, have inherited the throne, and am in charge of the people. I have followed the will of Heaven and ascended the throne as Emperor, establishing the reign title of Shuntian.

From this day forward, all under heaven and on all the lands, all are my territory and all are my subjects. I shall respect Heaven and follow the example of my ancestors, govern diligently and love the people, promote benevolence and justice, cultivate myself and bring peace to the country.

All four quarters submit to him, live in harmony, and share the blessing of peace.

……

I hope that all the people in the world will share my aspirations and work together to accomplish the great cause of our country.

I hope the world will look up to my heart, and I also look up to the heart of the world, and work together to seek prosperity for the country and happiness for the people.

This edict is hereby issued, and the envoys of Xian will hear it. "

In the simple "Imperial Palace Hall", Du Fu was reading the "Succession Edict" in a rhythmic manner. And Li Wan, Prince Rong, was sitting on the "Dragon Chair" with many "ministers" in the hall.

This was originally the government office of Xiangzhou, and this was originally the lobby of the government office. After a slight renovation, it was used as the "imperial palace". In Li Wan's opinion, it was really "not very decent".

Damn, it’s even smaller than the hall where the Eastern Palace receives officials!
The words "grassroots troupe" instantly popped into Li Wan's mind.

"The coronation ceremony is over!"

As soon as Du Fu finished reading the edict of accession to the throne, the eunuch beside Li Wan immediately shouted something.

The makeshift coronation ceremony of the makeshift team came to an end.

Save where you should, spend where you should, and save where there is no need to waste.

Huangfu Weiming was also a capable man. He believed that the so-called "etiquette" was just a show. To truly gain control of the world, he had to speak with swords on the battlefield.

After issuing the edict of accession to the throne, just show your appreciation.

What else do you want from a bicycle?
After everyone in the hall filed out, Huangfu Weiming stepped forward and saluted Li Wan, saying, "Your Majesty, a bandit army is approaching Yecheng from Fukouxing. I will lead the troops to check the situation. Please rest in the palace."

"what?"

Li Wan stood up in shock, stepped forward, held Huangfu Weiming's hand and asked, "General, what is the military situation? How many soldiers are there in the rebel army? Are they heading for Yecheng?"

What he feared most now was that Brother Ji would send troops to besiege Yecheng. Brother Ji's cruel and brutal treatment of his offspring in the past was still a nightmare for these princes.

Now that he heard that the imperial army had appeared at the port of Fukou, how could Li Wan not panic?

"The enemy's situation is unclear. I have to go and take a look to find out."

Huangfu Weiming saluted Li Wan with his hands folded.

"Go quickly, Marshal. I am waiting for your good news in Yecheng."

Li Wan quickly spoke politely, let out a long sigh, and sat down on the dragon chair, his heart in turmoil.

Huangfu Weiming didn't waste any words, turned around and walked straight out of the "hall".

When he arrived at the camp outside the city, many Hebei rebel generals had been waiting there for a long time.

Huangfu Weiming saw that Li Guiren and Bi Sichen, who were supposed to be deployed on the north bank of Zhang River, were also there, so he asked in confusion: "Why aren't you two deployed on the Zhang River?"

"General, something has gone wrong. The bandit army is heading east, not towards Yecheng! I don't think they will reach Zhanghe.

If I were to go to Zhang River to strengthen defense, wouldn't that be like looking for a sword on a boat?"

Li Guiren smiled bitterly.

Huangfu Weiming nodded slightly and did not ask the other party why he did not pursue.

Who dares to say that the army was not the vanguard sent by the imperial court? What if another government army escaped from Fukouxing during the pursuit?
Huangfu Weiming was no novice on the battlefield, he knew what was important and what was not. Li Guiren's response was not a big problem.

"Bi Sichen, lead 10,000 soldiers to pursue eastwards, and the rest of you, follow me to set up camp on the bank of the Fushui River. It will not work if we just ignore the bandit army."

Huangfu Weiming gave the order calmly.

What is known now is that only Wu Lingxun's troops were defeated by the unit of unknown number, and they only know the approximate size of the unit that came out of Fukou Xing.

He had no idea how many people there were, who was the commander, or whether there were any food, fodder, or supplies.

Huangfu Weiming was very worried about this, so the military orders he issued were also extremely conservative, and he deployed them based on the idea of ​​"invincibility".

Even if Bi Sichen couldn't catch up, or couldn't defeat him after catching up, it would be more than enough for him to stop and form a formation to protect himself.

At this moment, a personal soldier walked into the commander's tent and reported to Huangfu Weiming, "General, Wu Lingxun has been released by the enemy without any harm."

"Bring him in for questioning!"

Huangfu Weiming said in a cold voice, wondering in his heart whether he should behead Wu Lingxun to restore military discipline.

As soon as he was brought into the commander's tent, Wu Lingxun knelt down in front of Huangfu Weiming, pretending to be frightened, and shouted: "General, over at Fukouxing, it's Fang Guozhong and the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army! They are extremely brave, we must not underestimate the enemy!"

It was him!

Everyone in the military tent was shocked!
There were hundreds of thousands of regular troops in the Tang Dynasty, but the only ones who dared to mutiny in Chang'an and managed to escape unscathed were Yinqiang Xiaojie's family!

Fang Chongyong's resume is even more extensive. He fought from Hexi to Hedong, and even went to the edge of the Western Regions. It's better not to mention it.

Everyone looked at Wu Lingxun with some sympathy, secretly laughing at his bad luck.

Encountering a Silver Spear Filial Piety Army with a similar number of troops, and led by Fang Zhongyong, he was able to lead his troops back without being dispersed, which was considered a famous general. Wu Lingxun was beaten so badly that he could not find his way, which was actually understandable.

After all, Wu Lingxun only had 5,000 men. It was said that they were fishing by the Fushui River at that time and were completely unprepared.

"Well, I will demote you to a lieutenant general and you will serve me instead of leading an army. Do you accept this?"

Huangfu Weiming looked at Wu Lingxun. Although his tone was cold, he was actually giving the other party a way out.

Wu Lingxun's troops were scattered, with heavy casualties. Even if he wanted to lead an army alone, there was no one to lead! Other generals were unlikely to share their troops with Wu Lingxun.

This is a very real problem.

"Thank you, Marshal. Thank you, Marshal... Uh, Fang Guozhong wants me to pass on a message to you, Marshal, which is..."

Wu Lingxun hesitated and seemed hesitant to speak.

"It's already this critical moment. I'm about to lead my troops to Fushui River. I don't have time to waste with you. If you have something to say, please speak up!"

Huangfu Weiming scolded impatiently.

The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army is the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army, what's so great about it? These people just have two arms and two legs, and they don't have any more heads than others!
Huangfu Weiming felt a surge of anger in his heart.

"General, Fang Guozhong told us to stay in Yecheng and not come out. He will kill anyone who dares to leave the city..."

As Wu Lingxun spoke, he observed the expressions of the people in the military tent. The more he watched, the more frightened he became. In the end, he didn't dare to say anything more.

"General, Fang Chongyong is a coward. Rumor has it that he was ambushed in Queshu Valley by Wang Zhongsi and his 40,000 troops, and is now wanted by the sea.

Maybe it was the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army that crossed the mountains, passed through Huguan and crossed Fukouxing. They were fleeing all the way, like dogs that had lost their homes!

Marshal, give me 10,000 soldiers and I will surely defeat them! I will cut off Fang Zhongyong's head and present it to you, Marshal."

Bi Sichen stepped forward and clasped his fists to challenge for a fight!

"General, if the rumors are true and Fang Chongyong has been forced to rebel by Li Longji, then we should not rush to arrest him.

It would be better for me to lead the troops to persuade them to surrender.

If he is willing to surrender, the general will be even more powerful; if he is unwilling to surrender, I will destroy him again. "

Li Guiren also stepped forward and clasped his fists to ask for a fight!

The others in the military tent were all whispering, with different people having different ideas. Some said that since a war was imminent, there was no need to fight to the death with the imperial rebels, and it would be better to withdraw the troops and let the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army leave.

Just as everyone was at a stalemate, an inconspicuous person in the military tent raised his right hand cautiously and said to Huangfu Weiming: "I have an old relationship with Fang Guozhong, and I am willing to persuade him to surrender to the commander-in-chief."

Huangfu Weiming heard this sentence from the chaotic whispers, and when he looked carefully, he found that it was Du Fu, the Zuo Shiyi who had written and read the edict before!
"You're a lobbyist? Seriously?"

He looked at Du Fu curiously and asked.

The latter simply bowed and saluted without saying anything.

Du Fu made a "great contribution" by persuading Wang Tao, the governor of Xiangzhou, to open the city and surrender.

It just so happened that there were relatively few available literati around Huangfu Weiming, so Du Fu was also directly promoted. The official rank of "Zuo Shiyi" was not high, but he was a close minister of the emperor and was cultivated as a confidant.

"Well, then you go." Huangfu Weiming nodded slightly, and then said to Li Guiren: "General Li, you lead 10,000 troops to pursue carefully, and don't be greedy for merit and rush forward. I suspect Fang Guozhong wants to seize the canal boats from the canal crossing and go south to the Yellow River."

After thinking it over, Huangfu Weiming felt that Fang Zhongyong could only be after the grain ship. Otherwise, given his status as a rebel, he shouldn't have gone to Hebei.

In fact, this is exactly where Fang Chongyong excels.

He traveled from Hedong, whether from Puzhou to Guanzhong, or from Chenguan to the three cities of Heyang, there were many dangers and obstacles.

Instead, he took the Bingye Road, which was a surprise attack and he was not afraid of Brother Ji sending troops to block him.

Yecheng is very close to Yongji Canal, and after finding the canal boat, we can go directly south to the Yellow River. Whether we go to Qingxu or Henan, those places are places where the imperial court has weak control and few elite troops.

With the strength of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army and Fang Zhongyong's strategy and command level, it would not be a big problem to grab a piece of land and settle down.

However, the Hedong Army must have been severely injured and demoralized after this battle, which would definitely be very disadvantageous for their next battle.

Huangfu Weiming secretly speculated in his heart and felt that his chances of winning were much greater.

Some time ago, the Hebei rebels had difficulty attacking Hedong. It was because Fang Chongyong came to the rescue there that he stabilized the basic base of the government army and even killed Cai Xide.

Now the imperial court is so stupid as to cut off its own arms and destroy the Great Wall. Huangfu Weiming simply feels that "the destiny is in my hands". Even when he is lying down, people send him huge gifts. Such a thing is something he would never dare to imagine even in his dreams.

He was thinking about how to defeat Fang Zhongyong and wipe out Hedong. The imperial court actually helped him do this!

After being convinced of this matter today, Huangfu Weiming felt much more at ease and was full of confidence in the upcoming battle against the government troops in Hebei.

After Li Guiren and Du Fu left, Huangfu Weiming said to the generals: "Hold your troops for now, and return to the camp to prepare for battle. Remember, pay attention to the surrounding military situation when patrolling, and report to me immediately if there is any disturbance."

"Order!"

All the generals saluted in unison, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

As long as they are not asked to pursue the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, if Li Guiren wants to make a contribution, let him go.

Fang Chongyong defeated a fierce general like Cai Xide and made him surrender. How awesome!
……

Huanshui County is located in a small "bend" of the canal, surrounded by water on three sides, and is naturally a good place to build a ferry. Given such unique geographical conditions, it naturally became an important node on the Yongji Canal.

Many grain ships from government offices and merchants docked here to load and unload goods.

At nightfall, torches lit up the ferry port outside Huanshui County, and civilians were everywhere carrying baggage, fodder, arrows, silk and other items from the county town to the grain boats. From time to time, a boat would leave the ferry port and head south to the Yellow River after being fully loaded.

The Silver Spear Xiaojie Army easily occupied Huanshui County, where there were not many Hebei rebels on duty. Then they opened the treasury and moved everything they had. By the way, they also robbed the local wealthy families in Huanshui County.

The same goes for taking whatever you have.

Of course, in order to make things look good, Fang Chongyong waved his hand and issued "IOUs" to the local wealthy families in Huanshui County in the name of Brother Ji and the court.

It was agreed that one year later, they could take the IOU to the court to ask for supplies.

In wartime, military supplies are the most important thing, and this cannot be avoided. However, every piece of cloth and every stone of rice are recorded in the register, and no one is cheated.

The local wealthy people had no choice but to let these soldiers do whatever they wanted.

"General, there is an army coming from the west, with an estimated number of 10,000 people."

Che Guangqian stepped forward and reported to Fang Chongyong who was supervising the laborers in carrying supplies.

"What number?"

Fang Chongyong asked calmly.

"Reporting to the commander, there is a word "Li" written on the flag, and I don't know the rest. We are still five miles away from the other side of the river. We can't rule out the possibility that they will cross the river and attack us."

Che Guangqian was not panicked at all. In fact, the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army had almost left.

Only a few hundred people were left, guarding the rear and supervising the laborers to carry the supplies. The vanguard troops had already taken the canal boats southward to the Yellow River and agreed to meet at Biankou.

Now is the flood season of the Yellow River, and many seasonal river channels can be used. It is a good time to take a boat south.

"Okay, stop loading, you guys go aboard first, I'll be the last one to leave."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand gently and looked at the other side of the river.

In fact, nothing can be seen now. In the dim light, there are only some dark shadows of ships on the shore, rising and falling with the waves of the river.

"General, there is a man coming from the other side of the river, claiming to be Du Fu, and wants to see you. I have brought him here!"

At this moment, a personal soldier came forward and saluted Fang Zhongyong with his fists clasped.

"Du Fu?"

Fang Zhongyong was stunned for a moment, then he said to Che Guangqian: "You should do as the commander says, and take your troops aboard now."

"Order!"

Che Guangqian took the order and left, shouting at the laborers who were carrying the baggage to put down the goods and told them they could return to the city on their own.

Fang Zhongyong looked at Du Fu with a sigh, and couldn't help but sigh: "It's been many years since we last met, I hope you are doing well, brother Zimei."

"That's really...that's really hard to describe."

Du Fu sighed, not knowing what to say.

Fang Zhongyong took off the wine bag from his waist, handed it to Du Fu and said, "Don't say anything else, drink first!"

Du Fu was not polite either. He picked up the wine bag and took a big gulp. Immediately, a strong smell of alcohol rushed to his head.

At this moment, his literary inspiration suddenly came to him like a spring, and he sighed and chanted a poem:
"If we don't meet in life, we will be as far apart as the sun and the moon.

There will be a total of this light and candlelight in this evening.

How long can the young and strong, the temples and hairs are gray.

Interviewing the old half is a ghost, exclaiming the hot midgut.

Yan Zhi for twenty years, re-enter the Gentleman Hall.

The sons and daughters were suddenly married.

Yiran respected his father and asked me where I came.

The question and answer is not over yet, Qu'er Luo wine syrup.

Cut spring leeks in the night rain, and cook yellow rice in the new rice pot.

The Lord said that meeting was difficult, and it was exhausting.

Ten people are not drunk, the feeling is deliberately long.

Tomorrow is separated by the mountains, and the world is boundless.

When I came here today, Du told Huangfu Weiming that I was here to persuade him to surrender, but in fact I was here to fulfill my wish for you.

I don’t know when we will meet again.”

Du Fu was in tears, and he wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeves. He did not mention his leaving Hebei with Fang Chongyong, nor did he mention his own situation.

He couldn't go back anymore and could only follow Huangfu Weiming till the end.

The situation in the country is in turmoil now, and Crown Prince Li Heng has also acted on his own. The Hebei rebels, under the name of Li Wan, the Prince of Rong, have already established their capital and proclaimed themselves emperor.

But the saint of today is doing evil and perverse things, and many people have abandoned him.

Du Fu also didn't want to follow Brother Ji.

Who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? Who is the loyal minister and who is the rebel?
This kind of thing cannot be explained in a few words, and people with different ideas cannot convince each other!
In a world of chaos and confusion, no one can see clearly whether the road ahead is a smooth one or a dead end.

I can only wish each of you well.

"Brother Zimei, don't you want to go south to Bianzhou with me?"

Fang Chongyong took the wine bag handed over by Du Fu and asked.

"Everyone has his own aspirations, so the commander-in-chief can just go on his own."

After saying this, Du Fu turned around and left without stopping at all.

(End of this chapter)