Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 518: Loyal bones are buried everywhere in the green mountains, why should we return home wrapped in horsehide?

Just as night fell that day, Wang Zhongsi, who was stationed in the west city of Taiyuan, returned to the government office with a solemn expression.

He locked himself in the study, spread out a large piece of paper, picked up a pen and wanted to write something, but suddenly put the pen aside and couldn't help but sigh.

His brows were about to be wrinkled into a "川" shape.

Wang Zhongsi actually knew very well in his heart that the powerful and prosperous Tang Dynasty was probably gradually fading away.

But peace is still a long way off. The Tang Dynasty has been established for more than a hundred years, and too many contradictions have accumulated. When the chaos begins, countless demons and monsters will come out to stir up trouble.

Revenge when there is a grudge, and revenge when there is a grudge.

The first thing to be affected is that the power issue between Brother Ji and Crown Prince Li Heng has not been resolved.

The country doesn't even have an emperor who can legitimately command the four directions, so how can peace be achieved?
Wang Zhongsi thought about it, picked up the pen and wrote quickly on the paper, finishing it in one go.

He hesitated again and again, and finally added a few words at the end:

Wang Zhongsi's last work.

He had a feeling that his time was running out.

The day Ji Ge failed was the day he would be buried alive.

When he was very young, Wang Zhongsi was raised in the palace by Ji Ge and received the same top-level education as the other princes.

Although he is not a prince, he acts like one.

Ji Ge's kindness to him could never be repaid in his lifetime. If the matter could not be done, Wang Zhongsi could only die to thank the world and fulfill the way of loyalty and filial piety.

To ensure the normal succession of the throne is the loyalty of a subject;
Not forgetting the kindness of Brother Ji in raising you is the filial piety of an adopted son.

All the generals in the Hedong army could work for Li Heng, except Wang Zhongsi.

After packing the letter and sealing it with wax, he found a servant of Wang's family who was accompanying the army and handed the letter to him.

"Go to Bianzhou and deliver the letter to Xiuniang."

Wang Zhongsi pondered for a moment, then took out a bag of gold leaves from his sleeve, stuffed it into the other party's hand and continued, "There are instructions in a certain letter. If you deliver the letter, you will no longer be Wang's servant. Take this money and find a place without war to live a peaceful life."

"Ah Lang! What do you mean?"

The servant knelt down and exclaimed, taking the letter with both hands, but refused to take the bag of gold leaves.

"These are not questions you should ask. Go ahead and don't hesitate."

Wang Zhongsi waved his hands impatiently.

The servant had no choice but to go, and never touched the purse.

Wang Zhongsi had no choice but to put the purse away, holding his chin with both hands, staring at the oil lamp with lifeless eyes, but his mind was flying far away.

Now the generals and officers in the army are very resentful towards Brother Ji. Those who wanted to make money didn't see any money, and those who wanted to follow the dragon didn't find any dragon.

Since the start of the war, they have gained almost nothing. Can such an army win a war?
Wang Zhongsi didn't dare to think about it any further. The more he thought about it, the colder he felt.

At this moment, the big drum outside the government office was struck violently. The sound of the drum was so rapid that it seemed to be beating next to one's ears, making one's scalp tingle!

problem occurs!
dong dong dong!dong dong dong!
dong dong dong!dong dong dong!
Wang Zhongsi's expression changed slightly, and then he picked up his sword from the wall and sat upright in front of the desk.

He looked very calm and didn't show any panic.

The hurried footsteps were getting closer and closer. Soon, the study door was pushed open, and Bai Xiaode, sweating profusely, rushed in with several personal soldiers, shouting to Wang Zhongsi: "General, the Hexi Chishui Army and the Dadou Army have joined forces to mutiniate! The rebels have taken over the city gates and are about to attack the government office!"

Bai Xiaode's voice was trembling. In fact, he didn't want to defend to the death, but the fact that these troops mutinied and no one came to bribe him explained everything. This was also the most important reason why he came here to inform Wang Zhongsi.

The saddest thing in life is that you are not even worth being bought by others, and you can't find a way to betray them even if you want to.

In fact, this scene is not uncommon.

Before coming to Hedong, Wang Zhongsi directly controlled the troops of Anxi and Beiting. In addition, his adopted son Li Guangbi was the governor of Hexi, so he had the upper hand in terms of military strength and had absolute say in the army.

But unfortunately, all these troops have been transferred away by Brother Ji.

As for why Ji Ge wanted to transfer these troops, it is actually easy to understand. It was somewhat intended to prevent Wang Zhongsi from establishing himself.

The Chishui Army had 30,000 soldiers, the Dadou Army had 5,000 soldiers who came to Hedong, and the other armies were scattered units, such as the army under the command of the Longyou Jiedushi.

The garrison troops of Hedong Road were also sent to garrison elsewhere.

Now that the two armies in Hexi have joined forces to mutiniate, even if there are gods in Taiyuan city, they cannot stop them.

Because according to the rotation schedule in Taiyuan City, although the military sequence was broken up, there were officers and soldiers guarding the city and patrolling the city on any given day, and they were organized into an organized group.

At this moment, Wang Zhongsi was too lazy to move. He could tell who was making trouble with his eyes closed.

Led by the An family of Liangzhou, there is also a group of local Hexi factions who do not want to sink with Ji Ge's ship and become "rebels."

Chang'an can easily bribe them by sending a lobbyist to promise them high positions and generous salaries. These people don't really want much, they just want to "advance".

The wages of avarice is death.

Wang Zhongsi said silently in his heart.

The sound of armor rubbing against each other was messy and loud.

There were also footsteps, and it sounded like there were a lot of people.

The scabbard of the sword at the waist hit the armor plates near the thighs during movement, making a unique harsh sound.

The government gate seemed to have been opened by someone. Normally, only the middle door was opened, so the hinge of the gate had always been in bad condition. The sound that made my teeth ache was the noise made by the rotten door hinge rubbing against the gate.

Although Wang Zhongsi had his eyes closed, he seemed to see the Chishui troops, armed to the teeth and wearing black uniforms, pouring in like a tide.

There was no sound of swords cutting into flesh, no crying, no shouting of killing, and even no insults.

Everything is so peaceful.

Maybe no one resisted.

Wang Zhongsi couldn't help but sigh. He had nothing to regret. People's hearts were in their favor. No matter how many tricks he prepared, he couldn't change anything.

But the sound of footsteps outside was frighteningly loud.

A lot of people, probably a lot of people came.

Wang Zhongsi suddenly opened his eyes and saw that the door of the study was open. Bai Xiaode and several personal soldiers around him had drawn their swords and were guarding him.

There was no one outside the door.

The mutinous soldiers had not yet reached the study, but the footsteps were getting closer and closer, as if they were very close.

"Put down your knives, don't lose your life in vain."

Wang Zhongsi calmly instructed Bai Xiaode and spoke to the soldiers around him.

When the latter heard this, his face turned red and white. Wang Zhongsi saw through his thoughts at a glance, and it was useless to defend himself.

Bai Xiaode threw his sword on the ground, sighed, and did not dare to look at Wang Zhongsi.

When the personal soldiers saw that Bai Xiaode had surrendered, they also threw their swords on the ground.

They are not afraid of death, they are just afraid of dying in a humble and meaningless way.

There was a sad mood in the study.

After a while, An Zhongzhang walked in front, accompanied by the elite soldiers of the Chishui Army who were fully armed except for the bows and crossbows, and arrived outside the study of the government office.

No one stepped across the threshold.

Wang Zhongsi sat upright in front of the desk, like a mountain, making these people afraid to come forward.

"Since you are here, why don't you dare to come in?"

Wang Zhongsi looked into An Zhongzhang's eyes and asked back, his authority evident without even getting angry.

Seeing this, the soldiers around An Zhongzhang couldn't help but take a step back.

"Haha, the Chishui Army, which is famous all over the world and dominates Liangzhou, has become like this now?"

Wang Zhongsi couldn't help but sneered, then shouted at An Zhongzhang: "All of you get in here!"

His voice was like a bell, and his roar made An Zhongzhang and the generals and soldiers around him have a buzzing sound in their ears, and they almost couldn't stand steadily. However, An Zhongzhang still gritted his teeth, strode into the study, and looked at Wang Zhongsi.

The scene was extremely solemn for a moment.

Wang Zhongsi waved gently to Bai Xiaode and others around him, and the latter had to file out with their personal soldiers like deserters.

They stood guard at the door, unable to come in and refusing to leave.

"General An brought so many people to the government office. What do you want to say to me?"

Wang Zhongsi looked at An Zhongzhang with a half-smile, and his tone was like an official from the Dali Temple interrogating a prisoner. People who didn't know the specific situation thought that An Zhongzhang had violated military law at this moment, and the Chishui Army soldiers behind him were Wang Zhongsi's yamen runners.

"Marshal Wang, I am here to give you a warning. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

An Zhongzhang clasped his fists and said to Wang Zhongsi, his eyes flickering, not daring to look at the other person.

"Is it because I didn't release the grain, or am I pushing you to die in front of Shi Siming? Is it worth it for you to make such a military remonstrance?"

Wang Zhongsi showed a hint of sarcasm on his face and asked a direct question.

An Zhongzhang was speechless. He didn't want to break up with him, but it seemed that Wang Zhongsi was determined to stay with Brother Ji until the end!

He has no choice!

"General Wang, let's be frank. The current situation is not what the Hexi soldiers want to see.

The emperor has already ascended the throne in Chang'an. The emperor emeritus has committed evil deeds and disregarded the safety of the country. He should have abdicated long ago.

The soldiers no longer want to follow this tyrant and commit evil, please forgive us, Marshal!"

An Zhongzhang gritted his teeth and saluted.

Wang Zhongsi ignored him and just looked coldly at everyone in the study with a look of disdain.

"For a minister, loyalty and righteousness are the most precious qualities."

He sighed softly, shook his head in disappointment, looked at An Zhongzhang and continued, "The Saint has been very kind to the An family of Liangzhou. A large number of An family members have entered the court as officials, all thanks to the Saint's support. Let's not talk about others, let's talk about you. If it weren't for the Saint's promotion, would you be where you are today? You don't repay the favor, but stab me in the back. That's unjust!"

An Zhongzhang's face was bulging with veins after hearing these words, but he couldn't refute them. He clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could punch Wang Zhongsi in the face to shut him up.

However, An Zhongzhang didn't dare to do so, and he couldn't break off relations with her.

Wang Zhongsi didn't care whether he was happy or not, and continued: "The succession to the throne has its own laws. The prince caused a coup in the Chang'an Palace, deposed the emperor and established himself. Supporting such a new emperor is disloyalty. Today, the prince deposed the emperor, and there will be future generations who will follow suit. The first person to do this will have no descendants. You are only interested in profit and help the tyrant to commit atrocities. This is disloyalty!"

After saying this, he pointed at An Zhongzhang and cursed: "You are a disloyal and unrighteous person. What qualifications do you have to speak up in front of me?"

He gritted his teeth and said word by word: "You! Are! Worthy! Of! It!"

"shut up!"

An Zhongzhang was so upset by the scolding that he drew the sword from his waist and pointed it at Wang Zhongsi, but he still didn't dare to rush up and kill Wang Zhongsi.

Even if the other party is just sitting there motionless and unarmed.

In fact, in An Zhongzhang's plan, Wang Zhongsi must not die!
If he died, the army's morale would be shaken and the An family of Liangzhou would offend a large number of people.

If those people come to settle scores later, the trouble will be endless!

An Zhongzhang suppressed his inner anger and fear of being seen through. His chest rose and fell violently, and he stared at Wang Zhongsi with red eyes.

It was a long time before An Zhongzhang suppressed his inner anger and forced a smile on his face, but the smile looked forced.

"General, you have been dismissed by the emperor and are no longer the general. You should not be in the government office now, but find a secluded place to rest.

Once the situation calms down, you can return to your hometown to recuperate.

Now that things have come to this, I hope you will not insist on doing it on your own. The brothers are just trying to find a way to survive and don’t want to embarrass you. I also hope you won’t embarrass us.”

An Zhongzhang tried hard to explain and made a gesture of invitation.

Wang Zhongsi would be placed under house arrest and provided with good food and drink.

It's better for everyone to part ways in peace and there's no need to take things to the extreme.

“I never think that those who stab me in the back are brothers.

An Zhongzhang, I want to ask you, there are 30,000 Chishui troops and 5,000 Dadou troops. Aren't all these well-armored soldiers enough to support you?
If you want to chop, chop here! You are fussy like a woman, what do you want to do?
You are afraid of the fishy smell when you eat fish, right?"

Wang Zhongsi patted his chest and looked at An Zhongzhang with wide eyes!
The latter didn't dare to look at him, turned his head to the side and took a step back.

Wang Zhongsi looked around at the crowd again, and everyone present lowered their heads, not daring to look at him.

His face was filled with disappointment. He leaned his hands on his thighs and sighed:
"In the second year of Wude, when Emperor Gaozu was still alive, the Chishui Army swept across the world.

Sitting in Liangzhou, resisting the Turks in the north and blocking the Tibetans in the south, it is the biggest pillar of our Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions.

There is a saying in the market: The largest army in the world is the Chishui. Tiger is called a big insect, and the big one is the king!

The Chishui Army is the army of kings, at least it used to be.

The Western Regions are as vast as a ribbon, and the Chishui Army is an iron nail, firmly nailed to one end of the ribbon, supporting the Tang Dynasty's vast territory in the Western Regions.

It cannot be moved by the wind, shaken by the rain, or buried by the sand. What a manly spirit it is.

Now, you who are in the Chishui Army have turned into despicable people, fighting for power and profit, being disloyal and unjust, and deceiving the emperor.

I once served as an envoy of the Chishui Army and was proud of it.

But now, I am ashamed to be with you guys! I feel deeply ashamed!

From now on, you must never tell others that I, Wang, have been in the Chishui Army!
An Zhongzhang, you want the commander's seal? It's on the table, just take it!
Wang is leaving!"

After saying that, Wang Zhongsi quickly pulled out the sword on the table and slashed his neck with it.

Then his body went limp and he fell on the table, as if he was asleep.

Blood splattered on the table, leaving a bright red color.

"Shuai Wang!"

An Zhongzhang yelled, his eyes wide open! He turned pale with fear!
His knees went weak and he collapsed to the ground, completely stunned.

Forcing Wang Zhongsi to death was definitely not what he wanted to see!
Wang Zhongsi started his career very early, had great prestige in the army, and loved his soldiers like his own sons.

Depriving him of his military power is a peaceful way for everyone to part ways amicably. After all, people with different ideals cannot work together. In fact, this is something that most people can accept.

After all, the love and affection we had back then can never compare to the livelihood of our family and our own future.

I can only say "I'm sorry" in my heart.

But forcing Wang Zhongsi to death is another matter! There were more than one or two people who were taken care of by Wang Zhongsi in the army!
Forcing the benefactor to death, is this how you repay a favor?
From then on, the An family of Liangzhou really became people who repay kindness with enmity! People live by their faces, how will the world view the An family of Liangzhou?

This was something An Zhongzhang could not accept in any way.

thump!
People immediately knelt on the floor in the study room! Many of them began to sob.

Grief, tension, fear, and trepidation. Various emotions filled everyone's heart and kept changing.

No one expected that Wang Zhongsi would be so stubborn and would rather die than be under house arrest!
How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan? An eagle in the sky will die if it falls to the ground. How can a sparrow on the ground possibly understand the eagle's integrity?

"Give Marshal Wang a proper burial."

An Zhongzhang stood up, sighed, and gave instructions to the soldiers around him.

No one answered. Everyone knelt on the ground and refused to get up, as if the honor of the Chishui Army would be tarnished by them if they stood up.

Bai Xiaode, who had been standing outside the door, slowly walked in at this time.

He looked at An Zhongzhang expressionlessly and said, "General An, I want to take Marshal Wang back to his hometown, Zheng County, Huazhou, for burial, so that he can return to his roots."

After saying this, Bai Xiaode walked forward, carried Wang Zhongsi's body on his back and walked out of the study without caring whether An Zhongzhang agreed or not.

The elite soldiers of the Chishui Army who were standing densely in the government office did not dare to stop Bai Xiaode and the few personal soldiers behind him. An Zhongzhang even followed behind him and "escorted" Bai Xiaode all the way out of the government office, then leaned against the wall weakly, his eyes were dull and he could not say a word.

He didn't even dare to rush forward to stop Bai Xiaode.

"The greatest army is the Chishui. Among all creatures and insects, the tiger is called the great insect. The Chishui army is the army of the king..."

An Zhongzhang muttered to himself, like a man whose soul had been sucked away by a monster and who had lost his mind.

(End of this chapter)