Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 52 Fang Jieshuai doesn’t like to play his cards according to the routine
Don't be afraid of opponents who are like gods, but teammates who are like pigs. This sentence is also applicable when helping others.

Without the help of Li Heng's people, Fang Chongyong managed Wang Zhongsi to return to Chang'an easily, and he had a comprehensive plan long ago.

With some of Li Heng's subordinates intervening indiscriminately, this matter will not be done, and it will easily arouse Li Longji's suspicion!
Now, as expected, not only did things go wrong, but they just ignored it!

As expected, Li Heng was unreliable in his work and would run away when something happened.

Fang Chongyong didn't need to go to Zheng County, Huazhou to see what the future mother-in-law was going to be like now.

"Brother-in-law, do you think there is still a chance to turn around this matter?"

Wang Yanshu asked nervously.

There are so-called "dimensions" in the use of power, and situations where "power cannot be used" often occur.

Now Wang Yanshu is vaguely aware of this, and feels that Fang Chongyong's mind is far ahead of his peers.

Because he felt that Fang Chongyong had already realized this deeply.

When Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, his powerful soldiers and horses were unable to do anything to the ministers of the court. Instead, they were manipulated by those people with intrigues.

This is a typical example of power that cannot be used due to its different dimensions.

"This matter needs an opportunity. Only when the time comes. But before that, you have to do one more thing for me."

Fang Chongyong leaned over and whispered in Wang Yanshu's ear for a long time.

"Is this really possible?"

Wang Yanshu asked with some uncertainty. Fang Chongyong's method was not too complicated, but too simple, so simple that it even seemed like child's play.

"This is the last chance, otherwise, there is nothing I can do. After you go back, ask your mother-in-law if she is willing. If not, please hire Gao Ming."

Fang Chongyong refused to give in even a single step, as if he had the posture of "if you don't agree, I'll drop the pick".Wang Yanshu had no choice but to agree, and hurried back to Zheng County, Huazhou without stopping.

However, what Fang Chongyong didn't know was that in the north of the Tang Dynasty, where the Xi people and Khitans lived together in the north of Youzhou, the situation suddenly changed, catching him by surprise.

……

"Fang Jieshuai, is it inappropriate for us to mobilize five hundred elite cavalry without Zhang Jieshuai's military order?"

Next to Fang Youde, the Youzhou Observation and Disposal Envoy who was dressed in military uniform, there was a man dressed as a scholar, bowing his hands and asking in a low voice.This person's name is Cui Hao, a very famous poet. He wrote the poem "Yellow Crane Tower", and many of his works are very popular.

But in the officialdom, he has been depressed all his life. Now as an attaché (associate officer) of the Youzhou Observation and Disposal Envoy, he works in the Youzhou feudal town.

"You go back and tell Zhang Jieshuai that everything depends on the authority. It's too late to explain more. Let's talk about it after this battle."

Fang Youde with a stern face looked at the dense forest in the distance and frowned slightly.At this moment, he is leading five hundred elite cavalry in ambush on the hill that must pass through to the Huanghe River (Luanhe River).

If this battle is won, it's okay, but if he loses, he will be beheaded by Li Longji if he does not die in the battle.

Of course, things happened suddenly, the arrow had to be fired, and Fang Youde had no choice.

In the 24th year of Kaiyuan, Zhang Shougui, governor of Youzhou, found an opportunity to lead an army to conquer the remnants of the Khitan rebellion. He defeated the enemy army at Nalu Mountain, captured Dingkou, and countless goods, but did not receive any special rewards.

Perhaps Li Longji felt that these things were the duties that the feudal town should do and were not worthy of rewards.

Zhang Shougui felt that it didn't matter. If the court didn't reward him, he wouldn't reward him. He was determined to become a general and become a prime minister, so he didn't care much about these things.

However, those arrogant soldiers under him are not happy!
Who cares about the little thing snatched from Xiren Khitan? What they want is to get promoted and get rich, and go back to Chang'an to be chic, and even hope that everyone will be promoted to a higher level after Zhang Shougui is gone!
So two of Zhang Shougui's subordinate generals, Zhao Kan and Baizhen Tuoluo, pretended to be ordered to inspect Yingzhou, but in fact they planned to plot evil.Fang Youde happened to know about this incident and captured the two men before they could launch a conspiracy.

Isn't the observation and disposal department itself set up to deal with similar things?This position is the two sides of the Jiedushi.

After interrogation, it was learned that Zhao Kan and Baizhen Tuoluo were somewhat dissatisfied with Wu Zhiyi, who was then the envoy of Pinglu Jiedu, and believed that Wu Zhiyi was not active in military operations to exterminate the Xi tribe's rebels.

They believed that last year's encirclement and suppression of the Xiren Khitan was unsuccessful, and it was because the Pinglu Fanzhen did not cooperate with the Youzhou Fanzhen that many elite Xiren fled into the mountains.

So these two people wanted to pass on Wu Zhiyi's order to let the Pinglu Fanzhen go into the mountains to suppress the bandits.

Fang Youde learned the inside story after the interrogation, but he did not arrest the two and put them in prison for punishment.

Using his power, he directly wrote a military order in the name of the center, and asked Zhao Kan and Bai Zhenduo to take the military order to Yingzhou.

This military order informed Pinglu Jiedu envoy Wu Zhiyi that he must send troops to the north bank of Huangshui River, and take advantage of the autumn harvest to catch him unprepared and intercept the rest of Xiren's rebel army.

Wu Zhiyi didn't dare not listen, because the power Fang Youde used was only used by the observation and disposal staff in extreme situations.That is a big move that will only be used when the Jiedu envoy of a certain place plans to rebel, and the observation and disposal envoy urgently dispatches troops to counter the rebellion in the name of the imperial court.

Since the imperial court generally adopts a four-year replacement system for Jiedushi, coupled with the assistance of various control methods, there has been no rebellion of Jiedushi.In many feudal towns, Jiedu envoys also serve as observation and disposal envoys.

For example, the Hexi Jiedu Envoy also serves as the Hexi Observation and Disposal Envoy, and will not be established separately.

There are two commanders here in Youzhou Fan Town, which is really a special case.

Therefore, Fang Youde's big move has never been seen before, and its power should not be underestimated!
After all, no one wants to be the first unlucky guy whose head is picked off because of this.

Faced with this inexplicable military order, Wu Zhiyi finally gave up.

It is worth mentioning that Wu Zhiyi, who was born as a veteran soldier, had a record of running away when he faced Xi Ren and Khitan. He survived only under the cover of Zhang Shougui, and he was not punished afterwards.

Although this matter has always been a secret, after all, many people in the upper echelon of Youzhou Fanzhen still know about it.

At this moment, Pinglu Jiedu envoy Wu Zhiyi was leading his troops to fight fiercely with the Xi people on the bank of Huangshui River, while Fang Youde led his troops to ambush on a hill more than ten miles away, setting off an ambush.

"Commander Jie, there are Khitan cavalry coming towards Huangshui. They are only two miles away from here!"

At this moment, a scout hurriedly rode up to Fang Youde, raised his hands and saluted.

"how many people?"

"About 5000 people."

The Tang Army scout said nervously, "Five hundred to fight five thousand, that's not a very brave person."Of course, there are no absolutes on the battlefield.

Fang Youde frowned slightly, the Khitan cavalry was twice as many as he expected.

But retreat now and everything will be ruined.

If you are a man, you should draw your sword head on!

“Get ready to put the logs!”

Fang Youde ordered calmly.

"Jie Shuai!"

Cui Hao was shocked. Fang Youde wanted to die, but he didn't want to die yet!
"Go back and report credit to Zhang Jieshuai, and say that this Jieshuai defeated the Khitan cavalry here, and the gains are useless."

Fang Youde tapped Cui Hao's shoulder with his horsewhip and said, his tone resonant and firm!
"Repay the merits before the fight?"

Cui Hao asked softly.

However, Fang Youde just pointed his horsewhip in the direction of the Mo Dou army camp behind him, signaling him to go back and report the letter.

After Cui Hao left, Fang Youde said to the ordering soldiers beside him: "Pass the order, we will make great achievements today. If you win this battle, the commander of this section will ask you for credit in front of the emperor! Let Zhao Kan and Bai Zhentuo Luo and his two are taking the lead, if they don’t die in this battle, the commander will let bygones be bygones!"

"Order!"

"Woo! Woo! Woo!"

The desolate horn sounded, and the Khitan cavalry, who were preparing to surprise the flank of the Tang army led by Wu Zhiyi, were dispersed by a pile of logs rolling down the hill on their way to the battlefield.

Just when they were frightened, five hundred Tang army elite cavalry rushed down from the hill. Fang Youde took the lead and rushed to the front, cutting off the flag of the Khitan cavalry with a sword.

The formation of the Khitan who had been hit repeatedly was in chaos, and they couldn't look at each other from head to tail.Those who fell from their horses trampled on each other, and countless people fled for their lives in all directions.

On the other side of the Huanghe River, Wu Zhiyi also finished taking care of Xi Ren's remnants, and found that sporadic Khitan cavalry were rushing towards them. He quickly sent troops to stop them. Only a few of the Khitan cavalry who were attacked escaped alive, and almost the entire army Overturned.

In the autumn of the 25th year of Kaiyuan, Fang Youde, the envoy of Youzhou Observation and Disposal, led 5000 cavalry. With the cooperation of soldiers and horses from Pinglu Fan Town, they defeated [-] Khitan cavalry near the west bank of Huangshui, fifty miles east of the Mo Dou Army's station!
In this battle, the Khitan and Xi people's coalition forces suffered a disastrous defeat. The Tang army took the opportunity to regain the defense area lost due to the rebellion of Sun Wanrong and Li Jinzhong in the late Wu Zhou Dynasty, expanded the communication channel between Youzhou Fan Town and Pinglu Fan Town, and opened up a military buffer zone.

The significance of this battle is not to kill many enemies, but to change the passive defense posture of the Tang army in Youzhou since the year of Wu Zhou, so that the forces of Youzhou and Pinglu Town can be calmly dispatched between each other.

Cui Hao, an aide under Fang Youde's tent, wrote a song called "Song of the Yanmen Barbarians", praising the tranquility of the Youzhou frontier fortress after the battle.

"Gaoshan Daijun is adjacent to Yan in the east, and the Hu family in Yanmen is close to it.

Free the Hu Ying to chase the birds, and hunt the Akita on behalf of the horse.

The wild fires on the mountaintops are burning in the cold, and the lonely peaks are wet and smokey in the rain.

Hearing that there is no fighting in western Liaoning, he often sleeps in a restaurant while drunk. "

Soon, both the battle reports and Cui Hao's poems were widely circulated in Chang'an, and the brothels in Pingkangfang were boiling.

Scholars who hang out in Liuxiang, Huajie, drink and revel, write poems and fus, celebrate the invincibility of the Tang Dynasty, sing praises of the border town and the rising stars.

It was as if they had personally defeated the Khitans in battle!
……

"My Tang Dynasty is invincible in the world, hahahahahaha!"

In the grounds of Xingqing Palace, seeing the battle report sent by Fang Youde through the station channel, even Li Longji, who is used to announcing good news in border towns, was as excited as if he was in his 20s back then.

"Why didn't I see that Quan Zhong was a great general?"

Li Longji sighed with emotion.

"No one knows about the leader of the Quanzhong Society, but he is famous for his courage."

Gao Lishi reminded in a low voice from the side.

"Quanzhong's courage is really great."

Thinking of what happened back then, Li Longji couldn't help being afraid for a while.

After the Shenlong coup, Princess Taiping was in great trouble.At that time, Li Longji was also hesitant about whether to turn against his own aunt.

At that time, among the old ministers in the Qiandi, only Fang Youde advised to strike first, and took the initiative to undertake the task of liaising with the generals of the Imperial Army of the Beiya.What happened afterwards all proved that Fang Youde had the foresight.

If Princess Taiping had struck first at that time, it would be hard to say who would win in the end.

"Nowadays, many people from the market have mixed in among Wanqi, and their combat strength is worrying. I plan to reorganize Wanqi, break them up, and eliminate redundant personnel. Create a new Longwu Army, divided into left and right armies, with Chen Xuanli as the general.

What do you think about letting Fang Youde lead the general of the left army of the Longwu Army? "

Li Longji asked Gao Lishidao.

"Fang Youde is not good at socializing, and Chen Xuanli has no military exploits. If the two of them are in the Longwu Army together, I'm afraid someone in the court will criticize Fang Youde and should not be inferior to others."

Gao Lishi said cautiously.

The two cronies are both in the Longwu Army, and Fang Youde has made great contributions in Bianzhen recently. Who will be the top leader and who will be the second leader?
Can the people below be convinced?Will there be a gang?
He didn't think much of it at first, but now that he heard what Gao Lishi said, Li Longji felt that this arrangement was not very appropriate.Only one of Chen Xuanli and Fang Youde can remain in the newly formed Longwu Army.

Who is better to keep?

"Fang Youde can be granted the post of Jiedu Envoy of Youzhou."

Gao Lishi continued to suggest.

"good."

Li Longji nodded slightly. This appointment can ensure that Fang Youde will fulfill his promise to the soldiers who participated in the war.

"It's just that Zhang Shougui has been in the border town for many years, and he has quite a lot of military exploits. Fang Youde borrowed troops to fight this time, and he didn't interfere to stop him. If the imperial court reprimands him without reason, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of the soldiers in the border town..."

After Li Longji finished speaking, he fell silent and made arrangements for Fang Youde, but it was difficult for Zhang Shougui to make arrangements.

Pinglu Jiedushi envoy Wu Zhiyi cooperated with Fang Youde in fighting in this battle, and he achieved a lot, which is also a meritorious service. It cannot be said that Wu Zhiyi was demoted and Fang Youde became Pinglu Jiedu envoy, right?
Li Longji was suddenly in trouble.

"A minister in the court recommended Zhang Shougui for the chancellorship, but Zhang Jiuling tried his best to stop it. Now that Zhang Jiuling has gone to Jingzhou to serve as the governor, the saint can discuss Zhang Shougui's chancellorship in the court.

Only when Zhang Shougui becomes the prime minister can he be appointed as the governor of Youzhou, and other meritorious officials can be rewarded in turn. This matter is not difficult to handle. "

Gao Lishi made a suggestion to let Zhang Shougui become the prime minister, continuing the rule of "going out and entering the prime minister" since the early Tang Dynasty.

It seems that it is not impossible.

"It makes sense, I have to think about it carefully."

Li Longji nodded.

"Lishi, go and call Brother Nu and Li Shizhi, I want to ask their opinions."

In the 24th year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji ordered Li Shizhi to build embankments in view of the annual flooding of Gushui and Luoshui, which consumed people's resources.Henan Yin and Li Shizhi used the money from the internal treasury to build three embankments, Shangyang, Jicui, and Yuebei, and successfully resisted the flood in Guluo.

Because of his merits, Li Shizhi was appointed as the imperial doctor, one step away from worshiping the prime minister.

The few people Li Longji thought were qualified to take over the position were Li Shizhi, Zhang Shougui, and Niu Xianke.Since Fang Youde has made meritorious service on the front line, he might as well settle the matter of paying homage to the prime minister as well.

With such thoughts in mind, Li Longji called Li Linfu and Li Shizhi to the office of Qinzheng Affairs in Xingqing Palace.

(End of this chapter)