Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 520: Literary Attack and Military Attack
In Hebei, Xindu is one of the most famous cities with a long history. When Liu Xiu first entered Hebei in the late Western Han Dynasty, he was in a very difficult situation. It was by relying on Xindu County that he managed to turn the tide and finally took over Hebei.

At this moment, Jizhou Governor Su E was standing on the top of the city wall with a nervous look on his face. Not far to the south of the moat, a few rangers were wandering around stealthily. They seemed to have seen that the Xindu City was too big and deep to deal with, so they wandered around for a while and then left.

"Finally gone, gone."

Su E wiped the dense beads of sweat on his forehead with his sleeve, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh. He held on to the parapet with both hands, almost unable to stand.

He was from Fufeng, Guanzhong. He was known for his talent and studied at home.

Huangfu Weiming recruited talented and frustrated people from all over the country to join his shogunate, and Su E was among them.

After two years of working as a staff member, Su E was appreciated by Huangfu Weiming and was immediately sent to Jizhou as a governor. Of course, this was inevitably due to the latter's manipulation and recommendation.

Since he was a governor from Huangfu Weiming's government, when his master started a rebellion, Su E naturally responded actively. So he continued to serve as the governor of Jizhou and stayed in Xindu City.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a custom of "changing names to express one's aspirations". In order to draw a clear line between himself and the "old dynasty" or certain people, Su E changed his name to "Su Youde", implying that "the divine artifact belongs to those with virtue" and this was God's will.

Huangfu Weiming was very happy about this and gave Su Youde the right to recruit soldiers and named him "Governor of Jizhou". Su Youde was also unambiguous and recruited 3,000 soldiers, trained them day and night, and was under the unified command of General Li Qincou.

"Sir, the enemy troops have already reached Xindu. How should we deal with them?"

Li Qin walked up to Su Youde and asked in a low voice.

He looked down on Su Youde a little because he seemed to be weak and knew nothing about military affairs.

But there was no way, Su Youde was from the Youzhou shogunate to which Huangfu Weiming belonged, and the two had a personal relationship and a good relationship. In other words, Huangfu Weiming might not know that Li Qincou was fighting bloody battles in Jizhou, but Huangfu Weiming would definitely know that Su Youde was reporting and saying bad things behind his back.

So even though Li Qincou looked down on Su Youde, he had to serve him respectfully, even though he had his own grievances in his heart.

"Will the enemy army attack the city?"

Su Youde asked calmly. Although he looked relatively calm, his shaking hands told it all.

Li Qincou shook his head and answered with certainty: "It is impossible to attack the city. Xindu City is three feet high, the moat is seven feet deep, and the circumference is eighteen miles. The enemy army is only a few thousand. How can they attack such a big city?"

From Fang Zhongyong's perspective in his previous life, the area of ​​Xindu City was not worth mentioning. Any county town would be larger than it. But from the scale of the cities in the Tang Dynasty, Xindu was already a big city.

If the city wasn't so big, how could Huangfu Weiming give Su Youde the right to recruit soldiers?

"It's better not to attack the city. Once you attack the city, it will inevitably cause great suffering to the people."

Su Youde said hypocritically, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

At this moment, a personal soldier came forward, handed Su Youde an arrow with a letter tied to it, and said, "Sir, this is the letter that the enemy army just shot onto the city wall. Please take a look."

When did this happen?

Su Youde was startled, but he remained calm and reached out to take the letter.

Since Xindu City is very large, it is impossible for Su Youde to be fully aware of the situation around him. Just because he did not see the enemy cavalry shooting arrows does not mean that such things do not happen around Xindu City.

Three thousand soldiers may seem like a lot, but Xindu is a big city, and if they defend it, they may not be able to hold it. In fact, even if these three thousand people stood on the top of the city, they could only stand in a sparse row.

Su Youde took a deep breath, took the letter off the arrow, read it ten lines at a glance, and couldn't help but gasp.

Fang Chongyong said in the letter: In order to prevent the people of Jizhou from suffering, I will invite Su Youde to fight at the Jiangshui Gudu, the mother river of Xindu, in three days. Come if you know what's good for you. If not, I will kill all the military and political officials of Jizhou after I conquer Xindu.

This river was originally the old course of Jiangshui River. It was changed during the Northern Wei Dynasty and became a tributary of Zhanghe River. Jiangshui Gudu is a term mentioned in the "Shui Jing Zhu". The locals in Xindu call it "Jiangshui" or "Lanshui".

Jiangshui Gudu is part of the southern defense of Xindu City, and is only a few miles away from the south gate of Xindu. If you say it is far, it is not very far.

To go or not to go?
This is a question worth thinking about.

Thinking of his thin arms and legs, Su Youde instantly gave up the idea of ​​leading his troops out of the city.

"See for yourself."

Su Youde sighed lightly and handed the letter to Li Qincou.

After reading it, the latter looked at Su Youde with a puzzled expression, as if he was brewing his emotions.

After a long while, Li Qincou suggested in a calm tone: "Your Excellency, don't pay attention to the threat of this beast. The enemy is alone and deep in the territory. He is just bluffing at the moment."

Su Youde shook his head in disappointment and said, "Xindu City is high and has deep moats, so it is naturally not afraid of the enemy army attacking the city. But Zaoqiang County in Jizhou has already fallen, and Wuyi, Fucheng, Wuqiang, Tangyang, Nangong and other places are all small cities with few soldiers! The governor of Jizhou is to protect the safety of Jizhou, not the safety of Xindu alone!"

Li Qincou only needs to lead the troops, but as the "Governor of Jizhou", Su Youde has a lot of things to consider.

If Jizhou was in chaos, they would not care about anything. Even if they could finally defend Xindu, Su Youde's career as an official would be over.

The seedlings in the fields will soon mature. If Fang Chongyong and the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army are allowed to roam around in Jizhou, people will become panic-stricken.

Who would have the heart to go to the fields to harvest when the autumn harvest comes? Who knows whether the harvested food and fodder will be sold cheaply to others?
Su Youde just doesn't know how to fight, but he is very familiar with civil affairs and local management. If he didn't have some skills, he would not have been able to enter Huangfu Weiming's shogunate.

Because Huangfu Weiming raised his army quickly and implemented relatively peaceful policies, and Hebei had not been a war zone before.

Therefore, most of the provincial governors were civil officials like Su Youde.

Many even do a pretty good job.

But now that the war has spread to Hebei, these people are unable to control the situation.

"Sir, the Xindu soldiers are good at defending the city. If they leave the city, how can they fight against the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army selected from the border troops?"

Li Qincou almost knelt down to Su Youde. This mentally confused governor actually wanted to lead his troops out of the city to fight a field battle with the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army. What was he thinking?

"Anyway, there's a river in between, and the water isn't frozen yet, so can't we attack them halfway across the river?"

Su Youde asked in a low voice.

For a moment, Li Qincou was so anxious that he couldn't speak!
Because Su Youde's words had too many flaws and loopholes, he didn't know what to say.

I can only talk about war and military strategy with my peers. It's impossible to explain it clearly to a layman.

"Sir, you may have the ability of Han Xin and the power of Bai Qi, but I do not.

If you want to fight Fang Qing, you can go ahead and I will be in charge of defending the city."

Li Qincou left after saying something harsh, and Su Youde was so angry that he trembled all over.

However, what was unexpected was that a big incident happened the next day, and Li Qincou, who was still angry the day before, suddenly became wilted.

In the government office study, Su Youde stuffed a battle report directly into Li Qin's chest and shouted, "Take a look for yourself!"

The battle report said: Wuyi County, southeast of Xindu, was captured by Fang Chongyong's Silver Spear Filial Piety Army. The county magistrate and county lieutenant were "escorted out of the country" and sent directly to Xindu City, where they were imprisoned. The treasury of Wuyi County was opened, and like the situation in Zaoqiang County, the rebel army distributed food, weapons, and military uniforms to the local people.

Fang Chongyong also sent a letter, warning Su Youde not to be shameless. If he refused to keep the appointment, they would capture one city a day and take over all the county towns around Xindu.

Don't think that by pretending to be dead and not sending anyone to contact you, the agreement is invalid.

"What should we do? What do you think we should do?"

Su Youde was so angry, no, it should be said that he was so scared that he was shaking all over, so he had to vent his anger on Li Qincou.

Li Qincou had not expected Fang Zhong to be so brave that he could capture a city in one day. He really dared to say that!

In fact, what Li Qincou and his men didn't know was that the gate of Wuyi County was opened by the local police officers, not by the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army. Because these people knew what happened in Zaoqiang County before, there were many police officers, and they had close relations with the counties in the state, and even complicated relations.

In the eyes of these people, resistance is not only meaningless, but also hinders everyone from making money. What the court is like, what the top leaders are like, has nothing to do with them. Whoever rules here cannot do without them.

"Sir, if we fight outside the city, we will surely be defeated."

Li Qincou saluted Su Youde with his fists clasped, his waist bent almost to 90 degrees!

The study in the government office was silent. Su Youde pondered for a moment and sighed helplessly.

To leave the city or not to leave is a question that cannot be taken lightly, cannot be treated carelessly, and certainly cannot be pretended not to know.

At this moment, a personal soldier rushed in and shouted to Su Youde: "Sir, something terrible has happened. Hengshui County has been breached by the enemy army! No, it should be said that the magistrate of Hengshui County has opened the city and surrendered!"

"what?"

Su Youde screamed and stood up, his eyes popping out of his head with fright.

The county seat of Hengshui County is slightly larger than other counties in Jizhou, and there are more things in the treasury.

Why did the magistrate of Hengshui County demoted his position when he obviously had more capital?

However, thinking back to the previous letter challenging him to a duel, Su Youde seemed to come to his senses.

Since Fang Chongyong could threaten him, he made this governor feel uneasy and unable to eat well.

Then why can't we threaten the Hengshui County magistrate?
Su Youde began to understand why the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army could be so rampant in Jizhou.

The field army in Hebei was not in Jizhou, so it was unable to defend against the enemy. Some local people opened their warehouses to release grain, and only a few people in the county government offices were airdropped, and the rest were locals.

Who can guarantee that these local clerks and clerks who have positions but no official titles do not have other thoughts?

Today this clerk persuades the county magistrate, and tomorrow that local tycoon discusses things with the county magistrate. Who can withstand such constant persuasion day and night?
You have to know that the Tang Dynasty had ruled Hebei for more than a hundred years, and Huangfu Weiming had only been raising his army for a few years. Even if you count the time he spent as a military governor, it would have been only ten years at most.

How much recognition do local people have for him?

It doesn't matter when the war is not coming, no one wants to stick their heads out to catch stones and find faults. However, when the war is coming to you, it's not the same!

“Or, send someone to contact Fang Qing and see what they want.

As long as they don't occupy Xindu City, we can give them whatever they want. Let them go to Dezhou or Cangzhou. Anyway, don't bother us. What do you think?"

Su Youde discussed with Li Qincou in a low voice.

"This is a very good plan, sir."

Li Qin nodded. He was at his wit's end. He couldn't ask him to lead his troops to "attack the enemy halfway across the river"? That would kill people.

The counties around Xindu fell one after another, and now three cities have been lost. Su Youde and others regarded Fang Chongyong and his army as plague gods. It was impossible to fight them. It would be better if they could be sent away.

As long as they are not in Jizhou, the other party can do whatever they want.

"No, no, this won't do."

Su Youde shook his head, pondered for a moment and said: "We must ask Marshal Huangfu for help, otherwise it will be difficult to deal with this matter after it is exposed."

While asking for help from Huangfu Weiming, he compromised with Fang Chongyong.

It must be said that Su Youde's position as a governor was really a double-edged sword. Li Qin sighed in his heart, no wonder he was able to enter the shogunate and be appreciated by Huangfu Weiming, and even served as the governor of Jizhou.

Just the dancing posture with long sleeves cannot be learned by oneself.

……

On the south bank of the Jiangshui Gudu River, south of Xindu City, is the camp of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army.

It must be said that if Su Youde was braver and led the united soldiers in the city to cross the river for a surprise attack late at night, it would be really hard to predict who would win or lose.

Of course, many people fell into the trap without knowing it, and were still led by the enemy without knowing it.

Fang Zhongyong openly set up camp next to Xindu City, raised flags and made an arrogant gesture of "come if you want". This was a typical example of "not being able to show ability", and he was sure that Su Youde would not dare to go out of the city to fight in the field.

That letter of "challenge" is more of a psychological tactic, and only a brave man who is not afraid of life and death can break it.

In fact, there were only two hundred Silver Spear Filial Piety Army soldiers in this camp. The others were local people in Jizhou who were dressed in military uniforms.

The real main force was to attack everywhere, using both literary and military means to attack the counties surrounding Xindu! Although there were tough guys like the magistrate of Wuqiang County who would not open the city gates to fight to the death, there were still many fence-sitters who opened the city gates.

Some were opened by the county magistrate himself because he could not bear the pressure; others were opened "for him" by local people.

After nightfall, several groups of people returned to the camp one after another, and almost everyone had a smug smile on their face.

"General Jie, this move of yours is really powerful!"

As soon as he entered the commander's tent, He Changqi gave Fang Chongyong a thumbs up and said.

A soldier who subdues others without fighting is the best!

Let the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army be in the front, and the local "skinned" young and strong men be in the back, line up outside the county town, and the momentum of forcing surrender will emerge.

Don't blame the locals for being short-sighted. Often, the lower classes just rely on that mouthful of food, and they don't know the grand plans of the kings and generals. They will follow whoever gives them food, and they will help whoever gives them food. This is a very simple truth.

Fang Chongyong's secret is to mobilize the masses. Otherwise, it would be too easy for the locals to get food and fodder. They would have to do something, right?

"Didn't you capture Wuqiang County?"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand gently, not wanting to listen to He Changqi's clumsy flattery. He looked at Che Guangqian and asked.

The latter said with a look of annoyance: "I was afraid that the magistrate of Wuqiang County would see through our true intentions, so I led my troops back to the camp. I ask the commander to punish me."

"Your response was correct, if you fought at that time you would definitely be exposed.

But the best way is to use both kindness and force. If anyone doesn't open the city and surrender and is still fine, then we have nothing to lose.

Those locals who took the food will eventually betray us.

Pass on this commander's order, and the entire army will immediately march to Wuqiang County. Before dark tomorrow, I want to see the head of the Wuqiang County magistrate placed on my desk.

Go for it. "

Fang Zhongyong handed the fish token to Che Guangqian and continued, "You will command this battle, and you will guard the main camp in this section."

"Why don't you come with us, Marshal?"

Che Guangqian asked doubtfully.

"If Su Youde's envoys come to the camp and don't see me in charge, they will know our strengths and weaknesses."

Fang Zhongyong shook his head and signaled Che Guangqian to leave quickly.

(End of this chapter)