Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 597: Dao Fifty, Tian Yan Forty-Nine

"Snowing!"

Yan Zhenqing, who was sitting in the Council Hall in the Imperial City of Chang'an, reviewing documents, saw small snow seeds falling to the ground one by one and soon disappearing.

After obtaining a batch of grain and fodder from the wealthy families in Chang'an and transporting another batch of grain and fodder from Wuguan Road, the food shortage in Chang'an was finally alleviated.

But winter is coming, and Chang'an lacks more than just food and fodder.

Firewood, rice, oil and salt, rice is just one of them. In winter, we need to keep warm, burn charcoal and coal, and these things all cost money to buy.

Where can the people of Chang'an, who have long been suffering from the high price of food, get something to keep warm?

Yan Zhenqing placed his brush on the inkstone, rubbed his hands, and stretched his muscles.

"Will Fang Qing really send out troops as promised?"

Yan Zhenqing couldn't help but sigh and talked to himself, his heart full of worries.

Both forces have a practical need to eliminate Li Baochen, and they also know that they will inevitably have a direct conflict next.

This is unavoidable in any case.

Because Li Heng was the emperor in Guanzhong, and Fang Chongyong wanted to support Prince Yong to ascend the throne, the ultimate goals of both parties were diametrically opposed.

The contradiction between the two sides is fundamentally structural and cannot be reconciled or compromised.

Just as Fang Chongyong was worried about whether Guanzhong would send troops as promised, Yan Zhenqing was actually more worried that Fang Chongyong would break his promise for various reasons.

He did not doubt Fang Zhongyong's character, but he felt that things in the world were often unpredictable.

Although it is very important for Fang Chongyong to destroy Li Baochen and seize Luoyang, it is not that urgent.

But for Yan Zhenqing, it was a matter of life and death.

If Chang'an continues to be short of food, it can hold out for three to five months. However, if the shortage lasts for three to five years, it will really collapse.

Starving people everywhere is not just a legend, it will become a horrible reality!

"The people are the most important, the society is second, and the king is the light."

Yan Zhenqing let out a long sigh and muttered the words that Emperor Taizong often said.

The world is falling apart now. Is it really just because the court failed to put the people first?

Yan Zhenqing felt that there might be a deeper reason, but he just hadn't found it yet.

Just as he was daydreaming, Yan Gaoqing ran into the council hall in a hurry, his footsteps making the sound of the wind.

"Mr. Yan, Fang Qing has sent out his troops to build camps and fences west of Xingyang, and to dig deep trenches and fortifications!
Li Baochen has already led his troops to confront them! Fang Qing sent someone to deliver a handwritten letter, asking Mr. Yan to review it. "

Yan Gaoqing was very well-behaved. Even when addressing his cousin, he would address him by his title in public and would never show off his relationship with the prime minister.

"really?"

Yan Zhenqing raised his eyebrows, and became excited, even shaking all over.

"Indeed, the messenger has already returned to report. He said he saw it with his own eyes."

Yan Gaoqing handed the letter to Yan Zhenqing, who opened the wax seal in front of him, took out the letter and read it ten lines at a glance. Then his body suddenly went limp and he held on to the table with both hands.

Endless fatigue invaded Yan Zhenqing, almost making his eyes go black.

"Mr. Yan!"

Yan Gaoqing hurriedly supported Yan Zhenqing.

"I'm fine, really fine. I should say it's great. It's so good that I want to go to the bedroom and take a nap."

Yan Zhenqing smiled at Yan Gaoqing, his face showing a comfortable tiredness. He pressed his temples with both hands, rubbing them and saying, "Finally the overall situation has been decided. It was not easy to make this battle happen. Today I can finally sleep well."

In this letter, Fang Chongyong told Yan Zhenqing an important good news!
The Xuanwu Army was already fully prepared, and the first phase of the battle to sweep the periphery of Li Baochen's control area was completed in a swift and lightning speed.

Without causing any ripples, Fang Chongyong's troops divided into groups and attacked together, gathering on a hill west of Xingyang City and deploying their troops smoothly, blocking the gap to the east of Luoyang.

Fang Chongyong had already arranged the preset battlefield, which greatly restricted the range of activities of Li Baochen's army and made it impossible for Li Baochen to use any of his roundabout tactics.

It greatly reduced the military pressure in Guanzhong.

It can be said that Fang Zhongyong has done everything he can. The rest depends on how the army in Guanzhong will perform.

This news immediately removed the stone from Yan Zhenqing's heart.

How can I not be happy when things turn out better than I expected?
"Let's go home and have a drink."

Yan Zhenqing patted Yan Gaoqing on the shoulder and said, "Now is not the time for the Guanzhong army to attack. Since we have agreed to set out after the heavy snow of the twenty-four solar terms, we can just wait another ten days."

Why should he be in a hurry? Fang Chongyong has enough food and fodder anyway. He can hide in the solid trenches of the camp without being afraid of Li Baochen's fight to the death.

Yan Zhenqing was not worried about Fang Zhongyong! It would be good to temper Li Baochen's patience. There might be troubles in Luoyang City.

The two returned home and came to the study. Yan Zhenqing opened a pot of wine and filled it for Yan Gaoqing.

Pour yourself another glass.

"I asked you to go to each household to beg for food and fodder a few days ago. It was really hard work. I also know that it is not easy to ask for food and fodder. It is almost like begging, which is embarrassing."

Yan Zhenqing sighed helplessly and drank the wine in the cup.

How should I put it? In fact, those wealthy families still donated a lot of grain and fodder as military rations. After all, opening up the canal transportation is also a good thing for them.

It was rare that Fang Zhongyong was willing to send troops to support them in Bianzhou. If they missed this opportunity, they would miss it. If Fang Zhongyong did not cooperate in the future, they would still have to send troops to fight Li Baochen.

However, although the donation was made, the words that some people said were unpleasant to hear, and the expressions on their faces were not nice either.

It’s like donating those foods is like donating their parents.

"This is all for the Tang Dynasty. My face is not important. As long as these military rations can ensure victory, everything is worth it."

Yan Gaoqing waved his hand nonchalantly, not taking it to heart at all.

Even though he was scolded badly at that time, he didn't seem to hold a grudge against these people.

It has to be said that Yan Gaoqing was capable. Although asking for military rations was ugly, it solved the urgent problem.

"Please rest assured, my cousin. I have already assigned more people to guard the granary. If a bag of grain is lost, all the staff will be beheaded.

I will go take another look later and check it out. I think everything will be fine."

Yan Gaoqing promised solemnly.

Now that Chang'an is short of food, we can't trust people too much. Stealing food and selling it secretly, and then "burning the warehouse with a fire dragon" are all habitual operations.

Yan Gaoqing did not get carried away by his success. He was very clear in his mind and knew what to do!
At this critical moment, Yan Zhenqing only dared to trust his own family members. He did not even dare to entrust Diwu Qi with important tasks, for fear that something might go wrong during the famine in Chang'an.

"Is there anything else that you are not prepared for?"

Yan Zhenqing asked seriously. He knew that his elder brother Yan Gaoqing was very reliable in his work, had rich experience in grassroots work, and was very meticulous in his work.

Logically speaking, there should be no omissions or mistakes.

But he was still very concerned and wanted to confirm it.

"The military rations are in Chang'an, and the dry rations have been delivered to Fengxiang Prefecture. The Control Crane Army will take a portion of the rations and fodder on the road, and the rest will be sent to Tongguan by corvée labor to ensure the safety of the grain route.

As for Tongguan and Puzhou, Li Guangbi said that there was no shortage of food and there was no need to worry. Gao Xianzhi was short of food and had already sent some.

They and Li Huaiguang had agreed to send out troops when it snowed heavily ten days later, and they had also counted their equipment.

As for the bonds, they have been issued, and some money and silk have also been distributed. All the things that need to be done have been done."

Yan Gaoqing reported the preparations of the Ministry of War in detail. It must be said that Yan Gaoqing was indeed meticulous and serious in his work. Yan Zhenqing listened for a long time but could not find any mistakes. He could only smile and nod.

That's about it. Everyone tried their best, and everything was on track, without any mistakes or omissions.

However, Yan Zhenqing's question still made Yan Gaoqing quite nervous. He drank the wine on the table, then saluted Yan Zhenqing with his hands crossed and said, "Mr. Yan, I will go to the granary to inspect it again, otherwise I will not be able to sleep at night."

"Well, let's go."

Yan Zhenqing nodded. At the critical moment, it was never too careful.

After Yan Gaoqing left, Yan Zhenqing fell asleep on the couch in the study. He was woken up by the cold in the middle of the night. When he got up to cover himself with the quilt, he found that Yan Gaoqing had returned with a relaxed look on his face.

It turned out that the patrol tonight was normal, checking the situation in various places, and nothing happened.

Yan Gaoqing also felt that he had been a little neurotic recently because he was too nervous.

"Brother, just follow the procedure and don't be too nervous. We have done everything one by one and there is nothing wrong."

Yan Zhenqing yawned and said to comfort Yan Gaoqing.

He planned to take a day off tomorrow to adjust his mood. As long as Fang Zhongyong didn't cause any trouble, Chang'an would be fine.

This time their preparations were really meticulous, including all the consumables needed by the army, such as arrows, kerosene, etc. They were all fully equipped. It can be said that in previous wars, logistics work had never been so attentive.

If I can't defeat Li Baochen again, then it can only be said that this is fate.

Yan Zhenqing felt that he had really tried his best.

……

Li Baochen retreated to Luoyang, during which he set up several ambushes, but Fang Chongyong did not send any troops to chase him. This made Li Baochen look like he was flirting with a blind man, and he looked very unhappy.

Marshal Baochen had no choice but to withdraw his ambush troops in disappointment and stay in Luoyang city obediently.

Fang Chongyong sent many scouts to investigate outside Luoyang City and found that Li Baochen had really just retreated to Luoyang for defense.

All the troops under his command were divided into two large camps, one part defending the Luoyang Palace City, and the other part deployed in the southern city of Luoyang.

The city wall of Luoyang is very different from that of Chang'an.

The outer city wall was only used to prevent thieves and did not completely surround the entire city.

To the west of the Luo River is the palace wall. The wall here is high and thick, with strict defenses. The area is small and it is very difficult to attack.

The other three areas, including the part south of Luo River, were places that were easily entered by the army. Like Chang'an, each district had a district wall, but these district walls had no substantial defensive capabilities.

Li Baochen's deployment was also very moderate, equivalent to one part guarding the inner city and one part guarding the outer city.

"There are flaws everywhere" is a synonym for "there are no flaws".

Li Baochen is in this state now. Anyone who wants to attack Luoyang will first have to consume his troops.

Fang Chongyong weighed his own strength and found that he was indeed just a person who made a feint attack and blocked the position, and was not the main force to attack Marshal Baochen.

If this is the case, then there is no practical significance in leaving the originally built camp.

Unless it is a surprise attack, there is no need to leave the camp.

Fang Chongyong then gave the order that, except for those on patrol and on guard, all other soldiers should be trained in turns.

At the same time, he also sent someone to send a letter back to Bianzhou, preparing for a rainy day and speeding up the transportation of food, fodder, coal (Bianzhou could get coal through the canal) and other necessities to Xingyang.

Although judging from the current situation, this battle is almost certain to be won, it can even be judged that Marshal Baochen is now in a state of self-abandonment.

But it never hurts to be a little more prepared.

Soon, Yan Zhenqing sent someone from Guanzhong to deliver a letter stating that everything was going according to the established plan, and Guanzhong would definitely send troops on time on the day of the heavy snow.

Please believe in their sincerity.

This time, the troops from Guanzhong attacked Li Baochen's army together in order to open up the canal transportation. If they failed, they would die.

We hope Fang Chongyong can remain confident. They guarantee with the honor of the Yan family that we will cooperate sincerely.

To swear on the family's reputation was a real move, and it was something that only a man of great courage could do. Especially since the Yan family was the descendant of Yan Hui, they had a great reputation in Confucian classics.

Fang Chongyong had to be convinced by the other party's sincerity.

After Cen Shen returned to Bianzhou from Yecheng, he found that the army had already set out for Xingyang and had set up camp there, waiting for the enemy to arrive. He also set out immediately and headed for Xingyang overnight.

Early in the morning of that day, Cen Shen rushed to the camp and handed Li Guiren's handwritten letter to Fang Chongyong.

This letter is very soldier-like in style. Li Guiren bluntly stated: It is true that he is Li Baochen's subordinate, but he is only temporarily following the enemy. He has never recognized Li Baochen, and has no intention of going south to Bianzhou. He hopes Fang Chongyong will not misunderstand.

He neither mentioned surrender nor whether he would listen to Li Baochen. However, the meaning of this letter was obviously to tell the reader, Fang Chongyong: Li Guiren and his elite soldiers would not do anything strange.

Adding another condition that is favorable to oneself further increases the theoretical chance of winning.

Fang Chongyong breathed a sigh of relief. It was now basically certain that Li Guiren would just be a spectator in this battle.

He looked at Cen Shen and asked curiously, "How did Judge Cen convince Li Guiren?"

Cen Shen laughed and said, "Of course, we went to Youzhou first, talked to Shi Siming, and got a letter from Shi Siming. In the letter, Shi Siming cursed Li Guiren as a traitor and said that he was willing to cooperate with us to attack Li Guiren. He thought we were fools who were deceived, but in fact we were just trying to trick him into telling Li Guiren what he was talking about.

Li Guiren saw that Shi Siming wanted to kill him, and was worried that someone would stab him in the back after he went south to Bianzhou, so he naturally chose to stay put! "

The journey was extremely smooth, as if with divine help.

Fang Zhongyong also smiled and said, "Yes, this battle has the right time, right place and right people. I don't know how I can lose. If I persuade Li Guiren, I will cut off Li Baochen's strong support. I want to see how this Baochen will choose to die!"

……

In a room in the backyard of the Bianzhou government office, Li Yi was preparing a bellyband for her unborn baby. She had already established a relationship with Fang Chongyong, so it was natural for her to move to the Bianzhou government office.

Li Yi doesn't care about what others think. Since she is pregnant with Fang Zhongyong's child, why should she care about what others think?

Becoming the other person's concubine is like asking for what you want, it's the path you chose.

"oops."

Li Yi's finger was pricked by the needle again.

It's not that she can't sew, but for some reason, she has been absent-minded recently. The night before Fang Chongyong left for the war, she hugged him and cried, fearing that Fang Chongyong would never come back.

However, the news coming from the front was all good news, as if Fang Zhongyong would be able to subdue Marshal Baochen into submission soon.

It has to be said that Fang Chongyong does have this ability.

What Li Yi admired most about him was that this general was very good at leading troops in battles.

For Li Yi, who had experienced the murder of his entire family when he was a child, a man who could fight was the most attractive man. Moreover, this man was relatively young.

The other person can bring her an unparalleled sense of security.

Whenever Li Yi thinks of that night not long ago, it was the first time she was held in the arms of such a strong man.

The strong masculine scent intoxicated her. She threw away all her rationality and sank into it.

Whenever she thought of this incident, she couldn't help blushing and laughing at herself for being too promiscuous during her first sexual intercourse.

But I don't regret it at all.

"What should we name our child?"

Li Yi sat at the desk, holding up his chin and thinking.

(End of this chapter)