Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 611 War is a continuation of politics
"Finally safe."

When they arrived outside the county seat of Heyin County, Hao Tingyu, who was in charge of the rear guard, looked back at the frozen surface of the Yellow River and couldn't help feeling guilty.

He never understood one thing: why they passed through the Hanoi area under the jurisdiction of Li Baochen without encountering any pursuit or interception.

This is obviously unreasonable.

Fortunately, we have arrived in Heyin County, where we can ensure our safety and have no worries about the future. We don't need to think about these things anymore.

"Send the order to set up a fence on the shore and leave a thousand men to serve as a warning.

The others set up camp outside the city and cooked.”

Hao Tingyu casually gave an order to his personal soldiers, and then he followed Li Guangbi's instructions and came to the lobby of the Heyin County government office alone. He saw Fang Chongyong and some of his staff already seated there.

"General Hao, don't be nervous. Scouts have learned that Li Baochen has sent An Shouzhong as the vanguard to the west to Shanzhou to join Wu Lingxun. They will attack Tongguan and clear the way ahead.

This battle has nothing to do with us."

Fang Chongyong looked at Hao Tingyu and explained.

Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. The battle needs to be prepared. Since Li Baochen has already sent troops to Tongguan, it means that he must remain on the defensive in the Luoyang area and cannot dig another pit in Xingyang.

"Oh."

Hao Tingyu said "oh" subconsciously, and the other party saluted with a fist, then sat down next to Li Guangbi.

An indescribable feeling of tiredness came over me. I had run all the way here from Puzhou. The body aches caused by exhaustion enveloped my entire body like the mud that arises when a stone falls into a calm pond.

The feeling was no less than surviving a life-and-death fight with a tiger.

If Hao Tingyu were to defend the city with a knife, he was not sure if he could walk down the wall alive. Even the pain in his thighs and calves made him feel guilty.

“You all know about the court affairs, right?

Since the central government of Chang'an is beyond saving, I intend to support His Royal Highness Prince Yong to ascend the throne and become emperor in Bianzhou in order to restore order.

What do you think? "

Fang Chongyong asked as he looked around at the crowd.

In fact, there are only three so-called "outsiders" here, that is, people who are unaware of his plan.

Li Guangbi and Hao Tingyu came from Puzhou, and Li Siye came from Tongguan.

Li Siye had no troops under his command, and Hao Tingyu was a subordinate, so neither of them had a say. The person Fang Chongyong was really asking at this moment was only Li Guangbi.

"Everything will be arranged by Marshal Fang. I have no objection."

Li Guangbi saluted Fang Chongyong with his fists clasped.

But what others don't know is that the statement here is just a formality. Just now when they were talking secretly in the study of the county government, the two had already reached an agreement.

Fang Chongyong looked at Li Siye again and said, "I was previously the governor of Shazhou. I know about the affairs of the Western Regions. Bianzhou will establish a Western Regions Trade Chamber of Commerce to try to reopen the trade route from the Tang Dynasty to the Western Regions. General Li can rest assured."

After hearing this, Li Siye finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly saluted Fang Chongyong.

What he feared most was the severance of the trade route between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. As long as the trade route was unbroken, everything else could be discussed.

Why do you say that?
Because whether it is the Hexi Corridor or the cities in the Western Regions, they are all desert oasis terrains, with points connected to form roads.

Without trade with the Tang Dynasty, the Hexi Corridor might still be able to protect itself with its abundant output, but the Western Regions would definitely decline at a speed visible to the naked eye in a very short period of time.

The Western Regions were in decline, and Li Siye's former comrades-in-arms naturally had a hard time.

Fang Chongyong said that the official trade routes cannot be cut off, and this promise is more effective than anything else.

"Ruzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou, these three states are used to house the soldiers from Puzhou, and a new town called Huaixi will be established.

Li Guangbi was the governor of Huaixi, Hao Tingyu was the governor of Yuzhou, Yong Xihao was the governor of Xuzhou, and Li Guangjin (Li Guangbi's half-brother) was the governor of Ruzhou.

I will recommend this matter to His Royal Highness Prince Yong, so you don't have to worry."

Fang Chongyong said with a solemn expression.

Ruzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou are adjacent to the jurisdiction of Xuanwu Army and are all in the west. They seem to be integrated with Xuanwu Town, but in fact they are buffer zones to defend against the southeast, and they are not adjacent to the canal. They are more isolated economically.

More importantly, these three states are not currently controlled by Fang Chongyong. After the appointment of the Jiedushi and the Inspector was announced, Li Guangbi had to rely on his own hands to seize the jurisdiction of the official position.

The generals whispered to each other. Both the backbones of the Yinqiang Xiejie Army and Li Guangbi and his men were satisfied with this arrangement.

The old people do not have to share their profits with the newcomers. The newcomers have the opportunity to expand their own territory and do not think of such an arrangement as charity, which saves their face.

This arrangement is appropriate.

Even if you don't plan to divide the cake, at least you have to draw a pie.

Otherwise, if a foreign army comes to Bianzhou without a goal and without knowing what the future holds, something bad will happen sooner or later!
It is inevitable that they will have conflicts with local forces.

If we settle these people in three states and let them settle down there, naturally no one will cause trouble.

"Li Siye is the governor of Zhengzhou. You are at the front line. In addition to recruiting soldiers on your own, I will also provide you with some elite soldiers."

Fang Chongyong looked at Li Siye and said.

"Order!"

Li Siye clasped his fists and saluted, not feeling surprised at all.

He is an old subordinate of Fang Chongyong. He served under him when the army swept the Western Regions. He knows the style of General Fang very well.

His sophisticated political skills are impressive.

Fang Chongyong has always adhered to the idea of ​​"making the best use of people", or in other words, "those who do not work shall not eat". If he assigns you a job, you have to work hard for him.

Li Siye knew that Fang Chongyong would not leave him idle.

"The land between Sishui and Heyin County originally belonged to Duji Province, but is now under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou.

Sishui is of great importance. I have already built a large camp near it. You should not tear it down, but convert it into a fortress and send troops to garrison there.

Heyin County and Biankou, where the Bian River and the Yellow River meet, must not be lost. "

Fang Chongyong instructed Li Siye.

He wanted to preserve the water transport to Chang'an.

Of course, this is not a compromise with Li Baochen, but to give the other party a chance to breathe, so as to prevent Marshal Baochen from doing anything desperate.

Besides, since Fang Chongyong wanted to trade with the Western Regions, he had to give Li Baochen a share. As long as Li Baochen dared to cut off the trade route to the Western Regions, he would dare to cut off the food supply in Guanzhong!
This is a situation where both sides benefit if we work together and both sides suffer if we separate.

After rounds of turmoil, many parts of the Tang Dynasty were ready to move. After Li Baochen took over Guanzhong, both sides needed to rest and recuperate, and the war could not be fought in the short term.

In other words, the parties don't have time to fight each other at all, they don't even have enough time to expand their territories!

For example, southeastern Hebei, western Henan, and the prefectures and counties in Guanzhong are currently out of the control of the imperial court, but not controlled by separatist forces.

So expanding land is the most important thing!

In these states and counties, many local governors were like "local emperors", recruiting soldiers on their own and defending their own territories. They would not willingly hand over their territories.

However, although it is difficult to encounter tough opponents during the land plundering process, low-intensity sieges are often unavoidable.

The divided structure of the Tang Dynasty would from now on enter a stage of "big fish eat small fish".

"Everyone, His Royal Highness Prince Yong's coronation ceremony will be held during the Lantern Festival this year. There are only a few days left.

Let us return to Bianzhou together to attend the coronation ceremony."

Fang Zhongyong gave instructions to everyone present.

Hearing this, everyone felt a strange illusion in their hearts.

This order was given calmly, steadily and orderly. It turns out that you are not the emperor yet!

……

In people's impression, Tongguan should be a place where one man can block ten thousand men, and even the thought of challenging is not allowed. But at this moment, walking in the narrow Huangban Lane east of Tongguan, Weilan felt it was ridiculous.

They didn't even see a ghost, let alone the defenders of Tongguan.

"An Shouzhong has already sent someone to say that the Tongguan defenders have surrendered voluntarily."

As if he had guessed Wei Lan's thoughts, Wei Jian, who was riding beside him on horseback, sighed and said.

"Surrender?"

Weiland felt a little unbelievable.

"Yes, they surrendered. The garrison commander Ma Lin took some of his men and followed Yan Zhenqing. As for where they were going, it was rumored that they were going to Jingxiang to find Prince Ying. I don't know anything else."

Wei Jian looked melancholy, and he was also very confused: Could it be that this evil man Li Baochen really had a destiny?

It's incredible that he could come across such a good thing as picking up a bargain.

"Li Yi was originally a good card, but unfortunately we didn't have good vision and ruined it.

Before, it was Li Baochen who begged us to marry Li Yi, saying that this girl was priceless.

But now, to Li Baochen, Li Yi is not much better than a beautiful concubine.

If the opportunity is missed, she will lose her value, what a pity."

Wei Jian shook his head and sighed.

Li Yi's advantage lies not in her beauty but in her status.

There are very few royal relatives in Luoyang, and Li Yi is the best solution for Li Baochen to strengthen his own legitimacy.

But when we arrived in Chang'an, let alone the Li royal family, there were so many princesses of the Li Tang Dynasty, and even Guangji Ge's daughters came in groups.

If Marshal Baochen wanted to, he could even form a "Princess's Personal Guard".

Of course, there are many who are more suitable than Li Yi.

At that time, Li Yi was just a beautiful woman and was worthless politically.

After all, Li Heng's end was not glorious and he had a stain on his body. Li Yi was also demoted to a commoner now.

If there is a better choice, Li Yi would not be up for it.

It is hard to imagine that the woman who was so popular before and could provide irreplaceable core values ​​in politics is now like a weed.

Totally worthless!
The value is lost too quickly!
Weilan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"After Li Baochen enters Chang'an, he will marry a princess in a legitimate way, and her father must be Li Longji.

Li Ying's sister is very suitable."

Wei Jian said this with a resentful tone, he tightly gripped the reins of the warhorse, and his expression became ferocious.

Everything in the world is valuable because it is rare.

Before, Li Baochen had to hold his nose and serve Li Wan as his master. That was because Li Wan was in Luoyang City and was the best solution, and there was no other choice.

But when Li Baochen arrived in Chang'an, he had many choices.

For example, he could depose Li Wan and support Li Heng's brother to take the throne, so that he could win over a group of people again.

And there is no need to look at the expressions of Wei Jian and others.

Even if Li Wan was not deposed, marrying Li Ying's sister would be a good move if he changed the angle of the strategy.

Even if Li Baochen didn't want to, Li Shiyu would plan for him.

By the same token, Wei Jian's connections were very important before Li Baochen entered Chang'an, but after Marshal Baochen entered Chang'an, many people came to join him.

The so-called connections controlled by Wei Jian may no longer be at his mercy. They can contact Li Baochen directly.

The situations of Wei Jian and others are actually very similar to that of Li Yi.

Those who are noble by birth become worthless when their status loses its value.

Weilan used to think that this statement was an exaggeration, but now he thinks it is truly a wise saying.

"The Tongguan defenders surrendered without a fight."

Weilan suddenly said this to himself.

At this moment, they had already arrived at the gate of Tongguan City. The flag of Li Baochen's army was hanging on the city wall. There was no blood or corpses around.

The city tower, sandwiched between hills, stands alone at the end of Huangban Lane.

The garrison at Tongguan was originally enough to resist Li Baochen for a while. However, the Western Regions soldiers of this army left, and Yan Zhenqing also took Ma Lin and the Guanzhong soldiers who were willing to go to Jingxiang away. How could the remaining few people resist Li Baochen's army?

The current situation is such that once people’s hearts are scattered, it will be difficult to gather them together again.

At this moment, Weilan had a lot of thoughts in his mind, but he couldn't say a word.

"Brother, Fang Qing has obtained Li Guangbi's troops and is already powerful enough to stir up trouble. Why doesn't he take advantage of Li Baochen's entry into Guanzhong to seize Luoyang?"

Wei Lan seemed to remember something and asked Wei Jian, a question that he could never figure out.

Wei Jian didn't say anything, as if he was still feeling aggrieved about the loss of Li Yi's usefulness. If he had known earlier, he would have carried this woman to Li Baochen's bed!

"Brother, this battle has taken such a turn for the better, why didn't Li Baochen and Fang Qing fight?"

Weiland asked again.

At this time they had fallen to the end of the team, and everyone else had already passed through the city wall of Tongguan.

“In the current situation, the two of them just took what they needed, there was no need to fight, so there was no fight.

But before this, both sides were afraid of each other, so even in this situation, they were able to slowly withdraw and did not fight.

This is indeed somewhat unexpected. I am afraid we have all underestimated Li Baochen."

Wei Jian couldn't help but sigh.

Don't fight meaningless battles. When this sentence is said, it seems that everyone understands what it means.

What fool would fight a meaningless battle?
But when this person is not a bystander but a player in the game, he knows clearly that there is no need to fight this battle, but the enemy is in front of him.

What choice should he make? Fight or not fight, advance or retreat?

If he retreats, the enemy will chase him, and if he advances, they will just fight. At this time, how can this person judge which battles should be fought and which should not be fought?

You know, when he thinks this way, the enemy is likely to think the same way. And once the fight starts, it will have to be a life-and-death battle.

Although there seems to be no fighting in this battle, who has seen the fierce fighting behind the scenes?
The best strategy is to attack the enemy’s plans and to stop the war with force.

This is the highest level of warfare.

Weiland, who lacked command experience, naturally would not understand this principle.

"Many people died, including Huangfu Weiming."

Wei Jian looked at Wei Lan with a serious expression.

He continued, "The war for the world in the future will be bloodier and more cruel. Those who can survive until now are already lucky and capable.

In the future, there will be more people who will not be able to adapt to this new era and will be lost in the world.”

Weilan remained silent. The space inside the doorway was dark and depressing.

The two men rode their horses through the city wall of Tongguan. When the light shone on their faces from behind the door, they both felt as if they had entered a new world.

They finally entered Guanzhong, but the situation in the world was completely different from what they had originally imagined.

(End of this chapter)