Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 652 The gap is a little bit bigger

Outside Yangzhou city, at the ferry crossing on the Yangtze River.

Lai Zhen dragged his tired body off the boat. There was a buzzing in his ears and his steps felt a little light.

He actually got seasick! He never got seasick before!

"Alas! The state of affairs is difficult."

Lai Zhen let out a long sigh.

He arrived at the gate of Tangzi City in Yangzhou and hesitated whether to step in.

"General Lai, is there something on your mind?"

Gao Shi on the side asked puzzledly.

Fang Chongyong sent him to Changzhou to pass on the order to have Lai Zhen lead the main force of the army to withdraw to the north of the Yangtze River first. He also sent Wang Nan to Changzhou to change the defense, and then slowly evacuate the people in the city to the south bank of the Yangtze River.

To lure the enemy army into advancing, it is impossible for the whole army to retreat suddenly. If that were the case, even a fool would see that it was a trick!
In short, these things have nothing to do with Lai Zhen, he just needs to lead his troops back to Jiangbei.

However, since Lai Zhen has already led his troops back to Yangzhou for rest and recuperation, what else is he dissatisfied with?
Gao Shi was a little confused.

"Your Highness Prince Sheng, is it already..."

Lai Chen asked in a low voice.

"There is no His Royal Highness Prince Sheng, there is only Prince Chenliu, and he has already gone to Chenliu."

Gao Shi sighed and said.

"Prince Chenliu...I see."

Lai Zhen nodded, as if relieved.

"General Lai, are you loyal to the Tang Dynasty or to the Prince of Chenliu?"

Gao Shi suddenly stopped and asked calmly.

Lai Zhen knew Gao Shi very well, and said solemnly: "I am naturally loyal to the Tang Dynasty."

"Is Cao Cao loyal to the Han Dynasty?"

Gao Shi asked again.

Lai Zhen didn't know how to answer because Cao Cao never usurped the throne until his death.

No matter what he thought or what the situation was like at the time, judging by his actions rather than his heart, it was indeed the case.

This is the embarrassment of powerful officials. They have not usurped the throne, but often they are just helping others.

But to be fair, as long as the powerful official has not completed the ceremony of abdication, the historian cannot say that he is disloyal.

This is also the embarrassment of future generations.

Anyone with eyes could see what Fang Qing was thinking. However, by the same token, as long as he had not usurped the throne, as long as the nominal emperor was still a member of the Li family.

Then you can't say Fang Qing is a traitor.

Judging from deeds rather than intentions, who has not fantasized about becoming an emperor?

Who can say with confidence that if he really has the opportunity to become emperor one day, he will refuse it outright?

Thinking of this, Lai Zhen felt relieved.

Compared to Yuan Chao, who openly rebelled, people like Fang Qing are more decent.

It's just a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils.

"Nothing, General Gao, please take me to see Marshal Fang."

Lai Chen said with a forced smile.

The two came to the study of the Yangzhou government office. After being led in by Zhang Guangsheng, they saw Fang Chongyong arguing with Yuan Zai about something, and the atmosphere seemed quite serious.

"Let's discuss this matter later."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand to Yuan Zai and said. The latter looked helpless, clasped his fists and bowed to him, then quietly left the study.

"General Yuan just told me that he plans to implement the baojia joint responsibility system south of the Yangtze River. I think this move is too radical."

Fang Chongyong explained to Gao Shi and Lai Zhen.

Baojia collective responsibility?

Yuan Zai is really bold!

Baojia is a way of organizing people, with households as units and one household head. Ten households form a Jia, with one Jia head; ten Jias form a Bao, with one Bao head.

The system of joint responsibility originated in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period of the Zhou Dynasty, and was further developed by Shang Yang in the Qin Dynasty. It was not allowed to move without permission, and people had to supervise and report on each other. If they did not report, ten families would be held jointly responsible.

The Baojia system and the Lianzuo system were both implemented very early, but the combination of the two has never been seen before. However, social organization models like this are inseparable from militarization.

In the past, there were many cases where the substance remained the same but the name was changed.

This drastic measure sounds chilling. If it is really forced through, no one knows what kind of turmoil it will cause. No one in power would dare to try it easily.

It was both unexpected and reasonable that Fang Chongyong rejected this proposal.

"Please sit down. No need to be so polite."

He made a gesture of invitation to Lai Chen.

Gao Shi tactfully bowed and left the study in the government office, leaving Fang Chongyong and Lai Chen face to face.

"What do you think of the current war situation in Jiangnan?"

Fang Chongyong didn't waste any words and went straight to the point and stated his purpose.

Lai Zhen also collected his thoughts and stopped thinking about those messy things. He clasped his fists to Fang Zhongyong and said, "General, the current situation in Jiangnan actually requires... long-term governance."

Lai Zhen seemed to have hesitated for a long time before he uttered the four words "long-term governance".

"We can discuss that later. First, tell us about the current battle situation."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said, without commenting on what Lai Zhen wanted to say.

"The enemy army may seem powerful, but they are just holding their breath. The autumn harvest is coming soon, and large areas of rice fields in the south of the Yangtze River are barren, with no one to harvest them. It is only a matter of time before those people run out of food in the winter.

When the time comes, the commander-in-chief will send his elite troops back to attack Taizhou in one fell swoop."

Lai Zhen roughly described the strategy. Actually, there was not much to say. The government army was limited by insufficient manpower, while the enemy army was powerful, so they had to play it safe.

"That makes sense. Then General Lai should train his troops in Yangzhou and replenish the troops. We will soon send some war horses from the Bohai Kingdom from Dengzhou. When the time comes, you will be responsible for leading the troops to pursue Yuan Chao."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand gently, as if he was not particularly worried about the civil unrest in Jiangnan.

"Thank you, Marshal. I'll take my leave now."

Lai Chen seemed to have something to say, but after hesitating for a while, he didn't say it. His attitude was a bit negative, and he didn't seem to want to climb up.

After Lai Zhen left the study in the government office, Fang Chongyong crossed his legs and squinted his eyes in thought.

Lai Zhen seemed to have some prejudice against him, and was a stubborn "royalist". Of course, at this moment, there were fewer and fewer people like him, but they did exist.

The key point is that Fang Chongyong couldn't deal with it openly.

He thought about it over and over again, and for a moment he couldn't decide how to deal with this person.

At this moment, Zhang Guangsheng walked in from outside the door, approached Fang Zhongyong and whispered, "General, Pei Xian, the chief military officer of Laizhen Army, wants to see you. He said he has something important to tell you."

Lai Zhen’s military commander?
Fang Zhongyong had an amused look on his face, as if he understood something.

"Bring it in, and don't make it public."

He told Zhang Guangsheng something.

Soon, Pei Xian was brought in. He had the physique of a military commander, not weak and frail, and was obviously a veteran of many battles.

"Tell me what you want from me, please be frank."

Fang Zhongyong deliberately showed an impatient look.

"Marshal, I am here to report Lai Chen, this man..."

Pei Xian looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. "Go ahead."

"Lai Chen was disrespectful to the Marshal. He often complained about his situation in private and even said that the Marshal was a traitor."

The more Pei Xian spoke, the more guilty he felt, fearing that Fang Chongyong would get angry.

"Is that so?"

Fang Zhongyong nodded slightly, his face calm, looking intimidating without even getting angry, so Pei Xian had no idea what he was thinking.

"Yes, Marshal. Lai Zhen is a close confidant of Prince Chenliu. He heard that Prince Chenliu was dismissed from his post as the governor of Huainan, and he harbored resentment towards you."

Pei Xian hurriedly urged, fearing that Fang Chongyong thought too highly of Lai Zhen.

"As the chief officer of the army, why did you report the commander-in-chief?"

Fang Zhongyong asked with a smile.

Pei Xian was stunned for a moment, then he quickly clasped his fists and said, "Marshal Fang is wise and brave, and I admire him very much. Everyone in Lai Zhen's army regards Marshal Fang as a god, which is not the same as Lai Zhen's."

Are all of you so flexible?

Fang Chongyong complained in his mind and suddenly felt a little ridiculous.

There may be people in the world who can really stick to the so-called "righteousness" in their hearts. However, most people believe that "the situation is stronger than people" is an irrefutable iron law.

Lai Zhen didn't want to lick Fang Zhongyong's ass, and he still had illusions about the Tang Dynasty. But his subordinates, those who wanted to lick Fang Zhongyong's ass, had to line up and race.

As for Pei Xi's words, even without checking, one can tell that they are full of water. At least Lai Zhen would not insult or criticize the great commander Fang Zhongyong in private. He might have some thoughts in his mind, but he would never say them out loud, especially to someone like Pei Xi.

When Li Qi arranged Pei Xian to be in Lai Zhen's army, it was meant to be a check and balance, so the relationship between the two could not be good.

"You go down first. I already know about this matter. I will remember your loyalty and bravery.

If Lai Zhen makes any unusual moves, please report to me immediately."

Fang Chongyong spoke to Pei Xie with a smile, his attitude was very gentle and his words were sincere.

"Thank you, Marshal. I will serve you till my death!"

Pei Xie nodded and bowed, his whole body trembling with excitement, and left after thanking him happily.

After he left, Fang Zhongyong rubbed his temples tiredly.

Killing someone is easy, even if it is someone close to you. But the consequences of killing someone need to be carefully considered.

Human nature is to seek profit and avoid harm. Sometimes, it seems very ugly, and there are people who curry favor with the powerful everywhere.

However, this is human nature. If you become powerful, there will be people who will depend on you.

For example, Gao Shi's attitude towards himself has changed significantly.

Fang Chongyong understood that this was not because Gao Shi wanted to support him as the great commander to become emperor, but because the situation was stronger than the man.

Everything is inseparable from interests.

If Gao Shi wanted to realize his ambitions and accomplish great things, he could not stick to the idea of ​​"I must be loyal to Li Tang until death."

Otherwise, it will be difficult to make a career.

People like Pei Xie were more direct. Seeing Fang Zhongyong's thick legs, they chose to hug his thighs directly, which was simple and crude.

At this time, Yuan Zai walked in with an excited look on his face. He clasped his fists and said, "General, we have won a great victory on the front line. Wang Nande's troops set up an ambush on the only way between Guoshan and Zhanggongshan in Yixing, Huzhou, and defeated the bandit army Yuan Ying's troops, beheading 2,000 people."

ha?
Fang Chongyong thought he had heard it wrong.

"Won? Didn't that mean he should withdraw from Changzhou?"

Fang Zhongyong didn't quite understand, as he had clearly explained it very clearly.

You are trying to lure the enemy, bastard!

"General, here is the battle report. Wang Nandai has already retreated back to Changzhou City."

Yuan Zai took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Fang Chongyong, the sealing wax seal had not yet been opened.

"Ugh!"

Fang Zhongyong sighed, opened the letter, and read it quickly.

Wang Nandai wrote in his letter:

If we withdraw from Changzhou directly, it will be difficult to attract a large number of bandit troops to the south bank of the Yangtze River.

If the enemy army sends a team of several thousand people to penetrate deep into the enemy's territory to explore the way, then it will be neither right to fight nor not to fight.

It would be better to teach them a lesson in the strategic location south of Changzhou. In this way, the enemy army will surely concentrate its forces to prevent it from suffering losses again. Then the main force of the enemy army can be attracted here.

It seems to make sense!
"What if Wang Nanjin scares Yuan Chao's troops away?"

Fang Zhongyong asked with some concern.

"General, Yuan Chao's army has at least hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Although General Wang won a great victory this time, his own losses were minimal. But to be frank, he only defeated an enemy army of 10,000 and beheaded 2,000 people.

With so many rebels and so many mouths to feed, wouldn't it be inappropriate not to advance northwards?"

Yuan Zai explained to Fang Chongyong.

"That makes sense. Then you should write a letter to Wang Nan and ask him to follow your advice."

Fang Zhongyong nodded.

The peasant uprising cannot be stopped. If it is stopped, it will die and internal conflicts will explode. The rebels can only continue to grow stronger and delay the outbreak of internal conflicts by constantly occupying new territories.

Even if Yuan Chao wanted to quit now, it would not be easy for him to do so.

"I have received your order. I will do it now."

Yuan Zai showed a look of delight, turned around and left.

"Why do I always feel like something is wrong?"

After Yuan Zai left, Fang Zhongyong said to himself that he always felt like he had missed something.

……

In recent times, Yuan Chao and the rebel army under his command have been beaten dizzy by the government troops!

In the minds of these rebel generals, a battle between the enemy and us should be a battle between two sides, with the two sides standing in formation and then hacking each other with knives, or a desperate siege around a city, and then looting and smashing after the city is broken.

But after recent battles with the government's regular troops, Yuan Chao discovered that those battles seemed completely different from what he had imagined!
For example, the most recent defeat was very frustrating.

At the pass south of Changzhou, somewhere between Guoshan and Zhanggongshan, Yuan Chao's brother Yuan Ying led 10,000 troops as the vanguard and was ambushed by the government troops. Yuan Ying was badly defeated and escaped with only a few hundred cavalrymen, while the rest of the troops were scattered.

These people are selected “elite soldiers”!
If this kind of thing is reasonable, then the defeat in Hangzhou is simply outrageous.

Since the last time he suffered a great loss outside Hangzhou, Yuan Chao has also learned his lesson. Since the area outside Hangzhou is not suitable for deploying troops and it is not convenient to surround and attack the city, I will loosen the encirclement a bit and deploy heavy troops in Yuhang, Xiling and other places!
In this case, even if the government troops in Hangzhou launched a surprise attack, they would not be able to gain any advantage.

Then Yuan Chao was immediately slapped in the face.

After finding out the enemy's situation, Che Guangqian personally led 3,000 elite soldiers, boarded a ship, landed at Yanguan, north of Hangzhou Bay, and captured the city which had almost no defenses.

Then the troops headed north, rampaging through the area south of Jiaxing and burning down several granaries.

Finally, they reached Huating County near Kunshan, which was the general logistics base of the rebel army's "Eastern Route Army", and a place specifically for providing food and fodder for the troops attacking Suzhou.

Che Guangqian followed the old routine, annihilating the enemy troops guarding the granary and then ordered his men to burn the granary. Then he went to the shore and lit a signal smoke, and after the ship docked, he took the ship and leisurely returned to Hangzhou.

The big merchants in Dengzhou who sailed all year round were both merchants and pirates. They had many sailors under their command and were very familiar with the terrain along the coast. Che Guangqian took advantage of their familiarity with the terrain and never left the coastline when marching, using his troops in a mysterious way!

It is true that Fang Chongyong asked Che Guangqian to guard Hangzhou City, but he did not ask him to defend Hangzhou to the death!

Using the sea route to attack the outer line and dispatch the troops besieging Hangzhou to the outer line is also a clever way to lift the siege of Hangzhou.

Before the uprising, Yuan Chao was just a minor official in Taizhou. How could he have seen such advanced tactics? As a result, he was beaten black and blue by Che Guangqian's combination punches, and his superior military strength could not be brought into play at all!

When the battle reports from Suzhou were delivered to Yuan Chao who was stationed in Yuhang like snowflakes, the leader of the rebel army was already numb.

Fight or run?
Yuan Chao was torn between his own conscience and his own desires, and for a moment he was undecided.

The recent battle situation has made him feel his level of "playing big chess". Compared with his opponents, the gap is a little bit big!

(End of this chapter)