Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 672 Watching the Fire from the Other Bank
It is obvious that Li Huaiguang would not obey the words of this man who is now called "official" but is actually the ruler of dozens of states just because Fang Chongyong wrote a letter.

However, Li Huaiguang had to admit that what Fang Chongyong said in the letter made sense.

Luoyang cannot be attacked, that is a trap, a trap set by the people in Guanzhong, whoever goes there will die. No matter who wins or loses between him and An Shouzhong, it is difficult for him to end up well.

Unless the war situation becomes overwhelming and the Guanzhong court has no time to react, such a situation is almost impossible to occur.

An Shouzhong was fighting in Luoyang and had the advantage of city defense. If he wanted to reach Luoyang, he had to first capture the three cities of Heyang.

You can't just go through Bianzhou, right?
Even if Li Huaiguang wanted to do this, Fang Chongyong would not allow it. This letter has made it clear.

what can we do about it?

Li Huaiguang had to consider Fang Chongyong's proposal.

When it was getting dark, Han Yougui led his men back to Zezhou City. Li Huaiguang dismissed the idlers and called him to the study to discuss military affairs.

Li Huaiguang handed Fang Chongyong's handwritten letter to Han Yougui, who read it again and again with a frown on his face.

"Xiangzhou is a place of war on four sides. If you take control of it, how can you live in peace?"

Han Yougui asked in some confusion.

After Yang Jian conquered Yuchi Jiong, the area of ​​Yecheng was called Xiangzhou for nearly two hundred years.

It is prosperous for sure. After all, the land and water conservancy facilities around Yecheng have been developed, and the roads are well built and connected in all directions.

However, precisely because of this, there is no defense here and anyone can come and step in.

"Whether you can live in peace depends on how strong you are. If you don't have any strength, you will be eaten by wild animals even if you hide in the mountains."

Li Huaiguang waved his hand and said, indicating that this is not a problem at all. Compared with Xiangzhou, Bianzhou is more connected in all directions, but now it is booming like the rising sun, what's wrong with it?

Convenient transportation is a double-edged sword. If it develops well, you can get twice the result with half the effort. If it doesn’t develop well, you may be beaten up at any time.

Being weak is a crime. Even if a weak person goes to a dangerous place where one man can block the passage of ten thousand men, he is still a weak person!

It's not safe anywhere!
"In that case, what the letter said makes sense. But how to make the decision depends on what the commander-in-chief plans to do. Fang Qing may have the intention of driving the tiger to devour the wolf. If the commander-in-chief can handle it properly, it can be a solution."

Han Yougui nodded and said.

This is a very good point. There is no absolute good or absolute statement in many things. It depends on how well the things are done.

Li Huaiguang nodded, took a pot of wine from the shelf, and poured a glass for Han Yougui.

"I have long intended to leave Zezhou. The soldiers in the army are not doing anything and are just living off the land. I may not be able to stay in Zezhou forever, so I have to find a good place.

It's not that I like to make trouble, but I have to do it. Guanzhong's move of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf is exactly what I want."

Li Huaiguang sighed.

Some wealthy places, such as Puzhou, Luoyang, Xiangzhou, Bianzhou, and Yangzhou, have well-developed transportation and prosperous commerce, and can afford to support troops. If the Control Crane Army can occupy such a place, it should not be difficult to survive.

However, Zezhou is a small place and cannot support so many soldiers. This place has always been set up as an outpost to the south of Taiyuan. Historically, it has always been together with Taiyuan, or Jinyang.

Now that the two places are separated politically, the situation is naturally much different.

In other words, they can stay in Zezhou for a year at most. After the autumn harvest this year, Li Huaiguang and the Konghe Army will have to find a more prosperous place to raise troops.

You have to leave eventually, sooner rather than later.

If the Konghe Army fails to pay their military salaries, they will mutiny, and the soldiers will not have any friendship with Li Huaiguang.

The longer it drags on, the lower the morale will be and the more the army will become divided.

The Guanzhong court saw this clearly, so it used rewards to threaten and lure Li Huaiguang.

In other words, everyone is playing their cards right, and no one is a fool.

"Take some trusted brothers with you to go to Xiangzhou for reconnaissance and find out the marching route.

This commander is of great use."

Li Huaiguang said with narrowed eyes, and seeing that Han Yougui had finished the wine in the glass, he poured him another glass of wine.

"General Jie, do you really want to use troops against Yecheng? What excuse will you find?"

Han Yougui asked a very interesting yet boring question.

For some people with political aspirations, it is inevitable to protect their reputation, and sending troops requires a "pretext for the cause". But for Li Huaiguang and the Control Crane Army, they do not need an excuse to fight.

Even the emperor had been killed, so what excuse was there for war? It was totally unnecessary.

However, Li Huaiguang always felt that although Li Heng died at the hands of the Konghe Army, it was because the other party deliberately bumped into the sword. Li Huaiguang himself had no intention of killing Li Heng.

To put it bluntly, everything was an "accident", but there is no point in thinking about it now.

At least that's what he thinks.

"We can just attack Xiangzhou directly. What excuse do we need? If we really want to find one, we can say that it was the Guanzhong court that asked us to send troops.

But your words have reminded me that I still need to submit a memorial to the emperor in Guanzhong, saying that we have received military orders and will send troops to Yecheng.

If they send an envoy to question and remind me, I will say that it is not advisable to attack the three cities of Heyang directly, it is better to take a detour and take Yecheng first. When a general is away from the army, he is not subject to military orders, so there is no need to listen to those nonsense. "

Li Huaiguang sneered and drank the wine in the glass!

"Great! The military commander's move is so powerful that those people in the Guanzhong court can't respond even if they want to. Outsiders don't know what military order we received, so no matter what we do, it doesn't matter."

Han Yougui clapped his hands and laughed.

"exactly."

Li Huaiguang nodded, his heart as clear as a mirror.

He and the Konghe Army would not be manipulated by anyone. Even if Fang Qing wrote to him to say something, Li Huaiguang would use it if it was useful, and would ignore the useless nonsense.

They are as free as the wind and cannot be controlled by anyone!

"Then we will set out tomorrow."

Han Yougui saluted Li Huaiguang with his fists clasped. He already understood that the general had made up his mind to send troops to Xiangzhou. Going out for reconnaissance was just a preparation for war.

……

The north wind blew the snowflakes like sharp blades, scraping on people's faces and causing pain.

In Guoqiao Town, Bianzhou, outside the nursing home established by the imperial court, there was a long queue at the porridge shop that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The nursing home, which was originally designed to accommodate only 2,000 people, now has more than 10,000 people living in it, and there are also refugees coming from Hebei. Those who can't live in the nursing home have to build tents outside the nursing home, and some people even just use a few wooden boards to block the wind.

Just like that, the location is not enough.

Liu Yan has already ordered the warehouses to be opened and grain to be released, but it can only provide temporary relief.

"It was all caused by Shi Siming and his son."

Fang Chongyong, who was standing on the "city wall" of the nursing home watching the refugees receiving porridge, sighed and muttered to himself, not knowing how to comment.

"Sir, it is not convenient to carry out construction in winter. In the spring, we need a lot of manpower to plant seeds, turn the soil, build riverbanks, dig canals, make weapons in workshops, and even build the walls of Bianliang City.

We only need to support them for a month or two, and then let them work in exchange for relief. The porridge we give out now is not in vain. "

Liu Yan explained to Fang Zhongyong while crossing his arms and saluting.

"It's too slow. It's winter and the workshop won't be affected. Let each household of these refugees send at least one person to work in the workshop.

When people have free time, they tend to stir up trouble.

People who accept charity naturally think of themselves as inferior.

Do it now, there is no need to wait until spring. Those who do not work shall not eat.

It’s already late, we should run forward!” Fang Zhongyong said with a straight face.

"The official family..."

Liu Yan wanted to say that all workshops in and outside Kaifeng were closed in winter, and carpenters, weavers, blacksmiths, etc. all went home for the New Year. Looking at Fang Zhongyong's expression, he finally nodded slowly.

The main reason is that all businesses are depressed in winter, and there is no market for products even if we want to produce. Even if we produce, it will only be a backlog of inventory.

"The war is about to start, and it will be too late to produce by then. Let's get everyone moving. If there is no market, the government can buy it first. There will always be a place where it can be used."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand and said.

A war was imminent, and Guanzhong, Luoyang, part of Hedong, and almost half of Hebei were confirmed to participate in the war. Whether Henan and other places would participate in the war depended entirely on Fang Zhongyong's plan.

It can even be said that it all depends on his will. If he says he wants to fight, then he really wants to fight!
By then, the number of civilians just transporting food and fodder would not be small, and all aspects of the war would require a large number of laborers.

It will be too late to prepare when the war breaks out.

The flatbed trucks for transporting grain may not be enough, not to mention the losses.

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Liu Yan hurried to pass the message, and when he came back, Fang Chongyong had already sat in the carriage, ready to return to Kaifeng City.

After Liu Yan got on the carriage, Fang Zhongyong asked in a deep voice: "If we have to fight for a year, or even three to five years, will we have enough food and fodder?"

“That depends on how you fight, where you fight, and how big you fight.

As long as we don't start a war in Bianzhou or the surrounding areas, I will find a way to raise food and fodder."

Liu Yan said confidently.

After two years of planning, official warehouses have been established in all prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of the Bianzhou court. These warehouses are not controlled by local governments but are directly managed by officials sent by the court.

These government warehouses were both granaries, responsible for stabilizing grain prices and preventing hoarding, and military warehouses, responsible for providing military rations.

Bianzhou was the main waterway hub, and these official warehouses distributed in various states in Henan were all built on the banks of rivers that could be used for water transportation. When needed, they would be transported to Bianzhou by water.

The freight is very low and the operation is efficient, and many places can be reached the same day.

Today, the advantage of Bianzhou's developed transportation is becoming more apparent. Transportation problems are often the biggest problems faced in the feudal era. And transportation restricts the logistics of the army, and logistics determines the combat effectiveness of the army.

Whether the army of Bianzhou can fight or not is another matter, but its logistics system is undoubtedly the best in the world, and is at a crushing level, far superior to the armies of other places.

Fang Chongyong is very confident in this regard.

"Sir, are we going to have a war?"

Liu Yan asked doubtfully. He was mainly in charge of finances, and when it came to matters related to the war, he would usually only ask one question: How much money does it cost?
However, judging from Fang Chongyong's current attitude, this battle may be somewhat unusual.

In other words, the scale will be a bit large.

"Many times, it is easy to start a war, but it is difficult to end it. Take Shi Siming and his son for example. They have been fighting for almost two years, and the people's livelihood in Hebei has been devastated, but they can't stop and can only stop from time to time.

If Fang starts a war, it is easy to send troops but difficult to stop it.

After taking down Li Guiren, they had no choice but to take action against Shi Siming. The Konghe Army had joined the war, and if they did not control or destroy this army, the war would not stop.

An Shouzhong and Guanzhong have fallen out. We cannot allow An Shouzhong to become more powerful, but we also cannot let Guanzhong take Luoyang, and the war cannot stop.

Soon, the relationship will fall out. Once the relationship falls out, it will be impossible to live in peace.

This is why I am deeply worried and cautious, fearing that I might make a wrong decision."

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed.

The older you are in the world, the less courageous you become. Now he is also an "old man in the world", and no longer a "barefoot man".

Therefore, Li Huaiguang and the Konghe Army, who had nothing, thought that fighting was not a big deal. They just rushed in. Fang Zhongyong, who had a rich family background and amazing strength, preferred to "attack the enemy's strategy" and would not easily resort to force.

War is a dangerous thing. When you go out, you will see blood! It is either the enemy's blood or your own blood. Fang Zhongyong cherishes his life very much and does not want to gamble again.

"This year, Hebei has suffered from floods and locust plagues. I think Li Guiren must have a hard time. How about the government first use courtesy and then force, and place Li Guiren and other Hebei generals in Songzhou, break up their troops, and relocate them?"

Liu Yan asked tentatively.

Fang Zhongyong nodded first, then shook his head and said, "Li Guiren and other military governors are the kingdoms within kingdoms, like emperors. The army is their lifeblood. He obviously won't obey orders willingly."

Liu Yan’s method is not bad, it just cannot be implemented now.

The carriage was traveling on the newly built official road. Fang Zhongyong closed his eyes to rest, and Liu Yan was thinking about something and did not speak. For a moment, the atmosphere was a little depressing.

“Prepare a sum of money as a pension, and post an official document to tell the soldiers that their families will be guaranteed a living if anything unexpected happens.

This official's words are firm and in black and white."

Fang Chongyong said slowly.

Anyway, the imperial court has money and can afford it! Isn't it just to be able to spend money crazily during the war that we have been farming like crazy these past two years?

At this moment, he also felt the pleasure of becoming stronger by spending money.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we have already made preparations. The salt permits have replaced a considerable amount of money and goods. As long as there is no war in Bianzhou, I have plenty of ways to deal with it."

Liu Yan saluted Fang Zhongyong with his hands crossed.

"Well, salt is expensive in Hebei. Send a few ships of salt to Xiangzhou and say it's a reward from the court. Then, I have my own plan."

Fang Zhongyong said with narrowed eyes.

He prepared a series of combination punches, one after another, and now it was time to use the next move.

"This is a trivial matter, but I don't know why the government is like this? Xiangzhou does not pay taxes to the court?"

Liu Yan asked with some confusion.

Fang Chongyong should be the one who knows the moral character of Li Guiren and his gang the best. Logically speaking, it is impossible to do such a "meat bag to hit the dog" thing.

Unless there is a deeper meaning.

"Nothing, there will be something interesting to watch when the time comes."

Fang Zhongyong said casually without responding.

In Fang Chongyong's imagination, someone would soon tell Li Guiren that the Konghe Army was coming to attack him.

It doesn’t matter whether Li Huaiguang sends troops or not!

Because Fang Chongyong had already used those ships of salt to express his attitude, as well as the attitude of the Bianzhou court. If Li Guiren wasn't completely stupid, he would have made sufficient preparations.

Whether it is to build relations with Bianzhou or to strengthen the defense of Xiangzhou.

Of course, it didn’t matter if Li Huaiguang didn’t send troops in the end. He just had to show Li Guiren the receipt brought back by Zhang Tongru.

People have no intention of hurting the tiger, but the tiger hurts people's hearts.

Many times, even if a person draws a knife but does not cut anyone, passers-by around him will feel deeply malicious, not to mention that there is already "clear evidence"?
I believe Li Guiren would understand the deep meaning of being able to survive for such a long time without being killed.

Once we get into the rhythm of suspicion, we will enter a "death spiral" and then enter a chain of suspicion where we will suspect each other of "Will the other party plot against me?"

In the end, it becomes a life-and-death deadlock.

Fang Zhongyong couldn't help but let out a sly smile. Xiangzhou and Zezhou were adjacent to each other, and even without evidence, it was hard for Li Guiren to rest assured that the Konghe Army wouldn't attack him.

Fang Chongyong has already made a plan to drag all the players who are ready to make a move into the fight, so that it will be convenient for him to watch the fire from the other side of the river.

Anyway, no one would dare to turn against Fang Chongyong when they already have a clear enemy.

Even if those people wanted to turn against each other, they had to consider what a huge behemoth the Bianzhou court was that controlled dozens of states!
It was warm as spring inside the carriage, but outside the carriage the wind and snow were getting heavier.

(End of this chapter)