Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 360 Arranging a summons
Fang Renyu has been unable to help Baekje's rebels, not because of lack of strength.

The strength of the Tang Army has been demonstrated in a series of victories. The main reason why they can't help them is that the opponent is too good at hiding. Take advantage of Baekje's mountainous and forested features to avoid their main force and attack at will where they can't take care of it.

The characteristics of the opponent are that they have few soldiers, are easy to hide, and are secretly supported by the gentry. They often avoid their main force and appear in weak spots.

Now that the thieves have grown up, the threat is greater, but losing the most troublesome concealment will also create huge logistical problems.

All these changes are opportunities to defeat the enemy.

And wasn't it himself who facilitated this opportunity?
Thinking about my previous powerlessness, and thinking about the opportunities that my own powerlessness created now, I felt a bad taste in my mouth.

Fang Renyu felt even more depressed when he saw Chen Qingsi discussing with him enthusiastically. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he always felt that everything that the governor in front of him, who replaced him, discussed with him would hurt his heart.

He was actually right to think so.

Regarding the situation in Baekje, Chen Qingsi just followed Fang Renyu to cross the river. He had gone through all the things he should and should not take on the road ahead.

It is far more convenient for Chen Qingsi to solve the problem after he finds it than for Fang Renyu to follow the steps.

He focused on Fang Renyu's shortcomings in Baekje's military and political affairs these days. He was very targeted and pointed directly at the key points without hurting the heart at every turn.

This is also the most uncomfortable part for Fang Renyu, because the problem does exist and he cannot avoid it, so he can only cooperate with Chen Qingsi to solve it.

Chen Qingsi knew that Fang Renyu's understanding of Baekje was better than his own, and his actual military level was also better than his own.

Fang Renyu was not a broad-minded person, but he was not someone who corrupted state affairs for his own selfish purposes and made some pertinent suggestions.

This is also the result Chen Qingsi needs.

During his years in the Ministry of War, he accumulated a large amount of theoretical knowledge and gained certain insights. But he has seen too many examples of theories that are all in vain, but when it comes to practical application, his eyesight goes dark and his hands are blinded.

Theory must be combined with practice to achieve the best results. Theory is the upper limit of things, and practice is the foundation.

Both are indispensable.

Chen Qingsi lacks practical experience, while Fang Renyu is much older and has the most experience. If you don't squeeze the ready-made workers properly, you still wait for him to leave after handing over, and regret it later?
Accepting Fang Renyu's pertinent opinion, Chen Qingsi immediately summoned his generals to discuss military affairs.

A quarter of an hour later, the generals of Xiongjin Prefecture gathered together.

Chen Qingsi was naturally at the top. In front of him were two people in white: Fang Renyu and Liu Rengui, followed by Hei Te Changzhi. Hei Te Changzhi was originally the frontier commander of Baekje. After his surrender, his status increased. It is not low either. The official position of the fourth rank is second only to the positions held by Fang Renyu and Liu Rengui before they were dismissed from office.

Under Hei Te Changzhi were naval commander Du Shuang, general Guo Yi, He Qinghao, Zuo Lang general Kong Cheng, right Lang general Gu Lan, Zhiguo captain Du Min, and Cheng Wuting.

Naturally, these are not the generals of the Tang Army in the entire Baekje, but the generals within Xiongjin. There are also four generals stationed in Mahan, Dongming, Jinlian, and De'an.

Chen Qingsi first summarized the shortcomings of the previous strategy: "The enemy is in the dark, we are in the light. They are familiar with the terrain and can use the cover of the mountains and forests to attack at will. But before, we cared too much that we were led by the nose by them and got hit. Their tactics of exhausting the enemy, running back and forth to rescue them, made them exhausted mentally and physically. Therefore, the governor decided to hold on to the key points, consolidate himself, stabilize his position, and seek opportunities to defeat the enemy. "

He Qinghao glanced at Fang Renyu and saw that he was silent. He went out and said, "What if they attack other remote counties and villages?"

Chen Qingsi said: "No matter!" He narrowed his eyes and said: "Don't they claim to be Baekje orthodoxy? I believe they will not attack the people. As long as the counties and villages are not defended by our army, who will they attack?"

He Qinghao was still puzzled and asked: "Doesn't this encourage their arrogance? They can gather a small number into a large number, continuously attack remote counties and villages, and connect and integrate forces outside the actual control of our army. In this way, they have both If the stronghold is strengthened by the people, doesn't it mean that it is raising the bandits? "

Chen Qingsi nodded and said decisively: "My purpose is to raise thieves and make them fat and white."

At this point, famous generals such as Liu Rengui and Hei Chi Changzhi have already understood the meaning.

Chen Qingsi did not make any mistakes and said: "I have carefully analyzed all the records of your confrontations with the thieves. The reason why our army is passive is not that we are not defeated, but that we cannot find the enemy. But as long as the thieves have a stronghold and have the strength to resist, , we are not afraid of them hiding in the mountains again. Moreover, we can protect the key areas and all the grain-producing areas of Baekje. The stronger the thieves gather, the more they need food support. , but them.”

When He Qinghao heard this, he felt reassured and hurriedly said: "The Governor is wise."

"But the thieves seem to have other sources of supplies."

The person who spoke was Du Min, a close confidant of Fang Renyu. When he led his personal guards into the rebel camp at the northern foot of Datun Mountain, he faced an empty camp.

Du Min knew that he had fallen into a trap, but he did not lose his mind. Instead, he carefully explored every corner of the military camp afterwards. Various traces left behind by the rebels indicate that the rebels were rich in armaments. Especially the place where they stored food. Although the food was emptied, the imprints left behind showed that the thieves' food storage was more abundant than they imagined.

Chen Qingsi nodded approvingly to Du Min. Although he knew that Captain Du was not of the same mind as him, it did not prevent him from admiring him.

"So...this is why the governor decided to block everything so that the rebels could get support."

"Brother Liu! Commander Du..."

Chen Qingsi said and looked at Liu Rengui and Du Shuang.

Liu Rengui and Du Shuang left the class together.

Chen Qingsi said: "The rebels have a close relationship with the Japanese country in the south, and their supplies are most likely to be obtained from the Japanese country. Brother Liu, from now on, you will be the governor of Shouyuan and be responsible for the military and political affairs around Shouyuan. Commander Du, you will go into the water under your command. The army is divided into three parts. One part is handed over to Governor Liu and is stationed in Myungryang Gorge. You personally lead one part to be stationed in Buaxi County, and the remaining part is left in Xiongjin Port and is under the direct control of the governor. "

Suwon is located in the southernmost coastal city of Baekje. The southern part of Baekje is dotted with islands, and the Myeongryang Gorge holds the key point. Guarding the Myeongryang Gorge is equivalent to guarding the way for the Japanese to invade Haedong from Baekje.

As for the mouth of Baijiang River, it is located near the lower reaches of Xiongjin River, and it is almost approaching Xiongjin.

Historically, the Tang army was at a disadvantage in Baekje. It was not until Liu Rengui won the Battle of Baijiangkou that the situation was turned around.

Now that Chen Qingsi is here, he never thought that he would force the Japanese army to attack the city and fight another battle at Baijiangkou.

When the Japanese come, let Liu Rengui wait for them at Mingliang Gorge.

This time, let alone Ungjin, even the land of Baekje was not allowed to approach them.

Jabeaxi County was Mokpo City in later generations. It was located in the southwest corner of the Haedong Peninsula. It could support Ungjin Port from the top and Myongryang Gorge from the bottom to be prepared.

Liu Rengui and Du Shuang accepted the order in unison.

Chen Qingsi looked at He Qinghao again and said: "General He, please lead your troops north to Jiuchi and block all routes from Goguryeo to the south. All roads that can transport food will be blocked by me."

He Qinghao accepted the order loudly.

"General Kong Lang, General Gu Lang... you will station your soldiers on both sides of the Xiongjin River and blockade the northern part of the state. Whenever a traitor enters the country, I will punish you. On the contrary, as long as you resist the rebels, I will reward you greatly."

Jeonju has the largest plain in Baekje and is also the largest grain producing area in Baekje. Holding the whole state would mean cutting off the rebels' food source from within. Chen Qingsi issued the appointments one by one with clear and convincing structure.

Such magnanimity also made the two people's emotions particularly complex.

The first one to bear the brunt was Fang Renyu. Although they had not been together for a long time, he was not sure whether Chen Qingsi's arrangement would work, but he was sure it would be much better than his previous arrangements.

The other person is a black toothed person.

Chen Qingsi's arrangement avoided him and prevented him from fighting on the battlefield with his compatriots. He was indeed relieved, but he knew better that Chen Qingsi's arrangement was too targeted, and the rebels might not be able to stand it. As long as outside supplies can be blocked, this tactic of guarding key areas and controlling grain-producing areas will be fatal to Baekje internally.

At any time, having a full stomach is always the first priority.

Controlling food means controlling everything.

"Do you really want to wait until everything is settled and return without success?"

Black Teeth Changzhi is secretly anxious.

After the military meeting, Liu Rengui finally approached Chen Qingsi.

Chen Qingsi said: "Brother Zhengze, is there anything else?"

Liu Rengui: "The governor's arrangements were able to block the entry of grain from Goguryeo and Japan, but they overlooked one point."

Chen Qingsi smiled and said: "Are you talking about Silla?"

Liu Rengui said solemnly: "You and I have been discussing the situation in Haidong all the way. The biggest headache is not Goguryeo and Japan, but Silla. The enemies in the dark are far more powerful than those in the open. The border between Silla and Baekje is connected for hundreds of years. Here, we have limited troops and cannot block all the passages. If Silla is not solved, the governor's overall plan will not be effective. "

It is not difficult to block the support of Goguryeo and Japan.

Goguryeo and Baekje bordered on a small area in the north, while Japan was separated by a sea. It was enough for the navy to control the strait.

But the boundaries of Silla and Baekje ran through the north and south, most of the Haidong Peninsula, a distance of hundreds of miles.

Chen Qingsi said wisely: "So, I have written a letter and asked the King of Silla to come to Xiongjin to see me. I asked him to come just to solve this matter..."

**********
Jincheng, the capital of Silla.

The new king Jin Famin looked at the letter in his hand and gritted his teeth.

"It's too much to bully others, it's too much to bully others!"

He crumpled the letter in his hand and his face turned red.

"Your Majesty, stay calm!"

Jin Yuxin lowered his head and drank.

Jin Famin re-opened the letter in his hand angrily, walked down the hall quickly, handed it to his uncle, and said: "Uncle, look, Chen Qingsi invited me to see him in the letter. Gu Ke is the king of Silla. , he actually asked Gu to see him, what does he think of him? He is a great scholar, and he is known as a literary star, but he can't even write a word of invitation? "

He was shaking with rage.

If Chen Qingsi had been a little more tactful in her letter, she would have written the word "please". He would consider meeting a legendary figure from the Central Plains.

But no, Chen Qingsi's attitude in the letter was as if he, the king of Silla, were like his subordinates, who came when they were called in and went away when they were waved off.

Jin Yuxin looked at the crumpled letter in his hand. Seeing the attitude in the letter, there was a hint of anger in his eyes, and he tightened his hand on the letter.

Jin Famin cursed: "This guy is really not an easy character to deal with. It's a pity that the arrow didn't kill him."

Hearing this, Jin Yuxin also said: "What a pity!"

Jin Famin suddenly thought of something, and nervously grabbed Jin Yuxin's hand and said, "Uncle, will they find out that we arranged the assassin and ask me to question him?"

"No!" Jin Yuxin shook his head affirmatively, "Although that idiot spared his life and fell into the hands of thieves, he is not a treasonous person. I can be sure of this."

The assassin was arranged by Jin Yuxin, Kong Ming of Haidong. Through his analysis of Chen Qingsi's rise, he judged in advance that the change in Datang's strategy was due to him.

Although Jin Yuxin didn't believe it at first, how could a poor young man guide the country on strategic national policies. But that was the truth, and there was no room for him not to believe it.

Jin Yuxin didn't care about Fang Renyu, the governor of Xiongjin, but he was very afraid of Chen Qingsi, the governor of Xiongjin Prefecture, and wanted to get rid of him even at the expense of his own apprentice.

The assassins were specially selected by Kim Yu-shin from among the hwarangs of Silla. After special training, they were assigned to Baekje to be responsible for Baekje's intelligence work.

His request for the assassin was that after shooting an arrow, he should kill himself immediately, regardless of life or death, to avoid suffering.

It's just that the assassin lived in Baekje for twenty years, married a wife and had children locally, and was no longer a cold-blooded tool. He had a desire to survive, but he did not follow the instructions, thinking about the one in ten thousand chance to survive and reunite with his family. , chose to escape.

Although there was an accident and the opponent was captured by mistake, Jin Yuxin still believed that the dead soldiers he trained would not betray Silla.

"As long as that idiot kills Goguryeo, he will have nowhere to prove it. Just rest assured, Your Majesty..."

Jin Yuxin frowned and comforted.

"That's good!" Jin Famin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then Chen Qingsi, a madman, asked me to go to Xiongjin all the way. Uncle, do you know why?"

Jin Yuxin said: "I'm afraid it's because we help the Baekje rebels."

"He knows?" Jin Famin's face turned pale instantly.

Jin Yuxin said: "Most of them have doubts. The thoughts of a person like him are far from ordinary people. But don't worry, Your Majesty, doubts are not the same thing as having evidence. Even if his doubts are accurate, they are still doubts after all. They need us to deal with Goguryeo together, and they will not turn against us because of suspicion. After all, he, Chen Qingsi, is just a governor, not the emperor of the Celestial Dynasty."

Jin Famin said: "Then I won't go alone!"

Jin Yuxin pondered for a moment and said: "Let me do this for me. Let me go and meet him for a while."

(End of this chapter)