Tang Dynasty: The seventh rank of official residence, and you will be given the Ten Thousand People

quiet!
The Cuiping Mountain camp was unusually quiet. Dozens of generals looked at Fan Xin with their swords in hand, waiting for his final decision.

The two countries were at war and instead of killing the envoys, the royal court actually targeted a few women and children. It was simply too despicable!
After a long time, Fan Xin opened his eyes and looked at the messenger calmly.

"Are you saying that the imperial court wants to execute Shangguan Wan'er on the charge of rebellion?"

"Back to my lord, the court plans to execute Shangguan Wan'er in three months on the grounds that she conspired with Wu Jizhi to rebel!"

"And the emperor has sent a large army to surround Prince Yan's Mansion and the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce, and they may take action at any time!"

After hearing these words, Fan Xin took a deep breath and laughed angrily.

"Okay, okay, I have always tolerated the descendants of the Li family because of the love of the Supreme Emperor, but I didn't expect that what I got in exchange was getting worse. Do you really think that I am a fool?"

"Come here, set up a sand table!"

"Yes!"

The sand table is a must-have for marching operations, allowing combat generals to understand the battle situation more intuitively.

As the guards were laid, a map of the Tang Dynasty's territory appeared in front of the generals.

"Everyone, you are all my trusted old subordinates. If you have any good ideas, please tell me! Huang Qi, you are the Youzhou military envoy, tell me first!"

The general named Huang Qi cupped his fists, pointed at the sand table with his sword and said in a deep voice.

"Everyone, today's Tang Dynasty is divided into ten towns. There are Fanyang and Pinglu towns in the east. There are a total of 200,000 Youzhou troops, controlled by the prince!"

"The western part is under the jurisdiction of five towns: Anxi, Beiting, Hexi, Longyou, and Jiannan, with a total of 280,000 Tang troops! It is controlled by the imperial court."

"As for the central part..." Huang Qi swung his sword and said calmly: It has two towns under its jurisdiction, Shuofang and Hedong, with less than 120,000 people. "

Jiang Ji hugged his shoulders and frowned: "It seems that there are 200,000 more officers and soldiers than us!"

"That's wrong!" Huang Qi shook his head and said with a smile.

"The west seems to have a large number of officers and soldiers, but it is actually divided into several major factions, including Zhang Xian's Anxi faction, Li Yaotang's Beiting faction, Guo Zhiyun's Youyou faction and Wang Hua's Jiannan faction."

"On the surface, these five Jiedu envoys represent the imperial court and Youzhou to check and balance each other. In fact, they are in cahoots with each other internally, and no one is convinced by the other."

"The only real threats to us are Hexi and Duanyou. These two towns command up to 200,000 troops. Once there is a conflict with the imperial court, these people will be very troublesome!"

Fan Xin touched his chin with a thoughtful look on his face.

"So, if we want to suppress the imperial army, we must first get rid of the troops in Duyou and Hexi?"

Huang Qi nodded and said solemnly: Your Majesty, 90% of the imperial elite are deployed in the west, and less than 120,000 people are garrisoned in the central part. "

"If we want to quickly suppress the imperial court and make Li Longji surrender, we can only bite off these two hard bones.

Seeing the approval of several close generals, Fan Xin no longer hesitated and stood up immediately, scanning the generals one by one.

"Since you all think it's appropriate to pull out the nails on the outside first, and then encircle the center of the Tang Dynasty, then go ahead and do it."

"Jiang Ji, Cao Wei, Lin Tie, Huang Qi, Zhang Shouyi, I appoint you and others as the advance generals of the 18th Route, and immediately march to the right to suppress the officers and soldiers there!"

"I will obey your orders!"

Dozens of armored generals clasped their fists together, mounted their horses and galloped towards their respective stations.

Not long after, an army of more than 200,000 people swept towards the right like an unparalleled black dragon.

In the blink of an eye, there were only thousands of cloaked Qianniu Guards left in Cuiping Mountain.

"Your Majesty, there are still 120,000 Tang troops stationed in Luoyang. Isn't it too dangerous for us to go back with so many people? After all, the execution of Shangguan Wan'er three months later was clearly a conspiracy."

Glancing at Liuzi, Fan Xin mounted the black wind horse and looked at the vast mountains in the distance.

"Don't worry, there is no sword in this world that can kill me."

"If Li Longji wants to kill me, let's talk about it in the next life, drive!" After saying that, he patted the black horse and ran away.

Liuzi shook his head, got on his horse and led the Qianniu Guards to follow him.

drive!
drive!
After the team galloped for hundreds of miles, Liu Zi suddenly pulled the reins, pulled out the purple gold hammer and shouted.

"No, there are enemies, protect the prince!"

"Okay, Liuzi, don't be nervous, it's our old friend here."

Waving his hand and ordering his subordinates to put down their sabers, Fan Xin rode his black horse forward.

There, a hundred thousand Khitan troops were distributed on the hills, watching him quietly.

Arriving in front of the formation, Fan Xin smiled at the Khitan woman in front of him.

"Xiao Qing, when we said goodbye to Yingzhou, we haven't seen each other for many years. I didn't expect you to still be so good-looking."

""

The person at the head of the formation is none other than Xiao Qing, the daughter of the Khitan royal family and the current Khitan Great Khan.

It is inevitable for old friends to feel a little sad when they meet each other. Xiao Qing smoothed her hair on her forehead and said with emotion.

"I remember you mentioned a poem on the picture of a chicken pecking at rice. It's easy to change an old person's heart, but it says that old people's hearts are easy to change."

"After all these years, you are still so dazzling!"

Fan Xin blushed and didn't know what to say. He only found out later that Xiao Qing liked him. Unfortunately, there is no regret medicine in the world.

Xiao Qing is now the Great Khan, the supreme leader of the Khitan tribe, and it is impossible for her to marry a Han man as an equal wife.

Seeing this, Xiao Qing's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of sadness, and she forced a smile.

"Okay, Khan is joking with you, tell me, why did you invite me here this time?"

When business was brought up, Fan Xin's face gradually became solemn.

"Nothing else, I hope you can help me contain the 120,000 Tang troops stationed in Luoyang!"

Xiao Qing thought for a while, nodded and agreed: Yes, but we must be given two million loads of grain and one million copper coins as reward afterwards. "

Although the two have a good personal relationship, when it comes to countries, their interests must come first.

Fan Xin never thought that the Khitans would help him for free, so he happily agreed.

"Okay, deal!"

After the two briefly discussed the details, they led their men to Yingzhou together.

……

Yingzhou, at the city gate!

Pfft!

Cutting off the enemy's head with one knife, the deputy general clutched his chest and shouted sternly.

"President Fan, there are too many Tang troops outside the city. I'm afraid we won't be able to hold on for long. Please leave quickly!"

"Find His Highness King Yan and ask him to avenge his brothers!"

"Old Liao, don't say anything. I will never abandon you and your brothers!"

Fan Yun wiped the blood from his face, took his sword to the entrance of the city wall and looked outside.

I saw a few huge imperial flags flying in the sky among the black heads.

One of the men on horseback said with disdain.

"Fan Yun, if the imperial court is determined to clear you out this time, why don't you quickly open the city gate and surrender?"

"Bah, Duan Yi, I am also an official of the imperial court, who gave you the courage to attack the city!" Fan Yun said without giving in.

"Imperial official?" Duan Yi spat on the ground with a sneer on his face.

"What court official? I'm afraid it's Fan Xin's official. Stop talking nonsense. Will you surrender or not?"

"Don't even think about it! As the governor of Yingzhou, I will never open the city!"

"Hmph, you are a fool, come on, come on, charge in! There are only a few hundred government officials, but I want to see how long I can hold on!" With an order, thousands of officers and soldiers drew their bowstrings and fired arrows. Aimed at the city wall.

Seeing this scene, the remaining defenders all clenched their swords in their hands, waiting for death to come.

Sudden! The ground shook, and a dense black line came from the horizon. Thick smoke rolled up wherever it passed. From a distance, the sound was extremely terrifying.

"Look at Governor Fan! Youzhou Black Dragon Flag, the Youzhou Army is here!"

Someone shouted. Fan Yun, who was prepared to die in battle, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the densely packed army in the distance.

At this sight, the whole person was shocked, and then his beard trembled with excitement.

"Brothers, we are saved! Your Majesty, he has led an army to save us!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole city was shaken by thunder, and hundreds of city guards all high-fived each other.

Compared to the cheers on the city wall, the officers and soldiers responsible for attacking the city all looked frightened and backed away.

On this trip to capture Fan Yun, they only had 5,000 soldiers and horses, which was not even enough to put a gap in the enemy's teeth. What should we do?
The deputy general swallowed, looked at Duan Yi and said tremblingly.

"General Duan has come with no less than 100,000 people. Should we withdraw?"

"It's too late!" Duan Yi sighed and waved his hand to signal his subordinates to put down their bows and arrows.

Most of this army is made up of cavalry, and it is not easy to escape in front of them.

For the current plan, they can only hope that the Youzhou Army will spare their lives for the sake of belonging to the Tang Dynasty.

Soon, a hundred thousand troops came to Yingzhou City. The Khitan soldiers, who had received orders in advance, raised their weapons and aimed at Duan Yi's Yulin Guards.

"See you later..."

Duan Yi jumped off his horse and subconsciously wanted to salute, but suddenly remembered that Fan Xin had been deposed as a king, so his bent waist straightened up again.

"Fan Xin, as a nobleman of the Tang Dynasty, you brought so many Khitan soldiers into Yingzhou. Do you want to imitate Li Jinzhong and rebel?"

Call!
Pulling the reins, Fan Xin glanced at Duan Yi and said calmly to Tang Jun.

"For the sake of being a Tang Dynasty citizen, I would like to lay down my weapons, and I will give you the money to go home, otherwise, you will die!"

"This..." The Yulin guards looked at each other, wondering whether to put down their weapons.

Seeing that the morale of his subordinates was wavering, Duan Yi quickly waved his hand and threatened.

"Brothers, don't listen to Fan Xin's nonsense. He has been deposed by the imperial court and is now just the Marquis of Northern Xinjiang."

"We can surrender, but we can never go back..."

bass!
A cold light flashed, and the shouting suddenly stopped.

Inserting the golden dragon sword into the scabbard, Fan Xin looked at Yulin Wei calmly.

"This is your last chance. If you don't want to leave, stay here forever."

As soon as he finished speaking, tens of thousands of Khitan soldiers raised their spears and pointed them at the Yulin Guards.

Just when they were about to launch an attack, some of the timid Habayashi guards quickly put down their weapons and raised their hands to express their willingness to surrender.

After sending these prisoners home, Fan Xin jumped off his horse and looked at the oncoming officials with a smile.

"Fan Yun, the humble governor of Yingzhou, pays homage to the prince!"

"Get up, I've heard what you have to say, and you did a good job!"

After not seeing each other for several years, both of them sounded emotional when they met again.

After reminiscing about old times, Fan Xin frowned and asked: Fan Yun, why do you think you are an official of the imperial court? Why did the Yulin Guard openly attack your city?
Fan Yun shook his head and sighed, a heavy look on his eyebrows.

"My lord, don't you know that the imperial court has begun to tentatively attack the mansion on the grounds that Princess Taiping and the rebels are secretly hidden in Zhonglie Mansion."

"You'd better go back as soon as possible, it will be too late!"

Fan Xin's smile faded, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he said solemnly.

"I'll leave the affairs of Yingzhou to you. I, the king, will take the first step!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Watching the 100,000-strong army rolling away, Fan Yun's eyes were full of worry.

"I hope it's too late!"

……

Luoyang, outside Prince Yan's Mansion, Fanjiazhuang.

On weekdays, after farmers finish their farm work, they sit down in groups under the shade of trees and chat.

But today is different. Nuo Da's Zhuangzi is full of murderous imperial officers and soldiers.

"General Qi, the low-ranking officers have searched, and except for dozens of old men who stayed behind, all the rest have been secretly moved!" the deputy general said with an ugly face.

After hearing these words, Zhang Tao glanced at the white-haired old man who was pinned to the ground, his face was gloomy and terrifying.

Despite all precautions, the Fan family members escaped.

If His Majesty knew about this, my career would probably come to an end.

With this thought in mind, Zhang Tao slowly pulled out his long sword and pointed it at Prince Yan's Mansion.

"Come in! If there is any obstruction, destroy it on the spot!"

"Yes!"

Several lieutenants waved, and hundreds of Yulin Guards carried wood and rushed towards the gate of Prince Yan's Mansion. Other Yulin Guards were guarding on both sides with shields.

Unexpectedly, packs of explosives were thrown out from the high wall.

Boom boom boom!
The Habayashi Guards who advanced amid the billowing smoke were blown up everywhere.

"Hmph, there are thousands of troops led by this general. Let's see how you resist. Come and charge!"

"Come on!"

Looking at the dense crowd of subordinates, the smile on Zhang Tao's face had not fully bloomed when he suddenly saw the stone bricks in front of the door crack with a bang, and a large number of Yulin Guards fell into the pit.

Then several packages of explosives fell from the sky into the large pit.

boom!
"Damn it, you dare to kill my Yulin Guards! Come here, give me..."

"General, we can't continue to attack like this. The more of us there are, the more people will be killed!" Seeing that the general wanted to order his subordinates to attack Prince Yan's Mansion, several lieutenants hurriedly stopped him.

Zhang Tao snorted with an ugly expression.

"If we cannot capture Prince Yan's Mansion and let the Fan family run away, which of you can shoulder this responsibility?"

"General, calm down, we can catch the Fan family without killing people!" A one-eyed dragon said with a sinister smile.

"Oh? Do you have a good plan?" Zhang Tao's anger dissipated a lot.

"Of course!" The one-eyed dragon pointed at the old man who was pinned to the ground.

"General, these old dogs are closely related to the Fan family. If we escort them to the door and force the people inside to come out, it will definitely be more effective than us attacking the door ourselves!"

"These old guys are eighty or ninety years old, why don't they just kill them so blatantly?" Zhang Tao said hesitantly.

The one-eyed dragon smiled coldly and said meaningfully.

"General, a mere sixty old men are nothing. As long as you can get promoted, everything is worth it."

"Besides, who said these old guys are common people? They are clearly rebels!"

Zhang Tao was stunned, burst into laughter, and waved his hand at the end.

"Take these rebels to the gate of Prince Yan's Mansion. If the people inside don't surrender, ten of them will be killed every half stick of incense!"

(End of this chapter)