Late Tang

(Thanks to killpig, the dream has never been fulfilled, Fengdongyun gave away monthly tickets, rewards and chapters with several friends, thank you everyone.)

On the northeast corner of Shuozhou, at the junction with the three states of the Yunwei Dynasty, there is a city named Jincheng that was built not long ago by Li Guochang when he was the defense envoy of Datong.

This newly built city was built on the basis of Tianwang Village, where Tianwang Temple was originally located. When it was built, it was rumored that a golden phoenix flew out of a well in Tianwang Village, so it was also called Jinfeng City.The rest of Li Guochang named the city Jincheng because Li Guochang, Li Keyong and his son believed that Zhu Ye's ancestors were also from Longyou Jincheng. In order not to forget their ancestors and remember their former residence, they named it Jincheng.And they value this city very much, and use this city as a base for settlement, and built many fortified defense facilities around Jincheng.These castles are collectively called Sangangsizhen Hujincheng.

Fifteen miles southeast of Jincheng City is Hujiagang. According to historical records, Emperor Xiaowen Yuanhong of the Northern Wei Dynasty once stayed here, hence the name.

Twenty miles to the east of Jincheng is Zhaobagang. It is at the foot of Longshou Mountain and on the north bank of Hunhe River.

Huanghuagang, also known as Huanghuadui, is located at the junction of Huairen, Shanyin and Ying counties, with a beam top [-] feet high.According to the old records, in ancient times, the hill was named after yellow flowers shining in gold, and there was a temple of yellow flowers on the hill.

These three hills have great geographical advantages. Li Guochang built a military camp on them and stationed troops.

In addition to the three hills, there are four military towns around Jincheng, each guarded by heavy troops.

They are Anbian Town, [-] miles east of the city, Sima Town, [-] miles west of the city, Shenwu Town, [-] miles north of the city, and Daluo Town, [-] miles south of the city.

The four towns occupy dangerous positions respectively, each stationed in Shatuo with heavy troops, guarding Jincheng, the lair of Li Guochang and his son in Shatuo.The walls of the three hills and the four towns are all three feet high, making them easy to defend but difficult to attack.In particular, Shenwu Town is stationed at Shenwu River, and Daluo Town is stationed at Dashanmen Yukou. Jincheng, a newly built city, is like a fortress.

However, no matter how strong the castle is, it must be guarded by people. On the Guancheng of Daluo Town, forty miles south of Jincheng, Mrs. Liu looked into the distance and always felt her eyelids twitching.Li Keyong couldn't listen to his persuasion, and was reluctant to give up all the Li family's business in Shuozhou, and he always had illusions in his heart.

But Mrs. Liu has no illusions about this, but she can't persuade Li Keyong.Even Li Guochang, who is currently worried about falling ill, still has a little fantasy, imagining that his son Li Ke can use this to play a triumphant song again.

A few days ago, when the news of Mayi's fall came back, Li Guochang was so angry and startled that he passed out all of a sudden. Although he woke up again later, he was already extremely weak after walking through the ghost gate.The whole person has lost a lot of weight, and the majesty of the Shatuo warrior in the past is gone. He is just like an old man who is dying, dying.

Now Li Guochang is completely unable to be a director, Li Keyong is away fighting, several prestigious elders in the Shatuo tribe, such as Li Youjin, Li Jinzhong and others, Li Youjin and Li Keyong are leading the army, and Li Jinzhong has become A captive of the imperial court.Li Guochang's other sons were all still young. Of the nine sons, two died in Chang'an earlier, and three were captured by the town police during this battle.The rest were either used on the front line with Li Ke, or they were too young to take on heavy responsibilities.

The entire affairs of Jincheng are now all on the shoulders of a woman.Li Guochang has publicly handed over Jincheng's affairs to Mrs. Liu. This daughter-in-law is very general, and many of her words have now been confirmed.Li Guochang regretted not listening to his daughter-in-law at the beginning, but under the current circumstances, he simply handed over Jincheng's affairs to her.

These days, Mrs. Liu has been doing two things, one is to prepare dry food and clothes for the long journey.The second is to recruit soldiers and horses. Almost all those who are over [-] and over [-] in Shuozhou are recruited by her and stationed in three towns and four towns to assist in defense.

The wind and rain gradually stopped, and a wavering blue light gradually appeared between the sky and the earth, getting brighter and brighter, the jade rabbit retreated, and the shadows of mountains and blurred trees gradually appeared on the horizon.In a trance, the east was dyed bright red, a little golden light was eagerly trying to break free from the shackles of darkness, surrounded by steaming colorful clouds, and it was dawn.

Liu's heart tightened.

A team came slowly on the road in front of the city, their armor scattered and their helmets crooked, their banners languid, and they were extremely embarrassed.Going closer, you can see the exhausted war horse snorting loudly in the morning light.Liu Shi suddenly felt a sense of collapse when she saw Li Keyong.

The husband was neither carried nor dragged, he rode back by himself.Mrs. Liu closed her eyes. After a long time, a tear flowed from the corner of her eyes, leaving a shallow tear trail and falling on the cold city.

Li Keyong was defeated, completely defeated, and came back quite cunningly.

Shanyang and Mayi were lost one after another, and more than 7000 soldiers and horses were lost. The elite Shatuo he brought with him now only has [-] troops left.

Seeing Mrs. Liu for the first time, Li Ke said bitterly: "Everything is as Madam expected. We lost, and we lost very badly. I regret that I didn't listen to Madam's advice." Liu stepped forward and hugged her Li Keyong, no matter how proud this man was at the beginning and how he refused her persuasion, he is still that man, he is him, not only her husband, but also the pride and hero of Shatuo people. Now, he is still The new Patriarch of the Shatuo Clan.

"There is always a time to win or lose. The key is that you can't fall. You are my husband, you are the patriarch of the Shatuo people, and you are the hero in everyone's hearts. As long as you don't fall, we Shatuo people will not fall." , there will be a comeback, a comeback day." Liu comforted her husband with her arms around her.

Li Keyong hugged Liu Shi, and suddenly felt tears streaming out uncontrollably.Since he was a child, he has never shed tears. He has become the head of the tribal children since he was a child. When he was young, he overwhelmed the warriors of the Tatar tribe. At the age of 14, he joined the army and went south to fight against the Pang Xun rebellion.His status is not because he is the son of the patriarch, but by himself.He is invincible in all battles, and he has won every attack. He became the guard of the cloud at the age of 14, and now he is only [-]. He has become the head of the clan and defeated Tang soldiers several times.

He has never encountered such a big setback as this time. The seven generals of Yunzhou, Cheng Huaixin, died in Jinglue City, Li Jinzhong was captured in Jinglue City, and then Xue Zhiqin was killed in Shuozhou City, and Li Cunzhang also went to suppress* The letter was delivered in *, and was detained.Of his seven confidants, only Kang Junli, Xue Tieshan and Gai Yu are left.

At the beginning of the army, two brothers died in Chang'an, and before that, three younger brothers were captured in Taixi Pass.Right now, his uncle Li Youjin was also shot by an arrow at the foot of Shuozhou city, and he was carried back on a stretcher all the way. His father, the one he had always been proud of, had also fallen.

Seeing her husband crying like a wronged child in her arms, Liu Shi didn't have any contempt in her heart, this is still the man she loved more and more.A man does not flick his tears easily, but it is not yet the time to be sad.She believed that after her husband cried, he was still the hero that the whole family admired when he wiped away his tears.

Li Ke cried for a long time in Liu Shi's arms, and the tears wet the cloth on Liu Shi's plump tits.But after crying hard, Li Keyong looked up again, and Li Keyong regained his coldness.

"I have decided to abandon Shuozhou, the whole family will evacuate, and go to the north of Yinshan Mountain!"

Liu immediately agreed with her husband's decision, and it was not too late to make up for it.Seeing his son come back in such a state of embarrassment, Li Guochang's already pale face became even more ugly. With a long sigh, Li Guochang's energy seemed to be drained all of a sudden, and he became a dispirited old man waiting to die.In the few waking hours, Li Guochang recalled his life over and over again. Growing up in Daibei, he began to follow his father to fight for the Tang Dynasty when he was a teenager.In his life, he has fought innumerable battles for the Tang Dynasty. His father was a more prestigious man than him. Without the efforts of his grandfather and father, the Shatuo clan would not have been as strong as he took over.

Now that I think about it, Sha Tuo's prosperity and his rising position are not only due to him alone, but to several generations of his family. Otherwise, why would the emperor give him the surname Li.It's a pity that he was arrogant for a while, thinking too high of himself, but too low of the court, and always felt that he deserved more.

And he gave birth to a son who was even more arrogant than himself. Although his wife Qin and daughter-in-law Liu were both smart women, why couldn't he listen to those words at the beginning.

"Aye, I'm going to lead the people to withdraw to the north of Yinshan Mountain." Li Keyong was stunned by his father and son, and quickly said his thoughts again.

Li Guochang woke up from his memory and contemplation, and heard his son's words clearly. He nodded and said with infinite emotion, "Let's go, let's go, our father and son are the sinners of Shatuo. When we lost, Only then did we know how to cherish it. At the beginning, we forgot how your grandfather and great-grandfather resolutely moved to the Central Plains with 3 accounts and [-] people to fight for [-] miles. When the Shatuo people fought against Tubo, they almost died. Now that we have a little strength, we dare to fight Tang Chao. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, we forgot about that."

Li Ke flashed a faint cold light with his one eye: "We will come back."

Li Guochang struggled to sit up, but couldn't get up after struggling a few times, Li Keyong quickly helped his father up.

The violent movements made Li Guochang's face a little sickly rosy. He coughed a few times, panted heavily, held his son's hand tightly, stared at his son tightly, and said in a serious tone: "I have been recalling my son these days. In this half of my life, I have been recalling the century-old history of our Shatuo people. I have come up with an experience, a summary, and a lesson. Son, if you don’t want Shatuo to die at the hands of our father and son, then listen to me, if you can, In the future, try to find a way to restore the relationship with Datang. Maybe we Shatuo people can really make a comeback. If not, then go north or west, as far away from Datang as possible, and it is best never to come back. "

Li Keyong didn't fully understand the meaning of his father's words, but finally nodded solemnly.

"Since we have to leave, it's not too late, let's go now!" After Li Guochang said this, all the strength in his body faded, he fell powerlessly to one side, and fell into a deep sleep. (To be continued.)