Tiantang

Chapter 241

Chapter 249
Stanley, the second prince of Tubo, led the Tubo cavalry to cross Chiling, claiming to have a hundred thousand troops, and successively captured the two cities of Shancheng and Duzhi, and took down eight military forts including Baimaying, Huangshui, and Shibao. After the defeat, Zhonglang led Ma Teng to retreat to Shanzhou with his remnants.

This was within Zhang Xuan's expectation, but also beyond Zhang Xuan's expectation.

Zhang Xuan once made a private agreement with Stanley to open the border, let him lead an army to invade, and launch a war with a performance nature, and then Zhang Xuan took advantage of this to organize this drama as the chief director behind the scenes.

But in the agreement, Zhang Xuan had solemnly warned Stanley not to go straight in, otherwise, he would not hesitate to make the fake come true, and lead a heavy army to give him a blow.

Judging from the current situation, Stanley did not fully abide by the agreement with Zhang Xuan, and even conquered the border cities and military fortresses of the Tang Dynasty one after another, posing a posture of attacking the territory of the Tang Dynasty with great momentum.

The Tubo people are still Tubo people after all, and they want to take advantage of the troubled waters... Zhang Xuan sneered secretly, and the corner of his mouth twitched inadvertently.

The atmosphere at the scene became very tense and depressing.

Guo Ziyi and other generals had already stood up impatiently, looking at Zhang Xuan anxiously, waiting for the military order of the governor at any time, and preparing to go out to meet the Tubo invasion.

Zhang Xuan sat down slowly, waved his hands and said in a deep voice, "The Tubo people's sudden attack this time is enough to prove that my commander's prediction is correct. The Tubo people's ambitions are high, and this marriage is just a one-time marriage." As a cover, I tried to deceive the imperial court and Longshuo soldiers, and then waited for an opportunity to attack and occupy the territory of my homeland."

"Fortunately, the commander-in-chief dispatched troops ahead of time and let Li Guangbi lead an army of [-] troops to guard the front line of the river to deter the Tubo people. Otherwise, the Tubo soldiers who invaded our Tang Dynasty at this moment would not be from Qinghai, and would attack from the front of the river. !"

"Zhang Xun, report the truth to the general at eight hundred miles and send it to the imperial military department, and at the same time submit the commander's report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Supervisory Kingdom—" Zhang Xuan suddenly thought of Li Heng who had just arrived in Lingzhou The eunuch Xue Degui who was sent to deliver the secret letter to him, he pondered for a while and then said, "Send that eunuch Xue Degui back quickly, and say that we will talk about it after I have finished dealing with the Tubo people!"

Of course Zhang Xuan read Li Heng's secret letter, and he knew in his heart that Li Heng was impatient to become emperor, and he even did not hesitate to use this disguised form of usurping the throne to win the throne.

Of course Zhang Xuan was not willing to allow Li Heng to assume the throne now, and this Tubo invasion would undoubtedly delay the time for Li Heng to usurp the throne.Unless Li Heng is a political idiot, he would choose to take over the imperial power at this time.

"Yes, the officer obeys."

"Master Feng, you have just arrived in Lingzhou, and your pommel horse is exhausted. You should be allowed to rest for a few days, but the Tubo people invaded the border, and the military affairs are urgent. I will have to work hard on you when I wait for the duty of guarding the border." Zhang Xuan turned his head and looked Written by Feng Changqing.

Feng Changqing came out clasping his fists and said, "Feng Changqing's salary as a food king, he has received the court's kindness, and he should contribute to the country, and he will not hesitate to go through fire and water! Please give orders from the governor, and the officials will obey everything!"

"From now on, the whole territory of Longshuo has entered a state of emergency, and we are ready to fight a tough battle with the Tubo people. All the supplies, food and grass affairs needed for the dispatch of troops and horses will be in charge of Mr. Feng. Cui Jin And Chen Tong to assist Master Feng in doing things."

"Your officer, please obey!" Feng Changqing, Cui Jin and Chen Tong clasped their fists together to accept the order.

Zhang Xuan nodded, his expression was calm and unhurried, without showing a trace of panic.

Because the incident happened suddenly, Huihe Khan Guli Pei Luo, father and son, who sat on the sidelines and "watched", watched Zhang Xuan calmly deal with it, with a confident look, and secretly marveled.

Zhang Xuan was only at the age of a weak crown. Although he held a high position, he was still a young man and an unarmed scribe.If it was an ordinary young dignitary who heard that Tubo soldiers were invading their borders, they would probably be frightened and lose their sense of control on the spot.It can be seen that this piece of Xuan is calm and free, and the military order is even more reasonable, well-founded, disciplined and orderly...

Su Hudong stared at Zhang Xuan in a daze with some surprise, his complex and clear eyes were projected on Zhang Xuanying's upright and unruffled face, flickering slightly.

"General Guo." Zhang Xuan shouted suddenly.

Guo Ziyi stepped out of the class in awe, bowed and clasped his fists, "Great Governor, I will obey orders!"

"Guo Ziyi, you will lead 2 people from Lingzhou Guards to march tomorrow, and you will arrive in Shanzhou within three days to reinforce the defenders of Shanzhou. There must be no mistakes." Zhang Xuan waved his hand, "Remember, don't worry when the army arrives in Shanzhou Go out to fight, stick to the city, and wait for the commander's order."

"The last general obeys the order." Guo Ziyi gave a deep bow, turned around and took the order and left.

"Zhang Xun, order the Shence Army to rest in Lingzhou for [-] days. After [-] days, all the Shence Army will go to Qinghai with this commander, and fight to the death with the Tubo people!"

Speaking of this, Zhang Xuan suddenly stood up, his voice became impassioned, and a compelling look suddenly floated on his face.

He had planned and waited for a long time for this battle with the Tibetans.This will be the first battle for him to really start his career in Datang and gain a firm foothold in Longshuo.If he succeeds in the first battle, his achievements will shine brightly, and he will command the whole country. At that time, he will have the strength to challenge An Lushan.

Thinking of this, even though he was as calm as Zhang Xuan, he became slightly excited.

Gu Li Pei Luo hesitated for a moment, stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Governor, Tubo has offended the Celestial Dynasty and invaded blatantly, which is infuriating. I return to Hehe as a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. This time, I intend to send [-] troops to help the Governor. How about next?"

A smile appeared on the corner of Zhang Xuan's mouth.He dispatched soldiers and horses to issue military orders in front of the Huihe Khan prince, and did not avoid them. The purpose was to draw the Huihe people in.Although whether the Huihe people sent troops to help the war did not affect the overall situation, in the long run, it would be beneficial and harmless to use the opportunity to fight together to tie the Huihe firmly to their chariots.

Zhang Xuan smiled loudly, cupped his hands and saluted, "Thank you Khan for his understanding of righteousness, Zhang Xuan couldn't ask for it. In this case, please Khan immediately mobilize the Huihe army and horses to Lingzhou to join our army. Then, you and my coalition army will march westward, Let that Tubo dog thief come and go!"

……

……

The atmosphere in Lingzhou City suddenly became tense. The guards inside and outside the city were heavily guarded. In addition to the urgent mobilization of troops and horses, it was also the deployment of grain and supplies.

Outside the city, the station of the Firearms Battalion.

For the firearms camp, Zhang Xuan attached great importance to it. All the affairs of the firearms camp were handled by Zhang Xun himself, and Zhang Xuan had to make decisions on matters that were uncertain.Zhang Xun divided the firearms battalion into two. The "R&D Center" was set up in the backyard of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, while the "processing and production base" was built outside the city. This was also out of confidentiality considerations.

The two links of core technology and production are disconnected. Although efficiency is affected, as a new type of strategic weapon in its infancy, necessary confidentiality work still needs to be done.

At present, the technology of Shenhuo Flying Crow has been corrected many times, and it is very mature, and the speed of production and processing is also very fast.A team of hundreds of craftsmen and handymen worked together under orderly command to rush to make more than 300 rockets every day.

There is also a firearm named "Shaking Thunder" by Zhang Xuan, which is in the stage of experimental development. Launched into the enemy's formation, it will explode when it lands and vibrates, with infinite power.

Before the arrival of Feng Changqing's army, Zhang Xun had already sent people to build the base of the firearms battalion. The inner circle was a long row of processing workshops covering an extremely large area, as well as the living camps for craftsmen and miscellaneous workers; The garrison of the soldiers of the firearms battalion, with 500 soldiers stationed, is in charge of the security guard of the firearms battalion.

This has become the first forbidden area in Lingzhou City. Trespassers will be killed without mercy, and the Governor's Mansion issued a death order.

The sun was shining brightly, and Zhang Xuan led his team to gallop over, and stopped the horses outside the Huoqiying camp.

He sat astride his horse, quietly staring at the high wall and the tall wooden gate of the Firearms Camp, without saying a word for a long time.

In his opinion, the time was too short. Even if the Firearms Battalion worked overtime day and night, they probably wouldn't be able to catch too many Shenhuo Flying Crows before his army took action.Of course, it is not only a matter of time, but also the problem of material consumption, which is a huge expenditure.If it is not supported by the treasures in the underground secret room of Rongwang Mansion, it will be difficult to complete.

"Master Zhang, there are still ten days left, the army is about to go out, how many rockets can the firearms battalion produce." Zhang Xuan said softly without turning his head.

"Back to the Governor, plus the inventory and the rush to make in the past few days, due to material limitations, the Firearms Battalion can provide 5000 rockets for the Shence Army is the limit." Zhang Xun said in a low voice.

Zhang Xuan fell silent. If there are 5000 rockets, there will be five per capita, and at most one thousand cavalry will be equipped, which is still a little short of Zhang Xuan's requirements.However, it is enough. The role of firearms is to catch the enemy by surprise, to deter and disturb the enemy's morale, and it is the group charge operation of the army that really plays a decisive role in the war.

"Shaking Thunder? Can you process some before the army goes out?" Zhang Xuan asked suddenly.

"There are finished products, but the effect still needs to be tested. If the effect is reliable, it is difficult, and more than a hundred pieces can be provided."

"Take the finished product, and I want to test it myself." After Zhang Xuan finished speaking, he rode his horse and ran to the open area in the distance.

……

……

This area is relatively barren saline-alkali land, almost no grass grows, and the ground is relatively hard.

A catapult was transported, and in the leather bag of the catapult were placed three thunderbolts, about the size of a small silver melon, a specialty of Longshuo.

Zhang Xuan dismounted from his horse and stood behind the catapult, while Zhang Xun, Xiao Shisanlang, Lei Wanchun, Nan Jiyun and other generals lined up behind them, looking nervously and expectantly at several soldiers operating their equipment. Hold your breath.

"put!"

The command flag was waved down, and several soldiers cooperated with the catapult to project three thunderbolts, forming an arc in mid-air, and roaring towards the wasteland hundreds of meters away.

Rumble!
After an earth-shattering loud noise, a small "mushroom cloud" rose in front of it, billowing in smoke and dust.

Lei Wanchun opened his mouth wide in surprise, unable to close it for a long time.Even the few soldiers who operated it by themselves were a little dumbfounded.

Although Nan Jiyun was mentally prepared, he still took a deep breath.

The power of this thunder that shakes the sky is so amazing?If it is cast in the dense formation of the enemy, the lethality can be imagined.Thinking of this, Nan Jiyun looked at Zhang Xuan's back with awe-inspiring eyes, and his heart became more and more awe-inspiring.

The longer he followed Zhang Xuan, the more he felt awe of Zhang Xuan in his heart.

Only Zhang Xun personally represented the firearms battalion, and recently devoted all his energy to the development and processing of firearms, and he knew the power of the thunder that shook the sky.

The smile on the corner of Zhang Xuan's mouth became heavier and heavier. He took a step forward, patted a soldier on the shoulder, turned his head to look at Zhang Xun, and said in a deep voice, "Master Zhang, try to hurry up and make as many as you can. Double the wages for the craftsmen. The first batch of Shaking Thunder and Divine Fire Flying Crows are all equipped for the Shence Army... The Firearms Battalion has been established for so long, and our firearms should play a role in the confrontation between the two armies."

"Great Commander, Divine Fire Flying Crow and Sky Shaking Thunder are extremely powerful. This time, we must let that Tubo thief have a taste of it." Lei Wanchun smiled wildly.

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly, and pointed to Lei Wanchun, "Wanchun, don't even think about firearms. The quantity is limited, so you can only equip Nanba first, and we will talk about your 2000 people later."

Lei Wanchun's laughter stopped abruptly, and he frowned and said, "Governor, don't give it all to Nan Ba, it's better to give half of it to a certain family, so that the certain family and its brothers can have a good time!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head, "No way!"

Lei Wanchun wept and lowered his head.

Nan Jiyun laughed, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Old Lei, you are reckless, and the governor is also afraid of making mistakes. This firearm is of great importance. If you accidentally release it for your own military use, then it's okay? "

"Hmph, you're acting good when you get the cheap, you Nan Ba ​​is hypocritical." Lei Wanchun glared at Nan Jiyun.

……

……

"Governor, the marriage ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Wanchun has arrived outside the city of Lingzhou!"

Outside the firearm camp, Zhang Xuan received an urgent report.

Zhang Xuan immediately turned around and smiled at Zhang Xun, "It's finally here, Mr. Zhang, you go out and deal with it, welcome the princess into the city, and put it in the guest house. As for the Tubo prince Chisong Dezan—"

Zhang Xuan's smile faded, "Detain it first, and wait for the imperial order to come down."

"Your officer obeys." Zhang Xun didn't dare to neglect, and took the order and left.

********************************
From Lingzhou to Chang'an, the official road is more than 800 miles away.If it is an ordinary galloping horse, it will take more than ten days to arrive at the fastest.However, the frontier army reported urgently, and the news that the Tubo people aggressively invaded the front line of Shanzhou and Qinghai reached Chang'an six days later.

As soon as the news came out, the ruling and opposition parties were shocked.

When Li Heng got the news, it was late at night, he had just climbed into Zhang Liangdi's bed, and was about to make good things with Zhang Liangdi, when Yang Guozhong, Chen Xilie and other important court officials broke into the palace.

(End of this chapter)