novelAbuy Chapter 126 The New King Ascends to Save Luzhou
Chapter 126 The New King Ascends to Save Luzhou
September of the third year of the Qingtai era.
When the army is on campaign, a report is sent every ten days.
The distance between Taiyuan and Luoyang is over 800 li. If military news is urgent, a messenger can be dispatched by galloping horse, and the news will arrive in three days.
While the people were still basking in the joy of the previous victory of the imperial army, the atmosphere in the imperial court had changed, becoming tense and oppressive day by day.
A rumor quietly spread: the Khitan ruler mobilized the entire nation's army, agreeing to assist Taiyuan in the middle of autumn, and at this time, the 300,000-strong army was on its way south.
Three hundred thousand... Upon hearing this number, the entire court of officials gasped in shock.
The intelligence received by the imperial court was certainly not hearsay or unfounded speculation; signs of a large-scale mobilization of the Khitan army had already been relayed back through spies lurking in the capital.
Even if it were a bluff, there's no reason to exaggerate the number of troops from 20,000 to 30,000 tenfold. Zhang Jingda's punitive expeditionary force numbered only 60,000. If 50,000 Khitan troops had joined, it would have been enough to determine the outcome of the battle.
Li Congke's first thought was to mobilize troops from Hebei and Youyan, so that our forces could exceed 100,000, enough to fight the Khitan army.
However, warfare is not simply a matter of numbers. Elite troops with precise command and clear, well-defined order of command can undoubtedly defeat disorganized and cobbled-together forces.
Could Zhang Jingda command the obedience of Zhao Dejun and Fan Yanguang? The answer is undoubtedly no.
Fan Yanguang reported that the rebellion in Yedu had just been quelled, and troops needed to be left to suppress it.
Half of the story is true, and half of it is driven by personal motives: after all, the lesson of Liu Yanhao losing his town is still fresh in our minds. Since the situation is not urgent, why risk sending troops to cause chaos in Hebei again?
Zhao Dejun, however, used the excuse that the Khitans were cunning and that they needed to be wary of feints to the east while attacking the west to evade the issue, claiming that Yelü Deguang was ostensibly supporting Hedong but in reality coveting Youyan.
He had long been stationed on the border, maintaining friendly relations with the Khitans and frequently exchanging gifts of seasonal fruits. He did not want to break off relations and start a war, lest he bring trouble upon himself.
Moreover, after Shi Jingtang's downfall, who knows if he himself will be the next target for reducing the power of the princes? Taking advantage of the stalemate and the fierce fighting between the two sides to expand his own strength is the wise choice.
They made up a plausible excuse on the surface, but each of them had their own selfish motives. Li Congke and his husbands knew this perfectly well, but they didn't expose it.
When the emperor held meetings in the cabinet, he would consult with the prime ministers.
The two Privy Councilors, Fang Gao and Zhao Yanshou, made an exception and did not doze off, out of respect for the emperor; Zhao Yanshou, however, remained silent to avoid suspicion because his father was involved.
Lu Wenji and Yao Yi were not knowledgeable in military affairs, Ma Yinsun was nicknamed "the three no-nos," and the Secretariat and Chancellery offered no suggestions.
Knowing that a formidable enemy was at hand, yet unable to send troops to provide support, Li Congke was truly tormented. He felt powerless and anxious, and his vision became increasingly blurred.
"A decree has been issued to the army in Taiyuan, urging Zhang Jingda to launch an urgent attack!"
"Your Majesty need not worry. Zhang Jingda and the others are all veteran generals who have been fighting the Khitan in the north for a long time. They will know when to advance and retreat. Forcing them to attack will only backfire."
Finally, Feng Dao offered a suggestion: "Since the rumors are unverified, we can appoint Dong Wenqi, the military governor of Zhenzhou, as the deputy commander of the northeastern front, to assist the Prince of Beiping." (Note 1)
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yanshou looked up at Feng Dao, then quickly looked away.
Appointing Zhao Dejun to a deputy position, ostensibly to assist in defending against the Khitan and consolidating the northern defense line, was essentially the same as appointing Zhang Jingda as Shi Jingtang's deputy in the past.
Zhao Dejun needs to think things through. If he continues to disobey the imperial court's orders, he will be the next target once Taiyuan is dealt with.
"Fan Yanguang is related to the imperial family by marriage. It would be wise to write a letter in the name of Prince Yong to earnestly request his request. He will surely understand the court's intentions. I am willing to write on his behalf and explain the situation with reason and emotion."
Feng Dao comforted the emperor from another angle: "If we win the battle against the Khitan army, that would be the best outcome. Even if we suffer a minor setback, the generals will surely hold their ground. When Your Majesty issues another edict to send troops, Zhao Dejun and Fan Yanguang will certainly not be able to refuse."
For now, this is the only option.
"Prepare reinforcement strategies, stockpile provisions and equipment, and dispatch troops immediately upon receiving reports from the front!"
……
Luzhou.
Gao Huaide drove around the city for a while, then took his younger brother to visit Li Renrang's estate.
"The two young gentlemen have arrived."
Li Renrang greeted them with a smile and led them inside.
He owns several hundred acres of land in the western suburbs of Lucheng, including an orchard where, in the golden autumn season, the branches are laden with fruit.
Gao Huaide noticed that most of the people working in the fields were elderly with white hair, and he saw very few young and strong people. He wondered if this old man was a smiling tiger, why was he making the elderly do all the work?
"Old folks, stop working so hard. Have some water and take a break."
Li Renrang gave a shout, and everyone in the forest put down what they were doing, looking nothing like oppressed servants.
"Young master, these people are all veterans."
Fu An whispered in his ear.
Gao Huaide observed carefully and found that although they were all old, their hands were steady and accurate in picking fruit, and their steps were still light and agile despite carrying heavy bamboo baskets full of their harvest.
Upon seeing the Gao Huaide brothers, someone grabbed a handful of freshly picked fruit and stuffed it into their hands.
"Our Licheng has four treasures: walnuts, persimmons, red dates, and Sichuan peppercorns. They're all ripe now, come and have a taste."
They arrived at a courtyard, where the Gao brothers were already holding large handfuls of food.
Li Chuchou and Li Chuyun helped carry it, explaining with a smile, "Grandpa and his family are hospitable. They've always been like this when they see younger generations. You'll get used to it."
Several elderly men were sunbathing in the courtyard. They were all missing limbs or had disabilities. It seemed that Li Renrang had taken his old comrades in and kept them on his farm.
Pour a bowl of water, peel persimmons, crack open walnuts, and a group of veterans chat about the old days while eating dates.
"Luzhou has always been a strategic location fought over by military strategists. Not to mention its distance, it has changed hands countless times in the last fifty years."
An old man recalled, "That started fifty-three years ago when Emperor Wu sent his brother Li Kexiu to conquer Ze and Lu, and expel Meng Fang to Xing, Ming, and Ci, where the two Zhaoyi armies stood side by side. I was about your age back then."
"In the year of the banquet at Sanchuigang, the traitorous general Feng Ba killed Li Kegong and surrendered to Zhu Wen. Emperor Wu personally led tens of thousands of Han and non-Han infantry and cavalry to recapture the city."
"Zhu Wen then sent his general Ge Congzhou from Guzhen to Luzhou. Soon after, he transferred Ge Congzhou to attack Liu Rengong in Cangzhou, and replaced him with He Delun. Emperor Wu sent Kang Junli to retake Luzhou."
He Delun—Gao Huaide vaguely remembered hearing this name. It was He Delun who failed to quell the chaos in Weibo. He thought to himself, "The strong under Zhu Wen are indeed strong, and the weak are truly weak."
"In the first year of Tianfu, Zhu Wen sent a large army to attack Taiyuan."
"Shi Shu Cong led his troops from Taihang Road, Zhang Wengong, the general of Weibo, led his troops from Xinkou in Cizhou, Ge Congzhou led his troops from Yanzhou and Yunzhou from Tumen Road, Zhang Guihou, the governor of Mingzhou, led his troops from Maling, Wang Chuzhi, the governor of Dingzhou, led his troops from Feihu, and Hou Yan, the governor of Jinzhou, led his troops from Yindi. The troops were divided into six routes, and Luzhou fell into the hands of Zhu Wen again."
"In the third year of Tianyou, Emperor Wu and the troops of Youzhou attacked Luzhou together. The defending general Ding Hui surrendered, and the Second Grand Protector Li Sizhao was appointed as the acting governor."
"The following year, Zhu Wen destroyed the Tang Dynasty and sent an army of 100,000 to attack Luzhou. Li Sizhao defended the city and the Liang army could not take it after a long siege. So he built a long wall around the city to prevent internal conflicts and to block reinforcements from the outside. This was called a double fortification."
"After more than a year of stalemate, Empress Wu fell seriously ill and handed over military power to the young Emperor Zhuangzong."
As the veteran spoke, his eyes shone brightly, and his tone unconsciously rose a few decibels.
Thirty years ago, they were in their prime and welcomed a new generation of leaders.
Li Cunxu did not disappoint them, winning the hearts of the army with a brilliant opening battle and securing his throne.
……
On the last day of the fourth month of the second year of Kaiping in the Liang Kingdom, the day was Gengwu.
Li Si'an, the commander of the Luzhou campaign, was restless. He had taken up his post as the prefect of Bozhou last August, and more than half a year had passed, but there was still no progress in the siege.
Last month, His Majesty personally led the six armies on an inspection tour of Ze and Lu, and issued an edict that all officers, soldiers and officers of the Zhaoyi Army who died in battle during the past year should be remembered for their loyalty and loyalty, their names recorded, and their families distributed to their respective armies. They should be provided with provisions and stipends by the government for three years.
Despite the Emperor's boundless grace, Li Si'an felt no joy.
The army had been besieging the city for years, and most of the soldiers and civilians in the city had starved to death. The news of Li Keyong's death in the first month of the lunar calendar was no secret, and the morale of the Luzhou garrison was severely damaged. It seemed that they could break through the city with just a little more effort, but the emperor's patience had reached its limit.
The imperial edict appointing Liu Zhijun, the military governor of Tongzhou, as the commander-in-chief of the Luzhou campaign has been issued, and he has been bestowed with a gold belt, battle robe, precious sword, and tea and medicine.
Before even taking office, Liu Zhijun, arguing that the small prefecture was too narrow and unsuitable for a long stay, submitted a memorial requesting that the emperor return to Tokyo, which His Majesty granted.
When he arrives at the camp, it will be the day I step down, just as when I took office as commander-in-chief, the former commander Kang Huaizhen was demoted to deputy commander.
Thinking of this, Li Si'an felt a deep bitterness in his heart.
He considered himself brave and skilled with the flying spear, invincible in all directions, and was appointed General of the White Cavalry by His Majesty. Whenever he went on a campaign, he would ride out behind the enemy lines to assess their strength before returning. If any enemy was arrogant and overconfident, he would order them to be captured, and he would swiftly and decisively seize them amidst the enemy ranks, moving freely as if walking on empty land.
However, for some reason, whenever he led troops into battle, he would not only fail to win a major victory, but would also suffer a major defeat.
Zhu Wen once bestowed upon a general the battle-axe, saying to his attendants, "Li Si'an is brave and decisive in battle, unmatched by anyone. However, whenever a regional military governor selects talent and I intend to employ him, news of defeat inevitably arrives. This has happened two or three times. Thus, we know that the Flying General's fate is unpredictable; are the historical accounts truly unfounded?"
Am I really just a brave warrior like Li Guang and Lü Bu?
Li Si'an gazed at the fortifications that snaked around Luzhou City.
Those were trenches dug by his predecessor, Kang Huaizhen. He built two walls on top of them, placing the camp within them. The inner wall was to prevent Li Sizhao from breaking out, while the outer wall was to prevent Zhou Dewei from attacking, thus preventing the two enemy generals from joining forces.
Further away, two or three hills can be vaguely seen, appearing as dark shadows at night.
"Li Keyong died, and his son Li Cunxu was busy with the funeral arrangements. Once Liu Zhijun arrived, there was nothing left for him to do."
Never mind, there's no need to send scouts to investigate. Master, go and rest.
As the night deepened and fog rolled in, Li Si'an felt weary.
Unbeknownst to him, the newly enthroned King Li Cunxu had led his army from Taiyuan and was already lying in ambush at the foot of Sanchonggang, waiting for dawn.