novelAbuy Chapter 53 The Northwest is Unsettled, Sichuan and Chongqing Rebel
Chapter 53 The Northwest is Unsettled, Sichuan and Chongqing Rebel
Meng Zhixiang declared himself emperor in both eastern and western Sichuan, only six days after Li Congke.
In early April, Zhang Qianzhao, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit, who had fled from Fengxiang, retreated to Hanzhong and, together with Sun Hanshao who remained in charge, surrendered the two towns of Xingyuan and Wuding.
Meng Zhixiang ordered Li Zhao, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fengluan Suwei Cavalry and Infantry and the Military Governor of Zhaowu, to lead 5,000 troops back to Lizhou, while Zhang Ye, the Commander-in-Chief of the Right Kuangsheng Cavalry and Infantry and the Military Governor of Ning and Jiang, led 10,000 troops to garrison at Damantianling to provide support.
Da Mantianling, located 35 li northeast of Lizhou, is connected to Xiao Mantianling and is a strategically important location in Sichuan.
Meng Zhixiang was cautious and prudent, and he still took precautions against surrendered generals, which shows his character.
April 12th, Xin Si day.
Meng Zhixiang received the jade book and jade seal, was granted the title of a virtuous official, was granted a general amnesty, and the reign title was changed.
More than two months earlier, on the 28th day of the intercalary month, Meng Zhixiang had already ascended the throne and established the country. This was merely a formality to complete the process of receiving the investiture and changing the era name. (Note 1)
"Sichuan is in chaos before the rest of the world. Sichuan is a naturally endowed region for regional dominance, and Meng Zhixiang finally couldn't hold back any longer."
Gao Xingzhou learned of this news on his way and his expression became serious.
"Ah San, you've got another big problem."
The Meng family of Xingzhou was a prominent clan in Hebei. Meng Zhixiang's uncle, Meng Fangli, had served as the military governor of Zhaoyi Army, controlling the three prefectures of Xing, Ming, and Ci. Taking advantage of the military governor's unpreparedness during the handover of duties, he led his garrison troops directly into Luzhou and captured the city.
However, Meng Fangli was harsh and impatient, and treated his subordinates with little kindness. He said that Luzhou was a dangerous place with fierce people who had repeatedly killed the commander-in-chief and caused chaos. He wanted to weaken the region, so he moved the capital to Longgang Prefecture. The local heroes had many complaints about this.
Seeing an opening, Li Keyong sent his brother Li Kexiu to attack Luzhou, which was then incorporated into the Hedong region. He then petitioned the court to appoint Li Keyong as the acting military governor.
From then on, the Zhaoyi Army was divided into two, with the Taihang Mountains as the boundary, and two military governors stood side by side.
After that, Meng Fangli relied on Zhu Wen for assistance and fought against the Jin army for years. The land became a battlefield, and people could not farm.
However, he was no match for the Hedong army. He first fought at Jiaogang, but was defeated by Li Kexiu, who beheaded tens of thousands of enemies and lost Wu'an, Linming, Handan, and Shahe.
He then sent 30,000 troops to attack Liaozhou, but they were ambushed and defeated by Li Keyong's troops. Only one or two out of ten returned.
Li Keyong then dispatched his valiant generals Li Hanzhi and Li Cunxiao to attack Xingzhou, and then to attack Ci and Ming, defeating Meng Fangli again at Liulipi.
After eight years of fighting against Hedong, Meng Fangli was finally driven to a dead end, with no reinforcements and food supplies running out in the city.
One night, Meng Fang went out to patrol the city and comfort the soldiers, but the guards all stood there arrogantly and did not respond. Knowing that things were hopeless, he returned home and drank poison and died.
The entire Meng clan was relocated to Jinyang. Unexpectedly, Meng Zhixiang gained the favor of Li Keyong, who betrothed him to his eldest daughter, Princess Qionghua, giving him a high position in the Hedong army. (Note 2)
Meng Zhixiang experienced a dramatic change in his family during his childhood, so he always acted cautiously and sought stability in everything he did.
When Li Cunxu succeeded to the throne as Prince of Jin, he appointed his brother-in-law as Zhongmen Shi (中门使), a position held by all military governors, who participated in important matters and whose duties were equivalent to those of the Privy Councilor of the imperial court.
Since many of the Central Gate Envoys had been executed for their crimes, Meng Zhixiang voluntarily resigned and sought another position, recommending Deputy Envoy Guo Chongtao to replace him. This strategy, which allowed him to avoid trouble while simultaneously gaining Guo Chongtao's gratitude, was truly the best course of action.
"Is someone who's timid and afraid to step forward something to be afraid of?"
When Gao Xingzhou brought up the changes in Sichuan, Gao Huaide expressed his dissatisfaction and, as expected, received a scolding.
"What do you know! Once these people see an opportunity, they strike with lightning speed."
Gao Xingzhou was mature and prudent, and never underestimated his opponents: "His claim to the throne this time must be because he saw the opportunity when things changed in Fengxiang, and Zhang Zhaoqian, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit, led his army north, leaving the court powerless to intervene."
Unexpectedly, Gao Huaide suggested another possibility: "Perhaps he knew his days were numbered and wanted to satisfy his craving for being emperor before he died?"
As his son continued to argue, Gao Xingzhou's temper began to flare.
"Back in the day, Xia Luqi was incredibly brave, yet he was forced to commit suicide by Meng Zhixiang. What right do you, a mere brat, have to look down on him?"
Previously, Gao Xingzhou had recounted a story about Xia Luqi, who, despite being surrounded dozens of times, fought relentlessly. It turned out that he was forced to his death by this man, and Gao Huaide thought to himself that he was indeed not to be underestimated.
Despite losing face, he refused to back down, saying, "At worst, we can just send troops to wipe them out. I've read in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms that Deng Ai secretly crossed the Yinping Trail and conquered Shu in just three months."
Gao Xingzhou rebuked him, "You make it sound so easy. Our dynasty did indeed conquer Shu in just over seventy days. Do you think you can do that, kid?"
"Hey, maybe if I led the troops, we could go even faster."
"How arrogant!"
Gao Xingzhou felt his blood pressure rise as he recalled his conversation with his eldest son. Thinking back on it carefully, it wasn't entirely unreasonable. Meng Zhixiang was over sixty; how many more years could he possibly live?
"One dynasty ends and another begins, the flags of kings change on the city walls. The late emperor passed away less than half a year ago, and the great country has become like this. I'm afraid he can't rest in peace even in the afterlife."
……
Gao Xingzhou arrived in the capital at dusk on April 25th.
The system of allowing officials from outside the capital to enter the capital has existed since ancient times.
During the Han Dynasty, each prefecture sent envoys to the capital every year to report on the prefecture's administration and financial situation; these envoys were called "Shangji Li" (上计吏).
The Tang Dynasty continued this system, in which envoys from various circuits were sent to the capital to pay homage to the emperor and meet with the prime minister. They were called "court envoys".
In the eighth year of the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, it was decreed that the governors and prefects of various prefectures, or their superiors, would take turns to attend court each year. They would arrive in the capital on the 25th of the tenth month and pay homage on the first day of the eleventh month to report on the local customs and conditions, assess the performance of their subordinates, present tribute, and receive imperial edicts.
However, for important border prefectures and prefectures suffering from floods or droughts, the governor-general or prefect does not need to go in person; other officials can take his place.
This move enhanced the central government's control over local areas. Unfortunately, after the An Lushan Rebellion, the country was fragmented by regional military governors, and the system of holding court sessions became a mere formality. Military governors no longer rushed to the capital, and some even never attended court for their entire lives. Instead, they communicated with the court through their resident institutions in the capital—the Jinzouyuan (Imperial Secretariat).
The act of a military governor personally going to the capital gradually transformed from a routine gesture into a political statement.
Gao Xingzhou didn't care what others thought; it was only natural for the regional military governors to submit to the imperial court. Moreover, he felt it necessary to meet with Li Congke and the other ministers to discuss the situation in the northwestern prefectures and even matters concerning the entire country.
Undisturbed by worldly affairs during his journey, Gao Xingzhou was able to calm his mind and think more clearly.
Li Yichao's ability to hold his ground and repel the imperial army's invasion demonstrates that he is no ordinary or incompetent man. If he dares to launch an attack, he certainly has a good chance of winning.
The Dingnan Army alone could handle the Zhangwu Army, but it would be quite a stretch when dealing with the surrounding towns—so Li Yichao's strategy became obvious.
They colluded with the Khitans and took advantage of the chaos!
"Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts."
Gao Xingzhou snorted coldly. His ministers were shrewd and calculating, and most of them would not have overlooked the defenses on the north side. It was good for him to remind them. In a few months, the outcome would surely be clear.
That evening, he did not go directly into the city; his entourage stayed overnight at an inn outside the city.
According to Tang dynasty regulations, foreign vassals who had not been received by the emperor during his visit to the capital were not allowed to enter his private residence.
When a military governor enters the court, he must first meet with the officials of the Censorate in the corridor on the first day of the court session, and then go to the main hall to express his gratitude. This is the etiquette of meeting and thanking the officials in the corridor and the main hall.
Everything has its own rules. Paying homage to the officials of the Censorate symbolizes that the regional military governors respect the imperial court, accept supervision, and abide by the law.
The main hall of the palace city refers to the Xuanzheng Hall of the Daming Palace in Chang'an, where the emperor held court. After it was moved to Luoyang, the eastern capital, it was moved to the Ziwei City.
The next morning, Gao Xingzhou entered the city fully prepared. Gazing at the city walls of Luoyang, a slight ripple stirred in his heart.
Emperor Taizong Li Shimin served as the Prince of Qin and the General of the Heavenly Strategy. He destroyed Zheng and captured the two kings. When he entered Luoyang, he dismantled the Duanmen Gate, burned the Qianyang Palace, and destroyed the Zetian Gate.
However, many years later, Li Shimin revisited the place, and because he favored a fifteen-year-old beauty, the Tang Dynasty was temporarily renamed.
That beautiful young woman, later known as Wu Zetian, loved Luoyang even more than Chang'an, as if by divine intervention, the destroyed palace had been reincarnated to seek revenge.
With the majestic imperial city towering before him, Gao Xingzhou put aside his idle thoughts, dismounted, and walked onto the Tianjin Bridge.
Tianjin Bridge was originally a pontoon bridge connecting ships with iron chains, but it was later replaced by a stone bridge. There are four pavilions on the bridge and a restaurant at the bridgehead. To the north is Huangdao Bridge and to the south is Xingjin Bridge, both named after constellations.
Tianjin means "river in the sky".
The original designers, Yang Su and Yuwen Kai, were well-versed in feng shui and celestial phenomena. They likened the Luo River to the Milky Way and the imperial city to the Ziwei Palace, the residence of the Heavenly Emperor, hence the name.
The Luo River ripples beneath the bridge, with boats coming and going like clouds. Though it may not have the grandeur of the capital city in its heyday, it still boasts a magnificent and ever-changing landscape.
As Gao Xingzhou was admiring the beautiful scenery, he overheard the soldiers guarding the city whispering to each other, saying the same thing: "Remove the living Buddha, and support a piece of iron."
What does this mean?
April 23rd, Ren Chen.
Two days before Gao Xingzhou entered the capital, Li Congke made up his mind and issued an edict to bestow money and silk upon the imperial guards and the officers and soldiers who surrendered to Fengxiang.
Yang Siquan, Yin Hui, and others were each given two horses, one camel, and seventy strings of cash; soldiers received twenty strings of cash; and those in the capital received ten strings of cash each.
The reward was four-fifths less than initially promised, and the troops were dissatisfied, but there was nothing they could do; they couldn't very well rebel again.
Rumors spread among the Imperial Guards that Li Conghou, whose nickname was Pusa Nu, was kind and timid, while Li Congke was strict and stingy.
Gao Xingzhou had no time to delve into the reason, because he saw a familiar figure.
Shi Jingtang was the military governor of Chengde Army, commander of the cavalry and infantry of Datong, Zhangguo, Zhenwu, and Weise armies, and concurrently held the titles of Grand Commandant, Chancellor, and Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant.
When did he also arrive in Luoyang? (Note 3)
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Place Name Comparison
Lizhou: present-day Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province
Xingzhou: also known as Longgangzhou, now Xingtai City, Hebei Province
Mingzhou: present-day Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan City
Cizhou: present-day Cixian County, Handan City
Luzhou: present-day Luzhou District, Gaoguan City, Shanxi Province
Wu'an: present-day Wu'an City, Handan City
Linming: now the western part of Yongnian District, Handan City
Shahe: present-day Shahe City, Xingtai City
Jiaogang: Sixty li west of present-day Wu'an City
Liulipo: more than 30 li south of present-day Xingtai City