novelAbuy Chapter 76 The Old Land of Shuofang Divided into 8 Towns
Chapter 76 The Old Land of Shuofang Divided into 8 Towns
At dawn, Li Yiyin donned his armor and went out of the camp to challenge the enemy.
Yang Hongxin was overjoyed at the sight of the enemy and was about to go out to meet him when Gao Xingzhou stopped him.
"Today's battle is different from yesterday's. The enemy has deployed their forces with their backs to the mountains. If we advance and launch a combined attack, we are certain of victory."
Yang Hong believed that Ding Nan's army still possessed considerable strength and had not yet reached a dead end. He questioned whether dividing his army into three routes was an underestimation of the enemy. He wondered what would happen if the enemy focused on one side and concentrated their forces to break through.
Logically speaking, the Yang family of Linzhou had the fewest troops and were the easiest target, but he was bold by nature. Since the commander-in-chief said that victory was certain, he led his troops to the east to set up a battle formation without saying a word.
Zhe Congruan deployed troops to the south, while Gao Xingzhou led the Zhangwu army to block the way to the north, opening a pocket and leaving only the west open.
Li Yiyin provoked for a long time, but seeing that the other side refused to fight, he returned to his own camp cursing.
"Does Gao Xingzhou even know how to use troops? By dispersing his forces, isn't he afraid of being defeated piecemeal?"
Li Yiyin forgot who had suffered a crushing defeat the day before and blurted out a thoughtless remark.
Li Yichao remained silent, observing the posture of the allied forces. It seemed they intended to surround three sides and leave one open, luring the Dingnan army westward to Wuqi Town.
"The two armies haven't even clashed yet, and the outcome is uncertain. Gao Xingzhou is far too arrogant. Why should we leave? Let's fight him right here!"
Li Yiyin volunteered for the battle: "Brother, I will lead light cavalry to flank and attack the enemy's side. We will surely break through this leaky trap!"
Li Yichao was still pondering Gao Xingzhou's intentions and considering whether to grant his brother's request to launch an attack when suddenly dust rose from the west, and a troop of men arrived.
Upon closer inspection, one could clearly see the various banners bearing the titles "Prefect of Qingzhou" and "Fu" fluttering in the wind. Leading the group was a general, over thirty years old, with a four-sided, tile-shaped iron mace passed down from his father hanging from his wrist, exuding an imposing aura.
"Oops!"
Li Yichao had a bad feeling. Last night, he was so busy gathering the defeated troops, setting up camp, and arranging defenses that he didn't immediately send out scouts to investigate.
The enemy's harassment and shouting around the camp caused them to lose their composure and miss the last opportunity to send out scouts.
In military campaigns, there is no room for the slightest mistake or oversight. At this point, it was too late for Li Yichao to regret his actions.
"Fourth Fu, Fourth Fu, we've finally waited for you."
Gao Xingzhou raised his whip and commanded his cavalry to launch a combined attack, decisively defeating the Nan army in two, leaving them unable to provide support from either side.
The addition of the Qingzhou army made the outcome of the battle a foregone conclusion. Li Yichao made a decisive decision: he abandoned the attempt to rescue the vanguard, allowing them to be surrounded and annihilated by the allied forces, while he and Li Yiyin led the rear guard to escape.
Even so, he was still seriously injured during the pursuit, taking two arrows to vital points and nearly losing his life.
Three thousand prisoners were killed, and tens of thousands of weapons and provisions were seized. After this battle, the Dingnan Army suffered more than half its losses and was severely weakened.
The allied forces pursued the fleeing enemy until they withdrew from Yanzhou territory and retreated into Luziguan Pass, at which point they ceased their pursuit.
Luzi Pass is located 18 li north of Saimen Town on the border of Yanzhou. The two cliffs stand upright in a shape like a gourd, making it a dangerous place.
Du Fu once wrote "Sai Lu Zi": "Yanzhou, the northern border of Qin, still has a pass that can be relied upon. How can we obtain ten thousand men to swiftly drive to Sai Lu Zi... The deep meaning of the pass blocking the two bandits lies here."
This is the place I'm referring to.
Li Yichao held his ground and defended the position to the death. The allied forces had no intention of launching a strong attack, and the entire battle came to an end.
This was Gao Huaide's first experience of a complete battle:
At the beginning of the struggle between Yan and Xia, Gao Xingzhou used the construction of a city in Qingjian as a pretext to instigate a rebellion and seize Suizhou. He then contacted various parties and pressed forward step by step.
Li Yichao colluded with the Khitan and launched an attack while the northern enemy was invading from the south, and secretly hid iron hawks as a trump card.
Gao Huaiyuan held firm at Qingjian, wearing down the enemy's morale, while Gao Xingzhou seized the opportune moment to launch an attack.
Zhe Congyuan and Yang Hongxin followed Yang Tan to defend the border, repelled the Khitan, and rushed to their aid.
Li Yichao outwardly captured Suizhou and Qingjian, but secretly launched a surprise attack on the city and broke through Jinming Town.
The two armies maneuvered and advanced, engaging in a decisive battle at Sanchuankou. Gao Xingzhou launched an attack from both flanks first, then used the central army to lure the enemy into a trap, drawing out their deadly move, and using hook-and-sickle spears to break the linked cavalry formation.
Fu Yanqing led his troops to the scene, ultimately securing the victory.
The two weeks that followed, filled with siege, battles, clashes, and the final victory, were an extremely valuable and rare experience for Gao Huaide.
Military affairs cannot be taken lightly. Both sides must employ strategies against each other. When the final cards are revealed, the outcome will be decided. The lives and deaths of thousands of soldiers depend on the commander's decision.
Gao Huaide understood this point deeply.
……
After withdrawing the troops back to their home territory, they dealt with the defeated soldiers and generals, seized money, grain, and weapons, and carried out all post-war affairs in an orderly manner. They also rewarded the soldiers and entertained the friendly forces.
Gao Xingzhou hosted a banquet to celebrate his victory, and Gao Huaide and Yang Chonggui were also among the guests.
When Yang Hongxin, Zhe Congruan, and Fu Yanqing met for the first time, both of them wanted to befriend this descendant of one of the most prominent military families in the dynasty.
Yang Hongxin raised his cup to urge Fu Yanqing to drink, but Fu Yanqing calmly stated that he did not drink. When Zhe Congyuan talked about the war, Fu Yanqing listened silently and did not participate in the discussion.
He was humble and did not put on any arrogant or condescending attitude, leaving Zhe and Yang somewhat unsure of his true thoughts.
Gao Xingzhou knew his colleague's personality and preferences well, so he coughed and said, "Lord Guan, I recently got a fine yellow dog."
A single sentence piqued Fu Yanqing's interest, and he immediately began to talk at length. (Note 1)
At first, Gao Huaide pondered Fu Yanqing's courtesy name, Guanhou, wondering if he wanted to emulate Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Champion. His ambition was indeed lofty.
Later, listening to him chat, I found that he kept saying things like "A yellow dog with a white face is suitable for light colors, turning bad luck into good and bringing prosperity to the family" and "A white dog with a black head and a seal on its body will bring prosperity to the whole family for generations." These were all sayings from the "Classic of Dog Judging," which made me change my opinion of him.
The two chatted about the fun of raising dogs, but Gao Huaide felt something was off: his father had been busy ever since he returned from the capital, when did he get air conditioning and start raising hunting dogs?
If you listen carefully, you'll see that Gao Xingzhou is clearly only talking about Ru Hua.
Gao Huaide was immediately indignant. His father had admonished him not to indulge in frivolous pursuits, but when he met Fu Yanqing, he talked about dogs with great enthusiasm and even used his own dog as a topic of conversation.
We both enjoy being sycophants and lackeys, so why can adults do it but I can't? I get given the cold shoulder all the time.
Gao Xingzhou didn't have time to concern himself with his son's little thoughts. He chatted with Fu Yanqing about dog-related matters for a while, and as the conversation gradually opened up, he asked, "Lord Guan, what are your plans next?"
Fu Yanqing did not answer immediately. He stroked his neatly trimmed mustache, making his silver-bodied face appear even more solemn.
Of the four, only Yang Hongxin was a commoner. He still couldn't forget his previous plan to divide up eight prefectures and proposed the idea of splitting up the Dingnan Army.
"Gao Shuai occupies Yan, Xia, Sui, and Yin, Fu Fujun holds Qing and You, Fuzhou still belongs to the Zhe family, and our Yang family obtains Linzhou. The eight northwestern prefectures are all under our control. Isn't that wonderful?"
Yang Hongxin spoke with great enthusiasm. The Yang family had been wealthy for generations, but had never been appointed by the imperial court. They dreamed of becoming a prefect with an official title.
Fu Yanqing looked down on Yang Hongxin's shortsightedness. He thought that establishing a regional power was not that simple, and that it was more like writing a novel.
He didn't respond, but instead asked Gao Xingzhou a question: "What are Zhang Xichong's plans?"
Yang Hongxin was bewildered, but Zhe Congyuan seemed to understand. Fearing that his in-laws would be laughed at, he explained to him, "The three towns of Zhenwu, Dingnan, and Zhangwu, along with the two prefectures of Lingyan, were all under the jurisdiction of the Shuofang Jiedushi in the past."
"That's not all."
Fu Yanqing casually recounted the history of the changing power dynamics in the Northwest: "During the Kaiyuan era, the Shuofang Jiedushi was newly established, who led the Shanyu Grand Protectorate, the six prefectures of Xia, Yan, Sui, Yin, Feng, and Sheng, the two armies of Dingyuan and Feng'an, the three surrender cities of the East, Central, and West, with 64,700 soldiers and 4,300 horses."
Gao Huaide swallowed hard. Goodness, this strength is several times greater than the combined strength of everyone present.
"Afterwards, the Shuofang Army continued to expand its defense area, taking control of sixteen prefectures including Lu, Li, Qi, Jing, Yuan, Ning, Qing, Long, Fu, Fang, Dan, Yan, Hui, You, Lin, and Bin, extending its influence throughout the Guannei Circuit. It also held the positions of Guannei Circuit Investigator, Guannei Support and Farming Commissioner, Guannei Salt Lake Commissioner, Commissioner of the Various Barbarian Tribes, Commissioner of the Imperial Stables and Palace Gardens, Commissioner of the Six Cities Water Transport, Commissioner of the Longyou Military Forces, and Inspector of the Hun Tribes."
At its peak, it commanded 100,000 soldiers and 30,000 horses, resisting the Turks in the north and defending against the Tibetans in the west, and was one of the ten military governors of the Tianbao era.
A total of twenty-two states!
Gao Huaide counted on his fingers as he listened to Fu Yanqing recite a long list of titles. He thought to himself, no wonder the Shuofang Army was able to contend with An Lushan's three Hebei towns and produce famous generals like Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi. Their strength was indeed formidable.
"After the An Lushan Rebellion was quelled, the Turks and Tibetans weakened, and the Shuofang Army was scattered into the Eight Garrisons in the northwest of the capital, which led to the current situation. At that time, the court established the Shence Army with 150,000 troops to supervise and enforce its authority, so the Eight Garrisons submitted to its command."
Fu Yanqing stopped there and did not continue.
Upon hearing this, everyone understood what he meant.
The Tang Dynasty learned from its mistakes, dismantling the major regional military governorships and weakening their power to create checks and balances among them. Meanwhile, the central government strengthened its military to deter them. This system allowed the Tang Dynasty to survive for another century, and it was not, in the sense, a system that allowed the regional military governorships to grow too powerful.
Is it really possible that the vision and wisdom of emperors and prime ministers throughout history are inferior to those ignorant and shallow people who only have a superficial understanding of the current situation?
With only the two towns and eight prefectures of Yanxia, it is far from enough to control the northwest. Only by extending our influence to the two prefectures of Lingyan and Yanyan, expanding our strategic depth, can we restore the former power of the Shuofang Army and achieve great things!