There are always unscrupulous people who want to harm me.
Two years after the recapture of Annan, in the ninth year of Xiantong (868), a historical issue returned to the public eye: Xuzhou Silver Sword Army.
Four years ago, the imperial court recruited bandits from the Xuzhou area and went south to garrison in Guangxi to resist the invasion of Nanzhao. According to the original idea, this move could not only solve the internal strife of Xuzhou Silver Sword Army, but also solve the external troubles of Nanzhao. Therefore, the imperial court has made it very straightforward to make books, and try to recruit bandits who are mainly the remnants of the Silver Sword Army. A group tour will start every 500 people.
Among Xu Zhong who was recruited to go south to assist in the defense, 500 people were placed in Guizhou (now Guilin, Guangxi). Now that the "Annan War" has ended, they have repeatedly made requests to change defenses and return home, but have been repeatedly rejected. Therefore, the Xuzhou soldiers defended their reputation as arrogant and uncontrollable with practical actions and launched a mutiny.
According to the usual practice, the border garrison troops are stationed every three years, and the defense is replaced at the end of the period. Many historical materials have adopted this reason in broad strokes, saying that the fact that Xu Zu in Guilin could not return after the three-year period expired was the direct cause of his mutiny.
Some information said that they had been delayed for one period (actually it was delayed for one year), but they were still told to continue on duty for another year. Three years after another three years, three years after another three years, it’s almost ten years, boss!
As I have specifically emphasized in the previous article, although there is a "three-year period" convention, the imperial edict has clearly stated that when things are peaceful outside the mountains, you will return with Dai.
This in itself is an irresponsible statement. What is the criterion for judging "things peaceful"? Is it to regain Annan, or is it another strategic goal? How can things be peaceful?
However, neither the "three-year overdue theory" nor "it's better to talk about things than to talk about them" seems not enough to provoke a mutiny. It is too far-fetched and irresponsible to history to say that they were "forced" to revolt.
This book is intended to clear away the dust, sort out the truth behind complex events, and explore their inner logic. Don't blindly follow and perfunctory, let alone sensationalize, and restore the true nature of history.
Although the garrison troops rebelled because they harbored evil intentions, some of the court's practices were indeed inappropriate and had an intensifying effect.
The imperial court recruited troops in the Xuzhou area, and the main targets were bandits who broke laws and disciplines, that is, the Silver Sword Army, which caused headaches to the local area. At the same time, a new leader-Cui Yanzeng was sent to Xuzhou.
Cui Yanzeng was also a civil servant, and he was also a selfless hawk. "He is well versed in the law and has a serious nature." The imperial court appointed him to use a high-pressure posture to ruthlessly govern Xuzhou.
Cui Yanzeng was "good at raising children, but bad at military affairs", so in terms of military management, he mostly left it to his three close confidants. These three subordinates are Yin Kan, Du Zhang, and Xu Xingjian. The three of them understand the spirit of the imperial court, which is to be cruel to the Xuzhou soldiers. At the same time, the imperial court must not let the imperial court take the blame. The imperial court must still appear tolerant and kind. in public.
As a result, the three bullied and exploited Xuzhou soldiers unscrupulously, and became famous throughout the army for their cruelty and corruption.
In the ninth year of Xiantong, the time limit for returning to the Three Dynasties under the old rule had expired, Annan had been recovered, Nanzhao had withdrawn its troops, and things outside the mountains were at peace. The Xuzhou soldiers stationed in Guilin requested to return. This is a reasonable request and not excessive.
Yin Kan arrogantly refused the Guilin garrison soldiers to return home, citing tight military expenditures as an excuse, "Let's talk about it next year."
The government's prevaricating attitude angered the families of the soldiers, who flew to Guilin. Soon, the guards were also angered, "We are soldiers guarding the border, not deported prisoners!" The oppression and humiliation of the past few years have turned into endless anger.
Coincidentally, in July, the Gui Guan observation envoy was transferred to Hunan, but the official who replaced him had not yet arrived. The Guilin garrison is temporarily unsupervised.
So, they seized this fleeting precious opportunity and launched a mutiny.
They killed the commander, elected the grain judge Pang Xun as their leader, opened the armory, distributed weapons and equipment privately, and started their armed journey home. It is known in history as "Pang Xun's Mutiny".
They looted Xiangtan and Hengshan counties, captured some strong men, and forced them to join the army. They returned in force and armed themselves.
Chang'an meant mainly to appease them, and announced that they would be pardoned for all crimes of mutiny and returning without permission, and granted their request to return home, and the government would pay for their travel.
In response, Pang Xun's gang also stopped looting and handed over all armor and weapons to Hunan to show that they had no intention of rebellion.
Things are changing for the better.
In less than a month, this good situation took a turn for the worse.
The Jiedushi of Shannan East Road (today's southwest Hubei and Henan) sent troops to control important passes and strictly prohibited the entry of Pang Xun's troops.
Its original intention is only to prevent thieves, and it is a defensive posture rather than an offensive posture. Just because Pang Xun's troops plundered when they passed through Hunan, the governor of Hubei was unwilling to open his territory to them and asked them to take a detour home, which was reasonable.
As luck would have it, Pang Xun and the others had just handed over all their armor and weapons, and at this time, important checkpoints along the road were heavily guarded. Pang Xun's returning group had a guilty conscience, and their fragile nerves were greatly stimulated, thinking that the imperial court would turn its back on them.
Many major events that can affect the course of history are often triggered by one or several extremely inconspicuous things, either by coincidence or misunderstanding, the so-called butterfly effect.
Mutiny is a capital crime; killing an officer is a capital crime; returning without authorization is even a capital crime... Pang Xun's party members discussed, "Our sins today far exceed those of the Silver Sword Army back then. Even the Silver Sword Army has not been pardoned, how can we be forgiven?" Pardon? They just lied to us because they were afraid that we would be robbed along the way. When we return home unarmed, we will definitely be chopped into pieces by the officers and soldiers who have been ambushing us!"
Does this sentence look familiar? At the end of the Han Dynasty, after Dong Zhuo was killed, his men were preparing to disperse. The think tank Jia Xu urgently called a halt and encouraged them to stay armed and advance towards Chang'an. Pang Xun and others also considered this. Disarming would lead to death.
Justice is only within the range of the cannon, and the caliber is the truth.
Pang Xun's team did not dare to enter Hubei, so they took a boat and went east along the Yangtze River, preparing to cross western Zhejiang, enter Huainan, and then go north to Xuzhou.
During their escape, Pang Xun's gang members stepped up their efforts to make armor and weapons, and absorbed the remnants of the Silver Sword Army and local bandits to strengthen their ranks.
Faced with the rapidly deteriorating situation, Huainan Jiedushi Linghu Gui implemented the central court's spirit of conciliation and comfort, and sent envoys to Pang Xun's troops to comfort him and send him food and grass to show friendship.
Li Xiang, one of Linghu's confidants (du Yaya), strongly objected to this, saying that Pang Xun's followers launched a mutiny, killed their superiors, returned armed without permission, looted along the way, made weapons privately, and recruited bandits... How could this be done? Just keep to yourself after going home? A section of water in Gaoyou was the place they must pass through. The bank there was high, the water was narrow, and the current was fast, making it a perfect location for an ambush. We have the cavalry ambush on both sides of the bank, block the water with boats filled with dry firewood and kerosene, and then use an elite force to attack their backs. In this way, we can easily wipe out Xu Zu's rebellious gang and eliminate future troubles forever!
Linghu Gui declined the proposal to punish by force on the grounds of the central red-headed document (imperial edict).
Li Xiang argued hard, saying that as a commander-in-chief of a vassal town and an official in a feudal territory, how could he be so rigid, pedantic, and bureaucratic? Xu Zu's power was at its peak. Once he returned to Xuzhou, he would let the tiger return to the mountain and join forces with the local bandits in Xuzhou, which would cause serious trouble. If you cannot assess the situation at this time and adapt to the situation, you will definitely regret it in the future!
Linghu Xiang still didn't listen to Li Xiang's suggestion.
Historical records say that Linghu Xi has always been timid and afraid of getting into trouble. Of course, this is also one-sided and does not explain the truth thoroughly.
Linghu Fu, his father is Linghu Chu mentioned above, the prime minister of Xianzong Dynasty. Linghu Gu himself also served as prime minister in the Xuanzong Dynasty. At that time, the imperial court was deeply poisoned by the "niu-li party dispute", but Linghu Fu stayed in the position for ten years and was definitely an evergreen tree in the political arena.
It wasn't until Yizong ascended the throne and became the emperor and courtier that Linghu Fu faded out of the central government and came to the local areas to serve as a military envoy. Not long ago, his son Linghu Fu was reported and exposed, and he was also accused of accepting bribes from Li Zhuo, which led to the fall of Annan and so on.
Although the political turmoil was dealt with without any danger, Linghu Fu, who had always been cautious, also sensitively caught a hint of danger - someone in the court was about to take action against him.
Nowadays, the imperial court has issued repeated orders to appease Pang Xun's followers and not to intensify conflicts. Does Linghu Xi dare to show off at this time?
Linghu Gui has been prime minister for ten years, and he can be summed up in four words: mediocre and inactive. This is also the life doctrine that allows him to survive in the undercurrent of political struggle. There are no achievements worthy of praise, and no measures worthy of criticism. Pollution-free products.
Keep in step with the court and be an obedient baby. This is the life creed by which he lives in the political arena.
The number of Xu soldiers who have returned home has grown to one thousand. Pang Xun hid them at the bottom of the cabin and traveled north from Huainan in a low-key and safe manner. Next stop, terminal: Xuzhou.
During this period, Xu Si's observation envoy Cui Yanzeng was also ordered to send an envoy to Pang Xun's team to comfort him. Pang Xun also wrote back to express his confession and repentance, and said that he would cherish the opportunity given by the court, change his mind and start a new life, with sincere and respectful words.
Things seem to have eased up again.
At the end of September, Pang Xun's troops approached Xuzhou.
Pang Xun suddenly gathered his troops, revealed his true colors, and declared that the imperial court had issued a secret order to Xuzhou, and that he had ambushed a large number of troops at our home, waiting for us. As soon as we returned home, he would kill us all!
Then, Pang Xun complained with tears and snot, saying that we just missed our wife and children and wanted to go home more often, but the court was doing everything possible to get us to death.
It made everyone angry. Pang Xun wiped away his tears and spoke generously: "A man born in heaven and earth, how can he throw himself into a trap and become the laughing stock of the world? Either way, we will die. It is better for you and me to unite as one and cooperate with the elders of Xuzhou. When the time comes, not only You can completely avoid the sin of returning without authorization, and you can also seek wealth and honor! Wang Zhixing is our role model!"
Wang Zhixing separatized Xuzhou, founded the Silver Sword Army, and became the idol of the passionate young people in Xuzhou. Pang Xun and others are Wang Zhixing's crazy fans.
After some agitation, a few generals (12 people) were still worried and did not support Pang Xun's proposal to launch a rebellion.
Pang Xun beheaded them all, and then sent the twelve heads to Cui Yanzeng along with a letter. In the letter, Pang Xun blamed these twelve people for all his crimes, including "returning without authorization."
There is no three hundred taels of silver here.
Cui Yanzeng knew there was a fraud at the first sight and immediately detained the envoy. Under strict interrogation, the envoy told the truth.
Immediately afterwards, Pang Xun sent a second letter.
The general idea is that we know that our sin is unforgivable, and the reason why we have not disarmed ourselves is just because we are afraid of death. As long as the adults can agree to our two requests and show us sincerity, everything will be fine. We ask for:
First, remove Yin Kan, Du Zhang, and Xu Xingjian from their official positions in the Xuzhou Military Prefecture;
Second, retain our armed forces and institutions, and be led by our own elected leaders.
Pang Xun's gang members showed their fangs when they saw it. Now, they are only 60 kilometers away from Xuzhou City. The situation is very critical.
Cui Yan hurriedly summoned the generals to discuss countermeasures.
