The interference of eunuchs in government affairs and the separatist rule of vassal towns were the two big mountains weighing on the Tang Empire. They were also the top priority for Emperor Zhaozong to rejuvenate the Tang Dynasty.
Two memorials in succession provided a breakthrough for the ambitious Emperor Zhaozong.
One letter was written by Gu Yanlang, the governor of Dongchuan, asking the court to pardon Wang Jian and transfer Chen Jingxuan away to stabilize the two rivers;
The other letter was a memorial from Wang Jian, expressing his willingness to attack Chen Jingxuan to atone for his sins, and requesting that he be appointed governor of Qiongzhou.
The two memorials pointed the finger at Tian Lingzi's brother Chen Jingxuan, playing into Zhaozong's hands, so he decided to use this as a breakthrough to sacrifice Tian Lingzi's flag.
The grievances between Wang Jian and Chen Jingxuan also start from Tian Lingzi's "retreating to advance".
Tian Lingzi absorbed the "Eight Zhongwu Capitals" originally belonging to the "Yang Sect" and reorganized them into the "Five Capitals of Suijia", and adopted Wang Jian as his adopted son. Tian Lingzi became Wang Jian's godfather, and Chen Jingxuan became Wang Jian's godfather.
Before Zhu Mei jumped up and down to maneuver Li You to usurp the throne, Tian Lingzi, an old fox in the political world, keenly sensed the danger, so he took retreat as an advance and voluntarily withdrew from the central government, joined his brother Chen Jingxuan, the military governor of Xichuan, and waved his tail to the "Yang faction" good.
After Yang Fugong came to power, he purged and suppressed the "Tian faction" forces.
This wave of operations by Yang Fugong has a strong color of revenge. The popularity is slightly ugly, and the struggle has seriously expanded. Not only the direct lineage of the "Tian Clan" has been purged, but even the former members of the "Yang Clan" who have newly joined the "Tian Clan" have not If you can survive, "Five Capitals with Driving" is a typical example.
Yang Fugong excluded Wang Jian and others from the imperial court and demoted them to the southwest border as governors. Among them, Wang Jian was the governor of Lizhou (now Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province).
Lizhou belongs to Shannan West Road, and its military governor is Yang Fugong's adopted son, Yang Shouliang. Yang Shouliang was well aware of Wang Jian's bravery and prowess in battle, and was very wary of him. He also understood his godfather's good intentions, so he wanted to eliminate future troubles forever through a Hongmen Banquet, so he summoned Wang Jian many times under the guise of official business.
They are all veteran Chinese doctors, so don’t give me folk prescriptions. Wang Jian also always finds various reasons to refuse.
An ugly daughter-in-law will see her parents-in-law sooner or later, and hiding them all the time is not an option.
A man named Zhou Xiang analyzed the current situation for Wang Jian and made suggestions. He pointed out that the demise of the Tang Empire was inevitable. There were conflicts in the world, and there was a lack of truly talented and strategic leaders, so it was impossible to rectify the difficulties and rejuvenate the country. This is also the case like you. An excellent opportunity for heroes to build a career!
Zhou Xiang’s insights are very accurate. There is no cure for the Tang Dynasty, but if you look around the world, you can't find Emperor Qin, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Zong of Tang, Emperor Song, Zhu Wen, or Li Keyong. In other words, even if the Tang Dynasty perishes, it will not be replaced by a unified dynasty. In all likelihood, it will enter a situation of disputes between princes and warlords, such as the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.
Twenty years before the fall of the Tang Dynasty, Zhou Xiang accurately predicted the emergence of the "Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms". It's really admirable.
Zhou Xiang also received Wang Jian's attention and became an important counselor around Wang Jian.
Under Zhou Xiang's guidance, Wang Jian gave up the idea of using Lizhou as a base because Lizhou was located in a plain area with no danger to defend; instead, he regarded Langzhou as his birthplace.
Langzhou is located in a remote area, but it is prosperous and prosperous. It is a real potential place. Yang Maoshi, the governor of Langzhou, was a confidant of Tian Lingzi and Chen Jingxuan. He relied on the power of the "Tian faction" and never paid tribute to the central government.
Therefore, Wang Jian only needed to go to the court and point out the fact that Yang Maoshi was rebellious in Langzhou, and then he could justifiably annex it.
Wang Jian readily accepted it, so he recruited troops, recruited local tribal heroes and barbarian youths, and gathered 8,000 people. They went south along the Jialing River, drove away Yang Maoshi, settled in Langzhou, and called himself the defense envoy. Then he used Langzhou as a revolutionary base to recruit surrenders and rebels. Accommodating desperadoes from all directions, the military power became increasingly stronger and gradually escaped Yang Shouliang's control.
【Wang Jian enters Sichuan】
Wang Jianguang opened his mouth, accepted advice with an open mind, and cherished the people's strength, becoming a clean stream in the warlord world.
However, the annexation of Langzhou caused panic among neighbors. Gu Yanlang, the governor of Dongchuan, was deeply afraid of Wang Jian's infringement and kept making overtures.
Gu Yanlang and Wang Jian both served in the Shence Army and had a relationship as colleagues. Therefore, Gu Yanlang often sent envoys to pay tribute, give gifts and military rations, etc., on the pretext of visiting old colleagues and exchanging feelings. Later, he also worked with Wang Jian married his son and daughter. Therefore, Wang Jian no longer invaded the Dongchuan area.
The close interaction between Dongchuan Gu Yanlang and Wang Jian made Xichuan Jiedushi Chen Jingxuan quite uneasy. He was worried that the two would join forces to deal with him, so he discussed countermeasures with his younger brother Tian Lingzi.
Different from Chen Jingxuan's sad face, Tian Lingzi had a relaxed look on his face, smiled "haha", patted his chest and said, "You bastard, my son!"
Wang Jian is the eighth eldest child in his family. Because of his rogue nature, he is known as the "Bad Thief" in his hometown. After Tian Lingzi recognized Wang Jian as his adopted son, he also nicknamed him "Wang Ba".
In Tian Lingzi's view, Wang Jian was implicated by himself and was squeezed and suppressed by the "Yang faction", so he had no choice but to cause trouble in Liangchuan. Isn’t it easy to have peace of mind? As long as you write a letter, you can summon the Thief Bastard to your side.
Moreover, after the new master ascended the throne, he was ready to attack Tian Gong's party. Wang Jian was tough and brave, which could be used to increase Xichuan's strength. Summoning Wang Jian is like Xichuan, killing two birds with one stone.
Wang Jian was overjoyed to receive the letter, and hurried all the way west. He first went to Zizhou (Dongchuan Headquarters) to find Gu Yanlang, and entrusted his wife, children, and children to him. He said that his godfather asked me to go to Chengdu, and I would serve him non-stop. By the way, I will be satisfied if I pay my respects to my uncle (Chen Jingxuan) and ask him to change my state to a larger one.
Afterwards, he led two thousand elite soldiers, including his nephew Wang Zonghui and his adopted sons Wang Zongyao, Wang Zongbi, Wang Zongkan and Wang Zongbi, and set off for Chengdu.
When Wang Jian arrived at Lutou Pass, Chen Jingxuan's staff officer Li Yi reminded: "Wang Jian is like a fierce tiger, an owl looks at a wolf. Why did you summon him? Isn't this inviting a wolf into the house? It's easier to invite a god than to send him away!"
With a word to wake up the dreamer, Chen Jingxuan beat his chest and regretted his stupid behavior, so he immediately sent someone to convey an emergency order: close all the checkpoints and strictly prohibit Wang Jian from entering Sichuan! He also sent heavy troops to various military fortresses to improve combat readiness.
Wang Jian made a decisive decision and immediately ordered a strong attack. He killed people all the way and killed people and Buddhas. "My godfather asked me to come. Who dares to stop me?"
They forcibly broke through the Lutou Pass defense line, followed by Mianzhu, Deyang, Hanzhou, and Xindu, and advanced all the way to Xueshe Mountain (now north of Chengdu City, Sichuan Province). In the blink of an eye, they had already reached the city and threatened Chengdu Prefecture.
Chen Jingxuan sent an envoy to reprimand, "You bastard, you bastard of thieves, are you a rebel?"
Wang Jian argued with reason, "My godfather asked me to come, but when I arrived at the door of my house, I refused to turn on and off the door. What's the point? Moreover, Dongchuan Jiedu Commander Gu Yanlang was already suspicious of me (obviously Wang Jian's excuse)" , I am now in a dilemma, with no way out, and I can only explain it clearly by meeting my godfather."
Tian Lingzi had no choice but to climb to the tower in person and explain to Wang Jian that he had no intention of harming him and asked him not to believe the rumors easily. This was a misunderstanding.
Wang Jian hurriedly led all the generals to kneel down on the Qingyuan Bridge (the moat bridge outside the South Gate Tower of Chengdu), shaved their heads, and kowtowed repeatedly, "Godfather! We are homeless. Today we will shave our heads. From then on, our generals will I have completely become a bandit, and I bid farewell to my godfather!"
Dongchuan Gu Yanlang sent his younger brother Gu Yanhui as the governor of Hanzhou to divide the fruits of Wang Jian's victory, and then sent troops to assist Wang Jian in attacking Chengdu.
Wang Jian and Gu Yanlang launched a fierce offensive against Chengdu. The two sides fought fiercely for three days and failed to capture it, so Wang Jian returned to Hanzhou to rest.
Chen Jingxuan quickly reported Wang Jian's rebellion to the central government.
The imperial court sent eunuchs to come with edicts to reconcile, and ordered Fengxiang Jiedushi Li Maozhen to write a letter to mediate.
Wang Jian doesn't buy Li Maozhen's account.
Who are you, Li Maozhen? Taking advantage of the rebellion of Zhu Mei and Li You, he was promoted from a small soldier to the high position of Jiedushi. Do you really think that you have entered the circle of feudal towns from now on? One person worships the boss - who are you? The amazing feet under the quilt - who do you think is the number one?
In fact, Li Maozhen still has a voice.
From a public perspective, since he was a vassal town, it made sense to step forward and act as a peacemaker between neighboring vassals; from a private perspective, there was even more reason to intervene, because Li Maozhen was also Tian Lingzi's adopted son.
It is said that at the beginning, Li Maozhen served in the Shence Army and was not tolerated by the generals. Someone made trouble to Tian Lingzi and persuaded Tian Lingzi to kill him. But when Tian Lingzi saw Li Maozhen, he thought that this person was extraordinary and would do something in the future. Not only did he not kill him, he also recognized him as his adopted son and named him "Yanbin" (whether he should be called "Tian Yanbin" is irrelevant. According to records; Tian Lingzi's descendants and nephews are ranked with the character "kuang", such as Tian Kuangyou).
This is interesting. Wang Jian, Li Maozhen, and Xizong are all godsons of Tian Lingzi, and Chen Jingxuan is the godfather of these three people.
The chaos between Sichuan and Sichuan is actually a family affair: the god-nephew fucks his god-brother, and the god-brother comes to break up the fight.
"Your uncle..."
"Your uncle!"
"Our uncle..."
Li Maozhen failed to persuade him to fight. Wang Jian invaded Xichuan wantonly, and the 12 states under Xichuan's rule failed to escape his clutches. Chen Jingxuan was miserable.
