【Sweep the rivers and lakes】
As early as when Zhu Wen captured Dongzhaoyi, he wrote to Wang Rong of Zhenzhou, asking him to draw a clear line with the Hedong forces, join the Bianzhou forces, and learn from Comrade Wei Boluo Shaowei.
Wang Rong has been hesitant and has not given a direct answer.
After Ge Congzhou defeated Li Sizhao at Qingshan Pass, he seized the letters between Li Sizhao and Wang Rong, and found that Wang Rong was indeed more willing to serve the forces in Hedong and had many slanderous and unkind remarks about Zhu Wen.
Therefore, this letter became Zhu Wen's excuse to attack Zhenzhou.
Zhu Wen said to Ge Congzhou: "You come to be the vanguard. After we capture Chengde's army, I will let you become Chengde Jiedu!"
Ge Congzhou was even more courageous, like destroying the dead. After three strikes, five and two, he arrived at the German headquarters - Zhenzhou City. During the fierce battle, Ge Congzhou was unfortunately shot by a stray. Although his life was not in danger, he could only stay in bed. ; Zhu Wen personally led the main army and arrived later. Without saying a word, he directly set fire to the south gate.
King Rong of Zhenzhou was so frightened that he hurriedly summoned his officials to ask for countermeasures.
In Wang Rong's think tank, there was a Zhou Shi who was eloquent and said: "It seems that we cannot fight with force, but can only retreat with words." Zhou Shi had old friendship with Zhu Wen, so He took the initiative to ask for help and was willing to go to the enemy camp in person to lobby Zhu Wen.
When old friends met, they saw Zhu Wen with an angry face. He took the lead and slapped the table and cursed, "I have written to Wang Rong a long time ago to persuade him, but he refused to drink and was fined with wine. Now I have brought the army here." , he sent you as a lobbyist again, it’s too late! Don’t you know that I have a grudge against Li Keyong of Hedong? Wang Rong dares to attach himself to Hedong and harbor Li Sizhao. I know that Li Sizhao is hiding in the city, let him come out. Don’t let him out. Li Sizhao sends him out, and I will fight in to catch him!"
Negotiation expert Zhou Shi remained calm and smiled as he faced Zhu Wen's storm.
Taking the lead, speaking hoarsely, or even being hysterical are all signs of a lack of confidence. Use irritability to cover up inner weakness. Of course Zhu Wen's little tricks couldn't fool Zhou Shi, and Zhou Shi had already seen through him. Although he didn't say a word, he had completely overwhelmed Zhu Wen in terms of momentum. His calmness and calmness made Zhu Wen even less confident.
Zhu Wen took out the letters between Li Sizhao and Wang Rong, "Look, this is the evidence!"
Zhou Shi took the letter and didn't even look at it. Instead, he asked Zhu Wen with a smile: "Do you just want a town and wash your hands in a golden basin, or do you want to dominate the world?" Then he started to set a trap for Zhu Wen.
Zhu Wen knew that this was a common trick of lobbyists, so he was not in a hurry to jump into the trap.
"What do you mean by taking only Zhenzhou? How do you say that you want to dominate the world?"
Zhou Shi replied: "The hegemon is responsible for others, and it is public rather than private. The emperor is above, and the princes and vassals each guard their fiefdoms. This is called recuperating and recuperating, protecting the country and the people. Have you heard the story of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao?"
Special reminder: The allusions to the Three Kingdoms that appear in the dialogues between the characters in this book are by no means artistic modifications by me from a God’s perspective. They are all original texts in history books! Throughout the period of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, people often quoted allusions from the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, and the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period to use the past to satirize the present. The most frequently featured figures were Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, and Cao Cao. Therefore, not only did the great leader compare Zhu Wen to Cao Cao, but many people at that time compared Cao Cao and Zhu Wen. There are too many similarities between the two.
Zhu Wen: "Meng Degong is my idol."
"That's easy to handle. In the past, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao in Guandu and seized many letters between his men and Yuan Shao. Cao Cao did not pursue them, but directly gathered these letters and burned them. That's why Cao Cao was able to dominate the world. Today, you are going to go out An unknown master, using Li Sizhao as a cover, you must know whether Li Sizhao is in the city or not."
Zhu Wen blushed, "Wang Rong...he is friendly with Li Keyong of Hedong. The friend of the enemy is of course my enemy."
Zhou Shi waved his hand, "No, no. Zhenzhou is adjacent to Hedong and has been invaded by Hedong for a long time. For the sake of the people, Marshal Wang did not want to cause chaos or war, so he compromised and deigned to do it. If Marshal, you can eliminate thieves for the country, Get rid of harm for the people, let alone our town, looking at the whole world, who dare not obey your orders?"
Zhu Wenli was at a loss for words, "Then... no matter how you say it, there are black and white words on the paper, and the evidence is as solid as a mountain."
Zhou Shi smiled bitterly and said, "The emperor issued an edict to reconcile. How can we not give the court face? A letter is just for official business. Besides, Hedong has always bullied Chengde. Does Li Sizhao dare to come in?"
Zhu Wen searched his guts and couldn't find any reason.
Zhou Shi continued: "You are to the Tang Dynasty what Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin are to the Zhou Dynasty. You should respect etiquette and justice and establish hegemony. But now, you are blindly showing off your power and bullying the weak. How can you show your virtue to the world? ?”
Zhu Wen: "Qi Huan and Jin Wen are the lovers of my dreams."
Zhou Shi's expression suddenly changed, from kind to resolute, and an inviolable righteousness spurted out, "Although our town is small, the city is strong and the food and grass are sufficient. What's more, the Wang family has been in Chengde for five generations. It’s been eighty years now! They have won the hearts and minds of the people of Zhenzhou, they are supported by the masses, they are loved by the people, and everyone is willing to work for them to the death. If we really want to take action, do we still need to rely on Li Sizhao?"
Zhu Wen turned his anger into joy, clapped his hands and laughed, pulled Zhou Shi's sleeves, invited him into the inner tent, and greeted him at the table, "I just tried my words. I'm just teasing you." Afterwards, the two sides started talking. In a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, we had candid and in-depth exchanges and reached consensus on many key issues.
Zhu Wen sent his confidant Liu Han to pay a return visit to Wang Rong in Zhenzhou and convey his high respect and deep condolences to Wang Rong.
In accordance with the agreement of equality and reciprocity, Wang Rong sent a high-level "Young Master Group" (the leader was Wang Rong's son Wang Zhaozuo, and the members were the sons of other Zhenzhou generals) to pay a friendly visit to Bianzhou, accompanied by a considerable meeting gift: 200,000 pieces of high-grade silk; Zhu Wen provided jobs in Bianzhou for the second generation of town officials, and solved the personal problem of Wang Zhaozuo who led the delegation - marrying his daughter to him. At the same time, the Bian army moved from the town The state withdrew its troops.
This is an official report. The translation means that Wang Rong paid compensation to Zhu Wen, and sent his son and the son of a senior Zhenzhou general to Zhu Wen as hostages, using political marriage as a link to establish the Chengde-Bianzhou alliance. From then on, the German army in Zhenzhou became attached to the forces in Bianzhou.
One of Wang Rong's advisers gave him private advice, saying that although Li Keyong in Hedong was in decline, he should not be underestimated. Although Zhenzhou was under Zhu Wen's protection, water from afar could not quench the thirst of the near, let alone our neighbors. ——Youzhou Lulong Army, Cangzhou Yichang Army, and Dingzhou Yiwu Army are all minions of the Hedong forces! It is better to take this opportunity to incite Zhu Wen to defeat Heshuo, so that we can fight against Li Keyong of Hedong without any worries.
Wang Rong thought so, so he sent Zhou Shi to persuade Zhu Wen, saying that he was willing to do his best to help Zhu Wen unify the Heshuo Plain.
This was a kindness that Zhu Wen could not refuse. He immediately sent Zhang Cunjing to join Wei Bo's army and go north to kill Liu Rengong.
In just over a month, Zhang Cunjing captured twenty cities under Lulong's jurisdiction in one fell swoop and advanced to Waqiao. Youzhou to the north had been opened and there was no longer any danger to defend. At this time, the rain was wet and the road was slippery and muddy, which was not conducive to marching.
Soldiers are valuable and quick. Zhang Cunjing made a decisive decision, turned westward, launched an attack on the Dingzhou Rebel Army, and advanced directly to the Dingzhou City in one go.
Wang Gao, the military governor of Dingzhou Yiwu Army, hurriedly sent his uncle Wang Chuzhi to take command to defend against the enemy.
Wang Chuzhi's idea was to build a camp close to the city wall, use the tall and strong city wall as a support, give full play to the advantages of vision and range, attack a wave of towers to consume, and wait for the Bian army to be exhausted before attacking to harvest.
Liang Wen, Wang Gao's adviser, did not agree with this conservative idea. He said: "In the past, Lulong and Chengde united with 300,000 people to attack Dingzhou. However, our troops were less than 5,000 people, and they could still defeat them all at once. We won the battle. Now, Zhang Cunjing only has 30,000 men, but our military strength has increased tenfold compared to that time. Why are we still as cowardly as a mouse, hiding under the city to save our lives?"
When Wang Gao heard this, he realized that what he said made sense. His uncle had been a soldier all his life. Why was he so timid and timid that he was not as courageous as a scholar? He held a heavy army but was holding back, could it be... Wang Gao felt a chill in his back, so he gave an order to Wang Chuzhi: Uncle, go forward boldly, go forward, don't look back!
When faced with a powerful enemy, military officers are usually more aggressive and civilian officials are more conservative. Occasionally, it will happen that military generals passively advocate peace, while civilian officials actively advocate war. Once this situation occurs, it will often leave a glorious page in the history books, creating a miracle of civilian officials leading troops and achieving great victory, such as the Ming Dynasty Yu Qian in North Korea's "Battle of Defense of Beijing".
Today, this historic moment also occurs in the dangerous Dingzhou City. So whether Liang Wen, the brave and fearless scholar, is Xiu'er or Dou'er, whether he will be a famous figure in history or become a laughing stock, will be revealed soon.
Wang Chuzhi was ordered to advance to Shahe and attack Zhang Cunjing head on.
The battle begins.
The battle is over.
More than half of the Dingzhou army was annihilated by the Bian army. "Fifteen generals were killed and tens of thousands of soldiers were killed." The remaining defeated generals protected Wang Chu and fled back to Dingzhou.
After the defeated army returned to the city, they immediately launched a mutiny, expelled Wang Gao, the Jiedushi envoy, and supported Wang Chuzhi as a remaining queen. Wang Gao fled with his family to Taiyuan Prefecture in Hedong Province.
Zhang Cunjing followed and surrounded Dingzhou City. Ten days later, Zhu Wen personally led the main force to the foot of Dingzhou City.
The commander personally supervised the battle, and Zhang Cunjing performed even harder. Since the commander-in-chief promised to reward Ge Congzhou with the virtues of Zhenzhou, how can he not reward me with the righteousness of Dingzhou? Zhang Cunjing set up a ladder, prepared to charge the car, and couldn't wait to launch a siege.
Wang Chuzhi personally climbed onto the city gate tower and shouted: "We have never been disloyal to the imperial court, nor disrespectful to our neighbors. We have no grudges in the past, and no enmity these days. I don't understand why you want to fight against each other?"
This statement is true and not a polite statement.
The Dingzhou Yiwu Army was one of the few vassal towns that remained loyal to the imperial court from beginning to end. In the third year of Jianzhong (782), the Tang Dynasty began to set up a state righteous military force. The first military envoy was Zhang Xiaozhong (a Khitan person, as can be seen from the name, who was given the name by the imperial court). This person was a subordinate of An Lushan. He participated in the "Anshi Rebellion" and surrendered to the imperial court after the defeat. Later, he changed his mind and started a new life. He helped the imperial court put down the rebellion. He was diligent and meritorious and loyal to the imperial court until his death. After Zhang Xiaozhong's death, his loyalty to the imperial court influenced the successive Yiwu Army Jiedu. In the troubled times of separatist vassal towns, the Dingzhou Yiwu Army became a breath of fresh air.
The former Yiwu Army Jiedu Wang Chucun (brother of Wang Chuzhi) made great contributions to the court.
At that time, Huang Chao invaded Chang'an, and the news spread to the Heshuo area. Wang Chucun was so sad that he wailed for several days. Without waiting for the order from King Qin, he personally led his army to help Chang'an. In the battle to regain Chang'an, Wang Chucun did not care about personal gains and losses, he took the lead at all costs and made the most meritorious deeds. He also had strict military discipline. He would not demolish houses or starve to death without looting. The entire army wrapped their heads in white cloth and was nicknamed "Baitou Army" , to distinguish the rebels from other vassal towns.
It is precisely because of its strict military discipline and no harassment of the people that it maintains its complete organizational structure and combat effectiveness. Therefore, it became the only army to retreat unscathed from Huang Chao's counterattack.
During the period of fighting against thieves, whenever he mentioned that the national crisis was not over yet and that the Holy Spirit was driving west to hunt, Wang Chucun could not help but cry. His grief and indignation were beyond words. All the princes, vassals and towns were moved by his loyalty and integrity.
After Huang Chao was pacified, Wang Duo, the then commander-in-chief and prime minister in the fight against thieves, gave rewards based on merit. It was clearly stated in black and white: "The king is diligent in his righteousness, and the king's meritorious service ranks first; in closing the city and destroying the thieves, Li Ke ranks first in meritorious service."
After Wang Chucun died of illness, his son Wang Gao succeeded him as the governor of the Yiwu Army, just five years ago.
Therefore, Wang Chu said bluntly, our Dingzhou Volunteer Army cannot be said to be disloyal to the country! Why are you beating us?
Zhu Wen’s cliche: You are Li Keyong’s lackeys in Hedong, relying on Hedong’s power to bully Heshuo’s neighbors.
Wang Chuzhi explained: "Dingzhou and Hedong are neighbors. My brothers Wang Chucun and Li Keyong are both old revolutionary comrades-in-arms and sons and daughters. It is human nature to reciprocate as courtesy. If you think this is where we have offended you, then I’ll change it now, okay?”
Zhu Wen has nothing more to say.
Wang Chuzhi made "Douer" Liang Wen a scapegoat, put all the blame on him, and killed his entire family as a good start for reconciliation between the two armies.
Later, Wang Chuzhi sent the "Young Master Group" to take his nephew and grandson as hostages and sent them to Bianzhou. They paid a huge sum of money (one said one hundred thousand pieces of silk, another said three hundred thousand pieces of silk), and also offered good wine and good wine. Reward the Bian army outside the city with meat.
Zhu Wenbiao reported that Wang Chuzhi was appointed as the Jiedushi of the Yiwu Army (previously it was recommended by the three armies, but it was not officially appointed by the court, so it was still an illegal mutiny).
The Yiwu Army in Dingzhou surrendered to Zhu Wen after becoming the German Army in Zhenzhou.
So far, in the entire north of the Yellow River and east of the Taihang Mountains, only Liu Rengong and his son had not surrendered to Zhu Wen.
When Zhang Cunjing attacked Dingzhou, Liu Rengong sent his son Liu Shouguang to reinforce Dingzhou. On the banks of the Yishui River, Liu Shouguang met Zhang Cunjing.
The wind rustles and the water becomes cold, and the 60,000 Yan army will never return.
The towns in Heshuo have become a serious problem for the central court since the "An-Shi Rebellion". Emperors of all dynasties could only sit back and watch as they were separatist and dominated without any solution. It only took Zhu Wen less than a year to level the Heshuo Plain. Its speed is unbelievable.
Looking around the world, who dares to compete with Zhu Wen?
The next step is to take advantage of the victory to cross the Taihang Mountains and wipe out Li Keyong? Or go south in a big way and wipe out the land of plenty in the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers? Zhu Wen was sitting in his camp outside Dingzhou City, discussing with his think tank.
Presumably Li Keyong and Yang Xingmi are also thinking hard about countermeasures.
At this time, an explosive news came from the Guanzhong area, which undisputedly made the headlines:
Title: Palace coup!
Subtitle: The eunuch imprisoned Emperor Zhaozong, and Prince Li Yu succeeded him.
