As Li Yuan expected, the court moved quickly. Even if the cronies in North Korea and China fight each other fiercely, which often results in the issuance of various political orders being unsmooth, they are never ambiguous in personnel relations, because they all understand that changes will occur late.
The next day, Li Yuan dressed neatly and received his appointment from the imperial court at the Military Department of the Guards. Perhaps due to busy official duties or to avoid suspicion, Chen Jue did not show up, so Liu Yanzhen naturally took charge of all appointments.
The process was quite simple. After the officials of the Privy Council first sang Li Yuan's name, place of origin and current military position in public, they then read the Privy Council's praise for Li Yuan and his appointment in detail. Liu Yanzhen took the appointment letter and formally handed it over to Li Yuan in the name of the commander of all the guards. Finally, Li Yuan bowed in the direction of the palace to thank His Majesty for his great kindness.
It has to be said that although Liu Yanzhen was a fool, he still had a way to navigate the officialdom for many years.
After Li Yuan accepted the appointment and the Privy Council officials left, they immediately patted Li Yuan on the shoulder with a smile and kept saying, "I have long known Li Yuhou's abilities" and "The military commanders of the bodyguards have always valued Li Yuhou." ", "I wish I could go to the battlefield with Li Yuhou as soon as possible" and so on. They were so familiar and close that some people present who didn't know it even thought that Li Yuan was where he was today because of Liu Yanzhen's recommendation. After all, he was his immediate boss, and as the saying goes, don't hit the smiling person with your hands, so Li Yuan had no choice but to give him face. Quan took it as encouragement, quickly showed a sincere look, and thanked him repeatedly. Although Li Yuan was happy in his heart, he was not confused. He would be satisfied if half of the ten words that came out of Liu Yanzhen's mouth were true.
After leaving the guards and military departments, Li Yuan led his soldiers back to the military office in the palace. Peng Shigao and several generals on duty greeted him with smiles, and naturally they couldn't help but congratulate them again. Although Li Yuan has not been in the palace class for a long time, he has always maintained a calm and low-key attitude when getting along with everyone. Everyone naturally agrees with Li Yuan's style, so both parties expressed some dissatisfaction in today's greetings. Abandon.
Li Yuan especially noticed Peng Shigao's eyes at this time. Although sincere, there was also a hint of envy. Others don't know it, but Li Yuan can naturally understand that Peng Shigao was born in the barbarian tribe and had outstanding martial arts. He has been on the battlefield for many years, but he was placed under the emperor's nose just because of his status as a surrendered general. What's more, the Chu region has not yet been pacified, and he is watching the people who arrived with him. The subordinate, having gained the important position of the imperial court, naturally had mixed feelings in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Before leaving, Peng Shigao accompanied Li Yuan to the door. After retreating from the generals behind him, he added in a low voice: "Xian brother, in this western expedition, the situation in Langzhou is no more complicated than that in Tanzhou. My brother and his people They are all in Xizhou, and here is a personal letter from me. If you need it during the war, my dear brother only needs to order someone to send it to you."
Li Yuan knew the weight of Peng Shigao's move. He hesitated at first and then took it calmly. The two of them often referred to each other as brothers in private. Now that Li Yuan was no longer Peng Shigao's subordinate, he just held his hands tightly and said in a deep voice: "If I can make a contribution this time, I will definitely live up to Brother Peng's kindness!"
Before Master Peng could reply, Li Yuan unexpectedly leaned into his ear and said, "Brother, I hope to create a great cause with me..." Then Li Yuan took half a step back, raised his right hand, and looked towards him with a serious expression. He beat his chest three times.
Peng Shigao stared at Li Yuan in surprise, then without thinking, he also frowned and did the same action as Li Yuan. The two looked at each other and smiled, communicating silently only through their eyes.
After leaving the military office in the palace, Xu Kuangheng couldn't wait to ask: "Marquis Yu, what did you and Peng Shigao mean just now? I don't understand."
Li Yuan smiled faintly and said meaningfully to Xu Kuangheng: "Sir, please don't forget that Brother Peng is from Dongxi Man. He is going to Langzhou. The battle situation is complicated. This may be the key to breaking the situation."
Xu Kuangheng, who was holding the reins, suddenly paused and seemed to be thinking about something. Then he showed understanding and said with a smile: "I admire Yu Hou for his foresight!"
"I didn't expect what Brother Peng did today. Sir, you will get a lot of help when you get it, but you will get little if you don't get it!" Li Yuan said with emotion.
When he got along with Peng Shigao, he really didn't expect to get any help. Apart from the respect he deserved for his superiors, he just felt a little unfair for this surrendered general who was far away from his hometown. On the other hand, Peng Shigao might have made good friends with him at the beginning just to gain a foothold in the strange country of Southern Tang Dynasty, but the fate is so ingenious. Now, judging from his words and deeds, it is clear that the relationship between the two has truly risen to the level of friendship. At the same level, a certain unknown tacit understanding has been reached today...
South of Jinling City, Tianyin Mountain.
Tianyin Mountain is also called Fangshan Mountain, so named because of the square shape of the mountain.
This mountain is right next to the east bank of the Qinhuai River, surrounded by cliffs, but there is a flat ravine and deep valley in the center. Looking down from the top, the entire Tianyin Mountain is like a sunken pocket, a natural and secret place to hide troops. . The only way to enter the mountain is a mountain road full of thorns and twists and turns. It is also densely covered with jungle and exudes a gloomy and unpredictable atmosphere, so there are few people coming and going around.
Of course, even though Xu Kuangheng kept lamenting that it was difficult to find military training here, Li Yuan would not tell him in detail that Tianyin Mountain was actually an extinct volcano that was naturally formed millions of years ago.
When Li Yuan and his entourage arrived at the school grounds in the mountains, the Ebony Special Forces were calmly training a large group of cavalry, lining up and charging back and forth along the school grounds. The loud sound of horse hooves coupled with the shouts of the Uighur warriors was a match made in heaven.
At this time, Luo Erhu was also leading a group of crossbowmen and practicing target shooting. As soon as this big black man saw Li Yuan approaching, his tense face immediately relaxed and he ran forward in surprise: "Brother! You Come on! I miss you so much!"
The weather was cold, and Li Yuan saw that Luo Erhu's shirt was stained with sweat, and his originally dark face was obviously darker. After the two brothers chatted enthusiastically for a few words, Ebony Special Agent also ran over quickly, so Li Yuan, under the guidance of the two brothers, came to the high platform of the school ground.
I saw Ebony Special Agent and Luo Erhu passing down orders respectively, and the generals and majors below hurriedly assembled their teams in an orderly manner. In a moment, this secret army of eight thousand Uighur warriors lined up completely and motionless in front of Li Yuan.
Luo Erhu seemed a little impatient. After nodding to each other and paying homage to Wumu Special Qin, he then shouted with confidence: "The whole army is listening to the order and pays homage to the commander-in-chief!"
The Uighur warriors shouted in unison: "Greetings to the commander-in-chief!"
With this rumbling formation, almost all the birds in the mountains and forests were busy fluttering their wings and hovering in the air for a long time, as if they were looking up at this extraordinary army.
Eight thousand Uighur warriors lined up in front of him, which was still a bit shocking. They were all tall and rough-looking, and everyone looked seriously at Li Yuan on the high platform. The real commander of this army, everyone There was a look of admiration in his firm eyes, which made Li Yuan unable to suppress the ecstasy in his heart.
For the past few days, Xu Kuangheng has been ordered to run between Jinling City and Tianyin Mountain. After the three thousand Khitan war horses and a number of weapons and armor purchased by Zhou Zong were transported to the mountains, Wumu Teqin and Luo Erhu followed Li Yuan's order and first selected 3,000 warriors who were good at riding to form a light cavalry. He personally led and trained the remaining 5,000 people, who were divided into spearmen, swordsmen and long archers, and were led by Luo Erhu.
According to Li Yuan's intention, these 8,000 people are the only trump card in his hand. In addition to being strictly trained according to the standards of an elite division, they must not only eat well and drink well, but also set strict military regulations and obey orders. Obedience, discretion, clear rewards and punishments, and more importantly, the complete loyalty of this army is guaranteed. And Ebony Special Qin and Luo Erhu did not disappoint Li Yuan.
These Uighur men were originally members of Wumu Teqin's tribe. On the day they gathered in Changzhou, Wumu Teqin took the lead in expressing loyalty to Li Yuan in public and led everyone to swear an oath. Everyone might be a little confused at the time, but they could only follow the order. But since arriving at Tianyin Mountain, all doubts and even dissatisfaction have gradually disappeared.
The accommodation, food and daily rewards here are enough to make these Uighurs surrender. Since they, the Uighurs, were forced to migrate to the Jianghuai River a hundred years ago, although the emperors of the Tang Dynasty repeatedly issued decrees to appease them and gave them many preferential treatment, as the world fell apart at the end of the Tang Dynasty, these policies were long gone and never returned. After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, although these Uighurs had gradually become Chinese, they were still incompatible with the local Han people. They were often looked down upon and had no way to get ahead. Some of them even had to engage in some menial jobs in order to beg for food.
But things are different now. In addition to not having to worry about their livelihood, here, the leader Wumu Teqin also told them that the great hero Li Yuhou not only regarded the leader as a brother, but also wanted everyone to loyal to the commander Li Yu wholeheartedly from now on. Not only can he make great achievements, but his family can also be settled. One day, Li Yuhou will lead everyone back to the north! These words were like the warm sun, completely melting the hearts of these Uighur warriors.
In addition, Luo Erhu, the commander's sworn brother, had eaten, lived, and trained hard with them since arriving here. Luo Erhu was forthright and upright, and he quickly became involved with these Uighurs. Xu Kuangheng and Luo Erhu followed Li Yuan's strategy of attacking people's hearts and publicized some things in the army from time to time, such as Li Yuhou's heroic deeds and ambitions, etc. Of course, except for Tanzhou's well-known achievements, how could they fabricate the rest? If you come out, then you won't have anything to do with Li Yuan.
All in all, Li Yuan now, in addition to being the commander of these eight thousand tigers and wolves, has become the spiritual support in their hearts. They had no complaints about the long and rigorous daily training, but instead strengthened their determination to serve Li Yuan on the battlefield at all times.
Li Yuan looked seriously at these eight thousand resolute faces and shouted loudly: "Uighur warriors! From today on, you are not only my soldiers, Li Yuan, but also my brothers!! In today's troubled times, all countries stand side by side. , swords are everywhere, heroes emerge in large numbers! Are you willing to follow me to conquer the world, live and die together, and share wealth?!"
At the moment of great passion, Wu Mu Teqin and Luo Erhu drew their swords and shouted: "I am willing to die for the commander-in-chief!"
The eight thousand Uighur warriors raised their weapons in the air, and their blood burst out in an instant: "I am willing to die for the commander-in-chief!"
"I am willing to die for the commander-in-chief!"
"I am willing to die for the commander-in-chief!"
...
In the secluded and mysterious Tianyin Mountain, the formal birth of this tiger and wolf army marked the beginning of a new level for Li Yuan's military career. As for how he will disturb the world in the future, it is unknown.
