Li Hongji said with a smile: "It's true. I can't count the amount of money I spent. Just fifty thousand civilians were recruited. All the high-quality bluestone and wood were collected from Zhongshan Mountain in the east of Jinling City and hauled here." This. The imperial grandfather once said that if the Tang Dynasty wants to build the strongest city, it can ensure the safety of the capital for thousands of years. There is no need to worry about the expense of money and manpower. Long-term peace and stability is the goal. This is the spirit of the Tang Dynasty!"
Li Yuan chuckled, nodded heavily and said: "The late emperor has a far-sighted vision, and I admire you very much. The scale of this city is really huge."
"Fifteen miles long and ten miles wide, it can garrison 200,000 troops. In addition, there are urn cities built everywhere in the southeast, northwest and northwest. There are a total of 21 arrow towers on the city walls, and fortresses are built according to the mountain topography. From south to north along the There are a total of twelve beacon towers built on both sides of the Danyang Valley, stretching to fifty miles south of Jinling City, and are guarded by dedicated personnel. When a war breaks out, beacon smoke can be transmitted to the city overnight, allowing immediate response." Li Hongji said in a tone of voice. Sonorous, obviously very proud of this.
Li Yuan had to admit that he was proud of himself. This Hezhou city had been fully constructed and was armed to the teeth. It could be heard from Li Hongji's tone of voice that he must be very fond of this city. To understand.
However, the picture that emerged in Li Yuan's mind was that of tens of thousands of civilians being driven to carry stones on their backs and building the city like ants. This is because the foundation of the city was soaked with the flesh and blood of countless people.
"Generalissimo, it's almost noon. It's not too late to talk after we enter the city. It's time for His Highness to have dinner, and we can't let His Highness go hungry." A Forbidden Army general behind him cautiously interjected, interrupting the two of them. conversation.
"That's right, let's go to the city first." Li Hongji patted his belly and said with a smile.
I bet you are not here to fight, but to travel and eat? Li Yuan could only nod awkwardly and said: "Of course we can't let His Highness starve. This is a big deal. Let's go, let the army enter the city!"
The large group of cavalry took the lead and rumbled southward, rushing toward Hezhou City ahead amid billowing smoke. Three hundred steps away, but after hearing the sound of horns in the city, countless heads suddenly appeared on the north wall. Then the city gate opened, and a group of soldiers and horses rushed out of the city gate, heading towards Li Yuan and others. .
After a while, the team of soldiers and horses arrived close by. The leader was a tall man with a dark complexion and a helmet. He looked very martial. The man reined in his horse and stood dozens of steps away. He dismounted and ran all the way to the crowd. He bowed his hands and saluted Li Hongji and said, "Your Highness, Hu Ze, is here to see His Highness King Yan. When I received the news of the arrival of the imperial army, I was Patrolling the valley for defense, greeting those who are late, and praying for forgiveness.”
Li Hongji snorted and said, "Excuse me. Is the food ready?"
Hu Zedao: "The banquet has been prepared. Please invite His Highness King Yan to lead the army into the city."
Li Hongji frowned and said, "Wait a minute, I am only the deputy commander this time. The generalissimo of the counter-rebellion troops is here, why don't you pay me a visit?"
Hu Ze then noticed Li Yuan, who was blocked by Li Hongji and sitting on the black horse behind him. He hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "Hu Ze, the lower official, is here to see the Generalissimo! I didn't expect that the Generalissimo is as young and brave as the rumors say. , I hope the Generalissimo will forgive my rudeness."
Li Yuan raised his hand and returned the greeting: "It's okay, thank you for your hard work."
Li Hongji smiled and introduced to Li Yuan: "This person is Hu Zehu, the governor stationed in Hezhou City. In the past, he served as a commander in Luzhou."
Li Yuan chuckled and said: "Chief Hu is indeed a powerful general. Our Tang Dynasty is really full of talents. In addition, there are so many brave generals under our army. It seems that there will be no suspense about this war."
Li Hongji did not reply, but shouted to Hu Ze seriously: "Hu Ze, why don't you lead the way into the city?"
Hu Ze said hurriedly: "I will obey your orders."
He turned around and jumped on his horse. At the command, the accompanying cavalry turned their horses and ran towards the open city gate. Li Yuan and others rode their horses to follow. With the sound of hooves rumbling, the advance cavalry galloped in through the long doorway, and then large groups of infantry entered the city one after another.
The lunch banquet was very sumptuous, and there were many delicacies that Li Yuan had never tasted before. It was said that they were game from the nearby mountains and forests, and Li Yuan ate them with gusto.
The atmosphere at the banquet was actually harmonious. Hu Ze was a little uneasy because he didn't recognize Li Yuan, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, at first sight. After all, even His Highness King Yan was only Li Yuan's deputy commander this time, so he had been He was extremely polite to Li Yuan, but he didn't expect that Li Yuan looked relaxed and easy-going, which immediately made Hu Ze feel good.
But this is normal. After all, in the perception of many local civil and military officials, the celebrities around the emperor from the capital, especially the military generals, are all very small-minded. For example, Liu Yanzhen, the former divine and military commander, would be Being vindictive, he will definitely make some sour and sarcastic remarks throughout the entire banquet.
When the luncheon was about to end, Li Yuan smiled at Hu Ze and said: "President Hu, after dinner, I want to take a walk around the city to see how the city's defense is doing. This time the imperial court will send 200,000 troops to put down the rebellion. , Your Majesty attaches great importance to it, although we can have a banquet, we must not let down our guard."
Hu Ze cupped his hands and said: "I obey the order, and I will accompany the Generalissimo throughout the inspection."
Li Yuan smiled and nodded, and Hu Ze thought for a while and said: "But there is something that I must boldly tell the generalissimo. Although Hezhou City is now a frontline city gate, there are still many people living in the city. This year's food supply The harvest was bad and now it is the middle of winter. There are sixteen warehouses in the south of the city that store relief grain and grass, which were specially supplied to the people by decree of the imperial court last month.
The Generalissimo has such a large number of soldiers and horses under his command. The lower official implores the Generalissimo to inform his soldiers that they can patrol the city freely, but they must not enter the relief warehouse in the south of the city. The lower officials have already issued death orders to the 10,000 soldiers under their command. Anyone who enters the area where the grain and grass are stored in the south of the city without permission will be killed without mercy. The generalissimo must make it clear to his brothers in the Forbidden Army, because the lower officials are afraid that trouble will arise..."
Li Yuan nodded and smiled: "Don't worry, this time we are ordered to quell the rebellion. The food and grass brought by the army are enough to eat. Even if it is not enough, the imperial master will never touch the people's relief food. Don't worry, I will Strictly restrain the soldiers under his command."
Hu Ze seemed to be afraid that Li Yuanyan was not sincere, and further explained in a low voice: "The generalissimo may not know that the frost is severe this year and the rivers are frozen. Tens of thousands of people in the city have to rely on these rations to survive the winter. If there is no food, the people will make trouble. Get up, at this critical juncture, wouldn't it be adding trouble to the counter-insurgency task? Please ask the generalissimo to understand my subordinate's reckless outspokenness."
"Understood." Li Yuan nodded seriously and said: "Who dares to touch the food and grass used for relief by His Majesty's decree? This is the foundation of the people's livelihood. Isn't this asking for death? I, the commander, will not end up in this mess."
Hu Ze didn't know what he suddenly thought of. He stared at this peaceful and sincere young face for a long time. His lips moved but he didn't make a sound. He just lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "I would like to thank the Generalissimo for the people of Hezhou!"
No one noticed that Hu Ze's dry lips had been bitten with traces of blood.
