The so-called "Yang Yi Yi Er" refers to the fact that besides Chang'an City, there were two prosperous and prosperous places in the Tang Dynasty - Yangzhou and Yizhou.
Yizhou is also known as Chengdu in later generations. Today's Yizhou City is divided into two counties, Chengdu County in the west and Shu County in the east.
On the way Xue Bai came, he saw many merchants and luxurious scenes. In terms of liveliness, it was even worse than Chang'an.
The shops in Chang'an City are mostly concentrated in the east and west cities. Although there are businesses in the streets, they are only vendors or sporadic restaurants and tea shops. Yizhou is different. Almost all the houses along the street have had their walls demolished and turned into shops. If you look around, you can see that almost all of the women who sell wine, weave brocades and cloths are good-looking. No wonder there is a saying that "Jincheng has many beauties".
Back in Yizhou, Yang Guozhong seemed more dissolute, and he was always smiling when chatting with Xianyu Zhongtong.
"I haven't been back for a long time, and I feel that the little lady in Yizhou is even more beautiful."
"I thought that my uncle would stay in Xindu County for two more days. I was going to greet him, but I was sorry. Fortunately, the banquet by the Jinjiang River has been prepared, and we can go there in a moment."
Xianyu Zhongtong held a box and handed it to Yang Guozhong calmly as he spoke.
Xue Bai was close and saw Yang Guozhong take out a house deed, which contained the sentence "The land is sixty-seven acres, the courtyard has nine entrances, the pond is five, and the island tree bridge is between the roads." It can be seen that it is a mansion.
A good place like Yizhou is indeed suitable for buying a villa.
"Zhongtong understands my thoughts very well." Yang Guozhong didn't hold back. He stretched out his hand to flick the deed and said with a smile, "This house is near Jinli. I like it."
"As long as I can catch my uncle's eye..."
"Ahem."
There was a sound of coughing that interrupted their pleasant conversation. Only then did Yang Guozhong remember and asked Xianyu Zhongtong to step aside.
Soon, all the people around went down, and only Yang Guozhong, Xianyu Zhongtong, Xue Bai, and the tall man wearing a bucket of trousers were left in the huge hall.
"Let's get down to business. How to pacify Geluofeng?"
Xianyu Zhongtong calmed down and held out a map.
This map is quite simple. It outlines mountains and lakes with simple strokes, representing the steep terrain of Yunnan. There are only a few roads drawn on it.
He raised his hand and pointed, rowing south from Yizhou, and said: "Starting from Yizhou, the army can walk five feet to Shicheng."
Yang Guozhong didn't know where Shi Cheng was, so he turned to look at Xue Bai.
"Qujing?" Xue Bai is not sure whether this name exists now.
"Nanning Prefecture." The person who spoke was the tall man wearing a trousers, "'Qin built a five-foot road to Jianning', Jianning is Nanning Prefecture. In the fifth year of Kaiyuan, it was set up as the Nanning Prefecture Dudu Mansion, and the Dudu Wei Renshou led the The soldiers and civilians built the stone city, so it was also called 'Stone City'."
As he spoke, he lifted the robe covering his head and revealed his face.
Yang Guozhong smiled perfunctorily and introduced: "This is the adopted son of the saint, the former Jiedushi of the Four Towns, Wang Zhong's heir, Wang Jieshuai."
Xianyu Zhongtong was greatly surprised and quickly said, "I have seen Wang Jieshuai, but what is this?"
Yang Guozhong said: "The saint wanted to use Wang Jieshuai to pacify Nanzhao, but his reputation was too great. He was afraid that Nanzhao would be alert, so he came here pretending to be ill, hoping to catch him by surprise."
"I'm just afraid it will be difficult."
Xianyu Zhongtong shook his head and respectfully led Wang Zhongsi to the map.
"Wang Jieshuai, please see, there are only three roads from Shicheng to Taihe City, Nanxi Road, Huitong Road, and Butou Road. There are many mountains and dangerous areas in Yunnan County, so there is no other way. Nanzhao is different from Xiaobolu The Xiaobolu Kingdom is located in the Western Region. I never thought that Gao Xianzhi would rush thousands of miles to attack, but Geluofeng knew that the Tang Dynasty would not spare him. Now that the walls are clear and the Taihe City is waiting, it is impossible to attack by surprise. "
Wang Zhongsi said: "What do you think should be done?"
Xianyu Zhongtong said: "Only a large army can press the border, soldiers surround Taihe City, and destroy it with national power."
Wang Zhongsi frowned when he heard this, raised his hand and pointed at Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake on the map, and asked: "Geluofeng has a strong wall and a clear wilderness. We only need to set up two gates here and rely on the terrain to defend them. How can the army break through?"
"Only if it accumulates over time, it will die with time."
"There are many mountains and dangerous terrain in Yunnan. If our army wants to besiege Taihe City for a long time, how can we sustain the supply of food, grass and baggage?"
Xianyu Zhongtong said: "Only recruit people from all walks of life."
Wang Zhongsi said: "With more than two thousand miles of dangerous mountains and rivers, how many civilians are needed to transport food and fodder for a large army?"
"Eighty thousand, if there are 80,000 civilians, they can travel more than 2,000 miles of dangerous mountains and rivers, provide food and wages for 6,000 elite soldiers and 20,000 auxiliary soldiers, and besiege Taihe City for many years."
Xianyu Zhongtong actually did it.
His expression became more solemn and he saluted Wang Zhongsi again.
"Wang Jieshuai destroyed the Turks and made great achievements. I admire him very much. However, the south is different from Mobei. The road is dangerous and long, and there is no chance of attack. To fight this battle, we can only spend countless money, food and human lives. If we are reluctant to part with it, we are nothing more than reporting to the sage and accepting Nanzhao’s request for peace..."
"We can beat him!"
It was Yang Guozhong who spoke first.
The saint never believed in Ge Luofeng's rebellion before, but now he will never tolerate it. This battle must be fought, not to mention 80,000, even 180,000 must be squeezed out.
"How much food is needed? Is three million dollars enough? If not, five hundred..."
"Bang!"
Wang Zhongsi couldn't listen to such stupid words and slammed the table with a calm expression.
He was too lazy to pay attention to Yang Guozhong and turned to Xianyu Zhongtong.
"The lone army goes deep, and the baggage transport stretches for thousands of miles. It is a taboo for military strategists. If the Nanzhao rebels come around and cut off your baggage, how should you deal with it?"
Xianyu Zhongtong couldn't answer.
Wang Zhongsi asked again: "Tubo sent troops to attack Nanzhao rebels from both sides. How to deal with it?"
Xianyu Zhongtong still couldn't answer.
Wang Zhongsi asked again: "The weather is hot, miasma is everywhere, the soldiers are sick, and their morale is low. How to deal with it?"
He didn't wait for Xianyu Zhongtong to speak, and shouted again: "When the entire army of 100,000 is destroyed, and the bones are exposed in the wilderness of a foreign land, can you afford it?!"
"This is the only way to play." Xian Yuzhong said: "Wang Jieshuai, you can't imitate Gao Xianzhi."
Wang Zhongsi walked up to the top and sat down, looking at Xianyu Zhongtong with a critical eye.
Seeing that the two generals were silent, Yang Guozhong became anxious at first and asked: "No way? You can't say that this battle...can't be won, can you?"
"We will win." Xian Yu Zhongtong said to Yang Guozhong, clasping his fists: "Please take charge of Yizhou and send me to lead the army south. I will destroy Nanzhao and capture Ge Luofeng and offer it to Chang'an Palace."
Wang Zhongsi heard this and looked at Xue Bai.
Xue Bai understood what he meant, but shook his head.
Wang Zhongsi then said: "There may not be any other way..."
"Xianyu Gong!"
Xue Bai had no choice but to speak, interrupting Wang Zhongsi's speech.
Xianyu Zhongtong turned around and asked, "What advice does Mr. Xue have?"
"General Wang believes in you."
"What does this mean?"
"Let's be frank," Xue Bai said, "I guess you want to harm General Wang."
Xianyu Zhongtong was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Xue Lang looks down on me too much."
Xue Bai said: "That's because I am too petty. I guess An Lushan must have sent someone from Yuyang to contact you and promise you some benefits. So I made an agreement with my uncle to test you..."
Xianyu Zhongtong glanced outside the door involuntarily.
Xue Bai caught his gaze keenly and said with a smile: "Did Mr. Xian Yu arrange the swordsman and axe?"
"No."
"That's good, where are you talking about? Oh, my uncle and I agreed to bring a fake Wang Zhongsi to see if you want to attack him. The real General Wang led the elite to observe the movements of the Governor's Mansion, for example, whether Manpower has been mobilized.”
Xianyu Zhongtong's expression changed and he quickly looked at Yang Guozhong.
Yang Guozhong waved his hands with a relaxed expression.
Xue Bai then changed the topic and said: "But General Wang is unwilling to do this. He said that marching and fighting is not a struggle for power. He does not want to use conspiracy and tricks on his own robe."
Xianyu Zhongtong was a little embarrassed and looked at Wang Zhongsi who was sitting there, sizing him up.
"I am Wang Zhongsi, not someone else pretending to be me." Wang Zhongsi stood up, walked to Xianyu Zhongtong, and said, "I came to Shu County not to steal your position. After this battle, the saint will not be able to stay." I am in charge of Sichuan and Shu."
The reason does not need to be explained. In the land of Sichuan and Shu, once the Shu Road is locked, it is possible to form a country of its own. No matter who the saint leaves to guard it, Wang Zhongsi will not be left behind.
"To win the battle of Nanzhao successfully, you and I must work together." Wang Zhongsi added: "If we can't trust each other, I would rather report to the saint than send troops to Nanzhao."
If he really submits this memorial, it will obviously not change the saint's mind and will only destroy his own future. In the end, the position of coach will still fall on Xianyu Zhongtong.
Wang Zhongsi's statement was to hand over the initiative to Xianyu Zhongtong.
If it were Xue Bai, he would not do this, but would seize the opportunity and seize power directly.
Of course, this is not who is right or wrong. Xue Bai is ambitious and has strong self-confidence because of his special experience. He likes to control things in his own hands.
Wang Zhongsi was a purer general who only considered how to win the Battle of Nanzhao. He was better at using his unique personal charm as a general and dared to win Xian Yu Zhongtong's trust.
"Xianyu Gong, please give me a word. Can you cooperate sincerely?"
Without using Xue Bai's plan, Wang Zhongsi just asked.
~~
Jinli, Chengdu County.
The beautiful sound of the piano sounded in the restaurant, accompanied by beautiful singing. The person playing the piano and singing was a very famous geisha in Chengdu named Zhuo Yingying.
"I often lean against the silver screen and listen to the phoenix instrument, which brings out the love of spring in the quiet atmosphere. Thinking about the past becomes melancholy, and I can't even make peace with the mountains."
The person listening to the piano was a middle-aged man named Deng Jiyang. He spent a lot of money. Unfortunately, he spent hundreds of guan and could only listen to Zhuo Yingying's songs and chat.
After the song, Deng Jiyang applauded and said: "What a poem."
Zhuo Yingying asked: "Sir, do you know the allusions in the Nu family's poems?"
"Fengshan is located in Yanshi County, Henan Prefecture. According to legend, an immortal once returned to the world on a white crane and lived temporarily in Fengshan. It was then used to chant immortals. Does Yingniang want to become an immortal?"
"Sir, you are very talented, but now the word 'Fengshan' has another meaning. It refers to the great poet Xue Bai who once served as the official Yanshi. The slave family thought that if they could get him and a poem, it would be a comfort for their whole life."
Deng Jiyang said: "In this case, if I have the opportunity, I will ask Xue Bai to compose a poem for Ying Niang."
"Really?" Zhuo Yingying's eyes lit up, "Sir, do you know Xue Lang?"
Deng Jiyang said calmly: "I will recognize him soon."
"Sir, are you going to Beijing?" After Zhuo Yingying asked further, she realized that she had gone too far, and raised her eyebrows and said, "Looking at your accent, you must be from the north, right?"
"Don't pry."
At this time, someone hurried up the stairs and whispered in Deng Jiyang's ear: "Mr. Deng, I'm here. I entered the Governor's Mansion almost alone."
"Let's go."
Deng Jiyang left two golden beads and stood up calmly.
What he didn't tell Zhuo Yingying was that he was from Yuyang County, Jizhou, the same hometown as Xianyu Zhongtong. And the reason why we will get to know Xue Bai soon is because Xue Bai will come to Yizhou soon...
When they arrived outside the Governor's Mansion, they saw Xianyu Shuming already waiting, pacing with a worried look on his face.
"how?"
"It's Wang Zhongsi." Xianyu Shuming said, "Xue Bai had already guessed that Lord Anfu sent someone to test my brother. Wang Zhongsi didn't listen to him and wanted to subdue my brother with words, but I Brother, are you someone who can be conquered by words?"
Deng Jiyang turned to his entourage and ordered: "Tend all our people here."
"You want to take action directly at the Governor's Mansion?"
"Everyone knows that Wang Zhongsi was seriously ill. Isn't it natural that he died suddenly? A saint would not investigate."
Xianyu Shuming said: "Uncle Guo is still inside."
"Convince him." Deng Jiyang said, "Yang Guozhong is a man who is greedy for profit, so there is nothing to worry about. On the contrary, Xue Bai is really powerful, but it is a pity that Wang Zhongsi did not listen to him."
"How are you going to do that?"
"There's no rush." Deng Jiyang said: "I'm worried that Xue Bai still has a back-up plan, so I'll seal off the Governor's Mansion first."
"It's been locked down."
Deng Jiyang nodded and saw that his men had arrived, so he walked towards the Governor's Mansion.
He walked towards the second hall and saw the door open. Xianyu Zhongtong was talking to three people inside. They must be Wang Zhongsi, Xue Bai and others. Looking from a distance, he thought to himself, no wonder Anfujun was most afraid of this person. Two people.
Fortunately, Wang Zhongsi was very resourceful and came to his door.
Deng Jiyang slowed down, straightened his sleeves, and laughed loudly: "Just now I was talking to Zhuo Yingying, and I will soon meet Xue Lang, and my words have become a prophecy..."
"puff."
Deng Jiyang felt a chill on the back of his neck. He turned around and saw Xianyu Shuming holding a single sword and slashing at him again.
"puff."
"puff."
Three consecutive chops, it was easy.
Deng Jiyang had fallen into a pool of blood. Where he looked, he saw a few pairs of boots moving towards him.
Then I thought, in fact, I haven’t even had time to know Xue Bai yet...
~~
Xianyu Zhongtong watched his brother kill someone, and his expression didn't change at all.
In his life, he has followed Zhang You, Zhangchou Jianqiong, and Guo Xuji successively. Of course, he really wants to stand alone and establish his own achievements. If anyone else came today, he would not be able to obey, except Wang Zhongsi.
Wang Zhongsi's 20-year campaign in the north and south, and his impressive momentum in the frontiers, even An Lushan was afraid of, let alone Xianyu Zhongtong, who always only served as a deputy?
When they really met, Xianyu Zhongtong realized that he was not ready yet as soon as his momentum was suppressed. Besides, the commander had survived three sessions, and he still had to go to the last one. After winning this battle, what’s not to lose? Will Yang Guozhong give more credit to Wang Zhongsi?
Prestige, strength, and sincerity are all real things that can be used to convince others.
For Xue Bai who was present, this was also an inspiration. However, it was Wang Zhongsi who had the confidence.
"Now, can Wang Jieshuai trust me?" Xianyu Zhongtong asked.
Wang Zhongsi said: "When we were in Chang'an, Xue Lang planned a strange plan... Let Xue Lang tell me."
"Brother, do you also listen?" Xue Bai said: "Should we rest and wait for the good news?"
Yang Guozhong actually waved his hand coolly, walked out, and closed the door.
Xue Bai then took out a map from his sleeve, spread it out, and covered it on Xian Yu Zhongtong's map.
"If we want to go to Nanzhao, besides taking the Five Feet Road as Xian Yugong said, there should be another way, right?"
"Yes."
Xue Bai said: "There is another way to Taihe City, and it is not easy to be discovered."
"No."
"Yes. After crossing the Lu River, we can reach Taihe City in just over a hundred miles."
"Impossible." Xianyu Zhongtong shook his head and said, "Not to mention the strong current of the Lu River, I just want to ask you, how to build a ship?"
Xue Bai asked back: "What if we can survive?"
This "Lushui" refers to the Jinsha River in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
Xue Bai believed that it could be crossed. The only things he knew were Zhuge Liang's "crossing Lu in May and going deep into the barren land", Kublai Khan's "leather bag crossing the river", and later "the golden sand water beats the clouds and cliffs to warm". .
Therefore, to attack Nanzhao, his first thought was to cross the Jinsha River and imitate Kublai Khan's battle to destroy Dali.
"Even if we can cross the Lu River, how can we reach the north bank of the Lu River?" Xianyu Zhongtong asked.
"Go to Tubo."
"Ha." Xianyu Zhongtong laughed, looked at Wang Zhongsi and said, "Wang Jieshuai and Xue Lang didn't understand the terrain in the south, so they had this discussion, right?"
Wang Zhongsi had a calm and resolute face and did not answer.
Xue Bai pointed at the map he brought and drew a route with his finger.
"This is the Ancient Tea Horse Road, a section of the Southern Silk Road in the Han Dynasty. It is also called the 'Yak Road'. We start from Yizhou and pass through Linqiong, Ya'an, Yandao, and Maanniu County, and then pass through Feiyue Ridge to Jiandu. . Crossing the Dadu River and passing through Moxi, you can reach the grassland of the Yanniu King. After that, you can turn south and go to Nanzhao. This is also the road for Tubo to go south..."
Xianyu Zhongtong shook his head subconsciously at first, but then he was stunned for a moment.
"That's the territory of Tubo. How to march?"
"In the seventh year of Tianbao, Xianyu Gong followed Guo Gong into Tubo. He drove straight in and reached the old place of Hongzhou. He met General Geshu's Longyou troops and met Hengling." Xue Bai said: "The road Xianyu Gong dared to take, Wang Jie Shuai also wants to take a walk."
"The terrain is different." Xianyu Zhongtong shook his head and said, "How to carry the baggage?"
"No dry food, only cattle, sheep and horses."
"Then how do you cross the river? How do you attack the city? How do you ensure your combat effectiveness when your soldiers sleep in the open?"
Wang Zhongsi said: "You don't have to worry about these. What you have to do is to lead the army southward from Wuchi Road to Shicheng to spread its momentum, advance slowly, and recover Anning City and Yaozhou."
Xianyu Zhong said: "Wang Jieshuai, are you determined to take the Tea Horse Road?"
"I've made up my mind."
"Okay then." Xianyu Zhongtong stopped trying to persuade him and let him die.
But since he was going to fight this battle and go to Nanzhao with all the hardships, he definitely wanted to win. He said: "I will provide Wang Jieshuai with guides, cattle, sheep and horses. If Jieshuai needs anything else, just ask." .”
Xue Bai said: "I heard from Duke Zhangqiu that there is a Tubo tribe in the southwest of Anrong City that is tired of fighting and has made peace with the Tang Dynasty. Is it possible for Duke Xianyu to contact them?"
Xianyu Zhongtong took a deep look at Xue Bai and realized that this young man had come prepared and that he might have underestimated him.
~~
In the next few days, Xianyu Zhongtong arranged guides and prepared cattle, sheep and horses, but he did not delay.
Xue Bai then realized that he had underestimated the deputy envoy of Jiannan Jiedu in the past, perhaps because of his close relationship with Yang Guozhong. This man's reputation in later generations was not very high, but now that he got along with him, he was indeed too focused on his personal future.
But he is not a mediocre person to be valued by three Jiedu envoys.
Xue Bai and Wang Zhongsi were even more surprised to see a vanguard general sent by Xianyu Zhongtong again.
That day, they were making final preparations in the camp west of Yizhou City when they suddenly received a message saying that the vanguard of the Jiannan Jiedu Sect had arrived.
"Pioneer?" Wang Zhongsi was a little surprised and said, "I want a guide, not a general from Yizhou."
Several generals in the tent also showed disdain.
"Jie Shuai has transferred many capable generals from Hedong and Longyou. Why do we need generals from Yizhou?"
"Shut up." Wang Zhongsi stopped his subordinates and said, "Let him come in."
Not long after, a dark-faced man of medium height with a scar on his face came in, gave a military salute, and said loudly: "Jiannan Army's farewell general Guo Yi, Wang Tianyun, see the commander-in-chief!"
Wang Zhongsi narrowed his eyes, looked at Wang Tianyun carefully, nodded, and asked, "How did you know that this commander is here?"
"I am a close confidant of Deputy Commander Xianyu, and it was I who killed Deng Jiyang's remaining troops. I knew Commander Ji was in Yizhou and guessed which way Commander Ji would take, so I recommended myself to be the vanguard general!"
Wang Zhongsi turned his head and looked at Guan Chongsi behind him.
Guan Chongsi then stepped forward and said, "What are your abilities? Do you dare to compete with me?"
"Jie Shuai." But another young general cupped his fists and said, "The last general thought there was no need to try."
This is one of the generals Wang Zhongsi transferred from Longyou. He came with Li Sheng, named Qu Huan.
At this time, Li Sheng glanced at Wang Tianyun and said: "General Mo and Qu Huan recognize Wang Tianyun. They met him when they entered the capital with General Geshu last year and knew that he was one of the generals who followed Gao Xianzhi to attack Xiaobolu."
Wang Tianyun said hurriedly: "Don't tell me, I'm still looking forward to fighting this big man."
"The military exploits of the surprise attack on Xiao Bolu will impress people everywhere." Wang Zhongsi said: "You can be transferred to our army, but whether you can be used as a vanguard or not remains to be tested."
"Here!
Wang Tianyun was overjoyed and said with a smile after answering: "Jie Commander should use me as the vanguard. These guys are too tall. The mountains in western Sichuan are too tall for these tall guys."
There was a burst of shouting in the tent. The young generals were all unconvinced and threatened to compete with Wang Tianyun to teach this arrogant man a lesson.
In this lively atmosphere, Cui Guangyuan couldn't help but smile, turned to Gao Shi who was sitting next to him, and asked: "Secretary Gao, are you going south with the army too?"
Gao Shi nodded and said: "Wanli will not hesitate to die."
Cui Guangyuan also heard his poem, and he couldn't help but feel excited, and chanted: "After the floating clouds are over, I will go out to join the army gracefully. Depending on the anger of the emperor, I will rely on the generals again."
After the discussion in the tent ended, Cui Guangyuan found Xue Bai.
"Xue Lang."
"Don't drive Cui."
Because Cui Guangyuan was the superior, Xue Bai would occasionally adhere to etiquette, but in fact, they had become very familiar with each other all the way to Shu.
"Let me talk to you about business. I want to go south with Wang Jieshuai. Is that okay?"
"This journey is difficult and dangerous. If Cui Biejia has any good intentions..."
"Not afraid." Cui Guangyuan said: "A man of the Tang Dynasty killed enemies for his country, why should he be afraid of danger?"
There was no big boundary between civil and military officials in the Tang Dynasty. Cui Guangyuan, who was appointed to the Ministry of War, was actually very powerful and physically strong, not a weak scholar.
Seeing his firm gaze, Xue Bai nodded.
"Yes?" Cui Guangyuan said happily.
"You are the Shangguan." Xue Bai smiled and said, "It's up to you to decide. If you are willing to take the Shangguan with you to the south, we will go to ask Wang Jieshuai together."
"I thought you would definitely join the army."
"I was still thinking about it," Xue Bai said, "but now I naturally follow Shangguan."
"Let's go."
…
To the west of Sichuan and Shu is a continuous plateau. On the plateau, mountains compete for supremacy and rivers flow.
The river divides the terrain and brings various landscapes to it, including extremely high snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, deep canyons, cold glaciers, and destructive swamps... This is a land that has never been conquered by anyone. land.
In mid-July, a Tang army entered this mysterious area on a winding path.
(End of chapter)
