Seeing that the time is approaching the twelfth lunar month, the twelfth year of Jianxing has also come to an end.
After resting in Chengdu for many days, Li Shimin first received the Jufu battle report.
In the battle report, Jufu made a detailed report on the process of suppressing the rebellion by Zang Cui and Xing Gu:
Puyi in Juding were threatened by the Bamboo King of Yelang Kingdom. They wanted to take advantage of the new death of the prime minister and the failure of the Northern Expedition to rebel and force Chengdu to expand their jurisdiction.
The King of Gouding was already threatened, and when he saw the army's arrival, he simply surrendered and signed a covenant never to rebel again.
Seeing that his helpers had surrendered first, Yelang Bamboo King retreated into the city, waiting only for reinforcements.
Jufu planned to make the Bamboo King think that the reinforcements were defeated halfway, and used his troops to suppress them. Seeing that the resistance could not be resisted and there were no reinforcements, the Bamboo King surrendered with all his clan.
Now Jufu and others have quelled all the rebellions in the two counties and are resting and waiting at the King of Zhuzhu.
After reading the battle report, Li Shimin was overjoyed and ordered the people to report back to Jufu. He left Zhao Guang in Xangqi to assist the county guard in settling the surrendered barbarians, and the rest returned to Chengdu to report on their duties and receive their rewards.
After making arrangements, Li Shimin ordered Huang Hao to invite Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, Huo Ge, Wu Yi, Wu Ban and others to the Jinyin Palace.
Huang Hao took the order and left.
After Huang Hao left, Li Shimin ordered Chen Zhong to assemble the flying cavalry guards and wait in front of the Gold and Silver Palace.
Chen Zhong took the order and left.
At this time, Zhang Yan saw His Majesty so busy and said in confusion:
"Brother Adou, he has summoned his trusted ministers and assembled the flying cavalry guards. He mobilized troops and mobilized in this way. Could it be that the time has come and he wants to kill the Yizhou nobles?"
Li Shimin couldn't help but became speechless when he heard this. He spread his hands and said:
"From my point of view, little sister, do I have this strength now?"
Zhang Yan patted her chest and said:
"As long as this heroine is here, Brother Adou will have this strength!"
Li Shimin laughed and said softly:
"My little sister is still the bravest, but I'm afraid I'm going to let her down today. I'm gathering my confidants and flying cavalry guards in preparation for heading north to Wenshan County."
Zhang Yan curled her lips and said:
"Last time I went to Zhuti County, I thought Brother Adou was trying to gain authority in the army.
Unexpectedly, Brother Adou had a very pleasant conversation with Jiang Wei, and even deliberately avoided everyone to have a private meeting with Jiang Wei.
Now that Brother Adou wants to go north to Wenshan County, it seems that countering the rebellion is not the first priority.
Let’s be honest, which general does Your Majesty like now? "
Li Shimin couldn't help but shake his head after hearing this, wondering why Zhang Yantong's ideas were so different...
Just as he was about to speak, Huo Ge arrived outside the palace first.
When Li Shimin saw Huo Ge arriving, he gave up arguing with Zhang Yan and turned to Huo Ge:
"Xian Shao, I want to set off today and go north to Wenshan County.
This matter in the palace still needs to be handled by you and my confidants for the time being. "
Huo Ge couldn't help but feel worried when he heard that His Majesty wanted to go north to Wenshan County again.
After all, Yang Yi committed suicide before, and Du Qiong did stargazing and divination later.
Especially the matter of stargazing and divination made Huo Ge very worried about what danger might happen to His Majesty on the road.
Li Shimin saw that Huo Ge did not immediately express his support like before, but just pondered in place and said in confusion:
"What, do you have concerns? Or are you dissatisfied with my decision?"
Hearing this, Huo Ge quickly bowed his head and said:
"Your Majesty clearly knows that I am only worried about Your Majesty.
Most of Wenshan County is covered with steep mountains, and His Majesty only knows that Zhang Yi is in the Pingkang and Canling areas, but does not know the specific location.
If you are searching through dangerous mountains and rivers, you will definitely encounter difficulties and obstacles. If you encounter an ambush by rebel Qiang barbarians again..."
Having said this, Huo Ge didn't dare to say any more. He just stood there and waited for His Majesty's decision.
At this time, Jiang Wan and others arrived, and they were surprised to see His Majesty looking at Huo Ge in deep thought with anger on his face.
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Jiang Wan quickly bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, I have received the summons. I wonder what your Majesty's orders are?"
Li Shimin was interrupted by Jiang Wan's words and saw Jiang Wan and others waiting in the palace. After calming down a little, he said in a deep voice:
"I want to go north to Wenshan County, and just now I was discussing with Shao Xian about various matters in the DPRK and China after I leave.
However, Shaoxian doesn't seem to agree with me going north to Wenshan County. I am weighing the pros and cons and deciding whether to go to Wenshan County.
It just so happens that you are all here, so you might as well have a discussion here. I would also like to hear what you have to say. "
When Jiang Wan heard this, the first thing he thought of was the "star gazing and divination" reported by He Zong a few days ago. Then he saw the displeasure on His Majesty's face, and he started to worry about it.
"Your Majesty, I think this can be done."
Hearing this, Huo Ge couldn't help turning around and looking at Jiang Wan in confusion.
Jiang Wan nodded and smiled at Huo Ge, and then continued:
"The only disadvantage of your Majesty's trip to Wenshan County is that you don't know where Zhang Yi and others are, and you will inevitably be in danger during the search.
Although there is this disadvantage, in my opinion, it has at least three advantages.
By going here, Your Majesty can become familiar with the terrain of Wenshan County, which will be helpful for the development of Wenshan County after countering the rebellion;
Participating in the battle in person and sharing the hardships with the counter-rebellion soldiers will be beneficial to His Majesty in enhancing his prestige in the army;
In addition to Zhang Yi, there are many direct descendants in the Wenshan County counter-rebellion team that His Majesty wants to cultivate and promote. If Your Majesty goes to encourage them, they can grow faster.
Since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I think this is feasible.
I just hope that Your Majesty will bring someone who is familiar with the terrain as a guide, and then bring more personal guards to ensure His Majesty's safety. "
Li Shimin was overjoyed when he heard this and nodded in agreement.
At this time, Huo Ge also felt that what Jiang Wan said was reasonable and nodded repeatedly to Jiang Wan.
"Then according to Gong Yan's wishes, who should I order to be the guide?"
Jiang Wan was about to reply when Wu Ban suddenly stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, the last general has lived in Shu for a long time and has accompanied the army to various places in Shu for many campaigns.
The terrain of Wenshan County is familiar to the general. Why don't your majesty order the general to guide you, so as to give the princes of Dongzhou an opportunity to serve your majesty. "
"Well, I think what General Yuan Xiong said is true. If that's the case, then I'll be in trouble!"
When Jiang Wan saw Wu Ban recommending himself, he felt that it was reasonable and reasonable, and then he bowed his head and said:
"If General Yuanxiong is willing to go, then everything will be safe."
Everyone discussed some details, and finally, under the persuasion of Jiang Wan and others, Li Shimin had no choice but to take all three hundred flying cavalry guards with him, and also added thirty female secret guards.
After everything was ready, Jiang Wan and others felt relieved.
In the afternoon of the same day, Li Shimin ordered Zhang Yan and Chen Zhong to each lead one hundred flying cavalry guards to guard the left and right sides. Wu squad led one hundred flying cavalry guards to clear the way, followed by two hundred personal guards behind them. The crowd headed straight to Wenzhou in a mighty manner. Go to Shanjun.
The large group of troops first went northwest along the Dujiang River to Yulei Pass, then left Guangrou and headed east. When they reached Canling, they passed Jiuding Mountain and then headed northwest.
After traveling for only a few days, we saw a place where three forks meet among the high mountains ahead, and Wenshui River also separated from east to west.
At this time, Wu Ban stopped the front troops and came to His Majesty's side. He bowed his head and said:
"Your Majesty, the road ahead is divided into two ends. If you go southwest along the Black River, it will lead to the location of the Pingkang barbarians. If you go northeast, it will lead to the location of the Canling barbarians.
However, there are Ran, Zhen and other Qiang Yi tribes on both sides, and there are also Qiang Hu, Rong Di and other tribes living together. General Zhang Yi does not know where Zhang Yi is confronting the large Ran Zhen Yi tribe at this time, so he came to report to His Majesty and hope that Your Majesty will make a decision. "
Hearing this, Li Shimin got off his horse and walked to a higher place beside the road.
"Let me observe it first and then make plans."
Arriving on a gentle slope beside the road, Li Shimin looked ahead and saw green mountains everywhere, and even vast snow-capped mountains in the distance.
"this……"
Seeing this situation, Li Shimin also hesitated.
Nowadays, when walking along the river in this mountain, there are very few inhabited places along the way.
Even though he occasionally met some mountain people in the valley, he never learned any news about Zhang Yi's army from the mountain people.
The deeper you go into it, the more dangerous it becomes all around. Who knows if those barbarians who don't accept the king's transformation will suddenly burst out of the mountains?
While Li Shimin was thinking hard, Chen Zhong came to him and said:
"Your Majesty, the general has a solution that is not a solution."
When Li Shimin heard this, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and said curiously:
"I wonder if you have any clever ideas?"
Chen Zhong turned around and pointed to a high mountain not far away and said:
"There is a mountain called Fenghuang Mountain to the east of where the river divides ahead, and there is a valley at the end of the mountain called Fenghuang Ridge.
The last general once heard what his father said. Back then, Prime Minister Zhuge ordered Jiang Wei to set up a formation here, which was called the "Eight Formations of Stone Soldiers".
This formation evolved from the eight formations mastered by the Prime Minister. It is specially used in rugged mountains or at the intersection of waterways to prevent unauthorized entry by foreign enemies.
Since the Prime Minister can set up a formation in front, Phoenix Ridge should be relatively safe.
The general suggested that it would be better to have everyone go outside the formation to find a place to camp and protect His Majesty first. Then the general and General Yuan Xiong would each lead an army and go to the east and west to investigate.
In this way, we can not only determine the location of General Zhang Yi as soon as possible, but also ensure the safety of His Majesty to the greatest extent.
I wonder if Your Majesty thinks this method is feasible? "
When Wu Ban heard this, he slapped his forehead and blamed himself:
"Oops! How could I have forgotten this matter? Your Majesty, what Chen Zhong said is absolutely true, and the general also thinks that this is the only way for the present plan."
Li Shimin couldn't think of any better way, and he didn't dare to delay too much here, so he agreed.
It was just at noon when everyone arrived at Phoenix Ridge and wanted to find the Eight Stone Soldiers Formation set up by the Prime Minister.
As soon as we entered the lower valley entrance of Fenghuang Ridge, we heard shouts from all around.
Everyone became alert after hearing this, and Zhang Yan immediately followed His Majesty closely with her sword in hand.
Many personal guards also held shields to protect His Majesty.
Li Shimin saw that everyone was in a narrow place at the entrance of the valley, with steep slopes on both sides, and thought, "This is not good."
He quickly ordered:
"Chen Zhong quickly changed the rear team into the front team, ordered the sergeants to lead the horses and walk out of the valley first;
Wu Ban led the front team and first lay down under the steep slopes on both sides of the valley to guard.
I will lead the Chinese army myself and wait until Chen Zhong withdraws before retreating.
The accompanying secret guards were divided into groups of five, a total of six groups, and spread out to follow the shouts to inquire about the situation! "
