Xiongzhou, Yiyang City. Yiyang City (now Fuchang Village, Yiyang County, Henan Province) is the seat of the state government of Xiongzhou. In the lobby of the governor's Yamen, Shi Wanbao is reading a letter. This letter was sent by the Taolin County Magistrate who had escaped from the county seat. It described in detail Li Mi's capture of Taolin County and the robbery of the granary.
After Shi Wanbao read it, he folded the letter and put it in the envelope, and shouted: "Here comes!" A government official heard the sound and came over, cupped his hands and said: "Master Governor, what are your orders?"
"Go and call the commander-in-chief of the march, Master Sheng Yan."
The officer agreed, turned around and went out.
Shi Wanbao was originally a Chang'an hero. He was hunted down by the imperial court and fled into the mountains of Hu County to hide. After Li Yuan raised troops in Jinyang, Li Zhiyun's cousin Li Shentong was also hunted by the court and fled from Chang'an to the mountains of Hu County. Li Shentong and Shi Wanbao hit it off immediately, and they hated each other for a long time. They hit it off immediately and decided to raise troops to respond to Li Yuan. Shi Wanbao served as Li Shentong's deputy, and together they raised an army of more than 10,000 people. Later, they reunited with Third Sister's "Women's Army" and assisted Li Yuan in conquering the city of Chang'an.
Shortly after the rebels entered Chang'an City, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin led their troops to march eastward to Luoyang. After the rebels arrived in Luoyang, the eastern capital, they stationed themselves in Fanghua Garden. Huang Taizhu and Sui Dynasty officials who occupied the eastern capital closed the city gates. The rebels sent people to summon them, but there was no response from the city. There were many people in Luoyang City who wanted to be internal correspondents for the rebels. Li Shimin said: "Not long after we pacified Guanzhong, the foundation is not yet solid. Even if we get the eastern capital, we cannot hold it." So he did not agree to the requests of those who were internal correspondents. A few days later, the rebels were about to return to Guanzhong. Li Shimin said: "If the city sees us retreating, they will definitely chase us." He decided to set up three ambushes in the Tomb of the Three Kings to wait for the pursuers. Duan Da, the general of Zuo Xiaowei of the Sui Dynasty, led more than 10,000 men to pursue him, but was ambushed and defeated. Li Shimin led his army to pursue the defeated army until they reached the gates of Dongdu City, killing more than 4,000 people. Therefore, Li Shimin established Xin'an and Yiyang counties, and sent Shi Wanbao, the marching general manager, and Sheng Yanshi, the deputy general manager, to guard Yiyang.
After Li Yuan ascended the throne, he abolished the counties of the Sui Dynasty and changed them into prefectures. Yiyang County was changed to Xiongzhou. Shi Wanbao was appointed as the governor and Sheng Yanshi as the marching commander.
Shi Wanbao waited for a while and saw a man walking in from the gate. He looked to be about thirty years old, of medium height, with a strong body, thick black eyebrows, and eyes as sharp as eagles. This man was the marching commander Sheng Yanshi.
Master Sheng Yan walked to the table and saluted with clasped fists. Shi Wanbao picked up the sealed envelope on the table and handed it to him. Master Sheng Yan took out the letter and looked at it, and said with a smile: "The imperial court went to sea to capture the documents and set a reward for capturing Li Mi. I am worried that I can't find him. Unexpectedly, he threw himself into a trap." Shi Wanbao frowned and said, "Li Mi is a clever thief, and with Uncle Wang as his help, I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with him." Master Sheng Yan said with confidence, "Sir, please let me lead you. Thousands of troops, I promise to chop off Li Mi’s head!”
"Oh?" Shi Wanbao looked at him curiously, "What can you do?"
Master Sheng Yan smiled and said: "The secret must not be leaked. I can't tell you now, but you will know it later." Shi Wanbao saw that he was deliberately trying to hide his secrets, so he stopped asking further questions.
With great speed, Division Sheng Yan immediately led thousands of soldiers out of the city and headed straight for Xiong'er Mountain. Master Sheng Yan rode at the front of the team. The deputy came up from behind and rode alongside him, saying: "Sir, I heard that Li Mi plans to go to Luozhou. If we want to intercept him, we must go north. What now? Going south?" Master Sheng Yan smiled and said, "Li Mi claimed that he was going to Luozhou, but he was just trying to deceive others. His real purpose was to go to Yizhou via Xiangcheng. From Taolin County to Xiangcheng, you have to pass through a valley. , called Ghost Wall Valley. If the rebels are allowed to enter the valley entrance first and we chase them from behind. The mountain road is difficult and we cannot use our strength. If they are alone in the rear, there is nothing we can do against them. Now if we enter the valley first and ambush, we will definitely be able to Catch them off guard!"
After traveling less than five miles, the team entered the mountains and began to climb over Xiong'er Mountain. Xiong'er Mountain is one of the main branches in the eastern section of Tailing Mountains. The main peak is more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Because the two highest peaks tilt toward the middle, they look like Xiong's ears, so it is named Xiong'er Mountain.
After an arduous journey, the team climbed over the mountains and arrived at the south of the mountain. After walking for more than an hour, a valley appeared in front of them. This valley is about dozens of miles long, with peaks on both sides of different heights. Some areas have gentle slopes, while others are steep. The cliffs beside the road are as if they were made by miraculous craftsmen, hence the name Ghost Wall Valley.
After the army entered the valley, Sheng Yan's division chose a place where a stream ran through the valley. Although the stream was not deep, it was wide and covered with reeds on both sides of the stream. Master Sheng Yan asked the crossbowmen to ambush on the high ground on both sides, and the sword and shield men to hide in the reeds. He said to the soldiers: "When the rebels are halfway through, everyone will attack together."
The army waited in the valley all night. At noon the next day, the scouts sent out came back to report that they had discovered the rebels. After about a stick of incense, several thousand rebels were seen strutting over. Li Mi and Lonely Chunyan were walking in the middle of the team on horseback. They looked around and admired the scenery on both sides of the valley. They had no idea that they were about to be in disaster.
Division Sheng Yan and other rebel troops waded halfway through the water and ordered the attack to begin. As a result, the crossbowmen on the highlands on both sides fired thousands of arrows, and the rebel soldiers fell to the ground one after another. The swordsmen and shieldmen hiding in the reeds rushed out and cut the rebel team into two. The rebels were unable to support each other and fell into a bitter battle. Many soldiers died in the battle. Li Mi and Wang Bodang were killed, and Gu Chunyan was also raped and killed by the rebels.
At the beginning, Li Mi's general Youwuhou General Xu Shiji occupied the territory that originally belonged to Li Mi and did not submit to anyone. Wei Zheng took a carriage from the post station to Liyang, met with Xu Shiji, explained his interests and dangers to him, and persuaded him to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. Xu Shiji agreed and decided to send Chief Shi Guo Xiaoke to Chang'an. He said to Guo Xiaoke: "The people and land here belong to Duke Wei. If I offer the land to the people, I am taking advantage of the master's failure and taking it as my own merit to gain wealth. I am really ashamed of it. Now The household registration of counties and counties, the number of soldiers and horses should be registered and reported to Duke Wei, who will present it himself." After Xu Shiji sent Guo Xiaoke to Chang'an, he also transported grain to supply Li Shentong, king of Huai'an.
Li Yuan heard that Xu Shiji's envoy had arrived in Chang'an, but he did not send a message, only a letter to Li Mi. He felt very strange, so he summoned Guo Xiaoke, who stated Xu Shiji's opinions. Li Yuan sighed: "Xu Shiji does not violate morality and does not seek credit. He is such a good minister!" So he gave Xu Shiji the surname Li, appointed Guo Xiaoke as the governor of Songzhou, and asked him and Li Shiji to take charge of the area east of Hulao Pass. States and counties can appoint their own officials.
After Li Mi was killed, Li Yuan sent an envoy to show Li Mi's head to Li Shiji and informed him of Li Mi's rebellion. Li Shiji enshrined Li Mi's head on the altar, bowed to the north and wailed. He petitioned to bury Li Mi. Li Yuan agreed and issued an edict to deliver Li Mi's body to Li Shiji. Li Shiji mourned Li Mi in full accordance with the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers. He prepared a grand ceremony and the whole army wore mourning. Li Mi was buried on the south side of a mountain outside Liyang City. Li Mi was usually very popular among the soldiers. During the funeral, many soldiers cried so much that they vomited blood.
After making heavy sacrifices, the Chang'an army and people finally quelled Li Mi's rebellion. Facing the devastation, Chang'an City is like a huge beast, quietly licking its wounds. Li Zhiyun was awarded the title of General of the Auxiliary State for his meritorious service in defending the Chu Palace and supporting the imperial city. The officers and soldiers of the new army and the palace guards and other officials were also promoted to noble ranks, and each received a reward.
In the land of Jinzhong in July, the sun is like fire. On the endless wilderness, a two-foot-wide official road extends into the distance like a ribbon. In the wheat fields on both sides of the official road, the mature wheat shines golden in the sun. There are many farmers harvesting wheat in the fields. They are waving sickles and sweating. Maybe they have been bent down for too long and are a little sore. They have to straighten up to take a rest, wipe the sweat from their faces, and be curious. Take a look at the troops marching on the official road.
This is an army with bright armor and neat clothes. This army is different from other armies. What the soldiers carry on their shoulders is neither halberds nor spears, but something like the water and fire sticks carried by the Yamen servants. The team There are dozens of wooden-wheeled carts in the middle, with something like a tree stump mounted on the cart. What kind of army is this? Why haven't you seen it before? There seemed to be quite a lot of people, and the team only saw the beginning but not the end, maybe there were thousands of people, right?
Yes, this is a regiment of the New Army. Li Zhiyun rode a yellow gelding with a golden chew and a silver saddle, and walked majestically at the front of the team. Behind him were Zhang Zheng and Cai Hu riding tall horses. After the Battle of Hedong, Li Zhiyun followed his second brother back to Chang'an from Jinyang. However, less than half a year later, he left Chang'an City again and led the new army to Jinyang again.
However, this time, Li Zhiyun's destination was not Jinyang. Jinyang was just passing by. The place he really wanted to go was Huaixi. Li Zhiyun took the New Army to Huaixi, not to fight, but to express condolences. I don't know if it was to reward him for his contribution in the Chang'an counterinsurgency campaign, but his father gave him a good job - the pacification envoy.
The person Li Zhiyun went to Huaixi to express condolences was Zhu Can. Zhu Can was one of the eighteen rebel kings at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. He had 200,000 soldiers and horses, lying between the Han River and the Huai River, and his footprints were all over Xizhou, Shangzhou, Xianzhou and other places. About two months ago, Zhu Can sent an envoy to Chang'an to express his willingness to submit to the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, Abba issued an edict, appointing Zhu Can as King of Wu and allowing him to appoint officials within his own jurisdiction. Li Zhiyun's mission during this trip was not only to visit Zhu Can's residence in Jutan (now Neixiang County, Henan Province) to express condolences to him, but also to preside over the ceremony to confer Zhu Can as the King of Wu on behalf of his father.
