Luoyang is located on the south bank of the Yellow River, with Mang Mountain in the north and Luoshui in the south, Huhulao in the east and Hangu in the west. Surrounded by mountains is the Luoyang Plain, with four water streams running through it. The situation is dangerous and the scenery is beautiful. The soil is fertile.
The climate is moderate and water transportation is convenient.
Therefore, since ancient times, eight dynasties, including Xia, Shang, Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, Cao Wei, Western Jin, Northern Wei, and Sui, have established their capitals here.
The so-called Heyang Dingding is located in the Central Plains, and Luoyang is the transportation hub and military fortress in the four directions.
After Yang Guang ascended the throne, he chose another capital location in Luoyang to establish a new capital.
The New Imperial City is located between the Zhou Royal City and the ancient cities of the Han and Wei dynasties. It spans the Xianshui River in the east, the Luohe River in the south, and the Jianhe River in the west. It is surrounded by Mangshan City in the north and is magnificent for fifty miles.
Yang Guang also dug a grand canal with Luoyang as the center, reaching Hangzhou in the south and Zhuojun in the north, connecting the five major water systems of the Haihe River, Yellow River, Huaihe River, Yangtze River and Qiantang River. Luoyang became the central hub of transportation and commerce in the world.
On this day, it was dimly lit and the city gates opened. A large number of business travelers waiting to enter the city for business and farmers rushing to the morning market filed into the city.
Wearing masks, Ba Fenghan and Xu Ziling mingled with the crowd and entered the city from the south gate calmly.
The scale of Luoyang is indeed larger than that of ordinary cities. There are only three gates in the south gate. The middle gate is named Jianguo Gate, with White Tiger Gate on the left and Changxia Gate on the right. The structure is magnificent.
At this time, the two of them were no longer wearing the uniforms of the Wagang Army, but simple old cloth clothes purchased from two farmers. Each of them carried a large bundle of freshly cut vegetables on their shoulders, and they casually reported their identities and names.
The guards guarding the gate let them into the city without hesitation.
Xu Ziling's eyes widened as soon as he entered the city gate and arrived at Guijing.
I saw the main street Tianjie, which is a hundred steps wide and runs through the north and south gates, extending straight in front of me, probably not more than seven or eight miles long.
Various trees such as cherries, pomegranates, elms, and willows are planted along the street. Among them are the royal roads used for the emperor's patrols. The scenery of pink willows and green willows at the turn of spring and summer is so picturesque.
There are many shops on both sides of the avenue, and there are roads between the lanes and ten vertical and horizontal streets that run through the major city gates in an orderly manner.
Ba Fenghan smiled and said: Luoyang has two major characteristics that we must know.
Xu Ziling asked him for advice with great interest.
Ba Fenghan said: First of all, the north and south are used as the central axis to let the Luoshui River run across the whole city, and Luoyang is divided into the north and south districts, which are connected by four bridges. The Luoshui River in the city is connected with the other three rivers of Yi, Jian and Jian, so that the rivers in the city are lingering.
The beauty of the landscape is moved into the city, giving people the feeling of being created by nature.
At this time, a strange scene suddenly appeared in front of them. A sailboat sailed past the Luoshui River hidden under the house. From their point of view, the sails were just moving like a boat sailing on the ground.
Xu Ziling said happily: I am used to seeing water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. Water from rivers and lakes flows through the city. This is not surprising, but few are as wide, deep and straight as Luoshui. This gives Luoyang a unique and harmonious atmosphere. And the scale of this city is certainly not the same.
Water towns and cities are comparable. What is another feature?
At this time, the sky was dark and there were more and more people and cars on the street.
From time to time, there were teams of soldiers with bright armor on the royal road. They went through morning drills, giving this beautiful imperial city a fierce and serious atmosphere.
Ba Fenghan continued: Another feature is the natural environment outside the west wall of Waiguo City. It stretches from Xiyuan in the west to Xin'an in the north and Mang Mountain in the south to Yique Mountains. It is more than 200 miles away, which is comparable to the Shanglin Garden Waiguo of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in ancient times.
The city and Xiyuan are connected together, making Luoyang more scale.
The two walked along the street and arrived at the south bank of Luoshui.
Ba Fenghan pointed to the bridge across the Luoshui River connecting the north and the south: This bridge is called Xinzhong Bridge. Just looking at the scale of this bridge can clearly understand in detail how Yang Guang wasted people and money. According to it, in order to make Luo the capital of the country, the foolish emperor from all over the country
Tens of thousands of wealthy merchants moved from various places and more than 3,000 craftsmen from Henan were relocated to Twelve Squares on the south bank of the Luo River in the southeast corner of Guocheng. This is why we have this phenomenon.
He also lowered his voice and said: This is called doing good deeds with a bad heart. No matter who wins the world in the future, he will enjoy the fruits of Yang Guang's construction. As long as the governance is a little better, a prosperous age can be expected.
Xu Ziling was in awe when he heard this. Although Ba Fenghan specializes in martial arts, his views on the current situation are very insightful and unique. At a time when everyone is editing Yang Guang, he can point out Yang Guang's capital architecture.
He Shi will be of great benefit to future generations.
Ba Fenghan smiled and said: We should find a place to heal our stomach.
Xu Ziling happily agreed.
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Yanshi City is located on the north bank of the Luoshui River, south of the river, upstream to the north of Songgao, Shaoshi and other mountains. A hundred miles downstream of Luoyang is Hulao, a strategic fortress that protects Luoyang and serves as a frontline base to resist Li Mi from the east.
If Yanshi falls, it will directly shake the stability of Luoyang.
Yanshi is to Luoyang as Tiger Prison is to Xingyang.
Now that Wang Shichong has led his troops to Yanshi, it is immediately directly threatening the survival of Hulao. Therefore, Li Mi must respond carefully whether he defends or attacks.
Surrounded by more than a dozen loyal and reliable generals and famous experts, Kou Zhong and Wang Shichong, who had changed into civilian military attache uniforms, and Dong Shuni boarded a warship moored at the dock outside the city. Along with them were two thousand Guardsmen who filled many ships.
Warship.
After stepping onto the deck, Kou Zhong felt something in his heart and pulled Wang Shichong to the stern of the ship and pointed at Luo Shuidao: We must make some false impressions to convince Li Mi that we are determined to send troops to Hulao.
Wang Shichong frowned and said: Isn't it enough for me to station a large number of troops in Yanshi?
Kou Zhongdao: That can also be regarded as strengthening the defense without giving the enemy an opportunity to set fire to the food. I just studied the geographical situation map that Shangshu gave me. Hulao and Xingyang are both located in the south of Luoshui and the river. It would be better if Shangshu wrote that.
Set up two or three pontoon bridges on suitable stretches of the river on both sides of the Luoshui River in the east of the city, and then set up granaries and build military camps on the south bank. This high-profile gesture is more powerful than any army mobilization, and it also avoids Li Mi's pain of launching a large-scale war to attack the city.
.Ha! How about this plan?
Wang Shichong looked at him blankly for a while and then sighed: How can I refuse such a wonderful plan?
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Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan squeezed into a noisy teahouse and finally found an empty table in the corner, ordered cakes and ate happily.
Xu Ziling asked casually: Brother Fenghan seems to have a special appreciation for Luoyang, right?
Ba Fenghantou said: Among the cities in China, I am particularly impressed by Luoyang and Chang'an because both cities have a kingly aura that cannot be compared with ordinary cities.
Xu Ziling asked: What about Jiangdu?
Ba Fenghan said: I haven't been to Jiangdu yet. That's Ziling, the place where you were born. Naturally, you developed deep feelings for me, just like I have for grasslands and deserts.
Then he smiled and said: But in comparison, I prefer the steep and majestic cities and mountains in the north, and the beauty and brightness in the south. They have completely different tastes and suit my taste better.
Xu Ziling said: Brother Ba is like the great rivers and mountains in the north, which have withstood the test of wind and frost and are not afraid of facing harsh and harsh environments. After all, Mr. Zhong and I are from the south, and it is easy for us to develop an inclination to enjoy leisure and work. Even if we practice martial arts, there are no strict rules.
!
Ba Fenghan smiled and said: I think Kou Zhong is more similar to me, and you are not indolent, you just don't like to fight with others by nature. But if someone makes you really angry, I will also worry about that person!
Xu Ziling smiled and said: Am I that terrible?
Ba Fenghan said solemnly: I rarely admire someone, but you are an exception. You usually seem gentle and gentle, and you don't seem to care about everything. But at every critical moment of life and death, you always show your perseverance and perseverance.
And we have a clever plan to defeat the enemy, otherwise we won't be able to eat our hearts out here in Luoyang this morning.
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: I have never thought about this aspect of my own affairs! Should we try to get in touch with Mr. Zhong?
Ba Fenghan pondered and said: "The deal between Mr. Zhong and Wang Shichong is now a foregone conclusion. It is not appropriate for us to intervene and inquire. It is best for Kou Zhong to come to us. And we only need to leave a sign to let him know where we are as promised."
It’s done.
Xu Ziling agreed but frowned and said, "Then what should we do now?"
Ba Fenghan laughed dumbly and said: Ziling, you are so unaccustomed to life without Kou Zhong. Tell me, when you and Kou Zhong were together before, did you have any thoughts about what you would do or not do?
Xu Ziling said awkwardly: It seems that I am not used to it, but everything has a beginning! Later... Hey!
Ba Fenghan laughed so loudly that the tea drinkers at the nearby tables turned their attention to him.
After laughing, Ba Fenghan said calmly: "Let's go see a beauty we both know first and see if there is any news about your Aunt Yu. By the way, what do you think about the latest situation of He's Bi?"
Xu Ziling said in astonishment: The beauty we all know?
Ba Fenghan showed a strange expression and smiled: "Princess Dongming Shan Wanjing can probably be counted as one of them."
Xu Ziling lost his voice and said: What?
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Wang Shichong and Kou Zhongli stood in the stands of the warship and stared in the direction of Luoyang.
Kou Zhongdao: Does the minister know that Li Mi paid a private visit to Xiangyang and asked Qian Duguan to provide him with manpower and food for his troops to attack Luoyang from the south?
Wang Shichong was shocked and said: Isn't Qian Duguan afraid of death? He is so bold.
Kou Zhongdao: Li Mi has always been famous for his wisdom. He deliberately instigated the four major bandits to cooperate with the Jianghuai army to capture Jingling and threaten the northern cities. This was a two-bird-one-stone plan that would not only prevent Du Fuwei from taking care of the south, but also make several cities south of Luoyang fear the Jianghuai army.
And surrendered to him. Therefore, if Shangshu did not defeat the Wagang army as soon as possible, sooner or later he would be surrounded by people, and it would be too late to regret it.
Wang Shichong was surprised and said: How can Brother Kou be so clear about the situation between the north and the south?
Kou Zhong smiled and said: "Of course it is to deal with the old thief Li Mi. The Pu Shan Gong Order has made my two brothers repeatedly fall into danger and almost die several times. How can this beast be destroyed?"
Wang Shichong was silent for a while and then suddenly said: If I can't defeat Li Mi in this battle, should I contact Li Yuan in the West?
Kou Zhong originally wanted to answer that this battle must be won, but he changed his mind and asked: Li Yuan or Li Mi, who does the minister think is more terrifying?
Wang Shichong smiled bitterly and said: I never paid attention to Li Yuan. Even when he raised troops from Taiyuan to cross the Dragon Gate and entered the pass, he defeated Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong successively. I thought it was just a temporary trend. But when Li Yuan's second son Shimin defeated Xue Ju,
The Western Qin army of Xue Renguo and his son Yu Fufeng and pursued the victory until they reached Longcheng and had to change their views. Because Guanzhong no longer had worries from the west, they could go all out to march eastward and conquer the Central Plains, posing the biggest threat to Luoyang except Li Mi.
Kou Zhongdao: The Minister already knows the situation of the Li clan very well, and he should know that Li Shimin is a person who has the ambition to pacify the Central Plains. Therefore, unless the Minister is willing to surrender, if Li Shimin is allowed to gain a few more footholds in Guanzhong, Luoyang will sooner or later fall into his hands.
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Wang Shichong sighed: Luoyang is the hub of water transportation in the world, but it is also trapped in an environment surrounded by enemies. Even if Li Mi is removed, he still has to deal with attacks from all directions, unlike the Li clan, which can advance, attack, retreat and defend. Kou Zhong said:
Therefore, after removing Li Mi's threat, Shangshu must use military force to defeat Tongguan even if it fails, so that Li clan cannot even step out of Tongguan. Shangshu can use the remaining power of Li Mi to use the canal to gradually encroach on nearby towns and increase his strength. There is no other way.
.
Wang Shichong smiled bitterly and said: I'm tired! I want to take a rest in the cabin.
Kou Zhong sighed secretly in his heart.
Wang Shichong has never been the one to compete in the world. He is definitely not as good as Du Fuwei and not as good as Xiao Mian. Of course, it is even more difficult to compete with talented people like Li Shimin and Li Mi.
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To the northeast of Jinqiao and to the west of Douting Pavilion is a fascinating place;
The late-browed goddess has a beautiful face and spring waves beside her graceful mother's embankment;
The willow silk curls up in the wind, and wisps of grass and velvet are cut by the rain;
The pioneers of reporting are less likely to shout and drink in fear, and the yellow birds will not be able to sing;
When the two of them stepped onto the Tianjin Bridge across the Luoshui River, Ba Fenghan said spontaneously: "The Dawn Moon in Tianjin is the most charming of the eight sceneries in Luoyang. It's late at night when the people are quiet and the bright moon hangs in the sky. It's hard to describe the beauty of this beauty."
Describe.
Xu Ziling stopped and said, "I suddenly remembered that I might not be able to accompany Brother Fenghan to see the princess!"
Ba Fenghan smiled and said: I wonder what urgent matter Brother Ziling has?
Xu Ziling smiled bitterly and said: Brother Fenghan, don't think that I am looking for excuses to avoid seeing the princess, but I am worried about my separated brothers, so I want to try to find them.
Ba Fenghan said: Do you mean Duan Yucheng and the four of them?
Xu Ziling said: It's them.
Ba Fenghan said casually, "This way we won't stop Ziling!"
After the two agreed on a time and place to meet, they parted ways in the busy city.