Since Wu Zetian's deposed son seized the throne, the Tang Dynasty has been experiencing constant internal strife. Honorable ministers and generals have died unjustly one after another, and the territory has been shrinking eastward. The various places in the Western Regions that Taizong and Gaozong spent countless efforts to capture were taken over one after another. One of them was lost to the cannibals who came from afar.
This decline was not initially curbed until the emperor came to the throne. But it was only initially curbed. The military power and influence of the revitalized Tang Dynasty were not the same as those during the Yongzheng period. Three years ago, it was even more Of the nearly 40,000 soldiers who followed Gao Xianzhi on the expedition and were beaten to death by the cannibals on the banks of the Talas River, less than 3,000 of them returned to Shule alive.
Only Yang Guozhong, after replacing Li Linfu, greatly delegated power to the two major vassal towns of Anxi and Hexi, allowing the two frontier armies to regain their former strength. Only Yang Guozhong promoted Yu Wenzhi, Song Wu, and Wang Xun "against all opinions" Waiting for the young general, let the war flag of the Tang Dynasty be planted outside Congling again. Whether you say he is nepotistic or wrong, it is an irrefutable fact that the Dawan Governor's Mansion swept across both sides of the Yaocha River. Not to mention that he abandoned the Tang Dynasty. The local princes in the Western Regions who left are now crying and shouting, demanding to be driven by the Celestial Empire again!
It can be said that if there had not been the rebellion of An Lushan and Shi Siming, just reopening the Dawan Governor's Palace, collecting Zhezhe, and jointly fighting to return the two cities to the territory would have been enough for Yang Guozhong to leave a strong mark in the history of the Tang Dynasty. A stroke. Besides, this is just the beginning. According to the current development momentum of Wang Xun and others, maybe one day even Jiling Prefecture can be recovered! If that happens, Yang Guozhong's reputation can be as good as that of his eldest grandson during the Zhenguan period. Wuji, even if he is slightly behind him, is at least not much worse than Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.
However, Anlushan did not rebel earlier or later, so he chose this opportunity to rebel. What is the use of mentioning these achievements now? Who in the government and the public is willing to listen?! "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is old. Recently, I've been a little forgetful recently!" Yang Guozhong sighed and responded quietly. There was an unconcealable loss in his voice.
"Song thinks otherwise!" Song Yu saw that Yang Guozhong still couldn't understand the key point, so he simply raised the topic directly, "At this moment, Yang Xiangyue should praise the officers and soldiers of the Dawan Governor's Mansion in a high-profile manner. First, it can be seen by outsiders. We are calm and can control the situation. Secondly, it can remind His Majesty who has been working diligently to expand territory for him in the past few years. Thirdly, it can also let some people know that Yang Xiang has more in his hands. Too many chess pieces are not used, and you are afraid when doing things. Fourth..."
"Okay, I understand what you said!" Yang Guozhong shook his head and interrupted Song Yu's tirade with a series of wry smiles. "But these are all far away! Right now, the fire is already burning our eyebrows! "
"After all, distant water is water. As long as it can be managed properly, it can achieve miraculous effects! At least, this water is our own." Song Yu smiled, as if he already had a plan in mind.
The most embarrassing thing for Yang Guozhong at the moment is that he does not have a strong military force to rely on. The Feilong Imperial Guard has become the private soldier of the old eunuch Gao Lishi, and Chen Xuanli, the general of the Longwu Army, is secretly flirting with the prince. Once these two groups collude one day and really want to use Yang Guozhong's head to appease An Lushan's anger, officials from the Yang faction will basically have no ability to protect themselves.
In order to avoid this extreme situation from happening, Yang Guozhong took precautions. He sent his trusted general Du Ganyun to recruit young rogues near Chang'an City to join the army in the name of defending Chang'an. At the same time, he invited Li Longji, Shu Han and his subordinate Hexi Soldiers and horses entered the defense. However, one of the two forces was hastily formed and could not form combat effectiveness in a short period of time. The other force needed to be determined by Ge Shuhan's own attitude and mood.
In Song Yu's opinion, Ge Shuhan is now seriously ill and his control over the Hexi Army is not as good as before. And based on his past experience, this guy's character may not be reliable. At that time, Wang Zhongsi, the military commander of the four towns He single-handedly promoted Ge Shuhan from an unknown elementary school to the deputy envoy of Hexi Jiedu, which can be said to be a gift for his reinvention. However, when Wang Xuansi was framed by Li Linfu for treason, Ge Shuhan was not willing to pay at all. He tried his best to rescue him, but instead said something plausibly, "If the straight path still exists, the prince will not die unjustly. If he is about to lose his life, why give him more bribes?" As a result, Wang Zhongsi was demoted in the front, and his brother Shu Han replaced him in Longyou Jiedu. the position of envoy.
Yang Guozhong was not sure about Ge Shuhan's character. But he didn't believe that he had a better choice. "At the moment, the roads in the Western Regions have been blocked by heavy snow, and military orders cannot be sent there. The messenger will not arrive until at least the beginning of next spring. Dawan. And my brother and that Wang Mingyun led the troops back, and the road was thousands of miles away..."
"As long as they have an attitude!" Yu Wende refused to let Song Yu divide his credit again and again, and interjected through gritted teeth. "Datang, the east of Datang has already rebelled against an army. It can no longer afford another one. The master of tiger and wolf support!"
"Shut up!" Yang Guozhong was furious, "Do you know what you are talking about? There is a guard on your mouth."
"I just meant to make others feel threatened. I didn't really advise you to rebel!" Yu Wende wiped the blood on the corner of his mouth and was disappointed with Yang Guozhong's caution. "We in the Tang Dynasty don't have elite soldiers who can fight now. There are four rebel armies, Hexi, Anxi, and Dawan. Needless to say, the rebels. The Hexi Army depends on Ge Shuhan's mood. The Anxi Army, under the control of Feng Changqing's stubborn elm, must only be willing to do so. Be loyal to the imperial court. Although the number of the Dawan army is small, the results are there! The two important generals who lead the army are brothers of the subordinates and Lord Song. As long as you say that this army is only yours, Who dares to bet that they are not your direct descendants?!"
These few words were all on point. Yang Guozhong couldn't help but feel his heart beat. He had no friendship with Wang Xun, the governor of Dawan, but he had no personal grudges. If he were thicker-skinned, the matter of promoting him would be his fault. If so, it can be said that he had a "kindness of knowing him". As for Yu Wenzhi, he worked as a follower of Zhu Qi, the Yang family's lackey. There is also Song Wu, who can achieve his current achievements, but also with the Yang family. He is inseparable from his care. At least, his brother Song Yu is now both a loser and a loser with the Yang family.
"It's not that difficult to show off their military exploits in a big way, promote them, and give each of them a distinguished position and title!" When he thought that the other party was indeed useful, Yang Guozhong's small businessman character was immediately exposed again. "Back then, Li Linfu and Wang That time when the two men joined forces to attack, Yang, Yang was indeed negligent and failed to take care of your younger brother. Now, if he is asked to run for Yang again, I'm afraid, I'm afraid..."
"My younger brother only wants to bring glory to the Yuwen family, and will not care about the past. Besides, that time, my lord also gave the Yuwen family enough compensation!" When mentioning the past, Yuwende immediately expressed his position on behalf of his younger brother. "It's just that, if
Your Excellency wants the outside world to think that the Dawan Governor's Mansion is indeed under your control..."
"I understand, I understand!" Yang Guozhong knew that Yu Wende wanted to take the opportunity to seek some benefits, so he nodded with a smile, "They are all real military achievements. It's just that there have been many things recently, so the commendation has been postponed. Reset
The Tianma Governor's Mansion is a bit difficult, but it shouldn't be a problem to have a military envoy and a deputy governor under the Dawan Governor's Mansion. Wang Mingyun is highly appreciated by His Majesty because of his family background. His contribution is solid and fundamental.
Impeccable. Yang can't replace him with others for the time being, so he can only win over you with kindness. He is already a third-grade general, plus one rank, a Huaihua general, and a marquis. His official position and title are still higher than those of your two brothers.
, please understand Yang’s difficulties!”
This was already a public sale of state officials and titles as personal goods, but everyone was used to it. They stood up one after another and congratulated Song Yu and Yu Wende. Song Yu and Yu Wende’s original intention was not just to seek benefits for their brothers, but they first congratulated the four of them.
They bowed in a circle, and then said separately: "They know that what they are today depends entirely on the appreciation of the prime minister. In the future, they will definitely be driven by you wholeheartedly!"
"My brother-in-law always knows how to repay his kindness. If you can spend a lot of money to recruit dead soldiers and brave the wind and snow to send the general's order to Dawan. He will definitely rush back to Chang'an at night to serve you!"
"The key is how to get back!" Mentioning the distance between Chang'an and Dawan, the smile on Yang Guozhong's face disappeared instantly, "If An Lushan is allowed to enter Chang'an, all the fame and wealth will become a passing cloud!"
"Transfer generals urgently, mobilize troops slowly!" It was Song Yu again who solved all Yang Guozhong's problems with one sentence. "The reason why Feng Changqing couldn't stop An Lushan was that he was being elbowed everywhere.
.Another important reason is that he is almost alone against the entire Anjia army, with no one around to help him! Now that he has retreated to the Mianchi area to gather the remaining soldiers, he needs capable generals to help him. As for Lord Du,
We are also in urgent need of a helper who can both train troops and fight!"
"You mean, let a few of them rush back first and let the army move slowly?!" Yang Guozhong frowned and carefully tasted the connotation of Song Yu's words. I have to admit that this idea is very clever. Yu Wenzhi and Song
By inserting Wu An under the command of Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi, he could at least ensure that Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi could not completely fall to the side of the prince. Wang Xun had assisted Chen Xuanli in training the Feilong Imperial Guards in the White Horse Castle.
He should be transferred to the vicinity of Chang'an and entrusted with important tasks, either because of his superiority among the Feilong Imperial Guards or because of his own abilities.
"Those soldiers and horses, it doesn't matter if they move faster or slower. It's better not to face the rebels directly!" Song Yu nodded, with a sneer appearing on the corner of his mouth.
Now that the rebels are gaining momentum, of course they cannot waste their potential direct lineage. Let Feng Changqing, the remnant soldiers under Gao Xianzhi, and Ge Shuhan's Hexi Army stand up first. It is best to use Chen Xuanli and the left and right Longwu Army under his command.
They were also transferred to the front line. Once they have exhausted the energy of the rebels, it will be the best time for the Dawan Army to take to the battlefield...
The truth is obvious, Yang Guozhong no longer needs to be reminded. From Mianchi, Tongguan to Bashang, defenses are deployed layer by layer. The closer the soldiers and horses are to him, the more he must put them last. Do not believe in the two hundred thousand tigers and wolves under Anlu Mountain.
The division, after breaking through the two defense lines of Xiaoshan and Hongnong, still had the strength to fight to the death with Ge Shuhan's Hexi elite under Tongguan! It is even more unbelievable that after the rebels crippled Ge Shuhan, they still
Can hit outside Chang'an City!
Even if it does get to that point, I'm afraid it will be at least after next summer. By then, the fresh troops that I have rushed back from Anxi and Dawan will be put into the battlefield, and they will definitely be able to save the world!
Once the overall strategy was in place, it was easy to solve the details. That night, Yang Guozhong discussed with several confidants for most of the night, and worked hard to straighten out all the possible troubles.
The tired body returned to the inner house to rest.
He was greedy for money and lustful, but he treated his wife Pei Rou, whom he married when he was down, with great respect. Usually after handling official duties, he would go to his wife's place to sit for a while, or chat with her about household matters, or rest at her place.
Relive the love of the past.
Tonight, an urgent matter was solved. Yang Guozhong was in a happy mood. After sending away the guests, he went straight to his wife's bedroom. There was still a light for him in Pei's room. The woman had good ears and heard the familiar footsteps outside the door.
He rubbed the corners of his eyes that were still full of crow's feet, and with the help of the maid, he threw on his clothes and walked to the door.
"Why are you still not sleeping? Didn't I tell you not to wait for me?" Yang Guozhong was very moved. He stretched out his hand, pushed the maid away, and held his wife's arm himself. "Pay attention to your health. Things at home are still important.
It all depends on you!"
"I'm not tired. The children are filial, and everyone else knows how to advance and retreat!" Pei Rou smiled meekly and rested her head on Yang Guozhong's arm.
When she was down and out, she didn't despise him for being a scoundrel. When she was prosperous, he didn't despise her for being a prostitute. The couple cuddled up to each other, chattering, and retelling what happened at home and outside to each other. They didn't take things for themselves for the sake of each other.
The idea is just to appreciate the warmth.
When sleepiness gradually hit his eyelids, Yang Guozhong vaguely heard his wife asking, "Da Lang, why do we have to worry so thanklessly for the Li family? Go back to Chengdu, whoever wants to be prime minister will be let! Anyway, you try
Once you have experienced it, apart from the suffering and exhaustion, there is nothing worth remembering!"
"This..." Yang Guozhong's body stiffened suddenly, and he was immediately filled with fatigue. "Yeah, who cares about this thankless job!" He murmured in response with his heart. "If I had known this was the case, I would have
Why don’t you try your best to climb to this position!”
"Since it's no fun, just resign as soon as possible! Let's go back to Chengdu. The mountains are high and the roads are far away. I guess An Lushan won't be able to get there in a while!"
"Well! Go back, go back to Chengdu! Tomorrow, tomorrow I will talk to your majesty. Go back, go back! I'm flirting with you! I'm flirting with you! Look, look at who it is, who is his grandma's, worry about it!" Yang Guozhong said intermittently.
In response, the sound of speaking was gradually replaced by snoring.
