The Battle of Xijing that took place on November 23rd of the third year of Guanghua ended with the complete victory of the Lulongying Prefecture Army of the Tang Dynasty. In this battle, the Bohai Kingdom's recruiting army was completely defeated, and the remaining troops fled in all directions.
In the history books of later generations of the Tang Dynasty, this was just an inconspicuous battle among Li Chengzhong's many victories. The "New Book of Tang" only described it in an understatement: It was the month when he conquered the Bohai Sea and won a great victory at Yalu Mansion in Xijing.
.In the historical records of the Bohai Kingdom, this battle is described in detail, from the antecedents of the battle to the results of both parties after the war, and it is called the "Battle of Xijing in the Seventh Year of Qingcheng"
", and this battle was a turning point in the history of the Bohai Kingdom. "Bohai became the number one vassal state in the Tang Dynasty."
No matter how history evaluates it, what Li Chengzhong and the top brass of the Yingzhou Army are concerned about is the verification effect of this battle. In this first battle involving tens of thousands of people in the history of the Yingzhou Army, the Yingzhou Army tested the formation changes in front of the enemy and the cavalry through actual combat.
Mounted archery, the large-scale use of short crossbows, the lethality of the new generation of giant bows, the coordination of infantry and cavalry during pursuit, and many other tactical subjects, and the exposed problems were studied and improved.
Of course, Li Chengzhong did not forget his bet with the beggar. After the war, an inventory found that no one from the Yingzhou Army and the Huaiyu Allied Forces was killed, and only dozens were slightly injured. From a broad perspective, the terrifying goal of "zero casualties" was achieved.
.No matter how much Qihuomai complained about the vulnerability of the Bohai Navy, his gambling oath was made, so he could only admit defeat. After wandering in a depressed state of despair for a few days, Qihuomai finally accepted his fate.
He began to focus his attention on the observation of the Yingzhou Army itself, from troop formations to tactical skills, from logistics supplies to daily work and rest, from military law and discipline to the cultivation of honor. He began to pay special attention to everything.
After the discussion with the commander of the first cavalry battalion, Qi Huomai made a request to Li Chengzhong: "Commander, I want to go to Bailangshan Military Academy for training."
"Are you sure? It will be very hard, and after graduation, you will be a formal officer of the Yingzhou Army, and you will have to start from the grassroots level."
"Yeah. I want to go. Brother Xieli told me that we should start from the grassroots level as an officer. I can resign from the Huaiyuan Yuhou Joint Headquarters."
"That's not necessary. You can take a temporary job, just go to the grassroots level to train." Li Chengzhong said as he thought about before time travel, and couldn't help but feel funny.
The siege of Xijing has been lifted. Gao Mingbo, Pei Ting, Gao Yaoyi and others who were trapped in the city all went out to meet Li Chengzhong. Looking at Gao Mingbo covered in blood, Li Chengzhong sighed for a while. He didn't expect this man who was pulled out of the recruit training camp.
The children of Bohai have now stirred up the situation outside the Guan. At that moment, Wen Yan comforted him and said: "A high-level professional can be worthy of a big responsibility!" This short sentence made Gao Mingbo feel excited in his heart. Before he could be humble, Li Chengzhong came again.
I added: "He is the Marquis of Yu of the Jin Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the rank of Zhenwei Xiaowei, from the sixth rank."
The traditional name of the Yingzhou Army Headquarters is "Headquarters Three Divisions". In fact, it should be "Headquarters Three Divisions and One Bureau". "One Bureau" refers to the Investigation and Statistics Bureau. The Investigation and Statistics Bureau is independent of the Three Divisions and has a lower level than the Three Divisions.
And higher than everywhere. After the new military reform of the Yingzhou Army, the three chiefs of the three divisions, Du Yuhou Envoy Zhang Xingzhong, Du Yuhou Envoy Jiang Miao, and Du Junjun Envoy Zhou Kan, were all the sixth-rank Zhaowu captains. This is why Li Chengzhong was appointed as Yingzhou
The highest official rank that the governor can give them, Gao Mingbo's rank was promoted to Zhenwei Xiaowei, which is only one rank lower than the chief of the Third Division. This shows that his actual duty dispatch "Du Yu Hou" should be the highest rank in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and also
That is to say, starting from today, Gao Mingbo has become the top official of the Yingzhou secret spy system. The core 100 people of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the hundreds of peripheral people must obey his orders.
Gao Mingbo's desperate efforts were finally recognized. His face turned red, and he was very excited for a while. After a moment, he said in a trembling voice: "Thank you very much, Governor! It's all thanks to the sacrifices of our brothers. How dare Mingbo take the credit alone." "
Li Chengzhong nodded: "You will report the meritorious personnel later, and I will definitely reward you heavily."
After finishing talking about his own affairs, Gao Mingbo pulled Pei Ting, Gao Yaoyi and others to introduce him to Li Chengzhong. The two of them had been waiting nearby, and at this moment they both bowed deeply: "I have met the governor."
Among them, Pei Ting was especially excited. He had studied in the Tang Dynasty in his early years, won honors in the imperial examination, and had good relations with many civil servants in the Central Plains. He was the most affectionate towards the Tang Dynasty. In recent years, because he held a high position in the Bohai Sea, he had few I went to the Tang Dynasty, and now I suddenly saw the banner of "Li, the Governor of the Yingzhou of the Tang Dynasty", and I suddenly choked up: "Bohai's subordinate Pei Ting has met the Governor Li of the Tang Dynasty. Now that I can get help from the Tang Dynasty, Bohai Everyone from top to bottom feels deeply."
Li Chengzhong smiled and helped Pei Ting, and said: "Datang and Bohai are both from the same family, and this helping hand is the responsibility of the branch. How can Doctor Pei be so polite?"
Pei Ting shed tears and said: "When Pei first saw the banner of the Tang Dynasty, he thought about the past, and his heart was agitated, which made the governor laugh."
Li Chengzhong was also moved and said: "Doctor Pei has been loyal to the Bohai Sea and treated the Tang Dynasty with sincerity for decades. I can tell God this! This is the blessing of the Bohai Sea and the blessing of the Tang Dynasty!"
Gao Yaoyi learned about the Yingzhou Army's less than 3,000 men breaking through the Bohai Sea Rebellion Army's 10,000-man formation. At this moment, he was trembling on one side as if walking on thin ice. Suddenly he heard Li Chengzhong greeting him, "How is the general?" and he quickly responded: "Commander Well done." Then he looked ashamed: "The Gao family is ashamed of the Bohai Sea and the Tang Dynasty, and is willing to be punished by the governor."
Li Chengzhong comforted him and said: "At least the general has a firm stand and is not rebellious. His loyalty and insight are worthy of the ancestors of the Gao family." He then smiled and said: "I have heard that the general's family tradition is very strict. When I see it today, Sure enough, what a good son! Not only do I have Gao Mingbo who can stand alone under me, but I also have a good general who charges into battle! I heard that the brave general who just attacked the enemy camp under the city is the general's dalang. But I don’t know what to do?”
Gao Yaoyi felt happy when he heard Li Chengzhong praise his son, and hurriedly said: "It's because of the good training of the governor that Jiulang has such a promising future... The governor said that the man who rushed to kill the enemy camp was not a certain eldest son? His name is Gao Mingxun, who lives now. The right-leading army guard will hold the position of general." He quickly sent someone to tell Gao Mingxun to come and see him.
Gao Mingxun had just finished gathering the sergeants and was on his way. In a short time, he came to Li Chengzhong. Li Chengzhong had been deeply impressed by his heroic appearance of riding on horseback to the camp of the Bohai Recruitment Army. Now when he got closer, he saw that he was a tiger with a strong back and a strong waist. With a fierce look, he nodded and said: "As expected, General Xiao Gao is a tiger. I wonder if General Xiao Gao is willing to serve under my account?"
Gao Mingxun was stunned for a moment, and then he was overjoyed. The upper class of the Bohai Kingdom's wealthy families all had a strong admiration for the Tang Dynasty. Being able to serve as an official of the Tang Dynasty was really an honorable thing. Although he was a general of the First Guard, he was able to In the small world of Bohai, I was really willing to go to a higher stage to show off my skills. I kept nodding my head and was so happy that I didn't even know what to say.
The Waiyo Allied Forces now only have two temporary cavalry battalions, with a strength of less than 1,000, which is very thin. Li Chengzhong still liked this army that was paid for by others and dispatched by himself, so he decided to bring in the Bohai Kingdom. , will strengthen the Huaiyue coalition. And Bohai Navy generals like Gao Mingxun are very loyal to the Tang Dynasty and can even lead troops directly. They only need to undergo training at Bailangshan Military Academy. The main reason is to let him Familiar with and integrated into the system of Yingzhou Army.
Everyone surrounded Li Chengzhong as he entered the city. As they were talking and walking, Li Chengzhong asked Gao Yaoyi: "The general's brother is involved in the rebellion. How should we deal with it? Does the general have any advice?"
Gao Yaoyi sighed: "My family is unfortunate. Junyi has not thought about food and drink these days. He is really in a dilemma. After thinking about it, he finally couldn't care about it. He also asked the governor to punish him. Once he was blamed, Gao did not dare to shirk the blame." He did not dare. The suggestion was not only to avoid suspicion, but also because there was nothing he could do. Gao Yaoren and Gao Yaozhi were both his direct brothers. For such a serious treason and disaster, the punishment would be frightening if it was light, but he couldn't bear the punishment if it was heavy. I had no choice but to simply "leave it to its own devices".
Li Chengzhong turned to Pei Ting and asked, "What do you think, Doctor Pei?"
Pei Ting has already thought more maturely about this matter. The punishment of Gao Yaoren and Gao Yaozhi should not only take into account the great achievements of Gao Yaoyi and Gao Yaoli, take into account the face of the Gao family, but also deal with the Zhu family, the Jin family, and the Cui family in the future. When the standard for rebellion is established, compromise is needed, so he said: "Captain, this is a serious crime of rebellion, and the entire clan should be punished according to law..."
As soon as these words came out, Gao Yaoyi and Gao Yaoli on the side trembled, but they heard Pei Ting continue: "But the general and the prefect are both diligent and meritorious, and the judgment of Gao's guilt can be based on merits and demerits. In a certain way, the culprit should be punished. This They should not be spared lightly, and they can also serve as a lesson to those who come after them. Therefore, those who were responsible for the crime, such as Gao Yaoren and Gao Yaozhi, should be executed, and the two families should be demoted to common people and will never be used again in the future."
Li Chengzhong thought about it for a long time and felt that this took into account all aspects. He couldn't help but look highly at this important minister who was famous in Bohai Sea. He nodded and said: "Yes, let's deal with it accordingly. What do the general and the prefect think?"
Gao Yaoyi and Gao Yaoli both breathed a long sigh of relief and rushed to say: "Doctor Pei's advice is fair, and the governor's punishment is appropriate. I respect you."
Li Chengzhong said again: "Doctor Pei, this time Mr. Li led his troops here. He is unfamiliar with the place and needs to rely on Dr. Pei for many things. What should we do next? What advice does Dr. Pei have?"
Pei Ting said: "I don't dare." But he knew that what Li Chengzhong said was the truth, so he did not give in and said: "Captain, I think there are three urgent tasks at the moment."
"Speaking."
"First, the imperial edict conferring the title of governor should be conveyed to all the Bohai governments as soon as possible. The governor is responsible for the imperial court's heavy responsibility of "supervising all military affairs outside the customs". The Bohai Sea should be controlled by the governor. This is where the great righteousness lies. With this great righteousness in hand, the people's support It's all up to me. Secondly, the governor should spread the message to all four sides, especially Zhongjing, Nanjing, and Tokyo, and order all the armies to gather together to strengthen the army. Thirdly, the governor should mobilize troops as soon as possible to eradicate the Zhu family, Jin family and others in Shangjing. The Cui family and other rebels welcome the king to uphold the government."
Li Chengzhong clapped his hands and praised: "What Dr. Pei said is great. So, please do your best, Dr. Pei." He was acting as a hands-off shopkeeper and handed over all the affairs to Pei Ting. Pei Ting did not refuse and accepted the order with a smile.
In order to save time, Pei Ting himself only drafted a denunciation document to be sent to Beijing, and then arranged for his subordinates to write edicts to be sent to various capitals, prefectures, and states at the same time, asking them to focus on exaggerating the great military power of the Tang Dynasty. As for literature, No matter how imaginative the officials are, he doesn't have to worry about it...