"Your Majesty, there are currently only 256 soldiers in Gyeongju City, and there are no more than six or seven generals. The food and grass have been almost exhausted. People are panicked. The soldiers are unwilling to serve, the people are unwilling to assist, and the traitor Ouyang Zhuan is at the end of his rope. Your Majesty can only
We need to send a large army to attack the city, and it will definitely be broken in less than three to five days!"
Sun Shubao kowtowed and offered his advice.
Now he knew the situation in Qingzhou City in detail. With him surrendering, on the one hand, it would have a huge impact on the morale of Ouyang Zhuan's men, and on the other hand, the Han army could make correct decisions based on the strength of the rebels.
It was decided to eliminate the rebels with half the effort.
Emperor Xiao leaned over and asked: "How much food and grass is available in Qingzhou warehouse?"
Sun Shubao said: "The common people have already run out of food. The soldiers only have two meals of gruel a day. They will definitely run out of food in three or two days."
Emperor Xiao's expression changed, and then he sighed.
Sun Shubao thought that Emperor Xiao did not believe him, so he kowtowed and said: "Sinners dare not deceive Your Majesty. The Qingzhou warehouse is indeed empty. At this time, the rebels in the city are uneasy. If they continue to besiege the city for three days, they will definitely have no intention of resisting."
Emperor Xiao smiled bitterly and said: "It's not that I don't believe you, I just feel sorry for you. There are hundreds of thousands of dans of grain stored in the Qingzhou warehouse. If Ouyang Zhuan hadn't rebelled, how many people could live with these hundreds of thousands of dans of grain? More than ten people.
Every county has been burned and turned into wasteland by the rebels, and the people have been reduced to six or seven in ten. It will be difficult for the Gyeongju Prefecture area to recover within three to five years. My people are suffering, and I feel sad."
Sun Shubao was shocked in his heart. Emperor Xiao was so kind and loving to the people. What kind of rebellion did he create? He was clearly committing evil!
"Your Majesty, the imperial court is now releasing grain to feed the people in other counties of Gyeongju Prefecture. The crops planted by the common people have sprouted. All it takes is one more heavy rain in the next two months, and a bumper summer grain harvest is a foregone conclusion. The imperial court cares about the common people, and the common people will naturally
Obey, as long as we wait for these two months and wait for the summer grain to arrive in the warehouse, the people will have enough food to survive. With food, seeds, and a good year, they will be back to strength by this time next year. Now these dozen
The county was completely destroyed and then reborn. As the saying goes, after destruction, the people's lives will be like green grass after the rain, glowing with vitality in less than a year."
Emperor Xiao smiled and said: "You are right. It seems that you are very familiar with the actions of the imperial court these days. In your opinion, are there any shortcomings?"
Sun Shubao said: "The sinner dare not criticize, but the sinner has some crude knowledge and can tell it to Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, although the Gyeongju Prefecture is now in a state of exhaustion and the imperial court has taken appropriate measures, this stubborn moss is about to be eradicated. A dozen counties that are full of vitality are like seedlings in the ground, and have returned to the right path of development. It’s just that this Gyeongsang
The dozen or so counties in the state capital are not a priority for your majesty, but they are an opportunity."
After sorting out his thoughts, he said: "If Your Majesty takes the measures implemented by the Gyeongju Prefecture as a basis and implements this kind of benevolent government throughout the Han Dynasty, as long as everything goes well this year, the national strength of the Han Dynasty will grow rapidly next year. It will only take three years.
In five years at most, the big man will no longer have to look up to others."
Emperor Xiao glanced at him appreciatively and said: "Your idea is very good, and the idea is basically the same as the suggestion that King Zhong gave me before. It's just that the imperial envoy Zhou Yangong who I sent to implement the benevolent government has only arrived at the boundary of Qingzhou Prefecture. Ouyang
I just raised the flag of rebellion to rebel against me. The people did not wait for the benefits I gave them, and they became a little impatient."
Sun Shubao's face turned red, he kowtowed and apologized: "Your Majesty, please punish me."
Emperor Xiao waved his hand and said: "If you can see Ouyang Zhuan's true face and surrender, if you know your mistakes and can correct them, you have a kind heart. I said I won't pursue you if I don't pursue you. You are a very thoughtful person. I have to
Keep you, squeeze you, and let you devote the rest of your life to serving the country to atone for your sins. By killing you, I will not be able to get a good reputation, and I will lose an official. This business will be a huge loss, so I will not do it."
Sun Shubao kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Xiao smiled and said: "You should get up first. Things here in Qingzhou will probably be settled in a few days. Although I don't understand military affairs, I also know that the victory is determined. I will go back to Taiyuan tomorrow.
, I said when I came here that King Zhong has the final say in military affairs and I will not interfere. But I have to pay more attention to civil affairs. When you return to Beijing tomorrow, you can come with me. I have other important matters.
I’ll leave everything to you.”
Sun Shubao said: "Your Majesty and the loyal king are examples of wise kings and loyal ministers that have never been seen in ancient times. The loyal king uses troops like a god and has no second thoughts. Your majesty's heart is as broad as the sea, and sinners respect him."
Emperor Xiao rolled his eyes at him and said: "Don't rush to flatter me. There are many people around me who want to flatter you. All the eunuchs in the harem can talk nicer than you. You should think about how to make the local people's coup more successful."
Okay, otherwise if you just say some nice words, I will grant your wish and let you purify yourself and enter the palace."
Sun Shubao trembled with fright and said, "The sinner understands."
Emperor Xiao laughed, turned and left.
In Liu Ling's big tent, all the generals gathered together.
"Your Majesty, if what Sun Shubao is telling the truth, then it will be considered that the time has come for us to launch a general attack."
General Zhao Ba's voice was very rough.
General Xu Sheng said: "Don't be reckless. Although there is a shortage of food in the city of Gyeongju, the city wall of Gyeongju is tall and strong. If the thieves are determined to die, our army will definitely suffer heavy casualties even if they break the city."
Zhao Ba roared: "Then what do you think we should do?! We can't continue to be surrounded like this! People in Qingzhou City are short of food, can our food and grass last long?"
Xu Sheng said: "Even if you attack the city, you must plan for the long term and not just kill it blindly. From the general's point of view, the rebels in the city are already confused. It is better to divide them up than to attack by force. If you send a few people into the city to encourage the rebels,
The soldiers gave up resistance. They were promised huge profits to open the city gate, and the prince led his troops into the city again. Will Ouyang Zhuan be able to escape by then?"
Zhao Badao: "It's easy for you to say. The four gates of Qingzhou City are tightly closed and the city walls are towering. Can you get in?"
Wang Banjin glared at them and said, "Why are you making such a noise? What does it look like!"
Only then did the two of them remember that the prince was beside them, and they blushed together and accused Liu Ling. Liu Ling smiled and waved his hands and said: "It doesn't matter, it's a good thing that you two are fighting for state affairs. How can I be angry? Zhao Ba, let me ask you.
, if I give you a battalion of troops and give it to you to command, are you sure you can break the city?"
When Zhao Ba heard that the prince was planning to give him a battalion of 10,000 troops, he was extremely surprised and said: "The general will definitely not disappoint the prince. If the city of Qingzhou cannot be breached within two days, the general will be willing to engage in military law!"
Liu Ling smiled and said, "Don't rush to express your position. I haven't finished speaking yet."
He said gently: "I can let you choose any battalion, whether it is the Shenzhan Battalion of Marquis Zhongyi, or the two battalions of the Fuyuan Army under General Du Yi, or even the Yingzhou soldiers under Marquis Huting, as long as it is
If you are sure to conquer Gyeongju City, I can help you do it."
Zhao Ba opened his mouth but did not dare to choose.
Liu Ling then said: "I will give you this opportunity, but you have to agree to one condition."
Zhao Ba cupped his fists and said: "If the prince really assigns the task of attacking the city to the generals, not to mention a single condition, ten, a hundred, or a thousand generals will agree!"
Liu Ling clapped his hands and said: "Okay, I won't make it difficult for you. I will give you the best-equipped Divine War Battalion to attack Qingzhou City. As long as you promise to have 7,000 people from the Divine War Battalion returning to the team when you come back, this battle will be over."
I called you."
Zhao Ba was immediately dumbfounded and murmured: "There are still tens of thousands of rebels guarding the city. We may not be able to attack the city wall even if we spend 3,000 people. This general doesn't dare to guarantee it. My lord... you will be in trouble."
That’s it.”
Liu Ling laughed loudly and stood up and said: "Zhao Ba, you want to break the city and kill the enemy but don't want to waste your own people. You dare to express your willingness to attack the city in such a hasty manner. I dare not give you a whole battalion of troops."
command."
He glanced at Xu Sheng, who blushed and said: "Even if the general is changed, there is no guarantee that the casualties will be less than 3,000. Sieges are different from field battles. If it is a field battle, the general can guarantee that the 30,000 casualties will be defeated."
The rebels would never have suffered more than a thousand casualties. The walls of Gyeongju City were divided into countless sections with sandbags by the rebels. Even though they had already attacked the city and removed the sandbags, they had already been shot to death by the rebel archers.
The city gate was also blocked from the inside by sandbags. Even if the battering ram arrived in front of the city gate, it would be difficult to open the city gate for a while. The rebels on the wall only needed to fire arrows down, and the soldiers pushing the battering ram could only be beaten by them.
Use it as a target. If you want to build a weirang avenue outside the city wall, it will consume more manpower and the gain will outweigh the loss."
Liu Ling nodded and said, "If we send people to sneak into the city as you proposed before, do you have any ideas?"
Xu Sheng opened his mouth and said helplessly: "The general will have no choice."
Liu Ling chuckled and said, "You don't have it, but I do."
He walked back with a smile and sat down and said: "Aren't you always wondering where I sent General Hua Ling? Now I tell you, General Hua Ling is in Qingzhou City!"
Everyone was shocked. Xu Sheng said in surprise: "General Hua has been missing since the First World War in Zhuma County. The prince only said that he was sent for other business. When did he enter Qingzhou?"
Liu Ling said with a smile: "On the day I defeated Ouyang Zhuan in Zhuma County, I sent Hua Ling to sneak into Ouyang Zhuan's defeated army. The rebels were all common people who were kidnapped by Ouyang Zhuan. Even the elected corps commander didn't recognize me.
It is easy for Hua Ling to sneak in with the five soldiers under his command."
Zhao Ba asked anxiously: "Since the prince has made this arrangement a long time ago, why do you have to wait so long? With General Hua in the city as an internal response, isn't it easy to defeat Qingzhou City?"
Liu Ling asked back: "Hua Ling only brought a dozen soldiers with him. Do you think he could enter the city and remove the sandbags blocking the city gate, and then lead a dozen people to guard the city gate until the army arrived?
?”
Zhao Ba originally wanted to say why not bring more people into the defeated army? But he swallowed it back before he could say it. After thinking about it, he understood that most of the people who followed Ouyang Zhuan and fled back to Qingzhou Mansion were from Qingzhou.
Even if there are new troops, there will not be too many veterans. If Hanasaburo sneaks into Gyeongju City with hundreds of people, he might be caught out on the same day. It can be speculated that Hanasabang and a dozen of his relatives
The soldiers are already at their limit, I'm afraid these people just can't get together yet.
Liu Ling looked at him and asked, "Do you understand?"
Zhao Ba nodded and said naively: "The last general understands, the last general is stupid."
Liu Ling smiled and said: "It's okay, you are just too impatient. Two hours ago, Hua Ling shot a letter from the city. He had already persuaded the rebel general Song Gua to surrender, and he agreed with me that he would lead someone to open it at the third watch tonight.
City gate. When the time comes, Song Guahui will lead his troops to attack Ouyang Zhuan's palace in Qingzhou City. With him sending people to cooperate with Hua Ling, it will be much easier to move the city gate."
He glanced at everyone and said: "Every battalion must be assembled before the second watch tonight. After entering the city, the people with their heads wrapped in red cloth are Song Gua's troops. There must be no conflict. After entering the city, the Shenzhan Battalion went straight to Ouyang Zhuan's palace.
, join forces with Song Gua to capture Ouyang Zhuan, we must not let him escape, we will see the dead body if we live or die!"
Wang Banjin cupped his fists and said: "I will obey your orders!"
Liu Ling continued: "Du Yi, after you lead the army into the city, order the soldiers to kill as few people as possible. No matter who is Ouyang Zhuan, no matter how high his official position is, as long as he surrenders, he will not be killed!"
"Huting Hou, after the city is broken, take your troops to pacify the people and kill the thieves who took advantage of the chaos to do evil. Seize the government offices and maintain order on the streets!"
