The valleys of Muztagh Mountain and Qingling are winding and winding, and the terrain is sometimes high and sometimes low. Sometimes it is only a few dozen meters away from the glacier, so you can feel the cold of winter in summer.
After passing through two peaks, the terrain gradually dropped. The hard soil frozen by thousands of years of cold gradually disappeared, and a basin covered with green grass appeared. Li Siye finally arrived at the livable area of Congling.
A granary has been built on the bank of the Uduo River, and auxiliary soldiers are here to take care of the loading and unloading of grain.
The six banners of Jiedushi were fluttering over the city. There were military formations in front of the city, and there was no sign of setting up camp. It seemed that Tian Renwan was preparing to reach Telemanchuan in one go. The morale of the Tang army's soldiers was still high, and he did not appear.
The flag tilt phenomenon, whether it is the flag in the hands of the flag officer, the trumpet flag on the back of the cavalry, or the flag on the back of the corps commander or even the commander, they all stand high or low on the grassland in front of the city like green pine trees.
Tian Renwan looked at the Congling Snow Mountains in the distance from the Shouchuo City Wall. The Karakoram Mountains are to the southeast and the Hindu Kulun Mountains are to the southwest. The Tang people named these two mountains very simply, calling them Iceberg and Snowy Mountain respectively. Just like
Li Siye said that the straight-line distance between this place and Lianyun Fort was very close, no more than fifty miles, but it was impossible for him to lead his army over the straight and steep snow peaks, so he could only zigzag between the two mountains and choose the altitude.
To cross the lower peaks, the distance is estimated to be three or four hundred miles.
He looked away from the distance. What surprised him this time was not only the distant mountain peaks, but also the Shouzhuo City at his feet. This was simply a small treasure town. He couldn't imagine that there was such a bitter and cold place like Congling.
In such a prosperous small town, there are not only wine shops, ready-made clothing stores, and handicraft stalls of Shijina people, but even the king of Wushijia built his villa here. The affluent and happy life in the city reminded him of Wuling.
Peach Blossom Spring. The last time he went to Congling to observe the enemy's situation in person, he passed by Congling Shouchu, but he just regarded it as an ordinary Shouchu city. Who knew that the world inside it was so wonderful.
What surprised him even more was that Yu Gou, the commander of Congling Guards, presented 5,000 cotton-padded jackets to the expeditionary army. Before he was about to lead the army to cross the snow-capped mountains 6,000 meters above sea level, these cotton-padded jackets were a timely help. Although the soldiers of the Tang army prepared their own preparations,
They already had winter clothes, but these old cotton-padded jackets were in tatters, with cotton sticking out from the corners, and some of them had formed into hard sheets. With such a batch of cotton-padded jackets, their ability to withstand the cold would be greatly increased.
Yu Gou, the envoy guarding the capture, was brought behind Tian Renwan. Tian Zhongcheng looked at the snowy peaks in the distance and felt a lot of emotion. He raised his head and said: "Envoy Yu Gou, you presented cold-resistant cotton-padded jackets to the army. No matter what this expedition can do,
Whether it is successful or not, you have made great contributions. It has not been easy for you to stay in Congling for so many years. I want to move a place for you. You can mention it to me wherever you want. As long as it is not too much, I can do it.
promise you."
Yu Gou's face was as calm as ever, he lowered his head and crossed his hands respectfully and said: "I'm reporting to Zhongcheng, I don't want to go anywhere else. I just want to stay in Congling to guard the capture."
Tian Renwan looked back at him slightly surprised and asked, "Why? It's bitterly cold here and there is no hope of promotion. Why do you still want to stay?"
Yu Gou raised his head slightly and looked at the winding and clear Yiduo River and the dense cotton fields beside the river. His face was filled with a happy glow: "Zhongcheng may not believe that I have fallen in love with Congling.
I can't live without this place, let alone this small city at my feet. Although it only has a population of a few thousand, my humble job allows them to live a happy and peaceful life, which is the greatest satisfaction in this life."
Tian Renwan let out a hearty laugh: "I didn't believe it, but now I believe it. If it weren't for the cold weather, this place would be another paradise. But how should I reward you?"
"Providing quilts is not the result of a humble position, but the contribution of all the military households in Congling and all the people of the Hepantuo tribe. If Zhongcheng wants to give rewards, please give them the rewards."
Tian Renwan nodded. He knew what to reward them. When he returned from the expedition, he would fulfill his promise. It's just a pity that the man behind him could turn Congling Shouchuo, a poor Shouchuo on the plateau, into a prosperous small town.
, this person is indeed a talent.
"You can grow cotton in Congling, and mobilize military households to make cotton-padded jackets. Your talents should not be underestimated. It's a disgrace to stay here."
Yu Gou shook his head and smiled: "Zhongcheng, no, no, this is not my credit."
"Um?"
"All of this was done by my last guard, Li Siye. Before he came to Congling to take office, this place was just a shabby earth city with only a hundred Tang troops and several hundred military households. When he took office, he took the initiative to win over the five nearby people.
After knowing the country, he organized a rally in Shouchou City, Congling, and personally went to Kucha City to find a cotton grower, asking him to guide military households to cultivate cotton fields on the banks of the Qiduo River, plant cotton, and make cotton-padded jackets in autumn and winter.
Then he sent people to transport it over the mountains and ridges to Shule, and sold the city of Qiuci. In just two years, Congling Shouchu became what you see before your eyes, and I just continued to let his achievements run.
."
"Li Siye? The current prison officer of Tiaodang Camp, Lieutenant General Li Siye?"
"Yes, it's him."
It turned out to be Li Siye. Now that I think about it, it seems particularly reasonable. He was able to take the wrong approach and come up with a strategy to recruit businessmen to build a post station for the Protectorate. It seems that there are already signs of this talent.
"Ha, this Li Siye happens to be acquainted with this Li Siye. It's a pity that he didn't take him with him on the expedition to Congling."
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier ran from outside the door to the city wall and reported: "Zhongcheng, Zhonglang General Li Siye is asking for an audience."
If you really say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be here. No matter why he came to Congling, suddenly appearing next to Tian Renwan at this moment is a good omen that his wishes will come true.
Tian Renwan was overjoyed.
"Let him come over."
Li Siye came to the city wall with a bamboo tube on his back, folded his hands and bowed, saying: "The last general, Li Siye, is here to see Tanaka Cheng."
Tian Zhongcheng got to know him better, and his favorability level skyrocketed. He put his hands behind his back and said with a smile: "Li Siye, didn't you stay in Qiuci to assist Fumeng Duhu in handling the affairs of the post station? Why did you suddenly come to Congling?"
"Beizhi came to Congling quickly just to contract the construction of the post station. The merchants in Anxi and other places were worried that the orders of the Governor's Office would be changed at night, so Beizhi came to see Tanaka Cheng with the new notice list, hoping that Tanaka Cheng could use his seal and ribbon to announce it.
The seal shows the strong support of the Jiedushi of the four towns for this matter."
Before Tian Renwan could speak, Bi Sichen, the governor of Jiedushi, stood under the city wall and scolded: "Li Siye, you are so brave. The purpose of sealing the ribbons of the Jiedushi of the four towns is to award meritorious service and report to His Majesty for success."
The purpose of sealing official documents is not to gain your trust from a bunch of villains. How do they have the qualifications to accept the seal and ribbon announcement of the Jiedushi Envoy? Isn't it a compliment to them?"
Li Siye did not expect that the resistance did not come from Tian Renwan, but from Tian Zhongcheng's close confidant Bi Sichen. This was simply like having an easy time with the King of Hell, but a difficult situation with the devil.
However, he had already prepared words to deal with it: "I came here not to win anyone's trust by borrowing seals and ribbons, but to make the post roads of the Duhufu official and smooth as soon as possible. Moreover, it is not just traders who are interested in doing business with the Duhufu.
There are wealthy families in Shazhou Dunhuang whose surnames are Zhang and Suo. Moreover, the common people of the Tang Dynasty are not distinguished by high or low, and they should be treated equally. When the list is reposted, wealthy families can participate, and ordinary traders can also participate."
Bi Sichen wanted to argue, but Tian Renwan stopped him with his hand.
"In order to put a certain seal and ribbon on a mere fifty-five notices, you did not hesitate to travel all the way from Qiuci to Congling. It is really commendable. Seals and ribbons are dead, but talents are alive. You contact merchants
Although it is a loss of status, this is what makes things happen. I will send my followers to stamp your seal later. Come on, come on. Come to the city wall first. You have been operating here for two years. I have some questions.
ask you."
After Li Siye solemnly saluted Tian Zhongcheng with crossed arms, he turned around and climbed up the stairs to the city wall. Tian Renwan pointed to the mountains in the distance and said to him: "This time I came to Congling, I have gained a lot. The biggest gain is to discover this place under my feet."
The magical little town, and... General Li, do you have any tips for this expedition?"
He actually didn't have any clever ideas. A war like the expedition against Xiaobolu, which was a test of the Tang army's physical strength, technical and tactical level, relied on a few bright words and had nothing to do with the overall situation. It all depended on the general's personal ability and micro-management methods.
What matters is technology.
Fortunately, he had some understanding of the Tubo army and took the initiative to cross his arms and said to Tian Renwan: "There is a saying in the Tubo army that there are nine Yongs and one Gui. In a Dongdai with 5,000 people, the real combat strength is the 500 Gui, and the rest
They are all cheap mediocrity support. Only by defeating Gui in the Tubo army can the enemy's strength be severely damaged. As for the cheap mediocrity support personnel, their only value is for consumption."