Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 132 Going south!

"Tsk, an incompetent loser, beaten to tears by a bunch of bandits."

Gao Jianwu took a quick glance and contemptuously threw Murong Yan's letter for help aside, and turned his attention back to the book spread out on the table.

This is a detailed topographic map of Pingzhou and Yingzhou. The pages are old and have become fuzzy from being turned over.

This map was drawn by a Goguryeo spy who sneaked into the two states during the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

Since Gao Jianwu ascended the throne, his eyes have never left the two states of Liaodong - two wedges that the Chinese dynasty drove north of Yanshan Mountain and at the foot of Goguryeo.

Gao Jianwu has always admired the advanced culture of the Central Plains and is an absolute elite.

In addition to copying the Tang Dynasty's three-province and six-department system and the three-level system of prefectures, states, and counties, he also copied the 5A-level scenic spot, the Great Wall, and the 18X-level scenic spot, Jingguan.

The corpses of the soldiers who died in the expedition against Goguryeo during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui were used to build a Jingguan. In order to prevent the powerful ruler Li Shimin from coming and demolishing it, a thousand-mile-long Great Wall was built along the border.

In addition to the Great Wall, he also built a large number of fortifications based on mountains and forests.

After turning himself into a hedgehog, he spent all day thinking about how to launch a defensive counterattack and swallow the two states of the Tang Dynasty that he had always admired into his stomach, so that they would become one and never be separated again.

"Li Shimin is such a great ruler, but he actually allowed a waste like Murong to harm the people. It seems that even for a powerful dynasty like the Tang Dynasty, it would be very difficult to cross the Yanshan line." Gao Jianwu wanted to laugh out loud.

He has always looked down on his partner Murong Yan, who is stupid, barbaric, and a Murong Xianbei.

If he hadn't wanted to use that bumpkin's power to get involved in Liaodong, he wouldn't even bother to look at him.

Now, the opportunity has come.

There was chaos in Pingzhou and the city gates were wide open.

Want to follow?
There is no doubt that if Goguryeo dared to go south to take over Ying and Ping states, it would definitely be beaten by the Tang army.

The central dynasty may not have the ability to maintain long-term control over Liaodong.

But it would not be difficult to gather an expeditionary force in a short period of time and defeat Goguryeo to its knees, forcing it to become a vassal state.

"The question is, if I stay where I am, will Li Shimin let me go?"

The answer is no.

Because Li Shimin had picked trouble with Goguryeo more than once.

Sometimes he complained that the tribute ginseng was too irritating, and sometimes he sent envoys to draw maps and meet with the Han people living in the local area in front of the accompanying Goguryeo officials.

In the past two months, they have been demanding that "workers" be sent into Goguryeo to destroy the Jingguan and bring back the bodies of the Sui army soldiers for burial.

Who knows if those workers still wear helmets.

Moreover, according to the information revealed by Murong Yan, Li Shimin seemed to have set up a temporary military organization "Liaodong Marching Road", and there were signs that he was mobilizing troops towards Liaodong.

Gao Jianwu stared at the map for a long time.

Send envoys, find faults, and mobilize troops.

The three consecutive sword strikes of the Huaxia Dynasty were definitely a horror movie for the surrounding barbarians.

This shows that China is already gathering strength, preparing to punch a certain unfortunate nation in the head.

Originally, after experiencing the turmoil of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the barbarians in all directions had already recovered from this mental illness by more than half.

However, Li Shimin suddenly appeared and helped the barbarians recall the horror of Chinese civilization and the humiliation of being expelled into the desert and mountains.

And now, Li Shimin is ready to take on Goguryeo.

As a loyal supporter of Chinese civilization, Gao Jianwu has learned the truth of "rather die with honor" and does not want to sit and wait for death.

He wants to take the initiative.

Take advantage of the fact that Tang Jun has not completed his mobilization and catch him off guard!
His gaze lingered on the Yanshan Mountains for a long time.

During the Tang Dynasty, more than half of the Liaoxi Corridor was still submerged in water, and the small area of ​​mudflats above the water made it difficult to march, so the geographical location of Shanhaiguan (Linyu Pass in the Tang Dynasty) was not as important as it was in later generations.

If the Huaxia Dynasty wanted to attack Goguryeo from south to north, Yanshan Mountain was the only way to go, because there was the sea to the east of Yanshan Mountain and the desert to the west, and there was no way around it.

Pingzhou just happens to control the entrance and exit of Yanshan Mountain.

If Pingzhou were in the hands of the Tang Dynasty, they could continue to stockpile troops, food and fodder in Liaodong, using it as a springboard for the northern expedition against Goguryeo.

If Goguryeo could capture Pingzhou, it would be able to push its defense line to the Yanshan line in one fell swoop, occupy the geographical advantage, and keep the Tang Dynasty outside the country.

Pingzhou is like a key that determines the opening and closing of the gate of Yanshan.

"To protect your home, instead of fighting thieves at home, it is better to ..."

He drew a heavy cross on Pingzhou with a pen.

"Close the door!"

He decided to accept Murong Yan's request.

The army is marching south!

"But this is a problem..."

His gaze moved eastward and stopped at the Yingzhou Governor's Mansion.

Thanks to Murong Yan, his army was able to put on Tang army's clothes in a coquettish manner and deceive the world for a while.

But as time goes on, clues will inevitably be discovered.

The Tang army in Yingzhou could not sit idly by.

"The Yingzhou army has two choices. One is to enter Pingzhou and drive our army out head-on; the other is to attack our country directly and force our army to retreat."

Gao Jianwu faced the map and performed deductions for the umpteenth time.

“If the Yingzhou Army chooses to attack our country, that would be exactly what we want.

"In a field battle, our army is no match for the Tang army. But the fortresses I have built on the border of Yingzhou are enough to delay their actions until our army can wipe out the bandits and completely control Pingzhou.

"Once Pingzhou falls, the land route between Yingzhou and the Tang Dynasty will be cut off. No matter how powerful the Yingzhou Governor's Office is, it is just a turtle in a jar."

As for the Yingzhou Army's decision to rush west to aid Pingzhou...

Gao Jianwu drew several arrows on the northern flank of the Yingzhou Army's westward advance.

To the south was the sea, and to the north was the Goguryeo army, so the Yingzhou army was sandwiched between them.

"That's exactly what I want. This is actually my strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

"Because the army that went south to Pingzhou to suppress the bandits was only a small force, the real target of our main force's attack has always been Yingzhou!
"Yingzhou is all plains, with the sea at its back and no strategic location to defend. Our main force will attack your base, attack your flanks, and cut off your food supply. Let's see how you, the snake of Changshan, can take care of both ends!"

Goguryeo had been preparing for war for many years, and its military strength and food supplies far exceeded those of the Tang army in Liaodong. It also built many bunkers on its homeland, which could be used for both attack and defense, and there was also the big traitor Murong Yan.

Gao Jianwu felt that he had a great advantage and that the Yingzhou army would lose if they dared to move.

If General Zhang Jian had the ability, he wouldn't have moved.

That's better and less labor intensive.

Once Pingzhou was captured by Goguryeo, Yingzhou's only connection with the inland area of ​​the Tang Dynasty would be cut off, and it would be completely isolated and helpless.

At that time, it was easy and pleasant for Goguryeo to return to Yingzhou.

In other words, whether it moves or not, the Yingzhou army is bound to lose.

It has been completely killed.

This is not about how brilliant Gao Jianwu's strategy is.

It's simply because the balance of power is extremely unbalanced.

With the whole country's strength of Goguryeo, plus the support of the traitor Murong Yan, and the strategic advantage brought by taking Pingzhou first.

The combination of favorable factors of time, place and people gave him the capital to challenge the Yingzhou Army.

Ultimately, it was because the Yanshan line blocked the Tang Dynasty's power projection, resulting in insufficient power in Liaodong and the actual control of only a corner of the coast.

As for the bandit "Red Scarf Army" that beat Murong Yan until he begged for mercy.

Gao Jianwu didn't even take it seriously.

Just kidding, the ravines in Goguryeo are more pristine than the Yanshan Mountains, and the savages are wilder than the bandits, but he can tame them all.

Under the guidance of the local tyrant Murong Yan, taking Pingzhou was just a piece of cake.

If they could take Pingzhou outside, Yingzhou inside would naturally be in their pockets.

What Gao Jianwu was really worried about was the reinforcements that the Tang Dynasty would mobilize from other places.

"It takes time to mobilize the army, so our army should fight quickly and decisively. If necessary, we need to cooperate with Xueyantuo to help contain the Tang army...

"No, for the sake of caution, the worst that can happen is that I can share some benefits with Zhenzhu Khan and ask for help now!" Even though he had a great strategic advantage, he had no intention of seeking death by fighting Li Shimin alone, and he wrote the letter without hesitation.

…………

"My Lord, the King of Goguryeo has replied!"

Murong Yan couldn't wait to snatch the letter from the messenger and read it eagerly.

Gao Jianwu only wrote him one line:

"Yes, let our army loot for three days."

He disdained to write even a single word more, and his arrogance was evident in his words.

Murong Yan shook slightly and whispered dully:
"go out."

The servant immediately lowered his head and retreated, not forgetting to close the door.

Hum...hehe, hahaha!
Murong Yan threw away the paper and laughed loudly towards the sky, as if she was crazy.

The long-cherished wish of restoring the Yan Kingdom was ultimately a pipe dream.

The only difference is that they changed from being dogs for the Tang Dynasty to being dogs for Goguryeo.

The grade is lower.

"Red scarf bandits... unruly people... I will never coexist with you!"

He roared from deep in his chest.

The restoration of the country was about to succeed!
It’s all because of the Red Scarf bandits, it’s all because of these unruly people!

"If you go against me, I won't let you off easily!
"Even if I can't restore my country, I will let Goguryeo deal with you!"

There was a cruel light in his eyes.

He didn't care whether the looting lasted for three days or seven days, or even if it meant burning Lulong and Linyu to the ground.

As long as the Goguryeo people can protect the Murong family, wipe out the Red Turban bandits, and kill all the unruly people in the mountains, they will give them whatever they want!
"It's too late, it's too late. Someone come, someone come!" Murong Yan shouted anxiously.

The Goguryeo people only needed to go south to suppress the bandits, but Murong Yan had a lot more things to consider.

We must quickly prepare, open the city gates, offer military pay, food, supplies, and horses, and respectfully welcome Lord Goguryeo into the city!
To achieve this, he must completely control the state capital.

Those officials, both big and small, and the two rubber stamps from the capital were his biggest obstacles.

He's kept it for so long, it's time to kill it.

The attendant came to report: "Master?"

"Today is the day for duty in the provincial government, right?" Murong Yan asked calmly, twirling the rosary in her hand.

He seemed to have returned to his usual self, but the servant was terrified and answered tremblingly:

"Yes, yes, except for holidays, the state government is on duty."

"The Pingzhou Prefecture and Lulong County Office are both in the same office, right?"

"Uh...yeah."

"That's good." Murong Yan said calmly:
"It's a good idea to catch them all in one fell swoop. Let's set it on fire and kill them all."

"Huh?" The servant was stunned.

Murong Yan glanced at him coldly:
"did not hear it?"

"Yes Yes!"

…………

Hou Junji and Wei Daijia sat in the provincial government as usual, drank tea, chatted, and started another boring day.

"The ink is darker and the paper is smoother than the previous batch. It seems that Your Highness has been very effective in managing Yanshan."

Hou Junji touched the leaflets he got from the street, judging how far His Highness Li Ming's "great cause" had progressed.

Pingzhou is now in a state of panic, with people's hearts in turmoil and true and false news about the Red Turban Army flying everywhere.

But everyone reached a consensus on the most critical point:

Under the rule of the Red Turban Army, the people lived much better than under Murong Yan's rule.

Through a combination of propaganda and practice, a large number of county residents, farmers and tenant farmers fled into the mountains and joined the Red Turban Army.

Of the land occupied by Murong Yan, the tenants fled with seven or eight out of ten, leaving large tracts of fertile land uncultivated.

Even his servants and domestic servants abandoned their violent master and fled to the mountains.

Worse still, in several farms under Murong Yan's name, everyone, from tenant farmers to guards, put on red turbans and collectively defected overnight.

Murong Yan's power has begun to collapse, and a new governance system is rapidly replacing the old aristocratic clan governance.

Perhaps by the beginning of next spring, Pingzhou will be back in the hands of its original owner.

A true return from the bottom to the top.

"I hope everything goes well, Your Highness. But..." Wei Daijia was a little uneasy:

"Aren't you worried about General Xue Wanche's safety?"

Ever since Xue Wanche volunteered to lead a few "temporary workers" up the mountain to look for Prince Li Ming, there has been no news of him, as if he had disappeared deep in the Yanshan Mountains.

Well, we must have been attacked by the Red Turban Army.

"Don't worry, that guy is very tough. He led a hundred people to fight against Dou Jiande's hundreds of thousands of people and survived." Hou Junji was very calm.

Wei Daijia was still worried.

"But swords have no eyes. What if he is accidentally injured by your Highness's men..."

"He deserves it."

"..."

Wei Daijia was somewhat speechless. After the two of them sat in silence for a while, he asked the question that had been lingering in his mind:
"Minister Hou, when are we going to go up the mountain and join His Highness Li Ming?"

Hou Junji put down the flyer:

“We can’t leave the state capital.”

Wei Daijia was stunned: "Why?"

"Have you not realized that the court is already suspecting His Highness Li Ming of treason?"

"?!"

"You urged us to return to the court because you were worried that we would join forces with His Highness. We pretended that we had not received the imperial edict, reported the situation to Chang'an via the official road every day, and made a few excuses for His Highness, so that we could maintain the most basic trust."

Hou Junji took a sip of tea.

“If we also go up the mountain and cut off this last link, I’m afraid the imperial court will become restless.

"Even if Your Majesty wants to suppress it, you can't do so."

He also got a general idea of ​​the situation in Chang'an through Fang Xuanling's letters.

All I can say is that the situation is quite serious.

A group of censors led by Wei Zheng have been openly discussing "Li Ming's rebellion" in the court.

It's not their fault. As for Prince Li Ming's strategy of starting a new business, Dong Zhuo seems more loyal than him.

"What should we do? How will this matter end?" Wei Daijia couldn't help but worry.

"We can stay in the state capital and welcome the Red Scarf Army." Hou Junji yawned:
"Once the Red Scarf Army reaches Lulong County, we can pretend to 'rescue' His Highness from the bandits.

"Then slander Murong Yan as the leader of the Red Turban Army, blame all the chaos in Liaodong on him, kill him with a knife, disband the Red Turban Army on the spot, and this matter can still have a conclusion."

Wei Daijia's mouth twitched.

This method is very much Hou Junji's style.

So mean, I love it.

Although everyone knew that Li Ming was the mastermind behind the Red Turban Army, Hou Junji also knew that everyone knew it.

But we are all adults now, we can pretend not to know.

As long as Hou Junji and Wei Daijia continue to stay in the state capital, don't tear the last layer of face of both parties apart...

(End of this chapter)