Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 129: The Eastern Expedition is Coming
"kill!!"

On February 17th of the sixth year of Dazhong, as shouts of killing echoed in the river valley, a large number of armored soldiers poured into a city that spanned the river valley like a tide.

Shang Duo Luo led his elite cavalry and rushed into the city first, following the main road as if he was going to kill his way through the city.

Behind him, Shang Bibi led nearly three thousand armored soldiers into the city, moving through alleys that were inconvenient for cavalry to move through, and fighting any enemy they could see.

The streets were narrow and winding, and a large number of armored soldiers poured in. Every soldier's eyes were filled with cruelty and blood.

Some of the armored soldiers were still able to control their emotions and were busy chasing down the remnants of the enemy army, but some of them had lost themselves and began to break into wealthy homes and commit atrocities.

As the commander of the army, Shang Bibi appeared exceptionally calm in the chaotic situation. He ordered Shang Moyan and Tuoba Huaiguang to supervise their soldiers and seize the granaries and treasuries first.

As for the atrocities committed by the lower-level soldiers, he had no intention of stopping them.

However, in such a chaotic situation, the more than 800 elite cavalry led by Shang Duoluo were undoubtedly the team with the strictest military orders.

After they seized the main road, they immediately dismounted and formed a formation to charge into the yamen, taking control of the entire yamen as quickly as possible.

Jie'er, who was stationed in the city, was captured, but his family was not harmed.

The bloody Shang Duo Luo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the other party's family was safe and sound. He glared at the dozen soldiers stationed there and shouted:

"Everyone, keep yourselves under control. If anyone can't control themselves, forget about following me to Shandan to find Liu Zhechong!"

"Yes!!"

More than ten soldiers responded with serious expressions. Shang Duoluo also patrolled a few times and only walked out of the inner hall with satisfaction after making sure that his brothers had done nothing wrong.

When he arrived at the inner hall, Shang Bibi had already walked into the yamen with more than a dozen armored soldiers and sat in the main seat in the main hall with their horses and golden swords.

"Shang Duoluo, you have made great contributions in recovering Kuzhou. I will reward you with ten kilograms of gold!"

Shang Bibi's joy was beyond words. After two and a half months, they finally took over the entire territory of Guzhou. Nearly 30,000 soldiers and civilians surrendered, and at least 1,500 sets of armor were captured.

After this battle, he controlled two states, with more than 5,000 soldiers and nearly 60,000 soldiers and civilians under his command.

This situation can be said to be his highlight in the past decade.

Thinking of this, Shang Bibi couldn't help but smile and rewarded Shang Duoluo generously.

In response, Shang Duoluo bowed calmly and said, "Qiliben, it is already mid-February, and the snow on the Qilian Mountains will melt in the next few days. Please allow me to lead the troops to Shandan to help Liu Zhechong recover Liangzhou!"

When he said this, Shang Bibi's smile froze, but she laughed even louder after she realized what was going on: "Of course!"

"Once Tuoba Huaiguang and Mo Yan have cleared out the remaining soldiers in the streets, I will allow you to recruit more troops and lead a thousand elite cavalry to rush to Shandan's aid!"

"Thank you, Qiliben!" Shang Duoluo stood up and saluted, then sat on a chair beside him and waited for Tuoba Huaiguang and others to finish.

They did not make Shang Duoluo wait too long. In just half an hour, the two men walked into the yamen covered in blood.

They came to the hall and stopped to pay their respects: "Qiliben, the city has been cleaned up, and more than 2,000 and 86 sets of armor have been seized, as well as more than 700 kilograms of iron materials."

"Okay!" Shang Bibi nodded happily, then stretched out her hand and placed it on the document on the table:

"There are still more than 90,000 dan of grain in Guzhou, enough for us to eat until the autumn harvest."

"I've thought about it, and I'll leave Shanzhou to you, Tuoba Huaiguang. I'll stay in Kuzhou. If there's a chance, we'll go east and take Lanzhou, and then go south to capture Duomai!"

"Thank you, Qiliben!" When Tuoba Huaiguang heard that he could become the lord of Shanzhou again, he immediately bowed and accepted the offer.

"Tomorrow, Tuoba Huaiguang, you will take a thousand men back to Shanzhou, and I will lead two thousand men to stay here. The rest of Longzhi will be garrisoned in Moyan."

"By the way, Shang Duoluo will bring a thousand elite cavalrymen to accompany you back to Shanzhou and rush to support Shandan."

"Once Liu Jilong takes Liangzhou, I will tell him the number of Han people in Kuzhou and use them to offset the grain we owed him!"

Shang Bibi settled the situation in the two states of Shankuo in just a few words.

Shanzhou has three cities, and Kuozhou also has three cities, but Longzhi is under the jurisdiction of Shanzhou.

In other words, according to Shang Bibi's arrangement, they and their son controlled four cities, while Tuoba Huaiguang controlled two cities.

However, at the moment, Shancheng, which can connect with Ganzhou and obtain food, is obviously the most important, so Tuoba Huaiguang did not say anything.

As for Shang Bibi, he did not feel that he suffered a loss. After all, he had anticipated that Liu Jilian might occupy the Longyou area. At that time, he would contact Longyou through Guzhou, which would be much better than contacting Ganzhou.

After all, Zhang Huaishen and others were always on guard against this group of Tibetans, but Liu Jilian was not so wary.

It is far better to cooperate with Liu Jilong than with Ganzhou.

With Liu Jilong's talent, he will probably be able to control the Longyou area in a few years.

Thinking of this, Shang Maid waved her hand and said, "Have someone slaughter a sheep and prepare a banquet. Let's eat and drink well!"

"Yes!!"

Following his order, the soldiers hurried to kill sheep and prepare a banquet.

Although Shang Bibi did not care about the low-level soldiers, due to the happy event of capturing Guzhou, he still showed mercy and allowed the killing of a hundred sheep to reward the soldiers.

For the soldiers in Shanzhou, being able to eat mutton was enough to make them happy, but for the elite cavalry who had been to Shandan, this was just their ordinary meal when they were in Shandan.

If they were not about to return to Shandan, Xijie and others would have wanted to teach Shang Bibi a lesson again.

It takes five days to return to Shanzhou from Guzhou, but for the Shanzhou elite cavalry who were eager to return home, it only took them three days to reach Shancheng.

Shang Bibi replenished their military quota, and Shang Duoluo did not stay too long. He directly went to Shandan with the families of the elite cavalry stationed in the North Camp.

When they rushed to Shandan, Shandan City was also a scene of bustling activity.

"Check them all carefully. If you can't find out the problem now, wait until we get to the battlefield and find out the problem. The person who does it will be punished by military law!"

"Someone come and give me a hand!"

"Sorry..."

At the end of February, as the snow on Yanzhi Mountain began to melt, although we could not set out immediately, the day for departure was only a few days away.

Outside Shandan City, 2,500 armored soldiers, 500 elite cavalry, and 3,000 civilian laborers who came from Zhangye set up camp more than ten miles east of the city. Zhang Huaishen took Suo Xun and others to inspect the catapult parts that had just been distributed from Shandan.

"With these thirty trebuchets, plus Fanhe's twenty, Shang Moling is in big trouble!"

Zhang Huaishen stretched out his hand and placed it on the thick wood of the catapult, followed by Suo Xun, Chen Jingchong and others.

When Chen Jingchong heard Zhang Huaishen say this, he couldn't help but bow and said, "Jiedushi, Governor Liu hasn't returned yet. Should our army set out early?"

"He has already arrived in Fulu. He will be back in the next seven or eight days." Zhang Huaishen said without turning his head:
"After the snow melts in two days, we will escort the catapults to Fanhe first, and he will follow with the Shandan army."

After Zhang Huaishen finished speaking, Suo Xun looked at Chen Jingchong and asked, "Did Shang Duoluo and the others not come back after they left?"

"No..." Chen Jingchong lowered his head. Suo Xun snorted coldly, "We shouldn't have trusted these bastards. Now we have lost not only food but also weapons!"

"Okay." Zhang Huaishen interrupted Suo Xun and led them out of the tent where the catapults were stacked.

Outside the tent, busy soldiers and laborers were walking back and forth working. If nothing unexpected happened, they would have to wait another two or three days.

Zhang Huaishen took Suo Xun and others to check the camp, and only returned to the tent after confirming that there were no problems.

After entering the tent and sitting down, Zhang Huaishen looked at Chen Jingchong and said, "You should go back to Shandan to prepare first. Liu Jilong will be back on the fifth day at the latest."

"Yes!" Chen Jingchong bowed and then turned around and walked out of the tent, returning to Shandan with nearly a thousand armored soldiers who were escorting food and catapults.

When they returned to Shandan, the people in Shandan City were also in a hurry. The slow pace of the whole city was broken, and everyone's behavior was full of anxiety.

The scale of the army this time was larger than ever before, but as spring plowing was approaching and Fanhe had enough food and men, Chen Jingchong and Li Yizhong discussed it and decided to recruit only 2,000 chariot drivers.

Two days later, Zhang Huaishen led his army to Fanhe City.

On the third day after he left, Liu Jilong arrived in Shandan before the fifth day of March, and as soon as he returned he became the backbone of the group.

The generals hurriedly followed him into the government office, and as soon as they sat down, they all complained:

"Governor, you've been gone for so long this time. Things in the city almost drove us crazy."

"Governor, why did you take so long?"

"Governor, Xiao Zhang Jiedushi has been on the march for three days. We should prepare to set off now."

"Provincial Governor..."

Liu Jilong sat in the main seat, listening to everyone's complaints, but his attention was focused on the soldiers who came with water.

After washing his face casually and wiping it with a linen cloth, Liu Jilong then asked, "Is there any news about Shang Duoluo?"

"Not yet. I'm afraid he can't come." When everyone heard Liu Jilong asking about this, they were depressed.

Shang Duoluo's 800-plus elite cavalrymen were a force that could not be ignored. The disappearance of this force was undoubtedly a loss for the Shandan army.

"Forget it if he doesn't come." Liu Jilong responded to the current situation calmly and looked at Li Yizhong, Cui Shu and others.

"Chen Jingchong, you will lead a thousand new soldiers to garrison Shandan, and the remaining thousand elite cavalry and two thousand armored soldiers will be ready to march tomorrow."

"Governor!" Chen Jingchong stood up upon hearing this, walked into the hall, bowed and said, "I also want to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy!"

Liu Jilong was not angry, but explained: "If we all go, who will protect Shandan?" "You stay and defend Shandan, and it will be your credit!"

Seeing this, Chen Jingchong could only sit back in his seat in frustration, while Liu Jilong began to explain some matters concerning the army's march.

This time is different from the past. In the past, the army marched eastward with light cavalry, but this time it is a mixture of infantry and cavalry, and they are also accompanied by a large number of civilian laborers. If we don't give repeated orders, it will be easy for something to go wrong on the march.

"As the army marches out, military discipline must be strict. When you return tonight, you must reiterate the order several times and make it clear to the soldiers. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" All the generals stood up and bowed, and after Liu Jilong finished his instructions, he stood up and walked towards the inner hall.

Seeing him leave, the generals scattered, and he met Cao Mao after entering the inner hall.

"The governor!"

Seeing Liu Jilong, Cao Mao ran out of the hall excitedly, but Liu Jilong got straight to the point and asked, "Have you packed your luggage?"

"Well, everything is ready, waiting for you!"

Cao Mao took Liu Jilong into the inner hall, only to see several large boxes placed in the study on one side of the inner hall.

These are the luggage of the two. After all, this Eastern Expedition can only succeed and cannot fail. If successful, it also means that Liu Jilian will continue to attack the Helong states.

If nothing unexpected happens, they will not return to Shandan City.

"Governor, if the people knew you were gone, how sad they would be..."

After Cao Mao brought the food, he couldn't help but sigh, and Liu Jilong lost his appetite because of his words.

Over the past month and a half, Liu Jilong has been studying with Zhang Yichao and listening to his understanding of power struggles.

As for himself, Zhang Yichao really treats himself as a junior.

Liu Jilong didn't know whether Zhang Yichao's move was paving the way for the future, but during this short period of one and a half months, Liu Jilong also understood how difficult it was for Zhang Yichao.

The burden on his shoulders was heavy, but he couldn't let it go.

In the entire Hexi, no one else has such prestige and means except him who can balance everyone.

If he unloads his burden, it will be the beginning of the disintegration of Hexi...

Thinking of Zhang Yichao's weathered face and lonely temperament, Liu Jilong felt a little bit sorry.

"Since we have parted ways, I am afraid we may not see each other again in the future..."

When they parted, Zhang Yichao's voice seemed to still echo in his ears, which made Liu Jilong feel more burdened.

He didn't know what changes his arrival would bring to this period of history, but he was very clear that if he didn't do well enough, he, Zhang Yichao and Zhang Huaishen would all be suspected and resented by the Tang court.

“Governor! Governor!!”

While Liu Jilong was feeling depressed, footsteps and joyful shouts suddenly were heard outside the inner hall.

Zhang Chang strode quickly towards the main hall and bowed to Liu Jilong from a distance.

"Governor, that fellow Shang Duoluo has returned, and he has brought back his elite cavalry and their families with him!"

Zhang Chang could not hide the smile on his face, and Liu Jilong also stood up when he heard it.

He thought he was going to lose a helper, but unexpectedly, God still had mercy on him!
"Let's go out and take a look!"

Liu Jilong left after he finished speaking, and Zhang Chang hurriedly followed him, leaving Cao Mao anxiously shouting, "Governor, we haven't had our meal yet!"

"Wait until I come back to eat!"

Leaving behind these words and a back view, Liu Jilian and Zhang Chang quickly walked out of the yamen, mounted their horses and rushed out of the city.

In just a quarter of an hour, the two of them had rushed out of the south gate and looked from a distance at the group of people who were camping several miles away.

The two men rode their horses more than three miles away, until they were out of the cultivated land, and then they saw Shang Duoluo and others who had set up camp with the elderly, the weak, women and children.

"The governor!"

“Provincial Governor!!”

When the elite cavalry soldiers of Shanzhou saw Liu Jilong, they bowed to him excitedly, more cordially than meeting their own relatives.

When Liu Jilong saw them, he was shocked as if he had seen a ghost. He dismounted from his horse and patted the arms of the soldiers who surrounded him.

"What happened? After returning to Shanzhou, my brothers became so thin due to starvation?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers around him felt a lump in their throats and started complaining to Liu Jilong about their life in Shanzhou.

After learning that Shang Bibi had survived the famine and even let the soldiers drink porridge and eat wild vegetables, Liu Jilian was so stunned that he was speechless.

He didn't expect that Shang Bibi was not only not good at commanding the army, but was also so stingy with his soldiers. It was no wonder that he never returned after escaping in history. It was estimated that the soldiers in Shanzhou didn't like him very much.

Even with his help in this life, he could only barely gain a foothold in Guzhou, and the people of Shanzhou were divided into two groups, with more following Tuoba Huaiguang and fewer following himself.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong glanced around and found that there were actually four to five thousand people including their families.

"Zhang Chang!"

"arrive!!"

Liu Jilong called out without turning his head, and Zhang Chang quickly dismounted to respond.

"Let Cui Shu slaughter ten castrated pigs and two hundred sheep, and send people to set up a big kitchen here so that the brothers, wives, children and elders can have enough to eat!"

"I obey your command!" Zhang Chang responded and turned around to instruct a Shandan elite cavalryman who had followed him to go back and inform Cui Shu.

"Long live the governor!"

"Long live the governor! Long live the governor..."

Seeing that Liu Jilian had his men slaughter pigs and sheep to reward them, the soldiers in Shanzhou excitedly shouted "Long live the emperor", an presumptuous word.

Seeing this, Liu Jilong quickly raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down: "Okay, stop talking about this, help your family set up tents first and let them have a good rest!"

Under his instructions, the sound of "Long live the emperor" gradually became smaller and finally disappeared.

Shandor, who was far away, heard the sound and hurried over.

"The governor!"

After seeing Liu Jilong, Shang Duoluo and Xi Jie hurriedly saluted, and Liu Jilong also helped them up.

"You have suffered a lot. I have sent people to prepare meals. Have a good meal today."

"Thank you for your kindness, Governor!" The two of them hurriedly expressed their gratitude. Seeing this, Liu Jilong started talking to them about business.

He led the two away from the soldiers of Shanzhou, and then said to them:

"You came at an unfortunate time. I will lead my army to the east tomorrow. Besides..."

He hesitated for a moment, thought about it and began to speak frankly: "To be honest with you, after this eastern expedition, I will probably stay in Changsong for a while, then recover the Helong states and settle in Hexi."

"Don't tell your brothers about this for now. It won't be too late to tell them after dinner."

"Since you have come to Shandan, I will ask Cui Shu and Chen Jingchong to arrange for you and your family to settle down and live a happy life here."

He did not ask everyone to follow him to Helong, but just let them settle down and live a good life in Shandan.

Upon hearing this, Shang Duoluo immediately raised his hand and bowed, saying, "Wherever the governor goes, we will go!"

"That's right!" Xi Jie echoed, "Except for the governor, no one else could take such good care of us. He not only taught us how to read and write, but also made sure we had enough food and meat to eat."

"No matter where you go, Governor, I am willing to follow you!"

After the two finished talking, Liu Jilong couldn't help but sigh and said, "Why are you doing this?"

"I'll be honest with you. If I go to Longxi this time, Hexi won't give me any support. Without livestock and food, you will just have a hard life if you follow me."

"You should also tell all these words to your brothers, and tell them to settle down in Shandan. If they follow me, they will only suffer."

"What are you talking about, Governor?!"

Shang Duo Luo asked anxiously: "As long as you are here, why worry about having no food to eat?"

"Yes!" Xi Jie said anxiously, "We have seen the situation in Shandan change. It's all thanks to you."

"You have made Shandan's herds and farmland grow several times in just one year. We will only suffer for one or two years with you. We will enjoy the good times later!"

"Governor, please stop talking. No matter where you go, the brothers will follow you!"

Xijie and Shang Duoluo knelt on the ground and bowed to Liu Jilong, as if they would not get up unless Liu Jilong agreed.

Seeing this, Liu Jilong could only sigh and said, "Forget it, let's eat first and then talk about this."

He helped the two of them up, feeling how thin they were compared to before, and couldn't help but sigh:
"I've suffered so much that I've lost a lot of weight..."

(End of this chapter)