Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 175: To Boost Momentum
"Hezhou has nearly 30,000 people, Linzhou has more than 8,000 people, and Weizhou has more than 17,000 people."

"If you count the Five Springs, there are nearly 68,000 people, including 3,600 soldiers."

In early October, when Chang'an was preparing to dispatch criminals and plant spies into Longxi, the survey of the three states of Longxi was almost completed.

In front of Liu Jilong were 65,000 civilians and 3,600 military personnel. In addition, the warehouses and storehouses of various counties and the spoils of several victories were also calculated.

Sitting in the main seat in the main hall of Longxi County Government, Liu Jilong looked at the book in his hand and continued:
"This time when we recaptured Weizhou, we captured 3,200 sets of armor, 785 military horses, nearly 9,000 draft horses, and more than 12,000 oxen."

"In addition, there are more than 74,000 sheep, camels, and donkeys, as well as more than 270,000 shi of grain and 30,000 shi of beans, more than 6,000 strings of money, more than 400 taels of bran gold, more than 500 pieces of silk, nearly 5,000 pieces of linen, and asphalt..."

Liu Jilong talked a lot, including how they captured Hezhou and harvested 120,000 shi of grain in Hezhou.

"With so much food and bean feed for the herd, we really got rich overnight."

Zhang Chang couldn't help laughing, and the other generals followed suit.

In response to this, Liu Jilong had a smile on his face, but he remained calm and said:
"Although 270,000 dan of grain is a lot, don't forget that we have more than 50,000 mouths to feed in three more states."

"I calculated that there is enough food to last until next autumn, but many of our soldiers died or were injured in this battle."

When Liu Jilian mentioned the sacrificed and injured soldiers, Zhang Chang and the others immediately put away their smiles.

"Four hundred and fifty-six soldiers were killed, and two hundred and fifty-seven were disabled and retired, a total of seven hundred and thirteen."

"There are only 2,187 brothers left in Wuquan..."

As Liu Jilong announced the number of brothers who had died or were injured, the atmosphere in the main hall became dejected.

Among the people they knew in the past, almost one in four had died or retired due to disability.

In the face of this string of numbers, all the previous spoils seemed not so important.

Looking at the depressed generals, Liu Jilong took a deep breath and said:
"The land survey of the three states has not been completed yet. After the survey, the brothers who died or were injured will be given 100 mu of land, five cattle, 50 dan of grain and 10 pieces of linen as compensation, or their relatives."

"The brothers of the old camp who survived this battle will be granted 50 mu of land, two cows, 10 dan of grain, and 3 guan of money."

As Liu Jilong finished speaking, 180,000 acres of land and 8,000 cattle were divided, in addition to nearly 60,000 shi of grain, more than 6,000 strings of money, and more than 7,000 pieces of cloth.

While fulfilling the compensation he had promised, he also gave additional rewards of linen and money.

"Governor, among these brothers who died, more than 200 of them were single. How are we going to provide them with compensation..."

Chen Jingchong, who returned from Weiyuan, asked in a deep voice, and this involved the composition of the Longxi Army.

Nearly 60% of the Longxi army were single, without parents, brothers or children.

After they died in battle, no one received the corresponding compensation.

Liu Jilong had already made arrangements for this. He picked up a booklet and said:

"These are orphans who have lost their parents in the three states and nine cities. There are more than 1,600 of them."

"I plan to adopt these babies under the names of these 264 brothers, let them change their surnames and recognize these brothers as their fathers, and live together in Didao."

"The injured brothers will also be gathered in Didao in the future to teach these children how to ride, shoot and read."

"Until these children grow up, they all live in the school and are supported by the government."

"After they become adults, the teachers at the academy will recommend them to go to suitable places, either to serve as guards or to join the army."

"If they don't want to, we will give them the pension land of their 'fathers' to live out the rest of their lives."

Adoption was a relatively common thing in that era. Although these babies had no blood relationship with the sacrificed soldiers, as long as they recognized their ancestors, it was equivalent to continuing the family line.

The surviving soldiers could accept Liu Jilian's move, so Chen Jingchong and others nodded.

"By the way, have the brothers' ashes been properly placed?"

Liu Jilong asked Chen Jingchong, and Chen Jingchong quickly said: "Li Ji and Hu Siguang went to arrange it. According to the drawings you drew, they were all buried in the National Cemetery in Didao."

The National Martyrs Cemetery was a cemetery with a site selected by Li Ji and a map drawn by Liu Jilong.

Its main buildings consist of the Shinto shrine, the Martyrs' Shrine and the Martyrs' Cemetery, which are arranged on the main axis from northeast to southwest, with pine, fir, bamboo, cypress, azalea and camellia as the backdrop.

Of course, this is an ideal situation. In reality, Longxi’s strength is not enough to transplant so many trees, so they can only plant saplings and wait for them to grow up.

"In the future, the brothers who died in Longxi will be buried in the National Cemetery in Didao. Every year on the Ghost Festival, all officials, soldiers, and students in Didao need to go there to pay tribute."

Liu Jilong made the decision with a clasp of the table, and no one had any objection. They just felt proud.

In previous dynasties, no one had ever built a cemetery for these soldiers who came from humble backgrounds, let alone hold regular memorial services for them.

Death is not scary. What is scary is dying without any record, as if this person has never appeared in the world.

The emergence of the National Cemetery has made even the most ordinary soldiers no longer afraid of death.

At least after they die, someone can go to the National Cemetery to see their tombstones, learn about their lives, and know why they died.

"Okay, now that the pension issue has been finalized, let's talk about governance."

Liu Jilong leaned forward, glanced at everyone and said, "Ma Cheng is the governor of Hezhou, Chen Jingchong is the governor of Weizhou, and Zhang Chang is the governor of Linzhou."

"Also, although the seven prefectures in Longnan have not been recovered, I have already agreed with you in advance who will serve as the governor. After all, I have already submitted a petition to the court."

"Shang Duoluo was appointed as the governor of Taozhou, Li Ji as the governor of Minzhou, Geng Ming as the governor of Chengzhou, Cuo Ben as the governor of Diezhou, and Hu Siguang as the governor of Songzhou,"

"Dou Jingchong is the governor of Dangzhou, Wang Sifeng is the governor of Wuzhou, Liu Yingyan is the magistrate of Wuquan County, Dou Bin is the magistrate of Longxi County, Wang..."

After recovering the three states, Liu Jilong first appointed the governors of the three states and the future seven states, and then he made detailed appointments for the county magistrates of the four states and ten counties under his control.

After all these were arranged, he continued without waiting for everyone to celebrate:

"After the appointment was made, the provincial governors who received the appointment led the county magistrates and the regiments under their command to go to various places to govern."

"But before that, I still want to talk about expanding the army."

Liu Jilong looked at everyone and said, "We now have 2,187 veteran soldiers and 1,413 new soldiers in our army."

"In addition, the army has 2,500 sets of captured armor, which can recruit another 2,500 soldiers."

"At present, our army controls four states and ten counties. The specific number of troops in each state should also be determined."

"In the future, I will be stationed in Linzhou Didao. Linzhou is located in the center of the surrounding areas, which is convenient for rushing to help. Therefore, I will leave behind five regiments of elite cavalry and ten regiments of armored soldiers."

"Hezhou has the largest population, and it borders Mochanchuan, Kuozhou, and Shanzhou, so we will leave three elite cavalry regiments and six armored soldiers behind."

"Normally there won't be a big fight between Weizhou and Qinzhou, but just in case, we should leave two elite cavalry regiments and five armored soldiers behind."

"In total, Longxi will have thirty-one regiments, six thousand two hundred people."

"One hundred vacancies will be filled in Linzhou after the iron mines in Sanzhou are mined normally and armor is forged."

After explaining the issue of the number of soldiers, Liu Jilong continued:
"This time we are attacking three states. I'm sure you've noticed that the rammed earth walls are no longer suitable for the current war."

"Although the counterweight trebuchets are only in the hands of the Hexi and Longxi armies, the Hexi side will leak the secret sooner or later, so I make the following arrangements."

Liu Jilong looked at everyone, took a deep breath and said: "Fenglin Pass, Jincheng Pass, Wuquan County, Didao County, Longxi County, Weiyuan County and other two passes and four cities all need to carry out the construction task of rammed earth packaging for the city walls."

"I will send you the specific drawings later."

"In addition, regarding the governance of each state and county, I need the provincial governors and county magistrates to hand it over to me before the end of spring plowing. I will make improvements in advance and implement them after the spring plowing."

"The measurement of cultivated land must be completed before the first day of the lunar year, and then the land can be divided."

"The military pay that is in arrears should also be paid before the New Year."

In response to the above, Liu Jilian further explained more than a dozen points in detail, had them recorded and sent to the provincial governors and county magistrates.

In general, it is the fifteen-word key point of "build high walls, store up grain, develop water conservancy, strengthen the army, and promote manual labor."

Important cities and passes were built, food and fodder were stored, water conservancy projects were developed, military training was strengthened, and the recovery of handicraft industries such as iron smelting, papermaking, woodworking, and ink making was promoted.

After the three states were recovered, Liu Jilong was left with the seven states of Longnan.

However, Liu Jilian did not plan to conquer these seven states all at once, but rather planned to take them step by step.

In order to recover the seven states, Liu Jilong did not plan to lead the troops himself, but instead planned to use these seven states to train his generals.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong dismissed everyone and waited quietly for news from Chang'an.

He did not think that Chang'an would give him the title of the Jiedushi of Longyou. The reason why he asked for the title of the Jiedushi of Longyou was actually to create a broken window effect.

He wanted the banner and staff of the Longxi Jiedushi, but the court refused to give it to him. So the court had to give it to someone else to appease himself, such as the list of governors of the twelve Longxi states that he submitted.

Although it would be fine if the court didn't give it, it would be a pretext if it did, just like his recovery of the three states of He, Lin, and Wei. However, Chang'an would probably find it difficult to accept the result of his recovery of the three states, because it meant that another powerful vassal would appear around Guanzhong.

Because of this, he was very curious about how Chang'an would reward him.

However, while he was waiting for the reward from Chang'an, Zhang Huaishen of Liangzhou also learned the news that he had recovered the three states.

"It's only been two years since then, and he has recovered the lost territories of the three states?"

In the inner hall of Guzang Yamen, Zhang Huaiman was holding the news sent by Guangwu, his face full of disbelief.

Inside the hall, Zhang Huaishen sat in the main seat with a slightly frown on his face.

Sitting below him were Jiu Juyan, Zhang Huaijian, Zhang Huaiman and a familiar face... the former Changsong defender, Zhe Duoxi.

"I am indeed surprised at the speed at which he recovered the lost territory in the three states. I just don't know whether this move is good or bad for us."

Zhang Huaishen frowned slightly, looking much older than he was more than a year ago.

"Huai Shen, how can this be a bad thing? It should be a good thing."

Zhang Huaijian said, "Liu Jilong is making trouble in Longxi, so the court can only pay attention to him, and it will be easier for us to tame Zhang Zhifang."

He mentioned Zhang Zhifang, the guy who led 3,000 Chishui troops to station in Guzang and had been dishonest since his arrival.

He forced women to be his concubines, trampled on young crops with his horses, and abused the soldiers of the Guzang Army...

These were all things he did, but Zhang Huaishen could not punish him because of his status in the court. He could only keep submitting petitions to the court, requesting that he be transferred away.

In response to his requests, Chang'an always replied to appease him, saying that there was a severe shortage of officials in the capital and that they could not spare any manpower to replace Zhang Zhifang.

Zhang Huaishen also understood that Chang'an was not short of people, but deliberately left Zhang Zhifang in Liangzhou to cause trouble for him.

Zhang Huaijian's intention was very clear. That was to let Zhang Huaishen take advantage of the fact that the court had no time to take care of Hexi and use some tricks to teach Zhang Zhifang a lesson.

However, Zhang Huaishen was always hesitant about his suggestions and did not dare to implement them.

"The imperial court has recently reopened the Southern Desert Road, which has enabled the Uighurs in Wumo, Ganzhou, Xizhou, Tingzhou, Anxi and other places to have the qualifications to trade with the imperial court."

"The imperial court did gain military horses, but the strength of these barbarians also increased as a result."

"In this situation, if we cause any more trouble, I'm afraid it will attract the covetousness of villains."

Zhang Huaishen considered the overall situation and did not want to fall out with the court.

But he also knew that if he continued like this, Hexi would still be dragged down by the imperial court, and the barbarians in the north would sooner or later move south.

He couldn't make a decision and could only continue to be in a stalemate.

Facing his words, Jiu Juyan showed hesitation on his face, and finally said:

"If we use lightning speed to drive out Zhang Zhifang and control the Chishui Army, we may be able to break the impasse."

"I know that..." Zhang Huaishen sighed and said:
"But if the imperial court cuts off trade after we do this, how can we attract people from the Central Plains to settle and cultivate in Hexi?"

"Trampling and reclamation?" Zhang Huaijian said dissatisfiedly: "The imperial court won't let us go at all!"

"It has been two years since we opened up the official road to the interior of the country, but in these two years, only a few hundred people have come to the interior of the country to settle and cultivate the land."

"At this rate, I'm afraid that by the time we die, Liangzhou won't even be able to recover its population during the Kaiyuan period."

"If you ask me, we are too conservative. Look at Liu Jilong. He just recovered three states and he dared to ask the court for the title of Jiedushi of Longyou!"

After Zhang Huaijian finished speaking, Zhang Huaiman also said angrily: "If it were me, we should be more reckless like Liu Jilong. Maybe if we act tough, the court will transfer Zhang Zhifang away!"

As Li Yizhong investigated and reported back on Liu Jilian's actions in Longxi, people's dissatisfaction with the court grew day by day.

They couldn't understand why they, who were doing their duty, encountered so many twists and turns, while Liu Jilong, who went to Longxi and acted recklessly, was able to remain safe and sound.

As time went by, they also wanted to act wild and let the imperial court know that not all people in Hexi were soft persimmons.

However, Zhang Yichao and Zhang Huaishen were trying their best to suppress this because they did not want to fall out with Chang'an.

"We'll discuss this matter later..."

Zhang Huaishen frowned and made a decision, but Zhang Huaijian, Zhang Huaiman and others stood up one after another after hearing this: "Then we will go back!"

After saying that, the two of them left angrily, and Jiu Juyan also slowly stood up, bowed, and left the inner hall.

Obviously, the three of them were dissatisfied with Zhang Huaishen's decision, and Zhang Huaishen turned his gaze to Zhe Duosibie.

"Zheduoxibie, do you think what they say makes sense?"

Zhang Huaishen had a complicated look, wanting to hear the answer from Zheduosibie, but the main reason why Zheduosibie joined Zhang Yichao was for his family, so it was impossible for him to take sides.

"I don't know. I will follow your instructions..."

Zhe Duoxibie bowed and Zhang Huaishen waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Zheduosibie did not stay and immediately left the inner hall. After they left, Zhang Huaishen sent someone to deliver the information handed over by Li Yizhong to Dunhuang.

More than half a month later, when the Qingqi delivered the intelligence to Dunhuang, Zhang Yichao had a complicated expression and could only sigh in the end: "Heroes emerge young."

Compared with their indecision, Liu Jilian did not care about the court at all.

Xue Kui and Gao Pian, who were stationed in Luomenchuan, sent light cavalry several times to invite Liu Jilian to Luomenchuan, but Liu Jilian refused every time.

Unless the Tang court offers tangible benefits, Liu Jilian will not bother to curry favor with the Tang court.

His "domineering" behavior made Xue Kui and others lack confidence.

As time entered the twelfth lunar month, Liu Jilian became a little anxious as he saw that the court had not yet issued an imperial decree to promote him.

In order to increase his momentum, he specially transferred all the new soldiers from Xiangwu and Weiyuan to Longxi for training, and ordered people to raise more flags to create the illusion of a large number of troops.

Nearly 4,000 armored soldiers were training north of the Wei River, and their momentum was so great that even the light cavalry sent by Xue Kui and his men could see them.

The light cavalry honestly reported what they saw to Xue Kui, Wang Zonghui, Gao Pian and others.

"You said they are training several thousand soldiers in Longxi, and they are all armored soldiers?"

"There are so many soldiers and horses, probably no less than 5,000. I didn't believe it at first, but after I sent the Tang soldiers to climb the mountain south of the Wei River, I saw that their scale was no less than ours. The cavalry alone was no less than 2,000..."

Inside the Luomenchuanya tent, Xue Kui frowned and asked, and the commander of the light cavalry brigade also responded to the question respectfully.

"Five thousand armored soldiers?"

Xue Kui frowned, and Wang Zonghui chuckled, "If Weizhou has 5,000 armored soldiers, then the number of armored soldiers in Lanzhou, Hezhou, and Linzhou will not be less than this. After all, if they are stationed in Mochanchuan, they may invade Hezhou at any time."

"Humph!" Xue Kui snorted coldly, looking at Wang Zonghui with dissatisfaction: "This guy captured a lot of armor before, maybe he is just training new soldiers."

Facing Xue Kui's dissatisfaction, Wang Zonghui said lightly: "Whether he is training new soldiers or not, the fact that he can mobilize 5,000 armored soldiers in Weizhou is enough to prove his strength."

"Now, Xue Zhuguo should no longer doubt that Liu Jilong does not have nearly 10,000 soldiers, right?"

Wang Zonghui stood up and said contemptuously: "I will report to the Northern Department about Liu Jilong's training of 5,000 soldiers in Weizhou."

"As for whether Xue Zhuguo will report to the Southern Court, it depends on you, Xue Zhuguo..."

After he finished speaking, Wang Zonghui walked out, and Xue Kui clenched his fists upon hearing his words, feeling very aggrieved.

Gao Pian stood up and bowed to him, "Pillar State, please don't get yourself hurt by being angry. Qinzhou still needs you to take charge of the overall situation."

When saying this, Gao Pian felt a little guilty. After all, he had already participated in the plot to seize the position of Qinzhou governor. Saying this now made him seem like a hypocrite.

Xue Kui didn't realize that someone was targeting him. Seeing that Gao Pian, an outstanding young man from an aristocratic family, was on his side, he felt a little relieved.

"Qianli, after this incident, I'm afraid I can't continue to serve as an official in Qinzhou."

"I have observed that you are the only one in the army who is capable of defending Qinzhou. If I have the misfortune to retreat, I will recommend you to the court."

Xue Kui tried to comfort Gao Pian, but Gao Pian felt bad after hearing this and could only sigh for Xue Kui: "Don't think about it, the court will not forget your hard work."

"Haha...hard work..."

Xue Kui stood up with a wry smile, shook his head and walked out, leaving Gao Pian alone standing in the tent.

He wanted to walk out, but when he saw the bronze seal on Xue Kui's desk, he couldn't help but stop his eyes on the bronze seal.

"After a few days, this bronze seal will be mine..."

(End of this chapter)