The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 331 The Western Expedition to Shancheng

Thanks to the well-established and improving three-tiered system of land transportation, delivery, and warehousing, the army does not need to carry too much baggage.

Wherever they went, the Kushisi would allocate supplies from the nearest granary to the Transport Bureau.

On September 20th, the sage arrived at Dongjishi Mountain and stayed there for several days.

After passing through Longxi County, the sage parted ways with the imperial court.

Aside from the necessary imperial physicians, palace attendants, advisors and civil officials dispatched by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, and a few concubines, palace ladies, and Zhang Hui's family, the lives of military leaders and emperors were fundamentally different. When Chai campaigned against Huainan, he also brought Fu Jinzhan and his large harem with him, ready to pounce at will. The court, with his entire family in tow, took Didao and moved them all into Jincheng Palace.

They will work around the King of Wu there and experience a new life.

The work that the sages were doing for the Tang Dynasty and their ilk, heading west, had only just begun.

On September 27th, the Sage convened a grand meeting at Lingyan Temple with the officials of the five prefectures of Zhangye, Liangzhou, Jincheng, Yincheng, and Shancheng.

Jin Chengwei Yang Shouzhen had just died of illness. His life was quite eventful; he fought against Huang Chao, battled Zhu Mei, resisted Li Maozhen, and even stormed the palace and captured Yang Shouzhen during a coup in the Da Shun era. Compared to those who perished alongside Yang Fugong in history, his fate was relatively good.

After feigning some sorrow, he chatted with his ministers about military and political affairs, with a focus on civil administration.

Overall it went smoothly.

The Tibetans and rebellious tribesmen from the three lower prefectures had already been mostly slaughtered during the campaign along the Yellow and Wei Rivers at the end of the Jingfu era. The rest, scattered in various places, either fled or were successively besieged and suppressed by the prefectural commanders. This time, they swept through the area again.

With a heavy blow, the Tibetan forces were basically wiped out.

It was cruel, but unavoidable. It must be understood that the Tubo (Tibetan) forces in the Hexi Corridor were powerful and ambitious. During the Chao Rebellion, they even allied with each other to attack the Yuanjing (Yunnan) vassal state to the east. During the Five Dynasties period, they also clashed with the Shuofang army and others multiple times. Even under the rule of the Western Xia and Liao dynasties, they repeatedly rebelled. It took a century, through successive suppression by the Tanguts, Liao military governors, and the Song dynasty, to finally achieve a basic level of "submission." Towards the end of the Qing dynasty, feeling that the Qing was failing, they even killed the Qing resident minister in Tibet and fought fiercely with the Qing's punitive expeditionary force for several years, demonstrating the extent of their abhorrent nature.

After eliminating the Tibetans, the rest was easy.

However, it will take time because registering households, education, land reclamation, and water conservancy are all extremely meticulous tasks that require officials who are deeply involved in the lives of ordinary people and have effective execution capabilities. There are actually quite a few officials in the three lower prefectures, and they are replenished every year. Most recently, Zheng Yanchang ordered the requisition of several thousand households of clerks and officials from the eastern part of the capital region and the Jingxiang area, who were then relocated to various western counties and forced to relocate their entire families.

Further back are the children that Zheng Yanchang recruited piecemeal from various aristocratic families and the Imperial Academy at the beginning of the year.

Emperor Li also visited these young men. Most of them were young, ambitious, and influenced by their positive environment, they were quite proactive. If this process is not interrupted, and the rear can provide stable military, talent, and resource support, in another ten or eight years, this vast land will probably be no different from Guanzhong. This is the power of the bureaucratic group.

Let's maintain this momentum and take it slow.

The army then continued north, reaching Huangshui County, which was formerly the seat of the Longyou Military Governor, later the seat of Qinghai Province, Xining, and is now the seat of Shancheng Prefecture. Prefect Zhang Cong came out of the city to greet the emperor.

The sage was displeased upon seeing that it was him.

This man was a powerful official who was recruited during the western expedition that year. Why is he still in office? What is the court doing? The dissatisfaction stems from the fact that the Zhang family is the biggest local tyrant in Shanzhou, a fact I only vaguely remembered from historical records in my previous life.

"What is the current population of Shancheng Prefecture?" The sage asked, standing with his hands behind his back amidst the misty rain over the northern mountains.

Beside him were Zhang Hui and Zhang Hui, who were wearing red cloaks with brown bear fur, quietly holding up Luoyang flower umbrellas for him.

Samurai wearing straw hats stood on either side, as raindrops and snowflakes fell in a flurry. Troops of horses, draped in straw raincoats and exhaling white breath, silently passed by the black snow-capped mountains reflected before the saint.

“Your Majesty, the number of households registered with the court in the early years of Qianning was 20,000.” Zhang Cong bowed and replied, “The Huangzhong region is crisscrossed by the Huangshui and Gemenshui rivers, with numerous lakes, herds of sheep and deer, and pheasants flying into people’s homes… It has been a place of separatism since ancient times. Since the order to sweep away the barbarians was issued, the population has gradually dwindled, which is truly regrettable.”

As he spoke, he secretly peered at his entourage, especially the two women.

Her breasts were almost bursting out of her clothes; could a woman's bosom really be so large, round, and firm? And her appearance and bearing were extraordinary. The Emperor truly lived up to his name; even his maids were such breathtaking beauties. When would I ever possess one?

He peered out of the corner of his eye, his gaze lingering on Zhang Hui's legs, staring intently at her.

"Twenty thousand households...that's indeed too few," the sage murmured to himself.

Qinghai is a land rich in resources, but with a small population, its potential is limited. Yet, the presence of the Tibetan Empire is simply intolerable. Perhaps this mission to liberate the Western Sea will lessen the severity of the anti-Tibetan campaign. But those who will behead nobles, slaves, and the poor should be spared; after all, even a blade can become dull from killing… Besides, under Tibetan rule, it's already incredibly difficult for a person to survive; to lose them to the Holy Tang Dynasty would be a grave loss to the nation's fortunes.

"Select 10,000 strong men and women to serve as tribal troops, to do errands and cook for the royal army. They don't need to fight." The sage changed the subject and instructed, "As for food and livestock, just give them what you need. As subjects of the Holy Tang, I will never let you suffer losses."

"Your subject respectfully obeys." Zhang Cong withdrew his gaze, observed the tall, armored officers and soldiers around him, and then said loudly, "The sons of my clan are all somewhat skilled in martial arts. I humbly request to serve the Holy Tang Dynasty!"

"Effective?" the sage murmured, facing the cold, harsh wind.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Cong turned and gave a signal. A large group of people waiting nearby suddenly knelt down, as if they had rehearsed it, and said in unison, "We have long admired the illustrious name of the Holy Emperor Yuan and have long desired to serve the royal family. In the past, during the Battle of the Yellow and Wei Rivers, we received news too late; we were only halfway there when the Tibetans had already fled… Now, seeing Your Majesty's countenance, our hearts are filled with madness and confusion. We only ask to serve the Holy Tang with utmost loyalty!"

These people can lie so convincingly. But since they're willing to put on a show, have the attitude, and are ambitious, there's nothing to say. Besides, I also need to constantly dilute the factions and components of interest groups and the military, and increase the number of pieces on the chessboard.

This can also be considered as digesting and disintegrating the Zhang family.

The fact that the Zhang family could remain a powerful force under Tibetan rule, and that the imperial court hadn't transferred them out of the area for several years, indirectly proves their considerable strength. Otherwise, why would they inspire such fear? To be a long-term local power, a family must have a large population, strict patriarchal laws, a stable and orderly succession of power, and elite members. The Zhang, Cao, and Song families of the Guiyi Army, the Wang Zimei family, and the Yang Kezheng family are all examples of this.

It was only because I brought a large army this time that they realized my strength and were intimidated. Otherwise, Zhang Cong would probably have continued to play dead and act arbitrarily in Shancheng.

Why not accept these people, fulfilling their ambitions to curry favor in the court and the central government, while also weakening their power in Shancheng?
"Then they shall serve in the tribal army for now," the sage said as he surveyed the group. There were probably four or five hundred disciples, but their quality was somewhat worrying. Some looked green and inexperienced, like college students, while others had fierce eyes and unshaven beards, like Liu Huaqiang.

It's normal that they haven't undergone systematic training and large-scale experience. What's the difference between Wu Xiong, Wang Congxun, Xiao Xiu, and the sons of powerful families? Just standing there, they could make new recruits and civilians weak in the knees, and that wasn't a difference in martial arts skills.

Zhang Feng, as the representative, bowed his head with delight and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cong breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and pointed to a group of well-dressed little girls and young women, who appeared to be his family's younger generation: "These are also loyal subjects, who only ask to serve the country in the palace."

The sage seemed not to hear, and pointed to a dark green lake on the horizon.

As far as the eye could see, a sudden gust of wind arose, swirling withered grass. Wild horses galloped along the dilapidated ancient road. A deer watched intently as the clear sound of camel bells rang out.

Scattered groups of people hid in the bushes, woods, and behind trees, silently watching this side.

The sage pointed and looked around, the wind billowing his sleeves, making him appear as if a god were riding the wind. After a long while, the sage casually chatted with Lady Zhao: "In the future, how about we build a city by that lake as the land I promised to Rou Nu? I will bestow it upon you and your mother, as well as the descendants of the King of Song. The entire area of ​​five hundred li will be your family's paradise."

Rou Nu's eyes widened, and her small mouth opened slightly.

“The establishment of feudal states is the beginning of the kingly way. The establishment of feudal lords to govern the remote regions is a method that has been used throughout history. Lady Zhao has made great contributions and endured hardship, and King Song is wise.” Imperial Censor Yu Xun stepped forward and answered quickly: “Your subject dares to request to preside over this matter for Your Majesty.”

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation!" Rou Nu finally calmed down from her turmoil, cupping her hands and bowing her head: "What virtue or ability do my mother and I possess!" The Emperor spoke in a calm tone, then pointed beyond the mountains: "With the misty rain of these northern mountains as the boundary, what if we enclose five hundred li of land on the other side to await the Southern Palace?"

"Your Majesty, I am deeply attached to you. How could I wish to leave you?" Nangong Chongyan gazed at her with a tender expression, her gaze gentle for the first time in front of Zhang Hui and so many people.

The sage smiled and nodded: "You lackeys have rendered such merit. When the time comes, I will have to find a way to properly settle you down."

Nangong Chongyan smiled and said, "It's fine to grant me an identity to live in a temple, but it's only natural that I would serve the Holy Emperor on horseback."

It seems that in the Holy King's heart, he is more important than Zhang Hui!
The wind whipped the sage's hair around his ears, but he simply shook his head slowly in the wind: "No, no... This is just a suggestion, let's wait and see... But now that the Western Regions are settled, having conquered such a vast territory, how can we not ensure the long-term stability of the Holy Tang Dynasty! We still need to consider how to find brave warriors to guard the four directions."

Nangong Rounu simply bowed deeply: "Hearing Your Majesty's words, how could I not repay you with my life?"

Zhang Cong watched silently. Only then did a female official realize what was happening and waved her hand at him: "The Emperor is preoccupied with military affairs; how could he have the mind to concern himself with such trivial matters? If they wish to enter the palace as ladies-in-waiting, let them stay; we will examine them later!"

"And there's the banquet in the city," a minister added. "The Emperor is currently leading his army, and it would be inconvenient for the large army to enter the city. Shancheng is also not well-stocked, so we've withdrawn!"

After waiting for a while and seeing that the emperor had no reaction, Zhang Cong, who had hoped to curry favor with him, could only clasp his hands in disappointment and say, "Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

As soon as he returned, the members of the Grace family, officials, and powerful figures who were waiting there all surrounded him.

"That is Emperor Yuanhuang Shengdi Li Tianzi?"

“Look at the attendants around him. The women are more beautiful than fairies and bodhisattvas, and the men… well, isn’t that right? Hey, such a young man! I thought he was an old man in his forties.”

"A gentle lover, a handsome man like a Confucian sage, who actually managed to slaughter so many people in the Guanzhong Plain and command such a mighty army of wild beasts."

"I've heard that the one on the left is the Empress of Liang, and the one on the right is the Lady of Youzhou, a concubine of the Jin general. Both are women from the same clan, beauties sought after by heroes! Now that I see, it's true. This sage of the Li family certainly knows how to play the game..."

"Hush, a saint is a saint. What Li family saint?"

"A perfect match, a perfect match! I'm convinced, and I won't dare to have any other thoughts. Those killing machines passing by on the roadside are terrifying to look at!"

Amidst the murmurs, fear flashed in the eyes of Zhang Cong and the others, young and old. They whispered amongst themselves as they walked away, occasionally glancing back. On the hillside, in the mist and rain, flags fluttered, and layer upon layer of crimson curtains were hung, gradually obscuring the figures of the emperor and his ministers.

"Any updates on the situation in Shazhou?" Feng Han asked the sage, who was kept outside the tent.

"Not yet. The last time I received a messenger from Cui Xuan, he only said that Zhang Shouxin's faction had fallen out with Zhang Chengfeng, and the two sides fought a great battle. Then Zhang Shouxin, Song Huixian, and others fled and occupied a military city under Guazhou. Cui Xuan sent a messenger back to ask for help in an emergency." Zhao Jia replied, "I have already sent the messenger to inform the royal army that they have set off, but we may have to wait a while."

The sage nodded.

The internal strife was expected; the only fear was that Zhang Shouxin wouldn't last long enough for me to arrive.

He didn't have much time left to play games with Zhang Chengfeng and the Tibetans.

Liu Rengong was still fighting a major battle with Li Keyong, aiming to annex Hebei.

Zhu Dalang is probably already on his way to Chang'an.

The Tibetan forces in the Xijishi Mountain and Jiuqucheng area had already officially started fighting with Wu Xiong.

I need to quickly settle things with the Western Sea and the Guiyi Army, subdue a large number of the tribes in both places, and then lead my troops into the Central Plains.

The sage unfolded the map, gazed at it for a long time, and then ordered: "Summon Zha Zhu, the military governor of the Ever Victorious Army, to lead 20,000 Leopard Army cavalry, rest for two days, and then, with a full month's worth of dry rations and the Shancheng tribal army, rush to the aid of Guazhou!"

"It is said that Li Renmei, the military governor of Tianan Army, led the Yingwu Army to sweep through the Tubo along the line of Bayan Mountain, Suihe City and Shibao City, and rushed ahead to Shenwei Army City around the lake to wait for the main force to join forces with us."

"Check the roster. Which powerful tribal leaders from Shancheng will be present for an audience today? Summon Wang Yanzhang and Han Zongxin to gather the six commanderies of the Tiger and Dragon Swift Armies to both banks of the Huangshui River. Anyone who fails to appear, slaughter their entire tribe and their entire family!"

"Here!"

Zhang Hui held Li Guanyin in her arms, sighed softly, and her star-like eyes gleamed with a sinister light: "Could you kill fewer people? Didn't you just complain about the small population?"

Several young girls, who had been inspected by the female official and stuffed into the tent, were busy nearby, while Zhang Wan served them brewed tea. The sage was annoyed by this kind of saintly tone, but the annoyance vanished in an instant. He smiled bitterly and said, "Why are you doing this? War is not a dinner party where you can show mercy. It's about conquest and plunder with blood and fire, do you understand? Only when you submit can there be room for benevolence."

The Empress pursed her lips, extended her right hand towards the Sage, and in her hand she held the peace knot that the Sage had given her. She had always worn it around her neck, and it was quite worn.

"You want it back?"

The diva then pulled it back and pressed it to her heart.

Looking at the four seal characters "嘉福永受" that were displayed, the Sage shrugged: "Issue an additional order to Wang Yanzhang and Han Zongxin: kill all able-bodied men, and bring back all children, the elderly, and women..."

"You're really good at pretending." The plump and graceful Nangong sat on the folding chair, holding a small mirror. Her fingertips were dabbing rose-red rouge as she applied it little by little to her lips, cheeks, and brows.

Rou Nu merely frowned.

Nangong ignored her, tilted his head, and smiled at the Sage: "Beautiful, isn't she?"

Rou Nu scoffed coldly: "You vixen."

Nangong pursed her lips, rolled her eyes, and said coquettishly, "Prettier than you."

Rou Nu turned her head away, pulled over the leather cushion and quilt to make the bed, helped Emperor Li lie down, and then sat on the edge of the bed to massage his temples and shoulders: "Don't think too much, meditate and cultivate your mind, don't tire yourself out. Before, I didn't have to come with you, but this time Rou Nu is by your side, and I will not allow Your Majesty to suffer." After saying that, she turned back to Nangong and said sarcastically: "Useless? You're aging fast. You're only thirty, look at your complexion."

Nangong sat down, her eyes alluring as she massaged the emperor's legs: "Really? Does Your Majesty think so too?"

"She's ageless and incredibly beautiful." The sage drowsily said, "The most beautiful woman in the Holy Tang Dynasty is none other than Nangong Chongyan."

I wonder how Chang'an, Tongguan, and Wu Xiong are doing.

If I go to the Western Sea and Tongwu is in dire need, will I be able to return in time to rescue them?

Perhaps I should garrison Shancheng, detach 20,000 to 30,000 troops to recuperate, and only send my generals to conquer the Western Sea from the east and west. But the Tibetans are quite powerful in the area surrounding the lake; if I divide my forces, will I be unable to win? Will it be inefficient? It's a difficult situation indeed. This is the first time I've led a war with such a vast time and space span and such complexity.

The task is arduous and the road ahead is long.

(End of this chapter)