The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 348 Destroying Liang (Part 3)

On the main road from Xianyang to Tongguan, the Mo Li Army and Long Jie Army, which had been reinforced with extra troops, stopped in their tracks.

The Longjie Army has 7,000 heavy cavalry and 20,000 horses.

Mo Li's army consisted of 5,000 Turkic cavalry and 11,000 horses.

The sage ordered the mobilization of 6,000 horses from other troops, and selected another 7,000 troops from the Turkic, Tangut, Tibetan, Sogdian, and Long clan tribes to serve as auxiliary forces, temporarily strengthening the Moli army, and ordered both to march to Tongguan by rapid march.

The Sage and the main force continued their journey back to Xijing as usual. Meanwhile, Mo Li's army advanced at breakneck speed, splitting off from Qishan County and arriving in Xianyang County, Jingzhao Prefecture, in just one day.

About 300 li east of the county lies Tongguan. It's not exactly close, but for the two armies in this configuration, it meant they could literally depart in the morning and arrive in the evening.

The vanguard has already contacted the garrison ministers Han Yi and Sun Weisheng and sent back information about the enemy.

On February 12, Xu Huaiyu broke through Jin Gou. Guo Meng and Geng Tong rallied their defeated troops. Fu Cunshen's troops still had several thousand remnants and several thousand tribal soldiers in the various villages they were defending. The three of them, with just over ten thousand men and some laborers, held their positions and defended the villages to the death.

The fighting continued fiercely for the next few days. Xu Huaiyu went berserk, digging at the city walls day and night until the fifteenth, as if he had no sleep. Three more strongholds were breached, and Zhu Dalang, who occupied Tongguan City, also breached two more strongholds.

On February 19th, only four villages remained in Jingou.

If it is breached again, the Bian army will not need to clear the Tongguan Pass; they can directly enter Guanzhong via the Jin Canal.

Zhu Dalang was overjoyed. He abandoned the pass and left only a small number of troops to continue the siege, while he led the main force to join the Jin Gou. They took turns attacking the Jin Gou in twelve shifts throughout the day.

He had no time, space, food, or soldiers to squander. The King of Wu captured Tokyo almost without bloodshed. With his supply lines cut off, the remaining grain was devoured by tens of thousands of soldiers, and the warehouses were emptied in just over ten days.

Although the army had not yet acted, he knew his men's character very well: they were ruthless and could turn on anyone.

It's a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment without any reason or warning.

After ordering a rest, changing horses, and bringing in provisions, Liu Xianyuan, Mozang Qiqi, and Ashina Luoxue spread out a map on the grassland and discussed strategies.

"The rebels besieged Jingou six days ago, but there's been no new progress. They're probably still entangled there." Liu Xianyuan fiddled with the map and said, "Jingou is narrow, and there's a stockade blocking the way, making it difficult for us to move. Since Zhu Dalang has gone to Jingou, there shouldn't be many soldiers on the main road. In my opinion, why don't we take the main road and break out?"

"The pass is in his hands now, how can we possibly get out?" Qi Qi frowned and cursed, "That bastard!"

"Let's go across the river!" he suggested after cursing.

“If we go through the river, we have to enter through Shanzhou.” Ashina Luoxue hesitated and said, “This section of the river is treacherous, and building a pontoon bridge would take a lot of time. I’m afraid we won’t have enough time.”

"You bastard, born of a mother but not taught by one, fuck his stepmother!" Liu Xianyuan's eyes bulged, and he slammed his fist heavily on the grass, a surge of murderous rage rising within him.

"Don't talk nonsense, you're asking for trouble!" Qi Qi coughed, "His stepmother is a celestial goddess..."

"So what?" Liu Xianyuan glanced around, lowered his voice, and still cursed venomously: "A lowly female slave, a slut who was played with by the emperor in Zhu Wen's mourning hall. My uncle is the prime minister, so he can curse her as much as he wants."

“Getting angry will damage your liver.” Qi Qi tugged at him twice and advised him with doubt, “Celestial Immortal is Celestial Immortal, and Zhu Da is Zhu Da. Although they were once mother and son, they are not related by blood after all… Why get so angry?”

"Don't talk about palace affairs, and don't make irresponsible remarks about the Emperor's favor." Ashina Luoxue was annoyed by this.

We were talking about military matters, how did the conversation turn to Zhang Hui again!

Does that woman really possess such great magical charm that she gets mentioned everywhere she goes?

"Hmph, I just don't like her gang. Once I pass away, I'll kill Zhu Youzhen's remnants and those Zhang Hui lackeys like Wang Yanzhang sooner or later, and rid the Prince of Liang of this great threat." Liu Xianyuan cursed a few more times before calming down. He looked at the map for a while and said, "There's no other way. This is the only road left. Let's land at Taolin Pass. It's the safest place right now."

"How can you say you're eliminating this great threat to King Liang? Do you support King Liang?" Qi Qi asked curiously.

"If you don't care, then never mind." Liu Xianyuan waved his hand.

"The Sage is still young; let's not mention it again," Qi Qi said solemnly. Taking sides so early? They're courting death!

"Taolin Pass..." Ashina Luoxue had no time to care about these things, staring intently at the map: "To fight our way back from here, we have to go through Huangxiang Slope. It's narrow and long here. How can we possibly maneuver? The Bian army, with three to five thousand men and their fortifications, can hold us off for at least a day or two."

Moreover, even if they managed to break through Huangxiang Slope, the Fengyi and Niutou Plains, which could serve as battlefields, would likely have already been almost entirely occupied by the Bian army's continuous camps.

"Then let's use the siege of Wei to rescue Zhao." Liu Xianyuan sneered a few times and said, "If we can't take care of the front and the rear, then we'll raze the camp to the ground, burn it all, kill it all, and loot it all."

"Alright, let's take it one step at a time." Luo Xue nodded.

"There's no better way for now. The most urgent thing is to get to Tongguan." Qi Qi mounted his horse, took out a vinegar cake, and chewed on it.

"It's a pity the Sage didn't provide any assistance to our infantry." Liu Xianyuan sighed and put away the map. However, the Bian army had been fighting for a long time and was already exhausted. Even with just these two armies, they would be enough to give them a hard time.

"Have you all rested enough?" Liu Xianyuan mounted his horse and pointed: "We'll travel through the night, and I'll see Guozhou tomorrow!"

"Rumble rumble rumble..." The army, a dark mass, mounted their saddles and rode off one after another.

.........

On the 25th day of the second month of the first year of Guanghua, in Sizhu Township, Zhouzhi County.

In ancient times, King Mu planted bamboo here. The bamboo forest flourished until the Han Dynasty, when a Bamboo Administrator was appointed to manage it and supply it for national use. In the Tang Dynasty, a Bamboo Supervisor was also established to manage it.

The "thousand acres of bamboo" mentioned in the Records of the Grand Historian refers to this very place. It was a vast bamboo forest, covering an area of ​​a full hundred li in circumference.

Along the paths in this forest, large groups of soldiers, officials, and palace servants were chattering as they passed by.

"Once you enter, you are surrounded by a vast and boundless expanse, even more so than the Bamboo Sea of ​​Southern Sichuan." In the bamboo forest, the sage walked with his hands behind his back, stepping on the soft fallen leaves, feeling the familiar atmosphere.

Beside him, Ah Zhao led the horse, following closely behind a group of women.

"The Bamboo Sea of ​​Southern Sichuan?" The increasingly silent Consort Shu's eyes lit up. "I know the answer to this question!"

"Is it the bamboo forest in Rongzhou?"

"Yes." In my previous life, I traveled with different people many times, visiting all the scenic spots in the country, but I especially loved this place.

Consort Shu's eyes shimmered with confusion: "As soon as Li Lang arrived in Zizhou, I was chosen to serve him at the Prince's residence. How come I didn't know Li Lang had been there?"

"I heard about it." The sage smiled: "I lived in Shu for four years with my late father, and I learned a lot about Bashu from what I saw and heard."

"I know, I know..." Consort Shu nodded obediently, blinking her peach blossom eyes and smiling: "I'm reminded of the days in Chengdu with Li Lang. I remember we were young then, I loved to talk and you loved to laugh."

"Once we sat side by side under a willow tree."

"The wind rustles in the treetops, the birds sing, and we fall asleep without even realizing it..."

The emperor glanced at Consort Shu.

In this large family, Consort Shu felt somewhat awkward because of her son, perhaps fearing being targeted and attacked, so she kept a low profile.

However, this low profile secretly worried the prince's attendants, causing He's prestige in the palace to suffer somewhat.

This time, her initiative to speak might be a way of asserting her presence. "At the time, I thought it was just an ordinary thing," Consort Shu shrugged, her smile bitter. "I never expected you to get busier and busier..."

"You still remember?" The Emperor pulled Consort Shu closer, intertwined their fingers, and whispered in her ear, "I remember too. I remember the first time we took a bath, in that tub, you held me in your arms..."

"I think Xiao He was only fourteen at the time?"

Girls develop earlier and faster than boys, and back then, it was always Consort Shu who held me.

"Pfft." Liang Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh.

"Boom!" Consort Shu's mind went blank for a moment, her face flushed red, and she didn't know what to do with her hands. Blushing, she pulled her hands away and turned away, vowing never to flirt with the Emperor again.

"Haha." The sage grabbed her two big buttocks and pinched them hard twice, then slapped them a few more times: "When we get back, I'll find some time to burn a love scar on my beloved concubine."

Recalling his various forms of cruel and abusive abuse in the past, Consort Shu's face turned pale, and grief welled up in her heart.

What do you take me for? A toy?

Everything is for the sake of living well, for the sake of King Wu! Consort Shu, suppressing her moral turmoil, gritted her teeth: "Choose whichever piece you like, just burn it..."

"only……"

Stop stamping my account with the imperial seal; it's really hard to wash off!
Zhu Xiewusi stood at the edge of the crowd, lowered his head, and hesitated, as if looking for something to lean on, standing close to the sage.

"Your Majesty!" A servant suddenly announced, "Han Yi, the Commandant of the Capital Region, and Sun Weisheng, the Prefect of the Capital, have come to greet you!"

The emperor's face hardened, and he withdrew his hand from Consort Shu: "Summon her."

Sun Weisheng, in high spirits, and Han Yi, travel-worn, said: "Greetings, Your Majesty! I am delighted to hear of your return journey, the surrender of the Eastern Army generals and ministers to the Guiyi Army, and the reconquest of vast territories. Your subject respectfully congratulates the Holy Tang!"

"Defeating Tibet is easy, but venturing to the Western Regions is difficult. If it weren't for you all guarding the Western Capital, ensuring that my heartland is safe from danger, how could we have achieved this great undertaking? You all deserve a share of the credit!"

"I am ashamed!" Sun Weisheng said urgently as soon as he stood up, "The great enemy has been besieging the two passes for half a year without success. The situation is dire. What strategy should we use to break through them?"

He glanced at the colorful female relatives around him out of the corner of his eye, and stomped his foot in frustration again.

What time is it? Still so leisurely! Are you on a picnic or enjoying the spring scenery?

"Don't worry," the sage said. "The situation is clear. We will set out in three days."

"Three days?" Sun Weisheng's eyes widened: "The Zhu traitor attacked in shifts every twelve hours. Let alone three days, even three hours is enough to horrify us!"

"The army has been trekking for over a month and is exhausted; it needs rest." The sage stopped Sun Weisheng.

"We can't wait any longer, let's leave tonight!" Han Yi also bowed down.

The other ministers nearby were also buzzing.

The sage smiled, then suddenly shouted, "Get up! You are all important ministers of the imperial court during a time of chaos and turmoil. If you can't even maintain this composure, how can you talk about protecting the Holy Tang Dynasty in the future! Generals and ministers, what are you doing acting like such impatient fools! Anyone who panics again, I'll send them to Tongguan Pass!"

This startled Consort Shu.

The two immediately fell silent, stood up, lowered their heads, and stubbornly refused to speak.

The sage swept his gaze over the two men: "Our army has been marching for so long, the soldiers' feet are worn out, and my hands and feet are also aching. The mules and livestock have been sweating for days on end. Don't they need a rest? Don't they need to reorganize the equipment? Who fights a war by dragging an exhausted army to their deaths? Answer me!"

The two were speechless.

The sage coldly swept past them. The army marched a thousand miles, rushing through wind and snow. Both men and horses were weak.

He was so worn out that he couldn't even sit still on a horse anymore; his feet were so badly twisted by the stirrups that large patches of flesh on the insteps and soles were raw and bleeding.

But the more relaxed he was at that moment, the more firm and steady his steps became.

Even if the country is broken, the mountains and rivers remain, and the Holy Tang Dynasty is still here. We should be the source of confidence and calm for everyone, so that all people can rely on us as their strongest support!
The fate of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms is in my hands!

"The rebels attacked Xijing, thinking that this was the key, that taking Chang'an would solve everything, and that we would fail just like that. But the bandits of the world are not awakened! As long as I am here, this Holy Tang Dynasty will not perish."

"After a short rest, we will replenish our strength and be fully equipped and manpowerd. Then, we will fight a bloody battle and defeat those defeated dogs, crushing their ambitions along with them! Do you think my generals and soldiers would be afraid to go head-to-head with Zhu Dalang?"

This lesson thoroughly convinced everyone, from ministers to women. All eyes were fixed on the sage, dressed in the same straw raincoat and hat, walking through the bamboo grove. Their eyes and faces were filled with nothing but reverence.

Nangong stared longingly at the departing figure.

If there is a hero in this ongoing battle, it is none other than the Holy Ruler. He has tirelessly fought, pacifying the Hexi Corridor, subduing the Eastern Army, and returning to rescue the Western Capital. All his enemies have been utterly crushed. Even the mere sight of his banner has deterred them from engaging in battle…

To be the woman of a wise and benevolent ruler is truly a blessing.

Zhang Yueyi and Zhang Hui whispered something in Zhang Hui's ear, while Zhang Hui simply smiled and admired her profile.

This is truly the Son of Heaven!
It was worth it to have three sons and one daughter for you.

Han Yi simply replied loudly, "How could we, your subjects, be afraid of that wicked beast Zhu Dalang! We will obey your punishment!"

The generals and ministers, with their hands and bodies brimming with energy, were clearly eager to fight.

The rebels' invasion of Bozhou has caused countless losses and plunged the world into chaos.

No matter what, we must not allow the entire rebel army to retreat back to the Central Plains!
Many generals had already gathered around, their eyes bloodshot as they stared intently at the emperor.

"What are you looking at? If the Bian army wants to rip out your trusted men, then go and take revenge! How many people has the Bian army killed, and how much territory has they seized?"

A general from Chengde stepped forward, hands clasped: "Our Zhao family alone killed five thousand of our men! They looted the Qujiang Pool in Lantian and swept through the eastern suburbs of the capital!"

At that moment, more than ten generals stepped forward: "Your Majesty, give us soldiers, we'll lead the vanguard!"

The sage's expression was as firm as iron; he simply pointed eastward: "Send more guerrillas to keep a close watch on Zhu Dalang! Order the army to march swiftly and enter the capital before nightfall, awaiting the decisive battle. Make sure not a single Bian soldier escapes back to Henan!"

The officials and generals exchanged glances, then lowered their eyes and bowed their heads: "Your subject obeys!"

The emperor's white flag, fluttering in the wind, finally appeared slowly near the city of Chang'an.

The sounds of alarm drums and horns echoed throughout the city.

On the horizon, across the spring fields, many lines of warhorses meandered in.

“Woo woo…” The soldiers raised their horns and blew them in unison, responding to the Golden Guard's alarm drum.

Dongfang Tai pounced on the rampart, pointing at the location of the white flag: "The Sage has returned! The Sage is back! Zhu Dalang is finished!"

(End of this chapter)