The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 43: The rise and fall of the empire depends on this battle

"Ho ho ho!"

"Commander's Sharpshooting Technique!"

"I am a real man and I should be like this!"

The soldiers kept hitting the ground with their spears and exclaimed wildly.

Wang Congxun laughed twice, threw the infantry bow to his personal soldiers, rode his horse and shot five arrows, hitting the target five times. The soldiers were very excited, and he was also very proud of himself. Although he had been a general by the side of the saint for a few months, he was still very skilled in eating.

Now let’s see who dares to say that this commander-in-chief relied on the favor of the saint to get to the position!

He showed his ability to calm the situation again today. I believe that no one will dare to doubt his strength in private in the short term.

In troubled times, the attacker must first gain military power.

Wang Cong trained the 2,500 soldiers of the left wing of the Yingwu Army very carefully. The most important thing is that these soldiers are all warriors newly recruited from various states in the northeast of Guandong at the beginning of the year. They are not as arrogant as the Tianwei Army where he served before, so it is much easier to train them. After two months of training, the effect is beginning to be seen - the formations are neat, the officers are afraid of the commander's power, and the soldiers' fighting skills are also well tempered. The most important thing is that they have enough money and high morale. If they fight the enemy head-on, they should be able to stand their ground.

This is enough!

Wang Congxun had served in the army for many years and had fought many battles, both victorious and defeated. In his opinion, the first round was the decisive battle between the two armies.

As long as the attacked side does not collapse in the first round, it is a powerful force. If it still does not collapse after three or five attacks... the attacking side should prepare to retreat, what is the point of fighting? He has not encountered such a strong enemy, and it is estimated that Zhu Quanzhong, Li Keyong and the Hebei vassal state can do it. Fifty or sixty thousand soldiers fight each other, and tens of thousands of heads are beheaded. How terrifying.

However, Wang Congxun was also very clear that although the left wing of the Yingwu Army was very powerful during training and martial arts performances, its actual performance still had to be tested on the battlefield.

The only pity is that the troops are indeed too few.

Two thousand five hundred people...

Even if the men are made of iron, how many nails can they twist?

Thinking of the sage's undisguised high expectations of him by the Taiye Lake that day, Wang Congxun felt very pressured.

I was originally a mere general of the Tianwei Army. I have plenty of experience in inciting warriors to cause rebellions and killing military governors, but how can I shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending my country?
Ugh.

Suddenly there was a commotion, and Zhao Ruxin, the censor of the Purple Palace, came hurriedly.

"The Saint is calling."

"What's the matter?" Wang Congxun looked at the officers around him and said, "They are all my confidants, Si Yan, please feel free to speak."

"Li Jikan was killed by the Ya army, and Fengxiang changed." Zhao sighed, frowned and said, "Yang Shouliang was also betrayed by his fake son, and returned to Shannan to suppress the rebellion. Xingyu was unable to stop the troops and attacked Li Ni and his son fiercely. The saint wants to ask you about the military affairs of the expedition, so hurry up and follow me."

"Haha." The officers and soldiers present burst into laughter and said, "Could it be that the saint has been defeated many times and wants to send troops to attack Qi again?"

A bunch of bandits! Zhao's blood boiled, his face flushed crimson, and he almost fainted.

"Shut up." Wang Congxun whipped him and cursed, "The saint gave you wealth and food—"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a military school student who shouted, "Since we work hard for the saint, the saint should give us rewards. This is what we deserve. Should we thank the saint?"

"Yes, didn't you often say this when you were in the Tianwei Army?"

"If he dares not to give me a reward, I'll just rob him of his mother's money."

"The rebels from the four towns are marching into Chang'an, and you are leading the way in encouraging your men to rob the palace."

Several old acquaintances who were poached by Wang Congxun from the Tianwei Army were talking to each other.

"I'm a good man now!" Wang Congxun was speechless and said stubbornly. Seeing that the emissary Zhao was still indifferent and speechless beside him, it was really embarrassing. He didn't care about the quarrel and said with a red face: "Don't pay attention to the rude man and go into the palace."

Zhao walked in front sadly. Wang Congxun opened his mouth to say something, but found that any excuses were pale and powerless - didn't he also want to rob the saint a few months ago?

……

When he arrived at Penglai Palace, the tired saint was taking a nap on a pile of official documents.

"coming?"

"The commander of the left wing of the Yingwu Army, Congxun, pays respect to the Saint."

"sit."

"Thank you, Saint." Wang Congxun knelt down according to the rules.

"Hmm..." Li Ye sat up straight, stretched slowly, yawned and cried. It was almost April, the temperature was rising, and people tended to feel sleepy in the afternoon.

"Everyone, have a drink of water." The attendant Liu Zipi said respectfully, holding a tripod cup.

The saint slapped his lips, was stunned for a moment, then took the cup and drank a little.

"This honey is quite fresh." The saint clicked his tongue twice and ordered, "Pour a glass for Congxun."

"I am not thirsty." Thinking of what happened in the military camp just now, Wang Congxun lowered his head and felt ashamed when facing the saint.

"Drink when you are thirsty." The sage pushed the copper cup over, took the pen and talked about business: "I summoned you here to consult on military affairs."

"I am just a crude and uncouth warrior..." Wang Congxun's heart tightened when he heard this. If he was asked about the attack on Fengxiang, he would not agree with it.

Li Ye noticed his expression and asked calmly, "Let's take your soldiers as an example. If you go on a long expedition, how much reward do you need? Please give me more details. How many rewards do you need? How much money do you get from each person? How much food do you need when you are on the march? How much do you need when you are fighting?"

The Chanshui Mutiny, the Tongguan Mutiny, the Fengxiang Mutiny...the lessons are not far away.

It sounds simple to reward, but a lot of military governors got beheaded for doing so.

"This..." Wang Congxun wanted to conceal it, to show that the Yingwu Army was not arrogant. But he thought that if the saint really wanted to send troops, the rewards would not be enough, and the soldiers would definitely be unhappy, and they would have spared their strength in the battle. If there was a mutiny, wouldn't it make the saint disappointed in himself?
The sage was displeased and said, "Just say it directly. There is no taboo between you and me, the king and the subject."

"As ordered."

After organizing his words, Wang Congxun blurted out.

"Once the order to go to war is issued, a reward must be given. This is the money to drive the soldiers to fight for their lives, and it should not be less than four pieces of silk."

During the march, if the weather is bad, with extreme heat, severe cold, strong winds, torrential rains... rewards must be given to appease the soldiers so that they do not resent rebellion. Wine, meat, and other goods are all fine. As for silk, at least one piece should be given."

"Hard and urgent battles must be rewarded. In any battle with the enemy in the field where the outcome is unclear, in any attack on a fortress that is difficult to climb, in any attack on a river crossing, in any sudden attack at night, etc., the commander must observe the morale of the troops and reward them in time... or promise to plunder and rape them at will after the victory..."

"If casualties are too great, rewards must be given. If a hundred of an army of a thousand men die, a reward will be given. If more than half die, a heavy reward will be given."

"..."

As Wang Congxun spoke, the sage took notes quickly with a pen and smacked his lips secretly.

This is just the reward!

If a war doesn't go well, you need to prepare at least 10 pieces of silk for each warrior! 1,000 pieces for 1,000 men, 100,000 pieces for 10,000 men... You don't necessarily need that much, but you can't do without it. Can't you take it out when you need it? Uh...

Think about it again, what if there are 100,000 people?

According to this standard, which military governor in the world would dare to dispatch 100,000 soldiers at one time?

crooked day.

"As for food and fodder, the army is divided into armored, auxiliary, and miscellaneous soldiers. When I was in the Tianwei Army, each person was given two kilograms of miscellaneous grains during the march. Wheat, millet, sorghum, beans, and various steamed and fried dry food cakes. During combat, fine grains must be mixed in, and the infantry and cavalry armored soldiers are given two to three liters." Wang Congxun scratched his head and said, "Some people eat more, some eat less. It also depends on whether the baggage is timely and sufficient."

Why is it so expensive to maintain an army? Li Ye was very distressed when he heard this.

He knew what Wang Congxun meant: This is the most ideal situation. In reality, we cannot give so much due to various reasons. But if we want to win the battle, the logistics must be as strong as possible and we must prepare according to the ideal situation.

"In addition, the war horses are given a bundle of grass and three liters of beans a day." Wang Congxun saw that the sage did not stop, so he said, "When the army goes out to fight, it is also necessary to have more pack animals. For each fire, we need three to seven oxen, horses, donkeys, and mules, and half or one-third of the grass for the war horses. We also need some drivers, craftsmen, grooms, and other civilians to transport the baggage."

This is also a problem.

Dry food, water, weapons, armor, etc. all need to be transported by carriages and horses to ensure the soldiers' physical strength as much as possible. Otherwise, they will be half dead from eating too much and be attacked by the enemy on the way, and the battle will be over without even having to fight.

It's difficult. Even Li Ye, an emperor with a relatively affluent family background, was still annoyed. How did Li Maozhen and Wang Xingyu survive? Not to mention the powerful vassal states in the Central Plains such as Zhao, Wei, Bian, Jin, and You, each of which had more than 100,000 soldiers, how could the common people survive?
These Jiedushi were probably completely in line with the saying: "trembling with fear, treading on thin ice, as if facing the abyss."

Regarding money, he asked Du Rangneng.

Last year, the amount of silk tributed by various towns amounted to more than 700,000 rolls, of which Zhu Quanzhong and Wang Jian accounted for the largest share, with more than 400,000 rolls of silk. There were also a large number of other miscellaneous goods such as money, treasures, livestock, grain, salt, and medicinal materials, all of which were stored in Daying and Qionglin warehouses.

The 22 counties in the capital collected a total of 1 million hu of grain, more than 200,000 pieces of silk, and 1 million strings of cash from rent, crops, land taxes, salt and iron, and household taxes throughout the year. After the Chaos Rebellion, the imperial court did not know how many people were under its jurisdiction. But judging from this income, there must have been a lot of people.

It is worth mentioning that after the mid-Tang Dynasty, the imperial court took a tough approach to the rich and issued a property tax decree - whoever has money will be taxed, which is why the court can collect so much money and grain within a limited scope. However, if we want to live a better life, the problem of hidden households urgently needs to be rectified. If the country is to continue to operate, the base of small landlords and self-cultivating farmers must be large enough, and there must not be too many medium and large landlords.

In the Northern Division, Han Quanhui, the Internal Estate Officer, also controlled considerable property.

It was mainly the income from the royal fields, vegetable plots, orchards, millstones, stores, and cart workshops, plus the income from the corruption, bribery, and selling of official positions by the eunuchs. The sage had no way of knowing how much it was, but it was definitely not a small amount!

Otherwise, where would the money come from for the eunuchs to raise their sons to support the army?

Thinking of this, Li Ye made a rough estimate.

If he wanted to send troops to Fengxiang, with the capital he could mobilize now, the maximum force he could mobilize was about 20,000 people - that is, Ximen Chongsui's army - Li Sizhou, Li Yanzhen, Ximen Yuanyuan, Liu Xianyuan, Dong Congshi, Zhou Chenghui and other generals. The four cities left by Yang Fugong - Yushan, Xuanhua, Feilong, and Hubi, if the money was paid, it was estimated that some of them could be mobilized.

If there are more, other eunuchs may not support his troops, and the Southern Court and the Northern Court will probably unanimously oppose it.

Very simple.

Life is easier now because the towns supplied more last year, but it is hard to say whether the same amount will remain this year or next year.

Moreover, from Li Ye's own experience, the burden on the common people in the capital was very heavy, and large-scale military deployment would inevitably require additional taxes. He did not want to use the common people's life-saving rations to fight a war with an uncertain outcome.

To him, raising taxes was just a word, but the process was very annoying. Officials, landlords, and clans would take advantage of each other, and if they were not careful, people would be forced to die or flee to other places, which would further reduce the already insufficient tax base.

The twenty-two counties in the capital were his foundation and could not withstand destruction.

After sorting out the situation, Li Ye was able to regain some confidence, so he summoned the Hanlin scholar on duty and said, "Draft an imperial edict to order the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works to make bows, ropes, arrows, tents, carts, spears, knife handles, kerosene and other items with all their strength."

"Order the Ministry of Industry to organize its subordinate workshops and civilian craftsmen to rush to make infantry armor, knight armor, vests, ladders, battering rams and other war equipment."

"Order the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Revenue to stockpile grain, grass, firewood, beans, and animal power."

"Yes." Hanlin scholar Dugusun bowed.

"Thank you for your hard work." Li Ye smiled.

"The king is inspired by this move. As a minister, I will return to the Imperial Academy as soon as possible."

"Go."

Considering that it was already summer and they had to prepare for the rainy season, Li Ye called Zhao and said in a serious tone, "Go to Chang'an Palace for me and ask Concubine Shu to organize the maids from Xingqing, Daming, Taiji, and other palaces to sew spring clothes, shoes, bamboo hats, and raincoats for the soldiers."

In the past, the army caused trouble because they could not get spring clothes. This is also a lesson.

It’s just that his relationship with his first wife is a bit strained, and he doesn’t know whether He will really help him.

Ugh.

Harmony between husband and wife is very important.

Glancing at Wang Congxun, who had fallen asleep with his face propped up, Li Ye slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Go back to the barracks."

With a cry of "Ah!" Wang Congxun screamed like a pig being slaughtered, and woke up immediately. He reached his hand to his waist and said, "Is there going to be a riot? Someone is going to riot? Hurry..."

Only when he saw clearly that the saint was standing in front of him did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"It was a nightmare. It was terrifying. I thought there were soldiers causing chaos again..." Wang Congxun wiped his sweat and said with a silly smile, "The Saint... laughed at me."

Whenever he was awakened by someone, he subconsciously thought it was a mutiny.

Are all warriors so neurotic? Li Ye shook his head and sighed, "Now that you are married, you can't sleep well in the army, so you can go home."

"Uh..." Wang Congxun was speechless, as if he was not yet accustomed to life with a home.

"My minister retire."

"You must train your troops well." Li Ye said quietly, "The fate of the empire depends on this battle!"

After resting for a while, Li Ye hurried to Yanying Palace again.

Yesterday it was agreed that the heads of the three ministries and ministers of the fourth rank and above in the Censorate would discuss how to deal with the military situation in Fengxiang.

According to the system, eunuchs are not allowed to participate, but in reality, if eunuchs do not come, the court often cannot make a final decision.
When Li Ye arrived, the ministers gathered outside the hall, whispering about something.

When they see a saint, they bow in greeting.

Du Rangneng smiled bitterly and said, "The envoys of the Northern Department said that Junrong was ill and would report to the Yanying Palace after Junrong returned."

"There's nothing I can do." Li Ye sighed, and after thinking for a while, he said, "You guys should just go home first."

The eunuchs are so disrespectful! What Ximen Chongsui is sick in bed...

Standing up so many people is a complete silent boycott, and they are too lazy to go to the scene to confront the emperor and his ministers.

If Ximen Chongsui raised any more objections, the Saint would really collapse.

"Wait a minute, Taiwei." Li Ye pulled Du Rangneng's sleeve and said, "Accompany me to Taiye Lake to relax."

"According to the order."

It rained a few days ago, and the Taiye Lake was filled with water, sparkling. A warm spring breeze blew, and the willows on the shore rustled, which was pleasing to the eye.

It was afternoon, the sun was setting in the west, and the sunlight was shining on the lake, filling the whole place with golden light.

The king and his minister walked side by side, both very relaxed.

Looking at the shimmering water of Taiye Lake, Li Ye stopped.

Even though he was far away from his hometown, he often recalled the ocean in Lingnan.

When the sun sets, listening to the sound of waves hitting the rocks, looking at the clear sky and the stars that first appear in the dusk, looking at the hills covered with weeping willows under the sky, I know that the sea is there. But I don’t know if I can step on the thin new snow, walk along the slope, and walk alone to the direction where the North Star shines above the forest.

The place he was going to was the world of costumes that he had never seen but often imagined in his dreams.

"Has the Saint decided to attack Fengxiang?" The golden light reflected from the lake was dazzling. Du Rangneng covered his eyes with his hands and turned around to ask.

"Probably." Li Ye lowered his head and observed the golden scales swimming freely in the lake. He paused and asked hesitantly, "General, can the Tang Dynasty...unify the world?"

"The world has been in turmoil for more than 150 years, and the restoration of the kingship is full of difficulties and dangers. If we want to pacify the interior of the country, go east through Tongguan and defend the sacred artifact with the ministers, and finally wipe out the heroes and unite the four seas, I cannot estimate when such a great feat can be accomplished. In terms of the current enemy situation, the ministers are full and the king is exhausted. It is more difficult for a saint to revive the royal family than it was for the King of Qin to conquer the world. I don't think I will see that day."

Li Ye avoided answering, threw a stone into the lake, and said, "I want to personally lead the expedition to Fengxiang."

He raised his hand to signal Du Rangneng to stop talking for the time being.

"The emperor is naturally precious, and the people of the world look up to him. I want to rule the country without any effort, but I don't want to stand under a dangerous wall. It's really good to sleep on the lap of a beauty when drunk and hold power when awake, but..." Li Ye adjusted his hair, and said in a heavy and powerful voice: "Times... have changed..."

Rely on the mountain and the mountain will fall; rely on the water and the water will flow away.

"Times have changed..." Du Rangneng was stunned for a moment, then said hoarsely, "If everything goes well, we can lead our troops westward to destroy the bandits."

"Since the eunuchs in the Yanying Palace court meeting silently resisted, I won't ask them. I won't ask them either."

"As long as Junrong agrees, that's fine."

At this point, Li Ye clenched his hands and said, "On the first day of April, we will attack Mount Qishan."

(End of this chapter)