A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 236: General Qin Qiong of Longxiang Goes to Battle

Guzhou City Head,

Ren Gui, the governor of Guzhou and Duke of Guan, looked at the rammed earth city walls that were being repaired and was extremely worried.

If this continues, Guzhou City will not be able to hold out for long.

No matter how clever he was, the military strength was too great. Guzhou was not a famous city or important town, so how could it resist Wang Shichong, Shan Xiongxin, Pei Xingyan, Qin Shubao and other world-renowned generals?

Looking southwest,

One could vaguely see the Crown Prince building a reinforcement camp, but it was blocked by Wang Shichong's continuous camp and could not advance an inch.

Ren Gui pricked his finger and began to write a letter in blood, one to the emperor in Chang'an and one to the prince outside the city, stating that he would live and die with the city and would hold on to the end.

"Why hasn't the Zheng army started attacking the city today?" asked the Guzhou Bingcao.

Ren Gui folded the two letters he had written in blood, called his two grandsons over, and asked them to each take one. "After dark, I will send twenty light cavalry to each of you to escort you out of the siege and deliver the letter."

It was said that the two grandsons were allowed to risk their lives to break out and deliver a letter, but in fact, it was just to give the two grandsons a chance to leave without being charged with desertion.

Both of his grandsons were still young and were not imperial soldiers. He allocated the forty cavalry guard positions to the sons of officials and powerful people in the city, as an explanation to each family.

Nangang Fort.

Tang Jian, the Grand Master of Imperial Household, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and the Palace Attendant of the Imperial Cavalry, the Duke of Jinchang, and the Military Commander, came to Nangang Fort in person on the orders of the Crown Prince.

Li Yi and Luo Shixin led the officers to greet them.

Tang Jian stood in front of the fort gate and sighed: "Although the fort is small, it is located in a strategic position, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It serves as our food supply route and threatens our flanks and rear.
"The Shallow Water Marquis captured three forts and five strongholds in one night. This is incredible. I admire him."

"It was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who personally led the army to contain Wang Shichong's main force, and General Luo who abandoned his evil ways and offered the strategy for the surprise attack. This is all thanks to everyone."

The snow is blowing.

Tang Jian entered the fortress and read out the prince's order.

Li Yi was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Gushui Road Army, Luo Shixin as the deputy commander-in-chief, and the prince also sent him another thousand men. Now Li Yi had 3,500 soldiers and horses under his command, as well as 1,500 civilians and 2,000 prisoners.

"This thirteen-ring jade belt was given to you by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince after he heard the news of victory." Tang Jian took out the thirteen-ring jade belt and said, "The Crown Prince asked me to tie it on you personally."

"That's unacceptable. I have no right to use this. It's overstepping my bounds."

"The prince will reward you."

In the early Tang Dynasty, some systems were not yet perfect. The thirteen-ring jade belt was used by the emperor and the crown prince, but it could also be given to officials as a reward, which showed more honor.

Luo Shixin got a very gorgeous and luxurious sable fur cloak.

Each of them also had two good horses and a top-quality horse lance.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince knows that General Luo likes fine horses and precious spears, so he has given you fine horses and precious spears."

Luo Shixin's army consisted of 1,500 men, each of whom was rewarded with two pieces of silk and all of them were included in the roster. In the future, they would become official soldiers of the imperial court, and would be supported by the court. After the war, they would also be allocated land.

They have been converted to regular employees. All of them have been converted to regular employees.

Although he only got a deputy general manager, at least the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty had a good attitude.

Tang Jian noticed Luo Shixin's expression and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already reported your military exploits of 800 miles to the Emperor in Chang'an. I believe His Majesty will soon officially confer titles on you two.

Given General Luo's reputation and military achievements, he will undoubtedly receive the title of Duke and a rank of the Third Rank."

Tang Jian also brought the prince's order.
The two men led 3,500 soldiers and were responsible for guarding the three forts and five strongholds.

"These three forts and five strongholds will be handed over to the two general managers."

The prince allowed them to deal with the two thousand prisoners as they pleased. They could use them if they were useful, or dismiss them on the spot if they were not.

The 1,500 laborers will return to Tongguan and continue to transport the next batch of grain.

For this result,

Li Yi was quite satisfied.

He quite liked the task of guarding the three forts and five strongholds. It was easier than transporting food and grass, and safer than joining the prince's camp.

Li Yi had no experience in defending a city, but Luo Shixin was experienced. He who was good at attacking was also good at defending. Moreover, Li Jiancheng gave him another thousand soldiers, and this time they were the old soldiers from Guanzhong.

"General Luo, the next mission will still depend on your command. How to defend the city and how to communicate between the various forts are all up to you."

"Just call me Shixin. We're not that far apart in age. If you don't mind my background, we can call each other brothers."

Luo Shixin was still very touched by the trust that Li Yi had shown earlier. It was rare to have such trust in a new surrenderer.

In contrast, Wang Shichong's character seemed very bad. He was suspicious, treacherous, and cunning. When he was first captured, Wang Shichong showed concern for him and personally helped change the dressings. He almost sucked the pus from his wound with his mouth. Later, he ate and slept with him, and his open heart really touched Luo Shixin.

But who could have known that within a few days, this guy would be back to playing the same trick on Bing Yuanzhen, Shan Xiongxin, and the others, treating Luo Shixin like trash. He even favored his nephew when he tried to steal his lion stallion, which was both eye-opening and disgusting. "I was born poor, herding cattle for landlords when I was little. I've never been to school, and I don't understand the big principles, but I do know that sincerity is rewarded with sincerity. As long as I'm here, Wang Shichong won't be able to capture a fortress unless he walks over my dead body!"

Outside Guzhou City, Wang Shichong’s camp.

Bing Yuanzhen coldly challenged Qin Qiong at the military meeting, "General Qin, Luo Shixin's betrayal and his seizure of the Three Forts and Five Strongholds—are you going to explain this to everyone?"

Qin Qiong was not wearing armor. He was wrapped in a thick fur coat, but he still felt cold.

In the Battle of Mangshan last year, Qin Qiong fought desperately and stabbed more than ten brave generals under Wang Shichong's command to death. However, the Wagang Army was ultimately defeated by Li Mi's stubborn and blind command.
No matter how brave Qin Qiong was, he could not withstand the overwhelming force of the enemy. In the end, he was seriously injured, fainted, and was captured.

Cheng Yaojin and Pei Xingyan were actually in a similar situation. They were captured after being seriously injured.

Only guys like Shan Xiongxin and Bing Yuanzhen retreated without fighting and surrendered voluntarily.

Bing Yuanzhen was born a minor official. Later, he followed Zhai Rang, Shan Xiongxin and others in the Wagang Uprising. After defeating Zhang Xutuo in the Battle of Dahai Temple, Li Mi's prestige increased greatly. Bing Yuanzhen immediately defected to Li Mi and soon became Li Mi's confidant.

He was appointed as the chief secretary and stationed in Luocang. He did not have much ability, but was very greedy. It was he who accepted bribes from Wang Shichong and urged Li Mi to agree to exchange silk cloth for food in Luoyang, thus extending Luoyang's life.

By the time of the decisive battle between Zheng and Wei, this guy had been alienated and instigated by Wang Shichong early on, and secretly turned to Wang Shichong. When Li Mi was defeated and retreated in Mangshan, Xiang, who was Li Mi's confidant, opened Luocang and surrendered to Wang Shichong. This made Li Mi lose an important stronghold and precious food, and his morale collapsed, and he was defeated beyond repair.

Thanks to his merit in presenting the granary, Bing Yuanzhen surrendered to Wang Shichong, and because he was good at entertaining people, he was directly appointed as the acting governor of Huazhou, and was made a general and a duke, ranking above all the generals in Wagang.

at this time,

He stood up and attacked Qin Qiong, questioning whether Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin were in cahoots and were secretly colluding with the enemy and plotting rebellion.

Qin Qiong was seriously injured but not yet recovered.
He was supposed to stay in Luoyang to recuperate, but Wang Shichong insisted that he join the army.
"Even if Bing Pushe doesn't care about our old friendship with Wagang, he should still provide evidence. I, Qin Qiong, look so sick now. Who am I in league with?

Besides, you said that Shi Xin and I were colluding with the enemy, so why did Shi Xin surrender to the Tang Dynasty without taking me with him? If I were to collude with the enemy, would I stay here and wait for death?"

Qin Qiong couldn't suppress his anger, which aggravated his injuries and caused him to cough violently.

"Shubao, don't worry. Everyone knows that you and Luo Shixin are as close as brothers. Now he has suddenly defected to the Tang army and seized my three forts and five strongholds. I was really caught off guard. I trusted him so much. When he was seriously injured and dying, I hired famous doctors and used fine medicines. I worked so hard to save him. But now he stabs me."

Wang Shichong's eyes swept over Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Pei Xingyan.

These three brave generals were seriously injured in the Battle of Mangshan and have not yet recovered, but Wang Shichong still couldn't help but doubt their loyalty, after all, there was Luo Shixin.

"General, it's actually very easy for Qin Qiong and the others to prove their innocence," Bing Yuanzhen sneered. "Just have them lead their troops to recapture the three forts and eight strongholds, and bring back the heads of Luo Shixin and Li Yi. That will prove it."

Qin Qiong glared at Bing Yuanzhen.

But Bing Yuanzhen sneered and was not afraid. Although they were all from Wagang, they were not the same kind of people. Bing Yuanzhen originally followed Zhai Rang, Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin and others. Later, in the battle of Dahai Temple, he killed Zhang Xutuo and defeated Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin and others.

Bing Yuanzhen and Qin Qiong are old rivals.

He was even knocked off his horse by Qin Qiong and almost lost his life.

Although Qin Qiong later followed Pei Renji to Wagang, they were not from the same mountain.

Wang Shichong glanced at the few people and said, "Shubao, since you joined the Luoyang court, you have never fought for the court.
The situation is critical now. Are you willing to fight for the court and recapture the Three Forts and Five Strongholds?"

Bing Yuanzhen said sinisterly, "Unless General Qin only has old brotherly love in his eyes and no loyalty to his country, there is no reason not to fight."

Qin Qiong was forced against the wall. He knew that if he didn't agree today, he might not be able to leave the tent.

"The general will go where he wishes!"

Wang Shichong laughed heartily. "Good! General Qin is indeed loyal to the court." He took out a tiger talisman and threw it on the sand table. "Then I will appoint General Qin Qiong, the Dragon-striking General, as the commander-in-chief of the Gushui Road Army."

"General Cheng Yaojin, the Tiger Guard, is the deputy commander. He leads Niu Jinda, Wu Heita, Tian Liuan, Li Junxian, Chang He, Liu Demin, and other generals, commanding 8,000 troops. They are given three days to recapture the three forts and five strongholds."

"If we fail to defeat them within three days, we will all be killed!"

Inside the tent, as Wang Shichong shouted "behead",
It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The eight generals he selected were all former subordinates of Li Mi and had good relations with Luo Shixin. Only Pei Xingyan was not named because his father was now the Minister of Rites and he had married Wang Shichong's niece.

Cheng Yaojin's beard stood up in anger, and he couldn't help but want to speak out. Bloodshot appeared in his big eyes like copper bells. He was going to force the brothers to fight.

Qin Qiong stood up and picked up the tiger talisman, "Qin Qiong obeys the order!"

Wang Shichong was still smiling. "Luo Shixin only had 1,500 men, but he broke through three of our forts and five strongholds in one night. Now I'm giving you 8,000 men, and with your eight generals, three days is more than enough, right?"

Bing Yuanzhen replied sinisterly, "If eight generals and eight thousand elite soldiers can't take down the three forts and five strongholds in three days, then that only proves they are indeed in cahoots."

"Captain, I suggest sending a military supervisor to accompany the army."

Wang Shichong said with a smile: "When you employ someone, trust him. If you doubt him, don't employ him. I believe in the loyalty of Shubao and his men."

However, Cheng Yaojin was already very disgusted with this hypocrite. He trusted his men and did not send them as military supervisors simply because their parents, wives and children were all in Luoyang City.

Luo Shixin rebelled so decisively probably because he had been alone for a long time.

(End of this chapter)