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

Chapter 523 Standing in the Rising Sun, Covered in Blood

Changan.

Inside a large mansion in Huaiyuanfang, a Hu woman hired from the West Market was twirling and leaping to the music of musicians.
Those Hu women had snow-white skin, dark eyebrows that slanted upwards towards their temples, and cheeks as red as peach blossoms.

"These blue-eyed foxes," Li Zitong said, leaning against the armrest, praising them highly.

Fine wine in a luminous cup, paired with a beautiful woman from the Western Regions, it's truly a carefree and joyful experience, making one forget all worldly cares.

The drum exploded like thunder, and the pipa's sound burst forth like ice cracking.

The beautiful woman danced gracefully, wearing a crimson and gold-embroidered narrow-sleeved dress, a belt with silver bells hanging from her waist, and green silk trousers that flowed like clouds. Her red deerskin boots were adorned with shimmering gemstones.

Le Botong was also completely mesmerized. "It spins to the left like snowflakes bursting off a cliff, turns to the right like tumbleweeds leaving the plain, going around and around without stopping, its skirts blooming into blue lotuses. It's truly a feast for the eyes, indescribably wonderful."

Dance finished.

Li Zitong exclaimed, "The Western Regions Whirlwind Dance truly lives up to its reputation! It deserves a reward!"

Each person will receive a reward of three thousand.

The Hu women and musicians, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, thanked the reward with joy on their faces.

Waving his hand,
Tell the Hu women to step back.

Li Zitong picked up his wine glass and sipped the grape wine.

"Chang'an is wonderful, it's intoxicating."

Le Botong was already half drunk.

One of them was once the emperor of Wu, and the other was the minister of Wu. After their defeat in Hangzhou, they were escorted to Chang'an by Du Fuwei. Li Yuan treated them well, bestowing upon them this mansion, 500 mu of farmland outside the city, and many coins, silks, servants, and other gifts.

Aside from the occasional imperial summons to the palace, he spends the rest of his time enjoying beautiful women and fine wine in this mansion.

It's quite pleasant.

Li Zitong did not come from a good family. His hometown was Donghai County, and he was poor in his youth, making a living by fishing and hunting. Because of his childhood experiences, he was kind and charitable. He would always help elderly people with gray hair who were carrying heavy things, and he would use his surplus wealth to help others.

However, they also have a narrow-minded side, and they will definitely retaliate even for the smallest grudges against others.

At the end of the Daye era, the people suffered greatly. Zuo Caixiang rebelled, occupying Changbai Mountain in Qi County and proclaiming himself Duke of Boshan. Li Zitong went to join him. Because of his extraordinary strength and his great care for his fellow villagers—he always looked after any fellow villagers who joined the rebel army—he quickly amassed over ten thousand followers in less than six months, arousing Zuo Caixiang's suspicion.

He had no choice but to lead his troops south across the Huai River and join forces with another rebel army led by Du Fuwei. However, the two soon became enemies. Li Zitong attacked Du Fuwei, who was seriously injured and fell from his horse, almost dying. It was his adopted son's wife who carried him to safety. From then on, Li and Du became mortal enemies.

For many years afterward, Li Zitong fought across the Jianghuai region, from calling himself a general to later proclaiming himself King of Chu, and then seizing Jiangdu, establishing the Wu Kingdom and declaring himself emperor.

However, he was defeated by Du Fuwei and fled all the way to Suzhou and Hangzhou. After defeating Shen Faxing, he regained his military prestige, but in the end he was still defeated by Du Fuwei and captured and sent to Chang'an.

Looking back on these years,
From a poor boy to rising to prominence in the rebel army, then establishing his own power base and proclaiming himself general, and later king and emperor,
Li Zitong was somewhat dazed.

“Yesterday, when I went to the palace to serve the emperor, I saw that scoundrel Du Fuwei!” Li Zitong sipped his wine. “That fellow actually mocked me, unaware that his days are numbered.”

Le Botong asked, "Oh? Why? Du Fuwei has now been granted the surname and title of king, and has also been appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, ranking above the King of Qi. In the court, he is second only to the Crown Prince and the King of Qin."

Even the ever-victorious General Wang Liyi is still inferior to the King of Qi.

"So what? If the court truly trusted him, why wouldn't they let him return to Jiangnan? Instead, they've come and won't let him leave."

The Southeast Circuit, stretching from the Huai River in the north to the Five Ridges in the south, encompasses such a vast territory. Even after arriving in Chang'an, Du Fuwei has allowed his adopted sons to maintain control of the military and political affairs, showing no intention of relinquishing power.

Isn't he courting death?
I'm certain he won't live past this year.

Li Zitong took a big gulp of wine. "With Du Fuwei dead, Jianghuai will surely be in chaos. Fu Gongshi was stripped of his power by Du Fuwei long ago, but he still has a high reputation in the Jianghuai army. Du Fuwei's adopted sons can't control him."

If Du Fuwei dies, the Jianghuai army will surely fall into chaos, and Fu Gongshi will surely rebel.

Brother Le, our chance has come!

Now that the Turkic Khaganate has launched a large-scale invasion of Hedong, the emperor has sent the crown prince to lead the army, but he has not used the capable Prince of Qin, nor even Li Yi. How can this stop the Turkic attack?
I dare say that Hedong will surely collapse, and it will probably be even more ruthless than the defeat suffered by Liu Wuzhou in the second year of the Wude era.

The Tang court is about to get bogged down in Hedong and won't be able to extricate itself for the time being.

In the next few years, we may even be embroiled in a bitter war with the Turks, and the east and west banks of the Yellow River may be devastated.

This is our chance.

We'll find an opportunity to secretly escape from Chang'an. Once we return to the Jianghuai region, a single call to arms will surely reunite our old troops. By then, Du Fuwei will have died in Chang'an, and Fu Gongshi, Wang Xiongdan, and others will be embroiled in internal strife.
We can unify the Jianghuai region. Even if we don't unify the whole country, we can at least divide the country along the river and establish a north-south division.

The Tang dynasty is in the north, while the Wu dynasty is in the south.

Le Botong felt a little dizzy. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he raised a rebel army in Danyang with more than 10,000 men. He had accepted the Sui Dynasty's offer of amnesty and had also been affiliated with Yuwen Huaji. Later, when Yuwen Huaji went north, Li Zitong defeated Chen Leng and seized Jiangdu, and defeated Shen Faxing and Du Fuwei. He was at the height of his power and simply led his troops to surrender. He was then appointed as the Left Minister of the Wu Kingdom.

Li Zitong wanted to escape back to Jiangnan and raise the banner of rebellion again.

Le Botong was actually quite excited when he heard this.

In Jiangnan, he had served as a rebel leader for several years, calling himself the chief administrator. After surrendering to Li Zitong, he even became the Left Minister. However, after being captured and brought to Chang'an, his treatment was far worse than Li Zitong's. He had no official position, no rank, and not even a place to live.

He could only stay at Li Zitong's residence and became his retainer.

It's easy to go from simplicity to luxury, but it's difficult to go back to simplicity from luxury.

In this city of Chang'an, where nobles and officials abound, it's incredibly difficult for powerless surrendered people from the south to move an inch.

Li Zitong wanted to return to Jiangnan to rebel against the Tang Dynasty. His first thought was actually that it was a great opportunity to make a big splash.

This idea arose not only because of his lack of success in Chang'an, but more importantly because Li Zitong had indeed turned his life around.

When Li Zitong declared himself emperor, he fought a great battle against Du Fuwei in Danyang, but was defeated and chased all the way to Taihu Lake. He lost almost all his territory and was left with less than 20,000 men.

However, he later sent troops to defeat Shen Faxing, who then committed suicide by drowning. He seized all of Shen's troops and territory and re-established his power in Hangzhou. Unfortunately, he was ultimately defeated by Du Fuwei.

If Du Fuwei hadn't been in Jianghuai, and if Du Fuwei's Jianghuai army had also been embroiled in internal strife, then Li Zitong would indeed have had a great chance to make a comeback after returning to Jianghuai.

"Brother Le, come with me, let's make a comeback. When the time comes, I will still be the Emperor of Wu, and you will be the King of Chu!"

Although Chang'an was prosperous,
Although Xi Ji was beautiful,
Although this Gaochang wine is sweet and mellow...
But it's not my hometown after all.
I still prefer the water towns of Jiangnan.
Of course, being the master of your own home is always better than living under someone else's roof.

Youzhou

Jundu Pass, the northernmost of the Eight Passes of Taihang, is located precisely between the Taihang and Yanshan Mountains.

Wang Junkuo stood in the howling wind, gazing at the fortified city, his eyes sharp as hooks.

A large banner bearing the character "燕" (swallow) fluttered in the wind atop the fortress.
Spears and broadswords gleamed eerily behind the crenellations.

The pass is as solid as iron.

Li Yi ordered him to take Jundu Pass within half a month, or else he would be punished according to military law and beheaded.

Lu Shijun had recently been defeated at Guanxia, ​​and his entire army of three thousand men was wiped out.

He turned and looked to one side.
Those were three thousand Mohe light cavalry under Tudiji, the governor of Yanzhou. Last time, this old fellow ran away quickly, and the court didn't punish him.

"Bang the drum!"

he shouted.

One after another, cowhide war drums exploded at the pass.
The powerful and stirring sound of war drums echoed through the valley.

Wang Jun'e, the governor of Beiyan Prefecture, personally commanded the troops at the pass, and countless soldiers from Youzhou rushed towards the magnificent southern pass of Jundu Pass.

In an instant, crossbow bolts and cannonballs flew everywhere.

The two sides exchanged blows with their long-range weapons.

Arrows rained down.

The Youzhou army advanced with shields, yet casualties continued to mount.

"Does the Chief Secretary really intend to launch such a forceful attack?" Wang Shen couldn't help but ask.

Wang Junkuo's lips curled into a cold smile as he pointed his whip at the pass. "Who dares to disobey Li Sikong's orders? If we don't take Jundu Pass within fifteen days, not only will my head be chopped off, but your head will also be in danger, Wang Sima."

Wang Shen's face was grim. He had accompanied Lu Shijun to attack Jundu Pass before and knew that it was easy to defend but difficult to attack. Although this time there would be no rebel troops flanking him from behind,

But how much blood and flesh would it take to fill such a fortified city?

After a half-day siege,

It was already dusk.

The retreat was ordered to cease. The Youzhou army, besides expending countless stones and arrows, had also suffered hundreds of casualties. After the meal,

Military meeting

All the generals frankly stated that such a forceful attack would result in too many casualties.

"Are you questioning Li Sikong?" Wang Junkuo sneered. "Can a mere Jundu Pass really stop 20,000 soldiers from Youzhou?"

Are all the soldiers of Youzhou just good-for-nothings?

"If we fail to capture the pass by the deadline, don't blame the Commander for his ruthless military law!"

The meeting concluded.

Wang Jun'e couldn't help but stay and ask Wang Junkuo for his true thoughts, "Brother, are you really going to risk your life?"

"Of course not. We cannot disobey Li Yi's military orders, but we are not limited to brute force. To be honest, I have long known a herb-gathering path that can bypass the Jundu Pass."

He pointed to the mist-shrouded peaks west of the pass, "Do you see that bluish-gray area? The herb gatherer said there's a path to the King of Hell hidden there."

That road was very difficult to travel, but it could circle around to the north of Jundu Pass.

Tonight I plan to lead eight hundred light soldiers skilled in crossing Fanshan and the mountains, through the gates of hell and the road to Yama.

Tomorrow, you will continue your large-scale siege to draw the enemy's attention.

I will flank them and launch a surprise attack to capture the North Pass.

This plan is risky, but what war isn't risky? If we can't launch a direct attack, we'll outsmart them.

"Will that road be passable? If the garrison discovers it, you'll be trapped north of the pass, and there will be no way to escape."

"Don't worry, when we captured Xuanyuan Pass in Luoyang, I only brought thirteen men, climbing the cliffs and rappelling into the pass."

Junduguan Pass guards the narrow valley between the Yanshan and Taihang Mountains. Without capturing this pass, the main force and supplies simply cannot pass through.

The narrow mountain path could only support a small force; ultimately, they still needed to capture the pass.

Crossing the pass might not guarantee victory at Beiguan, as Yan troops would be stationed there as well.

But Wang Junkuo decided to take the risk.

Eight hundred soldiers skilled in climbing, without armor or spears, carried only swords, small shields, and bows and crossbows.

The gamble was that the rebels would never expect him to cross the pass via this herb-gatherer's path, and that these eight hundred lightly armed soldiers, without even armor, could capture the northern pass with just swords, shields, bows, and crossbows.

If they lose the bet, these eight hundred people will have walked right into a trap.

"Li Yi told me to take Jundu Pass within fifteen days. Does he think I can't? Does he want to take this opportunity to chop off my head? Hmph, dream on."

I want to see if Li Yi can lead the Dingzhou army to take Weizhou after I break through the pass in three days and then seize Beiyan Prefecture.
I doubt he can even take Daoma Pass or Baibi Pass, let alone set foot in Weizhou.

Daoma Pass, Baibi Pass, and Jundu Pass are the famous Inner Passes, each of which is extremely strategic and dangerous.

Without conquering these three passes, it is impossible to pass through Jundu Pass, Puyin Pass, and Feihu Pass, and thus impossible to enter the western part of Taihang Mountain.

night,

Wang Junkuo personally led eight hundred elite soldiers on the expedition.
They traversed mountains and valleys, overcoming numerous dangers, and finally reached the back of the northern gate of Jundu Pass at dawn.

It was before dawn.

The majestic pass is built against the cliff, and is silent at night.

Wang Junkuo led his men to rest in a nearby valley and count their numbers. Of the eight hundred men who set out, only seven hundred and twenty remained.

Some people slipped into the valley, some fell into the ravine, and some were injured and fell behind.

These were eight hundred elite light infantrymen, some from hunter families and others from mountain villages, yet they still suffered such heavy losses.

After resting,

Wang Junkuo then led the remaining seven hundred or so men to sneak towards Beibei City.

The rope hook was swung up onto the battlements of the city wall.

Wang Junkuo, with a sword in his mouth, was the first to climb.

The north gate was quiet.

The Yan soldiers on night watch huddled inside the enemy tower, dozing off to avoid the cold night wind.

Because of the attack by the Youzhou army at Nanguan City.

Most of the garrison troops in Guanzhong were stationed in the South Gate City, leaving very few soldiers in the North Gate City.

Wang Junkuo climbed quickly.
Finally reaching the top, I pressed my hand against the edge of the stack and leaped up.

Go first!

He reached out and grasped the sword he had been holding in his mouth. After waiting a short while on the city wall, about ten other men also jumped onto the wall.

"Seize the door!"

He gave a low shout.
They were the first to rush down the horse path to the city.

Behind them, more and more Youzhou soldiers climbed onto the city walls.

The first hint of dawn appeared in the east.

Wang Junkuo's steel blade cut down a Yan soldier who was letting the water out, and then he continued to charge toward the gate.

The heavy door bolt was removed.
The sturdy iron gate was pulled open.

The hundreds of Youzhou soldiers waiting outside pounced into the city like hungry tigers.

After all seven hundred-plus people entered the pass,

The soldiers of Youzhou closed the city gates again, adding heavy bolts.

On the city wall,

Fireworks were lit.

That was a signal of success, and also a signal for Wang Jun'e, the king of Nanguanxia, ​​to launch an attack.

The war drums soon roared like thunder.

The Youzhou army launched a fierce attack on the south gate city.

Wang Junkuo led more than 700 men and charged southward from the north within the city gates.

Many of the defenders were beheaded while they were still asleep.

It's all messed up.

It's all chaos.

The Yan soldiers at the pass were dumbfounded as they watched the Youzhou army attack from behind.

This is simply divine intervention.

Incredible.

Even the most fortified military capital could not withstand such a pincer attack from both inside and outside.

A red sun,
Leaping out from the eastern clouds,

A brilliant red light shone forth.

Wang Junkuo led his troops to the South Gate of the city.
The city gates were opened.

The Youzhou army surged in like a tidal wave.

Jundu Pass was breached by the Youzhou army in just one day and one night.

Wang Junkuo stood atop the city wall of Jundu Pass.

Standing in the morning sun, covered in blood.

(End of this chapter)