The Moon Over Tang Dynasty - Chapter 285

Chapter 285 The final blow at the end of the road

On the twilight day of the first lunar month, if you are in Chang’an, it is a good day of the year for spring outings. You can go out for a leisurely stroll in the spring scenery, or enjoy the blue waves at the meandering river. In short, if you don’t spend this day in a down-to-earth manner, , simply do not deserve to be a Chang’an person. However, in Western Xinjiang, as soon as we passed the Tianshan Mountains, the spring scenery that had already appeared on the treetops and grass tips along the road suddenly turned into a sky full of ice and snow. The oncoming cold wind can certainly scratch your bones, but the ice and snow that have melted and frozen have made walking on the originally not very wide Huagu Road even more difficult.

There was never a shortage of war horses in the Tang army, and even the infantry would bring their own horses to carry heavy loads. On weekdays, they marched very quickly. From the south of the Kunling Protectorate back to Shiting Prefecture, the distance of more than 2,000 miles was less than ten minutes. Most of it has been gone in a few days. But when they reached the snow, the horses’ hoofs slipped and it was difficult to move fast. The Tang army of seven to eight thousand people had to slow down. There were dozens of carts in the baggage camp, and they were extremely heavy. Even the best military horses could not drag them when they reached the uphill slope. They had to use human power to pull them forward and push them, and slowly move them up. At the end of the day, we had only walked more than thirty miles.

Seeing that the sun was setting in the west and we were still quite far away from the camp, the officers of the Protectorate who were patrolling back and forth became somewhat impatient, and there was a bit of anger in their shouts, “Why don’t you hurry up and use more force? Zhemo must not let you go” The carriage is going in the middle of the night? The military situation is like a fire, but you are becoming more and more disgraceful these days! If you are lazy again, it’s no wonder that someone’s horsewhip doesn’t recognize people!”

The soldiers pushing the cart were already exhausted. After being scolded all the way, the hunger in their bellies gradually turned into anger. I don’t know which soldier gritted his teeth and sneered, “Why is the military situation like fire? It seems that a certain person is rushing.” Let’s go to the funeral!”

The driver in front heard clearly. Seeing the officer walking away, he turned around and laughed softly, “It’s not a funeral! What happened to Tingzhou? In fact, the Turks had gone far away long ago. It was Mr. Su who brought it upon himself.” ! Daduhu is plotting against Pei Changshi and Prince Qu of Xizhou. The horse thief they sent to kill last time was actually a soldier of the Duhufu. This time Tingzhou fell, Master Su wanted to use it again. The Turks killed Pei Changshi, but Changshi caught him! All the witnesses and evidence have been sent to Chang’an, can the general protector not be in a hurry to come back? “

“I have also heard about this. This time Mr. Su even wanted to kill several brigade members of our Yizhou border army. Unexpectedly, he was frightened by Pei Changshi, and even those goodies were frightened out! “

This baggage team was no better than other teams. It turned out that there were carriages and horses from every state capital. As soon as they started talking, everyone suddenly started talking. Some of the soldiers in Yizhou had heard that several of the soldiers who had taken the grain were The comrades have come to the army and described the situation of that day to everyone personally. A civilian husband in Tingzhou has an uncle who is a soldier and sent military supplies a few days ago. He said that he had seen Pei Changshi and his party with his own eyes. When they brought the coffin into the city, Mr. Su’s face was already blue with cold… Everyone originally only discussed it privately with people they knew well, but then they realized that not many people knew about it!

 The march has been very urgent in recent days, and the transport camp has been the most difficult. Everyone has been suppressing these days, how can they still hold back their complaints at this time! The bitterness and coldness of eating and drinking in the snow, the anger of enduring hunger and scolding, all began to be vented in the discussion, and gradually got out of control, and the voice unknowingly became higher and higher. Everyone in the car heard it clearly and naturally started talking about it.

Everyone was talking excitedly when an angry shout suddenly sounded around them, “What are you talking nonsense about?”

Everyone was startled, and when they turned around, they saw a deputy from the Great Protectorate’s Palace standing behind everyone. His face was a little green at this time. Looking at everyone’s eyes, a knife could almost fly out. One word said, “Who is so bold as to openly spread slanderous words against the Protector in the army? If you don’t want to die, identify him, and he will be brought to the army and dealt with according to military law! The rest will wait, each person will have fifty Army stick, send me a life!”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was in an uproar. Someone sneered and said, “What dirty talk? Your Mr. Su was so frightened by the Turks that he **** and urinated. The stench was so bad that everyone in Tingzhou saw it with his own eyes. Such… He has done all the dirty things and I can’t even tell him!”

The team’s deputy was furious, pulling out the sheath, “You dare to be full of money, and some of them will wait for you to wait for all, see who dares to slander the big care!”

This sentence was like dropping a burning ignition into a powder keg. The team that had been in some commotion during the discussion suddenly exploded. People drew their swords and whipped their whips. Waiting for the other few After hearing the sound, several subordinate officials rushed over. The team deputy had been dragged off his horse. His face was bruised and he looked like he was only half breathing. However, the dozens of people around him still had angry expressions on their faces.

Seeing that something was wrong, the middle-aged subordinate officer with a steady temperament hurriedly said, “What are you doing! Fighting with weapons in private is a taboo in the army. Why don’t you put away your swords and guns quickly? What’s the point of doing this?”

Everyone did not answer, but looked over with cold eyes. The subordinate officer became more and more frightened, but smiled kindly on his face. He shook his head and asked someone to carry the deputy into the empty car, and then asked someone to call the military doctor. , finally persuaded everyone to return to the car and continue pushing the cart, but another subordinate officer rushed over with a group of men and horses, brandishing a knife, “These are the people who caused the rebellion just now!”

 The sound of drawing swords suddenly resounded throughout the entire supply camp.

More than half an hour later, Su Haizheng in the Chinese army camp received news: There was a mutiny among soldiers in the supply camp. Most of the soldiers arranged by the Protectorate in the camp had been killed. There were also commotions in several other units near the supply camp. sign! He couldn’t help being shocked and angry, and shouted sternly, “Call the guards and follow me to the supply camp!”

Someone outside the tent shouted loudly, “Defender, wait a minute!”

The door curtain swung with a clang, and a clerk named Mei walked in quickly, holding a pile of crumpled documents in his hand, his face as pale as paper, “Dadu protector, I found this on my desk. Please take a look at this.”

Su Haizheng was stunned for a moment, and quickly took it and took a look. He saw a line of very beautiful cursive writing written on the first page, “After the armies have circulated it, please hand it over to Su Dadu for protection.” He turned to the second page and read a few more lines. His face suddenly changed – what was written above was none other than the confessions of the more than a hundred soldiers who followed Su Nanjin. The officers and above all had confessions and signatures, while the other soldiers had blood-red fingerprints next to their names.

Su Haizheng turned to the last page with trembling fingers. There was another line of words on it, “Two copies, one for Chang’an and one for the army.” His heart couldn’t help but become cold. Could it be that Pei Xingjian let Jin’er fall into the trap that day? After being trapped, he actually made this thing right away? He was stunned for a long time, then raised his head and hissed, “Where did this thing come from? How many people have seen it?”

Master Mei’s voice was also trembling, “I don’t know, but I just saw this document when I returned to the camp. Looking at it, I’m afraid there are hundreds of people who have circulated it…”

Seeing that Su Haizheng was still lost in thought, he hurriedly added, “My official has also heard about the incident in the transport camp. It is probably this matter that is causing trouble.” I asked a few questions in a hurry. It seemed that not only this document was widely circulated in the camp, but also that this document was widely circulated in the camp. There are many other rumors, all of which are said to have been witnessed by the army in Yizhou and Tingzhou. , I’m afraid it will cause the whole army to mutiny! We don’t have many soldiers at hand now, so we must not put ourselves in danger!”

Su Haizheng slowly closed his eyes. It turned out that Pei Xingjian not only led Jin’er into a trap, but also laid out so many back-ups! No wonder he was able to send a message saying that he was waiting for him in Tingzhou. It turned out that he had already used these methods to completely weaken the morale of the army within half a month. He left camp and returned to the army overnight, traveling day and night, but now even if he arrived in Tingzhou, he had to wait for him. What’s the use? Not to mention that this thing is probably already in front of the emperor at the moment…

I don’t know how long it took before he opened his eyes and his voice became flat. “Give me the order. The main thing about the supply camp is to appease and not to investigate. Slow down the march and rest on the spot after arriving in Shule.” He was busy again. He added sternly, “Send another 100 people to the supply camp. Be sure to take good care of the military resources and make sure there is no loss!”

Seeing Master Mei raise his head in surprise, he forced out a few words through clenched teeth, “There must be no mistakes in those forty carts of gold and silver utensils!” Master Mei hurriedly received the order and went out of the account. It turned out that he was a veteran in the army and was best at comforting and regulating things. The turmoil in the transport camp gradually calmed down that night. After slowing down the marching speed, the resentment of the sergeants was much lessened, but the rumors became more and more widespread.

On the second day of February, the army finally walked out of the Tianshan Mountains. Thinking that they would be able to rest in Shule City in just over a day, the morale that had become sluggish and sluggish finally recovered a little. However, in the morning of the next day, two cavalry scouts brought chilling news: 8,000 Tubo cavalry, led by the Turkic Archery Tribe, were heading straight for the Tang army. The distance was less than twenty miles!

Amidst the sound of the military bugle, the generals and captains of each army rushed to the central army’s tent on flying horses. When they heard the news, they looked at each other. After a long silence, someone still had the courage to say, “I’m afraid there will be some difficulties in this battle. The Tibetan cavalry is braver than the Turks, and our army is tired from long battles…”

Some people raised their heads, and there was a chorus of agreement. Some people said, “So what about Tubo? Is it possible that we, the Heavenly Army of the Tang Dynasty, are still afraid of them?” Then there were a few refutations, “When marching and fighting, we rely on morale. Can our army’s morale be strong enough to survive a fierce battle?”

Su Haizheng listened to the quarrel below and remained silent. He couldn’t sleep well in the past few days, his face was pale and his wrinkles were much deeper. After a long while, he waved his hand and said, “Go down first!” Seeing everyone retreating with grumbles, he turned around and looked at Master Mei, “What do you think it should be?”

Master Mei’s expression was not much better than his, and he slowly shook his head, “The current situation cannot be fought hard!”

Su Haizheng looked at him coldly, and suddenly laughed in a dry voice, “In your opinion, I should tie myself in front of the battle in order to ask them to give me a good time?”

Master Mei shook his head hurriedly, “Why did the Protector-General say this? I have two strategies. One is that there must be a brave man under the heavy reward. The Protector-General might as well take out the thousands of gold and silver utensils and prove that this battle can be won.” Then we can separate from the other armies, and there is about a 50% chance of winning this battle. If Dadu protects his previous minor mistakes, the imperial court may give him a lighter punishment.”

Su Haizheng thought for a moment and shook his head slightly, “What about the second strategy?”

Master Mei hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, “The men and horses of the Gongyue tribe are not something to be afraid of. The only ones to worry about are Tubo. They must have been invited by the Gongyue tribe to help. They have no grudges against the Great Protector. The Gongyue tribe You can come here with gold and silver, and you can send gold and silver to the protector. If the protector can write a letter and send it to the Tubo camp, it means that Tang Dynasty and Tubo have been repairing for many years. Why should they fight against each other because of outsiders? I am willing to give the Tibetan army 40 carts of gold and silver and 20,000 pieces of cloth to support the return journey, and make a good alliance. It is expected that the Tibetan army will probably withdraw in this way, but it will be a failure. Losing the prestige of the Tang Dynasty will also encourage Tibet’s ambitions in Western Xinjiang and make it easier for Turkic tribes to collude with Tibet in the future…”

Su Haizheng didn’t say anything. He stood up suddenly, lifted the curtain out of the tent, mounted his horse and came all the way to the front of the camp. Less than ten miles in front of Tangying, a dark mass of people and horses has occupied a slightly higher gentle **** like a dark cloud. Although the number of people and flags cannot be seen clearly, the momentum seems to be able to suppress them.

Su Haizheng was silent for a long time, the muscles on his face twitched several times, and finally said in a deep voice without looking back, “Master Mei, please go back to the account and help me repair a book!”

　　…………

On the fifth day of the second lunar month, Su Haizheng, the governor of Anxi, bribed the Tibetan army with military supplies, and the news that he would return to Shule after making peace was spread by flying horse to the official office of Tingzhou more than a hundred miles away. Everyone couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment. The governor of the court, Shi, stamped his feet and said angrily, “How could this person be so greedy for life and afraid of death? Our army has certainly returned after a long period of hard work. Why didn’t the Tubo people come from afar? The decisive battle is only a few days away from Shule.” Ten miles away, only more than a hundred miles away from our Tingzhou, which is the heartland of our empire in Western Xinjiang, but he actually doesn’t dare to fight! Who among the Turks and Tibetans will take the Tang Dynasty seriously in the future? ?”

Someone sneered, “Like father, like son!”

Pei Xingjian let out a long sigh, “The Tubo people came so fast! Pei made another miscalculation this time…”

Ting Governor Shi hurriedly said, “Su Hai is greedy in politics and is afraid of death. Why should he blame himself for keeping the promise? In my opinion, this matter should be reported to the court as soon as possible jointly by you and me!”

Pei Xingjian nodded. Both of them were fluent in writing, and soon they wrote the memorial and signed it. After sealing it, hand it over to the officer in Tingzhou.

After a while, the officer turned back with a sad face and said, “I would like to report to the Chief History Officer that the hut where the Governor came to handle his daily official duties was destroyed by a huge boulder from the Turks. It was sorted out a few days ago, but now it can’t be found. I can’t find the talisman from the government office…”

The governor of the court, Shi, said in astonishment, “Why are you reporting this matter now? What should we do? It’s just a matter of delivering documents in Western Xinjiang. Now I’m sending memorials. Without the talisman, I can’t even get out of Yumen Pass, so how can I get to Chang’an?” ? Go and look for it, even if you dig three feet in the ground, you will find it!”

Pei Xingjian waved his hands hurriedly, with a wry smile on his face, “No need, Xingjian also brought a piece here.” As he said this, he slowly took out a copper talisman from the abacus he carried with him.

The governor of the court, Shi, was overjoyed and took it with both hands. “Keeping the promise is really a thoughtful and exhaustive plan. Brother Yu admires it!”

The bitter smile on Pei Xingjian’s face suddenly became deeper. He silently turned his head and glanced at the south door. Thinking of that bold woman who always got things wrong, he felt it was both funny and warm.

I actually wrote 8,000 words today… I want to ask for pink with confidence, **** ho ho. Su Haizheng’s last record in history was to use military funds to bribe the Tibetan people.

 (End of this chapter)