Chapter 3128: A show of force
Li Chengqian was horrified, then nodded, and said in a deep voice: "Shilang Cui's words are true, the battle in Hexi will be won!"
Morale is a very mysterious thing. It cannot be seen or touched, but it can make millions of elite wolves rush forward and be completely defeated. It can also make a ragtag group fight against the odds and win against a large number with a small number.
The current situation in Guanzhong is turbulent, all because of Hexi. If even the prince does not believe that this battle can be won, wouldn't the government and the opposition become more pessimistic? Once the morale of the army is exhausted, let alone the final outcome of the Battle of Hexi, civil strife will probably break out in Guanzhong first.
If there is a "fleeing wave" and all the people and merchants flee the Guanzhong for refuge, the first person to bear the responsibility will be him, the prince who oversees the country.
As long as the morale of the military is stable, even if the Battle of Hexi fails, it is not impossible to mobilize all the forces to fight; but if the morale of the military is unstable and morale collapses, once the Battle of Hexi fails, the land of Gyeonggi will be devastated, and the foundation of the empire will be shaken.
Not to mention whether Tuyuhun was eventually overthrown or not, he, the crown prince, would probably only have one way to be deposed...
Cui Dunli said respectfully: "Your Highness, the Duke of Yue is resisting Tuyuhun in Hexi, but Guanzhong must also be more careful. At this moment, Guanzhong is empty, and the army that can fight is extremely limited, and many of them have ulterior motives. If something really happens, we may not be able to do our best to protect you. Sheji.”
Li Chengqian hurriedly asked: "What should we do?"
It is a well-known fact that the troops in Guanzhong are empty. Once there was any disturbance, it would be difficult to mobilize enough troops to deal with it. He really didn't know where he could mobilize troops and stabilize the situation.
Cui Dunli shook his head and said: "The soldiers and horses near Chang'an may not be aggressive enough, but they are more than enough to defend it. The Youtun Guards are stationed at the Xuanwu Gate. One man can guard the gate and no ten thousand men can open it, which can ensure that the entrance to the imperial city is not lost. Although the Sixth Army of the East Palace has been prepared in a hurry, But how can Duke Wei, a genius in this world, not be able to withstand a battle? And your Highness must not forget that in the Zhenguan Academy outside the city, more than a thousand students are training day and night, and they will be a rare force when the critical moment comes."
Li Chengqian became more and more surprised: "Only half of the Youtun Guards are left. Although thousands of young men have just been recruited, the total is less than 20,000. How can they hold on to the Xuanwu Gate? The six rates of the East Palace... Of course there is Duke Wei. Train carefully, It is still unknown how powerful they are. As for the disciples in the academy, they are just a bunch of young men. They are either young men from aristocratic families, or they are students from poor families and are weak. How can they be called elite soldiers?"
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After much calculation, except for half of the Youtun Guards, they still have the strength to fight, and the rest are just a bunch of rabble. If we entrust the stability of Gyeonggi Province to this, I am afraid we will regret it...
But Cui Dunli said firmly: "How dare a humble minister say anything false? The Duke of Yue has prepared for a rainy day and has already arranged this matter to prevent the capital from being turbulent one day. Although there is only half of the right guard, it is enough to overwhelm the left guard. Most of the noble disciples led by Donggong Liu were eliminated, and the newly recruited ones were all young men from poor families, with great combat prowess. As his career soared, he was unexpectedly attracted and corrupted by aristocratic families. The students in the academy have been training intensively for several months. While they are strong and strong, they are also taught how to use firearms. These students are smarter and faster than those in the army. Soldiers who are accustomed to using swords, spears, swords and halberds are more skilled.”
The biggest advantage of firearms is that they allow soldiers to form combat effectiveness faster and are rarely affected by physical fitness.
Although there are only about a thousand students in the academy, when facing battle, they are equipped with muskets and thunderbolts. They work together as one, and their combat power is definitely no less than that of the same soldiers in any army guard.
Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but sigh: "The Duke of Yue is sincere in his pursuit of the country and is prepared for a rainy day. He is really a lonely humerus!"
He has always admired Fang Jun's political vision. However, now I have just discovered that Fang Jun never fights a battle that is uncertain. Now I think of his suggestion that he take control of the Sixth Army of the East Palace and then carry out rectification and training. He also secretly pulled the disciples of the academy out for "military training", but he was doing it step by step. Consolidate the power of the East Palace.
At that time, who could have imagined the deterioration of the situation today?
If something happens, all these preparations made by Fang Jun are life-saving things...
Cui Dunli also said: "The Duke of the State of Yue is astonishingly talented and extremely handsome. He is truly a capable minister that has never been seen in the world. The humble ministers admire him without much respect."
Others only saw Fang Jun's achievements, but those who followed Fang Jun were increasingly impressed by Fang Jun's foresight, especially the research and development, construction, and application of firearms, which were groundbreaking!
Li Chengqian nodded and said: "For the defense of the capital, I still need a lot of help from Cui Shilang. At any time, you can come directly to Xingqing Palace to see you. At this time of crisis, we will act as monarchs and ministers with one heart and one mind to protect the country until the great victory." Victory, I will not be treated unfairly!”
Cui Dunli stood up quickly, bowed and said solemnly: "I am willing to serve to the death!"
*****
When the Youtun Guards marched to Liangzhou, they were met by a mighty army. Along the way, the people were eating pots of pulp and lined the roads to greet them.
The news that Tuyuhun intends to rebel has already spread, and people in the counties in Hexi are panicking. The common people have also heard about the lack of military strength in Guanzhong. The elderly people even think about the brutality of Tuyuhun when he was crossing the Hexi River. How can they not be frightened?
However, transportation was inconvenient in this era, and the bitterness in the phrase "it is difficult to leave the homeland" is difficult to describe. Therefore, knowing that when Tuyuhun invaded the country, he might be tortured, but he could only pray to God, hoping that the Tang Dynasty could repel the enemy chiefs and protect them. The environment is safe and the people are safe.
When they found out that it was Fang Jun, the famous general of the dynasty, who was leaving Hexi, the soldiers and civilians in Hexi couldn't help but celebrate.
Although Fang Jun's reputation in Chang'an official circles is not very good, especially among the aristocratic families who hate him deeply, in the minds of the people all over the world, Fang Jun is a rare "god of war" among the younger generation. He loves the people like his son and has noble character. How could a famous general who had overthrown Xue Yantuo and expedition to the Western Regions be defeated by the little Tuyuhun?
When they heard that Fang Jun's army was coming, the people spontaneously greeted them with joy and laughter...
Outside Liangzhou City, Fang Jun was riding on a horse wearing a helmet, waving to the people on both sides of the road with a smile on his face. Pei Xingjian led his soldiers to thank the people and appease their emotions, but all the "rewards" were not given. receive.
A frail old man with a gray beard took Pei Xingjian's hand and forced a basket of chickens into his hand.
Pei Xingjian smiled broadly and declined: "My father-in-law, our Youtun Guards are the army of the imperial court. Our food and supplies are allocated by the imperial court, and there is never any shortage. Please keep these things and replenish your health. You can live one more day." , is the auspiciousness of our Tang Dynasty!”
But the old man insisted and refused to take it back. He opened his toothless mouth and said with a smile: "I am seventy years old this year. I will die early and die later. What does it matter? Back then, I followed Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty on an expedition to Liaodong, and fortunately my body was left intact. I have already earned enough by surviving. Young people, take these chickens and make up for the robes, and kill a few more barbarians!”
Pei Xingjian had no choice but to say: "I know that my good husband knows that our Youtun Guards have strict orders not to ask for needles and threads from the people! If I accept your chicken today, the commander-in-chief will punish me tomorrow! Please don't I’m going to be in trouble...”
At the same time, the soldiers he led also continued to politely refuse the common people who wanted to use the produce at home to "labor the army", no matter what, they would not accept it.
Such noble behavior made the people burst into tears and praised him repeatedly.
As the saying goes, "Thieves are like combs, and soldiers are like grates." Throughout the ages, the virtues of soldiers and bandits are not much different. In many cases, in order to collect military supplies, the army forcibly requisitions civilian supplies as a commonplace. Have you ever seen such things delivered to your door? But the army refused to accept it?
……
The people greeted him all the way and sang praises, and Fang Jun was naturally very happy. In military campaigns, it is never just about the soldiers fighting to the death to kill the enemy. The unity of the army and the people is very important.
But when he arrived outside Liangzhou City and saw the Liangzhou guard who came to greet him, his face gradually darkened.
Outside the city gate, Liangzhou guard Yuchi Baohuan led his soldiers to greet him: "The last general, Liangzhou guard Yuchi Baohuan, has met the Duke of Yue!"
Two people behind him also stepped forward and saluted: "Duan Hu, the last general guarding Ganzhou, and Hou Mo Chenfen, the last general guarding Suzhou, have met the Duke of Yue!"
The rest all came forward to pay their respects.
Fang Jun was riding on the horse, looking down at the crowd with a gloomy face, swinging the whip in his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Duan Hu, Hou Mo and Chen Fen, you two are the guards of Gansu and Suzhou. In this crisis, If you don't stick to the city, but come to Liangzhou to flatter you, what crime should you do?"
Duan Hu and Hou Mo Chenfen were immediately startled. The former hurriedly said: "Don't misunderstand, Duke of Yue. We are just here to discuss the joint defense strategy with General Yuchi, not just to welcome you, Duke of Yue..." ”
Fang Jun didn't wait for him to finish speaking. He waved his horse whip in his hand and ordered: "You two have left their posts without permission, flattered the camp, and violated military orders. Come, take off their armor and give them twenty punishments." Serve as a warning!”
Duan Hu and Hou Mo and Chen Fen looked extremely ugly.
Has the "disgrace" hit our brothers?
Mother! (End of chapter)