Chapter 29 4. Li Mi, the Mountain Man in White

In the second year of Zhide (757), the Anshi Rebellion broke out for more than a year, and the Tang army launched a major counterattack.Guo Ziyi led the Shuofang army to capture Hedong.Li Guangbi, who was sticking to Taiyuan, also wiped out 70,000 enemies who besieged Taiyuan in one fell swoop.The two main generals cooperated tacitly, echoed from the north to the south, and controlled the strategic areas west of the Taihang Mountains and east of the Yellow River. At this time, the forces of the rebels were distributed along the arc of Fanyang, the old nest of Anlu Mountain, Luoyang, the eastern capital, and Chang'an, the western capital.Because of the unparalleled political significance, these three places are the places where the rebels must defend, and they are important places for the rebels.When the rebels occupied Luoyang and Chang'an, the world was shaken, the Tang Dynasty was in turmoil for a while, and the balance of history had clearly tilted towards the rebels.Occupying Luoyang and Chang'an is indeed an extremely important milestone for Anlu Mountain.However, the war situation has evolved from the initial quick battle to the current confrontation situation. Because the three-point force is too long, Luoyang and Chang'an have become huge burdens.Especially since the two armies of Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi took control of Shanxi, the semicircular force distribution curve of the rebel army has become quite terrible.As long as you look at the map, you will know that the chord connecting the two ends of the arc connecting Fanyang, Luoyang and Chang'an is Shanxi.

To attack any of the three main areas of the rebel army from Shanxi, the Tang army only needs to walk the radius of the circle.On the contrary, the rebels who went to rescue had to run half a circle around the road before they could reach their destination.At this time, the Tang army was not in a hurry to fight the rebels, but as long as they made a show of a decisive battle, the rebels had to take it seriously, and thus made a large-scale mobilization of troops.For example, Li Guangbi in Taiyuan only made a gesture to attack Fanyang, and the main rebel army in Luoyang had to rush thousands of miles to help; The army has to come to rescue.In this way, the two generals Guo and Li took Shanxi as the string, sometimes pretending to attack Fan Yang, sometimes pretending to attack Luoyang, and sometimes pretending to attack Chang'an.The result was: thousands of troops of the rebel army were mobilized, and elite soldiers and strong generals kept running back and forth along this arc thousands of miles long, like ants on a hot pot.Although An Lushan's army was known as the strongest elite soldier in the world at that time, no matter how strong the elite soldier is, if they are only exhausted, they must be exhausted, dragged down, and dragged away.Facts have fully proved this point.

This strategy is actually what is called "waiting for work with ease" in the Art of War.It can be said that this strategic decision was far-sighted and fundamentally reversed the situation in which the Tang army had been passively beaten since the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, and saved the precarious fate of the Tang Dynasty.The person who made this strategic decision was Li Mi, known as the "White Mountain Man". At that time, Suzong wanted to return to Chang'an, so he asked Li Mi: "Now that the rebel army is so powerful, I don't know when it will be calmed down?" Li Mi replied: "I see that all the children, gold and silk plundered by the rebel army were sent to Fan Yang. Knowing that there is no great ambition to rule the world. The people who are now employed by Lushan are all Hu people, and the Chinese scholars are only a few noble people. According to my expectations, the world will be peaceful in just two years." Suzong was very surprised. I asked why.Li Mi said: "The rebel generals are nothing more than Shi Siming, An Shouzhong, Tian Ganzhen, Zhang Zhongzhi, Ashina Chengqing and others. Now if Li Guangbi is allowed to lead the army out of Jingxing from Taiyuan, Guo Ziyi will be sent from Feng Yi (now Dali, Shaanxi) entered Hedong, so Siming, Zhongzhi did not dare to leave Fanyang and Changshan, Shouzhong, Qianzhen dared not leave Chang'an, this is the four generals of the two armies. Only Ashina inherited Qing is one person. I hope that Guo Ziyi will not have to attack Huayin, so that the roads between the two capitals will be connected. Your Majesty will use the troops conscripted in Fufeng to attack each other with Ziyi and Guangbi. If the rebels rescue the first, they will attack their tails. Its head makes the rebel army travel thousands of miles, exhausted. Our army waits for work with leisure. Ning Wangtan, as the ambassador of Fanyang Jiedu, attacked from the north of Saibei, and joined forces with Guangbi to attack Fanyang from the north and the south, and overthrew the lair of Lushan Mountain. If Lushan retreated, the way back would be cut off, and there would be no peace if he stayed there. able to wipe out the rebels in one fell swoop."

Li Mi made a fairly detailed military plan for Suzong, suspending the recovery of Chang'an, and sent Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi to march into Hebei in two ways to attack the rebels' lair Fanyang, causing the rebels to be in a dilemma. wipe out.This is a far-sighted decision by a great strategist, and a classic argument by a military strategist.Facts have proved that Li Mi's strategy is far-sighted.He helped Emperor Suzong make suggestions in the military, and he won the victory thousands of miles away with intelligence, and made outstanding contributions in quelling the Anshi Rebellion.However, such a strange man has not received the evaluation he deserved in history. However, the "Old Book of Tang" says that he is "good at the way of ghosts, he can bow down at any time, and has no feet to be called".

Li Mi, courtesy name Changyuan, was born in Zhongshan, Zhao County.He is not well-known in history, but he fulfilled Li Bai's famous poem: "The ancient sages are lonely." In fact, he not only contributed to the Tang Dynasty, but also a legendary figure like Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen. , full of economics, was the actual prime minister of the three dynasties of Suzong, Daizong and Dezong. In the sixteenth year of Kaiyuan (728), a national selection of child prodigies was held in Chang'an, the capital city, and Xuanzong came on stage to watch it in person.There is a high seat under the city tower for child prodigies to answer on the stage.I saw a nine-year-old boy named Yuan Chu taking the lead on the stage, fighting with the group of children and defeating all the opponents.Xuanzong was very happy, called Yuan Chu to his side and asked, "Is there any child smarter than you?" Xuanzong meant to praise Yuan Chu for being smart, which no one can match.Unexpectedly, Yuan Chu unexpectedly replied that his cousin Li Bi was only seven years old, and his talents were higher than his own.Xuanzong was taken aback, and immediately sent a Pegasus to fetch Li Mi.

When Li Bi arrived, Xuanzong was playing chess with Duke Zhang of Yan State.Seeing that Li Mi was still a child, Xuanzong didn't take it seriously, so he asked Zhang to try Li Mi's talents with chess as the subject.Zhang said: "The square is like a chess board, the round is like a chess piece, the movement is like a chess, and the static is like a dead chess." Li Mi thought for a while and said: "Fang is like doing righteousness, round is like using wisdom, moving is like using talent, and static If you are proud." After hearing this, Xuanzong felt that the answer was unique and profound, and he quickly hugged Li Mi in his arms, caressed him, and then said: "Because you are still young, if you are appointed as an official at the age of seven, it is not conducive to intelligence. development." He also asked Li Mi's parents to teach their children carefully so that they could become the pillars of the country in the future.

After Li Mi and Zhang's dialogue became a hit, Zhang Shuo specially invited Li Mi to his home, and asked his sons Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi to be with him, just like teachers and friends.Zhang Jiuling, He Zhizhang and other big celebrities at the time also liked Li Mi very much when they met him.He Zhizhang once said: "This kid's eyes are like autumn water, and he will definitely be a minister in the future." Li Mi once wrote "Long Song Xing": "The sky overwhelms me, the earth carries me, and the heaven and the earth give birth to me. Is there any intention? Otherwise, the dead grains will rise to the sky, or the Ming Ke will travel to the imperial capital. How can it not be expensive and not go back, and be a husband in vain? .One husband, one husband, the ambition of a lifetime is a good plan. Please take a look at what you have done for a hundred years, and you can sail the five lakes with a boat." After the poem was completed, people rushed to copy it, and all praised it.Only Zhang Jiuling didn't take it seriously after seeing it, and specially warned Li Mi: "If you gain a good reputation too early, you will definitely bring losses. You should only write poems to appreciate the scenery and praise the ancient sages, and it is better not to express yourself." Li Mi Bi means acceptance.

Zhang Jiuling especially liked Li Mi at a young age, so he was very scheming, always saying that his future was immeasurable.Li Mi also once persuaded Zhang Jiuling with honest words.Zhang Jiuling was very grateful to him, so he called him "little friend".When Zhang Jiuling took office in Jingzhou, he specially invited Li Mi to live in the county mansion for more than a year. Xuanzong also often called Li Mi into the ban, and ordered Li Mi, the prince and the princes to be friends of the common people, and to worship the East Palace.Therefore, Li Mi and Prince Li Heng grew up playing together, and Li Heng often called him Mr.

When Yang Guozhong was in power, Li Bi wrote a poem in which there is a sentence "the willows at the east gate are green and haggard at the annual feast".Yang Guozhong believed that "Liu" coincided with "Yang", and Li Mi was writing a poem to satirize him as a prime minister and was unpopular, and he went to Xuanzong to complain.Xuanzong said disapprovingly: "Fu Liu is ridiculed, and Li is ridiculed, is it possible?" (Tang Yuchishu "South Chu News") But later Li Mi was squeezed out of Chang'an by Yang Guozhong.Li Mi saw that the political situation in the Tang Dynasty was chaotic, so he simply became a hermit, "hiding to famous mountains, so as to hide and adapt to himself".

After Suzong came north from Maweiyi to ascend the throne, he lacked advisers who planned the overall situation.He immediately thought of Li Mi and sent someone to look for Li Mi.King Guo Li Ju sent people to find Li Mi in Shaoshi of Songshan Mountain, and immediately prepared chariots and horses to send him to Lingwu. Li Mi met Suzong in Lingwu Jin Dynasty.Suzong was very happy and wanted to appoint Li Mi as prime minister on the spot.Li Bi refused to accept it, and said: "Your Majesty treats me like a guest and friend, which is more noble than appointing me as a prime minister. Why go against my wishes!" Suzong saw that he could not force him, so he gave up.

When Li Mi lived in seclusion in the countryside, she wore commoner clothes, but when she arrived in Lingwu, she still wore her old clothes.Suzong often walked with Li Mi on horseback.After the soldiers saw it, they pointed at the back and said, "The person in yellow clothes is a sage (emperor), and the person in white clothes is a mountain man." Hearing the soldiers' comments, Suzong felt that it was too conspicuous, so he gave it to the emperor. Li Mi insisted on wearing a purple official uniform, and said: "Now is a difficult time. I dare not submit to your will and be entrusted with an official position. I temporarily wear a purple robe to avoid suspicion." Li Mi had no choice but to do so. put on.Suzong said with a smile: "Since you are wearing an official uniform, how can you still not have an official title?" Then, he took out an imperial edict from his sleeve, and appointed Li Mi as the commander-in-chief of the military country and marshal's mansion (equivalent to military adviser).Li Mi resolutely declined.Suzong said: "I dare not take you as my prime minister, but I just want to get through this difficult time. After the rebels are suppressed, I will follow your wishes." Li Mi agreed. At that time, Lingwu had become the new political center of the Tang Empire. The imperial court had to command the wars across the country, and the military affairs were busy, and reports from all directions continued from morning till night.Suzong set up the Marshal's Mansion in the forbidden area, and ordered that all the documents received should be sent to the Marshal's Mansion for Li Bikai to see, and only sent to Suzong if there was an emergency.Li Mi's opinion must be sought first on everything big or small, and he is obedient, even discussing the appointment and dismissal of generals with him.The key to the palace gate is in charge of Li Chu and Li Mi, the crown princes of Suzong. It can be seen that Suzong trusted Li Mi so much. When Suzong was in Lingwu, he once discussed with Li Mi: "Now Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi are prime ministers. If they regain the two capitals and put down the rebellion, there will be no officials to reward them for their merits. What should we do?" Li Mi replied: " In ancient times, officials were appointed for their abilities, and nobles were rewarded for their merits. Since the Han and Wei Dynasties, although the system of prefectures and counties has been implemented, those who have meritorious service are still given land, which can be passed on to their descendants. As for the Zhou and Sui, there is still no change. In the early years of this dynasty , Kanto has not yet settled down, so the nobility is a false name, and those who are actually sealed are just clothed. During the Zhenguan period, Taizong wanted to restore the ancient system and divide the land as the king, but the ministers objected. Therefore, many meritorious officials were rewarded. Relying on officials. However, there are two harms in rewarding merit with officials. If you are not talented, you will be useless, and you will be difficult to control. Therefore, those who have made meritorious officials are in high officials, because they cannot be passed on to their descendants. In the past, if Anlu Mountain had a kingdom of hundreds of miles that could be passed on to the descendants, there would be no rebellion. For the present plan, after the world is peaceful, it is better to divide the nobles and lands to reward meritorious officials. Even a big country is only a few hundred miles away. It is similar to the current small county, and it is not difficult to control it. It is a benefit for all generations." Su Zong deeply agreed.But Li Mi suddenly said: "As for what I want, it is different from others. I have no desire for salary or land. I plan a strategy for Your Majesty. After recovering the capital, as long as I can sleep on the emperor's lap, let Qin Tianjian came to report that the guest star violated the emperor's seat, and it would be enough to move the stars in the sky." Suzong couldn't stop laughing when he heard this.Li Mi's relaxed character can be seen from this.But it is such a person who has no intention of power, fame and fortune, but is even more trusted by the emperor. Then one day, Li Mi fell asleep in the yard because he was too tired.Suzong just arrived, so that no one would disturb Li Mi, and then held Li Mi's head on his lap.After a long time, Li Bi woke up.Su Zong smiled and said: "Your knee is already on the pillow, when is the day to conquer the enemy's camp and regain the lost ground? You can shorten the time and repay me." Li Mi hurriedly got up to thank him. Suzong once called King Ying and his three younger brothers to eat on the hearth carpet with Li Mi.Suzong personally burned two pears and handed them to Li Mi.King Ying quit and insisted on eating the pear.Suzong refused, and said: "You have eaten a lot of meat, and Mr. Li doesn't eat meat (Li Mi cultivates Taoism and doesn't eat meat), why do you want to fight for this?" King Ying said: "We just want to try it. Why does the emperor's heart favor Li Mi? Otherwise, the three of us can share one pear." Suzong didn't agree, and asked someone to bring other fruits for them.The three younger brothers said again: "We only want the pear because the emperor personally burned it. What's the use of other fruits?" This is a story." King Ying started first: "How old is Mr., and his color is like a child." King Xin continued: "Hold the bones of the nine immortals at night, and wear a piece of clothing at court." King Yi continued: "If you don't eat thousands of millet, you only eat Eat two pears." Then the three kings asked the emperor to finish the poem.Suzong then said: "I am born with anger here, and help me turn my inaction." Li Mi wanted to stand up and express his thanks.Suzong resolutely refused to let it go, and said: "You live on the mountain, live in seclusion in the secluded forest, and don't participate in human affairs; you live in the palace, secretly plan to save the country, and grasp the magical opportunity. You are guarding the country. People." Li Mi's status in Suzong's heart can be seen from this. Because Li Mi received such favor, the eunuch Li Fuguo and others were very jealous of him.Li Mi is straightforward and flexible, and he also knows this.There was a dialogue between Li Mi and Suzong about "five must not stay".One day, Li Mi drank with Suzong in the palace at night, and then slept on the same couch.Li Mi suddenly said: "It is enough for me to repay the emperor's kindness today. How happy I am to return to the people!" , Why did you leave suddenly?" Li Mi said: "I have five reasons why I should not stay. I met Your Majesty too early, Your Majesty employs you too much, favors you too deeply, your contribution is too high, and your strategy is too strange. These are the reasons why I cannot stay." Suzong was greatly surprised by this. In October of the second year of Zhide (757), Tang Jun recovered Luoyang, Tokyo, and Li Mi immediately asked to live in seclusion in Hengshan.Suzong couldn't understand it very much, and said: "I share sorrows with you, and now we just share joys, how can you say you want to leave?"Dai Zongli summoned Li Mi back to Shepeng Cai Dian Shu Ge.He was also envied by Yuan Zai and others.He was born in Chuzhou and Hangzhou, and both have political achievements.Dezong was fortunate to serve the heavens, and he was called to the line to teach Zuo Sanqi a regular servant, and he worshiped the Minister of Zhongshu, and he was in charge of political affairs with Pingzhang.There are many rescuers in trouble.After a lot of hard work, he was granted the title of Marquis of Ye. Li Mi's life was full of legends. He never married a wife or ate meat.He likes to talk about Buddhism and Taoism, and often satirizes the world with ghosts and gods, which was not tolerated by decent people at that time.People at the time also regarded him as an alternative.However, Li Mi and the three emperors Suzong, Daizong, and Dezong were able to maintain a good relationship between teachers and friends: "go out to accompany the emperor and sleep on the same couch" with Suzong; , Daizong also forced him to marry a wife and eat meat; for Dezong, he was accused of being Jie and Zhou and it didn't matter.Although Li Mi was exiled four times because of the envy of powerful officials, every time the new emperor ascended the throne, Li Mi was immediately recruited.It is rare in history to be favored by the Four Emperors. Li Bi studied Confucian poetry and prose, but liked to talk about "immortals and tricks". He also made friends with monks in Hengshan, leaving a good story about "lazy and simmering taro".He has repeatedly rejected high-ranking officials and generous salary, and travels between the court and famous mountains. He can not only exert influence on the politics of the court, but also protect himself wisely. Between the dual identities, it can be said that he can advance and retreat freely. His ideological character and life events can make people have many reveries about Chinese cultural traditions and the encounters of scholars.Xu Jun from the Song Dynasty has a poem "Li Mi": "Yibaishan people rebuilt the Tang Dynasty, and they have thought deeply about their families and the country. They return home after they have accomplished their achievements, and their high integrity is vaguely a man's house."