Chapter 6 6. Avoid the sharp edge: the wise and brave first general of the later Tang Dynasty

The later Tang Dynasty dominated the world during the chaotic Five Dynasties period, relying not only on Li Keyong's accumulation in the early stage, but also on Li Cunxu's military talents.No matter which dynasty wants to achieve outstanding achievements, it needs the assistance of many talents to achieve achievements.In the process of defeating Khitan, Liu Rengong, and the old enemy Hou Liang in the Later Tang Dynasty, there was one person who ran through it all the time, and he could not be ignored. He was Li Siyuan, the number one brave general in the Later Tang Dynasty. Li Siyuan's father Li Ni used to be Li Keyong's favorite general, and Li Siyuan fought with Li Keyong when he was young.Zhu Wen wanted to harm Li Keyong in Shangyuan Station, and thanks to his rescue, he was named "Siyuan".After Li Keyong's death, he was still reused by his successor Li Cunxu because of his thick and reticent, cautious and modest personality, and became one of the most powerful generals under the King of Jin.He followed Li Cunxu for more than ten years, fought all over the world, and made outstanding military exploits for the unification of the Central Plains and the establishment of the Later Tang Dynasty.

After Li Cunxu defeated Zhu Wen, he appointed Zhou Dewei as the governor of Youzhou and stationed here to prevent the Liang army from committing another crime.Although Liang Jun did not come, he did wait for the Khitan army.Khitan lord Yelu Abaoji saw the battle between Liang and Jin, so he wanted to take the opportunity to march into the Central Plains. He chose Youzhou, the most important town in the north, as his destination, and dispatched brave cavalry to besiege Youzhou for six months.Zhou Dewei saw that Youzhou had been besieged for a long time, and the Khitan army had no intention of retreating, so he had to ask Li Cunxu for help.

After receiving the urgent call for help from Youzhou, Li Cunxu was still not in a hurry. He said: "These Khitan troops just want to plunder the Central Plains. When they fail to attack for a long time, they will naturally retreat. At that time, let Zhou Dewei lead If the army pursues it, it will surely win a complete victory." Everyone also agreed with Li Cunxu's opinion, because the war with Khitan seems to have been carried out in this way for a long time, and everyone is used to it.But Li Siyuan suddenly said: "Zhou Dewei was loyal to the country on the front line, and now he is alone in Youzhou, in danger, how can we wait for the enemy to retreat like before?"

This sentence caused a lot of discussion in the court hall, and Li Cunxu couldn't help but lower his face and said: "The Khitan army is brave, and we have always succeeded in this tactic, so why not this time?" Li Siyuan said without any compromise: "Khitan has never been besieged for such a long time before, and it has been six months now. I am afraid that the city of Youzhou is already empty. Since Zhou Dewei issued an emergency, it means that the situation cannot allow us to wait any longer. I beg King Jin Give me five thousand cavalry, and I am willing to go to Youzhou as the vanguard to rescue General Zhou Dewei."

Li Cunxu saw that he took the initiative to fight, and what he said made sense. This time the Khitan seemed determined to win, so he agreed to his request and ordered Li Siyuan and Li Cunshen to lead the cavalry to immediately march into Youzhou for rescue. After receiving the order, Li Siyuan and Li Cunshen led the army to Yizhou to assemble, and then sent troops to Youzhou.Li Cunshen said: "Now our army has only 7,000 soldiers and horses. Compared with the Khitans, our military strength is still very different. If we encounter them on the way, the Khitans have tens of thousands of light cavalry. They will definitely attack our team. I am afraid that the entire army will be wiped out." .”

Li Siyuan agreed with this: "The Khitan cavalry are brave, but they should not be afraid of it. When their troops dispatched troops, they basically had no backup, and even their supplies were obtained by looting along the way. In order to prevent them from plundering For our army's supplies, we should choose to march on mountain roads, although the route is difficult and dangerous, we can effectively avoid the Khitan cavalry." This proposal undoubtedly increased the difficulty of marching. Li Cunshen said: "We have already taken advantage of the army this time: the Khitan soldiers lack supplies. Weary outside the city. Their situation is no better than Zhou Dewei, so although they are fierce, they are at the end of their battle. As long as we advance all the way, we will definitely be able to defeat them, so there is no need to take such a risk."

In this regard, Li Siyuan disagreed: "The Khitan soldiers have always been brave, and their cavalry is even more outstanding. If you want to concentrate the main combat power on important battlefields, you must preserve your strength. Cavalry is not good at fighting in the mountains. We should take advantage of this. Avoid their sharp edge and choose a terrain that is beneficial to us to defeat the Khitan.” At the same time, Li Siyuan was very dissatisfied with Li Cunshen’s attitude of underestimating the enemy. He said: “When marching and fighting, the most taboo is to underestimate the enemy. The truth of this has been confirmed countless times since ancient times. Although the Khitan soldiers have been besieging the city for six months, the trapped beasts are still fighting. If they fight back with all their might, there is no guarantee that we will not be defeated. At that time, not only you and I will be in vain, but Youzhou will also be lost! "

For Li Siyuan's analysis and blame, as a junior, Li Cunshen is also very ashamed.But he was still a little hesitant about it, intending to discuss it with the generals again.Li Siyuan said resolutely: "Walking from the mountains is indeed difficult and dangerous. But it can achieve the effect of surprise, so that the Khitan can't figure out our strength. After arriving in Youzhou with a concealed track and joining the guards in the city, we can surely defeat the enemy." Seeing this, Li Cunshen had no choice but to agree to the proposal.Li Siyuan led 5,000 cavalry and marched towards Youzhou together with his adopted son Li Congke as the vanguard.This marching measure really made the Khitans defenseless. Wherever Li Siyuan went, the Khitans thought he was a divine soldier, and they were attacked by the Jin army while they were still surprised.

The vanguard troops led by Li Siyuan advanced from the mountain stream, making it difficult for the Khitan troops to figure out how many Jin troops there were, and the routes they took were all very difficult and dangerous mountain roads, so the Khitans were always in fear.But when he was still sixty miles away from Youzhou, Li Siyuan also encountered a crisis.A Khitan army of 50,000 was entrenched on the road to Youzhou in an attempt to block reinforcements.Li Congke reported this news to Li Siyuan: "There is no other way to get to Youzhou, and the distance from the city is only 60 miles. A direct confrontation with the Khitan army seems inevitable."

Li Siyuan looked at the surrounding terrain solemnly. Although the mountains are high and the forests are dense, he cannot hide in the forest all the time. Now it is the last section of entering Youzhou. Of course he is not willing to give up easily, so he said to Li Congke: "It seems that we Only by having a decisive battle with the Khitan army first can we guarantee to enter Youzhou. But we can't face the enemy head-on, we must outsmart them." Li Congke said: "In the past few days of marching in the mountains, some soldiers have been injured, so our combat effectiveness is not as good as when we first set off."

Li Siyuan said: "Since this is the case, then divide the army into two parts. The brave and skilled soldiers are all in the front and advance quietly, while the other wounded, old and weak are behind the army. There are many trees in the mountain. Let them all be cut down and dragged. Walking forward with firewood, you can also raise lit straw to create smoke and dust, so that Khitan can't see how many soldiers we have, this is a tactic for suspicious soldiers." When Li Congke was ready, Li Siyuan said to the soldiers: "We are now full of smoke and dust, and the Khitan must not know our strength. They think we are a large force coming, and we will definitely lose in momentum first. Everyone just need to beat us loudly. Drum, fight hard, and you will definitely be able to break through the encirclement." All the soldiers followed Li Siyuan and Li Congke, and suddenly rushed out from the mountain stream. The Khitan army saw the dust flying in the mountain, and thought that the Jin army had a large number. Although they were timid, they still fought hard.Li Siyuan raised the sword in his hand and said loudly: "My husband will serve the country today! Gentlemen, let's see how my father and son will kill the enemy and serve the country!" After speaking, he rushed into the enemy's formation, bravely killed the enemy, and was shot with arrows not return. Seeing Li Siyuan's bravery, the Khitan soldiers retreated steadily.Li Siyuan shouted to the Khitan general: "You have invaded my territory. The King of Jin ordered me to lead an army of one million to conquer you. You must be driven back to your hometown! You little thieves are not my opponents. Only Khitan King Abaoji can Qualified to fight with me!" Inspired by this fearless spirit, the vanguard of the Jin army rushed into the enemy camp, while the Khitan army fled.Li Siyuan continued to pursue, and the large army led by Li Cunshen also caught up. The two armies assisted, and their power was even greater. After the Khitan army was defeated, they fled north from Gubeikou in Hebei.In this battle, Li Siyuan captured and killed tens of thousands of Khitan soldiers, which greatly encouraged the Jin army. After the Khitan soldiers retreated, Li Siyuan led his army into Youzhou City in a mighty manner.Zhou Dewei opened the city gate and went out to greet him personally. He held Li Siyuan's hand tightly and expressed his thanks with tears streaming down his face: "If the general hadn't sent troops, Youzhou would have been lost!" He personally came to the suburbs to meet him, praised him greatly, and promoted him to be the school inspector and Taibao. Li Siyuan laid half of the country for the Later Tang Dynasty and showed outstanding military talents.After Li Cunxu, Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, abandoned the government and became addicted to actors, Li Siyuan was constantly suspected.He couldn't bear to be secretly monitored and slandered by rumors, and finally, under the instigation of his son-in-law Shi Jingtang and others, he rebelled and changed his name to Tiancheng.Before Li Cunxu came to power, his military talent was excellent, but after he came to power, he showed a lack of political ability.After Li Siyuan succeeded, his political talents were as outstanding as his military talents, and he became a blessing to the people of the later Tang Dynasty. After becoming Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, Li Siyuan not only forbade ministers to present rare and rare treasures, but also reduced the court organization and lived his life as an emperor in a plain and frugal style.At the same time, he also rectified the administration of officials, governed by benevolence, and cared about the sufferings of the people, which further improved the national power of the Later Tang Dynasty.