Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty-Three

"Xuan Tianzi said: I will not investigate the crimes committed by Li Guochang and his son for the time being. I will order you to lead the various ministries of Shatuo to fight the thieves and redeem yourself. After Chang'an is recovered, another reward will be given, and it will be given by you!" After reading, Li Youjin stepped forward to help Li Guochang: "Brother , When Chang'an is regained, we Shatuo people will rise up!" Li Guochang waved his hand and said, "I'm old! I can only let Ke Yong do the work for you." Three days later, Li Guochang and his son bid farewell to the Tatar tribes, gathered the rest of the Shatuo tribe, and went to Daizhou. Along the way, each Tatar tribe accompanied them.As far as Daizhou, there are more than 17,000 soldiers and horses.In November of the second year of Zhonghe (882 A.D.), Li Keyong, Li Youjin and others formally raised troops, with a total of 35,000 infantry and cavalry.In December, Li Keyong arrived at Hezhong Mansion with his troops. All the troops were dressed in black, known as the Shatuo Army.Thinking of Pang Xun's failure, Huang Chao was afraid of the bravery of the Kai army, so he ordered envoys to bring the edict and property to ask for peace, hoping to buy Li Keyong.However, it can be used to collect property, distribute it to the generals, burn imperial edicts, and expel envoys.Afterwards, troops were led across the river from Xiayang and stationed in Tongzhou.

Li Ke's dispatch of troops was like a shot of stimulant.The situation in Chang'an, which was already evenly matched, finally let the balance of victory gradually favor Datang. "Overjoyed! Overjoyed! Guangtu, just got the news that after Li Keyong returned to Tang, he won the first battle, and Shang Rang was defeated!" As soon as Jin Hui got the money, his excitement was beyond words. "It seems that this Li Keyong is really a talent!" Wang Jian couldn't help but marvel, "We have met Shang Rang's main force many times, and it can't be said that he is not brave! Unexpectedly, as soon as this Shatuo man sent troops, he attacked A victory! According to this situation, the recovery of Chang'an is just around the corner!"

At this moment, a report came from outside the tent: "Wang Dutou, Zhang Qianyu is here to see you!" Ever since Zhang Qianyu came to Wang Jian's command, Wang Jian treated him as if he were a guest of honor.Firstly, Qianyu is an old friend of Jin Hui, and secondly, Wang Jian appreciates that this person is competent and resourceful. Zhang Qianyu entered the big tent, saluted Wang Jian and Jin Hui, then leaned forward and asked cautiously: "You two generals, do you know that someone under your command has secretly traded and sold living people with Huang Chao's army?"

Wang Jian was surprised: "What do you mean?" "The general really doesn't know?" Qianyu lowered his voice, "Huang Chao was trapped in the capital. Although the city was full of money and treasures, he was short of food. Many soldiers under his command offered high prices in private, and bought and sold living people with my Tang army soldiers to eat human flesh. !" "How can there be any living people in my Tang army? Could it be that the subordinates were sent to Huang Chao's dining table?" Jin Hui asked. "Of course not, but poor people will suffer innocently..."

Wang Jian scolded angrily: "Beast! What a beast! Huang Chao wants to follow Qin Zongquan's example and become the ogre king. If the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty help the tyrant because of their greed for money, they are no different from beasts!" Jin Hui asked again: "Guangtu and I have never heard of this matter, how did you know?" "To be honest, I came from Xizhai just now. On the way, I saw Li Dutou's subordinates escorting people who had been robbed. Among them, two of them are old people. I inquired carefully from them, and then I learned the truth. As far as I know, many generals of the Zhongwu Army have participated in this. Forgive me for speaking bluntly, the two generals are strict in running the army, and they should make a decision as soon as possible, and the reputation of the Zhongwu Army must not be ruined!"

Wang Jian and Jin Hui looked at each other in surprise.Wang Jian thought to himself, if the Zhongwu army really did such an outrageous thing and spread the word, his previous reputation of being a strict military commander would be the laughing stock of the world, and if the emperor knew, he would surely blame himself.This is a tricky matter. If you don't ask, it's tantamount to deceiving your ears; if you ask, you can't make too much noise.He slowly adjusted his breath, comforting Qianyu and said: "Who in the Zhongwu Army is involved in this matter, no matter how prominent their position is, tell me what you heard, I want to listen to the truth! "

Zhang Qianyu nodded firmly: "Don't worry, general, Qianyu is not afraid of offending people. According to what I heard, Li Shitai, General Zhang Jie, and General Wang Zongji, the head of the loyal military capital, were all involved..." Although Wang Jian was mentally prepared, Still amazed.Li Shitai is his eldest brother who has shared weal and woe for many years, Zhang Jie is his brother who has been with him through life and death, and Wang Zongji is his adopted son, these are the closest people around him. Jin Hui asked again: "You just said that you met an old man, do I know him?"

Zhang Qianyu was excited for a while: "I was just about to report this matter to the two generals. These two people are very important, and they are both talented people with a beautiful heart and a stable country. If they can stay in our army, the Zhongwu Army will definitely be great in the future Big picture." "Oh?" Wang Jianzheng was worried about his own situation after the rebellion in the future. Hearing what Qianyu said, he couldn't help but smile, "Tell me quickly, who are these two people, and how did you know them?" "It's a long story." Qianyu smiled, his face flushed, "These two people called Wei Duanji and the other Zheng Xu. After parting with the two generals for the second time, I returned to Chang'an, and the Prime Minister recommended me to temporarily serve in Li Shangshu's mansion. After the Prime Minister was demoted, he once asked me to do something about Wei Duanji. He said that this person was the successor of the former Prime Minister Wei Jiansu , is a rare talent, but it's a pity that the examination room is dark, and he failed to succeed after repeated trials. Not long ago, he once approached the Prime Minister, wanting to seek an official position, but later because of the constraints of Tian Gonggong and others, he failed to do so. Huang Chao When I came to Beijing, I met Wei Xiucai for the first time when I went to the inn to deliver a message to Wei Xiucai. As for Zheng Xiucai, he is Wei Duanji’s friend, I have chatted with him, we hit it off very well, and he is also an underappreciated literati.”

"We must keep these two people..." Wang Jian thought to himself, "Now most of the army is like him and Zhang Jie, who don't know a lot of characters. As long as they are literati, stay with them and teach them how to read Hyphenation is also very beneficial. What's more, if I meet someone with real talents and real learning, he will help me in the future..." So, he couldn't wait to urge Qianyu: "Invite those two people here." After Zhang Qianyu left, Jin Hui thought deeply, and said in a low voice: "Guangtu, Lu Yanhong and Han Zuoshi bully men and women, and act recklessly. I can but ask myself to have a clear conscience. But our brothers in Xuzhou have been involved too much in the matter of buying and selling living people. If it spreads out, you and I are in high positions among them, and we cannot escape the blame! Reward, if we know about this, not to mention our many years of military exploits wiped out, even our lives will be hard to survive!"

"I've thought about this for a while, and I can't publicly punish you. Go to Supervisor Yang tomorrow and ask him to come forward to strictly enforce the military order. Let's just turn a blind eye to this matter and pretend we don't know about it." "That's very good. Before the order of the supervisory army is issued, I will report to each capital in private. I think they must restrain themselves, so that the supervisory army will not be able to find out what happened in the past." Not long after, Zhang Qianyu led Wei Zhuang and Zheng Xu to Wang Jian.A thin-faced literati in his forties looked at Wang Jian, bowed deeply, and said, "I see that the general is a loyal man, and he treats scholars so kindly. I am very relieved. I just don't know why the general's subordinates took my property." ?”

Wang Jian said guiltily: "Wang Jian is not strict in governing the army, and he offended me so much. I will let my subordinates return the seized property to Zhao." Another younger scholar said: "Zheng Xu in Xiayanling, I have heard for a long time that the king of the Zhongwu Army is the head of the army. Prestige, I am lucky to see three lives today. If the general does not give up, I wish to be attached to the general!" "Mr. is willing to serve. This is the great fortune of the Zhongwu Army. Please accept Wang Jian's worship." After saying that, he saluted Zheng Xu.Then he asked Wei Zhuang, "Mr. Wei, can you stay?" Wei Zhuang kept his mouth shut and raised his head slightly, the scattered hair on his head was covered with dust, but his full forehead couldn't hide the wisdom all over his body.Wang Jian saw that Wei Zhuang seemed to have something hard to say, and he wanted to keep talents, but he couldn't force them.The treatment of literati and warriors is actually the same. Only by keeping the hearts of the subordinates can it be possible to keep their people.Quickly said: "If you have any difficulties, sir, just go back, the construction is not difficult for others." Wei Zhuang's tense expression relaxed a little, and he nodded gratefully, before turning around to leave, he stopped again, and said after a while: "Zhuang has a word, I would like to cooperate with you." General, are you willing to listen?" Wang Jian looked at the middle-aged scholar in front of him, not knowing what shocking words he would say, and respectfully said: "I would like to hear from you, sir." Wei Zhuang said: "Zhuang Jiu heard the name of the general. The general led the army to defeat Shang Rang and fight against Zhu Wen. He was loyal to the Tang Dynasty and Ying Yu on the battlefield. The Central Plains were excited. Today, the vassals and towns are divided and the princes use their affairs, especially Jianghuai. The emperor is weak. However, Huang Chao is hard to shake the three-hundred-year-old foundation of the Tang Dynasty: Now that Zhu Wen has surrendered and Sha Tuo is attached, the overall situation has been determined, and the general's fame and achievement can be expected soon. At this time of great righteousness, the general should think about the future, be loyal to the emperor, and break the law. Everyone welcomes you to ensure the safety of the world. This is one of them." Wang Jian's surface was as calm as water, and he couldn't help but secretly admired in his heart: "Although I have long been convinced of the Tang family, since I followed Yang Fuguang, the leaders of the eight capitals of the Zhongwu Army have different ideas. Especially Lu Yanhong, who ranks at the head of the eight capitals, is growing stronger and stronger. Working with me, recruiting soldiers and buying horses in private, burning, killing and looting are all kinds of evil. Yang Gong is still able to control himself, but he sees that the prison army is weak. If anything happens, Lu Yanhong will not be safe once he takes power... I have discussed this with Jin Hui many times It is difficult to make a decision. This Wei Zhuang in front of him can point to 'Welcome to the capital' in one sentence, which is really clearing the clouds!" Thinking of this, Wang Jian pretended to be calm and asked: "What about the second?" Wei Zhuang said again: "Since ancient times, the people have been the foundation of the country. Water can carry a boat and overturn it. The country is like this, let alone an army? Generals love their soldiers and show compassion for their subordinates. Everyone knows this. But if you only value generals, you don't The common people burned, killed, looted, and even...exchanged the sacrifices of the people for glory and wealth..." Wei Zhuang didn't finish this sentence, "... under the general's account, most of them are old friends and old generals, but if the military law is not correct, good and bad will only happen Day and night..." Wei Zhuang didn't speak clearly, but he expressed his opinion very clearly. Wang Jian pondered for a moment, then said to Wei Zhuang: "Mr. Pour out my heart. I met my husband by chance, and I am really lucky to have such kind words. If you don’t give up, I am willing to play the role of Supervisor Yang and leave behind the magi who rule the army!" Wei Zhuang bowed to Wang Jianshen: "The general is too famous. I am just a low-ranking literati. I have heard of the general's name for a long time. I am very grateful to see the general for treating scholars well. It is ridiculous to leave some wild words. Zhuang and his family , go to Uncle Luoyang, just ask for a place to live in the troubled times, I hope the general will understand." Seeing that Wei Zhuang couldn't keep Wei Zhuang, Wang Jian felt depressed-he couldn't even keep a failed scholar, so there were more Annoyed.However, after thinking about it, Wei Zhuang's ability to have such precise eyesight and convincing demeanor is by no means an ordinary act.If I want to strengthen my power, I need not only good generals who charge forward, but also more scribes who plan strategies.That being the case, only by treating every scholar well can more truly talented people come to join us. "Sir insists on going, and I can't force you to stay." After that, he ordered all the generals to line up in front of the tent, and personally led a few adopted sons to serve Wei Zhuang with wine, and ordered people to fetch ten gold bars and give them away. Made a deal with Wei Zhuang.Wei Zhuang did not expect to receive such courtesy, and was very moved.After drinking the wine, he wiped the beads of wine from his beard with his worn-out sleeve robe and said: "The general is a virtuous and virtuous corporal, and I am truly ashamed of receiving it. If there is a fate in the future, Wei Zhuang will definitely repay the general for his kindness." , turned and left, leaving only a thin and fit back, which gradually blurred in Wang Jian's sight. "Why does father treat a down-and-out scholar like this?" Zong Ji asked puzzled.Wang Jian looked at Wei Zhuang's back: "I have been learning guns and knives since I was a child, but I have never read or written. If it weren't for this, in terms of military achievements, I would be more than a captain... If I want to make a difference, I must have an aide who can plan great things for me .You brothers must practice martial arts diligently, but also learn to be polite. Starting tomorrow, you will follow Mr. Zheng to learn how to read." "What's the use of reading and literacy? Killing the enemy and doing meritorious service depends on martial arts!" Zong Ji said. "In today's chaotic world, these words seem reasonable. If the bandits are put down, the world will be peaceful. If you don't know books and rituals, how can you use them for the emperor?" Wang Jian's words blocked the mouth of Yizi, but Zheng Xu who was on the side felt warm in his heart. Meaningful. Let’s say that Wei Zhuang bid farewell to Wang Jian and came to Luoyang with his family. Because he lost contact with his elder brother Wei Zun’s family, relying on his remaining savings and Wang Jian’s gift, he bought a manor in a village north of Luoshui and settled down. Not long after living here, the depression of being unable to succeed after repeated trials and ambitions that cannot be used by the emperor, and the mood of making a living for the world made the poet hope that he could express it from the mountains and rivers to his own mind.Therefore, he traveled to Qinghe, went to Yingyang, visited poet friends and met sages.During his visit to Yingshui in Songshan Mountain, he was deeply impressed by the mountains and rivers here, and sometimes he couldn't help thinking: If he could live in seclusion in this mountain, he might lose a bit of literati's sadness and love for the rest of his life. The sigh of national fortune. On this day, the sun was already sinking to the west, and Wei Zhuangyuan saw an ancient temple on the mountainside, and wanted to stay there.When I got closer, I saw that the gate of the temple was dilapidated and full of dust, and the words "Yingyuan Temple" could be vaguely seen.The gate of the temple opened, and a monk came out to extend Wei Zhuang into the temple. "Where did the almsgiver come from and where is he going?" Wei Zhuang hurriedly returned the gift: "I live in Luobei, and I only visit mountains and rivers. Today's day is getting thinner, so I will spend the night in your temple. Dare I ask the master, when is this temple so dilapidated?" Built?" The monk said with a smile, "I am a wandering monk. I traveled here and stayed for more than a month. I have never heard about the history of this temple. I do know that this 'Yingyuan Temple' is pretending to be 'Chaoyou Temple'." Said Come on, dip your finger in water and write on the ground stroke by stroke. "Chaoyou Temple" Wei Zhuang recited it three times, and asked in amazement: "Chaoyou, Chaoyou, was it the ancient Chaofu and Xuyou?"