Chapter 531: Going out for a tour

Author: Chris Webber

Chapter 531: Going out for a tour

"Send the order and change the way, I will face the Saint immediately!" said Princess Pu'an.

Tai Chi Palace, Ganlu Hall.

"My ninth sister, why do you have time to enter the palace today?" Li Zhi pointed to the porcelain bowl in front of Princess Pu'an: "This is the camel breasts offered, but are you still used to drinking?"

"Thank you for your kindness!" Princess Pu'an took a symbolic sip. She did not intend to go around the corner and said straight: "I just said goodbye to the Seventeenth Sister, and she said something, but I think she should tell her Majesty!"

"Oh? What did she say?" Li Zhi's eyes flashed and he asked.

"She said that although General Xue was brave, it was not easy for Tubo people. Moreover, the journey of the troops was long and the mountains were high and the sky was cold-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky-sky

"Duke of Britain, Duke Liang is the commander?" Li Zhi laughed: "Seventeenth sister said this well. If possible, why don't I want to use these two people? Although Xue Rengui is brave, his qualifications are still a little poor, and it may not be possible to mobilize all generals!"

When Li Zhi was not angry because of Princess Xiping's ominous words, he admitted that Xue Rengui was in charge, and Princess Pu'an was excited: "Why not wait a moment? Although the British Duke is no longer here, Duke Liang is still alive! He is sick, and he will lead his troops to fight after he recovers from his illness!"

"Nine Sister!" Li Zhi laughed when he heard this: "Duke Liang is at least 60 years old this year. He was often killed by Jin Chuang when he was young. How could he get sick so easily at this age? Moreover, the Tubo people are in Anxi and Jiannan very frequently. They will not wait for me if they don't recover from the illness. By the way, when it comes to Jiannan, Wang Wenzuo just came. The things inside are very interesting. Ninth Sister, you can take a look!"

"Wang Wenzuo? Is it the one who first broke through Pyongyang City?" asked Princess Pu'an.

"Yes, it's him!" Li Zhi picked up a memorial from several cases and handed it over: "After reading it, I sighed very much that he could defeat all the country in Baekje, Goguryeo, and Japan. It is no accident that he would be invincible. I plan to copy this memorial and send it to Xue Rengui, but he would also have a good look!"

The result of Princess Pu'an was puzzled. Looking closely, Wang Wenzuo first mentioned that his subordinates captured a Tubo deputy household, and then there was a record of interrogation of the prisoner. From the name, age, origin, family population, land and livestock, annual output, tools and taxes, they were produced in every detail, and wrote five or six hundred words in a vague way. Princess Pu'an was secretly wondering why Wang Wenzuo wrote these things on the memorial to the emperor? What's even more strange is that the emperor not only did not think the writing was trivial, but instead praised it.

"Does Nine Sister think Wang Wenzuo doesn't know the importance of this? Even these things are written on the memorials to me? You can continue reading them so that you can see his wonderfulness later!" Li Zhi said with a smile.

"Yes, yes!" Princess Pu'an continued to look at it. After Wang Wenzuo had listed these details, he began to infer the living standards of Tubo grassroots officers, the number of troops they might mobilize, and whether his Zanpu (king) could receive taxes from salt tea. It was very detailed and reasonable. The final conclusion was that the Tang army in Jiannan should use contact with the Qiang, accumulate wealth through trade represented by salt tea, gradually win over the nearby Tubo nobles, weaken their opponents economically, deepen the conflict between Zanpu and the nobles, and attack their opponents. Finally, he asked to give himself the privilege of carrying out salt tea trade, and said that the existing troops were enough, and without increasing the troops, it was enough to resist or even defeat the Tubo army on the southern front.

"How?" Li Zhi saw that Princess Pu'an had finished reading the memorial and smiled: "Do you think Wang Wenzuo doesn't look like Han Xin, but he looks like Zhang Liang?"

"Yes, yes!" Princess Pu'an smiled forcibly: "Congratulations to Your Majesty Hong Fu, you have such a good general!"

"This is also the blessing of ancestors!" Li Zhi smiled and said, "The Shu soldiers were weak. I originally planned to draw 20,000 people from the inner road of the pass. Since he said there was no need to increase troops, it would be even better. You can give these 20,000 people to Longyou, and Xue Rengui's side would be even more sure. As for the salt and tea trade, it would be fine. Add him a commission to the deputy envoy of Jiannan Camp field to judge the salt and tea business."

Seeing Li Zhi's excited look, Princess Pu'an knew that Wang Wenzuo's memorial had added some confidence in the future war. She had no room for further advice. She talked a few more words, then refused Li Zhi's attempt to stay, stood up and said goodbye.

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Songzhou.

There were pine needles and leaves blown by the wind everywhere on the ground, like a brown-green carpet, but were soaked by rain. The fallen leaves creaked under the feet. The bare red birch, towering clouds and firs stood beside them. Another towering watchtower was located on the hill, empty inside, and the walls were covered with thick green moss, almost reaching the top of the tower. "Who built these stones?" Wang Wenzuo asked, "Are you Qiang people?"

"I don't know!" Tuyanmang Jiebo shook his head: "But the elders of the clan said that these stone buildings were found in a long time ago, at least we had already found them when our ancestors came here!"

"Where is the original master?" Wang Wenzuo asked.

"Die or leave!" The Qiang girl replied, "No wonder at all. It's like this. Our tribe will change places every few generations, or go to a better place, or be defeated by the enemy, and have to migrate!"

Wang Wenzuo nodded. The land in front of him was full of wilderness. Hundreds of years ago, this might have been a prosperous village. People plowed fields, raised livestock, and planted vegetables. Now the fields and houses have been reoccupied by the wilderness. They could have paid taxes to themselves and supported soldiers, but now they no longer exist.

"Are there many stone buildings like this?" Wang Wenzuo asked.

"There are many, but many have collapsed!" Tu Yanmang Jiebo shook his head.

Wang Wenzuo nodded and approached the stone building. He saw that the entrance of the stone building was more than three meters high from the ground. Through the door opening, you could vaguely see that the walls of the stone building were made of stones. There were holes in the four walls, which should be used to accommodate the partitioned wooden boards. The bottom floor of the stone building is about twenty square meters, and the narrower the higher it goes. When it reaches the top, it should be only more than ten square meters. A strange smell comes to the nose. Wang Wenzuo couldn't help but shake his head.

"Does the governor want to separate garrison soldiers in the stone building?" Ijirenbod asked, "This is a good idea. The same is true for us to deal with the Eagle people in the past!"

Wang Wenzuo shook his head: "The recruiting troops in Jiangnan have just arrived, and we have to adapt to the local climate and environment for a while. It has just arrived in Chengdu from the recruiting party of Baekje, Japan, and it will take some time to come to Songzhou. Now is not the time!"

"Then are you going to-?"

"If you want to divide the troops to guard the troops, you have to defeat the Tubo people first!" Wang Wenzuo said: "Otherwise, I will divide the troops first, wouldn't I give the thieves a chance to defeat each one?"

"That's right!" Igelian Bod reacted: "But when will it take to wait?"

"It depends on the Tubo people!" Wang Wenzuo smiled and said, "Don't worry, winter is coming soon, and the Tubo people are more anxious than us!"

After exploring the stone tower, the group began to walk northwest, and the trees became sparse. They advanced along the slowly undulating plains. The grass grew to the height of waist, and the wild wheat swayed lightly with the wind. Most of the daytime, people forgot the heavy snow that had not long ago. However, as sunset was about to come, dark clouds came from the west and quickly swallowed the orange sun. The Qiang girl estimated that a big storm was coming.

"There is a village nearby," Tuyanmang Jiebo told Akton, "two or three miles away. We can spend the night there."

When we arrived at the destination, it was already dark and the wind began to grow stronger and stronger. With it, hail the size of a little finger came. The village was located next to the swamp. Most of the village had been abandoned, leaving only six or seven families. On the edge of the swamp, there was also an octagonal stone building, which was much higher than the one I had seen before.

Akton ordered camping, and he sent his subordinates to search for the village, especially the stone building. After confirming that there were only villagers, he ordered the villagers to be gathered in one room and arranged a guard to guard. Wang Wenzuo lived in the largest and best room. The firewood in the stove was a little wet and the smoke might be more than fire, but on this hail night, this warmth seemed particularly valuable.

"I miss the temple in Chang'an very much now. Fujiwara and I were locked there when they were not even a match!" Ijirenbod smiled and said, "Although the house is a bit old, it is at least warmer than here!"

"Then you can ordain it and become a monk. You can go back now and live there for the rest of your life!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"Then forget it!" Iji Lianbod smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll be with the bow and arrow in my life. Even if I want to become a monk, it's going to be a matter before my death!"

Wang Wenzuo smiled. Compared to Fujiwara, Iji Nian Bod's personality is much more lively and cheerful, and often tells jokes to himself. He didn't take it to heart. He picked up a piece of dry firewood, pulled the fire twice, and said, "It's winter almost. If I had a good job, the Tubo people should have a big move. As long as they can repel it, at least by the beginning of the next year, there is no need to worry. We have four or five months to train soldiers and contact the Qiang and Hu tribes!"

"Governor, what are the big moves you mean?"

"Siege Songzhou, then contact the local Qianghu tribes, head south along Songmao Road, break Dujiangyan, and head straight to Chengdu City!"

"So big?" Iji Lianbod was surprised: "But the relationship between the Tubo people and the Qiang and Hu tribes is not good? They often plunder the Qiang and Hu tribes!"

"Yes, the Tubo people do often plunder the Qiang and Hu tribes, but this is not inconsistent with their ability to drive the Qiang and Hu tribes to go south to plunder Chengdu!" Wang Wenzuo looked at the fire, and the fire was pounding in his eyes, his eyes were blurred, and his voice was low: "You should have seen it when you passed by Chengdu. There is a completely different world between this place and here. The Qiang and Hu people do not want to fight with us, because there is no benefit to win, but if the Tubo people have already captured Songzhou and opened up the road to the Chengdu plain, that is another matter. The past grudges can be put aside for the time being. It is important to go to Chengdu together to make a fortune, do you understand?"

"I understand! Do you think the Tubo people can conquer Songzhou?" Iji Lianbod became serious.

"I don't know! But the longer the time delays, the more beneficial it is to me!" Wang Wenzuo said: "Reinforcements are increasing, and new scorpions are being made. If the Tubo people give me another month, I will definitely give them a surprise!"

Iji Lianbod opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but the sudden drop of thunder broke his voice. Wang Wenzuo stood up and looked out. A dazzling blue and white light hit the top of the stone building by the swamp. He could feel its fiery anger, and the thunder came, shaking the night.

"The power of heaven and earth is so intimidating!" Wang Wenzuo murmured.

"Governor, someone is approaching outside the village. It seems that they are probably Tubo people!" Akden came in from outside the door, his face feeling a little panicked.

"Send the order, everyone is wearing armor and ready to get on the horse!" Wang Wenzuo stood up and tied his sword to his belt. Iji even Bod hurriedly picked up the bow and arrow and whispered: "If the situation is not good later, let Akton escort the governor first!"

"I'm not sure yet, why bother to panic!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

Wang Wenzuo put on the lock curtain, put on a leather jacket and an iron helmet outside. He walked out the door, and the strong wind mixed with rain blew towards him. He subconsciously turned his head and shouted, "Where is the horse!"

The guards had already brought Wang Wenzuo's horse, but he did not get on the horse, but just stroked his mane twice, comforted his mount, and whispered: "It's up to you tonight, good boy!"

The war horse seemed to feel the owner's determination. It lowered its head, approached Wang Wenzuo's side, and sniffed. Wang Wenzuo turned over the horse, pulled out his sword, and whispered: "If you hear the sound of the horn later, you will rush out!"

Another lightning fell. With the help of the strong lightning, Wang Wenzuo could see the darkness of the road into the village, at least hundreds of people. With a whistle, the guards fired their bows and crossbows, cursing, shouting and howlings of pain everywhere, and they were immediately drowned by thunder. Then, the lightning turned the night into day, and he saw the crowd rushing like waves.

Darkness came with the rumbling thunder. The guards shot out the second, the third arrow, and then the sound of horns. The cavalry rode out. Wang Wenzuo's mount was stimulated by the familiar smell of blood and his eyes turned red and galloped out. Wang Wenzuo pulled out his sword and raised it above his head. Igrilyenbod was right beside him and shot forward with bows.

In the darkness, he cut down the first one, knocked away the second one, and slashed towards the third one. In the frenzy, he heard the muffled sound of the bone being trampled, but he could not tell whether it was shattered by his mount. In the darkness, someone tried to stab him with a spear, but Ijirenbod shot his arrow at the door and fell down. The two rushed out of the ranks, and Wang Wenzuo felt the pressure around him relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously.
Chapter completed!