Li Cunxu treated Li Cunshen, Li Siyuan and other meritorious officials, and gave them all official positions and titles, and also served as military envoys. He also honored his great-grandfather Li Zhiyi as the Yizu Emperor, his ancestor Li Guochang as the Xianzu Emperor, and his father Li Keyong as the Taipei Emperor.

The ancestor emperor built a temple in Jinyang. In addition to the three generations, he also worshiped the four masters of Tang Gaozu, Taizong, Yizong and Zhaozong, and built four separate temples. Together with Yizu and below, they formed seven chambers.

Li Cunxu respected his biological mother Cao as the empress dowager, and his aunt Liu as the empress dowager. Liu didn't mind, and following the old tradition, Liu went to Cao's palace to congratulate her, looking very happy on her face. Cao instead looked ashamed.

She looked uneasy and felt uneasy. Mrs. Liu said: "I hope our son can be the emperor for a long time. After we die, we will be buried underground. The garden and mausoleum have owners, what else can we say." The two people cried face to face again.

After a while, Mr. Cao held a banquet, and the two of them left happily.

After proclaiming the emperor, the situation faced by Li Cunxu was not optimistic. There were both internal and external troubles. This internal trouble was Li Jitao, the second son of Longxi King Li Sizhao. After Li Sizhao died in Youzhou in battle, Li Cunxu ordered his son

They escorted Li Sizhao's coffin back to Taiyuan to bury him there. Li Sizhao's son Li Jineng refused to accept the order to be buried in Taiyuan, but led thousands of soldiers to escort the funeral from the military camp back to Luzhou.

Li Cunxu sent his younger brother Li Cunwo to catch up with Li Jineng on horseback and told him that he would escort the funeral to Taiyuan. Li Jineng's brothers were angry and wanted to kill Li Cunwo, but Li Cunwo was so frightened that he fled back. There were seven Li Sizhao in total.

There are two sons: Li Jichou, Li Jitao, Li Jida, Li Jizhong, Li Jineng, Li Jixi, and Li Jiyuan. The eldest son Li Jichou is the governor of Zezhou. He should have succeeded his father in the title, but he has always been weak in character. The second son Li Jitao is fierce and cunning.

, he imprisoned Li Jicheng in a room, pretended to let the soldiers kidnap him, and asked him to be his post. Li Jitao made public concessions again, and then reported to Li Cunxu. Li Cunxu then changed the name of Zhaoyi Army to Anyi, and appointed Li Jitao as his post.

.

Although Li Jitao accepted Li Cunxu's order and became An Yiliu, he still felt uneasy. His aide Wei Zhuo and Yajiang Shen Meng instigated the situation: "If the Jin State has no successor, it will eventually be annexed by the Liang State."

." Li Jitao's younger brother Li Jiyuan also advised Li Jitao to rely on Liang Guo. So Li Jitao sent Li Jiyuan to Daliang to request that Zezhou and Luzhou be returned to Liang Guo. He was willing to become a vassal of Liang Guo. Liang Guo obtained the two states out of thin air.

Zhu Youzhen, the leader of the Liang Dynasty, was naturally very happy, so he ordered that the Anyi army be changed to Kuangyi, and Li Jitao was appointed as the governor of Kuangyi and Tongping Zhangshi. Li Jitao took his two sons as hostages and stayed in Liangdu.

Pei Yue, an old general of the Anyi Army who was guarding Zezhou, received the news and said to his subordinates while crying: "I served the original Jiedushi Li Sizhao for more than 20 years, and I saw with my own eyes that every reward he received was rewarded.

We should be given to the meritorious soldiers. We were always taught that we should not forget the hatred of our country and swear to destroy Zhu Liang. Unexpectedly, he died before his ambition was fulfilled. Now, his son Li Jitao has betrayed the emperor and his relatives even before his father's death was over.

I would rather commit suicide than follow him to do unjust things!" Everyone present cried and expressed their willingness to follow Pei Yue.

Therefore, the Zezhou garrison refused to accept Li Jitao's order. They wanted to continue to be loyal to Li Cunxu and blocked Liang Jun's way to Luzhou. Upon hearing this change, Zhu Youzhen immediately appointed Dong Zhang as the governor of Zezhou and ordered him to lead his troops to attack Zezhou.

Prefecture to ensure a smooth road to Luzhou. Dong Zhang led his army to surround Zezhou and cut off internal and external connections. In this way, although Li Cunxu learned about Li Jitao's betrayal, he did not know that the Zezhou defenders were still fighting for

He persisted.

Li Jitao was also worried when he learned that Zezhou refused. So Li Jitao decided to sell off his property and recruit troops. Li Jitao wanted to form an army that would obey his orders as soon as possible for future use. It was at this time that Guo Wei joined him

In the army, Guo Wei, known as Guo Que'er, courtesy name Wenzhong, was from Yaoshan, Xingzhou. Guo Wei's father Guo Jian served as Li Keyong's governor of Shunzhou. He was later killed by Liu Rengong. Guo Wei was only a few years old and went with his mother Wang.

In Luzhou, the Wang family unfortunately passed away on the road. Guo Wei relied on his aunt Han to support and raise him until he became an adult.

After Li Jitao met Guo Wei, he took him in as a personal soldier. Guo Wei was tall and strong, and Li Jitao admired him very much. He often accommodated him if he made any small mistakes. Guo Wei was aggressive, liked gambling, and liked to drink. Sometimes

I also like to fight against injustice.

One day, Guo Wei was wandering on the street. There was a butcher who bullied the market and was very domineering. Everyone was afraid of him. But Guo Wei came to the butcher unconvinced and asked him to cut the meat, and then scolded him. The butcher also knew that Guo Wei was not easy to mess with, and finally finally

Unable to resist, he pulled off his clothes and pointed at his stomach and said, "If you have the guts, stab him here!" Guo Wei picked up the knife and stabbed him in the stomach. The butcher died, and Guo Wei was taken to prison. Li Jitao admired him.

With his courage and courage, he let him go.

In addition to Li Jitao's internal trouble, Li Cunxu also had an external trouble. In the second month after he proclaimed himself emperor, the Khitan launched another southern invasion. The Khitan army attacked Youzhou, Yizhou, Dingzhou and other places, robbed and sent them to Youzhou.

Li Cunshen, the new Lulong Jiedu envoy who was sent to defend the Khitan, reported that Youzhou's reserves were less than half a year old. In other words, if the Khitan launched a large-scale attack, Youzhou might not be able to defend it.

Just when Li Cunxu was worried, he received good news, because at this time Lu Shunmi, the defender of Yunzhou of Liang State, took the initiative to surrender. Before that, Liang Tianping Jiedu envoy Dai Siyuan was stationed.

In Yangcun, Lu Shunmi and the inspection envoy Liu Suiyan were left behind, and they both commanded envoy Yan Yong to garrison Yunzhou. Lu Shunmi told Li Cunxu, "There are less than a thousand soldiers stationed in Yunzhou. Liu Suiyan and Yan Yong have lost the support of the people, and they can capture Yunzhou."

Prefecture." Guo Chongtao and others said: "If we go on an expedition alone, if things go wrong, we will lose thousands of people in vain. We cannot listen to Lu Shunmi's words."

Li Cunxu was unwilling to give up this opportunity, so he secretly summoned Li Siyuan and said to him: "Liang Guo's plan is to annex Zezhou and Luzhou. There is no defense in the east. If we can capture Dongping, we can attack his inner circle."

Land. Do you think Dongping can be captured?" Li Siyuan has always felt ashamed that he did not follow Li Cunxu in the Battle of Huliu, but led his troops north to cross the Yellow River without authorization. Therefore, he planned to perform extraordinary feats to make up for his mistake.

So he said: "We have been fighting for more than a year now, and the people are very tired. If we don't win by surprise, how can we achieve great things. I hope that if one person takes up the burden of this war, there will be good news to report to my lord." Li Cunxu

Overjoyed, he sent Li Siyuan to lead his five thousand fine tax soldiers to march directly from Desheng to Yunzhou.

When we arrived at Yangliu, the sun had already set, it was raining, and the road was dark. The soldiers did not want to continue moving forward. However, the forward general Gao Xingzhou said: "This is God's help for our success! The city of Yunzhou must not be prepared, and we just caught him by surprise."

, attack this city." So the Tang army crossed the Yellow River in the dark and went straight to the city.

The people of Yunzhou didn't know anything about it, so they were naturally defenseless. Li Congke first climbed up the city gate, killed the soldiers guarding the city gate, and opened the city gate to let the army in. Then he attacked Yacheng, causing chaos in the city. The next morning, Li Siyuan led all his troops to enter.

In the city, Yacheng was captured. Liu Suiyan and others fled back to Daliang. Li Siyuan strictly prohibited the soldiers from burning and looting to appease the people. He only escorted Cui, the deputy envoy of Zhizhou Affairs, and Zhao Feng, the judge, to Xingtang. Li Cunxu was overjoyed and said: "The manager is really a genius.

, Our great things will surely come true." That is to say, Li Siyuan was appointed as the governor of Tianping.

Zhu Youzhen, the leader of Liang Dynasty, was shocked and angry when he received the report of the fall of Yunzhou. He immediately ordered the defeated generals Liu Suiyan and Yan Yong to be arrested, taken to a busy city, and beheaded in public display. Dai Siyuan was dismissed from his post and demoted to stay in Xuanhua. Then he sent people to Yangcun to

He urged Duan Ning, Wang Yanzhang, Huo Yanwei and other Liang Army generals to launch a counterattack immediately and regain the lost ground as soon as possible.

Seeing the danger of national subjugation approaching, Liang Xiang Jingxiang was extremely anxious. However, Zhu Youzhen always refused to listen to his own good advice. So Jingxiang became cruel and decided to risk his life and remonstrate with Zhu Youzhen! Jingxiang hid it in his boot.

A piece of rope, and then went to the palace to see Zhu Youzhen. Although Zhu Youzhen refused to listen to Jingxiang, she still maintained superficial respect for Jingxiang. After all, Jingxiang was a veteran hero, so Zhu Youzhen summoned Jingxiang.

After Jingxiang saw Zhu Youzhen, he became emotional and loudly said: "When the late emperor conquered the world, he did not think that the old ministers were incompetent. All my plans and suggestions were adopted by the late emperor! But now, the situation is becoming more critical day by day, and the enemy is getting stronger day by day.

Your Majesty has always refused to listen to the advice of my veteran minister. What’s the point of my life? Rather than procrastinating and watching the country’s demise, it’s better to die now!”

Jingxiang, who became more and more sad as he talked, took out the rope and was about to find a place to hang himself. Zhu Youzhen quickly stopped Jingxiang and asked, "Old Prime Minister, if you have any good ideas, please tell me." Jingxiang seized this opportunity to hang himself.

He threatened his own life: "The situation is extremely critical now. Unless Wang Yanzhang is appointed as a general, it will be impossible to save it!"

Zhu Youzhen adopted Jingxiang's suggestion this time and appointed Wang Yanzhang, a sixty-year-old fierce general, as the envoy to the north. On May 16, Zhu Youzhen summoned Wang Yanzhang, who was about to set off, and asked: "When will the general go on this expedition?"

Did I bring good news?" Wang Yanzhang did not hesitate and blurted out: "Three days!" After hearing this, Zhu Youzhen's attendants couldn't help hiding their mouths and snickering. Is Li Cunxu that easy to deal with? What's more, traveling from Bianliang to the front line

It would only take two days. Wang Yanzhang ignored the ridicule, and after the summons was over, he immediately left the palace, mounted his horse, and galloped towards Huazhou.

Li Cunxu learned of this news before Wang Yanzhang took office. Li Cunxu attached great importance to Wang Yanzhang and personally led his army out of Xingtang Mansion and went south for reinforcements. When the army arrived in Chanzhou, Li Cunxu was worried about losses ahead and sent an envoy to Desheng urgently.

He reminded the Fan Han Mabu Yuhou Zhu Shouyin who was stationed in Desheng and said: "Wang Tiegiang is a brave and decisive person. Desheng where you are stationed is definitely the place where he will attack. You must strengthen your vigilance and defend tightly. Don't ignore it!"

After receiving Li Cunxu's reminder, Zhu Shouyin hurriedly sent people to sneak into Liangying for reconnaissance. On May 18, Zhu Shouyin received news that Wang Yanzhang stopped when he reached Huazhou, where he was killing pigs and sheep in preparation for a grand banquet.

Zhu Shouyin was relieved. After Wang Yanzhang and his party had drunk and eaten in Huazhou and delayed for two days before arriving at Desheng, the emperor's army should have arrived at Desheng. So what was there to worry about? Therefore, he did not send Wang Yanzhang to Desheng.

Keep it in mind.

At this time, at the banquet in Huazhou, Wang Yanzhang uttered wild words: "Li Yazi is just an ignorant boy who likes fighting cocks and walking dogs! There is nothing special about it!" The people below naturally agreed. As they drank, Wang Yanzhang ordered everyone to continue drinking,

He left for a while.

Wang Yanzhang had already done several things secretly. He sent people to the Yangcun camp first and ordered Liang Jun of Yangcun to prepare the warships, equip them with sailors, blacksmiths, and

As well as leather drums, coal and other materials to break the iron chains, they were lurking on standby. In addition, they were asked to prepare thousands of fine cavalry and wait in hiding outside Huazhou City. As soon as Wang Yanzhang left the banquet hall, he hurriedly sneaked outside the city and met with the fine cavalry outside the city.

Meet up and then gallop away along the south bank of the Yellow River.

In the middle of the night, Wang Yanzhang led his elite cavalry to the Yangcun camp. As soon as Wang Yanzhang entered the camp, he immediately ordered warships and horses to be dispatched to attack the Tang Army's fortress Desheng Nancheng, nine miles away. The Liang Army's warships came down the river first.

The pontoon bridge connecting the north and south cities of Desheng. The blacksmith on the ship melted the thick iron chain on the bridge body. The navy then slashed with axes, and the pontoon bridge was suddenly disconnected and washed away by the current. The Tang army was negligent and the night was dark.

Under the cover of the sound of rain, the Tang troops stationed in the northern and southern cities of Desheng had not yet discovered that they had been cut off from contact.

Wang Yanzhang immediately led the cavalry and infantry to storm Desheng Nancheng. Zhu Shouyin, who was in the North City, heard the shouts of killing in Nancheng, and then realized that he had fallen into the trap and hurriedly mobilized troops to reinforce Nancheng. As soon as the army was dispatched, they found that the pontoon bridge was broken and could not pass, so they had to

They temporarily found a small boat to carry the army across the river, but were repulsed by Liang Jun. The Tang army was unable to send any soldier to Nancheng.

Early the next morning, the south city of Desheng was captured by the Liang army, and thousands of Tang troops defending the city were wiped out. At this time, exactly three days had passed since Zhu Youzhen summoned Wang Yanzhang and asked him when he would be able to deliver the good news. Wang Yanzhang took the opportunity

Sheng's march was overwhelming, and the Tang army's garrison areas such as Panzhang, Majiakou, and Jingdian were captured. Only Yang Liu was left in the hands of the Tang army. Liang's army was greatly boosted in military prestige and morale.

When the good news reached Bianliang, some were happy and some were worried. Not long ago, Duan Ning, the deputy commander in front of the Liang army, secretly sent a secret letter to Zhao Yan, Zhang Hanjie, Zhu Gui and others, telling them: Wang Yanzhang is in the army.

He was very arrogant and said: "When I win this expedition and return to the court triumphantly, I will kill all the traitors in the court to thank the people of the country!" Zhao Yan, Zhang Hanjie and others knew that the traitors in Wang Yanzhang's mouth were them. They gathered together

They secretly discussed strategies to deal with Wang Yanzhang, and said: "We would rather die by the sword of the Shatuo people than fall into Wang Yanzhang's hands!"

Li Cunxu received the news of his defeat and hurriedly sent the eunuch Jiao Yanbin to Yangliucheng and stayed there with Li Zhou, Yangliuzhen's envoy. At the same time, he ordered Zhu Shouyin to abandon Desheng North City, demolish the houses and make rafts, carrying soldiers and weapons to float eastward.

Next, he helped Yang Liucheng hold on and transported Desheng's grain, grass and firewood to Chanzhou, losing nearly half of it.

Wang Yanzhang also demolished the houses in Desheng Nancheng, made them into rafts, and floated them down the river. Wang Yanzhang and Zhu Shouyin walked on each side of the river. Whenever they encountered a bend in the Yellow River, they would fight in the river.

The ship was sunk, and there were more than a hundred battles in one day, with the two armies winning and losing each other.

When they arrived at Yang Liu, half of Zhu Shouyin's soldiers had been killed or injured. On the 26th, Wang Yanzhang and Duan Ning led an army of 100,000 to attack Yang Liu. They advanced together from all directions, day and night. They connected nine large ships together,

It was placed across the ferry of the Yellow River to block Zhu Shouyin's reinforcements. Yangliucheng was almost captured several times, all thanks to Li Zhou sharing the joys and sorrows with his soldiers and resisting with all his strength. Wang Yanzhang failed to capture Yangliucheng, so he had to retreat to the south of the city to station his troops.

, connect the camp together and hold it together.

Li Zhou asked Li Cunxu for help and asked Li Cunxu to travel a hundred miles a day to reach Yangliu as soon as possible. Li Cunxu led his troops to rescue him and said, "With Li Zhou here, there is nothing to worry about." So he traveled sixty miles a day and continued as usual on the road.

Hunting. On the second day of June, Li Cunxu arrived at Yangliu. Liang Jun built many forts and the defenses were very tight, making it difficult to penetrate deeply. Li Cunxu was very worried and asked Guo Chongtao what to do.

Guo Chongtao replied: "Now Wang Yanzhang is guarding the important ferry. He means to take Dongping. If the army does not move south, it will be difficult to hold on to Dongping. I request to build a fortress on the east bank of Bozhou to consolidate the Yellow River ferry.

It can not only connect Dongping, but also disperse the enemy's forces. I'm just worried that Wang Yanzhang will find out about our situation and approach us directly. Our city will not be repaired at that time. I hope that your Majesty will recruit soldiers who dare to die and let them provoke the enemy to attack every day.

, to contain them. If Wang Yanzhang does not go eastward for more than ten days, the city fortress can be repaired. Then we won’t have to be afraid of them!"

At this time, Li Siyuan was holding firm in Yunzhou. The news north of the Yellow River was not clear at all. People's hearts were scattered and the situation was precarious. It happened that Kang Yanxiao, the commander of the right vanguard of the Liang army, secretly asked Li Siyuan to surrender. This Kang Yanxiao was a Hu from Taiyuan and fled to Liang State because of his guilt.

.Li Siyuan sent Adya Fan Yanguang to deliver Kang Yanxiao's letter requesting surrender to Li Cunxu.

Fan Yanguang said to Li Cunxu: "Yang Liu's defense is very strong, and Liang Jun will definitely not be able to attack it. Please build a castle in Majiakou and open the road to Yunzhou." Li Cunxu followed his advice and sent Guo Chongtao to lead more than 10,000 people.

Setting out overnight, he marched to Bozhou and crossed the Yellow River to Majiakou, where he built a castle day and night. Li Cunxu himself was in Yangliu, fighting hard day and night with the Liang army.

Guo Chongtao spent six days building the new city. When Wang Yanzhang heard about it, he led tens of thousands of troops straight to the new city. On the 15th, Wang Yanzhang launched an attack on the new city. He linked up more than ten warships and put them in the middle of the river to cut off the enemy.
Chapter completed!