Chapter 118: A Golden Certificate for Li Shuai
Li Xuan's Shen Ce team has recruited 135 people.

But generally speaking, most of the Shen Ce Team stayed in the Jiedushi's office.

They usually train in the training ground within the government office.

When Li Xuan returned to his mansion, he would only bring more than 20 cavalrymen to protect him.

The Shen Ce team was all dressed in black Ming Guang armor, with swords slung around their waists, cowhide bow bags placed on the sides of their horses with horse bows inserted in them, and quivers next to the bow bags.

On the other side hung a sharp spear.

When such a team passes by the street, passers-by always stop to watch, because they know that this young general is the current commander-in-chief of the Longyou Army.

In just two months, the common people in Longyou were all grateful to Li Xuan.

Because during these two months, the wealthy and powerful families closed their doors and dared not exploit their tenants, let alone bully the people.

Even the children of wealthy families have to behave themselves when walking on the street.

Local officials did not dare to collect too many taxes from the people.

They were afraid that Li Xuan would catch them and they would end up like the Linhai and Yuyao incidents.

Li Xuan was not an ordinary official. If he were an ordinary official, the powerful people would have been forced into a desperate situation and would have killed Li Xuan.

But Li Xuan controlled the entire Longyou military and could find any reason to destroy the rebellious powerful clans.

One day, when Li Xuan was about to go to the government office to work, a young man stopped in front of Li Xuan's horse.

He was dressed in coarse cloth and had something wrapped in leather on his back, which should be a sword or a knife.

"Who dares to block the road?"

The Shen Ce team drew their swords and stood on guard.

Li Xuan was in the center of the team, so even if someone wanted to shoot Li Xuan with a crossbow, it would be difficult to hit him.

"I want to be Li Shuai's personal guard..."

The young man went straight to the point and shouted to Li Xuan.

"I still have a lot of vacancies for my personal guards. I'll test them every three days. If you pass, you'll be my personal guards."

Li Xuan signaled his guards to put away their swords and spoke to the young man.

Apparently he is also a ranger.

Li Xuan has always emphasized that chivalry is a spirit, standing up for the country's cause and devoting one's life to a promise.

A true knight-errant would not bully others, and Li Xuan still admired that. However, many people in the world who knew nothing pretended to be knights-errant and cheated people.

"I have taken part in the test, but failed in horseback archery. But I am best at swordsmanship. No one can match me in two-on-one fencing!"

The young man said frankly.

"Swords are not feasible in a horse-riding battle. Bows and long weapons are needed to win. This is also for your own lives."

Li Xuan politely declined the young man.

Since the invention of stirrups and saddles, real cavalrymen have been equipped with long weapons such as spears, lances, and horse lances.

Only light cavalry, which mainly relies on horseback archery, are equipped with horizontal swords, for the purpose of close combat when pursuing the enemy.

In a head-on charge, there is a huge difference in combat effectiveness between those with swords and those with spears.

Therefore, good swordsmanship may be admired by knights, but is of little use on the battlefield.

It is impossible for Li Xuan to recruit this ranger as his personal guard for no reason. If he did so, it would be unfair to those who have passed the test of strength but not the test of riding and shooting.

"I won't force you to accept me, but if I offer you a golden certificate, can I become your attendant?"

The young man expected that if he was accepted just for this reason, he would not be the famous General Li.

"Do you know what the golden certificate represents?"

Li Xuan asked the young man with a serious expression.

In the Tubo "Gaoshen System", Gaoshen was a symbol of the identity of Tubo officials and soldiers.

Tubo has the saying of "Six Announcements".

They are sese, gold, gold coated with silver, silver, copper, and iron.

According to the size of the certificate, it is divided into six grades and twelve levels.

Among them, Sese is a kind of gem, which was called Yuzi Gaoshen in the Tang Dynasty.

Gold-coated silver is the translation of the Tibetan word "Polami". The Tang Dynasty generally called it "Gold-coated Silver Certificate of Incorporation".

A "Gao Shen" is a plaque inlaid with gold, stone, copper, iron, etc., and hung on a prominent position on the body. Some people do not wear the plaque and wear it on their arms.

Even the most ordinary iron certificate can only be obtained by warriors.

Generally, those who received the golden certificate were the captains of ten thousand men in Tubo and the generals in the Tubo army, and they had to be of noble birth.

In addition, there were military units with thousands of households on the border between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty, and official positions similar to military envoys and Jiedushi, which the Tang Dynasty translated into military envoys and Jiedushi.

It is also possible that the Tubo military envoys had golden-lettered certificates of credentials.

That's why Li Xuan was surprised that the ranger would say such a thing.

Even if it is just a golden certificate, one can still gain rich military merits.

"I understand. Within three months, I will present a golden certificate and become General Li's attendant."

The young man said solemnly.

"Personally speaking, this is a difficult task. You don't need to take risks just to become my personal guard. Take care of yourself!"

Li Xuan thought that the young man was very courageous, so he gave him some advice.

"This is not as difficult as ascending to heaven. Please wait for my news, Li Shuai!"

After saying that, the young man turned and left.

Li Xuan shook his head and smiled. Adults should be responsible for their own actions. Perhaps this young man thought it was impossible and gave up halfway.

"Li Shuai, he is Liao Zhengrong, the famous knight in Helong. It is said that his swordsmanship is as fast as lightning and as powerful as thunder. No one can defeat him!"

A personal guard who once roamed in Helong said to Li Xuan.

"What deeds did Liao Zhengrong do to make him famous in Hexi and Longyou?"

Li Xuan asked curiously.

"Reporting to General Li, in the 29th year of Kaiyuan, a group of Tibetan cavalry entered the country and pursued the fleeing people. He lured the Tibetan cavalry to dismount, killed more than a dozen Tibetan soldiers, and then left calmly."

The guard replied.

"Since Liao Zhengrong had done this, why didn't he tell me? Xue Cuo, go and get Liao Zhengrong back. I will recruit him as my personal guard based on his past heroic deeds!"

Li Xuan instructed Xue Cuo.

"As ordered!"

Xue Cuo took the order and rode away.

After a while, Xue Cuo came back and reported to Li Xuan: "Liao Zhengrong said that he had promised Li Shuai that he would present the golden certificate."

"What a shame! It would be a pity if we lost a warrior because of this."

Liao Zhengrong's stubbornness made Li Xuan look forward to him. He hoped that Liao Zhengrong could accomplish this seemingly impossible task.

By mid-September, all the war horses that Li Xuan had mobilized from various pastoral supervisors had arrived.

Li Xuan had to open several horse farms around Huangshui City to raise and train horses.

The war horses of Huangshui City have long been the best among all the armies.

The most elite Chishui Army in Hexi had 33,000 soldiers, 13,000 horses, and tens of thousands of private horses and captured war horses.

But compared with the current Lintao Army, there is still a long way to go.

When An Zhongzhang's brothers and uncle arrived at Huangshui City, Li Xuan arranged for them to be pastoral supervisors of Anxiang County and Jincheng County, and appointed them as officials in the county government.

There were also two cousins ​​of An Zhongzhang who served in the Lintao Army. They were responsible for managing the Lintao Army's war horses and ensuring their health to avoid unnecessary losses.

As early as half a month ago, when Li Xuan captured the military supervisor Guo Quan, he ordered Gao Xiuyan to take action.

He needed a great military achievement to win Li Longji's trust.

Keep in touch with Gao Xiuyan at all times and prepare for battle immediately if any situation arises.

A lot of things happened that made Li Xuan happy that day.

His chief judge Liu Yan, and the god of chariots Sai, came to Huangshui City together.

"I haven't seen you for nearly a year. You've lost a lot of weight! I thought you wouldn't respond to my request!"

Li Xuan first invited Liu Yan into the main hall.

With Liu Yan around, his burden would be much lighter.

The most important reason for recruiting Liu Yan as the chief judge was that Liu Yan was good at financial management. Li Xuan hoped that under Liu Yan's operation, the military supplies in Longyou would be sufficient to support him in a major war.

"It is an honor for me, Liu Yan, to be favored by Marshal Li. How dare I not respond? Marshal Li can use me at will."

Liu Yan saluted Li Xuan and from now on he would be Li Xuan's direct aide.

Although he was known as a "child prodigy" and had an audience with the emperor at the age of ten, he knew very well that it would be very difficult for someone like him with humble ancestors to achieve a high position in the government.

With the help of a noble person like Li Xuan, he is more likely to achieve his political ambitions.

"From now on, you will guard Huangshui City for me and investigate government affairs, expenditures, farming, salt and iron, and other matters. I will recommend you to the court as the Left Chief of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard, as an official."

Li Xuan had already thought about it. Liu Yan would be the chief judge and in charge of the Jiedushi's affairs.

Liu Shan was the military judge and traveled with Li Xuan when Li Xuan led the army.

Liu Yan had experience in governing county affairs twice. In addition, Li Xuan knew Liu Yan well and knew that he had the talent of a prime minister, so he could easily handle military and political affairs.

"Thank you, General Li! I will not let military affairs become a burden to the general's campaign."

Liu Yan bowed again. The position of Zuo Sijie of Qianniu Guard was a sixth-rank official, which was enough to prove Li Xuan's trust in him.

"Since the Tibetans occupied Shibao City, they have been marching straight to our Huangshui area. Their cavalry can rely on Shibao City and the fortress on Chiling Mountain to patrol our Tang territory at any time. This month, Suihe Shouzhuo and Heyuan Army have reported to me six times about the traces of Tibetan cavalry, so that the military cities and town cities are preparing for war day and night."

"South of the Huangshui River, north of the Yellow River, and all the way to Lintao, thousands of miles of fertile land, no one lives there; the grass and water are lush, but horses dare not graze, and thousands of acres of good farmland are all barren."

"We had no choice but to build military cities, town cities, garrisons, and strongholds in the land of the people. The horses' hooves patrolled the land without smoke and fire. It was all because of this stone fortress!"

Li Xuan took Liu Yan to the map in front of the hall. He pointed at the map and said with great sorrow.

Since he took control of Longyou, he truly felt the influence of Shibao City on the entire Longyou.

Coming from Chiling, the area between Huangshui River and the Yellow River, more than 100 miles from north to south and nearly 400 miles from east to west, is filled with soldiers, with not a single civilian household.

This place is actually the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but it is almost non-existent.

If the people lived here, they would be looted and massacred by the Tibetan cavalry.

Therefore, the people could only live in Huangshui City and Shanzhou City north of the Yellow River, and more of them migrated to safer counties such as Jincheng.

No wonder Li Longji regarded Shibao City as a thorn in his side.

No wonder Huangfu Weiming attacked Shibao City without adequate preparation.

Only after we capture Shibao City can we relocate the people to this land, otherwise the people will not dare to come.

In Li Longji's mind, there are two kinds of merit: one is "merit for winning a battle" and the other is "merit for expanding territory."

It is obvious that the achievement of expanding territory is more important to Li Longji.

Taking over Shibao City was undoubtedly an achievement in expanding territory.

"General Li, look at the layout of Shibao City. There are more than a dozen Tibetan fortresses on Chiling. Once we attack Shibao City, the Tibetan army and Qianhu Suo in Qinghai Lake and Jiuqu can quickly support us. It will be a great battle."

Liu Yan thought Li Xuan was going to attack Shibao City.

Even though he was a scholar who was not good at military affairs, he felt that Shibao City was difficult to attack.

"I will not attack Shibao City. The achievements of King Xin'an cannot be replicated. The Tibetans have strongholds around Shibao City, and their cavalry occasionally enter our Tang territory to prevent our Tang from raiding Shibao City again. It is said that the Tibetans have set beacons from Chiling to Jiuqu and then to Qinghai Lake. Once they discover the movement of our army, they will light the beacons. The Tibetan army will arrive in a few days. From the siege to the field battle with the Tibetan reinforcements, there will inevitably be heavy casualties."

Li Xuan told Liu Yan.

The Tibetan beacon tower was set up every hundred miles, which had become a system.

"What about the General?"

Liu Yan asked Li Xuan.

"During my term, I will take over this place and that place, turn Shibao City into a ruined city, and block Tubo on the plateau, cutting off their path to the Tang Dynasty. This requires our joint efforts!"

Li Xuan wanted to make Liu Yan his confidant, so naturally he had to let Liu Yan know his strategy.

He hoped that as Liu Yan became more familiar with Longyou, he would be able to formulate a more complete strategy.

Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. He would not be so arrogant as to speculate on tactics by himself.

Not only Liu Yan, but also Yang Wan, Gao Shi and Cen Shen should know Li Xuan's strategy.

More people are there to offer advice.

This is the meaning of the shogunate!

"Excuse me for being blunt, but this is more difficult than taking down Stone Castle."

Liu Yan frowned and spoke to Li Xuan solemnly.

"Sooner or later, I will have a decisive battle with Tubo in Jiuqu and Qinghai, just like Xue Rengui's battle with Qinling in Dafeichuan. But before that, I will try my best to weaken the number of Tubo soldiers and undermine their morale. The place for the decisive battle will be the border between Tang and Tubo, not as far as Dafeichuan."

Li Xuan said to Liu Yan.

"I am not good at military affairs, but I will fully support Marshal Li."

Liu Yan firmly bowed to Li Xuan. He had joined the army and still had a lot to learn!
Li Xuan talked with Liu Yan for two hours and asked a clerk to take Liu Yan to arrange accommodation.

At the same time, he ordered Liu Dan to hand over his work to Liu Yan.

From today on, Liu Dan can inspect the army at any time and shift things from "government affairs" to "military affairs".

In the afternoon, Li Xuan asked the God of Cars to get into the government office.

Che Shensai is slightly taller than Li Xuan, but with his bronze skin, he looks very sturdy and strong, unlike Li Xuan who looks like a tall scholar.

There are not many records about Cheshen Pass in history books. Li Xuan only remembered that after the Anshi Rebellion, Cheshen Pass was hit by a stray arrow and died in a siege battle.

Now when Li Xuan saw Che Shensai for the first time, he felt that Che Shensai was a fierce general.

"God of Cars Sai pays homage to Coach Li."

Che Shen Sai bowed when he saw Li Xuan.

"Your deeds of righteousness in Longxi are widely known. I feel sorry for a hero who has to live in a foreign land without fulfilling his ambitions. So I summon you back to serve as my chief military officer."

Li Xuan helped Che Shen Sai up and spoke to him slowly.

"I am grateful to Marshal Li for his high regard for me and for allowing me to return to my hometown. In Taiyuan Prefecture, I have no place to use my bravery. I hope that Marshal Li will allow me to join the army in the battle in the future."

As soon as he met Li Xuan, Che Shensai made a request to Li Xuan.

He speaks directly and straightforwardly.

"Hmm...it seems that Che Yuhou doesn't like the position of Du Yuhou! If you make military achievements and provide good support to the army, you will be recommended as the chief general in the future."

Li Xuan knew that Che Shensai had some knowledge, so he made him the Du Yuhou.

Now it seems that Du Yuhou may not be suitable for him. Wait for an opportunity and then promote him to a suitable position.

"Thank you, Li Shuai!"

After getting Li Xuan's consent, Che Shen Sai became even more excited.

"Houshou Che is coming to Huangshui City. Have you brought your family with you?"

Li Xuan asked him as if she cared about Che Shensai's life.

"When I passed by Wugong, I stayed for a few days to visit my relatives. I want to bring my family over after things get stable."

Che Shensai replied to Li Xuan that after all, they had lived in Longdi for generations and would return to their homeland sooner or later.

"Yes! I will recommend Yu Hou to be the commander of Xiping County. It is a very stable position. I can bring my relatives to Huangshui City when I have time."

Li Xuan nodded.

The post of the Commander-in-Chief of Xiping County was vacant, so Che Shensai was recommended for the position.

Although the military system was in name only, in the early years of the Tianbao period, the Zhechou Duwei in each county were still there. They were basically people who just lived off the food and waited for death, or they were given official titles to generals.

"Thank you, Li Shuai!"

Che Shen Sai thanked him again. He was even more moved to see that Li Xuan still cared about his family affairs, and he wanted to die for him.

In fact, Li Xuan wanted to ask whether Che Guangqian had come.

When Che Guangqian was fifteen or sixteen years old, he was summoned to be his personal guard.

I may not stay in Longyou in the future, but I will always keep it with me to prepare for big things.

He talked with Che Shensai for two hours. He mainly learned about the affairs of Taiyuan Prefecture and the developments in the north from Che Shensai.

Now Li Longji appointed the Uighur leader Guli Peiluo as "Huairen Khan".

After Guli Peiluo was officially enthroned by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he began to build up his power.

The small population of the Huihe was a major flaw, but Guli Peiluo plundered other grassland tribes and turned them into Huihe people in order to strengthen his own power.

Li Xuan learned that in addition to paying tribute every year, the Uighurs also traded with the Tang Dynasty every year.

Exchange good horses for Tang Dynasty silk.

Li Xuan decided to use the abundant silk in Longyou to go to Shuofang to exchange for another batch of war horses to supplement military supplies.

Although he was the herdsman of Longyou, he could not always steal the horses of the herdsman.

……

Five days later, Gao Xiuyan, now the deputy governor of Anxiang, traveled day and night to Huangshui City.

"Meeting General Li."

Gao Xiuyan bowed to Li Xuan.

"No need to be so polite! You are here to discuss the strategy of encircling and annihilating Tubo!"

Li Xuan invited Gao Xiuyan to take a seat. Gao Xiuyan's arrival at this time obviously indicated that he had received some information from Tubo.

"The Tubo people were very alert. I sent two slaves to tell them that I surrendered, but they beat one of them to death and the other one injured."

Gao Xiuyan became very angry whenever he thought of this incident.

"The Tibetans will certainly doubt the authenticity of your surrender, and will certainly send spies to investigate whether I have any conflicts with you! You should not have told the real plan to the slaves, right?"

After Li Xuan replied, he asked Gao Xiuyan again.

We should be careful about such big things.

The Tibetan criminal law was harsh, and even minor crimes would result in the punishment of gouging out the nose or eyes.

Gao Xiuyan's servants must have suffered a lot.

"I did not tell my servants, and they thought I really wanted to surrender to Tibet."

Gao Xiuyan replied.

If the truth were to be revealed, he would definitely not dare to see Li Xuan again.

"How does Tubo respond?"

Li Xuan asked Gao Xiuyan.

(End of this chapter)