Chapter 138 Returning to Huangshui City, the People Lined the Streets to Welcome
Li Xuan always believed that he was not a nobleman, but a commoner.

The nobles could only make repairs to the Tang Dynasty, while the common people could seek true rebirth from the ashes.

"Li Shuai, the Saint sent someone to deliver an imperial edict to you, asking for your approval. Please review it."

Liu Dan said this before handing the saint's edict to Li Xuan.

First the family letter, then the imperial edict, which shows Liu Dan's loyalty to Li Xuan.

But Li Xuan still didn't open the edict. He knew what Li Longji meant without even reading it. "It's often said that 'success or failure determines a hero'. If I fail this time and return home with my weapons and armor abandoned, I will definitely be blamed by the saint. But I won a great victory this time, completed my plan to save women and children, defeated 10,000 enemy cavalry and 4,000 infantry, captured more than 6,000 war horses, and killed the famous Tibetan general Molu Xiequ who conquered Shibao City. The prestige of the Tang Dynasty has greatly increased, which reflects the benevolence of the saint."

Li Xuan knew Li Longji too well. Since the Tianbao period, he had been steering the giant ship of the Tang Dynasty at full speed, intending to follow the footsteps of Emperor Wu of Han.

Whoever can establish merits for him and enhance his reputation will be favored without restraint!
Li Xuan's military achievements this time will surely make Li Longji very happy.

And the Censor who impeached Li Xuan, no matter what his purpose was, would definitely make Li Longji hate him.

"The world will admire the general more for his actions."

Liu Dan said sincerely.

"This time, Secretary Gao, Magistrate Cen, and the generals recorded all the details of the battle and the fighting environment. Judge Liu compiled a report titled "A Notice on the Defeat of the Barbarian Bandits in Qinghai" and presented it to the Saint."

Li Xuan handed the information to Liu Dan and asked him to sort it out as soon as possible.

This long-distance battle, from beginning to end, spans a huge span, and requires a certain amount of writing to describe. The last congratulatory letter had a very good rendering of the mood and environment, so Li Xuan decided to let Liu Dan write it again.

This time, the troops were going abroad to fight, so it was not appropriate to use a congratulatory name, so Li Xuan chose the name "Lu Bu".

Lubu is another name for a victory letter. When the armies defeated the bandits, they would write a letter on silk and hang it on poles. The Ministry of War called it "Lubu".

"As ordered!"

After Liu Shan received the military document, he bowed to Li Xuan and said he needed to sort out the memorial as soon as possible.

Only after Liu Dan left did Li Xuan open the letter sent by Li Shizhi.

The letter told Li Xuan that everything was fine at home. Although the siblings missed him, they understood the hardship Li Xuan had to endure guarding the border.

When Li Shizhi wrote this letter, he didn't know that Li Xuan was going to go to Qinghai.

Now that I know, I must be worried.

Li Xuan immediately wrote a letter to report his safety to his family.

At the same time, Li Xuan sent two poems to Li Shizhi.

A poem dedicated to Nan Jiyun, "A Song for Nan Basai".

Lin Ancao was frightened by the wind, and the general drew his bow at night.

Pingming looked for Baiyu, but he was not in the stone ridge.

This is a poem Li Xuan gave to Nan Jiyun after he raided the camp at night, expressing Nan Jiyun's bravery.

Another poem is "Song of the Prefect of Yanmen" by Li He in history.

Li Xuan changed the title of his poem to "Helong Qu", which specifically describes the Battle of Li River.

Dark clouds are pressing down on the city, and the city is about to be destroyed; armor shines like golden scales towards the sun. It tells the story of guarding Pingyi, Shouzhuo City and Anxiang City.

The horn sounds fill the sky with autumn colors, and the rouge on the frontier turns purple in the night, telling the story of the soldiers fighting hard day and night.

The half-rolled red flag is facing the Yishui River, the frost is heavy and the drums are silent. It tells the story of the arrival of reinforcements from Hexi, which lengthens the battle line, and the scene is blended together.

Using Yishui instead of Huangshui reminds people of the line "The wind is whistling and the Yishui is cold, the hero will never return once he leaves", which makes it seem even more tragic.

The most crucial part of this poem for Li Xuan is "I will repay your kindness from the Golden Terrace, and die for you with the Jade Dragon", because Li Longji liked to hear such words the most.

Li Xuan will be safe only when Li Longji is happy and trusts him.

Therefore, Li Xuan never plagiarized poems that were negative or mocking the emperor and the court, unless one day he became fearless.

It turns out that a poem can indeed change people's perspectives.

If Li Longji saw the poem Li Xuan wrote to Nan Jiyun, he would definitely know that there was another general named Nan Jiyun in the Longyou army.

When Li Xuan gave "Helong Qu" to Gao Shi and Cen Guan to watch yesterday, they were both very shocked.

So many nouns are interwoven together to form a solemn and tragic image. Six words representing colors are used to render the scene more vividly.

Li Xuan fooled them, saying that the reason he wrote the poem about the Battle of Li River only now was because he had been refining words and sentences, so he came up with this "Helong Qu".

Gao Shi and Cen Shen also wrote many poems during these two battles, but even the most meaningful ones were inferior to this one.

Cen Shen was young, and his famous works were still accumulating. Gao Shi was at the stage of breakthrough and innovation.

At the same time, Li Xuan had already learned the rhythm of the prosperous Tang Dynasty and tried to write poems himself. He would usually tear them up as soon as he finished writing, as he was never satisfied.

One day later, Liu Shan finished compiling the "Report on the Defeat of the Barbarian Bandits in Qinghai".

Liu Shan was well aware of Li Xuan's intention, and at the beginning he used a lot of words to show Li Longji's kindness and the inviolability of his majesty.

That's why Li Xuan took a series of actions. The descriptions are just right, and reading it makes you feel as if you are there.

After writing the proclamation, Li Xuan handed it to the post station and asked the translator to take his family letter back to Chang'an.

After staying in Weirong Army for another three days, Li Xuan set out back to Huangshui.

An Zhongzhang stayed in Weirong Military City as a military envoy.

As for the rescued men and women, Li Xuan planned to settle them near the Anren Army.

In fact, there are many places suitable for living and farming in Longyou area, but most of them are under the enemy's attack and there are no strategic locations to defend, so people cannot survive.

Only by taking Shibao City or driving Tubo out of Jiuqu and Qinghai as planned can many lands be liberated.

When Li Xuan was several miles away from Huangshui City, the people in the city came to greet him.

Cheers to Li Xuan's return.

"General Li's troops are back."

When the people saw the cavalry, they exclaimed in surprise.

"With General Li here, we, the people of Longyou, no longer have to worry about the invasion of Tubo."

Some people shouted again.

Not long after Li Xuan returned to the Weirong Army, the news that he had rescued women and children reached Huangshui City.

He is a great hero in their hearts because he can ride a horse for thousands of miles, march alone deep into the enemy's territory and care about the common people.

No border commander in the past could do what General Li did.

The people living on the border all knew that Jiedushi was the highest official position in Longyou.

"The tyrannical clan is now closing its doors because of General Li."

The people were also grateful to Li Xuan for being able to intimidate the powerful and prevent them from being arrogant and domineering.

"My family originally lived in Suihe and Shouzhuo North. General Li will surely be able to defeat the enemy in Shibao City and let me move back to my hometown."

One of the people said with longing that there were 200 acres of land there that his ancestors had worked hard to cultivate, but because the Tubo occupied Shibao City, they could no longer cultivate the land there.

"I really hope that General Li will stay in Longyou forever!"

The words of an old man became the hope of all Longyou people.

In addition to the common people, there were also officials such as Liu Yan and Shangguan Qing who welcomed Li Xuan's triumphant return!

"Meeting General Li!"

When he walked in, officials such as Liu Yan and Shangguan Qing came to greet him.

"No gifts!"

Li Xuan raised his hand and said
Originally, Li Xuan wanted to blame Xiping County Chief Shi Shangguan Qing for causing such a big fuss.

But Shangguan Qing told him that the people had learned that General Li would be returning and had taken the initiative to come and welcome Li Xuan.

Because the people believed that Li Xuan was a border commander who truly protected the people.

The people of Helong have always had the hardest life in the Tang Dynasty.

People in other places were oppressed by tyrants and officials, but people in Longyou were not only oppressed by tyrants and officials, but also had to face the bullying of the Hu people.

Tubo would invade in large numbers from time to time, crossing the Hehuang River every few years.

Even during the Kaiyuan Period, Helong was never peaceful. Even the Tubo people rode into Jincheng on horseback, robbed the herdsmen's horses, looted their wealth, abducted the people, and massacred the military and civilians.

Li Xuan greeted the people cordially, then dismounted and walked back to Huangshui City with the soldiers and civilians.

"General Li, why don't you go to the storehouse first to check the rewards from the court? You haven't returned yet, so they haven't been distributed to the troops yet."

After arriving in the city, Liu Yan said to Li Xuan.

The court's personal rewards to Li Xuan and the army's rewards had already arrived.

The military rewards were in the warehouse, and Li Xuan’s personal rewards were delivered to Li Xuan’s mansion.

Liu Yan accepted it on behalf of Li Xuan.

"Go to the warehouse!"

Li Xuan nodded.

"Have the armies' divisions been sorted out?"

After Li Xuan inspected the warehouse, he saw that it was full of silk money and asked Liu Yan.

"Replying to General Li, the pensions for the soldiers who died in the battle will be distributed uniformly by the government office. The Lintao cavalry had the greatest merit in this battle. According to their merits such as jumping and jumping, they were given 15,300 pieces of silk and 14,000 strings of money. The Zhenxi Army was second, with 5,500 pieces of silk and 11,500 strings of money. The Pingyi Shouzhuo Envoy was third, with 2,100 pieces of silk and 2,900 strings of money. Then the Momen Army was given 1,900 pieces of silk and 3,800 strings of money. Finally, the Heyuan Army, the Anren Army, the Jishi Army, the Suihe Shouzhuo, the Hechuan Shouzhuo, etc...."

Liu Yan spoke to Li Xuan in a clear and logical manner.

Silk is generally a reward for military exploits.

Money is a reward for hard work.

For example, the Heyuan Army, the Anren Army, the Jishi Army, etc., although the battles they experienced were small, as long as they used guns and bows, they would receive rewards.

"Immediately order the military envoys to send people to take back their rewards."

Li Xuan asked his assistants to convey the military order to the troops, and at the same time instructed Liu Yan: "The compensation for those who died in battle must be implemented in place. If the compensation of the brothers is embezzled by the local government, I will not let them go even if they are far away."

Because he knew that there were indeed people who would blackmail the locals. Even if Li Xuan warned them, it would be of no use.

Even with harsh laws and punishments, there are always people who take risks.

Just because Li Xuan came to Longyou, did the powerful people in Longyou no longer dare to bully others?

It's just that it's more covert and not as blatant as before.

It is impossible to eliminate sin permanently. Wherever there is desire, sin will breed.

Afterwards, Li Xuan asked Liu Yan to compile a list of casualties in the Qinghai battle.

Li Xuan will personally arrange their rewards.

That afternoon, Li Xuan returned to his mansion.

His personal guards replaced the guards in the palace.

The servants in the mansion also knew that Li Xuan had returned.

A servant named Shen Ji, who was in his forties and had knowledge, was appointed by Li Xuan as the housekeeper, and usually helped him manage food, clothing, housing and transportation in the mansion.

"This old servant respectfully welcomes Marshal Li back to the mansion."

Shen Ji bowed to Li Xuan in front of the door.

The servant next to him immediately went to help Li Xuan hold the horse.

"Well, hard work."

Li Xuan nodded and said casually.

"The servants are free, not as hard-working as Li Shuai."

Shen Ji said with a smile.

When he was young, his elders committed crimes and he was a slave for many years. He also followed several masters, but without exception, those masters left Longyou for various reasons without taking him with them.

He had seen many different kinds of powerful people, who were far less powerful than Li Xuan, but none of them were as humble and gentle as Li Xuan.

He was a brave general who was invincible, but he also had an extremely delicate side and never criticized his servants.

Li Xuan had specifically told him to take some money from the accounting office and distribute it to the servants during the New Year, and to buy some chickens and sheep to celebrate.

The servants were all impressed by Li Xuan's demeanor.

"Li Shuai, would you like to go and see the saint's reward first?"

Shen Ji told Li Xuan about this important event again.

Li Longji's reward to Li Xuan is in Li Xuan's mansion.

There were a total of 200 taels of gold, 10 gold items, 100 silver items, 100 exquisite lacquer items, and 3,000 rolls of silk.

These can decorate Li Xuan's mansion luxuriously.

In addition, the court also rewarded Li Xuan with ten beauties from the Jiaofang, who were personally selected by Gao Lishi.

Li Xuan finally understood why Gai Jiayun and Geshu Han became corrupt and decadent in wine and sex in their later years.

After making meritorious service, the woman will be rewarded with wealth and beauties without restraint. Any normal man will be immersed in this fame and gentleness and cannot extricate himself.

"No need! Put them in the warehouse for now, including the gold and silver items. Don't put them out in the open. I'll let you know if there's any need."

Li Xuan shook his head. He went to the warehouse in Huangshui City to check the rewards given to the soldiers. It was official business.

He didn't care much about his reward.

He would give his own silk as a reward to the families of the guards who died in battle and the surviving guards in exchange for their absolute loyalty.

Originally, Li Xuan wanted to reward the soldiers in the army with gold and silver, but after thinking it over carefully, he felt that it was not appropriate.

He was afraid that the military supervisor would secretly report him for winning over the people's hearts, and Li Longji was very sensitive about this.

Because he really wants to win people's hearts.

It's not time yet.

"There are also ten singing girls from the music troupe who were sent to the mansion." Shen Ji said to Li Xuan again.

"Just live in my mansion!"

The purpose of Li Longji rewarding Li Xuan with a beautiful singing girl was obvious.

How could Li Xuan refuse? His literary talent was well-known in Chang'an, his martial arts were known throughout the world, he was upright and resolute, and he was not greedy for money.

If you don't even get close to women, wouldn't that make you a saint?
There are not allowed to be two saints in this world!
Although Li Xuan once said to Li Longji, "How can I have a family if the Huns are not destroyed?", starting a family and building a career are two different things.

"They usually practice musical instruments, singing and dancing, and their skills are superb. The woman in the lead is as beautiful as a fairy. Marshal Li has been fighting for months, why not enjoy some fun!"

Shen Ji was thinking about Li Xuan.

It was also the first time he saw such a beautiful woman.

"next time!"

Li Xuan just came back and is not in a good mood.

Shen Ji had no choice but to give up!

Back in the bedroom, Li Xuan read the "March Record" given to him by Li Yi. This time during the raid in Tubo territory, the "March Record" was of great help to him.

For example, taking advantage of a slope to launch a surprise attack is a tactic that Li Yi once used in the Marching Record.

But Li Xuan also made additions to the Marching Record.

He combined the march record with the maps of Longyou, Qinghai and Jiuqu to think about the next tactics.

"Historically, Geshu Han built Yinglong City in the center of Qinghai Lake and moved the Shen Ce Army to Yinglong City. Can this really affect Tubo's approach to Qinghai?"

Li Xuan wrote and drew on the map, thinking about this.

There is a mountain on Longju Island, and a city is built on it, reaching seventy feet from east to west and forty feet from north to south.

How many soldiers can be stationed here?

Even if the enemy approaches Qinghai Lake to graze their horses, they still have to row boats over there in the summer. What's the point of having 1,800 people?

It would be better to expand the scale of Fuqi City, deploy heavy troops and light cavalry, and make Fuqi City a bridgehead to prevent Tubo from entering the Tang territory.

Li Xuan saw that the area around Fuqi City was actually quite suitable for grazing.

In addition, the most important area of ​​Jiuqu must be recovered.

There are the Tubo-built Shudun City, Damomen City, Wanxiu City and Baigu City.

There are also the famous Yellow River Bridge and Hongji Bridge.

According to the "Military Record", there was a Tibetan armory in the city of Shudun, which contained many Tibetan chain mails, iron armors, and weapons.

Baigu City was the granary of Tubo. The wheat grown by Tubo in the Jiuqu area was stored in Baigu City. Even the food for Tubo soldiers in Qinghai and Chiling areas came from Baigu City.

The area from Damomen City to Dafeichuan, southern Qinghai, and the upper reaches of the Nine-bend Yellow River were all grazing areas for the Tibetans.

Tubo once had to apply to the Tang Dynasty for permission to graze in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Now that Tuyuhun has been conquered, Tubo is acting with impunity.

"If we want to take it, we must first take Jiuqu. Contain Hongji Bridge and cut off their granary!"

After thinking until dark, Li Xuan made up his mind about his strategy.

But certainly not now.

Li Xuan did not plan to send troops to fight in the spring.

There are not enough troops in Longyou and troops are dispatched too frequently.

His Modao troops had not yet arrived, and because they had only new recruits, they could not fight immediately.

Li Xuan hoped that based on this military achievement, Li Longji would give him the military power in Hexi.

Only with the addition of the Hexi Army did Li Xuan have enough elite troops.

At dinner time, Li Xuan told Shen Ji to prepare some porridge and Hu cakes. They were tired of eating beef and mutton every day during the march.

After dinner, Li Xuan held a lamp and wrote down some of his thoughts on the battle before taking a bath and going to sleep.

Early in the morning, Li Xuan was practicing spear in the yard, continuing to hone his spear skills.

After this great battle, Li Xuan suddenly discovered that the pure iron weapons that were so powerful on the battlefield were quite suitable for him. He could often break the enemy's weapons with one blow, making him more powerful and domineering in battle.

If there is a chance, Li Xuan will find a craftsman to forge an iron spear, but the skill of wielding a horse lance requires diligent practice.

After practicing for half an hour, Li Xuan put away his lance. Luo Xing ran over and took over Li Xuan's lance. He flattered Li Xuan and said, "Qi Lang's lance skills are peerless and even more amazing!"

After Huangfu Weiming left, it was estimated that in the entire Longyou, only Luo Xing would call Li Xuan "Qilang" in private.

This is a secret term between master and servant.

"It's a pity that no one can fight me three times."

Li Xuan felt very sorry about this.

He had fought against many Tibetan soldiers who were known as fierce generals, but they were all no match for him.

Li Xuan was very unhappy when competing with Nan Jiyun, Che Shensai, Zhang Xing and Xin Yunjing and had to avoid hurting them.

"That's not three spears, no one in the world can beat Qi Lang's stab!"

When charging into battle, Luo Xing was always on Li Xuan's right side, and Xue Cuo was always on Li Xuan's left side. They each held a shield to defend against stray arrows and hidden arrows.

In the two battles, the Shen Ce Guards had hundreds of casualties. The two of them were unscathed, which showed that they were both very brave.

Luo Xing had never seen any powerful general who could actually take a serious attack from Li Xuan. Only some sneak attackers prevented Li Xuan from taking the initiative, but that was all.

Li Xuan just smiled. From the current perspective, it is indeed the case!

"I'm going to wash up, why are you still following me..."

Li Xuan looked at Luo Xing.

(End of this chapter)