Chapter 59 Feng'an Order Liu Yan

The sky is high and the clouds are light, and the red sun is rising.

Mingsha Ferry.

This is an ancient ferry that has existed since the Han Dynasty. It is the largest military ferry on the Yellow River from Jincheng to Lingwu.

At this time, hundreds of boats were docked at Mingsha Ferry, with war flags fluttering and thousands of horses neighing.

Across the Yellow River, you can see Turkic cavalry patrolling on the other side.

The Shuofang headquarters had 27,000 troops, with 3,000 regular war horses and 3,000 private and business horses.

Although the Dingyuan Army had only 7,000 soldiers, it had 3,000 regular war horses.

The geographical location of the Dingyuan Army destined it to be the main force to cross the northwest grasslands.

Gao Lanzhou and other subordinate Hu tribes, with 10,000 cavalry, also took up positions at Mingsha Ferry.

Zhang Qiqiu, deputy envoy of Shuofang Jiedushi, had received a report that Li Xuan had deployed troops in front of Feng'an Military City to lure the enemy and killed more than 2,000 people including Apodagan of the Turkic tribe.

"General Li said that the army will have to rest and go north to Mingsha tomorrow to cover our army crossing the river."

Zhang Qiqiu summoned Xiang Yujing, the commander of the Dingyuan Army, Cheng Gui, the commander of the right wing of the Jinglüe Army, and Hun Shizhi, the general who temporarily unified the Wantile, Turkic, and Xueyantuo tribes that had returned to the Tang Dynasty, to discuss matters in the military tent.

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war, why do we have to wait until tomorrow? Marshal Wang has already led his army out of the Jilushai Pass, and we are attacking the Turkic left wing tribes from both ends. Do you want Marshal Wang to wait for us at the Hunyi River?"

Xiang Yujing said bluntly.

"We fought a fierce night battle and killed more than 2,000 enemy cavalry. I think we should take a break. Besides, only by conserving our energy can we prevent the Turkic cavalry from launching a rash attack after they gather together." Cheng Gui refuted Xiang Yujing lightly.

Among those heavy-armored soldiers who participated in the battle were his soldiers, so of course he had to speak for his subordinates.

Most of the war horses had to cross the river at Mingsha Ferry. If they went to Feng'an Ferry, it would take twice as long just to cross the river.

The longer it takes to cross the river, the greater the potential crisis.

"A striker needs to be fearless. Can he do it?"

Hun Shizhi brought up the matter of the vanguard and took the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction with Li Xuan.

He had reasons for being dissatisfied with Li Xuan.

A general of the clan, because Li Xuan was troublesome, Wang Zhongsi ordered him to be escorted to Huile City.

Not long ago, Hun Xuan and Lu Yu were beheaded in public.

This caused a wave of indignation among the clan.

Hun Shizhi admitted that Hun Xuan was wrong, but the crime did not warrant the death penalty.

Wang Zhongsi was so powerful that Hun Shizhi did not dare to provoke him and could only blame Li Xuan.

"Marshal Wang ordered us to advance step by step. We must not rush forward because of disputes over military merits..."

Zhang Qiqiu glanced at the generals and simply conveyed General Wang Zhongsi's military order without elaborating on it.

Afterwards, Zhang Qiqiu ordered his generals to prepare and cross the river immediately when Li Xuan and Cui Zhan arrived at the gorge.

After the generals left, Zhang Qiqiu put on new clothes as usual and recited the Diamond Sutra in a small tent in the military camp.

Zhang Qiqiu believed in Buddhism and chanting sutras was his daily routine, even when he was on a military expedition and there were no Buddha statues, but he had Buddha in his heart, and it remained the same for decades.

Zhang Qiqiu stopped after reading the Diamond Sutra translated by Kumarajiva and supplemented by Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty.

His nephew Zhang Mian was included in the account.

"Erlang, he said I can be prime minister, what do you think? He is just a sweet talker with a sharp tongue, do you believe him?"

Zhang Qiqiu asked his closest nephew.

Zhang Mian is now a subordinate of the Jiedushi.

"Wasn't Niu Xianke recommended by the Right Prime Minister? Besides, Niu Xianke is not very talented and learned, while you, uncle, are a successful Jinshi. What's wrong with becoming a general or a prime minister?" Zhang Mian solemnly advised Zhang Qiqiu, "You can only be sweet-mouthed and treacherous to your enemies. You should be as kind as you can to friends like Xiao Jiong."

"Having said that, I still have concerns!"

Zhang Qiqiu stroked the Diamond Sutra, which implies that one should not be attached to anything and should be compassionate.

"Uncle, during the Han Dynasty, Zhang Anshi was able to become the Grand Marshal and take charge of the Secretariat, thanks to Huo Guang's recommendation; Deng Biao was able to become the Grand Tutor and take charge of the Secretariat, thanks to Dou Xian, who was his mentor. The "Guoyu" says, 'Don't be lazy when you get the opportunity, because the opportunity will not come again. If you don't take what God gives you, it will bring disaster.' You used this sentence to teach your nephew."

Zhang Mian used the examples of the powerful officials Huo Guang and Dou Xian during the Han Dynasty, and believed that Li Linfu was a powerful official like them.

Can help Zhang Qiqiu become prime minister.

"Well, call Xiang Yujing over. I already know what to do. But it still depends on whether there is an opportunity."

After Zhang Qiqiu finished speaking, Zhang Mian ran out of the tent happily.

“I can recite it backwards. I haven’t taken it out when I recite the sutras during this period.” Zhang Qiqiu then put his holy book, the Diamond Sutra, into the box.

Do not argue with others, and do not argue with the world.

……

Feng'an military city.

"General, the horse meat is cooked. Please taste it first."

Luo Xing handed a piece of horse meat that had been stewed for two hours to Li Xuan.

In this battle, more than a thousand Turkic war horses died from crossbow arrows and charges.

After the battle, Li Xuan ordered the soldiers to deal with the dead horses so that the soldiers could have a hearty meal.

Even with the nearly 10,000 soldiers of the Jinglüe Army, they would not be able to finish eating all the horse meat until it rotted.

Although horse meat is not as tender as donkey meat or beef, in this era, no matter how fishy or tough it is, it is still meat and can make soldiers salivate.

Li Xuan also knew that horse meat has extremely high nutritional value.

"Send it to Li Yuhou and General Cui first."

Li Xuan instructed Luo Xing.

Having not rested all night, he was still full of energy.

Poli led the cavalry to leave temporarily, probably to meet up with the cavalry at the gorge.

By the time other soldiers crossed the river, the Tang army would be able to fight even if the Turkic cavalry came again.

Only after Li Guangbi and Cui Zhan ate horse meat did Li Xuan eat meat with the soldiers.

Although there were no condiments to go with it, Li Xuan thought it was okay and tasted better than she had imagined.

Li Xuan calculated that the soldiers would not be able to finish eating the dead horses within a few days. Instead of letting the horse meat rot, it would be better to distribute some to the people of Feng'an County.

When the battle is over, the soldiers will have more delicious cattle and sheep.

"I am Liu Yan, the magistrate of Feng'an, and I am here to see you, General."

When the new Feng'an magistrate learned that Li Xuan had summoned him, he rushed over immediately.

Li Xuan crossed the Yellow River to meet him.

"He looks very young. Could he be the child prodigy who was famous in the capital during the Kaiyuan period?"

Li Xuan was very surprised. The first time he met Liu Yan, he looked less than 30 years old and had already held the position of county magistrate.

"It's just an empty title. The general is the pillar of the country."

Liu Yan admitted it.

"I've heard of your great name for a long time. Nice to meet you!"

Li Xuan was wearing armor and bowed to show his respect.

When Li Longji was offering sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai, Liu Yan, who was only ten years old, was appreciated by Li Longji for his articles and was named the Prince's Secretary.

Zhang Shuo, the prime minister who planned the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai at that time, praised Liu Yan as a "national blessing."

Most importantly, Li Xuan knew that Liu Yan had the talent to be a prime minister, and was also a rare financial expert and economic reformer.

"Don't dare to take it seriously."

Liu Yan quickly returned the gift, feeling flattered.

When he was in Chang'an, he had heard of Li Xuan's poems and the story of Li Xuan beheading enemy generals in battle.

Don’t underestimate the literati and poets who write about war and iron cavalry with awe-inspiring spirit in their poems.

But they joined the army because they wanted to become subordinates, to make achievements by "offering ingenious strategies", and they longed to "fight battles thousands of miles between the wine and the food."

Unlike Li Xuan, he went to the battlefield with real swords and guns and galloped on horseback.

"It's a pity that I have a military order, otherwise I would definitely appreciate the style of Magistrate Liu."

Li Xuan said with regret.

When he does big things in the future, he will need talented subordinates to assist him.

Like Li Yi's son Li Xian and now Liu Yan, whenever Li Xuan has the chance, he will get close to them in exchange for their favor and trust.

(End of this chapter)