It has been more than a month since the imperial army crossed the Qinshui River. The things that the courtiers were worried about before did not appear, and everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Although Min Yong's combat power is average, the war has gone smoothly so far, so his morale is high. The initial fighting was all done by soldiers. With the cooperation of the navy, it was not too difficult for the well-trained Sui elite to kill Qinshui. Min Yong, who had been shouting for the soldiers in the early stage, gradually participated in some battles after crossing the river. Although their quality was still not outstanding, after all, their equipment was much better than that of the rebels.
After winning some battles, the morale of these civilian warriors became even higher. The rebels' defense line was compressed step by step. After gaining confidence, the heroic battalion gradually became able to stand on its own.
Qinshui is the rebels¡¯ biggest natural barrier, but the rebels¡¯ lack of navy is their biggest weakness.
The navy of Sui Dynasty has always been very low-key, but there is no doubt about its strength. When Nanchen was defeated, the Nanchen Navy, which was known as the best in the world, did not last long in front of the Sui Navy. When they attacked the Shang Kingdom more than 20 years ago, the Shang Kingdom's army, which was famous for its navy, was also unable to fight back under the crushing force of the Sui Dynasty navy.
The strength of the military is based on the strength of the country.
The Sui navy was fully equipped, its warships were sturdy, and it had developed mature tactics over the past century.
After crossing the Qinshui River and entering Hexi Road, the army had to fight almost every day. The rebels' defense line was very thick, and every village and fort had to be fought for. Li Yuanshan asked his generals to continuously put pressure on the rebel soldiers, telling them that there would be no way to survive if they did not resist. Their participation in the rebellion was an unforgivable crime for the court. If they wanted to survive, they could only take up arms to resist.
Therefore, although the progress of the imperial army was not slow at first, it was rare for the rebels to surrender on their own initiative.
Regarding this, many court officials accompanying the army were puzzled. They really couldn't understand why those stupid people would rather believe Li Yuanshan's lies than the imperial court's successive amnesty orders. His Majesty decreed before the Western Expedition that all rebel soldiers who laid down their weapons and surrendered, as long as they had not done any serious evil, would be forgiven. But for a long time after the amnesty order was issued, not many people in the rebels believed it.
In fact, it¡¯s no wonder. Although those people had no choice but to become thieves, it was just like stealing when they had no choice. The government issued a notice saying that as long as they voluntarily surrendered, they would be exempted from crime. Basically, the thieves did not believe it.
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In November, the army captured Hengyuan and His Majesty recovered Hengyuan Palace, one of the seven palaces in the northwest. Although everything in the palace had long been looted, this was a relatively inspiring victory after all. The rebel general Shi Lei, who was stationed in Hengyuan, led his army to retreat 40 miles to the west and re-defense at the Yangjiao Mountain line.
The scale of Hengyuan Palace is not large, nor is it as rich in reserves as the Guangyang Palace in Xiangzhou. The grain, grass and armor stored in one Guangyang Palace is enough to equip an army of tens of thousands.
The emperor, who had obviously lost a lot of weight, refused Su Buwei's help and walked up the stone steps of Hengyuan Palace. In just two or three years, this palace has changed beyond recognition. Although this is the first time His Majesty the Emperor has walked here, he can still feel the decline of this palace in the past two years.
The courtyard paved with stone slabs was already full of weeds, and no one was taking care of them. The weeds easily emerged from the gaps in the stone slabs, and it took only one spring to take over the entire palace. With no one to maintain it, the house falls into disrepair at an alarming rate. The palace wall, which was originally painted vermilion, has peeled off in spots, and many arrow towers and watchtowers have been added to the wall, making the palace wall look nondescript.
There were horses lined up outside the palace gate, making it look even more desolate and desolate.
The emperor stepped on the dust and weeds on the stone steps and walked up slowly. He kept looking around, with a hint of anger in his eyes.
This is his palace, a place that represents the majesty of the emperor. Now it has become a stable and a livestock pen!
His eyes stayed on a rebel flag on the palace roof that had not yet been pulled out, and his face became even more ugly. Su Buwei immediately understood what the emperor meant, pointed at the flag and scolded him a few words. Several guards in brocade robes immediately ran over, found a ladder and climbed up the house to pull down the flag.
The Ouchi Guards Department now exists in name only. After Luo Weiran was kicked out of Chang'an City by the emperor, the person who took over the duties of the Ouchi Guards Department was Su Buwei's secret guard. The dark guards came to the light from the dark, still using the name of Ouchi Guards Department, but for the sake of distinction, people now call Su Buwei's people the Jinyi School.
"Feiyupao is in decline, and Jinyi School is domineering."
"Although I have never been here, this courtyard is my private residence. As an emperor, I can't even guard my private residence. I feel sorry for my ancestors."
The emperor stood on the platform and muttered to himself, frightening the ministers who followed him. The civil servants and generals knelt down, and no one knew why the emperor suddenly felt such emotion. If the emperor says that he has failed his ancestors, then these ministers are guilty of an unforgivable crime.
"Your Majesty"
Su Buwei opened his mouth, but was stopped by the emperor: "There is no need to persuade me, I just blame myself. Taizu founded the country, Taizong started his business, and the powerful empire that the Yang family spent more than a hundred years building has been handed over to me. But I didn¡¯t do it well. This has nothing to do with you, it¡¯s my own business.¡±
"It's irrelevant. How could it be irrelevant?"
The ministers hurriedly kowtowed: "I am waiting for the death penalty!"
"Everyone, get up."
The emperor waved his hand: "I just feel something from my heart. You don't need to be so trembling. You have to experience some unsmooth things to make people more diligent and cautious in doing things. Without Li Yuanshan's rebellion, I would not have easily rectified the government. Without the rebels I will not see the other side of the people. The ancients said that the northwest is already in chaos. It just needs to be managed from the beginning. It is just that it is easy to turn from chaos to peace. Now a lot of things have been recovered. Lost land, you should think about how to make the people obey and stop being thieves!"
"I respectfully obey His Majesty's teachings."
Everyone stood up and followed the emperor step by step forward.
"Before I arrived in the northwest, I hated Li Yuanshan for his rebellion. But why didn't I think that this person was a little scheming and courageous? When I was in Chang'an, I told myself to face this opponent squarely. But after I arrived in the northwest, I relaxed a lot. , take a look"
The emperor pointed around: "Even if you robbed it, it will be lost sooner or later if you don't manage it well. Li Yuanshan only knows how to plunder and doesn't know how to support the people. How can it last long!"
After saying this, there was immediately a wave of reprimands and curses for Li Yuanshan, as well as praise for the emperor.
The emperor stood in front of the palace hall. He raised his head and looked at the mottled plaque and shook his head: "Take off this plaque toomake a new one. Break it down and then build it up again. All the old and useless ones must be torn out." Only if you drop it can you get a new one"
No one understood the last sentence.
Only the emperor himself knows what he is talking about.
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Sitting in the side hall that had been prepared, the emperor pulled the brocade quilt and wrapped it tighter. The weather in the northwest makes him uncomfortable, especially at night, even with two layers of quilts around him, he still doesn't feel warm. The lights in the room are very bright, but there are always corners that cannot be illuminated, just like the emperor's heart.
Su Buwei carefully helped the emperor take the medicine, then stood aside with his head bowed.
"Take care of all the medicine residue and don't let anyone see it."
The emperor took out his handkerchief, wiped his mouth and gave an order. He looked at the memorial sent from the capital in front of him and frowned slightly. These excerpts were all picked out by Pei Yan, and most of them were trivial matters. The biggest problem for the imperial court now is to suppress the rebellion. As for how many people have died due to heavy snowfall in a certain place, and how many officials in a certain place have neglected their duties, the emperor has no time to deal with it now.
"Send someone back to the capital and tell Pei Yan not to send such discounts again in the future. Traveling thousands of miles away, how much manpower and material resources are wasted! If there is a disaster in the local area, the local government will provide relief. If there is a shortage of food, grass and materials, let Pei Yan help the officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs If we can't make enough money, I'll open a position. I don't want them to be messengers who will just send the money to the northwest. With the Queen¡¯s guidance, he can make his own decisions on many things.¡±
"The prince and the assistant ministers are also worried that they are not doing well."
Su Buwei lowered his head and said, "I will arrange for someone to go back early tomorrow morning and inform His Majesty the Crown Prince and the three auxiliary ministers of His Majesty's decree."
"Um"
"I am in the northwest, and what we want to see is not these papers Where is the left vanguard now? How are the troops in the Jiangnan counties mobilized? Why haven't there been any papers? The people who were sent there asked Pei Yan carefully, what happened to him? Screening memorials!¡±
"My slave obeys your orders."
As he was talking, someone suddenly asked to see him outside. It was already dark, and it was obviously urgent for someone to come in at this time. The emperor signaled, and Su Buwei quickly opened the door.
As soon as the door was opened, the wind poured into the room, causing the candlelight to sway.
The emperor seemed a little dissatisfied and turned his head to see who was asking to come in so late.
Not long after, Su Buwei came back, followed by General Xu Xiaogong of You Zhenwei and General Liu Enjing of Zuo Wuwei. Seeing the two of them coming in, the emperor's heart tightened involuntarily.
"It's so late,"??Is there an urgent military matter? "
He sat up straight and asked.
"Your Majesty"
Xu Xiaogong and Liu Enjing bowed first. Xu Xiaogong raised his head and said cautiously: "Today, someone came from the Langru Mountain. They ran for more than a month and passed through the area occupied by the rebels. Several people died before they found this place. Bringing a message"
"oh?"
The emperor couldn't help but smile: "But what good news did Yang Kai bring me? I know it's not easy for him. After the defeat, he gathered the defeated troops on the spot. In the past two years, he has recovered a lot of places. No. With no logistical support and supplies from the imperial court, it is difficult for a lone army to persist until now. "
"no¡¡"
Xu Xiaogong hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Prince Xujunwill you fight"
The emperor¡¯s still smiling expression gradually solidified, and the hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air.
With a snap, the teacup fell from the emperor's hand and broke into pieces.
"when¡¡"
"It was a month and a half ago when I returned to Your Majesty. In order to cooperate with the imperial army's Western Expedition, the prince personally went down the mountain to survey the rebel west camp. He was discovered by the rebel rangers and all his bodyguards died in battle. The prince fought to the end Eventually outnumbered"
"I understand."
The emperor waved his hand: "You guys go down I'm tired."
He slowly sat back and pulled the quilt over to cover him.
Xu Xiaogong and Liu Enjing looked at each other, stood up and prepared to leave. Just when the two of them walked to the door, they suddenly heard a violent cough from behind. The two people were startled and quickly turned around, only to see that the emperor sitting on the earthen kang had stooped from coughing and was holding the corner of the quilt tightly in his hands.
The two of them were startled and hurried back. After taking just one step, they saw the emperor spurting out a mouthful of blood.
The emperor glanced at the two generals who were frightened and had bloodless faces. He reached out with trembling hands to pick up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth: "If outsiders find out about what happened today, I will punish you nine tribes."
Xu Xiaogong and Liu Enjing immediately knelt down: "I dare not Your Majesty, it is better to return to the capital. The dragon body is the most important thing."
The emperor slowly shook his head: "I want to go back, but it's not the right time. I originally planned to give you orders in a few days. Since you are here today, I will simply leave the matter to you."
He glanced at Su Buwei and said, "Get out."
Su Buwei was startled for a moment, but he still bowed and retreated.
"Tomorrow I will send the two of you to lead the troops south, and together with the left vanguard Luo Yao, besiege the rebels in Yinpo Mountain. But after you two take the south route, you will immediately lead the troops back to Chang'an City. I have already transferred Duan Zheng of the Yangtze River Navy The fleet is waiting downstream of the Qinshui River, so as not to reveal its whereabouts"
The emperor took out a secret edict from his body: "Look again on the way, and remember, the mission I have given you is to protect my country in the Sui Dynasty!"