"Zuo Sima, do you have any suggestions from Li Zhonglang?" Zhang Wen asked with a pleasant face.

"Li Zhonglang believes that Beigong Boyu can't be killed, and all the captives belong to the Qiang people, let alone killed." Zuo Yan said slowly but forcefully.

Zhang Wen frowned slightly, exchanged glances with his staff, everyone looked cautious, no one spoke, and listened quietly.

Zuo Yan looked at Zhang Wen and continued: "Lord Taiwei, Li Zhonglang believes that although we have exterminated Beigong Boyu's 50,000 horses, it has not caused any substantial help to the current situation in Xiliang, and it is still very difficult to completely pacify the rebels in Xiliang. ”

Zhang Wen's expression suddenly became solemn. Sang Yang and Tao Qian glanced at each other, and each felt that Li Hong was insightful, clear-headed, and had a very clear understanding of the situation in Xiliang.

"Li Zhonglang believes that in the case of a weak rebel army, they must avoid our main force, either continue west into Qiang, or go north to the desert. If we want to completely annihilate the rebels, we can only travel thousands of miles and continue to pursue and kill. If the rebels enter the Qiang in the west, and they have the support of the Hu people, it will be more difficult for us to fight; If the rebels go north to the desert, we will have to pursue them for thousands of miles, and the annihilation of the enemy will become a distant matter. ”

"In addition, once an army of more than 100,000 people begins an expeditionary war, the most serious problem is the supply of food and grass. The terrain of Xiliang is complex, with mountains in the south, deserts in the north, and the Yellow River in the middle, and the road is very difficult to walk. The territory of Xiliang is vast, thousands of miles long from south to north, and thousands of miles from east to west. In this environment, the transportation of grain and grass is not only difficult, but also highly vulnerable. Once the troops run out of food, they will face a catastrophe of annihilation, and they will not be able to run back if they want to run thousands of miles. ”

Therefore, Li Zhonglang believes that it is more prudent to suppress the rebellion in Xiliang and adopt the method of suppressing first and then appeasing, which can avoid the rebels entering the Qiang in the west and going north to the desert. In other words, if we can't completely annihilate the rebels for a period of time, the best way is to use Beigong Boyu's influence in the Xiliang rebels to appease the rebels, in order to end the Xiliang war as soon as possible. ”

Zhang Wen smiled slightly, and said in his heart, this idea coincides with my idea. However, how can this method of first slashing and then soothing be played so that His Majesty can accept it?

Zhang Wen thought of the problem of grain and grass, and thought that there was only more than a month left to destroy the enemy, and he couldn't help but feel a trace of fear in his heart. If the rebels in Xiliang are still not wiped out at the beginning of July, what fate awaits them?

He looked at Zuo Yan and asked, "What does Li Zhonglang think about the Xiliang battle situation?" ”

Zuo Yan pondered a little, and said slowly: "Under the careful planning and command of Lord Taiwei, we annihilated Beigong Boyu, and the rest of the matter is to defeat the troops of Qiang Hu June Thunder and the rebel leader Bian Zhang. The Qianghu cavalry led by the thunderstorm in June could flee at any time, and Bian Zhang's troops could also retreat across the Yellow River and hold on to Jincheng. If we launch a fierce attack as soon as our army has entered on all fronts, the enemy will surely retreat in great strides in order to find an opportunity to defeat us. Therefore, Li Zhonglang believed that the troops advancing west to Liangzhou should be in the vicinity of Hanyang County, the closest to Chang'an, to deal with the enemy, so as not only to avoid the problem of unsafe long-distance transportation of grain and grass, but also to avoid the danger that may arise when the army goes to the border counties to attack the enemy. ”

Zhang Wen nodded appreciatively, and then said to Sang Yang and Tao Qian: "Li Zhonglang's statement is very reasonable. You added this clause to the documents sent to the armies on the front, warning the front-line generals not to go into the border counties lightly, lest they be wounded by the rebels instead of food and grass. ”

Sang Yang and Tao Qian agreed repeatedly.

Zhang Wen then said to Zuo Yan: "After Zuo Sima returned to Duyang, tell Li Zhonglang that regarding the issue of Beigong Boyu and the captives, for the time being, let's do what he wants." ”

Zuo Yanxi said: "Lord Taiwei agreed?" ”

"I agreed, don't kill you for the time being, everything will wait for Your Majesty's ruling." Zhang Wen said, "You tell Li Zhonglang that I hope he will solve the matter of Du Yang and Li Wenhou as soon as possible, and then quickly lead his troops to Liangzhou." Be fast, be quick. ”

Zuo Yan hurriedly agreed and left the table to say goodbye. Sang Yang immediately sent Zuo Yan out of the palace.

Zhang Wen saw that Sang Yang had sent the guests back, and immediately said to him and Tao Qian: "As for the suggestions for the handling of the prisoners of Beigong Boyu and the Xiliang rebels, you and several other Peng Shi will sum it up, think about the reasons a little more, write a detailed chapter, and send it to Luoyang in the name of Li Zhonglang." What do you think? ”

Sang Yang was secretly surprised in his heart, and said cautiously: "My lord, Li Zhonglang's official position is low, and this seal may not be able to be sent to His Majesty. If the traitors and eunuchs in the DPRK and China want to frame Li Zhonglang, they can use this letter to slander Li Zhonglang for sympathizing with the rebels and colluding with the rebels, then Li Zhonglang will be in great trouble. ”

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Tao Qian's eyes, and he said with an unkind face: "Lord Taiwei, with Li Zhonglang's official position, he has no right to intervene in this matter at all. He handed over this recital, to put it bluntly, it was a letter of admonition that crossed the ranks. If the emperor is angered, His Majesty Long Yan is furious, Li Zhonglang is likely to be dismissed. At this critical time, if something happened to Li Zhonglang, it would be a huge blow to the morale of the Xiliang rebel army. Captain Taiwei should think twice. ”

Zhang Wen smiled and whispered: "Lord Liu Yu, the scholar's side of the emperor, favors Li Zhonglang, he will not only hand this piece to His Majesty for imperial reading, but also ensure that Li Zhonglang will benefit from it." Do you believe me? ”

Sang Yang and Tao Qian looked at each other with suspicion.

"Lord Jingzhao Yin Gai Xun Gai is deeply favored by the emperor, do you know this?" Zhang Wen asked. The two nodded.

"There are often secret edicts between the emperor and Lord Gai, do you know?" Zhang Wen asked again. Sang Yang and Tao Qian exchanged a look of disbelief and shook their heads.

Zhang Wen stroked his beard and said with a smile: "The emperor is a very strange person, he doesn't know why he is so heavy-handed?" Since Lord Gai served as Jing Zhaoyin, when the emperor encountered problems, he had to write an edict, and then sent a fast horse to Chang'an to ask Lord Gai's opinion, and it is said that he obeyed his words and trusted Lord Gai very much. Lord Gai told me more than once that the emperor appreciated Li Zhonglang very much, and called him a hero of the Han Dynasty several times in his edicts. ”

"Regarding how to solve the Xiliang problem once and for all, I have discussed it many times with Lord Gai, Lord Liangzhou Thorn Shi Geng, and Lord Hanyang Taishou Fu, and I have also mentioned it in various movements, but the emperor has not given a clear attitude. The emperor also issued an edict to Lord Gai several times to inquire about the solution to Xiliang. Lord Gai learned the lesson of the emperor's blunt advice to annoy the emperor, and did not reply directly, but quoted the scriptures and classics, knocking on the side. Recently, the emperor seems to have understood a lot, and his hardline attitude towards the rebels has changed. ”

"If this piece is handed over in my name, it will definitely have no effect, and the emperor will immediately be suspicious of me, not only will I not be able to solve the problem at all, but I will also get into trouble."

"Li Zhonglang has just defeated the rebels, annihilated 50,000 enemies, captured the leaders of the rebels alive, and his military exploits are brilliant, and the emperor must have praised him and was extremely favorable. At this time, if I recommend Li Zhonglang's recital in my name, coupled with the advice of Lord Gai and Master Liu to the emperor, there is a chance that this matter will be successful. Even if the emperor disagrees, because Li Zhonglang has just made great contributions, the emperor is in a good mood, and he may not punish Li Zhonglang. ”

Zhang Wen asked with a smile, "What do the two adults think of my method?" ”

Sang Yang and Tao Qian looked at Zhang Wen with great admiration and nodded again and again.

＝＝＝

In the Duyang camp, Li Hong took the marching army Sima Zuoyan, assassinated Wei Zheng, scouted Sima Zhengxin of the other department of the battalion, and Sima Tianzhong of the other department of the Cao battalion went to visit Beigong Boyu.

Xian Yufu, Wei Zheng, Zheng Xin, and Tian Zhong all came to see Beigong Boyu respectively, chatted with him, asked about the situation, and generally didn't say much. Beigong Boyu's injuries at that time were very serious, he lost too much blood and almost died, but he was in good health, and under the careful treatment of the doctors, his injuries gradually improved, and his body began to recover.

After Zuo Yan returned, Li Hong was very happy to learn that Lord Taiwei had agreed to his method of dealing with the rebel prisoners, and immediately called a few people and hurriedly ran to find Beigong Boyu.

Li Hong greeted him a few words and immediately got straight to the point, asking him if he was willing to surrender.

Although Beigong Boyu was grateful to the Han army for saving his life, he instinctively refused Li Hong's request. He would rather have his head cut off.

Li Hong said with a smile: "If only cutting off your head can solve the problem of the Xiliang rebels, I won't come to you." If I kill you, I will kill all your men. Now I have more than 15,000 captives in my hands, and they are all going to bury you with you, what do you say? ”

Beigong Boyu bowed his head and was silent.

"Your brother Li Wenhou, there are still 5,000 men and horses surrounded by us in Duyang City. Now they rely on killing horses every day to satisfy their hunger, and when the war horses are finished, they begin to eat people, and when the people are finished, I see what they eat, and how many days can they last? Didn't General Beigong think of a way out for them? Li Hong said with a smile.

Beigong Boyu smiled coldly and said, "I surrendered, will Li Wenhou surrender?" Could it be that Lao Bian and Mr. Wenyue will surrender? Could it be that tens of thousands of brothers in Xiliang will surrender? We have surrendered, will the Son forgive us today? Can Master Li guarantee that the government of Xiliang will not settle accounts with us in the future? ”

Li Hong smiled slightly: "If you surrender, they will immediately follow in your footsteps and surrender, because you are one of the big leaders of the Xiliang rebels, and you are very influential in the minds of the soldiers of the Xiliang rebels." On what basis do you guarantee that they will not surrender? You have all surrendered, why doesn't the Son of Heaven forgive you? Why did the Son of Heaven have to kill you? Does he want everyone in Xiliang to have a determination to fight to the death? The current Xiliang officials have all killed you, who else in the future government will dare to provoke you? ”

Beigong Boyu didn't make a sound.

Li Hong glanced at him and continued: "Before you rebelled, there were batches of corrupt officials and corrupt officials in Xiliang, but the people could still survive. After your rebellion, there were no corrupt officials in Xiliang, but many people in Xiliang died, is this the purpose of your rebellion? ”

Beigong Boyu shouted hatefully: "If it weren't for the imperial court cutting off aid, how could the people of Xiliang starve to death?" ”

"You rebelled in Xiliang, but you want the court to continue to provide money and food, how can there be such a thing in the world? How can there be such an emperor? Li Hong said with a smile, "You are not anti-Han, you are not anti-today, you are just trying to kill the corrupt officials and corrupt officials in Xiliang, and now that your goal has been achieved, why are you still rebelling?" Why not surrender? Do you not only want to kill all the corrupt officials and corrupt officials in Xiliang, but also kill all the innocent people in Xiliang? When you do this, why aren't you anti-Han and anti-Son of Heaven? ”

Beigong Boyu didn't know how to refute Li Hong's words, and opened his mouth.

"But your army has been fighting us?"

"You already occupied most of the prefectures and counties in Xiliang in the first half of last year, and when General Huangfu entered Xiliang with his troops, why didn't you surrender? In the first half of this year, you still occupied most of the prefectures and counties in Xiliang, and the Son of Heaven issued an order to amnesty the world, why didn't you surrender? We hit you? I think you are completely rebellious, and you want to monopolize Xiliang, right? ”

Beigong Boyu shouted loudly: "We have no such intention. ”

"Then why don't you surrender? Why did you unite with the Qianghu outside the Saiwai to attack Chang'an? You proclaim everywhere that you support the Great Han Kingdom and support the current day, so why do you still unite with the Hu people to attack the people and land of the Great Han Kingdom? ”

Beigong Boyu was speechless for a moment. He remembered what Old Bian had said to himself years ago. Lao Bian said that when the time is right, it is better for the troops to surrender to the imperial court. At that time, he and Li Wenhou were very angry and immediately quarreled with him. Why are you unwilling to surrender? Vaguely, he felt that he wanted to be a hegemon, a hegemon who could do whatever he wanted in Xiliang. Lao Bian and Mr. Wenyue were both forced out to rebel by themselves, they thought that after killing all the corrupt officials in Xiliang, everyone could surrender and go home to live a peaceful life. But after he had tens of thousands of troops in his hands, his mind changed, and he was no longer a rough man who drew a knife against each other for a trivial matter, and he wanted to live a life of beauty and doing whatever he wanted.

The old side may be right. Beigong Boyu thought. It's time to surrender. He glanced at Li Hong and said with a wry smile: "Will the Son of Heaven forgive us?" ”

Li Hong smiled and said, "As long as you promise Lord Taiwei to surrender, the emperor will definitely pardon you and your subordinates." As long as you don't rebel, Xiliang will be stable, the assistance of the imperial court will come in, and the people will be able to survive, and the emperor will not be able to see such obvious benefits? ”

"Killing you and your subordinates will do nothing good, but will arouse the hatred of other rebels and the people of Xiliang against the imperial court, and will instead prompt the Xiliang rebellion to intensify. If you surrender and you and your subordinates are pardoned, Lao Bian, Han Sui and their subordinates will see the sincerity of the Son of Heaven and the imperial court, and they will also surrender, and Xiliang will soon calm down. ”

Beigong Boyu looked at the top of the tent and was silent.

Zuo Yan, Wei Zheng, Tian Chong, and Zheng Xin were also on the side to advise, and their words were sincere.

"You have concerns, I know that without the forgiveness decree of the Son of Heaven now, what I say is in vain, but you can do one thing, at least for your brother." Li Hong saw that Beigong Boyu had been silent, and he had no intention of nodding in agreement, so he had to retreat. This is also the main purpose of his personal run to persuade Beigong Boyu to surrender.

Beigong Boyu smiled helplessly and said, "If you believe me, send me to the city, and I will discuss it with Li Wenhou." ”

Li Hong waved his hand and said happily: "Okay, it's a man." ”

Beigong Boyu was carried into Duyang City by eight Qianghu soldiers.

Three days later, Li Wenhou surrendered.

Li Hong entertained them for a meal in the camp, and the main generals of both sides on the Linghe battlefield were basically present.

Li Wenhou was very unconvinced, believing that if his troops were not raided by Li Hong's cavalry, they could completely defeat Li Hong's infantry phalanx with their own cavalry.

Li Hong said with a smile: "My infantry was recruited from the demobilized Yellow Turban Army soldiers after the amnesty, and it only took more than half a month to train this infantry phalanx. If they have been training for half a year, or a year, and can skillfully cooperate and change formations, it is enough to make all your 50,000 cavalry effective. ”

Nie Xiao shook his head and said in disbelief: "Although the lack of training of the soldiers is a reason, the heavy losses of the adults' troops are not unrelated to the bravery of our Qiang soldiers. ”

Gao Ran glared at him fiercely and said loudly: "Although the Qiang people are fierce, they are not the same as letting me retreat. ”

Li Wenhou sneered: "The next time you encounter the white horse qiang with thunder in June, or the first Lingqiang with strong wind and sand, you can try it again." ”

Li Hong asked, "Are they very powerful?" ”

Beigong Boyu sighed and praised: "Ten times better than me." ”

After another three days, Li Hong took the troops and the prisoners, left Duyang and rushed to Meiyang City.

Bao Hong, the governor of Youfufeng County, and Xin, the governor of Jingzhao Prefecture, once took 5,000 men and horses out of the city to pick them up. They were ordered by Zhang Wen, the Lord Taiwei, to take over the task of guarding the prisoners to Huaili City.

Bao Hong also brought a handwritten letter from Lord Taiwei to Li Hong.

Zhang Wen asked Li Hong to lead the whole army to rush to Hanyang County, Liangzhou immediately, at the speed of a rapid march, without delay.

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