In the second year of Longshuo (662 AD), on the twenty-fifth day of the sixth month of summer, four o'clock in the afternoon.

Korean lady Wu Shun hanged herself in Jiangxia Green Village, causing an uproar. The death of Mrs. Yipinguo is definitely not a trivial matter. Li Jiu was furious, suspecting that this was murder and a poisonous hand under the queen. Dispatch the left and right Jin Wuwei, block the Jiangxia Mountain Bag, and launch a carpet search.

The Punishment and Detailed Punishment Temples selected capable officials and set up a special task force. Liu Xiangdao, the chief sentencing officer, and Di Renjie, the detailed punishment doctor, are fully responsible for the case. Later, Fengchenwei dispatched, Chang'an City was roaring, and Yongxingfang, where the martial arts was located, was under martial law by Fengchenwei left and right.

The task force visited the people, collected all kinds of clues, and then followed the vine. However, there was no use for the eggs, the melon leaves were not touched, all the clues were broken, and the case was at an impasse. The task force only knew that on the 24th of June, when Taimiao set out for the ceremony, Mrs. Han quietly left Rongguo Mansion through the back door.

As for who she contacted before leaving, and why she left, I don't know anything. Interrogating the servants in the palace, no outsiders were found, and there were no clues. According to the information of the prison guard, after she left the Rongguo Mansion, she went to Jiangxia Huangzhuang through the Chunming Gate of Dongcheng.

Di Renjie was sure that this was a murder, and the deceased was first strangled to death, and then hung on the beams of the house. The criminals are exceptionally smart, and the anti-reconnaissance is also very strong, and all traces are cleaned up. Twenty days passed, no progress was made in the case, a month passed, all the clues were broken, and there was no way to investigate.

The task force had no choice but to adopt Renjie's opinion, saying that Wu Shun hanged himself. As for the reason for the hanging, they did not know, and only said that they would continue to investigate. Including Di Renjie, no one doubted Wu Kang, he had no motive for committing the crime, no time to commit the crime, and no ability to commit the crime.

Li Jiu was heartbroken, and became more and more suspicious in his heart that Wu Shun committed suicide for no reason and was the poisoner of the queen. It's a pity that there is no evidence, so I can only stop it and bury it beautifully. posthumously named Mrs. Zheng Guo, the rank of her edict is higher than that of Mrs. Han.

Ordered Si Lie Shao Changbo, Li Anqi wrote an epitaph, and Zuo Rong guard Cao Yin Zhongrong wrote it in an eight-point script. After receiving Helan into the palace and being named Mrs. Wei, she wanted to protect her well so as not to be poisoned again. However, the funny thing is that she is not a fuel-efficient lamp, and she quickly hooked up with Li Jiu and protected her to the bed.

Mrs. Rongguo Yang, the white-haired person sent the black-haired person, and the liver and intestines of the crying were broken. After dealing with Wu Shunbai's affairs, he entered the palace and asked Mei Niang: "You tell the truth to your mother, why can't Shun Niang think about it?" Did you force it, did Wu Kang do it? ”

Mei Niang was also heartbroken, hugging Xu Lun and crying bitterly: "From beginning to end, my daughter didn't want to hurt Sister Yuan, she just wanted her to leave the palace." She committed suicide, and her daughter didn't know why she couldn't think about it. It's none of Kanglang's business, and he doesn't want to do it. ”

After hugging her head and crying, Mei Niang continued: "In fact, the saddest thing is that in addition to Sister Yuan's death, there is also my dearest person who betrayed me. My mother told me that in this world, who else can I trust, and who can I trust? ”

The mother and daughter cried for a long time, and when Mrs. Rongguo returned home, Mei Niang's heart was like a knife. Because she also understands that because of Wushun's incident, the mother and daughter are estranged, and they can't go back to the past. Shaking the swaddling clothes in his arms, staring at the direction of the east, his expression was extremely complicated, and he sighed after a long time.

On the Shandong Peninsula in the east, the Xiongjin Guards marched to the Chengshan of Laizhou. Wu Kang, the general manager of the march, Sun Renshi, the deputy commander, and Shi Yuan Gongyu, the commander of the march, were the think tanks of the troops. Each of them accompanied the guards, less than six hundred in total, and accepted government soldiers along the way.

First arrive in Zizhou, visit the history of Zizhou Thorn, and find the commander of Zhichong. Issue Si Rong's official document, the right Wuwei Weiyu talisman, and hand it over to them for verification. The so-called copper fish talisman is similar to the tiger talisman for troop transfer, a certificate issued by the imperial court. Whether it is the mobilization of government soldiers, or the entry and exit of the palace, this thing is needed.

The fish talisman of the right Wu Weiwei is forged from bronze and is divided into two parts: left and right. The left part remained at the imperial court, and was awarded to the general during the war, and the right part was issued to the state capital. The state government takes out the right symbol, compares the general's left symbol, and if it is completely consistent, then proceeds to the next step.

Assassin Shi and Zhichong Lieutenant, survey and verify Si Rong's official documents, and if it is confirmed, the government soldiers can be mobilized. Therefore, the military power in the early Tang Dynasty was held by the center and was in the hands of the emperor. The Sixteenth Guard General is only a remote leader of the government soldiers, and has no military power at all.

After completing all the procedures, the left and right Guoyi captains summoned the guards to assemble. Changshi and Bingcao joined the army, opened the treasury of the Folding Mansion, and distributed various equipment. Ten people are munitions, five fires are war teams, and there are team members and deputy teams, which are the basic combat units.

The officials of Zhichong Mansion, including Zhichong Commander, Zuo Guoyi Commander, and Don't General Changshi Bing Cao, will all go out with the army. Passing through Qingzhou Haizhou, and finally arriving at Laizhou, a total of seven branches of Zhichong Prefecture. Seven thousand Shandong guards gathered in Laizhou Chengshan and boarded the warship.

Equip the tools and get on the boat, leave the pack horses and donkeys behind, and only take the war horses to the battle. There is only one building ship, which is the flagship of Wukang, and is temporarily named "Pingwei". It is equipped with ten fighting ships, and the rest are Mongs, Sea Falcons and yachts, large and small warships, a total of one hundred and seventy warships.

Last time, in order to destroy Baekje, he sent an invincible armada, carrying 100,000 guards, which was simply obscuring the sky. Compared with it this time, it seems too shabby, and Wu Kang expressed helplessness. Officials from Laizhou were summoned to hold a ceremony to go to sea, and at noon on the eighth day of October, the fleet lifted anchor and crossed the sea.

Experienced sailors, piloted by yacht, the whole flag is delivered. The fleet followed the route, rode the wind and waves day and night, and went straight to the mouth of the Xiongjin River. Wu Kang stayed in the flagship, busy all day long, always paying attention to logistics, and asking each ship to report daily.

Ten days passed quickly, and seasickness was rare, and there were few patients. Wu Kang is very pleased that the guardian of the Shandong Peninsula is no stranger to the sea and can adapt to sailing. This is a good phenomenon, and this war of aggression should be nine out of ten.

However, when I slept tonight, I was awakened by a nightmare and broke out in a cold sweat. I dreamed of a bloody baby, riding on his chest, stretching out two bloody hands, pinching his neck and asking for his life. Thinking of Wu Shun's death, my heart is still like a knife, a terrible nightmare.

wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, drank the cold tea in the cup, and never felt sleepy again. Slip on a casual dress, put on a tiger head cape, and quietly leave the cabin and go to the deck to breathe. The sky was clear and the stars were scarce, and the fleet was silent, only the sea breeze was blowing.

The fleet is rested today and is at anchor. Except for patrol yachts, they are all linked by iron cables to prevent drifting. On the mast on the roof of the building, two braziers were burned, and the lookout on duty noticed the movement on the deck and raised a flag to inquire.

Wu Kang used the firelight to dance the red flag with him to show his identity. Holding the winch crossbow in his hand, he stood at the bow of the ship and looked out, his eyes locked on to the east. If it is not bad as expected, the support army of the Wa Kingdom is also sailing at this moment. According to the itinerary estimate, the fleet of Hichmatsu Province arrived about ten days later.

Those Japanese monkeys, when did they start to have a mainland dream? Looking back at history carefully, it seems that the Sino-Japanese war will involve the Korean Peninsula. After some meditation and hard thinking, I summarized the reasons, and gradually became confident.

The voyage from Wa to Korea was very short, with a large number of islands in between, which could be used as a transit point. From the Wa Kingdom to the mainland, the route is even longer, there are few islands in the middle, and the supply pressure is very high. Even if you force yourself to land on the mainland, even if you land successfully, you will be attacked on three sides.

If the battle line is stretched too long, it will be a big nightmare for a war of aggression. Therefore, landing on the peninsula, using the DPRK as a springboard, and then invading the mainland is the best choice. In this Baekje Campaign, the Sino-Japanese conflict of the Ming Dynasty, and the War of Resistance Against Japan, these Oriental Japanese people will occupy Korea first.

With a supply base, you can look west to the mainland, otherwise you will be a fool's dream. Therefore, the Korean Peninsula is a powder keg and a springboard for the mainland. Wu Kang scoffed, at this moment, the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty have strong combat effectiveness. The Wa State was provocative at this time, obviously hitting the stone with an egg.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and he knew who was coming, so he waved the flag. Yuan Gongyu came to Wu Kang's side with a big coat, handed over a cup of hot tea, and said in a caring tone: "Did you have a nightmare again, I used to do it seven times in ten days, but now I do it three times in ten days, and the situation has improved." ”

Wu Kang sipped his tea and thanked him, not planning to answer the conversation, wrapped his tiger head cloak tightly, and continued to look at the starry sky. Gong Yu didn't care, and raised his head to look at the sky: "If people have nightmares, it means that they still have a conscience, and they still have good and evil." For change, if you don't have nightmares, it's a big bad thing. ”

It seemed that there was some truth, Wu Kang smiled and said nothing, and Gongyu continued to persuade: "No matter what I am concerned about, I hope to change it and be able to concentrate on dealing with the chaos in Baekje." My marching history is also a change recommendation, so you have to be responsible for a hearty victory. ”

This is an old man, Wu Kang is weird: "You really have no conscience, I let you mix up military merits, but you rely on me." But don't worry, I'll do my best to keep your position. Let's not talk about this, why haven't you slept and woken up from a nightmare? ”

Gong Yu scoffed, holding a teacup to keep warm, and mocked with a strange yin and yang: "I didn't kill prisoners of war, I didn't do anything wrong, so naturally I don't have nightmares." It's just that at noon today, when I met with the Governor of Laiwu Mansion, he mentioned the issue of honor, and the old man was very worried. ”

Laiwu Mansion Zhichong Duwei, a typical Shandong man, speaks without beating around the bush and raises many questions, all of which are of practical significance. Wu Kang pondered for a moment, pretending to be angry: "If the officer asks a question, he must report it as soon as possible, it is related to the whole army." ”

Gong Yu sneered: "Don't button my hat, we can't solve the problem of Captain Zhu." He said that since the year of Hyeongyeong, the imperial court ranks were chaotic, and the last time they went to Baekje, they were in Laiwu Province, and none of them were honored. The Zhichong Prefecture in the nearby states also has no ranks, and even the guards who died in battle have no public food subsidies. ”

It is indeed a problem, the rank is the meritorious service, the brave defender in battle, if he is rated as a meritorious officer, he enjoys the treatment of an official. Guards who die on the battlefield have welfare subsidies. The imperial court allocated grain and cloth, and the Zhichong Mansion in various places visited the families of the martyrs.

Wu Kang pondered for a long time, and quickly pulled out a wry smile: "The last time I went to Mobei, I was the chief of the march. The rating handed to Si Rong is like a stone sinking into the sea, and there is no news yet. Originally, I thought that Yaxiang would go to Liaodong, and Si Rong would have no one to call the shots. Now, it seems, that's not the case. ”

Gong Yu was dumbfounded, and soon became angry, gritting his teeth with hatred: "All the officials of Si Rong are wine bags and rice bags, and the old man must be impeached." If the guards are not rated, it will affect the morale of the army, and even affect the entire government soldiers. ”

Old Yuan was indignant, his hands trembled angrily, and the tea swayed. Wu Kang was noncommittal, closed his eyes and recalled. Since Gaozu Taizong, all the soldiers who died in battle could enjoy supplies. Even the rank of medal was given, so that the families of the martyrs could be fed and clothed.

When Li Jiu ascended the throne, there were constant battles of all sizes. Take Wukang as an example, from Xianqing to Longshuo, he is either on the expedition or preparing to go on the expedition. There are many deaths in wars, and the imperial court is incapable of awarding too many honors. The treasury does not have so much money, taking care of all the martyrs.

Thinking of this, he smiled helplessly: "I have been on expeditions all year round, and I can clearly perceive that the fighting spirit of the guards and the combat strength of the army are gradually passing. In fact, I don't blame Si Rong, no matter how many honorors are sealed, Si Yuan has no money to cash, so it is better not to seal it. ”

After pondering for a moment, he continued: "Not only the honorable officer system, but also the Juntian system is also collapsing. I have an ominous premonition that the combat effectiveness of the government soldiers is gradually declining. In the next few decades, the military system of our government will also collapse. ”

Gongyu was completely stupid, and pulled Wu Kang away: "The problem is so serious, don't talk about it here, come up with a solution, and then report to the center." You should go, this matter is very important, and if it cannot be dealt with in time, the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

The collapse of the uniform land system was caused by land annexation. The common problems of feudal society, the two of us can't solve them, you better save your worries. Wu Kang rolled his eyes and said thoughtfully: "Don't be anxious, we are on the sea, and we can't send it out." ”

Gongyu was quiet for a moment, sighed for a long time, and Wu Kang said with a smile: "This is a major national event, and it is also a long-term problem, and we must brainstorm ideas." Don't think about it yet, let's concentrate and take care of what is ahead of you. Regarding this expedition, as a marching commander, what do you always think? ”

I don't know how long it took, Gongyu quieted down and began to meditate. Wu Kang was also thinking about the situation in Baekje and the information about the rebel generals, he didn't know much, especially Buyeofeng. I only know that he is a proton, the fifth son of Fuyu Yoshiji, who grew up in the Wa country since he was a child, and has a Wa country name, called Fujiwara Kamazu.

Baekje's relict retainer Ghost Room Fushin, together with the monk Daochen and others, used Zhou Liucheng as a base to attack the Tang army left behind. According to the map, the so-called Zhou Liucheng is Fu'an, South Korea, not far from Si Yu City. They welcomed back Fuyufeng, and as totemic figures, they summoned the remnants to respond.

When the Tang army was exhausted, the rebels had internal strife, and in order to fight for power and profit, Fuxinhuo and Daochen. The Tang army took the opportunity to counterattack, united with the Silla troops, and captured Jinhyeon Fortress (Jeonju, South Korea). At this moment, the two armies are waiting for reinforcements, the Tang army and other Xiongjin-do, Baekje and other Japanese people.

Gong Yu suddenly spoke: "The leader of the rebels should be Fuyu Fuxin, and he fought the situation. But if he kills Daochen monk, he will push the rest of the generals to the side of the puppet king. Therefore, within the rebels, there are two major forces, Fuxin and pseudo-Wang Feng, and they are still fighting among themselves. ”

Feeling a little interesting, Wu Kang motioned to continue, and Gong Yu continued to analyze: "Fuxin Gong is a high master, and he will be suspicious of the pseudo-king, and between the two of them, it will definitely be like fire and water." Let's reach Baekje, and if the army is overwhelmed, they will temporarily unite and resist the foreign enemy together. ”

Wu Kang pondered for a moment and smiled with satisfaction: "Uncle means that after we arrive, we will hang up the battle exemption card first." Inspect the military situation on the spot, pacify the Baekje defenders, and recharge your strength at the same time. As long as we are quiet and don't pose too much of a threat, will they continue to fight among themselves? ”

Gongyu nodded and said: "The old man has this intention, their internal contradictions are irreconcilable. If it develops, either Fuxin kills the pseudo-king, or the pseudo-king kills Fuxin. Sandpiper and clam compete for the benefit of the fisherman, and no matter which of them dies, it will consume strength. At that time, the Tang army will attack, and it will inevitably get twice the result with half the effort. ”

The more he talked, the more energetic he became, and he talked endlessly: "After we arrive, we must appease the defenders, and do not be idle during the period, we can send messengers to secretly contact Fuxin." As for whether we can persuade them to surrender, it doesn't matter at all, our purpose is to add fuel to the fire and exacerbate the suspicion of the puppet king. ”

Wu Kang chuckled in a deep voice: "Jiang is still old and spicy, and my uncle's plan is very good, but it needs to be discussed." Liu Renyuan and Liu Renliang are both cunning and cunning, we can see it clearly, and they can see it thoroughly. If it was so simple, they could do it, so why bother asking for help from the imperial court? ”

Gong Yu didn't care: "I know what you mean, because of the aid of the Japanese state, the situation has become complicated. You said that the focus of the attack was the army of the Japanese state. As long as the Japanese army is annihilated, Baekje can be pacified, and I agree with that. But what a change, how do I think, you look down on the Japanese country. ”

Putting down the teacup in his hand, Gong Yu's face was full of disdain: "The Wa country is a barbarian, to put it bluntly, it is a rabble." More than 40,000 Japanese soldiers, in the old man's opinion, are less than 5,000 Tang troops. You have also experienced a hundred battles, fighting the Turks in the Western Regions and Tiele in the Mobei. They are all stronger than the Japanese state, so why should they be worried? ”

It was Wu Kang's turn to be in a daze, and he smiled bitterly for a long time, as the soul of later generations, affected by that war, he naturally looked up to the Japanese. It's a pity that this is the Tang Dynasty, it can't be compared, Gongyu is right, the Tang people look down on the Japanese people.

40,000 Japanese navies to support Baekje's restoration, and the imperial court only gave 7,000 navies after discussion. It is estimated that in their opinion, being able to send 7,000 people is to give the country face. Wu Kang was noncommittal, and suddenly thought: "Since the Wa Kingdom is barbaric, why not take advantage of this excuse to cross the sea and destroy the Wa Kingdom?" ”

Gong Yu disdained again: "The imperial court attacked Liaodong, and because of supply problems, it returned several times in vain, not to mention the overseas Japanese countries, and it was difficult to keep up with the baggage." Take a step back, what about the laydown, the poor bird doesn't, and the expedition is worth the loss. ”

This is speechless, even if it has silver mines, it can't be mined much at the industrial level at the moment. Lacking interest for a while, he joked to Yuan Gongyu: "You are confident, let's work together how to win the war." The little nephew leads the army for the first time, if the results are not good, it will be difficult in the future, you have to help. ”

Gong Yu suppressed laughter, patted his chest and promised: "With our friendship, we will definitely assist in the same boat." But don't worry, Ren Yuan has been on the battlefield for a long time, Ren Rail is resourceful, and Ren Shi is good at naval warfare. If we work together, we can get things done. ”

There was a sneer behind him, and Sun Renshi smiled strangely: "Thank you Gongyu for your praise, I have fought a few naval battles, but I can't say that I am good at it." I said you two, you don't sleep in the middle of the night, running to the deck and muttering, do you miss a woman? Endure for a few days, annihilate the rebels, and use their wives and daughters to solve our loneliness. ”

Wu Kang laughed strangely, Gong Yu glared and scolded: "Full of nonsense, beware of me impeaching you." Ouch and wine, sit down and talk. If you are worried about us, you can't beat the Japanese people, you enlighten and enlighten us. ”

The three of them sat on the deck and began to drink and talk, each with their voices down. The benevolent teacher talked endlessly, telling about the situation of the Wa State, and the last time the Wa State sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, he received it. As the conversation deepened, Wu Kang felt more and more that this war was not difficult...