Time flies, three years have passed, a lot of things have happened in the Tang Dynasty in the past three years, the Cui family is divided, Cui Yuan is seriously ill, and he has no choice but to order Cui Yu to give up the phase, Pei Jun got his wish and became the right minister, and at the same time controlled the ministry, and the DPRK has become the world of Pei Party.

However, there was a series of serious separatist incidents in the Tang Dynasty, the incident occurred in the fourth year of Xuanren, Cui Qinggong had 300,000 troops and proclaimed himself the king of Huai, but soon Cui Qinggong had internal disagreements, and his general Li Xilie marched to Huaixi, controlled more than a dozen prefectures and counties, and stood on his own without Cui Qinggong; After another general, Li Huaiguang, went to capture Chenliu, under the advice of his staff, he also announced his allegiance to the imperial court from Cui Qinggong, and was named the envoy of the Biansong Festival by Cui Xiaofu.

In Shuzhong, Zhu sent the general Li Na to send troops to Hanzhong to attack successfully, the last piece of the Wei family was completely pulled out, 200,000 troops pointed at Chang'an, coerced the court to crown him as the king of Shu, in the critical situation, Pei Jun on the one hand transferred Pei Yi's 150,000 Longbei army into the defense of Chang'an, on the other hand, he ordered Pei Yi to send an envoy to Hanzhong, and set a counter-strategy against Li Na, and asked Cui Xiaofu to seal Li Na as the envoy of the Hanzhong Festival, and persuaded Lu Qi to withdraw from the cabinet, and Zhu Tao, the brother of Zhu, was shot as the left servant of Shangshu, and the same Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, so that he entered the cabinet, Only then did Zhu temporarily dispel the idea of becoming emperor in Shu.

The emergence of local warlords put the major families in danger, and they recruited troops to protect themselves, breaking through the military restrictions of the imperial court, and the Huainan Chu family expanded its troops to 100,000, and the Shannan Wang family was threatened by Li Xilie, and also expanded its troops to 80,000. Just when there was political turmoil in the imperial court and various places, Zhang Huan of Longyou was very quiet, almost forgotten, and he twice refused Pei Jun's invitation to invite him to Beijing as an official. Immerse yourself in the development of your own power in Longyou.

Three years. The Xiliang army has expanded to 250,000 people, 300,000 horses, strong soldiers and horses, and at the same time the economy and financial resources have also been greatly developed, the treasury has stored nearly 8 million stones, through trade, coinage and industrial and commercial taxes, more than 3 million yuan a year.

Although Zhang Huan practiced the strategy of taoguang and obscurity, his strong strength had begun to be discovered by those with sharp eyes.

Autumn in Longyou is quietly coming again, and the sky is clear. You can hardly believe that summer has passed, and the fields, trees, mountains, and fields are still a deep green hue, the sky is clear and cloudless, and the sun shines brightly and warmly, on the official road nearly a hundred miles north of Jincheng County. A group of emissaries came from the far north of the desert.

"Whoosh!" A short arrow came from the window. In the middle of Zhang Huan's chest. Zhang Huan snorted and fell on the table, and soon, a small round head was revealed from the crack in the door, and then a pair of naughty little eyes blinked and peeked into the study, he saw that Zhang Huan had been shot, and immediately raised his small bow and cheered, "The hundredth time!" Mother. Daddy was shot by me for the hundredth time. ”

Zhang Huan suddenly laughed when he was shot. One picked him up, "The proud soldiers will be defeated." Have you forgotten the feint scheme? ”

"But I didn't really shoot you!" "You child, if your father really dies a hundred times, what will it be?" Pei Ying walked in with a little lady in her arms, she touched her son's head and smiled: "Go ahead!" The nurse has prepared something delicious for you. ”

Zhang Qi screamed with joy, turned around and ran out, Pei Ying saw her son running away, she smiled softly at Zhang Huan, and handed him the daughter in her hand, "Let Daddy hug her." ”

Zhang Huandi's daughter is just one year old, she was born at this time last year, so she was named Zhang Qiu, her eyebrows and eyes look very much like Zhang Huan, a pair of curved and cute eyes, a well-behaved little mouth, and the skin is as white as a mother.

"Daddy hugs Qiuqiu!" She could just say a few words, her speech was slurred, and a pair of pink little hands hugged her father's neck, Zhang Huan hugged her daughter distressedly, he looked back at Pei Ying and smiled: "You heard that I am going to Hehuang." ”

"Yes! You're always gone for a month, leaving us behind. Pei Ying snuggled up to her husband with some complaints, she is twenty-two years old this year, she is the mother of two children, she has become more mature and charming, but in front of her husband, she occasionally spoils, as if she has returned to the time of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, she gently kneaded his neck with her hand, and pouted slightly: "Do you want to take your silver bottle princess this time?" ”

Zhang Huan hugged his daughter to the other side, but reached out to wrap his arms around his wife's waist, sat her on his lap, and comforted her: "This is also a matter of no way, this time to raise the taxes of the Qiang people, the same standard as the Han people, she needs to convince those Qiang nobles, I have to go to Shibao City again to participate in the ceremony of completing the expansion of the castle, but this time it will not take a month, about twenty days is enough." ”

"Madame!" The anxious shout of Yang Chunshui, Zhang Huan's concubine, came from the door, "The son fell and cried a lot, as long as you, you go and take a look!" ”

Pei Ying panicked all of a sudden, she hurriedly hugged her daughter, "Go sick, I'll go!" ”

"What's the matter if a child falls, don't spoil him too much."

"I see, Zhang Yuanjun!" Pei Yingjiao laughed, kissed Zhang Huan on the face, and went out with her daughter in her arms, but after taking two steps, she glanced at Zhang Huan coquettishly, and pouted: "You are leaving, you have to accompany me more these nights." ”

"Yes, ma'am!"

Zhang Huan looked at his wife and walked away, he sighed softly, and looked at the blue sky outside the window, he is almost thirty years old this year, the green beard under his chin is also half a foot long, his personality is more mature, his feelings are deeper and deeper, and his smile always has a hint of melancholy.

In the upper left corner of Zhang Huan's case, there is a jade box, in which is placed a bundle of green silk and a letter that has turned yellow, and he has to look at it every day, as if it has become a pious ritual.

At this moment, Zhang Huan took the jade box, opened it, picked up the green silk with his hand trembling slightly, and pasted it on his face, the green silk had a cool feeling, as if he could still smell the intoxicating fragrance of Cui Ning's body, it has been three years, she has been away from her for three years, and she doesn't know when she will be able to return to herself. In the past three years, Zhang Huan has been eager to know Cui Ning's situation, but he is afraid to hear the news of her marriage, and the words Cui Ning or the second wife have become taboo in their family. Anyone who mentions it will be severely punished.

However, Zhang Huan was in the first few months. I happened to see a letter from Pei Ying, which was written by the eldest grandson Yiyi, which mentioned Cui Ning, saying that she was taking care of her seriously ill father in the old house in Qinghe, Shandong, and had never left home for three years.

In the past three years, Zhang Huan has devoted himself to accumulating strength and working hard. As a result, Longyou has made great progress in military strength, talent reserves and workshop trade, especially since the rice and wheat crops were realized in Kaiyang, Longxi, and Jincheng counties the year before last, and grain output has increased rapidly; Last year, he offered the court 50,000 horses. In exchange for 10,000 Mo knives and 10,000 sets of heavy armor in the arsenal of the Arsenal. The only Modao army in Datang was established. Cheng Lie, the first fierce general of the Western Liang Army, was the commander of the Modao Army.

Now that he has hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers and 1,000 generals, the time is ripe to abandon the strategy of taoguang and raising obscurity

"The Governor is here?" Pei Mingyuan's voice came from the courtyard, interrupting Zhang Huan's train of thought, and he immediately put Qingsi back into the box and stood up.

"Mingyuan, do you have any good news?" Zhang Huan saw that Pei Mingyuan's eyes were excited. He was slightly surprised.

"Governor. Do you remember that when I first came to Hexi, I sent an envoy back to Hexi. ”

Zhang Huan nodded and smiled: "Of course I remember." You only met Hui Xiangguo under the recommendation of the snake and rat generation, what happened? ”

"At the time, I thought it was a trip for nothing, but now the situation has taken a turn for the better." Pei Mingyuan suppressed the excitement in his heart, and he whispered to Zhang Huan: "The envoy of the Hui Khan has arrived, and he wants to discuss with us about the joint attack on Tibet, and he is now waiting for the governor to receive him in the government office." ”

"What!" Rao is Zhang Huan calm, or was shocked by the news, suddenly, he seemed to think of something, and immediately said in a loud voice to the outside world: "San Lang, bring my local affairs book." ”

Zhang Huan's predecessor clerk Meng Jiao was appointed as the magistrate of Kaiyang County last year, and the current clerk is called Niu Monk and Child, that is, when he was in the examination of Helong Academy, the young man who had debated with people in the restaurant, he was talented, and soon stood out in the academy and did the Longyou Government Office, after Meng Jiao was promoted, Hu Yong recommended Niu Monk and Child to Zhang Huan, he is very shrewd and capable, especially good at grasping the key points of the problem from all kinds of complicated clues, and won Zhang Huan's respect, and appointed him to be in charge of confidential documents.

Soon, the cow monk walked in with a few thick books, "Please give instructions to the governor." ”

"I want to send a letter from Luo Qi ten days ago about the injury of Tubo Zampu."

Niu Monk and the child pondered for a while, and immediately found a dossier from one of them and handed it to Zhang Huan, "But this is the place where the governor wants to?" "Yes! That's it, put it here for now, you go! ”

Zhang Huan handed the file to Pei Mingyuan and said with a smile: "Do you remember it?" ”

Pei Mingyuan took the file and looked at it, this is the news from their spies in Luo, the 100,000 Tubo army on the expedition to Tianzhu was besieged by 150,000 food troops in Tocharian (in the area of present-day Afghanistan), Tubo Zampu Trisong Dezan was seriously wounded, and may die soon, and the various factions within Tubo are currently fighting fiercely for the qualification of Zampu's heir.

"I also suspect that it is for this reason that Hui Hui sent an envoy to the governor."

Zhang Huan smiled slightly and said: "You and Hu Changshi will talk to him first, and tomorrow we will lay out a heavy etiquette, and I will personally greet him in front of the mansion." ”

The envoy from Hui was called Mosi Dagan, who had been sent to the Tang Dynasty many times and could speak fluent Chinese, and this time he was ordered by the Khan to contact Zhang Huan.

In the past few years, there have been civil strife in the past, the new Khan died mysteriously in less than half a year, and the prime minister Dun Mohe Dagan set himself up as the Hui Khan, and continued to adopt the title of Viga Khan, he has always advocated goodwill with the Tang Dynasty, and at the beginning of the throne, he sent an envoy to welcome the princess of Xianning to marry herself, and handed over the letter to the empress dowager Cui Xiaofu.

After the political situation of the Hui gradually stabilized, the capture of Anxi occupied by Tubo became the target of the Hui again, at this time, there was civil strife in Tubo, so that the Hui saw the opportunity to seize Anxi, so he invited the Tang Dynasty to attack Tubo, take Anxi, Hexi divided, but the Tang Dynasty court was not strict with the internal Jing to categorically refuse, at this time, the Khan Dun Mohe Dagan remembered that he had represented Zhang Huan to envoy Hui Pei Mingyuan, after repeated consultations with the minister, Dun Mohe Dagan resolutely decided to bypass the Tang Dynasty and Zhang Huan to unite with Tubo.

Mo Sidagan looked a little worried. Two months ago. It was also when he went to Chang'an to unite the Tang Dynasty to attack Tubo, but he was given a cold reception, and in the end he only saw Honglu Siqing, which also made him see the Tang Dynasty's disregard for the Western Regions.

But he was soon impressed by the development of events, and early in the morning, the sound of drums and dragons and tigers leaping. Thousands of troops cleared the road, a gorgeous carriage parked outside the guest house, the governor of Longyou Jiedu Governor Shi Huyong and Sima Pei Mingyuan came to the guest house together, invited Mo Si Dagan into the carriage, and three hundred horsemen of the majestic honor guard cavalry opened the way in front. So that Mo Si Dagan can enjoy the glory of the envoy. It also made him see Zhang Huan's sincerity of cooperation.

The honor guard cavalry stopped before reaching Zhang Huan's mansion. Zhang Huan personally went out of the house to greet him, "The envoy came all the way to the wind and sand, and it was hard work." ”

Mo Sida came with a heavy responsibility, and he was also a captured official when Zhang Huan captured Han'er Bali, so he first had a sense of awe for Zhang Huan, so he was not arrogant because of Zhang Huan's favor, and he did not look down on Longyou because he saw the magistrate as a state envoy.

He saw Zhang Huan personally come out to greet him. Hurriedly got out of the carriage and bowed down and saluted: "Mo Si Dagan see Zhang Dudu." Zhang Huan saw him and knew the courtesy. I also had a good impression, so I stepped forward and took his hand and smiled: "I've been waiting for you for a long time." Come! Let's go in and talk about it. ”

"Then disturb Governor Zhang."

Zhang Huan invited Mo Si Dagan to his study, and ordered Hu Yong and Pei Mingyuan to accompany him, and the maid came up with fragrant tea, Mo Si Dagan sighed and said: "I went to Chang'an a few months ago to invite the Tang Dynasty to hunt for Tibet, Honglu Siqing told me that this matter is very important, and the imperial court cabinet must discuss, but I waited for half a month, but there was no news at all, and then found Honglu Siqing, he only said that Pei Xiangguo was busy with affairs, and had no time to think about this matter, and then asked, and said that Neijing was not solemn and unable to send troops, and the interests of the country were so contemptuous, which shows that the Tang Dynasty has not thought about Hexi for a long time, I'm already cold-hearted, is there really no one in Datang who misses his homeland? But my Khan said that there is a person in the Tang Dynasty who is willing to fight Tubo with the Hui, and the governor can guess who this person is? ”

Zhang Huan smiled faintly and said: "If you talk about individuals, there are more than 10 million people in the Tang Dynasty who want to fight with Tubo, but if you count in terms of strength, this person is none other than me Zhang Huan." ”

He and Mo Si Dagan glanced at each other, the two of them looked up to the sky and laughed together, when it came to this step, there was no suspense in the matter, Mo Si Dagan took out a map and unfolded it in front of Zhang Huan, he pointed to Hexi and Anxi and said frankly: "My Khan will attack Anxi next month at the latest, he hopes that the governor will also send troops to Hexi to contain the Tubo army in Hexi, and at the same time he will also contain the Tubo army in Anxi, so that the pressure on both sides will be reduced by half, I don't know what the governor wants?" ”

Zhang Huan pondered for a while and said: "In principle, I am willing to send troops to Hexi, but there is only a verbal agreement between me and your khan, and there can be no written words, can you agree to this?" ”

"This

Mo Si Dagan hesitated a little, of course he knew that Zhang Huan didn't want to leave behind any evidence of collusion with Hui Hui, but if there was no agreement, how could he explain to the Khan.

At this time, Hu Yong next to him smiled and said: "Whether or not we participate in the war does not affect the decision of Hui Hui to go south to Anxi, it is an unexpected gain for Hui Hui, no, Hui Hui has no loss, so, what else is the special envoy in a dilemma?" ”

Mo Si Dagan suddenly realized, he stood up and saluted Zhang Huanshen, "In this way, I will immediately return to China to report to the Khan, hoping that the governor can send troops as promised." ”

"Don't worry, I will definitely send troops, I have been waiting for this day for three years." Zhang Huan smiled coldly.

Pei Mingyuan sent Mo Sida to dry, but Zhang Huan left Hu Yong, Zhang Huan looked at the western sky with his hands behind his back and was silent, and after a long time, he said slowly: "Changshi may guess what I'm thinking?" ”

Hu Yong smiled slightly: "I know." ”

"You know?" Zhang Huan glanced back at him, smiled in surprise and asked, "You might as well talk about Changshi." ”

"But the governor wants to take the opportunity to take down Anxi together?" Hu Yong stared at Zhang Huan's eyes tightly and said.

Zhang Huan didn't speak for a long time, he slowly sat back in his seat, and said with a low sigh: "You are right, when I heard the Hui envoys say that they want to take down Anxi, my heart is as uncomfortable as swallowing a fly, obviously Anxi and Beiting are my Datang territory, but now they have become a delicacy on someone else's plate, just take Hexi, I am not reconciled!" ”

Hu Yong nodded, and he stretched out two fingers, "I have two plans for the Governor to choose how to recapture Anxi." ”

"You say!"

"A strange plan, the governor can follow the strategy of seizing Longyoudi, take Hexi, take advantage of the Hui army to fight in Anxi, take the north court in one go, cut off the retreat of the Hui army, and then attack Anxi."

"What about the other plan?" Zhang Huan asked quietly.

"Another plan is called Zhengji, the governor can take Hexi first, and then send an envoy to tell him to return to Hui, Anxi has always been my Tang territory, I hope they can return it, if they don't agree, we will send troops to attack."

Zhang Huan pondered silently, although the trick was ruthless, it would seriously damage the relationship between Hui and the Tang Dynasty, which was not good for the overall situation, and although the plan was valid diplomatically, it did not conform to the strategy of the soldiers, and the odds of victory were not great.

Just as Zhang Huan was pondering, Du Mei's laughter suddenly came from outside the door, "I also have a plan, which can not only make the governor capture Anxi according to the way of the soldiers, but also make Hui Li retreat, which can be called a trick." ”

In the sixth year of Xuanren, Tubo Zampu Trisong Dezan was seriously injured in Tochar, and there were rumors that he had died, and after the news reached Luo, there was a civil strife, and there were two successors to Zampu in Luo, and the great minister still supported the second son of Trisong Dezan to ascend the throne, called Mudi Zampu; The Tibetan magnate Na Nang clan supported the eldest son of Trisong Dezan to ascend the throne and called Muni Zampu, and the two factions each had tens of thousands of armored soldiers, and they had fought several battles outside the city, and the two armies suffered heavy casualties.

At this time, the Hui Viga Khan invited Zhang Huan to hunt Tubo in early autumn, at the end of August, the Hui 50,000 troops suddenly sent troops from Beiting to Yanqi Town, and the 30,000 Tubo troops guarding Anxi rose up to fight back, at the same time, the Tubo army of Zhangye and Jiuquan gathered to Dunhuang to support Anxi, but at the beginning of September, the Xiliang army, which had been silent for three years, suddenly divided into two routes, one was led by the general He Lou Wuji to lead 50,000 troops to attack Wuwei, and the other was led by Zhang Huan, the envoy of Longyou Jiedu, led 100,000 troops, starting from Jiuqu, and advancing to the distant cities of Luo.