Late Tang Dynasty: I

Chapter 74

Du Rangneng is overjoyed!
When the Anshi Rebellion was quelled in the past, Emperor Suzong borrowed the Huihe army to discuss with the Huihe army. On the day Chang'an was pacified, the imperial court only wanted the city and the people, and the rest of the money and food would be returned to the Huihe army.

Later, Li Yu, the eldest son of the emperor, who was the Marshal of the Army and Horses at the time, felt that it was wrong, how could the Tang Dynasty send the capital to the barbarians to plunder, so he begged hard, and then changed the plundering of Chang'an to Luoyang.

The emperor can do this, and of course his courtiers can do the same, and there is nothing wrong with Du Rangneng.

Therefore, Xingzhou surrendered, and Du Rangneng readily agreed to the Hedong Army's plundering in Xingzhou.

However, Lu Zhihu, who accompanied the military department, didn't think so. He walked behind Du Rangneng and said in a low voice: "Du Gong, Your Majesty hates looting the people. If you go from Hedong, the people of Xingzhou will also hate Du Gong. The top and bottom are against each other, and this low official is what Duke Du is worried about. Besides, if the money and food in Xingzhou are empty, what will the imperial court do to appease the people?"

Du Rang could hear it and said hurriedly: "If there is no Lu Ge's words in the matter, I will make a big mistake, but if I stop the Hedong soldiers from looting, if Li Ke does not retreat, what can I do?"

Lu Zhihu said: "The military situation in Heyang is urgent, and Li Keyong must be eager to go south. Du Gong only needs to ask for some money and food, and Li Keyong will definitely agree."

Du Rangneng nodded and said good, thought for a moment, and hurriedly said: "The king of Xingzhou, the matter of Xingzhou is quite time-consuming. I am willing to offer [-] guan of money and [-] stones of grain to the Hedong army in exchange for Xingzhou. What's the king's intention?"

Li Ke calculated with a frown, the 16 troops plus the horse fodder would consume [-] shi of grain a day, and [-] shi of grain would be consumed in [-] days. You must know that the [-] shi of grain and grass were transported from the east of the river, and it would consume [-] shi of grain on the road. Wanshi, this round trip is only [-] shi, and the court will give him [-] shi, which is not even a fraction.

Shaking his head hurriedly, he said, "The army has spent a lot of money. It's not enough to support the army without 20 stones of food and grass."

20 shi, Du Rangneng also shook his head, he only has 20 shi of food and grass in his hand, all of which was given to you Li Keyong, so what will the imperial army eat?
"Eighty thousand stones, up to eighty thousand stones."

"18 million stone."

"I can only agree to [-] shi. If the county king insists, I can only report back to His Majesty, and the Hedong army will have to wait for dozens of days."

Li Keyong was stunned when he heard that, and he had to wait for dozens of days. After dozens of days, he might have finished eating the extra hundred thousand shi of grain and grass.

Heyang is in a military emergency, the ferry has fallen, and Heyang is in jeopardy. He is eager to get out, so he has no choice but to agree. Dushi, please also prepare [-] stones of grain and grass in the river for the army to use."

Du Rang Neng hurriedly clasped his fists in salute and said: "This is a matter within the official's duty, so naturally I will deal with it."

Li Ke laughed loudly: "It's so good!"

Du Rangneng thought about it, Li Kerang has not mentioned the matter of Li Kerang in Luzhou until now, I am afraid that Li Kerang did not inform Li Keyong of the confrontation between the two armies.

If Li Keyong knew about this matter, I'm afraid it would be a waste of time, and if there was a gap between the two armies, it would be unsightly.

He hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, there is one more matter. I don't know if I should say it or not?"

"Duke, but it's okay to say."

Since Li Kerang did not report, Du Rangneng would naturally not be polite.

"When I took over the defense of Luzhou, General Li Kerang made provocations for no reason. Thousands of soldiers of the imperial army were killed or injured. This matter should be decided by the county king."

Du Rang was able to increase the number of dead soldiers by dozens of times, and naturally it was also for the sake of backup. If the Forbidden Army is filled with Zhaoyi Army, you Li Keyong should have no problem!
"Eh!" Li Keyong didn't expect the prime minister to file a complaint at this time. His first feeling was that Li Kerang had bullied the Imperial Army, causing thousands of casualties. What was he doing?

In his heart, he was also angry that Li Kerang did not accomplish enough and failed. Although the forbidden army is not good, what are you doing to beat them? If the emperor is displeased and he calls the whole country to attack Hedong, then Li Ke will have to spend a lot of time on himself.

"Duke... this..."

Li Keyong was a little embarrassed. He never thought that Li Kerang was beaten by the imperial army. How could it be possible? Li Kerang led all cavalry from the "Crow Army" with one man and two horses, equipped with heavy armor. That was Hedong The best of the best in the army.

But there must be an explanation for killing someone.

Li Keyong was born in an aristocratic family, so naturally he would not act recklessly.

"There are many soldiers in the Forbidden Army after Chang'an officials and gentry, and it takes a lot of money to provide pensions, and the army is responsible for food protection. The troops are not enough to provide comprehensive protection. Recruiting troops in Zhaoyi also requires money and food..."

Li Keyong could tell that Du Rang Neng was asking for money and soldiers.

He hurriedly said: "Earlier, Duke Du asked for [-] guan, which can be used as a pension. As for the recruitment of soldiers, it all depends on Duke Du's will."

"What about the food and grass?"

Li Ke took a long breath and said, "This king only needs [-] stone grain, and the rest will be prepared by Duke Du."

Li Keyong has already made preparations to turn his face if Du Rang can bargain again. Fortunately, Du Rang is no longer entangled in this matter.

Some reluctantly said: "It can only be like this."

Lu Zhihu on the side has learned that this ginger is still old and spicy. By virtue of the incident, he lost 1 guan and [-] shi for food and grass.

After the banquet, Du Rang Neng walked out of the big tent, looked at the sky full of stars, took a long breath, and felt refreshed.

Back to his big tent in the army, he hurriedly summoned Anju to be questioned.

"How things are going."

"The last general has sent someone to talk to the officers and men in the city. Everyone in Xingzhou is willing to surrender to the imperial court. They will open the city gate to welcome Duke Du into the city just after the Hedong soldiers leave."

Du Rangneng frowned slightly. In this troubled world, trust would only be cruel to oneself. Are there still few tricks in the court?

"Early tomorrow morning, I will enter the city of Xingzhou."

"This……"

Seeing that An Jushou was quite hesitant, Lu Zhihu said sharply: "Du Gong wants to save the soldiers and civilians of Xingzhou, and he is willing to give 20 guan of money and [-] shi of grain and grass to the Hedong army to retreat. But strictly state this matter, and advise the soldiers and civilians of Xingzhou not to make mistakes."

An Jushou looked at Du Rangneng and asked, "Is that true?"

Du Rangneng nodded, added some information, and said: "All the generals in Zhaoyi will retain their posts. As for General An, if this is done, I will show the imperial court how about giving you the deputy Jiedu. "

Anju was overjoyed, the words came from the prime minister's mouth, the credibility is extremely high, he spent so much effort, he was originally a high-ranking official, he knelt down to thank him, and said: "The final general is willing to swear allegiance to Duke Du."

"Get up, General An..."

……

An Jushou also desperately went to Nancheng that night, the gate was guarded by Luzhou soldiers, the guard Sun Ba secretly pulled Anjushou into the city with a hanging basket.

After Anjushou entered the city, he asked to see Zhaoyi's empress Mengqian, and explained Du's intention of being able.

Meng Qian naturally agreed, not only having an official job, but also being able to avoid military disasters and survive the immediate crisis.

Moreover, the imperial court paid money and food, which was full of sincerity.

(End of this chapter)