Chapter 734 Survival Code
Chapter 734 Survival Code
Since ancient times, there have been many codes for the rise and fall of empires, and salt must be one of them.
The Sui and Tang dynasties did not have strict control over salt, which led to the rise of the Turks and Uighurs. In the Song Dynasty, salt was strictly controlled and transported northward, which led to the gradual decline of the nomadic cavalry on the grasslands. The Donghu, who had easier access to salt and iron, began to rise, including the Khitan, Jurchen, Shiwei, and Mongols.
Liu Wuzhou controlled Mayi County and Yunzhong County, and received strong support from the Turks. He had plenty of war horses, cattle and sheep, but salt had to be imported from the southeast of the Yellow River through trade.
During the period when Li Yuan controlled Taiyuan, his target was Chang'an. He had to do his best to stabilize Liu Wuzhou, so trade was never interrupted and salt was still continuously supplied to Mayi County. When Li Mi was in charge of Hedong, his first goal was to destroy Liu Wuzhou, so he decisively closed all trade with Liu Wuzhou. Liu Wuzhou suddenly lost his source of salt and iron. He could still tolerate losing other things, but without salt, it was no different from running out of food.
Even if Liu Wuzhou still had some stock, it would inevitably run out after two months of consumption.
In fact, it was not that Liu Wuzhou lacked foresight. He also considered that he would be strangled one day, so he stockpiled large amounts of salt while he could buy it. The amount he stockpiled was at least enough for his army to eat for a few years. But there was a variable he had not expected, and that was the Turks.
After the Turks took over Hetao and Hexi, Liu Wuzhou's importance suddenly decreased. At this time, the Turks began to demand debts. The horses and cattle and sheep given to you were not given for free. When you pay, what can Liu Wuzhou pay with? There is no food, no mining, and no money can be minted. How can you pay with women? These women are the wives and daughters of 30,000 soldiers. If you dare to give them to the Turks, the soldiers will fight you to the death.
In the end, the only thing the Turks could accept was salt. Salt has always been the hard currency of the grassland, just like cattle and sheep. Liu Wuzhou was forced to give all his stored salt to the Turks, but it was still far from enough to repay his debts.
At this time, reopening the trade route is the top priority, but for Liu Wuzhou, it is useless even if the trade is opened. He has no money to buy goods. Although he can act as a middleman to make a profit, it is like a drop in the ocean.
This is also why after Song Jingang brought his troops to threaten, there was no further follow-up, because reopening trade was of no use. What Liu Wuzhou wanted was to rob. He rushed into Taiyuan Prefecture and made a fortune, and all problems would be solved.
Five days later, signal smoke was lit on the Great Wall, and Liu Wuzhou personally led an army of 30,000 south. They carried important siege weapons, which were actually three battering rams. Liu Wuzhou certainly knew that there were only one thousand defenders at Loufan Pass, and he also knew how thick the gate of Loufan Pass was, and the battering ram was enough to break open the gate.
He had previously sent Song Jingang to test Loufan Pass in order to see if there had been any changes in the garrison at Loufan Pass, but Liu Wuzhou had no idea that earth-shaking changes had taken place in Hedong over the past ten days.
In the past, Liu Wuzhou relied mainly on caravans to learn about intelligence in the south, and his information was only ten days or half a month late, which did not have much impact. But after the Wagang Army came to power, they suddenly cut off the trade route and also cut off Liu Wuzhou's source of information. It was too late to build an intelligence station or establish pigeon mail exchanges.
However, Liu Wuzhou also had a secret source of information. He bribed a captain from Mayi County named Zhang Lun at Loufan Pass. A few days ago, Zhang Lun sent his confidant to bring him an important intelligence that Li Yuan's army had already attacked the southeastern part of Hedong. Li Mi personally led an army of 50,000 to Linfen County to support Shan Xiongxin. At present, there were only a few thousand defenders in Taiyuan City, and the manpower was empty. It was a good opportunity to capture Taiyuan City.
Liu Wuzhou was overjoyed and immediately mobilized all his troops, with 30,000 of them marching towards Loufan Pass in a mighty force.
Liu Wuzhou's army was gradually approaching Loufan Pass. The 30,000 soldiers were divided into three teams. Song Jingang and Yuchi Gong were the left and right generals, each commanding 10,000 cavalry, and Liu Wuzhou personally led 10,000 infantry.
The army stopped ten miles away, and Liu Wuzhou led hundreds of people to check the situation.
Liu Wuzhou immediately stood under the wolf-head flag given to him by the Turkic Khan, with the four big characters "Ding Yang Khan" fluttering in the wind. Why was he called Ding Yang Khan? Yang refers to Sui Yang, which was the Turkic Khan's expectation for him.
On the other large flag was a "Dai" King. At this time, Liu Wuzhou had not yet proclaimed himself emperor and had proclaimed himself the King of Dai.
At this time, Yuchi Gong stepped forward and clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness, it's still early now, can we just attack the city?"
Liu Wuzhou squinted at the city wall and saw that the flag had finally been replaced with the flag of the Wagang Army. Chen Xiaoyi finally surrendered.
"No hurry, stay here and rest, it won't be too late to attack the city tomorrow!" Song Jingang laughed softly, "Prince, will Zhang Lun surrender?"
Liu Wuzhou smiled and said, "Let's wait and see tonight! There should be news tonight."
At night, Liu Wuzhou sent dozens of cavalrymen to approach the city wall to investigate the situation. Suddenly, an arrow letter was shot down from the city. A cavalryman picked it up and hurried back to the camp to report to Liu Wuzhou.
When Liu Wuzhou opened the letter, he saw a godsend opportunity. He was overjoyed, as this was the secret code he and Zhang Lun had agreed upon.
In the letter, Zhang Lun told him that he was on duty after the third watch, and they agreed to surrender the city at the fourth watch, using three torches as a signal.
Liu Wuzhou was excited and immediately sent someone to find Song Jingang and Yuchi Gong.
Soon, Song Jingang and Yuchi Gong arrived in a hurry, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Liu Wuzhou said to Yuchi Gong, "Tonight at 4 o'clock, Zhang Lun will surrender the city gate with three torches as a sign. When the city gate is wide open, you will lead 3,000 cavalrymen to charge in and surround their camp. Those who surrender will be spared, and those who resist will be killed without mercy. No mistakes will be made!"
Yuchi Gong said without hesitation: "I obey your order!"
Song Jingang hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, could this be a trick?"
Liu Wuzhou glared at him fiercely. "Zhang Lun is from Mayi County. His father is in my hands. How dare he cheat? Is it better for him to be a general of the Wagang Army or to be my general? Even a fool can understand the choice!"
"I was worrying too much!"
"You worry too much. You can't be so timid when doing big things. Man proposes, God disposes. Do you understand?"
Song Jingang was so ashamed after being scolded that he apologized repeatedly.
As the time gradually approached the fourth watch, Yuchi Gong led 10,000 cavalrymen and gradually approached the Guancheng. The Guancheng was very quiet. Loufan Pass was not big, and the top of the city could only accommodate 300 people at most. There was a military camp behind the Guancheng. Everyone knew where it was? As long as the army entered the Guancheng, not only the military camp would be destroyed, but the Guancheng would also be destroyed. There was a passage to the city behind.
Yuchi Gong rubbed his hands, waiting for the moment to attack.
At this moment, the fire on the city gate lit up, and three torches appeared. The city gate slowly opened. Yuchi Gong was overjoyed and shouted, "The army is charging in!"
Three thousand cavalrymen suddenly set out and rushed towards the city gate at lightning speed.
(End of this chapter)