Hezhou City.

The city wall was rebuilt.

The Baita Temple was also renovated.

The temple is built with earthen walls, giving it a sense of vicissitudes of life, but it is already a top-notch building in Hezhou.

The eminent monk Zhiyuan from Bianjing was giving a sermon, attracting countless believers to listen.

Zhiyuan wore a purple robe given by the emperor and sat high on the altar. In front of him were hundreds of monks, and behind the monks were good men and women.

The hall was full of people sitting inside and outside, and everyone had their hands clasped together, showing a pious look.

The eminent monks in Bianjing sat on lions and preached sermons, but the monks in Hehuang did not need to do this and still had countless believers.

Zhiyuan followed Zhang Yue to Beijing this time to receive the reward. He was already the leader of You Street. He was old and fell ill on the way back to Beijing. He should have rested in Bianjing.

But this time Zhang Yue returned to Xihe Road, but Zhiyuan followed him thousands of miles away with more than a dozen of his disciples without hesitation.

These dozen disciples were all Tibetan people recruited by Zhiyuan when he was in the Qingtang Dynasty. They followed him to Beijing this time, and they all received ultimatums.

Since Zhiyuan came to Baita Temple to preach, thousands of Hezhou believers have come to listen to this eminent monk from Bianjing's sermons every day.

Zhiyuan was also well versed in medical science and diagnosed and treated sick believers. His disciples also preached Buddhism to confused Tibetan people and saved the dead.

After Zhiyuan finished his sermon, he walked among the believers and spoke with compassion on his face. Many Tibetan people were moved by Zhiyuan's kindness and listened devoutly.

Soon Zhiyuan heard the report that Zhang Yue, the envoy of Jinglue, had arrived, and immediately led his disciples to greet him.

Zhang Yue did not go through the main entrance, but came with Tang Jiu and a few others in casual clothes, and they met in a wing at the back of the temple.

Zhang Yue looked at Zhiyuan and saw that his face was a little pale, obviously because he was still ill.

When Zhiyuan saw Zhang Yue, he put his hands together and bowed deeply.

Zhang Yue also put his hands together and said, "Master, please take care of yourself and don't work too hard."

Zhiyuan said: "What this poor monk cultivates in this life is to completely cut off the troubles, possess all merits, transcend all reincarnations, and enter the realm of immortality and immortality. The suffering of the body is nothing."

After a pause, Zhiyuan said: "Mr. Jinglue, this old monk has a merciless request."

Zhang Yue asked: "Master's merciless invitation, is it for the people here?"

Zhiyuan put his hands together and said: "Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from Mr. Jinglue. Although the Tibetan people in Xihe are reckless and straightforward, their nature is closer to simplicity, and they are more sincere in worshiping the Buddha than us Song people."

"It is a pity that this attack on Hezhou has caused many Tibetan people to be displaced. The poor monk begged Zhang Longtu to take in these people and help those who have no food and clothing."

The military rations from Hezhou had to be transferred from Qinzhou. The Song army only had enough to eat, but they also had to use it to support these displaced Tibetan believers?

Zhang Yue did not refuse, saying: "Since the master opened Chrysostom, I will set up a porridge factory in Baita Temple to provide relief."

Zhi Yuan was overjoyed and he clasped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, poor monk, sir."

Zhiyuan paused and said: "When the poor monk was in ancient Wei, the prince did not tolerate the poor monk. It is strange that the poor monk had higher trust among the Tibetan people than he did."

Zhiyuan told the truth. He came to Qing and Tang Dynasties from Dong Fei, and everyone from Mu Zheng to the following respected him.

Zhiyuan said with emotion: "The prince cannot tolerate others, but Mr. Jinglue can tolerate others. This is where he is not as good as Mr. Jinglue. Therefore, the prince can be powerful for a while, but to make the Xihe River long-term, it still depends on Jinglue."

Mr. Xianggong."

Zhang Yue hesitated for a moment and said: "Master, I don't dare to take what I said. It's just that I heard that not only the Tibetan people obeyed the master, but also Mu Zheng. Now that he refuses to surrender, it is a big problem. It would be easy for me to kill Mu Zheng, but killing him

It will not be easy to bring the Xihe Fan tribe back to their hearts in the future."

Zhiyuan smiled calmly and said: "What's the problem? The poor monk can go to Tabaicheng to convince Mu Zheng."

"Grandmaster?"

The disciples on the side all said one after another: "Master, Gui Zhang, and Mu Zheng are now hostile to us. This trip is extremely dangerous!"

Zhiyuan said: "Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. As long as it can save the people of Hezhou from military disasters, it doesn't matter if a poor monk goes there. The worst is to bury these old bones in a foreign land."

There is compassion and compassion in Zhiyuan's words.

The disciples were all moved by this and expressed their willingness to go with him.

Many of Zhiyuan's disciples were nobles in the Qing and Tang tribes. They became disciples of Zhiyuan because they admired Buddhism and his conduct.

However, Zhiyuan did not agree to the disciples' request and was only willing to take risks alone.

Zhang Yue was silent for a moment after hearing this, and finally clasped his hands together and said: "Master has such great wisdom and courage, so I would like to thank you here."

Zhi Yuan also put his hands together and said: "To be honest, I hope that after Mr. Jing Lue takes over Hezhou, he can treat the people well, treat the Fan and Han family well, and return peace to the land of Xihe. In this way, the poor monk will be grateful."

Already."

Zhang Yue wanted to speak, but suddenly felt a little choked up and finally said: "Master, don't worry, Zhang will definitely do what he promised you."

After Zhiyuan got Zhang Yue's permission, he set off alone the next day. He only brought his loyal followers and did not let any disciples accompany him.

Seven days later, Zhiyuan died in the Tibetan camp in Tabaicheng.

Gui Zhang suspected that Mu Zheng was colluding with him, so one day while Mu Zheng was on patrol, Gui Zhang and his men suddenly broke into Mu Zheng's camp and killed Zhi Yuan.

…

When Zhiyuan was heading to Tabaicheng, Zhang Yue learned that the newly appointed Xihe Road Supervisor Wang Zhongzheng had arrived from Qinzhou to Xizhou and was on his way from Xizhou to Hezhou.

Knowing that Wang Zhongzheng was here, Zhang Yue knew that the officials were anxious again.

The officials could no longer tolerate the delay.

Zhang Yue discussed with Zhang Shen and Cai Yanqing. Zhang Shen was very angry, but Cai Yanqing didn't say anything. He was the transport envoy of Qin Feng Road and he knew his own affairs. Qin Feng Road was really having a hard time supplying the army with food.

Cai Yanqing told Zhang Yue that he would return to Qinzhou to supervise grain production. Zhang Yue felt that Cai Yanqing was a thief.

He used this method to avoid conflicts between border ministers and the king.

Relatively speaking, Zhang Shen is more loyal.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yue received a report the next day that Xixia had regrouped in Lanzhou and Tiandu Mountain and stationed heavy troops. It was even rumored that Xia State Prime Minister Liang Yimi had arrived at Wadanghui at the foot of Tiandu Mountain and could go south to Xizhou at any time to threaten Huizhou. Zhang Shen took the initiative to ask Ying to lead some troops back to Xizhou to prevent Xixia from blocking the retreat.

Zhang Shen and Cai Yanqing left one after another, leaving Zhang Yue alone to face Wang Zhongzheng.

Zhang Yue cursed in his heart at the two people's unloyalty behavior. It was obvious that the plan to gather heavy troops in Hezhou City was a unanimous decision of the three of them, but after hearing that the officials sent people to supervise the battle, they all ran away.

Zhang Yue went out of the city to meet Wang Zhongzheng, showing his full sincerity.

After Wang Zhongzheng received the holy order, he was very hesitant when setting off from Qinzhou City to Hezhou. However, he could not disobey the king's order, so he rushed there all night and night.

Before he came, he repeatedly inquired about the situation in the capital, and carefully studied the emperor's imperial decree. He clearly saw that the decision-making on the war front was actually very repetitive.

A piece of inconspicuous news can overturn all the decisions made by the emperor yesterday. Wang Zhongzheng also expected this.

Therefore, when the officials urged Zhang Yue to advance the army, they emphasized the word "camera".

This was very difficult for Wang Zhongzheng. He did not want to offend Zhang Yue, but he was more afraid of offending the officials. Moreover, in such a strategic decisive battle related to the fate of the country, he did not dare to expect victory, but if he lost, Zhang Yue would be a civil servant. It's fine, but his life is definitely in danger.

Wang Zhongzheng saw that the expression on Zhang Yue's face was also tense, and he showed Zhang Yue the imperial edict in his hand.

Of course Zhang Yue would not suspect that the imperial edict was false, but he still read the details, and he also saw the word "camera" in the edict.

This shows that the officials have not lost trust in themselves. Otherwise, as long as the officials issue an edict, "All generals along the border will obey the orders of Wang Zhongzheng," Zhang Yue's military power will be emptied unless he wants to rebel.

Of course, this move is inappropriate, and the hidden dangers are not small. Because of the Tang Dynasty and the inherent repulsion of interests, civil servants have always opposed eunuchs in charge of the army.

But it's not impossible. Wang Zhongzheng, Li Xian, and even Tong Guan later were all representatives of eunuchs in charge of the army. And to be fair, these people fought pretty well (after all, defeat would be exaggerated by the civil servants).

Therefore, whether or not Wang Zhongzheng can be persuaded is crucial to their relationship.

Zhang Yue said: "I have met the envoy, and a banquet has been set up in the city to welcome you."

Wang Zhongzheng said: "I don't have to be polite, sir. Our family is here on the emperor's order. We won't be able to take a bite until things are settled!"

Wang Zhongzheng acted businesslike.

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Then follow the envoy's wishes."

Zhang Yue immediately walked to the camp and explained the current situation to Wang Zhongzheng in front of the map. Although Wang Zhongzheng was a eunuch, he came on behalf of the official family.

Zhang Yueyan said: "Please see, envoy, this is the Yellow River. Hebei is the land of Xia Kingdom, and Henan is at our feet. Hezhou, Minzhou, Taozhou, Jishijun, Kuozhou, etc. are all in Henan."

.”

Wang Zhongzheng looked at the map. Xia State originally refused to have Lanzhou and Huizhou in Henan, but in the third year of Xining, Huizhou was lost and half of Lanzhou was lost.

Today, most of Henan is shared by the Song army and the Qing and Tang tribes.

Zhang Yue said again: "Let's look at the land of Henan again. We use Nanshan and Xishan to divide the land of Henan. Nanshan refers to the boundary between Mintao and Xihe, and Xishan refers to Jishi Mountain."

"It is also called Xishan, and the areas beyond Nanshan including Min, Tao, Die, and Dang are Shanwai, Xizhou, and Hezhou are Shannei."

What Zhang Yue said was that people at that time would generally be a little confused.

But those who have traveled through it will understand immediately. Lugu Mountain is also called Prince Mountain. Legend has it that Fusu was guarding the border here.

Lugu Mountain is the remnant of the Kunlun Mountains, which is the boundary between the First Staircase and the Second Staircase in China.

The average altitude to the west of Lugu Mountain is over 4,000 meters, while to the east of Lugu Mountain it is only over 2,000 meters.

In other words, the first ladder and the second ladder are roughly the dividing line between farming people and nomadic people. Considering the national power of the Song Dynasty at that time, it was very difficult to cross here.

In terms of the situation of Xihe, Xizhou and Hezhou are within the mountains, which is within the scope of the second ladder.
To be continued...