Chapter 3: Ge Shu Han (Second Update)

  This is just a sudden idea of Li Changguo, but it is very objective and reveals the prosperity of Tang Xuanzong Li Longji's reign.

  Li Longji's reputation is half good and half bad. Later generations have different evaluations of him, but one thing they agree on is that the Tianbao era was a time of great talent.

  Not just in the Tang Dynasty, but throughout Chinese history, only Emperor Wu of Han could rival him in gathering so many talents.

  Many of these talents are famous for centuries, and many people are familiar with them: Li Bai, Du Fu, Li Linfu, Gao Lishi, Yang Guozhong, An Lushan, Gao Xianzhi, Ge Shuhan, Feng Changqing, Guo Ziyi...

  Among so many people, if you want to pick out one who is the most spoiled, it must be Wang Zhongxi.

  Some people may say it must be Yang Guozhong, because he has the favor of the emperor to rely on; others may say it is Li Linfu, otherwise he would not have been able to dominate court politics for so many years... There are many theories, but none of them are correct.

  "The accumulation of all the favors in one body" is said about Yang Guifei, and it can also be applied to Wang Zhongshi.

  Because Wang Zhongyi was born in an unusual way, he was Li Longji's adopted "fake son", also known as a foster son or dry son.

  Moreover, this fake son was different from others. At the age of ten or so, he discussed military strategy with Li Longji, "All responses to changes in circumstances are beyond expectations", and thus won Li Longji's favor, praising him as "You will surely become a good general later" and showing extreme fondness for him, cultivating him with all his heart.

  Therefore, Wang Zhongshi was a gate-born son of the emperor, personally trained by Li Longji, and can be said to be one of the most satisfactory works in Li Longji's life, if we compare Li Longji to an artist.

  What is even more rare is that this person has the talent of Wei Huo, and his debut battle with Ho Wei is extremely similar.

  Tubo Zanpu personally went to Yuchuan to inspect the Tubo army, showing off his military might and putting pressure on the Tang Dynasty. When this news arrived, all the generals were shocked and angry, scolding and complaining endlessly, but they had no strategy to counter it.

  Only Wang Zhongshi thought this was a good opportunity, and the Tang army should take the initiative to attack Yu Chuan. This proposal was immediately opposed by the other generals, because the Tubo Zanpu came in person, and the Tubo army gathered at Yu Chuan was several tens of thousands, all of whom were the elite of Tubo, and the Tang army, although good at fighting, would not be easy to defeat.

  This matter did not get the support of the various generals, but Wang Zhongxi did not give up. He led three hundred brave warriors, crossing mountains and rivers, day and night, rushing to Yu Chuan, and suddenly attacking Tubo, catching them off guard, beheading several thousand.

  The Tubo Zanpu fled in a hurry, leading to a great shame and humiliation.

  That year, Wang Zhongxi was only eighteen years old.

  It is a coincidence that Huo Qubing was eighteen years old when he first went on an expedition against the Xiongnu, leading eight hundred brave warriors, breaking away from the main force of over a thousand miles, beheading more than two thousand and two hundred heads. What is similar to Wang Zhongshi?

  From then on, Wang Zhongxi's reputation soared, with praise and acclaim ringing out, as his outstanding military talent won victory after victory, earning him widespread admiration.

  Li Longji trusted him greatly and gave him additional official titles, currently holding the positions of Jiedushi of Hexi, Longyou, Shuofang, and Hedong.

  One wore the seal of the four towns, which had never been seen in the entire history of the Tang Dynasty. Even Li Jing and Xu Mao Gong, who were founding fathers, did not have this honor.

  Throughout the Tang Dynasty, there was only one general who wore the seal of four garrisons, and that was Wang Zhongshi!

  He controlled half of the Tang Dynasty's troops as the Jiedushi of four towns. At that time, the total military strength of the Tang Dynasty was about 545,000, and he had 267,000 troops in his hands.

  Moreover, the soldiers and horses in his hands were all elite of the Tang Dynasty. After the prosperous era of Kaiyuan, the Tang Dynasty was extremely prosperous, with strong national strength, four borders at peace, and the Huihe and Khitan were destroyed. The main enemy was the Tubo on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Arab Empire in the Middle East. The soldiers and horses in Wang Zhongsi's hands were mainly used to deal with the elite of Tubo.

  It can be seen from this that Li Longji trusted Wang Zhongshi so much.

  XXXXXX

  The Longyou Jiedu Mansion is majestic and solemn, guarded by Tang army soldiers, with no water leaking through.

  Generals occasionally rush in and out, looking busy.

  This was the headquarters of Wang Zhongxi, the military governor of Sizhou Prefecture. His orders were extremely strict, and whenever he gave a command, his subordinates dared not disobey.

  In the mansion, Wang Zhongsi was tall and majestic, his body like an iron tower, exuding a strong and heroic aura. He wore bright armor and an iron helmet, looking formidable and awe-inspiring.

  He is handsome and charming, if he walks on the street, he will definitely attract countless beauties to scream for him and go crazy for him.

  It was precisely such a handsome man who was the most favored famous general at that time. Although there were many fierce generals in the court of Li Longji, none could surpass him.

  Wang Zhongxi bowed his head to review military affairs, extremely focused. He reviewed military affairs quickly, scanning ten lines at a glance, and the high pile of military affairs was soon cleared by him. The guards beside him saw nothing unusual, as he took away and passed on each one after reviewing it.

  Outside the commander's headquarters, the generals received the military order, their faces filled with joy, and they quickly departed, their footsteps hurried.

  Wang Zhongshi had outstanding military talent and won the admiration of his generals, whose edicts were more effective than Emperor Xianzong's own.

  "Bang! Bang!"

  The ground shook with footsteps, a tall and majestic figure strode in quickly, his steps windy, his presence commanding. This man exuded an air of boldness in every gesture.

  "Ke Shu Han, what's your business?" Wang Zhongyi asked in a low voice without raising his head.

  This big man who came in is the famous Ge Shuhan. He was originally a well-known knight-errant in Chang'an City, who was brave and chivalrous, solved people's urgent difficulties, until he was 40 years old, when he took up his sword and went west to join the army under Wang Zhongshi. Wang Zhongshi discovered his talent and promoted him, making him his right-hand man.

  The promotion of Geshu Han by Wang Zhongshi was highly praised by later generations, because Geshu's age was much older than Wang Zhongshi.

  Geshu Han was forty years old when he joined the army, determined to make a name for himself. This sounds like an unusual case - if it were someone else, they would think: "I fought in the famous Battle of Yuchuan at eighteen and defeated the Tubo Zanpu, who fled in disarray. You're already forty years old and still haven't accomplished anything; isn't it too late to be making such a vow now?"

  It turned out that Wang Zhongxi not only fought well but also had a discerning eye for talent, and Geshu Han was indeed a true general.

  Another notable general promoted and reused by Wang Zhongshi was Li Guangbi.

  "Reporting to Your Excellency, another imperial edict has arrived." Geshu Han's voice was like a loud bell.

  "Is it urging me to send troops and attack the Stone Fortress City?" King Zhong finally raised his head, with bright eyes shining with wisdom.

  "Great General is brilliant!" Geshu Han admired Wang Zhongxi.

  "The terrain of Shigubao is treacherous and easy to defend, but difficult to attack. The Tibetans are guarding it with their entire country, making it hard to come up with a plan." Wang Zhongyi's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, forming a川character, as he pondered and said: "It's not that I don't want to fight, but the chances of success are too low, too low! To station troops under the city walls, we would have to sacrifice tens of thousands of soldiers just to have a glimmer of hope for victory. I, Wang Zhongyi, have never taken risks in battle and will not deploy troops without a plan. This matter, I absolutely will not approve!"

  The tone is calm, but it carries an unchangeable meaning.

  "Your Excellency, in order to attack Shicheng City, His Majesty has issued several edicts, each one more severe than the last. I beg Your Excellency to reconsider." Geshu Han was worried and said: "Although you are a foster son and have won the favor of His Majesty, if things continue like this, the situation will be very unfavorable."

  "It doesn't matter." Wang Zhongsi waved his hand to stop Geshu Han from continuing, saying: "Even if I lose my official position and title, I will not fight this battle."

  At this point, he furrowed his brow and said with a hint of a smile, "Gao Xianzhi's capture of Small Bolu is indeed good news. However, Your Majesty's determination to attack Shigucheng has become even more resolute, making it somewhat difficult for me not to send troops."

  As soon as the words fell, a close guard came in hastily and reported: "Report to the general, the messenger of the victory report from the Anxi Protectorate, the brave and fierce Li Changguo has come to pay his respects."

  "Pay a visit?" Wang Zhongyi's mouth curled up and he said, "This person is clever, but useless to me! Don't see him!"