When the hour hand of time passes through Tianbao for fourteen years, it is frozen in 755 AD;
When the prosperous era of unity is as brilliant as the morning glow, it has passed through more than 130 years of spring and autumn of the Tang Dynasty ;
Gaozu, who raised the army in Jinyang, was the talented and wise Taizong, or the weak and incompetent Gaozong father and son, or the unprecedented Wu Zhao , whether it is the grandson of the Yanzhuhuang or the hen Si Chen, the entire Central Plains is so quiet and beautiful!
Until the emergence of the young talent Li Silang with great ambitions, he rectified the chaotic palace and royal family of Li Tang, and at the same time created a magnificent and grand era, pushing the civilization of the feudal system to an unprecedented peak;
However, all this is about to be destroyed, starting from him and ending from him, it is so beautiful and so dreamy. Looking back at the forty years, the emperor who created a majestic and prosperous era is like the current country. He has long lost his vitality and justice, and only foolishness and suspicion!
Anshi Rebellion
Who pays for the emperor?
The winter of the 14th year of Tianbao ( AD 755 ) was extremely cold. Just like the heart of Xuanzong , the situation has developed to this point, which is completely beyond his expectations. First of all, he did not expect that An Lushan would eventually lose him, just like he was unwilling to admit his stupidity and used the wrong person; secondly, he did not expect that Yan Zhao Iron Cavalry was so strong under An Lushan's hands, and was invincible in the Central Plains; Finally, what made him even more heartbreaking was the prosperous times he was proud of. His Kaiyuan and his Tianbao were actually so fragile, just like the vanity and face of the emperor, weak and stubborn!
vertical and horizontal Western Regions , a powerful treacherous minister, a prosperous and grand Eastern Capital, and a gentle and beautiful harem of three thousand. Everything is so powerless and fragile in front of An Lushan!
Why is all this? He kept asking himself, but he couldn't find the answer for a long time, but things have developed to this point, and someone needs to pay for the empire's mistakes. Is it himself? You are wrong, but you cannot admit it because you are the emperor. At this moment, a eunuch around him cast a flattering look at his master, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty!
This person is called Bian Lingcheng . He is an eunuch in charge of military affairs. If the magnificent and grand Tang Empire was eventually destroyed by the eunuch Nongquan and Panzhen separatist , then the beginning of these two is Bian Lingcheng and An Lushan!
eunty
From a personal relationship perspective, Bian Lingcheng was once an old partner of Gao Xianzhi . When Gao Xianzhi went on an expedition to Xiaobolu , Bian Lingcheng was the military supervisor. When Gao Xianzhi was suppressed by the husband Meng Lingzhi, Bian Lingcheng also said some justice for him, which not only helped Gao Xianzhi get rid of the predicament, but also became the governor of the four towns of Anxi. In this sense, Bian Lingcheng can also be regarded as the noble person in Gao Xianzhi's fate. However, one time and another, Bian Lingcheng objectively helped Gao Xianzhi for the sake of his own interests; now he can also put Gao Xianzhi to death for his own interests again.
Gao Xianzhi was transferred back to Chang'an from the border and went to the eastern capital to resist An Lushan. Xuanzong still sent Bian Lingcheng to serve as a military supervisor. The position of "military supervisor" is really a role that can achieve success but not be enough to make mistakes. To put it bluntly, the so-called military supervisor is called the Central Commission and the Special Envoy of the Emperor. To put it bluntly, it is an open spy. Their mission is to find fault with the front-line generals. If you don’t serve him well, he will always catch your braids and make a report. If the army wins the battle, they will naturally have their contribution; if they lose, they will try every means to shirk responsibility and put all the shit on the general's head.
The setting of "Supervisor" began with Han Dynasty , but it has always been a court official; and the initiator of the eunuchs being the Supervisor was Tang Xuanzong Li Longji. Since he set this precedent, eunuchs' military supervision has become a major disadvantage in the history of the Middle and Late Tang Dynasty.For more than 150 years, the court of Li Tang will suffer huge losses again and again due to this illicit policy, and continue to pay a heavy price politically and militaryally.
Eunuch.Panzhen
Of course, eunuchs are not necessarily despicable and insidious, but most of them are despicable and villains without any principles. Bian Lingcheng is no exception. Not only does he know nothing about military affairs, but he is also cowardly and despicable by nature. Back then, Gao Xianzhi went on an expedition to Xiaobolu, but when he arrived at Lianyun Castle, he did not dare to go any further, and was extremely greedy for life and fear of death. Later, Gao Xianzhi sent troops to loot Shi Guo and made a ill-gotten fortune. Bian Lingcheng probably also quarrels from him. However, since Gao Xianzhi was a arrogant person, he naturally looked down on such people, so he refused to bribe Bian Lingcheng many times, and Bian Lingcheng held a grudge and always wanted to find an opportunity to take revenge.
This time, Dongdu fell, and Bian Lingcheng waited for an opportunity to take revenge, and at the same time, to escape the responsibility of his military supervisor's defeat. Therefore, Bian Lingcheng slandered Xuanzong. After Tokyo fell, Gao Xianzhi adopted the suggestion of fending Changqing to avoid the enemy's edge. Without asking Xuanzong for advice, he took the initiative to abandon Shaanxi County and withdraw from the security of Tongguan . To be nice, this kind of thing is called strategic retreat, but to put it bluntly, it means running away. As a military supervisor, Bian Lingcheng knew very well that once the emperor blamed him, not only Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing would be unable to give up, but he would definitely not be able to bear it. Therefore, the only way Bian Lingcheng can protect himself is to enter the court before Xuanzong asked for guilt and blame Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing!
Therefore, as soon as Gao Xianzhi retreated into Tongguan, Bian Lingcheng couldn't wait to rush back to Chang'an, and made a report to Xuanzong, and tried his best to exaggerate the responsibility of Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi's defeat. Just because Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing did not ask the emperor to retreat to Tongguan privately, the situation of the two was quite dangerous. Coupled with Bian Lingcheng's secret comments, Xuanzong was even more furious, and all the bad emotions that had accumulated in his heart for many days suddenly found an outlet for venting. Previously, due to the loss of Tokyo, Xuanzong had already cut off all official titles from Feng Changqing, allowing him to serve Gao Xianzhi's army in "white clothes". Now, the large area of land east of Tongguan has been reduced to the opponent, and Xuanzong's anger has reached its peak.
2. The death of famous generals
The doomsday of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing came here. Xuanzong, who was burned with anger and lost his mind, immediately issued an imperial edict, ordering Bian Lingcheng to go to Tongguan immediately and behead Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing on the spot!
On December 18, the 14th year of Tianbao (755 AD), Bian Lingcheng rushed back to Tongguan without stopping, and immediately announced the order to Feng Changqing.
On this day, the dark clouds were drooping and the north wind was sobbing. Feng Changqing, who looked haggard, knelt on the ground, his expression on his face was as hard as iron. From the moment he started listening to Xuan, until he was taken to the execution ground, the expression on Feng Changqing's face had never changed. Before the execution, Feng Changqing handed over a written note to Bian Lingcheng, asked him to submit it to Xuanzong, and then looked at the sky in Chang'an from afar, and said the last sentence calmly:
"The reason why Changqing did not die is unbearable to imprison the country's command and be killed by the thief; if he is ineffective in fighting against rebellion, he will be willing to die!" ("Old Book of Tang·Biography of Feng Changqing")
After saying it, he was killed calmly. A generation of famous generals was filled with hatred. Feng Changqing, who was thin and short, both lame and squint, ended his hard-working life. People often say that hard work will definitely lead to results, but not good results. Feng Changqing kept winning everything that did not belong to him through his extraordinary efforts, but at the last moment, his efforts did not bring him honor and merit, but instead brought him bad luck and death. When is ? Is it fate? After all, Feng Changqing's efforts were not wrong. Although the final result was beyond the expectations of many people, including himself, as a famous general of the empire, he has fulfilled his duties and can be worthy of heaven and earth and history.
Empire general
Feng Qing made a statement three times after he was defeated in Tokyo and retreated to Tongguan, he stated his reasons for his defeat to Xuanzong. At the same time, he objectively analyzed the current situation and formulated a detailed response strategy for the rebels' strategic intentions and tactical means. However, these three memorials with great military value were abandoned by Xuanzong. Feng Changqing had to slap his horse into the court, preparing to apologize to Xuanzong in person and present his strategy to suppress the rebellion. Just when he had just walked to Weinan , he happened to meet an envoy sent by Xuanzong. The envoy read out Xuanzong's order to him and ordered him to return to Gao Xianzhi's army and make meritorious in his "white clothes". Feng Changqing returned to Tongguan sadly with depression and loss.
has actually had a premonition of the arrival of the doomsday. So he spread out a piece of plain paper and wrote down the last memorial in his life, which is his suicide note. In this suicide note, Feng Changqing expressed his unfulfilled indignation with every word and his words and words, and also generously demonstrated his loyalty and concern for his country and country.
I have arrived from the city trap, and I sent envoys to express my feelings three times before and after, and I have expressed my sincere heart, but I am not attracted by the opponent. I am not seeking to survive, but I am actually trying to expose the country's plans and defeat the tiger and wolf's plans. He is worshipping the head court, and expressing his heart to Your Majesty, discussing the military situation of rebelling against Hu, and Chen Daihan's plan. Repay the grace of death and repay the favor of life. Unexpectedly, Chang'an is far away and there is no reason to visit him; Hangu Pass is far away, and I feel so happy! ... Yesterday, the man fought with Jiehu , and he fought on the seventh of this month, and it lasted for thirteenth. The soldiers I have commanded are all mobs and have never been taught. Leading the people of Zhounan City to the Yuyang Riding Cavalry Army, he still killed the enemy and blocked the road, and blood flowed all over the field. I want to stand up and take the sword, but before the army of death, I am afraid that I will rebel against the power of Hu to defeat the power of the king. Therefore, he drove to the sun and returned to heaven. In the first period, Your Majesty beheaded me in the city to warn the generals; in the second period, Your Majesty asked me to warn the army with the power of rebels; in the third period, Your Majesty knew that I was not a person who cherished death, so I promised me to reveal it all. I am about to die and resist. Your Majesty may be deceiving the truth after I lose my rules; Your Majesty may be deceiving the truth because I want to do my best to be loyal and be brave enough to observe. After I die, I hope that Your Majesty will not be careless of this thief and will not forget my words, so that I hope that the country will be safe and rebellious, and that my wish will be completed. He looked up to the sky and drank poison and sealed the seal to the sun. He was the minister who advised the corpse and became a ghost in the holy dynasty. If you die and know, you must form a grass army in front of you, return to the wind formation, draw the flags and drums of the king's army, and suppress the swords of the bandits. Life and death rewards gratitude, and I will never be grateful. I will always be clear and leave the holy generation forever and be sad and loving forever! (Old Book of Tang: Biography of Feng Changqing)
Feng Changqing died, and it was naturally Gao Xianzhi's turn next. Bian Lingcheng was still a little afraid of Gao Xianzhi, so when he went to announce the imperial edict, he specially brought more than 100 modao hands, looking nervous and as if he was facing a great enemy. After Gao Xianzhi knelt on the ground and listened to Xuan, he was immediately tied to the execution ground, just like Feng Changqing. When he arrived at the execution ground, he saw Feng Changqing's body being thrown into a straw mat and threw it there. Gao Xianzhi suddenly felt sad and said loudly:
"I retreat when I encounter the enemy, and it is appropriate to die. Now I wear the sky and walk on the ground, saying that I steal and reduce the food gifts, which is false!" (" Zizhi Tongjian " Volume 217)
I retreat when I encounter the enemy, and of course I should apologize for my death. But today I wear blue sky and loess on top of the mountain, saying that I am deducting food and pay and gifts from the court is a naked slander! At that time, Bian Lingcheng deliberately summoned all the soldiers around the execution ground to allow them to observe the execution on the spot, in an attempt to intimidate the three armies. Gao Xianzhi shouted to the soldiers: "I have recruited you in the capital. Although the court distributed some items, in fact, I can't even get enough combat equipment. I originally planned to defeat the thief and make contributions with you and win rewards from the high-ranking officials of the court. Unexpectedly, the enemy was too rampant and had to lead troops to defend Tongguan. If I really deduct food and pay and gifts, you will boldly expose it; but if I didn't do this, you should shout for justice for me!"
As soon as Gao Xianzhi finished speaking, the soldiers shouted injustice at the same time, and the sound was like thunder, echoing throughout Tongguan for a long time. However, if you want to inflict a crime, why not worry about it? Since Bian Lingcheng held the order issued by the emperor himself in his hand, he could not save Gao Xianzhi's life by letting the soldiers shout out loud. At the last moment, Gao Xianzhi said to Feng Changqing's body:
"Feng Er, from the slightest, I led Zi to be my judge, and I also acted as the governor of me. Today I died here with Zi again. Isn't my life!" ("Old Book of Tang·Biography of Feng Changqing")
After saying this, the executioner's ghost-headed knife was raised high. Then, Gao Xianzhi's head with wide eyes flew away from her body and rolled down to Feng Changqing's already cold body. In fact, from the moment An Lushan brazenly launched a rebellion, tragedies like Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were already doomed.
Because, the Emperor Xuanzong, ministers and imperial military and civilians who have been immersed in the dream of prosperous times, do not have the slightest ability to resist risks and setbacks. Therefore, when the beautiful veil of the prosperous era was peeled off by An Lushan, and his true face was suddenly revealed, and when the picture of peace and prosperity of peace was completely replaced by the tragic phenomenon of creatures and the broken mountains and rivers, the extremely frightened and angry Emperor Xuanzong of Tang would inevitably catch a few people to take this embarrassing and heavy historical blame.
In other words, there are always people who have to pay for this, and there are always people who have to pay for the misfortune of the empire! Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were indeed unlucky. Because they made a very politically wrong choice at the wrong time and in the wrong place, they were destined to be victims. However, what Xuanzong did not expect was that it was not just Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing who wanted to pay for the empire.
In the following days, the once domineering Yang Guozhong , and the once "three thousand beloved in one", will be buried together with the prosperous Tang Dynasty . At the same time, the emperor's great achievements that Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji were proud of, as well as the unforgettable love.
