"Master Lu, please rest assured. This matter has been dealt with. I will gather the people and then ask Master Lu to send them to the front line."
The King of Nanzhao became angry when he saw the guy in front of him. To put it bluntly, he was the original powerful faction, and the new Lord Duhu was the new powerful faction. There were often various conflicts between the two sides, but this order was given by Li Xiang, and the responsibility between them was also very obvious. Whoever was responsible for the incident must be held responsible for it.
The two sides had nothing to talk about, so there was nothing much to talk about. After discussing the most important thing, both sides left directly. There was no need to continue the pleasantries. Everyone could see the future hostility.
As for the common people of Nanzhao, many of them were unwilling to serve in the army, but under the persuasion of the various militia leaders, they finally had to gather these 3,000 people.
You're certainly reluctant to go, but have you ever considered this? If we don't gather these 3,000 people, how will the Tang court view us? What kind of responsibilities will we have to bear? Can we afford it?
The Tang Dynasty is now at its peak, and the surrounding nations have already been conquered. Once the conscription order is issued, we must obey it. If you don't do so, there will naturally be ways to deal with you. The Tang officials will be reprimanded, and when they are reprimanded, who will they take out their anger on? It will definitely be us, the indigenous people.
The entire country's main locations and transportation routes are occupied by the Tang army. If they start conscripting men, it will be like tearing apart relations. No one will talk to you so kindly. The Tang army will kick down your door and take away your labor. This has costs. Who will bear these costs? It will be us, the local people. Then the taxes will become higher, and your remaining assets will be reduced.
If that time really comes, I'm afraid some people will take the initiative to join the army, because their families can't have enough food, and in the army they can at least have a full meal. But if you go to the army to eat a full meal, the burden on your family will increase a lot. Can you guarantee that the rest of your family members can have enough food?
After figuring out these things, the officials under the King of Nanzhao also began to explain to the people, so what we can do at this stage is to carry out His Highness's orders well, which will be a good thing for everyone.
Looking at the vast landscape before him, the King of Nanzhao felt uncomfortable, but there is no regret medicine in this world. Since you have taken this step, you have to walk the rest of the way with tears.
The army marching south
When Li Xiang set out from Chang'an City, his army had only more than a thousand people, but when he left Nanzhao, the army had already grown to seven thousand people. Whenever he passed by various military camps along the way, Li Xiang would bring some new recruits with him.
Just letting them train in the rear will definitely not have much effect, and may even bring various diseases of affluence. Let them go to the battlefield to experience it, and know what you are training for, and also let you know the bloodiness of the battlefield.
Only in this way can we make them understand that the Tang Dynasty is not so stable. Many soldiers in the rear feel that peace is now sufficient and there is no need to maintain such a large army. But how did the Tang Dynasty achieve its prosperity? Wasn't it all achieved through one war after another? At this time of prosperity, we cannot abandon our military.
"Can you still bear it?"
Li Xiang looked at Du Aitong lying on the ground.
"Your Highness."
Hearing Li Xiang's voice, this guy got up from the ground and saluted Li Xiang with great difficulty. It has been more than 20 days since he left Chang'an City. His butt is almost attached to the horse's back. In the past, he thought it was at least a very glorious thing, but now he really doesn't want to ride a horse at all.
Just as the two were talking, Wei Shuyu also came over. It seemed that his condition was not much better than Du Aitong.
The two of them were like brothers in distress. Seeing the expressions on each other's faces, they knew they had suffered a lot along the way. But then again, this could also be considered a way to add to their life experience. Back in Chang'an City, they heard that those who followed His Highness to the expedition had a good ending. They were also dissatisfied in their hearts. They had once fantasized about following His Highness on the expedition themselves. Now, hadn't it come true? But they didn't expect life to be so difficult.
Fortunately, they all had good physical conditions and had been fighting in the camp south of the city for some time. If not for this period of time, they would have given up long ago. Of the more than 20 children from aristocratic families who followed Li Xiang on the expedition, half of them could no longer hold on and had been sent back.
"Come and sit down. It seems you're having a hard time holding on. It's normal for your legs to weaken at this time. As long as you've followed me to Vietnam, your bodies will basically be able to withstand this kind of forced march. In our Tang army, everyone from an ordinary soldier to the emperor and I must have this ability. If you can't even hold on, you'll be like them."
Li Xiang pointed to several carriages in the distance and said, those are the people who are preparing to return to Chang'an. These people really can't hold on any longer. It's not that Li Xiang didn't give them a chance. As long as you hold on to Vietnam, you will have a good future. But if you can't hold on, then there's nothing more to say. In this case, hurry up and go back.
The two looked in the direction Li Xiang pointed, and there were quite a few familiar faces inside. Those people, like them, had left their family ties to join the army, but unfortunately their bodies couldn't bear it. Many of them had pale faces. If they continued to be with them, it would be a torture to their bodies. If they died in the barracks, Li Xiang would probably need to explain to some people.
In fact, this is the path of human beings. The greater the pressure you can withstand, the greater your achievements will be. The greater the effort you can put in, the further your success will go. But if you can't even withstand a long-distance march, then you can't blame Li Xiang for not giving you a future. Even your parents in Beijing understand that you are not cut out for it.
Just as the two of them were looking at these people, someone brought over some food. Li Xiang was actually planning to eat with them???
