What else can Pei Hongce say? Since Chen Yingliang saved his life, he didn't put on airs of being a life-saving benefactor at all, and even made a big gift to him and asked him to help him. Great. So Pei Hongce did not refuse, and immediately put Chen Yingliang in his arms, and said with a wry smile: "Brother Yingliang, if you are willing to serve my country under my command, of course I can't ask for it, but you have to understand that I just had a big meal." Those who lost the battle, the 8,000 troops fought and left me alone as the bare-handed general, who lost his teacher and humiliated the country, and could not protect himself. Now that you join me, I dare not guarantee you any official position."
"Nonsense, of course I know this. If I don't even understand this point, wouldn't I have been the captain of the criminal police for two years? You are in trouble now, but if you make a comeback, I will give you charcoal in the snow, even if I don't want to be developed. Even if you fall to the end, I, the subordinate who will never leave you when you are in trouble, can at least gain a reputation of loyalty, and it will be much easier to seek refuge with other dignitaries!"
With a sneer in his heart, Chen Yingliang's mouth was as sweet as honey, and he said with a very sincere expression: "Please rest assured, my lord, Xiaosheng is alone, I just want to have a shelter and a chance to serve the country Xiaosheng doesn't care about whether he has an official position or not, and he doesn't dare to ask extravagantly."
Hearing what Chen Yingliang said was pleasant, Pei Hongce, who had escaped from death just now, was quite satisfied. He praised him a few words, and then prepared to lead Chen Yingliang back to the Eastern Capital. But at this moment, Pei Hongce was too tired to lift his feet, so he sat down After resting by the roadside, I asked Chen Yingliang, "Is there any dry food and water? I haven't eaten a mouthful of food or drank a mouthful of water since morning."
"Yes, yes." Chen Yingliang quickly agreed, took off the water bag from the horse, took out two pieces of wheat cake bought in Shan County, and held them in front of Pei Hongce. Pei Hongce was not polite, and took the dry food and He started to gobble up the water, choked on the dry wheat cake when he was in a hurry, and quickly poured water into his mouth. Chen Yingliang, who was good at currying favor with his boss, also hurriedly beat Pei Hongce's back. It was only when Pei Hongce returned to normal that Chen Yingliang asked curiously: "My lord, what is going on in today's battle? How come you are the only one left among the 8,000 soldiers and horses you brought?"
"It was all caused by that idiot Daxi Shanyi, and the idiots under me!"
It was fine if Chen Yingliang didn't ask, but Pei Hongce was full of anger when he mentioned this matter. After Pei Hongce introduced Chen Yingliang, he found out that when Pei Hongce led the army to fight Yang Xuangan's rebel army this morning, it was the Sui army led by Luoyang Ling Daxi with good intentions who first fought against Yang Xuangan's rebel army on the south bank of Luoshui River. The troops of the rebel division Yang Jishan met, but before the two armies fought, the cowardly Daxi Shanyi took the lead in fleeing for his life. The 5,000 Sui army he led collapsed instantly, and most of them surrendered to Yang Xuangan's younger brother Yang Jishan. All the people under him deserted as deserters, and quickly escaped cleanly.
As a result, the morale of Pei Hongce's army who faced Yang Jishan on the north bank of Luoshui was inevitably greatly affected. Although Pei Hongce had never experienced a battlefield, he was still smart and ordered his soldiers to build fortifications to resist the footsteps of the rebels and take a defensive position. Yang Xuangan, who was in full swing, rebels, but the morale of the Sui Army in the Eastern Capital, who had not experienced war for many years, was already very low. After being affected by the defeat of the Sui Army's Daxi Shanyi Department, the morale and fighting spirit completely collapsed. The rebel team led by Yang Xuanting broke through the line of defense in one charge, and the eight thousand troops collapsed in an instant.
Not to mention, Pei Hongce, who was born as a civil servant, really had a bit of backbone. After the first defeat, he was not discouraged. He retreated three or four miles and immediately organized the defeated army to re-arm. The army made another charge, and Pei Hongce's team immediately collapsed again. Pei Hongce organized the team to rebuild the defense line again, but was defeated by the rebels with a single charge. This was repeated five times, five battles and five defeats. Later, although Pei Hongce still wanted to organize the defense line for the sixth time , but the soldiers of the Sui army under his command quit, either scrambling to surrender to the rebel army, or throwing down their weapons and armor and fleeing for their lives. In the end, there was only Pei Hongce, a bare-handed commander, who was forced to flee for his life, and was tightly held by the rebel cavalry. If Chen Yingliang hadn't just rushed to Bai Sima Ban to join the army, Pei Hongce, whose horse was injured, would have lost his life and even been captured by the rebel cavalry.
After hearing Pei Hongce's introduction, Chen Yingliang finally believed the joke about the Noodle Country's army in World War II—it turns out that there really is such a funny army in this world! Surprised, Chen Yingliang couldn't help but asked: "My lord, how many people are there in the rebel army fighting you?"
"You ask me, who should I ask?" Pei Hongce's answer made Chen Yingliang almost lose his temper, and he replied confidently: "The King of Yue and Dong both stayed behind at Fanzigai, but they just sent me to lead an army of 8,000 to fight against the rebel forward Yang Jishan. , didn’t tell me how many troops the enemy has, the two armies are in formation, when I came to count the enemy’s strength?”
"Then, my lord, you didn't send scouts to scout the enemy's strength?" Chen Yingliang asked in disbelief.
"This..." Pei Hongce hesitated for a moment, and then replied with a bitter face: "Sent, but it was my first time on the battlefield, and I forgot to tell the scouts to scout the enemy's strength. I only asked the scouts to scout the enemy's movements and tell me The enemy's position."
After all, Pei Hongce added with a wry smile, "But it's probably useless even if you explain it. The Youwuwei who stayed behind in the Eastern Capital has not fought for more than ten years. Those veteran soldiers were also brought to Liaodong by the emperor. Now The scouts have never been on the battlefield, so they may not be able to find out the enemy's strength."
Chen Yingliang rolled his eyes, and began to worry about whether these veteran soldiers in Dongdu could block the attack of Yang Xuangan's rebels. As a rookie, the more incompetent he is, the more opportunities Chen Yingliang has to show off, right
At this time, Pei Hongce had almost rested, and at the same time Chen Yingliang's dead horse was able to get up again, and Pei Hongce began to lead Chen Yingliang back to the Eastern Capital. On the way back to the city, Pei Hongce had to ask Chen Yingliang about his family background. Chen Yingliang told the truth about his family background, and also explained that he was recommended by Fang Xuanling to join the army in Liaodong. The family feud—Old Chai's family is a clan of Guanlongmen, and Chen Yingliang has just joined Pei Hongce's command, and he is still not sure whether Pei Hongce will dare to fight against the Chai family for himself. In order to avoid complications, Chen Yingliang naturally needs to temporarily hide things about the Chai family.
To Chen Yingliang's surprise, after listening to his self-introduction, Pei Hongce looked a little surprised, and said, "You are the grandson of Chen Wandi, Duke of Xuchang County? So, you and I may be related."
"Xiaosheng is related to an adult?" Chen Yingliang was also a little surprised.
"Yes, it's possible to be related, but it's just far away." Pei Hongce replied: "I am from Wenxi Pei's family. Some people in my clan have some in-law relations with the Wang family in Taiyuan. I remember that your grandfather Chen Wandi has The first sister is still a younger sister, she just married into the Wang family in Taiyuan, so you and I may be related."
"This guy is from Wenxi Pei's family?" Chen Yingliang's happiness is no small matter. Fang Xuanling mentioned the Guanlong clan when chatting with Chen Yingliang. He once told Chen Yingliang that Wenxi Pei's family is currently the largest in Guanlong. There have been twenty-two prime ministers and thirty-six generals from the Han Dynasty to the present! Currently, Pei Gui, the number one favorite minister in front of Emperor Sui Yang, is the 22nd prime minister of the old Pei family! So Fang Xuanling repeatedly warned his good brother Chen Yingliang that it might not have much to do with falling out with a small family like the Chai family, but don't go against the Wenxi Pei family!
Surprised, Chen Yingliang, who was good at building relationships and making friends, immediately knelt down to Pei Hongce again without hesitation, and said loudly, "Uncle, please accept three respects from my nephew Chen Yingliang!"
After all, Chen Yingliang kowtowed three times to Pei Hongce for the sake of prosperity and wealth, promotion and fortune. Pei Hongce was angry and funny, and said with a smile, "Why are you in a hurry? I haven't checked you out yet." What is the relationship between you and you are eager to kowtow? Speaking of relationship, in fact, you and... But forget it, you are about the same age as my son, and it is not wrong to call me uncle. From now on, we will be called uncle and nephew gone."
Chen Yingliang was overjoyed, and hurriedly paid homage to his uncle again. Pei Hongce also helped Chen Yingliang to call him a good nephew, so a pair of uncles and nephews who just met were newly released. As for how long this relationship between uncles and nephews can last, that is only God. Only then can we know the problem.
After forming an uncle and nephew relationship with Pei Hongce, Chen Yingliang also followed Pei Hongce back to the Anxi Gate in the Eastern Capital. Inquiring about the results of the battle, and looking at Chen Yingliang with surprise eyes, Pei Hongce, who had just suffered a big defeat, had no intention of inquiring about the battle situation. Yang Yu, the king of Yue who was in charge of the Eastern Capital, and Fan Zigai who stayed behind, reported the situation of the war.
He led Chen Yingliang from Xuanren Gate into the Imperial City of the Eastern Capital without hindrance, and then passed through Chengfu Gate all the way to Chongguang Gate. During this period, although Chen Yingliang was always wearing commoner clothes, he was led by the important official Pei Hongce of the Eastern Capital, and the guards at the palace gate only After making an inquiry, he immediately let him go. At the same time, thanks to Pei Hongce's introduction, Chen Yingliang's glorious record of rescuing Pei Hongce on the battlefield quickly spread to the guards in the Eastern Capital Imperial City, causing all the guards to look sideways at Chen Yingliang, all in amazement. Chen Yingliang, who was still childish in appearance, was able to make such a great contribution.
After arriving at the heavily guarded Chongguang Gate, Pei Hongce didn't dare to lead Chen Yingliang straight in, obediently followed the rules and asked the gate guards for an interview. He also roughly talked about the situation of the counter-insurgency battle and introduced Chen Yingliang's identity, and the guards entered. After the report, Pei Hongce, who had a worried expression on his face after entering the imperial city, became even more worried. After thinking for a while, Pei Hongce even whispered to Chen Yingliang: "Nephew, I will enter the palace to meet the Queen of Yue later. If anything happens, go to Xiuyefang in the Eastern Capital and Western City, find my son Pei Xingfang, tell him about my relationship with you, and help him take care of my funeral. He is two years younger than you, and he has never passed How many winds and waves, you have to help him more."
"Uncle, what do you mean by that?" Chen Yingliang was taken aback.
"Nephew, uncle thought about it carefully and felt that this time I might be sorry for you. You saved me, but I can't give you anything in return." Pei Hongce replied with a mournful face: "Uncle has a premonition that this time it will be fierce. Dorje is missing."
"No way?" Chen Yingliang said in shock: "Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs. Uncle, you have a small setback by accident. Would His Royal Highness King Yue push you out of the palace gate and behead you?"
"His Royal Highness Yue Wang will not kill me. He is only nine years old and still doesn't understand anything." Pei Hongce's expression was even more mournful, and he replied in a low voice: "The key is that Fanzi Gaifan stayed behind. Now the military and political power in Dongdu is He grasps that life and death are all up to him to decide, uncle and I usually have disagreements, and this time we lost so badly, I'm afraid he won't let me go lightly."
Chen Yingliang was tongue-tied, but he didn't feel that Pei Hongce's words were exaggerated - because Chen Yingliang himself used this method to deal with the deputy who was peeping at his captain's throne. After a little calculation, Chen Yingliang hurriedly said in a low voice: "Uncle, my nephew dares to say that even if you usually have a lot of quarrels with Fan Liushou, it doesn't really matter much. It's still time to make friends—uncle, didn't you hear that?" After such a sentence, give up your money to save your life?"
"You mean to bribe Fan Zigai?" Pei Hongce asked back in a low voice, seeing Chen Yingliang nodding, Pei Hongce smiled wryly, and said in a low voice: "If you want me to die faster and worse, you can persuade me to do so. Fan Zigai, that old man, is famous for being upright and honest, he never accepts bribes, let alone these methods in the officialdom, his uncle and him usually have a lot of discord because his uncle is also working as a general in charge of the court The civil affairs, the old thing always suspected that my accounts were wrong and wanted to check the accounts, but I tried to block them."
"While blocking the account audit? This guy is indeed a corrupt official." Chen Yingliang also smiled wryly.
Before Chen Yingliang could finish his wry smile, his complexion immediately changed, because a group of palace guards in bright armor had already walked out of Chengfu Gate, and they walked straight to Chen Yingliang and Pei Hongce, and then the captain of the guard said loudly : "According to the order of His Royal Highness the King of Yue and Fan Liushou, Pei Hongce will be escorted into the audience! Mr. Pei, I have offended you."
After all, the captain of the guard waved his hand, and the two guards immediately took out ropes and tied Pei Hongce up. And the guard captain turned to Chen Yingliang again, and said, "You are the boy who rescued Mr. Pei Hongce, right? Please come with us, Fan Liushou wants to see you."
"Yes, general, please lead the way." Chen Yingliang cupped his hands politely, looked at the pale Pei Hongce again, and murmured in his heart, "This guy, I didn't save him for nothing, did I?"