The situation of the Li family brothers on the Huoyi battlefield was actually more difficult than what Ren Yu introduced to Wang Fubao. There was no other reason. After several times of attacking the city, the Taiyuan army not only failed to take Huoyi city, but was also occupied and defended. The Sui army in Huoyi suffered heavy casualties, more than 3,000 people were killed and injured, but they couldn't even rush up the city wall of Huoyi a few times.
It is also the same as what Ren Yu introduced to Wang Fubao. The Li family brothers had indeed seen that Liu Heitai's tactical purpose was to draw the Taiyuan army into a war of attrition. The Li family brothers did make a mistake of underestimating the enemy, thinking that the main force of the Sui army It is impossible to rush to the Linfen battlefield for reinforcements in a short period of time. The Sui army in Hedong is far inferior to the main force of Daxing under Chen Sangliang's command in terms of combat effectiveness. He was big, and he was greedy for Huoyi's strategic location and the mountains of food, grass and military supplies in Linfen City, so the Li family brothers decided to strike first and send troops south to attack Huoyi.
Huo Yi's tenacious resistance from the Sui army completely shattered the dreams of the Li family brothers. The Li family brothers who had beaten Liu Heitai several times before had no strength to fight back, and only now did they realize that it was not because of the trust and reuse of Liu Heitai by the arch-rival Chen Sangliang. For no reason, Liu Heikai, who is in command of the Hedong Division, is indeed inferior to the militaristic Taiyuan Army in terms of military strength, but his cohesion and tenacity have greatly exceeded the expectations of the Li brothers. , "This guy was really just a small general of the thief army before? In the battle yesterday, he was three points more powerful than those famous generals who have experienced many battles?"
Continuing the strong attack is uncertain and doomed to cause even more casualties. It is too unwilling to retreat here, which will have a great impact on the morale of the army. It may also lead to the withdrawal of Dou Jiande's army, which was finally drawn into the Linfen battlefield. The Li brothers gradually found themselves It's like an unlucky guy riding on the back of a tiger. However, at this moment, Master Xu, the servant of the Ministry of Rites sent by Dou Jiande, after receiving a lot of benefits from the Li family brothers, suddenly provided the Li family brothers with an important piece of information worth a thousand dollars——Liu Hei, who made the Li family brothers suffer so much. Well, it turned out that Dou Jiande is a boy friend! He has also received a lot of favors from Dou Jiande!
Such a good relationship, if the Li brothers don’t know how to take advantage of it, they will have to change their names to Li Dasha and Li Ersha, so just after receiving the joint report from Ren Yu and Yin Kaishan, Li Jiancheng was overjoyed and said, “Good! God help our army! It is not too late, we will order the emissary to visit the king of Changle again, and ask him to surrender Liu Heita with a letter!"
"Wait a minute, brother!" Li Er hurriedly stopped him, cupped his hands to Li Jiancheng and said, "Brother, in my opinion, we can't and don't need to ask Dou Jiande directly for help in this matter. With such a friendship, there must be the idea of recruiting Liu Heitai himself in the future, and he may not help us in this favor, and the third is that Liu Heitai has received Chen Yingliang's great favor, even if Dou Jiande himself came forward to surrender, Liu Heitai may not accept it."
"Of course I know this." Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "I just want a surrender letter written by Dou Jiande, and then hand it over to Mr. Liu Heitai in public, so that Huoyi's bandit army will become suspicious of each other, and I will also take the opportunity to let Chen Yingliang deal with Liu. Hei Kai became suspicious and created an opportunity for our army to capture Huoyi."
Li Er still shook his head and said: "Dou Jiande personally came forward to recruit Liu Heita, and let everyone in the Huoyi bandit army know the relationship between Liu Heita and Dou Jiande. It can indeed make the Huoyi bandit army suspicious of each other, but the strength is far from enough. It's not enough to make Huoyi's bandit army chaos without fighting and kill each other. My little brother has a plan. If it succeeds, even if it can't make Huoyi's bandit army kill each other, it will definitely make Huoyi's bandit army suspicious and chaos without fighting. .”
Li Jiancheng was overjoyed when he heard that, so he hurriedly asked Li Er where did the plan come from? Li Er replied with a smile: "At present, among the generals of the bandit army in Huoyi City, Wang Xingben has the most seniority and the highest prestige. The official position is above him, even if he doesn't say anything, he will definitely be very dissatisfied in his heart, and he is our ideal object of separation."
"In this case, why don't we forge a letter written by Liu Heikai to Dou Jiande, saying that he has received Dou Jiande's letter of surrender, and he is very tempted, but because Dou Jiande is far away in Linming, and he is unwilling to surrender to us, so he invited Dou Jiande personally leads the troops to come to Huoyi. At that time, Liu Heita will not only open the city and surrender to Dou Jiande, but also donate to Dou Jiande's army the six counties he ruled in the east of the river. After that, we only need to try to get Wang Xingben to get this letter... .”
"Your brother really has a great plan! Then how can we get Wang Xingben to get this letter?" Li Jiancheng asked again overjoyed. Li Er smiled and told Li Jiancheng the plan he had come up with in a low voice. Li Jiancheng was very satisfied and immediately According to the plan, Li Er also took the official documents and letters written by Liu Heitai that he had obtained through various channels before, and personally picked up the pen, forging a nearly flawless letter written by Liu Heitai...
So, one night later, when Wang Xingben, the general of the Sui Army who was on duty at night, was patrolling the city wall, an unexpected thing happened—under the moonlight, a man dressed as a commoner was chased by a Taiyuan Army patrol. Fleeing to the bottom of the city, he yelled that he was a messenger sent by Liu Heita to communicate with the outside world. During his southward trip, he was accidentally discovered by the enemy and had to flee back. He asked the Sui army on the city to put down the hanging basket to rescue him. Soldiers put down the gondola.
At this time, a new accident happened. The patrol team of the Taiyuan Army who was chasing and killing the messenger suddenly fired a volley of arrows. They were all powerful arrows from strong bows and crossbows, and they shot the unlucky messenger to death. The soldiers of the Taiyuan Army shouted to go forward to snatch the corpse and search for letters. Wang Xingben also immediately ordered to shoot arrows, and the random arrows shot the Taiyuan Army patrol team away.
— There is another detail that must be mentioned during the period. The unlucky messenger turned around in surprise after being hit by an arrow, and murmured in disbelief, "Why do you really shoot arrows?" The courier who was required to stand in the bright moonlight and reveal his figure closed his mouth forever.
After finishing the details, let’s get back to the topic. After shooting away the Taiyuan Army patrol team with random arrows, Wang Xingben, who saw the messenger fell to the ground, immediately ordered the soldiers to use ropes to go down to the city to rescue them. As a result, the man died long ago, so he searched carefully. At the time of the corpse, the soldiers of the Sui Army really found a bloody letter sealed with a firearm on the corpse, and finally looked carefully at the cover of the letter with the light of the torch. It was personally signed by Dou Jiande, the king of Changle, and signed by his young friend Liu Heita!
Then, of course, it was Liu Heitai's turn to open a hundred mouths and he couldn't speak clearly. Facing the Sui army civil and military officers who were full of suspicion, including Wang Xingben, Liang Naizhu, and Wu Cong, as well as the bewildered capable and beloved general Cao Qing, Liu Heikai from Guadatian Lixia took half a stick of incense before making up his mind, handed the seal back to Wang Xingben and the others, and said, "Open it yourself, yes, I admit that Dou Jiande and I are young friends , My family was poor when I was young, and I often received relief from him, and my friendship with him is extraordinary. But we have lost contact for a long time, and I did not write this letter."
He glanced at Liu Heitai very vigilantly, and then Wang Xingben opened the letter. Liang Naizhu, Wu Cong and others hurried up to read it together. His face was as pale as paper, and Cao Qing, who was promoted from the rank of soldiers by Liu Heita himself, was trembling all over, and murmured, "How is it possible? How is this possible? Impossible!"
"Can you show me handsome?"
Liu Heitai opened his mouth to ask, Wang Xingben and others hesitated for a while, and then presented the letter to Liu Heitai again, and then immediately stepped back to be on guard. Heitai noticed these small gestures but didn't pay attention, he just spread out the letter and read it carefully. However, like Wang Xingben and others, after reading the letter whose handwriting was exactly the same as his own, Liu Heitai's face also became very pale. , trembling for a long time could not say a word.
There was no sound in the handsome hall, so quiet that even the nervous breathing of Wang Xingben and others could be clearly heard. In front of everyone, Liu Heita closed his eyes first, and after a long time of calculation, Liu Heita opened his eyes suddenly, and shouted loudly. : "Soldiers obey orders!"
"promise!"
Liu Heita's soldiers in the hall sang promises in unison, and subconsciously held the handle of the knife together. Wang Xingben and others were also nervous and immediately drew their swords. Who would have thought that Liu Heita shouted: "You should disband immediately and move to the outer camp." Live here! From now on, follow the orders of General Wang Xingben, and until the main force of our army arrives at Huoyi to break the siege, you are not allowed to meet with this commander again!"
Everyone in the hall was shocked, and Liu Heita's personal team even thought they had heard it wrong. When they hurriedly asked Liu Heita for proof, Liu Heita shouted: "Didn't you hear clearly? Leave the hall immediately and move to a foreign camp. From now on, only the command orders of General Wang will be accepted! This is the commander's order, and it must be carried out immediately!"
Seeing Liu Heitai's stern tone, all the soldiers sang promises, took their leave and left the hall, and after all the soldiers were gone, Liu Heitai turned to Wang Xingben and said, "General Wang, I have no more soldiers to use now, please send Lend me half of your bodyguards so that you can send orders. Also, General Liang and County Magistrate Wu, each of you will lend me 10 bodyguards and choose those you can trust."
"Big..., handsome." Wang Xingben came back to his senses after a while, and said coyly: "The last general didn't say anything about you, why do you do this?"
"Melta Lixia, I must avoid suspicion!" Liu Heikai replied decisively, and then said to everyone: "Everyone, I don't blame you, the enemy's plan to divide is really vicious, and they imitated my notes so vividly that there is almost no difference. , If I were you, I would also be suspicious. This is the only way to crack the enemy's plan of alienation."
Wang Xingben and the others calmed down, and hurriedly returned the salute to Liu Heita, but Liu Heita said: "My lords, the enemy's purpose of using this trick is nothing more than to make our army suspect each other and cause internal chaos, so as to break Huo for them. The opportunity created by Yi also proves that our strategy of defending Huoyi city is correct. It has already made the Taiyuan rebels suffer so much that they had to use such tricks. Since the enemy is suffering, we will let them suffer to the end! As long as we continue to stick to Huoyi to the end, Then not only can the Taiyuan bandit army waste a lot of military and material resources in vain, but also completely shatter their tactical plan to defend against the enemy! When His Royal Highness Tang personally leads the main force to the north, we can easily destroy the Taiyuan bandit army. Ten times! Hundred times!"
"What the commander-in-chief said is very true. We will definitely continue to stick to Huoyi, so as to make the Taiyuan bandits feel uncomfortable!" Wang Xingben and others agreed together.
"Very good." Liu Heita nodded in satisfaction, and then said calmly: "Don't worry, His Royal Highness the King of Tang treats me with kindness and rebuilding. Even if I am smashed to pieces, I will never do anything to let him down. Don't worry, too. All the counties in Linfen fell one after another, and our soldiers suffered huge casualties in the Queshu Valley battlefield, these are all my own responsibility, if His Highness the King of Tang asks the crime in the future, I will bear it alone, and it has nothing to do with you!"
After all, Liu Heikai returned the letter to Wang Xingben and others, and ordered them to report the matter to Chen Sangliang on a joint report. Regardless of the persuasion of Cao Qing and others, he insisted on replacing all his soldiers with The confidant guard of his subordinates. For the safety of the city, Wang Xingben and others did not insist on being modest. After they confessed their crimes to Liu Heitai, they sent their confidants to serve as temporary soldiers for Liu Heitai. Together with the forged letter, they were sent to Daxing to report to Chen Sangliang without mentioning it.
…
Similar personalities but very different destinies, while the Li family brothers were waiting for Huoyi's internal chaos in the Sui army, the news of Dou Jiande's general Wang Fubao's resistance to orders, who was very similar to Liu Heitai, was also delivered by Kuai Ma. Master Xu, who had received countless benefits from the Taiyuan Army, made an embellished report to Dou Jiande. What was even more unlucky for Wang Fubao was that on this day, Dou Jiande's confidant Zuo Servant She Qi Shanxing sent a report on the same day, saying that he failed to attack Shangdang County, and the loss was not small. Dou Jiande was in a very bad mood. , and then heard that Wang Fubao dared to resist his order, Dou Jiande immediately sent out a squall.
"Wang Fubao! How courageous! This king ordered you to attack Linfen, but you dare not carry out the order, and dare to say that you are in command of the army, and this king's order cannot restrain you! Are you bored of life? Tired of it?!"
Seeing Dou Jiande's annoyed appearance of slapping tables and benches, the generals of the Dou army, who were already seriously dissatisfied with Wang Fubao's too much limelight, had the reason not to take the opportunity to make trouble, and they all echoed and scolded Wang Fubao's disobedience behavior, and some people couldn't wait to express Worried, worried that Wang Fubao wanted to rebel and rebelled, and reminded Dou Jiande that he must take precautions early. But fortunately, Song Zhengben, an outspoken and daring admonisher under Dou Jiande's command who has not been beheaded at the moment, came out in time and said: "My lord, General Wang has always been loyal to you. He resisted orders and refused to attack Linfen. There are his difficulties. Your Majesty should not listen to one-sided words, it is best to send someone to ask General Wang why, and then make a decision before it is too late."
After listening to Song Zhengben's advice, Dou Jiande, who still trusts Song Zhengben, will inevitably be shaken. However, it is a pity that at the critical moment, Dou Jiande's brother-in-law Cao Dan jumped out again and said to Dou Jiande: "My lord, Wang Fubao is self-sufficient. With little merit, he has always been arrogant and defiant. Now he is alone and has no one to restrain him. He openly resists your order and decree, Your Majesty. The heart of disobedience is already obvious. The minister thinks that it is best to call Wang Fubao back to Linming immediately Seize his military power and send another general to take over the army, so that we can prevent accidents."
"No!" Song Zhengben was taken aback, and quickly objected: "Your Majesty, this must not be the case! Not to mention that it is a taboo for military strategists to change commanders just before the battle, Wang Fubao has defeated Chen's bandit army twice before, and now he will be replaced by him, and the army will be determined." Dissatisfaction will not only severely damage morale, but will definitely give Chen's army a chance to fight back!"
It is indeed a taboo for military strategists to change commanders just before the battle. Dou Jiande, who knew this truth, suddenly hesitated. Seeing that things were about to turn yellow, uncle Cao rolled his eyes and had an idea, and hurriedly said: "My lord, how about this? Pu She and the others have opened up the road from Linming to Linfen, and our army has won a lot of money and food in Linfen. There is no need to worry about food and grass. It is better to let the last general lead an army to reinforce the Linfen battlefield and assist the Taiyuan friendly army to capture Linfen County and Chen. The bandit who went to the north to expedite money and food, also commanded and monitored Wang Fubao for the king, if he really has a different intention, the last general can deal with it right away!"
"No!" Song Zhengben jumped three feet high again, and said repeatedly: "Your Majesty, we can no longer send more troops to Linfen. The main force of the Chen rebels will soon enter Taiyuan. If our army goes to Linfen to send more troops, it will only give Chen Yingliang the rebels an opportunity." The opportunity to seriously damage our army! 10,000 troops is the limit, so even if the situation in Linfen is unfavorable, our army will be able to retreat much easier."
Although Song Zhengben's dissuasion was loyal, another loyal minister under Dou Jiande's command, Ling Jing, saw another point and came out to play: "My lord, General Cao's suggestion is feasible. Our army and the Taiyuan army form an alliance to fight against the Chen bandits. I have formed a death feud with the Chen thief, and I have already been in the same boat with the Taiyuan army. If the king does not provide strong support for the Li family in Taiyuan, the Taiyuan army will be wiped out by the Chen thief! Once the Li family is dead, our army will face it alone. The main force of the Chen thieves is threatening, and they are isolated and helpless, so it is better to take this opportunity to increase troops in Linfen, to contain the Chen thieves' flanks more effectively, and join forces with the Taiyuan army to defeat the main force of the Chen thieves."
After finishing speaking, Ling Jing hurriedly added: "Besides, Yueyang City is already under our army's control. Our army relies on this city to attack Chen Bandit's flank and harass his grain road, and retreat to Shangdang calmly. It is not a big problem to take the initiative to take the initiative and increase the strength of the troops appropriately. If there is an opportunity to destroy the enemy in the future, the king can take the opportunity to personally lead the army to the west, first destroy the main force of the Chen thieves, and then take the Hedong Guanzhong, and achieve the emperor's hegemony!"
"Ling Qing's words are just in line with Gu's intention!" Dou Jiande was overjoyed, and immediately decided: "Okay! Let's do it! Cao Dan, you immediately lead an army of 10,000 to march westward to Linfen, and command Wang Fubao and Taiyuan's allies to attack Linfen for Gu! "
Cao Dan was overjoyed, hurriedly sang a promise to accept the order, and then asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, after the last general leads his army to Linfen, will you confiscate Wang Fubao's military power immediately?"
Dou Jiande hesitated for a while, and then said: "There is no need to rush to confiscate all his military power. Wang Fubao still has some skills in war. You must make good use of his strengths. Among the 10,000 troops sent to him by the left and right, there are only less than 3,000 soldiers." He is the direct descendant of his headquarters, so he can't do much tricks. How about this, after you arrive in Linfen, first call back the other troops under his command to serve as the main force, and then drive his headquarters to attack Linfen as the vanguard and face the Chen bandit army."
Cao Dan sang the promise again, and Dou Jiande called Cao Dan to him again, and whispered in his ear: "Keep an eye on Wang Fubao, if he really has a different heart, you don't have to report me, you can kill him first and play later!"