All kinds of military intelligence reports flew in like snowflakes, flying into the Eastern Capital City and Yang Xuangan's rebel camp, behind the reinforcements of General Qu Tutong, General of You Wuhou, and Zuo Yi of Yu Wenshu, General Zuo Yiwei. The main force of Wei, although the arrival time of Yu Wenshu's army cannot be determined for the time being, but one point is indeed unanimously affirmed by the decision-makers of the Eastern Capital and the rebel army. It was enough to defeat the mob under Yang Xuangan's command—after all, Qu Tutong and Yu Wenshu led the main soldiers, and their combat effectiveness was by no means comparable to that of the Dongdu defenders of Youwuwei's second-line team.
In addition, Chen Leng, the famous general of the Sui army, Hu Benlang, also brought 10,000 elite soldiers to the city of Liyang, where Yang Xuangan started his army. Being slapped by Chen Leng, his teeth were all over the floor, and he retreated back to Liyang City in embarrassment to guard the city. Chen Leng sent his troops to rush forward and surrounded Liyang City.
At the same time, General You Xiaowei, who returned from Donglai before he had time to ask for an order, came to protect his son, and led the main force of You Xiaowei back to the territory of Ji County. Ignoring Yuan Wuben who had already been smacked all over by Chen Ling, he crossed the Yellow River at Baimadu, marched forward from the south bank of the Yellow River, and appeared directly behind Yang Xuangan's rebel army, the rebel general Han Shi'er who was attacking Xingyang After receiving the news, he ran for his life without saying a word, and the three thousand rebels he led fled all the way. When they fled back to Hulao Pass, there were already less than a hundred people. Son, honestly retreat and persevere, and ask for help from the main force of the rebel army.
As for the southern front, although the counties in the south of Luoyang were unable to send troops to reinforce the Luoyang battlefield due to lack of strength, they also defended the dangerous points with deep ditches and high forts, firmly blocking the southward route of Yang Xuangan's rebels. Counties and counties raised troops to respond to Yang Xuangan's rebellion, which disappointed Yang Xuangan who believed that he would be the one who responded to everyone before the army. However, in Yuhang County, thousands of miles away, there was a mob leader named Liu Yuanjin who gathered troops to respond to Yang Xuangan's rebellion, and gathered tens of thousands of mobs in a short period of time. The reinforcement of one soldier also gave a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty named Wang Shichong a great opportunity to collect experience and equipment.
The situation has evolved so far, even if the decision-makers of the Eastern Capital can analyze it with their toes, they can conclude that if Yang Xuangan wants to struggle to the death, the only way left is to enter the pass. What shocked the decision-makers of the Eastern Capital is that, But at this time, the insiders sent by the Dongdu defenders to undercover the rebels brought important news, saying that Yang Xuangan announced in public that Yuan Hongsi, who was left behind by Honghua in the Sui Dynasty, had risen against the Sui Dynasty and formed an alliance with Yang Xuangan's rebels. He was going to join forces with Yang Xuangan's rebels to attack Daxing in Guanzhong, so Yang Xuangan decided to move his army westward in the near future and enter Guanzhong to join forces with Yuan Hongsi.
Honghua County is located to the west of Daxing, and all the troops in Longxi are under the control of Yuan Hongsi. If this news is true, then Daxing in Guanzhong, which is currently in a state of emptiness, is definitely doomed, or a death that can no longer die! Although the fall of Guanzhong and Daxing is basically irrelevant to Dongdu Bird, Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi, who were the hard-core lackeys of the tyrant Emperor Sui Yang and who were determined to help Yang Guang in his cruelty, could not help worrying about it and prayed even more. Wei Xuan, who stayed behind in Daxing, was able to listen to Jin's persuasion, and blocked Yang Xuangan's westward advance.
The reason is that Honghua is quite far from Daxing. After the main force of the Sui army wiped out Yang Xuangan's rebels in Xiaohan Road, there was still enough time to go west to deal with Yuan Hongsi. But if Yang Xuangan is allowed to enter Guanzhong, strangle the natural danger of Tongguan, and join forces with Yuan Hongsi, then everything will be over.
The more I feared, the more ghostly I was. At noon that day, the long-awaited Wei Xuan's reply letter was finally delivered to the Eastern Capital, and the content of the reply immediately made Fan Zigai's nose crooked. Wei Xuan, a long-time friend, is no longer here this time. In the letter, he said angry words, but he just went into a rage, and asked Fan Zigai in a stern tone what he meant by asking his own army to retreat to Tongguan. The Daxing army retreated to Tongguan, what about the cities of Hongnong, Mianchi and Shanxian to the east of Tongguan? What about Sui Yangdi's Hongnong Palace? What about the Changping warehouse, which has accumulated tens of millions of stone army grain? Is it all handed over to Yang Xuangan
In the end, Wei Xuan told Fan Zigai mercilessly that Fan Zigai was left behind in Luoyang, and he was also left behind in Daxing. You can decide for yourself, you don't need Fan Zigai to direct you! Victory or defeat, life and death, honor and disgrace, are also borne by Wei Xuan himself, and have nothing to do with Fan Zigai!
If Wei Xuan, a friend of many years, was in front of him at this moment, then the irritable Fan Zigai would have cut off his robe with Wei Xuan on the spot. Unfortunately, Wei Xuan is far away in Mianchi right now, so Fan Zigai could only smash the letter in a fit of rage. On the ground, regardless of Yue Wang Yang Tong and many civil and military men from the Eastern Capital, he yelled loudly: "Old man! Old man who doesn't listen to good things! If it wasn't for the court, you think the old man would care about your life! Whatever you want Let’s make a fuss, anyway, the old man just stays behind in the Eastern Capital, and Yang’s rebellious thief broke into Guanzhong and took down Daxing. The old man has nothing to do with it!"
"Wei Shangshu is red-eyed." Huangfu Wuyi sighed: "He brought an army of 40,000 cavalry to rescue Luoyang. He never won a battle, and he was always defeated in every battle. In the end, he was almost captured alive by the traitor Yang. However, our Luoyang army who was rescued by him became stronger and stronger, gained more and more gains, and gradually turned defeat into victory. The contrast was so huge that Wei Shang couldn't keep up with his writing, and he was eager to fight a few victories to save face, which is also human nature."
"He wants to get back his face, so don't take the land of Sanfu in Guanzhong to be buried with him!" Fan Zigai became even more furious, and roared: "The strength of the troops in Guanzhong has bottomed out, and the only one who can stop Yang Rebellion now is Only him, Wei Xuan, is the last army! If he is defeated again and let the Yang rebels take the opportunity to break into Tongguan, what will happen in Guanzhong? What will happen to Daxing Kingdom?"
Huangfu Wuyi, who was also worried about the safety of Guanzhong and Daxing, shook his head and sighed. Yang Yu, the king of Yue, whose brother was in Daxing, also complained in a low voice about Wei Xuan's impulsive actions. Most of the civil and military officials in the other eastern capitals present looked as usual—after all, Luoyang, the eastern capital, so far It has already been fought beautifully. Although the early stage of the counter-insurgency war suffered heavy casualties and huge losses, but in the middle and late stages, the Luoyang army won consecutive battles and wiped out tens of thousands of enemies, which was enough to make up for the losses and mistakes in the early stage. In any case, it is impossible to hold the officials of the Eastern Capital accountable. Whether Guanzhong Daxing fell or not has nothing to do with the officials of the Eastern Capital. These officials of the Eastern Capital did not take pleasure in their misfortune. They are already worthy of Emperor Sui Yang and the Daxing army.
"Fan stays behind, and the officials think that this matter cannot be ignored." Chen Yingliang's distant uncle Pei Hongce took the opportunity to stand up, cupped his hands and said: "Although Wei Shangshu doesn't listen to good words and is stubborn, Guanzhong is the Guanzhong of the Sui Dynasty after all, and so is Daxing. We are the Western Capital of the Sui Dynasty, and as officials of the Sui Dynasty, we must not sit back and watch Guanzhong and Daxing fall and ignore it, we must do something to help Guanzhong resolve this crisis."
"That's right." Fan Zigai suppressed his anger, nodded and said, "I don't care about Wei Wensheng's life or death, but as a courtier of the Sui Dynasty, I can't just ignore the life and death of Guanzhong and Daxing. How to resolve this crisis? , what advice does Duke Pei have?"
"The lower official proposed to send Chen Yingliang, the reporter of Zanzhi Mansion in Henan Province, to lead the meritorious division of our Eastern Capital Army to report to the national army, rush to the aid of Hongnong City, assist Cai Wang Yang Zhiji to guard Hongnong, and prevent the main force of Yang's rebellion from advancing westward. "Pei Hongce suggested.
"Send your nephew to lead the army to rescue Hongnong?" Fan Zigai was taken aback, wondering: "Sending reinforcements to Xiaohandao is a way, but why not directly reinforce Wei Wensheng instead of His Royal Highness Cai? Hongnong is located at Wei Wensheng is west of Mianchi, there is no danger for the time being, right?"
"Hongnong is not in danger for the time being, but it will be in danger soon." Pei Hongce said in a deep voice: "If Wei Shangshu insists on refusing to guard the dangerous point, and insists on a decisive battle with Yang Ni's rebels, so as to stay on the line between my lord and your lords. See, is Wei Shangshu sure to stop Yang's rebel army, and will Hongnong be in danger?"
All the civil and military personnel in the eastern capital, who had been greatly disappointed by the reinforcements, nodded one after another. They all felt that if Wei Xuan did not adopt the tactic of only defending and not fighting, he would inevitably face another disastrous defeat, and Hongnong City, which was located west of Mianchi, would also inevitably face threats. General Huangfu Wuyi of Youwuwei also nodded, and then asked: "Pei Guogong, why not let the Baoguo army directly reinforce Wei Shangshu? Wouldn't the effect be better if the Baoguo army helped Wei Shangshu directly stop the traitor Yang Rebellion?" ?”
"General Huangfu, do you think Wei Shangshu can be used to serve the national army well?" Pei Hongce smiled wryly, and said beautifully: "The reason why the national army has made great achievements repeatedly is of course that the soldiers worked hard and commanded effectively, but more importantly, It is His Royal Highness the King of Yue, Fan Liushou and General Huangfu who can make good use of the national defense army, believe in the loyalty and bravery of the national defense army, use good steel to the edge of the knife, and manage well, which allows the national defense army to develop its strengths. But , Now that the Nationalist Army is in the hands of Wei Shangshu, can they still achieve such a brilliant record and make one after another miraculous achievements on the battlefield?"
The old bureaucrat Pei Hongce's flattering skills are naturally good. Although Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi don't like slick flattery, after hearing Pei Hongce's oblique flattery, they still nodded together and agreed with Pei Hongce's judgment. Gai also said flatly: "It makes sense. If you hand over the Nationalist Army to the command of that old guy Wei Wensheng, you will definitely be defeated by him in less than one battle! You need to use your head to fight. That old guy is so stubborn! It's like a stone! It's still a stone in a latrine, smelly and hard!"
"As stubborn as a stone in a latrine? Smelly and hard? You Fan Zigai is old and you don't seem to have the right to criticize others, right?" Pei Hongce and the civil and military officials of Dongdu who were present all muttered this sentence in their stomachs.
After muttering, Pei Hongce nodded quickly, and said: "Fan Liushou's words are very true, that's why the lower officials suggested that the Baoguo Army be sent to reinforce Hongnong. Xiao Han said that he can also meet Wei Shangshu's team. When necessary, the Bao Guojun can also retreat to Tongguan to help the Tongguan defenders resist Yang's rebels. The terrain of Tongguan is dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. His ability, Fan Liushou and all the adults present have seen it with their own eyes, and what role he can play in Tongguan, I think there is no need to talk about it."
"You still called him an unfilial nephew, I wish I had such an unfilial nephew." Fan Zigai smiled, and said with a smile: "However, your uncle is still quite competent, and he will give credit to the younger generation. If the unfilial nephew assists His Royal Highness King Cai to block the Yang Rebel army, and cooperates with the main force of the Sui Dynasty to destroy the Yang Rebel rebels in Weihan Dao, it will be a certainty that he will be appointed an official and a noble."
Dongdu Wenwu, who had seen through Pei Hongce's tricks for a long time, roared with laughter, while Pei Hongce didn't blush and heart beat, and brazenly said: "Master Left Behind has misunderstood, the next official is just to promote talents and not avoid relatives, not to fight for merit." Dongdu Wenwu laughed again, all admiring Pei Hongce's thick skin.
After laughing loudly, Fan Zigai did not immediately make a decision to send the Bao Guojun to reinforce Hongnong, but twisted his snow-white long beard and carefully calculated. After a long time, Fan Zigai finally made up his mind, and said in a deep voice: "Let Chen Yingliang lead the Bao Guo army The national army goes to reinforce Hongnong! Let Liu Changgong lead 4,000 elite soldiers to reinforce Wei Wensheng!"
Fan Zigai suddenly called Liu Changgong's name, Pei Hongce and the other civil and military officials in the eastern capital were just a little taken aback, but Liu Changgong, who happened to be in the hall, turned pale, and exclaimed: "Fan stay behind, let us serve the country!" The army went to reinforce Hongnong, and let the general go to reinforce Wei Shangshu? Could it be that the general got it wrong, why didn't the general go to reinforce Hongnong with the Baoguo army?"
"Of course you heard it right." Fan Zigai said coldly, "You and the Baoguo Army are acting separately. You go to Mianchi to reinforce Wei Wensheng, and Ying Liang takes the Baoguo Army to Hongnong to reinforce His Royal Highness Cai."
"Your Excellency, the last general has the guts to ask, why?" General Liu asked with a mournful face.
"It's very simple. There are still more than 20,000 troops in Luoyang City. If the old man only sends the Baoguo Army with only about 700 people to reinforce Xiaohandao, others will say that our Dongdu army will not save us." Fan Zigai said coldly: "So you must go, you must bring four thousand elite soldiers to reinforce Wei Shangshu."
"But why don't you let the last general and the Baoguo army go to reinforce His Royal Highness Cai?" Liu Changgong said in a tearful voice, "Just now, my lords left behind, you also said that our Eastern Capital's army will be wasted in vain if it is in the hands of Wei Shangshu." what."
"It's a shame that you're still a powerful general, so you have some ambition, okay? What are you talking about if you're afraid of this?" Fan Zigai scolded angrily, and said, "Wei Wensheng was stationed in Mianchi, but the old man sent all the reinforcements to Hongnong. How to explain to the court? Wei Wensheng only has more than 6,000 remnant soldiers and defeated generals. If you don’t replenish his troops, why go to Hongnong? Remember, when you get to Wei Wensheng, you must fight hard, kill thieves and serve the country. We must also try our best to persuade Wei Wensheng to stick to the danger and not engage in a decisive battle!"
"But, but..." General Liu Changgong hesitated for a long time, and finally said bravely: "But, if Wei Shangshu insists on not sticking to the dangerous point, insists on sending troops to a decisive battle, and is unfortunately defeated, what will we do?"
"About this question, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Fan Zigai said slowly, "The lie is that the old man believes that you can assist Wei Wensheng in defeating the traitor Yang in the decisive battle. Cooperate with the main force of the Sui Dynasty to wipe out the Yang rebels to the west of Mianchi."
"If you dare to ask Mr. Left Behind, what about the truth?" General Liu who had no confidence in himself asked with a wry smile.
"The truth." Fan Zigai smiled, and said, "I believe that after Wei Wensheng's defeat, you can take as many of our Dongdu troops as possible to escape to Hongnong, and fight with the Baoguo army and King Cai." His Highness joined forces to reorganize the defense line and prevent Yang Rebellion from continuing to advance westward. At that time, the old man will still believe that you will definitely obey Pei Guogong's virtuous nephew and fight together with him."
"It turns out that Fan Liushou's plan is this." General Liu suddenly realized, and said with a smile: "Then you can rest assured, and please rest assured, Mr. Liushou. The general will definitely try his best to persuade Wei Shangshu to stick to the danger and be cautious in the decisive battle. If not, then the general will try his best. Let’s take as many brothers as possible to retreat to Hongnong, join forces with His Royal Highness Cai Wang and Brother Ying Liang to fortify, and try our best to prevent Yang Rebel from entering Guanzhong.”
"As for your ability to retreat before the battle, the old man is really relieved. Last time you were chased and hacked by a thousand rebels, there were no casualties, which is rare." Fan Zigai sneered unceremoniously, and then shouted: "Remember There are three things to do, one is to do everything possible to assist Wei Wensheng to stop the traitor Yang Ren, and not to give up until the last moment! Second, after withdrawing to Hongnong, you must closely unite with Chen Yingliang and fight hand in hand. He doesn't care about his official status. If you want to get promoted, get rich, live and make meritorious service, you can only count on him! Third, in addition to leading our Dongdu army to retreat to Hongnong, there are also our friendly troops in Daxing. You must help them as much as possible Escape to Hongnong!"
"Don't worry, my lord staying behind, you know that the last general and Brother Chen have always cooperated happily and have always been like brothers." General Liu nodded quickly, "There are also Daxing's allies, and the last general will do his best to help them retreat .”
"That's good. Regarding these two points, I still have some trust and expectation for you." Fan Zigai praised Liu Changgong, and said: "By the way, there is one more thing, you must ensure Wei Wensheng's safety, If he is really defeated again unfortunately, you must protect him and retreat to Hongnong, and you must never let him fall into the hands of Yang Rebel! Although that old man is ruthless to this old man, this old man cannot be unjust to him!"
Liu Changgong quickly agreed again, and Pei Hongce also cupped his hands and asked, "Fan Liushou, do you want to announce Chen Yingliang to the palace and arrange an errand for him in person?"
"No need, he knows better than this old man how to arrange and complete this mission." Fan Zigai shook his head and snorted, "I want to continue to make meritorious service, but I don't dare to die under Wei Wensheng's stubborn old man, don't think that this old man can't figure it out." Come out and let the Bao Guojun bypass Wei Wensheng and go directly to reinforce His Highness Cai Wang, which is actually the bad idea of that little slicker!"
Pei Hongce smiled awkwardly, but Fan Zigai shouted again: "Go and send an order to Chen Yingliang, tell him to get ready to send troops with Liu Changgong tomorrow morning, and I will see him off in person at that time! Tell him by the way, the old man has tolerated him again and again. It’s time to collect rewards this time! This time, the old man has three requirements for him. The first is to ensure the safety of Wei Wensheng, the second is to ensure the safety of Hongnong Palace and His Royal Highness Cai, and the third is to absolutely You can't let the traitor Yang take a step into Tongguan!"
After finishing speaking in one breath, Fan Zigai added viciously: "He must complete all these three requirements, if one is missing, all his previous achievements will be written off!"
"This..." Pei Hongce was a little dumbfounded. He never thought that Fan Zigai's request would be so harsh.
"No need to say much, it's settled like this, the old man can give him the opportunity to continue to make contributions, but he must not let the old man down!"
After Pei Hongce passed on Fan Zigai's three demands to Chen Yingliang with a mournful face, Chen Yingliang was dumbfounded and couldn't help slapping himself, and also lamented with a mournful face: "This is the end of greed. I knew that Mr. Fan was so stubborn and harsh." , I shouldn't be in charge of the life and death of Wei Xuan and Guan Zhong!"