To be honest, Chen Yingliang never thought that he would go back so soon. When he took the Weihan Road to the east of Luoyang more than a month ago, Chen Yingliang occasionally fantasized about when he would return to Daxing by taking the Weihan Road. Under what circumstances did he return to this Xiaohan Road, and he was even mentally prepared to return to Daxing in a shroud of horse leather, but Chen Yingliang never dreamed about it. , Less than two months later, I returned to this Xiaohan Road, heading towards my hometown Daxing from east to west.
The situation has not changed, and the status, status and duties are completely different. Chen Yingliang cannot help sighing, and he can't help but think of his relatives and friends in Daxing City, Chen Laosan and Fang Xuanling, his enemy Chai Shao's family, and the mysterious, noble And comely girl Yang Yuer. At the same time, Chen Yingliang took it for granted that if he returned to Daxing now, what kind of reaction would Chen Laosan, Fang Xuanling, Chai Shao and the others react
"I don't know how Fang Xuanling will react. The third uncle must be too surprised to speak. As for Chai Shao, that kid wants to settle accounts with me, so at least he has to weigh the consequences."
Thinking of this, Chen Yingliang naturally couldn't help but smile stupidly. Chen Zhihong, Guo Feng and other lieutenants of the Nationalist Army next to him saw Chen Yingliang's silly elephant, and they couldn't help being very curious. Chen Zhihong couldn't help asking: " Chen Jishi, why are you smiling so happily? Why have you been smiling like this after passing Mianchi, and you picked up money in Mianchi?"
"Hehe, I remembered a few old people in Daxing City." Chen Yingliang said with a smile: "I was thinking, after we cooperated with the main force of the Sui Dynasty to kill the traitor Yang Ni, if I had a chance to return to Daxing City, they would be What kind of reaction."
"Male or female?" Chen Zhihong asked with a bit of gossip, and then said in a self-conscious way: "It must be a woman, and it must be Chen Jishi's friend. Whenever I think of Sister Feng these days, I am also with you." Sneaking the same."
"Please don't mention Sister Feng, okay? My ears are almost calloused by you." Chen Yingliang rolled his eyes a little bit, and really didn't want to think of that Internet celebrity under the reminder of his accomplices. Then Chen Yingliang said casually: "It's not a woman, it's my enemy. His family is a bit powerful. I couldn't provoke him before. I'm thinking, if I go back to Daxing now, what kind of reaction will he have?"
"What? Chen Jishi, your enemy?!" Chen Zhihong suddenly yelled, and shouted: "Who is he? Where is he? Chen Jishi, tell me who your enemy is, and I will take my brothers to you Revenge!"
"What? The enemy of Chen Jishi? Hack him! Chop him! Kill his whole family!" A stone stirred up a thousand waves, and all the surrounding soldiers of the patriotism army boiled like chicken blood, and gathered together Come over and yell, scrambling to ask for the identity and name of Chen Yingliang's enemy, you scramble to declare that you will smash Chen Yingliang's enemy into thousands of pieces, Guo Feng, who is the most irritable, directly pulls out the nine rings that Huangfu Wuyi gave him The machete waved and roared to chop Chen Yingliang's enemies into seventeen or eight pieces.
"Okay, okay, my enemy isn't here, what are you rushing to do?" Chen Yingliang was annoyed and funny, and shouted: "Put those guys away and regroup. My enemy is still in great spirits, waiting for us to destroy him." I have killed Yang Ni and the traitor, and when I go to Daxing City to ask for credit and receive rewards, I will take you to find that enemy to settle the score! At that time, I am afraid that you will have no loyalty or courage!"
"Chen Jishi, you underestimate me!" Chen Zhihong said a little angrily: "Although I, Chen Zhihong, am average in skill, I definitely have the guts. The Wangcai road at Sister Feng's house is so fierce, I still dare to climb over the wall! No matter your No matter who the enemy is, I'll still beat him to the brim!"
Seeing that the other soldiers of the Nationalist Army were shouting and clamoring again under the leadership of Chen Zhihong, Chen Yingliang, who did not want to continue on this topic, quickly changed the subject, pointed to the front and said: "Be quiet, Hangu Pass is ahead! , This is the Eternal Great Pass personally supervised by Xu Chu, the famous general of the Cao Army during the Three Kingdoms period. I have arranged the queue for me. Hangu Pass is not far from Hongnong. Maybe His Royal Highness King Cai will personally come to Hangu Pass to welcome us, and let him see our mess, what do you want to say?"
The simple and simple ancient soldiers were easy to deceive. Hearing Chen Yingliang's order, the soldiers of the patriotic army stopped clamoring immediately, returned to the queue honestly, and sang the military song of loyalty and patriotism to the generals at Chen Yingliang's request. Stepping forward, it never occurred to me that with Chen Yingliang's insignificant status, how could Cai Wang Yang Zhiji, who is the direct cousin of Emperor Sui Yang, come to Hangu Pass to greet him in person? What's more, the Dongdu army sent Yang Zhiji a mere 700 reinforcements this time. Yang Zhiji, who is a king, can send a staff member to meet Chen Yingliang and serve the national army. To save face, not for Chen Yingliang and the national army.
As expected, when the army team of serving the country came to Hangu Pass singing "Serve the country faithfully and faithfully", in front of Hangu Pass, which had been in disrepair for a long time and even the pass building had disappeared, except for the pitiful pass guards, they lined up to welcome them. Besides, there were only a dozen or so people who stood in front of the door to welcome the Nationalist Army. The leader was a middle-aged man wearing a blue and white Confucian robe, with a very handsome appearance. Clasping his hands, he said loudly with a smile: "Chen Jishi, it's been hard work from afar."
Driven by the middle-aged man, the dozen or so tall, short, fat and thin men of different ages also bowed their hands and saluted. They were quite respectful towards Chen Yingliang. , then got off the horse, led Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong to the front of the middle-aged man, clasped his fists and bowed and said: "Chen Yingliang, the secretary of the Zanzhi Mansion in Henan Province, under the order of Fan Liushou, the left-behind of Dongdu, led the four regiments of right warriors The soldiers of the guards came to Hongnong to reinforce His Royal Highness Cai Wang, and to assist Cai Wang in defending against Yang's traitors, dare to ask this lord his name, honorific name, and his official position."
"Chen Jishi is too polite." The middle-aged man replied with a smile: "My name is taboo, I am Yang Zhiji, the prefect of Hongnong."
"What? You are His Highness Cai Wang?" Chen Yingliang, who looks down on people with dog eyes, is rarely really taken aback. Guo Feng and Chen Zhihong behind Chen Yingliang are also staring at each other. They can't believe that this kind-hearted middle-aged man in front of him is the emperor. Dear Cai Wang Yang Zhiji.
"That's right, I'm Yang Zhiji." The middle-aged man smiled and nodded, then patted his forehead and said: "I'm confused, according to the rules, I should ask Chen Ji's office to check my official seal first. Come on, get my The official defense seal is here, please check it with Chen Ji's office."
As soon as the words fell, an attendant behind the middle-aged man had long held out the seal of the prefect of Hongnong, and the middle-aged man took off a gold-decorated fish bag from his waist, and took out a gold-decorated fish bag that only the king or officials above the third rank had. The golden fish amulet that he was qualified to wear was handed over to Chen Yingliang with a smile, and handed it to Chen Yingliang for inspection. When the matter came to this point, Chen Yingliang couldn't believe it anymore, and hurriedly pulled Chen Zhihong and Guo Feng to kneel down together, and while presenting the official document of Dongdu, he said respectfully: "The villain waits to see His Royal Highness Cai Wang, the villain waits to see and don't know Taishan, I don't know His Highness is here in person, and if you are rude, His Highness Wanwang will forgive you."
"It's no crime if you don't know. The Chen Ji Office please hurry up." Yang Zhiji smiled and helped Chen Yingliang and the others one by one, and looked at the neatly lined up army team behind Chen Yingliang, and praised: "Serve the country Army, as expected, is well-deserved of its reputation. I heard that Chen Jishi led an army of less than 1,000 soldiers to raid the rebel camp, burn down the food and grass of the rebels, and then calmly killed tens of thousands of rebels. I suspected that the rumors were fraudulent. Today Seeing the well-organized and brave soldiers of the Baoguo Army, I finally know that the rumors are true."
Chen Yingliang hurriedly pretended to be modest, while Yang Zhiji smiled and praised Chen Yingliang, and then pulled Chen Yingliang to the people behind him, and introduced the identities of the followers behind him one by one. It was also at this time that Chen Yingliang was surprised to learn that In addition to Yang Zhiji who came to Hangu Pass to greet him in person, the diminutive Hongnong County Magistrate Zu Junyan, Taolin County Magistrate Wang Fujun, and the very young Shan County Magistrate Yao Yi also came to Hangu Pass to greet him.
This time it’s not over yet. When introducing Yao Yi, the county magistrate of Shan County, Yang Zhiji added intentionally or unintentionally, “Chen Jishi, this county magistrate Yao has a similar experience to yours. Just like you, the county magistrate of Yao, who was only 18 years old at the time, resolutely organized the local soldiers to kill the bandits and put down the rebellion, and finally wiped out the rebellion in Shan County, and was named the county magistrate of Shan County on the spot. You two young men Heroes meet today, but they need to be more affectionate."
Yao Yi (Yao Chong's father)'s name Chen Yingliang has heard of it, and Chen Yingliang can hear Yang Zhiji's overtones—encouraging himself to continue working hard for the old Yang family, so Chen Yingliang hastened to get close to Yao Yila in a hypocritical manner, hypocritically. . Fortunately, Yao Yi didn't put on airs of the magistrate in front of Chen Yingliang, who was likely to be promoted soon, and even took Chen Yingliang's hand and said affectionately: "Brother Yingliang, your illustrious military exploits, brother Yu, are as loud as thunder even if you are far away in Shan County. I hate to miss it, but this time Fan Liushou sent you to reinforce Hongnong. It’s really great. Shanxian County and Hongnong are close at hand. It’s okay if Yang Rebellion doesn’t come. If he dares to come, we two brothers will kill him alone .”
"Of course, of course." Chen Yingliang nodded again and again, then turned to Zu Junyan and Wang Fujun and asked: "Zu Xianzun, Wang Xianzun, dare I ask you, which one of you is most likely to be promoted in the near future?"
Zu Junyan and Wangfujun looked at each other, and then Wangfujun carefully asked: "What does Chen Jishi mean by this, why can't I understand?"
"It's very simple. Let me find out which of the two county lords is likely to be promoted in the near future, so you can rest assured that under the rule of that county lord, you can kill thieves and put down the rebellion." Chen Yingliang said with a smile: "When the time comes, the villain will be in the hands of Yao County lord." Just pick some credit, maybe when the emperor is happy, let the villain, like Yao Xianzun, take over the position vacated by you after being promoted."
Yang Zhiji and Zu Junyan laughed together, and then Yang Zhiji pulled Chen Yingliang up, and said with a smile: "Chen Jishi, don't stand here, please lead the army into the pass, and report that the soldiers of the national army will come for reinforcements, Xiao Wang I have prepared some light wine and light meals to reward all the soldiers, please hurry up and go to Guanzhong."
Leading the soldiers of the Patriotic Army into the Hangu Pass, which had been in disrepair for a long time, Yang Zhiji actually prepared wine and meat in the pass to reward the troops of the Patriotic Army who came from afar for reinforcements. In addition, it was necessary to prepare a table of wine and food alone for Chen Yingliang to clean up the dust. Chen Yingliang respectfully Thank you, and because of the good weather, Yang Zhiji ordered the food and wine to be moved up the wall. While admiring the scenery of Hangu, he drank and had fun on the wall covered with moss and grass. Naturally, Yao Yi, Zu Junyan and others went up to the wall to accompany them .
The blue sky and white clouds make people feel cheerful, and the gentle breeze makes people feel refreshed. Drinking and talking in such an environment is naturally a great pleasure in life. Naturally, Chen Yingliang also had a good chat with the amiable Yang Zhiji and others, but Yang Zhiji’s simple food and drink are not free Yes, after drinking for three rounds, Yang Zhiji, who always kept a friendly smile, took the initiative to turn the conversation to the topic, and said to Chen Yingliang: "Chen Jishi, there is one thing that Xiao Wang is very strange. The first-class elite troops in the garrison can be of great use, why didn't Fan Liushou let you take the Nationalist Army to reinforce Wei Shangshu who was stationed in Mianchi, but instead sent you to reinforce Hongnong City in the rear?"
Of course, Chen Yingliang couldn't say the real reason for this incident, but could only answer vaguely: "Reporting to Your Highness, the villain is only following orders, and the specific reason is not clear to the villain. It is expected that Fan Liushou is also for the sake of caution, and let the villain lead the country in advance. The army came to Hongnong just in case."
Who is Yang Zhiji? He is one of the most powerful think tanks in the Sui Dynasty. He is good at planning both the country and his life. Seeing Chen Yingliang's vague answer, he immediately guessed the general reason, and at the same time his heart sank, "Fan Zigai said to Wei Xuan So unconfident? Could it be that Hongnong really cannot avoid the flames of war?"
Yang Zhiji's city mansion didn't open his mouth after he guessed the reason, but his direct subordinate Hongnong County magistrate Zu Junyan was a straightforward character, and blurted out: "Ninety-nine percent is because Fan Liushou is worried that Wei Shangshu can't stop Yang's rebels from going west. That's why Chen Jishi sent the most elite team in Dongdu to Hongnong as a precaution. In this way, if Wei Shangshu is unfortunately defeated again, the Bao Guojun can immediately respond to him, and Hongnong can take advantage of the situation. Fortify the area and block Yang's rebel westward path again."
"I can't see that this dwarf Zu is really capable." Chen Yingliang glanced at Zu Junyan, who was less than 1.4 meters tall, and secretly praised him—of course, if Chen Yingliang's history could be better, knowing that Zu Junyan in history returned to Li Mi Chen Yingliang was definitely not the slightest bit surprised when he was a think tank.
"If this is the case, then we will be in big trouble." Yao Yi frowned and said, "There are no garrisons in the counties around Hongnong, and there are only more than 1,000 regular troops who must protect Changpingcang. Hongnong, Taolin and Shaanxi Adding up the three counties, we still can't get together four thousand township soldiers, with this amount of troops, it's impossible to stop the hundreds of thousands of Yang's rebels."
"It's a pity that we didn't pay much attention to this Hangu Pass after the founding of the Sui Dynasty." Zu Junyan stomped on the pass wall under his feet and sighed: "If we could repair this famous pass through the ages a few years ago, just relying on Hangu Pass, We have a good chance of stopping Yang Ni's rebels for a while."
"Lord Zu, repairs are useless." Yao Yi, who made his fortune in battle, took up the conversation and said, "It's no different from the Cao Wei period. At the end of the Han Dynasty, there was only one Shanxian County in this area, and only one official road was built to connect the east and the west. It is possible to block the enemy from east to west with only one Hangu Pass. But how many counties are there now? Bypassing the Hangu Pass and heading west directly, they can even outflank us and catch us in the urn!"
After hearing Yao Yi's analysis, Zu Junyan and Wang Fujun both sighed and worried about the imminent crisis - if Yang Xuangan's rebels crossed their county and entered the Guanzhong, with Emperor Sui Yang's ruthless temper, Zu Junyan would be worried. Both Jun Yan and Wang Fujun will definitely not be able to bear the end of walking around.
When several county magistrates were discussing the military situation and sighing, Chen Yingliang and Yang Zhiji did not speak, they were silently observing each other. The reason why Yang Zhiji silently observed Chen Yingliang was unknown, and the reason why Chen Yingliang watched Yang Zhiji was because Chen Yingliang knew that historically Yang Zhiji, the smiling tiger, used tricks to contain Yang Xuangan for three days, buying the most crucial three days for the main force of the Sui army to go west and destroy Yang Xuangan, so Chen Yingliang naturally wanted to see what Yang Zhiji's plan was now.
At this time, the three county magistrates had also noticed the movements of Yang Zhiji and Chen Yingliang, and they couldn't help but shut their mouths, looking at Chen Yingliang and Yang Zhiji who were staring at each other very curiously. After discovering that several county magistrates had calmed down and looked at themselves, both Chen Yingliang and Yang Jishan were a little embarrassed, and said in unison: "Your Highness (Chen Jishi), what advice does Your Highness (Chen Jishi) have on this matter?"
Before the words finished, both Chen Yingliang and Yang Zhiji had already laughed, and then Chen Yingliang cupped his hands to Yang Zhiji and said, "Your Highness, the villain is not a local native, and he is not familiar with geography and roads. I wonder if Your Highness has a map of the Hangu Pass area. For the villain's reference?"
Yang Zhiji didn't speak, but pouted at the entourage behind him, and the entourage immediately brought a roll of map and presented it to Chen Yingliang. Chen Yingliang opened it in surprise, and was even more surprised to find that the map turned out to be the mountains and rivers around Hangu Pass and Hongnong The geographical map not only depicts the roads and roads in this area in detail, but also marks the width of the roads, the size of the streams, and the height of the peaks in great detail.
Secretly alarmed by Yang Zhiji's plan for a rainy day, Chen Yingliang hurriedly looked at the map again and found that the roads in this area were indeed extremely complicated. There were no less than ten roads that could bypass Hangu Pass. The terrain in the area is already quite wide, and it is difficult to find favorable terrain suitable for deep trenches and high fortifications. Even if there are some narrow terrains, there are many paths that can be detoured and outflanked.
Under Yang Zhiji's smiling gaze, Chen Yingliang also knew that it was impossible not to make a fool of himself, especially when it was about whether Yang Zhiji would obey his advice, Chen Yingliang had to let Yang Zhiji trust him, so after a little calculation, Chen Yingliang said in a deep voice: "Cai Your Royal Highness, the villain thinks that if Wei Shangshu really can't stop Yang Rebel from advancing westward, we should proceed in two steps."
"These two steps?" Yang Zhiji asked with a smile.
"The first step is to bring Wei Shangshu's team back as much as possible to supplement our insufficient strength." Chen Yingliang replied in a deep voice: "The second step is to try to provoke or lure Yang Xuangan's rebels so that he gives up going west and attacks with all his strength." We temporarily give up marching troops to Guanzhong."
Yang Zhiji's smile froze on his face, and after a moment of silence, Yang Zhiji asked again: "Then how exactly?"
"The second step is to adapt to the situation. The villain can't make up his mind yet." Chen Yingliang replied: "But regarding the first step, the villain is just a small suggestion. You might as well ask His Royal Highness Cai Wang to order that Yao Xianzun organize the people immediately." Township soldiers, try to destroy all roads and roads in Hangu Pass except the official road."
"But these roads can't be completely destroyed?" Yang Zhiji asked again, pointing to the map and said: "For example, these roads, this one, this one, this one, are all in the valley, and they cannot be completely cut off. It cannot be submerged with water, at most it can only be temporarily blocked, but the rebels have enough manpower, and it will not take long to unblock it again, so what should I do?"
"There is no need to completely destroy it!" Chen Yingliang replied decisively: "It only needs to be temporarily blocked. In this way, it will be impossible for the rebels to quickly outflank and get behind us, and we will have enough time to respond to Wei Shangshu's attack. The team withdrew through Hangu Pass, and supplemented by some ambushes, could temporarily block Yang Rebel's westward advance, bought us precious time to reorganize the defense, and also allowed Wei Shangshu's team to gain breathing time and turn around. Fight again."
Yang Zhiji smiled again, and did not speak anymore. Chen Yingliang was a little terrified by Yang Zhiji's laughter, and asked cautiously: "Your Highness, could it be that the villain's suggestion is just a theory?"
"Chen Jishi, I don't know if you're talking on paper." Yao Yi smiled and said, "But I can tell you one thing. His Royal Highness Cai Wang ordered me to do this yesterday. After leading the soldiers and common people to block the road, until today's sunset at most, there is only this official road under our feet that can pass through Hangu Pass."
Chen Yingliang was taken aback again, and hurriedly cupped his hands to Yang Zhiji and said, "Your Highness has a great opinion, I never thought that a villain and a fool would think so much, but by chance, they could coincide with His Highness's arrangement."
"Chen Jishi doesn't have to be modest." Yang Zhiji said with a smile: "Xiao Wang thought hard to come up with this idea, but Chen Jishi thought of this idea in a moment. He really is a young hero. Xiao Wang can get Chen Jishi's help. Guanzhong can be safe and secure.”