Let’s go back and look at the situation on the main side of the Sui army. After the battle in Luokoucang was quickly ended, a small number of troops were left to continue to clean up the Luokoucang battlefield. The main force of Zuo Yiwei led by Yu Wenshu and Qu Tutong led The main force of You Wuhou and the main force of You Yiwei led by Lai Huer immediately withdrew from Luokou warehouse and headed westward to Luoyang, the eastern capital of the Sui Dynasty.
The elite is the elite, returning to the division quickly for thousands of miles, hardly resting, and just fought a tough battle, the three main forces of the Sui army still rushed back to the city of Dongdu before sunset on time, at Anximen After camping outside to rest for the night, Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi had already prepared all the military supplies for the main force of the Sui army, such as wine, food, food, and grass, and went to the camp of the main force of the Sui army together, and arranged a banquet to thank Yu Wenshu and others in person. The grace of thousands of miles back to help.
The so-called gratitude is actually just nonsense, even if the officials of Dongdu don't thank Yu Wenshu and others, next time Dongdu is in danger again, as long as there is the order of Emperor Sui Yang, Yu Wenshu and others will have to send troops to rescue again. After the formalities were over, Fan Zigai immediately asked Yu Wenshu and the others: "General Yuwen, the army is on fire, can your army immediately send troops westward tomorrow to pursue the main force of the rebels?"
"Of course we will go west tomorrow to pursue it. This is what I discussed with General Lai and General Qu." Yu Wenshu's answer made Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi slightly relieved, and then Yu Wenshu added: "But We have also said beforehand that the troops of Zuo Yiwei and You Wuhou are too exhausted, and they have to preserve their strength to fight, and it will take at least three days to reach Hongnong."
"Three days later?" Fan Zigai was stunned for a moment, and asked, "General Yuwen, can't you hurry up?"
"Fan Liushou is already the fastest." Yu Wenshu replied: "From Luoyang to Hongnong, it is more than 310 miles, and the terrain is narrow and the cavalry cannot move. It took three days to arrive at Hongnong. It’s such a long distance from Liaodong to Luoyang, and there’s almost no rest, if it weren’t for the first-line elite team we brought back, I really wouldn’t dare to give you this guarantee.”
Considering that Yu Wenshu, Qu Tutong and Lai Huer's team were really exhausted, Fan Zigai could only nod his head no matter how anxious he was, and said: "Then please ask the generals, it's not that the old man is harsh on the soldiers, it's really The army is on fire, and I hope that the generals will understand the righteousness of the soldiers of the three guards, which shows that the relationship is strong, and ask them to arrive at the Hongnong battlefield in three days for reinforcements."
Knowing the urgency of the situation, Yu Wenshu, Qu Tutong and the others all agreed, and then Lai Nuer asked in confusion: "Why does Fan Liushou care so much about our arrival time in Hongnong? Could it be that the military situation ahead has changed?"
"Mr. Rongguo predicts things like a god, that's true." Fan Zigai replied with a wry smile: "More than an hour ago, Yao Yi, the county magistrate of Shan County, sent someone from the Yellow River waterway to send news. The soldiers cooperated with Chen Yingliang, the garrison of our eastern capital, and succeeded in ambushing the rebel team east of Hangu Pass. They rescued Wei Xuanwei, who was chased and killed by the rebels for hundreds of miles, and stayed behind. More than a hundred people."
"Is this a good thing?" Lai Hu'er was even more confused, and said: "A group of local soldiers cooperated with seven hundred military guards to kill more than six hundred enemies. "
"Of course the old man is satisfied, but Rong Guogong, please listen to the old man." Fan Zigai sighed, and then said: "After the war, Liu Changgong's department in the eastern capital, which protected Wei Wensheng and retreated to Hangu Pass, quickly withdrew to the Hangu Pass. After leaving the Changping warehouse to rest, the main force of the rebels retreated for a few miles to rest. Originally, everything was under our control, but no one thought that the next afternoon, some people in Shan County reported to Yao Yi again, saying that It was in the early hours of the morning that I saw the main force of the rebels slaughtering horses for food, and there were two other teams taking the north-south trails to Hongnong."
"In addition, the people of Shan County also saw with their own eyes that these rebel troops who took the trail to march carried not only a few war horses, but also roasted horse meat. Yao county magistrate suspected that something was wrong, and because the rebels We couldn't contact our team that had already marched west, so we had to urgently report to Luoyang through the Yellow River waterway."
"Is there any roasted horse meat?" Yu Wenshu was a little puzzled, and said, "Yang's rebels had seized an important warehouse in Luokou before, and there was absolutely no shortage of military rations. How could they be willing to slaughter precious horses for food? There is a serious disconnect between the front and the back? Even if his rear army moves slowly, the soldiers can rush to send emergency food to the front army, so there is no need to slaughter the horses?"
Even traitors like Chen Yingliang and Yang Zhiji couldn't turn this corner for a while, and the stubborn Fan Zigai naturally couldn't answer this question, but Yao Yi's urgent report this time introduced it in great detail. Qu Tutong immediately blurted out: "Riding for time! Yang Xuangan's traitor is rushing for time! In order to allow the army to penetrate to the west of Hongnong, occupy a favorable terrain before the Youwuwei team, and be in an invincible position, he will do whatever it takes. kill horses for food!"
"It makes sense, if the team of traitors can penetrate in front of You Wuwei's team, they will indeed be invincible." Yu Wenshu agrees with Qu Tutong's judgment, and doubts: "But it's unlikely, right? The rebel team has chased and killed hundreds of miles, it must be exhausted, and the small road is more difficult than the official road, the physical strength of the rebel team is ahead of You Wuwei's team?"
"Let the cavalry dismount and walk through, and they will have enough physical strength to penetrate!" Lai Hu'er suddenly said, and said firmly.
"Ah!" Everyone present was taken aback, and Fan Zigai screamed: "Oops! Why didn't the old man think of this? Oops, no, Liu Changgong's team is infantry, and marching for a hundred miles in a hurry must consume a lot of energy." It's huge, it can't outrun the rebel cavalry who have marched hundreds of miles on horseback!"
"If it weren't for the fact that the traitors slaughtered the horses, I wouldn't have thought of it." Lai Huer's face was a little gloomy, "Let the cavalry dismount and walk through, this sentence is simple to say, but when it comes to the critical moment, most people may not be able to turn this corner. There are experts in the team of thieves, Tongguan may be in danger."
The big tent of the Chinese Army, which was quite lively just now, fell silent. Whether it was the officials of the Eastern Capital or the fierce men of the Sui Army, all of them looked serious, worried, and kept silent. After a long time, Master Wei Shaoqing Yun Ding Xingyun, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly opened his mouth and shouted, "If Tongguan falls unfortunately, Liu Changgong and that Chen Yingliang will be blamed!"
All the Dongdu Wenwu and Sui Army generals present rolled their eyes. They looked at Yun Shaoqing with different expressions, but Yun Shaoqing was blushing and heartbeating, and said loudly: "The team of Liu Changgong and Chen Yingliang is the Fan Liushou faction." Go to reinforce the reinforcements of Wei Liushou and His Royal Highness Cai Wang. After they join forces, they are the only official army on the way for the rebels to march westward. , Give us the main force of the Sui Dynasty to buy time! If Tongguan falls, they should take the first responsibility! My lords and generals, what do you think?"
Chen Yingliang's distant uncle Pei Hongce rolled his eyes into white eyes. He knew that Yun Shaoqing, an old cunning man, was planning for a rainy day. He was preparing that if Tongguan fell and Yang Xuangan's rebels entered the pass, he would push all his sins to Liu Changgong. And Chen Yingliang, in this way, even if Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty pursued the responsibility of the three main forces of the Sui Army for their ineffective pursuit, Yun Shaoqing, who served as Yu Wenshu's deputy, could bear a lot of responsibility, or even no responsibility - because he was a civil servant after all.
Fortunately, both Qu Tutong and Lai Huer's characters are passable. Although Yu Wenshu is worse than them, but after all, it has not been confirmed that Tongguan has fallen, so Yu Wenshu is not as eager to shirk responsibility as Yun Shaoqing , then said: "Yun Shaoqing, there is no need to rush to make a conclusion. It has not been confirmed that the Yang Rebellion has successfully interspersed. Counting the distance, the Yang Xuangan rebel has only arrived in the Hongnong area today. Tongguan is still safe. After confirming the next step, we will discuss who is responsible."
"What the general said is very true." Yunda Shaoqing nodded quickly, and said plausibly: "The general is still thinking carefully. At present, we have not confirmed that the rebels have successfully interspersed. Tongguan is relatively safe for the time being. We don't need to rush. Hold Liu Changgong and that Chen Yingliang accountable. I hope they will not disappoint His Majesty the Emperor, nor the General. If they dare to fail the expectations of His Majesty the Emperor and General Yuwen, I, Yun Dingxing, will be the first to impeach them !"
No one paid any attention to Yun Da Shaoqing's words, and with their own concerns, the reward banquet naturally ended in a hurry. After it was agreed that Chenshizheng would send troops to the west, Fan Zigai, Huangfu Wuyi and other civil and military officials from the eastern capitals would return. So he took his leave and left the tent of the Chinese army, leaving Yunda Shaoqing in the tent to continue to chatter about Liu Changgong and Chen Yingliang, and to plan ahead and put all the shit that Tongguan lost on the head of the unlucky General Liu and Chen Xiaozheng. superior.
After leaving the camp of the Sui Army, Fan Zigai called Pei Hongce to his side on the way back to the imperial city of the eastern capital. Go after Yu Wenshu and the others, if Tongguan is really lost, you must first save Chen Yingliang, don't let them kill you, chop off your nephew and put all the blame on him, let's have a dead man!"
"Fan Liushou, can't you? General Yuwen and the others, it shouldn't be like this?" Pei Hongce was a little dumbfounded.
"Lai Hu'er and Qu Tutong may not be able to do such a thing, but Yu Wenshu and Yun Dingxing will definitely be able to do it!" Fan Zigai said coldly, "Especially Yun Dingxing! Don't forget, this is shameless." In order to get promoted and get rich, he once encouraged His Majesty the Emperor to kill someone!"
Pei Hongce trembled, nodded his head quickly, and sang his promise softly. Fan Zigai warned again: "Remember, you must keep Chen Yingliang's head! As long as he survives, the old man and Huangfu Wuyi will come forward to intercede for him. You Then ask your two clan brothers to come forward and say something nice to His Majesty, and Chen Yingliang's little head can be saved! Although this little bastard is slippery and hateful, I don't want him to die!"
"Xie Fan stayed behind for your care for my nephew, and I'll thank you for my nephew first." Pei Hongce cupped his hands slightly to Fan Zigai, and said in a low voice, "Then what about Liu Changgong? Do you also try your best to keep it?"
"It doesn't matter to him, he's just a piece of trash anyway, so let's die." Fan Zigai said casually: "If Yu Wenshu and the others insist on finding a scapegoat to shirk their responsibility, Liu Changgong would be a good scapegoat, and I will also be your nephew by the way." Scapegoat." (Liu Changgong: ....)
…
The night passed quickly, and at the dawn of the next day, when the sun had just risen, the three major main forces of the well-trained Sui army had assembled and were ready to set off to the west. Fan Zigai, Huangfu Wuyi and other eastern capitals surrounded the King of Yue Yang Tong personally went out of the city to see off the main force of the Sui army, and Pei Hongce also led a symbolic 1,000 troops out of the city, preparing to join the main force of the Sui army and jointly go to Weihan Road to pursue the main force of the rebel army.
Encouraged by Yun Dingxing, Yu Wenshu, who had made up his mind long ago, of course did not want Pei Hongce to go after him to get in the way, but Fan Zigai, who was also treacherous and cunning, brought out the little big Buddha, King Yang Yu of Yue, and asked Yang Tong to come forward No matter how unwilling Yu Wenshu was to arrange for Pei Hongce to lead the army to pursue him, he would not dare to refuse in person—not at all, but he really couldn't bear this face. In desperation, Yu Wenshu could only bow his hands and say: "I would like to abide by His Highness's order, please rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely try my best to join hands with Li Guogong to kill the enemy, and strive to kill Yang Xuangan's traitor in Xiaohan Dao."
Yang Tong smiled at Yuwen Shubaozhi taught by court etiquette, but Yunda Shaoqing curled his lips quietly beside him, contemptuously contemptuous of Yue Wang Yang Tong's despicable behavior - the three main forces of the Sui Army can easily crush any one of them The mob under Yang Xuangan's command didn't need You Wuwei's garbage army to help them at all. Yang Tong insisted on sending Pei Hongce to lead the army, clearly because he wanted to take advantage and share the credit.
The matter of Pei Hongce's accompanying expedition was finalized. Just as the three famous generals of the Sui Army were about to order the whole army to set off, a fast horse suddenly rushed up on the official road due north of Anximen. Flying a small red flag representing the 100,000 Urgent Army Intelligence Pond Newspaper, Fan Zigai hurriedly raised his mouth to the civil and military people in Dongdu when he saw it. He asked about the origin of the postmen, and then flew back to Fan Zigai, Yang Tong and others, and presented the report to the pond, saying: "I report to His Royal Highness the King of Yue, and I report to Fan to stay behind. , There is a new development in the Hongnong battlefield."
It was related to the military situation. Yu Wenshu, Lai Huer and others who were already preparing to set off naturally did not give orders for the time being, waiting to learn about the new changes in the war situation. Fan Zigai did not dare to neglect, so he quickly took the pond newspaper with chicken feathers on it and opened it After only a few glances in a hurry, Old Fan's stubborn face became extremely ugly. Huangfu Wuyi who was next to him knew something was wrong, and hurriedly asked, "Fan stayed behind, what happened?"
"Your Majesty, the township sent an urgent report through the waterway. The rebel forces were divided into north and south. They all passed the team of Youwuwei in the eastern capital and seized the favorable terrain west of Hongnong." Fan Zigai's face was gloomy. He replied: "Your Majesty Wangfu also said that two days ago, the soldiers from Taolin found out that the rebels were passing through the old road of Qinguan. Your Majesty Wangfu tried to contact our team of Youwuwei to call the police, but because the rebels blocked the way, there was no way. I was able to send the news to Liu Changgong and the others in time, and missed the opportunity to intercept it."
Hearing Fan Zigai's words, all the civil and military officials present with a little bit of military savvy all changed their expressions. The three old Qiu Ba, Yu Wenshu, Lai Huer and Qu Tutong, even had so gloomy expressions that they could wring out water. Because they knew that before the Sui Army team caught up with the main force of the rebel army, the main force of the rebel army would have at least three days to attack Tongguan! And even more!
"Liu Changgong and the others are a step late?" Huangfu Wuyi swallowed, and asked dryly, "Is there any news about Hongnong?"
"No." Fan Zigai shook his head, "Either Liu Changgong, Wei Xuan, or His Royal Highness Cai have not contacted Wang Fujun, and Hongnong is far away from the Yellow River. There was no message back."
Huangfu Wuyi's complexion became more and more ugly, but our Young Master Yun suddenly jumped three feet high and shouted loudly: "His Royal Highness, Fan Liushou, General Huangfu, this has nothing to do with you! The Peasant Pai went to the reinforcements to fulfill your responsibilities. It was Liu Changgong and that Chen Yingliang who were negligent and incompetent, and failed to complete the mission you assigned. This made the rebels succeed in interspersing and Tongguan fell. It is all their fault! Your Highness should issue a grand decree to behead Liu Changgong and Chen Yingliang on the spot, and teach the three armies to rectify the law of the army!"
"His Royal Highness, Fan Liushou, Yun Shaoqing is justified." Yu Wenshu, who was worried about being implicated, also took the opportunity to say: "You have all seen that the teams of Zuo Yiwei and You Wuhou are doing their best, and the speed is too fast. No matter how quickly, it is Liu Changgong and that boy Chen Yingliang who are incompetent, which led to the emergency situation in Tongguan, and the crime cannot be forgiven. If His Majesty pursues the crime, these two people should be beheaded."
Fan Zigai, Huangfu Wuyi and others looked even more ugly, knowing that Yu Wenshu and Yun Da Shaoqing were looking for a scapegoat to take the blame, but they couldn't excuse Liu Changgong and Chen Yingliang and dared not excuse them—because Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi It is also necessary to find a scapegoat for Youwuwei's unfavorable battle and the fall of Tongguan, otherwise they will have to bear the blame. After hesitating for a while, Fan Zigai turned to Yang Tong and cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, Liu Changgong was ordered to reinforce Wei Shangshu to prevent the rebels from going west, but the ineffectiveness of the battle caused Tongguan to be in an emergency. Your Highness, please issue a decree to Li Guogong. If Tongguan is really unlucky After the fall, Duke Li took the decree and beheaded Liu Changgong to enforce the French law."
"Fan Liushou, General Liu has worked hard to defend the city of Luoyang this time..." Yang Tong rarely listened to Fan Zigai once, and said hesitantly, "Would it be too much for him to be blamed for the fall of Tongguan alone?" Pass?"
Hearing this, Young Master Yun immediately misunderstood Yang Tong's meaning, and said that Yang Tong was concerned about Liu Changgong's family background and official position and didn't want Liu Changgong to take the biggest scapegoat, so he rushed to say: "Your Highness said very well, General Liu He worked so hard in the defense of Luoyang, so he can't be blamed on him alone, he should be given a chance to make meritorious deeds and atone for his sins! The key is that Chen Yingliang, the kid who was the culprit for the fall of Tongguan, was ordered to help defend Hongnong but let the traitors intersperse If he succeeds, if he is negligent in his duties and neglects military affairs, he should be beheaded and questioned! No! This kid should be hacked into pieces and put to death!"
"This old man is shameless, he bullies the weak and fears the strong!" No matter how good-tempered Pei Hongce is, he became angry and said angrily, "Yun Shaoqing, put all the blame on a small office official, if you can bear it, His Majesty the Emperor will believe it." Is it? The fall of Tongguan is the first responsibility of a small official in the Zanzhi Mansion in Henan!"
"Li Guogong, what you said is wrong." Yun Da Shaoqing said tit for tat: "What is shirking responsibility? Unfortunately, Tongguan fell, and the rebels broke into Guanzhong. Don't you need to hold the Youwuwei army accountable for their dereliction of duty? His Royal Highness As I said just now, General Liu Changgong has done a lot of hard work. Does Li Guogong feel that His Royal Highness Yue Wang is wrong and wants General Liu to bear the blame for the fall of Tongguan? General Liu is the tiger general of Youwuwei. Whether the soldiers of Youwuwei will agree, Feng Yi and Liu will agree!"
"Then you...!" In a fit of rage, Pei Hongce almost said everything he wanted Chen Yingliang to blame and had to see whether Wenxi's family would agree or not. Fortunately, Pei Hongce's palace was good and he swallowed his words in time. That's why the debate was not further expanded to the point of family struggle.
"Mr. Li, I also know that Chen Yingliang is your distant nephew." Young Master Yun said slowly, "But the laws of the country are ruthless. Mr. Li had better consider the pros and cons. You must protect your nephew, Mr. Pei." There… ."
"Urgent military situation! Urgent military situation!"
A sudden roar interrupted the argument between Yunda Shaoqing and Pei Hongce. Everyone who was thinking about it turned their heads to look, but saw another man with a red flag on his back galloping from the north direction before. The postman yelled from a distance, "Urgent military situation! It's urgent! It's urgent!"
Hearing this shout, Zu Weicheng, the servant of the Ministry of War, of course hurried up to receive the Tang newspaper, but Fan Zigai, Yu Wenshu and others were all shocked, and they thought together: "Why is there an urgent military situation? Could it be Tongguan?" Already lost? It can’t be so fast, right? Or, the defenders of Tongguan have already surrendered directly to the rebel forward?”
"It's over! Tongguan must have been lost!" Yunda Shaoqing slapped his forehead and cried out, "Your Majesty, my ministers are incompetent. We have tried our best. However, the friendly army is not strong enough to let Yang The rebels rushed into Tongguan first, the humble ministers are guilty!"
When Yun Da Shaoqing howled up to the sky, Zu Weicheng had already rushed back to Fan Zigai and presented the pond newspaper, before he could speak, the anxious Fan Zigai had already snatched the pond newspaper and quickly opened it, tearing the seal in a hurry At that time, Fan Zigai's wrinkled veteran hands were already trembling slightly. But after opening the pond newspaper and taking a closer look, Fan Zigai's cloudy old eyes almost popped out of their sockets, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and when he took a closer look, Fan Zigai suddenly blurted out …
"Old man, aren't you dreaming?!"
"Fan Liushou, what happened again?" Huangfu Wuyi, Lai Huer and others asked in shock.
"Chen Yingliang, that boy Chen Yingliang." Fan Zigai replied in a daze, "Yesterday morning, Chen Yingliang led about 4,000 remnants of the military guards to defeat the main force of the 50,000 rebels in Hongnong University, together with the 700 nationalist soldiers under his command. They also captured Yang Xuangan alive, as well as Li Zixiong, the former Youwuhou general."
It was extremely quiet, and all the civil and military officials of the Great Sui Dynasty were dumbfounded, and then the pot exploded all at once, and they yelled together: "What? An army of less than 5,000 is still defeated by the left and right Wuwei. Wan traitor?! Also caught Yang Xuangan and Li Zixiong?! Is it true?!"
"Fan Liushou, whose pond newspaper is this?!" After being stunned, Yun Da Shaoqing howled like a pig, "Really? Defeated 50,000 traitors with 5,000 defeated troops, and captured Yang Xuangan and Li Zixiong? Was this pond newspaper written by that bastard bastard? Isn’t that too exaggerated?”
"The bastard bastard who wrote this pond newspaper is His Royal Highness Cai Wang Yang Zhiji." Fan Zigai, who had been feeling angry for a long time, held up the pond newspaper and said coldly: "If you don't believe Yun Shaoqing, you can take it and read it." Look, His Royal Highness Cai Wang also asked us to enter the army as soon as possible without worry, and completely wipe out the remnants of the rebels who have not yet escaped from Xiaohan Road."
Yun Da Shaoqing was dumbfounded again, and after a long time, Yun Da Shaoqing suddenly grabbed Pei Hongce's hand, shaking and excitedly said: "Li Guogong, your nephew is really a pillar of talent! A pillar of talent! Can the Sui court have Li Guogong, your uncles and nephews are ministers, it is the great fortune of the Sui Dynasty! The emperor’s blessing! It is also the greatest blessing in the life of a subordinate official to be a minister with Li Guogong, your uncles and nephews! Long live the Sui Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Eastern Capital! Long live left and right Wuwei!"
"You're shameless." Pei Hongce murmured in his heart, but his mouth kept being humble, as if he had forgotten the unpleasant argument just like Yun Da Shaoqing—Pei Hongce, who had a strong backer, was not afraid of Yun Da Shaoqing, but just didn't want to be with Yun Da Shaoqing It's just a complete tear of face—as the father-in-law of the deposed prince Yang Yong, Yun Dingxing Xingyun Da Shaoqing once personally urged Emperor Sui Yang to kill his three grandchildren in order to get promoted and get rich! For such a ruthless and shameless character, Pei Hongce, a veteran of official circles, of course had better not offend him if he could.
"Li Guogong, stop talking nonsense, let your nephew join me in Zuo Yiwei, I will not treat him badly!" Yu Wenshu patted Pei Hongce on the shoulder.
"General Yuwen, you have enough brave generals in Zuo Yiwei, and nephew Ying Liang should join my right Yiwei, which will be more useful!" Lai Huer patted Pei Hongce's other shoulder.
"No." Qu Tutong tugged on Pei Hongce's sleeve, and said, "Nephew Ying Liang caught the biggest rebellion of my Youwuhou with his own hands, which proves that he has a predestined relationship with my Youwuhou, so he should be allowed to join Youwuhou." right!"
"Old Qu, don't talk nonsense! Cough cough, Chen Yingliang has been fighting side by side with my You Wuwei, and all the troops he leads are soldiers selected from my right Wuwei's team. Except for You Wuwei, he can't go there!"