"What's the progress on the Khitan side?" Liu Chengyou turned his head and looked at Xiang Xun and asked.
Xiang Xun answered very succinctly: "There is no latest news from Hantong, but in the humble opinion of my duty, the crossing of the Liao Emperor's imperial camp will only take place in one or two days."
"It's much slower than I expected!" Liu Chengyou muttered.
Xiang Xun took the initiative to explain: "According to the spies' reports, the Khitan troops who returned to the country were a mixed bag of fish and dragons, with countless treasures. There were also officials from various bureaus in Jinyang and their families. The number was extremely large, plus all kinds of supplies and treasures were transported. Rather than saying that the Khitans were withdrawing their troops, it was better to say that it was a large-scale migration."
"What's more, they have to face constant harassment from the rebels, so how can they get up quickly..."
"Hmm..." He responded softly, and Liu Chengyou ordered: "Send someone to tell Han Tong to keep an eye on the Khitan people's movements. Just like the previous order, report them one day at a time."
After a pause, Liu Chengyou added: "Let him be careful!"
Sensing some concern in Liu Chengyou's tone, Xiang Xun couldn't help but comforted: "Your Highness, don't worry. Although Han Tong's command of troops is not flexible, but with Yang Ye's assistance, it is expected to be fine. You know Yang Ye's agility... .”
"Go ahead."
After Xiang Xun was ordered to leave, Liu Chengyou held the city wall with both hands and let out a heavy breath. The pressure was still a bit high.
Shaking his head, which seemed to have a refreshing effect, Liu Chengyou turned to Zhang Yanwei and directly ordered: "Send an order to the following armies to speed up. Only the first army is here, so I don't have enough confidence in my heart. The mountain road is rugged, so Sun Li , Murong Yanzhao will lead some people to repair the road for me and reduce obstacles. In addition, Lin Li, please be prepared to welcome us!"
"Yes!" When Liu Chengyou was serious, Zhang Yanwei did not dare to be careless and obeyed the order seriously.
After saying that, he looked at Ma Quanyi again: "The situation is urgent and there is no way to relax. You will have to work harder these days!"
"yes!"
A little later, Liu Chengyou received two pieces of news, one was good news and the other could be considered good news.
The first news was delivered by a young messenger, and Liu Chengyou was a little surprised.
"Have you ever heard of the name Luo Yanxuan?" Liu Chengyou put away the letter in the narrow county government hall and asked his surroundings in confusion.
Everyone on the left and right shook their heads, indicating that they didn't know. Zhang Yanwei took the initiative and responded: "He should be just an unknown person. Hearing that our army is here, he came to join him."
"This unknown person intends to give me a big gift!" Liu Chengyou's brows showed an unexpected joy, and he passed the letter around: "More than a thousand war horses, it's really eye-catching!"
As soon as Liu Chengyou said this, several ministers present showed expressions of surprise and surprise, and Zhang Yanwei even hurriedly accepted the letter.
"I will be called to the court later!" Taking advantage of this opportunity, Liu Chengyou gave instructions to the guards.
The letter came from a man named Luo Yanxuan, who claimed to be the commander of Shi Jin's Xingshun Army. He had no choice but to turn himself into a thief. This time, the Khitans retreated north, and he was sent to escort more than a thousand captured Jin troops. The war horses went to Nanjing (Youzhou). At this time, they happened to pass by Xiangzhou and heard that Wang Shi was coming east. He was not willing to be bullied by the barbarians again, so he was willing to offer his war horses to the east of the river to show his sincerity in following.
"This Luo Yanxuan, the Khitan people can entrust so many war horses to him for escort. It seems that he is very trusted by the Khitan people..." While waiting, Liu Chengyou said calmly.
Several people present also quickly browsed the letter, feeling both happy and skeptical.
"Your Highness, there can't be any fraud, right?" After hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Zhang Yanwei immediately agreed.
"What do you think?" Liu Chengyou asked Guo Rong.
Guo Rong thought for a while, but he held another view: "That's not entirely true. Thinking about Heyang's martial arts ethics, Luo Yanxuan made this decision, which can be regarded as knowing the time and doing things well. However, what is the specific situation? , I’ll have to ask people here to find out.”
After a while, the lean messenger was brought up. When he saw Liu Chengyou sitting in the main seat, he had to bow down and salute: "I pay my respects to His Highness, the prince!"
"Get up and answer!" Liu Chengyou said in a superior tone.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Tell me what happened during your trip, Commander Luo!"
"Yes!" This little messenger seemed to have a draft in mind, but probably because of nervousness, he stumbled a bit, but the meaning was expressed clearly: "My general, under the orders of Khitan General and Yelu Shuogu, from now on We set out from Tokyo and escorted the horses to Youzhou. However, the brothers had been oppressed by the Hu invaders and were unwilling to leave their hometowns. The general was even less willing to go to the northern region. He had long wanted to change his mind anyway. This time I heard that His Highness led the Hedong army to the east. , so lead the crowd to vote!"
What he said was not much different from what he said in the letter. After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou asked: "Where are you general now?"
"Back to Your Highness, I was sent here by the general when I was passing through Tangyin County. I really don't know where the general's brigade is now." The messenger replied looking very honest.
Liu Chengyou frowned subconsciously and glanced at Magistrate Lin Liu who was fortunate enough to be sitting below.
Facing Liu Chengyou's questioning gaze, the county magistrate did not react for a moment. He just reminded Xiang Xun in a low voice, and then suddenly and nervously replied: "Tangyin County is a hundred miles away in the southeast. If he wants to come and surrender, the brigade will respond." Go west along Tangshui River and then cross Huanshui River to the north..."
Listening to his description, Liu Chengyou had a general impression in his mind. At this time, Xiang Xun looked coldly and asked the messenger: "You are escorting the war horses north, and there are Khitan people to supervise the army. How to deal with them?"
"After my general made his decision, he summoned his brothers to kill all the accompanying Khitan officials to prevent the news from being leaked!" The messenger answered simply and honestly.
Being able to be sent as a messenger, this person is naturally a smart person, and he also saw the suspicion of Liu Chengyou and others. He gritted his teeth and kowtowed vigorously: "Your Highness, the general and we are sincere, and the sun and the moon can tell "The villain is not lying at all, please believe it. The general is short of manpower and escorting horses, so please send troops to support him as soon as possible."
Seeing that the visitor had a sincere expression and a sincere tone, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said comfortingly: "Don't worry, you are here sincerely. I will represent Hedong and sweep the bed to greet you. In this way, you have worked hard all the way to report the news." , rest in the city first, and then discuss the dispatch of troops with all the subordinates..."
After calming him down and sending someone to "protect" him, Liu Chengyou glanced around and asked directly: "How?"
"Look at his words and deeds, they don't seem to be fake!" Guo Rong said and gave some advice: "Send someone to investigate first, and then take action."
"That's it!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, and then murmured: "Why didn't Han Tong report this news?"
...
As for the second news that slightly surprised Liu Chengyou, it was that Liang Hui, the bandit commander from Cizhou in the north, gathered a group of thieves, organized a rebel army, and suddenly went south to occupy Anyang City. It felt like a daring bandit... ....
Without further ado, after it became dark, Han Tong sent people to report the news of the expedition to the south. The Khitan's northern marching force had stationed in Liyang and would head north soon. Incidentally, there was indeed a situation about Luo Yanxu's team.
