Wow! Wow!——

The long oars cut through the thin ice on the canal, pushing the ship forward quickly. Li Jingda stood on the bow of the ship facing the wind, looking at both sides of the river bank from time to time, "Let the ship go slower, be sure to wait for the waves on both sides of the river.

Scout confirms it's safe."

Li Jingda was worthy of being a veteran in battle. Although he had more defeats than victory, he was still experienced. As soon as the ship entered the canal, he placed a large number of scouts on both sides of the canal to follow the fleet forward and prevent Xu Xian from entering an ambush circle.

"Uncle, are there any enemies?"

When he heard someone asking, Li Jingda quickly turned around and saw Li Yu standing behind him wrapped in a thick cloak. He immediately replied: "Your Majesty, there is no enemy situation so far. The terrain on both sides of the river is flat, and there are no hidden troops at all."

place."

Li Yu nodded and said: "Maybe Xu Xian is afraid and hiding in Yangzhou City waiting for me to attack!"

Li Jingda nodded and said: "Xu Xian has the power to occupy the city, so there is no reason why he should not use it."

Li Yu said: "The city of Yangzhou is high and the pond is deep. It will take some effort to fight."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The northerners are not good at defending the city. Yangzhou is a weak point in the defense layout of our old capital. I know it very well. As long as it takes some time, we will surely capture it."

"I can trust my uncle! Well, if we can regain Huainan, all of my uncle's sons will be crowned kings."

Li Jing had no choice but to seal his son. Before he could thank him, a soldier on the warship in front shouted: "Commander, traces of enemy troops have been found on the canal!"

"Xu Xian dares to fight with someone on the water, so let him have a taste of my power!" Li Jingda said and went to the roof of the cabin.

Because he was traveling against the wind, the sails of the warship ahead had been furled, and the ship he was on was taller, so he had an unobstructed view of the river ahead.

Looking ahead, the river is full of snow-white sails. The north wind blows the sails bulging, pushing the sampan boats one after another.

Li Yu couldn't help laughing when he saw this and said: "Are these small sampans the only ones left in the Huainan Navy? Order the army to rush up quickly and knock them all over!"

Li Jing stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, don't be impatient. I think there must be something strange."

"What other tricks can Xu Xian do on the water?"

"Xu Xian is not stupid enough to do such a useless thing. There must be a conspiracy! Pass the commander's order to slow down the ship and shoot the enemy ship with a crossbow as soon as it gets close!"

Before the Tang army's crossbows could be fired, the boats also slowed down a mile away. The soldiers on the boat threw a torch onto the sampan and jumped onto the boat next to it. Without one person, the boat moved faster

, rushing towards the Tang army's fleet with fire and black smoke.

When he saw the fire, Li Jingda's scalp immediately exploded, and he loudly ordered: "There are several large ships in front of the river. Don't let one fire ship come over. The other ships will turn around and return immediately."

But his order was too late. Before the ships in front could pass across the hull, the fire ship riding the wind had already arrived, and like a pack of wolves, it rushed into the Tang army's fleet. The soldiers of the Tang army quickly picked up the bamboo poles and held them open.

Those small boats coming over.

Although the firewood on the boat was burning brightly, it could not do anything to them for a while. It was just that the people could not open their eyes due to the smoke. Some soldiers also carried river water with buckets and poured it on the fire boat, or used bamboo poles to knock the ignition head.

.

Bang, bang... bang! There was a crisp sound, as if a wine jar had been smashed, and the fire that was about to go out suddenly sprang up. With a loud bang, the boat immediately fell apart.

But there were blazing flames on the surrounding water, and the wet hull was actually burning. Fire rain and water spray fell from the sky, and wherever it fell, there was a ball of flames. Even the cold and hard armor was burning, and the body was on fire.

The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty screamed and jumped into the water, while the other soldiers looked at what was happening in front of them with their mouths open.

Even if they did nothing, those fireships still exploded one after another. In an instant, the entire river was engulfed in flames and black smoke billowing. Their ears were filled with heart-wrenching screams and splashes of people falling into the water.

Voice.

Li Jingdatong hurriedly pulled Li Yu down from the roof of the warehouse, stuffed Li Yu into the cabin without hesitation, and then ordered loudly at the top of his voice: "Turn around quickly! Turn around quickly!"

The canal is barely a hundred steps wide and there are many warships. How can it be so easy to turn around? Fortunately, Li Yu's ship is big enough and has enough sailors. He can forcefully turn in a circle on the narrow water and follow it along.

The river rushed back at that time, and did not hesitate to collide with its own ships when they encountered them.

But before they had gone far, they heard loud noises in front of them, and it seemed that the entire river was shaking. Li Jing continued to let the flagship rush forward, while sending people to investigate, and soon the scouts came with the news, "Commander, from the front.

More than ten large ships came from nowhere and sank after a loud noise, blocking the way back!"

When Li Jingda heard this, he couldn't help but stumbled and leaned on the cabin board. There was a fire ship on one side and a sunken ship on the other, making it impossible for him to move forward or retreat. Many ships were also destroyed.

Just when he was at a loss what to do, Li Yu came out of the cabin again and asked anxiously: "Uncle, what's going on now? Why don't you leave?"

Li Jingda sighed and said: "The front and rear roads have been blocked, and the army is unable to advance or retreat!"

"Then...then what should we do!"

"Your Majesty, don't be alarmed. I will ensure your Majesty's safe return to Jinling!" Li Jingda turned around and ordered: "Instruct Zhu Jun to lead the elite Shenwu Army to disembark on the east coast to open a landing point for Your Majesty!"

The Tang army's fleet only suffered a few losses at the head and tail. 90% of the ships were intact but some were messed up. Li Jingda's order was passed on, and many warships rushed to the east bank. There was no pier for them to dock and they could only stay on the shore.

Stranded on the side, many soldiers jumped out of the boat like dumplings, waded ashore in the cold river, and then quickly formed formations to guard against the Huainan Army that might attack at any time.

Li Yu stood on the side of the ship, stretched his neck and looked down and asked: "Zhu Jun, can you really catch me?"

A handsome silver-armored general stood in the water with his arms spread out and replied: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will never let a drop of water get on your Majesty's clothes!"

Queen Zhou advised on the side: "Your Majesty, jump quickly, don't wait for the enemy to come up!"

Li Yu nodded when he heard the words, closed his eyes and jumped down. Before he fell into the water, the silver-armored general had already picked him up in his arms and carried him ashore. He turned back and said to Empress Zhou on the boat: "Please forgive me."

I'm so rude!"

But Zhou Hou turned around and looked at Xu Kerjian beside her and said: "Father-in-law, you jump first!"

Xu Kejian sighed and said: "Your Highness, don't worry about the old slave at this time. The old slave is just a eunuch. It's useless for them to kill me. What's more, I am already nearly 70 years old and have already had enough!"

As he spoke, he pushed Queen Zhou, who screamed and fell out of the boat. General Shinjia took advantage of the situation and held Queen Zhou in his arms and walked a few steps ashore. Seeing that Li Yu was still there, he said, "Your Majesty, actually

Haven’t left yet!”

Li Yu said: "You haven't put down the queen yet!"

Only then did Zhu Jun wake up and quickly put down Zhou Hou, "I'm sorry!"

Li Jingda said: "How can I have so many worries at this time..."

He suddenly lay down on the ground and listened, "There are cavalry coming from the north. When they come, Zhu Jun, please protect His Majesty and leave quickly."

Li Yu heard this and said hurriedly: "Ruan Xiaoyu, hurry up and take me away!"

Zhu Jun carried the queen on his back and hurriedly fled southward along the canal.

Li Jingda quickly gathered the soldiers who had landed ashore and lined up to wait. Not long after, he saw a puff of smoke rushing towards them through the harvested rice fields, and in the distance he saw a large flag with the word "Xu" in it.

Xu Xian rode on his horse and looked at the Tang army arrayed on the edge of the canal. He knew that this was the army that had been cut off from the rear, and loudly ordered: "I will leave these nine treasures to you. Anyone who is willing to surrender will not be killed. I will go after Li Yu!"

Li Yu and his group didn't even have horses and didn't escape very far. The pursuers behind him were getting closer and closer, and the banner with the word "Xu" could be vaguely distinguished. He was frightened at the thought of being Xu Xian's prisoner again.

pole.

He kept patting Ruan Xiaoyu under him, "Faster! Faster!"

Ruan Xiaoyu was actually more desperate than he was. He was already panting from exhaustion and his legs were numb but he did not dare to stop. When the sound of horse hooves came from the west again, he was already prepared to die in battle.

Unexpectedly, Li Yu on his back shouted happily, "It's Lin Liushou who came to rescue me!"

Two to three thousand cavalrymen came galloping from the west, and they immediately protected Li Yu when they arrived.

Li Yu was overjoyed and said to the general: "Lin Liushou, your rescue was really timely!"

Lin Zhaoren shook his head with a grimace and said, "I came here to ask for help!"

Li Yu said in horror: "You also lost!"

"I am incompetent. Our army will collapse at the first touch. Your Majesty, it is better to mount your horse and escape for your life!"

Immediately, the soldiers were asked to give up some horses and carry Li Yu. Zhou Hou and several generals continued to flee south. Xu Xian was in hot pursuit. You chased me for seven or eight miles.

Lin Zhaoren looked back at Xu Xian, who was getting closer and closer, "We are not far from the river here, we must leave time to find the boat, and I will cut off the rear for Your Majesty!"

Li Yu said loudly: "Lin Liushou is the pillar of the country. Protecting me back across the river is the most important thing. Leave the rest to others! Let Zhu Jun go!"

He subconsciously looked to the side and realized that Queen Zhou was sitting on Zhu Jun's horse. He saw Queen Zhou riding in front of Zhu Jun, hugging the horse's neck and leaning on the horse's back. Their bodies rose and fell with the galloping of the horse.

Wow, that action looks so similar...

When Li Yu saw this, he couldn't help but said angrily: "Zhu Jun, what are you doing!"

Zhu Jun looked at Li Yu confused, "What did your Majesty say?"

At this moment when he was distracted, he failed to see clearly a slightly higher field in front of him. He only heard a horse neighing, and the two of them fell to the ground.

Li Yu was shocked when he saw this, "Queen! Protect the queen quickly!"

Just as he was about to rein in his horse, Lin Zhaoren grabbed his hand and said, "Your Majesty, are you going to give up your country for a woman?"

"But I can't live without the queen..."

"I asked others to rescue the queen. Lin Rong, you lead a thousand troops to rescue the queen and bring her back!"

Upon hearing this, a young general beside him took the order and immediately turned around with more than a thousand troops to rescue the Queen of Zhou.

Xu Lang, who was chasing closely behind, saw this and shouted loudly: "Father, you see that the leader of the Tang Kingdom has fallen from his horse!"

Xu Xian replied: "How are you sure that the person who fell from the horse is Li Yu?"

"Isn't this obvious? At this critical moment, someone came back to save me after falling off my horse. Who else could be there besides the leader of the Tang Kingdom? Does the father think that his son is wrong?"

Xu Xian nodded and said: "As a father, I deeply understand that. What are you doing in a daze? Why don't you quickly surround them and don't let him run away."
To be continued...