Jianling City is a large city in the northeast of Yanzhou. It is only more than 200 miles away from the Chixia Pass at the Yanzhou border, so it can be regarded as an important town closest to the border.
In the past, Jianling City had many merchants from various ethnic groups outside the customs coming in and out, and it was considered very lively and prosperous. Now that Gaoyu soldiers and horses are knocking on the city, the door that was always open in the past has long been closed.
The people in the city either fled the city early and headed to the southwest, or they hid in their homes and stayed at home.
The entire Jianling City was quiet except for the footsteps of patrolling soldiers and horses and the sound of armors and weapons rubbing against each other.
Jiang Yan was the deputy general under the Zhenguo Army. He had been fighting with the Qi people in the northwest. Last year, the Qi people were defeated and sued for peace, so he was transferred from Suzhou to Yanzhou to garrison.
However, Dasheng and Gao Yu were originally allies, and the Yanzhou border was naturally very peaceful, which allowed the Zhenguo Army, which had been fighting for many years, to rest for more than a year.
He was originally stationed to the west of Yanzhou. After all, 80% of the Yanzhou Army's troops were deployed to the east. Who would have thought that Wu Yi, the commander of the Yanzhou Army and the guard of Chixia Pass, surrendered to the enemy and not only sacrificed Chixia Pass, but also took the
The 30,000 soldiers and horses stationed at Chixia Pass also defected to the Gaoyu people.
After receiving the news, he came at lightning speed with 10,000 Zhenguo troops, and finally arrived before Jianling was destroyed.
When he led his troops to Jianling City yesterday afternoon, the Gaoyu people were attacking the city and were frightened back by his trick. But this move can never be repeated. Jiang Yan is good at attacking in the plains and not at defending the city. I don't know.
When will reinforcements arrive, and how long can they last?
"Marquis Yueyang." Jiang Yan climbed up the city tower and saluted the middle-aged man standing at the top of the city looking into the distance.
This man, in his mid-thirties, has a handsome appearance and is quite heroic.
He turned around and saw Jiang Yan, nodded with a smile on his face and said: "General Jiang traveled day and night to aid Jianling. You have worked hard all the way, why don't you take a good rest?"
Jiang Yan said: "Thank you, Mr. Hou, for your concern. I have already recovered after sleeping all night."
Jiang Yan arrived yesterday with his troops. As soon as the army entered the city, Heruomuti, who noticed something was wrong, turned around and killed them.
The Jianling defenders fought fiercely for more than two hours until late at night before the enemy retreated. Jiang Yan naturally led the Zhenguo army to help defend the city. They were really exhausted.
"That's good." Yueyang Hou Jiang Guanmu nodded.
The two of them stood on the tower and looked out into the distance, faintly able to see where the Gaoyu soldiers and horses were stationed.
Both of them looked and felt very heavy. He Ruomuti's 50,000 elite iron soldiers plus Wu Yi's 30,000 soldiers and horses, while the total number of soldiers and horses stationed in Jianling City was only 40,000.
Logically speaking, this troop strength is not a big problem compared to the city defense, but both of them knew that there was no comparison between Yanzhou's local garrison and Gaoyu's iron troops.
Before Wu Yi's treason and sacrifice, Xinting was defeated, and the Yanzhou army in Jianling City had already been demoralized and could barely hold on. Now the only thing that can really be used is the 10,000 nationalist troops brought by Jiang Yan.
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis. The imperial court must have received the news and will send a large army to support in the near future. We only need to hold on for a few days," Jiang Yan said.
Jiang Guanmu smiled, nodded and said: "What General Jiang said is true. I only hope that the imperial court can send troops to help as soon as possible. The mausoleum is the last barrier of Yanzhou. If the mausoleum is not built, you and I will have no shame in seeing the people of Dasheng again."
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent."
Jiang Yandao: "The national army in our town has always guarded the border for Dasheng, and the soldiers under our command are all experienced in hundreds of battles. Why can't we defend a mere city? If we really lose, we will also swear to live and die with Jianling City."
Jiang Guanmu looked at the general in front of him who was several years younger than him with some surprise, and couldn't help but smile: "He is worthy of being a general of the Zhenguo Army. His momentum alone is completely different from that of the Yanzhou Army." General Jiang said
What's more, if I can't defend Jianling, I can only live and die with Jianling."
"The Marquis is so complimentary. I am deeply impressed by the Marquis and the officers and soldiers of the Yanzhou Army who guard Yanzhou." Jiang Yan cupped his hands and said.
The two were talking when they saw several horses galloping towards them in the distance.
The defenders on the city tower immediately became alert. The horses gradually came closer, and the people on the city tower also saw clearly that the leader of those people was a Gaoyu man.
"General?" The soldier next to him bowed his head to ask for instructions.
As long as those people moved a little further, the distance would be enough for the archers to take their lives.
Jiang Guanmu was about to speak when he saw that the people outside the city had already reined in their reins. Next to the leading man was a man from the Central Plains. He looked up and said, "We are here to see you by order of Prince Gaoyu."
Marquis Yang, please grant me an audience."
Jiang Guanmu's eyes darkened and he said coldly: "The two armies are fighting. I and He Ruomuti have nothing to say. Nian'er and others are messengers. I will let you go back, but you have to retreat quickly!"
The man from the Central Plains lowered his head and said something to the man from Gaoyu. The two whispered to each other for a few more words, and then raised their heads again and said: "Marquis Yueyang, the eldest prince is sincerely negotiating with the Marquis. Why is the Marquis so unkind?
General Wu Yi is regarded as a guest by the eldest prince, so why should the general be stubborn?"
Jiang Guanmu sneered: "I have no interest in being a dog for the people of Gaoyu."
The middle-aged man's face darkened slightly when he heard this. Jiang Guanmu's words were obviously not only scolding Wu Yi, but also him.
But his expression changed, but he didn't have an attack. He still smiled and said: "General Wu Yi has a letter to give to the Marquis. The general and the Marquis were already close friends. Don't you miss the old friendship?"
Jiang Guanmu stopped answering, raised his hand to take the bow and arrow from the man next to him, opened the bow and nocked an arrow, and shot an arrow at the man.
The middle-aged man was so frightened that he hurriedly ran away and almost fell off his horse in panic.
"My Jiang family has been favored by the emperor, and Jiang Guanmu would rather die than become a surrender! Since Wu Yi has betrayed the country, there is no need to mention the friendship in the past! When we meet on the battlefield one day, we will only face each other in life or death!" Jiang Guanmu said sternly.
The leading Gaoyu man lowered his head and said a few words to the Central Plains man, then picked up a bow and arrow from his horse and pointed it at the tower.
Jiang Guanmu's eyes darkened slightly. Although he said he did not want to break the rules when the two armies were fighting, he did not want to break the rules, but if these people did not know how to show appreciation, don't blame him for being rude.
Just as he was about to give the order, he suddenly saw something tied to the Gaoyu man's arrow. The arrow was obviously not pointing at him or Jiang Yan beside him.
The feather arrow shot up from the city tower, passed by Jiang Guanmu, and was nailed to the flagpole not far behind him.
"Since Marquis Yueyang refuses to grant an audience, that's all. I'll take my leave." After saying this, the group immediately turned their horses and ran away into the distance like a Tathagata.
Looking at the feather arrows on the pillar, Jiang Guanmu and Jiang Yan looked at each other.
Jiang Guanmu stepped forward and took off the letter tied to the feather arrow and opened it. As expected, it was a letter of persuasion to surrender.
Jiang Guanmu sneered and handed the letter to Jiang Yan.
After reading it, Jiang Yan didn't care much and said, "The people of Gaoyu are full of tricks and evil intentions. Lord Hou, don't pay attention to them."
Jiang Guanmu sighed and said, "How could I not know? The Gaoyu people sent a letter persuading them to surrender at this time. It is not persuading them to surrender. They clearly want to sow discord."
Jiang Yan smiled and said: "Since you and I both know it, how can we let his scheme succeed?"
Jiang Guanmu smiled on his face, but in his heart he hated He Ruomuti and Wu Yi even more.
The Zhenguo Army had just arrived yesterday, and today the letter to persuade them to surrender came. The Gaoyu people did not want to persuade them to surrender, they just wanted to die themselves.
If there was a conflict between him and Jiang Yan at this time, the stationed Yanzhou Army and the newly arrived Zhenguo Army would definitely not be at peace. By then, the Gaoyu people's attack on the city would be more effective with half the effort.
This Wu Yi had just surrendered to the enemy a few days ago, but he really turned into a good dog.
Not far outside Jianling City, Gaoyu's army heard the envoy sent back to report, and Heruomuti waved his troops to retreat without any surprise.
"Jiang Guanmu really refused to see the people we sent. What does General Wu think?"
The middle-aged general sitting under He Ruomuti looks about forty-five or sixty, with a thin face and a short beard, and a faint hint of anger in his eyebrows. It was the traitorous surrender not long ago that allowed He Ruomuti to fight without a single blow.
Wu Yi, who captured the most powerful pass in the Northeast of Dasheng with one attack.
Wu Yi looked at the handsome foreign youth sitting on the main seat and said with a smile: "Jiang Guanmu has always been cautious, so he will definitely not meet the people sent by the eldest prince. The eldest prince does not need to worry about it. The most important thing to worry about right now is probably the reinforcements."
.”
He Ruomuti narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "At present, the Zhenguo army is dragged by my uncle in Liangzhou, and there is absolutely no way to support Yanzhou. The general believes that if there are reinforcements, where will they come from? And who will lead the troops.
?”
Wu Yidao: "The eldest prince, does he know that the regent has arrived in Qingzhou a few days ago? Qingzhou is not far from Yanzhou."
He Ruomuti looked at Wu Yi and said, "Even I, the king, only found out about Xie Yan's arrival in Qingzhou in the past two days. General Wu is well-informed, and I admire him."
Wu Yi shook his head and said: "Why is the eldest prince doing this? I said when the prince entered the customs, Gao Yu and I are not from the same family. The eldest prince has your own purpose, and I have my own reasons for being here."
He Ruomu mentioned: "General Wu is right, Xiao Wang just doesn't quite understand. General Wu is also a figure, and his future is limitless in his prime. Now he is abandoning everything to make this big gamble with the Cao family, and he is not afraid.
The gain outweighs the loss, is it all in vain to draw water from a bamboo basket?"
"Or is it true that for you Central Plains people, the power of becoming a dragon is so tempting?" He Ruomuti said this with a hint of joking.
Wu Yi glanced at him calmly and said, "The eldest prince doesn't need to understand."
He Ruomuti was not angry and nodded: "Forget it, don't mention it. General Wu, do you think we can break through Jianling before reinforcements arrive?"
Wu Yidao said: "Although Jianling is difficult to defend, Jiang Guanmu is not mediocre. Now that Jiang Yan has arrived with ten thousand Zhenguo troops, it may not be easy. The eldest prince had better send someone to intercept the reinforcements and help us attack the city.
Allow enough time."
He Ruomuti smiled and said: "Although Xiao Wang has dealt with the Zhenguo Army before, this is his first time as an opponent. He is also a little curious about who is more powerful between the Zhenguo Army and my Gaoyu Iron Guards. General, don't worry,
The king has sent troops and horses to intercept the reinforcements coming from the southwest. Within five days, the mausoleum will be destroyed!"
Wu Yi picked up the wine glass and said, "I just hope that the eldest prince will succeed soon."
Wu Yi put down his wine glass, looked at He Ruomu and said, "By the way, if the eldest prince wants to successfully win Yanzhou, it's best to be careful of one person."
Hearing this, He Ruomudi raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh? Xie Yan?"
Wu Yidao: "The regent is famous all over the world, why do I need to remind you?"
He Ruomuti became more and more interested and looked at Wu Yi and said: "In addition to Xie Yan and Luo Yun, who else can be called a rival in Dasheng now? Is it possible that Luo Yun and Xie Yan left Shangyong at the same time? Keep the little emperor here.
Yong, can Xie Yan rest assured?"
Wu Yidao: "She is Luo Yun's daughter, Luo Junyao."
"Luo Yun's daughter?" He Ruomuti was stunned, and instantly remembered the little girl he met in Shangyong last year.
He Ruomuti was a little surprised. The little girl was pretty good and somewhat smart. At least she was much better than his stupid cousin.
But is it worth letting Wu Yi warn him so solemnly?
Looking at his expression, Wu Yi knew what he was thinking. He shook his head and said: "The eldest prince must have met the regent princess. If you underestimate her because of this, I'm afraid you will suffer a big loss. The eldest prince may not know that this princess was there not long ago.
Something big happened to Marquis Wen Ding at sea."
He Ruomuti was very interested, "The big thing that ruined Cao Mian? I remember that girl was only seventeen or eighteen years old, how could she be so capable?"
Wu Yi sneered and said: "Not only is she so capable, she is also ruthless and has turned the Yingzhou Fang family upside down. If the eldest prince encounters her, he'd better be careful not to let her take his life."
"Thank you, General Wu, for reminding me. Xiao Wang will be careful," He Ruomu said.
After Wu Yi resigned, the smile on He Ruomuti's face gradually faded.
"Here comes someone." After thinking for a long time, He Ruomuti finally called for someone.
"The eldest prince." Soon someone came in and said respectfully.
He Ruomu asked: "Is there any new news coming from Shangyong and Qingzhou?"
The man said: "Back to the eldest prince, the news from Shangyong and Qingzhou is delivered every two days. The soonest will be tomorrow."
Heruomuti snorted lightly and said: "Send a message immediately and ask them to investigate the regent princess of Dasheng."
The man was a little confused when he heard this, "What does the eldest prince mean?"
Now is the time when the two countries are at war. The eldest prince does not want to investigate Dasheng's high-ranking officials and generals, but wants to investigate a princess. Is this consistent?
He Ruomuti sneered and said: "Wu Yi just told me some new news. I also want to know what the food in those rice buckets arranged in Shangyong is for!"
They had never received any news that the Princess Regent was unusual.
"My eldest prince, please forgive me. Our people in Shangyong also suffered a lot of losses last year. Perhaps there were some oversights."
He Ruomuti naturally also understood that during the civil strife in Dasheng at the end of last year, it was not just the people in the Dasheng court who were unlucky. Xie Yan also took the opportunity to clean up a lot of the meticulous informants of all parties, and even now they have not been able to completely
recover.
"What is the second brother doing?" He Ruomu asked.
"The second prince is still at Chixia Pass."
He Ruomuti suddenly chuckled, narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "Don't he think that I always let him stay behind and not be able to charge into the battle and make contributions? Go tell him and order him to lead his 20,000 troops to Pingshan Fort to intercept Dasheng.
Reinforcements.”
The man was startled, "Didn't the prince already send..."
He Ruomudi lowered his voice and whispered a few words to the person in front of him. The person looked at him with some confusion, but saw that the eldest prince had no intention of explaining, so he had to accept it.
