When He Ruoqiuti received the news sent by He Ruomuti, he immediately stood up from his chair, sent He Ruomuti's messenger, clapped the letter in his hand and told the people around him: "Pass the order, go ahead.
Set off in half an hour!"
The attendant standing next to him couldn't help but advise: "Second Prince, think twice."
He Ruoqiuti was a little displeased and said, "What's there to think about? My eldest brother captured Chixia Pass and the new pavilion in just a few days, and now he's besieging Jianling. On the other hand, we are guarding this poor place and following
What's the difference between going out to play? If I just go back like this, how can I have the nerve to see my father and queen?"
Chixia Pass was in their hands, the army was surrounding Jianling in front, and the small town of Xinting was sandwiched in between. He really didn't know what to defend.
The attendant advised: "That's what I said, but the eldest prince's order came suddenly. Why don't the second prince invite someone to discuss it before we make it?"
He Ruoqiuti hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "You're right, let Naiyan and Huabutila come over."
After hearing what he said, the attendant secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned around to call for someone.
Before entering the customs, the queen repeatedly warned him that he must keep an eye on the second prince to avoid getting into trouble with the eldest prince. Compared with the scheming eldest prince, the second prince was really too worrying.
After a while, two Gaoyu men walked in.
"I've met the second prince."
"You all know why I called you here?" He Ruoqiuti waved his hand and motioned for the two of them to sit down and talk.
The two of them looked at each other and took their seats under He Ruoqiuti. One of them, a tall and thin middle-aged man, said: "I have heard that the eldest prince ordered us to go to Pingshan Fort to intercept Dasheng's reinforcements."
He Ruoqiuti nodded and said, "I want to hear my cousin's opinion."
This middle-aged man is He Ruoqiuti's cousin, Huabotila, the eldest son of the most powerful Geler family in Gaoyu.
Hua Buti lowered her eyebrows and thought for a moment, then said: "The second prince asked for battle several times before, but was rejected by the eldest prince. Now the eldest prince's sudden order is indeed a bit unexpected."
He Ruoqiuti frowned and said, "Cousin, what you mean is that there is a fraud involved?"
Compared with Shangyong more than half a year ago, He Ruoqiuti is obviously much calmer. It is obvious that he has experienced a lot in the past six months.
"It's hard to say. Now is the time when I, Gaoyu, am planning a great cause. Normally, if the eldest prince abandons his official position for personal reasons at this time, even if the king favors him, I am afraid that the various tribes in Gaoyu will not agree." Hua Buti said.
He Ruoqiu said: "I don't think my elder brother is like this. If something happens to me in the pass, he may not be able to escape smoothly, but it will be an advantage for others."
Huabutila said helplessly: "The most important thing is that the eldest prince is the commander-in-chief of our army now. Since he has given the order, we can only act according to the order and not disobey."
He Ruoqiuti glanced at the attendant standing beside him and said lazily: "What else can you say? Get ready to go."
Naiyan, who was sitting on the other side, said: "Maybe the eldest prince's move is not a conspiracy."
Both of them looked at him, and the young man smiled and said, "This is a conspiracy."
He Ruoqiuti said impatiently: "Naiyan, although your father is from the Central Plains, you also grew up in Gaoyu. Don't learn from the Central Plains people's convoluted problems. Say what you have to say."
Naiyan had no choice but to say: "Dasheng may have powerful reinforcements coming, and the soldiers and horses of Pingshan Fort may not be able to withstand it. Now we are the only ones idle in the whole pass. It is only natural that the prince sends us to meet the enemy."
Even if something happens to the second prince, no one can blame the eldest prince. This is a conspiracy."
He Ruoqiuti narrowed his eyes, stared at Naiyan and said, "Who do you think will lead the army?"
Naiyan said: "The best case scenario is that the Zhenguo Army will be nearby to provide support. The worst case scenario is... Dasheng Regent Xie Yan comes in person."
The room was quiet for a while, and then He Ruoqiuti sneered and said, "Xie Yan? It is said that the regent of Dasheng is a god in his military skills. I, the prince, want to learn from him."
"Second Prince, don't underestimate your enemy." Naiyan and Huabutila looked at each other and advised in unison.
He Ruoqiuti stood up and said proudly: "Of course I will not underestimate the enemy. Doesn't my elder brother want us to help him stop the reinforcements? I just don't know how many days it will take for him to capture Jianling!"
"Cousin, send an order for our people to enter the customs!"
"This!" Hua Butila's expression changed slightly and said, "The second prince, without the orders of the king and the eldest prince, mobilized troops into Chixia Pass without authorization..."
He Ruoqiuti sneered and said: "This prince has not mobilized the soldiers and horses under my father's command. Does my father also have to control the private soldiers of the Geler family and the Zalan family?"
Hua Butila secretly thought that the king really had no control over the private soldiers of the Geler clan and the Zalan clan.
But in the past few years, the king has become increasingly wary of the wealthy Gaoyu clan, and it is not without this reason that he favors the eldest prince.
Now that the second prince is blatantly sending private soldiers into the country, the king will probably not be happy.
He Ruoqiuti said calmly: "No matter what I do, my father will not be happy anyway, so why should I care. It is better to send troops to help just in case, than if something happens and there is no place to cry."
Hua Buti was startled and looked up at He Ruoqiuti, but she didn't see any change in his expression.
Sighing in his heart, Hua Bu Ti raised his hands and said, "Yes, the second prince."
Huabutila turned around and went out, leaving only two people in the room.
Naiyan looked at He Ruoqiuti's somewhat dull expression and said, "Second Prince, General Gele is doing this for your own good."
He Ruoqiuti glanced at him and said, "I know, but... I'm just afraid that my mother's uncle and cousin's hope will be in vain."
"How is it possible?" Naiyan consoled him: "The second prince is the king's legitimate son. According to Gaoyu tradition, the second prince is the legitimate next king of Gaoyu."
He Ruoqiuti chuckled softly and said: "I don't believe you can't tell what my father's attitude has been towards me in the past few years? And why does the eldest brother always let us take the rear position? Are you really afraid that I will die on the battlefield?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! To be fair, his father is not bad to him, but sometimes it is easy to see whether he is taken seriously or not.
He Ruoqiuti believed that his martial arts abilities were not bad, but in these years he had never led an army to fight alone, nor had he presided over any affairs independently.
He and He Ruomuti were only a few years apart, and now He Ruomuti had made great achievements in battle and had a great reputation. Even major events such as leading the army into the pass were led by him independently.
But he seemed like a waste who had been pampered all over, and could only follow Heruomuti around and do something.
Anyone with eyes can see the difference.
As a son of Gaoyu, who doesn't have the ambition to make great achievements? Unfortunately, his father never planned to give him this opportunity. If his mother hadn't insisted this time, his father would have still asked him to stay in the royal city of Gaoyu.
"The eldest prince...has foreign blood after all..." Naiyan said.
He Ruoqiuti smiled bitterly and said, "I only have this advantage."
Gaoyu people value bloodline, and He Ruomuti's mother is an Orchid from the Western Regions. This fact alone makes it difficult for many wealthy Gaoyu families to accept it.
"So, there is no need for the second prince to be discouraged. Gao Yu is proud of his military exploits. As long as the second prince achieves military exploits, all the tribes will definitely support you. When the time comes, even the king will..."
He Ruoqiuti raised his hand to cover his eyes, and sighed: "You are right, actually...sometimes I feel that it would be okay if I really let my eldest brother succeed me."
Naiyan was startled when he heard this, "The second prince must not have such an idea. If so, the queen, the prince's concubine's family, and Mr. Gele..."
He Ruoqiuti waved his hand, obviously not wanting to talk more about this topic.
Naiyan also immediately stopped talking and said no more.
There was just a hint of regret and regret in the eyes he looked at He Ruoqiuti. Compared with the eldest prince, this second prince was indeed not suitable for the position of King Gaoyu.
It's a pity that his identity and the family behind him cannot allow him to retreat.
"I don't know what happened to Yashu in Shangyong, and I couldn't bring back the little lady I fell in love with at the beginning." He Ruoqiuti murmured, "I don't know if there will be a chance to see her again in the future."
"..."
"Your Majesty, a secret message has been delivered." On the way to Jianling Mausoleum, a fast horse galloped from the front, reined in Xie Yan, and presented a letter stamped with fire paint.
Xie Yan reached out to take it, and the knight who delivered the message gave him a fist, picked up the reins, and turned around to go back the way he came.
Xie Yan opened the letter and glanced at it for a few times, then looked up to see Luo Junyao who was following him, took the letter and handed it over, saying: "He Ruomuti has added troops to Pingshan Fort, and the leader is He Ruoqiuti."
Luo Junyao took it and looked at it, and said: "In front of us is Pingshan Fort, right? Can we capture Pingshan Fort before He Ruoqiuti arrives?"
Recalling the map I had seen before, I saw that Pingshan Fort was indeed not that far away from them.
Xie Yan shook his head and said, "No, wait until He Ruoqiu comes over."
Luo Junyao frowned and said, "We only have 20,000 troops."
Xie Yan said: "Yes, even if 20,000 soldiers and horses arrive at Jianling, they may not be of much use."
"What about Jianling City?" Luo Junyao looked at him in surprise, feeling that Xie Yan had no intention of rescuing Jianling in a hurry?
Xie Yan said: "I believe Jiang Yan. With him here, it won't be a problem to stay for a few more days. Originally I planned to let Gu Jue go to Liangzhou with Jinxing, but now it seems that I can only let Gu Jue come to Yanzhou first."
Luo Junyao said: "Most of the national army is stationed in Liangzhou. If there is any situation, it is much more convenient for the national army to reinforce than in Yanzhou. It is true that Gu Jue does not have to go there. But if Gu Jue rushes to Yanzhou with his soldiers and horses,
State, it will take at least half a month."
Xie Yan shook his head and said: "No, it will only take seven days at most."
Luo Junyao looked at Xie Yan, obviously not believing it.
Xie Yan didn't say much, but said: "Yaoyao, why don't you guess which direction Gu Jue will come from?"
"..." You can guess that I am leading the troops to fight.
"To delay, then we don't have to rush to Pingshan Fort?"
Xie Yan said: "No, we must make an appearance of attacking Pingshan Fort with all our strength. Also, do you think it is easy for 20,000 people to attack Pingshan Fort?"
Luo Junyao soon understood why Xie Yan said that it would not be easy to capture Pingshan Fort. Pingshan Fort was a small hill called Pingshan, which was right in the middle of the road to Jianling.
If you want to bypass Pingshan Fort directly and go to Jianling Mausoleum, you only need to walk forward less than five or six miles and you will pass a mountain pass. The army will inevitably be blocked here, and if the garrison on Pingshan Fort rushes at this time,
Once down, the army will be blocked in front of the valley with no way to retreat.
Therefore, this place does not matter to ordinary people, but to the army it is a place that must be captured.
Without taking Pingshan Fort, it is almost impossible to cross the mountain pass safely.
On the contrary, if you want to rush out from the other side of the mountain pass, it is extremely simple.
This is an excellent place for internal defense.
As soon as the Yanzhou Army arrived in front of Pingshan Fort, there was a collision between the two sides.
Both armies have no firearms, and it is purely the most primitive cold weapon warfare.
Under the setting sun, Luo Junyao and Xie Yan stood at the back and watched the soldiers and horses of both sides retreat. After the battle, the strength of both sides was clearly visible.
Compared with the elite soldiers of Gaoyu, the individual strength of Yanzhou Army is really far behind.
"If the Yanzhou army is at this level, I am afraid that the construction of the mausoleum will really depend on General Jiang's 10,000 national army." Luo Jun said.
Xie Yan said calmly: "Although Jiang Yan is not good at defending the city, there is no harm in delaying it for a few days. As for the Yanzhou Army... I can't blame them entirely."
Luo Jun shook his head, "I can see it."
The Yanzhou army was not only inferior to Gaoyu's troops in terms of force, but also had low morale.
The commander's surrender to the enemy would be a huge blow to the entire Yanzhou Army.
In the next two days, the Yanzhou Army attacked Pingshan Fort three times, but all failed.
This made the Gaoyu defenders on Pingshan Fort feel proud. They had almost never fought against the wind since entering the pass. Now that they saw the strength of these reinforcements, they really looked down upon the Yanzhou Army.
I just regret that I was deceived by the reputation of the Zhenguo Army and thought that the garrison in Yanzhou was also very powerful.
He did not attack Yanzhou earlier and seize large areas of rivers and mountains in the Central Plains.
He Ruoqiuti rushed to Pingshan Fort and was disappointed when he heard the report from the garrison general, "Xie Yan didn't come?"
"Thank...Xie Yan?" The general stationed on the field was stunned when he heard the name and said, "Why did the regent Dasheng come to Yanzhou so quickly? The soldiers and horses at the foot of the mountain did not see Xie Yan's flag."
Hearing this, He Ruoqiuti's eyes darkened, he kicked over the desk in front of him and said angrily: "Brother, what do you mean? However, a mere 20,000 Yanzhou troops specially asked me to come here to garrison!"
He Ruoqiuti felt that he had been tricked by He Ruoqiuti again. Whether it was fighting with Xie Yan or resisting strong reinforcements, there was always something easy to do.
But what does this mere 20,000 Yanzhou army mean?
Even if he didn't come, the mob at the foot of the mountain would never be able to capture Pingshan Fort.
The general standing in front of him was also helpless. How could he know why the eldest prince sent the second prince to garrison here?
Although the eldest prince also sent a message to tell him to be careful of reinforcements coming from the west, the news they received was that both Dasheng Qingzhou and Liangzhou were at war now, and Suzhou was not very stable. It would not last more than ten days and a half.
There will be no troops to support us at all.
Based on the current comparison of the forces inside and outside Jianling City, it is definitely not a problem to capture Jianling City within ten days.
The guard glanced helplessly at the second prince, who was obviously unhappy, and could only bow his head and said: "Perhaps the eldest prince is worried about the general, so he invited the second prince to help. The general is incompetent, so it's up to the second prince."
Don’t reach out and hit the smiling person, that’s what everyone said, what else can He Ruoqiuti do?
He could only snort softly, turn around, flutter his sleeves and go out.
