"Xiao Fan'er, wait a moment and go and report to your general that Cheng Qiansui, the Duke of Lu State in the Tang Dynasty, has something to say."
The soldiers of the Xiliang Army saw that the person speaking was a gray-haired veteran, so they hurriedly reported to the Chinese Army to the Marshal.
Li Zhi and other civil and military officials were in the tower, and when they saw Cheng Yaojin immediately marching to Xiliang's military formation, they all sweated for him...
In the military tent of the Xiliang Army, Su Baotong heard from the soldiers that Cheng Lao Qiansui was talking to him. He didn't know what the Tang army meant, so he hurriedly put on his clothes and came to the front of the battle.
Su Baotong came to the front of the formation and saw that Cheng Yaojin was alone and had no other generals. He admired the old man's courage and asked loudly.
"Old barbarian, who is your surname? What can I say to you, Commander-in-Chief?"
Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin rebuked loudly: "You little bastard, neither big nor small. I, Cheng Yaojin, and your grandfather, Su Dingfang, are brothers. Even if your father meets me, he has to respect me as uncle, but you are like this
You are so rude and you are not afraid of embarrassing your grandfather."
When Su Baotong heard this, he didn't know if what Cheng Yaojin said was true. He was afraid that if he really had some friendship with his grandfather, it would be his own fault, so he couldn't help but bow his hands and salute on horseback.
"Old Master Nuo is so old. It's time to enjoy peace and happiness. Why do you have to work so hard for Emperor Tang? We won't kill you today. Let's go back to the city. The city will be destroyed in the future. I don't think so for my grandfather's sake.
Just get into trouble with the old man."
After hearing what Su Baotong said, Cheng Yaojin took advantage and called him: "Good grandson!"
Then he said: "I was ordered by my marshal to carry grain and grass. I brought my grandson Cheng Dabao here to meet you. Do you know how great my grandson is? He can only be lifted by sixteen sergeants."
A big ax can kill a god when a god blocks it, and kill a Buddha when a Buddha blocks it. I am not boasting about it. With your little ability, you are probably not a general that can be matched by my grandson. If you are afraid, you can take my head away. If so,
If you are not afraid, then send me out of the encirclement to carry food and grass, and bring my grandson to fight with you."
When Su Baotong heard Cheng Yaojin bragging about such bullshit, he secretly thought that there was no weapon in the world that only sixteen sergeants could lift. It was obvious that this old man wanted to carry grain and grass, and he was talking without restraint. It would be useless to kill him today.
, it would be better to let him arrive with food and fodder and seize it, which would give our army an advantage.
Thinking of this, Su Baotong made up his mind and laughed "haha".
"Old Master, I am not afraid that your grandson is a hero in heaven, let alone a hero on earth. I will let you out of the camp. I will wait for him to come."
Cheng Yaojin was very unhappy when he heard this, but he pretended to say: "My dear grandson, are you really not afraid of death?"
Su Baotong said: "Don't be afraid! The old man can go now."
Cheng Yaojin was very cynical. He was afraid that Su Baotong would let him out of the camp on the surface but order someone to kill him in the camp behind his back. Wouldn't this be a way for him to gain face and no one would know about the evil deeds he did behind his back?
Ji Zai said.
"My dear grandson, you are really treacherous. You tricked me into entering the camp. If you get to the front gate, people will probably kill grandpa with a knife. You don't have to worry about it. Just kill me here. Wouldn't it be clean?"
Su Baotong laughed again after hearing Cheng Yaojin's worried words.
"Ah! The old man is too worried. I keep my word, how can I be an untrustworthy person? If I don't let you pass, I will cut you with a knife. Why bother with you here? Don't worry.
"
Seeing that he succeeded in deceiving Su Baotong, Cheng Yaojin finally felt relieved. To make sure nothing went wrong, he kept talking.
"My grandson is indeed a hero. Now give me the token and arrow for leaving the camp!"
Su Bao was helpless towards a thick-skinned person like Cheng Yaojin. After hearing this, he took out one of his command arrows and ordered a soldier to say:
"Send the old man out of the camp!"
The soldiers received the order and took the marshal's arrows with them to lead Cheng Yaojin through the Xiliang army's company camp that stretched for several miles. After Cheng Yaojin left, Su Baotong sent an order to the Xiliang generals who were besieging "Suoyang City" and not to let a grain of food enter.
In the city, he really thought that Cheng Yaojin was going to carry grain and grass, but he didn't believe that Cheng Yaojin could recruit powerful people.
On the city tower, Emperor Li Zhi and other civil and military officials saw Cheng Yaojin entering the Xiliang military camp. There was no sign of a fight. They didn't know what Cheng Yaojin and Su Baotong were talking about, but they actually deceived Su Baotong into letting him leave safely. They couldn't help but think it was because of Cheng Yaojin.
Yao Jin's wit and boldness were all praised.
Seeing that Xue Rengui could not lead the army to fight, Li Zhi ordered Cheng Chumo, Zhou Qing and other generals to strengthen the ten gates of the city defense and not go out to fight the Xiliang army until reinforcements arrived before making plans.
The generals and the emperor ordered the soldiers to prepare rolling logs, ash bottles, bows and arrows and other defensive items on the tower.
In the Xiliang army, Su Bao and his generals challenged the Tang army several times under the city, but were repulsed by arrows. There was nothing they could do for a while. They could not think of a way to quickly defeat the Tang army in the military tent, so they had to look to the "Suoyang City".
The Tang army was cut off from food and grass and was defeated without a fight. So I thought it would be better to take this opportunity to find my master Li Daofu and refine the flying knife so that I could kill the Tang army generals in the next battle.
Thinking of this, the man summoned two military advisors and ordered them to continue to surround the Tang army. Then he used the technique of traveling a thousand miles and went to "Jinfeng Mountain" to find his master.
Cheng Yaojin left the Xiliang military camp, galloped day and night, and arrived at Shancheng. He identified himself at the city gate and was led by the generals of the gate army to where the Jinwuwei military camp was stationed.
When they arrived at the military camp, Cheng Yaojin rode up to the Chinese army's tent without waiting for an announcement. He shouted loudly outside the tent.
"Where is Qin Xiaole?"
In the Chinese army tent, Qin Xiaole was laughing and talking happily with Liu Lang, Shan Sijing, Cheng Dabao and other generals. He heard someone shouting at him outside the tent, and he was surprised who dared to be so bold in the military camp.
The guardsmen on duty outside the Chinese army tent were surprised when they saw an old general approaching on horseback and called the general by his name. They quickly surrounded Cheng Yaojin, and the leader among them asked loudly.
"Who is the old general? How dare you shout so loudly in the military camp, call the general by his first name, and still not dismount and explain the reason? Do you dare to violate the rules of the Jinwu Guard camp?"
At this time, Qin Xiaole heard the sound and went out with the generals to check, and saw that it was Cheng Yaojin. Cheng Dabao first knelt down and shouted.
"Grandson pays homage to grandpa!"
Qin Xiaole raised his head and smiled at Cheng Yaojin.
"The old general was accompanying him on an expedition to Xiliang. How did he come to the boy's camp? Could it be that there is something urgent that he needs to do to find the boy?"
Seeing Qin Xiaole, Cheng Yaojin felt relaxed and felt exhausted physically and mentally. He said angrily on the horse.
"You haven't helped me off the horse yet, but you are chatting some gossip. Quickly prepare wine and meat to serve. When I am full and drunk, I have something to say."
Qin Xiaole and others heard the words and wanted to tell the sergeant who was standing aside to help the old general to dismount. Unexpectedly, Cheng Dabao got up and took his grandfather off the horse. He half-carried and half-supported him into the tent to rest.
Cheng Yaojin entered the tent and sat on the soft couch. He took the tea offered by his grandson and drank it all in one gulp. He smacked his lips and found a comfortable position on the soft couch. He took out the emperor's emperor's tea from his arms while lying down.
The secret edict given to Qin Xiaole was pointed at Qin Xiaole and said: "Please read the emperor's edict before you speak."
Qin Xiaole received the imperial edict and quickly read it, only to know that the Western Expeditionary Army had lost its troops and was now trapped in "Suoyang City". The emperor sent himself as the second marshal to rescue him. This surprise was really no small matter. Thinking of the emperor's predicament, he knew how to rescue him.
To put out the fire, quickly send the order to gather the drums and summon the generals.
When the leading generals of the Jinwu Guard gathered together, Qin Xiaole sat at the head of the throne and read out the emperor's edict, ordering the entire army to organize their food and grass, and break camp at dawn the next day. After the generals received the order, they went to prepare for the departure, and then faced Shancheng from the chief seat.
The garrison general said.
"After I lead my troops to march out, you and others should strengthen the city defense and don't slack off. If you have anything, you can report it to Li Jingxuan or General Black Teeth. Now that Tuyuhun has received help from the Tang Dynasty, it has restored the country and has become a force to contain Tubo. You and others should cooperate with each other.
Defend so that our borders will no longer suffer the disaster of war."
Several generals of the Shancheng garrison heard this, and one of the governors of the Shancheng garrison raised his hands and said: "We have received the order. General, you can rest assured to attack Xiliang, so that the emperor can be relieved of his difficulties as soon as possible."
After speaking, the Shancheng garrison generals resigned. Qin Xiaole wanted to discuss the march with Cheng Yaojin, but Cheng Dabao called two sergeants to bring the food and wine into the tent, pulled a table and placed it in front of the soft couch where his grandfather was lying.
Gently wake up grandpa who is already half asleep.
Cheng Yaojin was so hungry that he couldn't sleep. He got up, drank a glass of wine, and then ate two chicken drumsticks. He exhaled and said "good", and while eating, he said to Xu Xiaole: "Boy, can you
Once the arrangements have been made, I will have to go back to Chang'an to meet with the prince, so that the imperial court can send reinforcements to deal with Xiliang's million-strong army."
Qin Xiaole learned about the mobilization of reinforcements from the emperor's imperial edict. After Cheng Yaojin had eaten and drank enough, he said with a smile.
"Old General, you have worked hard. Don't worry, just go to Chang'an City. The boy decided to lead his troops to march out at dawn tomorrow and station troops at Yumen Pass to find out the military situation of the Xiliang Army. After the old general led the reinforcements assigned by the court to come and join forces, the boy decided to retreat and besiege Suoyang City.
The Xiliang Army’s plan.”
Hearing Qin Xiaole's confident words, Cheng Yaojin was overjoyed and prepared to rest for a day and move back to Chang'an City at the same time with the army tomorrow to meet the prince.
At dawn the next day, Qin Xiaole ordered the tens of thousands of Jinwu Guards to fire artillery and march out, and Cheng Yaojin set off with the army.
Not long ago, on the branch road between Chang'an City and Yumen Pass, Xu Xiaole ordered Qin Nianjiang to lead 500 personal guards to escort Cheng Yaojin to Chang'an. However, because the ammunition used by the 500 personal guards was exhausted, they had to return to Chang'an to report and replenish the ammunition.
, and at the same time asked his father about his plan to defeat Xiliang.
After Qin Xiaole handed the letter to his father to Qin Nianjiang, he made an appointment with Cheng Yaojin on horseback to meet at Yumen Pass, said goodbye, and took the horses to gallop towards their respective destinations.
But it is said that Cheng Yaojin and Qin Nianjiang's 500 personal guards returned to Chang'an after more than ten days of trekking. After entering the city, Cheng Yaojin said goodbye to the Qin family's personal guards and did not go back to his mansion to rest.
to the palace.
When the guard in front of the palace saw that it was Old Duke Cheng, he quickly stepped forward to help him off his horse and asked with a smile.
"Didn't the old prince accompany him to conquer Xiliang? Could it be that the army has already returned in triumph?"
Cheng Yaojin heard this and said to the general guarding the gate: "I don't have time to chat with you at this time. After you meet the prince, you will naturally know the military situation ahead."
After saying this, Cheng Yaojin found out that the prince was currently reviewing memorials in the imperial study, and hurried forward to pay his respects.
In the imperial study, Prince Li Xian saw Cheng Yaojin and heard that his father was trapped in "Suoyang City" in Xiliang. He was frightened and at a loss. After calming down a little, he quickly asked Huangmenguan to summon the ministers of the court to Taiji Hall to discuss matters.
After all the ministers gathered together, Cheng Yaojin gave an overview of the campaign against Xiliang, mentioning that the emperor was trapped in "Suoyang City" in Xiliang, brothers Qin Huaiyu, Yuchi Baolin, and Baoqing died in the battle, and Xue Rengui was injured and fell into coma after defeat.
This suddenly caused the courtiers to panic, and they no longer had the usual demeanor of giving advice in the palace and speaking eloquently.
Seeing the situation of many ministers, Li Xian shouted loudly in the hall.
"Now that the war on the front line is unfavorable, my father ordered Xu Xiaole to be the marshal of the second route and lead the troops to rescue them. Now that the Jinwu Guard army has entered Yumen Pass, the only concern is that the troops are not strong enough. You should not panic. Master Yao, the Minister of War, has mobilized tens of thousands
In the army, we ordered the sons of various distinguished families to join the army as generals, and go to Yumen Pass to be controlled by the Second Route Marshal Xu Xiaole, so as to relieve the father of the emperor as soon as possible."
After Prince Li Xian finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin continued.
"The imperial court is now losing its wars, and there are very few generals who can lead the army in battle. The old minister suggested that the imperial court publish an imperial list to recruit capable people and give them official positions so that they can serve the country."
Cheng Yaojin's proposal was approved by all the officials in the palace. Prince Li Xian agreed and ordered the Hanlin scholars to write an imperial list and post it everywhere in Chang'an City, and have soldiers guard it. Anyone who reveals the list will be reported to Cheng Yaojin.
The imperial court made a rescue plan, and Li Xian also sent people to the "Luoyang Palace" to report the unfavorable news of the Western Conquest to his mother, Empress Wu Zetian.
Cheng Yaojin returned home to rest, and the next day he met with Yao Chong, Minister of the Ministry of War, at the teaching ground to order troops. However, he saw that in the mansions of various princes in Chang'an City, all the distinguished disciples who were skilled in martial arts on horseback put on their armor and went to sign up. For a while, the teacher
The people in the field screamed and screamed, and there was a chilling military power.
At this time, the sergeant reported to Cheng Yaojin that someone had uncovered the imperial notice. Upon hearing the report, Cheng Yaojin ordered the person who uncovered the imperial notice to be brought into the teaching field.
It turned out that the person who unveiled the list was Xue Dingshan, the son of Xue Rengui. He went down the mountain to rescue his father under the orders of his master. He brought his mother and sister to Chang'an City. Seeing that the imperial list was recruiting capable people, he unveiled the imperial list.
Xue Dingshan was brought to the training ground by the soldiers. When he saw Cheng Yaojin, he bowed his hands and saluted.
Cheng Yaojin met Xue Dingshan for the first time and didn't know his origin. He just saw that the boy in front of him was brave and handsome. He felt a little happy in his heart and asked with a smile.
"Which family does the young general belong to? What is his surname? What ability do you have to dare to reveal the emperor's name?"
Xue Dingshan heard this and said: "My surname is Xue and my name is Dingshan. My father is Xue Rengui, the marshal of the Western Conquest. He has been studying military tactics and formations with his master in the mountains and practicing martial arts. After being ordered by his master, he went down to Xiliang to help his father in the battle. Today I am taking my mother with me."
I am here with my sister, and I hope that Old General Cheng will report to His Highness the Ming Crown Prince for permission for me to lead the army in the battle."
When he heard that the boy in front of him was Xue Rengui's son, Cheng Yaojin was overjoyed and took him to the palace to see the prince.
After the two met the prince, Li Xian asked Ming Xue Dingshan's identity, and Jin Luan asked.
"Little General Xue, conquering Xiliang is no child's play. Since you dare to reveal the imperial list, you must have some skills. Can you tell me about it?"
Xue Dingshan listened to the prince's words and said in the palace.