The night rain was not heavy, but the intermittent spring rain for many days had soaked the land in Huaibei, making it muddy and slippery. In addition, the lack of food and clothing, the loss of soldiers and armor, and the inability to light fires all made the defeated Huaixi
The army could not bear it.
However, compared with these difficulties, there is now the biggest problem facing the Huaixi Army... that is, they cannot return home.
Specifically speaking, you cannot return to your base.
Let’s say that the Huaixi Army’s soldiers and horses come from various sources, but since it is the Huaixi Army, the main force is naturally Huaixi locals, and a considerable part of them are from the east side of Feishui River. But isn’t this an uprising? Isn’t it abandoned?
Has the extremely prosperous Huankou Town, located in the middle part of Huai River, been changed to Xuanpao City, a large military town leaning towards the west of Huai River? Aren't most of the backbones of the army moved with their families? Isn't it given to the outstanding children of the Taibao Army?
Is Huaixi looking for a bride?
But now the pursuers are constantly chasing, across the Fei River, and passing through several small ports along the way. Either the deserters took the boats to the west bank and did not come back, or they were pressed by the pursuers behind them, unable to cross the river at all. This resulted in countless people who were originally in Fei.
The soldiers who were fighting in the East chose to flee and return home.
It is conceivable that after this night, the Huaixi Army, which was famous in the world just a few days ago, would be reduced to what state.
This situation and prospect made Du Pozhen's heart feel like a knife.
"Father."
Kan Leng appeared in front of him, all wet, and stuffed a pancake into Du Po Zhen's hands. "Help your belly."
"Where did it come from?" Du Pozhen took the pancake and was surprised to find that it was actually hot. "Did you use real energy to warm it?"
Kan Leng shook his head: "Those people have dispersed. I am the only Ningdan nearby, and I still hope to take my father away if necessary. How dare you waste your true energy? This is someone on land who invaded people's houses, bullied women inside, and robbed property.
, I made a fire to roast them at the same time, I took them down, but I didn’t want to throw the pancakes away... they were still warm when I put them in my arms."
Du Pozhen sighed: "The Huaixi army looted Huaixi. This kind of thing has never happened before. It was just that there was an accident when entering the big city further west. Everyone started the uprising because the locals in Huaixi wanted to protect Huaixi.
This shows that the morale of the army has collapsed to a certain extent... This time, it would be great if we invited Mang King Kong and his brothers, I am so proud!"
"Father, these are far away, let's eat them first." Kan Leng reluctantly advised.
Du Pozhen picked up the pancake and was about to eat it, but after taking a bite, he stuffed it back: "You already said that if necessary, I will rely on you to take me away. It will be better if you eat this pancake to gain strength."
Kan Leng was stunned for a moment, but without refusing, he squatted in the mud pit in front and ate it in his mouth.
After eating, he called a few personal guards and asked them to inspect and supervise. Then he fell asleep in the rain leaning on the big tree next to him, holding his iron rope long and short sword.
Seeing this, Du Pozhen felt ashamed in his heart. He regretted his words when he lost his composure today, but he didn't know how to make up for it... Everything he said now seemed like a pretense, but the effect was not good, and it might even irritate the other party.
.
Moreover, after seeing Kan Leng's loyalty, he couldn't help but think of today's situation. When the navy army was defeated, they fled first, and then saw Sima Zheng destroying the bridge with one strike, but then simply abandoned the entire land army and left... Du
The leader of the alliance, Du Dalongtou, was a little hard to accept at first, but now that he thinks about it, it’s just like that, because these people are the foundation of the gang. They all work together for the benefit of water transportation, that is to say, they will not be able to do anything for Huaixi later.
He had the intention of protecting himself from being annexed by others, but his habits are hard to change, and this is the result.
Thinking of this, Du Pozhen became more and more upset. If he really couldn't escape today, would he really be driven all the way north to join Li Shu? He was not happy with Zhang Xing's submission, so how could he feel embarrassed to join Li Shu?
!
What's even more hateful is that now that both Zhang Xing and himself have suffered a huge defeat, it's Li Shu who, because both parties have exerted their strength, is afraid that he will take advantage of Dongdu, and his reputation will increase greatly.
What kind of credit does he have? Why should he be the leader while enjoying his achievements?!
Anyway, I'm not convinced.
But the pursuers are behind and the return journey is blocked. So what if we don't go to find Li Shu? Not only do we need to find him to borrow a way to organize the troops, but we are also afraid of borrowing troops to rescue Xuanpao City... People are under the eaves, so they really have to bow their heads.
.
You are a sheep thief, why can't you keep your head down?
It’s only been a few days, and we’re already here?
Power is charming to the eye.
I was thinking wildly in the rain. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the south. Whether it was Kan Leng or Du Po Zhen, they were all alarmed. They had to prepare for the worst... If the opponent really came after them, Kan Leng would lead them.
He left the army and left the army alone.
However, after a period of panic, noise, and yelling, a group of people came in led by members of the Taibao Army. It turned out to be Guo Zhu, the young Taibao who had escaped before.
"Why are you here?" Although he knew it was Guo Zhu, Du Pozhen was still a little nervous.
After all, the other party's uncle is already the number one general before Wang Daiji, and in this situation, selling himself is worth more than anything else. Only this kind of big mistake was made in the afternoon. It is time to learn a lesson and not waste it at will.
The hearts of the people.
"I'm here specifically to find my adoptive father." Guo Zhu answered loudly. "The leader Ma Shengma has brought people to meet him. They came from the other side and are building a pontoon bridge."
Du Po Zhen was both surprised and happy... He was happy without mentioning it, but he was shocked and worried that it was a trap.
"Why is Ma Sheng in Feishui?" After thinking about this, leader Du suppressed all emotions and asked. "Isn't he in charge of logistics on Yinghe River?"
"He came in the rain after getting the information." Guo Zhu came excitedly. "He is a local and is familiar with the terrain. It is said that he walked more than thirty miles and took the boat from Qingyanggou, a tributary of the Ying River, to Baidi in Xiyang Town.
After watching, he carried the boat from there and walked for less than half a mile, and then came over from Shuisha River."
Du Pozhen's eyes lit up.
The leader of the Huaiyou League knows very well that Ma Sheng is reliable. At least he is absolutely reliable when facing Wang Daiji and Sima Zheng. Moreover, Ma Sheng, a native of Huaixi, is even mature, careful and capable.
Only this person in the logistics department could know the roads of Qingyanggou, Xiyang Town, and Shuisha River, and walk an extra ten miles to bring the fatal ship.
Guo Zhu, who was born in Huainan and joined the gang in Xuanpao City, couldn't even say this even if he wanted to deceive him.
"Ma Sheng is loyal." Kan Leng was the first to speak. "Father, leave quickly! I'll go and break the queen!"
"Of course Ma Sheng is loyal." Leader Du Da reacted and looked at Kan Leng, but he grabbed the opponent with one hand and the somewhat confused Guo Zhu with the other. "You too, let's go together! We can go.
Go back a few, and don't cut off the rear, so as not to alarm the pursuers who have already stopped! That's asking for trouble!"
Kan Leng had some concerns in his heart, but when he heard these words, he ignored them and nodded immediately.
In this way, the group of people no longer hesitated and quickly followed Guo Zhu towards the river. When they arrived at a fork in the river, they saw Ma Sheng and several boats waiting here. They couldn't help but be overjoyed and stepped forward to hold them.
Hug each other: "Old horse, old horse! It's all your credit that we can survive today!"
"Leader, let's go quickly!" Ma Sheng was hugged in the rain, but he spoke in a low voice. "I just sent people to investigate. There are people from Huainan and Xuzhou in Hexi! You get on the boat first, and I will build the pontoon bridge! I'm coming
Yingshang City was not lost before, you can organize your army there or cross the river!"
Du Pozhen was startled, and then he realized that he had naval forces and controlled the river, so he could naturally attack both sides of the river simultaneously. However, he and the main force were on the east bank, so he had to pursue more from the east bank.
But at this point, he stopped being pretentious, nodded, and got on the boat with some of his guards.
When they got to the other side, they didn't dare to leave first. Instead, they waited for Kan Leng and Guo Zhu to come over one after another. Then they felt relieved and said goodbye to Ma Sheng, leaving the latter to lay the pontoon bridge.
The two Taibao troops, together with some personal guards, headed west.
Moreover, the Feishui River, the Ying River, and the Ru River run parallel to each other as the northwestern tributaries of the Huai River. They are not far apart, especially near the end of the Huai River. They are only twenty or thirty miles apart. This is the fundamental reason why Ma Shengneng came to support.
Once they crossed the river, although according to intelligence there were still pursuers, Du Pozhen and the others could not help but heave a sigh of relief.
Because after all, this is an escape.
However, everyone headed west in the dark, neither daring to light a torch nor having any torches, let alone emitting the glow of true energy. They just followed the local Huaixi disciples and walked in a hushed manner, slipping and getting dizzy along the way, not to mention continuing to secretly reduce the number of people.
When we had only traveled a mile or two, suddenly, there was a huge fire in the direction of Huai River in the south, and there was a roar of true energy in the middle. Unexpectedly, there were thousands of pursuing soldiers shouting in unison!
For a time, in the fields, woods and ditches, one could clearly hear the sound of "catching Du and breaking the formation"!
Even though Du Pozhen knew in his heart that this kind of danger would arise, he might have been watching secretly for a long time, waiting for him to cross the river when he was alone and weak before taking action, but he could hear shouts of kill and capture filling the rainy night.
, but still panicked, began to panic and fled north.
When Du Pozhen was young and poor, he was so poor that he had no home to steal sheep from his uncle Shi's house to eat. Naturally, his cultivation was delayed. Even though he later took advantage of the situation and managed to condense the elixir, it was not enough at all, so he did not dare to do so.
Tell outsiders. In addition, after a day of defeat and running away, I was tired and hungry, and my energy had long been dissipated. I didn't dare to reveal my identity, so I just ran away. After only a quarter of an hour, my feet suddenly slipped and I fell into
In a dark ditch, his armor and stomach were connected to his limbs. He only felt pain at the base of his legs. Although he tried to get up, it was difficult to walk. He didn't know how to generate his energy, let alone run away.
When Kan Leng saw this, without hesitation, he stepped forward to help him up, and then squatted in front of him, hoping to carry his adoptive father out of danger.
"Don't jump up and expose our position." Du Pozhen responded with a ball of mud on his back and gritted his teeth. "If he knows our position, he will have to chase..."
Kan Leng's heart moved slightly, but he had no time to ask more questions, so he could only lower his head and run forward with the other person on his back.
After running for several miles, there were very few close friends around, but the shouts of killing came and went. Kan Leng did not dare to neglect, so he could only continue to escape with the opponent on his back, while Du Pozhen could only grit his teeth and remain silent.
.
Finally, after running for more than ten miles in one breath, I didn't know where I ended up, and the shouts of killing around me finally subsided.
Kan Leng wanted to ask his adoptive father what was going to happen next, but although the person behind him was breathing clearly, he had been silent for a long time. He knew in his heart that either his adoptive father was frightened, tired and sleepy and fell asleep, or he was too embarrassed and unwilling to speak, so he
Without saying a word, he only relied on his cultivation and leg strength to move toward the northwest.
After walking for a long time, he didn’t know how long it had been and how many miles he had traveled. The great eunuch of Huaixi only knew that his cultivation had reached the level of Condensation Pill. At this time, he had no energy and no strength at all. I understand.
Why do so many great people finally hear the sound of water when they are exhausted? When they come to the bank of Yingshui River, they grit their teeth and continue to explore, and finally find a riverside fishing village.
Then, without daring to jump or alert the people inside, he untied a small fishing board, put his adoptive father on it, and rowed to the opposite side himself.
Then he lay in the mud nest, soaked in the rain, listening to his adoptive father's breathing and the sound of the river, and began to gasp for breath.
At the same time, across the Yingshui River, dozens of miles away, in the dry port office lobby of Yingshang County, Wang Daiji and Wang Laojiu, dressed in brocade clothes, also listened to the sound of the river and rain for a while, and then lowered their heads to eat pickles.
I ate a bowl of white porridge.
It turned out that it was just the rain that obscured the sky, and it was almost the fourth watch at this time.
After eating for a while and finishing three bowls of porridge, Wang Daiji looked at Wenren Xun'an, who had stopped a long time ago, and suddenly smiled bitterly: "Tell me, did Boss Du survive?"
I didn't dare to say anything when I heard that someone was looking for peace.
It turned out that just as Du Pozhen came to his senses, someone had deliberately released the water last night... For example, Wang Daiji personally led the Huainan Army to pursue from between Feishui and Yingshui, but failed to capture Yingshang immediately, and
They allowed the Huaixi Army in Yingshang to go to Feishui to the east for rescue purposes before taking it down, leaving the other side with a chance to cross Feishui; another example is that the Huainan Army did not clean up the west bank of Feishui in a timely manner; another example is that it was explained clearly
The patrol on the Feishui River discovered the rescue ship, but it failed to launch... If these were all manifestations of luring Du Po Formation to cross the Feishui River and throw themselves into a trap, then the final pursuit was particularly dazzling with heavy thunder and small raindrops.
Fortunately, the pursuit on a rainy night was chaotic and out of control, and no one knew the specific situation...except Wang Daiji and Wen Renxunan, who was actually responsible for the execution.
After a while, Wenren Xun'an cautiously asked: "Does the prince want to keep Du Po Zhen so that he can seize military power in front of Sima?"
"Of course it is." Wang Daiji said frankly. "Who can't see such a simple truth? General Wenren, you are familiar with both sides. If necessary, you can communicate with me."
I can only make promises when I hear people looking for peace.
When Wang Daiji saw this, he couldn't help but sigh: "To tell you the truth, I felt guilty. When Sima Zheng came here, he not only raided the Du Po Formation? He also raided me! What happened to Jiangdu, what happened to Sima Zheng, and now
I don’t even know, I can only do this..."
"You have to ask clearly." Wen Renxun'an couldn't help but remind him. "What happened last night is in the past, so it's over."
"You are right." Wang Laojiu stood up and spoke with his hands behind his back, his pale yellow beard particularly conspicuous under the light. "You are here, control Yingshang, control the situation, the war is temporarily over, I want to
Go back to Feishuikou and see Sima Zheng in person."
I can only nod when I hear people looking for peace.
Around morning, Wang Daiji returned to Feikou Dazhai, where he met young Sima Zheng.
"Sima Gong."
Wang Laojiu bowed to each other respectfully and paid homage. "I feel ashamed. I pursued him all night and separated Yingshang, but could not find Du Po Zhen. I asked Sima Gong to punish him."
Upon seeing this, Sima Zheng stood up quickly and helped the other party up personally: "What did the prince say? You are out of Huainan, and I am out of Xuzhou. There is no high or low. Where does the word "subordinate" come from? Not to mention asking questions before the battle."
Wang Daiji was helped up, still respectful: "That's not the case. Not to mention that his subordinates were in trouble and Sima Gong came to rescue him. I just said that Sima Gong came out of Xuzhou. He seemed to have obtained Jiangdu's will and represented the imperial court. At this time
There are more ups and downs.”
Sima Zheng also laughed when he heard this: "I haven't got Jiangdu's will."
Wang Daiji was stunned for a moment, as if surprised: "Is there no intention to send out Xuzhou troops, or is it the whole army?"
"It can't be said that there is no will..." Sima Zheng turned around and answered with a smile. "But it is the will of Dongdu."
Even though Wang Laojiu was thinking all over the place, he was also stunned by what he said.
It is impossible for him to know everything about Dongdu, but there is no doubt that it is in danger and is gradually getting out of control.
And what he said next made his mind buzz even more.
"The emperor's uncle came to me. He was attacked by the British Duke and Taoist Chonghe in Hebei. He was already dead. So he entrusted Dongdu and Sili to me, and I agreed." Sima was sitting in his seat.
"But I can't take away all the 50,000 Xuzhou soldiers. Thirty thousand of them are from Dongdu. They are eager to go back. There are also 20,000 local Xuzhou soldiers. I am prepared to fight this battle."
Let them go back..."
"Sima Gong is benevolent and righteous." Wang Daiji could only say this, but the next sentence of the other party made him completely lose his composure.
"What about you?" Sima Zheng said seriously. "Are there any soldiers from Huainan who are willing to go to Huaixi? I'm going to take you away and station you in Xuanpao City to control Huaixi and serve as a barrier to the south of the Eastern Capital... Let's not delay.
Use the city along the west line as a stronghold, follow the Ying River, and march today! I will march in front, and you will control the city on the left, right and behind!"
Wang Daiji opened his mouth and wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare to refuse. Instead, he suddenly became upset... If the situation was like this, he would have killed Du Pozhen last night! Otherwise, he would be able to sit peacefully in Huaixi?!
But what about now? Du Po Zhen may have escaped, right?
In the afternoon, Du Po Formation arrived at Ruyin, an important town in the upper reaches of Yingshui River, which is the seat of Ruyin County. However, when they arrived here, there were still not many soldiers and horses, just a few hundred people... and they were just some logistics personnel and those who were with them
A few personal guards who crossed the Feishui River... Of course, the defeated formation of the main army was still on the east side of the Feishui River. It was interrupted just after crossing the river. There should be no one organizing the crossing now, and I don't know how to gather it; and
Before the navy escapes, they will most likely want to return to their hometown from Rushui.
For a time, Leader Du became a loner.
At this time, it is difficult to say whether it was right or wrong to cross the river last night.
In fact, after Du Po Formation arrived in Ruyin City, he had been taciturn and silent. Kan Leng was working hard everywhere, doing city defense, making contacts, and looking after his adoptive father.
In this way, we waited until evening and gradually got the news.
"Let's go! We can't stay here." Guo Zhu was in a panic, but he brought more bad news. "I was caught by my uncle this time and secretly released. He told me that Sima Zheng was not here to save Wang Daiji.
Yes, Sima took over Cao Lin's team to take over the eastern capital. The army is going to march from Yingshui... Wang Daiji will also come with him! Moreover, they want to occupy all of Huaixi to serve as a barrier for the eastern capital!"
Du Po's formation was on the verge of collapse, but he believed it immediately because this was the only way to explain the appearance of Xuzhou's army.
And if this is the case, it also matches up with the series of intelligence he had on Dongdu and Hebei before... The truth of the matter is this. This is the back-up move of the defeated Grand Master to maintain Dongdu from being invaded by the Bai family and the rebels.
Ran's last move was the best counterattack Cao Lin could do at this time.
But what if you know what happened?
What should I do?
Who do you think you are?
A victim? The chicken that established its authority? The rabbit that hugged the grass and beat the rabbit? Or the defeated dog that was run over by the passing wheels on the road?
After a defeat, this situation is still the same. How can people, soldiers and territory be dealt with?
No one answered Du Po Zhen. In fact, Du Po Zhen didn't ask the question at all.
"We have to leave. I will take father away right away." Kan Leng and Guo Zhu, who were covered in mud and blood, looked at Du Po Zhen who was also embarrassed but said nothing, and even looked a little stupid.
They all withdrew their gazes and turned to each other, and the one who made up his mind was naturally Kan Leng. "But two things, the west and the east... There are still many soldiers and horses on the east of Feishui that have not been gathered, while on the west
It’s the sailors who escaped back and the assistant uncle of Xuanpao City, so someone needs to notify them."
"I can only do one thing." Guo Zhu was straightforward. "I have a lot of acquaintances in the Huainan Army. I will go to the east of Feishui to try to recruit some people... I have agreed in advance that I am not that capable, so I am also here.
The Huaixi army does not have much prestige, so we can only do our best."
"Then do your best." Kan Leng patted the other party. "Let's all do our best."
Guo Zhu nodded, turned around and left. After taking two steps, he turned back and said, "Take good care of your adoptive father!"
Kan Leng could only nod.
The military situation was urgent. If someone really caught him, he would be nothing more than a toy. In a moment, Kan Leng organized a team of less than fifty people, replacing them with horses, mules, and donkeys from the city, and abandoned Jiawei.
, hurriedly continued to flee westward.
However, at this time, although Du Po Zhen remained silent, he was able to ride with him, which somewhat made Kan Leng feel relieved.
So everyone worked hard and traveled lightly. Although the road was slippery, they did not care and arrived at the river bank on the east side of Ru River before evening, which is the other side of Xincai City. Then Kan Leng went to look for the boat...
This place has not been affected by the war, and it is the main passage in and out of the Huaixi Army's base camp, and the other side is Xincai, so naturally it is easy to find the boat, and then Kan Leng has to escort his adoptive father across the river.
However, at this time, Du Po Formation stood motionless at the ferry.
"Father!" Kan Leng came to urge him.
When Du Pozhen saw this, he didn't say anything, just waved his hands, and then squatted directly under the ferry shed, staring at the increasingly fine drizzle falling into the Ru water.
Before Kan Leng acted without permission, Du Pozhen did it without saying a word or expressing anything. At this time, the other party just waved his hand, but he was not able to act without permission, so he could only stand there.
After a short while, many ships soon sailed out of Xincai City on the other side and came here. It was the officials left behind in the city who heard the news and hurriedly came to pick them up.
At this time, Kan Leng was slightly awakened. His father was afraid that the defeat would make people's hearts grow weary, especially since the Huaixi Army had not long ruled the Ru River Basin on the side of Xuanpao City. The navy had even abandoned the army and left.
When we come to the Ru River Basin... we have to be on guard even more.
Officials arrived on the left, bringing hot food and even hot water in wooden barrels. They greeted him sincerely and spoke politely.
Kan Leng and others were also relieved, and many people stepped forward to heat their meals with hot water.
However, Du Pozhen still squatted there, looking down at the river without moving. Kan Leng and the local officials went to invite Zuo, but he waved his hand to stop them.
After a while, there was a commotion on the road to the east behind them, and everyone moved forward again, but soon realized that it was Guo Zhu who had gone their separate ways before... This time, the messenger Guo brought back a very good news.
"Leader Ma Shengma was attacked by the Huainan army yesterday and separated on the east bank of Feishui River. He is now gathering the defeated troops. He is a local and an old leader of Huaixi. Everyone obeys him and has gathered thousands of people.
Most of them are the Taibao Army." Guo Zhu excitedly spoke, fearing that others would not hear. "I told him the situation across the river. He was going to take people to find the place where General Wang Zhuo of the Internal Affairs Army would stay. He said it was General Manager Wang.
He is a kind man, and his internal servants are not strong enough, so he will not annex our defeated troops, so I can only reassure my adoptive father!"
Countless people had already gathered here at the port shed. They couldn't help but be overjoyed when they heard this, and they all looked at Du Po Formation.
The latter was indeed obviously relieved and actually moved his feet.
But he just moved his feet, then waved his hands and continued to squat there without moving.
Everyone was puzzled.
Of course, everyone soon understood... After another quarter of an hour, a boat came from Xincai City opposite, but it was a Taibao who stayed behind. When he arrived at the port, he hurriedly reported:
"Uncle Fu knew the battle ahead and had just suppressed the retreating naval forces. Now he brought the leaders of the navy to meet the adoptive father! Fu Uncle only reassured the adoptive father. He asked me to transfer it to the adoptive father, saying that it was
It’s just a defeat. The worst we can do is go back and steal sheep together. We’ve seen how big the world is. As long as our brothers are here, why can’t we still find a way?!”
Hearing this, Du Pozhen, who was squatting there, could no longer hold on, burst into tears for a while, and then stood up unsteadily.
Kan, Guo and several eunuchs immediately stepped forward to persuade and help him.
Clinker, the sheep thief Du Po Zhen stood up, burst into tears, and shouted loudly: "How have I ever been afraid of this defeat? How have I ever been afraid of future situations? I'm just a sheep thief! I won't move here, just
Because I was so self-willed before that when I gained some power, I left these old brothers behind. How can I have the nerve to see them like this today?"
As he said that, amidst everyone's exclamations, he jumped hard into the Ru water and splashed down a lot of big waves.