The rain poured down from the sky, like a pouring water. The wind blowing from the Yellow River stirred up the rain curtain, and the raindrops swirled and swayed, covering the Yellow River, mountains, and city gates, and the eyes were filled with mist.
In the barracks, Li Zhi looked at the haggard and shaky Yuwen Shiji in front of him, and felt that the gloom in his heart was even worse than the windy and rainy weather outside the window.
It's just that the navy might raid Hangu Pass. After all, Hangu Pass has been the key point that isolates the east and west since ancient times. With Luoyang as a buffer, and the terrain is difficult, and a heavy stockpile of troops, it should be able to ensure that it is not lost... But if Zheng Zheng in Xingyang
If Luoyang rebels, Luoyang will be the first to bear the brunt. Once Luoyang falls, the navy's troops can reach Hangu Pass. The Sanmenxia natural chasm can no longer block the navy's advance, and Hangu Pass is in danger.
And once Hangu Pass falls...
It's simply unimaginable.
At this moment, His Royal Highness Prince Jin was already panicking. He quickly looked at Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang, Cui Xin and others beside him. He looked panicked and said anxiously: "What should I do?"
Xiao Yu frowned, looked at Cui Xin, and asked: "The Shandong aristocratic family has always advanced and retreated as one, connected with the same spirit, and has been traveling all over the world for hundreds of years. They are very close to each other. Now I want to ask Cui Gong.
Will Zheng Rentai betray the Shandong family and do something treacherous and shameless?"
The Zheng family in Xingyang was a prominent family in Shandong with deep roots. Zheng Rentai was also a minister of Zhenguan and a famous general in the world. The king of Jin could not control him. He could only put pressure on him through the Shandong family, or hope to make him surrender and return astray.
Although Cui Xin has never entered the court in his life, as the head of the Cui family in Qinghe, his knowledge, wisdom, and ability are all the best. When he heard Xiao Yu's slightly dissatisfied question, he naturally understood the meaning behind his words.
But he could only show a bitter look on his face and said helplessly: "If in normal times, I would rush to Xingyang in person and contact the heads of various families in Shandong to put pressure on the Zheng family, I would naturally not be surprised that Zheng wouldn't listen. But the current situation is urgent, and it takes a lot of effort to contact the heads of various families in Shandong.
Time may not be enough. Moreover, if the Navy really prepares to fight Xingyang to the death as Ying Guogong predicts, Zheng Rentai may not listen to the old man's words... After all, family inheritance is more important than anything else. When facing the survival of the whole family,
Where can I have more worries?"
With the knife on his neck, maybe Zheng Rentai himself can be unyielding and look forward to death, but the survival of the family is at stake. How can Zheng Rentai dare to act like a hero for a moment and drag the family into a situation of no return?
He even said with certainty that as long as the navy stormed Xingyang, regardless of casualties, Zheng Rentai would open the city and surrender 100% of the time...
But if this happens, Tongguan is in danger.
The Shandong aristocratic family raised 100,000 young people to support Tongguan, and even used almost all their money to gather countless money, silk and grain. They thought of trying to change their fate with a single blow, and from then on, they would imitate the Guanlong clan clan and take control of the center and take charge of power.
Unexpectedly, in just a few months, the situation took a turn for the worse. Not only was victory far away, it was even on the verge of survival...
The regret in my heart is like the water of the Yellow River rolling and flowing.
Yu Wenshiji took a sip of tea, endured the pain all over his body, dizziness and fatigue, and managed to cheer up. He said in a hoarse voice: "Ding is Ding Mao, even if Zheng Rentai betrays his faith, he cannot negate the Shandong family's support for His Highness the King of Jin."
Mr. Cui doesn’t need to worry too much about your merits.”
He first stabilized Cui Xin, then looked at the panic-stricken Li Zhi, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, you don't have to be like this. Throughout the ages, whoever has achieved great things has not gone through hardships and faced dangers? If he didn't go through all kinds of disasters, it would be difficult."
It has become a great weapon. Besides, we are not in a desperate situation now. Even if the land of Guandong is lost, it may be a good thing."
Most of the people here are not familiar with military matters. Although they have read a few military books, they have never experienced strategizing and decisive victory on the battlefield. They heard that Xingyang, Luoyang, and Hangu Pass might fall one after another. They were already frightened. I heard Yu Wenshiji say, "Maybe
It's also a good thing." They were all confused and didn't know why.
Chu Suiliang said curiously: "Although I have never joined the army, I know a little bit about military affairs. Luoyang and Hangu Pass are the barriers to the east of Tongguan. Once they fall, Tongguan will have no danger to defend and no way to retreat. We can only
Fight to the death with the Donggong army. The Donggong army is well-equipped and powerful. The Tongguan army of more than 100,000 is considered elite except for the Youhou Guards. The rest of the Shandong private army was recruited temporarily. It is not too much to say that it is a ragtag army... In this way, defeat is bound to happen.
How can a good thing come from more than less?"
Yu Wenshiji suppressed waves of dizziness and explained: "As Zhu Huangmen said, our army's combat power is low and without a battle formation, if we want to defeat the Donggong army, we can only place our hope in righteousness and hold high.
Morale. Think about the time when Han Xin lined up against the water, fought to the death, and defeated the Zhao army with a weak force. Why? He put himself to death and survived."
Everyone was stunned.
Even though Tongguan Hedgehog has gathered nearly 150,000 troops, which seems to be a strong force and a surge in strength, in fact everyone knows that when facing the elite Donggong troops, such a hastily recruited mob cannot rely solely on the number of troops.
Predict the outcome of the battle.
Li Zhi calmed his mind and said: "What Duke Ying means is that once Luoyang, Hangu and other places are lost, our retreat is cut off, and we are isolated and helpless, we will all die. On the contrary, it can inspire the morale of more than 100,000 soldiers under our command.
Are you willing to fight to the death...to eliminate the gap in equipment and combat power between the enemy and us?"
"Ahem...that's it. The so-called trapped beast still fights. Since they know that there is no way out, who is willing to kneel down and beg for surrender and let the slaughter happen?"
Just as he was talking, soldiers came in from outside and reported that Yuchi Gong had returned in the rain.
Li Zhi: "..."
Anger suddenly rose in my heart.
The current situation is dilapidated and dangerous, all because Xingyang, Luoyang and other places cannot be defended. The reason why Xingyang, Luoyang and other places cannot be defended is not because the two places have insufficient troops. Both Xingyang and Luoyang are the places where aristocratic families are entrenched. I think
It is easy to raise an army of more than 10,000 men. How many troops does the navy have in total? Those who followed Liu Rengui northward could only be no less than 5,000 men.
Naturally, there is no shortage of soldiers, but the most important thing is the major general.
Zheng Rentai was wavering and untrustworthy, so only Yuchi Gong was qualified and capable of taking command.
As long as he calls on the local aristocratic families to recruit private soldiers and contribute armor, with Yuchi Gong's ability, he will naturally be able to fight.
At worst, it can severely damage the navy, delay its eastward advance along the Yellow River, and buy more time for Tongguan.
However, before Yuchi Gong could engage in battle with the navy, he released his territory in Guandong and returned to Tongguan...
When it comes to military affairs, Li Zhi is clueless; but when it comes to playing politics, Li Zhi is extremely talented.
Therefore, it was instantly understood that Yuchi Gong's intention was to worry about the loss of power and even the safety of his tens of thousands of right-hand guards...
For the sake of selfishness, regardless of the overall situation.
However, as he said, there is no shortage of troops at the moment, but there is an extreme lack of generals to lead the troops. Even if he wants to withdraw the selfish Wei Chigong and show his head to the public, he can only endure it...
Taking a deep breath, Li Zhi said: "Please invite Duke E to come in and talk!"
"Here!"
The soldiers retreated.
After a moment, Yuchi Gong, who was wearing a helmet and whipping armor, stepped inside, knelt on one knee, and saluted: "I have an audience with Your Highness!"
He galloped all the way, and after passing Hangu Pass, he encountered heavy rain, and his body was already soaked. At this moment, he knelt on one knee, and the hair under his pocket and the middle coat under his armor were dripping with rainwater, making the ground wet.
Blockbuster.
Li Zhi hurriedly said: "Please get up quickly, Duke E! Why don't you change your clothes first and come back to discuss matters? Otherwise, if you catch the cold, who will I rely on?"
Now is not the time to show off your majesty. You must act like a virtuous corporal to win over people's hearts. Otherwise, if you lose this battle, your majesty will be of little use...
Yu Chigong showed gratitude on his face, was a little excited, and said loudly: "Today's traitors are running rampant and stealing cauldrons, which has caused the rule to be reversed and the monarch and his ministers to be in disorder. The current crisis is hanging by a thread. Even if the ministers are broken into pieces, they should still help.
Your Highness, now that the report of the Battle of Guandong has been submitted, we dare not delay."
Li Zhi's face was moved, and he said hurriedly: "The Duke of E is loyal to the country, and he is loyal to the country. How can I be so virtuous and capable? Come here, please pour tea for the Duke of E!"
When Yuchi Gong took his seat, he took a sip of tea and told his guesses.
The atmosphere in the barracks became increasingly heavy, because this was consistent with what Yu Wenshi said and confirmed each other, so there was no chance...
Li Zhi looked around and sighed: "What should we do now?"
Although Yu Wenshi said just now that this was a "last-ditch battle" and that there was a possibility of risking death and surviving, Li Zhi was not stupid and naturally understood how slim the odds were...
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Chigong had already said loudly: "Why do you need to worry, Your Highness? At this time, Tongguan has accumulated more than 100,000 elite soldiers and strong generals. All we need to do is to immediately mobilize all the troops to counterattack Chang'an, take advantage of it and give it a thunderous blow, and great things can be accomplished."
!”
Yu Wenshi, who wanted to say this, was a step too late at this moment, and was choked, so he had to add: "What Duke E Guo said is true. As long as the army raids Chang'an City, it will inevitably trigger a chain reaction. Originally, everyone was waiting and watching.
There must be someone in the Sixteenth Guards Army who responded to His Highness’s call and sent troops to assist.”
When he said this, Li Zhi immediately remembered that he had secretly sneaked into Chang'an to communicate, and when he came back, he said that he would send troops to respond when the army arrived at Chang'an City. His heart skipped a beat and his eyes lit up.
If that person is true to his word and sends his own troops to counterattack, and that person raises troops to respond, and with the internal and external coordination, it will be easy to capture Chang'an...