Zhang Fang's large army did not arrive until the Double Ninth Festival, and then set up camp in the north of the city.
Mi Huang sent out scouts to investigate and found out that the rebels had not cut down trees to build siege equipment, so he felt relieved.
As for why Zhang Fang didn't do this, the reason is heartwarming: after so many years of fighting around Luoyang, the nearby forest has long disappeared, and he has to search far away, which undoubtedly greatly increases the workload.
Another point is that there are a large number of residential buildings around Luoyang, so it is really difficult to deploy troops.
Shangguan Si had a field battle with Zhang Fang before and left the residential area in the north of the city. But now if you want to attack the city, you have to attack the city. What should you do? Demolish the house? The amount of work is too large.
Set fire to the house? It is not meaningful. Because even if you burn out a piece of ruins, you still can't deploy your troops.
The truly open areas outside the city are only near the twelve city gates. This is why when foreign armies attack Luoyang, the battles are always named after the city gates - they may not necessarily be fought next to the city gates, but mostly at some distance from the city gates. Open areas.
After Zhang Fang set up camp, there was no movement. Maybe he was hesitating.
This bird city has no internal response. If the defenders don't have civil strife, they will really only be under a long-term siege.
At the top of the northern city of Jinyong, Shao Xun, Mi Huang, and He Lun climbed up to look into the distance and observe the enemy's situation.
"To fight or not to fight, to leave but not to leave, what does Zhang Fang want to do?" He Lun asked, looking at the densely packed camps in the distance.
"It would be unjustifiable to not fight a single battle when we came to Luoyang, and it would be hard to explain when we go back." Shao Xun smiled and said, "No matter what, Zhang Fang has to come and give some heads before leaving."
"Mr. Lang said this with great pride. When the city wall is not defended, I will blame you." Mi Huang made a joke.
"Don't worry, Commander." Shao Xun said, "If Zhang Fang tries to lure me out of the city, I will ignore it. If he comes to attack the city, he will kill everyone and leave no one behind."
Mi Huang laughed. Although he was still not completely relieved, he was indeed relieved.
The city of Luoyang cannot form a formation, so it would be very awkward to attack by force. Reinforcements in the city are convenient, so even if the army's morale is unstable and its combat power is slightly weak, it can still be resisted by virtue of its geographical advantage and numerical advantage.
As time goes by, the morale of the military and the people will become more and more stable, and Zhang Fang will become even more unable to attack.
"The Governor is in a good mood today, but is there something good?" Shao Xun was currently in a situation where He Lun wisely did not talk about military matters, so he turned his attention to other places and keenly noticed that Mi Huang laughed several times today and was in a pretty good mood. .
"There is indeed good news." Mi Huang smiled from ear to ear: "I originally planned to tell you when I go back, but it doesn't hurt to say it here. King Fan Yang sent an envoy to Luoyang and said that Sikong has returned to Xuzhou."
"Really?" He Lun was delighted and asked.
"It's absolutely true." Mi Huang laughed loudly, sweeping away the gloom of the past few days.
Shao Xun also laughed.
Smile sincerely, not fake.
If Sima Yue died now, it would not be a good thing for him. Because Sima Ying would get rid of a major enemy, Bingzhou Sima Teng, Youzhou Wang Jun, Xuchang Sima Gai, Qingzhou Sima Lue and even Wancheng Sima Shi may not be able to be organized.
Shao Xun previously thought that Sima Yue was sparse in fighting, but its operations were not bad. This was the reason.
He has the potential to be an alliance leader and can win over various clan kings and governors, especially the descendants of Sima Kui, to fight against the enemy together.
In this huge group, Sima Yue is the key figure at the core. If he dies, who will Sima Hui, Sima Teng, Sima Lue and others serve as master? They are also dissatisfied with each other.
Without this huge anti-Sima Ying and Sima Yong force, Luoyang would definitely be in danger. Either Sima Ying would go south, or Sima Yong would go east. By then, Shao could only run away in despair.
"Sikong is still here, so we can contact him in the middle, organize all the righteous troops to work hard for the king, and attack the unfaithful ministers." He Lun said happily: "Has Sikong already convinced King Dongping (Sima Zhu)?"
Mi Huang's expression changed and he sighed: "Sikong rushed to Xuzhou, but there were only a hundred followers. King Dongping refused to accept him, so Sikong left for the East China Sea."
He Lun sighed.
In his heart, he wished Sikong could fight back to Luoyang immediately. Without Sikong, Shao Xun would be able to put pressure on me, making life very difficult.
Shao Xun silently savored the complex relationship between Sima Zhu and Sima Yue.
Sima Zhu, the governor of Xuzhou, rarely offended anyone, but he was always cunning in troubled times.
Sima Yue was defeated and fled eastward. He did not harm him, but just closed the door and persuaded him to leave. That little appearance is like a woman saying: "We have nothing to do with each other, please leave quickly and don't let xxx misunderstand..."
Sima Yue must have felt aggrieved at that time. Because before this, Xuzhou responded positively and delivered supplies to Luoyang, and their attitude was very good. But as soon as he lost the battle, he immediately fell out. The changes were too fast and it was difficult for people to adapt.
"I have sent a messenger to the East China Sea to convey the message." Mi Huang looked at the two of them and said, "Sikong is also followed by generals and staff. He should want to recruit soldiers and horses in Xuzhou to fight back. The volunteers from all walks of life laid siege for the second time Yecheng is not far away."
"Sikong Daye, there is hope for success." He Lun said excitedly.
"The matter has come to this, we can only stay in Luoyang and wait for Sikong's order." Shao Xun said.
"Yes!" Mi Huang said with a smile: "Luoyang is the capital city. Even if it is turned into ashes, it is still of great significance to the people of the world. We cannot lose it here, we must keep it."
****
Luoyang is not far from Yecheng and can be reached in a few days by horseback.
The news that Zhang Fang failed to seize the city and that his troops were stationed in the north of the city spread quickly, but Sima Ying had no idea.
At this moment, he was sitting blankly by the Po Pond, quietly watching the decaying flowers and willows beside the Po Pond, just like his state of mind.
Lu Zhi, Wang Cheng, Yang Zhun, Cui Kuang and other staff stood beside him.
Lu Zhi was originally recommended by Sima Ying as the Supervisor of the Central Secretary, but now he is unable to go to Luoyang and is still working as an aide in the Ye Mansion. His latest position is to "participate in affairs of the Prime Minister's Mansion" and is Sima Ying's de facto military advisor.
Yang Zhun is the "Junshou Sacrifice Wine", which is actually the Yue Mansion's "Military Consultation Sacrifice Wine". Since the use of the name "Military Advisor Sacrificial Wine" was banned, many new names have been invented in various places, including "Military Plan" and "Military Consultation".
Yang Zhun is considered a celebrity.
After being conquered by Sima Ying, he did not care about official affairs and lived happily all his life. In fact, he was just getting his salary for nothing.
Sima Ying regarded him as a famous scholar, "cherishing but not blaming" and being very tolerant.
Cui Kuang joined the army and was from Boling. He once urged Sima Ying to launch the war of turmoil and Yin, and he was very trusted.
Compared with the lord, the morale of the staff is not bad. After all, their lives are not in danger, and they can even transfer to other houses, so they can always find official positions.
"Where's Gu Yanxian?" A gust of cold wind blew, Sima Ying shivered and turned around to ask.
"Serving the emperor." Lu Zhi replied in a sullen voice.
Sima Ying stared at this once most trusted staff member, knowing that he was angry. After a long time, she shook her head and said, "Should we send him to Luoyang?"
Gu Yanxian is Gu Rong, a native of Wu.
He once served in the mansion of Sima Qian, the son of Sima Lun and the general, and served as the chief historian.
After Sima Lun's defeat, he transferred to Sima Jiong Mansion and served as chief secretary.
After Sima Jiong was defeated, he was transferred to Sima Yi Mansion and served as chief historian.
After Sima Yi's defeat, he transferred to Sima Ying's mansion and served as prime minister and as a lieutenant.
After the Dangyin War, when the emperor went to Yecheng, Sima Ying sent Gu Rong to accompany him, so he also took the position of a servant - like Lu Zhi, he had both secret and official positions.
Recently, someone in Yecheng proposed to make peace with Sima Yue and return the emperor to Luoyang. Sima Ying was a little moved and planned to send Gu Rong to handle this matter.
As for why this is the case, we have to talk about the rapidly changing war situation in Hebei.
Shao Xun fought fiercely with Shangguan Si and Zhang Fang in Luoyang. After Dangyin's victory, Sima Ying was not relaxed either, because soldiers from Bingzhou and Youzhou came over.
The two sides clashed many times, with the Ye division losing more than winning and suffering heavy losses.
Especially in the recent battle in Pingji, Shi Chao killed more than 10,000 people in one fell swoop, so much so that Wang Jun's scouts and rangers even went to Yecheng to spy on the military situation.
As soon as the news came out, there was great fear in Yezhong.
Many staff and officials fled because they heard that the Xianbei cavalry under Wang Jun's tent were burning, killing and looting everywhere, and they were worried about what happened, so they fled with their families.
As for why the officials and people of Yecheng were so unsure, the main reason was the lack of soldiers.
In the battle of Dangyin, Ye soldiers did not suffer losses. Especially during the two days of attacking the Central Army in Luoyang, there were heavy casualties, with more than 10,000 people lost.
This time they were attacked piecemeal by Sima Teng and Wang Jun in the north, and more than 10,000 troops were lost.
After the Battle of Pingji, Yecheng had fewer than 20,000 soldiers and horses, and it was difficult to cope with the attacks from Bingzhou and Youzhou. Not to mention, troops may also be sent from the direction of Qingzhou.
Sima Yue actually has too many party members.
In the battle of Dangyin, he summoned a large number of miscellaneous soldiers from Henan. After they were defeated, Sima Teng, Wang Jun, and Sima Lue were still eyeing him. If they were defeated again, Sima Ying doubted that this guy could still persuade Sima Gai, the governor of Xuchang, Sima Shi, the governor of Wancheng, and others to go out again, and they would be endlessly defeated.
Sima Ying didn't know where she lost. Maybe she had to blame her father and ancestors. Why were there so few people in their group?
"Brother, the Emperor's return to the capital should be carried out quickly." Lu Zhi advised: "When the emperor hears this, he may give up the idea of sending troops."
"Brother, please return the capital to the emperor." Wang Cheng also advised.
"My dear brother, I'll just give it back to the emperor for now. After we get through this difficulty, we can let the emperor patrol Hebei again." Cui Kuang said.
The opinions of the staff are generally unanimous.
As the war situation becomes increasingly unfavorable, holding the emperor in your hands will have many disadvantages.
The value that should be utilized has almost been utilized.
The emperor has just issued an edict to depose Prince Sima Tan and Queen Yang Xianrong and imprison them in Jinyong City.
The edict will arrive in Luoyang in the near future. At that time, Sima Ying will still be the emperor's younger brother and the only crown prince of the Jin Dynasty. Or you can use this name to figure it out slowly.
Of course, after the emperor returns to the capital, he will fall into the hands of Sima Yue's line again. It is difficult to say whether the prince and queen will be restored by then.
But there is really nothing we can do right now.
Returning the capital to the emperor was actually a manifestation of the goodwill of the Ye government.
If that didn't work, Lu Zhi suggested that Sima Ying, as the emperor's younger brother, recommend Sima Yue as the Taifu.
To put it bluntly, it was just asking for peace - Sima Yue kept losing and was about to win. Nothing is more bizarre than this.
"Zhang Fang is a veteran, but he can't even take Luoyang." Sima Ying did not directly answer Lu Zhi's words, but talked about the situation in Luoyang.
If Luoyang is in Zhang Fang's hands, things will be much easier to handle.
"Zhang Fang only has 20,000 soldiers, so it is difficult for a strong attack to be effective." Lu Zhi said: "Brother, don't place your hopes on others. Wang Yan is a famous person in the world, Mi Huang is mature and prudent, and there is a brave general Shao Xun to charge into the battle. As long as Luoyang doesn't Civil strife will hardly fall into Zhang Fang’s hands.”
"Alas!" Sima Ying fisted her fist, feeling very annoyed. After a moment, she said: "Let Liu Yuanhai go back, make preparations quickly, and send troops from the five divisions to help me."
"No." Lu Zhi responded.
Now that things have come to this, every ounce of strength must be used.
After the five Xiongnu tribes sent out troops, they could at least contain Sima Teng, allowing Yecheng to concentrate on dealing with Wang Jun.
There are still 20,000 soldiers in Yecheng. Whether they live or die depends on this battle.
