In Southern Yan, the emperor Murong Yan fell ill. After recovering from the illness, the Jin Dynasty completed the adjustment of the defense line. Tens of thousands of Jin troops were stationed in Pengcheng, Xiapi, and Guangling. They responded to each other and built a defensive line. The southern expedition quietly ceased.
When Murong De was ill, Murong Chao stayed in front of the bed to wait for his illness. His cheeks were thin and his eyes were red.
When Murong Chao returned to his residence in the evening, Empress Duan persuaded her: "Long live, you are seventy years old and have often fallen ill in recent years. You should make a prince earlier."
Murong took his wife's hand and said, "Queen, what do you think of Chao'er?"
Duan said: "Long live the matter of establishing a crown prince, I should ask the ministers. I am not in a position to comment."
On June 26, Mu Chong returned to Yewang City from Pingcheng. He was still feeling cold all over his body and was frightened and uneasy.
He was ordered to return to Beijing for pilgrimage. When the emperor asked about the southern expedition, Mu Chong responded calmly. When he returned to his residence in the capital, his legitimate son Mu Guan told his father the rumors circulating in the capital and the emperor's summoning of King Wei to the palace for a banquet at night.
Mu Guan was the second son of Mu Chong. He was well-known for his literature and art. He worked as a chamberlain in the palace and was highly regarded by Tuoba Gui.
After Mu Chong heard his son's story, his hair stood on end. In recent years, the emperor had committed severe crimes against his ministers and killed them at will. Although his rebellion with King Wei was kept secret by the emperor, it was still a thorn in the emperor's heart. He didn't know when he would be killed. will be pulled out.
Mu Guan saw his father's face turned pale and said, "Don't panic, sir. Since the emperor asked King Wei to return to the palace, he won't punish you at all. You just need to be open-minded and face it calmly."
After the pilgrimage, Tuoba Gui did not summon Mu Chong again, and it was not until the third day that he was sent a message to let Mu Chong return to Yewang City, leaving him to make the final decision on the southern expedition.
Along the way, Mu Chong thought over and over again, trying to figure out the emperor's intentions. Tuoba Gui was no longer the talented and strategist he once was, and he was good at admonishment. Since he entered Pingcheng and proclaimed himself emperor, Tuoba Gui had become willful, violent, and easy to kill, which made the royal family members unhappy. Walking on thin ice, he would join forces with King Wei to assassinate him.
Being able to escape this time does not mean that he can escape next time. Mu Chong made up his mind that instead of being killed by the emperor, it would be better to die on the battlefield and leave his name.
The southern expedition had been agreed upon years ago. Mu Chong was originally scheduled to lead his army southward in early June. It was the dry season of the Yellow River at that time, and the water in the Hulao Pass section was only three or four feet deep, so one could directly wade through it.
It was now the end of the month, and if we didn't wait for rain upstream, we would have to wait until winter. Mu Chong thought of how he was having trouble sleeping and eating in the capital, and even if he died, he would die on the battlefield south.
He ordered Huslan to lead an army of 10,000 people to set off from Pinggao, cross the Yellow River and land east of Hulao Pass. The army went east to attack Xingyang. He led 8,000 light cavalry and 20,000 infantry as the rear army, and then set off.
The Wei army had already been assembled and on standby, and the food, grass and baggage were well prepared. After receiving Mu Chong's military order, Husi Lan forcibly crossed the Yellow River on June 28 and landed on the east bank of Sishui River.
Hu Fan set up a camp on the east bank of the Si River, built dozens of high platforms along the Si River, and attacked and killed the Wei army with arrows. The Wei army erected skin shields and built a shield wall on the shore. They gradually advanced and fought for each other one by one as they approached the high platform.
At Hulao Pass, Pei Sheng saw that the Wei army was overwhelming, so he ordered Dong Qing to fire crossbow arrows at the Wei army crossing the river, and did not dare to go out to fight.
After fierce fighting until noon, most of the rammed platforms were captured. The Yongzhou army was defeated and retreated towards Xingyang. The Wei army occupied the east bank of Si River. Pei Sheng of Hulao Pass sent people to Gong County to report the situation and asked the Luoyang Navy stationed in Gong County to come for reinforcements.
On June 29, Mu Chong led his rear army across the Yellow River and sent five thousand troops to attack Hulao Pass, while other troops rushed to attack Xingyang City.
In Xingyang, Hu Fan appealed to Yang Anxuan. He originally thought that the garrison on the east bank of Sishui River could hold on for two days, which would be enough time for Xingyang City to respond.
Yang Anxuan said: "Nearly 40,000 Wei troops crossed the Yellow River by force. The two thousand defenders of the Sishui River could not resist it. Even if Yu personally defended the shore, they would not be able to defeat it. You don't have to worry about it. Order medical officers to rescue the injured soldiers and mobilize the troops. While the young and strong men are guarding the city, the Wei army is coming with great force and cannot be ignored."
Hu Fan straightened his back and said, "Please rest assured, Governor Yang. The city is still there and the people are there. I will definitely not let the Wei army capture Xingyang."
Yang Anxuan looked at the map of Xingyang County spread out on the desk and said, "You are here in Xingyang. I don't worry about it. But seeing that it is difficult to get off Xingyang, Mu Chong will probably let some troops besiege Xingyang and lead his army south to seize Jingxian County.
"
On June 18, Yang Anxuan led his light cavalry to the north of Xingyang. He ordered Yang Zijing, the governor of Xiangcheng, to lead 2,000 county troops to assist the capital county, and ordered Yingchuan Sima Chengkang to lead 1,500 soldiers to rush to help.
Hu Fan originally stationed a thousand county troops and four thousand garrison troops in Jing County. In order to enhance the mobility of Jing County, Yang Anxuan asked Zhang Feng to lead a thousand light cavalry to stay and wait for Yang Zijing to take command when he arrived.
On June 20, Yang Anxuan led two thousand light cavalry into Xingyang. After two days of rest, Yang Anxuan asked Shen Qingzhi to lead the Qingqi to continue northward to the abandoned Aocang.
Aocang was a place for storing grain during the Han Dynasty. Because the water flow from the Yellow River to Xingyang became shallower, the grain could only be unloaded in Aocang and temporarily stored and transported by land to Luoyang and Chang'an.
During the Han Dynasty, an official office was built here to manage warehouse affairs, but it was abandoned during the Wei Dynasty. The original official office was destroyed by war. Later, refugees lived here and gradually became a village.
Yang Anxuan then asked the Luoyang Navy stationed in Gong County to get out of the Yiluo River and hide in Huting, twenty miles downstream of Aocang, to stand by.
Yang Anxuan asked Hu Fan to hold on, and before the Wei army surrounded the city, he left the city and headed north to meet up with Shen Qingzhi of Aocang.
On June 30, the Wei army arrived in Xingyang. Hu Fan had already ordered people to build walls and clear the countryside, move the people near Xingyang into the city, and cut down all the trees.
Mu Chong followed the army to the outside of Xingyang City. Looking at the bare outside of the city, he sneered: "I have been preparing to attack Xingyang for more than half a year. How can I be embarrassed?"
We set up camp that day, and over the next three days all kinds of siege equipment continued to arrive. On July 3, Mu Chong asked Hu Silan to lead 15,000 troops south to Jingxian County, and he led the army to attack Xingyang City.
That night, Chen Yu led thirty warships to Aocang and transported two thousand soldiers and horses across the Yellow River in one night. After arriving at the north bank, Yang Anxuan asked Chen Yu to stand by in the Aocang area, waiting to launch an attack when the Wei army retreated north.
At noon on July 4th, Yang Anxuan led two thousand light cavalry to appear in Huai County. He did not attack the city, but burned the wheat fields and then headed west.
At the end of the twelfth lunar month on July 5, Yongzhou Qingqi appeared in Pinggao. Mu Chong stationed grain here and had three thousand soldiers and horses stationed there.
The Pinggao Wei army was gathering to transport baggage to the south. When Yang Anxuan appeared with his light cavalry, the Pinggao defenders hurriedly withdrew into the city, leaving the baggage and the ox carts outside.
Yang Anxuan ordered the food supplies to be burned and the cattle to be killed for meat. The Wei troops in the city did not dare to fight and could only watch the Wei troops march away.
That night, Mu Chong received an urgent report from Pinggao City and was greatly shocked. He didn't know where the Jin army crossed the river.
Although the Yellow River has entered the dry season, there are not many places where it can be waded through. I have stationed beacon towers and sent soldiers to garrison in places where I can wade through. I have not received any news of the Jin army crossing the river. This group of Jin cavalry followed Wherever it appears.
With more than two thousand cavalry, a cold look flashed in Mu Chong's eyes. These few troops and horses were not enough to attack the city and seize the territory. They would only harass everywhere, just to get him back.
He was appointed by the emperor as the governor of Yuzhou, with jurisdiction over seven counties including Hanoi, Jijun, Gaoyang, and Pingyang. Thirty-eight thousand soldiers and horses were recruited to cross the river. Less than 10,000 soldiers and horses were left in Hanoi County, and Yewang City occupied Half of them.
All the baggage, grain and grass for this southern expedition were stored in Hanoi County, but the soldiers and horses in the county were not enough to intercept the Jin cavalry, so they could only defend the city.
Mu Chong thought for a moment and then ordered: "Order the Sima of Ji County, Gaoyang County, and Pingyang County to each lead 3,000 soldiers and horses to gather in the Yewang City to find where the Jin Cavalry is and trap it. The Jin Cavalry has no supplies, and even if it is piled up with people, it will be They piled to death."
The marching commander, Mo Qianhong, said: "Mr. Yidu, please report to the emperor and ask the imperial court to send troops."
Mu Chong shook his head and said coldly: "Jin Qi is just a mouse, so there is no point in alarming the emperor. Send the order to attack Xingyang City tomorrow, and it must be conquered within three days."
Beginning on July 5th, the Wei army began to attack the city at Chen hour and did not withdraw until You hour. Watching the Wei army retreat, Hu Fan took off his leather armor. A rancid smell steamed up, and the Ge shirt inside the leather armor was soaked.
Hu Fan signaled his guards to pass the water to the soldiers beside him first, and laughed in a smoky voice: "Brothers, Governor Yang has crossed the river to kill the Wei people's hometown. This group of Suo slaves are so anxious that they will jump over the wall. Let's defend the city. , wait until Governor Yang takes out their lair, and then kill him like shit."
The soldiers all laughed, and the commander of the camp, Xu Fei, said loudly: "The year before last, I followed Governor Yang in
The killings in Fugou area made the Wei people cry for father and mother. These beasts who only care about eating but not beating actually dare to come again. I hope I don't break their legs this time. "
"Brother Xu, you have told Governor Yang about killing the Wei people hundreds of times. I was not chosen to guard Xuchang that time, otherwise this village chief would have been my servant."
There was a lot of laughter and laughter on the city wall. The veterans who had experienced the war were chatting and laughing, which led the troops to relax and talk and laugh.
Hu Fan took the water and drank it in small sips. The cold water flowed down his throat, bringing bursts of coolness. The morale of the army is available, Xingyang City is strong, and I want to make the Wei army lose its wings here.
Looking at the bloody clouds in the west, Hu Fan secretly worried about Yang Anxuan. Two thousand soldiers are deep in the enemy's territory, which is extremely dangerous, or if An Xuan makes a mistake, the battle will be won or lost. …
In an inlet south of Yewang City and north of Wenxian County, two thousand Qingqi were washing their horses in the river. Bonfires were lit, smoke was curling up, large pieces of beef were rising and falling in the cauldron, and the alluring fragrance filled the air.
A dozen people were brought to Chongqing. They were Han, Xianbei and Di people, and they were farmers nearby. Following Yang Anxuan's teachings, Shen Qingzhi inquired in detail about the topography of dozens of miles around, and asked people to pile soil to make mountains, draw lines to make roads, dig ditches to make rivers, place stones to make villages and towns, and draw on the ground.
Yang Anxuan sat shirtless by the campfire, cooking beef in the cauldron. Occasionally he raised his head to take a look, but he was secretly observing the expressions of these people.
It had been four days since they entered the Wei territory. After burning the Wei army's baggage in Pinggao, Yang Anxuan led his army to fight back and intercepted the Wei army's baggage in Huai County.
Since then, the Wei people have received orders from Mu Chong not to transport supplies to the front line for the time being and to close the city and guard it strictly. In order to supply food, Yang Anxuan had to order food for the people. When he encountered villages along the way, he ordered the villagers to provide bread and meat, and killed those who dared to resist.
Yang Anxuan knew that as time passed, Wei's soldiers and horses were arriving one after another, and a large invisible net was coming towards him. Once he was entangled, the consequences would be disastrous. Among this group of people, it is very possible that the Wei people have hidden details and are looking for their whereabouts.
After these people were taken away, Shen Qingzhi came to the campfire and told Yang Anxuan what had happened.
Yang Anxuan asked: "Where do you think the Wei people will stop us?"
Since crossing the river, Yang Anxuan would ask Shen Qingzhi in advance every time he made a decision. Shen Qingzhi knew that his third uncle was cultivating him, so he thought for a moment and said: "Today afternoon, our army turned west from Wen County to the direction of Yewang City. The official road was sparsely populated, and the business travelers going south They are almost gone, I guess the Wei army has arrived at Yewang City."
Yang Anxuan nodded and said: "Yes, Yu thinks so too. Calculating the time, the Wei army in Gaoyang and Pingyang should be able to reach Yewang City."
Shen Qing's advice: "We should not go further north when the Wei army gathers. We only have enough food for two days. If we are surrounded by the Wei army, the consequences will be disastrous. We must go to Heyang County before the Wei army encircles us, cross the river and return to Mengjinguan."
Yang Anxuan said: "In this way, our crossing the river will have little effect. Mu Chong's army will have no worries. How long can Xingyang City hold on?"
Shen Qingzhi hesitated and said: "General, we are not allowed to kill the people, otherwise the Wei army will definitely return to rescue them."
Yang Anxuan's eyes turned cold and he said in a low voice: "Qingzhi, we all get our food and clothing from the people. Killing the people means killing our food, clothing and parents. How can we tolerate it?"
Shen Qingzhi stood up, saluted and said, "I will keep this in mind."
Yang Anxuan motioned for Shen Qingzhi to sit down and said, "At least two of the dozen or so people just now were spies of the Wei army. I'm afraid our location has been known to the Wei army."
Being in the territory of Wei, Yang Anxuan did not kill the people he saw. The Wei army knew the time and place where the Yongzhou Army appeared from the people's mouths, calculated the military route, estimated the approximate location, and spread the details where the Yongzhou Army might appear.
"I guess this place is already known to the people of Wei." Yang Anxuan said calmly.
Shen Qingzhi jumped up in shock and said, "General, we must evacuate immediately."
Yang Anxuan smiled and waved his hand, saying: "There's no rush, Wei Jun won't come now, we'll worry about it after dinner."
