After thinking for a long time, Yuchi Gong wiped his face and made up his mind. He wrote a letter at his desk, put it in an envelope and sealed it with wax. Then he called his deputy Su Jia in and gave him careful instructions: "...Send this letter immediately. When we go to Zuowuwei, we must let Cheng Yaojin personally sign it."
Su Jia took the letter and put it into his arms, nodded and ordered, turned around and strode out of the camp, got on his horse with a few soldiers, and galloped westward.
After leaving his own camp and arriving at the junction of the two armies, he picked off his douchi. Not long after he went forward, he met the Zuowuwei scout. He reined in his horse and stood still. He said loudly: "On the order of the Duke of E, I have a letter to send to the Duke of Lu. Brothers. Don’t be nervous.”
He had to remind him of this, otherwise he might be doomed...
Fortunately, several of the other party's scouts were calm. One of them stepped forward to check on Su Jia, and he was relieved when he saw that he did not carry any weapons. He said, "Only the general can go there, and the rest are not allowed to go with him."
Su Jia nodded and said to several soldiers: "Wait here and don't walk around randomly."
"Here!"
After warning his soldiers, Sujia rode on horseback and followed several Zuowuwei soldiers, driving all the way straight into the Zuowuwei camp and arriving at the Zhongjun tent.
…
Cheng Yaojin read the letter and threw it to Niu Jinda aside. He looked at Su Jia and said, "Has Yuchi Laohei lost his mind and gone crazy? I have fought in battles all my life, winning and losing, but I have never done such a stupid thing as running away from the battle." , you go back and tell him that if he wants to pass through Zuowuwei’s position, he can only step on the corpses of me and Zuowuwei’s 40,000 soldiers!”
Niu Jinda was looking at the letter. On it, Yuchi said respectfully that he had received a military order from the King of Jin, and strictly ordered the right guard to dig open the Bashui defense line at all costs to open a direct passage to Chang'an. He also said that he remembered his past friendship with Cheng Yaojin. If the two sides do not want to fight each other and kill each other, please let Cheng Yaojin open a path, and there will be consequences.
These are not polite words. Yu Chigong has calculated that Cheng Yaojin is not willing to lose troops in this battle. The two coaches have the same intention in a sense, which is to preserve their strength as much as possible to avoid excessive losses. Losing influence and being excluded from their respective cores of power.
If Yuchi Gong was serious about sinking the boat regardless of casualties, then Cheng Yaojin would have to take a step back to avoid losing both sides. Therefore, Yu Chigong's letter is a warning. He plans to fight tooth and nail, so you'd better stay away...
Niu Jinda felt very humiliated. Just as Cheng Yaojin said, had he ever suffered such humiliation after fighting all his life?
But based on his understanding of Cheng Yaojin, he also understood that Yuchi Gong had pinpointed Cheng Yaojin's pulse. If Yuchi Gong really tried his best, Cheng Yaojin would most likely give in. Although he refused to give in now, even more Mostly just pretending.
Su Jia said respectfully: "Gong Lu has misunderstood. My commander-in-chief's meaning is very clear. The battle for the throne is Emperor Taizong's family matter. Whoever wins in the end and who loses and who takes the throne is the son of Emperor Taizong. Since everyone is Emperor Taizong, Why should my ministers kill each other among them, causing pain to their loved ones and pleasure to their enemies?"
Cheng Yaojin was silent. The phrase "it hurts those who are close, and those who are enemies are happy" was a sore point in his heart. Now he hoped that he and Yuchi Gong would fight to the death. However, he did not necessarily want to annihilate the main force of the rebels, but to consume him. Cheng Yaojin's troops greatly reduced Cheng Yaojin's voice and influence. From then on, many people would overpower him in the court.
After all, for a general, troops are the foundation. Without troops, who will listen to you?
Seeing Cheng Yaojin's move, Su Jia added: "Young master was defeated and captured before. My commander, remembering the old friendship between our two families, specially told him to treat him kindly. After this battle, he will be released home without losing a single hair. Please don’t think about it, Duke Lu.”
Cheng Yaojin became angry, slapped the case and said angrily: "Mother! How dare you threaten me? My Cheng family is full of loyal people. I don't know how much blood I shed for the founding of the Tang Dynasty. The whole family has long been prepared to sacrifice for the country, let alone a mere An incompetent son means that even if I have no descendants, I will never let you and other traitors coerce me! I still have some friendship in the past. If I don’t take your life today, I will go back and tell Yuchi Gong that charcoal. Stop daydreaming, if you want to go to Chang'an, just step over my corpse!"
There were soldiers coming in from outside, staring at Su Jia eagerly, and if they had any disagreement, they would swarm him up and cut him into pieces with random swords.
Su Jia didn't say much, saluted Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda, then got up and left without saying a word.
When Su Jia and a group of soldiers exited, the anger on Cheng Yaojin's face disappeared instantly. He touched the messy beard under his chin, his eyes flickered and his expression was uncertain.
Niu Jinda tapped the letter on the desk with his fingers and asked in a low voice: "How does the commander make a decision?"
Cheng Yaojin said in a muffled voice: "How else can we make a decision? The old thief Yuchi was forced to fight by the King of Jin. If we hold on and refuse to retreat, it will definitely be a life-and-death battle. Regardless of the outcome, the losses will be heavy. If this is the case, All the troops have been wiped out, do you think you can still do better than us in the future? Although Your Majesty is generous, he may not settle accounts with us in the future, but those civil servants will definitely impeach us. How will Your Majesty suppress the fierce public opinion? There are even some in the army. Those who covet my position will inevitably add insult to injury and try to take my place."
Is it more important to gain merit with a victory, or to preserve one's strength by bearing the blame? This issue needs to be analyzed in detail under different situations. At least in the current situation, Cheng Yaojin believes that strength is more important than anything else.
Why did Yuchi Gong write this letter to himself? Isn't it just that you want to retreat in the face of difficulties, and don't stage a drama of endless fighting that leads to the loss of the right guard?
"If you have soldiers, you will be a grass-headed king." Although it is not a troubled time now, the truth is the same.
As long as you have soldiers in hand, anyone who wants to deal with you has to be wary of pushing too hard. But if you don’t have soldiers and horses, then others can deal with you how they want. Even if you make great achievements, there may not be a good one. end.
The political struggle in the court has never been calculated based on the amount of meritorious service. Isn't it rare that people with outstanding achievements become victims of political struggle?
Niu Jinda asked: "What should we do now?"
He never considered these things. He always followed Cheng Yaojin's lead. Whatever decision Cheng Yaojin made, he would unswervingly implement it.
Cheng Yaojin thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty's dissatisfaction with me started in Chang'an City. Could it be completely reversed just because I resisted Yuchi Gong to the death? That may not be the case. The king is a fierce tiger, and those who obey it will prosper. , Those who rebel will perish, and all dissatisfaction and resentment will be hidden deep in our hearts, and will inevitably burst out as long as the opportunity is right. We cannot place our lives and future on His Majesty's mercy, we must ensure our strength."
Niu Jinda still frowned: "Then let Yuchi Gong break through our defense line and then reach Chang'an City?"
Cheng Yaojin remained silent.
The King of Jin abandoned Tongguan and went straight to Chang'an, allowing the navy to pursue him one after another. He voluntarily gave up all retreats and risked his life to survive. It seemed brave and heroic, but based on his understanding of Li Zhi, if such a person had no other How could he be so decisive in his layout and planning?
So now it seems that the situation in the imperial court is very good, but in fact the outcome is still undecided, and it is far from the time when the coffin is sealed...
…
Su Jia returned to the camp on the west bank of Bashui and met Yuchi Gong. He recounted Cheng Yaojin's reaction and words one by one. Yuchigong made a decision immediately: "Give me the order to make a fire and make food in the evening. At three o'clock in the morning, break camp and storm the Zuowuwei defense line!"
"Here!"
Su Jia took the order, exited the tent, and conveyed the news to the entire army.
The whole military camp was in an uproar. Under the instructions of their respective corps commanders and captains, the soldiers began to check their ordnance and equipment, striving to make all preparations in place to avoid being injured or even killed due to personal equipment problems after the war started. Therefore, the old soldiers would Make the most careful inspection preparations before the station, and there will be no omissions.
Around Shenshi, smoke was curling up in the camp, meals had been prepared, and all the soldiers lined up to eat.
At the beginning of the unitary hour, the entire army returned to the camp to rest and strive for every moment to recharge their batteries. At the same time, all the scouts were sent out to patrol around the camp, spying on all the movements of Zuowu Wei, not letting go of any slightest move, and preparing for a "sneak attack" in the middle of the night. "be prepared.
On the other side, Zuo Wuwei also issued military orders to light fires and cook meals in the evening, and the entire army hid in the tents to recuperate, waiting for a possible sudden attack...
At the time of Xu, Yuchi Gong walked out of the central military tent with his helmet on and his armor on. There were military lieutenant colonels on both sides. He glanced at the dark sky in the west, as if the tall and majestic shadow of Chang'an City was hidden in the darkness. After a pause, he made a decisive decision. Order: "All troops attack!"
The captains on the left and right bowed to accept the order, and then quickly returned to the team. There was no enthusiastic motivational speech. Everyone already knew the military orders in advance, so they quickly assembled with great efficiency at this moment, and then formed a square formation under the leadership of their respective captains. Covered in black, he silently sneaked towards Zuowuwei's position in the west.
The 20,000 people were silent, only the "rustling" of footsteps was slightly dull. The horses were all wearing bits and could not neigh. In the darkness, they were flowing forward like a flood that broke a bank.
But Zuo Wuwei was well prepared, so how could he succeed in a sneak attack?
The army had traveled less than five miles when it was detected by Zuowuwei's lurking scouts. They quickly retreated and reported to the commander. After a while, the entire Zuowuwei camp was lit with candles and torches, and war drums rumbled like thunder. The soldiers jumped out of their tents, fully armed and holding spears, waiting in formation.
Yuchi Gong rode forward slowly. After hearing the battle report from the front, he waved his hand and roared: "Charge!"
Wuwuwu——
The desolate horn sound suddenly sounded in the dark night, like a sharp thorn, which made people's hearts tremble slightly, and the blood flowed all over their bodies faster. The right guard soldiers who had been silent before suddenly shouted loudly, and one and two stared at each other. Holding the weapon tightly with his eyes, he spread his legs and followed the light cavalry towards the enemy position.
The war broke out in an instant.
The right guard was surging like a flood that broke an embankment, launching an unstoppable charge. The battle line spread out overwhelmingly, while the left guard was in strict formation. The formation moved slowly under the command of the general, avoiding the enemy's sharp edge. Methodical retreat.
The battlefield was turbulent, and the sounds of fighting between the two sides spread throughout the fields. However, because each had prepared in advance, the battle seemed fierce, but in fact, the losses suffered by each were not large.
