Yang Peng stood up and walked towards Han Bing. When Han Bing saw this, he couldn't help but become nervous. Yang Peng walked up to Han Bing and looked at the strong and beautiful woman in front of him, feeling filled with guilt. He couldn't help but hold her in his arms and whispered in her ear: "If this is your wish, then do it!" Han Bing was flustered and didn't know what to do. He pushed Yang Peng away suddenly and said angrily: "I'm joking with you, why do you take it seriously?" Yang Peng looked at Han Bing tenderly. Han Bing blushed involuntarily, snorted angrily, and quickly turned around and left.
Yang Peng looked at Han Bing's graceful back and couldn't help but sigh. Yang Peng left Hezhou soon after and went to Chengtian Army Stronghold.
The Taihang Mountains stretch for thousands of miles and are extremely majestic, just like a huge screen spanning Shanxi and Hebei. Chengtian Army Village is located in this magnificent mountain range, tightly blocking the strategic passage between Shanxi and Hebei. There is another name here, Niangziguan. According to legend, Li Yuan's daughter Li Xiuning once led an army to guard here in the early Tang Dynasty, so it was named Niangzi Pass. The person guarding this place now is also a female general, Yang Jiumei, a popular member of Yan Yun's army and Yang Peng's wife.
As the saying goes, a short break is better than a newlywed. When the two finally met, they were so in love and affectionate that they didn't care about anything.
In the dead of night, Yang Jiumei, whose face was still flushed, lay on Yang Peng's chest and whispered. "I'm here **** thinking about eldest brother every night!" Yang Peng's heart was filled with tenderness. He touched her smooth waist and hips and said softly: "Brother misses Jiumei too!" Yang Jiumei happily said With a smile, he squeezed his whole body into Yang Peng's arms, raised his head and asked curiously: "What do you think of me, brother?"
Yang Peng pinched her chin and said with a smile: "I miss our Jiumei's beautiful face." Then he moved his palm to the quilt. Yang Jiumei's expression suddenly trembled, and there was an emotional expression in her eyes. Yang Peng said with a bad smile: "I still miss our Jiu Mei's charming body!" Yang Jiumei chuckled and put her cheek against Yang Peng's chest. The two were tender for a moment. Yang Jiumei suddenly raised her head, "Did brother see Han Bing in Hezhou?" Yang Peng nodded. Yang Jiumei said: "Miss Han Bing is a very beautiful woman!..."
Yang Peng nodded sympathetically, "Indeed!" Yang Jiumei added: "Not only is she beautiful, but she is also very capable. There are only a handful of generals in the world who can compare with Miss Han Bing!"
Yang Peng suddenly felt a little strange, looked down at Yang Jiumei, and asked with a smile: "Jiumei, do you have anything to say to me?" Yang Jiumei smiled sheepishly, "Actually, I think Miss Han Bing seems I love big brother very much!"
Yang Peng was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Yang Jiumei was puzzled by Yang Peng's laughter. She hit Yang Peng's chest with her fist angrily and said angrily: "Why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong?"
Yang Peng smiled bitterly and said: "I really don't know how you came to such a conclusion! You should know that Han Bing and I have a brother-killing feud. I am very grateful that she can help me lead the army regardless of hatred. How can I dare to I have other ideas!" "But..." Yang Peng hugged Yang Jiumei and kissed her, "Okay, let's not talk about her! It's getting late, go to bed!" Yang Jiumei closed her eyes obediently, Soon I fell asleep. But Yang Peng hugged Yang Jiumei and stared at the ceiling in a daze, thinking about Yang Jiumei's things, and felt upset.
The next morning, Yang Peng, accompanied by Yang Jiumei, Yang Erya, and Li Tian, climbed a dangerous peak next to Chengtian Army Stronghold. The mountain wind is howling, and you can see thousands of mountains and valleys as far as the eye can see. This Taihang Mountain is really extremely steep!
Yang Jiumei pointed to the distance, "The hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses that were evacuated and led are stationed in Pingding City more than a hundred miles away." Yang Peng nodded and asked, "Didn't they come to attack?" Yang Jiumei shook his head. Shaking his head, he pointed to a steep mountain pass at the foot of the mountain, which was the only way to enter the Chengtian Army Stronghold. There was a military stronghold standing on the top of the cliff on both sides. This situation was undoubtedly one that could not be opened by one man. "When they arrived at the mountain pass, they retreated immediately after being blocked by our army, and then withdrew from the village for several miles. After the fighting in the south ended, they retreated to Pingding City."
Yang Peng showed contemplation, feeling that if a strong force could be sent out of Chengtian Army Stronghold to penetrate Shanxi, the current situation in the Central Plains might be immediately reversed. Then he smiled bitterly and shook his head. It would be great to have an elite army from Chengtian Army Stronghold, but where can we mobilize the army now? We can only put this matter aside for the time being!
A herald rushed over, holding a letter in both hands and kneeling down and said: "Report to King Yan, Yanjing's urgent military situation!" Yang Erya took the letter and handed it to Yang Peng. Yang Peng took the letter, opened it, took out the letter paper, read it again, and frowned slightly. He said to the three of them: "The Khitans launched a fierce attack on Gubeikou, Longshan, and Yuguan at the same time! I have to rush back as soon as possible!"
How could the Khitans launch a fierce attack from the northern front? It turned out that after receiving the report from the south, Empress Dowager Xiao felt that the remaining troops in Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures were insufficient and it was a good time to launch a large-scale attack, so she ordered Prime Minister Xiao Tianzuo to prepare food and grass, and at the same time ordered generals Xiao Yebule and Xiao Luye. Qian and Laheqian simultaneously sent large armies to attack Gubeiguan Pass, Longshan, and Yuguan, intending to take advantage of the lack of troops in Yanyun's Sixteenth Prefecture to invade Yanyun and go straight to the home base of Yanyun's army.
The Yanjing side was led by Liu Zhiliang, who actively mobilized all forces to resist. Just in case, Liu Zhiliang discussed with Qian Letian, Zuo Mou, and Ye Qi Hanyu and decided to mobilize all the young adults in the sixteen states to prepare for battle. . The entire Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures were in turmoil for a while. The people lost their usual joy and could not help but become frightened. The originally bustling streets suddenly became much depressed.
Yang Peng and his party entered Yanjing at high speed. Yang Peng walked quickly into the gate of Yanyun Mansion. Liu Zhiliang, Qian Letian, Zuo Mou and Yelu Hanyu, who had just received the news, hurriedly greeted them. As soon as Yang Peng saw them, he immediately asked: "How is the situation now?" Yelu Hanyu said solemnly: "Brother, you are late!" Yang Peng was startled, "Is this happening?" Yelu Hanyu suddenly gasped. A smile. Yang Peng didn't react for a moment when he saw this scene.
The other three laughed, and Liu Zhiliang said quickly: "Brother, don't worry, the princess is joking with you!" Yang Peng was so angry that he glared at Yelu Hanyu angrily. Yelu Hanyu smiled happily. Yang Peng smiled and said: "Looking at you like this, there must be no problem, right?"
Liu Zhiliang said: "I just received a report from the frontline army that the Khitan army has retreated!"
Yang Peng was stunned, "Retreat? Just retreat like this?" Yelu Hanyu said: "Fifty-six million Khitan troops attacked for five or six days without making any progress, and also lost many soldiers and horses! If not If we retreat, apart from increasing casualties, what else can we achieve?"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "So our defense system has worked?" The four of them nodded. Zuo Mou smiled and said: "It should be said that it has played a huge role!" Then he presented a pamphlet to Yang Peng, Said: "This is the casualty report from both sides that was just sent." Yang Peng quickly took the report and read it again, and said in disbelief: "We only lost a dozen people?!" The four of them smiled and nodded, Yelu Hanyu Said: "Only a dozen people died in the battle, but the Khitan army lost no less than 20,000 people! This is why the Khitan army retreated!"
His eyes turned to the capital city of Liao Kingdom. Empress Dowager Xiao regretted deeply: "I really regret not listening to my daughter! When the Yanyun Army was building fortifications, I should have listened to my daughter and sent troops to attack continuously! Alas, it's too late to regret now! I didn't expect it to take such a short time. Here, they actually built such a strong and dangerous defense line, and now it is simply impossible to attack from the north!"
General Xiao Yebule said with lingering fear: "That kind of defense line is simply more insurmountable than natural dangers. The city wall is so high that even the siege ladder cannot be built up, and there are fortresses at the top of the cliffs, and the three-bow beds are placed in those places. Ballistas, cannons, etc. can hit our army from a long distance, and our army often suffers heavy casualties before they reach the city wall! I will bluntly say that such a defense line cannot be broken through unless they give up on their own initiative! "Emperor Ye Qian Longxu frowned tightly, "Now I finally understand why Yang Peng dared to move his troops south. I was too careless!"
Xiao Tianzuo thought: "Maybe this is not a bad thing!" The emperor and several generals looked at Xiao Tianzuo in confusion. Xiao Tianzuo smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the Yanyun Army can now hold the northern line with very few troops, so we don't need to press so many troops in that direction! We can completely pull out most of the troops. Engage in combat operations in the south! In this way, our army's advantage in the Central Plains will remain unshakable!" Empress Dowager Xiao's eyes lit up and she nodded, "Not bad, not bad! Don't the Han people have a saying: use the enemy's strategy to the best of your ability? We also Give him a plan and move all the troops on the front line to the Central Plains! I want to see who will win in the Central Plains competition? "
Yang Peng climbed up the cliff on the west side of the Gubei Pavilion and looked to the north, where the northern grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. Looking back, he saw the Gubei Pavilion defense system built on the steep terrain. Yang Peng was amazed and felt that this was simply a magnificent scene that could only be seen in film and television blockbusters!
The first city wall stretches across the only way to go from south to north. The shape of this city wall can be said to be completely different from ordinary city walls. The city gate in the middle appears to be very low and narrow, while the walls on both sides appear to be very majestic and tall. In fact, the city gate is not low and narrow. In terms of scale, it is larger than the city gate of Yanjing. The reason why it looks low and narrow is entirely because the city walls on both sides are so majestic.
The city walls on both sides of the city gate have a wide foundation that is only ten meters high, and then the city walls are built with huge nearby rocks on top, and another ten meters are built. The overall height of the front is about thirty meters, which is equivalent to the height of ten stories. It completely surpassed all the defense systems of this era. No wonder Yebule said that their ladders were simply incapable of reaching the top. The defensive soldiers were on such a city wall, and they only needed to keep shooting arrows and throwing stones.
And this is only the first layer of the Gubei Pavilion’s defense system. The second layer is also a city wall. It is a city wall built on higher terrain behind the first city wall. Since it is built on higher terrain, it is more than ten meters higher than the first city wall. When the enemy attacks, the long-range firepower on the second wall can also cause damage to the enemy.
In addition to these two defense systems, there is also a third layer of defense system. Many military strongholds were built on the top of the surrounding cliffs, which were cut into the sky. These military strongholds relied on the natural dangers of the cliffs to attack the enemy while they were still gathering. Not long ago, Yebule's army suffered such a big loss. At that time, they did not know that Yanyun's army had moved heavy equipment such as stone cannons, three bows, bed crossbows, etc. to the military stronghold on the cliff. Just as the army was gathering to prepare for the attack At that moment, a huge roar suddenly came. Before the Khitan soldiers could react, rocks and bullets fell from the sky. The Khitan army was caught off guard and killed and wounded more than a hundred people. Fortunately, this is ancient times, and the hit accuracy of long-range weapons is very low. If it were in modern society, such a long-range salvo would probably have destroyed Xiao Yebule's army.
Yang Peng listened to Yang Jing excitedly describing the recent war while admiring the magnificent scenery in front of him. Yang Jing finally said: "I have been in the army for so many years, and I have never fought such an easy war! The enemy is already covered in corpses, but we still don't feel much pressure!"
Yang Peng smiled and said, "If I only give you 10,000 troops, can you defend this place?" "No problem!" Then he thought for a while, "With this defense system, there is absolutely no problem!"
Yang Peng showed a thoughtful look. After inspecting the Gubei Pavilion, Yang Peng went to Longshan and Yuguan to inspect again. The situation at Yuguan is similar to that at Gubeiguan, while Longshan's defense system is stronger and insurmountable than Gubeiguan and Yuguan. Not long ago, the Khitan army attacked for five or six days and killed five or six thousand people. However, only one soldier of the army guarding Longshan was scratched by a stray arrow.
The northern defense system of Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures has passed this test and demonstrated extremely powerful defense capabilities. Yang Peng felt more confident and felt that he could mobilize more troops to fight in the main direction.
Boom! A loud noise suddenly erupted outside Shangjing City. The soldiers and civilians in the city were startled, and some people muttered angrily: "Damn it! What the hell are these Khitan people doing outside the city all day long?! They're so scary!" Ye Qi Guanyin and Brother Ye Qi Xiu ran out. In the hall, looking in the direction of the loud noise, I saw a column of smoke rising from the distance. Ye Qi Guanyin frowned and said, "It seems we failed again!" Brother Ye Qi Xiu said angrily: "I'll go take a look!" and then left in a hurry.
Not long after, Brother Ye Qixiu came back and said dejectedly: "Damn it, failed again! More than twenty people were killed!" Ye Qi Guanyin frowned and said: "Since the Yanyun Army can create that kind of weapon, we It should be possible to make it, but what is wrong?" Ye Qi Guanyin shook her head, "I don't know! I let them continue to do it!"
Ye Qi Guanyin thought: "This is not a solution. Maybe we should think of another way." Brother Ye Qi Xiu asked puzzledly: "What good idea does the imperial sister have?" Ye Qi Guanyin raised her head and looked at the sky in the distance. , murmured: "Since we can't make it, let's find a way from Yan Yunjun!"...
After Yang Peng inspected the northern defense system, he immediately returned to Yanjing. As soon as I came back, I learned that news came from Bianjing not long ago, saying that the imperial court was now discussing how to deal with Yang Peng.
At the same time that Yang Peng learned the news, in the palace study in Bianjing, the emperor and the ministers were arguing fiercely about how to deal with Yang Peng.
Kong Yida said angrily: "Yang Peng is now too big to get rid of him! If we don't take drastic measures to get rid of him, it will definitely lead to a catastrophe! It will be too late to regret it by then!"
The Eighth Prince said angrily: "Do you want to meet Yan Yun Wenbian according to Master Kong's wishes? In this situation, wouldn't it be better for relatives to hate enemies? I'm afraid that both the Khitan and Han Derang would like us to do this! "
Kong Yida snorted, "Why bother to use troops! I have a clever plan to get rid of this beast without any bloodshed!" Song Zhenzong immediately became interested, "If Kong Qing has a clever plan, please tell me quickly!" Kong Yida smiled confidently. , cupping his fists and saying: "As long as His Majesty sends an imperial edict to summon him to Bianjing, then his life and death will all depend on His Majesty's will!"
"No!" the Eighth Prince said urgently, "Your Majesty, Master Kong's words are simply misleading the country and the emperor! Who is Yang Peng? Is it so easy to be fooled by a person who can make Khitan people fear him? Furthermore, This strategy was used by the late emperor before, but if he repeats it now, he will probably not be able to deceive even a child. Therefore, doing so can only be self-defeating! Your Majesty, who is respected by the world, should not resort to this villainous trick!"
Li Te, who participated in the political affairs, also said: "What Mr. Zhao said is absolutely true! Regardless of King Yan's true thoughts, he is indeed focused on dealing with the Khitans and Goryeo, and his subjects and common people regard him as a hero! If your majesty conspired to kill him Killing them will not only enmity the Yanyun army, but also chill the hearts of all the people in the world! I'm afraid the situation will really be over by then! Your Majesty must not listen to Confucius' words of ** that will bring disaster to the country and the people!"
Kong Yida was so angry that his veins jumped, and he shouted: "Aren't I thinking about your majesty's country? From what you say, it seems that I am the traitor!"
The Eighth Prince said: "We are just discussing the matter." Kong Yida snorted, "Yang Peng will rebel in the future and must be eliminated as soon as possible!" The Eighth Prince asked in return: "I don't know why Mr. Kong speaks so confidently? How dare you? Ask Master Kong what is the basis?" Kong Yida glared and said: "He is a military commander and now holds great power, this is the basis!" The Eighth Prince sneered: "This means that there is no excuse for trying to incriminate! "
Song Zhenzong was so quarreled by the two of them that he couldn't make up his mind for a moment, so he turned his attention to Pang Taishifei, who had been silent. "Pang Qing, please tell me your opinion." Everyone looked at him. It fell on Pang Tai Shifei.
Master Pang Fei said: "Well, what Mr. Zhao and Mr. Kong said are reasonable. I think it would be better to find a way to restrain King Yan."
Song Zhenzong became interested, "Then, how should we restrain the rope?"
Pang Taishifei said: "Retirement is nothing more than a high-ranking official, generous salary and marriage. Now that King Yan is already a very popular minister, it is better to use marriage. I heard that your Majesty's imperial sister is in her twenties, so why not marry King Yan. In this way, Your Majesty and King Yan will become one family, and Master Kong’s worries will naturally be solved!”
Song Zhenzong was greatly moved, "This is a good idea!" He glanced at the other ministers and said, "What do you all think?" The Eighth Prince said, "This is indeed a way to get the best of both worlds!" Wang Qinruo also nodded. Kong Yida said anxiously: "If your Majesty does this, you will definitely regret it in the future!"
Song Zhenzong was unhappy, "Kong Qing, please don't be so alarmist all the time!"
After the meeting, Song Zhenzong came to an exquisite and beautiful palace in the harem. This palace is not big, but it exudes exquisiteness and beauty everywhere. A small arch bridge, with a clear stream passing through the bridge, making a gurgling sound; the lush bamboo forest swaying in the wind, with the pink embroidered building looming in it; the peach tree is surrounded by cherries, the pear tree is surrounded by peony, and colorful fallen flowers are floating on the water. The fragrance of the garden is refreshing. This is simply a paradise where fairies live!
Of course, the person living here is not a fairy, but Song Zhenzong's younger sister, the legendary Princess Lihua, who is as beautiful as a fairy. When Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty walked across the small bridge and through the bamboo forest, he saw a peerless beauty in palace clothes sitting in front of the moon cave window playing the piano. She really looked like Chang'e in the moon palace. Although Song Zhenzong was the elder brother, he still couldn't help but lose consciousness, smiled, and walked over quickly.
"Little sister!" Zhao Lihua quickly raised her head when she heard Song Gaozong's voice. Seeing that Song Zhenzong had arrived at the door, his face showed joy, and he quickly stood up and went out to greet him. Yingying bowed and said, "I didn't know that your majesty arrived and was far away to greet you. I hope that your majesty will atone for your sins!"
Song Zhenzong chuckled, "We are brothers and sisters, why should we be so secluded from outsiders? There are no outsiders here, so just call me brother." Zhao Lihua smiled brightly, like a peony in full bloom, "Brother." Song Zhenzong smiled and held her hand. Zhao Lihua's delicate hands walked into the embroidery building. Come to the moon cave window and sit down. Zhao Lihua quickly asked the palace maid to serve fragrant tea.
Song Zhenzong picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea. Seeing that Zhao Lihua was still standing, he said, "Sit down, little sister. We two brothers and sisters will have a nice talk." Zhao Lihua smiled and sat down next to Song Zhenzong.
Song Zhenzong looked at Zhao Lihua's beautiful face and couldn't help but sigh: "I really don't know who got the blessing from the previous life to be able to marry you!" Zhao Lihua's face turned red, showing a look of embarrassment. Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty said: "Little sister, you are not young anymore, it's time to get married!" Zhao Lihua was smart as ice and snow. He knew the elegant meaning of the song after hearing it. She frowned slightly and asked: "Brother, do you want to marry me off?"
Song Zhenzong nodded. Zhao Lihua said angrily: "Brother, my little sister has already made up her mind! My little sister won't marry!" Song Zhenzong said angrily: "Marriage has always been a matter of parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Now that my parents are not here, I... Of course the eldest brother makes the decision, how can you be willful!"
Zhao Lihua was angry and sad at the same time, staring at Song Zhenzong with a pair of beautiful eyes like stars, with crystal tears rolling down her face.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
