As the saying goes, "Good fortune never comes alone, but misfortune never comes alone." Less than half a day after Yang Peng received the urgent report of the invasion of the Xixia army, another urgent military report came from Yangzhou. The imperial court Gao Hu and Cao Jun were marshals, leading 400,000 Song troops. The two groups on the left and right came across the Yangtze River. The east group led by Gao Hu left Zhenjiang and attacked Yangzhou directly, while the west group led by Cao Jun left Wuhu and attacked Hezhou. The morale of the two armies was high, and the battle situation was very unfavorable for Yanyun's army.
Yang Peng was very surprised after receiving this report. He originally thought that the imperial court would not come to drown this muddy water, but he did not expect that the imperial court would suddenly send 400,000 troops. This was obviously an agreement with the Khitan and Xixia people. . On that day, although Wang Qinruo accepted Yang Peng's bribe and promised, he still colluded with the Khitan people secretly and conspired to join forces to destroy Yanyun. After the Liao Kingdom's secret envoy brought the news of the Liao Kingdom's Xixia Alliance, Wang Qinruo was overjoyed. Then he used this to persuade Emperor Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng was originally unwilling to have another dispute with Yan Yun, but when he heard that Liao Kingdom and Xixia had formed an alliance to deal with Yan Yun together, his heart couldn't help but get excited again. After getting up, and with Wang Qinruo fanning the flames, Zhao Heng finally agreed to a plan to jointly deal with Yan Yun with Liao and Xixia, and followed Wang Qinruo's suggestion to re-activate Gao Hu and Cao Jun who had been dismissed before. With these two men leading the army, the performance of the Song Army was completely different, making Yan Yunjun feel unprecedented pressure.
Gao Hu's 200,000 troops pressed on Yangzhou, and various heavy equipment was continuously transported from the waterway to the city of Yangzhou. The morale of the Song army was like a rainbow, and the war was about to break out.
That night, Gao Hu was sitting in front of the map and thinking. The soldiers suddenly came in and reported: "Marshal, there is a person coming outside. He said he is a relative of the marshal and wants to see the marshal." Gao Hu was surprised: I don't have any relatives in Huainan. ?
Then I understood: It must be Yan Yun's secret envoy, using this as an excuse to see me. After hesitating for a moment, he said to the soldier: "Invite him in." The soldier responded and ran down. Gao Hu walked to the commander's seat and sat down, waiting for this so-called relative. He couldn't help but think of how he, Yang Yanzhao, and Yang Peng had such a heart-warming conversation that day. It was really sad!
There were footsteps at the door. Gao Hu looked up and saw a tall, thin scribe-like guy coming in following the soldiers. The soldier clasped his fists and said, "Marshal, we've brought them here." Gao Hu nodded, "Go down." The soldier responded and withdrew.
The tall and thin scribe cupped his fists and said, "The villain Bai Tong has met General Gao! I have admired General Gao's reputation for a long time!"
Gao Hu sneered and said, "What does your reputation mean compared to King Yan?"
Bai Tong smiled and said with great admiration: "General Gao is indeed extraordinary. He can tell where I am coming from at a glance!" Gao Hu said: "This is nothing! Stop talking nonsense and explain your purpose!"
Bai Tong said sternly: "General Gao is a hero, and my King Yan is also an unparalleled hero! Now my King Yan is leading the soldiers of Yanyun to fight bloody battles with the Khitans and Xixia people to regain the rivers and mountains, but General Gao comes to capture me at this time. Yan Yun's way out! Isn't it shameful to do this? I am very curious, how will General Gao face the ancestors of our Chinese clan when he goes underground in the future? "
Gao Hu frowned, "As a minister, how dare I disobey His Majesty's orders? As a minister, Yan Yun disobeys the Holy Orders and is arrogant. It is natural for the imperial court to send troops to attack him!"
Bai Tong sneered: "If you put it this way, that cowardly and incompetent court lost the great mountains and rivers of the Central Plains and made countless people become like beasts in the hands of foreigners. Is it natural?"
Gao Hu was speechless and confused.
Bai Tong continued: "This world is not the world of his Zhao family, nor is it the world of any one family, but the world of everyone in the world! If the world can be said to be the world of the Zhao family, then what if the Zhao family takes over the world of the Chai family? "How about the world of the Li family in the former Tang Dynasty?" Gao Hu was even more unable to defend himself. If we apply the saying that the Qin Dynasty lost virtue and lost the world, it doesn't make sense here. Then the Chai family was very pitiful for its orphans and widowers. Why did Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin seize the power of the Chai family with a little unethical behavior? Putting it this way, doesn't it mean that Zhao Song's rise to power was extremely unfair? And if you push this up, it will be really baffling who will own the country! Gao Hu's head was in a mess, and he couldn't figure out what was right and what was wrong. However, in the end, the loyalty education he had received for a long time prevailed and he said in a deep voice: "No matter what, the world today should be In the Zhao family's world, as a minister, I must be loyal!"
Bai Tong frowned, "Did General Gao completely disregard the life and death of the people of the Central Plains for this so-called 'loyalty'? With all due respect, if being loyal to a king will plunge countless people into misery, it is better to be disloyal." !”
Gao Hu was startled, slammed the desk and shouted: "Bold!"
When the sergeants outside the tent heard Gao Hu's anger, they immediately rushed in and surrounded Bai Tong.
Bai Tong glanced sideways at Gao Hu and sneered: "Does General Gao want to kill me?" Then he nodded and mocked: "That will show your loyalty!"
Gao Hu frowned and waved his hand, "Everyone, retreat!" All the sergeants retreated one after another. Gao Hu stood up, walked to Bai Tong, looked at Bai Tong and said: "It's hard to say the right and wrong of this matter! I, Gao Hu, am just a martial artist. I can't understand those things, so I have to act in accordance with the emperor's order! Although I don't want to go with The Yanyun Army is the enemy, but Huang's life is in trouble, and I can't do anything about it!" After a pause, he clasped his fists and said: "In the future, if I, Gao Hu, die in the hands of Yanyun soldiers on the battlefield, I will have no complaints!" Bai Tong sighed. In a tone of voice, he clasped his fists and said: "In this case, there is nothing to say. In the future, we will fight for life and death on the battlefield. Take care, general!" After saying that, he bowed, turned and left, and sighed again when he reached the door.
Gao Hu followed out of the tent and looked at Bai Tong's retreating back. He was very confused. He didn't know whether his decision was right or wrong. I only joined the army, was it just to work for the Zhao family? Gao Hu was startled by this thought. He quickly shook his head and threw these rebellious thoughts behind him. He took a deep breath and turned back to the big tent.
Turning his attention back to Yanmen Pass, the two defense lines in the west and south were in critical situations, but Yang Peng couldn't care about that much at the moment. His attention was all on the Yanmen Pass in front of him. He must take Yanmen Pass as soon as possible!
The appointed time finally arrived. Guo Tong, Chang Sheng, and Guo Tong led 10,000 troops under their command to leave the military camp and go to Guanmenhang. These 10,000 troops were all Guo Tong's cronies, the so-called resentful troops before, and what he was calling at the moment. All the power that can be mobilized.
There were several patrols encountered along the way, but the patrols were not suspicious. After all, Guo Tong was a deputy general, and it was normal for him to mobilize troops.
Dozens of cavalry were approaching in front of them. At first Guo Tong thought they were patrols. However, as he got closer, he discovered that they were Hua Chao, a close confidant of Qian Buli's command, and his dozens of cavalry. He couldn't help but be shocked.
Hua Chao was very surprised to see Guo Tong leading nearly ten thousand soldiers and horses out of the military camp, so he blocked Guo Tong and the others and asked, "Where is General Guo going?" Hua Chao's behavior was very inappropriate. It was appropriate, because Guo Tong was Yanmen's deputy general and his superior, but not only was he disrespectful, but he also openly blocked the way, which was a very rude move.
Guo Tong suppressed his anger and said with a smile: "I was ordered by the general to lead the army to guard the city wall." Hua Cha was even more surprised. He glanced at the army behind Guo Tong and said, "There are already enough troops on the city wall, why bother to guard the city wall?" Send troops? Besides, I just met with the general not long ago, but I didn’t hear him say that he had such an order!”
Guo Tong snorted coldly, "Hua Chao, don't be so shameless! I am your boss, and you actually stopped me to ask questions, which is totally unreasonable!" Hua Chao, however, was not afraid at all and sneered: "Boss, only You think so!" Then he pointed to the cavalry beside him, "We Khitan warriors treat you like a green onion!" The cavalry laughed, and the laughter was full of contempt.
Guo Tong was furious. Seeing that there was no one else on the street at this time, Guo Tong couldn't help but reveal a ferocious look in his eyes. He waved his right hand violently: "Get it!" Hua Chao saw hundreds of sergeants rushing forward. He came, was taken aback, then stared and shouted: "Bold! Get back!"
Hundreds of sergeants paid no attention to him. They pulled dozens of them off their horses and twisted their hands to hold him down. When Hua Chao saw that Guo Tong dared to attack him, he was shocked and angry, and cursed: "Damn Xin Guo, you are so impatient!" Guo Tong frowned and shouted: "Take them Block your mouth!" All the sergeants took out dirty handkerchiefs from their bodies and roughly stuffed them into the mouths of Hua Chao and others. Hua Chao and others could not make any sound immediately, and only smelled a stench. It went straight to the chest and abdomen, and I almost fainted.
Guo Tong left the army on the street, and he and hundreds of sergeants dragged dozens of Hua Chao's people into the dark alley next to them. At this moment, a patrol team came outside, greeted Chang Sheng and Guo Tong, and continued patrolling. They did not find anything unusual.
After Guo Tong waited for the patrol to go away, he walked up to Hua Cha and kicked him hard in the crotch. Hua Chao was so painful that he broke into cold sweat and glared at Guo Tong angrily. Guo Tong knelt down, patted Hua Cha's cheek, and said viciously: "Do you want to take revenge on me? But you have no chance!" As he said that, he pulled out a dagger from his waist. Hua Chao felt Guo Tong's murderous intention and was very surprised. Pharmacist Guo cursed: "I've had enough of you Khitan dogs!" He stabbed Hua Chao in the chest with a knife. Hua Chao's eyes widened in disbelief, and he fell to one side. No more breathing.
Guo Tong returned to the street, got on his horse, and led the army straight towards the gate. After walking for a while, I saw bright lights in front of me. That was the most important gate of Yanmen Pass. At this time, the top and bottom of the gate were lit with torches, turning the night into day. Under the firelight, I could only see the shadows of people looking longingly. I am afraid there are not thousands of people guarding the gate. There.
Guo Tong secretly ordered his subordinates to prepare for battle. Nearly ten thousand people slowly approached the gate. Many soldiers had secretly drawn their weapons and nocked arrows.
One of the generals under the command of General Han Chang who was guarding the city gate was named Zhao Cheng. Although he was Han, his dress and demeanor no longer looked Han at all, and he looked exactly like a Khitan general. Zhao Cheng was surprised when his subordinates reported that Guo Tong had arrived with a large number of troops, so he walked to the inside of the city wall, leaned against the wall stacks and looked down. Sure enough, he saw a crowd of people below, maybe tens of thousands of people. At this time, Guo Tong raised his voice from below: "General Zhao, we are ordered to take over the city defense!"
Zhao Cheng said in surprise: "I didn't receive any orders!"
Comrade Guo said: "This is the order just issued by the general!"
Although Zhao Cheng felt it was sudden, he didn't think there was any problem. As Guo Tong was the deputy general of Yanmen, his status was higher than his own. So the general replaced him to guard the door, which could be regarded as strengthening the defense. As soon as he thought of this, he raised his voice and said: "Since it is the general's order, I must obey it!" Then he was ready to go down the city wall to hand over to Guo Tong.
But at this moment, Zhao Cheng suddenly saw that many people in Guo Yaoshi's army had their swords unsheathed and arrows cocked. This surprised him, and he couldn't help but feel a bad feeling in his heart. So he stopped and raised his voice: "General Guo, the general's duties are limited and he cannot leave his post without permission. Please ask General Guo to send the general's order!" Then he whispered to the officer next to him: "Tell everyone to get ready. Fight!" The officer was stunned, responded, and ran down.
Guo Tong frowned and said loudly: "Okay! Just wait!"
When Zhao Cheng heard the other party agreeing so readily, he couldn't help but relax his vigilance, wondering if he had become neurotic just now!
Guo Tong suddenly pulled out his scimitar and swung it forward, shouting: "Do it!" The soldiers who had been preparing for the attack immediately took action. The crossbowmen raised their hands and fired arrows towards the opposite side. Under the leadership of Chang Sheng and Guo Tong, they rushed to the bottom and top of the city gate respectively.
Although Zhao Cheng was prepared, he was still caught off guard. In shock, he ordered his subordinates to resist and sounded the alarm bell. The alarm bell rang, breaking the silence of Yanmen Pass.
The rebels rushed and fought fiercely, but the Khitan army could not resist and retreated continuously. In the end, they were unable to hold the city gate and fled. Guo Tong quickly asked someone to open the door. But at this moment, the sound of rumbling footsteps came from the city gate. Following the sound, I saw General Han Chang leading his troops and horses to kill here. The torches were shining randomly, and there were only shadows under the firelight, as if there were infinite men and horses! Guo Tong was taken aback and quickly sent a signal to the outside of the pass, and then ordered the entire army to turn around and prepare to fight.
Before the rebels were ready, there was a dense whistling sound in the air, and then it was like a storm blowing in, causing the torches to sway. Many rebel soldiers were shot to the ground, and screams were heard for a while.
The rebel soldiers were frightened, and their morale was already shaken before they even started fighting.
At this time, I only heard the whining horn sound from the Khitan army, and then the earth trembled. I saw nearly a thousand warriors waving scimitars and roaring, rushing towards them like a tidal wave! The expressions of the rebel soldiers changed, and Guo Tong shouted at the top of his voice: "Fire the arrows!" The crossbowmen above and below the door fired arrows together, and many warriors fell to the ground, but the opponent's charging momentum became even more fierce! Before the rebels had time to fire their second arrow, the wave of cavalry had already surged in. In an instant, they knocked the rebel defense line to pieces. They were trampled with iron hooves and hacked with scimitars. The rebel soldiers were staggered and staggered before their eyes. I can't resist it anymore. Guo Tong saw the Jin army approaching with great ferocity and was frightened, so he wanted to abandon the door and flee.
Boom boom boom boom...! Just when Guo Tong was about to escape, a thunderous sound suddenly came from behind. He was stunned at first, then quickly turned his head to look, with an expression of surprise on his face. He saw countless black armored warriors surging towards him in the dark night. They were obviously the most elite formation-breaking warriors in the Yanyun Army. The leader The three generals are Yang Peng, Zhan Jinguo and Huyan Chijin!
Guo Tong was overjoyed and turned around and shouted: "Yan Yunjun is coming! Brothers, hold on!"
When the rebels saw the Yanyun Army coming up, their morale was greatly boosted, and they immediately resisted the Khitan Army's offensive with all their strength. The crossbowmen fired arrows, the shield bearers protected them, and the spearmen waited for the opportunity to knock the Khitan Army's cavalry to the ground. For a while, the fight was inextricably linked!
Seeing this scene, Han frowned and ordered the heavy armored infantry to charge forward. Just as the order was issued, I suddenly saw countless majestic and fierce war cavalry pouring in from the city gate. They were Yan Yun's most elite formation-breaking cavalry, and Yan King Yang Peng actually took the lead. The two warriors on the left and right were from Zhan Jin Kingdom. And Huyan Chijin! When the Khitan Army officers and soldiers saw this scene, they were all shocked. Before they could react, Yan Yun's formation-breaking cavalry had already killed the Khitan Army cavalry near the city gate. The troops are coming!
Han Chang had no time to form a formation, so he quickly ordered all the heavy armored infantry to come forward, and at the same time ordered other troops to retreat and form a formation!
More than 5,000 Khitan heavy armored infantry roared and rushed forward. Under the light of the torches, there was only a cold light, like the sparkling waves under the moon. Yang Peng, Yang Dezheng, and Huyan Chijin were the first to rush into the middle of the enemy army, like tigers entering a flock of sheep. The three weapons flew up and down, killing the enemy soldiers' corpses with blood flying away. The formation-breaking cavalry that rushed up afterwards were also very fierce, with countless wolves The dental sticks were flying, and the heavy armored infantry of the Khitan Army were knocked to the ground one after another!
Han Chang's large army had not yet fully set up their formation. Seeing that the heavy armored infantry in front had been completely defeated, he was shocked and shouted at the top of his voice: "Fire the arrows! Fire the arrows!"
The Khitan army's crossbowmen hurriedly fired arrows. The powerful rain of arrows fell in the middle of the Yanyun army, making a loud crackling sound. At the same time, sparks flew everywhere, but not a single Yanyun army fell. The Khitan army's crossbows were too powerful for those wearing Xuantian The battle armor's formation-breaking cavalry was actually useless!
The Kingdom of Zhanjin took the lead and broke through the Khitan army's defense line and rushed into the enemy thicket. A pair of hammers whirred like windmills, smashing the Khitan army soldiers with blood and flesh flying everywhere. The entire battle formation was alarmed! At this moment, Yang Peng and Huyan Chijin led the armored cavalry to attack. The stormy waves of armored cavalry tore apart the Khitan army's defense line. The cavalry surged forward, their weapons whistling and flying, and they killed the Khitan army officers and soldiers until they were unable to stand on their backs. Back away.
However, the terrain on the streets was narrow after all, and there were so many Khitan troops crowding the streets. Although the formation-breaking cavalry was incredibly powerful, their speed finally stopped. Han Changchang was very excited when the opponent's impact was finally removed. He roared and ordered all the troops to come forward and surround the enemy! The Khitan army's infantry and cavalry rushed forward with shouts, and Yan Yun's army fell into a fierce melee! Yan Yun's army waved their maces with all their strength. Amidst the heavy roaring sound, one by one the Khitan army soldiers were blown to pieces and fell to the ground with bloodshed.
Several Khitan soldiers who were desperate for their lives fired their guns at the same time and stabbed a formation-breaking cavalry from one side. The formation-breaking cavalry was wearing Xuantian armor with a double-layer plate armor structure. Therefore, he was not injured, but he was pushed off his horse by the huge force. He came, and before he could get up, countless spears and scimitars came from all directions. He only heard a loud clang and clang, splashing countless sparks, but they couldn't hurt him at all. He regained his strength, roared angrily, and waved the wolf at the same time. The tooth stick immediately forced the surrounding Khitan soldiers back, and then he was seen rushing towards the Khitan army in front of him like a mad tiger. The Khitan army was shocked when they saw the ferocity of his approach, and couldn't help but take a step back. The formation-breaking cavalry roared angrily, raised its mace and slammed it down. A Khitan soldier couldn't dodge and was hit in the chest. He screamed and fell to the ground with blood spurting out.
On the other side, Yang Peng wielded his iron horse and continued to kill the enemy. At this moment, the sound of rapid horse hooves suddenly came from one side. Yang Peng realized that there was a sneak attack and immediately turned his horse's head. Sure enough, he saw an enemy general riding his horse and shooting towards him, only five or six steps away. In the blink of an eye, the enemy stabbed his chest with the spear in his hand, and Yang Peng gently turned sideways and snatched it away. When the two horses met, Yang Peng stretched out his left hand and grabbed the man's neck, and lifted him up forcefully. When the surrounding enemy troops saw this, they couldn't help but turn pale in horror.
The enemy general was struggling endlessly. Yang Peng frowned and threw him to the ground. Then he pierced his chest with a horse spear, and then with all his strength, he threw his body away and fell far away. In the midst of enemies.
Just when the two sides were fighting fiercely, the horns of the Khitan army came one after another. On both sides of the city walls, in the streets, and on the streets in front, torches were dazzling, and countless enemy troops were coming!
Medical Master Guo who was guarding the city gate couldn't help but panic when he saw this scene! Yang Peng turned his horse's head and fought his way out of the siege and galloped towards the city gate. Other soldiers also turned their horse's head and fought their way out of the siege, following Yang Peng.
Han Chang thought that Yang Peng and the others were going to escape, so he was so excited that he ordered his soldiers to pursue them. Yang Peng and others ran to the city gate. Yang Peng raised his iron horse, and thousands of formation-breaking iron cavalry stopped immediately. Yang Peng turned the horse's head, and all the soldiers followed suit. Yang Peng glanced at the approaching fire on the streets on both sides, and ordered to Zhan Jinguo and Huyan Chijin: "You two will each lead a thousand cavalry to block the enemy troops on the left and right streets!" The two men agreed, and then They led a thousand formation-breaking cavalry to meet the advancing Jin army on the left and right streets.
Yang Peng then looked at the approaching Khitan troops on both sides of the city wall, and said to Guo Tong: "The enemy troops on the city wall will be left to you. You must hold them until my large forces arrive!" Guo Tong clasped his fists in agreement and immediately led the troops himself. People climbed up the city wall. Yang Peng shifted his gaze to the enemy army in front and saw Han Chang and other generals leading tens of thousands of soldiers and horses rushing towards them with a fierce momentum.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
