In a mountain depression more than ten miles east of Pingyao County, there were several bonfires, grass, stone walls, and mixed forests filled with exhausted and embarrassed bandit soldiers.
Nearly an hour ago, when we were preparing to attack Qixian City, we suddenly saw the Zhenshan Battalion behind the palace fleeing in embarrassment, bringing two shocking thunderbolts: tens of thousands of pursuing troops were close at hand, and Li Yan rebelled!
These two double-yellow thunders immediately stunned the top brass of the rebel army, and Li Zicheng vomited blood and fainted. Li Guo immediately ordered to flee south immediately.
Until dark, they fled to the vicinity of Pingyao County, fifty miles away. When they were exhausted, they did not dare to attack and hid in a mountain col to avoid the wind and cold.
In a temporary tent in a mountain col, Li Zicheng was lying on a bed with his eyes straight, his mouth twitching from time to time and there was still blood that had not been wiped clean.
In the past two days, he had been very angry, and the internal fire was too strong. When he was defeated, the anger surged up and he fainted. He heard that Li Yan had betrayed him before, and finally a mouthful of old blood spurted out, which completely drained his body and made him energetic. See you soon.
But Li Yan's betrayal was still a big blow to him. In the past ten years, he had been wrestling with the imperial court, with each winning and losing, and it was not surprising that his subordinates even surrendered to each other. But the only thing that could make him angry was besides many years. The former Gao Jie is now Li Yan.
Gao Jie is a rotten boy, and he was angry because he cuckolded him. Li Yan has been his right-hand man for many years, and he has been a confidant in planning for him. However, at this critical juncture, he surrendered to the court and treated him badly. , is a devastating blow to military morale.
"The man named Li usually behaves very strangely, is unconventional, has a sullen face all day long, and is very scheming. If I had known he would betray today..." Niu Jinxing in the tent couldn't help but curse.
People, once they are jealous, they always want to destroy the other person. This is what Niu Jinxing did to Li Yan.
Li Yan is an upright man and behaves magnanimously. Being around such a person, Niu Jinxing always feels that his despicability is infinitely magnified, so he confronts him in tit-for-tat situations. This is how Li Yan was harmed by his slander in history.
"Li Yan is unfaithful and unjust. It is really contemptible for him to turn against the enemy at this moment. But what is more important right now is where to go? The officers and soldiers are pursuing us dozens of miles away. Please make a decision." Song Xiance looked at him from the side. Li Zicheng said on the bed.
Li Zicheng's eyes finally moved. As a hero, although Li Yan's betrayal was a big blow, it was not enough to knock him down. He just couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart for a while.
The officers and soldiers pursued the enemy too quickly, and the Zhenshan Battalion, the most capable force in the army, suffered head-on collisions with Zhou Yuji's soldiers, and more than half of them were damaged. It is impossible to fight head-on, the only way is to avoid it from a distance.
Li Guo stood up from the bed and tried to help him, but was pushed away by Li Zicheng. Then he slowly walked out of the tent and glanced around, seeing crouched figures of soldiers everywhere in the wilderness with extremely tired faces. Embarrassed,
"It's such a complete defeat!" Li Zicheng clenched his fist and growled.
"Lord"
Niu Jinxing and others quickly stepped forward to comfort him.
Li Zicheng waved his hand to indicate that it was okay. The sadness and anger on his face gradually disappeared, and he turned to look at Luo Hu: "Do you think that eunuch is the admiral of the East Factory?"
"Back to my lord, according to Chi Qingshi, a humble subordinate, the gelded dog indeed called himself that when he recruited Li Yan to surrender."
Li Zicheng nodded slightly. The identity of the eunuch he had been fighting with for more than half a month finally came to light. He had known that he was not an ordinary eunuch, but he never imagined that at such a young age he was the leader of the emperor's eagles and dogs. He was capable of both literary and military skills, and was treacherous and good at fighting. , The imperial court actually had such a character.
"Do you know where the officers and soldiers are at this time?" Li Zicheng asked again.
"The officers and soldiers are currently five miles south of Qi County. They have not entered the city, but camped outside the city. Based on the campfire, it is estimated that the number of troops is more than 20,000. Their scouting horses are spread out. The closest one to us is twenty miles away." Li Guo replied.
Li Zicheng fell into deep thought. Although there were 50,000 to 60,000 troops at the moment, many of them were disabled, old and weak, as well as some refugees and their families. Moreover, their morale was low, their men and horses were exhausted, and their combat readiness was insufficient. It was impossible to fight a tough battle with the officers and soldiers.
The journey from Qixian County to Pingyao is only fifty miles, which takes as little as an hour's march, and the officers and soldiers are only twenty miles away from him, which means that this is not a safe place.
When it comes to making a decision now, fighting is out of the question.
Let's go, where?
Should he cross the Yellow River directly back to Xi'an, or go east to meet Liu Fangliang?
When he returned to Xi'an, once he crossed the Yellow River, the officers and soldiers did not dare to pursue him. He had previously planned to return to Xi'an regardless of whether Taiyuan was captured or not, but for some reason he felt unwilling to do so and went back in despair.
Li Zicheng couldn't tell whether it was because everything gained along the way was a benefit to the officers and soldiers, or because he was forced out of the murderous intention by the dead eunuch. Maybe it was both. Anyway, he was unwilling and unconvinced.
It is also a feasible way to go to Liu Fangliang. The east road is very powerful. It is located in the Central Plains and has dense cities. If you capture any one, you will have a good harvest, which can make up for the losses here.
But there is also concern, that is, the fear of being intercepted by officers and soldiers.
If he had nothing to worry about before, the officers and soldiers would be too weak to fight, and if it was really impossible, he would just turn around and leave.
But since he fought against Chang Yu, he has put away his contempt. He is even annoyed that he has become more and more arrogant recently, which is why he suffered such a big loss and suffered such a big defeat. Never underestimate any opponent.
But if he goes east to join Liu Fangliang, the imperial court sends troops from the north, and is blocked by Zhou Yuji from behind, it will become an encirclement and suppression situation, and the situation will be dangerous!
This matter should be discussed carefully.
While Li Zicheng was discussing what to do with one of his Wenwu soldiers in the mountain col, Chang Yu and Zhou Yuji were galloping back to Taiyuan.
This was probably something Li Zicheng and his staff could never have dreamed of doing. They fled in fear, and those who pursued them were just bluffing.
Not only Chang Yu and Zhou Yuji returned to the city, but the "more than 20,000" army stationed outside Qixian City was nothing more than a cover-up. It was just an old formation formed by Tu Yuan, Jia Waixiong and the five thousand Jinwu Guards led by the four commanders. .
Chang Yu knew that he could not catch up with Li Zicheng, and since his goal had been achieved, there was no need to pursue him in depth alone. It was meaningless and might put himself in danger.
But he didn't want to plunder along the way like Li Zicheng did, so he told Tu Yuan and others to follow him unhurriedly, staring at neither far nor close, keeping at an appropriate distance, so that Li Zicheng could always He knew that the pursuer was not far behind him and could kill him at any time until he was sent across the Yellow River.
After the explanation, he accompanied Zhou Yuji and Li Yan back to Taiyuan. He was not worried that Li Zicheng would suddenly respond because it was impossible and it would be very risky for the rebels. significance!
After a journey of hundreds of miles, Chang Yu and his entourage drove for more than two hours before arriving at the gate of Taiyuan City. At this time, the gate of Taiyuan City had already been closed. When patrolling the city, they saw more than a thousand troops arriving. As if they were faced with a formidable enemy, they immediately went to inform the deputy commander-in-chief. Prosperity in season.
Under the city, Li Yan looked up at the majestic city gate, his face solemn and full of mixed emotions. For him, this could be considered a return visit to his old place. He also lamented that God was playing tricks on people. A day ago, he and Li Zicheng tried their best to break in, but nothing happened. I didn't even touch the corner of the city wall.
Now, Dao BuTong is not conspiring with each other. After breaking up with Li Zi, he follows his former rival to the city in a swagger, and is about to enter this big city that he once dreamed of.
After confirming their identities, Chang Yu and others entered the city. Zhou Yuji's soldiers went to the military camp to rest due to heavy casualties. Li Yan's troops had just surrendered and there were uncertainties, so they were taken to the prisoner camp by Ying Shisheng's troops. Li Yan expressed his understanding and this is a common practice.
After hearing that Li Yan had surrendered, the big guys in the city seemed to be in high spirits. Headed by the King of Jin, they proposed to accept the offer. However, Li Yan seemed to be in a heavy mood at this time and dealt with it tactfully.
Chang Yu knew what he meant, so he declined the banquet for him and immediately took him to the secret courtyard in the north of the city.
"The red lady is among them. All the toiletries and clothes are there, and there are maids to serve. Brother Li, please help me." Chang Yu smiled and held his hand outside the courtyard.
"The kindness of the adults is deeply appreciated by the common people."
Li Yan clasped his fists tightly, saying nothing, and turned around to go to the hospital.
"Mr. Factory, three overt and covert sentries have been set up around the perimeter. If this kid tries to escape, I guarantee that he won't even reach the street." Qin Xing appeared behind Chang Yu like a ghost and said softly.
Chang Yu smiled slightly: "He won't leave."
Then he shrugged: "Let your people move away and leave some private space for the couple."
