In the Tang Army camp five miles away from the city, the corners of Li Jiancheng's mouth twitched slightly, and the choking smoke blew his resolute face. From time to time, Tang soldiers wearing single clothes and gray faces came out of the tunnel, and they lay on the ground after they came out. Vomiting heavily, or desperately breathing in the fresh air outside.
Li Yan looked at the tragic scene in front of him, his heart ached, and he hurriedly knelt down to plead guilty and said: "Your Highness, your subordinates are incompetent, causing many soldiers to die in the tunnel!"
Li Jiancheng took a deep breath, helped Li Yan up, and said, "Mr. Li, how can I blame you for this? The strategy was adopted by this prince. There is no obvious fault in the strategy itself. It's just that Zhang Xun is too cunning." !”
Li Zicheng's eyes widened with anger, "Your Highness, the last general is willing to lead 10,000 elite troops to attack Xinye, and vows to capture Zhang Xun'er alive and avenge the dead soldiers!"
Ma Sanbao also loudly asked for orders: "Your Highness, I am willing to assist General Li Zicheng. We will not withdraw our troops until we break through the new territory!"
Li Yan was shocked when he heard this, and quickly dissuaded him: "Your Majesty, please don't attack out of anger. Our army's morale is now greatly reduced. Continuing to attack the city will only increase casualties!"
"Li Yan, what do you mean?"
Li Zicheng was furious, pointed at Li Yan and cursed: "You are a coward. You are afraid of death. Why do you want to stop us from avenging our shame?"
"Li Zicheng, if you dare to tell me what you said again, believe it or not, I will chop you up!"
Before Li Yan could answer, the female general behind Li Yan raised her eyebrows and widened her almond eyes as she yelled at Li Zicheng.
This female general is dressed in a red outfit, has a hot figure, a curvy figure, and a pair of particularly watery eyes, but she looks like a female tiger when she shows off her power. This girl is Li Yan's wife Hong Niangzi. She is only sixteen years old. She married Li Yan less than half a year ago. They are deeply in love with each other.
During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the atmosphere was open, and female generals could also exist in the army, such as Li Xiuning, the daughter of Li Yuan, and Dou Xianniang, the daughter of Dou Jiande. And famous all over the world.
Although the red lady is good-looking, she has a fierce personality. Even Li Jiancheng usually avoids her, let alone Li Zicheng. Hearing the roar from the red lady, Li Zicheng was so frightened that he couldn't help but take a few steps back, and for a moment he didn't dare to speak.
Li Jiancheng shook his head helplessly. This woman, Red Lady, has a fierce temper. Even his sister Li Xiuning, who is good at fighting, has to be defeated. I am afraid that she will only act like a little daughter in front of Li Yan.
"Report, report, Your Highness, report urgently, report urgently!"
Suddenly, a scout came from the southeast on horseback. It was not until Li Jiancheng fell off the saddle in front of his horse that he reported in a panic: "Your Highness, the Sui Dynasty, Sui General Chang Yuchun led an army of 40,000 to the north by boat. The distance to Xinye is no longer close." It’s half a day’s schedule!”
"well!"
When Li Jiancheng heard this, he let out a long sigh and said, "Everything depends on people, but God decides on it. A well-planned southern expedition failed because of Zhang Xun. I'm so sorry to my father!"
Li Zicheng said unwillingly: "Your Highness, we have not lost yet. If we give the general 10,000 more elite troops, we will guarantee that we will capture Xinye within half a day!"
Li Jiancheng smiled miserably, "Brother Zicheng, why should you deceive yourself? Zhang Xun defended the city well. You couldn't take it in ten days, let alone half a day. Furthermore, even if you took Xinye, the Sui army reinforcements have arrived. This shows that Yang Gao has pacified the south of the Yangtze River. We have cut off the retreat of the 80,000 Sui troops in Nanyang. How can Yang Gao give up? He will definitely lead an army to the east. Now his second brother is leading an army of 100,000 to fight Xue Ju. There are no troops left in Guanzhong. !”
Li Zicheng was speechless. Li Jiancheng saw that Li Zicheng was convinced and immediately ordered: "Send an order to the whole army. The rear army will become the front army and immediately withdraw back to Guanzhong. Li Yan, you lead 10,000 horses to set up an ambush behind, and beware of the Sui army's pursuit!"
Li Yan cupped his hands and accepted the order: "I respectfully obey His Highness Jun's order!"
At the moment, Li Jiancheng took General Ma Sanbao as the vanguard, and Li Yanhong, the queen, took control of the Chinese army and led the Tang army of less than 20,000 men back to Guanzhong from the original route. There were few Zhang Xunmen in Xinye City, fearing that they would fall into Li Jiancheng's plan to lure the enemy. , still closed the door tightly. It was not until more than four hours later that the army led by Chang Yuchun arrived at Xinye City.
After confirming Chang Yuchun's identity, Zhang Xun hurriedly opened the gate of Xinye City and welcomed Chang Yuchun into the city. After Chang Yuchun entered the city, he heard that Zhang Xun used 3,000 county soldiers to withstand Li Jiancheng's 30,000 elite Tang army's day and night onslaught. He couldn't help but look at Zhang Xun with admiration.
Hearing Zhang Xun say that the Tang army led by Li Jiancheng had left only a few hours ago, Chang Yuchun, who always had a hot temper, sneered and said: "Leave if you want. What does Li Jiancheng think of me as the Sui Dynasty? He will leave today." You have to leave something for me, I don’t want to travel so many days in vain!”
Zhang Xun said cautiously: "General Chang, Li Jiancheng is also a man who is well versed in the art of war. There will definitely be an ambush when we pursue him here. General Chang should be careful!"
Chang Yuchun shook his head disapprovingly, "Magistrate Zhang was too cautious in using troops. The Tang army fought fiercely in Xinye City for more than a month and has become exhausted. As long as our army advances steadily, there is nothing to fear even if there is an ambush!"
Zhang Xun nodded, "What General Chang said is not unreasonable. I think it is better to divide the army into two parts, three miles apart, and respond back and forth. No matter whether there is an ambush by the Tang army, we can respond to the attack!"
Chang Yuchun nodded and said: "Shan, just as Magistrate Zhang said, you and I will each lead 15,000 troops to chase the Tang army, leaving 10,000 troops behind to guard Xinye in case of any unexpected events!"
. . . . . . . . . .
The line from Xinye to Shangyong is densely covered with mountains and forests, which is definitely an excellent place for ambush.
Deep in the dense forest, tens of thousands of Tang troops were dressed in camouflage and holding weapons, like wild beasts before prey, staring motionlessly at the official road not far away. The general, Li Yan, held his sword in his hand and sat under a big tree like an old monk, but his hands rubbing together from time to time revealed his inner excitement. Li Jiancheng's appointment of his queen this time shows that Li Jiancheng attaches great importance to him. He thinks that after returning to Guanzhong this time, he will definitely be able to serve in the Prince's Mansion.
Li Yan was a very traditional man, with an orderly approach from elder to younger. Although Li Shimin admired Li Yan for his outstanding military talents, he stubbornly believed that only Li Jiancheng, the eldest son, could ascend to the throne. As for Li Shimin,
Tap tap tap.
There was a sound of horse hoofbeats, and Li Yan's slightly closed eyes suddenly erupted with a ray of light, and he ordered in a low voice: "Order the entire army to stand ready and wait until the enemy's army is halfway over before attacking. Kill the first one without caring about each other."
After a pause, Li Yan smiled lightly and said, "Let go of all the birds you just caught!"
. . . . . . . . . .
On the official road, Zhang Xun and Lei Wanchun rode at the forefront. When they were about a few hundred paces away from Li Yan's ambush, Zhang Xun suddenly stopped his horse, waved his hand and shouted loudly: " Stop moving forward!"
