Li Jiancheng led his army to select a place on Shangyong Mountain Road that was easy to defend but difficult to attack and set up camp. He ordered Li Zicheng to lead his army to beware of the Sui army in front, while he led his army to beware of Zhang Xun and Chang Yuchun's pursuing troops in the rear, and then dispatched Dozens of soldiers escorted the imperial censor Tang Xian, who disguised himself as a merchant and went to Chang'an to ask for help.
On the other hand, Li Jing occupied Shangyong County and cut off Li Jiancheng's return route. In addition to reinforcing the city defenses, he also sent more than a dozen capable soldiers to climb over the cliffs and bypass the Tang army's camp to report to Zhang Xun and Chang Yuchun. , preparing to attack from both front and back, annihilate the Tang army in one fell swoop, and capture Tang Prince Li Jiancheng alive.
After Chang Yuchun heard the news, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered people to invite Zhang Xun to discuss the matter.
After Zhang Xun heard what Chang Yuchun said, he was also overjoyed, "General Chang, we originally only planned to inflict heavy losses on the Tang army and teach the Tang army a lesson. Unexpectedly, General Li Yaoshi had cut off the Tang army's retreat. Now the Tang army has already It’s a turtle in a urn, maybe we can catch this big fish like Li Jiancheng alive!”
Chang Yuchun chuckled and said: "This old thief Li Yuan has been victorious in many battles since he rebelled in Taiyuan. Song Laosheng, Yin Shishi, Wei Xuan and other generals from Emperor Wu's period also lost their lives in his hands. This time I, the general, will do a good job for Your Majesty and the Sui Dynasty, and give the old thief Li Yuan a big surprise! If I can capture Li Jiancheng alive, where should I put the face of the old thief Li Yuan?"
Hua Rong, Chang Yuchun's lieutenant on the side, carefully raised his concerns, "Shangyong Road is densely covered with jungles and has many mountain roads. Even the locals don't know about some places. What if Li Jiancheng has abandoned the army and ran away first? "
Zhang Xun shook his head after hearing this, "Although Li Jiancheng suffered repeated setbacks, he still has nearly ten thousand troops under his command. If he only cares about escaping for his own life, then his tens of thousands of troops will definitely collapse without a fight and be abandoned for his own safety." There are tens of thousands of soldiers, if this matter is used by his political opponents, he may not be able to keep his position as prince!"
Hearing this, Chang Yuchun laughed and said: "County Magistrate Zhang, you literati are so rich and colorful. I don't care whether Li Jiancheng runs away today or not. If he can run, the monk can't run away from the temple. Sooner or later, I will rush into Chang'an and replace him." Your Majesty, capture alive the Li family father and son, these rebellious officials and traitors!"
Zhang Xun praised: "General Chang is really brave. Zhang admires him, but now we should consider how to join forces with General Li Yaoshi to destroy Li Jiancheng!"
Chang Yuchun came back to his senses, smiled awkwardly, and immediately focused on the map again, saying in a deep voice: "According to the local indigenous people, the place where Li Jiancheng was stationed is called Jie Mountain. There is only one road up and down the mountain. Yi It is difficult to defend and attack. However, the Tang army suffered repeated defeats and suffered heavy losses. The morale of the army is unstable. If our army and General Li Yaoshi's troops attack the mountain together and attack from the front and rear, the Tang army on the mountain will be attacked from the front and back, and the morale of the army will be in chaos!"
Zhang Xun suggested: "General Chang, Li Jiancheng's troops came with light cavalry. They must not have much food and grass with them. If they are surrounded on all sides until the Tang army runs out of food, they may be able to win without a fight!"
Chang Yuchun shook his head and rejected Zhang Xun's suggestion.
"Although this method is good, we don't know how much food and grass the Tang army brought. As Magistrate Zhang said, the prince is an important weapon of the country. If we can't make a quick victory, when Li Yuan learns of the situation, he will do it at all costs." The rescue of Li Jiancheng may easily turn into a decisive battle between the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Although I despise Li Yuan's actions, the forces in Guanzhong are indeed powerful. If a war starts at this time, even if our army can win, it will be severely damaged. Don’t even think about recovering your strength in the next three to five years. I’m afraid the situation in the north will be decided in three to five years, and your majesty will have no choice but to settle in the south!”
Zhang Xun lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded in agreement, "What General Chang said is absolutely true. Zhang was short-sighted and almost missed a big event. Soldiers are very fast, so we immediately contacted General Li Yaoshi. At the third watch tonight, while the Tang army was not yet stable, Attack Jie Shan and capture Li Jiancheng alive."
. . . . . . . . . .
On the branches of the moon, in the Tang Army's camp, Li Jiancheng, who looked melancholy, was looking into the distance under the bright moonlight. At present, he had less than 8,000 available troops, and he only carried enough food and grass for ten days with the army. What's more important is that the continuous The failure caused the morale of the Tang army to be low, the army's morale to be distracted, and the people's mentality to change.
"Your Highness, Li Yan is guilty of failing to stop the Sui army's pursuers!"
Li Yan, who had just regained consciousness after being treated by a military doctor, suddenly appeared behind Li Jiancheng. His face was pale, and he knelt down to apologize to Li Jiancheng.
Li Jiancheng hurriedly helped Li Yan up and said, "Mr. Li, please get up quickly. There are more than 30,000 Sui troops chasing the army, and you only have 10,000. Zhang Xun is a cautious man. It is a great achievement for you to hold off the Sui army." It was Gu who was careless and underestimated the enemy. He did not expect that the Nanyang Sui army would cut off our return route, otherwise Gu would have withdrawn to Guanzhong at this moment!"
Li Yan was helped up by Li Jiancheng, gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, the prince, I think it is unwise for your highness to stay in the army at this moment. The prince is an important weapon of the country, and even a hundred thousand troops cannot compare to the prince." You, our army is in a critical situation now, Prince, if you continue to stay here, something might happen!"
Li Jiancheng smiled bitterly, "If I leave alone, the morale of the army will definitely be in chaos. At that time, the entire army will most likely collapse without a fight. If my father knows about this, he will be furious!"
Li Yan still urged: "But if His Highness still stays here, if His Highness is unfortunately captured by the rebellious army, it will be a shame for the entire Tang Empire!"
"Li Yan!"
Li Jiancheng glared at him rather dissatisfied.
Hearing Li Jiancheng's angry roar, Li Yan realized that he had made a mistake, and hurriedly knelt on the ground to accuse him and said, "I made a mistake, and I hope His Highness the Crown Prince will punish me severely!"
Li Jiancheng took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Li Yan, you are talented, but your political vision is too shallow. You'd better not get involved in some things. Just carry out Gu's military orders!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Before Li Yan could answer, the sound of the Sui army's war drums suddenly came from the foot of the mountain. Li Jiancheng didn't care what he was talking to Li Yan. He turned around and shouted: "Pass on the order, beat the drums quickly, the Sui army is attacking." , the whole army goes to the camp wall to protect it!"
"Report, Your Highness, General Li from the front camp has sent an urgent report. The Sui army from Shangyong County suddenly dispatched. It seems that they are about to attack the mountain."
"Your Highness, this must be the Sui army trying to attack from both front and back in an attempt to defeat our army in one fell swoop."
After Li Yan heard the report from the sergeant sent by Li Zicheng, he immediately judged the Sui army's intention.
Li Jiancheng nodded and said: "Li Yan, brother Zicheng is reckless by nature. Gu is afraid that he will fall into the Sui army's conspiracy. You should immediately go to the front camp to help him resist the Sui army. Gu will be in charge here!"
