Zhao Kuangyin conquered Queshu Valley and threatened Guanzhong. Chai Shao, who was attacking Jingxiang, was also ambushed and his entire army was wiped out. The patron king Yang Lin led Long Zhi, Shang Shi and his disciples, Shi Bao, Zhou Ben, Wei Wentong, Guan Sheng, Guan Ling and other generals and 60,000 troops out of the west city. , the troops approached Luoyang.
Li Yuan had no choice but to withdraw the army of King Qin Li Shimin who was attacking Hongnong County and return to defend Guanzhong. The Tang Army's plan for a five-way eastward expedition was declared bankrupt.
After the news came back to Jiangdu, Yang Gao immediately applauded and quickly made the decision to personally conquer the country, trying to drive Dou Jiande, who was entrenched in Xingyang County, back to Hebei before winter came and capture the entire Central Plains.
"Your Majesty, Dou Jieyu sent someone to see your Majesty, saying that your Majesty must go to a gathering tonight."
Yang Gao, who was in the imperial study room preparing for the emperor's personal expedition tomorrow, suddenly heard the eunuch's report outside the door. He curled his lips slightly, nodded and said, "I understand. Go back and tell the line lady that I will definitely go to her bedroom to rest tonight." .”
"Old slave obeys the order!"
The eunuch outside the door responded and slowly backed away.
. . . . . . . . . .
At night, Yang Gao, who had already arranged a series of things after the expedition, left the imperial study and went straight to Dou Xianniang's palace under the guidance of several eunuchs and maids.
Dou Xian Niang was uncharacteristically uncharacteristic today. She was originally used to wearing a bare face. She carefully wiped off a layer of rouge and gouache, put on a fiery red dress, and led a group of palace maids to wait outside the palace early.
Seeing Yang Gao's arrival, he quickly stepped forward and saluted Yingying: "I am here to see your majesty, long live my emperor!"
When Yang Gao saw Dou Xian Niang's gesture, he secretly guessed Dou Xian Niang's reasons, but when he saw Dou Xian Niang dressed up and respectful, he was still very excited.
After pretending to be pleasantries for a while, Yang Gao sent all the maids and eunuchs around him away, picked up Dou Xianniang's plump body, ran straight to the dragon couch, and began a vigorous conquest.
Dou Xianniang's face was flushed and she tried her best to accept the joy. After a hearty battle, both of them were panting from exhaustion, hugging each other and lying on the large dragon bed to recharge their batteries.
After a long time, Dou Xianniang regained her composure and lightly opened her red lips: "Your Majesty, are you going to march in person tomorrow?"
Yang Gao gently stroked Dou Xianniang's skin and said lightly: "Not bad!"
A trace of confusion flashed in Dou Xianniang's eyes, and she suddenly gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I have an unkind request, and I hope your Majesty will agree to it!"
"You want me to spare your father!"
Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing. Yang Gao has also been the emperor for several years, and his grasp of people's hearts can be said to be very good. He immediately guessed Dou Xianniang's little thoughts.
"Your Majesty, forgive me!"
Seeing that Yang Gao saw through her little thoughts, Dou Xianniang was so frightened that she hurriedly got up, knelt on the dragon bed tremblingly, and said with sobs: "I also know that my father committed a crime of separatist rule and rebellion against Your Majesty. It’s a capital offense. But after all, he has raised me for sixteen years, and I really can’t bear to see him die.”
Yang Gao smiled slightly and hugged Dou Xianniang into his arms, "Ai Ji, why are you guilty? The love between father and daughter is the nature of human relations. I can understand you."
Dou Xianniang buried Zhen's head on Yang Gao's chest and said with a happy smile, "I thank you for your consideration, my concubine."
Yang Gao chuckled, with a trace of subtle cunning flashing in his eyes, and said calmly: "Actually, your father's rebellion against us in the Sui Dynasty was also due to livelihood, and he has been practicing benevolent government in Hebei and treating the people leniently for so many years. For this reason, if I capture him on the battlefield, I can spare his life!"
"Is what your Majesty said true?"
Dou Xianniang sat up in shock and looked at Yang Gao with joy.
Yang Gao smiled calmly, "I am the Nine-Five Supreme Being, how can I still lie to you? And if he can wake up and lead everyone to surrender to me, not only will I not kill him, but I will also pardon his previous sins and reward him heavily. To him."
Dou Xian Niang was overjoyed and said immediately: "Can your Majesty take my concubine with you this time? I am willing to go on your behalf to persuade my father to surrender!"
Yang Gao looked at Dou Xianniang, who was frowning with joy, and suddenly felt a sense of guilt in his heart. In fact, Yang Gao knew in his heart that Dou Jiande had been the lord for so many years, how could he surrender because of his daughter's few words.
The reason why Yang Gao said what he just said to Dou Xian Niang was simply to use Dou Xian Niang's identity to severely damage Xia Jun's morale.
Although he felt guilty, Yang Gao still nodded and agreed to Dou Xianniang's request. Because he is an emperor, from the moment he ascends to the throne of God, he can no longer love his children.
. . . . . . . . . .
At dawn the next day, Yang Gao set off, taking Yuwen Chengdu, the newly promoted General Lu Wenlong of the Internal Guards, and three thousand elite internal guards, one man with two horses, and bid farewell to all the civil and military officials and Xue Baochai who came to see him off. Lin Daiyu and other concubines galloped away towards the north.
Yang Gao and his party rode hard all the way, and after ten days and ten nights of running, they finally arrived at the Sui Army camp in Xingyang County.
When Xue Rengui, Chang Yuchun, Li Jing, Yang Ye and other generals heard that His Majesty was coming, they immediately led a group of generals out of camp to greet him.
Yang Gao smiled and exchanged greetings with these generals who had been fighting in the Central Plains for more than a year, and then asked Xue Rengui: "General, how is the situation of the Xia army in Xingyang City now?"
Xue Rengui immediately raised his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, Dou Jiande has been guarding the city gate since he was tricked out of the city by his ministers and was defeated half a year ago. However, after the news that the Tang army withdrew and returned to Guanzhong a few days ago, Xingyang City was People are constantly crossing the city and surrendering. According to the accounts of these prisoners, there are still 80,000 soldiers and horses in the city. However, the army is disorganized and morale is low. Compared with our Sui soldiers, Wei Chen believes that when the winter comes, Before that, our army could break through Xingyang and capture Dou Jiande alive."
Dou Xianniang, who was following Yang Gao, was shocked when she heard what Xue Rengui said. Dou Jiande was at the end of his rope. She immediately went out to ask Yang Gao: "Your Majesty, since my father's army is on the verge of collapse, I am willing to do it now." Then he went to Xingyang City to persuade his father to surrender."
Dou Xianniang behaves in a manly manner, but she is still a bit cautious about women. Although Yang Gao promised not to kill Dou Jiande, the difference in treatment between being defeated and captured and surrendering voluntarily will still be very big. Dou Xianniang naturally hopes that her father can live a better life in the future.
Yang Gao curled up his lips, nodded and said, "Ai Ji, go ahead. If it's something you can't do, don't force it!"
Dou Xian Niang cried with joy and hurriedly knelt down on the ground to express her gratitude: "Thank you so much, Your Majesty. I will do my best to persuade my father to submit to Your Majesty!"
