With the help of Wang Qing and Ying Bu, Li Shimin managed to break through the defense line of Yang Yanzhao's troops. After breaking out of the tight encirclement and joining the supporting troops of Qu Tutong's troops, he did not dare to stop and rushed back to the Luoyang camp without stopping.
After reuniting with Li Jilong's army who was staying in Luoyang, Li Shimin just calmed down and counted his troops. Seven of his ten stops were lost. Even his most elite and proud black armor cavalry had lost more than half.
"Since the army was launched, we have been fighting in the south and north for many years. Have we ever suffered such a disastrous defeat?"
Such a heavy loss made Li Shimin feel heartbroken. He drew his sword in his hand, pointed at the southeast and said bitterly: "My son Yang Gao, I swear here that I will make you pay a thousand times the price in the future!"
"Your Highness!"
Li Jilong approached with an uneasy look on his face. He didn't know whether the young commander could withstand another blow.
"Jilong, what happened?"
Seeing Li Jilong's expression, Li Shimin understood. He slowly sheathed his sword and asked in a deep voice.
Li Jilong sighed helplessly, cupped his hands and said, "Li Cunxu sent someone to report that Hedong County could not gather so many ships at the moment. It would take at least a day and a night to carry hundreds of thousands of troops across the river with the existing ships. time!"
"one day one Night!"
Li Shimin's eyes widened and he said sternly: "Xue Rengui is leading tens of thousands of Sui army cavalry not far behind. Yang Gaoer must have extinguished the fire at Hulao Pass and led the main army to march westward. Where did our army come from? A day and a night to cross the river? Li Cunxu delayed the military plane, and he was going to kill the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Your Highness!"
Du Ruhui raised his hands and said: "How can a mere Hedong County provide the ships needed for an army of hundreds of thousands to cross the river? What's more, there is no preparation in advance. It is extremely difficult for General Li Cunxu to mobilize the ships to cross the river in such a short period of time!"
Li Shimin looked melancholy and murmured: "Gu Ye knows it's not easy for him, but now that the situation is like this, what can Gu Ru do?"
"Your Highness, the only thing we can do now is abandon the soldiers to save the chariot, and cut off the wrists of the strong men!"
The veteran general Qu Tutong strode forward, knelt down on one knee, raised his hands and said, "I am not talented, but I am willing to lead a group of soldiers and horses behind to stop the Sui army and buy time for the army to cross the river!"
"General Qutu!"
Li Shimin's expression changed after hearing this. How could he not understand what Qu Tutong meant? It was not easy to hold on for a day and a night under such circumstances. Qu Tutong was clearly determined to die and wanted to use his own life in exchange for the retreat of the army. time.
"Your Highness! General Xue Rengui of the Sui Dynasty is a famous general in the world. If he does not leave a general to guard his army, it will be difficult to stop him. Apart from me, there are only two generals, Li Jilong and Li Siyuan, who can take charge of their own duties."
Qu Tutong laughed and stopped what Li Shimin said next: "The two generals Li are in their prime, and it is a great time to make contributions. But I am already in my late teens. After decades of fighting on the battlefield, I have gained all my fame and fortune. Already have it, I will have no regrets in this life! Now that I can give up this broken body to win a life for hundreds of thousands of troops, why not do it?"
Li Shimin said with tears in his eyes: "The old general is an important minister of our Tang Dynasty. Who among the heroes in the world does not know the reputation of the old general. How can I be willing to put you, old general, in danger now?"
Qu Tutong's eyes were full of determination, and he said in a deep voice: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! But I was a general of the Sui Dynasty back then, and Emperor Yang treated me well. But I didn't sacrifice for my country when I defeated Tongguan, and now it's even more so. He led the army against his old master. In the dead of night, I always feel ashamed when I recall this incident. Death is also a kind of relief for me. I beg Your Highness to grant your permission."
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin knew that Qu Tutong was determined to die, so he stopped forcing him and sighed and said, "In that case, I'll leave everything to the old general."
"Your Highness, I am willing to stay and help General Qutu!" At this time, Pei Renji also strode forward and asked for orders.
"General Pei!"
Li Shimin couldn't help being stunned when he saw this, and secretly thought that Pei Renji was usually greedy for merit and smooth in doing things. How could he ask for orders to go into danger today?
Although he had such doubts in his heart, Li Shimin still made an effort to persuade him to stay: "General Pei and General Qu Tu are both veteran generals who have been famous for many years in the Tang Dynasty. However, in times of crisis, I let these two veteran generals take the back seat, which spread to the world." How will everyone treat Gu?"
Pei Renji cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but now my son Xingyan has fallen into the hands of the enemy, and his life and death are unknown. I really don't want to escape alone. Even if it means death, I will die with my son. I just hope that I will die with my son." Your Highness, remember what happened today and give my son Xingjian a good future in the future."
Pei Renji said this as if he was deeply in love with his son, but Li Shimin understood that Pei Renji's personal ability was mediocre, and his current status was entirely because of his son Pei Xingyan, who was brave enough to win the three armies.
Now Pei Xingyan is captured. With his bravery, if Yang Gao cannot take him for his own use, then he will kill Pei Xingyan to avoid future troubles. Without Pei Xingyan as his son, it would be difficult for Pei Renji to be promoted in the future. Since there is no hope for his official career, it is better to give up his life now and at least give his other underage son Pei Xingjian a future.
Although Li Shimin came to his senses, he could not refuse Pei Renji. After all, in the eyes of others, Pei Renji died for him, Li Shimin. If he chose to reject Pei Renji, it would be too ruthless and would eventually lead to the consequences of losing people's hearts. .
What's more, although Pei Xingjian is still young, he has already shown extraordinary intelligence. He may not be able to become a strong general like Pei Xingyan in the future, but with careful training, he will definitely become an outstanding commander.
Li Shimin then nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice: "Okay, old general, please rest assured. After I return to Chang'an, I will connect Young Master Ling to the Prince of Qin's Mansion. I will invite the best masters to teach him and train him." He will become a pillar of talent."
When Pei Renji heard this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you so much, King Qin!"
On the other hand, when Li Shimin rushed back to the Luoyang camp and all hundreds of thousands of troops evacuated northward. Meng Gong in the city had already received the news, but Meng Gong had limited troops and was cautious. He was afraid that Li Shimin would kill him and lose Luoyang City, so he forced the generals to fight and defend the city.
When Xue Rengui led tens of thousands of cavalry to Luoyang City, the Tang army's camp was already empty. However, Xue Rengui did not blame Meng Gong for anything. Considering the situation of troops and horses in Luoyang City, he would have chosen not to leave.
When Meng Gong saw Xue Rengui's army approaching, he felt relieved and hurriedly sent Yang Zaixing, Gao Siji, Wang Xiaojie and other generals to lead all the elite cavalry in the city to assist Xue Rengui in pursuing the Tang army.
