The empress asked, and Zhang Ke looked at a general behind him. This man was Liao Yong, who joined the army at Houmi Pass.
Liao Yong stepped forward and paid homage: "Liao Yong, the guilty minister Hou Miguan joined the army, pays homage to the Holy Majesty and the Regent."
Houmi Pass was lost. Liao Yong, who joined the army, was naturally guilty, so he called himself a guilty minister.
The empress waved her hand and said, "Let's get down to business!"
Liao Yong immediately reported: "In the early morning of that day, Nanliang navy Cheng Li suddenly entered the city and went straight to the general's mansion. The guilty minister heard the movement and immediately led his troops to fight. Unfortunately, General Zeng died in the battle. The guilty minister was so anxious that he did not know about Cheng Li. Li brought many soldiers and horses, so he chose to retreat."
The empress asked: "How many soldiers and horses did Cheng Li bring?"
Liao Yong was embarrassed and replied: "There are only more than 3,000 people, less than 4,000 people."
The empress said displeased: "There are thirty thousand elite soldiers in Houmi Pass, but three thousand people broke into the city!"
Liao Yong was speechless, and the generals in the hall also sighed.
Long Chen said: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Cheng Li is the wise general of Nanliang. He is decisive and smart in his actions. Liang Jun suddenly attacked the city. In addition, Zeng Shuang was beheaded, the morale of the army was turbulent, and Liao Canjun was unable to recover."
Long Chen tried to persuade the empress, and the queen's anger calmed down a little, and she said, "How is the situation at Monkey Gate now?"
Liao Yong, who joined the army, had been keeping an eye on the situation at Houmi Pass and replied: "Now Cheng Li personally guards Houmi Pass, and there are 50,000 elite soldiers."
The empress frowned. Although Houmiguan City is small, it is extremely strong. If you want to attack by force, you can only take the east path.
There are 50,000 elite soldiers in the city. If you want to capture it, you will need at least 100,000 troops.
The biggest problem is not the number of troops, but the road east of Houmi Pass is very narrow, and up to five soldiers can rush together.
In other words, even if the empress has 100,000 soldiers and horses, when it comes time to attack the city, she can only charge forward with five soldiers and five soldiers, which is to die.
This is the so-called terrain where one man is at the gate and ten thousand men cannot break it.
Once a place like this is lost, it will cost a lot to get it back.
The only feasible strategy is to siege, leaving the city without food and the morale of the army collapsed.
However, Houmiguan is adjacent to a large river in the south, and food can be transported into the city by water, making it impossible to besieged.
How could the empress not be angry that such a strong city was lost?
The empress sighed slightly and leaned on the chair without saying a word.
There is nothing the Empress can do about this situation.
The empress was like this, and everyone looked at Long Chen.
Zhang Ke had seen Long Chen's methods. In Linjiang City, Long Chen killed Shangguan Mu and Shangguan Xiu, and also designed to kill Murong Xiao.
Hundreds of thousands of troops in Nanliang died in Long Chen's hands.
It's definitely not a problem if you are just a monkey.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Long Chen helplessly spread his hands and said, "Don't look at me, there's nothing I can do."
To be honest, Long Chen thought about countermeasures on the way, but after much deliberation, he just couldn't think of a good way.
Houmi Pass was too dangerous, and Cheng Li knew that Dong Zhou would definitely try his best to recapture it, and the defense would be extremely strong.
In this case, it would be as difficult as climbing to the sky to get it back.
The only feasible way is to station troops in the east of the city, and then Long Chen makes a surprise attack at night.
With his current cultivation level, it is not difficult to kill Cheng Li.
But thinking so, Long Chen also had his own worries.
At this time, all the people from Xichang, Shadow Guard, and Jinyi Guard had dispersed. Long Chen himself was also looking for them, but there was no news about Gui Fei.
On the one hand, this is a good thing, the empress is safe.
On the other hand, it also shows that Long Chen cannot catch the whereabouts of the ghost fetus at all.
In case Guitai has colluded with Li Chengdao and is waiting at Monkey Pass, if Long Chen goes in alone and collides head-on with Guitai, it will almost be a dead end.
Therefore, breaking in alone was just an idea, and Long Chen didn't dare to use it.
Long Chen said there was nothing he could do, and everyone was disappointed.
The most powerful God of War is actually helpless.
"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be rushed. It is better to rest for now."
Long Chen still needs to think carefully about what to do. He is too anxious to eat hot tofu, so he might as well take a rest first.
The empress rubbed her temples, nodded slightly and said, "Get your troops in order and be on standby at any time. Then tell Gongsun Ming that King Wu and I have arrived."
Zhang Ke immediately accepted the order and said: "The last general has received the order!"
The empress and Long Chen got up and left the commander's mansion, and the female officials from Diaoyu City immediately welcomed the empress into the palace.
Di Luoxi had been guarding the Diaoyu Town for a long time, with a special room and a dedicated female officer to serve him.
The empress arrived and happened to stay in Di Luoxi's former room.
Long Chen stayed in his room.
Zhang Ke immediately sent a clipper to inform Gongsun Ming that the Empress and Long Chen had arrived at Diaoyu City.
In Linjiang City.
Gongsun Ming is worried.
Houmi Pass has fallen, and Linjiang City is in danger of being cut off at any time. Wushun City in the southwest is mobilizing troops and horses, and Qiu Kuohai is ready to make a move, showing signs of attack.
Standing on the city, Gongsun Ming looked to the southwest and said, "Uncle Zhao, do you think Qiu Kuohai will take the opportunity to attack?"
Zhao Heng shook his head and said: "I don't know. The battlefield is changing rapidly. We can only do our best to defend ourselves so that we have no loopholes to exploit."
The Art of War says: The invincible lies with oneself, but the victorious lies with the enemy. Therefore, those who are good at fighting can be invincible, but those who cannot make the enemy victorious are certain.
On the battlefield, both sides are fighting tooth and nail. Whether you can win or not doesn't matter, it depends on the enemy.
All he can do is to leave no opportunity to take advantage of him. As for what the enemy is like, it doesn't matter what he says.
Gongsun Ming looked north anxiously: "Who will the Holy One send? The fourth princess?"
Gongsun Ming hoped that the empress would send Long Chen over directly, so that he could follow Long Chen without having to think so much.
To be honest, the empress gave Linjiang City to Gongsun Ming because of Gongsun Yun.
But his ability and determination are actually not enough to take on this important task.
Zhao Heng knew about Gongsun Ming's problem, and Gongsun Yun also explained it.
"My young master, you are now the defender of Linjiang City. You should figure out how to stabilize the war situation yourself, and you should not rely on others."
"On the battlefield, if the general is not determined, he will definitely lose!"
Zhao Heng once fought with Gongsun Ming's father.
He knew that indecision was the most taboo thing on the battlefield, and it was better to be reckless than indecisive.
Gongsun Ming nodded and said: "I know..."
At this time, two soldiers from the city ran up and shouted: "General, Your Majesty has arrived at Diaoyu City!"
Gongsun Ming was stunned for a moment when he heard the news, and then asked happily: "When did you arrive?"
The soldiers sent by Zhang Ke replied: "We just arrived, and King Wu is also with us."
Everything comes to mind. Gongsun Ming was overjoyed: "I never thought that the Holy Master would come in person. King Wu is here, so I have nothing to worry about!"
Zhao Heng sighed secretly in his heart, Gongsun Ming still wanted to rely on Long Chen.
Zhao Heng asked: "Your Majesty arrived so quickly, how many troops did he bring with him?"
Not long after the military report was sent out, the empress arrived, which was a bit too fast.
The soldier replied: "I didn't lead any troops, I just followed a few people."
Gongsun Ming said in astonishment: "Only a few followers?"
The empress and Long Chen were dispatched at the same time. Gongsun Ming thought they brought hundreds of thousands of troops, but he didn't expect that they only had a few followers.
What are you doing here?
"Is the army following?"
Zhao Heng guessed that the empress and Long Chen went to Diaoyu City first to stabilize their position, and the army came from behind led by Di Luoxi and Di Lingyi.
