"Criminal?"
Tian Hongyou raised his eyebrows slightly, glanced at Xiang Zongyan with a gloomy face, and then responded calmly: "Xiang Dutong has just made a great contribution, how are you going to punish him? I think Xiang Dutong's words are reasonable. ! How precious is the poison sac? It was made by Xiang Dutong with all the strength of the clan day and night, so naturally it cannot be used lightly!
And as the leader of the capital who seeks to defeat thieves, you gave orders hastily without discerning the enemy's strength. You actually used up all the poison sacs in one battle. As a result, the Tang army that was annihilated was just a suspect! well! What a pity! You are still too young and are acting recklessly! However, I also made mistakes, and I should not have entrusted you with such an important task..."
Tian Hongbin was immediately startled, and the smug look on his face immediately faded away. The first reaction in his heart was, could my brother have been deprived of his seven souls and six souls? How can you speak for someone else, let alone someone whose surname is Xiang!
Then he turned red and opened his mouth to argue unconvinced: "What do you mean, Commander-in-Chief? The general has never slacked off since he took the order. No matter what happened today, ten thousand Tang troops were wiped out, right? If the general hadn't put in all his efforts, Xiang Zongyan's poisonous bags would have What's the use? Commander, war is not just about words. How can we win if we don't pay attention to timing and tactics..."
These words seemed to hit Tian Hongyou's weakness inexplicably, and Tian Hongyou showed a fierce look on his face, glared and scolded: "A Bin, are you saying that this governor doesn't understand military affairs?"
Tian Hongbin was a little dazed, but he gradually came to his senses, and suddenly cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he explained eagerly: "Brother, I..."
"No need to say more!" Tian Hongyou didn't seem to have much patience. He led his guards directly to the center of the tent, raised his hands in front of the generals and said loudly: "Everyone, our army has won a great victory today. We will win in one battle." Annihilating tens of thousands of Tang troops has really strengthened the morale of our three-state army! You all have contributed a lot, and I, the Commander-in-Chief, will naturally be rewarded heavily!"
The generals hurriedly handed over their hands to thank the reward, but Tian Hongyou changed the topic again: "But with rewards comes punishment. Although Tian Hongbin, the commander of the capital of Zhengtang, has made great achievements, he misjudged the enemy's situation, which caused our army to face difficulties again! Although he is the younger brother of this governor, military law is supreme and he must not dare to show favoritism. This governor is determined to deprive him of his duty to fight against thieves and rule the capital!
Abin, didn’t you say that I don’t understand military affairs? It's hot and humid here. I think you're dizzy, so go back to the city first! I will discuss this with you after I have finished handling the military affairs. "
As soon as these words came out, Tian Hongbin felt ashamed, and the winding veins between his neck suddenly popped up, which was really scary. As a strong general recognized by the whole Tian family and even the three states, he has made great contributions to Tian Hongyou's seizure of power. Today, he was deprived of his position by his dearest brother in public and expelled with scoldings. It is simply a huge humiliation. !
"Brother! Why do you deny my achievements with just one word?! Now we have another battle with the Tang Army. If I am not here, how will we fight this battle?"
Tian Hongyou scolded him coldly: "What brother? There is only the governor here! All of my Dongxi generals are brave, even if you are missing one, it doesn't matter."
Then he waved his hand and forcibly ordered Tian's personal guards to carry the ashen-faced younger brother out. Then Tian Hongyou seemed to be sitting upright in the tent with ease, and began to glance at the silent generals. .
At this time, all the barbarian generals couldn't figure it out at all. Tian Hongyou was famous for protecting his shortcomings. Today's move was really strange... but he still secretly breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, it was finally over for the time being. After suppressing the conflict between Tian Hongbin and Xiang Zongyan, if they really started fighting on their own in the tent, the consequences of the current internal strife among the enemy would be unimaginable.
As one of the victims, Xiang Zongyan had been listening to the words of the superior with a calm face and remained silent. At this time, he raised his head and met Tian Hongyou's sharp gaze. He took a deep breath, calmly raised his hands and said: "The Commander-in-Chief is wise. , The general is sincerely convinced! But there will inevitably be a fierce battle with the Tang army next. Tian Dutong is a recognized brave general among our tribes in Dongxi, and he is still indispensable..."
Tian Hongyou's brows seemed to relax a little, and then he showed a gentle expression, nodding and saying: "I admire Xiang Dutong for his broad-mindedness, and I admire this governor! But my brother is really incompetent. Although he is brave, he is still embarrassed in his big job! That's all! ! The Governor has made a decision on this matter, so don’t say anything more!”
Xiang Zongyan hurriedly bowed his head and thanked him, and then led his generals to stand on one side. Then Tian Hong waved his right hand and ordered all the guards in the tent to retreat to the outside to guard, and began to discuss with the generals whether to continue the attack or retreat to Xizhou City. A matter of perseverance.
Unsurprisingly, given that the poison sacs had been used up, they seemed to have returned to the helpless state they were in a few days ago. All the barbarian generals were silent, not to mention offering strategies to defeat the enemy. Even wherever Tian Hong glanced, he got Only look evasive.
Seeing that the tent fell into dead silence again, Tian Hongyou slowly stood up and said coldly with an expressionless face: "Since you can't do anything to annihilate Li Yuan's army, and you don't have the confidence to defend the city gate, it's better to leave it like this. I will immediately send an envoy to the city. The Tang army asks for surrender, please surrender to the rebellious son of the Peng family, maybe you can find a way out!"
All the generals raised their heads in astonishment. It was clear that several of the barbarian generals had strange expressions on their faces, and their chests were rising and falling slightly uneasily, but no one dared to answer.
"What? Do you really want to surrender?" Tian Hongyou suddenly stood up, pointed his sword at everyone and shouted: "I know what you are thinking! But don't forget that it was not only me, Tian Hongyou, who expelled and hunted down the Peng family. , all of you here have a share! Not to mention that today we attacked and killed ten thousand people of the Tang army with poisonous miasma! If you surrender, not only will all the lands of all ethnic groups be occupied by the Tang army, then will Li Yuan and Peng Shiyu let you go?!"
Several barbarian generals could no longer hold back, and came out with earnest expressions on their faces and shouted loudly: "Captain, we must not surrender! I am willing to fight to the death!"
The situation in the tent turned and soon became excited. Tian Hongyou nodded with satisfaction, but saw Xiang Zongyan and the three Xiang clan generals behind him all silent, as if they had expected it, and asked in a dull voice. Said: "Xiang Dutong, do you have the intention to surrender?"
Xiang Zongyan replied in a deep voice: "Captain, as a Dongxi man, how dare you disobey your ancestors and surrender to the Tang army? It's just that the situation is really critical now, and the general is thinking hard about how to defeat the enemy!"
"That would be perfect!" Tian Hongyou smiled meaningfully, and then said loudly to the generals: "Everyone, the time is urgent now. I think the Tang Army's camp is outside the ancient road, only a few dozen miles away. The Tang army has the advantage of cavalry and can reach it in an instant, so we can no longer delay here! The Xi Village is surrounded by wooden forest walls and there is no danger to defend it. How about withdrawing the army back to Xizhou City first and we can discuss it later? "
Most of the barbarian generals unanimously said yes, but Xiang Zongyan stopped him and said: "Captain, no! Even if we fight to the death, Huixizhai must not give up! This is the only way to go south to Chenzhou, and We are at odds with each other in Xizhou City, and we can rescue each other at any time. If it is occupied by the Tang army, our army will be completely unable to retreat, and sooner or later we will be trapped and die in Xizhou City!"
Seeing Xiang Zongyan's eager face, and the generals also having words of approval, Tian Hongyou showed a look of seeing through the clouds, patted his head as if suddenly enlightened, and said loudly: "It's better for Xiang Dutong to think carefully! I am the governor. I almost missed something big!"
Before he could speak to Zongyan, Tian Hongyou immediately added: "Since Huixi Village is so important, it must be guarded by a strong general! In this way, there just happens to be no general in the army. Xiang Dutong, I will order you to be the leader of the army. How about leading the army to garrison Huixi Village?"
Seeing Tian Hongyou disregarding the clan's previous grievances and entrusting himself with important responsibilities, such an unusual move was unbelievable. Xiang Zongyan couldn't help but feel a drum in his heart. After gritting his teeth and thinking for a moment, he handed over his hand and replied: "General, I will obey!"
"However, the target of the Tang Army is our Xizhou City after all, and I have to call back some soldiers and horses to strengthen the defense of the city! Xiang Dutong, I will order you to lead my troops to guard Xizhou Village now!"
Xiang Zongyan took a deep breath, and his mind suddenly became clear about what had just happened. He couldn't help but secretly complain, and hurriedly said loudly: "Captain, think twice! There are only three thousand soldiers in the tribe under the general's command! It will be difficult to hold on to Xi Village at this time. If The Tang army is attacking in large numbers, how can we defend it with these three thousand men alone?"
Tian Hongyou waved his hand nonchalantly and said: "Oh? Didn't Xiang Dutong say that Huixi Village and Xizhou City are at odds with each other? In such a dangerous place, if the Tang army came to attack, how could I not save him? ? They will send troops to rescue in time! Besides, the target of the Tang army is Xizhou City, and now that the troops have been greatly damaged, they should not waste their energy on attacking this small Huixi Village!"
"Captain! The last general——"
Tian Hong raised his right eyebrow and said loudly: "Xiang Dutong, are you going to disobey this Commander's military order? This Commander has accepted your suggestion!"
Xiang Zongyan gritted his teeth and said with trembling lips: "General, I will obey your orders!"
...
Not long after, horns sounded all over Huixi Village, suddenly breaking the tranquility of the surrounding mountains and forests. Birds in the dense forests on both sides were frightened and flew into the sky. Under the blue sky, densely packed Dongxi barbarian soldiers were migrating out of the village gate. Tian Hong The right leader led the retreat towards Xizhou City. The faces of these barbarian soldiers who were able to retreat to defend the city gate were full of luck and joy, and the footsteps gradually became more and more chaotic.
Xiang Zongyan was standing on the hill where Tian Hongbin was standing before. While watching the large group of barbarians retreating away, he directed the remaining three thousand barbarian soldiers to start digging earth and rocks on the surrounding mountains in preparation for building fortifications. These soldiers were all from the Xiang clan. They already understood the situation they were about to face. They all looked serious and did not dare to neglect. They hurriedly followed the leader's orders to build defense lines and organize armaments.
I saw a barbarian general hurriedly rushing to the mountain bag, and went straight to Xiang Zongyan's ear and whispered a few words, and then kept gesticulating something with his hands in front of his chest.
After the tea time, Xiang Zongyan had followed the general to a tent. Looking at everyone in front of him with worried expressions, he asked in a low voice: "How are you? When will you wake up?"
"Du Tong, it's not easy for this man to be able to breathe now. If Du Tong hadn't stopped him at that time, I'm afraid his head would have been in a different place! At this time, he was too poisoned and his lungs were damaged. He also suffered two stab wounds. When he woke up, I'm afraid it will take a while! The general has ordered people to return to the tribe to get medicine, and asked the old witch to come for treatment. It should be too late..."
