The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 461 Decoy?

When Li Shimin was attacking Luoyang, he was also preparing to withdraw his troops. When Li Shimin saw the beacon fire of Mengjindu in Luoyang City, he immediately realized that the Sui army had carried out strategic deception on the fleet. The place to cross the river was not Shanxian County as imagined before , but Mengjindu.

With the dispatch of troops from the Sui army, the situation of the battle became severe, and the situation became unfavorable to the Tang army. Yang Shan would land at Mengjindu. If Yang Tong's more than [-] main forces came from Yanshi County, the Tang army lacked strategic depth. In a dangerous situation of attacking from left to right, if Zhuyangguan falls again, the Tang army will undoubtedly lose this battle.

late at night!

In Ziwei Palace, Li Shimin and his subordinate Wenwu were listening to Zhang Gongjin's details of the Battle of Mengjin Crossing, especially when it came to the Sui Army's strong bows and crossbows, everyone was engrossed in listening.

"Your Highness, the crossbows and arrows of the Sui army are so sophisticated that they are beyond imagination. This is still in the center of the river. If the opponent relies on the advantage of the city wall, the general will not dare to imagine how this battle should be fought. Back then, the Qin State ruled the world by relying on Strong bows and powerful crossbows. Legend has it that Qin crossbows can shoot at a range of nearly [-] paces. Although the bows and crossbows of the Sui army have not reached that terrifying level, even if they are [-] to [-] paces, they are definitely not from my Tang Dynasty. Bows and crossbows can be compared."

"Luo Shixin used grassland tactics and defeated Zhao Junwang with a strong crossbow... Yang Tong's various types of crossbows can be used for different purposes, both far and near, and even in close combat, Yang Tong's troops are also That’s right, that sturdy shield can’t penetrate even a single-shot crossbow with extremely strong penetrating power, and its tactics are equally powerful.” Li Shimin smiled wryly, and sighed slightly: “It’s a pity that we didn’t capture any strong guns from the Sui army. The crossbow, the Sui Dynasty kept it extremely secret, and the crown prince had nothing to gain even though he had exhausted all his efforts. We only know that Yang Tong attached great importance to the research and development of equipment, and various weapons and equipment emerged in endlessly. As for the others, we don’t know anything. The craftsmen are also doing their best to study it, but it is a pity that we don't have the time and so many skilled craftsmen, so we haven't created a satisfactory weapon equipment for a long time."

Li Shimin's words made everyone feel a little heavy, Hou Junji asked curiously: "Your Highness, is there no way to restrain the Sui army's weapons and equipment?"

"That's not necessarily the case! The Sui Army's cavalry archers are powerful, but everything in the world is always one thing against another. There has never been an invincible army. It is impossible for the Sui Army to sweep the world with a single archer. As long as we are vigilant , we can minimize the loss. For example, barbed wire, for example, we can lead the cavalry to the gravel and dusty areas. Once they enter this area, the cavalry's advantages will not be brought into play. Wei Qing's Wugang formation, Liu Yu's Queyue Formation is also a sharp weapon for restraining cavalry."

"Although Luo Shixin is strong, as far as I know, Luo Shixin is the most important general under Yang Tong's command. His army is probably Yang Tong's most elite soldiers. Other soldiers and horses may not be able to compete with Luo Shixin. Compared with a strong army, everyone should not be too discouraged." Li Shimin shook his head with a smile, no matter whether this is true or not, but at this time, he cannot admit cowardice.

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, if every one of Yang Tong's soldiers and horses was so strong, then there would be no need to fight this battle.

At this time, a soldier rushed in and made a false report: "His Royal Highness, Hongnong County has urgent information!"

Li Shimin took over the military situation and read it again, his face suddenly became serious. The information from Liu Hongji said that Xie Yingdeng led an army of [-] to Hangu Pass. Li Shimin was extremely shocked by the news that Guguan was under attack. He understood what it meant. The Sui army not only wanted to cut off his retreat, but also eroded his vital strength step by step. Hongnong County is also cut off, so the army under his command will face an extremely serious crisis.

He said to the generals: "Xie Yingdeng led the army to kill Hangu Pass, and the Sui army in Guanzhong also sent troops from Tongguan. Hangu Pass was attacked by the enemy, and Liu Hongji retreated to Hongnong County. If Hongnong and Changyuan Counties are lost, our army will fall into the danger of being surrounded by the four south."

"Your Highness, the general is willing to lead the army to support Hangu Pass." Hou Junji begged for orders.

Li Shimin shook his head and said with a wry smile: "It doesn't make any sense. Our strength is not as good as that of the Sui army. Once we divide our forces, we will hit Yang Tong's plan to divide and wipe them out. Xie Yingdeng's troops entered Hangu Pass instead of going straight to Luoyang. Isn't this just waiting for us to divide our troops to rescue?"

Li Shimin was also in a dilemma. Hangu Pass was defending against the west rather than the east. Because it was targeting the Guanzhong area, the Sui army could take advantage of its large number of troops and weapons to attack Liu Hongji's troops without hesitation.

"But the fall of Hangu Pass will have serious consequences."

"I know that." Li Shimin took a few steps and said slowly to Liu Wenjing, "Does Liu Xiangguo feel that Luoyang is actually a decoy?"

Liu Wenjing said: "I don't think it should be. If Yang Tong really has this intention, then it will be a good opportunity before our army breaks through Luoyang. I think it will be more beneficial than besieging Luoyang if we attack from north to south and block it from Yanshi County."

Li Shimin nodded silently. Liu Wenjing's reminder was very convincing. If Yang Tong really wanted to annihilate him, he would be able to take advantage of cavalry several times in the wild. He nodded and said, "Xiang Liu is right, Yang Tong's intention is to Occupy a complete Luoyang, so after we break through Luoyang, force us to withdraw with great power."

"I think so"

Li Shimin saw that Liu Wenjing hesitated to speak, so he said, "Mr. Liu, please continue."

Liu Wenjing said: "It is true that Yang Tong now puts the battlefield in Hongnong County in order to force our army to withdraw from Luoyang."

"What's the reason?"

"The city of Luoyang is strong, and it is several times more difficult to fight than Hongnong County. Secondly, Yang Tong wants to win a complete Luoyang. After all, Luoyang is the capital city of the Sui Dynasty that Yang Guang spent countless manpower on. Yang Tong does not want Luoyang to be destroyed. Too much damage."

"Like taking Daxing City peacefully?"

"Almost so."

"What if we don't retreat?" Li Shimin's implication is that if we don't retreat, will Yang Tong not fight because of Luoyang.

"If we don't retreat, he will try to surround us in the city. Once we are trapped in Luoyang City, it will not be as simple as the Central Plains War. It may be an all-out war."

"What is an all-out war?"

"Your Highness, if I were Yang Tong, I would successfully trap Your Highness behind Luoyang, and then I would order the Guanzhong Army to go south to Xiyang, threaten Xiangyang County, and then order the Hanzhong Army to attack Xicheng County and Fangling County to break the connection between Jing and Shu. At the same time, the Hehuang army will enter the land of Shu, and the Tang army will be overwhelmed and unable to take care of Luoyang. In that case, our army will become a turtle in the urn just like Wang Shichong before."

Li Shimin was secretly startled. Liu Wenjing's analysis was not alarmist. There was indeed a possibility. After a moment of silence, Li Shimin finally issued an order, "Pass my order, the army retreats towards Hongnong!"

In order not to be cut off by the Sui army, Li Shimin was forced to order the withdrawal of the troops. The Tang army withdrew from Luoyang that night and evacuated in the direction of Hongnong County. His withdrawal from Luoyang did not mean that he would give up the Central Plains. As long as he kept the southern part of Hongnong, he would be able to occupy Henan The county's initiative, a battle between Yang Tong and Li Shimin, is about to kick off in Hongnong.

As the main force of the Sui army in Hebei entered Henan County, the Tang army that had just captured Luoyang faced the danger of encirclement. He did not completely retreat back to Hongnong, but stationed troops in Xionger County, and ordered Liu Hongji to sit in Hongnong County and wait and see the military situation in Luoyang. He still had a glimmer of hope in his heart. If Li Mi in the south changes, maybe he still has the hope of picking up the leak .

After Yang Shanhui withdrew from Luoyang, he also led the main force to Yiyang County, a hundred miles away from Xiong'er County, to confront the Tang Army from a distance, and at the same time ordered a force to enter Luoyang to guard Ziwei Palace. In Yang Shanhui's view, Luoyang was already a It's the end of the Sui Dynasty, as long as the Ziwei Palace is protected from being destroyed by the rioters in the city, Li Shimin is not dead, and there are signs of imminent movement, so he must be contained outside Luoyang.

At noon the next day, Yang Tong also led his troops into Xingtai County, Henan County, monitoring Li Shimin from the north to the south.

In the county government office, Yang Tong stood in front of the model of Luoyang City, thinking for a long time without saying a word. This wooden model was one foot long and wide, and was carved just like Luoyang City. It was exquisitely crafted and lifelike. It was made by Chinese craftsmen, but by the late Minister of Industry Yu Wenkai. After Yang Guang agreed, he built this important city in a larger scale. This model has been placed in the palace.

When Yang Tong went north, he took away all the palace items from Ziwei Palace. This model was among the palace items, and the models of Daxing and Jiangdu were also taken away.

Today the [-] troops led by Luo Shixin will enter Luoyang, Yang Tong is somewhat worried.

Fang Xuanling said with a smile: "Your Majesty should go there in person! My ministers are here to monitor the Tang army. After all, Luoyang is the capital of the Sui Dynasty. Many things must be decided by the Majesty."

Yang Tong said: "Xuanling, why don't we take the opportunity to wipe out Li Shimin's army in Luoyang? Give him a chance to withdraw. Thinking about it now, I seem to have made a mistake."

Fang Xuanling smiled slightly: "But the Holy Majesty didn't think so at the time. I also asked the Holy Majesty. At that time, the Holy Majesty was worried that the alliance between Li Shimin and Wang Shichong would backfire. Now the battle between Tang and Zheng has been settled, but the two had an alliance at that time." At that time, the Holy Majesty was not very sure about the possibility, so he endured not to make a move, but now the Holy Majesty regrets because of Li Shimin's withdrawal. Wouldn't he want the bear's paw and the fish? Besides, Li Shimin is still waiting and watching, our army may not have no generals The opportunity to annihilate Hongnong."

Yang Tong also laughed, "Yeah! The timing wasn't right at that time, and I really didn't want Luoyang to suffer too much damage, and I didn't want to use the lives of my soldiers from the Sui Dynasty to attack the fortifications. Now I can take Luoyang with the opportunity, but We have lost the opportunity to wipe out Li Shimin, let's let them go for a while, we can take it step by step."

Fang Xuanling said with a smile: "Luoyang can't live without the emperor, I think you have time to go there now."

Yang Tong also knew that Luoyang was a matter of great importance. Once Luo Shixin took over Luoyang, Luo Shixin would implement a comprehensive martial law to wait for his own decision. Li Shimin believed that he still had a slight chance to turn the tables. A silver lining.Thus moving the battlefield to Hongnong.

Thinking of this, Yang Tong nodded and said, "Okay! I'm going to Luoyang now, and I will trouble Xuanling here."

Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will strictly follow the plan."

Yang Tong immediately ordered the Xuanjia Army and Shurawei to clean up, and the husband and wife left the county government office under the guard of more than ten thousand fine horsemen, and rushed towards Luoyang.

(End of this chapter)