The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 824
More than ten miles to the east of the camp of the Sui Army is a large hill with a radius of tens of miles. The forest on the mountain is lush, and the foot of the mountain is surrounded by a large forest. The forest surrounds the whole mountain, like a green belt stretching southward. and go.At this time, just to the north of the mountain, a Tang army of 2 people was about to seize the time to rest and prepare for the second attack on the Sui army camp.

This Tang army is composed of Li Xiaogong's elite soldiers, powerful and well-equipped. The commander of this army is Li Xiaogong himself.Li Xiaogong himself watched the Sui army camp from a distance in the southwest under the guard of a team of personal soldiers. He did not let the soldiers who made the second sneak attack watch. The second is to allow soldiers to get enough rest time.

When he saw that Lu Zushang's ten-thousand-thousand army was killed, Li Xiaogong couldn't say a word for a long time, and finally heaved a long sigh. He saw Lu Zushang's defeat and saw that the Sui army was making arrangements in an orderly manner. Standing on the line of defense, I even saw teams of scouts scattered out and disappeared into the night sky.

The deputy general at the side looked at Li Xiaogong, and said softly: "Your Highness, the Sui army is preventing us from stealing the camp for the second time."

A look of unwillingness flashed in Li Xiaogong's eyes, even the lieutenant could see it, how could he not know that the Sui army was prepared?He had no choice but to order: "Greeting the soldiers to return to the camp."

"Here." The lieutenant-general answered the order and hurried to deliver the order.

"Victorious but not arrogant, you are worthy of being the tiger of Jianghuai, Du Fuwei should not be underestimated." Li Xiaogong sighed and returned to the camp lonely.

When Chai Shao and others heard that Du Fuwei was on guard, everyone felt heavy in their hearts. A brilliant move that they placed great hope on was also ruthlessly crushed by the Sui army.

"Your Highness, generals, our rattan shields indeed have the effect of defending against crossbow arrows, but in this battle, I was defeated by the Sui army, not the crossbow arrows... Those ordinary Sui army soldiers cooperated tacitly and killed bravely , Advance and retreat with certainty. Even without crossbow arrows, they are stronger than our army." At this time, Lu Zushang, who escaped by chance, also described the night attack in detail.

After listening to Lu Zushang's statement, everyone fell silent.

If in the past they could attribute the failure to the opponent's sharp crossbows and mighty cavalry, then this time, they seemed to have found a new direction. Great, fortunately Lu Zu was not injured, otherwise, before the start of this life-and-death duel, they would have injured a general on their side.

But even so, Li Xiaogong also had to consider how to deal with the Sui army next.

Because Lu Zushang's words "cooperate tacitly, kill bravely, advance and retreat with certainty" are enough to show that Du Fuwei's army is a powerful elite soldier regardless of weapons and armor.

What worried Li Xiaogong even more was that this army was the No. 11 army established by the Jianghuai Army. If it was replaced by Yang Tong's top ten most elite armies, how terrifying would their combat power be?
And Yang Shanhui, who is confronting them, has several main battle legions in his hands. If all of them are thrown into the battlefield, what will be the result?
it goes without saying.

After a long time, Li Xiaogong said in a deep voice: "Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs. This failure is not because of our wrong strategy, nor our lack of ability. It only shows that the Sui army is well prepared. In the Sui army, it is considered intentional to be unprepared, and failure is also a reasonable thing."

Everyone nodded silently.

"After dawn, we will fight Du Fuwei again." Li Xiaogong said in a deep voice.

"This..." Chai Shao frowned and looked at Li Xiaogong: "Even if Ye Raider is beaten up like this, facing the enemy upright, I'm afraid there is very little chance of winning."

"But we have no choice." Li Xiaogong sighed: "Yang Shanhui can waste us, but we can't afford it. I originally planned to use the advantage of the camp to attract the Sui army to attack, which can consume the strength of the Sui army. The second is to wear down the vigor of the Sui army, and wait for the enemy to attack for a long time before launching a counterattack. In order to achieve this goal, they even sent people to Luoyang to spread rumors that Yang Shanhui would support his troops and stand on his own. But they obviously saw through this plan and also saw through it. our weaknesses."

Chai Shao said: "Our weakness is food?"

"Food is one thing, and time is another." Li Xiaogong glanced at Chai Shao: "We can't afford to spend with the Sui army. If it takes a long time and we can't return to Xiangyang as soon as possible, Jingxiang may change at any time. If Yang Shanhui, Xue Wanjun from Xiyang, and Li Jing from Nanjun send troops at the same time, we and the crown prince will lose our way to Shu, and we will be divided into two small parts, so we will become sinners of the Tang Dynasty."

When everyone heard the words, they were suddenly dumbfounded and embarrassed.

As Li Xiaogong said, they are obviously a large army with more than [-] people, but at this moment, they have become a burden for Li Jiancheng. What is even more embarrassing is that Li Jiancheng, who has a few soldiers, is still needed to rescue... If not They couldn't return to Xiangyang for a long time, and Li Jiancheng had already walked on the road to Shu in peace, instead of taking huge risks and defending Xiangyang.

Speaking of which, it's really embarrassing.

In fact, it's not that they don't want to leave, there's really no way to leave, the damned Sui army is not only tough, but the commander and the generals are also very cunning, but who can understand their difficulties?

"Your Highness, please allow the general to say something disrespectful but true." Lu Zushang bowed.

Li Xiaogong is not that kind of harsh person, he nodded and said: "Say it."

Lu Zushang cupped his hands and said: "It's not that the last general lost his fighting spirit because of this battle, but because we are in the current situation, we are no match for the Sui army at all. We must get external support, otherwise it will be difficult to escape the siege of the Sui army; It is very difficult to cross the white water even if you are lucky enough to escape from the encirclement. Can we ask His Royal Highness the whole army to dispatch? To contain Luo Shixin for us in the Caiyang area?"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince supported us one after another, and was defeated by Luo Shixin one after another. Today, the troops in Xiangyang are almost wiped out. If the entire army of Xiangyang is dispatched, what will happen to Xiangyang City? If the Crown Prince makes a mistake, who can take responsibility for it?" ?” Li Xiaogong asked a series of questions.

Facing the eyes of Li Xiaogong's background, Lu Zushang did not evade, but continued to express his opinion: "The Sui army actually does not have much strength in Nanyang, and Jingbei will be ceded to the Sui Dynasty sooner or later. According to the opinion of the last general, We can let His Royal Highness and Chen Xiangguo bring the remaining officials and luggage to Yiling, and then firmly guard the passage to Shu. After we join the Xiangyang army, we will go around the city and go straight to Yiling."

Chai Shao next to him glanced at him, shook his head and sighed, and said bitterly: "General Lu's idea is indeed good, but our food and our time can't wait for the reinforcements."

Li Xiaogong secretly calculated in his heart, if the scouts ran to Xiangyang day and night, it would take at least two or three days, not counting the mountains and rivers in the middle, and intercepting the Sui army; and the Xiangyang army would have to walk for at least four days from Xiangyang Or so, it takes seven days.For such a long time, my own food can't support it first.

The key is that the soldiers in Xiangyang, how can they beat Luo Shixin, who is watching the tiger?Even if they made it to Cai Yang successfully, there might not be much left, so what's the point?
Thinking of this, he smiled wryly, shook his head and said, "Sichang is right. Time is running out. In the final analysis, the Sui army saw through us. They knew that the more we dragged on, the more serious the situation would be, so they took it easy Go around in circles with us in the mountains. To be honest, I can’t think of a way to appoint other than a strong attack. Everyone works together and thinks about whether there is any other way. If you have anything to say, speak freely.”

There were only him, Chai Shao, Samurai Xun, and Lu Zushang in the tent. Li Xiaogong frankly expressed his helplessness.

Everyone is a sensible person, even if they don't say anything, they all know that he is at the end of his rope. Instead of hiding it, it's better to put all the problems on the table, maybe there are some new ideas.

"When His Royal Highness returned to the camp, he said that Du Fuwei had already begun to guard against death, so that the second night attack could not be carried out as desired. But from this, I thought of a method that is more suitable for us." Chai Shao said.

"any solution?"

"The solution is to use tricks and mistakes, and continue to fight Du Fuwei."

Everyone looked at Chai Shao in astonishment.

Knowing that the enemy is prepared, you still go to fight?Isn't this letting the soldiers go to die?
Li Xiaogong couldn't accept it, let alone Chai Shao would make such a ridiculous voice, he frowned and said, "Sichang, please be more specific."

"I will obey." Chai Shao cupped his hands and continued, "Your Highness, there are 2 to [-] Jingzhou soldiers in our army. If we abandon Jingzhou, these soldiers will leave us sooner or later instead of going to Yizhou with us. As long as We collected the dry rations of the Jingzhou soldiers, and the remaining [-] elite soldiers can last for about ten days. Tonight, we simply let these Jingzhou soldiers attack Du Fuwei again at night, and the elite soldiers who received ten days of rations will borrow The plane bypassed Du Fuwei's camp and Caiyang County, and returned directly to Xiangyang City."

"Then the [-] to [-] Jingzhou soldiers are not human anymore? Let them go to die like this?" Li Xiaogong asked displeasedly, Chai Shao, a strong man, had already violated his principles of life by severing his arms.

He can entrap the enemy, but he will never entrap these own soldiers.

Chai Shao smiled wryly and said, "I mean let these soldiers go to feign an attack. The 8 to 8 soldiers created a huge momentum in front of the Sui army camp. Not to mention that Du Fuwei didn't dare to move lightly, but at least he has no time to take care of us. , we have already jumped out of the enemy's encirclement, and Yang Shanhui will investigate and appease [-] people, for fear that these soldiers will riot and temporarily be unable to catch up. With the consistent style of the Sui army, these [-] people will be convinced for a few years labor, and then let them return to their hometowns to work in agriculture, and they have a way of life."

Li Xiaogong originally thought that Chai Shao suggested that he send 8 to 2 people to die, so that more than [-] elite soldiers could get enough food to escape, so he would definitely not accept it.If these soldiers were only allowed to demonstrate in front of the Sui army's camp, as a cover for the elite soldiers, and surrender to the Sui army at dawn, that would be another matter.

After straightening it out, Li Xiaogong found that his heart was moved, and this method seemed to be the best way out at present. He glanced at everyone and asked, "What do you think?"

"Your Highness." As the veteran of Jinyang's army, the samurai Xun was naturally the first to speak. He said, "As the son-in-law said, these Jingzhou soldiers will be lost sooner or later. If we are reluctant to give up this soldier who must be lost, then 2 There are not a single elite soldier left. If food is concentrated for the elite soldiers and these Jingzhou soldiers are used as a cover, we can win at least one day, and the possibility of successfully returning to Xiangyang is very high, so I am more inclined to discuss it."

"General Lu, what do you think?" Li Xiaogong asked Lu Zushang.

Lu Shangzu smiled wryly: "The last general also thinks this is the only way out."

Li Xiaogong nodded and said: "Since we have the same opinion, the next second question is who will bring some soldiers to harass the Sui army? To cover up for the elite soldiers until dawn? I definitely can't, one of you three must bear the burden."

The three fell silent for a moment, and after a while, Lu Zushang sighed, "General Chai is the son-in-law of the Tang Dynasty, and General Wu is the elder who founded the Tang Dynasty. They are both big traitors in Yang Tong's eyes, and they must be punished...Compared Under the circumstances, I am an unknown person, I will stay, and I have nothing to do with the Tang royal family, Yang Shan will trust me more."

Li Xiaogong's favorite person is also Lu Zushang. As he himself said, if Chai Shao and the warrior Xun fell into the hands of the Sui Dynasty, they would surely die. However, if Lu Zushang donated [-] to [-] captives, even if he could not get a reward, he would at least survive. .

Immediately said: "Since that's the case, let's act immediately and order all soldiers to hand in dry food. I will go to Xiangyang tonight."

"Here." The three saluted together and turned to leave the tent, but Li Xiaogong stopped Lu Zushang, "General Lu, wait a moment."

"Please give orders, Your Highness." Lu Zushang hurriedly stopped in his tracks.

Li Xiaogong stepped forward and said bitterly: "It is I, Li Xiaogong, who is incompetent, and I am sorry for you. Whether you come back to me in the future or stay in the Sui Dynasty, you are all heroes of the Tang Dynasty. I will keep your family In Xiangyang, the Crown Prince will definitely not embarrass them, even if I, Li Xiaogong, die, I will not allow other people to harm your family."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Lu Zushang's eyes were red. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't say a word.

Li Xiaogong patted him on the shoulder, pretending to be relaxed and said: "Actually, I know that Datang's situation is very dangerous, but the three of us have no choice, otherwise, how could it be your turn?"

"Your Highness..."

"You don't need to explain, I understand." Li Xiaogong sighed, "From now on, you can live in peace in Da Sui, don't even think about looking for me. I really can't protect you."

Li Xiaogong is too aware of the faces of Li Yuan and those people in the court, and also knows that his decision today will most likely cause him to lose everything, even including his life.

"Please take care, Your Highness!" Lu Zushang bowed deeply.

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It's the end of the month, brothers and sisters who have tickets in their hands, please reward one or two. .

(End of this chapter)