The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 314
On December [-], the Ye army, which had been huddled in the camp on the north slope, suddenly began to attack fiercely. Shi Yanchao and Wang Yanchao took turns leading their troops to attack the camp on the south slope. The Ye army's offensive was fierce, and shouts of killing could be heard all over the mountains and plains from morning to night. , and the war drums are endless all day long.

Ye's army also has an iron tower giant, armed with a heavy iron rod weighing over a hundred kilograms and a loose yellow lion's mane. He leads the charge every time and is unstoppable wherever he goes.

This giant man is like a ferocious beast on the battlefield. No one can get close to him. The heavy iron rod sweeps across, and the brains burst out and the bones are smashed. Rumors spread among the Forbidden Army that this man is a giant spirit god who has descended to earth and is possessed by ghosts and gods. ,invincible.

This giant man was naturally Shi Xiangwen, and Zhu Xiu deliberately left him behind to help the army attack the enemy head-on.

Shi Xiangwen couldn't understand the sound of drumming and didn't know when to advance or retreat, so Zhu Xiu asked Hu Guangyue to stay and command him with the unique sound of birds in the Beihu Camp.

Hu Guangyue participated in the special training class at Leihu Camp and learned some ventriloquism skills from Bi Hongyu.

Shi Xiangwen couldn't understand the sound of war drums, but he could understand the sounds of various birds and remember the meaning of each sound.

Hu Guangyue followed him. The battlefield was noisy, so he used the sounds of birds to direct him to fight.

After two days of fierce attacks, Murong Yanchao personally led his troops into battle and suffered repeated defeats.

First, he was defeated by Shi Yanchao at the foot of the slope, and then met Wang Yanchao the next day. He wanted to bully Wang Yanchao, a young man, but unexpectedly, he was hit by a silver gun and almost died and fled back to the camp.

Liu Chengyou was on pins and needles in the camp on the south slope, so he sent out the Zuo Shenwu commander Yuan Zhi and Dengzhou Jiedushi Liu Chongjin to divide their troops to resist the Ye army.

Unexpectedly, it was just a battle. Yuan Zhi was beheaded by the veteran He Fujin. Liu Chongjin was defeated and fled, and died under the trampling of a random horse.

The Forbidden Army suffered successive setbacks and suffered a great loss of morale.

In the imperial tent of Nanpo Daying, Liu Chengyou was furious when he learned that the Qili Suburban Camp had been attacked by the Ye army.

If the Qili Suburban Camp is lost, the connection between the army and Kaifeng will be cut off, and the route of retreat may be cut off, and it may become a lone army outside Guxuan City.

The atmosphere in the imperial tent was bleak. Everyone couldn't figure out why the situation on the battlefield took a turn for the worse in just a few days. How could the imperial army, which had been marching in high spirits, suffer repeated defeats?
Is it that the elite troops of Ye's army are too powerful, or is there something wrong with the layout of the imperial army?
Liu Chengyou couldn't sit still and paced around the tent with his hands behind his hands.

The officials did not sit down, and other people did not dare to sit down. They stood like wooden stakes on both sides, with their eyes lowered and silent.

"It is unreasonable for the majestic imperial master to be severely defeated by the rebels one after another!"

Liu Chengyou couldn't bear it anymore and roared angrily.

"Are you talking? You all are silent. Do you want to wait for Guo Wei to break into Kaifeng so that you can turn around and worship him as emperor?"

Li Ye, Nie Wenjin, and Guo Yunming immediately took the lead and knelt down: "I am incompetent and cannot share your worries for you. I will be punished by death!"

A formulaic confession sounded in the imperial tent, and Liu Chengyou was so angry that he was shaking all over.

Murong Yanchao's armor was stained with blood, and the traces of swords and arrows were clearly visible. He gritted his teeth and said solemnly: "Now that things have come to an end, it is better to ask the officials to move to the suburbs of Qili. The army will temporarily retreat. First, stabilize the rear position, and then plan. other!"

Hou Yi and Jiao Jixun, who were kneeling aside, looked at each other. Hou Yi immediately objected: "Withdrawing troops at this time is tantamount to telling the world that the imperial court suffered a disastrous defeat and is no match for the rebels. This puts the dignity of the officials and the imperial court at risk." ?”

Liu Chengyou's face was gloomy and his eyes flickered.

Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and others were also hesitant. They were also afraid that the Nanpo camp would be breached by the enemy.

Jiao Jixun said: "I have reported to the officials that I also believe that the troops cannot be withdrawn. Once the troops withdraw, the Guo thieves will definitely make further progress and will put forward more stringent conditions to the officials. For example, threaten the officials to hand over the uncle Guo and others."

Li Ye was startled and woke up instantly, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Jiao Jixun's words reminded him that once the troops were withdrawn and the war reached a stalemate, the officials might actually use their heads to appease Guo Wei as a condition for negotiation.

"The officials must not withdraw their troops!" Li Ye shouted sadly and fell to his knees.

Nie Wenjin and Guo Yunming also quickly followed suit.

Liu Chengyou was so annoyed that he scolded: "I haven't made a decision yet, the three of you don't want to make noise!"

Li Ye shrank his neck, his eyes rolled, and he looked between Murong Yanchao, Jiao Jixun, and Hou Yi, and suddenly said: "Guan family, I propose that the military power of the army be handed over to Duke Lu and General Jiao!"

As soon as these words came out, Liu Chengyou was startled, frowning and thinking.

Everyone in the imperial tent looked at each other in confusion. Hou Yi's eyes were filled with ecstasy and he quickly lowered his head for fear of being noticed.

Jiao Jixun's breathing was a little rapid, and he looked at Li Ye with extremely hot eyes.

As expected of the uncle of the country, he provided a divine assist at the critical moment and personally pushed his emperor's nephew into the pit of fire.

Murong Yanchao's face was dark and furious, and his fists clenched loudly.

Li Ye's words were clearly accusing him of poor command, which led to the successive defeats of the imperial army.

Now that things have happened, Nie Wenjin and others are not afraid of completely falling out with Murong Yanchao. They all agree with Hou Yi and Jiao Jixun to succeed Murong Yanchao and take charge of the imperial army.

Murong Yanchao was filled with grief and anger. He didn't know why Ye Jun seemed to know his marching arrangements in advance, and he felt like he was being led by the nose.

He was helpless when the battle failed, but he thought it was not all his fault. Why did all the officials and generals in the royal palace seem to be targeting him?
Murong Yanchao couldn't express his bitterness, and he could only taste the bitterness for himself.

Liu Chengyou said gloomily: "Do Duke Lu and General Jiao have the confidence to reverse the situation?"

Hou Yi prostrated himself, and his old voice was full of anger: "I am willing to kill the officials! As long as I am here, the rebels will not be allowed to step into the camp on the south slope!"

Jiao Jixun also expressed his position calmly: "I am willing to assist the Duke of Lu and defend the official family to the death! If the Guo thief wants to enter Kaifeng, he must step over my two corpses!"

Liu Chengyou put his palms together and shouted: "The two old generals are so strong!"

Not to mention anything else, the attitude and determination of the two people alone made Liu Chengyou feel very pleased.

At a time when the country is in crisis, such loyal people are needed to stand up and turn the tide.

Immediately, Liu Chengyou ignored Murong Yanchao's extremely ugly expression and announced in court: "I grant Hou Yi to deploy the capital of the rebel camp and have full authority to take charge of all military affairs. Jiao Jixun and Murong Yanchao will deploy the deputy capital to assist Hou Yi in handling military aircraft! The three beauties must work together to wipe out the rebels as soon as possible!"

"Old minister, thank you for your kindness!" Hou Yi bowed down like a jade pillar from a golden mountain.

Jiao Jixun also loudly accepted the order. Murong Yanchao was extremely unwilling, but he could only bow his head and accept his fate.

"The army will be left to the two veteran generals. I hope the two veteran generals will reverse the situation as soon as possible and stabilize our army's defense line!"

Liu Chengyou gave serious instructions.

Hou Yi and Jiao Jixun naturally agreed.

The commander-in-chief of the army changed hands, and Murong Yanchao, the frontline commander, retreated to the second line. Hou Yi, the veteran who had been on the bench for many years, came back to shoulder important responsibilities.

Hou Yi made a series of changes and mobilized troops and horses to the defense of the Nanpo camp on the spot, overturning almost all of Murong Yanchao's previous arrangements.

From beginning to end, Murong Yanchao said nothing with a dark face.

It seems that Hou Yi's arrangement played a role. That afternoon, Jiao Jixun won a small battle, and the Ye army did not launch an offensive at night. Nanpo camp spent the quietest night since the war started.

Late at night, there was only a dim candlelight in Hou Yi's military tent, and two gray heads gathered together and whispered.

"Send someone to inform the Northern Army tomorrow morning that the forbidden troops will withdraw at three o'clock tomorrow night. Please ask Mr. Guo to send a brave force to the camp!" Hou Yi's low voice contained unconcealable excitement.

Jiao Jixun said softly: "Zhu Xiu sent people to warn before that officials must not get into trouble in the army. No one can bear the crime of regicide. We sent people to inform Zhu Xiu and then deliberately let the officials go. This is a hot deal." Potato, it’s not your turn or my turn to deal with it.”

Hou Yi nodded: "Yes, Zhu Xiu must have been ordered by Duke Guo. He will know what to do. You and I just need to let the forbidden army cause chaos."

"That's exactly what it should be." Jiao Jixun agreed.

Hou Yi grabbed his white beard and said: "As for Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and Guo Yunming, they were kidnapped and sent to Duke Guo. They were to be killed or beheaded at Duke Guo's disposal. If Li Ye and three people hadn't helped to speak today, I'm afraid the officials would not have been so easy. Trust us. To be honest, I am really grateful to them. These three people used their brains to make you and me prosperous and wealthy for the rest of our lives. It would be a pity to die."

As he said this, Hou Yi couldn't help but laugh out loud, looking like he was getting an advantage but still being obedient.

Jiao Jixun said with emotion: "Guo Gong has the hope of the world, and even God helps him. This is probably the so-called man-dominated atmosphere!"

Hou Yi also sighed: "Back then, we served together under the late emperor, but now we have to kneel down and become ministers. It's time and destiny~"

The two were silent for a moment.

In terms of age, both of them are older than Guo Wei, and in terms of qualifications, they are about the same.

But now, their colleagues back then were about to take over Kaifeng and start a new dynasty, and they could only bow their heads and surrender.

This is what is called different fates for everyone.

After sighing for a moment, the two looked at each other and smiled, feeling relieved.

After a world-wide turmoil, they were able to retain their glory and wealth, which was considered a great blessing, and they couldn't be too demanding.

Contentment is the most important thing.

"By the way, what should I do with Murong Yanchao?" Hou Yi asked.

Jiao Jixun frowned and said: "I'm afraid it won't be easy to capture Murong Yanchao alive. We can only transfer him in advance. We can't let him stay in the camp to avoid bad things."

Hou Yi twisted his beard and sneered: "Then let him lead his troops down the mountain to garrison."

Hou Yi paused and said in a low voice: "Murong Yanchao is at odds with you and me. If he finds out that we are plotting against him in the future, he will definitely hold a grudge and cannot let him live. Otherwise, he will become a big worry in the future."

Jiao Jixun said in a deep voice: "Duke Lu, don't you want Murong Yanchao to follow us and surrender to Duke Guo?"

Hou Yi nodded: "Yes, find an opportunity to kill him~"

Hou Yi pretended to behead him, his face filled with murderous intent.

"You and I need to discuss this matter in the long run." Jiao Jixun also felt that Murong Yanchao's survival was a hidden danger to them, but how to get rid of him still required careful planning.

~~~
The next day, Hou Yi found an excuse to send Murong Yanchao to lead his troops down the mountain to garrison. Murong Yan supernaturally refused to go down the mountain. He stayed away from the imperial tent of the camp and became farther and farther away from the official family. He would eventually become a marginal figure at the core of power.

The two argued endlessly, and finally came to Liu Chengyou's court.

Perhaps to show his support for the new army commander, Liu Chengyou comforted Murong Yanchao with kind words and asked him to obey the order and go down the mountain.

Murong Yanchao had no choice but to obey.

That night, several close personal guards took Hou Yi's military orders and rushed to various places to deliver orders. The garrison on the south slope began to make unusual adjustments. At first glance, it seemed like a normal change of defense, but there was a clear path from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope. The road to the camp.

The camp was as quiet as ever. The lights in the imperial tent were turned off early, and the imperial guards were on duty in the inner halls surrounding the imperial tent in an orderly manner.

This part of the forbidden army was under the command of Li Ye and Nie Wenjin, and even Hou Yi had no right to mobilize it.

In the big tent of the outer camp, the brazier burned red, and the flames spit out sparks, illuminating the big tent with a strange red light.

Hou Yi and Jiao Jixun were wearing armor and sitting around the brazier with swords in their hands.

Behind them stood several confidant generals.

The atmosphere was solemn and solemn, no one spoke, only the sound of the night wind howling through the tent could be heard.

"Stop here!"

Suddenly, the shouts of the soldiers came from outside the tent.

Then Nie Wenjin's feminine voice sounded: "I saw that the lights in the commander-in-chief's tent of the Duke of Lu were not extinguished. He must not have rested yet, so I came here to visit!"

Hou Yi winked at the principal under his command. The principal understood and opened the curtain to greet him: "Marshal Hou, please ask Nie Chengzhi to enter the tent!"

Nie Wenjin followed Xiao Xiao into the big tent. He couldn't help but froze as soon as he entered the tent. He felt that the atmosphere in the big tent was weird and felt a chill in his heart for no reason.

"General Jiao is also here." Nie Wenjin saluted with a smile, and Jiao Jixun nodded in greeting.

Hou Yi smiled and said: "I wonder what Nie Chengzhi does?"

Nie Wenjin said hurriedly: "Old General Hou is worried about military affairs. My uncle is worried that the old general is old and cannot bear the burden, so he specially ordered the minister of food to make some nourishing and light ginseng soup and asked his subordinates to bring it to the old general."

Nie Wenjin waved his hand, and the eunuch behind him came forward with a sandalwood food box.

The principal stepped forward to take it, and Hou Yi smiled slowly and said, "Thank you uncle Guo and Nie Chengzhi."

"Haha, it should be, it should be!" Nie Wenjin smiled apologetically.

Perhaps he sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the tent, Nie Wenjin said wisely: "Since the old general has military affairs to discuss, I won't disturb you anymore. I will take the soup and ask the old general to drink it while it's hot. I'll take my leave~"

Nie Wenjin bowed and left, and Hou Yihu said: "Wait a minute! Since Nie Chengzhi is here, it's better to leave something behind before leaving."

Nie Wenjin was stunned and asked doubtfully: "What does the old general want?"

Hou Yisen smiled ferociously: "Head!"

As soon as the words were finished, the school boy who was carrying the food box slammed the food box at the eunuch beside Nie Wenjin, then drew his knife and rushed forward, stabbing Nie Wenjin in the chest without saying a word.

Nie Wenjin screamed with horror on his face. He died on the spot before he could even figure out what happened.

The eunuch stumbled and tried to run away, but Jiao Jixun threw the long knife with his backhand. The long knife stabbed straight out like an arrow, piercing the back of his heart. The eunuch fell to the ground and died.

"Take off this thief's head and present it to Mr. Guo in person after you meet him!"

Hou Yi ordered in a deep voice, and the principal quickly cut off Nie Wenjin's head and wrapped it in a cloth bag.

"Everyone, life, death, wealth, and honor depend on tonight!" Hou Yi looked around the crowd and said in a deep voice.

Jiao Jixun and other generals clasped their fists and shouted: "I am willing to fight to the death to follow the old general in the uprising!"

(End of this chapter)