Xie Ming

Amid the cold rain and chilly wind, Xiao and Yuan sat around a fire in the front hall of Guide government office, discussing their plans.

After the plan was completed, Xiao finally spoke up and said that the deadline would be next year. Yuan Ping's expression changed significantly and his eyes became more determined.

"Hahaha"

"Okay, okay, I've been waiting for you to say that!"

"You're right."

"The resources of Henan province alone are limited to maintaining an army of our size."

"If we want to compete with the Jiannu in the north, these are not enough."

"Without the support of national strength, it will be difficult to accomplish anything."

"Not to be missed."

"It's just one year. If it doesn't work, it doesn't matter what."

"I am the fucking East Wind."

"It's not a bad idea to take action in advance!"

Yuan Shi finally let out a sigh of relief.

The temperature is cool at night, and the white-hot air that flows into the mouth, once it encounters the cold, immediately scatters in all directions and is hidden in the night wind.

Just when Xiao and Yuan paused at this moment.

Suddenly, two more riders came hurriedly to the yamen.

Outside the mansion, the lights were dim in the evening.

Hearing the sudden noise, Xiao and Yuan also looked over hastily.

Da da da--

Two messengers, young officials, hurriedly rushed into the door.

"Report——"

"Report!"

"Report to the commander-in-chief, Luoyang is in urgent need."

"Late yesterday, Jiannu Tartar soldiers crossed the river from the west upstream by boat and went down."

"After the interrogation, it was found that the dog was cleared of the multi-doctor."

"General Li has crossed the river with his warships and stopped the enemy by using the turrets on the shore."

"I was specially ordered to travel day and night to deliver the letter."

"What should we do? I hope the commander-in-chief will give us instructions!"

Look, Erlang's boots and trousers were all covered in mud, and his body was soaked by the cold rain for several days.

His words were hasty and his face looked panic-stricken.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao hurriedly stood up from the fire.

"Oh, I see."

"That... a star of unlucky luck, a star of unlucky luck. Go, take the two brothers downstairs, have them eat something, and take good care of them." Xiao Ming.

"Oh, okay." The Death Star replied.

After saying this, Xiao Zaijin turned back to Yuan Ping.

"Brother, see? Speak of Cao Cao and he will appear."

"According to my judgment, this army may have played a role in defeating Li Zicheng in Shaanxi."

"Go East along the Yellow River"

"Humph, either they are returning to the capital to save effort, or they are planning to march straight to Shandong."

"Alas, I have no time to think about this."

"I will rush to Luoyang and personally supervise the battle."

"If there is any news, I will send someone to report it to you."

"Chang Ting, where is Chang Ting?!"

Xiao Jingchuan thought about this and without any delay, he took the horsewhip, clenched it, turned around and called Chang Ting.

"Here, here, what actions are the general taking?" Chang Ting replied.

"Let's go, don't talk too much."

"Let's go straight to Luoyang."

After saying this, Xiao Lang spread his hands, took the sable fur coat and bamboo hat that Chang Ting had hastily handed to him, and put them on carelessly.

He threw off his outer garment and walked out of the house.

"Hey, Xiaochuan, the road is not easy to walk on, so you better be careful."

"If it really doesn't work, how about I go with you? Huh?!"

Yuan Ping was worried and started to yell at the back.

"It's okay. It's okay."

When he arrived at the yamen, Xiao thought of something and turned back in a hurry.

"Oh, by the way, Minglu and the others will probably be here in a few days."

"What you and I just discussed, when Minglu arrives, you can tell him."

"We'll discuss the division of troops when I get back." "Those Fengyang soldiers will camp outside the city at the East Gate."

"Ask Peizhong to send some people back to control the situation here first and make sure nothing goes wrong." Xiao Pingyan instructed.

After hearing this, Yuan Ping took it to heart.

"Well, don't worry, I'll tell Minglu."

"When the soldiers arrive, there's no need for Peizhong to bother anymore. I'll have someone take care of them."

"I'll make sure you don't get into any trouble."

"Go."

"When there is any situation, report back as soon as possible." Yuan Lan took the responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Xiao also acquiesced and said no more.

"Okay, let's go!"

After saying the last word, Xiao and Gu jumped onto their horses and hurried to the gate.

Later, I heard the sound of hurried horse hooves in front of the mansion gate.

Xiao Jingchuan led a small garrison and set out in the middle of the night. Without a good rest, they rushed towards Luoyang again.

The ice has just formed under the Tianjin Bridge, and no one is walking on the streets of Luoyang.

The elms and willows are sparse and the pavilions are deserted; under the bright moon, the snow on Mount Song can be seen directly.

Time passed quickly, and it was the next day, the 27th, and it was midnight.

Xiao's cavalry team chased the wind and the moon and arrived at Luoyang city.

When he was on the city wall next to the river, he had a clear view of the situation on both sides and heard the truth reported by Hu Chen.

Xiao was anxious to think of a way to leave.

The current situation is that Duoduo's army of tens of thousands of people are traveling along the waterway and the north bank.

Hu Chen's obstruction interrupted their journey eastward.

This method of marching is not surprising under the current situation of peace between the North and the South.

However, Nian Suo would like to let Luoyang go.

What will we do when we arrive in Kaifeng soon?
The waterways there are well connected, so commercial trade has been greatly affected.

The main thing is, what if these Tartar soldiers take advantage of the opportunity to invade the south and launch an attack on the hinterland of Henan.

I'm afraid that in the short term, even Xiao's army will be unable to withstand the attack.

Furthermore, today, let him go east.

Regardless of whether they were really returning to the capital, they were secretly gathering in Shandong to take up their posts.

It doesn't sound good, but if something happens in Shandong, Xiao Jun may not be able to escape the connection.

Therefore, at this critical juncture, Xiao Duan could not be dictatorial.

Therefore, on the morning of the 28th, Xiao ordered a team of officials to tie up the suspect and rush to Nanjing.

Just as Xiao thought.

First, it would be inappropriate to act on one's own and engage in a war with the Qing troops at this moment.

After all, all plans for future affairs began with the chaos in Shandong.

If we were in Henan and really started a fight with the Tartar soldiers, wouldn't everything be wrong?

Therefore, regardless of whether it will divert the trouble to others or not, the important thing here is not to get yourself involved first.

Second, the whole situation can be solved by just dragging your feet.

On the 28th, the Qing army sent envoys to the south to seek the time to return to the east.

Xiao pretended to be bitter and said that he had sent a messenger to Nanjing.

Whether they can be released or not depends on the imperial decree from the superiors.

In this way, the situation was slowed down by one step, comparable to Kaifeng. Besides Peizhong's early preparation, he was also able to avoid the disaster by being quick in the face of danger.

No matter what decree the little emperor issues at that time, whether to release him or not, it doesn't matter to Xiao.

As long as we can preserve our strength and avoid bringing disaster to Henan first, we will be successful.

In this way, the delay would last another two days.

On Xiao's side, the imperial edict from Nanjing had not yet been returned.

However, looking over at the north bank, it seemed that Duoduo's army could no longer wait.

So after lunch on the first day of March, a large number of troops and horses suddenly gathered on the north bank, and most of the soldiers who were originally on the boats abandoned their boats and went ashore.

Of course, the Northern Tartars were arrogant and did not say hello in advance.

This group of tens of thousands of soldiers and horses marched in such a mighty manner that they all headed north in search of a land route.

The large ships that were sailing downstream to the west also stopped on the north bank in such a dignified manner, with only one battalion of soldiers taking care of them.

After the Northern Army withdrew, General Xiao Lang breathed a sigh of relief.

He suppressed Hu Chen's intention to seize the ship.

He tried his best to persuade him with earnest words.

All we have to do is wait for the imperial edict from Nanjing, the imperial court’s order. (End of this chapter)