Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 397: Disloyalty
Lingzhou.

The Zhou army stationed outside the city for many days but dared not launch an attack.

They had been preparing all kinds of siege equipment and had begun to fill the ditches outside the city, but they had been busy for a full half month and were unwilling to formally launch an attack.

Huluxian stood on the city wall, looking at the army still busy in the distance, and couldn't help yawning.

He rubbed his forehead and looked casually at the deputy general beside him.

"How long have they been preparing?"

"Seventeen days."

"Okay, I've heard that Yuchi Jiong is cautious in his use of troops. He is indeed cautious. He has been preparing for seventeen days. Is he planning to build a thousand catapults to flatten the city?"

Hearing Huluxian's question, the deputy generals around him couldn't help but burst into laughter.

How could they not hear that this was a mockery from their own general.

Huluxian stretched his muscles and said, "Come, take my precious bow!"

The deputy general hurriedly handed a large bow to Huluxian. Huluxian asked someone to bring out paper, pen and ink, wrote something, and then fixed the paper on the arrow.

After doing all this, Huluxian raised his bow and aimed at the busy enemy troops in the distance.

As Huluxian exerted more strength, the bow was pulled fully little by little.

The big bow looked extremely hard. Veins bulged on Huluxian's arms. He clenched his teeth tightly and his shoulders trembled slightly.

"Bang!!!"

There was a sound and the arrow flew out.

"Click~~"

The enemy's command flag erected in front was shot down directly. The Zhou army on both sides were terrified and screamed loudly, fleeing in panic.

The soldiers cheered.

Huluxian was very proud and said with a smile: "This is the precious bow my brother gave me!!"

Hulugu's reputation easily overshadowed his equally outstanding younger brother.

Huluxian and Huluguang grew up together. Their martial arts skills were equally matched. Huluxian was just a little bit inferior, but not by much.

However, Hulugu is also excellent in command. He seems reckless and incompetent only when compared with Duan Shao. Compared with others, Hulugu can beat them just in terms of command.

But Huluxian's strength lies in his character.

The two brothers have similar looks and builds, but their personalities are completely different.

Hulugu looks very calm and steady. He usually doesn't talk much and is silent and introverted. However, he gets easily excited, is quite conceited, and irritable. He is either scolding his own people or the enemies, and is either being chased or on his way to hack people. Of course, he is hacking people more often.

As for Huluxian, he usually talks a lot and seems capricious and unruly, but in fact he is extremely cautious and calm.

In Lingzhou, Hulu Xian was the general and Gao Changgong was the governor.

The Han Dynasty inherited the military system of the Zhou Dynasty. The generals and the governors had different powers. The generals had military power but no food and fodder, and no administrative power. The governors had administrative power but no military power. Logically speaking, Gao Changgong should have stayed in the rear while Huluxian led the troops to the battlefield.

However, Gao Changgong wanted Hulu Xian to stay in the rear and take charge of major affairs while he would lead the cavalry out to fight.

If it were Hulugu, he would never agree to it even if he died. Even if it meant having a fight with Gao Changgong, he would have to go there in person.

But Huluxian was different. He was actually very easy to talk to and knew the big picture. He knew that Gao Changgong was better at attacking the enemy than himself, so he immediately agreed without any objection, which made Gao Changgong feel a little embarrassed.

Huluxian liked to fight positional warfare. He liked to constantly reinforce the defense line, and then gradually advance the defense line, reclaim farmland along the defense line, and use drinking water for irrigation, fighting and pushing at the same time.

He is indeed more suitable to be in charge than Hulugu.

The brothers' outward appearance was deceptive.

Under the city wall, the soldiers picked up the letters shot by Huluxian and delivered them all the way to the military camp.

Inside the commander's tent, Yuchi Jiong was discussing countermeasures with Wei Xiaokuan and Yuwen Xian.

As the war progressed, the conflicts between the generals became more and more obvious. Yuchi Jiong followed Wei Xiaokuan's advice and assigned those generals to the rear, while he only took Wei Xiaokuan and Yuwen Xian to fight against the enemy.

These two people are different from other generals and are willing to obey Yuchi Jiong's command.

There was deep sorrow between Yuchi Jiong's brows.

Before going to the battle, he never thought that the battle would go so badly.

Even though he brought the most elite troops from various military headquarters outside the capital and so many famous and brave generals, he made no progress and was unable to capture even a single garrison town.

Yuchi Jiong didn't know how to go back to see the emperor.

This old face has been completely lost on the Lingzhou front line.

If I had known this earlier, I would have just brought the few men under my command to join Wei Xiaokuan in the battle!

Yuchi Jiong said helplessly: "Gao Changgong is behind us, constantly attacking the armies and looting food and grass. The rear is in urgent need of help. We cannot attack the city in this situation. If Gao Changgong seizes the opportunity and takes advantage of the gaps in our siege to attack us together with the army in the city, I'm afraid something terrible will happen."

"Mr. Wei, you have been here for a long time and you know Gao Changgong quite well. Do you have any strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Wei Xiaokuan pursed his lips.

Defeat the enemy???

He wrote to the emperor very early, saying that it was impossible to defeat the enemy from Lingzhou and that they should go through Heluo.

But the emperor had his own ideas and listened to other people's advice, insisting on starting a war in the north.

Now ask me what strategy I have to defeat the enemy?
If there was a plan to defeat the enemy, would you still need to come here?

Wei Xiaokuan finally felt a little angry. When Yuwen Hu came, he suggested going north, but Yuwen Hu insisted on going through Heluo. Now he suggested going through Heluo, but the emperor insisted on going north.

Can't these people just listen to what the generals on the front line say?
For the first time, Wei Xiaokuan felt somewhat disappointed with the government.

Of course, he also knew why the emperor would rather listen to some young boys than to himself. It was the same reason as Yuwen Hu's first time, just because he was a former subordinate of some big shot who could not be mentioned in the Great Zhou!
We have been loyal to you for so many years, why should we treat you like this?
Wei Xiaokuan's expression gradually became uglier.

"Duke of Yun?"

"Duke of Yun?"

Wei Xiaokuan suddenly woke up and looked to the side. Yuwen Xian was looking at him worriedly. Yuwen Xian hurriedly asked, "Are you okay?"

Looking at Yuwen Xian's sincere eyes, Wei Xiaokuan's anger dissipated a little.

"No problem, I was just a little distracted as I was thinking about the countermeasures."

Yuchi Jiong looked around and whispered, "Duke Yun, if you have any ideas, just say it."

"I shouldn't have said more, but I'll still speak out to reassure the public."

"Your Majesty has issued an imperial decree to deal with Quan Jingxuan."

"Quan Jingxuan openly disobeyed military orders and failed to arrive at the battlefield at the stipulated time, resulting in the defeat of the army, the killing of more than 5,000 people, the death of six generals, and the serious injury of Duke Deng. Your Majesty is furious!!"

"He was dismissed from his post as general."

The smile on Wei Xiaokuan's face gradually froze.

"Just dismissed from office? What about the title?"

Yuchi Jiong shook his head. "No matter what, he is a famous general who has made many contributions. Don't worry, he won't come out to harm people again. Just keep his current title and live at home in retirement."

Wei Xiaokuan slowly clenched his fists, revealing his sharp white teeth.

"Your Majesty is truly kind-hearted."

"Duke Yun, please tell me, is there any other solution?"

"No."

"I'm stupid and I really can't think of any solution."

Wei Xiaokuan shook his head gently, and there was no worry in his eyes anymore.

Yuwen Xian vaguely sensed something, but did not rush to speak.

While the three were discussing, a soldier brought in a letter.

Yuchi Jiong opened the letter, read it, and sneered.

"The method of provoking someone."

"Huo Lvxian insulted me in his letter and wanted me to attack. Gao Changgong must be nearby, waiting for us to start the siege."

"Duke Yun, if we can't get rid of Gao Changgong's troops, we won't be able to attack the city with all our strength!!"

"Correct."

"So we have to find a way to cut off his logistics."

"Yes."

Wei Xiaokuan sat aside, just nodding and agreeing, his face calm, revealing a hint of indifference. Several generals discussed countermeasures and then prepared to implement them one by one.

But before their plan was officially implemented, a shocking piece of bad news came from the rear.

Yuchi Jiong, who was in the process of mobilizing cavalry to block Gao Changgong, was so frightened when he heard the news that he almost fell off his horse.

The enemy had passed Longmen and was preparing to besiege Chang'an.

Chang'an has sufficient military forces, but there are too many factors involved in attack and defense. Sometimes, no matter how many defenders there are in the city, some unimaginable accidents are inevitable.

The country was surrounded by enemies and any unexpected event could lead to the destruction of the country.

Yuchi Jiong quickly led his troops to retreat and summoned all the generals to discuss the important matter of returning to rescue.

Everyone was worried and talked about how to rescue.

Some people cursed Da Xiwu and believed that he should be fully responsible.

Some people criticized Liu Taozi, thinking that Liu Taozi was too cunning.

Wei Xiaokuan didn't show any fear or anxiety at all.

He just sat among the generals, looking listless and dejected.

When Yuwen Xian asked about it, Wei Xiaokuan said that he was old, had stayed outside for too long, and was not feeling well.

Yuchi Jiong and others did not dare to bring Wei Xiaokuan to participate in this matter, and asked him to go back and rest quickly.

It's easy to come here, but it's not easy to leave.

Yuchi Jiong and others quickly withdrew their troops from outside the city. How could this movement be hidden from the Han army?

Gao Changgong began to come out of the state of secret attack that day and started to show his cards. Hulu Xian also went out of the city. The two of them pretended to launch a fierce attack on the Zhou army. Yuchi Jiong was shocked and angry.

Gao Changgong didn't want to let him go back.

But he couldn't really stay and fight the enemy, so after much consideration, Yuchi Jiong kept Yuwen Xian.

Originally, I wanted to keep Wei Xiaokuan, but Wei Xiaokuan has been in low spirits and in poor health for some time. The enemy has already broken in, and we can't let the two sides join forces. Although Yuwen Xian is young, he is cautious and everyone trusts him. He has a special status, so it is okay for him to stay here.

As for Yuchi Jiong, he led many other generals back.

Wei Xiaokuan was also brought along by him.

As for why he brought him along, Yuchi Jiong did not say much, but just said that he wanted to find a famous doctor in Chang'an to diagnose him.

Wei Xiaokuan knew what was going on.

Isn't it because he is afraid that if the imperial court is in trouble, the generals on the border will take the opportunity to rebel?
But he didn't say much and just set out on the rescue journey with Yuchi Jiong.

Gao Changgong quickly launched a fierce attack in the direction of Xiazhou, and the offensive and defensive situation changed.

Yuwen Xian personally led his troops to fight against Gao Changgong.

Yuwen Xian and Gao Changgong are really very similar in many ways.

Now that they met, it was a head-on confrontation. Gao Changgong had more military experience. In the early stages, he captured many key garrisons and forced Yuwen Xian to retreat step by step. Yuwen Xian had stronger ability to adjust. After every defeat, he was able to grasp a lot of things, quickly consolidate his position on the border, and start counterattacking on multiple fronts.

The fight between the two sides was very tense. Overall, Gao Changgong still had the advantage. The defense line of Xiazhou was officially torn open. Gao Changgong continued to attack Yinzhou, and this nail in the heart of the Han State was crumbling.

Chang'an City.

This was the first time Yao Xiong saw this majestic city.

Only by seeing this city with your own eyes can you understand why it is called a giant city.

Standing in the distance, all you can see is a huge city wall. This wall seems to have no end, extending all the way with no end in sight.

The villages and garrisons outside the city had long been empty.

They have retreated into the city.

Yao Xiong was not in a hurry to approach the city. He took the knights with him and prepared to test the city's strength.

The knights followed behind Yao Xiong, their faces excited and excited.

They actually fought outside Chang'an.

Gao Yanzong was in high spirits, holding an unlit torch in his hand.

"General, when do we start setting fires??"

"It was not fun to burn the Yang Mansion in Huayin!"

He did not forget the purpose of their visit. They came to burn down Chang'an.

Yao Xiong was exceptionally calm.

"Don't worry. Chang'an is well connected. We want to go back to Lingzhou. They can't stop us. We have to help your brother to engage these enemies."

The so-called Longmen Ferry strategy.

The purpose is not to destroy the Great Zhou. Of course, destruction is the best, but relying on only a few thousand people, unless the emperor of the Great Zhou can follow the example of Liu Chan in the past and surrender directly out of the city, the chances of taking it down are extremely low.

After all, the army in the city outnumbers theirs many times more.

The main purpose of the Longmen Ferry strategy was to force the Pseudo-Zhou to shrink its defense line and destroy the Xiazhou defense line. The enemy's Yan, Xia, and Yin directions were like a cone, piercing into the Lingzhou of the Han State from the side, leaving the Han State with no choice but to passively take a beating and unable to threaten Chang'an.

However, once cavalry appeared near the capital of the Pseudo-Zhou Dynasty and wreaked havoc on the surrounding counties, the handle of the Xiazhou defense line would be broken and it would fall directly without being able to hold on.

This is also a good opportunity for the army in the north to smash the awl.

But how to destroy it specifically requires a certain method.

Yao Xiong led the crowd and slowly approached Chang'an.

They walked along the road for a long time but could not see the end of the wall.

It really is the old capital.

Inside Chang'an City.

The city was under martial law again. Most people had already known that the enemy was coming. This was the second time they had experienced such a situation.

Fortunately, there were enough soldiers this time and many people patrolling back and forth in the city, so there was no chaos like last time.

Some brave ones dare to come out and watch.

Until Yao Xiong's knights appeared outside the city, the whole Chang'an began to issue crazy warnings, and no one dared to take it lightly anymore. The people hid at home, while the soldiers rushed to the city walls.

Yao Xiong led the knights and began the initial test.

He launched an attack from the north wall of Chang'an. The knights pressed forward in large numbers and adopted the tactic of wheel shooting against the wall. Then they had people assemble catapults, as if they really wanted to take Chang'an in one fell swoop.

This frightened the army in the city and they all rushed to the north. For a moment, arrows were fired and the entire sky was covered with arrows.

Yao Xiong did not launch a forceful attack. After a long stalemate with the enemy, he quickly left.

But Yao Xiong did not just withdraw like that. He directly changed his position, went all the way to the south, and used the same trick again.

For a time, there were shouts of killing everywhere in Chang'an, and soldiers were running around. Yuwen Yong, sitting in the palace, was also extremely anxious.

Reinforcements from all over the country were also approaching at full speed, only wanting to resolve the crisis in Chang'an as soon as possible.

After several attempts, Yao Xiong also discovered the weakest area where the enemy was stationed, the western city wall.

I heard that there was damage in the previous earthquake, and then the city wall was rebuilt. Because the person in charge was Yuwen Hu's son, the city wall on the west side was not as solid as the other parts.

Inside the tower of the west gate, Yuwen Zhi was sitting on the ground, with several generals crowded around him.

The generals really didn't understand what Yuwen Zhi was thinking.

The tower was not big and could only accommodate five or six soldiers. He called more than a dozen officers over at once.

The officers really couldn't sit down, and it was too crowded even if they stood, but Yuwen Zhi forced them to sit down. The officers had no choice but to squeeze in, and there were several people standing at the door.

Yuwen Zhi just found this interesting.

Yuwen Zhi talked some nonsense to everyone, such as the need to defend the city carefully and not let the enemy come over.

When everyone was confused, Yuwen Zhi left the tower first. As soon as he came out, many warriors appeared on both sides and blocked the officers here.

The generals were horrified.

Yuwen Zhi said coldly: "I have been ordered to handle important matters. You all wait here and do not move. If you dare to disobey, I will execute you first and report later!!"

After Yuwen Zhi said this, everyone was afraid to move.

No one knew what Yuwen Zhi meant by "handling big events", but this family has always had a tradition of doing big things, especially for generals, so no one dared to ask too much.

Yuwen Zhi signaled the warriors under his command to lead the soldiers here and quickly attack towards the direction of the imperial palace.

(End of this chapter)