Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 276 We must consider the overall situation
Inside the main tent, the generals were lined up, and Erzhu Rong was waiting.

Erzhu Zhao strode in, full of vigor, and bowed, saying:

"Greetings, General Tianzhu!"

Outside the large tent, there were many human heads laid out.

Including Yuan Hao's own head, the heads of the generals who supported Yuan Hao's northward march and participated in the Battle of Luoyang, standing on the opposite side of the Erzhu clan, are all outside.

The Erzhu clan's martial prowess remains unparalleled, except for two individuals they have yet to defeat.

Li Shenggui and Chen Qingzhi!
"Tumo, you did a good job this time."

"This humble general is ashamed. Although I have killed Yuan Hao, I have let Xiao Gang go."

Erzhu Zhao was feigning humility, but in reality, he was quite pleased with himself.

After Yuan Hao died, many counties in Henan surrendered without resistance.

Erzhu Zhao has made a great contribution this time.

Erzhu Zhao, who had made great contributions, was praised by Erzhu Rong. However, at this moment, his main focus was on besieging Chen Qingzhi and his White Robe Army.

Where is Chen Qingzhi now?

"Chen Qingzhi led his fleet downstream and, after reaching Biankou, headed south to Daliang. The King of Shangdang pursued him several times with his army, but was repelled each time. However, Chen Qingzhi's White Robe Army also suffered heavy losses."

The vast Central Plains were perfect for cavalry to roam freely.

Chen Qingzhi's troops could only rely on boats to quickly march across the plains via waterways, and because of the lack of horses, they dared not stray too far from the rivers.

Therefore, Chen Qingzhi's movement route was easy to guess.

This is also why Yuan Tianmu was able to catch up with Chen Qingzhi several times with his army.

Erzhu Rong listened and analyzed:
"Judging from his marching route, he probably intends to go to Suiyang."

Suiyang had long been Li Shengui's garrison. Thinking of Li Shengui, Erzhu Rong was filled with anger and couldn't help but ask:
Where is Li Shenggui now?

Chilie Yanqing stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and replied:
"Judging from the pace of Li Shengui's troops, they should have arrived in Runan by now."

Runan?

Erzhu Rong did not believe that Li Shengui's troops alone could cause any trouble.

Erzhu Rong quickly shifted his attention from Li Shenggui to Chen Qingzhi.

"What's the situation in Suiyang?"

"After Li Shenggui led his troops to Luoyang, it was said that local officials were taking over Suiyang."

Erzhu Rong was somewhat puzzled after hearing this.

"That shouldn't be the case. Suiyang is a wealthy place, and Li Shenggui has a lot of his wealth there. Would he really leave like this?"

"I heard that Li Shenggui had already sold his possessions when he went to Luoyang."

"What about the money?"

Chilie Yanqing glanced at Erzhu Rong, then cupped his hands and said:

"Missing!"

Erzhu Rong's expression changed upon hearing this. Such a large sum of money couldn't have just vanished like that.

The most likely possibility is that Li Shenggui took it with him when he went to Luoyang.

They did not find Keerzhu Rong's men, and Li Shenggui also fled lightly.

Then there is only one possibility: among the hundreds of truckloads of supplies that were sent from Luoyang to Shancheng, there were Li Shenggui's items.

Thinking of this, Erzhu Rong stood up.

"Send a message to Hebasheng, instructing him to guard Jingzhou well and not let Li Shengui take advantage of any loopholes. Tell him that Li Shengui is not a threat, but there are formidable figures in his army!"

"promise!"

Erzhu Rong held the token in his hand. He dared not stray too far from Jinyang. He said:
"All troops, launch an attack! We must annihilate Chen Qingzhi's White Robe Army before he reaches Suiyang!" "Yes, sir!"
-
On a sweltering summer day, Li Shengui plopped down under the shade of a tree, drinking the cool spring water his subordinates had brought him.

Han Ling was not far away from him, and at that moment he was exercising his muscles and bones.

Li Shengui finished his water in one gulp, looked at Han Ling, and said:

"Sir, you're so old, why aren't you enjoying a life of luxury in Chang'an with my sworn brother? Why are you here in my army?"

Han Ling was quite old, and even a young and strong man would find it unbearable to march in this sweltering heat, but he remained unperturbed.

"I've gotten used to hard times, and I'm not used to easy times. Besides, I have unfulfilled wishes and don't want to leave this world."

Upon hearing this, Li Shengui did not ask Han Ling what his wish was, but simply said:
"How is the house my sworn brother left me?"

"Don't worry, Prince of Chenliu, that house is nice, right next to mine. Your family and possessions have already arrived in Chang'an, so there's nothing to worry about."

Li Shengui nodded and said:
"Now I'm relieved. Where shall we go?"

Han Lingdao:
"Let's stay in Yuzhou."

“But this place is not safe. Hebasheng is in Jingzhou, and Erzhu Rong has led a large army east out of Hulao Pass. He will definitely take over the land of Henan. If he goes south, we will have no choice but to surrender to Liang.”

“Hebasheng is brave, but he can’t fight this battle and won’t make things difficult for us. As for Erzhu Rong, don’t be fooled by his fierce demeanor; he won’t dare to leave Jinyang for too long. I predict that as long as we defeat or repel Chen Qingzhi, he will return to his camp, leaving the Erzhu clan’s sons to guard Henan. As long as we stay far enough away, he will naturally not sacrifice the overall situation for our sake.”

Li Shengui nodded.

"So, very good!"
-
The sun was high in the sky, and Chen Qingzhi glanced at the blazing sun with a somber expression.

"How many people are left?"

"Less than five thousand!"

"What about the supplies?"

"We still have enough food, but we've already used up sixty or seventy percent of our arrows. If we don't replenish them soon, and we fight one or two more battles, we're afraid we won't be far from defeat."

Ma Fonian's mouth was dry, and he looked at Chen Qingzhi, who was in the same state.

Chen Qingzhi was already thin, and after the long march, he looked even weaker.

An ordinary army, if it were in such a predicament, would have long since disbanded.

Chen Qingzhi's White Robe Army was different. Firstly, it was elite, and secondly, it consisted of people from the same hometown. They all knew that only by banding together could they have a chance of escaping.

Chen Qingzhi has always been calm and composed, but now he seems somewhat dejected.

"In the past, Li Ling led five thousand brave warriors from Jingchu to roam the desert, but in the end, he died at the hands of the Xiongnu because he ran out of arrows. Am I going to follow in Li Ling's footsteps?"

As he spoke, Chen Qingzhi looked at his deputy.

"If that really comes to that, I will have no choice but to commit suicide to uphold my loyalty as a subject!"

Ma Fu Nian advised:
"General, things haven't come to this yet, we mustn't have such thoughts. As long as we reach Suiyang, we still have a chance to live."

Just as Ma Fonian finished speaking, the sound of cavalry whistling came from the shore.

Erzhu's cavalry had already arrived on the battlefield in the scorching summer heat, setting their sights on their prey.

At this moment, facing the barbarian cavalry, Chen Qingzhi regained his composure as a white-robed general.

"Prepare for war!"
-
Suiyang.

"You...who are you?"

The officials of Suiyang looked at the man in horror. Although he was wearing the uniform of the Liang army, he and his men were dressed like barbarians.

As soon as they entered the city, they went straight to the granary and ate and drank to their hearts' content.

The man looked like he hadn't eaten for days. Facing the questioning, he kept biting into his roasted goose leg and stammered his reply:

"I, Lan Qin, have been ordered by the Emperor to lead my troops north to meet General Chen Qingzhi!"

……

(End of this chapter)