Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 198: Siege of Luoyang, the enemy saves itself in front of the battlefield

Gao Changgong looked at the words written on the brocade handkerchief: Changgong, do not worry. Although Yuwen Hu is gathering troops this time with the determination to take Luoyang, with an army of one hundred thousand against several thousand, they will underestimate the enemy and will not take it quickly. Instead, they will choose roundabout ways such as digging tunnels to launch surprise attacks. Blocking the arrival of reinforcements is what they value more. Therefore, even if Ayu is in Luoyang city, she will not be in danger for a while.

But Chang Gong must take care of himself, do not rush into the battle recklessly, and use wisdom to defeat the enemy and win!

Ah Yu is waiting for Chang Gong's arrival!"

Seeing that Gao Changgong was very upset, Princess Liyang apologized: "I'm sorry, Changgong, it's mother's fault for not protecting her. I wanted to go to Luoyang with her, but she..."

"It has nothing to do with my mother..." Gao Changgong tried his best to suppress the worry and fear in his heart, smiled and comforted her, then turned to Lu Yu and said, "Lu Yu, take my mother to my residence first and arrange a bedroom for her to rest."

"Yes, Prince!"

"Yanzong, let's go and tell General Hulu about this news!"

"Yes!"

When Gao Yanzong saw that he had regained his composure, he was overjoyed and followed him to the training ground of Jinyang Palace to find Hulugu.

The sound of orderly footsteps and loud shouts could be heard, and the soldiers who were lining up in battle formation on the field looked magnificent.

As soon as the two men walked into the training ground, Hulugu saw them, ordered the soldiers to practice on their own, and came to Gao Changgong.

"Chang Gong, do you need me for something?"

Gao Changgong nodded, looking very serious, and told him about Yuwen Hu's gathering of troops to attack Qi. However, Hulugu listened calmly and only asked, "What do you want to do?"

"General, I want a cavalry team. The number of people doesn't have to be too large, 500 will be enough. I want to go to Luoyang for rescue as soon as possible!"

"But this is just information from someone else's spy, and we don't know whether it's true or not. If you rashly lead your troops forward, you might be deceived."

"General..."

Gao Changgong was about to say something, but Hulugu raised his hand to stop him.

However, early the next morning, a scout came to report: "The beacon fire in Luoyang has been lit. Yuwen Hu has assembled a large number of troops and divided them into three groups to attack our Great Qi."

"Which three armies?"

"The first route was led by him personally, commanding General Wang Xiong, Da Xiwu, Yuchi Jiong and others to attack Luoyang, with a force of more than 100,000.

The second route was led by Yang Yu, who went out of Chenguan with a force of about 10,000 people, intending to attack our Da Qi in Hedong.

The third route, led by Quan Jingxuan who was stationed in Jiangling, had a force of about 20,000 men and was going to attack Yuzhou of Great Qi.

Hulugu's face changed. With hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, Yuwen Hu was going to mobilize all the forces of the Pseudo-Zhou to destroy our Great Qi!

There are only 50,000 soldiers and horses in Jinyang.

He quickly asked, "Hedong and Yuzhou are nothing to be afraid of. Where is the army of more than 100,000 that he personally led now, and how are the troops distributed?"

The soldier replied, "Yuwen Hu has stationed his troops in Hongnong, with General Yuchi Jiong as the vanguard. He has led 100,000 elite soldiers and is almost reaching Beizhong City outside Luoyang. Another army is approaching Mangshan."

Hearing this news, Gao Yanzong sighed in shock: "How could the Zhou army be so fast?"

Gao Changgong's face suddenly turned pale and bloodless, his hand holding the silk handkerchief tightened even more, and he turned around and was about to run out of the training ground.

"Chang Gong, where are you going?"

"I'll go to the rescue!"

"Wait for Grand Commander Duan to come back!"

Duan Shao has been ordered to return to Yecheng, and the round trip will take at least half a month at the fastest.

"But I'm afraid I can't wait that long?"

"Chang Gong, I told you long ago that if you were just an ordinary soldier, you could charge into battle regardless of everything, but you will be a commander in the future. For the sake of more soldiers' lives, you must learn to be calm, consider the overall situation, and make plans before taking action."

Hulugu sighed and said, "The Zhou army has arrived. They will be able to surround Luoyang in less than three days. It will take us five days to march at the fastest. There is no need to rush!"

Gao Changgong certainly knew this truth. Marching, deploying troops and analyzing the situation all took time, but he was just too scared.

"Fourth brother, just trust her this time. Trust her, and nothing will happen!"

Gao Yanzong also comforted him, and Gao Changgong slowly calmed down.

……

At the Taiji Hall in Yecheng, Gao Zhan was frightened and didn't know what to do when he learned the news that Yuwen Hu had sent an army of 200,000 to attack Qi. A group of clan ministers headed by Prince Zhao Gao Rui strongly suggested that Gao Zhan lead the army in person and go to Luoyang to resist the Zhou army.

It happened that Duan Shao, the governor of Bingzhou, returned to the palace in Yecheng. Gao Zhan was overjoyed and asked Duan Shao, "Luoyang is in danger. I want to send you, Your Majesty, to rescue Luoyang. However, the Turkic troops frequently harass Jinyang, which also needs someone to defend it. What do you think should be done?"

Duan Shao replied: "The invasion of the border by the northern barbarians is just a minor problem. Now the false Zhou is eyeing our Luoyang and approaching the interior. This is the real threat to our Great Qi. I request to be ordered to go south."

Gao Zhan was overjoyed: "Okay, that's what I meant. Your Majesty, please lead your army to set off immediately. I will also lead the Six Armies to Jinyang soon. By the way, send a message to General Hulu and Lanling King Gao Changgong as soon as possible, and ask them to go to Luoyang first to rescue!"

……

It is also said that after three days of rapid running, Xiao Jinyu and a group of cavalry finally arrived outside Luoyang city before the Zhou army arrived.

Luoyang City was once the capital of the Western Jin Dynasty and the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was prosperous for a time. However, after the Yongjia Rebellion, it was constantly ravaged by war and now looks like an old and sick man, extremely dilapidated.

In order to protect the city of Luoyang, three cities were built on both sides of the Yellow River in Mengjin and on the island in the middle of the river in Heyang during the Northern Wei Dynasty. They were Beizhong City, Zhongtan City and Nancheng. These three cities in Heyang guarded the northwest gate of Luoyang.

However, the defensive function of Luoyang City itself was extremely poor. The outer city was destroyed by war in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, and it could only rely on the inner city and Jinyong City in the northwest corner to maintain its existence.

Jinyong City was built near Luoyang, with Mang Mountain to the north and a big city to the south. The city walls were very strong and it was also a military fortress of Luoyang.

Xiao Jinyu led a thousand cavalrymen and arrived suddenly, just outside the Guangmo Gate on the north wall of Jinyong City.

There was a checkpoint in front of the city gate. Seeing a group of cavalrymen galloping towards them, the soldiers guarding the city wall raised their spears in unison.

"Who is coming?" someone shouted.

Xiao Jinyu raised the Yuanrong sword given by Gao Zhan.

"I am Xie Zhen, the prince's assistant commander-in-chief. I am here on the orders of His Majesty to support and deliver food and fodder to the soldiers defending Luoyang!"

"Oh, the Zhou army hasn't arrived yet, but the reinforcements from Yecheng have already arrived. How can they be so fast? Are you guys taking advantage of my ignorance?"

A man in silver armor walked out from the city wall. When he saw Xiao Jinyu dressed up as Xie Zhen, he was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

Suddenly, he pointed his finger and shouted to those around him:

"This man must be a spy from the Zhou Kingdom! Kill him!"

Xiao Jinyu's eyes condensed, and she immediately shot the arrow on her wrist. The arrow cut through the sky, whistling like a sharp cold wind, and actually pierced the man's throat directly!

There was a panic on the city wall!

"I suspect this person is a spy from the Zhou Kingdom!"

Xiao Jinyu shouted loudly, and then raised the Yuanrong Sword, "Who doesn't recognize this sword? Let me enter the city quickly, otherwise the Zhou army will arrive, and you will be like turtles in a jar, without food and grass support, and you can only wait to die!"

"Let Hejian King Gao Xiaowan come out to see me!"

The guards on the city wall seemed a little hesitant. Suddenly, they looked up and saw a dark mass in the distance. There were flags flying high in the cold wind and the rumbling sound of horse hooves gradually came from far away.

With this momentum, the marching force must be no less than 100,000!

Some of the guards were so frightened that they were in panic.

"Captain! Look at that flag. The one coming is Yuchi Jiong, the great general of the Zhou Kingdom!"

"Quick, report to the governor and the King of Hejian, and tell them that the Zhou army is attacking!"

Hearing the sound of horse hooves behind him, Xiao Jinyu's expression changed drastically, and he immediately handed the Yuanrong Sword in his hand to Xie Yuxuan.

Xie Yuxuan was puzzled, and then she said, "I will lead the enemy away and delay them for a while. Ah Xuan, you take the food and grass into the city!"

"Start now, shout loudly, call Gao Xiaowan out!"

"No, sister, if we have to delay, it's me..."

Xiao Jinyu was completely unable to hear what Xie Yuxuan was about to say. She only looked at the guards on the tower and shouted:

"I am Xie Zhen. I want Hejian King Gao Xiaowan to come out and see me!"

"Ask Hejian King Gao Xiaowan to come out and welcome the reinforcements!"

"Shout!"

"Yes!"

After she gave the order, the soldiers behind her shouted in unison: "Please ask Hejian King Gao Xiaowan to come out!"

"Please ask Hejian King Gao Xiaowan to come out!"

"..."

Seeing that the shouts of the crowd were loud enough to shake the sky, Xiao Jinyu no longer hesitated and turned his horse's head to gallop towards the direction of the Zhou army. Xie Yuxuan shouted something, but it was drowned out by the wind and the shouts of the soldiers and could no longer be heard.

Xie Yuxuan was so anxious that tears were about to fall. She could only tell Ling Ye, who was closest to her, "Go quickly and protect my sister. Protect her!"

Ling Ye nodded, turned around and chased after Xiao Jinyu.

"Girl, what are you going to do?"

Ling Ye was also extremely puzzled!

Xiao Jinyu only said: "If the Zhou army sees the baggage we brought, they will definitely intercept the food and grass first. The siege of Luoyang this time will take at least a month. The Zhou army will not be in a hurry to attack the city, but the food and grass must not fall into their hands."

"Since Yuwen Hu wants me, Xie Zhen, let's go and meet him! They shouldn't kill me!"

"If you can delay it for a moment, it's a moment!"

After hearing this, Ling Ye felt a little pain in his heart, but he could only obey the decision made by the girl.

"Girl, the one who led the troops here is Yuchi Jiong, the great general of the Zhou State. He is a very filial and loyal man. He once followed his uncle Yuwen Tai to fight in many battles and made great achievements. He was ordered by Yuwen Hu to lead the troops here to destroy Qi. I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince him with words!"

"I know!"

Ling Ye knew that it was useless to persuade her, so he could only smile and say, "Then this time, let Ling Ye stay with you forever, whether you live or die!"

Xiao Jinyu turned her head and smiled at Ling Ye.

"it is good!"

It was getting dark, and a white feather fell on the tip of Xiao Jinyu's nose. He looked up at the white sky and said with a smile:

"The first snow of winter has finally fallen!"

……

The deafening shouts soon reached the signing room in Jinyong City.

Gao Xiaowan was in the signing room at this moment, discussing military affairs with Dugu Yongye. Suddenly, he heard a loud shout coming from somewhere, and it seemed that someone was calling his name, so he immediately ran out of the signing room.

Just then, a soldier came to report: "Your Majesty, someone outside Guangmo Gate shouted that your Majesty has ordered reinforcements to deliver food and grass, and King Hejian is to go out to meet them!"

"Who is coming?"

"It seems to be called Xie..."

"Xie Zhen?"

"Yes, yes, it's Xie Zhen!"

Gao Xiaowan's expression changed drastically: "Let him into the city immediately!"

"But... the Zhou army is here too! Just ten miles away, from the observation tower we can see the Zhou army stationed outside the city!"

At this time, Dugu Yongye also walked out of the signing room. Upon hearing the news, he was shocked, but soon regained his composure.

"It came so quickly?"

"Pass on my military order, order all soldiers to the city gate of Beiyuan Guangmo Gate and prepare to meet the enemy!"

Gao Xiaowan immediately turned to Dugu Yongye and pleaded, "General Dugu, Xie Zhen is my best friend. Please allow me to go and let him enter the city!"

"But the enemy is also outside the city, I'm afraid..." Dugu Yongye hesitated for only a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, you go, since it's the reinforcements sent by His Majesty, you should protect their lives!"

Gao Xiaowan bowed in return and immediately led his troops to the outside of Guangmo Gate. Looking down from the city wall, he saw a heroic woman anxiously guarding the city gate. Behind her were hundreds or thousands of cavalrymen, as well as carts of light supplies.

"Where's Xie Zhen?"

Gao Xiaowan couldn't find her anywhere and became suspicious.

Xie Yuxuan raised the Yuanrong Sword Xiao Jinyu had given her: "Gao Xiaowan, you don't know me, but do you know this sword? This is the Yuanrong Sword that His Majesty gave to my brother Xie Zhen. My brother saved your life by blocking an arrow for His Majesty and nearly died. Later, in order to protect your life and avoid His Majesty's suspicion, he ordered you to lead the troops to Heyang. On the way, he was afraid that you would be assassinated by villains like Lu Lingxuan, so he gave you two tips to save yourself!

Tell me, is what I said right?"

As Xie Yuxuan questioned him again and again, Gao Xiaowan's expression became more and more shocked.

"Quick, open the city gate and let them in!"

After the order was given, the city gate opened wide, and Xie Yuxuan immediately ordered all the soldiers to push the baggage carts into the city gate.

After all the soldiers entered the city, Gao Xiaowan ordered his men to close the city gates.

But Xie Yuxuan did not enter the city gate.

Gao Xiaowan quickly ran out and asked, "What are you doing? Why don't you come in? Where's Xie Zhen? Didn't they say she's here too?"

"In order to divert the enemy's attention, she has gone alone to face Zhou Jun, so I have to help her!"

Xie Yuxuan's face was covered with tears, and she seemed to have a hint of resentment, blaming the group of idiots guarding Luoyang City for not recognizing the Emperor's Sword and blocking them outside the city, thus wasting time.

After hearing this, Gao Xiaowan's expression changed with shock. He quickly ordered hundreds of soldiers to catch up with Xie Yuxuan and rush forward.

……

Yuwen Hu stationed his troops in Hongnong City, and Yuchi Jiong's army indeed surrounded Luoyang City and was not in a hurry to attack the city.

Suddenly, they saw two riders galloping towards them. The Zhou army, which had followed Yuchi Jiong to investigate the situation, immediately stopped their horses and prepared to line up to meet the enemy.

There are archers drawing their bows and drawing arrows!

Arrows flew out like rain, but were all blocked by a cold sword.

The faces of all Zhou Jun soldiers changed!

Then a clear voice shouted:

"I am Xie Zhen, and I am here on behalf of Your Majesty to give a message to the Grand Chancellor of Zhou!"

Yuchi Jiong looked carefully at the "young man" on the leading horse, but seeing that the young man had reined in his horse and stopped, he also ordered the archers behind him to stop.

"Are you Xie Zhen? I've heard of your talent! It's true that seeing is believing!"

"May I ask why the Grand Chancellor of your Zhou State invaded Luoyang, the border of Qi State, right after you got my mother?"

Yuchi Jiong was a little embarrassed, and after a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "I have heard of Xie Zhen's talent for a long time. The King of Zhou is eager to find talents, but your King of Qi is unwilling to exchange, so I can only come to take him away!"

"Minister Xie, you are here this time. Could it be that your Lord Qi has come to his senses again and wants to send you to our Zhou Kingdom?"

Xiao Jinyu smiled.

"Even if I, Xie Zhen, follow you to the Zhou Kingdom, I'm afraid I won't be spared from this war, right? Don't you think it's ridiculous that your country's Grand Chancellor uses this as a pretext to send troops?"

Yuchi Jiong did not answer.

"General Wei, I know that you have sent out a total of 200,000 troops this time. Now you are besieging Luoyang, and there are more than 100,000 troops stationed in Mangshan. This time you are attacking Qi, and you are determined to capture Luoyang City. But I, Xie Zhen, would like to make a bet with General Wei that you cannot capture Luoyang City within a month. How do you think?"

"Boy, although you are very talented, you are a scholar after all. Don't speak such big words in front of military generals like me. Does your Qi lord have no generals to use? Why would he send a civil official like you to die?"

"General Wei is wrong. It is because my Qi State has a general that they sent me to tell you this. Otherwise, how could I, a Han Chinese scholar, be here when I am in Yecheng?"

Yuchi Jiong's face suddenly changed, and he thought to himself: Could it be that the Emperor of Qi had already anticipated that we would send troops to besiege Luoyang, so he sent reinforcements ahead of us?

It seems that we must not attack the city easily to avoid ambushes!

"I've delivered my message. I'll go back first!"

As soon as Xiao Jinyu finished speaking, she turned around and ran towards Jinyong City, with Ling Ye defending behind her.

"General Wei, should we kill this man?"

Yuchi Jiong concentrated his mind, glanced at the figure of "Xie Zhen" running away calmly, and suddenly raised his hand and said, "No need! This boy is very talented and intelligent. Not only is he valued by the Emperor of Zhou, but even the Grand Chancellor is very interested in him.

Leave him alive, and when Luoyang is captured, capture him and bring him back to Chang'an!"

"Yes!"

On the way back, Xiao Jinyu happened to meet Xie Yuxuan and Gao Xiaowan. Seeing the two men rushing over with their troops, he hurriedly said:

"What are you doing? Go back!"