Chapter 202 Kou Ke, so can I! (6k)

Zhao Fujin summoned the Wind Fire Wheel, which flew into the air like a stream of light and disappeared into the distance.

The ten-mile journey was completed in a flash.

"Yang Lang can see two miles away, so he should be able to see here?"

"Yes, got it."

"Should we keep a distance and monitor them, or should we go back to Yueyang and send a message?"

"Come forward."

Yang Chang said in a deep voice, and then reminded, "There are Liu Tang's people ahead, and the situation may not be good."

"okay."

Zhao Fujin was shocked when he heard this, thinking, are the Jin army so powerful? It's hard to say whether this trip will win or lose.

Liu Tang had only 3,000 infantrymen, and the prefect wanted him to go north to resist the Jin soldiers, which was no different from asking him to die, but the Red-haired Demon resolutely sent his troops.

He was stationed in Linfen, the capital city at the time, located on the banks of the Fen River southwest of Pingyang Prefecture. If he chose to flee like the prefect Yuwen Shizhong, he should have gone south to Jiangzhou, crossed the Yellow River, and escaped to Guanzhong.

But Liu Tang had his own mission. He came here to lurk in order to help Yang Chang indirectly control Pingyang. Now that he had finally gained control of the state's military power, he suddenly heard that the Jin soldiers were coming.

After repeated consideration, he sent people to Qinzhou for help, while heading north to Hongdong County to set up defenses.

Hongdong is located in the center of Pingyang, with Linfen to the south, Zhaocheng to the north and Yueyang to the east. It is a hub city in Pingyang and is located at a T-shaped intersection.

Pingyang Prefecture has fertile land and a large population. If Qinzhou is regarded as the core stronghold of the rebellion, Pingyang will be an important granary after the rebellion. If it is defeated by the Jin soldiers this time, it will take a long recovery period to take it back.

As long as Liu Tang can gain a foothold in Hongdong County, he can not only preserve the grain-producing land in Linfen, but also ensure that Yang Chang can provide smooth support.

Hongdong is of great strategic significance, and every general knows it.

In addition to the guides Tian Bao and Chen Xuan, there was also Liu Sichu, the leader of the Fenzhou Yisheng Army. It was he who surrendered to the Jin army with 4,000 people, which allowed Yin Shuke to occupy Fenzhou without bloodshed.

It was also Liu Sichu who ordered the opening of the North and South Gates, allowing Yin Shuke to lead his army to continue southward to capture Pingyang.

These three people were all very familiar with Pingyang.

Yin Shu could use Liu Sichu as the vanguard and make the Yisheng Army intend to pass through the border as an excuse to easily capture the two counties of Huoyi and Fenxi in the north.

The Jin soldiers fought deep into Han territory, still maintaining their barbaric style after the war outside the Great Wall. Every time they captured a city, they allowed the soldiers to move freely. They either killed people for property or raped women. Those with outstanding beauty would be captured as slaves.

This is how tribes fight each other, the winner takes everything from the loser, this is the tradition of nomadic peoples.

After all, accumulating wealth through plunder is faster and more brutal than raising cattle, sheep, fishing and hunting. This is also an important reason why the Jin soldiers were able to fight.

Due to looting, killing and harassment by the Jin soldiers, a large number of people in the two counties abandoned their homes and fled south to Zhaocheng and Hongdong.

All the officials from outside Zhaocheng fled, leaving only the local captains who were unwilling to leave their homeland and hundreds of local soldiers supported by the county.

The situation in Hongdong County was the same. As soon as Liu Tang led his troops to station there, he sent a message to Zhaocheng, saying that Yang Chang, the governor of Qinzhou, had sent troops to rescue.

Yang Changzeng governed Pingyang for a short period of time, and Shi Qian did a lot of work in various places, which made the three words "Yang Guancha" very valuable in the hearts of the people of Pingyang.

Therefore, the people of Zhaocheng and Hongdong counties simultaneously organized to defend the city and block Yin Shuke's progress to the south.

Yin Shuke's early advance was so smooth that he never thought of bringing siege equipment south. Although he had an absolute advantage in terms of military strength, he was unable to quickly capture Zhaocheng, which was defended by the entire nation.

According to the previous tactics, if the bone in front of you is too hard to chew, just give it up and aim for the next one.

Yin Shukeliu Basuli continued to attack the city and personally led the army to bypass Zhaocheng to take Hongdong. It turned out that there were more defenders in Hongdong than in Zhaocheng.

If we go around Hongdong and head south, the battle line will be too long.

When Yin Shuke failed to break in, he returned angrily and ordered Liu Sichu's Yisheng Army and the Jin soldiers to attack alternately.

In the end, while Yang Changzhai was crossing Taiyue Mountain, Zhaocheng was breached due to being outnumbered.

In order to intimidate the Song army in the state, Yin Shuke issued a massacre order against the captured Zhaocheng.

Within two days, all the chickens and dogs were killed.

When the news reached Hongdong, Liu Tang was panicked.

Although he killed many people in Liangshan, it was just for the pleasure of revenge, and the number of kills was relatively limited.

If tens of thousands of people in Hongdong County were massacred because of my resistance, I would feel guilty about the trust these people placed in them; if I held my ground and waited for help, I was afraid that before I could wait for Yang Chang, Hongdong would be breached like Zhaocheng, and I would not be able to leave then.

Liu Tang was under tremendous pressure. Just as he was struggling, Basuli's vanguard arrived outside the city and sent Tian Bao and Chen Xuan to persuade him to surrender.

It is impossible to lower it.

While Liu Tang was directing the defense, he continued to consume his energy.

Two days later, Yin Shuke ended the massacre and led the main force south to Hongdong.

Liu Tang resisted for half a day, but eventually, due to his weak will, he led his troops to secretly evacuate at night.

He found a good excuse for himself, thinking that it could both retain Yang Chang's military strength and prevent the people of Hongdong from being massacred.

Yes, retain the troops.

Liu Tang comforted himself and finally met the long-awaited Yang Chang when he stepped into Yueyang.

When Yang Chang asked about the situation of the Jin soldiers, Liu Tang immediately gave a truthful answer, but after reporting, he bowed with his fists clasped, and said sadly: "Brother, I abandoned the city and ran away. I am guilty."

"Hmm? That doesn't have to be the case."

Yang Chang hurriedly helped Liu Tang up and consoled him, saying, "How can you be blamed for that situation? It's okay, we can fight back."

"Yin Shuke took Fenzhou without bloodshed. Liu Sichu led 4,000 Yisheng troops to surrender. Except for a small number of troops left in Fenzhou, at least 30,000 people came to Pingyang. How many troops did you bring with you this time?"

"There are 14,000 cavalry, infantry and navy in total. Counting your more than 2,000 people, Han Tao's several hundred county soldiers in Hechuan, and the militia recruited by Shi Qian, the total force exceeds 20,000."

“It’s only 20,000.”

Liu Tang realized that he had said something wrong and his sighing stopped abruptly.

Yang Chang heard his disappointment, smiled and replied calmly: "It's okay, the soldiers are not more important than quantity, but quality. If I can't even get the silver technique, how can I face Marshal Nianhan?"

"Yep."

Liu Tang quickly agreed: "Brother is invincible and will conquer Tian Hu with ease. There should be no problem."

While the two were talking, Zhao Fujin gently reminded: "Yang Lang, since General Liu is one of us, should we go back to Yueyang first? My sister is still waiting for your news."

"Not urgent."

Yang Chang waved his hand gently, pointed at the warm sun in the sky, and said, "It's still two hours before dark. Let's go to Hongdong today to learn about the next step of the silver technique."

"Ah? We're going to Hongdong again? To my sister's place."

Even though Zhao Fujin was wearing a mask, one could still feel her surprised expression.

"Don't worry, she can lead the troops steadily."

Yang Chang smiled leisurely, then took off the Coiling Dragon Swallowing Sun Sword from his waist, handed it to Liu Tang and said, "Quickly send someone with the sword to Yueyang, tell Madam San to withdraw her troops and rest, and inform us of our whereabouts."

"Yes!"

Liu Tang received it respectfully with both hands.

This was the first time he met Zhao Fujin today. At first he saw someone riding a wind-fire wheel from afar and thought it was the divine horse Ma Ling. But it turned out to be a woman wearing a mask.

The figure, voice and conversation clearly showed that she was Yang Chang's woman.

I wanted to ask several times, but I held back several times. I thought I would ask others when I got to Yueyang.

After observing Liu Tang's words and expressions, Yang Chang probably saw what he was thinking, so he pulled him aside before leaving and introduced him in a low voice: "This is my second wife, Princess Maode, the emperor's daughter."

"hiss"

Liu Tang's eyes were about to pop out, and finally he swallowed his saliva and praised: "Brother is really awesome!"

"Let's go."

Yang Chang raised his hand, put his arm around Zhao Fujin's waist, and drove away into the warm sun.

"General Liu, do you think they look like a pair of immortals?"

"Do you want me to tell you? My brother is the Bright Heavenly Lord."

"Tell us the story of the Light God?"

"Yes, tell me about it. I want to listen."

Seeing the dog-like expressions on the faces of others, Liu Tang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Just tell me, Yang Guancha's observations over the years are legendary."

Liu Tang introduced Yang Chang's glorious deeds, but the person he was talking about was already more than ten miles away.

The couple rode on the wind and chased the sun, arriving outside Hongdong City at dusk.

Yang Chang asked Zhao Fujin to walk around the city. Seeing that there were military camps outside the four city gates, he guessed that Yin Shu would not stay for long. It depended on whether to go south or east next.

After nightfall, the cold arrives.

After all, Zhao Fujin was a delicate girl, and Yang Chang was reluctant to let her sleep outdoors.

The Jin army arrived at Hongdong the day before yesterday, and the people outside the city abandoned their homes and fled. Yang Chang was lucky to find an ownerless house, and the couple slept in a thatched hut for the night.

It was pitch black at night and the windows were broken and drafty.

Yang Chang hugged Zhao Fujinyi and snuggled up to the hard bed of hay to keep warm.

"Cold?"

"not cold."

Zhao Fujin put his head on Yang Chang's chest, his tone gentle without a trace of hypocrisy.

"I'm sorry." Yang Chang stroked her hair, apologized softly and explained: "I was afraid that the Jin people would notice, so I couldn't burn firewood to keep warm. You are a princess of the Song Dynasty, but you have to suffer with your husband."

"What are you talking about, Yang Lang?"

Zhao Fujin sat up straight and said seriously, "Under an overturned nest, how can the eggs remain intact? If you hadn't taken me out of Tokyo, I might still be sitting in the well in the palace, how could I know the chaos in the world?"

"Haha." Yang Chang smiled lightly, patted Zhao Fujin on the back, and sighed faintly: "Princess, do you think Tokyo is safe? Hebei does not have a geographical advantage, and the Jin army can directly take the capital, so."

"So Tokyo is in danger?"

"Maybe"

Seeing that Zhao Fujin was very excited, Yang Chang didn't know whether she was worried about Huizong or her younger brothers and sisters from the same mother, so he immediately hugged her and fell asleep.

"Tokyo is too far away, and I can't reach it, so I'll deal with the present first."

"Oh? Yang Lang, what's wrong with you?"

"It's a long night, let's do something fun."

“Here?”

Zhao Fujin felt a little uncomfortable in the farmhouse, and Yang Chang advised meaningfully: "Princess, you don't know that the simpler the place, the more unique it feels, such as a small forest or a small river."

"what?"

"Let's hurry up, in case the owner comes back unexpectedly"

This guy used both coaxing and threats to make Zhao Fujin so nervous that he dared not relax, and he continued to act ridiculously until midnight.

It was the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month and it was still dark.

Yang Chang left in a hurry yesterday and forgot to bring dry food with him on his long journey. In addition, he consumed a lot of food at night, so he got up early to look for food.

He could not find any food in the abandoned house where he was, so he went out to look for it in other houses in the village.

Just after walking a few feet out of the hut, he subconsciously glanced at the county town with his [Eagle Eyes and Owl Vision] and saw the soldiers and horses forming a battle array.

Is Yin Shu going to mobilize troops?

At this moment, Yang Chang was no longer hungry.

He went back to the house and woke up Zhao Fujin, and the couple once again conducted long-distance siege and reconnaissance on the city. They found that of the four troops that besieged the city yesterday, only the one in the north had marched into the city, and the garrisons at the east and west gates were all moving south.

At the end of Yin and the beginning of Mao, the sky was getting light.

The troops stationed outside the south gate of Hongdong went first, followed by the troops stationed at the east and west gates. Yang Chang calculated through the array and estimated that there were 25,000 soldiers and horses heading south to Linfen, which meant that less than 5,000 soldiers were left in Hongdong.

"let's go!"

"Where to go?"

"Return to Yueyang to mobilize troops!"

"Ok?"

Zhao Fujin was surprised, but without asking any questions, he took Yang Chang and set off.

Yin Shuke could lead the main force to take Linfen. Yang Chang decided not to wait for Lu Zhishen. He planned to take Hongdong with the existing forces, and then send troops to take the North and South Gates at the junction of the two states, and lock up these Jin soldiers in Pingyang.

Even if you can't win head-on, you can still play a war of attrition.

This Jin army is alone and deep in the enemy's territory. Once their morale is affected and there are problems with supplies, they will lose their combat effectiveness.

The distance from Hongdong to Yueyang is sixty miles. Zhao Fujin used the [Armor Covering Technique] to block the wind and advance at full speed, and returned to Yueyang in less than an hour.

Without further ado, he ordered his troops to set off.

Shi Qian was ordered to stay and support Lu Zhishen. Taking into consideration that Zhao Fujin did not get a good rest last night, Yang Chang asked Ma Baoguo to stay in Yueyang for protection. The rest of the soldiers followed Yang Chang to attack Hongdong.

Yang Chang urged his troops to march without rest and arrived at the east of Hongdong City before the end of the afternoon.

When the army reached three miles east of the city, Yang called Liu Tang and told him, "There are only a few thousand soldiers guarding Hongdong. If they see that we have more soldiers, they may not dare to come out. Therefore, the main force of 5,000 cavalry can no longer move forward. You lead your infantry to the gate to challenge the enemy. When we can lure the defenders out of the city, the cavalry can attack them in the twilight."

"The last general takes command!"

"Be careful."

Seeing Liu Tang accept the order, Yang Chang grabbed his arm and reminded him earnestly: "The Jin army must have cavalry. You are fighting with infantry and your equipment is not complete. You must pay attention to forming a defensive formation to buy time for the cavalry."

"Don't worry, brother. I promise to complete the task."

At this time, Liu Tang had a backbone, and his mood was very different from the previous few days. He was no longer worried about gains and losses.

The march in front had come to a halt, and the infantry and cavalry had just separated by less than half a mile, when Liu Tang ordered his soldiers to display their flags and advance towards Hongdong with great fanfare.

Before Yin Shuke went south to Linfen, he left the Jin soldiers who had contributed to the attack on Zhaocheng and Liu Sichu's surrendered troops behind to rest, and the overall defense was under the responsibility of Deputy Governor-General Ci Bushi.

It is called rest, but it is actually a reward.

Hongdong originally had 30,000 people, and absorbed 20,000 refugees from Huoyi and Fenxi. How much wealth can be squeezed out of these people depends on the free play of the soldiers.

It is impossible to treat five thousand people equally when they share the fruits of victory.

As a Han surrendered army, the Yisheng Army had to wait until the two thousand Jin soldiers ate the meat first before they could drink the soup afterwards.

When the Jin soldiers were looting the city, Liu Sichu's Yisheng Army was responsible for the city's defense. It felt like the younger brothers were lining up to do bad things and had to maintain order for their big brother.

When Liu Sichu heard the news from the scout, he dispatched troops to gather at the east gate while going to the county government office to report to Ci Bushi.

At this time, Ci Bushi and several of his close Moukes were having fun with the captured women, and the scene was extremely lewd.

Liu Sichu barged in fully armed, which immediately aroused Ci Bushi's displeasure, and he spoke sarcastically to his generals in Jurchen.

"If these Han men weren't weak, how could their women lie in our arms? This guy might want to wait in line to play."

"Why don't you lie in my arms? Do you want to die?"

"The Song people, like the Liao people, have enjoyed a good life for too long. We Jurchens have suffered for hundreds of years, and it is time for us to turn the tables and enjoy life as masters."

"That's right, General, don't worry about him, let's continue drinking."

Seeing everyone talking to themselves, Liu Sichu clasped his fists and stepped forward, saying in a sonorous voice: "General, there is urgent military information!"

"How urgent is it? Can't you handle it?"

Ci Bu Shi responded with half-closed eyes.

"It was Tang Niu (Liu Tang's pseudonym) who brought the troops back."

"Tang Niu? The commander from before?"

Ci Bushi stared at Liu Sichu and asked in surprise: "How dare this guy come back? How many soldiers does he have?"

"Two thousand five hundred to six hundred infantrymen"

"Hahaha"

Liu Sichu had just finished his report when several Moukes burst into laughter.

"Less than 3,000 infantrymen? What's wrong with Tang Niu's brain? How dare you come and stroke my tiger whiskers?"

"He may have learned that the army went to Linfen, so he wanted to take back Hongdong County. Have you forgotten that the people are still talking about it today, saying that Yang Chang from Qinzhou will come to rescue Pingyang."

"Yang Chang? If he wasn't hiding in Qinzhou, I would have twisted his head off long ago!"

When Ci Bushi heard the name, his body shuddered immediately. He had a close personal relationship with Wanyan Huo Nu and had once asked Nianhan to attack Qinzhou but was rejected.

"Perhaps Tang Niu is just pretending to be powerful, but Yang Chang was briefly in charge of Pingyang, so there is still a chance that he will come to help. However, it won't be so soon. It will be dark in less than half an hour. We just need to guard the four gates of Hongdong. It is impossible for Tang Niu's troops to break into the city. I am afraid that there are accomplices from within the city. I will be responsible for the defense of the four gates, and you will be in the city."

"We killed thousands of people today, and there are still people who dare to resist?"

After hearing Liu Sichu's reminder, Ci Bushi threw away his wine glass, stood up, wiped his curly beard, and muttered, "We slaughtered Zhaocheng, and Tang Niu still dares to touch the tiger's whiskers? This trend must not be allowed to continue! Since he took the initiative to die, if he defends the city gates and does not come out, he may escape at night."

"The commander-in-chief is planning to leave the city? But it's getting late now, what if Tang Niu has some trick up his sleeve?"

"Even if there is a trick, what can it do to me?"

Ci Bushi's eyes were deep, and he said coldly: "I still want to capture this man alive. Since this guy can invite Yang Chang, it means he has a relationship with him, so he can be used in Qinzhou."

"That's the truth."

"Well, you lead your troops out of the city and try to keep Tang Niu outside the east gate. I will lead a thousand cavalrymen out of the north gate to go around the rear. How will he escape on his two legs then?"

"Great idea, I understand."

Liu Sichu made a farewell speech and led his troops out of the east gate to fight Liu Tang.

Liu Tang sent people to challenge the defenders at the foot of the city, but after cursing for a long time, there was no response from the defenders.

As the sky gradually darkened and he was about to give up, the east gate of Hongdong suddenly opened and Liu Sichu led his troops to rush out like water.

"Rebel, are you willing to come out?"

"Tang Niu, oh Tang Niu, you have already saved your life, why are you coming back to seek death?"

"Liu Sichu, you eat the food of the Song Dynasty, but you also stir up trouble for the Song Dynasty. Do you deserve the surname Liu?"

"What does it have to do with my last name Liu if I eat the food of Zhao Song?"

Liu Sichu was stunned for a moment, and then he looked down from his horse and said contemptuously, "Tang Niu, do you dare to fight with me?"

"Come on, come on, I'm not afraid of you!"

Before Song Jiang attacked Dongchang Prefecture, Liu Tang once fought against Zhang Qing as a foot general. At that time, he was hit in the eye by a horse's tail and a flying stone. Afterwards, he specially trained foot generals to fight against cavalry generals.

Seeing that he was holding a broadsword, Liu Sichu was afraid that he would not be able to hold him back, so he took up his spear and dismounted, pointing at Liu Tang and shouting, "I won't take advantage of you, let's compete in foot combat."

"it is good!"

Liu Tang rushed forward with a knife in hand, and Liu Sichu drew his gun to meet his attack.

Both of them wanted to delay, so neither of them used their real skills to fight the enemy, just like villagers fighting over a quarrel.

The soldiers on both sides were so bored that they didn't even cheer.

When the afterglow of sunset disappeared and spots appeared in front of my eyes, the sound of horse hooves rolled like thunder.

The two generals who had originally let the defense go, launched a counterattack almost at the same time.

Liu Si was not as good as Liu Tang in the initial battle. After a few moves, he could not resist anymore. So he signaled the entire army to press forward and spoke to disturb Liu Tang's mind.

"Tang Niu, did you hear that? Those are the Jin cavalrymen who are circling behind us. If you want to surrender now, it's still not too late!"

"Jin cavalry? Why not Qinzhou cavalry?"

While Liu Tang was finishing his moves, he suddenly smiled strangely and added, "Also, Tang Niu is my pseudonym. I am the Red-haired Ghost Liu Tang. Like Yang Chang, the Bright Heavenly Lord, I am from Liangshan!"

"What? Quick, stop him!"

Liu Sichu panicked when he heard this. He fired a feint and then retreated decisively.

No matter whether they were the Jin cavalry or the cavalry of Yang Chang of Qinzhou, they only felt safe when they were on horseback.

Liu Tang only has two legs to run, how can he catch up if someone tries to stop him?
He hacked down several bandits with all his might, and when he saw Liu Sichu had already climbed onto his horse and felt that he could no longer catch up, he suddenly heard a delicate shout in his ear: "General Liu, Qiu Qiongying is here!"

"Third Madam?"

Liu Tang looked in the direction of the voice with delight, and saw a white shadow flash in the twilight, heading straight towards Liu Sichu.

Liu Sichu had just climbed onto his horse and was debating whether to continue fighting or retreat back to the city when Qiu Qiongying approached him with a painted halberd in her hand.

He hurriedly responded with a move, but found that the female general was extremely powerful, so he immediately spurred his horse and turned around to run away.

Can't beat it, really can't beat it!

Qiu Qiongying's mouth twitched slightly, and she grabbed two pebbles and threw them with all her might, shouting, "Hit!"

Liu Sichu fell off his horse. He struggled to get up and just then he felt a cool breeze on his neck. He thought he might be beheaded at any moment.

The one who finished off the attack was Liu Tang.

Liu Tang picked up the head, rushed to Qiu Qiongying, and asked curiously: "Sister-in-law, where is Yang Guanchao?"

"A group of cavalry came out from the north of the city, and the officer sent troops to intercept them. He asked us to kill the soldiers at the east gate and then go directly to seize the city gate."

"okay."

After hearing Qiu Qiongying's answer, Liu Tang thought to himself, who has such bad luck? He was actually targeted by Guangming Tianzun. He probably ended up like Liu Sichu.

The man that Liu Tang secretly criticized was none other than Deputy Governor-General Ci Bushi.

He led a thousand cavalrymen out of the north gate and was about to attack Liu Tang's right flank when a group of cavalrymen came roaring towards him. The cavalrymen moved under the cover of night, and only countless thunders could be heard.

"It's okay, there are only a few Han cavalrymen, nothing to be afraid of."

Ci Bu Shi reined in his horse and slowed down. Just as he was about to speak to stabilize the rear army, he saw an enemy general on a white horse, charging towards him alone.

Isn't this asking for death?

Ci Bushi raised his mace, urged his horse to attack Yang Chang and roared, "I am Ci Bushi, a great general of the Jin Kingdom. Those who come to die, please tell me your name!"

"You do not deserve!"

Yang Chang's Jade Lion of Night was fast. As soon as Ci Bushi's arrogant shouting ended, he came half a meter away with the gilded halberd in his hand.

"so fast."

Ci Bushi hurriedly raised his stick to block, but he and his horse were too late. Yang Chang raised his halberd with both hands and swept it like thunder, cutting the golden general in half.

"That's it."

“Wow.”

The soldiers of both armies were in an uproar at once. Without waiting for them to recover from the shock, Yang Chang rushed towards the crowd with his spear in hand. In a moment, he had killed all the people around him and thrown them to the ground.

"Yang observed, so strong!"

"The rumor that one person could defeat a thousand is now true."

"Follow and observe the battle, how can we not win?"

"kill!"

Killing a general in front of the battle can boost morale. Yang Chang killed Ci Bushi instantly, which made this group of Qinzhou cavalry who had no actual combat experience burst out with unprecedented confidence.

The Qinzhou cavalry was as fierce as the wind, and they followed Yang Chang to kill the Jin cavalry until they were scattered like a nebula, just like the Jin soldiers slaughtering the Song soldiers.

Kou can do it, and so can I!

(End of this chapter)