、、、、、、、、、、

Duan Zhixuan saw that at this time, he could no longer fully annihilate Cheng and bite the gold. When the enemy's reinforcements arrived, their morale was greatly boosted, and their own soldiers were exhausted. If you continue to entangle with them, I am afraid that it will be you who will be wiped out.

He is not a stunned young man who only knows bravery, but a wise and brave general. In this case, Duan Zhixuan decisively chose to retreat, converged with the main force of his Chinese army, and prepared to shrink and retreat the defensive line.

It's just that when he retreated to the center, he found that the Tang army in the middle had completely collapsed and was retreating in embarrassment, and he immediately realized: His Highness is in danger.

So, Duan Zhixuan immediately ordered the Xuanjia elite cavalry to resist the Zhou cavalry that swooped down from it with all his might, covering Li Jiancheng's retreat.

Qin Qiong can be said to be depressed, he originally thought that after the collapse of the Tang army's Chinese army, if he quickly killed the Tang army's rear army, maybe he would be able to capture Li Jiancheng, it would definitely be a merit, maybe he would be able to end the battle of Hedong ahead of schedule. But Duan Zhixuan, who was half killed, shattered his dream of making great contributions.

It's just that Duan Zhixuan's life is not easy, and Cheng Yanjin's troops quickly killed him from behind and besieged him heavily, and finally although he completed the task of blocking the main force of the Zhou army and covering the retreat of His Highness, only a few dozen horsemen escaped, and the Xuanjia elite cavalry was almost completely wiped out.

The sky had gradually darkened, and the fierce battle for a whole day had brought the physical strength of the soldiers of the Zhou and Tang armies to a limit. In such a situation, it is already impossible for both sides to continue fighting. The battle of Yuan, at this time, was officially over. The Zhou army was victorious, and after the Tang army was defeated, Li Jiancheng and Duan Zhixuan and others retreated to the original city, preparing to hold the city.

The cruelty of the original battle made all the generals of the Zhou army frown, although they did not have any generals killed, but the losses were very heavy. More than ninety percent of the ironclad cavalry were killed, and more than half of the Royal Forest Army, Modao Army, and Yulin Wei were all killed or wounded, and Yuming was slightly injured.

According to post-war statistics, more than 10,000 Zhou troops were killed, and almost all of the more than 50,000 people who were alive were injured.

Of course, the casualties of the Tang army were heavier than those of the Zhou army, and the most elite Xuanjia elite cavalry was also wiped out, Wang Junlang, the king of the North Courtyard, was killed in battle, and the other Tang army troops also suffered more than half of the casualties, with more than 70,000 killed.

It was a brutal war that was a lose-lose situation. It took five days to bury the bodies after the war alone.

This time, Yu Ming and Li Jiancheng fought head-to-head, one attacked by surprise troops, striking the enemy from the left flank, and the other held the central front steadily, adopting the strategy of breaking through in the middle, so as to respond to all changes without change. Judging by the situation, the two played a draw. However, since the weapons and equipment of the Zhou army were better than those of the Tang army, on the whole, the Zhou army had a slight advantage.

It's just that such a war of attrition and such heavy casualties made the Tang army feel a little unbearable. Because the main forces of the Tang Army were concentrated on the central line, especially after the southern front transferred 20,000 cavalry, the Tang army, which was already at a disadvantage, was even more defeated.

On October 10, Changping County was breached by Wei Chi Jingde.

On November, Xia County was recovered by Guo Yi.

On November 10, Linfen County was occupied.

In just half a month, the Tang army in the southeast of the river was almost completely wiped out and lost all its territory.

At the same time, the Tang army in the northeast of the river was also outnumbered, and under the attack of Luo Cheng and Luo Shixin, they lost the two counties of Loufu and Yulin, and were forced to retreat into the Hetao area.

After the Tang army was defeated on both the northern and southern fronts, Li Jiancheng, who fled back to the original city, finally decided to retreat.

In fact, with his troops, as well as the grain and grass in the original city, it will not be a problem to hold on for a while longer. Although the Zhou army had the advantage in strength, the defense of the original city was very strong, and it was not so easy to capture it.

But Li Jiancheng knew that Guanzhong was empty, and the Tang army on the north and south lines had all collapsed, and if he didn't withdraw, when the Zhou army came over, the original city would become a lonely city. No matter how strong the city is, no matter how abundant the grain and grass are, in the end it will only end up being breached.

Therefore, after discussing with Liu Jing, he took advantage of the fact that the Zhou army had not yet besieged the city, and led the Tang army to the west with the grain, grass, baggage, gold, silver, and soft materials in the city. The way he escaped was to cross the Yellow River from Longmen West, enter Yan'an County, and then go south to Chang'an through Beidi County.

Although it was a little longer, it was relatively safe along the way, and he could calmly retreat.

After Yuming learned the news of Li Jiancheng's escape, he ordered to enter the original city, accept the city, and then divide his troops to recover the counties in Hedong.

And Cheng Yanjin, Xu Shiji, Qin Qiong and others all proposed to send light cavalry to chase and kill, and they would definitely be able to wipe out the Tang army with grain and grass and slow movements, and maybe they could capture Li Jiancheng.

But Yuming vetoed the proposal and said that he would let Li Jiancheng go back.

In response to everyone's incomprehension, he explained it like this: "Generals, I know that you really want to capture this Tang Dynasty and avenge your dead brothers. But have you ever thought about it? Li Jiancheng didn't ask for help from Li Yuan and his younger brother Li Shimin in Guanzhong at such a difficult time, why? ”

When everyone heard this, they suddenly felt that this matter was a little strange. It stands to reason that even if Guanzhong is empty, as the location of the capital of the Tang Dynasty, it is not a problem to squeeze 50,000 soldiers and horses out.

As for Li Shimin, not to mention, he now has nearly 100,000 troops, so he is stationed near Xiangyang, and from there he sends troops to Hedong, almost a horse and a flat river, the cavalry can reach within seven days, and the infantry only takes half a month. If Li Shimin sent an army of 100,000 to Hedong to help in the war, the Zhou army would inevitably fail.

But neither Li Yuan in Guanzhong nor Li Shimin in Jingxiang sent reinforcements, which is indeed strange.

"Actually, this matter is like that: Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin are just competing for succession!" Yu Ming smiled slightly.

At this time, he told Li Yuan that he had not yet decided which son to be the heir, and then said with a straight face: "In order to motivate the two sons to make meritorious contributions to the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan will naturally make his position clear to the two sons: whoever has great military achievements will be the next emperor of Li Tang." In this case, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin will naturally compete to lead the troops into battle, striving to make contributions to the Tang Dynasty's unification of the world. ”

"However, there are pros and cons to doing this!" Speaking of this, Yu Ming paused for a moment, and then continued: "When the Tang army has the advantage, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin can indeed win consecutive battles, save enough strength for each other, and win more battles than each other. For example, this was the case when they attacked Xuju, Li Liang, Xiao Miao, and at the beginning of this year, when they attacked Hetao and Hedong. ”

"But once the Tang army falls into an unfavorable situation, such as the current situation in Hedong, Li Jiancheng will worry that asking his father Li Yuan or younger brother Li Shimin for help will affect Li Yuan and the Tang Dynasty's ministers' evaluation of him, thinking that he is not as capable as Li Shimin, and will make him lose his original position in the East Palace."

Therefore, even if Li Jiancheng still has a glimmer of hope, he will lead the troops to fight alone, and does not want to rely on external forces. But in this way, the opportunity was delayed, and the Tang army lost the possibility of turning defeat into victory. In a situation like the current situation, even if Li Shimin and Li Yuan send reinforcements, it will be useless! Yu Ming said eloquently.

After hearing this, the generals all nodded again and again, but Cheng Yanjin still asked with some puzzlement: "Your Majesty, I understand it!" We were able to recapture Hedong this time because of the rivalry between the two brothers, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin. Let's pick up a bargain! But what does this have to do with you asking us not to continue to pursue Li Jiancheng? ”

Yu Ming heard this, but laughed and said: "Hehe, bite the gold, have you forgotten one thing: if we chase overnight, we will capture Li Jiancheng." Then Li Yuan had no choice but to set up Li Shimin. In this way, there will be no more disputes within the Li family, and they will become a monolith, and our plan to make Li Tang's internal struggle with each other will fall through! ”

At this time, Cheng Yanjin suddenly realized: "I see! I Lao Cheng did lack a lot of consideration in this regard. It seems that this Li Jiancheng can't be caught for the time being! ”

"Hmmm! Now the original has been recaptured, and the entire territory of Hedong has been recovered. However, after this war, many cities were destroyed and many surnames were displaced. This resettlement surname, repairing the city and water conservancy, but it all needs money! As soon as Yu Ming thought of this, he had a headache.

After thinking for a while, he said to Xu Shiji: "Tomorrow my army will return to Luoyang in triumph, Shiji, you will inform Wei Chi Jingde, let him lead 100,000 troops to guard Hedong, beware of the Tang army from invading the territory, and at the same time prepare to recover the Hetao in the future!" ”

Xu Shiji nodded, and then said, "Why don't I stay too!" Hedong is now full of devastation, and he is waiting for a new one, and he is afraid that he will not be able to keep busy with only General Wei Chi alone. ”

Yu Ming thought about it, so he said slightly: "Okay then!" You also stay, assisting Jingde to restore production in Hedong. Although this war destroyed most of Hedong's economy, it also dug up those family forces that secretly communicated with Li Tang. Now that they have been captured, Hedong will become our truly consolidated territory. If you want to attack Guanzhong in the future, Hedong will be an important forward base. ”

Xu Shiji also said solemnly: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, Weichen will definitely assist General Wei Chi to run Hedong and lay the foundation for the future march into Guanzhong!" ”

Everyone discussed for a while, and Yu Ming was about to let everyone go back and have a good rest, and when he was about to leave for his return early tomorrow morning, Zhang Zhongjian rushed in, and then said with a stern expression: "Your Majesty, the battle in the Jingxiang area is over!" Xiangyang was recaptured by the Tang Army! Li Shimin won consecutive battles and captured Suizhou, Xinyang, Tianmen and other places. Li Jing retreated to Jiangxia, and with the support of Zhou Tao's sailors, he inflicted heavy losses on the Tang army, so that Li Shimin was defeated and returned to Xiantao. And Li Yuan obviously got the news of the defeat in Hedong and Hebei, and recalled Li Shimin to Chang'an. Now along the Xiang River and the Han River in the Jingxiang area, the Tang army and our army have entered a situation of stalemate and confrontation, and it is difficult to advance an inch. ”

After Yu Ming heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief, he knew that with Li Shimin's ability, there were more than 100,000 troops, and it was difficult to hold the line from Xiangyang to Jiangxia with only the hundreds of thousands of troops of his master Li Jing. However, fortunately, with the cooperation of Zhou Tao's sailors, the Tang army was also severely damaged in Jiangxia, which stabilized the situation in Jingxiang.

Now, whether it is the Tang army or the Zhou army, they have been fighting continuously for nearly a year, from the court officials to ordinary soldiers, they are all a little tired, and it is time to rest for a while.

...