Although the Tang army tightly sealed the news, Dou Jiande, who was far away in Zhaozhou, still learned of Wang Shichong's defeat.

Wang Shichong has the Luoyang Underground Palace as a cover, even if it is impossible to break through, it is not difficult to pass on the news.

Dou Jiande felt that Wang Shi's inflation was about to run out. Previously, the strategist Liu Bin had suggested that cranes and mussels should compete for the benefit of fishermen.

It's just that no one knows how big the benefit is. Dou Jiande hoped that after defeating the Tang army, he would enter Luoyang and fight against the Tang Dynasty. At that time, it is not yet known who will kill the deer in the world. Therefore, he strongly agreed with Liu Bin's suggestion to drive directly to Luoyang, and was prepared to strictly follow it.

At this moment, Tang Qiang and Zheng Weak have become the general trend. Dou Jiande knew that the time had come for him to send troops! If you don't send troops again, it will be too late when Luoyang City falls.

In order to delay Dou Jiande's troops, Li Yuan specially ordered Li Yi, the king of Yanjun who was guarding Youzhou City, to attack Dou Jiande's territory to the south.

Dou Jiande also understands that the rear is not stable, and the use of troops in the south will cause endless troubles. So he personally led an army of 200,000 to attack Youzhou.

Dou Jiande is determined to win and wants to win Youzhou in one fell swoop. Seeing that the soldiers of the Xia army had climbed the city wall of Youzhou, Dou Jiande's enemies Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche led the death squad to break out of the tunnel and break into Dou Jiande's rear and kill them, and the Xia army was defeated and retreated.

Li Yi took advantage of the victory to send troops to attack Dou Jiande's camp, but was defeated by Dou Jiande, and had to retreat to the city to defend it.

Dou Jiande could not attack the city, so he led his troops back. However, this battle caused Li Yi to lose more than half of his troops and his vitality was greatly damaged, and basically achieved the goal of pacifying the rear.

After returning from Youzhou, it has snowed heavily in the entire north. Dou Jiande rushed back to Zhaozhou, preparing to leave only 50,000 horses to defend Hebei, and the remaining 150,000 horses all went south!

Just as the army was preparing to go south, Zhang Xuansu, the waiter of the Yellow Gate, came to meet Dou Jiande, saying that he had something important to discuss.

Zhang Xuansu was originally a dusty official, but he was appreciated by Dou Jiande and formulated a Hebei decree for him.

Over the years, the Haiyan River in Hebei has been clear, and the people's hearts have been stable, which has a lot to do with Zhang Xuansu's careful assistance.

Dou Jiande then respected him and repeatedly gave him gratitude. And Zhang Xuansu also repaid him with kindness and worked hard.

At this time, the army was about to go south, and Zhang Xuansu suddenly saw that there must be something very important to report. Dou Jiande waited for him in the side hall.

When Zhang Xuansu arrived, he signaled Dou Jiande to retreat, and what he said was very confidential.

Dou Jiande then waved his hand, and the left and right dispersed.

"King Xia, Weichen has been unable to sleep at night recently, and he is very worried. I want to dissuade King Xia, don't go to save Luoyang, and return to the Han story from Dou Rong to Tang. But according to the personality of King Xia, I am afraid that he will not listen. Weichen is a courtier, and it should be the plan of King Xia and the people of Hebei. Today, I risk death to admonish, and hope that King Xia will think twice! Zhang Xuansu said sincerely.

"Dou Rong returns to the Han Dynasty, and it is passed on as a beautiful talk! But is Li Yuan Emperor Guangwu? Besides, Dou Rong doesn't have the strength of Hebei today, right? Dou Jiande paused and said confidently.

"Alas! The world thinks about it, and the people think about it! In this regard, most of the hearts of the people in the world have returned to the Tang Dynasty. It's always the trend of the world, right? ”

"Why does the gentleman grow the morale of others and destroy his own prestige? Okay, let's not talk about it, you are also doing your duty as a courtier. This king does not blame you, go back! Dou Jiande suppressed the anger that was about to rise.

Zhang Xuansu shook his head helplessly, bowed three times, and said, "King Wangxia, make a living for the world." The world longs for peace, and war is unpopular! ”

Dou Jiande left without looking back, but said perfunctorily: "Okay, this king knows!" ”

……

After Zhang Xuansu left, he reported that the ferry at the Yellow River crossing had been taken away by Cheng Mingzhen, the general of the Tang Army. The army crossed the river, and it was no longer possible to take a boat.

Dou Jiande then ordered that in the depths of winter, when the ice of the Yellow River was thick, the army stepped on the solid ice to cross south.

During the short stay in Zhaozhou, Ling Jing, the son of the country, said: "King Xia, the army does not have to cross the Yellow River in the south, but can enter Taihang in the west, cross the mouth of the well, occupy the east of the river, and approach Chang'an." This is the strategy to save Zhao from Wei Wei! ”

Dou Jiande's wife, Cao, also strongly agreed with this policy and persuaded Dou Jiande to act accordingly.

While hesitating, Yanzhou Xu Yuanlang and Caozhou Menghai sent envoys to join Dou Jiande.

Just as the cold wind came from the north, the Yellow River had been completely frozen, so Dou Jiande led the army to the south.

He united the three parties, known as 300,000 people, and advanced in the direction of Luoyang.

When the army arrived in Huazhou, Han Hong, the general of Zheng Guo, who had already surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, saw the wind and surrendered to the Xia army.

At this time, the entire army was hundreds of miles away from the Xia Realm, and the food and grass for the army had been exhausted.

Dou Jiande then decided that the army would build a camp in Huazhou to rest. In addition, a grain urging officer was sent to Zhaozhou to urge grain and grass.