Liu Cang searched the country and obtained 70,000 male soldiers, known as 200,000, and did not all cross from Mengjin to the south, mainly because he was in a hurry. Since I heard that the rear of the Jin army was unstable and the grain and grass were scarce, it was necessary to grasp this fighter and enter the Luoyang Basin as soon as possible - whether to launch an immediate onslaught or a deep ditch and high fortress, a long-term confrontation, the means of information collection in these years were backward, the speed of information transmission was slow, and it was necessary to get close to plan in detail, and it was impossible to calculate anything across the Yellow River.

However, the Yellow River is turbulent, it is not easy to cross, even if it is a famous ferry like Mengjin, the 70,000 army is not easy to cross, the more troops, the more baggage, the speed of crossing the river will be more slow. Therefore, Liu Cangcai crossed 20,000 elites through Mengjin, and ordered Hu Yanyan to lead the rest of the troops to cross from Maojin and Xunjin in the upper reaches of the country, and rush to meet by land through Hongnong County.

The soldiers and horses led by Hu Yanyan are not as elite as Liu Cang's troops, but the number is very large, according to the report of the sentinels in Xuzhou, at least more than 30,000 (the exact number is about 50,000). Pei was afraid that when he was attacking Liu Cang across the water, suddenly Hu Yanyan led his troops to kill from the flank, and the situation was unpredictable at that time, and the situation would inevitably be passive, so he temporarily released the siege of Yanshi and retreated twenty miles to the east and camped.

Then Pei Gai sent people to the south bank of Luoshui to contact Zu Ti, and summoned Cheng Gao's remaining soldiers and horses to reinforce - but you don't have to come to me first, take the opportunity to take Meng Jin for me, and seal it.

Pei Gai expected that the final decisive battle location would probably be under this Yanshi City.

On the second day after Liu Cang entered the Yan Division, Hu Yanyan personally led thousands of cavalry from the front army to arrive, and at the same time, the banner of the Yuzhou Army appeared on the south bank of Luoshui. However, Liu Cang had just crossed Luoshui, just like he had done a few days earlier on the river, and burned the pontoon bridge, and it was estimated that Zu Ti would be forced to make a detour of twenty miles upstream, wading near Zicheng and Huangting, and then join the Xuzhou army.

Liu Cangcai waited to convene Hu Yanyan and other generals to discuss, how to fight a decisive battle with the Jin army - although our department was frustrated, but it had reinforcements, the number still had the upper hand, and the victory was not small - who wanted Hu Yanyan to bring him bad news again.

Hu Yanyan asked Liu Cang to retreat from the crowd, and lowered his voice and said to him: "The emperor's brother is in Huayin, I am afraid that there will be a change......

Liu Yi, Liu Dan and others led the remnants of the defeated army, retreated from Chenggao Pass, and rode westward, passing through the entire Henan without stopping, and ran to Huayin, the westernmost part of Hongnong County, in one breath. Originally, the Jin general Song Zhe guarded Huayin, and it could be blocked to the east of Huashan, who thought that Song Zhe was a straw bag, as soon as he saw Hu Hanjing's banner, he fled in the wilderness, so that Liu Yi had to enter Huayin, and finally had a place to rest.

Immediately, Liu Yi sent an envoy to contact Liu Yao, who was in Feng Yi - Hongnong and Feng Yi were only separated by a water, and Huayin and Feng Yi were in Linjin, and the straight-line distance was less than sixty miles, so it was very convenient to spread the news. No one knows what he said to Liu Yao, but he summoned all the generals in Huayin City to discuss the next countermeasures, but he couldn't hide it from someone who had a heart. Soon after, Hu Yanyan sent another army to attack Huayin, but was absorbed by Liu Dan on the spot, among which several Hu soldiers were sent by others and quietly fled back to report to Hu Yanyan, Hu Yanyan couldn't help but be shocked.

——————————

So what did Liu Yi and Liu Dan discuss? It is said that Chen Yuanda, the imperial historian, Wang Yan, the golden purple Guanglu doctor, and Fan Long, the former lieutenant, all said: "Xiangguo gave the old and weak to His Royal Highness before, and he originally wanted to trap His Highness, but now His Highness has been defeated, how can he not take the opportunity to make Jin Zhun and other traitors slander His Highness to harm His Highness?" When the Jin Dynasty invaded on a large scale, the country was in danger of survival, and His Majesty was indulged in alcoholic women, Wang Shen, Xuanhuai and others stole the handle inside, Xiangguo, Jin Zhun and others were in power, did not accept loyalty, killed ministers, and still wanted to shake the storage position. ”

In fact, how the country is is still secondary, the key is that although these people are not Liu Yi's party, they have spoken out many times, and they have formed a deep enmity with Jin Zhun, Wang Shen and others, otherwise Liu Cang would not have sent them to assist Liu Yi, and wanted to wipe out all the political enemies - when Liu Yi is defeated, he can justifiably erase his crown of "imperial brother", as for those lieutenant generals, shouldn't they take a few out to dinner and be a scapegoat? Everyone also knew this, they wanted to follow Liu Dan's plan, and they still had the power to fight back, and whoever wanted to fight by the gutter would completely deflated their thoughts......

Therefore, everyone persuaded Liu Yi to hurry up and contact Liu Yao, so as to rely on Liu Yao as a aid to fight against Liu Cang. Fan Long said: "Those who are jealous of the Xiangguo, only His Royal Highness and King Shi'an, if they cooperate, they can still thwart their treacherous schemes, and if they are divided, they will die!" In the past, Liu Yi was in Pingyang, although he had the title of "Imperial Brother", in fact, he was surrounded by Liu Cang's eyes and ears, and it was impossible for him to collude with Liu Yao, who was on expeditions all the year round.

Therefore, Liu Yi asked: "If King Shi'an helps me, can I return to Pingyang safely?" ”

Wang Yan shook his head again and again: "Your Highness still has the luxury of returning to Pingyanghu?" If you return, you will be harmed by Jin Zhun! ”

Chen Yuanda sighed and said slowly: "The minister expects that at this time, Xiangguo must have received the defeat report of our army, or instructed Jin Zhun to impeach His Highness and summon His Highness to return to the capital. If His Highness returns, he will not be harmed by it, and the storage position may not be guaranteed; If he refuses to return, he will send troops to attack His Highness for the crime of resisting the decree...... King Benshi'an is willing to speak for His Royal Highness, what can he do? ”

Liu Yi couldn't help but burst into tears, and immediately bowed down and said, "Please also ask the princess to save my life!" ”

Liu Dan kept shrinking to the side and didn't speak, until he saw Liu Yi behaving like this, he hurriedly avoided the seat and fell to the ground, then gritted his teeth and lowered his voice and said: "If Your Highness wants to live, there is only one plan......

"Uncle, say it quickly!"

But Liu Yi didn't urge him to return it, but Liu Dan couldn't help but hesitate at this urging, and looked left and right at several colleagues and important ministers: "I'm afraid that the princes will not ......."

Chen Yuanda's face immediately sank, and he raised his voice and said, "Since you know that I am unwilling, please don't say anything more!" ”..

He guessed what Liu Dan wanted to say, but the others were still ignorant, and still echoed Liu Yi and urged Liu Dan to say quickly. Liu Dan looked at Chen Yuanda and asked word by word: "If this is not the case, can the public have a policy for His Royal Highness's life, solidify the storage position, and benefit the country?" When Chen Yuanda heard this, his eyes couldn't help but darken, and he raised his hand to cover his ears: "Whether the country is good or chaotic, I don't know, I don't dare to hear it." As he spoke, he stood up, and ran away at a trot.

Chen Yuanda's meaning is very clear, he disagrees with Liu Dan's plan, thinking that it is a move to "disrupt the country", but in addition, he really can't think of any way to "save his life and fix the storage position" for Liu Yi, so if you want to discuss it, you can discuss it, I will never get involved in this matter!

When Chen Yuanda left, Liu Dan took a long breath and slowly explained his plan. In fact, it is very simple, Liu Dan wants to rely on Liu Yao to launch a coup d'état - "Today, I only order King Shi'an to temporarily abandon Chang'an, protect His Royal Highness to return to Beijing with soldiers and horses, and kill Jin Zhun, Wang Shen, etc., in the name of 'Qingjun side', and depose Xiangguo, only then His Royal Highness's life and storage position can be completed, and the country can turn the crisis into peace!" ”

When Wang Yan and Fan Long heard this, they couldn't help but be taken aback, and blurted out: "Can this plan be sold?" ”

Liu Dan explained in detail: "Whether it can be sold depends only on the two of them. He raised a finger: "One is King Shi'an." King Shi'an is not on good terms with Xiangguo, and wants him to serve His Royal Highness and chase Xiangguo, Yi also; However, if you want to make it return to Pingyang, it may not be easy to clear the king's side. I heard that Xiangguo privately allowed King Shi'an to divide Yongzhou, and for King Yong, if His Royal Highness wants to say that he will help, he must be more rewarded. As for whether it is successful or not, the minister cannot look back......"

Then he raised a second finger: "The second is Your Majesty." If the army of King Shi'an is approaching, killing Jin Zhun, Wang Shen, etc., with a show of hands, but Xiangguo is His Majesty's own son, how can His Majesty bear to be deposed? Unless His Majesty forces His Majesty to abdicate the throne and cede to His Highness, or at least to make His Highness supervise the country, the matter can be done—I wonder if His Highness can be so determined? ”

When everyone heard this, they were all shocked, but when their mood calmed down a little and they pondered it carefully, it seemed that there was only this way to go......

To tell the truth, Liu Yi is a young man with shallow knowledge and little courage, and he has been forced by Liu Cang and his henchmen in Pingyang before, he curled up in the corner, and he didn't even dare to let a fart go. His Taishi Lu Zhi, Taifu Cui Wei, and Taibao Xu Yao all secretly offered advice, asking him to find an opportunity to launch a coup d'état and seize military power, so that he would not be afraid of Liu Cang's brothers, but they were all rejected by Liu Yi.

In the original history, in the end, Liu Yi was forced into a corner step by step, and it was difficult to tolerate himself, so he was deposed as the "imperial brother", renamed the king of the north, and was killed by Jin Zhun. Moreover, Liu Cang and Jin Zhun not only "punished dozens of ministers and officials of the East Palace", but also "pit more than 5,000 people, and the streets and alleys of Pingyang are empty" - the decline of Hu and Han began from this.

However, in this timeline, Liu Yi was forced to kowtow to several ministers for help, there was really no way out, and his mood rebounded, and under the repeated persuasion of Liu Dan, Wang Yan, Fan Long and others, he finally reluctantly accepted this suggestion. So he asked Fan Long to write a letter to contact Liu Yao, and after Xu Shicheng, he ceded the three prefectures of Yong, Qin, and Liang to Liu Yao and named him the king of Qin. However, it was discussed that day, in addition to Chen Yuanda's avoidance of the seat, there were not only Liu Dan and other three deputy generals present, but also some lower-level generals and subordinates, not all of whom were of the same mind as Liu Yi, and they might not dare to confront Liu Cang, so the news quickly leaked out, and finally reached Hu Yanyan's ears.

In fact, Hu Yanyan followed Liu Yuan to raise troops, and the old ministers of the two dynasties, he himself also looked down on the eunuchs who took power, Liu Cang, Jin Zhun and others did nonsense, and he was quite sympathetic to Liu Yi in his heart. If Liu Yi just wanted to rely on Liu Yao's power to keep the storage position, Hu Yanyan might be happy to see it happen, but Liu Dan's plan was too shocking, and as Chen Yuanda said, "I don't know whether the country is good or chaotic", how dare Hu Yanyan hide this news? Therefore, he hurried to Yanshi to meet Liu Cang, and reported the matter to Liu Cang in person.

Liu Cang's surprise was not trivial, and he asked Hu Yanyan urgently: "If this is the case, my life will be suspended!" Can Huyan Gong teach me? ”

Hu Yanyan said: "For today's plan, we should send an envoy to comfort the emperor's younger brother and King Shi'an, and clearly say that there is no intention of harming him." Da Dan Yu or when the handwritten letter, make a vow, if the emperor's brother is at ease, return to Pingyang, then there is no risk. ”

Liu Cangxin said that you are actually biased towards Liu Yi, right? You want me to confess to Liu Yi? Previously, Liu Yi admitted that I was right, but I knew that Liu Yi would stop if I admitted and instigated him? casually said a few perfunctory words at the moment, turned his face and secretly gathered all the brothers to discuss with them.

But deliberations come and go, and it is impossible to think. Liu Cang has already pulled out the main force of the forbidden army of Hu Han, and Pingyang is empty at this moment, even if Liu Kun suddenly gets reinforcements from Tuoba Xianbei - of course, that is impossible, the Tuoba Department is still on an expedition to Liaoxi (in fact, it has been defeated, but the news has not yet arrived) - can directly attack the heart of Hu Han, not to mention Liu Yao's nearly 100,000 elite soldiers? Unless Liu Yao refuses to help Liu Yi rebel, it will be almost unsolvable.

But what Liu Yao thought in his heart, what he would do, no one could guess, and he didn't dare to take risks!

Since it is said that there is "almost" no solution, there is naturally another way, that is, Liu Cang quickly returned to the division, and returned to Pingyang before Liu Yao retreated, when the emperor was in hand, the banner of righteousness was held high, and he was not afraid that Liu Yao would come to put it right; Maybe after Liu Yao heard the news, he would take the initiative to tie up Liu Yi and send him over. It's just that as soon as he retreats like this, Henan will be completely lost, and Liu Cang's prestige will be greatly damaged, and it will not be easy to retreat in front of the enemy!

In fact, the brothers may not be completely with the eldest brother, especially Dazai Liu Yi and the general Liu Fu, who have never been straightforward, but have intersected with Chen Yuanda, Wang Yan, etc., in the original history, they repeatedly admonished Liu Cong to be near and virtuous, and after being rejected or even reprimanded, Liu Fu also died of anger. But after all, Liu Yi and Liu Dan's plan is not only "Qingjun's side", killing Jin Zhun, Wang Shen and other traitorous ministers, but also possibly putting a knife on his father's neck and asking his father to issue an edict to depose the eldest brother...... Who can bear this?! Liu Fu immediately persuaded Liu Cang, saying that it was indeed very difficult to withdraw troops in front of the enemy, but fortunately, the Xuzhou army had temporarily retreated, and the Yuzhou army had not yet been able to merge with it, and we still had time to transfer troops-

"Just as there is no need for the whole division to evacuate Henan, Brother Dan will go half of the troops and return to Pingyang, and King Shi'an will not dare to act rashly. The younger brother is willing to stay here to defend against the Jin Kou and protect Henan for the elder brother. ”

Liu Cang frowned and asked him: "Today's Jin Kou is very different from the past, I am afraid it is not easy to be, can the virtuous brother protect Henan?" ”

Liu Yi persuaded beside him: "The danger of Henan, the enemy is with us, the plain is decisive, and success or failure is difficult." The younger brother will stop leaving thousands of soldiers and horses to guard the division in order to curb the thief's momentum, and we will return with the whole division of the elder brother. When His Majesty first ascended the throne in the past, there was no Henan in my dynasty, and now I will abandon it, what is the pity? But the elite is not lost, relying on the river as a risk, so that the thieves can not cross, and after the civil strife is calmed down, it can be retaken. To paraphrase a famous saying from later generations, Liu Yi's meaning is actually to say: If the land is lost, the land is lost; If people lose land, people and land will survive.

Liu Fu shook his head and said: "Today is different from the time, my emperor and Han have Henan, and they will abandon it without a hard battle, and the morale of the army will be damaged, and it will not be easy to regain it." If we can't thwart its momentum, shake its heart, and allow it to stay in Henan for a long time, it will be a great disaster for the country.

"If the guard does not lose the master, but the thief does not continue to steal the grain, at most one month, it will definitely be gone. If the Yanshi is abandoned, the thief can arbitrarily expropriate the valley of the scattered people in the countryside, or he can stay for a long time—and ask the brother to think twice. ”