Since the beginning of the siege, Pei Gai ordered You Yao to write letters asking for help, and distributed them to the surrounding areas day by day in a certain order.

First of all, it is natural to report the enemy situation in front to the Chang'an Imperial Court, and ask Suo Qi to send troops for reinforcements, or at least to order all the soldiers and horses in the pass to gather in Feng Yi. Pei Gai instructed You Yao to say in the upper recital: "Although Liu Yao has entered Feng Yi today, he has been stranded in Haoyang for two months, and he dared to go south to attack my Dali and investigate his situation. Today, the defense of Dali City is firm, and those who can be destroyed in the month of October, and the void is not good at attacking the city, and the line is under the strong city of Liu Yaodun's soldiers, and he is in a dilemma. If all the armies gather together and fight with us inside and outside, Liu Yao will be defeated, so that he will not dare to come again within a year or two, then Chang'an will have no beacon fire, and the society will be in danger and regain peace......"

Of course, this is only the approximate meaning of Pei Gai's dictation, the text is naturally to be four and six, plus a bunch of old classics and idioms, although Pei Gai is not unable to do - after all, the memory and knowledge of the old Pei Gai are still there - but he really disdains it, so he entrusted You Yao to ghostwrite.

However, in these years, although all eunuchs can theoretically compose—illiterate generals like Wang Ping are really rare—not everyone is brilliant, and it is common for them to write articles that can be recited for a while, and they are often edited or even ghostwritten by the notebook room.

Pei Gai's meaning, to put it bluntly, I don't want you to rescue Dali, but I want you to take this opportunity to gather troops in one place and strive to defeat Liu Yao so as to protect the entire Guanzhong region.

Of course, according to Pei Gai's estimate, Suo Qi will not come to help - first, he may not have the courage, and second, he can't take out too many soldiers and horses, once he neglects the defense of Chang'an, it is easy for Sima Bao to take advantage of it. As for the issuance of edicts to the counties, it is also likely to be useless - thinking that when Chang'an was met by the police, it was impossible for all parties to come to Qinwang, and now it is just to reinforce Dali, so who is willing to obey the order?

After this performance was delivered, You Yao wrote a letter for Pei Gai to Lu Yun, who was in ten thousand years, asking him to go north for reinforcements - but judging from Lu Yun's previous performance, this letter must also be lost in the sea, and it is difficult to hear back.

The third step is to write letters to the ministers of the counties in Guanzhong one after another, Pei Gai did not ask them to lead the troops directly to Dali in the letter, but made a suggestion, now Liu Yao's troops are under the city of Dalijian, and only send thousands of soldiers and horses to guard the north, then you can go and help fight the north. As long as Beidi County is recovered, Liu Yao's flank will be attacked by the enemy, and he will definitely not dare to storm Dali again, and the pressure on me here can be reduced. The same letter was also sent by Sima Bao, the king of Nanyang, Shangtai.

The counties and states of Guanzhong each recruited thousands or even tens of thousands of soldiers, and Sima Bao had more than 30,000 soldiers and horses—plus the forces that depended on him, it was even more—but the quality of the soldiers was very poor, and the generals were cowardly, so eighty percent did not dare to come to Dali to gather. So I will point you to a soft persimmon, you can go to attack the northern county, as long as you are willing to fight bravely, there is quite a chance of victory. I give this great gift in my dignified servant—not in the reconquest of the Northland, but in favor of me, and I hope to reciprocate it—where will you take it?

Pei should want to see if there are one or two loyal people or brave people in this huge Guanzhong and Guanxi.

As for Liangzhou is too far away, and it is estimated that if Zhang Yu is believed, with the tradition of their family, they will more or less send someone to deal with the errand, so there is no need to send a letter.

- In short, I don't really want reinforcements, but it depends on the attitude of all parties, so I don't want to ask for help if they are definitely coming.

Let's say that the performance was sent to Chang'an Shangshutai, and Liang Fen hurriedly held it to discuss with Suo Qi. Suo Qi had a disapproving expression: "Pei Wenyue invited Beifu Second County to ask for help?" does not say anything to save Da Li, but falsely claims to break Liu Yao, but it is just an excuse to regret his face. ”

Liang Fen reminded him: "Feng Yi fell into the hands of the last year, so if he doesn't recover it, it doesn't hurt to be original...... However, I am only afraid that Liu Yao will conquer Dali, and his army will be more powerful, and he will go south to Chang'an with the momentum of victory, and it will be difficult for Koji Zhongke to resist! What Pei Wenyue said in the letter is not unreasonable, now Liu Yao and Liu Cang are evil to each other, Liu Yao will be anxious to close the middle, and take it as the foundation, then the trend of invasion will be more vicious. Your Excellency should not sit and wait for the enemy, but also send an army to help Pei Wenyue, that is, Feng Yi cannot be saved, if you can protect most of the Xuzhou soldiers to return, then the defense of Chang'an can be more solid. ”

Suo Qi spread his hands: "How can I have the spare strength to reinforce Dali?" ”

"In Chang'an City, there are still tens of thousands of troops, who has no spare strength? And Luo Yao's Liangzhou cavalry is not good at defending the city, so it is useless to stay, so why not send it to rescue Dali? ”

Suo Qi shook his head and said: "Situ doesn't know how to defend the city, and he has never relied on the strong wall to defend the city, but also has to have the elite of the cavalry, and the thieves are outside the city to frustrate the enemy's momentum - is it useless for the cavalry of Liangzhou to defend the city?" Besides, if I move here, the king of Nanyang will attack Chang'an! "I shook my head again and again, saying that I would not send out a single soldier.

Liang Fen had no choice but to retreat and suggest, then, according to Pei Gai's meaning, the Son of Heaven issued an edict to ask the soldiers and horses of all counties to gather in Dali and break Liu Yao together. Suo Qi still shook his head: "This is useless." Now Liu Yao's 100,000 people are coming to the south, and there is a void division to help him, if the counties and states send troops to go, I am afraid that they will be defeated one by one, and the defense of the weak Guanzhong will be ......" What he said is also reasonable, the soldiers and horses of the counties are not subordinate to each other, and it is difficult to cooperate, at this time, if you go to Feng Yi, it will add fuel to it, and it will be broken by each one-"Pei Wen dates to attack Liu Yao's words, who will believe it? Then they issued an edict, but they refused to obey their orders and fell into the prestige of the court. ”

Liang Fen persuaded for a long time, but Suo Juxiu was like a stone in a pit, smelly and hard, and resolutely refused to allow it. Liang Fen had no choice but to sigh and leave, and then returned to his mansion from the top, and someone reported to him, saying, "Xun Servant is here to ask for a meeting." ”

The so-called "Xun servant shooting" refers to Pei Gai's father-in-law, Xun Song Xun Jingyou. Before Pei Cai left Chang'an, he negotiated with Liang Fen and Suo Qi on the conditions, one of which was to let his father-in-law enter the court and participate in political affairs - Xun Song was a famous family in Yingchuan, and he was originally the general of Pingnan, and he was the governor of the military of Jingzhou and Jiangbei, and he was the Duke of Quling, and he was indeed qualified to enter the third division. Therefore, not long ago, Xun Song entered Chang'an, and was worshiped as the right servant of Shangshu - the left servant shot Suo Qi, added the title of Shangshu, and actually presided over the work.

Xun Song also heard Pei Gai's letter asking for help, so he hurriedly came to Liang Fen - he didn't agree with Suo Qi's old and rough personality, and he had frequent disagreements after only a few days, so he simply said that he was sick and didn't go to work. When Liang Fen entered the mansion, he gave in to Xun Song, who was waiting for the move, and the guest and host sat down, Xun Song asked: "Is General Suo willing to send troops to rescue Dali?" ”

Liang Fen shook his head slightly: "Jing You should have foreseen it, so why ask?" ”

Xun Song smiled bitterly: "The little girl refused to come to Chang'an with her, and insisted on going to Dali to accompany her husband...... I am heartily worried today, and I am uneasy in the five countries, where can I have any foresight......" leaned forward slightly, and asked: "Can you make the imperial court issue an edict and order all sides to help each other?" Liang Fen still shook his head: "Even if the imperial court issues an edict, the ministers of the counties may not be willing to respond." ”

Xun Song sighed and said: "In this case, I can only implore Situ to get the edict and order Pei Wenyu to give up Dali as soon as possible and protect Chang'an......"

Liang Fen frowned slightly, and suddenly asked Xun Song: "Jing You, do you think Dali must not be able to guard?" ”

Xun Song said that is of course - "The Xuzhou army is limited to 30,000 or 40,000, but Liu Yao has an army of 100,000, and I have to get rid of the Ministry as a helper. Unless you can rescue ......" suddenly remembered: "You can issue an edict in Sizhou, and if you want to come to Zu Shizhi, you will definitely send ......troops" and then sighed again: "I asked General Zu Shizhi to be re-named the day before yesterday, but unfortunately the public did not allow it, if he hated and did not save Dali, what should he do?!" ”

Liang Fen's face was solemn, he took a long breath, and said to him: "Jing You, the so-called concern is chaotic, with the mind under the eyes of the king, it is indeed difficult to do anything. ”

Xun Song also realized that he was a little at a loss just now, and his incoherent words were really detrimental to the minister's demeanor, and when he heard Liang Fen's reproach, he hurriedly remodeled, sat up straighter, arched his hands over his head, and bowed his head: "Situ has to teach a lesson...... I beg to excuse me. ”

Liang Fen organized the language, and slowly said to Xun Song: "A few days ago, I talked with Jun earnestly, asked about the matter of Ling's son-in-law, since the fall of Ningping, to the south to return to Jiankang, and then hit the middle stream, and crossed north into Xu ......" Chang'an is 108,000 miles away from Xuzhou, and has been harassed by the Hu army at both ends for three days, and the external news has been completely cut off several times.

Of course, Xun Song only heard about Pei Gai's escape from Huying, guarding Xuzhou, etc., but after all, he stayed in Xuzhou for a while, and the information he obtained was much more detailed, and in a sense, it was much more accurate - referring to Pei Gai's external claims.

Liang Fen therefore said: "When I heard what Jingyou said about my son-in-law, I knew that I had underestimated Pei Wenyue in the past, and his talent and ambition were not under my father. Therefore, I thought, why did Pei Wenyue invite himself to Beifu Second County? Is it to seek a country or a life? Then he smiled slightly: "In fact, seeking the country and seeking a life can also go hand in hand." In the past, we all thought that he was a vassal of Zu Shizhi, and entered the customs on his behalf to get a glimpse of the reality of the imperial court, so he didn't care much......

"If Pei Wenyue stayed in Chang'an that day, he would be jealous of Suo Juxiu and could not do anything. Therefore, the two counties in the north are seeking land and fame, and Sinai can live in Guanzhong for a long time. If he gives an edict and orders him to return, he will not allow it as expected. Why? Xuzhou soldiers have been fighting outside for a long time, people's minds are returned, if they can win, they can still be safeguarded, once they are defeated and retreated, they are not available. In addition, in the name of defeat and retreat—even if there was an edict from the imperial court—Pei Wenyue would have difficulty gaining a foothold in Chang'an and was forced to return to Xu.

"Whereso, what did he do when he came? If you plan for a long time and destroy it in one fell swoop, is it what they want? If it is a bystander, he can neither enter, but he thinks of retreating, but judging from the deeds of the son-in-law described by the king, Pei Wenyue will not be like this. Otherwise, he would not have been so brave when he was ordered by Jiankang to come to Luoyang; Even if Keluoyang and Jiankang have the order to retreat, they will also return in a hurry to protect Xu Fang's foundation. But he wanted to lead his division into the king of Guanqin, and invited himself to restore the two counties in the north, what did he want? I'm afraid that his ambitions are lofty, and I can't guess it. ”

Liang Fen's words were very clear, but Xun Song was still confused, and was stunned for a moment, and then asked: "Situ's meaning, that is, the imperial court issued an edict, and Wenyue refused to be a teacher?" ”

Liang Fen raised his eyebrows: "Liu Yaofei recently entered Feng Yi, and he has been stationed in Haoyang for two months. The enemy did not reach the city, and he was ordered to return and protect Chang'an, which is still to be said; Now that Hu Kou has surrounded Dali, if he abandons the city and leaves, how can it be different from escaping? Pei Wenyue's reputation will be ruined! ”

Xun Song couldn't help frowning and gritting his teeth: "I don't want this son to be so stubborn...... So, what should I do about that? ”

Liang Fen was a little tired from explaining, who thought that the other party was still ignorant, and couldn't help but let out a long breath. He had no choice but to comfort Xun Song and said: "I privately think that Dali may not be lost." If what Jing You said to me the day before yesterday was true, then the 5,000 Xuzhou army fought against Du Zeng under Wancheng, and in less than half a day, they won a complete victory......"

Xun Song interjected: "Du Zeng bandit, how can he be compared with Hu Lu......

"Jingyou!" Liang Fen couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and raised his voice, "Even if you are a bandit, you can't stay in Wancheng for a long time!" "Do you look down on Du Zeng? When it comes to marching and fighting, you might as well be Du Zeng!

When Xun Song heard this, he couldn't help but look embarrassed. Liang Fen slowed down his tone and said: "The talents of Jun and I are all seeking the country, not in the army, and the son-in-law and Zu Shizhi joined forces in the Northern Expedition, and after several battles, if there is no strategy to defend the city, how can they dare to drown Dali for a long time and refuse to return?" As I said before, Liu Yao will be in Feng Yi for two months, and Wen Yue will have the opportunity to withdraw to Chang'an's ...... with all the divisions."

Xun Song asked: "If he has the confidence to defend the city, why did he ask the court for help......

"It's a call for help, not a call for help!" Liang Fen pointed out in one sentence, "This is just a test of the imperial court's intentions!" If my prediction is wrong, and my son-in-law regrets defeat, or finally abandons Dali and leaves, it will be difficult to be allowed in Guanzhong again, and it will be returned to Xu Fang, and there is no need to talk about it. Once he was able to defend the city without losing and forced Liu Yao back, Jing You thought, what would he do? ”

"Please advise."

"If Liu Yao retreats, Feng Yi can be safe in the south, and his son-in-law can take the north in the west, accumulate a year or two old, and the soldiers and horses are strong - the Guanzhong army that is about to be disbanded one after another and stop recruiting the Xuzhou soldiers, according to Jing You's words, can also be trained into elite soldiers in Xufang. If God bless me and Liu Yao is defeated and leaves, it will make the reputation of the son-in-law unparalleled for a while, but he can directly force the former Jia Yandu! When the time comes, the imperial court will be charged to sit and watch the success or failure, refuse to send troops to help, and wave the army to the south, how can we resist? ! ”

Xun Song didn't expect Liang Fen to say this--he hadn't thought of this possibility at all before--his head was completely stunned for a while, and he just muttered and repeated: "Blame the imperial court for ruling ...... Wave to the south, and the south ......"

"Jing You," Liang Fen leaned forward slightly, stretched out his hand and pressed on Xun Song's knee, "Please send a letter to your son-in-law, saying that Juxiu is unwilling to send troops to help, it's none of my business." However, it is beneficial to the country's social welfare, and there is a need for it, and Liang is unwilling to respond to it......"