Li Guo led his troops overnight to surround Li Yan's troops from Fugou, but when they arrived, Qian Er's fast troops had already returned to Fugou County with empty baggage trucks.

The advantage of a fast army is that it is fast, and if it is surrounded, won't it be useless? So after discussing with Wang Renfu, he left most of the baggage and ammunition and returned to Fugou with his troops. returned to Fugou County, and immediately made a simple report to Li Yan with a pigeon letter at dawn, and waited for further instructions.

Li Zicheng also led a large army to the north overnight, and arrived at Wei's at dawn. After a pause to rest, he continued north. Wei's defenders sent two pigeon letters in succession, one to Kaifeng and one to Qixian, reporting the latest developments of the thieves.

Li Yan had just left the city with his troops for three miles when he was caught up by a messenger from Kaifeng. First of all, the military newspaper said that Li Yan knew that Li Zicheng had changed his strategy and wanted to go north directly to attack Kaifeng. So I had to return with my troops. As soon as the troops turned, they encountered the envoys of the Zhou Wangfu and Gao Mingheng, who strictly ordered Li Yan to lead his troops back to Kaifeng, and Gao Mingheng threatened to report the charges of rebellion to the imperial court.

If it weren't for the previous military report, Li Yan wouldn't have cared if there were rebels or not. The troops of the imperial court, which one is his opponent? However, since Li Zicheng wants to attack Kaifeng directly, then he will fight a decisive battle under Kaifeng City.

Li Yan returned with his troops and directly asked the troops to deploy outside the city. And he went back to the city first and sent the latest instructions to Li Zhong. Since Li Zicheng wants to come to Kaifeng directly, there is no need for Li Zhong to send troops to give permission. Qian Er's fast troops were on standby in Fugou first, closely observing the situation of Wang Renfu and Zhou He, and preparing to go to the rescue.

At the same time, the scouts also came to report that the left-wing thieves had entered Xinzheng and were heading for Zhengzhou.

"What's the news of Chen Yongfu?" Li Yan asked.

The scout replied, "More than 100 large and small ships have been prepared, ready to cross the river at any time. ”

Li Yan frowned and ordered: "Send him a letter and let him defend Zhengzhou, if it really doesn't work, you can withdraw to Kaifeng." ”

"General Li, the prince is still waiting." The guards of the palace shouted coldly outside the door.

Li Yan ignored it, and instructed Sun Sifu again: "Send someone to tell Governor Gao about Chen Yongfu's situation, and ask Governor Gao to give an order to let Chen Yongfu defend Zhengzhou, or let him withdraw to Kaifeng." Remind Governor Gao that Chen Yongfu cannot be allowed to cross the river. ”

After that, Li Yan finally got out of the barracks and went to the palace. At this time, there were many people in the palace, and the officials in Kaifeng City basically came.

Everyone was talking to each other in whispers at this time, and there was no difference in looking at it. However, as soon as they learned the news that Li Yan had left with his troops early in the morning, they came to the palace in a hurry as soon as possible. There is nothing else to do, just let the king of Zhou pay for it and hire the people to organize social soldiers to defend Kaifeng City. At the same time, he also asked King Zhou to take the lead and hurriedly send an emergency report to the imperial court, so that the imperial court could quickly send reinforcements to the rescue.

At this time, they already knew that Li Yan had returned with the troops, so they all calmed down a lot. But what they discussed was how to treat Li Yan. This Li Yan was too self-righteous, so he directly left Kaifeng and led the troops away. Is this worth it? But now is the time to employ people, they don't dare, and they can't do anything to Li Yan.

Previously, because of Li Yan's measures of forcibly requisitioning grain, mules and horses from the rich gentry who left the city, although their impeachment of Li Yan had been sent to the imperial court, the imperial court also knew that Kaifeng could only be defended by Li Yan now, so there was no follow-up. It is useless for them to go to the impeachment chapter at this time, it is better to record Li Yan's culpability, and it is not too late to impeach after the thieves retreat.

When Li Yan entered the main hall, all the officials glared at Li Yan angrily. But King Zhou slapped the table and said loudly: "You are so bold!" Without the king's order, without the governor's order, you dare to leave without permission with your troops! Are you trying to rebel?! ”

After this roar, King Zhou was a little unbearable, and began to pant heavily.

Li Yan hugged his fists and said: "The way to defend the battle, the end general naturally has an overall plan. The final thing is to defeat the thieves, not just defend Kaifeng City. ”

"The battle and defense plan is naturally determined by Benfu and the governors, you just need to follow the order!" Gao Mingheng was finally angered by Li Yan's arrogance, and said dissatisfiedly.

Li Yan didn't care about Gao Mingheng's complaints, but said: "Lord Wang, my lords, now the thieves have passed the Wei clan and are approaching Kaifeng. And the army of the West Road has also occupied Xinzheng and is rushing towards Zhengzhou. The top priority now is to let Chen Yongfu defend Zhengzhou, drag the army of thieves on the western route, and reduce the pressure on Kaifeng. Or let Chen Yongfu withdraw to Kaifeng and strengthen Kaifeng's guard force. But Chen Yongfu had already prepared the ship and was ready to go to Hebei at any time. ”

"Huh? Really? ”

"Crossing the river? How could Chen Yongfu be so rebellious? ”

"The human heart is not ancient! Where is loyalty? ”

……

The officials said sadly and indignantly.

King Zhou didn't care about teaching Li Yan a lesson at this time, and immediately asked, "Then what is your opinion?" If Chen Yongfu goes to Hebei without a fight, can Kaifeng still be able to hold on? ”

Li Yan said confidently: "Don't worry, the prince is as solid as gold." However, if the war is to be brought under control in the future, you can only listen to the good news in the city, and there is no need to worry. ”

King Zhou and the officials all looked at Li Yan dissatisfied, didn't this make them do nothing? Since Li Yan came to Kaifeng, they don't have much power at hand. Li Yan's troops began to inspect the security, began to collect taxes at the city gates, and began to settle taxes with various shops. If these powers are gone, who will give them an offering? Even if they have to pay taxes on the business they open, is there still a royal law? The little money in the imperial court can be spent by a large family?

But although they were not satisfied, they could only endure it for the time being. Compared with those financial gains, it is still important to have a net worth and a life. Especially now that the thieves are attacking, they can't offend Li Yan. Otherwise, Li Yan would have walked away with his troops, what would they do? Even if they escaped the Yellow River, the imperial court would be held accountable for the loss of land.

Li Yan looked at the officials who were staring at him, and although they were all surprised and dissatisfied, they did not raise any objections. So he clenched his fists and said: "Time is precious now, the thieves will come soon, and the general will go to arrange defenses." The Admiral took his leave. ”

Before Li Yan turned around, King Zhou immediately said: "Cao Chengfeng, take a few people to praise General Li and draw a military plane." ”

Gao Mingheng also immediately said: "Huang Tuiguan, you can also bring some people to help General Li." ”

Li Yan didn't refuse, turned around and left. And Huang Shu and Cao Chengfeng immediately followed.

After leaving the palace, Li Yan said as he walked: "Two, if you send a message to the prince and Governor Gao, I have no opinion. Don't get involved in other matters. ”

Huang Shu didn't speak with a cold face, but Cao Chengfeng arched his hand and said: "Don't worry, Dashuai Li, the official is here to facilitate the communication between the marshal and the palace, and it will not affect the marshal's military affairs." ”

At the same time, a group of displaced people fled from the south to Kaifeng. They swarmed forward, some going straight to the city gate, while others made a detour towards the west gate.

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