Sunjialing is a mediocre hilly area, where the terrain is not very undulating, the vegetation is flourishing, and there is little strategic value at all. But because of this, it didn't enter Chengyun's field of vision. Right now, there is a large army lurking here, and they are the Einsatzgruppen led by Chang Miao.

Seven days ago, Chang Miao mobilized a large army out of Beiping City in the name of inviting the generals of Beiping to hunt together. The army stayed in the hunting ground for five days before returning to the city, but unbeknownst was that 15,000 of the cavalry had quietly disappeared into the mountains.

This cavalry only carried ten days' rations, and galloped all the way through the grasslands and mountains, with only one target for the long-distance attack, which was Xinyang City, the seat of the Liaodong Metropolitan Protectorate.

The hardships and hardships along the way are beyond anyone's imagination. The management has made full preparations, and Chang Miao's requirements for the cavalry are still far beyond the usual level of training. Including Chang Miao himself, the seven days of hellish torture they had experienced finally paid off, and they unknowingly bypassed the many checkpoints and came to this Sunjialing, which was less than twenty miles away from Xinyang City.

Standing on the top of the mountain looking at Chang Miao in Xinyang City, the corners of his mouth finally flashed a smile, this was the first time he had shown a smile since he arrived in Beiping. Chen Yunhai, the deputy general standing on the side, looked at the chief appointed by the imperial court, although he was not very convinced by this superior, but at least he fulfilled his promise and was able to sneak under Cheng Yun's nose with this army, and he should also fulfill his promise and completely obey his orders.

Chang Miao turned his head to Chen Yunhai and said, "General Chen, now that you have come to Xinyang City, the next thing is up to your officials." Whether Xinyang City can be conquered as scheduled depends on the hard work of the nobles. ”

"Yes! Subordinates obey! Chen Yunhai immediately clenched his fists and led his life.

Chengyun sent off the Goryeo envoy and returned to the palace satisfied. The diplomatic effort was a success: Goryeo agreed to his request for assistance, promising to provide support and, if necessary, to help him resist the imperial court's conquests. The price is only to pay tribute to Goryeo, and the Liaodong region can maintain its autonomy. The conditions were too good for Cheng Yun to fully believe in this promise, but since he had more than a month to prepare, he was fully confident that he would be able to take the army into his hands and complete the necessary defensive preparations at the same time. With the strength of the Liaodong army against the imperial court's armies that had not been in battle for a long time, coupled with Cheng Yun's own command ability, he was completely confident that he could hold on. Therefore, as long as Goryeo was on his side, it was enough, and he did not expect reinforcements in the first place.

The complacent Cheng Yun poured himself a glass of wine and celebrated a little. Then he sat down in front of the table and began to study the defense situation of the cities in eastern Liaodong.

At this time, Cheng Yun's eldest son Cheng Bolong hurriedly came in to reply to his life: "Qi Qi Father, the chiefs of all the departments in Liaodong will come to meet Father Marshal in the near future to show their obedience." ”

"Great, we're going to have a big feast and let the chiefs have a good time. Bolon, I'll leave this matter to you. ”

"Yes, Father."

Cheng Bolong was just about to retreat, and a herald rushed in from outside the door, shouting again and again: "My lord, my lord, my lord・・・・・・"

Cheng Bolong grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up: "What's the matter?" Speak well, what's in a hurry! ”

"Xicheng・・・・・・ there is ・・・・・・ a cavalry outside the city gate! I am approaching quickly! The herald stammered.

Cheng Yun took a step forward when he heard this, snatched the herald from his son's hand and asked, "Who is it!" How many? ”

The poor herald was forced to float in the air, and said in a trembling voice: "I can't see ・・・・・・ clearly, the sky is full of sand and dust, and it is estimated that there are no more than 10,000 ・・・・・・."

"Ten thousand ・・・・・・" Cheng Yun's hand unconsciously let go, and the unfortunate herald fell to the ground. Even more unfortunate than him is Chengyun himself, as if he has been pushed off a cliff. At this time, he realized that the imperial court had already decided to conquer, and the ministers sent by the imperial mission were just to stabilize themselves! Yang Lian, that little ghost, actually deliberately delayed her preparation time, and completely acted in front of her for a few days!

"Father! Father! Please let me lead the troops into battle, it's too late! Cheng Bolong saw his father stunned and hurriedly reminded him.

A word reminded Cheng Yun, and Cheng Yun finally retracted his mind and said: "Yes, you immediately lead 3,000 people to the West Gate, and be sure to block the enemy army!" ”

"Yes!" Cheng Bolong immediately took the order and ran out. Cheng Yun then said to the herald: "Quickly send orders to all departments, prepare for war immediately!" Prepare for battle now! ”

The herald agreed, and staggered out. In fact, the wavering in Cheng Yun's heart was far greater than the herald's footsteps. He knew in his heart that his troops had not completed the defensive preparations of Xinyang City at all, and even if they wanted to resist, it would not be able to last, not to mention what kind of blow the soldiers' psychology would suffer, and their morale could not be maintained in this situation.

During the time that Cheng Yun put on the armor, the entire Metropolitan Protectorate had become a mess, and the heralds went in and out like shuttles, bringing all the bad news.

"The army that came has been ascertained, it is Chen Yunhai of the Jizhou army!"

"The enemy has reached the west gate, and the west gate guards will not have time to close the city gate! The enemy has stormed the city gates! It's at war! ”

"The other party declared that our army was a rebel, and it was in accordance with the emperor's holy decree to quell the rebellion, and only arrested the first evil, and never asked!"

"Ximen guard Chen Ziyu has surrendered to the enemy!"

"General Xiaocheng is engaged in a bloody battle with the enemy troops entering the city! The battle situation is unfavorable! ”

The more Cheng Yun listened, the more anxious he became, and what he was most afraid of still happened: once the imperial court declared itself a rebel, it was a big question how many troops would be on his side. Now it turns out that the fall of the human heart is beyond containment. At that moment he shouted, "Someone! Prepare your horse and raise your gun! I'm out myself! At this moment, Cheng Yun's second son, Cheng Zhonghu, rode straight into the Metropolitan Protectorate and shouted, "Father! A cavalry also appeared at the North Gate! About 3,000 people! ”

"What?" Cheng Yun's eyes were blurred: the north gate was the weakest gate in Xinyang City, and if he attacked from here, the situation would be even worse.

"Father, if the north gate is seized, our retreat will be gone, so it's better to take this opportunity to break through and go to Liaoyang City! The city there is high and the food is sufficient, and the soldiers there are all your father's old department, please go there and plan for the future. ”

Cheng Yun knew that his son's words were correct, and there was no way out now. "But your brother ・・・・・・"

"Father, don't worry, you go first, I will definitely rescue my eldest brother! Let's meet again in Liaoyang City! After Cheng Bohu finished speaking, he turned the horse's head and left.

Cheng Yun looked up to the sky and sighed, gritted his teeth, got on his horse and left the Duhu Mansion, and went straight to the north gate.