Yang Liang said impatiently: "You two, you can't fight, you can't defend it, Jinyang is our foundation, this Artemisia Ze has no danger to defend, if it is as Wang Senjun said, there will be heavy rain in the afternoon, and it will be too late for us to evacuate." ”

Wang Yan couldn't care about taking care of Yang Liang's face, and said sharply: "But has the king ever thought that those soldiers who follow you will be with us and willing to return to Jinyang?" You also know what we came out for this time, if our army didn't take the initiative to go forward, but trapped in Jinyang, I am afraid that the soldiers would have been astigmatized a long time ago. ”

Yang Liang shouted dissatisfiedly: "But did you stop the soldiers from escaping when they came out?" It's not the same that thousands of people became deserters overnight, and we alone caught six or seven hundred heads, even if we stayed in Jinyang, it would be nothing more than that. Besides, after returning to Jinyang, as soon as the city gate was closed, they couldn't get out of the city even if they wanted to, so they could only fight to the death. ”

Wang Fei was so anxious that he stomped his feet and said, "O king, if the hearts of the people are scattered, can this team still be carried?" You take the initiative to meet the enemy, and the soldiers can still fight, because you personally led them out of the city, giving them courage, and we have been propagating in the army in the previous stage that the officers and soldiers have been killing and surrendering the soldiers, leaving no one alive, which can also make them fearful. ”

Xiao Maha took over the conversation and said: "Wang joined the army and said well, the military heart must not be checked, the soldiers are not animals without feelings and thoughts, they can survive in the death only when they come here to fight, if they don't fight a battle, they will go back to Jinyang directly, I am afraid that the people who follow the king into the city will be less than one in ten." ”

Yang Liang was furious, and kicked the handsome case, directly shocking the military reports and arrows stacked on the handsome case. He yelled with a red face and a thick neck: "Hit? How to fight? Which of you two would dare to say that your plan will succeed? ”

Yang Liang pointed at Wang Gong and said, "You claim to be like a god." When he persuaded Gu to go out of Jinyang, he swore that Yang Sujun went over the mountains and mountains. Another big battle with Zhao Zi is already the end of the crossbow, and even Jiezhou will give up when he hears the news of my army, and he will definitely surrender to the Bird Mouse Valley. But what is opposite this Artemisia now? Did Yang Su's soldiers fall from the sky?! ”

Yang Liang saw Wang Gong bowing his head with shame, and turned to Xiao Maha again: "You also claim to be experienced in a hundred battles, and when you were in Jinyang, you patted your chest and said that as long as you lead the army, if you encounter an enemy army after the battle, you can make the enemy flee when you encounter a charge." But the result? The enemy did not flee, but our soldiers kept fleeing! ”

"After coming to this Artemisia Ze, your invincible General Xiao has no confidence in winning, and he will only say that there is a way to persist in it! Hmph, Lone wants to insist, but what do you do to deal with Li Zixiong's soldiers and horses behind him? Once the city of Jinyang is broken, the families of these generals and staff members under the lone hand will become prisoners of others, and then my army will really collapse without a fight. ”

Xiao Maha was unconvinced, and said: "For the general, you must put yourself in the shoes of the general to grasp the overall situation, Xiao and Wang Senjun have disputes over the specific fighting style. But they all decided that retreating without a fight was the least option to make. Great, you must think twice. ”

Wang Jun also raised his head. He persuaded bitterly: "Wang is incompetent, and he underestimated Yang Su's determination, but I didn't expect him to dare to go out with tired troops and confront our army across the lake." ”

"But this just gives our army an opportunity, if we go around the lake now, turn to Yang Su's side, and then rush into the enemy camp with the help of heavy rain, we will definitely be able to win a great victory! When the time comes, it will be too late to turn around and deal with Li Zixiong. King, don't raise the morale of others and destroy your own prestige! ”

Yang Liang took off his helmet fiercely and threw it to the ground hard, only to hear the sound of "dang", the helmet bounced on the ground, and fell to Xiao Maha's feet, Xiao Maha quickly retracted his foot, so that he was not smashed.

Yang Liang's eyes widened, even the roots of his neck became red, his hair rose like a hedgehog's barb, he pointed at Wang Hao and scolded: "If you detour to Yang Su's side, you will definitely be able to win?" You said that Yang Su's soldiers climbed the Huoshan Road for four days and were tired soldiers, but why were these tired soldiers able to wipe out Zhao Zikai's hundreds of thousands of elites in one day? Could it be that Zhao Zikai's soldiers are all dead people?! ”

"And you said that there will be heavy rain in the afternoon, but this morning is a clear sky, I don't say whether it will rain in the afternoon, just say what you are talking about dozens of miles of detours, surprise attack on Yang Su's camp, is Yang Su also a dead man? Won't scouts be sent within ten miles of the camp? Whether the nearly 100,000 people of our army can run to their side in half a day is not to mention for the time being, even if they do, people will not know? Will you be unprepared? ”

"At that time, if we lose the battle, and then it rains heavily and the roads are muddy as you said, then our army will not be able to withdraw if it wants to, and it will only be annihilated! Wang Fei, no matter what you do, you are gambling and speculating! These 100,000 people are the last bit of money I have to give, and it is impossible for you to invest in this gamble that has no chance of winning. ”

Yang Liang spewed out so many words like a cannonball, making Wang Fei stand still and have nothing to say.

Yang Liang was still puzzled, and turned to Xiao Maha: "As for your method, Gu also understands it, it is nothing more than waiting for death here." Yang Su is not a fool, it is impossible to take the initiative to cross the lake to attack as you think, and give us the opportunity to attack halfway. Don't forget, we still have Li Zixiong's stinger north of Jinyang, if you don't pull it out, how can you spend it with Yang Su here! ”

Xiao Maha started to speak, as if to refute, but Yang Liang raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

Yang Liang's voice became higher and higher, almost shouting: "I have made up my mind, there is no need to say more!" Since you came out of Jinyang, Gu was not optimistic about your plan, and at that time, Gu wanted to go north to defeat Li Zixiong's Youzhou soldiers, and then turn back to deal with Yang Su. If you hadn't believed the nonsense that your king had joined the army, and thought that Yang Su was really the end of the crossbow, he wouldn't have come to this damn Artemisia Ze if he was killed alone. ”

Wang Fei stomped his foot fiercely and said: "But has the king thought about it, what will the soldiers think, they will definitely think that even the king is afraid of the officers and soldiers in front of him, and wants to flee without a fight, we told them that we will go back to Jinyang to fight Li Zixiong first, but will they think so?" Can we stop them from escaping? ”

Yang Liang was so angry that he suddenly pulled out the long sword on his waist, raised his hand and waved it, and directly cut off a corner of the handsome case. He stared at Wang Fei. The eyes seem to be about to breathe fire. shouted loudly: "It is you generals and strategists who are responsible for preventing the soldiers from escaping, what is the military law going to do?" Do you still need to talk about it? As long as Lone can return to Jinyang, with the strength of Jinyang's city, it will not be a problem to defend it for a year and a half, and someone will definitely respond at that time. ”

Xiao Maha shook his head and said, "Has the king forgotten the battle against Goguryeo?" The last general remembers clearly, and the situation was similar to now. After the expedition, there was heavy rain, muddy roads, epidemics rampant in the army, and lack of food and grass, and the morale of the army finally collapsed. ”

"The king, you had to give the order for the whole army to retreat, but the soldiers who returned to Zhuo County, the place of departure, did not return one out of ten, this incident was six or seven years ago, and the king joined the army and experienced it personally. What is the use of military discipline for an army that only wants to flee for its life? ”

Yang Liang's whole body was trembling. Xiao Maha uncovered a scar in the deepest part of his heart, the fiasco of the expedition to Goguryeo was the biggest defeat in his life (if not counting this rebellion), and also left an indelible imprint on his heart, even after many years, he was awakened from nightmares from time to time, Yang Liang covered his ears and shouted: "Don't say it, don't say it, I don't want to hear it!" ”

Xiao Maha didn't stop, and continued: "Great King, last time you were defeated, the entire Great Sui is your rear, as long as you flee back to Zhuo County, you can still save your life, and the emperor will also tolerate you and be your strong backing, but what about this time?" If you escape back to Jinyang like this, will you be able to make a comeback like last time? ”

Yang Liang laughed angrily, he put down his hands covering his ears, his eyes were full of fierce light, staring at Xiao Maha, as if he was about to breathe fire, and said word by word: "Xiao Maha, do you want to say that this king has always been a defeated general, and he almost wiped out the entire army last time, so this time is the same?" ”

Xiao Maha panicked suddenly, waved his hand again and again, and said: "That's not the case, the king, you misunderstood the meaning of the last general, the last general just said that this time the shape of our army is even more severe than last time, and there is no way back, you must not misunderstand the last general's sincerity to you!"

There was a sneer on the corner of Yang Liang's mouth, murderous intent in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "In this case, in order not to repeat the mistakes of last time, Gu decided to withdraw his troops before the heavy rain fell and the roads were muddy, so that it would not be like last time." Also, General Lao Xiao led 20,000 elite soldiers to resist the pursuit of Yang Su's old thief. ”

Xiao Maha glanced at Wang Yan, and saw that he also had a wry smile on his face, knowing that the wood had been completed, and Yang Liang's murderous intention had been revealed, and if he said one more word, he was afraid that the difference in his body was in front of him.

Xiao Maha sighed, bowed his head and said, "Obey the king's orders." Since Xiao Mou was put under the command of the king, the king has not given up, and he has always been favored, and today is the time for me Xiao Maha to break my bones and repay the king's kindness. "The words are full of the vicissitudes of the hero's end.

Yang Liang waved his hand impatiently: "It's just a broken end, how can there be such a life and death, is it possible that General Xiao is really old, and even the courage is no longer what he was back then?" ”

Xiao Maha's white hair floated up without wind, and he said angrily: "Xiao Maha will always be the general who treats thousands of enemy troops like dung, he has never been afraid of anyone in this life, and he will not be in the next life!" The king led the army on the road with peace of mind, and Xiao arrived later! ”

After Xiao Maha finished speaking, he angrily threw off the big red cloak and walked out of the tent without looking back, leaving only the sneering Yang Liang and the helpless Wang Hao still in the tent.

Wang Hao sighed and said to Yang Liang: "Although General Xiao has spoken nothing and contradicted the king, you are indeed loyal to the king, and there is really no need for you to throw him behind and send him to death." ”

Yang Liang's eyes turned to Wang Yan, his face was indifferent, and even his voice was as cold and ruthless as the wind and snow in the cold days: "Wang joins the army, do you also want to say something?" Listen to Lonely, who made Lone really a lonely person now, and you are the only one left?!"

Wang Hao shook his head: "I am only shallow in my studies, how dare I point to the king one or two, one is only the king's head is looking forward, but I have been friends with General Xiao for many years, and I want to tell him a few words before he leads the army." General Xiao is brave and martial, but his strategy is slightly insufficient, so he also sent him one or two clever plans to help him retreat from the enemy, and asked the king for permission. ”

Yang Liang snorted disdainfully from his high nostrils, and said, "All of them are as if they are dead, as for them?!" It's really annoying, go and go. He waved impatiently, and finally turned around. He didn't look at the king anymore.

Wang Hao hurried out of the big tent. From a distance, I saw Xiao Maha alone at the horse pen dozens of steps away, ready to turn over and get on the horse. He hurriedly shouted: "General Xiao, please stay and listen to me!" ”

Xiao Maha heard Wang Maha's shout, was slightly stunned, and jumped off the horse again, just at this moment Wang Hao also ran all the way to Xiao Maha's face, took Xiao Maha's hand, and sighed: "General Xiao, I can't imagine that you and I are loyal to the king." But in exchange for this result. He said with a burst of sadness, almost to tears.

Xiao Maha was also discouraged when he came out of the account, and when he saw Wang Hao like this, he felt unbearable, he patted Wang Hao holding his hand, and said, "The matter has come to this, what's the use of saying this?" It's better to have your own destiny. Wang joined the army, Xiao is afraid that he will not be able to return to Jinyang, and the king still needs you to take more care of him, as long as he returns to Jinyang. With this centuries-old fortified city, it may be able to resist for a while. ”

Wang Jun lifted his sleeves. wiped his eyes, but took a step forward and said in a low voice: "General Xiao, are you still thinking about working for that arrogant fool?" Don't you want to leave yourself a way back? ”

Xiao Maha was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then turned his face full of anger, and said in a deep voice: "Wang Hao, what do you mean by this? Want to rebel against the king? ”

Wang Fei was so anxious that he hurriedly pointed his finger to his lips, made a gesture of boosing, and said, "General Xiao, I know that you are a loyal person, but after Lord Chen, is it necessary for someone like Yang Liang to be loyal?" They can't listen to the advice, the defeat is already decided, why bother to follow him to the grave? I have a plan that may save the lives of both of our families. ”

Xiao Maha grabbed Wang Fei's neckline, his eyes were like electricity, staring coldly at the face in front of him, the hot breath he exhaled was almost spraying on Wang Fei's face, his voice was low and majestic, and said: "Wang Fei, don't forget that we have sworn to the gods in front of King Han, we must be loyal to him, is your oath so cheap?" ”

The smile on Wang Hao's face was a little evil, he gently pushed away Xiao Maha's big hand that was clutching his iron tongs, straightened his clothes unhurriedly, glanced around, and found that the nearest soldier was also more than twenty steps away, doing his own thing, as if he hadn't heard the conversation between himself and Xiao Maha at all.

Wang Hao lowered his voice and said, "General Xiao, you don't need to be so righteous and strict, you can die generously for your oath, but don't you want to think about the dozens of people in your Xiao family?" Don't you want to think about your only seedling son who is now uncertain about his life and death? ”

When Xiao Maha heard this, his face suddenly turned pale, his lips trembled, he took two steps back, and said in a trembling voice: "Don't say it again!" ”

Wang Hao sneered, took a step forward, and stared at Xiao Maha tightly: "Don't worry, I didn't plan to let you mutiny or capture Yang Liang to surrender to the official army, because that would be a dead end!" Now anyone with a discerning eye can see that our defeat is decided, and at this time, betraying the lord to save glory is only adding to the infamy, and cannot exchange it for his own life. ”

Xiao Maha calmed down, stood firm, and said, "Since you also know that this is the result, why should you be stubborn and do that unrighteous thing? ”

Wang Fei was stunned at first, and then laughed loudly, causing several soldiers in the distance to look at each other for a while, Wang Fei turned his head and glared at the soldiers fiercely, so frightened that they hurriedly turned their heads, not daring to look here again.

After glaring at Xiao Bing, Wang Hao put on a smiling face, and smiled at Xiao Maha and said: "I'm afraid General Xiao misunderstood what Wang meant, what Wang said was to make a plan early, which means to leave a way back for himself and his family." The goal of you and me is too big, and we are the masterminds of this uprising, even if we go to the ends of the earth, I am afraid it will be difficult to escape the pursuit of the imperial court, unless ......"

When Wang Yan said this, he suddenly stopped and did not speak, the expression on his face became extremely strange, and he looked around vigilantly.

Xiao Maha listened attentively, but was interrupted suddenly, his heart was impatient, and he hurriedly said: "When are you still selling guanzi here, what should I do?" Say it! ”

Wang Hao smiled slightly, lowered his voice, as low as a mosquito, took a step forward, put his mouth to Xiao Maha's ear and said, "I'm afraid there is only the road left to flee north to the Turks." ”

Xiao Maha was shocked, and said in a lost voice: "How did you think of colluding with foreign captives?" ”

Wang Yan shook his head: "What kind of captives are captives and captives, the ones who can help are friends!" Besides, when the army was raised the month before, didn't the king send Qiao Zhongkui and Pei Wenan to lead the most elite dragoon escort troops to attack Daizhou in the north? It's not about opening up contact with the Turks. If it weren't for their incompetence, they wouldn't have been able to capture even a small Daizhou, and we would have become friends with the Turks by now. ”

Xiao Maha did not participate in Yang Liang's decision to take the Shuo Dynasty in the north and unite with the Turks, and it was very strange for a while why Yang Liang sent the most elite troops to attack a small Daizhou in the north, instead of using it to pass through the important places in the Central Plains such as Hebei and Henan.

Xiao Maha now understood everything when he heard Wang Yan say it, and said with a long sigh: "I see! ”

Wang Jun continued: "But now that Daizhou has not been captured, it is impossible for the Turkic reinforcements to come, since the king has no intention of fighting Yang Su here, then there is only one thing we can do now, which is to find a way to leave a way back for ourselves and flee to the Turks." (To be continued......)