But Gao Xingzhou soon discovered that once the prisoners were recruited, there would be insufficient manpower. Speaking of which, some people wonder, why is there not enough manpower? Didn't Gao Xingzhou have 1,500 horsemen under him?

This is a good point, but Gao Xingzhou only brought more than 130 people with him this time, got off his horse, took off his heavy armor, just took a light weapon, and came by shortcut. Although these shortcuts are close, they are very difficult to walk, and they often become the target of the crossbowmen who close the Yanmen, so no one walks in peace.

However, today's civil strife in Yanmen Pass gave Gao Xingzhou a chance to bring soldiers and horses to the shortcut to kill. This is also because He Gongming was on the mountainside before he saw Lu Dragoon, but now he suddenly went up to the Yanmen Pass on the mountain.

However, the defenders on the Yanmen Pass didn't know how many people had come, and they instinctively thought that the Lu Longjun on the mountain had come. There were 1,500 people, and the Lu Long Army had always been stronger than the Hedong Army since Li Cunhuan took the throne. The most important thing is that now the main general Wu Zhen was assassinated by He Gongming and died. Each of the six commanders disobeyed each of them. Otherwise, He Gongming would not have supported him until now. As a result, the 1,000 defenders of Yanmen Pass were killed by more than 240 soldiers and scattered.

However, Gao Xingzhou found that if he did not collect the surrendered troops, it would be easy for the surrendered troops to surrender and reverse, and he even intercepted his own back road. But once it is closed, the soldiers under his command will inevitably be insufficient, and it is easy for the other party to gather up their troops and horses and resist stubbornly. Thinking of this, Gao Xingzhou's eyes couldn't help but show a fierce light, and he was just about to give an order not to accept prisoners, but soon this became a new problem.

Killing the captives doesn't seem to be a big problem, but isn't that the heart of the Yanmen Pass defenders surrendering? Wouldn't they resist to the death? If there are no Tatars outside, or if Gao Xingzhou's soldiers and horses have an overwhelming advantage, they can capture Yanmen Pass before the Tatars come, which is nothing, but the problem, Gao Xingzhou does not have both situations.

"What should I do? If you procrastinate, it's easy for the other party to discover their true number? Gao Xingzhou is secretly anxious, but fortunately not only Gao Xingzhou sees this situation.

He Gongming also saw that he may not be as smart as Gao Xingzhou, but he is different from Gao Xingzhou, he is more familiar with the situation than Gao Xingzhou. He quickly came up with a solution. "Brothers! Now that the army of Lu Long is here, do you still want to fight to the end? Those who surrender are exempt from death, and those who are beheaded by generals will be given their official positions! ”

After speaking, he ordered his soldiers: "Release the prisoners and let them take up arms!" ”

The soldiers of the third battalion were okay, but the cavalry brought by Gao Xingzhou did not obey the order at all. When Gao Xingzhou heard this, he immediately understood He Gongming's intentions, and commanded loudly: "They are all brothers who abandon the darkness and turn to the light, don't worry!" Let them take up arms and kill the thieves! ”

The defenders of Yanmen Pass all secretly said in their hearts, this time it can't be stopped, and now that they kill the officer, wouldn't they be able to make a profit? In particular, many generals usually say that they are wrongdoers, and they dare not speak out because of their superiority and humility. Now that there is a chance for revenge, and when there is a time to get glory and wealth, how can there be no one who will not be poisoned?

There is even more simply just to get an official position, and everyone in the generals is in danger for a while, but there are always more soldiers than generals. But in an instant, the senior generals could still say that the low-level ones, the ten generals, the team leaders, and all the heads were all killed. In terms of numbers, although it has not decreased much, Gao Xingzhou is also relieved, without a leader, these Yanmen Pass soldiers may not be able to set off much of a storm.

"Commander He, please bring people and horses to control important places!" Gao Xingzhou did not fight for merit at this time, he knew that what he had to rely on at this time was not the sword, but the familiarity of He Gongming, the head snake, with Yanmen Pass.

He Gongming was not polite, nodded his head, and led the soldiers to kill. From time to time, soldiers joined He Gongming's ranks. He Gongming's ability was also good, and he soon took the West Gate, the North Gate, the arsenal and the granary. However, the matter is not over, and several commanders are now also in a group, leading the soldiers to occupy a section of the north gate of the city wall, stubbornly resisting.

The Tatars also seemed to have noticed the convulsion at the Yanmen Pass, and the soldiers accelerated their speed and advanced in the direction of the Yanmen Pass.

However, at the critical moment, Gao Xingzhou's soldiers and horses finally arrived. Gao Xing waved the steel cone bright silver spear in his hand on Monday, "Kill!" Not a single one to stay! ”

At this time, Gao Xingzhou showed his ruthless nature, and he knew that these Yanmen Pass soldiers who were still stubbornly resisting until now would definitely not be able to forgive. Otherwise, how can you stand your way?

"Put!" The commander of Yanmen Pass, who resisted stubbornly, couldn't help but hurriedly ordered, and from time to time he looked down the mountain, the Tatars had already stepped halfway up the mountain, and they only needed to hold on for a quarter of an hour! It's only a quarter of an hour! Hang on! Be sure to hold on!

"Whoosh! Sou! Sou! ”

A rain of arrows shot out like a storm.

"Hmm!" One of the soldiers of the Lu Long Army who was shot down couldn't help but snort, but I have to say that the equipment of the Lu Long Army soldiers was much better than that of the defenders of Zhiyanmen Pass. Each of them was dressed in bright light armor, with two palm-sized steel plates on their chests, and helmets designed to defend against arrows on their heads. Although the arrow is powerful, it will not make people lose their combat effectiveness if they do not hit the vital place.

In this way, people have the illusion that the arrows have no effect on Lu Longjun. The defenders of Yanmen Pass couldn't help but scratch.

"Rush forward! Lao Tzu still doesn't believe it, they are not afraid of swords, guns, swords, halberds! The commander commanded with a little horror, but he soon regretted his order.

The pro-soldiers rushed forward, which did cause damage to Lu Longjun, and there was a lot of damage. Because the elite degree of the pro-soldiers is stronger than that of the Lu Long Army, there are even local situations where one or two are not at a disadvantage. But the commanders of the problem, together with their own soldiers, add up to just over a hundred people. How can you consume more than 1,000 people on the other side?

However, Gao Xingzhou did not have time to be happy, and began to secretly get anxious, because now there was only a quarter of an hour left, if he could not completely control the Yanmen Pass before the Tatars came, I am afraid that the fruits of victory in his hands would have to be given to others. But judging from the current situation, I am afraid that it will be difficult to solve all these enemies in a quarter of an hour.

"General Gao, what should I do now? The enemy is so elite that they won't be able to take down this short wall in a quarter of an hour! "It's not just Gao Xingzhou who found the problem, even He Gongming has also found it.

Gao Xingzhou was sweating profusely in a hurry, and did not speak, but climbed the city wall, sometimes watching the fierce battle on the city wall, and sometimes watching the progress of the Tatars below. But he couldn't find a way to deal with it, Gao Xingzhou reluctantly ordered the soldiers on the side: "You go to the back to see if the army of the marshal is coming!" If you don't come, send someone to urge! ”

"No!" The soldier hurriedly answered, turned around and ran away.

After Gao Xingzhou waited for his soldiers to leave, he was even more anxious and restless, standing at the head of the city to watch the progress of the Tatars, and feeling anxious. Sitting on the head of the city and resting for a while, he felt as if the Tatars had come under the walls, and immediately stood up and looked down from the walls. The forehead was already oozing with sweat full of anxiety. He Gongming, the big old man, was even more worried, and he couldn't wait to kill him with a knife. Helplessly, the city wall is so big, it has already been crowded with attacking Lu Longjun soldiers, even if He Gong knows how to do it, I'm afraid he won't be able to fly over.

It didn't take long for the soldiers sent out to come back, and when Gao Xing saw the other party on Monday, he walked forward quickly, took the other party's hand, and asked anxiously, "How is it?" Is the festival marshal coming? There's still time for a cup of tea (10 minutes)! ”

The pro-soldier also knew that Gao Xingzhou was in a hurry, so he was not polite, and said directly: "Not yet!" Jieshuai has just reached the halfway point of the mountain, and it will take a quarter of an hour at the earliest! However, the villain has already sent someone up to urge, and I'm afraid it will come a few minutes sooner. ”

"Hey!" When Gao Xingzhou heard this, he didn't make any moves, and He Gongming, who was listening with his ears pricked up, had already stomped his feet and said anxiously: "How fast is this to beat the Tatars!" Isn't this about to control Yanmen, but he has killed a Cheng biting gold! ”

Gao Xingzhou suddenly gritted his teeth, revealing a resolute look. Resolutely said: "Now the only way is to take risks!" Otherwise, the Tatars will come up, and once the Tatars come, we will have to fight them! ”

"What else can be risked in this situation!" When He Gongming heard this, he couldn't help but be more anxious and muttered.

"Someone! Open the gates! Gao Xingzhou said resolutely.

When He Gongming and the soldiers heard this, they couldn't help but be surprised. Wouldn't opening the gates make it easier for the enemy to enter? Although the soldiers who stubbornly resisted occupied a section of the wall, there was still a chance to resist the enemy's attack and drive the enemy off the wall, although the probability was not very high, at most only one or two percent. But in any case, it is much better than opening the gates of the city, and if the enemy does not eat you, will it not send sheep into the mouth of the tiger?

"And the city will be replaced with Lu Long's banner!" Gao Xingzhou issued an order again.

He Gongming hesitated for a moment and said, "General Gao, do you want to think about it again?" ”

"Don't think about it anymore, open the gates! Change the flag! If something goes wrong, I'll take care of everything! "Gao Xingzhou cut the railway.

"The last general...... Yes, sir! Gao Xingzhou's generals hesitated for a while, but finally chose to obey.

The gate, which had been closed, slowly opened with a screeching sound, and the flag that had not had time to be taken off at the head of the city was replaced with a flag symbolizing Lu Long. One is a large banner with Qin characters written on it, and the other is to distinguish Li Ke's Li character banner with the red edge and yellow background of the black with the yellow edge, the red background and the yellow background of the black man.

The Tatar army, which had been struggling to advance, could not help but fall into a kind of agitation, and it was obvious that the Tatars below had a fierce dispute, and some generals wanted to retreat, thinking that this was a Han annihilation plan, and the fight above was to lure them forward. Some generals believed that this was just an empty plan of the Han people, and they were determined to move forward.

Obviously, however, facing an empty door is obviously more intimidating than a closed door. The gates were closed, and the Tatars knew it must have been a bloody siege. But the empty door makes it impossible to figure out what is inside, it is like walking in a place where it is so dark that you can't see anything, although you know that this place is flat all the way and there is no danger, but it still makes people nervous. This is the case with the Tatars now, and they are stunned for about half a cup of tea. In the end, they chose to retreat.

The retreat of the Tatars caused the stubbornly resisting commanders and personal soldiers to fall sharply. Some people who are not strong-willed began to choose to surrender. But Gao Xingzhou's determination this time was very firm, and he personally said to the generals who came to ask for instructions: "Kill!" How can you surrender so easily! Are you a soft persimmon when I Lu Longnai can't be? If you want to pinch it, if you want to surrender, you will surrender! ”

"No!" The generals who received the order did not raise objections, and it seems that the generals below thought the same, but just in case, I came to ask Gao Xing for a while.

By the time Zhou Dewei entered Yanmen Pass, Yanmen Pass had already become a country of blood. The ditches of the streets flowed with a black-red liquid, and the pungent smell of blood filled the air. Corpses can be seen everywhere, and from time to time a group of dejected soldiers can be seen being escorted by the arrogant Lu Longjun, not knowing where to go.

"The last general Gao Xingzhou, I have seen the festival handsome!"

"Descend to He Gongming, meet the envoy of the festival!"

Zhou Dewei didn't go forward for long, and he met Gao Xing Zhou and He Gongming who rushed to greet him, compared to Zhou Dewei, He Gongming was obviously much more formal and respectful. This probably has a lot to do with his identity as a general, and he is cautious.

Zhou Dewei turned over and dismounted, walked quickly to Gao Xingzhou and He Gongming, supported them with one hand, and said with a smile: "It's hard for two people, it's okay to travel Zhou." The Gongming brothers are so pretentious, don't they recognize the brother Zhou Dewei? Today, if it weren't for the help of the Gongming brothers, this Yanmen Pass doesn't know how many man's surnames would have to be sacrificed! ”

He Gongming changed his arrogance in front of everyone, and said gratefully: "If it wasn't for Brother Zhou's intercession, I'm afraid that little brother and I would have died under that ghostly knife!" ”

Zhou Dewei sighed when he heard this: "This is the cause and effect of what Buddhism says!" ”

When Gao Xingzhou heard this, he couldn't help but be very curious, he thought that He Gongming's surrender was lured by Zhou Dewei with a high-ranking official. Now when I heard it, it seemed that there was still something unknown to everyone, and I couldn't help asking: "Jie Shuai, Commander He, what kind of medicine are you buying and selling in this gourd?" ”

He Gongming glanced at Zhou Dewei, and Zhou Dewei smiled: "It's just some old things back then, and it's nothing to say it!" ”

When He Gongming heard this, he said with a sigh on his face: "At the beginning, my father was the chief of a small tribe in Tuyuhun, and he was under the jurisdiction of the leader of Helian Duo, who was awarded to Yunzhou for his merits for defeating Li Keyong's father and son. But then Li Ke took revenge, Yunzhou was breached, my father was also killed in battle, and many of his men were captured and surrendered. I was also taken prisoner at the time. Because I am a powerful person in Tuyuhun, I should have been beheaded. But Brother Zhou said to Li Keyong at the time: 'Now is the time to seek the world, how can you kill this strong man, isn't this self-cutting arm? Li Ke used what he said and expressed his deep agreement, which made the supervisor let me go. And now I am only contributing a mere Yanmen Pass, how can I repay the grace of saving my life? ”

When Gao Xingzhou heard this, he was also embarrassed, and said: "I really can't imagine that I will get such a strong pass with a word in the past!" The festival commander is really a good person and has a good reward! ”

Zhou Dewei smiled: "It's just that I just happened to encounter this thing, okay, let's not talk about it, what happened to the Tatars?" ”

When He Gongming heard this, he immediately said: "This is thanks to General Gao, who used the empty city plan, so that the Tatars could not figure out the situation of Yanmen Pass, and they were about to reach Yanmen Pass, and finally retreated in disbelief." ”

Hearing this, Zhou Dewei nodded, cast an appreciative look at Gao Xingzhou, and immediately said, "Okay!" However, the Tatars should not be underestimated, and it is difficult to guarantee that there are capable people among them who can see through your plan. Now it's time to arm now! ”

Gao Xingzhou nodded when he heard this, but he seemed to think of something, hesitated, and asked, "How to deal with the Hedong Army's troops in this battle?" Their families are all in Taiyuan Mansion, and I am afraid they will not do their best to help in the war. But there is some trouble to stay, and the most important thing is that His Highness has never recruited guest soldiers into the army. These people are quite difficult to deal with. ”

Zhou Dewei hesitated for a moment and said, "Well, this matter is indeed troublesome. Brother Gongming, I will play His Royal Highness now, and please be appointed as the guard of Yanmen Pass for you. You will send people to screen these soldiers and horses, and give them weapons if they can be used. If they can't use it, they will be put aside and sent home after the war. ”

But he didn't want He Gongming to hear this, but he shook his head and said, "No! Brother Zhou, no! Jie Shuai, a certain family doesn't want to suffer in this bird place. The eldest husband should immediately seize the fame, and a certain family would rather not have the credit of this dedication, but only hope that the marshal can allow me to become a commander in the army! ”

When Gao Xingzhou heard this, he appreciated He Gongming even more, and said happily: "Okay! That's a good thing to say! There is a solar term! Husbands should be like this! The commander of the festival will be transferred to my command, and I am willing to serve as the deputy commander of the office, and wait for the vacant position. ”

When He Gongming heard this, he was even more happy, and cast a grateful look at Gao Xingzhou, and looked at Zhou Dewei expectantly. Zhou Dewei hesitated for a moment, and said: "I'm afraid I don't count this matter, let's report to His Highness for a decision!" ”

If it is at the level of commander and envoy, Zhou Dewei still has the right to decide, but only officers at the level of the wing are subject to Li Cunhuan's ruling. Although He Gongming has a lot of credit this time, it is enough to let him serve as the deputy commander of the chamber, but he has an iron relationship with Zhou Dewei, and Li Cunhuan is most afraid of his generals to install henchmen.

When He Gongming heard this, he couldn't help but show a little frustrated look, and was just about to say something. Gao Xingzhou on the side also suddenly understood Zhou Dewei's concerns, and pulled the sleeves of He Gongming. He Gongming frowned, but in the end he didn't say anything.

(To be continued)