During this time, Li Cunhuan felt like an immortal in the clouds, high above, indifferently observing everything. It's like a mortal who clearly sees reality, but is very helpless. Li Cunhuan did his best to send people to fly pigeons to deliver the news of Liu Rengong's betrayal and Zhu Youning's raid to Li Keyong.

However, I don't know if the news did not reach Li Keyong, or Li Keyong did not react after receiving the news, or he was disdainful. Anyway, what Li Cunhuan didn't want to see the most happened after all.

Zhu Youning Ming sent troops to Gaoyi, and exposed the route of the army. Li Cunjin, the Fifth Taibao guarding Baixiang, sent 2,000 troops, preparing to arrive in Gaoyi before Zhu Youning and defend the back road. But he didn't want this to be Zhu Youning's strategy, Zhu Youning defeated the 2,000 Hedong Army outside the city of Baixiang, and attacked Baixiang with the momentum of victory. Baixiang fell in a day, Zhu Youning didn't count, a fire burned millions of stone grain in Baixiang, and then led troops to occupy Gaoyi, which was easier to defend and difficult to attack, but the back road used by Li Ke was cut off cleanly.

At the same time, Zhu Wen made a decisive attack, sending troops to build a pontoon bridge in Shahe, and made Li Si'an withdraw in a heavy fog. Although in this battle, Zhu Wen lost nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses. But it was to surround Li Ke's 80,000 troops in Longgang. At the same time, he sent the general Ding Hui to attack Li Sizhao in Julu, but Li Sizhao had no choice but to lead his troops to retreat to Longgang.

Li Cunhuan knew that Li Ke was running out, not that Li Ke was going to die. Zhu Youning didn't have many soldiers and horses, and it was not difficult for Li Keyong to escape. But the 80,000 troops under Li Ke's hands were able to escape 10,000, and Li Ke's ancestral tomb was smoking.

"Ambush on all sides! Embattled! It is worthy of Jingxiang! Yang Shihou looked at the sand table and sighed.

Li Cunhuan couldn't sigh, Jing Xiang's strategy was mediocre at first glance, but he was proficient in the three essentials of decisiveness, ruthlessness, and fighting seven inches. The time of sending troops is very accurate and decisive, if it is a point slower, even if Li Keyong loses, he will not be defeated so badly, and he may even turn over with a salted fish. And the ruthlessness of Jing Xiang's methods is even more chilling. did not hesitate to use Li Si'an's 50,000 troops as bait, and even sacrificed 20,000 people, just for Zhu Youning's surprise soldiers all the way.

It's easy to say that it's ruthless, but if it's used well, it's ruthless, and if it's not used well, it's a trapped beast. Even if he wins, he will only kill 1,000 enemies and injure 800 himself. And this seven-inch hit is to give full play to Jing Xiang's ruthlessness. Not to mention the back road used by Li Ke, he also burned all the grain and grass used by Li Ke, and judging from the current situation, Li Keyong has at most three days of grain and grass left. Six or seven days later, even with a million troops, he was afraid that he could only lie on the ground and gasp for breath.

And in six or seven days, Li Cunhuan was completely unsure that he could save Li Keyong. Even if Li Cunhuan went to rescue Li Keyong at all costs, it was impossible for him to travel through more than ten cities in two states to Xingzhou to rescue Li Keyong in three days. And the long drive can only be done if the enemy does not react or has no ability to threaten the flanks and rear lanes. Otherwise, Li Cunhuan will have to clean up Luo Hongxin in Weizhou, and a big battle will be defeated, and it will take half a month to solve it, not to mention. At that time, if Li Keyong was still in Xingzhou, I am afraid that Li Cunhuan would go to Xingzhou, and I am afraid that it would be for Li Keyong to collect the body. Oh no! If you want to collect Li Keyong's body, you have to look at Zhu Wen's mood, otherwise Zhu Wen's hatred for Li Keyong.

said that Zhu Wen used Li Ke to crush his bones and scatter ashes, Li Cunhuan believed that Zhu Wen, the butcher, could definitely do it. Even before crushing bones and scattering ashes, he would do things like whipping 300 corpses and violent corpses in the wilderness.

"What should we do now?" Li Cunhuan knew that there was no way to stop Zhu Wen, so the only thing he could do at the moment was to obtain the greatest benefits on the premise of preserving his strength in this tripartite war.

Yang Shihou glanced at Guo Chongtao, as if to say: This person is on the side, it's hard to say!

Preserving one's own interests will inevitably harm the interests of some people, and it is obvious that at the moment, Yang Shihou wants to give up Li Keyong as an ally. And Guo Chongtao, as Li Ke's agent in Lu Longjun, although he was asked by Li Cunhuan to come over, it still made people feel uneasy.

Li Cunhuan understood what Yang Shihou meant, but he didn't want to drive Guo Chongtao away. With a sincere face, he said to Guo Chongtao: "Brother Guo, there is a lack of a record by my side to join the army, I don't know if you are willing to take the position?" ”

Guo Chongtao is now a marching Sima, several levels higher than Lu Shi who joined the army. However, this is Li Cunhuan's invitation to join Lu Long, and he can't talk about things based on the size of his official position. If Guo Chongtao agrees, it is equivalent to becoming a member of Lu Long. Although Li Keyong is probably angry, it can be imagined how bright the future of Guo Chongtao, whom Li Cunhuan personally invited.

"This ......" Although Guo Chongtao knew that Li Cunhuan valued him, he didn't expect Li Cunhuan to try so hard to win him over.

Li Cunhuan gritted his teeth, and he was not afraid of shocking the world, and said to Guo Chongtao with a solemn expression: "I would like to ask Guo Qing to be the head of the staff and write the order for Lu Longzhong!" ”

The chief of staff is remarkable, and in the five generations, the general staff are all from the staff. Because the staff is also close to the Jiedu envoy, they are often entrusted with important tasks, serving as supervising the army, supporting envoys, and inspecting important things such as money and food in various places. There is also the Zhongshu Order, which is the real prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, holding the power of the prime minister. Li Cunhuan, the secretary of Lu Long, does not mean that he gave Guo Chongtao the official position of the book order, but that his power in Lu Long is equivalent to that of the prime minister.

"Your Highness! Please be careful! Yang Shihou had to speak, and his eyes were full of jealousy when he looked at Guo Chongtao.

"Your Highness! Please be careful! Park Jinghui and Yuan Xingqin couldn't sit still, so they hurriedly followed behind Yang Shihou and admonished.

Guo Chongtao was also stunned by Li Cunhuan's words, he couldn't imagine that Li Cunhuan valued him so much, and the conditions he gave were so tempting. Guo Chongtao had to admit that he had an urge to die for his confidant, and he never thought that he had no talent, but Li Cunhuan was the first person to appreciate him, and he may be the only one who was so bold to reuse him.

"Your Highness!" In Guo Chongtao's voice, there was a little more whimpering.

"Needless to say, I thought it through before I said that!" Li Cunhuan ignored the advice of Yang Shihou and others, and showed that he supported Guo Chongtao. When he spoke, he also looked at Guo Chongtao expectantly, hoping that Guo Chongtao would agree to his invitation.

"Your Highness!" Guo Chongtao didn't know why, he felt that his tongue and mouth were as stiff as stones, and it was particularly difficult to speak. "I ...... I'm afraid I'll let it down...... Your Highness is looking forward to it! ”

After saying this, Guo Chongtao seemed to have exhausted his body's strength, but the whole person was also a lot easier.

"Why?" Li Cunhuan's figure trembled suddenly, staring at Guo Chongtao, his domineering and even angry aura emanated, making people feel breathless.

Guo Chongtao sighed with a sad face and said: "Guo's family is in Taiyuan, and Guo thinks that Guo is just the talent of a secretary!" ”

Li Cunhuan knew that Guo Chongtao was agreeing to him in disguise, of course. If Li Cunhuan has no way to rescue Guo Chongtao's family, maybe Guo Chongtao will not take refuge in Li Cunhuan. After all, there are some people who value their families more than themselves. In addition, Li Cunhuan also found that his vigorous promotion had been hostile to Guo Chongtao by Yang Shihou and other old courtiers. Although Li Cunhuan said everything in Lu Long, he also had to take into account everyone's feelings.

Li Cunhuan pondered for a moment and said, "So Chongtao, you should stay by my side first!" ”

Li Cunhuan's words made Yang Shihou and others feel much better, especially Feng Dao and Han Yanhui, the two of them followed Li Cunhuan for four or five years, although they were trusted, but they were only a secretary in charge, and a recorder equivalent to a senior staff member joined the army. Guo Chongtao was tolerated there, but it took a few days to step on their heads and make a fortune.

Guo Chongtao nodded and said, "His Royal Highness values Guo so much, Guo has a plan here." Speaking of this, Guo Chongtao paused, walked to the side of the sand table, picked up a slender long bamboo branch, and gently tapped it on the focus of the sand table - Longgang. Although King Jin (Li Keyong) is trapped in Longgang, it is not difficult to escape. Longgang Xiangsi is Taihang Mountain, where there is no Xuanwu army arrangement, although the army can not cross, but a few people can still walk. So I dare to guarantee that the surname of King Jin is worry-free, but I am afraid that this army of 80,000 will ......" Speaking of this, Guo Chongtao shook his head.

Yang Shihou couldn't help it, and scolded: "Isn't Guo Sima going to talk this nonsense? ”

Guo Chongtao smiled lightly, a touch of annoyance flashed in his eyes, he coughed, and went straight to the point: "Then what Your Highness needs to do is not move, Your Highness's tens of thousands of troops are here, Zhu Wen doesn't dare to go north, to prevent the back road from being cut off." However, Li Ke used tens of thousands of troops to surrender to Zhu Wen over there, and cheapened Zhu Wen. By now, this war should be almost over! ”

"No!" Li Cunhuan shook his head and said with a firm gaze: "Zhu Wen will not end this war so easily. ”

Guo Chongtao's reaction was very fast, and he immediately thought of the crux of the problem. said: "Then he can only choose to attack Luzhou in the west, or go east to fight to the death with His Highness." ”

"I think Zhu Wen should choose the second one." Li Cunhuan's eyes showed a hint of war, as if he was looking forward to Zhu Wen's arrival.

"Then we just need to defend in Texas and not attack!" Guo Chongtao said in a deep voice, as if he didn't feel clear enough, and added: "I'm sending people from Yanzhou to raid Zhu Wen's base camp Bianzhou!" Whoever attacks the enemy will be saved! Zhu Wen must retreat, so that His Highness can take advantage of the situation to pursue and occupy some territory. ”

"Hah! Ha! I just like it! Li Cunhuan smiled happily.

"Your Highness, you still need to prevent Zhu Wen from going north alone!" Yang Shihou said worriedly.

"Don't worry, with Zhou Dewei here, Zhu Wen is not so easy to get cheap!" Li Cunhuan said with confidence on his face.

The development of events was not too unexpected as Guo Chongtao said, Li Keyong finally chose to abandon the army, and his henchmen and hundreds of soldiers crossed the Taihang Mountain and fled back to Hedong. After the 80,000-strong army broke through and lost more than 10,000 men in the first few days, the remaining 70,000 surrendered to Zhu Wen. Wang Rong also begged for an alliance with Zhu Wen. At this point, Guo Chongtao's 'prediction' was not very accurate, but what Yang Shihou was worried about happened.

Zhu Wen brazenly left 10,000 Caizhou soldiers to defend Li Cunhuan in Dezhou and the 70,000 troops who were guarding the reorganization in Xingzhou. And he personally led the remaining 50,000 elite soldiers to the north to the south gate of Youzhou, Yingzhou!

This caught Li Cunhuan a little off guard, although Zhu Wen's soldiers and horses were only 50,000, but Youzhou was only 30,000 soldiers and horses. And most of them are regimental training, and even native soldiers. The elite soldiers and horses were all transferred to his side by Li Cunhuan.

"Your Highness, Fu Cunxian and General Li Cunxiao have arrived at Yuanmen!" The soldier walked in to report. But Li Cunhuan didn't have the heart to pay attention to this, and Zhu Wen's punch hit him seven inches. Li Cunhuan regretted why he didn't listen to Yang Shihou's persuasion.

Seeing that Li Cunhuan had not moved for a long time, the soldiers who reported had no choice but to look at Pu Lechuan on the side with a pleading face, and Pu Lejiao had to repeat: "Your Highness, Fu Cunxian and General Li Cunxiao have arrived at Yuanmen, and Your Highness will go out to greet them!" ”

"Leji, you go and greet you." Li Cunhuan didn't pay attention to Park Le's proposal, and immediately ordered the soldiers on the side: "Beat the drum and gather the generals!" ”

In just a moment, the big tent of the Chinese army was crowded, and Li Cunhuan didn't care about this, he walked directly in front of Yang Shihou, and asked with a humble face: "Shihou, what do you think the current situation should be?" ”

Guo Chongtao was not convinced, walked up to Li Cunhuan, and said, "Your Highness, please believe General Zhou in this situation!" Otherwise, you will be busy with your life, and Yichang will lose! Yichang is lost, Wang Shifan must panic! Zhu Wen only needs to send a three-inch incorruptible tongue, and he will definitely be able to persuade Wang Shifan to kill Qin Tongliang! In this way, doesn't His Royal Highness want to hide in Mobei and live all his life? Is this the life of His Highness? ”

Yang Shihou pondered for a moment, and rarely did not object to Guo Chongtao's words, but agreed: "Your Highness! Let's listen to Chongtao's details, the last general can't think of any good way now! ”

Guo Chongtao's face turned pale, he knew that his previous wrong judgment had made Li Cunhuan lose his first move, and this time he came to make up for it after careful consideration. "Your Highness, Your Highness knows what the defense of Youzhou City is. What Your Highness needs to do now is to attack for attack! Sent troops to fight with Wei Boluo Hongxin, trying to cut off Zhu Wen's back road. However, I guess this is just to restrain Zhu Wen's energy. In addition, there will be a surprise soldier from Yanzhou! ”

"Hmm!" Li Cunhuan replied noncommittally, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Although so far, there is no news from Yanzhou. However, Zhu Wen may think too highly of Ge Congzhou, Liu Jun, this person, Xia Guan has met once, and knows that this person is meticulous, maybe not enterprising enough, but he has more than enough to defend the city! As long as Ge Congzhou hasn't captured Yanzhou for a day, Your Highness, your chance is there! The only worry now is how long Liu Jun can last! Guo Chongtao said with a solemn face.

Li Cunhuan nodded, his mind deep in thought, he wondered who to send to raid Zhu Wen's rear. Or he personally led the troops to raid, but should choose to take He General with him.

…… Yanzhou ...... It's already September, but there is no trace of a bumper harvest outside Yanzhou, and the fields outside the city are densely packed with tents, replacing the wheat fields that look like a sea of gold. To make Yanzhou City look even more dilapidated, from time to time you can see a white bone exposed from the loess on the yellow mud ground outside the city wall, or a broken sword that has rusted. silently tells the difficulties brought about by the war in Yanzhou over the years.

Looking at the tent outside, Liu Yan couldn't help but be full of worry. Half a year has passed since the occupation of Yanzhou, and if it weren't for Liu Yan's foresight, he hoarded grain and grass and planted grain in the deserted vacant land in the city. I'm afraid I can't hold it anymore. After all, Liu Jun's time to send troops was March, which was a time when there was no success. In addition, Yanzhou was already broken by Zhu Wen, and Liu Yan was able to get very little food in Yanzhou, if he hadn't been prepared early, he would have been trapped to death by Ge Congzhou.

Thinking of Ge Congzhou, Liu Congzhou's heart sank even more, although Ge Congzhou had no choice but to go to the dangerous Yanzhou City, he did not let Liu Congzhou have a way to break through or defeat him. Ge Congzhou didn't even have any scruples or frantically attack because his parents were in Yanzhou City, but handled everything very calmly. After many failed sieges, the wise choice of besieging the city seemed to be indifferent to the lives of the family members in the city.

In the face of such a calm opponent, Liu Yan admired it but was deeply jealous. He only hopes that Li Cunhuan can defeat Zhu Wen in Hebei now, otherwise he wants to retreat gloomily, and it is impossible. He was even going to die in this city. Liu Jun is not afraid of death, and he has had this consciousness since the day of Wu. Liu Yan's only regret is that he can't repay the kindness of Wang Jingwu and Wang Shifan.

Thinking of this, Liu Cheng couldn't help sighing, without him, Wang Shifan would be more difficult in Pinglu, and how many generals in Pinglu Liu Cheng knew better than Wang Shifan. Except for the ambitious Goguryeo Wang Jian, no one else had to worry.

Thinking of Wang Jian's ambitious eyes, Liu Yan couldn't help but be full of worry, he didn't know if after he died, Wang Shifan could control this tiger and not be counterattacked by the tiger.

Suddenly, Liu Yan showed a touch of self-deprecation on his face, and said secretly: He is already a mud bodhisattva and it is difficult to protect himself, and he is still in the mood to worry about other people, which is ridiculous! Ridiculous!

Liu Cheng put away the wry smile on his face, walked to the stairs in the city wall, and suddenly saw his cronie and cousin Liu Ziren running over with a panicked face. Liu Yan's heart sank, his cousin Liu Ziren has always been deeply loved by him, and his surname is a little similar, and he is quite calm, now he is so flustered, something big must have happened, otherwise he would not be like this.

"What happened?" Liu Yan hurriedly walked down the stairs, grabbed Liu Ziren's arm, and asked nervously.

Although Liu Ziren was sweating profusely, he couldn't take a breath of relief anymore, and held on to the rough wall of the city wall with one hand. Said in a panic: "Deputy ...... Adjutant General Wang Yanwen with ...... Defected from the north gate with the soldiers and horses of the headquarters, and the soldiers and horses of the whole city are now in chaos, and many people are ready to defect with Wang Yanwen! ”

Liu Yan's face changed greatly when he heard this, and the most taboo thing about defending the city was that the army was unstable, so Sun Tzu had a cloud in the art of war, and he did not defend the helpless city. It means that the city is not defended without support, which is a metaphor for the instability of the army and the inability to defend the city. In addition, Wang Yanwen is a deputy general, and his defection is not only a matter of morale, but also a matter of Ge Congzhou's knowledge that Yanzhou is now virtual and real, and has a more calm layout.

"Big brother! Or we will go out of the city and surrender!" Otherwise, it's too late, and Ge Congzhou won't think much of you! Liu Ziren said with an anxious expression.

Even Liu Jun's confidants and cronies, Liu Ziren also said this, you can imagine the mood of those ordinary soldiers, and the dangerous situation made Liu Jun's heart sink even more.

"No!" Liu Jun shook his head and said simply: "The two generations of great kindness of the Jiedu envoy, I, Liu Jun, have nothing to repay, but I will definitely not live up to the trust of the Jiedu envoy!" ”

"But big brother, can't you still see the current situation clearly! Yanzhou City can't hold it, instead of needless struggle, it's better to obey the destiny of heaven! Liu Ziren persuaded bitterly.

"Who said that Yanzhou City can't be defended!" Liu Yan said with a resolute face.

"Big brother!" Liu Ziren shouted again unwillingly.

Liu Yan quickly regained his composure and quickly ordered: "No need to say more! Feng Yanyu, you use my flag token to catch up with Wang Yanwen, like this! ”

Liu Ziren on the side couldn't help but hesitate when he heard this, not knowing if Liu Jun's doing this had any effect. But he has no way to choose anything else, he and Liu Cheng are both prosperous and lossy, even if they betray Liu Jun, I am afraid they will not be reused.

Feng Yanyu, the captain of the pro-soldier standing behind Liu Yan, took Liu Yan's flag and token with a solemn face, and said categorically: "If it doesn't work, it's fine!" Yes! Benevolence! ”

"Don't worry! No matter what, I will also treat your family well! Liu Jun said seriously.

"Thank you, General!" When Feng Yanyu heard this, his face relaxed slightly, as if he had put down a big stone in his heart. As soon as he gave up his hand to Liu Yan, he quickly rushed down the city wall.

"Herald!" Liu Yan immediately said to several heralds on the side.

"The villain is here!" Several heralds hurriedly answered.

Liu Yan quickly said: "You immediately take my banner, inspect the city wall, and announce my order!" Do you understand? ”

"The villain must do his best to complete the general's task!" Several heralds did not hesitate, they are all people who have been following Liu Cheng all the year round, if Liu Cheng is not happy, they will definitely not be much better than Liu Jun, where are there those who do not do their best!

"Whew!" Liu Yan let out a long breath of turbidity and said indifferently: "Now that I have done my best, the only one below is to obey the destiny of heaven!" ”

"Brother, aren't you worried?" Liu Ziren's face was full of anxiety, if he had a choice, he would really rather Kaicheng surrender Ge Congzhou. Although Liu Jun captured Ge Congzhou's family, he did not abuse him, but treated him with courtesy. treats Ge Congzhou's parents, and even worships Ge Congzhou's old mother. Based on this, Liu Ziren believed that Ge Congzhou would never hurt Liu Jun's surname, and even thanked Liu Jun. But he just doesn't understand why Liu Jun is so obsessed with loyalty to Wang Shifan, he usually has nothing, but now he has even his own surname and is still loyal to a bird! What's more, Liu Jun has also tried his best, and he can pat his chest and say that he has a clear conscience.

(To be continued)