The bandits outside Xingyang City were like hemp, but the city was strong, and hundreds of thousands of people could not be stacked up to attack the city after all, and after fighting for a while, most of the bandits looked tired, and some even began to prepare to retreat.

All the people are making waves, but even they can't believe that the mud legs can overthrow the Great Sui Jiangshan that they have always looked up to.

They rebelled more out of desperation, in order to survive, now that the money and food are in hand, they have plans to stop.

Some of the thieves are timid, some are hesitant, some are waiting, and of course, there are many people who dream of making meritorious contributions to the founding of the country.

There were only two people sitting in the big tent, Zhai Rang and Li Mi. But there are a lot of people standing, there are a few giant thieves who dominated one side a few years ago, Wang Deren, Peng Xiaocai, Meng Rang and others are also bandits, and their skills are not bad, they are all standing at the forefront to show their respect for Wagang.

Li Mi's gaze swept over everyone, frowning slightly, now Wagang's momentum is unprecedented, but it is far from the point he expected.

Needless to say, Zhai Rang and the people around him, except for Shan Xiongxin and Bing Yuanzhen, the rest such as Wang Ruxin, Zhai Hong, Jia Xiong and others are all chicken-ribbed characters, not only can they not succeed, but they are very likely to be bad at a critical time. This kind of signs gradually intensified with the occupation of Xingyang County by the Wagang Army, Zhai Hong was timid and greedy for money, relying on the identity of the patriarch, fighting at the end, and sharing the merits first, which had already caused too many people's dissatisfaction, Wang Ruxin was the same, and he had always advised Zhai to stop in moderation, and it was the way to settle down, these are not good for the army, but Li Mi still has to endure it, at this time, unity is the most important thing to the outside world, if he and Zhai Rang collapse, there is no benefit to his great cause.

There are not many of his subordinates who can take on big responsibilities, Wang Bodang, Fang Xuanzao, and Cai Jiande can be regarded as having been with him for a long time and can be trusted, but they are less talented than they are the first to come up with strategy, and as for Fang Xianbo and other people who have surrendered one after another, they can only be said to be medium talents, and it is difficult to conspire with them.

Among the bandits who have been attached, Wang Deren, Peng Xiaocai, Meng Rang and others are already not bad, but since they can be attached, of course, when they see that the limelight is not good, and the catastrophe is coming, they are very likely to flee for their lives.

Wang Junkuo first followed Li Shanfei, and later returned to Wagang with Zheng Detao, in Li Mi's view, Zheng Detao is boastful, but Wang Junkuo is courageous and knowledgeable, civil and military all-rounder, if he dominates the world in the future, this kind of talent should be more and better.

Although there were many people in the big tent, it was silent, and they were all thinking about their own thoughts, and from the current point of view, these people were just a rabble, and the momentum was huge, but they were not united.

Zhai Rang's light cough broke the silence, looked around at everyone, somewhat complacent, and secretly thought that many people here had started with him at the beginning, but now they have taken refuge in themselves, of course, they are not as good as themselves, "Zhonggong, I called you here today to discuss whether this Xingyang City should continue to fight." ”

"Of course don't fight," Zhai Hong was the first to jump out, "Xingyang City is too difficult to fight, and our subordinates have suffered heavy losses in attacking Xingyang, and the gains outweigh the losses." Besides, if we want to rob things, the entire Xingyang County is enough for us to plunder, and there is really no need to do more. ”

Zhai Hong spoke first, and all the bandits nodded one after another: "What Zhai Er said is right, in my opinion, this Xingyang City is okay if you don't fight." ”

Wang Ruxin continued: "I calculated that we have been attacking Xingyang City for a long time, and Zhang Xutuo will never sit idly by, and it should be about to kill at this time......

Everyone argued, and the camp tent was tickled, but when they heard Zhang Xutuo's three words, the big tent suddenly quieted down, and the needles could be heard.

Wang Ruxin saw that his words had achieved the desired effect, and he was proud, "Who here can resist Zhang Xutuo, anyway, I can't." ”

Fang Xuanzao frowned and said: "I don't dare to agree with the prince's words, for the mountain and the nine, the success is falling short, we can't beat Xingyang City, all the previous efforts are in vain, only by conquering Xingyang City, can we determine the prestige of Wagang, let the Great Sui be cold, whether this Xingyang City can be conquered, it is related to morale, if this battle is in vain, Wagang will not be any different from before." Yang Qing is already frightened, and this battle is a great opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves. ”

"But just your Fang Xuanzao can resist Zhang Xutuo?" Zhai Hong jumped up and asked.

Fang Xuanzao frowned, and Wang Bodang frowned and said, "Zhai Dangjia, we are all thinking about Wagang......"

"Can you, Uncle Wang, stop Zhang Xutuo?" Zhai Hong continued to ask.

Wang Bodang sneered: "Zhang Xutuo is also a human, not a god, I actually want to meet him." ”

Zhai Hong laughed, pointed at Wang Bodang's nose and said, "It's up to you, you are also worthy of ......"

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly outside the camp was sharp, and he rushed straight to the tent. A bandit rushed in, burly, with a thick-backed steel knife behind his back, it was Cai Jiande, a fierce general under Li Mi, "Qiqi Pushan Gong, Zhang Xutuo's army has already called......

**

There was a 'boom' in the camp, Zhai asked Huo Ran to stand up, but the rest of the people wanted to rush outside the camp, Zhai Hong took the lead and fled for his life, but Li Mi said in a deep voice: "Don't panic, everyone." ”

Everyone rushed out of the camp and found that the front of the tent was still calm, and they couldn't help but sneer, and turned around one after another, Li Mi had ridicule in his eyes, and asked in a deep voice: "Jiande, where is Zhang Xutuo now?" ”

"I have been ordered to check and track Zhang Xutuo's traces, Zhang Xutuo has been silently camped in Fangshan, and immediately turned around. Judging by the size of the camp, there should be about 20,000 troops, and I think he will plot to attack us, and I ask Pushan Gong to make a decision quickly. Cai Jiande said loudly.

"Fang Shan is still far away, Fang Shan is still far from here, it is too late to escape." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Peng Xiaocai has been silent, and at this moment he suggested: "Zhai Dangjia, Pushan Gong, we are now making great noise, Zhang Xutuo is coming, and there is no place for us to stand in Xingyang." It is better to evacuate from Xingyang, cross the canal to Wagang, take the East China Sea, and Huainan is the best policy. ”

Everyone nodded, and said yes, now everyone has developed a fixed situation, anyway, Zhang Xutuo is a person after all, wherever he hits, the bandits will flee in the opposite direction, since Zhang Xutuo is going north, then it is better for them to take the south.

Zhai Rang also nodded and said, "This plan is very good." ”

Li Mi shook his head resolutely and said: "We must not escape, we must win this battle." Zhang Xutuo is brave and unscrupulous, both arrogant and ruthless, if the princes listen to my orders, they will wait in formation to ensure that the princes will break it. ”

Zhai Rang was a little moved, but Wang Deren shook his head, "Pushan Gong's words are wrong, if I don't grow the ambition of others, destroy my own prestige, I am really brave and unscrupulous, and I must not describe Zhang Xutuo." Back then, Zhang Xutuo beat Wang Bo, attacked Qin Junhong and Guo Fangpre, captured Zuo Xiaoyou, and fought Lu Mingyue, which time didn't win more with less? Not to mention far away, just say that all the people present now, except for Pushan Gong who has not fought with Zhang Xutuo, which one has not suffered defeat at his hands? Zhang Xutuo has never been defeated after hundreds of battles, if this is all brave and unscrupulous, then aren't we all brainless? This war is by no means something that can be done by boasting about oneself and belittling others, in my opinion, it is a good strategy to evacuate, and if Pushan Gong fights again, it is just a defeat. ”

Everyone was silent, Wang Deren didn't listen to what he said, it was frustrating, but they all knew that it was the truth, although Zhang Xutuo took advantage of the soldiers, but in any case, every time everyone was beaten with more than 100,000 people, but Zhang Xutuo had more than 100,000 people, at least five people, but none of them let the bandits take advantage, Zhang Xutuo's three words in the minds of the thieves, it is already a cliff and cannot be crossed.

Li Mi remained silent, and said in his heart that this Wang Deren is also a man with a head, how could he not know how powerful Zhang Xutuo is, but it is precisely because of his strength that he must fight, and it is precisely because Zhang Xutuo is difficult to pull out that he must confront him.

He must gamble in this battle, and he must win, defeat Zhang Xutuo, hold Xingyang, besiege the Eastern Capital, and cut off Yang Guang's idea of turning back to the Eastern Capital, this is the real meaning of his attack on Xingyang County, but who can understand the people in front of him after his hard work? Although Yang Guang is now starting to faint, if he sits in the Eastern Capital, the soldiers of the Great Sui and the people who work hard, all the previous efforts he planned will be wasted, no matter what, he will let Yang Guang die in Yangzhou!

"The princes are really too timid to Zhang Xutuo, although Zhang Xutuo is still brave, but the foundation of the Great Sui has fallen, and the soldiers have been fighting for many years, and their fatigue is far better than usual. Zhang Xutuo's soldiers were based on the soldiers of Qi County, and the soldiers led by him had been conquering for too long, and it was inevitable that they would return. Combat lies in the spirit of the army, and if the spirit of the army is unstable, how can it win? Zhai is in charge, if you can't take advantage of the morale to fight Zhang Xutuo this time, the owner of the village will never turn over, and please think twice. Zhang Xutuo is a human being, not a god, in the past, we were defeated, but because of improper strategy, now I have a clever plan to Zhang Xutuo, and please don't evacuate the owner of the village. ”

"What Pushan Gong said also makes sense," Zhai Rang finally relieved his mouth and said in a deep voice: "I don't know what Pushan Gong has planned?" ”

"His plan is nothing more than death." Zhai Hong scoffed.

Li Mi secretly said that this person was not successful enough, and he was more than defeated, but he still smiled and said: "Then can Zhai Er's master gamble with me?" ”

"Bet on what?" Zhai Hong's neck straightened.

"Bet that Zhang Xutuo will lose this battle!"

Everyone was shocked, looking at Li Mi with surprised eyes, aware of his self-confidence.

"What if you lose?" Zhai Hong asked disdainfully.

"If I lose, I will quit Wagang from now on, and I will not take any of the property I have gained." Li Mi cut the railway.

Zhai Hong was moved, "What if you win?" ”

Li Mi said indifferently: "Of course, Wagang is like Zhongtian, determining the immortal status of the troubled times, and Zhai Dangjia has been admired by thousands of people since then!" ”

"Okay, I'm betting with you!" Zhai Hong swallowed his saliva, his heart was excited, and he secretly thought that this transaction would only make money and not lose money. Zhai Hong has long seen that Li Mi is not pleasing to the eye, although Li Mi broke through the Jindi Pass and led everyone to burn and plunder is very refreshing, but now whoever mentions it is the credit of Pushan Gong, it seems that Wagang has become Pushan public, which makes him inevitably unhappy, and it is not bad to take this opportunity to expel Li Mi.

Li Mi smiled slightly, turned his head to look at Zhai Rang and said, "I don't know what Zhai's idea is?" ”

Zhai Rang looked around at everyone, saw the group of thieves with different expressions, and said ruthlessly: "Lao Tzu is fed up with the tricks of the Eastern Hiding Province, anyway, what he has obtained now is already an unexpected gain, and it doesn't matter if he exports it again, just according to Pushan Gong's words!" ”

Li Mi was overjoyed, "Well, please also ask the owner of the village to make a military order, granting me full authority to lead the troops, if there is a violation, there will be no forgiveness." ”

Zhai Rang nodded, "Of course, military prestige is the most important, today I will grant Pushan Gong full responsibility for leading the troops, if it is violated, it should be the enemy of Wagang." ”

Although the bandits were half-convinced, they all bowed down and said: "Obey Zhai's orders, Pushan Gong's orders!" ”

**

"It is not difficult to win this battle, but it is difficult to annihilate the thieves in one go and eradicate the troubles!" Zhang Xutuo frowned slightly, staring in the direction of Xingyang City, he was only a few dozen miles away from there.

Luo Shixin and Qin Shubao were beside Zhang Xutuo, looking down at the map drawn by Zhang Xutuo.

This area is also very familiar to Zhang Xutuo, and he knows the mountains and rivers well.

"Although there are many thieves, they are just a rabble, Zhai Rang is by no means a great talent, although Li Mi is not bad, but after all, his foothold is not stable, his orders are not strict, and he is not popular with the army." Zhang Xutuo said in a deep voice: "The thieves know that we are coming, there are few who resist, and there will be many who flee for their lives, and we are very sure of winning this battle." ”

Luo Shixin was silent, and Qin Shubao suddenly said: "But the general must not be careless......"

Zhang Xutuo turned around, a relieved smile on his sad face, "When have you seen me careless?" ”

Qin Shubao looked at Zhang Xutuo's smile, and said after a while: "I haven't seen a general smile for a long time." ”

Zhang Xutuo sighed lightly, "I have to be a saint, and I can only repay it with death." But this expulsion of bandits is a matter of security and tranquility, and it is careless. ”

Qin Shubao frowned and said, "But did the general ever think that if this bandit is not eliminated, it is not the general's fault, but the root cause." ”

Zhang Xutuo frowned and said, "Shubao, what do you want to say?" ”

Qin Shubao plucked up his courage and said loudly: "General Zhang, I know that you are loyal to the Great Sui, and everyone is like this. The soldiers here, Shixin bite gold, in fact, they all hate the bandits who bring disaster to the world, and do their best to protect their families and defend the country. But General Zhang has ever thought that this bandit has been banned repeatedly, and even the people who used to farm have become bandits, who is born to want to be a thief, the saint has gone up and down the Yangtze River, and has abandoned the country and the country, we are like this, where are we protecting? ”

What he said was already a big rebellion, Luo Shixin raised his eyebrows slightly, and he wanted to say something, but he still held back.

Zhang Xutuo sighed softly, and slowly walked over and stretched out his hand. His hands were full of scars and folds, and they looked like tree roots, but these hands had never had an opponent all over the world. He could easily put someone to death with one palm, but at this moment, he just patted Qin Shubao lightly on the shoulder, "Uncle Bao, I know that you are all dissatisfied with the Holy Lord now, but now things have taken a turn for the better. ”

"What turnaround?" The second general asked in surprise.

Zhang Xutuo said softly: "How can the old man not know that the Great Sui River is stormy, when the old man went from Qi County to Liang County, it was because of the Holy Decree that he was called, but he was also determined to persuade the Holy Lord to return to the Eastern Capital. On the dragon boat, the saint explained to me the reason for going down to the south of the Yangtze River, but it was by no means a pleasure to abandon the country. I know the reason for this, but I can't explain it to you about the saint himself, but you know that the saint doesn't just give up the world. After the siege of Yanmen, the saint has made few moves, not to mention the conquest of Liaodong, the situation in the Great Sui has gradually stabilized, as long as the bandits are expelled, the world is peaceful, but there has always been a Taiping Dao demon secretly bewitched, which gave birth to many incidents, as long as the Taiping Road is eliminated, the tile gang is eradicated, the people live in peace, the saint promises, at the end of the year will return to the eastern capital, the saint has never broken faith in the old man, but also please Shubao, Shixin rest assured, if the saint does not return, the old man should personally go to please. As long as the Holy Lord turns back at the end of the year, the Great Sui will be stable, and you will follow the old man for many years, and the old man will definitely ask the Holy Lord for a reward, and he will not treat him badly......"

When he said this, he was full of anticipation, and Qin Shubao sighed lightly, "Since General Zhang is like this, how can we not follow him to the death." ”

Luo Shixin asked: "Then I don't know what good strategy the general has to eradicate Wagang?" ”

Zhang Xutuo perked up, squatted down and said: "The thieves and soldiers have my prestige, if my banner arrives, I will definitely flee from the wind, even if I don't escape, the rabble is difficult to resist, in this case, I asked for the surname to be suspicious, led 5,000 soldiers as the main force to feint, and also asked Shixin to take a team of men and horses to detour to Xingyang to Xingze all the way to ambush and attack, Shubao to take a team of men and horses to Xingyang to Guanzhou all the way to ambush. If the Xingyang thieves are defeated, there are three ways to choose, one is to go straight to Xingze, then go east to Wagang, and flee straight to the east, one is to retreat straight to the sea temple and go south along the canal, and the other way is to go south and flee to Guanzhou. Biting Jin set up an ambush in Xingze as early as possible, and when the time comes, we will attack in four ways, and we will be able to wipe out all the bandits near the left side of the Great Sea Temple. ”

Qin Shubao nodded, "General's clever plan, since this is the case, I don't know when I will get up?" ”

Zhang Xutuo said softly: "The two of you lead the troops to rest for a few hours, the third watch is opened, and the secret march is made, and when you ask to arrive at the designated place in the Ming Dynasty, you will lead the troops to the Dahai Temple without delay." ”

The second general stood up and said, "Listen to the order." ”

When Zhang Xutuo saw them turn around, he suddenly said, "Shubao, Shixin ......"

The second general turned around, "What's the matter with the general?" ”

Zhang Xutuo said softly: "Uncle Bao has experienced a hundred battles, he is old and calm, I am quite relieved, Shixin is somewhat impulsive, and he must be careful." The arrogant soldiers will be defeated, and you should not despise the Wagang people, if they are powerful, just stick to waiting for the rest of the men and horses to arrive, and do not be greedy for merit. ”

Luo Shixin's eyes flashed with emotion, and he lowered his head and said, "Thank you, General!" ”

**

"Report, Qi Pushan Gong, Wei Liu'er led more than 1,000 people to be ambushed by Zhang Xutuo, the whole army was annihilated, Wei Liu'er died, and the ambush site was about forty miles west of it."

A thief soldier hurriedly entered the big tent, with a panicked face, there were Li Mi in the big tent, Zhai Rang and a cadre waited, but most of them were Li Mi's cronies.

Zhai Rang was frightened again, but Li Mi smiled and said: "I know, step down, don't spread the news, if you let others know, you will be beheaded." ”

The thief was stunned, he didn't know why, but Zhai Rang scolded: "Everything is subject to the dispatch of Pushan Gong, he asked you not to spread the news, you just obey." ”

When the thieves retreated, Zhai Rang asked in a low voice, "Pushan is a secret and does not announce the death of Wei Liu'er, I don't know what the trick is?" ”

Li Mi Shili said: "The owner of the village has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility, how can I not do my best." However, the news of Wei Liu'er's death should not be publicized, otherwise the army will be in turmoil, and it will be defeated without a fight, but please rest assured, I have already planned to deal with Zhang Xutuo, even before the capture of Jindi Pass, if Zhang Xutuo comes, he will definitely be defeated. ”

Although Zhai Rang was skeptical, he could only say: "I hope so." ”

There was a lot of noise outside the camp, Bing Yuanzhen rushed in, unkempt, and saw Zhai Rang and said in a low voice: "Owner of the village, it's not good, Zhang Xutuo is only thirty miles away from here, Zheng Detao didn't measure his strength to lead the troops to attack, and Zhang Xutuo's ambush plan was annihilated." I hurried back to report the enemy's situation, whether to fight or flee, and asked the owner of the village to decide. ”

Zhai Rang glanced at Li Mi and said in a trembling voice: "Pushan Gong, Zhang Xutuo has been nearly thirty miles, I'd better run away......

**

The sky is full of stars, as if the eyes of a lover blinked, and the night sky was inky blue, like a lover's thoughts.

Except for the soldiers who were on guard, the army was seizing the time to rest, and the general had an order, and no one dared to disobey it. If you don't have the energy, how can you defeat the enemy?

Luo Shixin didn't sleep, he had already walked out of the camp, and when the sentries saw that it was Luo Shixin, they all bowed down and saluted. In their hearts, the status of the three generals is only slightly inferior to Zhang Xutuo. Luo Shixin came out of the camp, and no one would ask.

Luo Shixin's eyebrows were tightly locked, as if he had encountered an extremely difficult problem to solve.

He walked along, the insects chirped, and the late autumn looked quite chilly, even if the insects chirped, it was a little desolate, as if Luo Shixin's expression at the moment.

The expedition was imminent, but he seemed to be preoccupied and had no intention of sleeping, pacing farther and farther, slowly sinking into the darkness.

The soldier was puzzled from afar, looking at Luo Shixin's back, but he didn't know what to do.

Luo Shixin did not go far, stopped, looked up at the sky, and was speechless for a long time.

I don't know how long it has passed, he suddenly became alert, pressed his hand on the hilt of the knife, and shouted in a low voice: "Who is it?" ”

Although he was in a reverie, after all, he had experienced a hundred battles and had outstanding martial arts, and although the footsteps not far from him were slight, he immediately noticed it.

A figure appeared in the darkness, hazy, and it was impossible to see the real face, and first a faint fragrance came. Luo Shixin was about to pull out his knife, but suddenly stiffened there, and asked in a low voice, "Who are you?" ”

His voice was quite grim in the front, but when he asked in the latter, he was very puzzled, and it could even be said to be gentle, and the shadow in the darkness sighed faintly: "Brother Luo, it turns out that you still remember me?" ”

The shadow said in a low voice, but it was a woman's voice, Luo Shixin's face was strange and inexplicable, and he hesitated: "Are you ...... Red...... Red line? ”

The shadow walked a few steps closer, his face was visible, very delicate, his eyes were bright, and he said happily: "Brother Luo, you really remember me, I am the red line!" ”

**

In the early morning, when the red sun rises, ten thousand points of light are sprinkled, shining on the fatigue inside the city and the blood and tears outside the city.

The soldiers defending the city silently began to prepare for the bandits to attack the city, but the bandits were lazily thinking about how to attack today.

The two sides didn't know each other and had nothing to do with each other, but now they are determined to live and die.

But when the head was raised a little higher, and the sky was clearer, the robber suddenly began to stir. Scratching is also contagious, and it quickly spreads from the west to the east, from one side of Xingyang City to all directions in an instant.

All the bandits were terrified and read a sentence, Sui reinforcements are coming!

The Sui reinforcements are not terrible, the terrible thing is that they can come at this time, and there is only one reinforcement who dares to come, and that is Zhang Xutuo's army.

Zhang Xutuo is finally here, Zhang Xutuo is still here! Everyone knew that he was coming, and they were preparing for his arrival, but the moment they came, all the robbers were frightened and looked around.

In the vast expanse of the sky, a line appeared, like the farthest wave of the blue sea tide, when it rushed, I didn't care, but when you cared, it had turned into a stormy wave.

The flag is visible, the sword and gun are visible, the shield is visible, the wind is hunting, and the banner is displayed. All the Sui soldiers marched forward in a phalanx, densely packed, unable to stop, just walking slowly, and the sound of 'clicking' footsteps sounded, but it made Siye seem silent.

Siye fell silent, but the footsteps were even more thrilling.

The thieves who had never seen Zhang Xutuo never thought that Zhang Xutuo's army was overwhelmed, and just the footsteps of the soldiers made everyone frightened.

The Sui soldiers did not charge into battle, there was no changeable formation, only relying on the courage to win, only relying on the person standing behind him, everyone knew that with General Zhang, this battle would be won!

They just walked forward, their eyes flashing with the same sharp light as on the tip of the spear, the sun shone down, and the sun shone on the four fields, but they couldn't feel half of the warmth.

The red leaves in late autumn once again ushered in the irrigation of blood, and the fallen leaves fell, feeling the withering of life!

The big war is on the verge of breaking out!

(To be continued)