Seeing the tide of the frenzied siege of the rebel team retreating, and when leaving, they also threw down a siege weapon that they could throw, and at the same time, the rebel trebuchet that had always threatened the defenders' city wall position finally stopped throwing stone bullets, and the defenders who had been fighting for a long time could not understand that the rebels had completely given up the siege? In an instant, the city wall of Shangchun Gate was suddenly thunderous, including many soldiers of the national army, including countless defenders, directly sat on the head of the city with the same corpses, while gasping for breath, while hysterical cheers and celebrations, many defenders and soldiers also cried out directly, glad that they survived to the victory of defending the city.

This is an extremely hard battle to defend the city, the rebel team's onslaught on the city wall of Shangchun Gate began before noon, and lasted until midnight, during which the defenders of Shangchun Gate hardly got any chance to rest, many soldiers in the ten hours of hard fighting, even failed to drink a few sips of water, and at the same time did not get the reinforcements of the general reserve even a soldier, it was completely a force to carry the main force of the rebels for more than ten hours, extremely hard, but also extremely tired, so the rebel team just retreated, Many of the defending soldiers fell asleep directly on the city walls, snoring and snoring, so tired that they didn't even bother to take a sip of water.

In vain, the reserves under Liu Changgong's command were cheapened, because they were worried that the rebel team would attack all night, Chen Yingliang, who commanded the battle of Shangchunmen instead of Pei Hongce, repeatedly refused Xie Zichong and other generals' requests for help from Liu Changgong, gritting his teeth and just using the defenders of Shangchunmen to support him, in order to prevent the troops from being exhausted, leaving Liu Changgong's reserves as a precautionary case, as a result, in the case of no way out, the defenders of Shangchunmen carried the rebels alone, and Liu Changgong's team, which had been waiting for more than five hours, finally escaped a catastrophe. Also because of the abundance of body, the sound of celebrating the victory was louder and warmer than the real heroes of the Shangchun Gate defenders.

This is not over, General Liu got cheap and had to sell well, when Fan Zigai personally ordered him to be transferred to the city wall to change the defense, General Liu even patted Chen Yingliang on the shoulder and complained: "Brother Yingliang, you like to monopolize the credit and have to change, you see that the Anximen and Hui'anmen are only five thousand traitors attacking the city, and they all asked the eldest brother and my team for help before it was dark, the traitors here are ten times as many as them, and they didn't open their mouths once until the traitors retreated, so that my brother and I waited for most of the day in Beishi with my brothers, You greedy temper is not good, you have to change. ”

Chen Yingliang, who was also exhausted, smiled bitterly and said: "General Liu, if you want to make meritorious service, you can do it, the traitor retreated in a hurry and his morale is exhausted, you now take the reserve team out of the city to chase and kill, and you can win a big victory by keeping it." ”

"Cheng, no problem!" General Liu agreed, his face was not red, and his heart was not beating: "Old rules, Brother Yingliang, you take the white-robed soldiers to play the forward, and I will take the main force to escort you into battle." ”

Chen Yingliang had no choice but to take General Liu's brazenness, but fortunately, Fan Zigai, the boss of the Eastern Capital, happened to be at the scene, and immediately shouted angrily: "Liu Changgong, you are still the chief tiger general of the Right Guard, and you also have the face to say this?" Give the old man less wordy, immediately take over the city defense of Shangchunmen, and then send people to carefully the battlefield of the city wall, carry all the sleeping soldiers back to the barracks, and let them rest well! The injured soldiers, all carried down for rescue, no matter how serious the injuries were, they must be rescued with all their might, and if they can be rescued, one counts as one! ”

General Liu, who was afraid of Fan Zigai like a tiger, hurriedly agreed, and quickly went over to command the reserve team to take over the city defense, Fan Zigai snorted coldly at his back, and said: "It's cheap for nothing, the old man really didn't expect the traitor team to retreat so quickly, otherwise, when the old man went to the city before, he should let this waste take the reserve team to the city, and let him see how hard the soldiers of Shangchunmen fought!" ”

"The villain didn't expect the traitor to retreat so quickly, otherwise, he would have asked General Liu to lead the reserve team to the city to help in the battle, so that at least some casualties on the side of Shangchunmen could be reduced." Chen Yingliang was a little sullen, knowing that his command experience was still too lacking, he could not reasonably rotate the combat team, he worked too hard for the Shangchun Gate defenders, and he was too cheap to like to hide behind and pick up the cheap General Liu.

"Virtuous nephew, forget it, don't blame yourself." Pei Hongce patted Chen Yingliang on the shoulder and comforted: "Anyway, we still survived until the traitors retreated and won this battle. ”

After comforting his distant nephew, Pei Hongce, who had already accumulated some battlefield experience, said with a puzzled expression: "However, there is one thing that is very strange, why did the traitor team retreat so quickly? Yang rebels have just launched a general offensive of the whole army, and the siege weapons are still very sufficient, why did they suddenly withdraw their troops? And threw away all those intact siege weapons, which is a bit unreasonable? ”

"Nine out of nine traitors know that our reinforcements have arrived." Chen Yingliang analyzed: "The traitor team received the news that General Qu Tutong led the reinforcements to Heyang, and knew that the situation on the battlefield in Luoyang had been reversed, and also knew that behind General Qu, there must be more main forces of the Great Sui going south day and night, in order not to suffer the enemy on their backs, and not to dare to defeat the disabled combat team in the siege battle, so Yang rebels quickly ordered to withdraw their troops and retain their vitality, lest after General Qu crossed the river, he didn't even have a team that could resist General Qu. ”

"That's how it should be." Pei Hongce nodded, and asked again: "Virtuous nephew, the traitor team threw away all the siege weapons, even the trebuchets that could be taken away, does this mean that Yang rebels no longer want to attack the idea of Luoyang City, and don't want to attack the city anymore?" ”

"Exactly." Chen Yingliang nodded and explained: "Yang is not too stupid to be a traitor, he knows that continuing to attack Luoyang City will only be a dead end, not only will he suffer heavy casualties in front of Luoyang's strong city defense, but will also give our main Sui force more time to return to help, only by decisively giving up the siege plan and leaving as many combat teams as possible, so that he will have some chance to survive." ”

After explaining, Chen Yingliang bowed his hand to Fan Zigai and said: "Fan stayed behind, Yang rebels gave up all siege equipment when they retreated, not only to prove that Yang rebels have decided to give up attacking Luoyang City, but also to prove that Yang rebels are likely to move westward to attack the Sanfu Land in Guanzhong, which is currently in a state of emptiness. ”

"Do you still have to worry about this old man?" Fan Zigai said with a smile: "Qu Tutong's reinforcements have arrived in Heyang, less than fifty miles away from Luoyang, you can cross the river to the south at any time, and fight the traitor team with us before and after, and you still need the old man to worry about Guanzhong again?" ”

"Left-behind adults forgive sins, be careful." Chen Yingliang said respectfully: "General Qu Tutong's army returned thousands of miles to the division, day and night to return to Luoyang, although he arrived at the battlefield in time to give our army the greatest help, but his team must have been sleepy, tired, and difficult to put into the battlefield immediately without rest, besides, Yang rebels still have the Yellow River crossing to defend, if Yang rebels leave an army to block our reinforcements from crossing the river, and lead the main force west into Guanzhong, the land of Guanzhong Sanfu is still in danger. At that time, if Yang rebels deploy an army to defend the danger at the dangerous place of Cuihan Road, even if our reinforcements launch a pursuit, it will be difficult for them to quickly catch up with the main force of Yang rebels. ”

"Makes sense." Fan Zigai nodded and asked, "Then in your opinion, how should the old man take precautions?" ”

"The villain thinks that it is best for the left-behind adults to write a letter to Daxing and stay behind to guard the book." Chen Yingliang replied: "Explain the battlefield situation and specific situation to him, persuade Wei Shangshu to give up Mianchi, and immediately lead the army to retreat to the steep Hangu Pass in Shaanxi County. ”

"Oh, yes." Chen Yingliang added: "Since the split of the former Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty held the Tong Pass and abandoned the Hangu Pass, the status of the Hangu Pass declined sharply, the fortress of the Guancheng fell into disrepair for a long time, and after the founding of the Great Sui Dynasty, it was also the heavy Tong Pass and the light Hangu Pass, the Guancheng has never been repaired, it is difficult to hold, and the terrain in the area of Shaanxi County is complex, and there are many paths, it cannot be ruled out that Yang rebels bypassed the Hangu Pass and directly entered the Tongguan Pass or plagiarized the possibility of attacking the Hangu Pass behind the scenes. If the left-behind adults want to be safer, they can persuade Wei Shangshu to return to Tongguan directly, and hold Tongguan in danger, so that the three auxiliary places in Guanzhong can really sit back and relax. ”

"Good idea." Fan Zigai nodded with satisfaction, and then suddenly sighed: "It's a pity, it may not work." ”

"Why?" Chen Yingliang was stunned.

"Silly boy, have you forgotten who Wei Shangshu is?" Pei Hongce next to him scolded with a smile and said: "Wei Shangshu is left behind in Daxing, and Lord Fan is left behind in the Eastern Capital, on the same level as Wei Shangshu, and they are not subordinate to each other, how can Wei Shangshu be willing to obey the tactical plan proposed by Lord Fan?" ”

"However, only by doing this can we ensure the safety of Guanzhong." Chen Yingliang said in embarrassment.

"The old man also knows that your tactical arrangement is the safest, but unfortunately, Wei Wensheng's old thing will probably not listen." Fan Zigai sighed: "That old thing's temper, the old man is too clear, the most face-loving and anxious, this time he led an army of 40,000 to reinforce Luoyang, and he was defeated in successive battles without an inch of success, and finally relied on our Luoyang army to highlight the strange soldiers, which saved his life and gave him a chance to breathe." Having suffered such a great humiliation, with his character, how could he accept the construction of the army to retreat to Tongguan and Hangu Pass? If he did, where would his old face go? ”

Chen Yingliang smiled bitterly, only then did he realize that Wei Xuan, who had left Guiwei Daxing, was willing to take the initiative to retreat and show weakness, which was indeed a matter of great shame for Wei Xuan.

"Give it a try." Fan Zigai sighed again: "The old man wrote a letter to give it a try, I hope that Wei Wensheng, the old stubborn, can listen to the persuasion, otherwise, it is really difficult to predict how this counterinsurgency war will develop." ”

…………

The reinforcements have arrived near the battlefield, and the rebel team has also thrown down the siege weapons and completely abandoned the plan to capture Luoyang, Chen Yingliang, who has not rested since he joined the army in Luoyang, finally put his mind at ease and rested, after getting Fan Zigai's permission to return to the camp to rest, Chen Yingliang dragged his tired body to visit the injured soldiers who reported ****, and then when he returned to his room, Chen Yingliang just lay down on the bed, and then he didn't know anything.

When he finally woke up yawning, Chen Yingliang was surprised to find that it was already dark outside, and he went out of the room to ask the **** soldiers in the camp, Chen Yingliang knew that he had slept all day, and it was now more than half of the night of July 23, Chen Yingliang couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "I can't think of sleeping for seven or eight hours in one breath, it seems that I have become a little lazy." ”

"Chen Jiroom, you're not lazy, you're tired." Chen Zhihong, who was next to him, said the sycophant words very solemnly, "Since the formation of our national army, you have not slept a whole night, in addition to the things we reported ****, you also have to worry about the city defense, it is too tiring." Even when Pei Guogong came to visit you just now, he said that in this counterinsurgency war, the entire eastern capital of Luoyang, I am afraid that you are the most tired person, so we are not allowed to wake you up and let you rest. ”

"Uncle came to visit me?" Chen Yingliang hurriedly asked, "Then does he have any explanation?" ”

"Yes, Pei Guobus, after you wake up, if you still have time, you can go to the Shangchun Gate Tower to meet him." Chen Zhihong replied respectfully: "Pei Guogong said again that if it is too late, you can also go to see him tomorrow." ”

Pei Hongce is still quite interesting to Chen Yingliang, a distant nephew, Chen Yingliang naturally won't put up any shelves, hurriedly ate something, wiped his face again, and then went to the nearby Shangchun Gate Tower to meet Pei Hongce. Although the time was a little late, but fortunately, when Chen Yingliang entered the Shangchun Gate Tower, Pei Hongce had not fallen asleep yet, Chen Yingliang did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute and respectfully greeted his distant uncle Pei Hongce.

"Hurry up, hurry up." Pei Hongce stopped Chen Yingliang from bowing, and said with a smile: "It's all my own family, what's polite?" Sit down and talk. ”

Chen Yingliang thanked him respectfully, and honestly sat opposite Pei Hongce as required, and after Pei Hongce also sat down, he first asked Chen Yingliang about his physical condition, and then said: "Virtuous nephew, I called you here, I have some circumstances to tell you, and there is a big matter, I want to discuss it with you by the way." ”

"Uncle, please." Chen Yingliang replied respectfully.

"It's not good news that you have to be mentally prepared first." Pei Hongce smiled and said: "First, as you expected, although Qu Tutong's Youwuhou army returned to Heyang, but after thousands of miles of travel, his team was indeed very tired, especially the main combat infantry brigade, which was even more tired, so Qu Tutong contacted us and said that he was going to rest for two or three days before crossing the river." ”

This was something that Chen Yingliang had expected a long time ago, so naturally he would not be too surprised, Pei Hongce said again: "Second, our scouts have detected that Yang Xuangan's rebels have withdrawn from the rebel team guarding Citong Dao and Yique Dao, gathered troops in the camp of Kim Yong City, and at the same time began to mobilize a large amount of grain and grass from Luokoucang to Kim Yong City for use. ”

This was also expected by Chen Yingliang, and Chen Yingliang was also not surprised, but hurriedly asked, "Uncle, is there any news from Wei Shangshu?" ”

"This is the third piece of bad news I'm going to tell you." Pei Hongce's smile was a little bitter, and he said: "This morning, Fan Liushou's letter to Wei Shangshu has just been sent away, and Wei Shangshu has already sent a letter first, refusing Fan Liushou's request for him to hold the Kui Han Road, saying that the tactical plan of the Daxing army does not need Fan Liushou to worry about, he Wei Xuan will make his own decision, in short, it will not drag our Eastern Capital army back." ”

"When Fan Liushou saw this letter, he must have been so angry that his beard turned up, right?" Chen Yingliang also smiled bitterly.

"Fan Liushou and Wei Shangshu have been friends for many years, of course they won't blow their beards because of these angry words." Pei Hongce smiled, "But there is another thing, but it makes Fan Liushou so angry that he blows his beard." ”

"What's the matter?" Chen Yingliang was stunned.

"Something about you." Pei Hongce said with a smile: "Wei Shangshu's messenger verbally sent a message to Fan Liushou, accusing Fan Liushou of being greedy and falsely reporting merit, fabricating the ridiculous lie that you kid sneaked up on the rebels' grain land and killed them unscathed from tens of thousands of rebel ranks. ”

"Why is it here again?" Chen Yingliang said with a sad face: "Why doesn't Wei Shangshu believe me? ”

"Who called you this kid's battle report is too outrageous, Wei Shangshu doesn't believe that you are of course taken for granted." Pei Hongce laughed happily and said: "Don't say that I have never seen your Wei Shangshu, but I admire you very much Fan Liushou and General Huangfu, and I haven't repeatedly asked every **** soldier to believe that you didn't make a false report?" Uncle can bet that this record of yours is in front of the emperor, and I am afraid that the emperor will have to order you down first, and torture you to ask if this kid has deceived the king. ”

Chen Yingliang smiled even more bitterly, and said in his heart that at that time, it seemed that you didn't want to believe me, and you repeatedly asked many soldiers who served the country, so I reluctantly believed that I didn't lie.

After saying a joke, Pei Hongce put away his smile again, and said to Chen Yingliang in a solemn tone: "Virtuous nephew, it's time to get down to business, my uncle called you here tonight to discuss with you about your future in the future." ”

"Uncle, please." Chen Yingliang was also a little nervous.

"In this counterinsurgency war, you are the chief hero who kept the eastern capital Luoyang, there is no doubt about that." Pei Hongce said in a deep voice: "You can rest assured, Fan Zigai and Huangfu Wuyi are still reliable in terms of character, your credit will definitely be truthfully presented to the emperor, the official position reward is definitely no problem, and it is not hopeless to get a knighthood, but my uncle thinks that your credit is not enough." ”

"Not enough?" Chen Yingliang was stunned, and said in his heart that I have made so many contributions, but it is not enough?

"Yes, not enough!" Pei Hongce nodded and said in a low voice: "Because of this battle for the defense of Luoyang, we won a miserable victory, and the losses in all aspects are very heavy. And the current crisis in Guanzhong has not been lifted, Yang rebels still have the possibility of entering Guanzhong, if they are really succeeded by Yang rebels, the emperor is angry, maybe your official reward will be completely blown, so my uncle thinks that you can't rest and relax now, you must continue to make meritorious contributions, and persist until Yang rebels are completely destroyed, and the official rewards you may get will be safe, and your future will be bright. ”

"But how can the little nephew continue to make meritorious contributions?" Chen Yingliang was embarrassed and said: "Yang rebels have already given up attacking the city, and the 700 or so people under the command of the little nephew are not enough to stuff the teeth of the main force of the traitors on the battlefield in the field?" ”

"Don't worry, I've got you covered." Pei Hongce said in a low voice: "Uncle plans to mention to Fan Liushou and ask him to send an army to assist Wei Shangshu in preventing Yang rebels from entering the Guanzhong, you know who Fan Liushou will send, and my uncle will not be verbose." In short, when you come to Wei Shangshu, you can not only let Wei Shangshu witness your ability to command the army and resolve some of his misunderstandings about you, but also take the opportunity to continue to make contributions and completely lay the foundation for your career. What do you think? ”

Chen Yingliang was silent, and after thinking about it for a long time, Chen Yingliang arched his hand and said: "Uncle, your love for your little nephew, the little nephew is broken bones, and it is difficult to repay it, but the little nephew told the truth, the little nephew didn't have the courage to go to Wei Shangshu's account to listen to it." ”

"Why?" This time, Pei Hongce was replaced.

"Wei Shangshu's style of using soldiers will kill the little nephew." Chen Yingliang said with a sad face: "Wei Shangshu wants to fight head-on at every turn, and he is anxious to take revenge and regain face, so he can't listen to persuasion, the little nephew is under his command, even if he is not pushed to the front and the traitor dies, he will be affected to death by his team, the little nephew is not afraid of death, but he feels that it is not worth dying like this." ”

"That's just as well." Pei Hongce, who was almost killed by his pig teammate Da Xi's kindness, scratched his head and said in embarrassment: "With Wei Shangshu's temper, it is indeed very likely to do this, and the impression that this kid of yours gives him is not very good, and it is unlikely that there will be any good fruits to eat under his command, what should I do?" Is that all? ”

"Uncle, can you mention this to Fan Liushou, and let me lead the newspaper **** to reinforce His Royal Highness Hongnong Taishou and King Cai Yang Zhiji?" Chen Yingliang had an idea and blurted out.

"To reinforce Yang Zhiji? Yang Zhiji is located in the rear of Wei Shangshu, which is relatively safe, what are you going to reinforce him for? Pei Hongce asked suspiciously.

"Of course, it's just in case, but also to continue to make meritorious contributions." Chen Yingliang said quickly: "Hongnong is located in the middle of the Cuihan Road, it is the only place for Yang rebels to enter the pass, the little nephew to reinforce His Royal Highness King Cai, Wei Shangshu's team in the blocking battle once unfavorable, must also withdraw to Hongnong first, then Wei Shangshu even the battle is unfavorable, should not have much confidence to fight with Yang rebels in the field, the little nephew and him will join forces together, not only to ensure the safety of Hongnong, but also to retreat to Tongguan at any time, and join hands to guard Tongguan natural danger, isn't it more than one stone?" ”