More than ten cavalrymen followed General Zhang Xian's order, and immediately looked at the camp and rushed away, and after a while, the noise in the Song camp sounded, and the torches burned up little by little, dyeing the distant sky red.

Zhang Xian was taken aback, he could only quickly mobilize the rest of his subordinates, and making such a big move must not be the effect that his general order could achieve.

It's just that half an hour has passed, and the light of the torches at the far end has come through, and in the dark night, it looks like a fire dragon, roaring towards the gate of Taiyuan.

At the head of the queue was a group of light horsemen. Because it was a siege of the city, and there were not many cavalry originally equipped, more than 3,000 people led by Yao Duan, or the cardinal government was worried that there would be more soldiers from Hebei to aid Taiyuan, and they were always ready to meet the enemy with cavalry before rationing, and most of the cavalry at this time had been brought to the city by Yao Rui, and if someone could come with cavalry, it must be Guo Hao's own cavalry guards.

Zhang Xian took a deep breath and stepped forward with a long knife in his hand, but he heard someone on the opposite side not far away ask: "Is it General Zhang Xian, or General Yao Ruiyao is here?" ”

"Is it Mr. Guo? The last general, Zhang Xian. ”

"Oh."

The other side replied lightly. I've ridden over.

Zhang Xian stepped forward and bowed, and he was a little more respectful than usual when he saluted Guo Hao. After all, the other party is a veteran of the Western Army, and the identity of the chief manager appointed by the emperor is not to mention first, just the qualifications in the army are more than a hundred times stronger than him, this time he did not listen to the general's order to attack him at night without authorization, if Guo Hao turned his face against him, it was an extremely troublesome thing.

Seeing that Zhang Xian was extraordinarily respectful, Guo Hao was also an exception. But there was anger in his heart, and he did not dismount immediately. only returned the salute on the horse, and then said: "Where is General Yao, is he chasing the remnants of the enemy army?" ”

"Not bad. Governor Zhang said that the streets in Taiyuan City were tortuous and easy to fight in the streets, because General Yao could not wait for the army to gather, so he led people to chase and kill him first. ”

"I also knew that this matter was important, so I heard the movement of the city. And he stood up to assemble his men and horses, and was about to come. but met with your herald. ”

When Guo Hao said this, a wave of anger rushed up. Just looked at Zhang Xian, who was standing in front of him. But I pressed it again.

He sighed and said to Zhang Xian: "You and Yao Duan don't listen to the order to cut first and then play, too Meng Lang, although successful, I will also write to His Majesty the Emperor and the Privy Mansion, poor Zhier and other crimes." Dawen should make it clear in advance and tell General Zhang that he knows. ”

Zhang Xian was surprised by this, and immediately replied with a smile: "This is the responsibility of the manager, and it is also the fault of the general." No matter how it happens, the last general will have nothing to say. ”

Guo Hao nodded at him, and didn't say any more, only turned around and sent troops, and the soldiers and horses behind him flowed endlessly. Rushing in along the open gates, the torches were bright, the armor was dazzling, and the spears were like a forest, and this strong army entered the city. The enemy was being chased and beaten by Yao Duan again, and it was obvious that he could no longer organize a large-scale street battle.

Zhang Xian had nothing to do at this time, and he had no intention of competing with his generals again, he personally led a thousand strong men to take the Taiyuan City Gate this time, which was already the top, and there was no need to rush with others. Only flashed to the side, coldly looking at Guo Hao's arrangement, under the night fire, Guo Hao only wore a civilian robe, never wore armor, the sword that was originally tied to his waist, but only in his hand, and the shoes between his feet, just casual shoes when resting in the tent, a very embarrassed outfit, obviously heard the movement and immediately arranged military affairs, too late to wear.

Zhang Xian saw him like this, he wanted to laugh, but he saw that Guo Hao's eyebrows were black and white under the firelight, and the plain armor was bright and inconspicuous.

His heart moved, and he felt even more torn. Before doing this, he only thought that he must succeed, and thought that Guo Hao was old and cautious and might not be willing to agree, so he blatantly did not ask for orders, at this time, Guo Hao should be methodical in his backhand, and he did not think that these two people were offended, and he only focused on military affairs, thinking that he had always underestimated the other party, and he felt a little embarrassed.

Guo Hao didn't pay attention to Zhang Xian, only calmly commanded, and waited until the army of 10,000 entered from the city gate, and the tail was steep Yao Rui's subordinates, and then the rest of the troops went to occupy the remaining three city gates in Taiyuan, and when everything was arranged, he breathed a sigh of relief, and the color on his face also turned around.

Seeing Zhang Xian standing in front of him, he couldn't help but laugh and said: "The young posterior is really good, so that our army can quickly win Taiyuan, and lose less material and military strength, which is the best." ”

His nerves were relaxed, and he was in high spirits for a moment, and said: "Guo is not jealous of the virtuous and jealous, and the merits of the two generals will naturally be truthful, and Your Majesty will have his own fault." As for me, I will also let Xian retreat and no longer hold the position of steward. ”

Zhang Xian was taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Why should the chief manager be like this, this battle is actually our risk, with the chief manager's upright tactics, we can naturally succeed, why blame ourselves." ”

"It's not the truth, you two are young, you have deep insight, you are ruthless and accurate, as long as you work stabilizing the word, how can the world's good generals have more than the two of you?"

"The last general really can't afford it!" Zhang Xian didn't agree with him about "steady" folding, in his character, Wenyu definitely didn't occupy a single position, although he was moved by the other party's attitude, he couldn't agree. When it comes to the world's good generals, in Zhang Xian's heart, who can compare with Yue Fei.

At that moment, he waved his hand again and again, expressing his gratitude, and would never dare to praise the other party so much.

Guo Hao was really happy at this time, and he was temporarily ordered to take the appointment and come to Taiyuan, but he was actually unwilling. With the absolute superiority of troops and material resources, and there are rising generals like Zhang Xian Yao Duan, the capture of Taiyuan is not enough to boast of martial arts, and the losses are too many or protracted, all of which will be criticized.

Just as he was about to encourage Zhang Xian a few words, he saw a purple-robed civil official standing beside him, looking at the fire in the city with his negative hand, and unconsciously asked: "This lord is the only one, but he is very faced?" ”

Zhang Xian hurriedly replied: "This is Lord Zhang, the Xuanfu envoy of Hedong Road and the unforgiving. ”

"Oh?"

Guo Hao's eyes lit up, he jumped off the horse, strode forward, and smiled at Zhang Xiaochun: "Love Jun's hard bones are better than steel, and he has not been left behind after all the wind and frost, every time he reads these two poems of the envoy, Guo Mousheng admires the meaning of closeness, he has never seen Lord Zhang, and today he finally got what he wanted." ”

Zhang Xiaochun smiled slightly, but his expression was a little gloomy, and he also bowed his hand, and then replied: "How dare I be so praised, as a national minister has the responsibility to defend the land, the fall of Taiyuan is my responsibility, I can't surrender to the old people on the death festival, it is a big loss, today General Guo praised this poem, it really makes me ashamed." ”

Only then did Guo Hao understand that the high-ranking official in front of him was so self-reproachful in his heart. He was greatly moved in his heart, strode forward, took a deep look, and then said: "I am a martial artist who can't speak, only one sentence to tell Lord Zhang, my generation of Western Army soldiers blame themselves for their inability to save Taiyuan, and there is no half of a sentence to blame Lord Zhang, if so, Guo will thank him with his head." ”

"It taught me how to be daring."

Zhang Xiaochun was very moved in his heart, he was born as a Wenchen Jinshi, the poetry and literature are all first-class style, and there is naturally no problem with speech.

Seeing tears in the corners of the eyes of this unstoppable tough guy, Guo Hao, Zhang Xian and others couldn't help but turn their heads away and didn't look at him.

Everyone was silent for a while, until Zhang Junhou and Lu Yong arrived and kept coming from the military academy to report the war in the city, which covered up the embarrassing atmosphere of Shicai.

At this time, it has been nearly five watches, it is about to dawn, and the weather is getting more and more cold, the spring night is expected to be steep, the day will break when it is about to break, it is also the coldest day and the most tired time, the generals at the city gate are full of energy, the city's earth-shaking shouts and killings keep coming, a wisp of silver and white also slowly rises from the distant sky, the morning star begins to dim, and the morning sun of the new day is about to rise.

Because of the cold weather, Zhang Xian ordered his soldiers to find some firewood and light it on the spot, and the huge pyre burst into flames, first sparks, and then the fire licked into the air, bringing warmth to the people who were shivering and shivering.

So together with Guo Hao and Zhang Jun, everyone subconsciously stood in front of the fire, so that the flames were a little closer to them.

Looking at the fires everywhere in the city, Zhang Xian smiled unconsciously: "The fire is also baking in the city, but the situation is the same but the mind is different." ”

No one paid attention to his joke, and after half a sound, Zhang Xiaochun replied quietly: "It was originally said that it would be taken as soon as possible to preserve the city, but now it seems that no matter what, we have to work hard to restore it." ”

The army will not be able to pick up this sentence, but Lu Yongzhong said with a smile: "This matter has been discussed by the cardinal government and the prime minister, and it has also been made clear to Your Majesty, the terrain of Taiyuan is dangerous, and this time Xin Bo will take it back, and the plan must not be lost again." It is because both inside and outside the city will spend a lot of effort to renovate and rebuild. No matter how tight the country's financial resources are, the whole armament war is the top priority, please rest assured. ”

In fact, Zhang Xiaochun has nothing to do with Taiyuan at this time, but because the relationship between this city and him is already inseparable from flesh and blood, he is very concerned, and others also know his thoughts and take care of him in many ways.

But he heard Lu Yongzhong ask Zhang Xiaochun again: "How many people are there in the city, it has been several months since the attack on Taiyuan, and the people must have suffered greatly." ”

Speaking of this matter, Zhang Xiaochun looked even more gloomy, frowned and thought for a while, and replied: "When Taiyuan fell, there were only a few thousand people in the city, and later rebuilt and moved in, there were only 20,000 people, and the food was cut off by the siege for half a year, and many old and weak women and children died of illness and hunger. According to my secret inspection a few days ago, less than half of the people in the city survived. ”

After he finished speaking, Lu Yuezhong also sighed leisurely, "Alas, the people of Taiyuan are too bitter, I must show Your Majesty and show more mercy to Taiyuan." ”

At this time, everyone could only hear the shouts of killing in the city getting fainter and smaller, and after the sky was bright, it was finally silent.

Zhang Xian's face was full of excitement, and he said with a smile: "Yao Dalang has pacified the city. ”