The news of the capture of Changzhou by the Zhenjiang army spread all over the north and south of the river overnight.

This result, which is both reasonable and unexpected, is inconceivable to many outsiders.

The main force of the defenders, totaling more than 32,000 foot cavalry troops, did not die at the head of Changzhou City, but was completely annihilated in the water network area outside the city.

Sun Chuanshu originally planned to destroy the Zhenjiang army that was building blockade fortifications in one fell swoop, but he did not expect that the other party accurately predicted the direction and time of the attack, and then laid a net and ambush on all sides.

More than 100,000 soldiers and horses on both sides chased after each other outside the city, and the brave Zhenjiang army had an absolute advantage.

When Li Jiangyao's handsome banner finally appeared on the battlefield, Sun Chuanshu, the rebel general who was bent on revenge, could only look up to the sky and sigh and kill himself in despair, so as not to let himself fall into the hands of the court and suffer humiliation again.

And his carefully planned plan to burn the city was also shattered because of the timely action of the second son of Perak Hall, Lei Yu.

The eagle flag of the Zhenjiang Army finally fluttered at the head of Changzhou City.

When the news of the fall of Changzhou reached Hangzhou, it immediately caused a violent shock. The rebels are panicking, and many officials are already seriously considering evacuation.

Li Jiong looked at Lao Jianhua with a sad face, and didn't say half a word for a long time.

"Your Highness, Minister Lao, look at the following officials...... You should have planned ahead. The palace governor Shi Huowen said softly: "Do you want to summon General Ye back to defend the capital?" ”

Li Jiong glanced at him, then turned to Lao Jianhua and asked, "Master, what do you mean?" ”

Lao Jianhua stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "Returning to Hangzhou is the last step, and it is not the time yet. ”

Huo Wen frowned tightly and hesitated: "However, Li Jiangyao has now taken Changzhou, and the main force is only more than three hundred miles away from us, only separated by Taihu Lake, as well as Suzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing and other cities, and there is almost no danger to defend." Yesterday, the military report came back that Huzhou was being threatened by the Sixth Army of the First Army of Zhenjiang, Yueyang City was attacked by Murong Xueqinglong Legion, and on General Xie Bao's side, the Suzaku Legion, which had been frustrated before, was also preparing to cross the river again to participate in the battle. In this case, I am afraid that I will lose. ”

Li Wei nodded, and said in a deep voice: "The forces are too scattered, and it is indeed easy to be broken by the enemy. It's better to gather the troops, form a fist, and ......"

"And then fight them?" Lao Jianhua asked.

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, a decisive battle!" ”

Lao Jianhua counted his fingers and said: "Hangzhou is full of battles, there are about 120,000 soldiers and horses, Ye Rongcheng still has 150,000 or 60,000 left, and Xie Bao and the upstream government soldiers are not more than 80,000 troops." Bao Yuchun, well, he still has more than 20,000 in his hand. Combined, a total of nearly 400,000 troops is our entire strength. ”

He paused, then continued: "And what about the enemy? Zhenjiang, Qinglong, Suzaku, the total strength of the three-way army is estimated to be about 500,000 to 550,000, and most of them are elite veterans who can fight well. Decisive battle...... I'm afraid it's too risky. ”

"Master, it's better to take a risk than to wait for death slowly." Li Bing couldn't help but hurriedly said: "What happened in Changzhou will happen in Suzhou, Huzhou, and Yueyang one after another. If such a city is thrown down one city after another, all the strength will be exhausted in the end, leaving only Hangzhou as a lonely city, and everything will be closed. Instead of sitting back and waiting for death like this, it is better to have a big battle with the imperial court, 400,000 against 500,000, we may not lose! ”

Lao Jianhua pondered for a moment and looked up at Li Jiong: "Your Highness has thought clearly?" ”

Li Bing nodded: "Think clearly!" I want to personally lead the army, with Bao Yuchun and Ye Rong as auxiliaries, and defeat Li Jiangyao and them! Master, if the heavens can allow us to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, and can make Li Bing's three-way main force all perish south of the river, then the situation in the world will change drastically, and the Holy Tang will still be ours! ”

may have been infected by Li Jiong's arrogance, and Lao Jianhua couldn't help but be a little moved: "What does Your Highness plan to do?" Is there a specific strategy? ”

Li Jiong had obviously thought about it before, so he responded without thinking: "I want to summon Bao Yuchun back, and then lead 100,000 guards to the north, join Ye Rongcheng's army at Taihu Lake, and meet Li Jiangyao head-on." At the same time, let Xie Bao lead his troops to roam around, contain Murong Xue's Qinglong Legion and Ma Hongjie's Vermilion Bird Legion, and prevent them from successfully joining forces with the Zhenjiang Army. Take advantage of this time difference to defeat Li Jiangyao first, and then turn around to clean up the other two enemies. ”

Lao Jianhua pondered: "The Zhenjiang Army has a total of six main forces, and the strength is about the same as that of you and Ye Rongcheng combined, but Li Jiangyao himself is not easy to deal with, and even Ashina and Ronia were defeated by him......"

Li Jiong waved his hand and said excitedly: "He is not an immortal, he may not be so lucky every time!" I don't believe it, Li Jiangyao will never be able to suffer defeat? Master, please believe me once, let me use Li Jiangyao's blood to sacrifice the flag for the Jin army! ”

Lao Jianhua stood up, paced with his hands in his hands, and stopped for a long time before he stopped and said: "Okay, since His Highness has this determination, he is willing to use the momentum of the imperial expedition to inspire the soldiers to fight bravely, then it is not impossible to try." Back then, your father, His Royal Highness General Fei, was the famous god of war of the Holy Tang Dynasty, and was highly respected by the three armies. If Your Highness can personally defeat the invading enemy, it will be an immortal feat! ”

-

"Sir, is it really okay to let His Highness go on the expedition?"

As soon as he left the Jin Palace, Huo Wen asked in a low voice, his face full of worry.

Lao Jianhua replied lightly: "He should also bear some of it." As the king of Jin, he can't always hide in the palace and sing and dance. Don't you know what the soldiers outside are saying? ”

Huo Wen nodded, first sighed helplessly, and then said: "But after all, Your Highness hasn't been on the battlefield for a long time, and the opponent is the world-famous Li Jiangyao......"

"Don't worry, His Royal Highness is just a commander on the surface, and the ones who are really responsible for the command are Bao Yuchun and Ye Rongcheng." Lao Jianhua said: "I have already sent a letter to Bao Shuai, and he is estimated to be in Hangzhou soon." And Ye Rongcheng, on his side, is also ready for battle at this moment. ”

Hearing this, Huo Wen couldn't help but be stunned, and it was only then that he realized that Lao Jianhua actually had the intention of joining forces to fight a decisive battle, and even let Li Jiong, the king of Jin, go to the front line in person, which was also in his plan. It's just that this idea has always been hidden in Lao Jianhua's heart, and he didn't explain it to the outside world, but Li Jiong himself took the initiative to put it forward.

Huo Wen pondered for a moment and asked, "Haven't you told His Highness what happened in the imperial capital?" ”

Lao Jianhua glanced at him coldly: "There are some things that you don't need to let Your Highness know, and it's useless to know them, but they will only increase your troubles." The most important thing now is the front-line war, and nothing else needs His Highness to ask. ”

Huo Wen nodded understandingly: "I understand what you mean, it's just that His Royal Highness asked about Mrs. Rui again the day before yesterday, I'm afraid...... It's not good to put it off any longer. ”

"You can push it to the old man, I have my own way to deal with it." Lao Jianhua turned his head and asked, "How are you prepared for the matter of Kuohai?" ”

Huo Wen looked left and right, and said in a low voice: "It is indeed not easy to avoid the eyes and ears of Bao Shuai and directly contact the thieves. But rest assured, sir, I have been connected to a powerful army of thieves, and their leader has promised that they will be willing to provide protection and even serve as your subordinates, as long as the terms promised by him can be fulfilled. ”

Lao Jianhua bowed slightly, and advised: "After the Royal Highness drives the expedition in person, you will not go with you, stay in Hangzhou, and keep in touch with the Kuohai side in case of emergency." ”

"It's all up to Mr. Arrangement." Huo Wen promised: "I know it in my heart." ”

Lao Jianhua was not in a hurry to get into the sedan chair, and walked slowly with his hands behind his back, while asking, "Huo Wen, are you optimistic about the future situation?" ”

Huo Wen followed behind Lao Jianhua and cautiously responded: "Before Uncle Bao Yuchun was defeated by Li Jiangyao, I was still very optimistic. But now...... Sir, to be honest, there is no danger to defend in the south, and the army is far inferior to the imperial court, so I am afraid that it really can't hold out. Unless ......"

"Unless what?" Lao Jianhua didn't look at him, but just asked to himself.

"Unless there is a sudden big mess in the imperial capital at this time, and the formation is completely broken," Huo Wen said: "Only if the enemy himself has a problem, can we have a chance." Otherwise, it is only a matter of time before we lose completely. ”

Lao Jianhua smiled coldly: "Total defeat? If His Highness hears this, he will definitely cut off your head. ”

Huo Wen replied flatteringly: "As long as Mr. doesn't cut me, it's fine." Who doesn't know that the one who is really in control is your old man. ”

Lao Jianhua said faintly: "You said that kind of frustrating words just now, how do you know that the old man will not want your life?" ”

"The wise man does not refuse to be alarmist," Huo Wen said step by step: "Sir is a man of great wisdom, and he has long understood the situation in the world, how can he not see the reason for the crisis in Jiangnan?" I'm just saying something in front of you, and I don't dare to deceive and disguise. ”

Lao Jianhua sneered, and asked again: "What do you mean when you say that there is a big mess in the imperial capital?" ”

Huo Wenying said: "Of course, it is the kind of incident that can directly disrupt the army. As long as we let Emperor Li Bing make some trouble and drag Li Jiangyao Murong Xue's hind legs, we will have a chance. ”

He paused slightly, and then continued: "For example, the discussion about the reward of Jiuxi that suddenly popped up before is now boiling, and I heard that Li Bing is very annoyed." ”

Lao Jianhua stopped and turned to look at Huo Wen: "You also heard about it?" ”

"I heard a little rumor." Huo Wen replied seriously: "It is said that someone deliberately instigated the government and the opposition and forced the emperor to reward Li Jiangyao Jiuxi, which is not clear to provoke the contradiction between Li Bing and Li Jiangyao." It's just that now Li Bing still can't figure out whether this is Li Jiangyao's original intention, or whether it is a good thing and a good person who caused something for no reason. ”

Lao Jianhua smiled: "Then you still need to say? Although our eyeliner in the imperial capital is all broken, the old man is also fully sure that this is Li Jiangyao's enemy manipulating. ”

Huo Wen's eyes lit up: "Li Jiangyao's enemy? What do you mean...... Harem? ”