Beihai County.

This is in the east of Qingzhou, Shandong, Weifang, Laizhou, near the Bohai Sea.

In the five years of Tianbao, Li Yong served as the Taishou of Beihai, known as "Li Beihai", and when the Du Youlin case broke out, Li Yong was implicated by Liu Tao. Later, because of Xue Bai's relationship, the case was hastily closed, but Li Yong was old, and he returned to his hometown within two years, and now the Beihai Tai Code is Helan Jinming.

Helan came from Xianbei, Sinicized very early, and was a relative in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it is still called the word "noble". Their family is the same as the Xue family, handsome men and beautiful women, there are many people who marry the royal family, Helan Jinming ancestor and Wu Zetian are related, there is a quite famous person in his ancestors, called Helan Minzhi, famous for "young and beautiful".

Helan was forty-six years old when he entered the Ming Dynasty, he had a good skin, he was handsome when he was young, and now he is elegant and graceful. He is also very talented, he was admitted to the Jinshi at the age of 20, and his poems are well written, so ancient and elegant, and he is romantic.

Such a character naturally doesn't look down on An Lushan's miscellaneous beard. Although An Lushan's army crossed the border, Helan Jinming was forced by the situation and immediately surrendered, but he knew that the Tang Dynasty was at its peak and the sage was wise and martial, and sooner or later he would put down the rebellion, so he was worried about it, and he was deeply afraid that he would be liquidated by the imperial court after the rebellion was pacified.

Two days ago, he received a message from Yuan Luqian of Changshan County, and he had the heart to respond, but he was worried that the time had not yet come, and the imperial court had not yet had time to send troops.

It's really hard to grasp.

"Ugh."

It was a hot day, Helan Jinming was dressed in plain yarn and singles, with clogs on his feet, sitting in the lobby and thinking.

"Brother, there is another text!"

His younger brother Helan Zhijia hurried from the front yard, holding two scrolls of paper, and unfolded one of them in front of him.

Helan Jinming stared at it, and the first thing he noticed was the handwriting, an extremely positive and atmospheric one-handed regular script, which did not hide the killing spirit in the pen, with iron and silver hooks, and the atmosphere was majestic.

"Good word."

Looking at the content again, it was reported by Changshan Taishou Xue Bai that since Chen had killed the rebel generals Li Qincuo and Gao Miao, and brought tens of thousands of elite soldiers from Hedong, Yu Jingcheng broke the rebel general Cai Xide and beheaded 1,300 people. Today, the twenty-four counties of Hebei Province are spread to advocate righteousness.

Compared with Yuan Luqian's impassionedness, Xue Bai's letter does not have many words, but the content is very powerful.

Helan Jinming was moved, quickly stood up, and said, "Has the army of the imperial court arrived?" ”

Not long ago, he was afraid that he would get up early, but now he was worried that it would be too late to advocate righteousness.

"It didn't say anything in this text, but Yuan Luqian said that the imperial court had appointed the crown prince as the generalissimo and sent 300,000 troops."

"What Yuan Luqian said doesn't count." Helan Jinming frowned and said to himself, "Why didn't Xue Bai mention it? ”

"Pingyuan is too guarded by Yan Gaoqing and also advocates righteousness, brother look."

Helan Zhijia handed over another letter and told the latest news at the same time.

"Not only Tsuneyama, but also Pingyuan County is said to have a strong reputation. There were originally 3,000 Jingsai troops there, and Yan Gaoqing recruited more soldiers to 10,000, appointed Li Zejiao, Diao Wansui and other generals, and feasted soldiers and horses at the West Gate, which boosted morale. ”

"How, according to your wishes?" Helan Jinming asked.

"We respond too!" Helan Zhijia said: "Yan Gaoqing first came to the plains, so impatient, presumably he and Xue Bai have in-laws, have a way in the court, and are well-informed. ”

Helan Jinming nodded immediately when he heard this, and said, "Okay." ”

"Brother, in my opinion, we can't stay in the North Sea." Helan Zhijia continued to come up with ideas, saying: "Beihai is remote, if the rebels come, there is no way to escape; If the officers and soldiers put down the rebellion, the merit will not be obvious. ”

"So what?"

"Recruit troops and lead the army to Changshan to support Xue Bai, Yuan Luqian and others. Changshan County is close to Jingcheng and is a strategic location. You can respond to the imperial army as soon as possible, see the prince, and if something goes wrong, you can withdraw to Taiyuan to preserve the troops. ”

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Helan Jinming has an elegant personality, and his younger brother helps him make decisions on many things, and the two have been like this since they were children.

There was only one thing he had with his brother about, and that was about his first wife.

When Helan Jinming was eighteen years old, handsome and talented, he was loved by the daughter of the Linghu family in Dunhuang, and the Linghu family loved Helan Jinming, in order to please him, he gave gifts to his family, and the Helan family was full of love. But Helan Zhijia didn't like this Linghu very much, and deliberately lied to her that her brother wanted a lacquer-backed gold mirror in the right minister's mansion, and the next day, Linghu really went to the right minister's mansion to visit Li Linfu's eldest daughter, and quietly sneaked into the Yanyue Hall, who knew that when he escaped, he was shot by an arrow by the guard.

This sounded extremely ridiculous and implausible, so some strange theories were derived, saying that the Linghu clan was the incarnation of a white fox, and the guards of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion had only shot a fox at that time. But in the final analysis, it was nothing more than making the fox clan love Helan Jinming too deeply, so that he was completely dizzy.

Helan Jinming later blamed his younger brother for this incident, but Helan Zhijia only said, "I'm just joking, who knew that she would really go, and I didn't expect the people in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion to release arrows without saying anything."

After all, it was an unintentional mistake, and the two brothers finally reconciled.

Helan Zhijia has no intention of career, and has always stayed by Helan Jinming's side to take care of his affairs, unlike his brother's good old and elegant, he has a lot of means.

So, in just a few days, they recruited soldiers and horses, plus the original defenders of Beihai County, totaled 5,000 people, and rushed to Changshan County to respond to Xue Bai.

By the time they arrived, 15 of the 24 counties in Hebei had responded.

~~

In the distance, you can already see the majestic Taihang Mountain.

The city was already in sight, and deep trenches had been dug outside the city, and earthen walls had been piled up to block the cavalry charge.

There are many flags on the head of the city, not only the banner of the Hengyang Army of Changshan County, but also the Taiyuan Tianbing Army, the Pingyuan Jingsai Army, the Boling Beiping Army, etc., which are raging in the wind.

From time to time in the south, horses could be seen galloping past, waving flags towards the city.

Some people helped the old and the young, pushing wheelbarrows to the west, and columns of officers and soldiers rode horses to escort them.

Helan Jinming raised his eyes and looked into the distance, muttering, "What is that?" ”

"Could it be that the population is sent to the east of the river?"

"Doesn't Xue Bai have confidence in holding Hebei? It's not that the 300,000 troops of the imperial court are about to arrive. ”

Thinking about it like this, Helan Jinming's heart was filled with worry.

The head of the city had long noticed the movement of their large force of soldiers and horses, and a captain led his troops to inquire.

They then replied in a loud voice: "Beihai Taishou has come to support with 5,000 elite soldiers!" ”

But Changshan was very cautious, even if he checked the official seal symbol, he still didn't let them cross the border immediately, but waited for an official in the city to come down to identify it. After that, they were arranged to be stationed in a camp outside the city, which had already been set up.

"Why don't you see Xue Taishou?"

"Helan Taishou forgive me, Taishou just saw someone from Pingyuan County, and he immediately came to greet him."

"Oh? Yan Gaoqing is also here? ”

"No, he sent messengers."

Helan Zhijia said: "Xue Taishou went to greet the messenger, but left my brother and sister too shou here?" ”

"Shut up." Helan Jinming stopped his brother and said, "Let's set up camp first......

Before the words could be spoken, a loud shout could be heard in the distance.

"Yejun Taishou Wang Tao, specially led 3,000 elite soldiers to respond to Xue Taishou! I am willing to push Xue Taishou to be the leader of the thief alliance! ”

More than 3,000 people shouted in unison, and the momentum shook the sky.

Helan Jinming turned his head to look at the city gate, and saw a row of rebel generals hanging there, he couldn't help but whisper to Helan Zhijia: "The leader of the thief alliance is much more majestic than expected." ”

"Originally, they were both county guards, and when he gave an order, more than 20 counties bowed their heads at the same time, which was majestic." Helan Zhijia muttered, "This is the power of the Jiedu envoy." ”

"That's how a husband lives."

Hearing his brother say this, Helan Zhijia immediately began to turn his mind, his eyes rolled left and right twice, and said: "Xue Bai is young and has no qualifications, but I don't know what credit he has to do to be able to subdue many county guards?" ”

"He said in the text that he defeated Cai Xide's soldiers and horses."

Helan Zhijia said: "False reporting of war exploits, have you seen less of it over the years?" A nepotistic minister, who comes and goes with people like Yang Guozhong, isn't what he is best at cheating? ”

"Yang Guozhong." Helan Jinming stroked his long beard and shook his head to show his disdain for Yang Guozhong.

As a result, in the eyes of the brothers, Xue Bai's image is also much more distinct, and they also have a ready-made reference, that is, their uncle Helan Minzhi, a prodigal son who is good at drilling women's quilts and using women to manipulate power.

After waiting for a while, because all counties and counties had sent people, Xue Bai simply set up a banquet and invited the Helan brothers to the big tent to discuss the rebellion.

It is inevitable that the young man will be rude to do this, and Helan Jinming plans to see what kind of character this is.

"Brother don't be curious, I bet Xue Bai will not be able to suppress so many people."

……

There was no luxurious decoration inside the big tent, and there was a smell of blood.

But the soldiers guarding outside the tent had sharp eyes, but they were full of murderous aura all over their bodies, which could not be done by training alone, only after the baptism of the battlefield.

Their spears were held diagonally, the blood on the poles had dried and inked, but the tips of the spears were clean, and the iron was sharpened and sharpened, reflecting a terrifying light.

Helan recognized Xue Bai when he entered the big tent before he entered the big tent, he was standing on the top, talking about something with people.

At first glance, Helan Jinming thought that Xue Bai was too much like when he was young, talented and beautiful, and romantic. But soon, he realized that the two were different.

At this time, Xue Bai was wearing armor, and he had not cleaned it for several days, the armor was full of blood, all kinds of colors, the blood was covered with mud, the mud was covered with blood, he should have killed people at different times, he was not wearing a helmet, so he could see the blood stains left by wiping his face but not being able to wipe his sideburns.

His eyes were resolute, revealing a decisive spirit of killing, and he did not stain the romance of Chang'an City at all.

"I am Xue Bai, this is Yuan Luqian, the chief of Changshan, and this is the king of the military envoy in Yunzhong. Today, regardless of the hardships and dangers, you have come to Changshan County to respond to the righteousness. I, Yuan Changshi, and General Wang have neglected you. ”

"Xue Taishou is polite."

But Xue Bai was not polite, his tone was reasonable, and said: "Fortunately, when the rebellion is put down, he will be promoted to a knight, and his name will go down in history." There is no shortage of good hospitality, and now bear with it. ”

"Good!"

In the tent, there are Raoyang Taishou Lu Quancheng, Qinghe Changshi Wang Huaizhong, Jingcheng Sima Li Wei, Yejun Taishou Wang Tao and others, all applauded.

Xue Bai was respected as the leader of the alliance, without any humility, and walked to a huge map with a deserving momentum, pointing and explaining the strategic intention of the "imperial court" in the next step.

"Now An Lushan has arrived at the Yellow River and attacked Luoyang. He claimed to have 200,000 troops, but in fact there were only more than 100,000 troops, and all of them were gathered along the Yellow River. And where does his food and grass come from? Xiongwu City, Youzhou, the entire logistics line has been completely cut off by us. ”

At this point, a whistle was heard in the distance, followed by enthusiastic cheers.

"Report!"

A group of cavalry rushed to the tent, turned over and dismounted, and said: "Report to Taishou, we have defeated a rebel baggage team, beheaded 37 people, captured 80 carriages, 200 mules, 500 stones of millet, 800 stones of beans, and more than 100 sheep. ”

"Pass the order, make food and cook sheep, and reward the whole army."

"Whoa!"

Wang Tao, the Taishou of Yejun, hurriedly ran out of the big tent and looked outside the camp, and sure enough, he saw a lively scene of many mule carts returning to the camp, and the soldiers were busy before and after.

As a result, the confidence of the people was greatly increased and their morale was raised.

Xue Bai was not surprised, and even had a straight face, and tapped the map with a little impatience, pulling everyone's minds back to analyzing the situation.

"If you ask the generalissimo appointed by the imperial court where the generalissimo is, and where the 300,000 army is, I will tell you. The vanguard army has arrived in Taiyuan and is currently being reorganized. That's why I was able to borrow 5,000 soldiers and horses from Taiyuan to open up the well. And what about the rest? Over here. ”

The word "Tongguan" on the map was dotted by Xue Bai, and he looked determined, as if he knew the entire battlefield well.

"The sage has ordered the generals to go out of Tongguan and fight a decisive battle with An Lushan under Luoyang City......"

Suddenly, someone interrupted Xue Bai and issued the first question, it was Helan Jinming, he didn't believe Xue Bai very much, and asked, "Who did the sage send to command the army?" ”

"Gao Xianzhi." Xue Bai quickly went through it in his mind and said, "Gao Xianzhi is in Chang'an, and he has already rushed to Luoyang in the starry night. ”

Helan Jinming asked again: "300,000 troops? Can the court transfer it in a hurry? ”

Xue Bai's face sank, and he said, "Why is Helan Taishou asking so much? Gyeonggi and Luoyang, the capital of the gods, can't just 300,000 soldiers and horses be transferred?! ”

Helan Jinming originally had no malicious intent, but he just thought that those soldiers of the Southern Yafu in Chang'an City were not able to fight at all, so he asked casually. Unexpectedly, he was scolded by Xue Bai, although he knew that he had said the wrong thing, he was still very angry in his heart.

"Shaft!" Helan Zhijia immediately stood up and said, "Dare to be so rude to my brother, are you really above the county guard?!" ”

Xue Bai didn't pay attention to him at all, looked around the tent, and said to everyone: "I repeat, in an extraordinary situation, and there are those who dare to disturb the morale of the army, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they will be punished!" ”

Recently, people from all counties have come, and there are all kinds of problems, and Xue Bai has to take care of all the food, drink, and Lazar. Presiding over this situation, it is useless to explain in a good voice, he must have strong means.

It was not aimed at Helan Jinming, but asked this kind of question openly, if Xue Bai answered, there would be more consequences, it was better to go back at the beginning, whether it was embarrassing or tense, if others realized that the alliance leader was speaking, they could not be interrupted or questioned.

Helan Zhijia saw that Xue Bai ignored him, he was stunned for a moment, and he was about to make trouble, and with a "bang", Wang Rare had already pulled out his sword and spit out two crisp and powerful words.

"Deliberations."

Xue Bai then ignored this skirmish and continued: "Since the officers and soldiers have confronted the rebels at Heluo, at this time, if we cut off the rebels' food routes and return routes, the rebels will inevitably be in turmoil, and if An Lushan dares to send troops to attack us, the troops will be insufficient, and the officers and soldiers will be defeated." ”

As he spoke, he drew a line on the map from Changshan County to Pingyuan County.

"We only need to concentrate our forces and hold the places of Changshan County, Zhao County, and Pingyuan County, which is enough to cut off the rebels' food routes, concentrate our forces, and hold out. Just wait for the rebels to be defeated. ”

Xue Bai probably knew what changes he had triggered. He prompted Taiyuan to send troops, protected the main road of Jingcheng, and advanced the time for the counties of Hebei to annex the Tang Dynasty before An Lushan captured Luoyang.

This must have had an impact on the morale of the rebels.

For the battle of Luoyang, he has done everything he can within his ability, and it is not up to him whether the imperial court can win. Only the emperor can decide who to send to battle, how many soldiers and horses to send, and what strategy to use.

Even if he is the crown prince, he will not be able to influence such a major event until he ascends the throne.

And Xue Bai is not even a prince.

In short, he painted bread for these people, and there were many deceptive parts in his words to motivate people, but they were not all false.

Their insistence on the cities of Hebei was indeed able to create very favorable conditions for the Battle of Luoyang.

Under such circumstances, the possibility of victory for officers and men should be greatly increased.

~~

Yang Qixuan was also in the tent of this military discussion, although he was squeezed into a corner, he also listened with confidence.

He touched his knocked out front tooth and realized that he was so stupid before, and he chose to compete with Xue Bai to be jealous. Now that a big chaos has been covered, Xue Bai's life experience and ability have been revealed, which is this rival in love? It should be someone who deserves to be served.

finally survived until the second half of the night, when all kinds of chores in the army ended, Yang Qixuan immediately went to see Xue Bai.

"Lang Jun!"

"Get up." Xue Bai hadn't taken off his armor until now, rubbing his sleepy eyes that he couldn't open, and caught a glimpse of Yang Qixuan kneeling on the ground, and said, "If you have something to say, don't say it's useless." ”

"Yes, I found out today that Helan Jinming was not convinced by Lang Jun, so I specially came to remind Lang Jun."

"What can he do if he is not convinced?"

Yang Qixuan did not assert anything, mainly to show his attitude of thinking about Xue Bai.

So, he took two steps forward in small steps and said in a low voice: "Helan Jinming is a person with eyes and no beads, and he is jealous that Lang Jun was promoted as the leader of the alliance. But I don't know that he has no qualifications to be jealous at all. ”

Xue Bai closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, as if he was not listening.

Yang Qi said: "In my opinion, so far, whether the counties of Hebei can defend it or not, Lang Jun's goal has been achieved. ”

"Huh? Why do you say, 'Can you keep it?' ”

"Lang Jun doesn't accuse me of disturbing the morale of the army, I am plotting with Lang Jun in private."

"Okay."

Yang Qixuan whispered: "Others don't know, how can I not know when I came out of Chang'an?" In a hurry, it was difficult for the imperial court to even transfer troops and horses to defend Luoyang, and it was impossible to send troops to Hebei for the time being. An Lushan's temperament is hot, and he will definitely send the general back immediately, our few small cities that have no danger to defend, and tens of thousands of soldiers and horses from all sides, not to mention that they will definitely not be able to hold it, but Lang Jun is only afraid that it will be difficult to defend. ”

Xue Bai didn't answer, his fingers lightly touched his knees, and the situation in Yanshi County appeared in his mind again.

Yang Qixuan came tonight, but what he really wanted to talk about was not the battle situation, but the struggle for power that he was better at.

"Lang Jun doesn't have to be worried, just said that Lang Jun's goal has been achieved, he is the first to advocate righteousness, and he is promoted as the leader of the alliance by the counties of Hebei, so prestige is enough."

"What is my purpose?"

"Naturally, it's Bao Datang Sheji!"

Xue Bai didn't refute.

Yang Qixuan saw that he was right, and said: "Now the rebel soldiers are coming to Luoyang City, and there is only a Tongguan from Chang'an. As far as I can see, Lang Jun does not need to hold on to Hebei for too long, but should put the safety of the saint first, recruit the people of Yan Zhao, and lead tens of thousands of people to pass through Hedong and return to King Qin! ”

He boasted of coming up with a brilliant idea, and when he said it, he became excited and spat out.

"Lang Jun, you think, since the rebellion, you are the only one who has shouldered the heavy responsibility and won the trust of the generals of the two towns. It is the pillar of the East Palace, if you return to Chang'an at this time, the saint will inevitably be rewarded by Yu, and the prince will inevitably rely on it more. With your ability and these tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, it is not difficult to try to make the prince in command, and then ask the prince to redress the unjust case of the year, and you can lead the army to quell the rebellion as the king of the county......"

Sure enough, Xue Bai opened his eyes and glanced at Yang Qixuan.

At this moment, Yang Qixuan is a little different from the past, and he is faintly like the rebellious Wang Weld back then, no, more like Li Shiniang.

As long as he dares to think, his ambition will be ignited, and it will become crazy.

Yang Qixuan was looked at by Xue Bai's eyes, a little frightened, and simply knelt on the ground again, and said in a trembling voice: "I am not disrespectful, but it is all for the sake of Lang Jun, Hebei must be the most affected by An Lushan's troops, which can enhance Lang Jun's prestige, but if you want to protect Sheji, you have to look at Chang'an after all." ”

"I ask you." Xue Bai said: "These are what you thought of yourself, or did Dugu ask the common people and Li Shiyu to say them." ”

"Yes...... Yes......" Yang Qixuan hesitated for a moment and said, "It was I who talked to them and was deeply inspired. ”

"Then why didn't they tell me?"

"They are not as sincere as I am to Lang Jun." Yang Qi preached: "I'm only thinking about Lang Jun, they have too many distractions. ”

Xue Bai shook his head, knowing that Dugu and Li Shiyu were loyal, and they would not persuade him to abandon Hebei and flee so quickly, after all, it still makes sense to stay here now.

But he didn't pour cold water on Yang Qixuan, but he was really willing to talk to him.

"Do you know why I let Yuan Luqian surrender?"

"Because, at that time, Changshan County just couldn't resist the rebels." Yang Qi declared: "Only by letting the rebels cross the border can they be cut off from it, so that they cannot take care of each other." ”

"Yes, the current situation is also caused by me, how can I stop easily?"

"But even so," Yang Qixuan muttered in a low voice, "How can the imperial court have 300,000 troops to defend Luoyang?" ”

Of course, Xue Bai also knew this, he thought that An Lushan should be about to arrive at Yanshi, so he sighed rarely, and said, "There are some things you said that are good, but they are not extreme enough. If I want to return to Chang'an, I will have to ...... when my prestige is too great to be added."

(End of chapter)