Chapter 281 Twists and turns

The Eastern Yan army launched a fierce offensive on the Yingchuan battlefield, but they did not expect that emergency news would come from Hulao Pass.

There was panic in Luoyang City, and Emperor Taixing Murong Yang hurriedly summoned a group of ministers to discuss countermeasures.

Both the Han aristocrats and the Xianbei nobles were in a panic. Even when the Western Yan army reached Yingchuan, only a few hundred miles away from Luoyang, and even when Yang Xun rebelled and surrounded the Eastern Capital, they had never been so panicked.

The reason is very simple. Whether it is the Longxi Li family who actually controls Western Yan, or the Hongnong Yang family who rebelled in the beginning, they were fighting for the supreme power.

Even if they invaded Luoyang and looted, they would only rob the treasury and ordinary people's homes and shops. They would not raise their butcher knives against the nobles in Luoyang.

Because essentially, we all hang out in the same circle.

At most, the emperor and the people in power would be replaced. There is no reason to kill people in large numbers.

But the Wagang Army was different.

The leader of the Wagang Army, Zhai Rang, was a minor official, and most of his generals were bandits, robbers, local rebels, and private salt dealers. Those with better backgrounds were just local tyrants.

In the past few years when the world was not in chaos, they were not even qualified to stand in front of the nobles in Luoyang, but if they were allowed to enter Luoyang, no one could predict what would happen in this situation.

He can talk to everyone in the Li family, and is related to them in some ways. Maybe he can become an official in the future even though he is unemployed now.

But it’s not clear whether the Wagang people want their money or their lives.

Therefore, several prime ministers reached a rare consensus that Prince Lingzhi must be allowed to return as soon as possible, because the defense of Hulao Pass was weak and could not hold out for long. Once the Wagang Army broke through Hulao Pass and reached the city of Luoyang, the consequences would be disastrous.

As for the Li brothers in Yingchuan, they can divide their troops to resist.

Murong Yang was naturally aware of these people's plans. Even if they were killed, the Li family would be able to survive if they entered Luoyang.

But if Wagang enters Luoyang, no one can predict what will happen.

Even Murong Yang himself was like this.

However, he was somewhat unwilling to give up the Yingchuan battlefield, so he did not make a decision immediately.

But in fact, he also began to lean towards transferring some troops from Yingchuan to provide support.

But how many people should be mobilized? The Wagang side claimed to have an army of 200,000. Even if there were not 200,000, there would at least be 100,000.

There are only two thousand soldiers at the natural fortress of Hulao Pass, and it is unknown how long they can hold out.

However, Murong Yang's cousin Wei Xiaoju volunteered to lead 5,000 young and strong men selected from the Luoyang defenders to support Hulao Pass.

"I will give you two months as your deadline. Within two months, I will ensure that Hulao Pass will not be lost."

Wei Xiaoju said, I can hold on for two months, but I can't hold on any longer.

Murong Yang was quite moved when he heard this, and when he saw Wei Xiaoju off at the city gate, he took off his robe and put it on him.

"The state is in a difficult situation. If we can turn danger into safety, it will all be due to your efforts."

After sending Wei Xiaoju to the war, Murong Yang sent his other cousin and uncle Murong Wuji to Yingchuan to inquire about whether the war in Yingchuan could be ended, which was actually a urgency.

As the emperor's envoy, Murong Wuji went to Yingchuan with the imperial seal and only a dozen personal guards. He traveled light and quickly, covering hundreds of miles, and arrived in Yingyin in less than five days.

In the camp, a group of generals gathered around the big tent and whispered about the sudden visit of the emperor's envoy. Duan Wuda said to his brother in a slightly worried voice: "Brother, this saint suddenly sent an envoy here. Is he dissatisfied with the lack of victory in the Yingchuan war?"

Duan Wuchen shook his head: "A saint wouldn't be so impatient, something must have happened."

At this time, the Yingchuan army did not know that the Wagang army was advancing to Hulao, so they kept discussing the purpose of the emperor suddenly sending an envoy.

Inside the big tent, Murong Wuji told the two generals, Lou Jushi and Duan Yihong, about the situation in Luoyang in detail.

"General Wei said that Hulao can be defended for two months, so the sage means that the two generals must defeat the enemy in Yingchuan within two months, otherwise the safety of Luoyang will not be guaranteed."

Duan Yihong and Mr. Lou frowned when they heard this, looked at each other in silence, and could only sigh.

"Minister Murong, you don't know that the Western Army brothers Li Xuanqing and Li Yuanhui have built a camp between Ruying and Yingzhou, with deep trenches and high ravines, and they are holding their ground. We have been attacking the city for more than ten days, but we have not been able to break their camp. We can only suspend the offensive for the next few days, otherwise the morale of the army will be completely lost and we will not be able to fight anymore."

Duan Yihong described in detail the battle situation of the past few days, his tone full of helplessness.

Murong Wuji said: "I also know what Prince Duan said, but now it is not that the saint is urging the two generals to fight as soon as possible, but the situation does not wait for anyone. If Hulao Pass fails, Luoyang will be in danger. If Luoyang is lost, what is the point of Yingchuan being able to stop the Li brothers?"

Mr. Lou said: "Minister Murong is right, but it is difficult for the Yingchuan Li family to defeat the enemy at the moment. It is better to send tens of thousands of troops to rescue Hulao. Pharmacist Li also has 20,000 troops. In order to rescue Hulao, Liang County can also be abandoned."

Duan Yihong said: "General Lou's words make sense, but I heard that Guanzhong has already sent reinforcements to Wuguan. If we divide our troops now and the Guanzhong reinforcements arrive, the situation in Yingchuan may be unfavorable to our army."

The three of them fell silent at the same time. The problem at hand was very tricky.

First of all, it is difficult to break through the enemy in Yingchuan in a short period of time. Even two months may not be enough to defeat the enemy, and reinforcements from Guanzhong are on the way.

At this time, Mr. Lou suddenly said loudly: "It's too late. We should choose the lesser of two evils. Since the situation in Yingchuan has become tense, it will be difficult to break through in the short term. Hulao Pass is only a few hundred miles away. It is better to concentrate all the cavalry and rush to Hulao Pass to deal with the Wagang Army first."

Duan Yihong frowned upon hearing this, "General Lou, don't you think this trip is too risky?"

Mr. Lou said, "Tens of thousands of infantry troops are stationed in Yingyin, Xuchang, and Jiaxian. Even if the Western Army goes out to fight in the short term, our army is still enough to hold Yingchuan. Moreover, Hulao Pass is less than 300 miles away, and the cavalry can fight back and forth in six days. If we hesitate now, then when the Yan army in Guanzhong arrives, we will have no chance."

"Okay, let's do as General Lou said. Minister Murong, please go back to Luoyang and report to the Saint. Let's say that I, Duan Yihong, will personally lead 50,000 cavalry to Hulao to fight. Within ten days, we will definitely defeat the Wagang Army. The battle here will be supervised by General Lou. Please rest assured, Saint."

Murong Wuji nodded and said, "Okay, since the two generals have made a decision, I will return to Luoyang immediately and report to the saint."

As quickly as it comes, it goes as quickly as it comes.

As soon as Murong Wuji left the tent, he summoned his subordinates and personal guards and returned north to Luoyang.

At the same time, Duan Yihong and Lou Jushi also beat drums to gather their troops.

Duan Yihong selected 15,000 elite cavalry from various units, gave each unit only one hour to prepare, and set out after lunch that day. In fact, the reason why Duan Yihong said 50,000 cavalry was to reassure Luoyang. As a raid, the scale of more than 10,000 cavalry was large enough.

Moreover, the amount of food and fodder needed for more than 10,000 people is completely not of the same order of magnitude as that needed for 50,000 cavalry.

These 15,000 cavalrymen were the cream of the crop of the Great Yan cavalry, the elite among the elite. There were 6,000 armored cavalrymen alone.

Among them were a number of powerful generals such as Yuchi Gong, Xue Wanche, Xue Wanjun, Duan Wuchen, and Yu Juro.

These fierce generals led Dayan's most elite cavalry and rushed to the Hulao battlefield.

(End of this chapter)