Chapter 323: Love and Separation

The Tang and Yan kingdoms were confronting each other over Yecheng, and other forces were also busy.

The Western Wei Dynasty once again sent troops to the north and attacked Xinye along the Baihe River. Liu Sigong, the governor of Jingzhou who stayed in Wancheng, led his troops to support. The two sides fought at Bowang, north of Xinye, and both sides suffered losses. Then the Western Wei Dynasty withdrew.

Military news came from Xuzhou that a total of 38,000 people from Youwei Guard and Xuzhou Army recaptured Langya which was attacked by Qingzhou Army, but they failed in the subsequent pursuit and Langya was taken back by Qingzhou people.

The army retreated to the East China Sea for rest and recuperation.

The enemy general Yang Kan led his troops to ambush on the road, and Yang Sui led his troops to pretend to be defeated and retreat, a classic feigned defeat to lure the enemy.

But Liu Yuanqing was a little reckless. He ignored Xiao Shizhi's dissuasion and insisted on pursuing the enemy. As a result, he suffered heavy casualties and more than a thousand Tang soldiers were killed or wounded.

If Xiao Shizhi had not responded in time, there might have been greater casualties.

After the loss of Langya County, the Tang army was in a disadvantageous situation and their morale was low. Li Yuanhui therefore ordered them to stabilize the current front line and defend Donghai County, not to give the other side an opportunity to take advantage. He even gave a very straightforward military order, "Stay in your defense and don't go out, don't fight."

Before, we let them wait and see, but now it seems that some people cannot be given too much autonomy.

It’s not that Qingzhou is not important, but the battle situation in Hebei is more important.

Although the Yang brothers held Qingzhou and had tens of thousands of soldiers, they were not strong enough to shake the current Tang Dynasty in terms of both geographical location and strength. But if Liu Xuanji took all of Hebei, it would be very dangerous. The last person who occupied Hebei and conquered the world in the south was Liu Xiu.

In addition, fighting was also going on in the Hedong region. The Tuoba brothers were fighting against each other.

This battle report was what surprised Li Yuanhui the most. Tuoba Jun dispatched 50,000 infantry and cavalry to the north of Dai County. The momentum was very strong. The cavalry team was said to stretch for dozens of miles. It seemed that he was planning to take over the former Dai County in one fell swoop.

Although he occupied Jinyang, the Daibei area was the ancestral home of the Tuoba family and their ancestral land. He must take it back, otherwise the title of Tuoba clan leader would be unworthy of its title.

Who knew that before Tuoba Jun arrived in Daibei, his brother Tuoba Tianbao personally led 3,000 cavalrymen to raid Tuoba Jun's front 10,000 troops.

The whole army was in chaos, thousands were killed in the battle, and thousands more fled and surrendered. The 10,000 cavalrymen in the front were almost completely wiped out.

Tuoba Jun, who had just arrived at Yanmen, saw the situation and knew that the battle could not be fought. The morale and military spirit of the front army had collapsed rapidly and they could not fight any more. He chose to retreat helplessly. It was not known whether Tuoba Jun was too useless or Tuoba Tianbao was too brave.

This battle report also made Li Yuanhui turn his attention to Bingzhou.

In the current situation of confrontation between the two sides in Hebei, it is difficult to make any moves, so can we send troops from Hanoi to Hedong? This was the advice that Li Qinglian, who was good at strategy, gave to Li Yuanhui before going to Chang'an.

First of all, Hedong County and Shangdang County in Bingzhou are currently nominally the territory of Yan State.

At the beginning, Zhao Yi sent the Su father and son to attack Hedong. The Su father and son led more than 10,000 local militiamen to capture Hedong, but before Zhao Da could react, Liu Xuanji led his army south from Youzhou.

He quickly took Changshan, Julu and other places, and Xiangguo, the hometown of Su father and son, was also occupied by Liu Xuanji. So even if Zhao Da was good to Su father and son, their army was originally local militia, and now their hometown was in the hands of Youzhou people. Liu Xuanji made a series of operations to win the hearts of the people, strictly prohibited the soldiers from looting, and did not harm the people at all.

Therefore, after the Su family father and son wrote a letter to Zhao Da to explain their difficulties, they also accepted Liu Xuanji's recruitment.

At the same time, the Su family father and son said that although we are willing to serve General Liu, we have worked with General Zhao and have a debt of gratitude to him, so we cannot bear to fight against him.

Liu Xuanji also immediately said, I know that you and your son are both loyal and righteous people, so you should lead the army to garrison Hedong and Shangdang, and do not participate in the war in Jizhou.

Later, the entire Jizhou was lost except for Weijun, but the father and son of the Su family never moved. But now Li Yuanhui felt that Li Qinglian's suggestion was really feasible. He could send a detachment to attack Shangdang in Hedong and seize the southern part of Bingzhou.

This would threaten Liu Xuanji's flank and open up a channel with Dai Guogong Murong Jun.
So he discussed the feasibility of this plan with his staff and generals.

After Li Yaoshi, Chang Yanheng and Yuchi Gong came back, Li and Chang also fully supported the attack on Hedong.

In the end, it was decided to capture Hedong and open up a second battlefield while Yecheng could still hold out and a large number of Yan troops were tied up.

With Li Sixing as the marching commander-in-chief, Zhu Deyu and Chang Yanheng as deputy commanders-in-chief, and Li Yaoshi as the camp chief, they led 30,000 troops and attacked Hedong along Yewang, Chenguan, and the road between Zhongtiao Mountain and Wangwu Mountain. At the same time, they reported to Chang'an, asking it to send troops to cross the river from Puban to join the main force in attacking the Su father and son in Hedong.

In addition, Li Yuanhui also sent Lou Jun to lead 5,000 people to cross the river from Shan County, pass Zhongtiao Mountain and drive directly to Jieliang to support the main force and serve as a surprise force.

In order to cover Li Sixing and others' attack on Hedong, Li Yuanhui also prepared to personally lead the army to Hebei to confront the Yan army.

In July, Li Yuanhui left Luoyang, crossed the river from Heqiao, and led his army all the way forward. Five days later, he arrived in Liyang and joined the main army.

"Prince of Qi Li Yuanhui? Hahahaha."

Inside the big tent, Liu Xuanji laughed out loud after hearing the scout's report.

The two of them had a deep friendship, and during the years they worked together, they were like brothers. Later, they even married each other's cousin, but they didn't expect to meet on the battlefield now.

After laughing, Liu Xuanji said seriously: "I have known Li Si for a long time. Now that he has come to Hebei, he will definitely stay in the city. He is a steady warrior and does not like to take risks. If we want to lure him into a fight, we must wait for a perfect opportunity. We can't just waste time under Yecheng. We must get the Tang army moving."

Xing Luan asked, "Does the general intend to send troops to Bingzhou and Taihang to harass Henei and Luoyang?"

Liu Xuanji clapped his hands and smiled, "That's right. We need to make sure that the Tang army has no peace in the rear. In addition, we can also send troops to harass Yanzhou. We won't be able to defeat Yecheng in the short term."

Li Yuanzhong, the chief secretary, said, "Since Mr. Liu has known Li Si for a long time, then they must have a special bond?"

Liu Xuanji nodded, "I started from humble beginnings, and I have received the kindness of the Li family. Li Silang and I have a close relationship. However, this is just a private friendship."

Li Yuanzhong bowed and said, "I naturally do not doubt Lord Liu's ambition to help the world, but since Lord Liu and Li Silang have a deep friendship, why not use this matter to make a fuss."

Liu Xuanji frowned when he heard this, "I'd like to hear the details."

Li Yuanzhong said, "I heard that Li Yuan's three sons are all outstanding. Among them, Li Er is a master in military affairs and has never been defeated. Li Sanlang is outstanding in wisdom and strategy. Although Li Si has made achievements and acts steadily, he is not as talented and brave as his brother. This time, Li Tang sent out an army of 200,000 to break the siege of Yecheng, but it was not Li Er who led the army, but Li Silang. I think this move must be because Tang Lord Li Yuan is afraid of Li Er. General, you might as well write a letter and send it to Li Yuan."

After hearing this, Liu Xuanji immediately understood Li Yuanzhong's intention.

Divorce plan.

What can you do by writing to Li Yuan? Support Li Yuanhui to be the crown prince! You can also say that if Li Si is made the crown prince, you will submit to the Tang Dynasty.
In a word, it is to cause chaos among the Li brothers.

He just didn't believe that with that position there, the Li family could still be united and the brothers could work together.

If that's the case, then what does it matter if he loses?
(End of this chapter)