Chapter 129 Withdrawal
This time, Yang Xuangan didn't need to speak. Weizhou Governor Zhao Huaiyi said, "Last month, the dictator issued an order to recruit 100,000 civilians to repair Chang'an. These 100,000 young and strong men plus the original garrison of Chang'an City are not something we can easily capture."

They say that it cannot be captured easily, but in fact, they are afraid of hurting their own morale. Unless there is someone powerful inside to coordinate and open the city gate, there is no chance of capturing it.

"Master, let's talk about the next step."

Li Mi did not hesitate at all: "Select the best troops, double the speed day and night, attack the Eastern Capital, and command the four directions!"

Liyang is not far from the eastern capital Luoyang, so this is more feasible than the previous two. After a few discussions, everyone nodded, indicating that this plan is feasible.

Li Mi also took the initiative to point out the key to this plan: "If we fail to conquer the enemy within 100 days, the troops from all over the world will surely come from all directions."

The expressions of the crowd did not change much. They were rebelling, not suppressing a rebellion, so it was normal for them to be at a disadvantage.

Yang Xuangan said: "Now all the officials and their families are in the Eastern Capital. If we take it first, it will be enough to shake their hearts. Besides, if we cannot take the city, how can we show our power? Your plan is the best one.

There was no other way. His eight thousand elite soldiers were naturally willing to follow him anywhere, but as for the remaining young and strong civilians who were forcibly conscripted from these counties, it would be fine to lead them to Luoyang, which was not far away. But if they rushed thousands of miles to Zhuojun or Chang'an, they would probably escape halfway through the journey.

Only by attacking Luoyang and establishing his prestige and raising his flag, to show that he was not those rebellious bandits, but a real hero who wanted to seize the world and change the dynasty, could he gather the heroes in Henei, Shandong to surrender to him.

After deciding on the route, Yang Xuangan offered sacrifices to three animals the next day and swore to the people: "The ruler is unjust and does not care about the people. The whole country is in turmoil and tens of thousands of people have died in Liaodong. What do you think of raising an army with you and others to save the people?"

Yang Xuanting and Yang Jishan led the Yang family's household generals to respond from below: "Punish the unjust! Save the people! Long live! Long live!"

As more and more people responded, even the conscripted laborers forgot everything else and slowly raised their voices along with the shouts around them, until they were suddenly awakened by their own loud voices.

This is a rebellion! Some people are afraid, but dare not take any action, just want to go with the flow, some are determined to escape when the opportunity arises, and never want to be rebels, and some think that the time to achieve fame has come.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Yang Xuangan immediately ordered Yang Xuanting to lead 3,000 troops out of the northern foot of Mount Beimang and march towards Luoyang. He also ordered Yang Jishan to lead 5,000 troops out of Yanshi and march towards Luoyang along the Luo River. Yang Xuangan led the rest of the troops and attacked Luoyang directly.

...............

Although the emperor was troubled by the shortage of food and grass at this time, his Yuliang Avenue plan was progressing smoothly. In a few days, Liaodong City could be captured.

But on this day, the emperor first received a secret letter, which actually said that Lai Huer had rebelled, but there was no evidence. Although the emperor was a little suspicious, he did not order Lai Huer to hand over his military power and return.

He didn't quite believe that Lai Huer would betray him. Even if there was any unusual movement, there would be a reaction from Yuwen Shu instead of reporting it from behind for no apparent reason.

At this time, Li Jiancheng's memorial also arrived. In addition to expressing his gratitude, it also reminded him to be careful of Yang Xuangan.

The emperor became even more confused and even a little annoyed. I had only been on the expedition for a short time when these people began to attack each other. Especially this Li Jiancheng. You were in mourning and I could not appoint you to replace Yang Xuangan.

Then, the governors of various places secretly reported the nursery rhymes and prophecies that suddenly appeared in various places. The emperor felt that something was wrong. After this battle, he had to sit quietly in the Eastern Capital for a while.

The emperor was in a bad mood and ordered the soldiers in the front army to speed up the progress. Under the emperor's urging, Liaodong City was shaky and even the top of the city was climbed by the Sui army at noon, just a little bit short. The emperor just felt relieved, but a team of cavalrymen covered in dust rushed into the Sui army camp and delivered the secret report in their arms as quickly as possible.

Yang Xuangan, the Minister of Rites and Duke of Chu, started a rebellion in Liyang and was marching towards the eastern capital Luoyang!

Yang Guang's face changed drastically. The first thing he thought of was food and grass. Since the grain supervisor had rebelled, there was no hope for food and grass. The food supplies for a million-strong army could not be plundered from a few cities in Goguryeo.

Then there is the consequence of the loss of the Eastern Capital. Almost all the descendants and property of his important and direct ministers have moved to Luoyang in his favor. If Luoyang is occupied by Yang Xuangan, these trusted and important ministers may not be able to trust him for the sake of his wife, children and relatives.

The emperor immediately summoned all civil and military officials, and told them what had happened after they arrived. Everyone was shocked, and the face of the assistant minister of war, Hu Sizheng, was particularly ugly. He thought that Yang Xuangan asked him to transfer his two brothers back to the Central Plains just because he was afraid of not being involved in the war, but he didn't expect that it was a conspiracy of rebellion.

Please don't let anyone remember this.

What you fear will come true. The Minister of Personnel said immediately: "I remember that the two brothers of the traitor Yang Xuangan also came with the army. They should be arrested immediately and cut into pieces!"

The emperor approved the request immediately. Hu Si Zheng knew that he would be the target of investigation soon, so he stepped out indignantly to agree, then turned and walked out of the imperial tent, as if he was going to get someone.

Killing people to vent one's anger would not solve the fundamental problem, but the emperor was unwilling to accept giving up the good situation in Liaodong. He also knew that it was the last failure that gave Yang Xuangan and others the courage to rebel.

The civil officials advised the army to return to the capital, while the military generals insisted on fighting for two more days, saying that it would not be too late to return after conquering Liaodong City.

"Your Majesty, the rebels are rushing to attack the Eastern Capital. This is a threat to our Great Sui Dynasty. Goguryeo is just defending the city. It is not even a problem. How can we lose the big picture because of a small one? Speed ​​is of the essence. We should return to the court immediately to quell the rebellion."

"Your Majesty, Liaodong City is on the verge of collapse. Give me two more days and I will definitely conquer it. Then I will return with a victorious army. The rebels are nothing to worry about. If we miss this opportunity, Goguryeo will eventually become a great threat."

Everyone argued until nightfall, and then someone remembered Hu Sizheng: "We just went to capture the two kids, why hasn't Minister Hu come back yet?"

The emperor's heart skipped a beat, and suddenly he remembered that Huke Si Zheng and Yang Xuangan seemed to have a good personal relationship, so he quickly ordered people to look for him. As a result, he got the news that Huke Si Zheng had led his family generals out of the camp on the pretext of delivering the imperial edict, and they seemed to be heading towards Pyongyang.

Needless to say, what this meant was that the emperor ordered the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Guards Yan Pi to lead 2,000 cavalry in pursuit, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not catch up with the man.

The Assistant Minister of War, he knew too many things. The emperor learned his lesson this time and did not announce all the strategies. In particular, the news that there were problems in the rear and the army was short of food and fodder was fatal.

The emperor no longer cared about being angry at this time. Looking at the civil and military officials who were arguing below, he knew that the final decision could only be made by him.

"Withdraw tonight! Retreat lightly, without taking any baggage with you. Arrange it immediately!"

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(End of this chapter)