Chapter 130 Chen Bing

Chapter 130 Chen Bing
The Sui army withdrew overnight, and although the defenders of Liaodong City heard some noise, they did not dare to investigate at all. Now they were left with only a group of desperate old, weak and sick people.

Zhang Huli, who had been waiting in the valley at the rear for a long time, suddenly became excited. He knew that the time had finally come. The baggage of 400,000 troops, including a large number of weapons, bows and crossbows, heavy armor, saddles, etc., could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Goguryeo people.

His task was to move these baggage and form a heavy cavalry. Zhang Huli ordered his subordinates to cheer up with a sharp gaze and sent people back to Zhuo County to prepare to send someone to support.

By daybreak, the Sui army had already withdrawn. The camp, which used to be bustling with activity every day, was now deserted, with military supplies and equipment scattered around, forming small hills.

The defenders of Liaodong City cautiously sent out two squads of cavalry to investigate. Zhang Huli's confidant said, "It's time to go over, otherwise they will find out that the army has already withdrawn."

“Don’t be anxious. Make it real while empty, and make it empty while real.”

After the Goguryeo scouts entered the camp cautiously, they saw the camp was filled with military supplies, equipment, armor, and siege tools, piled up like a hill. The camp fortifications, tents, and documents were not moved, so they all left.

Even in some luxuriously decorated tents, there were still many valuable instruments that had not been taken away in time. The scouts picked out some valuable and small items and stuffed them into their arms before returning to the city to report.

The people in the city watched and waited for a long time before sending people out to clear the Yuliang Avenue left by the Sui army and arrange for civilians to carry supplies to the Sui army camp. Just as they started to carry the supplies.

Zhang Huli led his elite cavalry and suddenly charged out. The Goguryeo soldiers under the city gate quickly fled back into the city, but the civilians who were carrying supplies in the camp could not escape and had to kneel on the ground waiting for their fate.

The supervising soldier wanted to escape back to the city, but Zhang Huli moved his shoulder and the Iron Backed Bow fell smoothly into his hand. He shot three arrows, the specially made black feather arrows whistled and pierced the throats of the three men.

Two arrows pierced through the neck and fell to the ground, and only the tail of one arrow remained in the man's throat. At first glance, it did not seem like it was shot from the back, but rather from the front.

There was no need to say more. The other men reined in their horses, stopped, dropped their swords and spears, and knelt on the ground. Zhang Huli ignored them and rode forward alone to stand under the Liaodong city, while the others went into the camp to pack up their baggage.

With a thousand more laborers, they could at least move more important supplies, and the defenders on Liaodong City could only watch.

On the one hand, they really did not have the energy to fight outside the city. The enemy had thousands of people, and they were obviously elite troops, especially the main general who was really powerful. On the other hand, they were also worried whether this was a strategy of the Sui army. After much thought, it would be a great achievement to defend the city, so they decided not to take any other risks.

Hu Si Zheng, who had escaped, was planning to use this important news as a basis for advancement and was running towards Pyongyang with gritting his teeth. He had no other choice. If he fled to Yang Xuangan, he would have to go through many counties and prefectures along the way, and he had no idea.

The reason why he did not enter Liaodong City was because he knew the emperor's character too well. In order to vent his anger, he might insist on breaking through Liaodong City first and capturing him and cutting him into pieces. He would only have Pyongyang as his choice.

Yang Xuangan, you have caused me so much trouble!

I hope you can make it.

………………

In Chang'an, news of Yang Xuangan's rebellion also spread, but many people had ambiguous attitudes. Most of the emperor's confidants and promoted upstarts were taken to Luoyang. Most of those who remained in Chang'an were Guanlong nobles whose families had fallen on hard times.

They were very dissatisfied with the emperor's insistence on moving the capital and promoting many people from Shandong and Jiangnan gentry. However, the emperor always acted on his own will, so they were abandoned in Chang'an.

Therefore, when Yang Xuangan rebelled, they held an ambiguous attitude of neither supporting nor opposing, just waiting to see the result. If Yang Xuangan captured the Eastern Capital and could resist the emperor who was returning, then they would officially start betting. The Tang Guogong Mansion was also more lively these days. Too many people wanted to see what Li Jiancheng thought. Speaking of Li Jiancheng, he was also a rather strange existence.

He was a close confidant of His Majesty and was granted a mansion in Luoyang at an early stage, but the Tang Guogong family still lived in Chang'an for a long time. He was the most orthodox Wuchuan descendant and Guanlong noble, but he also had contacts with the Shandong and Jiangnan gentry, and even recommended many people.

Just when Li Jiancheng came out to express his position, someone came from the palace and said that the King of Dai invited them father and son to the palace to discuss important matters. Unless they wanted to rebel, how could they go against the King of Dai's wishes?

The father and son apologized to everyone, and then rushed to the palace. After entering the palace, they saw Dai Wang Yang You sitting at the top, and below him were the Minister of Justice Wei Wensheng, the Vice Minister of Justice Wei Yijie and others.

After a brief greeting, Wei Yijie handed them the military report that had just arrived. After Li Yuan finished reading it, Li Jiancheng took it and read it carefully.

"Fan Zigai has misled the country and the people. He has failed the trust of His Majesty and the King of Yue. I will also impeach the generals of the two armies. They are not incapable of resistance. They are clearly secretly helping the thieves!"

They all received the news, and the nearest city, Luoyang, was naturally the first to react. The one who stayed behind in the Eastern Capital was King Yang Tong of Yue, but like King Yang You of Dai, he was too young, so he stayed behind in name only.

The decision was made in Chang'an by the Minister of Punishments Wei Wensheng, and in Luoyang by the Minister of Civil Affairs Fan Zigai. After receiving the news of Yang Xuangan's rebellion, Fan Zigai immediately arranged for Henan County Magistrate Da Xi Shanyi to lead 5,000 elite troops to resist Yang Jishan, and Henan Zanzhi Pei Hongce to lead 8,000 troops to resist Yang Xuanting.

Yang Xuangan had no shortage of food and grass, but weapons and armor were a big problem. Apart from the 8,000 family generals under his command, the 20,000 to 30,000 conscripted civilians all carried single swords and willow shields, without bows and arrows or armor.

In other words, they were more regular than the rebellious people, but they should have been unable to defeat the elite Sui army sent by Luoyang to block them. However, a strange thing happened.

Before the battle even started on Da Xi Shanyi's side, he was defeated and fled, with his weapons and armor scattered all over the ground. Yang Jishan ordered his men to put on armor and pick up spears, and they suddenly turned from bandits into regular troops of the imperial court.

Pei Hongce did not flee without a fight, but was defeated in the first battle. After throwing away his weapons and armor, he prepared for battle again. After repeated defeats, he fought again and again. By the time he arrived at the city of Luoyang, only a dozen people were left under his command.

Seven thousand elite soldiers and armored personnel were all accepted by Yang Xuanting. Instead of being blocked, Yang Xuangan strengthened his army and successfully approached the city of Luoyang.

After reading it, Li Jiancheng said, "This is strange, but we should not delve into it at this time. We should rush to Luoyang to help immediately."

Wei Yijie nodded and said, "Mr. Li is right, but Chang'an cannot be lost, so we have decided to gather at most 70,000 troops to fight against the rebellion."

"I wonder who is leading the troops?"

"Since you were young, you have been with the army to fight against the Turks in the north and suppress the rebels in the south. Now the country is in danger. I wonder if you are willing to take command to protect the country?"

Li Jiancheng shook his head without hesitation: "Let alone the fact that I am in mourning, I served under Yang Su several times in the army. For this reason, you shouldn't let me lead the army."

………………

(End of this chapter)