Chapter 140 The way out
Just as Li Jiancheng was getting ready, the imperial edict from Zhuo County and the request for help from Luoyang arrived. The emperor was very worried about something happening in Luoyang City, so even though he knew that Li Jiancheng's troops were not even as good as Wei Wensheng's, he still urged him to advance.

From this we can understand why Wei Wensheng's 70,000 elite troops were consumed so quickly. It was because His Majesty the Emperor was directing the war from thousands of miles away.

The reason why Luoyang City asked for help was that the city gate was secretly opened last night. If Fan Zigai had not personally patrolled every night and discovered the situation and dispatched troops in time to repel Yang Xuangan's main force, Luoyang City would have been lost.

They had no choice but to continue advancing, but they had to leave several thousand men behind every time they passed a dangerous point, so that when they withdrew, they could at least scare off the pursuers. If the enemy insisted on pursuing them, they might have a chance to lure the enemy deep into their territory and annihilate them.

Obviously, Yang Xuangan did not take Li Jiancheng's reinforcements too seriously. He only ordered Li Zixiong and Yang Jishan to lead 30,000 troops to block the attack. It seemed that Li Jiancheng had the upper hand, but the 30,000 elite troops of the other side were the invincible elite since they started the uprising in Liyang.

The two armies lined up facing each other. The soldiers under the Sui and Yang flags had almost the same armor and weapons. The banners rustled, and the messenger knights kept shuttling back and forth, waving the banners in their hands.

Both sides sent out small groups of troops to test each other, to see whether the other side's infantry formation was stable, how quickly the command was conveyed, and whether the cavalry was ready to attack at any time.

Hundreds and thousands of lives were lost in this cruel test. Li Zixiong said to his men: "Although the enemy army is strong, they lack coordination. The rear troops are almost all civilians, so they are not to be feared."

When Qin Shubao came to report the situation, he shook his head slightly at Li Jiancheng, indicating that the other party did not have any flaws and that if they launched a direct all-out attack, they would most likely lose.

Li Jiancheng naturally knew what was going on. Although Qin Shubao and Shan Xiongxin were in command and dispatch at the front, the problem of insufficient coordination could not be solved by the bravery of the generals alone.

Fortunately, he did not come for a great victory. From Wei Wensheng's attitude, we can know that since the rebellion of a noble of Yang Xuangan's level, the ministers loyal to the emperor have begun to guard against him.

If he could defeat Yang Xuangan with such a disorganized and untrained army, the emperor would probably not even put up a show and would just kill him to prevent future troubles.

When the news came, Yang Jishan set up a table between the two armies and invited him to come over for a chat.

Li Jiancheng immediately said: "I will not go. Tell Yang Jishan that if he is really capable, come and attack us."

Soon the guards came back and said, "My lord, the rebels have put forward thirteen people, including the Imperial Councillor Gu Zhong, the Imperial Household Minister Xue Lan, the Imperial Guard Minister Chang Sun Jing, the General of the Imperial Guard Dou Dong, the General of the Upper Town...

He said that if you are willing to keep the appointment, he will release these loyal ministers and righteous men back to the court, otherwise he will have to cut off their heads and give them to you. "

These names were very familiar, and some of them were Li's relatives. Although Li Jiancheng did not believe that Yang Jishan really dared to kill them, now that the words had been spoken, Li Jiancheng would inevitably hold a grudge against these people.

Although they are not important positions, as long as they can survive, according to the emperor's character, he will definitely promote those who have withstood the test to higher positions.

So Li Jiancheng went to the front army under the escort of his personal guards, and saw Yang Jishan sitting alone in the middle of the two armies, who even took off his sword.

Li Jiancheng waved his hand to ask his guards to stop, but Shan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao, who had rushed over, followed him forward for a distance until they reached a position where they could provide support at any time but could not hear their conversation.

Li Jiancheng stepped forward with his left hand on the sword at his waist. Yang Jishan had been no match for him seven or eight years ago. Killing him would not help the Yang family and would only destroy the last glimmer of hope for the opening of Luoyang City.

"Jiancheng, long time no see." The two of them kept a safe distance. The wind was whistling here and there were drum sounds in the distance, so they were not afraid of others hearing anything.

"It hasn't been too long, but it feels like half a lifetime has passed. Do good deeds and accept your condolences."

The Yang family has fought dozens of battles since they started their rebellion, and they were a small force fighting a powerful one. How could there be no casualties? I'm not talking about the soldiers, but the brothers themselves. Not to mention the many others, Yang Xuanting was killed by a stray arrow half a month ago. He was Yang Xuangan's younger brother.

Yang Jishan smiled bitterly and said, "If all the brothers go down together, there won't be anything to be sad about."

Li Jiancheng looked at the sky and said, "Why are you forcing me to come here? What do you want to say?"

"You are always smart, so you know what I want to say, but I still want to advise you, Jiancheng, Yang Guang is not a wise leader. My father's example is not far away. Even if you have made many contributions to him, it will be difficult for you to have a good ending in the end.

"If you are willing to help my brother today, then don't talk about the Duke or the Prince. We can divide the world equally! Isn't it much happier than being cautious under Yang Guang?"

Li Jiancheng then lowered his head and looked into Yang Jishan's sincere eyes and said, "It's still too early. Even if I am willing, perhaps with the strength of our two families, we can seize Luoyang City, but in the end, Your Majesty will most likely win."

"Most likely, a little likely. This is a matter of conquering the world. There is no such thing as absolute certainty. Even if there is a risk of death, it is worth a gamble!"

"Jiancheng, when you were so young, you dared to stand beside Empress Dugu resolutely, risking offending the late emperor to gamble on the Empress's favor. I don't believe that you don't even have this courage now."

Li Jiancheng naturally had the courage to rebel, even more than ten years earlier than Yang Xuangan, but he had been enduring for so many years and definitely did not intend to follow Yang Xuangan in rebelling.

Once the status of monarch and minister is determined, it is not so easy to reverse it. He could still tolerate Yang Guang, but he absolutely could not tolerate another person who was high above him and held his life, death, honor and disgrace in his hands.

Li Jiancheng shook his head and slowly retreated to return to the camp, keeping his eyes closely on Yang Jishan to prevent any hidden weapons or the like. With his skills, he could still protect himself at this distance.

"Wait!" Yang Jishan sighed: "My eldest brother asked me to tell you that my Yang family's foundation is not that shallow."

Li Jiancheng was a little surprised, then he stopped and thought for a moment before saying, "I understand, please let him rest assured."

"What do you know!" Yang Jishan stood up angrily, his eyes red, as if he wanted to rush forward and fight Li Jiancheng to the death.

"Why! Li Jiancheng! You want to be the emperor too? You just want to compete with my elder brother. Shouldn't we first dethrone the current emperor? Then we can compete for the Central Plains based on our own abilities!"
"No one can hear us here, so you speak! You speak to me!"

Li Jiancheng's expression was calm. He ignored him and had no intention of answering him. Those who plan big things keep it in their hearts and act on it. There is no need for much words.

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

(End of this chapter)