Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 477 Be Patient for a Moment

Jiangling.

Chunyu Liang walked quickly towards the government office.

Just now, Gao Yanzong sent someone to him and asked him to go to the office immediately to discuss important matters.

Chunyu Liang did not dare to delay and hurried to the office without even eating.

The office was quite deserted.

Although Gao Yanzong led his men to occupy many cities in northern Jing, there was no subsequent appointment of officials, and he himself did not have the power to appoint, so there were only some soldiers in the government office, not many people.

When Chunyu Liang walked into the office, Gao Yanzong was staring at a map with a solemn expression.

"Please sit down, sir."

Gao Yanzong hurriedly pulled Chunyu Liang to sit beside him, and then they looked down at the map in front of them together.

"Someone sent a letter saying that the State of Chen had sent out troops. The scouts I sent out also basically confirmed that there were indeed unusual movements in the State of Chen's food and fodder, and that an army was about to arrive."

"Someone?"

Chun Yuliang was a little confused, Gao Yanzong laughed, "Over the years, whether it is the Zhou Kingdom or the Chen Kingdom, countless people have secretly written to us in an attempt to protect themselves."

"The State of Chen used to trade with us, and many people there were willing to work for the Han Dynasty."

Chunyu Liang nodded, and then asked: "Who is the general in charge of the army?"

"They said it might be Huang Fachu."

"Yellow basil."

Chunyu Liang's eyes suddenly became serious.

He quickly lowered his head to look at the map, "If this is true, Jingbei may be in danger."

Gao Yanzong laughed, "Why are you afraid? I can take advantage of his unstable position and bring my best knights to defeat his formation in one fell swoop, making him return in defeat!"

"No."

Chunyu Liang narrowed his eyes. "Huang Fachi has always been cautious in battle. Moreover, he is quite familiar with the general. He knows the tactics that the general is good at, so he must have made preparations. If the general insists on attacking, I am afraid he will be ambushed by him."

"I do have a way to save the city."

Gao Yanzong waved his hand proudly, "Don't worry too much, you don't need to do anything to repel the enemy! I asked you to come here this time because I want you to help persuade the enemy to surrender and appease the soldiers after I win!"

"I already have a plan to repel the enemy. There is no way Huang Fachi will see it!"

Chunyu Liang suddenly asked, "General, your plan to retreat is to lead a small group of cavalry to gallop at full speed, take a small path to Liang'an and ambush, and then take advantage of the enemy gathering in Anchang to attack from behind, right?"

The smile on Gao Yanzong's face froze at this moment. He slowly closed his mouth and asked, "Mr. Chunyu, you just said you have a plan to repel the enemy?"

Chunyu Liang said: "Huang Fachu is different from the other generals. He should not be underestimated. We can abandon the other cities and concentrate our forces in Jiangling."

"Also send someone to ask General Yao and General Wang for help, and have them come south to pose a threat."

"Huang Fachu came here because the Han-Zhou War was in a hurry to occupy Jiangling and cut off General Wei's retreat. He is also very cautious, so we can use the method of confusing the enemy to delay his speed and wait for changes in the war in the rear."

"I am willing to personally lead the deployment of this method of confusing the enemy with a new one."

"it is good!"

Faced with the many suggestions put forward by Chunyu Liang, Gao Yanzong agreed without much thought.

When Chunyu Liang pointed out his idea, Gao Yanzong gave up his strategy of sending troops on his own initiative. He had too few soldiers under his command at the moment. If Huang Fachi led a large army, Gao Yanzong was not sure whether he could stop him. After all, Huang Fachi was really capable, and the morale of his soldiers was not that low. There were also guys like Xiao Mohe as his vanguard, which would make it difficult to fight.

Following Chunyu Liang's advice, Gao Yanzong hurriedly began pre-war deployment.

At the same time, the war in Bashu was going increasingly smoothly.

After Yuwen Xian was defeated and important areas such as Jiange fell, Bashu had almost no resistance to Liu Taozi.

The Han army once again achieved an unstoppable momentum, just like when Yuchi Jiong entered Shu, they did not encounter any obstruction or resistance along the way, and all the enemies along the way surrendered.

This situation didn’t just happen once.

The two armies of Huluxian and Liu Taozi marched towards the south respectively, breaking through the passes and capturing generals, and no one could stop them.

The death of Yuwen Xian completely crushed the last bit of resistance of the Zhou people.

The only army in the entire Zhou Kingdom that could still form field combat capability was the army of less than 10,000 people led by Yang Jian. Yang Jian and many clan members protected Emperor Yuwen Yun. Because of the rebellion in the rear, Yang Jian had to send clan members to defeat it.

The rebels formed by these local people seem to be very powerful, but in fact they are vulnerable.

Even Gao Jiong was able to lead more than 3,000 people to directly defeat the rebel army of more than 10,000 people.

Most of these people formed their armies by combining their own servants with the civilians and county soldiers they had recruited. This kind of army could go out to plunder and build momentum, but once they came into conflict with the regular army, the scene was simply horrific.

Under the escort of Yang Jian and others, Yuwen Yun gradually opened up the road to the south and continued to retreat.

After the rebels in Meizhou were completely defeated, they officially entered Shu County.

The emperor's carriage broke into the city surrounded by many soldiers.

The city had long been in chaos because of the rebels outside. The emperor's entry into the city not only failed to calm the people in the city, but instead caused even greater unrest. When the people in the surrounding villages and towns saw the commotion here, they turned around and ran away. They didn't care whether it was regular troops or rebels, it was all the same to them.

Yuwen Xian was leading an army from other places. Generally speaking, if they were local soldiers, they might be able to refrain from killing during the march. Looting was inevitable, but large-scale massacres were relatively rare.

But if they are foreign troops, well, they won't treat the people here as their own people at all. Although this is not the era of the Han Dynasty when counties were countries, people from different regions still cannot be close to each other, and there are still barriers between them.

The army escorting the emperor arrived all the way to the gate of the government office.

The government office here is deserted, much deserted than the one in Jiangling. There is only one official and the rest are clerks.

They knelt at the door, looking extremely frightened.

Yuwen Yun got off the carriage. This kid was obviously no longer as arrogant as before. His eyes had lost their luster and he was uneasy. After he got off the car, he suddenly saw these people kneeling in front of him. He was frightened and quickly hid behind them.

Gao Jiong stood beside the little emperor with a tired look on his face, looking dimly at the people in front of him.

"Your Majesty, where is the county magistrate? Why don't you pay your respects?"

"My Lord, they are all out fighting the rebels. I am the only one in the city, and I didn't know your Majesty was here."

"Ah."

Gao Jiong interrupted the other party with a sneer, but he knew in his heart: another group of people ran away!

However, this was a common occurrence for their group of people. Gao Jiong ignored them, ordered the soldiers to go in and search, and then he led the emperor inside.

The group arrived at the inner courtyard of the government office, closed all the doors, and soldiers stood guard everywhere.

Only then did Yuwen Yun sit down trembling.

"His Majesty!!"

Gao Jiong saluted him and said, "Just follow the state officials to lead the troops to wipe out the bandits in the south. After he reports, we can continue to march south."

"Keep running?"

Yuwen Yun raised his head and looked at him blankly, "Gao Qing, where are we going?"

"Your Majesty, we are not running away, we are just withdrawing our defenses. The land of Bashu is vast, and there are still hundreds of miles of land to the south, all of which are the territory of the Great Zhou."

Gao Jiong said solemnly: "We still have a million civilians in the south, and the 100,000 elite Liu Taozi has little food and grass."

"enough!!!"

Yuwen Yun interrupted him painfully.

"When I first came to Hanzhong, you said that we didn't have much food and grass, and as long as we delay, we can defeat Liu Taozi."

"But you still say that now?"

"I ran all the way here from Hanzhong. I suffered so much on the way!!"

"You still want me to continue to go south? Do you think that I am young and don't understand geography?"

"The south is a barren land full of miasma. What do you mean by 100,000 elite troops and a million civilians? Can you gather 100,000 civilians?"

Facing Yuwen Yun's sudden anger, Gao Jiong's eyebrows jumped. "Your Majesty, it's not that I intend to deceive you, but I just have to leave now."

"The enemy's attack is fierce. I'm afraid Liu Taozi's army has already reached Jiangyou. If we don't leave now, we will be left here."

"Another lie! Deceiving the king! Deceiving the king!!"

"If Liu Taozi's army has already reached Jiangyou, do you still dare to let me rest here?!"

Yuwen Yun was furious.

He hated that these people treated him like a child, didn't tell him the truth, didn't let him participate in anything, and didn't forget about him when they ran away! !

Yuwen Yun even feels a little regretful now!

Damn it, I shouldn't have come back in the first place!

After coming back from Liu Taozi, he has been fleeing, fleeing, and fleeing again.

Either the rebels were besieging the city, or the front lines were defeated. He could not stay in any place for long. The number of ministers around him was decreasing, and even the guards could not be gathered. Although he had enough food and drink, he was exhausted from the arduous march. He really regretted it now. Why did he return to this broken place! !

Gao Jiong sighed, "Your Majesty, the King of Qi died for his country, and so many soldiers are still fighting bloody battles. As long as Your Majesty is still here, they will continue to resist, and things will turn around sooner or later."

Yuwen Yun suddenly raised his head and said, "Mr. Gao, please sit down. Sit down."

"Your Majesty, I don't dare!"

Yuwen Yun jumped up, walked quickly to Gao Jiong, took his hand, forced him to sit down, and then looked at him pitifully.

"Mr. Gao, I think if something cannot be accomplished, there is no need to force it."

"What does your majesty mean?!"

Gao Ying's eyes widened.

"Mr. Gao, my uncle has died in the battle. What hope do we have?"

"How does Duke Sui's military ability compare to that of my uncle?"

"You asked me to retreat to the south, but I really don't know where else I can resist Liu Taozi."

"If we go further south, the local barbarians might capture us and offer us to Liu Taozi. Why not surrender?"

Gao Jiong was furious. "Your Majesty, how can you surrender as the ruler of a country?"

"Do you really have to go and die?"

"You want me to go to the south, and then what? If Liu Taozi catches up with me, where can I run? Do you want me to hide in the mountains and become a savage?!"

Yuwen Yun softened his tone again, "Mr. Gao, my family has been very kind to you. How can a subject force the king like this? Liu Taozi captured us in the past and treated us with courtesy without humiliating us. Besides, the State of Chen has not been destroyed. If I surrender, I may be able to become the Duke of Anle. But if I don't surrender and get caught by him, won't I be executed by him to intimidate the Southern Chen?"

Gao Ying clenched his fists and said nothing.

Seeing that he seemed to be wavering, Yuwen Yun quickly added: "Duke Sui was unwilling to surrender because his father was killed by Liu Taozi. However, I heard that in ancient times, when the Jin State destroyed the Wu State, Zhuge Dan's son was forgiven by the Jin Emperor. Given Liu Taozi's character, how could he kill someone who voluntarily surrendered?"

"I really don't want to suffer such a punishment. I will continue to go south. Lord Gao, please let me go, and let the people of Bashu go!"

As Yuwen Yun spoke, he almost burst into tears.

Gao Jiong also hurriedly comforted him at this moment: "Your Majesty, please don't be like this."

He said with great fear and trepidation: "If Your Majesty has this intention, after the Duke sends someone to inform me, I will take Your Majesty to him and discuss this matter with him."

Yuwen Yun's eyes lit up, "Good! Very good!"

Gao Jiong said a few more words to comfort him, asked the guards to take good care of the emperor, and then turned and left.

After he left, Yuwen Yun's face suddenly fell.

His eyes became particularly cold.

Are you really treating yourself like a doll?
If he wanted to persuade Yang Jian to accept this, why didn't he let Yang Jian come over, but let himself go over? Isn't this just another way to make himself continue to go south?
Did he arrive in Meizhou and then be told that Yang Jian had left and asked himself to continue heading south?
Yuwen Yun was almost going crazy.

He didn't know what kind of lunatics these people under his command were!
I am the ruler of a country, and I have already said that I will vote, but these people refuse to vote? Are you more loyal to the country than me? ?
He totally didn't understand what these people were thinking.

If it was because of a deep hatred, then there were precedents in the past. Besides, the State of Chen had not perished. Even if there was a deep hatred, Liu Taozi would not retaliate directly, right?
Do the Chen people still dare to surrender?

After he captured Chang'an, he did not kill so many prisoners of war, nor did he kill so many people with whom he had grudges!

These people are simply crazy!

This is the first time I heard of a minister forcing the emperor to resist the enemy.

No, I must find a way to get rid of these people, and it would be best if I could save my life.

When Gao Jiong walked out of the office, his face looked equally ugly.

But he did not have the energy to worry about the emperor's affairs. He still had many things to do here. He first appointed his confidants to take over the granary and arsenal. Food and military equipment were important targets along the way. He knew that Liu Taozi was under great logistical pressure. Once he got these, it would be very disadvantageous to the Zhou State. Therefore, he either took them away or found a place to hide them. Even if he threw them into the water, he could not let them fall into Liu Taozi's hands.

However, there were not many reserves in the city, and most of them were taken away by officials.

After Chang'an was captured, the Zhou court lost contact with the local areas. Local officials began to use their powers illegally, acting like separatist forces. The supplies in the city that originally belonged to the court instantly became their own.

Gao Jiong was busy for several days and finally received a report from the knight sent by Yang Jian. He then hurried away with the emperor.

Yuwen Yun behaved quite well.

But things turned out just as Yuwen Yun had expected. When they arrived at the city, Yang Jianguo had really gone out to hunt down the rebels again, so they could only continue to wait.

Yuwen Yun seemed very disappointed, but didn't say much.

After Gao Jiong came out from here, he went straight to the parade ground and found Yang Jian, who was said to have gone out to pursue the rebels.

The two men walked into the house, but Yang Su was still standing there.

Gao Ying glanced at him and ignored him.

Yang Su narrowed his eyes. Gao Jiong had done him a great harm. In the previous incident, he directly persuaded Yuwen Xian and a fierce fight broke out. The emperor almost couldn't save him. Fortunately, Liu Taozi sent troops in time and he was able to save his life.

Yang Jian sat in the upper seat, and the two men sat on his left and right.

"How's it going?"

Gao Jiong asked, but before Yang Jian could answer, Yang Su said, "It's the same. The officials fled with the supplies. Some wanted to keep them for themselves, while others wanted to give them to Liu Taozi."

"They don't dare to go against us, so they have to do this"

Gao Jiong ignored Yang Su and continued to look at Yang Jian.

"Duke, His Majesty has already thought about surrendering. Moreover, he seems to no longer trust us."

Yang Jian's expression remained calm.

He looked at the two people on his left and right, "What do you think?"

"Should I surrender?"

Yang Su said coldly: "If you surrender, your life and death will depend on others."

"Even if you don't die, you will be imprisoned in the future and will have no control over your own actions."

"Liu's army is running low on food and grass. As long as we continue to delay, Liu Taozi will stop attacking sooner or later. I don't think the State of Chen will remain indifferent."

"In my opinion, we should ignore the emperor and continue south."

Gao Ying pursed his lips.

"Duke, our troops are getting fewer and fewer. I am only worried that before Liu Taozi can withdraw his troops, we will be captured first and sent to Liu Taozi to ask for credit."

"Even if we are retreating, we shouldn't go further south."

"Which way are you going? Are you planning to surrender to Chen again?"

"Then it would be better to just vote for Liu Zei!"

Yang Su said unhappily.

(End of this chapter)