At the end of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 539
Gao Bufan hurried towards the direction of Hejian County, and suddenly found a horse in the grass beside the road, standing there motionless, his movements were very strange, so he took a closer look, it turned out that the horse's reins were covered by thorns. It was tightly entangled, twisted into a twist, and there were traces of violent struggle around it.

But unfortunately, the horse was not able to break free, and instead wrapped the rein shorter and shorter. Now its nose is on the ground, and it cannot move at all. There are even deep bloodstains on its ears, and its body is even more exposed to the scorching sun. It must be scalding hot, and if it continues like this, it is estimated that if it does not die of hunger and thirst, it will eventually be sunburned to death.

Gao Bufan cut off the thorns with a knife and rescued the horse. He found that one of the latter's ears was missing half, which seemed to be injured by a sharp weapon. There was no owner around. It should be an ownerless horse that fled from the battlefield. war horse.

"Dude, you're thirsty. Let's go. I'll take you to drink water." Gao Bufan led his horse to a small river. When the latter saw the water, his eyes lit up, he jumped into the river, and drank happily.

The war horse soaked in the river for half an hour before climbing ashore. He couldn't wait to eat the fat and tender grass by the river. Belly, ride the horse unhurriedly.

In the evening, Gao Bufan finally arrived at Jiaohe. He set up a tent and looked upstream, but saw billowing dust and two black spots hovering in the sky. He couldn't help but turn his horse's head and head upstream.

At this time, in the upstream direction, Zhang Xutuo and Yang Yichen's troops were withdrawing from the front of the Youzhou Army's camp like a tide. I failed to take advantage of it, and lost some people, so I had to withdraw to make a long-term plan.

Gao Bufan unhurriedly approached from the lower reaches of the Jiaohe River. When he arrived, Zhang Xutuo and Yang Yichen's people had retreated to their respective camps. Smoke was everywhere, apparently they were burying pots for cooking.

"Look, everyone, that person seems to be Mr. Gao?" A Youzhou army sentry standing on the watchtower in charge of guard suddenly shouted excitedly.

As soon as these words came out, a few figures flew up to the tower. It was Xu Shiji, Lu Sheng, Wu Daqing, Gao Dahe and others. They looked around and saw a man and a horse walking slowly from the lower reaches of the Jiaohe River. The oncoming sunset painted the people and horses with a layer of gold, just like the light of Buddha.

"It's my lord, really my lord, my lord is back!" Wu Daqing waved his fist excitedly, and Lu Sheng also said excitedly: "I knew that my lord would turn evil into good luck."

Xu Shiji heaved a sigh of relief, and waved his hand easily: "Your Excellency is back, let's go, let's go to greet him." After speaking, he jumped down the overlooking tower, while the guard captain Gao Dahe had already jumped down first.

The middle gate of the camp suddenly opened, and Xu Shiji and others galloped out, dismounted in front of Gao Bufan and saluted, and said in unison: "See you sir!"

Looking at the excited crowd in front of him, Gao Bufan couldn't help feeling warm in his heart, and said with a smile: "You don't need to be too polite, thank you brothers. From now on, you don't have to call me Shouliu, the official of Da Sui, I am no longer an official. .”

Everyone looked at each other, now that the lord has broken with Yang Guang, it's true that this official of the Sui Dynasty is improper, but how should he be called in the future?

Gao Dahe scratched the back of his head and said, "Then how should we address you, sir?"

Xu Shiji's eyes flashed and he said, "Your Excellency is the Lord of Youzhou, so why not call him the Governor of Youzhou temporarily?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, and they said in unison: "Good idea, then from now on, we will call you Sir Manager."

Lu Sheng said with a smile: "See Mr. Manager."

"See you, my lord!"

"See you, my lord!"

The cheers in the Youzhou military camp were thunderous, and the morale was unusually high.

Such a big movement naturally alarmed Zhang Xutuo and Yang Yichen. The two hurried out of the tent and looked towards the camp of the Youzhou Army. When they heard what the Youzhou Army was shouting, their expressions were quite complicated.

"Gao Changqing is back, but Shadow really didn't succeed. Now we're in big trouble." Yang Yichen let out a long sigh.

Zhang Xutuo is also in a heavy heart at the moment, Gao Bufan himself is a very powerful person, and now he has an expert to assist him, he is undoubtedly like a tiger with wings, after escaping the catastrophe, he has no restraint at all. Worse.

Could it be that Da Sui's life is really exhausted?
Zhang Xutuo looked at the sunset in the west, his eyes were as sad as ever.

Qin Shubao and Luo Shixin were silent, Cheng Yaojin looked at the Youzhou army camp with high morale, and then turned to look at the quiet camp behind him, feeling an ominous omen in his heart.

The Bafeng Battalion under Zhang Xutuo has a total of [-] cavalry and [-] infantry, all of whom are sons of Qi Jun.

That year was the sixth year of Daye, and Zhang Xutuo took office as the prefect of Qi County. He loved the people like his son and was deeply loved by the people of Qi County. The men of Dasuo and the people of Qi County were suffering unspeakably. Wang Bo was the first to set up a banner against the Sui Dynasty in Changbai Mountain.

At that time, the officials of Qi County were helpless, and they did not dare to open warehouses to release grain to relieve the victims without the emperor's order. Zhang Xutuo's kindness.

Afterwards, Yang Guang not only did not condemn Zhang Xutuo, but also greatly praised him. Afterwards, Zhang Xutuo led his army to fight against Wang Bo, winning every battle, and finally wiped him out. Yang Guang also promoted Zhang Xutuo to be the governor of Qi County , allowing him to recruit troops to build the Eight Winds Battalion.

Qijun Erlang was grateful for Zhang Xutuo's kindness and joined him one after another. These years, Qi Junerlang followed Zhang Xutuo to fight east and west, and he was invincible.

However, the year-round battles have also made these Qijun boys tired. The main reason is that their hearts are too tired. While fighting abroad, the longing for his parents, wife and children cannot be resolved.

These negative emotions have been greatly weakened in one victory after another, but today, the invincible Bafengying finally tasted the taste of setbacks, and the long-standing negative emotions broke free and instantly magnified infinitely. Morale plummeted.

Zhang Xutuo obviously sensed something was wrong at this time, he couldn't help frowning, and returned to the tent.A trace of worry flashed in Yang Yichen's eyes, and he also turned around slowly and returned to the tent, while Qin Shubao and others followed silently.

"The Youzhou army's camp is strong, does General Zhang have a good way to defeat the enemy?" Yang Yichen asked.

Zhang Xutuo nodded and said: "I have been observing for a day, and I have discovered that the weakness of this formation is on the pontoon bridge. The Youzhou Army connects the camps on both sides through the pontoon bridge, and can echo each other. Both materials and personnel pass The pontoon bridge is deployed, as long as the pontoon bridge is destroyed, the Youzhou army will definitely not be able to defend it."

Yang Yichen frowned and said, "I'm afraid it's not easy to destroy the pontoon bridge, at least you need a navy to do it."

Zhang Xutuo nodded and said: "That's easy. My old friend Zhou Fashang happens to have a navy under his command, which is currently stationed in Donglai. I just need to send a letter to ask him to come to help."

It is said that Zhang Xutuo is currently the governor of Qi County, leading the [-] counties of Henan Province to recruit and arrest the ambassadors, and restraining the soldiers and horses of the [-] counties, but he has the power to mobilize the navy led by Zhou Fashang.

Yang Yichen said happily: "That's a good thing, it's just that General Zhou will lead the navy to come here, it will take at least ten days and half a month, I'm afraid there will be changes during the period, how about this, the old man will lead the army across the river tomorrow, and attack the Youzhou army from the other side. The camp, this two-pronged approach will make Gao Changqing tired of coping, and it will also cut off their food supply."

Zhang Xutuo nodded when he heard the words: "Mr. Yang has a good plan, so let's do it like this."

…………

That night, a raging fire ignited in the camp of the Youzhou Army, which alarmed Zhang Xutuo and Yang Yichen again, and they hurried out of the camp to check.

"Report Master Yang and General Zhang, the pontoon bridge on the river is on fire." The scouts who went out to inquire soon came back to report.

Yang Yichen and Zhang Xutuo looked at each other, and hurriedly led a cavalry to approach the barracks of the Youzhou Army, only to find that the building was empty, and the entire camp and pontoon bridge were engulfed in fire. It was obvious that the Youzhou Army had already Taking advantage of the darkness, they crossed the river and withdrew. Before leaving, they burned down the camp and pontoon bridge.

At this moment, several flames erupted in the Youzhou military camp on the other side of the river, and quickly spread, lighting up the night sky as bright as day.

Yang Yichen and Zhang Xutuo were silent, and they discussed how to defeat the enemy, but they didn't make an appointment, so they burned the pontoon bridge and the camp that night and withdrew the troops immediately, cleanly and without dragging their feet. Gao Changqing's son is really cunning like a fox!

"Master Yang, General Zhang, the Youzhou army must not have gone far, why don't we cross the river immediately and pursue them." A general suggested.

Cheng Yaojin rolled his eyes and said: "What kind of bad idea did you come up with? Now you are crossing the river blindly, and you will die if you are killed by others. Don't treat Gao Changqing as an idiot. Since he dared to withdraw, there must be someone rely on."

The general under Yang Yichen's command was flushed red, and he wanted to refute but couldn't refute, so he could only remain silent resentfully.

Yang Yichen glanced at Cheng Yaojin and said: "General Cheng's words are true. As the saying goes, if you hit the middle of the river, Gao Changqing has ambushed people on the opposite bank, waiting for us to cross the river. You must not be fooled at this time." .”

Even Master Yang said that, so the general naturally had nothing to say.Luo Shixin frowned and said, "Then let's just watch the Youzhou army retreat like this?"

Zhang Xutuo didn't make a sound, obviously acquiescing.

At this time, in the darkness on the other side of the river, Wu Daqing was leading a thousand Qingqi in ambush, staring at the other side coldly, but he was disappointed. Until dawn, the enemy troops on the other side did not cross the river, so they had to order to mount their horses and leave, chasing the large troops went.

The sound of rumbling horseshoes shattered the tranquility before dawn, and also alarmed the enemy army on the opposite bank. At this time, the enemy general on duty on the opposite bank happened to be the one who suggested crossing the river to pursue him, and he couldn't help sweating profusely.

Let's say that when Wu Daqing led a thousand light cavalry to catch up, the large troops of the Youzhou Army had already arrived outside Hejian County, the prefecture of Hejian County.

The sheriff of Hejian County closed the city gate tightly in fright, and dared not even vent his breath. He was afraid of heights and Bufan took advantage of the situation to attack the city.

As a result, the Youzhou army passed directly outside the city and continued northward to Zhuojun, without any offense to the villages and towns along the way.

The Sheriff of Hejian breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that the Youzhou Army had gone far away, but he was a little disappointed. His mood was like a little girl meeting her lover in the middle of the night, afraid that he would not come, but also afraid that he would mess around.

The reason why the governor of Hejian had such a contradictory mentality is actually not difficult to understand. First of all, Hejian County and Zhuo County are bordering each other, and their economic ties are very close. Many people in Hejian County live in Zhuo County. , and many of the living and production materials in Hejian County also come from the wealthy Zhuo County. In other words, Hejian County cannot do without Zhuo County.

Secondly, Gao Bufan once led an army to wipe out Wang Xuba in Hejian County. The Youzhou Army had strict discipline, so the people and gentry in Hejian had a good impression of Gao Bufan. If it can be attributed to Gao Bufan's rule, I believe many people Both the gentry and the gentry will support it.

Again, the Youzhou army is powerful, and if they really want to attack Hejian County, Hejian County will definitely not be able to resist it.Therefore, sometimes the governor of Hejian County can't help but think, instead of worrying all day long, it's better to just dedicate Hejian County to Gao Bufan. However, Yang Yichen and Zhang Xutuo's army is at the south of Jiaohe, what if they fight over? ?
That's why the governor of Hejian was in such a complicated mood. He both wanted the Youzhou army to attack and was afraid of the Youzhou army's attack.

(End of this chapter)