Tibet.

Chapter 1240 Changing Strategy
Xindu County is a famous fortified city in Hebei Province, with tall and strong city walls and a wide moat, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Tian Chengsi and Li Baochen's armies attacked for several days in a row, but Xindu City still stood tall. Tian Chengsi was so angry that he was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

Inside the big tent, Tian Chengsi paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan. He had just received news that the Tang army had captured Beizhou, and the next step would certainly be Weizhou. Weizhou was his old nest, and once it was captured, not only would his eldest son's life be in danger, but all his years of management would also be wasted.

He really wanted to send troops to support Weizhou, but the problem was that the Tang army had captured Beizhou and Dezhou, which cut off his access to Weizhou. He could only pass through Mingzhou and Xingzhou, but he did not trust Li Baochen.

This made Tian Chengsi upset. He originally wanted to wait for the Yellow River to thaw so that he could find an excuse not to support Li Zhengyi. However, he did not expect that Li Zhengyi's army would be defeated so quickly. Instead, Li Na led a cavalry into Hebei, which completely disrupted all his plans. Tian Chengsi felt embarrassed that he failed to gain anything and ended up losing the rice. He also hated Li Na.

At this time, Wang Lun, a trusted aide, suggested: "Your Highness, I don't think Weizhou can be defended. We should notify the eldest son to withdraw from Weizhou immediately. As long as the people and the army are there, Weizhou can be taken back in the future if it is lost. It cannot be moved."

Tian Chengsi nodded. After all, he was his eldest son!

He immediately gave the order: "Send a message to Yuancheng immediately, order Tian Wei to lead his troops to withdraw from Weizhou immediately, go to Mingzhou, and then go to Cangzhou.

Fortunately, he implemented the strategy of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" and transported a large amount of food and supplies to Cangzhou, so that he still had a way out. Once the Huihe army entered Hebei, he still had a chance to regain his territory.

At this time, the soldier reported at the door of the tent: "Your Majesty, General Tian Yue wants to see you!"

"Let him in!"

Tian Yue is Tian Chengsi's nephew. He is only eighteen years old, but he is brave and resourceful in battle, and is deeply loved by Tian Chengsi, who takes him with him wherever he goes.

Not long after, Tian Yue walked in quickly, bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"What do you want from me at this time?"

Tian Yue bowed and said, "I have a way to take over Xindu County!"

Tian Chengsi perked up and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

Tian Yue said calmly: "Your Highness, we attacked the city too hastily, which aroused the enemy's unity. But if we use the method of inciting rebellion, it may be effective!"

“How come you see?”

"Li Na was defeated and did not return to Yidu, which in itself betrayed his father Li Zhengyi. His troops are all veterans who followed Li Zhengyi. They may not know the situation. Once we tell them that Li Zhengyi died because of lack of reinforcements, these generals will definitely be dissatisfied with Li Na. If we offer a high reward, such as 100,000 taels of silver for Li Na's head, some generals will definitely be tempted."

"This is a great plan!"

Wang Lun, an aide to the emperor, praised: "Your Majesty, this is a great idea. These people are from Goguryeo or Xi people. Your Majesty not only promised a generous reward, but also promised to return them to their homeland. This will be more attractive to them!"

At this time, Tian Chengsi was already extremely anxious. As long as he could break the city, he didn't care about the 100,000 taels of silver. He immediately said, "You two must cooperate and do it immediately. I don't have time to delay any longer!"

Wang Lun immediately wrote a letter in Tian Chengsi's tone, "A Letter to All the Officers and Soldiers under General Li Zhengyi", and copied dozens of copies, each of which was stamped with Tian Chengsi's seal.

He ordered the soldiers to shoot arrows into the city. In the letter, he criticized Li Na for betraying his father, which led to Li Zheng having no reinforcements and eventually dying tragically, and put most of the blame on Li Na.

At the same time, he persuaded all the soldiers to surrender, promised to send them back to their homeland, and swore by the Eternal Heaven that whoever beheaded Li Na would be rewarded with 100,000 taels of silver, and he would never break his promise. Dozens of letters were shot into the city, most of which disappeared without a trace, and no one knew who got them.

When Li Na saw two such letters, he didn't take them to heart at all. He knew very well that the generals under his command were not his father's subordinates at all, but Hou Xiyi's subordinates, and his father took over midway.

Moreover, these guys have no loyalty at all. They will be loyal to whoever lets them burn, kill and loot.

As night fell, the defenders on the city walls paced back and forth. They were all cavalry and were not good at defending cities. The reason they were able to hold the city was entirely due to the solidity of the city walls.

The general on duty tonight is Li Zai Xi, a Xi people, and one of the three current commanders-in-chief.

He stood on the top of the city wall, squinting his eyes at the densely packed tents in the distance. For the Donghu cavalry who did not have much experience in defending cities, this huge feeling of oppression made them breathless.

He held a letter in his hand, offering a reward of 100,000 taels of silver for Li Na's head, and swore by the Eternal Heaven, which made Li Zai Xi believe it without a doubt.

The soldiers sitting on the top of the city wall began to miss their hometown. These soldiers were all in their thirties. They had been in An Lushan's army since they were twenty years old. Later, they had been wreaking havoc in Hebei. They didn't know how many innocent people they had killed and how many women they had raped. They were finally tired and didn't want to fight anymore. They returned to their hometown to marry and have children and spend the rest of their lives there.

At this time, one of his generals came running over and whispered, "General, everything is ready!"

Li Zaixi nodded, "Light it up!"

His men threw a large amount of incendiary materials down the city and ignited them with rockets. Li Zai Xi immediately sent someone to inform Li Na.

Li Na had just fallen asleep when his personal guards came to report, "My lord, General Li Zaixi sent someone to report urgently that there is an unusual fire outside the South City. Please go and check it out!"

Li Na was shocked and quickly stood up and rushed to the south end of the city with more than a hundred personal soldiers.

Li Na ran to the top of the south city wall and asked sternly, "What's wrong?"

But no one answered him. Li Na was startled and asked quickly, "Where is Li Zaixi?"

Still no one answered. Li Na realized something was wrong and turned to run. Suddenly, a gong sounded and arrows were fired from both sides. Dozens of Li Na's soldiers were shot down before they could dodge. Other soldiers raised their shields and surrounded Li Na. At this time, Li Zaixi shouted, "Whoever kills Li Na will be rewarded with 5,000 taels of silver!"

Thousands of soldiers swarmed over and Li Na was horrified. He waved his weapon and tried to break through, but he had no chance. He heard the sound of a bowstring and felt a sharp pain in his neck. His eyes went dark and he knew nothing. He was shot through the neck by an arrow from Li Zai Xi.

Outside the South City Gate, Tian Yue led an army of 30,000 waiting for news. He received an arrow letter from Li Zai Xi, who was willing to kill Li Na and surrender. The time is at two o'clock tonight, and the location is the South City Gate.

He saw a huge fire burning below the city. Soon, fighting broke out on the top of the city wall with constant shouting and killing. After a while, the city gate opened and the drawbridge was lowered.

A general was seen standing on the top of the city wall holding a human head and shouting, "I am Li Zai Xi, this is Li Na's head!"

Although it might be a trick, Tian Yue didn't care. He shouted loudly: "Go into the city!"

He led 500 cavalrymen to charge into the city first, and then 30,000 troops rushed into Xindu City.
(End of this chapter)