First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 392 Zhaozhou Great Victory
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The Eastern Han Army was on its way, and the scouts reported: everything in Pingji City was as usual, and no abnormalities were noticed.

Liu Heitai nodded in satisfaction when he heard the words, and suddenly asked: "Have you found any news about the governor of Zhaozhou?"

"The governor of Zhaozhou's name is Guo Xiaoke. I heard that yesterday he went hunting in the city and had a good harvest. He also had a feud with many subordinates of the governor's mansion," the scout team replied truthfully.

"It's Guo Xiaoke?" Liu Heita was surprised.

"Guo Xiaoke from Hulao Pass?" Fan Yuan also exclaimed, "This man has some skills."

After all, at Hulao Pass, Guo Xiaoke followed Li Shimin to capture Dou Jiande alive. As Dou Jiande's former subordinate, everyone has heard of Guo Xiaoke's name more or less.

Seeing this, Cao Zhan laughed and said, "What are you capable of? You went hunting yesterday, which means you didn't even know we were going to Zhaozhou."

Hearing this, Liu Heita nodded slightly, and ordered the scouts: "Investigate again."

Along the way, Liu Heita frowned. Seeing that he had entered the border of Zhaozhou, Liu Heita felt more uneasy.

Although Cao Zhan was reckless, he could see his expression clearly, and immediately asked directly: "Your Majesty, are you worried about fraud?
From my point of view, there is no need to worry, even if we are worried, we have come here, it is impossible to return to the army to fight Yingzhou, there is a way to break through Zhaozhou."

Hearing what this reckless man said, Liu Heitai couldn't help but come back to his senses, nodded and said: "The matter has come to this, so we will follow the plan, quickly break through Zhaozhou, and then plan other things."

"Does Your Majesty have a clever plan?" Fan Yuan asked.

Liu Heitai's mind was messed up at this moment, and when he heard the words, he showed displeasure, frowned and reprimanded: "Why do you always ask me? If you rely on me so much, how can you be independent in the future?"

Fan Yuan was terrified and hurriedly bowed his head and confessed.

Liu Heikai pondered for a moment, "Fan Yuan will be the main force in this battle, and Cao Zhan will be the deputy. Within three days, Pingji will be broken. I will personally sit in the middle army and see how you make achievements."

The two are busy.

The Eastern Han Army came straight to Pingji City, and the defenders on the city "panic".

Guo Xiaoke, who was having a banquet in the governor's mansion, was overjoyed when he heard the words, threw down the white jade cup in his hand, clapped the table and shouted: "Hurry up and join the cavalry, follow me out of the city to attack."

Fan Yuan and Cao Zhan discussed for a long time, and finally made up their mind to attack Zhaozhou directly when Zhaozhou was unprepared.

Unprepared, unexpected strong attack may have a miraculous effect. With an order, the infantry of the Eastern Han Army slowly gathered and headed towards Pingthorn City.

At this moment, the gate of Pingji city was opened wide, and a large group of cavalry rushed out from inside.

Fan Yuan was shocked, and hurriedly shouted, "Array, meet the enemy."

But at this time, the Eastern Han Army was on its way and was preparing to attack the city. The cavalry of the Tang Army rushed out without warning.

Guo Xiaoke was dressed in gorgeous armor, holding a lance in his hand, and a black horse under his crotch, roaring forward, with terrifying power, he rushed straight into the Eastern Han army, and immediately turned his back on his back.

A spear pierced through the two of them, Guo Xiaoke shook vigorously, and shouted: "Guo Jing, Lord Zhai of the Great Tang Yang, is here, and the rebel army will die", with an imposing manner, very majestic.

Guo Xiaoke, a native of Yangdi, named Jing, styled Xiaoke, lived in the world with his style, was born in a reckless family, had great ambitions when he was young, and often compared himself to Wei Huo.

During the great chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Guo Xiaoke gathered hundreds of people from his village and defected to Wagang, and then joined Li Shiji in the Tang Dynasty.

On the original trajectory, Guo Xiaogong paid homage to the governor of Anxi, defeated the Yanqi rebels, captured Yanqi king Long Tuqizhi alive, and then led the army to defeat the Western Turks and shocked the Western Regions.

Later, when he conquered Kucha, due to his negligence, he died at the hands of the Prime Minister of Kucha, and his son Guo Daizhao died in battle together.

It is worth mentioning that his second son, Guo Daifeng, was appointed as the deputy chief of the Luo Suodao March during the period of Tang Gaozong, and the commander was Xue Rengui, the Duke of Pingyang County.

Guo Daifeng lived under Xue Rengui after he became a famous general. He was not angry, so he violated the military order and deliberately dragged his luggage. The biggest stain in Xue Rengui's life.

The cavalry of the Tang Dynasty broke through the formation of the Eastern Han Army and charged left and right, coming and going freely, showing great power.

This made the Eastern Han army who were about to attack the city very flustered. All the soldiers who were attacking the city were infantry, and some people were even pushing ladders and other siege equipment, unarmed.

Seeing the siege equipment, Guo Xiaoke's eyes lit up, and he immediately ordered the destruction of these equipment.

"Even if Dou Jiande is defeated by me, how dare you resist?" Guo Xiaogong had a great time fighting, waving his long spear back and forth, laughing wantonly.

Hearing these words, many of Dou Jiande's former subordinates were even more terrified, even King Xia was defeated by this man, how could we win the fight, I wish our parents would have extra legs and flee in embarrassment.

Fan Yuan, who was caught in a bitter battle, had to order to retreat. Fortunately, Liu Heita in the rear was always paying attention to the front line. Hearing the news, he dispatched cavalry in time to respond. Guo Xiaoke put down his horse when he saw this.

In the first battle, the Tang army won a big victory.

Fan Yuan went back to Daying in disgrace to plead guilty, and Liu Heitai helped him up, "It's not your fault, it's mine."

The generals were shocked.

I saw Liu Heikai sighed deeply, "It seems that there are experts in the Tang army who have predicted my movements in advance, and Zhaozhou has been prepared for a long time. This battle is not unjust."

The generals were shocked again.

Guo Xiaoke, who returned to the city, did not remove his armor, and directly ordered: "Go to Dingzhou quickly, and inform King Huaiyang of the battle situation here. The rest of the people, etc., strengthen the city defense, and the military mansions are on duty at night, so don't relax."

Then Guo Xiaoke summoned a few concubines, while drinking fine wine, while hugging the beauty, reminiscing about the fight just now, he was in a very happy mood.

Guo Xiaoke has an extravagant personality. No matter where he goes, he is always surrounded by beauties, wine, gold and silver.

Wearing gold and jade on the body, even the bed curtains and utensils are also decorated with gold and jade, but they spend a lot of money on those who look good, despise wealth and righteousness, and don't give up on those who look down on them.

To put it bluntly, he is a bold and bold hero, but to put it bluntly, he is flamboyant. This is his biggest shortcoming.

But at the same time, Guo Xiaoke is resolute and decisive, familiar with military strategy, and quite resourceful.

Historical records: "Filial piety, opportunity, fruit and perseverance, when the grass is ambiguous, build meritorious service, and have the style of being outstanding in the world."

After winning the first battle, Guo Xiaoke was not arrogant and careless, and actively deployed defenses.

That night, the defeated Fan Yuan did not give up, and even led the army to attack the city overnight.

Dozens of huge fires several feet high were lit outside the city, shining brightly outside the city.

Under Fan Yuan's supervision, the Dongdong infantry pushed the ladder and crashed carts to attack Pingji City.

"Siege at night is really yours." Cao Zhan rubbed his stubble and smiled, "Are you sure it's possible?"

Fan Yuan's face was heavy, "Whether it works or not, we only have a three-day deadline, we have to try, maybe a big victory in the daytime, the Tang army at this time is just negligent."

Cao Zhan curled his lips when he heard the words, noncommittal.

(End of this chapter)