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Chapter 487 Unstoppable
The fact that Li Chongjiu led an army of [-] to Mingzhou directly by land and water made the whole of Hebei vibrate.

He was confronting Liu Heitai with Yu Chigong in Xindu, after hearing Ling Jing's report, he was silent for a long time.

Liu Heita heard that Li Chongjiu attacked Mingzhou from the waterway, and immediately led the whole army to attack Yuchigong.The two armies fought fiercely for two days, and both sides suffered heavy casualties.Seeing that Liu Heitai was powerful, Yu Chigong had to retreat by night.

Liu Jun's camp was brightly lit, Liu Heita was on the mountain looking at the darkness in the distance, Zhao Jun was retreating, his eyes were solemn.It's not that he doesn't want to pursue, but pursuing in the dark is extremely risky. Although he defeated Yu Chigong today, the tenacious fighting of the Zhao army under Yuchigong's command also made Liu Heitai dare not easily pursue in the middle of the night, lest he would encounter ambush.

His younger brother Liu Shishan was shot by an arrow in his right arm during today's battle, and now he is wrapping his arms and talking to Liu Heitai: "The Zhao army retreated at night, but the main force was not seriously damaged. Now Li Chongjiu has already reached Qinghe County. , the distance is less than a hundred miles, we can't continue to fight Yu Chigong, otherwise Mingzhou will be lost."

Liu Hekai said: "I'm not worried about Mingzhou. If I quit the other county guards, they will have different ideas. Zhang Xuansu and Li Chongjiu will draw their salary from the bottom of the pot and force me to return to Mingzhou."

Just at this time Ling Jing came up the mountain and said: "General..."

Seeing Ling Jing's expression, Liu Heitai knew that something bad had happened.Liu Heitai smiled calmly, and said, "Tell me, what's going on right now, it could be worse."

Ling Jing was silent for a while, and said: "Raoyang guard general Zhuge Dewei, together with two thousand guards, surrendered the city to the Zhao army."

Liu Heitai raised his head and laughed loudly, there was a bit of desolation in the laughter, and all the generals on the side lowered their heads.

Liu Heita said: "Zhuge Dewei, Zhuge Dewei, I didn't expect you to blame me first."

It turned out that Liu Heitai and Zhuge Dewei had a very good personal relationship at the beginning, and they called each other brothers, but now Zhuge Dewei is actually the first general of the Xia army to announce the change of flag.Not only that, but Raoyang is an important town in Hejian County. Once Raoyang is lost, the back road of Gaoyang City where Gao Yaxian is stationed will be cut off.

Raoyang City, together with Changlu County, which was attacked by Li Chongjiu, and Hejian County, the Xia army only had Gaoyang and Leshou, almost becoming an isolated city.

Zhang Junli said: "King Xia, for the current plan, Yu Chigong will retreat temporarily, our army is about to go north, counterattack Raoyang, kill the traitor Zhuge Dewei, and rescue Gao Yaxian and Su Dingfang from Gaoyang..."

Liu Heikai took a deep breath, looked at Zhang Junli, Zhang Junli also shook his head, and stopped talking, obviously he also felt that this matter was too unreliable.

"Brother Gao, I, Liu Heita, have failed you," Liu Heita sighed, and said, "Pass on my general order to return to Mingzhou."

On the Yongji Canal, hundreds of ships descended along the canal, which was spectacular. Li Chongjiu's navy was unstoppable, and it had entered Linqing and Guantao.

Guantao City was already an important place before the Yongji Canal was opened. In the past, the ancient Yellow River flowed through Guantao, and this place was called Dahe Gudu. In the second year of Yuanfeng in the Western Han Dynasty, the Yellow River was decided by Guantao and separated from the Tunshi River. a stream.

Afterwards, Cao Cao dug Caoqu Canal to attack Yecheng where Yuan Shang was located, and diverted the water from Zhangzhou to Baigou at Licaokou in the southwest of Guantao to the east.After Cao Wei captured the city of Ye, he built the capital of Ye here, and the capital of Ye was known as the transportation of water all over the world.

Right now, Ye City has long been burned down, but Mingzhou, which was rebuilt on the former site of Ye City, has banned Ye City.The land of Mingzhou roughly covers Handan in the past, the hometown of Yecheng. Although Yongnian City, where Liu Heita set up his capital, is a county government, it is the famous city near the canal in Mingzhou that is becoming more and more prosperous.

In Water Margin, Cai Jing's son-in-law Liang Shijie, also known as Liang Zhongshu, guarded here. In the Northern Song Dynasty, because of the loss of Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures, Daming Mansion became an important town in the Northern Song Dynasty located north of the Yellow River. , the North Gate lock and key, and later became the accompanying capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, called Beijing, which was the largest city in Hebei in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Looking at the map, Li Chongjiu couldn't help thinking of the ancients, and thought of another time and space. Hundreds of years later, the Kingdom of Jin broke through the Daming Mansion and went south to destroy the Northern Song Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking?"

Hearing Zhang Xuansu's question, Li Chongjiu came to his senses. The Yongji Canal has just been opened for a while now. Of course, the current Daming City is far less prosperous than the Daming City in history, and the Guantao City in front of him is even more prosperous than the Daming City.But for Li Chongjiu, the advantage of daiming's geographical advantage has already emerged. It is not only an important port in Mingzhou, but also an important route connecting the south to Liyang warehouse and the Yellow River.

During Li Chongjiu and Zhang Xuansu's plan, they planned to land in Daming City. The soldiers changed from boats to walking, directly threatening Yongnian City, Liu Heita's headquarters in Mingzhou, and forced Liu Heita to withdraw his troops from the front line and return to Baoming Prefecture. .

However, to reach Daming, one must pass through Guantao Waterway.

It was going to be night at this time, and Zhao Jun's hundreds of boats were lying on the river, and the bows of the boats were all lit up, illuminating the water brightly.The surface of the river is full of sparks.Now the Guantao Waterway is calm and calm, but Zhao Jun's soldiers dare not take it lightly, so the hydrological and geographical conditions here are very complicated.

Cao Cao dug Baigou here back then, and connected the Nanzhang River, and the rivers were criss-cross, so the soldiers did not dare to take it lightly.

Li Chongjiu asked Zhang Xuansu: "Who is Guard Tao of Xia Junguan?"

Zhang Xuansu replied, "It's Cheng Mingzhen."

Li Chongjiu said: "This person is a famous general of the Xia army. Is he unwilling to surrender our army?"

Zhang Xuansu said: "This person is a bit stubborn, and he can't be seduced by words."

Li Chongjiu said with a smile: "Since he is ignorant of current affairs, it is the same to capture him."

Zhang Xuansu said: "It will be night soon, our army might as well stay here overnight, and it will not be too late to go tomorrow."

Before Li Chongjiu could open his mouth, Xue Wanche said, "Our army is advancing by land and water, just to kill Liu Heitai by surprise. Now because of fear of Cheng Mingzhen, he dare not sail. It's not a joke."

General Wang Mahan said: "Yes, the waterway of Yongji Canal is just suitable for sailing at night. Apart from the fear of being grounded, there is no need to worry about the rapids and river rocks. The boat is not afraid at all."

Zhang Xuansu objected: "Although the boat can sail, the horse army and civilian service have to rest. There are no cavalry guards on both sides of the bank. Our water army goes deep alone. If something happens, it will be bad."

Xue Wanche said: "Someone is willing to lead ten small boats to open the way for the army."

When Li Chongjiu saw that all the generals were planning to march by night, he immediately said: "It's not too short of an hour and a half, how much more can be traveled in one night, pass on my general's order to anchor here tonight, and go south after dawn tomorrow. "

After hearing this, all the generals took orders together.

That night, the Zhao army's navy parked on the Guantao waterway all night. At dawn the next day, Zhang Xuansu reported to Li Chongjiu, saying: "General Xia Jun, Li Wenxiang, led 3000 troops to the east bank to surrender our army."

Li Chongjiu asked in surprise: "Isn't it fraudulent for Li Wenxiang to surrender at this moment?"

Zhang Xuansu said with a smile: "Your Majesty doesn't know something. Li Wenxiang was also called Li Shanghu. He was also one of the anti-kings in the past. Later, he surrendered to Li Mi and became General Wagang. He and Xu Shiji were sworn brothers. Afterwards, Li Mi was defeated. Dou Jiande had to be surrendered, and this time the king came up to attack Liu Heita, he had already agreed to be our internal response."

Li Chongjiu said happily: "Don't tell me earlier, let him come to meet me on the boat."

Soon after, Li Wenxiang personally boarded the ship to meet Li Chongjiu.Although Li Wenxiang was unknown, when he rebelled against the Sui Dynasty, he had not been to Wagangzhai before Li Mi, so he could be regarded as a prince on his own side.

So Li Chongjiu didn't hesitate when he saw that the other party bowed down as soon as he boarded the boat. He helped Li Wenxiang up slowly, and said, "With the help of Mr. Li, we can attack Mingzhou, and the event will be accomplished."

Li Wenxiang was very happy when he heard that Li Chongjiu respected him and called him a prince. He quickly lowered his body and said, "King Zhao is a villain. He is a martial artist. He doesn't deserve such praise from King Zhao, but he is here to help Zhao. The king attacked Mingzhou."

Li Chongjiu said: "We are going to pass Guantao today and arrive at Daming to land, but we don't know the reality of Cheng Mingzhen."

Li Wenxiang said: "I have a confidant who is a small school under Cheng Mingzhen's command. He risked his life to report to me last night, saying that Cheng Mingzhen had ambushed dozens of fireboats under a river bend on the east bank, and would attack as soon as the army arrived. .”

Hearing that Xue Wanche, Wang Mahan and other generals who advocated attacking last night were all ashamed.

Li Chongjiu glanced at them, and said: "Send down the order to Wu Gunai, Qin Qiong and Qin Qiong will lead five thousand elite riders to search along the river, and I will capture Cheng Mingzhen alive."

Li Wenxiang said: "A newcomer here, I would like to help."
Li Chongjiu said: "Please trouble Mr. Li."

Having said that, Li Wenxiang led the cavalry with Wu Gunai and Qin Qiong to set off together.Li Chongjiu didn't ask people to lift the anchor immediately, but waited on the shore.

Soon after, Qin Qiong, Li Wen and others returned together. Li Wenxiang clasped his fists to Li Chongjiu on the boat and said, "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life. I annihilated more than [-] people from the Xia army and captured all the fireboats. General Cheng Mingzhen of the Xia army was captured."

Li Chongjiu said: "Bring this person here."

At that moment, a general of the Xia army was escorted by four soldiers, and Wuhua Datian was escorted to the front of the boat. Li Chongjiu looked at the other party and said, "Are you Cheng Mingzhen?"

The other party struggled for a while, and said: "If it wasn't for the traitor Li Wenxiang who betrayed Yu, how could you capture me?"

Li Chongjiu said: "After the defeat of the army, it is not for the general's style to push back and make excuses. Now that Guantao has been destroyed, our army can go straight to Mingzhou immediately. Liu Heitai's situation is at stake. Why should you be loyal to Xia? Army, why don’t you send me to Dazhao as soon as possible, and let you be the commander of the navy?”

Cheng Mingzhen hesitated for a while, and then said: "It's okay to surrender you, but my mother and my wife are both in Mingzhou. If someone surrenders you, their lives will definitely be lost. No, no."

Li Chongjiu said with a smile: "That's okay, let's put it on hold for now, what do you say after I break Mingzhou?"

Cheng Mingzhen said: "Then you will be the one who listens to everything."

Li Chongjiu nodded, and immediately said: "Alright, let's take care of this person first, and the army will continue to march."

(End of this chapter)