Great Han Empire

Chapter 722
In mid-October, Kansai, Tao Lin Sai.

Taolinsai is located at the foot of Kuzong Mountain, not very large, forty miles away from Zhushui River.

In order to ensure the safety of the emperor, Zhang Ji moved the emperor's camp to the fortress.Soon, Yuan Shao's attack on Tongguan became more and more fierce, and Hua Xiong of the Northern Xinjiang Army also withdrew to Hongnong City in advance.Zhang Ji and Wang Fang felt threatened from both sides, and then moved the emperor's camp to Taoqiuju.Taoqiuju is located between Tongguan and Taolinsai, with the Yellow River in the north and Kuzong Mountain in the south. Once something happens at the key pass, the emperor can be held hostage and escape into the mountains.

When the battle was at its most tense, Fenwei General Lu Bu and Yangwei Zhonglang General Zhang Liao led a hundred soldiers to escort food, grass and weapons to Taoqiuju.

The emperor was overjoyed and greeted him out of the big tent in person.Lu Bu and Zhang Liao were so flattered that they quickly fell to their knees.The emperor raised one with one hand, and asked repeatedly: "Where is the general? Where is the general? When can the Northern Xinjiang Army rush to Tongguan for support?"

Lu Bu looked troubled, and bowed his head in silence.The emperor felt a chill in his heart, and turned to look at Zhang Liao.Zhang Liao smiled wryly, but stopped talking.

"The general doesn't want to save me? Is that so? He doesn't want me anymore?" the emperor asked in panic.

"Your Majesty, the general is coming from Handan day and night." Zhang Liao bowed and said, "The left general, Mr. Qu, is currently fighting fiercely with the rebels in Shancheng. The rebels are so powerful that they have already defeated Xin'an and Mianchi. If they attack If we go to Shancheng, Guanxi will not be able to defend, so now the northern army is in the area of ​​Shancheng, unable to assist Tongguan in the west."

"Unable to help the West?" Yang Feng who was standing behind the emperor sneered, "General Li Wei Hua Xiong is in Hongnong at the moment, why can't he come to rescue him?"

"Hmph..." Lu Bu looked at Yang Feng, with a murderous look in his eyes, and a sneer from his nose, "Master Hua's army has been fighting bloody battles in Xin'an and Mianchi, and suffered heavy losses. It has already been defeated."

"Where's the Northern Border Army in Hedong?" Yang Feng asked angrily without showing any weakness, "Has the Northern Border Army in Hedong also been defeated by Yuan Shao?"

"In the battle of Chang'an, the northern army lost troops and lost generals. Don't you know?" Lu Bu frowned, his face frosty. I hate you to the bone. You defected and caused the Northern Border Army to suffer heavy losses under the city of Chang'an. Tens of thousands of lives were lost in vain. They wished they could eat you alive. At this time, you dare to let them come to support? If you Agree to let Yu Du, Ku Chief and others lead the army to help, I will return to Hedong immediately, and ask Master Xu Rong for orders."

"No, no..." The Son of Heaven was startled and shook his hands again and again, "Forget it, forget it. How many reinforcements did the general bring?"

Lu Bu gave Yang Feng a hard look, and then said helplessly, "Hebei was hit by a disaster. The general has no money and food, so he couldn't recruit an army. He only brought [-] cavalry to rescue him."

The emperor opened his small eyes wide, startled and frightened, and was speechless for a while.

"I am willing to stay by Your Majesty's side and swear to protect Your Majesty." Lu Bu suddenly knelt down and said loudly, "I implore Your Majesty..."

"Okay, okay..." The emperor excitedly pulled Lu Bu up, "I can rest assured that Ai Qing will stay by my side."

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible, Lord Lu..." Yang Feng and Dong Cheng stopped him at the same time.

The emperor didn't wait for the two of them to finish speaking, waved his hands and scolded: "Who killed Dong Zhuo back then? Is it you? I issued an edict, and Lu Aiqing rushed from Yanzhou to Guanzhong to rescue him immediately. Can you do it? The war in Tongguan is critical, you all go to Tongguan Come on, don't stay here anymore. With Lu Aiqing here, I won't die."

Yang Feng and Dong Cheng were dumbfounded.

The two rushed to report to Zhang Ji, Wang Fang and Huang Fuhong.Zhang Ji wrote back to protect the emperor, monitor Lu Bu, and prevent him from causing trouble to the emperor's camp.

=

Mid-October, Hedong, Pubanjin.

Riding fast for eight hundred miles, he rushed into the camp.

Xu Rong finally looked forward to a letter from the general.Does the general agree with King Qin?Xu Rong opened the letter anxiously, his hands trembling a little.What should I do if the general does not agree to attack and kill the emperor's camp to rescue the emperor?
A line of strong and powerful words jumped into Xu Rong's eyes.

"My lord, what did the general say?" Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong, asked anxiously.

"The general will never let us down." Xu Rong breathed a long sigh of relief, "Master Wang, go and prepare for the emperor's camp." Xu Rong handed the letter in his hand to Wang Yi, "I'll go Kansai help."

Wang Yi scanned it hastily, "Your Highness is also going to Hedong?"

"His Royal Highness and the General are already on their way." Xu Rong said with a smile, "Now, your Hedong Mansion will cost you a lot of money."

When the war drums rang, Pu Banjin's camp suddenly became tense.

Sun Qin, Wang Dang, Yu Du, Ku Chief and others rushed into the tent first, "My lord, are you going to Kansai?"

"The general ordered to go to Kansai to save the emperor." Xu Rong smiled while putting on his helmet, "but the general also said that what should be killed should be killed, and we must not be soft."

"Okay, this time we must kill Zhang Ji, Wang Fang, and Huangfu Hong." Yu Du shouted loudly.

"Don't kill Huangfu Hong." Xu Rong hurriedly said after hearing this, "He is the son of Huangfu Song, so he cannot be killed."

"It's Huangfusong's son, so I have to kill him even more." Yu Du yelled with his eyes wide open, "I wanted to kill him a long time ago. I will never spare him this time."

Xu Rong was speechless for a moment.Huangfusong killed hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers back then, how could this enmity be resolved easily?
Wang Dang stretched out his hand and slapped him, "You can do whatever your lord tells you to do. What are you talking about? On the battlefield, swords and guns don't have eyes, and long arrows don't have eyes. Whether Huangfu Hong can survive is God's decision." Forget it, it’s not us who has the final say.”

Yu Duxin understood and bowed down to apologize.

Xu Rong looked at his subordinates and secretly sighed.In the big tent, there are all generals in yellow scarves.If Huangfusong and Zhu Jun were still alive, what would they think when they saw today's scene?
=

Under October, Kansai, Hucheng Ferry.

On the surface of the Yellow River, hundreds of warships of different sizes are lined up, and the colorful battle flags on the ships are flying in the wind, with a magnificent momentum.

A boat and a tank boat approached the ferry one after another, and sent the heavily armed soldiers of the Northern Xinjiang Army to the opposite bank.

Standing on Class A of a huge three-story ship, Xu Rong looked at the bustling crowd in front of him and asked, "Ask, Wang Dang and Master Yu Du's troops have already started to disembark at the Wen Township ferry. ?"

Yang Hua, who was standing behind Xu Rong, bowed and replied: "My lord, they are approaching the shore. At dusk, all the army can go ashore. According to the agreement, now the two adults, Sun Qin and Kuyi, have already landed at Fenglingdu." .”

Xu Rong nodded, looked at the turbulent water of the Yellow River, and lowered his head in thought.

Within the distance of nearly a hundred miles from Tongguan to Taolin Fortress, there are three ferries. From west to east, they are Fengling Ferry, Yanxiang Ferry and Hucheng Ferry.In order to ensure that the emperor can be rescued intact, Xu Rong ordered Sun Qin and Wang Dang to bring a soldier and horse each, and attack from three ferries at the same time with him.Yan Township and Hucheng are the closest to Taoqiuju, about 30 miles away, so Xu Rong put his heavy troops on the two ferry crossings of Yan Township and Hucheng.

The army of Sun Qin and Wang Dang fought bloody battles in Guanzhong, especially in the first battle under Chang'an City. The losses were very serious. Today, less than 1 people can fight.In order to reduce losses, Xu Rong gave up the strategy of directly killing Taoqiuju, and instead stuck to the ferry.

Xu Rong believed that as long as his army appeared at the ferry and landed, the rebels in Guanzhong would be driven out of their wits, and Zhang Ji, Wang Fang, Yang Feng and others would have no intention of guarding the pass in order to snatch the emperor. Chance fled to the bank of the Yellow River with the Son of Heaven.Xu Rong was unwilling to let his soldiers die worthlessly in this chaos. He repeatedly warned Sun Qin, Wang Dang and Yu Du that whoever dared to go to Taoqiuju against the order would follow the military law and would not hesitate.

Huangfuhong won't have another accident, right?Xu Rong sighed worriedly.He was most worried about Huangfu Hong.If Huangfuhong went back on his word again, not only would the emperor not be able to save him, he might even lose his life.

Suddenly there was a neat sound of shouting at the ferry.Xu Rong, Chen Wei, and Yang Hua watched closely at the same time.Soldiers are unloading ballistas one after another from the ship.

"My lord, except for the Son of Heaven and the ministers of the court, shall we kill everyone else?" Yang Hua asked cautiously.

"The rebellion is mainly Dong Zhuo's old troops. What do ordinary soldiers know? They are all innocent." Seeing that Xu Rong was silent, Chen Wei hurriedly persuaded, "Many of these soldiers are from the former Northern Army and West Garden Army. I have been fighting for many years, if I can stay..."

"Kill it." Xu Rong said lightly, "What the general needs is not soldiers, but the stability of Hebei."

Both Chen Wei and Yang Hua understood what Xu Rong said.When the rebels died, these soldiers became weapons in the hands of the emperor, which did no good to Hebei.

"The rebels have no way to survive, and they will fight desperately. The safety of the emperor..." Yang Hua said hesitantly, "My lord, this place is only [-] miles away from Taoqiu. We can arrive there in half a day, and we can enter the emperor's camp... ..."

Xu Rong shook his hand, "Zhang Ji, Wang Fang, and Yang Feng will definitely fight us in order to fight for the emperor. At this time, the Tongguan defenders may collapse in an instant. Tongguan was lost, and Yuan Shao's tens of thousands of troops rushed in. All sides Then we fell into a melee, and then it would be very difficult for us to escape. We can't protect ourselves, how can we save the emperor? Don't think too much, set up the ballista, and wait here. As long as Zhang Ji and others kill each other, Lu Bu and Huangfuhong will rescue the emperor."

=

At the end of October, Taoqiu gathers.

Yang Feng and Dong Cheng were terrified when they heard that the army from Northern Xinjiang was coming across the river.

Dong Cheng rushed to the emperor, asking the emperor and ministers to go to Kuzong Mountain to avoid disaster.Lu Bu and Zhang Liao tried hard to persuade the Son of Heaven that the northern army came to rescue His Majesty, so why should Your Majesty flee?

Dong Cheng shouted angrily: "If the northern border army wants to help His Majesty, they should go to Tongguan to fight Yuan Shao instead of going to Hucheng and Yan Township. What are they doing here? Isn't it just to snatch the emperor?"

Taiwei Yang Biao and other ministers also advised the emperor. At this moment, what choice is there?While Zhang Ji, Wang Fang and others are in Tongguan, kill Yang Feng and join the northern army and flee to Hedong.

The emperor was at a loss and couldn't make up his mind.He wanted to go to Hedong, but he was afraid that the general would treat him like Li Jue, Guo Si and other rebels.

Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Dong Cheng, Zhong Ji, Ju Jun and other ministers who could not persist in Hedong started to quarrel.

=

Yang Feng urgently told Li Le, Han Xian (xian) and Hu Cai, who were fighting in Tongguan, to return to Taoqiuju as soon as possible and protect the emperor first.He had selfish intentions, he thought that it was Zhang Ji and Wang Fang that the northern border army was going to kill, not himself.He and Han Xian used to be both Yellow Turban Army, and now there are many Yellow Turban generals in the Northern Frontier Army. He thinks that since the General didn't kill Montenegro for poison, of course he wouldn't kill them either.After grabbing the emperor, he can take the opportunity to blackmail the general. With the credit of this escort, he can also look like a human being in northern Xinjiang.

At this time, a minister close to him sent someone to tell him that Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Dong Cheng and others were discussing how to kill him, and told him to flee the Tianzi camp quickly.

Yang Feng was furious, and gathered 3000 troops overnight, preparing to raid Dong Cheng's army at dawn, but the news leaked out immediately.Dong Cheng hurriedly summoned his 1000 troops, as well as a thousand tiger and forest guards, and launched the attack first.The two sides fought in the Tianzi Camp.

The Tianzi camp was in chaos, flames shot into the sky, arrows flew in all directions, cries and fighting were intertwined, which was terrifying.

Lu Bu persuaded again, "Princess Eldest has been in Hebei for five full years. Generals have to discuss major matters in Hebei before making decisions. Her power in Hebei cannot be underestimated. When Your Majesty arrives in Hebei, with the support of Eldest Princess, What are you worried about? Your Majesty doesn't trust the General, don't you trust the Eldest Princess?"

Taiwei Yang Biao and other ministers also advised that Zhang Wen, Ma Rixun, Cui Lie, Zhao Qi and other ministers are all in Hebei. Would these people help the general hold His Majesty hostage and bring disaster to the country?

The emperor was terrified at this time, and nodded without thinking, "Go, go, all my loves and I will go to Hedong."

Lv Bu and Zhang Liao immediately commanded the soldiers to protect the emperor, empress and a group of ministers, leave the camp on foot, and fled towards Hucheng.

In the dark night, you can't see your fingers, and the road is difficult to distinguish. The group of people walked very slowly.

=

Zhang Ji and others who were stationed in Tongguan were very happy with the news that the Northern Xinjiang Army had entered Fenglingdu. They believed that the general had agreed to the emperor's request and sent troops to rescue.

That night, several generals drank together to celebrate.

In the middle of the night, Han Xian was taken aback when he received Yang Feng's urgent letter.He, Li Le, and Hu Cai led 5000 troops and quickly retreated to Taoqiuju.

After Zhang Ji, Wang Fang and Huangfuhong heard the news, they immediately felt that something was wrong.Later, ministers from the DPRK and China also sent people to deliver letters.Without further ado, Zhang Ji and Wang Fang handed over Tongguan to Huangfuhong to garrison, and each of them led a large army to rush towards the Tianzi camp.

On the way, Zhang Ji and his nephew Zhang Xiu urgently told him not to guard the fort anymore, and rushed to Taoqiuju to join me immediately.

=

Huangfuhong first volunteered to stay in Huayin, and now he volunteered to stay in Tongguan. Everyone believed in Huangfuhong's loyalty. However, Huangfuhong broke his promise this time. He did not lead the army to garrison Tongguan. Wang Fang killed back.

He gave up Tongguan directly.

The senior cadres who were in charge of the siege that day easily took Tongguan without bloodshed.

When Yuan Shao heard the news, he thought that Feng Ji, who came to announce the good news, was joking, "Brother Yuan Tu, how can you talk nonsense about such a military matter? I'm worried that I will punish you for your salary."

Feng Ji laughed until he couldn't close his mouth, "My lord, I didn't lie to you, Tongguan was really taken by us."

"Why didn't I hear the sound of fighting?" Yuan Shao was a little unhappy.

"That's because all the rebels in Tongguan have escaped, and there is no one in the pass." Feng Ji said with a smile, "My lord, Guanxi is already in the bag."

Yuan Shao was stunned for a moment, then he jumped up and shouted loudly: "Quick, quick, urgently order all ministries to enter Tongguan, quick, quick..."

"My lord, the army has been besieging the city for more than 20 days in a row, and they are exhausted. They should take a rest at this time, and then enter Tongguan..."

"The Northern Army must have reached the Taolin Fortress, and they are fighting for the emperor with the rebels." Yuan Shao said eagerly, "If the Northern Army hadn't killed the rebels, why would these people abandon Tongguan? There is no way out, and they will be desperate , Abandon Tongguan."

Feng Ji laughed, "My lord, then we should stand still and watch the tigers fight. For us, it doesn't matter whether the emperor lives or dies. We only want to go to Kansai. The more the northern border army and these rebels kill the sky and the earth, , the better for us. When they are dying, Kansai will be at your fingertips."

"Yuantu, you are confused. The emperor doesn't care about us, but for Hebei and Li Hong, it is an invincible weapon. Once this weapon exerts its power, it will pose a great threat to us, so we can't let it go. Li Hong snatched the Son of Heaven, not only for future hegemony, but also for the sake of the country. Think about it, if Li Hong hadn’t snatched the Son of Heaven, if we had rebuilt the imperial line, what advantage would Hebei have?”

Feng Ji smiled and said nothing.

The hegemony in Yuan Shao's words is his own, and if the hegemony is successful, is this country or society still owned by a big man?Yuan Shao didn't know whether it was on purpose or not, but he didn't say the word "big man".

Fengji began to understand a little bit.On that day, when the big account was discussing matters, Yuan Shao asked what would happen if the emperor was murdered?When Geng Bao talked about rebuilding the imperial system, Yuan Shao laughed and said nothing at that time, and did not continue this topic.It seems that forcing rebellion and killing the emperor is just Yuan Shao's means to rebuild the imperial lineage, but rebuilding the imperial lineage is obviously not Yuan Shao's ultimate goal.What Yuan Shao wanted to do was already on his mind.

Looking at Yuan Shao's vigorous back, Feng Ji slowly formed an imperceptible smile at the corner of his mouth.

There are things that should be done.

=

In the early morning, peach mounds gather.

The two sides in the melee suddenly found that the emperor was gone, and so were the ministers.

Yang Feng and Dong Cheng turned pale with fright, and they each asked for gold and withdrew from the battlefield.Dong Cheng led the army to pursue wildly along the trail towards Hucheng.Yang Feng also reorganized his army and pursued in the direction of Wen Township.

Because it was too dark, Lu Bu and others lost their way.When the sky was getting brighter, they walked on Chidao, only to realize that they had taken the wrong road, which turned out to be the road leading to Tongguan.

Lu Bu was so anxious that he led the emperor, ministers and ministers to rush towards the direction of Yan Township.

Han Xian (xian), Li Le, and Hu Cai trotted all the way from afar with an army.

Lv Bu was shocked, "Wen Yuan, let's separate. You take the emperor and flee to the direction of Yanxiang. The Taiwei and I took the queen and ministers to flee to the direction of Hucheng. We have a large number of people, and we can attract the rebels. You buy time."

"No, Brother Fengxian, you are skilled in martial arts, you take the emperor and go first." Zhang Liao shouted, "I will go to Hucheng with Lord Taiwei."

"Master Zhang is right." Yang Biao said out of breath, "The traitor wants the emperor, not the queen, nor me, an old man in his 50s. Take the emperor and leave quickly."

Lu Bu didn't say any more, turned around, carried the emperor on his back, and rushed into the woods beside the road like an arrow.Thirty soldiers followed closely behind, roaring away.

=
The more Dong Cheng chased, the more he felt that something was wrong. The road was clean, and the dewdrops were crystal clear on the yellow grass beside the road. It didn't look like a group of people had just walked past.

"Turn back, turn back, chase in the direction of Yan Township, hurry up..."

More than 1000 people turned and ran.Soon, violent shouts came from ahead, and a few screams could be heard occasionally.Dong Chen was about to burst into tears, wishing he could take one step in front of the enemy.

Han Xian, Li Le, and Hu Cai led their troops to catch up with the fleeing crowd, but they failed to find the emperor.Li Le was in a hurry and asked Zhong Ji.Without Zhong Ji saying anything, Li Le raised his hand and killed him with a knife.Li Le held the bloody head and asked Yang Biao, "Tell me, where is the emperor?" Yang Biao didn't say anything.With a wave of Li Le's hand, a group of wolves and tigers swarmed up, hacked to death twelve ministers including Shesheng Xiaowei Ju Jun, and more than 20 officials from various governments.

Yang Biao didn't say anything until he died.

"If you don't say it again, I'll kill the queen." Li Le was anxious.

At this moment, the drums of war sounded, and Dong Cheng led the army to rush there.

Standing behind Yang Biao, Zhang Liao took advantage of Li Le turning his head in panic, and suddenly shot a cold arrow. Li Le screamed and fell off his horse.

Han Xian and Hu Cai thought it was the northern Xinjiang army who had come to kill them, so they didn't look carefully, so they ran away on horseback.As soon as the main general fled, the soldiers below were so frightened that they flocked to follow and fled.

"Where is the Son of Heaven?" Dong Cheng asked loudly.

Just as Yang Biao was about to answer, Zhang Liao grabbed him, pointed to the direction where Han Siam was fleeing, and said, "He was captured by Han Siam and Hu Cai."

Dong Cheng didn't care about them, and led his army in wild pursuit.

Han Xian met Zhang Ji head-on, "My lord, save me."

"Where is the Northern Army? Where is the Son of Heaven?" Zhang Ji asked loudly, startled and angry.

"The Son of Heaven was snatched away by the Northern Border Army, and they are chasing after him."
As soon as Han Xian ran over, Dong Cheng came to kill him aggressively.He saw Zhang Ji and hurriedly shouted: "My lord, Han Xian has snatched the emperor, hurry up and chase after him."

"Where did he snatch the emperor? You are blind." Zhang Ji cursed.

Several people immediately got together and made a total, and they were fooled.Zhang Ji hastily sent someone to tell Wang Fang behind him, and immediately changed his course to pursue in the direction of Yan Township, "We are chasing towards Hucheng, the Son of Heaven must not have arrived at Hedong yet, hurry up."

Seeing the smoke billowing from behind, Zhang Liao had no choice but to yell, "Scatter, run away..."

Zhang Liao carried Yang Biao on his back, and several valiant soldiers carried Empress Undulating, Dong Guiren, Chunyu Jia and other highly respected ministers, and ran towards the bank of the Yellow River.

Some of the other ministers ran after Zhang Liao.Some stood still on the road, anyway, that's all, life and death.More people scattered and fled for their lives.

Zhang Ji, Dong Cheng, Han Xian and others commanded the army to roar and kill them.

Guang Luxun Deng Yuan, Shaofu Tian Fen, Da Si Nong Zhang Yi, Shi Zhong Liu Ai, Zuo Ling and other ministers were hacked to death by rebels one after another. Ordinary officials were killed and injured even more. Hundreds of court ladies disappeared in a blink of an eye. disappeared.

=

Yang Feng led the army to chase all the way to the vicinity of Yan Township.

The emperor was nowhere to be found, which made him very frustrated, so he led his army back, and was going to meet Han Siam before discussing, but he bumped into Lu Bu head-on.

This is a vast field, and there is no place to hide if you want to hide.

Looking at the approaching army ahead, Lu Bu suddenly raised the halberd in his hand and shouted wildly, "Protect the Son of Heaven, let's kill it, kill it..."

=

(End of this chapter)