Tongguan.
A strong wind mixed with snow and frost swept across the entire official road.
The knights lowered their heads, their armors all covered with a shallow layer of snow and frost, making it extremely difficult to walk.
Some of the peasants were driving, some were pushing, shivering in the strong wind.
The morale of the army has dropped to a certain extent.
They were so small in the vast white snow. The scouts sprayed thick mist and patrolled back and forth on both sides.
Yu Wenxian was wrapped in thick clothes and walked dejectedly to the center position.
He looked into the distance with an indescribable loneliness in his eyes.
They finally returned home.
But there are many people who can no longer go home.
After Duan Shao arrived, he launched another round of fierce attacks on the Zhou people. Gao Yanzong was the vanguard and used cavalry to attack their retreat. Yu Wenxian hurriedly sent troops to rescue. Hu Luguang led the rest of the enemy's troops and charged across the mountains and plains.
After coming down, this time there was no Wang Xiong to stop him, and Yu Wenxian suffered a big loss.
This young famous general is still somewhat immature when facing Hu Luguang, Duan Shao and others.
Without a veteran to watch over him, he could easily be pulled back by Duan Shao repeatedly.
Gao Yanzong only focused on attacking fiercely, but Hu Luguang used various mature tactics, including insertion and detours. The Jinyang soldiers were extremely tough. The performance of these old Xianbei gang on the battlefield was extremely terrifying. They were the most elite army in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
, compared with this group of Jinyang elites, there is still a gap. Yu Wenxian almost didn't make it out alive.
He lost his troops and generals, and returned home defeated.
It was the first time that Yu Wenxian suffered such a defeat. Thinking of the homeless corpses dumped outside Mang Mountain, Yu Wenxian felt indescribable self-blame and guilt.
Gao Qiao was wrapped more tightly and wore extremely thick clothes. At first glance, he looked a few times bigger than Yu Wenxian.
He is afraid of cold.
He looked calmly into the distance, "My lord, facing Duan Shao, Hu Luguang, Gao Yanzong, Dugu Yongye and others, he is already a genius if he can lead most of the elites out alive."
"Even though Sui Guogong and Liang Guogong are still alive, I don't dare to say that I can take advantage of them."
"Dong Guo Yong reminded me not to underestimate the enemy, but I didn't take it to heart. I just thought Duan Shao was safe and didn't dare to pursue him. I didn't expect that he actually wanted to kill them all. His fighting style was so fierce."
Gao Jie paused, a little unnatural.
Duan Shao would not launch a major pursuit. This was his judgment. Yu Wenxian just followed his judgment.
Gao Jing explained: "Generals like Duan Shao can no longer use common sense to figure out their behavior. It was my judgment that was wrong."
"I'm not blaming you. I just feel that I still have many shortcomings. From now on, we can no longer look down on anyone. Before we want to win, we must first consider defeat."
Yu Wenxian is a person who is very good at summarizing. This time as the commander-in-chief, he faced Duan Shao, the enemy commander, which shocked him greatly and allowed him to quickly absorb a lot of things.
Gao Jiong thought this was nothing.
That was Duan Shao. Although his seniority was slightly lower, he started to join the army at a very young age. Whether it was field combat, offense and defense, or other aspects, he was now the top existence. He could not be said to be the first general of Daqi.
In addition, he has a fierce man like Hu Luguang beside him, so he may not be Duan Shao's opponent in commanding multiple armies in large-scale battles, but as the commander-in-chief of an army, he really has no defeat.
As for the ugly fat man, before this battle, no one thought that this guy with a bad reputation in his early years could be so brave.
Infinitely powerful and tireless.
With such a fat physique, he was able to kill several times in the army without feeling tired at all. After several battles, the war horse was almost exhausted, but this guy was still very active.
This guy can't be a commander or a general, but as a vanguard fighter, there really aren't many people here who can stop him.
Gao Jong wanted to persuade him a few words, but looking at the lonely Yu Wenxian on the side, he still did not say anything. He thought for a moment and then said: "There are many talents in the country, so there is no need to worry, my lord."
"You can recruit more people as your planning office and hone your skills. Today's success or failure is only temporary. There will be more important things for the lord to do in the future."
Yu Wenxian's eyes finally brightened up, and he looked at Gao Jiong.
"Is there any young talent to recommend to me? I want someone who can fight!"
Gao Jiong thought for a moment again, "I do know that there are two people. The lord can send people to recruit them."
"Oh? Which two people are they?"
"The general manager of Jinzhou, the military forces of the seven states, and He Ruodun, the governor of Jinzhou, do you know, Lord?"
Yu Wenxian looked at him in astonishment, "Of course I know, you don't want me to recruit him, right? How can I be so virtuous and capable?"
"Haha, my lord doesn't know something. He has a son named He Ruobi. He is very young, but he is extremely brave. He is good at riding and shooting. He is invincible. He also knows military strategy and has a great reputation in Jinzhou."
Yu Wenxian nodded slowly, "If so, this person can be recruited."
"Chi Jie, Commander-in-Chief, you should also know about the military personnel of the four states of Zhongxu, Yuluo, and Han Xiong, the governor of Zhongzhou?"
"You know, his son is also very powerful?"
"Yes, his son is called Han Qinhu. He originally followed the Duke of Jin to conquer the Qi State and made many military exploits. However, he was dismissed because he complained during the reward ceremony and meant to accuse the Duke of Jin. His father was also cut off.
His official position was reassigned to Ganzhou."
Gao Jiong couldn't help but shake his head when he thought of this.
"These two people are still young, but they both have military talents. If the lord can call them for his own use, he may not be at a disadvantage when facing Liu Taozi and others in the future."
Yu Wenxian was overjoyed and said, "Okay."
"After returning to Chang'an this time, I will send people to recruit these two talents."
Yu Wenxian put away his sadness after the defeat and sped up slightly.
After marching like this for many days, the last Zhou army successfully returned to Chang'an.
After settling the army, Yu Wenxian and others entered Chang'an.
In the cold wind, Chang'an is full of people.
There were many people in mourning clothes, holding big flags, shouting along the road: "Come back~~"
"Come back~~"
There are many people on the street, all dressed up similarly. Some people are wearing masks, lighting a bonfire, and doing the ritual.
Crying could be heard in every house.
This expedition to eliminate the soldiers from various military governments mainly relied on elites from various places in the capital as the main force.
And these main forces also suffered the most deaths in this battle. Many people even died in Qi State, and their bodies never came back.
Their families can only hope to bring these loved ones back through spiritual conjuring rituals.
Someone sprinkled a lot of ashes at the door of their house. The ashes were sprinkled all the way to the city gate. They were used to guide the way for those relatives who died in the war.
Even Yuwen Hu did not dare to prohibit the people in the city from offering sacrifices and summoning spirits.
Yu Wenxian led the crowd and avoided the mourning teams one after another. He lowered his head and did not dare to look at these people at all.
He didn't know how many of these people's relatives died because of him.
After Yu Wenxian arrived, everyone was finally able to review the battle.
Inside the palace.
Yu Wenhu sat in the upper position.
Many generals and important ministers who came from afar were sitting on both sides. Even during the court meeting, Yu Wenhu could see the conspicuous mourning clothes.
Many ministers and generals lost their relatives.
The court hall was quiet, no one dared to speak easily.
Yuwenhu asked his confidants to calculate the outcome of the battle, and Yuwenhu almost fainted.
During Yu Wenhu's expedition, two generals of the Duke level were killed, including Yang Zhong, the Sui State Duke, and Wang Xiong, the Duke of the Yong State. A young master of the Third Duke level, Yang Fu, was captured, and Hou Longen, a general of the Zhu State, was killed.
A county official, Yu Wenzhi, was captured. In addition to these top officials, the governors, governors, prefects, and officials near the capital were almost killed and injured. In the north, Lingzhou, Huizhou, and Yanzhou were lost.
The middle and lower-level officers in the army, as well as the most elite soldiers, suffered extremely heavy casualties.
Especially those outstanding middle and lower-level officers, Yu Wenhu lost more than 300 in one battle. This is the real injury, and the core of the team is gone.
Yu Wenxian, Yang Yu’s losses here are not small.
Yu Wenhu didn't dare to listen any more.
When he learned that Wang Xiong had been killed and Yuwen's military police had been defeated, he could no longer cry. He had no tears left.
Zhou Dynasty, Jinzhou, governor's office.
The soldiers in the courtyard were all dressed in mourning clothes, with their heads lowered and silent.
A tall, solemn-looking man stood in the courtyard, holding a drink in his hand, with sad eyes, and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of Lingzhou.
Next to him, stood a young boy with a stunned look on his face, just worshiping with the man.
The man worshiped several times before standing up.
"General, if this revenge cannot be avenged, I will not live."
This person is none other than the governor of Jinzhou, the governor He Ruodun.
He Ruoden closed his eyes and his face became sad again.
His son He Ruobi, who was standing next to him, finally couldn't bear it anymore. He asked loudly: "Master, the Duke of Qi sent someone to summon me. Should I go or not?"
He Ruoden looked at his son beside him with a solemn expression, "What are you doing with a young boy like Yu Wenxian?"
"Being by his side is nothing more than a planning room, and you have no place to use him."
"I think you should go to Huizhou and make contributions."
"I will write to General Yuchi"
Although He Ruobi is young, he is bigger than his father. Standing behind He Ruobi, he looks particularly flamboyant.
He looked disdainful. It made no difference to him whether he followed the Duke of Qi or the Duke of Shu.
I don’t need them to get ahead, but they need me to kill everyone!
Although He Ruobi is young, he has great ambitions and great abilities. He is unbeatable in Jinzhou. He just wants to find a bigger platform to display his talents.
"Father, you don't need to write to me. I want to join the army myself. Even if I start as a soldier, I will definitely surpass my grandfather and become the Duke of the country!"
He Ruoden immediately changed his color.
Official positions have always been a pain point in He Ruoden's heart. He has seniority and great military exploits, but he just can't be promoted. Why can't he be promoted?
This brings up one person again and again, yes, it’s fucking Dugu Xin.
He Ruoden was a close confidant promoted by Lonely Xin, and because of this, he was particularly close to Yang Zhong and others.
He Ruoden scolded: "So what if you have achieved military success? In today's world, those who are good at conquering and fighting will not end well, while those who flatter themselves will be promoted one after another!!"
"With such a huge defeat, no one in the DPRK should take responsibility?"
“It’s ridiculous to send people to reward everyone!!”
Just as He Ruodun was cursing, a sergeant walked in quickly and saluted He Ruodun, "Captain, the temple has sent someone to ask you to go to Chang'an immediately to discuss important matters. You must do it quickly and there is no need to bring a sergeant with you."
"Um?"
Chang'an, the Duke's Mansion of the State of Jin.
The soldiers in the mansion were looming, and occasionally a few soldiers could be seen, but they suddenly disappeared.
Yu Wenhu sat in the upper position, with two soldiers standing on his left and right.
He Ruoden, who had returned to Chang'an as quickly as possible to discuss important matters, was now kneeling in front of him, with a look of disbelief on his face.
There was a wooden case placed in front of him.
There was a delicate wine bottle sitting alone on top.
A friendly smile appeared on Yu Wenhu's face, "The general is really powerful in Jinzhou."
"In the past few times, I defended the rebels and framed and humiliated me."
"After this war, a private mourning hall was set up to worship Duke Sui, blaming me for his death in the battle. Do you think it was me that caused his death in the battle?"
"If he hadn't detached Lingzhou's army himself, would he have been besieged in the city?"
"It was obviously his fault in commanding, so how could it be my fault?"
He Ruoden glanced at the wine bottle in front of him, and at this moment, his expression became particularly complicated.
"My lord, I have followed Emperor Wen since I was young, fighting in the south and north, and never took a step back."
"I know, that's why I reward you with wine."
Yu Wenhu gently stroked his beard and said, "Your children are doing well, so you don't have to worry. They will definitely inherit your title and legacy and do great things in the future."
He Ruodun's face was ashen, and he no longer had the arrogance he had in Jinzhou.
Looking at his face, Yu Wenhu's kind face also became angry, "I don't understand, why are you forcing me?"
"All of them are important ministers left by Emperor Wen. Could it be that I have failed Emperor Wen?"
"If it weren't for me, would Emperor Wen's descendants still be kings in the country now?!"
"Who is the rebel?"
"If I have evil thoughts, how can you stop me?!"
"Everyone is so stupid and they can't control their mouths!!"
"You have to force me to do something I don't want to do!!"
"You used to talk nonsense in the house, and I didn't punish you, but you dared to slander you in such a big way. You just lost the battle, and you want to point the finger at me??"
"Why am I sorry for you? Is my official position too small?!"
"Isn't it a gift to keep you alive?!"
Years of haze erupted in an instant. Yu Wenhu's questions became louder and louder, his eyes full of anger.
He really couldn't understand why these people were like this. The old man Hou Mochen was like this at the beginning. He said he wanted to follow the emperor to kill the powerful ministers. This was even more true for the old man Yang Zhong. He didn't even want to marry him.
Agree, but blame yourself for not giving him too many troops?? Do you think I am Gao Yang??
Yuwenhu vented his anger and gradually calmed down.
He looked at He Ruoden and said, "Let's have a drink first and then talk."
The soldiers on the left and right slowly stepped forward.
He Ruoden is not afraid of these two so-called warriors. He Ruoden himself is famous for his bravery, and his fighting power is no weaker than that of his son.
But he had to drink.
He picked up the wine flask and drank it in one gulp.
Nothing is wasted at all.
All were eaten cleanly.
After finishing the wine, he wiped his lips and said with emotion: "I thought I could avenge Duke Sui and go north to fight Liu Taozi, but I never thought, but I can only reach this point."
Looking at He Ruoden's face filled with emotion, Yu Wenhu's mood suddenly became complicated.
If these people hadn't rushed here to deliver him, he wouldn't have wanted to kill anyone, especially these fierce generals who could really fight.
He took a deep breath and said, "General, please go back to your home and say goodbye to your family before leaving."
"Send the general back to his home."
The soldiers stepped forward and helped He Ruoden up. He Ruoden saluted Yuwen Hu again, turned around and was taken away.
Yu Wenhu was the only one left in the house, and it was eerily quiet.
Yu Wenhu only felt uneasy.
The situation after the war was still very bad. The Lingxia defense line was torn apart again, even Huining was lost. Lianggan's communication became a big problem, and the deployment of the new defense line also became a problem.
The most important thing is the loss of national strength. I am afraid that in the next few years, the Zhou Dynasty will no longer have the ability to go to war.
It takes many years to recuperate from his injuries, but Liu Taozi is different. He has won a great victory, and his power will definitely usher in a greater breakthrough. Next, the offense and defense will switch, and the attacker will become Liu Taozi.
Do we really need to ask that old man to come out and defend Liu Taozi?
Yu Wenhu slowly raised his head, a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
With things at this point, it seems that he can only be used to defend Liu Taozi alone. Who else can stop Liu Taozi except him?
He Ruoden was sent back to the temporary resting mansion by the soldiers.
At this moment, the poison he drank had taken effect, and He Ruodun's stomach felt like a knife, and the pain was severe.
But He Ruoden sat on the bed, gritting his teeth and not moaning at all.
He Ruobi stood aside, watching this scene, feeling hateful, angry, anxious, and at a loss.
He knelt aside, eyes wide open.
"If something happens to Grandpa, I will rush to his house and chop off his head!!"
He Ruoden glanced at him, then looked at the slave beside him, and whispered: "Bring me an awl."
The servant quickly went out and soon retrieved an awl and handed it to He Ruoden.
He Ruoden suddenly stretched out his hand, grabbed his son's head, pulled him in front of him, and stabbed him with the awl. The awl pierced He Ruobi's lip, causing blood to flow immediately.
He Ruobi didn't even blink, he was just a little shocked.
He Ruoden looked at him lovingly and whispered: "Leave me alone, you only need to inherit my legacy and protect the country. You must remember that I caused the current disaster just because of my nonsense."
"Remember this awl, be careful what you say, be careful what you say."
Blood suddenly overflowed from He Ruoden's mouth, he trembled and fell on the bed.
He Ruobi's lips were bleeding and he was crying loudly.
ps: Fudun was famous for his martial arts. He served as the general manager of Jinzhou in Zhou Dynasty. Yuwen protected him and killed him. Before his execution, he called Bi and said to him: "I will definitely want to bring peace to the south of the Yangtze River, but this will not work. You can take it as my ambition. And I
You must not stop thinking about dying with your tongue." Because the tongue is bleeding when stabbed with an awl, you are warned to be careful with your mouth. - "Book of Sui Dynasty: Biography of He Ruobi"
Chapter completed!