A team of cavalry ran rapidly on the path south of Lingchang County, stirring up rolling yellow dust. Soon they rushed to the bottom of Lingchang County, and the cavalry shouted to the city: "We have urgent military information and want to see His Highness Xun!"

The city gate opened, and the cavalry rushed into the city like lightning.

Lingchang County is located west of Wagang Mountain and is also the stronghold for King Yang Qing's army to siege the Wagang Army. Since the Wagang Army failed to enter the Central Plains, the three Sui army, including Zhang Xutuo, Yang Qing and Pei Renji, siege of Wagang Mountain lasted for nearly a year. During this period, more than 30 fierce battles of all sizes were experienced. The Wagang Army was unable to defeat Zhang Xutuo's army and could not break the siege of the Sui army.

However, the year-long siege did not defeat the Wagang army. Because Yang Qing secretly sold grain to the Wagang army at a high price, the Wagang army overcomes difficulties again and again. Not only did the Wagang army not decline, but its combat effectiveness became stronger day by day.

At present, Yang Qing's army controls the three counties of Lingchang, Baima and Licheng, Zhang Xutuo controls the two counties of Kuangcheng and Weicheng, while Pei Renji controls Weinan County. Three troops have 60,000 troops surrounded Wagangshan.

The emperor's order to serve the king finally broke the balance of the siege of the Wagang army. Yang Qing sent his eldest son Yang Wen to Taiyuan to serve the king, which caused a gap to appear in the southwest corner of the Sui army's encirclement. Zhang Xutuo discovered this gap in time and immediately sent troops to fill the defense in the southwest corner. It was this seemingly overpowering action that caused fierce conflicts between Zhang Xutuo and Yang Qing.

In front of the lobby of the county government, Yang Qing listened to the cavalry scout's report with a deep face. He was so angry that his fists were slowly pinched. One of his grain convoys was intercepted by Zhang Xutuo's army on the way to deliver food to Wagang Mountain on the southwest defense line. Five thousand stones of grain and hundreds of grain delivery workers were detained by Zhang Xutuo.

"Zhang Pifu bullied me too much!" Yang Qing finally couldn't help but curse.

At this time, his eldest son Yang Wen said: "Father, the child went to Zhang Xutuo to ask for food and ordered Zhang Xutuo to withdraw from our defense."

Yang Qing was extremely angry, but also very scared. The grain cart was held by Zhang Xutuo, which was equivalent to capturing the evidence that he had secretly penetrated Wagang. Once Zhang Xutuo exposed this matter to the emperor, he might not be able to take it.

Although Yang Qing was extremely angry, he had to surrender to Zhang Xutuo. He thought for a while and said to his eldest son: "Go and discuss with Zhang Xutuo and let him release our people. I will give him the five thousand stones of grain. As long as he is willing to release the people, I can give him another five thousand stones of grain."

Yang Qing was very clear about Zhang Xutuo's current predicament. Due to a locust plague in the southern and eastern parts of the East County, he swallowed up thousands of hectares of military fields in Weicheng County. Zhang Xutuo's military rations could not last long, and giving him ten thousand stones of military rations himself was a timely help.

"Remember, discuss with Zhang Xutuo well and try to soften his attitude. Let him understand that I am willing to compromise with him."

"Don't worry, my father, the child will discuss with him."

Yang Wen gave a bow and hurried away. Yang Qing looked at his son's departure. He was upset. This was his mistake. Zhang Xutuo filled the gap in the siege in the southwest corner, but he forgot to notify the manor to suspend the delivery of food. As a result, Zhang Xutuo grabbed his own handle. He probably had to prepare for this matter. He paid a lot of money to take care of Yu Shiji. Thinking of this, he ordered: "Go and call the second young master!"

The second young master is Yang Qing's second son Yang Ji, who is responsible for managing the relationship between Yang Qing in the capital. He happened to come back to report to his father these two days. Soon, Yang Ji rushed over and bowed to his father, "Children, see his father!"

"I'll ask you, have Yu Shiji given him the money this year?"

"I gave it to you at the beginning of the year."

"Very good, you go back to the capital immediately. Then you get three thousand taels of gold from the capital's basement to Yu Shiji, and you have to do it immediately!"

Yang Ji was stunned for a moment, "If Yu Xiangguo asks, how can the child tell him?"

"Don't worry about this. I will write a letter for you to bring to him. As long as you give him the gold, I will write whatever you should say."

"Boy remember!"

Yang Qing immediately wrote a letter and handed it to Yang Ji to rush back to the capital to find Yu Shiji. ...

Zhang Xutuo currently has 20,000 troops stationed in Weicheng and Kuangcheng respectively. After more than a year of competition with the Wagang army, he won more than he lost, and killed the Wagang army to fear. However, although he also wanted to go to the mountains to suppress bandits, he suffered from insufficient troops and Yang Qing refused to cooperate with him. He had to adopt a long-term siege. When the Wagang army was cut off, they naturally could not support it.

During this period, Zhang Xutuo was in a bad mood. Two things that happened in a row brought him a heavy blow. One was that a locust plague broke out in Weicheng County, eating thousands of hectares of wheat seedlings in the military fields. His military rations have always been difficult, so he hoped that this summer harvest would be replenished. However, this locust plague completely cut off his hope for summer harvest. It was too late to replant, and his military rations could only last for twenty days, which made Zhang Xutuo extremely anxious.

But at this moment, the army he sent to fill the gap in the southwest captured the team that had been secretly transporting food to the Wagang Army while patrolling, and seized a full 5,000 stones of food. What made Zhang Xutuo very angry was that the grain team was actually Yang Qing's man.

Although Zhang Xutuo had long heard that Yang Qing secretly sent food to the Wagang army, he had no evidence. He complained to the court, but was denounced by the court because there was no evidence. Now others have all been captured.

And after interrogation, he learned that Yang Qing had transported at least 100,000 stones of grain and tens of thousands of kilograms of pig iron to the Wagang army this year, and secretly recruited thousands of soldiers in Xingyang County for the Wagang army, all of whom entered Wagang Mountain from the direction of the city controlled by Yang Qing.

Zhang Xutuo was so angry that he was almost angry. No wonder they besieged the Wagang Army for more than a year without any effect. No wonder the Wagang Army became stronger and stronger as the battles were fought. It turned out that Yang Qing supported them behind their backs, not only giving food, but also giving pig iron, but also recruiting soldiers for them. Is this still the army of the Sui Dynasty?

He worked hard to fight the Wagang Army, with thousands of casualties, but in the end, Yang Qing stabbed himself hard from the back.

He must not let this matter go. He must report this matter to the court and the emperor, and will never allow this Great Sui borer to exist.

In the military yamen of Kuangcheng County, Zhang Xutuo was writing a letter to the court to report the matter. At this moment, a soldier came to report, "General, Prince Xun asked for a meeting!"

Zhang Xutuo was furious and waved his hand, "No!"

Jiang Ming, the military officer next to him, advised: "After all, King Xun is suppressing bandits on the Western Front, so he still cannot turn against each other on the surface. The general should meet him! Let's see what King Xun said."

Zhang Xutuo suppressed his anger and ordered, "Take him to see me!"

Soon, Yang Wen was led by soldiers. Yang Wen was named Duke of Xingyang County. He would inherit his father's title of prince in the future. He was also an extremely arrogant person. If his father had not repeatedly instructed him to lower his posture and Zhang Xutuo was so rude, he would have left long ago.

Yang Wen also restrained his dissatisfaction and walked into the hall to bow, "See General!"

"Is there anything wrong with Mr. Yang looking for me?" Zhang Xutuo asked bluntly.

Yang Wen glanced at Jiang Ming, who immediately wanted to retreat tactfully. Zhang Xutuo shouted angrily: "Why do you want to leave? I, Zhang Xutuo, have nothing to shame outsiders!"

Jiang Ming smiled bitterly and stood aside. Yang Wen had no choice but to smile and said, "My father asked me to deal with the five thousand stones of food. My father was worried that the general would have misunderstandings, so I came to explain the situation."

"What do you want to explain such a simple thing?"

"I want to explain that the five thousand stones of food was actually aid from the father to the general. We know that the general's military ration is insufficient, so."

"You don't need to explain anymore, and I won't let anyone go. If you have any special circumstances, you can explain to the Lord."

Zhang Xutuo's face was as deep as water, and his tone was extremely firm: "I, Zhang Xutuo, have always been open and honest. Although our military rations are insufficient, we will not betray my conscience and will not betray the court. Please go back!"

Yang Wen didn't expect that Zhang Xutuo was so unreasonable. He was so angry that he trembled all over and said angrily: "Zhang Xutuo, don't toast and not eat and punish the wine! We have done our best, what else do you want?"
Chapter completed!