The Zhai Li coalition paid a heavy price for the failure of the Battle of Shilibao. When retreating, although Li Mi volunteered to take on the task of the rear guard in order to unite the overall situation, Li Mi's selfless rear guard could not change the fate of the complete defeat of the Zhai Li coalition. Even if his main central army was formed by the elite soldiers of the Pushan public camp, he was still defeated by the powerful Servant Army and the Sui cavalry. If Li Mi had not seen the opportunity, he would have put down the flag in time to prevent the Sui army from discovering his location, and Cai Jiande led his personal soldiers to protect him to the death, Li Mi himself would have been unable to escape the Sui army's vicious hands.

It was not bad for the Zhai and Li coalition. The battlefield of Shili Fort was not too far from Hulao Pass. The distance of more than ten miles left for the Sui army to pursue space and time. Zhai Rang, Li Mi, Pei Renji, Xu Shiyi and Yang Jishan and other big thieves finally fled back to Hulao Pass with some of their elite troops. Shan Xiongxin also escaped back to Hulao Pass with injuries under Mulan's protection. Shan Xiongxin's thief cavalry also relied on his mobile advantage and most of them escaped back and were not annihilated.

However, the infantry of the Zhai Li coalition was in vain, especially those cannon fodder infantry who joined the bandit army for the sake of their meal. They were not as fast as the elite main force, and were not valued by the main generals. They landed behind not only without receiving cover, but also large numbers of abandoned. Zhai Rang, who had just seen the Sui army pursuers approaching the moat. Despite the tens of thousands of infantry opposite the moat, they immediately ordered the suspension bridge and the city gate to be closed. In order to prevent the defeated soldiers from rushing to the city gate, they left the Yaksha without hesitation. The heavy Yaksha with spikes fell down. The infantry in the bandits in front of the city gate flew everywhere. When the city gate was closed ruthlessly, the suspension bridge slowly pulled up. The infantry in the bandits who had not entered the city cried and shook the sky, and the wailed the ground, but still could not shake Zhai Rang. Li Mi treated them as an abandoned son.

In the end, just outside the Hulao Pass, the Sui army captured more than 4,000 heads, and most of the dead were trampled to death by their companions. If Chen Sang had not ordered surrender, it would be fine if this number doubled. But even so, on this battlefield, the bandit soldiers who surrendered to the Sui army for their lives still reached more than 5,000. Only a small number of bandit soldiers obeyed the general's orders and climbed up to the mountains on both sides of Hulao Pass to escape. Chen Sangliang did not order climbing the mountain to chase after the army, considering the exhaustion of the army.

Not to mention how Chen Sangliang led the Sui army in the Eastern Capital to clean up the battlefield and retreat outside the city, Dan Xiongxin was lucky enough to escape back to Hulao Pass under the protection of Mulan. The first thing he saw was the defeated and wounded soldiers of the thief army filled with all the streets. They were all covered in dust and were still in shock. They could also hear the miserable voices of calling brothers and seeking fathers and sons everywhere. Thinking about the 60,000-strong army that was strict when they set off in the morning, Shan Xiongxin couldn't help but feel like a knife. He couldn't help but shake his head and said, "I really didn't expect that the group of white-robed madmen could be so powerful. When we were defeated this time, we lost to the hands of those white-robed madmen."

"Brother, are we losing at the hands of Mr. Wei?" Mulan took the opportunity to sow discord and said, "If it weren't for Mr. Wei's misjudgment and being hit by the trick of Chen Yingliang's little thief, we suddenly encountered the top elite official in the government army without any preparation. Even if we can't win those white-robed madmen, we wouldn't lose so badly. Brother, please advise you to persuade Mr. Dongjun to not listen to Mr. Wei in everything. Mr. Wei is smart, but he is not as treacherous as Chen Xiaozhe. If we continue to fight like this, our heads will be given to Mr. Chen Xiaozhe sooner or later."

Shan Xiongxin was speechless, and felt that Mulan's words were quite reasonable. Li Mi was obviously not a match for Chen Sangliang in conspiracy. If he continued to fight like this, the Wagang army would sooner or later suffer a heavier defeat. At this time, Mulan and Shan Xiongxin suddenly heard Shan Yingying's voice again, but saw Shan Yingying dressed in a young woman, struggling to pass through the streets crowded with defeated and wounded soldiers under the protection of several soldiers. She was coming here. Mulan and Shan Xiongxin hurriedly came up. Shan Xiongxin also complained: "Yingying, the city is so chaotic now, what are you coming out? Why not stay at home?"

"I heard that we lost the fight and were worried about your situation, so I came to you." Shan Yingying explained casually and exclaimed: "Brother, why are you injured? Is it serious?"

"It's okay, a small injury." Shan Xiongxin answered casually, but before he finished speaking, Shan Xiongxin's face twitched due to the severe pain of the wound, and he couldn't help but moan. Shan Yingying was even more concerned when she saw it. He quickly joined hands with Mulan to help Shan Xiongxin into the station, and took the golden sore medicine to apply medicine to Shan Xiongxin himself. After a long time of trouble, he bandaged the three wounds on Shan Xiongxin's body. Then Shan Xiongxin immediately urged Shan Yingying to go home and asked Mulan to send her back. He was just asking for what Shan Yingying said, Mulan wanted, so he ordered her to personally send her honorary wife back to her residence.

It took a lot of effort to pass through a chaotic street and send Shan Yingying home. Then Mulan drove away the outsiders first and immediately said to Shan Yingying: "Sister, I almost had the opportunity to meet him today, but I failed."

After saying that, Mulan quickly said about what happened on the battlefield today. After hearing this, Shan Yingying looked dim, nodded but did not say anything. Mulan took the opportunity to throw out a long-awaited word and whispered: "Sister Yingying, sister, sister must remind you that even if you meet him, it will not be of much use. He is an important minister of the court, you are the sister of General Wagang. Even if he has you in his heart, it will be difficult for you to be together. He must pay attention to the influence and consequences. As long as your brother is still in the Wagang army for one day, he will not be able to unite with you openly."

Shan Yingying's eyes dimmed, almost shed tears, and she was even more reluctant to speak. Mulan observed the words and expressions, and saw that the time was ripe, she whispered: "If you want to be together with him, there is only one possibility, that is, your brother will repent and take you to join him, then he will not only accept you, but also accept you.

Shan Yingying's body shook, first shook her head, and then whispered: "I don't want to be together with him. I just want to ask him in person why he lied to me like that? What did he think of me as? Besides, my brother is so loyal to Dongjun Duke, how could he betray Dongjun Duke and take me to join him?"

Mulan didn't say anything, thinking in her heart, and said in her heart: "Shan Xiongxin is loyal to Zhai Rang? I'm afraid it may not be possible? Don't think I can't see that Shan Xiongxin and Zhai Rang have a close relationship, but they are just mutual dependencies. Shan Xiongxin acted only first to consider the interests of the Wagang thieves, and did not intend to work hard for Zhai Rang. Can I think of some way to force Shan Xiongxin out of the Wagang thief army? Cut off the arms of Zhai Rang and Li Mi. If I want to avenge Marshal Zhang, it will be easier to get on..."

At the same time, after discovering the news that Zhai Li's coalition army had suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Shili Fort, Wang Shichong, who was not inferior to Chen Sangliang, indeed strengthened his attack on Li Mi's army's camp. Fei Qingnu and Wang Renze once broke through the fence of Li Mi's army's fence and defended the war to the fence. Li Mi was forced to helplessly and had to quickly organize a defeated army out of the city to reinforce. Zhai Rang, who was afraid that the rear was cut off, also sent a new force to defend the city and hand it over to Pei Renji and his son to lead the reinforcements. It took a lot of effort and fought hard until it was dark. Only then did he finally repel Wang Shichong's attack. Wang Shichong's army, who had just planned to do it perfunctorily, had insufficient preparations for night battles, although he had the upper hand, he lacked food torches. He had no choice but to give up the night attack and retreated back to Banzhu Camp with great regret.

By the way, it must be mentioned that Li Mi was also exposed to Wang Shichong's shameless reputation this time. If it weren't for Wang Shichong's infamous killing the surrendered army, at the most critical moment of the war, Hao Xiaode, who was stationed outside the east gate of Hulao, had the idea of ​​an uprising on the front line, but because he was afraid of Wang Shichong's shameless and cruelty, Hao Xiaode finally gave up this plan.

The Shili Fort was defeated in the Battle of Shili Fortress, and the periphery fortifications on the Dongmen Camp were smashed by Wang Shichong. He was defeated on both sides of the two lines. Although the city of Hulao Pass was still in his hands and the elite bones were still preserved, the morale of the Zhai Li coalition was still hit hard, especially the fact that even the elite troops were dispatched to defeat the Sui army in the Dongdu in the field caused the decision-making level of the Zhai Li coalition to fall into deep despair. He no longer dared to hold any hope for breaking Luokoucang. The soldiers had no fighting spirit and the generals had no fighting spirit. From top to bottom, they were depressed and the army was panicked.

Under such circumstances, Zhai Rang, who had already had the idea of ​​giving up Hulao Pass, was naturally even more shaken. In addition, Zhai Hong and Zhai Mohou and his son were instigated and incited, Zhai Rang finally made up his mind. On the morning of the second day of the Battle of Shilibao, Zhai Rang invited Li Mi to the pass to convene a meeting and convened a few confidant generals to discuss the withdrawal of Hulao Pass.

Although I had long guessed that Zhai Rang would firmly insist on this idea, Li Mi still strongly opposed Zhai Rang doing this, because it was a pity to give up Hulao Pass. After losing the strategic initiative of the Dongdu battlefield, I don’t know how much it will cost to get it back in the future. Therefore, Li Mi still pointed out to Zhai Rang that although the current situation of the self-army is indeed a bit bad, the losses of the Dongdu Sui Army in the Battle of Shili Fort are not small. At present, Zhai Li coalition and the Dongdu Sui Army can only do anything to each other’s balance. Although Wang Shichong, who is entrenched in the rear, is dangerous, but his strength is slightly weak. As long as the Zhai Li coalition is relieved and defeated Wang Shichong before the food and grass is exhausted, he can still grasp the strategic initiative of the Dongdu battlefield, and there is still hope to seize Luokou Cang and even the Dongdu Luoyang.

Li Mi's analysis of the strategic situation is of course correct. He will continue to stay in Hulao Pass and will not leave. Even if he can't win Chen Sangliang, he can still disgust Chen Sangliang, who is eager to withdraw. However, it is not bad for Chen Sangliang. Zhai Rang said this time that he refused to listen to Li Mi's foolings. He shook his head and said, "Mr. Wei, I have always admired your talents, but in the current situation, it is still too mysterious for us to continue staying in Hulao Pass. Even if Chen Gouguan is difficult to deal with, Wang Gouguan is also a difficult product. He had to withstand such a critical situation before, but now he has enough food and a solid camp. It will definitely be even more difficult for us to pull out his nails. We will play against these two treacherous dog officials at the same time. No matter if there are any mistakes there, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Li Mi insisted on persuading him again, Zhai Rang insisted on not listening, and Zhai Hong also said, "Duke Wei, if you like Hulao Pass so much, then how about we make a deal? We exchange Hulao Pass for you for the grain of Liyang Cang, and we leave Hulao Pass for you. You can give us half of the grain of Liyang Cang, or 30% of it."

Hearing this, the generals under Li Mi looked angry, but Li Mi himself remained silent. On the contrary, he was still considering the feasibility of Zhai Hong's proposal. He originally used some of the stored grains in Li Yang Cang to exchange for the everlasting heroic pass of Hulao Pass, which is of great significance to Hulao Pass, which is of great significance, but after careful consideration, Li Mi found that even if he did this, it would not be much use, because the current power in his hand was not enough to control the two important places of Hulao Pass and Li Yang Cang at the same time. The opponents he faced were too strong, and there was a natural danger Yellow River between them. The connection was very easy to be cut off. If there was a slight mistake, the consequences would be unpredictable. Perhaps there would be a risk of destruction.

It was also coincidental that at this moment, a messenger hurried into the lobby and presented a feather arrow with a letter tied to Zhai Rang, saying that the Sui Army in the Dongdu had just shot the arrows onto the wall. The cavalry of the Sui Army in the Dongdu shot the arrows and left. Without saying a word, Zhai Rang took the letter and took a closer look, and then immediately started to curse. Everyone asked the contents of the incident. Zhai Rang replied curiously: "Chen Yingliang's dog official actually advised me to take down the head of Duke Wei to the court in exchange for glory and wealth. He also promised that as long as I lead the army to surrender, he would definitely beg me to spare me in front of the tyrant. The bitch is raised, and he is so arrogant after winning a battle. I will sooner or later take your life."

Li Mi can see this, but Li Mi can't guarantee whether the rest of the Wagang Army has this intention. When they sneaked to see the reactions of everyone, what made Li Mi despair was that Zhai Hong and Zhai Mohou, who were beside Zhai Rang, were not only not angry at all, but also had a hint of joy. Seeing this scene, Li Mi was both secretly angry and faintly despaired. He knew that there was no friction between the self-armed army and the Wagang Army. Chen Sangliang, who was despicable, would definitely never give up sowing discord, which was a labor-saving and useful strategy to break the enemy. If he confronted Chen Sangliang, there would only be more and more such things. The conflict between the self-armed army and the Wagang Army would only become more and more acute, and the rift would expand.

"Or why don't you give up Hulao Pass?" Li Mi had this idea uncontrollably and said to himself: "The little thief Chen Yingliang is also eager to withdraw from the battlefield of Hulao Pass. I gave up Hulao Pass to cross the Yellow River north. Chen Yingliang personally crossed the Yellow River and chased me. It is unlikely that his current strength will be able to do this. For the time being, I can win time to recover and control Wagang, and when the opportunity is ripe, it is not too late to turn around and get Luokou Cang. At that time, the opportunity may be better. After all, the hatred between Chen Yingliang and the Li Yuan family is so deep. This little thief and the old fox of Li Yuan will have a decisive battle sooner or later. When I take action, the situation may be more favorable."

Thinking of this and thinking about it for a long time, Li Mi finally gritted her teeth and made up her mind, nodded and said, "Okay, since the Duke of Dongjun decided to give up Hulao Pass to avoid the official army for the time being, I don't object, so I will do it like this. I will lead the army back to Liyangcang, Duke of Dongjun, what are your plans?"

Zhai Rang smiled, smiling a little embarrassedly, and said, "Mr. Wei, I have given up on the Wagang Village for a long time. It is not realistic to go back there to rebuild the Village. If Mr. Wei doesn't mind, I want to go north to Liyangcang with you and join forces with you to continue to fight against the tyrant. Of course, Mr. Wei, you are still the leader of the alliance, and I still obey your command."

"Thank you for your love in Dongjun Duke. I am ashamed of you." Li Mi said modestly, and then took the initiative to say: "Double East Jun Duke, please rest assured. After your army arrives at Liyang Cang, I will provide the grain and grass. In the future, we will seize any city granary, and we will divide it equally according to the previous agreement."

When Zhai Rang heard this, he quickly thanked Li Mi, and then couldn't wait to discuss with Li Mi how to abandon the pass and retreat. Li Mi replied: "The strong enemy is in front of the battle and retreat. We must carefully discuss how to retreat. We must allow me to think carefully before talking about it. But the first point at the moment is to keep it confidential. Never let the official army know that we have planned to abandon the pass and retreat. Only a few people present know about this matter. We must not leak it out again. Even if it is our personal soldiers and relatives, they are absolutely not allowed to know."

Zhai Rang only wanted to get out, so of course he agreed to Li Mi's request at once. However, Zhai Hong was a little disdainful and said, "Duke Wei, do you just don't trust our personal soldiers and relatives?"

"It's not that I don't believe it, I'm just to be cautious. Chen Yingliang's dog official is extremely treacherous. We must beware that he will install traitors in Hulao Guanzhong." Li Mi said sternly: "General Zhai, you don't want to suddenly come from the upper reaches when you cross the Yellow River north, right?"

Zhai Hong's heart was trembling, and then he nodded and agreed quickly. Zhai Rang strictly required that the generals of Wagang present not to disclose this secret to anyone, threatening to kill them once they were discovered, and the generals of Wagang agreed one after another. As a result, Mulan, who was not qualified to attend the meeting, would lose the opportunity to know the news, and naturally she would be even less able to inform Chen Sangliang...

Just one day later, on the night of the next day, Li Mi personally designed a retreat in front of the army. However, the first step was not to use ships to carry food and grass and military supplies across the river, but to send an army to advance east overnight to sneak attack Wang Shichong's Banzhu camp. He also deliberately exposed traces and was discovered by Wang Shichong's army. Wang Renze led his army to fight, and the bandit army was defeated. Wang Renze was trapped and led his army to chase him. As a result, he chased west for just ten miles and was immediately attacked by the bandit army ambushed on both sides of the road. Wang Renze was defeated. When Wang Shichong heard the news, he quickly sent Fei Qingnu to send troops to help. In the end, although Fei Qingnu successfully rescued Wang Renze, Wang Shichong's army still suffered considerable losses.

Wang Shichong's army was not without gains. During the period when he was receiving Wang Renze, the general Fei Qingnu captured two injured captives. Wang Shichong sent someone to interrogate the captives and learned that Zhai Rang and Li Mi had already claimed to the army that the next goal of Zhai Li's thief army had been changed to him, and he wanted to take down his Banzhu camp and then turn back to deal with Chen Yingliang. Li Mi had also mobilized 30,000 troops from Liyangcang to cross the river from Baima, preparing to come behind Wang Shichong. Wang Shichong was shocked when he heard the news and quickly ordered the army to strengthen the camp with all his might. He also sent people to Luokoucang to contact Chen Sangliang, report this situation to Chen Sangliang, and ask Chen Sangliang to launch an attack as soon as possible to reduce the pressure on his own army.
Chapter completed!