Tibet

Liu Wutong had something to do at home today and asked for leave. Only a dozen ordinary warriors escorted two concubines to Nanshi. Although these warriors were soldiers sent by the imperial court to protect Li Dai, they were actually monitors.

Concubines generally have little status. Unless they have children, they are not valued by the government. Many officials run away without taking their concubines with them. The concubines can only hide in their parents' homes, but Li Dai is more affectionate, so even if he wants You should also take your concubine with you when you retreat.

The carriage slowly stopped at Qiao Gong Jewelry Shop. Two concubines carried a small mahogany box and each brought a maid inside. The others were waiting outside.

But the left waiter didn't come, and the right waiter didn't come. After waiting for a full hour, the guards finally became anxious. The leading guard rushed into the jewelry shop, and the two concubines were not seen in the lobby.

"Excuse me, two young women came in just now, one in a red dress and one in a green dress. Where did they go?"

The shopkeeper was stunned and asked: "When did it happen?"

"An hour ago!"

The shopkeeper thought about it, pointed to the other side and said, "They seem to have left through the east gate."

Several guards rushed over and discovered that there was also a main road behind it, with people coming and going, and it was quite lively. It turned out that the east and west gates of this jewelry store could be entered and exited. They didn't know that,

The guards immediately realized that something had happened and hurried back to Li Dai's mansion to report to General Zhang Xian. Zhang Xian was also anxious and immediately led a dozen Meihua Guard soldiers into the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Walking into the study courtyard, Zhang Xian shouted loudly: "Li Xiangguo!"

After a moment, Li Dai slowly came out and asked coldly: "Who are you? Why did you break into my house?"

His voice was low and hoarse, slightly similar to Li Dai's voice. These warriors were not familiar with it and could not tell the truth from the false.

Zhang Xian cupped his fists and said, "Report to the Prime Minister that the two ladies are missing."

"I asked them to go back to their parents' home. It's not safe here. Dogs are watching them all day long!"

Zhang Xian was very annoyed by Li Dai's sarcasm. He turned around and walked out. As long as Li Dai was still in the house, he would feel relieved.

Zhang Xian walked to the middle hall and said, "Keep an eye on him here. Don't let him come out again. I'll report him!"

Hundreds of Plum Blossom Guard warriors surrounded the inner house and placed Li Dai under house arrest. Zhang Xian hurried to report to General Wang Siyi.

An hour later, Wang Siyi rushed to the palace and reported what happened to Li Fuguo.

Li Fuguo narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "Li Dai first sent his wife to Chang'an, and now he has sent away his two concubines. He is preparing to retreat. He is under house arrest and is not allowed to go out again. No one is allowed to see him, and a thousand troops are sent to surround his house!"

"Obey!" Wang Siyi bowed and left.

Cheng Yuanzhen said worriedly: "Is Li Ye really going to send troops to Luoyang?"

"uncertain!"

Li Fuguo pondered for a moment and said: "If Li Ye really wants to send troops, wouldn't now be the best opportunity? Our main force is outside and Luoyang is empty. He only needs 50,000 troops to occupy Luoyang. I guess he still wants to separate the west of Hangu Pass. Establish a new dynasty, just like the Northern Zhou and Northern Qi."

Cheng Yuanzhen added: "There is a saying outside that Chang'an is called the Western Tang Dynasty and Luoyang is called the Eastern Tang Dynasty. Or in this way, if it is split into two Tang Dynasties, he can legitimately ascend the throne and become the emperor."

Li Fuguo nodded, "There is a possibility. After the rebellion of the three kings is suppressed, we can have a good talk with him."

In the evening, two carriages drove into the military camp in Xinping County, and Dugu Ming came with Li Dai's two concubines.

In the camp, Dugu Lie, Li Xi, Li Dai and Yan Zhenqing were all there. After Dugu Ming arrived, Dugu Lie immediately ordered that 10,000 troops evacuate toward Mianchi County overnight.

Li Ye's 30,000 former troops were only fifty miles away from Mianchi County. Officials in Mianchi County also collectively surrendered to Li Ye. Mianchi County has been controlled by Guanlong's army, and the city gates are strictly guarded. Only entry and no exit are allowed.

Dugulie led 10,000 Longwu troops to Mianchi County and stationed outside Mianchi County. That night, the army was replaced. All the flags remained unchanged, but the Longwu Army soldiers went west, and 20,000 Guanlong cavalry were stationed. Led by Xi Wanli, Dugulie also stayed in the camp as the nominal head coach.

This gave Luoyang the illusion that Li Shanwu's 10,000 Longwu Army controlled Mianchi, but in fact it was just the skin of Longwu Army and the body of Guan Longjun.

Li Ye led the army and immediately moved eastward, only thirty miles away from Mianchi, waiting patiently for the opportunity to arise.

The battle at Sishui Pass lasted one day and one night. Wang Sili's army attacked three times and was defeated three times, losing nearly 6,000 people and more than 100 siege ladders.

Sishui Pass was still in the hands of the Shence Army. Wang Sili was heartbroken. In just one day, he lost 20% of his army.

He didn't want to fight anymore and ordered the army to retreat thirty miles away.

King Yun Li Rong was anxious and rushed to the tent to see Wang Sili.

When Li Rong saw Wang Sili, he said anxiously: "General, if we retreat like this, won't our previous efforts be wasted?"

Wang Sili sighed, "Without heavy siege weapons, it is impossible to capture Sishui Pass with only siege ladders. We have lost 6,000 men in just one day. If we fight for a few more days, we will probably lose more than half of our troops. Your Highness, even if we desperately capture Sishui Pass and more than 10,000 people go to Luoyang, the whole army will be destroyed. Now we can only stop and wait patiently for the opportunity. "

"What chance will we have?" Li Rong asked.

Wang Sili pondered for a moment and said: "If Tian Shengong's army can reach the outskirts of Luoyang, the troops at Sishui Pass will probably be transferred to fight Tian Shengong, leaving only a few people to guard Sishui Pass. Then our opportunity will come. "

"Does the general mean that when a crane and a clam fight, the fisherman will benefit?"

Wang Sili nodded, "That's what I mean, let Tian Shengong's army and Lai Ai's army consume each other, and we will finally attack and capture Luoyang."

Li Rong was helpless. The army was actually in Wang Sili's hands. Wang Sili refused to fight, so there was nothing he could do.

The king of Shu, Li Tan, and the general Lai Ai led 30,000 troops to Liang County, Ruzhou. The army immediately settled down and was not in a hurry to go north.

Li Tan, the king of Shu, was nominally the military envoy to Xiangnan, but in fact the military power was in the hands of Lai Yi.

The reason why Lai Ai supported Li Tan and sent troops to Luoyang was also due to his inner ambition. He wanted to eradicate the eunuchs, support Li Tan to ascend the throne, revive the Tang Dynasty, and restore the power of the Tang Dynasty.

But at this time, Lai Ai was a little disappointed with Li Tan. Li Tan had behaved very elegantly in Xiangyang and treated the virtuous corporal, which won the general favor of Lai Ai and the Jingxiang gentry.

But this time when he sent troops, Lai Yi discovered another side of Li Tan. He was simple-minded, impractical, bookish, overly arrogant, and had no talent or strategy to compete for the world.

Lai Yi began to doubt whether it was wise for him to support Li Tan?

Especially a piece of new information completely shaken Lai Yi.