Zhu Changxiao's version of the Sui Dynasty

Yang Xuangan rebelled, and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was forced to suspend the Eastern Expedition and mobilize reinforcements from all walks of life to assist the eastern capital Luoyang. However, Luoyang could not be captured for several days in a row, and the Yang brothers suddenly panicked.

Yang Xuangan was quite helpless. He said:"When we raised troops to rebel against the Sui Dynasty, Mr. Xuansui proposed three strategies: the upper, middle and lower strategies. I took the lower strategy as the best strategy and took Luoyang first. Now I have been attacking for several days and have not been able to move down. Instead, the Sui army has been defeated. We are facing a counterattack on the road and are attacked from the front and rear. What can we do?"

When he was in a dilemma and hesitated, Li Mi, who served as Yang Xuangan's military advisor, said:"Qu Tutong and Lai Hu'er have experienced battles for a long time and are proficient in the art of war. They each lead a large army. They are all powerful troops. It is unstoppable. Only Wei Wensheng is a civil servant and is old. It is better to defeat Wei Wensheng first and then advance to Guanlong."

"Alas," Yang Xuan sighed:"If we had listened to the military advisor and adopted the best or middle strategy, why would we be in a dilemma today?"

Yang Jishan said:"Brother, it is not too late to advance westward and achieve great success."

"Yes, brother, give the order. Yang Xuangan said.

Seeing that everyone unanimously advocated marching westward, Yang Xuangan, who was helpless, had no choice but to do so. He ordered the rebels to abandon Luoyang and advance westward, approaching Tongguan and starting a decisive battle with Wei Wensheng. Seeing the rebels marching westward, they gave up. In Luoyang, the eastern capital, everyone in the trapped city breathed a sigh of relief. The ministers gathered in Qianyang Palace to congratulate Queen Xiao. Queen Xiao said:"The siege in the eastern capital is rescued, the thieves are circling the western capital, and we are in danger again. We must find another good strategy to protect the capital."."

The ministers thought so, and after another discussion, Fan Zigai said:"I have a plan that can make the rebels passive on both sides."

"Let’s talk quickly. Queen Xiao said.

Fan Zigai said:"We can make Wei Wensheng pretend to be defeated and return to the capital to defend it. The rebels will not be able to attack Daxing in the west and Luoyang in the east. They will be in a dilemma. At that time, Qu Tutong will come to protect him." Reinforcements have arrived, and the rebels are facing a dead end."

"This is very good. Send a horse quickly to report to Wei Wensheng."Queen Xiao passed down Yi's decree and reported quickly.

Yang Xuangan's rebel army recruited rebellious people along the way, accumulated men and horses, and grew stronger day by day. It also had a large amount of military provisions and baggage. The team was bloated and marched slowly. On the contrary, it was Dongdu's fast horse that arrived at Tongguan first.

Veteran Minister Wei Wensheng led 70,000 troops and horses and had already passed Tongguan, when he encountered an urgent message from a fast horse. The messenger said:"The empress has ordered Wei Wensheng to defeat three battles in a row and retreat to the capital, trapping the rebels between the two capitals. When reinforcements from the Eastern Expedition arrive, they will be surrounded and attacked."

Wei Wensheng accepted Yi's order and discussed countermeasures. At this time, Master Yin Shi was transferred to Loufan Prefecture, and Li Yuan was transferred to Honghua Prefecture. The two had just returned to Daxing, the capital. Wei Wensheng, who was anxious for King Qin, was worried that he had no generals under his command. Then he activated Li Yuan, Yin Shishi, and two young generals, Huangfu Wuyi and Wei Fusi. Li Yuan said:"My Majesty, I am not in a hurry for a decisive battle. Since we want to lead the rebels to Kansai, why don't you and I divide our forces to guard it?""

"Let's talk about how to divide the troops. Wei Wensheng asked.

Li Yuan said:"Master Wei led his elite troops to guard Daxing, the last general led a group of troops to guard Hongnong, and sent another army to guard Tongguan. The three armies formed a horn, supporting each other." Wei

Wensheng stroked his beard, agreed with it, and issued a military order:"Order Lieutenant General Li Yuan to lead 10,000 soldiers and horses to guard Hongnong, and Lieutenant General Wei Fusi to lead 10,000 soldiers and horses to fake defeat and retreat to Tongguan.""The infantry was changed to the rear team, the cavalry was the front team, and generals Yin Shishi and Huangfu Wuyi were sent out to attract the rebels.

Four generals, Li Yuan, Yin Shishi, Wei Fusi, and Huangfu Wuyi, respectively took orders and used the power of horns , divide the troops and guard them, just waiting for the rebels to arrive. It is a waste of effort to block them outside the pass.

……

Besides, Yang Xuangan led 100,000 rebels and marched for a while. They met the cavalry of Xijing. The leader of the vanguard had a face as white as jade, sword-shaped eyebrows and bright stars. He was more than seven feet tall. He was twenty years old and wore a He wears a lotus-leaf helmet and a chain-locked black gold armor. The man with the green horse on his crotch and the iron-pointed steel spear in his hand is named Huangfu Wuyi. He was the son of Huangfu Dan when Yang Liang, the king of Han Dynasty, rebelled.

Yang Xuangan said:"This little general has been fighting against the unjust with the law since ancient times. A wise king has always fought against a tyrant. Yang Guang is so militaristic and extremely cruel. Why should this tyrant sacrifice his life? I advise you to surrender quickly, so as not to use swords and guns again.""

"Pooh! Huangfu Wuyi said angrily:"Rebel Yang Xuangan!" After you became a general in vain, the Duke of Yue actually has you, a son without a king and a father. Take your life now." Huangfu was in a hurry, and before the sound left his voice, he urged his horse to rush out.

Yang Xuanzong said:"The smell of milk is still fresh, wait for me to capture him."

Huangfu Wuyi and Yang Xuanzong couldn't tell the difference, and they were fighting each other. Yang Xuanzong was not a strong man in martial arts. Huangfu Wuyi feigned defeat with two spears and fled.

Yang Xuangan was overjoyed when he saw that the army was retreating, and he said to his soldiers He shouted:"Seize the opportunity to pursue the victory and get close to the pass, it all depends on today."Then he led the rebel army to march westward.

Before going far, he saw another group of officers and soldiers coming to block the way. The leader was a general with eight-color eyebrows, two bright eyes, a dignified appearance, a silver-maned horse under his crotch, and a horse in his hand. With a bright silver spear, silver armor and white robes, and the word"Yin" written on the battle flag behind him, he was the general Yin Shishi. When he saw Yang Xuangan, Yin Shishi shouted:"The traitor Yang Xuangan, do you recognize Yin Shishi?" no?"

When Yang Xuangan saw Master Yin, he was the son of Yin Shou, the general manager of Youzhou. He secretly thought that this person was a general of the Sui army. He was very skilled in martial arts and needed to be cautious. Yang Xuangan had just won a victory and was full of courage. He said to Yang Xuangan:"Brother, wait a moment. , wait for me to fight him."

Yang Xuanzang came out for the second time, and Master Yin Shi met him with a gun. Master Yin Shi thought that Wei Wensheng had ordered me to fake defeat, but he had to tell someone. If I can't defeat Yang Xuanzang with this little skill, wouldn't I be looked down upon by the rebels? There is a flaw, so you must win for a while. The two fought for three or four rounds. Yang Xuanzang was accidentally stabbed in the arm by Yin Shishi, and the blood flowed non-stop. When

Yang Xuangan saw that his brother was injured, he asked,"Who can fight?""

"Li Zixiong is willing to go."When Yang Xuangan heard that Li Zixiong asked for a fight, he was overjoyed. This Li Zixiong was much better than Yang Xuanzang.

Li Zixiong rode his horse and brandished his sword, replacing Yang Xuanzang to fight against Yin Shishi. Yin Shishi.The master was somewhat aware of Li Zixiong's martial arts skills, and secretly thought that Li Zixiong was much better than Yang Xuanzang, so he might as well take advantage of this moment to fake defeat.

The two fought for ten rounds, but Master Yinshi gave in a few moves and pretended to be defeated and fled. Yang Xuangan didn't know there was a trick in it. When he saw Li Zixiong defeating Yin Shishi, he was overjoyed and shouted to his soldiers:"Follow me to pursue the victory. Tongguan is ahead."

Everyone was overjoyed and accelerated their march to Tongguan. Looking from a distance, there is a majestic and dangerous pass in front of us. It is Tongguan Pass, the choke point of Daxing City in Xijing.

Wei Wensheng was ordered to lose three battles in a row. The third battle was at Tongguan, and the guarding general was named Wei Fusi. Originally, Wei Fusi should have faked defeat and defended Tongguan to hold back Yang Xuangan.

However, Wei Fusi did not follow the plan. He neither went to fight nor pretended to be defeated. He only waited for Yang Xuangan's troops to approach Tongguan City.

Yang Xuangan sent his troops into formation. He originally thought that the capture of Tongguan would be a battle. Unexpectedly, the city gate was wide open and there were no soldiers. Only Wei Fusi, dressed in plain clothes, rode out on horseback. Wei Fusi immediately saluted and said:"Wei Fusi, the internal history minister, has met General Yang."

Yang Xuangan was stunned and asked:"Master Wei should know that this trip is to attack Tongguan, a dangerous pass. Why didn't he fight instead? Welcoming commoners?"

Wei Fusi said:"Xiaguan and the soldiers at Tongguan are well aware of the righteousness of the rebels and have hated Yang Guang's tyranny for a long time. They are willing to surrender and raise the flag of righteousness together." After saying this, Wei Fusi dismounted and knelt down to worship.

No one would have thought that Wei Fusi was not like the previous Huangfu Wuyi and Yin Shishi. This person wholeheartedly opposed the tyranny of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty, and sympathized with Yang Xuangan who supported the rebellion, and sympathized with the poor refugees in the uprising.

Without moving a sword or a spear, Wei Fusi surrendered Tongguan. This made Yang Xuangan overjoyed. He and other generals dismounted, helped Wei Fusi up, and the army entered Tongguan together. This is it: losing three battles in a row to lure the rebels, and the unknown changes the hearts of the world.

No soldiers were seen in Tongguan, and the war was approaching Huayin.

After arriving at Tongguan and setting up camp, Yang Xuangan summoned everyone to the Chinese army's tent to discuss countermeasures. Everyone did not understand the Sui army's strategy of returning reinforcements.

Wei Fusi, who had just surrendered to the rebels, was the first to say:"General Yang has fallen into Wei Wensheng's plan. Wei Wensheng sent orders to defeat three battles in a row, diverting the rebels, holding back Tongguan, and relieving the siege of the Eastern Capital. Now General Although Tongguan is taken, there is no village in front and no store in back. It is sandwiched between the two capitals. The main forces of the two capitals cannot get out. The delay is long and they only wait for reinforcements from the eastward expedition. The situation is not good."

Li Mi then realized that, No wonder Huangfu Wuyi and Yin Shishi were defeated in the first battle, so he said:"It is better to lead the three armies, make a desperate attack on Daxing, Xijing, sit west and face east, and fight against the Sui army."

Wei Fusi said:"According to my opinion, It's better to lead troops into Shu, take advantage of the natural dangers of Shu's roads, cede territory and stand on our own." Hu Sizheng on the side also had a plan, saying:"It's a great defense with heavy troops, and the road to Western Shu is far away, so it's better to take Hongnong first and rest the soldiers." Each of the three men had a plan. The strategy made Yang Xuangan swayed from side to side and undecided.

After thinking for a long time, Yang Xuan said:"According to Hu Sizheng's plan, go to Hongnong first to rest and reorganize the soldiers." When

Li Mi heard this, his heart trembled, and he advised:"The small town of Hongnong is unbearable., the pursuers are approaching, how can we stay for a long time? If we can't hold the pass in front, we retreat with nothing to defend, and the people are scattered, how can we protect ourselves?"

Li Mi tried hard to persuade him, but Yang Xuangan listened to Hu Sizheng's plan and personally led the army to Hongnong City, leaving generals Li Zixiong and Hu Sizheng to guard Tongguan. Later, Cui Hao of the Tang Dynasty wrote a poem to praise it: It rains when traveling. Ji, rest on your horse at Jinlou. The mountains are majestic and Sanfu, closing the gate and strangling Jiuzhou.

Sichuan goes from Xia Road, and the river flows around Huayin. When you climb to the end of the night, the wind and smoke are thousands of miles away.

Let's talk about the two reinforcements of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Qu Tutong Brothers, Laihuer and his son rushed to Luoyang, the eastern capital one after another. When Queen Xiao learned that the reinforcements had arrived, she felt as if a stone had fallen to the ground. She led the ministers of the eastern capital and went out of the city to reward the soldiers.

Within the Chinese army's treasure tent, Qu Tutong and Qu Tutong Gai, Lai Hu'er, Zhou Fashang, Lai Zheng and others paid homage to the Queen. Queen Xiao said to the generals:"This rebellion has caused the people to rise up. It is what the people want and people are afraid of it. You generals should treat the people well. Put the people's support first and kill with caution."

Qu Tu Channel:"Don't worry, the empress, the last general will only attack key criminals such as Yang Xuangan, and the people who don't know will not be guilty."Qu Tu Gai, Lai Hu'er, Zhou Fa Shang and others also added their comments.

Empress Xiao gave instructions to the generals, and then said to Fan Zi Gai:"Immediately spread the decree of Ai Jiayi, open the granary to release grain, and help the people."When the grain was released, two reinforcements also received the grain. Qu Tutong's brothers were the front army, and Lai Hu's son and his son were the rear army. The two armies went straight to Tongguan.

However, in two days, Hongnong had not yet conquered that side, and here Qu Tutong's reinforcements arrived at Tongguan. Li Zixiong was very anxious when he saw Qu Tutong leading his troops. Hu Sizheng said:"To this day, no one wants to go to Western Shu, and Hongnong has never captured it. I think Yang Xuangan's uprising will not last long. Li

Zixiong saw that Hu Sizheng was discouraged and advised:"Brother, why are you retreating? When I go to war, I will definitely win Qu Tutong."

Hu Sizheng said:"Let's take a long-term approach and think about a way out.""

"snort! Brother Qu Tutong is an ordinary man with only a reputation, so why should we be afraid? Wait for me to take his head and hang it on the east gate to thank the world!"Li Zixiong glared at Hu Sizheng, ignored him at all, and stormed away. He only heard three cannon blasts above Tongguan, the city gates were wide open, the cavalry was in front, the infantry was behind, and a general immediately stood in front of the formation. It was General Li Zixiong. On top of the city, Hu Sizheng took a quick look and felt panicked. He knew Qu Tutong's capabilities.

Although Li Zixiong was a general in the rebel army, he was not famous enough compared to Qu Tutong. He only heard about Qu Tutong. Tong shouted sternly:"You dare to rebel against the traitors. Now that our emperor's heavenly troops have arrived, why don't you surrender quickly, lest I, the commander, kill again?""

Li Zixiong looked at it and said:"The Great Sui Dynasty is almost exhausted, why should General Qu Tu sacrifice his life for Yang Guang, an unscrupulous tyrant?"

"Hum, you are a person without a king and a father, I will kill you! Qu Tutong asked:"Who can go to fight?"

Qu Tugai said:"My little brother, go and take his life!""

"Beat the drum to help fight!"As soon as the war drums sounded, Qu Tu Gai urged the five-flower chasing wind horse, waved the Heng Shui Liang, and fought with Li Zixiong. The two fought for twenty rounds. They saw the two horses kicking, and Qu Tu Gai grabbed him. Li Zixiong put a big belt around his waist and roared like a bell. He actually pulled Li Zixiong off his horse and captured him alive. When the soldiers at the top of the city saw that their general had been captured, they panicked. When everyone saw that Hu Sizheng was missing, they did not expect that Hu Sizheng was missing. Hu Sizheng knew that Li Zixiong was no match for Qu Tutong's brothers, so he had already changed his clothes and fled.

Under the city, he saw the heavy siege weapons that Qu Tutong had sent to attack Goguryeo, including ladders, building carts, ramming carts, crashing carts, and throwing carts. The stone machine roared in, bringing up billows of dust. The people guarding Tongguan were all rebellious people. They had never seen such siege weapons. They were so frightened that they dropped their weapons and fled in all directions. The heavy weapons attacked the city, and the soldiers were swarming. After too long, the defenders of Tongguan were defeated, and Qu Tutong and Qu Tugai recaptured Tongguan and forced Hongnong to attack.

……

At this time, Yang Xuangan besieged Hongnong and could not attack it for a long time. The person guarding Hongnong County was Li Yuan, the young eunuch in front of the palace, who would become the famous Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty in the future.

When he was in a dilemma, Yang Xuangan was immediately horrified when he learned that Tongguan had been lost, Li Zixiong had been captured, and Hu Sizheng had escaped. Yang Xuangan immediately summoned everyone and gathered in the Chinese army's tent. Yang Xuangan said:"Tongguan has been lost and there is no way out. The only plan now is a decisive battle."

Li Mi said:"One hundred thousand soldiers have no place to stand. Once defeated, The catastrophe will be irreversible. The lord has the army rations in his hand. As long as he delays for a few days, the army will collapse without a fight." Yang Xuangan hesitated, whether to fight or not to fight?