A ray of sunset hung in the western sky, and the sunlight shone down, reflecting the rippling light on the Yihe River. Zhai Xing was riding on his horse, looking at Longmen Mountain and Xiangshan Mountain facing each other in front, frowning.

The Yi River comes from the southwest. The river surface is wide and the water flow is gentle. When it reaches Longmen, it suddenly encounters two mountains, passing through the middle. There are steep rock walls on both sides of the water surface, which are very difficult to climb. It is a natural gateway.

The Zhai army came to attack Luoyang from Fenniu Mountain Stronghold and had to pass through Longmen before they could approach Luoyang City. Meng Bangxiong's army occupied the mountains on both sides and blocked the Longmen road. For more than ten days, Zhai Xing was at a loss and could not move forward.

After watching it for a long time, Zhai Xing turned his head and looked at the setting sun in the western sky, and couldn't help but sigh heavily.

What should we do? What's the end of this stalemate? If we can't break through Longmen like before, Zhai Xing will have no choice but to retreat to Yique, and Meng Bangxiong will not dare to chase him out. But now Wang Xiaolie's tens of thousands of troops are in Ruzhou, and he will attack on his own.

How can I explain if I don’t leave Luoyang?

At first, Wang Xiaolie said that he fully supported his Northern Expedition, and tens of thousands of troops came to Ruzhou. Zhai Xing was very happy. Now that the attack on Luoyang was blocked, he realized how hasty he was. Wang Xiaolie mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops, how could he do nothing?

What if he returns without success? This time when he comes to the north, Wang Xiaolie must enter Luoyang. If Zhai Xing can attack Luoyang, Wang Xiaolie will attack other places. If Zhai Xing cannot attack Luoyang, then he can only

Wang Xiaolie took matters into his own hands. After Wang Xiaolie captured Luoyang, should he stay in Xijing?

Thinking of this, Zhai Xing only felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

To be honest, Wang Xiaolie was quite good at dealing with the surrounding forces. He saved Li Yanxian in Shaanzhou twice, Jie Qian in Jingmen once, and Wang Yan in Jinzhou once. Only the rules of De'an Mansion can protect the place.

, there was no attack by the Jin army, and no favor from Wang Xiaolie. But as Wang Xiaolie's power developed, could he still accommodate these local vassal towns?

Zhai Xing said that there were tens of thousands of troops. In fact, the actual army that could actually fight was less than 10,000 people including Dong Xian. Without Dong Xian, he only had about 6,000 soldiers and horses. After all, it was only a Yi River valley, how many could he support?

What about the people? With 6,000 people to support, Zhai Xing still lacks food every year. And Wang Xiaolie's army now has more than 100,000 people. In the face of such a huge force, Zhai Xing also feels powerless.

If Luoyang could not be captured, Zhai Xing could only think of one outcome. Like Li Yanxian, he would be annexed by Wang Xiaolie. Moreover, he could no longer serve as Wang Xiaolie's deputy like Li Yanxian, so he had to find another way out.

There is not only Longmen Road to go north to Luoyang. There is also a small road in the mountains to the west, which can lead to the Luo River Valley. But Dong Xian has been stationed in Shouan and has not attacked, so what is the use of going to the Luo River Valley? Not to mention, Dong Xian

You will definitely not allow your own power to pass.

What should I do? Zhai Xing frowned.

At this moment, Zhai Cong came over on horseback. He crossed his hands and said, "Dad, it's getting late, let's have dinner first. Today is the New Year, and Wang Jieshuai of Ruzhou has sent fifty sheep to reward us. Commander Yang ordered his own soldiers

Roast one and drink with us tonight."

Zhai Xing nodded, glanced at Longmen, turned around and returned to the commander's tent with Zhai Cong.

There was a bonfire burning in the tent, and a sheep was placed on it. The oil dripped onto the fire, making a sizzling sound.

When forward Yang Wei saw Zhai Xing coming in, he hurriedly stood up to salute and ask questions.

Several people took their seats, and Zhai Xing said to Yang Wei: "Commander, today is a small year, so that everyone in the army will have meat to eat."

Yang said: "Don't worry, Governor, Wang Jieshuai of Ruzhou has sent fifty sheep, which is enough to eat!"

If it weren't for the fifty sheep sent by Wang Xiaolie, Zhai Xing would not dare to say that everyone would have meat to eat. In the past two years, with the protection of Yique City, Zhai Xing's conditions have been much better. But after all, it is only a county.

, the land is barren, and Zhai Xing's army is still relatively poor.

The soldiers served wine and meat. Zhai Xing raised his glass and said: "Let's have a drink! Although today is the New Year, it can be regarded as the New Year. But we must not slack off. The whole army must be united to capture Longmen!"

Yang Weidao: "Capture Longmen and celebrate the New Year!"

A few people drank a glass of wine and ate a few pieces of meat. Their bodies warmed up and the atmosphere slowly relaxed.

Yang Wei said: "In the past few days, I have seen that the morale of Meng Bangxiong's army is really not weak. It seems that their military morale has not declined. Moreover, Meng Bangxiong has not sent anyone out to fight with us in recent days. There is really nothing we can do against them."

Zhai Xing said: "Yes, if Meng Bangxiong doesn't come out, this battle will be difficult to fight. There is no danger to defend from Shou'an to Luoyang. I really don't understand what Dong Xian means by staying in Shou'an and not attacking Luoyang!"

Yang Wei said: "Dong Xian has many soldiers and horses under his command, and he is ambitious. He has never been willing to live under the governor. I guess the reason why he sent troops was that if the governor defeated Longmen, he could take advantage of the situation.

Attack and get some benefits. If we can't break through Longmen, of course he will stay put in Shou'an. It will be difficult for him to help us take chestnuts from the fire."

Zhai Xing said: "Wang Jieshuai has tens of thousands of troops in Ruzhou, what's the use of thinking about it now? We can't attack Longmen, and Dengzhou soldiers will probably lose their control and send troops to attack Luoyang. At that time, Dong Xian had 3000 soldiers in his hands.

What's the use of Dengzhou's army?"

Yang Wei said: "We know how strong Deng Zhoubing is in Ruzhou, but others may not know. Dong Xian has been in the Luo River Valley for several years, and his horizons may not be that far. If he wants to come, if we break the dragon gate, there will be an advantage."

Zhan. We can’t break through Longmen, and of course he won’t work hard.”

Zhai Cong said: "Dad, this is not the way to go. How about I go to Shouan in a few days to remind Mr. Dong?"

Zhai Xing lowered his head and thought for a while. He said: "How can anyone else control Mr. Dong's temper? When Shou'an arrived in Luoyang, there was a vast plain, but he didn't attack for a long time. It must be because he didn't want to do it. What he didn't want to do, he couldn't do it.

What use is he?"

Yang Wei said: "You can't say that. When you arrive in Shou'an, if you tell Dong Xian about the situation of Dengzhou's army and tell them their interests, Dong Xian might be persuaded. Tens of thousands of Dengzhou's troops are in Ruzhou. We can't capture Luoyang. It's true.

It makes it difficult for people to sleep and eat well!”

Zhai Cong said: "Dad, what Yang Tongzhi said is right. When Dengzhou soldiers came to Ruzhou, everything was different from before. Dong's three thousand soldiers could run rampant in the past, but how can they do it now? I heard that Dengzhou soldiers can control three thousand people at a time.

Where is the Ten Commandments!"

Zhai Xing nodded and said nothing.

When he rescued Shaanzhou in the past, due to terrain restrictions, Wang Xiaolie sent out not many troops, and Zhai Xing didn't think it was a big deal. This time, all the elite troops were sent out, covering the sky and the sun, and it really made Zhai Xing realize that he was different from Wang Xiaolie.

difference.

Tens of thousands of troops are stationed in Ruzhou. Near Zhai Xing, there is a military camp not far away. If you add in the civilian team that delivers supplies to each military camp, the number exceeds 100,000, which exceeds the local population of Ruzhou.
Chapter completed!