Jiuxi

Chapter 295 Chapter 293 [The troops are approaching the city]

From Yaoshan Pass to the west, it can be said to be a smooth road.

It is only more than 140 miles from here to Heluo City. There are two small towns on the way, Shenze and Anxian. They are obviously unable to bear the arduous task of blocking the Huaizhou Army.

In fact, when the defeated Jing army was about to withdraw from Yaoshan Pass and fled back to Heluo, the Yan officials and Li people along the way immediately followed, fearing that a large number of Huaizhou troops would appear in front of them in the next moment.

At this moment, more than 10,000 cavalrymen led by Qingyu Zhongwang were still on Dongyang Road, and the soldiers and horses under Niu Cunjie were trapped at the border of Moyang Road by Li Tianrun.

The Jing Dynasty's army was far away in Zhao Di in the north, and it was obvious that it was unable to move south in a hurry. What's more, Jing Jun has annihilated more than 200,000 Zhao troops in nearly a year. Although this is an extremely impressive record, it also means that they must take a period of rest.

In short, in such a precious time window, the only real opponent of the Huaizhou West Route Army was the more than 10,000 Jingjun in Heluo City, and the more than 100-mile road from Yaoshan Pass to Heluo was unimpeded.

Even so, Lu Chen still led the army forward in an orderly and disciplined manner.

The Lai'an Army led by Duan Zuozhang opened the way for the vanguard, the Panlong Army commanded by Liu Jiangdong protected the rear array, Lu Chen led the Ruishi Battalion and the Feiyun Army commanded by Song Shifei as the central army, and Li Chengen led the Ruishi Battalion cavalry in the front. Go out to spy.

In the evening of February 18th, various units of the West Route Army arrived in Shenze County one after another. This place has become an empty city. Most of the people rushed to Heluo with their families, while some ordinary people with no connections could only hide in the mountains and forests.

Although the place is as dead and silent as a ghost land, it saves a lot of trouble for the soldiers of the Huaizhou Army.

Lu Chen was not careless and asked Bao An to lead thousands of sharp soldiers to search every corner of the city to prevent Jing Jun from leaving a hidden hand here.

The next morning, Su Yunqing, who had slept for less than two hours, got up from an unfamiliar bed. As soon as he washed his face with cold water, he saw the soldiers sent by Lu Chen to invite him.

"Why don't Captain Lu take a little more rest?"

To Su Yunqing's expectation, the meeting place was not the house where Lu Chen temporarily lived, but the street near Ximen.

Even though he was confused, he still came forward to greet him as usual.

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Master Su, don't you get much rest?"

"We often stay up all night analyzing intelligence, and we have long been used to it."

Su Yunqing looked calm, with a hint of concern in his tone: "Not only do you have to plan strategies, but you also have to personally lead the troops in combat. You should pay more attention to rest. After all, you have heavy responsibilities on your shoulders now, and you must not wear out your body. "

"Thank you for your concern." Lu Chen nodded slightly, then raised his eyebrows and said, "I invite Mr. Su here so early. I want you to accompany me on a trip to the west. I wonder if Mr. Su is interested?"

Less than twenty miles west of Shenzhen is Heluo, the former capital of Qi and with a history of more than a thousand years.

Su Yunqing's eyes suddenly lit up, and her tone was slightly trembling: "Captain Lu is so kind, but Mr. Su is disrespectful, but isn't this a bit dangerous?"

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Of course it's not the two of us who are going, but taking the Ruishi battalion cavalry to go around Heluo for some on-the-spot observation."

Su Yunqing couldn't hide his excitement and nodded: "Thank you very much, Lieutenant Lu, for keeping this in mind. Su will appreciate it."

They are all smart people, and naturally some words do not need to be said clearly.

In the small wine shop in Guangling, Su Yunqing tried to persuade Lu Chen to lurk in the North. During this period, he expressed his thoughts and discussed the current situation, especially the sentence "We give up Jiangbei, give up Huaizhou, give up Jingzhou, until we give up Yongjia? Until we give up Yongjia? Qi will be completely destroyed?" Lu Chen remembered deeply.

Although Lu Chen could not accurately recall every word Su Yunqing said, he knew the obsession in the warp weaving inspector's heart, which was to unswervingly support the Northern Expedition and hope that the Qi frontier army could regain their homeland.

This is why Lu Chen specially brought him with him today.

Three thousand riders rushed out from the west gate of Shenze and galloped towards Heluo City.

In the bright yet somewhat cold morning sun, the breeze blew across her face, and Su Yunqing's heart began to stir.

His impression of Lu Chen has changed many times in these short two years, from initial favor and appreciation, to later fear and scrutiny, to Lu Chen's amazing performance after joining the army, as a young junior Walking up to him, he gradually became equal to him, and now he is obviously a head taller.

The past is over, Su Yunqing has long regarded Lu Chen as the core of the Huaizhou Army second only to Xiao Wangzhi, and is willing to use the power of the Weaving Department to help him in the war, but in the end justice outweighs personal friendship.

Until now...

The journey of more than ten miles is not very long. The Ruishi Battalion cavalry galloped on the wide and flat official road outside Heluo. The scenery on both sides retreated rapidly.

They found several groups of Jingjun scouts on the road, but those people turned their horses and retreated from a distance when they saw the opportunity, so there was no conflict.

About a stick of incense later, a majestic city standing on the land of Jiangbei finally appeared in Su Yunqing's sight.

That is Heluo City.

But the city gates were closed, the suspension bridge hung high, countless flags were flying on the city walls, and armored soldiers were waiting in full formation.

The Huaizhou cavalry stopped more than three miles outside the city. Lu Chen did not lead the troops forward to say a few harsh words. He just looked at this majestic city calmly and seriously. Fifteen years ago, more than 200,000 troops of the Jing Dynasty surrounded Heluo. After breaking the city, they did not seal the sword for ten days. They looted, raped, and massacred all kinds of evil. The city was like a hell on earth, and desperate and painful wails could be heard everywhere.

Lu Chen had never experienced that period of history, and as an outsider, it was difficult for him to establish loyalty to the Qi Dynasty that was higher than his own safety. But at this moment, he was standing outside the city on horseback. Like the three thousand cavalrymen of the Rui Shi Battalion, he had the same expression on his face. His expression was extremely solemn.

The spring breeze is very gentle, but it is like a long knife blowing through the heart.

Lu Chen turned around and saw Su Yunqing staring blankly ahead, her lips pursed tightly, and there seemed to be tears in her eyes.

He could understand this emotion, and presumably this was the root of Su Yunqing's unswerving support for the Northern Expedition.

There was silence both above and outside the city. The two sides looked at each other wordlessly, and a depressing and solemn atmosphere filled the world.

When Lu Chen gave the order and the Huaizhou cavalry returned the same way, the defenders on the city wall couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the opponent only has three thousand cavalry and cannot threaten the city defense, the defenders can feel an invisible pressure.

Lu Chen didn't care about the enemy's mood at the moment. He didn't just take his subordinates for a stroll today. In addition to on-the-spot investigation of the external situation of Heluo City, another very important thing was to deploy troops around this ten-mile road. The strict sentry posts try to eliminate all hidden dangers for the subsequent army to advance into Heluo.

Li Chengen listened carefully, nodded and said, "Don't worry, young master, I will follow your instructions."

After finishing what he was doing, Lu Chen rode his horse to Su Yunqing's side. Without deliberately mentioning his slightly rude appearance, he said calmly: "Within ten days, our army will definitely be able to enter the city."

"Thank you."

Su Yunqing uttered two words briefly, which seemed wrong, but made Lu Chen slightly startled.

He turned to look at the nearly forty-year-old warp weaving inspector and hesitated: "Why do you need to say thank you, sir?"

"When I was so impassioned in front of you in that small wine shop in Guangling, you might have thought that I was an indescribable person, or that I was bluffing and pretending. But in fact, I also have my own selfish motives, not just for Wanli of Daqi. country."

Su Yunqing spoke in a low tone and gradually opened her heart.

Lu Chen listened quietly without interrupting.

Su Yunqing raised his head and looked forward and said: "Fifteen years ago, Heluo City was destroyed. No one from the Su family in the city survived, including my parents, brothers, and sisters. Many years later, I used the Weaving Department to I had the authority to investigate the status of my family, only to find out that they had all died that year. My father did not want to surrender, so his head was cut off by a Jinglian soldier and hung on the city gate. My younger sister was Even at the age of thirteen, he has not escaped the butcher's knife of the Jinglian people."

There was a ferocious color in his eyes, and he continued: "I have often dreamed of them over the years. My younger sister is very timid, and she asked me when I could take her home. My mother told me to remember to take care of myself. Try your best to leave blood to the old Su family. My father only asked me, have you ever forgotten the hatred between the country and the family? Do you dare to forget it? "

Lu Chen sighed silently.

"Just now I was looking at the Heluo city wall, and I seemed to be able to see my father's head. I really wanted to tell him personally that my son has never forgotten for a moment, nor dares to forget."

Su Yunqing's tone was quite calm, and he didn't get carried away in front of Lu Chen.

Just... every word of blood and tears.

Lu Chen said slowly: "Tooth for tooth, blood for blood."

Su Yunqing nodded and said: "I'm very glad that you didn't listen to my poor advice. This feeling comes from the bottom of my heart. Without your presence, maybe the Northern Expedition of the border army could still win, but it would definitely not be so smooth. More importantly, The words "return to the old capital" will only be used as an excuse by those in Yongjia City."

Lu Chen said: "Fortunately, our Majesty is fundamentally different from the late Emperor."

In the past, Su Yunqing would not have talked about this kind of topic, but at this moment he said frankly: "Your Majesty's imperial edict has a very deep intention. You can understand that he is tacitly approving your military attack on Heluo, and it will also be a common force in the future." Foreshadowing. If the war goes unfavorably, he may use this imperial edict to push you out to calm the turmoil in the court."

Lu Chen said calmly: "Actually, I am quite satisfied with seeing this imperial edict."

Su Yunqing nodded slightly and added: "Although the rumors about your life experience have been suppressed, His Majesty will definitely not treat it as nothing happened. You still have to be careful."

Lu Chen looked at him in surprise.

Su Yunqing met his gaze and said firmly: "For me, the Northern Expedition is a long-cherished wish in my life. I admire people who are willing and able to do it well. Of course, I am not only doing it for Daqi, but also for myself and myself." The nineteen members of the Su family have a blood feud, so as long as you don’t surrender or raise a flag to openly rebel, I will be your most reliable informant in the Warp Weaving Department."

Lu Chen's calling him a companion today was not a spur-of-the-moment move, but he never thought that he would get to know the Huaizhou inspector right away.

The word Su Yunqing used was not "companion" but "eyeliner", obviously placing himself in the position of a subordinate.

Lu Chen didn't take advantage of this opportunity to express his feelings. He simply ignored the topic and said leisurely: "What do you think of the idea of ​​hanging Emperor Jing Chao's head on the tower of Dadu?"

Su Yunqing's eyes were filled with sharp light, and the corners of his mouth could not help but curl up: "Wonderful."

The two looked at each other and smiled, full of pride.

(End of this chapter)