Zhang Xuan is currently leading a 50,000 army stationed in Yingchuan County, and restrained the Tang army from the side to continue the north attack. As the Sui army judged before, although Du Fuwei's attack on Xuzhou in the north was smooth, Xuzhou had no sufficient population and food after being tragically ravaged by Yu Wenji, and could not support Du Fuwei's army's long-term garrison. As long as the Sui cavalry cut off its food route, Du Fuwei could only withdraw his troops back to Jianghuai.

Zhang Xuan's resurgence undoubtedly put great pressure on Li Shimin. In particular, the powerful cavalry raid capabilities of the Northern Sui army made Li Shimin extremely worried that his retreat would be cut off. He had to retreat strategically, abandon Xiangguo County, and lead the army to retreat to Xiangcheng County in the southern part of Jingyang County. Qu Tutong led 30,000 troops to station in Ye County, the southernmost part of Yingchuan County. Zhai Rang was ordered to lead 15,000 troops to Xiping County, Runan County, about a hundred miles away from Ye County.

In this way, from Xiangcheng to Ye County to Xiping County, the three Tang troops formed a Pin-shaped deployment, which was a hundred miles apart, and were mutually supportive, echoing each other, just sealing the passage of the Northern Sui army to the south.

Thanks to Zhang Xuan's timely Western aid, Wang Shichong was finally freed from the crisis. He quickly rectified the army and ordered his nephew Wang Renze to guard Yique County. He led 30,000 elite troops back into Xiangguo County, echoing Zhang Xuan's army and east-west.

Both sides were very cautious and did not dare to attack easily, entering a state of tactical confrontation.

That morning, three sending soldiers came to the Tang Army camp in Xiangcheng County like lightning, and they brought the emergency order of Emperor Li Yuan.

Soon, at the request of Li Shimin, Qu Tutong, who was a hundred miles away, rushed to Xiangcheng camp overnight.

Qu Tutong was a little uneasy. When the battle situation was very tense, the King of Qin urgently summoned him, and something major event must have happened.

The Tang army camp was pitch black, and only the Qin King's central tent was still brightly lit. Qu Tutong hurried to the tent, and a soldier stepped forward and whispered: "Your Highness is waiting for the general, please!"

In the big tent, Li Shimin stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back, with a very serious expression. Next to him was Changsun Wuji and Zhang Gongjin, a military officer, standing there. Although they had not slept all night, neither of them was sleepy and their eyes were full of worries. At this time, Qu Tutong's voice came from outside the tent, and the curtain was lifted, and Qu Tutong, who was dusty, quickly walked into the big tent.

"Your Highness, what happened?" Qu Tutong asked anxiously.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Wuji, tell the general!"

Qu Tutong's eyes turned to Changsun Wuji again, and Changsun Wuji said slowly: "I received an emergency military report from Chang'an this morning. The Sui army raided Hedong City and Pujin Pass. Both places have been lost. The gate of Guanzhong has been opened by the Sui army!"

"ah!"

Qu Tutong was shocked and said anxiously: "Where did the Sui army come from?"

Li Shimin looked at the map on the table and said, "It should be that he went north from the Jieguan Road in Hanoi County, while Hedong County and Pujin Pass were empty in defense and were hit by the Sui army. This was obviously Zhang Xuan's plan to surround Wei and save Zhao. No wonder he was in Yingchuan County and did not send a shot. He was waiting for us to withdraw back to Guanzhong."

Qu Tutong also realized that the problem was serious, so he asked again: "What does the emperor mean?"

"My father sent an edict, asking us to withdraw some of our troops back to Guanzhong for defense."

Li Shimin turned around and looked at Qu Tutong, "The father asked the general to lead 30,000 troops to Hongnong County and return to Guanzhong."

Qu Tutong was a little confused. Of course he could go back, but what should he do when the Battle of Central Plains? His troops were reduced by 30,000 at once, and Zhu Jie's 80,000 surrendered troops had been disbanded and returned to his hometown. How did they deal with Zhang Xuan and Wang Shichong's army?

Li Shimin bit his lips and said, "I can transfer 10,000 troops from Xiangyang. With Zhai Rang's army, I have 75,000 people in my hand, and I can still fight with the other party."

"But your Highness, don't forget that the 30,000 Sui army's cavalry has not appeared yet. Once the 30,000 Sui army's cavalry appears from the side, they will have 110,000 people, 35,000 fewer than the opponent, perhaps the key to determining the outcome!"

"But there is no way. If the general doesn't go back, what should I do in Guanzhong? Once the Sui army opens the passage from Henoi to Hedong, they will quickly increase their troops. Once the troops increase to 30,000, Guangtongcang will be the first to be affected. This will have a great blow to the confidence of the military and civilians in Chang'an."

Qu Tutong was silent for a moment and whispered: "What is the meaning of Beizhi, our entire army will withdraw to Guanzhong."

Li Shimin didn't move, with no expression on his face. He thought so, but if the entire army withdraws, how can his father explain?

Everyone in the tent was silent. At this moment, soldiers outside nervously reported: "Report to Your Highness, Zhang Xuan, the King of Qi of Northern Sui, sent someone to send a letter."

Everyone looked at each other, and Li Shimin hurriedly said, "Where is the letter?"

Soon, a soldier walked in quickly, knelt down on one knee, and presented a letter. Li Shimin quickly opened the letter, and the letter read:

‘To the King of Qin, His Highness Li Shimin, the two countries are in a confrontation, and those who do not plan the overall situation are not enough to plan a territory. I have sent Yuchi Gong to lead 10,000 troops to occupy Hedongcheng and Pujin Pass. I believe that your highness has known it, and then sending troops to Xuan to make it clear to His Highness. Wei Wentong has led his army to cross the Yellow River north and will go to Baixing to occupy Changping County. General Wang Bian led his army to Baiyangxing to occupy Shangdang County.

The autumn harvest has arrived, and the southern Shanxi has enough food, and the 30,000 troops have no worries about the military rations. Your Highness knows the overall situation and should withdraw the troops as soon as possible to return west. Otherwise, Zhang Xuan would rather give up the Central Plains and concentrate his troops to attack Guanzhong. When the troops are at the city of Chang'an, which is more important, Your Highness can take care of himself, Zhang Xuan respects him.'

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment. After a while, he handed the letter to Qu Tutong and Changsun Wuji. The two were also shocked. Qu Tutong sighed, "With this strong enemy, it is a misfortune of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Changsun Wuji asked in a low voice.

Li Shimin waved his hand, "Let me think about it, let's go and rest first!"

Everyone left the big tent, and Li Shimin was the only one left in the big tent. He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, worried and sleepless all night.

At dawn, Li Shimin finally issued an order, "Give up the Eastern Expedition and the entire army immediately withdrew to Guanzhong."

Li Shimin ordered Qu Tutong to withdraw to Guanzhong first, and then sent someone to Xiangyang to inform the warriors, and sent someone to Runan County to inform Zhai Rang, and ordered the two of them to withdraw their troops and return west immediately.

The main force of the Tang army began to slowly retreat south. Li Shimin rode on the war horse and watched the 50,000 troops heading west. He felt regretful, but he knew that his decision was not wrong. As Zhang Xuan said, those who did not plan the overall situation were not enough to plan a territory. He had to consider the whole world, and could not only consider the small counties of Nanyang.

At this time, Changsun Wuji rode alongside him and asked in a low voice: "I didn't understand all night. Why did Zhang Xuan tell His Highness about his strategy? If Wang Shichong was used to restrain us, his army would go north to attack Bingzhou and even Guanzhong, wouldn't it be more beneficial?"

"Zhang Xuan is just talking about military affairs on paper. Things are not that easy. Capturing several counties in Bingzhou does not mean that you can always own it. I am actually just worried that Zhang Xuan will take a risk and face the city of Chang'an. The confidence of our Tang officials and military and civilians will be a heavy blow. As I said, if you don't settle the country first, you can't rush to resist foreign countries. If you don't destroy Liu Wuzhou, we should not fight the east."

"But I'm afraid that after destroying Liu Wuzhou, the whole world will be divided."

Li Shimin smiled and patted Changsun Wuji on the shoulder, "We must also learn to pick up the soft ones first in the future, go back and rest for a few months, and then we will send troops from Bashu to fight against Xiao Xian in Jingxiang and the Central Plains in the east, and let them go temporarily!"

Changsun Wuji nodded silently. He suddenly remembered something and asked again: "What should I do if Bingzhou? Does Your Highness think Zhang Xuan will really retreat north to attack Bingzhou?"

Li Shimin smiled faintly and said, "If Zhang Xuan really wanted to attack Bingzhou, he would not urge us to go back. He needed us to wipe out Liu Wuzhou for him first, and then he would pick the fruits of Bingzhou. If I was not wrong, his next step was to fight Du Fuwei in Jianghuai. If Du Fuwei was not destroyed, Jiangdu would not be able to take it firmly. If Jiang is not stable, how could he talk about marching the south?"

"Then... how did Your Highness explain to the Lord?" Changsun Wuji asked worriedly again.

Li Shimin smiled bitterly, "How else can I explain? I will hand over the letter Zhang Xuan to my father. I believe my father can understand it. If my father really doesn't understand, then I can't do anything."
Chapter completed!