..In Hedong County, Li Yuan's army has been besieging Hedong City for nearly half a month, with heavy casualties, but Hedong City stands tall and Qu Tutong defends Hedong City like an iron barrel...

Faced with the defense of the famous general Qu Tutong, Li Yuan was indeed helpless in addition to besieging most of his troops to Hedong City. More importantly, he could not afford to delay time. He had received news that Yang Xuangan sent 30,000 troops to station Pujin Pass on the Yellow River, and Luoyang was also dispatching troops to support Hedong City. Liu Wuzhou began to attack Taiyuan, worrying internally and externally, causing Li Yuan to face a prisoner situation surrounded by enemies.

In the big tent, Li Yuan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his eyebrows locked in the word "one". He walked to the door of the tent and couldn't help but look outside the tent. The Hedong City in the distance was clearly visible, which made him sigh.

The tall and strong city of Hedong is famous in the Central Plains. Yang Liang's army was unable to capture the city at that time, so he had to pretend to be a woman and go to the city to seize the city. However, Qu Tutong obviously would not give him any chance.

'what to do?'

Li Yuan was extremely anxious, but had no choice but to do anything. At this time, the sound of running outside the tent came, and then his personal soldiers reported outside the tent, "Report to Duke Tang, Duke Longxi has urgent matters to ask for a meeting!"

The eldest son of Longxi Duke Li Jiancheng, Li Yuan nodded, "Come in!"

After a moment, Li Jiancheng walked in quickly, and there was someone following behind him, Sima Dugu Huaien, under Li Jiancheng's tent.

"Father, Huai'en has important things to report to his father."

Li Yuan glanced at Dugu Huaien and forced a smile and said, "Is there anything wrong?"

Dugu Huaien smiled slightly, "Come to take over Hedong County."

Li Yuan was excited and asked quickly: "Is there any way?"

Dugu Huaien took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Li Yuan, "This is the letter from my head of the family, and Mr. Tang can tell at a glance."

It turned out to be a letter written by Dugu Zhen. Li Yuan was puzzled. He took the letter and read it. His eyes slowly lit up and he said happily: "But it is true?"

Dugu Huaien nodded. "There is absolutely no problem. The Dugu family will be loyal. As long as I can enter the city, I will take over Hedong City within three days."

"good!"

Li Yuan immediately had a plan in his heart and ordered: "Order Liu Hongji to lead an army of 10,000 to cross the river to attack Pujin Pass, and the rest of the army followed me south to attack Tongguan."

Li Yuan divided his troops into two groups, leaving only a small number of troops to Liu Hongji. He personally led the army to withdraw the siege of Hedong City and went south to attack Tongguan.

Hedong City was besieged for half a month. The people were trapped and soldiers were scarce. Qu Tutong confirmed that the besieged army had left, so he opened the northern city. He sent some merchants out of the city and ordered the right deputy general Yao Junsu to go to Yuxiang County to escort grain. In order to replenish the source of troops↑ Tutong sent people to recruit young and strong people nearby to the city. Dugu Huaien pretended to be a young and strong peasant, and was recruited into the city. He took a pair of soldiers and became a defender.

At night, Dugu Huaien came to the camp of Sang Xianhe, the left deputy general of Qu Tutong. He said to his personal soldiers: "Report to General Sang quickly and say that people from Dugu's family are coming."

After a moment, Sang Xianhe ran out. He recognized Dugu Huaien at a glance, "Is it General Huaien? Why is this dress?"

Without waiting for Dugu Huaien to explain, he pulled Dugu Huaien and said, "Go to the account!"

Sang Xianhe is over 40 years old and is an old general. His father and uncle are both generals of Dugu Xin. After his father was killed, Sang Xianhe grew up from the Dugu family to pay grain and rice on a monthly basis. Later, relying on the Dugu family's relationship, he entered the palace as a guard and gradually rose to his current position.

Dugu Huaien took out the letter from the head of the family and handed it to him. Xianhe read it and nodded. "Since the main family leader surrendered to Duke Tang, I should obey my orders. In fact, the generals under Qu Tutong all have their own thoughts. The people who are truly loyal to the Sui Dynasty are just Qu Tutong and Yao Junsu. Yao Junsu happened to go to Yuxiang County to escort grain. If you want to break the city, it will be tonight."

Dugu Huaien was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Actually, the army of Duke Tang did not go far. General Sang should send someone to inform Duke Tang."

As soon as he finished speaking, the personal soldiers outside the tent reported, "General Sang, General Qu Tu asked General Sang to go over and discuss military information, and the general was on the city tower."

Sang Xianhe nodded, "Waien sat down for a moment, I'll come when I go."

Sang Xianhe quickly left the camp, headed towards the city, and went up to the city. He saw Qu Tutong standing at the city, staring at the direction of the Yellow River. The east city of Hedong is only ten miles away from the Yellow River. The crossing bridge has been demolished by Yang Xuangan's army on the other side. If it was daytime, you could see the Yellow River Ferry, but now it is night, the night is dark, there are no stars and moons, and it is pitch black outside the city.

"See the Grand Marshal!" Sang Xianhe stepped forward and bowed.

Qu Tutong nodded and pointed to the direction of the Yellow River, saying, "When I got the scout just now, Li Yuan's 10,000 troops were laying a floating bridge by the Yellow River. I was thinking, this might be a fighter."

Sang Xianhe smiled bitterly and said, "Master General, Yang Xuangan is also a rebel on the other side. So I just let Li Yuan's army enter Guanzhong and let them kill each other. Wouldn't that be better?"

Qu Tutong sighed slightly and said, "Yang Xuangan is just a mountain pheasant. After a few long feathers, he thought he was a phoenix. He should not be afraid of Guanzhong. I will be able to capture him sooner or later, but Li Yuan is a dragon among people. If he gets Guanzhong, he will enter the sea like a dragon. He will never let him enter Guanzhong."

Qu Tutong turned around and said to Sang Xianhe: "I want you to lead your troops to attack Li Yuan's army that paved the floating bridge at night. Are you willing to accept the order?"

Qu Tutong came from Jiangdu, while Sang Xian and the King of Yue were sent by Luoyang. The two were not in the same faction, so Qu Tutong was quite polite to Sang Xian and his words.

Sang Xianhe frowned, "The commander has orders, I should obey, but I am not good at night fighting, and the soldiers are tired. I will attack Li Yuan's army at night, I am afraid that I will miss the commander."

Qu Tutong knew that he refused and was extremely dissatisfied, so he said, "Then you defend the city and I will attack Li Yuan's army at night."

Sang Xianhe was overjoyed and quickly gave a deep bow, "I must stick to the city and wait for the Grandmaster to return with a triumphant return."

Sang Xianhe, who was not Qu Tutong, had any unfavorable intentions. He guarded the city with him for half a month and worked very hard to defend the city. If he wanted to surrender to Li Yuan, he would have surrendered long ago. Qu Tutong knew that he was just a mediocre person. Without the ability to attack in Ye Zhan, he no longer forced him. He personally ordered three thousand cavalrymen and opened the city gate and ran towards the Yellow River. As soon as Qu Tutong left, Sang Xianhe ordered coldly: "Close the city gate, and all the generals came to my tent to discuss matters!"

Qu Tutong led his army to run all the way, and he was the best at sneak attacks and night battles. He touched Li Yuan's tent and did not rush to attack, but observed the movement. At this moment, a scout rushed to report: "Master, I found that the brigade was coming here from the south, and there were tens of thousands of people."

As soon as he finished speaking, a buzzer sounded at the other camp, and suddenly a random arrow was fired. Hundreds of cavalry were caught off guard and were shot to the ground. Qu Tutong was shocked. The other party built a floating bridge in the Yellow River to lure the enemy. He was fooled, and Qu Tutong immediately called an order and retreated back to the city quickly.

Three thousand cavalry turned around and ran towards Hedong City. Soon, the army rushed back to the city, and Qu Tutong shouted: "I am Qu Tutong, open the door quickly on the city!"

Sang Xianhe appeared on the top of the city wall and sneered: "General Qu Tu, the Sui Dynasty is out of the blue. I discussed with the soldiers and unanimously decided to surrender to Duke Tang. Those who know the current affairs will be heroes. I advise you to surrender too!"

Qu Tu was so angry that he almost fell from his horse. He pointed at the city wall and cursed: "Sang Xianhe, I will cut you into pieces in the future!"

Sang Xianhe waved his hand and said, "Shoot the arrow!"

The arrows on the city were raining, and Qu Tutong's cavalry were killed and injured. At this time, the pursuers in the south had arrived, and tens of thousands of troops were intercepted in the north. The two armies attacked each other. Qu Tutong was outnumbered and the army was defeated. He only led more than a hundred personal soldiers to break out of the encirclement and fled northward.

As the sky gradually became brighter, Qu Tutong had no choice but to go to Yuxiang County to find Yao Junsu. Yao Junsu still had 3,000 people under him, and they could join forces and retreat to Hanoi County.

Qu Tutong led more than a hundred people to a small hill. There was a town called Jiang Gongji three miles away, where you could find food there. At this moment, there was a loud drum sound on the hill, and an army rushed down from the mountain, and an army broke out from the front and back of the mountain. There were tens of thousands of people, surrounding Qu Tutong's more than a hundred people.

Qu Tutong pulled out his knife and shouted: "A real man will die on the battlefield and serve the court!"

The personal soldiers drew their swords and followed Qu Tutong to rush. Li Yuan looked at them on the top of the mountain and ordered: "Don't kill them, you must catch them alive!"

He and Qu Tutong have an old friendship and have always admired this person very much. Moreover, this person is a famous general in Guanzhong. If he wins him, he will win a 100,000 army.

Li Yuan's army surrounded Qu Tutong, who killed hundreds of people and was covered in blood. Finally, the war horse was shot down and was wiped out with exhaustion.

Li Yuan urged him to come forward and smiled, "Duke Qu Tu, when will you wait until you do not surrender?"

Qu Tutong had lost his fighting spirit in his heart, and he sighed, "I am not as good as Zhang Xutuo!"

He knelt down on one knee and said with tears in his eyes: "Qu Tutong is willing to serve Duke Tang!"

Li Yuan was overjoyed and personally helped him up, took off his battle robe and put it on him, saying to others: "I have to be Qu Tu, better than a hundred thousand army!"

Li Yuan then ordered Qu Tutong to be the left chief of Li Shimin's tent and assist Li Shimin in seizing Guanzhong. Yao Junsu, the deputy general who was escorting grain in Yuxiang County, heard that Hedong City was lost, Qu Tutong surrendered to Li Yuan. He knew that Yuxiang County was dilapidated and low, and could not stop Li Yuan's army, so he gave up the county and led 2,000 troops to flee to Henei County.

Chang'an, Yang Xuangan had been insomnia for three consecutive days. The news that Li Yuan's army went south to capture Guanzhong brought great pressure to him, which made him feel irritable and had a particularly hot temper. The guards made a little mistake and ordered a heavy stick, which scared everyone around him so much that no one dared to persuade him.

Yang Xuangan's concerns were justified. He had been seizing Guanzhong for almost half a year, but none of the major clans of Guanlong came to surrender him. For this reason, he found an excuse to confiscate the family of Zhao Gui, one of the Eight Pillars Kingdoms, in an attempt to kill the chicken to scare the monkey. Unexpectedly, the Guanlong family not only ignored him, but the army under his command had more than 10,000 rebelled, claiming that the Zhao Gui family took revenge, killed Yang Zhi, the clan nephew who he sent to guard Chencang County, and surrendered to Dou Kang, which made Yang Xuangan very angry, but he had no choice but to dare to touch the Guanlong family again.

That night, Yang Xuangan was considering military deployment in the room. A personal soldier outside the door reported: "Duke Chu, Mr. Xie has something to ask for an important matter!"

To be continued...

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Chapter completed!