Li Xiaogong's army was caught up by two Sui troops in Taolin Town, about twenty miles southwest of Shan County. The Tang army was forced to fight, but was outnumbered and defeated. More than 5,000 people were wiped out. Li Xiaogong led the remaining troops to continue to evacuate south. At this time, Hongnong County had been occupied by Qin Qiong and 10,000 troops. Li Xiaogong had no choice but to bypass Hongnong County and lead his army to retreat deep into Hongnong County. At the same time, he urgently sent people to ask Li Yuanji of Tongguan for help.

In Tongguan, Zhao Cijing ran all the way and rushed to the city anxiously. Li Yuanji stood at the city gate, staring at the steep and undulating mountains and rivers in the distance and the vaguely visible more than 20 miles away. In the distance, the Yellow River was like a jade belt, flowing from the north, and turned east here. A winding and long path stretched from the distance and stretched to Tongguan. This is the only land pass entering Guanzhong.

"Your Highness!"

Zhao Cijing ran over panting and said anxiously: "Prince Li asked for help urgently, why didn't he go to rescue them?"

Li Yuanji turned his head and looked at Zhao Cijing, his eyes full of sarcasm, "Does Zhao Changshi think I will save him?"

Zhao Cijing was stunned for a moment. He suddenly remembered the Huang Junhan incident and said in his heart that he was angry and anxious: "Your Highness, that matter is just a private matter, but now it is a national matter that concerns the country. You cannot ruin the lives of tens of thousands of Tang soldiers just because of your own private matter."

"Shut up!"

Li Yuanji was so angry that he scolded him angrily: "I am the head coach of Tongguan. It is my job to defend Tongguan. Now Yang Yuanqing is stationed in Qixiang County. Li Xiaogong's helper was not stopped. This is why Yang Yuanqing deliberately let him come and lure us to rescue him. If I am defeated Qixiang and Tongguan is lost, can you bear this responsibility?"

"this....."

Zhao Cijing was speechless for a moment, but he knew that Li Yuanji was just an excuse for the Sui army to station troops in Yuxiang County, but in fact, Li Yuanji hated Li Xiaogong and was unwilling to save him.

"But Your Highness will not rescue him and has no intention of rescue. How can you explain to the Lord?"

Li Yuanji looked at him in a gloomy manner and sneered. "Since that's the case, I will give you five thousand troops and order you to rescue Li Xiaogong and make a gesture!"

"I'll go and save me?" Zhao Cijing opened his mouth wide.

"Yes! I will order you to rescue in the name of the head coach of Tongguan. Do you dare to disobey my military orders?" Li Yuanji said coldly.

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Half an hour later, Zhao Cijing, who was helpless, led 5,000 troops toward the direction of Yuxiang County. However, he thought in his heart that once he encountered a blockade of the Sui army, he would immediately withdraw to Tongguan. Although he hoped that Li Yuanji would rescue Li Xiaogong, the premise was that he would stay in Tongguan to defend the city.

Zhao Cijing was cautious all the way and led his army to the east. After about an hour, the army gradually approached Qixiang County. Zhao Cijing was even more careful. He sent someone to inquire about the news. After a moment, the soldiers came back and reported an amazing information to him.

"Reported to the Chief Secretary, the county town of Yuxiang is an empty city, and there is not a Sui army."

Zhao Cijing was stunned for a moment, how could it be? Didn’t there be reports that a large number of Sui army crossed the river from here?

The soldiers reported again: "I heard from the people in the county that the Sui army was going to participate in the encirclement of Prince Li's army, so they gave up the county town of Yuxiang."

Zhao Cijing thought for a while, no matter what, he would first occupy the county town. He immediately ordered: "Go forward at full speed and occupy the county town!"

The team rushed towards the county town at a faster pace. At this time, a few miles south of the Tang army, Yang Yuanqing led 20,000 troops to ambush in a forest. Yang Yuanqing also stared at the county town of Yuxiang. The empty county town was a bait he put down, waiting for the army in Tongguan to be lured to take the bait.

At this time, a scout rode a horse, turned over and dismounted, and reported to Yang Yuanqing: "Reported to the general manager, five thousand enemy troops are running towards the county town of Yuxiang, and they are almost here."

‘Only five thousand people!’

Yang Yuanqing felt a little disappointed. He thought it was at least 10,000 reinforcements. It seemed that Li Yuanji was indeed a ruthless person. Regardless of Li Xiaogong's life or death, he had already obtained the whole story of the incident from Huang Junhan. Li Xiaogong impeached Li Yuanji and attracted the censor's supervision. But Li Yuanji refused to admit it. There was already a deep hatred between Li Xiaogong and Li Yuanji.

In fact, Tongguan is dangerous. One man is the pass, and ten thousand men cannot open it. Only five thousand troops can hold Tongguan firmly. There is no need for 30,000 people to guard it. It only means that today is Li Yuanji's revenge on Li Xiaogong and he refused to send the main force to help. A crack appeared within the Li family.

"Send troops and cut off the enemy's retreat!"

At the order of Yang Yuanqing, 20,000 Sui troops launched and rushed to Tongguan Road several miles away.

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Zhao Cijing led 5,000 troops to run all the way. When he was two miles away from the county town of Yuxiang, a cold river breeze blew towards him. Zhao Cijing suddenly realized that it was wrong! Even if the Sui army participated in the encirclement and suppression of Li Xiaogong's army, there would be no soldier in the county town. There would definitely be a small number of troops guarding the county town. How could the Sui army give up such an important county town? This must be bait.

"The whole army stopped advancing!"

Zhao Cijing was puzzled and nervous, and ordered a soldier to investigate. After a moment, the soldier rushed back to report, "Changshi, the county town of Yuxiang has been closed again, and more than a thousand Sui soldiers appeared on the top of the city."

"Not good! The entire army retreated back to Tongguan quickly."

Zhao Cijing realized that he had been fooled. This was the enemy's temptation plan. The enemy wanted to cut off his retreat. Zhao Cijing was anxious and led his army to evacuate to Tongguan. However, after walking less than two miles, a clatter suddenly came from both sides of the mountain road. Suddenly, thousands of arrows were fired at once, and dense arrows shot out from the mountains and forests on both sides. Five thousand Tang troops were caught off guard and were shot overturned by the shooting. The screams were heard.

Zhao Cijing was so shocked that he drew out his sword and shouted, "Break out of the encirclement and rush out!"

The shouts of killing on both sides of the mountain road were shocked by the sky, and the roads in front and behind were blocked by the Sui army. The arrows in the middle were like rain. The Tang army was forced to the narrow mountain road, advancing and retreating, with heavy casualties. Countless huge fireballs rolled down from the rocks on both sides and rolled into the crowd. The Tang soldiers had nowhere to hide, and were burned to scream and screaming.

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The ambushed Zhao Cijing's army was only more than ten miles away from Tongguan. Although it was not visible from Tongguan, the scouts of Tongguan urgently reported the information to King Li Yuanji, the Qi King.

A scout captain knelt down in front of Li Yuanji and begged sadly: "Your Highness, Changshi Zhao was besieged by tens of thousands of Sui troops, with heavy casualties and dangers. I beg your Highness to go for emergency rescue!"

Li Yuanji had no expression on his face. In fact, he had known that this ending would be long ago. Isn’t five thousand people going to rescue Li Xiaogong just a delicious meal delivered to his door? But if he didn’t go to rescue him, he really could not explain to his father. Since Zhao Cijing was eager to save Li Xiaogong, let him be a scapegoat! If he didn’t completely block his mouth, it would be difficult for him to not complain to his father about his evil behavior.

"Li Sima!" the cavalry behind shouted.

Li Jing looked back and recognized the person, which was Yang Yuanqing's personal soldiers. He immediately stopped the war horse. After a moment, several personal soldiers rushed over and took out Yang Yuanqing's gold medal and said, "The general manager has an order. Do not pursue the enemy, let Li Xiaogong return to Chang'an."

Li Jing was stunned, "Why is this?"

The personal soldiers took out another letter and handed it to him, "This is the handwritten letter from the general manager to Sima, and Sima will know it after reading it."

Li Jing took the letter and opened it, and hurriedly looked at it. A knowing smile gradually appeared on his face. If the general manager had a long-term look, he immediately ordered: "The army stops chasing and returns to Hongnong County."

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The Sui army's stop chasing finally allowed Li Xiaogong to escape the disaster. He led less than 3,000 remaining troops to flee south and entered Shangluo County from Wuguan. He met Zhao Cijing's personal soldiers in Shangluo County. Only then did he realize that they were killed by King Li Yuanji of Qi. Li Xiaogong was full of grief and anger and returned to Chang'an from Shangluo County.

The battle for Hongnong County came to an end with the great victory of the two Sui coalition forces. The 30,000 Tang troops led by Li Xiaogong were almost wiped out. This time, the defeat caused Li Yuan's ambition to advance east severely.

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Chapter completed!