Li Mi became anxious when he heard that Zhai Rang said he was going back to Wagang Village.

"Zhai Gong, you can't go back."

Zhai Rang stood up and raised his voice: "If you don't go back, why don't we stay here and drink the northwest wind?"

"Don't be angry, Mr. Zhai. Listen to me first."

Li Mi comforted Zhai Rang and pulled him to sit down again: "Mr. Zhai, I came here just to tell you about my plan."

Zhai Rang felt very aggrieved these days. After the defeat, food and grass were in short supply. So many people did not have enough to eat and sleep well, and were about to starve to death in a foreign land. He was under great pressure.

He himself could not think of any good plan. Now that Li Mi said he had a plan, of course he wanted to hear it, so he got off the donkey along the slope and sat down.

"Mr. Zhai, since we have come out, we must not go back empty-handed."

It is of course the best to come home with a full load.

"Xingyang is currently guarded by Zhang Xutuo. We have just suffered a defeat in Xingyang and have insufficient troops to attack Xingyang.

"But we are very close to Hulao Pass now, so we can take Hulao Pass first and advance to Luokou.

"After attacking Luokou, he captured the eastern capital, conquered the Sui Dynasty, and commanded all directions."

Li Mi spoke with great passion, but Zhai Rang made a mockery: "Are you the Eastern Capital or the former Eastern Capital? You can conquer it if you say it can be conquered?

"Now that Yang Guang has returned from Jiangdu, Dongdu has no less than a million troops. Can we capture Dongdu with just a few thousand troops?

"Were you beaten stupid by Li Yuan?"

When Li Yuan was mentioned, Li Mi's face suddenly darkened. The battle at Dahai Temple was his shame.

The hands at his side clenched and unclenched, Li Mi gritted his teeth, suppressed the anger in his heart, and explained to Zhai Rang: "Don't be impatient, Mr. Zhai, just listen to what I have to say first.

"Although we currently have insufficient troops, the name of Wagang Village has not fallen, and there are still heroes from all over the country who come here to admire it.

"As long as we occupy Luokou Cang, the largest granary in the country, and when the Wagang Army calls on the heroes of the world to use the granary, the uprising leaders from all walks of life will definitely respond to Zhai Gong.

"Then Duke Zhai can establish himself as emperor, march into Luoyang, and pacify the Central Plains."

This is said with great pride, and the future is bright, but...

Zhai Rang was about to make a move: "We just can't take Luokou."

"Don't worry, Duke Zhai. I have already thought of a countermeasure. I can capture Hulao Pass without spending a single soldier. With the soldiers and horses at Hulao Pass, if we attack Luokou, we will be sure of victory."

Zhai Rang looked at him suspiciously and thought that since there was no other way at the moment, he would just trust him one last time.

"Okay, if you can really take Hulao Pass without spending a single soldier, I will believe you."

...

Hulao Pass.

Pei Renji, who was the ambassador of Henan Province at the time, was drinking in his room because he had just received the news that he had been impeached.

At this time, the servant reported outside the door: "Ambassador, Pu Shanggong Li Mi wants to see you."

Li Mi?

What is he here to do?

"Take him to the side hall, I'll be back later."

"Here."

Pei Renji put down the wine bottle, straightened his clothes a little, and strode out of the room.

Seeing Pei Renji come in, Li Yuan stood up and bowed: "I have met Mr. Pei."

Speaking of which, Li Mi has a title, and his official position was far above him, but now he is bowing to him, which seems to have changed the situation.

Pei Renji couldn't help but feel proud, and looked at Li Mi arrogantly: "Pu Shanggong is now a bandit, and he still dares to come to see me alone. He is really as brave as before.

"Aren't you afraid that I will arrest you and hand you over to the court?"

Li Mi's expression remained unchanged and he smiled: "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come alone."

That's true. Pei Renji sat down and asked casually: "What's the matter with Mr. Pu's visit late at night?"

There was a smell of alcohol in the air. Li Mi looked Pei Renji up and down, and saw that his brows were furrowed and his eyebrows were very dark. He felt more confident, "I came here today to discuss important matters with Mr. Pei. Please invite Mr. Pei."

Screen back left and right."

Pei Renji thought that the surrounding area was heavily guarded and Li Mi did not dare to do anything to him, so he motioned to the servants to step back.

"You can say it now."

Li Mi sat down opposite Pei Renji and whispered: "Pei Gong was brave and loyal, and made great contributions to the Sui court. However, the Sui court did not trust Pei Gong and sent you to guard Hulao Pass, and also sent another censor.

Xiao Huaijing came to supervise the army.

"With Xiao Huaijing here, whatever Duke Pei wants to do will be restricted by him."

Li Mi sighed with regret: "Oh, it's a waste of Duke Pei's loyalty, but the court treats you like this. I really feel that it's not worth it for Duke Pei."

Pei Renji drank some wine, and his cheeks were slightly red. At this time, Li Mi told the central issue, and the suppressed anger and humiliation suddenly came to light, and his face turned red: "Stop talking nonsense, do you want to cooperate with me?

"

"Pei Gong is wise."

Li Mi didn't waste any words and said directly: "Pei Gong is a hero in this world, he really shouldn't live such a miserable life. As long as you get rid of Xiao Huaijing, Hulao City will be yours."

"If Duke Pei is willing to surrender and help me capture Luokou, you will be the Duke of Shangzhu Kingdom and Hedong County in the future."

Pei Renji was shocked in his heart, Li Mi was ambitious enough, but he was also brave and resourceful. At this time, he was in a dilemma, so he might as well look for another life.

"What Pushangong said is too important. I need to consider it carefully before giving you an answer."

Hearing these words, it was basically a foregone conclusion, and Li Mi readily agreed: "This is natural, then I will just wait for the good news."

...

After Li Mi left, Pei Renji summoned Jia Runfu to discuss the matter.

"What do you think about this?"

Jia Runfu thought for a while and said: "Now that the war is going on in the world, the soldiers are already in a difficult situation. Now that they are not rewarded for their meritorious service, they will inevitably feel aggrieved.

"Pei Gong is very righteous. The military supplies obtained in each battle will be distributed to the soldiers, so they follow you wholeheartedly.

"Now that Xiao Yushi is obstructing us, the soldiers are resentful. If things go on like this, a mutiny will definitely happen.

"I know that Mr. Pei has been worried about Xiao Yushi's impeachment of you recently. I heard that he has collected a lot of evidence, which may be very detrimental to you."

Pei Renji sighed: "I know, but what can I do? After all, Xiao Yushi is a supervisor sent by the imperial court..."

Jia Runfu's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he raised his hand to wipe his neck: "Xiao Huaijing doesn't know how to adapt to changes. He is like a bird in a cage, unable to escape your knife."

...

The next day, Wang Bodang accompanied Li Mi and stood on the hillside, overlooking Hulao Pass.

"Will Pei Renji really betray the imperial court?" Wang Bodang was very doubtful.

Li Mi raised the corner of his mouth, with a dazzling light shining in his eyes: "I never fight an uncertain battle."

When Wang Bodang heard this, he remembered his previous battle with Li Yuan and subconsciously wanted to refute, but seeing Li Mi's confident look, he couldn't bear to attack him and swallowed his words again.

Half an hour later, Fang Yanzao ran over and said excitedly to Li Mi: "Pei Renji sent his son to deliver Xiao Huaijing's head and surrender Hulao City to us."

Li Mi's smile gradually widened until it reached his eyes. He raised his eyebrows at Wang Bodang and said, "Let's go, it's time to set off."

That night, Li Mi and Zhai Rang led their troops through Hulao Pass and headed straight for Luokou.
Chapter completed!