In Jiangdu Palace, Yang Guang, who had just finished watching Yang Yichen's performance, was so angry that his face was severely distorted. Yu Shiji and Yu Wenshu bowed their heads and listened, not even daring to speak loudly. They secretly lamented in their hearts that Gao Changqing was so lucky that he could not even open his mouth.

Xu Tuo and Yang Yichen worked together but failed to capture him.

It took Yang Guang a long time to regain his composure, closed Yang Yichen's memorial, and said calmly: "Yang Yichen is really old, and it's time to go back to his hometown to live in peace. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Shiji immediately echoed: "Yang Yichen is so old that he can hardly walk. He still has the energy to lead troops to fight. It's time to go home and enjoy the blessings of his children and grandchildren for a few years."

In fact, Yang Guang was originally undecided about capturing Gao Bufan. He only made up his mind after being encouraged by Yu Wenshu and Yu Shiji. As a result, the capture failed now, which undoubtedly forced Gao Bufan to rebel. From then on, Youzhou will

broke away from the rule of the Sui Dynasty.

Yu Shiji, the instigator, was afraid that Yang Guang would regret it and hold him accountable, so he was naturally eager to shift the responsibility to Yang Yichen, while Yu Wenshu was much calmer, because he knew that with the emperor's willful character, it was impossible to regret, and even if he regretted, he would not admit his mistakes.

They will only blame the person who failed in the mission, and Yang Yichen was the one who took the blame.

"It is my decree to remove Yang Yichen from his position as the leader of the army, but in view of his contribution in annihilating Gao Shida, I will allow him to serve as Dr. Zuo Guanglu." Yang Guang said calmly.

Yu Wenshu and Yu Shiji said quickly: "Your Majesty is wise."

Yang Guang glanced at the two men, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. After all, it was these two people who had the idea to capture Gao Changqing. Now that the capture failed, he not only lost a good general, but also gained an enemy. If he had been so powerful in the first place,

If you are a little more cautious, you may be able to avoid this unfavorable situation. You are just a woman. What's the big deal? As long as Gao Changqing still obeys my orders on the surface, what does it matter?

But the matter has come to this point and is irreversible. Even if Yang Guang is embarrassed to "apologize" to Gao Bufan or even make corresponding amends, Gao Bufan will definitely not accept it.

Yu Wenshu and Yu Shiji were both old foxes. They noticed the dissatisfaction in Yang Guang's eyes and felt a little uneasy in their hearts. The former quickly picked up something nice to say: "Master Wang (Shi Chong) has defeated the Yan thief Ge Qian one after another recently. He must be here soon."

It can be completely wiped out."

When Yang Guang heard this, he became happy and said with a smile: "Wang Aiqing is really a rare general. I am very confident about him."

Yu Shiji, a sycophant, immediately gave in to his favor and said: "Master Wang first annihilated Liu Yuanjin and then defeated Meng Rang. The annihilation of the Yan thief Ge Qian is just around the corner. In the future, he will definitely become the second Zhang Xutuo. He is truly the pillar of our Sui Dynasty."

You are my minister!"

Yang Guang's mood improved a little, and he nodded and said: "I heard that the Wagang bandits are very powerful now. They have captured Jindi Pass and Luokou Cang, and gathered nearly a million bandits."

Yu Shiji immediately said disapprovingly: "Although the Wagang thieves seem to have a large number of people, they are just a mob. If General Zhang takes action, only 20,000 elite soldiers can wipe them out."

Yang Guang said happily after hearing this: "General Zhang currently has to deal with Gao Changqing, a rebellious minister, and he can't spare any time. How about Yuwen Aiqing personally leading 20,000 elite troops to attack the Wagang bandits?"

Yu Wenshu was so frightened that he almost trembled, and Yu Shiji quickly shut his mouth to avoid being called out by Yang Guang.

Yuwenshu was originally a veteran who had experienced hundreds of battles, but as the saying goes, the older he gets, the more timid he becomes, and the older he gets, the more afraid of death he becomes. Yuwenshu is now nearly seventy years old, not much younger than Yang Yichen, and has long been lost.

to conquer the sand

The courage and ambition of the field, not to mention that the Wagang army is now full of morale and is known as a million-strong army. How dare he lead the army to crusade, so he quickly refused: "I am old and may not be able to hold a big position. The emperor should choose another one."

Be virtuous."

Yang Guang couldn't help but look gloomy, feeling extremely unhappy in his heart, and said calmly: "It turns out that General Yuwen is also old, and time is not forgiving. Then go home and rest, and you don't have to accompany him again in the future."

Yu Wenshu really shivered this time, and his heart felt cold. He kowtowed his head tremblingly and said: "Old minister, please retire. The weather is getting hot. Your Majesty, please remember to take care of your dragon body!"

Wiped the corners of his eyes.

"Go!" Yang Guang waved his hand impatiently.

Yu Wenshu felt bitter in his heart, and stood up tremblingly and walked out of the palace. As a result, Yang Guang didn't say anything to persuade him to stay even after he walked out of the palace gate. He suddenly became desperate and left Jiangdu Palace dejectedly.

Power is like a strong poison that can make people addicted. Some people cannot let it go until they enter the coffin. Yu Wenshu is obviously one of them. Although he is nearly seventy years old, he is still very passionate about power. Now he is released by Yang Guang

Sitting on the bench at home, it felt like mourning a filial heir. When he returned home, he became sick with grief and anger. He fell ill, and he was so ill that he was about to lay down all the dishes and wait for the food to be served.

…………

In the midsummer of May, the scorching sun was scorching the earth. In the military camp of Hejian County, Yang Yichen received Yang Guang's imperial edict. He was relieved, but also a little disappointed. The emperor finally dismissed him.

Zhang Xutuo held a banquet to see Yang Yichen off. All the soldiers came and toasted to the outgoing veteran, but they had different moods.

After the banquet, Zhang Xutuo personally sent Yang Yichen ten miles away from the camp. The latter was wearing a gray cloth gown and carrying a bundle on his back. He was accompanied by only two old servants, no doubt like an ordinary old country man.

"Seeing you off a thousand miles away is a farewell. General Zhang, please stay." Yang Yichen said with a smile.

Zhang Xutuo stopped his horse, cupped his hands and said, "I wish Mr. Yang a safe journey."

Yang Yichen just nodded, rode on his horse, and soon disappeared behind the lush trees, feeling indescribably free and easy.

"Seventy years of life are rare. It's not too late to return home and farm. After dusk, I pick chrysanthemums on the east fence. I have a big dream and hear the crow of roosters..."

The leisurely singing sound came from afar, and Zhang Xutuo actually felt a sense of envy in his heart. He was about to reach sixty, when could he put down everything and return to his fields, enjoying the leisure time of entertaining his grandchildren?

A strong wind blew in front of him, and Zhang Xutuo suddenly woke up and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. It seemed that after many years of fighting, not only the soldiers under his command had become war-weary, but even his own general had become slack. This was very inappropriate.

It’s also very disadvantageous!

Zhang Xutuo turned his head and looked around, and found that the soldiers around him were also listening attentively. Some even looked longingly, and couldn't help but frowned and said: "Go back to the camp!" After saying that, he turned around and rode off.

At this time, a soldier asked weakly: "General Zhang, are we going to attack Youzhou next?"

Zhang Xutuo asked, "Are you scared?"

The soldier's face couldn't help but turn red, as if he had been greatly insulted, and he said excitedly: "My subordinate Daye started to fight with the general in the seventh year. So far, there have been six winters and summers, and he has experienced hundreds of battles, large and small.

There are countless wounds on my body, and I never know how to write the word "fear".

If General Zhang wants to attack Youzhou, he only needs to give an order, and his subordinates will definitely not even frown. They will grab the weapons and go. However, his subordinates have a wish. They want to go home before attacking Youzhou. They have already

I haven't been back for many years. Last year, my father passed away due to serious illness, and this year my mother passed away as well, leaving only my mother-in-law and four newborn children at home.

My subordinate was unfilial and failed to die for his parents. I hope General Zhang can grant his two months' leave, go home, burn incense in front of his parents' graves, settle down his wife and children, and even if he dies in battle, he will have no regrets!" said

Wan Jing hugged her head and cried.

Zhang Xutuo touched the soldier's cheek kindly and held him in his arms. After a long time, he raised his eyes full of sorrow, glanced at the soldiers present one by one, and asked: "Do you all want to go back?"

Home?"

All the soldiers lowered their heads and were silent!

Zhang Xutuo looked at the dark cloud floating in the sky, sighed and said: "Since everyone wants to go home, let's go home. We won't fight in Youzhou anymore. Let's go home and see our parents, wives and children.

"

All the soldiers were overjoyed when they heard this. They knelt all over the ground, wept with joy, and shouted loudly: "Thank you, General Zhang, for your consideration. General Zhang is our reborn parent."

Zhang Xutuo knelt on the ground and said with tears streaming down his face: "I, Zhang Xutuo, owe you all. Please, brothers, please accept Zhang Xutuo's three bows." After saying this, he solemnly bowed three times.

All the soldiers were moved to tears and kowtowed in return. At this time, even if General Zhang asked them to die, they would die willingly!

Chi la...

A flash of pale lightning flashed, and dark clouds rolled in. The sky turned dark and the ground poured heavily.

…

The left-behind mansion in Ji County, Zhuo County, has now been officially renamed the Youzhou General Manager's Office. Gao Bufan took the post of Youzhou General Manager and officially broke away from the rule of the Sui Dynasty. He no longer obeyed the orders of Sui Emperor Yang Guang, nor did he

Then pay taxes to the court.

After a sudden thunderstorm, the sky was as clear as blue and the sun was still as bright as fire. A fast horse stopped in front of the governor's house. The messenger dismounted and ran towards the house covered in sweat.

"I would like to inform you, Mr. General Manager, that Yang Yichen has been dismissed and Zhang Xutuo has also withdrawn his troops." The messenger rushed into the lobby and immediately reported loudly.

Wei Zheng, Du Ruhui, Wen Yanbo, Cui Jiuling and others all stood up in surprise.

Gao Bufan quickly asked: "Is the news true?"

The messenger said with great certainty: "What Military Advisor Xu has verified is absolutely true, and Zhang Xutuo's troops have now crossed Jiaohe and left the territory of Hejian County. Military Advisor Xu also sent people to follow them all the way and found Zhang Xutuo's men."

The troops continued to move south after entering Pingyuan County, and they are probably going back to Qi County."

Du Ruhui stroked his palm and smiled and said: "Zhang Xutuo's soldiers are all from Qijun. They have been fighting abroad all year round, so they are inevitably homesick. In addition, the Bafeng camp suffered a setback under Xu Junshuai, and its morale is low. It is time to return to Qijun to rest.

It’s been a while.”

Wen Yanbo nodded and said: "Brother Keming's analysis is reasonable, but Yang Guang actually dismissed Yang Yichen. It was really a mistake."
Chapter completed!