Original Hedong County, Li Yuan's army has been besieging Hedong City for nearly half a month, with heavy casualties, but Hedong City stands tall, 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 couldn't afford to delay time. He had already received news that Yang Xuangan sent 30,000 troops to station Pu on the Yellow River.
Jinguan and Luoyang were also dispatching troops to support Hedong City, while Liu Wuzhou began to attack Taiyuan, causing internal and external troubles, which put Li Yuan in a state of prisoner who was 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 miles."
"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 businessmen out of the city and ordered his right deputy general Yao Junsu to go to Yuxiang County to escort grain to supplement the food.
The source of the army. Qu Tutong sent people to the nearby area to recruit young and strong men into 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. General En? 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 Dugu Xin's subordinates. After his father was killed, Sang Xianhe was paid by Dugu's family on a monthly basis.
When he grew up with the Dugu family, he later became a guard in the palace and gradually rose to his current position.
Dugu Huaien took out the letter from the head of the family and handed it to him. Sang Xianhe read it and nodded. "Since the main family leader surrendered to Gong Tang, I should obey my orders. In fact, the generals under Qu Tutong all had their own thoughts and truly loyal to the Sui Dynasty.
People are just Qu Tutong and Yao Junsu. Yao Junsu happens 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.
It was daytime, and you could see the Yellow River Ferry, but now it was night time, the night was dark, there were no stars and moons, and it was 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 Xuing lets Li Yuan's army enter Guanzhong and lets them kill each other. Wouldn't it 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 was not afraid of Guanzhong. I can capture him sooner or later, but Li Yuan was a human.
If the dragon is in Guanzhong, it will be like a dragon entering the sea. You must 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."
Qu Tutong was not worried about Sang Xianhe's unfair intentions. He guarded the city with him for half a month and worked 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 and had no night battle.
He no longer forced him to attack, and he personally ordered three thousand cavalrymen, opened the city gate and ran towards the Yellow River. As soon as Qu Tutong left, Sang Xianhe ordered coldly: "Close the city gate, all the generals will come to my account."
Chinese discussion!”
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 was not in a hurry to attack, but observed the movements. At this moment, a scout rushed to report: "Master General."
There were tens of thousands of people coming to this side in the south.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the other party's camp sounded a clapper, and suddenly the arrows were fired at once. Hundreds of cavalry were caught off guard and were overturned to the ground by she. Qu Tutong was shocked. The other party built the Yellow River floating bridge to lure the enemy. He was fooled.
Suddenly, he immediately called an order and quickly returned to the city.
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!"
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, so he only led a hundred.
Yu's personal soldiers broke through the siege 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. You could find food there. At this moment, there was a loud drum sound on the hill and a rushing down from the mountain.
The army rushed out from each other in front of the mountain, with 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. In the end, the war horse was shed 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.
He was short and could not stop Li Yuan's army, so he gave up the county town and led 2,000 troops to flee to Hanoi County.
Chang'an, Yang Xuangan has suffered from insomnia for three consecutive days. The news that Li Yuan's army went south to capture Guanzhong brought great pressure to him, making him irritable and had a particularly hot temper. The guards made a slight mistake and ordered a heavy stick, which scared everyone around him.
He was trembling and no one dared to persuade him.
Yang Xuangan's concerns make sense. He had been seizing Guanzhong for almost half a year, but none of the major clans in Guanlong came to surrender him. For this reason, he found an excuse to confiscate the home of Zhao Gui, one of the Eight Pillars Kingdoms, in an attempt to kill the chicken to warn the monkey.
Unexpectedly, the Guanlong family not only ignored him, but the army under his command had more than 10,000 people rebelled, claiming that the Zhao Gui family took revenge, killed Yang Zhi, the nephew who he sent to guard Chencang County, and surrendered to Dou Kang.
Yang Xuan was furious, but he was helpless and did not 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!"