Chapter 0025: Cleverly Crossing the Luo River (Part 2)
The Luo River flows out from Guanzhong, passes through Luoyang, and finally flows into the Yellow River. When Li Yu led 400 cavalrymen to the Luo River, many gentry and common people had gathered by the river. Small boats, bamboo rafts and other objects could be seen on the river, connected in pairs, across the Luo River. Each bamboo raft or boat had a boatman holding it to maintain its stability.
"The general is truly a god. In this way, the Luo River becomes a thoroughfare." Han Hao said with a smile when he saw everyone coming, and the surrounding gentry also praised him.
"Thank you so much." Li Yu approached the carriage and whispered, "Your Majesty, we can cross the river now."
"Everyone, I am not feeling well. I apologize for being rude. When I return to the capital, I will report to the emperor and commend you all." Yang Zhiji felt bitter in his heart and could only say it lightly.
"I dare not, I dare not. Your humble servants will see His Majesty off." Zheng Yuanwu felt relieved immediately and a smile appeared on his face.
"Li Gu, escort the prince and the little prince across the river first." Li Yu called Li Gu and quickly asked people to escort Yang Zhiji across the river. If they stayed in this place any longer, it would be dangerous. Who knows if Yuwen Shu would send people to chase them.
"Yes." Li Gu was overjoyed and did not dare to delay. He quickly commanded the army to cross the river.
Li Yu stayed behind, and he bowed to Zheng Yuanwu and said, "Sir Zheng, if the rebels come, I know you will definitely fight hard, but I am worried that the enemy is cunning, and if they disguise themselves as General Yuwen's army, you should be careful."
"General, rest assured. When we get back, I will immediately close the city gates and will not let anyone in. No matter if they are Lord Yuwen's troops or the rebels, they will not pass through Hancheng." Zheng Yuanwu said with a smile. He could not tell who was the rebels and who was the imperial army. The only way was to prevent them from passing through Hancheng. At least, the King of Cai in front of him would not betray the court. It was right to listen to King Cai.
"That's great. That's great." Li Yu was overjoyed. He looked at the cavalry in the distance. Although the army was advancing slowly, they were moving in an orderly manner and would definitely be able to cross the Luo River in half an hour.
"Please give this gold to the people as a reward, as it will be used by King Cai to buy their boats and bamboo rafts." When there were only a hundred people left, Li Yu threw the purse in his hand to Zheng Yuanwu, and then boarded the bamboo raft with the fifty cavalrymen around him.
"Prince Cai is so kind and righteous, Prince Cai is so kind and righteous." Zheng Yuanwu praised the gold in his hand. The gentry beside him also agreed.
"Lord Zheng, goodbye." On the last bamboo raft, Li Yu jumped off his horse and shouted to everyone from afar.
"Farewell to His Royal Highness Prince Cai." Zheng Yuanwu and others saluted and watched as nearly a hundred ships and bamboo rafts moved eastward along the Luo River. They could also vaguely see some cavalrymen on the other side of the Luo River also galloping eastward.
"Lord Han, we can't let down the trust of His Royal Highness King Cai. Let's change the money into copper coins and distribute them to the people!" Zheng Yuanwu said with a smile after testing the weight of the money bag. Of course, the gold would not be given to the people. After changing it into copper coins, Zheng Yuanwu did not consider whether it was worth the money for bamboo rafts and boats. As long as he could make friends with King Cai, it would be fine.
"I'll do it right away." Han Hao said quickly.
"Let's go back, close the city gates tightly, and don't allow anyone to enter or leave." Zheng Yuanwu thought of Li Yu's reminder, and immediately said loudly: "I want to see how the rebels will take my Hancheng." He believed that Yuwen Shu's army had already arrived in Luoyang. Even if there were rebels coming, they would only be a minority. If he could resist the rebels' attack, it would definitely be a great achievement.
"Let's go." Han Hao and others did not dare to delay and followed Zheng Yuanwu towards Hancheng.
On the other side of Luoshui, Li Yu stood on the shore. Yang Zhiji beside him looked at the Luoshui not far away and said calmly: "Li Yu, now that we have crossed the Luoshui River, you have reached a safe area. Shouldn't you let me go? Across the Luoshui River is Yiyang. The governor of Yiyang, Yang Qiu, is from the Hongnong Yang family and is also one of yours. They will definitely let you pass ."
"Your Highness Prince Cai is really leaving?" Li Yu looked at Yang Zhiji with a smile and said, "Since Your Highness Prince Cai has helped us twice, why not help us to the end and escort us out of the Dongdu area?"
"Delusion." Yang Zhiji glared at Li Yu with a gloomy face, flicked his sleeves and said, "Kill me if you have the guts. I will definitely succumb to your tyranny."
"Very good, in that case, Your Majesty, please go in!" Li Yu didn't care. Since they had already crossed the Luo River, Yang Zhiji's role would be much smaller. After passing Yi Yang, the next step would be Yichuan and Ruyang, and then enter the Funiushan Mountains. In fact, Ruyang is the Funiushan area. The terrain of the Funiushan Mountains is complex, and it is difficult for pursuers to find their tracks. Then they would pass Nanyang and enter the Jingxiang area. These places were the weak points of the Sui Dynasty, which meant they had escaped.
"Young Master, are you really going to let him go?" Pang Jue looked at Yang Zhiji's back, feeling somewhat unwilling.
"Don't worry, he will come back. Even if he doesn't come back, he will be killed by the court." Li Yu shook his head. Soon, Yuwen Shu's pursuers will surely catch up, and Hancheng will not be able to resist the pursuers. At that time, everything Yang Zhiji did will be exposed, and Yang Guang will not let Yang Zhiji go.
"Master, should we do this?" Yang Ruoxi rushed over with some concern.
"He is a prince of the imperial court and will not go with us." Li Yu shook his head and said, "I have fulfilled my promise. Haven't I let him go now? If he stays here any longer, he will not help me and may even perish with us. Let's go! Let's go to Yiyang now. Perhaps our pursuers are right behind us."
Li Yu had a strong premonition that Yuwen Shu, who was slapped in the face by him, would not let go of his hundreds of cavalrymen, and the news that Hongnong City was breached and Yang Zhiji was captured would soon reach Yuwen Shu's ears. For these two reasons, Yuwen Shu would also send troops to pursue, and even soon reach Hancheng. If he didn't leave at this time, it would be very difficult to leave later.
It was already night when Yuwen Tianbao arrived at the city of Han. Torches were scattered all over the city walls, illuminating the area near and far. Hundreds of soldiers on the walls, as well as the young and strong men in the city, were patrolling with weapons in hand.
Zheng Yuanwu still kept Li Yu's words in mind.
"General Tianbao has arrived, why don't you open the city gates?" Yuwen Tianbao's personal guards looked at the soldiers on the city wall and shouted. However, what answered him was a rain of arrows, and screams came from the city.
"Haha, just as General Yang expected, the enemy is here." A burst of laughter came from the city wall. Then Zheng Yuanwu appeared on the top of the city wall under the protection of the county magistrate and the county lieutenant. He pointed at Yuwen Tianbao and shouted, "Traitor, do you think I can't recognize you if you disguise yourself as an imperial army? How foolish."
