Chapter 126: Victory is a shame
"You, you, you, what are you talking about?"
Zheng Yuxing and the third prince Xie Ling were both stunned.
Xie Ling was stunned for a moment, and then the enthusiasm for Liu Zheng that had been accumulated on his face suddenly faded a lot. He first glanced at Zheng Yuxing, as if to say, is this guy a fool?
In this situation, you still want to counterattack the Huns?
Facing the Hun army and their extended scimitars, Long Yan's army retreated step by step and suffered heavy losses. Even if they successfully escaped from the encirclement of the Hun army today, they could only linger and wait for reinforcements. It would be difficult to resist the next attack of the Hun army.
Are you still thinking of counterattacking?
Zheng Yuxing also smiled bitterly: "Mr. Liu, you just arrived at Longhu Pass, I don't know the current situation..."
Liu Zheng continued to smile: "General Zheng, if you want to counterattack, you should do it within three days! Today, the Xiongnu army is in chaos. They are different from Longyan's army. It will take at least three days to stabilize their morale. Zheng believes that this is the only chance this year!"
When Xie Ling heard this, he felt disappointed again. He looked at Zheng Yuxing again, and a cold look appeared on his face.
There is no other reason.
Today, Liu Zheng's Yinzhou Army descended from the sky like a divine army. Coupled with the rumors about Liu Zheng, Xie Ling felt that this boy was indeed a talent and could be developed into his subordinate. That's why he openly showed his affection to Liu Zheng, trying to win him over.
But unexpectedly, just after sitting down, Xie Ling couldn't help sneering in his heart when he heard Liu Zheng's words that were "a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger", which could even be classified as "brainless".
Can you accomplish something that so many generals can't do?
Do you really think you are a genius?
When Liu Zheng saw Xie Ling's attitude, he felt relieved. He didn't want to be won over by any of the princes, especially the third prince, who was extremely cunning. In addition, given his status and noble identity, his subordinates had to be ready to sacrifice for him at any time. This was something Liu Zheng could not tolerate.
Therefore, as soon as he came in, he said this. Firstly, there was indeed only a chance of counterattack within three days, and secondly, he did not want to get too close to the third prince.
A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. At this moment, whether it is the crown prince or the third prince, they both fall into the category of dangerous walls.
He left after the war and didn't want to get involved in the throne at all.
Zheng Yuxing said calmly: "Master Liu, although the Yinzhou army is strong, if they want to counterattack the Xiongnu, I'm afraid they don't have any chance at all."
Liu Zheng smiled and said, "General Zheng, rest assured. I am willing to lead the charge. You just need to reorganize the troops and wait and see what happens!"
Seeing Liu Zheng's persistence, Zheng Yuxing didn't like Liu Zheng's big talk, but he also felt that this boy had some courage, which he really admired, so he laughed and said, "Since Master Liu said this, I will reorganize the troops tomorrow, and within three days, the morale of the army will be determined!"
Liu Zheng was overjoyed and stood up with his fists clasped: "General Zheng, thank you for your help!"
After saying this, he made an excuse and left.
The Third Prince Xie Ling had a cold expression on his face and did not leave or stay. After Liu Zheng left, he snorted indifferently: "I really thought you were a talent for managing the world, but today I see that you are just a brat!"
Zheng Yuxing was a commander, and he said what he meant: "This Young Master Liu may not have foresight, but he is indeed unique in training soldiers. Your Highness should not look down on him. After all, no one is perfect, Your Highness..."
Xie Ling was too lazy to listen to this, so he waved his hands and laughed, "Don't talk about this, don't talk about this, hurry up, bring some wine!"
"Uncle, call Yang Ke from the White Cliff Army to come and have a drink together. We have escaped death today, so we should make a name for ourselves!"
Zheng Yuxing sighed inwardly and shook his head.
He knew that although the Third Prince Xie Ling looked approachable on the surface, he was actually very arrogant and stubborn, and would not listen to anyone. He did not try to dissuade him any further.
…
"I'm so mad! I'm so mad!"
Crown Prince Xie Fang returned to his own tent, and Chen Ping and the generals of the Crown Prince's army followed him in silence.
Xie Fang was so angry that he dumped all the wine and meat in the tent onto the ground, his face darkening: "These people insulted me like this, they should be killed, and their entire family should be executed!"
Everyone was speechless.
Chen Ping said calmly: "Your Highness, the Xiongnu soldiers are cunning by nature. It is not your fault."
Xie Fang's expression looked better now. He hummed and sat there. Suddenly he said, "Where did that Yinzhou Liuzhoutong come from? He's really arrogant! I think he's even more powerful than the crown prince like me!"
Chen Ping quickly added fuel to the fire and said, "Your Highness, this Liu Zhoutong is the son of Liu Dahao. This Yinzhou is Liu Dahao's territory. This father and son are arrogant and domineering in Yinzhou and privately changed the laws. They should be killed!"
Xie Fang's expression changed : "Is this true?"
Chen Ping knew that he and the Liu father and son were in an irreconcilable relationship, so he exaggerated the actions of Liu Dahao and Liu Zheng in Yinzhou, saying that they privately changed the laws and taxes, and showed that they did not take Liangzhou Prefecture seriously.
He also talked about the 80,000 troops brought by Liu Zheng this time, saying that the uniforms of the Yinzhou army were all green, which showed that Yinzhou was disrespectful to the imperial court.
They stockpiled food on a large scale and developed their military strength, and their evil intentions were obvious.
The more Xie Fang listened, the angrier he became. He slammed the table and stood up in anger: "How can this be absurd? Do they not take our Longyan Dynasty seriously? I will report this to my father and teach them a lesson!"
Chen Ping deliberately wiped his tears and said, "Your Highness, not only that, Liu Zheng deliberately delayed the rescue today and even showed off his power in front of Your Highness. We must not let them off easily! Your Highness, how about this..."
Xie Fang was so angry that his face turned the color of liver and a sinister look flashed in his eyes.
…
Looking at Liu Zheng, when he returned to his tent, Jiang Xuan, Qin Changfeng, and an unfamiliar white-haired man were already waiting there.
"Young Master, you are back. This is the second in command of the Baiya Army, Yang Ke, the head of the Yang family!"
Jiang Xuan introduced.
Yang Ke also clasped his fists and said with a smile: "If I had never met Liu Zhoutong in my life, who would dare to call myself a hero when I was young! Now that I have met Liu Zhoutong, Yang Ke knows that the rumors are true!"
Liu Zheng's heart trembled, knowing that Yang Ke was a serious military advisor of the Baiya Army, and his status was not comparable to that of Du Biao. It can be said that Yang Ke's contribution to the development of the Baiya Army to the level that even the Liangzhou Prefecture was very afraid of was indelible.
"Thank you for your compliment, Second Master. Come and sit down! Jiang Xuan, make some tea for Yang Ke!"
Yang Ke was not polite and deliberately smiled and said, "Liuzhou, Baiya Army and Yinzhou are as close as Qin and Jin. Can't they even get a glass of wine?"
Qin Changfeng said from the side: "Second Master, you have misunderstood. This is the military law of our Yinzhou Army. During military training and expeditions, no one, whether general or soldier, is allowed to drink!"
"What?"
Yang Ke was shocked, but when he looked at Liu Zheng again, his eyes were filled with admiration.
Since ancient times, how can there be no wine in the army?
Drinking before going to war, drinking after victory, this seems to be an iron rule.
But the Yinzhou Army doesn’t drink alcohol?
It seemed a little unbelievable when I first heard this, but looking at the Longhu Pass, several camps had already started to have fun, drinking and eating. Looking at the Yinzhou Army camp, the military discipline was strict, the guards were on duty seriously and responsibly, as if it was a real wartime state.
Of course, it is clear which one is better.
Yang Ke picked up the tea and sighed deeply: "Yang Ke rarely admires people younger than me, but Liu Zhoutong is the first one!"
Liu Zheng laughed loudly and raised his glass, saying, "Second Master is too polite. How is Brother Du?"
Yang Ke took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "That reckless man wanted to kill his way to the grassland that day. Fortunately, I stopped him and took him back to heal his wounds. He should be fine now."
Liu Zheng felt relieved and said sincerely: "Brother Du is very meticulous, he must want to find out what the Xiongnu is trying to do this time. Now it seems that if he hadn't issued a timely warning, Long Yan would really be in danger at the border!"
Yang Ke's eyes flickered as he asked, "Liu Zhoutong, what do you think? Why did the Xiongnu invade?"
Liu Zheng smiled and asked, "How much did the Baiya Army lose?"
Yang Ke's face changed slightly, and he could no longer hold back. He slammed his fist on the table with a bang, his eyes red: "Old Chen Ping, you are narrow-minded. In order to consume my Baiya Army, you actually used this traitorous strategy !"
"My White Cliff Army lost 50,000 men in battle!"
"What?"
Liu Zheng, Jiang Xuan and others looked at each other in horror.
Fifty thousand people...
The Baiya Army had a total strength of only 70,000 troops, with a direct loss of 50,000, almost wiping out the entire Baiya Army, leaving only 20,000 people. There may be many old, weak and disabled soldiers, as well as seriously wounded soldiers among them. It can be said that in this war, the Baiya Army, which bore the brunt of the attack, suffered the greatest losses, and Chen Ping's goal of consuming the Baiya Army was achieved.
Liu Zheng took a deep breath: "Second Master, there is no need to worry, there will be a conclusion in the future!"
Yang Ke's eyes flickered, and he laughed, "Liu Zhoutong, things have come to this point, of course, it is irreversible. But I am afraid that the prince is moody and I am afraid that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, he will ask Liu Zhoutong to be the vanguard. When that time comes, you must find an excuse to refuse!"
"ah?"
Liu Zheng was stunned for a moment, then he understood and smiled bitterly.
That's right.
The prince lost a battle today, but was rescued by me. Do you think he will be grateful? No! This kind of person who is about to inherit the throne will only feel that you are stealing his limelight, and even make him lose face!
In this situation, it would be better for you to lose with him than to rescue him! The Prince's army of 50,000 people has been completely lost, and your Yinzhou army is so strong. How can he feel good about it?
This is what these people really think.
Liu Zheng smiled bitterly and shook his head.
What is this? Even if I win, I still feel ashamed?
At this time, the Yinzhou Army had become the target of public criticism.
Except for Zheng Yuxing, no one wants the Yinzhou Army to be too strong... and they want to drag Liu Zheng's Yinzhou Army down with them... If we all lose together, it's because the Xiongnu is too strong. There is no other way, the court will be responsible for the compensation. But we lost, and your Yinzhou Army won, doesn't it mean that we are useless?
The thoughts of these princes cannot be guessed using ordinary people's thinking.
as expected.
It had only been one night since Yang Ke reminded me.
Early in the morning, Crown Prince Xie Fang, along with his generals, came to Liu Zheng's tent in a hurry and shouted, "Where are Yinzhou and Liuzhou?"
Liu Zheng hurried out to greet him.
Xie Fang looked at him coldly, with a hint of sneer on his lips: "Today is a great opportunity to counterattack the Xiongnu. Tell Liu Zhoutong to quickly gather the troops and follow me to the battle!"
The whole place was in chaos.
