Northern Dynasties Imperial Industry

While the situation in Jinyang continued to deteriorate, the situation in Hebei did not stagnate either.

Although the victory of the Qi army in Dingzhou City did not save the current disadvantage of Northern Qi as a whole, the effect of boosting the morale of the people in the city was obvious. In addition to destroying an enemy army that was close at hand, Nan'an King Gao Sihao also tied the members of the Zhaojun Li family and other aristocratic families to the chariot. After this deed, they would never surrender to the Wei army again!

After a great battle, Gao Sihao directly ordered people to cut off the heads of the dead Wei army and Hebei Xiangyi, built a Jingguan outside the city to show off his martial arts, and at the same time, tortured and humiliated the captured Wei army soldiers in the downtown area of ​​the city, so as to dispel the fear of the people in the city about the Wei army.

However, the haze of war did not stay away from this land because of the victory of this battle, but attracted a stronger enemy. Soon after, the two divisions of the Wei army arrived outside Dingzhou City one after another.

The victory in the last battle also gave Gao Sihao great encouragement. He decided to take the initiative and take the lead in fighting against the Wei army from Jizhou. When this Wei army brigade arrived in the suburbs of Dingzhou, he led the elite cavalry in the city to fight.

On the Wei army side, the commander Gao Le personally led his light cavalry to fight. The two sides fought several times in the suburbs outside Dingzhou City. Each side gained and suffered losses. It can be said that they were evenly matched.

But such a battle situation could not satisfy Gao Sihao. His original intention was to take advantage of the difference in the front and back of the Wei army and use this time difference to defeat the enemy separately.

He thought that the combat effectiveness of Dingzhou's elite cavalry was very impressive, but he did not expect that the enemy was also not weak. The soldiers were skilled in archery and horsemanship, and they cooperated well. Even the war horses they rode were better than the war horses of Dingzhou, so that his side could not gain any advantage even if they waited for the enemy to tire, and they could not replicate the glory of the last victory.

The battle situation was not good. Although the soldiers still had some strength left, Gao Sihao did not dare to continue fighting. The Wei army attacked from several directions, but he only had this main elite force. Once he was restricted outside the city, the city defense would be in danger. Especially when he led his army to fight against the enemy army from Jizhou, the enemy army from Zhaojun in the south also accelerated its march towards Dingzhou City.

So Gao Sihao weighed the pros and cons and could only choose to withdraw quickly and return to the city. He did not dare to stay outside the city to fight. However, after returning to the city, he could not help but shout angrily: "What is King Pingyuan doing? He has tens of thousands of elite soldiers, but he actually allowed the Wei army to advance here. Are tens of thousands of elite troops cowardly rats?"

He had accumulated great dissatisfaction with Duan Shao in his heart. He had withdrawn many Dingzhou troops before, but nothing has been done so far. Even when he used clever tactics to defeat the enemy, Duan Shao did not seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack with him, but let the rest of the Wei army continue to advance northward, heading straight for Dingzhou.

However, no matter how angry he was, it was difficult to influence Duan Shao's decision. As he led his army back to the city, the two armies of the Wei army met outside Dingzhou.

"Damn you, bastard!"

When the Wei army saw the heads of their comrades outside the city that had long been dried and built into a Jingguan, their eyes were all bloodshot and their hearts were extremely angry. They stared at the city and couldn't help but roar and curse.

"The lord's army will arrive soon. The sons and daughters will hold back their anger for now, build camps and long sieges first, and when the army arrives in the future, we will kill the enemy and take revenge!"

He Ruodun and other generals kept the lord's order in mind and did not rush to attack the city. Instead, they built camps outside the city first and prepared for a long siege. Dingzhou City is the second largest city in Hebei Province after Ye City. Its scale is even larger than that of Xindu and other cities. Even if the army arrives, it is difficult to break the city quickly. In addition, there are enemy troops in Jingxing not far from the side, so it is necessary to prepare for a long-term siege.

On the top of Dingzhou City, when the Wei army began to build a huge camp outside the city, the scale of the camp was enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people. The defenders on the top of the city were all chilled. The excitement brought by the previous victory was gone, replaced by fear.

The Jingguan outside the city has been dismantled, but it only changed the humiliating way of placing the heads of the dead Wei soldiers. The Wei army did not collect the heads of the dead, but moved them to a tent in the camp and placed them facing Dingzhou City again, just to let these dead comrades see them avenge them!

Those who died in the battle would certainly not see what happened later. This was just a way to remember and comfort the heroic spirits, but this practice made the Qi army soldiers in the city more and more uneasy. Some people even had a secret dissatisfaction in their hearts. It was fine to defeat the opponent before, but was it necessary to use the humiliating method of building a Jingguan to further anger the enemy?

The previous battle outside the city had little effect. After learning that the combat effectiveness of the Wei army was also not weak, Gao Sihao naturally did not dare to easily arrange troops to fight. He just looked at the various preparations for the siege outside the city with an expressionless face.

"Please, may I ask the king, does the King of Pingyuan know that the Wei army is coming in large numbers? Has he told you when the reinforcements will arrive?"

Li Xiaozhen, Li Zuqin and others who had written letters to lure the enemy before gained Gao Sihao's trust and were granted provincial government positions to assist in city defense. Now they all climbed the top of the city. After seeing the scenes outside the city, they were all uneasy and came to Gao Sihao and asked in a low voice.

After hearing the words, a cold light flashed in Gao Sihao's eyes. He glanced back at these people, and then said in a cold voice: "When will the reinforcements arrive? It's a top-secret military plane. You don't have to ask anymore!" Please help defend the city with peace of mind, and you will be rewarded after the thieves retreat!"

When Li Xiaozhen and others heard this impatient answer, they nodded in agreement and did not dare to ask any more questions.

Gao Sihao glared at them again, and then slowly withdrew his gaze. At the same time, he was secretly glad in his heart that before the Wei army arrived in large numbers, he forced these people to take practical actions to draw a clear line with the Wei army, and eliminated this city. The biggest personnel hazard. Although the Wei army is currently advancing northward, the soldiers and civilians in the city are now united, and Dingzhou City is very strong, so it will definitely not be easily broken by the enemy again.

However, the situation in the war changes rapidly, and few things stay the same. Gao Sihao's thoughts are just his wishful thinking.

With the efforts of the Wei army officers and soldiers, a huge military camp was quickly built outside Dingzhou City. After the construction of the fortress was completed, the Wei army quickly made further moves.

"Report to your Majesty, the Wei troops outside the city and outside the city are trying to persuade them to surrender..."

In the early morning, Gao Sihao was still asleep when he was awakened by the sound of the report from the soldiers outside. When he heard the content of the report from the soldiers, he couldn't help but sneered: "Persuading to surrender? Even if I am willing It's ridiculous to let the group of soldiers out of the city surrender, but the Wei army dares to surrender?

"But, but, those who came to persuade them to surrender were Bai, Baishui Prince Mo Chenxiang, Dugu Yongye, etc..."

Seeing that Gao Sihao didn't care about this, the soldier quickly lowered his head and added.

"Is this happening?"

After hearing this, Gao Sihao's face suddenly changed, and he jumped up from the couch. He immediately strode out of the room. After walking a long way, he woke up again, hurriedly returned to the room, put on his clothes, and fell silent at the same time. He shouted: "Get my armor quickly!"

At this time, a high platform was built in front of the Wei army's barracks under Dingzhou City. The white-haired Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen stood on the high platform, looking at the defenders on the top of the city and shouted loudly: "You guys have done your best together and have made great contributions." Who can surpass me? How can the cruel Lord Qi treat me? My whole family is dead, and I can't live in peace in my dying years. Do you know the pain of losing a son to a white-haired old man? Are you waiting for your loved ones?

Gao Si likes stubborn thieves and has a right way to kill them. The kings of Wei and Tang have issued orders to kill this beast with troops this time! The Li family of Zhao County betrayed their close relatives in order to survive, and they made a grudge against the people of Wei State, who all wanted to eat their flesh and blood! Why should you, the disciples, sacrifice your lives for these ugly things? But for those of you who are willing to leave the city and return to justice, I am here to introduce you to the King of Tang and ask for protection! "

The East and West have been in conflict for many years, and both sides have captured people from the enemy. In recent years, the Western Wei Dynasty has often had the upper hand, and has captured more people from the Northern Qi Dynasty. Among all the prisoners and surrendered people, the one with the greatest united front value was none other than Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen.

Hou Mo and Chen Xiang were born in Wuchuan, and he followed Shenwu Emperor Gao Huan very early. In terms of meritorious service and qualifications, he may not be as distinguished as the founding kings, but the difference is only a small difference. If he has not yet voted for Wei, he will be Among the distinguished nobles of Jinyang who are still alive today, it can be said that he is second only to Grand Master He Baren.

Therefore, just by standing in front of the formation, without saying anything, Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen could have a huge psychological impact on the soldiers. And when they saw this white-haired old man complaining in tears about the tragedy of his white-haired man giving away his black-haired man, many people couldn't help but have a doubt in their hearts. Even a man with high merit and qualifications, such as Hou Mo and Chen Xiang, has fallen to this. And why do these ordinary soldiers fight?

Dugu Yongye, who took the stage next, was not as senior as Hou Mo and Chen Xiang, but he had another advantage, that is, he was from Dingzhou himself, and he had also served as the governor of six states in Dingzhou.

When Dugu Yongye came on stage, he took the lead in calling out the names of several generals in the Dingzhou army. After seeing where they were standing on the top of the city, Dugu Yongye sighed again and said: "I know you may think that I am Shame, thinking that I can't die for the whole country is a shame for the village.

When I was ordered, I didn't have the ambition to fight to the death. However, the lives of the entire city's soldiers and civilians were entrusted to me. There was no reinforcements to be expected from the outside. The dignitaries in the country only wanted to be safe and abandoned us as if they were worn out shoes. However, the king of Tang treated us. I have shown pity for you, and have repeatedly persuaded my subordinates. Not only was it a crime to resist, but after we surrender, we will reunite our relatives and elders in exchange..."

"Bang the drum, beat the drum! Don't listen to evil talk, set up a crossbow and shoot those dog thieves!"

Dugu Yongye was still expressing his affection for everyone outside the city. Gao Sihao had already rushed to the top of the city. Seeing the confused expressions of the soldiers on top of the city, he felt panicked and hurriedly ordered to use drums to suppress them. The enemy's persuasion to surrender was interrupted by listening to the voices of persuasion to surrender outside the city, and firing at the outside of the city with a powerful crossbow with a longer range.

While Gao Sihao was listening to the soldiers on the top of the city carefully reporting on what had just been done to persuade them to surrender outside the city, Gao Sihao looked at the soldiers on the top of the city. When he saw how distracted they were, he snorted coldly and said: " Did you really believe the lies of those thieves outside the city?"

After hearing this, all the soldiers shook their heads and hurriedly insulted Hou Mo, Chen Xiang and others to show clear boundaries with those who had lost their integrity.

Seeing the statements of these people, Gao Sihao's tense expression relaxed slightly. He arranged for the city to continue making noise to prevent the enemy from shaking the morale of the army, and he walked down the city with a heavy heart.

However, from the corner of his sight, he still caught some soldiers whispering among themselves, and his mood became heavy again. I thought that forcing the Li family of Zhao County to lure the enemy last time had eliminated the personnel hazards in the city, but I didn't expect that this time the Wei army stopped persuading the Guandong clan to surrender, and instead started to persuade the soldiers, which made the people in the city fluctuate again.

We can’t just sit back and wait for death, we still need to do something!

Gao Sihao thought to himself, and an idea emerged in his mind and gradually took shape. He stopped, raised his hand to summon his soldiers and whispered a few words, and then he stayed here and waited.

The soldiers left in a hurry, and not long after, they escorted a carriage to the city wall. The person in the carriage was Princess Li. As the carriage approached, Mrs. Li poked her head out of the carriage and asked, "Your Majesty, please call me." What's wrong with me now? Although I don't know much about military affairs, I know that the king is loyal and loyal, and I vow to stay with him life and death. I hurriedly called him and packed up some boxes to reward the heroes and boost their morale."

Li didn't know why Gao Sihao let his soldiers recruit her here, but she also knew that not long ago Gao Sihao was still worried about the Guandong noble clans surrendering to the enemy. Now that the Wei army was attacking again, she knew that Gao Sihao would definitely She was under great pressure, so she declared to her that she was a husband and wife, hoping that Gao Sihao would be free from worries.

When Gao Sihao heard what the princess said, a wave of confusion flashed in his eyes, but soon turned cold and firm. He walked forward and took the package containing jewelry and property from the princess, threw it back into the carriage, and immediately said: "You don't need these vulgar things to win people's hearts. I have good things to boost morale. Just follow me!"

After saying this, he took the princess and walked towards the top of the city. At this time, the city walls were full of garrison soldiers. When they saw King Nan'an and his wife ascending to the top of the city, they were all surprised and couldn't help but look at them curiously.

Princess Li, as a noble lady of an aristocratic family, usually lives in seclusion. At this time, she felt those eyes looking at her wantonly, and naturally felt uncomfortable in her heart. However, seeing her husband's gloomy and gloomy face, she did not dare to show any dissatisfaction. He could only lower his head and walk quickly behind.

Soon Gao Sihao returned to the top of the city, facing the puzzled eyes of all the soldiers, he said loudly: "The thieves were defeated a few days ago, and the results were brilliant. It is truly magnificent! From this we can see that there is nothing to fear from thieves. ? Although I have made a comeback, I am sitting in a strong city, my soldiers are loyal and brave, and I have the reinforcements of the king of the plains outside. How can the thieves defeat me?

It is precisely because the thieves have no intention of winning that they resort to persuading them to surrender and disturb others. Hou Mo and Chen Xiang have lost their integrity, so how can their words be trusted? Moreover, the Wei army had been humiliated before, so how could they be so generous and tolerant in giving lives and subjugating others now? None of the false claims can be relied upon. Now I tell you, my officers and men, that I will defend the city and fight to the death and not surrender! I will kill my wife today to make it clear that I will not spare anyone who has evil intentions and wants to surrender to a thief! "

After saying this, he directly drew the knife in his hand, and immediately looked at Princess Li who was shyly bowing her head next to her. After hearing this, the princess was so shocked that her face turned pale, but she had not yet opened her mouth to beg for mercy. , and saw a sharp blade piercing his abdomen!

At this time, when all the soldiers on the city saw this scene, they were all shocked beyond measure. Their eyes widened and their breathing became rapid and disordered. They had no idea that King Nan'an would do this.

After Gao Sihao killed his wife, his expression became even more crazy. He no longer looked at the princess's body lying on the ground, but looked around at the soldiers present with wide eyes, and shouted sternly: "I swear to coexist with this city and die together." , If you violate this ambition, I will kill you personally! Stay where you are and don’t let up!”

No matter how the Wei army outside the city tried to persuade them to surrender, Gao Sihao knew that he had no share in this chance of life, and he did not want to surrender to the Wei army at all, so he simply cut off everyone else's chance of life, just like he had done before. He forced the Li family of Zhao County to deceive the Wei army. Now he killed his wife with his own hands to express his determination to fight to the death and to frighten those wavering people in the city.

Regardless of whether Gao Sihao's approach was smart or not, the cruelty and madness of Gao Sihao's murder of his wife still greatly shocked the hearts of the soldiers in the city. Everyone did not dare to show any negative or wavering attitude, and everyone was cautious. Performing their respective responsibilities and tasks. The Wei army repeatedly tried to persuade them to surrender outside the city, but it seemed that they had no effect inside the city.

But for the Wei army, persuading them to surrender was only a auxiliary means, and it was even just an arrangement made to disgust Gao Sihaocai: Since you forced the Guandong clan to pretend to surrender, now you mainly start to persuade Xianbei, the six states of Dingzhou, to surrender. Let's see how you respond. .

However, it is really unexpected that Gao Sihao is so crazy that he wants to kill his wife Mingzhi. But no matter what crazy moves he made, he could not stop the Wei army from further actions. As the army led by the Tang King successfully arrived at Dingzhou City without any hindrance, the attack on Dingzhou City also began.