Chapter 346 Emergency Evacuation

When Xiao Xia's army reached the Cao River, he ordered to stop the pursuit. Yuwen Shu's army was heading towards this side from the west, so Xiao Xia ordered the army to retreat slowly. When they were about a mile away from the river, the army lined up and prepared for battle.

At this time, Yang Liang had no intention of fighting and ordered his army to retreat northward, gradually disappearing in the distance.

In this battle, Yang Liang's 150,000-man army lost nearly half, the Liangzhou army captured nearly 60,000 prisoners of war and killed more than 10,000 enemies.

After Han Sengshou met with Prince of Jin Yang Guang, he surrendered to the prince with Zhang Xutuo and Qu Tutong. Yang Guang was overjoyed and immediately appointed Han Sengshou as Shang Zhuguo and Duke of Chen, and appointed Zhang Xutuo and Qu Tutong as Zhuguo and promoted them to generals.

This increased Yang Guang's military strength from 80,000 to 120,000. Together with Xiao Xia's 160,000 troops, the Jin Wang faction's army swelled to nearly 300,000, far exceeding the Han Wang faction and the Qin Wang faction.

The King of Jin was not in a hurry to march towards Chang'an, but rested in Huayin County for two days. Xiao Xia ordered You Junda and Wang Bodang to lead 10,000 troops each to guard Guangtong Warehouse, and at the same time be responsible for reorganizing 60,000 prisoners of war.

He led an army of 80,000 and joined forces with his father's army, marching towards Chang'an from the south of the Wei River.

At the same time, Yang Liang was not willing to fall behind, and led an army of 170,000 from the north of the Wei River towards Chang'an, while King of Qin Yang Jun led an army of 60,000 into Guanzhong and also marched towards Chang'an at the same time.

At this time, Chang'an was in chaos. The Eastern Army was completely destroyed and the commander Yang Jun died tragically, forcing Emperor Yang Yong to recall the Western Army. At this time, there were still about 150,000 troops in Chang'an, led by Yun Dingxing, Shi Wansui and Yuan Shou.

Especially when the news came that the King of Jin, the King of Han and the King of Qin simultaneously led their armies to attack Guanzhong, the court and the people in Chang'an were suddenly in a state of panic, and everyone felt insecure.

Emperor Yang Yong had only been on the throne for a few months when he faced the crisis of being forced to step down. Naturally, Yang Yong was unwilling to lose the throne, so on the one hand he ordered the conscription of soldiers throughout the city, and on the other hand he sent a large army to the city for active defense.

Yang Yong also appointed his eldest son Yang Yan as the general of Wuhou Guard, commanding 20,000 Wuhou Guard troops to patrol the city strictly to prevent spies from entering the city.

In addition, Yang Yong issued an edict to strip Yang Guang of his title, and declared him a traitor. He appointed his second son, Yang Yu, as the Internal Affairs Envoy of Chang'an, and began to purge people related to the three kings, including their family members, in-laws, and subordinates.

The first to be killed were He Ruobi's clansmen, a total of 56 people. A ground of execution was set up on Zhuquemen Street, and they were beheaded. This was Emperor Yang Yong's revenge on He Ruodong for killing Yang Jun, and at the same time on He Ruobi for surrendering to the King of Han.

On the surface, Chang'an City was calm, but there was a hint of tension in the calm. The number of people taking to the streets had obviously decreased a lot, and there were patrolling soldiers of the Wuhou Guard everywhere. When they encountered suspicious people, they would immediately step forward and question them.

But after He Ruobi's family was killed, many officials panicked. At noon that day, Cui Hongsheng secretly came to the house of his brother Cui Hongzhou.

The Cui family was also on the purge list. The Cui family was not only involved with the Prince of Jin, but also the Prince of Qin. The Princess of Qin was Cui Hongsheng's sister. However, the Cui family was a famous family in the world with great influence. Yang Yong did not dare to go too far with the Cui family. He just invited the head of the family, Cui Hongdu, to talk, and at the same time dismissed Cui Hongsheng and Cui Hongzhou from their posts.

Cui Hongzhou invited his brother to his study and asked nervously, "What did the emperor ask you to talk about?"

Cui Hongsheng sighed and said, "The emperor has made three requests to us. First, the Cui family is required to make a public statement to sever ties with the King of Qin and the King of Jin. Third, the Cui family is not allowed to provide any help to the King of Qin and the King of Jin, that is, they are not allowed to collude with the two kings. Third, each family in the Cui family is required to send a child to the palace as a hostage. My eldest brother said that this is only the first step of the court."

Cui Hongzhou was shocked and asked, "What do you mean this is just the first step? Are we going to take further action?"

Cui Hongsheng nodded, "Now the crisis has not really arrived. Once the army is at the gates of the city, I think the emperor will arrest us or send troops to put us under house arrest. I asked you to find a way to send Cui Yu away!"

"Yu'er?"

Cui Hongzhou was stunned, "Why?"

"The emperor specifically mentioned her name. The person the emperor fears most is Xiao Xia, so he pays special attention to Xiao Xia. Yesterday, he issued an order requiring all stores under the West Sea Trading Company to close. Yu'er and Xiao Xia are engaged, so naturally they will also be paid attention to by the emperor." "Where should Yu'er be sent?" Cui Hongzhou asked worriedly.

Cui Hongsheng said slowly: "I have already contacted the Princess's residence this morning. The Princess welcomes Cui Yu to stay at her residence temporarily. This matter must be kept secret. Currently, only the three of us brothers know about it. Let Cui Yu go with me later, and Xiaomei can also go with us."

Cui Hongzhou quickly sent someone to find Cui Yu and Cui Mei. Soon, the two sisters came to their father's study.

Cui Hongzhou said to the two of them, "Hurry up and pack your things. We will take Second Uncle's carriage to the Princess's residence later."

"Why?" Cui Yu asked puzzled.

Cui Hongsheng said, "Xiao Xia led a large army to approach Chang'an. The emperor was very uneasy. He summoned your uncle yesterday and mentioned you. We unanimously decided to let you go to the princess to take shelter temporarily. You will be safer there. Go and pack up! Xiaomei will go too. Remember, don't tell anyone."

Cui Yu nodded, pulled her sister, and the two sisters left quickly.

Cui Hongzhou pondered for a moment and then asked, "Second brother, do you think the throne can be kept?"

Cui Hongsheng shook his head. "It's a bit dangerous this time. Chang'an has become an isolated island, and has been cut off from other places in the Great Sui Dynasty. Unless we can defeat the three princes militarily, my eldest brother said that it is difficult for the court to do so. Now we can only wait and see the internal fighting of the three princes. If all three are defeated, then the court still has a glimmer of hope. Otherwise, it must be the new emperor who ascends the throne."

"Could it be the Prince of Jin?" Cui Hongzhou asked cautiously.

Cui Hongsheng sighed, "I hope so too!"

At this time, the Cui sisters came out with their bags, and Cui Hongsheng said with a smile: "Wait for me at the back door, I will go around and pick you up at the back door."

Cui Hongsheng said goodbye and left. He got in the carriage and drove around the Cui Mansion, then stopped the carriage at the back. The Cui sisters did not tell anyone. They secretly went out the back door, and two of them got in the carriage. The carriage started and drove towards the Princess's Mansion.

Soon, the carriage arrived at Yang Lihua's mansion. At this time, Yang Lihua was already waiting at the door.

Cui Hongsheng was shocked, "How can we let Her Royal Highness the Princess wait at the door in person?"

Yang Lihua smiled softly and said, "I regard Xiao Xia as my son. My future daughter-in-law is coming, so of course I have to wait for her."

Cui Yu hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "Cui Yu greets Her Royal Highness the Princess!"

Yang Lihua took her hand and looked at her. She saw that Cui Yu was extremely beautiful, with a look that could topple a country or a city. She secretly praised her, "No wonder that boy likes her. She is really beautiful."

Cui Mei also stepped forward and bowed obediently, "Little Mei greets Her Royal Highness the Princess!"

"This little girl is adorable!"

Cui Mei was very delicate, like a doll from the future. Yang Lihua fell in love with her at first sight. She also held Cui Mei's hand, one in each hand, and said, "Let's go! Let's go into the mansion."

She ignored Cui Hongsheng and pulled the two sisters into the mansion. Cui Hongsheng smiled bitterly for a long while and then got on the carriage and left.

(End of this chapter)

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