Chapter 711: Farewell to Hedong

Ten large iron fire mines fell on the top of the city walls and the gates, causing a series of earth-shaking explosions. The 100,000-strong army had already covered their ears, and even the horses had their ears stuffed with cloth.

But the violent explosion was still thrilling, especially when an iron fire bomb exploded in the air above the city wall, like a mountain collapse and the earth splitting. The soldiers were scared out of their wits and there were screams on the city wall.

When the smoke cleared, a section of the city wall was blown down, and a large hole was blown in the city gate, which was shaky and about to fall. But it was not enough.
"Cum again!"

The catapult commander gave the order and the catapult fired again. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Another ten large iron fire bombs were fired.

The defenders on the city wall were so frightened when they saw the black thunder coming towards them that they screamed and lay on the ground covering their ears.

"Boom! Boom!"

Ten iron fire mines exploded violently, thick smoke filled the city walls, blood and flesh were flying everywhere, and the city walls were blown to pieces.

When the smoke cleared, the city gate had completely disappeared, leaving only a large hole leading into the city. Xiao Xia swung his sword and said, "Cavalry, attack!"

"Woo--" A low horn sounded, and 20,000 cavalrymen suddenly set off, charging towards Hulao Pass like a tide.

The once impregnable Hulao Pass fell in just half an hour, and the defending general Liu Changgong led more than 10,000 defeated soldiers to quickly retreat to Luoyang.

He even ignored Luokou Granary, and a day later, the Sui cavalry occupied Luokou Granary.

Wang Shichong, who was deployed in Henei County and closely following the movements of the Sui army, was shocked to hear that Hulao Pass had fallen. He ignored Li Mi's army and led an army of 100,000 to rush back to Luoyang.

At this time, Fang Yanzhao also arrived at the Wagang Army camp in Wei County.

When Li Mi heard that Xu Shiji's army surrendered to Xiao Xia, he was angry and helpless. He knew this would be the result, so he fought to the death to carve out a piece of territory in Hebei.

Fang Yanzao explained to Li Mi: "My nephew Fang Xuanling is an important adviser to the King of Jin. The King of Jin treated me with great courtesy. He wrote me a letter and sent someone to escort me across the Yellow River to deliver the letter to you, my lord!"

When Li Mi heard that there was a handwritten letter from the Prince of Jin, he did not bother to question Fang Yanzhao anymore. He immediately took the letter and opened it. The contents of the letter made his eyes light up.

"Li Yuan's main force is in Chang'an and Guanzhong, and his army is trapped in Longyou and Bashu. Hedong is just a branch. There are only more than 30,000 troops, mainly deployed in Taiyuan. The southern part of Hedong is empty. This is an opportunity given to Lord Li by God. 'If you don't take what God gives you, you will suffer the consequences!' I hope Lord Li will think twice."

With just a few words, Xiao Xia opened a brand new window for Li Mi. He originally wanted to develop in Liaodong, but at this moment Xiao Xia pointed out a brand new road for him, Hedong.

Fang Yanzao also took the opportunity to persuade him, "Hedong has a geographical advantage, which is very conducive to defense. It also has a large population and abundant grain. If you go to Hedong, you will surely be able to develop your own imperial foundation. When you are fully prepared, you can take back Yunzhong and Hetao. Once you raise your arms and call for action, the world will respond, and your hegemony will be accomplished."

Li Mi paced back and forth with his hands behind his back and said, "I just can't understand why the King of Jin wants to help me?"

"The King of Jin is not trying to help the Lord, but is using the Lord's sword to deal with Li Yuan. The King of Jin and Li Yuan are fighting for Bashu. Currently, the King of Jin does not plan to attack the north of the Yellow River. If the Lord occupies Hedong, Li Yuan will certainly counterattack with all his strength. At this time, he will have no time to take care of Bashu, and finally he will have to withdraw from Bashu, defend Guanzhong with all his strength, and then take back Hedong. The King of Jin said something before I left."

"what did he say?"

"He said that the greatest challenge to the lord is not Li Yuan, but the Guanlong nobles!"

Li Mi sighed and said, "The King of Jin really sees things clearly. I am also a member of the Guanlong nobles. Can I escape from this shackle?"

Fang Yanzao smiled slightly and said, "In fact, it is very simple to see through it. The lord is the master of Wagang. Has the Li family ever paid attention to the lord?"

Li Mi nodded slowly. He was the leader of Wagang, but no one from the huge Li family came to see him. They didn't take him seriously at all. If even the family didn't take him seriously, how could he expect other Guanlong nobles to look up to him? Perhaps in their eyes, he was just a traitor who had strayed into the path of thieves. The King of Jin used him as a knife to deal with Li Yuan, so why would he not want to be this knife?
Li Mi walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and asked, "What about Dou Jiande?"

Fang Yanzao said slowly: "My lord, send someone to negotiate with Dou Jiande and tell him openly that my lord wants to develop in Hedong and return Ji County and Wei County to him. Now that Wang Shichong has withdrawn his troops, Dou Jiande will definitely be happy to see this happen."

Li Mi nodded and said, "Please go see Dou Jiande for me and give him my letter."

Fang Yanzao bowed and said, "I am willing to share the worries for my lord!"

Li Mi made up his mind and the army began to march north. Dou Jiande in Wei County, Wudu County, immediately got the news. At this time, he was annoyed by Wang Shichong's betrayal and leading the army to withdraw to Luoyang. Suddenly, someone came to report, "Li Mi sent military advisor Fang Yanzao to meet with him!"

Dou Jiande nodded, "Let him in!"

Soon, Fang Yanzao walked up to the hall and saluted to Dou Jiande and several military advisors, "Fang Yanzao pays respect to the King of Wei!"

Dou Jiande sneered and said, "I am still short of an animal for the flag sacrifice. Mr. Fang has come at the perfect time."

Fang Yanzao raised his head and said, "I've heard that the prince is a kind and generous elder, why do you say such hurtful things?"

"You are my enemies. Why should I be polite to my enemies?"

Fang Yanzao shook his head. "The so-called friend or foe is just a matter of thought. As long as Your Majesty puts aside our prejudices, we will be allies with a common enemy."

"If you can retreat back to Henan, then I will let go of my prejudice!"

Fang Yanzao took out the letter and presented it to him, saying, "This is a letter written by my master. As long as the prince can finish reading it, he will definitely let go of his prejudice!"

Dou Jiande opened Li Mi's letter and read it carefully. His originally stern expression gradually softened. Li Mi was very humble in the letter. He said that he had no intention of fighting for Hebei and was willing to lead his army to develop in Hedong and return Wei and Ji counties to himself.

Dou Jiande nodded and said, "I understand what your lord means. Mr. Fang, please take a short rest for half a day. I will discuss this with my men and then get back to you."

Fang Yanzhao bowed and went down to rest. Dou Jiande then handed Li Mi's letter to several military advisors for review.

The Minister of State Song Zhengben shook his head and said, "This Li Mi is treacherous and cunning. It may be true that he went to Hedong, but it is impossible for him to give up the two counties of Ji and Wei. Don't believe him."

Dou Jiande nodded and asked Kong Deshao, "What is the opinion of Advisor Kong?"

Kong Deshao stroked his beard and smiled, "I agree with Song Junshi's opinion. Don't trust Li Mi. But! We need to look at this issue from a higher perspective. As long as Li Mi goes to Hedong, the troops he leaves behind will be used to fill our stomachs. If he leaves 10,000, we can eat 10,000, and if he leaves 20,000, we can eat 20,000. So he had better leave some compensation, so that we don't have to mobilize troops in vain."

Dou Jiande said happily: "Then I will send him to Hedong with courtesy."

Just then, a soldier came to report, "Your Majesty, Hao Xiaode sent his son to see you!"

Dou Jiande and several military advisors looked at each other. He was negotiating with Li Mi, so why did Hao Xiaode send his son to see him privately?

Ling Jing smiled and said, "Your Highness, you may as well meet him. I think the Wagang Army may be about to split up."

Dou Jiande nodded, "Summon him to see me!"

(End of this chapter)

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