Chapter 1080 Relieving the Siege of Wei by Attacking Zhao: Killing Two Birds with One Stone
Those below received the order and immediately went down to assemble the army.
However, the lieutenants were all puzzled. Xue Lin stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, are we sending troops to cross the river and attack Xiao Yuansui?"
Yuwen Ye shook his head: "Send troops to Huyang Valley."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, speechless with astonishment. They were currently guarding Hulao Pass to protect the eastern gate of Luoyang and prevent Xiao Yuansui's army from going to the eastern capital for reinforcements. Why would they suddenly send troops to Huyang Valley?
Yuwen Ye didn't explain further, simply waving his hand: "Go and prepare, we'll depart in half an hour!"
After he finished speaking, he turned and went back to the main tent. Immediately after him, Xue Lin also entered the main tent. He saw Shen Tu Tai with a solemn expression and wanted to ask something, but after thinking for a moment, he said directly to Yuwen Ye, "Your Highness, shouldn't we be guarding Hulao Pass now? What are we doing going to Huyang Valley?"
Yuwen Ye didn't answer him, but just breathed heavily, as if he would be overwhelmed by some emotion if he didn't.
Shen Tu Tai, who was standing to the side, said in a deep voice, "The princess is in Hu Yang Valley."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Lin's face immediately showed a surprised expression: "Why would the Princess Consort be in that place?"
Shen Tu Tai said, "Do you remember what I told you before? Shi Yutao's sister, Shi Yuxin, is currently missing. Of the hundreds of thousands of troops Xiao Yuansui originally assembled from Hebei, at least 80,000 haven't crossed the river yet. Shi Yuxin led these troops to Huaizhou. Now—"
As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and looked up at Yuwen Ye.
At this moment, Yuwen Ye seemed to finally expel all the unease and gloom that had been building up in his chest. He became calmer and turned to him, saying, "You stay here and continue to guard Hulao Pass. I will come back as soon as I have dealt with things over there."
Shen Tu Tai immediately said, "Your Highness, please let this humble general go!"
Yuwen Ye shook his head.
Standing to the side, Xue Lin glanced at him, then at Shen Tu Tai, seemingly understanding what Yuwen Ye intended to do by gathering such a large army. He also knew that His Highness the Prince of Qin and his Princess Qin shared a deep bond and would certainly not abandon the Princess Qin for the sake of the situation at Hulao Pass. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Highness, let this humble general lead the troops. The situation at Hulao Pass is of utmost importance; we cannot do without Your Highness and General Shen Tu."
Yuwen Ye glanced at him, his eyes showing no emotion, but his tone was somewhat complicated: "Hu Yang Valley is of great importance."
"..."
"It's even more important than Hulao Pass."
"...?"
Xue Lin opened his eyes wide in confusion.
Even if the Princess of Qin is of noble status, and even if His Highness the Prince of Qin and she are deeply in love, how could a small Huyang Valley be more important than Hulao Pass, where the two armies are currently facing off and the war in the Eastern Capital is also involved?
Fortunately, Shen Tu Tai spoke up at this moment, saying, "What do you think Shi Yuxin is doing leading 80,000 troops to Hu Yang Valley?"
Xue Lin shook his head, somewhat bewildered.
Shen Tu Tai grabbed his arm and led him to Yuwen Ye's desk, pointing to the map on it. Although the two of them were looking at it upside down, because they had become very familiar with the terrain of the area in recent days, he could immediately distinguish the mountains, rivers, cities, and towns on the map even when looking at it upside down. Shen Tu Tai said, "Shi Yuxin's 80,000 troops are trying to take Huaizhou and Heyang."
As he spoke, he glanced back at Yuwen Ye. Although Yuwen Ye didn't say anything when the matter was brought up, the veins on his forehead throbbed, clearly indicating that this matter was also weighing heavily on his mind.
Shen Tu Tai continued, "Then, they can enter Shangdang through the Fukou Pass and then head south to seize Puban."
If Xue Lin was still somewhat bewildered when he heard about Huaizhou, Heyang, and Shangdang, not knowing what Shi Yuxin was up to or what Yuwen Ye and Shentu Tai were worried about, he immediately understood when he heard about Puban. Looking down at the ravines on the map, he gasped sharply: "They want to attack Chang'an directly?!"
"right!"
At this point, Shen Tu Tai himself shuddered.
This move was completely unexpected. Xiao Yuansui led a force of tens of thousands of troops across the Yellow River to confront them at Hulao Pass. On the surface, it appeared that Yuwen Ye was leading a large army to guard the east gate of Luoyang, preventing Xiao Yuansui from rushing to Luoyang's aid. However, in reality, it was Xiao Yuansui who was holding them back, while Shi Yuxin's 80,000 troops were the real killing blow!
She led her 80,000 troops north to capture Huaizhou and Heyang, and then entered Shangdang through the Fukou Pass. Although they had heard that Ashina Zhuxie had been defeated and fled to Xiazhou, if he were to return to Shangdang, join forces with Shi Yuxin, and head south to seize Puban, Chang'an would almost certainly be theirs!
Moreover, Yuwen Yuan had already mobilized the entire army to Luoyang, leaving only a small number of garrison troops in Chang'an. Under these circumstances, the army that marched to Luoyang had no choice but to return to reinforce it, thus lifting the siege of Luoyang.
This is a strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao," killing two birds with one stone!
Xue Lin felt goosebumps rise all over his body, and his scalp tingled in waves. His Adam's apple bobbed for a long time before he finally managed to squeeze out a somewhat hoarse voice: "Good, that was close..."
Yuwen Ye turned to look at him, and then exchanged a glance with Shen Tu Tai. Although neither of them showed much panic on their faces, they could clearly see that both of them were covered in cold sweat.
This move was both brilliant and ruthless!
Yuwen Ye said, "There's no need to spread the news about Huyang Valley. Just stay here and guard Hulao Pass. Since Xiao Yuansui wants to stall, send troops across the Sishui River to fight a battle or two every two days. But remember, you must not send out a large army."
Shen Tu Tai said, "This subordinate understands."
Yuwen Ye then looked at Xue Lin: "You must also remember, you must never act impulsively."
If the battle outside Hulao Pass made him realize that there was still a big gap between his combat strength and that of his opponent, then hearing this scheme now made Xue Lin clearly understand that some people in this world are so intelligent that they are almost demonic, and he simply cannot reach their level.
In this situation, listening to wise people is the wisest thing to do.
He immediately accepted the order, turned around, and walked out.
The two people inside the tent remained silent for a long time. Yuwen Ye walked to his desk again, looked at the ravines of the Taihang Eight Passes on the map, and at Huyang Valley, which was just a small black dot but whose battle had reached an unknown level of ferocity. He said in a deep voice, "Wazhou produces Nüying... This Nüying is indeed extraordinary."
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