The letter was mostly full of praise. It first praised Ding Yunyi's achievements, then expressed his admiration for Changming, and finally expressed the hope that the two armies could establish friendly relations and fight against the red bandit Xiahou Jing together.
"Hahaha! I didn't expect your army's commander-in-chief, Yan Boyi, to be such a man of current affairs. Quite right!" Yu Changming laughed, then responded to the envoy: "Your Excellency, please tell Commander-in-Chief Yan that I understand his intentions, and I will work together to maintain the alliance between our two armies."
"I understand. General Yan also asked me to bring some special products from Linzhou. Please accept them," the messenger continued.
Yu Changming gladly accepted it, and after Xie Wenzhou's messenger left, he informed the people in the account about the letter.
"The words in the letter are pleading, and they actually hope for a friendly relationship between the two armies even more than we do."
"Military Advisor Liang, do you have anything else to say?" Yu Changming looked at Liang Changji.
Liang Changji shook his head and continued to advise: "General, this may be Xie Wenzhou's trick, trying to make you complacent!"
"This general doesn't think so. Xie Wenzhou and Chen Yunxuan have made an alliance with our army. If they break the alliance, they will be ridiculed by the world." Yu Changming gave his own analysis and at the same time asked someone to inquire about Ming Zishi's news.
According to the spies, it turned out that Ming Zishi's faction was too powerful, which aroused Xie Wenzhou's suspicion.
In order to form a check and balance in the army, Xie Wenzhou specially promoted his brother-in-law Yan Boyi to the position of new governor.
"Haha, it's just as I expected. Although Xie Botai is a fierce tiger, his son Xie Wenzhou is a dog."
"Whenever Xie Wenzhou personally led the troops, they usually ended in failure. In the previous battle of Huaizhou, they were completely defeated by Xiahou Jing's army!"
"In Linzhou, the only two people I respect are Le Yuxian and Qi Heyu. Only Ming Zi is actually quite powerful. As for the others, they are just chickens and dogs."
"Even if such an ally betrays me, what is there to fear?"
"As for Chen Yunxuan, he is busy suppressing the rebellion in Lingzhou and has no spare energy to attack us."
"Alright, no need to say any more, prepare to attack Xiahou Jing immediately!"
Seeing that Yu Changming had made up his mind, Liang Changji sighed and retreated reluctantly.
…
After making preparations, Yu Changming led the Xiangbei soldiers to the north.
Under the command of Yu Changming, the soldiers of Xiangbei fought bloody battles, won many victories, and advanced all the way to Xiahou Jing's last stronghold in the northern part of Xiangzhou - Xiangfan City.
As long as this stronghold is captured, it will be possible to threaten the heartland of Xiahou Jing's forces - Yingzhou, and even welcome back Emperor Chihui.
"Attack the city with all your strength! We must take this place!" After Yu Changming gave the order, the Xiangbei soldiers launched another attack.
Xiahou Xiaoze led Xiahou Jing's army to defend Xiangfan City, guarding against the enemy's fierce attacks.
"Why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet!" Xiahou Xiao roared in his heart. His armor was badly damaged and his body was covered with dried blood.
But he forced himself to suppress the urge to curse. After all, he was the commander-in-chief and needed to stabilize morale. He encouraged them, "Soldiers! Hold on a little longer. This place is close to the imperial capital. His Majesty and the Lord will never abandon us!"
After saying that, Xiahou Xiao stepped forward again to kill the enemy.
On the other side, Yu Changming, who thought he was about to take the city, received bad news.
"Report to the general, Xie's army is attacking! Our Xiangjiang County has been captured!" the soldier shouted.
"What... a coward! How dare you betray the alliance!" Yu Changming was furious. His wound burst open in anger and he almost fell off his horse.
Liang Changji's worst fears had finally come to pass, and he had no choice but to persuade Yu Changming to retreat: "General... our army is now under attack from both sides. We should quickly withdraw to Jinkang County, otherwise our entire army will be annihilated."
"No... I've lost Xiangjiang County, which I was defending. How can I face my brother again?" Yu Changming endured the pain and prepared to mount his horse and lead his men into battle again. "The enemy has just occupied Xiangjiang County. We may seize the opportunity to recapture it while they are still unstable!"
At this moment, Xiahou Xiao saw that Xiahou Jing and Xie Wenzhou's troops were coming to support him, so he stopped defending and chose to open the city gate and fight.
"Sir, Xiangjiang County fell so quickly because there were spies working together with Xie's army. We must not go back now!" the soldier continued.
Hearing this, Yu Changming was stunned. He realized that there was no way to recapture Xiangjiang County.
"The defeat this time is all due to my stubbornness, conceit and carelessness... Zhenyi, Changji, you take your soldiers and retreat... I will stay here and fight the enemy until the last moment! To buy time for you." Yu Changming tightly grasped the long sword in his hand.
"General, as the commander of an army, you can't even accept a single defeat! Are you worthy of the lord's trust?" Liang Changji cursed. "Even if you were defeated, you should have fulfilled your duties as commander and led your men to a safe area, not acted like a coward!"
"..." Yu Changming pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Changji, you are right... This general has already made a mistake once, and cannot make it again!"
"All troops, listen up! Retreat to Jinkang County immediately!"
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