Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Zhang Xuan's heart leaped with joy as Pei Xingyan, a renowned hero from the late Sui dynasty, arrived with over a hundred cavalrymen to reinforce him. Pei Xingyan explained that he was patrolling along the Yongji Canal and encountered soldiers sent by General Zhang for help, so he hurried to assist in the counterattack. Zhang Xuan quickly organized his troops and led them southward at a rapid pace to escape the pursuing enemy. After traveling over twenty miles, Pei Xingyan guided them to the land temple ferry of Yongji Canal, where they could cross the river and escape Zhang Jin Cheng's territory. Zhang Xuan was overjoyed to find thirty flat-bottomed grain boats docked nearby, which they used to form a makeshift floating bridge to cross the river. Pei Xingyan revealed that the Flying Eagle Army was trapped in Qijun and couldn't move due to critically low supplies and opposition from local officials. Zhang Xuan declined Pei Xingyan's invitation to meet the commander in Qijun, saying he had to reach Luoyang within five days. Meanwhile, Li Yuan, the governor of Taiyuan, arrived in Luoyang City, worried about a prophecy that seemed to target him. He visited Wuchuan Academy, where Dou Qing, the head of the assembly, was recovering from an illness. Dou Qing was concerned about the fate of Wuchuan and the Guanzhong nobility, and Li Yuan sought his help to address the prophecy.

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