Chapter 4366: Survival in Death
People always have a sense of luck, thinking that they are the unique one in the world and will be blessed by God. The more lucky they are, the more they are in a life-or-death situation.
Li Zhi is not so shallow, but since he wants to achieve imperial hegemony, seize the supreme power in the world, and become a man of great fortune with "the power of kings given by heaven", he must become a "son of God" and receive God's favor when his life is in danger.
Throughout the ages, which famous king has not been protected by luck, overcame all obstacles and rose to power?
Although Yuchi Gong had already considered the possible movements of the armies behind him at the beginning of his attack on Mingdemen, Li Zhi still hoped for a miracle to prove that he was indeed the one "destined to return to." .
In this way, not only can the imminent crisis be solved in one fell swoop, but also one's reputation will soar and gain the support of the world.
However, the moment Cheng Yaojin led his army into Yuanqiu and the Xue, Liu and Zheng coalition forces crossed into Anhua Gate, Li Zhi knew that not only was he not the son of destiny, he might even become the one abandoned by heaven...
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One hundred thousand troops were facing north and south outside Mingde Gate, waiting in defense. Behind them was Mingde Gate where the battle was raging. In front of them was Zuo Wuwei, who was watching eagerly. On the right, the Xue, Liu and Zheng coalition forces rushed towards Anhua Gate along the Qingming Canal. On the left, more than 10,000 Donggongliu led the elite troops who had come from a long distance, leaning against Qujiang Pond and watching with eagerness.
Encircled on three sides, it has become a deadlock. Even if Li Zhi's private army of 100,000 nobles takes wings, they will not be able to escape.
The only way to survive is to block the upcoming tidal wave of offensives from three directions, ensure that Yuchi Gong can take the lead in capturing Mingde Gate without interference, and then go straight to Chengtian Gate to join forces with Li Daozong.
However, this 100,000-strong army looks like a large number of people, but in fact they are all hastily recruited by the Shandong family. Only half of them have had experience as soldiers, and the rest are slaves, prisoners, and civilians, ranging from more than 60 years old. When you are more than ten years old, you may be able to fight a smooth battle, but now facing encirclement and suppression from three sides, people are already panicked and the morale of the military is in turmoil.
How difficult is it to rely on such an army to withstand the three elite troops of the Tang Dynasty in front of them?
At this time, Li Zhi, who should have been in a panic, calmed down instead. He was just a dead man. What's the use of being afraid?
He personally put on a sword, a helmet and armor, rode in the army formations, and loudly encouraged morale: "The enemy is indeed strong, but we have the advantage in strength, so why fear a battle? Besides, there is no need to defeat the enemy, we just need to We need to hold our position until the Duke of E breaks through Mingde Gate and the army marches into the city to determine the overall situation. I will reward you for my merits and will never break my promise!"
After all, it was Tianhuang nobleman. With such gestures and words, the panicked army quickly calmed down. Although morale was still low, it was still able to fight.
*****
The ridge of the Butokuden Hall reflects golden light in the morning sun. It seems to be just a few feet away, but it seems to be thousands of miles away.
Fierce fighting day and night caused heavy casualties on both sides of the attack and defense. Every palace, pavilion, and pavilion to the north of the Wude Hall was fought over repeatedly, and corpses were lying everywhere. Rivers of blood flowed everywhere. The rebels, who seemed to have the upper hand, fought tooth and nail against the defenders. They paid a heavy price under the sniper attack, but could not make any progress.
With every moment of delay, the situation will change unpredictably, but no matter how Li Daozong supervises the battle, he still achieves little success.
Thousands of people from the Forbidden Army and Baiqisi who were loyal to the emperor defended the Wude Palace. Even though they were exhausted and covered with wounds, they still refused to give up an inch of land with red eyes. They resisted the rebels and did not harm His Majesty in the slightest. .
This crazy burning spirit caused the defenders' combat power to skyrocket...
It's just that they still couldn't capture Wude Palace, but there was bad news behind them.
"Yin Qinzhou was defeated? Didn't he even hold on for an hour?"
Yu Wenshi, who was described as haggard and struggling with energy, listened to the battle report from the scouts with his bloodshot eyes wide open, his expression full of disbelief.
The coercion of Yin Qinzhou to attack Chang'an was the result of the last resort of the Guanlong clan to use their remaining power. It was originally hoped that even if Youtunwei could not be defeated, it would be enough to form a stalemate and give the other garrisons and clans in various places a chance to react. They swarmed in and formed a general trend.
However, I heard from the scout battle report that Yin Qinzhou could not hold on for even an hour...
The scout replied definitely: "To be precise, not even an hour. The two sides have not yet engaged in battle. The right guard fired all artillery, and the left guard was defeated like a mountain. The right guard sent out the formal cavalry and spent an hour to defeat the main force of the left guard. Then In the middle of the night, all the defeated troops were driven to the north of the Wei River. Now the Youtun Guards have cleared the north of Xuanwu Gate and are attacking Xuanwu Gate with all their strength."
Yuwenshi's lips trembled: "Artillery?"
The scout nodded: "The right guard was equipped with dozens of artillery pieces. Unknown to everyone, they launched a volley of fire unexpectedly. Countless artillery shells fell on the left guard... It had to be the left guard. It was really... Youtunwei gave them no chance to fight."
Everyone knows the power of artillery, how can flesh and blood resist it?
Li Daozong looked at Yu Wenshiji, with a stern look on his face, and asked: "You, Lord Ying, swore before that the output of the Foundry Bureau was not enough to equip an army, so how do you explain the artillery and shells of Youtun Guard now?"< br>
He prides himself on being a world-famous general, and when he has the upper hand, he is not afraid of anyone or any unit, except firearms. After all, the power of firearms that shattered the earth that day cannot be resisted by human beings. Pure military strength and combat power are like paper in front of firearms. Withered leaves and no resistance.
Although the Foundry Bureau has been investigated overtly and covertly many times, why was it that Youtunwei was still able to produce so many artillery pieces and artillery shells?
Don't talk about retaining it before, that's simply impossible.
Facing Li Daozong's cross-examination, Yu Wenshiji's face turned pale, his lips were trembling, his eyelids were twitching, and he didn't know how to answer.
However, there is a more serious problem. Since Youtunwei has already been equipped with enough artillery and artillery shells, why have they been kept hidden and not taken out?
Is Donggong Liuli, who is also His Majesty's arm, equipped with enough artillery?
Is it because the number of artillery pieces is not enough to completely annihilate the rebels, and it should be reserved for crisis moments, or is it simply intentional, to "lead the snake out of its hole" and lure all the troops who are not loyal to the emperor to Chang'an City, and then deal a devastating blow to it? ?
The more Yu Wenshiji thought about it, the more frightened he became, and a thin layer of sweat soon broke out on his forehead.
Li Daozong snorted coldly, turned to the captain beside him and said: "There is still no way to retreat at this time. Send the order and capture Wude Hall at all costs. Regardless of whether we can control His Majesty, we must end the battle as soon as possible!"
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"Here!"
The captain also knew that it was now a matter of life and death. Once Fang Jun captured the Xuanwu Gate and entered the palace, he would be attacked from both sides. Not to mention capturing the Wude Palace, it would be difficult to protect himself...
The school captain rushed to deliver the order, and Li Daozong called another scout to him and asked, "Is there any movement from King Jin in the south of the city?"
The scout shook his head and said: "No news has come yet."
Li Daozong put his hands behind his hands and looked at the Wude Hall where the battle was fierce not far away. After thinking about it, he estimated that the news that Fang Jun had defeated the Zuohouwei had probably reached Yuanqiu. King Jin must have taken action, but because he was trapped in Tai Chi Palace, the communication is not smooth, so the news has not been delivered yet.
His mind turned and he immediately made a decision: "Send the order, all the reserve teams will assemble, follow my commander to attack Liangyi Hall and Taiji Hall, and go straight to Chengtianmen!"
If the King of Jin learned that the Zuohouwei had been defeated by Fang Jun's artillery, he would definitely react. He would either lead his army to break through Cheng Yaojin's blockage behind him and head south into Zhongnan Mountain, or he could gather his troops to attack Mingde Gate and attack Chengtian Gate.
If it was the former, he would be trapped in the palace and there would be no hope of survival until Fang Jun came in, and he would die on the spot. But if it was the latter, he should rush to Chengtianmen in advance to assist him. As long as the two armies join forces, Taiji Palace can be completely occupied, and the East Palace Liuli outside the city is beyond reach.
But the delay in news is too serious. If we wait until the news from King Jin comes, it will be too late...
So he can only decide in advance.
At this time, Yuwen Shiji also recovered from the shock. After listening to Li Daozong's order, he nodded repeatedly in agreement: "It is best to be able to control His Majesty, but even if Wude Palace is captured, His Majesty will most likely escape through the secret passage. , it’s better to join forces with the King of Jin and completely occupy the entire Chang’an!”
As long as he occupies the Taiji Palace and even the entire city of Chang'an, it means that King Jin has briefly controlled the center of the empire and gained nominal dominance. By that time, all the clans in Guanzhong and even the entire world will offset their last scruples and provide full support. He came from Chang'an and became a supporter of the King of Jin.
Even if Youtunwei's weapons are invincible, even if Donggong Liu is brave and good at fighting, how can he be an enemy of all the nobles and armies in the world?
The best outcome is to help Emperor Bao escape from Chang'an and flee along the Hexi Corridor to the Western Regions. From then on, the empire fell into division...
But for Guanlongmen Vale, this is already the best situation.
Although it is extremely difficult to seize the long and narrow Hexi Corridor and completely destroy the emperor, it is better to be able to occupy the center than to be killed by Fang Jun and be killed in one fell swoop.
Li Daozong said calmly: "In this case, Duke Laoying will be stationed here. I will lead my army to attack Liangyi Palace and strive to open the Chengtian Gate!"
He was really too lazy to talk to Yu Wenshiji. This patriarch of the Three Dynasties of the Tang Dynasty was good at scheming but not strategic. Although this alliance almost mobilized the entire Guanzhong, in the end the game was a little different. The success fell short.
Without further ado, he assembled the 3,000 men and horses who had been withdrawn from the battle for repairs, and then personally led his troops to leave the Wude Hall, go west through the Ganlu Gate on the south side of the Ganlu Hall, and attack Liangyi Hall.
At this moment, the entire palace's defense focus was on Wude Hall. Li Daozong led his army to attack unexpectedly. Liangyi Hall was weak and fell quickly.
Li Daozong rushed straight to Tai Chi Hall without stopping, with Chengtian Gate in sight. (End of chapter)