Chapter 735 Escape
The fighting at Zhiguan City suddenly stopped, and both sides understood each other tacitly.
After a while, dozens of riders stepped forward and each shot several letters into the room.
Soon a letter was delivered to Liu Xian.
He unfolded it with a complex expression, and found out that it was a surrender letter written in Shao Xun's voice -
It said: "The Ming Dynasty canonize punishments, and the state-owned canon. Liu Cong is against human ethics. Rebellion is inevitable. He incites the people of one side, invades and plunders the three armies, burns down the villages, tortures the officials, and maims the officials. This is not tolerated by heaven and earth, and is abandoned by both humans and gods..."
"The Xiongnu soldiers and civilians are also my innocent sons. There were military orders in the previous period. Wherever the camps arrive, they are not allowed to kill indiscriminately or seize property; they are not allowed to arrest people at will as prisoners; they are not allowed to open graves to vent old grudges. Disobey orders and Punishment is covered by a permanent constitution, and sins are pardoned according to orders. There are also previous scriptures. How can the sins of one man be left to the people of the same place..."
"Since the rise of the army, fighting has been frequent, and supplies have been complicated. In the counties and villages, the farmers and mulberry trees were abandoned; in the prefectures and counties, the people were anointed by the sharp edge. As a parent, I felt sorry for my wounds and read the good news many times, and it was inevitable to sigh... The Xiongnu soldiers, perhaps forced by threats, could not do anything. Extricate yourself; or you may be greedy for money and try your best to obey. Now that the army is approaching, attacking from both inside and outside, you will lose your way again..."
After reading it, Liu Xian sighed.
The generals looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
There was no need to hide the letter of persuasion to surrender, nor could it be hidden, so Liu Xian generously invited everyone to read it together - if they were literate.
The content in the book is very practical, saying that you can accept their surrender and let bygones be bygones.
Another "three-part agreement": no burning, killing, looting, no seizing good deeds and taking credit, and no opening coffins to kill corpses.
The crime committed by Liu Cong alone will not implicate other people.
The policy is very clear. How about it? Will it be reduced?
Liu Xian placed the surrender letter on the table and glanced at the generals, his eyes slightly disappointed.
Why doesn’t anyone stand up and propose surrender?
Co-authoring forces me to mention it first, right?
After waiting for a while, Liu Xian suddenly burst into tears: "The late emperor was very kind to me, and I am guilty of fighting until today."
The cry was mournful, and those who heard it shed tears.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Liu Xian cried more and more sadly, with tears overflowing. For a short while, it seemed that I could hardly breathe and almost fainted.
"There are still six thousand soldiers in Zhiguan, but they were all lost in one day. Under the deep earth, the late emperor blamed me, how should I say it! How sad, it hurts me!"
"Human Both have parents, and their wives and children look at each other, but I can’t take them back. What a shame!”
“I have been blessed by the country and enjoyed great honors. But there is nothing I can do. Wow, I am so embarrassed!"
Everyone still said nothing.
The soldiers and generals poked their heads outside, looking solemn.
At the end, an honest man finally couldn't bear it anymore and stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the traitors in the Pei family have made trouble and blocked their mouths. I don't think Zhao Lu and Shi Sheng can beat them down. Now I heard that there is also something in the king's house. The food, grass and military supplies were all stationed there, and it fell into the hands of Hou Fu. I didn't see the need to fight this battle. When we got down to the city, someone was already hiding the corpses. I didn't dare to fight any longer. Thinking."
After the first person stood up, a second person soon said: "The most dangerous thing is to cut off food. Zhiguan is attacked from both sides. Without food and weapons, it can't survive."
"Shao Liang Gong said that he would not implicate others, which seems to be somewhat credible." Someone else said.
"Unless we are unwilling to die, it is useless to defend Zhiguan. Shao Bing can cross the river from Shaanxi City and cross Zhongtiao Mountain to the north. Whether Zhiguan is defended or not will not affect the overall situation. ”
"Pretend to surrender first, and run away when you have the chance."
"Yes, keep yourself useful first, so that you can serve the emperor and prince in the future."
When the audience said this, Liu Xian's crying stopped for a moment.
After a long time, he sighed and said: "If it weren't for the preservation of six thousand soldiers, I would have wanted to ride out of the city alone and die in the midst of thousands of troops."
"No, Your Majesty!"< br>
"Your Majesty, don't give up on yourself."
"Don't give up on your useful life."
"There is still a chance. Shao Thief cannot always be proud. I will wait. Bend down and serve first, waiting for the right time."
Everyone was talking about it and tried to persuade him.
Liu Xian wiped his tears and said sadly: "Then surrender first."
******
The battle situation in Shaanxi City has changed dramatically.
Since the army began to attack the city on the first day of November, Wang Mi had been thinking of escaping.
But he also has a sense of luck in his heart - as a warlord, who would abandon his territory and run away unless it was absolutely necessary?
In addition, the terrain of Shaanxi County is very dangerous.
It faces the Yellow River to the north, mountains to the south, and hills to the east. It can be said to be "hanging on three sides". There is only one side to attack, and it is still difficult to attack uphill. Otherwise, he will also The government will not be located here.
Furthermore, the general's family members have all been sent to the west. It may not be far from Tongguan now. The general guarding the city has no worries anymore. It seems that he can fight a dozen?
Being lucky, Wang Mi hesitated, especially after he repelled the Jin army's first attack and even foiled their plan to seize Dayangjin, he didn't want to leave. ——In fact, the Battle of the Ferry was mainly fought by the Qiang people who had recently crossed the river.
But Wang Mi hesitated, but Shi Hu did not!
On the fifth day of November, he looked towards Shaanxi City on the south bank of the Yellow River for the last time.
The city was on the bank of the Yellow River, hanging over a hundred feet of water. It seemed very solid, but he knew that any fortified city in the world could not be broken. It all depended on the price the attacker was willing to pay.
Wang Mi will die if he doesn’t leave!
"Abandon all the baggage!" That night, Shi Hu issued this order.
Everyone was well prepared and brought out horses and even donkeys and mules.
The draft animals pulling the carts were also unholstered and turned to carry luggage.
There are more than 5,000 people in the army. Except for a few who carry armor and other heavy items, most of them only carry light weapons and ten days of dry food - some are carried with them and some are carried by mules and horses. .
After everything was prepared, in the middle of the night, the army quietly left the city and headed northwest.
Over Zhongtiao Mountain, there are two roads, one main and one auxiliary. Walking from Dayang to the northeast (i.e. Dianji Road), this is called the main line and can be used by cars and horses.
Going northwest from Dayang, you can reach Baijing Ridge in Zhongtiao Mountain. This is called the auxiliary line.
This road has towering mountains, left and right walls, and no rails in between. It cannot be covered by vehicles, and can only pass by people and horses.
After passing Baijingling, you can reach the salt pond directly.
Shi Hu chose this route.
The army arrived at Baijingling on the morning of the next day. After spending two days, the entire army passed through Zhongtiao Mountain and arrived at Yanchi in the early morning of the eighth day of the lunar month.
At this time, a column of smoke rose into the sky in the direction of Dayang Ferry——Shi Hu was kind. He arranged for more than ten people to stay at the back, and after the army had left for two days, he set fire to it. Burn the baggage and the military camp and report to Wang Mi.
The salt pond is like an abyss embedded in the earth. If you look closely, it is quite beautiful.
But Shihu had no intention of admiring it. Under his leadership, the 5,000-strong army turned westward and headed straight for Puban.
The generals have no objections. It’s this time, who the hell is going to rescue him if he doesn’t have a good brain?
Besides, we have abandoned even the baggage, how can we fight?
Without the baggage, we couldn’t camp at night, so we had to lie on the ground in the open air.
Without the baggage, the equipment could not be repaired. After a battle, countless equipment was damaged.
Without the baggage, they couldn’t even eat hot soup or rice.
Fight a ghost!
But the generals want to run away, but the sergeants don’t necessarily.
Along the way, people kept deserting and returning home.
When Shi Hu finally led his troops to Pujin Guandong City, there were only 3,400 soldiers left, a full 2,000 less.
However, this is already a very good ending.
******
The raging fire of Dayangjin shocked everyone.
When Wang Mi learned the news, he hurriedly climbed to the top of the north city and overlooked the sun.
Zhongtiao Mountain runs east to west, like a lying dragon, covering the hinterland of Hedong in the north.
How many secrets are blocked by Zhongtiao Mountain?
Shi Hu is guarding Dayang and is well-informed. He must have gotten some great news.
Could it be——
Wang Mi didn’t dare to think about it.
In times of continuous defeat, people are most likely to have random thoughts. If he continues to think blindly, Wang Mi is afraid that he will think that the emperor has collapsed and Pingyang has been occupied by Shao Xun.
The scariest thing is scaring yourself.
But how can I put it, the reality is here. Shi Hu has already run away, doesn’t that explain the problem?
He then looked at the Qiang people guarding Dayangjin Ferry. There was also a commotion in their camp.
I don’t know why, Wang Mi suddenly felt the pleasure of playing a prank in his heart - be silly, come across the river and die with me.
He looked to the west again, where there were mountains and plains, but he couldn't see clearly.
I heard that Pu Hong was guarding Hongnong and refused to advance.
Haha, you are quite a cunning thief, but if you are not quick with your hands and feet, you might also be bitten off a large piece by the Jin people.
"Ming Gong." Zhang Song and others went to the top of the city and saluted together.
After the ceremony, someone looked at him with complicated and unreadable eyes.
Wang Mi understood the meaning in their eyes and sighed secretly.
"Now that the matter has come to this, I can't be too selfish and drag thousands of soldiers to be buried with me." Wang Mi said.
"Ming Gong's intention..." Zhang Song's mind moved and he asked in a trembling voice.
"This city - cannot be defended." Wang Mi said: "Give the men a good meal. Break out tonight, move closer to Dayangjin, and join the Qiang commanders."
Everyone's face turned pale after hearing this.
Breaking out is not that simple, let alone breaking out at night.
The old base is almost done, the remaining people can defend the city well, but the field battle is quite difficult. Out of thousands of soldiers, how many will eventually escape?
But this is the only way.
If you don’t want to be trapped alive in Shaanxi City, you can only leave and fight, there is really no other way.
"Go and prepare quickly." Wang Mi said: "I have received news that the prince has led his army to Feng Yi and can cross the river eastward at any time. As long as we run to Pujing Pass, there is a chance to save everything."
“As ordered.” The generals agreed one after another.
On the eighth night of November, the defenders of Shaanxi City came out in full force and broke through in the direction of Dayang.
The besieging army fought desperately and gained a lot.
The battle lasted until dawn, and Wang Mi’s general Wang Gen was killed, and his chief historian Zhang Song was captured.
Wang Mi led two thousand remaining soldiers and broke into Dayangjin.
The besieging soldiers took the opportunity to attack fiercely. In the afternoon, Wang Mi and others were defeated and scrambled to cross the river, resulting in countless casualties.
When Pu Hong heard about it, he burned, killed and looted Hongnong, set fire to the city and returned the women and property to the west.
(Aim for the third update today, vote quickly if you have any, thank you.)
(End of this chapter)