Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 775 Bloodshed in Chang'an (Part )
Duting Posthouse is located in Dunhuafang in the southeast corner of Chang'an.

It is understandable that the post station was set up here, because most of the caravans coming from Chang'an came from Guandong. After stopping in Chang'an, they either went to the Western Regions or returned to their original places. Therefore, it was very appropriate to set up the post station in Dunhuafang, which is not far from Chunming Gate in the east and is remote and quiet.

This place is backed by mountains and has a canal running through it, making it an ideal place for defense.

Throwing himself into the game and luring the Tibetans to attack may seem reckless, but it was actually the result of Fang Chongyong's careful consideration.

However, he thought so, but some people did not think so.

Yuan Zai, for example, was so frightened that his face turned pale, but he was just trying to remain calm. At this moment, the sun was shining brightly, and inside and outside Duting Posthouse, there were soldiers busy coming and going everywhere. They were here to reinforce the walls and corner towers, and set up several roadblocks outside the walls.

"Guan family, this..."

Yuan Zai, who was standing next to Fang Chongyong, wanted to say something but hesitated, not knowing how to start.

"I predict that the Tibetans will attack Chang'an tonight. If you want to return to Xinfengyi, you still have time. If you delay any further, it will be difficult to leave."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand gently and said.

"Tonight?"

Yuan Zai was shocked. He couldn't imagine that the Tibetans were so bold!
"Well, the longer the night, the more trouble there is. Dazalugong was provoked yesterday. According to the speed of the Tibetans' mobilization, they will attack here tonight at the earliest. The longer they delay, the lower the morale of the Tibetans will be. There is no reason for Dazalugong not to take a gamble."

Fang Chongyong said with a sigh.

If it were under normal circumstances, the Bianzhou army would not have to fight like this. Fang Zhongyong's choice was not just to fight the Tibetans head-on, and there was no need to choose Chang'an as the battlefield.

However, what Fang Chongyong fears most is being out of control.

Especially the troops under the command of Marshal Baochen, if the Bianzhou army fails in battle, it is hard to say what these people will do. If people are not united, no matter how many people there are, they will only be a burden.

So Fang Zhongyong chose to fight with his body. He made a choice, but Dazha Lugong had no choice! At this moment, all the conspiracy and tricks were ineffective. Facing the enemy, he just drew his sword and there was nothing to say.

Before this, Fang Chongyong had already arranged the combat deployment, and today was a process of execution. Even if he wanted to make major changes, it was too late.

"Ugh!"

Yuan Zai sighed, crossed his arms in salute, and stepped aside.

He really wanted to leave, but he also knew that if he left today, he would have no chance of "progress" in the future. For the sake of his future, he had better endure it.

At this time, Zhang Guangsheng led Li Qi to Duting Posthouse. As soon as they met, the puppet emperor asked with a worried look on his face: "Sir, we are going to have a decisive battle with the Tibetans in Chang'an. Are you sure you will win?"

Li Qi did not ask Fang Zhongyong why he sent the captain of his personal guards to bring him, the puppet emperor, to Duting Station. Asking such a question would insult one's intelligence and would be despised.

So he asked a more meaningful question: Can you win?

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. If the war were fought elsewhere, the local people in Guanzhong would all stand by and watch. But since the battlefield is in Chang'an, I don't think they will just stand by and watch."

Fang Zhongyong said calmly, everything is self-explanatory!
Haha, the Tianlong people in Guanzhong were probably thinking that they would just work without putting in any effort, and let the Bianzhou army and the Tibetans waste time. No matter what the final result was, they would not have a bad life.

So Fang Zhongyong blocked their retreat with one move!
If these people still want Chang'an to exist as a city and want to protect their own property, then they should think carefully about how to defend it and how to fight the Tibetans!
Instead of focusing on some weird things.

"With the emperor here, the soldiers of the three armies will be united as one."

Fang Zhongyong saluted Li Qi with his arms crossed.

"Haha, then I'll just...stay here tonight."

Li Qi laughed dryly and said insincerely, "It's too late to say anything now. I can only follow Fang Zhongyong all the way to the end."

He walked towards the simple study, and just as he stepped into the door, he quickly stopped.

I saw a city model that was almost identical to Chang'an City "built" on the ground, even the mountains and rivers in the south of the city were piled up. The relevant objects were made very simply, but there were all the necessary things. Whether it was the imperial city, the Daming Palace, or the 108 wards, they were all laid out in the correct proportions.

They are all made of mud, stone, wood and other materials.

Li Qi understood. No wonder everyone was unwilling to enter the study. It turned out that the study was occupied by this thing.

He followed his steps and walked slowly into the study. Fang Chongyong and others followed him in. They all stared at the city model on the ground.

"For those people who are willing to stay in Chang'an, I have already ordered them to be given weapons, shields and other items to guard the gates of each neighborhood. They will greatly distract the Tibetans' attention."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.

There are three routes to attack Dunhuafang starting from Xiwei Bridge west of Chang'an.

The first route was to bypass Chang'an and go from the north of Chang'an to the southeast corner of Chang'an. This route was extremely difficult, not only did it bypass the entire Chang'an, but it also required crossing several rivers. To the north of Chang'an was the Forbidden Garden, the northern wall of the imperial city, and the Xuanwu Gate Barracks.

Just ambush some troops here, and the Tibetans on the march will be hit by clubs and die without knowing how they died!

As long as Dazalugong's head had not been caught in the door, he would never have taken the north road.

Then, only the South Road and the Middle Road can be chosen.

The middle road is to pass through the Jinguang Gate in the west of Chang'an, enter Chang'an from here, and then march through the city of Chang'an to arrive at Duting Posthouse in Dunhuafang. The advantage of this road is that the road condition is very good, and it is a good road in Chang'an that is flat enough to roll on.

The problem was that the city of Chang'an was like a chessboard; soldiers could be hidden in every block, and it was impossible to tell from the outside whether there were ambushes.

Taking this route is very thrilling and tests the commander's ability to respond. If you are not careful, your troops may be divided and surrounded by the Tang army ambushes that suddenly appear in a certain area.

How about taking the southern route, which would go around the south to the southeast corner of Chang'an City?

The advantage of this route is that there will be no sudden ambush from somewhere. But the disadvantage is also obvious. Chang'an City is surrounded by mountains to the south, and the southeast corner is surrounded by mountains and water. The surrounding area is a natural terrain suitable for defense, and there is only one side to face the enemy.

Fang Chongyong had asked Wang Nandi and He Changqi to divide their forces and set up two camps nearby, which formed a three-way encirclement situation with the southern city gate.

In other words, Chang'an City is a maze for the Tibetans, with unknown risks. But for Fang Zhongyong's Bianzhou Army, there are also unknown risks, and it is not the familiar combat mode.

If this is a weakening, then it means that both sides are weakened at the same time.

What will Dazalugong choose?

In fact, Fang Zhongyong didn't know either, but he bet that the other party would definitely go into Chang'an City.

No Tibetan could resist entering the capital of the Tang Dynasty. In their view, as long as they entered the city, they would have conquered it.

Abandoning Chang'an and fighting with the Tang army outside the city, it seems awkward no matter how you look at it.

Entering Chang'an itself has strong political significance. Moreover, it is not impossible that Dazalugong allowed the Tibetan army to plunder Chang'an. "Sir, there are many Tibetan soldiers. If they enter the city, I am afraid that the people of Chang'an will suffer."

Li Quan pointed at the location of the Golden Light Gate in the model on the ground and sighed.

"Those who stay are those who want to stay. This is their choice, and it is also our choice."

Fang Zhongyong said this without changing his expression, and everyone in the study was speechless. When the official in front of him became ruthless, he was harder than iron and colder than ice!
At this time, Zhang Guangsheng quietly walked into the study, leaned close to Fang Zhongyong's ear and whispered: "Your Majesty, Che Guangqian sent someone to deliver an urgent message, saying that the Tubo army is attacking Bingzhou very urgently. Perhaps the two Tubo armies have already contacted each other."

really!

Fang Chongyong's heart finally settled down.

The Tibetan army in Jingchuan rushed to attack Bingzhou in the hope that the Bianzhou army in Chang'an would come north to reinforce. In other words, Dazha Lugong's plot was too obvious.

It's the kind of thing where you hit the tree a few times whenever you want to and see what falls from it.

If Fang Zhongyong was fooled and sent troops to reinforce Bingzhou, it would be easier for the Tubo army to attack Chang'an. If he was not fooled, at least Che Guangqian would be delayed, so that he could not lead troops back to Chang'an!

Of course, this information also indirectly proves that the Tibetans’ general attack is imminent!

"Don't sleep tonight. The Tibetans will definitely attack Chang'an at night!"

Fang Zhongyong looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice. Everyone, including Li Qi, had a solemn expression on their faces.

……

As night fell, the city of Chang'an was shrouded in darkness, with only a few scattered torches, like fireflies in the grass, seeming to be soon swallowed by the darkness.

Amidst the silence, there is a heavy sense of oppression.

when!when!when!
As if sensing something, the famous "Jingyun Bell" in the imperial city of Chang'an began to ring rhythmically. The sound of the bell pierced the tranquility of the night, and all the quarters in Chang'an began to stir.

At Xiwei Bridge to the west of Chang'an City, Tibetan soldiers holding torches were marching across the bridge in a line. From a distance, they looked like a fire dragon.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
Boom!Boom!Boom!
Boom!Boom!Boom!
The sound of drums came from far away, the Tibetans outside the city were beating, and the scouts of the Bianzhou Army inside the city were also beating. The drum tower was originally guarded by the Jinwu Guards, but now it was guarded by the scouts of the Bianzhou Army, who used the sound of drums to send messages.

Wherever the drum sounded, it meant that the Tibetans were nearby.

In the temporary study at Duting Posthouse in Dunhuafang, Fang Chongyong and his staff were waiting anxiously.

At this moment, the door was pushed open. Zhang Guangsheng panted heavily and shouted to Fang Zhongyong with an excited look on his face: "Sir, the Tibetans have entered the city. There is no movement in the south or north of the city. They really came directly from the Jinguan Gate!"

it is good!
Although Fang Chongyong's expression was calm, he unconsciously clenched his fists.

He won the bet, he guessed right!
Why don't the Tibetans use those roundabout tricks?
Because they wanted to show their bravery in front of the Tang army! They wanted to defeat the Bianzhou army fairly and then conquer the Tang Dynasty!

If even the most capable Bianzhou army couldn't beat the Tibetans, who else could come from the Central Plains? The impact on the morale of both sides would be immeasurable. In other words, the Tibetan army wanted to break the backbone of the Tang army in one battle, so Dazalu Gong chose not to dodge or evade, but to directly enter Chang'an City and fight the Bianzhou army head-on!

Fang Chongyong had previously sent people to deliver the fox's tail, which also forced Dazha Lugong to Liangshan, leaving him with no way to hide or evade.

This battle will determine both victory and defeat, as well as life and death!

"Inform all units to act according to the plan. Each battalion is responsible for the security of a district and its surroundings, and they must follow orders."

Fang Chongyong instructed Zhang Guangsheng.

At this moment, the "Chang'an Model" on the ground was filled with different flags.

Fang Chongyong felt that Dazha Lugong might have made a mistake.

Perhaps in Dazha Lugong's eyes, Chang'an is just a place name. But in Fang Zhongyong's eyes, Chang'an is a very large area!

An area that can easily accommodate a million people!
Generally speaking, the battlefield where the two armies fought was not as large as the city of Chang'an. Therefore, the usual command mode, relying on flags, drums and music, and messengers on horseback, was basically enough.

However, in Chang'an, a place with crisscrossing like a chessboard, the vision is blocked and the military deployment is constrained. This requires occupying the commanding heights, such as the pagoda, the drum tower, and the arrow tower on the imperial city wall. Only then can the military be commanded and dispatched.

By the time Dazalugong realized this, the situation might have been irreversible. Of course, even if he realized it, he still needed to occupy these places, which required dividing his troops.

However, as long as the Tibetans divide their forces, it is uncertain whether they can walk out of Chang'an City alive!

After Zhang Guangsheng left, the study fell silent again. Yuan Zai looked at Fang Zhongyong, then at Li Qi who was sitting there blankly, and could only sigh silently.

In this battle, no matter how the commander roared and fought, it was of little use.

After a while, a messenger came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Tibetan army has arrived at the Dayun Sutra Temple in Huaiyuanfang, and then split into three groups. One group went to Taiji Palace, one group went to Xingqing Palace, and the last group came here."

"Investigate again and report back! All departments act according to the plan!"

Fang Chongyong ordered in a deep voice.

Dazalugong divided his troops as expected, and everything went according to plan.

He called Zhang Guangsheng and instructed him, "Go and inform Wang Nan, and when the Tibetans start to attack Dunhuafang, have him lead his troops to attack from the south gate. The Tibetan army will retreat, and then have Wang Nan lead his troops to the Ci'en Temple Pagoda not far west of Dunhuafang. After Dazha Lugong suffers a loss, he will attack the commanding heights. All the pagodas in Chang'an are places of contention for military strategists."

"Order!"

Zhang Guangsheng took the order and left. He had already run many times tonight. He was so excited that he couldn't stop and didn't feel tired at all!

Not long after, the sound of dense footsteps was finally heard outside Duting Posthouse!

The Tibetans are finally here!
Fang Zhongyong grabbed the Wind Phantom Blade on the table and walked straight out the door. He quickly climbed up the corner tower of Duting Posthouse and saw that the wide street to the west was full of densely packed torches, which made people's scalps numb.

This place is located in the southeast corner of Chang'an. The area is small and not suitable for the deployment of troops. At most, there are only a thousand people fighting. The densely packed Tibetan troops in the distance look scary, but except for the people in the front, the others can't even touch the door of the wall.

Coming is almost the same as not coming.

"Send the order to take out the gifts shipped from Bianzhou and give them to the Tibetans so that they can learn more."

Fang Zhongyong gave orders to the messenger beside him.

The elite troops of the Bianzhou Army stationed at Dutingyi were at an absolute disadvantage compared to the Tibetans. However, an absolute disadvantage in manpower does not necessarily mean an absolute disadvantage in firepower!

Previously, when Che Guangqian and his team were fighting against Tubo, Fang Chongyong had never allowed them to use their "secret weapons".

Now is the time to open the eyes of the Tibetans.

(End of this chapter)