Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 133 Capture of Xianyang

When Lu Ze blocked Wuguan, Xiang Zhuang's army had already entered Liyi, fifty miles east of Xianyang, and the two armies of Tian Heng and Xiao Kai had already approached the city of Xianyang.

After two days of burning, killing, and plundering, the mental outlook of the recruits of the Chu army has completely changed. At least they don’t look like farmers, woodcutters, or hunters anymore. Through killing, setting fire, and plundering, the recruits’ animal nature has been completely aroused. Every recruit began to reveal a murderous aura naturally and unnaturally.

Of course, they can no longer be called recruits, they are already veterans.

However, from Hangu Pass to Xianyang, the towns and towns of Zhendian and villages along the way suffered catastrophe, especially the defeated soldiers from Hangu Pass, and Xiao He who was defeated by the Chu army on the way. The [-] troops in Fanghangu Pass were hunted down endlessly by the Chu army, and they almost ran away all the way, laying dead bodies all the way!
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It was dead of night, but the big tent in Xiangzhuang was brightly lit.

Qin Yu is complaining to Xiang Zhuang, saying that several female soldiers were harassed by "recruit soldiers". Although those recruits were beaten up by veterans of the Chu army afterwards, what those recruits said still stimulated Qin Yu. Xiaoniang, speaking of it, Qin Yu is also good at martial arts, so he insisted on leading the female soldiers to the battlefield and no longer taking the role of guards.

Naturally, Xiang Zhuang didn't have time to pay attention to these things now, so it was Gao Chu who coaxed Qin Yu back.

Watching Qin Yu leave, Wu She said worriedly: "General, these recruits are getting more and more outrageous, shouldn't they rectify military discipline?"

Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but look sideways at Wei Liao, and Wei Liao shook his head slightly.

The corruption of military discipline is the inevitable result of burning, killing and looting. It is absolutely unavoidable, and now is definitely not the time to clean up military discipline. The only thing Xiangzhuang needs to guarantee now is that all armies, battalions, ministries, and songs All will strictly implement his military orders, as long as this can be guaranteed, it is enough.

At that moment Xiang Zhuang turned around and shouted: "Jin Xiang, bring up the map."

Jin Xiang, who was guarding outside the tent, responded, strode into the tent and spread out the map in front of Xiang Zhuang.

Since Gongsun Sui died in battle at Hangu Pass, Jin Xiang filled his vacancy and became the captain of Xiangzhuang's personal army, and concurrently served as the right Sima of Xiandengying.

Wei Liao pointed to the map and said: "Look, General, Gaoguan is more than a hundred miles southeast from Liyi, and Wuguan is two hundred miles southeast from Gaoguan. However, the section from Liyi to Gaoguan The roads are all rugged mountain roads, which are very difficult to walk, and Daqin has never built a road here, so it is impassable for baggage vehicles."

Xiang Zhuang said: "That is to say, the ladder, the well rail and the siege engine cannot be transported to Wuguan?"

"Yes." Wei Liao nodded and said, "This is a small road, and it is not easy for people and horses to pass, let alone luggage?"

Xiang Zhuang pondered: "In this case, we must send a team of elite soldiers to capture Wuguan now, otherwise, once old Liu Bang recovers and sends troops to block Wuguan first, we will be in trouble."

Wei Liao took it seriously and said: "The general is wise, and this old man fully agrees."

But Wu She said: "General, are you thinking too far, and now Xianyang hasn't left yet?"

Xiang Zhuang waved his hand and said disapprovingly: "People without long-term considerations must have near-term worries. If we don't prepare a retreat in advance, if we are trapped in Guanzhong by old Liu Bang, we will be in trouble at that time."

"Trapped in Guanzhong?" Wu She asked in astonishment, "How is this possible?"

Wei Liao said: "The general's worries are not superfluous. The roads leading to the outside world in Guanzhong are the old road of Chencang, Baoxie Road, Ziwu Valley, Wuguan and Hangu Pass. The Baoxie Road has not been repaired since it was burned by Liu Bang. , Ziwu Valley Mountain is deep and densely forested, mosquitoes and flies bite in summer, it is difficult for people and horses to move, and the old road of Chen Cang is guarded by Chen Cang Pass, which is extremely difficult to conquer! Hangu Pass will soon be blocked by Liu Bang's army. Guan Ke is out of the southeast!"

Wu She pointed to Shangjun, and said: "At worst, go to Shangjun, cross Han, and then go back to Zhao through Jingxing or Feihuxing."

"Mister's thinking is too simple." Xiang Zhuang shook his head, and said, "This trip to Shangjun and Handi is far more than a thousand miles away? Mr. Liu Bang can definitely send a general and an elite army to take a short cut and cross the river northwards, and be the first to foreclose. Live in Huguan, Jingxing or even Feihuxing, and at that time, our army will have to go north to Hetao and join the barbarians."

After finishing speaking, Xiang Zhuang turned his head to look outside the tent again, and shouted sharply: "Gao Chu!"

Gao Chu entered the room in response, bowed his hands and responded proudly: "The end is here!"

Xiang Zhuang nodded and said: "Lead a thousand elites from the Nufeng battalion to attack Wuguan in the starry night! After taking Wuguan, I will pin it there for the general, and you are not allowed to take half a step back until the army arrives!" "

"Promise!" Gao Chu agreed with a bang, and immediately took the order.

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Xianyang, in front of Changle Palace.

Looking at the majestic and majestic palaces and pavilions under the night sky, Xiao He couldn't help sighing. After spending a lot of effort, he finally renovated the Qin Palace and built the Changle Palace on the basis of the Qin Palace. , I don't want to, before Liu Bang's move in, the soldiers of Chu army were ushered in first.

Although Xiao He has no detailed information about the Chu army, Xiao He has basically judged the strength of the Chu army from the mouths of the defeated soldiers who fled back in the past two days. Thousands of people, and all of them are bloodthirsty and fierce warriors. Facing such an army, Xianyang will definitely not be able to defend it.

After all, there are only two thousand defenders in Xianyang City now, and there are no strong people to recruit.

Xiao He just felt a little heartbroken. Since the Chu army entered the pass, they have burned, killed and looted all the way. How can they restrain themselves after breaking through Xianyang?At that time, the Changle Palace, which was finally repaired with great difficulty, will inevitably be burned down again!It's a pity, it's a pity, such a good palace will be destroyed in the flames of war, it can't help but make people sigh.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded behind Xiao He.

When he looked back anxiously, he saw Xianyang school Wei Shangqi striding over surrounded by more than a dozen small schools.

"Prime Minister, let's go!" Shang Qi bowed to Xiao He and said anxiously, "The forward of the Chu army has already approached the city, and according to the report of the defeated soldiers, the army of Xiangzhuang Xiaoer has also entered Liyi! The last general is worried, wait The Huichu army will encircle Xianyang City on all sides, and the Prime Minister will not be able to leave even if he wants to."

"Don't rush." ​​Xiao He waved his hand and said quietly, "Let's go, let's go."

Shang Qi frowned, and ordered the two junior officers behind him: "You two, protect the prime minister and leave the city quickly!"

"Promise!" The two junior officers suddenly agreed, stepped forward two steps, and said to Xiao Hesu: "Prime Minister, please!"

Xiao He took one last look at Changle Palace, and then got into the carriage full of regret, and then disappeared on the dark long street even with the two small school guards.

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In the east of Xianyang City, the Chu army camp.

The right general, Tian Heng, summoned his family nephew Tian Ruibai and his disciples into the big tent, and was discussing how to attack Xianyang at night.

Tian Libai said: "Uncle, my nephew heard that Xiao Kai's rear army is also planning to attack the city, we will not be left behind, breaking Xianyang is a great achievement, no matter what we can't let Xiao Kai snatch it away."

Tian Hengdao: "Aren't I looking for you to discuss this?"

Zi Du said: "General, the last general just went out to inspect and found that Xianyang City is only five feet high, and there is a forest not far from the east gate. If you cut down the wood overnight, you should be able to build enough long ladders before dawn. , and there seems to be not many defenders in Xianyang City, there is still hope for breaking the city."

Tian Heng immediately said to Tian Ruibai: "Lailai, I will leave it to you to cut wood and build ladders."

"Promise!" Tian Libai promised in a loud voice, "Uncle, don't worry, my nephew will never disgrace your life!" After finishing speaking, Tian Libai swung his long cloak, then turned around and walked away.

Tian Heng rubbed his hands, and said to Zidu: "General Zidu, you go to the army to select five hundred elite soldiers, and then take out all the wine and meat for them to have a full meal. This time, this general will personally lead the army Siege!"

Tian Heng is a descendant of the former Qi royal family. Shortly after his birth, Qi State was destroyed by Da Qin.

Therefore, Tian Heng grew up under the shadow of Great Qin. When he was a child, he played mud with his brothers. Tian Heng fantasized more than once that he would lead an army to capture Xianyang and destroy the Great Qin Empire. Although the Great Qin Empire has already perished, Xianyang has never been It is the capital of the Great Qin Empire, and Tian Heng wanted to personally lead the army to attack the city, precisely to fulfill his childhood wish.

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Almost at the same time, Xiao Kai was also making the same preparations.

Xiao Kai was born and raised in the Chu Kingdom, and it is also a remnant of the previous kings. In Xiao Kai's eyes, Tian Heng is a guest official. How could a person from Qi take such great credit for capturing Xianyang?
Xiao Kai participated in the battle of Luoyang, so he planned to sneak attack from the drain.

But every big city in Xiongcheng has a water supply and drainage system. Unless the water inlet and outlet are designed to be impeccable like Linzi, otherwise one or more layers of iron fences will not have much defensive ability at all. Although Xianyang is the capital of the Great Qin Empire , but the drainage outlet is only installed with a few layers of iron fences.

Xiao Kai personally selected a hundred warriors, first had a full meal, and then led by the deputy general Ding Gu, took advantage of the cover of night to quietly touch the moat in the east of Xianyang City. The big river is a natural moat. Only trenches were dug on the east and west sides to introduce backflow, and then it became a moat.

As soon as Ding Gu led a hundred elite soldiers to leave, Xiao Kai quietly sneaked out of the left east gate of Xianyang with an army of five thousand.

There are ten city gates in Xianyang, three gates each in the east and west, and two gates in the north and south. In addition, there is a palace city in Xianyang city. The wall of the palace city is six feet high, which is one foot higher than the outer city. However, Xianyang school lieutenant Shang Qi did not give up the outer city wall because of the lack of soldiers. On the contrary, Shang Qi was determined to defend the outer city wall and never let the Chu army step into Xianyang.

(End of this chapter)