Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 344 The Family Has Elders

After Peng Yue's army surrounded the Western Chu Palace, they not only trapped Xiang Ta and his more than 2000 Western Chu Langzhong Guards, but also trapped many officials of the Western Chu Army, including Chen Ying, Jing Jia, Lu Qing, and Lu Chen's father and son. ——After suddenly receiving the news that Peng Yue’s army was attacking Pengcheng, Chen Ying, who was ordered to preside over Pengcheng’s government affairs, convened the officials of Western Chu in the side hall of the palace to discuss countermeasures. After killing them outside the gate of the Western Chu Palace, the officials of the Western Chu were extremely unlucky to be made dumplings by Peng Yuejun.

In addition, because Xiang Liang's wife also lived in the palace, and Xiang Kang's wife, son and sister-in-law were also trapped in the Xichu Palace, they were not rescued by the Han army soldiers in the first place. Fortunately, Feng Zhong was very aware of this situation, so the Han army didn't have to worry about finding their whereabouts.

This situation has a lot to do with the hesitation of many Western Chu officials such as Xiang Ta. Originally, when he received the news that Peng Yue’s army had entered the city, Xiang Ta only had to make a decisive decision and bring the [-] doctors under his command. The guards protected all the officials of Western Chu and abandoned the city to break through, and they had every hope of escaping the city first. The former Zhang Chu general Lu Chen, who had been deprived of his military power, also tried his best to persuade Xiang Ta to do so, but many officials of Western Chu immediately objected. Said: "We left the city, what about our wives and children of Wenwu in Western Chu? How could we have time to take them away?"

"Things have come to this point, what time do we have to care about our wives and children?" Lu Chen stomped his feet anxiously, and said, "Only by keeping our court of Western Chu first, can we reorganize our troops and horses to launch a counterattack after we leave the city and take back the land." Our capital, Pengcheng, may be waiting for the king to return to the army to counterattack. But if our Western Chu court is over, then our troubles will be even greater. Go back to Pengcheng!"

The officials still refused to comply, and were worried that if they left, the Han army would kill their wives, children, and children. Xiang Ta also had some scruples about this, and felt that there might be hope to save the situation, so he said, "Just wait and see. , There are still many loyal troops in Pengcheng City, there may not be no hope of blocking the mob of Han thieves, even if they cannot be stopped, when they withdraw to the palace to join us, it will not be too late for us to abandon the city and break through."

Facts have proved that all this is nothing more than Xiang It's wishful thinking. Although Xiang It urgently sent people out of the palace to contact the armies in the city and asked them to fight back with all their strength, it couldn't stop it from withdrawing to the palace to join its own army, but the order sent out But the soldiers were all like mud and cows like a sea, and there was no news. Peng Yue's army had already reached the gate of the palace, and only a few hundred soldiers fled to the prince to join Xiang It's army, including Xiang Sheng's deputy, Fan Jing. I don't know if he died in the battle among the rebellious army, or he left the crowd and fled outside the city.

In the end, it was only when Peng Yue's army surrounded the palace of Xichu that Xiang it realized that he had made a big mistake and missed the best chance to break through the encirclement by taking advantage of the chaos. In remorse, Xiang it could only return to the side hall in a hurry, Tell the officials of the palace about the situation, discuss the next step with everyone again, and discuss whether to break through quickly?Or stick to Miyagi and wait for reinforcements?
Although he was deprived of military power as early as Xiang Liang's period, the original general of Zhang Chu, Lu Chen, was still very conscientious, and immediately stood up and said: "General Xiang, there is no need for any discussion. We have no other choice but to seize the time to break out of the city." Choice. It is impossible to even think about standing still and waiting for help. The first reason is that our army in the hinterland of Western Chu has been emptied long ago, and absolutely no army has rushed to reinforce it in a short time. The second is that there is not much food in our palace city. If we can't hold on for a few days, the Han thieves don't need to work hard to attack the fortifications, as long as they surround Miyagi for a few days, they can starve us to death."

I regretted that I didn't listen to Lu Chen's good words and advice. Now that I heard Lu Chen's analysis again, Xiang Tie no longer hesitated, and immediately nodded and said: "Lu Situ is right. Indeed, we can only seize the time to break through now." Other than that, there is no other choice. Let’s just do this, discuss it quickly, and see how to break through and retreat.”

"Wait a minute." Ling Yin and Chen Ying, who hadn't spoken much before, said, "Ling Lang, hurry up and break through now. We may be a little bit sure, but Lang Zhongling, Lu Situ, have you considered that we abandon the city to break through? How much will it cost to break out of the bandit army's encirclement? After successfully breaking through, are you sure you can get rid of the bandit army's pursuit? Retreat to a safe place?"

Now even Lu Chen didn't dare to say anything, because Xiang Itai had just introduced the situation of the Western Chu army, saying that the Pengcheng defenders with a total of only five or six hundred people fled into the palace to join Xiang It's doctor's guards. Together, the Western Chu army has a total strength of just over 600 troops. Even if they manage to break out of Pengcheng, the army will definitely suffer heavy losses. If the Han army continues to pursue them, even Lu Chen can't guarantee that the Western Chu army can protect them. All the officials got rid of the pursuit and retreated to a safe place.

However, Chen Ying underestimated Xiang Ta a bit in this matter. Although his fighting spirit had been weakened by the comfortable life and his bones were softened by the wine provided by Xiang Yu, the blood of the old Xiang family was still flowing in Xiang Ta's body. , so even though he knew that there were many difficulties, Xiang It just made a little calculation and said: "If you are not sure, you have to try with all your strength. It is better than being trapped in the palace by the bandits and starving to death. That's it. Hurry up and get ready, at the second watch tonight, go out from the west gate of the palace to break through."

After saying that, Xiang Ta also ordered: "My lords, hurry up and get ready. I will send someone to bring you weapons and armor in a while. You will also put on your armor tonight and join hands with our soldiers to break through."

It had been several years since he had fought a war, and he almost forgot how to slash people with a knife. After hearing Xiang's arrangement, Chen Ying, Lu Qing, Jing Jia and many other Western Chu officials were all complaining in their hearts, but Not daring to go against Xiang Ta's arrangement, he could only obediently agree with everyone, and Xiang Ta discussed and arranged a breakout with Lu Chen, and then hurriedly assembled an army to launch a breakout.

Unexpectedly, when Xiang It came out of the hall, a voice asking him to stop suddenly came from behind, Xiang It looked back, but saw that Xiang Yu's king and promoted Tingli Wang Yong was chasing after him quickly, Xiang It stopped Stepping down, he asked, "Wang Tingli, what's the matter?"

"Lang Zhongling, please take a step to speak." Wang Yong cupped his hands and saluted, and then, without waiting for Xiang it to agree, he just pulled Xiang it to an unoccupied corner next to him, and said in a low voice: "Lang Zhongling, how to break through the siege, the next official is really There is a way to get us out of Pengcheng at the least cost and get rid of the pursuit of the traitors, but we don’t know if Langzhong’s order is willing to listen.”

"Get out of Pengcheng at the lowest cost, and get rid of the pursuit of the Han thieves?" Xiang It was a little surprised, and hurriedly said: "What's the best way? Tell me quickly."

"Then I'm taking the liberty." Wang Yong lowered his voice, and said, "First of all, I would like to declare that this is all because of my loyalty to the king and to protect our Western Chu court. That's why I think so. , Lang Zhongling, if you are determined to break through, you might as well capture the rebel Xiang Kang's wife and son who live in the palace, take them to the front of our army, and use them as hostages to force the Han bandits to let them go. In this way, we don't have to worry about not being able to get rid of the siege of Han thieves."

Before Wang Yong finished speaking, Xiang Tie's expression changed, and he glared at him angrily. Wang Yong was timid, and hurriedly said tremblingly: "Lang Zhongling, the villain is also thinking about us Western Chu soldiers. If you don't use this If there is a way, we have very little confidence in breaking out of the encirclement and getting rid of the bandit army's pursuit."

"Shut up!" Xiang Ta scolded: "Shut your beak, talk about seniority, the son of the traitor Xiang Kang is my cousin, let me use my cousin's life as a threat to force the traitors to make concessions, in the future What face do I have to meet the people of the world? To meet the ancestors of our Xiang family? Get lost!"

Seeing the flattery being slapped on the horse's leg, Wang Yong could only flee back to the side hall in a hurry, but Wang Yong's words still reminded Xiang it to a certain extent, so that Xiang it couldn't help thinking, secretly said: "Why did I forget that there is another way? If I take Uncle Ji's wife and children away, the Han thieves will definitely not dare to deal with our family members of Wenwu in Western Chu. In the future, I will flee to a safe place and say Maybe we can use them as an exchange, and exchange all our family members back."

After making up his mind on this idea, Xiang Tie came up with another way, beckoning a guard to his face, and told him: "You go to see my second aunt right away, and tell me that all thieves have broken in. Pengcheng, for the safety of her and Xiang Kang’s rebel wife and children, please be prepared to break out with us tonight. But remember, you must not let my second mother know that it is the army of Han rebels who entered Pengcheng , and issued a ban on the guards protecting them, whoever dares to let my second mother know that it is the Han bandit army that has entered Pengcheng, will be killed without pardon!"

According to Xiang It's order, the guards soon came to Xiang Kang's second aunt and spread the word that the rogues from Qidi invaded Pengcheng and had to break out of the siege. As a result, the second aunt who knew nothing about politics and military affairs also believed it and worried about his niece and daughter-in-law. There will be no good results for the nephew and grandson falling into the hands of the thieves in Qidi, so he quickly agreed, and immediately led the sisters of the Yu family to pack their luggage. After a hasty dinner, they left the yard just after dark, under the protection of guards Take a car to meet Xiang Ta and others.

When the second aunt and her party came near the west gate of the palace, the main force of the Western Chu army in the palace had already assembled in the courtyard, and the order of retreat was also arranged. It turned out that the second aunt and the sisters of the Yu family were of course arranged. In the rear of the Western Chu Army, they retreated together with the Western Chu officials.Then it was also at this time that the second aunt suddenly remembered a big event, and hurriedly told Yu Concubine: "Piece, help me out of the car, I'm going to see it, I forgot a big thing."

"Second Aunt, what important event did you forget?" Yu Concubine asked hastily.

"I forgot your third aunt." The second aunt replied: "She lives outside, and she doesn't know what's going on now. She has been careless since she was a child. If she also forgets your third aunt, things will be troublesome." gone."

The third aunt with a weak personality is far better than Uncle Xiang and his son. After Yu Miaoge's mother and son were placed under house arrest, the third aunt often came to visit. On this point, of course Yu Ji would not refuse, and quickly helped the second aunt out of the car. As she went to meet Xiang it, none of the guards beside her dared to stand up to stop her, they could only follow her for protection. The second aunt and Yu Ji inquired all the way, and soon found out that they were talking with Chen Ying, Lu Chen and other important ministers of Western Chu. It's about discussing breakthrough events.

"It, where is your third mother? Is there any news about her?" The second aunt attached great importance to the sisterhood, and asked Xiang it as soon as they met: "You led the troops to break through this time, do you plan to visit her?" At home, take her with you?"

"This...." Xiang it was extremely troubled, hesitated for a while before answering: "Second mother forgive me, the outside is too chaotic, and my nephew and grandson have also cut off contact with the third mother. I don't know what is going on with her, and I am going to leave the house again. Ximen broke through, and there is no way to go to the east of the city to pick up the three mothers, so..."

Without daring to finish his sentence, Xiang Tie hurriedly changed his words and said, "But please don't worry, the second eldest mother, she left the city and evacuated to a safe place, and her nephew must find a way to rescue the third mother. She is so old and is Woman, those thieves would not dare to do anything to her."

The second aunt was very disappointed when she heard that, and Lu Chen who was next to him hurriedly helped Xiang it: "Old lady, the doctor made him really embarrassed. We only have an army of just over [-] in our hands, but there are many bandits outside." Wan, if we divert our route to the east of the city for Master Xiang's wife, we will not only have to sacrifice countless soldiers, but we will also not be sure that we will be able to defeat the encirclement of the bandit army."

The second aunt has always been reasonable, and although she was worried after hearing Lu Chen's explanation, she also dispelled the idea of ​​forcing Xiang It to save the third aunt. Besides, the traitors outside are also the army of your nephew Xiang Kang, old man, for the sake of blood and family relationship..."

"Lu Chen, shut up!"

It was too late for Xiang it to stop in a hurry, the second aunt had already opened her eyes, and the Yu concubine next to her opened her mouth wide enough to stuff two eggs in, then the second aunt immediately asked Lu Chen, "What are you doing?" What did you say? Kanger's army is outside?"

Having realized something was wrong, Lu Chen didn't dare to make a sound. The second aunt questioned him to no avail, so he turned to Xiang Ta, slammed the ground with his crutches, and asked, "Xiang Ta, tell me, what kind of army is it outside? It's you." Did you send someone to say about the bandits in Qidi, or did he just say that Kanger's army is outside?"

Xiang it didn't dare to say anything, and lowered his head guiltyly. The second aunt was even more angry when she saw it, and she laughed angrily: "Okay, okay, okay, I'm getting more and more filial, obviously outside is your uncle Ji's army , and deliberately lied to me that you are a rogue in Qidi, you want me to take your uncle Ji's wife and son with you, continue to separate your uncle Ji's husband and wife, father and son can't meet, your heart is really cruel enough .”

"Second mother, I can't help my nephew and grandson." Xiang Ta shouted, "I am uncle's subject, and now uncle and uncle Ji are enemies, so I must be loyal to uncle!"

"But you are also a descendant of the Xiang family!" The second aunt said angrily, "Don't forget, you and your uncle Ji, as well as your uncle Ji's son, are all named Xiang! They all flow with the blood of the Xiang family! Things are coming to an end This step, why do you still have to hold on to your aunt Ji and cousin? Are you not afraid that they will have any accidents on the battlefield? Hurt your uncle Ji's son? "

Xiang it summoned up his courage and said: "Second mother, you told me to show mercy to Uncle Ji's children, but Uncle Ji's men will not show mercy to me. As long as my nephew and grandson walk out of this palace gate, Uncle Ji's The subordinates will immediately shoot arrows at me, do you believe it or not?"

"You and them are enemies, of course they want to treat you like this." The second aunt was very open to this point, and said: "But what does this have to do with your uncle Ji's son? When you were in the father of the city, you Father Gao (great-grandfather) killed many soldiers of the Tyrant Qin Dynasty, but did the Tyrant Qin government hold them accountable to you because of this? Even the Tyrant Qin government has such a magnanimity, are you even inferior to the Tyrant Qin government?!"

Then he slammed the ground with a cane, and the second aunt said loudly: "If you want to break out and escape, I will not stop you, but I will go with you. Even if I am pierced by random arrows, I will die without regret. But you have to keep your uncle Ji's wife and son, let them go back to reunite with your uncle Ji, they are innocent, your second mother, I will never let you implicate them again!"

Xiang It was extremely difficult, and he gritted his teeth and told the truth, "Second mother, it's not the grandnephew who must take Aunt Ji and cousin away together, but the grandnephew I have to consider for the families of our civil and military officials in Western Chu. The only way is to take Aunt Ji away." If they are taken away, Uncle Ji's subordinates will not harm our family members of Western Chu officials, and if Uncle Ji's people agree in the future, I can use them to exchange our family members of civil and military officials of Western Chu with them."

"Then you send someone to talk to your Uncle Ji's subordinates now!" The second aunt immediately said: "Go tell your Uncle Ji's subordinates, just say that you are willing to send your Uncle Ji's wife and son back, in exchange for them treating you Uncle's courtiers and family members are merciful, and the people brought out by your uncle Ji will definitely agree to such a condition!"

"this……."

Xiang it was a little hesitant, and Chen Ying who was next to him hurriedly said: "Lang Zhongling, I think it's worth a try, why not send someone to talk to Hanwang's army, and say that they just need to give way and let us take the rest When the army and family leave Pengcheng, we will hand over the palace city of Pengcheng and the family of the King of Han to them. The army of the King of Han has always been known for its benevolence and righteousness, so it is likely that they will not agree to such a condition."

Considering that the chances of escaping from the siege are not very high, and unable to withstand the repeated urging of the second mother, Xiang Tie gritted his teeth and decided to send Lu Chen's father, Lu Qing, to go out of the palace with a white flag to negotiate with the Han army.As a result, Xiang Yi and others were surprised and fortunately, the west gate of the Western Chu Palace had just been opened, and countless Han soldiers appeared in the houses opposite. Ximen broke through and deployed heavy troops in advance to wait for them to leave the palace to die.

Lu Qing didn't come back to Xiang Ta and the others until the sky was clear, and said as soon as they met: "The Han army has already agreed to all our conditions, but they also put forward two conditions. One is ours. Before leaving the palace and leaving Pengcheng, the army must put down all their weapons. After ten miles out of the city, they will give us a hundred spears and fifty swords to defend ourselves on the road. Hand it over to them."

"Who is it?" Xiang it asked quickly.

"Our court manager, Wang Yong." Lu Qing replied: "Wang Yong presided over the court management of the prison, and deliberately condoned the guards and guards to abuse the family members of the Han army, tortured them, and killed six people. The Han army is now I hate him to the bone, and I must cook him to death with a cauldron."

"Lang Zhongling, please spare me!" Wang Yong hurriedly rushed to Xiang It and fell to the ground to beg for mercy, begging: "Please Lang Zhongling, please send someone to talk to the Han army for the sake of your loyalty to the king, and let the next The officer will go with you, too."

None of the Western Chu Wenwu present made a sound, but Xiang Ta was expressionless, and said after a long while: "Wang Tingli, if you didn't say those things yesterday, I would definitely save you at all costs, but you dared to encourage me to take me out yesterday!" As a hostage, my cousin was taken to the front of our army to defend against spears and arrows. Just because of this, I can’t spare you. Someone, take Wang Yong down, tie it up, and prepare to hand it over to the Han army.”

(End of this chapter)