The fighting under Zhiguan City suddenly stopped, and both sides understood each other tacitly.
After a while, dozens of riders came forward and each shot several letters into the room.
Soon a letter was delivered to Liu Xian.
He opened it with a complicated expression and saw that it was a surrender letter written in Shao Xun's voice——
Said: "The Ming Dynasty punishes the canon, and the state-owned canon. Liu Cong rebelled against human relations and rebelled against the natural order. He incited the people of one side and coerced the three armies. He invaded the prefectures and counties, burned the villages, tortured the officials, and maimed the officials and the people. This world.
What is not tolerated is what humans and gods should reject..."
"The soldiers and civilians of the Xiongnu are also my sons. There were military orders in the previous period. When the camps arrive, they are not allowed to kill indiscriminately or seize property. They are not allowed to arrest people at will and treat them as prisoners. They are not allowed to open graves to vent old grudges. They are not allowed to use torture for disobedience.
There is a permanent constitution, where one obeys orders and forgives sins, and there is also a previous scripture. How can the sins of one man be left behind in the people of the same realm..."
"Since the rise of the army, fighting has been frequent, and supplies have been consolidated. In counties and villages, farmland and mulberry trees have been abandoned; in prefectures and counties, people have been anointed by the sword. As a parent, I have deeply felt compassion for my wounds and read the good news many times, and I can't help but sigh.
...The Xiongnu soldiers were either forced by the threats and unable to extricate themselves; or they were greedy for wealth and tried their best to obey. Now that the army is approaching, attacking from both inside and outside, and then wandering astray, how much will they abandon themselves..."
After Liu Xian read it, he sighed deeply.
The generals looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
There was no need to hide the surrender letter, and it was impossible to hide it, 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.
There are also "three stipulations": no burning, killing, looting, no taking credit for good deeds, and no killing of corpses by opening coffins.
The crime committed by Liu Cong alone will not implicate other people.
The policy has been made very clear. How about it? Should we lower it or not?
Liu Xian placed the surrender letter on the table and looked at the generals, his eyes slightly disappointed.
Why doesn't anyone stand up and propose surrender?
Co-authorship 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. I have been guilty of fighting until today."
The cry is mournful, and those who hear it shed tears.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Liu Xian cried more and more sadly, with tears overflowing. For a short while, he seemed out of breath 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!"
"Everyone has parents. My wife and children look at each other at the door, but I can't take them back. What a shame, I feel so ashamed!"
"Famous cities and towns are being lost one after another. I have been blessed by the country and enjoyed great honors, but I am helpless. What a shame, you are ashamed of me!"
No one spoke.
The soldiers and generals poked their heads outside, looking solemn.
At the end, an honest person finally couldn't bear it anymore and stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the traitors of the Pei family have made trouble and blocked his mouth. I don't think Zhao Lu can be beaten down by Shi Sheng. Now I heard that there have been changes in the king's house, and all the food, grass and military supplies have been destroyed."
We were stationed there and fell into the hands of Marquis Qi Fu. I don’t see the need to fight this battle. When we just got down to the top of the city, someone was already hiding corpses. I really don’t dare to think about what will happen if we continue the fight.”
After the first person stood up, a second person soon followed: "The best trick 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. This 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 be submissive first, then 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 listener said this, Liu Xian stopped crying for a while.
After a long time, he sighed and said: "If it weren't for the preservation of six thousand soldiers, I would have loved to ride out of the city alone and die in the midst of thousands of troops."
"No, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, don't give up on yourself."
"Don't throw away a useful life."
"There is still a chance. Shao Thief cannot always be proud. We will bow down and serve him first and wait for the right time."
Everyone was talking and offering advice.
Liu Xian wiped his tears and said sadly: "Then surrender first."
****
The changes in the battle situation in Shaanxi City were very dramatic.
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 absolutely necessary?
In addition, the terrain of Shaanxi County is very rugged.
It is bordered by 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 uphill to attack from the top. It is really difficult to attack, otherwise he would not have set up a settlement.
here.
Furthermore, the general's family members have all been sent to the west. It may be that Tongguan is not far away now. The general guarding the city has no worries anymore. It seems that he can fight a dozen?
Due to luck, 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
It 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 is located on the bank of the Yellow River, hanging over a hundred feet of water. It seems to be very solid, but he knows that any fortified city in the world is invincible, and it all depends on the price the attacker is willing to pay.
If Wang Mi doesn't leave, he will die!
"Abandon all baggage!" Shi Hu issued this order that night.
Everyone was prepared and brought out horses and even donkeys and mules.
The draft animals pulling the carts were also unharnessed 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 on mules and horses.
After everything was prepared, the army quietly left the city in the middle of the night and headed northwest.
There are two main roads and one auxiliary road across Zhongtiao Mountain.
Walking from Dayang to the northeast (i.e. Dianji Road), this is called the main line and can be used by cars and horses.
Traveling 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, only people and horses can pass through it.
After passing Baijingling, you can reach the salt pond directly.
This is the route Shi Hu chose.
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 on 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. After the army left for two days, he set fire to the baggage and the military camp.
Report to Wang Mi.
The salt pond is like an abyss embedded in the earth's surface. If you look closely, it is quite beautiful.
But Shi Hu had no intention of admiring it. Under his leadership, the five thousand army turned west and headed straight for Puban.
The generals and commanders had no objections. It was already this time. Who the hell would go to save the driver if he didn't have a clear head?
Besides, we have even abandoned our baggage, so 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, and countless equipment was damaged after a battle.
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 running away 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?
Shihu 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 anymore.
When a series of defeats occur, people are most likely to think wildly. If he continues to think wildly, 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 to put it, the reality is here. Even Shi Hu ran away, doesn’t that still explain the problem?
He then looked at the Qiang people guarding Dayangjin Ferry. There was also a commotion in their camp.
For some reason, 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 be bitten off a large piece by the Jin people.
"Ming Gong." Zhang Song and others went up 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 - can't be defended anymore." Wang Mi said: "Give the men a good meal. Break out of the encirclement tonight, move closer to Dayangjin, and join up with the Qiang commanders."
Everyone's faces turned pale after hearing this.
Breaking through is not that simple, let alone breaking out at night.
The old battle is almost done. The remaining people can defend the city, but the field battle is difficult. Of the thousands of soldiers, how many can escape in the end?
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 to the east at any time. As long as we run to Pujin Pass, there is still a chance to save everything."
"As ordered." The generals and subordinates 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 imperial troops besieging the city fought tooth and nail and captured a lot.
The battle lasted until dawn, and Wang Mi's general Wang Gen was beheaded, 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, and set fire to the city. He took the women and the property back to the west.
(Aiming for the third update today, vote quickly if you have any, thank you.)
Chapter completed!