On May 11th of the second year of Guangming, Chao's army evacuated Chang'an in large numbers.
From Bashang to Changlepo, from Baqiao to Zhaoying County, there were dense crowds everywhere, estimated to be no less than one hundred thousand. At the same time, there were also a large number of carriages and horses, baggage, food and grass, which were almost packed to the brim.
Shao Shude fell into deep thought when he heard the scout's report. He didn't know whether Huang Chao would use this tactic in later generations. If he did, the officers and soldiers advancing into Chang'an would know that Chao's army was camping in the vast area east of Chang'an, as long as they were not mentally retarded.
There are more than 100,000 people, as well as Huangchao's hundreds of officials, concubines, family members of thieves, and various utensils. It is impossible to hide them.
Why did the officers and soldiers fall for such an extremely crude strategy? It can only be said that some strategies are so direct at people's hearts that you have no choice but to jump in even though you know it is a trap.
The evacuation of the Chao army took two full days.
Early in the morning on the 14th, Tang Hongfu finally couldn't hold himself back and led 5,000 troops into Chang'an City. The people of Chang'an were overjoyed and opened their doors to welcome them, and cheers resounded throughout the city. At that time, there were still thousands of Chao troops.
Before they could evacuate, the citizens of Chang'an threw rubble at them. The Chao army fled for their lives in disgrace and did not dare to fight back.
However, the soldiers of Shuofang Army soon gave the people of Chang'an a "surprise". They broke into each house and robbed property and women, having a great time. There were even young people from Fang City who fished in troubled waters and robbed the entire Chang'an.
Suddenly they fell into chaos and there was a lot of crying.
After hearing the news, the Jingyuan army outside the city clamored to enter the city. Cheng Zongchu hesitated and declared to the sergeants that this was Huang Chao's plan. The sergeants should not respond and coerced Cheng Zongchu into Chang'an.
The rebel army was far away, and it was still some distance from Chang'an at nightfall. The soldiers sighed and were extremely frustrated.
The only one who was normal was the Fengxiang Army led by Zheng Tian. It was already midnight when they received the news, and it was impossible to move out that night, so they continued to camp in Xingping.
In the middle of the night, after detecting the situation in the city, the Chao army began to move out in large numbers. The city was noisy, and they did not know how many people from the Tang army had entered. However, in the spirit of a lion fighting a rabbit, the best of the Chao army came out and entered through multiple doors.
A total of 50,000 to 60,000 people attacked the Tang army, which was unable to move even if they were fighting for the road.
Huang Chao himself did not enter the city, but waited for news on Ba Shang. Most of the 30,000 most elite Chao troops were also concentrated in the surrounding areas. They were obviously prepared to protect Huang Chao and escape if the situation was unfavorable, although the possibility was extremely high.
Small.
Zhuge and Shao, who had been paying attention to the movements of Chao's army, naturally got the news immediately. Zhuge Shuang sighed and said: "Retreat, after daybreak, Chao's army will definitely come out in full force to hunt down the officers and soldiers outside the city.
"
Shao Shude was also a little unwilling. He really hoped that Huang Chao was really frightened and wanted to run away. Then they could pursue from behind, reap the victory easily, and achieve great success.
Now it was obviously impossible, so we had no choice but to retreat. This long drive straight to Dongwei Bridge was in vain.
That night, the Tielin Army broke camp and set off for Gaoling County. After receiving the news, the Yifang Army also quickly withdrew and gathered in Gaoling to huddle together to keep warm.
On the evening of the 15th, the Tielin Army entered Gaoling County, and at nightfall, the Yifang Army also arrived. Li Xiaochang looked unhappy and complained repeatedly that his trip was in vain.
In the middle of the night, Chao Army scouts appeared in the southeast of Gaoling County and moved very quickly. Obviously, they wanted to take advantage of the high morale at this time to wipe out all the Tang troops surrounding Chang'an in one go.
Morale is such a wonderful thing in war. Shang Rang's Western Expedition failed miserably, losing more than 20,000 men. The Tang army's morale was so high that they marched eastward. In fact, there were only less than 50,000 soldiers in total, but Huang Chao was forced to use a cunning plan.
Come to win. Now the officers and soldiers who entered Chang'an are estimated to be finished. The morale of Chao's army has been boosted, and they have begun to bulldoze the Tang army outside the city. Such a rapid change will not be understood by non-year-old soldiers.
After daybreak, the scouts came to report that the bandits, numbering more than 10,000 men, pursued them all the way north and rushed towards Gaoling County.
"Zhu Shuzong, please tell me carefully where the rebel army came from, how many soldiers there are, and what their morale is." Shao Shude had just finished putting on his armor and was adjusting his bowstring when he asked.
"I reported to the military envoy that the bandit army was divided into several groups, each numbering several thousand. They came from Weiqiao Town and pursued us in a hurry. Maybe they were afraid that we would run away," Zhu Shuzong replied.
"Why is it divided into several parts?"
"The general once approached a group of thieves who were running the fastest. At that time, there was no cavalry to drive us away. According to the general's observation, this group of thieves did not carry any baggage. They thought they were light troops advancing quickly. The thieves behind them
They carried some of the baggage, but not much, and the baggage team was the last one. Therefore, I am 70% sure that the bandit army must have been eager to make a contribution and escaped." Zhu Shuzong replied.
"Are you sure?"
"dare!"
Shao Shude stopped talking and subconsciously touched the handle of the knife. After a long time without saying a word, he saw Zhuge Shuang and left.
"Commander, the bandit army is coming with great force. Our army has a lot of equipment and it will be difficult to evacuate. It is better to defeat the bandit army that is clinging to the rear, making them frightened, and then retreat slowly." Shao Shude briefly stated the news that Zhu Shuzong had received.
On the other hand, he took the initiative to ask for a fight.
Li Xiaochang, the Commander-in-Chief of Yifang Festival, was a little impressed after hearing this. It is in line with the correct way of war to repel the pursuers first and then run away. But with that said, how many people dare to do this? Many generals will abandon their baggage once they are disadvantaged.
Food, grass, and even wives and children fled in panic. There were very few who dared to look back and fight the pursuers.
Zhuge Shuang thought about it for a full stick of incense before saying, "It's a pity to throw away so much military rations. It's not easy to raise. Since Shude asked for a battle, I agreed and brought all the cavalry with me, including those from the Yifang Army."
Remember, in all things, the best thing to do is to protect yourself. If the battle is not going well, run away, then turn around and come back. If you win a big victory, don't get carried away and just give up when the situation is good."
"General, I obey!" Seeing that Li Xiaochang had no objection, Shao Shude immediately responded loudly.
****
"General, let everyone rest for a while. We have been running for a long time, and the water and rice have not come in. The soldiers are not strong enough, how can they fight?" A general came on horseback and reported to Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan looked at the sergeants with crooked armor following behind him, opened his mouth, but in the end was unable to give the order to continue moving forward.
The puppet Tang army fled to Gaoling County last night, with about 10,000 people, equal to his strength. But last night, Huang Wang's army entered Chang'an, killed Tang Hongfu, the general of the Tang army, defeated Cheng Zongchu, and killed more than 10,000 people. The morale of the entire army was greatly boosted.
On the other hand, the Tang army, which had lost its commander, the remnants of Shuofang's army withdrew from the northwest of Chang'an overnight. Cheng Zongchu fled out of the city in embarrassment. He even left his subordinates and ran all the way, allowing the soldiers to disperse. Zheng Tian and Wang Chucun probably did not dare to attack Xingping and Xiwei.
If you stay at the bridge and other places for a long time, you will definitely have to retreat in embarrassment. This is a good time to pursue.
Of course, King Huang did not forget about Zhuge Shuang's journey. He replenished Zhang Yan's troops and horses on the spot and ordered him to pursue and bite off a large piece of meat. After receiving the order, Zhang Yan led his army directly from Baqiao Post without any delay.
He set off and chased Zhuge Shuang all the way, fearing that Zhuge Shuang would run away.
At this time, they were less than five miles away from Gaoling County. They heard that the Tang army was organizing an evacuation, and large and small cars inside and outside the city were filled with food. This made Zhang Yan wish he could fly over immediately and completely intercept the demoralized Tang army.
In particular, there was also a unit called the Tielin Army. Before leaving, the Taiwei (Shang Rang) specially ordered that the head of Shao Shude, the envoy of the Tielin Army, must be brought back.
Alas, let the soldiers rest at this time. What should we do if Shao Shude runs away?
It's just that the general's order has been given, and it's hard to change his words. Looking at the sergeants lying or sitting on the ground panting, Zhang Yan can only sigh heavily: only rest for half an hour! We will set off as soon as noon.
!
"General, drink some water." The soldier brought a water bag.
Zhang Yan took the water bag and drank a few sips. Just as he was about to hand it back to the soldiers, he saw on the horizon in the distance, more than a dozen horsemen were retreating frantically. Behind them, dozens of horsemen were chasing after them.
, a riding bow will shoot an arrow from time to time, which can often knock down a person.
"Who?" Zhang Yan stood up suddenly and asked.
"General, he seems to be our scout." The soldier's voice was trembling. It must be the Tang Army cavalry who are chasing after him desperately, right?
"General, there is the Tang Army's brigade - ah!" A scout with several feather arrows stuck in his back fell off his horse, and there was no sound again.
On the distant horizon, a large group of cavalry appeared in the field of vision. They seemed to no longer control the speed of their horses and began to attack this way. Rolling smoke and dust splashed on the ground, making the cavalry seem to be flying in the clouds and mist, full of soldiers descending from heaven.
of power.
Behind the cavalry, there were four long columns. The sergeants were carrying long spears, and their armor was particularly dazzling under the sunlight. They did not stop to set up their formation, but trotted quickly in column formation, heading straight this way.
Come rushing.
"Get up! Form a formation! Meet the enemy!" Zhang Yan almost jumped up from the ground and ordered nervously.
The sergeants also saw the Tang Army cavalry rushing towards them, and they cursed the scouts in their hearts. What were they doing for food? They only sent back the news that the enemy was so close, and they were being chased in a panic.
Chao Jun had just sat down and had a rest while burning incense. He felt relaxed and exhausted. At this time, he was shocked by the news of the enemy's surprise attack. He looked a little dazed. Zhang Yan saw that it was too late to form a large formation.
, so he ordered the two generals and asked them to bring their only 500 horses forward to stop them.
The cavalry of the Tang Army rushed in quickly, with more than 1,700 cavalry, divided into three groups. One rushed to the Chao Army cavalry, one rushed to the Chao Army infantry who spontaneously formed a small formation, and the other rushed directly to the chaotic Chao Army cavalry.
The skirmishers stabbed and slashed repeatedly, killing the Chao army until they howled like ghosts and wolves.
Zhang Yan led his own soldiers and generals to organize hundreds of people, and formed a formation to resist the cavalry. The Tang army's cavalry tried to charge, but failed to break through, so they ignored it and continued to charge at the unorganized infantry. Time was precious.
These difficult issues should be left to the main force of the infantry to resolve.
"That's Zhang Yan, kill him!" A loud shout sounded from the north, as if the vanguard of the Tang Army was coming.
Zhang Yan took a closer look and was immediately furious: "Li Tangbin!"