At the beginning of the battle, the Shandong private army, whose formation remained intact, was still able to fight back and forth with the enemy forces besieged on three sides without retreating even a step. It seemed that it was as stable as Mount Tai, as secure as a rock, and that it did not lose the slightest bit.
However, when the right wing was attacked by Xue Wanche, causing chaos in the formation, and Niu Jinda led his troops in a frontal attack, the 100,000-strong army was instantly at a disadvantage.
Cui Xin's retreat was like a house with its beams removed, and the entire battle collapsed.
This is the disadvantage of a powerful private army. It looks like it has a large number of people and sufficient logistics, but in fact, the generals have no will to win, and the soldiers have no ambition to die. They seriously lack the ability to face difficulties and fight to the death, and their military discipline is lax.
Without fighting spirit, such an army can survive a smooth battle, but once the battle situation becomes anxious or even at a disadvantage, morale will be lost at every turn and the entire army will collapse.
This is the current situation.
Although Cui Xin did not have the talent to lead troops, let alone the quality of a famous general, he still understood the moral character of his army. Seeing that the morale of the army was shaken and collapsed, he decisively withdrew to Mingdemen, hoping to rely on the city gate.
The location is favorable to block three enemy armies.
It was not his retreat that caused the army to collapse, but that he foresaw that the army was about to collapse and then retreated into Mingdemen. At most, his retreat accelerated the army's collapse...
But no matter what, the 100,000-strong Shandong private army was completely defeated. The troops led by Xue Wanche and Niu Jinda rushed left and right amid the huge crowds of troops, smashing them vertically and horizontally, crushing any signs of possible resistance forces gathering in advance. Since Mingde
Within the vast area that extends from the gate to the south, including Yuanqiu, to Shenheyuan, from the banks of Qujiang Pool in the east to Anhua Gate in the west, tens of thousands of rebels fled, wolves galloped, and horses and men trampled on each other.
Cui Xin withdrew into Mingde Gate and immediately wanted to order people to close the city gate and abandon tens of thousands of defeated soldiers outside the city gate. It was not that he was cruel and cold-hearted, but in fact these defeated soldiers had completely lost their minds. Once they were admitted into the city, they would
It is difficult for an unorganized army to pass through the city gate in a short time. Instead, the enemy will chase them into the city one after another.
However, what made him miscalculate was that the endless stream of defeated troops pouring into the city at the city gate made it impossible to close the city gate.
When he ruthlessly ordered the crossbowmen to cross fire with both sides of the city gate to defeat the defeated troops, and then ordered a handful of heavily armored infantry in the army to block the city gate in an attempt to prevent the defeated troops from entering the city, he completely angered the defeated troops.
Behind him are two brave troops, Xue and Niu, pursuing and killing them. Seeing that entering Chang'an City is the only way to survive, but their own family members are blocked from the city gate and allowed to be massacred by the enemy. How can you not be angry?
If you stay outside the city, you will definitely die. If you rush into the city, you still have a chance of survival. Everyone knows which choice to make.
Countless soldiers and hedgehogs gathered outside Mingde Gate, pouring into the city gate like a tide from the three open city gates. After entering the city, they were hit by arrows from their own side and could not care less. Even if they wanted to, they could not stop.
, the crowd behind them will keep moving forward...
The crazy rout was unstoppable and kept pouring into various city gates.
Cui Xin looked ashen and knew that the situation was over. If he continued to stay here, he would be overwhelmed by the defeated troops and could not escape. He had no choice but to lead the remaining thousands of Cui's private troops and gallop down Tianjie towards Chengtian Gate. He hoped that at this moment, King Jin would
Having already captured Chengtianmen and entered Taiji Palace, as long as we quickly win the mutiny, Cheng, Xue, Liu, Zheng and other armies outside the city will definitely stop fighting, and the disastrous defeat will be over.
With his withdrawal, the blockade at the city gate was lifted, and countless broken troops rushed into Chang'an City.
The command system of Shandong's private army has completely collapsed. Although these broken troops poured into Chang'an City and were temporarily away from the pursuit and killing of the enemy behind them, they were not subordinate to each other. The generals did not know the soldiers, and the soldiers did not know the generals.
Those who entered the city were dragged along by those who entered the city and continued to move forward. They could not stop even if they wanted to.
More and more broken troops gathered inside Mingde Gate, but the broken troops that followed into the city continued to flow, and they were finally forced to evacuate to the surrounding areas.
Even though the Tianjie that vertically connects Chengtian Gate and Mingde Gate from north to south is more than 40 feet wide, it cannot accommodate tens of thousands of unorganized troops in an instant. More and more troops broke out like a flood that burst a dike.
Spread to the left and right sides.
Yanzuo Square and Anyi Square on both sides of Mingde Gate suffered first, and were rushed into the wall by defeated troops, followed by Guangxing Square, Baoning Square, Daode Square, Kaiming Square...
The chaotic broken troops rushed into these houses and found that many of them had been plundered by the previous rebel soldiers. There were scenes of embarrassment everywhere. Most of the soldiers were dead or injured and there were no traces. Only mansions and houses stood quietly.
The disordered state caused greed to begin to sprout. When the first person rushed into a mansion with red doors and double eaves, this greed burst out unscrupulously, and then countless soldiers broke open the doors and rushed into the mansions...
…
Tianjie is the most prosperous area in Chang'an. The residences of countless aristocratic families, princes, ministers, and dignitaries are all placed in the lanes on both sides of Tianjie. In the past, the rich and powerful could go to court directly from Tianjie, which had more convenient transportation.
This place is envied by many people, but now it has become like a purgatory.
The door was broken open by the rebels, and they rushed into the house, killing the soldiers and servants of each family who tried to defend themselves, the children of the aristocratic families who used to be aloof, and the giants of the family. The corpses were everywhere, blood flowed everywhere, and all the wealth in sight was looted, and then there were more
The lawless men rushed into the inner courtyard and tortured the terrified female Juan...
A military disaster broke out without warning, quickly sweeping through the city of Chang'an like a raging fire. All laws, rules, and morals completely disappeared at this moment. The defeated soldiers smashed, burned, looted, raped, and looted with red eyes.
In order to cover up their crimes, some crazy people even set fire to burn down everything...
The government officials of Jingzhao Prefecture, the patrolmen, and Wu Hou who patrolled the streets tried to stop them, but the rebels were surging in groups like a tidal wave. They were so powerful that they could not stop them. After paying huge casualties, they had no choice but to let the rebels break into chaos.
.
…
On the Chengtian Gate Tower, Li Zhi, who was paying close attention to the situation inside the palace, immediately discovered that there were fireworks rising in various places in the south of the city, and more and more chaotic troops were scattered on Tian Street, so he immediately asked the school captain to go and investigate what happened.
What's the matter?
After a while, the captain reported back: "Your Majesty, Cui Xin withdrew into Mingde Gate without authorization to shake the morale of the army, which resulted in the army in the south of the city being severely defeated under siege from three sides. He also failed to restrain the defeated troops in time and properly after entering the city, causing the routed troops to surge."
Entering nearby neighborhoods, burning, killing, looting and other bad behavior occurred. Now it has spread to many neighborhoods and is getting out of control..."
Li Zhi was stunned at first, and then his eyes were split. He was furious, kicked over a stool in front of him, and shouted angrily: "Waste! What a waste! The king asked him to defend Mingde Gate at all costs, but he was greedy for life and afraid of death.
What a loss! That's all. He dares to send troops to rob the imperial capital. How many heads has he grown?!"
Both sides of Tianjie are missing princes, dignitaries, dignitaries, and aristocratic families. It can be said that the wealth of the world is gathered in one place. These families are the foundation for his future ascendance to the throne and are the objects that need to be urgently attracted.
As a result, he is now being brutally plundered by defeated troops. This account is naturally recorded on the head of Jin Wang Li Zhi. One can imagine how much resentment he will suffer...
I originally thought that the worst case scenario would be that Li Chengqian escaped through a secret passage. Since then, the Tang Dynasty was divided into two and the brothers were divided. However, he could get the support of Chang'an and even Guanzhong and the world's nobles. After stabilizing Guanzhong, he could rely on the support of the powerful families.
With strong foundation, he launched an attack on Li Chengqian, finally eliminated Li Chengqian and unified the empire.
However, now it is very likely that the princes, nobles and nobles who have been robbed, burned and killed will hold a grudge against him. Even if they support his ascension to the throne on the surface, they will probably be in harmony with each other secretly, and then act as Li Chengqian's internal agents...
Cui Xin, the old dog, ruined my life!
But now he has limited troops, and the civil war in Taiji Palace is raging. He can't divide his troops to stop the defeated troops from destroying Chang'an City. He can only watch helplessly and rage...
"Mother!"
Li Zhi cursed angrily.
Xiao Yu and Chu Suiliang, who were discussing the war in the city tower, also hurried out and were shocked when they saw the fireworks in the south of the city in the distance. When Li Zhi explained that it was the defeated troops who entered the city, Xiao Yu suddenly sighed:
"How can this be so? I'm afraid His Highness' great cause will suffer setbacks from this!"
Chu Suiliang didn't say anything but kept shaking his head. The imperial capital of Chang'an, the most famous city in the world, is now being sacked and tortured like this by the defeated army. I don't know how many people died because of it, and how many aristocratic families were defiled. It is really a catastrophe...
Li Zhi had a gloomy face and said nothing.
At this time, a school captain ran up from the city and reported: "Your Highness, Cui Xin has arrived at the city and asks to see His Highness."
"He still dares to come to see me?"
Li Zhi's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth and said, "Let him come up!"
"Here!"
The captain flew down to the city and brought Cui Xin up after a while.
Cui Xin was panicking as he galloped all the way. At this moment, his appearance was in a messy state. When he saw Li Zhi's livid face, he became even more frightened. He took two steps forward to salute: "I have seen His Highness..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Zhi rushed forward, raised his foot and kicked Cui Xin hard on the chest. His eyes widened and he cursed: "Mother! I asked you to guard Mingde Gate. Why did I let you enter the city without permission? You
Being greedy for life and fearing death is nothing, but it led to the collapse of the morale of the army, a huge defeat, and even led an army to plunder Chang'an. Even a hundred deaths will not be able to atone for your sin! Today, my king will kill you, old dog, and let you go to Chang'an City to fight against the rebellion.
Apologize to the evil spirit!"
He drew out the sword from his waist with his backhand, and was about to rush forward to kill the culprit who had caused countless princes, princes, and ministers to be tortured and whose bones were trampled!
Xiao Yu and Chu Suiliang hurriedly stepped forward to stop the furious Li Zhi, and persuaded him: "Your Highness, please calm down. This is a critical moment. How can we kill a meritorious person and cause pain to our relatives and happiness to our enemies? Cui Xin certainly
If you make a huge mistake, please wait until after the war to deal with it."
Cui Xin, who was beside him, was frightened out of his wits: Oh no, I have become the main culprit who defeated the army and poisoned Chang'an...