allendalepharm Chapter 1603 The road to Shu is difficult, harder than climbing to the sky!
Chapter 1603 The road to Shu is difficult, harder than climbing to the sky!
Chapter 1603 The road to Shu is difficult, harder than climbing to the sky!
Bashu, Jiameng Pass
After capturing the Baoning Prefecture City, Xie Zaiyi, the third-rank Duke of Liao of the Han Dynasty, led the Beijing camp army to stay in the Baoning Prefecture City for a day, leaving 5,000 soldiers to guard the city, and then led the army non-stop along the Jinniu Road straight to Jiameng Pass.
If you want to defend Jianmen Pass, you must first defend Jiameng Pass. Jiameng Pass is the first pass on the Jinniu Road and it can be said to be a place of contention for military strategists throughout the ages.
As tens of thousands of troops from the Beijing camp approached the city gate, looking down from the sky, flags covered the sky and the fields, and the atmosphere of war was everywhere.
Above the city wall
Chen Yuan was wearing a heavy red armor with a mountain pattern on it and a black cloak. He was gazing at the majestic troops of the Beijing camp outside the city wall, his face as solemn as iron.
Gao Cheng's face was also filled with worry. This was the first time that Gao Cheng faced the elite troops of the Beijing Camp who were feared by the whole world.
After several years of fighting in blood and fire, the Han army had already become a brave and powerful force that had experienced hundreds of battles. The awe-inspiring murderous aura was felt even from a distance of several miles.
This is the feeling of oppression from an army that has fought many battles. It is incomparable to the Shu army that has been at ease for many years and is unfamiliar with battles.
The Beijing camp transported hundreds of red cannons using mules and horses and set them up on flat terrain, with the black muzzles pointing towards Jiameng Pass.
Gao Cheng said with a worried tone, "The imperial army is coming with great force."
Compared with the situation at Yangping Pass, the Shu army was weak in strength and was caught off guard, so it was quickly breached.
At this moment, the Shu army had as many as 40,000 soldiers on the city wall. They had reinforced the city wall many times before and were ready for battle.
Chen Ran narrowed his eyes and said, "The troops that the Beijing Camp has transferred this time are not many, probably less than 100,000."
Chen Yuan snorted coldly and said, "Jia Heng has to be on guard against others raising an army against him in the capital, how dare he come out in full force?"
Chen Wei's sinister eyes fell on a red satin black embroidered "Xie" flag in the distance and said, "Xie? The one coming this time is Xie Zaiyi, Jia Heng's number one lackey."
Chen Ran said with emotion: "Duke Liao has always been famous in the army for his bravery and good fighting skills. Jia Ziyu uses him to lead the troops, which shows how much he values this war."
In the current situation in the world, except for the resistance in the Bashu region, most of the people are intimidated by the power of Jia Ziyu alone.
"Dong dong..."
The drumbeats were as frequent as raindrops, and the Han army began to carry wooden ladders and quickly approached the Jiameng Pass and placed them on top.
"Everyone, the imperial army has begun to test the city." Gao Cheng said coldly.
As time passed, the drum beats became increasingly rapid, almost like a violent storm, and the Han army in red uniforms rushed over like flames.
For a moment, the shouts and sounds of killing shook the earth.
At this moment, the imperial court's Beijing camp troops, 30,000 infantry, were divided into five teams and launched a fierce attack on Jiameng Pass from three directions.
"Rumble..."
Then one could hear the rumbling of red cannons, which at this moment almost submerged the entire Jiameng Pass.
The Beijing army launched a fierce attack on the Guancheng with a mighty force. Hundreds of red cannons bombarded the Guancheng, and the mountain city was almost shaking.
Although the Shu army still did not know how to defend against the Han army's artillery fire this time, they were obviously much calmer than at Yangping Pass and did not rush to disperse.
Gao Cheng looked at the Han army below and encouraged the Shu generals beside him, saying: "Although the artillery fire of the Beijing camp is strong, our city is supported by the mountains, and it is not easy to shake it. Generals, don't panic. The Beijing camp is just thundering with little rain."
As Gao Cheng said, although the artillery fire from the Beijing camp was fierce and caused widespread casualties to the Shu army on the city wall, it did not form a dimensionality reduction-style crushing situation.
Below, the Han army from the Beijing camp continued to carry ladders and push battering rams loaded with logs, approaching the city gate.
"Dong dong..."
The logs rammed the city gate, making a dull sound that echoed among the mountains and startled flocks of birds into flight.
"Whizzing……"
The arrows on the top of the city wall were shot towards the soldiers of the Beijing camp below like locusts, and puffs of blood mist exploded with "puff" and "puff" sounds.
The soldiers of the Beijing camp climbed up the city wall like a tide. The sound of "clang clang" and the collision of swords could be heard. The shouts of soldiers from both sides shook the sky at this moment.
Below, Xie Zaiyi was riding on a horse with black mane, holding a monocular telescope in his hand, looking at the scene happening on the top of the city. Then, he put down the monocular telescope, a thoughtful look on his face.
The Shu army at Jiameng Pass came well prepared, and at this time they fought with real swords and guns, and the Han army in the Beijing camp suffered heavy casualties.
At this moment, Jia Yun came forward and said, "Duke Liao, the Shu army's resistance is much fiercer than at Yangping Pass."
Xie Zaiyi said: "The Shu army has learned a lesson from Yangping Pass and has increased its manpower. This is going to be a tough battle!"
Jia Yun said, "The Shu Road is narrow and has many passes. It is not easy to get to Chengdu from Jinniu Road. Is it possible to openly repair the plank road and secretly cross Chencang?"
Today, the Han army in the capital is facing difficulties in advancing, just as Li Bai’s poem says, “The road to Shu is difficult, harder than climbing to the sky!”
Xie Zaiyi nodded and said, "In addition to the Jinniu Road, there is also a Micang Road that leads to Bazhong."
Jia Yun asked, "During the Three Kingdoms period, Deng Ai entered Shu through the Yinping Road and captured Chengdu. Can our army find the Yinping Road and march into Shu?"
Xie Zaiyi pondered for a moment and said, "The Shu army must be prepared. It will be very difficult to use the same trick again. However, we need to send troops to control Bazhong in the direction of Micang Road."
In fact, they were not necessarily prepared. There was a precedent in the Three Kingdoms period. Fu Youde in the early Ming Dynasty also destroyed Shu from the Yinping Road.
Xie Zaiyi thought for a moment, then instructed the officers beside him, "Inform the commander of the Fenwu Camp, Zhou Lu, in the rear camp, and have him lead 8,000 soldiers and horses to take the Micang Road and march into Bazhong."
Upon hearing this, the officers of the royal guard bowed and agreed.
At this time, the officer on the side said: "I will obey your orders."
Jia Yun cupped his hands and asked, "Duke Liao, what about the direction of Yinping?"
Xie Zaiyi said: "You lead 5,000 soldiers to explore the way."
Jia Yun clasped his fists and said yes.
Since being introduced into the army by Jia Heng during the Chongping period, Jia Yun has also grown from a young general to a young officer who can stand on his own in the army.
After Jia Yun left, Xie Zaiyi picked up the monocular telescope again and looked at the siege scene on the top of the city. At this moment, a large number of Han troops rushed towards the top of the city.
Soldiers from both sides fought each other.
It was not until the afternoon that the sound of "clang clang..." was heard, clearly indicating that the Beijing camp was beginning to call back its troops.
The city wall was blackened by the fire from the Red Cannon, and below it were many broken limbs and arms, with flags emitting black smoke.
Chen Yuan came out from behind the city gate tower, looked at Gao Cheng standing beside him, and said, "General Gao, the Beijing camp has withdrawn its troops."
Gao Cheng nodded, secretly relieved, and said: "Although the red cannon's firepower is fierce, it is not impossible to resist."
King Wei Chen Ran said: "This is only the first wave of the Beijing camp's siege."
Gao Cheng said: "Let's go back to the official hall first, have lunch together, and then talk."
As they were talking, they walked down the brick-paved horse path and returned to the government office in Guancheng.
After they sat down, the personal soldiers went to prepare wine and food, and they drank tea and chatted, with solemn expressions on their faces.
At this moment, Chen Wei and Gao Bo walked quickly into the hall from the outside and said, "Food and fodder have been prepared to ensure that the army has sufficient supplies."
Gao Cheng nodded and said, "I will return to Jiange in two days. The war here will be handed over to the King of Zhao and the King of Wei."
At this point, Gao Cheng no longer expected to be able to support the two princes to enter the capital, but how to keep this three-acre land in Sichuan should be the top priority.
Chen Yuan paused for a moment, expressionless, and said, "Brother Gao, go ahead."
A sneer sounded in my heart.
If they are allowed to lead the charge, aren't they afraid that the city of Baoning will fall into the hands of the Han army again like it did?
However, Jiameng Pass must not be lost again, otherwise the entire Bashu will be completely lost, and they will no longer have a place to stand in the vast world.
A hint of sadness also appeared on Chen Ran's calm face.
Ever since Gao Zhongping died in the capital, the situation in Bashu has been heading towards an unspeakable collapse. Fortunately, the passes on the Shu Road are dangerous and difficult to pass, so Shu should be able to be saved.
Gao Cheng was very sensitive to the subtle changes in the two people's expressions and said, "I will let my second brother stay here to help the army raise food and fodder for the army's military supplies."
These two people must have thought that he was going to give up Jiameng Pass, but the entire Jiameng Pass is the eastern gate of Shu and cannot be lost in the hands of the Han army.
Chen Yuan nodded and said, "Second Master Gao is serious and capable. It would be best if he stayed to raise food and fodder."
King Wei Chen Ran's eyes flickered under his rough brows, and he seemed to understand something.
At this point, everyone realized that Gao Cheng had no intention of running away.
Just when the three men were each harboring their own ulterior motives, the officers of the imperial army brought them wine and food, and they began to fight.
In the afternoon, a lieutenant in armor and blood all over his body entered the hall and reported to Wei Wang Chen Ran: "General, the Han army is attacking the city again."
At this moment, a large number of Han troops rushed towards the city gate, and arrows were shot towards the city gate like locusts, densely packed.
The Han army's offensive was fierce, like thunder, and it seemed as if it was going to crush the city gate with an overwhelming force.
The Han army in the Beijing camp, holding long swords, climbed a ladder, reached the top of the towering city wall, and engaged in a fierce battle with the Shu army on the wall.
"Dangdang..."
The long swords collided and sparks flew.
Soon, there was the sound of weapons piercing armor and flesh, as well as screams, one after another, without stopping.
The Han troops in the Beijing camp were obviously aroused this time. They climbed up to the top of the city wall using wooden ladders and defeated the Shu army step by step.
At this moment, on the spacious street below, a large number of Shu troops, led by Gao Cheng and Chen Yuan, rushed to the top of the city to provide support.
Fortunately, help arrived in time, and in the chaos, Gao Cheng and Chen Yuan drove away the Han army in the Beijing camp.
It was not until the evening, when the sky was filled with sunset glow, that the offensive of the Han army in the Beijing camp finally receded like the tide.
……
……
Five miles outside the city, in the military tent
The lights were bright, emitting continuous light outside, and in the military tent, there were crowds of people.
Xie Zaiyi also summoned all the generals to discuss the battle taking place on the city wall. The atmosphere in the military tent was somewhat serious.
Xie Zaiyi said in a deep voice: "Although today's siege was a test, the troops still exposed a lot of problems. There were several times when the elite soldiers of the Beijing camp had already reached the top of the city, but the second half of the troops could not connect, so the advantage they had was not stable. The troops should take this as a warning in the next two days."
In the military tent, all the officers and soldiers present bowed in agreement when they heard this.
Xie Zaiyi asked: "How many shells are left for the Red Cannon?"
At this moment, an officer below stood up, clasped his fists and replied, "Duke, the shells are barely enough for the soldiers to use for a month."
Xie Zaiyi frowned, his eyes deep, and asked unhappily: "One month?"
The officer's face turned serious, and he said, "Because of the inconvenience of the road, the subsequent shells are still being transported upwards."
Xie Zaiyi's face was gloomy, and he looked intimidating without even getting angry. He said in a deep voice, "Wait a minute, we must not run out of ammunition."
The young officer looked stern and bowed in response.
Xie Zaiyi's face became serious, and he said in a deep voice: "Everyone should be more vigilant today to prevent the Shu army from raiding the camp at night."
Upon hearing this, all the officers and soldiers present clasped their fists in agreement.
After all the generals left the military tent, Xie Zaiyi stood up with a solemn expression and walked to the desk where an oil lamp was lit. He took a piece of letter paper and began to write, intending to report the military situation to King Wei in the capital.
As Xie Zaiyi was conferred the rank of third-class duke, he gradually came into contact with the turbulent and treacherous political situation in the Han Dynasty.
If Jia Heng had not suppressed the civil officials, the living space of the military generals would have been further compressed.
After finishing writing the letter and putting it into the envelope, Xie Zaiyi said nothing more, and then went to sleep with his clothes on, waiting for the battle of the next day.
……
……
Northwest Land, Qu Xianwei
A large number of Dzungar cavalry poured into the city and took over this small city on the northwestern border. Many of the residents in the city were from Mongolian tribes, so they were not frightened.
Batur Hui Taiji entered the city and was convening a group of officers to discuss matters in the Han Army Weicheng Yamen.
"Quxianwei City is still small, and it is still far away from our Tianshan base camp. If we leave troops to garrison there, it will be easy for the Han army to break through again if there are too few troops. If we leave too many troops, it will be inconvenient to supply military supplies." Baturhui frowned and said.
To put it bluntly, it's just chicken ribs. It's a pity to eat it, but it's tasteless to throw it away.
This is also the reason why Jin Xuan ordered the Han army to withdraw from the Acropolis, leaving a hot potato to Baturhui.
Galdan said: "Father Khan, even if the Han army is well prepared, my army has captured a city. Using it as a fortress, it will be much easier to advance to Andingwei."
Baturhui shook his head and said loudly: "It's not that simple. The main force of the Han army is still there. Whether our army splits up and stays behind or goes out in full force, we have to contain the Han army."
When Galdan heard this, his face turned silent and he was silent for a while.
Baturhui seemed to think for a while, then ordered, "Come here, send troops to capture Andingwei immediately."
Baturhui Taiji said: "Altai, you lead 10,000 soldiers and go to attack Andingwei. You must capture this city and open up the road to the east."
Altay stood up and without saying much, he clasped his fists towards Baturhui, nodded, then walked out of the hall and quickly went outside.
Baturhui stared at Galdan and said, "Even if the advance is not going well, at worst, my Junggar tribe will return to Tianshan. As long as my warriors don't lose a single soldier, we will have the chance to set foot in the Central Plains in the future."
Galdan said: "But there will be no such good opportunity to cause chaos in the Han court in the future."
Baturhui pondered for a moment and said, "The young ruler of the Han court is in power, and the Prince of Wei has monopolized power. It is only a matter of time before chaos breaks out within the court."
Galdan nodded and said nothing more.
As time passed, the Dzungar tribe attacked Andingwei City, but it was not so smooth.
Under the Acropolis of Anding——
Altay's troops were attacking the city fiercely, and on the towering top of the city, black and red satin flags were fluttering in the wind. The Han army officers guarding the city looked solemnly at the Junggar soldiers.
"Dong dong..."
The drumbeats were as dense as thunder and deafening, but they brought a head-on attack from the Han army.
"Whizzing……"
Black arrows fell like rain, and suddenly they were like locusts, covering the sky and the ground.
The warriors of the Junggar tribe were shot by arrows and fell off their horses. They fell in pools of blood in large numbers, groaning on the ground.
The sound of horses neighing resounded throughout the entire battlefield.
"Withdraw, withdraw!"
The Junggar troops could not bear such tragic casualties and chose to retreat.
Only a mess was left.
Altay retreated to the rear. At this moment, the sounds of people roaring and horses neighing were heard, and the surrounding soldiers fell off their horses. It was obvious that a lot of casualties were caused.
Altay said loudly: "Sangge, count the troops immediately."
At this time, a bearded officer responded, then pulled the reins and paced back and forth among his officers and soldiers, shouting at the soldiers and counting their number.
After a short while, the casualties were counted and it was found that the loss of troops was about five to six hundred people.
Altay looked grim and felt as if his heart was bleeding.
Each of his Junggar warriors was a treasure, and it was really sad to see them die here.
Aletai said: "Set up camp first, and the cavalry will go back and forth to guard against the Han army rushing over."
At this moment, a cavalry officer clasped his fists in response, and then more than 10,000 soldiers of the Junggar tribe began to set up camp.