Outside the south gate of Chengdu, the imperial troops were stationed. Inside the tent, Tan Daoji, Tan Zhi, Tan Hezhi, Zang Xi, Zhu Lin and others discussed the attack on Chengdu.
Tan Zhi said angrily: "Mao Xiuzhi actually helped Yong Gong secretly seize the Chengdu Mansion. It's annoying and hateful. When the Chengdu Mansion is destroyed, he will be severely punished."
Zang Xi said in a deep voice: "If we attack Chengdu Mansion, we will directly break up with Duke Yong. General Tan should be careful about this."
Tan Zhi said nonchalantly: "What are you afraid of? Yonggong sent Mao Xiuzhi to take advantage of the opportunity to seize Chengdu. How could he take Song Gong in his eyes? Yiyu thought that not only did he want to capture Chengdu, but he also wanted to seize the land of Sanba to solve the problem in his heart. hatred."
Tan Daoji was stroking his beard. Although the second brother's words were a bit reckless, they coincided with Song Gong's wishes. The Taiwei's secret letter to him had asked him to act according to the situation and cooperate with the governor to control Liangzhou.
Needless to say, the soldiers and horses led by Mao Xiu were Liangzhou soldiers and horses. Half of the Liangzhou soldiers and horses in the Northern Expedition to Qin had not yet returned. Except for the empty counties in Jiangzhou City, it was indeed a good opportunity to seize Liangzhou.
Chengdu Mansion was surrounded on all sides and was an isolated city. He wrote to Mao Xiuzhi asking him to give up Chengdu Mansion, but Mao Xiuzhi was unmoved. It seemed that he planned to use it for Yonggong. In this case, the sooner he took action, the better. .
"Attack the city tomorrow and try to capture Chengdu within ten days." Tan Daoji ordered in a deep voice.
The sound of the horn sounded particularly low in the dusk. The burned-out siege engines were still emitting green smoke. The ladders that had been smashed by stones fell to the ground. The wounded and injured soldiers lay motionless on the ground. Only the arrow feathers swayed gently in the wind.
Tan Daoji was stationed outside the south city of Chengdu, his mood as heavy as dusk. It had been five days since he attacked Chengdu. Unexpectedly, the city walls were very tightly guarded. It seemed impossible to capture Chengdu within ten days.
Mao Xiuzhi was dressed in military uniform, holding a sword in his hand and looking at the slowly retreating imperial troops. The ferocity of these Beifu troops really impressed him: the soldiers climbed up the ladder like ants, and the city gates were smashed by the city rams. The arrows from the rushing car only hit the city directly, causing many casualties to the defenders at the top of the city.
Fortunately, Qiao Zong had prepared sufficient defensive equipment. This rat was sitting in such a majestic city and had so many defensive equipment, but he escaped without fighting. Bah! Mao Xiuzhi spat viciously at the bottom of the city. The thief deserved his death.
Tan Daoji's letter of persuasion to surrender was accompanied by Qiao Zong's head. Mao Xiuzhi ordered the head to be chopped into pieces and fed to dogs. The great hatred that had been pent up in his heart for a while was repaid, and Mao Xiuzhi felt much more relaxed. The great revenge has been avenged, and the next step is to restore the family reputation.
Tan Daoji's letter asked him to dedicate it to the Chengdu government. The Duke of Song Dynasty would not hesitate to give him a reward, but he could either sit in a state or return to the capital to take up a post. To be honest, Mao Xiuzhi was a little moved. Yan Gang and other old troops were secretly summoned for discussion. Unexpectedly, most people expressed opposition, thinking that he would first follow Song Gong, then Liu Yi, and then Yong Gong. If he returned to Song Gong again and again, he would probably end up like Liu Laozhi.
Yan Gang solemnly said: "Yonggong destroyed Qin with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. His strength is unfathomable and he is enough to compete with Song Gong. This time Yonggong helped the general achieve his wish for revenge, so the general should repay him wholeheartedly. I believe it."
Mao Xiuzhi stood up to express his thanks and ordered the recruitment of young men and women in the city to help defend the city. The Mao family had been in Yizhou for many years and was known to be generous to ordinary people, so Mao Xiuzhi issued an announcement and nearly 10,000 people were recruited to defend the city. The attack of the imperial troops was blocked. Resist.
"Slaughter ten pigs and ten sheep to reward the sons and gentlemen," Mao Xiuzhi ordered. The number of troops attacking the city was no more than 10,000. Mao Xiuzhi was confident that he would be able to defend Chengdu. In another half month, Duke Yong's reinforcements should arrive and the matter would be settled.
In the big tent, the atmosphere was depressing. Tan Daoji and others were eating dinner, but no one spoke.
Tan Zhi pushed the dishes in front of him away and said in a hateful voice: "Mao Xiuzhi is really hateful. Fortunately, my lord treats him like a distinguished guest, but he actually acts as an accomplice and helps Yang Anxuan."
Tan Daoji drank up the corn porridge, smeared the remaining residue in the bowl with flour cake, and finally stuffed the flour cake into his mouth and asked: "How many days will the food be enough?"
Zang Xi, who was in charge of the baggage and food and grass, responded: "It's enough for more than ten days. However, Yu is worried that Fu Hongzhi will cut off the waterway and not allow food and grass to be transported by waterway when he learns that we are attacking Chengdu. General Tan needs to take precautions in advance."
Tan Daoji nodded and said: "Chengdu Prefecture is in a difficult situation for the time being. Yu plans to take Hanjia, Qianwei, Yuexun, Zhuti, Jiangyang, Yangke and other counties first. The Taiwei has already issued an order to Fan Yuanzhi, the governor of Ningyi, asking him to lead the Yizhou troops. Horse goes north. In this way, even if Chengdu Prefecture is not captured, Yizhou can be taken back first."
Tan Zhi was a little reluctant and said: "If we attack for two more days, I will definitely be able to capture Chengdu Mansion."
Tan Daoji looked at his second brother and said, "Three days at most. If we can't leave Chengdu in three days, we will go south to take Hanjia."
On September 15th, the Chengdu Mansion remained motionless. Tan Zhi retreated with a livid face. Today he led his troops to charge personally three times. Once, he almost climbed onto the city wall, but was injured by a heavy rolling log. Left arm, had to jump off the ladder to escape.
Tan Daoji had just received the intelligence report that Yonggong sent Shunyang Boyinji as a general to join the Yongyang Navy with 10,000 troops to seize Yizhou and had already occupied Jiangyang County.
When Tan Daoji occupied Jiangyang, Han Qing, who took the initiative to surrender the city, continued to serve as the county guard to raise and transport food and grass for the army. When Yinji's navy arrived outside Jiangyang City, the Han prefect became a wallflower. Whichever side the wind was strong, it would fall. Anyway, they were all Jin troops. Regardless of his surname, Song and Yong, Yinji was demoted again.
For Han Qing, as long as he saves his life and wealth, it doesn't matter whoever surrenders. But for Tan Daoji, this means that the Yongzhou army can reach Chengdu via Minjiang or Tuojiang within two days.
After learning the news, Tan Daoji immediately blew the horn and withdrew his troops. At the top of the city, Mao Xiuzhi saw that the aggressive imperial troops suddenly withdrew their troops. He immediately realized that reinforcements were coming and ordered people to spread the word. The city was filled with joy.
Everyone was silent when they learned that Jiangyang City had been lost and the Yongzhou Army was coming. Tan Daoji broke the silence and said: "Without further delay, tomorrow morning we will go south to capture Hanjia County, meet with Ningzhou soldiers and horses in Yuexun County, stabilize Zhuti and Yangke counties, and abandon Jiangyang and Qianwei counties."
Tan Daoji led the army and he made a decision, but Tan Zhi did not dare to disobey his order. At midnight on September 16th, the imperial army began to withdraw to the southwest direction of Hanjia City. At noon on September 17, Yin Ji's fleet arrived at Jiangyuan City.
After Tan Daoji retreated from Hanjia, Yin Ji sent people to Chengdu Prefecture to deliver a message, asking Mao Xiuzhi to send troops to occupy Luoxian and Mianzhu, and Qian Lei to lead the navy north to capture Wenshan County. He himself led 5,000 troops to Linqiong to pursue the imperial court. Soldiers and horses.
Qiao Zong was dead. When the cities in Yizhou heard that the imperial troops were coming, they all surrendered, but no one defended the city. Tan Daoji took Linqiong and Hanjia City along the way, and then sent a message to Hanjia County. The Hanjia County moved to Yang, Yandao, Yanniu and other cities and surrendered.
Tan Daoji did not divide his troops to guard these cities, fearing that the troops would be thin. After Yin Ji learned the news, he turned to Qianwei County, and the cities of Wuyang, Nan'an, Niuchang, and Daizhong surrendered; Qian Lei's navy entered Wenchuan County, but also encountered no resistance, and Wenshan, Shengqian, Canling, Guangrou, and Guangyang, Du'an and other cities saw the flag lowered.
After hearing the news, Fu Hongzhi from Jiangzhou City sent 2,000 soldiers and horses to Jiangyang County and easily captured Jiangyang, Fuxian and other cities. Yizhou soldiers and horses went north and captured the three counties of Yuexi, Zhuti and Yangke. Qianwei had soldiers and horses from Yongzhou and did not go north again.
The territory of Yizhou suddenly became quiet, and all parties stood still for the time being, waiting for the final game to come.
In Jiankang, Liu Yu learned that the Yongzhou navy had crossed Xiakou and headed for Yizhou under the guise of attacking Qiaoshu. He was so angry that he turned over the cases in front of him. Yang Anxuan's intention to fight against him was undoubtedly revealed, and the two sides only met with swords. .
After Shen Tianzi led 8,000 troops to Xiakou's aid, Liu Yu then ordered Xuzhou Governor Liu Daolian to send 4,000 troops from Jingkou and Jiangzhou Governor Wang Zhongde to send 3,000 troops to Linxiang (today's Changsha), the seat of Xiangzhou, from Ningshuo General Liu Zhong led the army to blockade the Yangtze River together with Xiakou.
In Xiangyang, Yang Anxuan learned that Mao Xiuzhi had captured Chengdu Prefecture, Yin Ji and others had captured Jiangyang, Wenchuan, Qianwei and other counties, while the imperial troops and horses occupied the four counties of Hanjia, Yuexun, Zhuti, and Yangke. The situation was similar to that of the attack on Yan. , the two sides divided Yizhou equally. The imperial troops occupied a larger territory, but it was sparsely populated. The four counties they occupied were combined with Sanba, and the two counties of Zitong and Guanghan were sandwiched in between.
Sooner or later, there will be a conflict with Liu Yu. This battle is probably inevitable. Yang Anxuan is a little eager to give it a try. The annihilation of Qin makes him bolder. Maybe he can take the opportunity to defeat the Beifu army entering Yi, and then send troops to Jiankang from Xiakou. Drive Liu Yu away and enter the court.
Yang Anxuan's eyes were shining, this time it was his turn to take the initiative.
There are two suitable battlefields, Xiakou and Hanjia. Xiakou is very close to Xiangyang, and can be reached in two days by going down the Han River. It is convenient for transporting grain, grass and baggage, but the army is unknown and easily criticized. Hanjia City is remote, and Yin Ji and others' troops are not enough to attack the city and seize the territory. Similarly, Tan Daoji's soldiers and horses are unable to attack Chengdu County or Jianwei County. Currently, the two armies in Yizhou are in a stalemate.
After thinking about it again and again, Yang Anxuan was ready to take action in Hanjia. Liu Yu entered Liangzhou through Suo Miao, Tan Hezhi, Xie Xuan and others with the intention of dividing himself. Tan Hezhi went to Chengdu with Tan Zhi on Suo Miao's order, and is now in Hanjia City.
Liangzhou sent troops without the order of Yonggong, who was in charge of Liangzhou's military affairs. Tan Hezhi sent troops without permission, which was enough to put Tan He in jail for questioning. Yang Anxuan sneered and asked Tan Daoji to hand over his cousin Tan in the name of questioning. And it.
The four Tan Daoji brothers lost their father when they were young. It was their uncle Tan Pingzhi who raised them. Tan Hezhi is Tan Pingzhi's son. Yang Anxuan wanted to question Tan Hezhi, but Tan Daoji and others would never agree. The final result could only be a war. When they met, the righteousness fell into the hands of Yang Anxuan.
During this period, Yang Anxuan continued to send troops to Northern Yongzhou, and exchanged the elites who were fighting abroad for Yong and Yan vacation. In addition to the soldiers and horses that Yin Ji took away, he could also mobilize six to seven thousand troops.
Yang Anxuan ordered Lu Gui to lead 10,000 troops from Yanzhou to Liangzhou, including 4,000 elite troops and 6,000 garrison troops.
Yang Anxuan divided his troops into three parts, the war army, the county army and the garrison army. The war army is the elite of the war, with a number of about 60,000. The county army is used in each county to maintain order and eliminate local banditry. Between a thousand and three thousand, the total number is about 50,000; the garrison is mainly used for farming. This time the Qin State was destroyed and Qin prisoners were enriched in the garrison, so that the number of garrison troops has exceeded 150,000.
Many of those captured soldiers are elites. Yang Anxuan plans to select 30,000 to 50,000 elites from the garrison and add them to the fighting army. In this way, the number of soldiers under his command will exceed 100,000, enough to meet the needs of two or even multiple battles. .
The order given to Lu Gui was to enter Liang from Shangyong County and go to Guanghan and Zitong first. It was time to solve the problems in these two counties.
On October 2, Lu Gui's troops arrived at Guanghan County and handed over a letter from Yang Anxuan to Xie Xuan. After reading the letter, Xie Xuan took the initiative to complain of illness to the governor Suo Miao and asked to resign. Without waiting for Suo Miao's reply, he took his family back to Jiankang by boat. Wu You is temporarily in charge.
When Suo Miao received the official document from Duke Yong inquiring about Tan Hezhi's crime and Xie Xuan's resignation letter claiming to be ill, he sighed, "Liangzhou can't do anything anymore."
In Hanjia City, Tan Daoji received an official letter from Yong Gong, asking him to hand over Tan Hezhi.
"Get ready for war," Tan Daoji threw the official letter on the ground and said firmly.
