On the Xuanwu Gate.
Under the heavy snow, Zhang Shigui stood in front of the city tower with his helmet on, stroking the arrow stack and looking at the two military camps not far away. His ears were filled with the roar of artillery, and his eyes reflected the clouds of rockets rising into the sky. Firelight, expression stern and cold.
"Commander, do we want to go and help? The Zuo Tun Guards suddenly attacked the Right Tun Guards. They must have been instigated by the rebels. After the Right Tun Guards were captured, they must have attacked Xuanwu Gate with a single blow."
The deputy general next to him gave advice.
Zhang Shigui remained silent.
Just now, when Cui Dunli came out of Xuanwu Gate to read the prince's edict to the left and right guards and returned, he clearly told him to be careful and alert to the left guard, lest he might have any unexpected intentions. As a result, before daybreak, the Zuotunwei gathered in large numbers and then brazenly attacked the Youtunwei.
Next, Xuanwumen must be Zuotunwei's ultimate goal, no doubt.
However, Zhang Shigui was silent for a long time, then shook his head and said: "That can't be the case. The Zuen Guards have many strong horses and strong men. Even if they cannot defeat the Right Guards in one fell swoop, they can easily block the Right Guards and trap them in the camp."
The two military camps in the distance were all brightly lit. He pointed to the Zuo Tun Guard camp and said: "Look, the Zuo Tun Guards have not left in full force. There are still a large number of soldiers in the camp. If we go out of the city to help the Right Tun Guards at this moment, However, if the Zuo Tun Guard took advantage of the situation and attacked the Xuanwu Gate, it would be a big trouble. Therefore, we must not act rashly. With the strength of the Right Tun Guard, although the military strength is at a disadvantage, it should not be underestimated. Even if the Zuo Tun Guard If we can win the battle, we have to pay a huge price. When we come back to attack the Xuanwu Sect, we will inevitably be exhausted and weakened. Only then can we hold the Xuanwu Sect as stable as Mount Tai."
Just looking at the current situation, it is clear who is loyal and who is traitorous. The left camp is attacking and the right camp is defending. However, even though Youtunwei was an ally, Zhang Shigui did not dare to take any risks. It wasn't because he lacked courage, but because the safety of Xuanwu Sect was so important, how could he be allowed to make even the slightest mistake?
The best strategy is to let the Right Tun Guard consume the Zuo Tun Guard's combat power while he leads the Beiya Imperial Army to defend the Xuanwu Gate.
The deputy general beside him was silent, naturally knowing that Zhang Shigui's decision was the safest. However, Youtunwei fought bloody battles, but they just watched on the sidelines, inevitably feeling resentful in their hearts.
The two stood on the tower observing for a while. The deputy general pointed to the side of the Zuotunwei camp and said: "Commander, please look, there is an army waiting there. The entire Zuotunwei camp is full of soldiers and horses. This army But they stood silently, obviously they are not the same soldiers. But I don’t know which side’s soldiers they are?”
Naturally, Zhang Shigui could also see the army standing motionless in the wind and snow. Each torch outlined the outline of the entire army, which numbered no less than ten thousand people.
He snorted coldly and said, "You don't have to guess? Of course, which side Chai Zhewei has joined, this is whose soldiers and horses."
Immediately he waved his hand and said: "There is no need to guess, this army will definitely join the battle later, and we will naturally know where it belongs. You will enter the palace immediately, report the situation here to His Highness the Crown Prince, and attach the commander's strategy. I sincerely ask His Highness the Crown Prince Approved.”
In the final analysis, Xuanwu Gate still has too much to do with it. Even if he is the guard of Xuanwu Gate, he cannot alone make the decision to guard the Xuanwu Gate strategy.
It's not that he doesn't want to shoulder this responsibility, it's just that he really can't afford it...
"Here!"
The deputy general took the order, immediately turned around, walked down the tower, and walked quickly towards the Taiji Palace.
Zhang Shigui still stood on the Xuanwu Gate with his hands behind his hands, looking at the raging battlefield in the distance, feeling nervous and solemn.
*****
The Taiji Hall was brightly lit. This hall, which symbolized the supreme imperial power of the enemy country of the Tang Dynasty, was already filled with civil servants, military generals, and clerks. There were fast footsteps and low-pitched shouts everywhere, and countless clerks and generals came in and out. The atmosphere was extremely tense.
News from all directions gathered here, and after discussion and deliberation by all the ministers of the East Palace, the decision was handed over to His Highness the Crown Prince.
On the throne, Li Chengqian sat upright, trying hard to maintain a majestic and solemn expression. Even though he was anxious and nervous, he did not dare to reveal anything.
Right now, he is the core of the entire East Palace system, and is also the interest of all the East Palace subordinates. If he shows a panicked look, it will definitely affect the morale of the army. The current situation is irreversible. If we are timid before we are defeated, our troops will easily lose morale and become even more defeated.
It's just that he doesn't have such a strong temper, but he has to hide the weakness in his heart and try his best to support it.
After drinking a cup of hot tea and looking at the heated discussion among the East Palace officials in front of him, Li Chengqian finally couldn't help it and asked: "What's the situation outside right now?"
The rebels have occupied more than half of Chang'an City, and every area has been captured. Only the Eastern Palace in the imperial city is left with a stubborn resistance. It is said that there is a steady stream of rebels entering the city. The rebels are becoming more and more powerful. The contrast between the enemy's and our own forces is huge. The imperial city is like a lonely boat in the ocean, and it may capsize in the huge waves at any time and at any time.
The consequences of the defeat made him a little uneasy, and it was difficult to pretend to be so calm...
Li Daozong turned his head and said respectfully: "Your Highness, although the rebels have superior strength, they are all a mob and lack real elites, so it is difficult to attack the enemy. Therefore, although the fighting is fierce around the imperial city, the situation is just a stalemate. Our army We are not at a disadvantage. The rebels are loosely organized and backward in quality. If they fail to capture the imperial city in one go, their morale will inevitably drop and their military morale will be shaken. Moreover, evil has always prevailed over good since ancient times. Although these rebels advocate bringing order to order and justice for heaven, what they do is It is a fact of rebellion, but it is irrefutable. When the situation reaches a stalemate, celebrities from all over the world will surely rise up to criticize, expose his rebellion, and be criticized by the world, and his power will collapse!"
Hearing Li Daozong's confident words, Li Chengqian finally felt relieved and asked, "How is it over there at Xuanwu Gate?"
Although Li Jing swore that the Right Guards were powerful and could not be matched by the Left Guards. As long as the Right Guards guarded outside the Xuanwu Gate, they would be safe. However, Li Chengqian was still worried. After all, the Left Guards's strength was that of the two Right Guards. Times, if Chai Zhewei really defected to the Guanlong clan, he might get extra military support. If the troops suddenly exploded several times, can Youtun Guards really be able to stop it?
It would be fine if Fang Jun was still in charge of the Youtun Guards. With Fang Jun’s prestige and ability, he was naturally not afraid of powerful enemies. But right now, the Youtun Guards only have a little-known commander named Gao Kan...
Li Junxian heard this and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, everything in Xuanwu Gate is as before. The general has arranged all the best players in the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' inside Xuanwu Gate. If there is any trouble, we will come and report it immediately."
Now that the rebels have occupied more than half of Chang'an City, the soldiers of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" cannot lurk among them. They are forced to withdraw to the imperial city. Since they are not under the command of the Sixth Army of the East Palace, they cannot intervene in the defense of the imperial city, so they have to move them. For the time being, it is placed inside the Xuanwu Gate. It can at least be regarded as a barrier and can also exist as a reserve team. Once the situation collapses, it can quickly participate in the battle.
A faint roar came, and everyone in the hall was shocked. Fortunately, an official ran in and reported loudly: "The students of the academy have rushed to the foundry bureau under the leadership of Xu Jingzong, and built defenses on the spot to fight the rebels. Academy students General Xin Mao, a student, led the troops to break out of the encirclement and went to Kunming Pool. He launched the ships on Kunming Pool and used ship-borne artillery to bombard the rebels besieging the foundry. The offensive was fierce, but the outcome of the battle is not yet known."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief again.
The worst fear is that the foundry bureau will fall into the hands of the rebels, who will seize the artillery in the warehouse and use it to bombard the imperial city. Everyone knows the power of artillery. Once it bombards the imperial city, it is feared that the walls will collapse and the houses will collapse, and the East Palace will be defeated immediately.
Xiao Yu frowned and said: "Now it seems that although this firearm is sharp, it is actually a double-edged sword. It can hit the enemy and hurt yourself. In the future, Your Highness should still exercise more control and not let it spread to disaster, otherwise the consequences will be Kanyu."
Nowadays, Fang Jun has single-handedly controlled the Ministry of War, and under his command are powerful troops such as the Royal Navy and Youtun Guards. He has made great achievements and is powerful. He has become the sole leader of the military in one fell swoop. He can even vaguely compete with Cheng Yaojin. , Yuchi Gong and others fought in separate courts, only slightly inferior to Li Ji.
What is it that supports Fang Jun's current status?
It's a firearm!
Gunpowder was developed by Fang Jun. The foundry bureau that currently develops muskets, artillery and other firearms was founded by Fang Jun. Everyone from top to bottom is his confidant. It can be said that a needle cannot penetrate and water cannot pour.
In addition, His Highness the Crown Prince has great trust in him and obeys his advice. If this situation continues to develop, over time, Fang Jun will definitely become a giant in the DPRK, and it will be difficult for anyone to compete with him.
By that time, the Guanlong clan had mostly disappeared, and the only people who could stop Fang Jun from covering the sky with his hands were the Jiangnan nobles. In politics, there are no permanent allies or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
If you can weaken Fang Jun today, the Jiangnan nobles will have more confidence when they confront him in the future...
