The army was defeated like a mountain.
At the beginning of the battle, the Shandong private army, which kept its formation intact, was able to fight back and forth with the enemy forces besieged from three sides without retreating even a step. It seemed that it was as stable as Mount Tai and as secure as a rock, without losing 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 army of 100,000 people instantly fell into 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 the military discipline is lax and has no will. 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 and the entire army will collapse.
Such 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 virtues of his army. Seeing that the morale of the army was shaken and collapsed, he decisively withdrew to Mingdemen, hoping to use the city gate to 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 charged left and right amid the huge crowds of troops, smashing any sign 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, and from the bank of Qujiang Pool in the east to Anhua Gate in the west, tens of thousands of rebels fled, wolves galloped, and countless people 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 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 was 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 were two brave troops, Xue and Niu, chasing and killing them. Seeing that the only way to survive was to enter Chang'an City, but his own family was blocked from the city gate and allowed to be slaughtered by the enemy. How could he 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 the choice.
Countless soldiers and hedgehogs gathered outside the 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 did not care about it. Even if they wanted to, they could not stop. , the crowd behind them will keep moving forward...
The crazy rout of troops was simply unstoppable and continued to pour into various city gates.
Cui Xin's face was ashen, knowing that the situation was over, and if he continued to stay here, he would be overwhelmed by the defeated troops, so he had no choice but to lead the remaining thousands of Cui's private troops on horseback and gallop down Tianjie towards Chengtianmen, hoping that at this moment, King Jin would Having captured Chengtianmen and entered Taiji Palace, as long as they quickly win the mutiny, Cheng, Xue, Liu, Zheng and other armies outside the city will definitely stop fighting, and the disastrous defeat will end here.
With his withdrawal, the blockade at the city gate was lifted, and countless broken troops poured 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 enemy's pursuit and killing behind them, they were not subordinate to each other. The generals did not know the soldiers, and the soldiers did not know the generals. The people in the city were coerced by those who entered the city from behind and continued to move forward. They couldn't stop even if they wanted to.
More and more broken troops gathered inside the 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 are broken down like a flood that bursts a dike. Dispersed 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 the 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 was a messy scene everywhere. Most of the soldiers were dead or injured and there was no trace. Only the 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. 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 located in the lanes on both sides of Tianjie. In the past, this area of wealth could go directly to the court from Tianjie, which has more convenient transportation. This place is envied by many people, but now it has become like a purgatory.
The rebels broke open the door, rushed into the house, and killed the soldiers and servants of each family who tried to defend themselves. The children of the aristocratic families and powerful figures in the past were lying dead everywhere, with blood flowing everywhere. They looted all the wealth within sight, and then 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 destroy everything...
The Yamen of Jingzhao Prefecture, patrolmen, and Wu Hou who patrolled the streets tried to stop them, but the surging rebels were swarming in groups and mighty and unable to stop them. After paying huge casualties, they had no choice but to let the troops break and cause chaos. .
…
On the Chengtianmen Gate Tower, Li Zhi, who was paying close attention to the civil war in the palace, immediately noticed that there were fireworks rising in various places in the south of the city, and more and more troops were scattered in disorder on Tian Street. 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 behaviors occurred. Now it has spread to many neighborhoods and is getting out of control..."
Li Zhi was stunned at first, then his eyes were splitting, and he was furious. He kicked over a stool in front of him and shouted angrily: "Waste! What a waste! The king asked him to guard Mingde Gate at all costs, but he was greedy for life and afraid of death. What a defeat! That's all, but he still dares to send troops to rob the imperial capital. How many heads does he have?!"
Both sides of Tianjie are missing princes, dignitaries, and powerful 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 targets 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 powerful background, he launched an attack on Li Chengqian and finally eliminated Li Chengqian and unified the empire.
However, now it is very likely that the wealthy families, princes and ministers 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 the 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, incompetently and furiously...
"Mom!"
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's 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, was 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 families were defiled. It was 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 your 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 school captain flew down to the city and brought Cui Xin up after a moment.
Cui Xin was panic-stricken as he galloped all the way. His appearance was messy and embarrassed. When he saw Li Zhi's livid face, he became even more frightened. He hurriedly 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 afraid of death is nothing, but it has led to the collapse of military morale, huge defeats, and even plundering 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 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 and kill the culprit who had caused countless princes, princes, and ministers to be tortured and whose bones were trampled on!
Xiao Yu and Chu Suiliang hurriedly stepped forward to stop the furious Li Zhi, and persuaded him: "Your Highness, calm down. This is a critical moment. How can we kill a meritorious man 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...
