in this war.
Li Chengqian's strategy of dividing his troops is really confusing to many people.
They didn't understand why they had to divide their troops into several groups when they were clearly outnumbered.
Can't we gather superior forces to fight against the rebels head-to-head?
Even if we don't fight a battle, it is enough to send tens of thousands of people to support Runzhou.
Why put yourself at a disadvantage and in danger every step of the way?
But obviously, these people think of the problem too simply.
Currently, rebels occupy the north and south banks of the Yangtze River.
This means that the rebels have flexible control over the war.
If the elites of the Tang Dynasty come over, they can give up their northern territory and use their own waterway advantage to enter Jiangnan Road in one fell swoop.
In this way, they could not only rely on the natural dangers of the Yangtze River to prevent the elites of the Tang Dynasty from crossing the river.
Likewise, they can also gather superior forces and continue moving south.
It doesn't matter whether he captures Li Chengqian or Li Yuan.
As long as they can besiege one of the two, they will have the capital to negotiate terms with Li Shimin.
No matter what Li Shimin chooses at that time, it will be a disaster for the Tang royal family.
Therefore, Li Chengqian now divided his troops to attack the south bank of the Yangtze River. He said it was to cut off the retreat of the rebels who had crossed the river, but in fact, it was to cut off the retreat of the rebels who had not crossed the river.
In this way, the day when the elite of the Tang Dynasty arrived, the northern rebels would be completely wiped out.
Of course, what Li Chengqian's side faces is not just the tens of thousands of rebels.
At the same time, there was also Li Ke from Shu.
Although Li Ke has not entered Jiangnan Road yet.
Although his slogan was to kill Li Chengqian.
But if Li Chengqian dies, will this war really end?
Obviously not.
Li Chengqian was just an excuse for him to rebel.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that it is only a matter of time before he enters Jiangnan Road.
The combat effectiveness of the army under Li Ke's account is not just talk.
They can even replicate Li Chengqian's record of sweeping the two countries in the Western Regions within half a month in Jiangnan Road.
If Jiangnan Road was lost, the land he occupied would be enough to cut the entire Tang Dynasty into two sections along the Yangtze River.
By then, the Tang Dynasty will probably enter another turbulent era of confrontation between the north and the south like the Southern, Chen and Northern Qi Dynasties.
Therefore, Li Chengqian had no choice.
Whether it's for Li Yuan behind him or for the overall situation.
He must fight this battle.
And he must also hold back the rebels so that they cannot continue southward, let alone return to the south bank of the Yangtze River to aid.
For this, he was also prepared to give everything.
…
Outside Runzhou City.
Tens of thousands of rebels launched an onslaught from three sides.
Although their formation was chaotic, the scene was terrifying.
The entire battlefield was filled with dust and crowds of people.
Looking from a distance, a heavy sense of oppression came over my face.
The war drums of the rebels were beating loudly, and the rebel death squads braved the rain of arrows and carried ladders to the top of the city.
After these three days of bloody battles, the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty who defended the city also found the feeling of fighting in the past.
Seeing the enemy coming up, rows of archers followed the instructions of the Chief of Staff and shot arrows towards the city.
The soldiers responsible for guarding the city also threw stones outside the city wall under the instructions of the commander and the corps commander.
Under such a dense attack on the city, many rebels, not to mention climbing the city wall, would be pretty good if they could climb half way or the whole thing.
Even before some people even touched the ladder, they were hit in the head by stones thrown from the city wall, or pierced by arrows.
And because Zhu Gu, the county magistrate, was very popular.
The people in the city were also willing to help him defend the city.
Some young and middle-aged people in the city spontaneously formed a militia team, holding long wooden poles to pick out the ladders erected on the city wall.
For a moment, the rebel soldiers fell off the city wall like dumplings.
Under the city wall, there were countless dead and injured people, and the wails of the dying were even more continuous.
War is a ruthless meat grinder.
In such a situation, even veterans of many battles would not dare to guarantee that they would survive.
At this moment, the rebels were also furious.
Under the temptation of generals with money and the threat of death.
Many soldiers also showed strong fighting power.
A group of people completely forgot about life and death and rushed towards the city wall desperately.
The offensive like a tidal wave did have an effect.
Not long after, a rebel soldier came to the top of the city.
Of course, the fate of these soldiers was very miserable.
After all, only a few sporadic people came up, and almost before they started waving their weapons, they were chopped into bloody gourds by the Tang Dynasty soldiers who rushed up.
But these people also used their lives to buy time for those behind them.
One, two, five, ten.
As more and more rebels boarded the city, it became increasingly difficult for the Tang soldiers to suppress the other side.
The offensive and defensive battle also turned into a melee in an instant.
Looking from a distance, I could only see the crowds of people on the top of the city, the sound of the collision of iron weapons, and the shouts of soldiers resounding in the sky.
Zhu Gu, who was holding a long sword, was also among the crowd.
He personally rushed into the battlefield and fought to the death with the Zhenguan knife in hand.
This guy who had always presented himself as a civil servant also burst out with powerful fighting power at this moment.
In an instant, dozens of people fell at his feet.
Zhu Guzhi, who was covered in blood, roared at the rebels in front of him: "Young people dare to offend me, the Tianyan of the Tang Dynasty. Aren't you afraid of killing the nine tribes?"
His words stunned everyone around him.
But soon, he became the target of everyone's attacks.
After all, his armor is very conspicuous, and he is obviously an official.
Everyone understands the principle of capturing the thief first.
So now these people are rushing towards Zhu Gu.
When several captains saw this scene, they hurried over and gathered around him to kill the enemy with him.
Not to mention, these people were all in trouble. All the rebel soldiers who came close to them were cut down without exception.
The rebel soldiers finally felt scared, and when facing them, no one dared to take the initiative anymore.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg in the war.
Although they could gain a moment's advantage, they could not turn the tide of the battle.
As time went by, under the continuous tide of rebel attacks, they were forced to retreat to the south where the rebels did not attack the city.
And even here, the rebel offensive still has no intention of stopping.
The number of casualties on Datang's side increased sharply, and the area controlled was quickly compressed.
Zhu Gu, on the other hand, was backed up by the crowd.
Looking at his former comrades being killed one by one by the rebels' swords, he couldn't help but sigh.
At this point, the defeat and city destruction seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Zhu Gu had been with Li Yuan.
Although he has been depressed, he has been a county magistrate for many years.
But this does not mean that he has lost his backbone.
He looked at the bloody comrades behind him, his eyes red.
"I'm afraid we are going to hell together today."
"It was Mr. Zhu who harmed you all in this life. In the next life, I will be your ox and horse..."
After saying this, Zhu Guzhi bowed deeply to everyone to express his apology.
Just when everyone was moved.
Suddenly I heard someone shouting: "Sir, look, our reinforcements are here!"
Zhu Gu was stunned when he heard this.
Then, he suddenly ran to the edge of the city and looked outside.
At this glance, I was shocked to see a young man riding a white horse and wearing bright yellow uniforms, holding a spear and fighting in the crowd...
