On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month of the fifth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, the Chen hour arrived. Outside Shouchun City, following the military order from Emperor Liu Chengyou to start a war, the Northern Han Dynasty's Huaihe army officially launched a general attack on Shouchun, which had been besieged for more than eighty days.
With this move, the Han army launched an all-out attack, attacking from the north, west, and south. The Han army's main force, the imperial army, the Huaide army who had been recruited and replenished, and the soldiers in front of the camp, totaled 70,000 men directly involved in the siege. . Thunderbolt cannons, bed crossbows, ladders and other siege weapons were all used without hesitation. In short, the emperor's will was carried out: destroy the city!
Sun Li mainly attacked in the south, Wang Jun commanded in the west, Murong Yanzhao supervised the battle in the north, and Liu Chengyou settled in the north camp to watch the battle, watching the attack and defense of Beicheng led by the Longqi Army.
In the spring day, the light shines brightly inside and outside the city amid the lights and shadows of swords. Under Shouchun City, there was a fierce fighting, and the attack and defense were in full swing. Liu Chengyou always sat firmly on the high platform, enjoying the gentle breeze and rising sun, listening to the sound of drums and horns, and watching the bloody killings. The killing sound lasted for a full hour and a half, but there was no sign of weakening, and reports of the battle situation in the three sects continued to reach Liu Chengyou.
"The Tang Army in Nancheng has repulsed the third wave of our army's attack, and Commander Sundu has thrown in the fourth force to attack the city!"
"The commander of the royal capital has personally led his people to the Wengcheng and is fighting with the defenders!"
"Nanweng City has been conquered by Sun Du's commander. Tang General He Jingzhu has concentrated his troops and is defending the tower!"
...
In the reports of battles, the Xiaodi and Husheng armies, which were the main attackers, continued to achieve results, but only the north side was tepid.
"I never thought that at this point, the defenders in the city would still have such energy!" Liu Chengyou said.
Tao Gu and other close ministers also followed the king to watch the battle. Tao Gu said: "This is a stubborn resistance in the corner. In the battle with trapped animals, the soldiers have defeated the city. How can the city tower be defended for a long time? When their morale is exhausted, Shouchun will be broken!"
Li Shaoyou said: "Then He Jingzhu really does not know the power of heaven, does not know how to advance or retreat, and intends to resist the heavenly army! Without this person, Shouchun would have been destroyed long ago!"
"But that's all for resistance!" Liu Chengyou said, after a little consideration, he ordered Li Shaoyou: "Send the signal and let Xu Xiang take action!"
Outside Beicheng, fireworks exploded. Even in the daytime, they were not as brilliant as they were in the dark night. But after receiving the signal, the originally tepid attack and defense of the North Gate immediately became intense, and in the city, the commander of the Divine Guard Army, Xu Xiang, who had been waiting anxiously, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
What he was nervous about was not that there would be any problems with his surrender, but that he was afraid that the Han army would break the city before he took action, and his dedication to the city by turning sides before the battle would be compromised.
In the case of internal support, Liu Chengyou still chose this tactics, firstly to test Shouchun's final defense, and secondly for safety reasons. Liu Chengyou believed 80% of Xu Xiang's surrender, and the remaining 20% was just the necessary suspicion and precaution for a monarch and commander.
For this reason, they even rejected Xu Xiang's suggestion to attack the city at night and surrender, just to prevent unexpected situations from happening at night. After delaying it for a day, he allowed him to break out when the Han army was fully attacking. In this way, at least on the Han army's side, the plan was complete and there was no fear of any conspiracy by the defenders.
As Xu Xiang launched his attack in the north city and launched a back attack on Colonel He Jingzhu, the defenders collapsed. With the support of the Divine Guards, they successfully climbed to the top of the city and swept into the city.
Han Chongyun, the commander of the lower camp of the Longqi Army, led his men to the city first, broke through the city walls, climbed to the top of the city, cut off the Tang flag and planted the Han flag. With excitement on their faces, the two armies, Xiaodi and Husheng, were red-faced because of their success in breaking the city, but they were able to attack easily.
"Are you Xu Xiang?" Looking at Xu Xiang who took the initiative to put away his weapons and come forward alone, Han Chongyun stopped his men and asked.
Looking at the young Han general showing off his power in front of him, although he felt a little offended, Xu Xiang did not dare to neglect and hurriedly said: "It is the humble general!"
After glancing at him, Han Chongyun said directly: "Murong Du Yuhou has an order, asking you to lead your people to the West City with our army and cooperate with the siege army to break the city! Leave a few people who are familiar with the terrain in the city to guide the army. Occupy the strategic location!"
"Yes!" Xu Xiang responded quickly, greeted his subordinates, and led the way.
The Longqi army entering the city was divided into two waves. One wave followed Xu Xiang to the west, and the other wave, under the guidance of the guide, attacked the commander's mansion, government offices, warehouses, treasuries and other military and political institutions.
In Shouchun West City, on the city tower, the attack and defense had reached the most intense moment. Under the command of Zhang Quanyue, the commander of Baoxin Army, the defenders occupied the passage of the city wall and desperately resisted the fierce attack of the Han army. Wang Yansheng personally led people to charge several times, but was blocked every time. He was furious. Caught in a city battle, the Han army no longer dared to use their sports cars and crossbows, otherwise they would hurt others and themselves. On top of the city, what was competing was the bloody bravery of the soldiers on both sides.
Even so, the Tang army was on the verge of collapse. During the bloody storm, Zhang Quanyue, as the commander, was actually completely powerless and could only struggle with one breath.
When Xu Xiang brought people to "help the battle", he didn't react for a while. While he was climbing the tower, he was distracted and asked: "Xu Xiang, if you don't cooperate with the defense of the city in the north, why are you going to the west city?"
"By order of Duke Xu, I am here to help you!" Xu Xiang drew out his sword, and with dozens of confidants, he quickened his pace and replied loudly.
After hearing what he said, Zhang Quanyue breathed a sigh of relief at first, but then he thought about it and noticed his hurried footsteps and the white cloth tied around his subordinates' arms. He suddenly realized that something was wrong, his face changed drastically, and he staggered back. , ordered his subordinates: "Stop them!"
Seeing this, the principal behind Xu Xiang jumped out, took three big steps to catch up, chopped down Zhang Quanyue with a knife, and quickly cut off his head.
The sudden change made the Tang army in Xicheng at a loss. Xu Xiang seized the opportunity, said kill, and led his men to ruthlessly attack his former comrades. Under the city wall, the Divine Guards also launched an attack, followed closely by the Longqi Army.
After some changes, Xicheng was suddenly destroyed. Wang Yansheng led his guards to kill from the outside in. When he saw Xu Xiang, he attacked him with a knife. He was already red-eyed.
The blood-stained sword in Wang Yansheng's hand slashed at Xu Xiang with a sharp edge. Xu Xiang was startled and subconsciously blocked the blow. With a "dang" sound, Xu Xiang retreated hastily. Wang Yansheng's physical strength was so amazing that he almost missed the blow.
Seeing Wang Yansheng's murderous look, Xu Xiang hurriedly said: "General, stop it, we are one of our own! We have surrendered to the Han and have been ordered to come to help the general break the city!"
After hearing what he said, Wang Yansheng stopped his offensive, glanced at Xu Xiang, and suddenly said angrily: "Who taught you to help me? I can break the city myself!"
The corner of his mouth twitched, he had seen the arrogance of the Han army. He took his bodyguard with him and risked his life to kill Zhang Quanyue to help him seize the city, but they didn't appreciate it. But as a surrendered general, he had the consciousness to surrender, so he hurriedly explained with a straight face.
"Beicheng has been destroyed?" Wang Yansheng asked.
"Back to the general, that's right! The heavenly soldiers have entered the city and are attacking the government offices in the city!"
"You!" Wang Yansheng became a little anxious and pointed at Xu Xiang: "Take your people and clear the way for me to go to Jiedu Yamen!"
"Yes!" Faced with Wang Yansheng's bossy orders, he had no intention of resisting. If he offended this Han general and was easily killed by him, he would have nowhere to complain. He quickly gathered his men and turned to lead the way.
"Your Majesty, Beicheng has been destroyed!"
"...The West City has been destroyed!"
Good news came frequently, and the Han army's northern camp was naturally very excited. Tao Gu congratulated: "The stubborn stone square city of Shouchun was finally destroyed by your Majesty!"
In response to this, Liu Chengyou's face only moved slightly, and then returned to calm, as if the destruction of Shouchun City was just a trivial matter. He raised his finger and ordered: "Send orders to Wang Jun and Murong Yanzhao to eliminate the remaining enemies as soon as possible, seize the city defense offices, and stabilize the situation in the city!"
"yes!"
Liu Chengyou himself returned to the Chinese army's imperial tent, drank water and ate, and thought about the next strategy.
On the upper floor of Shouchun South City, the killing sounds have gradually weakened. The northwest gate has been broken. How can South City survive alone? The defenders are dying and surrendering. If the resistance is fierce, it must be on the Nancheng side. The Han army is mainly attacking here, and He Jingzhu is mainly defending here.
Under the city gate, there were still dozens of soldiers guarding He Jingzhu, who were surrounded by the Han army at the foot of the city. Sun Li and Gao Huaide climbed into the city one after another. Commander Sun Du looked unhappy, already knowing that someone else had taken the lead in breaking Shouchun.
In view of this, when he learned that He Jingzhu was surrounded, he rushed over immediately. This ability to kill the general and capture the commander was impossible to escape.
Seeing Sun Gao and the others, the commander of the first army under his command immediately reported: "General, these dozens of people are stubbornly resisting and will not listen to the advice to surrender!"
Stepping forward and observing, he found dozens of Tang soldiers, facing the siege of the Han army, with expressions of relief and no fear. Gao Huaide said: "These people are determined to die!"
Sun Li waved his hand and ordered: "Then help them and kill them all!"
After another brief and cruel strangulation, there was no more killing sound at Shouchunnan Pass. Stepping on the dripping blood, he stepped over the corpse of the Tang soldier and just put it down. The veteran He Jingzhu was quietly leaning on a log, with a sick face and a sword mark on his neck. He apparently committed suicide.
After observing for a moment, he came to the conclusion that the dozens of Tang soldiers were there to protect He Jingzhu's body.
Gao Huaide couldn't help but sigh: "JAC has no shortage of heroes!"
Sun Li came closer, looked at him for a few times, and his eyes stayed on He Jingzhu's lifeless ugly face, and said: "Is it this ugly guy who has resisted my army for so long?"
"It should be!" Gao Huaide said. What spreads along with He Jingzhu's reputation for loyalty and bravery is his "ugly reputation".
"Why bother?" Sun Li shook his head and said, "It's not worth dying for the mediocre lord of the false Tang Dynasty. If you had listened to the advice early and surrendered to the Han Dynasty, you would have been rich and honorable, and lived in peace in your old age..."
It can be seen from Sun Li's words that although he was respectful and surrendered to Liu Chengyou, at his core, he was still a martial artist deeply influenced by the times.
Gao Huaide, on the other hand, said: "Although we are enemies, the veteran's loyalty and bravery are worthy of admiration!"
Sun Li raised the corner of his mouth slightly, bowed slightly to He Jingzhu's body, then pulled out his sword and slashed towards his neck. Taking the bloody head, Sun Li said with a smile: "Report to Your Majesty and say that the Xiaodi Army has beheaded the thief He Jingzhu!"
In response to Sun Li's actions, Gao Huaide opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't say much.
