After careful consideration or hesitation for a long time, Wang Zhaoyuan finally made a decision and said to the military commander waiting in the hall: "Although Zhao Chongpu lost the Jinshan stronghold, I thought he would fight hard and resist, and I will intercede with the generals to forgive his crime and spare his life." . However, although the death penalty is exempted, the punishment is still not exempted. The rod is thirty, and the crime is retained in the post. Listen to the army before the army. Send the order and go!"
"yes!"
On the side, Yi Shenzheng, a Shu minister who knew the affairs of the Privy Council, listened to his decision and couldn't help but say: "When the Privy Council arrived, they issued strict orders and the losers were put to death. Now Zhao Chongpu has lost his troops and generals, and has lost the defensive fortress, but he has bypassed it." How can he, like this, correct military law and suppress military prestige?"
Yi Shenzheng was the son of Shu general Yi Yanxuan, and his mother was the daughter of Meng Zhixiang. She was a few years older than Meng Chang, but a generation younger. Because of this relationship, he was also highly used by Meng Chang.
Wang Zhaoyuan never neglected Yi Shen Zheng. In Yi Shenzheng's words, he just bluntly stated that he had changed his order overnight. In response to this, Wang Zhaoyuan sighed: "After all, we have just arrived and have not established our authority. How can we make military orders pass? But to defend the Northern Han Dynasty, the generals need to use force. Zhao Chongpu is not a Taoist, but if the generals and commanders feel cold because of him, how can they resist the Han army?"
After listening to his explanation, after thinking for a while, Yi Shenzheng nodded: "The Privy Council is very worried!"
In fact, Wang Zhaoyuan's killing of Liu Tingzuo had already caused a lot of criticism among the Shu army generals in the north. Of course, based on what Liu Tingzuo did during his escape south, there is no problem in executing Liu Tingzuo, and it is in line with the morale of the military. What aroused the dissatisfaction of the Shu generals was Wang Zhaoyuan's reason for killing Liu. Because he had lost the battle, he would be executed, which was really difficult to accept.
This is what Wang Zhaoyuan has figured out over the past few days. Therefore, he decisively changed his approach and wanted to tone it down a bit so as not to appear too harsh.
However, he also heard the hidden meaning of Yi Shenzheng. In order to avoid losing his commanding power and letting the generals look down upon him, Wang Zhaoyuan added to the military commander: "You take my commanding order and go to Mantianzhai to imprison the generals. Come and watch the execution in person!”
"yes!"
Judging from Wang Zhaoyuan's performance, this person's mind changes quickly and he has many ideas, which also leads to changeable approaches and he always talks about one thing after another. But things have changed, the majesty is barely established, but the morale of the military is lost. One can imagine what the consequences will be.
After dealing with Zhao Chongpu's matter, Wang Zhaoyuan focused his energy on the defense against the Han Dynasty. He concentrated on studying the defense layout of the Shu army in Lizhou. He couldn't help but explain to Yi Shenzheng: "Since Jinshan stronghold is lost, the Shu army can reach directly. Xiaomantianzhai! I had expected this, but I didn’t expect the Han army to advance so quickly. In the final analysis, Sanquan was lost too quickly, allowing the Han army to successfully seize the road. Then Liu Tingzuo really deserved his death!"
"It's useless to complain!" Yi Shenzheng said to Wang Zhaoyuan: "Now that the Han army has advanced, how to resist it is the first thing!"
"Both the large and small Mantian strongholds have great geographical advantages. It is futile for the Han army to attack forcefully. We only need to make full use of the advantages of the terrain and features to inflict lethal strikes on the enemy. I am afraid that the soldiers will be too timid to kill the enemy, so I will personally go to the Qianzhai stronghold to urge the battle!" Wang Zhaoyuan Road.
As he said that, he looked at Yi Shenzheng and said: "An offensive and defensive battle is imminent. I will go north to Mantian Ridge tomorrow to supervise the battle. Brother Yi will stay in Mian Valley. This place is the lifeline of our army's military needs. There is no room for mistakes. Please be cautious. , don’t be lazy!”
"Privy Councilor, you can rest assured and go north to supervise the division. Miangu will be left to me!" Yi Shen Zheng said confidently.
Less than forty miles northeast of Mian Valley is the Mantian Ridge, which is divided into large and small ridges and connects the north and the south. When Hanzhong enters the Bashu Golden Bull Avenue. The Shu army defended it with large and small Mantian strongholds. If the Han army attacked head on in a systematic manner, even if they could capture it, they would suffer heavy losses. The guard of Xiaomantianzhai was Wang Shenchao, who had been ordered to come to the north to aid, but was defeated by Murong Chengtai and destroyed a Golden Bull Plank Road.
At night, the autumn wind brought a chill to Sichuan Village. Wang Shenchao took a small jar of wine and entered a military tent. Inside the tent, there was a faint smell of blood in the air, and a general with a square face and a short beard was lying on the military couch.
This Shu general was Zhao Chongpu, who had lost Jinshan Village, with a look of anger on his face. After the Shu army was in decline, Zhao Chongpu was a general of the Mesozoic era. At this time, his face showed a feeling of anger.
"How is it? Are you seriously injured?" Wang Shenchao asked after taking a short note and sitting down.
Looking at Wang Shenchao, Zhao Chongpu snorted: "A wound to the flesh is not enough. Thirty sticks can't even break my bones!"
"I have personally experienced the combat power of the Han army, and Zhao Shijun and the others also understand you! It is difficult for anyone to defend Jinshan Stronghold. You can withstand a day and cause hundreds of casualties to the Han army. It's rare. I'm sorry for you!" Wang Shenchao said in a comforting tone.
"Can I drink?" He opened the wine jar and handed it to Zhao Chongpu.
"Chongbi wine!" Zhao Chongpu took it and took a sip, praising: "Good wine!"
Then he said bitterly: "That idiot Wang Zhaoyuan uses me to establish his power. I really don't know why he is so arrogant! Can this man be the commander in chief? I want to see how he will repel the Han army!"
Hearing this, Wang Shenchao couldn't help but sigh, with a deep look in his eyes, and said: "The war is about to begin, and we can only do our best! But, not for him, Wang Zhaoyuan!"
...
Autumn, July 27, the tenth year of Qianyou.
On the side of the Jialing River, the sky is full of Beiling. Since Chen time, the Han army, which has been fully prepared, has officially launched an attack on Shu Xiaomantian Village as the camps in both Sichuan and Sichuan were deployed. Xiang Xun gave an order.
Twenty thunderbolt vehicles dropped more than 500 kerosene bombs on the enemy's stronghold within half an hour, followed closely by the sharp crossbows. In these years of war, the Shu army also became wary of the cruel and powerful heavy weapons of the Han army after suffering losses.
In the former village, a large amount of sand and soil were transported, and all the surrounding mountains and trees were cut down and left bare. The walls of the village were demolished and rebuilt, and the places that could be replaced were built with Sanhe soil. Therefore, it is no longer possible to have the same miraculous effect as when we destroyed Mighty City.
However, even so, the power of the kerosene bombs still frightened many Shu soldiers who had never experienced this battle. The exploding sparks were gorgeous and vicious, like fire demons that wanted to devour people if they touched them. , making the scalp numb.
Guarding General Wang Shenchao saw the opportunity and ordered the people in the front camp to retreat. The front camp lacked combustibles and the kerosene bombs thrown lacked stamina. The fire weakened rapidly. After the Han army stopped firing, they returned to the stronghold to defend themselves.
The soldiers of the Han army attacking the stronghold also looked for opportunities to launch attacks. The person responsible for the vanguard attack on the stronghold was Huaide's army. Thousands of strong soldiers were carefully selected by the capital general Li Yan. They had been recharging their strength and launched a sudden attack under the leadership of the deputy capital commander Han Jixun.
Surrounding the slightly damaged Xiaomantianqianzhai, the battle became intense in a short period of time. The beast called war ruthlessly devoured the lives of soldiers on both sides.
Due to the terrain limitations, the Han army could not use large-scale attack weapons such as cloud ladders, well ladders, and rams. They could only rely on crude bamboo and wooden ladders to ascend enemy strongholds with apes, and attack the fortresses with swords and spears. . Fortunately, Xiang Xun did not treat the two battalions of "men who dared to die" differently. He really treated them as cannon fodder. In addition to toasting them personally, he also specially prepared a batch of strong armors to arm them.
Even so, as the attacking party, they still had to suffer heavy losses. There were some disadvantages that Xueyong could not directly eliminate, and a certain price had to be paid.
In front of Xiaomantian Village, under the personal command of Wang Shenchao, the Shu army resisted quite tenaciously. However, the Han army that attacked the village, even though they were armed to the teeth, suffered increasing casualties under the threat of enemy bows, spears, wood and stones. There are also many casualties from falls...
Blood and death, in addition to bringing fear, also swallowed up the soldiers' sanity and turned them crazy. The Han army's military law has always been strict. Liu Chengyou organized the army many times and continued to strengthen the construction of military discipline and law. As Sergeant Huaide who surrendered from the army, he also received strict training. He said that he was not afraid of death, which was all false. It was just that there was no extra choice. For them, after receiving the order, there was only one way to rush forward to win. That weak but real vitality.
"Don't be afraid!"
"Continue to attack, the Shu army cannot stop it!"
"For today's plan, survive in death and fight to the death!"
"Everyone will be rewarded if they defeat the enemy's stronghold, and they will be able to return home in fine clothes!"
"kill!"
With the sound of killing fierce and arrows flying everywhere, Han Jixun, wearing heavy armor, hung tightly behind him, lifted his mask, and announced loudly to boost morale. In this offensive and defensive situation, as a front-line commander, his main job is probably to motivate and supervise the troops. There are not many places that need to be dispatched.
In order to prove himself, to show his loyalty to the court, and for his children and grandchildren to enjoy the blessings, Han Jixun, a veteran, risked his life!
Xiang Xun stood on a peak on the left side of the Jialing River to watch the battle. He stared at the situation on the battlefield and the progress of the attack on the stronghold. He didn't seem to care. Standing next to him were Wang Quanbin, Wang Renfan and several other senior generals.
After observing for a long time, Xiang Xun said: "The Shu army has learned the lesson. It is difficult for kerosene bombs to be of great use in the defense of such strongholds. If all Shu villages are like this, the use of kerosene bombs will be reduced or even abandoned in the future!"
"It can be replaced by stone bullets. The Sichuan village is built with soil in the mountains. Even if it is strong, the foundation may not be solid. Thousands of stone bullets fired may destroy it or severely damage it!" Wang Quanbin said.
"The back village is still mainly made of wood and stone buildings, but the terrain is high and steep. It is inconvenient to set up a thunderbolt car, and its power may be difficult to reach. Small cans of kerosene bombs should be modified and thrown at close range by manpower. However, it still needs to be Bows and crossbows serve as the main cover." Wang Renfan said: "Looking at the Shu army's response to resistance, Wang Shenchao still has some command ability!"
After listening to the words of the two kings and their respective comments and suggestions, Xiang Xun said: "It can be seen that there are not no people in the Shu army. Our army needs to be cautious when attacking!"
About an hour later, under the strong attack of two battalions of brave warriors who rushed to the stronghold, the former stronghold was finally broken. The Han troops poured in, and Li Yan, the general of the Huaide army behind him, immediately put in reserve forces and rushed into the front stronghold of the Shu army.
"This Han Jixun looks like he is still going strong! If the Shu army back then could have such fighting power, it would not be easy for our army to defeat them!" Wang Rengan couldn't help but sigh after seeing the former stronghold defeated. He had been a direct rival with Han Jixun back then, and the emotion in his heart at this time was more profound.
"The weakness of the Shu army has nothing to do with the soldiers, nor can it be restored by one general or one commander!" Xiang Xun said.
