In early April, the Allied forces moved together to formally launch the attack on Qin.
The Ling Army took the lead in sending troops from the east, gathering an army of 300,000, with a mighty force aimed directly at Yiyang.
Calculated based on the distance and marching speed, the troops will reach the city in about five or six days.
After Xiao Yuan's highest order, strategically, it was decided to abandon Yiyang.
Su Yi also immediately conveyed the military order, ordering Qin general He Zhen who was still stationed in Yiyang to withdraw to Shanyuguan.
Yiyang.
Because he had received the order in advance, the county governor Zhang Gongyou was well prepared and could evacuate at any time. Before leaving, he naturally found He Zhen.
At this time, at the top of Yiyang City, the officers and soldiers of the Qin Army were still standing guard every three steps and one sentry every five steps, standing ready. He Zhen was also doing defensive work, commanding his soldiers, preparing some stones, rolling logs, and other defensive equipment one by one.
When Zhang Gongyou came, he saw exactly this scene and couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"
He was wearing the uniform of a county guard. When the soldiers saw this, they quickly stopped what they were doing and said respectfully: "Sir, the general has an order. The enemy is approaching. The entire army must be prepared for battle."
"What?" Zhang Gongyou frowned, no longer paying attention to the soldiers, but quickly stepped forward, walked to He Zhen's side, and shouted urgently: "General!"
"Ah? Master Zhang?" The latter turned around, cupped his fists and gave a salute.
Zhang Gongyou pointed to the soldiers busy around the city defense: "Hasn't the imperial court decided to abandon Yiyang? The general should immediately lead his troops to retreat to Shanyuguan to join the main force of our army."
"No! I would rather die than retreat!" Unexpectedly, He Zhen decisively refused.
"What did you say!?" Zhang Gongyou was shocked when he heard this: "Didn't the general receive the military order?"
He Zhen said: "I have indeed received the military order from Commander Su, but as a general of the Qin army, my duty is to guard Yiyang! An Neng retreats without a fight! Abandon the city and flee!"
"But this is the highest order! It's a strategic deployment!" Zhang Gongyou said.
"I don't care about these generals!" He Zhen said stubbornly: "I can't just run away like this! Even if there are more enemies! It doesn't matter! The worst is to fight to the death! Even if the city is broken, the enemy will still have to pay a heavy price cost!"
As he spoke, he continued: "My Da Qin used to be so poor, no matter how ferocious the enemy was, the whole army never fought timidly! Not to mention the mere spiritual army! No need to say more, sir!"
This is a reckless man. Among the middle and low-level generals of the Qin army, there are many such people. Most of them started as soldiers and fought hard all the way. The blood on their bodies can be seen!
They are determined to fight to the death, but sometimes, in terms of grand strategy, they need to make concessions.
After Zhang Gongyou heard this, he was also very anxious: "General, this is not the time to show off your strength. If you try to show your strength for a moment, what you will shed by then will be the blood of the soldiers! How can you let their sacrifices be in vain!"
"How can this sacrifice be in vain! We will defend the city to the death! We want to fight the enemy in a bloody battle! Isn't this what a general and soldier should do!" He Zhen retorted.
This is really a scholar meeting a soldier, and there is no reason to explain. Zhang Gongyou took a deep breath and had no choice but to say: "I am now ordering you to lead your troops to evacuate immediately. I still have the final say in Yiyang!"
"No." He Zhen said seriously: "Although your Excellency is the county guard, you do not have command authority over the military department."
"You!" Zhang Gongyou was so angry that he knew it was useless to talk any more, so he could only wave his sleeves and walk away.
As soon as he stepped off the city defense, the county magistrate hurriedly came over and said, "Sir, after the notice was posted, the people panicked. Many people began to take their families and prepare to flee to Shanyuguan."
This is not surprising, because Qin's policies are the best for the people among other countries. It is reasonable for people to be unwilling to give up their stable life and flee to the mountains and valleys.
After listening to this, Zhang Gongyou pondered for a moment: "It doesn't matter, this is not a bad thing. There is no need to stop the city gate if it is opened."
"Yes." The county magistrate responded, and Zhang Gongyou asked again: "Is there anything missing from the county government?"
"No, all the official records and records have gone to Shanyuguan." The county magistrate said, "It's just that the grain and grass reserves..."
"Leave it to He Zhen to deal with it." Zhang Gongyou had no choice but to make this decision as He Zhen refused to withdraw and he was worried that his troops would have no food and grass.
After finishing speaking, he immediately said: "In addition, immediately send a letter to Shanyuguan to explain the situation of He Zhenyi."
"Yes! I'll take care of it now." The county magistrate took the order and left.
This is a very qualified county governor. From the fact that the people fled to Shanyuguan, it is not difficult to see that his governance in Yiyang has won the hearts of the people.
And even if you evacuate, you should arrange everything in order before leaving, rather than being the first to escape in fear of death.
Yiyang was not far from Shanyuguan. With a quick horse, the news reached Su Yi the next day.
After the latter read the letter, he was furious. He slapped Shuai on the spot, stood up and said: "What a common man! How dare you disobey military orders! Come here!"
"Commander Su." The sergeant entered immediately.
Su Yi pointed his fingers and said angrily: "Go to Yiyang immediately! Tell He Zhen that this is the king's order and let him retreat immediately! If he doesn't listen, behead him on the spot! Military law is engaged!"
"No!" The sergeant clasped his fists and left.
Although Su Yi looks weak, on the battlefield, his heart is harder than a stone! If He really dares to disobey military orders this time, Su Yi will definitely behead him in public, and there will be no room for any moisture!
After this quick horseback trip, by the time the messenger arrived in Yiyang, three days had passed.
Along the way, you can see groups of people everywhere, dragging their families, pushing wooden carts, and carrying luggage.
Yiyang City Head.
He Zhen was wearing a general's armor, a general's helmet on his head, and a cape on his back, and he was still giving orders.
Not long after, a messenger came quickly, knelt down on one knee, raised his hands high and said: "General, Commander Su's military order."
He held a silk letter in his hand. When He Zhen heard this, he reached out and pulled it out, and said in a calm voice: "This second military order is still an order to retreat, right? Please tell Commander Su, I would rather die in battle." , unwilling to abandon the city."
"General, abandoning Yiyang is the king's order. Su Shuai has said that if the general dares to disobey, he will immediately engage in military law!" the ordering soldier said seriously.
Hearing this, He Zhen took a deep breath, held the silk book and didn't speak for a long time.
The ordering soldier glanced at him secretly and said tentatively: "General, military orders are like mountains. If you die under the military orders, you can't even serve the country."
This sentence spoke to He Zhen's heart. Of course he was not a rebellious person, but he was just unwilling to give up Yiyang.
It wasn't until a while later that he said, "I understand. Please tell Su Shuai that we will evacuate immediately."
"No!" The ordering soldier saluted and left.
He Zhen waved his hand impatiently: "Okay! Don't do it anymore! Gather immediately and escort the food and supplies to Shanyuguan first!"
