This was the first real battle to recapture Chang'an, the old Han capital, since the Han army embarked on the Northern Expedition. Although Huang Xi and others had led troops to the city of Chang'an before, they only harassed and intimidated them. , and did not really carry out a large-scale siege.
Zhuge Liang personally visited the battlefield and was filled with emotion when he looked at the tall and majestic city wall in front of him. After being invited out of the mountain by the late emperor Sangu thatched cottage, he spent 20 years sleeping early and late, and finally led his army to this city. Chang'an City carries countless glory for four hundred years.
From training troops in Xinye to resisting Cao Cao in Chibi, from capturing Jingzhou to attacking Yizhou in the west, from crossing Jingyi to the defeat in Yiling, from exhaustion in Yizhou to having sufficient military strength, twenty years of ups and downs, ups and downs, and bleak How many swords and swords have gone through, how many old friends and close friends have passed away, the great cause of Sanxing Han Dynasty has not only not disappeared, but is getting better and better. Even if they fail to capture Chang'an this time, it is enough to comfort the late emperor and their spirits in heaven.
"The late emperor, Yun Chang, Yide, Zizhong, Gongyou, Xianhe, Xiaozhi, Zichu, did you see that Liang finally led his army to the city of Chang'an.
We have traveled from Xinye for twenty years for this moment. Although we have gone through countless hardships and obstacles, we have finally arrived. It would be great if you were all still here and could see this scene with your own eyes! "
Zhuge Liang's thoughts were wandering, and he actually forgot that he was on a battlefield where the sound of killing was loud. He closed his eyes and recalled the past, and tears could not help falling from the corners of his eyes.
"Prime Minister, it's windy here. You'd better go to the camp and rest. We'll be watching over here. Nothing will go wrong." Yang Yi got off the horse, walked to the four-wheeler and leaned over and said.
Zhuge Liang opened his eyes, nodded, and asked: "Wei Gong, how many times has this attacked?"
"It's the second time. Just now there was a burst of cheers from the north city. It turned out that some soldiers from Mingzhi's side had attacked the city. Unfortunately, the Wei army responded quickly and dealt with it well. The soldiers behind them could not follow up in time. This wave of troops did not attack the city. Can make meritorious deeds." Yang Yi said.
Zhuge Liang hummed softly and said, "Send an order to Ma Jun and ask him to speed up assembly and build a catapult. We must give enough suppression to the Wei army in the city."
"promise."
Zhuge Liang said again: "Just stay here and keep an eye on me, I'm going back to the camp."
Yang Yi said yes and winked at the guards behind him. The guards pushed the four-wheeled cart back to the camp.
On top of the city, Cao Zhen personally commanded his sergeants to defend the southern city, facing Zhuge Liang's main army. He ordered Guo Huai to defend the northern city against Yang Qing and Guan Xing, and Fei Yao to defend the western city against Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei.
Before he could take a breath after just escaping to Chang'an, he had to brave the sky full of arrows and rocks to defend the Han army's fierce attack with all his heart. This situation was just like Anling before, and it seemed that not much had changed. .
However, compared with when he was in Anling, it was much easier for Cao Zhen to defend Chang'an this time. Although the number of troops was still only close to ten thousand, there were no less than one hundred thousand people in the city. Tens of thousands of people could be recruited at any time to help defend the city, and the food and grass in Chang'an City , weapons are also very sufficient, and the manpower and material resources are not the same as Anling.
In addition, this time with the help of two generals, Guo Huai and Fei Yao, the command was much more worry-free and relaxed, unlike in Anling when there were no other capable subordinates to rely on except Wu Kun.
What's more, Yan Fei, a civil servant, is also a capable official. With him handling internal affairs in the city, Cao Zhen does not need to worry about appeasing the people, recruiting strong people, and transporting grain and grass. He only needs to concentrate on commanding the army to fight. .
Therefore, although the Han army's offensive outside the city was very fierce, after returning to Chang'an, Cao Zhen was no longer as panicked as when he fled for his life. Once his mood calmed down, he became more comfortable commanding the troops to defend.
"Zhuge Liang, don't think that Cao has lost this time. This battle is not over yet. No one knows which side will win until the last moment. Attack, attack, how long are you willing to fight on Chang'an City? Fight for as long as you want, Cao is not afraid at all." Cao Zhen looked at the waves of Han troops rushing up outside the city, and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
The Han army attacked fiercely for two days, but failed to make any major progress. Although the Chang'an city wall was riddled with holes and potholes, there was no major damage to the wall. The Han army could still only adopt the method of attacking the city with ants.
, take human lives to fill it.
But with this filling method, even if more than 20,000 Han troops were filled in, it would be useless. Today, Cao Zhen has recruited more than 10,000 civilians to help defend the city. In the future, it will be more difficult for the Han army to conquer Chang'an.
Since there was no hope of destroying the city tomorrow, Zhuge Liang immediately summoned the generals to discuss the withdrawal of troops that night.
"Chang'an is indeed our old capital of the Han Dynasty. The city is high and the pond is deep, and it is impregnable. It is really too simple for us to think of conquering it within three days. Cao Zhen, Guo Huai, and Fei Yao are not mediocre people. They are here to take charge. Defense is indeed difficult to break.
But don't be discouraged. If we can't break the city this time, let's wait until next time. Now that the Wei army's defense line in Guanzhong has been torn apart by our army, there are no fortresses blocking our army along the Wei River. We can launch an attack on Chang'an at any time.
This time the Northern Expedition has been a complete victory, we should give it up as soon as possible. The New Year is approaching, and it is time for everyone to withdraw to Hanzhong to celebrate the good year. What do you think? "
Although the generals were still a little unwilling, the situation was such that they had to accept the reality. Fortunately, the army still made a lot of gains. When everyone returned, it was enough to deal with the emperor and the court.
Thinking that this time they could be promoted to a higher position, all the generals smiled and said happily: "I obey the wishes of Prime Minister Jun."
"Okay." Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Early the next morning, our army will withdraw westward to Yicheng, and then withdraw to Hanzhong via Baoxie Road."
"General Zilong, follow your orders."
Zhao Yun stood up, clasped his fists and said, "The end will be here."
"I order you to lead your troops as the vanguard and clear the way for the army." Zhuge Liang said.
"promise."
Zhuge Liang then shouted: "Boyue obeys the order."
"The end will be here."
"I order you to lead your troops as the rearguard of the army."
Jiang Wei responded: "Yes."
"Where is the light?"
Yang Qing quickly stood up and agreed: "The general will be here."
"Since Chencang, Yicheng and Wugong have been recovered, it should be handed over to you, the governor of Yongzhou. Therefore, after the army leaves, the defense of these three cities will be arranged by you." Zhuge Liang said.
Yang Qingdao: "Yes." He pondered for a moment, then smiled and said: "Prime Minister, our Yongzhou army currently only has more than 10,000 troops. The defense west of Longshan can only be maintained, and now there are more cities east of Longshan. , how can I take care of such a large territory with thousands of people under my command? Do you want to leave some reinforcements for me?"
"Oh? How many troops do you want me to support?" Zhuge Liang asked.
Yang Qingdao: "It doesn't take much, just let Anguo lead his troops to stay. With his help, the three newly recovered cities of Chencang will not be recaptured by the Wei army."
"Haha, I knew you wanted Anguo to stay, so I didn't even assign him a task just now. I was just waiting for you to speak." Zhuge Liang said with a smile.
Yang Qingdao: "The Prime Minister's miraculous calculations have concealed everything from you. I admire you very much."
"An Guo, you will lead your troops to stay and assist Ming Zhi in defending the city."
Guan Xing was absolutely willing to join forces with Yang Qing to fight, and he quickly responded happily: "Promise."
Zhuge Liang nodded and was about to give the two of them a few more instructions when he suddenly heard a guard shouting from outside the tent: "For the record, Prime Minister, there is an urgent military message from the Fufeng County roving guards."
