Wang Shixian united with many princes in Guanzhong to launch an uprising against the Mongols. Many princes and wealthy families in Guanzhong occupied cities to protect themselves from Mongolian plunder.
When Zhao Tai heard the news, he naturally couldn't sit idly by and decided to send a large army to regain Guanzhong and unify the northern land.
In 1241, just after the spring plowing, Zhao Tai worshiped heaven outside Taiyuan City, issued the "Expulsion of Barbarians and Restoration of Guanzhong", and officially swore to go to war.
As soon as the proclamation came out, the elites of Qi State came out together. People from all walks of life marched towards Guanzhong with high morale.
On the first day of April, Qi general Guo Xiabao led an army of 10,000 people and appeared at the gate of Wuguan City and launched an attack on Guancheng.
On the third day of the lunar month, Wuxian led an army of 30,000 people and set out from Shaanzhou to approach Tongguan. The Mongolian garrison immediately closed the door and stood firm.
When the two Qi armies approached Guanzhong, Zhao Tai personally led an army of 60,000 to Hezhong Mansion and confronted the Mongolian general Xiban across the river.
Guanzhong, Xi'an. After Wang Shixian raised troops to resist Mongolia, there was a problem with Mongolia's defense line in Guanzhong.
At present, the Mongolian army is facing pressure from Qi State from the Central Plains and Hedong directions, and it is already quite difficult to defend.
Originally, relying on the four fortresses in Guanzhong, which were easy to defend and difficult to attack, Batu could still rely on the Yellow River and the passes to confront the Qi army. Zhao Tai would not be able to enter Guanzhong for a while.
Strong fortresses are always breached from within. Wang Shixian launched a rebellion from within, which made Batu's defense in Guanzhong full of holes.
After learning that Wang Shixian had rebelled, Batu immediately made a decision to send people to guard the pass where the Qi army entered Guanzhong, and then personally led the army to encircle and suppress Wang Shixian.
At this time, in Gongchang Mansion, the Mongolian soldiers set up camp. The Mongolian army tents were scattered in the wild, and the soldiers were shuttled among them, preparing siege equipment.
In the Chinese army's tent, Batu and many of his subordinates were gathered around the sand table to discuss the strategy of attacking the city.
Batu had a gloomy face,
"Wang Shixian is the leader of the rebel princes. Only by destroying him can we quickly put an end to the rebellion of the princes in Guanzhong!" Tasi said solemnly:
"Your Majesty, the soldiers are ready and can attack the city tomorrow!" Batu nodded.
"The Wang family has been in Guanzhong for many years and has accumulated a lot of wealth. I originally planned to let them go and invite them to join me in the Western Expedition. Since they don't know how to praise me, don't blame me for being ruthless. After the city is broken, no chickens or dogs will be left, and no money will be left. Bring them all to Mongolia!" Many Mongolian nobles immediately became energetic after hearing these words.
Suddenly, the curtain was raised, and a general rushed in, clasping his fists to report,
"Your Majesty, urgent report from the east, Zhao Tai sent three armies to attack Guanzhong!" Batu heard this and was stunned for a moment, then punched the table gum,
"Zhao Tai came so fast!" In the big tent, everyone who had just thought about robbing the Wang family's property was shocked when they heard that Qi Jun was coming to kill them.
Zhao Taigang had just eaten Hedong. Since he had such a good appetite, he came to seize Guanzhong again. The speed at which the Qi army digested Hedong frightened the Mongolian generals, and at the same time they also had a hint of fear.
Tasi couldn't help but said anxiously: "Your Majesty, the Qi army is attacking in three directions, and the artillery is sharp. I'm afraid it won't be long before they can break through the pass and enter the pass." Batu's face was gloomy, and he paced back and forth in the big tent.
He knew Qi Jun would take action, but he didn't expect Zhao Tai to come so quickly. Batu originally wanted to put down the rebellion quickly and not give Zhao Tai a chance to send troops, but now it seems that time is too late.
Batu said in a deep voice for a while, gritted his teeth and said: "There is a rebellion inside and a strong enemy outside. We want to quickly put down the rebellion and then resist the Qi army, but I'm afraid it won't be possible." At this point, Batu looked at Tasi, He ordered:
"Tasi, I will lead my troops to defend Zhao Tai. You should go north immediately and take back the money and food in Xingqing City for me." In this situation, Batu estimated that Guanzhong could no longer defend it.
Now he can only lead the army to the west, but in the westward expedition to Eastern Europe, the army needs food and drink along the way. Without food, they cannot reach the Volga River Basin.
Now Batu can only lead the main force to resist Zhao Tai, let Tasi attack Xingqing City, and strive to regain the money and food before the Qi army invades Guanzhong.
In this way, he could lead the main force to evacuate Guanlong and leave the Central Plains before the Qi army completely occupied Guanlong.
Hezhong Mansion, Qi Army Camp. Zhao Tai led the main force of the Qi army and stationed troops on the east bank of the Yellow River. At this time, in the Qi army's tent, Zhao Taizheng was discussing with his subordinates the strategy of attacking Guanzhong.
Zhao Tai frowned and looked at the sand table,
"There is only one pontoon bridge at Pujin Ferry. The Mongolian army is stationed at the bridge opposite. It can be said that one man is in charge of the pass and ten thousand people cannot open it. Even if the lonely king has tens of thousands of elite soldiers, it is difficult to enter the pass!" Wang Bin looked at the sand table and said,
"Your Majesty, this expedition was indeed too hasty and our army was not well prepared! Now the main force of our army is blocked by the Yellow River and it is difficult to cross the river to attack the enemy. However, Tongguan and Wuguan are able to attack the enemy, but they have no strength. Not enough. With our current deployment, it is indeed difficult to break into Guanzhong!" The Qi army divided into three groups, attacking Wuguan, Tongguan and Pujindu.
The Qi army attacking Wuguan only had 10,000 men led by Guo Xiabao, which could only be regarded as a partial force. If the Mongolian army was restrained, it would probably not be able to break into the pass.
The Qi army attacking Tongguan consisted of 30,000 people, commanded by Wuxian, and also brought artillery, which posed a certain threat to Tongguan.
However, Tongguan is the key defensive pass of the Mongolian army. In addition, Tongguan is the most powerful pass in the world. If the 30,000 Qi army wants to break through Tongguan, which is the key defense of the Mongolian army, it is obvious that its strength is still lacking.
The Qi army that attacked Wuguan and Tongguan was relatively weak. The Qi army that attacked Pujindu had 60,000 soldiers and strong horses. However, it was blocked by the Yellow River and could not take advantage of its strength.
Zhao Tai frowned, knowing that the Qi army's arrangement would make it difficult to break into Guanzhong, but it was undoubtedly too late to make adjustments now.
"The land in Guanzhong is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is indeed difficult for us to break in now, but what if there are soldiers and horses in Guanzhong to support us?" Zhao Tai asked.
Wang Bin shook his head,
"The king is thinking that Wang Shixian can send troops to respond, right?" Zhao Tai nodded.
"Yes, strong fortresses can only be broken from the inside. If the Wang family sends troops to support them, no matter which way is able to enter Guanzhong, the other two ways can enter smoothly!" Wang Bin said:
"I think that although Wang Shixian rebelled against Mongolia, given his strength, he would only dare to defend the city and would not dare to send troops to respond!" Zhao Tai frowned and said:
"Why?" Wang Bin said:
"First, Wang Shixian is afraid of the Mongolian cavalry! Second, he is unwilling to fight in the field and consume his own strength!" Zhao Tai pondered for a while and knew that what Wang Bin said made sense.
Warlords like Wang Shixian will definitely preserve their own strength first. Now there are many Hedong warlords under Zhao Tai, and in the future there will be warlords in China. After the world is unified, the military power of these warlords must be cut off.
Zhao Tai narrowed his eyes,
"So, it's up to us to break into the pass!"
