Han Shizu

Chapter 643 West County
Shu Xingyuan Mansion, Xi County.

To the south is Dingjun Mountain, to the west is Bieyuan Jushui of Hanshui River, facing the Chuanshu Post Road, and now it has become a fortress against the invasion of Xingyuan Mansion by the Han army.Later Shu has been in peace for a long time, and so is Hanzhong. Although a certain army has been maintained for a long time, the military equipment is still unavoidable.

Therefore, when the battle between Qin and Feng was completely defeated and the flames of war approached Hanzhong, this ordinary county was obviously caught off guard, and the whole city fell into a tense and hectic atmosphere.

Inside and outside the city wall, a large number of civilians, against the cold wind, repaired the city walls, ditches, and village buildings, and carried out the construction of the city defense in an emergency.At the ferry in the west of the city, several roads of refusal horses were set up in succession, as a checkpoint, and a battalion of Shu troops guarded it, screening out the fleeing people.

In front of the ferry, a bunch of people were crowded with big bags and small bags, bringing the old and the young, and they were in a state of chaos, with constant hustle and bustle and shouting.Under Liu Chengyou's order, he marched southward to train and lead his division. Although it was to realize the unification of the world, what it brought to the people in central Shu was first of all war and displacement.

It is also since the confrontation between the two countries that the propaganda to the Shu people has been too harsh, and the Han army has been too demonized, so that the soldiers and the people of Hanzhong rushed to seek refuge.Since Li Tinggui and other generals of the Shu army led their troops to retreat to Xixian County, more than 5000 people have fled south.

Of course, the increase in refugees also put a lot of pressure on Xi County's defense.The capacity of the city is limited, and it cannot accommodate many people, and the old and weak, women and children are of little value. It is also necessary to guard against the secret agents of the Han army sneaking in to make trouble.

"Everyone line up for me and accept interrogation. Anyone who dares to trespass will be punished as a traitor of the Han army!" Seeing the chaotic scene, which was almost out of control, a military academy in charge of the ferry rushed forward angrily. He waved the whip in his hand and whipped it at the few refugees who were crowded in front.

The stern look on his face seemed to want to eat people, and after a few whips, the refugees in front became more honest.Feeling the fear in the eyes of the refugees, the military academy calmed down a little, whipped the whip a few more times, and cursed: "You poor people, you deserve a beating!"

"Where are you all from?" the military academy asked with his waist thrust forward, staring at the few men who were crowded in front.

Several people seemed to be physically stronger, and the weak could not squeeze in front.One of them got a whip on his face, the mark was obvious, and the pain was burning, but he heard the words, still speaking with a local accent: "We all escaped from Xingzhou!"

After observing for a while, he called the soldiers to search for his package. Except for a few ordinary clothes, there was only a little iron money.Seeing this, he secretly cursed at the poor man, took the money, returned the burden, pointed to the open space beside the ferry, and said, "Would you all wait over there?"

"Dare to ask the military master, when will we be allowed to cross the river?" one person asked.

What I got was still a meal of yelling and cursing: "I told you to wait and wait, what kind of nonsense came from it, and so-and-so!"

He ordered the soldiers to drive those people away, and waited at the side, where dozens of men had already gathered, all young and strong.

"The ones behind, accept the inspection!" shouted.

The ones following behind were obviously a group of people, all dressed better and carrying weapons, which aroused vigilance.The leader, with a smile on his face, stepped forward and handed some silver coins familiarly, explaining that he was a Nanzheng businessman, surrounded by servants, who fled back home, and so on.

Money cleared the way, but the effect was different. After a little inspection, it was still let go, but all the weapons were withheld, in order to strengthen the armament.I don't doubt that they are spies of the Han army, and spies don't make such a publicity.

In this way, amidst the whips and scolding, many people were spared from Jushui Ferry.An interrogation almost scratched the stomach, and some fat and water had to be left behind to be used as military funds.

Escaping is not an easy job.

"Master, villain" An old man, with a little boy, was destitute and groveling.

As soon as he opened his mouth, the Shu army who was inspected whipped him, and cursed in his mouth: "A lot of people are old, poor and decrepit, fleeing like others, they really don't know how to live or die!"

"Go away!" Pointing to the pontoon bridge behind him, the sergeant said contemptuously, "After crossing the river, don't stay for long, leave Xi County as soon as possible!"

Time passed slowly, the winter wind became more and more violent, and it became colder and colder. Finally, there were fewer refugees gathered in front of Jushui Ferry, but the atmosphere became more and more tense, with a sense of restlessness, as if a beast was coming.

Pointing to the more than 100 young men who gathered at the side, he ordered to a captain: "Take these people to the city and hand them over to the trench envoys!"

"Yes!"

After giving the order, he looked back at the nearly thousand refugees still gathered in front of the ferry, frowning.The mood of the military academy is getting more and more irritable, and there is no way not to be irritable. The Han army will call at an uncertain time, and they are sent to the ferry to interrogate and screen out refugees. Although they can get some money, it is too dangerous. Given the current situation, it is useless .

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!" Just at this time, I saw from a distance that several Shu riders were galloping towards them, and they followed the post road, stepping on their hoofs and feet, and they didn't slow down until they got close.

The refugees dodged in a hurry, bumping and knocking down a large area, and they didn't rein in their horses until they stopped their horses.This is the postman of the Shu army. The leader took a few breaths and said loudly: "Xingzhou's military situation, let's report across the river, and move the horse away!"

However, the military academy did not give an order to let him go. Instead, he stepped forward and asked, "Brother, how is the situation in Xingzhou, can you tell me?"

Glancing at him, the Post Knight frowned and refused, "It's beyond your power to inquire about urgent military situations!"

At this time, the morale of the Shu army had been fluctuating for a long time, and the shaking caused by the losing streak made them not obey the rules as usual.The military academy immediately said: "Just tell me, is Xingzhou still in the hands of the defenders!"

"If you don't say it, don't even think about crossing the river, just stay here with us!"

Facing the fierce gaze of the military academy, Yiqi was also a little helpless. Looking around, he could only lower his voice: "We were just ordered to report the news. Before we left, Shunzheng City hadn't been broken, but what's going on now, I don't know!"

Seeing that it didn't seem like a lie, he gave the order to let the horse go, and when the horse was refused to leave, a group of refugees rushed forward immediately, intending to break through the barrier.The guarding soldiers were also ruthless enough, wielding knives and holding guns, they caused massive damage, dozens of lives were lost, and people calmed down again. After a while, the ferry became quieter, and after a while, there was a burst of mournful cries
In the west city, in the garrison hall, Li Tinggui, Zhao Chongtao, and Han Baozhen are discussing the army.The three of them are the most authoritative ones in the Shu army in the north at the moment. When they heard that Xingzhou had come to report, they received them immediately.

The news of Yiqi is very clear. They were ordered by the Xingzhou defense envoy to report that the Han army is attacking the city more urgently, and the city will be broken. In order to save the lives of the soldiers and civilians in the city, they intend to surrender. Please do a good job here in Xixian County. Prepare.

Hearing this, the three of them looked at each other a few times, their expressions becoming more serious.Li Tinggui shook his head slightly, and said with a wry smile: "This defense, before surrendering, sent someone to remind us, it is the last friendship!"

"People's hearts are mourning!" Zhao Chongtao sighed.

Li Tinggui looked at Yiqi: "You have come all the way to report the military situation, and you have worked hard, go down and rest, and have a good meal!"

"Thank you, Ambassador!"

"Shunzheng City's troops are weak and its defenses are not solid. It was originally a city to slow down the enemy. It will be a matter of time before it falls. It is rare to delay the Han army for a few days!" Han Baozhen said with a serious face.

"Shunzheng is only [-] miles away from Xixian County, and the roads are smooth. Now that Xingzhou has fallen, the Han army will approach Guancheng tomorrow at the latest!" Li Tinggui said sadly, "We need to get ready!"

"Right now, although there are [-] troops stationed in the western city, there are many auxiliary soldiers and civilians. The soldiers who have withdrawn from the north are disorganized and their morale is low. The only ones who can fight are the [-] imperial troops supported by Nanzheng." Zhao Chongtao analyzed with a serious expression. : "Although there are not many troops mobilized by the Han army this time, the soldiers are sharp and vigorous, and Xiang Xun is personally leading the troops. It is not easy to deal with!"

"No matter what, the Han army will never be let go at the pass of Xixian, and let it succeed easily!" Li Tinggui said seriously, looking at Zhao and Han.

After a pause, Li Tinggui became more solemn and said, "Both of you, with the situation in Yixi County, it is still not easy to hold on! In terms of the strength of the city, it should be Nanzheng. I hope you two can return Nanzheng, rectify the military equipment and city defense, I am here to delay the Han army!"

"Brother Li, who is this?" Han Baozhen heard something strange from Li Tinggui's tone.

There was a bitterness in the corner of his mouth, and Li Tinggui sighed: "I have been favored by two generations of kings. I was promoted to be a general and commanded the army, but I couldn't win the battle, I couldn't defend it, I was defeated repeatedly, I lost my teacher and humiliated the country, and I was in danger. .At this point, I really have no face. Seeing Your Majesty again, I don’t ask His Majesty to forgive me. I can only fight to the death to repay the country’s favor. Right here in Xi County, the power and the city will live and die together!"

Li Tinggui spoke seriously, his will was firm, and he had the will to die. Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozhen felt it from his eyes.

(End of this chapter)