Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Dilemma of Leaving the Soldiers in Xi'an

After Li Zicheng read the letter sent by Yushi Li Wen, he asked, "Li Aiqing, do you know what kind of letter this is?" ”

Li Wen shook his head and said, "I don't know! ”

"See for yourself!" After speaking, Li Zicheng handed Li Yan's letter to Li Wen.

After Li Wen took the letter and read it, the sweat on the back of his neck came down.

When Li Zicheng got the letter back, he asked, "What do you think of Li Yan's letter?" ”

"This?" Li Wen didn't dare to answer.

"Do you think this is Li Yan's handwritten letter?" Li Zicheng stared at Li Wen and asked, "If so, is the words in the letter credible?" You boldly say that there is no one else here. ”

"The letter was written by Li Yan, and no one else can write such words," Li Wen replied cautiously, "I have long had doubts about Li Yan's rebellion." ”

"No need to talk about this!" Li Zicheng interrupted. He knew that Li Wen and Li Yan had a good relationship, otherwise he would not have sent a letter through him.

"Oh! What did the emperor ask about what Li Yanxin said? Li Wen quickly stopped his mouth and said, "I think so." With the relationship between Li Gongzi and the emperor, he would not use a letter to deceive the emperor. If the kiln man didn't attack, there was no point in him making such a joke! ”

"I'm asking, is it credible for them to let us out?" Li Zicheng continued to ask.

"It should be credible," Li Wen replied, "Otherwise, with the strength of the Yaogang people, it will be difficult for us to open these two passages if they hold these two passages." Besides, I think they are also afraid to force us to fight with them, let us go, they just want to seize Shaanxi. ”

"Hmm!" Li Zicheng nodded and let out a long breath and asked, "Let's immediately organize people and Yaogang people to fight, do you think we can win?" ”

"This?" Li Wen hurriedly said: "You can win!" You can win! ”

"Liar!" Li Zicheng was very angry and said, "Li Wen, you have started to tell lies!" ”

"Me, me!"

"Alright!" Li Zicheng interrupted Li Wen and said, "You can't let anyone know about the letter. Don't talk when you go home. If you need to retreat, I'll let you know quietly. Even so, you can't let your family know, and you can only arrange for your wife and children to leave. Go back! ”

"Thank you, Emperor! Li Wen knows what is important. Li Wenshi saluted and left.

When Li Wen walked to the gate, he happened to meet Prime Minister Niu Jinxing and military advisor Song Xiance coming in in a panic. Li Wen hurriedly gave the two of them a courtesy.

Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance didn't care about talking, they glanced at each other, and they didn't speak, but they were muttering in their hearts, what did Li Zicheng's most trusted Yushi do when he entered the palace so early?

After the briefing, Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance came to the back hall. At this time, Li Zicheng was already calm, squinting his eyes leisurely, holding a tea bowl in his hand, listening to Xiao Hongyu's singing voice on the radio, and constantly nodding to the beat.

Hearing the footsteps of the two coming in, Li Zicheng waved his hand and motioned for the two to sit down. Sip tea and listen to a piece of singing. He turned off the radio and asked, "Do you know the news?" ”

At this time, the two can no longer pretend. Niu Venus said, "Eh! When we came, we saw many good carriages rushing to the city gates. It seems that many people in Xi'an City have heard the news. ”

"You see, can what they say be true?" Li Zicheng asked.

"This kind of thing, the kiln gang people won't joke!" Niu Jinxing said, "We should prepare according to the truth." ”

Li Zicheng wanted to splash the tea in his hand on their faces, and said in his heart that you were still staring at them a few days ago and said that the people of Yaogang will definitely take Henan. But Li Zicheng held back, handed Li Yan's letter to them and said, "Take a look! ”

Niu Jinxing hurriedly took the letter and read it, and Song Xiance also took it and read it.

Li Zicheng asked, "What do you think of Li Yan's letter?" ”

These two people are really hard to answer, because they are all happy that Li Yan has an accident, and they did not dissuade Li Zicheng from dealing with Li Yan at the last time.

Song Xiance said: "I don't think it is possible for the Yaogang people to hit Xi'an so quickly? From Tongguan to Xi'an, there are Huayin County, Huaxian County, Weinan front system general Yuan Zongdi set up three strong defense lines, Weinan is also a tall and strong city wall, after Weinan and Lintong, they hit a place a day, it also takes a few days. We still have time to deal with it. ”

"Humph!" Li Zicheng was noncommittal to Song Xiance's answer and asked: "You say, are we fighting or leaving?" ”

On this issue, Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance have been arguing on the road.

"Fight!" "Let's go!"

Both of them replied with one word at the same time, but Niu Jinxing said "Go!" Song Xiance said "War! ”

Li Zicheng felt a little strange in his heart, these two rarely disagreed, especially on major matters, as long as they asked Niu Jinxing in the past, they didn't need to ask Song Xiance, and the two of them had always had the same opinion.

Li Zicheng motioned for them to reason.

Niu Jinxing said: "The strength of the kiln gang people, we have learned in Shanxi. In the past two years, they have reorganized the regular army, and their weapons are even more different from those of today. The strength has not increased at all. Now we're playing against them, and we're far behind in terms of morale and quality. If they come and defend the Qinling Pass, we will have nowhere to go. Please think twice. ”

Song Xiance was not polite, and said: "We can leave from Wuguan today, but our soldiers and horses will all stay, we will flee to Henan, and they will chase them to Henan another day." Where else can I escape? Besides, we have spent so much effort and hard work in Shaanxi, and the people are united with us. Although it is not as good as the firearms of the people in the kiln, we have prepared a lot of firearms. I think that with the morale of the army, we can fight to the death! ”

What Niu Jinxing said was the way, and what Song Xiance said was also impassioned. Li Zicheng has never been able to make up his mind. But Li Zicheng understands that if it is really as Li Yan said, then the kiln people will not have much time left for themselves, today one day and one night, tomorrow morning they will come to Xi'an, although Li Zicheng is not too confident that the kiln people will march so fast, but he knows that with the strength of the kiln gang people, it will not be slow. But if he really goes like this, he will leave most of the army behind, which Li Zicheng absolutely can't bear.

Seeing Li Zicheng's hesitation, Niu Jinxing knew that this was a big taboo for the monarch, and persuaded: "It's better to ask the queen to go out from Wuguan to Xiangyang to avoid it, and if Shaanxi has nothing to do, it will not be impossible to come back." ”

Before Li Zicheng could speak, Song Xiance said: "The emperor can't, if the queen leaves, the army will inevitably be in turmoil." We're going to be in chaos without a fight. ”

Niu Jinxing listened to Song Xiance's words and was very angry. I don't know what's wrong, today Song Xiance changed his past obedience to Ziyan, and he is against himself.

Just as they were arguing, Liu Zongmin barged in. As soon as he came in, Liu Zongmin shouted: "Master! Have you heard? The Kiln Gang people have attacked us. Now the streets are full of notices of kiln workers. Quite a few people have already started to walk out of the city. ”

Li Zicheng Zou Zou frowned and said, "Zong Min, don't shout! Sit down and talk, we're talking about it. ”

Song Xiance handed the letter in his hand to Liu Zongmin, Liu Zongmin smiled and said, "The military advisor teased me? ”

Song Xiance remembered that Liu Zongmin was illiterate. gave him Li Yan's belief.

After listening to Li Yan's letter, Liu Zongmin didn't speak.

"Zong Min, it seems that the people from Yaogang are really here this time." Niu Jinxing wanted Liu Zongmin to persuade Li Zicheng as well, "I'm persuading the emperor to send the queen away first!" Persuade you! ”

"Master! What the prime minister said is that if you send your sister-in-law away, if we can't stop it, we won't lose our hands and feet when we escort you to Shangluo Mountain. Liu Zongmin said.

"If, Queen....." Song Xiance just said this. Niu Jinxing interrupted and said, "We can secretly send the queen away and not let outsiders know!" ”

"Let Liu Tichun and Guo'er take the queen away! You arrange it, and you must keep it secret! Li Zicheng said, "Zong Min, hurry up and inform the nearby soldiers and horses to move closer to Xi'an!" ”

"We have more than 100,000 troops guarding Xi'an, and in one day, we can transfer tens of thousands of people. It should be able to deal with it for a while. Liu Zongmin finished speaking and went out.

But as soon as Liu Zongmin went out, he and Li Guo came in again.

Li Guo came in and said, "Father, Yuan Zongdi has sent news that the Yaogang people have attacked Weinan. The fence of the first camp has been blown open, and it seems that the situation is critical! ”

Li Guo's words surprised everyone.

Li Zicheng said: "It seems that it is not an empty word that the people of Yaogang will hit Xi'an tomorrow. Zong Min, you hurriedly inform the nearby army not to stay for a moment, and immediately rush to Xi'an after receiving the order. ”

He also instructed Li Guo: "Guo'er, you and Liu Tichun will immediately lead someone to quietly escort your mother out of the customs." Don't delay, don't bring anything. ”

"No, Father, I can't leave you at this time!" Li Guo said.

"Bastard thing, this is an order to go!" Li Zicheng roared angrily.

Li Guo couldn't get out. But before noon, the second messenger sent by Yuan Zongdi arrived. Li Zicheng heard that the defense line in front of Weinan was simply vulnerable, and he knew in his heart that Weinan would not hold for long. Even if Liu Zongmin transferred another 100,000 people to guard Xi'an, Xi'an would not be able to defend it for two days. At this time, Li Zicheng decided to follow the decision and ordered: "Immediately send fast horses, 800 miles to expeditious, inform all the troops to withdraw from Shaanxi, those close to Shang Yu Gu Road directly to Shang Yu Gu Road, and those close to Da San Pass from Da San Pass." The soldiers and horses in Xi'an will not move for the time being, and the family members will not be able to leave the city until tonight. That's right! And tell the brethren not to destroy the city, but to leave a memory for the people. ”

After Li Zicheng made up his mind, he was much more decisive when he gave the order.

Song Xiance also wanted to persuade Li Zicheng, but before he could speak, Li Zicheng waved his hand in annoyance and said, "There is no need to say anything about the military division." I don't believe you think we can play against the Kiln Gang people. ”

Li Zicheng's words have already said that he can kill. Song Xiance didn't say a word again, and Niu Jinxing didn't look at him again. Niu Jinxing also didn't understand why Song Xiance had to work hard with the people of Yaogang in Shaanxi.

Until the two left Li Zicheng's palace, Niu Jinxing, who didn't want to pay attention to Song Xiance anymore, couldn't help but ask: "Did I say that you are crazy today?" Why do you still want to fight when we can't fight again? Do you want us all to die sooner? ”

"Humph! Precisely. Song Xiance was not polite, said. If we escape from Shaanxi, will we have a way to live? If we can't fight in Shaanxi, we won't have a chance in the future. It's better to make a decision here. Do you think our emperor has the appearance of the Son of Heaven? ”

Listening to Song Xiance's words, Niu Jinxing almost went up to cover Song Xiance's mouth, "You want to die!" If you want to die, don't pull me! ”

"Prime Minister, thank you for your support to Song. But I have lost all hope and have no hope. I just want to make a last stand, please forgive me! After saying that, tears flowed for a long time.

Niu Jinxing grabbed Song Xiance's hand and got into his car together.

After getting into the car, Niu Jinxing said: "The military advisor is not allowed to say this again. You are also a person who has seen through the fortune of heaven and earth, why are you so obsessed. We are all doing our best to obey the destiny of God, and only if we live we have a chance. Don't say these crazy things in the future! ”

The two could only hold hands tightly, they had done their best, and there was no other way to deal with the kiln man.

After a while, Niu Jinxing asked: "Strategist, you said that after the Yaogang people take Shaanxi, which direction will they face next?" ”

Song Xiance let go of the hand held by Wagyu Jinxing and said, "I don't think they have any other choice this time, the target is Huguang, Henan." However, I think they may have to wait two years. Didn't you read their notices? They want to implement a new policy in Shaanxi, and they don't have a year or two, can they do it? They could not carry out such a new policy without the participation of a large number of troops. Song Xiance calmed down and immediately regained his sober mind.

After Li Jing and the others cleared the defenders of Weinan, they immediately let the cavalry of a regiment that did not participate in the battle today advance along Weishui towards Xi'an. The Xiurong and those large flat-bottomed boats no longer dared to go upstream, but Fan Chengkun and their speedboats could. Along the way, they cooperated with the cavalry to illuminate the road on the bank of the river with searchlights, and moved forward together. When encountering a resisting Dashun army, the 12.7mm heavy machine gun on the speedboat did not hesitate to send a string of fiery long whips to their position. Large-caliber heavy machine gun bullets are like playing against those improvised bunkers. After they were done, the cavalry went over to clean it up. Before dawn, they saw the Xi'an city wall from afar. At this time, they turned on the radio and reported the situation.

Ouyang He, who had been asleep in a daze, was woken up, he didn't expect the cavalry to hit Xi'an so quickly. They didn't let people wake up Chen Yufeng, and ordered: "Send a report!" ”

The cavalry commander who led the cavalry to rush to the city of Xi'an did not expect that Ouyang He would give them such a telegram, and the telegram ordered them. After dismounting, after firing a row of artillery at Xi'an City with mortars, and then firing another row of bullets, he retreated five miles and stood by. And it was with a speedboat. In particular, speedboats were warned not to damage the bridge over the Wei River.

The cavalrymen unloaded their mortars from their horses, and after each cannon fired three shells at the wall, the cavalrymen's rifles fired together at the city of Xi'an for a while.

This time, there were five speedboats that came with the cavalry, and they saw the cavalry firing with rifles, and five heavy machine guns of 12.7 caliber also began to fire at the city wall of Xi'an.

At this time, Liu Zongmin, who heard that the Yaogang cavalry had arrived under the city, rushed to the car wall to check the situation. Although it is impossible to see how many Yaogang cavalry have come down from the city, I can clearly see that there are several searchlights shaking in the Wei River. When he was in Tongguan, Liu Zongmin had seen this kind of light. But Liu Zongmin didn't expect that suddenly the kiln gang people opened fire. Fortunately, after the kiln gang people shot three rounds, Liu Zongmin looked out from the battlement, he wanted to see how many kiln gang people there were. But at this time, the kiln man shot again. In particular, the bullet of the large-caliber heavy machine gun just knocked the head of a soldier next to Liu Zongmin, so frightened that Liu Zongmin couldn't care about his image, and hurriedly climbed under the battlement.

After a while, the speedboats and cavalry of the kiln retreated.

Liu Zongmin got up and hurriedly went into the palace to deliver a letter to Li Zicheng. Liu Zongmin said in his heart, let's let Li Zicheng leave quickly.

When it got dark tonight, Li Zicheng said goodbye to the queen and asked the queen to leave quickly. But the queen felt that this should also be brought and that should be brought, Li Zicheng said that the Shangyu Ancient Road can no longer be opened to traffic, and now no matter how many things are brought there, they can't take them away. But the queen just wouldn't listen. The angry Li Zicheng scolded: "You guys are cheap!" No matter how much you have, you have to have a life to use it! Now it's a fucking run away! Don't hurry up and get out of here! ”

In this way, the queens were reluctantly sent away, and they still didn't dare to tell the other concubines.

At this moment, Yuan Zongdi came dejectedly. Li Zicheng was shocked when he saw Yuan Zongdi, he knew that Weinan was lost, and asked, "Why does Zongdi look like this?" ”

Yuan Zongdi knelt down for Li Zicheng in front of everyone. Li Zicheng didn't say anything, and only after helping Yuan Zongdi and pulling him into the house did he say, "Say it slowly!" ”

Yuan Zongdi told him what had happened, and then handed the letter that Ouyang He had given him to Li Zicheng.

Li Zicheng took the letter and looked at it, and it turned out that Li Zicheng was asked to take the initiative to withdraw from Xi'an City, and the kiln people would ensure their safety when they left the customs. And the time given to him was extended by another day, but he was instructed not to destroy the city of Xi'an.

In this way, Li Zicheng had a good night's sleep again, because the kiln people had another day of grace. He understood that the people of Yaogang were afraid that they would be forced to rush away and fight hard with them, and make a fish to death.

But he didn't expect that before dawn, Liu Zongmin woke him up again. Only Liu Zongmin dares to do such a thing.

Li Zicheng listened to Liu Zongmin in a daze, and the people of Yaogang began to attack, and hurriedly said: "No!" There will also be a grace period of one day in the kiln gang. ”

Liu Zongmin didn't know that Yuan Zongdi had brought a letter from the Yaogang people. asked, "Master, what did you say?" ”

"Ahh Tonight, Zongdi brought back a letter from the Yaogang people, saying that as long as we do not destroy the city of Xi'an, they will give us a grace until tomorrow. Li Zicheng had no choice but to say.

"Ou! I said that the kiln gang people fired a cannon for a while, fought for a while, and then left. I see! Liu Zongmin asked puzzledly: "Since you let us go for a day, why do you toss this?" ”

"Humph!" Li Zicheng said: "The people of Yaogang originally said that they had called Xi'an this morning, and they told us that they could do it. Let us go, you really don't want to fight us. ”

"I said, master, is this world really the people of Yaogang?" Liu Zongmin was a little unconvinced. Only Liu Zongmin dared to talk to Li Zicheng like this.

"Alas! We wanted to destroy them when they were weak, and now they are no match for us. Li Zicheng said, "Let's talk about it when we get to Xiangyang!" ”

"Master! Don't worry, I see that the torches on the Weihe Bridge have not been broken, and we can take away a lot of troops this time. Liu Zongmin said.

Li Zicheng smiled bitterly and said: "Shang Yu is such a narrow road on the ancient road, how many troops can we pass." Let the forces of the Hungry Men disperse and break out. Those troops who can't come back during the day tomorrow are afraid that they will have to resign themselves to fate. ”

"We didn't have time to inform some troops, and if they can't figure it out, many of them will fight to the end with the Yaogang people." Liu Zongmin said.

Li Zicheng couldn't sit still, he turned around twice on the ground, and said, "Most of our troops can't go, I'm sorry brothers!" Some of them are not notified at all, and some of them are too late to be notified. This is God's choice for me to meet the kiln people! ”

As soon as the morning dawned, the news program of the kiln gang people once again interrupted the important news. The important news inserted is very simple, "The Yaogang army has hit the city of Xi'an!" ”

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Mt. Fuji erupted, Japan was earthquaked. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".