Chang'an, the center of Xiyongzhou, is also the old nest of the king of Hanzhong in Xiyongzhou. Lin Shucheng was left behind in Xiyongzhou, who was ordered by the king of Hanzhong to be fully responsible for the military and political affairs of Xiyongzhou. However, since Zhao Jun launched an operation against Hangu Pass a few days ago, Lin Shucheng did not show a smile on his face.

Compared with others, Lin Shucheng knows the strength of Zhao Guo better, and he is also more aware of the heritage of Zhao State. He also understands that although there are some internal problems in Zhao State, it is not enough to affect the foundation of Zhao State. Therefore, he also agrees with the affairs of the princes' alliance.

Three days ago, because of the emergency situation in Hangu Pass, Lin Shucheng ordered all the Tongguan troops to support Hangu Pass, and the young men recruited by Chang'an, under the leadership of the remaining troops in Chang'an, went to Tongguan to support Hangu Pass and take over the defense of Tongguan respectively. However, from the letter of help from Zhang Ling, the general of Hangu Pass, and the military report, Lin Shucheng felt the crisis of the situation in Hangu Pass.

Originally, Lin Shucheng was also ready to directly transfer men and horses from the north and northwest of Chang'an to support Hangu Pass, but unfortunately, the Zhao army in the north and Liangzhou in the northwest began to approach to the south, and there was a great intention to attack Chang'an Sanfu, forcing Lin Shucheng to give up the idea of sending soldiers from here to support Hangu Pass.

"Alas...... I don't know what the situation is at Hangu Pass? If it weren't for the fact that the Zhao army was harassed in the north and northwest of Chang'an, the official would have gone to Hangu Pass in person. If Hangu Pass is lost, the land of Chang'an will be difficult to protect! Lin Shucheng, who is located in the Chang'an official mansion, can't make up his mind at this moment. Hangu Pass is very important to Xiyongzhou, and without Hangu Pass, Xiyongzhou is simply powerless to fight against Zhao. It was precisely because of the existence of Hangu Pass that Xiyongzhou was able to deploy most of its forces to the north and northwest of Chang'an Sanfu to guard against the Zhao army in Bingzhou and Liangzhou.

"Lin Sima, a soldier in Hanzhong, how long will it take to reach Chang'an? It's been so long, why haven't you entered the Chang'an realm? ”

Lin Sima, who was at the bottom, looked at Lin Shucheng and said in a deep voice: "My lord, the Hanzhong army and Xiyongzhou do not belong to the same place, and the Hanzhong army is responsible for the defense of the south and does not belong to our jurisdiction. The mobilization of the army in Hanzhong needs to be ordered by the king himself. Therefore, my lord, the military order you sent to Hanzhong six days ago cannot be carried out at all. And the king's military order should have been transmitted to Hanzhong in these two days. Come to think of it, the army of Hanzhong is coming north at this moment. ”

As soon as he heard Jun Sima's explanation, Lin Shucheng was stunned, he seemed to have forgotten all this.

"This ...... This is a crucial moment, how can it be ...... The king's military order is really ...... Alas...... "For this arrangement of the king of Hanzhong, Lin Shucheng doesn't think there is anything unreasonable. However, the king of Hanzhong has always been in the land of Jingnan, far away from Hanzhong and Xiyongzhou, which is a mortal threat to the current situation in Xiyongzhou. Secondly, the arrangement of the king of Hanzhong is not a restriction on him Lin Shucheng.

"My lord, be careful!" As soon as Lin Shucheng's words fell, Jun Sima said urgently.

Lin Shucheng couldn't help but smile bitterly, and shook his head secretly, and before he could say anything, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps from outside the hall. Hearing the sound of hurried footsteps, Lin Shucheng's face changed slightly, and when he looked up, he saw the captain of the Fuzhong guard walking in quickly.

Inside the house, the captain of the guard said to Lin Shucheng: "My lord, Hangu Pass is urgent!" ”

Lin Shucheng suddenly frowned, his face couldn't help but sink, and he said in a condensed voice: "Speak!" ”

The captain of the guard said: "My lord, the guard of Hangu Pass will report urgently, saying that the Zhao army outside the pass is attacking very fiercely and has sharp weapons. The defenders suffered heavy losses and lost their morale, and it was difficult to hold on to Hangu Pass, so they sent fast horses to come to the emergency. In addition, General Zhang Ling also said that the situation at Hangu Pass was very urgent, and if there were no special circumstances, Hangu Pass could only hold on for these two days. General Zhang Ling also suggested that the adults should prepare for the defense of Tongguan and Chang'an as soon as possible, in case the time is urgent. ”

"What? So fast? Could it be that the army in Jingbei did not act? It shouldn't be! Lin Shucheng was shocked, as far as he knew, the army of Jingbei at this moment should march north under the order of the king, and the Zhao army occupying Dongyongzhou definitely did not want the Jingbei coalition army to enter the territory of Dongyongzhou.

Therefore, even if the Zhao army's attack on Hangu Pass will not stop, it will definitely reduce most of it. Then only need the Hanzhong army to arrive in Chang'an and defend the north and northwest of Chang'an Sanfu, and Hanguguan will be able to be safe and sound with the support of reinforcements and young people. But now, Zhao Jun's attack is getting more and more fierce, which can't help but make Lin Shucheng feel frightened.

"Lin Sima, Fat Jun Cao, the king has already sent us an order four days ago, saying that Jing Qi has ordered the Jingbei coalition army to start breaking north, how can it not be effective? Is there any special news from Jingzhou recently? ”

Lin Sima and Fat Jun Cao both assisted Lin Shucheng in taking charge of military affairs in Xiyongzhou, but neither of them saw any special information. At this moment, the two of them were also shocked. Hangu Pass can't be held, can Chang'an still hold on?

"Could it be the King of Luoyang? It shouldn't be, if the king of Luoyang has a connection with Zhao Jun, the king will definitely remind us. Lin Shucheng's head was as big as a fight.

"My lord, now that Hangu Pass is in danger, how can we be good? There are still 8,000 defenders in Chang'an City, and more than 20,000 young and strong people in the newly organized city. This is the only force we can use, so should we immediately dispatch support? ”

The corners of Lin Shucheng's mouth twitched, and he said in a muffled voice: "The eight thousand soldiers of Chang'an City are already the last force to ensure the safety of Chang'an, if they are transferred, I am afraid that Hangu Pass will not be saved, and this Chang'an City will be in chaos first." Don't forget, there are many merchants and their caravans from all over the city in this Chang'an City, which of these merchants doesn't have their own guards? And those big clans in the city, which of them does not have hundreds of private clans in their families? Once there is no accident in the situation at Hangu Pass, Chang'an is afraid that it will be chaotic if it is the first. If Chang'an is gone, even if the reinforcements from Hanzhong arrive, it will have no effect. ”

"Do you just ignore it? ...... so," Jun Cao Pangle hesitated, "but...... If Hangu Pass is lost, Chang'an will be difficult to preserve. ”

Lin Shucheng gritted his teeth and said: "The soldiers and horses of Hanzhong are rushing here, in case Hanguguan is lost, as long as the reinforcements come in time, as long as they can arrive before the Zhao army breaks the city, the land of Chang'an can be preserved, and then, I hope for the results of the alliance with the princes." In addition, there are more than 40,000 troops and 20,000 young recruits in the north and northwest of Chang'an, and Chang'an is not only their flank and back road, but also the base camp of the army to hoard grain and grass. Here, you can't lose it! ”

However, what Zhang Ling said is reasonable, even if Hangu Pass cannot be retained, Zhao Jun must be stranded in the land of Tongguan. Let Yunyi General Feng Yujiang immediately lead two thousand soldiers and five thousand young men to the land of Tongguan. If Hangu Pass is still in our hands, we will immediately support Hangu Pass and tell the soldiers of Hangu Pass that reinforcements from Hanzhong have arrived, so that they can hold on for a little longer. ”

After issuing the military order, Lin Shucheng said to Pang Le: "You quickly send people to Hanzhong, report the situation here to the commander of the Hanzhong reinforcements, and tell them that if the rescue is too late, the land of Xiyongzhou will definitely die at the hands of the Zhao army." In addition, it is necessary to immediately report the situation to the king of Jingbei as soon as possible, so that the king knows the situation in Hanguguan and Xiyongzhou. ”

At this moment, the face of the king of Hanzhong, who was located in Jingbei, was gloomy and could drip water, and the Zhao army of Chunling Mansion made him trapped in Nanyang Mansion and did not dare to make the slightest move. And Xuzhou, the jurisdiction of the Zhao army in the north of Yangzhou, also made some moves, so that Murong Cheng, the king of Qi, did not immediately put pressure on Yuzhou, but was put under pressure by the Zhao army in Xuzhou.

"Damn! Murong Cheng is simply the lord of Qi and the king of Qi, and his courage is so small! The land of Xuzhou has recently been absorbed by the Zhao army, and even the perfect rule is not yet complete, how can it do anything to Yangzhou? As soon as Zhao Jun in Xuzhou moved, he flinched. Seeing that Murong Cheng gave a reason why he couldn't let the Yangzhou army move to Yuzhou, Situ Fei couldn't help but scold. The inaction of the Qi army had too much influence on him, making it impossible for him to avoid the threat from the flanks, which made it impossible for him to support Hangu Pass in time.

In fact, it was not that the King of Qi was unwilling to support, but that the Zhao troops around Qi had begun to act, so that they did not dare to send troops easily. Because, Xuzhou in the north of Qidi, Zhao Jun above Jiaozhou in the south, and the navy in the eastern sea all began to approach Qidi. Surrounded on three sides, the current Murong Cheng still dares to take the initiative to provoke, and in addition, after the alliance, the Qi army has not been able to adjust the deployment of the army under his command.

Situ Liang, located in Luoyang, did not allow naval action in Xuzhou, Jiaozhou, and the eastern waters of Qidi. However, the plan of action that he reported to Zhao Xun was approved by Zhao Xun, and Zhao Xun also issued military orders to the generals of the neighboring territories of the southern princes, asking them to assist Situ Liang in the operation of Dongyongzhou.

In fact, the king of Qi was unwilling to immediately fight a full-scale war with the surrounding Zhao army, so why wasn't the Zhao army like this? In addition to the navy in the eastern seas, the Zhao army in Xuzhou was busy clearing out the remnants of the Chu army and mountain bandits, and the Zhao army in Jiaozhou had to deal with the Qi army and the Shu army in Jiaozhou on the one hand, and more importantly, it had to expand southward and communicate with Linyi and other countries in the south. At the same time, it is also cooperating with the navy to relocate the people to the Linyi level.

You must know that the land of Linyi was in the Qin and Han dynasties, but the land of China, the land of Linyi is the southern part of Jiaozhou in the Qin and Han dynasties. Jiaozhou was conquered and consolidated by several generations of wise kings such as Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Guangwu, but it gradually got out of control in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

And later, after the establishment of the Great Chu, it was recaptured and lost successively. At the time of the Great Yan, Emperor Yan saw that the terrain in the southern part of Jiaozhou was complicated, and the Nanyi was entangled, and it was far away from the Central Plains. Therefore, after the occupation of the south, there is no right to seize it. After several wars, it was swallowed up little by little by Linyi and other countries. In another history, the southern part of Jiaozhou has only been semi-independent since then, and was occupied by Nanyi during the Five Dynasties period, becoming the territory of Vietnam in later generations.

This kind of thing, Zhao Xun is absolutely not allowed. Therefore, after the Zhao army occupied its foothold in Jiaozhou, it did not immediately compete with the Qi army and the Shu army for the right to the land under the jurisdiction of Jiaozhou, but went all the way to the south. At the same time, supplemented by the navy, the waterways were all out together, and the army attacked south. Therefore, the Zhao army in Jiaozhou will not go to war with the Qi army and the Shu army now.

Therefore, as the king of Hanzhong said, if the Qi army moves, the Zhao army will not really come out with a large army to fight the Qi army, which will lead to a battle between the two major systems of the north and the south.

Under the contemplation of the king of Hanzhong, he sent some of his soldiers to the west to meet the Zhao army of Chunling Mansion, while most of the remaining troops continued to go north to prepare to support Hangu Pass. It's a pity that the Zhao army still left nearly 30,000 soldiers and more than 10,000 young men in the land of Henan Province, which is on a par with the men and horses of the king of Hanzhong. At this moment, the Zhao army was on the defensive, while the Hanluo coalition army was on the offensive. You must know that the various armor and equipment of the Zhao army are far from being comparable to the coalition forces, so it is not easy to break through the blockade of the Zhao army to the front line of Hangu Pass.

"Someone!" In two consecutive battles, he failed to break through the defense line of the Zhao army on the front line of Yiyang and Lu, but was defeated by the Zhao army, which made Situ Fei more and more worried about Hanguguan.

"King!" The pro-soldier colonel hurriedly entered the account with a solemn face. Recently, because of the bad war, Situ Fei's temper has risen sharply, and he has killed many soldiers and generals who have made small mistakes.

"Immediately go to Jingzhou to urge the combined forces of the Qi army and the Shu army, and tell them that it is too late, and Xiyongzhou is Zhao's. If they weren't afraid that Zhao Jun would attack them next, they wouldn't need to come. If my command can't hold the Hangu Pass and the land of Xiyongzhou, this king can only give it to Zhao. ”

"Yes!" The pro-soldier colonel waved his hand, turned around and walked away quickly.

Hum...... But I want to see if you are not worried at all. Xiyongzhou is gone, this king has lost the most, where are you doing? In the land of Xiyongzhou, the king of Hanzhong is naturally unwilling to fall into the hands of Zhao Jun, but if the rescue is not in time and cannot be held, there is no way to do it.

At Hangu Pass, Zhao Jun once again shot arrows to persuade him to surrender, so that the morale of the soldiers guarding the pass was suddenly at a low point. Without him, the Zhao army has a word, and if he does not surrender, the Zhao army's earth-shattering thunder will become the main battle weapon until the Zhao army takes Hangu Pass.

"General, how is this good? The soldiers were reluctant to hold on. Especially the young people, they are no longer willing to go to the city. And our soldiers are too few, if we don't have these young people, I am afraid that we will not be able to resist the onslaught of the Zhao army at all. In the Guannai General's Mansion, Deputy General Su Zilin said with a solemn face.

"Does Chang'an have a reply?" Zhang Ling, who was covered in blood and pale, asked in a deep voice.

"No, only yesterday's reply from Lord Chang'an Lin. Lord Lin wants us to continue to hold on, but the situation in this Hangu Pass ...... We simply can't hold on anymore. ”

"Report ...... The big thing is not good, General Qiyu, the rebellion of the young and strong people in the pass has opened the city gate and let the Zhao army enter the pass! ”

"What?" Zhang Ling and Su Zilin looked at each other and couldn't help but be surprised.

"General, if you want to come to these young and strong, there must be Zhao Jun's fine work. Otherwise, how dare they rebel? The last general will take people to purge the rebellion and clean them up. Su Zilin said angrily.

Zhang Ling shook his head and said bitterly, "It's late...... It's late...... Zhao Jun has already entered the customs. The young men in the pass are already more than twice as many as the soldiers, and it is common for them to rebel. Unlike the soldiers, these young men wanted a better life, not to die here. ”

Sure enough, in this general's mansion, Su Zilin could already hear the shouting and killing sound of the closed door in front of him and the roar of the cavalry. Come to think of it, because of the defection of the young men and soldiers in the pass, the Zhao army should enter the customs without any obstacles. Although there are still three lieutenant generals at the wall, I am afraid that I will not be able to deal with the situation at this moment. Even if the main general Zhang Ling and him go to the place where the wall is closed, I am afraid that at this moment, I am afraid that I will not be able to return to the sky.

"General Su, you leave here immediately, pass the caution of this place to Tongguan, and let them prepare for defense. In addition, Chang'an was also notified so that Chang'an could make corresponding preparations. Zhang Ling said in a condensed voice.

"General, what about you? You come with me! ”

Zhang Ling shook his head and said, "General Ben can't leave, if I leave, none of us can leave." Don't forget, the Zhao army also has a large fleet of cavalry. I'll come forward to hold them down, and you can report it. ”

Su Zilin was not ambiguous, and rode away directly. Zhang Ling looked at Su Zilin's distant figure and muttered to himself, "That's all I can do Zhang Ling." ”

Hangu Pass was finally conquered by the Zhao army, and there were only more than 4,000 defenders left in the city, and the remaining seven or eight thousand were young and strong. These young men were forcibly recruited from all over the surrounding areas of Tongguan. These young men are not soldiers, they are just the people in the area around Tongguan.

When the Zhao army was attacking the city, among the young men who had been recruited successively, they had been mixed in with the meticulous work of the Zhao army. In the days when the Zhao army continued to attack the city, these meticulous works began to secretly talk about the strength of the Zhao army, and the power of the earth-shaking thunder that appeared a few days ago to these young people, so as to deter their courage.

Later, he described Zhao's policies and some welfare systems to them in order to win their hearts. These young men are not long-trained soldiers, nor are they veterans of many bloody battles, they are just ordinary people, even if they are not afraid of the battlefield now, they still can't change their status as farmers a few days ago.

Therefore, these detailed narratives made them afraid of Zhao Jun's weapons and the strength of Zhao Jun, and they also envied the life under Zhao Jun's rule. And with the unfavorable situation of the battle, these small works also began to encourage them to rebel against the defenders and surrender to the Zhao army.

This time, when the Zhao army stopped attacking and began to persuade them to surrender, it also made these young men make up their minds. After all, Zhao Jun's earth-shattering thunder is powerful, and they have already learned it. Even the old pawns on the wall are terrified, don't say that they are ordinary young and strong. Therefore, under the instigation and organization of well-intentioned people, the young and strong people in the city gathered to respond and surrender in one fell swoop. In addition, even these remnants of the soldiers in the pass, many of them are no longer willing to fight, as for the surrender of Zhao, they are just taking advantage of the situation. Even the three deputy generals on the wall, two of them surrendered directly, and the remaining one, after seeing that the general trend had gone, also surrendered to the Zhao army.