Compared with Chang'an, the situation of the Han army's Lantian camp is even worse. After all, Chang'an City is the capital of the old days, and the city is strong and thick, and there are many troops. But Lantian, located in the southwest of Chang'an, is far inferior.

Yang Wangqing and Zhao Kang went straight to Lantian with a town of people, wanting to take the southeast of Chang'an, and take advantage of the situation to control the Qingni Pass, Wuguan and other checkpoints that intersect with the southeast and south.

However, the Han army at Lantian and Qingni Pass had already received Lin Shucheng's instructions, and they were defending the city to the death. As much as possible to delay the advance of the Zhao army, in addition, he also asked Jingzhou in the southeast for help, so that Jingzhou could send reinforcements.

After the Zhao army invaded Tongguan, the king of Hanzhong in the land of Jingbei had already received news that the situation in Xiyongzhou was not good. While he continued to storm Henan Province, he asked the Qi army, the Shu army, and the king of Luoyang to support Xiyongzhou from the Danshui line.

Although the king of Luoyang was dissatisfied with the instructions of the king of Hanzhong, he also knew that if the first line of Wuguan was broken by the Zhao army, then the northwest of his Jingzhou land would also be threatened by the Zhao army. Therefore, he also sent reinforcements to support the front line of Wuguan and assist the Han army in defending Wuguan and other places.

Summarizing the situation in various parts of Xiyongzhou, Zhao Xun, Situ Liang and others also found that now Xiyongzhou is already blooming in all directions, and there are wars everywhere.

"King, are you starting to attack Chang'an?" Zhao Xiong, who looked impatient, looked at the Chang'an City in the distance and said in a deep voice.

Situ Liang smiled: "It seems that the soldiers below can't help it!" Chang'an City is strong and thick, especially after being prepared, it is not easy to attack, especially if there are sufficient troops in the city and a capable person like Lin Shucheng, it is not the best way to attack. ”

Zhang Yin, the deputy general of the tenth town, said puzzledly: "Isn't there news coming from the city, because of the news we spread, but the soldiers and people in the city have begun to be dissatisfied with Lin Shucheng, and the original Chang'an City defenders have begun to commotion, this Lin Shucheng has already ceded power to the commander of the Hanzhong reinforcements?" Now that the coach has changed, it is no longer this Lin Shucheng, do we still need to be so scrupulous? ”

Situ Liang said in a deep voice: "This is also the cleverness of this Lin Shucheng!" The news we spread did cause a riot in the city, and the soldiers and the people were dissatisfied with it. No matter whether Lin Shucheng is soft or hard, as long as he continues to command the defenders in the city and continues to appear in the army, it will inevitably make this voice of dissatisfaction even stronger. However, he directly told the soldiers that the rumors in the city were nothing more than a trick of the Zhao army, and in addition, in order to convince the soldiers, he was willing to give up power to show his innocence. ”

"Come to think of it, even the position of commander has been relinquished, is it necessary for me to use this means to force the soldiers to fight to the death? What's good about me? Lin Shucheng used this method to let the soldiers in the city consider him from his point of view. ”

In this way, although the rumors in the city cannot be eliminated, it can also make the dissatisfaction of the soldiers in the city with him to the minimum. Although it seems that Lin Shucheng handed over the power to the commander of the Hanzhong reinforcements, with the current power of Chang'an City and Xiyongzhou, what is the benefit? The only benefit is nominal, but in reality it is also responsible for the resistance of our army. Therefore, although Lin Shucheng handed over the rights to Luo Dingyuan, the commander of the Hanzhong reinforcements according to what we have checked, Lin Shucheng played a significant role in it. ”

"According to the investigation of the Shadow Guard, the young men in Chang'an City have been quickly assembled, and just in case, the number of Han soldiers patrolling the city has tripled, day and night. In addition, the city began to prepare for defense. The city guarding equipment in Chang'an City is no less than what we have. ”

"After we trapped Chang'an City, the only thing that restricted Chang'an City was food, but this problem was also solved by Lin Shucheng when we launched the attack on Hangu Pass in the past. The grain and grass hoarded in Chang'an City is enough for a year in the city. Therefore, against Chang'an City, you can't use a strong attack now. ”

Zhao Xiong said in a sullen voice: "Don't attack? If you don't attack, you can't take Chang'an! ”

Situ Liang said with a smile: "If we don't attack now, it's because it takes time and effort to attack Chang'an directly, plus there is still a city army of the Han army in the west of Chang'an, so we will solve the periphery of Chang'an now, and when the rest of Xiyongzhou is in our hands, can this Chang'an still run away?" ”

Zhao Xun also said in a deep voice: "So there is another purpose, we can't fall into the offensive and defensive war now, according to the news from Jingzhou, the Shu army and the Qi army support grain and grass materials, and the Luo army sent 10,000 troops to Wuguan, and is now rushing here." Although the king of Luoyang, under our instigation, was dissatisfied with the king of Hanzhong and the southern princes, he was also unwilling to let the northwest gate of Jingzhou be occupied by our army. ”

"Secondly, the Shu army dispatched 30,000 troops and 50,000 people to Hanzhong, preparing to support the land of Xiyongzhou from Hanzhong. If these 30,000 enemy troops are allowed to advance, then it will definitely not be a good thing for us. We will face more than 100,000 enemy troops. ”

"Therefore, the top priority now is to take the Qingni Pass, Wuguan, Luogu, and Chencang and Sanguan in the west, and keep the enemy out."

"It's a pity that I can't say that the king of Luoyang will be surrendered, if the king of Luoyang falls to us, don't say Xiyongzhou, even the land of Jingzhou, we can also occupy half of it." Zhao Xiong sighed with a little pity.

Situ Liang smiled: "Say that the king of Luoyang will be surrendered? After all, Situ Hao is a prince of a place, unless he has reached the point where there is no way to retreat, if he goes, how can he surrender easily. It is already even more difficult to make them more dissatisfied with the southern princes and get into trouble with the king of Hanzhong. ”

Zhao Xun said in a deep voice: "I'm not worried about the situation in Xiyongzhou now, but I'm worried about the situation in Henan Province." When the prince of Hanzhong went to Henan Mansion, the strength of the ninth town of the Zhenjun army was really weak in the face of the offensive of the king of Hanzhong. ”

Situ Liang said in a deep voice: "The king can rest assured! After we occupied Dongyongzhou and confronted Jingbei, the southern cities of Henan Prefecture strengthened the city defenses in various places. Although the Ninth Town alone fought against the enemy coalition forces in Jingbei, we occupied a favorable position for the defense of the city, and in addition we also had the support of the people. The ninth town guards the place, and there will be no loss. ”

"In addition, the Zhenjun army in Yuzhou is also moving westward, and together with the Chunling Mansion we occupy in the northeast of Jingzhou, threatening the enemy army in Jingbei from the flank, so that the king of Hanzhong does not dare to attack with his whole army. Therefore, the pressure on the ninth town of Henan Province is not too great. In addition, the copies stationed in Jizhou and Yanzhou have also begun to move to the southwest, and they can assist the Ninth Town in guarding Dongyongzhou at any time. ”

In addition, the Ninth Town implemented the strategy of clearing the wilderness in the southern part of Henan Province, completely emptying the local towns and small towns, and defending the big cities. The infantry guarded the city, and the cavalry roamed outside, disturbing the logistics of the Southern Coalition at any time. According to the recent battle report of Dongyongzhou, the southern coalition army in the land of Dongyongzhou has not yet achieved effective results in Henan Province. ”

"In addition, the alliance of the southern princes has not been completely and completely concluded under the destruction of us. Therefore, the interests within these princes are not well divided.

"That's great!" Zhao Xun nodded slightly, what Zhao Xun was worried about was whether the king of Hanzhong would go crazy and attack Henan Mansion after learning that he had invaded the interior of Xiyongzhou. However, now it seems that the brothers of the Zhao family, who have experienced many wars, have also made sufficient progress.

"Now, what has an impact on the entire battle situation in Xiyongzhou is the reinforcements of the Luo army from the north of Jingzhou and the reinforcements of the Shu army from Hanzhong. If it weren't for the inconvenience of the army here, I am afraid that the king of Hanzhong would not have contained us from Jingbei in the first place, but would have sent a large army directly from here to support Xiyongzhou. Zhao Xun pointed to the map and said slowly.

Zhang Yin said in a deep voice: "Since the king of Luoyang was moved by us, I think the king of Luoyang will not let his army fight with us sincerely." That is the case, why not send someone to contact and let the Luo army retreat in difficulty! After all, in the war with us, it was he who suffered, and it was indeed the king of Hanzhong who benefited. ”

Situ Liang shook his head and said: "I'm afraid that it won't work, although the reinforcements are the Luo army, but its grain, grass and armor are indeed supported by the Qi army and the Shu army, and they will send people to assist, of course, it can also be said to be oversight." Especially the Shu army, they also have reinforcements in Hanzhong, so they hope that the Luo army reinforcements from the east and north can attack left and right together with the Shu army reinforcements from the west and the north. Even if the Luo army is to contain us along the way, they don't want the Luo army to hesitate. ”

Zhao Xun said in a deep voice: "That's it, this southeast is waiting for the performance of Yang Wangqing and Zhao Kang." As for us, we began to block any contact between Chang'an and the outside world. Zhao Xiong, you immediately wave your army to the south, take Changling, Yangzhi, Baling, Duling, Xinfeng and other counties in the south of Chang'an, let the south of Chang'an belong to our army, and cooperate with the fourth town of cavalry to block any contact between Chang'an and the surrounding areas. ”

"The last general obeys!" Seeing that there was a combat mission, not only Zhao Xiong, but also the generals and colonels of the tenth town of the other town army, were also overjoyed.

Looking at the expressions on the faces of these generals, Zhao Xun explained in a deep voice: "Don't just be happy, be careful, don't get carried away because you have an advantage." ”

"Situ Aiqing, look, do you want the army of Tianshui Qinzhou to go south, take Tielong Mountain, Mumen, and Wudu, and make the intention of the army to go south?" Zhao Xun pointed to the western part of the map and said in a deep voice.

"Tielong Mountain, Mumen, Wudu? The king's intention was to put pressure on Shu, causing our Liangzhou army to go south to Yizhou, so that the reinforcements of the Shu army from Hanzhong did not dare to go north easily. Situ Liang looked at the map and said in a deep voice, "This is feasible, if we act in these areas, the king of Shu will definitely put himself first, not the Xiyongzhou of the king of Hanzhong." However, there are also a lot of Shu troops in Yizhou and Ningzhou, and when we attack here, we can only let the Shu army strengthen the defense of the northern front, and will not let the king of Shu give up his support for Xiyongzhou. However, it is possible to delay the time of the reinforcements of the Shu army. ”

Zhao Xun said with a smile: "If we can delay the reinforcements of the Shu army, our goal has been achieved." The king of Shu sent troops to support Xiyongzhou, not because of the alliance of southern princes, but because he valued the land of Xiyongzhou, or in other words, the land of Xiyongzhou, including Hanzhong. If it were possible, the king of Shu would definitely occupy this place for himself, rather than hand it back to the king of Hanzhong. ”

"If we can delay time, we have already achieved our goal. If the king of Shu knew that the land of Xiyongzhou was no longer sequesterable, he would naturally not continue to send troops north, but let this reinforcement stay in the land of Hanzhong......"

Situ Liang's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "Since Xiyongzhou can't be supported, then it would be good to take down the land of Hanzhong, the key defensive place in the north of Shu Kingdom, from the hands of the King of Hanzhong." This method is feasible, and it will definitely be of great benefit to us to let the king of Shu attack the king of Hanzhong. And at this moment, the King of Hanzhong definitely does not have many troops in Hanzhong, after all, more than 35,000 people have been supported so far. Regardless of whether the Shu army forcibly occupied it or through other means, as long as it did not leave the land of Hanzhong, or even seized the land of Hanzhong, even if the king of Hanzhong could not counterattack, he would be extremely dissatisfied in his heart. ”

"That is the case, then let the army of Liangzhou put pressure on the western part of Chang'an, and at the same time quickly move south, and make the posture of our Great Zhao's next target is Yizhou Shu." Zhao Xun said with a smile, "This king wants to see if this king of Shu will directly attack Hanzhong and incorporate Hanzhong under his rule." ”

…………

Lantian, the camp of the Zhao army.

"Strategist, what is the king's military order?" Zhao Kang, the general of the first town army of the forbidden army, asked in a deep voice.

Yang Wangqing said in a deep voice: "The military situation from Jingzhou, the reinforcements of the Luo army are marching towards Wuguan. The king asked us to take the Qingni Pass, Wuguan and other southeast checkpoints of Xiyongzhou to defend against the enemy and the outside world. ”

Zhao Kang said in a deep voice: "It seems that we need a hard battle." This Lantian defender is really calm, no matter how we provoke, he will not play. ”

Yang Wangqing said with a smile: "It doesn't matter if it's a hard battle, let's fight the last one first, so that we can see the other party's loopholes." There are only 5,000 defenders, and only 8,000 young and strong, so we want to stop our army and let them see how powerful we are. ”

"Come on, beat the drums, and prepare to attack the city!" Zhao Kang ordered in a deep voice.

The war drums rumbled, the horns sounded, and the Zhao army gathered outside the camp and rushed towards Lantian County. Suddenly, the atmosphere between the two sides suddenly became tight, and the big battle was about to begin.

Although the county seat of Lantian has been heightened and thickened, the Lantian guards are not at all sure about defending the city and resisting the Zhao army. Ma Qing, the commander of Lantian, was well aware of his duties, and his task was to delay the Zhao army's attack to the southeast as much as possible, so that Jingzhou reinforcements could arrive here.

"General, it seems that I am afraid that heavy rain is coming!" Yang Wangqing looked at the gradually gloomy sky, and said to Zhao Kang in a deep voice.

The fiery red flame unicorn flag whistled in the wind, hunting sounded, and Zhao Kang was wearing black armor and a red flame cloak, standing under the handsome flag. Hearing Yang Wangqing's words, Zhao Kang said with a smile: "In early summer, it is common for the weather to change suddenly, but this does not affect our actions. ”

Of course, in fact, Zhao Kang's heart was not as calm as his face. The weather is going to change, and heavy rain is coming. With the heavy rain coming, there is also the possibility of thunder and lightning, and Zhao Kang has heard what Zhao Xun said about lightning. The soldiers were clad in armor and armed with spears, and if lightning struck, they could easily be struck by lightning.

However, as soon as the army was assembled, it was not what he wanted to withdraw. Of course, the enemy is in a higher position than himself, and even if he is about to be struck by lightning, the other party will be the first. Of course, he also knows that the chance of encountering lightning is not very high.

It was dark, and I don't know when it got darker. It was still noon, but it was as dark as evening.

"It looks like it's really going to rain this day!" Zhao Kang looked at the suddenly changing sky and said helplessly. In just one stick of incense, the sky changed dramatically, which was much more than he expected.

"Kara......

A dazzling bolt of lightning swept through the sky, illuminating the dim earth. Zhao Kang Huoran looked back, and the 20,000 army had already set up a formation behind him, hunting and hunting, spears like forests, horizontal swords like forests, and swords and soldiers reflected the cold light reflected by lightning and chilled the dark sky.

"Smack!"

A crystal clear raindrop dripped from the vast void and splashed gently on Zhao Kang's face, Zhao Kang looked up, and another dazzling lightning pierced the sky, and under the bright lightning, endless raindrops were pouring down from the sky. It only took a few moments, and it was already raining.

"Fortunately, the lightning is not violent!" Zhao Kang looked at the thunder and lightning flashing in the distance in the sky, and said secretly in his heart.

Above the county seat of Lantian, Ma Qing, the general of Lantian, looked coldly at the Zhao army outside the city, and looked at the soldiers of the Zhao army in the rain curtain, and couldn't help but cast a shadow in his heart.

"The Zhao army can sweep through the north, and it really has its outstanding place." Looking at the Zhao Junjun formation that was not moving in the heavy rain, Ma Qing couldn't help but sigh, in addition to admiring Zhao Jun, it was more about the powerlessness of the situation in front of him.

"My lord, you asked the last general to hold the city until the Jingzhou reinforcements arrived, but this Zhao army didn't pay attention to the existence of this city at all, and now they directly began to attack the city. With an army of more than 20,000 people, can I stop it with my men and horses alone? ”

"General!" A general walked up to Ma Qing and said in a deep voice, "It's raining so heavily this day, the enemy shouldn't attack the city anymore, why don't you let the brothers go back to the camp first to take shelter?" ”

"No, no!" Ma Qing Huoran raised his hand and said in a condensed voice: "If it is said that it is the armies of other princes who are attacking the city, what you say is reasonable. However, the enemy who came to attack the city in front of us was not an ordinary person, they were the men and horses of the Zhao State, and even the Hangu Pass was broken by them, how could we be careless? Look at the Zhao army outside the city, they haven't returned to the camp yet, how can we leave the city defense? ”

"Pass the order down, let the soldiers prepare for the big battle!" Ma Qing said coldly, "In addition, immediately send a messenger to report the situation here to Chang'an!" Let's see if we can get the defenders from the southwest to come to our aid. In contrast, it is more important here. As long as reinforcements come, we can reverse the situation we are now holding down and beating. ”

"Heavy rain is coming, although the difficulty of attacking the city has increased, but why is it not the same for us to defend the city? Fire oil, boiling water and other materials for defending the city are now completely useless. Looking at the crackling raindrops, Ma Qing couldn't help but say hatefully.

Luckily, it's early summer, and the weather is starting to look hot. Otherwise, it would not be a good thing for the soldiers to rain like this.