Xichang, located in the hinterland of the Anning River Plain in the western Sichuan Plateau, is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Panxi region, an important city at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, and a military center that the Sichuan army attaches great importance to.

Successfully captured Zhaojue's independent division, after Zhaojue took a short rest. A group of main forces went out to the Xide area of Xichang. The Sichuan army garrisoning Xichang was successfully isolated from the Sichuan army stationed in Ya'an.

The main forces of the remaining three regiments, under the leadership of He Zhengdao, surrounded Xichang City without much resistance. Facing the independent division of the Red Army that surrounded Xichang City, the garrison brigade of the Sichuan Army stationed in Xichang also felt numb.

Even the defenders of Xichang knew that the main force of the Red Army had entered the Liangshan area. As a military town in Liangshan, Xichang was also the target of the Red Army. But the Red Army came so quickly that it was still beyond their imagination.

Looking at the Red Army assembled outside the city, the Sichuan army responsible for guarding Xichang seemed a little frightened. After the encirclement was formed, He Zhengdao did not rush to attack, but constantly sent troops to carry out feints to test the firepower of the defending troops.

After a night's rest, the Sichuan army, which was guarding the city early the next morning, saw several Red officers and soldiers walking under the city wall and shouting: "Listen, people in the city, you have been surrounded by our Red Army. War or surrender, give you a chance to choose.

Don't expect reinforcements, we've cut you off. In order to avoid casualties, I advise you to lay down your arms and surrender. As long as you surrender, we can give you a chance to live. ”

Such shouts, mixed with some intimidating warnings, made the defenders of the city even more panicked. The brigade commander of the Sichuan Army, who calmed Xichang, looked at the commanders of several regiments under him and said, "With our current strength, how long can we hold out?" ”

In response to such an inquiry, a regiment commander soon said: "Brigade seat, although we have a lot of food reserves, weapons and ammunition are relatively sufficient. But in terms of troops, we are only afraid that we will be less than the attacking Red Army.

The most important thing at the moment is, will we have reinforcements? What did the military department say? Will they send reinforcements that will support us in the fight against the Red Army? If there are no reinforcements, we are afraid that we will not last long. ”

Looking at the several regiment commanders with anticipation on their faces, the brigade commander said a little helplessly: "I have asked the military headquarters for help before, and the military seat ordered us to hold on. As for reinforcements, I'm afraid there aren't. Compared with Xichang, Junzao is more concerned about the safety of Ya'an. ”

Although this place is also under the control of the Sichuan army, the troops currently stationed in Xichang are Liu Wenhui's troops who were driven here by Liu Xiang. At this time, Xichang was actually a defense area belonging to the Sichuan Border District.

For Liu Wenhui, the main force of the Red Army, plus independent divisions, has a strength of more than 50,000 people, which is far more than the number of troops it has formed. In the face of the Xichang defenders' request for help, Liu Wenhui asked himself if he dared to send troops for help at will.

The reason is very simple, compared to the importance of Xichang, he feels that Ya'an is more important. Secondly, in the face of Lao Jiang's strict orders, he didn't want Lao Jiang to find an excuse, so he could only concentrate his main force to build an encirclement line near Ya'an.

Hearing that there were no reinforcements to hold on, these commanders of the Sichuan army all felt incredulous and said: "Hold on? How to hold on? It seems that we have become outcasts! If the Red Army really wants to enter the city, we are afraid that we will not even think of a good end. ”

'What do you mean?' ’

As a garrison brigade commander, when it comes to this kind of life-and-death decision, he does not dare to make decisions at will. It's just that he knows one thing very well, that is, if he goes head-to-head with the Red Army, the final outcome will not be too good.

Even if there were a lot of supplies in the city, they couldn't hold out for long without reinforcements. With their deaths in battle, they still hope to save their lives. Who would want to die if they can live?

'Brigade, I don't think the Red Army wants to fight with us. I mean, is it not to send people outside the city to talk to the Red Army about the conditions. At worst, we must also let the Red Army agree, after we lay down our arms, give us a way to live, right? ’

Since they know that the end of hard work is not good, then survival has become their greatest hope. At least in the eyes of these Sichuan troops, they did not have any mortal enmity with the Red Army, and I believe that they would not be exemplified by the Red Army.

'Chief of Staff, why don't you go out of the city on behalf of our brigade to talk to the commander of the Red Army?' Let's see if we can give us a way to live. If the Red Army really deceives people too much, then we can only fight them to the end. ’

The chief of staff of the Sichuan Army, who put forward the negotiation opinion, did not expect that these regiment commanders would let him go out of the city as a representative to negotiate with the Red Army. Who knows what the Red Army will do to him after leaving the city?

Although they had never dealt with the Red Army before, they had heard that the Red Army had always had a ruthless attitude towards officers like them! If you really want to catch him and shoot him, then wouldn't he die unjustly?

But seeing that everyone seemed to agree to let him go out of the city to negotiate, the chief of staff also felt that why did he say that before? Well, let's get into trouble!

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and say: "Okay, then I'll go out of the city and talk to the Red Army!" ”

When the commander of the Sichuan army in the city discussed whether to fight or make peace, Wang Tianlin and the three regiment commanders outside the city said with some impatience: "Division commander, let's fight!" These Sichuan troops, don't give them a little color, it's really like we don't dare to fight! ”

'Don't worry! If you can negotiate a solution, don't use your sword or gun. Compared with the Sichuan army under Liu Xiang, these Sichuan troops only listened to Liu Wenhui. And now, Liu Wenhui's main force does not dare to come over to support them at all.

What do you think they can do without reinforcements? If the opponent is really forced to jump over the wall in a hurry, our siege troops will definitely not be able to bargain too much. Our soldiers can't die in vain like this, understand? ’

But how long will it take to drag on like this? ’

The officers and men of the independent division, who had rested all night, seemed to be looking forward to the battle. It's just that as a division commander, He Zhengdao feels that there is still a lot of hope for persuading the defenders in the city to surrender. If you can kill fewer people, why do you have to attack it?

After thinking for a while, he said: "Second Regiment Commander, pull your mortar company up and put a little pressure on them." Rush them! ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

Xu Renyi, the commander of the second regiment, who received the order, was still very willing to accept this kind of order. Just as the 2nd Regiment set up mortars and prepared for shelling, they found that a white flag was hanging over the city.

A soldier said: "Brother of the Red Army downstairs, don't rush to fire the artillery first, our chief of staff wants to negotiate with you." He'll come out right away, don't shoot! ”

Seeing Bai Qi and hearing the shouting, Xu Renyi also said a little helplessly: "These guys, why did they soften so quickly?" ”

Although he felt a little regretful, Xu Renyi, as the head of the regiment, also felt that He Zhengdao's words were reasonable. Since Xichang can be taken peacefully, why do you have to attack it? Fighting a war and attacking a city will eventually lead to death!

With the 2nd Regiment suspending the shelling, the gates of the city, which had been blocked earlier, were quickly opened. Under the protection of a Sichuan army company, the chief of staff of the Sichuan Army garrison brigade guarding Xichang also appeared at the city gate at the right time.

Looking at Xu Renyi, who was walking towards him, the chief of staff also said politely: "Contemptible person, Huang Yuren, chief of staff of the Xichang Garrison Brigade, has you not asked Your Excellency yet?" ”

'Xu Renyi, commander of the Second Regiment of the Independent Division of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army! Okay, our division commander wants to see you, come with me! Everyone else, stand here and don't move. Rest assured, we, the Red Army, also know the truth that the two armies will not fight each other. ’

Xu Renyi, who said this, brought the chief of staff, who was also a little muttering in his heart, to the temporary headquarters where He Zhengdao was. Seeing that the commander of the independent division was so young, Huang Yuren was also very surprised.

But he said very respectfully: "Hello, Master He!" Contemptible Huang Yuren, chief of staff of the Xichang garrison brigade. On the orders of our brigade, I want to discuss the negotiation with your army, and I also ask Division Commander He to raise your noble hand! ”

Regarding the respect of this chief of staff, He Zhengdao was also very satisfied and said: "Chief of Staff Huang, it seems that you have made a wise decision. Originally, several of my regiment commanders were ready to start attacking!

Since you think you want to talk about the conditions, let's talk about your conditions! If it feels reasonable, I can say yes. But I don't dare to give in easily to unreasonable conditions. Disarming and surrendering was also the basis for negotiations. ”

'Of course! It's just that we want to know, what do your army plan to do with us? I believe that Master He also knows that we are also acting on orders. I haven't dealt with your army before, so I asked Division Commander He to give me a way to live. ’

Wang Tianlin and others, who participated in the negotiations, still somewhat despised the fear of death of these Sichuan army commanders. But on second thought, they still hope that such an enemy will get better and better.

Hearing Huang Yuren's words, He Zhengdao frowned slightly and said, "It stands to reason that if you disarm and surrender and avoid a battle, you can be regarded as meritorious." It's not too much to give you a way to live.

It's just that you should know our policy, and if your officers and soldiers have hurt the Red Army, then I want to give you a way to live, but I'm afraid I won't be able to do it. Can Chief of Staff Huang understand this? ”

'Understand, understand! Please rest assured, Division Commander He, we really have never fought with the Red Army. Usually here, in addition to being responsible for tax collection, the rest is to fight bandits, and I really haven't done anything hurtful. ’

In fact, Huang Yuren, who said this, still felt a little weak. Even if he himself has not caused any public resentment, he has also been greedy for military salaries and accepted bribes. I don't know, will this matter be liquidated?