Huan Rong

Chapter 298 Fu Zhu 1

High and deep, Chang'an City was the capital of the Han Dynasty. It encountered wars many times and the city walls were rebuilt several times. It can be described as easy to defend but difficult to attack.

After Qin Ce ascended the throne and established the system, Qin Ju presided over the construction of Fangshi. During this period, he did not forget to strengthen the city wall, dig deep and widen the moat, and build an archery tower behind the wall to facilitate the deployment of troops to prevent foreign enemies from invading.

Now, Chang'an is occupied by traitors, and the Qin brothers command a large army to attack the city. The first thing they have to face is the increased city wall and the moat that is more than two meters deep.

woo-

Amidst the desolate sound of the horn, the infantry lifted the ladder, pushed the battering ram, and rushed down the city like a tide.

Looking down from the top of the city, the attacking soldiers are everywhere, densely packed, like a colony of ants, which makes people feel terrified.

When the battering ram and the ladder came into range, Xia Houpeng immediately ordered to release the arrows.

Drums sounded from the top of the city, and the soldiers tightened their bowstrings, staring nervously at the city, their faces turned pale, and the hands holding the bows were trembling faintly.

Wang Pi glanced around, walked up to Xia Houpeng and whispered a few times.

"General, in front of the enemy, the morale must not drop. If not, the city will be destroyed."

Without Wang Pi's reminder, Xia Houpeng also knows this truth.

"What is Wang Shilang's good strategy?"

Wang Pi smiled slightly and said: "It's not difficult, just repeat what Qin Bomian said before he died, and let the army understand that once the city is broken and the army from outside the city invades, act according to the character of Qin Jing and others. None of the soldiers who started from the general will survive, and so will the family members."

Xia Houpeng nodded, thinking that this plan is feasible.

"In addition, there are rumors that Empress Concubine Shu committed suicide in the palace."

"What?" Xia Houpeng stared at Wang Pi and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean?"

"Both the Lu family and the Yang family were slaughtered for murdering the empress." Wang Pi said in a calm and unhurried manner, "If the empress and concubine Shu are all dead, what will happen to the people in the city? Needless to say, everyone will have a different opinion. Guess. Because of fear, they will defend the city with all their might.”

Looking at Wang Pi, Xia Houpeng suddenly had an ominous premonition.

He has fought on the battlefield for many years, and has lived through life and death several times. He believes in his intuition about danger.But he instinctively had doubts. At this point, Wang Pi was sitting in the same boat as himself. If he plotted against him, what would he get?

Out of town and surrender?

Will Qin Jing let him live because of this?

Totally impossible!

Xia Houpeng gradually became suspicious, and his expression gradually became wrong.

Wang Pi let him look up and down, his expression was always flat, without any clue.

Zhou Yang didn't say a word, just stared at the two of them silently, then looked away after a while, looked at the approaching army, and finally realized that he was wrong from the very beginning, a big mistake.

Together with Wang Pi, he encouraged the Xiahou family to rebel, thinking that he could gain the merits of the dragon and lead the family to a further step.Little did they know that a single mistake pushed the entire Zhou family to a dead end.

"General, it's not too late, don't hesitate any longer." Wang Pi said firmly.

After all, Xia Houpeng believed in his intuition, did not adopt all of Wang Pi's suggestions, only tried to boost morale, and did not let people spread rumors that Queen Shu was dead.

Seeing this, Wang Pi secretly thought it was a pity.Instead of persisting, he asked for orders, willing to bring private soldiers and servants to reinforce the East Gate.

The Qin brothers attacked on three sides, with the north and east gates facing the greatest pressure.

The pressure on Ximen and Nanmen is slightly lighter, but they have to beware of Huan Han taking the opportunity to send troops and reap the benefits of the fisherman.

Therefore, Xia Houpeng counted the troops, and all those who could defend the city, regardless of soldiers and private soldiers, including healthy servants in the mansion, were called to the top of the city to fight fiercely with the attacking army.

"Fire arrows!"

There are baffles on the battering ram and the ladder, and the arrows are not strong enough to penetrate at all.

Relying on the cover of baffles and shields, the soldiers rushed to the moat at the fastest speed against the dense rain of arrows.

The river is more than two meters deep, and I can't jump into it without water, and I will immediately submerge my head.The width of the river is more than three military carts, and there is no one to support the river, so it is impossible to assume a wooden bridge.

To keep going, you have to take risks!

The jumping soldiers who rushed to the front lifted their shields and jumped into Hanoi.

On a March day, there was still thin ice in the river, but it couldn't help being trampled on by human power, and it was almost crushed with one foot.Cobweb-like cracks spread, quickly covering the entire river.

"Lift the ladder!"

Immersed in the icy river water, the jumping soldiers roared loudly.

Because of the wooden thorns on the bottom of the river, many people's lower legs were cut, and bright red blood floated to the surface of the water, and the wounds quickly became numb.

"Quickly build the ladder!"

The rain of arrows fell concentratedly, aiming at the jumping soldiers in the river.

The men in the water were not afraid of life and death, and no one backed away to dodge.Together they lifted one end of the ladder, swam quickly to the opposite bank, put it down with a bang, wiped the river water from their faces, and said loudly: "Baffle!"

The wooden boards were inserted into the ladder one by one, and a simple wooden bridge was erected in an instant.

The jumping soldiers did not rush to land, but floated in the water, carrying the wooden bridge on their shoulders to keep the bridge stable.

"Cross the bridge!"

Such a bridge cannot support battering rams, and can only accommodate pawns carrying ladders.

The crowd rushed across the bridge, there was no sound of killing or screaming, only the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing, one after another, hitting the shoulders of the people in the river.

"Arrows, rockets, don't let them come over!"

Seeing the scene under the city, Xia Houshuo's pupils narrowed sharply and he shouted loudly.The rockets wrapped in oilcloth fell in pieces, but they couldn't touch the ladder.

After the soldiers crossed the bridge, they did not rush to attack, but set up their shields to protect the archers who arrived later.

The archers carried disassembled crossbows and assembled them on the spot against the rain of arrows.The two stabilized the body of the crossbow, and one fell to the ground, using the strength of his legs to stretch the twisted string.

Amidst the creaking sound, black arrows flew out of the sky.After flying over the city wall, he still shot through a rebel and pinned him firmly to the ground.

The strength is so great that it is hard to imagine unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

There are more and more wooden bridges erected on the river. The archers crossing the river form a crossbow array. The dark arrows are not densely packed, but the pressure on the defenders is hard to estimate.

creak.

There was another string twist, and the crossbow broke through the cold wind, passed through the air, and hit the city like lightning.

"General, be careful!"

Xia Houshuo happened to be standing at the spot where the crossbow arrows landed, and when the wind came, he instinctively turned half a step sideways, tripped over a raised wall brick, and rolled on the donkey on the spot, barely saving his life.

With only a dozen strong crossbows, the attacking team suppressed the rain of arrows on the wall.

The jumping soldiers leaped out of the water, picked up the ladder, even gave up their shields, and rushed to the city at lightning speed. Regardless of the arm being injured by the arrow, they suddenly raised the ladder and put it to the gap between the female walls.

"Siege!"

The first ladder is on the shelf, and soon there will be the second and third.

The soldiers carried long knives on their backs, daggers in their mouths, and began to climb up with all their strength.

Seeing that the arrows were useless, Xia Houshuo and Xia Houduan ordered at the same time to push down the rolling log and pour boiling water.

"quick!"

The defenders at the top of the city knew that if they were attacked by the army, they would never have a way out.Under the fear, a terrible fighting spirit was aroused, and without thinking about anything else, everyone tried their best.

bang.

The rolling logs fell from the top of the city, and immediately the soldiers who attacked the city fell down the ladder and were smashed into a pulp.

Boiling water splashed from the top of the city, and if it was splashed, it would immediately become red, swollen and blistered, causing unbearable pain.

Several jumping soldiers were splashed straight on, enduring the pain by force, protecting their comrades with their bodies, step by step, finally climbed to the top of the wall, held the bricks, and jumped in suddenly.

Most of the blisters on his face were broken, blood and pus flowed together, and he looked like a ghost.

"kill!"

The jumping soldier gave a loud shout, drew his long knife out of its sheath, and instantly beheaded the two defenders.However, he was outnumbered, and was slashed to the vitals by the long knife stabbing obliquely.Staggering two steps, still refusing to fall, with one last breath, he beheaded and killed all the enemies in front of him.

On the battlefield, things change rapidly.

With the power of one person, a group of defenders were shocked.

Devil!

Where there is a person in front of him, it is clearly a bloodthirsty evil spirit!

Between offense and defense, a flaw in two breaths could be fatal.

Seizing the moment when the defenders were negligent, more generals climbed up the city wall and started fighting with the rebels.

Soon, the city was surrounded by shouts of killing.

Broken logs and boiling water continued, but soldiers from both sides fell from the city wall.Many of them were seriously injured, and they did not forget to drag an enemy soldier to the underworld together when they were dying.

"Your Highness, a message has been sent from the city that a noose can be dropped at the south gate."

"good."

Qin Jing looked at Zhang Lian and said, "You lead the troops."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Upon hearing the news of Zhang Yu's death, Zhang Lian was already very angry.Some soldiers galloped away, almost met, there will be a sea of ​​blood at the south gate.

As more and more soldiers attacked the city, the shouts of killing spread into the city, and the people of Chang'an were frightened, shutting the windows and doors tightly, and dared not leave their homes for half a step.There were also people who packed their bags and tried to escape out of the city in case the situation was not good.

Wang took his private soldiers and servants down the city wall, but he didn't go to the east gate at all. Instead, he took advantage of Xia Houpeng's entanglement in the war and had no time to look after him. He led people to Fangshi, found the oil and cloth hidden in advance, and ordered everyone "Follow the plan."

Private soldiers and servants took orders one after another, armed with weapons, and scattered all over the city with tools for setting fire.

Wang Pi left Fangshi with only a few private soldiers. Hearing the shouts of killing from the top of the city, anticipating the chaos that was about to ignite, he couldn't help laughing out loud. There was endless cruelty and madness in the laughter.

Massacre the people and burn Chang'an.

Qin Jing had to recite this stigma even if he recited it, and he had to recite it if he didn't!

"I want Qin's fame to die, and I want the whole of Chang'an to be buried with me!"

Amidst the laughter, Wang Pi's face was ferocious, and the private soldiers following him couldn't help but take half a step back, with fear that couldn't be concealed on their faces.

At the south gate of Chang'an, a rebel army fell under the city, with traces of long knives piercing through their chests, and they had been dead for a long time.It's just that the eyes are still wide open, with the disbelief and shock before death.

The corpses of the rebels were quickly dragged away. Several men in leather armor came out. Several of them held rebel weapons to defend the city. The rest pulled the noose and lowered the suspension bridge as quickly as possible to help the army break through the gate.

"what happened?!"

The guard quickly found out that something was wrong, and asked people to investigate quickly.

When the rebels came to the city and saw the scene in front of them, they had no time to think about it, and immediately shouted "spies" and raised their knives to meet them.

Amid the calls, more and more rebels came to support them.

Several men were sweating on their foreheads, so they simply wrapped the rope around their bodies, despite the blood marks on their shoulders and waists, shouted loudly, and finally lowered the suspension bridge completely.

With a bang, the suspension bridge hit the ground, raising dust all over the sky.

Zhang Lian seized the opportunity and ordered the soldiers to drag the battering ram and smash open the south gate of Chang'an.

"drink!"

The siege hammer is transformed from a military chariot, drawn by horses in front, and pushed by manpower in the rear and left and right.

Approaching the city, the horses were untied from the ropes, and several strong men jumped onto the chariots, pulling the ropes with all their strength.

boom!

The rope was let go, and the giant log slammed into the city gate.

Amidst the loud noise, it seemed that the earth was shaking.

"South gate!"

Xia Houpeng got the report, and immediately realized that the situation was not good, and immediately sent Xia Houduan to support him, and must repel the attacking enemy.

Regardless of his personality, Xia Houduan's martial arts skills are indeed extraordinary.After receiving the order, he ordered two hundred parts and four hundred strong men, and rushed to the south gate.

When the reinforcements arrived, the gate of the city had been smashed open a gap, Zhang Lian was the first to rush into the city.

When the two faced each other, their expressions immediately changed.

"Zhang Lian!"

"Xia Houduan!"

Thinking of Zhang Yu's tragic death, Zhang Lian bristled with anger, his eyes turned red with anger.

"Xiahouduan, I want your whole family to pay for my father's life!"

In terms of martial arts, Zhang Lian is no match for Xia Houduan, let alone Ma Zhan.With just a burst of anger, the two sides fought evenly.

As more and more cavalry poured into the city gate, the strength of the rebel army became insufficient, and the south gate was already in jeopardy.

Ran Hu was ordered to attack the South Gate with Zhang Lian.

With the order of "no prisoners of war", two thousand cavalry rushed into the city and killed the rebels when they saw it, like a tiger coming out of its cage, almost crushing forward.

Wherever the horse's hooves trod, bloodstains were left behind.

Xia Houduan secretly thought it was bad, he didn't want to get entangled with Zhang Lian, so he made a false move and wanted to get away and ask Xia Houshuo for help.

It has been two full hours since the battle started.

The siege team didn't feel tired at all, and they still rushed to the city like a tide.The defenders were also gritted their teeth and fought desperately, repelling the attacks again and again, almost exchanging their lives for their lives.

Zhang Lian was forced to retreat by Xia Houduan, but the latter failed to escape.

Ran Huce stepped forward immediately, swept his spear across, and with a brute force, swept Xia Houduan off the horse's back.

"Want to go? It's not that easy!"

Xia Houduan rolled on the spot, barely protecting his vitals.In the rolling, Chang Bing dropped his hands, stood up, and pulled out the sword from his waist.

Several cavalry staggered past, tightly surrounding him.

The rebels who followed him to the South Gate to support fell under the sword one after another. Some people abandoned their swords and begged for mercy, but they still couldn't survive.

Seeing this scene, Xia Houduan didn't blink, and sneered at Zhang Lian who was approaching on horseback: "Using Hu Qi to attack Chang'an and massacre the Han army, the news spread and the world knows, but they still believe it." Didn't Qin Xuanmin secretly form an alliance with the bandits?"

Zhang Lian was unmoved, and said coldly, "Where is my father's body?"

Zhang Lian followed Zhang Yu since he was a child, and the relationship between uncle and nephew is no less than that of father and son.He wished he could cut Xia Houduan in half, but he suppressed his anger just to find Zhang Yu's body.

"Where is it?" Xiahou Duan laughed, "In the belly of the beast."

"what?!"

"Do you think that such an ignorant person can still be buried after death?" Xia Houduan seemed to be desperate, and sneered, "I might as well tell you, I broke his legs with my own hands, dug out his knees, and crushed him. His hands. After his death, his corpse was chopped up and fed to several dogs in the mansion."

Unable to control his anger and hatred any longer, Zhang Lian snatched the spear from Buqu's hand, and stabbed Xia Houduan's right shoulder with it.

Xia Houduan repeats his old trick and rolls to dodge.He even took the opportunity to approach Zhang Lian, intending to seize the horse and flee.

Although it is a good idea, it is impossible to realize it after all.

Zhang Lian was irritated, but Ranhu was very experienced. He knew what Xia Houduan was going to do when he saw Xia Houduan's actions.Without waiting for Xia Houduan to swing his sword, he directly drew out the dagger and threw it from behind him.

The dagger pierced Xia Houduan's back, which was not fatal, but it made him lose his ability to move and fell to the ground in an instant.

Zhang Lian pierced Xia Houduan's shoulder with a spear, panting heavily.

Counting breaths away, the blood in his eyes receded, and he regained his senses a little, instead of taking his life on the spot, he took a deep breath and said word by word: "I won't kill you right away, what my father has gone through, I will do it a hundredfold." A thousand times more will be returned to you, and the entire Xiahou family will pay for my father's life!"

Xia Houduan fell to the ground, still showing no signs of fear.

"The family history of the Zhang family." Zhang Lian looked at him, his eyes were cold, and he continued, "My father knows the means, and I will too. I can assure you, I will make your life worse than death, and pray to me every day, so that your life will be better than death. I'll take you to the Palace of the King of Hell!"

At this point, Xia Houduan's face finally turned blue, and he suddenly remembered what Zhang Lian's so-called "family origin" is.

When it comes to torture, compared with Zhang, he is truly insignificant.

"Take it to the outside of the city and hand it over to His Highness."

"promise!"

Xia Houpeng was an experienced man. Seeing that there was no news from the south gate, fearing that something might happen to Xia Houduan, he dispatched another [-] soldiers, led by his confidants, to support the south gate.

This team is very elite, and has fought with Xia Houpeng for many years.In addition, most of them were cavalry. After arriving at the south gate, they cooperated with the remaining defenders, causing Zhang Lian and Ranhu a lot of trouble.

For a while, the battle situation fell into a stalemate.With the arrival of another group of rebels, Zhang Lian and Ran Hu were forced to retreat, and had to give up their attack temporarily, and stayed at the gate of the city, keeping the advantage of being below the city.

The sky was getting darker, the battle did not make any greater progress, but the casualties continued to increase.

Qin Jing discussed with Qin Jue and Qin Jue, and temporarily called for gold to withdraw troops.

As the drums sounded, the attacking team began to retreat.Because the troops were temporarily withdrawn, there was no panic during the operation, and they were orderly, without giving the defenders any chance to sneak attack.

The army camped by the moat, the fire was bright, and the fight was strict.

The Qin brothers put on a posture, not afraid of the night attack of the defenders.After a fierce battle during the day, Xia Houpeng counted the battle damage, and when he saw the condition of the soldiers, he completely stopped thinking about it.

The bonfire in the camp was blazing, and a group of people guarded a carriage without fear of evil spirits, and went straight to the gate of the camp.

Blocked by the camp guards, the leader jumped out of the carriage and said politely: "Please inform your Highnesses that an old friend is visiting."