At the end of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 842 Battle of Hangu Pass
Just as the battle in Bashu area was in full swing, Gao Bufan was leading a hundred thousand Qi troops to attack Hangu Pass west of Luoyang. However, the artillery roared and the smoke filled the sky. The battle was extremely fierce, but it was far from tragic, because The Qi army used artillery for long-distance bombing, and did not use crowd tactics to sacrifice human lives as the price of breaking through. This is completely different from Li Xiaogong's attack on Ba County.

Although Li Tang imitated gunpowder through the cottage, and also made simple firearms such as firecracker thunder and flying thunder, but the sharp weapon of artillery has not had time to manufacture, and after more than a year of improvement, the power of Gao Qi's artillery It is fiercer and has a longer range, and the effective strike range has reached 800 meters. This killing distance was already very exaggerated in ancient times thousands and hundreds of years ago.

Therefore, the Qi army did not need to use human lives to fill them up. Dozens of artillery were lined up far away, and the pass city facing Hangu Pass was bombarded indiscriminately, while the Tang army in the city had to be beaten passively and had no way to fight back. strength, because they have no weapons in their hands to win the Qi army.

Hangu Pass is the main throat from Luoyang Plain to Guanzhong. It is located on the plateau in the west, Juejian in the east, Qinling in the south and Yellow River in the north.

On both sides of Hangu Pass is the Chousang Plateau, which is difficult for a single soldier to climb with bare hands, let alone a large army of horses and horses. The only passage is a narrow valley road, which is only wide enough for one car to pass through. As long as more than ten miles, Guan Chengxiu is at the entrance of the valley road. It is really a man guarding the gate.

In addition, the front of Hangu Pass City is the Hongnong River, and there is only one bridge to pass through, forming a natural line of defense. If the enemy wants to cross the bridge to attack Pass City, they must first bear the baptism of a wave of arrows from the Pass City.

However, this time the Qi army did not cross the river at all, but placed dozens of cannons on the other side of the river to bombard them indiscriminately. On the contrary, the Tang army in Hangu Pass had to accept the baptism of the Qi army's artillery every day. After seven or eight days of bombing, The original fortified city of Guancheng has been riddled with holes and scars beyond recognition, and the walls on the surface have also been blackened.

On this day, it rained heavily for a whole day and night. The Yellow River and the Hongnong River also swelled and almost flooded the bridge deck of the stone bridge. The bombardment was suspended for one day, and Tang Jun in Guancheng could finally breathe a sigh of relief and get a respite.

In the big tent of the central army of the Qi army, Gao Bufan sat in the middle, and a group of counselors and generals lined up on both sides. Pei Xingyan said loudly: "Your Majesty, our artillery has bombarded Hanguguan City for eight days. The Tang army in the city is silent. It has also suffered great damage, as soon as the rain stops, we will attack immediately and take Guancheng down in one fell swoop."

Cheng Yaojin patted his belly and said: "General Pei is right. Although the artillery is sharp, it still depends on people to attack the city."

All the generals in the tent also expressed their willingness to fight. The artillery bombarded for seven or eight days. Although it was very exciting, everyone couldn't hold back any longer. In the land of Qin, eliminate Li Tang and rule the world.

Gao Bufan smiled and said: "Generals, please be patient and don't be impatient, you will have the ability to use your force."

"But the last general's tomahawk is already hungry and thirsty, what do you think the emperor should do?" Cheng Yaojin hummed.

"That's just right, General Cheng will leave it for me to chop firewood later." Gao Bufan said.

Everyone couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere was relaxed and lively. It can be seen that Gao Qi's psychological advantage is not ordinary. This is the confidence given by strength. In terms of national strength, equipment, and morale, Gao Qi has an absolute upper hand. It's not that there is a dangerous pass as a reliance, Tang Jun may have been defeated.

To be honest, Li Shimin's position was not right, killing his brother and killing his brother to force his father had a very negative impact on the morale of the soldiers of the Tang army, and the Qi army came under the banner of justice to crusade against Li Shimin. Coupled with the fact that the Qi army was plowing the ground with long-range artillery, the morale of the Tang army was further hit. Although it was not at the point of collapse, it was also extremely low, and there was no desire to fight at all.

Gao Bufan only used shelling all the time. On the one hand, it was naturally to reduce the casualties of the soldiers. On the other hand, it was also to hit the morale of the Tang army and let the negative emotions of the Tang army continue to ferment. The first Xiongguan.

In addition, there is a third reason, which is to contain Li Tang's troops and reduce the pressure on Li Jing in the Hedong area, so Gao Bufan is not in a hurry to take Hangu Pass. Anyway, Luoyang is behind the army, and the battle line is not long. Supplies can be transported in a steady stream, fighting for national strength and consumption, Li Tang must not be able to compete with Gao Qi.

Half an hour later, the military meeting was over, and the generals left the imperial tent one after another, Cheng Yaojin really stayed to chop firewood, there was no way, the emperor's golden mouth and jade teeth, even if it was a joke, it was an imperial decree and must be obeyed .

"General Cheng, cut more, I will treat you to roast whole lamb tonight." Gao Bufan walked out of the imperial tent with Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji and others smiling.

Cheng Yaojin's eyes lit up, he licked his lips, and chopped even harder. He was lucky enough to eat the whole lamb roasted by the emperor himself, and he still has a lot of aftertaste.Ever since, Lao Cheng swung his twin axes and hacked more vigorously.

……

On the second day, the heavy rain stopped and the sun rose, wantonly releasing the midsummer heat, and the swollen river gradually receded.After a day and a night of heavy rain, the outer wall of Hangu Pass was further peeled off where it was bombarded by shells, and several sections of the hastily repaired female wall on the top of the city collapsed and were in dilapidated condition.

Princess Li Xiuning of Pingyang stood on the top of the city of Hangu Pass in battle armor, her brows were tightly knitted and her face was worried. Shadow, loyal and silent.

Princess Li Xiuning of Pingyang is Li Yuan's legitimate daughter, born by the Dou family, ranking third among her daughters. She is Li Shimin's elder sister and later married Li Shimin's best friend Chai Shao. Princess Pingyang.

This woman is a famous female general of Li Tang. The reason why Li Yuan was able to enter Guanzhong is due to this woman. If she hadn't pulled up a team of nearly 10 people in Guanzhong as an internal support, Li Yuan might not have been able to Successfully entered the main pass.

At this time, a general dressed in uniform climbed onto the top of the city, looked around, and his gaze soon fell on Princess Pingyang, his eyes softened, and he walked over.

Ma Sanbao immediately bowed respectfully and said, "See you, General."

This general is none other than Princess Pingyang's husband, Chai Shao, who is currently worshiped by General Zuo Yiwei. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he enfeoffed Chai Shao as Huo Guogong, regarded him as his confidant, and sent him to command troops to guard Hangu Pass , which shows its reuse.

The Qi army is powerful, and a hundred thousand troops are coming to attack, and it is the leader of Qi, Gao Bufan, who is personally driving. This son is known as the star, and he has never lost a defeat since his debut. Princess Pingyang is worried that her husband Chai Shao is not an opponent, so she came to Hangu Pass with the army. , to assist her husband in guarding the gate.

Chai Shao waved his hand, and Ma Sanbao retreated knowingly.

Chai Shao walked up to Princess Pingyang, and the latter came back to his senses, cupping his fists and saluting, "I've seen the general."

Chai Shao coughed lightly and said: "There are no outsiders here, madam, you don't need to be polite." After speaking, he held Princess Pingyang's hand, and asked softly: "What was madam thinking just now, so lost in thought?"

Princess Pingyang's heart softened. He and Chai Shao's childhood sweethearts had a very good relationship after marriage, and said softly: "I am wondering when the Qi army will launch a real attack."

When Chai Shao heard this, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes. The Qi army's firearms were too powerful, with a long range and great power. They had been bombing continuously for days. Chai Shao still confidently said: "Hangu Pass is extremely dangerous, and the pass city is as solid as gold. Gao Changqing's delusion that he can break through the pass with continuous bombing with firearms is simply a dream, and we have [-] guards. The Qi army dared to attack the city. I will definitely teach him whether to come back or not, so Madam don't have to worry about it."

Princess Pingyang is not a lady who is ignorant of military affairs, she shook her head and said: "Now our army's morale is low, husband, don't be blindly optimistic, and..."

Chai Shao couldn't help being slightly embarrassed, and said embarrassingly: "And what?"

"And I feel that Gao Changqing doesn't seem to be in a hurry to break through." Princess Pingyang said worriedly.

Chai Shao frowned and said, "Why?"

Princess Pingyang analyzed: "Although the Qi army has been pounding Guancheng with artillery for the past few days, if they have not launched a siege battle, I think Gao Changqing's original intention is to contain our Tang Dynasty's troops."

Chai Shao nodded and said: "It's possible, but Gao Changqing personally led an army of [-] to attack. In turn, we are also restraining Gao Qi's troops, and we are still controlling more with less."

Princess Pingyang smiled wryly: "Gao Qi's national strength and population are much stronger than our Tang Dynasty's. Gao Changqing completely pacified Jiangnan in the first half of last year, and there is no need to worry about the future. Fighting consumption, how can our Tang Dynasty fight against others?"

Chai Shao frowned and said: "That's true, but Qi's army is strong and well-equipped, and we can defend against danger. If we fight head-on in the field, we must not be opponents. The initiative is in the hands of the opponent. What can we do? I hope the emperor We can defeat Li Jing as soon as possible in Hedong."

Princess Pingyang sighed secretly. If it was before, he still had confidence in his second brother Li Shimin, but now he is not sure. The former second brother made great achievements in battle and won the hearts of the people. After all, it hurt the hearts of too many people, especially those who were loyal to the eldest brother Li Jiancheng. Now that the people in Datang are not in harmony, it may be very difficult to defeat Li Jing.

Thinking of the tragic death of elder brother Li Jiancheng and fourth younger brother Li Yuanji, Princess Pingyang couldn't help a stabbing pain in her heart, her pretty face turned pale, she covered her small mouth and coughed violently.

(End of this chapter)