People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1660 Dingding Gate, tears streaming
The palace wall of Shendu Garden was looming among the woods, and to the east was the entire Luoyang city wall.

Li Xuan stopped his horse on Luoshen Bridge and looked out at Shendu Garden.

His expression was a little complicated for a moment.

"Your Highness, do you want to charge in from Shendu Garden first?" Tang Zhenxing followed from behind.

The Ziwei Palace is located in the northwest of Luoyang City, north of the Luo River.

Shendu Garden is located in the southwest of Luoyang City, south of the Luo River.

Li Xuan turned sideways and looked behind him. Su Baotong, Tang Zhenxing, Su Dingyuan and others were all standing solemnly.

Li Xuan looked forward, pointed at the entire Luo River and said: "The Luo River divides Luoyang into two parts, but the northern part has the highest terrain, especially where the Ziwei Palace is located. The city is strong and has sufficient food and grass. But south of the Luo River, there are millions of people in the city, and the daily consumption of food and grass is extremely terrifying. Moreover, although the city is strong, it is too big compared to the Ziwei Palace."

The Ziwei Palace is small but solid, just like an iron walnut, and if you are not careful you will break its teeth.

But Luoyang City is large and long, with a circumference of twenty miles, and there are too many corners that can be attacked.

"So, our strategy is to let go of Ziwei Palace and take Luoyang City first." Li Xuan looked at the clear Ziwei Palace in the northwest corner of Luoyang City and said calmly: "Without the millions of people in Luoyang City, Ziwei Palace is just a fortress after all. Cutting off the east, west, south and north, we can trap him to death in a year, and we don't need to use too many troops."

The generals couldn't help but raise their eyebrows at Li Xuan's last sentence.

Not having to use too many troops means that their consumption is extremely low, and low consumption means that they can persist indefinitely.

"In addition, although the soldiers and officials of Ziwei Palace are stationed in Ziwei Palace, their families are in Luoyang City. When the time comes, let their family members go to Tianjin Bridge every day to call them. How long do you think they can hold on?" Li Xuan said lightly, and the generals couldn't help laughing.

Human heart, human heart.

Without Luoyang City, Ziwei Palace is just a prison.

For a place like this, it's too easy to play with people's hearts.

"So, let's take Luoyang City first." Li Xuan's eyes were slightly cold, and all the generals bowed in unison: "Yes!"

Li Xuan nodded and said, "But Luoyang City is huge, and it's not easy to take it down, so we need to mobilize troops."

The Tang Dynasty controlled the entire world from Guanzhong, and most of the world's military forces were in Chang'an.

However, every time the emperor toured the east, he would transfer a small number of elite troops from Chang'an to Luoyang.

Combined with Luoyang's original garrison forces, Luoyang's military strength is no less than Chang'an.

After Li Dan ascended the throne, Empress Wu originally planned to transfer more elite troops from Chang'an to Luoyang, but unfortunately, Li Xuan and Pei Xingjian started rebellions in Yangzhou and Changzhou at the same time, which directly disrupted Empress Wu's deployment and forced more troops from Chang'an to be transferred to the western front.

However, during Li Xuan's eastern expedition, these troops were either destroyed or captured by him.

In addition, there are dozens of Zhechoufu in Yongzhou Prefecture, where nearly 100,000 people are stationed to guard against the Turks.

When Pei Xingjian led his troops to attack the Turks, in addition to the 30,000 troops transferred from Chang'an, the rest were the troops from the various Zhechoufu in Yongbei and the Anbei Protectorate.

The total number is 160,000.

Now, in addition to the 50,000 people in Chang'an City, there are another 100,000 people in various Zhechoufu in Yongbei.

In Longxi, the troops integrated by Hua Dazhi numbered as many as 30,000 to 40,000 people.

Li Xuan had not transferred these troops to the Luoyang battlefield before.

On the one hand, it was because of food and grass, and on the other hand, he was also worried that once these people arrived at the front line, they would most likely be won over by Empress Wu.

But now, Li Xuan is no longer worried.

Because he had already reached the outskirts of Luoyang City, everyone could see that the benefits of following him would be far greater than following Empress Wu.

"Send an order, order the Right Army General Hua Dazhi to lead 10,000 elite soldiers to Luoyang. At the same time, the commanders of the various Zhechongfu in Yongzhou will each lead 1,000 soldiers to Luoyang." Li Xuan gave the order while leaning to the side. Li Lang immediately bowed and said, "Yes!"

With more people coming, there is no need to worry about one or two people being won over by Empress Wu using money and power.

Moreover, with a total of 30,000 to 40,000 troops, there will not be too much loss.

The key point is that when these people arrived in Luoyang, it was very likely that Luoyang had already been taken by him.

Half a year, how could Li Xuan wait that long? What he had to do was to shock people.

"When Emperor Taizong attacked Luoyang, he first opened Hulao Pass and then took Yique Pass." Li Xuan turned sideways and continued, "Nan Ju, Liu Dingyuan."

"I am here." Nan Ju and Liu Dingyuan stood up and bowed solemnly.

Li Xuan nodded and said, "You two should each lead your troops to rush to Mangshan, and attack Gongyi from the front and back with General Wang. Remember to keep in touch with General Sun."

As he spoke, Li Xuan looked at Nan Ju.

Nan Ju immediately bowed and said, "Don't worry, Marshal. I know what to do."

Li Xuan nodded gently. Nan Ju had been under Sun Renshi's command for many years and was later promoted to General of Youtunwei, taking over Sun Renshi's position. He was extremely familiar with Sun Renshi and other veterans under his command.

"Be careful, the enemy is not as weak as we think. If we are careless, we may be overthrown." Li Xuan looked at Nan Ju deeply.

Nan Ju immediately bowed: "Yes!"

"Go ahead and give this king some surprises." Li Xuan nodded. Nan Ju immediately bowed, then turned quickly and walked under the bridge.

Liu Dingyuan then bowed and left with Nan Ju.

Li Xuan raised his head, looked towards Luoyang, and said softly: "Next, it's Luoyang City, Dingding Gate."

There was a hint of mumbling in Li Xuan's voice, and Su Baotong and Tang Zhenxing fell silent at the same time.

They didn't know how many times they had entered and exited Dingding Gate.

Now they have to capture Dingding Gate.

……

Dingding Gate is the main defense point of Luoyang.

Shatuo Zhongyi, a tall man dressed in black and silver armor, with white hair and a silver helmet, holds a Tang sword in his hand and looks solemnly in the direction of Luoshen Island.

There was a scar on his face, running down the right side of his cheek, which looked extremely hideous.

That was left over from fighting on the battlefield in the early years.

At this moment, he looked from the direction of Luoshen Island to the north.

Countless black cavalrymen rushed towards Mangshan like a black tide, attacking Sun Renshi and Su Xiaoxiang from behind.

Shatuo Zhongyi knew in his heart that Gongyi would be difficult to defend.

With Wang Fangyi charging over from Hulao Pass in front and the black cavalry charging over from Luoyang behind, it was already very difficult for Sun Renshi and Su Xiaoxiang to defend the south bank of Luo River.

It is even possible that the entire lower reaches of the Luo River will fall completely into the hands of King Peng.

At that time, Luoyang only had two options to deal with the outside world.

From Xuanyuan Pass at the foot of Songshan Mountain to Dengfeng, and then to Xinzheng. From Yique Pass in Yique Mountain to Ruzhou, and then to Xuchang.

Mount Song is in the east, and Mount Yique is in the south.

In particular, Yique Mountain is opposite to Dingding Gate.

In the middle, the Yi River flows out from the Yique Mountain, passes through Longmen and goes straight to Dingdingmen. However, the Xingluo River suddenly turns east on the way, and flows into Luoyang along the canal to the east of Changxiamen.

Shatuo Zhongyi raised his eyes and looked at Xingluo Lake.

There, there was a camp connecting Dingding Gate and Yique Pass.

At this moment, more than a dozen black figures appeared at the edge of Xingluo Lake.

Shatuo Zhongyi finally turned around abruptly and looked towards the west.

Countless black cavalrymen have crossed Luoshen Island, fought their way to the south bank of Luo River, and are quickly heading towards Dingding Gate.

Shatuo Zhongyi saw it clearly that although there were countless cavalrymen, they were divided into three groups.

A group of tens of thousands of people rushed towards Dingding Gate.

A group of 5,000 people rushed towards Xingluo Lake.

The last group of 10,000 cavalrymen charged towards Yique Gate.

Behind these three cavalry units, a large black banner led 10,000 central troops and advanced slowly.

Further behind, the cavalrymen coming and going guarded the bridges over the Luo River and laid iron chains to prevent the navy from rushing out from the water. They were almost as steady as an old dog.

"What's the matter?" A steady voice came from behind. Shatuo Zhongyi did not turn around. That was his deputy in name only, but in fact the general defending Luoyang, the Imperial Guard General Yan Huaidan.

"It's a very clear layout." Shatuo Zhongyi sighed and said, "If we want to take Luoyang, we must start from the front and take Yique Pass first, cut off the trouble from behind, stand firm, and then move closer to Dingding Gate step by step and completely take Dingding Gate."

"If you attack Dingding Gate directly, then Yique Pass will send troops from behind King Peng; if you attack Yique Pass directly, then Dingding Gate will send troops." Yan Huaidan walked to the side of Shatuo Zhongyi and said shoulder to shoulder: "But if you attack Xingluo Lake in the middle directly, then both Dingding Gate and Yique Pass will send troops."

"But if we send troops out in three directions, then each of them will have to face their own enemies." Shatuo Zhongyi sighed and looked ahead and said, "Although there are only 10,000 cavalrymen coming to Dingdingmen, do you dare to send troops?"

Yan Huaidan was slightly stunned, then he sighed.

His eyes fell on the black banner behind, where King Peng himself and ten thousand elite cavalrymen were.

Although there were 50,000 soldiers in the entire Luoyang city, they were distributed in the southeast, northwest, northeast and southwest directions, and only 10,000 cavalrymen could actually leave the city.

As long as they dare to send out troops, a few will be useless, and too many will easily give Li Xuan the opportunity to attack the city directly.

In fact, the only ones who were truly suitable for the expedition were the 5,000 cavalrymen that Yan Huaidan trusted the most.

Five thousand elite cavalry.

If 5,000 elite cavalrymen were equipped with a powerful general and charged forward, they might be able to shake Li Xuan's position.

But in the entire Luoyang city, the truly useful generals had either been transferred to the Heluo Plain or to Hulao Pass, and some were on their way back from Yangzhou.

In the whole Luoyang, the only people whom Empress Wu could trust and mobilize were Shatuo Zhongyi and Yan Huaidan.

Shatuo was a loyal and righteous veteran, but Yan Huaidan was in his prime.

When Pei Xingjian conquered the Turks, he was one of the three generals under Pei Xingjian and a man of great military achievements.

But if he were asked to lead the troops to war now, to be honest, he wouldn't dare.

If Li Xuan was not there, and it was Tang Zhenxing or Su Baotong, then Yan Huaidan would still dare to attack, but he did not have the courage to deal with Li Xuan.

Although Luoyang City is rapidly recruiting more than 30,000 soldiers, the only mobile force that can be deployed at will is 5,000 elite cavalry.

This knife is to be used on the cutting edge.

But now is obviously not the time.

To wait for.

Wu Sansi has already passed on Empress Wu's decision. Tang Zhenxing, Su Baotong, Nan Ju, and Liu Dingyuan are all people who can be won over.

As long as one of them betrays Li Xuan, it will not be difficult to defeat Li Xuan directly by joining forces with them.

"It's over!" Shatuo Zhongyi sighed softly, and Yan Huaidan woke up instantly. He looked into the distance and found that a white flag had been placed on Xingluo Lake.

revenge.

revenge.

At this moment, the black banner suddenly turned and accelerated, heading towards Dingding Gate.

Shatuo Zhongyi and Yan Huaidan fell silent immediately.

……

Li Xuan, holding a black banner, walked slowly forward with an expressionless face.

Among the countless cavalrymen in front of him, long spears stood in rows and white flags flew high.

The word revenge written in blood is clearly visible.

Su Baotong and Tang Zhenxing gathered together quickly.

Li Xuan waved his hand gently, and two people fell behind him.

Arriving within two arrows' distance of Dingding Gate, Li Xuan stopped his horse, raised his head calmly and looked towards the city gate.

Countless soldiers and generals on top of the city gate fell silent.

Endless indifference flashed across Li Xuan's eyes. Behind him were countless black-armored soldiers with white silk tied around their heads, looking solemn.

Li Xuan raised his right hand slightly, and then Su Baotong stepped forward and handed a sandalwood box to Li Xuan.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Xuan calmly opened the box, took out a yellow silk imperial edict, and then held it high up and shouted, "Read the will of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, I obey your order!" Tens of thousands of soldiers under the city half-knelt on the ground.

Li Xuan unfolded Li Zhi's will and, in front of the shocked eyes of Shatuo Zhongyi and Yan Huaidan, he said loudly: "In the second year of Yonglong, on the 23rd day of the 23rd month of the 2nd year of Renwu, the Emperor said:

Yu Xi!

When destiny is bestowed upon you, the fire of life will drift away.

Winter is cold, and the suffering is severe..."

Li Xuan spoke slowly. On the top of the city wall, Shatuo Zhongyi and more soldiers seemed to see a familiar voice. Many of them couldn't hold back their tears, and some even knelt down and sobbed, "The late emperor!"

(End of this chapter)