Under the sky

Chapter 217 High City and Deep Pool

After Yan Zhaochou took down Nanchong, Yan Xuting knew that the position of leader was determined, and he no longer had any more chips to compete with his second brother.He first returned to Bazhong with Yan Xuancheng and asked his eldest brother to set up more fortifications to trap the Bazhong defenders as much as possible, especially to block news from the two places, so as to prevent the Bazhong defenders from risking a breakout and blocking the grain route. After that, he rushed back to Hanzhong to supervise the grain supply. .

As soon as he returned to Hanzhong, he kept asking for more troops to be sent to Shu for support, which made Yan Jiuling, who stayed behind in Hanzhong, unhappy.Yan Jiuling and his son Yan Lizhang have always supported Yan Zhaochou. In the past, Yan Xuting was quite hostile to his uncle. Although it was not a serious matter, there were many open and covert fights.Yan Xuting kept urging for food and grass. Yan Jiuling thought it was deliberately making things difficult. How wide is the rice warehouse road? Even if Hanzhong has abundant food and grass, can it be delivered at once?
Yan Xuting was also worried about his elder brother's cowardice and fearing that he would let go of the Bazhong garrison, so he dispatched the powerful generals stationed in Hanzhong to help, including Fang Jingjie.This appointment made Yan Jiuling even more suspicious. Their father and son had always been at odds with Yan Xuting. As soon as Yan Xuting came back, he sent all the generals to Shu and sent disciples for reinforcements. He was not the only one left in Hanzhong City. horse?At that time, he would point at the sun and say it was dark. Which disciple would dare not hold a lamp?He wanted to use a stumbling block to harm his brothers, frame their father and son's inability to manage food supplies, delay the military plan, and push the trouble forward. If he let go, his father and son would have to let go and return to the west.

Being wary of others is essential, so Yan Jiuling and Yan Xuting got into an argument. Yan Xuting didn't bother to explain that he no longer wanted to be the leader - others didn't believe him even if he told him, but he was cowardly and useless - he just kept reprimanding Yan Jiuling for his incompetence in doing things.

In anger, Yan Jiuling not only led the 500 Hanzhong defenders to board the ship and left on the pretext of requisitioning grain, but also took General Fang Jingji away with him, leaving only more than [-] people to garrison Hanzhong. Anyway, the Qingcheng fleet had already Driven out by Wudang.This move was originally intended to embarrass Yan Xuting and make you lose all your generals. Do you know who is in charge of Hanzhong?Originally, they only planned to collect all the food and fodder, conduct a patrol, and then return to Hanzhong. However, unexpectedly, they collided with Qingcheng's fleet on Yinghu Lake. It was a good fight. Not only did they repel Qingcheng, but they also captured the disciples of the master of Hengshan.Yan Jiuling first sent people to pass on the good news, and searched for Qingcheng's defeated troops along the way, and left [-] people to search for Shen Weichen on the Han River. There was no news for eight days, and because of the rain, he ordered a retreat and asked the ships to escort Gu Qingshang back, leaving his son and Fang Jingjiu blocked the intersection, and he led his army back to Hanzhong along the land route.

Although he won, Yan Jiuling broke out in a cold sweat afterwards. If Qingcheng had not chosen to go up the river slowly and steadily because of the supply of food and supplies, he would have gone ashore immediately after capturing Jinzhou and headed straight to Hanzhong. When Yan Jiuling's fleet arrived in Jinzhou, he knew about Qingcheng's plan. , I'm afraid that if we can't catch up, Hanzhong, which has only 500 men garrisoned, will inevitably fall.Yan Jiuling knew his brother's character very well. If he made such a big mistake, even his own brother would have to move his head, and even his son would not be spared.

Yan Xuting also knew that this time was dangerous, and gave Yan Jiuling a big roll of his eyes.He also didn't expect Qingcheng to be so adventurous and attack from the Han River with great fanfare. He didn't dare to take it lightly and asked about the battle situation in detail.Yan Jiuling said: "Qingcheng abandoned all the baggage and food along the road. We are lucky to be able to return to Tongzhou. What's more, the warships were all burned at the Jinzhou Pier. Zhang'er and Fang toasted and were still guarding the exit of Jinzhou West Road. If there was any accident, they could be notified immediately. . Both water and land are impassable, so it is absolutely impossible for Qingcheng to invade."

Indeed, this is impossible, which is why Yan Xuting was so shocked when the Qingcheng battle flag fluttered in front of Handong.

"Didn't uncle say that Qingcheng has withdrawn its troops?" At the military meeting, Yan Xuting almost smashed the table into pieces, "How did they come?"

Yan Jiuling was shocked, angry and worried. The appearance of Qingcheng meant that Yan Lizhang's team had been breached and he didn't know whether he would live or die.Fang Jingjiu was away, and the most important general in Hanzhong was Wu Qiushan, the master of the sharpshooting sect who had always supported Yan Xuting. He immediately proposed to notify Chang'an to ask for reinforcements and seal the city to defend itself. With Hanzhong's stability, Qingcheng would be difficult to leave.

Jiang Hao, the leader of the Shenqianmen Battle Hall, said: "They came to Jinzhou. According to what Governor Yan said, there were only more than 3000 people and no food and grass. If they fought in the west of Jinzhou, there would be losses. There are nearly [-] people in Hanzhong." Disciple, are you still afraid of these [-] people?"

Yan Xuting asked Yan Jiuling: "You said they abandoned their luggage and fled. It has been almost a month. Where did they get the food?"

Yan Jiuling was speechless: "Maybe he robbed Jinzhou's food?"

Yan Xuting said: "Then how much food do they still have? Whether to fight or defend, you can make up your mind."

Yan Jiuling was speechless and only said: "In short, they cannot attack for a long time. They will have to withdraw in ten days and a half."

Jiang Hao said: "They are surrounding the city. How can we get the food team to Qingcheng? Second Young Master, why don't we run out of food?"

Wu Qiushan said: "Second Young Master conquers Nanchong. Will there be a shortage of food for a while?"

Jiang Hao said: "Nanchong doesn't have much food in stock, so we can't support it for a long time."

Wu Qiushan said: "I'm afraid these Qingcheng troops will have even less food."

Yan Xuting saw them arguing and shouted: "Go to the city again and have a look!"

A group of people climbed up the city wall. Yan Xuting had been there before. At that time, the Qingcheng troops were still small dots like rice grains from a distance. Now they were advancing slowly two miles away. Broken flags were seen fluttering in the wind. They were neat and tidy, but when they got closer, they saw that the leather armor was in pieces and the horses were missing.

"There are not many people." Wu Qiushan said, "About two thousand people."

"2000 people want to capture Hanzhong? Are you kidding!" Jiang Hao said.

Yan Xuting was suspicious: "If you can't defeat him, why did you come to die?"

Yan Jiuling said: "Perhaps it's because we can't go back. The army goes deep alone, and there is no life or death." He has never understood why the Qingcheng Army, which only had a few days of food, could hide for more than ten days without being discovered, and still counterattack.

Yan Xuting said: "Maybe they have reinforcements?"

"Coming from the trail to the west of Jinzhou?" Yan Jiuling asked, "How many people can there be? If the road is not dangerous and difficult, why would the second master take the Micang Road?"

"In short, there is nothing wrong with sticking to it, no matter how many people there are." Wu Qiushan said.

Yan Xuting couldn't make up his mind. The battlefield was foggy and he couldn't see his fingers in every battle. He could only move forward gropingly.He suddenly remembered the time when he was chasing Peng Xiaobeggar in Fuzhou, Jiangxi. If Fang Jingjiu hadn't made the decision, he would have been deceived by Peng Xiaobeg's allegorical claims.

In short, it is absolutely right to defend the city, Yan Xuting thought, they don't even have siege equipment.

Suddenly, two riders rushed out of the Qingcheng army, each holding a long pole with two round objects stuck on it. Yan Xuting took a closer look and recognized two human heads.I saw the two cavalrymen coming to the city and shouting loudly: "Yan Lizhang and Fang Jingjie's heads are here!" They threw them at the bottom of the city, turned around and left.

Yan Jiuling's head banged and he almost fell down.That was the son he relied on the most. He always thought that this child could succeed him and become the pillar of Huashan. He would assist Yan Zhaochou just like he assisted his younger brother, and pass on wealth and glory to his bloodline, instead of gradually becoming a sect that no one cares about as relatives become estranged. Distant relatives - there are too many such distant relatives in the Jiu family.

Just die?Yan Jiuling grabbed Yan Xuting and cried: "They killed your cousin! They killed your cousin!"

Yan Xuting sent someone to hang down the rope and retrieve the two heads. Fang Jingjie's face was so mangled and unrecognizable, but Yan Lizhang was a proper Yan Lizhang.Yan Jiuling burst into tears, holding her son's head and shouting: "Kill them! Kill them! Third Young Master, give me 3000 people, I will avenge Zhang'er!"

Wu Qiushan advised: "Governor, calm down. Hanzhong is a place for storing grain, so there should be no loss."

Yan Jiuling shouted angrily: "Damn it! How many people are they? More than 2000 people came from Jinzhou. They didn't have enough armor to cover their bodies, and they were tired from fighting for a long time. They just came to die! I have seen with my own eyes how many people those warships can hold." Yes, it’s only ten thousand if it’s full! I asked in Jinzhou and found that there were only more than five thousand people. Some were lost on Yinghu Lake, some were lost when escaping into the mountains, and some were lost in Jinzhou. How many are left? No injuries? Just try your best to die!"

Yan Xuting saw that his uncle was hurt. Although they were not on good terms, they were relatives after all, so he said: "Uncle, let's bury my cousin's head first, and then we can discuss it."

Yan Jiuling held her son's head and left crying.

Yan Xuting asked Wu Qiushan: "What do you think?"

"It's strange. These 2000 people will definitely not be able to defeat Hanzhong." Wu Qiushan said, "Sir, please give me a step."

Yan Xuting was puzzled. The two of them walked to a deserted place. Wu Qiushan said: "As long as we stick to it, Hanzhong will be as stable as Mount Tai. My subordinates are wondering, what are Qingcheng's plans?"

Yan Xuting said: "Jiang Hao said they wanted to block Hanzhong and prevent the grain team from advancing."

Wu Qiushan said: "It won't last long, unless the leader of Qingcheng is a fool, and they will die when the leader sends people from Chang'an. I guess they don't plan to attack the city, and sent people to provoke us to lure us out of the city to fight. These 2000 people are just a cover, and there is an ambush. The Jinzhou West Road is difficult to walk, and they don’t have many reinforcements. If we stay at the city, we will wait for the leader to send reinforcements, but if they retreat..."

Yan Xuting frowned: "You mean they will retreat to the rice warehouse crossing?"

Wu Qiushan said: "There are not many defenders in Nanjiang, so it is easy to capture them. The rice warehouse road is dangerous. They robbed grain on the spot and blocked the intersection, so the food road was really cut off."

Yan Xuting said angrily: "How can I let them get what they want!"

Wu Qiushan said: "In that case, the second young master, Du Yinsong and others who supported the second young master will be defeated and captured even if they do not die. There is little hope of safely retreating. Young Master... you will be the heir apparent."

Yan Xuting was stunned.Wu Qiushan said again: "Governor Yan led his troops out of anger and almost lost Hanzhong. It is not a mistake to make up for it, but it was definitely a big mistake for him to let Qingcheng troops come to the city. He belongs to the Second Young Master. You can't hold on because you are afraid of Hanzhong." There is a loss.”

Yan Xuting said tremblingly: "What do you mean..."

Wu Qiushan said: "Third Young Master, you have to think deeply. We are all following you."

Yan Xuting said: "Eldest brother is still in Bazhong. Dad has been preparing for this for more than ten years. If the army is defeated... Dad will definitely be furious."

Wu Qiushan said: "Huashan lost 2 troops in Qingcheng. This is definitely a huge loss to Huashan. The worst result is that there is no gain and a great loss of vitality. But Huashan is still the third son's Huashan. If the second son wins, , even if you win Qingcheng, Young Master... Governor Yan is the best end for you - the second Young Master will also have children of his own in the future..."

Yan Xuting knew what Wu Qiushan meant. When his grandfather chose to be the leader, his uncle quit early to join his father. Later, he was still reused and became the governor of Hanzhong to manage all the sects in Hanzhong. But even so, he still had to be respectful to himself.When the second brother becomes the head of the family, if he takes over as the governor of Hanzhong, the uncle's family will have no positions. Yan Lizhang will at most be the captain of the Hanshui fleet. This is still the best outcome. Further down the line, the distant relatives of the Yan family who have no positions and no status will still be Is it missing?
Not to mention that he and his second brother have been fighting for more than ten years. Will his second brother give him the position of governor of Hanzhong?Yan Jiuling had supported his second brother for a long time, and had also carefully trained Yan Lizhang, hoping that like his second uncle, he would be abandoned and not be reused, so that Yan Lizhang could take over as the governor of Hanzhong and maintain the power of their family. At that time, he... was afraid that he would not be reused. Sent to guard the desert?

Thinking further, if I keep food for my second brother, will my second brother accept this favor?
After the disaster in Tianshui, Yan Xuting knew that the chance of winning the fight for the leadership was slim, and he had given up on it at the time. But now that things seem to be turning around, those thoughts can't help but come back to life.

Wu Qiushan said: "Young Master, no one is poisonous and no husband. You must think of us who have taken refuge in you. You are still brothers in charge after losing power, but we are different." Yan Xuting said: "This is using Huashan's luck to gain The position of leader.”

Wu Qiushan said: "Huashan is not the Young Master's, and it has nothing to do with the Young Master. Young Master, what else can you lose?"

Dad has always told me to be ruthless when doing big things. He has always been happy to see himself competing with his second brother for the position of leader. He has always said that to make Huashan strong, he must disown his relatives, act vigorously and resolutely, and let the world know that Huashan is not to be messed with.

Yan Xuting knew how risky this was. If his second brother really died in Qingcheng, who else could his father appoint as leader?Even if he is convicted for this, his father can only allow him to succeed him as the leader.But if the second brother comes back safely and neglects his duties, even if he is not beheaded by his father, he will be deposed for life, and his situation may be worse than that of the eldest brother.

big brother...

Big brother is still in Bazhong...

"Stop the Qingcheng Army and don't let them go to Bazhong!" Yan Xuting said.

Wu Qiushan said anxiously: "Master!"

"Master Wu, I appreciate your kindness. I pretend I didn't hear what happened today." Yan Xuting said, "After repelling Qingcheng, I will report your contribution. The second brother can understand it and will not treat you badly."

"There are only 2000 people." Yan Xuting said, "Let's defeat them!"

When the military meeting resumed, Yan Jiuling could no longer hold back: "Give me three thousand cavalry and kill all those sons of bitches!"

"These 2000 people should be just the vanguard." Wu Qiushan said, "Didn't Governor Yan say that they couldn't get here without reinforcements? They showed weakness and threw out Mr. Ling's head just to trick us into leaving the city to fight."

Yan Jiuling roared: "Scatter them away! Send troops early in the morning and kill all 2000 people without waiting until noon!"

Yan Xuting knew that his uncle was agitated with grief and anger, and his judgment might not be accurate, so he said: "They can't attack the city anyway. We'll see what happens tomorrow."

Sure enough, the Qingcheng troops bypassed Hanzhong and camped two miles south of the city. The lights were bright in the middle of the night. Yan Jiuling stood on the city wall and looked far away. Gritting his teeth, he raised his whip and pointed in the distance: "I want none of you to be left behind!"

Early the next morning, Yan Jiuling came again to urge him to fight. Yan Xuting stood on the city wall and looked away, but the Qingcheng camp was quiet.He became suspicious and asked Wu Qiushan: "They won't fight or leave, and they don't build fortifications. Why are they in a daze?"

Wu Qiushan said: "Are you waiting for reinforcements?"

There was still no movement at noon, so Yan Xuting sent a spy to look. After a long time, the spy reported back and shouted loudly: "It's an empty camp! Everyone in Qingcheng has run away!"

Yan Xuting was taken aback and hurriedly led Wu Qiushan, Yan Jiuling and others to the Qingcheng tent camp. They saw numerous tents there. The bonfires and torches had long been burned out and there was no one in the camp.

Wu Qiushan said: "Did they retreat overnight? Could it be that Qingcheng is really going to block the rice warehouse road?"

Yan Xuting was furious, drew his sword and chopped down the tent, and asked, "How long have you been running?"

Wu Qiushan said: "Just one night, thirty miles at most."

Yan Jiuling said: "There are only 2000 people and there are no cavalry. Even if they are blocked, we will defeat them!"

Yan Xuting said: "Uncle, lead three thousand cavalry to catch up and intercept them before they reach Micang Road."

Wu Qiushan suspected and persuaded: "Are there really only these 2000 people in Qingcheng? If not, wouldn't there be ambushes to tempt us to divide our forces?"

However, Yan Xuting was worried that these 2000 people would really retreat to Qingcheng and block the grain road. If they rushed to Bazhong, met with the Bazhong defenders, and attacked from two sides, he was afraid that his eldest brother Yan Xuangcheng would not be able to resist, so he immediately said: "Go quickly! "

Yan Jiuling didn't get what he asked for, so he immediately returned to the city and ordered three thousand cavalry, and led Jiang Hao and several master generals to chase south.

Not long after Yan Jiuling left, at dusk, a message came from a disciple: "Another Qingcheng people are coming!"

Yan Xuting hurriedly climbed up the city wall and saw billowing smoke and dust in front of him. About a thousand riders were heading towards Hanzhong without flags.Yan Xuting was shocked, Wu Qiushan said: "Sure enough, there are still people!"

The thousand cavalry did not attack Hanzhong, but bypassed the city and chased in the direction of Yan Jiuling. Yan Xuting stamped his feet and cursed: "Oh no, they are going to attack the uncle's team!"

Further back, more than [-] cavalrymen led a team of more than [-] people toward Hanzhong.

Damn it!Yan Xuting asked: "How many horses do we have?"

"There are enough horses," Wu Qiushan replied, "but all the good riders were taken away by Governor Yan. We fell into a trap."

Yan Xuting shouted loudly: "Go out of the city to fight! Stop them, we have more people than them!"

Yan Xuting had no choice. If he could not hold out, Yan Jiuling's three thousand cavalry would be attacked twice and suffer heavy casualties. By then, the Hanzhong garrison would only have more than 7000 people left. They would have no advantage against the [-] opponents when they left the city to fight in the field.If there is no battle, Qingcheng will slowly retreat. When Chang'an sends people to help, it will be enough for the Qingcheng army to guard the Micang crossing and even relieve the danger in Bazhong.

If we can block these 5000 people while the opponent's troops are tired from afar, and wait for Yan Jiuling to chase and win the battle and rush back, we will have a great chance of defeating Qingcheng's army in one fell swoop.

"Open the east gate... no, open the south gate! Use the cavalry to stop them first!" Yan Xuting said, "Master Wu will lead the army, and Hall Master Zhang, Hall Master Xu, and Hall Master Ma will accompany them to fight!"

He knew the result of his defeat, but he was forced into a desperate situation by this unreasonable sneak attack. Unknowingly, he lost the advantages in his hands one by one. Yan Xuting didn't even know what kind of advantages he had mastered.

The south gate was wide open, Wu Qiushan led two thousand cavalry and rushed out, while Yan Xuting only left five hundred soldiers to defend the city.He stood on the city wall and looked out. He planned to use bows and arrows to cover the enemy, but the enemy was far away from the city wall and the arrows could not be shot.The infantry then left the city, and Yan Xuting ordered the city gate to be closed.

Two cavalry were seen charging first. The infantry on both sides were far away and could not cover their fire with bows and arrows. They could only use their horse bows to angle each other.The Qingcheng cavalry raised their shields to block arrows and occasionally fought back. There were casualties on both sides. Huashan had the advantage in numbers, so Yan Xuting was not worried.

When the two armies were about to touch each other, the Huashan cavalry suddenly split into two, like two long snakes meandering left and right, relying on their numerical advantage to surround the Qingcheng cavalry.The Qingcheng infantry is still about two miles away from the two armies, while the Huashan infantry is nearby. When the infantry catches up, it can be wiped out in one fell swoop.

As expected, with the sound of a horn, the Qingcheng cavalry suddenly split into two groups and moved to the right at the same time. One group bit the tail of Huashan's right cavalry, while the other group cut off the middle section of Huashan's right. The formation of Huashan's right was in chaos, and the front half was still there. Galloping, the rear half has been surrounded.Yan Xuting saw the Qingcheng leader rushing left and right, picking off several people with long spears. The Qingcheng cavalry was well-trained, and they surrounded and attacked in two or three. The small group of Huashan cavalry formed a chaotic formation and were quickly defeated.

Hold!Yan Xuting gritted his teeth, these villains in Qingcheng!

It didn't matter, the damage was not big. Although the rear formation was slightly chaotic, Wu Qiu Shan's number was twice as many as the opponent's, but the damage was only to two or three hundred riders.Moreover, the Huashan infantry were closer to the battlefield than the Qingcheng disciples, so Wu Qiushan's encirclement was still successful.

Wu Qiushan's intention was discovered by the opponent, and he ordered the cavalry to turn back and surround him.Another horn sounded, and the Qingcheng cavalry turned back and quickly joined together, wide in front and narrow in back, and formed a sharp arrow formation. This was to charge with all their strength, intending to break through Wu Qiushan's interception.

This time was the real confrontation. Yan Xuting could faintly hear the sound of fighting from a distance on the city wall.Yan Xuting saw smoke and dust rising in the distance, and he didn't know who had the upper hand in the chaos. Yan Xuting's heart was racing.

The Huashan infantry was only fifty feet away and was about to hand over, while the Qingcheng infantry was still about two hundred feet away.Dozens of cavalrymen broke out from the smoke and rushed toward Qingcheng, followed immediately by dozens more cavalrymen, and then more and more.

Got washed over?Yan Xuting was stunned.Not yet, Wu Qiushan was still biting the opponent's team, and the cavalry on both sides continued to struggle.

not good!Yan Xuting was condescending and could see clearly.Wu Qiushan's cavalry was lured to the direction of Qingcheng. Although it was only a few dozen feet away, Wu Qiushan did not notice it.

The disciples on both sides launched a charge at the same time. The roars of thousands of people were like thunder, which frightened those who heard it. The rain of arrows and weapons rolled into a cloud of dust, and the flags fluttered in the air.

A Huashan flag suddenly broke. Yan Xuting tightened his coat unconsciously, and was surprised to find that his whole body was soaked with cold sweat.

(End of this chapter)