Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 61
The bad Xiang Kang who burned the city gate has been holding back for more than a day or two. Even before he made up his mind to become Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, Xiang Kang had already simulated and deduced the tactics of attacking Xiaxiang County, and soon discovered Xiaxiang. The city gate of the county seat is the weakest link in Xiaxiang City's defense, and it is also the most ideal breakthrough point to attack Xiaxiang County City - limited by the backward smelting technology at the end of the Bronze Age, the city gates of this era are not covered with iron sheets like the city gates of later generations , and use city gate nails to nail the iron sheet tightly to the door, which is fireproof and anti-collision. The city gates of this era are made of solid wood nails, which are not resistant to collisions, but also afraid of fire attack.

Of course, if there were enough defenders in the city, complete defense equipment, and sufficient defense supplies, Xiang Kang's desire to burn the city gate with a few bundles of firewood drenched in grease was undoubtedly a dream.However, the military system of prefectures and counties in the Qin Dynasty helped Xiang Kang a lot. The military system of prefectures and counties in this era was composed of county troops from all counties in the county, and county temples were military administrative institutions integrating military and administration. The assembly, mobilization and dispatch are all in charge of the county magistrate. Without the seal of the county magistrate to issue official documents, even the county magistrate has no way to assemble and form the county army to suppress the rebellion. He only temporarily recruits some people in the city to participate in the defense of the city.

In addition, Xiang Kang's actions were too sudden and quick, and he launched an attack at Shiling Pavilion at noon, and led his troops to Xiaxiang City in the evening. The method is to arrange tight defenses and prepare enough defense equipment and materials to take comprehensive precautions.Xiang Kang also expected this, so he dared to attack the county with more than [-] people in the district, and also dared to attack the city with the tactic of burning the city gates, which is not easy to grasp in normal times. Seriously underprepared.

In addition, Xiang Kang's strategy of "striking east and attacking west" also played a major role during this period. Being attracted by the sound of drums and gongs, all the officials in Xiaxiang City not only focused all their attention on Xiaxiangbei At the same time, the other three sects of the prime minister also seriously took it lightly, and decided that Xiang Kangjun's main attack point was at the north gate, so he could take a nap and sleep with confidence. .So when Xiang Kang quietly led the main force of the rebel army back to Xiaxiang East Gate, the defenders of the East Gate not only didn't notice it at all, but most of them were leaning against the city wall and sleeping soundly, not knowing that the danger was approaching.

Xiang Kang knew very well that he only had one chance. In order to ensure that he could win once, after sending Xiang Guan to lead fifty soldiers to burn the gate with salary, Xiang Kang also went to the front line to personally announce the reward, promising that as long as he could burn the city gate In Xiang Guan's death squad, each person can get a heavy reward of hardware, and those who died in battle will be doubled to his family, which encourages the morale of the death squad, and then waved an order to let the death squad move firewood forward.

The dark night helped Xiang Kang's death squad a lot, and the defenders were seriously inexperienced, and they didn't fill the Jue Caves on the city wall with oil and light them in time, so the defenders on the city wall couldn't see the dark place below the city Condition.In the end, when most of Xiang Kang’s death squads had crossed the city wall and began to pile up firewood at the city gate, only a few defenders on the city wall noticed something was wrong. Unfortunately, this soldier was seriously inexperienced and did not immediately beat the drums and shout out the alarm. On the contrary, he woke up the soldier next to him and asked, "Brother, you have good eyesight. Let's see what's going on down there. Why do I hear something coming from down here?"

The companion yawned and poked his head out of the city wall, and tried to look around for a long time before the companion howled like a butchered pig: "There is someone! Someone is under the city! Beat the drum! Beat the drum! The thieves are coming, the thieves are coming!" The east gate is open!"

The alarm drum finally sounded, but it was too late, most of the fagots had already been piled up at the gate of the city. Hearing the sound of the drum on the city, Xiang Guan, the leader of the team, did not hesitate, and immediately lit the firewood he brought with him with fire. Inflammables, lit two bundles of firewood sprinkled with rosin, and threw them on the woodpile to set fire.At the same time, the members of the death squad brought by Xiang Guan were also very competitive. When stones might fall on their heads at any time, they even took off their clothes and fanned the wind to support the combustion. Over the greased pyre, the fire grew rapidly.

It was at this time that the defenders on the city wall hurriedly smashed down stones, hitting a few members of the death squad of Xiang Kang's army like a blind cat hitting a mouse. Xiang Guan hurriedly led the death squad back across the moat, and the city wall was sparse He shot down a few crossbow arrows, but it was a drop in the bucket, and he couldn't seriously damage Xiang Kang's death squad that had basically completed its mission.At the same time, with the help of Night Breeze, the pyre piled up by Xiang Kang's death squad was already on fire, and it could be seen for miles.

There were constant shouts and exclamations on the city wall, and some water was splashed from the city wall, but the amount of water was obviously insufficient and not continuous enough. It was obvious that the defenders on the city were not prepared to prevent the fire attack.Xiang Kang, who was far away from the fire, had a resolute face, and he told Xiang Zhuang next to him without hesitation: "Brother Xiang Zhuang, take your centurion, bring a piece of wood, and get ready to charge. As soon as the war drums sound here, I will immediately charge into the city, and it is up to you whether you can take down Xiaxiang City in one fell swoop."

Xiang Zhuang agreed, but when he was about to go down to prepare, Feng Zhong jumped out and said to Xiang Kang, "Brother, please let me and Brother Xiang Zhuang go to the front."

Knowing that Feng Zhong wanted to take the opportunity to show his loyalty, Xiang Kang, who was in a hurry to cultivate his cronies, nodded without hesitation, and asked Feng Zhong to join Xiang Zhuang's commando temporarily.Immediately afterwards, Xiang Kang arranged for Xiang Sheng to lead his centurion as the second siege team, and let Xiang Han and Xiang You each lead a centurion that was incorporated in Santai Pavilion as the third siege team. The drums charged.Finally, Xiang Kang issued another order: "Order the whole army. After entering the city, they are not allowed to take advantage of the disorder to rob, rape prostitutes, kill innocent people indiscriminately, and those who disobey the order will be beheaded! In addition, after the city is broken, half of the county treasury The money and rations are owned by all the soldiers in the army, and they will be distributed according to meritorious service!"

As soon as the order was issued, the officers and men of Xiang Kang's army, who were coveting rewards, were gearing up one after another, wishing that they could enter the city to make meritorious service and receive rewards.Xiang Kang still had a resolute expression, staring at the burning pyre almost motionless, quite calm and calm as the mountain collapsed in front of him.However, in Xiang Kang's heart, he was so nervous that his heart was already in his throat, because Xiang Kang knew too well how to crack his siege tactics - he didn't need to work hard to put out the fire on the city, he only needed to light fire inside the city gate. A big fire is enough to make my hard work go to waste, and it also makes me no longer have any chance and hope to win Xiaxiang City.

Fortunately, the practice of setting fire to the city gates and cutting off the roads is not uncommon in later wars and some critical moments, but there is no precedent in the end of Qin Dynasty. In addition, there is no such thing as Yang Zhiji in the upper and lower defenders who is good at adapting to changes. wise men exist.Therefore, the defenders on the city only know how to carry water in a mess to put out the fire in the city. Reinforcements came in a hurry, but they also didn't think of how to break Xiang Kang's tactics of attacking the city with fire.The pile of firewood piled up under the city took advantage of the opportunity to burn more and more vigorously, and soon the upper and lower walls of the city at the east gate of Xiaxiang were ablaze, and the city gate made of solid wood also quickly smoked and caught fire, gradually turning red and scorched.

It was only at this time that Xiang Kang realized that he had kept all the secrets and forgot to calculate the amount of firewood needed to burn the city gate and the burning time. The city gate had already burst into flames, but the excessive pile of firewood was still raging At the same time, there are more and more torches and defenders on the city, and it is possible to think of a way to block the city gate at any time.But fortunately, when Xiang Kang was crying secretly, the recent continuous autumn rain suddenly came to help, the rain suddenly became heavier, and quickly suppressed the fire in the east gate of Xiaxiang, and the enemies in the city But he didn't even think that this was actually helping Xiang Kang. On the contrary, he cheered that he was working hard to carry water to the city, desperately pouring water to put out the fire, and helping Xiang Kang's army clear the way for troops to enter.

In addition, there is another important point. The sudden heavy rain also helped Xiang Kangjun a bigger favor, that is, it wetted the bowstrings of crossbows and arrows in the hands of the Xiangxiang defenders, and the bowstrings made of animal tendons became wet when they met water. Soft, not only the power is greatly reduced, but also in danger of being broken at any time, which makes the Qin crossbow, the main weapon of the Qin army, unable to play its role.Therefore, the louder the cheers of the defenders on the city, the happier and more excited Xiang Kang, who knew this well, couldn't help but say, "God help me."

Finally, with the double help of the rain and the water splashed by the defenders on the city, the fire outside the east gate of Xiaxiang quickly diminished, and it was no longer as inaccessible as before. Xiang Kang saw the opportunity without hesitation, and decisively ordered the drums to be sounded Xiang Kangjun's striker led by Xiang Zhuang and Feng Zhong also immediately charged with a pole, "Kill!"

Affected by the rain, the crossbow arrows were weak and outrageously deflected, and hardly had any effect on blocking the enemy. Xiang Kangjun's forward shouted and rushed directly across the moat, facing the messy stones dropped on the city, five or six A soldier of Xiang Kang's army carried the wood, stepped on the pile of firewood that had not been completely extinguished, and directly bumped into the dark city gate without hesitation. With only one hit, the city gate was knocked open a big hole, Xiang Kangjun The soldiers cheered like thunder, and they carried the lumber and bumped into each other one after another, almost effortlessly knocking out a big hole in the city gate that several people could enter and exit. Feng Zhong took the lead in shouting, and rushed directly After entering, Xiang Zhuang followed closely behind, and the forward soldiers of Xiang Kang's army followed closely, and directly expanded the entrance of the cave several times with their bodies.

The fierce battle unfolded in the narrow corridor of the city gate. More than a dozen low-ranking officers and more than 200 militiamen temporarily recruited fought stubbornly in the corridor of the city gate, trying in vain to drive Xiang Kang's army out of the city again.But it is a pity that the militiamen temporarily recruited have no morale and fighting spirit, and they dare not go forward to fight desperately. They only dare to hide behind and yell and cheer. The officials in Xiang County, relying on the advantages of the terrain, once temporarily blocked Xiang Kang's forward attack.

"Kill! Kill in!"

The reason why Xiang Kang appointed Xiang Zhuang as the leader of the siege vanguard was nothing more than that Xiang Zhuang was a top-notch fighter among the descendants of Xiang's family, and when it came to the critical moment, Xiang Kang's decision of knowing people and being good at tasks also played a decisive role. role.Knowing that the time is urgent, and also knowing that if the battle is unfavorable, the mob that the old Xiang family just pulled together may collapse at any time, so during the fierce battle in the city gate corridor, Xiang Zhuang forced himself to become a downhill tiger. The excellent Shilingting steel knife slashed and stabbed repeatedly, and with red eyes, he just kept greeting the enemy, slashing and stabbing the enemy even if he was injured, and quickly killed three Xiaxiangxians in a successful fierce battle official errand.

At the same time, Feng Zhong next to Xiang Zhuang also gave up all his strength, and danced his sword vigorously. He also quickly killed and injured a low-ranking officer, which boosted the morale of Xiang Kang's army behind him. With red eyes, he rushed forward desperately.But those low-ranking officials who were stubbornly resisting were frightened and kept retreating to avoid the sharp edge of Xiang Kangjun. Several officials turned their heads and shouted at the militia recruited temporarily behind, "Come up and help, come up and help!" !"

No one dared to really step forward to help, only symbolic shouting and cheering, and some people stepped forward and then retreated immediately, and as more officials were chopped down by Xiang Kang's soldiers, they couldn't stand it. When the officials were forced to flee for their lives, the temporarily recruited militiamen fled all over the street in a blink of an eye. Not only did their desperate cries shake the hearts of the soldiers and the people in the city, but they also blocked other roads to rescue soldiers, creating a massacre in the city. There was more confusion.

After the chickens were pecking at each other, after the city gate corridor was breached, Xiang Zhuang and Feng Zhong, who had no battlefield experience, never thought of guarding the road and covering the follow-up troops entering the city to fight.But fortunately, the enemies who hurriedly came from all over the city for reinforcements were also rookies, and they didn't expect to block the road and close the door to beat the dogs. They just chased Xiang Zhuang and others in a daze.At the same time, Xiang Kang, who was born to eat this bowl of rice outside the city, seized the opportunity and had already sounded the second round of marching drums first, allowing Xiang Sheng to lead the second siege team to rush to the city gate, and successfully preempted the enemy in the city from making the right move. Before reacting, he rushed into the city. Xiang Kang didn't hesitate when he saw it, and immediately rang the drum for the third round. The two centurions of Xiang Kang's army shouted forward, and also rushed directly to the city gate.

The battle in the city is now in full swing. Although Xiaxiang County Prime Minister, Gong Youwei and others have temporarily recruited 700 militiamen in the city, the strength of the troops, especially the partial strength, is obvious, but still the same sentence, no military spirit and no morale There is actually no difference between a more imperfectly organized army and a group of sheep, and although Xiang Kang's army is also a group of mobs, led by the wolves of the Xiang family's children, Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Sheng, and Xiang Han, the mob still treats them well. The herd forms a crushing advantage.

Amidst the shouts, the four centurions of Xiang Kang's army that entered the city one after another were like four hungry wolves, rushing left and right in the sheepfold of Xiaxiang County, like entering no man's land.The chaotic low-level militiamen were like a group of lambs waiting to be slaughtered. They were chased by Xiang Kangjun and fled here and there, jumping up and down, crying and fleeing for their lives. Constantly kneeling and surrendering when cornered.Although the core backbone of the Xiaxiang garrison is still competent, most of them can muster up the courage to resist the charge of Xiang Kangjun, but the Xiaxiangguan has too few manpower, there are only more than 100 people in total, and they are distributed in various city gates and villages. Every vital point in the city, no matter how much a dozen or so people struggled to death, they still could not withstand the collective charge of Xiang Kang's [-]-man team, and were quickly defeated by Xiang Kang's soldiers one by one, and more than half of them were killed or injured.

At this time, seeing that the overall situation in the city has been decided, Xiang Kang has also entered the city from the east gate with the rest of the army and joined the battlefield in the city. He also very rationally chose to attack the east gate tower first, wanting to take the highest point of the east gate , and planted the banner of the Chu army to let all the armies in the city know their positions, so that they can command the overall situation.After doing this, Xiang Kang sent Xiang Guan to lead his [-]-man team to attack the county temple, expressly prohibiting setting fire to the official temple, and clearly explaining that the lower ministers were allowed to put down their weapons and surrender.

The reason why Xiang Kang allowed the officials of Xiaxiang to put down their weapons and surrender was because Xiang Kang knew very well that the civil and military officials in Xiaxiang County were relatively clean, and all kinds of perverse actions were forced by Qin II, and the crime was not worthy of death. Kang decided to give them a chance, and also wanted to reserve some official talents for his future.However, it is a pity that when Xiang Guan led his centurion to attack Xiangguan Temple, not only did the surrender not have any effect, but he encountered unprecedented fierce resistance, and he couldn't rush in after fighting for a long time.Xiang Kang had no choice but to send someone to contact Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Sheng and other generals, and ask them to lead their [-]-man team to help Xiang Guan.

After all, the fortifications of the Guansi were far less solid than the city walls. As Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Sheng joined the battlefield, the Guansi was finally broken by Xiang Kang's soldiers. Most of the officials who resisted were killed, only about [-] people. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Gong Youyi, he put down his weapons and surrendered. The rest of the officials either escaped from the city first or chose to surrender to Xiang Kangjun. Biggest sacrifice.

When the news of the capture of the county temple and the suicide of the county magistrate reached Xiang Kang, it was already dusk. When he received the news, Xiang Kang, who actually had a good impression of the county magistrate, could not help but sigh, but there was nothing he could do.Reminded by this incident at the same time, Xiang Kang also thought of sending someone to take County Magistrate Zhou in front of him. He first untied County Magistrate Zhou with his own hands, and then cupped his hands and said to County Magistrate Zhou: "Your Majesty, junior!" Offended, forced to act like this, please don't blame the county magistrate."

"My lord, I have said that the seal of Xiaxiang county magistrate is in your hands, and the county seat of Xiaxiang county has also fallen into your hands. Now you are the magistrate of Xiaxiang county." County magistrate Zhou moved his numb hands and feet. He replied with a wry smile, and asked again: "Dare to ask Mr. Xiang, what do you plan to do with me next? Behead? Or crack the car?"

"Juniors don't dare." Xiang Kang replied respectfully, and said from the bottom of his heart: "Master, let alone your kindness to me, just because you are an honest and upright official, this junior will never dare to have the slightest bit." The heart of harm."

"How does the young master plan to deal with me?" County Magistrate Zhou asked again.

"The younger generation would like to invite you, senior, to join the army of the Chu State, and join hands with me to restore the Great Chu, overthrow the tyrant Qin, and return the world to a peaceful and prosperous world where people live and work in peace and contentment." Xiang Kang said sincerely: "Senior, you are not only honest and self-disciplined, but also love the people like a son. He is also erudite and knowledgeable, and is familiar with civil affairs codes. He is the talent in internal affairs that the younger generation urgently needs. Therefore, the younger generation has the courage to ask the older generation to raise the flag of righteousness together and achieve great things. In the future, the younger generation will definitely be rewarded with a high-ranking official. Let the seniors be wronged to work in a small county."

"What if I don't agree?" Magistrate Zhou asked calmly.

"Then the junior will give you a carriage, let the senior take your family and leave on your own, in order to repay the kindness you have shown the junior." Xiang Kang replied without thinking.

"Young master is so magnanimous?" County Magistrate Zhou asked in surprise.

"It's not about generosity, it's just about repaying kindness. If we meet on the battlefield in the future, this junior will never show mercy." Xiang Kang replied very frankly, and then said: "But senior, forgive me for speaking bluntly. The big thing is that you are the county magistrate, even if this junior can spare you this time, I am afraid that the Tyrant Qin court will not be able to spare you, and I don't think this junior should remind you of how harsh the Tyrant Qin court is on criminal officials."

Indeed, there is no need for Xiang Kang to remind him. County magistrate Zhou already knew that even if he escaped by chance this time and returned to the area under the control of the Qin army, he would definitely end up with no good end. His wife and children will also be punished as prisoners, and they will have to work as coolies on the Lishan construction site for the rest of their lives.So after hesitating for a long time, County Magistrate Zhou still made a correct decision, and said calmly: "Young master is right, I will indeed die even worse when I go back. The left and right are dead. Since the young master loves you wrongly, then I will die." You have the audacity to accept Young Master’s offer to surrender, and from now on, I will try my best to assist Young Master in accomplishing great things, and help Young Master accomplish his great cause of restoring Chu.”

"Thank you, senior." Xiang Kang thanked him with great joy, and said impatiently: "Senior, I think the titles like senior and young master before us are too original, how about this, from now on I will call you Uncle Ya, and you just call What about my name?"

"I don't dare to be ashamed." County Magistrate Zhou was hurried and modest, but Xiang Kang insisted on not allowing it, and even called each of his uncles affectionate. County Magistrate Zhou had no choice but to acquiesce in the relationship with Xiang Kang's uncle and nephew, and it was solid. was tied to Xiang Kang's chariot.However, County Magistrate Zhou still refused to change his name to Xiang Kang, and still addressed him as a son, and asked, "Mr. Xiang, what are your plans next?"

"Fight against the first wave of counterattack by the violent Qin court first." Xiang Kang replied very frankly, saying: "No accident, the surrounding counties will soon send troops to counterattack the prime minister, I have to get rid of them all first." Retreat, and then I can consider the next step. Also, before that, I have to basically solve the internal problems in Xiaxiang City and relieve my worries, so that I can free up my hands to deal with the Tyrant Qin court's counterattack. Therefore, in In these respects, Uncle Ya, you need to help me."

　Many friends may not have noticed that the work is related. Pure Wolf is because both his daughter-in-law and daughter are sick and are on transfusions, and his son needs to be taken care of when he is still young. Pure Wolf has to take care of three people alone, so there is no way to update on time at [-] o'clock in the morning. .In addition, in the future, it will be updated at the time of six or seven in the afternoon. Please understand, pure wolf is really busy and collapsed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)