Chapter 353: Waterway Attack
Chapter 353: Waterway Attack
Upon hearing that Gao Jiong had arrived, Yang Guang personally went out of the camp to greet him. Yang Guang knew that if he wanted to sit on the throne, he must gain the support of all officials, and Gao Jiong was the most prestigious minister in the court. It would undoubtedly be the most foolish thing for his elder brother to dismiss Gao Jiong from his post as prime minister, as he would lose the support of a large number of ministers.
"Your humble servant pays respect to His Royal Highness Prince Jin!"
"Prime Minister Gao, you are welcome. Please come into the tent and we will talk slowly!"
Gao Jiong smiled and said, "I am no longer the Prime Minister!"
Yang Guang smiled slightly, "I don't recognize Yun Dingxing as the prime minister. What virtue and ability does he have to hold such a high position?"
The two men walked into the big tent and sat down as host and guest. Yang Guang then asked the guards to serve tea.
Gao Jiong took out a thick memorial and said, "This is a joint signature of 213 officials of the imperial court, supporting Your Highness to ascend the throne."
Yang Guang hurriedly took it and took a closer look. It was initiated by his confidant, Vice Minister of Justice Yu Shiji, and Chief Censor Zhang Heng. The first to sign was Gao Jiong, followed by Su Wei, Dou Yan, Yang Xiong and Yang Da, then Shi Wansui, Xue Shixiong, Mai Tiezhang, Zhangsun Sheng and so on.
"How is my eldest brother doing now?" Yang Guang asked.
Gao Jiong shook his head. "Of course it can't be good. I heard that he locked himself up in the harem and indulged in sex and wine. He didn't see anyone, not even his son. It's so disappointing."
Yang Guang was silent for a moment and then said, "I hope to enter Chang'an peacefully. Who are the generals guarding the city now?"
Gao Jiong thought for a moment and said, "Originally, Chang'an only had 150,000 troops, including 20,000 Wuhou Guards and 2,000 Qianniu Guards. Only 110,000 troops were actually capable of fighting. Later, 50,000 new soldiers were recruited. It is said that they were directly deployed for defense without any training. The 160,000 troops were respectively commanded by Yuanshou, Xue Shixiong, Shi Wansui and Yun Dingxing. Yuanshou was in charge of the South City, Yun Dingxing was in charge of the North, Xue Shixiong was in charge of the East City, and Shi Wansui was in charge of the West City. However, there were military supervisors in each of the four armies. They were eunuchs trusted by the emperor. They held the Shangfang Emperor's seal and could directly kill generals. They were intimidated by the imperial power. Although Shi Wansui and Xue Shixiong signed the memorial, they still did not dare to act rashly. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Yang Guang said calmly: "Of course I won't blame them, but then again, if it was me who broke through the city, then there would be no point in them signing this!"
"Indeed, but it requires an opportunity. Your Highness, please wait patiently."
Yang Guang nodded, "I will wait patiently!"
Gao Jiong left and still took the boat back to the city, but this time the two boatmen rowing the boat were the men sent by Xiao Xia.
As night fell, the two boatmen came back. Xiao Xia thought they had returned from diving, but he didn't expect them to be rowing back. He quickly asked, "Did the garrison give you any trouble?"
"Reporting to the general manager, the guards stopped us and said that we were not allowed to leave the city at will. We said we were the boatmen sending Prime Minister Gao, and their General Xue let us out directly."
"Didn't General Xue interrogate you in detail?" Xiao Xia asked again.
A boatman laughed and said, "General Xue asked us where we were from. We said we were from Liang County. General Xue laughed and waved us off."
This was a very clear hint. Xue Wanche was telling himself that people from Liang County could come and go freely.
Xiao Xia immediately ordered, "Order the entire army to board the ship!"
They had just over 500 grain transport ships, each carrying 20 soldiers, which meant more than 10,000 people, and Xiao Xia led the team personally.
Ten thousand soldiers boarded the ship, each soldier holding a short spear and a large shield, and were not afraid of the arrows from both sides. Leading the way was a 3,000-stone chariot ship, with forty soldiers stepping on the pedals inside the ship to drive the eight wing wheels outside. The lead ship towed five hundred troop transport ships slowly.
At two o'clock in the morning, the fleet gradually approached Quchifang. The defenders had already heard the rumbling noise of the vehicles and boats, and immediately ran to report to the commander Xue Wanche.
Xue Wanche led an army of 5,000 to defend against the enemy's attack by water. He had already known during the day that his opponent was Xiao Xia.
Xue Wanche observed for a long time, and immediately ordered: "Pass my order, the entire army evacuates Qujiangfang!"
A general nearby said in astonishment: "General Xue, isn't this just letting them in?" Xue Wanche turned around, grabbed him by the collar, pulled out a dagger and put it against his neck, saying viciously: "I think you don't want to live anymore!"
The general finally reacted and said quickly: "I am slow to react, please spare my life, General!"
Xue Wanche pushed him away fiercely and said, "Go and notify the entire army to retreat immediately!"
Five thousand troops evacuated Quchifang under the leadership of Xue Wanche. He led his troops to the vicinity of the city gate and ordered the troops to rest on the spot. He led five hundred soldiers to surround a courtyard, which was the residence of the military supervisor Cheng Zhaoli.
Xue Wanche kicked the door open and rushed in. Without waiting for the military supervisor Cheng Zhaoli to stand up, Xue Wanche chopped off his head with a knife and snatched the Shangfang Emperor's Sword.
All of Cheng Zhaoli's forty men were killed, leaving no one alive.
Xue Wanche rushed towards the city gate carrying Cheng Zhaoli's head. When Xue Shixiong got the news, he hurried down from the top of the city wall and met his son.
"what happened?"
Xue Wanche said calmly: "Father, Xiao Xia's army has entered Quchifang, and I have killed Cheng Zhaoli!"
Xue Shixiong's eyes widened, "Why don't you discuss this with your father?"
"Father, what is there to discuss? Are you still planning to fight to the death to resist Prince Jin's entry into the city? Do you want to fight to the death with Xiao Xia?"
Xue Shixiong nodded. "I have signed the letter of allegiance. Of course I won't do such a thing. But hey! Forget it. Where is the Imperial Sword?"
Xue Wanche handed the Shangfang Emperor's Sword to his father. Xue Shixiong took the Shangfang Emperor's Sword and said, "Pass on the Emperor's order. All soldiers return to the barracks to rest. Those who refuse to obey will be executed!"
In fact, the generals all knew what was going on. At this time, no one wanted to work for Emperor Yang Yong, so they all took their soldiers back to the barracks. Soon, all 20,000 soldiers on duty returned to the barracks, and only Xue Shixiong and his son were left at the city gate.
Xiao Xia's fleet had already entered Quchifang. He was wearing heavy armor, holding a shield in one hand and a long-handled sword in the other. He stared fiercely at the two banks, but no soldier could be seen on either side.
Luo Shixin whispered to Xiao Xia: "Manager, it seems that no one is here!"
Xiao Xia nodded. As he expected, Xue Wanjun let him enter the city.
"You lead a thousand soldiers to the left bank. Be careful and don't be careless!"
"Follow the order!"
Xiao Xia immediately ordered the ship to stop at the shore, and Luo Shixin led a thousand soldiers to jump ashore and rush into the town.
Everyone held up their shields and stood ready for battle, fearing that the enemy would suddenly emerge from the darkness.
Not long after, Luo Shixin returned with his soldiers and reported: "General Manager, there are indeed no enemy troops in the town!"
Xiao Xia nodded, "Everyone get off the boat!"
Xiao Xia led 10,000 troops to disembark. The army marched rapidly along the avenue and soon arrived at Xinchangfang. There was a Yanxing Gate here with no guards. At Xiao Xia's command, the soldiers opened the Yanxing Gate and the 20,000 troops waiting outside the city rushed in.
Xiao Xia led the army further north, passed through the metropolitan city, and arrived at Chunming Gate, where Xiao Xia met Xue Shixiong and his son.
(End of this chapter)