Renzhong's retreat route was from Gyeongju to Huanzhou, along the Baima River, and out of Qinggang Gorge into Xixia territory. // //This road is also the official road for the exchange of letters and letters between Xixia and the Northern Song Dynasty. It is called the Guoxin Post Road.
When they were in Qingzhou, there was nothing unusual about the soldiers and horses along the way, but after entering Huanzhou, the food and grass of Renzhong's army was cut off.
The grain and grass along the Renzhong Road were also transferred from Xixia. Although there was some grain and grass on the Huanqing Road, it was not enough to support an army of 200,000. Even if Xue Sichang wanted to curry favor with Renzhong, he could not do anything about the food and grass issue. Unless Xue Sichang wantonly plundered the people's food and grass to supply Renzhong's army, neither Renzhong nor Xue Sichang would do such a depleted fishery, so the food and grass for Renzhong's army was still transferred from Xixia.
What's worse is that Renzhong did not replace the garrison of the forts along the way. Although Xixia did not agree to give Huanqing Road to Xue Sichang as a fiefdom, if they immediately usurped Xue Sichang's rights as soon as Xue Sichang surrendered, the Han people behind would be unwilling to do so. Surrender to them.
Of course, this was because Renzhong felt that the situation was settled and Xue Sichang did not dare to cut off his retreat. Even if Xue Sichang really dared to trick him, he could still march westward to join the other two armies.
"What Renzhong didn't expect was that the armies of Cha Ge and Li Qianshun were quickly defeated. His army actually became a lone division and went deep, which made Xue Sichang dissatisfied.
The worst part is that the mountains are steep and the transportation of food and grass is very slow. In order to encircle Zhong Jiajun and Daliang soldiers and horses as soon as possible, as soon as Chao Yong led the army into Weizhou, Renzhong led the army to march straight in, but there was not much food and grass escorted by the army.
When they arrived at Huanzhou City, Renzhong's army only had two days of food and grass left. The distance from Huanzhou to the Hengshan border was less than 200 miles, but there were many forts to intercept them along the way.
However, Xue Sichang had already rushed from Qingzhou to Huanzhou with his confidants ahead of Renzhong's army.
When the banner of Daliang was raised in Huanzhou, Renzhong also knew that Xue Sichang had switched to Daliang.
Looking at the dark Xixia army under the city. All the soldiers on the city had pale faces. There are 200,000 troops outside the city, but there are only 10,000 troops in Huanzhou City.
Di Kun, the regiment commander of Huanzhou, worried: "If Renzhong insists on attacking Huanzhou, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to defend it."
Xue Sichang smiled and said: "I have calculated the food and fodder for Renzhong's army, and the remaining food and fodder for his army is only three days at most. Do you think he dares to attack the city?"
Di Kun thought for a while and said with a smile: "So, Renzhong will definitely not be able to capture Huanzhou in three days. I just don't know what he is going to do when he sets up camp under the city?"
Xue Sichang pointed at the Yiqifan people who were running towards the city, and said with a smile: "They probably want to recruit me and others to surrender."
Di Kun said with a smile: "As your Excellency has analyzed, the general trend of Xixia is over, and Daliang will dominate the world sooner or later. With the bravery of the Daliang prince and the power of the thunder cannon, Xixia will perish sooner or later. If we follow Xixia, we will be destroying ourselves."
While he was talking, the people at the bottom of the city had already run to the bottom of the city and shouted: "Please answer King Huanqing."
King Huanqing is the title given to Xue Sichang by Xixia.
Xue Sichang shouted: "Now that I am a member of Daliang, don't say anything about King Huanqing. If you want to submit to Daliang, I can apply to the court for you, otherwise please come back."
The people below the city saw that Xue Sichang was on the city. They rode their horses and walked to the bottom of the city. They looked up at Xue Sichang and said: "Xue Gong must also know that the prince of Liang hates traitors. Even if you block my army, the prince of Liang will definitely not do it." Let you go, only I, Xixia, can protect you in this world."
Xue Sichang smiled and said: "The prince can make up his own mind about the merits and demerits. If I hadn't let you in, how would I have had the chance to surround you? My sins have been forgiven by the prince, so I won't bother you."
When the people under the city heard about the siege, they couldn't help but change their colors. But he immediately smiled and said: "I have 200,000 soldiers and horses in Daxia here. Who has the ability to encircle our army? The Prince of Liang has entered the hinterland of our country, how can you get his understanding. Nowadays, who doesn't know the strength of the Prince of Liang? I¡¯m afraid that what people promise may not count, right?¡±
Xue Sichang heard this. His face couldn't help but change. This was also what he was worried about. He got the news of Li Qianshun's execution one day later than Renzhong. It's just that Renzhong's army marched slower. That's why he was allowed to run from Qingzhou to Huanzhou first.
He sent someone to contact Zhongshi Dao and wanted to see the prince through Zhongshi Dao, but the prince had already sent troops to attack Xixia. In the end, Zhong Shidao, Lu Junyi, and Wu Song jointly provided security, promising to absolve him of his guilt and let him intercept Renzhong's army. For Daliang to be able to achieve its current situation in the northwest, the first contribution was to promote the cultivation of masters. Therefore, Daliang was granted the title of Northwest Duke of the cultivation of masters, which was the highest title a person with a different surname could achieve. Lu Junyi, Wu Song and others are old men from Liangshan. Although they have not yet been knighted, they all hold military power, which shows the prince's trust in them. Therefore, Xue Sichang agreed to intercept Renzhong's army. Although Huanzhou could not stop Renzhong's army, the fortress in the north could not stop Renzhong's army.But it can block the path of Renzhong's army.
Xue Sichang just wanted a chance to survive, so naturally he would not personally lead his troops to stop Renzhong's army. Although those forts were built in dangerous terrain, they were to defend Xixia from moving south. If Xixia attacked from the north, the terrain of those forts would not be so dangerous. What's more, they have to face an army of 200,000, and the fall of the fortress is only a matter of time. Therefore, Xue Sichang gave the task of guarding those forts to military commanders who were not afraid of death. They were also the military commanders he focused on suppressing when he surrendered to Xixia.
The people under the city were also smart people sent by Renzhong. Seeing Xue Sichang's change of expression, they said again: "King Pu doesn't want you to leave the city, as long as you open a road for the fortress in front to let the army pass. King Pu ignored the blame and even We can give you Huanqing Road as a fiefdom. If Daliang attacks Huanqing Road, our country will also send troops to respond. "
After hearing Fan Ren's words, Xue Sichang made up his mind and said with a smile: "Xixia itself cannot be protected. Prince Daliang has already invaded Xixia. Can you still save Huanqing Road? You don't need to say more, I You are already a member of Daliang, and the fortresses along the way to the north are full of capable generals from the Western Army. If you want to return to Xixia, you have no choice but to fight there. However, I am afraid that your army does not have much food and grass. In my opinion, it is better for you to surrender to Daliang. The prince has invaded Xixia, and there are firearms to destroy the city. The destruction of Xixia is just around the corner. You might as well think of a way out early. If Renzhong can lead these soldiers and horses to submit, Daliang will also need him to be a high-ranking official, otherwise he may follow Li Qianshunhe's example. Brother Cha has followed suit.¡±
The people thought that Xue Sichang might be there, so they had no choice but to ride away.
Renzhong heard the report from his subordinates, thought about it, and immediately divided his troops to plunder food.
Xue Sichang looked at Renzhong dividing his troops and said with a smile: "Renzhong was defeated."
Di Kun said: "Why do you say this, sir?"
"If he works hard, he might be able to fight back. Once he stops, there is no hope. Although we did not have time to strengthen the wall and clear the country, most of the people had already fled during the Xixia invasion. I am afraid that the food he grabbed is not as good as the food consumed under the city. If the food and grass are cut off, the army will inevitably collapse."