Chapter Fifty-Three: Difficult Defense

  Thanks for the reward from Xiaoyu Chenfeng book friend!

  Lema Li stood on the mountain head about 500 steps away from Tongguan City, expressionless, looking at the brutal battlefield not far away, his heart filled with helplessness. This city, the entire Tongguan City's vanguard castle, he had led the army to attack at least several dozen times, but each time was defeated under the city, except for paying countless soldiers' sacrifices, there was no gain.

  It is likely that today will be no different, with thousands of soldiers wounded in vain.

  He felt a deep-seated fear for the majestic and magnificent city in front of him, although it was old and worn out.

  Originally, it was thought that taking advantage of the Tang army's defeat at Lingbao and the collapse of morale, all the passes at Tongguan could be captured and the gates to Chang'an opened, but unexpectedly, they still had to gnaw on a hard bone.

  After the victory of Lingbao, they were very optimistic and thought that if they led their army to the front of Tongguan City, the Tang army would either be unable to resist or surrender. They could easily occupy Tongguan City, and some generals even thought that after occupying Tongguan City, they would slaughter the captured Tang army, killing them all to vent their frustration at being unable to capture Tongguan City for several months.

  But unexpectedly, they encountered such strong and resolute resistance when they arrived at Tongguan City. During their advance, the Tang army even dared to ambush them halfway, catching them off guard and resulting in losses of several thousand men and horses.

  At this time, Cui Qianyou was already very regretful and should have pushed forward regardless of everything in the morning to attack the city under Hantanguan as soon as possible.

  He believed that if they had arrived at the foot of Hantang Pass in the morning, it was possible that this dilapidated city in front of them would have been taken down by them, their troops had already arrived at the foot of Suizhou Pass, and even started attacking Suizhou Pass.

  However, he also knew that the Tang army on top of Hantang Pass was already at its last gasp. As long as he led his troops to continuously attack, they would eventually be able to take down Hantang Pass. It all depended on whether today's final blow would work! But he also knew that even if they took down Hantang Pass, it wouldn't be considered a success. There were still more difficult passes like Suotang Pass waiting for them in the back. Taking down Hantang Pass was just one step towards success.

  If the city of Hantong Pass is not taken, it will be impossible to station troops under the city of Tongguan. Taking Hantong Pass would also deal a further blow to the morale of the Tang army at Tongguan, and it's possible that when they attack Tongguan, the defenders on the city walls will quickly collapse.

  After occupying the dilapidated city in front of us, we can even launch a night attack on Suizhou City. Who knows, someone might open the gate and surrender!

  Although the terrain of Guanzhong is more dangerous, there are still many flat areas outside the Forbidden Trench where troops can be stationed. They can march to the city overnight and even if they cannot attack, they can camp outside the Forbidden Trench and adopt a strategy of attrition against the Tang army.

  In front of this city, we will also adopt a strategy of exhaustion, so that the Tang army cannot rest. It is possible to capture the city tonight. Cui Qianyou's face was cold, and he continuously conveyed orders, asking soldiers to attack at all costs, without stopping even when night fell.

  However, just as the soldiers under his command continued to attack the east and south gates of Hantangguan City like a tide, suddenly many bundles of dry grass were thrown down from the city head, and when the dry grass fell, a lot of hot oil was also poured down.

  Many soldiers were buried under the hay at the bottom of the city, and many soldiers were scalded by hot oil, even to death. The terrifying scene continued, with countless fire arrows shooting down from the top of the city, quickly igniting the hay that had been doused in hot oil!

  The fire, fanned by the wind, spread quickly and burned fiercely. The rebel army, who had not expected this turn of events, was thrown into great confusion. Almost all of the soldiers turned around and ran away to escape the flames that were licking at the base of the city walls, lest they become roasted human jerky.

  The raging fire not only caused great harm to the rebel army attacking the city, but also produced smoke that blocked the view. Soon the entire Hantang Pass City was shrouded in a thick fog, and even the defenders on the city wall could not see clearly. The fire quickly ignited the shrubs and trees along the city walls, and the wet branches burned, producing more smoke. Even Cui Qianyou couldn't help but cough from the smoke.

  "Order the entire army to stop attacking and retreat immediately. We will fight again tomorrow!" Cui Qianyou reluctantly gave the order.

  In this situation, how can we continue to attack? If the soldiers are ordered to attack the city again, they will all perish in the sea of flames.

  It seems that the Tang army is going to share life and death with the city of Tongguan!

  The Tang army was prepared to stop them at all costs, which was the helpless thought that Cui Qianyou had when he gave the order.

  The great fire had stopped their attack, but Chui Qianyou also knew that the destruction caused by the great fire to the city of Hantang would be very great, and it was even possible that the city wall would be burned through, the gate would be deformed and destroyed. This was a desperate move by the Tang army, making a last-ditch effort. Let the Tang army gloat for now, tomorrow morning, he would definitely command his troops to break through this dilapidated city and open the door to the Sui-Tang pass.

  Chui Kien-yu ordered the whole army to retreat several miles back and set up camp near a mountain valley where they had been ambushed by the Tang army during the day, and sent out large numbers of cavalry patrols to guard against the city's garrison making a surprise attack under cover of night.

  It's impossible to camp in front of Hantangguan City at night, and we need to retreat a few miles back to find a place that is conducive to defense. Otherwise, tens of thousands of soldiers and horses have nowhere to rest, and an army that doesn't rest can't possibly have the energy to continue attacking the city tomorrow. Who knows if this big fire will spread over a larger area, and staying in the nearest place will be affected, while the mountain valley where the big fire occurred is impossible to start again, there's nothing left to burn.

  Li Fude and Pang Zhong on the city wall saw through the flames that the rebels retreated slowly after throwing down hundreds of corpses again, and they both let out a sigh of relief. They believed that the rebel attack today was over and it was impossible to attack again at night, and it can be said that they successfully completed Yang Hui's task, blocking the rebels in front of Hantangguan City, and next should be their time to retreat.

  The soldiers on the city wall, who were also covered in smoke and dust, had similar mindsets. Some of them relaxed physically and mentally, and actually sat down with a thud, not wanting to move again, nor caring that the bricks beneath them were still scorching hot.

  After a bloody battle for half a day, more than 2,000 people in the city of Hantonguan also had two or three hundred casualties, but most of their strength was still preserved. These troops retreated back to the city of Suiguan, rested overnight, and by dawn the next day, the refreshed soldiers could continue fighting again.

  After throwing more hay to let the big fire outside the city continue to burn and burn more vigorously, Li Fude and Pang Zhong immediately ordered their subordinates to make follow-up preparations! After the rebels completely withdrew from the bottom of Hantang Pass City, this team will quietly withdraw from Hantang Pass City and retreat to Suizhou Pass City.

  Of course, before withdrawing, we must make a lot of moves in the city, so that the rebel army entering the city tomorrow will suffer a lot!

  What's more important is that the action of retreating can't be discovered by the rebels, and some martyrs must stay behind, otherwise it will all be in vain.