Just as the Zhou army led by Zhang Xuan continually captured Hanzhong and Guanzhong, and while the troops were approaching Chang'an City, Li Jing led the Western Route Army to win the battle field at Longyou. In early June, Li Jing sent his general Fan Wenchao to capture Hehuang, and he immediately led the army south to occupy Jincheng County. The fastest update

In mid-June, the Western Route Army led by Li Jing defeated Hou Junji's 20,000 Tang troops in one fell swoop on the northern foot of Longshan at the junction of Longxi County and Anding County, and conquered Chengji County, a strategic location in Anding County.

Chengji County, known as the throat of Anding and the belly of Longxi, occupied Chengji County and also opened the door to attack Anding County. At this time, Li Shimin was unable to break through Changwu City and was forced to retreat to Anding County.

At the same time, several supporters arrived at Changwu City one after another, so that Luo Shixin's troops reached 100,000. Xiaoguan was also captured by Pei Xingyan. Pei Xingyan led 30,000 cavalry to sweep Pingliang County. Xiaoguan's guard Wu Yunzhao retreated all the way and retreated to Anding County.

Xiaoguan was lost, Chengji County was captured, Changwu City could not be captured, and Zhao King Li Yuanba died at Changwu City. A series of failures hit Li Shimin hard, internal and external troubles finally made Li Shimin ill, Tang soldiers were panic, Anding County was at a time of life and death.

Three days later, Li Jing led 80,000 Zhou dynasty troops out of Chengji County and marched towards Anding County. At this moment, Li Shimin recovered from serious illness. He knew that defending Anding County would inevitably lead to a path of destruction. Only by fighting out was their way of life. After repeated consideration, Li Shimin decided to break through.

In the big tent, King Li Shimin of Qin sat on the upper head, while the rest of Changsun Wuji, Duan Zhixuan, Qin Qiong, Changsun Shunde and other senior civil and military officials sat on both sides.

Li Shimin handed the eagle letter from Yong County to everyone and said slowly: "Although I don't understand the situation in Chang'an, Zhang Xuan's 200,000 troops surrounded Chang'an. With mediocre people like Li Yuanji, Li Shenfu and others, Chang'an City will be destroyed in one battle. Besides, people's hearts have been lost, so Chang'an is no longer worth remembering."

Speaking of this, Li Shimin looked at the generals one by one and saw sadness on everyone's faces. He shook his head and said, "But we are not without a chance. If we break through the siege and retreat westward, I will lead our army to Tianshui County and go on the Qiang Road to retreat to Hanzhong and Bashu. We will rebuild our foundation in Bashu. Although the road is difficult and dangerous, the enemy is strong and has many difficulties, as long as we stick to our belief in revival, we will inevitably die and live."

At this time, Changsun Wuji next to him advised: "Weizhi also thinks we must break through. However, the Shu road is difficult, our military rations are difficult to carry, and we have family members. It is probably unrealistic to travel a long distance of thousands of miles. Zhang Xuan stared at us again. He would definitely send heavy troops to pursue him, for fear that there will be ambush in front and behind us, and we will be attacked from both sides. It is extremely unfavorable to our army. It is better to go west to Hehuang or Hexi. Weizhi feels more realistic."

Generals such as Duan Zhixuan, Qin Qiong also said that it is easier to go to Hehuang or Hexi.

Li Shimin laughed loudly, "I understand your expectations, but if you don't set long-term goals, how can you have fighting spirit? I just said that going to Tianshui is to go to Hehuang, but our long-term goal is to establish a foundation in Bashu. Hehuang is only our temporary place to settle down. Since Chang'an is not guaranteed, the hope of the revival of the Tang Dynasty is in my hands and you. We should follow the will of heaven and irreversible, conquer Hehuang, lead our troops to Chengdu, and be reborn in a desperate situation. This is what a real man does!"

Everyone stood up and saluted, "I wish to listen to Your Highness's order!"

Li Shimin personally led an army of 50,000 to march westward. He ordered Hou Junji to be the rear army, the governor of food, grass and supplies, and ordered Qin Qiong to lead three thousand troops to guard his family and walk slowly.

Li Shimin knew very well that if they did not defeat Li Jing's Western Route Army, they would not be able to leave Anding County at all. Only when Luo Shixin's Eastern Route Army had not arrived and the two Zhou dynasties had not formed an encirclement, would they have the hope of breaking through and retreating westward when they defeated Li Jing's army in one battle.

Two days later, the army reached Qingshuiyuan, which was a vast basin with towering mountains in the north and south, and a flat land of hundreds of miles in the middle. There were large forests distributed to the north, and the tributary river of the Jingshui River flowed through the basin.

At this time, a scout came to report and found Li Jing's army ten miles away.

Li Shimin knew that this battle was inevitable, so he ordered the army to form a formation to fight, and a war was about to break out.

The strong wind blew, the flags were waving, and a wave of sand and stones flew in the wilderness, and dust filled the air. The 50,000 Tang troops had already established their positions, including bows, crossbows, spearmen, jumping soldiers and left and right cavalry.

The five thousand most sharp black armored cavalry were the central army, surrounded by Li Shimin in the middle of the team. Li Shimin immediately under a big flag, staring at a black line in the distance with complex eyes.

Li Shimin waved his hand and the army slowly advanced westward. Li Shimin felt that the other party was resting and the fighter was fleeting. He had to seize the opportunity of the other party's physical strength to attack.

The Zhou army did not attack immediately, but stopped ten miles away. They marched overnight, and the soldiers and horses were very tired, and it was not good for them to enter the battle immediately.

The soldiers of the Zhou Dynasty used this moment to sit and rest. The cavalry dismounted and drank water for the war horses, fed the fodder, and hurriedly ate a few bites of dry food to fill their stomachs.

At this time, drums came faintly from the Tang army's position in the distance, and a lookout soldier on the big tree shouted: "General Li, the enemy has started and is coming towards us!"

Li Jing stared into the distance. It was morning, and several rays of sunlight shone out from the dense dark clouds, illuminating the wilderness highlands in the distance. Li Shimin's army was moving towards this side step by step. They also saw the fatigue of the Zhou army and began to take the initiative.

Li Jing immediately ordered coldly: "The army is ready for battle immediately!"

"Woo"

The low trumpet sounded over the Zhou army, and the rumbling drums sounded. The Zhou soldiers stood up to prepare for war. The cavalry boarded their horses, tightened the reins, posed bows and arrows, and slowly raised their spears.

The dark clouds closed again, the sun disappeared, and under the gloomy dark clouds, the eighty thousand Zhou troops formed a triangular army formation, the flags were floating, the armor was black, and the spears formed a sharp forest. The gloomy heaven and earth were full of murderous aura, which was enough to prevent any opponent from underestimating the enemy.

Li Shimin's army stopped three miles away. The Tang army stretched ten miles wide, and eight thousand crossbowmen lined up in three rows, waiting for the battle. They expected the Zhou army to launch an attack first so that their bows and arrows could exert their power.

But the Zhou army did not launch an attack, both sides were waiting. The left wing chief general Duan Zhixuan whispered to the general Xue Wanche beside him: "Did you see that? The Zhou army has no intention of attacking at all. I guess your Highness's plan to suppress the other party with a crossbowman was lost."

Xue Wanche sighed slightly: "The Zhou army has fought with us for many years, and Li Jing is the first general under Zhang Xuan's command. It is difficult for Your Highness to get what he wants!"

Time passes by little by little, and both sides confront each other, and neither of them takes the initiative to attack, just as if they are testing perseverance and endurance, and it depends on who can't hold on first.

At this time, Xue Wanche suddenly pointed to the other party's camp and said, "General Duan, the other party seems to be moving!"

Duan Zhixuan looked into the distance and saw that the Zhou army's formation began to change. A Zhou army cavalry of about 7,000 people left the main formation and ran diagonally to the right side two miles away from the Tang army. It was obvious that they were going to attack the wings of the crossbowmen.

This is a huge threat to the crossbowman. If the Tang army does not change its formation, the crossbowman will be hit by a fatal impact. Duan Zhixuan suddenly turned around and looked at the main formation of the Tang army, and saw that the main general Li Shimin looked solemn and still remained unmoved.

But Duan Zhixuan found that the crossbow army had changed its formation, and the three thousand crossbow soldiers turned eastward, just in front of the Zhou cavalry on the side, and Duan Zhixuan let down his heart.

In front of the Zhou Dynasty army, Li Jing was mobilizing the final war. The white dragon horse under his crotch was flying in the wind, and the sword in his hand collided on the soldiers' spears. He shouted loudly: "The soldiers of the Great Zhou Empire, follow me, who are invincible in a hundred battles. Today will be our brilliant battle to defeat the Tang army. We must use our lives and blood to prove that we are the most powerful army in the world. Please follow me to fight the enemy bravely!"

"I wish to serve the empire!"

The soldiers of the Three Great Zhou soldiers shouted, and their voices were like undulating thunder: "Try to fight the enemy bravely!"

Li Jing looked up at the sky. At this time, it started to rain, and it gradually became heavier and heavier. Li Jing gave Liu Ling a thumbs up to the army in admiration, and it was exactly the same as Liu Ling expected.
Chapter completed!