The stalemate in Chang'an City has lasted for more than two months. The center is Chang'an City surrounded by mountains, the outer edge is the Righteous Sect stationed at Fuhu Pass, and the outer edge is a steady stream of princes and rivers and lakes coming.
Such a stalemate is difficult for anyone, whether it is the imperial court or the Righteous Cult. The battle involving hundreds of thousands of people consumes huge amounts of money every day, and now both sides have almost run out of fuel.
If the fight continues, what matters is not the confrontation between the soldiers of the two armies on the battlefield, but the logistics, the determination of the commander, and the fighting will of the soldiers.
In the past two months, first the Justice Cult attacked Chang'an City and could not defeat it, so they chose to retreat. Then Chang'an City sent people to attack Fuhu Pass, but they also could not defeat it. On the periphery, Jiang Hu Cao Mang and the princes of the world came.
They are constantly fighting. When it comes to the combat effectiveness of soldiers, the officers and soldiers naturally have the upper hand. However, the grassy areas are broken into pieces. Hundreds of people form a team and engage in guerrilla warfare with the officers and soldiers on the mountains, forests and plains. Occasionally, they get angry and cook.
Adding poison or the like to the big pot of rice would also disturb the Imperial Army.
But the Justice Religion has indeed fallen into a situation of being attacked from both sides, surrounded by front and rear, cutting off their food and grass support. If the Justice Church can only rely on the few remaining food and grass support.
And, winter is coming.
This winter in Chang'an was colder than usual, and Fuhu Pass was close to despair.
In the commander's tent, Lin Shaoyu, Guo Fanren, Hongchen, Lin Chong and several upper-level figures from the Justice Religion were discussing matters together.
"Master Tianjiang, the food and grass we have left now can only last for five days at most. After five days, we will have nothing to eat." Zhang Bao, who is responsible for managing logistics, said.
Lin Shaoyu is now the natural leader of the Justice Religion, both in a practical sense and in a spiritual sense.
The issue of food and fodder is a very difficult matter. Without subsequent replenishment of food and fodder, the Justice Cult will be defeated. Perhaps, everyone can only choose to retreat. Of course, in the current situation, whether they can retreat safely is a question. From Tao
From the moment we set out on this road, we already knew it was a dead end. And there is always no way out from a dead end.
Lin Shaoyu looked at the topographic map hanging in the tent, stood with his hands behind his hands, and said slowly: "Tomorrow, we will send out a food-grabbing team, with every five hundred people in a team, to rob the grain and grass of the princes outside Fuhu Pass."
Guo Fanren asked: "Isn't it too dangerous to do this?"
"Our current situation is already dangerous enough. We can't make it any more dangerous." Lin Shaoyu said calmly and turned around to look at everyone: "The most difficult time for us was also the most difficult time for Chang'an City. Now it is more difficult than ever.
Yes, it’s who takes longer.”
Starting from the next day, the Justice Cult sent a small force to rob food and grass outside the customs. Most of the Justice Cult members were refugees, but after more than a year of experience, they had a combat effectiveness that was not inferior to that of the regular army.
Moreover, they have something that the regular army does not have, and this thing is called faith.
Most of those who are willing to join the Justice Cult have a difficult life. Before the uprising, their occupations were mostly slaves, coolies, fugitives, and desperadoes. Deep down in their hearts, they really believe that there is some kind of god who can provide them with food and clothing.
days.
On the other hand, many of the princes are still hesitating. What to do if Chang'an City is defended, and what to do if Chang'an City cannot be defended. These must be considered in advance. But the Righteous Sect does not need to consider it, because if Chang'an City cannot be conquered, there will be only death.
So these shameless thieves ran into a group of decent people like wolves and tigers, and the result was predictable.
At the same time, the situation in Chang'an City is indeed not optimistic. After two months of siege, people's hearts are facing a huge test. The aristocratic families are not afraid of troubled times. What they are afraid of is not being able to gain more benefits in troubled times.
But for most people who have no worries about food and clothing, all they want is stability. Because their current stability is hard-won, and in the next round of reordering, no one can guarantee that they will still have stability.
As for the lower classes of Chang'an City, thieves, strongmen, and vagrants also took advantage of this opportunity to cause trouble. They felt that after the inherent order was broken and those nobles were overthrown, it was time for them to come forward.
The public security situation in Chang'an City has become worse than ever, and many people are panicking. In fact, no one can see how this battle will end.
At night, after presiding over the military affairs for the day, Li Letian entered the palace and met His Majesty Emperor Ming.
In such an emergency situation, the relationship between father and son has eased a lot, and there is no need to be as polite as before when speaking.
Emperor Ming was sitting in the imperial study, but he was in good spirits. He was not seriously ill and unable to stay as rumored by the outside world.
"What's the situation now? Is there enough food and grass?" Emperor Ming asked.
"There are many wealthy households in Chang'an City, and most of their families have food reserves. In this special period, we can only forcefully collect them. Their food and grass can last for a while. There is no worry about food shortages at the moment." Li Letian said: "The key lies in other aspects.
Nowadays, there are many rumors in the city, and they all say unflattering things. They only say that Lin Shaoyu is a god who came to earth and came to destroy the Li family."
Emperor Ming sneered and suddenly asked: "In your opinion, can Chang'an City be defended?"
Li Letian said: "Our army's combat effectiveness is stronger than that of the rebels, and the food and grass in Chang'an City can sustain it. It is winter now, and the weather is getting colder every day. As long as we hold on, the rebels will definitely be defeated. But...
"
"Just what?"
"It's just that a long-term stalemate will not be beneficial to the country's prestige. The princes have led troops here, although they are here to clear out the bandit troubles, but they may not have the intention of profiting from it. Even if Chang'an can survive this crisis, I am afraid that the princes will be in a situation that cannot be defeated.
"
Emperor Ming opened his cloudy eyes and looked at Li Letian.
"You can see clearly that I underestimated you before. You do have the talents of an emperor."
Li Letian was shocked. Emperor Ming's words had the intention of passing on the throne. He knelt down in panic and kept kowtowing.
"Okay, get up, get up and talk."
Li Letian stood up, unable to suppress the impulse on his face. He said: "Father, there is one more thing that I have to do for you. If Chang'an City cannot be defended, we must make some preparations in advance. When the time comes,
The fish dragon guards will escort my father out of the capital, just in case."
Emperor Ming shook his head with a smile and said: "I have already escaped once, I cannot escape again. The king of a country cannot be embarrassed like this. It is you who should escape."
"Father, I..."
"If the city of Chang'an is destroyed, the world will be in chaos. I'm afraid there will be hundreds of years of flesh-and-blood fighting. You should carry the banner of the Li family and preserve the blood of the Li family." Emperor Ming gently stroked Li Letian's head.
Li Letian was startled, then slowly raised his head: "Father, do you even think that Chang'an City will not be able to be defended?"