Chapter 5 4. The city is full of golden armor

Chang'an City has changed its owner.Instead of a group of bumpkins with muddy legs and muddy feet, the leader is a landed person who makes a living by smuggling salt.An Lushan and Shi Siming were so powerful and arrogant that they failed to break through Chang'an, and the Huns, Khitans, and Tubo were so powerful that they failed to invade Queqian.How could these unarmed bumpkins break through and enter the imperial capital Chang'an?No one thought of it, and no one could figure it out.Unexpected and incomprehensible places are prone to historical miracles. In August, Huang Chao's army defeated the guerrilla general Cao Quanzhen, crossed the Huaihe River, and Huaibei was in a hurry.Although the governor of Cao Quanzhen has little authority, he is dedicated to serving the imperial court wholeheartedly. He led his troops from Shandong to Hubei, from Hubei to Anhui, and from Anhui to Jiangsu, chasing the rebels all the way. , fighting endlessly.It wasn't until after several tough battles that Huang Chao completely settled Cao Quanzhen.

Gao Pian's plan to lure him to surrender failed, and he did not succeed in repelling the princes to monopolize the appeasement. Instead, he gave Huang Chao a chance to come back to life.Huang Chaoyi's army slowed down and quickly recovered their vigorous fighting spirit and rushing ability.In fact, this time Huang Chao turned defeat into victory under a very unfavorable situation. This was not only due to Gao Pian's selfish missteps, but also reflected the political incompetence of the Li and Tang courts, and the confusion and short-sightedness of the military command and decision-making mechanism.The entire imperial court has been unable to come up with a complete and decent strategy. The convulsive headache treats the head and feet, and muddles through. Intrigue with each other and play tricks.The vassals and towns all over the world are ungrateful for the profit and suppression of the rebel army, each has their own selfishness, chooses the light and fears the heavy, strives for merit and shrugs off responsibility, it is impossible to work together.

Huge frustration and disappointment with politics prompted Gao Pian's mentality to undergo a major change.During a major historical turning point, people's hearts are inherently impetuous. Besides, such a pillar of talent as Gao Pian, who worked hard for the court, was not reused after all, and the strategy of governing the country and the country could not impress the temple.What is it like for a general who holds a heavy army, guards one side, and saves the world's troops, without political affirmation or material incentives?Looking around the situation again, Gao Pian's sense of frustration, loss and negativity arises spontaneously.After Gao Pian lost Zhang Lin, a general, he began to feel a little powerless.More importantly, the princes from all walks of life have ulterior motives and do not take the world as their own responsibility.First, the Hebei army burned and plundered the east city of Luoyang, and then there were infighting among the various officials and troops who aided Ruzhou and Zhengzhou.The inside of the imperial court was even more chaotic, with ministers fighting each other and vying for power and profit, loyal people fled to other places, and virtuous officials and towns were unwilling to enter the court.After several major wars, Gao Pian's overall planning was not reused, and he gradually became discouraged, and his ambition and mentality aggravated his negative psychology.The current Gao Pian is no longer an aspiring young man who is full of vigor, kills enemies and bandits, and devotes himself to serving the country.Feelings of disappointment, helplessness, and self-preservation gradually invaded Gao Pian's whole body.Gao Pian locked himself in Yangzhou City, and began to devote all his attention to alchemy and immortality.

Gao Pian, a hero in life, a wimp in death.This is an afterthought, and I will comment on it later. In October, Huang Chao successively captured Xinyang, Yingzhou, Songzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou in Henan Province with the momentum of breaking bamboo and the autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves. The local county officials fled in anticipation.The eastern and southern barriers of Luoyang, the eastern capital, were completely exposed to Huang Chao's army. "Black clouds overwhelm the city and the city is about to be destroyed." The sound of the city wall bursting and collapsing seems to have resounded through the streets and alleys of Luoyang, shaking the hearts of officials and people in the city.

There are rumors about Huang Chao's rebels killing like hemp, setting fire like flowers, demolishing houses and destroying houses, and sawing teeth and fangs.At this time, the recruiting of Dutong from the east, the recruitment of Dutong from the southeast, the recruitment of Dutong from the south, and the mighty feudal princes from all walks of life seemed to disappear from the ground all of a sudden.The huge eastern capital Luoyang was thrown alone by the Yellow River, in the wilderness, in the north wind, and under the black clouds, and placed on the sharp blade of Huangchao, on the bleeding chopping board, in the mouth of an angry lion, and in front of the invincible iron hoof.

Huang Chao, the leader of the peasant rebel army who proclaimed himself the soaring general, and the down-to-earth son of the bottom of the society known as the Yellow King, since the uprising, with his rock-solid willpower, earth-moving appeal, and invincible spirit Combat prowess, turbulent athletic prowess, engulfing millions of barefooted and homeless peasants, galloping across the country, conquering cities and territories, cutting off borders and opening warehouses, killing violent people and slaughtering rich people, half the world was turned upside down by him. Now Huang Chao roared to the outside of Luoyang, the eastern capital, and stood on the top of the mountain overlooking this ancient city. Although this ancient city is no longer the imperial capital, it still symbolizes imperial power.Huang Chao made up his mind that he had to win Luoyang in one battle and attack Chang'an from the west. Only by destroying the emperor's nest could he overthrow the corrupt ruler from the altar.

Luoyang was shocked. Chang'an was shocked. The palace was terrified. The emperor was terrified. The emperor knew, and the ministers also knew that if Luoyang, the eastern capital, fell, Chang'an would be in danger.If Chang'an falters, his good days will come to an end.The emperor will no longer be able to play football, play the piano, or touch the delicate skin and tender flesh of his concubine.Ministers will no longer be able to drink and have fun, drink five and six.After thinking about these things clearly, these people had a tacit understanding and cooperation that had never been seen before. The emperor's hands were as busy as a money counting machine, stamping dozens of edicts.The ministers were flying like couriers, issuing emergency orders one after another, asking all the towns to rescue Luoyang with all their strength.However, seven or eight days passed after the edict was issued, and there was no news at all.The emperor's decree sank like a rock, without even stirring up a ripple.The world suddenly fell into tranquility, dead silence and terror. The emperor and ministers in Guanzhong were waiting, as were the officials and civilians in Luoyang City.Waiting, agonizing waiting, unknown waiting, nothing but waiting.The hearts of the emperor and ministers suddenly fell into the bottomless ice cave, and their buttocks sat on pins and needles and could not lift up.He could only watch Luoyang, the eastern capital, confront Huang Chao helplessly, like a tired elephant watching its cub fall into a lion's pride from afar.

In order to defend Chang'an, Luoyang must step forward and fight Huang Chao to the death. Even if everyone in the world knows that Luoyang's sacrifice was for nothing, Luoyang must fight. This battle must be very difficult, cruel, critical, suspenseful, and tragic. Everyone in the world held their breath, waiting for the outbreak of this ancient battle. There are surprises in everything. The tragic event that thousands of people were worried about did not happen, and everything ended in joy. Huang Chao took Luoyang without raising a finger. Because Liu Yunzhang, who stayed behind in Luoyang, decided to surrender the whole city.

Surrender is a very disgraceful thing. Everyone knows this, so not everyone can do it. Surrender is still a very strategic thing. This is not clear to everyone, and not everyone can do it properly.Therefore, some people continued to have high officials and generous salaries after surrendering, while others died faster and worse after surrendering. Sadness is always unavoidable, and ideological conflicts cannot be avoided. The key is that after the surrender, what is more important than heartache is whether the city will be destroyed or death can be avoided.Liu Yunzhang hesitated and lost sleep all night.

After tossing and turning all night, Liu Yunzhang finally made up his mind.Early the next morning, there was the sound of drumming in the Luoyang government office, and Liu Yunzhang opened the hall to discuss matters.The civil and military bureaucrats had already entered the hall, and everyone felt heavy, rubbing their hands and stamping their feet, anxiously waiting for Liu Yunzhang's decision.Liu Yunzhang, who had dark circles under his eyes due to lack of sleep, sat behind the handsome desk with a heavy expression, looking at the civil and military officials expressionlessly.After a moment of silence, Liu Yunzhang broke the silence and asked civil and military officials for their opinions on the current situation.Everyone was at a loss for what to say, some were terrified and unable to restrain themselves, and some were willing to go to righteousness with their generous speeches. The meeting hall seemed to be boiling and yelled into a ball.Finally, Liu Yunzhang calmed everyone down, and he slowly and forcefully stated his decision-surrender.Everyone looked at Liu Yunzhang with complicated eyes and stretched their necks.Liu Yunzhang had a calm expression and said calmly: "Huang Chao is unstoppable, and there is no hope of rescue. If the flames of war break out, the lives of the people will be destroyed, and the prosperity of Luoyang will fall from then on. We are not thinking of ourselves, but also thinking of hundreds of thousands of people. Surrender I, Liu, will bear the responsibility." Seeing that Liu Yunzhang was planning to surrender, no matter whether they were willing or not, they all silently agreed, and even those who originally advocated resistance lost their fighting spirit.

After Liu Yunzhang unified his thoughts among his subordinates, he wrote a letter to Huang Chao: "The general's reputation has been around for a long time, and the world has heard of it. The isolated city of Luoyang is not the general's opponent. However, the old capital is prosperous, the population is prosperous, and the food and grass are abundant. , with tens of thousands of armor, if there is a war, the outcome is hard to predict. Liu is willing to surrender the city for the sake of the people. I hope that the general will also cherish the people and soldiers, and protect the people in peace, so that the virtue will go far." Huang Chao read Liu Yunzhang's letter. He was stunned for a moment, he didn't expect that Luoyang, the eastern capital, would surrender the whole city without any resistance, regardless of the safety of Chang'an.Then Huang Chao laughed loudly, and ordered a reply: "Please all the towns and governors, guard your own barriers, and don't attack me! I will enter the Eastern Capital and attack the capital immediately. I only blame the Li and Tang Dynasty, and have nothing to do with others!" On November 17th, Liu Yunzhang, who stayed behind in Luoyang, led a hundred officials out of the city to surrender, lined up on both sides of the road outside the east gate, and bowed their heads to welcome Huang Chao's rebel army.Huang Chao entered the city slowly on horseback, pardoned Liu Yunzhang and others, set up a list to comfort the people, and comforted the people. The order in the city remained the same.The common people cheered and jumped for joy, and offered to send out meat and wine to the army.Huang Chao ordered to open the warehouse to release the grain and pardon the prisoners.Strict military discipline, maintain order, and commit no offense to the common people.All of a sudden, Luoyang city erupted with joyful enthusiasm, and the neighborhoods and alleys were decorated with lights and festoons to celebrate and express condolences to each other. The deployment has been made, and Huang Chao lives in the Eastern Capital Palace.Although it is a temporary palace, even though the emperor has not lived in it for many years, the scale and shape of the palace still maintains the royal style.In the evening, Huang Chao stood outside the door of the dormitory, strolling around the courtyard while meditating with his hands behind his back.The sound of jubilant gongs and drums in the market came up and down, and fireworks and firecrackers flickered one after another.Huang Chao turned his head and suddenly saw clusters of golden chrysanthemums at the foot of the hall. The branches and leaves were clustered and swaying in the autumn wind.Huang Chao was sad when he saw the things, thinking of how many times he had failed in the Jinshi examination, thinking of the desperation of the people all over the world, and thinking of the dangers and hardships of the Southern and Northern Wars, he couldn't feel his heart surging.Feeling it in his heart and uttering it in his voice, Huang Chao recited in a low voice: "The westerly wind is blowing and the yard is full of plants, and the stamens are cold, fragrant and cold, and the butterflies are hard to come. If I were Qing Emperor in his year, I will repay the peach blossoms together." To be honest, Huang Chao has his own reasons for repeatedly failing the Jinshi examination. It can be seen that the level of this poem is not high, the words and sentences, and the layout of the article are too straightforward. How can I win a Jinshi in two strokes?It is estimated that Huang Chao's composition in the college entrance examination was too high-key, and he didn't catch the examiner's mind, so he could only get a failing grade.However, Huang Chao's tone was quite majestic. This was the domineering spirit in his bones, which couldn't be concealed, and there was no need to be pretentious. Huang Chao followed four guards, one of them was tall and tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a straight nose and wide mouth, and a serious expression. Judging from his attire, he could be regarded as the captain of the guard.Hearing what Huang Chao was chanting, the captain of the guard stepped forward and asked, "What is the king's order?" Wouldn't it be so desolate if it opened up and withered alone in spring?" The captain of the guard named Zhu Quanzhong didn't seem to understand Huang Chao's meaning, turned his eyes and replied: "To make chrysanthemums bloom in spring, I am afraid only the Jade Emperor can do it." Arrived." Hearing this, Huang Chao looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "Next year, I will let the chrysanthemums bloom in spring!" After saying that, Huang Chao stalked and disappeared into the night amid hearty laughter.Everyone must remember the name Zhu Quanzhong, who later overthrew the Li Tang Dynasty and became the emperor of the Zhuliang Empire, the head of the Five Dynasties. Luoyang rejoiced, but Chang'an was depressed. Huang Chao's occupation of Luoyang was like dropping an atomic bomb on the vast land of the Central Plains, causing a huge shock.Especially in Chang'an City, people are panicked and rumors are everywhere.Some people say that Huang Chao is a god with yellow hair and yellow eyes who came down to earth to make waves.Some said that Huang Chao was seeking justice and justice for the poor. Under his leadership, the poor were no longer oppressed by the government and could live a good life.It is also said that Huang Chao led a group of robbers and bandits to rob houses, especially the homes of wealthy officials and officials.Some well-informed officials began to transfer funds quietly, taking advantage of the night to pull the family's gold, silver, and women's family members out of the city one by one, hiding them in relatives' homes in the remote mountains.There are also people who disagree, thinking that the imperial capital of the imperial city is as solid as gold, and that Tongguan is a natural danger. Not to mention the yellow nest with mud legs, didn't even An Lushan, the most powerful regular army back then, fail to break through Tongguan?Don't worry, this is the emperor's home, and it is the safest place in the world. It is by no means comparable to Jiangxia or Luoyang.The streets and alleys of Chang'an City, teahouses, restaurants, and merchants were discussing Huang Chao's plan to attack Chang'an City everywhere, like porridge in a pot. Huang Chao wrote poems proudly, and Emperor Xizong was not in the mood to write poems and fus now, and felt that the end of the world seemed to be coming.Li Yan convened civil and military officials in Yanying Hall to study countermeasures.The current emperor is a young man in his twenties, but apart from his physical strength and stature, his ability to govern the country has not grown at all.In 1978, it was like Nanke Yimeng, the emperor played and frolicked all day, except for presiding over the court meeting during working hours, the rest of the time was just playing and playing.When the disaster was imminent, the panicked and confused emperor cried and said to the prime ministers and ministers, "My dear friends, the Huangchao thief is fierce, what can I do for it"? Tian Lingzi, the eunuch who watched the military capacity, said: "Your Majesty, please choose the left and right Shence Army bowmen to guard Tongguan, and I will personally set up envoys for the command system of the capital to defend against the enemy." The emperor held back his mouth: "Guards and soldiers, if they are not used to fighting, I am afraid they will not be able to be reused." Tian Lingzi saw that the emperor had fallen into the trick he set up, and immediately changed the subject: "If your majesty is worried that Tongguan will not be secured, there is another strategy available. In the past, Anlu Mountain was rebellious. In order to avoid the edge, Xuanzong visited Shuchuan." Good guy!The old thief Tian Lingzi planned to let the emperor abandon the city and flee to Sichuan. It turns out that this is the big conspiracy that Tian Lingzi has planned for a long time! Prime Minister Cui Hang said tremblingly: "Anlu Mountain has only 50,000 troops. Compared with Huang Chao, the insignificant is not a big witch. Now Huang Chao has 600,000 troops to commit crimes." The God of Doulu did not guard the house, and said hastily: "Back then, Ge Shuhan could not defend Tongguan with 150,000 people. Now Huangchao is coming in menacingly, and Tongguan has no soldiers of Ge Shuhan. Tian Lingzi is for the sake of the community. Tian Lingzi's confidants are more considerate than when Xuanzong went to Sichuan." When the emperor heard the words of Cui Hang and Dou Luyu, the two answerers, he became angry.No matter how many false excuses one finds out, such as "patrol, escape, and relocation", the essence is to escape, and everyone knows that escape is not an honorable thing.He was unwilling to follow Li Longji's practice of fleeing Sichuan, which is a well-known shameful history.If they escaped from the capital, not only would there be nowhere to put the emperor's face, but there would also be no place to put his buttocks.The emperor's pale face turned red, and he ordered Tian Lingzi: "Tian Aiqing, go and defend Tongguan for me." When Tian Lingzi heard the emperor's order, his heart "thumped", and his palms suddenly burst into sweat.Not only did the emperor not escape according to Tian Lingzi's idea, but he also sent Tian Lingzi to the front line of the war.Xi Zong thought to himself, "You bunch of idiots, you all want to escape when the disaster is imminent. It's a good idea. I'll let you go to the front of the crisis to block and roast it."Tian Lingzi was annoyed and scared, and 1.2 million people were not happy.However, the imperial decree cannot be violated, Tian Lingzi had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the order. The ministers had no idea at this time, no one was sure which was more powerful, Huang Chao or An Lushan, and no one could come up with a better defense countermeasure, so they simply lost their voices collectively, and could only watch Tian Lingzi jumping up and down to perform. However, the emperor and the ministers have no disagreement on one point, that is, no one doubts Huang Chao's determination to attack Chang'an and occupy Chang'an. After the meeting, the emperor personally went to Zuo Shence Army to review and encourage the soldiers.The old cunning Tian Lingzi knew that Tongguan could not be defended, so he would not be willing to be cannon fodder.It was nothing more than a cover-up for him to volunteer to fend off the enemy, and put on a beautiful lie to cover his true escape intention.Unexpectedly, the emperor put this coat on him, and it turned into a prickly hedgehog skin.Although Tian Lingzi took the order, the old thief had his own way of dealing with it.Tian Lingzi can defend against the enemy, but he only applied to be a commander, and did not say to go to the front line of Tongguan. He has already chosen a substitute for the dead ghost and a shield for himself. Tian Lingzi recommended to the emperor Zhang Chengfan, General of the Horse Army of the Left Shence Army, Wang Shihui, General of the Infantry Army of the Right Shence Army, and Zhao Ke, a soldier and horse envoy of the Left Shence Army.The emperor summoned three people on the Jiaojun field, and appointed Zhang Chengfan on the spot as the envoy of the vanguard of soldiers and horses and the establishment of the Jietong Pass, Wang Shihui as the envoy of grain, Zhao Ke as the envoy of Zhaizha, and Tian Lingzi as the envoy of the eight towns inside and outside the Shence Army and other towns. The command system of Taoist soldiers and horses is set up to recruit envoys.Now the old thief Tian Lingzi was very happy. He was sure that the emperor would not leave him, and he would not seriously transfer him away from his side and send him to the front line.Without Tian Lingzi, the emperor would have no backbone and would not be able to sleep soundly, so the emperor would not send him to lead the army in battle.Now that he had found the leader of the army, the emperor stepped down from the donkey and agreed in a daze to let Zhang Chengfan lead the army. The emperor's order to dispatch troops had just been issued, and Qi Kerang, the envoy of Zhengzhou and Ruzhou, reported: "Huangchao has entered the Eastern Capital, and the ministers collected the troops and retreated to Tongguan, and set up camp outside Tongguan City. Henan area The prefectures and counties are dilapidated, the population is extinct, the east, west, north, and south are empty, and neither the officers nor the officials can be seen. The soldiers have fought many times, and they have been short of food and grass for a long time. Unbearable. Now everyone wants to return to their hometown, and I worry that once the army's morale is broken, it will be out of control. I hope that the court will send food and reinforcements as soon as possible. If it is late, the minister may not be able to survive." The emperor finished reading Qi Kerang's words According to the battle report, his legs were weak, and he immediately ordered the Left and Right Shence Army to select 2,800 crossbowmen, led by Zhang Chengfan and three others, to urgently support Qi Kerang. The Shence Army has a false name, but in fact it has a golden appearance and a ruined one.There is a lot of domineering air, but no magical skills to kill the enemy and fight at all.The soldiers of the Shence Army are all children of rich families in Chang'an. They bribe eunuchs to gain fame, join the military, and spend their days idling. casualties.These dandies have nothing to do all day long. They neither practice nor study.Now, the once-in-a-century opportunity to serve the country has come. The Shence Army is about to charge forward and go to the battlefield to fight with swords and guns.If they don't go to war, who will go?There is always a way to do things, and money is the easiest and best way of all ways.Go home and discuss with Lao Tzu, spend money to avoid disaster.Heh, it's a lot of fun now. Tomorrow's battle, more than 2,000 Shence soldiers carrying silver and satin in their pockets went through the streets and alleys the night before, hiring impoverished people from door to door to join the army instead of themselves.This can be regarded as a spectacular situation in Chang'an City. On the second day, when the sun was high, the emperor saw Zhang Chengfan off in person.Xi Zong stood on the tower of Zhangxin Gate and looked down at the Shence Army with bright armor and waving banners marching out of the city.But looking at it, the emperor felt that something was wrong. Why was the team of 2,800 people stumbling around? The soldiers were shaking and shaking. The weapons were new, but how could they be squeezed like mud in the hands of these people?When the emperor was wondering, Zhang Chengfan reported: "Your Majesty, I heard that Huang Chao had hundreds of thousands of people marching westward with drums. Guarding Tongguan, the situation is clear, but there is no news of food, grass and military pay. If you use this to reject the thief, I will feel sad and very disturbed. May your majesty hurry up and urge the state capitals to send elite soldiers to rescue." The emperor said helplessly. Waved to Zhang Chengfan: "Ai Qing, you go first, and the reinforcements will arrive later." In the afternoon, Zhang Chengfan led his army to Huazhou in the east of Chang'an City.Huazhou was originally the east gate of Chang'an, the throat of the east and the west.But at this time, Pei Qianyu, the governor of Huazhou, was transferred to work elsewhere.The common people lost their parents and officials, and no one dared to live in the city. They all fled into Huashan. There was no one to breathe in the huge Huazhou city except rats. On the first day of December, Zhang Chengfan arrived in Tongguan.On the same day, Huang Chao's forward Chai Cun led an army to Guanxia.The flags of the volunteer army covered the sun, and the mountains and plains were all over the place, boundless.Qi Kerang led the exhausted army into a fierce battle with Chai Cun, and the spirit of the vanguard of the rebel army was slightly frustrated.After a while, Huang Chao personally led the main force to kill.600,000 people gathered in the east of Tongguan City, and the horse neighing people's cries were thunderous, shaking rivers, rivers and mountains.At this time, Zeke let Ruo Jin go straight to the top of his head, thinking, "It's a blessing, not a disaster, and it's a disaster that can't be avoided", there is no way out, but to fight against the city.Meet on a narrow road, the brave wins.Under the city of Tongguan, on the bank of the Yellow River, among the mountains, tens of thousands of people fought in a melee.Huang Chao didn't invest all his troops, nor did he need to.Qi Kerang was tenacious, took the lead and charged bravely.Only blood and flesh were flying, and only the sound of war drums could be heard.This battle was fought from noon to You, both sides were a little tired, and the rhythm of the battle began to slow down.But Qi Kerang's soldiers were the first to fall down from exhaustion, or to be precise, from starvation.Both sweat and blood, no matter what, it won't last long on an empty stomach.Tang Jun couldn't bear it anymore, and if he continued, he would either die in battle or starve to death.Suddenly, there was chaos in the army, and the mutiny that Zeke had worried about finally happened.Tang Jun burned his tent and fled in all directions.With no power, no power, no heart and no capital constraints to deploy, Zeke had no choice but to retreat into Tongguan alone, covered in blood. There is a valley on the left side of Tongguan. The shrubs and vines in the valley are so dense that people are forbidden to pass through on weekdays.Seeing the defeat of the Tang army, Huang Chao's rebel army took advantage of the situation to cover up and kill them on a large scale.The defeated Tang army had nowhere to go, and they flocked to this valley one after another, stepping the valley to the ground in an instant. Seeing that the Tang army outside the city collapsed due to hunger, Zhang Chengfan quickly distributed the money and food he brought to his soldiers to stabilize the morale of the army.At the same time, Zhang Chengfan sent someone 800 li to rush to report to the emperor: "The minister left Beijing for six days, and there was not one more soldier, and the payment was not paid. The day I arrived at the pass, the army of bandits was already overwhelmed. Now, we will use two More than a thousand people resisted 600,000 bandits. The disparity between the enemy and us was too great. Tongguan was on the verge of collapse. Qi Kerang's army outside the city collapsed due to hunger. The punishment of the cauldron, but where will the face of the ministers who advise the court go? I also heard that His Majesty has made a western tour. If you make a move, the ruling and opposition parties will immediately collapse. The minister risked his life to speak, please speak with the Zai The assistant ministers have made careful plans and must not act rashly. Hurry up and recruit troops to help the customs, and our Datang Sheji may still be able to support it. If Huang Chao also perishes like Anlu Mountain, then even if I die like Ge Shuhan, I will have no regrets. Already!" Defend Tongguan and Chang'an. Attack Tongguan and go straight to Chang'an. Before dawn the next day, Huang Chao mobilized troops to storm Tongguan. Outside Tongguan is a mountain stream with a width of two feet and a depth of three feet. Although there is not much water in the severe winter, the deep valley is steep and steep, which can be called the natural barrier of Tongguan.Huang Chao sent Chai Cun, the vanguard, to drive away the local people recruited from the local area, and moved rocks, dug earth and filled the gully. In less than an hour, the mountain stream was filled. The generals and soldiers of the rebel army rushed towards the city wall of Tongguan with ladders and shields, shouting and killing.Zhang Chengfan and Qi Kerang wore armor, stood on the top of the city and personally directed the soldiers and civilians in the city to defend desperately.Soldiers shot arrows and threw stones from the top of the city, and the common people were responsible for transporting equipment to the city wall.The ladder erected by the rebels was overturned by the Tang army on the city, and batches of death squads who rushed up were shot to death by random arrows.Tens of thousands of rebels gathered on the battlefield less than 500 meters wide outside the east city of Tongguan, rushing towards the city wall like a swarm of bees and ants.The Tang army on the city was also jealous, and threw all the heavy and blunt weapons that could be found in the city on the rising rebels like flash floods and pouring rain. After a while, the dead and wounded rebels piled up like a mountain under the city, and the follow-up rebels stepped on the corpses of the fallen rebels and charged upwards.The fierce offensive and defensive battle lasted from morning to evening.Both the siege and the defenders have become numb, have lost consciousness and judgment, and there is only one goal left—to win, and only repeat one action—to kill.The rebel army attacked for a day, but Tongguan was still Tongguan.Tongguan is indeed Tongguan, and the natural danger will not be easily breached. That night, Huang Chao decided to change his tactics. He used a giant wooden chariot to load grease and firewood on the front, and a group of dozens of people pushed it towards the gate of Tongguan. After five or six groups of chariots crowded the gate, they lit the firewood and burned it.Another general, Li Xuan, was sent to lead 10,000 people to attack the valley that Zeke had ordered the remnant army to flatten, and attack the northern city of Tongguan from the side.Zhang Chengfan saw clearly the movement of the rebel army from the top of the city, and hastily dispatched 800 men, led by Wang Shihui, to guard the valley.If the valley is lost, Tongguan's flanks will be exposed to the enemy's knives and axes. But when Wang Shihui reached the valley, Li Xuan had already captured the valley, and climbed up the ridge to launch a powerful offensive against Beicheng.Almost at the same time, the North City fell, and the gates and arrow towers of the East City were burnt down.Under the attack of Li Di and Chai Cun, the mighty Tongguan finally collapsed.Wang Shihui committed suicide and died in the line of duty. Zhang Chengfan disguised himself as a civilian and led the defeated generals to escape.Zhang Chengfan fled to Weiqiao outside Chang'an, where he met Tian Lingzi's newly recruited reinforcements.The disheveled defeated army couldn't help being furious when they saw the warmly dressed reinforcements. Without saying a word, they rushed up to rob Chang'an after a meal. Hearing that Tongguan fell, the rebels had taken advantage of the victory and pursued to Huazhou. Tian Lingzi was worried about the emperor's guilt, so he pushed the responsibility for the fall of Luoyang and the fall of Tongguan to Lu Xie.Tian Lingzi told the emperor that it was all because Lu Xie advocated the disbandment of the bandit suppressing army in various feudal towns, which led to Huang Chao's dying and rebirth, making it difficult to control.The imperial court is in trouble today because of Lu Xie's miscalculation, and Lu Xie should be investigated for the crime of wronging the country and subjugating the people.There were two key reasons why Tian Lingzi betrayed Lu Xie at this moment. One was that Lu Xie had a high position and was heavily relied on by the emperor, which had already threatened Tian Lingzi's status.The second is that the current situation is unfavorable, the sky is about to fall, and a tall man is needed to stand on it. Undoubtedly, Lu Xie is the tallest standing recently. Lu Xie is the most worthy of betrayal and the most suitable candidate. Lu has been lying at home for many days with a stroke.Hearing that Tian Lingzi, his political ally for many years, framed him in front of the emperor, Lu Xie was so angry that his heart was filled with bad breath. He felt dizzy, short of breath, high blood pressure, cerebral thrombosis, and myocardial infarction all at the same time.The prime minister's mansion was in a mess up and down, and Lu Xie was rushed to rescue him.Lu Xie leaned on the bed, slurring his speech, with snot and tears streaming down his face.Under extreme fear, helplessness, resentment and despair, Lu Xie chose to commit suicide by swallowing poison. At this time, the emperor was even more bewildered and didn't know what to do.Tian Lingzi said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I'm only going on a west tour at this time." Before the emperor hesitated to respond, Tian Lingzi ordered people to drive the several lacquered royal carriages that had been prepared to the front of the bedroom, and Tian Lingzi helped the emperor stumbling Hurriedly got into the car, together with a few princes and concubines, gold and silver were stuffed into the car.Tian Lingzi dispatched another five hundred Shence troops to escort them around, and the convoy rushed out of the Golden Light Gate and fled westward. Tian Lingzi had sent his elder brother Chen Jingxuan (his family name was Chen before entering the palace as a eunuch) to serve as Xichuan Jiedu envoy a few months ago. The purpose was to pave the way for himself and prepare for the emperor's westward flight to Shuchuan.It was also a few months ago that Tian Lingzi had decided to betray Lu Xie as a scapegoat for the subjugated country.This is Tian Lingzi's terrifying conspiracy.And although Lu Xie was kept in the dark, it can be regarded as evil will be rewarded, and he deserves what he deserves. In the morning when the emperor went to court, all the civil and military officials discovered that the emperor had disappeared. They found the eunuch on duty and asked the guards to find out that the emperor had run away!On the spot, several officials sat down on the ground, their eyes staring straight, in a daze, not knowing what to do.There were still a few U-turns and ran to the house, yelling and shouting that the family members also fled Chang'an.When the low-level officials in Chang'an heard the news that the rebels had entered the city, they had no time to pay attention to others and ran away with their heads in their arms.Sergeants and civilians rushed into the treasury and the palace, robbing rice, noodles, money, food and rare utensils.The emperor and officials had fled in all directions, and the order in the city was in chaos. The three city gates were blocked by fleeing chariots and horses. The streets and alleys were full of people running. There were chaotic cries and curses. Huang Chao took Shangrang as the general of Pingtang, and Gai Hong and Fei Quangu as lieutenants, and led the leading troops into Chang'an. After noon, the officials and military academy in the city who hadn't had time to escape had to go to Bashang to surrender and welcome Huang Chao.On the wide official road outside Chang'an East City, a dark team came from afar.At the head, there are eight burly men with red cloth covering their heads, and they are carrying a gold-coated and copper-covered shoulder pad. In the shoulder paddle sits a person with a tall and straight figure and a stern expression.The shoulders are like mountains, and the arms are stretched like apes.Raw yellow and white skin, thin and long face, high cheekbones, neat short beard surrounding Haikou, two sword-shaped eyebrows slanting into the temples, a pair of slender eyes, solemn and energetic.He wears a golden helmet with phoenix wings, a golden armor with dragon scales, a crimson uniform, and black combat boots.This person is Huang Chao!When the state officials heard about it, their faces changed, and the generals were distressed when they encountered it. Huang Chao, who is all over the world, is overwhelming!Huang Chao's shoulders are followed by four teams of soldiers, all with red scarves covering their heads and gold sash around their waists.Behind them are rows of warriors with golden helmets and armor, riding red, black, white, and yellow horses, marching majestically under the banners fluttering in the wind.Then there were hundreds of thousands of rebel soldiers holding spears.Behind the team of people and horses are dozens of teams of chariots full of food and supplies.The neighing of horses, bells, iron hooves, rumbling wheels, the slogans of rebels one after another, and the cries of eagles circling in the sky are intertwined, resounding through the sky, shaking mountains and trees.The soldiers and horses of the rebel army entered the city from the east gate of Chang'an City, and there was an endless stream. Until the time when the lanterns were lighted, the sound of the chaotic pace of the troops entering the city was still echoing in the streets and alleys. After Huang Chao entered the city, Shang Rang posted a bulletin and told the officials and the people: "The king of Huang raised his army, and he was originally a commoner. It's not like Li's family doesn't love Ru Cao. Ru Cao has no fear of living in peace." Since the situation is unclear, for the sake of safety Huang Chao lived in Tianlingzi Mansion that had been emptied that night.The private residence of the old thief Tian Lingzi is extravagant and magnificent, not inferior to the imperial palace in Luoyang, the eastern capital. The next day, Huang Chao led a hundred officials to proclaim himself emperor in the Hanyuan Hall of the imperial palace, and the name of the founding country was Daqi.Take Shangrang as Taiwei and Zhongshu Ling, Zhao Zhang as servant, Meng Kai and Gai Hong as Shangshu's left and right servants, Pi Rixiu as Hanlin scholar, Fei Chuangu as privy envoy, and Ma Xiang as right cavalry Among the regular attendants, Wang Fan was Jing Zhaoyin, Feng Chaicun was the vanguard officer of the chariot general, and Xu Jian, Mi Shi, Liu Tang, Zhu Quanzhong, Zhang Quan, Peng Zan, Li Kui, etc. were the game envoys of the generals.All officials below the fourth rank of the Tang Dynasty were retained, and the rest were dismissed and returned home.This Pi Rixiu is also an angry youth. Although he has won the Jinshi, he is arrogant and unruly all day long, especially good at reciting poems and prose.After the Yizong Dynasty, there were many poets with little achievements. Pi Rixiu was one of the few who were worried and angry about the world. Pi Rixiu has a poem "Acorns Sigh": "Acorns are ripe in deep autumn, and the hazelnuts are scattered. The yellow-haired women are picked up by the morning frost. When the time passes, the basket will be full, and the basket will be full after the sun. A few times and a few times Steamed and used as three winter grains. There is ripe rice in front of the mountain, and the purple ears are fragrant. The harvest is fine and pounded, and the grains are like jade. Keep it in the official, and there is no storage box in the private room. How can it be more than a stone, just for making Five buckets of measure. Cunning officials do not fear punishment, corrupt officials do not shy away from stolen goods. Private debts are made during the farming season, and returned to the official warehouse after farming. From winter to spring, acorns deceive the hungry. I heard that Tian Chengzi, deceitful benevolence is like a king. Ladies, I don’t feel tears staining my clothes.”From this poem, we can see Pi Rixiu's political views. He mourns the suffering of farmers in the world and hates the excessive taxation of corrupt officials.It may also be based on dissatisfaction with the current government that Pi Rixiu accepted Huang Chao's invitation to serve as an official in Huang Chao's Daqi Dynasty. Huang Chao hosted a banquet for the ministers that night to celebrate the biggest victory since the uprising.The lights inside and outside the palace are brilliant, the drums and music are loud, and there is a feast of delicious food.The civil servants and generals, dressed in fresh clothes, were in high spirits, congratulating each other and boasting of their military exploits.After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Huang Chao stood up from the high steps, and the noisy crowd immediately quieted down, looking up at the new emperor.Huang Chao said loudly: "Brothers, Li Tang has no way, the world is disappointed, and he throws the people into the water and fire, causing disasters to continue. Huang Mou obeyed the sky and followed the people, and fought with all the brethren. He raised the pole and fought for nearly ten years. Today Li唐气数已尽，京师遭弃，正是我大齐崛起之时！” 阶下众人山呼万岁。 黄巢举起一樽酒，继续说道：“取天下皆我等齐心协力之功，来，我们干杯！”文武百官齐刷刷仰头将酒喝干。 酒过三巡，菜过五味，黄巢的黄脸在酒精的作用下泛起了红光。就在众人猜拳行令吆五喝六的时候，黄巢抽出腰间佩剑，以剑敲击着石阶，边敲边吟唱出了他早年的一首诗：“待到秋来九月八，我花开后百花杀；冲天香阵透长安，满城尽带黄金甲！”黄巢是个情绪型选手，很喜欢发感慨，很愿意作诗抒怀。 尚让对身旁的柴存等人低声说道：“大王龙兴之前，屡考唐进士不中，唐朝暗弱，选人失贤，大王一怒奋笔写下这首借颂菊花而抒怀的诗，不想今日果然成真，天意啊！” 伴随着黄巢豪情激烈、壮志干云的吟唱，宴席两厢五十名壮汉奋力擂响五十面牛皮大鼓，边擂鼓边和唱，五十名宫女翩翩起舞，酒宴气氛推向了高潮。当晚，黄巢和众人一样，酒不醉人人自醉，况且长安城皇宫内的酒都是陈酿美酒，在酒精与情绪的交互作用下，人人都烂醉如泥。 狂欢宴会直到子时方休。朱全忠扶着醉醺醺的黄巢回内殿就寝，一边走，朱全忠一边向黄巢建议：“陛下，现在李俨窜逃西去，我们应该派人追杀，或许能够追及，如此则斩草除根。”黄巢含含糊糊地说：“李俨竖子，惶惶如丧家之犬，由他去吧，成不了什么大事。”朱全忠腮帮子鼓了鼓，欲言又止。 义军在长安城中驻扎了不到十天，军纪开始失控。很多部队沿街抢掠，以至于随意杀人，特别是对官宦富户恨之入骨，见到就抢、遇到就杀。尚让急匆匆地找到黄巢禀报：“陛下，几十万人驻扎城内，部队纪律难以维持，有些部署劫掠杀人，请陛下定裁。”黄巢脸色立即沉下来，说道：“入城之时，已宣布军纪，不许滋扰百姓，违者军法从事。”尚让迟疑了一下，又说道：“生乱军士以柴存部下为最凶，几日来已连杀三个大户人家，将其家财洗劫一空。”黄巢一愣，继而说道：“这些军兵出身贫苦，爱惜钱财也是常情，况且劫掠的都是高官显贵、土豪富户，这些人原本可恨。”尚让见黄巢没有进一步严肃军纪的意思，只好默然退出。黄巢没有及时惩罚违纪军兵，客观上助长了违纪作乱的风气。义军自上而下肆无忌惮地在城中打劫，几乎与强盗土匪无异。 一个月之后，朔方节度使唐弘夫赶到长安城外，与尚让等激战数次，并在一次偷袭中成功，杀入长安，斩首齐军万人。齐军匆忙撤出城。齐军对唐军实施了反包围，埋伏在郊外，对大意的唐军进行了反攻，最后重新杀入城中。 这次唐军突袭入城时，城内官员百姓对官军表示出了欢迎，并给予了帮助。齐军反攻入城后，黄巢认为长安城内上至官员下至百姓不与义军保持共同立场，都怀恋唐室，不可救药。黄巢展开了疯狂的报复，纵兵屠杀，豆卢彖、崔沆及左仆射于琮、右仆射刘鄴、太子少师裴谂、御史中丞赵濛、刑部侍郎李溥、京兆尹李汤、左金吾大将军张直方和皇室王子公主等几百人都被杀死，民众八万人身首异处。唐朝皇亲国戚、官员士绅全部遭到屠戮，豪宅门第被烧杀一空，公私财物被洗劫殆尽。一时间长安城内血流成河，腥风弥漫。有歌谣形容当时的恐怖情形：“华轩绣毂皆销散，甲第朱门无一半”；“内库烧为锦绣灰，天街踏尽公卿骨”。 黄巢进驻了长安，但仅仅是住下，几乎是无所事事地住了下来。黄巢占据长安后有三大失误： 其一是义军没有发布施政纲领，即使最简单最朴素的政治纲领和治国理念都没有提出来，更没有宣示天下。似乎打下长安成了战争和起义的唯一目的及终极追求。现在长安被踩在了脚下，当然意味着大功告成。大功既然告成，理应分封享乐。逻辑似乎是这样。但这的确是个错误的逻辑，而且是影响社会历史进程的错误逻辑。使得摇摇欲坠的唐帝国历史走向变得更加扑朔迷离、风波诡谲、血雨腥风。 第二个错误是没有追击僖宗及其逃亡势力。黄巢低估了封建帝王哪怕是十分窝囊的封建帝王所具有的能量，对这种能量甚至连封建帝王自己也未必认识充分，未必能够自由掌控。李唐皇室虽然落难逃亡，但其号召力仍然不可低估。仍然有名目繁多的各种利益集团需要这个落魄皇帝，需要借助这个皇帝以保全自己。无需皇帝招呼，还有很多力量会自动打出护驾复国的旗号，自动向皇帝靠拢，自动聚集围剿义军。黄巢远远没有认识到这一层，放弃追击僖宗皇帝及其残余势力，就等于纵虎归山，等于为李唐官家势力留下了喘息和反扑的时间与空间。 第三个错误是没有为义军指明今后的方向。几十万义军驻扎长安不是长久之计，无论是驻军和进军，黄巢都没有提出下一步的方略。义军本来就是起于社会底层，嫉富如仇、嫉官如仇，长期的游荡作战及剽掠习性保持着巨大的惯性，如何能够安分守法地住在长安城？没有进一步发展的事业做引领，在长安这个狭小的范围内，义军内部矛盾、义军与地方官民之间的矛盾酝酿发酵直至激化，已成为了必然。 这些不作为或者错误的作为，使黄巢丧失了政治基础和民众基础，也坐失了扩大胜利的良机。 新人没有新气象，黄巢义军的迅速失败就此种下了祸根。