Xichang, located in the hinterland of the Anning River Plain on the western Sichuan Plateau, is an important city in the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of the Panxi region, and a military focus at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan.

After Zhaojue's independent division was successfully captured, the main force of the regiment advanced to the Xide area of ​​Xichang and successfully isolated the Sichuan army guarding Xichang from the Sichuan army stationed in Ya'an.

The main forces of the other three regiments surrounded Xichang City without much resistance under the leadership of He Zhengdao. Facing the Red Army Independent Division surrounded Xichang City, the Sichuan Army Garrison Brigade stationed in Xichang, they also felt numb.

Even though the defenders of Xichang knew that the main force of the Red Army had entered the Liangshan area. As a military center in Liangshan, Xichang was also the target of the Red Army's attack. But the Red Army came so quickly, it was beyond their imagination.

Looking at the Red Army gathered outside the city and the Sichuan Army responsible for guarding Xichang, he seemed a little scared. After forming an encirclement, He Zhengdao did not rush to attack, but continued to send troops to carry out feint attacks on him to test the firepower of the defending troops.

After a night of rest, the Sichuan Army guarding the city on the morning of the next morning saw several Red Army officers and soldiers walking under the city wall and shouting: "Listen to the people in the city, you have been surrounded by our Red Army. Whether to fight or surrender, I will give you a chance to choose.

Don’t expect you to have reinforcements, your retreat has been blocked by us. In order to avoid casualties, I advise you to put down your weapons and surrender. As long as you surrender, we can give you a chance to survive."

Such shouts and some intimidating warnings made the defenders in the city even more panic. The brigade commander of the Sichuan Army, who calmed down in Xichang, looked at his subordinates and said, "With our current strength, how long can we last?"

Regarding such inquiry, a regiment commander soon said: "Entertainment, although we have a lot of food reserves and relatively sufficient weapons and ammunition. However, in terms of military strength, we are afraid that there will be fewer than the attacking Red Army.

The most important thing at the moment is whether we have reinforcements? What does the military headquarters say? Will we send reinforcements to support us in fighting the Red Army? If there are no reinforcements, we are afraid that we won’t last long.”

Looking at the several regiment commanders with anticipation, the brigade commander said helplessly: "I had asked the military headquarters for help before, and the military commander ordered us to stick to it. As for the reinforcements, I'm afraid there aren't. Compared with Xichang, the military commander cares more about the safety of Ya'an."

Although it is also under the control of the Sichuan Army, the troops currently stationed in Xichang were Liu Wenhui's troops who were driven here by Liu Xiang. At this time, Xichang actually belonged to the defense area of ​​the Sichuan border area.

For Liu Wenhui, the main force of the Red Army and the independent division, the strength of more than 50,000 troops was far greater than the number of troops he formed. Faced with the request for help from the Xichang defenders, Liu Wenhui asked himself not to send troops to seek help at will.

The reason is very simple. Compared with the importance of Xichang, he felt that Ya'an was more important. Secondly, in the face of Chiang Kai-shek's strict orders, he did not want Chiang Kai-shek to find an excuse, so he could only concentrate his main force to build a confining line near Ya'an.

Hearing that there were no reinforcements and still had to hold on, the commanders of the Sichuan Army felt incredible: "Persist in? How to hold on? It seems that we have become abandoned sons! If the Red Army really wants to attack the city, we are afraid that we will not have a good end."

‘What do you mean?’

As the commander of the garrison brigade, he did not dare to make decisions casually when dealing with such life-and-death decisions. But he knew one thing very well, that is, he would not end up in a head-on battle with the Red Army.

Even though there are a lot of materials in the city, but without reinforcements, they can't hold on for long. Since they died in battle, they still hope to save their lives. Who would want to die if they can survive?

‘I don’t think the Red Army wants to fight us hard. What I mean is to send someone outside the city to talk about the conditions with the Red Army. At the worst, we should let the Red Army agree to let us have a way out after we put down our weapons?’

Since they knew that the outcome of fighting hard was not good, survival became their greatest hope. At least in the eyes of these Sichuan troops, they did not make any mortal enemies with the Red Army, and I believe they would not be a typical example of the Red Army.

'Chief of Staff, why don't you go out of the city to talk to the commander of the Red Army on behalf of our brigade? See if you can give us a way out. If the Red Army really bullies us too much, then we can only fight with them to the end.'

The Chief of Staff of the Sichuan Army, who proposed the negotiation opinions, did not expect that these regiment commanders would let him serve as representatives to go out of the city to negotiate with the Red Army. Who knew what the Red Army would do to him after leaving the city?

Although they had not dealt with the Red Army before, they had heard that the Red Army had always been a lie to officers like them! If he really wanted to catch him and shoot him, wouldn't he be unfair to die?

But seeing that everyone seemed to agree to let him go out of the city to negotiate, the chief of staff also felt that why did he talk too much before? It turned out to be a problem!

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Okay, then I'll go out of the city and talk to the Red Army!"

When the Sichuan Army commander in the city discussed whether to fight or to have peace, Wang Tianlin and the three regiment commanders outside the city seemed somewhat impatient: "Teacher, let's fight! If these Sichuan Army don't give them a little color, they really think we dare not fight!"

‘Don’t be anxious! If you can negotiate and resolve matters, don’t use swords and guns. Compared to Liu Xiang’s Sichuan army, these Sichuan army only listen to Liu Wenhui. Now, Liu Wenhui’s main force dares not come to support them.

Without reinforcements, what choice do you think they can make? If the opponent is really desperate, our siege troops will definitely not get much advantage. Our soldiers cannot sacrifice in vain like this, do you understand?’

‘But how long will it take to hold on like this?’

The officers and soldiers of the Independent Division who had been resting all night seemed to have some expectations for the battle. However, as the division commander, He Zhengdao felt that there was still a great hope of persuading the defenders in the city. If they could die less, why should they attack forcibly?

After thinking for a while, he said, "Second Commander, pull your mortar company up and add some pressure to them. Prompt them!"

‘Yes, the teacher!’

Xu Renyi, the second regiment commander who received the order, was very happy to accept this order. Just when the second regiment set up a mortar to prepare for shelling, he found that a white flag was hung on the city.

A soldier said, "Brothers of the Red Army downstairs, don't rush to fire the artillery first. Our Chief of Staff wants to negotiate with you. He will come out immediately, don't fire the artillery!"

Seeing Bai Qi hear the shouting, Xu Renyi said helplessly: "How come these guys have surrendered so quickly?"

Although I felt a little regretful, Xu Renyi, as the leader of the regiment, also felt that He Zhengdao's words were reasonable. Since he could peacefully win Xichang, why should he have to attack? In the end, people will die in the attack of the city!

As the Second Regiment suspended artillery, the city gate that had been blocked was soon opened. Under the protection of a Sichuan Army company, the Chief of Staff of the Sichuan Army Garrison Brigade, who was guarding Xichang, also appeared at the city gate at the right time.

Looking at Xu Renyi who was walking towards him, the chief of staff also said politely: "I, Huang Yuren, the chief of staff of Xichang Garage Brigade, have you not asked me for advice yet?"

'Xu Renyi, commander of the Second Independent Division of the Workers and Peasants Red Army! Okay, our division commander wants to see you, come with me! Everyone else stands here and don't move. Don't worry, our Red Army also knows the reason why the two armies are fighting and not killing them.'

Xu Renyi, who said this, brought the Chief of Staff, who was also a little confused, to the temporary command center where He Zhengdao was. Huang Yuren was also very surprised to see that the commander of the Independent Division was so young.

But he said respectfully: "Hello, Commander He! I, Huang Yuren, is the chief of staff of the Xichang Garage Brigade. At the order of our brigade, I want to discuss the negotiations with your army. Please ask Commander He to give up his hands!"

He Zhengdao was also satisfied with the respect of the chief of staff: "Chief Huang, it seems that you have made a wise decision. Originally, several of my regiment commanders were ready to start an attack!

Since you think you want to negotiate terms, then talk about your conditions! If you think it is reasonable, I can agree. But I dare not give in easily if there is unreasonable conditions. Surrender is also the basis of negotiations."

‘Of course! It’s just that our brigade wants to know what your army plans to deal with us? I believe that Commander He also knows that we are also on orders. We have never dealt with the Army in the past, so we ask Commander He to give us a way out.’

Wang Tianlin and others who participated in the negotiations still despise these Sichuan Army commanders for their fear of death. But then they thought about it, they still hoped that such an enemy would get better and better.

Hearing Huang Yuren's words, He Zhengdao frowned and said, "In theory, you surrendered and avoided a battle, and you have made contributions. It is not too much to give you a way out.

But you should know our policies. If your officers and soldiers have hurt the Red Army, then I want to give you a way out, but I am afraid that it will not be possible. Can Chief Huang understand this, right?"

‘Understand, understand! Please rest assured, Division Chief He, we have never fought with the Red Army. Usually, in addition to being responsible for taxation, we are just fighting bandits. We have never done anything that is harmful to the world.’

In fact, Huang Yuren, who said this, still felt a little guilty. Even if he had never caused any public grievances, he had been greedy for military pay and accepted bribes. I wonder if this matter would be liquidated?
Chapter completed!