Chapter 92 Changes in the situation (please subscribe for support)

Author: Scholar Wu

Chapter 92 Changes in the situation (please subscribe for support)

Tian Xiong stayed in Cixi County with the 300 soldiers he exchanged from Huang Binqing.

With 5,000 troops, they marched toward Ningbo Mansion.

Hu Hitili had repeatedly made military exploits in previous battles, and was brave and resourceful. Tian Xiong also valued him and directly promoted him to the rank of staff general and transferred him to his command.

Tian Xiong said: "I didn't expect that the war in Zhejiang would deteriorate to this point. News came from the prefect Zhu of Shaoxing that the pseudo-governor of Suhu, Qian Mo, had surrendered the Hangzhou Bay Navy and has now crossed the Qiantang River and occupied Xiaoshan."

"Zhifu Zhu is worried that the Ming army will take Shaoxing directly, and requests our army to return to Shaoxing quickly to prevent any unexpected events."

"And there is news from Governor Xiao that Hangzhou is now besieged by the Ming army and the situation is urgent. I am asked to return immediately to relieve the siege of Hangzhou. I wonder what Hu Shen will think of this matter?"

Hu Hitili said: "Although our army has regained Cixi County this time when it went north, it has also reached a tacit agreement with Huang Binqing, and there is no need to worry about the future. But with all due respect, we have missed the best opportunity to recapture Ningbo. At this moment, I am afraid that Zhang Mingzhen's reinforcements have already Arrived in Ningbo."

Tian Xiong said: "Since I received the news from Governor Xiao that there was an emergency in eastern Zhejiang, I led the cavalry to Ningbo day and night. Unexpectedly, it was still a step too late. Although our army defeated the Ming army outside Ningbo City and killed We defeated many enemies, but without the infantry to follow up, Zhang Mingzhen finally gained a foothold in Ningbo."

Hearing this, Hu Hitili also said with shame: "It was all due to the recklessness of humble positions, eagerness for success, and rash attacks that led to Zhang Mingzhen's sneak attack on Ningbo Mansion. If we could hold on for a few more hours, the reinforcements from the Admiral would have arrived, and now it's It’s a different situation.”

Tian Xiong said: "Things have changed, and it is useless to worry. How does General Hu Shen think we should deal with it next?"

Hu Hitili whispered: "I heard that the Eight Banners in Hangzhou were all annihilated by the Ming army in Huzhou. Even the head of Pingnan General Jin Li was sent to Hangzhou by the Ming army. I don't know if this is true."

The news of the annihilation of the Eight Banners in Hangzhou has long been known to everyone through the operation of the Intelligence Department. Of course Tian Xiong also knew about it. However, this matter had a huge impact on the morale of the Qing army, so it was difficult to say clearly. Tian Xiong He just nodded to show that it was indeed the case.

Hu Hitili said: "From this point of view, I am afraid that the Ming army in Hangzhou is more difficult to deal with than the Ming army in eastern Zhejiang. Now we have no navy. Even if the army returns to Hangzhou and can recapture Xiaoshan by chance, it will not be able to cross the Qiantang River. There is no solution. Can’t survive the siege of Hangzhou.”

"If we can regain Ningbo in one fell swoop, we can naturally completely change the war situation in eastern Zhejiang. Taking Ningbo at this time is the best strategy."

"If we withdraw from Shaoxing, it would be a middle strategy to give an explanation to all aspects. However, although it will be difficult for the Ming army to capture Shaoxing in a short period of time, once the Ming army in Hangzhou and Ningbo gain a firm foothold and attack Shaoxing from both sides, we will In the end, the army could not hold Shaoxing."

"Our army will be in trouble when it returns to Hangzhou. This is a bad idea. The army will definitely stop at the Qiantang River."

Tian Xiong said: "It seems that our army is really in a dilemma. As General Hu said, the only way out is to conquer Ningbo."

"This time I have transported 10 red cannons from Shaoxing Prefecture. Now the morale of our army is high. Without Huang Binqing's restraint, we can surely regain Ningbo in one fell swoop."

Hu Hitili said: "But how should we explain it to Governor Xiao?"

Tian Xiong said helplessly: "The general is out, and the military orders are not obeyed."

After arriving in Hangzhou, Qian Mo was in a good mood. His plan to use the city of Hangzhou to "encircle and mobilize reinforcements" was very successful. He had already eaten up the Qing troops who came to Hangzhou from all walks of life. He was now waiting for Tian Xiong's army to return to Hangzhou.

Qian Mo remembered that last year he and Gu Xin'er went boating on Taihu Lake in the middle of the winter, which was quite embarrassing. The weather was nice today and the beauty happened to be by his side, so he decided to explore the beautiful scenery of West Lake with Gu Xin'er.

Now that the army is besieging the city, the city gates of Hangzhou are closed day and night, and the West Lake is much empty.

In later generations, Qian Mo also visited the West Lake many times and was naturally familiar with the "Ten Scenes of the West Lake", so he volunteered to be Gu Xin'er's tour guide.

Qian Mo said: "Xin'er has been working hard these days rehearsing for the 'Zhezi Opera' troupe. Today, let me reward you and show you the beautiful scenery of the West Lake."

West Lake in Hangzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with beautiful peaks. The highest peak among the mountains of West Lake is Tianzhu Mountain. The surrounding lake is divided into two branches, namely the south peak and the north peak, which are called "double peaks". Looking at the two peaks from the West Lake, each

When it clears up after the rain, the peaks of the two peaks are looming in the mist. The clouds and mist are thick and light, and the clouds are changing, just like a splash-ink landscape painting. The scenery is very beautiful.

Qian Mo said: "This 'Twin Peaks in the Clouds' is one of the ten scenic spots in the West Lake. It can usually be seen when it clears up after the rain. It cannot be seen at all other times, and it is only possible to see it before the plum rain season every year.

big."

"I have been in Hangzhou for a while and have never seen it before. Today I saw Xin'er as soon as I came here. This shows how partial this God is."

Gu Xin'er said with a smile: "Some time has passed, but my husband is getting better and better at making people happy."

"You want to accompany me to see the ten scenic spots in the West Lake today so that you don't miss any of them?"

The ten sceneries of the West Lake are spring dawn on the Su Causeway, clouds on the twin peaks, orioles in the willows, watching fish in Huagang, wind lotuses in the Quyuan, autumn moon on the flat lake, dawn bells on the Nanping screen, moon reflected in the three pools, thunder peaks shining in the west, and broken bridges with lingering snow.

Qian Mo said with a sad face: "It's not difficult to read it, but these 'Ten Scenes of the West Lake' include the scenery of the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, some of which are specific to the weather, such as 'Wind Lotuses in the Quyuan' must be in summer, and 'Broken Bridge with Remaining Snow'

It must be a snowy day, and 'Pinghu Autumn Moon' must be a day with a full moon."

Gu Xin'er said: "I don't care about that. It's rare that you have time to accompany me today. You must let me have a lot of fun!"

Qian Mo smiled bitterly and said: "My husband, I will definitely accompany you to have fun today, but there is one thing. There are artillery of the Qing army on Hangzhou City. We will not go to places too close to Hangzhou City."

"It's not like we can't see the 'Broken Bridge with Remaining Snow' in winter. It's too close to Qiantang Gate in Hangzhou, so we won't go there."

Gu Xin'er said: "This broken bridge is the place where White Snake and Xu Xian met in 'The Legend of White Snake'? It would be a pity not to go see it!"

In the late Ming Dynasty, the story of "The Legend of White Snake" was not widely circulated. Qian Mo was surprised that Gu Xin'er knew this legend. In order not to disappoint Gu Xin'er, Qian Mo said: "Look at the Broken Bridge

It's not impossible, we can go boating on the West Lake and watch it from a distance."

So Qian Mo asked someone to find a few double-decker boats, and under the protection of the Shenji Battalion soldiers, he and Gu Xin'er began to swim in the West Lake. Although there were other people on the boat that affected their "two-person world", there were still people in Hangzhou city.

Shuimen can lead directly to the West Lake. If a few warships emerge from the city, Qian Moke will be left with nothing to eat, so he can only send a few more ships to protect him.

Qian Mo continued to introduce to Gu Xin'er with great interest: "In front is Baidi. It is customary to call Gushan and the West Lake to the north of Baidi called Lixi Lake, and the place we are here is called Waixi Lake."

"Look at the lush lotus leaves in the West Lake here. In summer, the lotus blooms like a beautiful woman with heavy makeup; while the West Lake outside is melodious and empty, like a noble and elegant woman."

"Su Dongpo's famous saying, "If you want to compare the West Lake to the West, it is better to wear light makeup and heavy makeup." It refers to the light makeup and heavy makeup of the outer West Lake and the inner West Lake."

Gu Xin'er was fascinated by what she heard and said, "My husband seems not to be from Hangzhou, so why are you so familiar with the West Lake?"

Qian Mo said: "My husband, I am also a Zhejiang person. How can I not know about Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang?"

"Speaking of the West Lake, does Xin'er know that this West Lake was almost filled up in history?"

Gu Xin'er said: "There is this matter, but I really haven't heard of it. Why don't you tell me about it?"

Qian Mo said: "In the second year of Qianhua in the Later Liang Dynasty (July 912 AD), Zhu Yougui, son of Zhu Wen, the emperor of Liang Dynasty, respected Qian Liu, King of Wuyue, as his 'Shangfu' and allowed him to expand the Yacheng Palace."

"A magician suggested to Qian Liu that if he expanded upon the old foundation, his country would last only a hundred years; if he filled in the West Lake and built it, his country would be extended ten times!"

Gu Xin'er said: "Thousand-year-old Kingdom Zuo? Which king would not be tempted? These sorcerers really dare to say anything in order to please the king?"

Qian Mo said: "Qian Liu replied that the people live on the water of the West Lake. Without water, there would be no people. If there were no people, then I would really be alone. How can there be an Allah who does not change for thousands of years in the world? If there is If the country is a hundred years old, then I will be satisfied! Instead of following the sorcerer’s advice to fill up the West Lake, a Thousands of people were specially formed to dredge the West Lake.”

Gu Xin'er said: "This King of Wu Yue has a really broad mind. He must be an amazing king."

Qian Mo said: "The old site of Yacheng expanded the fence, leaving the green waves of the West Lake. It is a famous saying that a country's hundred-year wish will come true, and it will last a thousand years."

Gu Xin'er said: "I didn't expect that the West Lake would have experienced such a catastrophe. By the way, why is there no one fishing in the West Lake now?"

Qian Mo said: "Now there is a war in Hangzhou City. People inside can't get out, and people outside don't dare to approach. Naturally, there are no people fishing in the West Lake."

Gu Xin'er pointed to the fishing boat in the distance and said, "Look, are there still people fishing here?"

Qian Mo said to Liu Yichen downstairs: "Is this fishing boat a spy sent by the Intelligence Department?"

Liu Yichen said, "The intelligence department's spies did not communicate through fishing boats."

Qian Mo said: "There is something wrong with this ship. Send someone to intercept this ship quickly."

Sure enough, after seeing other boats approaching, the fishing boat began to sail quickly towards Hangzhou City. However, the large "ship" of the Ming army was much faster than this small fishing boat. Soon the soldiers on the boat threw "flying claws" , and captured this small fishing boat.

At this time, we were very close to Yongjinmen in Hangzhou, which scared the Qing troops on the city and started firing artillery. Fortunately, the probability of the artillery hitting a moving target was really low.

Seeing that his good trip to the West Lake was interrupted by these people, Qian Mo naturally had no mercy for them and ordered the Intelligence Department to let them speak quickly.

Finally, under severe torture from the Intelligence Department, these people finally revealed the truth.

They are envoys sent to Hangzhou by Chen Jin, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang. Chen Jin sent 15,000 troops north to support them. Everyone has entered Chuzhou and will arrive in Hangzhou in three days.

Qian Mo said: "It seems that the information from the Intelligence Department is lagging behind. There is no news about such a big move by the Fujian Qing Army."

Liu Yichen said: "My subordinates must send someone to verify the situation as soon as possible."

"There is news from eastern Zhejiang that Tian Xiong did not follow Xiao Qiyuan's arrangement and return to Hangzhou. Instead, he led his army to attack Ningbo after regaining Cixi County and is now fighting a decisive battle with Dingxi Hou."

Qian Mo said: "It is good news that Tian Xiong did not return to Hangzhou. Now the Qing army in Fujian has moved north. We must capture Hangzhou before they do, otherwise we will be quite passive."

Now let's adjust our deployment. The Jingnan camp is aiming for Changhua, and the Qing troops on the front line of Lin'an must ensure the safety of the west side of Hangzhou.

Chongming camp left 1,000 people to stay in Fuyang and 500 people to stay in Xiaoshan. The remaining 1,500 people immediately rushed back to Hangzhou to participate in the siege.

The Jiaxing camp mobilized 1,000 troops to go south to the north of Hangzhou.

The Zhejiang Navy entered the Qiantang River and deployed defenses from Fuyang to Xiaoshan.

The troops from Jiaxing Battalion and Chongming Battalion participating in the attack on Hangzhou must be in place within one day.

Qian Mo said to Huang Yu again: "Jingnan camp will start attacking Fengshan Gate in the south today, remember to kill the maximum number of Qing troops."

Hangzhou is the only metropolis in the south of the Yangtze River after Nanjing. Its outer city wall has a circumference of nearly 40 miles and a total of 10 city gates.

To the north are Genshan Gate and Wulin Gate; to the west are Qiantang Gate, Yongjin Gate, Qingbo Gate, and to the west are Qiantang Gate, Yongjin Gate, and Qingbo Gate; to the south are Fengshan Gate; and to the east are Houchao Gate, Wangjiang Gate, Qingtai Gate, and Qingqing Gate near Tiesha River. Spring Gate.

Among them, the whole city is set up from Qiantang Gate to Yongjin Gate in the west, which is equivalent to an inner city.

Since it is close to Thessa River in the east and West Lake in the west, it is quite inconvenient to attack the city.

The easier ones to attack are Fengshan Gate in the south of Hangzhou, Houchao Gate in the southeast, and Qiantang Gate in the northwest.

Since the commanding heights of Fenghuang Mountain are outside the south city, Shenji Battalion's main attack direction this time is Fengshan Gate in the south.

At this time, there were only 5,000 regular Qing troops and several thousand young men in Hangzhou.

Since the Ming army had been attacking outside Fengshan Gate before, Xiao Qiyuan also judged that Nancheng must be the main direction of the Ming army's attack, and deployed a total of 1,500 Qing troops here.

Since Fenghuang Mountain extends directly to the city wall of Hangzhou, there is no moat from Fengshan Gate to Qingbo Gate, and the Ming army does not need to fill in the moat to attack.

The Ming army occupied the commanding heights of Phoenix Mountain, so the Ming army's artillery could directly attack the Qing army's southern city from a high position.

In fact, the Hangzhou City in the Song Dynasty was larger than that in the Ming Dynasty. At that time, Fenghuang Mountain in the south was completely included in the Hangzhou City Wall.

However, those who built the city were not fools. The reason why they dared to leave the commanding heights of Phoenix Mountain outside the city was because there was also the commanding heights of Wushan Mountain in the south city of Hangzhou.

The south city of Hangzhou is located between two high mountains. The Ming army outside the city can attack the Qing army from Fenghuang Mountain, and the Qing army inside the city can also attack the Ming army outside the city from Wushan.

At this time, artillery fire continued in Nancheng of Hangzhou, and the two sides were engaged in a fierce artillery battle. The battle for Hangzhou also began.

Please support me with recommendation votes, monthly passes, follow-up reading, comments, and rewards!

Thank you for your subscription support. The book club has been created. You can add it. 200 new chapter recommendation packages will be sent out on time at 0:10 today. Thank you for your recommendations, follow-up reading, comments, monthly votes, rewards and little love for the characters. Hope everyone can grab the bag!
Chapter completed!