In the evening, Mei Xiaofei led the last part of his army in the middle and finally arrived in Phoenix City.
He brought what Jiang Wan had been waiting for - a twelve-pound rapid-fire mountain cannon.
This is a new achievement of Tieshan City Military Industry after the launch of the six-pounder gun. It is also the largest caliber cannon owned by Jiang Wan Group so far. After Jiang Wan assigned the rifling thing to Zhao Yuan and Tang Ruowang, Jiang Wan proposed it indirectly.
Jiang Wan came up with the idea of "rapid firing" of cannons, and the wisdom of the two Chinese and Western experts far exceeded Jiang Wan's expectations.
After the transitional cannon model of the six-pounder, Tieshan City finally produced this twelve-pound cannon. If converted according to the weight and caliber of the cannonball, this twelve-pound cannon is already equivalent to the 75mm caliber artillery of later generations.
After testing, this twelve-pound cannon can fire nearly ten kilograms of shotgun shells at a time, and its range has reached an astonishing five kilometers. The projectiles it fires are within four kilometers.
Within a range of kilometers, it still has strong lethality.
How should I put it? In the previous Liaodong Dusi Army, especially the West Route Army, they were still equipped with many old-fashioned Tiger Crouching Cannons, which also mainly fired shotguns (all kinds of iron sand and iron pellets). After firing,
The ammunition is fired out in a fan shape to kill the enemy. If the enemy is in a precise formation and the distance is short, a few squatting cannons can cause huge damage to the enemy.
Compared with this twelve-pound rapid-fire mountain cannon, the Tiger Crouching Cannon is simply a babbling child. No matter in terms of range, rate of fire, power, or ease of use, the twelve-pound rapid-fire mountain cannon can crush the twelve-pound rapid-fire mountain cannon in all aspects.
Pressing the tiger and squatting with the gun - this is not a level thing at all.
Of course, there is still a big gap between the mountain cannons of later generations imagined by Jiang Wan. Smokeless gunpowder cannot be produced in Tieshan City for the time being, which directly affects the range and power. Although Jiang Wan has a rough idea of the retreat machine,
He only knew a rough idea. No matter how he described it, it was still difficult for Tang Ruowang and Zhao Yuan to build a retreat machine at once. This resulted in the greater the power of the artillery and the greater the recoil produced when it was fired, which directly affected the performance of the artillery.
Transmission frequency.
This means that the firing frequency of this new type of mountain cannon can only be maintained at about two rounds per minute. No matter how much it is improved, it cannot be improved at present.
In Jiang Wan's mind, this is the most suitable heavy cannon that can be built at present, and is the most suitable for the Liaodong Dusi. Cannons of this caliber will never be considered "heavy" in later generations. However, in his Liaodong
In this era when the small three-pound cannon can achieve many feats, it is indeed a great weapon.
More importantly, this is a mountain cannon!
The weight has been reduced as much as possible, and the cannon body and frame can be disassembled. Even with the smelting level of this era, the total weight of the entire cannon does not exceed one thousand kilograms. This means that whether it is human or animal power,
It can be towed and transported. In Jiang Wan's view, this mobility is almost as important as the power of the cannon.
"How many doors were brought in total?"
"Twenty-four!" Mei Xiaofei said with some pride: "These big guys failed to catch up with the Battle of Liaoyang, but the guys in the artillery team were so resentful that they thought I was hiding them.
, now that they know the command of the commander, they finally have a chance to show their skills, and everyone is very happy!"
"Everything has been tested. Are you sure there is no problem?",
Jiang Wan also circled around the big dark guy in front of him with satisfaction, and patted the cannon hard: "Don't drop the chain when it comes in use, then you will let me down."
Looking forward to it!”
"If the artillery team of the Central Route Army fails to live up to the expectations of the commander, commander, you can withdraw me directly!" Mei Xiaofei said loudly: "Mr. Tang even followed a group of craftsmen to the front line. Even if some of the cannons were damaged by them,
, they can also repair it as soon as possible!”
"That's good!"
Zhao Huchen and Yao Chunyong, who were following Jiang Wan, were almost drooling, especially Yao Chunyong. He was still thinking about the pile of rifled cannons in the artillery camp of the main army. He didn't expect Jiang Wan to tinker with such a large batch of cannons.
Killer weapon, when he just heard Mei Xiaofei introduce the performance of these cannons, he couldn't help but speak. At this moment, he finally couldn't help it anymore.
"Actually, I think the firepower of our West Route Army is a bit too weak and needs to be strengthened. Commander, it is really a waste to put so many good things here in the Central Route Army!"
"What the middle army has, how can the main army not have it!" Zhao Huchen also said: "Besides, I think this cannon is almost the same as a six-pounder. Our artillery battalion should be able to use it if it is brought over.
No need!"
"General Zhao, if you don't lead such a bully, your main army has so many good things. What did I say? Why did you join in the fun as soon as I opened my mouth?"
The two commanders had a quarrel next to the cannon without any regard for decency. Jiang Wan coughed: "There is no need to argue. Now is not the time to argue about this. Mei Xiaofei's artillery battalion has been practicing these new cannons for some time.
We don’t have time to familiarize your artillery battalion with these new cannons, so for this battle, at least for this battle, don’t worry about it!”
He smiled slightly: "As for after this battle and with actual combat experience, are you still afraid that you don't have such good things in your artillery camp?"
"Commander, now that Commander Mei is here, you can tell everyone how we should fight this battle!"
Yao Chunyong nodded and changed the topic: "With the arrival of Commander Mei, almost all the commanders of our four major legions, except Commander Li Zicheng who is on the front line, are all here. Marshal, you can also give us face-to-face instructions!"
Jiang Wan nodded: "Come in with me, let's distribute the tasks..."
…
Jin Daying behind Gushan Fort.
Huang Taiji has arrived here for several days. Under his order, more than 20,000 troops of the Hou Jin Dynasty have been gathered in this camp, relying on Gushan Fort. In fact, at this moment, he is facing the soldiers of the Ming army in front of him.
There are more than 30,000 horses.
Every day, generals come to him to ask for a battle. Even though they know that the Ming army on the opposite side is a tough opponent, the pride that the Jin generals have developed over the years against the Ming army cannot be eliminated with one or two defeats.
.
They are still stubborn in their mission. At this moment, Hou Jin's defeat against Ming Dynasty is a problem of the generals who commanded the army. The combat power of Hou Jin's army is absolutely no problem against the Ming army. It was the incompetence of the generals that led to the defeat. If it were replaced by
If they lead the army, the situation will be completely different.
Huang Taiji suppressed all these calls for battle.
The situation is definitely not what his generals imagined. He can see the overall situation more clearly, and he knows more clearly that at the moment when he has mobilized a large army to gather here, in fact, it is already time to lose.
Morale is important, but no one can be too cautious as a commander.
One day ago, urgent military reports from the two sides were delivered to him. The Ming armies in Jinzhou and Liaoyang also began to prepare for action, although he was far less interested in the Ming armies in these two places than in the Zhenjiang Fort in front of him.
He takes it seriously, but he cannot ignore the other party and take advantage of this opportunity to push himself.
This caused him to change the destination of the more than 10,000 troops and horses that were supposed to be deployed here to fight against the Ming army in these two places.
In other words, he originally planned to mobilize almost 60,000 soldiers and horses here to completely wipe out the Ming army in Zhenjiang Fort with a thunderous force. At this moment, the number of soldiers and horses that can be mobilized here is only more than 40,000 people, and even if it is again
He could mobilize some troops and horses from Mongolia, but water from afar could not quench the thirst for nearness. As for the surrounding areas of Shengjing, he had compressed the defensive forces to the extreme, and it would be difficult to gather three to five thousand men.
Jiang Wan felt that the battle between Hou Jin and his Liaodong capital was insignificant to Hou Jin, but it was a life-and-death battle for the Liaodong capital. In fact, he had far underestimated himself.
In Huang Taiji's eyes, the importance of this battle is no less important than his attack on Liaoyang and Jinzhou. Once defeated, the power of Hou Jin will not only be completely compressed by the Ming army, but it will also take at least several years to restore its vitality.
It's been years.
In the large tent, several familiar faces gathered together and were discussing the military situation. Interestingly, the generals Huang Taiji summoned this time were all those who had fought against Jiang Wan's troops before, whether they were defeated or victorious.
, these people at least no longer think that the Ming army on the opposite side is a straw bag that is ready to collapse.
Abate, Azig, and Amin.
"Reinforcements from the Ming Army are still coming in a steady stream. They asked me why I didn't take advantage of our large army to gather and defeat the Ming Army in one fell swoop. Some people even thought that I was timid!
"
Huang Taiji chuckled and said, "Do you think so too?"
Abatai, Azig, and Amin all shook their heads: "A bunch of brainless guys!"
Abata sighed: "I have told them several times that the Ming army in front of them is not the Ming army they have met before, but what they got in return was their sneer. They thought that I was older and that I was not the Ming army they had met before."
They can't mount horses and they can't kill people. If it were them, they would have already reached Zhenjiang Fort with the thousands of men and horses that the Great Khan gave me!"
"You have taken advantage!" Amin looked solemnly: "That night, you and the Ming army fought against each other. The firearms the Ming army relied on did not work, which caused them heavy casualties. The Ming army will not let this happen.
They happened a second time!”
"That's right!" Abatai said: "If we fight again, whether it is day or night, I'm afraid we will have to fight against the Ming army's artillery fire, and the Ming army's reinforcements will definitely not lack these things.
!”
"We also have cannons!" Huang Taiji gave him a cold look: "This time I brought more than 20 cannons that were captured by the Ming army. I even had Folangji people to teach me. The Ming army has some, and we have the same.
Yes! Don’t just increase their ambition and destroy our prestige!"
"No, no, no!" Amin shook his head repeatedly: "We do have cannons and firecrackers, but the Ming army has more. Moreover, I have thought about it carefully recently. The Ming army's tactics of using these firearms are clearly aimed at
Our troops and horses and tactics of Daijin. In the beginning, the Ming army had a single Liaodong cavalry, which caused a lot of losses to our troops and horses. Now the Ming army has become more targeted in their tactics, and their firearms are simply
It’s so outrageous that I even suspect that Jiang Wan stole the entire Ming Dynasty’s treasury, otherwise, how could he have gotten so much money to make so many firearms!”
"The cavalry of the Ming Army were also found on the battlefield!" Abatai said expressionlessly: "They are still fighting in the same way as Zu Dashou's Guan Ning cavalry. Our people have been killed by them several times.
It’s a small loss. It is said that they are now called Dongjiang Iron Cavalry and their number is in the thousands.”
Huang Taiji frowned, suddenly feeling that besides the firearms of the Ming army, he was facing another big trouble.
"That is to say, if the Ming army in Dongjiang Town is not destroyed, and if Jiang Wan is not dead, we in Dajin will have trouble sleeping and eating!" Azige said fiercely: "According to me, it should be like what the Khan showed us.
Just like the Ming Dynasty's "Three Kingdoms", they used a strategy to kill this guy, or let their emperor kill this guy!"
"What crazy talk can you say at this time!"
Huang Taiji reprimanded the other party: "Is there any point in saying this now?"
"Sweat!" Amin thought thoughtfully: "Azig's words are not all crazy. According to the information we got, Jiang Wan was originally a scholar, and he had no restraints.
With the strength of a chicken, even if he is surrounded by many guards, if we really want to assassinate him, we may not have a chance!"
"Why are you so naive?" Huang Taiji looked at Amin: "How can it be so easy to assassinate the opponent's coach in the army? If this were the case, there would be no need to fight every battle with the Ming army, and we would just send people directly.
Wouldn't it be better to kill their commanders and generals?"
"No, no, no!" Abatai's eyes lit up slightly: "Assassinating the Ming army commander is indeed a bit unreliable. However, at this moment, the Ming army is gathering in Phoenix City, and the food, grass, baggage and even the gunpowder for their firearms are also piled up.
There, if we send a surprise attack there, pretending to assassinate the opponent's coach, but the actual purpose is to destroy the food, grass and baggage, this is possible!"
"Huh?" Huang Taiji looked at Abatai with doubts in his eyes.
"Right now, between the enemy camp and Phoenix City, the Ming army and our scouts are fighting each other every day. We sent hundreds of people to find a way to sneak into Phoenix City, and then..."
"Who is going?" Huang Taiji saw that the other party was serious, and his face became serious: "My generals and soldiers are very different from the Ming army. They will be discovered as soon as they enter the city. What's the difference between this and death?"
"Han Army Flag!" Abatai snorted slightly: "They are eating my military salary of Dajin, and it is time for them to contribute to our Dakin. With the two traitors Li Yongfang and Li Sizhong in front, I
I don’t believe it. These guys in the Han Army Banner are not trembling every day. What they want to do most at the moment is to prove their loyalty to me, Dajin, to the Great Khan. This kind of thing, and then they do their best.
!”
"Even if things don't work out and these guys die, we won't feel bad..." Abate snorted: "I can't trust these guys at all!"