Chapter 448: The soldiers are very fast and the city gate is broken instantly
In Prince Cheng’s Mansion, Zhang Shicheng’s face was as dark as water and he said coldly:
"Zhang Yangquan is bullying us because his gun has a short range. He can hit us, but we can't hit him!"
Zhang Shide said angrily: "Tomorrow I will lead 10,000 cavalry, go out and kill them, and destroy all those artillery pieces!"
Lu Zhen said anxiously: "No, there are 200,000 enemies. We are no match for us in a field battle. It's better to defend to the death!"
Zhang Shixin whispered: "Brother, Jiangdu's artillery is so powerful, we might as well surrender, it's still too late now!"
Zhang Shicheng glared at him and said coldly: "What's the matter with you? After coming back from Jiangdu Mansion this time, you always said that you would surrender. Could it be that Zhang Yangquan got any benefits?"
Zhang Shixin lowered his head and stopped talking.
Zhang Shicheng turned around and asked: "Bosheng, what do you think?"
Li Boxheng pondered for a long time and said: "In my opinion, Jiangdu's army does not want to attack the city, but just responds to our killing of their envoys, so it is best not to leave the city!"
Zhang Shicheng hummed: "If he attacks with artillery every day, I'm afraid all the soldiers will flee sooner or later!"
Li Boxheng stretched out a palm.
"Five days! After five days, if they continue to attack, we will rush out of the city and try to destroy those artillery!"
Zhang Shicheng took a deep breath and said: "Okay, let him fight for five days!"
……
Jiangdu Army's artillery fired continuously for three days. Although the soldiers hid behind the city wall, hundreds of people were accidentally hit by the falling artillery, and they were killed or injured.
The city wall was riddled with holes.
A gap was also opened in the west, but Jiangdu's army still did not take the opportunity to invade.
On the fourth day, Jiangdu's army stopped and set up camp without further action.
After receiving the news, Kuangjiao immediately convened the generals at the city wall for discussion.
"It seems that they really don't plan to attack the city."
Bai Suozuo said: "They bombarded us with artillery. Our side was not damaged, but it also avenged Zhang Shicheng's murder of the envoy. It was indeed a good way."
Kuan Kuo glanced at him and said, "What do you want to say?"
Bai Suo said seriously: "Your Highness, Zhang Shicheng killed us and the envoys of Jiangdu Army. Jiangdu Army immediately counterattacked, but we stood still. What will the soldiers below think?"
"Do you still want to attack Gaoyou City?"
Bai Suozuo said loudly: "We will attack for a few days and test it to see if the current Gaoyou army is really as tenacious as His Highness said!"
Guan Baodao: "Yes, to judge whether a wolf is strong or not, just shoot an arrow and watch its reaction."
Kuang Kuo pinched his fingers, took a deep breath, and said: "What you said is not unreasonable. Jiangdu's military artillery bombarded the city for three days, and the morale in the city will inevitably decline. Now is indeed a good opportunity."
Bai Suozhu performed a Mongolian etiquette and said: "You give the last general 50,000 horses, and the last general is willing to be a pioneer!"
Kua Kuo waved his hand and said, "No, I will lead the attack myself."
An order was immediately issued to mobilize 150,000 cavalry and march straight to Gaoyou.
Let Guan Bao lead 150,000 infantrymen and stay behind at Baoying to protect the grain road.
The Mongolian cavalry ran like the wind, expanded its profile and was well-trained. In just over two hours, the vanguard cavalry rushed to the foot of the Gaoyou city wall, stirring up dust all over the sky.
Kuang Kuo looked up and saw that there were not many defenders on the city wall, and they looked very panicked, running back and forth on the wall.
Kuakuo was secretly overjoyed and thought: "The enemy must have seen that I was far away in Baoying, so they transferred their main force to the south gate to guard against Jiangdu's army, and they didn't transfer back for a while!"
He would not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and immediately ordered the entire army to attack!
The Yuan army cavalry rushed to the bottom of the city wall, and the defenders hurriedly fired artillery to counterattack.
They used captured Yuan military artillery guns. There were twenty guns in total. They were not very powerful and their range was not satisfactory.
The cavalrymen of the Yuan army picked up their bows and set up arrows one after another. As the captains of each team passed orders and commanded, every time they shot, there was a dense rain of arrows.
Within a few moments of the confrontation, the city wall defenders were suppressed by the Yuan army's bows and arrows, and they could no longer breathe.
Some of the cavalry have already rushed to the city. They made several horses kneel on the ground together, put wooden planks on it, climbed up the planks, put up ladders, and climbed towards the city wall.
This is the Mongols' quick attack strategy. Generally, shorter city walls will be occupied by them in an instant.
Fortunately, the Gaoyou city wall was built many times and was quite high, so Yuan soldiers could not climb it for a while.
The defenders on the city took the opportunity to attack with large rocks and kerosene, preventing the Yuan army from planning to quickly attack the city wall.
After a brief battle, the number of defenders on the city wall gradually increased.
However, at this moment, a loud bang was heard, and a group of Yuan soldiers carried a log and knocked open the city gate.
The morale of the Yuan army soared, and they rushed towards the city gate with shouts of ho ho.
The expansion was also full of surprises. Gaoyou City, which was so difficult to attack back then, was so easily defeated today.
He took a deep breath and said to Bai Suo: "You were right this time. I overestimated Zhang Shicheng!"
Bai Suosuo smiled and said: "Zhang Shicheng may not have lost his spirit, but his soldiers and generals are no longer the same salt men who were not afraid of death!"
In Gaoyou City, Zhang Shicheng was shocked and angry when he learned that Kuaoku was already attacking the north gate. He quickly issued an order to have people from all walks of life rush to the north gate for reinforcements.
He himself also personally ordered three thousand royal guards and headed straight for the north gate. During the run, teams continued to join in.
Walking to Beichang Street, I suddenly saw a traffic jam ahead, densely packed with sergeants.
Zhang Shicheng was very angry and immediately sent someone to inquire about the situation.
When asked, he became even more furious.
It turned out that the first two troops were transferred to the North Gate for reinforcements. Unexpectedly, the two troops collided at the intersection of Beichang Street. They both wanted to get past first, but they ended up squeezing into a ball.
Zhang Shicheng raised his sword and beheaded the general of the subsequent team. Only then did the two groups restore order. Under his leadership, they headed towards the north gate together.
However, the Gaoyou Army has not practiced for a long time, similar situations have occurred elsewhere, and chaos has occurred in many places.
When Zhang Shicheng was three miles away from the north gate, he saw a broken army rushing in front and being chased by the Mongolian cavalry behind.
Zhang Shicheng felt a chill in his heart, and then he realized that the city gate had been lost.
Although he was not panicked, he said loudly: "Soldiers, follow me and charge forward to recapture the city gate!" He pulled out the sword at his waist and rushed over first.
However, the negative impact of the defeated army exceeded his expectations.
When many soldiers saw that the Mongolian cavalry had already charged in, they instantly lost their fighting spirit, turned around, and fled with the defeated army.
Fortunately, Zhang Shicheng's bodyguards were extremely brave and followed him closely.
Zhang Shicheng ordered debris on both sides of the road to be piled on the street to block the charge of the Mongolian cavalry.
After a while, the Guards and the Mongolian cavalry fought together.
Not long after the battle, a group of troops suddenly came from the side and joined the battle. The leader was Zhang Shide.
The Yuan army's cavalry only had two thousand-man teams. With the combined efforts of Zhang Shicheng and Zhang Shide, they were finally wiped out.
Zhang Shicheng wiped the blood on his face and asked Zhang Shide: "How is the situation at the north gate?"
Zhang Shide angrily cursed: "The one guarding the north gate is that bastard Pan Yuanming. I don't know how he guarded it, but the Yuan army broke down the city gate and abandoned the city and fled!"
Zhang Shicheng's face darkened and he said, "Has the North Gate been captured?"
Zhang Shide said: "When I led the troops and rushed over, Shixin was fighting fiercely with the Tatars, trying to recapture the city gate. I saw many Tatars entering the city, so I came to pursue them."
Zhang Shicheng scolded: "What do you care about these people? Why don't you help Shixin retake the city gate?"
Zhang Shide shook his head and said: "Brother, you have also seen that these Mongolian Tatars appear in the city. As soon as the brothers see them, they will flee like before. If we don't destroy them, this battle cannot be fought!"
Zhang Shicheng's face turned pale. It had only been a few years since the heroic and fearless Gaoyou Army had turned into a group of cowards!
The two men immediately led the troops and ran towards the north gate. Halfway through, they encountered a group of troops fleeing from the front.
Zhang Shicheng saw the leading general and roared: "Lu Zhen, do you want to be a coward?"
The leader of that group was Lu Zhen. After hearing Zhang Shicheng's words, he suddenly shouted: "Stop the whole army!" The group stopped immediately.
Lu Zhen then ordered the team to turn around and rushed north again.
Zhang Shicheng was heartened and was about to lead his troops to follow.
I saw a deputy general rushing from Lu Zhen's team, dismounted from his horse, cupped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, General Lu Zhen, please return to the palace immediately!"
Zhang Shicheng said angrily: "I'm going to take back the North Gate. What should I do when I return to the palace?"
The deputy general said: "The city gate has been captured by the Yuan army, and Marshal Shixin's army has been completely wiped out. General Lu Zhen wanted to inform you that you should return to the palace quickly, gather all the people in the city, and wait for an opportunity to counterattack.
”
Zhang Shicheng swayed: "Shixin is dead?"
Zhang Shide supported him and said loudly: "Brother, Lu Zhen is right. Our troops are scattered all over the place and will only be defeated by the Tatars one by one. We should return to the palace immediately and gather our troops!"
"Trapped in the palace, isn't it just waiting to be killed?"
Zhang Shide said in a deep voice: "Don't forget the Jiangdu army outside the South Gate. As long as we transfer the South Gate defenders back, they will definitely enter the city and maybe start fighting with the Tatars first."
Zhang Shicheng suddenly woke up.
If both of them lose in a fight and slowly gather their forces, even if they cannot recapture Gaoyou City, they can at least have a good fight with the two families.
"Go and get Lu Zhen back!" he shouted hurriedly.
The deputy general said: "The Tatar cavalry have already come after them. Marshal Lu Zhen went over to hold them back so that you could have time to turn the team around and return to the palace!"
Zhang Shicheng's eyes were red, he looked into the distance, and heard a faint sound of fighting.
He took a deep breath and immediately issued an order for the army to return to the palace. At the same time, he sent dozens of messengers to have all the armies in the city assemble at the palace!