Bamboo ladders fell down one after another, and the bandits retreated one after another. Finally, there was a sound of gongs, and the infantry fled, leaving dozens of dead and wounded under the city. Some of the bandits who fled were sitting and lying on Zilai Street, most of them were
Injured by a stone.
There were thunderous cheers on the east wall, and the soldiers were in high spirits. The poor performance of this wave of rogue bandits made the soldiers feel that they were very powerful, and the rogue bandits were nothing more than that.
Pang Yu heard someone nearby loudly inciting the soldiers. They were all students from Tongcheng. The gentry who assisted Dongcheng were led by Wang Wenyao. There were ten students in total, and they were deployed at intervals throughout the east wall. These people kept indoctrinating the soldiers.
The ferocity of rogue bandits.
The refugees who entered the city yesterday brought news of the killings in Chaoxian and Lujiang. From last night to this time, news has spread throughout Tongcheng.
Pang Yu hoped to turn the people's fear into the will to fight, and these soldiers in front of him did play a certain role.
The more than a thousand bandits helped the wounded soldiers and retreated to Zilai Bridge amidst the shouts and curses of the soldiers on the wall. Then the archers in red clothes also retreated one after another. The bandits seemed to have no other means.
The rogue bandits continued to camp outside the city. The cavalry dispersed to the countryside to let their horses drink water and graze. The rogue infantry placed under the city were ignored. The leader of the bandits under the yellow flag across the city trench stopped where he was, discussing something with the two people around him.
.
Pang Yu felt more relaxed. The main force of the soldiers had high morale and did not disperse in the face of danger. The subsequent battle should be easier to fight. He hoped that the rogue bandits could retreat as soon as possible.
Today's first wave of attacks by rogue bandits poses almost no threat. In Pang Yu's imagination, the siege should be like that in The Lord of the Rings, with siege engines higher than the top of the city, catapults, ramming vehicles, etc.
It would be difficult to defend Tongcheng, but it seems that the rogue bandits are indeed a light force, and their equipment is made of bamboo ladders made from local materials.
If it is at this level, then Pang Yu believes that Tongcheng is basically defended. In ancient times, the siege was to cross the city wall. Today's rogues' attack methods are single and insufficient to conquer the city wall.
The bandits did not attack again throughout the afternoon, but another group of men in red crossed the bridge. Most of these people were holding bows and arrows. There were more bows and arrows than the first group. The same group of small and medium-sized people dispersed into Zilai Street, followed by some infantry.
Carrying burdens between the two sides of the river, it was probably to deliver supplies to these archers. As for the role of those archers, Pang Yu thought that they were to control Zilai Street and prevent the guards from crossing the river at night to make sneak attacks. Of course, Pang Yu never thought about it that way.
.
As night gradually fell, all the high lamps on Tongcheng were lit, and many more lanterns were added. Because it was just after the New Year, there were a huge number of lanterns in the city, illuminating the entire city wall as if it were daytime.
Meals began to be delivered to the city, and the soldiers ate at the top of the city and took turns resting in the grass factory.
There was a constant stream of people below the city, bringing bricks, lime bottles and other items to the top of the city. Even women and children were helping to carry them. The entire Tongcheng City was mobilized to defend their homes.
The lights in the wilderness outside the city were equally brilliant. Countless bonfires and lanterns were like stars in the sky, spreading from the eastern suburbs to the southern suburbs. The scale of the bandits was far beyond Pang Yu's imagination.
There were many shadows of people in their camp, and there was a continuous sound of knocking on wood. It was unclear whether they were setting up camp or making equipment.
Pang Yu patrolled along the city wall for a week to check the condition of the other three walls.
On the north wall, the rogue cavalry team climbed up to Guanye Cliff in the northwest corner in the afternoon. The top of the mountain here is higher than the city wall. They rushed straight towards this place. Apparently they had obtained information in advance, or they only knew about this place because they had a guide nearby.
It is a weak link in the city's defense.
The wooden platform that Pang Yu insisted on building during the Spring Festival worked. The archers of the Zhuang squad relied on the height of the wooden platform to contain the rogue bandits on Guanye Cliff and prevented them from suppressing the city. The rogue cavalry tried it out and found that they had no advantage.
Then they left Guanye Cliff, with very few casualties on both sides.
The rogue bandits in the south of the city just fired arrows at the city head and circled all the way to the west gate. They retreated to their camp only after the gong sounded on the east side.
There is an official on each of these walls. Zhou County Cheng is on the west wall, Yang Erming is on the south wall, Xu Dianshi is on the north wall, and there are many old gentry assisting on the city wall, such as Jiang Zhihuai, Jiang Chen, Yao Pisun, Fang Wen, etc.
They are all at the top of the city. These people are not strong, but they all have a good reputation among the people. They have a good influence among the soldiers and play a backbone role in defending the city.
It is different from the time of civil unrest, when the common people, gentry, and yamen were against each other, and it was mainly a struggle for interests. But now when facing the rogue bandits, the officials and the people share the same hatred, because the news from Chaoxian and Lujiang shows that once the rogue bandits break the city, it will be really difficult.
The officials and the people were both destroyed.
Therefore, this time the relationship between the government and the people was harmonious, and the county government received unanimous support from all walks of life. When Yang Erming came to Xiangyangmen, although his face was haggard, there was a hint of relief in the exhaustion.
Also following him was Zhou Xian Cheng, who was on duty at the Western Wall today. Although the bandits passed by, there was no fighting. If the bandits were repelled in this way, he would not be in danger and he would be able to defend the city.
It’s also very pleasing to the eye when I look at Pang Yu.
The young county magistrate originally had a serious look on his face, but when he saw Pang Yu, he smiled immediately, "Pang Bantou's plan is very thorough, but the rogue bandits returned without success today, and they will definitely come back tomorrow. We must not relax on the city wall."
"My subordinates will understand."
Pang Yu cupped his hands and replied, "All the soldiers will stay on the wall and take turns to rest at night to maintain their strength.
New bandits have arrived today. Although the initial attack is unfavorable, they are still large in number. It is estimated that they will fight no matter what tomorrow, and the number of people must be even greater than today."
Yang Erming pointed to Wang Wenyao not far away, "The gentry donated money and gifts, and the people enthusiastically defended the city. It's clear who the people are, and there is no reason to let the rogue bandits succeed."
"As your Excellency said, after the victory in the daytime, the people have gained confidence. The gentry on the east wall supervising the battle at the top of the city today has really helped a lot."
Yang Erming frowned again and said, "Speaking of which, the yamen are not as good as the gentry this time.
Before the Spring Festival, when I was harvesting my true colors, I was specifically told to store more grain to prepare for the defense of the city. When preparing for the war the day before yesterday, the preparation warehouse and Fengyu warehouse were still empty, and the bank was also empty. My officer, my officer
..." He had an angry look on his face, and there was no intention of concealing his emotions on his young face. Although he didn't say anything, it was obvious that he was quite angry with both the households and the warehouses.
Pang Yu is not too worried about food and money, because there is food in the grain store in the city, and the gentry donated money. The reward he promised at the top of the city today is the same silver. Even if there is no food in the preparation warehouse and Fengyu warehouse, it will not affect
city defense.
On the contrary, he was a little worried about Tang Weimin. He was spoiling Yuan Cangzi and wanted to store grain at this time, which would definitely offend Yang Erming.
Zhouxian Cheng had a good relationship with Tang Weimin. After hearing this, Pang Yu didn't answer. Pang Yu quickly changed his mind and said, "Think about the reserve warehouse. Fengyu warehouse has been suffering for a long time. It's not like this now.
Fortunately, the bandits will not stay long, and there should be enough food in the city."
Yang Erming looked at the sea of lights outside the city and sighed, "I just feel sorry for the people outside the city. Before dark, I saw some people in the southern suburbs being captured by the cavalry. I don't know if they can save their lives."
Pang Yu did not answer. Many people were arrested in the eastern suburbs, and even many people were arrested on Zilai Street yesterday. After the rogue bandits failed to raid Xiangyang Gate, hundreds of people were found on Zilai Street, and they were all left to die at home.
Those who want to go to the city.
The original plan of the county government was that after receiving a clear warning, these people would naturally enter the city.
As a result, without waiting for the warning, the rogue bandits made a surprise attack, and all the city gates were closed, leaving these people trapped in the urn.
Pang Yu found it difficult to understand that these people were so indifferent to the approaching bandits.
Many of them did not go to the city because they were afraid that the county government would take the opportunity to burn down their houses. They cried and fought, and finally succeeded in saving their houses.
Now after being caught by the bandits, they are still crying and fighting on Zilai Street, but now no one cares about their feelings.
He didn't want to talk about these people. There were tens of thousands of bandits and thousands of cavalry outside the city. Tongcheng's strong squad was unable to save people. Talking about them would only be asking for trouble.
If he had known this, Liu Xiucai should have been locked up in Donglai Tower and left to these bandits.
The county magistrate probably didn't want to mention it that time, so he changed the topic and said, "Pang Bantou estimates, how many bandits are there in total outside the city?"
Pang Yu pointed to the northeast, where there was a hazy halo on the sky, "Sir, you see that the light there is brighter than other locations. There must be subsequent bandits camping on the official road, plus those who have arrived outside the city.
There must be more than 40,000 people."
Zhou Xian Cheng took a breath of cold air and was speechless for a moment.
Pang Yu comforted, "Although there are many people, the ones who can fight should be the leader in red. Those who attacked the city during the day have mediocre fighting ability. No matter how many people come, they can't attack our Tongcheng. Please don't worry, sir."
Yang Erming pointed to the outside of the city and said loudly, "We, the officials and the people, will be able to defeat the bandits if we work together."
...Before midnight, the rogue camp gradually dimmed, and the surrounding areas of Tongcheng returned to peace.
The lights on the city wall were still bright. Pang Yu had just completed his second patrol of the city at night and returned to the tower of Dongzuomen. He also planned to take a rest.
According to his estimate, the rogue attack can only last for five days. Today is only the first day, and it will take another four days. There must be enough rest time to have enough energy to deal with the attack during the day.
Before entering the building, Pang Yu glanced at Zilai Street and suddenly realized something was wrong. He immediately stopped and saw the fire flashing on Zilai Street. Dozens of fire spots appeared in succession. Countless swaying objects could be seen in the fire.
Black figure.
Pang Yu shouted, "Bang the gong and prepare for war!"
Before the fast player next to him could beat the gong, dense bright spots rose in front of Pang Yu's eyes. They crossed the sky, filling the night sky with bright tracks. Some shot directly at the hanging curtains on the wall, and some were thrown rockets, aiming at the target.
On the grass plant on the city wall, the sound of popping could be heard endlessly. The hanging curtains and grass plant that were hit by rockets soon began to burn, and thick smoke filled the wall.
The sound of bowstrings on Zilai Street was continuous and there was almost no gap. Pang Yu estimated that there were at least hundreds of archers launching a night attack. They hid behind the houses and used braziers to ignite the rockets. The rate of fire was very fast. In a short period of time, at least
Three thousand rockets were fired at the east wall, and almost all the hanging curtains on the top of the city were on fire.
There was thick smoke billowing from the wall and it was chaos. The soldiers on duty were busy putting out the fire. There was a water tank every ten stacks at the top of the city, but it was almost useless in the face of so many fire spots.
When the curtains were first designed, they were tested with cloth, and the specifications of the wooden frame were determined. Several layers of folded thick cloth were wetted with water and then hung on the wooden frame. It could withstand fire attack, but after the wooden frame was completed,
I found that there wasn't that much cloth, so I used cotton quilts instead. The cotton quilts weighed hundreds of kilograms after adding water and would quickly collapse the wooden frame, so I hung dry ones directly on top, which can also play a role in preventing arrows.
, such an oversight led to disastrous consequences at this time.
"Remove the fire mines and cupping jars from the grass factory!"
Pang Yu shouted loudly to both sides. There were flying rockets everywhere in his field of vision, which was very dazzling in the dark night.
There were panicked shouts everywhere on the city wall. Pang Yu turned to the female wall and saw that the fires were flashing on the north and south walls. The bandits were obviously targeting the hanging curtains. At least more than half of the hanging curtains were burning, because the hanging curtains were burning.
They are hanging outside the crenels, and I'm afraid many of them are difficult to save.
Pang Yu never expected that the rogue bandits could organize such a large-scale military operation at night, and he was a little at a loss for the moment.
Gongs sounded rapidly everywhere, and two teams of government officials on standby on Dongzuomen Street began to transport water to the city, but Pang Yu estimated that it would be difficult to have any effect.
At this time, there were screams on the city wall. Pang Yu looked up and saw that the location where the rogues were launching was getting closer. They had completed the attack on the hanging curtain and were approaching the city wall using the houses as cover under the city to attack inside the city wall.
Countless rockets shot through the thick smoke at the top of the city and rose into the sky, turning into a rain of fire and pouring down into the city. Fire started everywhere under the city wall.