Zhu Yousong died, and the Hongguang court of Nanming came to an end. So in this new year, there is only one era name in China, which is 1646, the third year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty. -
It was already around ten o'clock in the morning on the first day of the first lunar month, but in the city of Nanjing, guns and cannons were still being fired, and the sound of killing was endless. The fierce fighting had never stopped since last night, and there was no trace of New Year's celebration at all.
Although the Qing Army had already broken through the East City and South City of Nanjing and entered Nanjing, the areas under actual control were only the Imperial City in the east and the area south of the Qinhuai River in the south. Most of Nanjing's urban area was still Under the control of the merchant army, the two sides are still engaged in fierce competition on the east and south fronts.
In fact, the Qinhuai River is not an ideal blocking front, not only because the Qinhuai River is not wide, there are more than ten bridges on the river, and it is too close to the south city wall of Nanjing. In addition, the flow direction of the Qinhuai River is in a straight line. It runs from east to west, but the depression in the middle is in the shape of a V. This section of the river runs under the Huai Bridge in Nanmen Street Town. It is the southernmost section of the river and is only two to three hundred steps away from the city wall of Jubaomen. If the Qin army mounted their artillery on the city wall, they could even hit the north bank of the Qinhuai River directly.
However, as a transitional blocking front, the Qinhuai River can still be fully utilized, especially since the artillery of the Qing army has not yet been transported into Nanjing and entered into battle, the merchant army still firmly defended the Qinhuai River defense line. , blocking the Qing army from attacking Nanjing.
The merchant army that blocked the Qing army on the Qinhuai River was an infantry brigade. Four of its battalions were centered on more than ten bridges on the Qinhuai River, and the other two battalions carried out mobile operations targeting the Qing army's crossing position. The infantry The brigade does not have an artillery battalion, but uses the small and medium-sized artillery that comes with the regiment. Although it is small in power and has a short range, it is more convenient to move. It is very suitable for use on this blocking front.
The Qing army's attack naturally revolved around these dozen bridges, and part of it was also carried out from the river. All the rafts used to cross the Qinhuai River outside were also transported into the city, and more than a dozen colorful rafters were also collected. They also desperately launched an attack on the other bank, and many archers were deployed on the river bank to shoot at the other bank.
Although the surface of the Inner Qinhuai River is not wide, it is at least 60 to 70 meters, and the widest part reaches 100 meters. The range of the bow and arrow is simply not enough, and the only way to use it is to project it, but this way, regardless of accuracy or strength, The damage is greatly reduced, and the merchant army has bunkers and armor, so the damage is not great.
After the Merchant Army's front line shrunk, the defense lines they deployed became tighter, and their muskets were able to hit the other side, not to mention the Qing Army in the river. There were also hand grenades, if they could be thrown accurately to rafts and boats. In the boat, it would kill and injure a lot of Qing's troops. Even if it was thrown into the river, about 60% of it would explode. Although it wouldn't be able to blow up the raft, it would create huge water columns and waves that would make the raft rise and fall erratically.
The Qing soldiers fell into the water one after another like dumplings. Not to mention there were many artillery pieces. The Qing troops on the rafts had almost no resistance. It was now the first day of the first lunar month and the river was cold. Most of the Qing soldiers were northerners and fell into the water. The water in the river was also very dangerous, so although the Qing army had a large number of troops, it was still unable to make much progress. On the contrary, it also lost a lot of troops.
Zhenhuai Bridge is the largest bridge in the Qinhuai River. The bridge deck is more than three feet wide, and it is made entirely of stone. It is also the closest to Jubaomen, so it is also a key area for the Qing army to attack. Shang Yi also moved Qinhuai The temporary headquarters of the river defense line is located here to command the merchant army to conduct blocking operations.
The Merchant Army deployed a double line of defense on the bridge. The first line of defense was guarded at the northern exit of the Dinghuai River. It was based on four artillery pieces and two organ guns, supplemented by two platoons of infantry. The second line of defense was at The first line of defense is less than ten meters behind and spreads out in a fan shape. It is stationed by a company of soldiers and is lifted up with furniture. At the same time, a row is also arranged on the roofs on both sides, and there is also a squad of snipers to suppress Huai. The defense line of the bridge forms a three-dimensional guard.
Under such a tight defense, the Jinliu Army launched tidal attacks on Zhenhuai Bridge again and again, and used all methods. They sent bows and arrows at the south end of Zhenhuai Bridge to shoot at the merchant army regardless of losses; Let the soldiers use tables and chairs as cover and charge forward; but all of them have little effect. Because the defensive firepower of the Merchant Army is too dense, four artillery and two organ guns take turns to fire, and the artillery is responsible for the clearing. The army's rear was covered with debris, while the organ gun unceremoniously dealt with the Qing soldiers hiding behind. As a result, the Qing soldiers were beaten to death and wounded numerous times. In the second half of Zhenhuai Bridge, almost all of them were killed by the corpses of the Qing soldiers. Covered.
In such a fierce battle, Qinhuai, which was once full of beauty and charm, was now shrouded in smoke and flames of war. The sound of silk and bamboo wind instruments and light singing turned into the explosion and roar of guns and artillery. The colorful boat, which was filled with talented people and charming ladies, was used by the Qing army as a tool to forcibly cross the Qinhuai River. It faded away in the fierce artillery fire. The buildings with cornices, leaky windows, and carved beams and painted buildings on both sides of the river were also ruthlessly destroyed. shattered in the flames of war.
The once clear and clear river was now filled with broken shipboards, wood chips, and the corpses of Qing soldiers, showing a turbid dark red color. Moreover, the explosions continued to stir up water columns into the sky, and there were countless The few Qing soldiers who fell into the water but survived were also struggling hard in the cold river water. In the past, the golden towers were lined up row upon row; the dreamlike scenery and wonders of painted boats rippling in the waves, the sound of oars and lights and shadows have all been destroyed by killing, blood, and death. replace.
Azig was standing at the gatehouse of Jubaomen, overlooking the entire southern city of Nanjing and the entire defense line of the Qinhuai River. In addition, now that he has a monocular telescope, he can also see most of the details. He could see very clearly. His face was very ugly, and the high-spirited look he had when he first entered Nanjing was long gone.
At this moment, just a "boom" was heard, and a cannonball hit the city wall less than ten feet away from the city tower and exploded. The explosion only made the dust fly, sand and gravel flew in all directions, and also splashed Azig all over. Fortunately, it was his body. Wearing heavy armor, he was not injured yet. Several of the guards around Azig were so frightened that they couldn't get close to him. They hurried over and said, "My lord, be careful, it's too dangerous here. You'd better go outside the city." Then two guards came over to pull him away.
Azig was furious, waved his riding crop, gave each person two lashes, and cursed: "Useless slaves, what is there to be afraid of? I have been fighting here and there for more than ten years, and what kind of battlefield has I not seen?" But, are you still afraid of this little battle?"
Seeing their companions being beaten, the other guards did not dare to come over to persuade them. Although they complained endlessly, there was nothing they could do. They had all followed Azig for more than ten years and knew that Azig had a violent temper and a fiery nature. , especially when he is in a bad mood, it is best not to provoke him.
In fact, the merchant army all uses small and medium-sized artillery with a limited range. Even if it hits the city wall, the Nanjing city wall can withstand it completely. Therefore, Azig is not in any danger. It's just that Azig still doesn't understand it until now. , how did this battle end up like this? He had already broken through the city wall and entered Nanjing. Supposedly, he should have conquered Nanjing, and Shang Yi should have admitted defeat and retreated from Nanjing.
But Shang Yi not only did not retreat, but continued to garrison in Nanjing. He refused to admit defeat. Isn't it a scoundrel if there is anyone who fights like him? It's like two people playing chess, knowing that he can checkmate his opponent with one move. , but the opponent just refuses to admit defeat, and repeats useless moves, wasting time.
However, Azig also knew that Shang Yi was certainly not making a useless move. On the contrary, this move was very clever. He gave up the overly long city wall on the outer front and retreated to the city, shrinking the front and causing the Qing army to retreat. The advantage of a large number of troops could not be used at all, and the inland rivers of Nanjing were used as barriers to continue to block the Qing army. Although the Qing army broke through the city wall, they were still unable to occupy Nanjing. From the beginning of the battle last night until now, the Qing army's The number of casualties has exceeded 10,000.
Judging from the current situation, it is still unknown when the Qing army will achieve a comprehensive victory. However, Azig has sent the good news of capturing Nanjing back to Beijing, and now it is already riding a tiger. I can capture Nanjing with all my strength at any cost. Fortunately, it will take at least a month to go from Nanjing to Beijing. In other words, I still have enough time. As long as I can completely capture Nanjing before the envoys from Beijing arrive in Nanjing, , and you will be able to handle it.
Of course, it took a lot of effort for the Qing army to reach this point, and Azige was not willing to give up just like that. Nanjing is as strong a city as Beijing, and the walls of Nanjing have already been breached. There is no way they can give up halfway, let alone the Qing army. The number of people still has an absolute advantage. Since the troops cannot be deployed, they have to take turns. Even if they are tired, the merchant army will be exhausted. Moreover, Azig also has a trump card that he has not yet used. Therefore, Azig ordered not to stop. It is still necessary to continue to put pressure on the merchant army. Anyone who is incompetent in combat will be killed immediately.
Azige's temper was well-known in the Qing court. Therefore, after receiving Azige's order to the general, all Qing armies, including the Han army and the surrendered army, did not dare to show any signs of neglect and could only fight against the merchant army. The defense line launched a fierce attack.
But after entering the age of firearms, the role of soldiers' will in the battlefield is gradually decreasing. Every bridge is blocked by a dense firepower network. Various artillery, rifles, organ guns, and grenades are launched together. In the face of such fierce fire, The more fierce the Qing army attacked, the greater the casualties.
The battle continued until noon, but the Qing army still did not make any breakthrough, and the number of casualties increased further. But at this moment, Azig's ace troops, who had been waiting and had high hopes, finally arrived on the battlefield.