On the eighth day of June, Ali Hague, deputy marshal of the Mongolian expedition to the south, led Liu Zheng, Guo Kan, Atahai and 30,000 troops, who were in command of the southern capital, to Baihe City outside Xiangyang City. Early the next morning, Liu Zheng led a thousand naval troops to go there. Wanshan Fort inspected the local topography and prepared to build a shipyard on the spot. At this point, a total of 60,000 Mongolian soldiers gathered outside Xiangyang City, which was roughly equivalent to the number of people in the Xiangyang Military Region.
As more and more Mongolian troops gathered outside Xiangyang City, the atmosphere in the city became more and more tense. Lu Wende and Lu Wenhuan personally went up to the city wall every day to inspect the defense lines. They also ordered Lu Shimeng to increase the seven-day battle report to one report every other day. Xiangyang , the defenders of Fan and Liangcheng were divided into two shifts, day and night. They were ready for battle. The regiment defense members were also organized and responsible for logistics work. All the people near the city gates moved to safe areas. Their residences were requisitioned by the government and used by the army.
It is about more than two thousand miles from Xiangyang to Lin'an. According to the expedited speed of six hundred miles, I will not see the battle report of the Xiangyang Military Region in about four days. At the end of the court meeting on June 13, I received the report of the 60,000-strong Mongolian army. News from Xiangyang.
After reading the battle report from the Xiangyang Military Region, I said: "The Mongolian army has arrived outside Xiangyang City. All the dear ministers under the Military Administration, the Ministry of War, and the Privy Council will stay for now. The rest of the dear ministers will retreat first."
Jia Sidao first reported: "Your Majesty, it seems that the Mongolian general offensive is about to begin."
"Well, I estimate that as soon as the Mongolian coach A Shu or Boyan arrives, we will launch an attack." I was a little nervous but also a little excited. "Lu Aiqing, have the first batch of artillery and grenades been transported into Xiangyang City?"
"Back to Your Majesty. The first batch of 20 artifacts, 1,000 projectiles and 500 soldiers of the artillery battalion have secretly entered Xiangyang City under the escort of the Black Carbon Regiment. A few days ago, the soldiers of the artillery battalion were at Lumen Mountain and Baihe. The city and other places are looking for a suitable place. The artifact to be placed on the city wall has been dug into the city wall according to the indirect aiming method of war artillery pioneered by our dynasty. It is expected to be completed in the near future."
The indirect aiming method of war artillery mentioned by Lu Xiufu was first used in 1126 by Chen Gui, a famous artillery expert in the Song Dynasty of China, in the defense battle of De'an. The trebuchet was hidden in the city wall and could not be seen by people outside the city. The "shooter" of each gun stood on the city and commanded the people below the city to fire. This indirect aiming method is a great initiative in the history of world artillery. It is hundreds of years earlier than in the West.
"Okay. Wait until the time is right before using artillery and projectiles."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Yin Ying Lei Yin Ai Qing. Wang Anjie Wang Ai Qing. Thank you Daolin Xie Ai Qing."
"I'm here."
"The Lin'an Military Region and the Yulin Army are ready to go to Xiangyang at any time."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I obey your order."
"Prince Ai, has the reorganization of Lin'an Military Region been completed?"
"Reply to Your Majesty. It has been completed. The new independent compartment of Lin'an Military Region has a total of 12,000 people. They are currently training."
"Okay. Lu Aiqing. Send orders to the Sichuan Military Region, Luzhou Military Region, and Yangzhou Military Region. Pay close attention to the movements of the Mongolian armies in the east and west."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, Lu Aiqing, Fan Aiqing. The provincial restructuring of our court has been completed. The original Guangnan Military Region will be renamed Guangxi Military Region from today. The Military Council and the Ministry of War will make arrangements immediately."
"Yes. I obey your order."
It was June 15th, the fourth year of Xianchun. It was past half time (ten o'clock in the morning).
The two sentries on the arrow tower at the east gate of Xiangyang City first saw dust rising in the distance. One of them hurriedly picked up a simple telescope. After looking at it for a while, he said: "Quick. It's Mongolian. Report to General Lu."
After receiving the news, Lu Shikui, the general of the East Gate, rushed up to the archery tower. "That's right. It's the Mongolian cavalry." Lu Shikui said after coming down the stairs. "All armies, please pay attention. Be on alert. Order the troops to be safe."
"General, I'm here," said a short messenger.
"Gouzi, report it to the commander immediately."
Gouzi's surname is Chen and his nickname is Ergou. He is one of Lu Shikui's messengers. Because of his quick movements and his foundation in Qinggong, he was promoted to captain of the messenger team by Lu Shikui. Ergou received the order and knew that the military situation was urgent. Naturally, Not daring to neglect, he ran away and soon arrived at Xiangyang Commandery.
"Report, Commander-in-Chief, that the Mongolian army's vanguard, Achahan, is heading towards our east gate."
"Archan." Lu Wende said. "Let's go and have a look."
Lu Wenhuan and Lu Wenxin escorted Xiangyang coach Lu Wende to the top of the city tower. The three of them looked down. They saw a hundred and fifty meters away, flags fluttering, and a dense mass of nearly 10,000 Mongolian soldiers, all cavalry.
Azahan stood alone in front of the battle. When he saw several generals in armor appearing on the city tower, he immediately stepped forward dozens of steps and said loudly: "People above, listen. Azahan, the pioneer of the Mongolian expedition to the south, is here. Someone dares to fight me."
Lu Wenxin received Lu Wende's instruction and shouted angrily: "Ignorant boy, our Xiangyang army is not brave enough to do anything. If you invade our territory, you will surely die here. Our army cannot bear to lose its lives and see you die in a foreign land. I specially advise you." It's better to retreat quickly." Lu Wenxin was full of anger. His voice immediately spread throughout the entire Mongolian army.
Azahan laughed heartily and said: "My Mongol army is marching south. We are obeying God's will and doing justice for God. It is clearly because you, the Lu family of Xiangyang, are timid. No one has the courage to go out and fight against your Han Ye." After that. With one move of the spear, dozens of loud voices suddenly came up, shouting in unison: "The Southerners have rat guts. Our army will win. The Lu family is full of turtles."
The general stationed at the east gate, Lu Shikui, was young and energetic. Hearing this, he became furious and said, "Commander, let the last general go out to meet Ashahan and behead him. This will strengthen the power of our army."
Among the many disciples of the Lu family, Lu Shikui's martial arts is the highest. Lu Shikui's talent is extremely good. Compared with Lu Shishuo, Lu Shidao and others' martial arts are far superior. In the battle at Anyang Beach that day, Ashahan fought Lu Shishuo in a double battle. , Lu Shidao was at a slight disadvantage. However, Lu Shi said that if the brothers joined forces, they could only draw a tie with Lu Shikui. Therefore, Lu Shikui thought that he was completely sure to defeat Ashahan.
Lu Wende laughed and said: "A hero is not as brave as a man. Turtle. Isn't the turtle very good? It has a long life and strong defense. Master Kui, no one is allowed to fight without permission without my commander's orders. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed. These Mongolians under the city will be killed." People, just let them toss."
Lu Shikui didn't dare to talk back. He replied: "Yes, Marshal."
Lu Wende looked up at the sky and saw the sun shining high. Then he ordered: "Come here, bring cold water to the brothers on the tower. Xiangyang in June has entered the hot summer season. Let everyone quench their thirst first, and then talk about other things." "
After a while, the regiment defense in the city brought buckets of clean cold water. Lu Shikui walked to the city wall with a bowl of water and drank it like a show in front of the Mongolian army outside the city. Lu Shikui was highly skilled in martial arts. The voice was loud and loud. He drank and said: "Kids from Mongolia, keep shouting. Come up after you finish shouting. Your Lord Lu will invite you to drink some water."
Arakhan in the distance snorted, turned the muzzle of his gun, and said, "Keep scolding. Don't stop."
The weather was hot. The Mongolian soldiers saw the Xiangyang army on the city drinking big gulps of water. They couldn't help but swallow their saliva. However, the Mongolian army had strict military discipline. Although they wanted to drink, they were unmoved. The formation remained unmoved.
About a quarter of an hour later, a loud sound of gongs and drums came from the Mongolian army. Agahan was refreshed and returned to the formation. He waved his spear to the sky and said: "Attack the city."
As soon as Arakhan's voice fell, the Mongolian army first launched twenty-five trebuchets and thirty-nine tanks equipped with large siege crossbows. These more than twenty trebuchets were all Medium-sized double-tip trebuchet. Each trebuchet is operated by 60 to 80 people.
There are three types of trebuchets currently used by the Mongolian army. They are divided into light, medium and heavy. Light trebuchets are fired by two people. The stone projectiles weigh half a catty. They are mainly used to fight against the enemy; medium trebuchets are divided into They are single-tap, double-tap, whirlwind, tiger crouching, etc. They can be co-operated by 40 to 100 people. They can fire stone bullets weighing 25 kilograms. The range is up to 80 steps; the heavy-duty trebuchet has five or seven-tap cannons. It costs 150 ~250 people pull the cannon rope. It can fire stone bullets weighing 70 to 100 kilograms. The range can reach 50 steps. This heavy cannon is the most powerful. However, it is very heavy. The gun mount must be fixed when used. It is mostly used to attack and defend cities.
The trebuchet moved forward and stopped about 60 meters away from Xiangyang City. This distance was already within the range that archers could cover. Hundreds of Mongolian strongmen holding huge shields blocked the trebuchet and siege crossbows. to the left and right to cover the launch of the trebuchet and the shooter.
Akhan ordered coldly: "Let it go."
Following Arakhan's order, countless stones were thrown towards the wall of Xiangyang City. At the same time, giant crossbow arrows were shot towards the city tower. However, the distance of 60 meters seemed a bit far for the Mongolian trebuchet. Basically there was no accuracy. Most of the stones fell into the moat in disorder.
Akhan said: "Move forward twenty meters."
Forty meters is the effective shooting range of the trebuchet. However, this 20-meter distance is not very easy. Under the command of Lu Shikui, the Xiangyang Army continued to shoot arrows outside the city. Although the archers of the Xiangyang Army Far inferior to the Mongols, but being condescending cannot be underestimated. The Mongols will suffer certain casualties every time they take a step forward.
Unexpectedly, Ah Ci stepped forward on horseback and stood at the forefront of the team. The spear in his hand was dancing wildly, and all the feathered arrows were swept to the ground. "The cavalry and archery army. Go out into formation and cover the trebuchet."
In the Mongolian army formation, three thousand cavalry troops rode forward and came to a distance of 40 meters. The formation suddenly dispersed. Each cavalry archer raised his bow and set an arrow. Then, one after another, he shot arrows mercilessly towards Xiangyang. City. In an instant, the momentum of the Xiangyang Army was suppressed. It is undeniable that the Mongolians' riding and shooting abilities are indeed not comparable to that of the Song Army. For a nation that grew up on horseback, this skill is truly amazing.