At the end of March, under the direct leadership and supervision of the two great Mongolian gods Cai Enjiya and Yin Tianya, the first batch of one hundred musket samples produced by the weapons supervisor of the Yuan Dynasty was successfully released. As soon as he received the news, Kublai Khan was overjoyed. Immediately go to the weapons supervisor to inspect and give an order on the spot to reward all craftsmen.
After listening to Cienjiya's report, Kublai Khan said to the privy envoy Zhenjin beside him: "Zhenjin. Pass on my decree. Immediately set up a firearms battalion. Transfer General Shi Bi from the Mingzhou front line back to Dadu to serve as the firearms battalion. The first commander."
"Yes. Father."
After understanding the progress of the ammunition formula, Kublai Khan said: "Sir, regarding the ammunition for the musket, I think we should use the current formula first and then gradually improve it."
"That's all we can do." Cai Enjia frowned and said. "I didn't expect that the Southern Dynasty's research on gunpowder was so profound. Could it be that they got the help of the guardian." When Cai Enjia said this, he suddenly remembered the time in the Valley of the Kings. situation.
"Guardian." Kublai Khan didn't know much about Cienjia's experience in the Valley of the Kings. But when he heard Cienjia mentioning the guardian, he was stunned for a moment. After a moment, he changed the subject and said, "Supreme Lord. "I estimate that as long as the power of our army's muskets is close to that of the Southern Dynasty, with the combat power of our army's cavalry, we can definitely compete with them."
"Exactly. Your Majesty's words make sense."
On the third day of April, Xie Daolin led the second division of the Imperial Army, twenty artillery pieces, and 2,500 projectiles and arrived in Xuzhou. For the sake of confidentiality, the Imperial Army all flew the banner of the 18th Wing of the Xiangyang Military Region. Artillery Also disguised as a pile of grain and hay.
After ordering the soldiers to rest, Xie Daolin immediately discussed with the two generals Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui, the commanders of the East Route Army, and decided to dispatch a total of 85,000 soldiers from the Yulin Army and the East Route Northern Expedition Army to launch the Yizhou Campaign.
Yizhou has a long history, which can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, more than a dozen small countries emerged in Yimeng. Among them, the ones with prosperous civilization and greater influence include Fei, Juan, Tan, Ju and other countries. Among these small countries, The capital of the Kingdom of Juan was located in Juan Gucheng Village, north of present-day Linyi City. It was the prototype of the ancient city of Yizhou. The ancient city of Yizhou was roughly located in the urban area of present-day Linyi City, Shandong Province. The territory under its jurisdiction all belonged to the Yimeng Mountain area. The terrain is complex. It is open and open. There are plains, rolling hills, mountainous areas and criss-crossing rivers.
According to the plan, the troops of the Northern Expedition on the East Route were divided into three groups. General Wang Sheng led a group of troops to march into Teng County. General Zhu Huan led a group of soldiers to attack Yizhou. The task of Wang and Zhu was to attract Yuan from both places. However, they should not attack the city easily. Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui then led the army to bypass Yizhou and attack Yizhou Prefecture.
In the early morning of the fifth day of April, Wang Sheng and Zhu Huan bid farewell to Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui and took the lead in sending troops to march north.
Early the next morning, following Li Tingzhi's order, the 60,000-strong army was dispatched in batches. The vanguard battalion was still the Polu Army led by General Jiang Cai, followed by the Second Division of the Yulin Army led by Zhang Shijie. Next came the four compartments. The Northern Expeditionary Army on the Eastern Route.
"The day has finally come for the counterattack." Li Tingzhi, who left Xuzhou City, could not hide her inner excitement and said to Xie Daolin and Xia Guiyan beside her.
"Yes. Xiangfu. Now the army in the middle has won a series of battles and has recovered all of Henan. We can't fall too far behind." The confident Xia Gui said with a smile.
Li Tingzhi nodded and said: "Yes. Thank you, General. Xia Shuai. Let's get on the horse."
After the three men mounted their horses, Li Tingzhi told Miao Zaicheng and Zhang Jun, who were staying in Xuzhou: "General Miao, the two troops staying in Xuzhou must always be prepared to march north. Once our army captures Yizhou Prefecture, they will Attack the whole of Shandong. When the troops are outnumbered, you can lead half a group of soldiers to garrison Yizhou. The defense of Xuzhou City will be handed over to General Zhang Jun."
Miao Zaicheng and Zhang Jun said in unison: "Yes. Commander, don't worry."
Li Tingzhi smiled slightly and said energetically: "Okay. Let's go."
After setting off from Xuzhou, the army marched northeast. Five days later, it bypassed Yizhou and arrived at Luozhuangdian, which is seven to eighty miles south of Yizhou Prefecture. Jiang Caidao, the leader of the Polu army who arrived one day earlier, said: "Commander, the Luozhuang store is adjacent to the Yi River to the east. Going straight to the north is the Yizhou Prefecture. Let's camp here today."
"Okay. General Xia Song. Pass the order. The troops will rest for one night and attack the city tomorrow."
"Yes. Marshal."
In Yizhou City, the temporary commander-in-chief's residence of the Yuan Army.
After receiving the news, Dong Wenbing, the commander-in-chief of the Mongolian Eastern Route Army, immediately convened a military meeting.
"Generals, Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui of the Southern Dynasty have gathered 80,000 troops to attack our Yizhou, Tengxian and Yizhou respectively. Do you have any good strategies for this?"
Veteran general Tian Yingdu first said: "Shuai Dong, our Eastern Route Army currently has 55,000 troops. In addition to more than 40,000 new troops in Yizhou, the total strength is nearly 100,000. Although the number is larger than that of the Southern Dynasty, .But the final general believes that we should use the strength of the three cities to defend and counterattack, and annihilate as much of Li Tingzhi's effective forces as possible."
"General Tian, that's wrong." Tian Yingdu had just finished speaking when he heard a young general say, "Father, our army has more troops than the enemy. We also have the right time, place and people. We should take advantage of the enemy before they gain a foothold. When the situation is stable, attack first."
The young general who spoke was Dong Wenbing's youngest son. Dong Shixiu was the leader of the new army. Dong Wenbing had three sons. The eldest son Shiyuan, this son was selected as a scholar. The youngest son Shixiu. The three of them were proficient in bow and horse. They all had bravery that no man could match. If we look at it individually. In terms of martial arts, Dong Shixiu is the best.
Tian Yingdu was once a general under the Mongolian rebel Li Fen. Later, he was impressed by Dong Wenbing's righteousness and surrendered to Mongolia in 1262. He has been following Dong Wenbing in the east and west for seven years. He has rich combat experience and is highly regarded by Dong Wenbing. "The little general." Although it is possible, Tian believes that this battle should mainly focus on severely damaging the Song army. The most effective and direct way is to let the enemy attack our city. When the enemy is exhausted, our army will then attack with elite troops all the way. The mountain road goes south and cuts off the Song army's return route. This can be a great victory."
Dong Wenbing said "En" and said: "Wen Yong. You fought with the Song army outside Xuzhou City. Please tell me."
Dong Wenyong said: "Dong Shuai, generals, although the combat effectiveness of the Song Army has been greatly improved, except for the Polu Army, the other troops are still inferior to our cavalry in horse battles. However, the Song Army's fire bombs But they were able to restrain our army. This time the Song army went north, they will probably bring fire bombs with them. Therefore, I also agree with General Tian’s intention to hold on to the city and eliminate its effective forces first, and then slowly break out."
Dong Wenyong's prestige in the military has always been very high. What he said certainly carries some weight.
"All generals, listen to the order." Dong Wenbing thought for a while and said without hesitation. "I am ordering Teng County to guard General Dong Wenzhong and Yizhou to guard General Haratu to guard the city. Do not go out to fight easily to meet the enemy. Tomorrow the Japanese commander will go out to fight in person. Song Jun. We’ll make plans later.”
"Yes. Dong Shuai."
At dawn on April 12, Li Tingzhi led the Polu army and the Eighth Wing soldiers to leave the camp and head for Yizhou City. More than an hour later, the Song army arrived more than 300 meters outside the south gate of Yizhou City. Li Tingzhi, Xia Gui is wearing a battle armor and is in the center of the team. Xie Daolin is hiding behind him. On the left and right are Jiang Cai, Shi Zhong and other masters of the East Route Army.
Standing on the city wall, Dong Wenbing was fully armed. When he saw the Song army arriving, he immediately ordered 10,000 elite cavalry troops. Surrounded by a group of generals, he went out to fight.
Xie Daolin had never seen Dong Wenbing before. He put up a pergola with his hands and looked forward. He saw that this man was about fifty years old. He was tall. In his hand was a mountain-cutting sword. He stepped down from a black horse. He gave people a look at him. A sense of majesty and extraordinary momentum. "What a good general." Xie Daolin couldn't help but praise secretly.
Li Tingzhi patted his horse lightly. He stepped forward three or four horses and said, "This commander is Li Tingzhi of the Northern Expeditionary Army of the East Road of the Great Song Dynasty. The person coming here is General Wen Bingdong of Mongolia."
Dong Wenbing also stepped forward and said: "That's it. General Li. I haven't seen him for many days. He is always good."
"General Dong. Li has always had a bad life."
"Really?" Dong Wenbing was stunned for a moment and said, "General Li, you are the backbone of the Song Army. You might as well submit to my Yuan Dynasty..."
Li Tingzhi interrupted: "General Dong, do you know why Li is not good?"
"Dong, I don't know. Please tell me."
Li Tingzhi said loudly: "General Dong, you are a Han, but you help the tyranny. In turn, you help the Mongols to oppress the people of our country. There are many Hans like you in the Mongolian army. It is because of this that Li has a bad life. .”
Dong Wenbing was speechless for a moment. After a moment, he said: "General Li, more than a hundred years ago, the emperor of the Song Dynasty ignored the Han people in the north and abandoned them. Our ancestors could only survive under the rule of the Jin people. After that, the rise of Mongolia. This is not our fault."
"General Dong, our emperor once said that what happened back then was indeed the fault of the late emperor. You and other ancestors cannot be blamed. A hundred years later, my emperor was wise and brave. He worked hard to govern and took it as his own duty to recover the mountains and rivers. At this time, you still have to return to the throne. If you want to continue to work for the tiger, you are wrong. General Dong, you are loyal and knowledgeable. You have done a lot of good things for the Han people in the north. I have mentioned it to the emperor many times. Li hopes that you can understand the situation and recognize your ancestors as soon as possible. Return to the clan and never become a traitor again."
As a Han Chinese, Dong Wenbing would be in trouble if he continued talking. And there were many Han soldiers in the East Route Army. Then he sneered and said: "General Li, don't talk nonsense here. How dare you come here and fight with us?" Dong is about to fight."
Li Tingzhi laughed loudly. He turned around and said, "Which general is willing to take the lead?"
Jiang Cai couldn't hold it any longer. He rode forward and said, "Commander, the last general is the vanguard. He should go out to fight."
"Okay, General Jiang. I will raid the formation for you."
Jiang Cai's horse was so fast that he rushed to the Yuan army's formation in an instant. Dong Wenbing pointed at the general and said: "Since Li Tingzhi does not dare to fight, Dong will not accompany Shi Xiu to fight."
"Yes, handsome father." Dong Shixiu responded. He clapped his horse forward, raised his sword, and fought with Jiang Cai.