It was a rare cloudy day in August, which relieved some of the scorching heat and made it a little cooler. Duan Ye, wearing light armor and riding a yellow horse, followed Lu Guang to see the city of Qiuci.
Kucha is an important town in the Western Regions. In the past, Ban Dingyuan once made great achievements here during the rebellion between the Han and the Xiongnu. After the Eight Kings Rebellion, it was once attached to Zhanggui, Liangzhou. After the former Qin Dynasty captured Liangzhou, Kucha took advantage of it.
The chaos once again broke away from the control of the Central Plains. Lu Guang's 100,000 troops marched across the quicksand and under the scorching sun. They were sure to win every battle in the Western Regions. Now only Kucha was still stubbornly resisting. Once Kucha is conquered, the Western Regions will be determined.
The city of Kucha in front is more than ten miles away and nearly three feet high. It is also a famous city in the Western Regions. King Bochun of Kucha scattered all his wealth and encouraged his soldiers to fight to the end. In addition, Kumarajiva, an eminent monk from the Western Regions, was stationed in Kucha, and he was highly respected.
The army and the people here are united and vow to stick to the end.
Previously, Lu Guang had already sent troops to completely surround the city of Kucha. He set up a battalion 5 miles outside, dug trenches, and built high forts in an attempt to trap Kucha. However, Kucha was rich and located at the strategic point of the Silk Road.
It was sufficient. Although the Qiuchi people were capricious, their army's combat effectiveness was quite good. However, Lu Guang's 100,000-strong army was forced to go on an expedition, and the troops were still under the fortified city. Although it could be used up, it was not cost-effective.
Moreover, Lu Guang's Western Expedition actually had another very important purpose, which was Kumarajiva in Kucha City. Lu Guang had to bring this eminent monk back to the capital intact. If Duan Ye hadn't said so many shocking things at that time,
But now, Lu Guang still needs Kumarajiva, but the purpose is different.
"Duan joins the army. The governor previously intended to besiege Kucha. Even if the Kucha army has high morale, it is difficult for us to be as powerful as our army. Silu will seek help from Zhuanghu, Wensu and other countries. As soon as their armies come out, I will wait for work. But
We have won a complete victory, but you insist on attacking Qiuci immediately, what’s your advice?" Lu Guang asked seriously.
It turned out that Duan Ye had gradually gained Lu Guang's trust since the secret conversation in the hall. He also took the opportunity to start to build a good relationship with the people around Lu Guang. Well, since we have mutual understandings, how can we not get along well with each other?
What about relationships? Even though Duan Ye was a little arrogant and lonely in the past, circumstances dictated it. The situation is different now and cannot be compared to the same situation.
Since he had vaguely made it clear to Lu Guang that the battle to attack Jin might be unexpected, Duan Ye would naturally advise Lu Guang to make plans early. If Fu Jian still had a good reputation, sufficient troops and horses, and there were no problems in the Central Plains, it goes without saying that Lu Guang would be a first-class one.
A loyal minister and a brave general. But this scholar was so sure that His Majesty would be defeated and was even willing to guarantee it with his head. Lu Guang was a little moved.
The words "Be prepared for any danger" were the words that finally succeeded in convincing Lu Guang.
Seeing Lu Guang's question, Duan Ye moved his buttocks. Apparently he was still not used to riding a horse. Then he leaned slightly and said: "Captain, although the city of Kucha is strong, it is not as strong as Luoyang Chang'an. Although the soldiers of Kucha are numerous, our army can win the battle."
Yes, it is inevitable. However, if troops are valuable and quick, the sooner they can capture Kucha, the sooner the Western Region will be pacified, and the sooner the Governor will be successful. But the Commander-in-Chief should not be too hasty. If the Western Region is pacified in one go,
, Your Majesty will summon the Governor to attend the court. If there are changes in the Central Plains, what will the Governor do?"
Lu Guang was silent. He naturally also knew that if the Central Plains were really in chaos, Hexi would be the safest and most secure place. Besides, it was so easy to conquer the Western Regions, so His Majesty should take back the military power. Whenever he has troops in his hands,
Only then can you not panic.
Looking up at the blue sky and white clouds, Duan Ye just felt that his whole body was full of strength. Looking back at the yellow sand and the army, if Duan Ye hadn't been worried about Lu Guang's presence, he would have wanted to look up to the sky and roar. As a man, if he hadn't been at this moment
How many people here can, in their weak years, face a fortified city, carry a large army on their backs, and decide the lives and deaths of thousands of people with just one word?
Duan Ye enjoyed this feeling very much. Although at this time, he was just a counselor and secretary of Lu Guang, and was not the most trusted one. But Duan Ye was very confident that he would definitely become Lu Guang's most trusted counselor. Then
Become Lu Guang's right-hand man, and then...
After sniffing the unique smell of the air in the desert, Duan Ye continued: "Captain, if you want to capture Kucha, it will only take ten days. However, since Kucha is in the hands of our army, it depends on when we want to attack and when we can capture it.
Wouldn’t my hand be of great benefit to me?”
"Only those huge stone cannons you asked to make?" Lu Guang asked with some suspicion.
"The governor and I will see it soon." Duan Ye smiled mysteriously.
The boulder cannon, which is the improved trebuchet built by Alaowadin for Mongolia 900 years later, was the main weapon for conquering Xiangyang. It was also the so-called sure-fire weapon for sieges in the cold weapon era. Let Duan Ye create a firearms unit. At this moment, Duan Ye
Nothing can be done. But it is still possible to build a giant stone cannon.
It's nothing more than the principle of leverage.
There were few giant trees in the quicksand, so Lu Guang wrote a book to Liangzhou and asked Liang Xi, the governor of Liangzhou, to cut down giant trees in the Qilian Mountains. He also ordered Du Jin to cut down Populus euphratica on the spot. As for the craftsmen in the army, they also have excellent skills and have been tested for a long time. Duan Ye
Then I drew a sketch and gave personal guidance, and quickly built dozens of them.
Since it was born hundreds of years ago, Duan Ye didn't even bother to make improvements. In fact, trebuchets had already been put into use during the Warring States Period, but at that time, manpower was still needed to pull the tips connected to the crossbar far away from the trebuchet to throw the stone projectiles.
The firing method is also a human-powered or animal-powered firing type, that is, a large number of soldiers or war horses suddenly pull the pulling rope in one direction at the same time, and pull up the arm to launch the heavy cannon stone in a parabola. Because of the stone
The weight is limited. Although it can cause heavy casualties to the defenders, it does not have a decisive effect. Once the city is attacked, the main method is to climb the city wall and hit the city gate. To put it bluntly, it still has to cost lives.
The boulder cannon was actually not much better than the trebuchets of this era. The difference was that it had a long cantilever and was counterweighted. It could launch hundreds of kilograms of boulders. The boulder shot out with a roar and created wind. The city of Xiangyang, which was held on for several years by later generations, was destroyed.
On the boulder gunner.
Of course, this giant rock cannon also has a name that shocks the world, Hui Hui Pao.
Since this huge stone cannon was "invented" by Duan Ye, the craftsmen were supervised by Duan Ye, and the soldiers who operated it were also trained by Duan Ye, then it stands to reason that Duan Ye became the boss of this huge stone cannon team.
It can be regarded as having a military position. Dubo was not owned by the former Qin military system, but was established by Lu Guang himself, so the pay was automatic and could be revoked at any time.
However, an interesting thing is that when Duan Ye asked for orders to recruit soldiers to train the Great Stone Artillery Corps, Lu Guang considered it several times and still did not recruit soldiers from the Chinese army, which was mainly Chinese. Therefore, the main composition of the Great Stone Artillery Corps was Jin people.
Of course, Xianbei, Qiang, and Lu Shuihu are also present.
Naturally, Duan Ye cannot and will not raise any objections. The road is still long and there is plenty of time. Duan Ye is already very satisfied with everything.