bookcurios Chapter 401: Northward Attack
Chapter 401: Northward Attack
The next day, the sun had just come out and golden sunlight was shining on the earth.
Kou Xun and Bi Fujian got up early and prepared to visit Yan Ruxiang.
Yan Ruxiang, who had just finished breakfast, met them in the spacious military tent.
The military tent was filled with the faint aroma of food. Yan Ruxiang sat in the main seat with a serious and majestic look.
"General..."
When the two men saw Yan Ruxiang, they bowed respectfully.
Yan Ruxiang's eyes were as deep as the sea, staring straight at the two people in front of him. The invisible pressure made the two people unconsciously avoid his sight.
"Young Generals, please excuse the formalities. I have asked you two to come here today to discuss the battle to march north and seize Shangjun. I would like to hear your opinions."
Yan Ruxiang's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the military tent.
Bi Fujian took a deep breath, straightened up, and asked respectfully, "General, I have something I don't understand. Hancheng is not far from Yanzhou, why are we going to go so far away instead of near?"
Although Kou Xun didn't say anything, his eyes revealed the same doubt.
Yan Ruxiang did not answer directly, but looked at Shi Yongzhi beside him and said, "Deputy General Shi, you speak first."
Shi Yongzhi met Kou Xun and the other man's gaze and said, "We once held our ground in Yanzhou, but once our ammunition ran out, we were attacked.
Shangjun's reinforcements arrived quickly, and they have heavy weapons, so we have no choice but to make this plan."
Yan Ruxiang nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, but did not comment. He looked at Kou Xun and the others again and asked, "What do you two Major Generals think?"
Bi Fujian suddenly understood, a look of admiration on his face. He clasped his fists and said to Yan Ruxiang, "It turns out that the general has been thinking long and hard. It was me who was not thoughtful enough."
Kou Xun also said immediately: "What Commander Bi said is also what I said."
Seeing that the two understood his plan, Yan Ruxiang smiled with satisfaction and said:
"Well, tomorrow we will march north along this river and capture Shangjun first. This way we can end the problem once and for all, cut off Zhao Hong's army's ammunition supply, and then launch a surprise attack. This will definitely succeed."
"We will obey the general's orders!" Kou Xun and the other two said in unison, their voices firm and loud.
After Kou Xun and the other two left, Yan Ruxiang took his confidants to Hancheng.
He needs to report on some things and arrange the follow-up matters.
This was Yan Ruxiang's meticulous plan. Once they took Shangjun, they would be able to firmly control the weapons production base and lay a solid foundation for Zhao Qin to regain the lost territory.
However, before setting off, he also needs to make preparations for both scenarios.
On the one hand, the expedition was carried out in the capacity of the imperial court led by Kou Xun, and on the other hand, if the siege failed for a long time, Zhao Qin would have to escape quickly and cross the river to hide in Bingzhou.
On the third day, Yan Ruxiang assembled an army of 150,000 and marched northward in a mighty force.
Along the way, flags fluttered, the sound of horse hooves and soldiers' footsteps intertwined, raising clouds of dust.
After five days of arduous journey, they successfully captured Suide.
Although this place has been declared as Zhao Hong's territory, there are not many garrisons here, and many of them are officials who used to be under Zhao Qin's jurisdiction.
When they heard that the King of Qin was coming, there was almost no resistance. The only people sent by Zhao Hong almost fled without a fight.
Suide is only 200 miles away from Shangjun. The army rested briefly here, replenished food and grass, and then marched north again.
On the city wall of Shangjun, there is a modified Shenwu Dajiangjun cannon every ten steps, and two cannons apart, there is a cannon that is larger than the Dajiangjun cannon.
Qin Yongyi and his craftsmen worked hard day and night, and finally someone suggested wrapping the fuse with copper foil, so that it would not cause an explosion when burning inside the shell. When it was completely burned out, the shell would explode.
The most important thing is that with the submachine gun, gunpowder and shells no longer need to be separated by oil paper, and the flame generated by the gunpowder can directly ignite the fuse.
After only one experiment, a round shell that could explode on the ground was successfully produced.
The cannons they manufactured were all smoothbore cannons. The advantage of this type of cannon is that it has an extremely fast firing speed and a relatively longer striking range.
As early as when Yan Ruxiang took over Suide, Shangjun was on high alert, waiting for the arrival of the army.
The mortars brought by the court could fire at a maximum range of 800 steps. Although Yan Ruxiang also had large-caliber artillery, it was extremely troublesome to transport, so he did not bring it this time.
On this day, just after dawn, the soldiers on the city wall of Shangjun discovered a large army outside the city, surrounding the city densely, as if a dark cloud was approaching.
The horn suddenly sounded, and the alarm of war sounded.
After receiving the reward, Qin Yongyi hurried to the mansion where Zhao Hong was resting.
"Your Highness, news has arrived from the city gates that a large army is besieging Shangjun. Judging from the banners, it seems to be an army sent by the imperial court."
Qin Yongyi's voice was filled with a hint of urgency and nervousness.
Zhao Hong had just gotten up at this time, and with sleepy eyes, he asked absentmindedly: "Where did these troops come from?"
"I don't know yet, but Suide was occupied two days ago, so I guess they came from there."
Qin Yongyi had beads of sweat on his forehead and answered cautiously.
"Nonsense! What I'm asking is whether this large army crossed the river from Bingzhou?"
Zhao Hong frowned, his tone full of dissatisfaction and anxiety.
"Ah, Your Majesty, I have not received any information on this matter."
Qin Yongyi was so frightened by Zhao Hong's scolding that his whole body trembled. He stood there trembling, not daring to breathe.
"That shouldn't be the case. If they came from Bingzhou, why wouldn't my Wang family's spies pass on the information?"
Zhao Hong muttered to himself, his face gloomy, and he fell into deep thought.
"Your Majesty, could it be that he came from Hancheng?"
Qin Yongyi asked cautiously and tentatively.
"Well, it's possible. My royal brother still has some evil intentions!"
Zhao Hong nodded slightly, agreeing with this guess.
"I have already sent a large army to fight, but I don't think these people will be able to capture the city."
After getting Zhao Hong's approval, Qin Yongyi's expression relaxed a little, and he said with a bit of pride.
"Liu Yiping, take my token and go over to supervise the battle. Tell them to defend the city."
Zhao Hong shouted loudly, and his voice seemed to shake the beams of the house slightly.
Liu Yiping, who was outside the door, heard the shouting and quickly came to the door. After learning the order, he took it and left in a hurry.
Zhao Hong stood up and walked towards the door, asking, "Prefect Qin, have you had breakfast?"
"I have already eaten. Your Highness wants to have breakfast. I will withdraw now and arrange the defense." Qin Yongyi said hurriedly.
Now Shangjun also has 100,000 elite soldiers and sophisticated weapons. Whether it is an offensive or defensive battle, Zhao Hong feels that he is sure to win.
Hearing that Qin Yongyi was about to leave, he casually waved his hand and said, "No need to leave. Come with me for dinner. We'll go to the top of the city and see how strong the enemy is."
Seeing that Zhao Hong wanted to keep him, Qin Yongyi had no choice but to follow behind him.
outside the city.
Yan Ruxiang's army first sent out 5,000 people to launch a tentative attack.
Their men, armed with shields and mortars, advanced cautiously towards the city gate.
Before they could get close, the large artillery on the city wall began to fire. Intense flames spewed out of the muzzles, and the shells whizzed in like a roaring beast, suddenly landing in the team with a shocking explosion.
"boom……"
Yan Ruxiang, who was watching the battle from a distance, was stunned by the opponent's sudden attack and explosion.
No one expected that the artillery shells could be fired at such a long distance, and Shangjun actually already had shrapnel shells.