Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 3415 Plan to fight back
The greater the risk, often the greater the reward.

Su Dingfang didn't dare to disobey Li Ji's military order, but wanted to evaluate the size of the benefits and whether it was worth the risk of violating the military order.Among them, the most intuitive and simple assessment is whether Ping Rang City can be captured with the strength of the navy alone?
If one violates the military order and refuses to withdraw the army, covets great feats, and attacks Pingrang City for the empire to cut off the northeast border troubles for hundreds of years, but in the end, the halberd sinks in the sand under Pingrang City, and the blood is broken, failing to break through the city and destroy the rest. country, it would really be a big loss and a big joke.

When Xi Junmai heard Su Dingfang's question, he quickly stood up, went to the map hanging on the bulkhead on the side of the book case, pointed to the terrain of Ping Rang City and said, "It's very simple, bombard the city with artillery!"

He clicked on the west side of Pingrang City, and said: "Back then, King Changshou of Goguryeo moved his capital to Pyongyang City, and built an additional city in the west side. The rules and regulations were all imitated from those of the Han Dynasty. Later, King Rongliu also expanded, and even copied Chang'an City. Therefore, it is also called Chang'an City, and the Han people call it "Little Chang'an". This city is located in the west of Ping Rang City, six miles from east to west, curved along the mountains, bordering on the Wei River in the south, and close to the inner city and south of the former capital of Goguryeo. Seoul on the banks of the Han River in Baekje, and its metropolis, is called the Sanjing in the country. However, the king of Goguryeo did not usually live in Chang'an City, but hoarded armor and military equipment in it for emergencies. Our army should unload all the cannons on the warships, drag them on the ice surface of Weishui with manpower and animal power, and reach the city of Chang'an, hundreds of artillery salvos will definitely break the city!"

Su Dingfang got up, stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back, took a closer look, and frowned: "Before the army besieged the city, we know that the walls of Ping Rang City are based on rammed earth, and the outside is built of green bricks. Gunpowder can only blow up the outer green bricks. But it is difficult to shake the rammed earth inside. Even with hundreds of cannons, it may be difficult to destroy it."

Why did hundreds of thousands of Tang troops besiege Ping Rang City?The most important reason is that the structure of the city wall of Ping Rang City is complex, and the rammed loess layer inside is tight and cohesive. It is difficult to blow it up with the power of gunpowder. If it works, it can only be filled with human lives as in previous siege battles, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, with half the effort.

Moreover, the power of artillery lies in killing and wounding soldiers, and it is used to bombard city walls, but the effect is not obvious.

Xi Junmai pointed to the location of the city gate: "The city wall is naturally filled with rammed earth. Gunpowder is hard to work, but what about the city gate?"

Su Dingfang's eyes lit up.

That's right!The gates of the city were all built with huge stones, a little bit of gunpowder was really hard to do, but if a large amount of gunpowder was used to bombard the gates, the stones would loosen and the gates would collapse.As long as the city gate collapses, it will become a huge breakthrough, and they can go straight into the city and fight to the inside of the city wall, except for flanking attacks to capture the city wall.

Su Dingfang was not surprised that he did not think of this method when attacking the city before. Speaking of the understanding of gunpowder and the performance of firearms, and the study of their uses, looking at the Tang Dynasty, there is no other army that can surpass the navy, even the Youtunwei. inside.

It's just that Xi Junmai clearly has such a good plan to break the city, but he has been holding back and saying nothing. It is obvious that he has resentment against the military and the imperial court for crowding out the navy from the main force.Even seeing the army trying their best but still unable to break through the city, they would hide aside and laugh...

As for the loss of countless soldiers due to this, Su Dingfang didn't care.

People are not sages. When their own interests suffer losses, how many people can still be selfless and offer such good strategies for those who exclude themselves to make contributions and increase their ranks?
"It's a good strategy, you can try it. But since the city gate is bombarded with gunpowder, what's the use of unloading the artillery from the warship and transporting it to Ping Rang City?"

"Captain, the lead bullets fired by the artillery are indeed difficult to damage the city wall, but a batch of kerosene bombs were just replenished a few days ago..."

"Fire kerosene bombs into the city with artillery?"

"Exactly! When this 'Little Chang'an' was first built, it was used as a military fortress, hoarding a large amount of armor, ordnance, and even food fodder! Let's focus on this, and at the same time arrange artillery in all directions of Pingrang City, and fire A volley of oil bombs into the city will not only burn the enemy's luggage, but also cause panic among the soldiers and civilians throughout the city, and then blow up the gates and enter the city, and the battle will be settled!"

……

Xi Junmai was eloquent and thoughtful, and he explained the strategy of siege, which was obviously planned for a long time, and his strategy was rigorous and meticulous, and there was no negligence, so it was indeed feasible.

This is not to say that Xi Junmai is better at using troops than those generals who followed His Majesty Li Er's Eastern Expedition, but that together with firearms, the required tactics are completely different from the past.Those warriors on the battlefield and contemporary famous generals have fought for a lifetime, and their thinking has been solidified. How difficult is it to suddenly change their combat thinking?
Just like this cannon, it would be useless to give them even a thousand guns, because if the soldiers have not undergone long-term training, countless shells and countless barrels will be worn out bit by bit, and they will not even be able to aim where they want to shoot. ...

Su Dingfang stood in front of the map, pondered for a while, and made up his mind: "Immediately pass on my general's order to unload all the artillery on the warship and transport it to the city of Pingrang. The whole army is assembled, taking advantage of the gap between the Goguryeo army's northward pursuit, and storming Ping Rang. Rang City! This battle has a huge stake in me, so I can only succeed, not fail! Even if the battle ends in one soldier, I will capture Ping Rang City and destroy Goguryeo!"

Today's Koguryo has a vast territory and a large population, and it has become stronger little by little, gradually threatening the northeast frontier of the enemy country.

The failure of the Eastern Expedition not only dealt a severe blow to the morale of the Tang army, but also consumed incalculable amounts of supplies, food, fodder and military equipment. Within ten years, it would be difficult to organize a large-scale offensive war.And the rise of such a powerful country on the border of the empire will definitely affect the long-term stability of the empire. Fighting will definitely continue. If the Tang army did not attack Goguryeo, it may be that Goguryeo invaded the Tang Dynasty in the future.

And in the future, how much national power will be consumed and how many soldiers will be killed if the empire conquers Goguryeo again?
The prosperity of the empire has appeared, but the foundation is not stable. If the country's capital is depleted of its national power, it will inevitably make the government and the people's efforts to govern for many years be in vain.Not to mention how sad and pathetic it is for all the lively Tang Erlangs to die in Liaodong and spill their blood in a foreign land...

Although Xi Junmai tried his best to persuade him, he didn't expect Su Dingfang to be so decisive. He was taken aback for a moment, and instead asked, "Captain, is this the decision?"

Su Dingfang glared at him, and said angrily: "Which of you lieutenant generals waits eagerly for me to disobey the order and then order to attack the city? I am willing to fulfill your desire for merit, but the ugly words are up front. I will bear the crime of disobedience, but if I can't take down Ping Rang City, I can't afford to lose that person!"

If the navy would rather disobey the order, and attack Ping Rang City aggressively, trying to seize the unrivaled merits, but in the end they will be smashed and bloody and come back... Maybe they will become the laughing stock of the world, in the history books, He, Su Dingfang, will be ridiculed by future generations.

Xi Junmai hurriedly patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, the governor, even if you take your life to pay for it, you will definitely capture Pingrang City and overthrow the powerful enemies of the empire such as Goguryeo!"

Everyone in the Tang dynasty knew that the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo was not only for the great feat of unifying the world, but more importantly, it was to eliminate this rising power as soon as possible, otherwise it would be a serious disaster in the future!And once Goguryeo is overthrown, there will be no powerful enemies on the east and north frontiers of the empire, so we can concentrate our forces to attack Tubo.

In the final analysis, Tubo is the real powerful enemy of Datang!
Su Dingfang nodded, and said: "Go down and pass the order. All the troops will make fire and cook food. They will set off tomorrow morning and reach the city of Ping Rang! In addition, send someone to the north to inform the British Duke, saying that the navy will sacrifice their lives for righteousness and is willing to continue the unfinished business of the army. Overthrow the enemy's country, death will never follow!"

"Here!"

Xi Jun agreed, turned around and went out to convey the military order.

Su Dingfang stood at the porthole and looked out with his hands behind his back. He saw that the sky was gloomy and dark clouds were rolling, and the vast sea was like a black deep pool, which was daunting.

In a short time, the military order was conveyed to all the warships, and countless soldiers ran to the deck excitedly and cheered, even the sea breeze could not cover up the shouts!

From top to bottom, the navy is full of Fang Jun's brand. From the day it became an army, "forging ahead, never dying" is the spirit of the navy.Above the sea and within the seven oceans, all enemies and bandits must bow their heads and surrender. However, the footprint of the navy must not be limited to the ocean, but must extend to every country connected by the sea, so that all foreign countries and foreign lands must submit to the artillery fire of the navy. Down.

(End of this chapter)