Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 420 Find Another Strategy
Outside the city was filled with gunpowder and gunfire, and the uneven Shanyang City suffered the biggest attack since it was built.

This is also the largest artillery offensive and defensive battle in the pass.

White smoke and gravel flew together, and the city wall was the same as the Qing army.

The sound of the bombing pierced the sky, and Shanyang City seemed to be covered with pockmarks, making it extremely terrifying.

On the city road, a large number of soldiers carried weapons and sandbags, ready to fill the collapsed city wall at any time and make key repairs.

However, due to the preparations made in advance, Sanyo's ability to resist pressure is extremely strong, and the offensive for a day is nothing more than scratching an itch.

The surface of the city wall is bumpy, but it is still solid in essence. The soldiers behind the parapet chatted from time to time, and the atmosphere seemed a little relaxed.

"His grandma's has a lot of artillery."

Li Jingwu looked at it with serious eyes.

Although it is a good idea to use up the strength of Manqing one after another, the soldiers are human beings, who have joys, sorrows, sorrows and joys.

From Pizhou to Shanyang, most of Huai'an Prefecture has fallen. They don't know what strategy is, they just know, from failure to failure.

So, how can there be morale?

Thinking of this, he immediately asked the city gate to kill pigs and sheep to reward the troops.

For two or three days in a row, Shanyang City did not move like a mountain. Although it was severely damaged, it still stood upright, which made the Qing army extremely embarrassed.

Of course, more importantly, the artillery has exploded several times in these days.

From mid-October to now, in less than a month, there are only [-] red cannons left, and more than [-]% of them have been damaged.

"As for the rest of the artillery, the inner bores are severely worn out, and I'm afraid they won't last for a few days."

Artillery one fifty one.

Hearing this, Jierhalang's face was full of solemnity.

Manchus have always used copper cannons, which are lighter, but the cost of copper is self-evident, ten times that of iron, and considering the success rate, the loss is really too high.

"Also, we're running out of gunpowder..."

"What? That's a hundred thousand catties!"

Hauge was taken aback, and couldn't help roaring, scaring the craftsman's soul away.

The production of gunpowder in China is very small, saltpeter is abundant in the southwest, and sulfur is even rarer. High-quality sulfur is imported from Japan.

Today's Maritime Silk Road can only be a delusion for Beijing, so in order to go south, it can only collect as much as possible.

Of course, we have to thank the Shanxi merchants, otherwise, even if Hou Jin got the artillery technology, he could only stare blankly without sulfur and saltpeter.

"Gunpowder is almost never used on this road, and the artillery is also on duty every day. The early storage is no longer enough."

The artilleryman was helpless and complained with tears.

"How many are left?"

Jierharang rubbed his temple helplessly.

"It is estimated that it will last for three or four days."

"Can Shanyang City be taken?"

"It should be possible, but I'm afraid we have to stop at Shanyang..."

"You go down!"

Jierhalang was furious, and wanted to kill this guy with a single knife, but thinking that his identity as an artilleryman was used a lot, he still endured it.

"It's no longer possible to go on step by step."

General Zhennan and Prince Zheng Jierhalang looked at his two lieutenants, Prince Su Haoge and Dorobel Leket, and said solemnly.

In the previous plan, considering the densely packed castles, the method of attacking two castles at the same time was adopted to shorten the time as much as possible.

However, the consumption of artillery and gunpowder has increased sharply, which is completely beyond everyone's expectations.

Luc Dehun could only mutter: "This Han is really resistant."

"Could it be that these people abused it?"

Hauge's temper exploded, his eyes widened, and he scolded angrily: "The imperial court has collected more than half a year's amount, and it's done in just one or two months?"

"Could it be that these artillery were wasted, or resold—"

"No matter how few he is, there are really not many of them now."

Jierhalang glanced at Hauge, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said in a deep voice:

"At this point, we can only change our tactics."

"This canal is both our strength and our weakness."

"What do you mean?"

Luckard's eyes lit up, and he said respectfully.

"What I mean is to send a group of surprise soldiers to raid south."

Jierhalang turned around suddenly, pointed at the map behind him, and gestured back and forth between Shanyang and Yangzhou:

"The distance from Shanyang to Yangzhou is only more than four hundred miles. If one person and three horses carry dry provisions, it will only take two or three days to arrive."

Then, he pointed to the left side of the canal and said: "This is Hongze Lake, Gaoyou Lake, etc. The rivers are criss-cross and rugged,"

"But if you go to the right side, there are few lakes except for a clear water pool, so it's easier to walk and it's far away from the canal."

Hauge’s eyes lit up, he squeezed his full beard, and said loudly: “Let’s pretend to attack Shanyang, and at the same time dispatch surprise soldiers, 8000 people are enough, and run all the way regardless, even if Ming people find out, they won’t be able to send the message... "

"The people of the Ming Dynasty were strong and clear, and I am afraid that not many people would be able to report the news along the way."

Luck Dehun excitedly said: "The false Emperor will think we are in Shanyang, but in fact we are already under his nose..."

"Catch Emperor Ming alive before he is ready!" Jierhalang clenched his fists.

"Capture Emperor Ming alive!!!"

Hauge and Luck Dehun looked at each other, their eyes full of sparks.

Such a huge contribution must be enjoyed by one person alone.

Jierhalang is the coach, and he must be in the central army, and this partial division can only be born from two people.

"Dog slave, do you want to rob me?"

Hauge gritted his teeth and warned in a low voice.

And Luck Dehun was not afraid: "I am Baylor! I am not your slave."

Jierhalang was full of embarrassment.

If he followed Dorgon's close attitude, he would naturally be more willing to get close to Luck Dehun.

But Hauge's status is unusual, he is the honor of a prince, and his qualifications seem to be different from him. If he hadn't been separated from Dorgon, he would have become the commander of an army long ago.

At this moment, he saw Hauge's beastly threatening eyes.

After a long time, Jierhalang finally said: "Let's leave it to the younger generation for such partial teachers!"

Talk about seniority again!

Hauge was furious: "This is a matter of the victory or defeat of the whole army. The experience and ability of the juniors are still inexperienced. It is necessary for a general like me to step in!"

As he said that, he glanced at Luc Dehun provocatively: "If you lose, can the general take responsibility?"

Jierharang was speechless.

Looking sideways at Lucde's stubborn gaze, Jierharang sighed and said, "If that's the case, I'll trouble Prince Su."

"Hahaha, thank you General for your success."

After speaking, Hauge glanced at Luc Dehun provocatively, and left chicly and proudly.

"General——" Luckard was full of dissatisfaction.

Jierhalang stroked his beard and showed a different smile:

"The regent doesn't know what's going on in his mind. It doesn't matter if he wins, maybe his suspicions are getting deeper and deeper. Once he loses, the consequences will be unpredictable."

As he spoke, he patted Luc Dehun on the shoulder: "You are still young, and you will have plenty of military exploits in the future."

"Poor, people like Hauge only know how to fight..."

(End of this chapter)