weaving

Chapter 1454 We will not withdraw until Zhuxian Town is captured.

While the other battalions were rushing to their battle positions, Chen Zheng summoned his generals and gave them a speech: "You've been cooped up in Xiangong Temple for two months, clamoring every day to fight your way out, but I've been keeping you in check and not letting you mess around."

But today... I'm giving you this chance, to let you kill him quickly and painlessly!

"But there's one thing you all have to remember well."

Chen Zheng's tone suddenly changed, and he said loudly, "Half a day. I'll only give you half a day. If you can't break through the north gate of Zhuxian Town before dark, you won't even get to eat. Just keep fighting, keep fighting."

He finally roared, "If we can't take Zhuxian Town during the day, then we'll fight a night battle, fight them all night long. If we still can't break through the North Gate when the moon is high in the sky... then we'll personally charge up there and see just how tough the North Gate of Zhuxian Town is."

The first to step forward was Song Shanquan, a centurion of the vanguard, who shouted loudly, "General, we, the vanguard, volunteer to lead the charge!"

Chen Zheng glanced at him but didn't say anything...

Zhou Sanping, the commander of the Central Division, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, "General, the Central Division will lead the charge!"

Immediately afterwards, commanders such as Duan Qingzhong in the rear, Lei Kejun in the left, and Pan Chengji in the right also stepped forward one after another, requesting to lead their troops to the front and clear the way for the main army. They also promised that they would not retreat until the north gate was breached.

After scanning them with his cold gaze, Chen Zheng said in a deep voice, "You all have the will to fight to the death, and that's enough. As for who will lead the charge, there's no need to argue. I guarantee you'll all have a good fight."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked to a simple topographical map of Zhuxian Town, saying, "Get up, everyone, and get ready to receive your missions."

The five commanders immediately stood up and came over, and even the deputy commanders Yu Jin and Tian Mingyu followed.

Chen Zheng pointed to the north gate on the map and said, "Huang An, unload all the rocket magazines from the artillery vehicles and concentrate them all at the front of the north gate. Fifteen minutes after the battle begins, fire them all out at once, leaving none alive."

“Yes, sir,” Huang An replied.

"Also, the small cannons from the chassis division, as well as the other small cannons accompanying the army, all of you, point them at the north gate. Adjust the range and firing arc in advance, and once the fighting starts, aim them at the north gate and bombard it relentlessly!"

“Yes.” Huang An’s voice became a little louder.

"Leave the wagon carrier company commander in charge of the north gate. You take all the cannons, big and small, from the artillery company to the eastern wall of the north gate, pre-calibrate the firing positions, and aim here..."

As Chen Zheng spoke, he pointed to a spot on the map before continuing, "This is a new wall built last year, not as thick as others. When the rockets start flying from the north gate a quarter of an hour after the battle begins, you should start shelling here..."

He glared at Huang An and said in a deep voice, "Don't hold back on the cannonballs. Don't stop until the barrel is red-hot and the cannonballs are fired."

"Yes!" Huang An shouted with all his might.

Chen Zheng then looked at Song Shanquan, the commander of the vanguard, and said, "Song Shanquan, you lead the vanguard to attack the north gate. We only have one battering ram; the other two are just for show. After the shelling stops, push those two for show up first to deplete the enemy's strength, morale, arrows, and cannonballs. Only then should you bring out the real battering ram."

“Yes, sir.” Song Shanquan answered the order loudly.

But then Chen Zheng instructed him, "Your unit is launching a feint attack to lure the enemy troops. The attack should be fierce, but not too aggressive. Try to avoid too many casualties. It would be better if you could break through the north gate, but there is no need to push too hard."

“Yes.” Song Shan Quan’s voice was noticeably softer, clearly indicating a slight disappointment.

Chen Zheng just smiled and ignored him. He turned to Duan Qingzhong and said, "Duan Qingzhong, your rear troops will attack the west side of the north gate's stockade wall. I will give you five cloud ladders and twenty long ladders. You will use musketeers to suppress the bandits on the stockade wall and use shield soldiers to climb the ladders and attack the city."

The main objective is to attract and contain the enemy troops. While it would be ideal to breach the stockade walls, it's not necessary to force it to avoid excessive casualties. "Yes, sir." Duan Qingzhong accepted the order.

At this moment, Chen Zheng turned his gaze to Zhou Sanping and said to him, "Zhou Sanping, you will be in charge of attacking the eastern wall of the North Gate. After the artillery unit breaches the wall, you will lead the central soldiers in the first wave to charge in. Remember not to linger with the enemy soldiers. Head straight for the North Gate and open it as soon as possible to allow the main force to enter."

“Yes, sir!” Zhou Sanping’s voice was loud as he received the order.

Chen Zheng's gaze finally fell on Xu Jinyong, and he said with a smile, "Jinyong, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with this for a while and be under my command."

Although Chen Zheng spoke very politely, his tone was authoritative, leaving Xu Jinyong no room for refusal.

Xu Jinyong naturally understood that this was Chen Zheng giving him face. He immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee in front of Chen Zheng, clasped his hands and said, "Jinyong is willing to obey General Chen's orders and will never fail in his duty."

Chen Zheng smiled slightly and said directly, "Jin Yong, you lead the Imperial Guards to garrison on the east side of the north gate of Zhuxian Town. After Zhou Sanping's central force rushes into the gap, your troops will follow closely behind. If it is not conducive to the cavalry's movement, then lead your warhorses in."

After your unit enters, it will split into two routes, east and west, to meet up with General Guodong and General Wang Pu's troops.

“Yes.” Xu Jinyong’s voice was not loud, but it was very powerful.

"Yu Jin, you lead the central cavalry and follow behind Xu Jinyong. Once inside, charge straight south to meet General Zhi Ce."

"Here."

Finally, Chen Zheng glanced at Tian Mingyu and said, "Mingyu, you will lead the left and right wings as the general reserve force, ready to support all sides at any time."

"Here."

"Alright, everyone knows their tasks now. Is there anything you don't understand?"

No...no!

"Everyone, please remember what I said: this battle 'only victory is allowed, defeat is not an option.' We will not stop until we capture Zhuxian Town. If we can't take it during the day, we'll continue fighting at night. Do you all understand?"

"I've written them all down."

"Alright." Chen Zheng waved his hand. "Return to your camps and prepare. At 3:45 noon, the entire army will launch a general attack on Zhuxian Town!"

…………

Gao Yigong already knew that there were a large number of government troops outside Zhuxian Town. He also learned from Gu Ying that this army numbered over ten thousand and was extremely fierce and brave. Even the chief commander Liu Zongmin was quite wary of them.

However, he was not particularly anxious, because Zhuxian Town had been under his management for a long time, with moats crisscrossing the town and high walls for protection. Moreover, he had more than 30,000 soldiers alone, in addition to 30,000 able-bodied men, servants, and starving people...

This doesn't even include the nearly 10,000 bandits that Gu Ying brought. What can a mere 10,000 or so government troops do, no matter how fierce they are?

However, just to be on the safe side, he still made some arrangements and plans...

Gao Yigong personally oversaw the command at the north gate, Gu Ying was in charge of the east gate, Li Yan's younger brother Li Mou was in charge of the west gate, and Zhang Nai and Zhang Hong were in charge of the south gate.