prosperous age

"My lord, it's already this late, the Japanese pirates shouldn't be attacking the city anymore, right?"

Although the clouds obscured the sun, the battle had been going on for most of the day, and it was already past 3 PM and getting dark.

Many Ming soldiers suffered from night blindness, and the Japanese pirates didn't seem to be much worse off.

According to the observations of the Ming army during this period, a considerable number of Japanese pirates suffered from night blindness. It seems that both in the East and the West, insufficient vitamin intake led to the prevalence of this disease among most people during this period.

Of course, in the eyes of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in the Ming Dynasty, this type of eye disease is actually very easy to treat. Just eat well, and it can be easily cured in children, while adults can also see some improvement.

Wei Guangde was aware of this, but given the current level of productivity, he couldn't provide sufficient nutrition for everyone in the Ming Dynasty to completely eradicate night blindness. This problem could only be solved by increasing productivity and supplying more food to the market, so he could only let it be.

Of course, night blindness also has its advantages, namely that there were very few night battles in ancient times because people could not see far away. Battles were basically fought during the day and people would return to camp to eat and rest at night.

Therefore, after almost a whole day of intense attack and defense, the Ming army was eagerly awaiting the arrival of night so that they could have a hot meal under the city walls and then get a good night's sleep.

"Have the cook prepare the meal."

It was past Shenshi, which was actually around five or six o'clock in the afternoon. In winter, it gets dark around six o'clock and it's almost completely dark by seven o'clock, so there was only a little over half an hour left. Liu Ting also thought that today's battle was probably over.

"Let the soldiers stay on the city wall a little longer, and then they can be relieved to rest when it gets dark."

Liu Ting continued to issue orders.

During wartime, it's unrealistic to expect soldiers to have hot meals. They are given emergency rations, such as high-calorie foods like dried meat and bean cakes, which they can nibble on during breaks in the fighting to replenish their strength.

Qi Jiguang treated his soldiers well. He kept a long-term stockpile of dried meat obtained from trade with the Mongols, which allowed the army to hold out for a little longer even when caught in a fierce battle.

This time, he almost emptied the Liaodong army's armory of supplies and took them all to Japan.

Just as the Ming army on the city wall began to relax slightly, the defeated Japanese army in the distance began to regroup once again.

The Japanese army attacked the city in shifts, seemingly using a large force, but in reality, it was only about 100,000 men taking turns attacking. Liu Ting thought the Japanese army had lost 100,000 men, but that was just an estimate. In reality, the losses were not that great; the number of dead was only about 50,000 to 60,000.

However, with corpses strewn everywhere beneath the walls of Daejeon Castle, it was difficult to make an accurate judgment.

Moreover, after the outbreak of war, the Ming army's actions of sending scouts to conduct reconnaissance were basically suspended.

With the two armies locked in combat, there was no room for scouts to operate.

Soon, the expendable forces abandoned by the various daimyo of Japan, numbering only about 30,000 with combat strength, regrouped into several groups. Under the reorganization of samurai, they seemed to have become several new siege forces, and even those with minor injuries were not allowed to retreat.

Those who were abandoned were the lightly wounded soldiers who were unable to move due to serious injuries, and all that awaited them was to slowly die in despair.

Just as wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys beneath Daejeon Castle, the Japanese army's new formation was completed. Although the sun had set and darkness was falling, this "night" might be the final assault on the castle.

From behind the woods outside the city, three enormous groups of people appeared, sweeping across the mountains and plains towards Daejeon City.

Although visibility was poor, it was impossible not to see such a commotion.

Just then, Liu Ting was about to arrange for people to take turns resting when he saw this. He immediately returned to the city wall, took out his telescope, and looked out.

"Three more teams of ten thousand men each."

The Japanese pirates were clearly in three groups, which, according to custom, numbered around 30,000. The main attack was usually from the central route, while the left and right routes were more of a feint attack to disrupt the Ming army's support for the core offensive.

"Have all the ammunition been transported to the city? Tell the soldiers to be careful to light the torches and not ignite the gunpowder."

Liu Ting instructed his deputy general, "You guys go down and take a look right away, and give them some instructions."

"Yes, General."

The lieutenants and guerrillas behind him clasped their fists in response, then turned around, gripped their sword hilts, and hurriedly ran to both sides to check the preparations according to Liu Ting's orders.

Everyone was cursing the Japanese pirates in their hearts. They were still attacking the city at this point, they were really courting death.

So many people have died these past few days, yet they still dare to attack the city.

Meanwhile, on the hillside outside the city, the door of a small wooden house opened, and a group of Japanese daimyo came out, gazing at Ota Castle in the distance.

They didn't actually have any expectations for this siege; they had already planned it out in the house beforehand.

Although losing 100,000 men seems devastating, it can reduce the army's daily consumption by 20%, allowing them to hold out for another two months.

One hundred thousand men may seem like a lot, but if they are willing, they can easily raise one, two, or even more light infantry units of one hundred thousand men to join the battle.

"I don't believe that after 100,000 men are thrown down, the Ming army will still have so much gunpowder and be able to maintain such strong firepower."

Kobayakawa Takakage said in a low voice.

"Xiaozhao is right. These Ming people seem to be strong in combat, but I believe they have already used up most of their gunpowder in their defense."

Once they're out of firearms and forced into close combat, my Yamato samurai can kill them one against ten.

The person standing in the very center of the crowd slowly spoke up in agreement.

"This loss may seem like a big deal, but as long as we can capture Datianzhuang, we will make up for it."

"Lord Hashiba, the spoils of war are distributed according to the number of troops lost; that won't change, will it?"

The one who spoke earlier was naturally Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had already arrived here with the most capable men among the Japanese daimyo.

After witnessing the overwhelming firepower of Datian City, which far exceeded their expectations, the group pondered repeatedly before finally devising this method that would result in heavy losses on both sides.

The loss was a small number of soldiers, but the gain was hundreds of cannons in the city.

Although their gunpowder reserves were running low, it served as a reminder that the Ming army's gunpowder reserves were not necessarily inexhaustible.

Japan's greatest advantage was that it could fight on its own soil, as its transportation costs were controllable. In contrast, the Ming Dynasty had to send supplies and troops across the ocean.

Secondly, Japan also had a much larger population than the Ming Dynasty had anticipated.

An army of 400,000 was a huge number in the eyes of the Ming Dynasty people, but it was actually insignificant in the eyes of the Japanese daimyo.

For a "great country" with a population of tens of millions, mobilizing an army of four or five hundred thousand is an easy task.

They were only constrained by the availability of military supplies; otherwise, it wouldn't have been impossible for them to directly mobilize a million-strong army to sweep through the Ming army.

As for the Ming Dynasty, which possessed a vast territory, according to their recent understanding, it would be difficult for them to mobilize even 100,000 people, far from the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago.

Well, the Tang Dynasty had a really big influence on Japan, and it hasn't diminished at all even hundreds of years later.

On the walls of Ōta Castle, the intense gunfire that had lasted for almost half an hour finally subsided, indicating that the attack had once again failed. However, the daimyo showed no sign of defeat.

"Lord Mori, let's go back. We'll have a feast in the tent today, and we'll decide on our next move based on the changes in the Ming army's firepower in the next two days."

Hideyoshi Hashiba said to Terumoto Mori beside him.

"Good, with such a high-intensity siege, I think the Ming army's gunpowder can only last for another day at most."

A cruel smile appeared on Mori Terumoto's face. This time, the Mori clan suffered the most severe losses. Eighty percent of their territory was captured by the Ming army, and the few remaining places were now guarded by the armies of various Japanese daimyo. It can be said that the Mori clan, which was once so powerful that it could barely compete with Oda Nobunaga, was finished.

All thanks to the Ming army in the city.

Therefore, he wanted revenge.

After saying that, led by Hideyoshi Hashiba, the group turned and walked towards the distant military camp.

On the walls of Daejeon Castle, Liu Ting watched the retreating Japanese pirates like a receding tide, his face expressionless.

"General, I just went to check, and the gunpowder stored in the city has been mostly used up."

Judging from the fighting these past few days, we can only hold out for another five days before we're completely exhausted.

A lieutenant came up behind him and reported in a low voice.

"Five days, can the Japanese pirates hold out for five days?"

A smile appeared on Liu Ting's face, but it was tinged with ruthlessness.

However, it must be said that the Japanese pirates' reckless fighting style did have a significant impact on the Ming army, causing their military supplies to be consumed too quickly. In fact, Liu Ting realized something after the Japanese pirates' fierce attack began.

The news that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had blown up the Japanese pirates' gunpowder depot was not kept secret from the generals who were leading troops in the field.

The reason for this special notification was to remind the officers and generals that the Ming army now relies heavily on firearms in combat.

Therefore, Liu Ting would check the gunpowder reserves in the warehouse every day.

"How much was consumed today?"

Liu Ting asked again.

"Seventeen shi (a unit of dry measure), about two thousand jin (a unit of weight), and more than one hundred arquebuses and seven breech-loading cannons were damaged due to overuse."

The firearms stored in the warehouse are now exhausted and cannot be replaced.

The deputy will continue to report on the situation after today's inventory check.

When will the next batch of supplies arrive?

Upon hearing that the stockpiled firearms had been distributed and used up, Liu Ting frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "In the next few days, until a new batch of firearms arrives, let them continue to use them. The frequency can be reduced, and the amount of powder can be less, but the momentum cannot be weakened."

At this point, Liu Ting turned to the adjutant and asked, "Did you understand what I meant?"

"This subordinate understands. General, rest assured, this subordinate will make arrangements immediately to have them reduce the amount of medicine loaded by half."

He knew, of course, that after the explosive charge was halved, the firearm's lethality was reduced by at least 70%, or perhaps it had no lethality at all.

However, General Liu's goal was to avoid casualties among the artillerymen and maintain the firing density of the artillery for the next few days.

This was meant to be heard outside the city, to let them know that such an attack had not had much impact on the Ming army's firearms.

"As for the general's question about the supplies, according to previous information, they should arrive in about half a month."

"See, should we ask and urge them?"

The lieutenant asked in a low voice.

"We must urge them, and the commander-in-chief must send more reinforcements."

Send out several copies at once to let them know how difficult things are here.

Liu Ting spoke.

The adjutant beside him looked surprised; this was not the general he was familiar with.

"Don't be surprised. Who knew there were so many Japanese pirates? We couldn't kill them all."

My mission is to hold this place. As long as I can hold it and complete the task assigned by the commander, what's the big deal about bowing my head?

Liu Ting chuckled.

Well, Liu Ting was actually quite an unruly person. He and his father had made outstanding military achievements, so he was usually rather arrogant.

Of course, he wouldn't dare in front of Qi Jiguang.

However, if Qi Jiguang wasn't around, he didn't take the other officers seriously.

This personality trait fostered in him a refusal to easily admit defeat in front of his comrades.

However, he wasn't stupid. He knew what was important and what was not. Face was nothing compared to the task assigned by the commander-in-chief.

"Yes, General, I will go find someone to write the document right away."

After the lieutenant hurriedly bowed his head in agreement, he saw Liu Ting nod and immediately turned around and went down the city wall.

"As is customary, the first and second teams will go down to the city to rest, while the third team will continue to stand guard."

After giving these instructions, Liu Ting then ordered the men beside him, "The Japanese pirates should not attack the city again. If they come again, they may not even be able to see my Datian City."

"Ha ha."

Liu Ting's words elicited hearty laughter from those around him.

Who's on duty tonight?

After the laughter subsided, Liu Ting asked another question.

"It is your humble servant."

A guerrilla general stepped forward and bowed in response.

"Then defend the city well. You won't get any meat and wine tonight, but we'll make it up to you tomorrow night."

Liu Ting continued.

"hey-hey."

The other officers joined in the laughter, patting the man on the shoulder.

The night shifts are taken in shifts, and everyone has times when they don't get to eat meat, so everyone acts with kindness.

The guerrilla general just chuckled dryly, showing no displeasure on his face, but inwardly he muttered, "The wine we confiscated from those Japanese is so bad that even dogs wouldn't drink it; it's practically the same as diluted water."

Ming army discipline actually forbids drinking alcohol during wartime, but after days of fighting, the soldiers and officers were exhausted.

The Japanese wine was too bland, so after Liu Ting tasted it, he ordered that each person drink a large bowl every night.

It's just sitting there doing nothing, might as well let everyone get a taste of the wine.

Even if he drank ten bowls, he wouldn't be very drunk, just a little bloated.

After arranging things on the city wall, Liu Ting led the officers who had nothing to do down the city wall. However, when they reached the horse path, they saw the deputy general who had just left walking up quickly.

"What, why didn't you wait at home? What are you doing here?"

Liu Ting stood in the middle of the road and asked loudly.

"General, the supplies have arrived."

The lieutenant hadn't expected to encounter Liu Ting here, and hurriedly shouted.

"What's going on? Didn't they say there were still about ten days left?"

Liu Ting was startled upon hearing this and immediately asked.

"It is said that the imperial court has issued year-end rewards, so the commander-in-chief sent someone to deliver them urgently."

The lieutenant said with a broad smile.

What kind of gifts are given?

Upon hearing that the imperial court had issued a reward, Liu Ting became excited.

With limited transport capacity during the army's eastward expedition, and no wine being brought from the Ming Dynasty, his mouth tasted bland.

If the imperial court were to issue rewards, there would definitely be wine or alcohol involved.

For the time being, he selectively waived the ban on drinking alcohol in the military.

Then, the lieutenant briefly described the supplies he knew, including a hundred jars of wine in addition to cattle and sheep.

In addition, 300 shi of gunpowder and a batch of firearms were also transported along with the baggage train.

"Alright, open ten jars of liquor."

Liu Ting excitedly began to speak. (End of Chapter)