She Song

Chapter 226 Han Shizhong’s meritorious service

Outside Pingzhou City, there is Sanlipo.

A large group of senior generals of the Jin Army looked at Pingzhou City in the distance.

One thousand five hundred steps is the limit of the range of Hanwang Cannon. This is the information Wu Shu heard on the training ground.

However, he doesn't have a telescope now, so he can't see the situation at the top of the city at all.

"Second Prince, please let Wu Shu go to the city to have a clear look!"

Zong Wang looked at his young and sturdy younger brother and said calmly: "No hurry, let's talk about the outskirts of Pingzhou."

Xiyin was the first to speak. After all, his identity was unusual, and Zong Wang couldn't really ignore him, so he left all the logistical matters to him.

"The army is moving lightly and in a hurry. Although it passes through Jinzhou for supplies, it can only last for five days at most. The territory of Pingzhou has been fortified and cleared three days ago, so there are few farmers and herdsmen within fifty miles. In order to feed the enemy, we must conquer the towns as soon as possible."

Zong Wang then asked: "Three days ago, the walls were fortified and the country was cleared. How did they know that our army was marching south to Pingzhou?"

There is only one answer to this question: leaks.

Wu Shu found it incredible. Zong Wang only spent one day from decision-making to dispatching troops. He was even more cautious in his words and deeds during the five-day rapid march. Could it be that the person who leaked the secret could fly?

Xiyin knew a little more. He guessed that the source of the leak was probably in Shangjing, and that carrier pigeons were most likely used to deliver the information.

Only in this way can it make sense.

"In other words, they have known about it since we set out for Beijing? Who is so bold?" Wu Shu was a little discouraged, but he had to agree with Xi Yin's inference.

Xiyin thought for a while and smiled softly: "A few months ago, I heard that Han Ji's caravan entered Shangjing and was very popular for its cheap prices and good quality. It seems that the King of Han has long wanted to spy on military affairs! Unexpectedly, there are such people in the Southern Dynasties. interesting!"

After hearing this, Wu Shu immediately understood the cause and effect, and said bitterly: "There are countless southerners who can't be killed!"

Zong Wang was not angry, but said: "No matter how you leak the secret, you still have to rely on your sword to speak!"

Xi Yin said sternly: "What the second prince said is reasonable. Judging from the current situation, the Yanyun Army is on the defensive. It is nothing more than making use of its strengths and avoiding its weaknesses. I hope our army can attack the city and pull out the stronghold!"

Thinking about the scene of Qingqi attacking the city under artillery fire, Wu Shu couldn't help but feel his scalp numb.

"How can we quickly defeat the city without equipment? Even if we destroy the city wall, [-] steps is still too long!"

"Go and have a look!" Zong Wang suddenly urged his horse downhill and galloped towards Pingzhou City.

Wu Shu was startled and hurriedly chased after him: "Second Prince, there are no less than twenty Hanwang cannons in Pingzhou City, so don't take risks!"

Zong Wang laughed loudly: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger's cubs. It doesn't matter!"

In his mind, he always had to go to the city to see the situation in person before he would feel at ease. On the other hand, he still didn't care about the miraculous King Han Cannon.

People with great skills are bold, and Zong Wang is so confident!

Wu Shu had no choice but to hope that Xi Yin would dissuade him, but Xi Yin was also experienced in battles. Personal life and death and the victory or defeat of the entire army were obviously more important.

However, Xiyin still suggested that the more than [-] generals disperse and pass through the city at high speed in groups of three or two to minimize the damage effect of artillery.

Zong Wang followed goodness like a stream, and implemented it accordingly.

After all, the Song army had a precedent of sniping and killing Liao generals from the city wall, and he didn't want to be the second one.

As the Jurchen generals approached, the horn sounded from the top of Pingzhou City, and Han Xiaoyao immediately led everyone from the east gate tower to come out to inspect.

Han Shizhong, who had been observing at the top of the city, put down his telescope and immediately reported the situation: "Your Majesty, judging from the horses' clothing, this one looks like a high-ranking Jurchen official."

Han Xiaoyao took out his telescope and looked at it for a while. From a distance of six to seven hundred steps, he could roughly see people's faces. Soon, he discovered the Wanyan Wushu.

"It's true, but running at such high speed and scattered, they are obviously avoiding artillery fire..."

Han Shizhong's hands were itchy, so he suggested, "Maybe Zong Wang is among them. Do you want to give him a hardcore?"

As a reserve recruit, Han Shizhong persisted until the end of the Battle of Jingzhou, received a gold medal, and was promoted to regimental commander in the reserves.

In this battle of Pingjing, Han Xiaoyao specially transferred him to his command and served as acting battalion commander, responsible for the most important defense of the East Gate Tower.Pingzhou Jiedu envoy Zhang Jue defended the West Gate Tower, and the general of the Pingzhou Army who cooperated with the East Gate Tower was Zhang Dungu.

Zhang Dungu looked at the twenty or so Jurchen generals on the opposite side. They were too scattered and fast. Although the Han Wang Cannon was powerful and could hit far, it was short of precision strikes.

"The golden dog comes prepared, but I'm afraid he may not be able to hit..."

Han Xiaoyao laughed: "It's enough that they know how powerful the artillery is. It doesn't matter whether it hits or misses... Han Shizhong, you will be on duty in Dongcheng today. You don't have to ask for instructions on how to deal with it!"

Han Shizhong stood at attention, saluted, and said loudly: "Yes! I understand my humble position!"

There were ten Korean king cannons in the east gate. Han Shizhong immediately sent an order to fire at the Jurchen cavalry.

Liang Hongyu corrected the enemy's distance through a telescope.

"About step 350!"

Ten Hanwang cannons were ready and the muzzles were leveled.

"Light the fire!" In Han Shizhong's roar, the artillery quickly lit the firing line.

With sharp eyes, Wu Shu noticed smoke rising from the top of the city. He immediately knew that the enemy had set fire to it and shouted loudly: "The Song Army has fired!"

Before he finished speaking, thunder rang out from the top of the city, a large plume of thick smoke rose, and ten artillery shells roared and hit the place where Zong Wang was.

"Bang, bang, bang..." A series of crashing sounds rang in Zong Wang's ears.

One of the cannonballs brushed against the tail of Zongwang's war horse. The usually obedient horse sensed the danger, jumped up in fright, and neighed mournfully.

Fortunately, Zong Wang had been riding a horse since he was a child, and he quickly calmed down his mount. When he turned around, he saw one of his subordinates falling to the ground with his horse.

Zong Wang was about to go back to check, but Wu Shu caught up and gave Zong Wang's horse a whip, causing the horse to gallop forward.

Wushu shouted: "Let's go separately!" So Xiyin quickly led half of the people and left with Zongwang Wushu's back.

On top of the city, Liang Hongyu, still holding a telescope, calmly calculated the distance: "650 steps, [-] degrees!"

The artillerymen are already familiar with the process of adjusting the muzzle azimuth and angle, loading gunpowder packets and shells, inserting the fire line, and igniting the fire, and the fire line is quickly ignited.

"Boom!"

Ten artillery pieces fired shells again. Zong Wang suddenly heard the whistling sound getting closer and closer. He was startled. It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

Coincidentally, one of the cannonballs hit Zong Wang's mount directly on the hind leg.

The war horse stumbled and fell to the ground. Zong Wang felt the world spin before his eyes, and then fell to the ground with a thud.

The sudden change scared Wu Shu and a group of fierce An Mooke and ran over one after another, regardless of the danger of artillery bombardment.

Wu Shu took the lead. He bent down and reached out to grab Zong Wang's collar. He pulled hard and pulled the burly Zong Wang onto his horse and fled away into the distance.

At the same time, he waved his arms and shouted: "Spread out more! Don't get together!"

All the Jurchen generals scattered in panic. They all knew that if Zong Wang died here, countless people in the Jin army would be buried with him.

Liang Hongyu reported the data again: "One thousand steps, one hundred and five degrees!"

Han Shizhong said: "The targets are too scattered, and the shells are valuable. Stop the bombardment!"

The east gate opened, and a small group of cavalry rushed to the 350-step mark and carried the only unfortunate man of the Jin army who was wounded by a cannon back to the city.

This Meng'an's left calf was broken by a shell. Fortunately, the ambulancemen gave him a bandage to stop the bleeding. As long as he is not infected, he can survive.

Han Xiaoyao learned of the situation and beat Han Shizhong's chest.

"Killing a fierce An with one shot, great job!"

(End of this chapter)