People in the Song Dynasty were lawless

Chapter 365: Thousands of Cannons Aiming at the City
There is always no suspense in the age of firearms compared to the age of cold weapons.

Muskets are nothing, because the Qing Dynasty had muskets. Artillery is nothing, because the Qing Dynasty also had artillery.

But even under the same circumstances with guns and artillery, the 480,000 Qing troops were defeated by the eight-nation allied force that invaded China with only more than 30,000 troops.

Not to mention that Xixia didn't even have muskets, and the artillery was only the most primitive artillery. There was a huge gap with the Song Dynasty's firearms in terms of technology and training.

Under such circumstances, Jingtai took Zhuolu City with almost no effort, and even galloped his troops to continue chasing the remaining Xixia soldiers all the way, and drove straight north to reach Jisang City in Xixia.

Jisang City was the later Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County in Gansu Province. More than 200 miles to the east was the Xixia Lingbo Mountain. Nearby were the later Gaolan County, Baiyin City, Jingyuan County and other places. At this time, it was the pasture of some tribes in the Xixia Dangxiang tribe. , inhabited by many herdsmen.

Vast hills and plateaus rise one after another, the sky is blue and the fields are vast, and cattle and sheep can be seen in the wind-swept grass. The northwest is majestic and vast, but under the iron cavalry of the Song Dynasty, countless party herdsmen fled in panic, thinking that their death was imminent.

However, the people of the Song Dynasty just passed by like a startled giant, without even looking at them. Someone just left a sentence - this place belongs to the Song Dynasty from now on!
They left the Dangxiang herdsmen looking at each other and headed northeast.

Since then, it has been announced that the side of the Hexi Corridor near the Qishan Mountains, which had been away from the Han people for more than a hundred years since the late Tang Dynasty, once again returned to the territory of the Han people.

And in the near future, the entire Hexi Corridor, and even the entire Western Region, will return to the embrace of the Han people.

However, the terrain of this mountain is like a dumpling. There are about four continuous earth beams below. The fifth mountain is the highest peak, which is only twenty or thirty feet high. Although the terrain overlooks the city, the city's artillery can also hit it. On the mountain ridge.

Such things rarely happen to the artillery made of steel in the Song Dynasty, and even at high temperatures, they can be physically cooled by watering. Unlike iron cannons, watering to cool down can cause cracks in the barrel.

Ordinary artillery fires more than ten times in a row may cause the barrel to become very hot and even explode.

"Commander, they are still shelling the mountains to the north. It is difficult for our cannons to be placed up there. If the ground troops force the attack, without artillery to provide fire support, there will still be a lot of losses."

The city was actually not very big. Although it was the second largest city under the Qingtang regime, it was just an ordinary small county in the Tang Dynasty, named Huangshui County. It was not prominent in politics, military and economy.

This made it difficult for the Song army to go up through the gap between shelling, because they had more than fifty cannons that could be fired in turn.

In this way, the Xixia army's guns only need to be pointed at those places, without having to aim too hard, and they can easily cover the entire mountain top, causing huge casualties to the Song army.

Zhang Kang said: "Zu Si Luo bought tens of thousands of artillery shells from us. When will they be finished?"

Jia Kui frowned.

Jia Kui asked in confusion: "What does the Commander-in-Chief mean?"

"Why don't you go up at night when it's cloudy recently and you can't see?"

"What about when they run out of shells?"

The Song army seemed to be overwhelming.

The reason is that the location of Miaochuan City is more advantageous. Although Zhuolu City is a city, the mountains on the east and west sides are too close to the city, so it is easy to place forts to bombard the city.

At this moment, on the mountains south of Miaochuan City, about five kilometers away from the city, Zhang Kang used a telescope to overlook the Miaochuan City below.

"Is there really no other way?"

Before Li Yuanhao left, he asked Yeli Wangrong to take all the remaining soldiers who had returned from the river mouth and move them up the hill to the north of Miaochuan City.

And due to the narrow terrain, the artillery fire of the Xixia Army was easier to hit the target, making it difficult for the Song Army's artillery to get up.

Jia Kui understood something.

"The commander-in-chief is saying that we can ignore them? Attack from other places?"

But Mochuan City is more than ten kilometers long from north to south, and the surrounding mountains are not very high. The highest peak is only more than 30 feet. Zhang Kang sent artillery up there to conduct reconnaissance. Even if a fort is set up at the highest point, it is difficult to hit it. Inside the city.

This hill is the only commanding height near Miaochuan City. The Song Army feigned an attack from the north of the hill and took this vital area into their hands.

In the midst of this commotion, the Song army began to threaten the Xixia hinterland.

However, compared to the rapid fall of Zhuolu City, Miaochuan City was not so easy.

This made it almost difficult for the artillery to suppress the artillery on the mountains, rush the cavalry to the city quickly, and then seize the city like they did in the attack on Zhuoluo City.

Therefore, Miaochuan City is about the same size as many counties on the border of the Song Dynasty. It only covers an area of ​​one or two square kilometers. It is located on the bank of the Huangshui River. Both sides of the river are dry and yellow, which is already a scene in late autumn.

This made it difficult for the Song army to install artillery on the mountain against the Western Xia people's artillery fire, and naturally it was impossible to use tactics like the attack on Zhuolu City.

"It's true, the imperial court couldn't resist his request and gave him some artillery. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuanhao seized it and turned against us. He himself is still seriously injured and does not know whether he is alive or dead, but he has caused great harm to us, the Song Dynasty. ”

"The mountain is too small, and there is not enough space on it. It is easy for the enemy's artillery fire to concentrate. In addition, it is so close to the city. They can secretly send people out of the city to conduct reconnaissance at night. Once we go up to install the cannon, they will immediately cover it with artillery fire."

Zhang Kang's eyes were still scanning the nearby mountains and terrain.

"That hill is indeed the best place for us to bombard Mochuan City. We know it, and the Xixia people also know it, so they will definitely keep their eyes on it."

Jia Kui also looked at the city in the distance. After arriving at Mochuan City, of course they didn't do anything, but they had already removed the stronghold outside the city.

Unlike the light snow and hail that fell in Zhuolu City, the cold air from the north has not blown over yet due to the obstruction of the mountains in the north. The climate in the Hehuang Valley is not too cold, but it rained a little yesterday, and there is still a little moisture in the air. .

Jia Kui asked again.

Zhang Kang was slightly dissatisfied.

Jia Kui suggested.

Zhang Kang shook his head and said no. Of course he had thought about this method, but if he used a telescope to overlook the terrain, he would find it difficult to implement.

Zhang Kang put down the telescope, then pointed to the small hill to the north and said: "If both of us have been fighting an offensive and defensive battle between the enemy and ourselves around these mountains, we may be successful in the end, but our casualties will definitely not be small."

The main reason is that the hill is too small. The top of the mountain may be less than one mile in length from east to west, about three to four hundred meters. Moreover, some places are not suitable for installing gun mounts, and the flat area on the top of the mountain is even less.

The artillery on Miaochuan City are all Song Dynasty artillery. Not only are they very sophisticated, but they are also made of steel and are very durable.

"Maybe we should break away from this and stop being tied to that hill."

"Ah."

Zhang Kang nodded: "Now our best strategy for attacking Miaochuan City is to besiege the city and use up all the food in the city. Naturally, the Xixia people have nothing to do. In the end, they have to choose the path of defeat."

"But this takes a long time. I haven't made any achievements since I returned to the northwest. Jingtai has probably captured Zhuolu City. How can I be willing to lag behind?"

"So in this situation, I have to find another way, and I can't trap myself on that hill."

"Only by getting rid of the idea of ​​two sides competing for this hill can we find a solution."

Besieging the city is definitely the best way. The Xixia people traveled a long distance and had no supplies outside, so they could only survive on the food in the city. Although the Xixia people robbed Qingtang City and Miaochuan City of grain and grass, and the trade in the city was already developed, there must be many cattle and sheep and other livestock. The salt produced in Qingtang can be killed and made into pickled meat. Can eat for a long time.

But there are tens of thousands of people in the city, and no matter how much food there is, it won't last long, maybe a year at most.

But Zhang Kang's character was quite radical. Historically, he took the initiative to attack Xixia many times and fought bloody battles with the Xixia people on the grasslands. Each time, he gained a lot, which is enough to illustrate his drive.

It would not be his style to ask him to be patient and besiege the city for more than a year.

"Then where does the Commander-in-Chief think it is best to start?"

Jia Kui asked.

Zhang Kang narrowed his eyes, then looked up at the gloomy weather in late autumn and early winter, and suddenly smiled: "No hurry, wait a little longer, wait for a dark and windy night. Before that, we need to act as if we are eager to put the artillery on the hill."

The weather in the northwest is not good in this regard. It is often cloudless and the sky is clear and clear. Even when it rains, the moonlight at night is bright and clear. People with good eyesight can see clearly for miles around.

But now that we have reached the age of firearms, long-range weapons no longer need to be restricted to the commanding heights.

The hill is indeed the best place nearby for shelling the city, but it is not impossible in the wild. As long as the moon is dark and the wind is high, if you can install artillery within a mile of the city and bombard it, you will not be afraid that the army will not be able to attack the city.

Zhang Kang immediately went back to make arrangements.

In the next few days, the Song army continued to show great interest in the small hillside. Several times, small groups of soldiers appeared on the hilltop, seemingly to observe the situation in the city and prepare to install artillery positions.

The Xixia army in the city was not polite. They used the artillery captured from Xisiluo to bombard the top of the mountain, scaring the reconnaissance Song soldiers and fleeing in panic. The Xixia people in the city laughed and laughed at the Song army. A day when I was frightened by artillery fire.

Just when the Xixia people thought that the Song Army just wanted to occupy the hill and suppress the city with firepower, seven or eight days later, the Song Army's opportunity finally came.

It was a dark and stormy night, and heavy rain came as expected, making the artillery useless.

Although artillery is powerful, it also has many disadvantages. When it rains, rainwater enters along the muzzle of the gun, which easily wets the gunpowder, causing it to fail to ignite. It may also make the gun barrel wet, causing it to become a dumb gun.

Secondly, heavy rain is not suitable for observation and aiming. Although you can calibrate the gun position during the day and aim in that direction, what if the enemy is not in that position?

Finally, rainy days will also affect the flight stability and safety of artillery shells. Therefore, not only the Xixia people, but also the Song Dynasty will not conduct artillery bombardments on rainy days.

However, the Xixia people were also prepared. They tried to build awnings for the forts in each city to prevent the Song people from sneaking up the mountains and setting up artillery positions on the mountains while it was raining heavily.

For this small hill that is only one mile away from the city, the location is really important. Once they lose it, the entire Miaochuan City will be passive.

It has to be said that Yeli Wangrong, the Xixia general in the city, has considered everything that can be considered and has almost tried his best.

However, in this dark night, the Song army quietly approached outside Beicheng.

Under the cover of night and heavy rain, tractors struggled to transport the artillery toward the outside of Miaochuan North City.

The artillery of the Song Dynasty was also equipped with waterproof equipment, using sheds sewn from sheepskin. Tens of thousands of Song troops were scattered outside the city, making a very loud noise.

The only good news is that due to the long distance and the heavy wind and rain, even if there is thunder, people can't see more than a mile away, so the Xixia defenders on Miaochuan City have no idea what's going on here.

On the contrary, there was continuous artillery fire from the direction of the east city. The Xixia people discovered that the Song army was moving on the hillside outside the east city. Yeli Wangrong suspected that the Song army was going to occupy the mountain in the rain, so he issued an order for artillery fire.

There was a lot of artillery fire at the top of the city, and it was also in full swing outside the city.

The Song army was marching in full swing. If it weren't for the fear of being discovered by the Xixia people on top of the city if they got too close, and the rainy day was not conducive to musket shooting, Zhang Kang even wanted to go directly to the bottom of the city and build a ladder to rush up.

Time passed quickly minute by minute.

Zhang Kang was wearing a raincoat, standing on a hillside two or three meters high outside the north city of Miaochuan City, watching quietly.

This look is a night.

"Report to the Commander-in-Chief that our artillery team is ready and all the artillery has been installed."

"Report to the Commander-in-Chief that the artillery has been calibrated and aimed at the top of the city gates and walls to ensure that the enemy's firepower can be suppressed."

"Report to the Commander-in-Chief that several artillery pieces have been flooded and there may be an accident."

"Report to the Commander-in-Chief."

All kinds of things happened overnight.

But except for some situations such as the tractor being stuck due to terrain restrictions, muddy land, or the artillery being flooded, most of the artillery has been installed.

You must know that the Song Army has 5000 troops, three artillery battalions, heavy artillery pieces, and small steel cannons.

Napoleon only had more than 2,000 artillery pieces when he attacked Russia, which shows how powerful the Song Dynasty is now.

But it's normal.

Once Napoleon came, France's national strength would definitely be inferior to that of the Song Dynasty.

Secondly, he was traveling a long distance and it was difficult to bring so many artillery pieces, which resulted in insufficient firepower.

The Song Dynasty had many cannons on the border, so there was no need to worry about long distances.

At this moment, Zhang Kang had more than 40,000 troops, about 180 heavy artillery pieces, and more than 800 Weiyuan field guns, most of which were brought over.

By the early morning of the next day, the rain had finally subsided a lot.

A Xixia soldier on the top of the city got out of the tower, stretched, and walked to the female wall to take a pee.

It rained so hard and the Xixia people lacked rain gear. Of course, it was impossible to stay on the edge of the city wall and look outside. It can only be observed by going out on patrol every quarter of an hour, so it is easy to miss.

However, in the morning, his vision was much better. According to the schedule, he should have come out in a few minutes to inspect the city defenses, but he couldn't hold back the urge to urinate.

"Zizzizizi!"

As soon as he peed, the Xixia soldier shook twice, and then glanced outside the city inadvertently.

It was this look that almost scared the man out of his wits.

Because he saw that after dawn, in the mist, there were countless Song troops standing about one mile away from Mochuan City.

In front of the Song army, nearly a thousand artillery were aimed at Miaochuan City. The black muzzles were terrifying.

(End of this chapter)