Great Qing Dynasty talker

The next day.

The Wu army set up camps that stretched for several miles along the Yellow River.

At the same time, civilian workers were mobilized to move 15 cannons to the top of the mountain overnight and build simple gun positions.

At dawn,

The artillery observation post reported a series of numbers using the brass gun sight and telescope combined with the firing table.

1 quarters of an hour later,
Cannon fire rang out.

The shells flew over the turbulent Yellow River and landed in the city of Lanzhou on the opposite bank, causing smoke and dust to rise.

At the foot of the mountain, the Wu army's infantry cheered loudly.

While holding their bowls, they discussed the effects of the bombardment.

……

The top of the mountain is windy, with good views and cooling.

The gunners were busy, firing shells into the city of Lanzhou on the opposite bank.

The sound of cannon fire continued, with intervals of cooling down.

Black smoke billowed in Lanzhou city.

The house that was hit collapsed instantly, and the defenders suffered a lot of casualties.

Ma Qingzai, the second son of the Ma family and the Prime Minister of Xiliang, hid behind the battlements of the city wall, his eyes were bloodshot and glaring.

"Fight back, fire your guns."

"Mr. Prime Minister, our cannons can't reach it."

Ma Qingzai kicked the gunner viciously, ran down the city wall, and found Xiliang State Captain Hu Shanjiu to discuss countermeasures.

……

The state affairs of Xiliang are jointly presided over by the Ma family and the Hu family.

The two families made an agreement before the gods that after repelling the Wu army, who would become the king would be decided based on the achievements on the battlefield.

When one family becomes the ruler of a country, a person of another family becomes the prime minister.

In short, tigers and horses share the world.

Xiliang was indeed very united internally, and the two surnames were quite loyal to each other. It was said that there were 300 million civilians and 8 combat soldiers under their command.

However, Xiliang’s military technology has lagged behind the times for too long.

They were extremely lacking in experience in modern firearms warfare, and the only one who knew something about it, Ma Qingshu, was besieged in Mingsha Fort in Ningxia.

This is also related to the Qing court's consistent strategy of preventing firearms.

……

"Captain, what should we do now?"

"Hold on."

"Just get bombarded like this?"

"Let him bombard Lanzhou. Even if he bombards Lanzhou to pieces across the Yellow River, what's the use? Can his troops come over?"

Before the words fell~
There was a cry from the city: "Fire!"

Hot bomb!
Red-hot iron balls fell into the city.

Fires broke out in many places, and the fire gradually expanded with the help of the wind and spread towards the gunpowder depot!
The soldiers frantically drew water from the well to put out the fire.

……

A hot bomb hit the stable and ignited the hay. The frightened horses ran wildly, knocking down the people who were trying to put out the fire in the street.

boom!
The gunpowder magazine exploded, and the mushroom cloud shot straight into the sky!

Both the Ma family and the Hu family were stunned.

Why did they become so cowardly right after the war started? It was all because of those cannons on Baita Mountain on the other side that could fire 4 miles away!!

……

In addition to artillery, Wu Jun also used rockets!

The civilian laborers accompanying the army carried 50 heavy rockets to the top of the mountain.

Two improvised launch pads were launched one after another.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, tail-fin rockets took off into the air, their accuracy as confusing as ever, one shot to the east and one shot to the west.

There were even rockets that landed in the Yellow River, creating spectacular columns of water.

Lin Huaisheng lamented:
"If our rockets can guarantee accuracy, it will change the face of war"

The staff officer next to him whispered:

"The Military Industry Department has barely solved the problem of the launch pad's self-destruction rate. I don't think it will be solved in the short term."

"Lin Shuai, can we attack now?"

"Ah."

……

Old rules.

The surrendered soldiers came up first and handed in their letters of surrender.

Then came the dispatched troops, and finally the regular army.

Although the Qing Dynasty has fallen, its fine traditions cannot be discarded.

The surrendered soldiers of the Eight Banners lowered their heads, raised their shields, and rushed onto the pontoon bridge.

On the other side, arrows were flying.

Occasionally, someone would be hit by an arrow through the gaps in their armor and fall into the Yellow River with a scream. Given the rapid flow of this section of the Yellow River, those who fell into the water would surely die.

North shore.

The Wu army's musketeers were arranged in company units.

"Raise the muzzle 10 degrees."

"1st Company, release."

"2st Company, release."

~
The 10 company musket formations took turns firing volleys at the enemy troops on the opposite bank.

The archers on the other side of the river began to panic. What kind of musket could the enemy use to shoot across the Yellow River?

……

"Artillery, suppress the other side."

The Wu army deployed 30 cannons in a row and bombarded the opposite bank.

now.

The cannons on the Lanzhou city finally had a chance to be used, and they fired shells at the pontoon bridge one after another.

The cannon fodder on the bridge could not bear it anymore, with arrows and shells flying everywhere.

People who fell into the water were like dumplings.

The first attempt to cross the river failed.

150 Eight Banner surrendered soldiers were killed or wounded, and more than 90 dispatched troops. Heavenly soldiers, 0 casualties!

Witnessing this scene,

The cannons on the top of Baita Mountain silently adjusted their positions and no longer bombarded the city, but instead suppressed the city walls.

The observation post stood on the edge of the mountain top, looking through the telescope at the smoke rising from the city wall, the rubble covering the enemy's figures, the overturned artillery vehicles, and the panicking crowds.

The joy in my heart is indescribable.

win!
……

呲~
A bucket of cold water was poured on the felt covering the barrel, and instantly a large cloud of steam rose.

The gunner held a water-soaked brush and pushed it into the barrel. The whole cannon looked like a bun just out of the oven, with white mist rising from it.

The gunner felt the breech with his palm and shouted:

"Keep loading."

The gunner, who had been on standby, immediately stuffed the silk powder bag in and pushed it to the bottom with a ramrod.

Another gunner held the round cannonball and rolled it into the barrel.

As the gun cord was pulled, the flintlock was successfully ignited and the cannon retreated violently.

……

The Xiliang army was terrified.

They started a fire and burned down the pontoon bridge.

The floating bridge is very important and difficult to build.

The most important thing is to prevent the fire from melting the iron chains.

"Go ahead."

A dozen lightly armed suicide squad members of the Eight Banners rushed to the burning end of the floating bridge carrying wooden barrels and scooped water to put out the fire.

Use water from the Yellow River to put out the fire on the floating bridge.

From time to time, someone was shot by an arrow and fell into the Yellow River, and was instantly submerged by the waves.

At the southern end of the pontoon bridge, the entire part above the waterline was burned, and the sheepskin raft underneath was also partially damaged.

It took Wu Jun half an hour to repair it with wooden boards.

The floating bridge is almost level with the water level of the Yellow River.

The few remaining suicide squad members and the huge number of dispatched soldiers howled with excitement as they walked across the pontoon bridge and reached the south bank.

……

Everyone knew that the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt.

It's just a matter of time and casualties.

Lin Huaisheng felt relieved and whispered:

"Infantry, cross the river."

"Besiege the city first, then attack. Announce to the entire army: in this battle, no prisoners are to be taken."

"Yes."

Every quarter of an hour, an infantry battalion arrived at the south bank.

The artillery could not cross the bridge, so some light infantry carried guns to supplement the firepower.

Half an hour later, the encirclement of Lanzhou was finally completed, and the roads out of the city were basically blocked.

Busy replenishing ammunition and preparing for battle formation.

At the top of Baita Mountain, the sound of artillery fire was sparse.

But there were still sporadic shells falling into the city.

The national captain Hu Shanjiu was killed in battle, hit by a cannonball.

Amid the sound of fighting, Ma Qingzai announced his ascension to the throne as the first ruler of Xiliang Kingdom and issued his first and last order: fight to the death.

……

In the afternoon, Wu Jun had basically completed the preparations for breaking into the city.

Lin Huaisheng was very surprised. The enemy didn't even choose to break out? Was the Xiliang Army so bloody?
However, it is a good thing for us.

Wu Jun is good at dealing with tough problems.

"Marshal Lin has given the order to attack the city!"

"Kill, kill, kill."

The roar was as surging as the Yellow River. The soldiers, holding spears and swords on their waists, entered the city through the gap in the brick-covered adobe wall on the west side of Lanzhou that had partially collapsed.

A hundred or so archers from Xiliang arrived and tried to block the gap with a rain of arrows. After two rounds of arrows, they were driven back by the Wu army on both wings.

……

Ma Qingzai, the ruler of Xiliang who had ascended the throne less than an hour ago, went into battle shirtless, holding a sword and shield.

"Fools, pick up your swords and guns, and kill."

"Kill those assholes outside."

Just like their ancestors~the Xiliang Army of the Three Kingdoms, the Old Camp of King Chuang, the Qin Army of Sun Chuanting, and the Shaanxi-Gansu Green Camp of the Qing Dynasty!

The more than 3 soldiers in Lanzhou city are all fierce and ferocious.

Dying in battle is no big deal.

I'd rather kill more than that.

What is a breakout? What is a detour? What is the saying "If you keep the green mountains, you will never worry about lack of firewood"? The Northwest men don't know any of them. There is only one word: be more ruthless!
……

After the dispatched soldiers entered the city, they were immediately attacked repeatedly by a large number of scimitar warriors.

It’s all thanks to the equipment advantage.

After fighting for two quarters of an hour, most of the spears in the soldiers' hands were broken, and they drew their swords at their waists and chopped fiercely.

Another quarter of an hour passed, and the blade of the saber was bent and could only be used as a saw.

In front of him, corpses were piled up.

500 of the 200 expeditionary troops who entered the battle first were killed. Although plate armor was not afraid of sharp blades, it could not withstand blows from blunt objects.

The fighting at the gap was fierce.

It's heart-pounding and shocking.

……

However, as the Wu army's light infantry took control of part of the city walls and the surrounding roofs.

The casualties of the Xiliang army became extremely terrifying.

A soldier looked through the gap in his mask and saw a group of enemies armed with swords and shields rushing out of the street ahead.

behind,

The unique dull sound of a gun being raised was heard.

The enemy on the opposite side instantly spurted blood, screamed and fell to the ground struggling.

The iron sand from the gun can cause too much damage to people without armor, making them invincible in team battles.

Thanks to the Qing Dynasty, we have always been on guard against the Green Camp in the Northwest.

The firearms were very stingy, and the armor was even more stingy.

The Western Liang Kingdom had never been able to possess a large number of firearms, nor had it developed skilled firearms tactics.

They still advocate cavalry charging and breaking through formations with swords and shields.

……

While the fighting was slightly easing, a team of musketeers picked up weapons from the ground for the soldiers who were having trouble bending down.

Each of them held two of the enemy's scimitars.

Scimitar against scimitar.

Push all the way.

The Musketeers followed closely behind, combining hot and cold tactics.

The gun-carrying team on the city wall was specifically responsible for firing at any enemy archers that appeared nearby, and each shot was accurate.

……

One hour passed.

The city was still filled with the sound of killing.

Lin Huaisheng was quite surprised and insisted on climbing up the city wall to watch the battle.

Through the telescope, he saw a scene that surprised him!
The entire city of Lanzhou was in flames and fighting.

So that
Our offensive line stagnated and its momentum was exhausted.

Who could have thought that the trapped enemy would dare to risk their lives like this? The expeditionary force at the forefront was so exhausted that they could no longer swing their weapons, and their physical strength was severely overdrawn.

There was a bloody battle in every house and every alley.

"Lin Shuai, how about we slow down?"

"Yes, we should withdraw first and surround the city from all sides. Wait until the light artillery on the other side is dismantled and pulled across the river, and then let the heavy artillery on Baita Mountain continue to bombard."

……

Lin Huaisheng held up the telescope and looked around, then threw it to the staff officer beside him.

"We must fight our way through Lanzhou before sunset. I will lead the guards to charge."

"Lin Shuai, no."

however,
Lin Huaisheng was not moved by the advice of the officers and staff.

He slid down the city wall through the gap.

"Prepare armor for me."

A set of bloodstained plate armor from a wounded member of the expeditionary force.

……

As the messenger held up the little red flag, he galloped on horseback, shouting:

"Marshal Lin is personally on the battlefield. All soldiers of the Western Expedition Army, listen to my orders. Today, we will destroy Xiliang."

moment,

The morale of the troops is boosted!

The cheers even drowned out the surging Yellow River north of the city.

Lin Huaisheng didn't care about the blood and flesh on the plate armor, and pierced the armor on the spot with the cooperation of two soldiers.

The latest plate armor produced by Maanshan Heavy Industry, except for a very small number of lightweight and flexible parts that rely on manual labor, the rest of the parts adopt a mature technology that combines free forging, die forging, and tire die forging.

Production increased rapidly and costs fell accordingly.

It's hard to put on, need help.

Various leather buckle fastening.

A quarter of an hour later~
Lin Huaisheng took the bloody helmet and turned to stare at the dozens of Eight Banners Death Squad members who had managed to survive the fight to seize the pontoon bridge and were standing on the side.

"Follow me and fight for a while! I personally recommend you to leave the flag!"

All the surrendered soldiers of the Eight Banners knelt on the ground in unison.

Shouting:

"The slave obeys."

……

Three rockets took off into the sky and the general attack began.

The cry of killing resounded through the sky.

All 3000 Wu troops outside the city entered the city, their sharp bayonets gleaming in the sun, as they carried out the final attack.

Lin Huaisheng fought his way in from the west gate along the main street, and was unstoppable all the way.

The commander-in-chief personally charged into the battle and the guards had to fight for their lives.

Chop, chop, chop all the way.

The attacking formation was like an arrow, with the heavy armored soldiers in the center and the light armored soldiers on the two wings.

Following that, on both wings were light infantry armed with short guns and swords, with a group of gun bearers clustered in the middle.

Finally, there was a column of muskets with fixed bayonets.

……

At the street corner, a group of men in coarse clothes rushed over.

Lin Huaisheng's blood was boiling; it had been a long time since he had killed an enemy personally.

He swung his sword to block the opponent's blade, and the guard beside him followed up and stabbed the enemy in the abdomen.

Lin Huaisheng felt that the other party was powerless, so he easily swung away his sword and swung it towards his neck.

Red mist all over the sky~
The sword and the head fell to the ground together.

The swordsman kills people, without any fancy moves.

When you draw your sword, you'll see blood.

I can still remember clearly what my master taught me: If you can’t kill your opponent with three strikes, you’re going to die.

……

One hour later, Lanzhou City gradually returned to peace.

The stench and blood choked people's noses and mouths.

There were bodies and discarded weapons everywhere.

On the city walls, streets, courtyards, windows, outside doors, and in wells, corpses appeared in all sorts of strange forms.

The Wu army soldiers spread out and stabbed with bayonets along the way.

Lin Huaisheng threw away the helmet that was already filthy, and his sword cut across the satin surface of the Xiliang national flag. He picked up half a piece of rag with the tip of the sword and silently wiped the blood off his face.

Like a rag, thrown away at will~
The Western Liang Kingdom was destroyed.

There were only 9 people left out of the dozens of Eight Banners surrendered soldiers who entered the city. They revered Lin Huaisheng as if he were a god.

The commander-in-chief takes the lead as the vanguard, just like the founding years of the Qing Dynasty.

Loyal! Sincerity!
……

Before sunset, the troops were called back.

The Wu army suffered 4200 deaths, 1300 serious injuries, and 2500 minor injuries.

More than half of the troops were killed during the attack on Lanzhou.

The battle record was killing more than 6 people and destroying the Western Liang Kingdom.

As the military order before the war:
Take no prisoners!

The soldiers urged the more than a thousand civilians in the city who had not resisted to clean up the battlefield.

The work of collecting bodies and digging pits for burial lasted for half a month. It was spring, the temperature was high, and the stench was overwhelming.

The 1st Army suffered heavy losses, with ammunition exhausted and many wounded.

Lin Huaisheng reported the victory and requested reinforcements, while sending the 8th Corps and the Light Cavalry Corps, which had been resting for many days, to continue the attack along the Hexi Corridor. (End of this chapter)