Fu Shanhe

Chapter 65 Fierce Battle
As the moat was filled, the siege suddenly became intense.

The rebels' attack was indeed disorganized, but they could not withstand the sheer numbers of the enemy.

As soon as one group died, another group would immediately replace them, as if there was an endless supply.

With a loud "boom", an old cannon came to the end of its life.

Two nearby gunners were blown into the sky.

Even if the artillery is rotated in batches, accidents cannot be prevented.

"Stop shelling and check if the remaining artillery is safe!"

Li Mu immediately gave the order.

After several days of continuous practical training, the artillery's hit rate has improved significantly compared with before.

Within the effective range, the error can basically be controlled within thirty meters.

Some excellent gunners can even control the accuracy within fifteen meters.

Such precision would certainly not be impressive in later generations, but it was considered good in the Dayu Dynasty.

It is not easy to train an excellent artilleryman. He has always valued such technical talents and naturally cannot waste them easily.

……

"The enemy is out of ammunition, hurry up and launch a full-scale attack!"

Huang Renlong, who was watching the battle on the watchtower, gave the order excitedly.

After these days of exploration, the rebel soldiers have also figured out a lot of experience in avoiding artillery shells.

The lethality of artillery has dropped significantly compared to the previous few days.

But the roar of artillery fire still had a strong suppressive effect on the morale of the rebels.

Especially the giant siege equipment, once hit by the enemy's solid bullets, it will be scrapped instantly.

Now that there was no artillery threat, the morale of the rebel soldiers was instantly boosted.

Without caring about conserving his strength, Huang Renlong took out all the siege equipment.

More than a hundred giant catapults fired at the city wall at full power.

The soldiers raised the door panels as shields and pushed the siege vehicles against the city gate.

The suicide squad, who had been prepared long ago, carried ladders on their shoulders and leaned against the city wall, only to be greeted by stones falling from the sky.

Many people were smashed into mud before they even stepped onto the ladder.

The lucky guy who climbed up had no time to rejoice before an arrow pierced his body.

Pots of boiling golden juice poured out at this moment.

The endless screams mixed with a pungent stench made the battlefield filled with smoke and foul smells.

The casualties of the soldiers defending the city walls gradually increased.

No one knows when they will be smashed into mud by flying rocks.

The battle entered its most intense stage, and both sides started an endurance competition.

"The second team will go up and replace them!"

Li Mu gave the order coldly.

After witnessing the cruelty of war with his own eyes, his desire to achieve great things suddenly faded a little.

Now he just wanted to defeat the rebels as soon as possible and restore peace to Yangzhou.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, and the two armies were still fighting fiercely.

At the critical moment, the rebel soldiers once rushed to the top of the city wall, but were quickly dealt with by the defenders.

……

"Brother, quickly give the order to withdraw the troops!

It is getting late now and the enemy's city defenses are still solid. It is impossible to break into the city today.

The Death Battalion was completely annihilated, and the three battalions that took turns to fight all suffered heavy losses. If this continues, the fourth battalion will also be destroyed!"

Huang Renliang persuaded anxiously.

Unlike the cannon fodder troops before, the several battalions participating in the siege today were the earliest teams they had formed.

They are nothing in the broader world, but they are definitely considered elite in this rebel army.

"Ming Jin withdraws his troops!"

Huang Renlong said while suppressing his anger.

Deep down, he was also bleeding.

He doesn't care no matter how many cannon fodders die.

But these old camps were not good, as most of the soldiers in them were brought from their hometowns, including his neighbors and brothers from the nine clans. After embarking on the road of rebellion, the most difficult and bitter battles were fought by these people.

“General, after the expansion of the troops, their combat effectiveness has dropped a lot.

If it was the old camp, they might have captured the city gate just now!"

Huang Renlong pretended not to hear what Zong Guangtai said.

If the old camp was not expanded, he would be reluctant to let it go.

Given the intensity of the battle just now, even the most elite troops would be consumed on the city walls.

If the core of the rebellion was wiped out in one battle, even if the city of Yangzhou was captured, it would be a favor to others.

"Mr. Zong, the fighting power displayed by the defenders is much stronger than the government troops we encountered before.

These guys are from the capital, and neither threats nor inducements will work.

If the rebels continue to storm the city, they will probably suffer heavy losses.

Sir, do you have any good ideas for breaking into the city?"

Huang Renlong asked expectantly.

The previous siege battles were all completed with the help of internal and external forces.

Most of the time, the city can be easily broken by relying on the silver bullet offensive and bribing the defending officers and soldiers with heavy money.

If the defenders refused to cooperate, after capturing their families, there would always be people who chose to surrender.

This is the first time I’ve tackled a tough problem.

The core officers of the Wucheng Bingmasi are still the sons of nobles. It is impossible for these people to abandon their current comfortable life and come to follow him, the rebel leader.

"In the art of warfare, attacking the heart is better than attacking the city.

General, if we want to capture Yangzhou City, we must first break the morale of its army.

After being besieged by us for more than twenty days, the lives of the soldiers and civilians in the city must have been greatly affected.

The imperial court was extremely corrupt, and the generals were fond of withholding food and wages, so the soldiers often suffered from cold and hunger.

Why not set up an iron pot outside the camp, slaughter a hundred fat pigs, and let the aroma travel into the city."

Zong Guangtai said with a smile.

The smug look between his brows still revealed his true thoughts.

In recent days, Huang Renlong has been constantly looking for advisers and is clearly trying to distance himself from him.

Unfortunately, the flower has intention but the water flows on, and the scholars look down on him as a private salt dealer.

Even a great scholar with a great reputation became clumsy after being invited to join the rebel army.

When giving advice, he would always quote from books of sages and philosophers, without mentioning any specific content.

Occasionally, there would be some brave ones who would attack Huang Renlong.

In short, it is impossible to follow the thief.

When it comes to giving advice, unless you are truly loyal, there will be many hidden dangers.

If someone is dissatisfied and deliberately sets a trap for you, it could be fatal.

After going around in circles, I finally asked him for help.

“Mr. Zong, you make it sound easy.

The army has been staying here for so many days, and there is no human habitation within a hundred miles. Where can we get a hundred fat pigs?"

Huang Renliang on the side said disdainfully.

The rebels had no concept of sustainable development and they had slaughtered all the looted pigs, cattle and sheep.

"Renliang, don't be rude to Mr. Zong!

The master's intention was to let the aroma of meat drift into the city in order to shake the morale of the enemy soldiers.

It was pitch dark and the distance was so far, how would the enemy know what kind of meat we were stewing.

There is no pork, and so many people died on the battlefield, won't you find a substitute?"

Huang Renlong scolded immediately.

“Brother, great idea!

Mr. Zong, I just said something wrong, please forgive me! "

Huang Renliang's change of expression made Zong Guangtai very uncomfortable.

Stewing human flesh was a huge shock to him, a boy from an aristocratic family who was well-read in the books of sages.

……

(End of this chapter)