Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 970 Attacking Luzhou
Not to mention the blockade of the official road by the Jin army, and the investigation of the military's detailed operations along the way, all the troops marched southward to Fushun, Longchang and other places regardless of their hard work, hiding in shadows, like a lion on the grassland, lying in the grass and watching its prey. , waiting for the opportunity to pounce out.

The battle in Luzhou in the south is already in full swing. After the forwards of the Ming army crossed the Yangtze River, they stabilized the beachhead. The army built a pontoon bridge, leaving only 5000 people on the south bank. The main force crossed the river and forged a solid camp in the west of the city.

He Tengjiao ordered Wang Guangen to lead 1 people and advance to Doushan Town, south of Fushun, to station in Doushan Town, in case the Jin army suddenly went south, and the army began to prepare to attack Luzhou with peace of mind.

Before the siege, He Tengjiao wrote a letter and shot into the city to surrender in accordance with the usual practice, hoping to solve Luzhou at the least cost.

He Tengjiao knew that Sun Kewang was determined not to surrender, so this surrender was mainly aimed at the generals of the Western Army in the city. In addition to He Tengjiao's surrender conditions, the letter of surrender also had Li Dingguo's guarantee. .

He used to be one of the four kings of the Western Army. After Zhang Xianzhong's death, his status was second only to Sun Kewang. After people like him surrendered, the Ming Dynasty actually gave him a lot of attention. Now he has become the deputy governor of Zhongyi Town, Wang Yan's direct descendant. , Marquis of Daming.With this example, and his personal testimony, those generals in the city who intend to surrender, but who are worried that the court will settle accounts after the fall, will be deprived of military power if they surrender, and will not be worried about the generals who are not reused.

Before, Sun Kewang concealed the conditions of the Ming Dynasty's surrender, and the letter was shot into the city, which immediately caused a lot of turmoil in the hearts of the people.

A few days ago, 2 people went out of the city to stop the Ming army from crossing the river, but they were defeated, which made the Western army in the city not optimistic about defending the city.

Sure enough, shortly after the letter of surrender was shot into the city, a rebellion broke out in the city that night. Several western generals wanted to open the city gate and surrender, but Sun Kewang was very vigilant about this and guarded the western city himself. prestige, so the rebellion was unsuccessful.

He Tengjiao saw that the city was full of turmoil, the sound of killing was loud, and the flames were soaring into the sky. He knew that the surrender had played a role. Civil strife broke out in the city. Insufficient preparation, many equipment is still on the south bank, so it failed in the end.

After daybreak and the sun came out, Sun Kewang immediately ordered that the generals who rebelled last night be taken to the top of the city and beheaded for public display.

Although the rebellion was suppressed and the Ming army failed to attack the city, Sun Kewang was still in a cold sweat.

The north, east, and south sides of Luzhou City are surrounded by the Yangtze River and the Tuojiang River respectively. The Ming army did not have a navy in Sichuan, so Sun Kewang did not have to worry about these three walls. Block it up, and stop the soldiers in the city from seizing the door and rebelling.

The Ming army failed to instigate a rebellion, so they could only start the siege operation step by step. First of all, forty heavy artillery from the south bank were transported to bombard the west city, while the infantry and civilians rushed to make siege equipment.

On July [-]th, the Ming army bombarded Luzhou for more than ten days. The city wall was riddled with holes and caused several collapses. The army will attack the city.

In the early morning of this day, the soldiers of the Western Army on the top of the city began to busy move bricks and planks, rest with the Ming Army artillery, and repair the city wall that was smashed and collapsed by the shells.

In addition, a large number of arrows, lumber, stones, kerosene and other objects were also transported to the city wall. On the city wall two battles wide, some old firearms were lined up. The blunderbusses were put on the top of the wall, and on top of the old cannons, there was the words "Yongle Three Years" in astonishment. The firearmsmen were doing the final inspection to ensure that the equipment was in good condition, so as not to cause the chamber to explode when used.

Unlike the noise and noise on the city wall, there are nearly a hundred racks of robes arranged under the city wall, but they are relatively orderly. This is the main reliance of the Western Army to defend the city. Sun Kewang arranged for elite soldiers to control them. On both sides of the artillery carriage, they are ready to deal with the attack of the Ming army.

While the soldiers on the city were busy, the Ming army camp outside the city began to sound trumpets and drums. After a full meal, the soldiers of the Ming army exuded strength and morale, and walked out of the camp one after another according to the camp number. Great array.

Hearing the movement, the soldiers of the Western Army in the city couldn't help straightening up. Looking around, they saw soldiers of the Ming Army slowly gathering on the plain outside the Western City. They were all human figures, as if they were covered with a red carpet.

The soldiers were like forests of guns, flags like clouds, and tens of thousands of horses were placed in the wilderness, divided into small squares, but there was no sound. Only the generals cheered up their subordinates from time to time, and explained the essentials of the siege and the responsibilities of each department. responsibility.

Sun Kewang was in the west city. Looking at the scene outside the city, he knew that the Ming army was going to attack the city today, so he hurriedly ordered his soldiers to prepare for the attack.

Outside the city, the Ming army set up their formation, He Tengjiao boasted on his horse, and led the generals to encourage morale.

"Master!"

He Tengjiao and the generals rode horses and wandered among the small phalanxes. Wherever they passed, the officers and soldiers raised their weapons and shouted. Keep raising the whip to respond to the soldiers' shouts to boost morale.

He Tengjiao walked very slowly, every little Fangzheng walked forward, and after Li Dingguo reminded him, he speeded up. When he finished inspecting all the phalanxes, the sun in the east had already risen.

In July, the weather is very hot, especially Sichuan is famous for its stoves. The key to breaking through the city is one or two hours in the morning. Once noon is over, the temperature is too high and the soldiers' spirits are low, it is basically impossible to break through the city.

He Tengjiao was reminded by Li Dingguo that after returning to the Chinese army, he didn't talk nonsense and immediately issued an order to prepare to attack.

When the trumpets sounded, Ma Jinzhong of the Shence Army rushed out immediately, running in front of the army. He kept galloping back and forth, waving the whip in his hand, and shouted loudly, "Heavenly Strategy!"

"Invincible!"

Ma Jinzhong, nicknamed Hunshiwan, was extremely brave. As he ran, the soldiers all fixed their eyes on him, moved their heads as he ran, and uttered waves of shouts in response to the general.

On the other side, the soldiers of Houyong Town commanded by Wang Guangtai also began to shout, and the sound echoed with the Shence Army, and neither of them would give way. He Tengjiao of the Chinese army was even more fascinated when he heard it.

The Fourth Army in the city was a little stunned by the aura of the Ming Army. The general of the Western Army was speechless for a while, and didn't know how to encourage his subordinates.

At this time, the voice of the Ming army reached its climax, and Ma Jinzhong felt that the time was ripe, so he reined in his horse suddenly, then waved his saber in his hand, and screamed loudly, "Attack!"

Immediately, the Shence army was like a river breaking its embankment, making a rolling sound, rushing towards the west city of Luzhou surgingly.

(End of this chapter)