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Hong Chengchou turned his head again and watched the Hongyi cannon bombarding the city wall of Hupiyi. Each iron egg shot knocked down a large piece of mud. At this time, the section of city wall facing the Hongyi Cannon was already in a semi-collapsed state.

If it were the past, the general siege parties would often swarm in. But at this time, the Hongyi cannon was still raging, like an ancient giant beast, continuing to tear the city wall apart and expanding the collapsed section of the city wall.

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou sighed deeply in his heart for some unknown reason: From now on, the methods of city attack and defense may have to be rewritten. Whether it is the siege or the defender, if they do not master the casting of artillery and do not have soldiers who are proficient in artillery operation, they will definitely be at a great disadvantage. The war has not even begun, and they are already on the verge of failure.

And these things are precisely Ming's strengths. The nomadic peoples who were a great threat to the Central Plains Dynasty in the past, or with the development of firearms, can no longer pose such a big threat to the Central Plains Dynasty as before. Or maybe this is what the emperor said, the gap between civilization and barbarism!

Next to Hong Chengchou, stood several of his generals, Gao Yingxiang, Shen Yikui, and Shen Yiyuan. Li Guo and Wu Sangui were not there. At this time, they were also shocked by the power of the Hongyi cannon group firing together. After a long while, the slightly younger Shen Yiyuan sighed with emotion: "This is really amazing! Fortunately, only our Ming Dynasty has so many Hongyi cannons! Once these firearms are released, who will think about it in the future? It will be fine if you hide behind the fortified city?"

After hearing this, Shen Yikui suddenly said: "That's not necessarily true. After all, this artillery is heavy. If there are cavalry and there is not enough protection, it can still charge into the formation. As long as you get close, this artillery will be useless. !”

When Gao Yingxiang heard this, he pointed at the fusiliers in front of the artillery position and said, "Did you see that, they are for the defense of the artillery position!"

It is possible that Shen Yikui was born in the frontier cavalry and has always been very proud of his status as a cavalryman. After all, the cavalry has been the king since ancient times. After hearing Gao Yingxiang's words, he looked at the fusiliers, thought for a moment, and said unwillingly: "As long as the cavalry can pay the price, these fusiliers still can't prevent the cavalry from charging!"

Originally, Hong Chengchou had been looking at the city walls that were collapsing from time to time. When he heard the conversation behind him, perhaps because the battle was easy and he was in a good mood, he turned to Shen Yikui and said, "Didn't you see those sidecars? How can the cavalry directly attack the artillery position when forming a chariot formation on the battlefield? As a general, you should read more, read more books, know the art of war, and know the methods of warfare. Don't think that you can defeat it just because the firing rate of the flintlock gun is a little slower. ! People, you need to use your brain more!"

The Governor spoke, and what he said was the truth. The defensive line formed by sidecars could easily stop the cavalry charge. Shen Yikui had nothing to say and did not dare to talk back, so he had to keep claiming it was true.

At this time, Emperor Chongzhen standing in front also heard the conversation. He was in a good mood and had everything in control of the war. So, he turned around, looked at Shen Yikui and said: "The firing speed of the flintlock gun is slow, not to mention that the three-stage shooting can make up for this shortcoming. I can also tell you that the Ordnance Bureau is already developing A flintlock gun that can fire continuously. And I can tell you clearly that a flintlock gun that fires continuously can definitely be successfully developed. In the future, artillery will no longer fire iron bullets, but exploded bullets that will explode when they hit the ground. There will also be continuous firing flintlock muskets, equipped with troops. You can think about it. There are artillery far away and continuous firing muskets nearby. The range is farther than what you can see. Does the cavalry have a chance? ?"

At this point, he became interested and added: "By the way, there will also be an iron-clad fortress, where artillery and continuous-firing muskets can be installed, and then this iron-clad fortress has wheels underneath and can move on its own. This kind of Weapons of war can be used to attack when advancing, and can be defended when retreating. Can the cavalry charge forward..."

Emperor Chongzhen was talking nonstop, but the audience was stunned. Even Hong Chengchou, who has read many books and knows the art of war, was also dumbfounded. What the emperor said was understandable at first, but after hearing it, it was really shocking. If the Ming Dynasty really had such a weapon, wouldn't it be invincible in the world?

While they were in a daze, a voice suddenly sounded, full of doubt and disbelief, with the unique accent of a young man: "Your Majesty, this is impossible! How can there be such a weapon in this world?"

When everyone heard the sound and looked around, they saw a young soldier. For those of you who don’t know him, your first thought is how brave this young man is! And those who knew him shook his head inwardly, why is he still so straight-tempered and doesn't know how to change it?

Hai Lanzhu on the side was also a little curious. She had indeed seen the young soldier talking to the emperor before. But he didn't expect that he would dare to question the emperor's words in front of so many people. This was too courageous!

However, Emperor Chongzhen himself did not take it seriously at all. Regarding Li Dingguo, not to mention his previous achievements, even with his original heroic deeds in history, he would definitely be more patient and careful with him.

After Emperor Chongzhen smiled, he looked at Li Dingguo and said: "Others may not be able to see it, but you are still young. I believe it is still possible for you to see the birth of this kind of weapon! The future is very exciting, technology The power is beyond your imagination. Just watch, the Ming Dynasty will soon undergo earth-shaking changes, and all of this is because of the advancement of science and technology. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand now, just watch!”

Listening to the emperor describing the future very confidently, the people around him couldn't help but be doubtful when the emperor's identity said these words, and they couldn't help but become more curious about the future. The so-called power of technology that the emperor mentioned is really that powerful!

"Boom boom boom..."

The roar of the Hongyi cannon continued, and the fired iron bullets hit the city wall and fell to the ground with a "crash". This sound is deafening, this momentum is earth-shattering; but outside the city, everyone from the emperor to the ordinary soldiers are relaxed, as if the war going on in front of them is not the decisive battle of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, not the battle to destroy the country, but hunting in the suburbs That’s all.

But the Manchu soldiers in the city felt completely different.

Every time a huge cannon fire sounded, their hearts trembled. At this time, in Hupiyi City, the dust was flying and filled the city, almost blocking the sunlight. The whole city almost felt like it was at the end of the world.

The Manchu and Qing soldiers were all hiding in the corner, curled up, covering their ears, praying constantly in their hearts, hoping that the gunfire outside the city would stop soon. Even if they were asked to die now and fight to the death with the Ming army, they didn't care. They have only one request, this damn bombardment, stop it.

Hupiyi itself is not big. After Huang Taiji led more than 20,000 soldiers to station, the city was full of people. Occasionally, when an iron egg crosses the city wall and falls into the city, some people can be buried in the smashed houses, or it can be like stepping on a rabbit nest, with many "rabbits" jumping out of it.

The Hongyi artillery continued to bombard, but the Manchu and Qing Dynasties had no power to fight back. This dealt a heavy blow to the morale of the Manchu and Qing soldiers.

Huang Taiji hid in the north of the city, letting the servants bandage his ear injuries regardless, or the injuries on his ears irritated him. At this time, he had already recovered, and his heroic nature was revealed again. There was no need for Daishan to scold him, he was just planning a desperate counterattack.

A person like him will never give up even when death is imminent. This is the real him!

"The artillery of the Ming army cannot continue to fire. It is almost the same now. Send an order and all the troops will gather to the south of the city and kill the invading Ming army!"

"Where is the carriage? Add a long gun to the carriage to counterattack the Ming army. Block the gap and hold on until dark!"

"..."

Daishan was very pleased to be given instructions one by one. Jierhalang also admired Huang Taiji in his heart, and also stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the first wave of the Ming army's offensive must be very fierce. I will personally go to the south of the city to supervise the battle!"

Ji'erhalang fought in the south and north with almost no defeats. He was a stable man and did things steadily. He was the most valued by Huang Taiji among the many princes of the Qing Dynasty, and he could be regarded as his right-hand man. Jierhalang asked for a battle himself and went to the south of the city to supervise the battle. This made Huang Taiji very happy, nodded and said: "The south of the city is dangerous, be careful!"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Jirhalang replied with a serious face, "Your Majesty, you must also be careful and never go to the city to take risks again. No matter what, I will hold on until dark."

Having said this, he glanced at Dai Shan, and then added: "The Ming army did not build siege fortifications. Wei Chen believes that as long as we persist until night, we, the Qing Dynasty, still have a chance!"

When Dai Shan heard this, his eyes lit up and he immediately agreed: "Your Majesty, this matter should be passed on immediately, so that my Qing army soldiers also know this, so that this battle will be much easier to fight!"

Huang Taiji naturally knew that such fierce bombardment by the Ming army must have destroyed the morale of many Qing soldiers. Without morale, this battle cannot be fought. Therefore, he immediately nodded and ordered: "Where is Obai?"

As soon as he said these words, he suddenly remembered that Obai was dead on the top of the city. He was shot in the back of the head by the Ming army and died in front of his eyes. This confidant of mine, this person he was used to, is gone. Thinking this way, he couldn't help but feel a little sad.

However, he soon regained his composure and asked people to spread the news throughout the city.

Then, he personally escorted Jierharang outside the house, covered his mouth and nose, looked at the mess in the south of the city, and warned again: "You are the pillar of the Qing Dynasty, and I must not leave you without you. Be careful with everything." , let’s figure it out together tonight!”

In response to Huang Taiji's concern, Jierhalang nodded solemnly and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will definitely follow your Majesty to revive the Qing Dynasty and defeat the Ming army!"

After finishing speaking, he hugged Daishan again, and then strode away under the protection of his personal guards without hesitation.

At this time, the sound of the Hongyi cannon outside the city was no longer so frequent. After firing for such a long time, the cannon must have rested. Listening to the noise, it is estimated that it will not be long before the Ming army's artillery fire will completely stop, and then the infantry will swarm in from the gap.

Jirhalang estimated the time, avoided the front of the artillery bombardment, and came to the south of the city. When he arrived here, the place was already densely packed with Qing soldiers waiting to counterattack. When they saw Jierhalang coming, their morale was boosted invisibly.

And Jierhalang is indeed an expert at leading troops in battles. He only said a few words that there is no retreat for the Qing Dynasty, but a battle; that if the Ming army falls into the hands of the Ming army, life is worse than death; The opportunity waited. Suddenly, the low morale of these Manchu soldiers revived, as if they had been beaten to death by Jierhalang.

There were sentries posted on top of the city, observing the movements of the Ming army outside the city. Of course, these sentries will definitely not be on the front that is bombarded by artillery, and they are also paying attention to avoiding the shots of the rifled fusiliers. But the Ming army's position was filled with gunpowder smoke, the city wall was broken down, and the dust was flying. The sight was very bad and it was difficult to see clearly.

When the sound of artillery fire from the Ming army's artillery position gradually became sparse, the sentries at the head of the city discovered that Ming troops on both sides were gathering in the direction of the collapse of the city wall, and they slowly reported to the rear.

Ji Erhalang is also estimated to be about the same. The reason why he wants to go to the front line in person is that he doesn't trust others. He must either destroy or drive out the Ming army that invades the city. He must seize the opportunity, otherwise there will be too many Ming troops rushing into the city. If so, although the Qing Dynasty is not afraid of close combat, it will still be very difficult.

As soon as the order was given, the Manchu soldiers hiding in the south of the city immediately rushed towards the collapse of the city wall. Being bombarded with no way to fight back, they were all holding back their anger at this time. Forget it if you can't compare with firearms, this close combat, let you smart dogs see how powerful the Qing Dynasty is!

However, amid the dust, no Ming troops were found rushing into the city where the city wall collapsed. The soldiers of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties were surprised when they saw something flying in the air?

Before I could take a closer look, I heard the sound of breaking porcelain, and at the same time, there were screams. These were some unlucky people who were hit by flying things.

For the first time, the Manchu soldiers were frightened and thought it was an iron bullet. But they immediately realized that there was no roar, so it was definitely not an iron bullet. But when they saw the broken things on the ground, they were all frightened to death. Even iron bullets would not make them panic like this. Especially the Manchu soldiers who participated in the offensive and defensive battle of Gaizhou, many of them even peed their pants.

Jierhalang also understood, his eyes were about to burst, and he shouted crazily: "Retreat, retreat quickly!"

As he was shouting, he saw another thing flying in the air with tails of flames, like black and white life ropes. One of them, by coincidence, hit Jierhalang.