Fenghou

"Thank you this time, and I will compensate you in the future."

"Where! Where! It's a villain's honor to be able to work for Tongsan."

Li Jiong immediately arranged for a confidant servant to go back with shopkeeper Yang, who was responsible for sending and receiving pigeon letters.

He also wrote the first pigeon letter and handed it to his confidant, asking him to send it to Qinzhou. The imperial court has appointed Zhao Ding, the former prime minister, as the Xuanfu envoy of Sichuan and Shanxi to travel through Bashu.

5 Chapter Thirty

The outer city of Chengji County is being built in full swing, with [-] troops and [-] craftsmen investing in the construction of the city. The width between the inner and outer city is about [-] steps. The original moat has become the inner city river, and the outer city wall is taller and stronger Generosity made Chengji County into a powerful city in the world.

All the barracks and training grounds in the city were moved to the outer city, and a large amount of land was vacated to build an inner city warehouse, and the warehouses outside the city were moved to the inner city.

Chen Qing also ordered to clean up the vacant houses in the city. Nearly [-] houses were obtained, all of which were requisitioned for official use and were prepared to be used to resettle refugees.

On the construction site of the outer city, Chen Qing and more than a dozen officials were inspecting the progress. The chief official responsible for the construction of the outer city this time was still Hu Yanyun. He had just returned from Yuchang Valley. As a result, he had just returned to Chengji County when he received a heavy responsibility to build the outer city wall.

Chen Qing saw that the city bricks and logs were neatly stacked, the roads were clean and flat, and all kinds of tools were placed neatly. Small carts for transporting mortar lined up, and huge wooden towers hoisted the city bricks and mortar onto the city wall. , everyone performs their own responsibilities and is orderly.

"Well done!"

Chen Qing sincerely praised: "This kind of construction management can make a high-quality city wall. In this regard, General Huyan, there are not many people in the Song Dynasty who can compare."

Hu Yanyun hurriedly said: "Thank you for the praise from Dutong. I have always been doing logistics and storage. I am used to being neat and orderly. I don't see mess and mess. I specially sent soldiers to supervise. When I saw craftsmen littering, they were severely fined and deducted wages on the spot. It’s about personal interests, so no one dares to litter them.”

Chen Qing nodded and said, "Can the project be completed by the end of the month?"

Today is the eighth day of March, and there are still more than [-] days before the end of the month. Hu Yanyun thought about it and nodded, "It should be possible. The main city wall will definitely be completed, and there may be some finishing things left, such as roads and outer moats. and many more."

At this time, Jiang Yanxian said from the side: "Emissary Jinglue, I feel that I need to consider how to quickly retreat the soldiers from the outer city to the inner city."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "What does Mr. Jiang think?"

"I think about it, is it possible to build two walls between the inner and outer cities, one wall on the east and one on the west, for example, one foot wide, and then facilitate the soldiers to quickly retreat to the inner city."

Lu Wei next to him said: "But will this also make it easier for the enemy to attack the inner city along the wall?"

"As long as there is defense, it should be impossible. Using strong attack hard crossbows, kerosene and firearms can stop the enemy's attack, and even blow up the city wall at a critical moment."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said: "There is no need to build a city wall, but three aerial cable suspension bridges are enough."

“The cable suspension bridge is nice!”

Jiang Yanxuan praised: "Building the city wall is too complicated, and the chain bridge is simpler."

At this time, a soldier rushed over and said something to Chen Qing in a low voice. Chen Qing's face changed slightly, and he said to everyone: "Go back to Jinglue Mansion first, there is an urgent military situation!"

Chen Qing brought everyone back to the Jinglue Mansion. At this time, everyone knew what happened?The Jin soldiers will attack Pingliang City on a large scale.

In the staff hall, Chen Qing pointed to the sand table and said, "The [-] Jin soldiers and [-] puppet Qi troops have arrived in Pingliang Mansion. It should be said that this is what we expected. It is a precursor to the attack on Xihe Road, but the force is relatively small. ,This shows what?"

Zhang Xiao said from the side: "It is very likely that there are differences within the Jin Kingdom, which prevents the Jin Kingdom from investing more resources to deal with us!"

"I also agree with the divergence theory!"

Jiang Yanxian said from the side: "First of all, it is the contradiction between Wanyan Wushu and Wanyanchang. It is impossible for Wanyan Wushu to watch Wanyan Helisa seize Bashu. With the support of the road, Jinbing is also deployed on the third front now, it is impossible to be limited to the western front, and Jinbing has also suffered heavy losses in recent years, and its population has dropped sharply, so it will no longer be like a few years ago, with 10,000+ troops at every turn."

Chen Qing nodded, "Both of you are right. In fact, there is another possibility that is the enemy's strategy. Pingliang City is not Chengji County, and I myself did not sit there. There is no need for Pingliang City, and too many resources invested in Pingliang City will definitely affect their attack on Chengji County."

Yang Zaixing said, "What Du Tong means is that Wan Yanchang underestimated the enemy?"

"It's not completely underestimating the enemy. I think Wan Yanchang can only bring out so many troops at most."

Chen Qing glanced at the crowd, and then slowly said: "I believe that Jin Bing is also preparing for battle. From the perspective of the general, Wan Yanchang also has a question of which is more important in his mind. It is impossible for him to regard Pingliang City as Chengji County. To attack, 3 troops is actually a lot for him, just like we only used [-] troops to attack Pingliang City, it is actually a reason.”

"Dutong, do we want to support Pingliang?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "Pingliang City is guarded by Niu Gao. I'm not worried. The key is Chengji County. The construction of the outer city wall must be accelerated. In addition, the people within [-] miles of Chengji County will all enter the city!"

……

Murderous intent permeated Pingliang City, the [-] Jin Qi allied forces had arrived, and set up a large camp three miles east of the city.

Chen Qing's guess was completely correct. Wan Yanchang only sent [-] troops to attack Pingliang City because the main force of the Jin army was going to attack Chengji County and they could not spend too much resources on Pingliang City.

The main general who attacked Pingliang City was Wanyan Ahuli, the second son of Wanyan Xiye, who was about 30 years old and a member of the royal family of Jin Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Jin did not have spies in Pingliang City, and they did not know the situation of the Song Army in Pingliang City, so that Wan Yanchang made a misjudgment. He thought that Pingliang City had the same strength as Lanzhou City and Huangzhou City, with 5000 troops.

This is actually the standard for the Xihe Army. There are 5000 people stationed in important cities, and only [-] people are stationed in ordinary prefectures. However, Wan Yanchang forgot that Pingliang City does not belong to Xihe Road. The strategic value is currently only second to Chengji County.

If Wanyanchang knew that the army in Pingliang City had reached 8000, he would not have easily sent [-] to attack the city. Just like Yang Zaixing's judgment, Wanyanchang was underestimating the enemy.

Wanyan Ahuli had participated in Wanyan Wushu's attack on Ganquan Fort before, and he had a deep understanding of the kerosene and poisonous nail firearms of the Song Army. This time he attacked Pingliang Mansion, he was also a little confused, and he didn't know how to start?

He sent someone to invite the deputy general Han Chang to discuss. Although Han Chang has more seniority and experience than Wanyan Ahuli, but he belongs to the Jurchen royal family and his father is Liao Wang Wanyan Xieye. He can't match this status anyway. I can only be a lieutenant general honestly.

Han Chang thought for a while and said, "I suggest you to test the attack first, and use [-] Qi troops to attack. If the attack goes well, then we can increase the offensive at any time, turn the test attack into a formal attack, and capture Pingliang City in one fell swoop."

"What if the opponent is sharp?"

Han Chang sighed and said, "If the opponent is very sharp and the [-] troops suffer heavy casualties, according to my humble experience, even our [-] troops will not be able to attack the city, but the losses will be even greater."

Wanyan Ahuli also felt the same, so he nodded, "Okay! Let's use [-] troops to test the attack first."

……

In the morning of the next day, [-] troops lined up in the open space outside the east city. The [-] troops presented the word "Pin". The banners and banners of the Wan Dajun were unfurling, full of murderous aura.

This time the golden soldiers carried hundreds of large siege ladders, which were also specially made siege weapons by the craftsmen of Jingzhao City. city ​​point.

On the top of the city, [-] Song soldiers were holding spears, but this was only a part of the army. There were [-] new troops below the city, forming a large bow and arrow formation, and [-] heavy trebuchets were ready.

In addition, there are [-] reserve troops who have assembled under the city, ready to go to the city to support at any time.

Deputy General Wang Duo whispered to Niu Gao: "General, have you noticed, their siege ladder is a bit special!"

Niu Gao nodded, "In fact, three siege ladders are combined into one siege ladder, so that soldiers can dodge left and right, or cover each other. ladder."

"It is indeed a siege weapon. I am afraid that only fire oil can deal with it."

"That's a good point, but the fuel is thrown last."

As soon as Niu Gao finished speaking, a low-pitched horn sounded from a distance, "Woo—" resounded across the field.

The siege battle finally kicked off.

Chapter 531 First Attack

Ten thousand puppet Qi troops charged fifty large siege ladders to the top of the city. The commanding general was Han Chang. The city wall rushed away.

The heavy-duty catapults in the city were launched, and thirty gunpowder barrels were accurately thrown at the puppet Qi army. Each gunpowder barrel exploded among the running crowd. The soldiers were so frightened that they hurriedly got down, but many soldiers couldn't get down in time. Hit by the flying poisonous nails, there was a scream.

Han Chang knew that Song Jun's poisonous nails would not do much harm temporarily, but it would affect the morale of the army, so he immediately ordered: "Beat the drum!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" The earth-shattering war drum sounded.

Five hundred Jurchen swordsmen also rushed forward on horseback, intimidating the puppet Qi army to attack. Many soldiers who were shot by the poisonous nails had no choice but to endure the fear in their hearts and run forward as if resigned to their fate.

The soldiers of the Puppet Qi Army rushed to the bottom of the city and built wooden planks on the moat. At this moment, thousands of arrows were fired in the city, and the dense arrows of soldiers like migratory locusts crossed the top of the city and shot at the soldiers below the city like raindrops.

The puppet Qi army raised their shields one after another, but many soldiers were still shot by arrows and fell into the moat.

The soldiers rushed through the moat and put heavy siege ladders on the top of the city. The soldiers of the puppet Qi army jumped up and climbed to the top of the city.

What greeted them was rolling logs and stones, which fell from the top of their heads like hailstones. The soldiers on the siege ladder were smashed and bloody, and they all screamed and rolled down the city.

A Jurchen cavalryman ran up to Han Chang and asked, "Captain Wan asked, can the whole army press down?"

Han Chang calmly looked at the top of the wall and said, "Tell Mr. Wan that if the Song army has gunpowder, it must have kerosene. Wait a little longer!"

The Jurchen cavalry turned their horses and galloped to report. The reason why Han Chang did not suggest that the whole army should press on was not only that the Song army might have kerosene, but he found a more serious clue, that is, the number of Song troops in the city. There are at least 8000 people, but just now nearly [-] arrows were shot from the city.

It shows that the Song Army is far more than the number of people on the top of the city, and its strength is at least between 2 and [-], and may even be [-].

They only have 3 people, and the opponent has a strong and tall city wall, and there are nearly [-] troops. How can they attack the city?

It's just that Han Chang understood the pride of the Jurchens very well. He withdrew his troops as soon as they attacked the city. Wanyan Ahuli would never do it. He had to wait for a certain opportunity before ordering the troops to withdraw.

Niu Gao could see clearly from the top of the city that most of the enemy troops had passed the moat, and the time was right to attack with fire, so he immediately ordered: "Defense with fire and oil!"

The kerosene had been prepared a long time ago. With the command of the lord, thousands of barrels of kerosene were poured down on the top of the city. The black kerosene flowed all over the siege ladders. Hundreds of torches were thrown down, and the siege ladders suddenly became a cloud. sea ​​of ​​flames.

The soldiers on the siege ladder immediately became a mess. Many soldiers had experience and knew that there would be a hellish fire soon. Countless soldiers jumped into the moat desperately.

At this time, the flames also spread under the city, and quickly joined together. The soldiers of the puppet Qi army panicked. The soldiers of the Qi army ignored their feet and ignored the arrows above their heads. They were shot down by the sharp arrows. This round of arrows caused heavy casualties.

'when!when!when!when! ” Han Chang ordered to withdraw his troops.

Thousands of puppet Qi soldiers ran desperately, only hating their parents for giving them two missing feet.

This tentative attack only lasted less than half an hour and ended with the disastrous defeat of the puppet Qi army. However, because the soldiers of the puppet Qi army had some experience and ran faster, the number of casualties was much lower than before. Of the 4000 people, half of them were shot by front and rear arrows, which had nothing to do with burning oil.

When Han Chang came to the front of the Jurchen army, he saw Wanyan Ahu's face was gloomy, and there was a trace of anger in his eyes.

Han Chang quickly stepped forward and explained: "The commander should have seen it too. The opponent has at least 2 troops, and ours is only 3. It is impossible to capture Pingliang City, or the entire army may be wiped out."

"Is this the result of the probing attack?"

"Exactly!"

Wanyan Ahhu thought for a while, and it was indeed the case, the opponent's strength was far greater than the thousands of troops on the top of the city, otherwise they would not be able to shoot a large formation of thousands of arrows.

His face suddenly softened a lot, and he asked again: "Then what should we do next?"

"Confront Pingliang City first, and then ask the Supervising Army for instructions!"

Wanyan Ahuli nodded, "Okay! Ask the Superintendent for instructions."

Wanyan Ahuli immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Jingzhao City.

The [-] troops retreated to the camp and stopped the attack on Pingliang City.

……

Jingzhao City is also actively preparing for battle, mainly building large-scale siege weapons.

But what made Wan Yanchang depressed was that it had been almost a month since the imperial court refused to approve his strategy of attacking Xihe Road, and there was still no exciting news.

In the morning, Wanyan Helisa rushed to the Supervisory Mansion, and when he saw Wanyanchang, he asked anxiously: "General Du, I heard that Pingliang is not going to be attacked?"

Wan Yanchang said slowly: "It's not that the attack is unfavorable, but that our judgment was wrong. Chen Qing actually stationed 2 troops in Pingliang City, and there are also large trebuchets, firearms, and kerosene. It is impossible for an army of [-] to take Pingliang. city, so that the losses were heavy on the first day.”

"How heavy is the loss?" Wanyan Helisa asked nervously.

"About [-] Qi troops were lost."

Wanyan and Lisa breathed a sigh of relief, there were only 4000 people, and it was still the Qi army, so it was not a big problem.

"Captain Superintendent, what is the attitude of the wolf lord? Why is there no news?"

Wanyan and Lisa were a little dissatisfied, "Does the imperial court want to attack Bashu?"

Wan Yanchang said for a while: "I got some news from private channels, I'm afraid the situation is not good for us."

Wanyan Helisa knew about Wanyanchang's private channel, and Wanyan Zongpan wrote to him to tell him.

"What does the news say?"

"Speaking of Wanyan Wushu and Wanyan Zonghan, both the supervising army opposed the increase of troops in Shaanxi. They believed that even if they took Hanzhong, they would not be able to attack Bashu. They believed that the road to Shu was too difficult and would only consume a large number of Jurchen soldiers. They are opposed to adding troops to Shaanxi Road."

Wanyan and Lisa suddenly said angrily: "Who is consuming the Jurchen soldiers? Isn't he Wanyan Wushu? In the past few years, 10,000+ Jurchen soldiers have died at his hands, and he still has the face to say that Shaanxi consumes too many soldiers .”

Wan Yanchang said angrily: "Everyone understands the truth, but the problem is that their forces in the court have the upper hand. To put it bluntly, they just don't want us to command more Jurchen soldiers."

Wanyan and Lisa were speechless for a while, today's passive situation was actually caused by the failure to compete for the crown prince last year.

Last fall, the wolf lord Wanyan Cheng suffered a stroke and was bedridden. Various forces rushed to Shangjing, and the Jin army retreated to the north. A fierce battle for the heir was held within the Kingdom of Jin.

The Jin Emperor Wanyan Sheng wanted to pass on the throne to his eldest son Wanyan Zongpan, and he got the support of Wanyanchang and Wanyan Helisa faction, but the Taizu faction headed by Wanyan Zonghan insisted on following the ancestral system. , Li Taizu Wanyan Aguda's eldest grandson Wanyan Heshi was extremely powerful, that is, the crown prince. The two sides fought fiercely, and finally most of the royal family supported Wanyan Zonghan.

The emperor Wanyan Sheng had no choice but to make Wanyan Heshi, who was only 14 years old, the heir apparent, and appointed him as Wan Ban Bo Ji Lie.

The Wanyanchang faction lost in the struggle for the crown prince, so now Wanyanchang wants to use the attack on Bashu and Chen Qing as an excuse to ask the emperor Wanyansheng to allocate 10,000 Jurchen troops to Wanyan Helisa, and there are [-]+ Jurchen troops in his hands , they can at least compete with Wanyan Wushu and Wanyan Zonghan.

Once the wolf lord dies and the young Wanyan Hecai ascends the throne, he still can't control the government. Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Wushu must be the regents. At that time, I don't have an army of 10,000+ in my hands, so I can only let them clean up .

Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Wushu were also very clear about his purpose for the army, so they resolutely opposed sending more Jurchen troops to Shaanxi Road.

When the two were discussing, a soldier came to report: "Report to the capital supervisor army, the envoy from Shangjing has arrived!"

Chapter 532 Change