Han Shizu

Chapter 256
"Indiscriminate bombing" for more than an hour, throwing more than [-] stone bombs towards the city, during which the towers and buildings around the city wall suffered considerable damage.

Li Shouzhen built Hedong City really solidly, as if he had foreseen the siege of the trapped city early on. Under the impact of a large number of stone bullets, only some heavy spots and pits were left on the city wall. Not a single big gap.On the other hand, the flying stone bombs were relatively scattered, and it was basically impossible to knock down the city wall at once without continuous strikes.

In the city, the casualties were not considered large, but the blow to the morale of the rebel army was extremely serious.Seventy to eighty feet away, although the line of sight was not very clear, the figures on the city wall were all in sight, and Liu Chengyou could feel the panic, fear, and confusion of those rebels.People's hearts are unstable, and the enemy is discouraged.

The catapult stopped, the wall of the official army's camp was opened wide, and the Longqi and Xiaodi armies, which were tasked with attacking, were also ordered to move.Protective equipment such as wooden oxen and wooden mantles were pushed forward, and the soldiers followed shortly behind. A dozen trench bridges were also pushed down the city to fill the moat. Several huge cloud carts were also operated by a large number of civilians. Pushing forward steadily, he opened his huge fangs to the beasts and Pucheng
In front of them, the long-range suppression attack methods such as bows and crossbows continued to be deployed, and the bed crossbow, which was as thick as a spear, shot directly at Pucheng with extremely strong lethality.There were those who entered beyond the wall, and some unlucky rebels were shot through directly, howling incomparably, and the tragic situation was horrific.

As far as the siege is concerned, the officers and soldiers have made sufficient preparations, especially in the preparation of these siege equipment.In order to build these war weapons, the price paid is not small. In order to ease the financial pressure, it can be said that craftsmen and labor are squeezed out.

Because of the fortifications forcing the city to be built, the officers and soldiers attacked very quickly, but it would take some time for the deployment of weapons to attack the city.During this process, even though the rebel defenders on Pucheng were distracted, under the pressure of Li Shouzhen's confidant general and the patrol inspector soldiers, they still took up weapons and reluctantly prepared for the attack. The scene improved slightly.

The moat bridge is pushed into the water, firmly leaning on both sides, the moat suddenly becomes a thoroughfare, and soldiers can pass through with shields.The ladder is forced to go up to the city, and the plank falls and climbs up.The official army's offensive is fully launched
Li Shouzhen still had a lot of imperial equipment in the city, including rolling stones, wood, arrows, golden soup, etc., which were quite sufficient.All of a sudden, a fierce offensive and defense was launched on the front line of Pucheng. Above and below the city, bows and crossbows faced each other, arrows rained down, and the fighting was dramatic.

Moreover, due to the fortress tactics of the official army, the distance from Hedong City was greatly shortened, making it difficult for the rebel army to respond in a timely manner under the attack of the official army.

It didn't cost too much, and some of the attacking soldiers on the front line came to the top of the city.As for the attack and defense of city warfare, once it reaches the point of hand-to-hand combat, it also heralds the arrival of a new round of offensive stage.In the fierce battle, when there is no huge gap between the armor, it basically depends on the blood and courage of the soldiers.

In terms of the bravery of the soldiers, the soldiers of the Forbidden Army, especially the two armies of Longqi and Xiaodi, are not comparable to the soldiers of Pu Jun.Limited by the upward attack, and the advantage of the Pu army's infantry city, and the strong crossbows of the officers and soldiers could no longer provide covering support, the offensive and defensive situation quickly stalemate.

The battle along the front line of the city wall lasted for nearly two hours, but it still failed to break through.

"I thought that Pu Jun's heart was lost, and the army could go down easily after ascending the city. I never thought that they could last so long under the repeated attacks of the soldiers of the Forbidden Army!" Slowing down, Feng Dao who was sitting on the side couldn't help showing a little worry on his face, and turned his head to look at Liu Chengyou.

There was not much change on Liu Chengyou's face, and his calmness did not seem to be fake. Hearing Feng Daozhi's words, Liu Chengyou asked Yang Bin and Hu Yanke: "What do you think?"

Yang Bin's answer was very succinct: "There are few rebels, and we have a large army. We just need to continue to strengthen the attack. Under the attack of Ru Chao, the rebels will definitely not be able to resist if they lose a lot!"

"It's just that, the casualties of our army are hard to control." Hu Yanke saluted Liu Chengyou and added to Yang Bin's speech, obviously, he didn't quite agree with it.

Afterwards, under Yang Bin's mighty gaze, Zi Ruo said to Liu Chengyou: "In my view, this is nothing more than the rebels' reluctance to fight. After this wave of resistance, it won't last long. Even if we can stop it today, we can stop it tomorrow? Besides, I The army's siege weapon has not fully exerted its effect, so why use human life to fill it?"

After watching the battle for a while, his uncle Gao Huaide and his subordinates participated in the attack.This wave of attacks has lasted for nearly two quarters of an hour. The scene still looks intense, but the effect is not good.

After blinking vigorously a few times to relieve the fatigue of his eyes, Liu Chengyou asked, "What's the situation in Dongcheng."

After waiting for a while, Zhao Yan came in to report: "A fierce battle is going on along the city wall."

"The rebel army has temporarily adapted to our army's offensive rhythm. Before the aroused energy dissipates, it will not be easy to break through, and it will only consume soldiers. Increasing troops and attacking may be effective, but I will not do it." Published With two opinions, Liu Chengyou directly ordered: "Ming Jin withdraws the troops, orders all the troops to retreat to the Walled City in an orderly manner, gather the soldiers, and treat the wounded!"

With the sound of gold ringing, the first attack ended with an active strike by the officers and soldiers.

"Officials, why are you withdrawing troops? The brothers have already landed in Pucheng. As long as they continue to attack, the rebels will definitely not be able to stop them!" In the imperial tent, uncle Li Hongjian walked in angrily, looking at Liu Chengyou, and asked directly. .

As the uncle of the Son of Heaven, he was deployed in the inner city, Marquis Yu, the capital of the battalion horse infantry, and the senior general of the imperial army, no matter how high and powerful he was, he was proud of himself.But since he joined the army, although he has always banned the army, he feels like a puppet on a string, and the emperor will have a hand in everything this day.

In his opinion, if he rushed to the city today, he would have to wait until sunset at most, and then Pucheng would be destroyed.In the end, it was called to stop for Liu Chengyou, and the anger and dissatisfaction in his heart came up immediately.

"Sit down first, uncle." Liu Chengyou motioned to Li Hongjian peacefully, and said, "The thieves won't last long, and they just need to change their ways to vent their anger. The success of the storm is unknown, but it is certain that the soldiers will suffer heavy casualties."

"What's the problem if you can break the city and kill a few more people?" Liu Chengyou's words obviously couldn't convince Li Hongjian, so he categorically refuted.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression suddenly became serious, and he reprimanded slightly severely: "The generals and soldiers left home, followed me to suppress the rebellion, and were loyal to the country. I should regard them as brothers and sisters. Uncle is not only a relative of the country, but also a general. If you are disrespectful, don't talk about it again, otherwise, you will not be forgiven lightly."

Liu Chengyou has integrated the show into his bones. Don't look at the openness of the words. When he really has no choice, see if the words "compassionate to the soldiers" will come to his mind.

Faced with Liu Chengyou's sudden change of face, Li Hongjian couldn't help but hesitate, but seeing his nephew's serious and stern expression, and the words in his belly, he finally swallowed it back.

Following the end of the battle and the withdrawal of troops back to the camp, Bai Wenke and other generals came to the imperial camp, more or less unhappy.Seeing this, Liu Chengyou felt relieved, which showed that the fighting spirit was still high.Being appeased by Liu Chengyou's kind words, he went straight to attack again tomorrow.

After a simple battle damage statistics, the Forbidden Army in Nancheng invested a total of more than [-] sergeants to directly participate in the battle, with nearly a thousand casualties. Of course, the rebels were not much better.On the east side, the losses were slightly greater.

In today's attack, the officers and soldiers obviously did not do their best, but the depth of the rebels has basically been tested.And Liu Chengyou didn't have the idea of ​​sparing no effort as soon as he came up. After besieging the city for so long, the soldiers also need to be familiar with the rhythm of the attack.

However, after testing the combat defense of the rebel army, Liu Chengyou felt more at ease.

Autumn is getting stronger and the night is getting colder. The "Qin Palace" renovated by the Jiedu Yamen is completely immersed in a depressing atmosphere.In the hall, Li Shouzhen had a cold expression on his face, sitting high on the throne, and all the Chinese and martial arts gathered together, all silent.

Finally, a general with a bandaged arm stood up, aggrieved, and said angrily, "Your Majesty, the catapults of the Han army must be destroyed. Thousands of stone bullets were smashed indiscriminately, and the soldiers lost all courage." , how to fight, how to resist the attack of the Han army?"

Seeing his agitation, Li Shouzhen gave him a cold look, and asked, "Don't you want to? Let you lead the army out of the city, can you destroy it? Do you dare?"

Faced with this question, the general held back for a while, his face flushed red, and he withdrew.

Previously, it was not that they did not try to attack and destroy the wall of the village that the Han army had built up to their noses. After a few times, they were lured out to fight and killed, and the loss was not small.Right now, wanting to go out of the city, cross those "turtle shells", and destroy the heavy siege weapons of the government and army is tantamount to nonsense.

"Your Majesty, the officers and soldiers are well-armored and powerful. Judging from the ferocity of his attack today, our army tried its best to stop it. If we don't find another way out, I'm afraid it will be difficult to resist for a long time. At that time, the city will be destroyed." At this time , A civil official got up, his tone was a little miserable, and his face was full of fear.There are also obvious "hints" in the words.

Hearing his words, Li Shouzhen showed a ferocious expression on his face, and angrily scolded: "Bold villain, timid of the enemy and afraid of fighting, how dare you disturb our army's morale!"

After saying that, he ordered people to pull him out and chop him up, and the whole room trembled with fear, but obviously, the deterrent effect was achieved in a short time, and then he became more centrifugal.After discussing for a long time, I couldn't come up with any countermeasures.With such a predicament, there is really no way, unless there is a catastrophe.
After a night's rest, the Han army fed the soldiers and prepared their weapons. When the morning mist cleared, they moved again.Yesterday's cannonball hit the city, and a lot of catapults were damaged. After repairs, there are still nearly [-] catapults available for use.

When Liu Chengyou boarded the viewing platform again and ordered the attack, he added: Use up all the stone bullets!

Then, Hedong City once again ushered in a baptism of cannon stone rain.

The rhythm of the attack was exactly the same as before. After the stone bomb attack stopped, the rebels seemed to have gained experience and knew that the officers and soldiers were about to attack the city again.

However, this time it was different. When the city was crowded with people, kerosene bombs were replaced.The clay pot with flames was sent to the top of the city at high speed. Under the sight of the rebel soldiers, it pierced into the crowd, the pot was broken and the oil burst out, and the flames immediately engulfed the surrounding rebels.

After that, one after another, densely packed, were thrown towards the top of the city.Compared with the previous stone bomb attack, a more mournful howl echoed in Pucheng.

"It's fierce fire oil!" Someone exclaimed, with fear in the voice.

Hundreds of kerosene bombs were basically thrown into the city, and the city head, mast towers, houses and a large number of guards were quickly swallowed without precaution.

The fire was soaring into the sky, the smoke was billowing, the sky was high and the clouds were gone, there was an illusion that the entire blue sky was blackened
Looking far into the distance at the wailing and fleeing figures in the sea of ​​flames, Feng Dao couldn't help but tremble a few times on the viewing platform, his old face turned pale, and his lips trembled slightly: "This action is harmful to the peace of heaven, so it must be used with caution!"

Liu Chengyou's expression was also a little serious, but right now, there was no time to show him any kindness of a woman. War is a matter of harming peace, and fighting for one's life on the battlefield cannot be tolerated softly.

The success of the kerosene bomb this time was basically due to the surprise and the defenders were unprepared, otherwise, the effect would not be so good.But obviously, this kerosene bomb is definitely an offensive and defensive weapon.

The city wall was built with earth and rocks, and the urn at the top of the city, except for the towers and fences, did not have much combustible material. Although the fire was strong, it could not last long on the city.Taking advantage of the sudden heavy damage, the rebels were frightened and seized the opportunity to break through the city.

Following the order to attack, the generals and soldiers of the Han army, who were also somewhat stupefied, followed yesterday's method and attacked Pucheng in an orderly manner, which was glowing with heat waves.

Facts have proved that Liu Chengyou was still too careful, but the fire on the city did not last long, but at the same time, the resistance of the rebels was minimal, and all the survivors died.

Very easily, the city gate was broken open
(End of this chapter)