Prosperous Tang Blood Blade

Chapter 1075 The Burnt Jade Axe
Chapter [-] The Burnt Jade Axe

If we say that the control of the Yangtze River waterway is an important factor that determines the Jiangnan battlefield.Then the Pacific waterway will be the most important factor in this contest.

Jiangnan at this time is not the Jiangnan of later generations. No matter the population or economy, including infrastructure construction, it is incomparable with later generations.The 300-year operation of the Southern Dynasties had just revealed signs of prosperity, but it was wiped out in the chaos of Sun En, Hou Jing and the end of the Sui Dynasty.What Li Shimin occupied was just a thatched hut built on the ruins.

The high-rise buildings are only in the north, and the south of the Yangtze River cannot support Li Shimin's supply consumption of more than 200 million troops, and cannot feed Li Shimin's more than [-] war elephants and more than [-] rhinos.

Li Shimin is naturally not a fool, he can easily think of where the disappearing Datang Navy has gone.The Datang Navy, which had just annexed Li Shimin's huge ocean-going transport fleet, must have gone on the long route in the Pacific Ocean to ambush at a certain point.

It's just a pity that Li Shimin can no longer turn back, let alone modify this ending.

Because the two sides have different focuses, the Datang Navy and the Fuso Ocean Fleet have adopted two completely different strategies.Under the leadership of Li Jing, the Datang Navy focused on naval warfare, so the five-tooth warship it built was significantly different from the five-tooth warship invented during the Sui Dynasty.

The five-tooth warship invented in the Sui Dynasty, "five teeth" actually means that the warship has a five-layer structure and is more than a hundred feet high.There are six paddle poles on the left, right, front, back, and fifty feet high.Each wooden mast is tied with a boulder, and there is a potter's wheel under it. When an enemy ship is approaching during a battle, the boulder can be quickly put down with the potter's wheel to smash the enemy ship.If you miss a hit, you can quickly put it away and put it back.If the enemy ships are surrounded on all sides, they can still "six-pronged approach", which shows its strong combat effectiveness.

However, the Wuya warship is still in the traditional Chinese architectural style, which is no different from the building boat.Although the rectangular structure is tall, it does not have strong wind and wave resistance, and its controllability is very general.However, although the five-tooth battleship is also a five-story building, the upper deck has been lowered, a pointed structure has been added, and a keel has been added to make the entire hull smoother.Moreover, the whole ship canceled the racket structure, and switched to the eight-ox crossbow or stone cannon as the main long-range attack method.

However, in order to pursue carrying capacity, Li Shimin sacrificed flexible handling and speed. Even when the wind is in the same direction and the wind is tailwind, the speed of the ocean-going transport ship is slower than the five-tooth warship of the Datang Navy, although not too much, about Less than one or two percent.In a naval battle, however, it can be very deadly.

At this time, when Li Shimin's ocean-going fleet faces the Datang Navy, it will be very embarrassing.You can't fight, you can't escape, you can't escape.

In the endless Pacific Ocean, there is a very inconspicuous small island.However, this small island is very important on the ocean route from the Central Plains to the Fusang mainland.

This small island is known as Midway Island.Originally, this was a coral island with no fresh water, and there was no value in supplying fresh water at all.However, Li Shimin transported a lot of materials, and it was impossible to use the limited carrying capacity to transport fresh water. Moreover, fresh water still had a certain shelf life.

Midway Island was transformed into a small island with fresh water by clever craftsmen. Of course, this fresh water is still limited, and it is still rich in rainwater in the Pacific Ocean. Using tiles to build a reservoir specially used to collect rainwater can replenish part of the fresh water.

Three months ago, the Datang Navy arrived at Midway Island to ambush the Fuso Ocean Fleet on the ocean route.The ocean-going fleet has more than [-] ships, but it is divided into hundreds of squadrons.Each squadron is composed of dozens or hundreds of ocean-going transport ships, not only has no dedicated naval combat personnel, but also has no escort fleet.

During the three-month battle, the Datang Navy can be said to have stole the limelight.

They disguised themselves as the Fusang Ocean Fleet, flagged the need for rescue, approached quietly, attacked by surprise, and wiped out dozens of squadrons of the Ocean Fleet successively, with very little loss.

The battle thousands of miles away is too far away for Chang'an, as if it happened in another time and space, and has nothing to do with him.

In Chang'an's imperial court, folks, scholars, and even all channels could not find any news about this war. It seems that Datang did not build more than 400 five-tooth warships, and more than 1000 follow-up warships.

As if it never happened.Ordinary people live their lives as they should, drink as usual, dance as usual, and everything is business as usual.

Only a very small number of people are paying close attention to this war and everything that happened there. Of course, this circle is too small, and the identities of the people in this circle are too special, so it is difficult to have any relationship with ordinary people. Everyone Everyone is busy.

The common people only know that every once in a while, the court in Chang'an will recruit some soldiers and send them to the Jianghuai battlefield, and they don't know when they will return.Tens of thousands of soldiers rushed to the battlefield with high spirits, and never came back once they went.

Some sensationalists criticized the imperial government's policy with a sad face on social occasions, and tearfully called on the imperial court to stop this stupid act of letting the youths of the Tang Dynasty bleed. They once caused quite a stir, but soon disappeared.

It is the most complete disappearance, where even a hair can't be found.

On major matters related to the fate of the Tang court, there is no democracy to talk about, and all those who jump out and sing the opposite will disappear.

When he didn't receive a supply ship for three months, Li Shimin had already realized that something was wrong.

He has no choice now, he can only launch a fierce attack on Datang's Jianghuai defense line while the supplies in stock are still sufficient.

In an instant, the world was full of wars, from the northern battlefields of Yun, Dai, Yi, and Shuo, to Xiashule, Geluoling, Kunlun Mountains, Jiannan Road, and along the Jianghuai line, fighting was almost everywhere.

In a flash, a year has passed.

During this year, Li Xiuning successfully gave birth to a pair of twins for Chen Ying.Even when they were under the full moon, Li Xiuning threw the pair of full-moon children into the care of Xu Erniang, and she and Li Daozhen both lived in the military camp.

Li Daozhen finally made a decision when Li Siye was 16 years old.Return Li Siye to the Chen family and change his name to Chen Jiye.And Li Xiuning wrote to Li Jiancheng to ask for the title of Chen Jiye and inherit the title of Liang Guogong.

Chen Qian also inherited his father's business, moved to Anxi and became the king of Anxi. With the help of Chen Ying's old troops, he defended the northwest frontier for the Tang Dynasty.

Although Li Shimin tried his best to storm the Huaihe defense line of the Tang Dynasty regardless of casualties, Chen Ying commanded the soldiers of the Tang army and refused to give up an inch of ground.

The war directly catalyzed the technological development of Datang.Cannons, mines, rockets, and even steam airships appeared one after another. Datang's war mode slowly moved from the era of cold weapons to hot weapons.

The flames lasted three months, and the family letter was worth ten thousand gold.

Li Xiuning, who was in Chang'an, finally received a letter from Chen Ying's family.

Looking at the familiar and kind handwriting, Li Xiuning already burst into tears.

My wife Xiuning sees words like meeting:
It has been nearly 16 years since you married me with a red dowry. Over the past 16 years, you have suffered a lot. When I look back, I realize that you are the most sorry person in my life.

Chen has no great ambitions, preferring to live a mediocre life.However, my husband can't bear to see you fighting for the world, so I can only run around on your behalf, but I have no choice but to make you red makeup like a guard... You and I have given birth to three sons, modest, humble, and cautious, and Ruoxi and Ruobing , Ruoshui and the third daughter, this is the best gift God has given me. I have a son and everything is fine, and I entrust the family affairs to you...

……

The battle is extremely cruel, the strength of the Fusang coalition army seems to be endless, their officers are cunning and tenacious, and their generals are all experienced in battles, even the slightest flaw will be caught by them immediately, and then it will turn into a terrible battle. disaster.The Huaihe defense line has all been lost, we have retreated to Longkangxiang Mountain, and millions of people in the Jianghuai River have been transferred to Hebei.

Fortunately, Hebei is big enough, and the land that can be cultivated is not worse than Jianghuai. Thanks to our Chidao, we can use steam engine trains to provide us with sufficient food and equipment.

A lot of Zhechong mansions have been wiped out, only my personal guard Zhechong mansion has been wiped out three times, and rebuilt three times, even I don't remember how many waves my subordinates have changed.

It's really too cruel, I dare not imagine it anymore, so many excellent soldiers, if they say they will be fired, they will be fired, how can I explain to their relatives?How do I explain it to their parents, brothers, sisters, children, and wives when they ask me for someone?I don't have the courage to think about it.

Fortunately, Datang, a country born from the war, was not intimidated by the tragic war. Our people are unwilling to become slaves to failure. We are backed by almost endless resources, which manufacture weapons and equipment for us at an astonishing speed. As the production efficiency of Datang's military industry doubles, the replenishment of equipment keeps up with the consumption speed for the first time.

……

When I sent this letter to you, the Fusang coalition's offensive against Xiangshan had been repelled by us, and Datang was temporarily safe.

A steady stream of reinforcements from all the northern states came to join our camp. Although the current situation is still extremely severe, I firmly believe that our persistence and sacrifice will not be in vain. The yearning for peace by the people of Tang Dynasty is impossible Destroyed, as long as we don't give up, victory will surely belong to us!
After reading it in one breath, Li Xiuning's eyes were a little moist.

Chen Ying didn't mention the specific battle situation, but she could fully imagine how tragic the war was and how difficult his situation was, which made her feel distressed.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of footsteps.

Dressed in a princess outfit, Princess Yongle rushed over with short legs and rushed towards Li Xiuning.

Princess Yongle said in a childish voice: "Mother, what kind of person is Dad? Why doesn't he always come back to see us? Does he want us?"

Li Xiuning was in a trance for a while, knelt down and patted Princess Yongle's head, and said seriously: "No, your father... is a great hero who stands up to heaven and earth."

Princess Yongle's eyes were a little blurred and said: "When will Daddy come to see me? Yongle will be good!"

"Yes, soon!"

Li Xiuning suddenly saw Li Daozhen's eyes were red, leaning against the window with a look of despair.

And Li Siye, who changed his name to Chen Jiye, stood beside Li Daozhen in armor, with a livid face.

The smile on Li Xiuning's face slowly froze, and he realized something was wrong.

Li Xiuning felt something was wrong, and looked at the date at the end of the letter, it was Bingwu in July, and now it was Jiayin in July, which meant that nine days had passed.

This is simply impossible, no matter how poor Datang's efficiency is, it is impossible for a letter from the front line to be sent back from Xiangshan in nine days.

Tears welled up in the corners of Li Xiuning's eyes: "What's going on?"

Li Daozhen choked up, but did not speak.

Li Xiuning walked up to Chen Jiye, looked at Chen Duanye and said seriously: "Da Lang, tell me..."

Chen Jiye opened his mouth in a murmur.

Finally sighed: "Nothing!"

"Da Lang, look at me!" Li Xiuning's voice became sharper, and Chen Xun and Li Ruoxi came to Li Xiuning's side.

Chen Jiye suddenly couldn't control himself anymore and said: "Nine days ago, the father-in-law repelled the Fusang coalition army, and then launched a counterattack across the board..."

……

Chang'an Tai Chi Palace.

Li Jiancheng looked at Li Anyan with a gloomy face and growled, "Have you found anyone?"

Li Anyan shook his head, and said bitterly: "I searched all over the Mufu Mountain, found 49 incomplete corpses, and found this..."

Speaking of this, Li Anyan couldn't continue.He holds a jade ax in both hands.

The jade ax had been burned to pieces by the raging fire.

Looking at the jade axe, Li Jiancheng felt dizzy.

Wei Zheng hurried forward to support Li Jiancheng.

Li Jiancheng only felt a sweetness in his throat, and spurted a mouthful of blood...

(End of this chapter)