The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 378 Joint Venture
Southern Zhili and the central capital Fengyang.

In the eighth year of Chongzhen, the peasant uprising army captured the Zhongdu Fengyang. A large number of buildings inside and outside the city were burned down, and the imperial tombs were also destroyed.

Although Fengyang was recovered soon after, the damage was irreparable.

There were endless civil unrest and rebellions within the Great Wall. Under such circumstances, since the eighth year of Chongzhen, Zhongdu Fengyang began to continuously build defensive fortifications and send more soldiers to defend it.

To the north of Fengyang City, on the Pubei Hill, there were swords and spears everywhere.

The endless sea of ​​flags fluttered gently in the breeze. The mountains and plains were filled with soldiers wearing black armor, and countless soldiers stood in formation at the foot of the hills.

On the top of the hill, countless flags, like stars surrounding the moon, surrounded a large dark black banner in the center.

The sun is high in the sky and the sky is clear.

The cold mountain wind blew from north to south, and in an instant it caused countless flags to flutter, gathering into a sound like rain passing through a bamboo forest.

The wind blew through the mountains and forests, and the flags fluttered. The large banner surrounded by flags of different colors was also affected by the mountain wind.

The mountain wind caused the red tassel on the top of the banner to roll up, and the flag also stretched out with the mountain wind, exposing it to everyone's sight, revealing a huge white word - "Faith"!
Under the big banner, Li Yan wore an iron helmet with feathers, a water-polished iron armor inside, a half-sleeve purple and gold embroidered robe outside, and a bow and arrows on his shoulder, with a sharp sword hanging from his waist, sitting upright on a high platform.

On the high platform stood many generals and officers, and soldiers like clouds.

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"

Outside Fengyang City, the sound of war drums was like thunder.

Accompanied by the thunderous sound of war drums, countless soldiers wearing black scarves and holding weapons marched slowly forward in neat formations.

At the front, tall ladders are slowly moving forward.

"Ho-ha-ho-ha--"

Under the ladder truck, a group of soldiers shouted slogans and pushed the ladder truck forward with all their might.

In the distance, on the city wall of Fengyang, countless red flags fluttered in the north wind.

Just when the siege ladders were about a hundred steps away, balls of orange-red flames suddenly appeared, and a large amount of smoke rose from the walls of Fengyang City.

On the high platform, Li Yan frowned slightly.

He knew that it was the artillery of the Ming army...

In the field of vision, several ladders collapsed in the blink of an eye, and the siege troops inevitably fell into chaos.

After a moment or so, the rumbling sound of cannon fire rang in everyone's ears.

Li Yan looked reluctant. No matter how many battles he had been in, or how many life and death situations he had experienced, he could not really harden his heart and not care about the casualties.

For Li Yan, he never regards human lives as cold numbers.

It is said that a kind person cannot command an army, but Li Yan had no choice. If he had a choice, he would hope that the world would be peaceful and prosperous.

In fact, he had never thought about reaching a high position...

But he never had a choice.

From the moment he started his rebellion in Qi County, he had no choice.

Up to now, the number of followers under his command has exceeded 500,000. On his shoulders are the lives and deaths, and the hopes, of 500,000 people.

No, not just half a million people.

The mountain wind was cold, like a steel knife scraping at the bones. Li Yan's heart slowly grew colder as the wind blew, and his eyes grew firmer.

He once swore a vow to rise up and raise the banner of justice to wipe out the evil and bring peace to the world.

A real man always keeps his word and resolutes his actions.

If you want to change the world, you can't do without sacrifice.

"Ugh——"

A low horn sounded from afar, and then along with the horn sound came the unison shouts of countless soldiers, and the siege had begun.

In September of the second year of Hongwu, the emperor issued an edict to designate Linhao as the central capital and ordered officials to build city walls and palaces like the capital.

It was renamed twice later, and because the Zhongdu Palace was built in the south of Phoenix Mountain, it was finally named Fengyang.

The planning and construction of Fengyang City was based on the "Kaogong Ji", and no less than one million craftsmen, soldiers, and laborers were mobilized from all over the country.

Fengyang, as the central capital, covers a very large area and has the most extensive regulations, the best in the world. It has three city walls and is divided into three cities.

The first city is the outer city wall of Zhongdu, which is a long rectangle from east to west. A convex corner was built in the southwest corner to include Phoenix Mountain into the city. A total of nine city gates and eighteen water gates were opened.

The circumference of the outer city wall of Fengyang City reached an astonishing 60 miles.

You should know that the circumference of Xiangyang city wall is only twelve li, and even the circumference of Beijing city wall is only twenty-eight li.

Of course, although Fengyang’s city wall is long, its actual defensive capabilities are far inferior to Xiangyang and Beijing.

Such a long city would be difficult to rely on without sufficient garrison.

This is also an important reason why Fengyang City was captured by the rebel army led by Gao Yingxiang in the eighth year of Chongzhen.

However, at the moment, defensive strength is no longer a shortcoming, with more than 50,000 Ming army officers and soldiers gathered around Fengyang.

The 50,000 Ming troops set up camp and deployed their defenses relying on the city walls, as well as the surrounding mountains and hills.

The reason why the attack on Fengyang City was launched now was because the Ming army had a large number of camps outside Fengyang City.

It did take the Wanmin Army a lot of effort to eliminate the strongholds and fortresses set up by the Ming army on the periphery.

Pubeigang, where Li Yan is now, was originally stationed with more than a thousand Ming troops and was once an important fulcrum for the Ming army in the north of Fengyang City.

Scanning the long city wall of Fengyang, Li Yan's brain was working rapidly.

The outer city wall of Fengyang is long and has poor defensive capabilities. Many flat sections can be used as breakthrough points, so it is not difficult to capture the outer city of Fengyang.

The real difficulty lies in Fengyang’s second city wall - the Forbidden Wall.

The Forbidden City was the second city wall of the Zhongdu Fengyang, with a circumference of 15 li and four gates.

Inside the Forbidden Wall is the inner city of Zhongdu Fengyang. Most of the important buildings are within the Forbidden Wall, and the palaces and markets are also all concentrated in the inner city.

The height of the Forbidden City walls is generally around three zhang, or about ten meters, with many gun emplacements and strict security.

Forbidden wall, forbidden wall.

This is the difficulty they will encounter in the end of this battle.

Although there is an imperial city and a city wall within the Forbidden City.

But in fact, as long as the Forbidden City is lost, the officers and soldiers will undoubtedly collapse, and no matter how high the walls of the imperial city are, they will be useless.

Li Yan's eyes turned, and at the foot of the hill, countless soldiers were already swarming towards Fengyang City.

At this time, a messenger also climbed onto the platform and brought the news that Li Yan had been waiting for.

"Reporting to King Xin, the commander of the Left Five Battalions will soon be arriving at our Fangqiu Camp with his troops."

Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, he stood up suddenly, turned his head and looked back towards the northwest.

In the northwest, several troops could be clearly seen moving slowly along the mountain path towards the location of Fangqiu Camp.

"finally come……"

Li Yan clenched the goose-feather knife at his waist. This morning, he sent someone to invite the leader of the Left Fifth Battalion to meet at Fangqiu Camp. Although he got a promise at that time, there was no movement from the Left Fifth Battalion, which made Li Yan feel uneasy.

At this moment, seeing the soldiers of the Gezuo Fifth Battalion heading towards Fangqiu's camp, Li Yan could hardly contain his excitement.

"The talks have been talked about for a long time."

Hong Niangzi, who was wearing military uniform, also stood up with Li Yan. She stepped forward a little, held Li Yan's wrist that was holding the knife, and spoke softly.

"The fact that the leaders of the five camps of the Gezuo camp have agreed to come to Fangqiu camp for discussion is a big step forward. It proves that the leaders of the five camps of the Gezuo camp have the intention to form a joint camp, but they still have some worries in their hearts."

Hearing Hong Niangzi's voice, Li Yan subconsciously relaxed a little, and his frowning brows also relaxed a lot.

Among the rebel forces, the People's Army under his command is now considered to be the strongest one.

But they are a rising generation. The Ge Zuo Wuying started in Shaanxi and have been in rebellion for more than ten years. It may be difficult to persuade them.

"That's what the lady said."

Li Yan slowed down his voice, loosened the goose-feather knife at his waist, held Hong Niangzi's hand tightly, and his eyes regained their composure.

Although the leader of the Gezuo Fifth Battalion brought a lot of soldiers, he was willing to go to their camp to discuss the matter. This was already a sign of entrusting his life and property to them, and it was a sign of sincerity.

In the letters they exchanged during these days, he constantly explained the pros and cons and explained the advantages and disadvantages, which eventually shook the old ideas of the leader of the Gezuo Fifth Battalion.

"The leader of the fifth battalion of the Gezuo is almost here. Let's set off for Fangqiu now."

Li Yan looked back at the battle ahead. It would take a long time to capture Fengyang, so there was no need to rush.

The plan and strategy for attacking Fengyang had already been decided, and we just had to proceed steadily according to the plan.

From Henan to Nanzhili, they traveled thousands of miles and fought in hundreds of battles. Now, many outstanding officers have emerged in the Wanmin Army.

After Li Yan temporarily handed over the command of the front line to Li Jiyu, he and Hongniang left Pubeigang with their personal guards.

Galloping down the mountain path, in more than a quarter of an hour, Li Yan had arrived at Fangqiu Camp.

Fangqiu is located in the north of Fengyang. It has a high terrain and is adjacent to the river in the northwest. It is connected to Mentai on the left and Pubeigang on the right. It is located in a strategic location.

Therefore, Li Yan set up a large camp in Fangqiu to control the north of Fengyang City and connect the east and the west.

Li Yan galloped all the way into the camp from the camp gate, and did not rein in his horse until he reached the front of the central army gate.

Waguanzi and Yidougu had been guarding in front of the central army gate. When they saw Li Yan coming, they hurried forward to greet him.

"Has the commander of the Fifth Battalion of the Gezuo arrived?"

Before entering the camp, Li Yan had already seen many camps in the west, and he was afraid that he was still a step too late.

"Prince Xin arrived at the perfect time. The leader of the Left Five Battalion has just arrived at the tent."

Yidougu stepped forward and held the horse for Li Yan and answered.

Li Yan got off his warhorse and turned to look at the clay jar.

"I have sent people to confirm that the five people who came are indeed the leaders of the Fifth Battalion of the Left."

It is not difficult to confirm their identity. Most of Li Yan's subordinates are from Henan, but there are also quite a few from Shaanxi.

After the 72nd Battalion followed Gao Yingxiang into Henan, it dispersed and developed, with some going to Nanzhili, some going to Huguang, and many remaining in Henan.

Gao Yingxiang's original plan was to instigate a large-scale rebellion after capturing Xi'an, and to coordinate internal and external forces to make it impossible for the officers and soldiers who were suppressing the rebellion to take care of both ends.

However, with Gao Yingxiang's death in Blackwater Prison, the final plan naturally failed.

A total of nine battalions of troops remained in Henan. However, when Zheng Chongjian, the subsequent governor-general of the three borders, was in Henan, the main forces of the nine battalions were almost wiped out, leaving only a few remnants still fighting.

After Li Yan led the Wanmin Army to rise, these remnants also joined the Wanmin Army led by Li Yan one after another.

Among the five camps of Gezuo, there were the old Hui Ma Shouying, Geliyan He Yilong, Zuojin King He Jin, Gai Shi Wang Liu Xiyao, and Luan Shi Wang Lin Yangcheng. They were all famous figures in the 72 camps at that time, and were naturally recognized by everyone.

After hearing Waguanzi's confirmation, Li Yan's heart calmed down. He suppressed the excitement in his heart, tightly gripped the goose-feather knife at his waist, and gradually calmed down.

Facing Hongniang's gentle gaze, Li Yan turned his head and strode towards the central military tent.

"Welcome King Xin!"

Accompanied by the respectful welcome of a group of soldiers, Li Yan had already stepped into the central military tent.

As soon as he stepped into the central military tent, Li Yan felt several gazes directed at him.

Long before, Li Yan had already obtained everyone's information from Waguanzi's mouth.

Before Li Yan entered the tent, Waguanzi told Li Yan where everyone was sitting.

On the right side of the tent, there was a man sitting with a burly figure, sword-like eyebrows and fierce eyes. He was wearing a bright red cloud-shoulder long-sleeved coat embroidered with a xiezhi. He sat on the chair a little lazily, but his sharp aura could not be concealed.

This person is none other than He Yilong, the Geliyan.

The general next to He Yilong looked a little younger than He Yilong. He wore fish scale armor inside and a half-sleeved civil and military robe outside. He had a net scarf on his head. He narrowed his eyes and looked at him with a smile on his face.

However, the smile on the general's face did not make Li Yan feel much warmth. Instead, it made him feel a little cold in his heart.

The person sitting next to He Yilong was none other than Zuo Jin Wang He Jin.

People at that time called it the Gezuo Fifth Battalion, in which the "Ge" and "Zuo" refer to the names of He Yilong and He Jin.

The names of the old Hui people Ma Shouying, the King of Reform Liu Xiyao, and the King of Troubled Times Lin Yangcheng were not added.

Among the five camps of Gezuo, the status of the five camp leaders was nominally equal.

But in fact, the main say is still in the hands of He Yilong and He Jin.

Most of the time, He Jin obeyed He Yilong's decisions and stood with He Yilong.

Li Yan's eyes moved sideways, and the two people sitting near the curtain were Liu Xiyao, the King of Changing Times, and Lin Yangcheng, the King of Troubled Times.

Compared with He Yilong and He Jin, the two are much inferior in terms of military strength and voice.

However, among the five battalions of the Gezuo, there is another battalion that is different from the other four battalions, and it is also the force that Li Yan values ​​the most.

And the one who controls this power now is none other than the old Hui people Ma Shouying.

On the left, Ma Shouying, wearing a white robe and a felt hat, leans back in a chair with a calm expression, as if nothing could have any effect on his mind.

Ma Shouying's appearance is different from others. He has a very high nose bridge, deep eye sockets, curly hair and thick eyebrows.

Ma Shouying was a Hui person, so he was also known as Lao Huihui. He was born in Suide, Shaanxi Province. He had served as a border soldier in his early years. In the first year of Chongzhen, he led the people in an uprising.

Under Ma Shouying's command, there were many elite cavalrymen, totaling more than 3,000 cavalrymen. Among the cavalrymen were Hui, Han, and Mongolian peoples, all of whom were skilled in archery and horsemanship and were brave and good at fighting.

Although all five battalions of the Gezuo Army had cavalry, the most valiant and capable of fighting were the cavalry under Ma Shouying.

For Li Yan, if he could merge with the Gezuo Fifth Battalion, he could use the elite cavalry under his command to fill the current shortcoming of insufficient cavalry in the Wanmin Army.

Cavalry is an indispensable branch of an army.

In the battle outside Kaifeng, the armored cavalry of the Hanzhong army left an indelible impression on Li Yan.

Cavalry is difficult to train, and elite cavalry is even more difficult.

It is precisely because he knows this that Li Yan becomes more and more eager for cavalry.

Originally, Li Yan was still a little nervous, but when he walked into the tent facing everyone's gaze, Li Yan had regained his composure.

Li Yan was calm. In his mind, he had already thought of reasons that would convince everyone.