Kai Fu Han

Chapter 423 Night Attack on Linyi 1
After Liu Xin'ang captured Yishui County on April [-], he immediately led his troops south to Linyi the next day.

The South Route Army arrived in Ju County on April [-]. Ju County had only [-] defenders at that time, and they were taken away by a wave of South Route Army.

April fourteenth.

After resting in Linyi for a day, the Chinese Army waited for two regiments of the South Route Army.

Excluding the infantry battalions left behind in the previous county, there were four regiments with a little more than 9000 troops gathered at the foot of Linyi City.

According to the investigation report of the spies, there were 5000 puppet Qi soldiers in Linyi City.

The enemy has more troops than ours, and there is a city wall that can be relied upon for defense, which gives us an obvious advantage.

Liu Xinang summoned the leaders of the five regiments to hold a combat meeting.

The army staff officer first announced the strength gap between the enemy and ourselves.

"...the weather, the right place, the right people, all are not with me."

"In other words, these 5000 people are on guard against the Southern Zhao court?" Liu Xin'ang asked, not caring about the right time, place, and people.

"Yes, Southern Zhao deployed 3 soldiers in Huainan, mainly for defense. But the pseudo-Qi Emperor certainly could not leave the safety of Huaibei to Southern Zhao, so he deployed 5000 soldiers here ."

"With 5000 people facing Southern Zhao's 3 people, where did Liu Yu get his confidence?" Liu Xinang said.

"There were originally 5 people. In the three months before and after the year before and after, the Puppet Qi transferred most of their troops to Glue." The staff member replied.

Everyone immediately understood.

In the view of the Puppet Qi, although Southern Zhao was powerful, the Xinghan Alliance was on the side of the bed and had a higher priority.

"Is there any good combat plan to recommend?" Liu Xinang asked.

"Our staff has three suggestions."

"Say."

The staff explained everything one by one.

The first battle plan was a night raid.

The overall quality of the Xinghan League's soldiers is high, with almost no night blindness. They have great advantages in night fighting, and with the high-end combat power of the 'soldiers', they can basically guarantee victory in one battle.

But this plan also has flaws. Night battles will inevitably cause one's own personnel to be shot by stray arrows, and one's own casualties will be relatively large and uncontrollable.

The second battle plan is to attack during the day.

Destroy the city directly through shelling, and then attack steadily. With the long-distance advantage of the musket and the close-combat advantage of the grenade, you can also ensure that you will win in a single battle.The drawback is that it's a waste of ammunition.

The ammunition reserves of the Xinghan League are not enough to be squandered at will.

The third item is to seek help from the navy.

The naval warships sailed upstream from the Yellow River (Huai River), entered the Yishui River, and reached the west gate of Linyi.

Linyi County, Linyi Water, has a water gate.

The navy took advantage of the power of the warships to break through the water gate and enter the city, disrupting the enemy's defense. The army also attacked at the north gate. Linyi City would definitely not be able to defend it.This combat plan also has flaws, that is, it takes too long. The navy is now informed that even the nearby First Fleet will arrive in Linyi from the Yellow Sea, the Yellow River, and the Yishui River in ten days.

Sailing against the current in the river will be very slow.

"What do you think?" Liu Xinang asked several group leaders.

"I think the second plan is better. Baitiantang's siege can not only control our casualties, but also show the power of our Xinghan League to the people of Linyi. It's the best of both worlds." Liu Zhijie, leader of the [-]th Field Regiment replied.

The children of the Liu surname generally follow Liu Xinqi's philosophy and believe in integrity.Of course, Liu Xinyuan is a special case.

"I also think the second option is better. The fifteen thousand soldiers in Linyi City are nothing to us. The Linyi City Wall will not cause much hindrance to our army. An upright siege in the daytime is better than at night. The attack can give greater play to the advantages of our Xinghan Alliance army." Wu Jin, leader of the Eighth Field Regiment, continued.

"I don't think that attacking the city during the day can bring out our advantages better than fighting at night. And you two have not considered that the gunpowder we equipped for this expedition is limited. For this westward attack, the Logistics Department has emptied all the resources of the Xinghan Alliance We have only now reached Yizhou, followed by Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Jezhou and Yunzhou. The further west we go, the stronger the puppet Qi will be, and we will even receive support from the puppet Qi court." Ninth Ye Jia, the leader of the field regiment, expressed a different view: "When the time comes, we will have no gunpowder and let the soldiers fight the enemy with bayonets?"

"The alliance leader has always emphasized that although we have muskets, we cannot lose the courage to fight with the enemy with bayonets. So, what about fighting with bayonets? Even if we fight with bayonets, their pseudo-Qiji chickens and dogs cannot defeat us." Liu Zhijie said.

"But can you bear the death or injury of a bayonet fight?" Ye Jia asked.

"Wouldn't it be possible for a night battle to cause a large number of casualties?" Liu Zhijie argued.

"Actually, if officers and soldiers are summoned to lead the battle, casualties can be minimized." Wu Nan, leader of the [-]th Field Regiment, said: "I'm talking about night battles."

"I also support the first combat plan." Yuan Li, head of the No.11 Field Regiment, said.

Seeing that everyone had posted something, Liu Xinang said: "Okay, now let's vote."

"Those who agree with the first option raise their hands."

Ye Jia, Wu Nan and Yuan Li raised their hands one after another.

These rising stars are more radical and more adventurous than the seniors.

The military officials in the staff department are just watching. They only have the right to make suggestions, but not to make decisions.

"Okay, then follow the first combat plan to attack Linyi City."

As soon as these words came out, it showed that Liu Xinang also supported the first plan, four to two.

"Everyone, get ready. Wu Nan and Yuan Li will arrange for your people to take time to rest. We will attack the city at night."

"Yes!!"

Several people got up and exited the camp.

Liu Xinang stayed and made more detailed division of labor arrangements with the staff of the staff department.

Throughout the day on the [-]th, the troops of the Xinghan League stood still, appearing very quiet.

The puppet Qi soldiers and horses in Linyi City did not come out to find trouble, and the two sides passed the day in peace.

On the evening of the [-]th, Haishi.

All the soldiers who participated in the night attack were called up by the night officer.Everyone began to eat dry food and drink cold boiled water quietly.

At midnight, under the leadership of various officers, everyone began to assemble.

Only the fire in the tent was illuminated, and the vision was severely restricted. From time to time, the low shouts of officers could be heard.

When it was ugly, the infantry of each battalion began to leave the camp.

Only the infantry battalion participated in this night attack, and neither the artillery battalion nor the cavalry battalion left their tents.

During the military meeting in the afternoon, the five field regiments drew lots. Wunan won the first lot and was responsible for leading the battle. The other four field regiments followed in order.

Wu Nan commanded two infantry battalions of his regiment consisting of 800 people, plus 100 soldiers and officers, groping in the dark, each holding his clothes by the corner, and walked towards the north gate of Linyi.

Everyone tried to stay quiet.

In the quiet night, only the sound of footsteps was left.

(End of this chapter)