Kai Fu Han

Chapter 612 The Battle of Hangzhou

Recruitment started on April 12th and was completed ahead of schedule on April 2th. A total of 2 new soldiers were recruited in the Xinghan League. These new soldiers were arranged in the corresponding recruit camps nearby for recruit training.There are 3 people in Penglai Recruit Camp, 3 people in Glue Recruit Camp, 2 people in Xiaxian Recruit Camp, [-] people in Licheng Recruit Camp, and [-] people in Wanping Recruit Camp.

After April [-]th, the new recruits began formal training one after another, but no one expected that a full-scale war with Nan Zhao would begin so soon.The Xinghan League's three-front battle has caused the existing army's manpower to be very tight.

The two brigades located on Zhongdu Road cannot be moved, and one brigade located on Waguo and one brigade on Liuqiu Island cannot be transferred back.After the westward offensive, two brigades must be left on Yongxing Military Road and Qinfeng Road to consolidate the governance of the Xinghan League. At most, two brigades can be transferred back to defend the southern front.

The Xinghan Alliance only had ten field brigades in total, and most of the garrison troops had been deployed to transport supplies to the field armies and maintain security in the occupied areas after the war. If they continued to be deployed, the rear would be unstable.

The recruits, who were originally scheduled to train for three months, had to be sent out after completing basic discipline training.

2 people from the Glue Recruit Battalion and 3 people from the Xiaxian Recruit Battalion followed the returning Eighth and Tenth Brigades to Yizhou.

The instructors of the two recruit training camps also went south to assist the field army in managing and training these recruits who were still in a state of ignorance and didn't understand anything.

On leap April [-]th, including [-] field troops, [-] garrison troops, and [-] new troops, nearly [-] troops arrived in Suqian County, Huaiyang Army, and the Northern Expeditionary Army of [-] troops from Southern Zhao who headed north also arrived in Yugou, Suqian County. town.

"Alliance leader, the Second Brigade has cut off the canal supply route of the Southern Zhao Northern Expeditionary Army. I believe they will collapse on their own before long due to lack of food. Should we fight or defend?" Wu Jin asked Liu Xinqi.

Liu Xinqi looked back at the exhausted field troops in the city. This rapid march had reached their limit.

"Stay on guard for a few days and let the soldiers take a break," Liu Xinqi replied.

The Southern Zhao and Northern Expeditions had already learned that their back road was blocked and their front road was blocked. There would be huge differences among the armies stopped in Yugou Town.

In the past few years, Zhao State was first beaten by the Jin State and moved south, and then was beaten by the Xinghan League and was unable to fight back. The proportion of officials from all walks of life in Southern Zhao with a pessimistic attitude has become higher and higher.

The previous battle against the Jin Kingdom and the war between alien races could inspire the national integrity of most people, but it was different when facing the Xinghan Alliance.

Just by hearing the name of this force, you can tell that it belongs to the same nation as Zhao.Moreover, in terms of the Xinghan Alliance's defeat of the Jin Kingdom, it was equivalent to avenging the Zhao Kingdom.

Except for some officials who are loyal to Southern Zhao officials, other officials actually have their own petty secrets in their hearts. If the Xinghan League's policy on gentry is not too harsh, it is estimated that there will be many, many officials who surrendered.

……

On leap April 24, the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Fourth Fleet arrived at Hangzhou Bay.

Only thirteen warships were left guarding the Qiantang River outlet.

This should be the last defensive force of the Nanzhao court on the water. From the binoculars, it can be seen that the Nanzhao sailors on board all looked deathly at home.

"No matter how unbearable the forces are, there will still be some people who are absolutely loyal. These people are also pitiful people." Ruan Xiaoqi said.

People's minds are very magical. The Southern Zhao court is very incompetent in the eyes of the Xinghan League, but there are always some people who benefit from this force, and are honest and righteous and know how to be grateful, even if they know that the ship is going to sink. , and were unwilling to get off the ship.

Loyalty does not need a reason. Loyalty with conditions and reasons is not absolute loyalty.

"They are all respectable people. Use solid bullets to destroy the hull and prepare to save people." Zhao Liang ordered.

Several Shanyue-class warships lined up outside the bay, aiming sideways at the Nanzhao warship at the mouth of the Qiantang River in the bay. Amidst the roar of artillery, countless water columns rose around the warship.Due to the close distance, the enemy ships were stationary and the sea was relatively calm. The overall hit rate was much higher than during the usual drills. After six rounds of shooting, all Nan Zhao warships were hit and began to take in water and sink.

The state-level battleship rushed forward and began to rescue the Nanzhao sailors who fell into the water.

All the Nan Zhao sailors who were rescued gave up resistance and were very obedient.For these sailors, the previous kindness was returned to the Nanzhao court during the bombardment, and they will only live for themselves from now on.

"Target! Hangzhou!" Zhao Liang ordered loudly.

All the warships of the Xinghan League began to line up to enter the Qiantang River. Only the Bohai was parked in the open sea due to safety issues. This time it was Ruan Xiaoqi's turn to watch eagerly as the others made meritorious deeds.

"Arrange a sampan for me and I'll transfer to the Taishan." Ruan Xiaoqi ordered his subordinates.

When Ruan Xiaoqi boarded the Taishan, he happened to meet Zhao Nan who was boarding the ship.

"What's the situation in Hangzhou?" Zhao Liang asked Zhao Nan.

"It's a mess. Trees have fallen and hozens are scattered. The rich and powerful people in the city are looking for a way out. Many people are crossing the river or fleeing to the west." Zhao Nan replied.

"Will everyone organize to defend the city?" Zhao Liang asked.

"Yes, Li Gang is organizing to defend the city and has summoned more than 3 militiamen." Zhao Nan did not wait for Zhao Liang to continue asking, and directly began to report the situation in the city: "There are actually more than 2 forbidden troops in the city, but these people have to defend six The place where Emperor Zhao of Chunan might be hiding could not be taken out for the time being, so Li Gang could only recruit some militiamen, and then transfer some servants from the homes of various officials and gentry, plus the Xiang army, government officials, etc. from Hangzhou City, to form a very mixed army. The garrison of the city."

Zhao Nan did not relax the pressure to assassinate Nan Zhao officials and senior officials. This was also the reason why Yangzhou was able to successfully complete supplies before, because Hangzhou shared the pressure with it.

This kind of assassination pressure makes the Nanzhao officials still dare not show their faces, and they dare not leave the city to move south. They are blocked in the city by three fleets, and now they can't leave even if they want to.

"Have you not determined where Song Gou is hiding?" Zhao Liang didn't believe it. Under the search of the soldiers, it should be impossible for Song Gou to hide so tightly.

Because the soldiers can rely on their high strength to search room by room at night, and it is only a matter of time before they find Song Gou's hiding place.

"It's almost confirmed. We were 'guided' by Li Gang to find a few substitutes and make several raids, which wasted a lot of time. Now that you have arrived in Hangzhou, Li Gang has organized a city defense and has no time to take care of us. Moreover, Li Gang's frequent movements have also He will give us some information." Zhao Nan replied: "Song Gou's hiding place will be determined soon."

After being tricked by Li Gang several times, Zhao Nan has become much more stable and will no longer organize raids until he is absolutely sure.

"Okay, let's attack the city and put some pressure on them. If you support them in the city, they will definitely let their feet go." Zhao Liang replied.

"That's what I mean. I kept Li Gang alive because I wanted to capture Song Gou alive to avoid future troubles." Zhao Nan said.

The two of them are worthy of being members of the Zhao family. They hit it off immediately and work together very well.

Zhao Nan disembarked and returned to the city. Zhao Liang began to organize the marines and some naval officers to disembark and prepare to attack the city.Some artillery pieces were unloaded from the ships and brought ashore to serve as siege artillery.

Without the assistance of artillery carriages, the transfer of artillery was very troublesome, and the entire siege preparations took a total of two days to complete.

(End of this chapter)