Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 208 The cry of the old bannerman: Delay the thieves entering the city and buy time for the women in the city to throw themselves into the well

Zhapu City Wall,

The flagmen hid behind the crenels, holding their shields and yelling:

"You bastards from Green Camp, go and fire."

However, Lieutenant General Ma looked embarrassed. Our cannons are not enough to hit them!

However, it’s okay to be beaten all the time.

It’s okay to have a strong reputation.

As a result, the artillery placed on the Zhapu city wall spewed out white smoke.

Sure enough, it didn't pose any threat to the enemy.

And it can still be reached after bouncing.

Sure enough, 3 miles is the maximum range of these artillery on the city.

……

"These rebels are so evil. They must be four miles away, right?" Vice General Ma asked.

"Almost." Mr. Tian Qian said bitterly.

"How can a cannon shoot so far?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the city wall shook violently.

A 24-pound solid bullet hit the city wall at the feet of the two men.

The outer layer of masonry shattered, exposing the rammed earth layer inside.

"Old Ma, we can't keep fighting like this. Where are the heavy guns on your ship?"

"The heavy guns were too difficult to remove, so I stayed on the ship."

"Confused."

At the beginning, General Tian Qian suggested that the Green Camp Navy dismantle the artillery and strengthen the city defense.

Lieutenant General Ma was very angry and felt that he was insulted.

So what he dismantled were all light cannons, mostly short-barreled cannons.

Fortunately, Li Jiajun's 24-pounder gun had a slow rate of fire.

It took 120 breaths to show off again.

But this time, the cannonball hit the city gate building directly.

The two-story city gate building collapsed with a roar.

Buried the two people who were blaming each other.

……

Li Yu admired it for a long time in the telescope.

"Should we just bomb the city gate?"

"As ordered."

In order to blast open the city gate, many artillerymen needed to be busy again.

Pushing the 24-pounder gun forward slowly.

In front was a group of mules, followed by a large group of shirtless gunners.

Shouting slogans and pushing forward more than 100 meters.

It took another cup of tea and the adjustment was completed.

在3.5磅火药（大概3斤）标准装药的推动下，以8度的射角将一发24磅实心球（大概22斤），投射到了2300米外。

Probability plays a role silently.

Finally, one shot directly hit the city gate and broke into pieces. The effect was very shocking.

The plaque of Zhapu City is also missing.

"The power of the cannon is refreshing." Li Yu praised.

However, Li Ergou curled his lips with great disdain.

He did not dare to complain in person, but he said in private:

"No matter how powerful the artillery is, the infantry still has to rush forward and kill the enemy with guns, swords and chops."

……

At Zhapu City Wall, all the bannermen were in despair.

A gray-haired old banner man shouted:

"You green campers, rush out and fight the enemy."

"Old Bastard, the city has been destroyed, we are equal now, do you understand?" A green camp soldier was so angry that he swung his knife to chop.

Unfortunately, his sword skills are not as good as those of others.

Looking at the old banner man, he blocked his blade and his arms were still strong.

The man was knocked over with one kick and the knife fell aside.

He quickly took two steps forward and chopped hard with one knife~

After wiping the blood on his face, the old banner man shouted sadly:

"Young and old men, let's rush out together to stop the traitors, and tell the women in the city to commit suicide quickly! It's time to throw yourself into a well! It's time to hang yourself! Don't stop doing it."

"When the Han thieves broke through the city, it was too late for them to die. The Han people in Jiangnan still remember the things our ancestors did when they entered the pass."

"We can't embarrass our powerful ancestors, let's kill him!"

The old bannermen who charged against the artillery fire became the totem of the Eight Banners garrisoned in Zhapu.

Hundreds of bannermen followed up frantically.

A young flagman with a broken leg crawled to the bronze bell dragging a long trail of blood.

Pick up the broken bricks and smash them hard.

The bell sounded melodiously, but there was a faint smell of blood.

Women and children from every house in the city heard the shouts and the bells, and they all knew that the situation was out of control.

……

There is a house near the city wall with three tiled houses, neatly surrounded by fences.

The rich hostess rushed out in a hurry, rushed to the well, and threw the child in her arms first.

Then he dove in himself.

Across the street is the house of Deputy Capital Tong Fengsheng.

Wujin's house is very luxurious.

However, at this moment, it was lifeless.

Fengsheng's first wife, wearing mourning clothes and holding the sword left by her late husband, stopped at the gate.

"retreat!"

She swung her sword, frightening several concubines and maids to tremble.

"Madam, please spare us, we don't want to die."

"After the city is broken, everyone will die."

"There are no thieves in the south. It's still too late to escape now. Madam, please escape with us."

The one who knelt down to beg for mercy was Fengsheng’s fourth concubine.

She is a woman who was sent out of the Han army flag. She can barely be considered to be in the spirit of the flag. Feng promoted her and accepted her, which is not a violation of the rules.

"My husband has just died fighting for the imperial court, and you bitch want to dress up and serve the thief chieftain?"

Fengsheng's first wife was from the Wu family.

She has been exposed to swords since she was a child, and she was no stranger to swords. She waved the sword and blood spattered on the screen wall.

The concubine of the Han army flag fell to the ground and died in disbelief.

"Quick, hang up the rafters."

She had already fallen into madness, forcing the women in the mansion one by one to step on the stools and hang up their white silk ribbons.

The children were concentrated in the woodshed.

Hang up the iron lock and throw in a torch.

Finally, she stood in the empty yard, watching the raging fire burning, and put the sword across her neck and pulled hard.

……

Outside the city, Li Yu held up his riding whip and pointed at the hundreds of banner men who rushed out of the city crazily:

"What do you want?"

Li Ergou laughed so hard that he burst into tears and replied:

"I can't think about it, I'm looking for death."

Before he finished speaking, the 6-pounder guns were loaded and began bombarding one after another.

The solid iron ball hit the crowd and immediately created a corridor of flesh and blood.

It can be seen clearly in the telescope.

The original Wuyangyang formation was suddenly plowed open with several passages.

The commander of the artillery battalion’s eyes were shining.

This is simply a military achievement that comes to your doorstep. It cannot be finished, it cannot be finished at all.

The 3-pounder gun was also pushed up by the artillerymen.

After several actual battles, Li Jiajun summed up an experience.

For the 3-pound gun, the barrel should be made lighter and shorter as much as possible.

Because I didn’t intend to shoot solid bullets at all, but shot shotgun professionally.

The shorter the barrel, the larger the splash area of ​​the shotgun.

And compared to firing solid bullets, the chamber pressure is smaller, so the barrel can be made thinner.

During the march, a pack horse easily pulled the entire field and did not need to be replaced for half a day.

During the battle, the artillerymen pushed themselves all over the field.

"fire."

After entering a hundred meters, a round of shotgun blast hit my face.

Before the white smoke cleared, the musketeers strode forward.

After rushing straight out of the range of the smoke, they lined up in two rows.

Squat in the front row and stand in the back row.

"shooting."

……

Miao Youlin witnessed all this with his own eyes.

"Master Miao, Master Miao~"

The messenger shouted twice quickly to wake him up from his state of shock.

"My subordinates are here, but my lord has military orders?"

"My lord's military order, the Miao tribe will immediately enter the city and clear out all resistance in the city. Remember, it's everything!"

"As ordered."

Miao Youlin drew his sword and raised his shield:

"Brothers, follow me."

More than 200 men wearing armor took the lead, followed closely by those without armor.

Wu Yangyang rushed in along the broken city gate.

"Father, will our troops also enter the city?"

"No, we will enter the city in an hour. Now we will detour to Zhapu City, capture the Nanwan Fort, and bombard the Qing warships at the dock."

"As ordered."

The excited Li Ergou led 200 men to easily capture the Nanwan Fort.

In fact, there was no resistance.

The Nanwan Fort is garrisoned by the Green Battalion.

Seeing that the situation was over, they abandoned the fort and fled.

Not even igniting the gunpowder, not nailing the gun fire doors.

Leaving a complete fort to the Li family army was a big help.

…     Actually, before escaping.

Some Green Camp soldiers proposed to set fire to blow up the fort, which could not be left to the rebels.

The experienced boss, without saying a word, drew his knife and stabbed him to death.

Everyone was shocked, but saw the boss stepping on the body and cursing:

"Blow up the fort? Do you want to anger the thieves? Maybe the thieves chief will get angry and send troops to bite us, and no one will survive by then."

"Leave the whole beard and tail to the thieves. Once the thieves are happy, they won't bother to chase us."

"Everyone speaks out of conscience. Should he be killed for coming up with such a bad idea that harms others and does not benefit himself?"

The dozens of gunners stationed at the fort were nodding like mincing words.

Cursing, he disappeared along the coastline.

It's nothing more than taking off your uniform and becoming a common person.

So what if the thieves take over Zhejiang? We in the Green Camp have skills and are not afraid of ruining our jobs, so we can still eat.

……

After the Guards Corps occupied the Nanwan Fort, they immediately bombarded the warships that had anchored and fled.

He and his navy brethren attacked by land and sea and completely wiped out the Zhapu Navy.

The red and black flag of the Li Family Army was flying high above the fort.

The so-called red cannons are of rough and old quality.

One of them turned out to be an antique from the 2nd year of Yongzheng's reign. The armaments of the Qing army were really outrageous.

Li Yu simply ordered to demolish them all.

The next time Saint Pan comes to visit, just be a favor.

It's so embarrassing to always play for nothing without spending a penny.

Sell ​​it according to the price of a new cannon.

He got money, Saint Pan got face, White Lotus Sect got a sharp weapon, and he won money.

Old cannons are not rare in the Li family's army, but some people are.

If various anti-king factions in the Qing Dynasty held a meeting, these bluffing artillery pieces might be in great demand.

After all, swords and spears are available everywhere, but artillery is nowhere to be found.

At this time, in Zhapu City, Miao Youlin's tribe was carrying out a killing spree.

After entering the city, the head of the Miao family gave an order:

"Slaughter the city."

He should understand and carry out the Lord's wishes.

The brothers in Qingfeng Village did what the Guards Corps was not suitable for.

Go along the street, breaking down the doors one by one.

Anyone who encounters a living person, old or weak, women or children, will be stabbed with a knife in his pocket.

……

"Head of the family, it's almost done."

"Well, let's go and report it to the lord."

Miao Youlin took off his iron helmet and walked to a well to get some water to wash away the blood on his sword and hands.

But I saw an unexpected scene.

The well was filled with corpses!

Chang Jin on the side smiled and said:

"I think it was the same when our Jinchuan Dazhai was defeated. Tit for tat, it's fair."

Miao Youlin didn't say anything, and she continued:

"Now I admire my lord with all my heart. Only the tiger and wolf warriors under his command can defeat the evil Qing court. As the head of the family, we are following the right person."

"Ah."

Li Yu did not enter the city, but ordered the corpses to be cleaned up as soon as possible.

Regardless of whether they were Manchu or Han, they were all gathered together and burned.

It was already the first day of May (lunar calendar), the temperature was rising, and my jacket was already a little warm.

However, the wells in the city are difficult to clean.

Simply bury all the wells in the city to eliminate sources of pollution.

The old town of Zhapu is also abandoned. A small fortress, a bastion, was rebuilt upstream of the surrounding area on slightly higher ground.

The required labor was collected from surrounding villages.

50 wages per day, paid daily, including one meal.

Just one day later, the number of people taking the initiative to look for work doubled.

Only then did everyone realize why the Lord emphasized that wages should be paid daily.

The people of the Qing Dynasty lacked a sense of security.

After a day's work, I got 50 copper coins, which was so heavy that I felt relieved.

As for whether they work for the bandit chief or the emperor, they really don't care.

Even though the thief chieftain had just massacred Zhapu Manchu City, everyone didn't care.

There is a difference between flag men and women!

The peasants were counting a bunch of copper coins in their hands, and felt that these thieves who oversaw the work were handsome and kind-hearted.

……

In the temporary tent,

Miao Youlin sat on the chair carefully, only daring to sit down a little part of the way.

"About 80 miles south of Jiaxing Prefecture is Tongxiang County. I want to send you to station in Tongxiang County, are you willing?"

"I obey my orders."

"Well, your unit is short of firearms, so I have specially allocated you 300 matchlocks and 25 artillery pieces. Strengthen your firepower and serve as a good bridgehead."

"Thank you, Lord, for your trust. Youlin is very grateful."

Li Yu waved his hand and said softly:

"You are a talent, and these troubled times are a good opportunity for you to make a difference."

"Please tell me, my lord, what should your subordinates do to guard Tongxiang County?"

"Reinforce the city defense, recruit local warriors, and collect money and food that should not exceed the Qing court's standards. Don't kill indiscriminately, but it is necessary to kill a group of people who support the Qing court. If the Zhejiang Qing army invades in large numbers, Jiaxing Prefecture will send troops to support you."

Li Yu signaled his guards to bring a flag with "Jiangnan Regiment Training Advance Army, Miao" embroidered on it.

"Soldiers need to be quick. I will ask the artillerymen to carry heavy artillery and go to the Grand Canal to help you break the city and then return. Get down!"

Miao Youlin walked with the wind under his feet and finally owned his first piece of land.

Tongxiang County is entirely covered with plains.

The Grand Canal passes through it, and the river network is dense. It is a typical land of plenty and prosperity.

If he manages this place well, he will have the capital to settle down and live.

This capital is not small.

……

"Father, is this person named Miao reliable?"

"In fighting Jinshanwei and Zhapu, he has shown his loyalty and ability. That's enough."

Li Ergou didn't know a map and had never begged for food in Jiaxing.

Otherwise, he should know that the location of Tongxiang County is exactly between the Li Jiajun and the Qing Army.

If the Qing army in Hangzhou Prefecture wants to conquer the lost territory, they must first remove the thorn in Tongxiang.

Miao Youlin knew it, but he didn't care.

He is not afraid of fighting for his territory.

There are a group of old brothers who followed from Huizhou Prefecture and are military attachés. They have hundreds of muskets and more than 20 artillery pieces, and they pay for themselves.

Such superior conditions, if we still lose our territory.

I can't blame my lord at all, I can only say that I am incompetent and my ambition is not worthy of my strength.

In fact, Li Yu also had the same idea.

It remains to be seen whether Miao Youlin's abilities are just a regimental-level military commander, or a senior official who can act independently.

……

Li Yu was pleasantly surprised. The two people he had always missed were back.

Tan Muguang and Li Xiaowu, who went north to escort the grain, had tears in their eyes.

As soon as they met, they fell to their knees:

"My lord, I finally see you."

"Please get up quickly. Thank you for your hard work. Tell me what you have experienced along the way."

Tan Muguang said awkwardly:

"On the way back, I was almost killed by the Qing army in Shandong."

Li Yu also blushed a little:

"The situation changed too quickly. I started in a hurry and almost lost the lives of both of you. I'm really ashamed. By the way, what are your losses?"

"The brothers were attacked by the Qing army and broke out ashore, losing more than half of them."

Li Yu sighed, feeling quite regretful.

Sailors are what the Li family army urgently needs right now.

Both inland and offshore naval forces are in short supply!

"and after?"

"Fortunately, the Cao Gang in the world is one. The leader of the Dezhou Gang took the risk to protect us. Later we came back overland disguised as a caravan."

"How is Jiangbei?"

"It's very nervous. A large number of Qing troops have been deployed in Yangzhou Prefecture."

"Then how did you come back?"

"After we left Shandong, we first entered Anhui, crossed the Yangtze River, crossed the mountainous areas of southern Anhui, and then entered northern Zhejiang. Then we took the Huihang Ancient Road and arrived in Changxing County."

Phew, Li Yu let out a long breath.

Fortunately, I met two clever subordinates. The distance more than doubled, and we had to cross mountains and ridges, but it was safe.

Tan Muguang lost a lot of weight and said with a smile:

"This road is a favorite route for those who traffic in smuggled salt. It is also my first time to go there. Fortunately, my lord has arranged his own people in Changxing. Otherwise, we really wouldn't be able to come back."

……

Li Xiaowu suddenly said:

"Father, when we arrived in Changxing County, it was Akun who sent us here, and Mrs. Zhen also came with us."

Liu Akun and Xiaowu were acquaintances, and they were both members of Cunjutang's team.

He guarded the Changxing mining area and even married Zhen.

But when he heard the names of these two people, Li Yu's face darkened.

He was dissatisfied with the couple, and he had become passive since they got involved.

Cutting first and reporting later almost ruined one's own affairs.

What's more, I plan to incorporate Liu Akun into the field army. This man is fierce, has the potential to be a god of death, and is suitable for being a vanguard.

He and Li Ergou were supposed to be the vanguard generals of the Li family army.

Left hook, right hook.

As a result, she was abducted by Zhen, a wealthy businesswoman who did not adhere to women's ethics.

This does not mean that married people are not suitable to be pioneers.

But the field army should not be too involved with local forces, nor should it conflict with the duties of the security army. It should be dedicated and pure!

The field armies were to remain independent until the empire was unified.

Otherwise, the rate of decline will be unimaginable.

He eagerly arranged a marriage to Lin Huaisheng, the commander-in-chief of the First Army Corps, for the same purpose.

Thinking of this, Li Yu said gloomily:

"You two go down first. Let them get in."

……

(End of this chapter)