Daming: My boss Zhu Yuanzhang

The ones left behind in Dazaifu were Shaoer Jingzi of the Shaoer clan and some minor masters. Shaoer Jingzi looked at the Ming army that was rapidly mobilizing outside the city and felt uneasy.

"Sir, why do so many Ming troops suddenly appear here?"

A young master asked the young master Jingzi with some worry.

"How do I know?" Young Master Jingzi glanced at him angrily. According to the information they got, the Ming army made a fuss around Matsuura for a while and then went straight to the Nagawa Floating Bridge. For these sudden changes in front of them, He didn't know the Ming army that appeared.

"Then what should we do now?"

"Of course we are holding on. Don't worry, there are not many more Ming troops outside than us. We just need to rely on the city wall to hold on until the army solves the pontoon bridge and the Ming troops return to rescue!"

Shao Er Jingzi said calmly, not caring about the Ming army outside the city at all.

He is not the big fool like Shaoer Puyi. As long as he does not go out of the city to send troops, with the current strength and the advantage of defending the city, he has absolute confidence to stop these Ming troops.

Several minor celebrities around him breathed a sigh of relief when they heard what he said.

Outside the city, Lu Tang, Jianglong and others quickly organized an army to prepare to attack the city. All the artillery fire was concentrated together and aimed at the weak position designated by Li Wei.

boom!
Finally, there was a loud noise, and the solid cannonball flew across a long distance and hit the city wall.

Young Er Jingzi and these little famous masters on the city wall subconsciously dwarfed when they heard the sound of cannons, and then they felt the city wall under their feet suddenly tremble violently!
"This...why is this Ming army's artillery so powerful?"

The second young master, Jingzi, was half-crouched, feeling extremely horrified. The expressions of other minor masters also changed.

This was just one cannon. They had seen clearly just now that the Ming army outside had nearly a hundred such artillery pieces!

Based on this power, can they really resist it?
boom! boom! boom……

Before they could react, the sound of cannons rang out again. It was sporadic at first, but after a while, it suddenly became intensive.

Lu Tang ordered people to conduct a trial shot first, adjust the angle after the test shot, and then officially start!
The dense artillery fire shook the city wall, and the young master Jingzi and others on the city also trembled on their feet.

"This is how to do?"

"We can't let them continue to bombard us like this!"

"Sir, please say something!"

Many famous masters couldn't bear it any longer, and while hiding behind the battlements, they anxiously shouted to Young Master Jingzi.

Young Master Jingzi was also extremely anxious, but the range of their bows and arrows could not reach them at all, and he did not dare to go out to fight in the city, so he could only open his eyes helplessly.

"I think we might as well rush out and fight them!"

A discordant voice sounded. This was Takeshi Harada, the head of the Harada family.

The other famous masters immediately looked at him as if they were looking at a fool. Wouldn't rushing out with such powerful artillery fire mean death?
Young Master Jingzi also rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Just when many famous people were helpless, the Ming army had begun to fill in the trenches.

Seeing this, Shao Er Jingzi quickly ordered to fire arrows at these Ming troops. However, as soon as these Japanese archers showed their heads, they were immediately beaten back by the fierce artillery fire. Many of them were injured by the flying gravel because they could not dodge. , and even a few unlucky ones hit by artillery shells directly turned into corpses.

Lu Tang became more and more proficient in the use of artillery. Seeing this scene, he immediately adjusted the angle of some artillery fire and bombarded the battlements. He easily reduced a section of the city wall in front to a bare plane. The Japanese had no place to hide and had to retreat to both sides. A safe space was created for the soldiers who were filling in the trenches.

Shao Er Jingzi and others turned pale when they saw this. If this continues, they might not be able to last even one day. How can they wait for the army to come back for reinforcements? !
In order to break through the city as quickly as possible, Li Wei spared no expense this time, bombarding the city with artillery as if it was free. In just half an hour, a ten-foot-wide city wall was blasted with cracks, and he could no longer hold it up before his eyes.

The not-wide trench was filled with thousands of soldiers and quickly extended into a passage.

Li Wei watched the movements of the battlefield closely and did not immediately order the siege.

Now is not the best time. When this section of the city wall is blown down, the morale of these Japanese will be greatly reduced. Then will be the best opportunity to attack the city.

Although Dazaifu was considered a big city in Japan, it was incomparable to those of the Ming Dynasty. Under fierce artillery fire, the city wall that Shaoer Jingzi and others relied on only lasted for two hours. Unable to hold on any longer, Banglong collapsed together, leaving a gap.

"It's over!"

When Young Master Jingzi heard the rumble of the city wall collapsing, his heart suddenly went cold!
They didn't even hurt anyone, but the city wall was blown down. How could they fight?
The Japanese people stationed on the city also had frightened eyes, and they were a little unsteady on the Japanese swords in their hands.

When Li Wei saw this, his eyes immediately lit up and he shouted: "Attack the city immediately!"

After receiving the order, the Ming army immediately rushed forward.

After these two years of training, these Ming troops who used firearms were no longer the disorganized rookies they were before. In addition to the formations he taught, generals such as Jiang Long and Lu Tang also figured out many new tactics. .

At this time, the troops charging upward were not rushing blindly, but firing alternately, covering each other, gradually pushing forward, and quickly attacking the gap created by the artillery.

When they were within a hundred steps, the Japanese on both sides of the gap immediately fired back. Arrows and musket bullets passed by each other, and people on both sides were constantly injured and killed.

But after all, the Ming army's muskets were more powerful, and with their long range, the gunners at the rear could also shoot to the city wall, while fewer Japanese on the city could shoot at the Ming army. In comparison, the Ming army Their firepower was much denser than the Japanese's arrows, and they killed and wounded the Japanese in a matter of seconds, causing them to shoot even fewer arrows.

Li Wei looked at the soldiers fighting with the Japanese at the gap and couldn't help but frown slightly. This was the first time he had faced such a head-on battle since he led the troops. I'm afraid there would be many casualties in this battle.

In the previous battles he had fought with Mu Ying, he had faced the remnants of the defeated generals who had become red-hot, and had directly used thunder cannons to blast them into confusion. There were almost no casualties on his own side, while in the expedition to Yunnan, he had Hu Haidai. The soldiers were in the front, and his own men were only firing cannons from behind. Only Song Zhong and others participated in the direct battle during the final stage of crossing the river in Qujing, and the casualties were not heavy.

But this time it was different.

As both sides rushed towards the gap, the two armies also evolved from long-range shooting to close combat. Although the new navy has switched to firearms combat, the training of individual combat has not fallen behind, especially now that artillery bombardment After the opponent's city wall collapsed, the momentum of both sides was ebbing and flowing. The Ming army gained the upper hand and soon poured into the city through the gap and began to seize the city wall.

The soldiers in the front of the Ming army were in close contact with the enemy, while the soldiers in the rear maintained formations and waited for opportunities to fire and cover. The Japanese were beaten back steadily and were quickly driven off the city wall.

Shaoer Jingzi and the famous masters could only retreat into the city in panic under the protection of their trusted followers. The Japanese lost the advantage of the city wall and could no longer confront the Ming army. They could only rely on the complex situation in the city to deal with the Ming army.

"Let the soldiers not go into the city to pursue, just control the city wall!" Li Wei ordered.

"Yes!" Chuan Bingbing took the order and left.

Firearms have great advantages in siege, but not in street fighting.

The Ming army was not familiar with the environment in the city. If they entered the city rashly, they would definitely be attacked by these Japanese at close range. At that time, the muskets would not be able to exert their advantage at all.

As the Japanese completely retreated from the city wall and fled to hide inside the city, the war finally came to an end. The Ming soldiers on the city wall aimed their guns into the city. Whenever a Japanese showed up, they would be shot to death immediately. Li Wei didn't even enter the city, but directly ordered Jiang Long to lead 10,000 people to replace the soldiers who attacked the city and be responsible for garrisoning here. He, Lu Tang, Shijun and others began to rest and reorganize the army and prepare to return to support the floating bridge.

Now that the Ming army has occupied the city wall, they are switching from attack to defense. The Japanese in the city have become turtles in the urn, and leaving 10,000 people to garrison is enough.

Of course, if the Japanese in the city desperately tried to break out, Li Wei also told Jiang Long not to stop them, and he could even deliberately leave an exit for them, just take the opportunity to kill more enemies.

After a short rest, Li Wei led the troops to turn around again and march towards the Nagawa Floating Bridge.

Tang He is probably in a hard fight now. The Japanese have reinforcements from Dazaifu. If he doesn't rush there as soon as possible, Tang He and others will definitely be annihilated.

Although it is too late to pass now, if we march quickly, we might still be able to be saved.

The battle here at Nagawa Floating Bridge was much more brutal than that of Dazaifu. Fortunately, after a whole day of fierce fighting and the army paid a heavy price, they finally crossed the pontoon bridge.

However, their crisis has not been resolved now. At this time, the Ming army is already exhausted, but the Japanese are still attacking continuously, and due to their numerical advantage, they can take turns to fight, but the Ming army must fight with all their strength.

Fortunately, the floating bridge is a dangerous place, and the space for the two armies to engage in battle is limited. Even if there is a huge difference in strength, the Ming army can barely support it.

"General, this won't work. Why don't we take the initiative to destroy the bridge?"

Sheng Yong, who had just withdrawn from the front, found Tang He and said.

The other generals around him nodded in agreement after hearing this.

However, Tang He shook his head: "After Jiang Duhou's army breaks through Dazaifu, they will find that the situation is not right and immediately come back for reinforcements. We will also need to use this pontoon bridge to form a pincer attack with him, and we will definitely be able to defeat the Japanese army, so The pontoon cannot be destroyed!”

"Can we hold on until he comes back for help?"

Sheng Yong asked loudly, he didn't believe that Jiang Duhou. If the Grand Zaifu couldn't be attacked for a long time, ten days and a half would be considered short. Do they have to hold on for such a long time? You know, they left a lot of food and baggage behind just to cross the bridge!

"Definitely! I believe Jiangduhou will be able to return reinforcements within three days!" Hu Hai supported.

Sheng Yong has never seen the scene of artillery attacking the city, but he has seen it with his own eyes several times. As long as the Zaifu is not a majestic city like the Ming Dynasty capital, with the firepower of Li Wei's soldiers and horses, it is not impossible to break the city in one day.

Sheng Yong snorted angrily, not believing it at all: "General, we have already suffered heavy losses trying to cross the bridge. The Japanese are taking turns to attack. We will definitely not be able to hold on for long. Please make a decision early!"

Upon seeing this, Hu Hai also persuaded: "General, you also know the power of the artillery of the New Navy. They are powerful siege weapons. When attacking Puding, the Shenji Battalion used artillery to destroy the city in one day. I believe This time will be no exception!”

Tang He looked at the two of them and sighed softly.

In fact, when Lu Tang proposed to divide his troops, he vaguely guessed something. To be honest, he used them as bait to contain the Japanese army, allowing Li Wei to take the opportunity to attack the city, and then return to the division to help. This strategy was indeed Yes, that's why he agreed easily without saying anything.

As for military honors, he just didn't want it, but it was a bit of a pain to his soldiers.

However, sacrifices in war are unavoidable. Not to mention that he didn't know Lu Tang's plan very well. Even if he did, he would probably choose this strategy.

Although this strategy will cause a large number of casualties to the Ming army, as long as Li Wei can return reinforcements in time and they keep the floating bridge to cooperate with Li Wei, they will be very sure to defeat these Japanese in one fell swoop and secure the victory of the Battle of Kyushu!

But if the bridge is destroyed at this time, they can escape immediately, and the Shimazu family's army has been transferred to the opposite side. Satsuma Hinata and other places on the east side of the floating bridge will definitely be empty. Even if they have no food and grass, they can still go all the way. Looting is needed to maintain the army. Then all you need to do is avoid the main force of the Japanese and find an opportunity to join forces with Li Wei.

But without their cooperation, Li Wei will have to face the Japanese army of 100,000 people independently when he returns to support. There is a high probability that he will be defeated and retreat to Dazaifu. The outcome in the future will be unpredictable.

"Let's do this. We will defend for three days. If Marquis Jiangdu cannot return reinforcements within three days, we will destroy the bridge and escape!"

Tang He hesitated for a long time, and finally was reluctant to give up this opportunity.

However, Sheng Yong and others refused: "No, we can't last three days, two days at most!"

"That's right, General, we can hold on for another two days at most!"

"Yes!"

Other generals around him also agreed. They did not want to put their lives and wealth in the hands of that Jiang Duhou.

Tang He looked at everyone, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay, then two days!"

Although he was the supreme commander of the army, he could not ignore the opinions of these generals. Especially this time, it was due to his command error, and these generals were already complaining.

Hu Hai frowned slightly, but didn't say anything more. At this point, all we can do is see if Li Wei is fast enough!

In the Japanese army formation, Shao Er Puteng, Shimazu Yoshihisa, Otomo Sobayashi and others were also paying attention to the battle at the floating bridge. Tang He decided not to destroy the bridge, and of course they would not destroy it. On the contrary, they were more worried. The Ming army took the initiative to destroy the bridge.

"I didn't expect the Ming army to be so tenacious. We set up an ambush, but we failed to annihilate them all here!"

Ouchi Yoshihiro said, looking at Shimazu Yoshihiro with some dissatisfaction.

Shimazu Yoshihiro looked ugly, but he couldn't argue. It was the Shimazu family's failure to stop the Ming army that made the situation become like this.

Seeing this, Otomo Sorin quickly smoothed things over: "The Ming army is indeed extraordinary, especially when they were put to death, they showed strong combat power. The Shimazu family cannot be entirely blamed for the current situation."

"Yes, the Shimazu clan's warriors have tried their best, and everyone can see it."

The second son, Puteng, also followed closely to help the Shimazu family. While making good friends with the Shimazu family, he also targeted the Ouchi family.

Ouchi Yoshihiro snorted and said nothing more. Although they were also an established family, they did not dare to fall out with the three major families of Shimazu, Otomo and Shaoer at the same time.

After a moment of silence, Otomo Zonglin added: "The Ming army here seems to be less than 50,000 in total. It seems that the Ming army has divided its forces to attack Dazaifu."

This is not difficult to guess. There are only a few major strategic locations in Kyushu. In addition to the floating bridge, the Ming army also attacked Dazaifu.

Sophomore Pu Teng didn't take it seriously: "It doesn't matter, we have already deployed 30,000 horses to garrison. Even if the Ming army sends another 50,000 troops to attack, there is no possibility of breaking through in less than ten days and a half. We can Let’s take care of the Ming army here first, then go back and annihilate them!”

After hearing this, everyone else nodded slightly in agreement.

Thirty thousand people defended the city, and fifty thousand attacked. To say that they captured it in ten and a half months is already a great compliment to them. The greater possibility is that they couldn't capture it at all. It is normal for it to take a year and a half, Shao Er Puyi's stupidity was purely an accident. The left-behind young master Jingzi would never make such a stupid mistake!

It's a pity that they haven't seen the power of artillery siege, otherwise they wouldn't be so confident. (End of chapter)