I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 285 Fighting for Xiangyang

After nightfall, shouts continued to be heard in the city, and dogs barked restlessly in the corners of the city wall.

A group of corpses were piled up at the gap in the city wall. Some Wei soldiers who were not yet dead screamed and crawled out desperately.

Countless torches were lit in front, and Hu Zhi led his people to gather in the direction of the south city gate again.

In the firelight, Hu Zhi had a resolute face and sharp eyes.

In this era, people from aristocratic families had their own complete mobilization system.

For example, in daily life, some famous families will occasionally donate money and food, give lectures, and use the learning of the sages to dress themselves upright and awe-inspiring.

For another example, a person like Hu Zhi was a celebrity in his early years, and all celebrities in Xiangyang respected him.

Once they move quickly, the grassroots can be easily mobilized.

When Xiangyang City was smashed and collapsed, people's hearts experienced a brief wavering and were quickly stabilized.

The men picked up weapons, and those without weapons took out their own kitchen knives or farm tools and walked out, while their wives, children, and the elderly stayed at home.

The sound spread outside the city and reached Li Heng's ears.

In the crowd, Hu Zhi's whole body tensed up, and the army made way for him.

"I know many people are scared when they see the city wall collapse, and I am scared too, but I will not retreat! I want to stay here! I want to protect this city!"

"..."

At the same time, the defenses at the east, west, and north gates were also rapidly strengthened.

Hu Zhi's voice penetrated the dark night.

The child cried in his mother's arms. After the old father sent his son out in person, he said some words and went back.

"Protect our children!"

"I defend this city, you defend your children! Children are innocent! They should not be involved in the war. They are still young. As parents, we should let them live!"

The large group of Wei troops are continuing to assemble towards the south gate.

Someone in the crowd shouted: "Fight the Shu thieves to the bitter end!"

"Fight the Shu thieves to the bitter end!"

The shouting quickly spread, and for a while, the people in the city were excited.

Xia Houru immediately jumped out and said, "It's Hu Zhi, the governor."

Then the door of the house was closed tightly and furniture was used to block the door.

"No wonder at this point, not only did he not surrender, he continued to resist." Li Heng stared at the gap.

"The Shu thieves are going to attack and kill us all, including our children and parents! As seven-foot men, we should take up arms now, not to defend the Wei Dynasty, but to defend our families!"

The entire Xiangyang City, both the regular army and the militia, are being mobilized quickly.

"Fight to the bitter end!"

The restless crowd quickly fell silent.

"Who is the guard?" Li Heng asked.

"In this world, there is a kind of power that can make people in desperate situations strong again, and that is parents' desire to protect their children!"

"A weak woman, after becoming a mother, can overcome difficulties that she could not overcome before; after a man becomes a father, he can take on responsibilities that he could not take on before!"

Xia Houru asked cautiously: "What should we do now? General, that Hu Zhi is very stubborn!"

"It's hard to distinguish right from wrong in war, it's just a matter of stance."

"When will the main follow-up force arrive in Xiangyang?" Li Heng asked.

Dong Hong said: "It is not expected until tomorrow."

"If Cao Rui wants to send the first batch of reinforcements to Xiangyang, how soon will it be?" Li Heng asked Xia Houru again.

Xia Houru said: "There are troops and horses in Yuzhou. If we go south urgently, the first batch will arrive within two months at the earliest."

Based on this calculation, this siege must be accelerated.

After Xiangyang was captured, it would take time to quickly mobilize soldiers and civilians to build the city. Li Heng's eyes looked particularly bright under the firelight. He rode a horse and crossed the pontoon bridge of the moat.

At this moment, the stars are shining brightly.

The Han troops outside the city were still in formation and did not enter the city.

Subsequent archers also crossed the river, and infantry battalions also arrived at the foot of the city.

After the fierce confrontation between the two sides was suspended, Li Heng personally inspected the armaments of the Bow and Arrow Battalion.

He said to the soldiers of the Archery Battalion: "Don't be stingy with your arrows. They are not as precious as your lives. If using one hundred thousand arrows can reduce the casualties of even one person, I will not hesitate to use up one hundred thousand arrows." !”

Under the firelight, the soldiers of the Archer Battalion stood upright, looking at the young general with reverence.

Infected by his words, their eyes became more excited and enthusiastic.

No general had ever said such a thing to a soldier.

In past eras, soldiers' lives were not valued.

In Li Heng's barracks, there are more than just verbal promises.

In fact, the reason why the soldiers in Yizhou were willing to follow Li Heng out of Sichuan to attack Jingzhou was partly due to the tax exemption and the pension for those who died in battle.

After converting the previous pension, it was about 100,000 yuan.

Li Heng directly mentioned one million dollars.

Why was Li Heng promoted to one million yuan?

Because he has money!

To a certain extent, war is all about money!

If you have money and use it wisely, your combat effectiveness will increase.

Even the combat effectiveness of new recruits will increase, and the richer the supplies, the faster the combat effectiveness will increase!

"The war needs you to end, and our homeland needs you to protect it. I will not treat every warrior who died for the country badly!"

The night wind blew gently, blowing the red tassel on Li Heng's helmet.

The war horses walked back and forth in front of the formation, their hooves stamping on the ground and splashing mud from the grassy river.

"Send our arrows in and let the enemy know our determination!"

The commander shouted from the side: "Light the fire."

The soldiers holding torches quickly lit the oil-soaked cloth for the bows and arrows of the first row.

"emission!"

Following an order, the first batch of nearly a thousand rockets formed a cloud of sparks, soared into the sky, crossed the city wall, and charged into the city.

The impact was on towers, streets, and rooftops.

Before the nearby Wei army could react, the second batch followed.

Then the third batch, the fourth batch, until all the oil brought here is used up.

Thick smoke began to rise near the south of the city, and flames rose, illuminating for miles around.

It was not until late at night that the fire slowly died down.

Ma Yong walked to Li Heng and said: "General, the scouts reported that none of the other city gates were opened, and the city was guarded by Wei troops."

"Hu Zhi will definitely lead the whole city to fight to the death!" Xia Houru sighed, "Hu Zhi is an upright man, he would rather die than surrender!"

Ma Yong glared at Xia Houru, why do you still have more prestige than others?

"General, why don't you go and rest first? The gates everywhere have been sealed and the area near the south city has been burned. Our army is in no hurry."

Li Heng did not respond to Ma Yong's words. He looked up at Xiangyang City.

It seems that I encountered a tough problem today.

Fortunately, there are heavy artillery, otherwise the attack on Xiangyang this time will be in vain.

"Assemble all the elites of the front army." Li Heng rode back to the commander's camp. "At dawn, crossbows and infantry will enter the city together. General Guan will lead the vanguard. Xiangyang must be captured tomorrow!"

Guan Tong immediately said loudly: "General, don't worry, if we can't defeat Xiangyang tomorrow, I will come to see you!"

(End of this chapter)