Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 453

Without the troubles caused by the Qing soldiers in Zhangzhou City, the Ming army's lock-up of the city progressed more smoothly. In order to hurry up, Wang Yan not only urged the civilians to rush to work day and night, but the Ming army had more than 3 cavalry to monitor Zhangzhou, and more than [-] infantry. Take turns.

Soon, various fortifications were gradually completed. The Ming army buried bombs outside the city of Zhangzhou, set up antlers, rejected horses, dug countless deep trenches, built long walls, erected wooden towers, and built enemy towers to observe directly. In the city, every move of the Qing army in Zhangzhou can be controlled by the Ming army at any time.

Ten days later, Zhangzhou was basically trapped to death. Wang Yan immediately left Wang Shixiu to lead 4000 cavalry, and asked He Zhen to lead [-] infantry to continue strengthening the fortifications to prevent Zhangzhou Qing soldiers from breaking through. Zheng Chenggong advanced by land and water, and headed towards Fuzhou.

Wang Yan left Zhangzhou on March [-]. A day later, he crossed Xixi and entered Changtai County. There were only a thousand defenders in Changtai, controlled by a Mongolian Niulu.

Wang Yan didn't want anyone to attack him. He was alone, with only one flag bearer behind him, and he circled around the city. Directly tied the defender to Kaesong and surrendered.

Changtai officials and gentry hurriedly invited the world-famous Wang Xianggong to enter the city, but Wang Yan didn't have the time to spare. He ordered the residents in the city to cut their braids and restore their clothes, and then led the army and continued to march eastward in a murderous manner.

In the counties and counties he passed along the way, Wang Yan only let people declare that when the officers and soldiers came to recover Bamin, they would die if they did not surrender. Watch out.

The Qing army ruled Fujian for a short time, and the Qing army was unpopular and plundered a lot. Now, encouraged by Wang Xianggong's entry into Fujian and the spread of "Talk to the North Captives to Restore Eight Fujian", the rebels who were originally suppressed, It started to surge again.

In mid-March, Wang Yan wiped out Annan again, and Zheng Chenggong also cooperated with the old army and took Anping again. The cities in central Fujian were destroyed one after another, and the Ming army wiped out the Qing soldiers one after another. .

This situation did not change until the Ming army reached the city of Quanzhou.Zhang Cunren had 3 horses, [-] were in Yanping to prevent the Ming army from entering Fujian, [-] were in Fuzhou, [-] were in Putian, [-] were in Quanzhou, and [-] were scattered in other towns.

Quanzhou has been one of the most important maritime trade cities in the southeast coast since the Song Dynasty, and it is the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Although the Qing court did not pay much attention to maritime trade, Quanzhou was rich enough, and Zheng Chenggong coveted this place, so Zhang Cunren entrusted the trustworthy Han The army is inlaid with red flags and Jia Lazhangjing Zhao Guozuo came to lead.

At this time, as Wang Yan and Zheng Chenggong arrived at the city of Quanzhou at the same time, the Qing soldiers from all counties in Quanzhou Prefecture retreated into the city of Quanzhou, and the city was in chaos due to the arrival of the Ming army.

There were only 5000 Qing soldiers in Quanzhou, and with the thousands of defeated soldiers who scattered into the city, there were only 6000, while there were more than 3 Ming troops outside the city.

This made the Qing soldiers in the city look a little desperate, their morale was low, and their military discipline was lax. Many Qing soldiers began to invade houses, rob property, and rape women, causing the city to cry and utter chaos.

Zhao Guozuo didn't have the heart to control it at this time. The Qing soldiers had bad military discipline. At this time, if the brothers are not allowed to vent, how can they improve morale and resist the Ming army?
"General, there are nearly a hundred squires crying outside the mansion, hoping that we will restrain military discipline."

Zhao Guozuo waved his hand irritably, "Send this kind of thing directly to disperse it, and if you dare to come over again, you will kill them all."

He is upset now, how can he care about these things, right now he is thinking about a question, should he guard the city of Quanzhou?

The strength of troops inside and outside the city was almost six to one, and the Ming army was so powerful that he didn't know how long he could defend. The most important thing was that he knew that Zhang Cunren had no troops to rescue him. The 8000 people from Fuzhou came to deliver food, and Zheng The fleet is maneuvering, and it is impossible for Fuzhou to defend without leaving troops.

The idea of ​​abandoning the city and leaving kept popping up in his mind. Not only would it guarantee his life, but he would also take away 6000 troops to join Zhang Cunren, so that the Qing army would not be too scattered. However, abandoning the city must be scattered. If the girl ran wildly, all the money he had searched before would be thrown away. Not only was he reluctant to part with this, but his generals might not be willing to give up, either.

Just when Zhao Guozuo hesitated, Wang Yan's 4000 troops and Zheng Chenggong's [-] troops were stationed outside the four city walls in the west, south, and north, but there was no garrison outside the west gate, giving the Qing army a hope of escape.

Wang Yan led more than a dozen generals outside the city to observe the enemy's situation in the city. He said with a smile to everyone: "Last year when Boluo and I fought in Yanping, we took the opportunity to successfully attack Quanzhou. You must be very familiar with the defense of Quanzhou city. , I don’t know if there is any suggestion for the success of the current attack.”

In fact, Wang Yan also occupied Quanzhou once, and also robbed the Zheng family of several million taels of silver and hundreds of thousands of shi of grain. If he conquered Quanzhou this time, if he could have such a harvest, he would be considered to have made some money.

Zheng Chenggong said with a smile: "At that time, I was cooperating with the old ministry, so I didn't need any effort. Later, the Qing soldiers counterattacked, and I took the initiative to evacuate, but the artillery and supplies in the city were all transported away by me, so the current defense of Quanzhou should not be strong. , Just attack directly.”

Quanzhou is a big city after all. Zheng Chenggong suggested rolling up his sleeves and just doing it, which surprised everyone. Li Guo, who was on the side, said, "Does the surname of the country have some relatives?" Zheng Chenggong's suggestion was very suitable for Liu Shun's appetite. "We have more than 3 people, are we still afraid of [-] Qing soldiers? Duke, a certain person is willing to be the vanguard, take the lead in capturing the city, and try the strength of the Qing soldiers."

Wang Yan smiled, "Whether it is difficult to fight Quanzhou City, you will know if you try it. Since Liu Shun invites the battle, then you should go and prepare first."

"No~" Liu Shun clasped his fists with great joy, then turned around and returned to the camp.

Everyone walked around the city, and found that the city wall of Quanzhou was not tall, and some places were uneven. It was estimated that Zheng Chenggong had destroyed it when he withdrew, and the Qing army hadn't repaired it yet, which made Wang Yan smile slightly.

"What is the cabinet thinking?" Zheng Chenggong couldn't help asking when he saw it.

"The art of war says five ways to attack. This pavilion and Chenggong have more than 4000 troops, five times more than Zhao Guozuo. It is said that 36 strategies are the best strategy. So where did Zhao Guozuo get the confidence? Why didn't he give up Quanzhou and retreat eastward?" ?”

Zheng Chenggong smiled and said: "It is estimated that he was hesitant and missed the opportunity. He may want to withdraw now, but the price he has to pay is too high. I think that he will not go this way unless he has no choice."

Wang Yan nodded and said with a smile, "Then he shouldn't leave~"

(End of this chapter)