Great Han Empire

Chapter 944 Troubled Times Heroic Chapter Wins Central Plains
The emperor and the emperor's battalion entered Shanglinyuan.

The generals of various ministries met with the emperor, and then, under the auspices of the general, held a military meeting to deploy an attack strategy.

Luoyang City is seven miles long from east to west, and more than ten miles wide from north to south. The overall layout is in the shape of a Big Dipper.The "spoon handle" of the Big Dipper is in the north city, while the south city is near the water, only four or five miles away from the Luoshui River, which is not conducive to the deployment of the army, so the general decided to attack the east and west cities.

Luoyang City faces south from the north, with the south as the respect, and there are twelve gates in total.Among them, the Pingcheng Gate in the south city is the main gate of Luoyang, which is well-defended, while the Xia Gate in the north city is the tallest gate in Luoyang City.Choosing the main attack direction in the east and west cities is equivalent to avoiding the two most difficult fortresses in Luoyang City.

The east and west cities of Luoyang each have three gates.From north to south in the east city, there are Shangdongmen, Zhongdongmen and Huamen; in the west city, from north to south, there are Shangximen, Yongmen and Guangyangmen.These city gates have double gate towers, and the city walls are a hundred feet above the ground (equivalent to about 24 meters today).The moat outside the city is connected to the Luoshui River through the Yangshui Canal. Under normal circumstances, boats can be sailed, and the river channel is generally more than ten feet wide.

"The cities we attacked in the past cannot be compared with Luoyang City at all. The gap in defense between the two is too great." Fu Gan stood in front of the map with a worried face and a helpless tone, "The city walls of Luoyang City The thickness is generally about 12 feet to 17 feet (between 170 meters and 40 meters today), and the thickness of the wall root has reached [-] feet (about [-] meters today). The thickness of the wall root is even if we dig out all the foundations of the city. If it is empty, the city wall will not collapse, at most it will sink as a whole, so..." Fu Gan faced the generals and said with a wry smile, "We have gathered many officials who are proficient in civil engineering and skilled craftsmen to discuss for a long time. , and finally decided to give up digging tunnels, so as not to waste time and effort and get nothing."

"Someone once proposed the policy of building embankments for reverse irrigation, which is pure nonsense." Fu Gan shook his head mockingly, "Luoyang was built with its back against Mang Mountain, and the terrain is relatively high. The Luoshui River is very wide, and the embankment project is huge. Inside and outside Luoyang City There are many canals and ditches, which are easy to dredge. Taking a step back, even if this strategy is successful, there will be a vast ocean within dozens of miles of Luoyang, and the army will not be able to gain a foothold. In the end, they will drown themselves, which is ridiculous.”

"Now we have only one way to attack Luoyang, and that is to use all kinds of siege equipment to launch a forceful attack." Fu Gan slightly raised his voice, "As early as the year before last, after the end of the Central Plains War, the general drew up a detailed siege plan. The equipment can improve eyesight, so that the imperial court hastened the production. In the second half of last year, some heavy siege equipment was successively transported to various ministries. They have already played a role in attacking the outskirts of Luoyang. As of today, all kinds of ordnance drafted by the general It has been quickly transported to the city of Luoyang by water and land in sufficient quantities on time, and the preparations for the war are basically completed."

Fu Gan then explained the quantity of various types of ordnance and the specific figures allocated to each ministry.Among them, various heavy siege equipment such as ladders, trench bridges, temporary vehicles, rushing vehicles, Wen (wen), repairing oars, catapults, crossbows, catapults, stone cannons, and some hooks, hand crossbows and other equipment Because of the limited number of individual combat ordnance in the assault series, they need to be arranged in a unified manner in order to exert their maximum effect.

"Currently, there are 23 troops under the city of Luoyang. This is the entire force for attacking the city." Fu Gan pointed to the map, and drew twice in the east and south directions of Luoyang City on the map. Wan Dajun, during our siege, he will lead the army to stop the rebels in Jingzhou and Yuzhou, and protect the safety of the southern pass of Luoyang. On the containment battlefield of Qingyan and Yanzhou, there are [-] troops of General Lu Bu, and he will lead the army to deter Xuzhou and Yuzhou, protect the safety of the eastern pass of Luoyang."

"All the grain and grass in Hebei will be transported by water to Maojindu in Kansai and Mengjindu in the north of Luoyang, and then transported from these two ferries to Luoyang City. Therefore, the safety of the grain road will be ensured by General Yang Hua in Hedong and Juzhou in Jizhou. Mr. Hu's navy bears it."

"Sima Yi and Wei Yan led an army of [-] to the north of Luoyang City. Wen Chou and Wu Xiong led an army of [-] to the south of Luoyang City." Fu Gan looked at Wen Chou, Sima Yi and the others, "Luoyang South , The defense of the two northern cities is very solid, although your troops are too small, you must attack very sharply. Threat the valley gate in the direction of the north city, and open the Yang gate in the direction of the south city. Concentrate your forces and attack a little bit, and be sure to hold back the enemy."

"Masters Qu Yi, Yushi, and Yang Feng led an army of 13 to the west of Luoyang City. Lords Zhao Yun and Yu Du led an army of 13 to the east of Luoyang City." Fu Gan met the doubtful eyes of the generals and said with a smile, " On the two main battlefields, our attack strategies are different. On the eastern front, Masters Yu Du and Guo Xun feinted to attack the upper east gate and consumption gate, while Master Zhao Yun focused his main force on attacking the middle gate. On the western front, Qu Yi The three lords, Yushi, Yang Feng, each led a force to attack Shangximen, Yongmen, and Guangyangmen at the same time, and the [-] troops attacked the ten-mile-long city wall in an all-round way, leaving the rebels powerless to parry."

Fu Gan made some explanations on the specific methods of tackling tough problems.In the early days of the war, the main use of siege equipment was to launch attacks, allowing the rebels to expose their defense strategies as much as possible, so as to find countermeasures to destroy and suppress them.In the middle of the war, siege equipment was still used to kill and injure the rebel forces as much as possible, destroy the rebel defense facilities, and consume the rebel supplies.In the later period of the war, all the siege equipment was concentrated to attack one point, completely suppressing the counterattack of the rebels, and covering the assault steps to ascend the city.

After Fu Gan finished speaking, the generals of the various ministries spoke one after another. The problem was mainly focused on the siege equipment. They believed that the attack surface on the battlefield was too large, the rebel defense facilities were too strong, and their own troops and siege equipment were obviously insufficient.

"Fight first, and after a few days of fighting, we will adjust the attack according to the specific situation on the battlefield." Li Hong stood up and waved his hands, "My lords, please remember that our troops are limited, and we must do everything possible to reduce losses. Moderately and senselessly let the soldiers fall at the gate of the city."

The generals clung to their promises.

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The emperor has participated in various ceremonies and court meetings since he was a child. He is used to such occasions and has no timidity. On the contrary, he sits on a high seat, looks around, and sometimes listens to Fu Gan's explanation very carefully, but soon he feels bored up.He couldn't understand, and he couldn't leave, and he had to sit upright, which was very uncomfortable.After a while, he began to feel drowsy, but Zhao Song, who was sitting next to him, coughed and woke him up.

The emperor looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to him, so his little head drooped and he continued to sleep.Yang Xiu, who was sitting on the other side, coughed again.The emperor ignored him, hugged his head with both hands, lay down on the desk and fell asleep more soundly.

Zhao Song and Yang Xiu were in a hurry.Above the military discussion, the emperor actually fell asleep, what's the matter?Just as the two were about to pull him up, the general shook his hand.He pointed to Ren Ran who was standing on one side, and said in a low voice, "Bring me my leather mattress and cover it up for Your Majesty."

The military discussion lasted for more than an hour, and later it was even more noisy, but the little emperor slept soundly and did not move his eyelids.

When the emperor woke up, it was already dusk, and the ministers in the military tent were still chattering enthusiastically.The little emperor glanced around nervously, and found that the ministers were all surrounded in front of the map, including Zhao Song and Yang Xiu, standing in the crowd, no one paid attention to him, and there was a hint of luck on his face.If I were in the palace, I guess my aunt's palm would have hit her buttocks. It's better here. You can sleep freely, you don't have to write and chant scriptures every day, you can play without scruples, you can ride horses and shoot arrows. It's so happy.

The little emperor rubbed his eyes and yawned, feeling very hungry, but the ministers were excited and chatting, and he didn't know when they would be able to leave.The little emperor had no choice but to sit there with a sad face, put his chin on the table, and looked at the back of the heads of the ministers with bored eyes, hoping that they would kowtow and leave early.

The general stood among the ministers, and suddenly turned to look at the little emperor.The little emperor was startled, and hurriedly sat up straight, when he heard a heartfelt sentence.

"Today's military discussion is over, let's go."

The ministers kowtowed and left.The little emperor danced happily.It was sister Xiu'er's father who was understanding and knew that I was dizzy from hunger.

The little emperor tried his best to keep the general to eat.In his mind, the general is a god-like figure, and the general is the father of sisters Wen'er and Xiu'er, the person that his aunt likes the most, and his teacher. He feels that he is very close to the general. An indescribable, almost innate closeness.He likes to be with the general, to see the general's smile, to hear the general's voice, and he likes everything about the general, including his fabulous and legendary experience, his loose long hair, his Tears on a portrait that impressed him so deeply.

The emperor's meal is very simple, but the combination of meat and vegetables is beautiful and delicious.The eldest princess advocates frugality, and the palace has always been very simple.This time the Son of Heaven personally conscripted, the eldest princess was worried about this and that, so she specially dispatched a whole set of troops from the palace, bringing a lot of clothes, food and even medicinal materials, and there were special personnel responsible for basic necessities of life, food, housing and transportation.

Probably because of the acquaintance these two days, the little emperor talked more and more, chatting and laughing with the general.Under the intentional guidance of the general, the little emperor revealed many "secrets", including those of the eldest princess, and those of little friends such as Wen'er, Xiu'er, Yan Ba, and Zhao Tong.

"General, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"Go to inspect the battlefield." The general smiled, "Will your majesty go down?"

The emperor raised his arms and cheered.

=

The little emperor saw a miserable scene.

Xianyang Garden was crowded with homeless refugees.Men and women, old and young, skinny, unkempt, naked, crying one after another, people feel sad.

The emperor walked through the crowd, panicking.Fu Gan briefly said a few words, the relief is too little and can only maintain the survival of the refugees, the court is currently trying to find a solution, and the most urgent task is to help them survive the coming winter.As for rebuilding the homeland, that can only wait until Luoyang City is conquered.The Son of Heaven didn't understand these things, he only knew that these people were so pitiful, he had never seen so many pitiful people, and his young heart was greatly shocked.

Suddenly, a gray-haired grandmother rushed out of the crowd, holding a seven or eight-year-old girl in her arms, knelt on the ground, kowtowed and cried.The little girl was naked, her whole body was purple, her eyes were dull, and she was obviously seriously ill.The surrounding crowd immediately became chaotic, and soon a large group of people knelt down on the road, begging endlessly.

The line stopped.Several Huben and Habayashi were about to rush up to disperse the crowd, but the personal guards of the General's Mansion immediately stopped them.

He turned his head to look at the general at will.The general shook his head, and quietly retreated behind the little emperor.Tian Chou, Fu Gan, Duan Xuan and others understood, and they dispersed.Zhao Song and Yang Xiu originally wanted to step forward to protect the little emperor, but the general's stern eyes swept over them slowly, making them shudder and retreat hastily.

The little emperor suddenly found that there was no one around him, he was startled, and wanted to turn around when he pulled his horse.

"Your Majesty is the emperor of the big man, and the people kneeling in front are the people of the big man." Li Hong waved his horsewhip at him, "At this moment, what should your majesty do? Do you want to run away?"

The little emperor was dumbfounded, curled his mouth, and almost cried.

Li Hong pointed to the front, "Your Majesty, go and do something for them. A word of comfort and a piece of clothing to cover their bodies will make them grateful to His Majesty for the rest of their lives."

Li Hong's words woke up the little emperor.With the help of Duan Xuan, he jumped off the horse, took off his brocade robe in a panic, ran to the old lady, covered the little girl with the clothes, and then turned around and ran away, but he was probably too scared I accidentally fell.When he got up in a daze, he saw all the people kowtowing and saw pairs of grateful eyes.

The old woman's forehead was already bleeding, and she was still begging helplessly, "Please, save my child..."

The little emperor's eyes were red, he ran to Li Hongma like flying, raised his head, and called out in a childish voice: "Is this the emperor of the big man?"

Li Hongfei got off his horse, and before he could say anything, he was grabbed by the little emperor, "General, save that child quickly, hurry up..."

"You have the ability to save her." Li Hong bent down and whispered, "You should do everything you can to save her, don't rely on others, but rely on your own strength."

The little emperor froze for a moment, hesitated for a long time, then turned around and walked in front of Zhang Yan, hesitant to speak.Zhang Yan smiled slightly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you are the emperor of the big men, and you must be able to save them."

"I... decree to give them all my things." The emperor said hesitantly, "Also, ask the doctor to treat the child. If he can't be cured, he will be spanked, hard."

Zhang Yan and Li Hong looked at each other with joy on their faces.

"Your Majesty, if you give them everything, then His Majesty's clothes, snacks, and playthings will be gone..." Zhang Yan looked down at the little emperor and asked with interest, "Your Majesty, Are you willing to?"

The little emperor was obviously reluctant and hesitated for a long time.The wailing from behind got louder and louder, making people heartbroken.

"I'm willing, I still have more. I'll tell my aunt, and ask my aunt to bring it to me again." The little emperor made up his mind, and shook his hand readily, "Give it all to them."

=

On the battlefield more than a dozen miles west of Luoyang City, there are huge crowds of people, bustling, flags flying, 10,000+ troops, hundreds of thousands of civilians are busy, and the tense atmosphere before the war hangs over the city.

General Li Hong, General Qu Yi of the Left Guard, General Zhang Yan of the Right Guard and other ministers surrounded the little emperor, crossed the noisy battlefield, and approached slowly towards Yongmen.

The main attack on Yongmen was the army of Gao Lan and Lei Chong.When the two generals saw the emperor and the general coming to inspect, they rushed to meet them.

At this moment, the little emperor had put on a set of delicate armor, a bright silver helmet on his head, a short sword on his waist, and he was riding on a maroon pony, looking decent.The closer to the battlefield, the more heavy equipment, the stronger the atmosphere of the battle, and the more excited the little emperor.He kept urging the war horse under his crotch to gallop back and forth, screaming "Aww", sweating profusely from playing.

"General, will you bring me with you next time you fight?"

"Of course." Li Hong reached out to wipe the sweat off his face, and said heartbroken, "It's too hot, take off the helmet."

"Can I wear my hair loose like the general?"

"No." Li Hong said firmly.

"Then why can the general?"

"Because I made an oath." Li Hong laughed, "I swear to the sky on Baideng Mountain, the world is uncertain, and my long hair will not tangle."

"Oh..." The little emperor opened his eyes wide, looking suddenly enlightened, "Then I have to make an oath, as long as the oath is not fulfilled, I can keep my hair loose."

"Children's oaths don't count. After the coronation ceremony becomes an adult, the oath will be valid."

"Oh..." The little emperor sighed regretfully, "Then I have to wait for many, many years. By the way..." The little emperor suddenly thought of something, held the general's hand and begged, "Next time, send Xiu'er Sister, Yan Ba, Zhao Tong and the others are all brought along, okay? I came to fight alone, but I didn’t take them with me, and when I go back, they might not play with me anymore.”

"Your Majesty, you have the final say on this matter." Li Hong readily agreed.

Suddenly, there was a sudden sound of war drums on the noisy battlefield, and then a loud "boom..." was heard, which was earth-shattering, and the entire battlefield shook instantly.

The [-] stone cannons and [-] ballistas of various types on the forward position made a coordinated volley, and the momentum was astonishing.

"Your Majesty..." Li Hong turned his head and said with a smile, "I will take you to see the heavy stone cannon..." The little pony is empty, where is the shadow of the little emperor?Li Hong was taken aback, and looked down under the horse's belly. There was no one on the ground, only a small war helmet shaking his head dejectedly.

Li Hong raised his head and looked around, and suddenly found a small head popping out of a ditch a few steps away, with a pair of dark eyes rolling around, looking around nervously, as if he was facing an enemy.

Li Hong couldn't help laughing out loud.This kid probably played too many war games with a group of kids, and he instinctively ran away when he encountered an abnormal situation.

Qu Yi, Zhang Yan and others all laughed and fell off their horses.

=

(End of this chapter)