Determine...

Shazhouwei

In the early morning, the early autumn dew rolls on the grass blades, the sun shines on the river southwest of the Acropolis, and the morning breeze is gentle and sparkling.

In the newly built official office of the city guard, Xie Zaiyi had just finished breakfast, put on his helmet and armor, summoned a group of soldiers, and went to the city head to observe the enemy's situation.

As soon as they arrived at the city gate, Lieutenant General Wang Xun hurried up to greet him, cupped his hands towards Xie Zaiyi and said, "Captain, the scouts have come to report that Hami Guard's troops have moved and are already thirty miles away."

Xie Zaiyi's face remained calm, but his rich voice was full of joy, and he said, "It's good when people come."

I'm afraid that the Junggar soldiers and horses will be too timid to come. If one of them comes, some of the soldiers and horses can be killed.

Xie Zaiyi immediately made a decision and said: "Close the city gate quickly! The craftsmen returned to the city to appease them, and the soldiers of each battalion prepared the defense equipment and stood ready."

Wang Xun asked: "The governor decided to defend the city?"

Xie Zaiyi said solemnly: "It is not to defend the city, but to avoid its sharp edges. The enemy army is coming with great fanfare. It is the time when the morale is high and the attack is fierce. Our army wants to win decisively with the cavalry. If we kill one of them first, we can also reduce the number of casualties."

Casualties, let’s talk about other things.”

At least this will reduce casualties.

Wang Xun clasped his fists and said yes.

As Xie Zaiyi's order was issued, the soldiers in the city began to take action, relying on the newly built defense facilities to resist the upcoming siege.

Xie Zaiyi came to the top of the city, picked up a monocular telescope in his hand, and looked to the west. What came into view at this moment were the winding mountains and the boundless grassland.

At this moment, all I could see was the end of the green grassland, and black clouds of varying heights appeared from the vast undulating hills. I could see a team of cavalry galloping towards them, flying a black wolf flag. Under the sunlight, the smoke and dust appeared.

Rolling, saber shining, turbulent like a black tide.

Not long after, the deafening sound of horse hooves gradually appeared in the field of vision.

The image in the telescope gradually became clearer, and one could even see the ferocious facial expressions of some Mongolian generals.

Wang Xun looked solemn and reminded: "Captain, there are many people coming from Junggar this time, not less than 30,000."

As an experienced general, he can roughly estimate the number based on the flags and the range and density of the cavalry formations.

"They think we have few soldiers and want to seize the opportunity to capture Shazhou in one fell swoop." Xie Zaiyi's eyes flashed coldly and he said in a deep voice.

The strength of the troops on the battlefield is not constant. The changes in the strength of the troops are precisely when the commanders of both sides seize opportunities for combat.

This is particularly important in cavalry confrontations with obvious mobility.

Excellent cavalry generals, such as Wei Huo, Chang Yuchun, and Li Wenzhong, are often good at capturing fighter opportunities in the complex dynamic changes on the battlefield.

Jia Chang, Jia Fang, and Dong Qian also looked up at the Mongolian cavalry with smoke billowing from the distance, their young faces showing eagerness to try.

The war is about to begin, and it’s time to make achievements!

Xie Zaiyi said loudly: "Prepare crossbows, muskets and other long-range siege equipment, prepare to meet the enemy!"

"Woooo!!!"

As the Chinese army general behind Xie Zaiyi waved his command flag, the Han army's sergeants began to prepare nervously and quickly for the battle.

While Xie Zaiyi was looking at the soldiers and horses, Dorji accompanied Wen Chun, Galdan and others also arrived at the Shazhou Acropolis surrounded by grass and streams, observing the Shazhou Acropolis as if facing a formidable enemy.

Dorji said to Wen Chun on the side: "Brother Wen Chun, the Han army seems to have reinforced the city. The city is much taller than when we came last year, and there are many turrets."

Wen Chun nodded, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, and said coldly: "The Han people want to stay in Shazhou permanently. Once they succeed in building the city, it will not be easy for us to get back the Shazhou Guard in the future."

Galdan on the side said: "Brother, the combat power of the Han cavalry is far inferior to that of our warriors from the Junggar clan. They don't dare to fight in the field. They still want to defend the city, and they have lost their spirit!"

Wen Chun looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "Don't underestimate the enemy."

The smile on Galdan's face faltered, and he felt a little depressed.

Dorji said: "Galdan, you have underestimated the Han army. The Han general who led the army led thousands of horsemen to chase them into the desert. The leader of the Han army is not easy to mess with."

When it comes to old things, Dorji still feels a little resentful and annoyed.

Galdan's eyes flashed, and he said no more, but turned his gaze to the Shazhou Acropolis in the distance.

"The army will set up camp first." Wen Chun raised his hand and gave the order.

A group of soldiers waved the flag and began to deliver orders to the ministries.

Dorji said: "Brother Wen Chun, our army is not good at attacking the city. We can first let the tribes who escaped from the Shazhou Guard attack the city. If they can capture it in one fell swoop, they will capture it. If they cannot capture it, our army will harass the Han army again."

to lure them out of the city for a decisive battle."

Wen Chun nodded and said, "That's what I mean too. If we help the Shazhouwei tribe regain their homeland, they will also send troops!"

After the Mongolian soldiers and horses of Junggar began to set up camp, Wen Chun called a meeting of various tribes to discuss attacking the city.

It is almost certain that the various tribes will send troops to attack the Shazhou Acropolis with siege equipment such as ladders and logs to test the strength of the Han army. The Junggar troops will also raid the rear and join the battle with the Han army at any time.

After lunch at noon, eight thousand soldiers composed of the Shazhou Weiyuan Mongolian tribe formed a fan-shaped forward and surrounded the towering reinforced and heightened city wall.

Under the sound of flags, countless soldiers from the Junggars or Mongolians rushed towards the Acropolis. The shouts of killing seemed to shake the heaven and earth. Under the sunlight, the shining sabers could be seen reflecting the gleaming light in the sunlight.

Xie Zaiyi looked at the Mongolian soldiers surrounding him below, shouted loudly, and said in a loud voice: "Get ready, fire arrows!"

Following Xie Zaiyi's order, the Han army on the city began to prepare crossbows and firecrackers, and this time they brought some Franco machine guns.

"Whizzing!"

As the enemy soldiers and horses from the Junggar tribe approached the city, Xie Zaiyi shouted for release, and then the Han army on the top of the city stretched their bows and nocked arrows, shooting at the soldiers and horses below.

Xie Zaiyi also took a three-stone bow and shot at the leader of the Fan clan who was a little further away. Every time the bow string sounded, a life would be taken away.

Along with the muffled sounds, clouds of blood mist exploded in the distance, and the offensive of the Mongolian soldiers coming like a tide below was halted.

The Junggar tribe's cavalry were also shooting at the city head, but the Han army's protective facilities were complete and the overall casualties were not large.

At this moment, all the Junggar and Mongolian generals who were watching the battle from behind were shocked. Wen Chun, holding the reins in his hands and sitting on the saddle, looked at the city head and frowned, clearly feeling miserable.

Dorji said: "Brother Wenchun, the Han people are good at using strong bows and crossbows to withstand this wave. As long as we fight in close combat, they are definitely no match for us."

Wen Chun frowned, anger emerged on his face, and shouted: "It is really hateful that a good man was shot and killed under such a turtle shell!"

Next, rolling logs, rocks and boiling dung were poured down on their heads, and the Mongolian soldiers who were climbing along the ladder screamed in pain.

At this moment, under the towering city head, soldiers and horses were climbing towards the Shazhou Acropolis carrying logs and ladders. Holding a steel knife in their hands, they approached the city wall and started fighting with the Han troops defending the city.

For a moment, the cry of killing resounded throughout the city, and black and red blood began to splash and fall in the air along with the severed limbs and arms.

Xie Zaiyi was now standing under the city gate, next to the crenellations of the city wall, calling the names one by one of the Mongolian generals who were urging his men to climb the city from behind.

When one arm got tired, he replaced it with another, and the Mongolian generals, who were suppressed and motivated, did not dare to ride near.

The Sifang Jingying cavalry fired at the generals calmly and steadily, loading their muskets and ammunition, and the whole process was orderly.

Of course, there were also some Beijing cavalrymen who groaned in pain under the arrows of the Junggar cavalry.

Until late in the evening, the sun was setting in the west, the sky was full of sunset, and the golden-red sunset dyed the entire western sky red.

"Clang!"

The sound of ringing gold sounded, and the Mongolian soldiers abandoned nearly a thousand corpses and retreated to the rear.

Heavy casualties!

When the leader of the Mongolian clan entered the military tent, his face was ugly and he kept complaining.

When Wen Chun entered the military tent, the complaining voices stopped a little.

Wen Chun said: "Everyone has worked hard. I asked the soldiers to prepare wine and meat. Let's drink and eat meat first."

When the clan leaders present heard this, the anger on their faces dissipated a little.

A burly man with a horse face said loudly: "Sitaiji, the Han people are good at defending the city. If we attack like this swarm, even if we attack for a hundred years, we will not be able to enter Shazhou City. We have to think of other ways."

"

Wen Chun comforted everyone and said: "Don't worry, everyone. Although the Han people have powerful crossbows, it is impossible for them not to come out in the city. Their food has to be transported from far behind. They will definitely come out."

…

…

Just when the Seven Guards of Kansai were turbulent, Jia Heng's latest victory news and memorials were also delivered to Shenjing City by express delivery 600 miles away.

Shenjing City, Daming Palace, Hanyuan Palace

After the previous great victory in the northwest, the palace and gardens, which were originally filled with gloom and clouds, also disappeared in this half month.

Emperor Chongping was convening the cabinet, the Military Aircraft Department and the six ministerial officials in the palace to discuss matters. Compared with the noisy last dynasty, there were only ten or twenty ministry-level officials this time.

The matters discussed were not only military affairs, but also rice and grain, imperial examinations and other matters.

As the border affairs in Xining continued, the Chen-Han imperial court also began to be tight in the supply of military supplies and fodder.

In particular, Huguang and other places are experiencing severe drought for the first time in the past decade, which has affected a wide range of areas, and the food shortage that requires relief is also huge.

Huguang was originally the granary of the Han Dynasty. It was known as Huguang's ripeness and the most abundant in the world. However, this year it is clear that the drought of the Little Ice Age has begun to spread to the south.

Even places like Zhejiang, which have always had good weather, have begun to experience droughts.

Qi Kun, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, said: "Your Majesty, there is a drought in Huguang and many areas have reported poor harvests. I would like to request that the summer grain supply be exempted this year. In addition, the Nanjing Ministry of Hunan has urgently allocated 1.5 million shi of grain to Huguang. The Ministry of Hunan has also requested that
To be continued...