After that, Cao Youwen said to his third brother Cao Youliang: "Youliang, you lead two thousand troops to join Zhang Ruohong and take over the military power. We will launch an attack from the south of Lianjiang County at noon tomorrow. There is no need to worry about other things elsewhere. Remember, during the march
Make a big show of it, no need to hide your tracks.”
"yes."
Cao Youliang agreed and immediately went to take care of the matter with the token.
Then Cao Youwen said to his second brother Cao Youwan: "Youwan, you can continue marching with five thousand troops and arrive at the north of Lianjiang County no sooner or later tomorrow evening. There is no need to rush to attack the city. Just camp there. No mistakes.
"
"Yes." Cao Youwan cupped his fists and accepted the order.
Then Cao Youwen said to Li Shicheng: "Master Li, I am going to take the first step. The master has worked hard all the way, so he can stay in the army and rest for now."
Li Shicheng raised his hand and said: "Thank you for your concern, General. I will go with General Cao Youwan tomorrow."
"So good."
After speaking, Cao Youwen took the lead in leaving the camp with 500 cavalry and 1,500 infantry.
Early the next morning, Cao Youliang and Zhang Ruohong rushed to Lianjiang County.
Wenxuan and Wang Zhengxing were not surprised at all by the appearance of Cao Youliang, because Zhang Ruohong and Cao Youliang had not hidden their traces, so they had already discovered it through investigation.
However, Cao Youliang's army did not approach the city immediately, because there were more than 5,000 Wenxuan rebels on the moat outside the city. Inside the city, Wenxuan led more than 2,000 people into the city to join forces with Wang Zhengxing, with the intention of
After defeating the official army, they will start to do other things.
At this time, there were more than 3,000 people under Wang Zhengxing's command. Based on this calculation, the strength of the entire rebel army was about 10,000.
Of course, this is only the current rebel strength in Lianjiang County. Wenxuan still has thousands of troops elsewhere.
It has to be said that there is a difference between a strong and powerful rebellion. They can easily mobilize more than 10,000 troops, and there is no shortage of food, grass and military pay.
On the top of the city, Wen Xuan and Wang Zhengxing were looking into the distance.
After looking at it for a while, Wenxuan said to Wang Zhengxing: "Brother Wang, government reinforcements are here, we can get started."
Wang Zhengxing nodded, looking calm, and said: "I am the master of Lianjiangdong Dao. In that case, I will charge first. Brother Wen, how about you be the backup?"
"sure."
Both of them looked calm and composed, and they both looked down upon the officers and soldiers who came to rescue them.
It's not surprising that they were like this, it was because the local officers and soldiers they encountered before were too unbearable, which made them proud.
Then Wang Zhengxing personally led 2,000 men and horses as the vanguard, and Wen Xuan ordered his confidants to lead 3,000 men and horses as backup. In this way, a total of 5,000 men and horses began to attack Cao Youliang and Zhang Ruohong's army.
"Humph, you ignorant rats dare to attack me. Today I will let you have a taste of my power." Cao Youliang was furious. Before he attacked, the rebels came first. Doesn't this look down on him?
"Archers, iron artillery ready."
With one order, Cao Youliang ordered the new army to prepare long-range attack weapons and target the rebels coming out of the city.
Wang Zhengxing was riding on his horse, leading the charge from the front. Suddenly he saw Cao Youliang's army in front of him in a tight formation. There was no trace of panic, which was different from ordinary officers and soldiers.
He couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart. Subconsciously, he slowed down his horse and watched from a distance.
This sight made Wang Zhengxing feel that the situation was not good. He had read history books extensively and knew that the military formations were tight, orders and prohibitions were followed, and there was no noise. These were all signs of a strong army.
These three points were all reflected in the officers and soldiers in front of them. Wang Zhengxing felt a sense of chilling when they were far away.
"Hurry up, kill, and behead the enemy and you will be rewarded heavily."
Wang Zhengxing shouted loudly on his horse and handed out rewards, while he gradually stopped running and fell behind.
Soon, the rebels rushed into the shooting range of the officers and soldiers, and Cao Youliang shouted, "Let go."
Suddenly, the sky was filled with arrows, and each iron artillery shot at the rebels with great momentum.
The rebels suddenly howled like ghosts and screamed again and again. One to two hundred people were killed or injured under the first long-range attack by the army. This made other rebels look at it in surprise and bile.
Zhang Ruohong and Wang Bing were also shocked. They knew that the new army was powerful in combat, but they did not expect it to be so powerful. The strength, accuracy, and consistency of the bow and arrow shooting were something they had never seen before.
.
As for the iron cannon, its throw distance is astonishing. Not only does it have a longer range than ordinary iron cannons, but the stones it throws are larger, and the force of the impact is naturally stronger. It can be said that as long as it is hit by the thrown stones, even just
If it is rubbed even a little bit, it will definitely die or become disabled.
"put."
There was almost no pause, and there was another burst of shooting, arrows, and stones, whizzing towards the rebels. The rebels suffered heavy casualties again.
"Uu."
Wang Zhengxing's horse was frightened and kept jumping and turning left and right, almost knocking Wang Zhengxing off the horse. Wang Zhengxing tried hard to control it and was able to stabilize it.
At this time, Cao Youliang gave the order, "Kill."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Youliang led his men to charge towards the rebels. Zhang Ruohong and Wang Bing behind him were also excited. They also followed closely, leading their men to charge behind the new army.
When the rebels saw thousands of officers and soldiers charging toward them, they were so frightened that they dared not fight. They turned around and ran away one by one. Those who could not escape simply threw away their weapons, knelt on the ground and raised their hands in the air, surrendering.
"Come over here."
The New Army soldiers concentrated on guarding the rebels who surrendered on their knees. Although they still looked murderous, it was temporarily safe for the surrendered rebels.
The New Army has regulations for those who surrender, that is, not to kill them for the time being, but to keep them under centralized supervision, and finally review and verify them one by one.
Those who have committed major crimes can be put to death. As for those who have committed ordinary crimes, they should be continuously explained to them the court regulations and the benefits of the new law, so that they can change their stance.
The officials pursued them for a while, but the rebels fled into the city in panic. Even the Wenxuan rebels stationed outside the city were so frightened that they all retreated into the city and did not dare to station outside.
"Close the door quickly."
There are still more than a hundred rebels who have not entered the city, but obviously if they wait for them to enter the city, the government troops will take the opportunity to rush in.
Wenxuan didn't care much at this time and directly ordered the city gate to be closed and the rebels abandoned.
"snort."
Seeing this, Cao Youliang smiled contemptuously and said loudly to the abandoned rebels: "Did you see it? This is the leader you are following. Do you still think that such a leader can bring you a good life?"
Cao Youliang's words were addressed not only to the rebels outside the city, but also to the rebels on top of the city.
If the morale of the army is unstable, it will inevitably collapse. Cao Youliang just wanted to mess with his morale.