Chapter 47 The Battle of the Navy and the Attack on Lingzhou
In the Qing City of Yun State, in the Yangxin Palace of the Imperial Palace, all the civil and military officials gathered here.
The official of the Ministry of War looked happy, stepped forward quickly, bowed to Xiao Cheng, and said:
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, the victory of Jianzhou Pass in Jiangyang County! Jiang Wei, a lieutenant under General Zhengbei, cooperated with the defenders of Jianzhou Pass to attack the Xia camp at night, causing heavy losses to the invading Xia army and forcing them to retreat to Guangyuan Prefecture."
Xiao Chenghe took the detailed military report sent back from the Middle East Factory and said with a smile:
"The Jianzhou Pass was not lost, all thanks to the bravery of the Jianzhou Pass defenders. The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War worked together to draft a reward schedule and submit it, so as not to chill the frontline soldiers. There is also the school captain Jiang Wei, who is brave and resourceful this time and has outstanding achievements.
You should be promoted! According to my orders, Jiang Weijia will take the title of General Righteous and still serve under the command of the former Army Governor's Mansion!"
When all the ministers heard this, they all praised His Majesty for his wisdom.
"A total of more than 70,000 reinforcements have been mobilized from the country. Now they have arrived in Dejiang County and are serving under the command of Marquis Qujing." The Ministry of War official added.
Previously, in order to attract attention, the Xia State deliberately made a big noise in Wuling Mansion. The Yun State imperial court transferred more than 10,000 garrison troops from Shicheng County and Xiushan County, plus soldiers and horses from the Beijing camp, totaling more than 70,000 people, to Wu Zixu's command.
Temperance. Now, these soldiers and horses have arrived at Dejiang County.
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he said in a deep voice:
"Although the Xia army had only mobilized troops and horses to attract Dayun, the soldiers, horses, and supplies mobilized from Wuling Mansion were not false, so they could not easily mobilize troops. The war department in Wuling Mansion will not be involved for the time being.
Needs too much attention!”
In Wuling Mansion, Xiao Cheng had some arrangements.
After hearing this, the officials of the Ministry of War were a little confused, but they agreed after thinking that it was His Majesty's order.
"Di Qing, General Wuxiang of Hechi County, and the Chinese army moved towards Yongzhou. The forwards suffered a slight defeat and were temporarily stationed in Xintian County, Yongzhou for repairs..."
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he frowned and said in a deep voice:
"The original Yongzhou camp was very powerful, and I know Di Qing's ability in commanding the troops. Why did he lose the first battle?"
The soldiers and horses under Di Qing's command were originally the Yongzhou camp where the elite of the Yun Kingdom's frontier troops were located. Among the soldiers and horses on the front line, they had the most generals, the most complete weapons, and the most elite! And with Di Qing's ability to command troops, even if he couldn't
If you make great progress, at least you won't suffer defeat.
After hearing this, the official from the Ministry of War bowed and replied:
"The forward generals were eager to win, underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. They set up an ambush for the Xia army at Yangming Mountain in Yongzhou. They suffered more than 1,600 casualties and horses, and retreated in defeat."
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he snorted slightly and said:
"Underestimate the enemy and rush in? Send someone to reprimand him and ask Di Qing to take good care of his generals!"
Xiao Cheng paused, then turned around and asked:
"General Anton Yang, is there any battle report?"
"Back to Your Majesty, General An Dong led Buri Navy to attack Leizhou, and the battle with Leizhou Navy is in full swing. Although there are victories and defeats every day, the war is getting smoother."
Xiao Cheng nodded and asked again:
"Although Buri Navy took over the battleships of the Le Chao West Road Navy in the past, it was just established and lacked training. The attack on Leizhou was to delay the Xia army's attention and prevent it from sending troops from Leizhou to attack Hechi County, and at the same time, it was used for actual combat training
Navy, let Yang Dayan and Zheng He put stability first and figure it out slowly, there is no need to rush!"
"Yes!" the Ministry of War official immediately bowed and responded.
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On the vast expanse of the sea, the sounds of war drums and shouts of death rang out.
The two warships charged forward and intertwined with each other. The collision was astonishing. The warships hit the enemy warship hard at the angle of collision, turning it to pieces.
The arrow was shot out, and the navy officers on the deck fell down. The huge racket fell, and there was only a loud "bang" sound. The battleship on the opposite side shattered in response, flipping left and right and about to capsize, throwing away the navy officers on it.
Falling onto the river.
Countless navy soldiers fell into the sea, and their blood dyed the sea surface reddish. But the next moment a wave came, and the sea surface immediately returned to its original color.
In the distance, many battleships were guarding a tall building ship, watching the battle from a distance.
The commander of Leizhou Navy of Xia Kingdom stood on the top of the building ship, looking at the battlefield in the distance, clenching his fists and saying with excitement:
"Quick, order the frontline warships to retreat!"
At this time, on the battlefield ahead, the Yun Kingdom Navy warship flying the Yunlong flag rushed straight into the Xia army's battle fleet with its arrows. The iron dragon head clashed with the horns and charged rampantly, its power was unstoppable.
Ships weighing more than a thousand materials were directly smashed into pieces. Large ships weighing more than a thousand materials could only stagnate in place after being hit by such a collision. Immediately, the brave Yun army jumped on top of the Xia army's ships.
He fought hard to kill the Leizhou Navy soldiers.
After hearing the general's order, the Xia army general on the side couldn't help but said:
"General, the Yun Army rushed into the formation first with a flying boat, and the speed was extremely fast. The brothers on the front line were entangled without checking for a moment. Now the main force of the Yun Army Navy has arrived. Even if they want to withdraw, they can no longer withdraw..."
Upon hearing this, the chief general of Leizhou Navy lamented:
"The warships of the Yun Kingdom Navy are all new-style ships built by the Li Dynasty before. They are tall and sturdy. Our army's shipbuilding skills are not as good as those of the Li Dynasty, and the warships are not as strong as they are, so we should not engage in close combat with the Yun army... It's over!
Of the hundreds of warships at the vanguard of our Leizhou Navy, I am afraid that very few of them will be able to escape after this battle..."
As he spoke, on the battlefield ahead, the Xia Army warships had been smashed into pieces. The situation of losing this battle was obviously irreversible!
"General, although the Yun Army's navy warships are tall and strong, there are only less than a hundred ships in the end, and the force is weak. We should go back to summon the navy troops and horses, gather the main force to fight against the Yun Army, and use massive arrows and slings.
Only by attacking from a distance and overcoming the overwhelming pressure can the decline be reversed!"
Hearing the cries for help from his soldiers falling into the water in the distance, the chief of the Leizhou Navy looked intolerable and ordered rescuers with determination.
But seeing that the Yun army's warships were still charging forward, he couldn't help but sigh up to the sky, suppressing the grief in his heart, and said:
"Retreat, retreat to Leizhou!"
"yes!"
Among the Yun army's navy, Zheng He was sitting in the middle on his flagship with a calm expression, with flags flying behind him. Various warships such as tower ships, stern ships, and walking boats were swimming around, trying their best to kill the Xia army.
Yang Da's eyes were pale and his spirit was listless. He retched from time to time and needed the help of his own soldiers to stand still. He no longer had the majesty he had when he led the army to march.
From this look, it was obvious that Yang Dayan was seasick. Floating on the sea for this period of time was very torturous for him!
At this time, watching the Xia army ship retreating in the distance, Yang Dayan was a little anxious. Regardless of his discomfort, he pushed away the soldier who was supporting him, pointed at the departing oral message in the distance, and shouted to Zheng He.
:
"Look, that boat is big enough, don't let it get away!"
Zheng He followed the sound and saw Xia Jun's ship. After weighing it, he couldn't help but said with regret:
"Looking at the posture, that should be the flagship of the Leizhou Navy... It's a pity that the distance is too far. Small boats in the army can't stop it, and big ships can't catch up!"
Hearing this, Yang Dayan couldn't help but slap his thigh, looking regretful.
When Zheng He saw this, he smiled slightly and said with relief:
"In this battle, more than a hundred warships in the vanguard of Leizhou Navy were surrounded and killed. Compared with the battle in the previous half month, where at most three or four ships were captured, it is enough. General Anton, please don't be too hasty!"
Yang Dayan has always been very clear about his own priorities. All matters in the army, large and small, have always been left to capable people.
For example, although the Buri Navy is nominally under his command, he rarely interferes with specific affairs and is almost entirely handled by Zheng He.
Since Zheng He advocated not pursuing the enemy, Yang Dayan nodded in agreement and said:
"Okay, listen to my father-in-law... By the way, send someone back to Beijing as soon as possible to report the victory, so that His Majesty will be happy!"
When Zheng He heard this, he smiled slightly and interrupted:
"Hey, general, don't be anxious, you might as well wait a few days! The Xia army has been newly defeated. In order to seek stability, the main force of the Leizhou Navy must be summoned, in order to use the general force to suppress it and complete the victory in one battle... Haha, by then, maybe we can
Let’s report the victory to Beijing together!”
Hearing this, Yang Da's eyes lit up slightly and he said in surprise:
"So, we won't need to float on the sea anymore?"
The more than half a month at sea made Yang Dayan very uncomfortable! When he heard Zheng He's words, the first thing he did not ask Zheng He for the reason was that he was happy that he no longer had to stay at sea.
"General and your officers and men, you should have the opportunity to make achievements soon!" Zheng He said with a smile.
"Okay!" Yang Dayan said in high spirits.
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Since Yun and Xia started fighting again more than a month ago, the Leizhou Navy finally faced the battle with the heaviest losses.
The navy forwarded more than a hundred ships and eight thousand soldiers, but only a few of them escaped!
After receiving the news, the naval force, led by the general himself, went to the rescue, but they were unable to do anything and fled back in a slightly embarrassed manner.
Suffering from such humiliation, all the officers and men of Leizhou Navy felt indignant and depressed. They kept asking for a fight, and many wanted to turn the ship around and fight to the death with Yun's army.
The commander of the Leizhou Navy was also indignant, but considering the overall situation, he could only suppress the military's intention to fight and return to Leizhou.
As soon as the Chinese navy and navy returned to Leizhou, the ferry terminal was in chaos.
On the pier, there were knife marks and blood stains everywhere. The place where navy supplies were accumulated was burned down.
The ships moored at the dock were ignited by someone who poured kerosene on them. The fires raised billowing black smoke. Even though the Xia army soldiers were struggling to put out the fires, it was to no avail.
The chief general of the Leizhou Navy felt confused and was stunned for a long time. Then he hurriedly stepped off the ship and grabbed a Xia Army soldier. His face was ferocious, and he yelled with a tearing eye:
"What's going on? How long have I been out just now, why did I become like this?"
The Xia army officers panicked and said:
"General, Leizhou was empty before. The Yun Army navy under the banner of General Henghai took advantage of the situation and invaded Leizhou and set fire to cause chaos. This, this is what happened..."
Hearing this, the naval commander was filled with anger and immediately gritted his teeth and said bitterly:
"It's too much to bully others... Send an order to gather the generals and call all the naval forces to gather in Leizhou. I am going to fight with the Yun Army Navy with all my strength!"
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Xintian County was under the rule of Yongzhou, Shaoyang County, Xia State.
At this time, Xintian County was already occupied by the Yun Army. The flag of the Yun State was erected on the top of the city, and elite soldiers patrolled constantly, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The atmosphere in the original Xintian County government office was extremely solemn. A group of senior generals in armor gathered together, all of them burying their heads in silence.
In the lobby, there were three generals who had their armor removed and were only wearing white single clothes, kneeling on the ground.
Di Qing glanced at the three of them with an indifferent expression and said in a solemn voice:
"Before I sent out troops, I gave you many orders not to underestimate the enemy. But as soon as we entered the territory of Yongzhou, you gave me such a defeat? Thousands of troops were lost and they returned in embarrassment. The news even reached His Majesty's front!"
These three people were the generals who led the army this time and were the vanguard of the Hechi County army. It was precisely because they underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly that the Yun army suffered a small and hidden loss as soon as they entered Shaoyang County.
Over the years, the Yun army has been invincible in various battles in various countries, and its military front is unstoppable. The defeat at Yangmingshan in Yongzhou can be regarded as one of the most costly wars.
There was no mockery in Di Qing's words at this time. However, most generals in the army were shameless. Thinking of the mistakes they and others had committed, all three of them flushed with shame, bowed their heads and said
:
"We know our sins and no matter how the commander-in-chief punishes us, we will be happy to do so!"
Di Qing looked at the three of them coldly and said:
"I have given you my commander's repeated orders. If you don't take them to heart, you are already suspected of disobeying the military order. If you follow the military law, you will be killed!"
Hearing this, the three generals kneeling in the hall looked bitter and lowered their heads in resignation.
At this time, the other generals did not dare to speak out to dissuade him.
After all, when Di Qing first took charge of the army, he used dozens of heads of generals to establish his prestige. Killing three generals who underestimated the enemy and led to the loss of troops and generals was such a logical thing. Who can advise? Who dares to advise?
But at this moment, I heard Di Qing say again:
"But! I remember that you have served in the army before, and you have worked hard and made great achievements. Since it is the right time to employ people, you should be given the opportunity to make meritorious service. You will be exempted from the death penalty and dismissed from the military. You will temporarily stay in the army until the war is calmed down.
You will be held responsible!"
The generals in the army were eager to make contributions, mostly because during the previous attack on Hechi County, the Leizhou Navy blocked the river, which prevented the army from advancing even an inch and had no achievements. Watching other soldiers and horses advance in triumph, it was inevitable to feel depressed.
Di Qing had deliberately channeled this emotion before, hoping that after the war resumed, the soldiers would die one by one and fight bravely to prove themselves.
Therefore, Di Qing must bear part of the responsibility for this defeat!
The crimes and punishments of these three generals are enough to serve as a warning to the generals. Now the leniency will better guide the morale of the army. Most of the generals' previous vague dissatisfaction with Di Qing's conservative tactics will be eliminated.
After hearing what Di Qing said, all the generals were stunned, and then they looked happy and hurriedly clasped their fists and saluted, saying:
"The handsome and wise man!"
The three generals who thought they would not escape death were even more excited at this time, with tears in their eyes, and they gritted their teeth and said:
"I will thank you for your forgiveness, Commander-in-Chief!"
Di Qing looked at the three people, suddenly stood up, straightened his clothes and armor, and said:
"Our army has suffered a new defeat, and the Xia army must relax its vigilance. I want to bypass Yangmingshan and go straight to Lingzhou, the important place in Yongzhou."
Lingzhou is an important town in the southern border of Yongzhou.
If the Xia army relaxes their vigilance and directly bypasses Yangming Mountain to capture Lingzhou, the southern part of Yongzhou will be wide open and there will be no barrier.
However, if they cannot capture the Xia army camp in Yangmingshan and directly attack Lingzhou, the army's retreat will be difficult to guarantee. If they cannot attack for a long time, they will be in danger of being attacked on both sides.
This can be said to be a risky move!
If it succeeds, Yongzhou will be easily captured, but if it fails, the three thousand soldiers and horses will suffer heavy losses.
When all the generals in the hall heard this, they all looked shocked and surprised.
Previously, they thought Di Qing was too conservative in his use of troops. When they first entered Hechi County, they strictly ordered the generals not to pursue the Xia army. This allowed the Xia army to calmly retreat to Shaoyang County without making any achievements.
But at this time, Di Qing unexpectedly went out of his way, revealed such a radical plan, and even led the troops there in person, which really made them unable to react.
Di Qing tied up the sword at his waist, looked around at the generals, raised his brows, and said in a deep voice:
"Why, you just suffered a small defeat and then you started to fear Xia Jun's brave elite?"
Such irritating words are exactly what the generals who are bent on establishing achievements and defending their own Dayun elite cannot bear. As soon as these words came out, all the generals came out to ask for help:
"Commander Qi, the general is willing to go!"
"Commander, I finally have the courage to ask for my life!"
Di Qing looked at the three generals who had just lost a battle before and asked:
"Now, I will give you three a chance to wash away your shame. Are you willing?"
The three people suddenly became excited and shouted:
"The final general is willing to fight to the death!"
Di Qing put on his helmet and armor and said:
"Okay, select 1,500 elites from your vanguard camp and set off with me to march directly to Lingzhou!"
It is better to use the force than to use it. The forward battalion has just suffered a new defeat, and all the soldiers at the top and bottom are relieved that it can be used!
"Yes!" the three said excitedly.
With an order, the Yun Army camp started to move. 1,500 soldiers from the forward battalion were selected, and 1,500 Youzhou assault cavalry were directly under Di Qing. A total of 3,000 soldiers and horses were brought with only three days of food and grass.
, all riding horses, taking a direct detour to Lingzhou.
The Youzhou Assault Cavalry is a third-level special unit, one of the best in the world.
And the 1,500 selected soldiers were from the vanguard battalion that often served as the vanguard of the army, and all of them could be called elites. Now they are even more courageous after knowing their shame, and they all gritted their teeth and held on with just one mouthful.
Xin Qi actually kept up with the speed of Youzhou Tuqi.
After marching in such a hurry, in just one day and night, three thousand soldiers, led by Di Qing, had already bypassed Yangming Mountain and arrived under Lingzhou.
At this time, just as Di Qing had estimated, because the Yun army suffered a new defeat at the foot of Yangming Mountain and had been stationed in Xintian County for reorganization, the Lingzhou defenders relaxed their vigilance.
As the last barrier in Yongzhou, such an important place is not yet controlled by a large army, and there are no scouting horses outside the city.
When Di Qing led his troops here, he could vaguely see people coming in and out of the city gate.
Di Qing turned to look at the general behind him, slowly took out the sword from his waist, pointed diagonally forward, and said in a deep voice:
"Wash away the humiliation of Yangmingshan today!"
A group of generals and soldiers from the forward battalion, their morale was greatly boosted, and they shouted:
"Broken city! Broken city!"
"kill!"
The next moment, the cry of killing resounded all around. The awe-inspiring atmosphere of the battlefield, accompanied by the manifested billowing smoke of wolf smoke, shot straight into the sky, and the vision of the army arose.
The bloody eagle spreads its wings and flies in all directions. There is also a slightly illusory figure, a huge rhino that symbolizes the forward camp. The sound of hooves is like thunder, and it runs quickly and fiercely, with an indomitable momentum.
It was only then that the Lingzhou garrison discovered the movement of the Yun army, but it was obviously too late!
The city gate was closed in a hurry, but before it could be locked, a loud "boom" was heard and Peiran blasted it open with great force.
The Youzhou sudden cavalry took the lead and rushed into the city. The soldiers of the forward battalion behind them had high morale and the overwhelming military force came over them.
Lingzhou City is destroyed!
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
The pace of this plot needs to be sped up a bit...