One hundred and eighty fifth chapter Changli battle gap
() After Jierharang and Abatai withdrew their troops and returned to the camp, they counted forty-two dead and 523 wounded.
Most of them died from bullets, and most of the injuries were from arrow wounds and smashing wounds.
Having fought with the Ming Dynasty for many years, they had already expected this. The two of them didn't take it seriously, but it was a pity that the first attack on the city was too careless.
Jianlu got up in the dark to have a feast at midnight, and then lurked to attack the city in the early morning of winter. By now they were exhausted, so they all returned to their tents to rest.
Jirhalang and Abatai ordered the soldiers who had stayed in the camp to build a ladder again, but unfortunately there were no suitable materials around, so they had to piece it together.
In the Changli County Government Hall, the leading squires gathered here, chatting excitedly regardless of their physical fatigue.
After a while, Changli County Magistrate Zuo Yingxuan and guard Shi Guozhu came out of the back hall.
When the squires saw him, they all came forward to greet him. Nothing is more convincing than winning a battle.
Zuo Yingxuan smiled and clasped his fists in return, and then sat down behind the desk. He gestured with his hands for everyone below to sit down as well. This time, stools were prepared for each of them.
Seeing that everyone was sitting down, Zuo Yingxuan spoke up: "Thanks to your help and unity, we prevented the Jianlu from succeeding in a sneak attack and defended Changli. On behalf of the court and the people of Changli, I would like to thank you all."
.”
After he finished speaking, he stood up and bowed with a solemn expression. Everyone returned the bow one after another.
After finishing his polite remarks, Zuo Yingxuan announced with a heavy face: "A total of twenty-four soldiers and civilians were killed in the defense of the city this time, and one hundred and twenty-three were injured. I have written down the names and will report them after the war."
The imperial court built a temple in Changli to commemorate it and receive incense from the people."
As soon as this sad topic was mentioned, the hall fell silent.
"Everyone, Changli has defended this first battle. But the Tatars will not give up and will come again. Therefore, I ask you fellow countrymen to defend the city carefully and not to be careless."
After Zuo Yingxuan finished speaking, he looked at the people below. They seemed to want to speak and express their opinions, so he stretched out his hands and pressed them down slightly, and then said: "After discussing with the guards, I have decided on the issues exposed in the first battle.
We have made a summary, and now the defense will explain it, and then we will work together to find and fill in the gaps and improve the defense."
After hearing this, guard Shi Guozhu stood up from his seat, took a few steps forward and said: "As you know, we have no armor protection, and the protection against the damage caused by Jianlu's bows and arrows is relatively weak. In addition, Jianlu's shooting is accurate and ruthless, so our army unfortunately died.
All the soldiers were shot in the head by Jianlu's bows and arrows."
Having said this, he added: "This time the soldiers may have been careless. There were not many archers to suppress the city wall, but it will be hard to say next time. Therefore, we must solve this matter."
"Second, the Tatars are wearing heavy armor and arrows are difficult to cause fatal damage to them. How to solve this problem is very important. In addition, the next time the Tatars build a large number of shields, how to deal with them is another problem."
The squire in the lobby became serious as he listened to each question being asked.
"Third, the reloading speed of the muskets and earth guns used to kill Jianluo is too slow, only one shot takes half a shot. How to solve it?"
"Fourth, the logs and stones were consumed so much on the first day that the city could not supply them. As a result, several city walls were temporarily without logs and stones. How to solve this problem?"
After Shi Guozhu finished speaking, he turned to the left and cupped his fists, then returned to his seat.
Zuo Yingxuan had already sat back in his seat while Shi Guozhu was explaining. Now that Shi Guozhu had finished speaking, he added: "There are two more things that are urgent."
Shi Guozhu has put a lot of problems on the heads of the squire, and they are thinking about good ways to solve these problems.
At this time, Zuo Yingxuan said that there were two more things to do. For a moment, his heart felt a little heavy. They all looked at Zuo Yingxuan to see what the county official had to say.
Zuo Yingxuan saw that everyone was looking at him, so he spoke: "The village soldiers are protecting Changli with their lives, but there is not much silver in the county government treasury. Although it is a matter of great righteousness, if they cannot solve their worries, I am afraid of their bravery."
The heart cannot last forever.”
On the city wall in the morning, Zuo Yingxuan made a lot of promises but was unable to redeem them. Now it is time to resolve this matter.
The squires knew what the county magistrate meant. Compared with the previous matters, this matter was easy to solve.
Wanjie first stood up and clasped his fists to the left candidate and said: "Student Bo has assets, and is willing to donate one thousand taels of silver."
When the other squires saw that Wanjie was the first to express his position, they were not far behind and donated their money one after another. Because they knew that helping the magistrate was helping themselves, and they and the magistrate were inextricably linked.
Zuo Yingxuan was very happy to see them donate money enthusiastically, thinking that the next thing should be no problem.
After everyone had expressed their opinions, Zuo Yingxuan said again: "The second thing is that the Tatar siege will definitely not happen in a day or two. It is still unknown when the imperial reinforcements will arrive."
These words made everyone's heart feel heavy. Everyone understands the principle of not defending a lonely city.
"The reason why I spared the lives of those two scum earlier was not because the two countries were fighting and the bullshit reason of not killing the envoys was, but to leave a glimmer of hope for them and so that we could delay it for one day longer.
"Zuo Yingxuan said the purpose of what he did yesterday.
When everyone in the lobby heard this, they fully understood the intention of the county magistrate. They secretly admired him in their hearts. He was worthy of being the official of Changli and his foresight!
"Starting from today, the soldiers will have a full meal, the auxiliary troops will take second place, and the rest will have porridge to spend the day. But even so, the food in the official warehouse is not enough to last for many days, and you still need your full help." After Zuo Yingxuan finished speaking.
, looking at the people below.
The squires all understood the truth that if they did not pay now, they would have to pay everything when Jianlu entered the city. Therefore, they once again made a new round of statements.
After raising the necessary money and grain to defend the city, the county magistrate Zuo Yingxuan took charge and discussed with the squires one by one what Shi Guozhusu said, came to a conclusion, and then took action immediately.
The leaders in Changli City are busy, but in the private houses near the city wall, there are rural soldiers lying around, covered with quilts, and sleeping with loud snores.
But there was one person who couldn't sleep. This person was of medium build and very strong. He broke two of Jianlu's ladders.
His name was Luo Xiao, a native of Yizhou. He was angry with his father and vowed to make a difference before returning to his hometown in fine clothes. He wanted to go to the outside of the customs to gain military exploits, but he encountered Jianlu who entered the customs and was taken into Changli by the refugees.
Supplies during the war were too expensive, Luo Xiao's money was quickly exhausted, and he didn't bother to commit robberies, so he suffered from cold and hunger.
Fortunately, the people of Changli believed in gods and Buddhas, preached retribution, and helped him from time to time, so they were able to survive.
When a militia group was formed in Changli, he actively signed up to repay the people of Changli. However, he was too shy to mention his name and hesitated whenever others asked.
Fortunately, he was active in resisting the invaders, and the people who supported him saw that he was kind and vouched for him. Therefore, no one doubted whether he was a careful worker in the war against the invaders.
He was lying on the kang, thinking that if he made more military exploits in this battle, he might be able to ask the county magistrate after the war to recommend him to serve in the army.
ambition.
But who knows how unpredictable things are, Luo Xiao finally became famous, but could not return home in glory.
Near dusk, Jirharang and Abatai came over to rest and were discussing matters in the army. Suddenly, they reported that the Great Khan had sent someone to come and hurriedly summoned them.
Ji'erhalang was Heshuobele and a close confidant of Huang Taiji; but Abatai was older than Ji'erhalang and was Nurhachi's biological son. Therefore, the two sat side by side to receive the envoy.
The men sent by Huang Taiji were about twenty or so, very strong, and they looked like powerful men at first glance.
As soon as Abatai saw the visitor, he asked: "Obai, why did the Great Khan send you here?"
Obai ignored him and said to Jirharang: "The Great Khan ordered his servant to come and inquire about the current situation of the war."
Ao Bai didn't want to see Abatai and ignored him, which made him feel very angry.
He slapped the table and said angrily: "You dog slave, treat Ben Beile so lightly. Do you think Ben Beile doesn't dare to kill you?"