The preparation time left for Zhang Yi is only ten days at most.
As soon as the court meeting ended, he and Xiaolong finalized the city defense plan, and the two of them rode horses and ran around Chang'an. It turned out that under the auspices of King Liu Kai, a city wall was built, which should be said to be quite crude.
At that time, the king's strategy was mainly to attack and conquer all directions. The city wall was only used to guard against raids by the princes, and was not very useful.
After that, they devoted all their efforts to repairing the Great Wall in the north, and had no energy to manage Chang'an.
This was determined by the historical situation at the time, and it cannot be said to be a mistake. Take Greater China and Little China as an example. Even now, they do not have the strength to reach Chang'an.
There are only ten days left, so the people can only be mobilized to strengthen the existing city walls.
After discussion, Zhang Yi and Xiaolong reached an agreement to set up three lines of defense.
The first line of defense is the existing city wall, allowing the people to strengthen it as much as possible.
The second line of defense is to retreat to the center of Chang'an City and use the high-rise buildings left over from the past to build protective walls between each other. Block the streets and block the windows below the eighth floor of the building to prepare for a street battle with the enemy.
The third line of defense is to use the ancient city wall of Chang'an, including the royal palace, to build the last defensive position.
In addition, 10,000 garrison troops were stationed at the Guanyin Tower outside Chang'an City, first to protect the tomb, and secondly to contain the enemy troops besieging the city, forming a mutual response from a distance.
The city defense plan was thus finalized. With the cooperation of officials at all levels, Xiaolong organized 200,000 people to carry out construction work day and night.
Judging from Xiaolong's commanding ability and the enthusiasm of the people, there is no problem in building the three lines of defense.
Zhang Yi felt much more at ease, hugged Xiaolong goodbye, and told him to take rest, as Xiaolong would continue to fight after the war started.
"There is no other way. Those who can do more work, brother Xiaolong." Zhang Yi said with emotion.
"Brother Yi, don't say anything to outsiders. The burden on your shoulders is heavier than anyone else." Xiaolong smiled, his eyes particularly bright against the dark night.
Zhang Yi laughed and left.
…
At midnight, Zhang Yi went to the Ministry of Industry to find Xiao Han again.
Xiao Han, Hu Tiejiang and officials from the Ministry of Industry were discussing matters, and Zhang Yi attended the meeting.
"We have to complete the construction of a large arsenal in three days," Xiao Han said, "including iron smelting furnaces, weapon casting and grinding, etc., forming four production lines for weapons, shields, crossbows and armors. Chang'an City is now
There are 1,300 blacksmiths, and the Mopan City factory can mobilize 900 people in a few days. Adding in the 3,000 people recruited from all over the kingdom, we will have more than 5,000 blacksmiths!"
These are professional blacksmiths. If they are all in place, they can produce tens of thousands of weapons such as swords and guns, and thousands of simple armors every day.
In addition, Xiao Han will summon 3,000 carpenters and 1,000 leatherworkers to make crossbows and arrows. The daily production of thousands of crossbows and tens of thousands of arrows can fully meet the needs of the battlefield.
Xiao Han appointed officials from the Ministry of Industry to mobilize 100,000 people to transport the necessary strategic materials such as iron, coal, wood, and leather from all over the country to Chang'an.
The above are just conventional weapons.
Xiao Han will lead a group of blacksmiths to build large-scale combat equipment such as armored chariots and catapults. Xiao Han's idea is that the armored chariots are divided into two layers, with people and horses pushing forward on the lower layer, and eight crossbowmen.
Crouch on the upper level and shoot arrows through the shooting hole.
The outside of the chariot is covered with a layer of steel plate, which provides all-round protection for personnel. It is not afraid of the impact of the enemy's cavalry or the attack of the opponent's catapult.
The only disadvantage is that it travels slowly and can only be used for defense.
However, before the war, eight horses can be used to drag an empty cart and be arranged in advance to a designated location.
"That's enough," Zhang Yi said happily, "This is our secret weapon. The appearance can be well disguised. It looks like a broken house or a small mound. Then the enemy can be caught off guard!"
Everyone present laughed and said that this was a good idea.
Zhang Yi was assured of the abilities of Xiao Han and Hu Tiejiang. He just adjusted the location of the large arsenal and set it in the square within the ancient city wall of Chang'an, behind the third line of defense. At the same time, the material warehouse was also located nearby, so that
Just stick to it until the end.
With the arsenal, reservists can be continuously organized to form new legions.
Currently, the main force under Zhang Yi's control consists of 90,000 wolf cavalry and infantry, including the northern garrison and General Wang Zheng's troops. In addition, there are 8,000 Mopan City warriors and 3,000 Royal Forest Army officers, who are battle-hardened veterans.
Absolutely the main force.
Of the 200,000 new troops recruited from major families, 50,000 can currently be gathered in Chang'an. Once armed, they can go into battle.
In other words, Zhang Yi could directly mobilize 150,000 troops.
The Tsarist Empire claimed to have an army of 500,000, but in reality it was at most 200,000 to 300,000.
We have the right time, right place and right people, and we will definitely be able to defeat the enemy.
…
Xiaolong and Xiao Han had the heaviest tasks and the guarantee of victory. At the end of the meeting, Zhang Yi held Xiao Han's hand tightly and didn't know what to say.
"Brother Yi, don't worry. You don't have to worry too much about the matters left to the brothers," Xiao Han said with a smile, "Our brothers have suffered so much and endured so many hardships. I think it's all for our sake."
Prepare for this day.”
"Yes, Xiaohan, protect me, China!" Zhang Yi said excitedly, "I am absolutely assured of the matter entrusted to you. All the brothers are good!"
After saying goodbye to Xiao Han, Zhang Yi rode back to the palace, feeling more at ease.
He looked up and saw a flash of red in the sky. It was almost dawn.
When he arrived at the palace, his father fell asleep after taking medicine and his breathing was even. Thanks to the imperial doctor, many of his illnesses were relieved.
Xiao Liu was lying next to the bed, her head resting on her arms, and she also fell asleep.
Zhang Yi looked at the father and daughter with distress.
He squatted down next to Xiao Liu and reached out to comb her messy hair. Xiao Liu woke up immediately, looked at Zhang Yi with sleepy eyes, and then looked out the window. It was getting dark.
"Brother, you just came back?"
"Yes, Xiaolong and Xiao Han's affairs are settled. Our defense will be impregnable, and our weapons will be continuously produced." Zhang Yi whispered, telling Xiao Liu these two good things.
"Well, our brothers always make people feel at ease when doing things. In the future, Xiaolong will be the prime minister on the left, Xiaohan will be the prime minister on the right, and both Daniu and Xiaoshi will be first-class generals!" Xiaoliu said.
"Liu'er, have you forgotten what my father said?" Zhang Yi reminded him with a smile.
"I haven't forgotten. I will never interfere in political affairs, just like my mother did," Xiao Liu grabbed Zhang Yi's hand and said, "But I can make suggestions for your consideration. Besides, what was wrong with what I said?
?”
"That's right, Liu'er, what you said is exactly what I think. To be honest, I need your advice, and I need my father's guidance even more!" Zhang Yi hurriedly accompanied him, then said sadly, "I'm so ashamed.
I never thought that the enemy had the intention to surround the main force of our army in the northern border."
"You and your father have different ideas, but the conclusion is the same. What do you have to be ashamed of?" Xiao Liu stood up and pulled Zhang Yi up from the ground, "Now, I will accompany you to dinner, and then you need to have a good sleep!"