In the hot summer, a fierce offensive and defensive battle was going on under the walls of Chongqing.
Sichuan officials, represented by Chen Shiqi, fought to the death and never surrendered. The dangerous city of Chongqing also became a nightmare for the Western Army.
For so many years, Zhang Xianzhong fought in the south and north, and every time he relied on his strong military strength to crush the enemy.
But when we got here, we had to bite the bullet and risk our lives.
In just half a month, 30,000 to 40,000 people had been killed or injured, and morale plummeted.
In the final analysis, their motivation came from the looting after the war.
Once the number of casualties exceeds expectations, it will be calculated like a businessman, whether the profit will offset the loss, and the desire will be low.
Zhang Xianzhong was quite irritable.
This is the most difficult battle since entering Sichuan.
Likewise, he also understood that as long as he captured Chongqing City, the road ahead would be smooth.
"Father, there is news from Guizhou that Zhu Yixi, King of Yang of Han Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty, is leading an army to attack Guizhou."
Just when he was impatient, Sun Kewang hurriedly reported: "Once the route is cut off, we will be attacked from two directions."
"I didn't hit him, but he came to mess with me."
Zhang Xianzhong said angrily: "I want to teach this guy a lesson."
"Which one of you is willing to take down this little brat?"
As he spoke, he swept his eyes and aimed at the adopted sons.
Among so many generals, the ones he trusted the most were only a few adopted sons.
Sun Kewang is far-sighted, Liu Wenxiu is cautious and seasoned, Ai Nengqi is brave and courageous, and Li Dingguo is bold and careful.
Facing the eyes of their adoptive father, everyone clapped their chests and jumped forward, wanting to help.
Zhang Xianzhong thought for a while, then handed the task to Li Dingguo, whom he was optimistic about, and said: "Dingguo, I will give you 50,000 people to resist Zhu Yixi's Qin army."
"I'm waiting for your good news."
Hearing this, Li Dingguo knelt down on one knee and said with his head held high: "Please rest assured, foster father, I will come back with Zhu Yixi's head to announce the good news to you."
After saying that, he immediately turned around and left in a hurry.
Zhang Xianzhong nodded and said to everyone: "I am most at ease when the country is in danger and I am not afraid to lead the troops in battle."
Everyone apologized, but Sun Kewang felt a little gloomy.
Of the four adopted sons, he was originally the most trusted general under his adoptive father. Now that Li Dingguo's reputation is rising, this may threaten his status.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but calm down, looked ahead, and said:
"Father, Chongqing is surrounded by water on three sides and the city is several feet high. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. For the current plan, we can only use other strange tactics."
"Oh? Hopeful, what do you suggest?"
Zhang Xianzhong turned his eyes and stared at him.
"My child has been thinking about it these days, and he thought that the Ming army now mostly uses artillery, and the landslides and rocks are destroyed. In the final analysis, it is caused by the use of gunpowder."
Sun Kewang smiled slightly and said confidently: "Since mountains can be destroyed, how can we be afraid of city walls?"
"Brother, we don't have artillery!"
Liu Wenxiu asked in a deep voice.
"We dig tunnels to the base of the city wall, and once the gunpowder explodes, it has the same effect as artillery."
Sun Kewang smiled.
"good!"
Zhang Xianzhong nodded and said: "Now there is no other way but to give it a try. If we continue to fight, no one will be able to bear it."
As a result, the Western Army's attack became more and more fierce, trying to get closer to the city wall.
When Chen Shiqi saw it, he was overjoyed: "I'm afraid reinforcements are coming, and the Western thieves will jump over the wall in a hurry."
"Hold on, reinforcements are coming -"
For a time, everyone was fighting their own way, and the atmosphere on the battlefield became more and more intense.
…
And here, after Li Dingguo led his troops, he came towards Guizhou with great momentum.
He has led troops in battles since he was a teenager, and he deeply understands the importance of speed in fighting.
So, leaving tens of thousands of troops behind, he personally led 5,000 cavalry and headed north along the Yangtze River.
"General, we are tired here, how can we fight?"
Li Dingguo rode on the horse and said coldly: "I have never planned to go to Guizhou."
"The most important place in Sichuan lies in the Three Gorges. We must get to the Three Gorges as soon as possible. As long as we hold on to this place and wait for work, it will be enough to buy time for our adoptive father to capture Chengdu."
"When the time comes, we will assemble the army and attack together, and Zhu Yixi's sheep will fall into the tiger's mouth."
Therefore, Li Dingguo comforted the soldiers, shared the joys and sorrows, maintained his morale, and moved forward.
It can be said that thanks to his kindness to his soldiers over the years, otherwise he would have been captured long ago.
After overcoming the dangers along the way, when he arrived at Fengjie, he hid in the distance and looked at the city wall.
I saw that the city's capital changed into a king's flag, and the military flag changed into a bright flag. The three characters "King of Hanyang" were very conspicuous.
"Why are these Ming troops still wearing triangular scarves?"
The lieutenant asked in confusion.
"Perhaps this is because they want to differentiate!"
Li Dingguo narrowed his eyes and looked back at his brothers.
At this time, due to the non-stop journey, their clothes were shabby and dusty. They were like generals of a defeated army, and they were particularly miserable.
However, the Western Army and the Chuang Army were composed of deserters from border towns, and their uniforms were exactly the same.
Seeing this, he chuckled and said: "A thousand men are following me, and the rest of the troops are waiting for my signal to assemble with the rear army."
So, more than a thousand riders marched from the official road towards Fengjie in a swaggering manner.
"Who are you?"
There was a fence on the official road, and the Qin army hurriedly blocked the road with vigilance on their faces.
Li Dingguo's face was covered with dust and his voice was hoarse: "I am General Zeng Ying, here to pay homage to King Hanyang."
"General? Wait a moment!"
The guard was puzzled and said: "I will go and report."
In Fengjie City, Zhu Yixi sat in the lobby, commanding the only ships in Fengjie to transport grain from Jingzhou and maintain the army.
The Western Army was worthy of being a rogue bandit. They were like locusts along the way, leaving nothing behind. The people were crying out for food. His army was forced to stagnate in Fengjie because of lack of food.
The golden waterway in the past was now empty of people.
If it weren't for the squires who were avoiding the disaster and contributed some food and grass, Zhu Yixi would never have been able to wait for the food and grass to arrive.
"Zeng Ying?"
Zhu Yixi frowned and asked the old man beside him, "Does the elder recognize Zeng Ying?"
"Zeng Sangong, who is quite famous in Sichuan, has been guarding Wushan for several months. It is difficult for the thieves to advance westward, but they have never been seen."
The old man said softly, expressing his admiration for Zeng Ying.
"It turns out to be a hero from Sichuan!"
Zhu Yixi nodded and then said: "Let him come in, remember to be optimistic about his people."
Although they both belong to the Ming Army, in view of the habit of playing pig teammates in the Ming Army over the years, Zhu Yixi is still more cautious and does not dare to relax too much.
Soon, I saw a young general who was full of energy and heroic appearance, and said frankly:
"The last Sichuan general, Zeng Ying, has met His Royal Highness the King of Hanyang."
"The general is not with Governor Chen, why is he here?"
Zhu Yixi frowned. She never thought that Zeng Ying was as good as herself in appearance. Sichuan was indeed the land of abundance!
"The last general guarded Fuzhou. He was defeated by the Western bandits and fled in defeat. He heard that the king had entered Sichuan, so he came to seek refuge."
'Zeng Ying' said with a face of shame: "We have also lost all the food, grass and baggage."