Outside the city, there was smoke and artillery fire, and the rugged Shanyang City suffered the biggest attack since it was built.
This is also the largest artillery offensive and defensive battle in the pass.
White smoke and rubble flew together, and the city wall resembled the Qing army.
The sound of bombing pierced the sky, and Shanyang City seemed to be covered with pockmarks, making it look particularly terrifying.
On the city road, a large number of soldiers carried weapons and sandbags, ready to fill the collapsed city wall at any time and make critical repairs.
However, due to the preparations made in advance, Shanyang's ability to withstand pressure is extremely strong, and the one-day offensive is just a scratch.
The surface of the city wall was bumpy, but in essence it was still strong. The soldiers behind the female wall chatted from time to time, and the atmosphere seemed a bit relaxed.
"His grandma's has really many artillery pieces."
Li Jingwu looked at it, his eyes somewhat solemn.
Although they thought well, one city after another was used to consume the strength of the Qing Dynasty, but the soldiers were human beings, and they had their own joys, sorrows, and joys.
From Pizhou to Shanyang, most of Huai'an Prefecture has fallen. They don't know what strategy is, they just know that from failure to failure.
How can we have morale like this?
Thinking of this, he immediately asked the city gate to kill pigs and sheep to reward the troops.
For two or three days, Shanyang City remained motionless. Although it was badly damaged, it still stood upright, which made the Qing army extremely embarrassed.
Of course, what's more important is that the artillery has exploded a few more times during these days.
From mid-October to now, just over a month ago, there are only 20 red artillery pieces left, and the damage has exceeded 30%.
"As for the rest of the artillery, the inner bores are severely worn, and I'm afraid they won't be used for a few days."
Artillery one, five and ten.
Jierhalang's face was solemn when he heard this.
The Manchu and Qing Dynasties had always used copper cannons, which were lighter. However, the cost of copper materials was self-evident, about ten times that of iron. Considering the success rate, the loss was too high.
"Besides, our gunpowder is almost running out..."
"What? That's one hundred thousand catties!"
Hauge was shocked at the side and couldn't help shouting, which scared the craftsman's soul out of his mind.
China's gunpowder output is very small, saltpeter is abundant in the southwest, and sulfur is even rarer. High-quality sulfur is imported from Japan.
Today's Maritime Silk Road can only be a delusion for Beijing, so in order to go south, it can only collect as much as possible.
Of course, we have to thank the Shanxi merchants, otherwise even if Jin obtained artillery technology, he would have no choice but to do nothing without sulfur and saltpeter.
"Gunpowder is almost not used every day along the way, and the artillery is also on duty every day. The early storage is no longer enough."
The artilleryman was helpless and complained with a cry.
"How much is left?"
Jierhalang rubbed his temples helplessly.
"It will probably last three or four days."
"Can Shanyang City be taken?"
"It should be possible, but I'm afraid we have to stop at Shanyang..."
"You go down!"
Jierhalang was so angry that he wanted to chop Sisi with a knife, but thinking about his identity as an artilleryman, he still held back.
"We can no longer go on step by step."
The general of Zhennan, Prince Zheng Jierharang, looked at his two lieutenants, Prince Su Hauge and Dorobele Leked, and solemnly said what they were doing.
In the previous plan, considering the densely packed castles, the method of attacking two castles simultaneously was adopted to shorten the time as much as possible.
However, its consumption of artillery and gunpowder increased dramatically, which was completely beyond everyone's expectation.
Luck Dehun could only mutter: "These Han people are really resistant to fighting."
"Could it be that these people abused it?"
Gu Ling
Hauge's temper was explosive, his eyes widened, and he angrily shouted: "The imperial court raised more than half a year's worth, and it was all done in just one or two months?"
"Could it be that these artillery were wasted or resold-"
"No matter how little he is, there really aren't many anymore."
Jirharang glanced at Hauge, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said in a deep voice:
"Now that things have come to a point, we can only change our tactics."
"This canal is both our strength and our weakness."
"What do you mean?"
Luckard's eyes lit up and he said with a little respect.
"What I mean is to send a surprise force to make a surprise attack south."
Jierhalang suddenly turned around, stretched out his finger towards the map behind him, and traced back and forth between Shanyang and Yangzhou:
"It's only more than four hundred miles from Shanyang to Yangzhou. If we have one person and three horses, carrying dry food, we can arrive suddenly in two or three days."
As he spoke, he pointed to the left side of the canal and said: "This is Hongze Lake, Gaoyou Lake, etc. The rivers are crisscrossed and rugged and difficult to navigate."
"But if you go to the right, there are very few lakes except for a clear water pool. It is easier to walk and it is far away from the canal."
Hauge's eyes lit up at the side. He pinched his beard and said loudly: "While we are pretending to attack Shanyang, we will send out surprise troops at the same time. Eighteen thousand people are enough. We will run all the way without caring. Even if Ming people find out, they will not be able to convey the message...
…”
"The people of the Ming Dynasty have built strong walls and cleared the country. I'm afraid there won't be many people who can report the news along the way."
Luck Dehun said excitedly: "When the time comes, the Puppet Ming Emperor will think that we are in Shanyang, but in fact we are already under his nose..."
"Catch Emperor Ming alive when he is not prepared!" Jierhalang clenched his fists.
"Capture Emperor Ming alive!!!"
Hauge and Luckdhun looked at each other, their eyes full of sparks.
Such a huge achievement must be enjoyed by only one person.
Jilharang is the head coach, so he must be in charge of the central army, and this partial army can only be born from the two of them.
"Dog slave, do you want to rob me?"
Haug gritted his teeth and warned in a low voice.
But Luck Dehun was not afraid: "I am Baelor! I am not your slave."
Jierhalang looked troubled.
If he followed the attitude of being close to Dorgon, he would naturally be more willing to get close to Luck Dehun.
However, Hauge's status was extraordinary. He was a prince, and his qualifications were almost as different as his. If it weren't for the estrangement between him and Dorgon, he would have become the commander-in-chief of the first army.
At this time, he saw Haug's beast-like threatening gaze.
After a long time, Jierhalang finally said: "Leave these partial masters to the juniors!"
Talking about seniority again!
Hauge was furious: "This matter is so important to the victory or defeat of the whole army. The juniors have little experience and ability, so generals like me are needed to take action!"
As he said that, he glanced at Luck Dehun provocatively: "If we lose, can the general bear the responsibility?"
Jirharang was speechless.
Glancing sideways at Luckard's stubborn gaze, Jilharang sighed and said, "In this case, it will be troublesome for Prince Su."
"Hahaha, thank you so much, General."
After saying that, Hauge glanced at Luck Dehun provocatively, and left coolly and proudly.
"General——" Luckard looked dissatisfied.
Jierhalang stroked his beard and showed a different smile:
"The regent doesn't know his thoughts. Regardless of this victory, the suspicion may be getting deeper and deeper. Once defeated, the consequences will be unpredictable."
With that said, he patted Luck Dehun on the shoulder: "You are still young, and you will have many military exploits in the future."
"Poor, people like Hauge only know how to fight..."