Above the city wall, the heat was steaming and burning.
Under the city wall, it was a hellish scene. There were charred corpses everywhere, and the surviving Tatar soldiers crawling on the ground let out shrill howls.
The fire under the city was not extinguished, and the firewood was naturally burned out quickly, but the burning logs thrown in later and the rafts made of the thick logs of the Tatars were still burning. Piles of fire burned the corpses below, emitting
A scorching stench and a terrible explosion.
The five roller coasters turned into five huge torches, and the flames burned into the sky, making it impossible to approach within dozens of steps.
The entire northern city wall was scorching in flames, and the ground on the wall seemed a little hot to the feet.
Zhu Houzhao only glanced at the outside for a few times, then immediately turned back and didn't want to take another look. His heart was tumbling a little, and he almost felt sick. He didn't see the stone tower in the distance clearly enough before, and he only knew that the situation must be very tragic. Looking at it now
Only after seeing this hellish scene did Zhu Houzhao realize how cruel and vicious Zhang Yanling's burning plan was and what terrible consequences it had caused.
"Your Majesty, please go down to the city. It is not safe at the top of the city. This scene is also uncomfortable." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Houzhao's face was a little pale, but he managed a smile and said: "It doesn't matter. I can bear it. Uncle, this fire attack plan was a great success. I thought for a time that the city could not be defended."
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "With the ministers here and the soldiers of Dushi City here, how can the Tatars easily succeed? We will do everything we can to defend the city. Don't worry, Your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao nodded, looked at the large number of dead and injured soldiers being carried away behind the city wall, and said softly: "We must have suffered a lot of casualties."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Yes, preliminary estimates indicate that more than 300 people were killed and at least 300 were injured. However, the number of Tatar casualties is at least 3,000. This time the Tatars were severely damaged. However, our soldiers were killed.
One less, there were over a thousand casualties yesterday and today. It’s heartbreaking.”
Zhu Houzhao breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Yes. There are fewer and fewer of our people. But after this heavy damage, the Tatars are afraid that they will no longer be able to attack the city."
Zhang Yanling shook his head and said: "I don't know. I hope the Tatars can stop. But I think the Tatars won't give up so easily. After all, their reinforcements are coming. Just now, the scouts came to report that the Tatar army from the south was already there.
It's twenty miles southwest of the Dushi River. We'll be here tonight. I'm afraid the matter is far from over."
Zhu Houzhao frowned and sighed.
Zhang Yanling said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. The Tatars in the north of the city may not be able to attack again after this heavy damage. At least they will be unable to attack in a short period of time. I will immediately block the Tatars coming from the south. I hope to stop their steps."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "I'm not worried, I'm just a little regretful. Uncle, if I had listened to your advice, I wouldn't have fallen into this situation."
Zhang Yanling was a little surprised that Zhu Houzhao actually reflected in public, which was rare. Perhaps without going through this crisis, Zhu Houzhao refused to admit that his willfulness led to today's situation.
"Your Majesty, you don't have to think so. The matter has come to this, and we just have to face it. There is no regret medicine in the world. Although the current situation is dangerous, I am still confident. It is already the third day. If we persist for a few more days, our reinforcements will be needed.
Here we are. Your Majesty must be confident. You also need your Majesty to continue to inspire the troops and boost their morale. Your Majesty cannot be decadent." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly, his eyes wandering around the tragic scenes inside and outside the city, and whispered: "Uncle, tell me the truth, can we persist until the reinforcements arrive? Do you believe that the reinforcements can arrive?"
Zhang Yanling looked at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, I firmly believe that the reinforcements will arrive. I can even guarantee that our reinforcements are already on their way north. They may arrive in three or four days."
Zhu Houzhao frowned and said: "Did the little Tatar prince lie to us? Didn't he say that they had diverted all our soldiers and horses away from the mountains and headed for the Shangxi Road? It would take ten days at the fastest to turn around and get here. That's okay.
It will take seven or eight days to arrive."
Zhang Yanling muttered: "Your Majesty, I analyze that he must not be lying. Otherwise, how could they dare to attack here and Chicheng so boldly? It only took three days for the Longmen Guard garrison to come to the rescue. If he had said panic, at this moment
The Longmen Guard soldiers and horses have already bitten the Tatars in the south. But this is not the case. The Tatars in the south have already arrived. This shows that the Longmen Guard soldiers and horses must have been mobilized to the west. Judging from this, Batu Munch
What he said is true."
Zhu Houzhao said: "Didn't you just say that reinforcements might arrive in three or four days? Where will the reinforcements come from?"
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I made a small arrangement when I was at Juyong Pass. Because I was worried about an accident, I ordered someone to go back to the capital to deliver a message, asking Zhu Lin, the young prince of Chengguo Palace, to lead Yaowu Camp outside Juyong Pass.
On standby. If there is an unexpected situation, Yaowu Camp can come out for rescue."
"Ah? You actually made such an arrangement? I don't even know." Zhu Houzhao said in surprise.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly said: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for not reporting this matter."
Liu Jin smacked his lips and said, "Did the Marquis anticipate that the Tatars would attack?"
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "My father-in-law is joking. I don't know how to predict. How could I know that the Tatars would attack? I did this just in case."
"But how could you make arrangements in advance?" Zhu Houzhao asked.
Zhang Yanling explained to Zhu Houzhao: "This time the emperor visited the border. Because he left Beijing in a hurry, he was accompanied by only 500 people to protect him. Moreover, he came to a dangerous place in the border town. I was very worried. Since I accompanied him as a guard, I had to ensure that
The emperor's safety must be taken precautions for. The emperor said that he would come to Shangbei Road to patrol the border. I thought
Xuanfu Town has heavy troops in the west, and the journey to Shangbei Road is farther than going north from Juyong Pass. Once an accident occurs, the rescue will not be as timely as leaving Juyong Pass and going north. So I sent someone to send a message to Zhu Lin.
Ask him to lead the Yaowu Camp to station in Juyong Pass for training. If nothing happens, we will leave. If anything happens, we can rescue you in time."
Zhu Houzhao suddenly said: "I see. In other words, you estimate that Yaowu Camp has left the border and gone north for rescue?"
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Unless Zhu Lin didn't listen to me and didn't move Yaowu Camp to the south entrance of Juyong Pass. But I think he wouldn't ignore my request. I said in the letter to him that if someone
If I blame him for mobilizing troops without permission, I will fully bear the blame. I hope Zhu Lin will agree."
Zhu Houzhao said softly: "I hope Zhu Lin will follow your arrangements. If Zhu Lin leads the Beijing camp to rescue, then we will be saved."
Liu Jin also said happily: "Yes, if it is as arranged by the Marquis, Zhu Lin has already left the customs with his troops. The Beijing cavalry will arrive within a few days. That would be great."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Yes, I hope he comes soon."
Liu Jin nodded and suddenly frowned and said, "Oh, I wonder if Eunuch Zhang will let them enter the pass? I left him at Juyong Pass to block other people. I wonder if he will stop Zhu Lin."
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, Eunuch Liu, I told Eunuch Liu about this before leaving Juyong Pass. It was Eunuch Liu who notified Zhu Lin in the pass for us to go north. So there is no need to worry. As long as Zhu Lin listens to my words and takes the lead."
With Yaowu Camp stationed at the south entrance of Juyong Pass, we can successfully exit the pass."
Liu Jin snorted, nodded and said with a smile: "It turns out that Zhang Yong and Mr. Hou have already discussed it, so our family is worried for nothing. Hey, Mr. Hou should have told the emperor about this a long time ago, which would save us from worrying. We are all actually worried.
I was kept in the dark.”
Zhang Yanling bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said: "I want to apologize to the emperor."
Zhu Houzhao said: "Please forgive me? What does uncle mean by this?"
Zhang Yanling said: "I made the decision without authorization and arranged these things without reporting it to the emperor. I still ask the emperor to punish me."
Zhu Houzhao laughed and said: "Uncle, you did all this to protect my safety. What's the crime? Besides, you told me before, and I might have thought you were doing this unnecessary. I never expected it.
We will encounter such a situation. Thanks to you for taking precautions, it’s not too late for me to thank you. Uncle, don’t mention any more excuses.”
Zhang Yanling said solemnly: "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, if Zhu Lin receives the news, he should have left the country today. He will lead the cavalry north first. Yaowu camp has 10,000 troops and 3,000 cavalry. Within three days.
Three thousand cavalry should arrive. Then we will have the strength to fight the Tatars. The next three or four days are extremely important. We must hold on and we can successfully get out of trouble. Your Majesty, please strengthen your confidence.
."
Zhu Houzhao nodded heavily and said: "I understand. Not only do I have to persevere, I also want to participate in the battle. I just figured it out. Now that we are short of troops, I can no longer stand by and watch. Uncle, I want to participate in the war. One more person will do it."
A little more strength, I don't want to be a coward."
Liu Jingu Dayong and others hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, no. Your Majesty's safety is the most important thing."
Zhu Houzhao scolded: "The Tatars have invaded. What use is my safety? Don't say anything. Liu Jin, Gu Dayong, you guys are also going to join the war. From me down, everyone must pick up the sword."
Take part in the battle with bows and crossbows. Uncle, you must promise me."
Liu Jingu Dayong and others did not dare to say anything. They just looked at Zhang Yanling, hoping that Zhang Yanling would say something to stop him.
Zhang Yanling looked into Zhu Houzhao's eyes and saw the fighting spirit and hope ignited in his eyes. So he said in a deep voice: "Okay, I will agree to the emperor, and the emperor will follow me to kill the enemy."
…
The sky had been gloomy all day and it finally began to rain in the evening. The rain became heavier and heavier, becoming a torrential downpour.
The rain fell on the scorching wall of the North City, making a sizzling sound and creating a white mist. The heavy rain extinguished the fire outside the North City. After the smoke washed away, the black and charred corpses under the wall were completely exposed, each twisted.
The corpses were stacked together, and their mouths and noses were more clearly distinguishable after being washed away by the rain. The expressions of the dead Tatars were ferocious, which showed that they experienced immense pain before their death.
However, the pain of the dead has ended, but for the living, the pain continues.
When it rained heavily, Zhang Yanling received news that Tatar soldiers and horses from the south had arrived at the bank of the Dushi River.