The forward battalion hurriedly and slowly arrived at Shouchun City at dawn the next day.
Inspector You Fu heard that a large group of people was coming from the south and hurriedly went out of the city to greet them.
"Are you the inspector, Mr. You?"
"That's the official. May I ask if the general is from Jiangning?"
"The commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army of our Jiangnan East Road is leading the vanguard of King Tanzhou. The bandits are approaching. We will take over Shouchun immediately."
The Pioneer Officer didn't waste any words and went straight to the point about his identity and purpose of coming here.
"The thieves! The thieves are coming?" The thieves are entrenched in the north, and of course You Fu knows about it.
He asked someone to contact Jiang Ning just to find someone to rely on.
Unexpectedly, the thieves are really coming now.
Of course, Jiang Ning also came.
"Huh? No, the prince of Tanzhou is here too!"
It took You Fu a long time to realize that the king of Tanzhou, the commander-in-chief, had come in person.
Tanzhou is so far away, but the prince actually came from Jiangning.
He thought that King Tanzhou had unified Jiangnan.
"This general, please enter the city quickly. I will hand over the city defense immediately."
The inspection team thought that King Tanzhou had unified the south of the Yangtze River and was preparing for the Northern Expedition, so he immediately turned to King Tanzhou.
After all, it was Daqian's orthodoxy, which was more upright than the thieves and bandits in the north.
Shouchun is in tatters and has nothing to hand over.
There are more than 3,000 people in the city, of which only about 500 are strong.
As soon as the forward battalion arrived, these five hundred people became laborers.
"Be careful of fire! When these things explode, they will be louder than thunder!"
"Move quickly! All Tiger Crouching Cannons must be on the city before noon!"
The vanguard general directed the people to carry it, while the three thousand vanguards rested on the spot.
I ran all night last night and am almost exhausted now.
Of course, not everyone rested, and Tan Ma was sent out immediately.
The first priority now is to grasp the enemy's movements.
At the end of Si Shi, Tan Ma came back, and the bandits on the east road were only more than twenty miles away from Shouchun.
Moreover, they are not slow in their actions and will definitely reach the foot of Shouchun City this afternoon.
"Your Majesty has a clever plan. Let's get here first and still have time to arrange the battlefield. This Shouchun City is the burial place of the bandits!"
After listening to the report, the forward general had a smile on his face.
"Come here, go and report the news immediately to welcome the prince's army."
The vanguard arrived first, followed by Song Tong's east-route army.
At this time, the Eastern Route Army was only about twenty miles away from Shouchun City.
As soon as the vanguard left yesterday, Song Tong did not delay. The army immediately set off and rushed to Shouchun.
Based on Ma Wei's character, Song Tong deduced that this guy would definitely take Shouchun as soon as possible, and then take Anfeng, Luzhou and other places along the way, occupy the northern part of Huainan Road as quickly as possible, and then raid Jiangning or Dangtu areas .
The bandits have no stronghold in the south, and transportation is also a problem in Jiangnan, where water networks are densely covered.
Coming from Xuzhou, Shouchun is a very important transportation hub. All grain, grass, and soldiers are transported through this place.
Song and Kuai took over Shouchun in one step, blocking Ma Wei's way.
Shouchun City was severely damaged by natural disasters and difficult to defend. Ma Wei would definitely attack with all his strength.
That's when the opportunity came.
Song Tong had a very good plan.
Now the first step has been achieved, and Shouchun has been successfully taken first.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ma Wei's army returned from the expedition and brought back the news that Shouchun had been occupied by the Southern Army.
"Huh! You're actually a step too late!" Ma Wei snorted and frowned.
"General, what should we do now? Are we still going to Shouchun?"
When Ma Wei came out, he made two plans, one was to take Shouchun to transport grain through Feishui River, and the other was to take Huaiyin to transport grain through Sishui River.
Now that Shouchun is blocked, logically we should go east to Surabaya.
Stop at a traffic artery before proceeding to the next step.
But Ma Wei has always been a radical person, so asking him to go around to Huaiyin, which is hundreds of miles away, is not as good as storming Shouchun, whose city walls are in tatters.
"Continue Shouchun! They didn't repair that dilapidated city so quickly. With an army of 70,000, we have to take a detour to attack a dilapidated city that is only guarded by 20,000 or 30,000 people."
"Order the entire army to speed up my advance! We must arrive outside Shouchun City before dusk today!"
At dusk, Ma Wei and Tanzhou Wang Songtong arrived in Shouchun almost at the same time.
Ma Wei stationed troops in the north of the city, while Song Tong stationed his troops in the east of Shouchun City.
The city wall in the east part of Shouchun City is the most severely damaged. You can enter the city directly from the collapsed city wall without using any equipment.
Parking the brigade here is also a kind of protection for Shouchun.
"Surprisingly, Ma Wei's movements are really very fast." Song Tong used the binoculars to look at the situation on the bandits' side.
Some clues can be seen in the military appearance and morale.
Although these bandits are marching in a hurry, they should still have fighting ability.
If there were no artillery, the 30,000 revival troops and 70,000 bandits would probably have fought head to head 50-50.
but now……
At the head of Shouchun City were fifty squatting tiger cannons, four cannons and four continuous firing cannons.
There are also fifty squatting cannons, six cannons, and six continuous firing cannons under the city.
These artillery pieces arrived in the morning.
However, Shouchun City is such a big place and cannot accommodate so many artillery pieces.
So the vanguard general placed half of the artillery at the top of the city and left half below the city for Song Tong to use.
When Song Tong arrived at the east of the city, the artillery was immediately brought out and set up.
At one time, more than a hundred artillery pieces were aimed at Ma Wei's camp 500 meters away.
Ma Wei didn't realize the danger at all.
Even the cannons weren't noticed.
The spies didn't find anything weird.
The thieves and bandits of the Luo Xin Group are all arrogant people who have higher ambitions than their own.
Almost no spies were sent to Jiangnan.
It's been five years, but I haven't found anything like artillery in Jiangnan.
Occasionally, one or two spies came to Jiangnan, and all they saw was the prosperity and wealth of Jiangnan.
For them.
The artillery was just a miraculous skill and not worth mentioning. Some spies even saw it and had no intention of reporting it because they had no idea what artillery was.
At dusk, Ma Wei sent forwards to test.
Song Tong could see clearly through the telescope that the man wearing the general's armor had not moved and was still in the camp.
Now the two sides are just testing the situation, and there is no need for Ma Wei to take action personally.
Song Tong also sent some cavalry forward. The two sides met each other, shot a few arrows at each other, sprayed saliva and then withdrew.
At night, Ma Wei's camp was heavily guarded.
They were the siege party and had to guard against Song Tong's night attack.
Ma Wei and several confidants gathered together to discuss countermeasures.
"The city wall in the north city of Shouchun is somewhat decent, and the west and south cities are also usable. Only the east side is badly damaged, and now there are heavy troops living there."
"We have only two ways to attack Shouchun. First, hold back their main force and use all our strength to capture Shouchun City; second, hold back Shouchun City and attack the main force outside the city first."
"What I mean is to attack the main force outside the city first. A Shouchun City is just another fortress for transferring food. But if their main force is eliminated, then the entire eastern battlefield will be our world!"
Ma Wei thought he had a clear view of the battlefield and planned to directly destroy Song Tong's main force.
"We are willing to follow the general to attack the main force of the Confederate army and destroy the Confederate army to make great achievements!" the confidants said with fists in their hands.
Ma Wei asked them symbolically what they thought, but in reality he was just being polite.
If anyone raises different opinions at this time, Ma Wei will definitely give him some shoes in the future.
As Ma Wei's confidants, these people will only follow Ma Wei's wishes.
"Well! Well, since everyone has no different opinions, let's launch a general attack tomorrow!"
"A mere thirty thousand people have to defend the city and fight in formations. It's no problem for us to defeat them!"
"The general is mighty!"
After holding his stinky feet for a while, Ma Wei looked at a general in the corner and said:
"General Zhao, someone must attack Shouchun tomorrow to delay the defenders. This important task will be left to the general!"
"Yes. I will eventually understand." Zhao Deng said, cupping his fists.
He was sent by Luo Xin to monitor Ma Wei.
Ma Wei has always been unhappy with this man, but he has always been unable to do anything about him.
Tomorrow was going to be a "contribution", and he didn't want to give up the great achievement of defeating the enemy to others, so he simply sent Zhao Deng away.
Zhao Deng also doesn't care, it doesn't matter where he fights.
He is Luo Xin's man, he just needs to be optimistic about Ma Wei and don't let him support his troops and respect himself.
After the meeting was over, Zhao Deng returned to his camp and informed his cronies about tomorrow's siege arrangements.
Several people around me were a little dissatisfied.
"They are also King Xin's soldiers, so why do all the good things belong to him!"
"Although we are responsible for monitoring him, we have always fought with all our strength. We have to rush to the front if there are difficulties. Now we are about to make a meritorious service, but we have been thrown out!"
Zhao Deng waved his hand and interrupted everyone: "Brothers, there is no need to complain so much. General Xin Wang will explain the situation himself. We are the generals of the East Route Army. This time he is the commander of the East Route. We just need to obey his orders."
Can!"
"General, let's attack here tomorrow?"
Zhao Deng was silent for a while and then said: "Let's go to the north. Go closer to the east. Ma Wei is a bit irritable. I think the Confederate army is neat and tidy and not easy to fight. If we are defeated tomorrow, we can still respond.
one time."
"Huh! If we don't have any merit, we still have to worry about him!"
"He is the coach after all, and there is no room for failure. Brothers, please go your separate ways. Our task tomorrow is not heavy, we will only fight feints, but we still have to do it. Don't give him any excuses."
"well!"
The soldiers dispersed, each with their own thoughts on their minds. Some wanted to take credit, but some were unwilling to do so.
On the other side, inside Shouchun City, Song Tong had already entered the city.
The army is still outside the city, so there is no need for him to fight in specific operations. There are also generals and officers to direct the operations.
Song Tong is a noble prince, and his health is not very good, so of course he has to live in the city.
"My lord, the bandits will definitely attack tomorrow, but I don't know whether they will focus on Shouchun or the camp outside the city."
Song Tong is also studying tomorrow's battle plan.
The deputy commander-in-chief is Cui Qiang, who originally served as a hundred households in Duchang and was later promoted to a thousand households in Jiangning.
This time he was promoted to deputy commander, even though the Song Dynasty and the Northern Expedition were together.
"In your opinion, where will Ma Wei focus his attention?" Song Tong looked up and asked with a smile.
Cui Qiang pointed to the side of the Shouchun map and said: "That Ma Wei has an impatient personality. It seems to the general that he will probably attack the camp outside the city."
"Yes. Outside the city is the main force of our East Route Army. After destroying the East Route Army, there will be no obstacles for him to go south." Song Tong nodded.
"Tomorrow's battle is of great importance. It is the first battle of our East Route Army. We must achieve results. Don't be outdone by that boy Wei Nan." Song Tong said with a smile on his face.
Song Tong didn't pay any attention to the 70,000 people coming across from him.
Song Tong is only thinking about how to achieve greater results.
Cui Qiang is also quite relaxed. Although he is more cautious, he has a sharp weapon and will win tomorrow's battle.
How to win depends on the outcome.
"My lord, I will go all out by the end of tomorrow to cripple the bandit army on the east route!"
"Okay, okay, Xiao Cui. Don't worry, I, the king, can do your job. If you let go, I, the king, will help you in the city."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two sides' tactics of war were agreed upon, and the night outside the camp was particularly calm.
Neither side launched a night attack, and the night seemed particularly peaceful.
The breeze blows through the faint fragrance of the leaves, and the night in late May and early June is refreshing.
…
Early morning on May 30th.
From the north of the defensive city, a continuous sound of horns sounded.
The thieves launched an attack.
At dawn, Tan Ma discovered that the bandits were moving.
Cui Qiang also immediately left Shouchun City and stationed himself in the camp outside the city.
The Great Camp Renaissance Army immediately started moving.
The shadows of the traitors haven't been seen yet, and the Renaissance troops are already ready.
Even the fire breakers have been aimed at the artillery fire.
Just waiting for the thieves to come and die.
It was just getting dark when the gate of the bandit camp opened, and three thousand infantry and several hundred cavalry rushed out.
This group is Zhao Deng's men, responsible for pretending to attack Shouchun and holding back the defenders in the city.
Followed closely by Ma Wei's main force, 3,000 cavalry and 10,000 forward infantry.
After that came a large formation of the Chinese army, with more than 50,000 people.
Under normal circumstances, the coach must be within the Chinese army's formation.
But Ma Wei was arrogant and thought he was good at martial arts, so he actually went to the forward camp to charge into the battle.
"Brothers, rush over with me and cut down these Confederate troops. From now on, Jiangnan will be ours!"
"Charge! Cut down the Confederate army and occupy Jiangnan!"
With the sound of war drums, the bandits launched an attack with high morale.
At the top of Shouchun City, the morning glow followed, and Song Tong was watching the situation on the field.
Those scumbag thieves below the city looked like they were feigning an attack.
They didn't even look at the city head, they were all looking at the garrison camp to the east.
Song Tong didn't bother to pay attention to the bandit soldiers who were feinting to attack. He fired a few arrows casually and then looked east.
"Send the order, adjust the muzzle of the artillery on the east city wall to the northeast, and be ready for fire support at any time!"
"It's the prince!"
In fact, the artillery at the east city wall was adjusted overnight last night, with the muzzles facing the northeast, just waiting for the bandits to attack and attack them from both sides.
"Dong dong dong!"
The drums sounded, the bandits moved, and the combination of cavalry and infantry swarmed in.
The rebels were getting closer and closer, but the Renaissance soldiers in formation remained calm.
The war horses galloped and soon reached fifty meters.
At such a close distance, the pressure of thousands of cavalry is extremely strong.
Ma Wei, who was rushing to the front of the cavalry team, held a long knife in his hand and showed a cruel smile, as if he saw the defeat of the Confederate army.
"Charge! Destroy the Confederate army and let it be looted for three days!" Ma Wei shouted and raised his long knife.
"Go, go, go!"
The thieves became more and more excited.
"Huh? What's that? Antlers?"
Finally, at this time, Ma Wei saw a row of black tubes placed at the front of the Confederate troops.
He subconsciously thought it was a defensive device like antlers.
The defensive ability of the deer antlers against cavalry is good.
But once the number of cavalry increases, the antlers will be useless.
The Confederate army's "antlers" were just one row apart, and they couldn't stop their iron hoof at all.
When Ma Wei was wondering why a row of "Rejecting Antlers" was placed, the Confederate soldiers actually extended their torches to the "Rejecting Antlers".
At this moment, Ma Wei felt something was wrong.
The opponent was too calm. Facing the cavalry charge, the infantry remained unmoved!
Before he could think too much, he saw the dazzling flames emitting from those "rejection antlers".
"Bang bang bang!"
A series of sounds sounded.
Ma Wei secretly said something bad and turned over to hide on the side of the horse.
He has good riding skills and has relied on this ability to avoid arrow attacks many times.
"puff!"
"ah!"
Ma Wei's proud riding skills failed.
After a muffled sound, a huge pain spread throughout the body.
When the guards around him looked over, Ma Wei had been blown to pieces!
Immediately afterwards, a series of muffled sounds struck, and countless knights fell to the ground.
Neither horses nor bodies can withstand artillery shells.
Fifty or sixty artillery pieces knocked down a large area of the rebel front army in just one round.
The thieves who were originally charging excitedly became panicked.
But now we were only twenty meters away from the Confederate army, and it was difficult to retreat.
"Bang bang bang!"
There was another series of noises, this one much quieter than before.
But don't delay the cavalry's attack on the street.
It's the firing of a musket.
After a round of shotgun fire, all the fish that slipped through the net were harvested by muskets.
What followed was a series of musket fire and occasional artillery bombardment.
Wave after wave of powerful output.
The muskets fired alternately, filling the firing gaps of the artillery and covering the loading of the artillery charges.
This results in uninterrupted output.
After three or four rounds of fighting, the thieves finally turned their horses.
They started to run away.
On the Shouchun City side, Zhao Deng, who was in charge of the feint attack, was dumbfounded.
I never dreamed that it would be defeated so quickly, and even Ma Wei died there directly.
He looked at the black bumps blankly.
Suddenly, Ma Wei suddenly turned his head and saw a large row of black lumps on the top of the city!
"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Zhao Deng didn't care so much, got on his horse and fled in panic.
The artillery on the top of the city also opened fire, but only half of it was facing Zhao Deng, and the east half was facing Ma Wei.
What Zhao Deng and the others assisted was the eastern half of the city wall.
Because of the angle, it was difficult for the artillery to the west to hit them.
The fateful Zhao Deng actually escaped from under the Shouchun city wall.
"The thieves are defeated and we take advantage of the victory to pursue them!"
The vanguard of the bandits was defeated by a wave, and Cui Qianglao launched a pursuit.
On the other side, the central army of the bandit soldiers saw that the cavalry was defeated so quickly. The black bumps were loud and fierce, and they were unable to compete with them.
Moreover, their commander Ma Wei was probably on his knees at this time, so how could the soldiers have the courage to move forward.
He didn't need any instructions at all, he just turned around and ran away.
One person is fleeing, and a hundred people are fleeing.
If more than 10,000 people escape, it becomes a rout.
There were too many people, and they were scrambling to escape.
The fast runner thought the person in front of him was too slow, and even killed the person in front of him with a knife!
The people in front threw themselves into the street, and the corpse became an obstacle. The people behind did not pay attention and tripped again.
It turned into a mess in an instant.
"Bang bang bang!"
There was another burst of gunfire, and the soldiers were frightened.
"The Confederate Army is coming! Run away!"
The 70,000 people who were so powerful just now were chased by more than 20,000 Renaissance troops and fled all the way.
The Fuxing Army had great physical strength. They chased and fought at the same time. During the ten-mile pursuit, they captured more than 10,000 people alive!
When the troops retreated to the camp, they picked up some more surrendered soldiers on the road.
Cui Qiang finished counting the data and saw that it was thirteen thousand and six.