"PS: I'm finally home. I'm going to have a good sleep today. I'll start updating more tomorrow."
————The following text————
"Woo-"
"Woo-"
On February 18, outside Julu City, densely packed Korean soldiers lined up neatly on the snow outside the city. The low sound of horns made the atmosphere particularly stagnant and heavy.
At this time, on the west tower of Julu City, Wei Crown Prince Zhao Run was climbing high and looking at the Korean army outside the city. A hint of confusion could be seen on his handsome face.
As for the reason, it is simply that the actions of the Korean army exceeded Zhao Hongrun's expectations: he did not expect that the Korean army would be so persistent in Julu City, even though the weather had warmed up slightly and the snow had not yet begun to melt. , so he couldn't wait to lead his army to attack, and looking at this posture, it seemed that they were still moving in full force.
This made Zhao Hongrun feel a little incredible: Could it be that Han Lihou Han Wu believed that the Julu battlefield was the key to the battle between Wei and Han? Or was it really that Zhao Hongrun was too hated?
To be fair, if Zhao Hongrun were to stand in Han Lihou and Han Wu's position, he would not choose to attack Julu because the return is very low - the Yanling Army and the Shangshui Army are not weak armies, and there are still 100,000 troops. As long as nothing big happens on Wei Jun's side, it will actually be difficult for Han Jun to make breakthrough progress.
Therefore, just like Mashe, the guardian of Shanggu, suggested to Han Lihou Han Wu, Zhao Hongrun would also choose to encircle rather than attack, restrict the actions of the Wei army on Julu as much as possible, and return the focus of the war to the Hanoi battlefield, because That is the real key to the battle between Wei and Han - if South Korea can gather strength to defeat the Wei army on the battlefield in Hanoi and advance with an army, in fact, Zhao Hongrun, who is in Julu, cannot restore the disadvantage.
At that time, the only thing Zhao Hongrun can do is to harass and destroy South Korea in exchange for a draw with South Korea, which is the so-called "forced peace" - unless South Korea chooses to lose both sides, or South Korea has the ability to defeat Zhao Hongrun's army again. Wei Jun, otherwise, a draw is almost the only possibility.
This is the wisest judgment.
However, Han Lihou Han Wu chose to attack Julu by force, which Zhao Hongrun could not understand: because to attack Julu by force, huge troops must be expended, which was tantamount to giving up the Hanoi battlefield.
The most important thing is that the Wei army in the Julu area actually has an escape route of "retreating to Qi", and is not completely in despair. Therefore, no matter what Zhao Hongrun thinks, he feels that Han Lihou and Han Wu's judgment this time has a lot to do with it. problem.
It has to be said that Zhao Hongrun's judgment was very reasonable. The only thing he ignored was the fear of Han Lihou and Han Wu towards him.
"rustle--"
"rustle--"
The Korean troops outside the city gradually approached Julu City in units of a thousand-man phalanx.
I saw groups of Korean troops, either carrying long ladders to climb the city wall, or pushing siege vehicles, well-mounted vehicles and other large war weapons, approaching the city wall with stern expressions. As for the Wei army on Julu City, the crossbowmen among them , at this time, under the command of thousands of generals, they raised their crossbows and waited for the order to shoot.
Finally, the Korean army outside the city stepped within a stone's throw of Julu City Wall.
"attack!"
Following a loud shout from a Korean general, the soldiers in the thousand-man phalanx of Korean troops who were marching neatly suddenly accelerated their speed, and the formation inevitably became chaotic.
As Zhao Hongrun believed, attacking Julu at this moment was actually very detrimental to the Korean army. No, the Korean army outside the city rushed towards the city wall on the slippery snow. Not only could they not reach the fastest speed, they even
, and many Korean soldiers accidentally slipped and fell to the ground due to snow, making the formation even more chaotic.
"The crossbowman fires arrows! The sword and shield bearer is always on guard."
On the city wall, Nanmen Chi, the deputy general of the Shang Shui Army, was giving orders in an orderly manner.
At the command, the crossbowmen of the Wei army in Julu City pulled their triggers one after another and fired a burst of crossbow bolts, which covered the heads of the Korean soldiers outside the city like a heavy rain.
For a time, the Korean soldiers outside the city suffered heavy casualties. Large numbers of Korean soldiers fell to the snow with arrows, wailing and screaming.
"Huh?"
Lieutenant General Nanmen Chi was stunned for a moment, a little puzzled, because he felt that the Korean army outside the city that was preparing to attack the city at this moment did not seem to be as calm as the elite Korean troops he was familiar with in the past, so that a wave of arrows
When the rain came down, wailing like crying for father and mother could be heard outside the city, and one could even feel a faint fear permeating these Korean troops.
Out of confusion, Nanmen Chi subconsciously scanned the battlefield, trying to see what kind of army this army that he thought was embarrassing to the Korean army was. Unexpectedly, after looking for a long time, he did not see this Korean army.
flag.
Immediately, Nanmen Chi's expression became strange: Couldn't they be the recruits just formed in the winter? Han Lihou Han Wu actually let these recruits attack his Julu City?
Thinking of this, Nanmen Chi frowned, feeling that he had been insulted - of course this was impossible, he was just very puzzled as to why Han Lihou and Han Wu let this new soldier take the lead.
Could it be that Han Lihou Han Wu confidently believed that last year, even the four elite Korean forces of Yuyang, Beiyan, Shanggu and Daijun heavy cavalry could not defeat his Shang Shui army after a whole winter.
Can South Korea’s newly formed army not be able to withstand it?
At this time, the several Korean military formations outside the city, including the soldiers carrying long ladders, had broken through the range of the Wei army's arrow rain, rushed to the city wall, and set up the long ladders on the city wall.
, and then tried to climb up the city wall along the long ladder.
Facing the attack of these Korean troops, the Wei army sword and shield bearers on the city wall immediately stood in front of the team and used their shields and swords to kill the Korean soldiers who appeared like leeks one after another.
, and the most labor-saving thing is to simply hit the Korean soldiers with a shield, or knock them unconscious with a shield, or directly push them out and make them fall under the city.
Suddenly, countless Korean soldiers fell from the long ladder. Although there was thick snow under the city, the heavy fall from such a high place also knocked those Korean soldiers to the ground, dazed and unable to move for a long time.
At this time, Nanmen Chi, the deputy general of the Shangshui Army, became more and more certain: the opponent must be a new army that had just been formed.
Because last year, when the Yuyang Army attacked the city, the Shangshui Army felt tremendous pressure. Although they repelled the soldiers of the Yuyang Army several times, it is undeniable that the Han soldiers of the Yuyang Army had forced
There is a record of killing people on the city wall, and not just once.
But today, facing the flagless Korean army, the soldiers of the Shangshui Army did not feel any pressure at all - because under their suppression, the opponent could not even jump from the long ladder to the city wall.
They are also Korean soldiers. Compared with the Yuyang Army, the strength of this Korean Army is greatly different. In all likelihood, they are newly formed recruits.
"Han Lihou sent a new army to attack the city. Is there any purpose behind this?"
Nanmen Chi, deputy general of the Shang Shui Army, frowned and guessed.
Before he could figure it out, he heard the guard beside him urgently remind him: "General, the enemy's well carriage is coming forward!"
After hearing this, Nanmen couldn't think about the previous problem anymore and shouted urgently: "The enemy's chariot is approaching, be careful of the enemy's crossbow arrows!"
Along with his shouting, in the ranks of the Korean army outside the city, huge jinglan vehicles, one after another, although moving slowly in the snow, finally arrived at the shooting range one by one. After opening, groups of Korean troops walked along the stairs inside the Jinglan cart, climbed to the shooting cabin at the top, and fired arrows at the Julu city wall, which gradually caused casualties to the Wei army.
But in general, the pressure exerted by the Korean army on the Wei army is still not great. If this situation continues, the Korean army will definitely not be able to capture Julu today.
During this fierce siege, as the commander-in-chief of the Wei army, Zhao Hongrun stood on the tower and watched the battle.
To be honest, he didn't understand this siege from the beginning.
Just like Nanmen Chi, the deputy general of the Shangshui Army, Zhao Hongrun also immediately noticed something was wrong with the Korean army outside the city - this was obviously a new army that lacked combat experience!
Even he couldn't understand why Han Lihou and Han Wu let a new army take charge of the most difficult siege battle. Logically speaking, such a newly formed new army could just follow the main force and fight with the wind, and pull it to If he is still responsible for the main attack on the most dangerous and severe battlefield, wouldn't it be like letting him die in vain?
unless……
"...unless Han Lihou Han Wu's original intention is to use these new soldiers to consume our Wei army's energy and... arrows."
Frowning, Zhao Hongrun turned around and asked Zhai Huang, the deputy general of the Shang Shui Army: "Zhai Huang, how many arrows do the soldiers have?"
Zhai Huang was stunned for a moment, and then immediately replied: "The general made statistics at the end of winter, plus the arrows recovered after the war, our army currently has about 200,000 arrows."
Hearing this, Zhao Hongrun frowned slightly.
Don't think that the number "200,000" is very large. You have to know that among the 50,000 merchant navy, a full 15,000 are crossbowmen. Therefore, if the 200,000 crossbow bolts are spread out equally, each crossbowman can only There are only about eleven or two crossbow bolts. If we don’t count the number of crossbow bolts that can be recovered when cleaning the battlefield after the war, in fact, two hundred thousand crossbow bolts will not last for more than a few battles.
"..."
Glancing at the two Korean armies, the Yuyang Army and the Shanggu Army, who had not shown any signs of dispatching outside the city, Zhao Hongrun said in a deep voice: "Reduce the consumption of crossbow arrows as much as possible and be prepared for a protracted war. I doubt this Korean army." , purely used by Han Lihou to consume the physical strength of our army and sacrifice the crossbow arrows..."
"..."
Zhai Huang was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."
After saying that, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at the Korean army's main formation far outside the city, looking at the national flag with the word "Han" fluttering in the wind with a strange expression.
Sacrificing soldiers to consume the enemy's physical strength and flying arrow weapons, this kind of "cannon fodder tactic" in the words of a certain prince, was actually no stranger to the Wei army.
Because when they were fighting the Chu State in the early years, the Chu State's army adopted this kind of war almost nine times out of ten, using the human sea tactic of piling up lives to make up for the equipment gap between the two armies.
.
The problem is, looking at the entire Central Plains, only Chu State, which has backward equipment conditions, implements this tactic. Others, such as Wei State, South Korea, Qi State, Lu State, etc., all follow the "elite soldier route", especially South Korea.
More than ten years ago, when the Wei State had not yet risen, although South Korea was not as good as Qilu in terms of manufacturing equipment, and the individual strength of its soldiers was not as good as that of the Wei State, in terms of overall strength, South Korea had the strongest overall military strength.
Large countries, even Qi State, the original overlord of the Central Plains, were very wary of South Korea and did not dare to manipulate South Korea at will like they did with Chu State.
However, such a country that had the "potential to dominate the Central Plains" more than ten or twenty years ago has now degenerated into imitating Chu's war method and winning the war purely by heaping a large number of lives. This made Zhai Huang a little bit
incredible.
After all, for countries like Wei and Han, the war method of Chu State is very ugly. This is one of the reasons why Chu State’s army has always been criticized and has always been looked down upon by the Central Plains, so that the world
When the army of Chu is mentioned, the weakest army in the world is often thought of first.
But in fact, Chu's main army is actually not weak. This is proven by the fact that Qi can only passively take a defensive position in the face of Chu's offensive. Even the war weapons built by Lu can't restore the disadvantage.
.
As if to verify Zhao Hongrun's judgment, after the battle lasted for more than half an hour, when the new Korean army that launched the first wave of offensive had almost suffered all casualties, in the Korean army's main formation, Han Lihou Han Wu ordered to invest again.
A new army, as for the elite troops such as the Yuyang Army and the Shanggu Army, still stood still.
Noting this, Zhao Hongrun could basically determine the tactics Han Lihou and Han Wu were planning to adopt. It must be said that this greatly reduced Zhao Hongrun's evaluation of the latter - after all, he had never looked down on those who simply sacrificed the lives of his soldiers.
To exchange for a victorious commander.
Yes, it is to exchange for victory, not to win.
"With such sacrifice of Korean soldiers, these new soldiers shouldn't be able to support them for long, right?"
Watching the situation on the battlefield, the deputy general of the Shangshui Army, Zhai Huang, guessed.
But unexpectedly, even though the Korean army recruits responsible for the main attack suffered heavy casualties, they never showed signs of collapse. Although their faces were frightened and their hands were shaking, the Korean army recruits still mustered up the courage to fight hard.
Hitting the city wall with his scalp.
"These new recruits actually have such resilience?"
Zhai Huang looked surprised and said unexpectedly.
Hearing this, Zhao Hongrun was also a little puzzled. After all, for a new army that has just been established, under normal circumstances, the morale will be affected if the casualties exceed 10%, and if the casualties exceed 30%, the morale will be seriously affected. Once the casualties exceed 50%, the morale will be seriously affected.
If it succeeds, collapse and escape will occur to a large extent.
But so far, the casualties of this Korean army recruit have reached almost 70%. Under this situation, these recruits are still attacking the Julu City Wall without hesitation, trying to attack the city wall. It has to be said that in terms of fighting spirit alone,
This new recruit will definitely surpass most armies in the world.
The question is, how can a newly established South Korean army achieve this level?
In other words, what is it that gives these Korean recruits such firm belief?
"..."
After frowning and thinking carefully for a moment, Zhao Hongrun's frowning eyebrows gradually relaxed.
"I see...Have our army in Wei Dynasty become villains?"
In his opinion, the reason why this new South Korean army has such firm beliefs is probably because South Korea used some lofty concept similar to "driving out the Wei people and protecting the country" when forming this new army.
It bewitched the young people in the country and took advantage of their arrogance, blindness and sense of honor to make them willing to sacrifice their lives for the country.
It has to be said that this is a consistent method when recruiting soldiers. Even when the Wei State recruits soldiers, it will also state the purpose of joining the army. In short, it is to always be on the side of justice.
But then again, how can there be any absolute justice in war?
Just like this war between Wei and Han, in the eyes of the people of Wei, this war of Wei State is just, even if the real purpose of their Wei State Crown Prince is to step on the corpse of South Korea and ascend to the throne of the Central Plains Overlord
; As for South Korea, it is obvious that Wei Jun is heinous.
Perhaps it is the difference in stance and concept that makes these Korean army recruits show their bravery and fearlessness of death.
"Go! Go! Go!"
At the foot of the city, a Korean general held a long ladder with both hands and shouted at the top of his lungs to urge his soldiers.
Next to it, from time to time, a famous Korean soldier would fall down from the city wall about three or four feet high with panicked shouts. He fell into the snow with a thud and could not get up for a long time.
But even so, there are still many Korean recruits who seem to be setting foot on the battlefield for the first time, and they muster the courage to climb the long ladder one after another.
As Zhao Hongrun guessed, the thoughts in the hearts of these Korean recruits were very simple and simple, that is, to defeat the Wei army and defend the country. This was exactly what Han Lihou and Han Wu ordered when they recruited soldiers in Handan, Wu'an, Guantao and other places.
Similar slogans, when the national crisis approached, he asked every Korean man to defend the country at the risk of his life.
It is this belief in defending the country that has kept this new army from collapsing despite nearly 70% casualties. This tenacity is truly worthy of admiration.
"...How long can this tenacity last?"
Zhao Hongrun stared at the battlefield expressionlessly.
In his opinion, although this new Korean army has firm beliefs, it lacks the corresponding strength - and firm beliefs alone are not enough to help them defeat the Wei army.
It is not an exaggeration to say that if these recruits are given another period of time to undergo rigorous training, I believe that these recruits will definitely play a huge role and at least pose some threat to the Wei army under Zhao Hongrun. But at the moment, these Korean recruits
He was still too young. He simply charged into the battle with enthusiasm, but could not pose any real threat to the Wei army. At best, it could only consume the latter's energy and physical strength.
Under such circumstances, even if you have firm belief and tenacious fighting spirit, how long can you persist?
Zhao Hongrun secretly felt sorry in his heart.
Just as he had guessed, half an hour later, when most of the Korean recruits responsible for the second wave of offensive had also suffered losses, even though those Korean recruits had very firm beliefs, they gradually showed signs of wavering——
The reason is that they cannot shake the Wei army at all and cannot pose any substantial threat to the Wei army.
Compared with the casualties, "finding that there is nothing you can do" is the biggest blow to the Korean recruits.
Of course, even so, Han Lihou Han Wu's goal was achieved. At least he used those new soldiers to effectively consume the physical strength of the Wei army defending the city. However, this method of fighting was too bloody and inhumane.
"Is it almost done?"
In the center of the Korean army, Yuyang Guard Qin Kai looked at the new recruits in front with some unbearable eyes and murmured in his mouth.
In his opinion, the Wei army guarding the city had already expended a lot of energy and physical strength on their Korean recruits, as well as a lot of crossbow arrows, which had created a very favorable situation for his Yuyang army or Shanggu army to attack the Julu city wall. conditions.
However, after waiting for a long time, Han Lihou and Han Wu sent someone to convey to him the Yuyang Army's order to prepare to attack the city.
"...Isn't it enough for Lihou?"
Qin Kai frowned, feeling a little anxious.
After all, in his eyes, those young soldiers who suffered heavy casualties were the future of Korea.
In order to create favorable conditions for defeating the Wei army, he did not hesitate to ask tens of thousands of young Korean men to die almost meaninglessly. Although Qin Kai could understand this kind of war, he could not accept it.
After thinking for a moment, Qin Kai personally rode his horse to the formation, asked to see Han Lihou Han Wu, and asked the latter: "Lihou, please leave the next siege to my Yuyang Army."
"Wait a moment." Li Hou Han Wu looked at the battlefield with a stern expression and said without looking back.
Seeing this, Qin Kai frowned and persuaded again: "Marquis Li, the casualties of the new soldiers are too great. This method of war is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst. Even if we are lucky enough to defeat the Wei army, our country will also..."
"..." Li Hou Han Wu turned to look at Qin Kai and said in a low tone: "I know that you and others disdain this tactic and think it is too ugly... but I, Han, need to win, even if Even if I win against ugliness, I will also win." After that, he ordered without refutation: "In half an hour, I will order you Yuyang Shou to take over the battle situation. General Qin Kai, please be patient and return to your own team to prepare for the attack. Just the city!"
Seeing that Li Hou Han Wu had made up his mind, Qin Kai, the governor of Yuyang, sighed helplessly.
After a while, Li Hou Han Wu once again ordered a square formation composed of more than a dozen new soldiers to continue the attack on Julu, trying not to give the Wei army in Julu City any chance to breathe.
It wasn't until the new troops who formed three waves of offensives suffered almost all casualties that he ordered the Yuyang Guards Qin Kai and the Shanggu Guards Ma She to jointly attack the city in an effort to capture Julu in one go.
It has to be said that although this whole tactic is indeed ugly, it cannot be denied that the sacrifices of many new soldiers did create favorable opportunities for the Korean army. At least the Wei army in Julu City was feeling tired at this moment.
In this case, the Yuyang Army and the Shanggu Army, which had been preparing for a long time, suddenly broke out and were unable to defeat the Wei Army.
"Sure enough, this is the trick..."
When he saw the Yuyang Army and Shanggu Army, the two Korean elites in the Korean army's formation, suddenly taking action, Zhao Hongrun sneered in his heart and couldn't help but frown.
Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something. After thinking carefully, he said in a deep voice: "Open the city gate and let the Yuyang Army and Shanggu Army in."
"ah?"
After hearing this, the deputy general of the Shang Shui Army, Zhai Huang, was in disbelief: "Let the Korean army enter the city?"
"Ah, get rid of these two Korean elites in the city!"
Zhao Hongrun nodded and squinted his eyes as he looked at the Yuyang Army and Shanggu Army coming towards the city wall.
Is the bravery of Wei soldiers only reflected in large-scale legionary wars?
Not really!
Under certain special circumstances, Wei's soldiers became more powerful in combat.