On February 29, the Huben Army reached the foot of the capital and faced the Jiangbei Army that surrounded the capital.
Zheng Kaicheng raised his telescope and looked at the trench opposite, frowning.
"There are so many gentry rebels..."
Zhong Feng also held up the telescope to look at the opposite side and couldn't help but take a breath.
Including the Jiangbei Army, there were more than 200,000 gentry rebels who attacked the capital this time. These rebels dug six or seven layers of dense trenches at the foot of the capital, forming a very complex trench system. Twenty
With tens of thousands of people hiding in the trench, it looked like a giant anthill.
In recent years, the Huben Army has relied on firearms to sweep across all directions, which has led to the Ming army paying more and more attention to firearms. Many local border towns have also strengthened their firearms. Not only the Jiangbei Army held front-loaded rifled guns to guard the trenches, but many local armies also
Holding a smoothbore matchlock gun.
Facing the more than 200,000 troops of the Jiangbei Army and the Servant Army, the 60,000-strong Huben Army did not seem to have an advantage.
The Huben Army began to dig trenches two miles away from the Jiangbei Army.
At the beginning, Zheng Kaicheng sent troops into the Jiangbei Army's trench one mile away to test. However, the soldiers of the Huben Army who were deep in the front were bombarded by Jiangbei Army's artillery at a distance of one mile, and the firepower was very intensive. So Zheng Kaicheng quickly took the soldiers who went up to test.
Withdrawn.
Zheng Kaicheng and Zhong Feng were deeply impressed by the number of mortars of the Jiangbei Army. According to Zhong Feng's estimate, the Jiangbei Army collected and modified at least 3,000 small tiger squatting guns, all of which were converted into mortars.
The soldiers of the Huben Army began to dig a trench two miles away. After entering the trench, they guarded the east side of the capital. Although the Huben Army had not yet entered a substantial fighting state, it effectively contained the Jiangbei Army and prevented the Jiangbei Army from continuing to attack.
The pace of the city.
Zheng Kaicheng put down his telescope and said to Zhong Feng: "The Jiangbei Army is very advanced in equipment and has many more servants than us. How can we fight this battle?"
Zhong Feng held his chin and thought for a while, then said: "We can mobilize mortars to carry out suppressive bombing. We have five thousand mortars, and the number of artillery is more than that of the Jiangbei Army. We can suppress it when we are forced to a distance of one mile.
Jiangbei Army. While achieving suppression, let the infantry dig trenches around the mortars."
"After digging trenches at close range, we can use mortars to conduct blanket bombing against the Jiangbei Army until all their mortars are blown up."
But after saying this, Zhong Feng shook his head and said: "We can win this way, but if we fire against Jiangbei Army's mortars, the casualties will be very shocking. We can't fight like this."
Zheng Kaicheng frowned and said: "No one is immune to death in a war. If this doesn't work, we have to think of another way."
The officers of the Huben Army gathered together to think about it for a long time, but in the end they could not come up with a way to avoid widespread casualties.
Zhong Feng scolded: "Donkey Feoqiu, the Jiangbei Army on the opposite side has rifles, mortars, and knows how to dig trenches. It is impossible for us to defeat the Jiangbei Army without a fight."
The officers of the Huben Army fell into deep thought.
Finally, Zheng Kaicheng said: "How about trying the prince's steam tank. The prince said that if the war reaches a stalemate, use the tank to attack the trench on the opposite side."
Everyone turned around and looked at the 150 tanks parked a few hundred meters away, feeling a little dazed.
This tank is so awesome, can it really change the situation of the battle?
No one spoke.
Zheng Kaicheng waved his hand and said: "Okay! Let's give the tanks a try. Let one hundred and fifty tanks unload their horses and oxen, start moving, and cover the infantry as they march towards the trenches of the Jiangbei Army."
…
Boss Wei frowned and watched the "tank soldiers" busy unloading the oxen and horses pulling the carts, moving water and coal fuel into the tanks.
The tank crew also opened the door at the back of the tank. When the tank rushes forward, the rear is safe. Opening the back door can cool down the boiler.
Boss Wei's top soldier, Chen Yao'er, turned pale and said, "Platoon leader, are we really being asked to die?"
Boss Wei frowned and shouted: "Who said we are going to die? The higher ups asked us to rush in with the tanks!"
Chen Yaoer said with a sad face: "The Jiangbei Army has tens of thousands of rifles guarding that trench. If we follow the tanks and charge like this, aren't we going to die?"
Hearing Chen Yao'er's words, Boss Wei's soldiers all looked at Boss Wei.
Attacking the trench is the most dangerous job in this era. The Huben Army has not stepped forward to fire mortars, and has not suppressed the Jiangbei Army in terms of firepower. The Jiangbei Army is waiting for work and stands very densely in the trench. The Huben Army rushes up like this, pressing
Generally speaking, the risk is very high.
As for whether tanks can shield enemy firepower, everyone has no idea.
Boss Wei looked at his subordinates and shouted at Chen Yao'er: "You are talking nonsense! The military style of our Tiger Army is here. When did the general above let us soldiers die? You say this affects the morale of the army again?
If you're talking nonsense, I'll send you to a military court."
When Chen Yao'er heard Boss Wei's scolding, he didn't dare to say anything more. However, his face was still panic-stricken, as if his life would be lost at any time.
Boss Wei took a breath, walked behind the tank and looked at the tank. He gestured with the width of the tank with his hand, wondering how many soldiers the tank could shield.
Not long after, Boss Wei saw a group of soldiers from the Dang Kou Division approaching with shotguns on their backs.
A company was assigned to Boss Wei. The company commander came up and saluted Boss Wei and said: "I am Tang Mingjin, commander of the fourth company of the second battalion of the third regiment of the Dang Kou Division. I have been ordered to coordinate the tanks with your company."
Advance, storm the trench."
Boss Wei looked at Tang Mingjin's shotgun.
"You use this to storm the trench?"
Tang Mingjin nodded and said: "The tanks are responsible for covering the advance of our infantry, and the Guilian Jinwang shooters are responsible for entering the trenches and suppressing the enemies in the distance. Our shotgun company is responsible for rushing into the trenches to kill the effective forces of the gentry rebels."
Hearing Tang Mingjin's words, Chen Yaoer opened his mouth in surprise.
Put it this way, this shotgun company is the real cannon fodder. If you charge into the Jiangbei Army's position with a shotgun, then you can truly charge into the battle.
Chen Yaoer looked at the soldiers behind Tang Mingjin.
However, this shotgun company showed no dissatisfaction, and every one of them had a high fighting spirit, as if taking over the enemy's position was just a matter of leisure.
Boss Wei was stunned and quickly saluted.
"Captain Tang, don't worry, our company will follow your company and use Jinwang style to suppress the enemy's charge to retake the trench after you take control of the trench."
Tang Mingjin laughed loudly and said: "Then please!"
After saluting in the direction of the capital, Tang Mingjin said: "Platoon Commander Wei! The emperor's safety this time depends entirely on our Tiger Army!" 8)
